Chris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone
Chris Stapleton brought his “All-American Road Show” to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday (Aug. 9) and Saturday night (Aug. 10) and showcased some of the best musicianship that Music City has to offer.
The singer, who has won 10 Grammys, 16 CMA and 19 ACM Awards, was in top form when he stepped on stage. The crowd was warmed up with music from Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, who were truly fabulous playing Stuart’s classics in the country music songbook. Nikki Lane crushed her opening spot of her and her band’s “biggest show ever,” playing several fan-favorites that got everyone buzzing.
Backstage at Chris Stapleton’s Bridgestone Arena show. Photo: Thomas Falcone
Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” stage was the perfect setting to display his once-in-a-generation talent. The floor, covered in Persian rugs, was lined with Edison bulbs in the front. Above the band was a glowing lantern that looked like a disco ball, and behind them were shelves of lighting and a large cork triangle, flanked by swooping velvet curtains.
When it came time for him to play, he and his band walked out with no bells and whistles, leading the crowd to roar. He took off with his Grammy-winning “White Horse,” following it with “Nobody to Blame” and “Second One to Know.”
Stapleton then took some time to address the crowd, directing fans to pass their signs to the side of the stage to be signed, so that everyone could see. The humble performer let everyone know that he wasn’t going to be talking much—not that anyone expected him to, as he’s been known to let the music do the talking. He shared his gratitude and got on with the show.
Stapleton and his stellar band treated Nashville to a string of beloved hits from albums Starting Over as well as From A Room: Volume 1 and Volume 2, the history-making Traveller and his 2023 project Higher. Fans swooned to his expertly-crafted love songs like “Millionaire,” “Think I’m in Love With You,” “Starting Over,” “Joy of My Life” and “You Should Probably Leave”—all of which featured the love and musical partnership between him and wife Morgane. The audience nodded their heads as the couple blasted out his rockers “Hard Livin’,” “Might as Well Get Stoned” and “Arkansas.”
Chris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone
A highlight of the night came when Stapleton commanded the stage with just an acoustic guitar. The arena wailed when he broke out his 2013 classic, “What Are You Listening To?” which he introduced as his “first song [he had] on the radio that peaked at No. 46.”
He invited Morgane back out for another special moment. The two performed “Where Rainbows Never Die,” a song from his SteelDrivers days that was written by Mike Henderson, who passed away last year.
The last 45 minutes of the show were a feast for the senses. Stapleton showed off his virtuoso pipes on “Cold,” and got the arena partying on a mash-up of “Free Bird” and “The Devil Named Music.” He touched 20,000 hearts with his iconic “Traveller,” gave the same hearts a good ache with “Fire Away” and held a feel-good sing-along with “Broken Halos.”
In the ultimate grand finale, Stapleton sang his 14-time Platinum mega-hit “Tennessee Whiskey.” Fans wouldn’t let him off the hook so soon, though, leading to a two-song encore of “Whiskey and You” and “Outlaw State of Mind.”
UMG & Meta Expand Global Agreement
/by Liza AndersonUniversal Music Group (UMG) and Meta have expanded their global, multi-year agreement with the goal of further evolving the creative and commercial opportunities for UMG artists and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) songwriters across Meta’s global network of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads and, for the first time, WhatsApp.
The expanded agreement builds upon the strategic framework the two companies established with their 2017 landmark deal, which ushered in a new era of collaboration between the music industry and Meta, known then as Facebook. Under the 2017 agreement, UMG became the first major music company to license its recorded work and music publishing catalogs across Facebook’s programs, leading it to become music’s first fully-licensed partner among the major social media platforms.
The companies have since worked together to explore new emergent channels and creative ways for licensed music to thrive within the entire Meta ecosystem, including Facebook, Instagram, virtual reality experiences across Meta Quest and Horizon, User Generated Content (UGC), live streaming and more. This new deal extends monetization opportunities for UMG with short form video, and aims to carve new paths by licensing music for WhatsApp.
“We are thrilled to announce our renewal with Universal Music Group, and Universal Music Publishing Group, both of whom are innovators for music on social media, especially with regard to Meta’s family of apps,” says Tamara Hrivnak, VP of Music & Content Business Development, Meta. “This partnership builds on the recognition that music can help connect us and bring fans, artists and songwriters closer together, not only on established platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, but also in new ways on WhatsApp and more. We’re extremely grateful to the Universal team, and look forward to growing our partnership in the future.”
With a shared commitment to protecting human creators and artistry, while ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated fairly, Meta and UMG plan to continue to address unauthorized AI-generated content and other things that could affect artists and songwriters through their multifaceted partnership.
“Since our landmark 2017 agreement, Meta has consistently demonstrated its commitment to artists and songwriters by helping to amplify the importance music holds across its global network of engaged communities and platforms, creating new opportunities and applications where music amplifies and leads engagement and conversations,” notes Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer & EVP, UMG. “We are delighted that Meta shares our artist-centric vision for respecting human creativity and compensating artists and songwriters fairly. We look forward to continuing to work together to address unauthorized AI-generated content that could affect artists and songwriters, so that UMG can continue to protect their rights both now and in the future.”
Chris Stapleton Brings Two Nights Of Great Music To Bridgestone Arena
/by LB CantrellChris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone
Chris Stapleton brought his “All-American Road Show” to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday (Aug. 9) and Saturday night (Aug. 10) and showcased some of the best musicianship that Music City has to offer.
The singer, who has won 10 Grammys, 16 CMA and 19 ACM Awards, was in top form when he stepped on stage. The crowd was warmed up with music from Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, who were truly fabulous playing Stuart’s classics in the country music songbook. Nikki Lane crushed her opening spot of her and her band’s “biggest show ever,” playing several fan-favorites that got everyone buzzing.
Backstage at Chris Stapleton’s Bridgestone Arena show. Photo: Thomas Falcone
Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” stage was the perfect setting to display his once-in-a-generation talent. The floor, covered in Persian rugs, was lined with Edison bulbs in the front. Above the band was a glowing lantern that looked like a disco ball, and behind them were shelves of lighting and a large cork triangle, flanked by swooping velvet curtains.
When it came time for him to play, he and his band walked out with no bells and whistles, leading the crowd to roar. He took off with his Grammy-winning “White Horse,” following it with “Nobody to Blame” and “Second One to Know.”
Stapleton then took some time to address the crowd, directing fans to pass their signs to the side of the stage to be signed, so that everyone could see. The humble performer let everyone know that he wasn’t going to be talking much—not that anyone expected him to, as he’s been known to let the music do the talking. He shared his gratitude and got on with the show.
Stapleton and his stellar band treated Nashville to a string of beloved hits from albums Starting Over as well as From A Room: Volume 1 and Volume 2, the history-making Traveller and his 2023 project Higher. Fans swooned to his expertly-crafted love songs like “Millionaire,” “Think I’m in Love With You,” “Starting Over,” “Joy of My Life” and “You Should Probably Leave”—all of which featured the love and musical partnership between him and wife Morgane. The audience nodded their heads as the couple blasted out his rockers “Hard Livin’,” “Might as Well Get Stoned” and “Arkansas.”
Chris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone
A highlight of the night came when Stapleton commanded the stage with just an acoustic guitar. The arena wailed when he broke out his 2013 classic, “What Are You Listening To?” which he introduced as his “first song [he had] on the radio that peaked at No. 46.”
He invited Morgane back out for another special moment. The two performed “Where Rainbows Never Die,” a song from his SteelDrivers days that was written by Mike Henderson, who passed away last year.
The last 45 minutes of the show were a feast for the senses. Stapleton showed off his virtuoso pipes on “Cold,” and got the arena partying on a mash-up of “Free Bird” and “The Devil Named Music.” He touched 20,000 hearts with his iconic “Traveller,” gave the same hearts a good ache with “Fire Away” and held a feel-good sing-along with “Broken Halos.”
