Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Song of the Year category.
The nominees honor Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of country songwriting, not necessarily chart performance, during the eligibility period of June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
“Backseat Driver”
Featured on Kane Brown’s album The High Road, “Backseat Driver,” produced by Dann Huff, reflects on parenthood through the everyday moments that shape a father’s perspective. Written by Jacob Davis and Jordan Walker, the song follows a morning drive as the narrator’s young daughter fills the ride with questions about the world around her, shifting his attention from the distractions of adulthood to the curiosity of childhood. “Daddy, look, there’s a plane in the sky. Are we there yet? Did you just see that dog run by?” she asks, prompting him to see life through her eyes. Later, he reflects, “One day, I’ll look back and I’ll miss when my whole world wasn’t over that dash, it was back there buckled in,” before closing with, “I wish I could be more like her. My little dangling feet, pretty in pink, backseat driver.” “Backseat Driver” became Brown’s 13th career No. 1 on country radio and his eighth consecutive chart-topper.
“Choosin’ Texas”
Co-written by Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Luke Dick and Miranda Lambert, “Choosin’ Texas” follows a narrator who realizes she cannot keep her man from choosing what his heart wants. “Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee, I shoulda known better than to take him back to Abilene,” she reflects before admitting, “I put him right back into her arms. I wasn’t a match for that kinda spark.” Langley continues, “It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see a cowboy always finds a way to leave,” before concluding, “Drinkin’ Jack all by myself. He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell.” Featured on Langley’s sophomore album Dandelion, the history-making track spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the longest running No. 1 by a woman with a country hit in the chart’s history. It also recorded six separate runs at No. 1 on the Hot 100, setting a new record for a single release cycle, and logged its 29th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart.
“I Sit In Parks”
Written solely by Kelsea Ballerini for her 2025 Mount Pleasant EP, “I Sit in Parks” reflects on the pressure women face as they pursue the lives they have worked for while confronting the reality that a biological clock does not stop along the way. Watching young families around her, she questions whether she has “missed the mark,” asking, “Did I miss it? By now, is it a lucid dream? Is it my fault for chasing things a body clock doesn’t wait for? I did the damn tour.” She later acknowledges the complexity of those feelings, singing, “They lay on a blanket and goddamit he loves her. I wonder if she wants my freedom like I wanna be a mother,” before adding, “But Rolling Stone says I’m on the right road, so I refill my Lexapro” Rather than framing career and motherhood as mutually exclusive, the song captures the emotional space where gratitude for one path exists alongside a longing for another for women who want it all.
“McArthur”
Written by Chase McGill, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson and Michael Hardy, “McArthur,” performed by HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw, traces four generations of the McArthur family as each man reflects on the land that has defined his life. Beginning with the family’s patriarch, the song follows each generation in turn, from a farmer who built a life on the property to a son lost in Vietnam, a grandson determined to preserve the family legacy and, finally, an heir tempted to sell it to developers. “My bloodline, it bled on this ground. Soon we all find that’s where we’re bound,” each generation sings, before asking, “And father time don’t leave anyone out. And when you pass on, what you gonna pass down?” In the opening verse, the family’s patriarch reflects, “I kept my family fed with a mule and a plow. I’m a whisper in the wind through the pine trees now.” By the song’s close, that promise returns as Hunter McArthur prepares to sell the land but hears “a whisper in the pines that’s tellin’ me, ‘Don’t.’”
“Say So”
Co-written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins, “Say So” was written in honor of Warner Chappell Music Nashville executive Ben Vaughn. The song serves as a reminder that no one has to carry life’s struggles alone and encourages those who are hurting to ask for help rather than suffer in silence. “Sometimes the words you don’t know how to say are the loudest. No one can shoulder the weight if they don’t know about it,” Dan + Shay sing before offering, “I’ll be there every time you call. Pick you up every time you fall. If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone. If you need somebody, say so.” The song closes with the hopeful reassurance, “Hold on tight. The sun is gonna rise. So open up your eyes. Tomorrow is a brand new day.” Dan + Shay performed “Say So” in Vaughn’s honor during the 60th ACM Awards, with the performance helping spotlight the importance of suicide prevention and encouraging conversations around mental health and seeking support.
“Sleepless In A Hotel Room”
Co-written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, Combs’ “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” featured on his recent The Way I Am LP, captures the loneliness that can come with a job that requires you to be away from home. Written through the lens of a musician on the road, Combs describes lying awake in a hotel room, unable to sleep while thinking about the person waiting at home. Throughout the song, Combs imagines the parallel night unfolding back home, wondering whether the person he misses is just as restless as he is. “I can hear the lonely howlin’ out my window. I can feel the whiskey not do anything. 2 in the morning, TV’s on and I’ve never felt so far from home,” Combs sings. He later says, “I wonder if you’re starin’ at our bedroom ceiling. Lyin’ right beside a glass of wine. I wonder if you’re tossin’, turnin’, wishin’ you were kissin’ me,” before admitting, “The morning light can’t come too soon. Lyin’ here not next to you. Wide awake I dream of you. Sleepless in a hotel room.”
Koe Wetzel Brings Texas Grit & High-Energy Country To Bridgestone Arena [Recap]
/by Madison HahnenKoe Wetzel. Photo: Keith Matchett
Koe Wetzel brought his distinctive blend of country, rock and Texas grit to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night (Aug. 8) for his Bridgestone headline-debut, as part of his “The Night Champion World Tour.”
Wetzel opened with “Fuss & Fight,” setting the tone for a show built around his rough-edged vocals and energetic stage presence. He followed with “Good Times” and “Circus” before moving into “Forever” and “Surrounded,” keeping the momentum high as the crowd sang along.
The set continued with “9 Lives (Black Cat),” “When I’m Gone,” “Good Die Young” and “Time Goes On.” Wetzel then turned up the intensity with “Drunk Driving” and “The Man,” before launching into “Ragweed.” During the song, he shouted out Cross Canadian Ragweed and some of his favorite Texas country bands, giving the moment a nod to the artists and scene that helped shape his sound.
Wetzel slowed things down with “February 28, 2016” and “Sweet Dreams,” creating a more emotional stretch before returning to the heavier side of his catalog with “Sinner,” “Feel Better” and “Damn Near Normal.”
The latter part of the set moved between raw emotion and crowd-ready anthems, with “Creeps,” “Hurts Like You” and “Something to Talk About” keeping fans engaged before Wetzel closed the night with “High Road.”
Wetzel will continue his “The Night Champion World Tour” this Wednesday (Aug 12) in New York, with more stops in Austin, Tulsa, Salt Lake City and more through October.
Koe Wetzel. Photo: Keith Matchett
Pictured (L-R): Columbia’s Ben Maddahi, Floating Leaf Entertainment’s Jeb Hurt, Koe Wetzel, Abide by the Vibe’s Gabe Simon, FLE’s Cody Maldonado, Abide’s Carrie K and RECORDS’ Josh Easler. Photo: Keith Matchett
Lamont Landers Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lauryn SinkLamont Landers. Photo: Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
Lamont Landers made his Grand Ole Opry debut last Tuesday (Aug. 4).
Stepping into the Opry circle for the first time, Landers performed his new Chris Stapleton and Jesse Frasure-penned single “Lonely Girl,” released last week via Lucille Records, and the unreleased track “Money Tree.” He joined Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill during the show’s finale for “I’m On To You.” Landers contributed backing vocals to the song’s recording, which Gill released in June on his Nobody Held Her Like Me EP.
Hailing from Decatur, Alabama, Landers’ viral cover of Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack” earned over half a million views overnight, leading to standout performances on America’s Got Talent and Showtime at the Apollo. His TikTok presence, including a repost by Questlove of his rendition of “Rubber Band Man,” caught the attention of producer Dave Cobb, and ultimately led to a deal with Cobb’s MCA imprint, Lucille. He will continue touring throughout the fall, with upcoming dates in Tuscaloosa, AL, Lexington, KY, Columbus, OH and more.
John Byron Enters Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenJohn Byron. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
John Byron has moved into the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Morgan Wallen’s “Been By Now” and “Don’t We” along with Kane Brown’s “Woman” pushes the songwriter to No. 5 this week.
Ella Langley remains at No. 1 for the 16th consecutive week with “Be Her,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “I Can’t Love You Anymore” and “Loving Life Again.” Joybeth Taylor stays at No. 2 with “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion,” “Empty Words” and “I Can’t Love You Anymore.”
Chase McGill (No. 3) and Austin Goodloe (No. 4) 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.
The Chicks Celebrate 20 Years Of ‘Taking The Long Way’ With New Expanded Edition
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Chicks are celebrating 20 years since the release of their five-time Grammy-winning album Taking the Long Way with an expanded edition, Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition), on Oct. 2 via Legacy Recordings.
