Josh Ross Leads 2024 CCMA Award Wins

/by

Josh Ross with his 2024 CCMA Awards

Rising country artist Josh Ross was the top winner at this year’s Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards, which took place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta on Saturday (Sept. 14).

MacKenzie Porter with her 2024 CCMA Award

Ross scored a trio of trophies, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for his hit single “Trouble.”

Additionally, MacKenzie Porter was crowned Female Artist of the Year, while James Barker Band won Group or Duo of the Year as well as the Fans’ Choice Award. Owen Riegling scored the Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year honor, and Jade Eagleson rounded out the night, winning the Ford F-150 Album of the Year for Do It Anyway.

2024 CCMA Award Winners: 

Entertainer of the Year, presented by Edmonton’s Best Hotels
Josh Ross

Ford F-150 Album of the Year
Do It Anyway – Jade Eagleson

Fans’ Choice Award
James Barker Band

Female Artist of the Year
MacKenzie Porter

Group or Duo of the Year
James Barker Band

Male Artist of the Year
Josh Ross

Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year
Owen Riegling

Single of the Year
“Trouble” – Josh Ross

2024 CCMA Industry Gala & Award Winners: 

Musical Collaboration of the Year
Honky Tonkin’ About – The Reklaws, Drake Milligan

Alternative Country Album of the Year
The Compass Project: West Album – Brett Kissel

Songwriter(s) of the Year, presented by SOCAN
Old Dirt Roads (Artist: Owen Riegling) – Owen Riegling

Top-Selling Album of the Year
One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen

Top-Selling Canadian Album of the Year
Complicated – Josh Ross

Top-Selling Canadian Single of the Year
“Trouble” – Josh Ross

Video of the Year
“Chasing Tornadoes” – MacKenzie Porter

Bass Player of the Year
Lisa Jacobs

Drummer of the Year
Rich DaSilva

Fiddle Player of the Year
Linsey Beckett

Guitar Player of the Year, presented by PRS Guitars
Chris Bray, Brennan Wall

Keyboard Player of the Year
Brendan Waters

Specialty Instrument Player of the Year
Shane Guse

Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Matt McKay

Country Personality(ies) of the Year
Jackie Rae Greening (CFCW)

Radio Station of the Year (Large Market)
CFCW

Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market)
CKGY-FM

Booking Agency of the Year
Paquin Entertainment Group

Country Club of the Year
King Eddy (Calgary, Alberta)

Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year
Boots And Hearts Music Festival (Oro-Medonte, Ontario)

Country Music Program or Special of the Year
Boomers Canadian Club (Rogers Sports & Media)

Management Company of the Year
The Core Entertainment

Music Publishing Company of the Year, presented by CMRRA
Big Loud Publishing

Record Company of the Year
Big Loud Records

Industry Person of the Year
Lindsay Hyslop (BBR Music Group)

Creative Team or Designer of the Year
Bronwin Parks (Feisty Creative)

Recording Studio of the Year
MCC Recording Studio (Calgary, Alberta)

Record Producer(s) of the Year
Joey Moi – Album: Dallas Smith (Artist: Dallas Smith), Album: One Thing At A
Time (Artist: Morgan Wallen)

Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year
Apple Music

Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year
Brooke Dunford (Republic Live)

Video Director of the Year
Ryan Nolan

Innovative Campaign of the Year, presented by TD
“Blinding Lights” Case Study (Tebey)

AIMP Nashville Chapter Reveals Songwriter Series Class Of 2024

/by

Pictured (L-R, top row): Chase McDaniel, Jon Decious and Makayla Lynn. (L-R, bottom row): Wyatt McCubbin, Jared Conrad and Tyler Halverson

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers has revealed the 10th Annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2024. Selection for the list is strong predictor of future success in the music industry.

The Class of 2024 includes Jared Conrad (Big Yellow Dog), Tyler Halverson (Concord), Wyatt McCubbin (Tape Room/50 Egg), Makayla Lynn (Eclipse/Harvey Dog Music/Wrensong), Jon Decious (Reservoir/One Riot) and Chase McDaniel (Hang Your Hat Music).

All members of the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2024 were selected by a special committee made up of music industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville members. Each writer must not have had a song charting higher than a top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts.

These songwriters will perform during a live writers’ round on Sept. 25 at The Listening Room Café. Hosted by hitmakers Justin Ebach and Ryan Hurd, the event is open to both AIMP members and non-members. Those who wish to attend can purchase a ticket for $10 here.

Past performers at the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series have gone on to score chart-topping hits both as performers and as writers for prominent artists.

