Tim McGraw And Tyler Hubbard Earn MusicRow No. 1

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Tim McGraw’s collab with Tyler Hubbard, “Undivided,” rises to No. 1 in just 11 weeks on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Hubbard co-wrote the single with Chris Loocke, and co-produced it with McGraw, Corey Crowder and Byron Gallimore. The inspiration for the song came out of Hubbard’s time spent soul searching on his bus while waiting out a positive COVID-19 quarantine.

“Undivided” will be included on the deluxe version of McGraw’s No. 1 album Here On Earth, due out later this spring on Big Machine Records.

The music video features behind the scenes footage of the two in the studio and has amassed over 1.8 million views.

Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

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BBR Music Group Signs Byron Kennedy To Brand New Comedy Record Deal

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Pictured (L-R:) Neal Spielberg, Spielberg Entertainment; Peter Strickland, Marathon Talent Agency; Byron Kennedy; Jon Loba, President, Recorded Music, BMG Nashville; JoJamie Hahr, SVP, BBR Music Group Not Pictured – Daniel Novick, Novick Law PLLC. Photo: Cody Heckber

Comedian Byron Kennedy has signed with BBR Music Group.

With the signing Kennedy finds himself among a familiar artist roster, since he was a recent executive at the label group. Formerly the VP of Promotion for Stoney Creek Records, an imprint of BBR Music Group, Kennedy comes from years of radio/music industry experience. Doing comedy on the side as often as he could, Kennedy was eventually encouraged to follow his true dream in the entertainment business: comedy. The trajectory of his comedy career took him from open mic nights to featuring, performing in Las Vegas, and beyond. The explanation for his fast start is exceedingly simple: he hated sitting in meetings.

Quickly switching gears from working to help build artist careers to now building his own as an artist, Kennedy kicked off an ongoing residency at the LA Comedy Club in the newly renovated STRAT Hotel, Casino and Sky Pod in Las Vegas on March 21. He’s planning a stop in Nashville in mid-July as he tours comedy clubs across North America.

“Byron Kennedy is one of the funniest people I have ever met,” says Jon Loba, President of Recorded Music at BMG Nashville. “Having worked with Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall among others, that says a lot. While he was a very capable label and radio executive, I always encourage our staff to follow their passions. Comedy has always clearly been his. We are so excited to join him in that journey and look forward to helping the world laugh at and with Byron, just as anyone who personally knows him has.”

“What is this life!?! The first time I signed a contract with BBR Music Group it was to promote their artists, the second time I signed a contract with BBRMG it was to BE one of their artists! THIS IS NUTS! I’d like to thank Jon Loba for his belief in me,” says Kennedy. “This is a dream come true and I don’t think anything I say here could possibly capture how grateful I truly am. We have all been through some crazy times the last 12 months and we need to laugh now more than ever. Getting to bring joy and laughter to people every week is such a blessing and BBR Music Group is now going to help me do that on a much larger scale! I hope we can all laugh together soon!”

Kennedy is managed by Neal Spielberg of Spielberg Entertainment and Peter Strickland of Marathon Talent Agency, who together helped launch the careers of Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall. Daniel Novick of Novick Law PLLC serves as Kennedy’s attorney.

River House Artists/Sony Music Nashville Sign Georgia Webster

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Georgia Webster. Photo: Chris Morley

Sony Music Nashville and River House Artists have announced the signing of country singer-songwriter and TikTok creator Georgia Webster.

Webster is celebrating her record deal signing by releasing “Push & Pull,” her first release through the label. The song follows her debut track, “Tell Your Mom,” which took off on TikTok and on streaming platforms.

Georgia Webster signing

The Massachusetts native grew up listening to a variety of music, from John Mayer and Miley Cyrus to Carrie Underwood, Keane, and the Grateful Dead. She attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music’s songwriter camps, before her viral track “Tell Your Mom” hit.

“I’m beyond excited to be joining the River House/Sony Music Nashville team,” Webster says. “Being a songwriter has been my dream since 4th grade, and I just can’t wait to see these songs come to life!”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kelsea & Kenny, Breland & Mickey, Morgan Wade

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Disc of the Day winner “Half of My Hometown.”

The pickin’s are slim today.

There are only five essential listening experiences here. They belong to Marty Stuart, Breland & Mickey Guyton, Mo Pitney and the Lee Ann Womack collaboration with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Plus our Disc of the Day winner, Kelsea Ballerini with an assist from Kenny Chesney.