The anniversary edition will feature unreleased bonus tracks and fan favorites, including unreleased track “Flowers (Demo Version). Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition) will be available as a 3LP and available to stream, and the 3LP Edition features five bonus tracks (three unreleased demos + two rarities), exclusive etching and refreshed cover art and packaging. “Thin Line” and “Live Wire” will be available to stream for the first time.
Originally released on May 23, 2006, via Columbia Records, Taking the Long Way features the hit song, “Not Ready To Make Nice,” and earned The Chicks five Grammys, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Taking the Long Way. These songs take us right back to one of the most defining times in our lives, and it’s incredible how much they still resonate today,” says Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer of The Chicks. “We’re so excited to finally share some unreleased tracks and to perform the entire album on this tour. It feels like the perfect way to celebrate this journey with the fans who have been with us every step of the way.”
The Chicks will celebrate the album milestone on their “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” this fall which kicks off in Detroit on Sept. 30. The trio will perform the album in its entirety for the first time, before closing each night with fan-favorite hits from their catalog. They have announced additional dates on the tour, including stops in Philadelphia at The Met on Oct. 7, Boston at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Oct. 9, and a third show in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on Nov. 3.
Taking the Long Way (20th Anniversary Edition) Tracklist:
Disc 1 Side A
1. The Long Way Around
2. Easy Silence
3. Not Ready to Make Nice
4. Everybody Knows
Disc 1 Side B
1. Bitter End
2. Lullaby
3. Lubbock or Leave It
Disc 2 Side A
1. Silent House
2. Favorite Year
3. Voice Inside My Head
Disc 2 Side B
1. I Like It
2. Baby Hold On
3. So Hard
4. I Hope
Disc 3 Side A
1. Not Ready to Make Nice (Demo Version)
2. Thin Line
3. So Hard (Demo Version)
4. Live Wire
5. Flowers (Demo Version)
2026 MusicRow Awards Nominees For Song Of The Year
/by MusicRow StaffFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 38th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Song of the Year category.
The nominees honor Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of country songwriting, not necessarily chart performance, during the eligibility period of June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.
“Backseat Driver”
Featured on Kane Brown’s album The High Road, “Backseat Driver,” produced by Dann Huff, reflects on parenthood through the everyday moments that shape a father’s perspective. Written by Jacob Davis and Jordan Walker, the song follows a morning drive as the narrator’s young daughter fills the ride with questions about the world around her, shifting his attention from the distractions of adulthood to the curiosity of childhood. “Daddy, look, there’s a plane in the sky. Are we there yet? Did you just see that dog run by?” she asks, prompting him to see life through her eyes. Later, he reflects, “One day, I’ll look back and I’ll miss when my whole world wasn’t over that dash, it was back there buckled in,” before closing with, “I wish I could be more like her. My little dangling feet, pretty in pink, backseat driver.” “Backseat Driver” became Brown’s 13th career No. 1 on country radio and his eighth consecutive chart-topper.
“Choosin’ Texas”
Co-written by Ella Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Luke Dick and Miranda Lambert, “Choosin’ Texas” follows a narrator who realizes she cannot keep her man from choosing what his heart wants. “Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Tennessee, I shoulda known better than to take him back to Abilene,” she reflects before admitting, “I put him right back into her arms. I wasn’t a match for that kinda spark.” Langley continues, “It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see a cowboy always finds a way to leave,” before concluding, “Drinkin’ Jack all by myself. He’s choosin’ Texas, I can tell.” Featured on Langley’s sophomore album Dandelion, the history-making track spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the longest running No. 1 by a woman with a country hit in the chart’s history. It also recorded six separate runs at No. 1 on the Hot 100, setting a new record for a single release cycle, and logged its 29th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart.
“I Sit In Parks”
Written solely by Kelsea Ballerini for her 2025 Mount Pleasant EP, “I Sit in Parks” reflects on the pressure women face as they pursue the lives they have worked for while confronting the reality that a biological clock does not stop along the way. Watching young families around her, she questions whether she has “missed the mark,” asking, “Did I miss it? By now, is it a lucid dream? Is it my fault for chasing things a body clock doesn’t wait for? I did the damn tour.” She later acknowledges the complexity of those feelings, singing, “They lay on a blanket and goddamit he loves her. I wonder if she wants my freedom like I wanna be a mother,” before adding, “But Rolling Stone says I’m on the right road, so I refill my Lexapro” Rather than framing career and motherhood as mutually exclusive, the song captures the emotional space where gratitude for one path exists alongside a longing for another for women who want it all.
