Nominees Revealed For 2024 AIMP Country Awards

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The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has revealed the final nominees for its 2024 AIMP Country Awards.

Sponsored by Spotify, the awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday, April 1 at 7 p.m. Storme Warren will serve as host for the members-only event.

“We are happy to present our 9th AIMP award show at the historic Ryman. Thanks to Spotify for being our title sponsor again this year,” says Ree Guyer, Owner, Wrensong Entertainment. “From the list of nominees, it looks like it will be another year of celebrating Nashville’s best independent writers and publishers.”

The 2024 AIMP Awards 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, Publisher of the Year and the AIMP Nashville Most Streamed Song.

The final voting period opens on Feb. 23 and closes at 5 p.m. CT on March 1. To vote, you must have been an AIMP member on or before Jan. 31, 2024. For any questions regarding voter eligibility and category requirements, email [email protected].

2024 AIMP Award Final Nominees:

AIMP Rising Songwriter of the Year:
Christian Stalnecker – Independently Published by Reservoir Media
Jaxson Free – Independently Published by Goat Island Sound
John Byron – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Josh Melton – Independently Published by Ebach Entertainment
Rocky Block – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Ryan Larkins – Independently Published by CAM Creative
Travis Wood – Independently Published by Creative Nation Music

AIMP Rising Artist-Writer of the Year:
Dylan Marlowe – Independently Published by Play It Again Entertainment
George Birge – Independently Published by Big Machine Music
Hannah Ellis – Independently Published by Curb Word Entertainment
Mae Estes – Independently Published by Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt Music Publishing
Meg McCree – Independently Published by Hang Your Hat Music and Concord Music Publishing

AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year:
Corey Kent – Independently Published by Combustion Music
Dylan Scott – Independently Published by Curb Word Entertainment
Hardy – Independently Published by Relative Music Group
Jordan Davis – Independently Published by Anthem Entertainment
Morgan Wallen – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Russell Dickerson – Independently Published by Concord Music Publishing

AIMP Songwriter of the Year:
Ernest – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Hardy – Independently Published by Relative Music Group
John Byron – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Jordan Schmidt – Independently Published by Endurance Music Group
Morgan Wallen – Independently Published by Big Loud Publishing
Tracy Chapman – Independently Published by Purple Rabbit Music Publishing

AIMP Song Champion of the Year:
Ciara Shortridge – VP, Country Publishing/A&R (Curb Word Music)
Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R (Concord Music Publishing)
Laurel Kittleson-Cobb – A&R Consultant (Rainier Entertainment)
Sara Knabe – SVP, A&R (Big Loud Music)
Sarah Schumacher – Sr. Creative Director, Country Publishing (Curb Word Music)
Tim Hunze – VP, Publishing (Big Machine Music)

AIMP Publisher Pick of the Year:
“98 Braves” – Travis Wood, John Byron, Josh Miller; independently published by Creative Nation Music, Big Loud Publishing, Concord Music Publishing; performed by Morgan Wallen
“Buried” – Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon; independently publishing by Big Machine Music; performed by Brandy Clark
“Girl In The Mirror” – Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt Jenkins, Megan Moroney; independently published by Big Machine Music, Madfun Entertainment; performed by Megan Moroney
“Good With Me” – Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Scott Stepakoff; independently published by SMACKSongs; performed by Walker Hayes
“The Mockingbird & The Crow” – Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Brett Tyler; independently published by Relative Music Group, Endurance Music Group, Combustion Music; performed by Hardy
“You Don’t Want That Smoke” – Tucker Beathard, Jimi Bell; independently published by Little Louder Music; performed by Bailey Zimmerman

AIMP Song of the Year:
“98 Braves” – Travis Wood, John Byron, Josh Miller; independently published by Creative Nation Music, Big Loud Publishing, Concord Music Publishing; performed by Morgan Wallen
“Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman; independently published by Purple Rabbit Music Publishing; performed by Luke Combs
“Heart Like A Truck” – Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson; independently published by Riser House Music Publishing; performed by Lainey Wilson
“Human” – Travis Meadows, Tony Lane; independently published by Songs of Mighty Isis, It’s Killer Music, She and I and Kobalt Music Publishing; performed by Cody Johnson
“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis, Josh Osborne, Chase McGill, Greylan James; independently published by Anthem Entertainment; performed by Jordan Davis
“Tennessee Orange” – Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins; independently published by Major Bob Music, 33 Creative; performed by Megan Moroney

