Nominees Announced For 2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction

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The 2022 nominees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) have been announced. Of the 12 nominees, three will be inducted at the 52nd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the Music City Center.

“We congratulate all of this year’s nominees in our contemporary categories and look forward to early August, when we will announce those who will be inducted as members of our Class of 2022,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford.

The 2022 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriters category are Larry Cordle, Jim Lauderdale, Hillary Lindsey, Frank J. Myers, Gary Nicholson, Ronnie Rogers, Tia Sillers, and Tommy Sims. The 2022 nominees in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category are Kirk Franklin, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis and Shania Twain.

All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. A total of two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected from the contemporary categories by members of the Hall of Fame along with other professional songwriters and artists from a variety of genres who are prominently identified with Nashville and who have written/co-written at least one original and significant Nashville song.

In addition, two more will be named to the Class of 2022. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a Veteran Songwriter and a Veteran Songwriter/Artist, both of whom experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.

For biographical information on the 2022 nominees, see below:

Category 1 – CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITERS

LARRY CORDLE
Larry Cordle was raised in eastern Kentucky, where he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. His first two hits came from childhood friend Ricky Skaggs – #1 Country in 1983 with “Highway 40 Blues” and #1 Bluegrass in 1984 with “Two Highways” (also #1 Bluegrass for Alison Krauss in 1990). In the Country world, Larry is known for “Heartbreak Hurricane” by Skaggs, “Honky Tonk Crowd” by John Anderson and “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me” by Diamond Rio. Before George Strait & Alan Jackson hit with “Murder On Music Row” – which was the 2001 CMA Song of the Year – Larry’s original recording with his band, Lonesome Standard Time (LST), was the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year and the 2001 SPBGMA Song of the Year. In the Bluegrass world, Larry & LST have had 24 Top 10 hits with his songs. In addition to “Anything Southbound” and “Black Diamond Strings,” LST’s “Lonesome Standard Time” was the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year, (and also a Country hit for Kathy Mattea). “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, was named the 2018 IBMA Song of the Year. Larry was named the 2001, 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. In 2015, he was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

JIM LAUDERDALE
Born in Troutman, NC, Jim Lauderdale grew up in Due West, SC, where as a teenager he learned to play drums, harmonica and banjo. After college graduation in 1979, Jim made his way to Nashville for a few months before moving on to New York. By the late 1980s, Jim had joined the national touring production of Pump Boys & Dinettes and relocated to Los Angeles, where he began to find traction musically as a writer and performer. In the mid-1990s, Jim found his way back to Nashville, where he soon hit with “Gonna Get A Life” by Mark Chesnutt, “Halfway Down” by Patty Loveless and “When Did You Stop Loving Me” by George Strait, who also had hits with Jim’s “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This,” “What Do You Say To That” and “I Gotta Get To You.” A recording artist himself with 30 albums, Jim also has numerous Bluegrass hits, including “Mighty Lonesome” and “One Blue Mule.” His collaborations with Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys have yielded the Top 10 “I Feel Like Singing Today” and “She’s Looking At Me,” the 2002 AMA Song of the Year. In recognition of his particular and significant influence on the Americana format, Jim was honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

HILLARY LINDSEY
Born in Washington, GA, Hillary Lindsey moved to Nashville in 1994 to attend Belmont University. During her senior year she signed her first publishing deal. In 2002 she celebrated her first #1 hit – “Blessed” by Martina McBride. In 2005 Hillary scored Carrie Underwood’s first single from her first album – “Jesus Take The Wheel,” a multi-genre hit that earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2006 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2006 NSAI Song of the Year and the 2005 ACM Single of the Year. Underwood has recorded nearly 40 of Hillary’s songs, including “So Small” and “Wasted.” Other chart-toppers from Hillary’s pen are “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum, “A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans, “Shotgun Rider” by Tim McGraw, “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town (which earned the 2015 Grammy for Best Country Song, the 2015 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2015 NSAI Song of the Year) and “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban (the 2017 CMA Single of the Year, the 2017 NSAI Song of the Year). Additionally, “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (from the film A Star Is Born) earned the 2019 Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Hillary was named ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His father taught him to play guitar, and by age 14, Frank had formed a band with his brother. In 1981, Frank moved to Nashville, where he was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, Frank co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Frank’s “You And I” became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from Frank’s catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song, 1994 ACM Song and Single of the Year, 1994 CMA Single of the Year, 1994 NSAI Song of the Year, 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the Pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.

