Jordan Davis, AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its ninth annual AIMP Nashville Country Awards on Monday night (April 1) at the Ryman Auditorium, honoring the best of Nashville’s independent songwriters and publishers. Presented by Spotify, the evening was emceed by Storme Warren.
Tim Hunze, AIMP Song Champion Award of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
This year’s Song of the Year was “Next Thing You Know,” performed by Jordan Davis who co-wrote the song with Josh Osborne, Chase McGill and Greylan James. Davis also took home Artist-Writer of the Year.
“I moved here in 2012 and dreamed about getting in the room to write songs with some of these people sitting in the front rows,” Davis said. “I never dreamed I would find the community and family that I have here in Nashville. I’m blessed to get to do this for a living—we all are.”
Morgan Wallen was awarded with the Songwriter of the Year honor. Big Loud Publishing was named Publisher of the Year, and the company’s Rocky Block took home the 2024 Rising Songwriter of the Year. Mae Estes won the Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.
John Byron, Josh Miller and Travis Wood, the writers of AIMP’s Publisher Pick of the Year “’98 Braves.” Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
“I’ve been independently published my whole career,” Block said when he took to the mic stand. “I want to thank Bob DiPiero for taking a chance on me a long time ago and Big Loud for doing such a great job with me the last few years.”
“This is unreal,” Estes said. “I’ve got to thank Kendall Warren and Stephanie Cox at Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt Music for believing in me.”
Wallen’s “’98 Braves,” written by Travis Wood, John Byron and Josh Miller, was selected as this year’s Publisher Pick. “Last Night,” written by Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome and Jacob “JKash” Kasher Hindlin, was recognized as the Most Streamed Country Song of the Year.
Big Loud Publishing team, AIMP’s Publisher of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
Big Machine Music’s Tim Hunze was presented with the coveted 2024 AIMP Song Champion Award for his enduring and significant contributions to the independent publishing and songwriting community.
“[Early in my career] Tom Shapiro told me, ‘Take care of the creatives and writers and you’ll always have a job.’ That is the best part of what I get to do,” Hunze says. “One of the greatest thing about our industry is that we’re a community.”
As is tradition, awards presentations were flanked by past and present Rising Artist-Writer of the Year and Artist-Writer of the Year nominees performing the songs nominated in the Song of the Year category. “Next Thing You Know” was performed by Russell Dickerson, “’98 Braves” was sung by George Birge, Davis performed “Fast Car” and “Human” was sung by Dylan Marlowe. Dylan Scott and songwriters Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson took on “Heart Like A Truck,” while Estes brought the house down with “Tennessee Orange.”
“The awards are always a magical night with artist nominees performing Song of the Year-nominated songs,” shared Ree Guyer, Owner of Wrensong Entertainment and President of AIMP Nashville. “It is always fun seeing our indie publishers come together to celebrate one another in a laid-back, intimate setting.”
Ray Vaughn Joins Magnolia Music Group As National Director Of Radio & Streaming
/by Liza AndersonRay Vaughn. Photo: Magnolia Music Group
Ray Vaughn has joined Magnolia Music Group as National Director of Radio & Streaming.
With over three decades’ experience, the promotion veteran has worked with talent across all genres including George Strait, Tom Petty, Kiss, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters and more. He previously served as part of Warner Music Nashville’s staff, working with acts such as Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett and Ashley McBryde, and most recently worked at Quartz Hill Records.
“Ray’s dedication and passion for his stations, artists and teammates truly sets him apart and makes him the legend he is,” shares Heather Propper, VP of Promotion, Magnolia Music Group. “We are thrilled to have him join our expanding team and bring Magnolia to the next level.”
CMT Music Awards Announces All-Star Tribute To Country Legend Toby Keith
/by Lorie HollabaughToby Keith
The CMT Music Awards will honor Toby Keith‘s legacy with an all-star tribute to the country legend during the show on April 7 at Austin’s Moody Center.
The tribute will feature a stacked lineup of one-of-a-kind performances from Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson and Sammy Hagar, all backed by Keith’s longtime band, with special appearances by Lukas Nelson and Roger Clemens.
