Iconic Santa’s Pub Owner, Denzel Irwin, Dies

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Photo: Courtesy of Santa’s Pub

Elmer Denzel Irwin, the genial owner of Nashville’s famed dive bar Santa’s Pub, has died at age 75. The cash-only bar, constructed of a railroad car and shipping containers, has long been known as a premiere karaoke destination.

The beer joint with year-round holiday decor was a favorite of regular customers Kacey Musgraves, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bell, Margo Price and Jack White. Several music videos have been filmed there, including one by Jon Bon Jovi, “Christmas Isn’t Christmas.”

Santa’s Pub does not allow profanity or violence and insists on respect for women. For many years, it was a rare venue that permitted cigarette smoking. Irwin’s all-are-welcome philosophy, the cheap beer, the charming Santa murals and the friendly vibe made the place an iconic Nashville experience.

Denzel Irwin, as he was known, was a Nashville native. One of 10 children, he grew up in Nashville’s Flatrock neighborhood along Nolensville Road, not far from where Santa’s Pub now stands on Bransford Avenue. After his parents divorced, he attended Tennessee Preparatory School, which is where he met his wife, Angelina Stillings. The two were married in 2016.

After time spent in the Army, he drove ambulances, was a Lower Broadway bartender, ran a house painting business for 45 years and briefly worked as a Pentecostal preacher. He and Stillings opened Santa’s in 2011 so that he would have something to do in his retirement. One of his 18 grandchildren nicknamed him Santa when he grew out his white beard.

The place’s format was always the same — karaoke six nights a week. Around 2022, the classic-country cover band Ice Cold Pickers began to entertain weekly on Sunday nights. A group of country-music hopefuls gained early stage experience by singing on Sundays with the pickers. They include Kristina Murray, Logan Ledger, Runner of the Woods, Emily Nenni, Hannah Juanita, Wade Sapp, Eliza Thorn and band frontman Griffith McMahon.

The news of Irwin’s death led to an outpouring of condolences on social media. Other celebrity fans of “Santa” include Ed Sheeran, Elle King, Desmond Child, Noah Kahan, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Billy Ray Cyrus and Kesha.

 

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The family will continue to operate Santa’s Pub in his honor.

A visitation for Irwin will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Williamson Memorial (3009 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN 37064). A graveside servie will be held on Friday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. at Nolensville Cementary (9636 Clovercroft Rd., Nolensville, TN 37135).

A celebration of life for friends and fans of Santa’s Pub will be announced at a later date and held at the bar.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Shop with a Cop in Irwin’s honor.

Zach Top & Carson Chamberlain Climb Up MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Zach Top & Carson Chamberlain.

Zach Top and frequent writing collaborator Carson Chamberlain have both landed in the Top 20 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The two co-wrote Top’s “Good Times & Tan Lines,” “South Of Sanity” and “When You See Me,” all represented on this week’s chart.

Charlie Handsome sits at No. 1 for the 16th consecutive week with “Hell At Night,” “Holy Water,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I Got Better,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN” and “What I Want.” Blake Pendergrass remains at No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “Heart Of Stone,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman” and “Wish You Well.”

Chase McGill (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and Riley Green (No. 5) round out this week’s 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.

Spirit Music Acquires Selection Of HARDY’s Song Catalog, Signs Go-Forward Deal

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Derek Wells (Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix); Michael Hardy; Frank Rogers (Spirit Music Group, Spirit Music Nashville) and Andy Hodges (Spirit Music Nashville); (L-R, back row): Brian Bradford (Spirit Music Nashville); Kennedy Murphy (Spirit Music Nashville); Matthew Beckett (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC); Michelle Davey (Lyric Capital Group); David Crow (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC); Jesse Matkosky (Relative Music Group); Thomas Hartsock (Lyric Capital Group); AJ Burton (Fluid Music Revolution/Spirit Music Nashville); Will Cooper (Spirit Music Nashville); Mikey Fiorentino (Spirit Music Nashville); Troy “Tracker” Johnson (TRACK mgmt.); Jasmine Pettus (Spirit Music Nashville) and Lexie Rigler (Safford Motley PLC). Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Nashville

Spirit Music has acquired select compositions from the music publishing catalog of country rock superstar HARDY. He has also signed a go-forward exclusive songwriting agreement with Spirit Music Nashville.

“HARDY is a multi-genre force of nature as an artist, a world-class songwriter and a great human being,” says Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “Spirit could not be more excited to welcome HARDY to the family and we are excited about helping him build on his already legendary career.”

“After years of making music together, I couldn’t be more proud to start this new chapter with my pal HARDY here at Spirit,” adds Derek Wells, Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix. “Great music with great people is the business we want to be in here, and HARDY hits that nail on the head. He is truly a ‘1 of 1’ talent and human that elevates every room he’s in.”

“I’m pumped to be joining the Spirit Music family,” shares HARDY. “They believe in the songs I write and that means a lot to me. I’m excited to see what we can build together.”

HARDY is a five-time ACM award winner and two-time CMA Award winner. He has won three CMA Triple Play awards, was named the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year and is a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year with 16 No. 1 singles under his belt. Some of his chart-topping hits include his own triple-Platinum “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson; the Platinum Dierks Bentley and BRELAND collaboration “Beers On Me,” the triple-Platinum duet “Wait In The Truck” feat. Lainey Wilson and his first-ever rock radio No. 1 “JACK.”

HARDY has also collaborated with Morgan Wallen (“Born With A Beer In My Hand” and “Tennessee Fan”); Jelly Roll (“Church”); Carrie Underwood (“Hate My Heart”); with other songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, Dylan Scott, Nate Smith, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Brantley Gilbert, Vince Gill, Diplo, Zac Brown, Danielle Bradbery, Chase Rice, Ryan Hurd, Michael Ray, BRELAND, Brian Kelley, Nelly, George Birge, Kolby Cooper, Matt Stell, Dillon Carmichael, Lily Rose, The Reklaws, Jon Langston and more.

His new album COUNTRY! COUNTRY! is set for release on Sept. 26 via Big Loud. He is currently on his “JIM BOB World Tour” for a slew of festivals and headline dates, culminating with his first-ever headline show at Madison Square Garden the week of the album’s release.

HARDY was represented in the deal by Scott Safford (Safford Motley PLC). Spirit was represented by Matthew Beckett and David Crow (Milom/Crow/Kelley/Beckett/Shehan PLC).

MusicRow Weekly (CMA Awards Nominees, News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of The MusicRow Weekly is packed with exciting news from across the music industry, with major award nominations, key executive moves and new ventures making headlines. Click here to see the full edition.

The Country Music Association has unveiled the nominees for the 59th annual CMA Awards, setting the stage for one of the biggest nights in country music. Leading the nomination tally are Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson, each securing six nominations. Close behind is Zach Top with five, while Riley Green and Cody Johnson follow with four nods each. Several industry heavyweights, Kristian Bush, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen, received three nominations apiece. The coveted Entertainer of the Year category features a powerhouse lineup of Wilson, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, and Wallen.

In the touring sector, Messina Touring Group has elevated Rachel Powers to Vice President. Powers, who previously served as Vice President of Marketing and led campaigns for major artists such as Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Zac Brown Band, will now take on a broader leadership role. Her expanded responsibilities include driving strategic growth and leading high-level decision-making across the company.

A legendary figure in American music, John Fogerty, was honored with BMI’s prestigious Troubadour Award on Monday night (Sept. 8). The rock icon was celebrated during an exclusive event that included a cocktail reception, banquet, and tribute performances of his timeless classics. The star-studded evening highlighted Fogerty’s enduring influence on American songwriting and performance.

On Wednesday night (Sept. 10), the Americana Music Association hosted the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium. Sierra Ferrell continued her reign, earning her second consecutive win as Americana Artist of the Year. Brandi Carlile was on hand to present Album of the Year to Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats for their album South of Here. The trio I’m With Her, comprised of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, claimed Song of the Year honors for “Ancient Light,” which they co-wrote.

ACM announced three new hires this week. Lauren Burchett joins as Head of Partnerships & Revenue, while Kylie Goudreau and Helena Capps have been appointed to the Industry Relations & Awards team, with Goudreau as Manager and Capps as Project Manager.

In label news, genre-blending artist Shaboozey has launched his own imprint, American Dogwood, in partnership with EMPIRE. The label’s first signee is rising artist Kevin Powers.

Songwriter Scooter Carusoe has signed a worldwide joint co-publishing agreement with Endurance Music Group and Carnival Music, while Zack Dyer has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Nashville. Styles Haury has also inked a new exclusive publishing agreement with WinSongs Music

Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company has made strategic moves on its client services team. Melissa Marsh joins as Senior Client Manager, while Amanda Remo has been promoted to the same position. Ryan Spradlin has also been elevated to Client Manager.

At SiriusXM and Pandora, Jordan Hatton has been appointed Associate Director of Country Artist and Industry Relations, further strengthening the company’s artist-facing presence in the country format.

In legacy management, Sandbox Succession, the heritage division of Sandbox Entertainment, has announced a major new signing: the Roy Orbison Estate, now under exclusive management with the firm.

Tanner Davenport has officially launched Front Doors Management, a new artist management firm focused on supporting emerging talent across country, indie rock and Americana genres.

Lastly, Schmitty has joined The Neal Agency (TNA) for booking, marking another step forward in his growing career.

This week’s edition also features an interview with Chase McDaniel about his upcoming debut album, Lost Ones.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen maintains the No. 1 spot with “I Got Better.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Morgan Wallen Holds The Top Spot On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Morgan Wallen; Photo: Spidey Smith

Morgan Wallen holds the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with his track, “I Got Better.”

The song comes off of Wallen’s recent, fourth studio album I’m The Problem, and was written by Wallen, Michael Hardy, Chase McGill, Blake Pendergrass, Ernest Smith, Charlie Handsome and Joe Reeves.

Wallen closes his 10-city, 19-date “I’m The Problem” stadium tour with his final two stops tonight (Sept. 12) and tomorrow night (Sept. 13) at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB. He will be joined by guests Ella Langley and Zach John King.

“I Got Better” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 7 on the Mediabase chart.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zac Brown Band & Dolly Parton Team For Disc Of The Day

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Zac Brown & Dolly Parton

Today’s DISClaimer is awash in nostalgia for classic songs and artists.

David Frizzell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dan Seals and Willie Nelson are here, reminding us of our illustrious country-music past with “Always Late,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” “Everything That Glitters” and “Workin’ Man Blues.” Jack Schneider chimes in with his revival of “Crying in the Rain” and earns a DISCovery Award for his effort.

The Disc of the Day also features a classic stylist as the Zac Brown Band recruits the enduring Dolly Parton for a dynamite duet.

ROSIE FLORES / “Lines”
Writer: Rosie Flores; Producer: Ed Stasium; Label: Mule Kick Records
– Flores is a founding mother of the Left Coast alt-country/Americana scene, and her new music shows that she’s lost none of her moxie. This debut single from her Impossible Frontiers album (due Sept. 26) is a spikey, frisky, tuneful, pop-country outing with layered vocal harmonies and lively guitar licks. Utterly charming.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Crucified Son”
Writers: Charley Crockett/Kyle Madrigal/Taylor Grace; Producer: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– Texas “gulf and western” maverick Crockett has moved to a new label home and offers this loping, bluesy slow-jam from his Dollar a Day collection. Effortlessly cool.

ZAC BROWN BAND & DOLLY PARTON / “Butterfly”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Sasha Sirota/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– In a word, thrilling. Brown and Parton both sing their faces off on this inspirational duet that soars on wings of harmony. By the time they finish, you feel like you’re flying on the wind. Essential listening.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Only Bible”
Writers: Daniel Ross/Joe Clemmons/Ryan Hurd/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– His vocal ranges from hushed intimacy to raw shouts of passion. The lyric explains that real spirituality can come from person-to-person contact rather than from the pages of a book. Zeiders sells this beautifully produced gem like a pro.

LUKE BRYAN & DAN SEALS / “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)”
Writers: Bob McDill/Dan Seals; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– The late, great Dan Seals placed 25 singles on the country charts and scored 11 No. 1 hits, including this 1986 chart topper. The tender, classic story song scores again in this new duet. It’s drawn from a collection of collaborations that aims to keep his memory alive. Amen to that.

CARTER FAITH / “Arrows (Die For That Man)”
Writers: Carter Faith/Steph Jones/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– She swore she wouldn’t become a victim of love, but Cupid had other ideas. Faith’s sweet/tart soprano burbles along over a gently bopping production.

WILLIE NELSON / “Workin’ Man Blues”
Writers: Merle Haggard; Producers: Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Willie’s distinctive acoustic guitar, Bobbie Nelson’s piano, Paul Nelson’s brushed drumming and Mickey Raphael’s harmonica anchor this toe-tapping revival of Hag’s 1969 classic. Willie’s vocal is one of the jazziest of his long, storied career. The upcoming album is devoted to the music of the late Merle, and these performances were the last studio recordings by both Bobbie and Paul. Righteous work.

