Tucker Wetmore Talks Making ‘Waves On A Sunset’ With Debut EP [Interview]

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Tucker Wetmore. Photo: Jarrod Anthonee

Tucker Wetmore made a big splash in the sea of country music with Gold-certified singles “Wine Into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You,” earning over 400 million streams in six months, and has continued to swim toward success.

After supporting Kameron Marlowe‘s “Strangers Tour” earlier this year, he signed with UMG Nashville’s EMI Records imprint in partnership with Back Blocks Music and had fans swarming the Hard Rock Stage during his CMA Fest performance. Wetmore then had two tracks featured on the Twisters soundtrack, “Already Had It” and “Steal My Thunder (with Conner Smith),” and stepped into the Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time before hitting the road on Luke Bryan‘s 15th annual “Farm Tour.”

Last week, he released his debut EP, Waves On A Sunset, and embarked on his inaugural headlining run of the same name. Wetmore recently spoke with MusicRow about the new project and the evolution of his artistry thus far.

Since moving in Nashville in 2020, the Kalama, Washington native has been working to consistently improve his writing skills, approaching his craft with the same mindset with which he approached sports growing up, while developing a sound that truly reflects his individual style.

“If you want to be better, you have to practice. So that’s what I’ve been doing for the past five years of my life—writing, writing, writing,” says Wetmore. “I make the kind of music that I would want to listen to and that excites me.”

Serving as a co-writer five of the EP’s eight tracks, including opening number and latest single “Silverado Blue,” he often starts by finding a melody that he can pour his personal experience into.

“It’s hard for me to write lyrics if there isn’t a melody, that’s just how my brain works. But there are times where I’ll bring in an idea and [my collaborators] will help me work through that. It just depends on the day and the writers,” Wetmore notes. “Songwriting is storytelling, so sometimes you pull inspiration from things that you’ve seen or heard that didn’t necessary happen to you. But, for the most part, I draw from my own experience so that I can relate to [the song] and make it into something that others can relate to as well.”

Waves On A Sunset also features three outside cuts: “Break First,” “When I Ain’t Lookin'” and “Mister Miss Her.” He recalls a phone call he had with Michael Tyler while in the studio, during which Tyler shared that he, Matt Roy, Lauren Hungate and Matt Dragstrem had a song he thought would be perfect for Wetmore. At first listen, the artist fell in love with the tune, which turned out to be “Break First,” and ended up recording it that same day. This week, he unveiled its accompanying visual.

“These are songs written by my buddies that I’m proud of,” says Wetmore. “That’s what Nashville is about—bringing up others with you, especially your friends. I’m a firm believe in the community that Nashville has to offer. I’m not afraid to cut an outside song, especially if I’m proud of my buddies for writing it.”

When it comes to taking his music to the stage, he takes advantage of every opportunity possible to learn from the established entertainers he’s joined on tour.

“It’s truly inspiring to watch how they carry themselves and interact with others. I’m just a sponge who’s here to absorb as much as I can, and that’s something I’ll continue to do. The best advice I’ve gotten is to just show up. We all have our bad days and personal things come up, but it’s so important to show up and give it your all every single day because it isn’t just about you.”

Wetmore hopes to whet fans’ appetites with Waves On A Sunset, because he’s just getting started.

“What I want people to take away from this EP is the excitement for more. This is me introducing himself, and it was really hard to pick eight songs because I have more to say. We’re just scratching the surface.”

Waves On A Sunset Track Listing:
1. “Silverado Blue” (Tucker Wetmore, Brett Sheroky, Dan Wilson)
2. “Wine Into Whiskey” (Tucker Wetmore, Jacob Hackworth, Justin Ebach)
3. “You, Honey” (Tucker Wetmore, Josh Thompson, Michael Lotten)
4. “Wind Up Missin’ You” ( Tucker Wetmore, Thomas Archer, Chris LaCorte)
5. “Break First” (Michael Tyler, Matt Roy, Lauren Hungate, Matt Dragstrem)
6. “When I Ain’t Lookin’” (Austin Goodloe, Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Tucker Beathard)
7. “What Would You Do?” (Tucker Wetmore, Gabe Foust, Jacob Hackworth, Jaxson Free)
8. “Mister Miss Her” (Blake Pendergrass, Jaxson Free, Chris LaCorte)

Christian Industry Veteran Dottie Leonard Miller Passes

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Dottie Leonard Miller

Dorothy “Dottie” Leonard Miller, founder and CEO of Daywind Music Group and New Day Christian Distributors and co-founder of Billy Blue Records, passed away today (Oct. 11). She was 79.

A member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, artists and songwriters Miller has worked with have garnered countless Dove Awards, Singing News Fan Awards, BMI Christian Music Awards, Grammy nominations, one Grammy Award and over 125 No. 1 songs.

Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Miller didn’t discover her professional calling until later in life. While raising two children in Hendersonville, Tennessee as a single mother, she gained business knowledge through clerical work at an accounting firm and a law firm, sales experience selling Jhirmack hair products and political savvy working for the Democratic Party of Tennessee on campaigns for Senator Jim Sasser, President Jimmy Carter and others. She also worked a second job in ER admissions at Hendersonville Hospital to make ends meet.

On a whim, she applied for a receptionist position at Calvary Records in Nashville, which brought her into the music industry. She later worked with radio stations and Christian bookstores to promote Gospel artists like the Hinsons, the Telestials and others.

After a stint with Windchime Records, Miller started New Day Christian Distributors in 1981. The music distribution company was housed in her garage and focused initially on sheet music and albums by independent artists like Mike Adkins and Jimmy Swaggart.

New Day Christian Distributors became a one-stop shop for labels and independent artists in Christian music. When she discovered the need for product of her own, Miller started DayWind Soundtracks with her friend and former boss at Windchime, Ronnie Drake. DayWind Soundtracks began to provide tracks to Christian and Gospel singers around the world to sing to in church.

Later, Miller and Drake started DayWind Records with the Cumberland Boys as its first artist. The label has recorded the top Gospel artists of the past 35 years, including Greater Vision, the Crabb Family, Gold City, Karen Peck and New River, Brian Free and Assurance, Triumphant Quartet, Down East Boys, the Perrys, the Hoppers, Tribute Quartet, the Guardians, Jonathan Wilburn, the Steeles, Joseph Habedank, Scotty Inman, the Blackwood Brothers, the Nelons, Southbound, Lefevre Quartet, The Sound, High Road, Michael English, Truesong, Legacy Five and more.

Miller eventually added Daywind Music Publishing to the fold, as well as two recording studios and a cassette and CD manufacturing facility. She also created ventures Daywind Worship, Spiritus Distribution and Daywind Music Foundation.

In 2019, Miller joined forces with son Ed Leonard and renowned songwriter Jerry Salley to form bluegrass label Billy Blue Records, and later Billy Jam Records and Billy Blue Publishing. Billy Blue artists include Appalachian Road Show, Authentic Unlimited, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Tennessee Bluegrass Band, Carolina Blue, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Kristy Cox and Grasstime, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Bob Minner, Dave Adkins, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Donna Ulisse, Caroline Owens and more.

Miller’s legacy has been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Gospel Music Association, BMI, the Southern Gospel Music Guild, SingingNews Magazine and Absolutely Gospel Music.

Miller is survived by her daughter, Susan Leonard Sovine and grandchildren, Taylor McKellar and Kennedy Sovine; her son, Ed Leonard, his wife Kathleen, and their children Eddie Leonard, Mary Leonard, Evan Leonard, Aidan Leonard (Caroline Leonard), Rachael Zuckett (Joey Zuckett), Caroline Leonard, Ian Leonard, Liam Leonard and Emily Leonard; her great-grandchildren Leo Zuckett and Eloise Joyce; her sister, Cynthia Paranczak; and her longtime companion, Jere Miller. She was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Golt, and her parents, William and Dorothy Golt.

A celebration of life for Miller will be held at a later date.

The MLC Announces $2.5 Billion in Distributed Royalties At Fourth Annual Meeting

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The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) held its fourth annual membership meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 8). During the meeting, The MLC announced the re-selection of Oak Felder as a Songwriter Director for a second three-year term on the Class A Board of Directors along with the re-election of Publisher Representative Rell Lafargue and the newly elected Jason Rys as Publisher Director on the Class B Board of Directors. The organization also announced that the Class C Board of Directors would remain the same in 2025.

