Kyndal Inskeep Inks With Cornman Music, Warner Chappell Music Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Ryan Beuschel (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Nate Lowery (CM), Inskeep, Jessi Stevenson (WCM), Brett James (CM)

Rising pop songstress Kyndal Inskeep has signed a global joint publishing deal with Cornman Music and Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Originally from Indianapolis, Inskeep relocated to Nashville in 2015 to attend Belmont University’s commercial voice program. She made her national debut as a contestant on season 17 of NBC’s The Voice, where she was coached by Gwen Stefani. Upon her return to Nashville, Inskeep has released a couple of singles–“Letter” and “Ghost Town”–and continues to perform around Music City.

“Kyndal is a gifted songwriter and performer who lights up every stage she’s on,” shares Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “Her eclectic pop sound and unique vocal tone immediately caught our attention and we can’t wait to see her career blossom.”

“Kyndal is an absolute superstar in the making,” adds Brett James, Owner/CEO, Cornman Music. “Her voice is surreal and her songwriting and performances are next level.  We are beyond excited to be on her team as she takes over the world.”

Lindsay Ell, Brett Kissel, More Among Honorees At 2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala

Lindsay Ell. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) celebrated wins in 29 categories at the CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards last night (Nov. 28).

The 2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards, presented by Music Canada, celebrated the best in the industry, including industry executives, artist-driven companies, recognized songwriters, and performers. Hosted by Don Amero, JoJo Mason and Jess Moskaluke, the evening included performances from Jade Eagleson, Genevieve Fisher, Aaron Goodvin, Corb Lund with Katie Rox & Brandi Sidoryk (Nice Horse), Sacha, and Tim & The Glory Boys.

Brianne Deslippe. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA

This year, Lindsay Ell won the honor for Interactive Artist or Group of the Year. Big Loud Records’ Brianne Deslippe took home her first CCMA Award for Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP, while Stephano Barberis collected his twelfth win in the Video Director of the Year category. The ceremony also saw Ben Bradley and Matthew Atkins tie for a win in the Drummer of the Year category and Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In win the inaugural Live Innovation Award, which celebrates a virtual event or concert series that shared live Canadian country music during the global pandemic.

The evening’s Gala marked the first of two awards ceremonies being held in London, Ontario. The 2021 CCMA Awards, hosted by Lindsay Ell and Priyanka, will livestream exclusively on the Global TV App and Prime Video on Monday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. CT.

As announced last night, Calgary will host the 2022 CCMA Awards. Scheduled for next fall, Country Music Week 2022 will culminate with the CCMA Awards Show taking place at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Dallas Smith. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA

“We are thrilled that the Canadian Country Music Awards and Country Music Week will be returning once again to Calgary in 2022,” says Jeff Hessel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Tourism Calgary. “Building on the success of the 2019 event, we are excited to showcase Calgary’s diverse music scene and growing reputation as the ultimate host city.”

2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner + Awards Presented By Music Canada Winners:
Drummer of the Year: (Tie)
Matthew Atkins
Ben Bradley

Fiddle Player of the Year:
Tyler Vollrath

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year:
Mitch Jay

Creative Director(s) of the Year:
Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee – Everbound (Album)

Country Music Program or Special of the Year:
Brett Kissel – Live at the Drive-In

Management Company of the Year:
MDM Artist Management Services

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada:
Timeless — Dallas Smith

Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year:
“Can’t Help Myself” — Dean Brody and The Reklaws

Recording Studio of the Year:
MCC Recording Studio (Calgary)

Music Publishing Company of the Year presented by CMRRA:
Warner Chappell Music Canada

Music Director of the Year (Medium or Small Market):
Paul Ferguson (CHCQ-FM)

Music Director of the Year (Large Market):
Amanda Kingsland (CKBY-FM)

Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year:
Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)

Interactive Artist or Group of the Year:
Lindsay Ell

Booking Agency of the Year:
Sakamoto Agency

Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP:
Brianne Deslippe (Big Loud Records)

Country Personality(ies) of the Year:
Jennifer Campbell (CIKZ-FM)

Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market): (Tie)
CHCQ-FM (Bellville)
CKGY-FM (Red Deer)

Radio Station of the Year (Large Market):
CFCW (Edmonton)

Alternative Country Album of the Year:
Agricultural Tragic — Corb Lund

Record Company of the Year presented by MRC Data:
Warner Music Canada

Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN:
Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson — “Champagne Night”

Record Producer(s) of the Year:
Danick Dupelle (“Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do,” Tyler Joe Miller)

Retailer of the Year:
Apple Music

Video Director of the Year:
Stephano Barberis

PRS Guitars Video of the Year:
“Make A Life, Not A Living” — Brett Kissel

Live Innovation Award:
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In

Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award:
CP Holiday Train

CCMA Hall of Fame Inductions:
Patricia Conroy (Artist Inductee)
Randy Stark (Stan Klees Builder)

Reba To Open New Restaurant, Bar & Live Music Venue In Oklahoma

Reba McEntire

During a show in her home state of Oklahoma this weekend, Reba McEntire revealed she is developing Reba’s Place, a restaurant, bar, live music venue and retail store set to open in Atoka, Oklahoma in 2022.

Rendering of Reba’s Place

Reba’s Place is being constructed in a century old Masonic Temple, and will feature two stories of dining space that opens up to a central stage which will regularly host live music performances. The style of the venue is influenced by Reba’s western heritage and includes a curated collection of memorabilia from the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s personal archives. Reba’s Place is created in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the city of Atoka.

“I’m very excited to be opening a place so close to my roots,” shares Reba. “The Choctaw Nation and the city of Atoka are wonderful partners and I can’t wait to welcome our first guests to Reba’s Place. We are working very hard to create something not only for the local community, but that will also bring in folks from across the country.”

As for the menu, Reba’s Place is set to include the “Fancy” steak dinner, street tacos, chicken fried steak and Reba’s personal favorite, pinto beans and corn bread. The menu also includes scratch-made versions of many of the dishes most popular in the region, alongside favorites from other areas including Nashville, New Orleans and Mexico.

The retail space will feature a combination of merchandise created just for this new venture alongside established Reba favorites.

Chris Buck Signs With Anthem Music Publishing

Chris Buck

Canadian artist Chris Buck has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing.

Buck debuted in 2017 with his self-titled album, Chris Buck Band, and rose up the Canadian country charts with the release of the track “That’s When You Know,” featuring fellow Canadian country artist Kira Isabella. The single skyrocketed with over 7 million streams, earning CRIA-Gold certification and a Canadian Country Music Association nomination for Video of the Year.

In 2019, he released “All In’,” which garnered 13 million streams. Over the years, he has performed at some of Canada’s biggest festivals, including Boots and Hearts, Rockin’ River Music Fest, The Calgary Stampede, Manitoulin Country Fest and more.

“Chris is one of the most genuinely capable country artists and songwriters I’ve heard in recent memory,” says Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He’ll be a great addition to our crew.”

“I’m so excited to join such a great team,” adds Buck. “Looking forward to writing with their amazing staff and getting a plaque up on the wall!”

Records Nashville Adds Erin Kinsey To Roster

Erin Kinsey. Photo: Sara Kauss

Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ label Records, has added singer-songwriter Erin Kinsey to its roster.

Kinsey’s single, “Just Drive,” first debuted on TikTok and quickly went viral. Written by Kinsey along with Michael August and Josh Ronen, and produced by Ronen, the song continues to connect online with over 27 million streams to date. After teasing her next track, “Better On Me,” Kinsey is gearing up to release the song this Friday, Dec. 3.

The Texas native has been hard at work since she was 11 years old. Now 21, she has established herself in Nashville, having moved from Texas to Tennessee the morning after her high school graduation. She has received close to ten million views after posting “Just Drive,” and the track has been featured on SiriusXM The Highway’s On The Horizon.

“Erin is exactly the kind of young, fresh artist we’re looking for at Records Nashville,” says Weiss, Partner and Co-Founder of Records. “A great musician, accomplished songwriter beyond her years, super hard-working and well versed in today’s required acumen on social media platforms, she’s a total home run and winner. We couldn’t be more excited to add this young Texan to the roster.”

Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram Join Forces To Form TIM Publishing

Chris Tomlin, Stacey Willbur, Jason Ingram

Multi-award winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin and award-winning producer/songwriter Jason Ingram have teamed to form a new publishing company, TIM Publishing (Tomlin, Ingram, Music).

The new Nashville-based company will be helmed by publishing veteran Stacey Willbur, who has has worked for many of the top music publishing houses in Nashville including EMI CMG, EMI Nashville, and Capitol.

“What a dream come true, to be able to come alongside great songwriters, and help cultivate songs that make a difference in this world,” says Tomlin. “Jason and I have been thinking of partnering together for some time now. We believe songs matter and will do everything we can to create a publishing company that champions this vision. I am beyond grateful for the writers that have already said ‘yes’ to being a part of this with us. Truly some of the very best!”

“Chris and I have been friends and co-writers for many years now and it’s truly special for me to be able to start this company with someone I have so much respect for both personally and professionally,” shares Ingram. “And as a songwriter I’ve often thought of songs as ‘life rafts’ and I’ve given my life’s work to building them. The chance to help other songwriters maximize their opportunity and potential is the best way I know to throw more ‘life rafts’ into the world.”

“I am honored to be part of this team alongside Jason and Chris,” adds Willbur. “I have the utmost respect for them both as creatives and as leaders in the industry. They are trailblazers, visionaries & dream makers. This is an amazing opportunity to serve this team and songwriters. My hope is that we can encourage songwriters in a way that inspires them to be creative in their craft of songwriting

TIM’s roster includes Steffany Gretzinger, Jess Cates, Tommy Iceland, Benji Cowart, and Chris Davenport.

The Cadillac Three Slate ‘Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour’ For 2022

The Cadillac Three. Photo: Nick Rau

The Cadillac Three will hit the road again on their “Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour.” The 2022 trek follows their 10th anniversary tour, which included a two-night stint at the Ryman Auditorium.

“We will be hitting all our favorite cities and clubs, as well as some we’ve never played before, and can’t wait to see y’all there! It’s exciting to be on the road in 2022 with the ‘Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour!’” shares TC3 frontman Jaren Johnston.

Dates kick off Jan. 28, 2022, at Joe’s in Rosemont, Illinois with stops in more than 20 different cities.

“Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour” 2022:
1/28/22: Rosemont, IL | Joe’s
2/3/22: Dallas, TX | Granada Theater
2/4/22: Fort Smith, AR | TempleLive
2/5/22: Little Rock, AR | Little Rock Music Hall
2/11/22: Champaign, IL | The City Center at Fat City
2/12/22: West Peoria, IL | Crusens
2/17/22: Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater
2/18/22: Baltimore, MD | Rams Head Live
2/19/22: Easton, PA | One Centre Square
2/24/22: Pittsburgh, PA | MR. Smalls Theatre
2/25/22: Rootstown, OH | Dusty Armadillo
2/26/22: Rootstown, OH | Dusty Armadillo
3/3/22: Salt Lake City, UT | The Complex – Grand
3/4/22: Emmett, ID | Stoney’s Roadhouse
3/5/22: Seattle, WA | Tractor Tavern
3/6/22: Portland, OR | Revolution Hall
3/10/22: Petaluma, CA | Mystic Theatre
3/11/22: San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall
3/12/22: Chico, CA | Senator Theatre
3/15/22: San Louis Obispo, CA | Fremont Theater
3/16/22: Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up
3/17/22: Los Angeles, CA | El Rey Theatre
3/18/22: Las Vegas, NV | Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
3/19/22: Tempe, AZ | Marquee Theatre
3/25/22: Oxford, MS | The Lyric Oxford
3/26/22: Jackson, TN | Hub City Brewing
4/21/22: Des Moines, IA | Wooly’s
4/22/22: Springfield, MO | Midnight Rodeo
4/23/22: Columbia, MO | The Blue Note
4/27/22: State College, PA | Stage West
4/28/22: Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

After 30 Years, The Kentucky Headhunters Will Make Their Grand Ole Opry Debut

The Kentucky Headhunters. Photo: Ash Newell

Grammy award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Dec. 4.

“I must say The Kentucky Headhunters had to take a deep breath, twice, when our publicist Don Murry Grubbs called to say we had been asked to be on the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time,” says Headhunters guitarist and vocalist Richard Young.

The group first made their mark on country music in the early ’90s with their debut album, Pickin’ on Nashville. Released by Mercury Records, it sold over two million copies, and won a Grammy Award, three CMA Awards, an American Music Award and an ACM Award. Pickin’ on Nashville also spawned four Top 40 country hits: “Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine,” “Dumas Walker,” “Oh Lonesome Me,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Angel.” Around that time, Bill Monroe approached Roy Acuff about having the group perform on the Opry stage.

“Mr. Acuff said, ‘I think they are probably good boys and would do a fine job, but let’s get ’em a haircut first,'” reminisces Young. “Needless to say, it never happened. We are so looking forward to our first appearance on the Opry stage in 30 years. We still got our hair, too. Well, most of it!”

The Opry show can be heard at opry.com, wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Willie’s Roadhouse), and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM.

The group began their professional journey in 1968 when brothers Fred and Richard Young and cousins Greg Martin and Anthony Kenney formed the southern blues-rock band Itchy Brother, later becoming The Kentucky Headhunters. To date, the band has sold over eleven million records worldwide.

The Headhunters recently released their first album of all-new material in half a decade. The twelve-track compilation, That’s A Fact Jack!, is available now via Practice House Records.

Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter Remain At No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter continue their reign on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, marking a two-week No. 1 for their duet “Thinking ‘Bout You.” Lynch is credited as a songwriter on the single alongside Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly.

The duet originally appeared as a collaboration on Lynch’s album Tullahoma with Lauren Alaina. When Alaina wasn’t available to be a part of the single release, Lynch put a call out to the country music community for submissions for the part from up-and-coming female artists.

“I had my team remove all the names from the submissions and just number them so I wouldn’t be persuaded based on if I knew who it was, what camp they’re a part of, what they look like. On my first listen I ended up pointing to file number two or whatever it was. Two weeks later, I’m still listening through and keep coming back to it. It ended up being MacKenzie Porter,” Lynch explains. “We all gravitated to her performance, and I think there’s reason for that.” Click here to read MusicRow‘s full interview with Dustin Lynch.

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

Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, More Part Of Gaylord Opryland’s Parade Of Trees

Darius Rucker’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Universal Music Group Nashville is hosting Parade of Trees, a display of Christmas trees decorated by their artists, as part of Gaylord Opryland Resort’s 38th annual “A Country Christmas” event.

Carrie Underwood’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Featured UMG artists with themed trees include Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Eric Church, George Strait, Luke Bryan and Mickey Guyton. The country artists have also donated VIP experiences for the event, including fly-aways, VIP concert experiences, exclusive merchandise and more to benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation. Proceeds raised will provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

Some of the themes and experiences include Underwood’s white tree celebrating her Christmas album, My Gift (Special Edition), as well as a trip to Las Vegas for her upcoming “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency,” as well as Church’s trees representing his albums Heart and Soul, colored red with an American theme and blue with a rock n’ roll theme, respectively, with accompanying East and West Coast VIP Experiences.

Also included is Guyton’s Indigo tree and an Ultimate NYC Thanksgiving VIP Experience, and Luke Bryan’s camo-themed tree accompanied by a Live In Las Vegas flyaway, including a pre-show margarita toast with the country superstar. Other artist packages include VIP festival experiences, exclusive numbered prints, signed guitars, custom toy packages, and more. The complete listings can be viewed here.

Luke Bryan’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Guests visiting Opryland can scan QR codes at each tree location to donate and wenter to win the designated artist’s VIP prize package. Fans can also bid on the sweepstakes online.

The Parade of Trees is on display in the resort’s Garden Conservatory now until Jan. 2 as a self-guided tour, and each VIP experience will be available for bid on online until Jan. 12.

Alan Jackson’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

George Strait’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Keith Urban’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Mickey Guyton’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Reba McEntire’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson