Lori McKenna Enters Partnership With Concord, PULSE & Creative Nation

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Luke Laird (Creative Nation), Scott Cutler (Pulse Music Group), Jim Selby (Concord Music Publishing), Duff Berschback (Concord Music Publishing); (L-R, front row): Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Lori McKenna, Josh Abraham (Pulse Music Group). Photo: Spencer Combs

Concord Music Publishing, Creative Nation and PULSE Music Group have partnered to sign a multi-faceted agreement with lauded songwriter and artist, Lori McKenna. Concord Music Publishing has acquired McKenna’s publishing catalog and in partnership with Creative Nation and PULSE, will co-publish McKenna going forward.

McKenna is one of the music industry’s most in-demand songwriters and has been awarded three Grammy wins as a songwriter for Best Country Song with Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” (2015), Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” (2016), and most recently, The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” (2020). She has also won two CMA Awards and was named the ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2017. In addition to her work in country music, McKenna also co-wrote “Always Remember Us This Way,” which was featured in the Academy Award-winning film, A Star Is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

“I’m thrilled and thankful to keep doing what I love most with my Creative Nation family in Nashville. I’m so excited to add PULSE and Concord in this next chapter and I look forward to what’s to come,” McKenna says.

McKenna catalog includes hits by Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes, The Highwomen, and many more, as well as her 12 solo albums. Her original music has garnered several Americana and Grammy Award nominations.

Jim Selby, chief publishing executive at Concord says, “As both a songwriter and an artist, Lori McKenna has contributed to some of the most notable and groundbreaking hits in country music and beyond. Concord is honored to be chosen as the home for her catalog—our creative teams worldwide are looking forward to working closely with Lori, alongside Creative Nation and PULSE, to champion the hits still to come.”

“Working with Lori McKenna the past 5 years has been a dream come true. Her talent is undeniable and she continues to evolve and write some of the most iconic songs for our generation. We are so excited to continue working with her and to add PULSE and Concord as our publishing partners in this next chapter,” Beth Laird, co-founder and CEO of Creative Nation, adds.

Scott Cutler, co-CEO, PULSE Music Group sums, “Lori is one of the most authentic and widely respected writers on the planet—she has such a special talent. PULSE has had the honor of being a part of her story through our partnership with Beth and the Creative Nation team. We are so excited to partner with Beth and Concord on this next chapter and to continue to be a part of Lori’s future—this is a music publishing dream team!”

New ‘Willie Nelson And Family’ Docuseries In The Works

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Willie Nelson. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

Production is underway on a new docuseries Willie Nelson and Family, from Blackbird Presents and Sight Unseen Pictures, that will chronicle the extraordinary life and career of the country legend.

Emmy and Grammy award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny and Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Oren Moverman are co-directors of this multi-part docuseries. Nelson and his family and friends are providing exclusive participation and access to his archives for the series, and filming is taking place in Austin, Maui, Nashville, L.A. and New York.

The project was developed by Nelson’s longtime manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder/Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, who have collaborated on several award-winning film, TV and music projects. Executive Producers on the docuseries are Wortman, Rothbaum, Annie Nelson, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman and Leonid Lebedev.

“Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to realize this dream with Thom, Oren and Sight Unseen,” says Rothbaum and Wortman.

“Words like ‘honored,’ ‘excited’ and ‘humbled’ don’t come close to describing the way we feel about being entrusted with telling Willie’s story. And what a story it is! We are celebrating the music, the career, the long road, the family, friends and history. But, more than anything, we are piecing together a narrative – one never before seen in its entirety – about an extraordinary man with a unique ability to bring people together; folks of all races, orientations, genders, political ideologies and musical leanings. These days, we sure could use the healing powers of Willie Nelson,” adds Zimny and Moverman.

At 88, Nelson is still going strong. In the last year alone he has led major online concert fundraisers for Farm Aid and the Austin Community Foundation and was the voice of 13 major sports leagues as part of the Ad Council’s national ad campaign on vaccination awareness. The legend also released a No. 1 album, That’s Life, that paid homage to his favorite Frank Sinatra songs, released his latest book Willie Nelson’s Letters to America, and was celebrated in a music special Willie Nelson: American Outlaw on A&E.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trace Adkins, Tyler Farr, MaRynn Taylor

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Country artists are celebrating summertime this week.

Jeff Bates, Adam Doleac, Kylie Trout, Walker Hayes, Sam Williams and, especially Tebey with Una Healy all have open-air, sunshiney tunes. So does our DisCovery Award winner, MaRynn Taylor.

For that matter, toss in the dynamite, life-affirming Trace Adkins performance. It’s not about summer, but it will sure make you feel warm inside. It earns this edition’s Disc of the Day prize.

JUSTIN FABUS & CHAPEL HART / “Run”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: JF
— His somewhat light tenor voice is bolstered considerably by the female trio’s harmonies. The song’s lyric is wordy and awkward. But there is promise here, so keep trying.

TRACE ADKINS / “The Way I Wanna Go”
Writers: Barry Dean/Troy Verges/T.J. Osborne/John Osborne; Producer: Jon Coleman; Label: Verge
— Nicely produced. A deliriously rhythmic swirl of keyboads & guitars envelope an epic expressive performance. The song looks at a life well lived by a proud man who has loved and fought, worked and danced, soared and sung. Hang on for the gusto coda. This mini masterpiece is the title tune of Trace’s album, which drops next month.

SAM WILLIAMS / “Kids”
Writers: Boots Ottestad/Eric Arjes/Hank Compton; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Mercury Nashville
— Wafting, airy and youthful. Lovely listening. Keith Urban provides the guitar work. Sam is the grandson of the legendary Hank Williams and his upcoming album also features a collaboration with Dolly (”Happy All the Time”) and co-writes with Dan Auerbach and Jaren Johnston. Look for it on Aug. 20.

TEBEY & UNA HEALY / “Song of the Summer”
Writers: Danick Dupelle/Jimmy Thow/Tebey Ottoh; Producer: Tebey/Danick Dupelle; Label: Tebey
— Singer-songwriter Tebey has enjoyed a string of Gold and Platinum hits in his Canadian homeland. He has also been building a solid European following. Una is an Irish country-pop star. She harmonizes splendidly with his hearty, handsome lead vocal on this fresh sounding country rocker. The catchy, joyous, beautifully layered production deserves to become an anthem of this warm season.

KYLIE TROUT / “American Summer”
Writers: Kylie Trout/Dalton Baird/Jason Hamor; Producer: Bill McDermott; Label: KT
— Speaking of summer, this Radio Disney starlet and TikTok fave offers this entry as her tune for the season. Her thin, wispy voice can barely carry it.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Key to the City”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Casey Brown/Jesse Lee Levin; Producer: Casey Brown; Label: Arista Nashville
— We got life by the tail, so let’s take off and rock this town. We’re out for a good time, so look out world. Infectious.

WALKER HAYES / “Fancy Like”
Writers: Shane Stevens/Walker Hayes/Cameron Bartolini/Joshua Cole Jenkins; Producer: Shane McAnally; Label: Monument
— Country rap with the theme of poor-folks’ pleasures. This breezy little outing looks like it has a strong start on pop radio.

BRANDON LAY / “Broke”
Writers: Brandon Lay/Dean Dillon; Producer: Jonathan Singleton; Label: EMI Nashville
— It’s a cool song about a busted relationship, using a kaput car as a metaphor. He sings it well, but the choruses are over produced.

ERIN ENDERLIN / “Somebody’s Shot of Whiskey”
Writers: Erin Enderlin/Ben Chapman; Producer: Erin Enderlin; Label: Black Crow
— She’s an old-school traditionalist who sings of swimming upstream here. “I’d rather be somebody’s shot of whiskey/Than everybody’s cup of tea,” she avers, while a fiddle saws and a steel cries. A splash of clear, clean mountain water on the pancake makeup face of Music Row.

TYLER FARR / “Cover Girl”
Writers: Tyler Farr/Blake Bollinger/Ben Stennis; Producer: Jason Aldean/Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Label: BBR/Night Train
— This is about escaping a domestic-violence situation. Farr performs the troubling, empowering lyric with lots of emotion, and the video ends with help-line information. Recommended listening.

MaRYNN TAYLOR / “I Know a Girl”
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Jimmy Robbins/Shelley Skidmore; Producer: Doug Johnson & Jimmy Robbins; Label: Black River
— Roll down the windows, turn it up and head out on a country road. This soaring offering of love and fun has everything it takes. Wonderfully well written, sung with moxie and produced to perfection.

JEFF BATES / “Friends With Boats”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: JB
— A beachy, good-time page from the Buffett playbook.

