Weekly Register: Zac Brown Band Makes Top 3 Debut With ‘The Comeback’

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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.

Big Loud Records Adds ‘The Voice’ Alum Jake Worthington To Roster

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Jake Worthington. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Big Loud Records has added rising country artist Jake Worthington to its roster.

Hailing from Texas, Worthington first came on the scene as a finalist on Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice in 2014, and now joins the Big Loud roster that includes Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, Hardy, Mason Ramsey, MacKenzie Porter, Ernest, Ben Burgess, Ashland Craft, Larry Fleet, Sean Stemaly, Shawn Austin, Blame My Youth, and Lily Rose.

With over eight million on-demand streams and more than 230,000 social media followers to his credit, Worthington is also signed to Big Loud for publishing and management.

“We’re excited to welcome Jake Worthington to the Big Loud Records family,” Partner/CEO Seth England says. “He’s been putting in the work to build his own authentic brand of country music, and we’re looking forward to teaming up to get his sound on the map.”

“One more piece to the Jake Worthington puzzle has been put down, but it’s not finished,” Manager Troy “Tracker” Johnson shares. “Big Loud Records can’t wait to assist Jake in making what will be the honky-tonk album this city has been waiting for.”

“Country music is all I’ve known for a long while,” Worthington adds. “It’s been my friend, helped me grow and granted me experience and opportunity. I’m honored to work alongside Big Loud Records and am grateful to have a team who wants me to just do what I do—country music. It’s a different feeling knowing that everyone around me believes the music I make has its place in country music. A guy couldn’t ask for more.”

Worthington makes his debut as a Big Loud artist this coming Friday (Oct. 29), featured alongside Ronnie Dunn and Jake Owen on “Jonesin’” in the latest installment of Hixtape: Vol. 2.

The singer-songwriter is currently working on original music with chart-topping co-writers Craig Wiseman, Ernest Keith Smith, Tony Lane and more. Throughout the rest of the year, Worthington will crisscross Texas before visiting The Chelsea in Las Vegas on Dec. 4, Ace of Spades in Sacramento on Dec. 10, and Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa on Dec. 17.

Aaron Lewis Explores Vintage Country Roots On ‘Frayed At Both Ends’

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Aaron Lewis. Photo: Eric Englund

Aaron Lewis is giving fans a taste of his upcoming new album, Frayed At Both Ends, with his new track “Goodbye Town,” featuring harmonica from Mickey Raphael. The new album is set for release Jan. 28 from the Valory Music Co.

Frayed At Both Ends strips back Lewis’ sound with help from guitarists Tom Bukovac, Biff Watson and Seth Taylor, dobroist Ben Kitterman, acoustic slide and baritone Laur Joamets, keyboards from Jim Moose Brown, and acoustic guitar and mandolin from Dan Tyminski.

The 13-track album includes the previously released CreatiVets-penned “They Call Me Doc,” telling the story about a triage soldier that honors the fighting men and women who’ve been injured and those who care for them. With just an acoustic guitar, Lewis is joined by Tyminiski and Vince Gill for the tribute track.

“Big heartache is part of it,” Lewis says. “Country music takes on the tough stuff, the doubts and the working harder to just stay where you are. Writing with guys like Dan Tyminski, who’s sung on some of my earlier records, Jeffrey Steele, Ira Dean, David Lee Murphy and Chris Wallin all have the same sense of what this is, so I can’t wait for people to get to hear this record.

“This is an album of saying things that need to be said about how people actually live,” he continues. “Life isn’t easy. Most people drink to forget, or drive for hours trying to get away from what they can’t let go of or leave behind. Work takes it out of you. Love falls short or destroys you. Disappointments stack up. But still you have to keep going–and how you do that says everything about the man that you are.”

Fans can pre-order the album now and receive “Goodbye Town,” along with “Am I The Only One,” which spent the 4th of July at No. 1 on iTunes all-genre chart, as well as marked only the ninth song since 1958 to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Frayed At Both Ends Track List:
1. “Again” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, David Lee Murphy
2. “Goodbye Town” | Aaron Lewis, Randy Montana
3. “Everybody Talks To God” | Craig Monday, Chris Wallin
4. “Am I The Only One” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Jeffrey Steele
5. “Kill Me Like You Love Me” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Dan Tyminiski, Chris Wallin
6. “Pull Me Under” | Aaron Lewis
7. “Life Behind Bars” | Aaron Lewis, Josh Hogue, Matt McGinn
8. “Waiting There For Me” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Dan Tyminiski, Chris Wallin
9. “They Call Me Doc” featuring CreatiVets, Vince Gill, Dan Tyminiski | Shaun Bott, Richard Casper, Brian Carper, Jourdan Walker, Johnny McGuire
10. “Get What You Get” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Dan Tyminiski
11. “Sticks And Stones” | Aaron Lewis, Paul Barber, Matt McGinn
12. “One In The Same” | Aaron Lewis, Trent Tomlinson
13. “Someone” | Aaron Lewis, Paul Barber, Matt McGinn

Winners Announced For 52nd Annual Dove Awards

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The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on Tuesday night (Oct. 19) in Nashville, Tennessee, before airing Friday night (Oct. 22) on TBN.

CeCe Winans and Jason Ingram led the night with four awards. Winans took home Gospel Artist of the Year and Ingram won Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist). For King & Country notched three awards, including the coveted Artist of the Year. Chris Brown of Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick also won three awards each, including Song of the Year for “The Blessing.” Maverick City Music also claimed New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Artist of the Year went to We The Kingdom. Carrie Underwood won Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for her collaboration with Winans, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

“I’ve been doing music a long time. This means so much to me because I’ve seen God move in my family in miraculous ways. He is who we hope He is,” said Ed Cash from We The Kingdom.

The music community reunited after last year’s virtual ceremony with live performances from Lauren Daigle, co-host Natalie Grant, and a closing rendition of Worship Recorded Song of the Year, “Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship. A handful of special collaborations also took the stage, including KB with Matt Redman, Jonathan McReynolds with Mali Music, and Dante Bowe with Kelontae Gavin.

Chairman of the GMA Board Roy Morgan presented Jackie Patillo with the first-time Dove Award for Distinguished Leadership. Morgan also announced the new Dove will be an annual award and will be named The Jackie Patillo Leadership Award in the years to come.

“I am speechless. And so honored and so grateful. This is a calling y’all. This is a mission. This is not a job. Even though some days are hard. But, I love you. And I’m grateful,” shared Patillo. “I believe in unity in Christ. I believe we can celebrate our diversity in ways that will show the world that they’ll know we are Christians by our love. I believe in the power of God through the Word and through the message in your songs. So thank you. I’m so grateful and I’m awestruck over this.”

Partial List of 2021 Dove Award Winners:
Artist of the Year: For King & Country
New Artist of the Year: Maverick City Music
Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year: We The Kingdom
Song of the Year: “The Blessing”
Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Graves Into Gardens” – Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake
Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gospel Artist of the Year: CeCe Winans
Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” – Carrie Underwood ft. Cece Winans
Inspirational Film of the Year: A Week Away
Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: His Glory Alone – KB
Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Change Is Coming – Joseph Habedank

FGL’s Brian Kelley Unveils New Country Musical ‘May We All’ Set For TPAC Debut

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FGL’s Brian Kelley and his production company CuzBro Productions, in partnership with Lively McCabe Entertainment, have unveiled their new country musical, May We All, is coming to Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center next summer.

The musical tells the story of Jenna Coates, a small-town girl whose big-city singing career is over before it even begins. Returning to the people and places of her past, she finds a path to the future. However, lot has changed in Harmony, Tennessee, since she left. To dig themselves out of their current crises, they’re going to need each other and music.

May We All features a score of fan-favorites from Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Florida Georgia Line, Jessica Andrews, Johnny Cash, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, LoCash, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw, The Chicks, and more. As part of the musical, two original songs co-written by FGL’s Kelley and Tyler Hubbard will debut in the production

“I’ve been dreaming and scheming on a musical for a while now, and for May We All to debut in Nashville next June is so surreal. It wouldn’t be a country music party without some special guests and surprises,” shares Kelley. “I’m thrilled to welcome my friends and fellow artists to the cast, and can’t wait to see what each one brings to the character of Bailey Stone.”

The multi-week event will feature a rotating lineup of country music guest artists who will step into the role of Bailey Stone, including Alana Springsteen, Alexandra Kay, Brealnd, Kelley, Canaan Smith, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Chris Ruediger, Cooper Alan, Danielle Bradbery, Jamie O’Neal, Lainey Wilson, Lindsay Ell, LoCash, Nick Fradiani, Scarlett Burke, Thomas Mac, Tigirlily, Trent Harmon, and many more.

Executive Producer Michael Barra adds, “From the very beginning, we created the role of Bailey Stone to be played by a different guest artist at every performance in Nashville. We’re already blown away by the caliber of talent and are looking forward to making these special guest moments fun for both the artist and the audience.”

“We are thrilled to host the world premiere of May We All at Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville next summer, and to be a part of this exciting collaboration,” says Jennifer Turner, TPAC President and CEO. “In Nashville, you never know who is going to appear on the many stages around town. With this impressive list of guest artists making each performance a one-of-kind experience, this engagement is no exception. It’s the perfect fit for Music City.”

Making its world premiere on June 7–July 17, 2022, tickets for the performances go on sale to the general public beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Oct. 29.

Earlier this year, producers also confirmed that a film adaptation is in the works, directed by Andy Fickman. Information on the production, cast, and creative team will be announced soon.

Payton Smith Extends Publishing Agreement With Eclipse Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Clay Bradley (Vice President of Creative, BMI); Penny Gattis (General Manager, Eclipse Music Publishing); Payton Smith; Jamie Bruno (Creative Manager, Eclipse Music Publishing); Melissa Sacripanti, (Administration Manager, Eclipse Music Publishing); Eric Smith (Manager, AMG).

Payton Smith has renewed his exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.

The 21-year-old self-taught musician has always dreamt of playing his own brand of country music, one influenced by ’90s country and guitar rock. With influences stemming from the likes of Pearl Jam and Eric Church, Smith composed and played every string instrument on each track of his debut 2019 EP.

His single, “Like I Knew You Would,” charted as the No. 7 song of the year on Spotify’s Hot Country in 2020 and has been streamed over 40 million times. He was also country radio’s most added new male artist of 2020 as well as recognized in CMT’s Listen Up Class. Smith was also chosen as on one of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Artists in he class of 2020.

“Payton is a triple threat and an undeniable talent. It’s been an honor for Eclipse to partner with Payton early on in his career and especially rewarding to see him come into his own in a way that moves audiences so powerfully,” says General Manager of Eclipse’s Publishing division, Penny Gattis. “His dedication to the craft of songwriting is inspiring and, coupled with his guitar skills and live performances, he’s a world-class entertainer. We are thrilled to continue on this journey with him at Eclipse Music as his publishing home.”

“Eclipse Music Group has had an everlasting effect on the way that I approach songwriting and my artistry,” adds Smith. “From when I first started working with Clay Bradley at BMI in 2014, signed with Eclipse in 2018, and re-signed with Penny Gattis in 2021, the passion at Eclipse has always been SONG driven. I’m so excited to continue this relationship with Penny, Kurt, and the whole team at Eclipse. Here’s to new chapters.”

Jessie James Decker Celebrates ‘The Woman I’ve Become’ EP Release, Announces 2022 Tour

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Jessie James Decker

On the heels of her The Woman I’ve Become EP release, singer-songwriter Jessie James Decker has announced her headlining “The Woman I Am” Tour will kick off this spring.

Beginning on April 14 in Detroit, the run will span over 20 dates, including stops at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York, and The Novo in Los Angeles. Rising country artist Adam Doleac will support Decker on the upcoming dates. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. local time.

Along the way, she will perform her newest seven-song collection which celebrates her own personal growth and marks her first Big Yellow Dog / Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville project.

Pictured (L-R): Torie Mason (SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics, WMN); Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming, WMN); Fletcher Foster (F2 Entertainment); Ben Kline (EVP / GM, WMN); Jessie James Decker; Stephanie Davenport (Director, A&R, WMN); Missy Iredell (Sr. Director, Artist Development, WMN); Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, WMN); Matt Musacchio (Champ Management); Tim Foisset (SVP Commercial Partnerships, WMN). Photo: Alan Poizner

“The Woman I’ve Become is unlike any record I’ve ever created,” shares Decker. “It’s a true transition from the young girl I was to the woman I have become. I’ve never been this vulnerable before. I think life changes and growth have made me confident enough to show that vulnerable side.”

Decker celebrated the EP launch in Nashville last night (Oct. 21) alongside friends, family and team members from across the industry. She took the stage on The Twelve Thirty Club rooftop to showcase some of her never-before-performed songs.

Since the release of her self-titled debut in 2009, Decker has accumulated more than 100 million on-demand streams and amassed over five million fans across her social media platforms.

“The Woman I Am” Tour Dates:
Thursday, April 14, 2022 // Detroit, MI // The Fillmore Detroit
Friday, April 15, 2022 // Columbus, OH // Express Live! Indoor Pavilion
Saturday, April 16, 2022 // Toronto, ON // HISTORY
Thursday, April 28, 2022 // Nashville, TN // Ryman Auditorium
Friday, April 29, 2022 // Rosemont, IL // Joe’s Live
Saturday, April 30, 2022 // Minneapolis, MN // Palace Theatre
Sunday, May 1, 2022 // Milwaukee, WI // The Rave
Thursday, May 5, 2022 // Jacksonville, FL // Florida Theater
Friday, May 6, 2022 // Clearwater, FL // Ruth Eckerd Hall
Saturday, May 7, 2022 // Atlanta, GA // Tabernacle
Thursday, May 12, 2022 // Glenside, PA // Keswick Theatre
Friday, May 13, 2022 // New York, NY // The Rooftop at Pier 17
Saturday, May 14, 2022 // Boston, MA // House of Blues
Sunday, May 15, 2022 // Washington, DC // Warner Theatre
Thursday, May 19, 2022 // Baton Rouge, LA // The Texas Club Baton Rouge
Friday, May 20, 2022 // Houston, TX // House of Blues
Saturday, May 21, 2022 // Dallas, TX // AT&T Performing Arts Center
Sunday, May 22, 2022 // Kansas City, MO // Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
Thursday, May 26, 2022 // Tempe, AZ // Marquee Theatre
Friday, May 27, 2022 // Las Vegas, NV // Brooklyn Bowl
Saturday, May 28, 2022 // Los Angeles, CA // The Novo
Sunday, May 29, 2022 // San Diego, CA // Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
Friday, June 3, 2022 // Sandy, UT // Sandy Amphitheater
Saturday, June 4, 2022 // Denver, CO // Mission Ballroom

Chart Action: Miranda Lambert Impacts Country Radio

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Miranda Lambert impacts country airwaves this week with her new single, “If I Was A Cowboy.” Lambert claims both the most-added and highest spin gainer distinction across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio charts.

On the Billboard chart, “If I Was A Cowboy” received 81 new station adds and +1,419 spins. On Mediabase, she earned 102 new adds and a +1,512 spin gain and, on MusicRow, she saw +350 spins from 28 stations.

This is Lambert’s first new solo release since 2019 and she co-wrote the single with Jesse Frasure. Lambert is also releasing her first ever fragrance–Idyllwind Eau De Parfum by Miranda Lambert. Combining her favorite scents, the perfume includes notes of Georgia sweet peach blossoms and musky golden sandalwood that stirs memories of the piney woods of East Texas.

For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Zach Williams Puts Fame Studio Spin On Some Holiday Favorites

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Zach Williams

Zach Williams is offering fans a helping of Southern holiday cheer this year with his first-ever full-length Christmas album, I Don’t Want Christmas To End, available now on Provident Label Group/Sony Music.

The ten-track project, produced by Jonathan Smith, was recorded at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which inspired the crew to add some Southern soul and sass to the holiday tracks. The legendary studio where The Gregg Allman Band, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard and many more have recorded, in all of its 1960’s rock glory, was a key component in capturing the sound for I Don’t Want Christmas To End. Featuring his penned title track, along with classics like “Christmas Time Is Here” and “This Christmas,” Williams also covers favorites such as “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Run Run Rudolph.”

Recorded in the round, Williams and his band turned “White Christmas” into an Elvis “Blue Christmas” tribute, updated with Williams’ Arkansas and Tennessee roots. “Merry Christmas Baby” was reimagined as a Van Morrison classic, and “Run Run Rudolph” became a Ray Charles-inspired piano rocker. “Mary Did You Know” morphed into an entirely new song with a “Mustang Sally” 60’s vibe.

“We knew we wanted it to have a rock and roll edge, a southern rock feel. That’s when we got the idea to go down to Muscle Shoals. We got down there and all the original gear is still there from the Sixties: the original rooms, the original console,” Williams shares. “Recording there really made the songs come alive even more than I thought it was going to.”

Williams is taking the holiday songs live on the road on his 11-city “I Don’t Want Christmas To End” Tour, that runs through December and features special guest Anne Wilson. For a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, click here.

I Don’t Want Christmas To End Track List:
Christmas Time Is Here
Merry Christmas Baby
Mary Did You Know
White Christmas
Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Spirit Of Christmas
Silent Night
This Christmas
Run, Run, Rudolph
I Don’t Want Christmas To End

Abby Anderson Re-Emerges With New Single, Forthcoming Album

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Abby Anderson. Photo: Alex Berger

Abby Anderson has been through a personal reboot following her debut on the Nashville music scene back in 2018 with her first EP, ironically titled I’m Good.

The singer-songwriter says she realized she wasn’t being her most authentic self with the image she was projecting, so she listened to her heart and made some changes. Those changes shined through in the music she was creating, and are reflected in a new track, “Bad Posture,” the first single from her new album due out early 2022 via Stem.

Written with Anna Vaus and produced by Marshall Altman, “Bad Posture” showcases Anderson’s appreciation for the experiences and early life lessons that have helped her recognize and accept happiness. It also embraces her past and her present with a sound that fully captures who she is as an artist, songwriter and woman who isn’t afraid to stand up tall and say what she stands for.

YouTube video

“I found this photo of me, and don’t get me wrong, I was smiling and the right weight for my frame, dressed the way people thought a girl like me should dress,” Anderson shares. “But it wasn’t me. I felt like I was looking at someone else. I asked, ‘why don’t I recognize this person?’ So, I made some changes. I gave myself permission to be happy, to eat what I wanted and make the music I wanted without trying to fit into some preconceived notion of what a woman should be. Somewhere along the way, I started standing up taller and actually smiling, not just the controlled grin that portrayed a happy version of my best in photos. And when the outside started to reflect what I was feeling inside, it also came out through the music I was writing.”

Along with her album news, Anderson is also celebrating on the personal front, having wed her fiancé Tyler Graham at Saddle Woods Farm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee earlier this month in a ceremony surrounded by family.