Alisa Coleman, Chair of The MLC Board of Directors, provided remarks on the organization’s progress over the past year, and the leadership team shared updates on key metrics. Since April 2021, the organization has enrolled over 47,000 members and completed all of its monthly royalty distributions on time. With over 42 million works in its public database, The MLC has achieved match rates of over 90 percent and totaled royalty distributions of nearly $2.5 billion.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we have received from our Members and industry partners,” says The MLC’s CEO, Kris Ahrend. “It is because of their support and partnership that we have been able to fulfill our mission so effectively and achieve these milestones. We remain committed to providing world-class service that empowers our Members, enhances transparency, drives innovation, and transforms the way rights are administered in the music industry. We look forward to continuing our work in the coming year to fulfill our mission of ensuring songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the United States accurately and on time.”

Additional metrics provided at the meeting include The MLC’s development and enhancement of its growing suite of tools, such as the newly released Overclaims Tool, which allows Members to register works, claim shares of previously registered works, and submit proposed matches for unmatched usage. The MLC has also made significant outreach and educational efforts, hosting over 350 in-person events to engage and educate the rightsholder community.

Julian Bunetta Signs With Sony Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Katie Welle, Julian Bunetta and Damon Bunetta. Photo: David OD

Multi-genre songwriter and producer Julian Bunetta has signed a global publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing.

With an expansive body of work that has exceeded 30 billion streams, Bunetta has achieved acclaim as a key collaborator with top talent including Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims, Thomas Rhett, One Direction, Niall Horan, Rudimental and many others.

Bunetta’s recent success includes co-writing and co-producing Carpenter’s top 40 No. 1 hit “Espresso,” which also topped Billboard’s Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts; and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” which became chart-toppers on top 40 and on the Billboard Hot 100, while also securing No. 1 spots on several airplay rankings including Pop, Adult Pop and Adult R&B.

Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Publishing, shares, “Julian and I have crossed paths many times since the beginning of his career, and it has been incredible to see all that he has accomplished. His continued success speaks volumes about his talent and integrity, and we are honored to be on this journey with him.”

“Julian is an exceptional talent who continues to up his game. His authenticity shines through in everything he works on, and he brings the best out of everyone,” adds Sony Music Publishing’s SVP of Creative Katie Welle. “We are excited to join forces with Julian and his team, and we look forward to further extending his success together.”

“I’m excited to be working with the Sony team. I’ve known Katie and Jon nearly my whole career and they’ve always been incredibly supportive of my songwriting,” Bunetta says.

Throughout his career, Bunetta has created iconic hits including One Direction’s “Story of My Life” and “Drag Me Down,” Niall Horan’s “Slow Hands,” Rudimental’s “These Days,” Rhett’s “Look What God Gave Her.” He contributed across Rhett’s 2017 Grammy-nominated album Life Changes, as well as his most recent album About A Woman.

Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Ella Langley To Perform At American Rodeo Championship

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Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green and Ella Langley are set to perform at the 12th Annual American Rodeo Championship Weekend on April 11-12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Teton Ridge’s American Rodeo Championship Weekend merges high-stakes rodeo action with performances from music stars. Fans can cheer on both rodeo’s reigning champions as well as underdog contenders who are chasing life-changing payouts. In 2024, a record-breaking $4.6 million was awarded to athletes, cementing The American Rodeo as one of the most lucrative events in western sports.

Two-day packages and Infield Party Passes go on sale today (Oct. 11). Single-day tickets will go on sale in January.

“The American Rodeo is where the grit of Western sports meets the energy of live music, and this year’s lineup is going to be truly special,” says Deirdre Lester, CEO of Teton Ridge. “Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green and Ella Langley represent the best of modern country, and we’re thrilled to bring that same spirit of authenticity and excitement to the heart of rodeo. Our goal is to create a weekend that’s unforgettable for fans, athletes, and music lovers alike, continuing to push the boundaries of what this event can be.”

Morgan Wallen Stays Atop MusicRow Radio Chart

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Morgan Wallen stays atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Lies Lies Lies.”