In the ultimate grand finale, Stapleton sang his 14-time Platinum mega-hit “Tennessee Whiskey.” Fans wouldn’t let him off the hook so soon, though, leading to a two-song encore of “Whiskey and You” and “Outlaw State of Mind.”
Luke Combs Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenLuke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey
Luke Combs has re-entered the top 10 on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Sitting at No. 9 this week, Combs is credited as a songwriter on “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” “Guy For That” and “Remember Him That Way.”
Zach Bryan remains in the No. 1 spot for the fifth consecutive week with “28,” “American Nights,” “Bass Boat,” “Better Days,” “Nine Ball,” “Oak Island,” “Pink Skies,” “Sandpaper” and “The Way Back.” Ashley Gorley stays at No. 2 with “Bulletproof,” “Cowgirls,” “I Am Not Okay,” “I Had Some Help,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Whiskey Whiskey” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights.”
Josh Phillips (No. 3), Chris Stapleton (No. 4) and Jessi Alexander (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Industry Ink: Whiskey Myers, Aaron Lewis, Sac Song & Wine Series, Country Music Cruise
/by LB CantrellWhiskey Myers Celebrate Five New RIAA Certifications
Pictured (L–R, seated): Fox & Friends’ Lawrence Jones, Steve Doocy, Rachel Campos-Duffy and Brian Kilmeade with Whiskey Myers’ Cody Cannon and John Jeffers; (L–R, standing): Cody Tate, Jamey Gleaves, Jeff Hogg and Tony Kent. Photo: Khris Poage
Whiskey Myers has added five more RIAA plaques to their shelf, with tracks “Stone” and “Bury My Bones” going Platinum, and “Reckoning,” “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” and “Lonely East Texas Nights” going Gold.
The genre-bending band was presented with the new hardware during an appearance on the Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series on Friday (Aug. 9). Whiskey Myers performed two Platinum-certified tunes “Bury My Bones” and “Broken Window Serenade” during their set as well as fan-favorite “Die Rockin’” plus “John Wayne” and “Feets” from their latest album, Tornillo.
Aaron Lewis Named A Pandora Billionaire
Aaron Lewis. Photo: Courtest of Absolute Publicity
During a sold-out stop in Pelham, Tennessee at The Caverns, Aaron Lewis was awarded with a Pandora Billionaires Plaque. The achievement marks over one billion Pandora streams for the country rocker. Lewis’ music will now be played on Pandora’s Country Billionaires station.
Earlier this year, he dropped his latest solo album, The Hill, via The Valory Music Co. The project topped the iTunes Country and All Genres chart upon its release and debuted at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums Chart.
Sarah Buxton & D. Vincent Williams Perform At Sac Song & Wine Series
Pictured (L–R): D Vincent Williams, Sarah Buxton and Sac Song & Wine Founder & Producer Randi Moody
The Sac Song & Wine Series returned to Miner’s Leap Winery in Clarksburg, California on Friday (Aug. 9). Songwriters Sarah Buxton and D. Vincent Williams performed some of their biggest hits as well as some unreleased music they are working on during the special night.
In its second year, the Sac Song & Wine Series brings hit songwriters from Nashville out to The Golden State to perform. Eric Paslay and Jay Allen will play the series on Sept. 20, while Chris Lindsey and Aimee Mayo will take over on Oct. 11.
Country Music Cruise Forms Partnership With Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
The Country Music Cruise and parent company StarVista LIVE have developed a new charitable relationship with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Beginning in January 2025, the cruise will feature fundraising and promotional activities such as a live auction and an exclusive cocktail party. All funds raised will directly support the nonprofit museum’s mission.
“We’ve had at least one Country Music Hall of Fame member perform on the Country Music Cruise every year since we started sailing in 2014, and our cruisers absolutely love their music and their presence on board,” says Mike Jason, President, StarVista LIVE. “This affiliation is a very natural way for us to support the mission of the museum.”
“For more than 55 years, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has relied on the generous support of the music community, including people from all over the world who appreciate the music’s beauty and cultural significance,” shares Ben Hall, Vice President of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “We are grateful for the support of the Country Music Cruise and StarVista LIVE for helping the museum continue its work to preserve and share the history of this enduring art form.”
Angie K Signs With Wasserman Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Huskins-Harris Business Management’s John Huelsman & Becky Harris, Manager JR Schumann, Angie K and Wasserman’s Nate Ritches, Audrey Edgley & Mike Betterton
Angie K has signed with Wasserman Music for worldwide representation and will be represented by the agency’s Nate Ritches.
The queer country artist first turned heads in Nashville with a nod to her Latin roots when her first single, the bilingual “Real Talk,” catapulted her onto the country scene as a Highway Find on SiriusXM’s The Highway. The 2024 CMT Listen Up Artist just released a new track “Death of Me,” which follows another recent release “Red Dirt on Mars.” She has been in the studio working on new music with songwriter/producer Stephony Smith, and is represented by JR Schumann for management.
“Angie’s diverse talent with broad appeal and potential excite us to see where her career will lead. We are honored and excited to be along for the ride and thankful JR Schumann asked us if we wanted a seat at the Angie K table,” shares Ritches.
Born in El Salvador and raised in Georgia, Angie K’s love for country music was nurtured from a young age. Her mother saved up to take her to the Grand Ole Opry, which has come full circle as she prepares to make her Grand Ole Opry debut this Friday (Aug. 16) fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“I’m absolutely pumped, it’s gonna be a hell of a year! Wasserman has always felt like so much more than an agency,” shares Angie K. “They understand that we build communities and create safe spaces for our fans to come together and have a great time. It’s more than booking shows, it’s being intentional with where we go, who we serve and putting the fans first while having a blast doing it. There is no where I’d rather be and no one we would rather start this next chapter with than Nate Ritches and the team at Wasserman. See y’all on the road!”
Midland To Headline Inaugural Feels Like Home Festival
/by Liza AndersonMidland is set to headline the inaugural Feels Like Home Festival, taking place on Oct. 19 in Brownwood, Texas at the new Brownwood Event Center.
“It’s an honor to headline the inaugural Feels Like Home Fest, only a couple hours from our hometown in Dripping Springs and Austin,” the group shares. “There is nothing like performing for our Texas fans, we can’t wait to be in Brownwood this fall.”
With an emphasis on showcasing Lone Star State talent alongside established national touring acts, the event will also feature performances by Casey Donahew, Micky and the Motorcars, Tyler Halverson and Hudson Westbrook.
Originally built as a warehouse for the Radford Grocery Company in the 1920s, the Brownwood Event Center is a multipurpose space for conventions, special events and premier concerts that seeks to incorporate modern elements while preserving the building’s industrial character. The reimagined Ice House building will house the festival’s main stage so that fans may spread out across the new open-air lawn, referred to as Reunion Lawn, which can accommodate up to 10,000 attendees.
“The City of Brownwood is ecstatic to host this incredible lineup of talent as the inaugural Feels Like Home Fest kicks off this October, at our beautiful new state-of-the-art Brownwood Event Center,” says Brownwood Mayor Stephen E. Haynes. “Headlined by a trio of fellow Texans thanks to the band Midland, we hope this all-ages outdoor fest will become a popular annual attraction that provides a long-lasting positive impact in the local community both economically and culturally.”
Tickets and passes will be available this Friday (Aug. 16), starting at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Sugarland Drops New EP ‘There Goes The Neighborhood’
/by Lorie HollabaughSugarland. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Sugarland has shared some brand new music with fans with a new EP, There Goes The Neighborhood, out now via Big Machine Records.
The four-song EP showcases Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush’s signature harmonies and features lyrics penned by an array of top songwriters including Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Rhett Akins, Ryan Hurd, Emily Weisband and more.
Sugarland celebrated their new music in New York City this morning with a debut performance of “There Goes The Neighborhood” while headlining TODAY’s Summer Concert series alongside tour-mates and friends Little Big Town. They’ll embark on the 2024 “Take Me Home Tour” this fall, kicking off on Oct. 24 in Greenville, South Carolina.
