U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) has introduced the Protect Working Musicians Act, which would allow artists and music creators to negotiate rates and terms for the use of their music online.

Currently, small and independent musicians have little ability to bargain rates for the use of their music by online streaming platforms. Rather, they must accept whatever is offered by these essential platforms to reach fans and get heard.

“Through the pandemic, streaming services became even more indispensable, allowing us to enjoy the music we love, even when live performances were shut down. But with the exponentially increasing market power of a few tech platforms, the voices of independent musicians are getting harder to hear,” says Rep. Deutch. “By empowering a more diverse chorus of voices to negotiate fair terms and rates for their music, the Protecting Working Musicians Act recognizes the fundamental value of music and gives working artists a fair shot.”

According to Deutch, the Protect Working Musicians Act would empower small, independent artists and music creators by allowing working artists and independent musicians to band together to negotiate with streaming platforms; ensuring that antitrust laws aren’t an obstacle to these negotiations; and by granting working artists and independent musicians the ability to collectively refuse to license their music to an online music distribution platform that refuses to pay market value rates.

The Protect Working Musicians Act is endorsed by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA).

“The Protect Working Musicians Act is crucial legislation to make sure that indie music survives as distribution on dominant digital music platforms becomes all the more necessary,” shares A2IM President and CEO, Dr. Richard James Burgess. “The power imbalance must be addressed by Congress so that creators and independent labels can band together to fight for fair compensation and against anticompetitive schemes that devalue music. Year after year these platforms grow their profits and subscriber bases at astronomical rates while artists struggle, especially in the wake of the pandemic. We thank Representative Deutch for standing up for the premise that artists and creators deserve to make a living wage even if they aren’t a mega star or signed to a major label.”

“We are so grateful to have a friend and supporter like Congressman Deutch,” says Rosanne Cash, co-chair of the Artist Rights Alliance and Grammy winning singer and songwriter. “His appreciation for music is evident and his commitment to all musicians gives me hope that we can create a fairer, stronger music economy that works for fans, services, artists, and songwriters alike.”

BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records’ duo Locash have announced their new EP, Woods & Water, will be available on Nov. 5.

Inspired by each of their childhoods–Chris Lucas grew up in Baltimore on the water and Preston Brust, a preacher’s kid, was raised in Kokomo, Indiana, and surrounded by nature–the EP represents both. With five tracks, each one penned by at least one member of the duo, the collection aims to showcase Locash’s high-energy twang and optimism.

“We can’t wait to share this music! We kept it all on a positive note like we do best, and we collaborated with some bucket list voices and writers. We wanted Woods & Water to be a mini vacation–a getaway,” the pair shares. “Relatable and easy to sing along to, this project hits every feel-good tempo. It’s us. These are the anthems the world needs right now.”

The project’s track list features writers including The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Mike Love on a song titled “Beach Boys,” as well as Nashville tunesmiths such as Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, and Chris LaCorte. Corey Crowder produced the project, with additional production by Clint Lagerberg.

Tallying three Gold-certified career hits, including their 2019 “One Big Country Song,” two No. 1s, two acclaimed albums, and nearly 500 million global streams to their credit, Locash also recently announced their extended global publishing agreement with BMG.

Woods & Water Track List:
1. Beach Boys (Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Dallas Wilson, Jared Mullins, Brian Wilson, Mike Love)
2. In The Woods (Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Chris LaCorte, Corey Crowder)
3. Sippin Sunsets (Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Jason Duke, John Byron)
4. Small Town For Life (Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
5. Chillionaire (Preston Brust, Clint Lagerberg, Drew Baldridge)
Tracks 1-4 Produced by Corey Crowder
Track 5 Produced by Clint Lagerberg

Caroline Jones. Photo: Laura Tait

Singer-songwriter Caroline Jones will release her sophomore album, Antipodes, on Nov. 12, distributed in partnership with ONErpm. A new track from the project, “No Daylight,” is available everywhere now.

Often used to describe parts of the world diametrically opposite, Antipodes was selected as Jones’ sophomore album title as she spent the majority of lockdown in New Zealand working on the album and spending time with her now fiancé. The 13-track record includes features and credits from guests Zac Brown, Joe Bonamassa, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, Mac McAnally, and more.

Jones has been on the road this summer performing as a special guest on Zac Brown Band’s “The Comeback Tour,” and she will join the band as an opener for The Rolling Stones on Nov. 11. Later in November, she will play some album release shows in her home state of Florida, and will perform her single, “Chasin’ Me,” on ABC’s The Bachelorette on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Antipodes Track List:
Getting to Me
Big Love
Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable)
Someone Who Wasn’t You
No Daylight
Don’t Talk to Me Like I’m Tiffany (ft. Joe Bonamassa)
Not Love
What a View
If I Don’t Love You
You Have the Most Beautiful…
Chasin’ Me
Everyone’s a Rebel ‘Til They Fall in Love
So Many Skies (ft. Matthew Ramsey)

The Academy of Country Music has announced the official dates for submissions and ballots for The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards coming in 2022.

Submissions for The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards️ are now open. The Academy will accept entries through Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 at 5 p.m. CT. To submit, click here.

Additionally, the ACM Board of Directors approved changes to the Academy’s Studio Recording Awards’ Guitar Player of the Year category, now splitting it into two awards—individually recognizing Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year and Electric Guitar Player of the Year.

The previously awarded Steel Guitar Player of the Year will now be considered within the existing Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year Award category.

In the Radio Awards, the National On-Air Personality of the Year category has also been split to now recognize both a National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year and a National Daily Personality of the Year.

The Academy of Country Music has also updated the voting security protocols for their Awards, implementing a double-authentication process through a mobile number, rather than through an email address.

“As we approach the 57th ACM Awards cycle, ensuring a secure and efficient voting process for our members is a top priority. We look forward to the implementation of our new double-authentication process and the extra safety layer it will offer in maintaining the integrity of our prestigious ACM Awards,” says Tommy Moore, VP Artist and Industry Relations, Governance and Board Administration. “Additionally, we are thrilled to continue to expand our Awards and to open our arms to celebrate even more radio personalities and studio musicians who help keep this industry running. We look forward to recognizing both acoustic and electric guitar players, as well as national weekly and national daily on-air personalities for the first time this year!”

Key dates are as follows:
Submissions Period Opens: Oct. 25, 2021
Submissions Period Closes: Nov. 30, 2021
First Round Voting Main Awards: Jan. 3, 2022 – January 10, 2022
First Round Voting Radio Awards: Jan. 3, 2022 – January 17, 2022
Second Round Voting Main Awards: Jan. 24, 2022 – January 31, 2022
Final Round Voting Radio Awards: Jan. 24, 2022 – February 7, 2022
Final Round Voting Main Awards: Feb. 21, 2022 – February 28, 2022

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will be exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video, the first major awards show to be broadcast solely via a streaming platform.

Warner Music Nashville’s Zac Brown Band earns this week’s top country album debut with their eighth studio album, The Comeback, coming in at No. 3 with 19,000 streams. The new record ranks at No. 27 overall, according to Nielsen.

Dangerous: The Double Album keeps Morgan Wallen‘s spot at No. 1 on the top country streaming albums and the top album overall, nabbing 42,000 streams and adding to its 50 million streams RTD. Wallen also takes the No. 5 spot as If I Know Me adds 14,000 weekly streams. Luke Combs takes up the second position with What You See Is What You Get and the fourth position with This One’s For You gaining 22,000 and 15,000 streams, respectively.

Monument’s Walker Hayes continues his ride at the top of the country streaming songs chart as “Fancy Like” earns another 13 million streams, totaling 207 million RTD, according to Nielsen. “Chasing After You” (Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris) rises to No. 2 as it adds 7.7 million streams, “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) rises to No. 3 with 6.4 million streams, and “If I Didn’t Love You” (Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood) falls to No. 4 with 6.2 million streams this week. Chris Stapleton rounds out the top five as “You Should Probably Leave” gains 5.7 million streams.