MARGO PRICE / “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”
Writers: Jeremy Ivey/Kris Kristofferson/Margo Price/Rodney Crowell; Producer: Matt Ross-Spang; Label: Loma Vista Recordings
– This one’s a twang-soaked country rocker with an “outlaw” vibe. Price’s piercing soprano sasses in all the right places.

FLAT RIVER BAND & THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight”
Writers: Donovan Cowart/Rodney Crowell; Producers: Flat River Band, Tre’ Corley; Label: FRB/Early Bird Records
– An unexpected delight. The band takes the 1980 oldie and gives it fresh percussion and acoustic picking. Their harmonies are spot-on and get even fuller when the Hall of Famer Oaks chime in with joyous quartet singing. Beautifully done. The video is a mini-movie with John Schneider appearing in his “Bo Duke” personna.

JACK SCHNEIDER / “Crying in the Rain”
Writers: Carole King/Gerry Goffin; Producer: Matt Andrews; Label: Jeffers Records
– Schneider gives this 1962 Everly Brothers jewel a gentle, acoustic, softly pleasing folkie spin. I have always loved this song, which was also a 1981 country single for Tammy Wynette. The harmony vocal is by the esteemed Wendy Moten, who should have been mixed louder. Schneider is a Nashville singer-songwriter who has played rhythm guitar for Vince Gill for years. His album, Streets of September, drops on the 19th.

DAVID, ALLEN & LEFTY FRIZZELL / “Always Late- With Your Kisses”
Writers: Lefty Frizzell; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– David Frizzell’s forthcoming (Sept. 26) album is a tribute to his Hall of Fame brother Lefty with guests including Jimmy Fortune, Merle Haggard, Shelly West, Freddie Hart, Gene Watson, Ronnie Reno, Marty Haggard, Bill Anderson and Georgette Jones. The lead track and first single features David and baby brother Allen trading verses with their late, legendary sibling on a 1951 honky-tonk standard.

MJ LENDERMAN / “Wristwatch”
Writer: MJ Lenderman; Producer: Alex Farrar, MJ Lenderman; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– On Wednesday (Sept. 10), singer-songwriter Lenderman was named this year’s Americana Music Association’s Emerging Act. His latest single from his applauded Manning Fireworks collection is a folk-rock drawler with loads of his electric guitar, plus his plaintive vocalizing. Hearty sounding.

Winners Revealed At 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards

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Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris perform onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association)

The Americana Music Association revealed the winners of the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium last night (Sept. 10).

Sierra Ferrell continued her reign as the Americana Artist of the Year with her second consecutive win with the ceremony’s biggest award of the evening. Brandi Carlile presented Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with the Album of the Year honor for their LP South of Here. The triumphant trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins comprising I’m With Her was awarded with Song of the Year for “Ancient Light,” written by the three songwriters themselves. Lifelong musical partners Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were crowned as Duo/Group of the Year award. MJ Lenderman took home Emerging Act of the Year and Alex Hargreaves, a current full-time touring member with Billy Strings, earned the nod for Instrumentalist of the Year.

Nathaniel Rateliff wins the Album of the Year Award onstage at the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

John C. Reilly hosted the evening. During the show, Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois performed a rendition of her “May This Be Love.” Buddy Miller returned as musical director for the Americana All-Star Band, featuring Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke and Larry Campbell. Old 97’s, Joe Henry and Darrell Scott all received Americana Lifetime Achievement honors. The McCrary Sisters were recognized with the Legacy of Americana award (in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). John Fogerty presented the Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles.

Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Dawes, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, I’m With Her, JD McPherson, John C. Reilly, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Antone, Maggie Rose, Margo Price, Medium Build, Nathaniel Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann and Old 97’s.

“What a great night!” shares Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation. “We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”

2025 Honors & Awards Winners [Full List]:

Album of the Year: South of Here; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Produced by Brad Cook

Artist of the Year: Sierra Ferrell

Duo/Group of the Year: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Emerging Act of the Year: MJ Lenderman

Song of the Year: “Ancient Light,” I’m With Her; Written by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins

Instrumentalist of the Year: Alex Hargreaves

Maggie Rose performs onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Margo Price and John C. Reilly perform onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash speak onstage for the 24th Annual Americana Honors Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Hayes Carll presents Darrell Scott with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

Chase McDaniel Finds His Voice On ‘Lost Ones’ [Interview]

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Chase McDaniel. Photo: Robby Stevens

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and Chase McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones (out Sept. 19 via Big Machine Records) feels especially timely. Blending country storytelling with a rock-and-roll edge, the 12-track project leans into themes of survival, hope and connection—all grounded in a life story McDaniel has to tell.

