Pictured (L-R, standing): Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Anthem’s Tim Whipperman, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, and Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy; (L-R, seated): ASCAP writer Matthew Rogers, BMI songwriter and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson, BMI writer Ben Stennis. Photo: Steve Lowry
BMI and ASCAP hosted a No. 1 celebration for Cody Johnson‘s hit single “’Til You Can’t” this week. Held at The Local, industry members gathered to celebrate Johnson and the song’s co-writers, Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers.
It was a momentous occasion, as “’Til You Can’t” marks the first No. 1 for Johnson and Stennis.
BMI’s Josh Tomlinson served as emcee for the party. He spoke about Johnson’s tenacity and heart. “Your willingness to put in the work to get here today has only been accomplished by a select few. We’re really grateful to be able to support you today,” he said.
Tomlinson also spoke on BMI writer Stennis. “I’ve watched him grow. He’s kept his head down and put the work in to get to this moment. It’s been a privilege to watch.”
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was on hand to speak on Rogers. “He’s had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge, Randy Houser, Chris Young, Lainey Wilson and many more,” Sistad said. “He just recently celebrated a No. 1 hit with Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley for ‘Freedom Was A Highway.'”
Tim Wipperman, who was in the news last week, was the first publisher to speak. He recognized Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, who pitched the song to Durango Management’s Scott Gunter. He also put the praise on the songwriters.
“We get to stand up here and speak, but none of us would be here without living on the backs of the songwriters,” Wipperman said. “I’ve had a great life. I get to do what I love to do, but if it weren’t for all of you out there, none of us that are in the business end of it would be standing here on stage.”
Rupe, Stennis’ publisher, was next up to speak. She told the story of fiercely advocating for “‘Till You Can’t.”
“We’re finally here, guys,” she said to the writers. “This song was written in 2016 and we are just now getting to celebrate everything that this song has done. If that is not a testament to God’s timing, I don’t know what is.
“It’s also a testament that great songs always find a way. This song is one of those that changes people’s lives. I think we are all in this room because, at one point or another, songs have changed our lives, have been important to us, and have made us want to do what we are doing. This is one of those songs.”
Rupe is a day one Cody Johnson fan, having attended her first concert of his in 2013. “Country music needs Cody Johnson,” she said to a rousing applause.
Later, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy recognized Rupe for being a torch-bearer for Johnson. She said, “A few years ago, everyone in Texas knew [how great Johnson was]. A few people in Nashville knew. There were a few folks that I heard from every time I saw them about how great Cody Johnson was. Aubrey was one of those people. That’s not just plugging songs—that’s a real song person, that’s a champion, that’s a visionary. That is picking somebody that you truly believe in and going after it with the best that you have. I want to thank Aubrey for that.”
Lacy and her co-president Ben Kline spoke about Johnson’s incredible rise.
“Cody Johnson has been giving fans the same show for the 10 years that I’ve know him. From tiny bars in Texas, where we met, to selling out the Houston Rodeo at 70,000 fans. There is no stopping him,” Lacy said.
The WMN heads presented their artist with a Gold and Platinum plaque for “‘Til You Can’t,” as well as a plaque for the success of his documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.
Chuck Aly from Country Aircheck and Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul also made presentations before it was time to hear from the songwriters.
“Everything I want to say is about being grateful,” Stennis said. “I’m thankful to be in this community, to be able to do what I do for a living, and for God blessing me with the ability to get up and write every day with my buddies. To be a part of a song that means something… My kids and wife can attest to this, we pray every night and we thank God for Cody.”
Rogers was also filled with gratitude. He dedicated the song to his mother. “The bridge of this song talks about calling your mom. My mother has always been the biggest fan of my music. She had a stroke in 2018 and it changed the dynamic of our relationship, so when I hear the bridge now, it takes on a different meaning for me,” Rogers said. “And it’s her birthday today, so this one is for Betsy Rogers.”
When it came time for Johnson to speak, he was stoic and sincere.
“When I started coming to Nashville, I wanted to be you guys,” Johnson said to the songwriters. “I wanted to be Tony Lane, I wanted to be Jeffrey Steele, Wynn Varble, and a lot of other people. I wanted to be a songwriter and I wanted to know what it was like to put my life down on paper and have somebody turn it into something special. And here I am getting to sit on the other side of it.
