UPDATE (Feb. 3): The content and interview in this article were planned and conducted prior to the Feb. 2, 2021 surfacing of a video of Morgan Wallen using a racial slur. MusicRow unequivocally condemns the use of this type of speech and stands together with other members in the industry as one voice against this type of behavior.
Morgan Wallen performs Live From The Ryman in celebration of Dangerous: The Double Album. Photo: John Shearer / Getty Images For Ryman Auditorium
Less than five years after releasing his debut single “The Way I Talk,” an ode to his east Tennessee roots, Morgan Wallen has solidified his stardom in country music with his sophomore effort Dangerous: The Double Album.
Now on its third week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Albums chart and the all-genre Billboard 200, Dangerous is a wrecking ball smashing through records. It’s the first country album to spend three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in eight years. It debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 Albums chart and earned the largest streaming week for a country album in history, a feat last achieved by Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get.
Upon release 27 of the 30 songs on Dangerous landed inside the Billboard Hot Country Songs Top 50, with six in the Top 10, setting an unprecedented new record.
Organized into two discs, Dangerous Disc 1 shows off Wallen’s more sensitive, romantic side. Songs like “Sand In My Boots,” which has aptly been compared to Kenny Chesney’s longing summer love anthem “Anything But Mine,” sets the tone for the first half. Written by Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, and Michael Hardy, the heartbroken sentiment is delivered stunningly by Wallen.
“865,” written by Blake Pendergrass and John Byron, further shows Wallen’s love for his east Tennessee home, a theme that’s been present in his music since his debut single.
“It actually came in with a different area code,” Wallen tells MusicRow. “The original one was 919 when I got the song, but I wanted to make it obviously more personal to me. 865 is the Knoxville area where I’m from. The rest of the numbers are the same. I actually think the last four digits was one of the guys who wrote it, his dad’s number.”
“We’re working on trying to get the numbers so we can put a little message or something on there for people because I know they’re starting to call it. We’re trying to figure something out,” Wallen says.
Disc 1’s “Your Bartender,” “Only Thing That’s Gone (featuring Chris Stapleton),” and “Wonderin’ Bout The Wind” allow Wallen to communicate more heartache and longing. Tunes like “More Surprised Than Me,” “Outlaw (feat. Ben Burgess),” and “Somebody’s Problem” show off Wallen’s flirtatious charm.
“Wasted On You,” one of many fan-favorites, shows Wallen’s moodier side with lyrics about time, money and heartache wasted on the wrong person. The hip-hop infused production—helmed by Joey Moi—allows Wallen’s raspy southern drawl to shine.
“We tried to stay in about three different categories,” Wallen says of the album’s production style. “We did a Fleetwood Mac-inspired sound. Then I wanted to do something with a little bit more [of a beat], and then we stuck to some traditional sounding country music, as well. Those were the three main ones that I wanted to go with because that’s what I’m drawn to. That’s what I listen to already. I really love old-school music like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, I really love traditional country music and I really like a good beat. So we tried to stick to those three.”
Dangerous‘ Disc 2 taps into Wallen’s mullet-styled, cut-off-sleeves button up, proud southern identity.
Wallen says that the dichotomy happened by accident. “At the end of the day, it just ended up that way,” he says. “I didn’t write it that way on purpose. I didn’t set out to write 10 songs about love and 10 songs about doing redneck shit or whatever. It wasn’t the plan, it just turned out that way.”
With the Wallen, Hardy, and Ryan Vojtesak-written “Still Goin Down,” Disc 2 kicks off with a familiar lyric: The way I talk, I guess I got it from my pops / Product of some kneelin’ down in a town where the doors don’t lock, And there’s a million other people like me from a scene a little more podunk than pop.
Parts of Disc 2 paint his Sneedville, Tennessee home from the lens of a hometown, Friday night in high school, like “Rednecks, Red Letter, Red Dirt” and “Whatcha Think Of Country Now.” Other songs show Wallen’s wild side, like “Country A$$ Shit” and “Dangerous.”