GARY NICHOLSON
Raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas native Gary Nicholson got a guitar at age 10. He wrote songs and played in Rock bands throughout his teens before moving with his college band to Los Angeles. Following a stint on an MCA Records imprint, Gary returned to Texas in 1973. A song he sent to Nashville made it onto the 1980 soundtrack of Urban Cowboy 2, thanks to good friend/producer Jim Ed Norman. With that success, Gary moved to Music City, where he worked as a guitar player and a songwriter for Norman’s publishing company. In 1983 “Your Love Shines Through” by Gilley gave Gary his first Top 5 song and paved the way for future successes such as “That’s The Thing About Love” by Don Williams, “The Power Of Love” by Charley Pride, “Working Without A Net” by Waylon Jennings, “Brilliant Conversationalist” by T. Graham Brown, “One More Last Chance” by Vince Gill, “Live Laugh Love” by Clay Walker, “She Couldn’t Change Me” by Montgomery-Gentry and “Squeeze Me In” by Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood. Gary’s song “Fallin’ and Flyin’” was performed by Jeff Bridges & Colin Farrell in the 2009 film Crazy Heart. Gary has 600 recorded songs spanning multiple genres. In 2011 he was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame.

RONNIE ROGERS
Born and raised in Nashville, Randall “Ronnie” Rogers’s parents were active in Gospel music and passed their talents on to their son. After military service in Vietnam, Ronnie began to pursue a career in music. Following a single as an artist on Rice Records in 1972, he began to find success as a songwriter with cuts by Johnny Russell, Dave Dudley and Loretta Lynn. In 1977, Ronnie scored his first Top 10 with “It’s A Cowboy Lovin’ Night” by Tanya Tucker. In 1983, he had the hit singles “My First Taste Of Texas” by Ed Bruce and “Dixieland Delight” by Alabama, which began a long and successful partnership with the band. To date, Ronnie has had more than 40 cuts by Alabama, including “Jukebox In My Mind,” “Pass It On Down,” “Take A Little Trip” and “Give Me One More Shot.” Ronnie is also the co-writer of the Mark Chesnutt singles “Blame It On Texas” and “Goin’ Through The Big D,” as well as “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn. Ronnie’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Toby Keith, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Ray Charles, Old Crow Medicine Show and Levon Helm.

TIA SILLERS
Connecticut-born, Nashville-raised Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting in high school. Her first hit was “Lipstick Promises” by college co-writer George Ducas in 1995 — the same year that Kenny Wayne Shepherd made “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 Rock hit. Three years later Shepherd’s #1 Rock hit “Blue On Black” earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. (The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May.) In 2008 “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. “Jonah, Job And Moses” by The Oak Ridge Boys was named the 2007 GMA Dove Country Song of the Year. “Dance With Me” by Johnny Reid was the 2010 Canadian CMA Song of the Year. Other songs from Tia’s catalog include “There’s Your Trouble” by the Dixie Chicks, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.

TOMMY SIMS
Born in Chicago and raised in Michigan, Tommy Sims grew up on Gospel music and Soul music. When he and some friends began performing after college, they eventually landed in Nashville, where he became the bassist for Christian Rock band White Heart from 1987 to 1989. In 1994, Tommy scored his first #1 songs as a songwriter with Amy Grant – “Children Of The World” and “Helping Hand.” In 1995 his “R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion Of Truth)” by Carman was named the 1996 GMA Dove Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year. The following year one of his songs was featured in the film Phenomenon. The song was the multi-chart-topping hit “Change The World” by Eric Clapton, which earned the 1997 Grammy for Best Song and for Record of the Year. Tommy’s songwriting catalog also includes the Country hits “Love Is The Right Place” by Bryan White and “A Promise I Make” by Dakota Moon, the AC hits “Lost In You” by Garth Brooks (as Chris Gaines) and “I Can’t Help You Now” by Bonnie Raitt, and the Gospel hits “Anybody Wanna Pray” by CeCe Winans w/ GRITS (the 2002 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year) and “Just Wanna Say” by Israel Houghton (the 2010 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year).

