Echosmith Joins Why&How Management
Echosmith. Photo: Ariana Velazquez
Multi-Platinum trio Echosmith has signed to Bruce Kalmick‘s Why&How Management and are currently working on new music expected for release in the coming months.
Siblings Sydney [lead vocals], Noah [vocals, bass], and Graham Sierota [drums] have been sharing their music since 2013, when the group released their smash debut single, “Cool Kids.” Certified 3x Platinum with a peak at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track introduced Echosmith’s alternative California pop sound. The group’s success followed with 2x Platinum single “Bright” and their Gold-certified major label debut album, Talking Dreams. In 2020, they dropped their second full-length and first independent release, Lonely Generation.
“As crazy as it seems, with the massive global success of their debut album, we are still in the early stages with Echosmith,” shares Kalmick. “They are in their early twenties and still have so much to give to the music world. We couldn’t be more excited to share what we have discovered in their music, but even more so in who they are as people.”
“We’re so excited to be joining the Why&How family. We love the innovative approach that Bruce takes, but more than anything we love what he’s about. We can’t wait to move into this next chapter in our career with such an incredible team,” the band shares.
Echosmith is the newest addition to the Why&How roster which includes Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Breland, Drake White, Kaleo, Seaforth, Kelleigh Bannen, Tyler Braden, Whiskey Myers, ZZ Ward, A Thousand Horses and more.
PCG Artist Development Launches PCG Records, Signs Paige King Johnson
Pictured (L-R): Bernard Porter, Paige King Johnson, Chris Allums
CEO of PCG Artist Development, Bernard Porter recently announced the formation of PCG Records, distributed by BFD/The Orchard. The new entity will specialize in media distribution, marketing, and sales. PCG Records will license master recordings for a specified time, provide label services and marketing strategies, develop brand identity, and establish the artist’s team.
PCG Records has also signed their first artist: country singer-songwriter, Paige King Johnson. Johnson has been in development with PCG Artist Development’s Emerging Artist program for two years. Her last single, “Just Like You” charted at No. 48 on Indicator with 3,100 spins across 25 stations and No. 30 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with 7,000 spins across 40 stations.
Johnson’s first single with PCG Records, “Baby Don’t,” is currently being promoted nationwide and is receiving positive responses among PlayMPE’s TOP 5 downloaded and streamed songs. “Baby Don’t” will be officially released on all digital platforms on Oct. 15.
“Paige was the obvious choice as our first artist,” states Porter. “Paige truly has it all—work ethic, entrepreneurship, talent, and beauty. It has been such a privilege to see her talents and career grow. She is exemplary in every way!”
Edgehill Music Publishing Adds Alex Smith To Songwriting Roster
Pictured (L-R): Kent Wells, Edgehill Music Publishing Creative Director; Alex Smith; Tara Joseph, Big Plan Holdings/Edgehill Music Publishing Co-Founder; Josh Joseph, Big Plan Holdings/Edgehill Music Publishing Co-Founder & CEO. Photo: Katie Larson
Edgehill Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Alex Smith to an exclusive publishing agreement. The Louisiana native has been in the studio with producer Kent Wells working on a project expected for release in the coming months.
Smith picked up his first guitar at age 15 and held his first public performances in church and later in local clubs and bars. He made his first trip to Nashville in 2015, making the permanent move to Music City a year later.
“Alex brings an infectious attitude everywhere he goes, and that carries over into his writes and in the studio, ” shares Wells, who also serves as Edgehill’s Creative Director. “We’re excited to have him in the Edgehill family, and we can’t wait to share the music we’ve been making.”
“Alex was one of the first writers we were introduced to when we started Edgehill Music Publishing,” says Edgehill Music Publishing co-founders Tara and Josh Joseph. “His attitude, work ethic and especially his creativity are a perfect match for this growing company.”
“I feel so blessed to have this opportunity,” adds Smith. “I came to Nashville to write songs, and Edgehill and their amazing team have turned a dream into reality. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the music and see what the future holds!”
Nashville A-Team Musician Bob Moore Dies
/by Lydia FarthingPictured: Bob Moore, circa 1960. Photograph by: Bill Forshee, courtesy of CMHOF
Nashville A-Team bassist, Bob Moore, has died. He was 88.
Throughout his more than 60-year career, Moore was one of the lead musicians to utilize the bass guitar as a country music instrument and was the first-call bassist on Music Row’s A-Team of session musicians from the 1950s through the 1970s. Along the way, he provided rhythmic support and ideas for an array of classic country hits, including Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces,” Brenda Lee’s “I’m Sorry,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Roger Miller’s “King of the Road,” Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” Marty Robbins’s “El Paso,” Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” and Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’,” among countless others.
