Luke Combs Takes “Cold As You” To No. 1 For The Second Time On MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart

/by

After already reaching No. 1 in August, Luke Combs’ single “Cold As You” makes a triumphant return to the top spot this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The single has earned a cumulative 21,180 spins in 16 weeks on the chart. This is his second two-week No. 1 following “Forever After All.”

“Cold As You” was co-written by Combs, Shane Minor, Randy Montana, and Jonathan Singleton. Singleton is at No. 8 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for his credit on this single as well as last week’s No. 1 “Same Boat” by Zac Brown Band. Combs appears at No. 14, Montana at No. 53 and Minor at No. 54.

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

Lady A Shows The Power Of Music Through New Album, ‘What A Song Can Do’ [Interview]

/by

Lady A

Multi-Platinum and 5x Grammy-winning band Lady A has released their eighth studio album, What A Song Can Do, today (Oct. 22) through BMLG Records.

The 14-song project showcases a refined snapshot of what the highly decorated trio of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood have experienced since their 2019 album, Ocean, and throughout the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The record also finds the 3x consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year flexing their songwriting muscle with at least one of them credited on all but one of the tracks. Also present on the record is some of Nashville’s songwriting royalty as well as some of the city’s hottest rising writers, including Ashley Gorley, Nicolle Galyon, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz, Jesse Frasure, Natalie Hemby, Alysa Vanderheym, Martin Johnson and Corey Crowder, among others.

“After the first two or three months of the pandemic, it became brutally obvious that it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon,” Kelley tells MusicRow. “To keep ourselves semi-productive, we decided to just start working on writing for our next project. We didn’t necessarily have a timeline, and it’s always nice to write without any specific pressure of a release date.”

Lady A. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

“Songwriting was the real healing part as we were all going through the collective uncertainty of how long the pandemic would last and how long we’d be at home. Even if it was just on Zoom, songwriting was what gave us hope, purpose, and healing,” Haywood explains. “The songwriting felt sort of therapeutic at the time because we could take what we were all going through and throw it into these songs, whether it was serious or exciting.” He adds, “It was really the one thing that helped us stay connected as a trio and helped us really heal during that time.”

Once again produced by Dann Huff, What A Song Can Do shows Lady A’s most well-rounded collection of songs yet. With vulnerable songs like “Worship What I Hate,” heartfelt ones like “Things He Handed Down,” upbeat tracks like their current radio single “Like A Lady,” and empowering anthems like “Fire,” the trio take fans through a sonic expedition that displays numerous aspects of the human condition and truly shows what a song can do.

“My favorite records always took you through a journey and showed you a bunch of different emotions, and that’s who we are,” Kelley says. “There’s a lot of lighthearted moments on this record and then some moments that make you think or feel a little bit more. The material just feels a little bit stronger this time around. I don’t know if it’s just where we are in our career and our confidence in our sound or if it was because we had written so much for this project and we didn’t rush it at all.”

“Our gratitude’s at an all time high right now because of the catalog of material we’ve built. Those songs have taken us around the world and they have meant a lot to a lot of people,” Haywood offers. “We don’t take that lightly, so [‘What A Song Can Do’] felt like a great summation of where our hearts are right now, the power of music, and how much we all need music right now for healing and hope.”

YouTube video

Within the album’s 14 songs, Lady A takes their first stab at a proper star-studded collaboration, with Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce, and Darius Rucker making an appearance on “Friends Don’t Let Friends.” The track, masked by a fun, party-filled production, brings attention to the importance of friendship and having people that you can lean on, especially over the last 16 months.

“[The song explains] how important it is to lean on each other when we’re going through anything in life, whether it be a breakup or when you just don’t want to drink alone. You want a friend to come alongside you and sit with you in your feelings… It still rings true, no matter what the circumstances, to how much we really do need each other to get through life,” Scott elaborates. “It’s obviously a really lighthearted and fun take on it, and we get to just sing. I can’t wait until we can perform it live all together at some point.”

