DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brandy Clark Proves Why She’s One Of ‘Our Greatest Living Country Songwriters’

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Brandy Clark. Photo: Victoria Stevens

Today’s country survey is dominated by our mainstream male up-and-comers, but the award winners come from left field.

From our enduringly creative songwriting community comes a stellar effort by Warner singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, who wins the Disc of the Day. Also representing this population is today’s Luke Laird release.

From outer space—or somewhere in Florida—comes Will Thompson, who is a triumphant DisCovery Award winner.

Also in the mix are two baseball tunes belonging to Bryan Ruby and Grant Gilbert, two star-confirming performances belonging to Randall King and Tyler Rich and two fine female-duo outings belonging to Tigirlily Gold and Rissi Palmer with Miko Marks.

WILL THOMPSON / “Checklist”
Writers: Ashley Watson/William Paul Grant Thompson; Producer: Will Thompson; Label: Will Thompson Music
– Full stop. Proceed no further. Go to YouTube. RIGHT NOW. This song and performance are priceless hilarity. It’s a brilliant satire of current country songwriting, the gist being that you can follow a checklist to write a hit. Ripe for skewering are hometown, boots, beer, county line, neon sign, dirt roads, bonfire, tailgate, back roads, whiskey, American flag, huntin’ & fishin,’ football game and more. “Sound just like a rap song,” Thompson advises. To write “The anthem of our lives….Words don’t even matter / Hit the chorus and they’ll sing along.” Furthermore, “Do auto tune / To make this a hit we need 10 writers in a room.” Oh, and wear sunglasses, get an accent, make your voice more gritty and “network in Nashville.” This thing is genius!

RISSI PALMER & MIKO MARKS / “Still Here”
Writers: Rissi Palmer/Miko Marks/Deanna L. Walker/Steve Wyreman/Justin Phipps; Producers: Steve Wyreman/Justin Phipps; Label: Rissi Palmer
– Palmer remains a shining light in the format with her “Color Me Country” radio series and a new American Masters: In the Making documentary on PBS. This anthem salutes the perseverance that her career illustrates. She’s been on the country scene since 2005, and as the song says, she’s still here. So is her duet partner, Miko Marks, who arrived around the same time. The two enduring country women of color are launching a historic tour together this year. They’ll be at City Winery on May 18.

BRANDY CLARK / “Buried “
Writers: Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Brandi Carlile; Label: Warner Records
– This is a stunning ballad of ache and loss by one of our greatest living country songwriters. Clark’s broken-hearted delivery is shadowed by gentle acoustic guitar plucking and soft vocal harmonies. Among the many brilliant touches in the writing is the artful placing of the song’s title as the song’s very last word. She is just so awesome. It’s an advance track from her forthcoming fourth album. With Shane McAnally, Clark is also the cowriter of the Broadway musical Shucked, which opens in New York on April 4. Last Sunday’s New York Times had an extensive piece about it.

BRANDON DAVIS / “Jesus and Jesse James”
Writers: Richard Brandon Davis, Clay Mills, Peter Daniel Newman; Producer: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog
– The country outlaw sentiment is fine, but the production is kinda thin. A little percussive bite would help.

TYLER RICH/ “I Know You Do”
Writers: Tyler Rich/Jaron Boyer/Micah Wilshire; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– I like the reverb-twang guitar licks and the muffled thump in the percussion. As always, he’s a model country singer with plenty of heart-in-throat sincerity. The lyric of a loving yet complex relationship is a winner. In fact, it is his best yet.

ZAC BROWN BAND / “Paint It Black”
Writers: Mick Jagger/Keith Richards; Producer: Robert Deaton, Danny Rader; Label: Broken Bow Records
– The new Rolling Stones tribute CD Stoned Cold Country has a number of highlights. This is one of ‘em, since it gives this usually mellow band some rock edge. A beloved classic, thoroughly revived. Play it.

ANDREW JANNAKOS / “Meet My Maker”
Writers: Andrew Jannakos/Andrew Albert/Karen Kosowski/Emma-Lee; Producer: Derek Wells; Label: RCA Nashville
– “Ain’t no church like nature,” he sings in this wafting, lovely, pastoral ode. Amen, bro.

BRYAN RUBY / “Baseball Country “
Writers: Bryan Ruby/Chad Albert Sellers/Shane David Smith; Producers: Smith Curry; Label: Rubies In The Rough Music
– Play ball! Today is opening day in the major leagues. Ruby has crafted a rocking anthem designed for blasting over ballpark loudspeakers while teams take the field. He’s been professional ballplayer, himself, so he knows just how to get the dugout riled up.

GRANT GILBERT / “Take Me Out to the Bar”
Writers: Grant Gilbert/Brad Clawson/Blake Bollinger; Producers: Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House Artists
– Our second baseball-themed single of the week is just as dandy as “Baseball Country.” Gilbert’s got a busted heart, so he adopts the 1908 chestnut “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as his new anthem, with re-written lyrics. The seventh-inning stretch was never so honky-tonking and fun.

RANDALL KING / “Green Eyes Blue”
Writers: Randall King/Randy Montana; Producers: Jared Conrad; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– One of my favorite current neo-traditionalists is back with a highly listenable romantic meditation. Deep-twang guitar and sighing steel back him as he muses about leaving his wild ways behind to fall in love. I remain a fan.

LUKE LAIRD, LORI McKENNA & BARRY DEAN / “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Writers: Luke Laird/Eric Church; Producers: Luke Laird/Lori McKenna/Barry Dean; Label: CN Records
– These three Music Row songwriting champs are issuing a collection called The Songwriter Tapes containing their versions of mega hits they’re written for others. The advance track is Laird’s gentle-voiced rendition of a hit he cowrote with the great Eric Church. He lacks the superstar’s fire and vocal charisma, but the soft, echoey production throws a real spotlight on the song’s marvelous lyrics.

TIGIRLILY GOLD / “Blonde”
Writers: Scott Stepakoff/Alex Kline/Kendra Jo Slaubaugh/Krista Jade Slaubaugh; Producers: Alex Kline; Label: Monument Records
– The feisty sister duo struts a sassy pace on the title tune of their new EP. Packed with delightful attitude, cool beats, tight harmonies, a Dolly shout-out and gal-pal sing-alongs. Highly recommended.

Jimmy Robbins Signs With Boom Music Group & Cinq Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Sarah Robbins (Mailbox Money Music), Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell), Joe Fisher (Boom Music Group), Jimmy Robbins, Shaina Botwin (Boom Music Group), BJ Hill (Warner Chappell)

Songwriter and producer Jimmy Robbins has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Boom Music Group in partnership with Cinq Music Group, which also recently acquired a portion of Robbins’ catalog.

Robbins is an CMA and ACM-award winning, Grammy-nominated songwriter who has penned over 200 cuts in multiple genres. He has earned 10 No. 1 songs as a writer, including Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney‘s “Half Of My Hometown,” Maren Morris’ “The Bones” and “I Could Use A Love Song,” Thomas Rhett‘s “It Goes Like This,” Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s “We Were Us,” David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got,” Jake Owen‘s “Beachin’,” Jason Aldean’s “Lights Come On,” and Michael Ray’s “Think A Little Less.”

Robbins penned four cuts on Morris’ album Girl (2019 CMA Album of the Year) including her Grammy-nominated, 2021 ACM Song of the Year, 2020 CMA Song of the Year, 2020 AIMP Song of the Year, and two-week country No. 1 single, “The Bones.” The smash single was also No. 1 at Hot AC, No. 1 at Adult Contemporary radio, a 19-week No. 1 at Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs, No. 9 on Billboard‘s Top Hot 100 Songs of 2020, No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Country Songs of 2020, and has accumulated 1 billion total audience spins on iHeart Radio.

He is a CMA Triple Play Award winner for penning three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period, and was ASCAP Song Of The Year winner for Rhett’s “It Goes Like This.” Robbins also received a 2021 ASCAP Pop Award for “The Bones” being one of the most performed pop songs of the year. As a producer, Robbins has produced hits such as Maddie + Tae‘s “Die From A Broken Heart” and Canaan Smith’s “Love You Like That,” as well as a No. 1 album for RaeLynn’s Wildhorse.

