2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Male Songwriter Of The Year

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Male Songwriter of the Year category. Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

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

Rhett Akins
Warner Chappell, BMI
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Your Bartender” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Tequila Little Time” recorded by Jon Pardi
“To Be Loved By You” recorded by Parker McCollum
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Jesse Frasure
Warner Chappell/Rhythm House/Roc Nation, BMI
“Almost Maybes” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
“One Mississippi” recorded by Kane Brown
“If I Was A Cowboy” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Ashley Gorley
Sony Music Publishing/Domain Capital Group, ASCAP
“Single Saturday Night” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by HARDY
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“You Should Probably Leave” recorded by Chris Stapleton
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Warning” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Country Again” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Beers On Me” recorded by Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND, HARDY
“Take My Name” recorded by Parmalee
“New Truck” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Shane McAnally
SMACK/Warner Chappell, GMR
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney
“I Was On A Boat That Day” recorded by Old Dominion
“23” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” recorded by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde
“AA” recorded by Walker Hayes
“No Hard Feelings” recorded by Old Dominion
“Everyone She Knows” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Josh Osborne
Sony Music Publishing/SMACK, ASCAP
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Was On A Boat That Day” recorded by Old Dominion
“My Masterpiece” recorded by Darius Rucker
“23” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Everyone She Knows” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Hunter Phelps
Warner Chappell/Tape Room Music, ASCAP
“Cold Beer Calling My Name” recorded by Jameson Rodgers featuring Luke Combs
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by HARDY
“Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” recorded by Chase Rice featuring Florida Georgia Line
“That Ain’t Me No More” recorded by Matt Stell
“Thinking ‘Bout You” recorded by Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter
“New Truck” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Best Thing Since Backroads” recorded by Jake Owen

2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Breakthrough Artist-Writer Of The Year

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year category. The Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter and recording artist who, for the first time, wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

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

Priscilla Block is a co-writer on her first hit single, “Just About Over You,” along with Emily Kroll and Sarah Jones. The moody break-up track went viral at the end of 2020, landing Block a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and recording contract with UMG Nashville. She released her major label debut album, Welcome To The Block Party, in early 2022. With 12 tracks all co-written by Block, the charming singer-songwriter has been making a mark with songs such as “My Bar,” “Thick Thighs,” “I Bet You Wanna Know” and “Peaked In High School.” Block scored her first No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Just About Over You” in August. Block is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year this year at the MusicRow Awards.

BRELAND, also known as “The Pen Point Guard,” has been disrupting writer rooms in Nashville for the past few years with his genre-bending sound. First making waves with his Platinum debut “My Truck,” BRELAND has impressed industry members with his boundless creativity on songs such as “Cross Country,” “Throw It Back (feat. Keith Urban),” and “Praise The Lord (feat. Thomas Rhett).” He signed his first ever publishing deal with Reservoir in early 2021, and subsequently scored his first No. 1 with his collaboration with Dierks Bentley and HARDY on “Beers On Me.” BRELAND recently announced that his Bad Realm Records / Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville debut album, Cross Country, is coming this fall.

Martin Johnson comes to country music with an impressive resume of pop success. As frontman of the pop-punk band Boys Like Girls, Johnson penned the bands hallmark songs such as “The Great Escape,” “Thunder,” and “Love Drunk.” With his new wave alternative project The Night Game, he released his sophomore album Dog Years in 2021. Johnson, a Warner Chappell writer, also has co-written songs for Jason Derulo, Flo Rida, Gavin DeGraw, Avril Lavigne, and more. He broke through as a hit country songwriter this year with Lady A’s No. 1 hit “Like A Lady” and Elle King’s chart-topper with Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (And I Dont Wanna Go Home).” Johnson’s country credits also include songs recorded by Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, and Warren Zeiders.

John Morgan hit a double this year, scoring his first two hit songs in MusicRow‘s qualification period. Morgan first hit the top of the charts with Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didn’t Love You” in October of 2021; he was back again in May of 2022 with Aldean’s “Trouble With A Heartbreak.” Morgan impressed Aldean so much that the country star signed him to his newly-formed publishing company, Triple Play Music, and his record label imprint with BBR Music Group, Night Train Records. Morgan has released a sampling of his own music with “Coldest Beer in Town” in 2021 and “Right In The Middle” in 2022.