Morgan Wade, who has been opening shows for her equally tattooed sister Ashley McBryde, wins the DISCovery Award.

FILMORE / “Good Thing”
Writers: Filmore/Geoff Warburton/Zach Abend; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Curb
—The relationship is kaput, but the fond memories linger. He sings it with sweet regret, and the shuffling, kinda nervous track is cool. The repetitive chorus is sung a few too many times.

KELSEA BALLERINI & KENNY CHESNEY / “Half of My Hometown”
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Jimmy Robbins/Nicolle Galyon/Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally; Producer: Kelsea Ballerini/Jimmy Robbins/Ross Copperman; Label: Black River
—Wonderfully evocative. Musing about your roots. Whether you get away or stay put, your heart always belongs to the place where you were raised. Chesney provides a subtly shaded, perfectly nuanced harmony vocal.

STEPHEN FLATT / “Hold You Tonight”
Writers: Stephen Flatt; Producer: Dave Roe/Stephen Flatt; Label: SF
—It’s a breezy country rocker about a trucker headed for home. The ride is smooth and easy. The singer is the great-nephew of Country Music Hall of Fame bluegrass legend Lester Flatt.

LORETTA LYNN & MARGO PRICE / “One’s on the Way”
Writer: Shel Silverstein; Producers: Patsy Lynn Russell/John Carter Cash; Label: Legacy
—Well, nothing is ever going to match Loretta’s original 1972 performance of this gem. But this has plenty of verve and goodwill going for it. Margo is very much a disciple, and her affectionate warmth shines through.

GARY LeVOX / “The Distance”
Writers: Gary LeVox/Josh Hoge/Matt McVaney; Producers: Gary LeVox/Matthew McVaney; Label: Big Machine
—Gary’s debut solo single is a big-production, Christian pop outing. It’s about leaning on faith when times are hard. His searing tenor retains its impressive range.

BRELAND & MICKEY GUYTON / “Cross Country”
Writers: Breland/Sam Sumser/Sean Small/Will Gittens; Producers: Sam Sumser/Sean Small; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic
—This is simply lovely. An airy, lilting track with both vocalists turning in extraordinarily affecting performances. The gentle tune celebrates a journey, a quest to find one’s identity, and it hits home beautifully. Previously issued as a superb Breland solo track, this duet version is just as terrific.

LATHAN WARLICK & TYLER HUBBARD / “My Way”
Writers: Lathan Warlick/RaeLynn/Tyler Hubbard/Blake Hubbard/Jarrod Ingram; Producer: The720; Label: RECORDS/Columbia
—Warlick raps. FGL’s Hubbard sings and raps. The hip-hop track is stuffed with acoustic samples. It sounds too spare for the r&b crowd and too rap for the country audience.

MORGAN WADE / “Don’t Cry”
Writers: Morgan Wade/Paul Ebersold; Producer: Sadler Vaden/Paul Ebersold; Label: Orchard/Ladylike
—Confessional and soul baring. She has a hushed, intimate delivery, and the overall vibe is kinda like ‘70s singer-songwriter-troubadour. Promising.

MARTY STUART / “Ready for the Times to Get Better”
Writer: Allen Reynolds; Producer: none listed; Label: MS
—If I didn’t know this was a 1978 Crystal Gayle oldie, I’d swear this lyric was written specifically for our seemingly endless pandemic times. New Country Music Hall of Fame member Stuart strips things down to a moody, guitar-vocal track and dips down into his lower baritone to create charismatic audio magic. Compelling and mesmerizing.

CHARLES N. GALLASPY JR. / “Fried Bologna Sandwich”
Writers: Charles N. Gallaspy, Jr.; Producer: none listed; Label: CNGJ
—Don’t give up your day job.

MO PITNEY / “Local Honey”
Writers: Adam Wood/Mo Pitney/Wil Nance; Producer: Jim “Moose” Brown; Label: Curb
—I love the loose-limbed, funky track with all the rhythm in the trunk. Pitney’s on-the-money vocal brings out the tune’s good-time vibe perfectly. Rollicking and a boatload of fun. Get buzzy with this.

