Life & Legacy Of Naomi Judd Honored In Star-Studded CMT Tribute

Wynonna Judd & Brandi Carlile. Photo: Katie Kauss/Getty Images for CMT

A beautiful farewell was given to Naomi Judd on Sunday night (May 15) during CMT and Sandbox Live’s Naomi Judd: a River of Time Celebration live from the Ryman Auditorium.

Hosted by co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and close family friend, Robin Roberts, daughters Wynonna and Ashley Judd celebrated their mother’s legacy with fans and friends through warm remembrances and performances from a host of stars.

Carly Pearce. Photo: Katie Kauss/Getty Images for CMT

Among the highlights from the emotional evening were a performance from Ashley McBryde as she fought back tears while singing the legendary duo’s No. 1 “Love Is Alive.” Fellow Kentuckian Carly Pearce paid homage to Judd with her soulful rendition of “Why Not Me,” pulling double duty as CMT co-host for the evening alongside Cody Alan. Friend Bono recited a moving excerpt of The Judds’ “Guardian Angels,” and at Naomi’s special request, the Gaither Vocal Band brought show-stopping harmonies to The Mother Church with “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.”

Emmylou Harris & Allison Russell joined forces to deliver a moving performance of “The Sweetest Gift,” bringing the crowd to tears. Bette Midler shared an emotional memory of performing “The Rose” with The Judds on stage in Nashville ahead of Brandi Carlile and Wynonna’s unforgettable performance of the hit.

Throughout the evening, Naomi’s closest friends and fans delivered heartfelt speeches and shared memories, including Reese Witherspoon, who celebrated Naomi’s legacy as a single mother and a woman breaking barriers, and Oprah Winfrey, who reflected on Naomi’s connection with her fans and the strong roots of the country music community.

Wynonna brought the Ryman to its feet for the final standing ovation of the night, closing out the show with an emotional sing along performance of “Love Can Build A Bridge,” after treating fans to the surprise announcement that the duo’s “The Final Tour” would continue later this year, honoring Naomi’s legacy.

Allison Russell & Emmylou Harris. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT

Little Big Town. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT

Nate Smith Plots ‘Whiskey On You Tour’ Kicking Off In June

Nate Smith will embark on his 13-city “Whiskey On You Tour” this summer. “Whiskey On You” is the follow up to Smith’s viral hit “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven,” which has amassed nearly 30 million total streams to date.

The tour will visit Chicago, Las Vegas, Chattanooga, Memphis, St. Louis, and more, and marks the breakout artist’s first headlining tour. Tickets are on sale now at NateSmithOfficial.com.

Smith’s journey to Nashville has been peppered with both trials and adventures. In 2018, Smith lost everything he owned in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through his hometown of Paradise, Calif., now known as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned to music, hoping that it would help comfort himself and others. The adversity inspired a month-long road trip to Music City, writing music and playing dive bars along the way.

Smith’s new bio series, “This Is Nate Smith,” is available now on his YouTube page.

Nate Smith “Whiskey On You Tour” Dates
June 16 – Chicago, IL (Carol’s Pub)
June 17 – Jackson, MI (Grande Golf Club)
June 18 – Pigeon Forge, TN (Hard Rock Café)
June 23 – Indianapolis, IN (Hi-Fi Indy)
June 24 – Columbus, OH (Rumba Café)
June 25 – Bloomington, IL (The Stables Music Hall)
July 1 – Las Vegas, NV (Stoney’s Rockin Country)
July 6 – Decatur, GA (Eddie’s Attic)
July 7 – Chattanooga, TN (Songbirds)
July 8 – Louisville, KY (PBR Bar)
July 9 – Memphis, TN (Hard Rock Café Memphis)
July 14 – St Louis, MO (Old Rock House)
July 15 – Omaha, NE (Barnato)

CMA Presents Triple Play Awards, Honors Bob DiPiero

Pictured (L-R top row): Corey Crowder, Randy Montana, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, Ashley Gorley, host Jim Beavers, Brock Berryhill, Jonathan Singleton (L-R bottom row:) Hunter Phelps, Ross Copperman, Ernest Keith Smith, Hillary Lindsey, CMA Songwriter Advocate Award recipient Bob DiPiero, Zach Crowell and Jesse Frasure. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

 The Country Music Association hosted its 12th CMA Triple Play Awards on Thursday (May 12) at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The industry ceremony marked the event’s official return following a two-year postponement due to the pandemic. In addition to honoring 19 CMA Triple Play Award recipients, CMA also awarded Bob DiPiero, Founder of Being Bob Music, with the inaugural CMA Songwriter Advocate Award.

The CMA Triple Play Award is presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period. Honored last night for this achievement were Brock Berryhill, Luke Combs, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, Ray Fulcher, Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, Randy Montana, Josh Osborne, Hunter Phelps, Thomas Rhett, Jonathan Singleton, Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson and Morgan Wallen.