“Thank you for writing it,” he said. “There’s thousands of people out there that it’s changed. I realize that I got to be the microphone for it, but it’s changed me. It changed who I am at my core, the way I view my stress, the way I view my anxiety or whatever is going on in my career.”
Johnson closed with a challenge to the industry members in the room. “The story that I want all of you to walk away with is not all the stats that they’ve said about me and the records; walk away with ”Till You Can’t.’ Take ”Till You Can’t’ and ingrain it into your heart, into your work ethic and into your life. That’s what country music should do for people that want to listen to country music. It should change your life. It should make you want to be better. We have these two men right here to thank for it.”
Monument Records Hires Glenn Noblit, Claire Karliak
/by Lorie HollabaughGlenn Noblit & Claire Karliak
Monument Records has added two staffers. Glenn Noblit has joined the label as Director, Regional Promotion, and Claire Karliak has been named Manager, Digital Marketing & Streaming.
Noblit comes to Monument with over two decades of radio promotion experience, having previously served as Director, National Promotion at Garth Brooks’ Pearl Records for the last five years. He has also spent time working for Studio2Bee, Warner Bros. Records, Lost Highway Records, AristoMedia, and Reviver Records.
“Having worked closely with Glenn during my radio days, and side by side with him my first several years in promotion, I know firsthand how lucky our Monument family is to have a professional of his caliber join our team,” says Monument VP of Promotion Luke Jensen.
“I’ve enjoyed watching the rise of Monument from afar,” says Noblit. “The artists are unique and compelling, the team is second to none, and I am grateful for the opportunity to now have a seat at the table as Monument continues to deliver hits and break great artists.”
Karliak joins the label from her previous position heading up the Label Services team at Big Yellow Dog Music, where she worked with their artists, songwriters, and creatives across platforms. A Belmont University graduate, Karliak will be responsible for the label’s digital marketing, including fan engagement, social media, and working with DSP partners.
“We are so excited to have Claire in this role,” says Monument GM Katie McCartney. “She comes with a fresh perspective on how to reach fans, and an enthusiasm for what we have built here at Monument, and where we can go. She will be a great addition to this team.”
PickleJar To Livestream Country Radio Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
/by Lorie HollabaughPickleJar is set to host an exclusive livestream of the Country Radio Broadcaster’s Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, June 30.
Broadcasting live from the Virgin Hotel in Nashville, the live entertainment and cashless tipping platform will stream the ceremony through PickleJarPlus.com, as well as the CRB Facebook page starting at 7 p.m. CT.
PickleJar will make exclusive red-carpet interviews and photos available across all of their digital platforms and free for all users. Cocktail hour will kick off at 6 p.m. CT with Brian McFayden on site to conduct inductee and honoree interviews on the red carpet.
The ceremony, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, will honor eight new Hall of Fame inductees: Becky Brenner, Barry Mardit, Whitney Allen, Debbie Conner, Cathy Martindale and Rachel & Grunwald.
Bob Call was a 2021 selection but was unable to attend last year’s ceremony due to a last-minute family emergency. The Country Radio Hall of Fame deferred Call’s induction to the 2022 ceremony so he could be properly recognized.
The CRB Artist Career Achievement Recipient was recently announced as country icon, Trisha Yearwood.
“We are thrilled to work with RJ Curtis and his amazing team again to share the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with the masses,” says PickleJar CEO Jeff James. “These inductees deserve to have their special moment shared with as many people as possible, and we are so thankful we can make that happen.”
This marks the second consecutive year that PickleJar has partnered with CRB to bring the event into the public’s homes. This partnership also extends to CRB’s annual Country Radio Seminar where PickleJar made their debut footprint this year with multiple activations and sponsorships throughout the week’s festivities.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Takes Top Spot On Streaming Songs Chart
/by Lydia FarthingLuke Combs makes a splash on this week’s top country streaming songs chart as his newest release, “The Kind Of Love We Make,” earns 12 million first-week streams. Combs also takes the third and fourth spots on the top country albums chart with What You See Is What You Get earning 19K in total consumption and This One’s For You nabbing 18K, according to Luminate data.
Elsewhere on the top country albums chart, Morgan Wallen remains in the top spot with Dangerous: The Double Album adding 52K in total consumption (1.2K album only/64 million song streams). Wallen also takes the fifth spot as If I Know Me gains 18K. Zach Bryan rounds out the top five at No. 2 as his American Heartbreak adds 28K.