Pictured: Bob Moore on bass during a Brenda Lee recording session at Bradley’s Film and Recording Studio. Photograph by: Elmer Williams, courtesy of CMHOF
Born in 1932, he was raised by his grandmother near Nashville’s Shelby Park. By age nine he set up a shoeshine box near the entrance of the historic Ryman Auditorium, and before long was invited backstage to shine the boots and shoes of Opry stars.
Only a year later, Moore had begun performing in a band he formed called the Eagle Rangers. When Moore was 14, he joined the Grand Ole Opry duo Jamup & Honey before joining Little Jimmy Dickens’ band at 18. At age 23, he accepted an offer to play on the famed Red Foley television show, Ozark Jubilee.
Moore eventually met pianist and record producer Owen Bradley, who told Moore that he would soon be operating a Nashville office for Decca Records to which Moore would be a regular session bassist.
In the 1950s, Moore began playing on Nashville recordings that represented what would become known as rockabilly, including for Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee, Bobby Helms, Wanda Jackson, and Johnny Burnette and the Rock & Roll Trio.
In 1961, Moore also enjoyed a major pop hit of his own with his instrumental recording “Mexico.” The song went No. 1 in Germany and reached No. 7 on the U.S. pop charts.
Moore was honored as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museums’ Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Session Players program, and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007, along with other members of the Nashville A-Team.
“Bob Moore’s contributions to American music are incalculable,” shares Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Raised in East Nashville, he was a musical master and the most-recorded bass player in country music history. As a key member of the much-vaunted ‘A-Team’ of Nashville session players, he was both an inspiration and an innovator. He was the heartbeat behind classics including Patsy Cline’s ‘Crazy,’ Sammi Smith’s ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night,’ Kenny Rogers’s ‘The Gambler,’ and hundreds of other recordings that changed the course of country music. He played with Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and so many others, and he helped establish Monument Records, where he was a player, a producer, an arranger and a hit artist. He once said, ‘Anyone who has heard me play the bass knows my soul.’ We’re fortunate that he shared his soul with us for so many years.”
Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.
Willie Nelson Keeps It In The Family On Latest Project
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson‘s latest studio album, The Willie Nelson Family, featuring the country legend’s family of musicians, is set for release from Legacy Recordings on Nov. 19. The first single from the project, “Family Bible,” is available everywhere now.
“Family Bible” was penned in 1957, and was inspired by scenes of Nelson’s grandmother singing “Rock of Ages” and reading from her Bible after supper. As a struggling young songwriter in Texas, Nelson sold the song to Paul Buskirk, who enlisted singer Claude Gray to record Nelson’s songs. Gray’s single of “Family Bible” was released in February 1960 and reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Singles chart. The single’s success enabled Nelson to move to Nashville, where he established his reputation as a songwriter. Nelson recorded his own version of “Family Bible” for the first time on his 1971 album, Yesterday’s Wine.
The full Nelson and Steve Chadie-produced project features 12 favorites from the Nelson Family repertoire, including A.P. Carter’s “Keep It On The Sunnyside” and the traditional hymn “In The Garden;” Hank Williams’ “I Saw The Light;” Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me;” and more.
Willie’s Family Band includes sister Bobbie (piano); Lukas (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead vocals, background vocals); Micah (drums, bass, background vocals); Paula (background vocals); Amy (background vocals); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Billy English (drums); Paul English (percussion) and Kevin Smith (bass).
Willie’s son Lukas, who fronts Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, sings lead vocals on two of the album’s tracks–”All Things Must Pass” and “Keep It On The Sunnyside”–while sharing lead vocals with Willie on “I Saw the Light,” “I Thought About You, Lord” and “Why Me.”
Willie Nelson & Family are slated to headline Farm Aid 2021 in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 25. This year’s Farm Aid lineup will include sets by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Particle Kid (Micah Nelson’s musical ensemble).
