Tyler Braden. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
Six years ago, Tyler Braden was serving as a first responder in Montgomery, Alabama. Growing up close by in the region called Slapout, he was raised with a love and appreciation for country music starting at a young age, spending much of his twenties playing local shows and touring the southeast.
However, after a gig in the country music capital, Braden made the move to Nashville in 2016 where he continued firefighting while also honing his craft of songwriting and performing.
Now, the former firefighter has stood up to the heat of the music industry, landing a Warner Music Nashville recording deal, popping out his debut What Do They Know EP in November 2021, being featured on NBC’s American Song Contest earlier this year, and notching many miles on the road with acts like Brantley Gilbert, Brooke & Dunn, and more.
“In the best way possible, it’s been such a busy year with a lot of shows. I did the American Song Contest on NBC and, since the beginning of May, we’ve played probably four shows a week,” Braden recalled in a recent office visit with MusicRow. “I also got married this year, so it’s been a very eventful year.”
Braden’s first major label sentiment to the world, What Do They Know, holds a concept near and dear to the singer-songwriter’s heart. Echoing the idea to abandon what other people may say about your choices or following your dreams, the project’s title track, written with Aaron Scherz, argues that no one knows how things will turn out, but you know what the outcome will be if you don’t try at all.
“A lot of people are scared to make changes in their life and take the first step towards something different,” he explained. “It doesn’t have to be a crazy change, but there’s always going to be someone who says you shouldn’t or some sort of negativity around it. You have to push that aside and try to make the best decision you can because people don’t know what’s going to happen.”
The newly married man, whose wife also serves as his photographer and videographer on the road, also offers a hearty helping of romance on What Do They Know, though not the typical kind. In “She Don’t Care,” Braden charms with the lyrics, “She don’t care about the money, care about the fame / Care about a crowd of people screaming my name / Don’t care about the cover of Vogue magazine / As long as I love her she’s gonna love me / It could all fall apart crash and burn / And the best damn thing about her is she don’t care.”
Tyler Braden and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
“A lot of people write relationship songs about supporting one another, which is super important, but I think it’s more important to not give a damn whatsoever because we’re going to love each other no matter what,” he noted with a smile.
With the EP notching over 120 million streams in nearly a year since its release, Braden is hard at work piecing together his next project. One of the songs the burgeoning entertainer is most excited for is an unreleased track called “Middleman.” Written alongside Erik Dylan, the idea stems from using God as the mediator between you and a loved one you’ve lost.
Painting a perfect picture of who to look for in the song’s bridge–a guy in a ball cap with an “A” for Atlanta, wearing overalls with a broken strap and a ball peen hammer in the left side loop–”Middleman” strikes a relatable chord of loss, saying “I’d give anything to tell him myself but momma said praying means wishing / You’ve done more than enough, but if it ain’t too much / If you see him, can you tell him I miss him.”
Braden made his first plunge into the country radio world in early August with his breakout hit “Try Losing One.” With a vocal performance that shoots into the stratosphere, the gravelly yet tender-toned singer chronicles the story of a relationship come and gone.
“It’s been really cool to see how people relate to [‘Try Losing One’] because it was written with the shallow intent of just ending a relationship, but people take it to a whole other level,” Braden shared. “Dave Grohl said, ‘You can sing a song to 85,000 different people and they’ll sing it back for 85,000 different reasons,’ and that’s definitely true. I’ve met multiple people that got tattoos of the lyrics for loved ones they’ve lost, and I think that’s something super relatable.”
Inspired by high-flying acts like Grohl and the Foo Fighters, Eric Church and Luke Combs, Braden has also had a handful of songwriting cuts over the last year, including Dylan Marlowe, Adam Sanders, and most recently “Good For You,” a track from Breland‘s debut Cross Country album.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Liza Anderson and LB Cantrell, Tyler Braden, and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Lydia Farthing, and Steven Boero. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
“Breland writes so much with so many different people, so to get to be one of the songs on his record was super cool. It was a big stamp of approval to get on an album with such a great writer like that,” Braden gushed. “Anytime anybody puts faith in a song you wrote together is really cool.”
Braden is currently on the road alongside David Nail on the “Story To Tell Tour” through November with upcoming stops in Atlanta, Charleston, Cincinnati and more. Braden will jump over to Mitchell Tenpenny‘s “This Is The Heavy Tour” beginning in January.
