Industry Ink: Dustin Lynch, ‘CMT Crossroads,’ Craig Campbell, PLA

/by

Dustin Lynch Joins Pandora’s Billionaire Club

Pictured (L-R): Marian Wolf (VP, Chief of Staff, BMG US), Thomas Coesfeld (CFO, BMG), Jon Loba (President, BMG Nashville) Dustin Lynch, Beville Dunkerley (Head of Country Talent Relations, SiriusXM & Pandora), Thomas Scherer (President Repertoire & Marketing, BMG Los Angeles and New York), Joe Gillen (CFO, BMG North America). Photo: Cooper Smith

Before his pop-up CMA Fest performance at Nissan Stadium on Thursday night (June 9), Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch was presented with a plaque by Pandora for surpassing two billion lifetime spins since his 2012 breakout.

“Wow, this is such an honor. Pandora, thank you so much for sharing my music all around the world,” shares Lynch. “It’s been 10 amazing years of reaching milestone moments and this is definitely one I won’t forget! I’m constantly blown away by the continued support from everyone, especially fans, and I’m just so grateful. We’re only getting started!”

Lynch’s latest single, “Party Mode,” off his fifth studio album Blue in the Sky, is currently in the top 25 at country radio. The multi-Platinum entertainer will continue on his “Party Mode Tour” into the fall. For a complete list of tour dates and tickets, click here.

 

Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton Team Up For New CMT Crossroads Episode Airing Tonight

Mickey Guyton, Black Pumas, and CMT Staff at the taping of CMT Crossroads: Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton. Catherine Powell/Getty for CMT

Black Pumas and country star Mickey Guyton headline the newest installment of CMT Crossroads: Black Pumas & Mickey Guyton.

Following a world-premiere collaboration at this year’s 2022 CMT Music Awards, the threesome reunite for a night of high-energy performances and stripped back, soulful renditions of each other’s greatest hits, including Black Pumas’ “Fire” and “Confines,” and Guyton’s “Black Like Me” and “Better than You Left Me.”

The show will premiere tonight (June 15) at 9 p.m. CT with an immediate encore at 10 p.m. CT. Additional encores will air Sunday, June 19 at 11 a.m. CT on CMT and Thursday, June 23 at 4 p.m. CT and 7 p.m. CT on MTV Live.

 

8th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge Raises Over $25K

Celebrities and friends gather for the 8th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge

Craig Campbell recently hosted his 8th Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge at Losers Bar & Grill in Nashville, raising more than $25,000 for national nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC).

This year’s winners were Andrew Millsaps, half of music duo Neon Union, and John Smyth, a caregiver for his sister Denise who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). In attendance was Jerrod Niemann, Chuck Wicks, Ryan Charles, Abby Anderson, Alexandra Kay, Holly Stocks, Drew Baldridge, Heath Sanders, Thomas Mac, Ian Munsick, Leo Brooks, Lucas Hoge, and Ethan Payne.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many people come out to support this event,” Campbell shares. “I have to give a huge thank you to all of my artist and celebrity friends who came out to play, all of our wonderful sponsors, volunteers, and all of the amazing friends and family behind the scenes who make this happen.”

Campbell’s father passed away with colorectal cancer at age 36. Since then, he, his friends and family have now raised over $354,000 for Fight CRC.

 

PLA Media Adds Case Hardin To Its Artist Roster

Case Hardin. Photo: LaRae Russell

PLA Media has added Texas country singer Case Hardin to its artist roster. Case has logged two No. 1 hits on the Texas Regional Radio Report with “Alcohol Abuse” and “When You Roll That Way.”

A native of San Angelo, Texas, Case began his music career in 2013 when he made his American Idol debut.  In 2016, he released his debut album, Over Fort Worth. Throughout his career, Case has toured with Aaron Watson, Pat Green, Eli Young Band, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Kyle Park, Randall King, Casey Donahew, Roger Creager, Mike Ryan, Josh Ward, Cory Morrow, Jason Boland, Radney Foster, Dwight Yoakam, Tracy Byrd, and more.

His new release, “Honky Tonk Highway,” was written by Bernie Nelson and Phil O’Donnell. PLA will be directing Case’s media outreach for his current release and forthcoming album Lucky Him, which will be available this summer.

“When hit writer Bernie Nelson tells you to listen to someone, you do it. He has some of the best ears in the business. Case is an authentic representation of Texas country and we are proud to be a part his team,” says PLA Media Founder Pam Lewis.

