Nashville Music Publishing Veteran, Drew Alexander, Dies At 52

/by

Andrew “Drew” Alexander

Andrew “Drew” Alexander, a veteran music publisher and the son of former U.S. Senator and Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander and Leslee “Honey” Alexander, died Friday (Dec. 31) after a short illness. He was 52.

Alexander was born in Washington, D.C. in 1969 and soon moved with his family to Nashville, where his father practiced law and established his political career.

He attended Ensworth School and graduated from the University School of Nashville before attending Kenyon College in Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

In 1994 he joined Nashville’s Curb Records as a receptionist, eventually rising to lead the company’s publishing department where he oversaw the division’s employees and songwriters. Alexander also directed creative and administrative aspects of the company by setting budgets, signing songwriters, negotiating contracts, placing songs, and acquiring catalogs. He became Vice President of Publishing in 2010.

During his tenure, Curb Music Publishing earned 87 ASCAP, BMI and SESAC performance awards, and set records for the fastest rising country single and the longest charting country single in Billboard Country chart history at the time.

In 2017, after 23 years with the company, Alexander stepped down from his role at Curb Music Publishing but continued working with the Mike Curb Foundation. He founded his own company, Blair Branch Music, and became an active community volunteer working with numerous Nashville agencies, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Nashville Rescue Mission, Music Health Alliance, and Room at the Inn.

Alexander served on the boards of The Recording Academy, Belmont School of Music, Family and Children’s Service, the Community Resource Center, Leadership Music as Treasurer, and the Tennessee Residence Foundation as Secretary. He was a member of the Country Music Association, the Gospel Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club.

Over the years Alexander also hosted small groups of songwriters and artists, including Lee Brice, Bill Anderson, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana, Kelsea Ballerini and many others, at writing retreats at his family’s home at Blackberry Farm, at Evins Mill in Middle Tennessee, and at Bending Lake in Canada. From these dozens of sessions, more than 1,000 songs were produced including many hits.

Alexander is survived by two daughters, Lauren Blair Alexander and Helen Victoria Alexander; his parents, Honey and Lamar Alexander; two sisters, Leslee Alexander and Kathryn Alexander; his brother, Will Alexander; and, seven nieces and nephews.

There will be a private graveside service for family members at the family cemetery at Hesse Creek Chapel in Walland, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A Celebration of Life in Nashville will be held at a later date.

Bexar To Aid Bowling Green Tornado Relief With BG Strong Benefit Concert

/by

Chris Ryan and Logan Turner. Photo: Robby Klein

Rising country duo Bexar will perform on Jan. 14 at Skypac in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as part of the BG Strong benefit concert to help raise funds following the destruction from recent tornados that ripped through southern Kentucky.

Bexar’s Logan Turner is a Bowling Green native, and wanted to do something to help those hurting following this second round of devastating storms. The event was organized by BG Strong, a group of volunteers that rallied together after the tornados.

Other artists on the bill for the benefit include Mills, Twang And Round, Mojo Thunder, Kiss Kiss Bang, and special guest Big V of Nappy Roots.

Tickets for the event are on sale now with 100% of the proceeds going towards the Tornado Relief Fund in Warren County, Kentucky.

For more information on the event and how to help, click here.

Penny Jackson Ragsdale, Wife Of Ray Stevens, Passes Away At 78

/by

Pictured (L-R): Penny Jackson Ragsdale, Ray Stevens. Photo: Jason Kempin

Penny Jackson Ragsdale, wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens, has passed away following a prolonged battle with cancer. Ragsdale died at her Nashville home on Dec. 31 the age of 78.

Ragsdale is survived by Stevens, her husband of more than 60 years; two daughters, Timi and Suzi; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Ragsdale’s memorial service will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home (9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, 37221). A visitation will take place at 1:30 p.m. with a service to follow at 2:30 p.m.

12x nominated and two-time Grammy award winner Ray Stevens has produced 60 years of comedic musical content, including his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums, and opened his own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, in 2018. He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, has a star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Industry Veteran Mark Brown Exits Round Hill

/by

Mark Brown

Long-time Music Row executive Mark Brown has stepped down from his position as Sr. VP and General Manager of Round Hill’s Nashville operation. He was with the company for eight years.

