Luke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Certified RIAA Platinum
Reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs received RIAA Platinum certification for his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy Award-winning “Fast Car.” In celebration of the milestone, a new live performance video for the song – filmed earlier this spring during Combs’ sold-out show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis – debuted yesterday (July 18).
“Fast Car” is from Combs’ acclaimed new album, Gettin’ Old, and continues his monumental success at radio as it is No. 5 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and Chapman, the sole writer on the track, sits at No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart.
The song is No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week – its third consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. This is Combs’16th consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. Garnering over 337 million global streams to date, “Fast Car” is also currently No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Launches ‘It Takes Balls’ Campaign
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Miranda Lambert has launched a new MuttNation campaign, “It Takes Balls,” to raise awareness for the importance of spay and neuter, and to offer grant applications to low-cost programs in Tennessee, focusing on rural areas.
“Spay and neuter is the best way to keep pets out of overcrowded shelters, to reduce pet homelessness and to make sure your cats and dogs live happy and healthy lives,” says Lambert. “Sometimes it literally takes balls to do the right thing. Please spay or neuter your pets!”
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. While beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them wind up in overcrowded shelters, especially as thousands are euthanized across the country every year, often due to lack of space. MuttNation is inviting lo- cost spay and neuter programs in Tennessee to complete and submit a grant application to help address this ongoing issue.
“We especially encourage low-cost spay and neuter clinics in rural Tennessee that serve multiple counties to apply,” adds Lambert, “and we hope to expand the program beyond Tennessee soon.”
Jelly Roll Grants Community Service Hero’s Dying Wish
Suzanne Durham & Jelly Roll. Photo: Andrea Thompson.
On Monday (July 17), Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie visited a private concert and reception for Suzanne Durham, arranged by the James Bess Foundation.
Durham is a Nashville resident who was diagnosed with an inoperable and untreatable lung cancer and given less than five months to live. Having turned her own life around from drug and alcohol additions, she works as a house manager for a Nashville rehabilitation facility. She has transformed the lives of several individuals who also struggled with addiction, and wanted Jelly Roll to speak and sing for them.
Jelly Roll played a set including his hits “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner” with his guitarist Alex Mark Howard before having dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.
The James Bess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nashville that grants wishes to adults battling a terminal illness. Named for James Bess, a man whose dying wish to meet Garth Brooks went unfulfilled due to lack of resources, the foundation began granting wishes in August of 2017 and have fulfilled 33 wishes nationwide.
First Round Of Performers Announced For Sixth Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Liza AndersonThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and presenting partner City National Bank have announced the round of artist and songwriters set to perform at the sixth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards on Sept. 26 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
The lineup includes Trannie Anderson, Renee Blair, Ben Johnson, Tracy Lawrence, Megan Moroney, Hunter Phelps, Emily Shackelton, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Dallas Wilson and more.
The two-hour, music-filled ceremony will be dedicated to the amazing minds behind the hit songs fans love and those who contribute to the success of the songwriting profession. The Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year will be revealed, as well as the peer-voted Song of the Year and the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards, one of the most cherished honors in the songwriting industry.
The evening will also include special segments for previously announced honorees Bobby Braddock, Tim McGraw and David Israelite. Braddock will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, McGraw will be recognized with the NSAI President’s Keystone Award and Israelite will be honored with the NSAI Advocacy Award.
“City National Bank has a long history of supporting the music industry, especially songwriters,” says Lori Badgett and Diane Pearson, Heads of Entertainment Banking for City National in Nashville, in a joint statement. “We are proud to support the Nashville Songwriter Awards again this year and to celebrate the talent and contributions of these amazing songwriters who mean so much to our industry.”
Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 21). For more information, click here.
CRS To Host CRS360 ‘The Power Of Collaboration’ Webinar
/by Caela GriffinCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) has announced the next installment of its webinar series, CRS360. Titled “The Power of Collaboration: How Country Radio, Labels and DSPs Can Work Together to Shape the Country Music Industry,” the session will explore the challenges faced by industry stakeholders and emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 26 at 1 p.m. CT.
Beverlee Brannigan will lead a panel of distinguished experts, including Michelle Kammerer from Amazon Music, Adrian Michaels from BMG Nashville and Bo Matthews from KBAY/San Jose. These industry leaders will share invaluable insights derived from a year-long think tank convened by the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB). The think tank’s objective was to foster collaborative communication and generate actionable solutions for the industry’s pressing challenges.
CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis comments, “July’s CRS360 continues sharing the work of our industry think tank established last year, with a discussion about industry collaboration among every segment of our business. Our format is currently enjoying a surge in popularity and consumption. By working together, country radio, labels and DSPs can help to ensure sustained growth and continued success of the country genre.”
Participation in the webinar is free, but registration is required. For more information, click here.
The CRS360 webinar series has garnered a strong following and has become an essential platform for industry professionals to gain valuable knowledge and insights. Recordings of past CRS360 webinars are available to access for playback.
Spirit Music Group Forms Joint Venture To Sign Sawyer Utah
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville; Norbert Nix, President/Partner at Triple Tigers Records and Founder of VISCYRL; Gregg Wattenberg, Arcade Songs; and Tom Lee, Arcade Songs; (front row): Sawyer Utah
Spirit Music Group has formed a creative joint venture with VISCYRL and Arcade Songs to sign emerging 22-year-old writer, producer and artist Sawyer Utah.
VISCYRL is an artist development and entertainment enterprise founded by music business veteran and President of Triple Tiger Records, Norbert Nix. Arcade Songs is an independent music and entertainment company headed by multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Gregg Wattenberg.
Utah began his musical journey writing and recording in his La Crosse, Wisconsin home at the age of seven. He started engineering and producing when he was in middle and high school, and after a conversation with a family friend, he was connected to Nix and signed to VISCYRL.
Soon after, Utah’s songs caught the attention of multi-Platinum producer and songwriter Frank Rogers of Spirit Music Group in Nashville as well as Wattenberg and Tom Lee of Arcade Songs in New York.
“I’ll forever be grateful for Norbert seeing my vision and believing in me when we initially met in 2019. When he connected me to Frank, Gregg, Tom and the entire Spirit/Arcade team, I immediately felt their support. It was a perfect fit on so many levels. I’m excited to push forward and work with this well-respected and distinguished team,” says Utah.
“Spirit Music is thrilled to welcome Sawyer Utah and to partner with VISCYRL and Arcade Songs,” shares Rogers. “With Sawyer’s talent and the team around him, we truly feel that the sky is the limit!”
“Meeting multi-dimensional creative Sawyer Utah was a complete coincidence, but after listening to his music, I knew I wanted to work with this young talented powerhouse. His positive energy and musical instincts were key in forging our partnership with Spirit Music and Arcade Songs,” says Nix.
“Sawyer is an undeniable raw talent and amazing songwriter. His voice and energy immediately resonated with me at our very first meeting. This is just the beginning, and we are thrilled to be on this journey with him, Norbert Nix and our partners at Spirit Music Group,” adds Lee.
Now in songwriting circles within Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, Utah has recently been collaborating with Zach Hood, Camylio, Prateek Kuhad, Benzi Edelson, Jesse Fink, David Arkwright, Sophie Simmons and more. His debut single, “Nights Like This,” was released on June 8.
Tim Montana’s Inaugural ‘American Thread’ Benefit Concert Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughTim Montana. Photo: Chris Douglas
BBR Music Group recording artist Tim Montana will hold his inaugural “American Thread” benefit concert Oct. 2 at Nashville‘s City Winery.
Several surprise guest performers are also on tap for the event, which will benefit Special Ops Xcursions, a nonprofit that supports U.S. special operations forces and their families. Tickets for the American Threads benefit concert go on sale July 21 via citywinerynashville.com. Pre-sales begin today (July 19).
For the past three years, Montana has headed up the American Thread Sporting Clays Shoot in Nashville, with celebrities lending their time to help our nation’s military heroes. Previous attendees include Charlie Sheen, Colbie Caillat, Lee Brice, Steve Cropper and more. Montana will continue his tradition with the fourth annual Sporting Clays Shoot, set for Oct. 3 at the Nashville Gun Club. The yearly event has generated nearly one million dollars since its inception.
“The Tim Montana and Friends American Thread Shoot has helped us impact thousands of special operations family members,” explains Special Ops Xcursions Executive Director Scott Graves. “The funds and awareness raised provides the opportunity for healing to happen in the outdoors! Bottom line, our warriors still in the fight need us and we need them. The world is a better place by this remarkable combination of celebrities and our nations most elite soldiers.”
