
Nominees were announced for the upcoming 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Tuesday morning (Nov. 28).
Chris Stapleton earned three nods, with “Either Way” up for Best Country Solo Performance and From A Room: Vol. 1 up for Best Country Album, and “Broken Halos” up for Best Country Song.
Little Big Town earned Grammy nods for Best Country Song (“Better Man”), Best Country Album (The Breaker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Better Man”). Taylor Swift is nominated in the Best Country Song category, as the sole writer behind Little Big Town’s “Better Man.”
Midland earned two nominations, with “Drinkin’ Problem” up for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” earned two nominations, for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.
Lady Antebellum also earned two nominations. Heart Break is up for Best Country Album, and “You Look Good” is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Miranda Lambert also earned two nominations, with “Tin Man” up for Best Country SonG and Best Country Solo Performance.
“Arkansas Farmboy,” a track from the late Glen Campbell‘s final Adios album, earned a nod for Best American Roots Performance, as did “I Never Cared For You,” a track from Alison Krauss’ Windy City album.
Reba McEntire‘s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, was also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album.
Notably, there were no country nominees in overall categories Best New Artist and Album of the Year.
Already a 21-time GRAMMY winner, JAY-Z leads with eight nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar (7), Bruno Mars (6), Childish Gambino (5), Khalid (5), No I.D. (5), and SZA (5). Selected from more than 22,000 submissions across 84 categories, the nominations showcase some of the most gifted music makers of the past awards year (Oct. 1, 2016–Sept. 30, 2017). As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY is voted on by the Recording Academy’s membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.
“I’m inspired by this year’s nominees and the incredible talent each possesses,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their recordings are a true testament to how creatively alive and meaningful our music industry has become. Each nominee uses their craft to inspire, uplift, and tell stories of our world through their artistry. They provide a vibrant soundtrack that represents the highest level of excellence and continues to impact and reflect our culture.”
The final round of GRAMMY voting is Dec. 7–21, 2017. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards® on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, live from Madison Square Garden in New York and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 7:30–11:00 p.m. ET/4:30–8:00 p.m. PT.
Best Country Song (A songwriter’s award):
“Better Man,” Taylor Swift, songwriter (Little Big Town)
“Body Like A Back Road,” Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Sam Hunt)
“Broken Halos,” Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne & Mark Wystrach, songwriters (Midland)
“Tin Man,” Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
Best Country Solo Performance:
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Losing You,” Alison Krauss
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert
“I Could Use A Love Song,” Maren Morris
“Either Way,” Chris Stapleton
Best Country Album:
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton
Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
“It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne
“My Old Man,” Zac Brown Band
“You Look good,” Lady Antebellum
“Better Man,” Little Big Town
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
Best Americana Album:
Southern Blood — Gregg Allman
Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb
Beast Epic — Iron & Wine
The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Brand New Day — The Mavericks
Best American Roots Performance:
“Killer Diller Blues,” Alabama Shakes
“Let My Mother Live,” Blind Boys Of Alabama
“Arkansas Farmboy,” Glen Campbell
“Steer Your Way,” Leonard Cohen
“I Never Cared For You,” Alison Krauss
Best American Roots Song:
“Cumberland Gap,” David Rawlings
“I Wish You Well,” The Mavericks
“If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
“It Ain’t Over Yet,” Rodney Crowell Featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White
“My Only True Friend,” Gregg Allman
Record Of The Year:
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars
Album Of The Year:
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars
Song Of The Year:
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
Best New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Something Just Like This” — The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” — Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man
“Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara
Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Migration — Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk
Mura Masa — Mura Masa
A Moment Apart — Odesza
What Now — Sylvan Esso
Best Rock Performance:
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing More
Best Rap Album:
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator
Best Gospel Album:
Crossover — Travis Greene
Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria
Close — Marvin Sapp
Sunday Song — Anita Wilson
Let Them Fall In Love — Cece Winans
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Rise — Danny Gokey
Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher
Lifer — MercyMe
Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells
Chain Breaker — Zach Williams
Best Latin Pop Album:
Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Cuidad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade
El Dorado — Shakira
Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone), Track from La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho), Track from Moana: The Songs
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker) — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (ZAYN & Taylor Swift), Track from Fifty Shades Darker
“Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Gregg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia), Track from Lion
“Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common), Track from Marshall
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Calvin Harris
No I.D.