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS & LEE ANN WOMACK / “Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right”
Writer: Blind Willie Johnson; Producers: Shannon Sanders/Jim Ed Norman/Mike Curb/Paul T. Kwami; Label: Curb
—The disc celebrating the 150th anniversary of Nashville’s original superstars has won the Jubilee Singers their first Grammy Award. Collaborations abound on it — Jimmy Hall, Keb Mo, CeCe Winans, Rodney Atkins, The Fairfield Four, Ruby Amanfu and more make appearances. A wailing Womack fronts the ensemble on this rousing foot stomper drenched in bluesy gospel atmosphere. Soulful in the extreme. Clap hands and believe.

DISCovery Award winner Morgan Wade.

Country Radio Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline Approaching

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The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2021 nomination deadline is approaching. Nominations must be submitted here and received by March 31. The Class of 2021 will be selected in mid-May, with an announcement to follow.

The 2021 Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized during the annual Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 13 at The Westin in Nashville. The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format.

It was founded in 1974 to recognize outstanding individuals working in the broadcasting industry who are promoting the country radio format. There are two categories recognized: Radio and On-Air Personality. The CRB President’s Award and Artist Career Achievement Award are also presented during the event.

“We’re chomping at the bit to find the next class of professionals for the Country Radio Hall of Fame for 2021,” said CRB’s Country Radio Hall of Fame Committee Co-Chair Joel Raab.

Information regarding sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the event will be available in the coming months.

Oak Ridge Boys Plan Some ‘Front Porch Singing’ For June

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The Oak Ridge Boys will celebrate the summer with the release of their new album, Front Porch Singin’, on June 11.

The album is their fourth collaboration with producer Dave Cobb. Recorded during the pandemic, the project was built around the feelings in the lead single, “Love, Light And Healing,” which is now available.

“We were sitting in the studio when David Cobb walked in and asked, ‘If you were sitting on the front porch, just singing songs you know, what might you sing?’ Well, we started singing ‘Unclouded Day’… and he said, ‘Let’s go to the microphones.’ That’s how this album was recorded,” says the Oaks’ Duane Allen.

“This title has become more of an attitude than anything else,” shares the Oaks’ Joe Bonsall. “What if the four of us were sitting on a porch together and someone begins to sing a favorite old Gospel song, like ‘Swing Down Chariot,’ or a country and western standard like ‘Red River Valley,’ and everyone else just joined in? That is what happened at RCA Studio A. But, as usual under producer Dave Cobb’s leadership, this album turned into so much more. This project is quite honestly one of the most heartfelt albums we have ever recorded. It was a bit strange to social distance from each other in the studio, but I believe it drew us all closer and in doing so we may have inadvertently recorded the perfect project for this time period. These songs, whether new or old, reflect a certain optimism and a deep-seated faith that God will work all of this out as we move forward. Life is beautiful as one song says. We must embrace it and celebrate it with all of our being.”

“I always love working with The Oaks and with this album, they’ve really captured the warmest feelings of home and family,” shares Cobb.

Front Porch Singin’ Track List
01. Life Is Beautiful
02. Love, Light, And Healing
03. Old Ways
04. Promised Land
05. Red River Valley
06. Life’s Railway To Heaven
07. Rock My Soul
08. Swing Down Chariot
09. ‘Till I See You Again
10. Unclouded Day
11. When He Calls

Chase Rice, MTN DEW Team Up For Outdoor Stimulus Promotion

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Chase Rice. Photo: Kaiser Cunningham

Chase Rice is teaming up with MTN DEW to support its campaign to empower outdoor enthusiasts across the country.

Rice will support the “Get Out And Do” campaign by sharing social content that encourages DEW Nation to apply for the Outdoor Stimulus program, which is offering $1 million in prizes.

Through the promotion, fans are eligible for a chance to receive a $25 reimbursement on their most recent outdoor pass or license for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and more.

Alternatively, fans can choose to donate their stimulus funds to a variety of charitable organizations whose goal is to protect and support the great outdoors.

Details at MountainDEW.com/OutdoorStimulus.

Maddie & Tae Named CMA Foundation Artist Ambassadors

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Maddie & Tae. Photo: Nolan Feldpausch

Award-winning country artists Maddie & Tae have joined forces with the CMA Foundation to inspire music teachers and students through virtual classroom visits.

As the newest CMA Foundation Artist Ambassadors, the duo will participate in discussions about overcoming challenges and the importance of empowering the next generation of female leaders. They’ll also discuss how music helped them develop confidence and share experiences about their journeys in the music industry.

