ACM Awards Week Rocks Texas, Tune In Tonight For Awards

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Pictured (L-R): ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters and 2020 ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

The country music industry is celebrating all week down in Frisco, Texas in preparation for the 58th annual ACM Awards, which will air live tonight (May 11) at 7 p.m. CT on Prime Video.

In addition to rehearsals taking place throughout the week, public festivities kicked off on Tuesday (May 9) with the first day of the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star free fan festival, including a special opening ceremony with Frisco resident and RCA recording artist Corey Kent, Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside as well as local and state officials and representatives of the Dallas Cowboys.

Pictured (L-R): Brendon Anthony, Director, Texas Music Office; Corey Kent, RCA recording artist, ACM Country Kickoff performer, and Frisco, TX resident; Jeff Cheney, Mayor, Frisco, TX; Chuck Aly, Chair, ACM Board of Directors; Damon Whiteside, CEO, ACM; and Chad Estis, EVP Business Operations, Dallas Cowboys and Legends. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

Other country artists who performed at The Star were exciting up-and-coming artists Kent, Ashley Cooke, Randall King, Erin Kinsey, Chase Matthew, Ian Munsick, Neon Union and Frank Ray.

On Tuesday night (May 9), Gabby Barrett revealed some early winners at the Live From the ACMs: ACM New Artist Winners Celebration. The ACM New Male Artist of the Year was awarded to Zach Bryan, and ACM New Female Artist of the Year was presented to Hailey Whitters. Whitters performed for the crowd after accepting her award and will also take the stage at Ford Center tonight to perform live at the 58th ACM Awards, marking her win.

Pictured (L-R): Chase McGill, The Bluebird Cafe General Manager Erika Wollam Nichols, ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley and Hunter Phelps. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

On Wednesday (May 10), fans gathered at the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star stage were treated to performances from ACM New Male Artist of the Year nominees Dylan Scott and Nate Smith; ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee Caitlyn Smith; ACM Music Event of the Year nominee MacKenzie Porter, who surprised the crowd with a special appearance by her chart-topping duet partner Dustin Lynch; as well as Chayce Beckham, Chapel Hart, Hannah Ellis, Tiera Kennedy, Catie Offerman, Josh Ross and MaRynn Taylor.

Elsewhere, The Bluebird Cafe and NSAI brought four of the ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees together to the brand-new Omni PGA Frisco Hotel for an intimate celebration.

Hosted by beloved actor and singer-songwriter Charles Esten (Nashville, Outer Banks), the brunch featured Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill and Hunter Phelps performing some of their top hits for an enthusiastic crowd. After the show, Esten surprised Gorley with his first ACM Award for ACM Songwriter of the Year.

Pictured (L-R): BBR Music Group’s Lainey Wilson and Big Loud’s Hardy with their ACM Awards for ACM Visual Media of the Year. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

ACM Radio Award winners for the 58th ACM Awards were celebrated at Frisco’s Monarch Stag Cocktail Bar, just blocks away from the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star, toasting their well-deserved recognition and the vitality of country radio.

Later on, Bailey Zimmerman, Ernest, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean and Hardy performed at Frisco’s Topgolf The Colony for the ACM Lifting Lives Live benefit concert. At sunset, Gorley surprised Hardy with the ACM Award for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.

After the show was over, Hardy and Wilson were surprised by SiriusXM The Highway’s Storme Warren with the news that they had won the award for ACM Visual Media of the Year for their “Wait In The Truck” music video.

Tune in to the 58th ACM Awards tonight on Prime Video.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Chris Janson, Dolly & Slash Come Together For A ‘Sensational Collaboration’

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Sunday is Mother’s Day, and country music has its soundtrack.

Dalton Dover, Ernest, Veronique Medrano, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Honey County are all releasing singles that relate to this holiday. For her Tex-Mex entry, Veronique Medrano wins the DisCovery Award. I don’t understand Spanish, but she comes through loud and clear anyhow.

There are some pretty amazing performances in this week’s column. Luke Combs and the Shy Carter/Caitlyn Smith duet are both essential listening experiences. So is the extraordinary “21 Forever” by Chris Janson, Dolly Parton and Slash. It wins the Disc of the Day.

HONEY COUNTY / “Got It From My Mama”
Writers: Kalie Shorr/Dani Rose/Maks Gabriel/Hillary Reynolds/Sofie Lynn ; Producers: Maks Gabriel/John Spiker; Label: Honey County
– This manages the tricky feat of being trippy and danceable while also having heart and meaning. The swirling beats are charming, and the sentiment is poignant. Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.

SHY CARTER & CAITLYN SMITH / “How Did You Sleep”
Writers: Blake Anthony Carter/Caitlyn Smith/Bryan Simpson; Producers: Shy Carter/Caitlyn Smith; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– These two sound great together. Her soprano harmony voice is flawless, and he invests every note of his vocal with emotion. The lyric of bitter reproach is penetrating, and their duet delivery has you hanging on every line. I’m into this one.

LUKE BRYAN / “But I Got a Beer in My Hand”
Writers: Chase McGill/Matt Dragstrem/Geoff Warburton; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records
– This lively bopper is produced with rousing oomph. He should be broken hearted, but instead he’s in party-hearty mode. Sounds like summer energy.

REBECCA LYNN HOWARD / “I Am My Mother”
Writers: Rebecca Lynn Howard/Jamie Floyd/Rachel Thibodeau/Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Producer: Rebecca Lynn Howard; Label: Rebecca Lynn Howard
– I have always loved this artist. Her Mother’s Day sentiment is a heart tugger, as is attested by such celeb endorsers as Lee Brice, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs and Charlie Worsham.

CHRIS JANSON, DOLLY PARTON & SLASH / “21 Forever”
Writers: Chris Janson/Tommy Cecil/Tom Douglas; Producers: Julian Raymond/Chris Janson/Scott Borchetta; Label: BMLG Records
– Yes, it’s a sensational collaboration. But the song is so awesome and powerful that it doesn’t need any guest stars at all. That said, Janson turns in the finest vocal of his career to date, and I’ll go to my grave loving Dolly. Hang on for the extended, breath-taking Slash guitar solo at the coda. A magnificent recording.

VERONIQUE MEDRANO / “Que Hueva!”
Writers: Veronique Michelle Medrano/Mariano Herrera; Producers: Veronique Michelle Medrano/Mariano Herrera; Label: Veronique Medrano
– This bi-lingual Tejano artist takes an aggressive feminist stance here, speaking out forcefully for self-determination and pro-choice and against our government’s war on women. The zippy, accordion-accented Mexicali track sounds happy, but she means business as a badass woman. Apparently, there’s an uncensored version coming, but I don’t speak Spanish, never mind understanding its cuss words. In this release timed for Mother’s Day, Medrano reminds us, “Ser una mujer es todo una guerra (Being a woman is constantly having to go to battle).” A joyous, Latina rallying cry.

LUKE COMBS / “Fast Car”
Writer: Tracy Chapman; Producers: Luke Combs/Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– Tracy Chapman won a 1988 Grammy with this timeless tune. Combs sets his usual belting-vocal style aside to give the song the folkie spin it needs. In doing so, he brings out the lyric’s blue-collar power. It’s one more reason why this guy deserves his superstardom.

DALTON DOVER / “I Wouldn’t Be Here”
Writers: Dalton Dover/Russell Sutton/Dan Isabell; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Beautifully done. This is a heartfelt ode to the mother who loved him, believed in him, supported him and held him. “I am the man I am because you cared/And I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there.” It’s lump-in-throat time, folks. Partly because Dover, as always, is a brilliant country singer.

JASON ALDEAN / “Tough Crowd”
Writers: Kurt Allison/Marv Green/Tully Kennedy/Kelley Lovelace/Neil Thrasher; Partner: Michael Knox; Label: Broken Bow Records
– Lotsa volume and electric guitars here. Amid the noise, he sings of the throngs who pack his shows every night.

ERNEST / “Takes After You”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Jordan Schmidt/Josh Thompson; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– This Mother’s Day gift is a wish that his son will have the attributes of his mom, rather than the singer’s own imperfections. Very loving.

CODY BELEW / “Charlene”
Writer: Cody Belew; Producer: Dustin Ransom; Label: Visionary
– This forcefully sung, gospel-flavored ballad was written as a response to a woman who told him he couldn’t go to Heaven because he was gay. Belew is an outspoken member of country music’s LGBTQ community and wrote a Tennessean op ed last Sunday about religion being used as a weapon of intolerance.

Ashley Gorley, Hardy & Lainey Wilson Score Early ACM Award Wins

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Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Hardy and Lainey Wilson

More winners have been announced ahead of the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, which will air live tonight (May 11) across over 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch at at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT/4 p.m. PT from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

The winners of the Songwriter of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Visual Media of the Year categories were unveiled last night (May 10) via social media.

This year, the ACM Songwriter of the Year category was split into Songwriter of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and Video of the Year was expanded into Visual Media of the Year to include additional formats of visual content.

Ashley Gorley earned Songwriter of the Year, taking home his first win in the ACM category. Artist and actor Charles Esten surprised Gorley with the news and presented him with the golden award during an interview at the first-ever Songs and Stories event, presented by The Bluebird Cafe and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

Hardy, the most nominated artist at this year’s ACM Awards, was named Artist-Songwriter of the Year. He and Lainey Wilson also scored Visual Media of the Year for the music video accompanying their No. 1 duet “Wait In The Truck.”

Zach Bryan, Hailey Whitters Earn Early ACM Wins

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Zach Bryan, Hailey Whitters

Ahead of the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday (May 11), winners have been announced for New Male and New Female Artist of the Year, with Zach Bryan and Hailey Whitters taking home the titles.

Bryan and Whitters’ wins were announced via social media.

An Oklahoma-native and Navy veteran, Bryan rose to prominence in 2019 when a video of him singing his soulful song “Heading South” by a campfire went viral. The track, which is now RIAA Platinum-certified, has amassed more than 19 million views. Later that year, Bryan released his debut album DeAnn, followed by his second album, Elisabeth in 2020. He went on to sign to Warner Records in 2021 and was honorably discharged from the Navy to focus on his music career full-time.

In May 2022, Bryan released his major-label debut, American Heartbreak, and embarked on a massive U.S. tour with multiple sold-out shows. Following his record-breaking debut, Bryan released the nine-track EP Summertime Blues, which debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. He closed out 2022 by dropping a surprise 24-track live album, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster on Christmas Day, which was recorded just seven weeks earlier at his sold-out show at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater and topped the Apple Music Country chart.

Whitters, the Iowa-born, Nashville-based rising country star scored her breakthrough moment in 2020 with the release of her self-funded debut album The Dream, which went on to appear on more than 15 year-end best of lists. The subsequent deluxe album Living The Dream found Whitters’ self-fulfilling The Dream’s prophecy and enlisting her friends and collaborators Brent Cobb, Jordan Davis, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood to appear on five new songs. In 2021 alone, Whitters toured with Luke Combs and Midland, was named the inaugural Opry NextStage Artist of the year, scored her first CMT Music Award nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year and received her first Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for “A Beautiful Noise,” which was performed by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile.

On March 18, 2022, Whitters released her third studio album Raised via Pigasus / Songs & Daughters / Big Loud, followed by her debut headline “Heartland Tour,” performances at Tortuga Music Festival and Stagecoach Festival, and a national tour with Jon Pardi and Lainey Wilson. Now boasting over 150 million streams across her catalog, Whitters’ breakout single “Everything She Ain’t” is currently climbing multiple charts and has inspired multiple viral TikTok trends.

Peter Strickland Joins BMG/BBR Music Group As General Manager

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Peter Strickland. Photo: James Isaac Jones Photography

BMG/BBR Music Group has hired Peter Strickland as its new General Manager, effective immediately.

Strickland, who has been working with BMG/BBR Music Group in a consultancy role for almost two years, brings with him decades worth of music industry experience and knowledge. As GM, he will oversee the financial and daily operations of BMG/BBR Music Group, streamline distribution channels and physical-product sales as well as spearhead the label’s comedy initiatives. He reports to Jon Loba, President of BMG Nashville.

Strickland spent several years in upper management at Warner Music Nashville, including time as VP of Sales, VP of Sales & Marketing, SVP of Brand Management & Sales, Executive Vice President/General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer. Additionally, he created two successful comedy imprints and executive produced Jimmy Fallon’s 2013 Grammy Award-winning comedy album, Blow Your Pants Off, before opening his management company, Marathon Talent, in 2018.

“Peter and I worked together early in our career, where I had the chance to see his creativity, passion and energy up close,” says Loba. “Working with him again over the last year as a consultant, it is evident those same qualities burn hotter than ever. Beyond that, he is the consummate team player and was the obvious choice to step into the GM role upon Rick Shedd’s retirement. We couldn’t be more excited to officially bring him into the BMG family!”

“It’s an honor to be asked to join this incredible team,” says Strickland. “Jon Loba has built a great culture at BMG, and in reuniting with Jon, I look forward to contributing to the next chapter.”

Reach Strickland at [email protected].

Dolly Parton Reveals Title, Release Date & Track List For First-Ever Rock Album

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Photo: Vijat Mohindra

Country Music and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dolly Parton has revealed details regarding her first-ever rock album.

Parton’s album will be called Rockstar and will release Nov. 17 via Butterfly Records with distribution by Big Machine Label Group. The 30-song collection includes 9 original tracks and 21 iconic rock anthems. Rockstar will be available as a 4 LP set and a 2 CD set, as well as via digital download and on all streaming services. It is available for pre-order now.

Parton will be joined by a slew of musical guests across genres on Rockstar, including Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Sting, John Fogerty, Steven Tyler, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Lizzo, Linda Perry and many more.

“World On Fire” single artwork. Photo: Vijat Mohindra

Parton shares, “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album Rockstar! I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

On Thursday (May 11), Parton will join Garth Brooks to host the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. She will also close out the night by delivering the world premiere of the debut single from Rockstar, “World on Fire.” The track will be available on Thursday to coincide with the world premiere performance.

Of “World On Fire,” Parton shares, “This is a song I felt very inspired to write. I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”

Rockstar Track List:
1. “Rockstar (with special guest Richie Sambora)”
2. “World on Fire”
3. “Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)”
4. “Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)”
5. “Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Lee)”
6. “Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)”
7. “Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)”
8. “I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler & special guest Warren Haynes)”
9. “What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks & special guest Waddy Wachtel)”
10. “Purple Rain”
11. “Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)”
12. “I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)”
13. “Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)”
14. “Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)”
15. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)”
16. “Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)”
17. “Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)”
18. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)”
19. “Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)”
20. “Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)”
21. “We Are The Champions”
22. “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)”
23. “My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)”
24. “What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)”
25. “You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)”
26. “Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)”
27. “Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)”
28. “I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)”
29. “Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)”
30. “Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)”

Ed Sheeran, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, More To Perform At ACM Awards

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Ed Sheeran. Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Performers for the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards have been revealed prior to Thursday’s (May 11) event.

Global pop superstar Ed Sheeran will make his debut on the ACM Awards stage in a highly anticipated performance. The star-studded lineup also includes country stars Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen, The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman and co-host Dolly Parton, who will close out the night of massive performances by delivering the world premiere of the debut single from her new rock album.

Hosted by Parton and Garth Brooks, the ACM Awards will be free to stream live for a global audience across over 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT/4 p.m. PT from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. A full rebroadcast of the two-hour show will be available to watch on Prime Video the next day (Friday, May 12), starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the Amazon Music App and for free on Amazon Freevee.

A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase on SeatGeek.

BMI Celebrates 27th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival

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Pictured (L-R): Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna perform. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

The 27th annual Key West Songwriters Festival took place this past weekend (May 3-7), bringing together over 250 BMI multi-genre songwriters to 50 different venues across the island. Hosted by Rams Head Presents, BMI and The Florida Keys Tourist Development Council, proceeds from the five-day event benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through various grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Nina Carter, Rams Head Group’s Kyle Muehlhauser, Jelly Roll, BMI’s Clay Bradley, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, BMI’s Shannon Sanders and Rams Head Group’s Kelly Norman before Jelly Roll’s performance at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

When BMI songwriters arrived to the Nashville airport on Wednesday morning (May 3), they were greeted by the Lift Off to the Kickoff event in Delta’s Sky Club, as Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the festival.

The anticipated Sunset Pier Kick Off Party served as the festival’s official commencement. Hosted at Ocean Key Resort & Spa, James Slater, the Dylan Altman Blues Band and Robert Randolph were the entertainment. Brinley Addington, Rocky Block, Jacob Hackworth and Joey Hyde took the stage at Conch Republic Seafood Company following the kick-off party, and the evening closed with music from 2017’s BMI Icon recipient Bob DiPiero along with Rebecca Lynn Howard, Elisha Hoffman and Jeffrey Steele at the Key West Theater.

The Dylan Altman Blues Band performs at Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier Kick Off Party. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

On Thursday (May 4), attendees were treated to rounds at the Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant, hearing from songwriters Cliff Cody, Bella Dorian, Seth Ennis, Ryan Larkins, Jessica Rose, Benjy Davis, Drew Kennedy, Lauren McLamb, July Moon and Emily Shackleton.

Liz Rose brought her friends Phil Barton, David Ray and Earl Bud Lee as well as fellow Love Junkies Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna to the Blue Heaven on Thursday, while the Sunset Green Event Lawn hosted acclaimed songwriters such as Raul Malo, Kostas, Robert Randolph and Tommy Sims. The Key West Theater hosted the BMI at the Bluebird shows over the weekend, with Thursday’s shows featuring Elle King, Madeline Edwards and Ella Langley followed by The Love Junkies.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Sony Music Nashville’s Ella Langley, RCA Records/Song Music Nashville’s Elle King, Warner Music Nashville’s Madeline Edwards, The Bluebird Cafe’s Erika Wollam Nichols and We’ve Got The Keys’ Liz Anderson at the Key West Theater. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and the Texas Music Office presented the Texas Showcase at the San Carlos Institute, where Jack Ingram, David Lee and Bobby Pinson paid their respects to the late Keith Gattis by sharing stories of their longtime friend as a vacant stool and cowboy hat was center stage.

On Friday (May 5), Rams Head Southernmost Bar & Restaurant highlighted the talents of Ronnie Bowman, Clint Daniels, Mae Estes, Kylie Frey, Dylan Marlowe, Meghan Patrick and more. Kimpton Lighthouse Court welcomed Joseph Patton, Sophia Scott, Bryan Simpson and Adam Wood, while Sloppy Joe’s hosted Reid Haughton, Jordan James, Jordan Rowe and Austin Snell.

Ben Chapman performs at Tootsies Street Stage on Duval Street. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Jelly Roll headlined the Coffee Butler Amphitheater on Friday night. Afterward the HD Radio Late Night Hang at The Backyard Bar kept the party going into the morning with Playin’ Through The Night hosted by Tyler Reeve, Trent Tomlinson and friends.