He will also host the second annual Tyler Braden’s Engine Co. 18 Golf Outing in Nashville on Oct. 24. The inaugural 2021 event raised $10,000 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Hungry Heroes.
AIMP Nashville Announces Songwriter Series Class Of 2022
/by Liza AndersonThe Association of Independent Music Publishers’ (AIMP) Nashville Chapter has announced the members of the eighth annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2022, consisting of local songwriters Brigetta, John Byron, Erin Kinsey, Meg McRee, Colton Venner and Caroline Watkins.
The writers will perform in a live songwriters’ round at The Listening Room Café on Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. CT, hosted by hit songwriters Kelly Archer and Eric Paslay.
All members 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.
The honor is considered to be a strong predictor of future success in the music industry. Past AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series performers have gone on to score chart-topping hits both as performers and as writers for prominent artists; win Grammy, CMA and CMT Awards; and reach No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, among other accomplishments.
“Honoring our new Class of songwriters is such a special moment that I look forward to each year,” says John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “It not only gives us the chance to put a spotlight on some incredible new talent but also brings our Nashville songwriting community together to connect and support each other. I can’t wait to see everyone at the Listening Room Café!”
The event is free and open to independent publishers, songwriters, or anyone in the music industry interested in learning about AIMP. Members can register for the event on the AIMP website, and non-members can purchase tickets on The Listening Room Café website.
Members of the Class of 2021 included Rocky Block, Ben Chapman, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jenna LaMaster, Jared Scott and Dan Wilson. Past honorees include 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 and more.
Martina McBride Slates 12th Annual ‘Joy Of Christmas Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughMartina McBride. Photo: Robby Kline
Martina McBride will kick off her 12th annual “Joy Of Christmas Tour” on Nov. 26 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The 12-date holiday tour will visit Daytona Beach, Denver, Tulsa, Kansas City, and more through Dec. 18, bringing seasonal favorites and standards to fans across the country. Pre-sale tickets for “The Joy of Christmas Tour” are on sale now, and general on sale begins Sept. 30.
“This is the 12th year of doing the ‘Joy Of Christmas Tour’ and I truly believe our 2022 version of the show is the best yet,” says McBride. “It is truly a night for the whole family to celebrate all the joyful things about the holiday season. We look forward to it every year and are honored that our show has become a tradition for us and the fans. We cannot wait to take it back on the road!”
McBride is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her impactful Evolution album this year. The project produced two No. 1s, “Wrong Again” and “A Broken Wing,” and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.
“The Joy of Christmas Tour” Dates:
11.26.22 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center
11.27.22 – Daytona Beach, FL – The Peabody Auditorium
12.1.22 – Tysons, VA – Capital One Hall
12.2.22 – Shippensburg, PA – Luhrs Performing Arts
12.3.22 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
12.4.22 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre
12.8.22 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
12.9.22 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theatre
12.10.22 – Cedar Falls, IA – Gallagher Bluedorn PAC
12.16.22 – Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
12.17.22 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theatre
12.18.22 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center – Baum Walker Hall
Riley Roth Says ‘Hey Nice to Meet You’ With Upcoming Debut EP
/by Lorie HollabaughRiley Roth. Photo: Courtesy of Altadena
Rising singer-songwriter Riley Roth is releasing her debut EP Hey Nice To Meet You, including the focus track “Hometown Home,” on Sept. 30.
The project, which was produced by songwriter Kyle Schlienger, along with Track 45’s KK Johnson producing fan favorite “Stranger,” has already racked up nearly 5 million total streams. Hitmaker Sara Davis, a co-writer on Gayle’s global smash “abcdefu,” contributed to three of the songs as well.
“The title of my EP is inspired by my song ‘Stranger’, which really launched this era of music for me,” says Roth. “ Releasing my debut EP feels like my first real reintroduction to listeners, both as an artist and as a person. This collection of songs demonstrates every aspect of who I am and who I strive to be. It’s a glimpse into my relationships–past and present–and an honest look at my journey toward confidence and being unapologetic about who I am.”
She continues, “I love conversational lyrics, and I hope listeners hear the voice of a friend when they listen to the words of my songs–that they feel a little less alone in whatever they’re going through and a little better about themselves than they did before they found my EP.”
After high school in Nashville, Roth signed her first deal with hitmaker busbee. Shortly after releasing her first song, busbee tragically passed away from brain cancer, with the pandemic and additional personal and professional upheaval following closely after. Roth continued to use the tools around her to amass over 12 million career streams, while building an audience of more than 300,000 monthly listeners and a social media following that also tops 300K.