Top Independent Music Publishers of the Year:
Big Loud Publishing
Big Machine Music
Concord Music Publishing
Relative Music Group
Roundhill Music
Taperoom Music

Josh Jenkins Signs With Young Guns Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Laurie Gore, Young Guns Publishing Creative/Admin Assistant; Jason Turner, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC; Laura Alexander, Young Guns Publishing SVP, Creative; Josh Jenkins; Molly Shehan, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Will Hamrick, Young Guns Publishing CEO. Photo: Mary Craven Photography

SESAC Songwriter of the Year and CMA Song of the Year award winner Josh Jenkins has signed a world-wide exclusive publishing deal with Young Guns Publishing.

Jenkins co-wrote the viral, six-time Platinum smash hit “Fancy Like,” recorded by Walker Hayes, which spent more than 10 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, reached Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and ruled every country sales and streaming chart for several weeks.

He is also a co-writer on the 2022 CMA Song of the Year “Buy Dirt,” performed by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan, and is a co-writer on Davis’ current single “Tucson Too Late.” His songs have been recorded by other artists such as Jake Owen, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser and more. Additionally, Jenkins is the lead singer of the band Green River Ordinance, who have had several records top the Billboard Heatseekers chart throughout his 15-year tenure, along with many songs placed in TV/film.

“We are beyond grateful to welcome Josh Jenkins to Young Guns Publishing,” shares Laura Alexander, Young Guns Publishing SVP, Creative. “Josh is a songwriter I have admired since meeting him nearly 10 years ago. Josh is respected and admired for being a family man, a champion of fellow writers and a true friend to so many in our community. In a lot of ways, it’s his quality relationships that lend to him writing such meaningful, relatable songs. Will [Hamrick], myself and the entire Young Guns family cannot wait to hear the music to come, and we’re thankful we get to watch Josh continue to build on the incredible successes he’s already achieved.”

“I’m grateful to get to join Laura, Will and the entire crew at Young Guns Publishing,” shares Jenkins. “I love the songs coming out of this place and can’t wait to continue my songwriting journey with them.”

Troy Cartwright Captures The Heart Of Nashville Songwriters With ‘Ten Year Town’ Podcast [Interview]

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Troy Cartwright

Singer-songwriter Troy Cartwright recently added “podcast host” to his resume. More than 30 episodes in, his Ten Year Town podcast sheds light on the plight of Nashville songwriters and the passion and patience needed for just a chance to make it in Music City.

Cartwright has been a lover of songs and songwriting since he was a young kid growing up in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, he moved to Nashville, got a publishing deal and then a record deal.

Years later, Cartwright left his label deal to be an independent artist. With releases such as “Unlove You,” “Wild One” and “Over You By Now,” he has garnered over 115 million streams to date, with 2023 marking his highest streaming success yet. His socials have grown exponentially as well.

As a songwriter signed to Big Machine Music, Cartwright has written songs recorded by Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, Nickelback and several other chart-topping artists. His resilience and perspective make him the perfect host for a podcast about the journey of songwriters like Ten Year Town.

The first season of Ten Year Town featured hitmakers such as Jimi Bell, Marc Beeson, Trannie Anderson, Billy Montana, Wynn Varble and many more—as well as publishers like Tim Hunze, Courtney Allen, Derek Wells and Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom.

Through his interviews, Cartwright uncovers their stories, takes a look into their craft and ultimately extracts words of advice from those behind the hits.

“I’m a really curious person. I just like talking to people,” he shares. “My wife, Mary Lu, and I are always trying to find creative things to do and ways to market. She was like, ‘We should make podcast called Ten Year Town and talk to people about their journey. Then we got started!”

Cartwright wanted to make sure that the podcast highlighted how everyone’s story is different, so that listeners could visualize different paths to success.

“You move to Nashville and hear that it’s a 10 year town, and you’re like, ‘I’m special. I’m going to do it one year.’ Sometimes that is true. Some people we’ve had on the podcast have been in town for 30 years, and some people have been in town for five,” Cartwright says. “For me it was just about trying to capture everyone’s story so that people just getting started could listen to it and [feel like they’re not alone.]”

Some of Cartwright’s favorite moments on Ten Year Town are when his guests speak to those listeners following in their footsteps.

