Natalie Kilgore Returns To Brown Sellers Brown

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Natalie Kilgore. Photo: Courtesy of Brown Sellers Brown

Natalie Kilgore has returned to Brown Sellers Brown as VP of Publicity.

Kilgore comes to the company after having served as VP of Publicity & Integrated Marketing from the inception of Brown Sellers Brown in 2020 through her departure in late 2022. In hew new position, she will work to build and strengthen strategic media and key industry relationships for all artists on Brown Sellers Brown’s two label imprints, Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records. Leading the overall publicity strategy and execution for the music group, Kilgore will report directly to firm partners Benny Brown, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers.

Prior to her most recent stint with Brown Sellers Brown, she served as the VP of Publicity for BBR Music Group and developed its first in-house Publicity & Media Relations department. With over two decades of industry experience, Kilgore’s previous roles also include Head of Publicity for Big Machine Label Group, Communications Director for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Owner of boutique publicity firm Dashboard Media and Head of Public Relations for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC).

She is the latest industry executive to join Brown Sellers Brown amidst the company’s recent restructuring. Over the past six weeks, the company has also appointed Diana Garcia as Director of Streaming Relations & Marketing, Jessica Crans as Director of Social Media Marketing, Hannah Kennedy as Manager of Social Media Marketing and Kendra Whitehead as Director of Artist Relations.

“Natalie is an amazing person and an amazing publicist! As our restructuring continues, I am proud to welcome Natalie back to the Brown Sellers Brown family,” says Benny.

“Brown Sellers Brown is truly a special place within the modern-day music industry. I am over the moon about returning to work with Benny, Paul, Jason, the entire staff and all of the incredible artists on the roster,” says Kilgore. “There are some exciting releases and movement happening in 2024—I can’t wait to get started!”

Kilgore can be reached at natalie@brownsellersbrown.com.

Tyler Hubbard’s ‘Back Then Right Now’ Tops The MusicRow Radio Chart

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Tyler Hubbard’s reminiscent track “Back Then Right Now” reaches the No. 1 spot the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, rising from No. 2 to No. 1.

The track appears on Hubbard’s recent album Strong and was written by Hubbard, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia and Geoff Warburton.

Hubbard is currently on the road accompanying Kane Brown on Brown’s “In The Air” tour. Hubbard will soon begin his  “Strong World Tour” kicking off in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sept. 6.

“Back Then Right Now” currently sits at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 2 on the Mediabase chart.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Megan Moroney Writes With ‘Creativity & Wit’

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Megan Moroney. Photo: CeCe Dawson.

DISClaimer is running all the country-music bases this week—hip-hop, disco, bluegrass, rock, honky-tonk, alt-pop—you name it.

The most “country” thing in the line-up is, of course, the Randy Travis entry. But it’s rocker Dylan Taylor who has the DISCovery Award winner. The record to watch is Avery Anna’s “Blonde,” which drops tomorrow. Making it a female grand slam is Megan Moroney who wins Disc of the Day with the advance track from her upcoming sophomore album.

Having said all that, the single in this stack that is almost certainly going to be the smash hit is the Kane Brown collaboration with Marshmello.

CARSON PETERS / “Long Twin Silver Line”
Writer: Bob Seger; Producer: Randall Deaton; Label: Lonesome Day
– I have always thought that Bob Seger’s songs were somehow “country,” but I confess I never considered how cool one could sound as bluegrass track. Here’s the evidence, complete with Dobro, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and guitar. More, please.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Good Day To Have A Great Day”
Writers: Eren Cannata/Jesse Frasure/Justin Tranter/Russell Dickerson; Producers: Russell Dickerson/Josh Kerr; Label: Triple Tigers
– This one is a big ol’ smile. Designed to start your morning with a bopping good attitude, optimism, positivity and love. Euphoria on the hoof.

LAUREN WATKINS / “Mama, I Made It”
Writers: Lauren Hungate/Lauren Watkins/Rocky Block; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The jaunty track ripples along, but it’s the lyric that captures your attention. Her relationship has gone south. It’s a mess, and “Mama, I made it.” Wonderfully catchy and cool. So nice I played it twice.

RANDY TRAVIS / “Where That Came From”
Writers: John Scott Sherrill/Scotty Emerick; Producers: Jerry Douglas/Kyle Lehning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Country music’s first AI-generated single sounds like a miracle. Randy’s voice may be stroke-stilled, but here it is very much present and accounted for, thanks to technology. Heart-touching listening.

