Jenna Paulette Celebrates Launch Of Sophomore Album & CowboyGirl Rangewear Line

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Jenna Paulette. Photo: Wes Walker

Country singer-songwriter and working cowgirl Jenna Paulette had a lot to celebrate last week, as she released her sophomore album Horseback and a brand new clothing line on Friday (Sept. 6). Her team and fellow peers gathered last week at Acme Feed & Seed in Nashville to toast to both of her exceptional projects.

Following up her 2023 debut album The Girl I Was, Paulette’s 13-track Horseback arrives via Leo33 as a reflection of all the experiences and values that have shaped her into the woman she is today.

CowboyGirl collection samples. Photo: Chelsea Rochelle

“The Horseback album is a culmination of perspectives I have of myself—to the things my family instilled in me, the men and women I grew up with and the one’s I am blessed to be surrounded by where we live in a small town in West Texas,” she shares. “A window into the way so many of us feel and the things we value.”

Kicking off with the effervescent “Wild Is Her Favorite Color,” the album finds the songstress tipping her hat to the three kings that have influenced her lifestyle, “King George, King Ranch, King James,” on “3 Kings,” and sharing her gratitude for new love on “Darlin’.” She celebrates the great outdoors on the previously-released “Outside” and shares her down-home gospel on “Run The Damn Ball.”

A co-writer on eight of its 13 songs, Horseback also features songs by Tony Lane, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley, Casey Beathard and more prolific Music Row hitmakers.

“So much has happened, so much good, since The Girl I Was. All I’ve got to say is the girl I was pretending to be before I got back to me…you ain’t getting that Horseback. The woman I am is here to stay. This album is a picture of who she was always meant to be.”

Jenna Paulette previewed her new CowboyGirl collection for friends and industry members. Photo: Chelsea Rochelle

To coincide with the album’s release, and in a partnership with Ely & Walker apparel company—the home of Ely Cattleman shirts—Paulette has created a functional working female cowboy collection called CowboyGirl. The collection addresses the need for functionality in the saddle, designed to offer all the same benefits that men need working cattle, but with a style that is vintage and feminine.

CowboyGirl highlights two new ideologies: the State Flowers of Texas, where Paulette grew up, and Oklahoma, where her family ranch was. It will be available exclusively at over 200 Boot Barn locations beginning Nov. 1, 2024.

Horseback Track List:
1. Wild Is Her Favorite Color (Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey)
2. 3 Kings (Jenna Paulette, Parker Welling, Casey Brown)
3. The Devil’s An Angel (Jenna Paulette, Parker Welling, Casey Brown)
4. Run The Damn Ball (Rodney Clawson, Casey Beathard, Hunter Phelps)
5. The Dirt (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Hillary Lindsey)
6. Chasin’ Whiskey (Joe Fox, Tony Lane)
7. The Prophet (Granddaddy’s Song) (Ashley McBryde, Matraca Berg, Lori McKenna)
8. Outside (Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson)
9. Prairie Primrose (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
10. Darlin’ (Jenna Paulette, Jess Cayne, Matthew Morrisey)
11. Horseback (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
12. Hang Your Hat (Jenna Paulette, Smith Ahnquist, Jim Beavers, Rhett Akins)
13. A Hill To Die On (Jenna Paulette, Smith Ahnquist, Lynn Hutton)

Tucker Wetmore To Make ‘Waves On A Sunset’ With Debut EP In October

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Tucker Wetmore will release his debut EP, Waves On A Sunset, on Oct. 4 via UMG Nashville in partnership with Back Blocks Music. Fans will get a taste of the eight-track project this Friday (Sept. 13) with the unveiling of “Silverado Blue.”

Wetmore has earned over 400 million streams since his back-to-back debut on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart with “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” both of which are featured on the new collection. “Wind Up Missin’ You” marks his first single at country radio, currently sitting among the top 20. In conjunction with Waves On A Sunset‘s release, Wetmore will kick off his first-ever headlining run of the same name.

