Shaylen To Usher In 2024 With New Track ‘Been There Before’

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Shaylen will kick off the new year with the release of her single, “Been There Before,” an anthem that reflects on the ebbs and flows of dating and trying to find your perfect partner amidst all the chaos, on Jan. 5.

Co-written alongside Andrew Baylis, Michael Whitworth and Nick Bailey, Shaylen gets it all off her chest in the cathartic track. The song follows her most recent single,”Cowboys Never Cry” (Nov. 10), and her collaboration with former Hinder frontman Austin John Winkler on the country-infused rendition of “Lips Of An Angel.”

“I finally got to write the dating anthem for my early 20s,” Shaylen says. “It was an incredible day working with some of my faves – Baylis, Michael and Nick are some of my favorite humans ever and creating this song with them was so fun. We literally just talked about all the crazy dating scenarios you go through as a girl in her early 20s and got to put it in one song. And that’s on healing toxic patterns baby!”

After spending 10 years in Los Angeles as a pop artist with Republic Records, the Chattanooga native found it was her time to come home and moved into the country space. Her debut country single “What If I Don’t” broke 10 million streams on Spotify, and her single “Do It Right The First Time” gained over 725K TikTok views and caught the ear of Kelly Clarkson, who featured Shaylen in her “#What I’m Liking” segment on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show. Within the first week of release, “Do It Right The First Time” reached No. 34 on the iTunes Country Charts with over 500K streams across DSPs, and was added to several playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Toby Keith Named Pandora Billionaire

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Pictured (L-R): TK Kimbrell, President/Owner TKO Artist Management; Toby Keith; Cindy Mabe, Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, entertainer and entrepreneur Toby Keith ended a three-show run at the world-famous Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas by being named a Pandora Billionaire. This accreditation comes with Keith’s music being streamed 3 billion times on Pandora.

Toby Keith

Keith was presented with his Triple Billionaires plaque backstage along with the President/Owner of TKO Artist Management TK Kimbrell, and Chair & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Cindy Mabe.

During his three-show run, Keith played for a total of two hours each night. His set included No. 1 hits, top 10 singles and an acoustic set of six songs that he deemed “should have been singles.” The acoustic set was a highlight for audience members, as Keith sat centerstage to perform these. To date, he has gained over 100 million BMI performances and more than 10 billion streams across all streaming platforms.

Keith recently released his album 100% Songwriter, which highlights his most iconic 13 solo-written songs. Also showcasing his talent is his latest hit single “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” Written in 2018, this song was inspired by a conversation between Keith and Clint Eastwood, and eventually landed in Eastwood’s movie, The Mule. After giving a powerful performance of the song at this past year’s People’s Choice Country Awards, the song went to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart and hit the Top 3 all-genre chart.

Weekly Register: Jessie Murph & Jelly Roll Join Top Five On Country Songs Chart

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Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll‘s “Wild Ones” joins the top five on the country streaming songs chart this week, scoring the fifth slot with 7.2 million new streams, adding to 86 million ATD according to Luminate data.

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at the top with 15 million streams, adding to 342 million ATD, and Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” stays at No. 2 with 11 million new streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” is sedentary at No. 3 with 11 million streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD as well, while Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” follows behind at No. 4 again with 9.3 million new streams, adding to 514 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time resides at No. 1 with 63K in total consumption (4.5K album only/75 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled album still stands at No. 2 with 44K (9.4K album only/45 million song streams), followed by Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) at No. 3 with 39K (22K album only/23 million song streams). Swift’s Red (Taylor’s Version) returns to No. 4 with 32K (16K album only/21 million song streams), and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album moves back to No. 5 with 32K (857 album only/41 million song streams).

Ira Dean Readies Solo Project ‘I Got Roads’ For 2024

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Ira Dean

Hit songwriter/producer Ira Dean is releasing a new album I Got Roads in 2024 via 8 Track Entertainment. The project will be his first solo album since 2015.

Dean’s musical talent became widely recognized when he joined the dynamic country music trio Trick Pony in the late 1990s. Serving as the bassist and contributing vocalist for the group, Dean played a pivotal role in shaping Trick Pony’s signature sound, including co-writing some of their most successful songs such as “Pour Me,” “On a Mission” and “Just What I Do.” Following his Trick Pony era, Dean embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut solo album in 2015.

Ira Dean in the studio

Dean has also established himself as a prolific songwriter, with songs recorded by artists such as Ronnie Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Joe Nichols, Chris Young, Trace Adkins, Colt Ford, Heidi Newfield, Jake Owen, Gary Allan and more. He has had seven songs cut by Montgomery Gentry, including their hit single “One In Every Crowd” and “I’ll Keep The Kids, and co-wrote Aaron Lewis’ hit “Am I The Only One.”

Featuring Vince Gill, Ronnie Dunn, Gretchen Wilson and more, Dean’s new album I Got Roads is tale of redemption, growth and finding happiness.

“This whole thing started when my friend Noah Gordon (Head of 8 Track) and I were talking and, he planted the seed and said, ‘Ya know what I’m thinkin? I  think it’s time you made a record,'” recalls Dean to MusicRow. “I had just got done co-producing Aaron Lewis’ album Frayed At Both Ends and the single that I co-wrote ‘Am I The Only One’ had just debuted in Billboard at No. 1. I was writing with Ronnie Dunn later that afternoon and mentioned it to him and he said, ‘Well it’s time, you need to do it,’ so I went from writing for everyone else to buckling down and writing songs for me. We went down to Muscle Shoals to the world famous Fame Studio and cut the first six songs.”

The project includes Dunn, Allan, Jeffrey Steele, Uncle Kracker, David Lee Murphy and more, and was a labor of love for Dean.

“Making a record with all my friends and cats that I have always wanted to sing and play with, is a bonus. I’ve never had more fun or felt so blessed. The turnout and support of everyone making this record has been a real eye-opening and heart-warming experience. I really hope this record hits [listeners] as hard as it has hit me making it. I am an open book when it comes to my life so why stop that when writing songs? I hope they feel like they were on a train ride, like they boarded the train and don’t want to get off ‘til the last song ends.

“They will hear the crazy times, the wild times of the tempo songs I wrote about my party days,” he continues. “They will hear songs about me losing my mom, my dad and my musical friends along the way, and how I miss how it used to be. There’s even a love song I wrote for my fiancé that I recorded with Gretchen Wilson. This album is my life, the good the bad and the ugly, but hopefully they feel the hope and redemption that I’ve found by the last song.”

I Got Roads Track Listing:
1. “Tele-Man” feat. Ronnie Dunn, John Osborne & Vince Gill (Jeffrey Steele/Tony Mullins)
2. “I Got Roads” feat. Gary Allan & Jeffrey Steele (Ira Dean/Gary Allan/Jeffrey Steele)
3. “Everything” feat. Gretchen Wilson (Ira Dean/Dave Turnball )
4. “I Get High” feat. Shelly Fairchild (Ira Dean/Gary Allan/Dave Turnball)
5. “1 to Hank” feat. Uncle Kracker (Ira Dean/Chris Wallin)
6. “What Would Charlie Daniels Say” feat. Ted Nugent (Ira Dean/Jeffrey Steele)
7. “I Like It Like That” feat. David Lee Murphy (Ira Dean/David Lee Murphy)
8. “Amen To That” (David Lee Murphy/Jessi Alexander/Jimmy Yeary)
9. “Missing How It Used To Be” (Ira Dean/Dave Turnball)
10. “Redneck Girl Like Mine” (Ira Dean/David Lee Murphy/Justin Weaver)
11. “Raised On It” (Ira Dean/David Lee Murphy/Justin Weaver)
12. “Wreck Me” (Ira Dean/David Lee Murphy/Justin Weaver)

Jenny Reid Elevated To VP Of Ticketing At Outback Presents

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Jenny Reid

Jenny Reid has been promoted to Vice President of Ticketing at Outback Presents.

Reid has been with the company for four years, and in her new position, she will oversee all ticketing operations, focusing on country music and comedy events. Reid and her ticketing team have managed tours around North America for country artists and comedians including Alabama, Nate Bargatze, Bert Kreischer, Taylor Tomlinson, Shane Gillis, Leanne Morgan, John Crist and more.

Prior to Outback Presents, Reid worked as Ticketing Manager for New Orleans-based festival and concert promoter Huka Entertainment, coordinating ticketing and box office operations from 2013-2016. She then transitioned to the tech side of the business, working in client operations at Ticketfly and Eventbrite, following its acquisition of Ticketfly.

“Jenny has built an incredible team that we are extremely proud of,” says Outback Presents President Michael Smardak. “With over ten years of experience in ticketing and box office operations, Jenny has led the force to establish a powerful ticketing team at Outback.”

Josh Phillips Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

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Pictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Bethany Mako, Ben Vaughn, Guy Moot, Josh Phillips, Write or Die Music’s Brantley Gilbert and Warner Chappell’s Steve Butler. Photo: Lily Nelson

Songwriter Josh Phillips has renewed his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

Originally from North Carolina, Phillips played shows all over the Southeast before moving to Nashville in 2015 to pursue a career in songwriting. His credits include “Dirt Cheap” from Cody Johnson’s latest album, Leather, as well as “Can I Get an Outlaw” and “Angels Working Overtime” recorded by Luke Combs, and “Small Town Small” recorded by Jason Aldean. Phillips has also had cuts with Brantley Gilbert, Chris Young, Michael Ray, Colt Ford and more.

“I’ve had a ringside seat in watching Josh Phillips grow as one of the finest songwriters on Music Row,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “Josh can truly write every kind of song and has a real knack for writing a 100% song–most notably ‘Dirt Cheap,’ which Cody Johnson so masterfully sings. Here’s to many more great years of Josh Phillips songs in country music!”

“Having Ben Vaughn, Brantley Gilbert, Bethany Mako and the entire Warner Chappell team fighting for my songs is second to none and there’s no team that I believe in more,” says Phillips. “I couldn’t be happier to continue my journey with them and I’m beyond grateful to have these folks in my corner!”