Raised in the small town of Greensburg, Kentucky, McDaniel grew up surrounded by gospel music, bluegrass harmonies and the unwavering support of his grandparents, who took him in when his parents were struggling. “My papaw sang bass in a gospel quartet,” he says. “I fell in love with the low male voice. He was my hero.” Music and family became constants in a childhood marked by hardship, including the eventual loss of his father to addiction.

But when McDaniel began struggling with mental health as a teenager, he found little understanding in the world around him.

“I started remembering having obsessive thoughts, compulsions… I’d have these horrible intrusive thoughts, and I’d go to a closet and pray 300 times a day,” he says. “I grew up in a place where you don’t talk about that kind of stuff. I didn’t know what depression was or any kind of mental illness. I thought that only happened to crazy people. So if it was me, I must be crazy.”

YouTube video

Sports provided a temporary escape until an accident ended his weightlifting career in college. Around the same time, his father overdosed, grief overtook his family and McDaniel found himself spiraling into depression and anxiety with no language for what he was experiencing. “It was a mixed bag of absolute hell,” he says. “Wake up in hell, spend all day in hell, go to sleep in hell. And I did that for years without telling anybody.”

The breaking point came late one night on a bridge in Louisville. “I felt these two long arms scoop me up from under both of my shoulders and pull me horizontally back over the concrete ledge,” he recalls. “That told me that I had to keep fighting. It didn’t stop after the bridge moment. I had to sign up for living, and whatever that meant.”

That experience, and the long road that followed, slowly led McDaniel toward writing the kind of music he once needed. Therapy helped, as did his growing determination to put his story into words when so few people around him seemed to understand.

“I was literally blazing a trail for myself,” he says. “I got tired of blank stares. I got tired of telling somebody and them feeling like I was a threat to myself. My obsession with understanding it led to my comfortability in talking about it.”

When he moved to Nashville at 21, McDaniel chased the same commercial dream most young artists do. At first, he wrote the radio-ready songs he thought people expected of him. But something felt false. “Do I want to go on stage every night pretending to be somebody else when I’m 40? When I’m 50?” he asks. “I had to figure out who I was and what I wanted my art to say.”

With Lost Ones, produced by Lindsay Rimes, he found the sound and the story he had been looking for: a mix of country roots and the rock music his dad loved during his sober summers. He smiles, cheekily, when describing the sonic fusion of the album as “between Randy Travis and Creed.”

Every track on Lost Ones was co-written by McDaniel, weaving together the personal and the universal. Songs like “What I Didn’t Have,” written as a tribute to the grandparents who raised him, bring warmth and gratitude to a project often circling loss and perseverance.

The title track anchors the record both musically and thematically, with its waltz-like tempo and haunting steel guitar capturing the loneliness—and hope—behind the Lost Ones name. “I think my taking a step forward lets other people feel safe enough to be vulnerable about some things they don’t talk about,” McDaniel says.

That connection has already shown up in real time. Earlier releases like “Your Daughter,” written about his sister and their father’s addiction, and “Somebody Like Me,” about struggling with mental health in a small town, have drawn powerful responses from fans. “The response was overwhelming,” he says. “It showed me there are people out there who need music that tells the truth.”

The album’s first single, “Burned Down Heaven,” is now climbing at country radio, while “Risk It All” and “Made It This Far” have found early streaming audiences. For McDaniel, those moments prove the music can stand on its own even as it carries deeply personal weight.

“I always just led message first,” he says. “There will be songs about heartbreak, about love, but if I don’t tell my own story, how are you gonna connect with me?”

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 or use the chat via 988lifeline.org.

A New Level: Russell Dickerson Talks Career Highs & What Comes Next [Interview]

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Russell Dickerson

When Russell Dickerson posted a quick video from a hotel gym earlier this year, he didn’t expect it to launch the biggest single of his career. “Happen To Me,” built around a playful nod to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” quickly became more than a viral moment. It scored his highest streaming debut to date with more than 175 million global streams, landed at No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway and the UK Country Radio Airplay Chart, and now sits at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

At his Famous Back Home album release event in August, Dickerson was surprised with an RIAA Gold plaque for the track—a milestone he admits still feels surreal.

