Weekly Register: Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris Chase After The Top Spot On Country Songs Chart

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Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd

This week, Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris‘ “Chasing After You” enters the top five country streaming songs at No. 4 with 7.2 million streams, contributing to an overall 96 million RTD, according to Nielsen. The Sony Music couple released the duet back in February of 2021. It currently sits at No. 16 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

In the third spot this week is Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood‘s brand new single, “If I Didn’t Love You,” which makes its chart debut and earns 7.2 million first-week streams. The duet also debuts at No. 52 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart this week.

Monument Records’ Walker Hayes spends his third week at No. 1 with his quick hit, “Fancy Like,” gaining a staggering 11 million streams this week, placing him at No. 10 overall. Nelly & FGL maintain the second spot with “Lil Bit” adding another 7.6 million streams. Rounding out the top five country songs is Luke Combs‘ “Forever After All” which added 6.8 million streams this week.

Once again, the top country streaming albums ranks remain the same. Dangerous: The Double Album (Morgan Wallen) stays at No. 1, gaining 44,000 streams for an overall 53 million RTD, according to Nielsen. Wallen also takes the fourth spot with If I Know Me adding 15,000 streams. What You See Is What You Get and This One’s For You (Combs) maintain their spots at No. 2 and No. 3 with 24,000 and 17,000 streams, respectively. Chris Stapleton‘s 2016 debut, award-winning album, Traveller, seals the top five with an additional 13,000 streams this week.

Gorley, Crowder, Phelps Dominate The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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For the third consecutive week, Ashley Gorley is the No. 1 songwriter on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart. Gorley co-wrote “Good Things” (Dan + Shay), “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), and “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton).

Corey Crowder and Hunter Phelps remain at No. 2 and No. 3 this week, respectively. Zach Crowell moves up to No. 4, and Hardy rounds out the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

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.

BMI Pays Tribute To The Best And Brightest With 2021 Christian Music Awards

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BMI celebrated the best in Christian music at its annual Christian Awards celebration today (Aug. 2). The honorees were announced on BMI.com and across the organization’s digital platforms, celebrating the encouraging and uplifting music of BMI’s Christian songwriters.

Song of the Year honors went to “Way Maker,” written by Sinach and published by Capitol CMG Publishing. In 2020, the hit also won the Dove Award for Song of the Year, making Sinach the first Nigerian Christian artist to win the award. The song has been covered by Christian rock band Leeland as well as Michael W. Smith. The Leeland and Smith versions of the song entered the Billboard Hot Christian Chart in the top ten, marking the first time in history that two versions of the same song resided together in the top of the chart.

For the third year in a row, the Songwriter of the Year award went to Ethan Hulse, who wrote “Rescue Story,” “Stand In Your Love” and “The Father’s House.” Capitol CMG took home the Publisher of the Year award, and the company had the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “Believer,” “Burn the Ships,” “Dead Man Walking,” “God’s Not Done With You,” “Holy Water,” “Let It Rain (Is There Anybody),” “See a Victory,” “Stand In Your Love,” “The Blessing,” “The Father’s House,” “Way Maker,” and “You Are Loved.”

BMI created a page on its website where fans can watch special video messages and performances, listen to award-winning music, and more. A complete list of winners, video messages and performances, can be found at BMI.com/Christian2021.

“The BMI Christian Awards is one of our favorite annual celebrations, but it is especially meaningful after the events of the last year. Throughout this time, each and every one of these extraordinary songwriters has used their gift to uplift others,” says Leslie Roberts, AVP, Creative, BMI Nashville. “BMI is so proud to honor the creators of the inspirational songs of hope and faith that bring comfort to so many around the world. I am hopeful that we will all be together again to celebrate in person next year.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI also paid homage to the Twenty-Five Most Performed Christian Songs of the Year (2020). This year’s winners featured 17 first time Christian award winners including Sinach (“Way Maker”), Cody Carnes (“The Blessing”), Franni Cash Cain (“Holy Water”), Martin Cash (“Holy Water”), Dillon Chase (“Symphony”), Dave Clark (“River”), Sheri Easter (“You Are Loved”), Cassidy Estevez (“Symphony”), Rob Estevez (“Symphony”), Luke Guevara (“Symphony”), Matt Hales (“Burn the Ships”), Jason Ingram (“Alive,” “See A Victory”), Ricky Jackson (“Together”), Andrew Ripp (“Rescue Story”), Rita Springer (“Stand In Your Love”), Mitch Wong (“Believer”), and Jimmy Yeary (“The God I Serve,” “Sometimes It’s The Radio”), who has previously been awarded seven BMI Country Awards. Legendary Christian songwriter and producer Bernie Herms received his 17th and 18th Awards. He was named 2016 Christian Songwriter of the Year and also wrote the 2016 Christian Song of the Year, “Good Good Father.”