“Maddie & Tae have used their voices throughout their careers to advocate for the importance of music education, supporting the CMA Foundation’s mission to provide equitable opportunities for students across the country,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “As we are celebrating Music In Our Schools Month in March, we are excited to have these talented women join our CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador collective to share the power of music with students and music teachers. The CMA Foundation understands that representation is key in all areas of life. Maddie & Tae are two strong, talented and resilient female leaders in the music industry and we are looking forward to them being examples for these students and teachers, showing them that anything is possible.”

“Music has always been incredibly special to us,” says Taylor Kerr of Maddie & Tae. “Not only for the enjoyment of listening and creating, but for the healing and connection it brings to so many. We feel honored to be the new CMA Foundation ambassadors and look forward to chatting about our favorite thing in the whole world!”

Maddie & Tae will be joining a notable group of CMA Foundation Artist Ambassadors, including Jimmie Allen, Linday Ell, and Ashley McBryde, who have helped advocate for access to music education for students across the country.

Justin Moore Is ‘Straight Outta The Country’ With New Release Set For April

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Justin Moore. Photo: Cody Villalobos

Justin Moore is gearing up for the release of his new eight-song collection, Straight Outta The Country, out April 23 on The Valory Music Co. He will debut some of the new music during a worldwide ticketed live stream from The Barn in Nashville on April 17.

The leadoff track from the album, “We Didn’t Have Much,” is currently climbing into Top 30 at country radio, and sets the tone for the mix. The collection includes songs penned by Rhett Akins, Jeremy Stover, Michael Hardy, Randy Montana, and more. “She Ain’t Mine No More” and “Hearing Things” are stamped with Moore’s southern drawl and traditional storytelling, and “You Keep Getting Me Drunk” showcases his vocal range. “Consecutive Days Alive” is a rocking reflective ode to the past, and “More Than Me” serves as a tender love letter to Moore’s children.

Two new tracks from the new project, “She Ain’t Mine No More,” and an acoustic version of “We Didn’t Have Much,” will be available everywhere at midnight tonight (March 25).

Straight Outta The Country Track List:
1. Hearing Things (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Chris Stevens)
2. Consecutive Days Alive (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, Jeremy Stover)
3. We Didn’t Have Much (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
4. She Ain’t Mine No More (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Jamie Paulin, Jeremy Stover)
5. More Than Me (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
6. Straight Outta The Country (Michael Hardy, Cam Montgomery, Josh Thompson)
7. You Keep Getting Me Drunk (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Paul DiGiovanni)
8. We Didn’t Have Much – Acoustic (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)

Ross Copperman Returns To Artist Spotlight With ‘Somewhere There’s A Light On’

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Award-winning songwriter and producer Ross Copperman is gearing up for the release of his forthcoming EP, Somewhere There’s a Light On, set for release on Photo Finish Records on May 21.

The shimmery Southern pop flavored project features back-to-back singalongs and Copperman’s ferocious musicality, radio-ready piano, staccato percussion, synths, snaps and smooth vocals, with country’s love of cohesive narratives. “I’ve always liked to write songs to live in any world and not necessarily be too specific to genres,” Copperman said. “It feels like pop has really been influenced by country writing in the last few years.”

Ross Copperman. Photo: Gus Black

Signed initially as an artist to the UK’s Phonogenic Records/RCA in the early 2000’s, Copperman found himself touring, landing syncs on popular shows, and earning success for two releases out of the gate. Relocating to Nashville, he became a student of songwriting, and a respected producer as well, with 29 No. 1 songs under his belt. Now he’s coming full circle with a new release as an artist himself.

Copperman co-wrote Somewhere There’s a Light On with some of his favorite collaborators, including a pair with Ed Sheeran. “I’ve never loved two songs more than ‘Electricity’ and ‘Therapy’ in my life,” Copperman said of the tracks he wrote with Sheeran. “We were pitching them to country artists, and I had this realization: ‘Wow. I think these might be my songs.’ Finding love, becoming a dad, helping other artists find their voice…all of this life I’ve lived has informed my new music. Without those experiences, I’m not sure we’d be here at this moment with these songs.”

Somewhere There’s a Light On Track List:
1.     “Not Believe” (Ross Copperman, Jordan Reynolds, Emily Weisband)
2.     “Electricity” (Ross Copperman, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid)
3.     “Therapy” (Ross Copperman, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid)
4.     “Somewhere There’s a Light On” (Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
5.     “Holdin’ You” (Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally)