DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trace Adkins ‘Can Still Deliver The Goods’

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Trace Adkins. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Old-school country is on the menu today at DISClaimer.

Jon Pardi, Bryce Leatherwood and DISCovery Award winner Chase McDaniel set the tone of the listening session.

For the icing on this traditionalist cake, we also have a collection of proven masters of old-school country craft. Joe Nichols, Moe Bandy and Disc of the Day winner Trace Adkins are here to show the kiddies how it’s done.

BRYCE LEATHERWOOD / “Where the Bar Is”
Writers: Chase McGill/Cole Taylor/Michael Carter/Shane Minor; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: UMG Nashville
– He’s such a solid country singer, and this is a true-blue honky-tonk song. I don’t quite understand the decision to record him with a track that rocks this hard.

COLT FORD & MICHAEL RAY / “Hell Out of It”
Writers: Cole Taylor/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler/Thomas Archer; Producer: Dylan Maloney; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– We’re small people in a small town, but we love who we are. Rousing and sincere.

CHASE McDANIEL / “Burned Down Heaven”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Jon Nite/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Big Machine Records
– Excellent. The song of regret and guilt is powerfully written, and his aching, soaring vocal sells it like nobody’s business. Wonderfully listenable.

MOE BANDY / “Pure Love”
Writer: Eddie Rabbitt; Producer: Jimmy Capps; Label: StarVista
– This 1970s & 1980s hit maker has an upcoming album titled Songs I Missed. This advance single is his version of Ronnie Milsap’s 1974 chart topper. Bandy’s slightly pitch-y rendition won’t erase the memory of the original, but it is straightforward, well meaning and totally country.

RYAN HURD / “Die For It”
Writers: Mark Holman/Randy Montana/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Label: Big Machine Records
– The story of a marriage. Things might get rocky, but love lasts always. The jangly guitars and an octave-leap backing vocal are ear catching. But the steady-state, minimal melody goes nowhere in its endless loop.

TRACE ADKINS / “What Color’s Your Wild”
Writers: Casey Beathard/Monty Criswell; Producer: Bart Butler; Label: Verge
– The big man can still deliver the goods. And how. This stomper is loaded with charisma, and the color-coded lyric about pursuing passion is terrific. I hung on every note. Essential audio.

SAM WILLIAMS / “Countrystar”
Writers: Marisa Maino/Nick Bailey/Ryder Johnson/Sam Williams; Producer: Nick Bailey; Label: UMG Nashville
– His soft, feathery singing style doesn’t really go with the thumpy, hip-hop backing track. However, it is strikingly different.

JON PARDI / “Love the Lights Out”
Writers: Jimi Bell/Jon Pardi/Matt Dragstrem; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Let’s rock out, baby, and have a really, really big night of love making. Pardi’s vocal is, as usual, country with a capital “C.” Righteously ringing guitars do the rest of the work. Recommended.

NATE SMITH & HARDY / “Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Nashville
– Ya gotta love a title like that. Here’s the gist of the song: “From buddy to buddy, I’m telling you something you might not want to hear. That gal you’re dating is no good for you.” The lyric is rapid-fire but crystal clear as they vocalize above a choppy, grinding track. Snappy and clever.

JOE NICHOLS & ANNIE BOSKO / “Better Than You”
Writers: Derek George/John Pierce; Producers: Derek George/Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– I love a good country love duet, and this one is a dandy. Joe is, of course, a masterful country singer, but Annie keeps up with him. She also harmonizes splendidly. A delightful performance.

LANCE COWAN / “Love Anyway”
Writer: Lance Cowan; Producers: Jason Stelluto/Scott Paschall; Label: Lantzapalooza Müzik
– Music Row publicist Lance Cowan is also a terrific singer-songwriter. His second album, Against the Grain, drops next month. Its advance single addresses the political divisiveness that’s so pervasive today. “If there’s ever hope for change, love anyway,” he sings in his tender tenor while acoustic piano and guitar notes ripple around him. Innocent, touching and gently folkie. Cowan gigs at The Listening Room with Mark Irwin and Irene Kelley next Wednesday (March 5).

LOUIE THE SINGER / “Good Girl”
Writers: Joe Ginsberg/Luis Palacios II/Nate Kenyon; Producer: CANDY; Label: UMG Nashville
– This Mexican-American sings in this slow-burn ditty that he’s a bad boy. What’s more, he’s fine if she can’t accept that and doesn’t fall for him. So, “If you don’t want a bad boy, I’m good, girl.” His Texas drawl is backed by a twanging track that plods along.

My Music Row Story: SESAC’s Lydia Schultz Cahill

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Lydia Schultz Cahill

The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.

Lydia Schultz Cahill is Senior Director of Creative Services at SESAC PRO, where she oversees the country genre in Nashville. She supports songwriter and publisher affiliates, recruits new talent and collaborates with artists like Blanco Brown, Jon Nite, Allison Veltz Cruz, Dillon Carmichael and Jenny Tolman. Cahill also produces SESAC-sponsored events, including Tin Pan South, SESAC Presents at the Bluebird and songwriter showcases across the Southeast.

Before joining SESAC in 2016, Cahill was Creative Director at Magic Mustang Music, where she worked with acclaimed songwriters Steve Bogard, Kristian Bush, Rob Hatch and Justin Lantz. She began her career as an assistant to Grammy-winning songwriter JD Souther and later held roles in the Legal and Finance Department at Broken Bow Records. A Wisconsin native, Cahill graduated from Belmont University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from its Music Business program. In 2024, she completed her master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee.

Cahill will be honored as part of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row class of 2025 on March 20 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Read more about the event here.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a town called Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It’s about 45 minutes north of Madison.

Tell me about that. What was childhood like?

People from the Midwest always know it because it’s the water park capital of America. Whenever I say I’m from Wisconsin Dells, people are like, “Oh my gosh, we went on vacation there.” It’s a small town with a beautiful river, known for having tons of water parks. People are always surprised that you can actually live there. It’s a sister city to Gatlinburg—similar, but on a river instead of a mountain.

My mom was in nursing, and my dad is a farmer. I grew up on a farm just outside of town, so my upbringing was more rural.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

How did music come into your life?

My mom’s mom always had music on. She had a radio and later got a CD player. No one in my family was particularly musical—my grandpa played guitar, but it wasn’t a big thing. We sang in church, but mostly it was country music.

We didn’t have many TV channels growing up—we had something called “The Farmer Five,” which was about five channels and none of them were that interesting to me as a kid. So, we just played outside a lot.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

After high school, did you know you wanted to do this?

No. I had a guidance counselor meeting where they asked if I was going to college. I didn’t really have a plan, just figured I’d go because my friends were going. I remember telling my dad, “I think I want to go to college,” and he said, “Does your mom know?” [Laughs] It just wasn’t something we talked about much.

A friend who was a songwriter went to Belmont and told me about the music business major. I was in Wisconsin for two and a half years, just partying and having fun, then transferred to Belmont because I loved music and figured I could get paid to sing songs.

I didn’t know artists like Reba McEntire didn’t write all her songs. I didn’t even know what a songwriter was. Belmont opened my eyes to the industry—publishing, song pluggers, the whole ecosystem supporting creative people.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

Tell me about Belmont.

I went from a public party school to a private liberal arts school, and it was a shock to my system. Wisconsinites just like to have a good time—beer, football—then I came to Belmont, and it was a totally different vibe.

I was a student loan kid, and when I got to Belmont, none of my friends had loans. That was eye-opening. It was an educational experience in every way—catching up academically but also realizing how much was on the line. My parents helped, but I was paying for it, and at one point, my loan doubled in a semester. I had to take it seriously.

Did you intern anywhere?

I did the BMI Catalog Cast internship, where we worked with publishers and learned about song plugging. It was an amazing way to understand publishing and the industry. I remember playing songs for Taylor Lindsey and Sara Knabe.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

I also interned with Kelly King, which was incredible. She included me in everything, and it was inspiring to see her champion artists like Brothers Osborne.

Sounds like you were pretty set on publishing at that point.

Yes! I’ve always loved creativity, and once I realized that the songs I loved weren’t necessarily written by the singers, I became fascinated by songwriters. They were the ones who made these songs happen, the ones who gave me something to connect to as a rural kid.

What happened after graduation?

I wanted to work in publishing so badly. I worked as an assistant to JD Souther for a few months, which was wild. He had high expectations.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

Then I interviewed for a song plugging job at Broken Bow, but Benny Brown noticed on my resume that I had taken copyright law, and made up a job for me in legal and finance instead. I worked in QuickBooks for a while and even wondered if I should be an accountant. Eventually, I moved into a song plugging role and did that for about three years and it was wonderful.

I loved working with songwriters, but I also wanted to engage with other sectors of the industry. When ET Brown at SESAC told me they were expanding the creative department, I jumped at the opportunity. It made so much sense to me—I could still work with songwriters, which is my absolute favorite population, as well as other sectors of the industry.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

When did you start at SESAC?

2016. I started as a country rep, getting familiar with our roster and building relationships. In 2020, I was promoted to senior director, which was a lot of the same work but at a higher level. It was a huge shift, but COVID actually made it more manageable—I could handle everything without constantly being in person. It gave me time to adjust.

What’s your favorite part of what you do now?

The one-on-one time with songwriters. Supporting them, giving them space to reflect—it’s an honor to be someone they trust to bounce ideas off of.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

What is something you’re most proud of?

So much of what I do at SESAC is making sure our songwriters are happy and truly taking care of them. Getting to be a part of their wins has always been really exciting. I’m proud of signing Chris LaCorte and Jon Nite—having people trust you and your company is truly humbling.

Something else I’m proud of is that I got my masters degree in mental health during the pandemic and have been working as a therapist on the side. I’ve really enjoyed getting to be a resource for other people, especially in the music industry.

Who have been your mentors along the way?

With the exception of JD, I have almost always worked for a woman. Kelly King was so amazing. Melissa Kramer at Broken Bow and Juli Griffith at Magic Mustang took great care of me. Shannan Hatch is far too young to be a mother figure to me, but she has nurtured me so much.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

What would you say is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

Nobody is thinking about you as much as you’re thinking about you. It’s not that people don’t care about you, because people care about you. But you need to do what is best for you.

You will be honored next month at our Rising Women on the Row breakfast. In a few words, can you share about what your experience as a woman in the music industry has been like?

It’s so interesting because the gender disparity became so much more clear after I got married. Watching my husband’s work experience versus my work experience–specifically around finances—is very different. He might ask for something and just get it, whereas I’ve always felt like I needed to make a case for the things that I wanted to have financially.

Photo: Courtesy of Cahill

In the songwriting community, unfortunately, there are a lot fewer women. I work with so many men, just because there are more of them, so I really make an effort to prioritize working with other women.

What would you say to a college student reading this that wants to do what you do one day?

I would honestly tell her she’ll probably be my boss someday. Young people are so smart, and they have access to so much more information than we ever did. Statistically, I don’t think I should have made it to where I am–to be the first in my family to go to a four-year school and then be as successful as I’ve been. The cards were not in my favor, so I would tell her to work really hard and enjoy it.

Nominees Revealed For 2025 AIMP Nashville Awards

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The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final nominees for the 2025 AIMP Nashville Awards, taking place on April 8 at Marathon Music Works. Hosted by Storme Warren, the intimate gathering will honor the past year’s biggest hits written and promoted solely by Nashville’s independent publishing companies and their songwriters.

The evening will recognize songwriters, publishers and songs in various categories, including Rising Songwriter of the Year, Rising Artist-Writer of the Year, Artist-Writer of the Year, Song Champion of the Year, Publisher’s Pick of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year.

“This year, we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the AIMP awards show! Michael McAnally Baum and I created the show in 2015 as AIMP board members trying to figure out how to add value to the members and, at the same time, drive membership up,” says Ree Guyer, owner of Wrensong Entertainment. “We had 80 members at the time. Today, we have 495 members representing every successful independent publisher and writer in the Music Row Community. Looking at the list of nominees and knowing who will perform on the show tells me this will be another special night!“

The final voting period determining the winners opens on March 4 and closes at 5 p.m. CST on March 11. To vote, you must have been an AIMP member on or before Feb. 4. Email aimpnashville@gmail.com with any questions regarding voter eligibility and category requirements.

2025 AIMP Nashville Award Nominees:

Rising Songwriter Of The Year Nominees:
*7 nominees (because of a tie)
Abram Dean – Independently published by Concord Music Publishing
Jon Decious – Independently published by OneRiot, Reservoir
Lalo Guzman – Independently published by SMACKSongs
Wyatt McCubbin – Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Tape Room Music
Steve Moakler – Independently published by Creative Nation
Daniel Ross – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Chandler Walters – Independently published by Ern’s Cadillac Music, Big Loud Publishing

Rising Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees:
George Birge – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Laci Kaye Booth – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Dylan Marlowe – Independently published by Play It Again Music, Relative Music Group
Vincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing
Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob Music
Tucker Wetmore – Independently published by Back Blocks Music

Artist Writer Of The Year Nominees:
Ashley Cooke – Independently published by Back Blocks Music, Big Loud Publishing
Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem Entertainment
Jackson Dean – Independently published by Little Louder Music
Ernest – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
Hardy – Independently published by Relative Music Group
Carly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music

Song Champion Of The Year Nominees:
Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Greg Gallo – VP, Creative, Reservoir
Shannan Hatch – SVP, Creative, SESAC
MaryAnn Keen – Director, Creative, BMI Nashville
Sara Knabe – SVP, A&R, Big Loud Music
Melissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing

Publisher Pick Of The Year Nominees:
“Casseroles” written by Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas, and James Slater; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Hailey Whitters
“Hell Is A Dance Floor” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel; Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing; Performed by Vincent Mason
“Killed A Man” written by Joe Fox, Geoff Warburton, and Jimi Bell; Independently published by Liz Rose Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music Publishing, Worktape Music; Performed by Post Malone
“Made In The USA” written by Ben Stennis, Emily Falvey, and Adam James; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Kobalt Music Publishing, Young Guns Publishing; Performed by Cody Johnson
“Midwest Rock & Roll” written by Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, and Randy Montana; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Loud Publishing; Performed by Ryan Hurd
“The Loneliest Girl In The World” written by Laci Kaye Booth, Jon Stark, and Aby Gutierrez; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Dream3 Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing; Performed by Laci Kaye Booth

Song Of The Year Nominees:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” written by Mark Allen Williams, Joe Kent, Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Nevin Sastry, and Jerell Jones; Independently published by Kobalt Music, Seeker Music, Range Music Publishing; Performed by Shaboozey
“Burn It Down” written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Parker McCollum; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Liz Rose Music, Creative Nation; Performed by Parker McCollum
“I Had Some Help” written by Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters, Ashley Gorley, Morgan Wallen, Austin Post, Hoskins, Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, Ern’s Cadillac Music, Domain Capitol Group; Performed by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen
“Lies Lies Lies” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Concord Music Publishing, Boom Music Group; Performed by Morgan Wallen
“The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins; Independently published by Big Machine Music; Performed by Cody Johnson
“Wind Up Missin’ You” written by Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, and Thomas Archer; Independently published by BackBlocks Music, Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing, Combustion Music; Performed by Tucker Wetmore

Songwriter Of The Year:
Rocky Block – Independently published by Big Loud Publishing
Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine Music
Ashley Gorley – Independently published by Domain Capitol Group
Hunter Phelps – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Taylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room Music
Jonathan Singleton – Independently published by 50 Egg Music

Top Independent Music Publishers Of The Year:
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Concord Music Publishing
Purple Rabbit Music

Hardy Launches Crow Records With Debut Artist Sikarus

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Hardy and Sikarus. Photo: Courtesy of Crow Records

Hardy has partnered with Big Loud Rock to launch his new label, Crow Records. The first artist signed to the new label is Sikarus, who has released his debut track “Nonchalant.”

Sikarus is the solo project of Jordan Brooker, a songwriter with cuts for Luke Combs and others who is making his artist debut.

“The second I heard Sikarus’ music I thought to myself, ‘What a cool sound, I want to do anything I can to be able to work with him,’” says Hardy. “I’ve known Jordan for many years and I’m so excited to finally be able to say that we are officially working together. I love rock ‘n’ roll, I love exploring new things and I couldn’t be happier for Sikarus to be the first artist signed to Crow Records.”

Raised on country, Brooker found his major inspirations when his older brothers turned him on to rock in his early adolescence, starting with classics like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana and falling deep into turn-of-the-millennium alt-and pop-rock and ‘90s rock titans in high school. Hardy and Brooker, friends and collaborators during their early years in Nashville, reconnected in recent months, with Hardy making Sikarus his first Crow Records signing almost immediately upon hearing demos.

“I’m incredibly honored to be the first signing at Crow Records,” says Sikarus. “I think Hardy is one of the most brilliant musical minds I’ve ever met. We’ve been friends for a long time, so getting the chance to work with him in this capacity is so dope. ‘Nonchalant’ is all about that attitude of going with the flow and not getting hung up on the little things. It can be a really beautiful quality in a person, so much so that it makes you want to write a song about it.”

YouTube video

“Hardy is a generational talent and all of us at Big Loud Rock are honored to continue strengthening our partnership with him by joining forces on Crow Records,” says Big Loud partner and President of Big Loud Rock Joey Moi. “Developing the next generation of alternative and rock artists is at our core, and collaborating with Hardy to sign and foster new talent in the space has the whole team excited as we continue to expand.”

Sikarus will join Hardy on select dates of the “Jim Bob World Tour” this year, playing arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S. in August and September.

IEBA Names Brian Wagner New Executive Director

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Brian Wagner. Photo: Courtesy of IEBA

Industry veteran Brian Wagner has been appointed Executive Director of IEBA, effective March 1, 2025. He succeeds Pam Matthews, who is retiring after helming the organization for more than a decade.

“IEBA is deeply committed to its membership and to the music community at large. Brian understands this, and that makes him the perfect person to lead this organization. It is with every confidence that I pass the torch to Brian,” Matthews shares.

IEBA Board Chairwoman Deana Baker adds, “Brian brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record in leadership roles. Under his direction, the future of IEBA is bright. His vision and dedication resonate with our mission and goals, and we are thrilled to support him in this new role.”

Wagner has nearly 30 years of experience working in multiple facets of the entertainment industry including artist management, concert promotion and as a booking agent. As the founder of Flashpoint Entertainment, he played a pivotal role in launching Nashville venues The Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom and BB King’s Blues Club. In 2006, he was tapped to lead marketing for Ryman Auditorium, where his responsibilities soon grew beyond marketing to curating the annual Bluegrass Series and Sam’s Place – Music for the Spirit. During his tenure, the Ryman earned IEBA Theater of the Year (2009), Pollstar Theater of the Year for six consecutive years (2010-2015), Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year (2010, 2012, 2014) and CMA SRO Venue of the Year (2011-2013).

Wagner became Assistant Commissioner of Marketing for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2015. His work on the “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” brand campaign was highlighted by collaborations with Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Jack White and The Roots.

“I am honored to join IEBA and excited about the opportunities,” Wagner shares. “IEBA has a long-standing reputation for excellence. Stepping into this role following Pam is no small task — her leadership has left an enduring legacy. I look forward to working with the Board, our membership, and our partners.”

At IEBA, Wagner joins IEBA staffers Lori Bowman and Jason Conner. Bowman served on IEBA’s Board of Directors from 2011 to 2016 and was appointed Director of Events in 2022. 2025 marks Conner’s 13th IEBA conference and third as the association’s Director of Operations.

IEBA’s 55th annual conference will take place Oct. 5-7, 2025, at Grand Hyatt Nashville with agency parties at The Pinnacle, the new concert venue in the Nashville Yards development.

Applications For MusicRow’s 2025 InCharge Print Directory Now Open

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MusicRow is currently accepting applications for its annual InCharge print issue, the published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers. Now in its 38th year, InCharge is slated for a May release.

Applications are now closed.

