Rhett Akins Leaps Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Rhett Akins

Rhett Akins makes a big leap from No. 12 to No. 5 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The soon-to-be-inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree is a co-writer on the currently charting songs “Tequila Little Time” (Jon Pardi) and “To Be Loved By You” (Parker McCollum).

Ashley Gorley maintains his position at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the tenth consecutive week. He is a co-writer on “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) and “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton).

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.

Chris Stapleton Earns MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1

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Chris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke

Chris Stapleton paves his way to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “You Should Probably Leave.” This single follows his two week No. 1. “Starting Over.”

“You Should Probably Leave” was written by Stapleton, Ashley Gorley, and Chris DuBois. It appears on his album Starting Over which was completed in February of 2020 just days before the shutdown.

Stapleton is currently touring the country with his All-American Road Show. The tour began in July and has dates lined up through June of 2022.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, Tylar Bryant

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Pictured (top row): Tylar Bryant, Cody Johnson; (bottom row): Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde

Summer may be winding down, but the country stars are still cranking out plenty of sunshine.

In this week’s edition of DisClaimer, we have terrific tunes by Old Dominion, Sam Hunt, Mitchell Tenpenny & Chris Young, Walker Hayes, Kacey Musgraves and more. We have a tie in the race for the Disc of the Day award. I can’t decide between the sizzling Cody Johnson single and the scintillating duet by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde. Honor them both with your spins.

One of the most noteworthy trends in country music during the past three years is the unprecedented explosion of Black artists in the genre. Country hopefuls Willie Jones, Chapel Hart, Breland, Karen McCormick, Ashlie Amber, Blanco Brown, Brittney Spencer, Tony Evans Jr., Camo Brian, Priscilla Renae, Shy Carter, Tiera, Kyshona, Charlie Crockett, Norman North, Wendy Moten, Reyna Roberts and Charles Gallaspy have joined an influx from the previous decade—Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Miko Marks, Simba Jordan, Vickie Vann, Kane Brown, Rissi Palmer, Kamara Thomas, Joy Styles, Tony Jackson, Rhonda Townes, Darius Rucker, Kaia Kater, Aaron Vance, Daniel Houze, Amber Gerard, John Amos and Erika Dunlap.

In this column, we add three more names to the list, Brei Carter, Danielia Cotton and our DISCovery Award winner, Tylar Bryant.

SAM HUNT / “23”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Chris LaCorte; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: MCA Nashville
— Wistful nostalgia for a youthful love. His warm, burnished delivery is enthralling, and the well-crafted lyric is a gem. Check out the acoustic version, too.

DANIELIA COTTON / “(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again”
Writers: Dallas Frazier/Doodle Owens; Producer: none listed; Label: DC
— This New Jersey native has dabbled in r&b and rock during the past 15 years. This country-soul tribute to Charley Pride finds her in excellent voice. She could use better production support on her revival of his 1969 classic.

WALKER HAYES & KESHA / “Fancy Like”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Cameron Bartolini/Shane Stevens/Josh Jenkins/Kesha; Producer: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally & Joe Thibodeau; Label: Monument/RCA
— Nashville native popster Kesha adds her saucy verve to this Platinum-selling song of the summer. Melodically, it has nothing to do with country music. Lyrically, however, it’s a hillbilly delight. And the whole thing is still one nutty ear worm. If Ruby Tuesday, Ocharley’s, T.G.I. Friday, Chili’s, Logan’s or Zaxby’s pay to advertise on the radio station, don’t they object to giving free airtime to an Applebees commercial?

ADAM DOLEAC / “Somewhere Cool With You”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins/Jared Keim; Producer: Jared Keim; Label: Arista Nashville
— Adam was in the news this week when his sound-equipment trailer was stolen, then recovered. His new track yearns for a romantic getaway. Lulling and gentle, if not exactly memorable.

KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Justified”
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Ian Fitchuk/Ilsey Juber/Brandon Joyner Burton; Producer: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian; Label: MCA Nashville/Interscope
— This sweet/sad heartbreak ballad has a spare, echoey production swirling around her tender soprano. Listenable, meandering and atmospheric. As light and lovey-dovey as Golden Hour was, the new LP Star-Crossed represents the darker side of love.

SAM WILLIAMS & DOLLY PARTON / “Happy All the Time”
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Sam Williams; Producer: Bobby Holland/Sean McConnell; Label: Mercury Nashville
— “Glasshouse Children,” the title tune of this guy’s debut album is a very slow dreamy ballad with strings. He picks up the pace a little on the collection’s collaborations with Keith Urban (”Kids”) or, in this case, Dolly. It’s still a ballad, but their voices brush against each other in a way that creates emotional intimacy and intensity. Sam is Hank Jr.’s boy—and the half brother of music makers Hank III, Hillary and Holly—but he is definitely his own man. Highly recommended.