During his tenure at Round Hill, the publishing company experienced rapid growth and success, including over 60 No. 1 songs, 70 BMI and ASCAP awards, 20 CMA Triple Play Awards, CMA and ACM Song of the Year honors, and two BMI Pop Song of the Year awards.

“It’s been a great run and I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished,” says Brown. “It has been an honor to work with so many of the best songwriters of our time, and the great RHM team, both in Nashville and around the world. This is the right time to step away as Round Hill enters its next phase.

“I’d like to thank Josh Gruss for the great opportunity he gave me. I’d also like to thank Richard Rowe and Neil Gillis for their guidance and support,” he adds.

Prior to joining Round Hill, Brown spent time in A&R positions at Capitol and Sony/BMG, as well as publishing positions at Universal, Warner Chappell, Lorimar, and Silverline Goldline Music.

Although he is unsure what he will do next, he will take the next few months working on miscellaneous projects.

Brown can be reached at moletmusic@comcast.net.

The Power Of Print: MusicRow Print Issues Keep Industry Connected

/by

With its six annual print editions, MusicRow kept the Nashville music industry connected with exclusive editorial content and print directories.

Among many executive profiles and industry-focused articles, MusicRow tapped the expertise of industry leaders Clint Higham (Morris Higham), Tim Wipperman (Anthem Entertainment), Rod Phillips (iHeartMedia), Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media), John Zarling (615 Leverage + Strategy), H. Beecher Hicks III (NMAAM), Norbert Nix (Triple Tigers), and Nate Towne (WME), among many more.

Follow along below as MusicRow revisits its print editions of 2021. All six MusicRow print issues detailed below are available for purchase at MusicRow.com, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

Country Radio & Streaming Issue (February/March 2021)

The 2021 Country Radio & Streaming Issue highlights the winners of MusicRow‘s 19th Annual CountryBreakout Awards, honoring songs that topped the CountryBreakout Radio Chart the prior year. Artist awards were given in Male, Female, and Group/Duo categories, as well Breakout Artist of the Year for a new artist who achieved the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart and Independent Artist of the Year for an unsigned artist who achieved great success on the chart. Other honors were doled out to Label of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Reporter of the Year.

Florida Georgia Line graced the cover of MusicRow‘s issue dedicated to country radio and streaming. Inside, the Country Radio & Streaming Issue features a conversation with iHeartMedia’s Rod Phillips, and highlights Triple Tigers success at country radio with a conversation led by President Norbert Nix and Sr. VP of National Promotion Kevin Herring. MusicRow also did a deep dive into Apple Music’s expansion into radio with Apple Music Country head Michael Bryan as well as Apple Radio hosts Kelleigh Bannen and Ty Bentli. Also spotlighted in the issue is an inside look at Spotify’s Indigo playlist with editor Laura Ohls, and a look at secondary market radio with Radio 7 Media’s Charlotte Wright Stremler.

 

InCharge Issue (April/May 2021)

MusicRow‘s 2021 InCharge Issue highlights key music industry executives in Nashville’s entertainment community. Each of the 382 profiles includes updated contact information, career biography, and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations. The guide also includes a company appendix, record label staff appendix, and a professional categories appendix which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.

Esteemed radio and television personality Bobby Bones graces the cover of the coveted MusicRow print issue.

This issue of InCharge also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the publication by creating a beautifully woven timeline of MusicRow’s history. From the publications’ creation in April of 1981 as a one-page directory to the multi-format media presence that it holds in 2021, the timeline highlights MusicRow‘s milestone moments throughout its 40 years. See the timeline here.

 

Artist Roster Issue (June/July 2021)

The Artist Roster Issue contains five company directories complete with client rosters for Label, Management, Talent Agents, Publicity, and Artist Services (Business Management/Financial/Insurance, Digital Music, Legal, Marketing, Radio Promotion, and Organizations). This edition also offers a summarizing Artist Grid, which has become an indispensable tool connecting artists to their team members in each category.

Old Dominion graces the cover of the Artist Roster Issue. Highlighted in this issue is a conversation with industry stalwarts Clint Higham and Ebie McFarland on lessons learned from the pandemic, “cancel culture,” TikTok and NFTs, and more. Elsewhere, National Museum of African American Music President & CEO H. Beecher Hicks III talks about the new Nashville fixture, which serves as the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. Also featured in the Artist Roster issue is Spotify’s Head of Editorial for Nashville Rachel Whitney, and Sound Healthcare & Financial CEO/Founder R.J. Stillwell.

 

MusicRow Awards Issue (August/September 2021)

The MusicRow Awards Issue highlights this year’s MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Artist of the Year. The winners were announced online shortly after publication in a virtual event.

Gabby Barrett graces the cover of the 2021 MusicRow Awards issue. Inside, acclaimed photographer John Shearer lets MusicRow go behind the lens, and industry members John Zarling and Jackie Campbell talk about their newest marketing and brand partnership company 615 Leverage + Strategy. Elsewhere, MusicRow celebrates 20 years of Nashville’s indie label Dualtone Records with the label’s CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson and President and Partner Paul Roper. The MusicRow Awards issue also reassesses the state of independent venues and the touring industry as a whole as it begins to reopen amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and contains an informative roundup of music industry awards.

 

Publisher Issue (October/November 2021)

Lauren Alaina appears on the cover of the MusicRow Publisher Issue, which includes the 2021 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies, as well as organizations and services available for songwriters.

In the 2021 Publisher Issue, MusicRow does a deep dive into the First Family of Music Row—The Bradleys—chronicling their impact on the Nashville music business and beyond. Featuring conversations with Clay, Jerry, and Patsy Bradley, this issue highlights some of the family’s greatest achievements and showcases treasured photos from over the years.

UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar join MusicRow for a conversation on the state of Nashville publishing in 2021. Elsewhere Tree Vibez Music’s Leslie DiPiero and Verse 2 Music’s Kent Earls explain the process behind artist-led publishing ventures. Also featured in the Publisher Issue is Anthem Entertainment’s Tim Wipperman, Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon and The MLC’s Kris Ahrend.

Finally, the 2021 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Michael Carter, Ernest, Martin Johnson, Alex Kline, Lee Thomas Miller, and Brittney Spencer.

 

Touring & Next Big Thing Issue (December 2021/January 2022)

MusicRow‘s 2022 Touring & Next Big Thing Print Issue features the eighth annual Next Big Thing class of artists, including Bexar, Cooper Alan, Callista Clark, Hannah Dasher, Brooke Eden, Willie Jones, Ian Munsick, Lily Rose, Brittney Spencer, Tiera, and Sam Williams. Also included is the N.B.T. Industry Directory Class of 2022, which spotlights rising Nashville music representatives who are having a major impact on the industry.

Brett Eldredge graces the cover with his holiday charm. Editorial features inside include a discussion with CAA’s Jeff Krones and Sandbox Entertainment’s Leslie Cohea as their mutual clients Dan + Shay returned to the road on their relaunched “The (Arena) Tour.” WME Music Agent Lindsey Dodge offers her insight on the transition from success on TikTok to becoming a viable touring act for the many artists that were discovered on the platform during the pandemic.

Elsewhere, Bridgestone Arena’s David Kells pulls back the curtain on some of the hardships the Nashville arena faced over the last eighteen months, and WME’s Nate Towne talks his evolution from the company’s mailroom to becoming a Partner. MusicRow also remembers Randy “Baja” Fletcher, a titan of the touring industry who tragically passed away in August, with a special tribute for his journey through the live entertainment space and his vast contributions to the industry. This edition also breaks down the Nashville Number System with the help of musician and author Chas Williams, as well as musician Annie Clements.

Finally, the 2022 Touring Directory is included in this issue, featuring contact information for touring transportation, production and insurance companies.

 

Important Print Dates For 2022:

Country Radio & Streaming Issue (February/March 2021)
Space Deadline: 1/28
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 2/8
Street Date: 2/23

InCharge Issue (April/May 2021)
Space Deadline: 3/25
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 4/5
Street Date: 4/19

Artist Roster Issue (June/July 2021)
Space Deadline: 5/20
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 5/31
Street Date: 6/14

MusicRow Awards Issue (August/September 2021)
Space Deadline: 7/15
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 7/26
Street Date: 8/16

Publisher Issue (October/November 2021)
Space Deadline: 9/9
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 9/20
Street Date: 10/4

Touring & Next Big Thing Issue (December 2021/January 2022)
Space Deadline: 10/28
Camera Ready Art Deadline: 11/8
Street Date: 11/29

Rewind: 2021 MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No 1s

/by

Since 2002, the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart has crowned No. 1 songs in the secondary country radio marketplace, celebrating 42 songs in 2021. MusicRow congratulates each artist, songwriter and label for its accomplishments this year.

Luke Combs earned 3 No. 1s this year. “Forever After All” and “Cold As You” each spent 2 weeks occupying No. 1. He also received a credit for his duet with Jameson Rodgers, “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood‘s duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” spent an incredible 3 weeks at the top of the chart in September. Thomas Rhett earned two 2-week No. 1s for “What’s Your Country Song” and “Country Again.”

The most spun song of 2021 was Jon Pardi‘s “Tequila Little Time,” which went No. 1 in July and received a total of 53,458 cumulative spins.

Four artists received their first CountryBreakout No. 1s this year: Lainey Wilson, “Things A Man Oughta Know;” Priscilla Block, “Just About Over You;” Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like;” and MacKenzie Porter, “Thinking ‘Bout You.” Niko Moon earned his first No. 1 credit as an artist for “Good Time,” as did Ryan Hurd for his duet with Maren Morris, “Chasing After You.”

The winners of the 20th Annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards, which are based on radio airplay reported by stations on MusicRow’s radio panel, will be revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.

2021 MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1s:
Jan. 8: Jordan Davis, “Almost Maybes”
Jan. 15 & Jan, 22: Thomas Rhett, “What’s Your Country Song”
Jan. 29: Morgan Wallen, “7 Summers”
Feb. 5: Brett Young, “Lady”
Feb. 12: Eric Church, “Hell Of A View”
Feb. 19: Dierks Bentley, “Gone”
Feb. 26: Niko Moon, “Good Time”
March 5: Jake Owen, “Made For You”
March 12: Keith Urban, P!nk, “One Too Many”
March 19: Gabby Barrett, “The Good Ones”
March 26: Tim McGraw, Tyler Hubbard, “Undivided”
April 2: Miranda Lambert, “Settling Down”
April 9: Blake Shelton, “Minimum Wage”
April 16: Sam Hunt, “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s”
April 23 & April 30: Luke Combs, “Forever After All”
May 7: Chris Young, Kane Brown, “Famous Friends”
May 14: Carly Pearce, “Next Girl”
May 21: Jason Aldean, “Blame It On You”
May 28: Justin Moore, “We Didn’t Have Much”
June 4 & June 11: Thomas Rhett, “Country Again”
June 18 & June 25: Luke Bryan, “Waves”
July 2: Lee Brice, “Memory I Don’t Mess With”
July 9: Lady A, “Like A Lady”
July 16: Chase Rice, Florida Georgia Line, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.”
July 23: Jon Pardi, “Tequila Little Time”
July 30: Old Dominion, “I Was On A Boat That Day”
Aug. 6: Jameson Rodgers, Luke Combs, “Cold Beer Calling My Name”
Aug. 13: Lainey Wilson, “Things A Man Oughta Know”
Aug. 20: Priscilla Block, “Just About Over You”
Aug. 27 & Oct. 22: Luke Combs, “Cold As You”
Sept. 3, Sept. 10 & Sept. 24: Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, “If I Didn’t Love You”
Sept. 17: Chris Stapleton, “You Should Probably Leave”
Oct. 1: Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris, “Chasing After You”
Oct. 8: Zac Brown Band, “Same Boat”
Oct. 15: Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like”
Oct. 29: Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, “Buy Dirt”
Nov. 5: Eric Church, “Heart On Fire”
Nov. 12: Morgan Wallen, “Sand In My Boots”
Nov. 19 & Nov. 24: Dustin Lynch, MacKenzie Porter, “Thinking ‘Bout You”
Dec. 3: Kane Brown, “One Mississippi”
Dec. 10: Parker McCollum, “To Be Loved By You”
Dec. 17: Blake Shelton, “Come Back As A Country Boy”

MusicRow Marks 40 Years Of Connecting The Nashville Music Industry

/by

What were you doing in April of 1981?

David M. Ross, founder of this publication, was walking up and down 16th and 17th Avenues handing out the very first issue of this magazine—a one sheet, double sided directory of the key companies in the Nashville music industry. From music stores to recording studios, the listings were peppered with a handful of advertisements and that one-sheet of paper grew into the respected trade publication known today as MusicRow.

The first issue of MusicRow, printed in 1981.

Meanwhile during that same time in 1981, a young honors student in Mobile, Alabama named Sherod Robertson was getting ready to graduate from high school with nothing but dreams and aspirations ahead. His successful and varied career path eventually led him to cross paths with Ross and take the reins of the magazine in 2010. Robertson considers his role at the publication more of stewardship than ownership.

For 40 years, MusicRow has been Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication. Readers include all facets of the music industry including label executives, managers, publishers, songwriters, artists, booking agents, producers, radio, and more. Whether it’s current or breaking news, timely interviews or being early adopters of new talent, industry experts respect the articles written by our experienced staff of professional industry observers, reporters and critics.

Connecting everyone in the Nashville music industry, Music Row Enterprises has become home to other industry-related products and events, including the song pitch-sheet RowFax, MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, the MusicRow Weekly newsletter, Rising Women on the Row honors, the annual MusicRow Awards and much more.

1981: MusicRow is established in April 1981. “In March 1981, I asked my small circle of industry friends if starting some kind of music publication was a good idea. They all said, ‘It will never work in Nashville. People have already tried it.’ But perhaps it was a higher power that made me believe. And so in April 1981 this publication was born as a little one page directory. I looked around for a name. MusicRow seemed ideal and no one had claimed it.” – David M. Ross, Founder.

1981: First artist featured on the cover was Cristy Lane in Aug. 1981. Eleanor Johnston, known professionally as Cristy Lane, achieves success with her first Gold record in New Zealand for “One Day At A Time,” written by Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkin.

MusicRow’s InCharge debuts in 1987

1983: Founder David M. Ross publishes an article called, The Computer Is Coming. MusicRow quickly establishes its reputation for being at the forefront of industry news and technology. In the same year, MetroGnome’s Mark Augelli tells MusicRow, “I see a scenario of these little hand held computers… a time when somebody will walk into a producer to pitch songs and either will have their entire database inside that small unit or communicate with a central database and then using digital, instantly deliver a recording of whatever song is desired.” 15 years later, the first handheld portable MP3 player is released in 1998.

1987: MusicRow’s InCharge debuts as a stand-alone product in Jan. 1987. InCharge, often referred to as the “bible” of the Nashville music industry, is a much sought-after publication highlighting the top decision makers in the industry. It becomes part of the annual MusicRow subscribed membership in 1990 and continues to be a badge of honor for those included in each year’s new edition.

1991: Created by Grammy award-winning art director Bill Johnson, the current MusicRow logo debuts on Jan. 23, 1991. As the art director at CBS Records in the 1980s and 1990s, Johnson left his visual imprint on an entire generation of country record makers and was noted for the vibrancy and saturated colors of his album-jacket designs, posters and advertisements. He also designed the iconic logo for Rolling Stone.

1992: RowFax, the industry song pitch list, launches. RowFax provides up to date information about which artists are working on recording projects and currently searching for new material. It is used by publishers, songwriters, producers, artists, A&R executives and others interested in the process of finding and recording songs.

MusicRow.com launches in 1996

1996: The first MusicRow website (www.musicrow.com) launches. Popular search engines at the time on the web are WebCrawler, Yahoo, and YeeHaw–a Nashville oriented search site. Always an early adopter, MusicRow’s first website goes live only 3 years after the very first website in history, info.cern.ch, is launched by the European Organization for Nuclear Research and made public on the world wide web. At the beginning of 2021, MusicRow’s latest upgrade to its website offers an easy-to-read and streamlined experience that includes larger photos, larger fonts, an enhanced search engine, and improved mobile experience among other upgrades. The site contains over 30,000 articles.

2000: Robert K. Oermann’s single reviews have captured the industry’s attention for all of MusicRow’s 40 year history. For example in 2000, the historian and renowned music critic said of Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance”: “There are scarcely words in my vocabulary to describe how I feel about this. I have played it daily, as if it were a balm to ease the pain of the world. Lee Ann’s voice is a thing of crystal beauty. The contrapuntal ‘Greek chorus’ of haunting harmony come courtesy of Sons of the Desert. The song and its message are Nashville at its most poetic and profound.” Oermann is woven throughout the many pages of MusicRow’s history since the very beginning, including his much lauded ‘Bobby Karl Works The Room’ features.

Keith Urban appears on the cover of MusicRow‘s October 2002 edition

2002: At the beginning of 2002, MusicRow makes the decision to enter the world of radio and charts. The MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart launches on April 12, 2002 and ranks songs based on radio airplay from MusicRow’s panel of reporting stations.

2002: Keith Urban is featured on the cover of the October 2002 MusicRow print issue. His current single, “Somebody Like You” from his album Golden Road will go on to become his second No. 1 radio single. A look through the print covers of MusicRow is like flipping through the history of country music. From the superstars to the up-and-comers, the MusicRow print issues offer a visual representation of the many artists whose backs our industry rests upon.

2004: The first CountryBreakout Airplay Award ceremony is held. These awards will become part of MusicRow’s annual ‘Meet & Greet’ reception and party held right before the annual Country Radio Seminar begins. Attendees of the convention anticipate this annual gathering as they reconnect with their peers in the radio industry and congratulate the MusicRow award winners.

Taylor Swift visits MusicRow offices in 2006

2006: Taylor Swift stops by for an artist visit. She goes on to become one of the most successful musical artists in the world, reaching sales of over 200 million records worldwide with numerous accolades including 11 Grammy Awards. MusicRow is often a designated media stop for artists for a visit with the team and to share new music. Artist visits at the MusicRow office have included Swift, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Ashley McBryde, John Schneider, Ingrid Andress, Kiefer Sutherland, Gabby Barrett, Jo Dee Messina, Old Dominion, Martina McBride, and countless others.

2008: As an early adopter, MusicRow shares its first Tweet on a new social media platform called Twitter on Sept. 3, 2008. The following year on July 9, 2009, MusicRow made its first post on Facebook and eventually adds Instagram to its social media platforms. Google+ was also used for a short period of time, but despite being released by the Google behemoth, its engagement as a social media platform never materialized.

Sherod Robertson purchases MusicRow in 2010

2010: On Nov. 19, 2010, Sherod Robertson purchases MusicRow magazine. Robertson, who spent years in the music business at Arista Records and Reunion Records during the ’90s, adds “MusicRow owner” to his repertoire. SouthComm, the then parent company of Music Row Communications, discovered a perfect opportunity to capitalize on MusicRow’s growth by selling the industry trade to Robertson, who at the time was SouthComm’s CFO.

2012: MusicRow holds its first annual Rising Women on the Row honors and breakfast at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Friday, March 16, 2012. The event sells out before the honorees are announced. It is created to recognize women who are becoming visionary leaders in Nashville’s music industry through their dedication, innovation, and contributions. Kay West is the featured speaker and honorees include Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Denise Stevens, Heather McBee, and Carla Wallace.

2014: MusicRow publishes its inaugural Next Big Thing issue featuring artists who range from established hitmakers prepping their next moves, to newcomers ready to claim their turns in the spotlight. In 2019, MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is added and becomes the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who occupy important roles at their respective companies, and who are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.

Cole Swindell receives the first-ever MusicRow Challenge Coin for his No. 1, “Chillin’ It”

2014: MusicRow presents its first Challenge Coin to Cole Swindell for “Chillin’ It.” Each uniquely numbered coin is given to artists and songwriters who earn a No. 1 song on MusicRow‘s Country Breakout Radio Chart. Challenge coins are believed to date back to WWI, when they were initially given to American soldiers. It has been reported that after receiving a challenge coin, organization members carried it with them at all times. When ‘challenged’ to prove membership, they would produce it to verify their membership status. MusicRow has awarded over 1,300 coins to date.

2018: The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart launches in Oct. 2018, and Chase McGill is the No. 1 songwriter on the very first MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The weekly chart uses data from song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive asset to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Alecia Davis, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Sherod Robertson toast at the 31st annual MusicRow Awards. Photo: Steve Lowry

2019: The MusicRow Awards expands to War Memorial Auditorium for its 31st year. The annual event is an invitation-only gala where the Nashville music industry enjoys top camaraderie, gourmet food, and expanded award presentation. The first MusicRow Awards was launched in 1982 to honor a producer of the year. In 1989 it expanded to include Top 10 Album All-Stars—an award MusicRow still presents to studio musicians today. Over the years, additional categories are added for a total of 19 annual awards presented at the event today.

MusicRow‘s most recent print issue, the 2022 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue

2020: The MusicRow Weekly launches in November of 2020 delivering a free online newsletter published on the company’s website and emailed each Friday to recipients. The newsletter features the current week’s top Nashville music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and top songwriter charts, and much more.

2021: MusicRow marks 40 years of connecting the Nashville music industry, which has proven even more essential from the industry being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. From starting out as a one-page directory in 1981 to a multi-format media presence in 2021, the publication continues to deliver essential news and resources to those who work in the music industry and will continue to evolve and grow in the future.

Lee Greenwood & Paula Deen To Host ‘Helping A Hero Telethon’

/by

Lee Greenwood and Paula Deen are set to host the Helping A Hero Telethon, which will air on Monday, Dec. 27, at 7 p.m. CT on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and One America Network.

The Texas-based nonprofit, Helping A Hero, has already awarded over 150 homes to veterans across 24 states. Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, recently issued the 100 Homes Challenge to help fund the next 100 homes.

The upcoming telethon will aim to raise awareness and money to fund the remaining 75% of the 100 Homes Challenge, with Morris funding the initial 25% of the total cost of the homes.

The one-hour program will include performances by Crystal Gayle, Debby Boone, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Frontmen, John Conlee, The Gatlin Brothers, Home Free, Darryl Worley, and a finale with Sam Moore and T. Graham Brown with special guests Janie Fricke, Lee Brice, Michael Ray, Tim Rushlow, and Darryl Worley.

“I am thankful for the friendships that I have nurtured over the years with so many fellow artists that when I simply asked for their help in performing for this telethon event, so many quickly agreed,” says Greenwood. “This program is going to be something fans of country music will enjoy and I am hopeful that we raise lots of money to help fund these homes for our veterans.”

Helping A Hero is one of the largest home-building organizations in the nation for wounded veterans. Home recipients include veterans from 23 states whose permanent injuries have left them paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, with a severe TBI, blind, and with severe burns.

Veteran Nashville Journalist Marissa R. Moss To Release New Book On Women In Country Music

/by

Marissa R. Moss. Photo: Catherine Powell

A new book about the resiliency of the women in country music, Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be, written by veteran Nashville journalist Marissa R. Moss is on tap for release next spring.

Her Country is Moss’ story of how country music’s female artists have fought back over the past two decades against industry systems designed to keep them down.

In the book, she explores how artists, such as Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris, The Chicks, Miranda Lambert, Rissi Palmer, Brandy Clark, LeAnn Rimes, Brandi Carlile, Margo Price and more, have reinvented the rules to find their place in an industry stacked against them and maximized and conquered when it came to artistic output.

The book chronicles their paths to stardom and their battles against a deeply embedded boys’ club, as well as their efforts to transform the genre into a more inclusive place for all.

“I wrote Her Country after a decade in Nashville following women like Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton and so many more that were breaking rules, making high art, and setting the standards for the genre and beyond–with or without the support of radio,” Moss tells MusicRow of the new book. “Her Country is about how in the past two decades, country’s women fought back against systems designed to keep them down, armed with their art and never willing to just shut up and sing, and how they are building a better future. I hope readers will leave feeling inspired and with a deeper understand of the genre and the women who revolutionized it–and a little fired up, honestly! “

Industry Ink: Justin Moore, For King & Country, Craig Morgan, Jessica Rosenworcel

/by

Justin Moore Joins Arkansas’ 103.7 The Buzz As Morning Sports Show Co-Host

Justin Moore. Photo: Cody Villalobos

Multi-Platinum country artist Justin Moore has added radio personality to his growing list of titles. Moore will join Arkansas’ 103.7 The Buzz as co-host of the station’s morning drive-time program, “Morning Mayhem,” which will air weekdays from 6-10 a.m. CT.

