BMI’s Clay Bradley, 2022 BMI Troubadour Lucinda Williams, BMI’s President and CEO Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
BMI kicked off Americana Music Week on Monday evening (Sept. 12) by presenting its Troubadour Award to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams.
With her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Williams became the first Americana performer to earn a Gold Record. She has recorded 15 albums as one of the founding artists of the Americana genre.
“The Troubadour Award is a the songwriters’ songwriter award,” said BMI’s Mason Hunter. “A troubadour is a class of lyric poets and musicians,” added the organization’s Clay Bradley, who presided. “A troubadour helps us make deeper discoveries about ourselves, helps us to share with one another.”
The honoree was feted with video remarks by Steve Earle, Ray Kennedy and Elizabeth Cook. Some of the Americana field’s finest saluted her in song.
Madeline Edwards did a feisty version of “Passionate Kisses.” Angel Olsen was slow and bluesy on “Fruits of My Labor.” Amos Lee offered the sweet elegy “Little Angel, Little Brother.”
Austin music journalist Bill Bentley praised the songwriter by saying, “She was a woman who could tear your heart in two. Her records were like letters from Heaven.”
Jason Isbell introduced “Drunken Angel” as a jangly bopper. Billy Gibbons performed “Change the Lock” as a stomping rocker. ZZ Top, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Billy Gibbons also presented Williams with a gold bandana.
Video greetings came from Robert Plant, Sharon Van Etton, Mike Campbell and Dwight Yoakam. Then Bradley and BMI’s Mike O’Neill presented the Troubadour silver trophy urn.
Lucinda Williams was helped to the stage, since she is still recovering from a 2020 stroke that affected her mobility. But she was droll, witty and charming as she acknowledged the video praises of Earle and Cook.
“There’s so much love in the room,” Williams added. “Thank you BMI and everybody, and all the other people who helped make this happen. I’m extremely appreciative of this.
“Thanks to everyone for making me feel at home here in Nashville. Everybody’s been very supportive. It feels like family.”
The songs of Lucinda Williams have been recorded by a who’s-who of Americana music. Among those who have sung her tunes are Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Ruthie Foster, John Mellencamp, Kasey Chambers, The Cactus Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Prairie Oyster, Mollie O’Brien, Rodney Crowell, Ben Folds, Patty Lovelsss, Joy Lynn White, Duane Jarvis, Elvis Costello, Bettye LaVette, Michelle Shocked, Tom Petty, Linda Thompson, Norah Jones, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sarah McLachlan.
BMI’s Troubadour Award has been previously given to such Americana icons as John Prine, John Hiatt and Robert Earl Keen. The annual ceremony serves as a homecoming for BMI’s Americana family of artists. The Troubadour Awards are sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and Dickel Bourbon.
The event was an intimate, invitation-only dinner with a cocktail hour on the plaza in front of BMI’s entrance.
HarbourView Acquires Big Loud Mountain’s Publisher Share Of Select Florida Georgia Line Songs
/by LB CantrellFlorida Georgia Line. Photo: John Shearer
HarbourView Equity Partners has announced its acquisition of Big Loud Mountain Music’s publisher share of select songs from Florida Georgia Line‘s catalog.
Big Loud was a key player in the launch and early success of Florida Georgia Line. The duo made their mark on the genre with hit songs such as “Meant To Be,” “This Is How We Roll,” “H.O.L.Y.,” “May We All,” “Dirt” and “Cruise.” Together the duo’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley tallied 19 career No. 1 singles and more than 13 billion global streams. They sold more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide.
FGL recently ended their chapter as a duo, and have since been working on solo careers.
Since launching just nine months ago, HarbourView has acquired nearly 40 catalogs to date. The firm’s diverse portfolio features thousands of titles spanning numerous genres and decades. Most recently the company acquired catalogs from Brad Paisley and Lady A, as well as Hollywood Undead, Dre & Vidal, and Luis Fonsi.
Big Loud Mountain Music was represented by Derek Crownover, Megan Pekar and John Rolfe of Loeb & Loeb LLP. Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP served as legal counsel to HarbourView.
The terms of the transaction, nor the titles of the acquired tracks, were not disclosed.
Ian Munsick To Launch ‘Westwood Fall Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughIan Munsick. Photo: Chris Douglas
Ian Munsick will wrap 2022 with his own headlining “Westwood Fall Tour” this fall. Joining him on the run is fellow Wyoming native Ryan Charles.
The trek will hit major cities, including Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Tampa, Louisville and more, kicking off Sept. 29 and running through Nov. 19.