The Willie Nelson Family Track List:
1. Heaven and Hell (Willie Nelson)
2. Kneel at the Feet of Jesus (Willie Nelson)
3. Laying My Burdens Down (Willie Nelson)
4. Family Bible (Claude Gray, Paul Buskirk & Walt Breeland)
5. In the Garden (traditional)
6. All Things Must Pass (George Harrison)
7. I Saw the Light (Hank Williams, Sr.)
8. In God’s Eyes (Willie Nelson)
9. Keep It On the Sunnyside (A.P. Carter)
10. I Thought About You, Lord (Willie Nelson)
11. Too Sick To Pray (Willie Nelson)
12. Why Me (Kris Kristofferson)
Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Black Pumas Win At 2021 Americana Honors & Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Amanda Shires and Maren Morris of The Highwomen, Yola, Brandi Carlile of The Highwomen, Jason Isbell and Natalie Hemby of The Highwomen perform onstage at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association heralded its best and brightest at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium last night (Sept. 22), with Brandi Carlile taking home her second Americana trophy for Artist of the Year.
Other big winners of the night include Sturgill Simpson who won Album of the Year for his first bluegrass project, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions; the Black Pumas, who were named Duo/Group of the Year; and the late John Prine, whose song “I Remember Everything,” written by Pat McLaughlin and Prine, received Song Of The Year honors.
Charley Crockett received the award for Emerging Act of the Year while Kristin Weber, a 14-year veteran of worldwide touring and recording as a fiddler, was named Americana Instrumentalist of the Year.
“Given today’s uncertain times, there is no greater assurance that the power of music brings people together to uplift their spirits when they need it the most,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “I’m beyond proud of our artists and community for reminding me again why this is my favorite night of the year, every year.”
Keb Mo’ performs at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association
Highlights from the evening included a rendition of “I Believe” by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, as well as Carla Thomas offering a performance of her Stax Records staple, “B-A-B-Y.” The Mavericks delivered a sweeping Spanish performance of “La Sitiera,” and Carlile, Margo Price and Amanda Shires paid tribute to the great John Prine with a heartfelt take on “I Remember Everything.”
Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Crockett, Steve Earle, Henry with O’Donovan, The Highwomen (Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, Shires) with Yola, Jason Isbell with Shires, Sarah Jarosz, Valerie June with Thomas, Amythyst Kiah, Buddy Miller, Keb’ Mo’, Price, Allison Russell and Aaron Lee Tasjan.
2021 Americana Honors & Awards Winners and Honorees:
Album of the Year: Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (The Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill Simpson
Artist of the Year: Brandi Carlile
Song of the Year: “I Remember Everything” John Prine, written by Pat McLaughlin and John Prine
Duo/Group of the Year: Black Pumas
Emerging Act of the Year: Charley Crockett
Instrumentalist of the Year: Kristin Weber
Legacy of Americana Award, presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music: Fisk Jubilee Singers
Trailblazer Award: The Mavericks
Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Keb’ Mo’
Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer: Trina Shoemaker
Inspiration Award: Carla Thomas
Leah Turner Embraces Latin Heritage On New EP
/by Lydia FarthingLeah Turner. Photo: Chelsea Thompson
CMT Next Women of Country alum Leah Turner is continuing to embrace her Latin heritage with her upcoming Lost In Translation EP, due out on Oct. 15.
The six-song project includes tracks like her 2020 single release “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “Vaquera and the Cowboy,” and the recently unveiled “Wax on the Table,” a sensual song co-written with Skip Black and produced by Andrew King.
“I want women to be able to embrace their sexuality and their sensuality. I want them to embrace the skin that God gave us, no matter what shape, size or color,” Turner says of the track. “We shouldn’t be ashamed because we feel like badass, strong women who love our skin and wanna love our man! Men do it all the time and are praised for it… I wanted power to come across in this song.”
Turner was originally discovered by Kenny Loggins and first produced by Grammy Award-winners Humberto Gatica and David Foster. Once moving to Nashville, she was promptly signed to Columbia Records while her debut single, “Take the Keys,” achieved Top 40 status on the Billboard Country chart and quickly accrued over 3 million Spotify streams. Turner has also had cuts with Cody Purvis, Kristy Lamb, and Academy Award-nominated actor Jeremy Renner.
Born to a rodeo champion father and a first generation Mexican-American mother, Turner marries the two backgrounds on Lost in Translation.
“The process was completely natural, given country music and the Latino culture both put such an emphasis on the value of faith, family, and hard work. A lot of the American cowboy traditions came from the vaquero, who was the original cowboy. So marrying the two seemed effortless, and gives a strong representation of who I am.” She sums, “Country music has always had a love affair with the Hispanic culture. I’m just the product of a good old-fashioned country song and the American dream.”