Elvie Shane broke onto the scene with the tender tribute to his step-son, “My Boy.” Since its release, “My Boy” took on a life of its own, from going viral on TikTok, hitting the top of the country charts, and being certified Platinum. Shane released his debut full length album, Backslider, on Wheelhouse Records in October of 2021. The Warner Chappell and Rome Phrey writer co-wrote 14 of the album’s 15 songs. Shane’s new single from Backslider, “County Roads,” was one of the most added songs at country radio upon its debut and continues to climb. Shane is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year this year at the MusicRow Awards.

Lainey Wilson brought her signature “Bell Bottom Country” to her studio album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ in early 2021 via Broken Bow Records. With Wilson as a co-writer on all tracks, the album produced her breakout hit “Things A Man Oughta Know.” The tune took off, hitting the top of the charts, being certified Platinum, and winning Song of the Year at the 2022 ACM Awards. Likewise, Wilson has become an industry favorite, being named to multiple Artist to Watch lists. In early 2022 Wilson rang the bell at the top of the charts again, this time alongside Cole Swindell for their fiery duet, “Never Say Never.” The Sony Music Publishing writer is currently climbing the charts again with her new single “Heart Like A Truck,” a song she co-wrote with Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson. The singer-songwriter took home the Discovery Artist of the Year at last year’s MusicRow Awards, and is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year this year.

Jackson Dean Earns MusicRow No. 1 With Debut Record

Big Machine Records artist, Jackson Dean, occupies the No. 1 position this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Don’t Come Lookin’.” Dean signed his deal in August of 2020 and this is his first release at radio. 

“Don’t Come Lookin’,” which he co-wrote the with Luke Dick, appears on his debut album, Greenbroke. It also was featured on the soundtrack for Netflix’s The Ice Road and in an episode of Paramount Network’s Yellowstone.

In June, Dean made his Grand Ole Opry debut noting, “I’ve been dreaming about this night for a long time. I know how many people have stood in this circle and who all has performed here, and it’s an absolute honor to do the same.”

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

2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Breakthrough Songwriter Of The Year

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year category. The Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter who wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song for the first time during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

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

Brinley Addington scored his first No. 1 with the Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris duet, “Chasing After You,” which he co-wrote with Jerry Flowers. Addington has also had songs recorded by artists Tyler Farr, Parmalee, Kameron Marlowe, and more.

Cameron “Cambo” Bartolini hit it big with his first country hit when he co-wrote “Fancy Like” with Artist of the Year nominee Walker Hayes. Prior to becoming a hit country songwriter, Bartolini had a hand in writing songs with Doja Cat, including “Candy” and “Freak.” He also co-wrote BRELAND’s new single, “Natural.”

Nick Columbia co-wrote “My Boy” alongside Breakthrough Writer of the Year nominees Lee Starr and Russell Sutton, and Breakthrough Artist-Writer nominee Elvie Shane. Columbia also co-wrote Conner Smith’s viral hit “I Hate Alabama,” as well as songs recorded by Drew Green.

Cale Dodds scored his first No. 1 with the Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line hit, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” A former Warner Music Nashville artist, Dodds is currently focused on songwriting. He’s had songs recorded by A Thousand Horses, Cassadee Pope, Filmore, Lit and more.

Levon Gray hit the top of the charts with his first-ever cut: Kane Brown’s “One Mississippi.” After finding him on social media, Artist of the Year nominee Brown invited Gray to co-write with him, ERNEST and Jesse Frasure. What resulted was a No. 1 song and publishing deal with Brown’s Verse 2 Music.

Kat Higgins lived a songwriter’s dream when Kenny Chesney decided to cut “Knowing You,” a song she co-wrote with hitmaker Brett James and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Adam James. The massive song also landed Higgins in the Female Songwriter of the Year nominees. Other Higgins cuts include songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Peytan Porter, The Lone Bellow and more.

Adam James scored his first hit with a dream-cut from Kenny Chesney on a song he wrote with Songwriters Hall of Famer Brett James and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Kat Higgins, “Knowing You.” James has co-written songs recorded by Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, The Cadillac Three, Charlie Worsham and Filmore.

Josh Jenkins hit a double this year with his first two hit songs: “Fancy Like” recorded by Walker Hayes and “Buy Dirt” recorded by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan. Jenkins has landed cuts with Adam Doleac and Teddy Robb, and fronts the rock band Green River Ordinance.

Jason Nix co-wrote “Things A Man Oughta Know” with Jonathan Singleton and Breakthrough Artist-Writer nominee Lainey Wilson. The tune took home Song Of The Year at the 2022 ACM Awards. Nix has also had song recorded by Tyler Braden, Eli Young Band and scored a hit on the Texas country charts with Flatland Cavalry’s “Gettin’ By.”