“In a lot of ways, this feels like my introduction to the world, so I wanted to share some sides of me y’all haven’t seen yet. I’ll be giving you eight songs with five brand-new ones,” he shares. “The first one, ‘Silverado Blue,’ is dropping on Friday, and the rest are following on Oct. 4. This will also include ‘Wind Up Missin’ You,’ which has changed my life, so I thought it was only fitting to name both my first project and first tour after my favorite line, ‘waves on a sunset.’ These songs have been mine for a while, but I can’t wait to make them ours. Thank you all for everything, love you guys.”

Additionally, Wetmore is set to make his Grand Ole Opry debut tomorrow (Sept. 10).

Waves On A Sunset Track Listing:
1. “Silverado Blue” (Tucker Wetmore, Brett Sheroky, Dan Wilson)
2. “Wine Into Whiskey” (Tucker Wetmore, Jacob Hackworth, Justin Ebach)
3. “You, Honey” (Tucker Wetmore, Josh Thompson, Michael Lotten)
4. “Wind Up Missin’ You” ( Tucker Wetmore, Thomas Archer, Chris LaCorte)
5. “Break First” (Michael Tyler, Matt Roy, Lauren Hungate, Matt Dragstrem)
6. “When I Ain’t Lookin’” (Austin Goodloe, Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Tucker Beathard)
7. “What Would You Do?” (Tucker Wetmore, Gabe Foust, Jacob Hackworth, Jaxson Free)
8. “Mister Miss Her” (Blake Pendergrass, Jaxson Free, Chris LaCorte)

‘Toby Keith: American Icon’ Dubbed A Ratings Success For NBC

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Star-studded finale for Toby Keith: American Icon. Photo: Chris Hollo for Universal Music Group

Toby Keith: American Icon was a primetime ratings success when it aired on NBC a few weeks back.

The two-hour special drew 4.7 million viewers from its telecast on Aug. 28 and an additional airing on Peacock the next day. It was NBC’s most-watched primetime entertainment special in 2024, and places in the top 10 across all of broadcast.

The show was also the top-rated program on Aug. 28 among all broadcast competition in total viewers, and grew 10% from its America’s Got Talent lead-in.

Filmed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the show included performances by Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, Hardy, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ella Langley, Ashley McBryde, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and more, plus a special performance by Keith’s daughter, Krystal.

The show and special were packaged by UTA, Keith’s longtime agency partner.

Kelsea Ballerini To Celebrate New Album With Madison Square Garden Show

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Kelsea Ballerini will celebrate the release of her new album, Patterns, on Oct. 29 with a special one-night-only concert at Madison Square Garden. Aly & AJ and Tigirlily Gold will open the show.

“The whole time I was making this album, I was visualizing and dreamscaping ways to bring it to life for our live show, and it was something I couldn’t wait more than five days after its release to do,” shares Ballerini. “When good things happen, when new chapters begin, you want to share them with your people. This time around, it just so happens to be in a bucket-list venue in the heart of a city that is landmarked heavily in the music and visuals of Patterns. I’m so giddy to be celebrating this album release at Madison Square Garden…see you in New York City!”

Ballerini shared news of the big show in a fun way in an announcement video on her socials. In the clip, a helicopter gives a tour of New York to an unknown passenger. The camera then pulls back to reveal Ballerini’s dog, Dibs, in the passenger seat. Upon landing, the pooch hops in a cab, spins by a few of the locations that appear on Patterns and is dropped off near the historic arena where his mom is awaiting his arrival.

An exclusive ticket presale for Chase cardholders starts today (Sept. 9), with general sales starting this Thursday (Sept. 12), Ballerina’s birthday. For more information, click here.

 

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Chris Young Notches 14th No. 1 At Country Radio With ‘Young Love & Saturday Nights’

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Chris Young. Photo: John Shearer

Chris Young has notched his 14th No. 1 at country radio with “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” an interpolation of David Bowie‘s hit “Rebel Rebel” that serves as the title track of his ninth studio album.