Keith had a longstanding history with the CMT Awards, including celebrating 30 nominations with seven wins and 13 performances, including performances for 10 consecutive years. He had many memorable moments on the awards stage over the last two decades, including two co-hosting gigs, in 2012 with Kristen Bell and in 2003 with Pamela Anderson for the then-named CMT Flameworthy Video Awards, the year he was the most-awarded artist of the night, taking home three belt buckles including Video of the Year for his video “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
The 2024 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, will air live April 7 on CBS and are available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. A brand-new one-hour tribute special CMT Music Awards Celebrates Toby Keith will premiere April 11 on CMT, celebrating his most memorable show moments.
With more than 44 million albums sold worldwide, Keith was most recently revealed as an upcoming inductee into the 2024 Country Music Hall of Fame. His chart-topping hits include 32 No. 1 hit songs, with an additional 42 songs reaching top 10. In 2021, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Keith passed away in February after a long battle with cancer.
Timmy McKeever Signs With Droptine Recordings
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Jason McKeever, Timmy McKeever, Jim Cantino.
Rising country artist Timmy McKeever has signed with Droptine Recordings.
McKeever began his musical journey in 2018 and has released over 11 singles since, his most recent being “Love Songs.” He has garnered over 1.2 million streams on Spotify and has been featured on New Music Friday Country, Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Country.
“I’m excited to welcome Timmy McKeever into the Droptine Recordings family!” says Jim Catino of Droptine Recordings. “Timmy possesses such unique talent and boundless potential. It’s impressive to see his ability to write, record, and play live at such a young age. I’m particularly excited about the identity of his music and the energy he brings as an artist. I believe the sky’s the limit for Tim and his artistry.”
“I am beyond excited to be working with Jim Catino and his team at Droptine. The opportunity to work with a Nashville legend like Jim is an irreplaceable opportunity for me. I can’t wait to see what the future will hold,” shares McKeever.
To celebrate the new deal, McKeever will release his new single, “Bullet Proof” on April 5. The new track was co-penned by McKeever and Wesley Davis and produced by Catino and Julian King.
Artist Rights Alliance Addresses AI Developers & More In Open Letter
/by Liza AndersonThe nonprofit, artist-led education and advocacy organization Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) has addressed artificial intelligence (AI) developers, technology companies, platforms and digital music services in an open letter, supported by more than 200 artists, urging them to stop using AI to “infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists.”
This follows the global discussion on the responsible use of AI in music as well as the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act signing in the state of Tennessee. The ELVIS Act establishes protections for every person’s unique voice and likeness against unauthorized AI deepfakes and voice clones. Similar legislation is being discussed in the U.S. Congress and in several other states.
In the letter, ARA highlights the use of musical works by AI developers without permission to train and produce AI “copycats” as well as the use of AI “sound” to dilute royalty obligations.
“Working musicians are already struggling to make ends meet in the streaming world, and now they have the added burden of trying to compete with a deluge of AI-generated noise,” explains Jen Jacobsen, ARA Executive Director. “The unethical use of generative AI to replace human artists will devalue the entire music ecosystem—for artists and fans alike.”
In part, the letter states: “Make no mistake: we believe that, when used responsibly, AI has enormous potential to advance human creativity and in a manner that enables the development and growth of new and exciting experiences for music fans everywhere…Unfortunately, some platforms and developers are employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders.
“We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists’ voices and likenesses, violate creators’ rights, and destroy the music ecosystem. We call on all digital music platforms and music-based services to pledge that they will not develop or deploy AI music-generation technology, content, or tools that undermine or replace the human artistry of songwriters and artists or deny us fair compensation for our work.”
Tin Pan South Night One Features Sara Evans, Brittney Spencer, Luke Laird, More
/by Madison HahnenAnnie Bosko and Sara Evans. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.
Tin Pan South kicked off a great week of music Tuesday night (April 2) at bars and listening rooms across Nashville.
Jerry Salley, Victoria Shaw, Rafe Van Hoy and Gary Burr took on the early show at Analog at Hutton Hotel, while Jamie Moore, Eric Paslay, Dan Wilson and a special guest played at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole. Chayce Beckham, Tyler Braden, HunterGirl and Drew Kennedy played Station Inn. Fancy Hagood, Lucie Silvas and Brittney Spencer had some special guests at The Listening Room.
Performers at The Listening Room during Tin Pan South. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.
Annie Bosko, Sara Evans and some special guests played the 6 p.m. show at 3rd & Lindsley before Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna and Steve Moakler took over at 9 p.m.
