The Academy of Country Music has unveiled the recipients of the Special Awards for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Honorees will be celebrated during the 15th Annual ACM Honors on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
“ACM Honors is truly a special and unique night as the entire country music community comes together to celebrate the achievements of artists, musicians, and industry executives that have made a positive impact on the industry during the prior year or over their careers,” notes Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “Being the 15th anniversary of this event also makes it a night to remember some of the Academy’s pioneers who originally inspired these honors.”
Previously announced Songwriter of the Year winner Hardy, as well as the Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, will be feted at ACM Honors. Performers, host, and ticket on-sale information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Special Award Honorees:
ACM Triple Crown Award – Miranda Lambert will receive the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award following her first win for ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards. Lambert qualified for the Triple Crown Award after winning ACM Top New Female Vocalist, ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, and ACM Entertainer of the Year throughout her career, an honor only seven other artists have been awarded.
Lambert continues to reign as the most decorated artist in the history of the ACM, most recently earning her second ACM Video of the Year award and her first ACM Entertainer of the Year title at the 57th ACM Awards, bringing her career total to 37 ACM awards. Additional highlights include a record-setting nine consecutive ACM Female Artist of the Year awards, ACM Song of the Decade for “The House That Built Me,” 10 ACM Song and ACM Single of the Year awards (as either an artist or an artist and songwriter), the ACM Milestone Award, and the first-ever ACM Spirit Award.
ACM Icon Award – Connie Bradley has been chosen to posthumously receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his country music career. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.
Bradley served more than three decades at ASCAP, championing songwriters. She began her career with ASCAP as the company’s first female membership representative, eventually rising to Senior Vice President and head of the Nashville office. Over the span of her career, Bradley’s leadership contributed to ASCAP signing artists including Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, George Strait, and Trisha Yearwood, among others. Bradley’s creativity, vision, hard work, and dedication to the genre undoubtedly contributed to country music’s global success.
ACM Lifting Lives Award – Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles have each been chosen to receive the Lifting Lives Award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Barnabee has been an avid supporter of ACM Lifting Lives throughout his career. Having served two consecutive years as the Chair of the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors, his passion and investment played an instrumental role in jumpstarting the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund in 2020. A senior staffer tapped to lead Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.’s (FBMM) Los Angeles office, Barnabee has 30 years of diverse industry experience in many divisions including Polygram Records, Sony Music, and FBMM. He also served as Chairman of the board for the ACM (2015-2016) and was a member of the board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee for five years.
With over a decade of service to ACM Lifting Lives, Wiles’ tenure on the organization’s Board dates back to before its 2008 rebranding, when it was still named the ACM Charitable Foundation. During this time, Wiles played an integral role in shaping the organization’s charitable efforts, building many of the core tenets of ACM Lifting Lives that remain today, including Party for a Cause, the Grant Cycle, and Music Camp. Having served the longest tenure as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Wiles’ financial leadership enabled ACM Lifting Lives to give generously to the country music community throughout the years. As a Certified Public Accountant who helped build business management firm Wiles + Taylor & Co., his experience in the music industry spans three decades, encompassing personal management for several artist clients, business management, and financial consulting. Wiles is a former board member of Nashville’s WPLN and Leadership Music, and a current member of ACM, CMA, NARAS, TSCPA and AICPA. He is also co-owner of Do Write Music.
ACM Milestone Award – Morgan Wallen has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, honoring the contributions of Gene Weed, who directed and produced the ACM Awards for more than 30 years. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Wallen’s critically-acclaimed Dangerous: The Double Album launched the singer’s career to new heights in 2021. Landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for 10 weeks following its release, the project remains at the top of the charts, recognized as the country album with the most weeks (60) in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart, and the most weeks (59) at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, to date. It also won ACM Album of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards in March 2022. With more than 4.1 million units sold, the singer’s rapid rise and unparalleled success earned him Country Male Artist of the Year at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Wallen’s 55-show “The Dangerous Tour” has netted over 800,000 tickets sold in 2022 so far, with $3 from every ticket benefiting his More Than My Hometown Foundation. His first solo release of 2022, “Don’t Think Jesus,” earned a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 debut and landed atop Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Wallen the first artist to score three No. 1 debuts on the chart since its inception.
