Ashley McBryde Earns 2022 CMA International Artist Achievement Award

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Ashley McBryde. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA.

During the festivities surrounding the 56th Annual CMA Awards, three-time CMA Award winner Ashley McBryde was honored with the 2022 CMA International Artist Achievement Award. She was surprised backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena ahead of her CMA Awards rehearsal by CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and CMA VP, International Relations & Development Milly Olykan.

The CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development, and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period.

Pictured (L-R): Drew Bennett (Manager, Q Prime South), Caitlin Cadden (Warner Music Nashville Director, International Marketing), Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville Co-President), Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville Co-President), Ashley McBryde, Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO), Milly Olykan (CMA VP, International Relations & Development), and Meredith Goucher (CMA Manager, International Relations & Development). Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA.

After performing at C2C in March 2022, McBryde embarked on an eight-date headlining run, selling out shows in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Brighton. She also performed at C2C festivals in 2018 and 2019 as well as 2019’s CMC Rocks in Australia, where she will return in 2023. McBryde also joined Luke Combs as support on his 2018 U.K. tour ahead of her first U.K. headlining tour in 2019.

“Since the first time I was lucky enough to play abroad when C2C took a chance on me in 2018, I have fallen in love with the international fans,” McBryde shares. “I’ve told them over and over that as long as they keep showing up, I’ll keep showing up. That is still true today. I am honored and so proud to be receiving this award and I promise to continue to be the best ambassador that I can be for country music all over the world.”

“Ashley has had an eye on developing her international presence since the beginning of her career,” notes Trahern. “She is a true example of an artist committed to building an international audience, and we are beyond thrilled to present her with this year’s award.”

Pictured (L-R): Milly Olykan (CMA VP, International Relations & Development), Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO), and Ashley McBryde. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA.

“Throughout multiple international tours, Ashley has prioritized various promotional opportunities while traveling to many territories, from presenting on radio shows to guest appearances in film,” adds Olykan. “With international travel halted for an extended period due to the pandemic, Ashley made a point to get back across the pond as soon as borders reopened, performing earlier this year at the U.K.’s C2C: Country to Country festival and headlining her own tour there in May. We are so happy to see her recognized with this honor.”

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories. Winners for the remaining 2022 CMA International Awards categories will be presented with their awards in the coming months.

Koe Wetzel Heads Out On ‘Road to Hell Paso’ Tour This Spring

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Koe Wetzel. Photo: Jody Domingue

Koe Wetzel will embark on his “Road to Hell Paso” headlining tour this spring.

The newly-announced, 25-date run, in support of Wetzel’s latest album Hell Paso, kicks off March 2 in Tallahassee with stops in Tulsa, Savannah, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis, and more through May 20. He will bring his show to Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on May 11. The Citi presale begins Nov. 15, with artist presale beginning tomorrow (Nov. 16). Tickets go on sale to the general public Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. local time.

Upon its September release, Hell Paso debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. With over 350,000 tickets sold in 2022, the Texas-born singer, songwriter, and producer continues to dominate the touring world and was featured on Pollstar’s Top Worldwide Tours in 2020 and 2021.

Wetzel is currently on the road through early December, including three dates with Jelly Roll.

Combustion Masters Adds Payton Smith To Label Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Combustion General Manager Keithan Melton; Combustion President Chris Farren; Payton Smith; Combustion Senior Creative Director, A&R Blake Duncan; and Combustion VP Chris “Falcon” Van Belkom. Phot:o Courtesy of Combustion Masters

Combustion Masters has signed Payton Smith to its growing label roster.

Smith released his self-titled, debut EP in 2019, featuring standout track “Like I Knew You Would,” which has over 50 million streams worldwide. In 2020, he was named to Taste of Country‘s Hottest Country Artists Under 25 list and was included in MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing class of 2021. His most recent release, “Need You To Not,” is available now.

“Sometimes your gut just screams at you to do something….this is the feeling I got the first time I met Payton,” notes Combustion President Chris Farren. “He is a great singer, sizzling guitar player and has a sense of focus and artistry well beyond his years…as well as being a really good guy! I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Payton and to see where this all goes next.”

