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.

My Music Row Story: The MLC’s Ellen Truley

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Ellen Truley

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.

Ellen Truley serves as Chief Marketing Officer for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where she works closely with The MLC’s Leadership Team, CEO, Board and Advisory Committee members. In her role, she also leverages her wealth of experience in marketing, brand strategy, digital initiatives, advertising, public relations and industry relations to direct a robust and proactive communications operation that engages both the music community and the public at large.

Prior to joining The MLC, Truley was the founder and CEO of ETC Consulting, a leading music industry marketing firm focused in the entertainment relations niche, consulting with music, tech and entertainment companies in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London. Previously, Truley served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations for SESAC Holdings, Inc., overseeing global marketing initiatives for all corporate entities, including the Harry Fox Agency, Rumblefish, SESAC PRO and Mint Digital Services. During her 20 years with SESAC, Truley noticeably elevated the organization’s brand through collaborations with industry partners and advertisers that maximized its visibility.

Her many achievements include being named one of Billboard Magazine’s Women in Music on numerous occasions and honored at the Nashville Business Journal’s Women in Music City Awards for several years. She currently serves on the Global Board of Women in Music, the leading industry nonprofit working to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts, and is a member of the Leadership Music class of 2022.

Reba and Ellen Truley

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

Nashville. Born and raised.

Did you grow up wanting to be in the music business here?

I thought I would not be in the music business. Growing up here I was like, “I’m not into that.” Then, lo and behold, I found myself right smack in the middle of it. My first job out of college, I worked at an ad agency for just a short time. That quickly led to a position at Billboard. I worked there for a couple years and that’s really where I fell into the music industry. Then I joined SESAC.

You spent over two decades at SESAC, rising to Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations. What was that time like?

That’s really where I grew to love songwriters and their stories. I grew to understand their huge role in our ecosystem and of the music industry. I’m just a huge fan of singer-songwriters.

Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick with Ellen Truley

Who were some of the songwriters that you first fell in love with?

Obviously the Nashville songwriters, but I had such a great opportunity working at SESAC because I worked in all genres. I was exposed to music that I probably wouldn’t have necessarily been before. Everything from jazz musicians to pop and rock; as well as film and TV composers. I never would’ve crossed paths with them. That has been really a cool thing.

Just the other night I saw a film and TV composer, Jonathan Wolf, who wrote the theme song for Seinfeld. He was in town for the CMA awards. It was good to see him again.

You left SESAC in 2018. What were the next steps for you?

I had my own company for a couple of years where I did a lot of industry relations and helped people who wanted to get into the music industry.

From there, I got a call about The MLC. I knew it was happening because I knew about the Music Modernization Act from 2018. I had been following that closely because I knew it was going to affect songwriters and publishers, and that was my world. So when they called, I was really interested. Anything that helps creatives get paid, I was behind. So I started with The MLC in March of 2020—right as the world was shutting down.

Pictured (L-R): Kris Ahrend, CEO of The MLC; songwriter Even Stevens; Ellen Truley, CMO of The MLC; songwriter Steve Bogard; Jennifer Turnbow, COO, NSAI; Erika Wollam-Nichols, GM, Bluebird Cafe

What was that first year like?

I was employee number five. We’re now at 105, so it’s grown a lot very quickly. It’s been a great ride. Building something from the ground up and seeing this piece of legislation and this mandate come to life has been really rewarding.

I started in March of 2020 and we officially started operations January of 2021. We started paying publishers and songwriters in April of 2021 and we’ve been paying every month since. We distribute royalties once a month.

When you signed on, what were you specifically tasked with?

Part of the legislation said we had to get out in the marketplace and educate people about The MLC. We had to do a lot of education and outreach. My role is marketing, but that includes the education and outreach as well as traditional marketing and PR. It’s about educating people on who we are and what we do, which has been a challenge. We’re kind of this unknown organization, brand new to the landscape of the music industry. We had to tell people what we do and why it was important to sign up so they could get paid.

Blanco Brown and Ellen Truley

What are the hardest things to get people to understand?

