Storme Warren To Exit SiriusXM The Highway

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After nearly two decades, SiriusXM The Highway morning show host Storme Warren is leaving the company, MusicRow has confirmed. Today (May 12) is his last day.

Warren is a 26-year Nashville industry veteran, celebrating his 40th year in broadcasting this year. As SiriusXM The Highway’s morning show host, he has been responsible for the Hot 30 Countdown and conducting Prime Country interview specials.

In addition to hosting numerous events for BMI and their affiliates, Warren has hosted several high-profile events in Music City and around the world, including Nashville’s annual Independence Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations as well as music festivals all over North America, the Caribbean and Australia. His television credits as host and contributing talent include TNN’s TNN Country News, CNN’s Showbiz Today and GAC & CMC’s Country Music Across America and Headline Country.

Additionally, Warren runs Stone Beaver Productions, a full-service video production company, which has created numerous live and recorded television concert events, DVDs and specials, including Charlie Daniels’ Band CDB DVD Live and Vince Gill: Live at the Ryman.

“We are grateful for Storme’s contributions over the years in helping build The Highway on SiriusXM into the leading destination for today’s country music. We wish Storme all the best and look forward to continuing the tradition of presenting our listeners with the next generation of new country superstars,” says SiriusXM The Highway SVP/GM, Music Programming Steve Blatter.

Warren’s co-host, Macie Banks, will continue on as the sole host on an interim basis. Johnny Chiang, who joined Pandora as Senior Director of Country Programming in August of 2022, has expanded his role to also oversee country music programming at SiriusXM.

Justin Moore & Priscilla Block Jump To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart

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Justin Moore and Priscilla Block make an impressive leap from No. 12 to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “You, Me, and Whiskey.”

Written by Jessi Alexander, Brock Berryhill and Cole Taylor, the tune is featured on Moore’s seventh studio album, Stray Dog, and is currently climbing on other country radio charts. It spurred Moore and Block to go out on the “You, Me And Whiskey Tour” earlier this year.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Lori McKenna Drops New Track ‘Killing Me’ From Upcoming Album ‘1988’

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Lori McKenna. Photo: Becky Fluke

Lori McKenna will release a new album, 1988, on July 21 via CN Records/Thirty Tigers. Ahead of the release, she has unveiled the track, “Killing Me,” featuring her longtime collaborator Hillary Lindsey.

Produced by Dave Cobb and recorded at Cobb’s studio in Savannah, Georgia, 1988 was named for the year McKenna married her husband, Gene, and serves as a love letter to her family and her lifelong friendships. The 10-song album also features her family, with her son Chris collaborating with her on the track “Happy Children.” Throughout the new collection, McKenna reflects on her experiences, lessons and relationships from the past 35 years.

“I was trying to let my age and experience guide me through making a record I wished I’d made when I was younger. I really wanted it to sound like if I made a rock record in the ‘90s, and then I remembered that I made my first album in 1998. There’s something so 30 years ago in my head about this record. In a way, I wish I could start again and know what I know now.”

The forthcoming album follows a series of projects McKenna has released in recent years, including 2016’s The Bird & The Rifle, 2018’s The Tree and 2020’s The Balladeer. In celebration of the new music, McKenna will embark on her “The Town in Your Heart Tour” this summer with shows at Philadelphia’s World Café Live, New York’s City Winery, Nashville’s CMA Theater, Atlanta’s City Winery, Ann Arbor’s The Ark and more.

1988 Track Listing:
1. “The Old Woman in Me” (written by Lori McKenna)
2. “Happy Children” (written by Lori McKenna, Chris McKenna)
3. “Killing Me (feat. Hillary Lindsey)” (written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird)
4. “Days Are Honey” (written by Lori McKenna, Barry Dean, Luke Laird)
5. “1988” (written by Lori McKenna, Brian McKenna)
6. “Growing Up” (written by Lori McKenna)
7. “Wonder Drug” (written by Lori McKenna)
8. “The Town in Your Heart” (written by Lori McKenna, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dustin Christensen)
9. “Letting People Down” (written by Lori McKenna)
10. “The Tunnel” (written by Lori McKenna, Ben West, Stephen Wilson Jr)

2023 ACM Award Winners Revealed [Full List]

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The country music industry gathered in Texas for the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards Thursday night (May 11).

Chris Stapleton won the night’s top honor, ACM Entertainer of the Year. It was his first time winning the coveted award and qualifies him for the ACM Triple Crown Award, celebrating artists who have won New Female/Male Artist of the Year, Female/Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. His win tonight brings his total ACM Awards count to 15.

Lainey Wilson and Hardy tied for the most wins, taking home four awards each. Wilson won Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as Music Event and Visual Media of the Year for her collaboration with Hardy, “Wait In The Truck.” In addition to his shared wins with Wilson, and his second trophy earned in the Music Event category as a producer of the song, Hardy took home Artist-Songwriter of the Year prior to the ACM Awards livestream.

Cole Swindell followed Wilson and Hardy with three wins for the night, taking home two Song of the Year trophies as the artist and songwriter of “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” and one trophy for Single of the Year for the same tune.

Morgan Wallen nabbed Male Artist of the Year. Brothers Osborne took home another trophy for Duo of the Year, and Old Dominion took the Group of the Year honor.

The full list of winners for the 58th annual ACM Awards is below:

Main Awards:

Entertainer Of The Year
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen

Female Artist Of The Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Lainey Wilson – WINNER

Male Artist Of The Year
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Jordan Davis
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen – WINNER

Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne – WINNER
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty

Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion – WINNER
Zac Brown Band

New Female Artist Of The Year
Priscilla Block
Megan Moroney
Caitlyn Smith
Morgan Wade
Hailey Whitters – WINNER

New Male Artist Of The Year
Zach Bryan – WINNER
Jackson Dean
Ernest
Dylan Scott
Nate Smith
Bailey Zimmerman

Album Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
– Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Producer: John Osborne
Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
– Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Record Company-Label: Columbia Records
– Mr. Saturday Night – Jon Pardi
Producers: Jon Pardi, Bart Butler, Ryan Gore
Record Company-Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Palomino – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Jon Randall, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Mikey Reaves
Record Company-Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville

Single Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
– Heart Like A Truck – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
– Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde
Producers: Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records/Warner Music Nashville
– She Had Me At Heads Carolina – Cole Swindell – WINNER
Producer: Zach Crowell
Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Thank God – Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
– ‘Til You Can’t – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville/CoJo Music

Song Of The Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
– Sand In My Boots – Morgan Wallen
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Michael Hardy
Publishers: Relative Music Group; Sony/ATV Accent; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
– She Had Me At Heads Carolina – Cole Swindell – WINNER
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Cole Swindell, Jesse Frasure, Mark D. Sanders, Thomas Rhett, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Ashley Gorley Publishing Designee; Be A Light Publishing; Colden Rainey Music; EMI Blackwood Music Inc; Songs Of Roc Nation Music; Sony Tree Publishing; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Universal Music Corp; WC Music Corp; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
– ‘Til You Can’t – Cody Johnson
Songwriters: Ben Stennis, Matt Rogers
Publishers: Anthem Canalco Publishing; Dead Aim Music; The Stennis Mightier Music
– Wait In The Truck – Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair
Publishers: Humerus Publishing Global; Nontypical Music; Pile of Schmidt Songs; Rednecker Music; Relative Music Group; Round Hill Verses Publishing; Sony/ATV Accent; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; The Money Tree Vibez; WC Music Corp; Who Wants to Buy My Publishing
– You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Chris DuBois, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: One77 Songs; Sea Gayle Music; Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing; Spirit Two Nashville; WC Music Corp

Visual Media Of The Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
– Heartfirst – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: P Tracy
– She Had Me At Heads Carolina – Cole Swindell
Producer: Troy Jackson
Director: Spidey Smith
– Thank God – Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
Producer: Luke Arreguin
Director: Alex Alvga
– ‘Til You Can’t – Cody Johnson
Producer: Maddy Hayes
Director: Dustin Haney
– Wait In The Truck – Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Producer: Inkwell Productions
Director: Justin Clough
– What He Didn’t Do – Carly Pearce
Producer: Ryan Byrd
Director: Alexa Campbell

Songwriter Of The Year
Nicolle Galyon
Ashley Gorley – WINNER
Chase McGill
Josh Osborne
Hunter Phelps

Artist-Songwriter Of The Year
Luke Combs
Ernest
Hardy – WINNER
Miranda Lambert
Morgan Wallen

Music Event Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
– At the End of a Bar – Chris Young with Mitchell Tenpenny
Producers: Chris DeStefano, Chris Young
Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
– She Had Me At Heads Carolina [Remix] – Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina
Producer: Zach Crowell
Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Thank God – Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
– Thinking ‘Bout You – Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter
Producer: Zach Crowell
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
– Wait In The Truck – Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Producers: Derek Wells, Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records

Tracy Lawrence Hosts Third Annual Mission:Possible Celebrity Golf Tournament

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Pictured (L-R): Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Damon Johnson, WME’s Greg Oswald, Jamey Johnson, Tracy Lawrence and Randy Houser. Photo: Jordan Smith

Tracy Lawrence held his third annual Mission:Possible Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament on Monday (May 8).

The tournament successfully raised over $390,000 to help build support and awareness for the homeless population in Middle Tennessee and beyond. Players tee’d off at Old Hickory Country Club for a fun-filled round of golf, the 2023 Mission:Possible Celebrity Shootout dedicated to the late Keith Gattis, and a fundraising auction hosted by Shawn Parr featuring performances from Lawrence, Hardy, Dan Tyminski, Tyler Farr, Brett James, Cole Taylor and Josh Mirenda.

“Starting Mission:Possible almost 20 years ago, I knew what we wanted to accomplish, but I never expected our work would gain the significant support that it has,” shares Lawrence. “The golf tournament continues to make me so proud. Seeing some of my closest friends come together for this cause is so special. As always, thank you to our amazing sponsors and to everyone who continues to come out for this fun day of golf and fundraising!”

Since its inception, Mission:Possible has raised over $2.5 million, which has helps to further its goals, advocate for those in need and expand their ability to support causes that align with their mission. The star-studded event has featured appearances by some of the hottest names in country and the sports world, including Jake Owen, John Daly, Randy Houser, Mitchell Tenpenny, Ernest, Jamey Johnson and more.

The tournament also kicked off Lawrence’s Live at Billy Bob’s Texas album release week, which will be available everywhere this Friday, May 12. He plans to celebrate the album launch back at the legendary venue with a packed release day concert.

The Cadillac Three To Host & Headline CMA Fest Show

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Photo: CMA

The Cadillac Three will host and headline “The Cadillac Three & Friends,” during CMA Fest on June 9 at 7 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater.

The one-night event at the open-air venue will also include performances by Boy Named Banjo, Randy Rogers Band, Elvie Shane, Tenille Townes and special guests.

“We are so excited to be a part of CMA Fest this year by headlining Ascend Amphitheater with a handful of our favorite artists including Boy Named Banjo, Randy Rogers Band, Elvie and Tenille,” says the band. “Being born and raised in Nashville, we’ve been coming to CMA Fest since it was Fan Fair and it’s an honor to get to be a part of the party again. It’ll be a special show and we can’t wait to bring a little country fuzz to downtown Nashville on a Friday night!”

Tickets are required for entry and start at $15. The public sales begins May 12 at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.

Brand-new official CMA Fest merchandise, including an online exclusive Fan Fair throwback hat, are available for pre-order at Shop.CMAfest.com and through the official CMA Connect App. Many more items will be added on May 17. The last day to purchase online and receive in time for CMA Fest is May 24. Fans will also be able to purchase merchandise at multiple locations across the CMA Fest footprint in June.

Garth Brooks & Jelly Roll Set For First-Ever ‘Billboard Country Live’ In Nashville

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Billboard is hosting its first-ever Billboard Country Live inaugural conference featuring concerts and music industry panels June 6-7 in Nashville.

The first ever Billboard Country Live in Concert will take place at Marathon Music Works on June 6 with headliner Jelly Roll and Nate Smith to open. The inaugural Country Live in Conversation is set for the following day (June 7), a one-day ticketed conference for fans and industry insiders that kicks off with an intimate Q&A with Garth Brooks. The conference will also feature a number of sessions featuring country acts discussing issues in country music today.

Among the other artists taking part are Carly Pearce, Bailey Zimmerman, Brian Kelley, Lauren Alaina, Megan Moroney and Lady A’s Hillary Scott. 

“We’re thrilled to launch the first year of Billboard Country Live with acts that have something to say and sing about,” says Melinda Newman, Executive Editor of Billboard, West Coast and Nashville. “From Jelly Roll performing in a small setting to discussions with some of the biggest names in country, it’s our privilege to highlight the tremendous talent that thrives in Nashville with premier programming we hope will bring people back for years to come.”

The June 7 Billboard Country Live in Conversation will also feature a Q&A with Jelly Roll, as well as a Women of Country panel with Scott, Pearce, Lily Rose and Madeline Edwards. Zimmerman and Moroney will be joined on The Future of Country panel by Smith and Priscilla Block. With the CMA Fest kicking off June 8, a panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of CMA Fest will include artists who span the event’s half century including Kelley, Alaina, Terri Clark and Bill Anderson.

Billboard salutes the hottest show on TV with a look behind the music of Yellowstone with Dani Rose of Honey County, artist manager Brian Schwartz of 7s management and the show’s music supervisor Andrea von Foerster.

A songwriter-in-the round session will present Jessie Jo Dillon, Nicolle Galyon and Chase McGill playing their hits and telling the stories behind their creations. Additional names are still to be announced and programming is subject to change.

Both events will be presented in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, and tickets are available for purchase on May 12 at 9 a.m. CT at live.billboard.com.

ACM Awards Week Rocks Texas, Tune In Tonight For Awards

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Pictured (L-R): ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters and 2020 ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

The country music industry is celebrating all week down in Frisco, Texas in preparation for the 58th annual ACM Awards, which will air live tonight (May 11) at 7 p.m. CT on Prime Video.

In addition to rehearsals taking place throughout the week, public festivities kicked off on Tuesday (May 9) with the first day of the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star free fan festival, including a special opening ceremony with Frisco resident and RCA recording artist Corey Kent, Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside as well as local and state officials and representatives of the Dallas Cowboys.

Pictured (L-R): Brendon Anthony, Director, Texas Music Office; Corey Kent, RCA recording artist, ACM Country Kickoff performer, and Frisco, TX resident; Jeff Cheney, Mayor, Frisco, TX; Chuck Aly, Chair, ACM Board of Directors; Damon Whiteside, CEO, ACM; and Chad Estis, EVP Business Operations, Dallas Cowboys and Legends. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

Other country artists who performed at The Star were exciting up-and-coming artists Kent, Ashley Cooke, Randall King, Erin Kinsey, Chase Matthew, Ian Munsick, Neon Union and Frank Ray.

On Tuesday night (May 9), Gabby Barrett revealed some early winners at the Live From the ACMs: ACM New Artist Winners Celebration. The ACM New Male Artist of the Year was awarded to Zach Bryan, and ACM New Female Artist of the Year was presented to Hailey Whitters. Whitters performed for the crowd after accepting her award and will also take the stage at Ford Center tonight to perform live at the 58th ACM Awards, marking her win.

Pictured (L-R): Chase McGill, The Bluebird Cafe General Manager Erika Wollam Nichols, ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley and Hunter Phelps. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

On Wednesday (May 10), fans gathered at the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star stage were treated to performances from ACM New Male Artist of the Year nominees Dylan Scott and Nate Smith; ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee Caitlyn Smith; ACM Music Event of the Year nominee MacKenzie Porter, who surprised the crowd with a special appearance by her chart-topping duet partner Dustin Lynch; as well as Chayce Beckham, Chapel Hart, Hannah Ellis, Tiera Kennedy, Catie Offerman, Josh Ross and MaRynn Taylor.

Elsewhere, The Bluebird Cafe and NSAI brought four of the ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees together to the brand-new Omni PGA Frisco Hotel for an intimate celebration.

Hosted by beloved actor and singer-songwriter Charles Esten (Nashville, Outer Banks), the brunch featured Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill and Hunter Phelps performing some of their top hits for an enthusiastic crowd. After the show, Esten surprised Gorley with his first ACM Award for ACM Songwriter of the Year.

Pictured (L-R): BBR Music Group’s Lainey Wilson and Big Loud’s Hardy with their ACM Awards for ACM Visual Media of the Year. Photo: Courtesy of ACM

ACM Radio Award winners for the 58th ACM Awards were celebrated at Frisco’s Monarch Stag Cocktail Bar, just blocks away from the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star, toasting their well-deserved recognition and the vitality of country radio.

Later on, Bailey Zimmerman, Ernest, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean and Hardy performed at Frisco’s Topgolf The Colony for the ACM Lifting Lives Live benefit concert. At sunset, Gorley surprised Hardy with the ACM Award for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.

After the show was over, Hardy and Wilson were surprised by SiriusXM The Highway’s Storme Warren with the news that they had won the award for ACM Visual Media of the Year for their “Wait In The Truck” music video.

Tune in to the 58th ACM Awards tonight on Prime Video.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Chris Janson, Dolly & Slash Come Together For A ‘Sensational Collaboration’

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Sunday is Mother’s Day, and country music has its soundtrack.

Dalton Dover, Ernest, Veronique Medrano, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Honey County are all releasing singles that relate to this holiday. For her Tex-Mex entry, Veronique Medrano wins the DisCovery Award. I don’t understand Spanish, but she comes through loud and clear anyhow.

There are some pretty amazing performances in this week’s column. Luke Combs and the Shy Carter/Caitlyn Smith duet are both essential listening experiences. So is the extraordinary “21 Forever” by Chris Janson, Dolly Parton and Slash. It wins the Disc of the Day.

HONEY COUNTY / “Got It From My Mama”
Writers: Kalie Shorr/Dani Rose/Maks Gabriel/Hillary Reynolds/Sofie Lynn ; Producers: Maks Gabriel/John Spiker; Label: Honey County
– This manages the tricky feat of being trippy and danceable while also having heart and meaning. The swirling beats are charming, and the sentiment is poignant. Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.

SHY CARTER & CAITLYN SMITH / “How Did You Sleep”
Writers: Blake Anthony Carter/Caitlyn Smith/Bryan Simpson; Producers: Shy Carter/Caitlyn Smith; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– These two sound great together. Her soprano harmony voice is flawless, and he invests every note of his vocal with emotion. The lyric of bitter reproach is penetrating, and their duet delivery has you hanging on every line. I’m into this one.

LUKE BRYAN / “But I Got a Beer in My Hand”
Writers: Chase McGill/Matt Dragstrem/Geoff Warburton; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records
– This lively bopper is produced with rousing oomph. He should be broken hearted, but instead he’s in party-hearty mode. Sounds like summer energy.

REBECCA LYNN HOWARD / “I Am My Mother”
Writers: Rebecca Lynn Howard/Jamie Floyd/Rachel Thibodeau/Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Producer: Rebecca Lynn Howard; Label: Rebecca Lynn Howard
– I have always loved this artist. Her Mother’s Day sentiment is a heart tugger, as is attested by such celeb endorsers as Lee Brice, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs and Charlie Worsham.

CHRIS JANSON, DOLLY PARTON & SLASH / “21 Forever”
Writers: Chris Janson/Tommy Cecil/Tom Douglas; Producers: Julian Raymond/Chris Janson/Scott Borchetta; Label: BMLG Records
– Yes, it’s a sensational collaboration. But the song is so awesome and powerful that it doesn’t need any guest stars at all. That said, Janson turns in the finest vocal of his career to date, and I’ll go to my grave loving Dolly. Hang on for the extended, breath-taking Slash guitar solo at the coda. A magnificent recording.

VERONIQUE MEDRANO / “Que Hueva!”
Writers: Veronique Michelle Medrano/Mariano Herrera; Producers: Veronique Michelle Medrano/Mariano Herrera; Label: Veronique Medrano
– This bi-lingual Tejano artist takes an aggressive feminist stance here, speaking out forcefully for self-determination and pro-choice and against our government’s war on women. The zippy, accordion-accented Mexicali track sounds happy, but she means business as a badass woman. Apparently, there’s an uncensored version coming, but I don’t speak Spanish, never mind understanding its cuss words. In this release timed for Mother’s Day, Medrano reminds us, “Ser una mujer es todo una guerra (Being a woman is constantly having to go to battle).” A joyous, Latina rallying cry.

LUKE COMBS / “Fast Car”
Writer: Tracy Chapman; Producers: Luke Combs/Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– Tracy Chapman won a 1988 Grammy with this timeless tune. Combs sets his usual belting-vocal style aside to give the song the folkie spin it needs. In doing so, he brings out the lyric’s blue-collar power. It’s one more reason why this guy deserves his superstardom.

DALTON DOVER / “I Wouldn’t Be Here”
Writers: Dalton Dover/Russell Sutton/Dan Isabell; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Beautifully done. This is a heartfelt ode to the mother who loved him, believed in him, supported him and held him. “I am the man I am because you cared/And I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there.” It’s lump-in-throat time, folks. Partly because Dover, as always, is a brilliant country singer.

JASON ALDEAN / “Tough Crowd”
Writers: Kurt Allison/Marv Green/Tully Kennedy/Kelley Lovelace/Neil Thrasher; Partner: Michael Knox; Label: Broken Bow Records
– Lotsa volume and electric guitars here. Amid the noise, he sings of the throngs who pack his shows every night.

ERNEST / “Takes After You”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Jordan Schmidt/Josh Thompson; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– This Mother’s Day gift is a wish that his son will have the attributes of his mom, rather than the singer’s own imperfections. Very loving.

CODY BELEW / “Charlene”
Writer: Cody Belew; Producer: Dustin Ransom; Label: Visionary
– This forcefully sung, gospel-flavored ballad was written as a response to a woman who told him he couldn’t go to Heaven because he was gay. Belew is an outspoken member of country music’s LGBTQ community and wrote a Tennessean op ed last Sunday about religion being used as a weapon of intolerance.

WMG Corp. Q2 Results: Streaming Revenue Grows Despite Challenged Economic Environment

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Warner Music Group Corp. announced its second-quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2023.

The results show that revenue was up 1.7 percent(or 4.6 percent in constant currency), but revenue growth was unfavorably impacted by foreign currency exchange rates, which is consistent with the prior quarter. Digital revenue increased 1.2 percent (or 3.7 percent in constant currency) and streaming revenue increased 1.9 percent (or 4.5 percent in constant currency) primarily driven by growth in Music Publishing streaming revenue of 16.4 percent (or 18.3 percent in constant currency).

Recorded Music streaming revenue decreased by 0.4 percent (or increased by 2.2 percent in constant currency) as a result of a lighter release schedule and the impact of exchange rates as well as a market-related slowdown in ad-supported revenue. Recorded Music licensing revenue and Music Publishing performance and mechanical revenue all had double-digit growth.

Recorded Music physical revenue decreased on an as-reported basis but increased in constant currency. Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue and Music Publishing synchronization revenue were lower on an as-reported basis and in constant currency.

“With continued momentum in music publishing, and a more robust schedule that includes the return of worldwide superstars and new artists breaking globally, we are optimistic about the second half of the year,” says Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group. “As the music ecosystem continues to morph, and the use cases multiply, it only increases conviction in our tech-enabled strategy. In a highly proactive, fiscally responsible way, we’re investing in the artists, songwriters, team and technology that will deliver continued growth and long-term success.”

“While macroeconomic, currency and release slate headwinds continued to impact our revenue this quarter, our fiscal discipline enabled us to deliver solid Adjusted OIBDA growth and margin expansion,” adds Eric Levin, CFO, Warner Music Group. “As we look to the future, we’ll combine A&R and marketing excellence with tech innovation to achieve greater efficiency, scale, and growth.”

See the full report here.

Financial Highlights:
– Underlying Growth in Recorded Music Streaming Revenue Despite a Challenged Macroeconomic Environment
– Continued Momentum in Music Publishing Drives Double-Digit Revenue Growth
– Adjusted OIBDA Growth and Margin Improvement Underpinned by Financial Discipline
– Cost Savings to be Reinvested in Tech-Focused Initiatives and Expertise to Drive Long-Term Growth

For the three months ended March 31, 2023:
– Total revenue increased two percent or five percent in constant currency
– Digital revenue increased one percent or four percent in constant currency
– Net income was $37 million versus $92 million in the prior-year quarter
– OIBDA decreased 19 percent to $207 million versus $255 million in the prior-year quarter or 16 percent in constant currency
– Adjusted OIBDA increased four percent to $286 million versus $274 million in the prior-year quarter or eight percent in constant currency
– Cash from operating activities decreased 114 percent to a use of six million dollars versus a source of $44 million in the prior-year quarter