Leah Turner. Photo: Chelsea Thompson
Lost In Translation Track List:
Once Upon A Time In Mexico (Jesse Frasure, Leah Turner)
Wax On the Table ( Skip Black, Leah Turner)
Vaquera and the Cowboy ( Lamont Coleman, Leah Turner)
Vaya Con Dios ( Josh Ronen, Kylie Sackley, Leah Turner)
Lost In Translation ( Micheal August, Evan Coffman, Leah Turner)
Where Did All The Cowboys Go ( Andy Albert, Adam James, Leah Turner)
Dustin Lynch Signs With Warner Chappell Music
/by LB CantrellDustin Lynch
Country hitmaker Dustin Lynch has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Lynch ended 2020 as Billboard’s third most-played artist on the Country Airplay chart. His fourth studio album, Tullahoma, delivered consecutive chart-toppers: Platinum “Ridin’ Roads” and Gold “Good Girl” – both co-written by Lynch, in addition to Top 5 “Momma’s House.” Since his breakout in 2012, he’s earned four Top 5 albums, eight Gold and Platinum certified singles, over 2.5 billion on-demand streams, and has achieved a total of seven No. 1 songs at country radio including “Small Town Boy,” which was also the longest reigning No. 1 of 2017 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville says, “If you know Dustin you know he’s all about his fans and delivering memorable songs they’ll be singing for years. As a songwriter, from his very first hit (the game-changing ‘Cowboys and Angels’), to ‘Good Girl’ and ‘Ridin’ Roads,’ to his current single (‘Thinking ‘Bout You’), he knows how to deliver a smash. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him since he first came to Nashville and we’re all excited for the next part of his journey.”
Lynch’s latest release, “Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” was co-written by Lynch, Will Weatherly, Hunter Phelps, and Andy Albert, and is currently Top 20 and rising at country radio.
“Dustin is one of the most consistent and exciting artist/writers in country music,” adds VP, A&R Strategy, WCM Nashville, Ryan Beuschel. “His raw talent and incredible work ethic have helped cement him as a regular atop the charts. There’s a lot more on the horizon and I’m looking forward to working alongside him.”
“Ben [Vaughn], Ryan [Beuschel], and the WCM Nashville team have been in my corner as long as anyone on Music Row,” sums Lynch. “I’m thrilled to align my dreams and goals with theirs and take this next chapter of making music to a whole new level. Keep an eye on what we start building together and may the hit train roll on!”
Karen Waldrup Partners With Music Benefactors For Upcoming EP
/by Lydia FarthingKaren Waldrup
Music Benefactors has partnered with country music artist and entrepreneur Karen Waldrup to fund her new project Somebody’s Got To Be First. The 5-song EP is being produced by Paul Worley (Lady A, Martina McBride, Big and Rich).
Through Music Benefactors, Waldrup and other artists can use the platform to raise capital while maintaining ownership of their master recordings and copyrights. When music is streamed, purchased, played on the radio or used in TV and films, royalties are paid to rights holders. Through this new endeavor, all fans and investors can participate in this investment class. Waldrup’s team is conducting a public equity offering, and fans can purchase shares in the project for as little as $50.
Waldrup shares, “Somebody’s Got To Be First is a project that fascinates me and gives me peace all at the same time. I love being first in endeavors that I am a part of and I have always dreamed of working with this producer Paul Worley.” She continues, “When I first moved to town, we used to meet in his office between my club days on the road and I remember he always encouraged me to ‘keep building my live performance and fanbase muscles.’ I believe with over one million #waldrupworldwide fans, this new music coupled with legendary producer, Paul Worley, we can be the first successful public securities offering of a music project in country music history. After all, Somebody’s Got To Be First.”
Waldrup’s debut album Justified, produced by multi-award winner Garth Fundis and funded solely through fan participation via an Indiegogo campaign, debuted on four of Billboard‘s Album Charts (Country Album Sales, Heatseekers, Heatseekers South Central and Independent Albums).
Worley adds, “I met Karen several years ago and was immediately taken by her voice and passion for her work. Since then I have watched her grow exponentially! She has it all! She is beautiful with a ‘never met a stranger’ personality. Her singing is spot on perfect, and so emotional. She now has a very large fan and touring base, and the songs she is ready to record are great. I am fully committed to her career and encourage anyone interested in supporting great music to get on board.”
Kentucky Headhunters Announce First Album Of Brand New Material In Five Years
/by LB CantrellThe Kentucky Headhunters. Photo: Joe McNally
The Grammy Award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters have announced they will release a new album, That’s A Fact Jack!, on Oct. 22 via BFD / Audium Nashville. The upcoming project marks the Headhunters’ first album of brand new material in five years.