“I’m so excited to be out on the road again with Jennifer and with our dear friends Little Big Town. If that isn’t enough to get you screaming, we’re also putting out new music,” shares Bush. “For this EP, we decided to reach out to some of the best songwriters in Nashville and ask them to send us their best songs. Typically, we write or co-write most of our songs, but with a town full of the world’s best creators, why not experiment and see what we could find. Can’t wait to play these new ones loud and hear everyone sing along.”
“In a world that is increasingly becoming more digitally fabricated and fractured, it’s nice to play with the timeless wisdom of how ‘newer doesn’t always mean better’ throughout the new EP, and it’s always exciting to celebrate some new Sugarland music!” shares Nettles.
There Goes the Neighborhood EP Track List:
1. “There Goes The Neighborhood” | Connie Harrington, Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris
2. “Temporary Feeling” | Hannah Ellis, Josh Kerr, Emily Weisband
3. “Georgia is Yours” | Rhett Akins, Sam Ellis, Josh Kerr, Eric Olson, Thomas Rhett, Emily Weisband
4. “Get Your Hopes Up” | Johan Fransson, Mark Trussell, Emily Weisband
Applications Now Open: MusicRow’s 2024 Publisher Company Directory
/by MusicRow StaffApplications are now open for the company directory in MusicRow‘s upcoming Publisher Issue. Companies can apply for inclusion through Friday, Aug. 23. Previously included companies will be solicited separately.
Along with the directory with contact information for Nashville’s publishing community, the issue also features exclusive editorial content focused on this essential segment of the music business.
To submit your company for consideration, complete and submit this form.
For questions, please contact the MusicRow team at directory@musicrow.com.
To reserve ad space in the 2024 Publisher issue, contact srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.
Subscribe to MusicRow here to make sure you don’t miss the annual Publisher Issue.
Austin Williams Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Liza AndersonAustin Williams during his Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Rippy
Austin Williams made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday night (Aug. 7).
He performed the title track of his new EP, Broken Things Break Things, as well as his debut single, “Wanna Be Saved,” which has amassed more than 21 million streams.
The moment was truly significant for the Nashville native, who grew up 23 miles away from the Opry house, listening to WSM Radio with his great-grandfather every day. Williams took the stage surrounded by family, including his grandfather, who was recently diagnosed with cancer and dreamed he’d see his grandson step into the famous circle before his passing.
Additionally, the artist plans to hit the road on his first headlining run, the “Broken Things Break Things Tour,” next month.
CMHOFM Honors Sally Williams During 16th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R, back row): Angela Stefano Zimmer, Lorianne Crook, Sarah Trahern, Sally Williams, Nancy Shapiro, Michael Gray and Jaime Scruggs; (L–R, front row) Denise Stiff, Kay West, Bebe Evans and Kay Clary. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored industry executive Sally Williams during its 16th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Wednesday (Aug. 7).
Since 2007, the forum has recognized music industry leaders who continue the legacy of Scruggs, a businesswoman known for setting new professional standards in artist management. During an in-depth interview with the museum’s Angela Stefano Zimmer, Williams discussed her more than 30 years in music and entertainment working with established talent.
She is currently President of Nashville Music & Business Strategy for Live Nation Entertainment and co-manager of Grammy-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show. Williams first began promoting concerts while attending the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to joining Live Nation, she spent nearly two decades with Ryman Hospitality Properties/Gaylord Entertainment. After serving as General Manager of the Ryman Auditorium, Williams became Opry Entertainment Group’s Senior Vice President of Programming & Artist Relations as well as the Grand Ole Opry’s first female General Manager in 2017.
She has received numerous accolades from the ACM, International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), Nashville Business Journal and Pollstar, and was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2019, Williams was presented with the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award by the T. J. Martell Foundation and has continued to work with multiple business, civic and charitable organizations—assuming the roles of CMA Board of Directors Chair, Leadership Music President and Opry Trust Fund President.
The forum was filmed and will be available to stream on the museum’s website later this year.