Saturday (May 6) was filled with performances from Justin Andrews, Nick Donley, Reid Houghton, Drew Kennedy and Emma Kelin at The Marker Resort Pool Party, while The Perry Hotel & Marina hosted artists such as Kelly Archer, Tofer Brown, Ashley Cooke, Carter Faith, Lauren Hungate and Ava Suppelsa.

For a special Tootsies Street Stage show on Duval Street, Ben Chapman, Jordan James, Meg McRee and Michael Ray took the stage. That night at the Key West Theater, Michael Halpern of the Michelle’s Foundation made a surprise announcement in honor of Gattis. As the influential songwriter was scheduled to perform that night, the Michelle’s Foundation revealed that they will be providing his two children with their future college tuition expenses.

Pictured (L-R): Lee Starr, Kylie Frey, Kyle James and Mae Estes perform at Lewis Brisbois Presents: Hometown Pub Takeover. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

On the festival’s final day (May 7), the Sunset Green Event Lawn hosted Sunday Funday with Ken Johnson, Justin Schools and Seth Michael, while the Southernmost House Hotel featured Anna Wilson, Monty Powell, Cameron Wrinkle and Josiah Siska.

Even Stevens, Altman, Danny Myrick, Bridgette Tatum, Tomlinson, Earl Bud Lee and Kostas closed up the 27th edition of the Key West Songwriters Festival at the Key West Theater’s All Star Encore – Songwriters & Stories event.

Pictured (L-R): Bob Dipiero, James Slater and Luke Laird perform at the Key West Theater. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion Weaves A ‘Delightful Tapestry Of Sound’

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It’s a miracle.

There is not one, single, “bro country” song in this week’s stack of sounds. No pick-up trucks, no skinny dipping, no bonfires, no dirt roads, no rural fields, no beer. Okay, so I lied about that last one.

What we DO have is a flurry of artists who want you out on that dance floor. Beckoning you to trip the light fantastic are Kylie Morgan, Tim Dugger, Tyler Hubbard & Keith Urban, Willie Jones and our Disc of the Day winners, Old Dominion.

Not to worry: country music isn’t losing its sentimental side. For that, I refer you to the fine efforts by Drew Parker, Tyler Rich, Jameson Rodgers and our DisCovery Award winner, Micaela Kleinsmith.

OLD DOMINION / “I Should Have Married You”
Writers: Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Whit Sellers/Geoff Sprung/Brad Tursi/Shane McAnally; Producers: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista Nashville
– Enchanting. The rippling production, twirling melody, percussive effects and hearty vocals combine to weave a delightful tapestry of sound. The summertime vibe and merry tempo contrast with a lyric of regret. There’s a reason why this is the five-time ACM Group of the Year, and this is it.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW / “Louder Than Guns”
Writers: Ketch Secor/Mike Harris; Producers: Old Crow Medicine Show; Label: ATO Records
– The Opry string band speaks out against gun violence in this rousing anthem. Leader Secor has carved the names of the six Covenant victims on his fiddle, is dedicating this song to them and has joined the 97Percent organization to work for sanity. Polls have repeatedly stated that the public wants gun reform, yet our legislators remain pawns of the NRA, rather than serving the people. Why is the U.S. the only country on earth with this problem?

DREW PARKER / “King of Country Music (with Mallory Parker)”
Writers: Allen Shamblin/Marc Beeson; Producers: Phil O’Donnell/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The rollicking “Middle of Nowhere Class” remains the flagship song of the EP, and you should definitely lend it your ears. Also check out this heart-tugging, newly released track. It’s a tender word portrait of a struggling country singer and the woman who has undying faith in him. He remains one of my favorite new country vocalists, because he makes me believe every word. That’s Drew’s wife Mallory singing harmony, by the way.

ALANA SPRINGSTEEN / “Twenty Something”
Writers: Alana Springsteen/Liz Rose/Trannie Anderson/AJ Pruis; Producers: Chris LaCorte/Alana Springsteen; Label: Columbia
– Moody and minor-key, this is an exploration of the complex, roller-coaster feelings of youth. It is well sung and produced with oomph. This is an advance track and title tune of the second installment of her “three-part album,” I am told.