1. Stranger (Riley Roth/Sara Davis/KK Johnson)
2. Go Find Less (Riley Roth/Lauren McLamb/Sara Davis/Kyle Schlienger)
3. Souvenirs (Riley Roth/Jennifer Denmark/Jason Afable)
4. Hometown Home (Riley Roth/Chord Overstreet/Kyle Schlienger)
5. Over You Is Over (Riley Roth/Lauren McLamb/Kyle Schlienger)
6. Linger (Riley Roth/Lauren McLamb/Sara Davis/Kyle Schlienger)
Jimmy Dasher Joins Action Entertainment Collaborative
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Jimmy Dasher & Nick Meinema. Photo: Courtesy of AEC
Jimmy Dasher has joined Nashville-based booking agency Action Entertainment Collaborative, a newly-formed boutique agency founded by Nick Meinema and partner Greg Baker.
A Texas native who spent a decade as a touring musician, Dasher began his booking career four years ago at Buddy Lee Attractions. He was also hired pre-COVID for a stint at APA Nashville and, following his departure, he formed Countdown Talent.
“Travis James in our office brought Jimmy to my attention,” notes Meinema. “I found fast he has a reputation for digging in the corners and turning over all stones. For our clients, that’s what we are focused on at AEC. Jimmy fits that mold.”
“I’m so excited to be joining Nick and the whole crew at AEC,” adds Dasher. “In a short period of time, they’ve already developed a tight-knit team and have set goals that I know will be a great fit for me and the acts that I’ve been honored to work with over the last few years.”
AEC’s client roster includes Trace Adkins, John Anderson, James Barker Band, Terri Clark, EmiSunshine, High Valley, The Kentucky Headhunters, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Lonestar, McBride & The Ride, John Michael Montgomery, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Collin Raye, Dallas Smith, Aaron Tippin, and more.
Morgan Wade To Set Out On Headlining ‘No Signs Of Slowing Down Tour’ In 2023
/by Lydia Farthing2022 Americana Music Association Emerging Act of the Year nominee Morgan Wade will head out next February on her headlining “No Signs of Slowing Down Tour.” Kicking off Feb. 24 at Louisville’s Headliners Music Hall, the trek includes 31 dates with more to come.
Wade will visit Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, LA’s Troubadour and San Francisco’s Fillmore, as well as a handful of legendary rock rooms, including Dallas’ Kessler Theater, Philadelphia’s World Café Live, Detroit’s El Club, Seattle’s Neptune Theater and more.
Wade’s fan club pre-sale will begin this Wednesday (Sept. 28) at 10 a.m. local time with general on-sale beginning Friday (Sept. 30) also at 10 a.m. local time.
“People who’ve come to the shows to see me, they all say, ‘I really wanted more than 30 minutes…’ I get it,” says the Floyd, Virginia native. “But when you get asked to do all these different things with such different artists, I realized: this may be the only time in my career where I can do it. So, I have. And each experience has been unlike the others, really great moments as we’re building.
“There are so many songs to sing, so many songs people have asked for,” she continues. “Deep cuts, and stories. People ask me where these songs come from, and this will be my chance to finally tell them. Plus, the band just rocks–and I love being able to let them have the chance to really play, too.”
Wade has embarked on recent touring treks as support for Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs and more.
Mark Logsdon Promoted To Vice President At PLA Media
/by Lorie HollabaughMark Logsdon
Mark Logsdon has been promoted to Vice President at PLA Media. Formerly serving as Executive Director of PLA, Logsdon started with the publicity and marketing agency in 2007, and has continued to grow the company and serve the team for over 15 years.
Prior to joining the company, the Leitchfield, Kentucky native gained valuable experience at Sony/BMG, RLM/Mission Management and the Atlantis Music Conference. He is a member of the Society Of Leaders In Development (SOLID), and a yearly MTSU scholarship was established by PLA Media in his honor.
Mark Logsdon & PLA President, Pam Lewis
Logsdon’s client roster has included the Tina Turner Museum, Dancing with the Stars Finalist Noah Galloway, Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, and many more. During his tenure, he was often seen alongside country icon Lynn Anderson, whom he worked with for the last eight years of her life. He’s also directed PR efforts for Buddy Lee Attractions, Brownsville Station, Chase Rice, Deborah Allen, Mark Chesnutt, Razzy Bailey, Mrs. Tennessee and many others. Logsdon also won the former CMT game show, The Singing Bee, in 2009.