Category 2 – CONTEMPORARY SONGWRITER/ARTISTS

KIRK FRANKLIN
Kirk Franklin was born in Fort Worth, TX. His work with the Dallas-Fort Worth Mass Choir at age 19 ultimately led to a record deal. In 1993, Kirk Franklin & The Family released their debut album, which sold more than a million units and remained #1 on the Gospel album charts for 42 weeks. The album’s breakout single – “Why We Sing” – was named the 1994 GMA Dove Traditional Gospel Song of the Year. From there, “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin w/ God’s Property & Salt was a #1 R&B hit that was named the 1998 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year and became the first Gospel song played in heavy rotation on MTV. “Revolution” by Kirk Franklin w/ Rodney Jerkins was the 1999 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year. As a solo artist, Kirk’s #1 Gospel/#5 R&B “Looking For You” was the 2006 GMA Dove Urban Song of the Year and earned the 2007 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Help Me Believe” earned the 2009 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Hello Fear” earned the 2012 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. His #1 Gospel/#12 R&B “I Smile” was the 2012 BMI Christian Song of the Year and the 2012 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year. “Wanna Be Happy?” earned the 2016 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Love Theory” was the 2019 GMA Dove Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year and earned the 2020 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. “Never Alone,” his #1 Gospel collaboration with Tori Kelly, earned the 2019 Grammy for Best Gospel Song. Kirk was the 2003 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year.

BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Brad wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and which eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, Brad was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Brad signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball and Tracy Byrd, Brad signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 #1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Brad was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.

PAM TILLIS
Born in Plant City, FL, Pam Tillis grew up in Nashville thanks to having Country music star Mel Tillis for a father. At age eight, she sang with him on the Grand Ole Opry and began taking piano lessons. By age 12, she was playing guitar. Recovering from a near-fatal car accident at 16, she enrolled briefly at the University of Tennessee before dropping out in 1976 to move to San Francisco, where she sang in a Jazz and Rock band. Returning to Nashville a few years later, Pam recorded a largely co-written 1983 Pop album for Warner Bros. In 1989 Pam enjoyed her first Top 40 single as a writer with “When Love Comes Around The Bend” by Juice Newton. The following year Highway 101 reached the Top 15 with Pam’s “Someone Else’s Trouble Now.” In the early 1990s Pam was one of the first five acts signed to Arista Nashville. Her self-penned hits as an Arista artist were “One Of Those Things,” “Put Yourself In My Place,” “Blue Rose Is,” “Cleopatra, Queen Of Denial,” “Spilled Perfume,” “It’s Lonely Out There” and the chart-topping “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life).” In 2000, Pam was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2012 she enjoyed the IBMA-nominated Bluegrass hit “Somewhere South Of Crazy” by Dale Ann Bradley.

SHANIA TWAIN
Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. During high school, she began writing songs and fronting a local cover band. After graduation, she toured Ontario with another band before returning home in 1987 to care for her younger siblings after their parents died in a car accident. She continued to perform and five years later was signed to Mercury Nashville. Since the release of her debut album 1993, Shania has placed 22 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 7 #1s and 8 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You’re Still The One” (1998 Grammy for Best Country Song / 1999 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Come On Over” (1999 Grammy for Best Country Song) and “Forever And For Always” (2004 BMI Country Song of the Year), along with “You’ve Got A Way,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!,” “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “No One Needs To Know,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Shania was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as BMI’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year and 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

‘Damn Strait’ Co-Writers Move Up On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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“Damn Strait” singer Scotty McCreery. Photo: Jeff Ray

Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins, the co-writers on Scotty McCreery‘s “Damn Strait,” find themselves in the top 10 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Ernest Keith Smith remains at No. 1 this week. He is a co-writer on Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”

Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Ben Johnson (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and Shane McAnally (No. 5) complete the top five this week.