“We’ve hit the road HARD the last two years and it’s all been leading up to this,” reflects Munsick. “We’ve played venues of all shapes and sizes from clubs to arenas. Sharing the stage with my heroes has taught me so much about performing, but now it’s time to take those lessons to my fans. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing on the east coast, or in mountain time… you don’t wanna miss these two Wyoming cowpokes punchin’ their way across the country on the ‘Westwood Fall Tour.’”
Since signing with Warner Music Nashville in 2020, Munsick has accumulated nearly 250 million global streams. He released “Long Live Cowgirls” with Cody Johnson at the top of the year, and it has since earned more than 45 million streams and topped SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown.
The breakout singer-songwriter most recently released the faith-driven story song “More Than Me” from his forthcoming sophomore album.
Kix Brooks To Host CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers Of Excellence Awards Ceremony
/by Lorie HollabaughThe CMA Foundation will host its sixth Music Teachers of Excellence Awards ceremony, honoring 30 teachers from across the US, on Oct. 19 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.
Hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member and longtime music education advocate Kix Brooks, this year’s event will award each Music Teacher of Excellence recipient $5,000, with $2,500 designated for each teacher’s music program and $2,500 designated to support professional development and personal expenses.
For the first time, as part of the CMA Foundation’s “Sponsor A Teacher” campaign, individuals and organizations have the opportunity to directly support one of this year’s honorees allowing sponsors to impact Music Teachers of Excellence in Metro Nashville Public Schools, as well as in districts throughout Tennessee and across the country. To learn more about sponsoring a teacher, click here.
“As we enter our CMA Awards season, we are thrilled to not only honor excellence within country music, but also excellence within the music education field,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These 30 teachers are absolute rockstars, and we are so proud of their unwavering commitment to their students and communities. We recognize that teacher retention is an issue facing schools across the country, which makes it crucial that we continue to celebrate these teachers who not only lead the next generation, but also cultivate a positive environment to experience the arts. I cannot think of a better host than Kix, who has been instrumental in the CMA Foundation’s success the past 11 years.”
Brooks helped establish the CMA Foundation in 2011, guiding CMA to focus its philanthropic efforts towards music education. With early funds granted to Metro Nashville Public Schools, the CMA Foundation has expanded to provide students across the country with equitable access to music education through intentional investments and partnerships.
“When we established the CMA Foundation a decade ago, our goal was to get instruments and supplies into music classrooms,” Brooks explains. “Now, to see how far we’ve come and to see the ways the CMA Foundation is continuing to elevate and celebrate music teachers is incredible. Every student deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music and that wouldn’t be possible without the work of these teachers. The future of our business starts with music teachers, and these are some of the best of the best. Congratulations to this year’s Music Teachers of Excellence!”
To date, the CMA Foundation has invested $850,000 towards its Music Teachers of Excellence recipients to ensure teachers have the support and funding needed to create thriving programs within their schools.
Madeline Merlo ‘Slides’ Into A New Chapter With Upcoming EP
/by Lorie HollabaughMadeline Merlo. Photo: The Dwyers
NBC’s Songland winner Madeline Merlo is set to release her four-track EP Slide next Friday (Sept. 23) via BBR.
Produced by Zach Crowell and entirely co-written by Merlo, the project delves into powerful female stories, from budding romances to growing up and the lessons learned in between. The title track, penned by Merlo, Sam Hunt, Crowell and Jerry Flowers, was originally a song Hunt was writing for himself, before he realized it was better suited for a female artist.
On the Shania Twain-inspired “Young-ish,” Merlo explores the misconception that everyone’s path should be the same. “Girl Where He Grew Up” is about the girl who teaches the guy lessons on how to love his next girlfriend, while “I Need A Drink,” written with Crowell, Ashley Gorley and Hillary Lindsey, captures the connection of wanting to be wherever your significant other is.
“Releasing this music is such an exciting next step in my career,” Merlo shares. “I am so proud of these songs and the creative growth in my artistry. Zach Crowell has been the key to finding my sound, and I’m so grateful for my label for giving us the trust and time to pursue that. I hope people can feel all the blood, sweat, and joy that went into this project.”
Merlo won the Canadian Country Music Association’s Rising Star Award and Songwriter of the Year Award, before winning season 2 of the NBC songwriting series Songland. The Canadian songstress’ catchy track “Champagne Night,” recorded and released by Lady A, went on to become a three-week No. 1 on country radio and earned Merlo and her co-writers the 2021 CCMA Award for Songwriter of the Year.
Weekly Register: Jon Pardi Breaks Into The Top Five Country Albums
/by Lydia FarthingJon Pardi racks up a top five debut this week on the top country albums chart as his newest project, Mr. Saturday Night, claims the fifth spot. Pardi’s third studio album saw 16K in total first-week consumption (5.4K album only/14 million song streams) and landed at No. 33 overall, according to Luminate data.