Pictured (L-R): Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Steve Moakler, Luke Laird. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.
Hank Compton, Madison Kozak, Griffen Palmer and Mark Trussell took the stage at Anzie Blue for the late show; while Mae Estes, MartiJane, Autumn McEntire and a special guest played at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole.
Julia Cole, Charles Esten, Tony Evans Jr. and Fred Wilhelm closed out The Bluebird Cafe with some music; as did Pryor Baird, Marv Green, Tim Nichols and Jeffrey Steele at The Listening Room.
Pictured (L-R): ET Brown (SESAC), Gary Burr, Jerry Salley, Victoria Shaw, Lydia Schultz Cahill, Scott Jungmichel (SESAC), Rafe Van Hoy.
Among the songwriters who will be featured at tonight’s rounds (April 3) are Ashley Cooke, Cole Swindell, Ingrid Andress, Kasey Tyndall, Hardy, Emily Shackelton, Taylor Phillips, Trannie Anderson, Randy Montana, Ashley Gorley and many more. See the full schedule here.
Big Machine Label Group Adds Digital Marketing & Communications Team Members
/by LB CantrellDexter Bensman & Rebecca Kerr
Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has added Dexter Bensman to its team as Senior Director, Digital Marketing and Rebecca Kerr as Manager, Communications.
“We are so excited to welcome Dexter and Rebecca to the Big Machine team. Dexter has an impressive background in digital marketing and I look forward to see him apply his expertise and elevate our artists,” shares Scott Borchetta, BMLG Chairman & CEO. “The addition of Rebecca to our team has been a long time coming, she was supposed to be one of our interns in 2020, but the pandemic had other plans so we’re extra excited to have her onboard now.”
Bensman joins BMLG from Brown Sellers Brown (BSB) Management, where he played a key part in building and shaping the digital marketing, DSP and social media strategies for Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records. He also served as VP of Music Management at Innovo Management. Reporting to COO Mike Rittberg, Bensman is already on the job, overseeing BMLG’s digital marketing strategies and elevating the online presence of the label group’s roster of artists. He can be reached at Dexter.Bensman@bmlg.net.
Kerr comes to BMLG from The Oriel Company where she worked as Publicity Coordinator, contributing to publicity efforts for artists including Jason Isbell, Old Dominion and Riley Green. In her new role, the Ohio State University graduate will assist in the public relations efforts for the label group’s roster of artists. Kerr is already on the job, reporting to Senior Director, Communications Quinn Kaemmer. She can be reached at Rebecca.Kerr@bmlg.net.
Old Dominion, The Castellows, More Among Alabama’s June Jam XVIII Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughAlabama has revealed the lineup for June Jam XVIII, set for June 1 in Fort Payne, Alabama at the VFW Fairgrounds.
The band’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry will be joined by Old Dominion, The Castellows, Shenandoah, Lee Greenwood, Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery, Mark Wills, Exile, John Berry, Taylor Hicks, The Malpass Brothers and a surprise singer-songwriter before they close out the event.
June Jam benefits those in need and disaster relief in and around the state of Alabama.
“We are excited and look forward to playing our songs for y’all at this year’s Jam,” says Owen. “We have a true mutual love for our fans, and they always support the band and the June Jam Foundation.”
“When we started the first June Jam in 1982 as a charity concert event, it was attended by over 30,000 fans,” explains Gentry. “At the time, it was the largest country music festival in the United States. Now we are getting ready for our 18th concert. We want to welcome everyone to Fort Payne, Alabama, our hometown. Come have a great time and help others in need!”
Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.
Additionally, Alabama’s annual Fan Appreciation events will take place leading up to this years’s June Jam.
Lanco’s Chandler Baldwin Signs With Riser House Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Bryan Coleman, Kirby Smith and Allison Pilotti; (L-R, front row): Brandon Perdue and Chandler Baldwin. Photo: Shannon Bradley
Chandler Baldwin, a member of the group Lanco, has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Riser House Publishing.
“As we started digging in on the Lanco project, we noticed that a lot of our favorite songs had Chandler’s name on them,” notes Brandon Perdue, Riser House’s Sr. VP of A&R + Publishing. “We set him up on a few writes with our crew and received incredible feedback – perhaps the best feedback being a major cut on the very first song from that process. In just a few short months, Chandler has turned in some of our favorite songs in the catalog and he continues to be a big part of the coming Lanco project as well. This was a no-brainer signing for us and has just been such a joy to dive in on.”