NSAI Sets Nashville Songwriter Awards For September

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) will hold its annual Nashville Songwriter Awards on Sept. 14, 2021. The 4th annual awards, presented by City National Bank, will be held as a private event at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater.

The event will include performances honoring the Song, Songwriter, and Songwriter-Artist of the Year, the Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Decade (2010-2019), as well as the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written,’ awards, given to the top voted songs chosen by fellow professional songwriters as exceptional songs they wish they had penned.

This year Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO Jon Platt will be honored with NSAI’s President’s Keystone Award, given in recognition of significant contributions to the betterment of all songwriters.

“Our deepest thanks go to Sony Music Publishing Chairman/CEO Jon Platt for enabling the half million-dollar donation that allowed NSAI to create the non-profit, tax-exempt WRITER Foundation. The Foundation quickly and efficiently got critically-needed grant funds into the hands of American songwriters and composers,” says NSAI President Steve Bogard. “Jon stepped up to help at the height of the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Live performances were shut down and royalty checks were impacted. The $1,000 grants NSAI was able to distribute through Sony’s generosity helped songwriters who really needed it pay their bills.”

“We are so pleased to be back in person this year after presenting an entirely virtual awards event last year,” says NSAI Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow. “The more intimate setting will provide an opportunity for industry colleagues to gather and celebrate together, many for the first time in over a year. This year’s show promises to be memorable in many ways and it is our privilege to be able to partner with City National Bank again to celebrate songwriters in such a grand way.”

“Congratulations to all of this year’s Nashville Songwriter Award winners, and thank you for making our lives better by creating such wonderful songs,” adds Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, heads of Entertainment Banking for City National Bank in Nashville, in a joint statement. “City National has a long history of supporting songwriters and the creative community. We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s winners with NSAI in person once again after everything the industry has been through over the past year and a half.” City National is a leading entertainment industry bank that provides personalized financial services to more than 80% of the country music industry in Nashville.

Official 2021 Nashville Songwriter Awards Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor City National Bank, Academy of Country Music, Jack Daniel’s, Loeb & Loeb, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), SoundExchange, Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.

LAST CALL: Voting For The 2021 MusicRow Awards Ends Tomorrow

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Voting for the 33rd annual MusicRow Awards closes tomorrow, Friday, July 23 at 5 p.m. CT.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

This year’s honors will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Nominees for the MusicRow Awards are determined by a committee comprised of critics and tastemakers, with outside nominations being considered for Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer. Male and Female Songwriter nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees.

The Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards will also be announced on Aug. 19, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard‘s Country Album Chart during the eligibility period.

Chris DeStefano Renews With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Chris DeStefano

Sony Music Publishing Nashville has renewed its worldwide deal with Grammy award-winning country singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris DeStefano.

DeStefano is a three-time CMA Triple Play winner, penning No. 1 country hits including “Kick The Dust Up” and “That’s My Kind of Night” by Luke Bryan; Carrie Underwood’s “Smoke Break,” “Good Girl,” “Little Toy Guns” her Grammy-winning single “Something in the Water,” and “Somethin’ Bad” with Miranda Lambert. Other notable hits co-written by DeStefano include “Don’t Ya” by Brett Eldredge; “Just Getting’ Started” by Jason Aldean; “Losing Sleep” by Chris Young; “Why You Wanna” by Jana Kramer; “Hey Girl” by Billy Currington; and “Nothin’ Like You” by Dan + Shay.

Recently, DeStefano worked on Chris Young’s eighth studio album Famous Friends, including his brand-new hit “One of them Nights,” as well as Chase Rice’s latest singles “Best Night Ever” and “Belong” from his new project entitled The Album.

The renewal continues DeStefano’s long-standing relationship with the company, which began in 2008 when he signed with EMI Music Publishing.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville EVP, Creative Josh Van Valkenburg says, “Simply put, Chris DeStefano is special. As a songwriter, producer, performer, philanthropist, and songwriting advocate, there are few people in the Nashville creative community that have had as significant of an impact as Chris. We are honored to remain as his publishing family, and we are proud to celebrate his past, present and future success alongside him.”

“I’m very excited to be continuing my partnership with the amazing team at Sony Music Publishing. I’m grateful for their fervent support, love for songs, and I look forward to future successes together,” adds DeStefano.

Dylan Schneider Signs With BBR Music Group

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Photo: Robby Klein

Rising country music artist Dylan Schneider has signed with BBR Music Group.