JAMESON RODGERS / “Built for Heartbreak”
Writers: John Byron/Chris LaCorte/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: David Garcia; Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– He had me at hello: “My blood’s a whiskey reservoir with clouds of barroom smoke” are the song’s opening lines. And it gets better as it goes. “Get that hammer, raise it up and bring it down/I’m already a disaster…ain’t a swing of pain that I can’t take,” he sings, because he’s “Built for Heartbreak.” Talk about a song you wish you’d written…..

TEDDY ROBB / “Question the Universe”
Writer: Brad Tursi; Producer: Pete Good; Label: Teddy Robb
– He sings it expressively, but I don’t hear “hit” in this wordy, downbeat, meandering ballad.

WILLIE JONES / “Something to Dance To”
Writers: Cary Barlowe/Eric Arjes/Willie Jones; Producers: Willie Jones/Eric Arjes; Label: Sony Music Nashville 
– Go ahead and lose yourself in the music, Jones advises. Amid the happy beats, he suggests that we all dance like nobody’s watching, whether it’s in the middle of a cornfield or a nightclub. This giddy, rhythmic ditty is a blast. It’s the hooky-as-heck title tune of his debut album, which drops on June 16.

TIM DUGGER / “Mary Wanna?”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Tim Dugger; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Curb Records
– This is a marvelous two stepper, loaded with banjo licks and fiddle filligrees. As usual, Dugger is a model country singer, and this goofy-fun, blue-collar romance lets him shine brightly. Tap your toes and sing along as he gets high on love.

TYLER HUBBARD & KEITH URBAN / “Dancin’ in the Country (Demo)”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Keith Urban/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producers: none listed; Label: EMI Nashville
– Hubbard’s current hit remains a happy-feet bouncer. The original demo of the song features his cowriter Urban bopping right alongside him and taking his turn in the lead vocal spot during the bridge. The burbling beat makes ya smile, even in this unpolished, stripped-down version

TYLER RICH / “Heaven Is Your Hometown”
Writers: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Tyler Rich; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– I have always liked this guy’s singing. This rolling, easy-going track has some dandy pick-up lines as he approaches the new girl in town. She’s so beautiful that she must have fallen out of the clouds, he tells her. Go for it, buddy.

MICAELA KLEINSMITH / “Butterfly”
Writer: Micaela Kleinsmith; Producer: Tommy Sims; Label: Platoon
– Dreamy, bluesy and atmospheric. Her hushed vocal, the gently plucked guitar and the airy production cast a hypnotic pop spell. Hang with her as she invests the song with more and more vocal power as it progresses. Kleinsmith is a South African performer who won Reese Witherspoon’s “My Kind of Country” global competition with this performance. Very promising.

KYLIE MORGAN / “Sugar Daddy”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/James McNair/Seth Mosley; Producers: Seth Mosley/ Malcom “X” O’Connor; Label: EMI Nashville
– Thumping and propulsive, this imbeds her pert, youthful vocal in a feisty, driving ditty. “Be your own Sugar Daddy,” she advises her empowered sisters. “Get your own money, honey.” Sassy and fun.

Morgan Wallen Nabs Another MusicRow No. 1 With ‘One Thing At A Time’

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

Morgan Wallen is at the pinnacle of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart once again, marking his 11th No. 1 as an artist with “One Thing At A Time.”

Wallen co-wrote the song, which serves as the title track of his most recent album, with Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith and Ryan Vojtesak. The album has already yielded two other No. 1 hits, “You Proof” and “Thought You Should Know,” while “One Thing At A Time” and “Last Night” remain climbing the country radio charts.

Wallen is currently out on the road on his “One Night At A Time World Tour,” playing West Palm Beach, Florida (May 5) and Tampa, Florida (May 6) this weekend.

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