Six years since her last EP, Brooke Eden is releasing her most vulnerable collection to date this Friday (July 29). Entitled Choosing You, the five-song project flexes some of Eden’s writing muscle as she invites listeners into her journey to self-love, empowerment and finding who she really is.

First introducing herself to the world in 2014 as an independent artist before releasing her breakthrough singles “Daddy’s Money” and “Act Like You Don’t” on Red Bow Records, Eden spent several years radio silent before re-emerging in 2021 with a collection of new music and a new level of unabashed confidence.

The budding BBR Music Group artist came out in 2021, publicly embracing who she is as an LGBTQ+ artist. Now, her music reflects that same energy while also sharing her story of self-acceptance.

Within the new EP’s five Jesse Frasure-produced tracks are the sassy, ’70s-inspired “Comeback Love,” the high-flying and imaginative “Off The Ground,” something resembling the perspective of a big sister pep-talk in “Knock,” finding true love and self-love in “Heartless,” and the project’s powerful lead single “Left You For Me,” which marks the first page of Eden’s new musical chapter.

The singer-songwriter also announced a partnership with the RIAA dubbed Music Matters in late May 2022. An initiative that will have Eden appearing in schools, medical centers and recording studios throughout the year, Music Matters is designed to demonstrate how music can enable our authentic voice, give us purpose, connect us to each other and give us strength and courage to navigate life’s challenges. Officially launched on June 23, Eden joined Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, for a conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ equality and representation.

Eden recently sat down with MusicRow to catch up on her last few years, the Music Matters program, and the heart behind Choosing You.

MusicRow: You’ve had an interesting couple of years. What have you been up to leading up to this new EP?

I feel like I have completely rebranded myself as a human and as an artist. I’ve started a brand new chapter of my life over the last three years, and I feel like I’ve taken my power back as a human and as an artist, which forces you to become a different artist and a different songwriter.

The pandemic was like a reset button or almost like a bullshit button, where you hit the button and all the bullshit disappeared. I realized what was actually important in life. It was a really hard time for the world, but I’m actually really appreciative of it. I don’t know that I would be where I am in my own self journey if it wasn’t for the pandemic and the bullshit button being pushed.

[The pandemic] really intensified and magnified what things are important in my life. It showed me the things that make me happy and forced me to question why am I not living for those things. Why am I trying so hard to make all of these other people happy instead of living my life? The last couple of years have been like my journey to self love and self empowerment. This music is very indicative of that, and it’s just been a wild three years.

There is a common thread of empowerment and self love in this project. Is that the message that you want to communicate or is it something bigger?

This was the time in my life when I felt the most comfortable in my skin. I hope that my life and my story is an invitation for other people to also feel like they can be comfortable in their skin.

If you notice, there’s no song called “Choosing You” or even a lyric that says choosing you. I was driving with my fiancé, Hillary, in the car one day and I was like, “In choosing you, I ultimately chose myself because I finally was able to love like I wanted to love and be loved.”

That’s where Choosing You came from, and I think that’s the thread within all of this. “Left You For Me” and “Knock” are about choosing yourself, then the other three are love songs about choosing a person that allows you to choose yourself and encourages you to be the best version of yourself.

I hope that there’s a lot of self love and self worth that people will take away when they listen to this collection of songs.

You recently launched the Music Matters campaign with the RIAA. What is the origin story of that?

When I was 10 years old, my appendix ruptured during a hurricane. I was in the hospital for 10 days, which was really hard. The thing that got me through was that every other day we had a music therapist come in. Even though I didn’t want to be in the hospital, I knew that if I stayed another day we would get to play music again. That’s what made that awful experience for me doable.

Music has saved my life multiple times. When everybody else turned their back on me, music was always there. I really wanted to bring that to the next generation. My healing process and my journey to becoming myself was all through music and through writing, so I wanted to bring that concept to people who are healing from things and share the message that music can heal you.

What have you done so far through the program?

I have spoken with Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and we talked about how we can collaborate. We discussed how I can help with equality in country music and how DC can help [represent equality in country music] as well.

I also recently spoke with some young women in a group called Girls Inc. about women in business and women in music. A lot of them wanted to be songwriters, singers or members of the industry, so it’s really cool to be able to share what it’s like to be in the industry as a woman and how music can really heal and save your life.

[The goal of Music Matters] is an awareness of using music as a healing mechanism. Music is a universal language. It can unite us in a way that nothing else can. For me, the main message is healing, unity, and bringing people together.

Why does music matter so much to you? What role has music played throughout your life?

For me, especially in my 20s, I was figuring out who I am and what this world looks like to me. So much of my journey to who I am, self love and self worth, was through writing and creating music.

There’s been so many times when music has literally saved me from going too dark. It saved me and allowed me to sing what I couldn’t say. Music is that one thing that we can all come together on. Creating music has made me become the best version of myself.

Is there anything you want to say to your fans who are eagerly awaiting Choosing You?

The biggest thing that I would have people take away from this EP is that you are worthy of everything that you want.

With social media and this perception of what everyone else’s life looks like, it’s really important to look inward and understand that you can achieve anything that you want. You’re deserving of love and happiness, and I hope people hear that when they listen to this EP.

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Discovery Artist of the Year category. The award will honor a Nashville developing artist who demonstrates significant talent and potential to rise.

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.

Dalton Dover grew up in a small town in Georgia listening to Keith Whitley, Rhett Akins, Joe Diffie and Steve Wariner. Inspired by the honesty in country lyrics, Dover began singing at church and in school talent shows. He soon started performing at local bars and uploading covers on TikTok. His videos caught the attention of producer Matt McV and A&R veteran Jim Catino, who quickly signed Dover. Since then, Dover has released tracks such as “You Got A Small Town,” “Baby I Am,” and “Hear About A Girl” via Catino’s Droptine Recordings, garnering a massive amount of streams. Dover still resides in his small Georgia town with his wife and two kids, but the talented singer continues to earn the gaze of the industry as he releases track after track of country confection.

Tiera Kennedy continues to rise in the industry with her brand of R&B-flavored country. After becoming the flagship writer for Nicolle Galyon’s Songs & Daughters publishing venture with Big Loud and Warner Chappell, Kennedy independently released her self-titled, five-song EP. With tunes such as “Found It In You,” “Shut It Down,” and “Miles” featuring BRELAND, she attracted Big Machine Label Group and was signed to The Valory Music Co. She has since made her Grand Ole Opry debut, become the host of her own Apple Music Country show, and found herself on multiple artist-to-watch lists. After earning more than 16 million streams on her romantic song “Found It In You,” Kennedy tapped Producer of the Year nominee Dann Huff to reinvigorate the track and shipped it to country radio in June.

MacKenzie Porter has already made her mark in the Canadian country market, having earned five No. 1 songs up north. After moving to Nashville in 2014, her hard work began to pay off when, in 2020, she began to release pop-country tracks such as “These Days” and “Seeing Other People” via Big Loud Records. In the spring of 2021, Porter was recruited by country star Dustin Lynch as his duet partner on “Thinking ‘Bout You.” The track became a six-week No. 1, and made history as the longest-running Top 10 single at 27 weeks since the Billboard Country Airplay chart launched in January 1990. As the massive duet was introducing Porter to country radio, the talented singer continued to release tracks to massive streaming appeal, such as her newest single “Pickup.” The tune has already hit No. 1 up north with over 22 million streams across the U.S. and Canada.

Nate Smith has the kind of voice that can make any heard turn. The powerful singer with a unique vocal tone first attracted industry attention with his debut EP Reckless and the popular single “Wildfire,” inspired by a devastating fire that struck his home of Paradise, California and destroyed everything he owned. He followed the success of “Wildfire” with “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which has amassed over 55 million on-demand streams to date. After aligning with Sony Music Nashville in November, Smith shipped the single “Whiskey On You” to country radio and nabbed the second most-added title of the week with 45 first week stations, further proving a hunger for Smith’s music. He also collaborated with label-mate Tenille Townes on the romantic “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.”

Brittney Spencer first made waves when she posted a cover of The Highwomen song “Crowded Table.” Band members Amanda Shires and Maren Morris reposted the video and then invited her to perform with them. Since then Spencer has become a buzz-worthy figure in the music industry, making her Grand Ole Opry debut in May of 2021 and performing with Mickey Guyton on the CMA Awards by November. While the talented singer has initially made her mark as a performer, she’s also released very well-crafted, meaningful songs, such as “Sober & Skinny,” “Sorrys Don’t Work No More,” and “Compassion.” She’s also grown a robust fan base on the road, having performed with Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Reba McEntire. Throughout 2022 Spencer will be opening for everyone from Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlile to Maren Morris and Megan Thee Stallion.

Bailey Zimmerman burst onto the scene as a streaming powerhouse. The singer first gained popularity after releasing a gritty acoustic cut of “Never Comin’ Home,” which led to his over 1 million followers on TikTok. After garnering nearly 100 million global streams with more independently released tunes such as “Small Town Crazy” and “Fall In Love,” Zimmerman signed to Warner Music Nashville and Elektra Music Group. In June, Zimmerman’s appeal paired with his new label partners led to another massive release with “Rock and A Hard Place.” The breakup track taps into the country and rock fusion that Zimmerman is becoming known for, and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales charts, No. 2 on their Hot Country Songs chart, and No. 24 on their all-genre Hot 100 chart.