Perhaps the most compelling song on Dangerous is when Wallen is at his most vulnerable, with “Livin’ The Dream.” He sings: Between alcohol and women and Aderall and adrenaline I don’t ever get no rest / Sign my life away to be the life of the party, yeah, to everybody else. He co-wrote the song with Hardy, Burgess, and Jacob Durrett.
Rightfully so, Wallen is proud of himself for putting the message out there. “I’ll be honest, I’m proud of myself for saying something that I felt like I needed to say.”
Since Dangerous‘ release, Wallen has already dropped more songs. “Ran outta patience,” Wallen shared on Instagram before he dropped the songs.
The Big Loud/Republic Records’ artist released two tracks that were previously exclusive to Target, “This Side Of A Dust Cloud” and “Bandaid On A Bullet Hole,” as well as “Sand In My Boots (The Dangerous Sessions),” an acoustic, live recording of the double album opener. Wallen’s hungry fans, after a 30-song album, were much obliged.
Exactuals’ PaymentHub More Than Doubles In Size In 2020
/by Sarah SkatesPaymentHub, which manages many forms of complex payments such as residuals, royalties, and insurance claims on behalf of clients in the entertainment and insurance industries, experienced 250 percent year-over-year growth, the company announced Monday (Feb. 1). Additionally, PaymentHub, the flagship product of Exactuals, has eclipsed $1 billion in all-time dollars processed.
According to PaymentHub, it’s growth was driven by the following factors:
• Exactuals’ rapidly expanding client base, which grew more than 100 percent in 2020
• The continued growth in streaming of music and film/television
• The successful acquisition of Backlash Solutions in January 2020
• Strengthened demand for direct deposit in film/TV residuals by SAG-AFTRA members
• The global move to automate manual and paper-based processes to enable work-from-home execution of core processes
“The extraordinary growth of PaymentHub over the past year is exciting, and we expect to see the trend continue in 2021,” said Mike Hurst, Co-Founder and CEO of Exactuals. “The support of City National and Royal Bank of Canada has accelerated growth for our business by removing any market concerns around scale. When we were small and independent, we had to fight to prove we were a safe bet. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the world’s largest banks, our clients know they are working with a trusted and stable global institution that puts security and business continuity above all else. I am proud to say, Exactuals represents the safest and fastest path to payment modernization in the industries we serve.”
“City National has always been there for the entertainment industry, and during the pandemic we have doubled down to provide our clients with better, faster, and more efficient service,” said Verna Grayce Chao, executive vice president in charge of City National Bank’s Treasury Management Solutions. “We have a client obsessed culture and we’re dedicated to meeting our clients’ unique needs. PaymentHub allows us to do just that. We’re providing leading technology-based solutions that have replaced outdated processes, paper checks and manual reporting – providing greater security, accuracy, transparency and speed. City National and Exactuals are proud to reach this momentous milestone.”
Sam Grow Inks With APA Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughSam Grow. Photo: Michael Gomez Photography
Sam Grow has signed with APA Nashville. The rising country newcomer will release his new single, “This Town,” produced by Colt Ford and Noah Gordon, on Feb. 12.
Grow, who is signed to Average Joes Entertainment, has amassed over 40 million streams across all streaming platforms. His 2020 hit, “Song About You,” was listed as one of Spotify’s “Best Country Songs of 2020-Wrapped,” and his 2019 album Love and Whiskey debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Country albums chart.
“Sam Grow is a country music tour de force who has worked tirelessly over the past year to bring his signature sound to millions of fans in the DSP arena,” commented APA’s Victoria Gordon. “With plans to release more music this year than ever before, we couldn’t be more proud to support his incredible talent as he continues to build on this amazing momentum.”
“I’m excited to be working with a respected group like APA and a strong, forward-thinking female agent in Vickie Gordon who values and sees the benefit of DSP success and growth in relation to touring,” said Grow. “I’m also excited to release ‘This Town’ from my new album coming later this year.”