“Thomas, our co-writers, and I were at the beach hanging out, and Thomas threw that title out and it wrote itself so fast. We had the chorus written just sitting out there watching our kids play,” Kelley adds. “Later that night we got together with Ashley Gorley and Julian Bunetta and finished the verses up. Once I played it for Darius, he was like, ‘Dude, I’m all in on this.’ Then we needed another strong female to balance out all of the testosterone.”

Lady A. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

He continues, “Those are truly our closest friends in the industry, and it felt like a good, fun song that balanced out the rest of the record.”

What A Song Can Do also marks Haywood’s first crack at the lead vocal on “Workin’ On This Love.” As the track’s sole writer, Haywood wrote the song for his wife for Mother’s Day in May of 2021.

“We were in the last few weeks of making the record with Dann Huff and I sent this song to Charles and Hillary. I said, ‘If you don’t like it, forget I ever had this idea. But what about me taking the lead on one for a different texture and a different character for the album?'” Haywood recalls. “I thought it might be a different flavor to round out the end of the record… We had fun in the studio working out different harmony parts, and I’m honored for people to hear it.”

Though just wrapping up their “What A Song Can Do Tour,” the trio exudes much excitement as they prepare for this next era of new music for Lady A.

“I love being able to envision these songs, getting to put them into our live show and hearing and seeing the response and the songs that people gravitate towards. Sometimes there’s these outliers on the record that really connect in a deep way, and that information is always really exciting for us to take in once the record is out,” Scott shares.

After 15 years, 18 million albums sold, 11 No. 1 songs, and over five billion digital streams, Lady A aims to bring fans hope and healing through What A Song Can Do as the world continues to move through COVID.

“I hope that [the people who listen to this album] find their own story within it and find some songs that can say how they’re feeling better than they can themselves,” Kelley says. “I hope this record meets people right where they are and that it’s something they needed.”

“We’ve all gone through a crazy time,” Haywood adds. “I hope that the songs and the material meets people and gives them some excitement and joy.” He sums, “I also hope that through it they don’t feel alone with the things that they went through and that they feel that we went through it too. We felt it too, and we were all collectively in that together.”

Lady A’s eighth studio album, What A Song Can Do, is available everywhere now.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Miranda Lambert, Hannah Ellis, Walker Hayes

/by

There’s an awful lot of pop music in this week’s “country” round-up edition of DISClaimer.

Holding down the fort and standing firmly on country ground are Chase Rice, Brett Young, Ryan Hurd and our Disc of the Day winner, queen Miranda Lambert.

The DISCovery Award also goes to a female artist, Curb newcomer Hannah Ellis.

HANNAH ELLIS / “Us”
Writers: Hannah Ellis/Jason Massey/Travis Wood; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Curb Records
— Bubbling and boiling, this churning, rhythm-happy number comes across like a female version of Keith Urban’s catchy, pop-country sound. Highly listenable.

WALKER HAYES / “U Gurl”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Dylan Guthro/Jodi Guthro; Producer: Dylan Guthro; Label: Monument Records
— While “Fancy Like” continues to dominate, Hayes issues this new track. It’s more pop, white-boy hip-hop, and has even less to do with country music than his mega hit.

SHY CARTER / “The Rest of Us”
Writers: Shy Carter/Bryan Simpson/Josh Kerr; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner
— The title tune of Carter’s debut EP is a lovely pop love ode wafting with heartfelt tenor vocals, brushed percussion and sweet lyrics. Enchanting. Swoon worthy. Stick with his “Beer With My Friends” banger, but keep this in your back pocket as proof of the depth of his talent.

LEE BRICE / “Soul”
Writers: Kevin Kadish/Tony Ferrari; Producer: Ben Glover/Kyle Jacobs; Label: Curb Records
— In the wake of four straight No. 1 country hits, Brice motors down a pop side street with this wildly attractive, bouncy bopper. Deliciously hooky.

THE WILD FEATHERS / “Ain’t Lookin’”
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Joel King/Ricky Young/Taylor Burns; Producer: The Wild Feathers; Label: New West
— I loved ‘em when they were a pop/rock band, and I loved ‘em just as much as country music makers. Now they are rocking again. Whatever….

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “If I Was a Cowboy”
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Luke Dick/Jon Randall; Label: RCA/Vanner Records
— Breezy and beautiful, this is the sound of freedom and high spirits. A bases-loaded home run. Massive airplay, please.

YOLA / “Be My Friend”
Writers: Yola/Dan Auerbach/Ruby Amanfu; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye/Concord
— This British-born, Nashville-based artist seamlessly blends soul, Americana and country. She’s this month’s OpryNext artist and is touring with Chris Stapleton. Her commanding voice is center stage in this stately ballad. That’s Americana queen Brandi Carlile on the twin-like harmony vocals.

BRETT YOUNG / “You Didn’t”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Brett Young/Jimmy Robbins/Jon Nite; Producer: Dann Huff/Jimmy Harnen; Label: BMLG
— Mr. Romance cuddles up next to you while crooning a ballad about accepting a breakup without casting blame or recriminations. Tender and affecting. A heart-tugging lyric that will pierce anyone who has lived the line, “I fell in love, and you didn’t.”

RUTHIE COLLINS / “Hypocrite”
Writers: Ruthie Collins/Natalie Stovall; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Sidewalk
— Ruthie’s breakup isn’t going so well. In this ballad, she’s putting on a good face, but is actually shattered because she’s still in love with him. The pounding surrounding track is very pop.

CHASE RICE / “If I Were Rock & Roll”
Writers: Chase Rice; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Broken Bow Records
— Charmingly written. It’s a jaunty ditty about love and fidelity that brings a smile to your face. The shuffling, bright, light-hearted production is mighty endearing, too.

MORGAN EVANS/ “Love Is Real”
Writers: Jordan Reynolds/Morgan Evans/Parker Welling; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— Relentlessly optimistic. The burbling, percussive track and sunshine-y melody are more than a little reminiscent of the style of his fellow Oz import Keith Urban. Which is to say: toe-tapping, catchy, rocking and shiny.

RYAN HURD / “Pass It On”
Writers: Ryan James Hurd/Maren Morris/Jordan Schmidt/Michael Hardy; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Label: Arista Nashville
— Do you have good fortune? Don’t keep it to yourself. Pass it on to someone else, says Ryan in this ear-tickling pleaser. Hand claps. Gang sing-along. Rolling tempo. What’s not to like?

Chris Young Celebrates Multi-Week No. 1 Single With His “Famous Friends”

/by

Pictured (L-R): Cary Barlowe, Chris Young, Corey Crowder. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Country star and BMI writer Chris Young joined co-writers Cary Barlowe (SESAC) and Corey Crowder (ASCAP) on Monday (Oct. 18) to celebrate the chart-topping success of the Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1 single, “Famous Friends” with Kane Brown.

Co-produced by Young and Crowder, “Famous Friends” not only topped the Country Aircheck/Mediabase and Billboard country radio charts, it also spent 15 weeks in the Top 5 on Billboard. It was Young’s twelfth career No. 1 as a recording artist—tenth as a songwriter—and Brown’s sixth.

Earlier this year, Young and Brown took home the CMT Music Awards trophy for Collaborative Video of the Year for “Famous Friends” and the pair are nominated for Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards.

Brown was not able to attend the party at DawgHouse Saloon on Demonbreun, but was lauded by many for his contribution.

The celebration was hosted by BMI’s Clay Bradley. “This isn’t an ordinary No. 1,” Bradley said. “This one is going to be a recurrent. I hope you like it because you’re going to hear it for the rest of your life.”

Pictured (L-R, front row): Cary Barlowe, Chris Young, Corey Crowder; (L-R, front row): Jesse Frasure (Rhythm House Music), Scott Jungmichel (SESAC), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Clay Bradley (BMI), Troy Tomlinson (Universal Music Publishing Nashville), Steve Hodges (Sony Music Nashville), Leslie DiPiero (Tree Vibez Music), Rob Beckham (The AMG). Photo: Jeff Johnson

Universal Music Publishing Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson was on hand to talk about UMPG writer Young. He bragged on Young for the quiet community service the singer has become known for. “He is one of the most giving artists in our format,” Tomlinson said. “I absolutely love this song. I appreciate you for writing it and recording it.”

Leslie DiPiero from Tree Vibez Music stepped up to talk about writer and producer Crowder. “We love the song and are looking forward to the CMA win!” DiPiero predicted.

Rhythm House’s Jesse Frasure bragged on his writer, Barlowe. “Cary, we’ve worked together for 15 plus years. In that time, I’ve yet to meet somebody that doesn’t love you. There’s a lot of talented people in this town, but to be loved and liked the way you are is a rarity.”

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch made her first No. 1 party appearance since her return back to the PRO. Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges also spoke about the RCA Records Nashville entertainer, Young.

The co-writers all expressed thankfulness for each other for giving it their all on the record.

Young was emotional when it came time for him to speak. “The past couple years that we’ve all dealt with has been a lot,” Young said. “Being able to put out a song talking about people you grew up with, and have it be a big ole hit on the radio, is thanks to everybody in this room and everybody that’s not in this room that worked on it from the top down.”

Young made sure to thank BMI, Sony Nashville, Rob Beckham and The AMG, WME, his band and crew, business management at Huskins-Harris, and more.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky from top to bottom,” Young says. “This song is all about the people that you know.”

Robert Carlton Talks Walker Hayes’ Red-Hot Hit, “Fancy Like” [Interview]

/by

Robert Carlton

Robert Carlton is Sr. VP of Development at SMACK, the Nashville entertainment company that now involves a successful publishing house (SMACKSongs), management firm (SMACKManagement), and a recently launched influencer marketing service (SMACKTok).

A Nashville native and MTSU graduate, Carlton began his career at Black River. In 2014, he moved to SMACK and has since ascended to run the artist management division, which represents Shane McAnally’s television projects (including NBC’s Songland), Monument Records artist Walker Hayes and UMG artist Kylie Morgan. Carlton also works with SMACK’s publishing roster.

Carlton and the SMACK team have had a whirlwind few months as Hayes has experienced monumental success with his hit “Fancy Like,” from his recent EP Country Stuff.

The tune, co-written by Hayes, Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens and Josh Jenkins, has charmed the hearts of listeners across the world with its lyrics about a cheap date night at Applebee’s. Hayes sings “We fancy like Applebee’s on a date night, got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake / Get some whipped cream on the top too, two straws, one check, girl, I got you.”

YouTube video

Once Hayes and his daughter Lela uploaded a TikTok of the two of them dancing to the song, “Fancy Like” took off, with other creators and celebrities sharing their own TikToks of the dance. Just a month later, the TikTok has been viewed over 30 million times and “Fancy Like” ventured into the zeitgeist, hitting No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country streaming chart. On the country radio front, “Fancy Like” flew up the charts, making the biggest jump into the Top 10 on the Mediabase Country chart since Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” in early 2004. It also hit No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart on Friday (Oct. 15).

“People just gravitated towards the ordinary with Walker,” Carlton tells MusicRow of the song’s success. “[Taking it to TikTok] was obvious from the jump. The dance idea was just him and his daughter… It wasn’t strategized in a real specific way.”

Now “Fancy Like” backs an Applebee’s commercial, a collaboration we all saw coming. Carlton says that the restaurant chain wasn’t interested at first, but once the song took off, they re-considered. After the release of the track, CNN reported that Applebee’s sales grew 102% in the months following. “It was a no brainer at that point, they just had to pay a little more than they would have on the front end,” Carlton quips.

Walker Hayes and Kesha. Photo: Adam Battaglia

Hayes also partnered with pop artist Kesha on a remix for the tune. “We were trying to find someone who made sense, that you thought might go to Applebee’s,” Carlton says. “Walker and Kesha had a call about it. She said ‘I actually got thrown out of an Applebee’s because my friend got in a fight there.’ He was like, ‘Perfect. You’re it!'”