On the songs sides, Wallen takes No. 2 with “You Proof” gaining 9.6 million streams, and No. 4 as “Wasted On You” adds 8.5 million streams. Bryan claims No. 3 with “Something In The Orange” earning 9.6 million, and Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Fall In Love” takes fifth with 7.9 million streams.
Ray Charles’ ‘A Message from the People’ Gets 50th Anniversary Re-Release
/by Lorie HollabaughRay Charles’ Tangerine Records is celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of Charles’ most important and impactful albums, A Message from The People, with a special remastered anniversary edition available on vinyl, CD and all streaming services for the first time in more than a decade.
Originally released on April 4, 1972, A Message from The People remains one of Charles’ most celebrated albums, and among his most socially conscious work of his six-decade career. The landmark recording confronts poverty and injustice while offering a universal message of brotherhood and hope for peace.
The album includes classic tracks “They’ll Be No Peace on Earth Without All Men As One” and “Abraham, Martin and John,” the gospel-infused “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and “Heaven Help Us All.” It also features “Hey Mister,” played during a Congressional joint hearing in 1972 to speak on behalf of common citizens to a government that was widely seen as ignoring their needs.
Charles’ classic rendition of “America the Beautiful,” which quickly became our second national anthem and has inspired countless generations since its release 50 years ago, is also found on the collection. A new video of the iconic track has also been shared in honor of this historic release.
Neon Union Signs With Red Street Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Red Street Records Owner/Chairman Dan Crocket, Andrew Millsaps of Neon Union, Leo Brooks of Neon Union, Red Street Records Owner/CEO Jay Demarcus and Red Street Records Senior Director of A&R Kelly King; (L-R, back row): Red Street Records Consultant Kelly Rich, JAB Entertainment’s Aaron Benward, Jimmie Allen, Red Street Records SVP Promotion & Artist Development Alex Valentine, and Red Street Records’ Harrison Sokoloff
Rising country duo Neon Union has signed with Red Street Records.
Comprised of Leo Brooks and Andrew Millsaps, the duo was formed by Jimmie Allen, who produces and manages them alongside Aaron Benward as JAB Entertainment’s inaugural artist.
Brooks grew up in Miami and has collaborated with artists such as Pitbull, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, CeeLo Green and John Legend. Meanwhile, Millsaps grew up in North Carolina and has been writing songs since he was 13.
Allen introduced the two and, together as Neon Union, Brooks and Millsaps are bringing a new sound to country, with 808 kick drums married to a traditional country lyric and anthemic pop melodies.
“Ever since I heard Leo and Andrew play separately, I just knew they would make a perfect duo,” Allen shares. “They both have something really special on their own, and when they come together, it’s just magic.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Neon Union as the newest Red Street Records artist,” adds Jay DeMarcus, CEO of Red Street Records. “They just have that infectious quality that captivates a room, and we knew right away that we wanted to sign them. I can’t wait to watch these guys do big things.”
“It’s pretty surreal to be able to say we have a record deal,” the duo notes. “We are so thankful to Jimmie, Aaron, Jay, Dan [Crocket], and so many others for believing in us. We can’t wait to start sharing our music with the world!”
New music is expected from Neon Union later this year.
Tina Crawford Joins 33 Creative As Manager/Partner
/by Lydia FarthingDavid Fanning & Tina Crawford
Tina Crawford has joined David Fanning‘s boutique management company, 33 Creative, as Manager/Partner. She will help support the 33 Creative roster, which includes BBR/Stoney Creek act Parmalee and new Warner Music Nashville signee Avery Anna.
Crawford spent eight years as VP at Major Bob before announcing her exit earlier this year. Prior to Major Bob, she spent time at BBR and at WBCT Grand Rapids.
“I’m excited to bring all my past experience in radio/label/publishing into artist management in a unique and elemental type approach,” Crawford tells MusicRow.
Fanning is a songwriter, producer and manager who produced the No. 1 singles “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You” for Thompson Square, “Carolina” for Parmalee, and other top 40 singles recorded by various country artists. He co-wrote and co-produced Parmalee’s recent No. 1 hit, “Take My Name,” as well as Anna’s “Narcissist.”
Crawford and Fanning can be reached at tina@33creative.co and david@33creative.co, respectively.
Jake Owen, Keb’ Mo’, Yolanda Adams, More Among PBS’ ‘A Capitol Fourth’ Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughFireworks over the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Courtesy of PBS
A Capitol Fourth, the live national Independence Day TV tradition on PBS, has announced this year’s star-studded lineup.