“At the end of every episode I ask, ‘Do you have any advice that you would give to your younger self or to someone just getting started?’ Pretty much everyone’s answer is some version of, ‘don’t quit,'” he says.

“I hope the answer to that question is finding people at the right time, when they need to hear it most. I hope it’s inspiring for them because it’s been really inspiring for me personally.”

Another piece of wisdom Cartwright extracts from his guests is what their role in the writing room is. He says hearing their answers has helped him in his own craft.

“I try to be more present in the room now,” he says. “Sometimes my role is to be the artist, [but sometimes it’s not]. A guy I was writing with recently was going through something and was on fire, so my role was to be the stenographer. I was just trying to capture what he was getting out. I’m trying to be open to that process of understanding I can wear different hats.”

Cartwright’s first season of Ten Year Town connected so well that he has continued to release more, with new episodes featuring Jessi Alexander, Hardy, Luke Laird, Jerry Flowers and more out now.

With the help of his wife, Mary Lu, and some team members, he’s created a significant library of work with Ten Year Town. But it’s not like the singer-songwriter has much time—he is also constantly writing, recording and touring, building his own fan-base while fitting in time to talk to other creators about their lives.

“I’m so happy I’m doing this. It sets my soul on fire,” he says. “I love getting to talk about the craft of songwriting. It’s important to me. The Nashville community has done so much for me, I hope I [can continue] to elevate that so other people can realize how special Nashville is.”

When he’s not working on the podcast, Cartwright is working on a new record and writing three or four days a week.

“I feel like I’ve got three full-time jobs,” he quips. “I’m so grateful. I know how lucky I’m to get to do this. I’ve had a lot of different points where I wasn’t sure if I’d get to, so I don’t take it for granted.”

Ten Year Town is available to listen to here.

Late Toby Keith Takes No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Toby Keith

The late Toby Keith has earned the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. After the country star’s passing on Feb. 5, the community took to streaming to honor Keith. With his songs “As Good As I Once Was,” “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” and “Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue (The Angry American),” Keith made his way to the top of the chart.

Ashley Gorley takes the No. 2 spot this week with seven songs represented on the country charts. These tracks include “All I Need Is You,” “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Truck Bed, “World On Fire” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights.”

The No. 3 spot belongs to Zach Bryan this week, with his songs “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything” and “Sarah’s Place.” Randy Montana (No. 4) and Chayce Beckham (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.

Kane Brown Tops The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘I Can Feel It’

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Kane Brown‘s “I Can Feel It” tops the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, moving Luke Combs‘ “Where The Wild Things Are” to No. 2 after six weeks at the top.

“I Can Feel It” interpolates Phil Collins’ iconic drum solo and single “In the Air Tonight.” The two artists are credited as co-writers on the song alongside Gabe Foust and Jaxson Free.

Next month, Brown will kick off his “The Air Tour.” Hitting 29 cities across North America, the trek will end with five major stadium shows, including returning to Fenway Park in Boston, where he recently made history as the first Black artist to sell-out a headlining show there in the venue’s over 100 year history.

“I Can Feel It” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.

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

Charlie Cook To Exit Cumulus

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook will exit his positions as Vice President of Country Music for Cumulus, Programming Operations Manager for Cumulus Nashville’s five-station cluster and as the Program Director for both 95.5 Nash Icon (WSM-FM) and 103.3 Country (WKDF). His last day is May 31.

“Last April, I let Allison Warren, Brian Philips and John Dimick know of my intentions to find a new challenge,” Cook says. “They asked me to give them a year. Well, here we are almost a year later and it’s time for me to move away from an experience that I have loved for something new and different. Thanking everyone inside Cumulus and in Nashville would fill these pages so I look forward to personally thanking everyone over the next few months.”

Cook began his radio career in 1972 at WSDS in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the ’70s, he spent time at KLAK in Denver, WWVA in Wheeling and WHN in New York. In 1980, he joined KHJ in Los Angeles, flipping the station to country. Cook then went to KLAC before joining McVay Media in 1983 as SVP of Country Programming, where he consulted more than 40 country stations over the next 12 years.

In 1996, Cook joined Cumulus Media’s Westwood One as VP, Programming/Formats. 10 years later he joined Cumulus as VP of Programming for the company’s 67 country stations. Cook received the ACM Service Award at the 2023 ACM Honors for his dedication to the format. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2011, and received the ACM Service Award at the 2023 ACM Honors as the organization’s longest-serving board member.