“I am so proud to announce the well-deserved promotion of Mark to Vice President. Our long collaboration has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I am most grateful for his loyal dedication and treasure him as a brain trust,” says PLA President Pam Lewis. “This is the longest relationship that I’ve ever had with a man.”
“I’m very proud of the work and the team that we have at PLA and look forward to expanding and continuing the legacy that Pam launched when she founded PLA. I’ve gotten to work with some of the most talented people and propel inspiring and unique projects,” adds Logsdon. “I will never forget that I met Pam and Beyonce on the same day 15 years ago. That was quite a unique way to start a new chapter.”
Zac Brown Band Enlists Jimmy Buffett For New Version Of ‘Same Boat’ [Exclusive]
/by Lydia FarthingGrammy award-winning group Zac Brown Band has collaborated with the legendary Jimmy Buffett for a brand new version of “Same Boat.” The revisited tune will be featured on The Comeback (Deluxe) due out Sept. 30 via Warner Music Nashville.
Brown enlisted an array of musical friends for The Comeback (Deluxe), including multi-Platinum-selling artist Cody Johnson (“Wild Palomino”), vocalist Jamey Johnson for “Stubborn Pride (with Marcus King)” and iconic singer-songwriter James Taylor (“Love and Sunsets”). Country superstar and labelmate Blake Shelton also joins the group for a new version of their current single, “Out In The Middle,” which is nearing top 15 at country radio.
Upon release, The Comeback jumped to the No. 1 spot on the Current Country Albums Sales chart and was the Top New Country Album Release. Lead singer Zac Brown is a co-writer on every song and also co-produced the entire record alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti.
The band also recently notched their 20th total CMA Awards nomination with a nod in the Vocal Group of the Year category alongside Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland and Old Dominion. For a full list of nominees, click here.
The group will finish up their international “Out In The Middle Tour” through November with stops in Tampa, Seattle, Vancouver, LA, Phoenix and more. Click here for a list of upcoming dates.
On The Row: Tyler Braden Looks Back On His Journey From Firefighter To Red Hot Entertainer
/by Lydia FarthingTyler Braden. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
Six years ago, Tyler Braden was serving as a first responder in Montgomery, Alabama. Growing up close by in the region called Slapout, he was raised with a love and appreciation for country music starting at a young age, spending much of his twenties playing local shows and touring the southeast.
However, after a gig in the country music capital, Braden made the move to Nashville in 2016 where he continued firefighting while also honing his craft of songwriting and performing.
Now, the former firefighter has stood up to the heat of the music industry, landing a Warner Music Nashville recording deal, popping out his debut What Do They Know EP in November 2021, being featured on NBC’s American Song Contest earlier this year, and notching many miles on the road with acts like Brantley Gilbert, Brooke & Dunn, and more.
“In the best way possible, it’s been such a busy year with a lot of shows. I did the American Song Contest on NBC and, since the beginning of May, we’ve played probably four shows a week,” Braden recalled in a recent office visit with MusicRow. “I also got married this year, so it’s been a very eventful year.”
“A lot of people are scared to make changes in their life and take the first step towards something different,” he explained. “It doesn’t have to be a crazy change, but there’s always going to be someone who says you shouldn’t or some sort of negativity around it. You have to push that aside and try to make the best decision you can because people don’t know what’s going to happen.”
The newly married man, whose wife also serves as his photographer and videographer on the road, also offers a hearty helping of romance on What Do They Know, though not the typical kind. In “She Don’t Care,” Braden charms with the lyrics, “She don’t care about the money, care about the fame / Care about a crowd of people screaming my name / Don’t care about the cover of Vogue magazine / As long as I love her she’s gonna love me / It could all fall apart crash and burn / And the best damn thing about her is she don’t care.”
Tyler Braden and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
“A lot of people write relationship songs about supporting one another, which is super important, but I think it’s more important to not give a damn whatsoever because we’re going to love each other no matter what,” he noted with a smile.
With the EP notching over 120 million streams in nearly a year since its release, Braden is hard at work piecing together his next project. One of the songs the burgeoning entertainer is most excited for is an unreleased track called “Middleman.” Written alongside Erik Dylan, the idea stems from using God as the mediator between you and a loved one you’ve lost.
