Lainey Wilson Hits No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Breakout artist Lainey Wilson jumps four positions on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart moving into the No. 1 spot with “Heart Like A Truck.” The single was written by Wilson, Dallas Wilson and Trannie Anderson, and it appears on her sophomore release, Bell Bottom Country which was the top debut during her release week.

In addition to releasing her second album this year, Wilson appeared on the cover of MusicRow’s Artist Roster issue, was named the newest brand ambassador for Tractor Supply Company, appeared on the newest season of Yellowstone, and announced her first headlining tour set for the beginning of 2023.

She also won a slew of awards including ACM New Female Artist of the Year (ACMs) and Song of the Year for “Things A Man Oughta Know,” CMT’s Breakout Artist of the Year, and CMA New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

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

My Music Row Story: River House Artists’ Lynn Oliver-Cline

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Lynn Oliver-Cline. Photo: Emma Golden

The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.

In 2016, Lynn Oliver-Cline launched River House Artists, a creative firm that includes label, publishing and management, with flagship artist Luke Combs. River House Artists songwriters include Drew Parker, Ray Fulcher, Driver Williams, Nicolette Hayford, Jordan Rowe, and more. Oliver-Cline’s career began at Virgin Records, followed by time at BMI, ROAR, Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists, and Thirty Tigers, spearheading album launches for Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, and more. She is a 2018 MusicRow Rising Women on the Row honoree and has been named to multiple Billboard women in music and power players lists.

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

North of Charleston, South Carolina in a little town called Hanahan. I graduated with under 100 kids. I went to school at the University of South Carolina, so I was in South Carolina most of my early life.

What was your dream job as a kid?

I always wanted to be in the music business. Growing up, all my friends were in bands. I threw band parties in high school. I would collect $5 at the door, rent generators and fields for the band parties. Part of that management thing was always in me.

I also had talent in my family. My aunt was on the Nashville Network back in the day on You Can Be A Star. She grew up singing, my dad played banjo, and my uncles sang and played football. I grew up playing drums, piano, and guitar. I always thought maybe I’d be on stage, but I also had really bad stage fright. I learned going into college that there was a media arts major at USC and I could actually be on the business side [of the music industry]. Luckily for me, the guys from Hootie & the Blowfish went to school at the University of South Carolina. I started as an intern with them when I was 19. I was their second intern ever, so I really got thrown in. I started the day that Cracked Rear View came out.

Oliver-Cline with Hootie & The Blowfish

What did you do after college?

Hootie & the Blowfish started their own record label called Breaking Records that I worked at. From there, I started doing A&R for a producer named Matt Serletic. Matt had just won a bunch of Grammys with Santana. He discovered Matchbox 20 and made Collective Soul records—very alt rock stuff.

I had moved from South Carolina to Atlanta to Los Angeles. When Matt became the president of Virgin Records, we all moved to New York. At that time, Matt was working with Willie Nelson and had made a record with Faith Hill, so he was doing more stuff in Nashville.

[When I heard about Nashville], I was like, “Wait a minute. There are people in a town in the southeast that write songs all day and you can pitch songs to these recording artists and they will listen to to them? This is my dream. That’s what I want to do.”

How did you get to Nashville?

At that time, Forefront Records was in Franklin, Tennessee. It was a Christian label. We started working with an artist named Stacie Orrico to help her make her first secular record outside of the Christian world, so I was coming down to Franklin from New York a bunch. I told Matt in 2003 or 2004 that I really wanted to move to Nashville.

I came down here and started interviewing in 2004 and nobody would give me a job, so I started my own publishing company in 2004 and went flat broke in about six months.

How did things turn around?

I ended up getting an offer from BMI in Atlanta in 2005. Two weeks into working in BMI in Atlanta, I met Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette. About two years in, Zac was choosing a management company. I had been a big part of the team already, so he asked if I wanted to be his day-to-day manager. I was like, “Are you crazy? This is the best job in the whole world.” Working at BMI when Del [Bryant] was there was just the warmest, fuzziest job. But I decided I was going to do it because I just loved those boys, so I ended up living on the road for three years.

In 2010, Zac said, “What do you really want to do? I know you don’t want live out here on the road with us forever.” I said, “I really still want to start a publishing company. That’s still where my heart is.” He said, “Alright, let’s do it.” So we started a pub company and he decided to start his label Southern Ground at the same time, so we were putting out records, we were working with young songwriters, and we were sending them up here to write out of Atlanta.

I told Zac that I really needed to move to Nashville but he wanted me in Atlanta. I told him if I didn’t have boots on the ground in Nashville, it wasn’t going to work. Finally in 2013, he gave in and said, “We’ve got a studio there now and there’s office space, so you can go up there.” That’s how I finally got to Nashville in 2013.

Ray Fulcher plays MSG on Nov. 29, 2021 in New York, New York. Photo: Kurt Ozan

What was next?

We were doing well, but eventually it just got to be too much. There were too many different things going on, so Zac decided to close down Southern Ground in 2014. I took a job over at Thirty Tigers with David Macias. Then I found out I was pregnant for the first time in my whole life at age 41.

[My time at Thirty Tigers] was great. I was helping them put out projects for Greensky Bluegrass and Jason Isbell—all of these really cool, credible records. I didn’t necessarily feel the pressure of a major corporation at that time, so it really got me back to my roots. It was a really fun time. That’s when I decided to start River House.

What went into that decision?

[While I was working at Thirty Tigers], they were building this new, beautiful building and there was some lag time before we could move into the new office. It was at least two months, and I really loved being at home with [my son] Levi during that time. My husband, Jay, said, “I don’t understand why you don’t start your own thing.”

He was actually the one that convinced me to start my own company. I literally had a desk in the laundry room. We lived on the east side in Inglewood overlooking the Cumberland River. He said, “Just call it River House Records.”

I stayed on with Thirty Tigers to see through a Lucinda Williams album that we put out in February of 2016, but I actually started River House in September of 2015.

Oliver-Cline and Luke Combs at the ACM Awards

Luke Combs was your first signee. How did that come to be?

Chris Kappy and I were roommates. [Laughs] He was working on The Rock Boats and Zac Brown did a lot of those boats. Whenever I was living on tour with Zac for three years, I rented a room from Kappy because he was always gone on the boats and I was always gone on tour. We had been friends for half our lives.

He had decided to do the artist management thing after meeting Luke through Bradley Jordan, and moved to Nashville in 2015. He just came over to the house one day and said, “I want to put your A&R ears on something.” He had a little speaker in his backpack and just said, “This kid is Luke Combs from North Carolina. It’s pretty good.” He played it and I was like, “I think you might actually have something here. I really like this.” It was the first six songs from This One’s For You, the original EP.

Obviously Luke was still brand new and Kappy had never done management before, so I was like, “If you guys want me to help you out, I’m happy to put together some short term goals and some long term goals.”

At the time, I wasn’t trying to sign him to my label. I was just trying to help him because Kappy was my friend. Eventually he started meeting with labels and they weren’t calling him back. He was getting frustrated. I looked at what his numbers were doing online and he had done like a million streams of “Hurricane.” Even though that was only a few short years ago, that was a big deal. I told him, “I’m starting a record label. It’s got all the resources you need. I’ve got a little extra money. I can put this record out for you and I’m pretty sure I’ll make my money back.” So that’s what we did.

When did you start growing the River House roster?

After we did the JV with Sony, I was really part of the management team for the next couple of years because it was growing so quickly, but I still wanted to do the label because that’s what I set out to do. I didn’t set out to be a manager again, but I did help out on the management side quite a bit the first couple years.

Then we signed Jameson Rodgers. We knew that Jameson was going to be on tour with Luke for a full year. He was one of the artists who got super affected by COVID—it just hit at the absolute wrong time for him—but I just loved his voice and his swag. Then I met Georgia Webster and we signed her.

Oliver-Cline and Jameson Rodgers at Rodgers’ Grand Ole Opry debut

When do you feel most fulfilled in what you do?

In management and in artist development in general, there’s definitely daily victories that keep you going. You have to give yourself a pat on the back because no one else is really going to. You have to really just love it and live it and then you’ll feel rewarded by it. But I definitely think I feel the most fulfilled when seeing thousands of people singing a song back to an artist that you were there from the very beginning.

Who is your biggest mentor?

Matt Ceroletic for sure. He was such a mega producer and then became the president of a label—seeing that he could do both was was huge for me. Honestly, I still send him the records that I’m a part of because I want him to be proud. Him letting me be in the studio with him and be a part of that process with him was really huge. It helped me become pretty fearless. I don’t ever want to make decisions based on fear or be scared to do something.

What are some of the best qualities of our industry?

If you find the right tribe of people, there is a real communal feeling. There’s always those people that are going to take advantage, but I truly feel like most people have the artist’s best interests at heart. Overall, people have to work their faces off and make personal sacrifices [to have success]. It’s a lot of sacrifice. The executives have to be just as dedicated as the artist.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dierks Bentley & Billy Strings Delight On New Duet

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Country music’s men don’t have a lot to say, but they sure sound good doing it.

Lyrically, we have a crop of singles here that are either positive love songs or warmly nostalgic vignettes. There are strong vocal performances from Sam Hunt, Keith Urban, CB30 and Granger Smith.

Finishing in a dead heat for Disc of the Day are the ever-soulful Nate Smith and the team of Dierks Bentley & Billy Strings. Dierks gets the nod because he’s outside the box with a weed-loving lyric.

George Birge has no such competition for this week’s DISCovery Award.

NATE SMITH / “Wreckage”
Writers: Chris Sligh/Mary Kutter/Nate Smith/Paul Wrock; Producer: Joel Bruyere; Label: Arista
–The passion this man puts into his recorded performances never fails to stop me in my tracks. On this torrid outing, he pours emotion into a power ballad that praises a partner who loves him with all his faults. His debut album is finally coming on Feb. 17 next year. I, for one, cannot wait.

WALKER HAYES / “Face in the Crowd”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Emily Falvey/Tofer Brown; Producers: Walker Hayes/Joe Thibodeau; Label: Monument
–He’s not the world’s strongest singer, but the sincerity in this earnest, sweet performance is undeniable. It’s an ode to his wife, the “face in the crowd” who’s the only one who matters in his rocket ship career. He hopes that when his 15 minutes of fame ends, she’ll still be by his side.

BLANCO BROWN & T.I. / “Trap Still Bumpin’”
Writers: Blanco Brown/T.I.; Producers: Tre Trax/Blanco Brown; Label: Cinq
–Brown rode and performed “The Git Up” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That monster hit (reportedly 15 million sold) is an example of his self-anointed country sub-genre, “trailer trap” music. Now he’s teaming up with T.I. “the king of trap music.” The result is more Atlanta hip-hop than it is country music, but the “stoner,” easy-going groove is mesmerizing.

GRANGER SMITH / “Moonrise”
Writers: Andy Albert/Granger Smith/Jordan Schmidt/Justin Wilson; Producers: Granger Smith/John Marlin; Label: Wheelhouse Records
–This intensely romantic power ballad is produced and sung beautifully. I especially loved the extended, echoey, instrumental fade at the end. It’s the title tune of Smith’s first starring movie, which premieres via Pureflix on Dec. 15.

BRIAN KELLEY / “Florida Strong”
Writers: Brian Kelley”; Producers: Brian Kelley/Katlin Owen; Label: Big Machine
–It’s a jaunty, chin-up song dedicated to the resilience of Sunshine Staters. I could have done without the spoken-word bridge. Royalty proceeds benefit the Florida Disaster Fund and the Red Cross.

DIERKS BENTLEY & BILLY STRINGS / “High Note”
Writers: Charlie Worsham/Jim Beavers; Producers: Dierks Bentley/Ross Copperman/Jon Randall/F. Reid Shippen/Brett Beavers; Label: Capitol
–A total delight. Dierks and Billy sing the praises of weed in this witty, bluegrassy romp. Those fleet-fingered guitar notes rippling through the thing come courtesy of reigning Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year Billy plus the always welcome Charlie Worsham.

CLEDUS T. JUDD / “Shoot a Deer”
Writers: Cledus T. Judd/Chris Clark; Producer: none listed; Label: CDX
–Sung to the tune of Luke Byran’s “Drink a Beer,” this parody goofs around with silly hunting imagery. The video features Cledus and someone in a deer costume competing for laughs in the woods. You might not chuckle out loud, but I guarantee you’ll smile.

KEITH URBAN / “Street Called Main”
Writers: Chris LaCorte/Josh Miller/Scooter Carusoe; Producers: Keith Urban/Dann Huff; Label: Capitol
–This one’s another from Urban’s apparently bottomless well of uptempo love celebrations. Cheerful, joyously toe-tapping, bright and sunny. Highly listenable. But the radio single remains the also hearty “Brown Eyes Baby.”

GEORGE BIRGE / “Mind on You”
Writers: George Birge/Jaron Boyer/Michael Tyler/Colt Ford; Producers: Ash Bowers; Label: RECORDS/Sony
–A fevered dream of obsessive romance that swirls with electronics and hypnotic lyric repetition. Birge staged his Opry debut with it on Nov. 22.

SAM HUNT / “Start Nowhere”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producers: Zach Crowell/Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
–Very sweet. Hunt sings in a soft, heartfelt tenor as he wistfully ponders his youthful innocence. This one is ideal for the holiday season, since it yearns for hearth and home.

ALEX MILLER / “When God Made the South”
Writers: Jerry Salley/Aaron Wilburn/Lee Black; Producer: none listed; Label: Billy Jam
–The 6’6” American Idol alum rocks out on this Dixie anthem. At just 19, Miller is still maturing as a vocalist. In a few years, he’ll be able to bring out the baritone dips that this melody should have.

CB30 / “Now We’re Talkin’”
Writers: Christian Clementi/Brody Clementi/Dan Agee/Nick Wayne; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Buena Vista
–These two brothers always bring a youthful vibe to a listening session. This groove-soaked bopper is a cute barroom pick-up ditty with a smart, innovative production. Highly engaging, as always.

MusicRow Highlights The Next Generation Of Leaders With 2023 N.B.T. Industry Directory

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Rising Nashville music industry leaders have been selected for MusicRow Magazine’s 2023 N.B.T. Industry Directory.

Now in its fourth year, MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who occupy important roles at their respective companies. This class of professionals are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.

All members of the N.B.T. Industry Directory are featured in MusicRow’s current 2023 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue, which releases today (Nov. 30). Single copies of MusicRow’s Touring & Next Big Thing Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

YouTube video

The 84 members of MusicRow Magazine’s 2023 N.B.T. Industry Directory are:

Kayla Adkins, Creative Mgr./Publishing – River House Artists

Michelle Attardi, Dir., Publishing – Big Machine Music

Jacee Badeaux, Creative Dir., A&R – Big Yellow Dog Music

Bennett Beckner, Music Agent – CAA

Chelsey Block, Managing Partner – Homestead Music

Nikki Boon, Artist Manager – Neon Coast

Branden Bosler, Dir. of Account Relations, Digital Licensing – BMI

Jaclyn D. Carter, Vice President – Shore Fire Media

Julianne Cassidy, Publicist – Sweet Talk Publicity

Victoria Chaitoff, Dir., Publicity – Warner Music Nashville

Chase Chapman, Wealth Advisor & VP, Music Row Office – Regions Bank

Emily Cohen, Principal Music Curator – Amazon Music

Elice Cuff, Publicist – The GreenRoom

Jen Danielson, Sr. Dir., Streaming – Warner Music Nashville

Stephanie Davenport, Sr. Dir., A&R – Warner Music Nashville

David DeVaul, Sr. VP Music Sports and Entertainment – Pinnacle Financial Partners