Stone Aielli Inks With Warner Chappell Music

/by

Pictured (L-R): Leslie Roberts (BMI), Will Overton (WCM), Stone Aielli, Matt Cottingham (attorney), and Ben Vaughn (WCM)

Singer, songwriter, and producer Stone Aielli has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

Aielli moved to Nashville from Charlottesville, Virginia in 2016. Having spent most of his life close to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, he worked continuously collecting song ideas while operating his farm, until finally moving to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting.

He has penned songs for numerous artists, including Priscilla Block‘s current single “My Bar” and fan-favorite “I Bet You Wanna Know.” He has also worked with Lexie Hayden on her track “Go To,” Emily Rose on “She’s Got Wings,” and landed two regional No. 1s on Texas radio with Kylie Frey’s “Horses in Heaven” and “I Do Thing.”

He currently writes with artists and songwriters signed with major labels and publishers in Nashville, Los Angeles, Texas, and London.

Garth Brooks To Wrap North American Stadium Tour With Stop In Houston

/by

Garth Brooks. Photo: Becky Fluke

Garth Brooks has announced that his last stadium date in the U.S. will take place in Houston, Texas on Aug. 6 at NRG Stadium. The show marks Brooks’ first Houston tour stop in over seven years, and the first time the tour has played NRG Stadium.

Tickets for the in-the-round seating show will be on sale Friday, June 24 with an eight-ticket limit per purchase. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks.

Brooks launched “The Stadium Tour” in March 2019, which has broken stadium attendance records at every stop so far. Pollstar announced at the end of 2021 that “The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour” was the best selling country music tour of 2019.

In 2017, Brooks finished the three-and-a-half-year long “Garth Brooks World Tour” with Trisha Yearwood. The tour sold over 6.3 million tickets, making it the biggest North American tour in history and the biggest American tour in the world.

Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Cox, Ethan Hulse, More Honored At 2022 BMI Christian Awards

/by

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Steven Curtis Chapman, and BMI’s Mike O’Neill at the BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI’s Christian Awards were held Tuesday night (June 14) honoring the Christian Songwriters, Song, and Publisher of the Year, and the songwriters and publishers of the 25 most-performed Christian songs of 2021. Steven Curtis Chapman was also honored with the BMI Icon Award during the evening.

BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill hosted the ceremony at the company’s Nashville office, along with Leslie Roberts, AVP, Creative, Nashville.

Chapman, who is the first-ever Christian BMI Icon Award honoree, was celebrated for his influence on generations of music makers. During the evening, Lady A’s Hillary Scott and Christian country trio Cain paid musical tribute to Chapman. Scott performed “Who You Say We Are,” while Cain serenaded the crowd with “Great Adventure” and “I Will Be Here.”

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter of the Year Jason Cox, Songwriter Jonathan Smith, Songwriter of the Year Ethan Hulse, Provident’s Terry Hemmings, BMI Icon Steven Curtis Chapman, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI writer Zach Williams, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI songwriter Casey Beathard, Essential Music Publishing’s Holly Zabka, Essential Music Publishing’s Jamie Rodgers. Photo: Steve Lowry

“There Was Jesus” was named the 2022 BMI Christian Song of the Year. Written by Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith, and Zach Williams, the track was performed by Dolly Parton and Williams, and was the most-performed Christian song of the year. The tune won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2021.

The coveted Songwriter of the Year award was presented to first-time winner Jason Cox and Ethan Hulse, who took home the honor for the fourth consecutive year in a row. Cox and Hulse are each responsible for three of this year’s award-winning songs.

Cox’s writing credits include The Crabb Family’s “I See Revival,” The Nelons’ “If God Pulled Back the Curtain,” and the Tribute Quartet’s “The Healer Hasn’t Lost His Touch.” Hulse penned Andrew Ripp’s “Jericho,” Jeremy Camp’s “Out Of My Hands,” and Cain’s “Rise Up (Lazarus).”

Publisher of the Year honors went to Essential Music Publishing, which is responsible for 11 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year, including “Alive & Breathing,” “Amen,” “Battle Belongs,” “Famous For (I Believe),” “Graves into Gardens,” “Jericho,” “Less Like Me,” “Out of My Hands,” “Peace Be Still,” “Rise Up (Lazarus),” and “There Was Jesus.”

During the ceremony, BMI also saluted the songwriters and publishers of the 25 most-performed Christian songs of the year. A full list of the 2022 BMI Christian Awards winners can be found here.

On The Cover: Lainey Wilson Graces Cover Of MusicRow Magazine’s 2022 Artist Roster Issue

/by

MusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, is proud to announce the 2022 release of its Artist Roster print issue with breakout singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson gracing its cover.