That’s A Fact Jack! is a by-product of the pandemic, recorded while the band’s touring was put on pause. “We’re a band,” says guitarist/vocalist Richard Young. “We play. When all our shows got cancelled, we decided we were gonna go up to the Practice House and play. Then we figured we might as well go into the studio, but instead of having an agenda or some idea of ‘what’ was this supposed to be, we all looked at each other and went, ‘Well, what do you do? ’No discussions, no trying to be something. Just ‘What do you want to play?’”
Over the next few weeks leading up to the drop date, the band will release two new singles from the album: “How Could I” on Sept. 24 and “That’s a Fact Jack” on Oct. 8.
That’s A Fact Jack! Track Listing:
1. Gonna Be Alright
2. How Could I
3. Watercolors In the Rain
4. Susannah
5. Cup of Tea
6. We Belong Together
7. That’s A Fact Jack
8. Lonely Too Long
9. Heart and Soul
10. Cheap Tequila
11. Shotgun Effie
12. Let’s All Get Together and Fight
Zach Bryan Announces “Ain’t For Tamin’ Tour”
/by Lorie HollabaughZach Bryan
Zach Bryan is hitting the road this fall on his “Ain’t For Tamin’ Tour.”
Fresh off his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, the upcoming trek kicks off in St. Louis on Oct. 20, before winding down with two homecoming shows in Tulsa on Nov. 18-19.
In between, Bryan will visit major cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, Minneapolis, Houston, and Chicago. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. CST at zachbryan.com.
Industry Ink: Echosmith, Paige King Johnson, Alex Smith
/by Lydia FarthingEchosmith Joins Why&How Management
Echosmith. Photo: Ariana Velazquez
Multi-Platinum trio Echosmith has signed to Bruce Kalmick‘s Why&How Management and are currently working on new music expected for release in the coming months.
Siblings Sydney [lead vocals], Noah [vocals, bass], and Graham Sierota [drums] have been sharing their music since 2013, when the group released their smash debut single, “Cool Kids.” Certified 3x Platinum with a peak at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track introduced Echosmith’s alternative California pop sound. The group’s success followed with 2x Platinum single “Bright” and their Gold-certified major label debut album, Talking Dreams. In 2020, they dropped their second full-length and first independent release, Lonely Generation.
“As crazy as it seems, with the massive global success of their debut album, we are still in the early stages with Echosmith,” shares Kalmick. “They are in their early twenties and still have so much to give to the music world. We couldn’t be more excited to share what we have discovered in their music, but even more so in who they are as people.”
“We’re so excited to be joining the Why&How family. We love the innovative approach that Bruce takes, but more than anything we love what he’s about. We can’t wait to move into this next chapter in our career with such an incredible team,” the band shares.
Echosmith is the newest addition to the Why&How roster which includes Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Breland, Drake White, Kaleo, Seaforth, Kelleigh Bannen, Tyler Braden, Whiskey Myers, ZZ Ward, A Thousand Horses and more.
PCG Artist Development Launches PCG Records, Signs Paige King Johnson
Pictured (L-R): Bernard Porter, Paige King Johnson, Chris Allums
CEO of PCG Artist Development, Bernard Porter recently announced the formation of PCG Records, distributed by BFD/The Orchard. The new entity will specialize in media distribution, marketing, and sales. PCG Records will license master recordings for a specified time, provide label services and marketing strategies, develop brand identity, and establish the artist’s team.
PCG Records has also signed their first artist: country singer-songwriter, Paige King Johnson. Johnson has been in development with PCG Artist Development’s Emerging Artist program for two years. Her last single, “Just Like You” charted at No. 48 on Indicator with 3,100 spins across 25 stations and No. 30 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with 7,000 spins across 40 stations.
Johnson’s first single with PCG Records, “Baby Don’t,” is currently being promoted nationwide and is receiving positive responses among PlayMPE’s TOP 5 downloaded and streamed songs. “Baby Don’t” will be officially released on all digital platforms on Oct. 15.
“Paige was the obvious choice as our first artist,” states Porter. “Paige truly has it all—work ethic, entrepreneurship, talent, and beauty. It has been such a privilege to see her talents and career grow. She is exemplary in every way!”
Edgehill Music Publishing Adds Alex Smith To Songwriting Roster
Pictured (L-R): Kent Wells, Edgehill Music Publishing Creative Director; Alex Smith; Tara Joseph, Big Plan Holdings/Edgehill Music Publishing Co-Founder; Josh Joseph, Big Plan Holdings/Edgehill Music Publishing Co-Founder & CEO. Photo: Katie Larson
Edgehill Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Alex Smith to an exclusive publishing agreement. The Louisiana native has been in the studio with producer Kent Wells working on a project expected for release in the coming months.
Smith picked up his first guitar at age 15 and held his first public performances in church and later in local clubs and bars. He made his first trip to Nashville in 2015, making the permanent move to Music City a year later.
“Alex brings an infectious attitude everywhere he goes, and that carries over into his writes and in the studio, ” shares Wells, who also serves as Edgehill’s Creative Director. “We’re excited to have him in the Edgehill family, and we can’t wait to share the music we’ve been making.”
“Alex was one of the first writers we were introduced to when we started Edgehill Music Publishing,” says Edgehill Music Publishing co-founders Tara and Josh Joseph. “His attitude, work ethic and especially his creativity are a perfect match for this growing company.”
“I feel so blessed to have this opportunity,” adds Smith. “I came to Nashville to write songs, and Edgehill and their amazing team have turned a dream into reality. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the music and see what the future holds!”
Lauren Daigle Continues Her Record-Setting Streak [Interview]
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Grand Hubbard, Kris Love, Chris Hauser, Greg Chimento, Lauren Daigle, Caren Seidle, John Stokes, Andrew Lambeth, Steve Ford
Christian singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle is continuing to break records with her music.
Since the release of her Grammy-winning, Platinum certified album Look Up Child in 2018, Daigle has remained in the upper echelons of the Billboard charts. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart, making Daigle the first female artist to simultaneously hit the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Billboard Album Charts. After spending 100 weeks at No. 1, Look Up Child also holds the record for the greatest number of weeks atop the the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart in its history.
Additionally, the Centricity Music artist’s Grammy-winning crossover hit, “You Say,” became the longest-running No. 1 song of any genre on the weekly Billboard “Hot”-named song charts (which blend streaming, airplay and sales data, as tabulated by Nielsen Music/MRC Data.) “You Say” remained at No. 1 for an incredible 132 weeks and was recently certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
“I feel kind of awestruck [by Look Up Child‘s achievements] to be honest,” Daigle tells MusicRow. “I really feel like there’s something about people’s stories and people’s connection to this record that really keeps me in a space of being in awe. I’m super grateful for the connection that people have had to it. I don’t take it for granted and I’m honored to have had something like this that I get to be a part of in life.”
Daigle most recently extended her record of most No. 1 hits among women on the Hot Christian Songs chart with her sixth No. 1 single, “Hold On To Me.”
“‘Hold On To Me’ is a song about having people around you that see the best in you and remind you of those things when you might only see the worst of who you are,” Daigle says. “It’s a song about someone who doubts themselves or questions their worth or whether they’re able to make it through a difficult time and realizes what it means to have people around them that can see beyond the current circumstance and remind them, ‘Hey, there’s more beyond this. Keep your head up, stay focused.’ I really believe there’s power when people are unified. Life is a journey and anytime that you’re doing it alone, it only feels half full. I think there’s something beautiful about people holding onto each other in the worst of times, it allows us to get through difficult things together rather than alone.”
“I hope that aspiring female CCM artists can see that the sky is the limit,” she continues. “There’s so much potential, and if you bring artistry, if you bring your craft, if you bring diligence, and if you find a team around you that can support all your efforts, the sky is truly the limit. I hope that people, especially aspiring females, can look at this and say, ‘OK, she did it, I’m gonna work hard to do it too.’ I hope that it allows more female vocalist to be on the radio and on these charts.”
Daigle has earned seven Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, ten GMA Dove Music Awards and sold-out concert venues all over the world. She will head back out on the road again with her arena tour kicking off Friday (Sept. 24) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The “Lauren Daigle World Tour” will make stops throughout the U.S. including Kansas City, Atlanta, Lafayette, Houston, and New Orleans before wrapping in Nashville on Nov. 19.
“I cannot wait to be in front of a crowd, to hear applause and hear people screaming at the top of their lungs,” Daigle says. “It is a feeling of joy that doesn’t just stop at me. It circulates around the room, and I think that is something I will never take for granted again especially after this time. I’m also looking forward to the beauty of playing music with people that I love so dear. I feel like I’m back with a family that I’ve missed for so long.”