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.

Johnny Chiang To Join Pandora

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Johnny Chiang

Pandora has announced the hiring of Johnny Chiang as Senior Director of Country Programming.

Reporting to Vice President of Programming Kevin Stapleford, Chiang will oversee programming for country music at Pandora. He will start July 25.

Chiang joins Pandora from Red Street Records. Prior to that, he spent 18 years at KKBQ in Houston, Texas, where he was named Most Influential Country Program Director in America by Billboard (2016), Radio Ink’s Best Program Directors in Country Radio 13 times, and Radio Ink’s Best Program Directors in America 10 times. During his tenure at KKQB, the station was named CMA’s Major Market Station of the Year three times (2014, 2016, 2018), ACM’s Major Market Station of the Year (2017), and won the Marconi four times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018).

“Words cannot adequately describe just how thrilled I am to be joining the incredible country team that Kevin Stapleford is assembling at Pandora,” shares Chiang. “I want to thank Kevin and Steve Blatter for believing in me and what my experiences and skill sets can bring to the team.”

Cody Johnson Celebrates Inspirational No. 1 Hit, ”Til You Can’t’

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Pictured (L-R, standing): Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Anthem’s Tim Whipperman, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, and Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy; (L-R, seated): ASCAP writer Matthew Rogers, BMI songwriter and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson, BMI writer Ben Stennis. Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI and ASCAP hosted a No. 1 celebration for Cody Johnson‘s hit single “’Til You Can’t” this week. Held at The Local, industry members gathered to celebrate Johnson and the song’s co-writers, Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers.

It was a momentous occasion, as “’Til You Can’t” marks the first No. 1 for Johnson and Stennis.

BMI’s Josh Tomlinson served as emcee for the party. He spoke about Johnson’s tenacity and heart. “Your willingness to put in the work to get here today has only been accomplished by a select few. We’re really grateful to be able to support you today,” he said.

Tomlinson also spoke on BMI writer Stennis. “I’ve watched him grow. He’s kept his head down and put the work in to get to this moment. It’s been a privilege to watch.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was on hand to speak on Rogers. “He’s had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge, Randy Houser, Chris Young, Lainey Wilson and many more,” Sistad said. “He just recently celebrated a No. 1 hit with Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley for ‘Freedom Was A Highway.'”

Tim Wipperman, who was in the news last week, was the first publisher to speak. He recognized Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, who pitched the song to Durango Management’s Scott Gunter. He also put the praise on the songwriters.

“We get to stand up here and speak, but none of us would be here without living on the backs of the songwriters,” Wipperman said. “I’ve had a great life. I get to do what I love to do, but if it weren’t for all of you out there, none of us that are in the business end of it would be standing here on stage.”

Rupe, Stennis’ publisher, was next up to speak. She told the story of fiercely advocating for “‘Till You Can’t.”

“We’re finally here, guys,” she said to the writers. “This song was written in 2016 and we are just now getting to celebrate everything that this song has done. If that is not a testament to God’s timing, I don’t know what is.

“It’s also a testament that great songs always find a way. This song is one of those that changes people’s lives. I think we are all in this room because, at one point or another, songs have changed our lives, have been important to us, and have made us want to do what we are doing. This is one of those songs.”

Rupe is a day one Cody Johnson fan, having attended her first concert of his in 2013. “Country music needs Cody Johnson,” she said to a rousing applause.

Later, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy recognized Rupe for being a torch-bearer for Johnson. She said, “A few years ago, everyone in Texas knew [how great Johnson was]. A few people in Nashville knew. There were a few folks that I heard from every time I saw them about how great Cody Johnson was. Aubrey was one of those people. That’s not just plugging songs—that’s a real song person, that’s a champion, that’s a visionary. That is picking somebody that you truly believe in and going after it with the best that you have. I want to thank Aubrey for that.”

Lacy and her co-president Ben Kline spoke about Johnson’s incredible rise.

“Cody Johnson has been giving fans the same show for the 10 years that I’ve know him. From tiny bars in Texas, where we met, to selling out the Houston Rodeo at 70,000 fans. There is no stopping him,” Lacy said.