Mark Your Calendar—August 2021

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Singles/Track Releases

August 2
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood/If I Didn’t Love You/BBR
Tim McGraw/7500 OBO/Big Machine
Walker Hayes/Fancy Like/Monument
Randall King/Record High/Warner Music Nashville
The Isaacs/The American Face/House of Isaacs
Maggie Baugh/Think About Me/Maggie Baugh
Kevin Mccoy Band/Blue Collar/Kevin Mccoy Band

August 6
Carter Winter feat. Allie Colleen/Love Like I Drink /Average Joes Entertainment
Ashley Cooke feat. Jimmie Allen/Good Goodbye/Back Blocks Music
Erin Kinsey/Just Drive

August 9
Kameron Marlowe/Giving You Up/Columbia
Dylan Scott/New Truck/Curb
George Birge/Beer Beer, Truck Truck/RECORDS
Cash Creek feat. Larry Stewart/Hard Time/CCB Nashville
Timothy Baker & Clayton Smalley/These Boots Were Made to Dance/YN Records
Mustangs Of The West/T-Shirt From California/Blue Elan
Queeva Do/Better Queeva

August 11
Carrie Cunningham/All Over Me/Sound Barn
Kate Cameron/27

August 13
Faith Schueler/Bless Your Heart
Sean Caramore/Later On, I’ll Know

August 16
Mitchell Tenpenny/Truth About You/Riser House/Columbia
Marynn Taylor/I Know A Girl/Black River

August 17
Bernadette Kathryn/I Just Wanna Dance/MC1

August 20
Caroline Kasay/Our Own World/Sincerely Music Group

August 23
Morgan Evans/Love Is Real/Warner Music Nashville
Frank Ray/Country’d Look Good On You/Stoney Creek Records

August 24
Danny Kensy/That Old Wind

August 27
Becca Bowen/Better Than the Dream/Sincerely Music Group

 

 

Album/EP Releases

Dan + Shay

August 6
Chris Young/Famous Friends/RCA Records Nashville
Sean McConnell/A Horrible Beautiful Dream/Soundly Music
Various Artists/Amerikinda: 20 Years Of Dualtone/Dualtone Music Group
Kolby Cooper/Boy From Anderson County/BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse RecordsCombustion Music
Travis Denning/Dirt Road Down/Mercury Nashville
Bo Daddy Harris/Get Busy Living/Southern Man Records
Jordan Rowe/Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy
Mark Germino/Midnight Carnival/Red Parlor Records

August 13
Dan + Shay/Good Things/Warner Music Nashville
Trisha Yearwood/Every Girl:Deluxe/Gwendolyn Records
Kalie Shorr/I Got Here By Accident/TMWRK Records
Clare Dunn/In This Kind of Light EP/Big Yellow Dog Music

August 20
Wanda Jackson/Encore/Big Machine Records/Blackheart Records
Maggie Rose/Have A Seat/Starstruck Records
Connie Smith/The Cry of The Heart/Fat Possum Records
Sam Williams/Glasshouse Children/Mercury Nashville
Anderson East/Maybe We Never Die/Elektra/Low Country Sound
James McMurtry/The Horses and The Hounds/New West Records
Manny Blue/Devil

August 27
Trace Adkins/The Way I Wanna Go/Verge Records
Michael Ray/Higher Education EP/Warner Music Nashville
Niko Moon/Good Time/RCA Nashville
King Calaway/Midnight EP/Stoney Creek Records
Ashley Cooke/Already Drank That Beer EP/Back Blocks Music

 

 

Industry Events

August 19
33rd Annual MusicRow Awards (virtual)

August 25
14th Annual ACM Honors

Industry Ink: Deluge Music, AIMP, Billy Blue Publishing, StowTown Records

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Deluge Music Launches East Music Row, LLC

Pictured (L-R): Chris Alderman, President Deluge Management; Emily Dryburgh, Creative Director Deluge Music; Johnny Gates; David Robkin, Managing Member Deluge Music. Photo courtesy of Deluge Records.

Deluge Music has launched East Music Row, LLC–a joint venture with parent company Deluge Records specifically created to support artist Johnny Gates and the production, distribution, and marketing of his original music, as well as touring, merchandise, sponsorships, and more. The joint venture will be releasing Gates’ new single “Over You”on Aug. 13, with a full EP set for release in September.

Gates first signed an exclusive publishing deal with Deluge Music in May of 2020 and will continue to be managed by Deluge’s Emily Dryburgh and David Robkin, and supported by Deluge Management, LLC.

“Johnny is an amazing writer, vocalist and performer. His musical experience in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York has been the foundation for his unique, cross-genre music,” says Robkin. “We are thrilled to launch East Music Row and continue to support Johnny’s career.”

“As an artist who has always been caught in between East Nashville and Music Row, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to not just embrace that–but double down on it,” shares Gates. “East Music Row represents what’s been happening in Nashville for a few years now, and I’m thankful to be a part of a label that is artist-focused, open minded, and ready to shake things up. Deluge has quickly become a home for me, and I’m really excited to launch this next chapter with David and the rest of the Deluge team.”

 

 

AIMP To Host Royalty Q&A Webinar With Stefanie Taub

Stefanie Taub

AIMP will be hosting a Royalty Q&A webinar with AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund CEO, Stefanie Taub, on Aug. 5 at 4:30 p.m. To register for the free webinar, click here.

Throughout the afternoon, Taub will be explaining and answering questions regarding the oftentimes confusing world of royalties, including what they are, who is entitled to them, how to access them, and more.

She will also be discussing the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund (“The Fund”), a nonprofit that collects and distributes royalties to non-featured musicians and vocalists on sound recordings. Since its inception, The Fund has distributed over half a billion dollars in royalties.

 

 

David Morris Inks With Billy Blue Music Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Joe Dan Cornett, Creative Director, Billy Blue Music Publishing;
David Morris; Rick Shelton, Vice President of Music Publishing, Daywind Music

Award-winning songwriter David Morris has joined the ranks of Billy Blue Music Publishing, a part of the Daywind Music Group.

With over two dozen cuts by bluegrass artists, including Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Dale Ann Bradley, Greg Blake, Valerie Smith, and Dave Adkins, Morris has two No. 1 songs and three Top 10s to his credit on national bluegrass radio charts.

Morris and co-writers won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in 2015 and finished third in the same competition in 2016. He also received the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Writer of the Year award in 2019 for his coverage of bluegrass music for Bluegrass Today.

“I’m excited to join the writing team at Billy Blue Music Publishing and look forward to discovering where this new path will take me,” Morris says. “I feel like I’ve found my home.”

 

 

StowTown Records Adds Three New Acts To Artist Roster

Independent Gospel Music label StowTown Records has added three acts to its multifaceted roster. Platinum-selling tenor David Phelps, genre-spanning trio the Booth Brothers, and award-winning group Legacy Five have each signed exclusive recording agreements with the Johnson City, Tennessee-based company.

“When I was a kid, I used to pretend the living room was my world-class recording studio and the kitchen served as my international headquarters—until Mom made us clean it up for dinner,” shares StowTown Records co-founder Wayne Haun. “As much as I hoped and dreamed it would happen, even I couldn’t imagine what a landmark year 2021 would be for me and our amazing team. I love being surrounded by people who really love this music!”

“I’m so excited to be partnering with the incredible team at StowTown,” Phelps says. “When it’s right you just know it. I look forward to a bright future together, taking music and hope to the world.”

“StowTown will make significant contributions to advancing our effectiveness and reach,” adds the Booth Brothers’ Michael Booth. “I believe their team will help us meet and exceed the high expectations set by the people who have supported us for years. We’re excited about the future and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will bring.”

“As Legacy Five approaches our 22nd year in gospel music, we find ourselves embarking on ‘Something New’ as we partner with StowTown Records,” says Scott Fowler, Legacy Five founding member. “A symbol of excellence and integrity, StowTown represents an amazing family of artists, and we are very honored they have invited us into the fold. We look forward to this journey together.”

Marty Stuart Signs With Sheltered Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Lance Freed (President Sheltered Music Publishing), Marty Stuart, Darrell Franklin (SVP Sheltered Music Publishing)

Marty Stuart has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Sheltered Music Publishing.

A five-time Grammy-winner, Platinum recording artist, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Americana Music Association, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, photographer, musician, and songwriter, Stuart was also most recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s class of 2020 in the Modern Era Artist category.

Among his current projects are Songs I Sing In The Dark, a collection of songs recorded acoustically at Stuart’s former home outside of Nashville. An upcoming project Altitude, with his Fabulous Superlatives band, is also ready for release, and he and the Fabulous Superlatives are also putting the finishing touches on a yet-untitled cinematic surf record.

“When I met with Marty to ask him to join us at Sheltered Music with our promise to collaborate and help him in all of his future songwriting endeavors, he reached out with open arms and didn’t hesitate to say yes” says Sheltered Music SVP, Darrell Franklin. “Marty hasn’t lost a step as a writer or as a performer and we are honored and privileged that he has agreed to join us.”

“Humility and grace are part of the enduring character of people who have achieved greatness in their chosen field. Marty Stuart has already had a lasting, historical impact on country music,” says Sheltered Music President, Lance Freed.  “We are excited to be part of his next chapter as he continues to add to that legacy as a great musician and songwriter.”

“When it’s all said and done, the most important thing is the song,” states Stuart. “What often invites a great song into the room is an inviting, creative atmosphere, hosted by caring, musical people. You will not find any more loved and respected song men than Lance Freed and Darrell Franklin. Such pros, their track records say it all. It is such an honor to join forces with them.”

Spotify Launches Noteable Releases Playlist To Showcase Songwriters, Producers Behind Songs

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Following Spotify’s Noteable launch in February, the music service is bringing behind the scenes creators into the spotlight with the unveiling of Noteable Releases, the first-ever flagship playlist on Spotify that will highlight the collaborative process of making music and create visibility for the artist projects of songwriters and producers.

Updating every Friday and accompanied by features on the Noteable Releases shelf in the Songwriters Hub and Noteable’s Instagram account, the playlist will include releases from songwriters and producers around the world, from household names to up-and-comers and beyond, providing fans with an opportunity to discover music through a new lens.

Accompanying the playlist’s launch are Spotify Clips from Jack Antonoff, Zaytoven, Finneas O’Connell, Madi Yanofsky, and Autumn Rowe. The format features short videos of the artists putting their personal stamp on the playlist experience, shining a spotlight onto the song creation process and giving a voice to these often behind-the-scenes creators in order to help fans learn more about them.

“As a person who has always been curious who played what role behind the scenes on every project I’ve ever listened to and loved, I’m thrilled,” shares O’Connell. “Wish this had been around when I was 13, I would have eaten it up!”

“I think any way that people can start to understand more about how these records are made and what goes into them and the process is thrilling–I always used to dig up any information I could so the more readily available it is, is cool,” comments Antonoff.

To stream the new weekly curated playlist, click here.

Kobalt Music Ups Jesse Willoughby, Stephanie Cox

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Jesse Willoughby, Stephanie Cox

Kobalt has announced the promotions of Jesse Willoughby as SVP of Business Development and Stephanie Cox as General Manager of the company’s Nashville office. Willoughby will be responsible for the strategic growth of Kobalt’s catalog via acquisitions, partnerships, and high-value direct signings across all genres and markets. In her new position, Cox will oversee and manage Kobalt’s Nashville creative team and the office’s daily operations.

Willoughby joined Kobalt in 2014 as Director of Business Development for Kobalt Neighbouring Rights out of their LA office, growing the business significantly over the next two years with signings including Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Shakira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lukas Graham, A$AP Rocky among many others. After relocating to the Nashville office in 2015, he transitioned into the GM role of Kobalt Nashville in 2016, overseeing the day to day operations and management of Kobalt’s Nashville business.

Under Willougby’s leadership, Kobalt’s Nashville footprint experienced incredible growth, securing such high profile deals and partnerships including Dierks Bentley, SMACK Songs, Little Louder Music founded by Eric Church and Arturo Buenahora, Young Guns, Ben Simonetti, Gordie Sampson, Tommy Lee James, Michael Hardy through Relative Music, and BOOM Music with Keith Urban and Ross Copperman. In addition, Willoughby secured deals with up and coming artists such as Patrick Droney, Petey Martin, Jillian Jacqueline, Devon Gilfillian and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among others.