Joining host Mickey Guyton, who will also be performing during the celebration, will be Jake Owen, Darren Criss, Yolanda Adams, Andy Grammer, Gloria Gaynor, Keb’ Mo’, Emily Bear, Loren Allred, Rachel Platten, and National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
This year’s special will also feature a celebration of West Side Story‘s 65th anniversary headlined by Chita Rivera, and a centennial salute to the Lincoln Memorial featuring a performance of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Yolanda Adams.
A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS Monday, July 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. CT, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide and will be streaming on YouTube, the PBS website, and will be available as Video on Demand from July 4-18.
Johnny Chiang To Join Pandora
/by LB CantrellJohnny Chiang
Pandora has announced the hiring of Johnny Chiang as Senior Director of Country Programming.
Reporting to Vice President of Programming Kevin Stapleford, Chiang will oversee programming for country music at Pandora. He will start July 25.
Chiang joins Pandora from Red Street Records. Prior to that, he spent 18 years at KKBQ in Houston, Texas, where he was named Most Influential Country Program Director in America by Billboard (2016), Radio Ink’s Best Program Directors in Country Radio 13 times, and Radio Ink’s Best Program Directors in America 10 times. During his tenure at KKQB, the station was named CMA’s Major Market Station of the Year three times (2014, 2016, 2018), ACM’s Major Market Station of the Year (2017), and won the Marconi four times (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018).
“Words cannot adequately describe just how thrilled I am to be joining the incredible country team that Kevin Stapleford is assembling at Pandora,” shares Chiang. “I want to thank Kevin and Steve Blatter for believing in me and what my experiences and skill sets can bring to the team.”
Amy Grant To Release 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition Of ‘Behind The Eyes’
/by Lorie HollabaughAmy Grant is celebrating her 1997 album, Behind The Eyes, exactly 25 years to the day of its original release with a special project: Behind The Eyes (25th Anniversary Expanded Edition).
The reinvigorated project is due out on Sept. 9 and the first single from it, a reimagined version of “Turn This World Around (2022 Version)” by Keith Thomas, is out now.
Featuring twelve remastered tracks from the original album, plus 18 bonus tracks, b-sides, demos and two brand new reimagined tracks by producer Keith Thomas, the album will be available digitally as well as a triple-vinyl package with narratives from Grant, Thomas, and Wayne Kirkpatrick.
Behind The Eyes was Grant’s twelfth studio album and debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Christian albums chart. It yielded two top 10 hits with “Takes A Little Time” and “Like I Love You.”
“Snapshots of life…that’s what these songs are,” Grant recalls. “Rediscovering so many unreleased tracks was like finding an old roll of undeveloped film 25 years after taking the pictures!”
In support of the album’s anniversary, Grant will launch a 25-city tour throughout September and October, and each night will include several songs from the project. Dates for the new tour will be announced soon.
Behind the Eyes 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition Digital Track List:
Nobody Home
I Will Be Your Friend
Like I Love You
Takes A Little Time
Cry A River
Turn This World Around
Curious Thing
Every Road
Leave It All Behind
Missing You
The Feeling I Had
Somewhere Down The Road
Turn This World Around (2022 Version)
I Will Be Your Friend (2022 Version)
Carry You (1997 version)
Walk On Water
I Feel Fine
5 Different Kisses
What Kind Of Love
Come Be With Me
What Is The Chance Of That
I Wanna Love You
Takes A Little Time (Wayne Kirkpatrick)
I’ve Got You
Watching The Waves (demo)
Say
How Do You Manage That?
Come into My World (Studio Version)
Crowded In Here (demo)
Come Be With Me (Feat. Keb’ Mo’)
Cody Johnson Celebrates Inspirational No. 1 Hit, ”Til You Can’t’
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, standing): Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Anthem’s Tim Whipperman, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, and Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy; (L-R, seated): ASCAP writer Matthew Rogers, BMI songwriter and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson, BMI writer Ben Stennis. Photo: Steve Lowry
BMI and ASCAP hosted a No. 1 celebration for Cody Johnson‘s hit single “’Til You Can’t” this week. Held at The Local, industry members gathered to celebrate Johnson and the song’s co-writers, Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers.
It was a momentous occasion, as “’Til You Can’t” marks the first No. 1 for Johnson and Stennis.