“McArthur”
Written by Chase McGill, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson and Michael Hardy, “McArthur,” performed by HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw, traces four generations of the McArthur family as each man reflects on the land that has defined his life. Beginning with the family’s patriarch, the song follows each generation in turn, from a farmer who built a life on the property to a son lost in Vietnam, a grandson determined to preserve the family legacy and, finally, an heir tempted to sell it to developers. “My bloodline, it bled on this ground. Soon we all find that’s where we’re bound,” each generation sings, before asking, “And father time don’t leave anyone out. And when you pass on, what you gonna pass down?” In the opening verse, the family’s patriarch reflects, “I kept my family fed with a mule and a plow. I’m a whisper in the wind through the pine trees now.” By the song’s close, that promise returns as Hunter McArthur prepares to sell the land but hears “a whisper in the pines that’s tellin’ me, ‘Don’t.’”
“Say So”
Co-written by Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, David Hodges and Jimmy Robbins, “Say So” was written in honor of Warner Chappell Music Nashville executive Ben Vaughn. The song serves as a reminder that no one has to carry life’s struggles alone and encourages those who are hurting to ask for help rather than suffer in silence. “Sometimes the words you don’t know how to say are the loudest. No one can shoulder the weight if they don’t know about it,” Dan + Shay sing before offering, “I’ll be there every time you call. Pick you up every time you fall. If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone. If you need somebody, say so.” The song closes with the hopeful reassurance, “Hold on tight. The sun is gonna rise. So open up your eyes. Tomorrow is a brand new day.” Dan + Shay performed “Say So” in Vaughn’s honor during the 60th ACM Awards, with the performance helping spotlight the importance of suicide prevention and encouraging conversations around mental health and seeking support.
“Sleepless In A Hotel Room”
Co-written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, Combs’ “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” featured on his recent The Way I Am LP, captures the loneliness that can come with a job that requires you to be away from home. Written through the lens of a musician on the road, Combs describes lying awake in a hotel room, unable to sleep while thinking about the person waiting at home. Throughout the song, Combs imagines the parallel night unfolding back home, wondering whether the person he misses is just as restless as he is. “I can hear the lonely howlin’ out my window. I can feel the whiskey not do anything. 2 in the morning, TV’s on and I’ve never felt so far from home,” Combs sings. He later says, “I wonder if you’re starin’ at our bedroom ceiling. Lyin’ right beside a glass of wine. I wonder if you’re tossin’, turnin’, wishin’ you were kissin’ me,” before admitting, “The morning light can’t come too soon. Lyin’ here not next to you. Wide awake I dream of you. Sleepless in a hotel room.”
Tigirlily Gold Reveal Full Track List For Sophomore Album ‘Country & Midwestern’
/by Lorie HollabaughTigirlily Gold has shared the track list for their upcoming sophomore album, Country & Midwestern, due out Oct. 9.
The collection is divided into two chapters, Country and Midwestern, tracing a personal yet relatable journey through growing up, chasing dreams, leaving home, falling in love, enduring heartbreak, and ultimately staying true to the people and places that shaped them.
Penned over the last two years, Country & Midwestern finds sisters Krista Slaubaugh and Kendra Olson stepping confidently into their own as songwriters, earning writing credits on all 16 tracks while collaborating with some of Nashville’s in demand writers, including Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Josh Jenkins, Trannie Anderson, Mark Irwin and more.
Opening with the spirited confidence of “Girl’s A Goner,” the project’s Country chapter captures the highs and lows of young adulthood. Songs like “Something To Drink About,” “I Do Or Die,” and “70 And Neon” embody the bold sound that first introduced Tigirlily Gold to country audiences, while deeper cuts reveal new emotional depth and maturity. The record shifts with the “Interlude” into Midwestern, a reflective second act rooted in family, nostalgia, resilience, and home. Tracks including “Call Your Mom,” “Folgers,” “Grain,” and “Plateau” explore the quiet moments that define a life just as much as the milestones, delivering heartfelt stories that celebrate the values and perspective the sisters carried with them from North Dakota to Nashville.