Reigning ACM New Female of the Year, Wilson has had a whirlwind year, earning her first No. 1 with the Platinum-certified ACM Song of the Year “Things A Man Oughta Know,” as well as being named to a variety of Artist to Watch lists and Billboard‘s Top New Country Artist of 2021. The Louisiana native was also awarded MusicRow Magazine’s Discovery Artist of the Year award in 2021, and recently returned to the top of the country radio charts with her two-week No. 1 hit “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell.

Bringing her electric live show to stages around the world, Wilson has performed for sold-out crowds with Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Randy Houser, and more.

In May of 2022, Wilson released her newest single “Heart Like A Truck,” which gives fans a taste of new music slated to come later this year.

This year’s Artist Roster print edition looks at the intersection of sports and live entertainment in Nashville as the city sees the opening of its new soccer stadium GEODIS Park, the return of motorsports, and discussions of a new and improved Nissan Stadium. This issue also highlights Nashville’s recent investments into rock music, profiles WHY&HOW’s CEO and Founder Bruce Kalmick, and dives into some social media best practices in 2022 from Girlilla Marketing’s CEO Jennie Smythe and Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Alexander.

The Artist Roster issue also gives a preview of MusicRow‘s newest weekly column “My Music Row Story,” which features notable members of the Nashville music industry. From esteemed managers, leaders in music publishing, label executives and everything in between, those featured keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.

MusicRow‘s Artist Roster contains five company directories complete with client rosters: Label, Management, Talent Agents, Publicity, and Artist Services (Business Management/Financial/Insurance, Digital Music, Legal, Marketing, Radio Promotion, and Organizations). This edition also offers a summarizing Artist Grid, which has become an indispensable tool connecting artists to their team members in each category.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2022 Artist Roster print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Warner Music Nashville Adds Connor Brock To Radio Team

/by

Connor Brock

Warner Music Nashville has added Connor Brock as Regional Manager, South for its WAR radio team. Based in Nashville, Brock reports to National Director, Radio, Michael Chase.

Brock joins Warner Music Nashville with six years of experience at Universal Music Group, most recently serving as Director, Regional Promotion for EMI Records Nashville.

“Connor is a perfect fit for team WAR,” Chase shares. “We are thrilled to have his fresh perspective and approach to promotion, which will complement our amazing roster of artists and this incredible radio team.”

“I’m more than ready to join the WAR team in representing this stellar roster of artists!” Brock adds.

Brock can be reached at [email protected].

Gibson Garage Marks Anniversary With Week-Long, Star-Studded Celebration

/by

Darius Rucker and his band perform at the Gibson Garage.

The Gibson Garage in downtown Nashville celebrated its one-year anniversary last week with top artists, luminaries and the Gibson team on hand for the party.

Fans lined up all week long for Gibson Garage Fest to enjoy live music from a diverse range of artists, CMA performers, special events, and daily giveaways at the Garage.

On Thursday (June 9), Les Paul’s birthday and the official one-year mark of the opening of the Gibson Garage, Darius Rucker visited for a special donation event with Gibson Gives–the philanthropic arm of Gibson.

Pictured (L-R): Cesar Gueikian (Brand President, Gibson Brands), Brennan Boose (Senior Consultant Strategic Marketing, NMAAM), Tamar Smithers (Senior Director of Education and Exhibitions, NMAAM), Henry Hicks III (CEO, NMAAM), James “JC” Curleigh (President and CEO, Gibson Brands) and Darius Rucker.

Gibson Gives donated $30,000 to the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and its fund for music education while the superstar thrilled the packed crowd with an intimate acoustic performance of his hits.

“I couldn’t think of a better place to have an African American music museum than Nashville” said Rucker. “Everybody in the world should go see NMAAM, it’s such an important place. For as long as I can remember I’ve been playing Gibsons, and what they’re doing with Gibson Gives is a great thing and now they’re partnered with the NMAAM, it’s a perfect fit. I’m so proud to be a part of all of it.”

Gibson Garage Fest attendees enjoyed artist panels, one-of-a-kind giveaways and experiences, participated in guitar-playing lessons, and enjoyed live music spanning country, Americana, rock, blues, and pop. Performers included Marcus King, Ernest, Charles Esten, Orianthi, Eric Paslay, Hannah Dasher, Tiera, Callista Clark, Temecula Road, Elvie Shane, Danielle Bradbery, Filmore, Sean Stemaly, Alana Springsteen, Love and Theft and many more.