Painting a perfect picture of who to look for in the song’s bridge–a guy in a ball cap with an “A” for Atlanta, wearing overalls with a broken strap and a ball peen hammer in the left side loop–”Middleman” strikes a relatable chord of loss, saying “I’d give anything to tell him myself but momma said praying means wishing / You’ve done more than enough, but if it ain’t too much / If you see him, can you tell him I miss him.”
Braden made his first plunge into the country radio world in early August with his breakout hit “Try Losing One.” With a vocal performance that shoots into the stratosphere, the gravelly yet tender-toned singer chronicles the story of a relationship come and gone.
“It’s been really cool to see how people relate to [‘Try Losing One’] because it was written with the shallow intent of just ending a relationship, but people take it to a whole other level,” Braden shared. “Dave Grohl said, ‘You can sing a song to 85,000 different people and they’ll sing it back for 85,000 different reasons,’ and that’s definitely true. I’ve met multiple people that got tattoos of the lyrics for loved ones they’ve lost, and I think that’s something super relatable.”
Inspired by high-flying acts like Grohl and the Foo Fighters, Eric Church and Luke Combs, Braden has also had a handful of songwriting cuts over the last year, including Dylan Marlowe, Adam Sanders, and most recently “Good For You,” a track from Breland‘s debut Cross Country album.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Liza Anderson and LB Cantrell, Tyler Braden, and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Lydia Farthing, and Steven Boero. Photo: Courtesy of MusicRow
“Breland writes so much with so many different people, so to get to be one of the songs on his record was super cool. It was a big stamp of approval to get on an album with such a great writer like that,” Braden gushed. “Anytime anybody puts faith in a song you wrote together is really cool.”
Braden is currently on the road alongside David Nail on the “Story To Tell Tour” through November with upcoming stops in Atlanta, Charleston, Cincinnati and more. Braden will jump over to Mitchell Tenpenny‘s “This Is The Heavy Tour” beginning in January.
He will also host the second annual Tyler Braden’s Engine Co. 18 Golf Outing in Nashville on Oct. 24. The inaugural 2021 event raised $10,000 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Hungry Heroes.
Brett James To Host ‘A Veterans Tribute’ In Partnership With Aerial Recovery
/by Lydia FarthingBrett James
The Nonprofit Fundraising Initiative, in partnership with Aerial Recovery, will host “A Veterans Tribute: An Evening with Brett James & Friends” on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at The Bell Tower in Nashville (400 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201).
James, a Grammy award-winning songwriter, has had more than 500 cuts, appearing on albums with combined sales of over 110 million copies, and 27 No. 1 hits. The event will include a cocktail reception, heavy hors d’oeuvres, auction, dessert station and a special songwriters performance by James & Friends.
Courtesy of Aerial Recovery
“We are proud to host this event to help raise funds for this incredible global charity that supports those in need at a critical time,” notes Nathaniel Beaver, Founder of Nonprofit Fundraising Initiative. “With your help, we can raise much needed funds for these Veterans that continue to risk their lives to help others.”
“Everyone gets knocked down. The opportunity before us is to use our skills, our resources, our assets to reach back and help our fellow brothers and sisters through the hardest time of their entire life,” adds Britnie Turner, CEO, Aerial Recovery. “We are here to make a meaningful difference now and long term.”
Aerial Recovery employs qualified, trained and elite military veterans to deploy as Humanitarian Operators to man-made and natural disasters all over the world. To date, Aerial Recovery has conducted response missions to hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural and man-caused disasters. Most recently, Aerial Recovery, in partnership with GEM, have deployed to help the millions effected by the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan.
Clint Daniels Renews Deal With Porchlight Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Porchlight Music’s Tim Medlin, Freeman Wizer, Anthony Smith, and Clint Daniels. Photo: Grayson Green
Clint Daniels has re-signed with Porchlight Music Publishing. Daniels first signed a co-venture publishing deal with BMG and Porchlight Music in 2019.
The Panama City, Florida native was signed to Arista Nashville as a solo artist in 1998. In 2003, he signed with Epic Records. However, after already co-writing his first No. 1 single for Joe Nichols (“Brokenheartsville”), Daniels decided to focus on songwriting instead.
In 2020, Daniels was nominated for both a Grammy Award (Best Country Song) and an ACM Award (Song of the Year) for Eric Church‘s “Some Of It.”
Daniels has co-written No. 1 singles for Nichols, Montgomery Gentry (“Roll With Me”), and Church. He’s also had cuts by numerous artists, including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Clay Walker, Easton Corbin, Jon Pardi, and Brandy Clark.