Country & Midwestern Track List:
Country
1. “Girl’s A Goner” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Johnny Clawson, Lauren McLamb)
2. “70 And Neon” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
3. “I Do Or Die” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Willie Morrison, Jess Grommet)
4. “Better Off Comes Last” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
5. “Something To Drink About” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Shane McAnally)
6. “Diamond On Your Tab” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Josh Jenkins)
7. “One Drive Back” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Scott Stepakoff, Alex Kline)
8. “The Clock” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Zarni deVette, Alex Kline)
Midwestern
9. “Interlude” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Daniel Ethridge, Alex Kline)
10. “Country & Midwestern” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Daniel Ethridge, Alex Kline)
11. “Forever From Here” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Shane McAnally, Pete Good)
12. “Call Your Mom” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Sarah Buxton, Mark Irwin, Andrew Beason)
13. “Folgers” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Alex Kline, Scott Stepakoff)
14. “Grain” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Scott Stepakoff, Josh Osborne)
15. “Blue Jean Blue” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Pete Good, Shane McAnally)
16. “Plateau” (Krista Slaubaugh, Kendra Olson, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
Kinsley Signs With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, top row): Rusty Gaston, Tom Luteran and Aubrey Landon (L-R, bottom row): Kinsley and Synnovea Halsel.
Rising singer-songwriter Kinsley has signed a worldwide exclusive publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
The announcement follows the release of her debut tracks, “Pieces of Me,” which explores heartbreak, identity and the lasting impact of love and loss, and “Whiplash,” a song that taps into her lifelong love of rock.
“From the moment we first met Kinsley, I knew I had to work with her,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “It’s impossible not to be moved by the storytelling in her lyrics and the emotion in her voice. Kinsley is such a special talent and we’re so lucky to get to work with her at SMP.”
From growing up in California to learning music on her family’s land in North Carolina and moving to Texas in high school before eventually settling in Tennessee with her family, each chapter has left its mark on Kinsley’s perspective and her sound. Poetry became her creative outlet to process her emotions, laying the foundation for a songwriting style that blends vivid storytelling, poetic lyricism and raw, soulful vocals in a way that resonates deeply with listeners. Kinsley first connected with audiences through her Midnight Sessions on YouTube, with intimate performances that offered an early glimpse into her deeply personal songwriting.
“Finding a home with Sony Music Publishing feels incredibly special,” shares Kinsley. “This team has quickly become like family to me, and I am beyond thankful for their belief in me. Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world and will always be my first love. I’ve always wanted to write songs that make people feel understood. I’m so excited to have a team that is so passionate in helping me grow as a songwriter.”
HEY NOW Records Adds Dilan ‘Hef’ Ames & Alyssa Ramsey
/by Lauryn SinkDilan “Hef” Ames & Alyssa Ramsey. Photo: Courtesy of HEY NOW Records
HEY NOW Records has added Los Angeles-based Dilan “Hef” Ames as Vice President of Artist & Repertoire, and Nashville-based Alyssa Ramsey as Director of Artist Development.
Ames has over a decade of discovering, signing and marketing emerging artists, with prior experience at Alamo Records, 10K Projects and the Elektra Music Group.
“‘Hef’ is less worried about the genre label than how people are responding to the songs,” says Kris Lamb, HEY NOW President and Co-Founder. “Based in Los Angeles, he’s relentless in searching the internet, talking to tastemakers and music lovers to find artists long before they break out. He is a big believer that getting involved early can accelerate the creative process, in addition to identifying the audience and growing the passion factor from the earliest moments.”
Ramsey is a University of Texas graduate with a Master of Arts in Music Business from the Berklee College of Music. She previously held roles at both Red 11 Music and Rodeo Austin. Relocating to Nashville, Ramsey worked at Anthem Entertainment, then aligned with Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music Group, where she served as day-to-day artist manager and Manager of Label Services, working with Dylan Marlowe and several other emerging artists.
“In today’s fast response world, Alyssa’s diverse experience allows her to consider the best ways to develop talent from many perspectives,” Lamb shares. “She is a ninja who understands release strategies, artist branding, and how to track growth in a way that sustains forward movement.”
HEY NOW is also deploying two consultants who will work in tandem with Ames and Ramsey.
“There is so much talent out there, and you want to know that you’re taking a meaningful look at as many deserving artists as possible,” Lamb adds. “We also want to – once we identify who is a fit for HEY NOW – put our absolute, total efforts behind every single artist. By deploying consultants, that means once artists join HEY NOW, they get the full benefit of Alyssa and Hef; but it also means we have more eyes on the prize, creating the strongest possible roster.”