The track is part of his Abbey Road Sessions, released in celebration of his third studio album One Thing At A Time, and was written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross and Chris Tompkins.

Wallen was recently presented with a seven times-Platinum plaque for One Thing At A Time. Since its release, it has yielded seven No. 1 hits and stayed atop the all-genre Billboard 200 chart for 19 non-consecutive weeks—the most weeks at No. 1 for a country album in history—and was the most-streamed album of the year on Spotify.

“Lies Lies Lies” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 7 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

George Pippen Recalls ‘Magnolia Nights’ On Debut EP

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Photo: Jon Taylor Sweet

George Pippen has released his debut EP Magnolia Nights today (Oct. 11) via Virgin Music Group.

The six-song project serves as a compelling introduction to the Indiana native’s heartfelt and cinematic version of country-rock. Among the tracks featured on the EP are “Speedin’,” which Pippen originally released in August. The track landed on Apple Music’s New In Country and Spotify’s All New Country playlists upon release, making fans excited for more.

The track listing also includes “Indiana Knows My Name,” which has accumulated nearly 400,000 views on TikTok. Pippen also shares his journey on the project with two tracks, the first being a nod to the simple life with “Silence In The Suburbs,” and “I-65,” which was the first song Pippen wrote after moving to Nashville.

Before becoming an artist, Pippen worked as a tour manager and traveled all over North America and Europe while working for a plethora of artists in various genres. After getting some encouragement from his music industry friends, Pippen began exploring his own musical side and vocal talents, unveiling a passion for songwriting. Soon after, he moved from Los Angeles to Nashville to hone his craft.

He creates his songs with fiery spirit and full-hearted emotion, drawing from one of his main influences Tom Petty, while encompassing the sounds of classic country and modern-day indie-folk. Pippen is set to release his debut album in early 2025.

Pippen will celebrate the release of Magnolia Nights throughout the rest of the year on the road, with support slots slated with Megan Moroney and David Kushner on select dates.

Magnolia Nights Track Listing:
1. “I-65” (Aaron Chafin, George Pippen, Hank Compton)
2. “Midnight Magnolia Drawl” (Christian French, George Pippen, Warren Russell)
3. “Where I’ll Be” (Christian French, George Pippen, Warren Russell)
4. “Indiana Knows My Name” (Christian French, George Pippen, Robert D’Andrea)
5. “Silence In The Suburbs” (Christian French, George Pippen, Mike Robinson)
6. “Speedin'” (Christian French, George Pippen, Robert D’Andrea, Warren Russell)

Music Industry Veteran Marty Gamblin Passes

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Marty Gamblin. Photo: Courtesy of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center (The MAX)

Beloved music industry executive Marty Gamblin passed away on Wednesday (Oct. 9). He was 80.

Gamblin spent more than 40 years in the music business, during which time he worked closely with famed songwriter/performer Jim Weatherly and Glen Campbell’s publishing firm, where he influenced the career of Alan Jackson and more.

A native of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Gamblin started his career in high school and junior college booking R&B groups at local venues. He attended Mississippi State University and left to work as as a tour manager, promoter and booking agent at Vivace Music, where Weatherly was a client.

Gamblin moved to Nashville in the late ’70s to open Weatherly’s publishing company, Rip Keca Music. Artists including Ray Price, Charley Pride, Bob Luman and many more recorded Weatherly’s songs during Gamblin’s tenure, but his biggest hit came with Gladys Knight & the Pips’ recording of “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The tune hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus.

Gamblin became the President of Glen Campbell Music Group in 1982, where he would manage the careers of Alan Jackson, Bryan White, Dorothy Moore, Pearl River and Ruby Lovette. The company notched 16 No. 1 hits in his 20-year tenure through his representation of their writers’ catalogs, including Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” and “Chattahoochee,” Jimmy Webb’s Grammy-winning “Highwayman” Randy Travis’ “It’ Just a Matter of Time.”

Gamblin used his expertise to pay it forward. He was a member of the advisory board at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and served as a guest lecturer in the Recording Industry Management department at MTSU.

Gamblin returned to Mississippi in 2003 to work for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2006. He became the founding executive director of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center (The MAX), a museum that highlights the state’s contributions to art and entertainment, and transitioned to a consultant role for The MAX Hall of Fame/Walk of Fame in 2019.

Gamblin also served as a consultant for Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music. He was honored with a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail in 2019.

He is survived by wife Cherie and sons Josh and Caleb.

A visitation will take place at 563 East Main Street in Philadelphia, Mississippi starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 13). A funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m.

Grand Ole Opry’s ‘Opry Live’ Now Reaches 53 Million

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Lainey Wilson and Wynonna Judd perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Live show has expanded its broadcast reach and is now available to more than 53 million households across the U.S.

The expanded reach of weekly performances from the Opry stage in Nashville on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox networks in markets including Indianapolis, Austin and Oklahoma City marks a significant milestone in the Opry’s mission to showcase country to a broader audience than ever before. With this increased availability, more fans than ever can witness the unforgettable performances, hear the stories behind the songs and feel the energy that only the Opry stage can deliver. The Opry has been seen by audiences in more than 70 countries worldwide, and in addition to its broadcast reach, it already reaches a wide audience via livestream where weekly streams see an average of 300,000 viewers.

“We’re dedicated to offering greater accessibility and creating a deeper connection between our audience and the artists who define country music,” says Dan Rogers, SVP & Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry. “With Opry Live now reaching more homes, we’re continuing to build on the Opry’s legacy of uniting fans through the shared experience of live country music.”

Opry Live Schedule:
Oct. 12: Reba McEntire, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
Oct. 19: Little Big Town 10th Anniversary Show ft. Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Oak Ridge Boys, The Castellows, Ashley Ray, Shelby Lynn
Oct. 26: Big & Rich, Don McClean, Gretchen Wilson
Nov. 2: Gabby Barrett, Ashley Cooke, Carrie Underwood
Nov. 9: Veterans Day Special ft. Justin Moore, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan
Nov. 16: The Judds Tribute ft. Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, Mandy Barnett, Emily West, Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson ft. Ella Langley, The Isaacs, O.N.E. The Duo ft. Wendy Moten
Nov. 23: Cody Johnson, Ian Munsick, Drake Milligan
Nov. 30: Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Carin Leon
Dec. 7: Forrest Gump 30th Anniversary ft. Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band, Scotty McCreery, Jamey Johnson, Mandy Barnett, Madeline Edwards, Gary LeVox
Dec. 14: Opry Country Christmas: Scotty McCreery, The War And Treaty, Jon Pardi
Dec. 21: Lainey Wilson (Induction), Wynonna
Dec. 28: Tom Petty Tribute ft. Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Steve Earle

‘Christmas At Belmont’ To Stream Live On Amazon Music For The First Time

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Pictured (L–R): Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill

Belmont University’s annual “Christmas at Belmont” will stream live on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and Prime Video from the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, marking the concert tradition’s first appearance on a global streaming service, on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. CT. The event will also be available throughout the holiday season via video on demand.

This year’s show will feature over 600 student musicians and vocalists as well as performances by alumni Ashley Cooke, Cody Fry and Dwan Hill.

Since graduating with a corporate communications degree in 2019, rising artist Cooke has won a CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year and celebrated her first No. 1 hit, “Your Place.” After studying commercial music and graduating in 2012, singer-songwriter and composer Fry garnered attention for his approach to music production and has since earned a Grammy nomination for his orchestral version of “Eleanor Rigby,” collaborated with major symphony orchestras around the world and achieved success on platforms like TikTok. A 2008 music education graduate and 2013 master of music graduate, Multi-Grammy and GMA Dove Award winner and adjunct songwriting professor Hill recently established a partnership and funding from Belmont University’s Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith for his nonprofit organization, The Choir Room, which seeks to bring together a diverse mix of singers and musicians to exemplify a commitment to inclusive, community-driven music.

“This global showcase with Amazon Music is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our students and faculty. It’s a moment of celebration for our entire community as we share the joy of music and the spirit of Christmas with people around the world,” says Belmont University President Greg Jones. “As viewers tune in from across the globe, they’ll see our students and alumni applying years of rigorous training and collaborative creativity in real-time, illustrating why Belmont, located in the heart of Nashville, is a premier destination for aspiring artists and musicians.”