Greg Kurstin
Blake Mills
The Stereotypes
For a full list of nominees, visit grammy.com.
Interscope Records Makes First Direct Country Signing With Dylan Schneider
/by Jessica NicholsonDylan Schneider
Interscope Records’ Nashville office has made its first direct country signing as rising artist Dylan Schneider has joined the label’s roster. The label released Schneider’s new single “No Problem” on Nov. 24. Schneider has 640K monthly listeners on Spotify, and more than 700K Facebook likes.
“Signing with a label the caliber of Interscope is incredible… Being their first direct country signing? What an honor,” said Schneider. “I’m looking forward to seeing what mountains we can move in the country genre together.”
Since opening in 2016, Interscope’s Nashville office (led by Kevin Williamson) has primarily signed rock/pop artists including Goodbye June, Billy Raffoul, and Elizabeth Huett. Interscope Records is known for its superstar signings including Madonna, Sting, U2, and more.
“While we’re not certain what our entrance into this market is going to look like months or years down the road, it’s an exciting time and we’re looking forward to what’s to come,” Williamson tells MusicRow. “The artists we sign will determine the growth and direction our Nashville office heads in.”
“We’re interested in artists that are progressive—on the cusp of whatever genre they’re in,” he adds. “We’re looking for outside the box, for whatever hasn’t been done. Dylan’s exactly that. As a label, we’re excited to come alongside Dylan and the team that’s in place, helping his already rapidly growing career.”
Interscope’s Nashville office is located at 401 Commerce Street, in the same building as UMG Nashville’s office. Interscope has previously signed several country artists to joint ventures, all with UMG Nashville and/or its Mercury Nashville imprint. Those joint ventures include The Band Perry (Interscope/UMG Nashville), and newcomer Kassi Ashton (Interscope/UMG Nashville). American Idol alum Lauren Alaina is also signed to 19/Interscope/Mercury.
Schneider is currently on the road as an opener on Chris Lane’s Take Back Home Tour and Granger Smith’s Don’t Tread On Me Tour.
Cracker Barrel Serves Up Country Gold On New Vinyl Compilations
/by Lorie HollabaughUMe/UMG Nashville’s pair of country compilations on vinyl, I Love 80’s Country and I Love 90’s Country have been released and are available at Cracker Barrel Country Store locations nationwide and online at shop.crackerbarrel.com.
I Love 80’s Country highlights the music of 12 superstars who have collectively sold a staggering 200 million albums. Included in the chart-toppers on this collection are Reba McEntire on “Whoever’s In New England,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ signature song “Elvira,” Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem “God Bless The U.S.A.,” Kathy Mattea’s truck driver’s retirement tale, “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses,” and Barbara Mandrell‘s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” that features George Jones and was recorded in Nashville in 1981.
I Love 90’s Country features the hits of a dozen country superstars including another performance by Reba McEntire on her cover of Bobbie Gentry’s anthem “Fancy,” Billy Ray Cyrus’ chart-topping debut “Achy Breaky Heart,” Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s In Love With The Boy,” Shania Twain’s “The Woman In Me (Needs The Man In You),” and Vince Gill’s “I Still Believe In You.”