Some people thought we replaced a PRO. We do not. We work alongside a PRO and we work alongside SoundExchange. We are another way creators can get paid.

Specifically we pay a “digital audio mechanical royalty.” You say those words and people are like, “What does that mean?” We break it down—a mechanical used to mean physical sales. But a digital audio mechanical pertains to streaming.

People think if they’re signed up with a PRO, that they’re going to get that money. They do get a stream of royalties from a PRO, but there’s a performance royalty and a mechanical royalties associated with a stream. So letting people know they have two ways to get paid when a song is streamed is really important. A lot of people didn’t realize that. Hopefully we’ve opened up a lot of eyes and we’re getting more people paid.

What’s the most fulfilling part of being part of The MLC?

It’s a couple of things. One is that we’ve been able to, literally from the ground up, bring this organization to life. That was a tall order. There was lots to do. It was a great accomplishment to be part of the team that launched on time, when we were supposed to, even with the pandemic going on, and started paying people. That’s been really rewarding. To see a songwriter’s eyes light up when you tell them you have money for them, that’s pretty rewarding too.

Hillary Scott, Ellen Truley

What is some of the best advice you’ve ever received?

Never burn bridges. Always be respectful to everyone. You never know how you might end up working with someone down the road.

What’s the coolest part about working in this field?

I think a lot of people, when they hear you work in the music industry, they think that’s really cool. But it’s not all going to parties and attending the CMA Awards like we just did. There’s a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

Yes, it’s great to go to the CMAs but the rewarding part and what makes it cool is you’re playing a small part in bringing music to the people. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Zach Bryan Continues His Run At No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

The top 10 stays the same this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

At its peak, you can find Zach Bryan for the ninth week in a row. He has four tracks on the chart, all of which are his own, including “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” the newly added “Sun To Me” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Because he is the only writer on each of the songs, Bryan earns all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.

Filling out the remainder of the top five are Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Morgan Wallen (No. 3), Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4) and Luke Combs (No. 5).

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Kenny Chesney Returns To Markets That Launched Him On New ‘I Go Back Tour’

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Photo: Jill Trunnell

Kenny Chesney will launch his “I Go Back Tour” in March, taking him back to the places that started it all for the superstar. Kelsea Ballerini will join Chesney as special guest on the new tour.

Kicking off in State College, Pennsylvania on March 25, the 21-date tour will criss-cross the country with stops Chesney played on the climb to superstardom, including Lexington, Kentucky, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lincoln, Nebraska and Oklahoma City, as well as headlining the Hy-Vee Indy Race in Des Moines and Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Having played to over 1.3 million fans on 2022’s “Here And Now Tour,” including breaking his personal best at many of the 21 NFL stadium shows, Chesney wanted to take his music to the people who live beyond the major markets on the new tour.

“When a year is as hot and alive as 2022 was,” Chesney explains, “you don’t want to try to recapture that magic. Or maybe it’s me. I still have the sounds of diesel engines and No Shoes Nation in my head—and that made me ask, ‘What else could I do? What would be something that would put me every bit as much in the music and give No Shoes Nation another reason to believe? How can we reach those people who might not come to stadium shows, who live a little off the obvious path, but who love this music every bit as much…

“And that’s when it hit me: ‘I Go Back.’ That song is about holding all those things that shaped you very close, recognizing how special they are—and keeping them alive any way you can. So, I decided that rather than just go repeat what we did, I wanted to take this band and these songs to a lot of the cities we played on our way up! Let’s call the tour ‘I Go Back’—and do just that.”

The tour continues a working relationship between Chesney and Ballerini that started with Ballerini’s ode to her east Tennessee roots, “Half Of My Hometown,” which features Chesney.

“Music has taken me so many incredible places,” Ballerini says. “Around the world, singing with some of my heroes in pop, alternative and contemporary music, but singing with Kenny is going home. He was the only voice I heard on ‘Half Of My Hometown,’ and when he comes in, it’s just like hitting the Knoxville city limits. So to be able to go out to those cities like the place he and I grew up with an artist who’s accomplished what he has, it’s a lot like going home.”