“I’m honored to get to serve those that have served us,” says Montana. “Raising money through the American Thread Shoot has been one of the highlights of my life and career and has been life changing to our active duty soldiers, veterans and their families”
WMG & TikTok Announce Expanded First-Of-Its-Kind Partnership
/by Lorie HollabaughWarner Music Group and TikTok have formed a wide-ranging, first-of-its-kind partnership to license the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
The multi-year, multi-product deal will expand the level of partnership, collaboration and innovation between the two companies and help create new revenue, marketing and insights opportunities for WMG’s artists and songwriters, while deepening the engagement with TikTok’s huge audience of passionate music fans.
“We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok,” says Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG. “Through this expanded and significantly improved partnership for both companies, we can jointly deliver greater value to WMG’s artists and songwriters and TikTok’s users.”
Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, says, “We are very excited to partner with Warner Music Group to create a shared vision for the future in which artists, songwriters, music fans, and the industry can all benefit from the power of discovery on TikTok platforms.”
As part of the new deal, WMG and TikTok will find new ways to harness TikTok’s revenue generation and promotional capabilities, as well as a wealth of insights. In addition, artists and songwriters will have access to new ways of working with TikTok’s brand partners, as well as to new fandom development and monetization features, like merchandise, ticketing and digital goods and services, among other opportunities. The deal will also see the joint development of additional and alternative economic models.
The companies have also agreed to a licensing deal for TikTok Music, the premium subscription streaming service that recently launched in Indonesia and Brazil, with plans for further growth in other markets. The deal also paves the way for WMG artists and songwriters to leverage the unique promotional capabilities and engage with the growing community of users on TikTok’s sister video-editing app, CapCut.
Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll
/by Caela GriffinLuke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Certified RIAA Platinum
Reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs received RIAA Platinum certification for his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy Award-winning “Fast Car.” In celebration of the milestone, a new live performance video for the song – filmed earlier this spring during Combs’ sold-out show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis – debuted yesterday (July 18).
“Fast Car” is from Combs’ acclaimed new album, Gettin’ Old, and continues his monumental success at radio as it is No. 5 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and Chapman, the sole writer on the track, sits at No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart.
The song is No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week – its third consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. This is Combs’16th consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. Garnering over 337 million global streams to date, “Fast Car” is also currently No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Launches ‘It Takes Balls’ Campaign
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Miranda Lambert has launched a new MuttNation campaign, “It Takes Balls,” to raise awareness for the importance of spay and neuter, and to offer grant applications to low-cost programs in Tennessee, focusing on rural areas.
“Spay and neuter is the best way to keep pets out of overcrowded shelters, to reduce pet homelessness and to make sure your cats and dogs live happy and healthy lives,” says Lambert. “Sometimes it literally takes balls to do the right thing. Please spay or neuter your pets!”
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. While beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them wind up in overcrowded shelters, especially as thousands are euthanized across the country every year, often due to lack of space. MuttNation is inviting lo- cost spay and neuter programs in Tennessee to complete and submit a grant application to help address this ongoing issue.
“We especially encourage low-cost spay and neuter clinics in rural Tennessee that serve multiple counties to apply,” adds Lambert, “and we hope to expand the program beyond Tennessee soon.”
Jelly Roll Grants Community Service Hero’s Dying Wish
Suzanne Durham & Jelly Roll. Photo: Andrea Thompson.
On Monday (July 17), Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie visited a private concert and reception for Suzanne Durham, arranged by the James Bess Foundation.
Durham is a Nashville resident who was diagnosed with an inoperable and untreatable lung cancer and given less than five months to live. Having turned her own life around from drug and alcohol additions, she works as a house manager for a Nashville rehabilitation facility. She has transformed the lives of several individuals who also struggled with addiction, and wanted Jelly Roll to speak and sing for them.
Jelly Roll played a set including his hits “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner” with his guitarist Alex Mark Howard before having dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.
The James Bess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nashville that grants wishes to adults battling a terminal illness. Named for James Bess, a man whose dying wish to meet Garth Brooks went unfulfilled due to lack of resources, the foundation began granting wishes in August of 2017 and have fulfilled 33 wishes nationwide.
Christina Bosch Joins King Publicity
/by Lorie HollabaughChristina Bosch. Photo: Trisha Kram
Christina Bosch has joined King Publicity as a publicist.