“Jimmy is a one of a kind talent and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with him at Boom,” shares Boom Sr. Director, A&R Shaina Botwin. “Joe Fisher signed Jimmy to his first publishing deal over 10 years ago, so it’s a sweet reunion to be working alongside him again now with our partners at Cinq and our admin partner Warner Chappell.”

“We couldn’t have picked a better partner in Boom, and a better creator in Jimmy, to kick off our venture into Nashville,” shares Cinq Music President Barry Daffurn. “Things are off to a great start, and we’re extremely excited for what the future holds.”

“I am so excited to be working with Boom and Cinq,” says Robbins. “I’m really looking forward to growing and expanding my writing world in this new partnership and can’t wait to see what we do together!”

Dolly Parton & Garth Brooks To Host 58th ACM Awards

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The Academy of Country Music, Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions have announced that Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks will host the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. The awards ceremony will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ territories on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. PDT.

The 58th ACM Awards will mark the first time Brooks will host an awards show, coming ahead of his Las Vegas residency and off the heels of his world tour. It’s the second consecutive year that the show will be hosted by Parton.

“I am thrilled to return to host the ACM Awards, this time with my friend Garth,” shares Parton. “While I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with him throughout the years, I can’t believe we’ve never had the chance to work together. In addition to getting to see all this great new talent in country music, I am excited to have the chance to premiere the lead single from my upcoming rock album on the show!”

“Anyone with Dolly Parton makes a fantastic couple,” says Brooks.

“The ACM Awards is the world’s biggest and most groundbreaking country music awards show and the only one to stream live across the globe thanks to our partners at Prime Video, so there is no host pairing more appropriate than music’s most iconic global superstars, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks,” says Academy of Country Music CEO and ACM Awards executive producer Damon Whiteside. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring this legendary pair together for the first time ever as ‘Country Music’s Party of the Year’ heads to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. From exclusive superstar performances to unexpected collaborations to the industry’s most exciting emerging talent, fans are in for an unforgettable night that can only be seen on the ACM Awards stage!”

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Raj Kapoor, Barry Adelman, and Fonda Anita serving as executive producers and Whiteside serving as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

A limited number of tickets for the 58th ACM Awards are still available for purchase on SeatGeek. Nominees, performers, and presenters for this year’s show will be announced in the coming weeks.

Black River’s Doug Johnson Hospitalized After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

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Doug Johnson

Black River’s VP of A&R, Doug Johnson, was taken to the Vanderbilt Hospital emergency room this morning (March 28) after suffering cardiac arrest at home.

According to Black River, doctors determined upon first examinations that Johnson’s heart is strong and he did not experience a heart attack. Due to Johnson needing compressions and being resuscitated with an AED, he is currently in the ICU in a medically-induced coma allowing his body time to rest.

The label asks that the music community pray for Johnson, specifically that he stays fever-free and that there is no swelling. Doctors are expecting to wake him 48-72 hours from now.

Well wishes to Johnson, his wife Lisa and their children can be sent to RSVP@blackriverent.com. Any gifts can be taken to the Black River office at 12 Music Circle South, Nashville, TN 37203.

More updates regarding Johnson will be published as they come out.

Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter Celebrate Six-Week No. 1, ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’

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Pictured (L-R): Hunter Phelps, Andy Albert, Dustin Lynch, Mackenzie Porter and Will Weatherly. Photo: Erika Rock

Industry members gathered at the curling and bowling bar-restaurant Tee Line in Nashville last week to celebrate Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter‘s six-week No. 1, “Thinking ‘Bout You.” The tune is Lynch’s eighth U.S. and second Canadian No. 1 at country radio, and Porter’s first U.S. No. 1.