American Express Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Dec. 1. General on-sale begins Dec. 2 at KennyChesney.com.

Kenny Chesney “I Go Back Tour” Dates:
March 25 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
March 30 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
April 1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
April 6 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
April 8 – Wilkes-Barre Township, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
April 12 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
April 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place Amphitheater
April 16 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga*
April 25 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
April 27 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
April 29 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
May 4 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena at The Mark
May 6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
May 9 – Grand Forks, ND – The Alerus Center
May 11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center
May 13 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
May 18 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
May 20 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
May 25 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
May 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf
July 22 – Des Moines, IA – Hy-Vee Indy Race*
*previously announced

Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records Sign Singer-Songwriter Megan Moroney

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Megan Moroney

Sony Music Nashville and Columbia Records have signed rising artist Megan Moroney. The singer-songwriter announced the news during her opening slot on Warren Zeiders‘ Nashville stop of “The Up to No Good Tour.”

“No one knows this at all, but here goes nothing,” she said from the stage. “Last week, I signed a record deal with Sony Music. I’m very thankful and couldn’t do it without the people have supported me.”

 

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Moroney also let the crowd know that her viral sensation “Tennessee Orange” will be her debut single at country radio.

The tune took off on social media after Moroney posted a TikTok of her singing the hook about a Georgia Bulldogs fan falling for a Tennessee boy. “Tennessee Orange” was written by Moroney, Ben Williams, David Fanning, and Paul Jenkins, and is currently at No. 19 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

YouTube video

According to Billboard, Moroney’s team also includes PunchBowl Entertainment’s Juli Griffith for management, UTA’s Elisa Vazzana for booking, and Alexandra Kolea for tour management.

Jordan Davis Hits No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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“What My World Spins Around” by Jordan Davis makes its way to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. Davis wrote the single with Matt Dragstrem and Ryan Hurd. The single will appear on his recently announced album, Bluebird Days.

“This song is a reflection of me writing what I know from the place I am in my life, and letting that drive the music,” shares Davis.

Last week, Davis won the CMA Song of the Year award for his Platinum certified single “Buy Dirt” marking his first CMA win. The award was given to Davis and his co-writers Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, and Matt Jenkins. Click here to read more about the awards.

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

Jameson Rodgers & Co-Writers Share A ‘Cold Beer’ At The Commodore Grille

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Brett Tyler, Jameson Rodgers, Alysa Vanderheym, Hunter Phelps; (L-R, back row): Lauren Thomas, Columbia Nashville; MaryAnn Keen, BMI; Evyn Mustoe, ASCAP; Lydia Schultz Cahill, SESAC. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP

Jameson Rodgers celebrated his second No. 1 single, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” at the Commodore Grille on Wednesday (Nov. 16).

Rodgers wrote the single with Hunter Phelps, Brett Tyler, and Alysa Vanderheym. The track features Rogers’ River House Artists/Sony Music Nashville label-mate Luke Combs.

The party was hosted by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. The Commodore Grille was chosen as its location because Rodgers met Phelps at a writer’s round there many years ago.

ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston served as emcee for the celebration. “It’s awesome that we’re at The Commodore Grille where Hunter and Jameson met and used to play rounds. That’s pretty full circle,” she said. “I’ve know these guys for a long time and couldn’t be happier or more proud. They’re two very deserving people.”

Pictured: Jameson Rodgers speaks to the crowd. Photo: Larry McCormack for ASCAP

SESAC’s Lydia Schultz Cahill was on hand to speak about affiliate Vanderheym, who was celebrating her first No. 1 song.

“It’s no secret how hard it is to have a No. 1 song in this business or how hard it is to even get a cut or a single,” she said. “Something that I really admire about Alysa is no matter the room, no matter the day, no matter the moment, she’s always bringing the vibes. Always bringing great energy.”

BMI’s MaryAnn Keen spoke on behalf of Brett Tyler, who was also celebrating his first No. 1.