“Jesse has been instrumental in establishing Kobalt as a top publisher in the Nashville community. We are excited for him to take on this new role where he will undoubtedly use his expertise and relationships to continue to drive Kobalt’s roster on a global level,” says Chief Experience Officer of Kobalt, Jeannette Perez.

“It’s been an honor to head the Nashville office for the last 5 years, I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve during that time,” Willoughby shares. “I am looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to further Kobalt’s growth and impact on a global scale.”

Cox started her career at Little Big Town Music, where she learned the art of developing songwriters and identifying career-defining songs for artists. She continued honing her skills at Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment where she was instrumental in establishing the successful career of Grammy award-winning Mark D. Sanders. She went on to run the creative team at MCA Music and helped them win ASCAP’s prestigious Publisher of the Year award. After, Cox branched out to form Larga Vista Music where she achieved success with multiple No. 1 records with George Strait, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and The Band Perry.

Previously, Cox was SVP, Creative where she helped build the company’s presence and roster in Nashville. Most recently she was instrumental in the signing and development of hit songwriter and recording artist Hardy.

“Since joining Kobalt in 2011, Stephanie has been a key player in the growth and success of Kobalt Nashville. Stephanie is known in the community to be a creative force,” says Perez. “We’re confident her leadership will be critical in the further growth of Kobalt Nashville for our team, songwriters and partners.”

“I am thrilled to continue my career with one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world,” says Cox. “Getting to work with our amazing global creative staff and lead our Nashville office is an amazing opportunity and I am excited for the future.”

Chris Young To Bring His ‘Famous Friends’ On Fall Tour

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Chris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Chris Young is heading back on tour this fall on his newly-announced headlining Famous Friends Tour 2021, which will include 13 arena and amphitheater dates from October through December.

Kicking off Oct. 21 in Little Rock, the tour will visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Rochester, Minnesota; Green Bay, Wisconsin; New Braunfels, Texas and more through Dec. 5 , and will feature special guests Mitchell Tenpenny and Callista Clark for the dates. Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, Aug. 6 at chrisyoungcountry.com and all shows will comply with local COVID-19 guidelines.

“Everybody’s been asking me when’s the tour announce – well now you have your answer and I couldn’t be more excited about it,” said Chris. “I’m pumped to be able to share some of this new music on tour!”

Young is gearing up for the release of his eighth studio album Famous Friends this Friday, Aug. 6. Led by the multi-week chart-topping title track with Kane Brown, the 14-song project also includes collaborations with several more of Young’s famous friends, including Tenpenny and Lauren Alaina, plus backing vocals from Sarah Buxton and Hillary Lindsey.

 

Logan Mize Takes Fans To ‘Prairieville’ On New Project

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Logan Mize has announced his upcoming album, Welcome to Prairieville, is due out Oct. 1. He’s offering up the first taste of the project today (July 30) with “George Strait Songs,” a track that pays homage to his roots, highlighting all the best aspects of Middle America that made him who he is.

The album not only celebrates Mize’s rural upbringing, but also showcases his storytelling abilities that have shaped his career. Mize spent nearly a decade developing the concept behind the new album, and co-wrote all but one song on the project.

“My buddy Blake Chaffin and I have been writing together for several years. Early on in our careers, we came up with this concept where we’d basically write songs about an imaginary place that we came to know as ‘Prairieville’,” Mize explains. “Growing up in middle-of-nowhere towns, we took all the characters we’ve encountered over the years, stories that stood out to us and just our life experiences overall, and from there, we painted our own versions into this tiny town. When it’s all said and done, it isn’t exactly a place you can pinpoint on a map, but I like to think it’s a representation of all the one-stoplight towns across the nation. At the very least, we’ve all driven through a Prairieville.”

Welcome to Prairieville  Track Listing:
1. George Strait Songs (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
2. Welcome To Prairieville (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
3. River Road (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Tyler Johnson)
4. Wine at the Church, Beer at the Bar (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Jason Blaine)
5. Follow Your Heart (Lynn Hutton, Logan Mize)
6. I Need Mike (Blake Chaffin)
7. If You Get Lucky (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Daniel Agee)
8. Tell the Truth (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
9. We Ain’t Broke (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
10. I Still Miss You (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Jill Martin)
11. It’s About Time (Logan Mize)