“One year ago, we couldn’t have imagined the impact the Gibson Garage would have on guitar fans in music city and around the world,” said James “JC” Curleigh, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “It’s the best compliment to hear artists say that the Garage has set a new benchmark and is yet another massive step in the right direction for Gibson.”

The Gibson Garage

Eric Paslay and Charles Esten perform at the Gibson Garage.

Laci Kaye Booth performs at the Gibson Garage.

Ernest performs at the Gibson Garage.

Breland’s Debut Album Slated For September Release

/by

Breland. Photo: Jimmy Fontaine

Platinum entertainer Breland will release his debut album, Cross Country, on Sept. 9 through Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. The genre-bending artist debuted his new single, “Natural,” on NBC’s Today With Hoda & Jenna this morning (June 14).

The upcoming project takes its name from Breland’s previously released, autobiographical track, which spawned a revisited version featuring Mickey Guyton in March of 2021. In addition to “Cross Country,” the debut record will also include previously released singles “Throw It Back (feat. Keith Urban)” and “Praise The Lord (feat. Thomas Rhett),” which debuted at the 2022 ACM Awards in Las Vegas.

Lady A performs with Breland at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 12 during CMA Fest 2022 in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of CMA

Earlier this week, Breland was recognized at the Tribeca Film Festival, which screened the official music video for Cross Country’s title track. Meanwhile, Sunday night saw the rising singer-songwriter wrapping up a stacked week of CMA Fest appearances by taking the stage at Nissan Stadium for a surprise performance with Lady A.

Breland first broke into the Nashville scene with his hip-hop and country hybrid hit “My Truck,” which went No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 in 2019 before earning a remix that featured Sam Hunt. Breland was also featured on Dierks Bentley’s No. 1 single with Hardy, “Beers On Me,” and has collaborated with Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Blanco Brown, Lauren Alaina, and Chase Rice.

Following his run on Russell Dickerson’s “All Yours, All Night Tour,” he will hit the road this summer with upcoming stops across the country. For a full list of dates, click here.

Billy Dean Is Back With First Country Album In A Decade

/by

Billy Dean is releasing his first new country album in a decade this summer, The Rest of It’s Mine, on BFD/Audium Nashville. Slated for July 22, the 10-track collection reflects a place close to his heart: his home state of Florida.

“I was so touched and moved when Florida inducted me into its Artists Hall of Fame it made me terribly homesick,” explains Dean. “So I moved back to reconnect with my aging mother, my high school buddies and friends and family. That all inspired the tropical flavor of this album.”

Dean, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, co-wrote nine of the ten songs on the compilation with Brent Rader who also produced the project, Tom Woodard, Monty Powell, David Duncan, and Dean’s personal friends and Florida natives Hugh and Cody Vanlandingham. He and veteran songwriter Paul Overstreet wrote the album’s title track and first single, and Overstreet’s vocals are featured on the cut.

The project also includes a special bonus track—a 30th anniversary re-recorded version of Dean’s smash hit, “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” performed with a full symphony orchestra.

In addition to his solo dates, Dean will be teaming up with fellow country vets Shenandoah and Wade Hayes on the “Country Comeback Tour” throughout the year.

The Rest of It’s Mine Track List:
1. Saltwater Cowboy
2. The Rest of It’s Mine (featuring Paul Overstreet)
3. Margarita Memories
4. Hearts in the Sand
5. Oh What A Night
6. Where Nobody Knows My Name
7. Laziest Man Alive
8. My Day Off
9. Bourbon Vacation
10. Hemingway
*Bonus Track:
Somewhere in My Broken Heart (30th Anniversary re-recorded version w/ symphony)

Jason Aldean Celebrates Three-Week No. 1 With ‘Trouble With A Heartbreak’

/by

Jason Aldean. Photo: Brian Higbee

Jason Aldean is celebrating three weeks at the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck singles charts with his whopping 27th career No. 1 “Trouble With A Heartbreak.”

The single is the first song since Taylor Swift’s “Mean” over a decade ago to re-enter the top position on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck singles chart. The track follows the multi-week Platinum No. One “If I Didn’t Love You” featuring Carrie Underwood, which took home the trophy for ACM Single of the Year and iHeart Country Song of the Year, along with a Grammy nomination.

“It’s a really big deal to me to have a three-week No. 1, especially after all these years doing what we do,” Aldean explains. “The support of country radio and the fans makes me that much more ready to see all of you back out on the road.”

Aldean is currently gearing up for his 34-city “Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour,” set to launch July 15 in Scranton, Pennsylvania with special guests Gabby Barrett, John Morgan and Dee Jay Silver. Aldean will also be joined by Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt and Chase Rice on select dates this fall.