BREI CARTER / “Gave Him a Girl”
Writers: Brei Carter/Mason Douglas/Jason Wyatt; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
— This Louisiana native is a PhD, the author of three books and a veteran Army officer. She’s also a feisty, sprightly country singer-songwriter. In this ditty, she flattens a bully with a right hook and announces that she can catch a bass, change a tire, skin a coon, drink, handle a gun and drive a tractor. Cute and catchy.

MITCHELL TENPENNY & CHRIS YOUNG / “At the End of a Bar”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Chris Young/Mitchell Tenpenny; Producer: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano; Label: RCA Nashville
— Nobody sings a country song with as much power as Mr. Young, but Tenpenny gives it his all on this chesty, passionate, anthemic collaboration. These are two mighty worthy men.

CARLY PEARCE & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Ashley McBryde/Shane McAnally; Producer: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Label: Big Machine/Warner
— In a word, sensational. The dobro-laced production, both women’s harmony voices, the story song, the swapped verses, the interwoven solo vocals …. everything works here. Ashley starts off, portraying the mistress. Carly picks up the tale, enacting the betrayed wife. They soar on the choruses together in dual heartache. For the love of country music, play this.

CODY JOHNSON / “Til You Can’t”
Writers: Ben Stennis/Matt Rogers; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: Warner/COJO
— Cody has been delighting our ears by releasing track after track from his upcoming double album, Human (”Sad Songs and Waltzes,” “God Bless the Boy,” “Let’s Build a Fire,” etc). Now at last that collection has a single, and it is a dandy. It begins as a contemplative look at life and love, then evolves into a roaring barn burner about seizing today, living with gusto and chasing your dreams no matter how big. This is the sound of a superstar.

OLD DOMINION / “All I Know About Girls”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Joseph Rosen/Matthew Thomas Ramsey/Brad Francis Tursi/Whit Sellers/Geoffrey Sprung; Producer: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista Nashville
— Softly jaunty and airy. The simplicity and open production of this are pleasantly ear-cleansing. As you might expect, the punch line is “I don’t know nothin’ at all.”

TYLAR BRYANT / “Stay Wild”
Writers: Bobby McLamb/Blaine Younger; Producer: Bryan Cole; Label: Riser
— No matter how work and life wear you down, remember to stay free and full of fire. Hang on for the processed-vocal chorus toward the finale. Engaging, energetic and promising.

Honorees Announced For 2021 ‘CMT Artists of the Year’

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Pictured (clockwise): Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini

CMT revealed the honorees for its 2021 CMT Artists Of The Year special, taking place on Oct. 13. The premier country artists to be celebrated are Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs.

This year’s CMT Artists of the Year event will honor the top five country artists who, in the last 12 months, led across all CMT platforms, scored chart-topping albums and singles, and created ways to connect with fans and meet the personal and professional challenges posed by the pandemic.

Margaret Comeaux, Vice President, Production, CMT says: “’We are honored to recognize these five incredible artists who have entertained and inspired millions through their music this past year. We look forward to returning to the Schermerhorn with a live show as we celebrate the accomplishments of Chris, Kane, Kelsea, Gabby and Luke.”

The 90-minute CMT Artists Of The Year special will broadcast live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. CT. Musical pairings, special guests, additional honorees, performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

Curb | Word Entertainment Ups Ciara Shortridge To Publishing VP Role

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Ciara Shortridge

Curb | Word Entertainment has promoted Ciara Shortridge to VP, Country Publishing/A&R. She will help oversee the creative operations of the country roster alongside VP, Country Publishing & Creative, Colt Murski.

Curb | Word Music Publishing has had recent success with chart-topping hits that include Dylan Scott’s “Nobody” and “My Girl,” Luke Bryan’s “Down To One,” Jimmie Allen’s “Make Me Want To,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor” and current hit “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” and many more.

Chairman Mike Curb shares, “We are proud to welcome Ciara as VP, Country Publishing/A&R and we appreciate the wonderful creative contributions she has already made to our company, including helping to lead us through the challenges of this COVID period in a positive way.”

Shortridge is a NY native and a graduate of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University. She has been with the company since the beginning of 2020, and most recently served as Senior Creative Director. Prior to Curb, Shortridge spent 10 years at Disney Music Publishing Nashville.

“I am so thankful for this incredibly exciting opportunity to help lead our team and it’s deep-rooted legacy into its next chapter of successes!” says Shortridge. “Representing the company and roster in this new role is a very meaningful, full-circle season in my life.”

NOW ACCEPTING: Applications For MusicRow’s N.B.T. Music Industry Directory

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Applications are now open for the N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) Music Industry Directory, which will be featured in MusicRow‘s Touring/N.B.T. print issue which comes out on December 1.

MusicRow‘s N.B.T. Music Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who are rising through the ranks. This class of industry members occupy mid-level roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to become future leaders in the Nashville music industry. Applicants should ideally have a minimum of 5 or more years experience in the music industry.

