2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Female Songwriter Of The Year

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Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Female Songwriter of the Year category. Female Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

Jessi Alexander
Warner Chappell, ASCAP
“Never Say Never” recorded by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson
“Sunrise Tells The Story” recorded by Midland
“Don’t Think Jesus” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Nicolle Galyon
Warner Chappell, BMI
“Gone” by Dierks Bentley
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney
“I Quit Drinking” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini, LANY
“Beers On Me” recorded by Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND, HARDY
“Thought You Should Know” recorded by Morgan Wallen

Kat Higgins
BMG/Pompano Run Music, BMI/SOCAN
“Knowing You” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Jennifer Schott
RED Creative Group/Anthem Entertainment, BMI
“7500 OBO” recorded by Tim McGraw

Alysa Vanderheym
Rhythm House/Warner Chappell, SESAC
“Cold Beer Calling My Name” recorded by Jameson Rodgers featuring Luke Combs
“No Sad Songs” recorded by Niko Moon

Lydia Vaughan
Cornman Music/Warner Chappell, BMI
“If I Didn’t Love You” recorded by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

Ryan Vojtesak Makes Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Multi-talented songwriter and producer Ryan Vojtesak has cracked the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter chart. Vojtesak is a co-writer on Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof.”

Ernest Keith Smith remains at the top of the chart for the sixth consecutive week. He is a co-writer on four charting songs, including Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”

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.

Weekly Register: Zach Bryan’s ‘Summertime Blues’ Brightens Up The Top Country Albums Chart

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Louie Nice

The same familiar faces take up residency on this week’s top country albums and streaming songs charts.

Most notably, Zach Bryan makes the biggest debut this week with his recently released Summertime Blues. The Warner Records project debuts at No. 7 with 16K in total consumption 2.3K album only/17 million song streams). Bryan’s massive American Heartbreak project also keeps its spot at No. 2 on the top country albums chart with 25K in total consumption. On the songs front, the Oklahoma native’s “Something in the Orange” falls one spot to No. 3, adding 9.9 million streams this week, according to Luminate data.

Luke Combs‘ “The Kind of Love We Make” trades spots with Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” this week for the No. 1 position, with the former adding 10.4 million streams and the latter adding 10.3 million. Newcomer Bailey Zimmerman climbs one spot to No. 4 as “Fall In Love” earns 8.2 million streams. Sealing the top five is Cole Swindell‘s “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” nabbing 8.2 million streams this week.

Wallen continues his reign at the peak of the top country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album gaining another 48K in total consumption (866 album only/60 million song streams). Wallen also continues his run at No. 4 as If I Know Me adds 17K. Combs claims the remaining two spots: Growin’ Up at No. 3 with 23K and What You See Is What You Get taking No. 5 with 16K.

2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Male Songwriter Of The Year

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Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Male Songwriter of the Year category. Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

Rhett Akins
Warner Chappell, BMI
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Your Bartender” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Tequila Little Time” recorded by Jon Pardi
“To Be Loved By You” recorded by Parker McCollum
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Jesse Frasure
Warner Chappell/Rhythm House/Roc Nation, BMI
“Almost Maybes” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
“One Mississippi” recorded by Kane Brown
“If I Was A Cowboy” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Ashley Gorley
Sony Music Publishing/Domain Capital Group, ASCAP
“Single Saturday Night” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by HARDY
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“You Should Probably Leave” recorded by Chris Stapleton
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Warning” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Country Again” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Beers On Me” recorded by Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND, HARDY
“Take My Name” recorded by Parmalee
“New Truck” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Slow Down Summer” recorded by Thomas Rhett

Shane McAnally
SMACK/Warner Chappell, GMR
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney
“I Was On A Boat That Day” recorded by Old Dominion
“23” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” recorded by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde
“AA” recorded by Walker Hayes
“No Hard Feelings” recorded by Old Dominion
“Everyone She Knows” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Josh Osborne
Sony Music Publishing/SMACK, ASCAP
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“I Was On A Boat That Day” recorded by Old Dominion
“My Masterpiece” recorded by Darius Rucker
“23” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Everyone She Knows” recorded by Kenny Chesney

Hunter Phelps
Warner Chappell/Tape Room Music, ASCAP
“Cold Beer Calling My Name” recorded by Jameson Rodgers featuring Luke Combs
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by HARDY
“Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” recorded by Chase Rice featuring Florida Georgia Line
“That Ain’t Me No More” recorded by Matt Stell
“Thinking ‘Bout You” recorded by Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter
“New Truck” recorded by Dylan Scott
“Best Thing Since Backroads” recorded by Jake Owen

Cumulus Names Don Hurley Program Director For NASH Icon & Classic Rock Station

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Don Hurley

Don Hurley has been named Program Director for Cumulus Tri-Cities TN-VA country station NASH Icon 104.9/WKOS-FM and for heritage classic rock radio station 101.5 WQUT-FM.

Hurley steps into the role on Aug. 1, and succeeds longtime Program Director John Patrick, who is retiring on July 31 after a successful 45-year radio career, including 31 years with the Cumulus Tri-Cities stations.

Hurley joins Cumulus Tri-Cities from Bicoastal Media in Medford, Oregon, where he served as Operations Manager for the company’s four-station group since 2008. Prior to that, he was Program Director for Saga Communications’ KAFE-FM and KISM-FM in Bellingham, Washington. Hurley has also held programming and on-air positions at stations in San Diego; Binghamton, New York; Flint, Michigan; and Las Vegas.

“I’m thankful to John Patrick for the many contributions he has made to the company and community over the years and wish him much happiness in his retirement,” says Cynthia Rollison, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Tri-Cities. “As we look to build on the long history of success with WQUT and WKOS, I am excited to welcome 30+ year programming pro Don Hurley to our team and look forward to working closely with him to achieve great things in the market.”

“I am thrilled to roll up my sleeves with Cumulus in the Tri-Cities TN-VA market, a wonderful community where my family truly wanted to be,” adds Hurley. “I’m grateful to Cumulus VP/ Classic Rock Wade Linder and Cumulus VP/Programming Greg Frey for their confidence, and especially to VP/Market Manager Cindy Rollison as we look to expand on the enormous heritage of WQUT and WKOS. I feel as though I’m joining an exclusive club, as opportunities at Cumulus Tri-Cities are extremely rare. Retiring programmer John Patrick has assembled a dominant team, and I’m honored to continue writing many more chapters to this amazing legacy!”

Scotty McCreery Earns Fifth Consecutive No. 1 With ‘Damn Strait’

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Scotty McCreery. Photo: Jeff Ray

Scotty McCreery has racked up his fifth consecutive No. 1 with the cleverly-penned George Strait tribute track “Damn Strait.” The song hit the top spot on the Mediabase chart this week and earned a second straight week atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

With the achievement, McCreery makes history as the first artist on the Triple Tigers Records roster to score five consecutive number one hits. Penned by Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins, “Damn Strait” also topped the MusicRow Country Radio Breakout Chart and has earned more than 124 million streams.

“This song is such a great tribute to one of my musical heroes, George Strait, while also using his song titles in a clever way to tell such a heartbreaking story. I’ve loved it from the moment I first heard it,” McCreery  notes. “It is one of my favorite songs that I’ve recorded, and the fans love it in concert as well. You can feel the anticipation in the air as they get ready to sing along on the chorus.”

“When we heard Scotty sing this song, we thought we had something really special,” adds Kevin Herring, SVP/Promotion, Triple Tigers Records. “After playing it for a handful of radio programmers, we were sure of it. What a fun ride.”

“Damn Strait” follows McCreery’s fourth consecutive No. 1 single “You Time,” also from his fifth studio album Same Truck. Released in late 2021, the project reflects on the last decade of his career and life with his wife Gabi, who recently announced they are expecting their first son in early November.

CMT Announces Two New Next Women of Country Showcases

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CMT’s Next Women of Country will celebrate the classes of 2021 and 2022 with two upcoming showcases, hosted in partnership with City Winery Nashville. The shows are slated to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Wednesday, Sept. 28.

“CMT Next Women of Country: Celebrating the Classes of 2021 & 2022, presented by CMT Night Out Nashville and Change The Conversation,” will feature performances from Callista Clark, Camille Parker, Hannah Dasher, Jenna Paulette, Julia Cole, Laci Kaye Booth, Lily Rose, Reyna Roberts, Jessie James Decker and Tenille Arts. The showcase will be be hosted by Decker and CMT’s Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, Leslie Fram. Tickets are on sale now.

“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate some of the amazing artists recently inducted into our ‘Next Women of Country’ franchise as part of our new ‘Night Out Nashville’ series,” shares Fram. “Our upcoming showcases are perfect examples of the opportunities we aim to create and support for these incredibly talented artists throughout the year and we hope everyone will join us in supporting these incredible women from our 2021 and 2022 classes who all have amazing things on the horizon.”

She continues, “We’d like to thank our partners at City Winery Nashville and Change The Conversation who share our mission of supporting female artists, and a special thank you to the incredible Jessie James Decker who will both co-host and perform, as she continues to be one of the biggest champions of the NWOC franchise, always looking for opportunities to lift up her fellow female contemporaries every chance she gets.”

Performers and tickets for the Sept. 28 event to be announced in the coming weeks.

Lauren Alaina Signs With Big Loud Records

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Pictured (L-R): Patch Culbertson (GM/SVP, Big Loud Records), Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), Seth England (Partner/CEO, Big Loud), Candice Watkins (SVP of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Lauren Alaina, Trisha McClanahan (Manager, McClanahan Management), T. D. Ruth (Partner, Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP), Stacy Blythe (SVP of Promotion, Big Loud Records), Joey Moi (Partner/Producer). Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Platinum hitmaker and Opry member Lauren Alaina has signed with Big Loud Records.