By Design Adds First Five Songwriters To Roster
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Austin Cain and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee. Photo: Courtesy of By Design Music
By Design, the Nashville-based modern music company founded by Josh Bailey, Josh Thompson, Rod Riley and Jeremy Holley, has added Austin Cain, Chris August, Jillian Edwards and Jon White in partnership with Sony Music Publishing, and Alison Turner, who signed a co-publishing deal directly to By Design Music Publishing.
“Great songwriting requires exceptional craft and an environment built to sustain it,” says By Design’s Vice President of Publishing and A&R, Josh Pauley. “We signed Alison, Austin, Chris, Jillian and Jon because their talent and creativity is undeniable. Our role isn’t to over-engineer the creative process, but to eliminate friction and give them the strategic partnership to operate at their absolute best.”
Memphis-born songwriter and producer Cain has spent eight years building a reputation in Nashville with writing and production credits with Josiah Queen, Franni Cash, Caleb & John and Thunderstorm Artis. He has toured alongside The Band CAMINO and Stephen Sanchez.
August has spent 25 years in the industry with cuts including Keith Urban’s “God Whispered Your Name” and work for Pentatonix, Ben Rector, Hootie & the Blowfish, Mac Powell and Tenille Arts, plus his own hits like “Starry Night” and “7×70.”
Texas native Edwards writes from the perspective of faith, motherhood and finding beauty in the ordinary. Her catalog spans multiple Billboard-charting releases and placements across Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville, Pretty Little Liars and the Disney+ film Out of My Mind.
White is a songwriter and producer with more than 1 billion career streams, best known as co-founder of the Dove Awards-nominated duo Capital Kings. He has written and produced with Anne-Marie, TobyMac, Noah Cyrus and the late Liam Payne, among others.
Turner is a 23-year-old Nashville-based songwriter by way of California’s Bay Area. Before graduating from Belmont University, Turner co-wrote “Good for Nothing,” later recorded by Cory Asbury.
“By Design exists to give creators the space to unlock their God-given design,” says co-founders Bailey and Thompson. “These five writers shape culture through purpose-driven storytelling, and they are the reason we built this. Sony gives us the global reach to back them at scale, and Josh Pauley gives them the hands-on support and leadership that great songs are built on.”
“Our passion for songwriters and great songs drives everything we do, and By Design shares that same spirit,” adds Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “This group of writers is a statement of intent, and we’re proud to champion them alongside the entire By Design team.”
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Chris August and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Jillian Edwards and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, Josh Thompson and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Jon White and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Josh Thompson, Jeremy Holley and Hayley McGee.
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Alison Turner and Josh Bailey. (Back Row, L-R): Josh Pauley, Alison Turner and Josh Bailey.
Charlie Worsham Invited To Become A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry
/by Lauryn SinkVince Gill Surprises Charlie Worsham with Opry Invitation. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry
Charlie Worsham was invited to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Aug. 7) by Vince Gill while on stage at the Ryman Auditorium.
“Charlie Worsham the artist and Charlie Worsham the human being often remind me of the Opry itself,” says Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “Charlie has the utmost respect for decades-old music traditions, and he’s also always looking toward tomorrow and making innovative music that opens doors to the future. Whether he’s playing -country, bluegrass, or the many sounds of his native Mississippi, and whether he’s standing alone centerstage accompanying himself on acoustic guitar or picking along with some famous friends, he truly always delivers. I am thrilled his boundless talents and huge heart will have a forever home on the Grand Ole Opry.”
Charlie Worsham’s Debut Opry Appearance at Age 12. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry
“I’ve had the great privilege of having Vince as my North Star,” Worsham shared after the invitation. “We’ve had interviews together over the last year about the great music you are making. And I got to ask you about what you said when you went into the Hall of Fame, and your answer would be what I’m going to say. ‘Now I’m going to try to go earn it.’ This is definitely the ultimate dream.”
Worsham, a native of Grenada, Mississippi made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1997 at the age of 12 as a gifted Junior National Banjo Champion. In 1999, at the age of 14 he was commended by the Mississippi Senate for his outstanding musical accomplishments. After graduating high school as a straight-A student he went on to study the art of songwriting and hone his playing skills, moving to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. He was part of the band KingBilly for several years before becoming a solo artist where he went on to open for artists including Opry members Brad Paisley and Old Crow Medicine Show as well as Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Rogers.
In addition to his solo career, Worsham is an in-demand session musician contributing to albums by artists like Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Shiflett and more. He has worked in Opry member Dierks Bentley’s band as lead guitarist and is currently a member of Gill’s touring band. He released his release his first full-length album as an independent artist, Once Upon A Second Time Around, last week.