Luke Bryan has racked up his 27th No. 1 single this week with “Waves,” which hits the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase charts. The song was a two-week MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 in June.

Penned by Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd and Chase McGill, the song is the fifth No. 1 from Bryan’s Born Here Live Here Die Here album, which features the chart-toppers “Waves,” “Down To One,” “One Margarita,” “What She Wants Tonight,” and “Knockin’ Boots.”

“Waves” debuted at radio in April as the most added song in the country and Bryan performed it for the first time on TV on Good Morning America to promote the release of the deluxe edition of his album.

Bryan’s original five-part docuseries Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary, on IMDb TV is currently airing now. The series features a new song Bryan co-wrote with Luke Laird and Josh Osborne, “Songs You Never Heard,” in honor of his late brother Chris, who was always Bryan’s biggest supporter of chasing his musical dreams.

Michael Ray Earns First Platinum Certification For ‘Think A Little Less’

Singer-songwriter Michael Ray recently celebrated his first RIAA Platinum-certified single, “Think A Little Less,” which has been certified for U.S. digital single sales of over 1 million units. Bobby Bones presented Ray with a commemorative plaque Saturday night (Aug. 28) following his 58th performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Ray has also received four Gold certifications throughout his career for his chart-topping songs “Kiss You in the Morning” and “One That Got Away,” as well as fan favorites “Get To You” and “Her World Or Mine.”

His current single, “Whiskey And Rain,” is climbing the country radio charts and has accumulated nearly 50 million streams since its release. Ray also released his new EP, Higher Education, last Friday (Aug. 27) which was produced by Ross Copperman.

 

Big Loud Adds Duane Hobson As Director Of Promotion (Southeast)

Big Loud Records has added Duane Hobson as its Director of Promotion (Southeast). Supporting the label’s roster in the Southeast region, Hobson brings two decades of expertise to his new role and will report to SVP of Promotion, Stacy Blythe.

After graduating from Nashville State Community College, he went on to serve in various A&R capacities with RCA Records, Sony/BMG, and Sony Music Nashville. Since then, he’s spent time handling A&R Industry Consultant duties for the University of Georgia’s Music Business Department, as well as Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program. Most recently, Hobson worked as A&R Collaborative Manager/Tour Manager at Edge Artist Management, and has also consulted for Intercept Music, as well as numerous independent artists and producers.

“I’ve been waiting quite some time to have a spot on this team for Duane [Hobson]. He’s already beloved in our industry and we are honored that he chose Big Loud Records as the home for his return,” shares Blythe. “Duane’s passion and positivity are abounding, and I know our radio friends in the Southeast are going to love him.”

“It’s an honor to join a company that invests heavily in the individuals and in the culture that they have come to be known for,” shares Hobson. “I’m looking forward to being on the front lines daily in the Southeast representing this amazing artist roster with Big Loud Records.”

Hobson can be reached here.

 

Morgan Brasfield Upped To Creative Manager At Kobalt

Morgan Brasfield has been promoted to Creative Manager at Kobalt Music.

Brasfield has spent her career dedicated to both amatuer and professional songwriters. After graduating from Belmont University, she worked her way from receptionist to writer representative at NSAI. She has worked on the creative team at Kobalt Music since 2017.

In her new role, she will work creatively with writer and publishing company clients while also overseeing calendar management, co-writing opportunities, and pitching songs.

Multi-Platinum selling recording artist Josh Turner is releasing his debut Christmas record, King Size Manger, on Oct. 8 through MCA Nashville. In support of the album, Turner will embark on a 16-city “Holiday & The Hits Tour” that will wrap at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

The record, produced by Kenny Greenberg, will include Christmas classic as well as four originals, three of which were co-written by Turner who also arranged five of the 11 tracks on the project. 

The four original songs include the solo penned “Mele Kalikimaka My ‘Ohana” featuring world renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and Grammy-nominated Hawaiian trio Ho’okena. Turner also wrote “What He’s Given Me” with Pat McLaughlin, as well as the title track “King Size Manger” with Mark Narmore. The album also includes the Travis Hill and Tom Douglas track “Soldier’s Gift.” Christmas music fans will also find the beloved classics “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which features Turner’s wife Jennifer and his four children, as well as “Joy To The World” featuring Rhonda Vincent. 

“Making a Christmas record can be a mighty daunting task for an artist,” says Turner. “There are so many songs to choose from and there’ve been so many versions of those songs throughout history. It can be intimidating to know whether you’ll be able to measure up to what’s already been done and when I get to that point, I step back and remind myself that I have to do what I hear in my heart. You may be surprised to hear my arrangement on some of these songs that you know so well.  We had a lot of fun throwing out all the preconceived notions of what a Christmas record should sound like. In my opinion, it’s about the words and the heart and soul of how a song sounds. You don’t need jingle bells on a song to make it a Christmas song.”

King Size Manger Track List:
1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. What He’s Given Me (Featuring Pat McLaughlin)
3. King Size Manger
4. Joy To The World (Featuring Rhonda Vincent)
5. Soldier’s Gift
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Featuring The Turner Family)
7. Go Tell It On The Mountain
8. Mele Kalikimaka My ‘Ohana (Featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Ho’okena)*
9. The First Nowell
10. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
11. Silent Night, Holy Night

CJ Solar has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Edgehill Music Publishing.

A native of Baton Rouge and a Belmont University graduate, Solar has penned No. 1 hits with Morgan Wallen’s “Up Down” and Jameson Rodgers’ “Some Girls.” “Up Down” earned him awards from ASCAP and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He also co-wrote Jason Aldean’s “I Don’t Drink Anymore,” Justin Moore’s “Between You & Me,” Jerrod Niemann’s “The Regulars,” and more. He hit No. 1 on the Texas Chart with Mike Ryan’s “Damn Good Goodbye” and Kyle Park’s “What the Heaven.”

As an artist, Solar has released three EPs including the singles “American Girls” and “Airplane” and the Top 10 “Coming My Way.” He received the MusicRow Independent Artist of the Year Award in 2019, and tours coast-to-coast headlining his own dates and opening for artists including Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Gary Allan, Chris Janson, Hank Jr, Aaron Watson, and others.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on CJ just waiting for the day he became a free agent,” says Edgehill co-founder Josh Joseph. “He’s an amazing talent, and we are honored to have him as the flagship writer at Edgehill Music Publishing.”

“Edgehill is an amazing company with people who thrive on creativity and connection,” Solar shares. “It’s the perfect place for me both as a songwriter and an artist, and I can’t wait to see what the coming years bring.”