The chart-topper was co-written by Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Josh Thompson and posthumously Bowie, marking his first country No. 1, and co-produced by Young, Corey Crowder and Chris DeStefano.

“Every number one is special, but this one—my 14th—really hits differently,” the artist shares. “To be part of Bowie finding success in country music eight years after his passing is truly an honor, and it’s been wild to watch audiences at my live shows reacting to this song that has its roots in a rock staple from 50 years ago. Just wow.”

Christian Hayes Inks With Capitol Records & Readies Debut EP

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Pictured (L-R): Tom March (Chairman & CEO, Capitol Music Group), Christian Hayes and Lillia Parsa (President, Capitol Music Group). Photo: Lester Cohen

Singer-songwriter Christian Hayes has signed with Capitol Records ahead of the release of his debut EP, Last I Love You, on Sept. 20. The five-track EP will feature Hayes’ singles “Leaving,” “LILY,” “Cheyenne” and two new songs.

“Last I Love You is the prequel to who I am now,” says Hayes. “It’s a group of songs that tell a story about who I was and where I come from. I’m excited for this to be my first release with Capitol—this is just the beginning and I am so grateful.”

The Rome, Georgia native grew up in a family of storytellers, including his poet grandfather who gave Hayes his first journal. He took up guitar at the age of eight and, after high school, enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and attended the University of Alabama. Hayes had written over 900 songs by the time he moved to Nashville and released his first single “Leaving” in February of 2024. Shortly after, the artist released “LILY” (short for “last I love you”) which captured listeners who quickly turned it into a viral hit, passing three million streams cross-platform. His most recent track, “Cheyenne,” was released in July.

Hayes will play his inaugural festival next week at AmericanaFest.

Along with his recent singing to Capitol Records, Hayes inked with WME for booking, Universal Music Publishing Group for publishing, Wildrose Projects for management and Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy for business management.

‘Homes For Hope’ Dinner Raises Over $75K Habitat For Humanity’s Music Row Build

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Brown, Penny Gattis and Randall Foster

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Music Row Build (MRB) raised over $75,000 to support this year’s build on Oct. 12 and the MRB’s ongoing fund with its inaugural “Homes for Hope” dinner at Mangia in Berry Hill on Aug. 27.

Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Gleason, Phillip Lammonds and Leslie DiPiero

“This is what the MRB is all about—bringing the music community together to do more for affordable housing and to improve the lives of those we live and work with right here in Nashville,” says Penny Gattis, MRB Chair. “I’m truly grateful to all our industry friends who came out and made our first ‘Homes for Hope’ event such a huge success.”

The MRB aims to establish a fund that contributes annually to a future Habitat homeowner as well as broader initiatives and goals, such as building an entire neighborhood that provides affordable housing to those who work in the music industry.

For more information, click here.

Zach Bryan Reclaims No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Trevor Pavlik

Zach Bryan has moved back into the No. 1 spot on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The singer-songwriter claimed the top position as the sole writer on his charting tunes “28,” “American Nights” and “Pink Skies.”

Josh Phillips sits at No. 2 this week with the recently-crowned MusicRow Awards Song Of The Year “Dirt Cheap.” Charlie Handsome is in the No. 3 spot this week with 14 credits from Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album, along with “Cowgirls,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and “Whiskey Whiskey.”

Ashley Gorley (No. 4) and Louis Bell (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

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.

Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, More Appear On New Album To Benefit Criminal Justice Reform

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Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Steve Earle, The War and Treaty and more will appear on a new project, Better Than Jail, a benefit album to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to improve our criminal justice system.

Set for release on Oct. 4, the album also includes Lukas Nelson, Cedric Burnside, Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer, Bonnie Raitt, Margo Price, Old Crow Medicine Show, Raul Malo, Silverada and Taj Mahal performing covers of iconic prison songs, paying homage to a rich musical legacy while advocating for meaningful change.