Applications will close Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m. CST. All submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee to determine the candidates chosen for this year’s issue.

Note: Executives listed last year will be receiving an email from MusicRow to invite them to apply for this year’s consideration.

For advertising opportunities, please contact Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com.

For questions regarding the directory, please contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com.

Katie Fagan Named President Of Mom+Pop Nashville

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Katie Fagan. Photo: Kevin D. Fagan

Katie Fagan has joined Mom+Pop Music as President of its Nashville office. She comes to the independent label after a 14-year stint at Prescription Songs, where she served as the Head of A&R in Nashville for the last eight years.

In her new role, Fagan will oversee the continuing development of the company’s roster, and expand M+P’s global footprint, searching for talent worldwide while overseeing the strategic vision for M+P in Nashville. She has first-hand experience creating a footprint in Nashville, having opened Prescription’s first office outside of Los Angeles.

“Katie has proven herself an important voice and advocate for creatives in the Americana, folk and alt-country spaces. No one is better suited to reinforce and grow Mom+Pop’s presence in Nashville and globally as we broaden our industry aesthetic,” says Michael Goldstone, Founder of M+P.

“I am thrilled to join Goldie and Thad at Mom+Pop Music and expand their well-known reputation for artistic integrity and artist development in Nashville,” Fagan shares. “Their vision for Mom+Pop aligns perfectly with my thinking, and it is an honor to learn even more from them as we develop a presence here.”

As Prescription’s Head of A&R, Fagan worked closely with artists such as Anderson East, Maggie Rose, Nick Bailey, Soaky Siren, JT Daly, Sarah Hudson and Cirkut and Frenship, among others. She also worked with numerous top 10 multi-Platinum hits from songwriters on Prescription, landing placements throughout the years for artists such as Lana Del Rey, Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan and Ethel Cain. Fagan signed Joy Oladokun, who turned heads with her critically-acclaimed album Proof of Life, as well as Malibu Babie, who co-produced Nicki Minaj’s hit “Super Freaky Girl” and Megan Thee Stallion’s single “Her.”

An Indiana native, Fagan’s musical passion led her to Los Angeles, landing an internship in A&R at Warner Chappell Music Publishing. In 2011, she joined Prescription as an assistant to Dr. Luke, which led to her ultimately ascending to Head of A&R at the company.

Fagan currently serves as a co-founder of The Other Nashville Society (TONS), which supports musicians and industry professionals in building community outside of commercial country music in Nashville, and now boasts over 1,500 members. She is also a She Is The Music Songwriting and Publishing Committee member, which helps open top-level opportunities for female creators, and has served as a Chapter Governor of The Recording Academy Board/Nashville since 2023.

Formed in 2008, Mom+Pop has released music from artists like MGMT, Magdalena Bay, Courtney Barnett, Beach Bunny, Flume, Orion Sun, Caamp and others. Mom+Pop was awarded 2023 A2IM’s Libera Award for Label of the Year and has been recognized on Billboard’s Independent Label Power List multiple times. Independent and globally self-distributed, M+P has a team of 25 people with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and now Nashville.

Riley Green Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Riley Green. Photo: Matthew Simmons on behalf of Gildan

Riley Green has entered the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Both solo-penned “Don’t Mind If I Do” and “Worst Way” push the singer-songwriter to No. 8 this week.

Ashley Gorley remains in the No. 1 spot with “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “Love Somebody,” “Park” and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.” Zach Bryan moves up to No. 2 with all solo-written tracks “Blue Jean Baby,” “Dear Miss” and “High Road.”

Charlie Handsome (No. 3), Taylor Phillips (No. 4) and Ernest (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.

CRS Highlights Five Talented Artists At 2025 New Faces Of Country Music Showcase

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Pictured (L-R): Zach Top, Dasha, Drew Baldridge, Ashley Cooke and Warren Zeiders. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

To close out Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2025, five breakout artists etched their names into the storied legacy of the New Faces of Country Music showcase.