Crystal Dishmon, Artist Manager – ShopKeeper Management

Leah Ducey, Dir. of Digital Marketing – UMG Nashville

Blake Duncan, Sr. Creative Dir. – Combustion Music

Chris Fabiani, National Dir., Radio – Warner Music Nashville

Michael Farris, Business Intelligence Lead – Country Music Association

Lindsey Feinstein, Sr. Account Mgr. – Girlilla Marketing

Kailyn Finnegan, Manager & Artist Operations – The AMG

Nina Jenkins Fisher, Sr. Dir., Creative – Jody Williams Songs

Kenley Flynn, Sr. Creative Dir. – Sony Music Publishing

Lauren Funk, Sr. Creative Dir. – Endurance Music Group

Katie Germano, Music Agent – CAA

Michael Giangreco, Sr. Dir. of A&R – Big Loud Publishing

Emilie Gilbert, Dir. of Label Analytics – Sony Music Nashville

Jeremy Groves, Creative Dir. – SMACK

Olivia Hanceri, Owner – OH Creative

Justin Hill, Music Agent – UTA

Jarrod Holley, Manager – Make Wake Artists

Laura Hostelley, VP of Marketing – Triple Tigers Records

Kara Jackson, Sr. Creative Dir. – Spirit Music Nashville

Ashley Jeanette, Dir. of Transition – Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group

Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Sr. Dir. of Membership – ASCAP

Nick Kaper, Dir. of Promotion & Radio Marketing – UMG Nashville

Kristen Kee, Sr. Dir., Marketing & Events – SESAC Music Group

MaryAnn Keen, Assoc. Dir., Creative, Nashville – BMI

Jess Keifer, Dir., Digital Marketing – Sony Music Nashville

Morgan Kenney, Agent, Country – WME

Daniel Killian, Business Manager – FBMM

Heather Kinder, Chief Of Staff – Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group

Roxy King, Dir., A&R – Universal Music Publishing Group

Basak Kizilisik, Owner & Artist Manager – Eighteen Company

Lauren Lieu, Creative Dir. – Play It Again Music Group

Kaitlin Madewell, Artist Manager – Red Light Management

Ritz McCain, Sr. Editor – Spotify

Steve Mekler, Dir., Brand Marketing & Partnerships – Academy of Country Music

Mallory Michaels, Sr. Dir., Promotion & Artist Development – Sony Music Nashville/RCA Nashville

Matt Michiels, Sr. Creative Dir. – peermusic

Jen Morgan, VP, Creative & Imaging – BBR Music Group

Austin Mullins, Agent, Country – WME

Matt Najdowski, Royalty Mgr. – Farris, Self & Moore

Spencer Nohe, Sr. Dir., A&R – Warner Chappell Music

Kayla Ott, Dir. of Outreach & Engagement – Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

Shelby Paul, Dir., Communications – Big Machine Label Group

Emily Peacock, Sr. Creative Dir. – Tree Vibez Music

Allie Petko, Artist Manager – WHY&HOW

Jacoby Plyler, Dir. of Marketing & Digital Strategy – KP Entertainment

Kelcie Roberts, Dir. of Marketing – Big Loud Records

Carter Robinson, Sr. VP, Music Entertainment and Sports Group – Pinnacle Financial Partners

Matt Runner, Agent – Wasserman Music

Aubrey Rupe, Creative Dir. – Sony Music Publishing

Sophia Sansone, Manager – Make Wake Artists

Kayleigh Shoemaker, Sr. Public Programs Mgr. – Country Music Hall of Fame

Harrison Sokoloff, Dir. of Publishing & A&R – King Pen Music/Red Street Records

Jessica Sonquist, Head of Tour Marketing – Maverick Nashville

Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Sr. Dir., A&R/Digital – Warner Chappell Music

Alex Strong, Vice President – First Horizon Music Industry Group

Candice Surrency, Assoc. Dir., Release Planning & Production – Sony Music Nashville

Brittni Talley, Dir. of Communications & Creative – Nashville Songwriters Association International

Alex Tamashunas, Creative Dir. – Creative Nation

Amanda Terranova, Dir., Content & Creative – SESAC Music Group

Alina Thompson, Assoc. Dir., Strategy & Operations – SiriusXM/Pandora

Joshua Tomlinson, Dir., Creative, Nashville – BMI

Matt Turner, Sr. Dir., A&R – Concord Music Publishing

Torianne Valdez, Sr. Program Mgr. – Musicians On Call

Alec Vidmar, Music Agent – UTA

Rachel Wein, A&R Mgr. – Prescription Songs

Franklin Willis, Community Impact Dir. – Country Music Association

Taylor Wolf, Manager – ACM Lifting Lives

Kelsey Worley, Sr. Creative Dir. – BMG

MusicRow Reveals Next Big Thing Artists Class Of 2023

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MusicRow is proud to reveal its list of artists who, in 2023, are predicted to become the Next Big Thing (NBT). The ninth annual NBT list features 11 artists, who are each profiled in MusicRow‘s latest 2023 Touring & Next Big Thing print issue, which releases today (Nov. 30).

MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2023 boasts a stand-out group of artists on the rise. They are diverse in sound, style, and level of success, but what they have in common is extraordinary talent and a passion for today’s ever-evolving country music format. These future stars will expand the boundaries of country music, carrying the torch of the format both to its fans and into the mainstream.

Single copies of MusicRow’s Touring & Next Big Thing print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

MusicRow Magazine’s 2023 Next Big Thing Artists:

Chayce Beckham

19 Recordings/BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records | KP Entertainment | UTA | BMG | BMI

Chayce Beckham impressed the nation when he won season nineteen of American Idol, becoming the first artist to win the competition with an original song. The winning track, “23,” is a semi-autobiographical tune the California-native wrote about his struggles with alcohol. “23” topped numerous viral charts upon release, and has since racked up more than 122 million on-demand streams. Fresh off his win, he signed with BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records and 19 Recordings, and subsequently released a duet with label-mate Lindsay Ell, “Can’t Do Without Me.” Beckham followed that success with a six-track debut EP Doin It Right, which featured the singer-songwriter flexing his gritty yet clear vocals on songs such as “Tell Me Twice,” “Doin’ It Right,” and “Where The River Goes,” all of which he co-wrote. The EP skyrocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts, signaling a consistent hunger for the artist’s music. Beckham joined Jimmie Allen’s “Down Home Tour 2022” earlier this year, as well as some dates opening for Luke Combs. Beckham’s rabid fanbase will only grow as the artist continues down his path to success.

 

Tyler Braden

Warner Music Nashville | WHY&HOW | WME | 50 Egg Music/Sony Music Publishing | BMI

Tyler Braden grew up in Slapout, Alabama with parents who loved country music and friends who loved rock ‘n’ roll. Combining those influences, he started playing local shows and touring in his twenties, all while serving as a first responder in Montgomery, Alabama. When a gig in Music City prompted Braden to move north, he continued firefighting in the suburbs of Nashville while working on his music. After capturing the attention of industry executives, Braden signed with Warner Music Nashville in 2019. Since then he’s earned more than 120 million streams with songs such as “Secret,” “What Do They Know,” “Ways To Miss You,” and his No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown “Try Losing One” is currently at U.S. country radio. He released his label debut EP, What Do They Know (WDTK), in late 2021. Braden joined David Nail on tour this fall after opening for Brooks & Dunn on the 2022 “Reboot Tour.” He recently hosted his annual Engine Co. 18 Golf Outing, which raised more than $20,000 for first responders. Braden’s talent as a songwriter and performer, as well as his heart of gold, will undoubtedly propel him forward into a successful career.

 

ERNEST

Big Loud Records | Big Loud Management | The Neal Agency | Big Loud Publishing/UMPG | BMI

ERNEST has come into his own as an artist in the past few years. While enjoying massive success as a songwriter, celebrating No. 1 hits for Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, and Kane Brown, ERNEST was building an arsenal of songs suited for his own unique artistry. After releasing a few EPs and singles as an artist, ERNEST broke through with his George Jones-inspired “Flower Shops” featuring label-mate Wallen. The song took off, becoming the most-added single on its add week at country radio and hitting No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The tune led to the release of ERNEST’s Big Loud Records debut album Flower Shops (The Album), which also included fan favorites such as “Some Other Bar,” “Tennessee Queen,” and “Feet Wanna Run.” After touring on Wallen’s “Dangerous Tour,” ERNEST hit the road this fall for his “Sucker For Small Towns Tour.” The charming artist also hosts a podcast, Just Being ERNEST, welcoming guests such as Keith Urban, Diplo, Jason Aldean, Bobby Bones, and Craig Wiseman. Between his hit-making penmanship and charisma, ERNEST is headed for country music stardom.

 

Chapel Hart

JT3D | JT3D Management | APA | Hyperphlyy Music | BMI

Made up of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart, along with their cousin Trea Swindle, Chapel Hart blend their Mississippi roots and Louisiana spunk to make their music. After working hard for many years, the trio was lifted up by CMT’s Next Women of Country program, which has helped up-and-coming country females rise to fame such as Kelsea Ballerini and Ashley McBryde. They released their second album, The Girls Are Back in Town, shortly after. The 12-track project included “You Can Have Him Jolene,” a response to Dolly Parton’s iconic “Jolene” that twists the lyric to say that no one should fight over a man. The trio’s infectious three-part harmonies have earned Chapel Hart notoriety overseas, but the United States fell in love with them when they competed on America’s Got Talent earlier this year. With their “You Can Have Him Jolene,” Chapel Hart earned the coveted Golden Buzzer on the show, sending them straight to the final, live performance stage. Following their performance, Darius Rucker invited the women to sing on his redemptive ballad “Ol’ Church Hymn.” With their infectious harmonies, sharp songwriting ability, and charm, this lovable trio stands out among their peers.

 

Kylie Morgan

UMG Nashville (EMI Records Nashville) | SMACK Management | CAA | SMACKSongs | BMI

Kylie Morgan’s unique vocal tone paired with her relatable songwriting set her apart from the rest. The Oklahoma native spent many years grinding as a singer-songwriter before signing with UMG in 2019. Since her signing, Morgan released her Love, Kylie EP, which contained fan-favorites “Shoulda” and “I Only Date Cowboys.” Morgan found a strong hunger for her music when she started engaging with TikTok, going viral with songs such as “Independent With You,” a tune about being in a relationship without losing your independence, and “If He Wanted To He Would,” a brutally honest track about self-worth. Both appeared on her next EP, P.S. In October, Morgan released another EP Songs To Say I Do to commemorate her tying the knot—which included another viral hit, “Bridesmaids.” The singer-songwriter joined Tyler Rich on the road this fall for his “Thinkin’ We’re In Love Tour” after previously opening for acts such as Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brett Eldredge, and more. Morgan’s bold penmanship and accessible stories will only grow her already eager fanbase.

 

MacKenzie Porter

Big Loud Records | Big Loud Management | CAA | Sony Music Publishing | SOCAN

With five No. 1 songs north of the border, MacKenzie Porter has already made her mark on the Canadian country market. She moved to Nashville in 2014 hoping to translate that success to Music City. Her hard work began to pay off when she began to release successful pop-country tracks such as “These Days” and “Seeing Other People” via Big Loud Records. In the spring of 2021, Porter was recruited by country star Dustin Lynch as his duet partner on “Thinking ‘Bout You.” The track became a six-week No. 1, and made history as the longest-running top 10 single at 27 weeks since the Billboard Country Airplay chart launched in January 1990. As the massive duet was introducing Porter to country radio, the talented singer released her single “Pickup.” The glittery track hit the top of the Canadian charts and has garnered more than 30 million streams across the U.S. and Canada. Porter was direct support on Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like Tour” and has opened for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Jordan Davis, and more. We will definitely be seeing more of Porter in 2023.

 

Conner Smith

Big Machine Label Group (The Valory Music Co.) | HOMESTEAD/Red Light | WME | Warner Chappell Music/Home Team Music/Miller Crow Music | BMI

Conner Smith was introduced to the music industry via his mother, who interviewed songwriters as part of her work when he was a small child. He started writing songs at age six and was aligned with BMI by the time he was nine. The songwriter signed a record deal with The Valory Music Co. in 2019. It’s no surprise he co-wrote five of the six songs on his debut project, Didn’t Go Too Far. The collection included his first top 40 hit “Learn From It” and fan-favorite single “Take It Slow,” which has already amassed nearly 60 million global streams to date. Smith followed its success with another viral sensation, “I Hate Alabama,” where he laments that everything about the Crimson Tide reminds him of a love lost. He doubled down with another football analogy song that took off on social media, “Orange And White.” Smith joined Thomas Rhett on his “Bring The Bar To You Tour” this summer. The tunesmith will undoubtedly make his mark on the genre with his clever tunes and far-reaching popularity.

 

Nate Smith

Sony Music Nashville (Arista Nashville) | The CORE Entertainment | WME | Sony Music Publishing | ASCAP

Nate Smith’s powerful voice with a unique vocal tone could make any head turn. He first attracted industry attention with his debut EP Reckless and the popular single “Wildfire,” inspired by a devastating fire that struck his home of Paradise, California and destroyed everything he owned. He followed the success of “Wildfire” with “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which have amassed over 60 million on-demand streams to date. He signed with Sony Music Nashville in 2021 and shipped his new single, “Whiskey On You,” to country radio. The tune took off. It has garnered over 128 million total on-demand streams, was recently certified Gold, hit No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown, and is currently climbing the country radio charts. Smith went viral with label-mate Tenille Townes on the powerful “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.” The duet, as well as “Whiskey On You,” will appear on Smith’s self-titled debut album, out in February. He went on his first headlining run this summer with the “Whiskey On You Tour,” and will hit the road with Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell on Rhett’s “Home Team Tour 23” in May. Smith is powering through his own lane and will only go up from here.

 

Alana Springsteen

Columbia Records New York/Sony Music Nashville | Eighteen Company | UTA | Warner Chappell Music | BMI

Alana Springsteen picked up the guitar at age seven and wrote her first song at age nine. From then, the Virginia Beach native felt the pull to Nashville. She moved to Music City when she was 14 and landed a publishing deal almost immediately. After years of grinding as a singer-songwriter, Springsteen began to independently release music. With nearly 40 million streams under her belt, she put out a seven-song EP, History Of Breaking Up (Part One), in 2021. She followed its success with an eight-song collection, History Of Breaking Up (Part Two). The project featured popular tracks “Trust Issues,” “New Number” and “Me Myself and Why.” On her 22nd birthday in October, Springsteen made her Grand Ole Opry debut and announced her label signing with Columbia Records NY/Sony Music Nashville. She has since notched her stream-count up to over 71 million. Springsteen has opened for Mitchell Tenpenny and pop band LANY, and will support Adam Doleac’s “Barstool Whiskey Wonderland Tour” in 2023. With her songwriting chops and unique vocal stylings, Springsteen is on the fast-track to stardom.

 

Morgan Wade

Sony Music Nashville (Arista Nashville) | Hillpeople Artist Management | WME | UMPG | ASCAP

Morgan Wade is one of the most unique artists to have signed a major label record deal in Nashville in many years. She kept her voice hidden until she started singing in public at 19. The Virginia native’s blend of country, bluegrass, and pop-rock first caught the industry’s eye with her 2021 debut album Reckless. The 10-song collection featured illustrious songs such as “Last Cigarette,” “Don’t Cry,” and “Take Me Away,” but the clear fan-favorite was “Wilder Days,” a tune about a relationship with a large age gap. Wade signed with Sony Music Nashville following the success of Reckless. The label sent “Wilder Days” to country radio where it hit No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Top 30 Countdown. Wade released a deluxe edition of Reckless in January with six additional songs. She joined Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, and Brooks & Dunn on the road throughout 2022 and will hit the road on her own headlining “No Signs of Slowing Down Tour” in February. As an artist assuredly in her own unique lane, we will definitely be seeing more of Wade in 2023.

 

Bailey Zimmerman

Warner Music Nashville/Elektra Records | The CORE Entertainment/10th Street Entertainment | WME | Warner Chappell | BMI

Bailey Zimmerman’s rise to his breakthrough is a story of manifestation. The Illinois native grew up listening to country radio on long hauls across state lines with his father, who owned a trucking business, while his mother instilled in him a love of rock ‘n’ roll. He got his first job, a gig at the local meat processing plant, at 16, and continued to work from then on. After friends encouraged him to try singing, Zimmerman uploaded the tune “Never Comin’ Home” on TikTok, creating a viral sensation. He did it again with “Fall In Love,” which caught the eye of Warner Music Nashville and Elektra Music Group who signed him. Zimmerman dropped his debut full-length release, Leave The Light On, in October. Upon release, the nine-song project became the most-streamed all-genre debut of the year, as well as the biggest streaming country debut of all time. Leave The Light On arrived at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 9 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. With a passion for tricked out trucks, Zimmerman played his first headlining show in Nashville at a lifted truck show block party. Zimmerman’s rabid fanbase will only grow as he continues to rise to success.

Trace Adkins Graces The Cover Of MusicRow’s 2023 Touring & Next Big Thing Print Issue

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MusicRow Magazine has released its 2023 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue, featuring Verge Records’ Trace Adkins on the cover.

With more than 25 years in the industry under his belt and an impressive list of RIAA certifications, Adkins has been fusing his booming baritone and commanding stage presence with sounds from across the country music spectrum for a while. Since his 1996 debut, he has sold over 11 million albums, charted 20 songs on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100, earned 15 top 10 country radio hits, and added film/TV to his credits. Along the way, he’s also racked up two billion streams, multiple Grammy nominations and numerous awards.

The multi-Platinum country artist recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his debut album, Dreamin’ Out Loud, with the release of his 25-track The Way I Wanna Go. Marking his 13th studio album, the project finds Adkins leaning into a lone-wolf spirit and continuing down the road which made him a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, the project also brings a who’s who of special guests with it, including Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Keb’ Mo’ and Melissa Etheridge. With his headline “The Way I Wanna Go Tour” extending into 2023, he is currently starring in Fox’s drama series, Monarch.

Featured in this issue is MusicRow’s ninth annual Next Big Thing class of artists, consisting of Chayce Beckham (19 Recordings/BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records), Tyler Braden (Warner Music Nashville), Ernest (Big Loud Records), Chapel Hart (JT3D), Kylie Morgan (EMI Records Nashville), MacKenzie Porter (Big Loud Records), Conner Smith (The Valory Music Co.), Nate Smith (Arista Nashville), Alana Springsteen (Columbia Records New York/Sony Music Nashville), Morgan Wade (Arista Nashville), and Bailey Zimmerman (Warner Music Nashville/Elektra Records).

This issue also features the N.B.T. Industry Directory Class of 2023, which spotlights rising Nashville music business professionals who are having a major impact on the industry. MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind. These industry members occupy important roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.

“MusicRow‘s Touring/N.B.T. Issue spotlights new and upcoming artists in our 2023 Next Big Thing Artist list, showcasing our top editorial picks for acts destined to reach new levels in their career,” shares MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “Additionally, our N.B.T. Music Industry Directory is a coveted one-of-a-kind list of talent that recognizes the industry’s music business professionals who are rising through the ranks.”

The Touring & Next Big Thing Issue explores the growing theme of multi-genre touring with CAA’s Meredith Jones and WME’s Aaron Tannenbaum, and also dives into the recent expansions of Messina Touring Group and the re-launch of The Neal Agency. This issue also catches up with industry icon Joe Galante to look at the importance of mentorship. The Touring & Next Big Thing Issue also discusses Taylor Swift‘s massive return to the road with her upcoming “The Eras Tour,” which kicks off in March 2023.

Elsewhere in this issue, MusicRow sits down with TNDV’s Nic Dugger, who shares his unwavering love for Music City and his story from starting at a local TV station in Jackson, Tennessee, to bringing productions like ACM Honors, the CMA Awards, and more to life. This issue also puts a spotlight on the newly-formed Reliant Talent Agency, as its founders—Steve Lassiter, Matt McGuire and Heath Baumhor—look back on their first two years and ahead to the company’s many decades to come.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Weekly Register: Dolly Parton’s ‘Diamonds & Rhinestones’ Makes Top Country Album Debut

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Dolly Parton makes the biggest debut on the top country albums chart this week. Her new greatest hits collection, Diamonds & Rhinestones, comes in at No. 4 on the country charts and No. 27 overall with 19K in total consumption (14K album only/5.2 million song streams).

Joining her on the albums chart is Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album at No. 1 for another week, according to Luminate data. The blockbuster record adds 42K in total consumption (1.8K album only/50 million song streams). Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak follows at No. 2 with 27K, Taylor Swift‘s Red (Taylor’s Version) comes in at No. 3 with 22K, and Bailey Zimmerman‘s Leave The Light On closes out the top five with 19K.

On the top country streaming songs chart, Bryan continues to lead the pack for a tenth consecutive week. “Something In The Orange” gains another 14 million streams, contributing to a total of 343 million RTD. “You Proof” (Wallen) maintains the second spot with 9.7 million streams., and his “Wasted On You” also rises back into the fifth position with 7.7 million streams. “Rock And A Hard Place” (Zimmerman) keeps its place in third with 9.2 million, and “The Kind Of Love We Make” (Luke Combs) remains in fourth with 7.8 million.

Eric Church & Longtime Manager John Peets Launch Solid Entertainment

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Eric Church

Eric Church and longtime manager John Peets have partnered to form Solid Entertainment.

The new endeavor centralizes all things Church, while also doubling down on infrastructure behind investments in his professional footprint, including his new SiriusXM Channel, Outsiders Radio; his Lower Broadway venue, bar and restaurant, Chief’s; in-house merchandise operation; and his fan club, the Church Choir.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Shane Allen, Brandon Schneeberger, and Hayley Harris; (L-R, bottom row): Kimsey Kerr, Marshall Alexander, and Matt Wheeler

Marshall Alexander will take on the role of President, also serving as Church’s representative for Chief’s. Brandon Schneeberger will oversee day-to-day management for Church.

Meanwhile, industry vets Shane Allen and Kimsey Kerr have been tapped to launch and run Outsiders Radio, which officially launched on Nov. 4. Bryan Chisholm joins the team to lead Digital Marketing, and Hayley Harris has been appointed to manage Church’s fan club. Matt Wheeler will continue to oversee Chief Merchandise.

“I’m incredibly proud of the path we’ve taken to get to this point in all our careers and to have experienced so much of it together,” Church shares. “As our business continues to expand in different areas, it was important to me to establish a team of people that is focused on this growth. None of us got into music for the business of it, yet it’s part of how we are our most creative selves: through finding those other avenues for connection. It’s humbling to be in a position where such incredibly talented people want to focus on the future together.”

Peets adds, “I am very proud to take our professional relationship to the next level. We have been working creatively together since 2004, and Solid Entertainment represents a fresh look and a continued commitment to all that we have built. I look forward to adding to this foundation with an eye towards all that is to come with the ongoing expansion of Eric’s empire.”

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Marty Stuart Marks Milestones

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Marty Stuart. Photo: Chris Hollo

Chapter 660

It was quite a week for Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart, capped by his anniversary celebration at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (Nov. 26).

Last Tuesday (Nov. 22), Marty and his Fabulous Superlatives—Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson and Chris Scruggs–were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Marty first arrived in Music City as a teenage prodigy 50 years ago, so that was worth a celebration, too. He marked the release of a new record last week. And he was saluted at the Opry for his 30 years as a member of the show’s cast.

Backstage in the Green Room, an anniversary sheet cake with striking aqua-blue and black icing was presented. Marty personally cut and served 30 pieces of the confection to guests.

Storme Warren, George Gruhn, Dan Rogers, Don Schlitz, Riders in the Sky, Desi Smith, Jason Crabb, Connie Smith, Mike Terry and the Opry Square Dancers mingled, not to mention Hilda Stuart. Marty’s Mississippi mom had celebrated her 89th birthday the day before.

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Photo: Chris Hollo

On stage, Marty greeted a wildly enthusiastic Opry crowd. “Our job is to take the roof off this place,” he promised the throng. “We’re gonna fill it up with people I love.”

He showcased The Fabulous Superlatives on a rocking version of his 1991 smash “Tempted.” Fiddler Kenny Lovelace has been with the late Jerry Lee Lewis since 1967. Marty brought him out to play on the honky honking “Rough Around the Edges.”

Next, Marty introduced young Georgia bluesman Jontavious Willis. This was the artist’s debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and he made the most of it. After performing with Marty and the Superlatives, Willis confidently entertained solo.

The music of Jontavious Willis recalls the sounds of rural Black Southern performers of the 1920s through the 1950s. His feature at his Opry debut was “The World’s In a Tangle,” his reworking of a blues song recorded in 1951 by Atlanta’s Jimmy Rogers and in 1961 by Houston’s Lightnin’ Hopkins. It is also associated with Muddy Waters, whom Willis cites as a major influence. The 26-year-old Willis has been previously endorsed by Taj Mahal and Keb Mo. On Saturday, he got the ultimate country-music endorsement, a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry.

Show emcee Natalie Stovall squealed with delight at this Opry newcomer’s reception. When she interviewed Willis, he reminded her how close the blues and country music have always been.

Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry, and Marty Stuart. Photo: Chris Hollo

With his sky-high hairdo, comedian Gary Mule Deer looks like a Marty Stuart relative. And that’s the way Marty introduced him. Again, he shared the stage with his guest, before turning him loose as a stand-up comic.

Marty also joined The Del McCoury Band after he announced the band as his next guests. Del dedicated “Nashville Cats” to Marty, calling the man of the hour “The Original Nashville Cat.” Marty first came to the Opry as a 13-year-old in Lester Flatt’s band in 1972, so he joined The Del McCoury Band in a spirited Flatt & Scruggs salute, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

The evening’s finale belonged to the show honoree. Marty cited Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison as his favorite country album. He performed that record’s gospel song “Greystone Chapel.” Then he created an ovation by introducing his new single, the Bakersfield-tinged rockabilly romp “Country Star.”

Dierks Bentley Sits Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart

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“Gold” by Dierks Bentley takes the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. Bentley co-wrote the single with Ross Copperman, Luke Dick, and Ashley Gorley and it is the lead single from his tenth studio album, set for release in 2023.

“2020 was a chance for me to give my guitar and the road a little rest. It gave me the chance to spend a lot more time adventuring outdoors with family and friends, but also alone. It also gave me time to reset and rekindle my love of country music and a lot of the types of songs and sounds that I fell in love with when I first got to Nashville,” explains Bentley. “I think you’ll hear that in this first track, but it carries across the whole album.”

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