Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless & Bob McDill Enter Hall Of Fame

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Pictured (L-R): Honorees, Tanya Tucker, Bob McDill and Patty Loveless attend the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

At this year’s Medallion Ceremony inducting its newest members, several existing Country Music Hall of Famers shared the spotlight.

Staged on Sunday evening (Oct. 22), at the Hall’s CMA Theater, the event saluted Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless and Bob McDill as the inductees. Among the highlights of the ceremony were the contributions of Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Charlie McCoy, Don Schlitz, Connie Smith, Dean Dillon and Brenda Lee, all of whom are previous inductees.

“We’re thrilled to be in the presence of country-music royalty,” said the Hall of Fame’s CEO Kyle Young. “This event is devoted to joy and celebration.”

Pictured (L-R): Don Schlitz, Honoree Bob McDill and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

First up was Texas native Bob McDill, who is already a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was honored for a stunning song catalog that includes “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful,” “Amanda,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold),” “Come Early Morning,” “Why Don’t You Spend the Night,” “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” “Gone Country,” ‘Song of the South,” “(Turn Out the Lights and) Love Me Tonight,” “Say It Again,” “Catfish John,” “It Must Be Love,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight,” “I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up),” “I’ll Do It All Over Again,” “I’ve Been Around Enough to Know,” “Nobody Likes Sad Songs,” “I’ve Been Loved By the Best,” “Rake and a Rambling Man,” “The Door Is Always Open,” “We Believe in Happy Endings,” “You Never Miss a Real Good Thing,” “She Never Knew Me,” “In a Different Light,” “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” “What She Is (Is a Woman in Love),” “Why Didn’t I Think of That” and “Red Necks White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer.”

“They joked on Music Row that BMI stood for ‘Bob McDill Incorporated,’” commented Young. “For 30 years, no songwriter in Nashville was more meticulous about crafting country songs.” He related that the songwriter’s mentors and collaborators Allen Reynolds, Dickey Lee, Jack Clement and Bill Hall brought him to Music City in 1970. He also described McDill as “a songwriter’s songwriter” who maintained a nine-to-five office songwriting schedule until his retirement in 2000.

A video bio reminded everyone about the circumstances of McDill’s life. “He elevated the craft of country songwriting into an art and that is why we are inducting him into the Country Music Hall of Fame.”

Pictured: Jamey Johnson performs onstage at the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Texas honky-tonker Charley Crockett saluted McDill with a jaunty, drawling rendition of “Louisiana Saturday Night.” Dean Dillon offered his meditative version of “All the Good Ones Are Gone,” which he co-wrote with McDill. Jamey Johnson hushed the crowd with an eloquent performance of “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” which left many attendees misty-eyed and earned a standing ovation.

Kyle Young introduced the members of the superb Medallion All-Star Band — Biff Watson, Jeff White, Jen Gunderman, Deanie Richardson, Brent Mason, Jerry Pentecost, Carmella Ramsey, Richard Loy and Paul Franklin — and then brought on Don Schlitz to do McDill’s induction honors.

Schlitz saluted McDill with a cleverly written reflection on his fellow songwriter’s influence. “Thank you for the great example you’ve given me, and all of us,” Schlitz said.

McDill noted that he realized he was in an elite group of Hall of Fame members who are non-performing songwriters — Schlitz, Dillon, Harlan Howard, Bobby Braddock, Cindy Walker, Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Fred Rose, Hank Cochran. “What a great honor this is,” he said. Schlitz put the medallion around his neck. Young unveiled McDill’s official Hall of Fame plaque.

Pictured (L-R): Honoree, Patty Loveless and Vince Gill onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

The video bio for Kentucky’s Patty Loveless noted that she first came to town to attend Fan Fair. She stood in line to get Vince Gill’s autograph, who was a new and fairly unknown artist at the time. “One day, we’re going to sing together,” she told the budding star.

As a teenager, Loveless returned to town with a tape of her original songs and was befriended by Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, The Wilburn Brothers and her distant cousin Loretta Lynn. But she married, moved away and sang in rock bands for a decade. When she tried Nashville again in 1985, Tony Brown signed her to MCA and co-produced her records alongside Emory Gordy Jr., whom she married in 1989. That led to 20 top 10 hits in 1988-97, five CMA Awards, two Grammys and Opry membership.

“Patty Loveless has the ability to harken back to tradition and to move that tradition forward,” said Young. “Her voice is transcendent. She wanted to sing like her heroes. Today, artists say they want to sing like Patty Loveless. And that is why today she is joining the Hall of Fame.”

Medallion band member Deanie Richardson played in Loveless’s band for years (as did Ramsey). She and her all-female bluegrass group Sister Sadie gave tight harmony vocals to “Sounds of Loneliness.” Rock star Bob Seger got a standing ovation for his hearty rendition of “She Drew a Broken Heart.”

Pictured: Bob Seger performs onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Vince Gill and Loveless have been singing on each others’ records for years. He’s on her “Timber I’m Falling in Love” and she’s on his “When I Call Your Name,” to mention just two examples. He offered a magnificent, swooningly beautiful rendition of her hit ballad “Lonely Too Long.”

“Blood harmony, that’s what we sound like together,” Gill said. “We have such a deep and respectful friendship. I think Patty probably represents the most authentic voice I’ve ever heard.” He put the medallion around his old friend’s neck and posed with her as her plaque was unveiled.

“I’m trying to hold it together,” said Loveless. “The one person I truly wish could be here tonight is my brother Roger. He passed away in June of last year, but this was always a dream of his… It’s amazing to me that I have been honored to live this life that I have lived. Forgive me: I’m a little bit taken aback by this. I can get so emotional. Thank you so much.”

The video bio for Tanya Tucker included rare footage of her as a child performer, described her hard-scrabble background and emphasized the unstoppable dedication of her father, Beau Tucker, into making her a star. Young noted that Tucker is just behind Dolly, Reba, Loretta and Tammy as the woman with the most top 10 hits in country-music history. She has 40 of them, plus a 1991 CMA Female Vocalist trophy and two Grammys.

Pictured (L-R): Connie Smith, honoree, Tanya Tucker and Brenda Lee onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

“She sang with authenticity and grit,” Young said. “Nobody sounded like Tanya Tucker then and nobody has yet. She’s a survivor: She’s Tucker tough.”

Wynonna honored Tucker with a bluesy treatment of “Delta Dawn.” Accompanying her on eloquent harmonica was Charlie McCoy, her fellow Hall of Famer. Jessi Colter and Margo Price romped through “It’s a Little Too Late.” Colter beckoned for Tucker to join them on stage, and she did, to the crowd’s delight. Brandi Carlile and Colter’s son Shooter Jennings produced Tucker’s Grammy-winning 2019 comeback album. Carlile lauded the legend by saying, “You have carved out an ass-kicking path for all women in music, including me.” Then she sang Tucker’s favorite “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane,” a title that is on her parents’ tombstone. Another standing ovation ensued.

Connie Smith and Brenda Lee inducted Tucker. Smith recalled the times “The Texas Tornado” rode her horse down Lower Broadway and onto the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. ‘“She’s so real,” said Smith. “She is one of us, and I’m so proud that she is.” Lee brought down the house with her riotously funny speech. On a more serious note, she told the crowd that Tucker is “one of the most giving, loving, kind hearted people I know. If she is your friend, she is your friend.” Smith put on Tucker’s medallion, and Young unveiled the plaque while all three women held their medallions and beamed.

Pictured: Wynonna Judd performs onstage during the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

“It’s so surreal,” Tucker said. “It’s really overwhelming to me…. Thank you for not giving up on me… I look back on those 52 years [since “Delta Dawn” made her a star], and it’s hard to make sense of it all. She thanked her late parents and brother, as well as her older sister LaCosta, and introduced the crowd to her children Presley, Beau Grayson and Layla. She added, “I think of my fans, who have always, always stood by my side.”

Addressing the crowd, she concluded by saying, “I’ll live out my days trying to thank you.” Whistles and screams accompanied her standing ovation.

The evening began with the sound of one of the discs in the Bob Pinson Recorded Sound Archive of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. It was the 1978 George Jones classic “Bartender’s Blues.” After opening greetings from Kyle Young, the institution’s board chair Mary Ann McCready introduced the members of the ceremonial Circle Guard, Steve Turner, David Conrad, Bill Denny, Ken Levitan, Mike Milom, Ken Roberts, Seab Tuck and Jerry Williams. Loud cheers and a standing ovation greeted the procession of Hall of Fame members Gill, Judd, Smith, Lee, McCoy, Schlitz, Dillon, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Stevens, William Lee Golden, Emmylou Harris, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Fortune, Randy Travis, Kix Brooks, Joe Galante, Ricky Skaggs and more.

CMA chief Sarah Trahern offered welcoming remarks. Her organization conducts the Hall of Fame balloting and underwrites the Medallion Ceremony. Kyle Young noted the passing of three Hall of Famers during the past year — Jerry Bradley, Jeff Cook and Jerry Lee Lewis — and asked for a moment of silence to honor them.

As is the tradition, the ceremony ended with the entire assembly singing The Carter Family’s “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” This year’s sing-along was particularly memorable since the powerful voice of Wynonna Judd led the way. Following the induction celebration, attendees gathered for a cocktail supper where McDill, Loveless and Tucker mixed and mingled, as did the evening’s performers.

Luke Grimes On His New Musical Chapter: ‘I’m First & Foremost A Huge Fan’ [Interview]

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Luke Grimes. Photo: @WyomingOutLoud (Jake Hoffman)

Late last year, popular actor Luke Grimes signed a record deal with UMG Nashville and Range Music, and announced he would soon release country music.

Grimes was no stranger to the country community. Widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on hit show Yellowstone, he had become associated with the TV show known for breaking new country and Americana artists and songs.

Pictured (L-R): UMGN EVP & COO Mike Harris, UMGN President Cindy Mabe, Luke Grimes, UMGN EVP A&R Brian Wright, UMGN SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia. Photo: Chris Hollo

While he had mentioned his love of music in interviews over the years, country music fans and executives wondered what to make of the 39-year-old singing actor. Grimes was all too aware of that stereotype, and it became something he had to overcome in his own mind.

Raised in Ohio, Grimes grew up the son of a Pentecostal pastor. He played music in church, learning drums at church camp then next picking up guitar and piano. When he moved to Los Angeles, he even became a drummer and songwriter for a country band, but acting soon found its way to the forefront of his career.

At some point, Grimes reconnected with music while at home in Montana. Inspired by artists such as Colter Wall, Ruston Kelly, Paul Cauthen and the late Townes Van Zandt, he began exploring the musical offerings he could bring. Eventually, through some friends in Nashville, Grimes connected with Range Music’s Matt Graham about his music.

With encouragement from Graham, Grimes started pursuing a country music career. After taking his first label meeting with UMG, he signed with the company.

“They have a lot of people that I look up to and love. Chris Stapleton and George Strait are the GOATs,” Grimes tells MusicRow of his deal. “I was coming in pretty green about anyone in the business. I didn’t know anyone there. All I knew was the music that they’ve put out.”

Admittedly, an artist with Grimes’ profile could take their music wherever they wanted. As evident with artists such as Zach Bryan and others, country music stardom doesn’t always have to come out of Nashville. But for Grimes, it was important that he join the Music City community.

“Honestly, I probably didn’t have to come here, but I think the quality of the product would’ve suffered,” he says. “I don’t have any ego about how much of something I do on my own—clearly the other thing that I do is very much a team sport. [But with my music] I had an opportunity to work with some of the best writers in the world here. Why wouldn’t I do that?”

His first few releases included “No Horse To Ride” and “Hold On,” which Grimes says received mixed reactions from country music fans.

“There are people that are being very open-minded to it,” he says. “They’re allowing their minds to be open to the music. And then there’s definitely people who are on the other side of the fence, saying, ‘Why is this guy doing this? He already has a job. There’s enough people making really good music.’

“I understand that. At the end of the day, all I can do is approach it with as much love and honesty as possible and hope that people can relate to it,” Grimes says. “I got the opportunity and I knew that if I didn’t try, I would really regret it one day. Music—especially country, folk and Americana music—has been so important to me. If I hadn’t done it because I was afraid of the judgment, the workload or the stage fright… one day I would have regretted it.”