KEITH URBAN & LAINEY WILSON / “Go Home W U”
Writers: Breland/Keith Urban/Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Producers: Keith Urban/Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– It’s closing time at the bar, and he’s too loaded to drive home. So maybe she should drive him to her place. The chorus is arranged with gang vocals like it is meant to be a rowdy roadhouse sing-along.

DYLAN TAYLOR / “Damn My Heart”
Writer: Dylan Taylor; Producer: RS Field; Label: Vertical Records
– It’s a spitfire country rocker with forward-motion propulsion and a saucy female vocal. A total summer jam. Highly promising. Taylor is a SESAC writer recently signed by Bluewater Music.

MEGAN MORONEY / “Indifferent”
Writers: Ben Williams/Mackenzie Carpenter/Megan Moroney/Micah Carpenter; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– The creativity and wit in this woman’s songwriting always delight me. This female-empowerment romp has oomphy stadium chords, but it’s the feisty attitude that keeps you hanging on every line. Love her. Love this.

MARSHMELLO & KANE BROWN / “Miles On It”
Writers: Castle/Connor McDonough/Earwulf/Jake Torrey/Kane Brown/Marshmello/Nick Gale/Riley McDonough; Producers: Marshmello/Digital Farm Animals/Earwulf/Connor McDonough; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– Brown’s ready to roll, with a Chevy truck bed eager to welcome him and his gal. He wants to, “Put some miles on it/If you know what I mean.” Disco mix master Marshmello puts some rhythmic thump on the track to help make it a road-worthy, wicked-good, summertime banger.

MONTE WARDEN & THE DANGEROUS FEW / “Waxahachie Hoochie Coo”
Writers: Brandi Warden/Montgomery Warden; Producers:Erik Telford/Mas Palermo/Tim Palmer; Label: Break A Leg Records
– It’s a groovy, good-time, R&B track with horns, topped by a country vocal. Warden is a two-time Texas Music Hall of Famer, once as a member of The Wagoneers and once as a solo artist. He has a longtime residency in the honky-tonks of Austin and periodically surfaces as a songwriter for George Strait, Patty Loveless, George Jones, Travis Tritt, Josh Turner and more.

GEORGIA WEBSTER & NIGHTLY / “This Ain’t A Breakup”
Writers: Georgia Webster/Conner Moye/Spencer Rabin; Producer: King Henry; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– “If this ain’t a breakup, then why am I broken?” they both ask. Beats burble around their echoey voices in a highly electronic track. Hooky and quite engaging. Nightly is a Nashville alt-pop band fronted by singer Jonny Capeci.

RVSHVD / “Dear Mama”
Writers: Bruce Hawes/Charles B. Simmons/Joe Sample/Joseph B. Jefferson/Terence Thomas/Tony D Pizarro/Tupac Amaru Shakur; Producer: Dream Addix; Label: Sumerian Records
– This country rapper’s name is pronounced Ra-Shad. His revival of the million-selling 1995 Tupac Shakur hip-hop hit is right on time for Mother’s Day.

AVERY ANNA / “Blonde”
Writers: Avery Anna/David Fanning/Andy Sheridan/Ben Williams; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– So excellent! She takes the cliches of being a blonde and turns them on their heads in this drawling, winking, snarky response to a condescending male. Anna’s vocal delivery is priceless. Absolutely play this.

Songwriting Great Wayland Holyfield Passes

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Wayland Holyfield

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Wayland Holyfield died Monday (May 6) at age 82.

During a five-decade career on Music Row, Holyfield created such classics as “Could I Have This Dance,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” and “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had.” He wrote more than 40 top 10 country hits, including 14 No. 1s. His songs were recorded by a who’s-who of country stars, including Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, The Judds, Barbara Mandrell, Shenandoah, Mac Davis and Tammy Wynette. He was particularly noted for hits he wrote for and/or with Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wayland Holyfield was raised in a musical family. He studied violin, played bass in the local band The Rebels and wrote songs as a hobby. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, he worked at an ad agency.

Unhappy in his job, he decided to make music his profession. He toured with the singing trio The General Store, then moved to Nashville in 1972. A year later, he had his first hit when Johnny Russell recorded his cowritten “Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer.” In 1975, Holyfield wrote his first No. 1 record, the Don Williams hit “You’re My Best Friend.”

Williams returned to Holyfield’s catalog in 1976 for “She Never Knew Me” and their co-written “Til the Rivers All Run Dry.” Also that year, Crystal Gayle had a major hit with “I’ll Do It All Over Again,” which Holyfield wrote with Bob McDill. In 1977, Charley Pride scored with “I’ll Be Leaving Alone,” co-written by Holyfield with Dickey Lee, his frequent collaborator and lifelong friend. Also in that year, Don Williams resumed his Holyfield association with the No. 1 smash “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend.”

In 1978, Mel Street scored with “If I Had a Cheating Heart.” Next, Holyfield and McDill cowrote the 1979 Ronnie Milsap chart-topper “Nobody Likes Sad Songs.”

Holyfield’s success continued into the 1980s. Janie Fricke hit the top 10 with his “I’ll Need Someone to Hold Me (When I Cry),” again co-written with McDill. Then Anne Murray’s version of the Wayland Holyfield/Bob House song “Could I Have This Dance” was chosen as the love theme for the hit movie Urban Cowboy. Holyfield said that the Grammy-winning, No. 1 hit was his favorite of his many compositions. It remains a popular wedding anthem.

His parade of hits continued with “Never Been So Loved in My Life” (Charley Pride, 1981), “You’ll Be Back (Every Night)” (The Statler Brothers, 1981), “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” (Ed Bruce, 1981), “Put Your Dreams Away” (Mickey Gilley, 1982), “Tears of the Lonely (Mickey Gilley, 1982), “Don’t Count the Rainy Days” (Michael Martin Murphey, 1983) and “Your Love Shines Through” (Mickey Gilley, 1983).

Wayland Holyfield was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1982. A 1992 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he collaborated with such fellow Hall of Fame members as Gary Nicholson, Norro Wilson and Richard Leigh, as well as McDill, Williams, Russell and Lee.

Such 1985 Holyfield hits as “You’re Going Out of My Mind” (T.G. Sheppard) and “Break Away” (Gail Davies), plus 1989’s “(I Wish I Had) A Heart of Stone” (Baillie & The Boys) were followed by 1990’s “Only Here For a Little While” (Billy Dean) and “Down in Tennessee” (John Anderson).

Holyfield was passionate about his home state throughout his life. He wrote “Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)” for the state’s sesquicentennial in 1986. It was selected as the state song the following year, and he performed it at the presidential inauguration of native son Bill Clinton in 1993.

He was always a forceful advocate on behalf of the songwriting community. Wayland Holyfield was the first Music City tunesmith elected to the national ASCAP Board of Directors. He also served as President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and as Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation’s board. He served on the boards of the Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter and the Nashville Entertainment Association. His zeal for songwriters led him to testify before Congress on their behalf.

Wayland Holyfield suffered health problems in recent years, but remained active in the industry, including serving on the board of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He died at home in his sleep. He is survived by his wife Nancy and their children.

A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church (4815 Franklin Pike in Nashville). Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the service following at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Faith Family Medical Center Nashville, Vantage Point Foundation (Veterans Pushing Forward) or Nashville Rescue Mission.

BMI Holds 28th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival [See Photos]

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BMI songwriters Palmer Anthony, Clayton Mullen and Hayley Payne entertain listeners at the Ocean’s Edge Resort at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Publishers and songwriters are returning back to Nashville after a week in the sun for the 28th annual Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. The five-day festival featured over 250 multi-genre creators perform their favorite hits at 50 different venues on the island, provided by Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Rams Head Presents.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill, Cole Swindell, BMI’s Clay Bradley and BMI’s Leslie Roberts gather before the Coffee Butler Amphitheater show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters arrived at the Nashville airport on Wednesday morning (May 1) where they were greeted with the “Lift Off to the Kickoff” event in Delta’s sky club. The festival officially commenced with the “Sunset Pier Kick Off Party” hosted by Storme Warren, where Kristen McNamara, the Heartwreckers and headliner Dylan Marlowe took the stage.

Then festival attendees were off the rounds, hearing music from songwriters such as Tim Nichols, Jeffrey Steele, Jacob Hackworth, Shane Profitt, Jack Ingram, Bridgette Tatum, Guthrie Trapp and more.

On Thursday (May 2), rounds featured songwriters such as Renee Blair, Cameron Bedell, Dax, Jeff Garrison, Liz Rose, Joe Fox, Fancy Hagood and many more. That night, a sold-out crowd gathered at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for Mackenzie Carpenter, Restless Road and headliner Cole Swindell.

Lily Rose brings the crowd to the Duval Street Show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Friday (May 3) brought rounds featuring songwriters Ben Chapman, Lori McKenna, Meg McRee, Brad Rempel, Laci Kaye Booth, Harper Grace and more.

On Saturday (May 4), after the “Bloody Mary Bash” with Robert Earl Keen or yoga with Emma Klein, the Key West Woman’s Club hosted hourly rounds at the Hellings Curry Museum with Rebecca Lynn Howard, Megan Linville, Twinnie and Emma Zinck. Then the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association and the Texas Music Office presented the Texas Showcase at the San Carlos Institute hosted by Ingram and Rose. To end the night, festival-goers flocked to Duval Street to catch Kaleb Sanders, Lily Rose and Dallas Davidson for the free street show.

Sunday (May 5), the last day of the festival, launched with the inaugural “Sunday Songs: Music & Mimosas” at Williams Hall where Chuck Cannon, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Tommy Sims and BMI’s Shannon Sanders performed renowned gospel songs. The night concluded with the “All Star Encore” at the Key West Theater featuring David Fanning, Earl Bud Lee, Danny Myrick, Taylor Phillips, Alana Springsteen, Shawna Thompson and more.

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through various grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need. The event also benefits CreatiVets.

Liz Rose plays crowd-favorite songs and invites BMI songwriters to join her on stage at Blue Heaven showcase during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters Harper Lee, Sheena Brook and Sonia Leigh perform an intimate set at the La Te Da Cabaret during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Festival-goers gather at Williams Hall for Sunday songs showcase with Tommy Sims, Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Chuck Cannon, hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Dallas Davidson headlines the Duval Street Show at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bruce Esworthy, Mason Hunter, Mike O’Neill, Leslie Roberts, Clay Bradley, Mitch Ballard, Nina Carter, Shannon Sanders, Liz Fischer, MaryAnn Keen and Dan Spears celebrate the kickoff to the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Tommy Sims and Chuck Cannon play for a packed house at the Key West Theater during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

BMI songwriters Cameron Bedell, Alee, and Fancy Hagood perform in a round sponsored by White Claw at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Jaxson Free, Schmitty and Thomas Edwards debut new songs for the crowd at the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Jackson Nance and Jeff Garrison kick off the day at Rams Head Southernmost during the Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI. Photo: Carol Tedesco for BMI

Lainey Wilson To Open Bell Bottoms Up Bar In Downtown Nashville

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Lainey Wilson. Photo: Erick Frost

Multi-Platinum, Grammy-winner Lainey Wilson is the newest country artist to announce she is opening a bar and restaurant in downtown Nashville. Wilson is working in partnership with TC Restaurant Group to open her very own Bell Bottoms Up bar.

The three-story establishment will be located at 120 Third Avenue South, where FGL House has been since 2017.

“I’m so excited to announce Bell Bottoms Up, which will be opening later this summer,” says Wilson. “I’ve always wanted to create a destination for all my fans to visit and create new memories at, in the heart of country music city. So, to have a permanent destination in Nashville, is such a dream come true. I can’t wait for all my Wild Horses to get to experience my home away from home.”

 

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The 27,000-square-foot venue will have two stages, four bars, and a mezzanine floor that features a lounge bar that overlooks the first-floor stage and dining area. The rooftop level will feature a ’70s western aesthetic including a dance floor, disco-inspired décor and frozen drinks.

For the menu, Wilson is tapping into her Louisiana roots with Cajun-inspired dishes. Crafted by Wilson in collaboration with TCRG’s Vice President of Culinary Development, Chef Tomasz Wosiak, food options will include her favorite salads, crawfish, shrimp boils and boudin, as well as a mixologist-crafted cocktail menu that features whiskey options, experiential group drinks and redefined classics.

“We are honored that Lainey has trusted us to deliver a venue that is faithful to her story, fans, and love for country music,” says Grant Burlingame, VP of Operations at TC Restaurant Group. “Fans gravitate to Lainey because of her authentic, down-to-earth personality, and Bell Bottoms Up will be a representation of her character and legacy. Lainey Wilson is one of the biggest names in country music, and we’re proud to partner with her on a venue that celebrates her genuine mark on the industry and brings another female artist to the forefront of Nashville’s Entertainment District.”

Ashley Gorley Returns To No. 1 Spot On Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

Country hitmaker Ashley Gorley has topped this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Gorley currently has five entries on the country chart, including “Bulletproof,” “Cowgirls,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “World On Fire” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights.”

Josh Phillips sits at No. 2 this week with solo-penned “Dirt Cheap.” At No. 3 this week is Hunter Phelps with “Bulletproof,” “Chevrolet” and “Take Her Home.”

Jessie Jo Dillon (No. 4) and Matt Jenkins (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.

Lainey Wilson’s ‘Wildflowers And Wild Horses’ Hits No. 1 At Country Radio

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Lainey Wilson has notched her seventh No. 1 at country radio with her hit song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” released via Broken Bow Records.

The track, written by Wilson, Trannie Anderson and Paul Sikes and produced by Grammy-award winner Jay Joyce, is featured on her award-winning album Bell Bottom Country and has accumulated over 125 million global streams to date.

“Wildflowers and Wild Horses” is a personal track, written to reflect on Wilson’s life growing up while blending country, rock and Americana genres to produce the artist’s signature sound.

“It’s such an honor to have ‘Wildflowers and Wild Horses,’ No.1 at country radio. This song has such a special place in my heart, as a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter and someone who grew up on wide open land,” explains Wilson. “Thank you to my collaborators, Jay Joyce, Trannie Anderson, and Paul Sikes for helping bring this track to life. And to my fans, my wild horses, this is your theme song; none of this would be possible without you.”

Wilson continues to garner impressive accolades such as the 2024 Grammy for Best Country Album, the 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year and much more. She will soon hit the road on her “Country’s Cool Again” headlining tour and is set to perform at the ACM Awards in Frisco, Texas later this month.

Making Of Randy Travis’ AI-Generated Single Explored In CBS News ‘Sunday Morning’ Segment

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Kyle Lehning & Randy Travis

The making of country legend Randy Travis‘ new artificial intelligence (AI)-generated single, “Where That Came From,” will be exclusively explored during a segment of CBS News’ Sunday Morning airing May 5 at 8 a.m. CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Travis shared the new song with fans today (May 3)—something he hadn’t done since suffering a stroke in 2013. The area of his brain controlling speech and language was severely damaged as a result of the stroke, and doctors believed Travis’ chance of surviving was slim.

Now, Travis is doing well, and with the help of AI, his fans are getting to hear his cherished vocals again.

“There’s just so much chatter about all the negative sides of AI,” says Cris Lacy, Co-Chair & President, Warner Music Nashville. “We started with this concept of ‘What would AI…look like for us?’ And the first thing that came to mind…was we would give Randy Travis his voice back.”

Throughout the special feature, the show’s Lee Cowan takes an inside look at how cutting-edge AI enabled Travis to raise his voice musically once again. He talks with the star and his wife Mary while getting a behind-the-scenes look at how Travis’ longtime producer Kyle Lehning—with the artist’s blessing—crafted a song using his past audio tracks as a starting point. With the help of another singer, a special AI program overlayed Travis’ voice on the new recording. With the Hall of Famer’s input, Lehning carefully molded the AI-created vocal into a tune that felt authentic to Travis.

“It’s not about how it sounds. It’s about how it feels,” notes Lehning. “Him being here and him being able to be a vital part of the decision-making process makes all the difference to me.”

Cowan was there when Travis’ country music friends and family heard the song for the first time.

To listen to Travis’ “Where That Came From,” click here.

Morgan Wallen Kicks Off Three-Night Stand At Nissan Stadium

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Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Legions of dedicated Morgan Wallen fans gathered at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium Thursday night (May 2) for the first of three shows. The Tennessee native was joined by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith and Lauren Watkins for the Music City dates of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour.”

Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

To kick off the night’s music, Watkins gave a charming set that included her cheeky “Anybody But You” and new song “Mama, I Made It.” Her charisma and excitement resonated with the early arrivals at the stadium who danced along during her 25 minutes.

When Smith took the stage, he brought the passion and vocal chops that felt ready for a stadium-sized crowd. The singer gave his all on tunes “Bulletproof,” “Wreckage,” “Sleeve” and his first chart-topper “Whiskey On You.” After a cover of Foo Fighters’ “My Hero,” Smith closed with his record-breaking, 10-week No. 1 hit “World On Fire.”

Next it was time for Zimmerman to take the stage. When the 24-year old appeared, the crowd was ready for his signature energizer bunny stage presence. He opened his set with “Religiously,” and immediately started taking advantage of the large stage’s full real estate.

Fans were excited to hear “Warzone,” “Chase Her,” “Fix’n To Break,” “Holy Smokes” and his first-ever No. 1 “Fall In Love” before rain interrupted his set, sending some fans into the covered terminals of the stadium. That didn’t bring Zimmerman down though. He continued his rampage of streaming monsters including “You Don’t Want That Smoke,” “Where It Ends” and “Rock and A Hard Place.”

Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

The crowd was buzzing with anticipation by the time Wallen took the stage. When the lights went out and the history-making artist’s face appeared on the screen, a deafening scream came from Nissan Stadium. After his signature, athlete-style videoed walk-up, set to his country hip-hop jam “Broadway Girls,” Wallen officially hit the stage with “Ain’t That Some.”

He blitzed the exhilarated audience with “I Wrote the Book,” “One Thing At A Time” and “You Proof,” stalking up and down the catwalk, letting the excitement show in his body language.

“It’s good to be home, baby!” Wallen exclaimed. “Me and the boys have had this one circled on the calendar for a long time. This is a special show for us.

“We have a bunch of family, friends and people that have worked with us for a very long time here in order to make something like this happen. Thank you so much for being here!”

The sheer size of Wallen’s stage and the production value of the tour allowed for him to create several opportunities for his cult-like fans to see him. Early in his set, he went over to a side stage where a set of bleachers and flags with his high school colors on them were positioned.

He spoke about his love for baseball before playing “’98 Braves.” The bracelets that concertgoers received upon entry to the show lit up in Braves colors as the singer serenaded the crowd.

Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Before leaving the small stage, Wallen played his romantic “7 Summers.” His face lit up in a smirk when the girls swooned as the song started.

Wallen returned to the main stage for the trappy “Sunrise” and rock-flavored “Whiskey Friends.” Then, covered in security officers, the entertainer walked through the crowd on the floor of the stadium to a satelite stage at the other side of the room.

Jumping up on the small stage with an acoustic guitar and one musician accompanying him, Wallen did his best to emulate the intimacy he felt with his fans when he was playing smaller rooms. The effort created one of the night’s standout moments, with fans fully enveloped in his iconic cover of Jason Isbell‘s “Cover Me Up.”

Despite the amount of times he sings his hits that have garnered billions of streams, you get the feeling that he still feels it in his performance of the songs. Even if the lyrics are no longer applicable to his life, you can see him feeling it resonating with his fans. That connection is especially noticeable in the acoustic, tender moments of his nearly two-hour show.

From the satellite stage he played “Thought You Should Know,” “Sand In My Boots” and a song that is “technically unreleased but won’t be for long” called “Lies Lies Lies.” He then triumphantly returned to the main stage for his first hit “Up Down.” Zimmerman joined him for the fun tune.

Ernest and Morgan Wallen perform onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Next up was “Cowgirls,” which the song’s featured artist Ernest appeared for. Wallen reminded fans that Ernest’s new album Nashville, Tennessee had just been released before hitting another side stage.

On the opposite side of the high school-themed side stage was one with a model of his grandmother’s house from his One Thing At A Time album cover. In front of the little house, Wallen sang “Chasin’ You” and “Man Made A Bar.”

For the final stretch of the evening, Wallen brought the hits, pumping the crowd up with “Heartless,” “Wasted On You” and “This Bar,” using the latter to advertise his soon-to-be-opened spot on Broadway. After “More Than My Hometown” and “Whiskey Glasses,” Wallen said goodnight, but his fans were no fools. They stood in the darkness waiting for the once-in-a-generation entertainer to return.

All of a sudden, the wrists of concert-goers lit up and Wallen returned with a blistering fury, performing the country hip-hop juggernaut “Thinkin’ Bout Me” to a re-invigorated Nissan Stadium. Wallen transitioned into “Last Night” and his theme song “The Way I Talk” before officially closing the night with a glistening firework show.

Wallen will continue his Nissan Stadium run tonight (May 3) and tomorrow (May 4) before making his way to Hershey, Pennsylvania this coming Thursday (May 9).