Wait a minute: You mean the winter break won’t go on forever, and I have deadlines again? That’s right, bub. It’s 2019, and we’re back on the job.
In the debut listening session of the year, duos ruled the roost. The new single by Florida Georgia Line and the first collaboration by Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell are today’s winning tunes. In a tight race, FGL claims Disc of the Day.
We have Dave Pacula at Black River to thank for bringing Anna Vaus to our attention. She wins today’s DisCovery Award.
LYNN EASTERLY/I Listen To My Bad Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Summit (CDX)
– Loud rock guitars. Compressed audio. Somehow, this sounds woefully dated, like maybe it was recorded 10 years ago when rocked-up country was the thing.
KANE BROWN/Good As You
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Shy Carter/Taylor Phillips/Will Weatherly; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Soaked in an r&b groove, this languid ode to undying love goes down smooth and easy. Intensely romantic.
ROB BAIRD/Burning Blue
Writers: Rob Baird/Burleson Smith; Producer: Rick Brantley; Publisher: Boots Baird/Ticonderoga, BMI; Hard Luck
– With an able harmony vocal by the talented Lucie Silvas, this is a stately ballad that reflects on a relationship’s rise and fall. The electric guitar solo at the coda is pure poetry, and Baird’s plaintive, aching delivery is wonderfully gripping. The album, After All, chronicles the seven stage of grief in the wake of a breakup. Lend this man your ears.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/People Are Different
Writers: Mark Molman/Hillary Lindsey/Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: 2019 Relative Music Group (BMI), administered by Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing./ Songs of Universal, Inc. / Art in the Fodder Music. All rights o/b/o Art in the Fodder Music controlled and administered by Songs of Universal, Inc./ BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) / BIRB Music (ASCAP); Big Machine
– Terrific in every way. The track rings and chimes. The layered vocals swirl in your head. Best of all is the “love-thy-neighbor” lyric urging acceptance and tolerance. These boys have it all going on here.
QUEEVA/Live Like A Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: none listed; Queeva (track)
– She’s a teen, and her pert, youthful and somewhat thin vocal shows it. The spare, choppy production creates a lively groove for her to emote in. She needs to put some years on her talent, but this is promising.
JOHN SCHNEIDER/Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Odyssey
– He still sings splendidly, and the song is a total country winner. The demo-sounding production does nothing for me.
ANNA VAUS/Day Job
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Espola Road
– The track burns rubber from the opening notes. A smokin’-hot country rocker with a saucy, personable vocal. Hang on for a wild ride.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Workin’
Writers: Bart Butler/Aaron Goodvin/Driver Williams/Brett Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– It’s about time we had a new blue-collar, working-man’s anthem. This kinda thing should always be country music’s bread and butter. The track is rather “busy” sounding, but his voice and the lyric overcome that.
WHEELER WALKER JR./Save Some Titty Milk For Me
Writer: Wheeler Walker Jr.; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Pepperhill/Thirty Tigers
– Okay, let’s face it: This guy is never going to make mainstream radio with a title like this. It bops along attractively, but the lyric is way beyond outlaw country. Tracks like “I Sucked Another D*** Last Night,” “F**k You With the Lights On,” “All the P**** You Will Slay” and “I Like Smoking Pot” are not for the faint of heart. He glories in obscenity, but is also undeniably funny. The CD is titled WW III. Let the buyer beware.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & LINDSAY ELL/What Happens In A Small Town
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– I am a huge fan of Brantley’s brushed-velvet singing. Lindsay has never sounded better, trading verses and soaring above him in harmony. The beautifully intricate production revels in froth and foam as it crests and ebbs. The whole thing is sprinkled with stardust.
BMLG Records Adds Andi Brooks As Director, SW Promotion & Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonAndi Brooks
Andi Brooks will join BMLG Records as the new Director, Southwest Promotion & Marketing beginning Jan. 7. She will spearhead relationships in the region between country radio and the imprint’s artist roster. BMLGR is home to artists Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Brett Young, Riley Green and Danielle Bradbery.
Brooks was previously a WWQM/Madison, Wisconsin morning show co-host on Jackson & Andi in the Morning; she also held roles as an afternoon host and Promotions Assistant.
“Kickin’ the New Year off right!” Brooks said. “I look forward to this exciting change and can’t wait to join the team at Big Machine Label Group!”
“Andi’s background in radio, both on-air as well in promotions, will be an invaluable asset to our artists and team as well as our clients at radio,” adds SVP/Promotion Matthew Hargis. “We could not be more excited to welcome her into the Ape Den at BMLG Records.”
Brooks will be based in Nashville and can be reached at andi.brooks@bmlg.net or 615-324-7906.
Mitchell Tenpenny, Jon Langston, Travis Denning Added To Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Fiesta
/by Eric T. ParkerDJ Rock, Jon Langston, Kendell Marvel, Mitchell Tenpenny and Travis Denning will join the previously announced lineup including Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson, and Jake Owen, in addition to Bryan’s co-headliners, Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs.
While the event’s host resort, the Barceló Maya, is sold out, limited all-inclusive packages remain at nearby tropical resorts at crashmyplaya.com.
Liz Rose To Appear In Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Poets And Prophets Series
/by Lorie HollabaughA native of Irving, Texas, Rose moved to Nashville in her mid-thirties as a mother of three. Working in Nashville as a song publisher in the late 1990s, she began getting her own songs recorded. Rose penned hits for Gary Allan (“Songs About Rain”) and Lee Ann Womack (“The Wrong Girl”) before becoming a writing partner to Taylor Swift, and the two collaborated frequently during Swift’s rise to stardom. Rose was SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2007 after co-writing seven songs on Swift’s self-titled debut, including “Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and “Picture to Burn.” She won the Academy of Country Music’s 2012 Song of the Year award for “Crazy Girl,” recorded by the Eli Young Band, and also co-wrote Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2015 and captured a Grammy for Best Country Song.
Admission to Poets and Prophets is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited and program passes are required for admittance. The program will be streamed live.
DISClaimer: Florida Georgia Line, Anna Vaus, Brantley Gilbert, Lindsay Ell Offer Sparkling New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannWait a minute: You mean the winter break won’t go on forever, and I have deadlines again? That’s right, bub. It’s 2019, and we’re back on the job.
In the debut listening session of the year, duos ruled the roost. The new single by Florida Georgia Line and the first collaboration by Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell are today’s winning tunes. In a tight race, FGL claims Disc of the Day.
We have Dave Pacula at Black River to thank for bringing Anna Vaus to our attention. She wins today’s DisCovery Award.
LYNN EASTERLY/I Listen To My Bad Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Summit (CDX)
– Loud rock guitars. Compressed audio. Somehow, this sounds woefully dated, like maybe it was recorded 10 years ago when rocked-up country was the thing.
KANE BROWN/Good As You
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Shy Carter/Taylor Phillips/Will Weatherly; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Soaked in an r&b groove, this languid ode to undying love goes down smooth and easy. Intensely romantic.
ROB BAIRD/Burning Blue
Writers: Rob Baird/Burleson Smith; Producer: Rick Brantley; Publisher: Boots Baird/Ticonderoga, BMI; Hard Luck
– With an able harmony vocal by the talented Lucie Silvas, this is a stately ballad that reflects on a relationship’s rise and fall. The electric guitar solo at the coda is pure poetry, and Baird’s plaintive, aching delivery is wonderfully gripping. The album, After All, chronicles the seven stage of grief in the wake of a breakup. Lend this man your ears.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/People Are Different
Writers: Mark Molman/Hillary Lindsey/Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: 2019 Relative Music Group (BMI), administered by Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing./ Songs of Universal, Inc. / Art in the Fodder Music. All rights o/b/o Art in the Fodder Music controlled and administered by Songs of Universal, Inc./ BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) / BIRB Music (ASCAP); Big Machine
– Terrific in every way. The track rings and chimes. The layered vocals swirl in your head. Best of all is the “love-thy-neighbor” lyric urging acceptance and tolerance. These boys have it all going on here.
QUEEVA/Live Like A Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: none listed; Queeva (track)
– She’s a teen, and her pert, youthful and somewhat thin vocal shows it. The spare, choppy production creates a lively groove for her to emote in. She needs to put some years on her talent, but this is promising.
JOHN SCHNEIDER/Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Odyssey
– He still sings splendidly, and the song is a total country winner. The demo-sounding production does nothing for me.
ANNA VAUS/Day Job
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Espola Road
– The track burns rubber from the opening notes. A smokin’-hot country rocker with a saucy, personable vocal. Hang on for a wild ride.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Workin’
Writers: Bart Butler/Aaron Goodvin/Driver Williams/Brett Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– It’s about time we had a new blue-collar, working-man’s anthem. This kinda thing should always be country music’s bread and butter. The track is rather “busy” sounding, but his voice and the lyric overcome that.
WHEELER WALKER JR./Save Some Titty Milk For Me
Writer: Wheeler Walker Jr.; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Pepperhill/Thirty Tigers
– Okay, let’s face it: This guy is never going to make mainstream radio with a title like this. It bops along attractively, but the lyric is way beyond outlaw country. Tracks like “I Sucked Another D*** Last Night,” “F**k You With the Lights On,” “All the P**** You Will Slay” and “I Like Smoking Pot” are not for the faint of heart. He glories in obscenity, but is also undeniably funny. The CD is titled WW III. Let the buyer beware.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & LINDSAY ELL/What Happens In A Small Town
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– I am a huge fan of Brantley’s brushed-velvet singing. Lindsay has never sounded better, trading verses and soaring above him in harmony. The beautifully intricate production revels in froth and foam as it crests and ebbs. The whole thing is sprinkled with stardust.
Nashville Underground To Host Fourth Nashville Rising Song Contest
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville Rising Song is holding Series 4 of its songwriter open mic contest, which will be hosted by Nashville Underground at 105 Broadway beginning Jan. 9 and will be held subsequent Wednesdays for a total of 12 weeks. The contest is open to writers of any genre who write and perform their own songs.
“We’re thrilled to have Nashville Underground host our fourth series of Nashville Rising Song. Joey and Gavin DeGraw are successful songwriters themselves and have built a fantastic music themed venue with an excellent stage and production,” said Nashville Rising Song creator/director Keith Mohr. “And, having Shawn Carnes as our new emcee will spice up the event and make it quite the entertaining show! Nashville Rising Song is a great way to discover up and coming talent way before anyone else! This event is all about the song!”
Each of the 10 preliminary rounds feature up to 21 songwriters who each perform one original song. At each preliminary round, the audience (at the venue and online) votes for their favorite songwriter/song, and a panel of music industry judges also select their favorite songwriter/song.
The semi-final round will be held on March 20 and will feature 20 preliminary round winners. The audience (at the venue and online) selects one writer, and the music industry panel selects three additional writers to move on to the final round. At the final round on March 27, the four finalists will each perform four songs, and the grand prize winner, who will be selected by a combination of audience (at the venue and online) and music industry votes, will receive cash and other career advancing prizes.
For more, visit nashvillerisingsong.com.
Dan + Shay To Make ‘Tonight Show’ Debut Jan. 8
/by Jessica NicholsonDan + Shay perform as part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Photo: Courtesy Dick Clark Productions
Dan + Shay will hit the promotional circuit early in 2019, making their debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Jan. 8. The duo will perform their current single “Speechless.”
The track begins 2019 as it holds a third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and sixth at the pinnacle of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Dan + Shay’s hit “Tequila” also maintains its position at No. 2 on the Hot Country chart. Together the tracks make up two of the top five most-streamed country songs released in 2018. “Speechless” has earned more than 166 million on-demand streams, with 1.2 million track equivalents sold. Dan + Shay recently performed the tune on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, Dancing with the Stars and The Voice.
The skyrocketing duo closed out their massive year with performances of “Tequila” and “All To Myself” on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Industry Pics: John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show Ring In The New Year With Nashville Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Prine celebrates his sold-out Opry House NYE performance with Sally Williams, SVP Programming & Artists Relations and GM, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
John Prine rang in the new year with a sold-out show on Dec. 31 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. 2018 proved a career high mark for Prine, with the April release of his first album of new material in more than a decade, titled The Tree of Forgiveness. In October 2018, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, followed by a nomination for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in November.
Meanwhile, Old Crow Medicine Show wrapped up 2018 with two sold-out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This year marked the tenth time that the band has played the Mother Church on New Year’s Eve. In April, the band released its sixth studio album, Volunteer, via a deal with Columbia Nashville. 2018 marked Old Crow Medicine Show’s 20th anniversary as a band.
Mitch Glazier Formally Takes On RIAA Chairman/CEO Role, Michele Ballantyne Promoted To COO
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Mitch Glazier, Michele Ballantyne
Mitch Glazier has been named Chairman and CEO of the RIAA and has formally taken office at the recording industry trade group. Michele Ballantyne has also been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
In 2017, following the announcement of former RIAA Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman‘s retirement, Glazier was promoted to President of the RIAA.
Before joining the RIAA in 2000, Glazier served as Chief Counsel for intellectual property to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Music matters. It shapes our culture. It inspires generations young and young at heart. It makes us who we are and binds diverse communities together. I am honored to lead the RIAA during these exciting times as we fight for a music ecosystem that works for everybody – from artists and fans to labels and publishers and songwriters and music services alike. That will require that we both embrace digital music innovations, and protect what has always made music great – keeping the dream alive for the next generation of artists and music creators,” said Glazier.
Ballantyne has worked in the highest reaches of government, including as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, Special Counsel to then-White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and as General Counsel for Senator Tom Daschle. A driving force for updating intellectual property laws for the digital age, she has played an instrumental role in advocating for congressional reforms including the MMA, the PRO-IP Act that established the nation’s first Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the Executive Office of the President, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 that provided colleges and universities with meaningful tools to reduce the illegal downloading of copyrighted works on campuses.
“I’m excited to be part of this new leadership team at such an incredibly dynamic and important time,” said Ballantyne. “By staying true to music and its creators even as we embrace change, we can help the men and women of the music industry achieve great things. I look forward to advocating on behalf of our great community.”
Mark Your Calendar—January 2019
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
Kane Brown/Good as You/RCA Nashville
January 14
Eric Church/Some Of It/EMI Records Nashville
Dylan Scott/Nothing To Do Town/Curb Records
Ashley McBryde/Girl Goin’ Nowhere/Atlantic/WAR
Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell/What Happens In A Small Town/Valory
January 23
Jake Gill/You’re My Girl/Probability Records
January 28
Haley & Michaels/Taking Off/Reviver Records
Matt Stell/Prayed for You/In2une Music/Wide Open Music/Star records/Good Company Entertainment
Album Releases
Randy Houser/Magnolia/BBR-BMG
Richard Schroder/Skyline [EP]/Amplifier Records
January 18
Ronnie Milsap/Ronnie Milsap: The Duets/Riser House-Sony
Cody Johnson/Ain’t Nothin’ To It/CoJo Music-Warner Music Nashville
January 25
Mindy Smith/One Moment More [vinyl re-issue]/Craft Recordings
Industry Events
Submission period closes for 2019 ACM Awards
January 18
Advertising deadline for MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards Issue
January 24
First round voting closes for 2019 ACM Awards
January 28
CMA Touring Awards at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works
Jillian Jacqueline To Return To UK On Kip Moore’s Room To Spare Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughJillian Jacqueline
Jillian Jacqueline is set to join Kip Moore overseas for several of his UK tour dates on his Room To Spare Acoustic Tour in Spring 2019. The gig will reunite the two following her dates as support on Moore’s After The Sunburn Tour and several U.S. dates of the Room To Spare Acoustic Tour. She will perform at Moore’s sold-out shows in Manchester (May 26), Glasgow (May 27), Birmingham (May 29), and London (May 30).
Jacqueline is also set to perform in Australia when she appears at the CMC Rocks festival in March. The overseas appearances will follow her opening slot on Devin Dawson’s Stray Off Course Tour, which kicks off Jan. 31 in New York City and hits Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and more.
The busy entertainer recently unveiled her latest EP, SIDE B, is now available on vinyl. The project was produced by Tofer Brown and features tracks penned by Jacqueline alongside acclaimed songwriters including Natalie Hemby, Bob DiPiero, Lori McKenna and more.