BMI’s Josh Tomlinson served as emcee for the party. He spoke about Johnson’s tenacity and heart. “Your willingness to put in the work to get here today has only been accomplished by a select few. We’re really grateful to be able to support you today,” he said.
Tomlinson also spoke on BMI writer Stennis. “I’ve watched him grow. He’s kept his head down and put the work in to get to this moment. It’s been a privilege to watch.”
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad was on hand to speak on Rogers. “He’s had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge, Randy Houser, Chris Young, Lainey Wilson and many more,” Sistad said. “He just recently celebrated a No. 1 hit with Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley for ‘Freedom Was A Highway.'”
Tim Wipperman, who was in the news last week, was the first publisher to speak. He recognized Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, who pitched the song to Durango Management’s Scott Gunter. He also put the praise on the songwriters.
“We get to stand up here and speak, but none of us would be here without living on the backs of the songwriters,” Wipperman said. “I’ve had a great life. I get to do what I love to do, but if it weren’t for all of you out there, none of us that are in the business end of it would be standing here on stage.”
Rupe, Stennis’ publisher, was next up to speak. She told the story of fiercely advocating for “‘Till You Can’t.”
“We’re finally here, guys,” she said to the writers. “This song was written in 2016 and we are just now getting to celebrate everything that this song has done. If that is not a testament to God’s timing, I don’t know what is.
“It’s also a testament that great songs always find a way. This song is one of those that changes people’s lives. I think we are all in this room because, at one point or another, songs have changed our lives, have been important to us, and have made us want to do what we are doing. This is one of those songs.”
Rupe is a day one Cody Johnson fan, having attended her first concert of his in 2013. “Country music needs Cody Johnson,” she said to a rousing applause.
Later, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy recognized Rupe for being a torch-bearer for Johnson. She said, “A few years ago, everyone in Texas knew [how great Johnson was]. A few people in Nashville knew. There were a few folks that I heard from every time I saw them about how great Cody Johnson was. Aubrey was one of those people. That’s not just plugging songs—that’s a real song person, that’s a champion, that’s a visionary. That is picking somebody that you truly believe in and going after it with the best that you have. I want to thank Aubrey for that.”
Lacy and her co-president Ben Kline spoke about Johnson’s incredible rise.
“Cody Johnson has been giving fans the same show for the 10 years that I’ve know him. From tiny bars in Texas, where we met, to selling out the Houston Rodeo at 70,000 fans. There is no stopping him,” Lacy said.
The WMN heads presented their artist with a Gold and Platinum plaque for “‘Til You Can’t,” as well as a plaque for the success of his documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.
Chuck Aly from Country Aircheck and Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul also made presentations before it was time to hear from the songwriters.
“Everything I want to say is about being grateful,” Stennis said. “I’m thankful to be in this community, to be able to do what I do for a living, and for God blessing me with the ability to get up and write every day with my buddies. To be a part of a song that means something… My kids and wife can attest to this, we pray every night and we thank God for Cody.”
Rogers was also filled with gratitude. He dedicated the song to his mother. “The bridge of this song talks about calling your mom. My mother has always been the biggest fan of my music. She had a stroke in 2018 and it changed the dynamic of our relationship, so when I hear the bridge now, it takes on a different meaning for me,” Rogers said. “And it’s her birthday today, so this one is for Betsy Rogers.”
When it came time for Johnson to speak, he was stoic and sincere.
“When I started coming to Nashville, I wanted to be you guys,” Johnson said to the songwriters. “I wanted to be Tony Lane, I wanted to be Jeffrey Steele, Wynn Varble, and a lot of other people. I wanted to be a songwriter and I wanted to know what it was like to put my life down on paper and have somebody turn it into something special. And here I am getting to sit on the other side of it.
“Thank you for writing it,” he said. “There’s thousands of people out there that it’s changed. I realize that I got to be the microphone for it, but it’s changed me. It changed who I am at my core, the way I view my stress, the way I view my anxiety or whatever is going on in my career.”
Johnson closed with a challenge to the industry members in the room. “The story that I want all of you to walk away with is not all the stats that they’ve said about me and the records; walk away with ”Till You Can’t.’ Take ”Till You Can’t’ and ingrain it into your heart, into your work ethic and into your life. That’s what country music should do for people that want to listen to country music. It should change your life. It should make you want to be better. We have these two men right here to thank for it.”