“Charlie Cook’s accomplishments and awards are the stuff of Nashville legend,” says Philips. “He is of course, in character, irreplaceable. I foresee a future where we will always rely on his wise counsel. He represents the gold standard among Cumulus employees. We are deeply grateful for his immeasurable contributions.”

“Charlie has been a vital part of the Cumulus, and specifically the WKDF/WSM-FM, families for the past nine years. He has helped shape and drive the format of both 103.3 Country and 95.5 Nash Icon, bringing joy and entertainment to countless listeners. He is not only a talented professional, but also a loyal friend and a passionate music lover. We cannot thank him enough for his years of service, dedication and creativity. We wish him the very best in whatever adventures are ahead. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten,” shares Warren.

A job posting for Cumulus Nashville’s Music & Brand Content Manager (Station Program Director) is open now.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Anne Wilson’s New Track Is ‘Beautifully Written’

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Anne Wilson. Photo: Robby Klein

Country music is rocking this week.

Hardy, Kylie Frey, Chase Matthews, Anne Wilson, Nate Smith and Darci Lynne are amping up the volume. And from their ranks come both of this week’s award winners.

Nailing down her first Disc of the Day award is Anne Wilson, who combines her Christian music background with country storytelling on “God and Country.” The DISCovery Award goes to Kylie Frey.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that both performers have been named to this year’s class of CMT’s Next Women of Country. Carter Faith was in last year’s class, and she is represented this week by her fine duet with Sam Williams on a Tammy Wynette classic.

DARCI LYNNE/ “Push Our Luck”
Writers: Darci Lynne/Maggie McClure/Shane Henry; Producers: The Imaginaries/Maggie McClure/Shane Henry; Label: DL
– Muddy production and compressed vocals do her no favors. Her singing is sprightly and assured on the country-rock number. This youngster won as a ventriloquist on America’s Got Talent in 2018 and has been touring successfully ever since. She reportedly has more than seven million followers on social media.

SAM WILLIAMS & CARTER FAITH/ “’Til I Can Make It On My Own”
Writers: George Richey/Billy Sherrill/Tammy Wynette; Producers: Nathan Sexton/Ben Roberts; Label: Mercury Nashville
– It’s a magnificent country classic. These two youngsters bring complimentary vocal personalities to their duet performance of it. Both ache with believability. The song was originally a No.1 hit for its co-writer Tammy Wynette in 1976. Its revival is well-timed since Wynette was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this month.

ANNE WILSON/ “God And Country”
Writers: Anne Wilson/Jeff Pardo/Matthew West/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Jeff Pardo/Jonathan Smith; Label: Sparrow (SPR)
– The single might be “Rain in the Rearview,” but this advance track from the Christian-music star’s country album debut is a spectacular show-stopper. The production rocks splendidly, she sings her face off and the lyric is a beautifully written series of contrasting images. Absolutely play this. Wilson is in this year’s class of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

BLAKE SHELTON & GWEN STEFANI/ “Purple Irises”
Writers: Gwen Stefani/Jakob Hazell/Niko Rubio/Svante Halldin; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This is pop music, but whenever Blake’s voice is emphasized it comes back down to earth. Mind you, that isn’t often enough.

DYLAN MARLOWE/ “You Did It Too”
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The dobro-laced track is spare and empty, which places the focus firmly on his country boy vocal. The autobiographical lyric defends his wrong-side-of-the-tracks lifestyle against haters who talk trash about his hillbilly culture.

KACEY MUSGRAVES/ “Deeper Well”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Label: Interscope Records/MCA Nashville
– Her lilting, double-tracked vocal explores a failed relationship while acoustic guitars ripple around her. Echoey and enchanting. Different sounding, and different is good.

LARRY CORDLE/ “How Could I Love Her So Much”
Writer: Hugh Mofatt; Producer: Larry Cordle; Label: Mighty Cord Records
– Cordle is a Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member who has made his mark as a hit country songwriter and a hit bluegrass artist. This 1983 Johnny Rodriguez oldie has long been one of my favorite country songs. Its revival as a bluegrass track is an audio delight. Twin fiddles, rippling banjo, fleet-fingered guitar picking, sizzling mandolin, and high-lonesome vocal harmonies—what’s not to love?

SCOTTY McCREERY/ “Love Like This”
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Frank Rogers/Scotty McCreery; Producers: Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis/Derek Wells; Label: Triple Tigers
– The ode to fatherhood is right on the money in every department. Great production of its shifting tempos. Tight songwriting. And, as always, he sings flawlessly.

KYLIE FREY/ “Miss Thang”
Writers: Adam Hood/Brent Cobb/Kylie Frey; Producers: Trent Willmon/Paul Worley; Label: Deep Frey’d Music
– Rampaging and rocking, yet country to the core. The new Next Women of Country participant bites into this lyric with fierce commitment while the track froths and foams around her.

NATE SMITH/ “Bulletproof”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Nashville
– “World on Fire” was No. 1 for eight weeks. “Whiskey on You” sold Platinum. Smith’s new single moans about heartbreak, noting that booze doesn’t help a bit, because her memory is “bulletproof” despite the “shots.” Electric guitars grind and scream in the background.

CHASE MATTHEW/ “Small Town Shit”
Writers: Daniel Ross/Jessie Jo Dillon/Jaxson Free/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Alex Maxwell/Daniel Ross/Jake Angel; Label: Chase Matthew Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Hip-hop beats infuse his recitation of backwoods country cliches. It wears out its welcome pretty quickly.

HARDY/ “Rockstar”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Jacob Durrett/Blake Pendergrass; Producers: Joey Moi/Hardy/Jacob Durrett; Label: Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock
– Zesty, hard rocking and delightfully tongue-in-cheek. I love his wry, wise-ass attitude.

Gabby Barrett Shows Depth & Vision On New Album ‘Chapter & Verse’ [Interview]

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Gabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein

Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Gabby Barrett released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, a few weeks back. With 14 songs all co-produced by Barrett, the project reflects the life lived since the 23-year-old broke out onto to the scene with her debut album, Goldmine, and shows off her depth and song-sense.

Barrett had big shoes to fill with Chapter & Verse. 2020’s Goldmine delivered mega-hits such as the seven-time Platinum chart-topper “I Hope” and triple-Platinum, three-week No. 1 “The Good Ones.” But the singer, now with two kids and another one on the way, wasn’t phased by the pressure. She turned inward, writing songs about her real life and looking for outside tunes that spoke to her values.

Within the 14-song tracklist for Chapter & Verse, Barrett is listed as a co-writer for over half. She also produced the project alongside Ross Copperman, which she says helped her maintain her strong vision for the album.

“I always love to be really hands-on with whatever I’m doing. I have to admit, I’m a very particular person. That can get in the way sometimes,” Barrett says with a laugh. “I like being heavily involved in all aspects of everything from the imaging, to the coloring, to the sound, to the singing, the way that the songs were sung, who was collaborating, etc. I’m just very involved in the creative, so I’m really glad that I got to [co-produce] this time around. ”

In addition to some other early releases, the album was preceded by its current radio single, “Glory Days.” Written with James McNair, Emily Weisband and Seth Mosley, the tune reminds us to live in the present because, as Barrett sings, “these are the glory days.”

Now top 20-and-climbing at country radio, “Glory Days” marked her second time in the coveted most-added position with 77 first-week stations on its add week. It marked the most first-week adds for a female artist in the genre in 14 months.

“‘Glory Days’ was the centerpiece [of the album], and that’s why we chose to release that song first as a first peak,” Barrett shares. “It reflects what my life looks like right now, and it also fits so much into the theme of what the rest of the album talks about: family, faith, [being] real, vulnerable and honest.”

A highlight on the project is the evocative “Growin’ Up Raising You.” Written with Jon Nite, Zach Kale and Jimmy Robbins, the song tells Barrett’s truth about becoming a mother young. She sings about the birth of her first child, Baylah May, saying, “Six in the morning, hands are shaking. Half ready, half scared to death. Hand me the world wrapped in a plain blanket, the world falls asleep on my chest. I’m so in love even though we just met, got no clue what I should do next.”

“That’s a very special song. It came from a very intimate place,” Barrett says. “I’m only 23. I’m pretty young and still figuring out a lot of things. I don’t know everything and have lots to learn while raising another human. There’s difficulties and challenges to that, but it’s a beautiful thing—figuring it out while they’re figuring it out.”

Another standout is “Dance Like No One’s Watching,” a tune that superstar Luke Combs shared with Barrett.

“I loved it immediately when I heard it. He texted the song to me and gave me the backstory on it. He wrote it with James McNair and Emily Weisband, who I wrote ‘Glory Days’ with,” Barrett says. “He was very passionate about it and I was really thankful that he had chosen me to put a vocal on it if I felt compelled.

“He kindly was able to hop in the studio and throw some vocals on it, too,” she says. “I know he really loves the song. I’m really thankful that he also got to sing on it and be part of it in that way.”

“You’re My Texas,” a romantic song about how your person becomes your home, is a beloved track for Barrett. She wrote it with a hero, Texan Miranda Lambert, alongside Hillary Lindsey.

“I’ve always respected [Miranda] and loved her music and her songwriting abilities, so I was really thankful to get in the room with her and Hillary Lindsey,” Barrett says. “We were able to write a song about Texas. You can’t be country and not have a song about Texas.

“I got to know her more as a person. She’s just one of the most real artists that I’ve ever met, which I appreciate a lot because you don’t see that always.”

Chapter & Verse has a lot of Christian values weaved throughout its 44 minutes, including in its title, which was Barrett’s husband and fellow musician Cade Foehner‘s idea.

“[The title] connects to me in a faith-based way. Biblically it connects with chapters and verses—that’s such a big part of me as a human and as an artist. It also connects to the many things that I’ve had to learn quickly within the past couple of years, because life has just felt really fast professionally and personally,” she says. “It was me saying, ‘This is the chapter I’m in,’ and then writing all the verses to that chapter.”

The album begins with a song called “The Chapter”—one of Barrett’s favorites on the project—and ends with “The Verse: Doxology (Amen),” which features Christian music mainstay Phil Wickham.

“Something that I’m also trying to be intentional about with my albums is [highlighting my faith]. On my first album, I did a Christian song. With this album, I end it with a strong message in that song.”

With her second album in the hands of the fans, Barrett will soon welcome her third child. Just like in Chapter & Verse, her life, music and career all culminate together, hand in hand.

Morgan Wallen To Open Six-Story Bar In Downtown Nashville

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Cameron Baird

Morgan Wallen will open a six-story venue in downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway district called This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen. The bar, restaurant and live music concept is slated to open later this year.

Wallen has partnered with trusted Broadway owner and operator TC Restaurant Group to help execute his vision.

“I sing about finding myself in ‘this bar’ and now it’s coming to life. This venue will hold true to everything I love and is inspired by my fans and the way they have embraced me and my music,” shares Wallen. “We’re designing a menu around some of my family favorites, so it brings a piece of East Tennessee to Music City. I hope This Bar is a place you’ll want to find yourself in and make memories with your friends and family and celebrate the way country music has brought us all together.”

Wallen’s This Bar, named after a song off his Dangerous: The Double Album, will feature pivotal elements that shaped the singer’s life, with each level showcasing photos and memorabilia from his childhood as well as some of his most notable performances to date.

The 30,000 square feet property will be situated on 4th Avenue, adjacent to the Ryman Auditorium, and will include three live music stages, six bars and an open-air rooftop. It will also feature a gift shop with exclusive Wallen merchandise offerings and a homage to his favorite Tennessee team.

The menu will be curated by Wallen with Chef Tomasz Wosiak, Vice President of Culinary Development for TC Restaurant Group, and feature southern delectables, bar bites, Tennessee favorites and some of Wallen’s mother’s own recipes.

“Morgan Wallen is one of the most sought after stars in the music industry, and we are thrilled that he has trusted us to deliver a concept that will bring him closer to his fans, hold fast to his roots and enshrine his name among an exclusive group of artists who can claim international stardom with a Lower Broadway destination fans all over the world seek out,” says Adam Hesler, President at TC Restaurant Group.

Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ Headed To Country Radio

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Beyoncé

Global superstar Beyoncé will ship her new song “Texas Hold ‘Em” to country radio, with Columbia Nashville promoting the track. The song goes to radio Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Beyoncé announced during Sunday’s Super Bowl that her next album, Act II—the second installment of her Renaissance project—will be country. She teased the new music with the release of two singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

 

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This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has dipped her toes into country music. The Texas native and 32-time Grammy winner collaborated with The Chicks in 2016 on a version of her song “Daddy Lessons.” The four even performed it at the 50th annual CMA Awards that year. “Daddy Lessons” was not actively worked at country radio, but peaked at No. 41 on the Hot 100.

Beyoncé’s country Act II is slated to release on March 29 via Columbia and her own Parkwood Entertainment.