The WMN heads presented their artist with a Gold and Platinum plaque for “‘Til You Can’t,” as well as a plaque for the success of his documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.

Chuck Aly from Country Aircheck and Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul also made presentations before it was time to hear from the songwriters.

“Everything I want to say is about being grateful,” Stennis said. “I’m thankful to be in this community, to be able to do what I do for a living, and for God blessing me with the ability to get up and write every day with my buddies. To be a part of a song that means something… My kids and wife can attest to this, we pray every night and we thank God for Cody.”

Rogers was also filled with gratitude. He dedicated the song to his mother. “The bridge of this song talks about calling your mom. My mother has always been the biggest fan of my music. She had a stroke in 2018 and it changed the dynamic of our relationship, so when I hear the bridge now, it takes on a different meaning for me,” Rogers said. “And it’s her birthday today, so this one is for Betsy Rogers.”

When it came time for Johnson to speak, he was stoic and sincere.

“When I started coming to Nashville, I wanted to be you guys,” Johnson said to the songwriters. “I wanted to be Tony Lane, I wanted to be Jeffrey Steele, Wynn Varble, and a lot of other people. I wanted to be a songwriter and I wanted to know what it was like to put my life down on paper and have somebody turn it into something special. And here I am getting to sit on the other side of it.

“Thank you for writing it,” he said. “There’s thousands of people out there that it’s changed. I realize that I got to be the microphone for it, but it’s changed me. It changed who I am at my core, the way I view my stress, the way I view my anxiety or whatever is going on in my career.”

Johnson closed with a challenge to the industry members in the room. “The story that I want all of you to walk away with is not all the stats that they’ve said about me and the records; walk away with ”Till You Can’t.’ Take ”Till You Can’t’ and ingrain it into your heart, into your work ethic and into your life. That’s what country music should do for people that want to listen to country music. It should change your life. It should make you want to be better. We have these two men right here to thank for it.”

Kane Brown Flies High On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Kane Brown’s “Like I Love Country Music” rockets to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, moving to the peak in just 7 weeks since its release. The single was written by Brown, Matthew McGinn, Taylor Phillips, and Jordan Schmidt. 

Brown will serve as the grand marshal for the Ally 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 26.

He will also head across seas in September for his headlining international “The Drunk or Dreaming Tour,” with Blanco Brown, Chris Lane, Jesse James Decker, and Restless Road on select dates.

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

Warner Music Nashville Ups Clark Mims Tedesco, Jamie Younger To Vice Presidents

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Clark Mims Tedesco, Jamie Younger

Warner Music Nashville has announced the promotions of Clark Mims Tedesco and Jamie Younger, who rise from Sr. Directors to Vice Presidents, Artist Development. Both will continue reporting to EVP Artist Development, Shane Tarleton.

After beginning her career in the entertainment industry in New York City, Tedesco joined WMN in 2013, beginning as an executive assistant. “I’m so proud of the relationships I’ve built with our teams, artists and managers in my nine years with Warner,” she shares. “We work with such a diverse roster of immensely talented artists, and it is my true honor to help them tell their stories every day.”

“Watching Clark flourish in the artist development department brings me such joy,” Tarleton says. “She has proven time and time again that success is the sum of details.”

Younger joined WMN nearly a decade ago after career stops at Thirty Tigers and American Songwriter. She transitioned from content management to artist development in 2017. “With a roster of artists that span the country spectrum, every day at Warner Music Nashville provides new challenges and opportunities that continue to feed my passion for helping our artists find their audiences,” she says. “The team that Shane, Ben [Kline] and Cris [Lacy] have built together continues to be a source of pride and inspiration. It is a large part of the reason that I’m so excited to continue my journey with WMN.”

Adds Tarleton, “Jamie has the ability to marry creative concepts with strategy and execution. It’s thrilling to watch her continue to grow here at Warner.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs Tries His Hand At R&B With ‘The Kind Of Love We Make’

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Some days everything is perfectly obvious.

With a new tune by Luke Combs in the mix, is there any question in anyone’s mind about who has the Disc of the Day?