CMHOF Exhibit Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Thomas Hart Benton Mural

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Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has opened a new exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of Thomas Hart Benton’s iconic painting “The Sources of Country Music,“ which hangs as the centerpiece in the museum’s Hall of Fame Rotunda.

The exhibit, “An American Masterwork: Thomas Hart Benton’s ‘Sources of Country Music’ at 50,” explores Benton’s artistic process in creating the mural, which was his final painting.

Benton’s sketches, drawings, preliminary paintings and his plasticine clay maquette (three-dimensional model), which were created as part of his process of realizing “The Sources of Country Music” mural, are also included in the exhibit along with a 1975 video of Benton speaking about the painting.

Benton was a leader in American Regionalism, a modern art movement that featured realistic scenes of the nation’s rural and small-town heartland. He agreed to paint the mural for the museum in December 1973. Channeling his lifelong passion for country music, Benton created a masterwork that depicts the wide-ranging cultural contributors to the musical genre. He passed away on Jan. 19, 1975 in his Kansas City studio, having placed the finishing touches on this museum commission. The completed six-foot by 10-foot mural is a synthesis of the artist, country music subject matter and the museum’s educational mission.

This spring, the museum will also host a 90-minute program on “The Sources of Country Music” in partnership with the Frist Art Museum. Panelists will provide interpretation of the painting and discuss Benton’s technique and background as well as the story behind the commissioning of the mural for the museum.

The exhibit is now open through January 2025, and is included with museum admission. For more information, click here.

‘CMA Country Christmas’ Encore To Air On ABC

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ABC is set to air its encore presentation of the 14th annual CMA Country Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 9:00 CST. Co-hosted by Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, the special serves as a great way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends.

CMA Country Christmas includes performances of beloved holiday classics by some of country music’s biggest stars. Performances include a duet from Grant and Yearwood of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” sung by Jordan Davis, Lady A performing “What Christmas Means To Me,” Lindsey Stirling accompanying Ashley McBryde for “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” Jon Pardi with “Beer for Santa,” rising duo The War & Treaty taking on “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” and a powerful duet from Zach Williams and Lainey Wilson on “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”

The event was filmed in Nashville and was executive produced by Robert Deaton, with Milton Sneed as the Director and Jon Macks as the Writer.

The event is also available on Hulu and Disney+ for viewers now.

Nate Smith Snags His Second No. 1 Single To Close The Year

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Breakout country artist Nate Smith has snagged his second No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this year with “World On Fire,” following his Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1 debut “Whiskey On You.”

“Whiskey On You” and “World On Fire” are two of only 19 songs that went No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2023. “World On Fire” also recently topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

“If you would’ve told me back in 2018, that December of 2023, I’d be celebrating not my first, but my second number one at country radio, I certainly wouldn’t have believed it,” Smith shared with Billboard. “In December of 2018, I was absolutely devastated from the very fact that my hometown of Paradise, California had just been destroyed by a fire. I had nothing left to my name. My friends and family came around me and helped push me forward. I want to say thank you to my passionate fans–it’s all about you, country radio for still giving this random dude from the foothills of California a shot, my world-class management and Sony Music Nashville/RCA Nashville team, my incredible publisher, and Lindsay Rimes, Taylor Phillips and Ashley Gorley for writing it with me! This accomplishment goes to show that anything is truly possible. If you’re out there wishing you could go and chase your dreams, just go! Quit wasting time! Get you a few champions who will carry you all the way, and there won’t be anything stopping you!”

With over 120 million global streams to date, the breakup hit is one of 26 tracks on Nate Smith (Deluxe). Upon its release on April 28, the project marked the largest album debut from a new artist this year as well as the largest full-length album debut from a new artist since 2020. It hit No. 6 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and No. 30 overall on the Billboard Top 200. Nate Smith (Deluxe) also includes RIAA Gold-certified songs “Wreckage” and “Under My Skin.” Currently, the artist has over a billion total career streams worldwide.

Additionally, Smith will set out on his “World On Fire Tour 2024” starting Jan. 4 in Athens, Georgia. Dylan Schneider will join the cross-country trek for the first 20 dates, and Aidan Canfield will open the final show of the tour. Following his headlining journey, the ACM and CMT Music Awards nominee will once again join Morgan Wallen for his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” and return to Stagecoach, after making his debut at the festival this year.

Carrie Underwood Receives SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award

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Carrie Underwood and SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe. Photo: Courtesy of Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood has been honored with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award as one of the most-streamed artists in the organization’s 20-year history.

Underwood was presented with the award by SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe at Resorts World Theatre during the latest run of her ongoing “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency.”

“Carrie Underwood made history right out of the gate with her 2005 debut single ‘Inside Your Heaven,’ which made her the first country singer to debut atop The Billboard Hot 100,” says Huppe. “Ever since she stole our hearts on American Idol, she has been soaring high, breaking records and excelling across industries. We are thrilled to honor Carrie with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award.”

Underwood was the first artist to perform at the new Resorts World Theatre, where her ongoing multi-year residency began with sold-out runs in December 2021 and has continued throughout 2022 and 2023. The residency was recently extended into 2024.