Last year’s Class of 2023 included Blake Pendergrass, Terri Jo Box, Mae Estes, Chris McKenna, Luke Preston, Zarni deVette and Lauren Hungate, while other former honorees include Rocky Block, Ben Chapman, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jenna LaMaster, Jared Scott, Dan Wilson, Brinley Addington, Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Hailey Whitters, Ash Bowers, Hannah Ellis, Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Kassi Ashton, Nicolette Hayford, Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, Ryan Beaver, Josh Jenkins, Dave Pittenger, Dillon Carmichael, Tiera, Brigetta, John Byron, Erin Kinsey, Meg McRee, Colton Venner, Caroline Watkins and more.

Country Hitmaker Tommy Cash Passes

/by

Tommy Cash 

Tommy Cash, noted for his country hit “Six White Horses,” died at home in Gallatin on Friday (Sept. 13) at age 84.

He was the brother of Country Music Hall of Fame icon Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and actively supported downtown Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum. That attraction’s founder, Bill Miller, described him as, “a very, very dear friend.. I knew him for over 50 years. Tommy Cash was….a very beloved member of our extended family as well as a highly respected member of the music industry.”

Tommy Cash was born in Dyess, Arkansas in 1940. He reportedly took up the guitar at age 16 after watching his brother perform. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and worked as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio Network in 1959-61. In his early days as a musician he played shows with Hank Williams Jr., landing a recording contract with Musicor in 1965 as his first label. Two of his early singles in 1968-69 on United Artists and Epic were written by future star Eddie Rabbitt.

In 1969, Tommy Cash released a song on Epic dedicated to John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Titled “Six White Horses,” the record became his biggest hit, rising to No. 4 on the country hit parade.

He followed it with two more top 10 hits in 1970. “Rise and Shine” was written by Carl Perkins. “One Song Away” was penned by Don Reid of The Statler Brothers.

The singer placed 19 titles on Billboard’s national country charts between 1968 and 1978. But he only made the top 20 twice more. In 1971, Reid and fellow Statler Lew DeWitt provided Cash with the hit, “So This Is Love.” In 1973, Cash made it to No. 16 with “I Recall a Gypsy Woman.” That song was also a 1981 success for B.J. Thomas and became a country evergreen. More than 45 other versions of “I Recall a Gypsy Woman” have been recorded, including versions by Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Jim Rooney, Hank Thompson, Doc Watson and J.D. Crowe & The New South.

Cash went on to record for Elektra, 20th Century, Monument, Indigo, Playback and other labels. On later records, he sang with George Jones, Marty Stuart, Tom T. Hall, Johnny Cash, Connie Smith and his son Mark Cash. His distinctive Cash baritone led to ad-jingle work for Pepsi, Burger King, GM, Beechnut, Santa Fe railroad and other entities.

As a songwriter, his works were recorded by Conway Twitty, Jean Shepard, Kitty Wells and Loretta Lynn, as well as his superstar older brother. He often toured overseas. During the 1990s, Tommy Cash became an entertainer in the country-theater tourism center of Branson, Missouri.

In addition to being the youngest brother of Johnny Cash, he was the brother of gospel’s Joanne Cash Yates and of the museum’s Reba Cash Hancock (1934-2006), plus the uncle of Rosanne and John Carter Cash. The names of his immediate survivors have not been issued.

Arrangements for Tommy Cash are entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation 104 Sanders Ferry Rd. Hendersonville, Tennessee (615) 822-4442. Visitation there is Wednesday, Sep. 18,, from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow. Interment will be in Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

Storme Warren Receives Charlie Daniels Patriot Award

/by

Storme Warren receives Charlie Daniels Patriot Award

Storme Warren, the host of Garth Brooks’ country station The BIG 615, was honored with The Charlie Daniels Patriot Award by The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project.

Warren received the award at the nonprofit’s annual awards dinner on Sept. 11 for his work with veteran causes. Throughout his career, Warren’s charitable work has cumulatively raised nearly $50 million through his involvement with The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, Operation Song and ACM Lifting Lives.

The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project supports veterans and their families and was co-founded by country legend Charlie Daniels, with his longtime manager, David Corlew. Each year the organization honors individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies the mission by supporting veterans in their return, rehabilitation and reintegration back into civilian life.

Warren was also recently honored with the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award, which recognizes individuals in the country radio industry who demonstrate a magnanimous spirit of caring and generosity in serving their community.

“I think the one thing we all need now more than ever is hope. And hope only comes from watching those around us,” says Brooks. “Storme is constantly that guy…that guy who is there for you when you need someone the most. It makes perfect sense to honor Storme for all he does for our military, past, present and future. Congrats Storme.”

Daniels was an instrumental figure in Warren’s career, encouraging him to make the move from Los Angeles to Nashville to focus on country music. He even provided a reference for Warren’s first job in Nashville on The Nashville Network’s show Today’s Country.

“Charlie and I met Storme in the early stages of his musical career,” says Corlew, co-founder of The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project. “We have walked the musical path with Storme and he joined us in our journey with veterans. He’s been with us from the beginning as an avid supporter of the Journey Home Project. Tonight is the culmination of that friendship, brotherhood and our collective mission to support the men and women of the U.S. military. This organization owes a debt of gratitude to Storme for his commitment, his friendship and his always can-do spirit.”

“We’re proud to work with Storme. There is no one who brings more heart to everything they do,” says Rich Stern, CEO of TuneIn. “Storme and the team at The BIG 615 are making an impact on and off the radio through their involvement with important organizations. This is a well-deserved honor for Storme.”

Breland Drops New Single, Slates Six-Track Project For October Release

/by

Single art for “Icing.” Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo

Artist, writer and producer Breland has released his new single “Icing” as a first taste of his upcoming Project 2024 EP, set to release Oct. 18 via Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. The up-tempo track features driving rhythms, dirty guitars and Breland’s signature vocals.

Co-written by Breland, Jared Griffin, Rufio Hooks and Autumn Buysse and produced by Sam Sumser, Sean Small and Noby Sidez, “Icing” details a euphoric relationship with a partner who has it all.

“I’ve always loved playing around on the periphery of country music, and ‘Icing’ has all my favorite flavors of southern gospel with an old-school soul flare,” shares Breland. “It was a simple concept—this woman has everything you could want; work ethic, faith, a good head on her shoulders, she’s even got a 401k. The fact that she’s got cake is just the icing. Once I hit that run at the end of the chorus, I knew I had to follow it up with a proper scream, because this song is pure energy to me.”

YouTube video

A special remix of the track was showcased on CBS’s NFL Today broadcast last Sunday (Sept. 8), along with a video package featuring NFL Today’s hosts.

Currently, Breland is on the road with Teddy Swims’ “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour” throughout the summer and fall. The tour includes stops in Madison, Wisconsin; Columbus, Ohio; Albany, New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Project 2024 EP Track List:
1. “Grandmaman’em”
2. “Icing”
3. “What You’ve Been Through”
4. “Motion”
5. “Run”
6. “Same Work (Feat. The War And Treaty)”

In Pictures: Luke Bryan Celebrates Upcoming Album With A Fun Afternoon On The Farm

/by

Luke Bryan celebrates new album. Photo: Evan Harney

Earlier this week, Luke Bryan invited industry members out to Green Door Gourmet in west Nashville to hear some new tunes from his forthcoming eighth studio album, Mind Of A Country Boy, out Sept. 27 via Capitol Records Nashville.

Photo: Evan Harney

Attendees enjoyed themed cocktails and beers, boiled peanuts and other snacks in the beautiful weather. They were also able to select a custom embroidered hat and take home peanuts and farm vegetables as party favors.

Bryan performed a few songs from Mind Of A Country Boy inside the barn at Green Door Gourmet. Some of the songwriters that helped craft the 14-track project were in attendance, and the singer highlighted them throughout the afternoon.

“Thank you to everybody who was a part of this album and all of my albums,” Bryan said to the room of supporters. “It’s an honor to have you guys here.”

Photo: Evan Harney

He performed the album’s title track, his 30th No. 1 hit “Country On,” his rising radio single “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” and new ones “Country Song Came On,” “Pair Of Boots,” “Kansas” and “She’s Still Got It.”

Bryan will launch his 15th annual “Farm Tour” next week, taking his new and beloved music to stages in the fields of local farms. Special guests this year include Conner Smith, Tucker Wetmore, the Peach Pickers (songwriters Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins with guest Rodney Clawson) and DJ Rock.

Photo: Evan Harney

Photo: Evan Harney

Jordan Fletcher To Unveil New EP ‘Classic’

/by

Jordan Fletcher is gearing up for the release of his sophomore EP, Classic, on Sept. 27 via Triple Tigers.

Fletcher, who is an accomplished songwriter with cuts by Jake Owen, Megan Moroney and Ella Langley, is taking the reins as an artist and forging his own path in country with the new project.

“Classic is a reflection of my evolution as a person, a songwriter, and an artist,” says Fletcher. “It captures the sounds I grew up with and paints the story I’ve spent my entire career trying to tell. That being said, I hope it takes you back home, I hope it takes you somewhere new, I hope it makes you think, and most of all, I hope you love it as much as we do.”

He has released two tracks from the EP, summertime love story “Fall in the Summer” and poignant “About Jill.”

Classic Track Listing:

  1. Fall in the Summer
  2. Classic
  3. Hot Truck Beer
  4. California Queen
  5. No Place Like Home
  6. About Jill

Kelli Belles Signs Publishing & Record Deal With Deluge Music

/by

Pictured (L–R): Deluge Records Nashville’s Sam Grow, East Music Row Records’ Johnny Gates, Deluge Music’s David Robkin, Kelli Belles, Deluge Music’s Stephanie Greene and Deluge Records Nashville’s Brad Austin

Kelli Belles, known by her stage name Belles, has signed a global publishing deal with Deluge Music as well as a global record deal with its label arm, consisting of Deluge Records Nashville and East Music Row Records.

With her mother being a part of the sister pop group Mulberry Lane, the Nebraska native was surrounded by music at a young age and started to gain experience by touring with her mother’s group and performing as a mother-daughter duo.

Since moving to Nashville in 2018, Belles has worked alongside established writers, such as Reid Isbell, Jenn Schott, Heath Warren, Johnny Gates and Ned Cameron, and has shared the stage with celebrated country acts, including Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldridge and Lee Brice.

Having amassed 70 million cumulative views and streams of her original songs on all platforms, she aims to write music that makes her audience feel empowered, confident and understood and hopes to keep sharing more original work this fall on her “Trust Issues Tour.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Belles to the Deluge family. Her authentic storytelling, captivating voice and undeniable talent make her a perfect fit for our roster,” says David Robkin, Deluge Music Founder. “We’re excited to support her as she continues to turn heads in the country music world.”

“I am beyond excited to join Deluge Music, Deluge Records Nashville and East Music Row Records. This partnership feels like the perfect fit, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate and supportive team,” shares Belles. “I’m excited for the journey ahead, and I’m ready and excited to embrace the future of my music career.”

Clint Black, Scotty McCreery, More Perform At CMHOFM ‘All For The Hall Dallas’ Benefit

/by

Pictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery, Clint Black, Carly Pearce and Robert Earl Keen at “All for the Hall Dallas.” Photo: Celeste Smith for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Clint Black, Robert Earl Keen, Scotty McCreery and Carly Pearce took the stage at the second ever “All for the Hall Dallas” event on Tuesday night, (Sept. 10) at Gilley’s Dallas.

The intimate guitar pull and auction raised more than $375,000 for the nonprofit museum’s educational programs, including its flagship Words & Music program, which is provided within the Dallas Independent School District and beyond and promotes language arts by pairing professional songwriters with school classrooms to create original songs.

Black set the tone for the main event of “All for the Hall Dallas” as he chatted amiably with the crowd at Gilley’s Dallas before performing his first song, his 1997 hit “Something That We Do.” He made it clear that this concert would be an informal and intimate experience — just the performers, their guitars and their observations on music and life. The four artists traded songs they had written, and also plenty of humor throughout the 75-minute show.

For the audience at “All for the Hall Dallas,” those special moments also included Black encouraging the crowd to guess the rhymes in his 2015 song “Better and Worse;” Pearce refusing to play her final song until Black, who used his last song to cover Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams, sang his own classic, “Killin’ Time;” and Keen, despite the holidays still being more than two months away, jovially performing “Merry Christmas from the Family.”

The two-day musical event kicked off on Sept. 9, with a performance by Midland at a Patron Party at the home of Anne and Steve Stodghill, honorary co-chairs of the event.

Dasha Drops ‘What Happens Now? Deluxe’

/by

Dasha. Photo: Acacia Evan

Dasha has expanded her What Happens Now? album with five new tracks on a new deluxe edition, out now via Warner Records.

Her latest single “Bye Bye Bye” finds her wrestling with the ups and downs of a toxic relationship.“Leaving Don’t Mean Goodbye” aims to highlight her delivery with a delicately-plucked banjo. On “Way Too Drunk,” she attempts to piece together a hazy night with a smile, and plunges listeners headfirst into some man drama with “Ain’t No Friend of Mine.”

“I’ve never really felt at home in any other space until the country genre. Releasing the deluxe version of What Happens Now? Feels like the end of an era,” says Dasha. “I’m really proud of this project and the chapter we created together, and it has set me up for even better and brighter things in the future. The world of country generously opened their arms so big for me and my debut. Artists like Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini and Keith Urban have really encouraged me to go bigger and bolder while doing what I love as a human and an artist. For that, I’ll be forever thankful.”

Her smash hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” just picked up a Platinum certification in the U.S. and seven countries around the globe.

Dasha is also set to take the stage at the Canadian Country Music Awards tomorrow (Sept. 14) and make her Grand Ole Opry return next Wednesday (Sept 18) in addition to continuing her “Dashville, USA” tour later this fall.

What Happens Now? Deluxe Track Listing:
  1. What Happens Now
  2. 42
  3. Drown Me
  4. Austin
  5. King of California
  6. Talk to the Town
  7. Even Cowboys Cry
  8. Share This City
  9. Bye Bye Bye
  10. Way Too Drunk
  11. Didn’t I?
  12. Ain’t No Friend of Mine
  13. Leaving Don’t Mean Goodbye