Once Grimes’ path was set, he soon found himself in writing rooms with some of the best of Music Row, such as Jonathan Singleton, Tony Lane, Hillary Lindsey, Randy Montana, Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne, Liz Rose, Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander. Though he had written songs alone and co-written a bit in his band, Grimes was nervous to write with country music hitmakers.

“I was very intimidated. [I learned] pretty quickly that I shouldn’t be, because they’re the coolest, nicest people around.

“I’ve only been doing this for the past year, but it seems like the good souls here tend to do really well. They’re those team players. They know how to make a room feel really comfortable to be creative,” Grimes says. “I’m blown away by the community on Music Row.”

After dropping a few singles, Grimes started recording his eight-song EP Pain Pills Or Pews, which is out today (Oct. 20).

To help him craft his own, unique sound, Grimes worked with Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Dave Cobb. Working through his intimidation of recording with the studio giant, Grimes found Cobb’s diversion to non-organic sounds the perfect push for his artistry.

“He’s in his own orbit. He doesn’t like computers. He doesn’t like tuning. He doesn’t like any of that stuff,” Grimes says. “[Had I worked with another producer], I would’ve wanted the help. I would have been like, ‘Give me all the tuning and computers,’ because I would’ve been afraid and wanted to cover up. I was in good hands with Dave.”

Grimes’ Pain Pills Or Pews EP features tracks that are highly personal to him, including the fan favorite “No Horse to Ride,” the recently released “Burn” and one of his personal favorites, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” amongst others. He says the latter and “Playing On The Tracks” were the most fun to write.

“Both of those writes were really memorable days. Both of those days I met really good new friends. Brent Cobb and Aaron Raitiere [who co-wrote ‘Ain’t Dead Yet’] have become really good friends of mine,” Grimes says.

“[For Playing On The Tracks,] about an hour and a half in, Brent and I start talking about how we both loved Nirvana unplugged growing up—and how that almost sounded country compared to the rest of Nirvana’s stuff. We were like, ‘What if instead of being from the Pacific Northwest, Kurt Cobain was from Kentucky.'”

On another song, “Oh Ohio,” Grimes, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall tackled his upbringing.

“Everyone’s got a song about their hometown. Usually, they’re positive,” he says. “I’m a little older and I have been away from home for over 20 years. A lot has changed. I’ve been around the world and I’ve probably grown past where I come from more than I wanted to—because I kind of had to. That song was hard to write because it wasn’t always pretty, even though there’s love there.”

Something that Grimes has gleaned throughout the last year is the strength of the country music community.

“In this industry, it feels like if you win and I win, then everybody wins,” he says. “It’s about the town and the genre. The music is the star. It feels more like a family.”

Ultimately, Grimes is honored to be given the chance to make country music.

“I’m just so thrilled and happy to be here. I am real appreciative that I get this opportunity. I’m first and foremost a huge fan.”

Cher’s New ‘Christmas’ Album Includes Tune By Nashville Songwriter

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Cher’s first new studio album in five years, Christmas, is available now on Warner Records. The project includes 13 songs, several holiday classics and four originals. It also features a star-studded list of her musical besties including Darlene Love, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper and Tyga.

The album includes a song written by Nashville music industry executive, Bryan Frasher, his wife Traci Frasher and son Maxwell Frasher.

Frasher shares, “One morning at Christmas time a few years ago, when Max was a little boy, we were hanging in the kitchen and goofing around as Traci made breakfast. I was playing my guitar and said, ‘Hey, just for fun, let’s write a family Christmas song.’ Max and Traci jumped in and about 30 minutes later we had a little song called ‘I Like Christmas.'”

The song highlights all of the wonderful nostalgic things everyone loves about Christmas, from “loud tacky lights” to “singing at the top of our lungs.” At the end of the song’s recording, Cher offers her signature laugh saying, “I love this! Come on!”

Recorded primarily in L.A. and London, Christmas was produced by longtime collaborator Mark Taylor (“Believe”). Songs include beloved superstar duet classics “What Christmas Means To Me” with Wonder and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Love. Love first recorded the song in 1963 with Phil Spector while a 17-year-old Cher sang background vocals.

“DJ Play A Christmas Song,” the first single, was written by Sarah Hudson (Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Troye Sivan) and her team who contributed four new songs for the album. The project also includes a haunting version of “Home” written and sung with Bublé.

One of the many highlights for Cher is a duet by her and Wonder of his “What Christmas Means to Me.” Cher says, “Every time I hear that harmonica, I’m a teenager again. It’s a personal dream come true for me to record this song with Stevie.”

Two other standouts include an unexpected pairing with Tyga on another Hudson song called “Drop Top Sleigh Ride,” produced by Alexander Edwards, Mike Crook and Ryan OG, and the magnificent “Angels in the Snow” plus “Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart” with Lauper.

“I never say this about my own records but I’m really proud of this one. It is one of the most amazing highlights of my career,” says Cher.

Cher is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of her multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning Believe with the release of Believe 25th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition) on Warner Records.

You can listen to Cher’s Christmas album here.

Cher’s Christmas Track List:
1. DJ Play A Christmas Song
2. What Christmas Means To Me (with Stevie Wonder)
3. Run Run Rudolph
4. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) [with Darlene Love]
5. Angels In The Snow
6. Home (with Michael Bublé)
7. Drop Top Sleigh Ride (with Tyga)
8. Please Come Home For Christmas
9. I Like Christmas
10. Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You
11. Santa Baby
12. Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart (with Cyndi Lauper)
13. This Will Be Our Year

Morgan Wallen Tops MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Thinkin’ Bout Me’

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

In just nine weeks, Morgan Wallen‘s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” tops the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. The chart-topper follows Wallen’s “Everything I Love” reaching No. 1 on the MusicRow chart one month ago.

Written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Ryan Vojtesak, the hip-hop infused country hit appears on Wallen’s blockbuster third studio album One Thing At A Time. The project arrived in March as the No. 1 album on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, where it remained for 12 consecutive weeks; the most at the top for a country album in over 30 years.

“Thinkin’ Bout Me” currently sits at No. 2 on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase chart.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Chris Stapleton’s New ‘Stately Ballad Is Exquisite’

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DISClaimer slows things down today as the country stars concentrate on ballads.

Most of them are romances, paced by Disc of the Day winner Chris Stapleton’s heart-warming “It Takes a Woman.” In addition, lend your ears to the highly listenable offerings by Tanner Adell and Colbie Caillat.

Also checking in with a ballad is our DISCovery Award winner, Roman Alexander.

This turned out to be a day for comebacks as Lisa Brokop, Shenandoah and Carolyn Dawn Johnson all return to the scene.

ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Sick of Sex”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Emily Reid; Producer: Cameron Jaymes; Label: Empire
– This is a pop ballad that explores a topic I don’t believe has been addressed in song before. It is quite wordy and complex, so I doubt radio will play it.

ZACH BRYAN & THE LUMINEERS / “Spotless”
Writers: Zach Bryan/Wesley Schultz/Jeremy Caleb Fraites; Producer: Zach Bryan; Label: Warner
– This guy is always worth a listen. On this spare, stark, ear-catching ballad he’s joined by the Americana stars who chant along as he unspools this lyric of a downer heading nowhere romantically. If you haven’t listened to his self-titled collection, you should.

MADELINE MERLO / “Tim + Faith”
Writers: Jerry Flowers/Madeline Merlo/Parker Welling/Stephony Smith/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BBR/Wheelhouse
– This lady is a spectacular vocalist, and this dandy slice of romantic nostalgia just might be the tune that lets the whole world know it. The lyric cleverly folds in the power couple’s hit titles. I’m in.

JON PARDI & LUKE BRYAN / “Cowboys and Plowboys”
Writers: Rhett Akins/Cole Taylor/Jacob Rice; Producers: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Two hicks swapping country cliches. Probably a hit.

ELVIE SHANE / “Pill”
Writers: Elvie Shane/Lee Starr/Nick Columbia; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: BBR/Wheelhouse
– The lovely, echoey production and Shane’s captivating voice draw you into a dark tale of a struggle with addiction. Essential listening.

CHRIS STAPLETON / “It Takes a Woman”
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Ronnie Bowman/Jerry Salley; Producers: Chris Stapleton/Dave Cobb/Morgane Stapleton; Label: Mercury Nashville
– This stately ballad is exquisite. Wrap your loved one in your arms and slow dance around the room while his magic voice swirls in the air.