ACM Service Award – Duane Clark has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Service Award, honoring the contributions of songwriter Mae Boren Axton and her service to the Academy. This award is presented to an outstanding country music artist, duo/group, or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy.
An award-winning business manager and trusted adviser, Clark has been a co-owner of FBMM for over a decade. As President and Chief Operations Officer at FBMM, he has provided counseling and strategic support to his roster of clients, ensuring their financial management and security for years to come. His long history of dedicated service to the industry is evident through his 13-year tenure on the ACM Board of Directors, beginning in 2009. From 2011-2016, Clark served as Treasurer of the Academy’s Board, playing an instrumental role in making the record-setting 50th ACM Awards show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas a monumental success. Clark served as Chairman of the organization from 2018-2019 and continues to support the Academy as Treasurer of the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. He also acts as a financial advisor to Country Radio Broadcasters, is a member of the Recording Academy, and is a charter member and alumnus of SOLID.
ACM Spirit Award – Chris Stapleton has been chosen for the ACM Spirit Award, honoring the contributions of Merle Haggard, who received 20 ACM Awards in his career, including the Triple Crown Award. This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country music legend Merle Haggard by following their own path, crafting great songs, and epitomizing Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.
The Kentucky native has maintained the traditional, outlaw edge of the genre with riveting singles including “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Nobody to Blame,” and “Starting Over,” while appealing to wider audiences with crossover collaborations including features on Taylor Swift’s “I Bet You Think About Me,” Adele’s “Easy On Me,” and more. An 8x Grammy and 13x ACM Award-winner, Stapleton’s monumental career has been lauded across every major music awards stage. Most recently, he won ACM Male Artist of the Year for the third time at the 57th ACM Awards. His highly acclaimed 2020 album, Starting Over, also won three awards at the 67th Annual Grammys (Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance, and Best Country Song), as well as Album of the Year at the 56th ACM Awards as both an artist and producer.
ACM Poet’s Award – Sonny Throckmorton and Shania Twain have each been chosen as recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Throckmorton’s songwriting career began in the late 1970s when he had 150 songs cut within a nine-month span. Between 1976 and 1980, a Throckmorton-penned song appeared on the charts almost every single week. Throughout his storied career, he had more than 1,000 songs recorded by an astounding list of artists, including Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, The Judds, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, and more. Throckmorton notched No. 1 singles with Johnny Duncan, The Oak Ridge Boys, and T.G. Sheppard. He also co-wrote classics such as Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am,” Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Middle Age Crazy,” George Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away,” and The Judds’ 1984 ACM Song of the Year, “Why Not Me.” He has received countless accolades for his contributions to the genre, including Songwriter of the Year recognition from organizations such as NSAI (1978-1979), BMI (1980), and the DJs of America (1980). In 1985, Throckmorton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Twain has established her career as one of country music’s most versatile songwriters, with instantly-recognizable hits and an undeniable crossover appeal that has earned her three ACM Awards and five Grammys. The release of her album The Woman in Me in 1995, featuring her breakthrough hit single “Any Man of Mine,” was awarded ACM Album of the Year at the 31st ACM Awards, the same year Twain took home the title of ACM Top New Female Vocalist. Twain became the first artist in history to release three consecutive diamond-certified albums and, with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, she remains the top-selling female country pop artist of all time. Twain’s first album in 15 years, Now, was released in September 2017 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, making it the first female country release in over three years to top the all-genre chart.
ACM Film Award – Yellowstone has been chosen to receive the ACM Film Award, honoring the contributions of Tex Ritter, who was known for both his acting career and country music career. This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series, or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music.
The SAG and PGA-nominated series is co-created by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, along with John Linson. Andrea von Foerster serves as music supervisor, while Oscar-winning actor and seasoned musician, Kevin Costner, stars as John Dutton. The dramatic scenes and compelling music heard on Yellowstone have captivated audiences, introducing viewers to numerous country and Americana artists. Artists such as Zach Bryan, Hayes Carll, Turnpike Troubadours, Whiskey Myers, and ACM Award winner Lainey Wilson have all had their music featured in the show. The tremendous success of Yellowstone on Paramount Network has inspired multiple prequels: 1883 which stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sam Elliott and made its debut in late 2021 on Paramount+; and the recently announced 1932, which is set to premiere in December 2022.