Bosch’s prior stops include time at Country Swag, where she served as an On-Air Personality/Host as well as Managing Editor, helping to grow the brand for country fans in New York City. She most recently served as Vice President at The Nash News, where she built up the brand and community of growing fans.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Christina to my team. Her media background adds an exciting dimension to our client endeavors, and I have no doubt that she brings a fresh perspective on how we can further enhance our services for our artists,” shares Avery King, President of King Publicity. “With Christina based in New York, we not only expand our outreach but also maintain our boutique and personalized approach, solidifying our commitment to delivering exceptional support to our clients.”
“I have known and respected Avery as a friend and colleague for almost a decade so when she came to me with this opportunity, I couldn’t say yes fast enough,” shares Bosch. “I am honored to be her first hire and to be trusted to learn from her and to help elevate her already successful approach to publicity in the country music space and beyond.”
Bosch can be reached at christina@kingpublicity.com effective immediately.
Jason Isbell, Devon Gilfillian To Perform At ‘Together In Action’ Benefit In August
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Isbell, Devon Gilfillian and more are set to perform at “Together In Action,” a concert benefiting gun violence prevention efforts in Tennessee, on Aug. 15 at City Winery Nashville.
Chris Housman, Julie Williams, Autumn Nicholas and The Kentucky Gentlemen will also perform at the benefit, which is presented by Country Any Way and eQuality events and will aid organizations working to raise awareness about gun violence in the Volunteer State.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 19. Moms Demand Action will be on site at the concert providing more information on how to get involved in the movement to end gun violence, and tickets can be purchased here.
“In my efforts to change the landscape of country music, I’m realizing that a huge part of that is taking a close look at where we live and being vocal about the changes we’d like to see,” says Holly G, creator of Country Any Way and event organizer. “Since becoming a resident in Tennessee, I’ve incorporated into my mission making sure that marginalized voices and the voices of people who want Tennessee to be an inclusive and safe space are heard. Music gives us such a beautiful platform for expression and creating community. I’m so excited that myself, eQuality events, and City Winery Nashville were able to pull together such an amazing group of artists to send a clear message that Tennesseans deserve a safe place to live.”
The Nashville community was shaken earlier this year when a shooter brutally took the lives of three adults and three children at The Covenant School. According to Everytown For Gun Safety, Tennessee has the 12th highest rate of gun deaths in the country, with 1,385 people killed by guns in an average year. A recent report suggests several key policies, including secure firearm storage laws and extreme risk laws as well as requiring background checks on all gun sales can help reduce gun violence in the U.S.
Kat & Alex To Go Their Separate Ways
/by Liza AndersonKat & Alex. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Kat & Alex, the husband-and-wife duo known for their country-latin fusion, announced via Instagram yesterday (July 17) that they are parting ways after four years together.
The pair—made up of Kat Luna and Alex Georgia—met after Luna witnessed Georgia singing at their church in Miami, leading them to collaborate. They appeared on American Idol in 2020 before returning home to focus on writing and recording original music as a duo.
That same year, Kat & Alex ventured to Music City, signed with The AMG for management, inked a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and released their debut single “How Many Times” and its accompanying Spanish version, earning nearly 20 million streams. They tied the knot, signed with Sony Music Nashville as well as WME, released several new tracks and made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2021.
In the Instagram post, the two share that they will now pursue individual music careers and “hold nothing but love for each other” as they begin to navigate their next chapters.
Toby Keith To Receive The Country Icon Award At 2023 ‘People’s Choice Country Awards’
/by Caela GriffinToby Keith. Photo: Richard McLaren
Country music legend Toby Keith will receive the Country Icon Award at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards with a heartfelt presenter tribute by fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton. As a pioneer in country music and one of the most influential artists of all time, Keith will be recognized for his decades-long career as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur.
In addition to his many accomplishments and accolades, including the National Medal of Arts award in 2021, Keith is known for his charitable work with The Toby Keith Foundation, OK Kids Korral and his annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic – all in support of children battling critical illnesses.
As the 2014 Spirit of the USO Award recipient, the beloved artist has also demonstrated his dedication to the troops with 11 USO tours, spanning 18 countries and more than 280 events.
The People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Little Big Town, will air live from the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across NBC and Peacock.
“We’re overjoyed to honor legendary artist Toby Keith with the first-ever Country Icon Award,” says Cassandra Tryon, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Live Events, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “As a talented songwriter and powerhouse performer, Keith has touched the hearts of fans across the globe. His illustrious career and passion for philanthropy has cemented his place as an icon in country music history.”