Grow has toured relentlessly over the past decade, playing over 150 shows a year. He has headlined theaters and clubs from coast to coast opening for some of music’s biggest acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Chris Young, Lady A, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, and more.
Mark Your Calendar—February 2021
/by LB CantrellSingle Add Dates
February 1
Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley/Freedom Was A Highway/Stoney Creek Records
Eric Lee/Same Dirt Road/Blue Hill Records
February 4
Jeff Bates/How You Make Me Feel
February 5
Brooke Eden/No Shade/BBR
Stephanie Ryann/Ain’t Nothing Better
Jeremy McComb/Withdrawals/Average Joes Entertainment
Aaron Vance/Cabin Fever/Windy Holler Music
Andrew Beam/You Should See The Other Guy
February 8
Granger Smith/Hate You Like I Love You/Wheelhouse Records
Kameron Marlowe/Sober As A Drunk/Columbia
Tom Sexton/What The Whiskey’s For/Lots To Do Music, LLC
Ricky Paul/Just A Country Boy/Ricky Paul
February 11
The Western Country Band/Little Love Song
February 12
Alexandra Kay/We Wouldn’t Be Us
Sam Grow/This Town/Average Joes Entertainment
February 15
for KING & COUNTRY feat. Hannah Ellis, Jackson Michelson/TOGETHER/Curb|Word Entertainment
Garrett Shultz/Last Call/SMG-Nashville
February 16
Filmore/Nothing’s Better/Curb
Robyn Ottolini/F-150/Warner Music Nashville
Aaron Goodvin/Lonely Drum/Reviver Records
Nate Barnes/You Ain’t Pretty/Quartz Hill
The Ashley Sisters/I’ll Get You Back Again/GKM Records
February 18
Kaleb Garrett/Only One
Carolyn Miller/Flatline
February 19
Caroline Jones/Come In/Spectacle Entertainment
February 22
Caitlyn Smith feat. Old Dominion/I Can’t/Monument
Danny Kensy/Lonely Girl/Rad Records
Dave Wilbert/It’s All Yours/Wilbilly Records
February 25
John PayCheck/Lone Stars/HorseBite Entertainment
February 26
Ashlie Amber/Those Nights
Album Releases
February 5
Aaron Lee Tasjan/Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!/New West Records
February 12
Florida Georgia Line/Life Rolls On/BMLG Records
Kip Moore/Wild World Deluxe/UMG
Loretta Lynn/Coal Miner’s Daughter (Re-issue celebrating 50th anniversary)/MCA Nashville/UMe
Pentatonix/The Lucky Ones/RCA Records
Johnny Lee/Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright/BFD/Audium Nashville
February 19
Lainey Wilson/Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’/BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records
John Driskell Hopkins/Lonesome High
February 26
Willie Nelson/That’s Life/Legacy Recordings
Hailey Whitters/Living The Dream/Pigasus Records/Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters
Ian Munsick/Coyote Cry/Warner Music Nashville
Pat Barrett/Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly/Bowyer & Bow/Capitol Christian Music Group
Industry Events
February 16 – 19
Country Radio Seminar (Virtual)
February 17
MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards (Virtual)
Morgan Wallen Takes The World By Storm with ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellUPDATE (Feb. 3): The content and interview in this article were planned and conducted prior to the Feb. 2, 2021 surfacing of a video of Morgan Wallen using a racial slur. MusicRow unequivocally condemns the use of this type of speech and stands together with other members in the industry as one voice against this type of behavior.
Morgan Wallen performs Live From The Ryman in celebration of Dangerous: The Double Album. Photo: John Shearer / Getty Images For Ryman Auditorium
Less than five years after releasing his debut single “The Way I Talk,” an ode to his east Tennessee roots, Morgan Wallen has solidified his stardom in country music with his sophomore effort Dangerous: The Double Album.
Now on its third week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Albums chart and the all-genre Billboard 200, Dangerous is a wrecking ball smashing through records. It’s the first country album to spend three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in eight years. It debuted at No. 1 atop the Billboard 200 Albums chart and earned the largest streaming week for a country album in history, a feat last achieved by Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get.
Upon release 27 of the 30 songs on Dangerous landed inside the Billboard Hot Country Songs Top 50, with six in the Top 10, setting an unprecedented new record.
Organized into two discs, Dangerous Disc 1 shows off Wallen’s more sensitive, romantic side. Songs like “Sand In My Boots,” which has aptly been compared to Kenny Chesney’s longing summer love anthem “Anything But Mine,” sets the tone for the first half. Written by Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, and Michael Hardy, the heartbroken sentiment is delivered stunningly by Wallen.
“865,” written by Blake Pendergrass and John Byron, further shows Wallen’s love for his east Tennessee home, a theme that’s been present in his music since his debut single.
“It actually came in with a different area code,” Wallen tells MusicRow. “The original one was 919 when I got the song, but I wanted to make it obviously more personal to me. 865 is the Knoxville area where I’m from. The rest of the numbers are the same. I actually think the last four digits was one of the guys who wrote it, his dad’s number.”
“We’re working on trying to get the numbers so we can put a little message or something on there for people because I know they’re starting to call it. We’re trying to figure something out,” Wallen says.
Disc 1’s “Your Bartender,” “Only Thing That’s Gone (featuring Chris Stapleton),” and “Wonderin’ Bout The Wind” allow Wallen to communicate more heartache and longing. Tunes like “More Surprised Than Me,” “Outlaw (feat. Ben Burgess),” and “Somebody’s Problem” show off Wallen’s flirtatious charm.
“Wasted On You,” one of many fan-favorites, shows Wallen’s moodier side with lyrics about time, money and heartache wasted on the wrong person. The hip-hop infused production—helmed by Joey Moi—allows Wallen’s raspy southern drawl to shine.
“We tried to stay in about three different categories,” Wallen says of the album’s production style. “We did a Fleetwood Mac-inspired sound. Then I wanted to do something with a little bit more [of a beat], and then we stuck to some traditional sounding country music, as well. Those were the three main ones that I wanted to go with because that’s what I’m drawn to. That’s what I listen to already. I really love old-school music like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, I really love traditional country music and I really like a good beat. So we tried to stick to those three.”
Dangerous‘ Disc 2 taps into Wallen’s mullet-styled, cut-off-sleeves button up, proud southern identity.
Wallen says that the dichotomy happened by accident. “At the end of the day, it just ended up that way,” he says. “I didn’t write it that way on purpose. I didn’t set out to write 10 songs about love and 10 songs about doing redneck shit or whatever. It wasn’t the plan, it just turned out that way.”
With the Wallen, Hardy, and Ryan Vojtesak-written “Still Goin Down,” Disc 2 kicks off with a familiar lyric: The way I talk, I guess I got it from my pops / Product of some kneelin’ down in a town where the doors don’t lock, And there’s a million other people like me from a scene a little more podunk than pop.
Parts of Disc 2 paint his Sneedville, Tennessee home from the lens of a hometown, Friday night in high school, like “Rednecks, Red Letter, Red Dirt” and “Whatcha Think Of Country Now.” Other songs show Wallen’s wild side, like “Country A$$ Shit” and “Dangerous.”
Perhaps the most compelling song on Dangerous is when Wallen is at his most vulnerable, with “Livin’ The Dream.” He sings: Between alcohol and women and Aderall and adrenaline I don’t ever get no rest / Sign my life away to be the life of the party, yeah, to everybody else. He co-wrote the song with Hardy, Burgess, and Jacob Durrett.
Rightfully so, Wallen is proud of himself for putting the message out there. “I’ll be honest, I’m proud of myself for saying something that I felt like I needed to say.”
Since Dangerous‘ release, Wallen has already dropped more songs. “Ran outta patience,” Wallen shared on Instagram before he dropped the songs.
The Big Loud/Republic Records’ artist released two tracks that were previously exclusive to Target, “This Side Of A Dust Cloud” and “Bandaid On A Bullet Hole,” as well as “Sand In My Boots (The Dangerous Sessions),” an acoustic, live recording of the double album opener. Wallen’s hungry fans, after a 30-song album, were much obliged.
Andy Leftwich Signs With Mountain Home Music Company
/by Lorie HollabaughAndy Leftwich
Grammy award-winning musician Andy Leftwich has signed an exclusive recording contract with bluegrass label Mountain Home Music Company.
Best known for his contributions to the bluegrass of Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder from 2001-2016, with whom he shared in five International Bluegrass Music Association Instrumental Group of the Year awards, Leftwich is now focusing on his own artist career playing and writing music that incorporates country, swing, celtic, jazz and classical influences.
Four-time Grammy-winning instrumentalist Leftwich began playing the fiddle at the age of six, entering his first contest at seven and winning the National Championship for Beginners at the age of twelve. By the time he was a teen, he had appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and Music City Tonight with Crook and Chase, and had established a reputation as a winning contest fiddler throughout the Southeast. At 15, he won the Winfield, Kansas Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship, one of the most prestigious contests in the country. Adding mandolin and guitar to his arsenal, he began playing professionally, and joined Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder in 2001.
In addition to his 2005 solo album, Ride, Leftwich has recorded two critically acclaimed albums as a member of Three Ring Circle (with dobro player Rob Ickes and bassist Dave Pomeroy), and built an impressive list of studio credits as one of Nashville’s top session players.
“From the day he joined Kentucky Thunder, through his solo project and his work with Rob Ickes and Dave Pomeroy in the string jazz ensemble, Three Ring Circle, to his more recent instrumental settings of hymns and stellar studio work, I’ve been impressed with Andy’s many talents,” says Mountain Home’s Jon Weisberger. “We are excited to have him join the Mountain Home family, and look forward to sharing his music with the world!”
“I’m very excited to be a part of Mountain Home Music Company, and to be partnering with such amazing folks who understand and are committed to the hearts of their artists,” says Leftwich. “It’s such an honor to be included among a roster with some of the most talented and inspiring musicians on the planet! I’m looking forward to creating new and exciting music that I hope will inspire others the way these artists have inspired me.”
Morgan Wallen And Co-Writers Maintain Position On ‘MusicRow’ Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
After swarming the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart’s upper echelons last week, Morgan Wallen and his Dangerous co-writers hold their positioning on the chart this week. Wallen remains at No. 1, Josh Osborne at No. 2, Ernest K. Smith at No. 3, and Ashley Gorley at No. 4.
Jesse Frasure makes his way into the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credit on Kelsea Ballerini’s “Hole In The Bottle,” Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song,” Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes,” and Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage.”
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.
Leadership Music Accepting Applications for Class of 2022
/by Sarah SkatesThe Nashville-based program is designed to educate participants in various segments of the music industry, as well as encourage dialogue and understanding among industry leaders and explore the challenges facing the music business.
The eight-month program kicks off with an orientation and alumni welcome reception in September, followed by a two-day Opening Retreat in October, then six all-day sessions once a month, and a graduation and Closing Retreat in May.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Class of 2021 was deferred, although modified program days have been held virtually, open to all 1,200 LM alumni. Any applicant from last year will automatically be considered an applicant for the Class of 2022.
According to Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Schwartz Linn, “With the safety of the class and everyone involved with the programming uppermost in our minds, we are optimistically planning to meet in-person, beginning with Orientation in September. We are considering a contingency plan if we are still operating under CDC guidelines in the fall.