Brandon Paddock translated success in the pop world into country music, scoring his first No. 1 with Lady A’s “Like A Lady.” He has also had songs recorded by Dan + Shay and Warren Zeiders. As a producer, Paddock’s pop credits include Platinum singles for Avril Lavigne and Christina Perri, and his country credits include Elle King and Miranda Lambert’s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home.)”

Jennifer Schott co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “7500 OBO” with Matt McGinn and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Nathan Spicer. Schott co-wrote Mickey Guyton’s debut single, “Better Than You Left Me,” as well as songs recorded by Rascal Flatts and Natalie Hemby. She is also nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year this year.

Nathan Spicer co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “7500 OBO” with Matt McGinn and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Jennifer Schott. Spicer also co-wrote Ryan Hurd’s “To A T,” as well as songs recorded by Jake Owen, ERNEST, and Travis Denning.

Lee Starr co-wrote “My Boy” alongside Breakthrough Writer of the Year nominees Nick Columbia and Russell Sutton, and Breakthrough Artist-Writer nominee Elvie Shane. Starr also co-wrote Conner Smith’s viral hit “I Hate Alabama,” as well as songs for Drew Green and Ashland Craft.

Russell Sutton co-wrote “My Boy” alongside Breakthrough Writer of the Year nominees Nick Columbia and Lee Starr, and Breakthrough Artist-Writer nominee Elvie Shane. Sutton also co-wrote Discovery Artist of the Year nominee Nate Smith’s “Whiskey On You.”

Brett Tyler celebrated his first No. 1 this year with the Jameson Rodgers and Luke Combs-recorded “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” His other cuts include Blake Shelton’s “Hell Right,” Luke Bryan’s “Build Me A Daddy,” and Corey Kent’s “Wild As Her.”

Lydia Vaughan hit the top of the charts for the first time with a dream collaboration, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didn’t Love You.” Co-written with Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, and Breakthrough Artist-Writer nominee John Morgan, the duet won Single of the Year at the ACM Awards, and landed Vaughan in MusicRow‘s Female Songwriter of the Year category.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Tyler Hubbard Continues To Impress With Solo Releases

There is a lot of disposable pop in today’s listening stack.

Take it from me, you can skip the new offerings by Walker Hayes, Kane Brown and LeAnn Rimes. Dan + Shay are pop too, but at least they are gorgeous pop.

If it’s real country music you crave, allow me to direct your attention to the new music by Tyler Hubbard and/or the Zac Brown Band with Cody Johnson. They finished in a neck-and-neck race for the Disc of the Day, with Tyler Hubbard getting the win.

This week’s DISCovery Award is also solidly country. Tim Dugger, take a bow.

TIM DUGGER / “Heart of a Small Town”
Writers: Brandon Hood/Tim Dugger/Tim Nichols; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Curb
–His heartfelt-hillbilly voice is perfect for this stirring ode to the American heartland. The pounding drums and strumming guitars accent a cleverly written lyric and the catchy melody. I’m in.

DAN + SHAY / “You”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Dave Barnes/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Glossy pop with a paint-by-numbers love lyric. Pretty as all get out.

TEBEY / “Sink With the Sun”
Writers: Kelly Archer/Tebey Ottoh/Danick Dupelle; Producers: Tebey Ottoh/Danick Dupelle; Label: Jayward Artist Group
–Tebey briefly charted on RCA/BNA back in 2003. He returned to his native Ontario and wrote a clutch of million-selling international pop hits. His return to Nashville demonstrates that he hasn’t lost his feel for country music. He dreams of getting out on tropical water on a boat to drown his heartache with the sunset. Nicely done.

WALKER HAYES / “Y’all Life”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Pete Good/Josh Jenkins/Cornell Haynes Jr. (Nelly)/Jason Epperson; Producers: Walker Hayes/Joe Thibodeau/Shane McAnally; Label: Monument
–It’s awfully difficult to follow a giant novelty hit like “Fancy Like.” Hayes tries his best by doubling down on the hick-hop delivery and offering another chant-like chorus. Head bobbin’ stuff. Can lightning strike twice in the same place?

LILY ROSE / “In My Drinks”
Writers: Jamie Davis/Jordan Gray/Rob Pennington; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Back Blocks/Mercury/Republic
–She has such a cool voice, full of soulful drawl and swallowed pain. The mid-tempo heartache lament has loads of barroom authenticity and is super listenable. It also breaks ground as a country performance by a woman yearning for another woman.

KANE BROWN / “Grand”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: RCA
–He has a current country hit with “Like I Love Country Music.” This single is his pop release. It has no tune.

HANNAH ELLIS / “Country Can”
Writers: Hannah Ellis/Parker Welling/Nick Wayne/Jason Massey; Producers: none listed; Label: Curb
–I believe this song. At its best, nothing can speak to your heart like country-music can. Ellis delivers the sentiment in a soaring, anthemic melody that begs to be turned up loud. Applause, please.

ZAC BROWN BAND & CODY JOHNSON / “Wild Palomino”
Writers: Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton/Wyatt Beasley Durrette, III; Producers: none listed; Label: Warner
–Johnson’s burnished-baritone charisma totally steals the show here. The trademark ZBB harmonies are in place, but this is the Texas cowboy’s show. It’s also a super-cool and beautiful heartache song.

TYLER HUBBARD / “Way Home”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Corey Crowder/Canaan Smith; Producers: Jordan Schmidt/Tyler Hubbard; Label: EMI
–Hubbard’s solo career continues to gain ground with this new track. It also reclaims his country bona fides, because it pairs his delightful drawl with a down-home, spiritual lyric about redemption. Full of hillbilly heart.

BRIAN KELLEY / “American Spirit”
Writers: Brian Kelley/Jake Rose/Blake Redferrin/Canaan Smith; Producers: Brian Kelley/Jake Rose; Label: Big Machine
–This isn’t very promising. His debut post-FGL solo single is a fairly generic patriotic ditty. “The red, white and blue…is flying for me and for you.”

JASON ALDEAN / “That’s What Tequila Does”
Writers: Kurt Allison/John Edwards/Tully Kennedy/John Morgan; Producers: Michael Knox; Label: Macon Music/ Broken Bow
–The shouted choruses try to stir up excitement, but the verses just kinda lay there.

LEANN RIMES, MICKEY GUYTON & SHEILA E / “The Wild”
Writers: Darrell Brown/LeAnn Rimes; Producers: Darrell Brown/LeAnn Rimes; Label: EverLe/Thirty Tigers
–Vaguely tribal sounding pop music with wordless “woa-woa’s,” many repeated phases and thumping percussion. A collection of sounds in search of a song.

My Music Row Story: SESAC’s Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch

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.

As VP of Creative Services at SESAC, Shannan Hatch leads the Nashville-based creative team in supporting SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers. She also works closely with senior management to support creative-focused initiatives and goals. As a gifted songwriter advocate, Hatch and her team are responsible for the recruitment, signing and nurturing of songwriters and publishers and the retention of existing SESAC-affiliated writers and publishers.

During her time with SESAC, Hatch has worked closely with affiliates Lee Brice, Jamey Johnson, Runaway June, Craig Campbell, Josh Hoge, Jesse Lee, Richard Leigh, Jaron Boyer, Cary Barlowe, Lance Miller, Monty Powell, and Michael Tyler, along with Americana tunesmiths Hayes Carll, Jim Lauderdale, and Allison Moorer, among many others.

MusicRow: Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Tennessee. I was born in Knoxville, but I came to Nashville when I was in fourth grade, so I spent most of my growing up years here in Nashville.

Cary Barlowe, Shannan Hatch, Rob Hatch

Did growing up in Nashville make you want to be in the music industry?

No, I didn’t know what I wanted to be. Being here in Nashville, you’re surrounded by it. When I got out of high school, I didn’t want to go the traditional college route because you have to get a degree even though you don’t know what you want to be. My boyfriend at the time, his whole family was in the music industry. They were like, “We think you’d be really good at PR. You should give it a shot.” A lady named Susan Collier, who had just left Capitol and had started an independent PR company, was looking for an intern or somebody to help. I started doing tour and album press for her. I got to do my first CRS and it was so much fun. I was like, “Wow, I really like this.”

She introduced me to Ed Morris, who was writing a book at the time, so I researched his book and had a great time doing that. I spent a summer in the old Hall of Fame library. I ended up going to college at MTSU and got a degree in public relations.

Shannan Hatch, Jimmie Allen, Josh London

What was next?

When I got out of college, I started working for AristoMedia. Jeff Walker and Kay Clary hired me. I worked with Kay for years through a couple of different companies. She started her own company called Commotion PR and I helped her there. She and I got along great. I learned a lot about the history of music and how to do things differently.

How did you end up in the publishing side of the business?

All of my social group were getting into publishing or writing songs, so I was out at the songwriter nights watching the shows—and eating it up—Monday through Thursday night every week. SESAC called and they were looking for somebody in their creative department. It was a natural fit because I was going to the shows, the songwriters were my friends, and we were all growing up together. I will celebrate 20 years at SESAC in August.

What was something you learned when you started working with songwriters?

A lot. The whole craft of a song… there’s so much that goes into that. I didn’t realize what all went into writing a song. People move to Nashville and think that they can do it, but not everybody can. I learned what it takes to put all the pieces together.

I have a special relationship with a lot of our writers and artists. It’s because of my husband Rob [Hatch], too. Our best friends are uncle Lee [Brice], uncle Randy [Houser], uncle Jamey [Johnson] and uncle Dallas [Davidson]. My best friend, Juli Griffith, is in publishing. We are surrounded by it and it’s the family we get to choose.

Shannan Hatch, Lee Brice, Lydia Schultz

Who are some affiliates that you’ve gotten to work with that you’re really proud of?

Jimmie Allen is one that I’m so proud of because he’s just worked so hard. He came into my office eight to 10 years ago. He was a little bit more pop-leaning at the time and country wasn’t really going in that direction. He moved out to LA for a little while and when he came back, he knew exactly what he wanted to be and exactly what he wanted to do. He’s also just a good person, so watching him have success makes me so happy.

I’m also very proud of Niko Moon. He’s always been an artist, but he was writing with Zac Brown at the time [that I met him]. I remember him calling me and saying, “I’ve got this record and I really think it’s going to do something. I’m really excited about it.” It had a total different feel with Caribbean and beach vibes. I was driving through Atlanta when he sent it to me, we were on our way to Florida to see Rob’s parents. Then a year later, he gets a record deal and the singles start coming out. Seeing somebody like that who knows their vision and puts the pieces together… I’m so proud of him.

I’m also so proud of Lee Brice and what he’s accomplished. I’m just very blessed that I get to work with the people I work with.

Niko Moon, Shannan Hatch

What goes into your role at SESAC?

A lot! That’s what’s wonderful about it. It’s different every day and moment by moment. It’s very fluid. I love [getting to organize and host] No. 1 parties. I love awards shows. I love getting to celebrate the writers and artists, but that’s not the day-to-day.

Helping songwriters is however it looks for that person. If they’re looking for a publishing deal, I’m picking up the phone and calling publishers or sending music to publishers for them. I don’t schedule co-writes but I’ll make introductions—I call it blind dating.

A lot of it is the administration side: making sure that they’re registered properly, they’re getting their songs in the system properly, they’re getting their MP3s uploaded, the splits are correct, the publisher names are correct, and more. There are a lot of people that think that just magically happens on their behalf, but we are behind the scenes tidying it up. We make sure the songs are encoded properly, that they’re being tracked properly, and the payments are getting to them. The ultimate job is making sure the songwriters and the publishers get paid.

What is something people might not know about you?

I like to bass fish and I’m a winged-huntress, [or a hunter that only hunts winged animals]. [Laughs] My husband is an avid hunter for mostly white-tailed deer. He started a hunting camp up in southern Illinois. A lot of songwriters are involved in it. He’s been able to put the passion of music and the passion of hunting together, and it’s created a little family atmosphere at the lodge. The kids and I will go up there. I love to cook and I like to hear the stories. The guys play music, so it’s the best of both worlds.

Shannan Hatch, ET Brown, Lydia Schultz

Who have been some of your mentors?

Kay Clary was a big mentor when she took me under her wing at Aristo Media. I still admire her. She has such a rich knowledge of the history of music. Kelli Turner, who left SESAC last year, is a good mentor and friend. I miss her not being here. Being at SESAC for so long, I’ve been here through three different owners. Kelli has been the only female. Cathy Grizzell, who runs HR, has been there from the beginning. Those ladies were really good about giving the women at the company strength. They helped everybody really realize their potential.

If someone was describing you, what would you want them to say?

I hope that somebody would say that I am kind, that I’m sincere, and that I would help anybody, because I think of myself that way. Not only on the business side, but on the personal side of helping.

Voting Now Open For 34th Annual MusicRow Awards

Voting for the 34th annual MusicRow Awards begins today, Wednesday, July 20 and runs through Friday, July 29 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

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

The nominees for the MusicRow Awards were revealed yesterday. Click here to view the full list.

Nominees for the MusicRow Awards are determined by a committee. For the categories of Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer, outside nominations are also considered. For the Male and Female Songwriter of the Year categories, nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. All nominations are based on projects that were active between the period of June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.

Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thursday, Aug. 30, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.

Date & Venue Announced For 2023 ACM Awards

The 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Returning to Prime Video in collaboration with the Academy of Country Music and MRC, the show will livestream exclusively for a global audience in 2023.

The 58th ACM Awards will mark a return to Texas for the first time since the landmark 50th ACM Awards, which took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in 2015. Ford Center at The Star in Frisco opened in 2016 and serves as the state-of-the-art practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, as well as the home for many major sporting events throughout the year. The 2023 ACM Awards will be the first awards show to take place at Ford Center.

“The Academy is proud to extend our relationship with Amazon to once again deliver the ACM Awards live to a global audience on Prime Video,” said Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “The March 2022 show was a defining moment for the ACM and a huge step forward for country music, allowing audiences around the world to see their favorite artists perform live and be recognized for their excellence. We can’t wait to take the show to a new level for fans with an exciting new venue and integrated partnership with the Dallas Cowboys.”

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by MRC Live & Alternative. It was also announced that Raj Kapoor will serve as executive producer for next year’s ACM Awards, replacing R.A. Clark who served as executive producer of the show for more than two decades.

Whiteside adds, “We want to acknowledge and thank R.A. Clark who is stepping down as Executive Producer after more than two decades of steering the show to excellence as Executive Producer and for being instrumental in launching its new home on Prime Video, as well as serving on the ACM Board of Directors for over twenty years and as interim Executive Director of the Academy in 2019. It’s impossible to look at countless iconic moments in country music history on the ACM Awards stage, from Las Vegas to Dallas to Nashville and back, and not see RAC’s influence, his vision, and his mastery at work. His legacy lives on as our Executive Producer, Raj Kapoor, and the Emmy-nominated production team that RAC led for so many years, continue to revolutionize the show toward an exciting future. The Academy, our industry, and all of country music is infinitely better for his tireless dedication, his inspiring passion, and his creative innovation. He will be missed but remains a close friend and supporter of the Academy”

Kapoor has worked on previous ACM Awards, as well as the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, numerous Vegas music residencies including for Shania Twain, and large-scale concert tours including for Jason Aldean, Jonas Brothers, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, and Carrie Underwood. Whiteside is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.

The 2022 ACM Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton with co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, was the first major awards show to stream live exclusively for a global audience. The show was spotlighted across Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Fashion, Amazon Freevee, Amazon Live, and more.

Additional details regarding the 2022 ACM Awards, including award submissions timeline, hosts and performers, and ticket sale details, will be confirmed in the months ahead.

Nominees Announced For 34th Annual MusicRow Awards

MusicRow Magazine is proud to reveal the nominees for the 2022 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank. The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30.

Subscribed members of MusicRow will receive their ballots via email on Wednesday, July 20.

Click here to view the digital “Nominator” newsletter for a complete list of all nominees.

There are 11 member-voted categories, including:
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label Group of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Artist of the Year

Now in its 34th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers, and more.

The final nominees revealed in this announcement are determined by a committee. For the categories of Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer, outside nominations are also considered. For the Male and Female Songwriter of the Year categories, nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. All nominations are based on projects that were active between the period of June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.

MusicRow‘s August/September print magazine, which is produced and mailed out prior to the MusicRow Awards winners announcement on Aug. 30, features all of the nominees for the 34th annual awards. This print edition also includes exclusive industry-related editorial features.

Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thursday, Aug. 30, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.

MusicRow subscribers will vote to determine award winners. The Ballot Voting Period runs Wednesday, July 20 at 11 a.m. through Friday, July 29 at 5 p.m. To become a subscribed member and become eligible to vote, sign up here.

Ernest Keith Smith Spends Fifth Week Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer

Ernest Keith Smith has remained in the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for five weeks. The singer-songwriter has co-writer credit on four charting songs, including Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”

Ashley Gorley remains in the No. 2 position with the songs “What He Didn’t Do” (Carly Pearce), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen), and “Holy Water” (Michael Ray).

Morgan Wallen (No. 3), Ben Johnson (No. 4) and Matt McGinn (No. 5) complete the top five this week.

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.