Elsewhere on the album’s chart, Morgan Wallen notches another week at the top with Dangerous: The Double Album adding 48K in total consumption (2.9K album only/56 million song streams). Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak maintains the No. 2 spot with 23K, and Luke Combs‘ Growin’ Up keeps its place at No. 3 with 18K. Rounding out the top five albums is Elvis Presley‘s 30 # 1 Hits compilation record at No. 4, with 17K in total consumption.
On the songs front, everything stays the same from last week. Wallen’s “You Proof” notches a stellar seventh consecutive week atop the country streaming songs chart, tacking on another 13 million streams. He also keeps the No. 5 position with “Wasted On You” nabbing 7.5 million streams. “The Kind Of Love We Make” (Luke Combs) stays in the second spot with 10 million, “Something In The Orange” (Zach Bryan) stays in third at 9.9 million, and “Rock And A Hard Place” (Bailey Zimmerman) takes fourth with 8.5 million streams.
Chips Moman To Be Honored As Sixth Member Of Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Class Of 2022
/by Lydia FarthingChips Moman
Next month, the late Chips Moman will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) at the organization’s 52nd Anniversary gala. Moman was elected in NaSHOF’s new Legacy category which was designed specifically to honor Hall of Fame-worthy candidates who are deceased.
Raised on a farm near LaGrange, Georgia, Lincoln Wayne “Chips” Moman left school at 14 to hitchhike to Memphis where he spent time as a session guitarist before diving into record producing and songwriting. As a songwriter, he scored R&B and pop hits in 1961 with “Last Night” by The Mar-Keys and “This Time” by Troy Shondell. In 1967, Moman and Dan Penn created the classics “The Dark End Of The Street” by James Carr and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” by Aretha Franklin, which was later a top 20 for Barbara Mandrell.
After moving to Nashville in the early ’70s, Moman earned the 1976 Grammy for Best Country Song for B.J. Thomas’ multi-genre No. 1 “(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.” In 1977, Waylon Jennings debuted Moman’s outlaw country classic “Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love).” In 1978, Thomas topped the AC charts again with “Everybody Loves A Rain Song.” Other songs from Moman’s catalog include “Love Looks Good On You” by David Houston, “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You)” by Jennings and “So Much Like My Dad” by George Strait.
Moman will be inducted alongside the previously announced members of the Class of 2022: Hillary Lindsey, David Malloy, Gary Nicholson, Shania Twain, and Steve Wariner. Taking place on Sunday, Oct. 30 at Nashville’s Music City Center, the new inductees-elect will join the 229 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.
“We’re so proud to see Chips Moman memorialized in this year’s class,” says Sarah Cates, Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. “As demonstrated by classics such as ‘(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song’ by B.J. Thomas and ‘Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)’ by Waylon Jennings, Chips’ enduring work as a songwriter is outstanding, unforgettable and incredibly deserving of our ultimate recognition.”
Moman was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, More To Perform At Fifth Annual ‘Dance Party To End ALZ’
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ashley Williams, Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Jay Williams at 2021 Dance Party to End ALZ
Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and his Hot Country Knights, Lindsay Ell, and more will perform at the upcoming fifth annual “Dance Party to End ALZ” held at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Nov. 13.
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley at 2021 Dance Party to End ALZ
Hosted by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ashley Williams, and Jay Williams, the star-studded benefit will also feature performances from Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Campbell, Melinda Doolittle, Charles Esten, Chrissy Metz, and other special guests.
Artists will perform their favorite songs from the ’90s to raise awareness and funds in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Apple Music’s Beats 1 Today’s Country radio host Kelleigh Bannen will serve as emcee for the event and will also perform.
“For the past five years, Dance Party to End ALZ has been bringing people together to dress up, dance and experience great live music as some of the biggest names in country music sing cover songs from the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Williams-Paisley shares. “Most importantly, though, my siblings Ashley, Jay and I throw this event to help drive awareness and funds for a cause that affects millions of American families, including our own. To date, we’ve raised more than $1.3 million for the Alzheimer’s Association, helping fund research that is going to one day help lead us to a cure for this devastating disease.”
General admission tickets and VIP table packages are available now at alz.org/danceparty. Funds raised will directly support the Alzheimer’s Association’s research grant program.
Chris Stapleton Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell
/by LB CantrellChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
Eight-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton has renewed his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
Born and raised in Kentucky, Stapleton first landed on the scene in 2015 with his now 5x Platinum debut album, Traveller, which includes the RIAA diamond single, “Tennessee Whiskey.” He has gone on to earn 10 RIAA-certified Platinum singles, 14 CMA Awards, eight ACM Awards, and billions of streams.
As a songwriter, Stapleton has penned countless hits, including his 3x Platinum song “Broken Halos,” his 2x Platinum single “Parachute,” and Justin Timberlake’s 3x Platinum single “Say Something.” He has also written songs recorded by Adele, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, Ed Sheeran, Vince Gill, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw.
Of the news, Stapleton shares, “Ben Vaughn and the Warner Chappell Music team have been wonderful partners to me and my music over the past eight years. I look forward to our continued relationship.”
Vaughn, President & CEO of WCM Nashville, adds, “Chris Stapleton is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. The way he crafts lyrics set against his rhythms makes you literally feel the music. We believe his music will live on for generations and we couldn’t be more honored to continue working with such a timeless songwriter and artist.”
Stapleton is represented by his managers Coran Capshaw, Zach Peters, and Clay Hunt (Red Light Management) as well as his attorney Chip Petree (Ritholz Levy Fields).
Americana Stars Honor Lucinda Williams At BMI
/by Robert K OermannBMI’s Clay Bradley, 2022 BMI Troubadour Lucinda Williams, BMI’s President and CEO Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI
BMI kicked off Americana Music Week on Monday evening (Sept. 12) by presenting its Troubadour Award to Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams.
With her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Williams became the first Americana performer to earn a Gold Record. She has recorded 15 albums as one of the founding artists of the Americana genre.
“The Troubadour Award is a the songwriters’ songwriter award,” said BMI’s Mason Hunter. “A troubadour is a class of lyric poets and musicians,” added the organization’s Clay Bradley, who presided. “A troubadour helps us make deeper discoveries about ourselves, helps us to share with one another.”
The honoree was feted with video remarks by Steve Earle, Ray Kennedy and Elizabeth Cook. Some of the Americana field’s finest saluted her in song.
Madeline Edwards did a feisty version of “Passionate Kisses.” Angel Olsen was slow and bluesy on “Fruits of My Labor.” Amos Lee offered the sweet elegy “Little Angel, Little Brother.”
Austin music journalist Bill Bentley praised the songwriter by saying, “She was a woman who could tear your heart in two. Her records were like letters from Heaven.”
Jason Isbell introduced “Drunken Angel” as a jangly bopper. Billy Gibbons performed “Change the Lock” as a stomping rocker. ZZ Top, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Billy Gibbons also presented Williams with a gold bandana.
Video greetings came from Robert Plant, Sharon Van Etton, Mike Campbell and Dwight Yoakam. Then Bradley and BMI’s Mike O’Neill presented the Troubadour silver trophy urn.
Lucinda Williams was helped to the stage, since she is still recovering from a 2020 stroke that affected her mobility. But she was droll, witty and charming as she acknowledged the video praises of Earle and Cook.
“There’s so much love in the room,” Williams added. “Thank you BMI and everybody, and all the other people who helped make this happen. I’m extremely appreciative of this.
“Thanks to everyone for making me feel at home here in Nashville. Everybody’s been very supportive. It feels like family.”
The songs of Lucinda Williams have been recorded by a who’s-who of Americana music. Among those who have sung her tunes are Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Ruthie Foster, John Mellencamp, Kasey Chambers, The Cactus Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Prairie Oyster, Mollie O’Brien, Rodney Crowell, Ben Folds, Patty Lovelsss, Joy Lynn White, Duane Jarvis, Elvis Costello, Bettye LaVette, Michelle Shocked, Tom Petty, Linda Thompson, Norah Jones, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sarah McLachlan.
BMI’s Troubadour Award has been previously given to such Americana icons as John Prine, John Hiatt and Robert Earl Keen. The annual ceremony serves as a homecoming for BMI’s Americana family of artists. The Troubadour Awards are sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and Dickel Bourbon.
The event was an intimate, invitation-only dinner with a cocktail hour on the plaza in front of BMI’s entrance.
Zach Bryan Climbs To No. 2 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Lydia FarthingZach Bryan. Photo: Rachael Polack
Zach Bryan jumps to the No. 2 spot this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Rising from No. 4, the rising singer-songwriter has two of his own songs rising on the chart: “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and his breakout hit “Something In The Orange.”
For a sixth consecutive week, Ashley Gorley continues his reign at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with seven currently charting songs, including “Gold” (Dierks Bentley), “Holy Water” (Michael Ray), “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “What He Didn’t Do” (Carly Pearce), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young) and “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen).
Ernest Keith Smith maintains the third spot, Morgan Wallen falls to fourth, and Chase McGill remains in fifth this week.
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.