Although Hayes has been experiencing what seems like an overnight success with “Fancy Like,” the singer-songwriter has been putting the work in for 10 years. Fans have long-gravitated to Hayes’ very specific musical style, with songs like the double-Platinum “You Broke Up With Me,” and popular “90s Country” and “Don’t Let Her” creating a buzz with listeners.

When it comes to the titanic success of “Fancy Like,” Carlton says that it’s been a long time coming.

“Walker has an incredible ability to connect with his fans and build his base 1 by 1 but having this massive moment happen so suddenly is sometimes hard to appreciate and accept,” Carlton admits. “I think I’m too close to it to really allow myself enjoy it although I’m constantly telling myself to do so. It seems like every day something else amazing happens with this song and Walker and I are in disbelief asking each other ‘WHAT IS HAPPENING?’ It’s really been special to see this happen first hand with an artist and individual that is as talented and as genuine as they come.”

Weekly Register: Cody Johnson Makes Top Three Country Album Debut

/by

Cody Johnson. Credit Chris Douglas

Cody Johnson‘s Human: The Double Album is the top country album debut this week, coming in at No. 3 on the country albums chart and No. 19 overall. The album earns 20,000 first-week streams, according to Nielsen.

Arista Nashville’s Old Dominion also earns a top five country album debut with the release of their fourth studio album, Time, Tequila, and Therapy. The new project debuts at No. 4 on the country albums chart and No. 27 overall, earning 17,000 first-week streams.

Morgan Wallen returns to the top spot this week with Dangerous: The Double Album gaining 42,000 streams, contributing to 51 million total streams RTD. Luke Combs takes the second spot with What You See Is What You Get, and fifth with This One’s For You, adding 22,000 and 15,000 streams, respectively.

“Fancy Like” (Walker Hayes) remains at No. 1, gaining another 13.5 million streams for a total of 193 million RTD. The middle of the pack also stays the same with “If I Didn’t Love You” (Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood) in second with 7.3 million streams, “Chasing After You” (Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris) in third with 7.2 million streams, and “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) in fourth with 6 million streams. “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton) re-enters the top five this week, adding 5.6 million streams.

Luke Bryan To Host ‘The 55th Annual CMA Awards’

/by

Luke Bryan. Photo: Robby Klein

Country music superstar and American Idol judge Luke Bryan will host The 55th Annual CMA Awards live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10. The broadcast will air from 7-10 p.m. on ABC.

Bryan has garnered 27 No. 1 hits and has the most RIAA certified digital singles of any country artist with 68.5 million, has 15.6 billion streams worldwide, and has sold nearly 13 million albums. His headline tours have played sold-out shows for 12 million fans, including 36 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and seven sold-out “Crash My Playa” destination concert events.

He has won over 50 major music awards, including five wins as Entertainer of the Year across the CMA and ACM Awards. He has been honored as a CMT Artist of the Year six times, an NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year, the first recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party, seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards. Bryan has also been named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s and the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck.

“The CMA Awards is one of the biggest nights of the year for country music,” says Bryan. “Being asked to host the CMA Awards was definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering. The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn’t turn down. I mean, growing up in Georgia, I remember watching Vince Gill, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, to name a few. They were so good. And then becoming a part of this amazing country music family and sitting on the front row while Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker took the reins, all of these artists are heroes and friends, and I am honored to have my name included in this group. I’m looking forward to making it fun and memorable and using this platform to continue to make country music shine.”

“We are so thrilled to have Luke join us as this year’s CMA Awards host,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “His fun and playful energy is something television viewers have welcomed into their homes week after week as a judge on American Idol, and I know he has something exciting up his sleeve for the CMA Awards. We cannot wait to bring music fans a magical night of performances and truly some of the most special moments our show has ever delivered, in just a few weeks.”