“After experiencing the level of support and attention Riser House has given my band on the label side, I’m so excited to now be partnering with them on the publishing side,” says Baldwin. “They have an incredible team of staff and writers, and I’m very grateful to get to be a part of it.”
Lanco also signed to Riser House’s label roster in 2023. Riser House Entertainment’s roster also includes Mitchell Tenpenny, Dillon Carmichael and Meghan Patrick, while also serving as a publishing home to Tenpenny, Carmichael, Dallas Wilson, Michael Whitworth and more.
CMA Fest Reveals Nighttime Lineups At Ascend Amphitheater
/by John Nix ArledgeThe series kicks off on Thursday with “Celebrating 60 Years of Curb Records” with Lee Brice, Sawyer Brown, Rodney Atkins, Dylan Scott, Hannah Ellis, Tim Dugger, Pitney Meyer, Harper Grace and Kelsey Hart.
Friday night, “Brett Young and Friends” take the stage with host Danae Hays. The event will feature performances by Young, Needtobreathe, Restless Road, Shaylen and more, with special appearances by Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley.
Wrapping up Ascend’s nightly series on Saturday is “Tracy Lawrence and Friends” including Lawrence, Riley Green, Chris Young, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn and Charles Esten.
Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at CMAfest.com/tickets
AIMP Honors Indie Songwriters & Publishers At 2024 Nashville Country Awards
/by LB CantrellJordan Davis, AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its ninth annual AIMP Nashville Country Awards on Monday night (April 1) at the Ryman Auditorium, honoring the best of Nashville’s independent songwriters and publishers. Presented by Spotify, the evening was emceed by Storme Warren.
Tim Hunze, AIMP Song Champion Award of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
This year’s Song of the Year was “Next Thing You Know,” performed by Jordan Davis who co-wrote the song with Josh Osborne, Chase McGill and Greylan James. Davis also took home Artist-Writer of the Year.
“I moved here in 2012 and dreamed about getting in the room to write songs with some of these people sitting in the front rows,” Davis said. “I never dreamed I would find the community and family that I have here in Nashville. I’m blessed to get to do this for a living—we all are.”
Morgan Wallen was awarded with the Songwriter of the Year honor. Big Loud Publishing was named Publisher of the Year, and the company’s Rocky Block took home the 2024 Rising Songwriter of the Year. Mae Estes won the Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.
John Byron, Josh Miller and Travis Wood, the writers of AIMP’s Publisher Pick of the Year “’98 Braves.” Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
“I’ve been independently published my whole career,” Block said when he took to the mic stand. “I want to thank Bob DiPiero for taking a chance on me a long time ago and Big Loud for doing such a great job with me the last few years.”
“This is unreal,” Estes said. “I’ve got to thank Kendall Warren and Stephanie Cox at Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt Music for believing in me.”
Wallen’s “’98 Braves,” written by Travis Wood, John Byron and Josh Miller, was selected as this year’s Publisher Pick. “Last Night,” written by Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome and Jacob “JKash” Kasher Hindlin, was recognized as the Most Streamed Country Song of the Year.
Big Loud Publishing team, AIMP’s Publisher of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP
Big Machine Music’s Tim Hunze was presented with the coveted 2024 AIMP Song Champion Award for his enduring and significant contributions to the independent publishing and songwriting community.
“[Early in my career] Tom Shapiro told me, ‘Take care of the creatives and writers and you’ll always have a job.’ That is the best part of what I get to do,” Hunze says. “One of the greatest thing about our industry is that we’re a community.”
As is tradition, awards presentations were flanked by past and present Rising Artist-Writer of the Year and Artist-Writer of the Year nominees performing the songs nominated in the Song of the Year category. “Next Thing You Know” was performed by Russell Dickerson, “’98 Braves” was sung by George Birge, Davis performed “Fast Car” and “Human” was sung by Dylan Marlowe. Dylan Scott and songwriters Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson took on “Heart Like A Truck,” while Estes brought the house down with “Tennessee Orange.”
“The awards are always a magical night with artist nominees performing Song of the Year-nominated songs,” shared Ree Guyer, Owner of Wrensong Entertainment and President of AIMP Nashville. “It is always fun seeing our indie publishers come together to celebrate one another in a laid-back, intimate setting.”