“Brett is an incredible person. He’s not only hilarious, but an incredible friend, he’s a sweet husband and he’s very smart on the business side as well. With all of that, combined with his insane talent as a writer, we will be celebrating many more No. 1 songs,” Keen said.

Combustion’s Chris Farren was the first publisher to speak about and present plaques to writers Rodgers and Tyler.

“This is so satisfying,” Farren said. “To see their talent, focus, and perseverance—them not taking no for an answer and just doing great work—[the fact that it] took eight years to get a No. 1 is unbelievable. Now the doors are open for both of you guys.”

Tape Room’s Blain Rhodes and Kelly Bolton presented the writers with coozies for their “cold beers”—and Tape Room writer Phelps got a Yeti cooler.

“We get to work with Hunter every day. He literally turns in a smash hit every day. This crew is so fun to watch win,” Rhodes said.

Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel presented plaques to the crew and talked about the journey of “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” noting that it had been pitched around a lot but landed right where it needed to be: back in Rodgers’ hands.

“This was one of those songs that was not about ‘if’ but ‘when’,” he said. “It just needed to land where it started, with Jameson.”

Castle bound’s Andy Friday spoke about Vanderheym, who was nominated for a Grammy this week, too.

Columbia Nashville’s Lauren Thomas was on hand to talk about Rodgers’ accomplishments. “Jameson, you are one of 10 artists since 2015 to have their first singles go back-to-back No. 1,” she said.

When it was time for the writers to speak, Vanderheym went first. She thanked her publishers, mentors, co-writers, Rodgers and Combs, and producers. She made sure to call out Tina Crawford and Chandler Thurston for their early influence in her career.

“They set up my calendar as a young writer, helped make my brand, and dealt with me. I love them so much and I share this with them,” she said.

Phelps was up next. “It means a lot to get to celebrate a No. 1 spot in this spot. I met Jameson here literally 10 years ago back there at the bar,” Phelps said. He called out all of his publishers for their hard work–as well as the village who helped get “Cold Beer Calling My Name” to No. 1.

Tyler gave a funny and heartfelt speech when he got up to speak. He gave special attention to each person he thanked. “It’s always great to write songs with friends. It’s even more meaningful to have your first No. 1 song with them,” he said.

Rodgers took the same approach as Tyler—keeping things funny and sweet when thanking his village.

“There’s a lot of people in this room that I love,” he said. “This is nothing but a full-circle moment for me.”

Rodgers thanked his co-writers, publishers, label team, managers, and family—telling anecdotes about each one.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis Gives ‘The Sound Of A Superstar In Training’

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Do you feel it? There’s enormous warmth in today’s DISClaimer releases.

Leading the way for the women are newcomer Rachel Wammack, veteran Kelly Lang and feisty Elle King. The men march arm-in-arm with equal emotion, paced by Mitchell Tenpenny, Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Ratcliff, Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and our Disc of the Day winner, Jordan Davis.

What all these folks have in common is the genuine warmth that only great country music can bring to the table.

WARREN ZEIDERS & SUECO / “Ride It Hard”
Writers: Colin Brittain/Sueco/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Colin Brittain; Label: Warner
–This wild, frothing country rocker polishes Warren’s punk/outlaw image to a sheen. The NASCAR-spoofing video is worth some grins.

ELLE KING / “Jersey Giant”
Writer: Tyler Childers; Producers: Elle King/Charlie Worsham; Label: RCA
–Her twang is fully unfurled on this jaunty bopper. She’s turned down her brassy schtick in favor of a straightforward, hillbilly-acoustic approach, and the result is a refreshing delight.

MATT STELL / “One of Us”
Writers: Gavin Slate/James Barker/Jim McCormick/Travis Wood; Producers: Matt Stell/Ash Bowers; Label: Records
–Here we go again. The pick-up truck, the beer, the dirt road, the small town “keepin’ it country” thang.

MORGAN WADE / “The Night”
Writer: Morgan Wade; Producer: Sadler Vaden; Label: Sony
–This cuts close to the bone, touching on her mental-health and substance issues. The quasi-spoken verses are starkly accompanied by solo percussion, and the choruses are fleshed out with electric guitars while she wails about resisting the temptation to drink. A little scary and a lot effective.

MARTY STUART & HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES / “Country Star”
Writer: Marty Stuart; Producers: Marty Stuart/Mick Conley/Harry Stinson/Kenny Vaughan/Chris Scruggs; Label: Spinefarm
–This is a boatload of fun, packed with guitar twang and merry rhythm. The band rocks righteously as Marty drawls of hitting the road as a hillbilly minstrel. Get on board. Marty will be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame next Tuesday and will celebrate his 30th anniversary as an Opry member on Nov. 26.

MARGO PRICE / “Lydia”
Writer: Margo Price; Producers: Jonathan Wilson/Margo Price; Label: Loma Vista
–Delivered in an echo-laden alto, this is a character study of a woman in crisis. Strings shimmer in the background as she sings of gritty street reality, forlorn pregnancy, loneliness, self-doubt, substance abuse and more. It doesn’t have a traditional song structure; more like a stream-of-conscience meandering. Decidedly downbeat and radio resistant.

BRANDON RATCLIFF / “Someone Who Believes In You”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good/Josh Jenkins/AJ Babcock; Producers: Pete Good/AJ Babcock; Label: Monument
–The power of love, set to an R&B groove, a sunny attitude and a lively beat. As usual, his tenor singing is splendid.

RACHEL WAMMACK / “Girl’s Gotta Know”
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Jim McCormick; Producer: Andy Skib; Label: RCA
–Enchanting. She sings like a country angel, and the wistful lyric about seeking The One is completely heartfelt. A simply lovely performance.

MITCHELL TENPENNY / “We Got History”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Andy Albert/Devin Dawson/Jordan Schmidt; Producers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Riser House/Columbia
–Tenpenny is on a roll. With twin chart toppers under his belt (”Truth About You” and “At the End of a Bar”), he’s swinging for the fences again with this terrific rumbler. The extraordinary warmth in his singing infuses this ode to lost love. Play it again.

KELLY LANG / “Life Sentence”
Writers: Kelly Lang/Bruce Burch; Producer: none listed; Label: KL
–Lang possesses one of those lustrous alto singing voices that wraps you in intimacy. She has never been more involving than she is on this extraordinary, throbbing, heartfelt song. Instead of seeing cancer as a death sentence, this breast cancer survivor treats it as a “Life Sentence” to live and love and embrace the world with gusto. Essential listening, and the video featuring her fellow breast-cancer ladies is quite moving.

BRANTLEY GILBERT, BLAKE SHELTON & VINCE GILL / “Heaven By Then”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Michael Hardy/Jake Mitchell/Randy Montana/Hunter Phelps/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill; Label: Valory
–A smash, if I’ve ever heard one. Brantley on his own has vocal charisma to spare. The “extras” on this track make it utterly unforgettable. Blake trades verses and Vince overlays both men’s performances with awesome tenor harmony singing. “Heaven,” indeed.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Part of It”
Writers: Jordan Davis/Jacob Davis/Jordan Walker/Matt McKinney; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA
–The “Buy Dirt” CMA Award winner returns with a dynamite, sweet/sad bit of philosophical wisdom. This is the sound of a superstar in training.

Women Represent Nashville In 2023 Grammy Nominees

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Pictured (clockwise): Brandi Carlile, Laura Veltz, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris

Though no country artists were represented in the big four categories—Song, Record, Album or New Artist of the Year—many Nashville creators were included on the nominee list for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, which were revealed on Tuesday (Nov. 15).

Pictured (L-R): Dave Pittenger (SESAC), GAYLE (BMI) and Sara Davis (BMI) celebrate their No. 1 hit, “abcdefu” in Nashville. Photo: Acacia Evans

The Nashville-crafted pop/rock hit “abcdefu”—written by Sara Davis, GAYLE and Dave Pittenger—was nominated in the Song Of The Year, as well as Taylor Swift and Liz Rose‘s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”

Laura Veltz was included in the inaugural Songwriter of the Year category. The celebrated songwriter co-wrote Maren Morris’ “Background Music” and “Humble Quest,” Ingrid Andress’ “Pain,” and Demi Lovato’s “Feed” and “29,” among other songs.