This Touring/N.B.T. print edition also includes the annual Next Big Thing artists listing, with editorial features focused on the touring segment of our industry.

To apply for inclusion in this year’s edition of the N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, please click here to access the application form. (Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to be listed in the directory.)

Note: If you are submitting multiple candidates, you will need to click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the form before entering another candidate. Head shots can be sent to art@musicrow.com.

New submissions for the directory close on Friday, September 24, 2021. For questions, email lbcantrell@musicrow.com.

NSAI Virtually Honors 2021 Nashville Songwriter Awards Winners

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the winners of the 4th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. The winners were honored by NSAI and presenting partner City National Bank through an online presentation this afternoon (Sept. 14).

The Song of the Year honor was awarded to Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert for their song “Bluebird.” This hopeful tune was nominated for Song of the Year at the 54th CMA Awards, the 56th ACM Awards, and for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Ethan Hulse, a three-time Grammy nominated and Dove Award winning songwriter, was honored with Songwriter of the Year. Hulse, who wrote the recent Christian hits “Rescue Story,” “Stand In Your Love” and “The Father’s House,” also recently took home Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Christian Awards.

Country hitmaker Luke Combs was awarded with Songwriter-Artist of the Year. Combs achieved his eleventh consecutive No. 1 hit, “Forever After All,” this year and was recently revealed as a nominee for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year (“Forever After All”) for the upcoming 55th CMA Awards.

NSAI also honored many songwriters in the highly-coveted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ category, which are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the Top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, country, mainstream top 40, and/or rock genres during the eligible period. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter.

The ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ winners include:

“7 Summers” – Written by: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Morgan Wallen

“Ain’t Always The Cowboy” – Written by: Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson

“Chasin’ You” – Written by: Jamie Moore, Morgan Wallen, Craig Wiseman

“Die From A Broken Heart” – Written by: Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton

“Hell Of A View” – Written by: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell

“I Called Mama” – Written by: Marv Green, Lance Miller, Jimmy Yeary

“I Hope” – Written by: Gabby Barrett, Zachary Kale, Jon Nite

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Written by: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton

“One Night Standards” – Written by: Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde

“Starting Over” – Written by: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

Viewers who missed the premiere have the opportunity to revisit the awards on the Bluebird Cafe’s official YouTube channel or NSAI’s official Facebook page.

Luke Combs Jumps Into Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

Luke Combs jumps from No. 15 to No. 6 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The country hitmaker is a co-writer on three of his charting songs, including “Forever After All,” “Cold as You,” and “South On Ya.”

Combs’ “Cold As You” and “South On Ya” co-writer Jonathan Singleton rises one spot to No. 2. In addition to his Combs co-writes, Singleton is credited on Lainey Wilson’s “Things A Man Oughta Know” and Zac Brown Band’s “Same Boat.”

Ashley Gorley maintains his position at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the ninth consecutive 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.

Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Celebrate Back-To-Back No. 1 Hits

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Pictured (L-R): “Nobody But You” co-writers and artists Ross Copperman (BMI), Tommy Lee James (BMI), Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, and Josh Osborne. (Not pictured: co-writer Shane McAnally). Photo: Steve Lowry

Blake Shelton recently celebrated his 27th and 28th Country Airplay No. 1 singles, “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere,” with his wife and featured artist, Gwen Stefani.

Both Platinum-certified singles have racked up over 200 million streams a piece and mark Stefani’s first and second No. 1 country singles.

“Nobody But You” was co-written by Ross Copperman (BMI), Tommy Lee James (BMI), Josh Osborne (ASCAP), and Shane McAnally (ASCAP/GMR). Osborne, Copperman and Matt Jenkins (ASCAP) co-wrote “Happy Anywhere.” All songwriters were honored by the songs’ performing artists and their respective publishers on the BMI Creative Patio in one of the first celebrations of its kind since the start of the pandemic.

“Happy Anywhere” co-writers and artists Ross Copperman (BMI), Matt Jenkins (ASCAP), Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, and Josh Osborne (ASCAP. Photo: Steve Lowry

The outdoor party featured presentations from BMI’s Clay Bradley, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, and executives from Combustion Music, SMACKSongs, Sony Music Publishing, Still Working Music Group, Tape Room Music, and Warner Chappell Music.

Later that evening, The Voice coach performed for a packed house at Bridgestone Arena for his “Friends and Heroes 2021” Tour.

Aldean, Underwood Stay At No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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“If I Didn’t Love You” by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood is the reigning No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The song got a boost of +88 spins, inching it ahead of the No. 2 position by just 16 spins. This will be its second week at No. 1 earning a cumulative 8,182 spins in just seven weeks on the chart.

“If I Didn’t Love You” was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan and produced by Michael Knox.

Aldean is currently on the road for his Back in the Saddle Tour with Hardy and Lainey Wilson serving as support. Underwood will begin her first-ever residency, REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency in December with additional dates in 2022.

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