Love 80’s Country
Side A
1. The Oak Ridge Boys: “Elvira”
2. Kathy Mattea: “Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses”
3. Lee Greenwood: “God Bless The U.S.A.”
4. Don Williams: “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good”
5. Eddie Rabbit Featuring Crystal Gayle: “You And I”
6. Conway Twitty: “That’s My Job”
Side B
1. Patty Loveless: “Timber I’m Falling in Love”
2. Reba McEntire: “Whoever’s In New England”
3. Dan Seals: “Bop”
4. The Oak Ridge Boys: “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free”
5. T. Graham Brown: “Hell and High Water”
6. Barbara Mandrell Featuring George Jones: “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”
I Love 90’s Country
Side A
1. Billy Ray Cyrus: “Achy Breaky Heart”
2. Deana Carter: “Strawberry Wine”
3. Trisha Yearwood: “She’s in Love with The Boy”
4. David Lee Murphy: “Dust on The Bottle”
5. Shania Twain: “The Woman in Me (Needs the Man in You)”
6. Reba McEntire: “Fancy”
Side B
1. Tanya Tucker: “Two Sparrows in A Hurricane”
2. Vince Gill: “I Still Believe In You”
3. Tracy Byrd: “The Keeper of The Stars”
4. Mark Chesnutt: “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”
5. Mark Collie: “Even the Man in The Moon Is Crying”
6. Lee Ann Womack Featuring Jason Sellers: “A Little Past Little Rock”
Opry Entertainment Debuts Two New Winter Digital Series
/by Lorie HollabaughFandom: Fully Committed takes a look inside country’s biggest fan bases and the devoted leaders who run them. The first episode follows two of BG Nation’s most fanatical members, Marc and Tina, whose lives revolve around their admiration for Brantley Gilbert. From their home décor to their Wi-Fi password, this couple showcases the extreme lengths they go to for their favorite celebrity.
“When the Opry people came to us about kicking off their series Fandom: Fully Committed, I was all about it. We didn’t quite know how it was going to work, but I knew wherever they went, they were going to find the best people in the world,” says Brantley. “When we got into taping, it was so much about Marc and Tina (Schardan) — I loved that! Loved the idea that viewers would get a sense of how blessed I am, because they were going to get to see what I see, the kind of soul I see every night when I go out and meet the people who love this music.”
Upcoming Fandom: Fully Committed series installments feature Zac Brown Band’s “Zamily” and more.
Opry Milestones celebrates the biggest moments for some of the Opry’s biggest stars. The premiere episode debuts November 30, and celebrates Reba McEntire’s 40thanniversary of her Opry debut. The episode features commentary from Reba reflecting on her debut night, exclusive footage of rehearsing “Does He Love You” with Carrie Underwood, and more.
“It’s really incredible, 40 years later here we are at the Grand Ole Opry where 40 years ago I got to walk on that stage that I had been listening to on WSM for many many years,” said McEntire on the eve of her anniversary. “You’re sitting there thinking is it even possible to dream that one day I’ll get to stand up there. And thank God I got to.”
Other installments of Opry Milestones include Josh Turner’s 10th Opry member anniversary, Darius Rucker’s 5th Opry member anniversary and more.
PR Signings: Absolute Publicity, 117 Publicity
/by Jessica NicholsonCraig Wayne Boyd Signs With Absolute Publicity
Pictured (L-R): Craig Wayne Boyd, Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity)
Exile Inks Deal With 117 Publicity
Exile
Band Exile, known for the hits “Kiss You All Over” and “Give Me One More Chance,” has signed with 117 Publicity for exclusive PR representation. The band’s Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas Tour will visit Nashville’s City Winery on Dec. 6.
“Exile is one the top trailblazing crossover bands in the history of music. They’ve toured with the top names in various genres, charted majorly successful hits and paved a path of nearly 55 years for future acts. To have them on our roster is not only an honor, but a sincere pleasure as they are some of the kindest and down-to-Earth guys I’ve ever met,” said Zach Farnum, President & CEO of 117 Entertainment Group.
David Israelite Inks Five-Year Extension Deal With NMPA
/by Jessica NicholsonThe National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) Board of Directors have announced that David Israelite has accepted a five-year contract extension to continue his role as President and CEO through 2022. David joined NMPA in 2005 after serving in senior positions at the United States Department of Justice and the United States Senate.
“David has led NMPA into a new era of recognition of the value of songwriters and music publishers,” said NMPA Board Chairman Irwin Robinson. “He has brought songwriter struggles to the forefront of the debate, and he is leading the charge for creators to be treated fairly by working to modernize laws and policies that govern the music industry.”
Israelite added, “Serving music publishers and songwriters as NMPA’s President and CEO has been the greatest honor of my career. Working with the NMPA Board is a privilege, and I am grateful that they have asked me to continue leading the fight on behalf of all songwriters and music publishers.”
Israelite is responsible for overseeing all aspects of NMPA’s operations, from legal strategy and implementation to government affairs and advocacy. NMPA’s legal program has amassed over $600 million for songwriters and music publishers.
Prior to leading NMPA, Israelite held high level posts in various capacities for the U.S. government including at the Department of Justice where he was appointed Chairman of the Department’s Task Force on Intellectual Property and in the U.S. Senate where he was chief of staff for Missouri Senator Kit Bond. Israelite earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri and his undergraduate degree from William Jewell College. David lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and two daughters.
Ryan Griffin Signs Publishing/Development Deal With busbee, BMG Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Dan Franquemont (Morris Higham); Nate Ritches (Morris Higham); Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig, LLP); Clint Higham (Morris Higham); Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham); Ryan Griffin; Talia Griffin; busbee; Daniel Lee (BMG)
Artist/songwriter Ryan Griffin has entered into a joint publishing and development deal with songwriter/producer busbee and BMG Nashville.
A client of management firm Morris Higham, Griffin has amassed over four million streams on Spotify and was a recent Highway Find on Sirius XM’s The Highway. He has opened for Old Dominion, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, and more, and was the cowriter on Kelsea Ballerini’s No. 1 single “Dibs.” Ryan and busbee recently recorded his first project, which is slated for release in early 2018.
Griffin visited the MusicRow offices earlier this year to preview music from his recent EP, Sake of the Summer, which features the track, “Back Seats and Burnt CDs.”
Save The Date: 2018 MusicRow Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading trade publication, is proud to announce the date for its 2018 invite-only MusicRow Awards, to be held Wednesday, June 27, 2018 (evening).
The invitation-only, evening event will feature award presentations for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year and Breakthrough Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Winners of these categories will be determined by the votes of subscribed members to MusicRow.
In addition, the publication will announce recipients of the 2018 Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards. These honors are determined by tabulating the work of Nashville’s session players. Each player earns one credit for each instrument played on any qualifying album, making the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Album Chart during MusicRow’s eligibly period.
Invitations with time and location, in addition to ballots for the 30th Annual MusicRow Awards, will be sent to MusicRow print subscribers in 2018. To become a subscribed member to MusicRow, click here.
Read more about last year’s exciting event: Bobby Karl Works The Room: 2017 MusicRow Awards
Video is from 2016 event
60th Annual Grammy Nominations Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonNominees were announced for the upcoming 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Tuesday morning (Nov. 28).
Chris Stapleton earned three nods, with “Either Way” up for Best Country Solo Performance and From A Room: Vol. 1 up for Best Country Album, and “Broken Halos” up for Best Country Song.
Little Big Town earned Grammy nods for Best Country Song (“Better Man”), Best Country Album (The Breaker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Better Man”). Taylor Swift is nominated in the Best Country Song category, as the sole writer behind Little Big Town’s “Better Man.”
Midland earned two nominations, with “Drinkin’ Problem” up for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” earned two nominations, for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.
Lady Antebellum also earned two nominations. Heart Break is up for Best Country Album, and “You Look Good” is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Miranda Lambert also earned two nominations, with “Tin Man” up for Best Country SonG and Best Country Solo Performance.
“Arkansas Farmboy,” a track from the late Glen Campbell‘s final Adios album, earned a nod for Best American Roots Performance, as did “I Never Cared For You,” a track from Alison Krauss’ Windy City album.
Reba McEntire‘s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, was also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album.
Notably, there were no country nominees in overall categories Best New Artist and Album of the Year.
Already a 21-time GRAMMY winner, JAY-Z leads with eight nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar (7), Bruno Mars (6), Childish Gambino (5), Khalid (5), No I.D. (5), and SZA (5). Selected from more than 22,000 submissions across 84 categories, the nominations showcase some of the most gifted music makers of the past awards year (Oct. 1, 2016–Sept. 30, 2017). As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY is voted on by the Recording Academy’s membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers.
“I’m inspired by this year’s nominees and the incredible talent each possesses,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their recordings are a true testament to how creatively alive and meaningful our music industry has become. Each nominee uses their craft to inspire, uplift, and tell stories of our world through their artistry. They provide a vibrant soundtrack that represents the highest level of excellence and continues to impact and reflect our culture.”
The final round of GRAMMY voting is Dec. 7–21, 2017. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards® on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, live from Madison Square Garden in New York and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 7:30–11:00 p.m. ET/4:30–8:00 p.m. PT.
Best Country Song (A songwriter’s award):
“Better Man,” Taylor Swift, songwriter (Little Big Town)
“Body Like A Back Road,” Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Sam Hunt)
“Broken Halos,” Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne & Mark Wystrach, songwriters (Midland)
“Tin Man,” Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
Best Country Solo Performance:
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Losing You,” Alison Krauss
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert
“I Could Use A Love Song,” Maren Morris
“Either Way,” Chris Stapleton
Best Country Album:
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton
Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
“It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne
“My Old Man,” Zac Brown Band
“You Look good,” Lady Antebellum
“Better Man,” Little Big Town
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
Best Americana Album:
Southern Blood — Gregg Allman
Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb
Beast Epic — Iron & Wine
The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Brand New Day — The Mavericks
Best American Roots Performance:
“Killer Diller Blues,” Alabama Shakes
“Let My Mother Live,” Blind Boys Of Alabama
“Arkansas Farmboy,” Glen Campbell
“Steer Your Way,” Leonard Cohen
“I Never Cared For You,” Alison Krauss
Best American Roots Song:
“Cumberland Gap,” David Rawlings
“I Wish You Well,” The Mavericks
“If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
“It Ain’t Over Yet,” Rodney Crowell Featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White
“My Only True Friend,” Gregg Allman
Record Of The Year:
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars
Album Of The Year:
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars
Song Of The Year:
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
Best New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Something Just Like This” — The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“Thunder” — Imagine Dragons
“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man
“Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara
Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Migration — Bonobo
3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk
Mura Masa — Mura Masa
A Moment Apart — Odesza
What Now — Sylvan Esso
Best Rock Performance:
“You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen
“The Promise” — Chris Cornell
“Run” — Foo Fighters
“No Good” — Kaleo
“Go To War” — Nothing More
Best Rap Album:
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator
Best Gospel Album:
Crossover — Travis Greene
Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria
Close — Marvin Sapp
Sunday Song — Anita Wilson
Let Them Fall In Love — Cece Winans
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Rise — Danny Gokey
Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher
Lifer — MercyMe
Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells
Chain Breaker — Zach Williams
Best Latin Pop Album:
Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba
Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes
Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Cuidad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia
Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade
El Dorado — Shakira
Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone), Track from La La Land
“How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho), Track from Moana: The Songs
“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker) — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (ZAYN & Taylor Swift), Track from Fifty Shades Darker
“Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Gregg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia), Track from Lion
“Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common), Track from Marshall
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Calvin Harris
No I.D.
Greg Kurstin
Blake Mills
The Stereotypes
For a full list of nominees, visit grammy.com.
Buster Phillips Joins WME’s Nashville Office
/by Jessica NicholsonBuster Phillips
WME’s Nashville office has added Buster Phillips as a rock agent, a move that follows last week’s announcements that Scott Clayton and Matthew Morgan have joined the agency. Phillips, Clayton and Morgan all join WME from CAA.
At CAA, Phillips led the college booking group and later became Co-Head of their festival booking group. Phillips is currently a member of Leadership Music.
During his career, Phillips has worked with Gov’t Mule, Iron & Wine, Third Eye Blind, The Wallflowers, Kathleen Edwards, Lori McKenna, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Low Cut Connie, Savannah Conley, The Record Company, Devon Gilfillian, The War and Treaty, Amasa Hines, and Marlon Williams, among others.
CRB Releases Agenda Preview For 2018 Country Radio Seminar
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has revealed an early version of its agenda for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7, 2018, at the Omni Nashville. The preliminary agenda details were released in advance of the CRS 2018 regular rate registration deadline, which is Dec. 5.
Every year, Country Radio Seminar serves as host to experts in technology, social media, imaging, talent and programming. The three-day event will once again feature educational seminars, numerous performances, networking opportunities and panels that cover all areas of the radio and records industry.
Greg Frey, VP/Programming Operations of Cumulus Media, Inc. and CRS Agenda Committee Chairman commented, “I’m proud of the work done by the Agenda Committee who has put together a seminar full of innovative and powerful panels, speakers and workshops. CRS continues to stand as the premier event for the radio industry and provides quality, actionable information to our attendees that they can utilize to improve ratings and revenue. Highlights of CRS 2018 include two research studies, presented by CMA and Edison Research, and a ground-breaking talk from Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner. Plus, familiar favorites like the PD Mentoring Breakfast are back along with a few awesome surprises that are yet to be announced. Most notably, in light of recent events, a ‘sea change’ is taking place. We have an obligation to our industry to speak on the areas of personal responsibility, sexual harassment, and treating others with dignity and respect. This hot topic discussion is one of today’s biggest issues that is currently shaking the foundation of our industry and will be addressed in this year’s agenda.”
The CRS 2018 Agenda-At-A-Glance includes: (subject to change)
Monday, Feb. 5
3:00- 3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Sponsored by Sarah Cannon
3:30- 4:00 p.m. Artist Humanitarian Award & Tom Rivers Award Presentation
4:00-5:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception, Sponsored by CMA and Live Nation
7:00 – 9:30 p.m. CRS Monday Night Musical Event
9:45 p.m. CRS After Hours
Tuesday, Feb. 6
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Programming Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Label Mentoring Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Sales Mentoring Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Miles Adcox: Intentional Thinking, How to Take Control of Your Life
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Edison Research Presentation
11:30 – 1:50 p.m. UMG Nashville Lunch and Performance
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Small Market 101: Raising Your Bottom Line, One Strategy at a Time
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Facebook: Like It, Love it, Share It!
3:30 – 4:20 p.m. Radio Today with Cumulus Media’s CEO, Mary Berner
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. On-Air Talent Mentoring Happy Hour
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. CRS After Hours
Wednesday, Feb. 7
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, Sponsored by NuVoodoo Media
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Digital & Tech Breakfast
9:00-9:50 a.m. Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. CMA Research Presentation
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. No Artists, No Problem: Revenue Generating Ideas
11:00 -11:50 a.m. Podcasting: Where the Passion Pays Off
11:00 -11:50 a.m. The Matrix of the Metrics
Noon – 1:50 p.m. Big Machine Label Group Lunch and Performance
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. Radio 2025
2:00 – 2:50 p.m. You Are A Brand: How to Build a Fan Base You Can Monetize
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Surprise Artist Interview, Sponsored by BMI
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. New Faces Cocktail Reception, Sponsored by Riser House Entertainment
6:30 – 10:00 p.m. New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance, Sponsored by ACM & St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital -*Performances Powered by Live Nation
10:00 p.m. CRS After Hours