Winners of The 55th Annual CMA Awards will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot is open now for CMA members, with voting for the CMA Awards final ballot closing Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Performers and presenters for this year’s awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Walker Hayes Lands First-Ever MusicRow CountryBreakout No. 1

/by

The viral hit by Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like,” is crowned this week’s No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Hayes continues his reign at the top of the country streaming songs chart as “Fancy Like” earns another 14 million streams, putting it at No. 6 overall. Since its release, the track has racked in over 180 million streams, according to Nielsen.

Hayes wrote the single with Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens and Josh Jenkins and is featured on his latest EP, Country Stuff.

Hayes’ last single “You Broke Up With Me” was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Keb’ Mo’ & Darius Rucker, Abbey Cone, Rod + Rose

/by

Keb’ Mo’, Darius Rucker

Country newcomers shine brightly today in DisClaimer.

Vying for our attention are Rod + Rose, Dalton Dover and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone.

Mind you, there are plenty of old friends to greet as well, notably William Lee Golden, Reba, Dolly, Maria Muldaur and the enduringly brilliant Lyle Lovett. Listen right now to Lyle’s “Teach Me About Love.” You can thank me later.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the duo of Keb’ Mo’ and Darius Rucker, with Vince Gill behind the board. It’s a pure delight.

ROD + ROSE / “Put Me Back Together”
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Trevor Dahl/Brenton Duvall/Johnny Price/Kiara Saulters; Producer: Rodney Atkins/Seth Mosley; Label: Curb
— Country hitmaker Rodney Atkins and his bride, pop princess Rose Falcon, shimmer as a duo on this dreamy love ballad. It’s a seductive swirl of vocal harmonies, electronic loops, echoey percussion and electric guitar. Yes, it’s pop. But it sure is pretty.

REBA McENTIRE & DOLLY PARTON / “Does He Love You”
Writers: Sandy Knox/Billy Stritch; Producer: Dave Cobb/Reba McEntire; Label: MCA
— This revisitation of the 1993 Reba & Linda Davis Grammy and CMA winning duet works. The new arrangement is more acoustic and less bombastic. Both Reba and new partner Dolly breathe new life into the lyric, each adding fresh vocal embellishments and emotional nuances. In a word, classy.

WILLIE JONES / “Get Low, Get High”
Writers: Willie Jones/Cary Barlowe/Brandon Day; Producer: Willie Jones/Brandon Day; Label: Sony/Penthouse
— Jones applies a low baritone vocal to ride atop the beats on this rousing, uplifting outing about overcoming. The track builds to a catchy, quasi-shouted anthem, complete with massed male & female gang sings and a bright touch of brass. The song is pretty much a continually repeated snippet that wears out its welcome about 2/3 of the way through.

JAKE OWEN/ “Best Thing Since Backroads”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Geoff Warburton/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Minton; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
— This jolly thumper is churning up the charts for this perennial favorite. He’s so smitten with her that he thinks she’s prettier than a summer day or a country landscape. Everything about this smiles.

MARIA MULDAUR/ “I’m Vaccinated and I’m Ready for Love”
Writers: Maria Mudaur/Craig Caffal; Producer: none listed; Label: Stony Plain
— The “Midnight at the Oasis” charmer is back with a pandemic ditty. Musically, it’s a straightforward blues bopper with plenty of vintage ambiance and a back-alley guitar solo. Lyrically, it’s as cute as the dickens.

BLANCO BROWN / “Nobody’s More Country”
Writers: Bennie Amey III/Jordan Schmidt/Quintin Amey/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Blanco Brown/ Jordan Schmidt; Label: BBR
— Delightful. Sung to a chirping, electro-embellished, banjo-and-handclaps track, Brown’s ode to the pleasures of country living is marvelously catchy. “The Git Up” star has reemerged, rehabbed from a near-fatal motorcycle crash and sounds as hearty as ever.

WILLIAM LEE GOLDEN & THE GOLDENS / “Jambalaya”
Writers: Hank Williams; Producer: Ben Isaacs/Michael Sykes/Chris Golden/Rusty Golden; Label: Copperline
— The “mountain man” of the Oak Ridge Boys kept his family’s spirits up during the pandemic by having recording sessions. The Country Hall of Famer and his three sons (Rusty, Chris & Craig) give this Hank Williams classic a Louisiana backbeat and some zippy guitar and piano work to make it a contemporary dance tune. Lotsa fun. Also check out their exquisite family harmonies on the Jim Reeves standard “Four Walls.”