Everyone else is trying their best. Breland, Drew Parker, Lady A and Kameron Marlowe, in particular, step up to the plate with solid hit potential. So there’s a lot to lend your ears to.

Pay special attention to Nashville singer-songwriter Kyshona. The Americana-leaning stylist wins this week’s DISCovery Award.

KAMERON MARLOWE / “Girl on Fire”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Jason Gantt/Josh Osborne; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Columbia
–He’s a for-sure singer, full of expressive, throaty dips, raspy touches, soaring notes and hidden power. What’s just as cool is how creative the songwriting is. Heartbreak set in a heated fever dream.

LADY A / “Summer State of Mind”
Writers: Dave Haywood/Hillary Scott/Laura Veltz/Sam Ellis; Producer: Sam Ellis; Label: BMLG
–As you might expect from the title, this is breezy and sunny. Hand me that cocktail.

KYSHONA / “Rise the Tide”
Writers: Kyshona/Shannon LaBrie; Producer: Kyshona; Label: Kyshona
–The stripped-down, acoustic, folkie production is ear catching, as are the layered female vocal harmonies. The bluesy melody, swampy rhythms, power-to-the-people lyric and ethereal mood are all haunting. Catch this rising Nashville artist at Musicians Corner in Centennial Park tomorrow (June 24) at 7:15 p.m. CT.

DAVID NAIL / “Sunset Carousel”
Writers: Grant Vogel/Robyn Collins/David Nail; Producer: Grant Vogel; Label: DN
–I have always thought this guy had something special. His return to disc is a summer romance with a nostalgic tinge. He still sings splendidly and the track is right in the pocket for beach listening.

SAM HUNT / “Water Under the Bridge”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producers: Sam Hunt/Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally; Label: MCA
–He pretty much speaks the verses, then sings the chorus with moxie. And then he sings it again. And again. And again.

LUKE COMBS / “The Kind of Love We Make”
Writers: Luke Combs/Dan Isbell/Reid Isbell/Jamie Davis; Producers: Luke Combs/Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House/Columbia
–Combs takes a turn toward R&B on this sexy, romantic outing. The backbeat is a delight, the blues notes are sensuous and his vocal is totally commanding. Turn it up.

RICHIE FURAY / “Somebody Like You”
Writers: John Shanks/Keith Urban; Producers: Val Garay/Nic tenBroek; Label: 96K Productions/BMG
–As a member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member assuredly knows his way around the country-rock campus. His new In the Country album mostly consists of covers of familiar country hits (”I Hope You Dance,” “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “I’m Already There,” etc.). This version of Keith Urban’s iconic 2002 chart topper rolls with creamy harmonies and relentless rhythm. Impressive.

ZACH BRYAN / “Something in the Orange”
Writer: Zachary Lane Bryan; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Label: Warner
–The generic folk melody is instantly forgettable. But the passion in the heartbroken performance is totally memorable. I especially like the searing harmonica passages.

DREW PARKER / “Little Miss Saturday Night”
Writers: Matt Jenkins/Josh Osborne/Andrew DeRoberts; Producers: Phil O’Donnell/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–This is a blast. With tempo to spare, Parker tries all his best pickup lines while the track kicks up dust behind him. The rapid-fire delivery, joyous attitude and rump-shaking rhythms all work splendidly. Everybody dance!

BRELAND / “Natural”
Writers: Sean Small/Cameron Bartolini/Daniel Breland/Robert Lange/Sam Sumser/Shania Twain; Producers: Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic
–Bopping and charming. As it rocks along, it interpolates Shania Twain’s groove and quotes from other country titles. Clever, catchy and zippy.

JR Schumann To Exit SiriusXM

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JR Schumann

JR Schumann will exit his role as Sr. Dir./Music Programming at SiriusXM on July 15, MusicRow has confirmed.

“After almost 7 years, I’ve decided to leave SiriusXM and pursue other opportunities and adventures,” Schumann says in a statement. “I’m beyond proud of everything my team and I have accomplished and wish everyone at SiriusXM nothing but continued success.”