An Indiana native, Schneider started performing and writing songs at the age of 14, after meeting Brett Eldredge and singing with him on-stage during a concert. He started posting covers of country songs on YouTube which earned him a devoted online following. Since then, the 21 year-old has toured with Florida Georgia Line, Granger Smith and Chris Lane, and has accumulated over 1 million social media followers and upwards of 186 million on-demand streams. He also co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s most recent hit song “Momma’s House.”

“I’m so excited to be signing with BBR Music Group,” says Schneider. “I’ve admired their entire staff and the incredible artists on their roster for a long time. I can’t thank my fans, my family, and my team enough for their continued support of me and my career. I’m looking forward to releasing a lot of new music very soon and look forward to reaching a whole new audience.”

Schneider also revealed plans to release his first bit of new music in over two years with his new single, “Lost in a Small Town,” which will be available everywhere July 30. He co-wrote the track with Gabe Foust, James McNair, and Mark Holman, who also produced the song. More new music is to be announced in the coming weeks.

Schneider is managed by Joey Russ and Martha Earls at 1021 Entertainment and booked by Braeden Rountree at WME.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ Will Not Be Submitted For Grammy, CMA Award Consideration

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Taylor Swift. Photo: Beth Garrabrant.

Taylor Swift will not be submitting Fearless (Taylor’s Version), the re-recorded version of her 2008 studio album that released earlier this year, for Grammy or CMA Awards consideration.

“After careful consideration, Taylor Swift will not be submitting Fearless (Taylor’s Version) in any category at this year’s upcoming Grammy and CMA Awards,” says a statement provided to MusicRow from a Republic Records spokesperson. “Fearless has already won four Grammys including album of the year, as well as the CMA Award for album of the year in 2009/2010 and remains the most awarded country album of all time.”

The statement goes on to share that Swift’s ninth studio album, Evermore, released in December of 2020, will be submitted to the Grammys for consideration in all eligible categories.

Evermore arrived only five months after the surprise release of Folklore, Swift’s groundbreaking eighth studio album. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Evermore marked her eighth consecutive No. 1 debut. After its return to No. 1 in June for a fourth nonconsecutive week, the early 2020 Christmas present gave Swift the third-most weeks at No. 1 behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

The Grammy-winning songstress went to work remaking Fearless after Scooter Braun’s infamous purchase of her former label, Big Machine Label Group, in 2019. The acquisition included the rights to her first six albums: Taylor Swift, Fearless, Sparks Fly, Red, 1989, and Reputation.

Since the initial purchase, Swift has begun an extensive re-recording project of those six albums. As previously announced, Swift has shared that the next album fans can expect is Red (Taylor’s Version), which is set to release on Nov. 19.

Ashley Gorley Tops MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley hits the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on the following charting songs: “Country Again” by Thomas Rhett, “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy, “Sand In My Boots” by Morgan Wallen, “Single Saturday Night” by Cole Swindell, and “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton.

Corey Crowder, who spent seven weeks atop the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, shifts down one to No. 2, with credit on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” by Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line, “Famous Friends” by Chris Young and Kane Brown, and “Minimum Wage” by Blake Shelton.

Nicolle Galyon moves up one to round out the top three.

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.

ACM Party For A Cause 2021 Set To Make Nashville Debut

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The Academy of Country Music has announced the return of its annual ACM Party for a Cause benefiting ACM Lifting Lives on Tuesday, Aug 24, debuting for the first time ever in Nashville at the Ascend Amphitheater.

This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will be hosted by SiriusXM’s The Highway host Storme Warren, with live performances by Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and special guests Tenille Townes, Trisha Yearwood, and more to be announced.

“ACM Lifting Lives is thrilled to be back and celebrating Party for a Cause with a historic debut in Nashville,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “ACM Lifting Lives has worked tirelessly this year in finding innovative ways to raise funds virtually for the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund – successfully distributing more than $3.5 million to members of the country music community in need. While we are proud of the aid we have been able to provide, we are excited to rock Nashville and to once again lift lives with the power of music. Party for a Cause is a terrific celebration of live music and charitable giving and we look forward to bringing it to Music City for the first time while welcoming back all our fans.”

Proceeds from ACM Party for a Cause will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, which works to lift lives through the power of music. Additional details regarding the event, including performances, will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event will be available beginning Tuesday, July 20.