“Payton’s the kind of guy you want to run through walls for,” adds Blake Duncan, Combustion’s Senior Creative Director, A&R. “His passion and energy with a guitar is hypnotizing, followed up with his raw and authentic storytelling! We are stoked to add Payton to the Combustion Family!”

Smith is currently in the studio working on new music with Farren at the production helm. The 22-year-old is signed with Eclipse Music Group for publishing.

“The Combustion Music team has the experience and the passion for music that attracted me from our first introduction,” shares Smith. “The vision they show towards my career has me feeling inspired and ready for this new chapter. I could not have hoped for more than to have the opportunity to work with this dream team. Onward!”

The Combustion Masters roster includes Jameson Rodgers‘ debut self-titled EP, BBR/Wheelhouse Records artist Kolby Cooper, Sony/RCA rising artist Corey Kent, and up-and-comer Faren Rachels.

Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Claims Top Country Streaming Song For Eighth Consecutive Week

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

There’s not a lot of movement on this week’s top country albums and top country streaming songs charts.

For an eighth consecutive week, Zach Bryan‘s “Something In The Orange” claims the No. 1 spot, adding 15 million streams. The single now notches 315 million streams RTD, according to Luminate data. Following at No. 2 is Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” with 10 million streams. Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Rock And A Hard Place” keeps third with 9.9 million, Kane and Katelyn Brown‘s “Thank God” stays in fourth with 8 million, and Luke Combs‘ “The Kind Of Love We Make” seals the top five with 7.9 million streams.

Elsewhere, there’s little movement on the top country album’s chart this week. Dangerous: The Double Album (Morgan Wallen) notches another week at the top with 41K in total consumption (1.3K album only/51 million song streams). American Heartbreak (Zach Bryan) keeps its place at No. 2 with 28K, and Leave The Light On (Bailey Zimmerman) stays at No. 3 with 22K. Growin’ Up (Luke Combs) moves up to No. 4 with 17K as Red (Taylor’s Version) (Taylor Swift) falls one spot to No. 5 with 16K in total consumption.

CRB Announces Nominees For CRS 2023’s New Faces Of Country Music Show

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Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has announced the nominees for the New Faces of Country Music Show, which will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel during CRS 2023. This year’s nominees are Priscilla Block, Callista Clark, Jackson Dean, Ernest, Jelly Roll, Frank Ray, Elvie Shane, and Nate Smith.

The New Faces of Country Music Show was created in 1970 and recognizes emerging artists who have achieved significant success at country radio during the qualification period, which is Nov. 1 – Oct. 31. For more qualification criteria, click here.

Voting for the Class of 2023 will open Monday, Nov. 28 and close Friday, Dec. 2 at countryradioseminar.com. The five acts with the most votes will form the lineup for the sold-out show.

Eligible voters must be full-time employees primarily involved in the programming, promotion, and distribution of country music from the following company types: broadcast radio, satellite radio, television outlets, and digital service providers, while expressly excluding those with vested interests in individual artists or musical works such as labels, managers, agents, and publishers.

Chris Schuler Exits Arista Nashville

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Chris Schuler

Chris Schuler has left his position as Vice President, Promotion at Arista Nashville, MusicRow has confirmed.

Schuler joined the company in April and was responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the strategic and tactical radio promotional plans for artists on the Arista Nashville roster. During his tenure, he reported to Steve Hodges, Executive Vice President of Promotion and Artist Development.

Prior to moving to Arista, Schuler served as VP, Promotion & Radio Marketing at Universal Music Group Nashville. He first joined UMG Nashville seven years ago as Mercury Promotion Coordinator, he later became Director, Promotion & Radio Marketing for the label group in 2016. Before that, Schuler worked at BMI in Nashville.

Hodges will lead Arista promotion through the end of the year. Arista will look to fill the opening in early 2023.

Luke Combs Rises Into Top 5 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Luke Combs jumps into the top five this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Rising from the seventh spot, Combs has a songwriter credit on three currently charting songs, including his own “The Kind Of Love We Make” and “Going, Going, Gone,” as well as Zac Brown Band’s “Out In The Middle.”

Zach Bryan adds an eighth consecutive week atop the Songwriter Chart. He has three tracks on the chart, all of which are his own, including “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Because he is the only writer on each of the songs, Bryan earns all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.