The ceremony was hosted by CMA Board Chairman and composer, Jim Beavers. Throughout the evening, the Triple Play Award honorees were surprised by special guest presenters, all with a meaningful relationship to the songwriters. Special guest presenters included Brantley Gilbert for Berryhill, Randy Goodman for Combs, Josh Van Valkenburg for Copperman, Tyler Hubbard for Crowder, Madeline Merlo for Crowell, Stevie Frasure for Frasure, Dierks Bentley for Gorley, Kelsea Ballerini and Lindsey’s daughter Bennett for Hillary Lindsey, father Billy Montana for Randy Montana, Bart Herbison for Osborne, Gorley for Phelps, Combs for Singleton, Brad and Brett Warren for Smith, and Mark Wright for Thompson.

Triple Play Award honorees who could not be in attendance, including Fulcher, Hardy, McAnally, Thomas Rhett and Wallen, shared video acceptances.

DiPiero was presented the new CMA Songwriter Advocate Award, which was created to recognize an individual who has dedicated their life to supporting and advancing the art of songwriting and careers of songwriters. Throughout the evening, as an ode to DiPiero’s long list of memorable hit singles, he was surprised with performances by good friends Neal McCoy, who performed the classic “Wink!,” Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire of Shenandoah performing “The Church on Cumberland Road,” and Jeffrey Steele performing “Gone.”

For a list of songs that the honorees were recognized for click here.

Bob DiPiero pictured with Neal McCoy who performed “Wink!” in his honor. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

Jeffrey Steele performs “Gone” to honor Bob DiPiero. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA

Breakout Artist, Nashville Native Jelly Roll To Headline Bridgestone Arena

Stoney Creek Records/BMG singer-songwriter Jelly Roll has announced his first headlining show at Bridgestone Arena. The event is set for Dec. 9, 2022 with proceeds going to Impact Youth Outreach. General on-sale tickets will be available May 20.

The news comes on the heels of a series of firsts for the entertainer. This week, Jelly Roll topped Billboard’s and Mediabases’ Rock chart with “Dead Man Walking,” his first No. 1 at radio. Simultaneously, Jelly Roll’s single “Son Of A Sinner” is Top 30 and climbing at country radio, making him the first artist to top the Active Rock charts while having a Top 30 single at country radio with his chart debut on each (Billboard). After independently building his fanbase, Jelly Roll has garnered more than a billion streams.

In addition to previously announced dates with Shinedown late this summer, Jelly Roll will be joining forces with Brantley Gilbert for the “Son of the Dirty South Summer Tour ” kicking off in Jacksonville, Florida on June 30.

Brett Eldredge Announces Headlining ‘Songs About You Tour’

Brett Eldredge has announced his upcoming “Songs About You Tour,” which kicks off June 19 in Wheaton, Ill. and runs through September. He’s also releasing the intimate new track, “Wait Up For Me” today.

The headlining tour will make stops in Bakersfield, San Diego, Las Vegas, Louisville, Charlotte, and more before wrapping in Saginaw, Mich. Sept. 24. Presale for The Locals fan club begins Tuesday, May 17, followed by general on sale Friday, May 20.

“Wait Up For Me” was co-written by Eldredge alongside Mark Trussell and Heather Morgan. The song will be included on his fifth studio album, Songs About You, due June 17.

“Mark [Trussell] and I started writing this song by the fireplace in Montana,” Eldredge explained. “He was playing around with some chords on the piano and I just started singing and putting a sexy feel to it. Heather [Morgan] was dealing with some altitude sickness that day and was resting at the time but suddenly she appeared out of nowhere with this amazing line – ‘I’m gonna keep you warm like a furnace in the winter // you can cool me off like a summertime breeze.’ She arose from her slumber and just jumped right in!”

Songs About You will feature 12 songs co-written by Eldredge including the previously released “Want That Back,” “Holy Water,” and the album’s title track/lead single, “Songs About You,” which was written by Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon and Ben West, and is climbing the country charts now.

“Songs About You Tour” Dates: 

6/19 – Wheaton, IL – Dupage County Fairgrounds
7/22 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery^^
7/23 – Bakersfield, CA – Dignity Health Amphitheatre^
7/24 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theater^
7/28 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre*
7/29 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amphitheatre*
7/30 – Indio, CA – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino*
8/04 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Amphitheatre*
8/05 – Chautauqua, NY – Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater*
8/06 – Doswell, VA – SERVPRO Pavilion**
8/18 – Charlotte, NC – Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre+
8/19 – Roanoke, VA – Elmwood Park Amphitheater+
8/20 – Greensboro, NC – White Oak Amp*
9/02 – Portsmouth, NH – Music Hall++
9/03 – Cohasset, MA – South Shore Music Circus++
9/04 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent++
9/09 – Madison, WI – Overture Hall*
9/10 – Waite Park, MN – The Ledge Amphitheater*
9/15 – East Providence, RI – Bold Point Pavilion+
9/16 – Bensalem, PA – XCite Center+
9/17 – Bethlehem, PA – SteelStacks+
9/22 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre+
9/23 – Fort Wayne, IN – Foellinger Theater+
9/24 – Saginaw, MI – Huntington Park Amphitheater**

^ w/ special guest BRELAND
* w/ special guest Nate Smith
+ w/ special guest Lauren Alaina
^^ w/ special guest Shelby Darrall
** w/ special guest Caylee Hammack
++ special guest TBA

Chart Action: Kane Brown Most Added

Kane Brown notches the most-added single of the week and a career-high add total of 154 combined Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout stations for “Like I Love Country Music.” Brown cowrote the single with Matthew McGinn, Taylor Phillips, and Jordan Schmidt.

He also received RIAA Platinum certifications for his most recent country No. 1, “One Mississippi,” and the Top 40 hit, “Memory,” with blackbear. Brown celebrated his No. 1 on the BMI rooftop with his fellow co-writers on May 4.

Last week, Brown announced his international tour, “The Drunk or Dreaming Tour,” which starts in September in Melbourne, Australia.

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

Raelynn Returns With New Management, Music

Photo Credit: Acacia Evans

Raelynn has signed with Jonas Group Entertainment for management, marking a new chapter in her career. She’s releasing two new songs, “I Love My Hometown” and “If God Took Days Off,” on Friday.

“I’ve been blessed to know and work with RaeLynn for a number of years while at Disney before reuniting as part of the Jonas Group Entertainment family,” said Jonas Group Entertainment CEO Phil Guerini. “Her captivating spirit is unlike any other, and she commands attention onstage with her dynamic talent. We are so excited for all that’s ahead with RaeLynn!”

A loud and proud down-home celebration, “I Love My Hometown” was written by RaeLynn with Corey Crowder, Brian Kelley and Canaan Smith and produced by Crowder. “If God Took Days Off” showcases another side of her sound, with the poignant track finding the Texas native wondering what her life would be like if God had taken a few days away from arranging things just as they should be. It was penned by RaeLynn, Taylor Phillips, Ben Stennis and Cole Taylor, and produced by Stennis and Crowder.

“This music is a continuation of where my heart is,” RaeLynn says. “I will always love singing about my hometown and good ole Jesus! These songs are super special and only the beginning of what’s to come.”

RaeLynn is gearing up to take the new music on the road as support for Kane Brown’s “Blessed & Free Tour,” which will visit Alabama, Georgia, Florida and New Hampshire beginning with a stop in Birmingham on May 19.

Ryman, BMI To Host CMA Fest Block Party

The Ryman Auditorium is throwing a Block Party during CMA Fest June 9-11 featuring music from Nashville’s best and brightest rising stars.

Powered by BMI on PNC Plaza at the Ryman and presented by White Claw, the special event will feature performances from Connor Smith, Kenton Bryant, Camille Parker, Madeline Edwards, Preston James, Boy Named Banjo, Grace Leer, Julia Cole, Alex Hall, Track 45, HomeGrown Trio, Alexandra Kay, Restless Road, and Justin Champagne.

From 1 p.m.– 6 p.m. CT daily, music lovers can kick off their CMA Fest experience with photo opportunities, giveaways, food trucks, and more at the Block Party, which will give CMA Fest attendees an exciting taste of what’s to come in country.

CMT Reveals Host, Performers For ‘Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration’

Naomi Judd

Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris and Allison Russell, Little Big Town and The Gaithers will honor the legacy of Naomi Judd with performances on CMT’s Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration, taking place Sunday, May 15 at the Ryman Auditorium.

The celebration of life, which will be hosted by co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and close family friend Robin Roberts, will also include special messages from Judd’s friends and fans, including Bono, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey and Salma Hayek.

Wynonna and Ashley Judd, Martina McBride and others will make special appearances on the show, and Carly Pearce and Cody Alan will serve as hosts for CMT. Devoted husband and ‘Pop’ to the girls, Larry Strickland, will be in attendance in loving memory of his wife Naomi. The event is presented by CMT and Sandbox Live, in partnership with The Judd family.

A limited number of tickets are available to the general public, with more information here.

Scotty McCreery Heads ‘Strait’ To No. 1

Country radio takes “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with a total of 1,738 spins. The song was written by written by Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins. 

“Every now and then you hear a song that sounds so much like you,” recalls McCreery. “I grew up as a huge George Strait fan, and when I heard this song, I raised my hand to say, ‘I want this one.’ Every country fan has a George Strait story, and everyone has a memory attached to their favorite songs.”

McCreery started the year on the “Same Truck Tour” which shares the name of his latest album released last year via Triple Tigers. 

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