The annual event spotlights five emerging artists who have achieved significant country radio success during the qualification period—from Nov. 1, 2023 to Oct. 31, 2024. Since its inception in 1970, the showcase has been a pivotal launching pad for country hitmakers. On Friday (Feb. 21), Drew Baldridge (Lyric Ridge/BMG/Stoney Creek), Ashley Cooke (Big Loud/Back Blocks), Dasha (Warner Records), Zach Top (Leo33), and Warren Zeiders (Warner Records) proudly added their names to that legacy.

Dasha performs. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Dasha was the first to grace the stage in the grand ballroom at the Omni Nashville Hotel, where radio professionals, label personnel and other industry figures gathered. Following a sizzle reel highlighting her accomplishments, she captivated the audience with her crystal-clear vocals and star-quality presence.

She delivered her pop-country offerings, including “Didn’t I,” “Heartbreaker From Tennessee” and “Even Cowboys Cry,” each enriched with fiddle and banjo. Then, she introduced her upcoming album cycle with the energetic “Not This Party,” which immediately got the room moving.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the radio professionals who had transformed her career, Dasha then performed her Platinum-certified mega-hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” keeping everyone on their feet.

Drew Baldridge performs. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Next up was Baldridge. He began his set with a video featuring fans sharing how his music and personal journey—rising from setbacks during the pandemic after being dropped by his label and agency, to self-financing his tour through fans’ backyards—had impacted them. Baldridge’s story was especially compelling this year as he achieved his first No. 1 single, “Somebody’s Daughter,” as an independent artist by building his own team and financing the project himself.

He introduced a new song, “Rebel,” followed by his new single, “Tough People,” now being worked alongside BMG/Stoney Creek. In a memorable moment, he brought St. Jude survivors onstage to underscore their strength and resilience.

With raw emotion and gratitude, Baldridge then revisited the breakthrough track “Somebody’s Daughter,” soaking in the audience’s rapt response.

Warren Zeiders performs. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Zeiders followed, stepping onstage after a sizzle reel that showcased his achievements, his deep connection with fans on the road and his recognition as one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive. Zeiders opened his set with “Relapse,” flashing his signature smile during “You For A Reason.”

He then delivered his 2024 No. 1 hit “Pretty Little Poison”—the second most-played song on country radio that year—expressing his thanks to radio programmers, before wrapping up with “Ride the Lightning,” the very song that first put him on the map.

Ashley Cooke performs with Joe Jonas. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Cooke brought a touch of humor with a playful intro video—a CRS New Faces tradition. Alongside Big Loud’s radio promotion head Stacy Blythe, Cooke starred in a skit about her comically struggling with the animal noises required for her radio liners, a challenge that improved with some friendly industry advice. The skit was charming and lighthearted.

Taking the stage with undeniable confidence, Cooke shone on tracks like “Your Place,” her first No. 1 at country radio, and “I Almost Do.” She then mesmerized the audience with a new song titled “The F Word.” By her final performance, a substantial crowd had gathered near the stage, eager for her closing number—a special duet, “All I Forgot,” featuring surprise guest pop star Joe Jonas.

Zach Top performs. Photo: Courtesy of CRS

Top was the final act of the evening. With the crowd continuing to swell, Top made a grand entrance—without any video introduction—and received a rapturous reception. Keeping his set refreshingly simple yet impactful, he opened with his debut country radio single “Sounds Like The Radio,” followed by “Bad Luck,” and what he described as possibly “the countriest song you’ve heard in 20 years,” titled “Use Me.”

He then delivered his newly minted top 10 single “I Never Lie,” before concluding his set with the fan favorite “Cold Beer & Country Music.”

Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood Top MusicRow Radio Chart

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Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood claim the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with their track “I’m Gonna Love You.”

The song is a part of Johnson’s deluxe edition of his ninth studio album, Leather, and was written by Chris Stevens, Kelly Archer and Travis Denning.

Last week, Johnson sold out two nights at Bridgestone Arena as part of his “Leather Deluxe Tour,” where he set a record just last year as the male country artists with the most tickets sold for a debut performance at the venue. On Saturday (Feb. 15) Underwood joined Johnson on stage for a performance of “I’m Gonna Love You.”

“I’m Gonna Love You” currently sits at No. 7 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.

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