Debuting on Dec. 30, he joins longtime Buzz personalities David Bazzel, Roger Scott and R.J. Hawk. “Morning Mayhem” will launch with Moore as co-host at a remote broadcast from Tampa, Florida, before the Arkansas Razorbacks’ 2022 Outback Bowl game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on New Year’s Day.

“Long before my success in country music, I was a die-hard fan of all Arkansas Razorback sports,” Moore shares. “Growing up in Arkansas, you learn to love the Razorbacks early. No matter what part of the state you’re from, you’re born calling the Hogs. Now I have an outlet for talking about my team.” He continues, “I’m thrilled to be part of a show that is dedicated to just talking about life in Arkansas–whether that be spirited debates about Razorback sports or other topics of interest to listeners.”

“Justin has a dynamic personality, which is essential when you’re helping wake up listeners at 6 a.m.,” adds Bazzel. “His knowledge of the Razorbacks is encyclopedic, and his love for the state of Arkansas is as genuine as it is infectious. And, while Justin is a country superstar, he is also a husband and father who loves his family and state. I can’t wait for our listeners to get to know him on a more personal level.”

 

For King & Country Notch Their Seventh Chart-Topper

Grammy award-winning duo For King & Country have extended their record for consecutive No. 1 singles as “Relate” notches their seventh trip to the top of Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.

The lead single from the Platinum-selling acts upcoming March release, What Are We Waiting For?, also sat atop Mediabase’s Christian AC Airplay chart and marks the duo’s 10th career No. 1.

For King & Country have also re-entered the mainstream charts with their rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” coming in at No. 13 on Mediabase’s Holiday chart, and No. 21 on their AC chart. The track also re-enters Billboard’s AC chart at No. 18, becoming the duo’s fourth Top 20 mainstream AC hit.

 

Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation Provides Christmas Gifts For Over 120 Foster Children

Craig Morgan, Dickson County Firefighters, and volunteers provide Christmas gifts for children in foster care in Dickson County.

The Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation (DCCMF) is spreading holiday cheer throughout Dickson County, Tennessee.

The foundation recently purchased presents for more than 120 children in foster care in Dickson County, including bicycles and power wheels assembled by local firefighters. Students from Creek Wood and Dickson County High Schools wrapped the gifts prior to them being delivered to the families.

“I’m thrilled that everyone came together to make Christmas brighter for children in foster care in Dickson County-from the firefighters to high school students, so many people gave of their time to contribute to this special cause,” shares Dickson County resident, country music entertainer, and Army veteran Craig Morgan.

“It starts with a single wish list from each child, then the community, DCS and the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation work side by side to ensure the foster children have their wishes fulfilled,” adds Department of Children’s Services’ Jackie (Hopkins) Poteet. “For some of these children, these gifts under a tree on Christmas morning is a first–first real Nike shoes, first bicycle, first Barbie house or first necklace. Those items mean so much to these children who have never had it before. Craig Morgan has found a way to spread some happiness to over 120 foster care children and how amazing is that!”

 

U.S. Senate Confirms Jessica Rosenworcel To Lead Federal Communications Commission

Jessica Rosenworcel. Photo: Courtesy of the FCC

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel as chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). With this vote, which came in at 68-to-31, she has become the first woman to lead in the commission’s 87-year history.

Rosenworcel’s new five-year term will see her leading the FCC since last January when President Biden elevated her to Acting Chair. She originally joined the Commission in 2001, working as an attorney and advisor to former Commissioner Michael Copps. Rosenworcel has spent time on Capitol Hill and was nominated to fill a Democratic seat in 2011 by President Obama. After a stint away from the FCC after her term ran out, she was renominated by President Trump in 2017.

Throughout her over two decades-long career, Rosenworcel has focused on issues such as broadband access and “the homework gap”–the inability of poor children to access the web away from school. She has also backed most proposals to remove outdated rules for broadcasters.