“For the past several years, we received over 300 applications for the Leadership Music program, from which the selection committee chooses approximately 45 participants. One reason for this is the reputation the national program has received from alumni during its 32-year history. They recognize how important and transformative the process was for them, the educational component, plus the unique community created from that experience with their class, and overall, the organization itself. The selection committee is tasked with choosing a class comprised of passionate, balanced and diversified professionals who are, individually and collectively, leaders in their field representing all segments of the music industry globally.”
The application, program dates, policies and FAQs are available at www.leadershipmusic.org.
Applications must be submitted via the online process no later than midnight, Feb. 28, 2021.
Marathon Talent Agency Signs Presley & Taylor
/by Sarah SkatesPeter Strickland with Presley & Taylor.
Marathon Talent Agency, the artist management and development company helmed by CEO Peter Strickland, has signed breakout sister duo Presley & Taylor.
“I am extremely excited to welcome Presley & Taylor to the Marathon Talent family,” said Strickland. “Their amazing harmonies and ability to pick and write relevant songs have established a solid foundation for their careers. I look forward to furthering those successes in the years to come.”
Presley & Taylor are the flagship artists signed to James Stroud’s new White Mustang Records, which is distributed by CMG via The Orchard. Stroud is also producing the duo, whose “Everybody Sees It” single has already surpassed 500,000 streams.
“We are beyond thrilled to have Peter join our team to help guide us through this next chapter of our career,” said Presley & Taylor in a joint statement. “We could not have asked for a better person to help us achieve all of our goals, and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us.”
Strickland was previously Chief Marketing Officer for Warner Music Nashville. He has directed successful campaigns for Blake Shelton, Big & Rich, Faith Hill, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, and the label’s comedy imprint.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Remains At Chart Pinnacle For Third Week
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album remains on top of both the country albums chart and the all-genre top 200 chart this week, according to Nielsen. The album earned 130K in total consumption this week (12K album only/145M song streams).
Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get is at No. 2 this week, and his This One’s For You is at No. 3. Wallen appears again at No. 4 with If I Know Me.
Chris Stapleton‘s Starting Over rounds out the top five, with 15K in total consumption according to Nielsen.
The top five streaming songs remain the same this week, with Wallen taking every spot.
Top 5 Streaming Songs:
“Wasted On You” 11 million / 41 million RTD
“Somebody’s Problem” 10.5 million / 85 million RTD
“7 Summers” 10 million / 188 million RTD
“Sand In My Boots” 10 million / 32 million RTD
“More Than My Hometown” 8.2 million / 244 million RTD
Luke Combs and Billy Strings Join Forces on ‘The Great Divide’
/by Sarah SkatesLuke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey
Luke Combs teamed with bluegrass star Billy Strings for a new song called “The Great Divide,” which was released Monday (Feb. 1). Fans can listen here.
The collaboration came about as part of a bluegrass project Combs has in the works. It’s a song with a timely message, including the chorus: We’re all so far so far apart now/It’s as deep as it is wide/We’re about to fall apart now/If we can’t reach the other side/We gotta find a way to cross the great divide.
Written by Combs, Strings and Wyatt Durrette, the song was produced, recorded and mixed by Chip Matthews earlier this month in Nashville. In addition to Combs and Strings, the song features Charlie Worsham (acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo), Royal Masat (bass) and Eric Darken (percussion).
Combs shares, “Something that I’ve always wanted to do is write and put out a bluegrass album. This is a song that was supposed to be a part of that project. It’s not a lead single or a lead-in to that project yet, because that is not done. But it felt like the right time to put this song out. When we wrote it, there were a lot of crazy things going on in the world. There’s still a lot of crazy things going on in the world. And I just felt like I had some stuff to say. It’s not meant to be political. It’s not meant to try and tell you what to think or tell you how to believe. That’s not my job. It’s just a guy kinda saying the way he was feeling when he wrote it.”
Strings, who is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album at the upcoming Grammy Awards, adds, “This song is our interpretation of the conflicts and tension we had been witnessing/experiencing around the time we wrote it. We wanted to shine a little light on the situation and offer a bit of hope during what has been a tough time for many.”
Billy Strings