The collaboration made history last year after becoming the longest-running top 10 single in Billboard Country Airplay chart history at 28 weeks and Broken Bow Records’ longest-reigning single at country radio. “Thinking ‘Bout You” was named the No. 1 song on the Mediabase 2022 Year-End Country Chart as well as the No. 2 track on the Billboard 2022 Year-End Country Airplay Songs chart.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Mike Sistad (ASCAP), Zach Crowell (Producer), Ryan Beuschel (Warner Chappell Music), Kelly Bolton (Tape Room Music), Kelsey Worley (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG) and Josh Tomlinson (BMI); (L-R, front row): Hunter Phelps, Andy Albert, Dustin Lynch, MacKenzie Porter and Will Weatherly. Photo: Erika Rock

Hosted by BMI and ASCAP, Lynch and Porter were joined by “Thinking ‘Bout You” co-writers Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly in the celebrations.

BMI’s Josh Tomlinson presided at the curling and bowling establishment. He started by congratulating BMI affiliates Lynch and Weatherly.

Tomlinson shared that outside of the soundtrack for the Disney movie Encanto, “Thinking ‘Bout You” is one of the only songs that will calm his 13-month-old son on his way to daycare. “We’re grateful for that,” Tomlinson quipped.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was on hand to celebrate affiliates Albert, Phelps and Porter. He shared a bit about each writer’s background and congratulated them all. He also recognized ASCAP member Zach Crowell, who produced the track.

BMG’s Kelsey Worley filled in for Chris Oglesby. She admitted she was nervous to speak, as it was her first time, but she handled it like a pro.

“I’m so glad that my first time speaking at one of these is for such a little-known, under the radar song that very few people have heard,” she joked about the tune that has garnered over 455 million global on-demand streams to date. Worley congratulated BMG writer Lynch. “I want to point out that your belief in this song played such an appropriate role in its incredible success.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Ellen Ford (BBR), JoJamie Hahr (BBR), Ashley Wojcinski (BBR), Carson James (BBR), Renee Leymon (BBR), Scotty O’brien (BBR), Jon Loba (BMG) and Shelley Hargis (BBR); (L-R, front row): Hunter Phelps, Andy Albert, Dustin Lynch, Mackenzie Porter and Will Weatherly. Photo: Erika Rock

Worley’s point was echoed throughout the party. “Thinking ‘Bout You” originally appeared as a collaboration with Lauren Alaina on his fourth album Tullahoma. When Alaina wasn’t available to be a part of the single release, Lynch put a call out to the country music community for submissions for the part from up-and-coming female artists. After blindly listening to tapes from different auditions, Lynch chose Porter’s vocal to be his duet partner, and the rest was history.

Tape Room’s Kelly Bolton spoke about writers Weatherly and Phelps. She recognized each of the Broken Bow Records radio promotion team members and BBR executives.

Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel was next to congratulate writers Lynch, Weatherly and Phelps. He pointed out that “Thinking ‘Bout You” was written while Lynch was out on the road on 2019 with Thomas Rhett.

“When DL and I started working together, he was very passionate about making sure we had a lot of bus runs. That’s been a big strategy of ours,” Beuschel said. “There’s a lot of distractions that go on out on the road, but when he has writers out, he is locked in and focused.”

Concord’s Brad Kennard and Matt Turner spoke about their relationship with writer Albert. Kennard spoke about wishing to be a part of “Thinking ‘Bout You” when he heard and then getting to be a part of it when the company acquired Albert’s catalog from Downtown in spring of 2021.

He turned the mic over to Turner, because he had been working alongside Turner at Downtown before moving to Concord, himself. “I was at Downtown when this song was written. I heard it and immediately wanted to know when it was coming out,” Turner said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to work with Andy and to be here celebrating this song.”

“Thinking ‘Bout You” collaborators with their MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins. Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell, Hunter Phelps, Andy Albert, Dustin Lynch, Mackenzie Porter, Will Weatherly and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Erika Rock

In partnership with BMI on their No. 1 parties, Studio Bank’s Ron Cox gave a presentation at the party, revealing that the bank had make a donation to Lynch’s The Cowboys and Angels Fund in the writers’ names.

Next up, BBR Music Group’s Shelley Hargis was on hand to speak on behalf of the award-winning promotion team.

“What a blessing this was to work this record,” she said. “As a promo staff, it’s amazing when you are given an amazing piece of work that you know from the get-go is going to be huge. We felt it from the first time we heard it. When we finally got to work it as a single, we partied our way to the top.”

After all the executives spoke, it was time to hear from the writers and artists. Weatherly was first—he kept it short and sweet, thanking his co-writers, publishers and Lynch.

Then came Albert. “This is the kind of song I’ve been praying about being a part of since before I moved to Nashville. I feel like no matter how many times I’ve heard it, I’m still not sick of it. That’s not easy to come by. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t burn out, it just burns in.”

Phelps was next. He echoed thanks to the village around the song. He made sure to thank his grandmother for the inspiration, saying, “Shoutout to my Grandma for picking up the phone one day and saying, ‘I was just thinking ’bout you.'”

Porter thanked her team and husband when she stepped up to the mic. She showed a lot of love to her duet partner who brought her on to the history-making song.

“Dustin, thank you for taking a chance on me. I know that this song had a beautiful life before I got involved. I know it was probably a scary and hard decision, but thank you for believing my voice,” Porter said. “Thank you for teaching me so many things on this road, like how to do an award show, how to do a TV talk show and how to do all these things as an artist. Thank you for showing me how I also want to be as an artist. Hopefully I will be able to pass that down to someone newer than me one day.”

When it came time for the man of the hour to speak, he gave particular attention to thanking everyone individually that was involved in “Thinking ‘Bout You.”

“We’ve been trying to put this party on since last May, so it’s been almost 12 months if that tells you how crazy life gets once we start touring again, recording, and going and doing life. MacKenzie, I knew from the moment I heard your voice on this track that we had something magical on our hands. Thank you for wanting to be a part of ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ and joining me on the wild journey of this song. To my BBR family, we made history together! Love y’all and am so grateful for you,” he shared. “Another huge thank you to country radio for loving this one as much as we do and giving it the life it deserved. And to Andy, Hunter and Will, thank you guys for both continuing to believe in me and create with me. These guys keep swinging the bat and believing in what we’re doing, and every now and again we get a ‘yes’ and it changes our lives. More to come, right?”

Scott Borchetta Involved In Racing Accident

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Scott Borchetta. Photo: Nathan Morgan for BMLG

Big Machine Label Group Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta was left injured after a crash while he was racing at the Trans Am2 Series at Road Atlanta on Sunday (March 26). According to BMLG, he is currently in stable condition.

Borchetta is also the team owner for the Big Machine Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He crashed on lap 24 of Sunday’s race and was transported to a local hospital.

“We ask everyone to please respect the Borchetta family’s privacy during this time,” the label shared in a statement.

Well wishes for Borchetta can sent to wellwishes@bmlg.net.

On Tuesday (March 28), Sandi Borchetta shared the below statement:

Dear Friends,

I’d like to share with you that my husband, Scott Borchetta, was hospitalized Sunday, March 26 after his race accident during the Trans Am TA2 Race Series event. I would like to thank everyone for their love and concern during this time. We feel your support from near and far. Scott is tough and he will be okay.

Thank you for your prayers and support on his road to recovery.

In addition, our hearts are completely broken by what occurred in Nashville on Monday. We send our love to our neighbors and those families who are enduring so much pain and loss.

Love,
Sandi Borchetta

More updates regarding Borchetta will be published as they come out.

MusicRow’s Rising Women On The Row Brings The Community Together

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MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson interviews Lynn-Oliver Cline at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

At MusicRow‘s annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast event on Thursday (March 23), more than 500 music business professionals came out to support the 2023 class of honorees. Now in its 10th year, MusicRow honored Big Loud’s Stacy Blythe, Neon Coast’s Martha Earls, WME’s Beth Hamilton, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Spotify’s Brittany Schaffer and Sony Music Publishing’s Anna Weisband.

Before the program commenced, attendees visited, drank coffee and took photos at the photo booth. When MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson took the stage, he recognized the event’s presenting sponsors, City National Bank and Loeb & Loeb, before introducing featured speaker Lynn Oliver-Cline.

Each honoree was presented their Rising Women on the Row trophy and gave a brief speech. Click here to read Bobby Karl’s recap of the event.