Schumann joined the satellite radio company in 2015 and led programming for all country music stations, including The Highway, as well as channels in the Christian category and SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio. Prior to his time at SiriusXM, he served as Operations Manager for Cumulus Media in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

In the interim, VP/Programming Darrin Smith will oversee the SiriusXM country channels.

Details regarding Schumann’s next move have not yet been announced.

My Music Row Story: Sony Music Nashville’s Allen Brown

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Allen Brown. Photo: Alan Poizner

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.

With 43 years in the music industry, Allen Brown has worked with a multitude of country stars, including 18 Country Music Hall of Famers. At the end of June, Brown will retire from his position as Senior Vice President, Media and Corporate Communications at Sony Music Nashville, where he oversees the media department and handles PR for the the label group, which includes RCA Nashville, Columbia Nashville and Arista Nashville.

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

I’m from Emmett, Idaho, which is about 25 miles from Boise. My mom and dad were both born in Idaho, so I’m a second generation Idahoan. My grandfather, who I’m named after, had a fruit ranch that was on the hillside around the valley. My home town is a valley, which is very picturesque.

Pictured: An outtake for Brown’s 1987 CBS Records headshot.

How did you get interested in music?

My two sisters and I took piano lessons [when we were kids]. I started out in second grade and took lessons until my freshman year of high school. In junior high, I was in orchestra. I played violin and my orchestra teacher was my piano teacher, too. So I had an appreciation for musical instruments that I played, and I enjoyed dabbling in songwriting.

My dad—Floyd Brown, who passed away in 2015—had the lifelong dream of having a radio station. Early in life, he started a repair and retail store called Brown’s Radio Shack, believe it or not. It became Brown’s Radio and TV Shack. While he still had that little mom and pop business, he started a radio station when I was a freshman in high school. My mom and dad worked there, I worked there, my cousin and also my brother-in-law. I was an on-air announcer, though not a very good one. (Laughs) I worked at the station through all of my high school years. There was a point where I actually would wake up very early in the morning, go and sign on the station at 6:00 a.m., and then go back home, take a shower, eat breakfast, and go to high school.

Did you know that you wanted to work in the music business then?

I had decided to go to Boise State for college. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to major in, that was a bit of a challenge. I ended up declaring political science for some reason, but after my first poli-sci class, I figured out that’s not what I wanted to do. (Laughs) I changed my major to marketing.

Pictured: Brown escorting then Arista Nashville superstar Carrie Underwood on the evening she was honored with the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was trying to figure out ultimately what I would like to be when I grow up. [Like I said], I had dabbled with songwriting and really enjoyed it. I had stopped taking piano lessons back in high school, but I would still play around with it. I would write songs just for myself. While at Boise State, I had entered an American Songwriter competition. I didn’t win, but I received a booklet that listed a lot of reputable music publishers. As I was figuring out my next steps in college, I looked through that booklet and highlighted 100 key publishers, or the ones I was familiar with. I sent a form letter to them saying, “I’m majoring in marketing, but I’m thinking about transferring and would be interested in getting feedback from you on what type of courses to take that would prepare me for a music publishing profession.” I ended up getting 10 letters back, which wasn’t bad. In two of those, the first thing they mentioned was, “You need to look into Belmont.” I never knew there was a program that existed for music business.

You ended up transferring to Belmont. How did you start your career from there?

While I was at Belmont, I worked part-time as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Kathy Mattea was also a tour guide at the time, before she had her label deal. My second day at Belmont, I met who would become the chairman and CEO of the company I’m leaving, Randy Goodman. I also met Doug Howard, now Belmont’s Dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music. All three of us had a class together and we would hang out sometimes afterwards. My senior year at Belmont, I was working part-time at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and interning for CBS Records (which eventually became Sony Music Nashville).

Pictured: Brown’s cousin John Blosser, Brad Paisley, and Brown backstage at a Paisley concert in Phoenix in July 2008

Take me through your career path from your internship at CBS Records.

After I graduated from Belmont in May of 1980, I took a part-time mailroom position at CBS Records Nashville, and a few months later was promoted to Publicity Coordinator. I ended up transferring to another division of CBS called Priority Records, followed by a few years at The Benson Company. I returned to CBS Records from 1987 through 1990, then started a management company; I managed The Tractors and Stacy Dean Campbell. I came back to the label publicity world when I came to Arista Nashville. Arista merged with RCA Label Group, which later became Sony BMG, which became Sony Music Nashville. (Laughs)

So I made it through several mergers. The last part of my tenure with Sony Music Nashville, which started with Arista, totals 23 years officially. But I also consulted with Arista for two years prior to becoming an employee, so that’s almost 25 years.

Who all have you worked with throughout your career?

When I first interned, I worked such as artists as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Lynn Anderson, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Rodriguez, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers Band, and Crystal Gayle.

Later, when I came back to CBS Records, we launched Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Joe Diffie and Doug Stone. During the most recent part of my Sony Music Nashville tenure—the last 23 years—I’ve worked with Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, Alabama, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, Mitchell Tenpenny and many more.

Pictured: Brown with Liz Cost, Fount Lynch and Jennifer Way in August 2017 during the Solar Eclipse

You recently announced that you will be retiring at the end of June. When you look back on your career, what are some moments that you’re most proud of?

What comes to mind immediately is how proud I am of the relationships that I’ve had—not just with artists—but with the people I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with along the way–ones who have mentored and challenged me, the people I have mentored, and the people who have supported me. Hopefully I’ve been a positive influence on them as they obviously have been on me. This is such a great business!

There have been some exciting times for Sony Music Nashville. It’s always great when you get to be a Label Of The Year, and we are so honored to have the reigning ACM and CMA Entertainers Of The Year this last year with Miranda and Luke. Those moments are very special, but also some of the most special times have been knowing you’re at the beginning of something. When things start happening for artists… it’s just such a wonderful feeling when an artist has their “first”—whether it’s their first No. 1, Gold or Platinum certification, award nomination or trophy, cover feature or national TV appearance.

Pictured: Emmie Reitzug (Manager, Media, SMN), Arista Nashville artist Nate Smith and Brown in mid-May celebrating Nate’s “Whiskey On You” debut of over 7.5 million streams globally

How do you want to be remembered as you leave us?

Obviously during COVID, I’ve had a lot of time to think. I spent some time thinking about when the right time to do this would be. Over the years, I hope that most people would think that I was helpful, supportive, that I was a good listener, that I treated them honestly, and that I gave them the attention that was needed. That I responded appropriately and that I didn’t drag my feet. I also hope that there are people out there that would still like to go have lunch or grab a coffee in the future.

When I decided to retire and Randy Goodman asked when I would like to tell the team here, I had the opportunity to do it in the rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame [during a company-wide] dinner. For me, after being a tour guide my senior year of Belmont, that seemed very appropriate. I was able to look around the room and see [some artists that I’ve worked with] who have become Hall of Fame members. That was very special. But the team members in that room were the ones I was most proud of. There were a lot of people in the rotunda who I’ve worked with for years—some over 20 years. It’s such a wonderful feeling–that I honestly do feel like these are friends. Friendships mean so much to me. That’s what I’ll think about the rest of my life.

Dates Announced For 2022 MusicRow Awards

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Now in its 34th year, the 2022 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, will take place online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30.

Nominees for the MusicRow Awards will be revealed Tuesday, July 19 and supported by MusicRow‘s annual “Nominator” publication. The eligibility period for this year’s MusicRow Awards is June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

Winners are determined by votes received from subscribed industry members of MusicRow. Voting will begin Wednesday, July 20 and run through Friday, July 29. To become a subscribed member and become eligible to vote, sign up here.

MusicRow will feature the winners in each of the 11 possible awards categories online on Tuesday, August 30.

MusicRow Awards Key Dates:
– Nominees Announced (via online Nominator publication): Tuesday, July 19
– Ballot Opens: Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00am CST
– Ballot Closes: Friday, July 29 at 5:00pm CST
– MusicRow Awards Print Issue Release Date: Tuesday, August 23
– MusicRow Awards Presentation (online): Tuesday, August 30

MusicRow Awards member-voted categories:
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Artist of the Year

Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Tuesday, August 30, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.