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Song of the Year category. The nominees honor Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of songwriting, not necessarily chart performance, 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.

“Circles Around This Town”
“I drove circles around this town tryin’ to write circles around this town / Tryna say somethin’ with meaning, somethin’ worth singin’ about,” sings Maren Morris on her ode to the life of a songwriter, “Circles Around This Town.” Penned alongside Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins, and Julia Michaels, the track is part of Morris’ album Humble Quest, released in March by Columbia Nashville. “Circles Around This Town” was the most-added single on its add week at country radio, broke Amazon Music’s record for most streams for a country song debut by a female artist, and debuted as the No. 1 country song and No. 7 all genre song on Pandora’s Top Thumbed Hundred Chart. The skillfully written song is relatable to songwriters everywhere who are just trying to write “somethin’ worth singin’ about.”

“Doin’ This”
When Luke Combs premiered his new song “Doin’ This” at the 2021 CMA Awards–where he also won Entertainer of the Year for the first time–fans immediately gravitated to the biographical tune about chasing dreams. Co-written with frequent collaborators Drew Parker and Robert Williford, “Doin’ This” finds Combs imagining what he’d be doing if he wasn’t a country superstar. What he finds is that even if he wasn’t, he’d still be “doin’ this.” He sings, “I’d be feelin’ on fire on a hardwood stage / Bright lights like lightning runnin’ through my veins.” The single is on Combs’ new album, Growin’ Up, released in June via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. “Doin’ This” became Combs’ thirteenth-consecutive No. 1 single. The history-making singer-songwriter is also up for Artist of the Year at the MusicRow Awards.

“Down Home”
“Down Home,” the new single from Jimmie Allen, finds the country star at his most vulnerable, paying tribute to his late father James. Written in the form of a letter by Allen, Cameron Bedell, Rian Ball, and Tate Howell, Allen sings “I still hate that you’re gone, I wish you were here / But I hope I’m making you proud ’cause I know you’re up there looking down home.” The meaningful song continues to climb the country charts and has garnered more than 20 million global streams. Allen named his first-ever solo headlining tour after the track, which appears on his recently released BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records album Tulip Drive. His success follows his third career No. 1 “Freedom Was A Highway,” and his nomination for Best New Artist at the 64th annual Grammy Awards.

“Flower Shops”
Inspired by the Jerry Chesnut-written and George Jones-recorded “A Good Year for the Roses,” “Flower Shops” finds ERNEST and Morgan Wallen lamenting that they’ve messed up so badly that they need to buy out the local flower shop. “I’ll buy violets and daisies to hide all the crazy, it’s gonna take all you’ve got / Aw, it’s a bad day for love, but a good day for flower shops,” he sings. The track took off, becoming the most-added single on its add week at country radio and hitting No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. It also spawned an album of the same name for ERNEST. “Flower Shops” is the singer-songwriter’s debut single as an artist, after having achieved five No. 1 hits for other artists such as Wallen, Chris Lane, Sam Hunt, and Florida Georgia Line. ERNEST is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year this year at the MusicRow Awards.

“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde and Shane McAnally crafted a captivating, classic country, cheating song in “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” The tune features Pearce and McBryde trading verses, and perspectives, of being “the other woman.” With Pearce taking the role as the wife or girlfriend feeling like a fool, and McBryde as the new fling who never saw a ring, the two relate to each other in their heartache, singing, “I thought this kind of lonely only happens to somebody else.” The song hit the top of the country charts and appears on Pearce’s critically acclaimed album 29 (Big Machine Records). Pearce, the reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, is also nominated in MusicRow‘s Artist of the Year for the first time. McBryde took home the Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year award at last year’s MusicRow Awards.

“‘Til You Can’t”
Cody Johnson projects the universal message of living life to the fullest on “‘Til You Can’t,” singing “If you got a chance, take it,” and “If you got a dream, chase it,” because we only have so much time to make our lives count. The inspiring song was written by Matt Rogers and Ben Stennis. In true Nashville fashion, it took six years for the tune to find a home when Johnson cut it, and became Stennis’ first No. 1 song. “‘Til You Can’t” also marked Johnson’s first hit, was certified Platinum by the RIAA, and was the debut single for his sophomore CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville release, Human The Double Album. This is Johnson’s second nomination in MusicRow‘s Song of the Year category, having been nominated in 2019 with “On My Way To You.”

Multi-talented songwriter and producer Ryan Vojtesak has cracked the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter chart. Vojtesak is a co-writer on Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof.”

Ernest Keith Smith remains at the top of the chart for the sixth consecutive week. He is a co-writer on four charting songs, including Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”

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.