Alaina released her album Sitting Pretty On Top of the World last September, and most recently teamed up with now labelmate Chris Lane on “Dancin’ In The Moonlight,” their reimagined version of King Harvest‘s 1973 hit.

“We feel like Lauren is absolutely one of the best vocalists, male or female, in this town,” Big Loud CEO/Partner Seth England shared with Billboard. “Certainly, she’s had success, but we humbly think she has barely scratched the surface of what we think we can do together. Lauren Alaina deserves to be, in my opinion, on the same pedestal as Carrie Underwood, and it’s our job to help her find that mode.”

Outside of music, Alaina has appeared on CBS’ Beyond The Edge, ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, and other national TV performances. She is a celebrity brand ambassador for Maurices, an artist ambassador for the CMA Foundation, an Amazon best-selling author, a Hallmark movie actress, and a philanthropist.

This summer she’ll make festival stops at Watershed, Tidalwave Music Festival, and more, alongside performances at the Grand Ole Opry through the end of the year. Fans can also expect new music later this year.

“I got a label that matches my personality: big, loud, and country,” Alaina told Billboard. “I really want to tap into my country roots. I don’t think people remember how southern I am…I’m a country girl through and through.” She continues, “[I want to] make music that I’m really proud of with a team that I’m really proud of. I want to do as much as I can do in the next 10 years. And I’d probably like to also get married and have some kids. So, I want to be able to balance all of that in the next 10 years. I think it’s gonna be the biggest 10-year span of my life so far.”

Jesse Frasure’s YeeDM Radio Launches On Apple Music Country

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Songwriter, producer, and DJ Jesse Frasure (aka DJ Telemitry) has launched YeeDM Radio, a new weekly radio series on Apple Music’s global live-streaming radio station Apple Music Country. The inaugural episode of YeeDM Radio aired Friday night (July 22).

On YeeDM Radio, Telemitry will deliver an exclusive mix of music spotlighting collaborations between country and EDM artists, as well as dance remixes of country hits, songs with dance and pop leaning production, and everything in between.

“Country musicians are working in pop music and people in pop music are working in country music,” Frasure shares. “Someone may say they don’t listen to country music, but if they hear something they like, they may dig it. So what I’m trying to do is take that person who is a genre-free listener and just loves great music and blend those worlds together. You might hear a Dolly Parton edit going into Jack Harlow, or going into Alesso or Diplo. You might hear everything from Megan Thee Stallion to George Strait in these mixes. You have a one-hour mix to blend all these worlds together. ”

Frasure also hosts the Apple Music radio show “Little Bit Country,” which celebrates the best the genre has to offer in a format that highlights country’s more interesting idiosyncrasies. as well as its many intersection points with other genres.

“I started my music career as a DJ touring the world long before I ever wrote a song that ended up on the radio,” he adds. “I’m excited to be back behind the turntables to highlight my favorite collaborations and remixes spanning the world’s of country, EDM, pop, and hip hop and blending them together for a special one-hour mix. Listeners can also expect to hear exclusive remixes and edits and new interpretations of songs I’ve written for some of the biggest names in country. Apple Music Country has basically taken a blueprint of who I am and allowed me to put it in audio form. It’s genre free with a country lean… Welcome to YeeDM!”

Randall King Releases Acoustic EP ‘Live at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville’

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Randall King. Photo: Yve Assad

Randall King is giving fans a new stripped-down mini-version of his album Shot Glass with his new acoustic EP, Live at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, available everywhere now.

Recorded at Music City’s Brooklyn Bowl in 2021, the EP features six acoustic versions of tracks originally released on Shot Glass. Produced by Bart Butler and Ryan Gore, Shot Glass included 11 songs, seven co-written by King, that provide different points of view of patrons at a bar. The concept record was recently named to Billboard’s All Genre 50 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far), making King the only male country artist to make the list.

“I got a chance to take over Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville and make some acoustic recordings of some of the favorite songs off the new record Shot Glass,” King shares. “I picked these songs because they became a staple at our live shows. They’re all upbeat, with passion and energy that I love. They’re the newest songs on the record that weren’t part of another project, so I wanted to showcase these six.”

King has accumulated over 150 million global career streams to date. Fresh off the road with icon Willie Nelson, his packed touring schedule features headlining shows across the country, including a stop at the Nashville Palace in August, and an L.A. date at the historic Troubadour in September.

Live at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Track Listing:
1. Roger, Miller Lite and Me (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)
2. Can’t You Feel How That Sounds (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)
3. Baby Do (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)
4. You In A Honky Tonk (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)
5. Record High (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)
6. Hard Way To Make It Rain (Live at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, 2021)