RESTLESS ROAD / “You Don’t Have to Love Me”
Writers: Austin Shawn/Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Nate Kenyon/Shawn Austin/Zach Beeken; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Nashville/1021
– As always with this group, the singing is lustrous and warm. The ultra-romantic ballad is immensely comforting.

COLBIE CAILLAT / “Meant for Me”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/AJ Pruis/Liz Rose; Producer: Jamie Kenney; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– The Grammy-winning pop star slips easily into country music on her new Along the Way collection. This lushly produced, romantic ballad from it flows as smoothly as liquid gold.

CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON / “Road Blocks”
Writers: Carolyn Dawn Johnson/Jennifer Lynn Kennard/Oscar Charles; Producer: Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Label: CDJ
– Johnson re-enters the music scene with a snappy country rocker about persevering through difficulties. Well worth your spins.

SHENANDOAH & LUKE COMBS / “Two Dozen Roses”
Writers: Mac McAnally/Robert Byrne; Producer: Noah Gordon; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
– Shenandoah dusts off its chart-topping 1989 hit with a mighty assist from our reigning country Entertainer of the Year. A classic song performed by classic singers.

ROMAN ALEXANDER & KARLY SCOTT COLLINS / “Downtime”
Writers: Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Mark Holman/Brett Tyler; Producer: Jared Keim; Label: RA
– This sultry slow jam showcases both voices admirably. It’s snuggle, cuddle-up music in front of the evening fireplace. Alexander seems to be specializing in female collaborations, having previously sung with Alana Springsteen and Ashley Cooke. This title tune of his EP was co-written by Beeken, Nichols and Pack, who are collectively better known as Restless Road.

LISA BROKOP & GEORGETTE JONES / “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels”
Writers: Lisa Brokop/Max D. Barnes/Troy Seals; Producers: Chuck Rhodes/Buddy Hyatt; Label: BFD
– The Canadian country award winner returns after a 10-year pause between albums. The title tune of her comeback collection is a female version of the iconic George Jones hit from 1985. George’s daughter lends her terrific voice to the track. The whole thing chimes with charisma.

TANNER ADELL / “Luke Combs”
Writers: Derrick Southerland/Evan Cline/Tanner Adell; Producer: Evan Cline; Label: Columbia
– Sweet, touching, vulnerable, lilting and charming. She listens to the radio and wishes she could be “the girl in a Luke Combs song” like “Better Together” or “Forever After All.” This so richly deserves to be a smash.

Stephanie Alderman Named Partner At Farris, Self & Moore​

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Stephanie Alderman

Business manager Stephanie Alderman has been promoted to Partner at Farris, Self & Moore (FSM). The firm will continue with its current name, but will now include Alderman in all leadership decisions and high-level initiatives, effective immediately.

Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, Alderman kicked off her career by gaining a wide range of experience spanning artist management, publicity and tour production. She found her stride in business management, and now has helmed finances for established recording artists, major touring acts and up-and-coming songwriters for over 15 years.

“Stephanie Alderman is undeniably one of the best business managers in our business,” share Founding Partners Kella Farris, Stephanie Self and Catherine Moore in a joint statement. “Her ability to relate and listen to her clients, create a financial strategy, and then execute it effortlessly is truly exceptional. Her all-in approach, innovation, and authenticity make her the perfect fit for our leadership team.”

“I’m thrilled to become a partner at FSM and work alongside Kella, Stephanie, and Catherine in growing this exceptional firm,” says Alderman. “We share the same values and vision, and FSM has shown day-in and day-out to be a unique player in the industry — one that offers all-in, exceptional service to clients throughout their lifetime, empowers and invests in employees’ growth, and continually gives back to the entire music industry ecosystem. I’m proud to collaborate with this incredible team and delighted by the opportunity to help scale our impact in the years ahead.”

Alderman can be reached at [email protected].

In This Issue: MusicRow’s 2023 Publisher Issue Features A Legion Of Experts

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MusicRow Magazine’s recently released 2023 Publisher Issue offers a myriad of resources for industry professionals and songwriters.

This annual edition contains a comprehensive Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies as well as organizations available for songwriters.

In addition to the valuable directory, the 2023 Publisher Issue brings back the State of the Union roundtable, including UMPG Vice President of A&R, Missy Roberts; Warner Chappell Vice President of A&R, BJ Hill; Sony Music Publishing Vice President of Creative A&R, Kenley Flynn; Curb | Word Entertainment Vice President of Country Publishing & Creative, Colt Murski and 50 Egg Music Co-Owner/President, Tali Canterbury.

These top executives discuss the implications of AI on publishing, catalog sales, TikTok, outside songs and more.

When asked about AI, Murski, shared, “It’s a whole new frontier. I feel like I’m just sitting back watching the destruction coming, but it could be a tool. I remember when Napster happened, everybody was afraid of it and they were trying to shut it down. There’s a little bit of that vibe going on, but eventually we had to learn to embrace it. It’s better to just start learning how to embrace it and get on the forefront of the legalities and the creativity of how we’re going to handle it moving forward.”

In a section titled “Doin’ Deals With Derek,” Loeb & Loeb Partner and Co-Manager of the Nashville office, Derek C. Crownover, talks to MusicRow about trending music industry deals and offers some advice.

“We’ve got some artist deals that are changing people’s lives right now,” he said. Creating generational wealth and creating wealth that’s going to stay in Nashville. That’s what I’m excited about.”

Elsewhere, Concord Music Publishing Senior Vice President of A&R, Brad Kennard, speaks about the company’s resurgence in Nashville. Over the last few years, Kennard has worked to grow the Music City roster and staff, resulting in industry-leading deals and successes.

“We’re not looking for redundancy, we’re not looking to just get everything for sale, it’s really intentional,” Kennard shared about building his roster. “Every time an opportunity comes up, we ask ourselves: ‘Are we passionate? Does this person bring something unique to the table? Can we make a deal that makes sense for both parties?'”

Additionally, Anthem Music Publishing’s Gilles Godard spoke to MusicRow about his journey from a staff writer at the company to his promotion to President of the Nashville office last summer. He spoke about his approach to publishing and Anthem’s creative mindset.

Godard shared, “I think the secret to success is nurturing your writers and helping them write up and sign their way to the correct collaborations. Sometimes it’s not by putting them in a room with a No. 1 writer. Sometimes it’s putting them in the room with the writers at their level, which is the next wave of hits.”

In the annual Writers’ Notes section of the 2023 Publisher Issue, MusicRow interviewed Warner Chappell/Home Team Music Publishing’s Parker Welling, Sony Music Publishing’s Madeline Edwards, Big Machine Music’s Matt Dragstrem, Liz Rose Music/Warner Chappell’s Cameron Bedell, UMPG/Back Blocks Music’s Lily Rose and newly-inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rafe Van Hoy. Each songwriter spoke about their success stories and personal hit-making approaches.

Also included in the 2023 Publisher Issue is a My Music Row Story feature on ASCAP’s AVP of Strategic Services, Nashville Membership Kele Currier, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund, a look at MusicRow‘s weekly Top Songwriter Chart and more.

COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville artist Cody Johnson graces the cover of the 2023 Publisher Issue.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

On The Cover: MusicRow’s 2023 Publisher Issue Features Cody Johnson On Cover

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MusicRow Magazine has released its 2023 Publisher Issue print edition, with COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville artist Cody Johnson gracing its cover.

This highly-anticipated annual resource includes the 2023 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies as well as organizations available for songwriters.

“The annual Publisher Issue, curated by MusicRow, accentuates the publishers and lyricists who form the bedrock of our industry. It unfolds a comprehensive Publisher Directory, profiles spotlighted songwriters, and features exclusive articles written by our stellar MusicRow team,” shares Sherod Robertson, Owner/Publisher of MusicRow Magazine.

Back again in the 2023 Publisher Issue is the State of the Union roundtable, this time featuring UMPG’s Missy Roberts, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill, Sony Music Publishing’s Kenley Flynn, Curb | Word Entertainment’s Colt Murski and 50 Egg Music’s Tali Canterbury.

Elsewhere, Loeb & Loeb’s Derek C. Crownover tells MusicRow about trending music industry deals, and ASCAP’s Kele Currier is the subject of the popular My Music Row Story column.

For the 2023 Publisher Issue, Concord’s Brad Kennard speaks to MusicRow about the company’s resurgence in Nashville, and Gilles Godard sheds light on Anthem Music Publishing Nashville’s bright future. Additionally, this issue offers a look at some of the publishing news hits of this year.

MusicRow’s 2023 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Warner Chappell/Home Team Music Publishing’s Parker Welling, Sony Music Publishing’s Madeline Edwards, Big Machine Music’s Matt Dragstrem, Liz Rose Music/Warner Chappell’s Cameron Bedell, UMPG/Back Blocks Music’s Lily Rose and newly-inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rafe Van Hoy.

Cover star Johnson is known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence, and has established a following of passionately loyal fans who regularly attend his sold-out shows across the country. MusicRow predicted early on that Johnson “just might be the future of real country music” as his career has now skyrocketed with three celebrated albums, Human: The Double Album, A Cody Johnson Christmas and Cody Johnson & The Rockin’ CJB Live, as well as an award-winning feature-length documentary Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story. He has 17 career RIAA certifications, a Pandora Billionaire Award and nearly five billion global streams after increasing his streams in both 2021 and 2022 by one million each year.

His numerous industry honors include recognition as a CMT Artist of The Year, three CMT Music Awards wins, two CMA Awards and being named Best New Country Artist at the iHeart Music Awards. His television appearances have entertained fans on the Today show, The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, in addition to outstanding live TV performances at the iHeart Music Awards, the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Giants honoring Vince Gill and the CMT Artist of the Year special. Johnson’s stellar 2023 CMT Music Awards performances included hit “Human” and featured him as a lead vocalist on a show-stopping all-star tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, featuring a stacked lineup of music royalty including Johnson, Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Paul Rodgers, Slash and Warren Haynes, alongside LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd. This summer on the CMA Fest 2023 special, Johnson and Reba McEntire delivered a knock-out rendition of “Whoever’s in New England.”

Johnson recently released “The Painter,” the first single from his third studio album, Leather, due out Nov. 3. The single launched with the biggest radio add date of his career with 73 stations jumping to put the song on air.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Dolly Parton To Perform Halftime Show At Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton will perform in Texas at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving Day for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show, during the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders.

The Dallas Thanksgiving Day game, airing on CBS, has become the most-watched regular season game of the year, drawing 42 million viewers last year. Parton will perform her biggest hits as well as songs from her new Rockstar album, out Nov. 17. The Thanksgiving Day game marks the official start of one of the longest-running annual fundraisers of its kind that has been a Cowboys tradition for 27 years. The halftime show puts a national spotlight on the need of millions during the holiday season, rallying for donations to The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign, which began in 1891.

“Wow! What an honor to get to kick off The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign with the halftime show during the Dallas Cowboys game this Thanksgiving,” Parton shares. “Those Red Kettles have long been a symbol of hope for our friends and neighbors who are facing hard times. My goal is to encourage everyone who can to donate and support their neighbors in need. Every small act of generosity helps, and together, we can all love our neighbors this holiday season and beyond.”

“Dolly’s contagious energy and positive spirit are just what we need to support The Salvation Army’s enormous effort to make this holiday bright for millions of individuals and families in need,” adds Charlotte Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer for the Dallas Cowboys and former National Advisory Board Chairperson for The Salvation Army. “Dolly’s music has a way of inspiring hope, and we’re thrilled to have her on our national stage to spotlight the campaign this year.”

The Red Kettle Campaign is especially needed now to meet the increasing needs of millions of families living in the U.S. As the nation’s largest private provider of social services, The Salvation Army works to provide Christmas gifts, food, shelter and rent and utility assistance to millions of people struggling this holiday season and beyond. Funds raised in 2022 supported services for nearly 24 million people living in America.

Chase McGill Inches Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Chase McGill. Photo: Jessica Amerson

Chase McGill shifts up two spots on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week to No. 5. McGill is a co-writer on Luke Bryan’s “But I Got A Beer In My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl” and Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen’s new collaboration, “Mamaw’s House.”

Zach Bryan maintains his position at the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the sixth consecutive week this week, while Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Tracy Chapman (No. 3) and Jelly Roll (No. 4) complete the top five.

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.