The artists have lent their time, talent and platforms to shine a light on the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform through the iconic and storied songs. In addition to covers, Better Than Jail will also feature an original song, “Color of a Cloudy Day,” written and performed by Isbell and Shires. The track, originally written for the 2015 documentary film The Fear of 13, will be widely available for the first time with the release of Better Than Jail. A cover of The Crickets‘ 1960 track “I Fought the Law” by Earle, serves as the album’s lead single, and is available now.

Proceeds from the sale of Better Than Jail will help two organizations doing on-the-ground work to improve the criminal justice system: Equal Justice USA and Free Hearts. By supporting these organizations, Better Than Jail aims to invest in community-based services that decrease the use of jails and keep incarcerated individuals connected to their families. It also advocates for providing more meaningful reentry resources to help formerly incarcerated people find jobs and housing, reducing barriers to successful reintegration into society.

The album’s art was commissioned from Omari Booker, whose songbird emerging from guitar-string bars draws on his real-life experience of birds while in prison and evokes for him the hope and humanity that art and music provided during his time incarcerated.

“Musicians have been singing about the failures of our justice system long before the US exploded into the most incarcerated country in the world,” says Brian Hunt, Better Than Jail producer and President of Believe Entertainment Group. “These iconic artists breathe new life into storied songs, empowering the organizations who address this issue head on. We must do more to improve our criminal justice system, and this album harnesses the transformative power of music to rally the call.”

Hailey Benedict Signs With Big Loud & Local Hay Records

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Paul Biro (President / Operating Partner, Sakamoto Agency / GPS Management), Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records), Brianne Deslippe (SVP of Global Marketing & Strategy, Big Loud Records), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), Joey Moi (Partner / Producer / President of A&R, Big Loud), Seth England (Partner / CEO, Big Loud), Patch Culbertson (EVP / GM, Big Loud), Stacy Blythe (EVP of Radio Promotion, Big Loud Records), Jeff Tanner (SVP of Business Affairs, Big Loud), Teresa Chance (Co-Owner, GrassRoots Promotion / GPS Management). (L-R, front row): Tera Lee Flaman (GM, GPS Management), Dallas Smith, Hailey Benedict, Scott Cooke (President, Local Hay Records), Nancy Tunick (Co-Owner, GrassRoots Promotion / GPS Management). Photo: Jessie Addleman

Big Loud Records and its Canada-based, Dallas Smith-founded Local Hay Records have signed Hailey Benedict to a record deal. She has also inked a global publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing/Local Hay.

Benedict first started her journey at 14 when Keith Urban pulled her on stage for a spontaneous performance in front of a sold-out arena, drawing international attention and instantly putting her into the spotlight. Last year, the singer-songwriter won the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. This past summer she performed on the main stage in her hometown at Big Valley Jamboree. She currently boasts 250,000 followers on TikTok and has earned a CCMA Award for Interactive Artist of the Year. At this year’s CCMAs, she is nominated for Breakthrough Artist.

“I’m ecstatic to begin this new chapter with such an incredibly creative and dedicated team that shares my vision for my songwriting, artistry, and career,” shares Benedict. “After a decade as an independent artist, it was crucial for me to partner with a record label that aligns with my values and passion for music. I truly believe I’ve found the perfect home with Big Loud and Local Hay. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every single person who has supported and championed my music and journey throughout the years. This would not be possible without your support, and I can’t wait to see what is to come next.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Hailey to our team,” says Scott Cooke, President of Local Hay Records. “Hailey has the drive, talent, and passion you dream about in a new artist. The sky is truly the limit.”

“Hailey wowed us in our first meeting with quality songwriting, heartfelt storytelling, and an unwavering authenticity that we could not ignore,” adds Sara Knabe, SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records. “Things My Mama Says’ is a special song, and our entire team is honored to share it with the world while we proudly welcome Hailey to Big Loud.”

Benedict will release her first single through the label “Things My Mama Says” on Oct. 4. The track features sincere advice and wisdom from a mother and a daughter’s acknowledgement of its impact despite her hesitancy to follow it.