Triple Tigers Co-President Annie Ortmeier, Russell Dickerson and Co-President Kevin Herring at Dickerson’s Famous Back Home release party

“I thought ‘Bones’ was the single,” he says, recalling how he fought to make it the lead. But when the lighthearted “Happen To Me” caught fire, Dickerson leaned in, letting fan response rather than a marketing plan set the tone. “It was an instant grat track. We just threw up a video for fun,” he says. “Next thing you know, it’s my biggest song yet. You hope for those moments, but you can’t manufacture them.”

That moment marks a new chapter for an artist who’s been quietly stacking wins for nearly a decade. With five multi-Platinum No. 1 hits, a reputation for tireless touring and a catalog built around love and optimism, Dickerson has carved out his own lane in a crowded landscape. Famous Back Home captures both sides of that story: the family man who still writes about life with his wife and sons at the center, and the entertainer who wants his shows to feel as big as any in the format.

Co-produced with longtime collaborator Josh Kerr and featuring his first outside cuts, the record finds Dickerson stretching sonically without abandoning the hooks and heart that built his career. Songs like “Sippin On Top of the World” lean into sludgy guitars and arena-ready choruses, while “Never Leave,” written by Josh Miller, Greylan James and Matt Roy, show off his sincerity. “Never Leave” made its way to Dickerson after Thomas Rhett came over to Dickerson’s house to preview his then-unreleased album. When the song didn’t appear on the track list, Dickerson wasted no time cutting his own vocal—and then landed a guest appearance from Vince Gill.

“I knew as soon as Thomas didn’t use it, I wanted it,” Dickerson says with a laugh. “And then Vince Gill ended up on it. That’s a bucket list moment.”

Russell Dickerson

Even as the album experiments with sounds and collaborators, Dickerson says he avoided chasing the brooding, minor-key trends dominating much of country radio. “It’s so easy to get pulled toward whatever’s hot,” he admits. “But I’ve learned to trust my instincts. I want to stand out, not blend in. Positivity is my lane.”

He points to Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and even Christian newcomer Forrest Frank as examples of artists building long careers on good vibes rather than heartbreak. “That’s what keeps fans coming back,” he says. “It feels true to who we are.”

That commitment to connection runs through the album’s live DNA. Dickerson road-tested songs like “Dust” and “Bones” acoustically for VIP audiences long before release day, watching for the moments that made people sing back. He talks about hauling full production rigs into undersized venues, ignoring budget lines for confetti cannons and treating every show like the biggest of his career.

“Every show counts,” he says. “Once people get in the door, we want to give them the best night of their lives. That’s how you build lifelong fans.”

The approach seems to be working. With the venue sizes increasing, Dickerson has hit the road with what he calls his most confident show yet. Famous Back Home feels like the soundtrack to that climb—a project rooted in the same sincerity that powered “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma,” but with a bigger sonic and emotional scope.

With “Happen To Me” racing up the charts and the album introducing a broader sound, Dickerson says his ultimate goal hasn’t changed: keep growing the live show, keep making music that reflects his life and protect his time with his family along the way.

“Success for me is being able to say no when I need to,” he explains. “To keep building this thing, but not at the expense of the people I love.”

He grins, thinking about the next benchmark. “I’ve always said arenas are the dream. And when we get there, maybe stadiums after that. We’ll see. For now, we’re just going to keep taking the next step.”

Luke Combs Enters Top 20 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Robby Klein

Luke Combs has entered the top 20 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. His own “Back In The Saddle” alongside his collaboration with BigXthaPlug “Pray Hard” push the singer-songwriter into No. 18 this week.

Charlie Handsome sits at No. 1 for the 15th consecutive week with “Don’t We,” “Hell At Night,” “Holy Water,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I’m The Problem,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN” and “What I Want.” Blake Pendergrass moves up to No. 2 with “20 Cigarettes,” “Brunette,” “Don’t We,” “Heart Of Stone,” “I Got Better,” “Just In Case,” “Miami,” “Superman” and “Wish You Well.”

Chase McGill (No. 3), Morgan Wallen (No. 4) and John Byron (No. 5) round out this week’s 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.