Rising Women on the Row honorees Jackie Jones, Stacy Blythe, Martha Earls, Beth Hamilton, Brittany Schaffer, Anna Weisband with featured speaker Lynn Oliver-Cline. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Stacy Blythe with her family at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Brittany Schaffer with her family at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Beth Hamilton with her WME team at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Jackie Jones with her daughter at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Martha Earls at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

Honoree Anna Weisband with colleagues at Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow‘s 10th annual Rising Women on the Row. Photo: Steve Lowry

BMLG Records Signs Greylan James

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Pictured (L-R, back row): BMLG’s Allison Jones, Morris Higham Management’s Brandon Morlock, Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham, Greenberg Traurig’s Jess Rosen, BMLG’s Megan Joyce, Morris Higham Management’s Will Hitchcock; (L-R, front row): BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Greylan James, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta

BMLG Records, a subsidiary of HYBE America, has announced the signing of Greylan James, a 26-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee. James joins the imprint’s roster which includes Lady A, Brett Young, Riley Green, Chris Janson and Shane Proffitt.

James was performing around East Tennessee by his early teenage years. Since moving to Music City eight years ago, he has earned cuts from Kenny Chesney (“Happy Does”), Chris Young (“If That Ain’t God), and Cole Swindell (“How Is She”) among others. Following his independently released EP, I Hope She Hears These, James shares his newest track “Undermine” via BMLG. He is represented by Morris Higham Management and WME in Nashville.

“When I was 14 years old, I wrote and mailed Scott Borchetta a letter that told him who I was and why he should sign me,” shares James. “For some reason, I just always had a feeling Scott was going to be part of my career. Now 12 years later, I can’t believe I get to work with him and the incredible BMLG team. “Thank you, Scott, Allison Jones, Julian Raymond, Jimmy Harnen, Ryan Dokke, Andrew Kautz and the rest of the crew for taking this chance on me. I can’t wait for the world to hear what we’re working up and hope folks enjoy ‘Undermine’ in the meantime. I know they’ve been asking for it for a while.”

“This is such an amazing signing!  Talk about ‘manifesting’… that Greylan has had the vision and desire to be with Big Machine since he was a young boy is just incredible,” says  Scott Borchetta, BMLG Chairman and CEO. “He’s become one of the best young writers in Nashville and his recording career is now lined up to follow his writing success in short order. Welcome to the Machine, Greylan!”

“We had the pleasure of having Greylan play us his huge collection of songs earlier this year and were blown away,” says Harnen, BMLG Records’ President/CEO. “He has an incredibly fresh approach to his writing, yet his body of work is so right at the core. Be sure to check out his killer live show and guitar virtuoso this spring while he’s tour with Old Dominion!”

James will appear at the Big Machine Distillery on March 24 before joining Old Dominion’s “No Bad Vibes Tour,” kicking off next Friday, March 31.

Corey Kent Earns First No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Corey Kent. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Corey Kent earns his first No. 1 song on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with his explosive single “Wild As Her.”

The tune was written by Morgan Wallen, Kelly Archer and Brett Tyler and was recently certified Platinum by the RIAA. It has garnered over 190 million on-demand streams, landed Kent his first-ever entry onto the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 15 on the Hot Country Songs Chart and is currently inside the Top 20 on other country radio charts.

Kent was named as a CMT Listen Up Artist for 2023, a Pandora Artist to Watch and was recently nominated for an AIMP Nashville Country Awards for AIMP Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs’ ‘Mighty Voice Is Unfurled In Majesty’

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Is there a more country-music sounding first name than Luke? Discuss.

In the meantime, give a Disc of the Day award to Luke Combs and a DisCovery Award to Luke Grimes.

There’s a lot more to like in today’s country round-up. If you want to feel good about the genre again, I prescribe a listening session that includes Bailey Zimmerman, Carly Pearce, Tim Dugger and the two unrelated Evans folks, Morgan and Tony.