KEB’ MO’ & DARIUS RUCKER / “Good Strong Woman”
Writers: Kevin Moore/Jason Nix/Jason Gantt; Producer: Vince Gill/Keb’ Mo’; Label: Rounder
— Nashville’s Grammy-winning bluesman goes all-the-way country on this toe-tapping ditty duet with Darius Rucker, coproduced by Hall of Famer Vince Gill. Crisp, clear and totally joyous.

DALTON DOVER / “You Got a Small Town”
Writers: Adam Craig/Jamie Paulin/John Pierce; Producer: Matt McVaney; Label: Droptine
— Blake turned his chair around for this youngster on The Voice a few years back and here’s why. Dover is a forceful, confident singer with plenty of grit and swagger in his delivery. The small-town Georgian displays impressive range and volume on this salute to rural roots. The production is needlessly busy and rock electrified, but he rises above it. An impressive debut, reminiscent of the titanic Luke Combs.

LYLE LOVETT / “Teach Me About Love”
Writers: Walter Hyatt; Producer: none listed; Label: Omnivore
— Drawn from an Austin City Limits tribute show to the late singer-songwriter Walter Hyatt, this sensational little acoustic swinger slides into that sweet spot between country and jazz. And nobody has the vocal “cool” to bring this off better than Lyle Lovett. Stay tuned for the finale yodel. “Groovy” doesn’t even begin to describe it.

MATT STELL / “Boyfriend Season”
Writers: Matt Stell/Zach Abend/Seth Ennis/Geoff Warburton; Producer: Matt Stell/Ash Bowers; Label: RECORDS/Arista
— The single continues to be “That Ain’t Me No More,” but this newly released track is almost as hooky. Advice for a broken hearted lady from her former lover.

ABBEY CONE / “Rhinestone Ring”
Writers: Abbey Cone/Heather Morgan/Nathan Spicer; Producer: Nathan Spicer/Abbey Cone; Label: Valory
— This youngster debuts with a sweet tune about wedding dreams. You don’t need all the fancy trimmings to make nuptials perfect, just true love. She doesn’t miss church bells, a veil, a white dress and all that: A jukebox dance in his arms wearing a little black dress in a neon-let barroom is just fine.

CRB Inducts Class Of 2021 Into Country Radio Hall Of Fame, Honors Keith Urban & Beverlee Brannigan

/by

Pictured (L-R): Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees Bill Hagy, Bob Pickett, Angie Ward, Buzz Jackson, RJ Curtis, Heather Froglear. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. held its 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony at The Westin in Nashville last night (Oct. 13) to induct four off-air radio broadcasters and four on-air radio personalities who have made a significant impact on the radio industry during their careers.

The 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of inductees recognized were off-air honorees Bob Call, RJ Curtis, Bill Hagy, and Norm Schrutt. On-air honorees were Heather Froglear, Buzz Jackson, Bob Pickett, and Angie Ward. Due to last-minute unforeseen circumstances, Call was unable to attend and appear at this year’s event. His induction will be held at the 2022 Hall of Fame event.

Pictured (L-R):2021 CRB President’s Award recipient Beverlee Brannigan and CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

CRB/CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson, also presented long-time music industry veteran and member of the CRB board and executive committee, Beverlee Brannigan, with the organization’s 2021 President’s Award.

Country music superstar Garth Brooks was on hand to present another country music giant, Keith Urban, with the 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award. Brooks capped off the award presentation with a special performance of Urban’s 2004-hit song, “You’ll Think of Me,” and was later joined by Urban and Trisha Yearwood for a special performance of “Fishin’ in The Dark.”

Nominations for the 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame are being accepted through Oct. 29. The Class of 2022 will be revealed at CRS 2022, to be held Feb. 23-25, 2022.

Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson, Garth Brooks. Photo: Andrea Schollnick