Americana stalwart Brandi Carlile tied for third-most-nominated at this year’s Grammys with Adele. The two were just behind Kendrick Lamar‘s eight nominations and Beyoncé‘s nine.

Carlile was nominated for her In These Silent Days album (Album of the Year, Best Americana Album), as well as songs “You And Me On The Rock” (Record of the Year, Best Americana Performance, Best American Roots Song) and “Broken Horses” (Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance).

In the country categories, women dominated, with at least one female artist represented in 14 of the 22 total country nominations, including songwriters.

Miranda Lambert brought her total to 27 nominations this year with more Grammy nods, including for Best Country Song (“If I Was A Cowboy,” written by Lambert and Jesse Frasure), Best Country Album (Palomino), Best Country Solo Performance (“In His Arms”), and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” with Luke Combs.

Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Combs also secured a nomination for Best Country Album (Growin’ Up) and Best Country Song (“Doin’ This,” written by Combs, Drew Parker, and Robert Williford).

Maren Morris received three nominations, including Best Country Album for Humble Quest and Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Circles Around This Town” (written by Morris, Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, and Jimmy Robbins).

Ashley McBryde secured two nominations. One was for her concept album Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, which received a Best Country Album nod. The other was for her collaboration with first-time-Grammy-nominee Carly Pearce on “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” which was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The duet recently earned the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year.

In addition to several nods in pop and general field categories, Taylor Swift appears in the Best Country Song category for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” written by Swift and Lori McKenna.

Other Best Country Song nominees include Cody Johnson‘s “‘Til You Can’t” (written by Matt Rogers and Ben Stennis) and Willie Nelson‘s “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die” (written by Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton).

Nelson also appears in the Best Country Album category for A Beautiful Time, the Best Country Solo Performance for “Live Forever,” and the Best Roots Gospel Album for The Willie Nelson Family.

Kelsea Ballerini earns her third-career nomination for Best Country Solo Performance (“Heartfirst”), and Zach Bryan earns his first-ever in the same category for “Something In The Orange.”

In the Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt take home a nod for “Wishful Drinking,” as does Brothers Osborne for “Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton for “Does He Love You – Revisited,” and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for “Going Where The Lonely Go”—in addition to the aforementioned “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”

Dolly Parton and Bill Anderson. Photo: JB Rowland/ CTK Entertainment

Country greats Parton and Bill Anderson secured a nomination in the Best American Roots Performance category for their “Someday It’ll All Make Sense (Bluegrass Version).” This marks Parton’s 53rd nomination—including this year’s nod with Reba McEntire. Astoundingly, it is Anderson’s first Grammy nomination as an artist, though the Hall of Famer has been nominated four times as a songwriter.

Asleep At The Wheel and Lyle Lovett were nominated in the Best Americana Performance category for “There You Go Again.” Sheryl Crow and Jeff Trott secured a nod for Best American Roots Song with “Forever.”

The nominees for Best Americana Album went to Carlile (In These Silent Days), Dr. John, (Things Happen That Way), Keb’ Mo’ (Good To Be…), Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (Raise The Roof), and Bonnie Raitt (Just Like That…).

Molly Tuttle, who was nominated in the all-genre Best New Artist category, also secured a nomination for Best Bluegrass Album with Crooked Tree, alongside Golden Highway.

In the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music category, Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin, DOE, and Chris Tomlin were top nominees. The Tennessee State University Marching Band was recognized in the Best Roots Gospel Album category for The Urban Hymnal.

Nasvhillians The Black Keys were nominated for Best Rock Performance (“Wild Child”) and Best Rock Album (Dropout Boogie).

Click here to see the full list of nominees.

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will take place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 5. The show will broadcast live on CBS and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 7 p.m. CT. The final round of Grammy voting will run from Dec. 14, 2022 to Jan. 4, 2023.