Filling out the remainder of the top five are Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Morgan Wallen (No. 3) and Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4).

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.

Chapel Hart Plan To Celebrate The ‘Glory Days’ In 2023 With Headlining Tour

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Chapel Hart. Photo: Bailey Lamar

Chapel Hart is kicking off the New Year with their very first headlining trek, the “Glory Days Tour.” The tour will launch on Jan. 26 in Wichita, Kansas. Lucas Hoge will join the Mississippi girls as direct support.

The tour will hit over 60 cities, including New Orleans, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Green Bay and more, with more to be added in the coming months. For the full date list click here.

“In my entire career, I’ve never been more excited, nervous, proud and every emotion imaginable,” shares Danica Hart. “We’ll be able to share our songs and stories with the millions of people who got to watch us on TV, and now they get to experience us up close and personal. This tour will remind people that These Are The Glory Days!”

The Poplarville, Mississippi family trio heads into 2023 following a big year that culminated with their appearance on the NBC hit show America’s Got Talent where they earned the coveted golden buzzer, sending them to the live finale. They also found a fan in Darius Rucker, who tapped the trio for his recently released single “Ol’ Church Hymn.”

The War And Treaty Plot ‘Lover’s Game Tour’ For Spring 2023

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The War And Treaty. Photo: Kit Wood

The War And Treaty is launching their headlining 2023 “Lover’s Game Tour” on March 19 in Oklahoma City.

The husband-and-wife duo will visit 35 cities this spring with stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Detroit, Washington D.C., Louisville, and more before closing out the leg at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on May 13.

Tickets for new headlining dates will be available Nov. 18, and fan club members can access tickets beginning tomorrow (Nov. 15). A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association and Vet Tix.

“The shows this year have felt more like a family reunion,” Michael Trotter Jr. notes. “You know how it is….some family you’ve known for a while and then you meet other family members you don’t know…but their vibe is so on point with yours that it’s more filling than the barbecue on the grill. We know next year’s tour is going to feel just like that so we just need to bring the right meats for the grill…the right beer for the cooler…and play the right songs!”

Fresh on the heels of their recent CMA Awards performance, the duo surprised fans with the release of their Blank Page EP.

Ken Roberts Is Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Newest Circle Guard Initiate

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Pictured (L-R): Circle Guard members David Conrad, Jerry Williams and Mary Ann McCready; Delphine Roberts, the wife of Ken Roberts who accepted on his behalf; Emmylou Harris and Circle Guard members Kyle Young, Seab Tuck, Ken Levitan and Bill Denny. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Ken Roberts has been appointed the newest initiate to the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’s Circle Guard in recognition of his significant contributions to the museum.

Emmylou Harris announced the honor during an intimate luncheon on the CMA Theater stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Roberts served on the museum’s board between 1996 and 2006, transitioning to Trustee Emeritus in 2016. When he served as president and CEO of the Frist Foundation, he guided the Frist Foundation’s 1997 leadership gift that helped make possible the museum’s move from Music Row to its current downtown location. That support also enabled the proper preservation and presentation of the Frist Library and Archive, which houses the museum’s collection of photography, sound recordings, films, periodicals, and more. An accomplished pianist, Roberts has also made crucial contributions to Nashville’s civic and cultural life for decades.

The Circle Guard celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent and treasure to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguard the integrity of country music and make it accessible to a global audience. The Circle Guard recognition ranks as the highest distinction afforded those benefactors who exhibit an unwavering commitment to the museum and its mission. This is the third year in which the Circle Guard’s ranks have expanded since the designation was introduced by Circle Guard Founder Steve Turner in 2018.

Each year, for the two weeks leading up to the Medallion Ceremony—which is the formal induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame for its three newest members—the Circle Guard members share the life stories of those celebrated in the Hall of Fame Rotunda by leading the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute. The annual ceremony, open to all museum visitors and occurring daily for two weeks, pays tribute to each of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s yearly classes and their inducted members.

Roberts joins existing members David Conrad, Bill Denny, Ken Levitan, Mary Ann McCready, Mike Milom, Seab Tuck, Steve Turner, Jerry Williams and Kyle Young.