TIM DUGGER / “Buy a Bar”
Writers: Brandon Kinney/Josh Thompson; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Curb Records
Cleverly penned and a raucous ride. The video is wonderfully good humored and self deprecating. Recommended.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Religiously “
Writers: Alex Palmer/Austin Shawn/Bailey Zimmerman/Frank Romano/Marty James; Producers: Austin Shawn/Joel Bruyere; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Elektra
This heartache lament is the title tune of his forthcoming album. It’s his most expressive performance to date, full of the ache and woe of someone who has lost true love and won’t ever get it back.

CHARLES ESTEN / “One Good Move”
Writers: Charles Esten/Sam Backoff/Zarni DeVette/Elise Hayes; Producer: Marshall Altman; Label: none listed
The Nashville TV series alumnus is now on the hit Netflix series Outer Banks. But he continues to pursue his country-music dream in Music City. His latest begins as a soft piano ballad and builds to a super-melodic, oomphy, chesty anthem of loss and regret. Lend him your ears.

MARCUS MUMFORD & MAREN MORRIS / “Look at Us Now”
Writers: Marcus Mumford/Blake Mills; Producer: Blake Mills; Label: Atlantic
A sonic wonderland. It’s currently an Amazon exclusive that will hopefully get wider distribution.

ANN-MARGRET, T.G. SHEPPARD & PETE TOWNSEND / “Bye Bye Love”
Writers: Boudleaux Bryant/Felice Bryant: Producer: none listed; Label: Cleopatra Records
The vocals are compressed to the max, and the mix is muddy. But, hey, she’s a legend, so you know you want to hear it, right? T.G. holds up his end of the duet expertly. Townsend’s guitar gets in a few licks, especially in the finale. By the way, Ann-Margret began her recording career on Music Row.

DYLAN SCOTT & JASON CRABB / “Good Morning Mercy”
Writers: Jason Crabb/Jay DeMarcus/Caleb Ward/Jordan Ward; Producers: Jay DeMarcus; Label: Red Street Records
The song has already been a Christian-music hit for the electrifying Crabb. Teamed with Curb’s Scott, it gets a new lease on life. Crabb takes a high-harmony vocal while Scott holds down the melody, and both men take admirable solo spots.

LUKE COMBS / “5 Leaf Clover”
Writers: Luke Combs/Jessi Alexander/Chase McGill; Producers: Luke Combs/Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House/Columbia Nashville
His heart is in his throat on this beautiful song of gratitude and blessings. His mighty voice is unfurled in majesty as he soars professing love on the choruses. The production is wonderfully shaded and restrained. The new Combs album drops tomorrow, and that is where you’ll find this mini masterpiece.

THE HAMMOND BROTHERS / “Cap Guns and Skinny Horses”
Writers: Dale Hammond/Gale Hammonds; Producers: none listed; Label: Dynasty
Very enjoyable. Jangly and thumping with hearty heartland harmonies. A nostalgia-tinged reverie with warmth and spirit.”

CARLY PEARCE / “Should’ve Known Better – Live From Music City”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Jordan Reynolds/Emily Shackelton; Prodcuers: Carly Pearce/Dave Clauss; Label: Big Machine
I don’t usually review live tracks, but this is a special case — a superb country singer at the top of her game who sounds just as good in person as she does in the studio. It’s totally cool when the gals in the audience sing along.

MORGAN EVANS / “On My Own Again”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Geoff Warburton/Morgan Evans/Zach Kale; Produced by: Chris DeStefano; Label: Warner Music Nashville 
Breezy, flowing and wafting — he’s on the road in the wake of a breakup. The guitar plucking is pretty special, too. Marvelously listenable.

TONY EVANS JR. / “Kids We Never Had”
Writers: Fred Wilhelm/Tony Evans Jr.; Producer: Ron Fair; Label: BFD
He’s a smooth, intimate-sounding baritone with a voice to get lost in. It didn’t work out between them, but sometimes he muses about what might have been. This is Evans’ second stunning performance in this column in as many weeks. Surely stardom awaits.

LUKE GRIMES / “Oh Ohio”
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall/ Luke Grimes; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: UMG Nashville, Warner Chappell Music
His vocal rasp is completely gripping as he slowly makes his way through this ballad of sorrowful farewell.