ACM Songwriter of the Year Award – Hardy was awarded the 57th ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and PRO representatives. The Panel submits five nominees, at which time ACM members in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company categories vote for the winner.
Hardy has emerged as one of country music’s most distinctive and creative talents, gaining career momentum through major cuts by Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, and Cole Swindell. His collaborative spirit most recently carried him to No. 1 as a songwriter and featured artist on Dierks Bentley’s “Beers on Me.” Hardy placed multiple songs, including “More Than My Hometown” and “Sand in My Boots,” on Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album, which won ACM Album of the Year in 2022. He has co-penned 11 No. 1 singles since 2018, including his own chart-topping, double- Platinum single “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson.
My Music Row Story: Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem’s Jason Turner
/by LB CantrellJason Turner. Photo: Justin Fricke
Jason Turner is Partner at the boutique entertainment and sports law firm, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC. Turner has more nearly 25 years of music industry experience, and represents many of Nashville’s top songwriters, executives, managers, and independent publishing companies, as well as the three-time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, among others. He has been named to Billboard‘s Power Players and Attorneys of Note, as well as Super Lawyers for the past decade. He focuses a significant portion of his practice negotiating the sale of catalogs on behalf of songwriters and publishers.
Pictured: Jason Turner as a child with Charly McClain
MusicRow: Where did you grow up? Were you musical as a child?
I grew up in a very small town in northwest Illinois. It was about a hundred miles west of Chicago, a town of about 2,000 people.
At some point, for some reason, my parents bought a piano. It was in the same room as the stereo that we used to have back in the day. I would listen to music and I would sit at the piano. My feet couldn’t even touch the pedals, and I would start playing by ear. Pretty quickly thereafter, my parents hooked me up with the music teacher in our school system. It was the same person for elementary, middle and high school since it was such a small town. I took piano lessons and ended up being the pianist for the middle school and high school choirs in town.
What was the plan for after high school?
Going into my senior year of high school, I was actually already signed up to go to Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University out in Arizona to be a pilot. I wanted to be a commercial pilot. I’ve always been fascinated with airplanes. The night before I left Illinois to go to Arizona for a preview week at the school, a music group that was signed to Polydor Records at the time here in Nashville played our small town summer festival. They were managed by Starstruck, they were on a major label, and they had already had their first hit. I wanted to meet them, so I connected with the lady in town who was in charge of the festival to figure out how can I finagle my way in. The group was called 4 Runner. It was a quartet produced by Buddy Cannon and managed by Narvel Blackstock. That night I ended up selling their merch. I ended up going out with them several more dates later that summer because they were so kind to me. They connected me up with people in the industry. That was truly the moment that I found out that there was this thing called “the music business.”
The next day, I fly out to this flight camp for a week and every night as I’m calling back home to talk to my parents, I wasn’t talking about the flight camp. I was talking about my experience with 4 Runner and how excited I was about that. I ended up talking with people that they worked with, found out about Belmont, and did a complete 180 out of going to flight school and ended up going to Belmont for the music business program.
Pictured: Jason Turner (right) plays piano with friend and client Nick Carter (left)
What did you get into at Belmont?
I immediately jumped in. I was still playing piano and, with Belmont being Belmont, I started playing in various bands. By my sophomore year of college, I was working at Warner Brothers.
Royce Risser was the first label person that I ever met even before I moved here. He was super kind to meet with me and my parents before I even committed to Belmont. So [while at Belmont], I went to Royce and talked to him about an internship. At the same time I went to Warner Brothers and talked to them about an internship. Warner Brothers was very open with me and basically said, “We’re going to turn you loose. If there’s something you see that you have a passion for, we’re going to let you do it.” As fate would have it, they didn’t have anybody at that time handling secondary radio promotions within their promotion department. So within a week or two, I was starting to call radio programmers and working the records for the Warner Brothers roster. I was shifting around my school schedule to accommodate the call times of all of the programmers for all of these radio stations. I did that for a little over two years and loved it. That was the first Tim McGraw and Faith Hill tour, and when Travis Tritt came back after taking a break. I got to work a George Jones record, which was just crazy to me.
Pictured (L-R): Faith Hill, Jason Turner
How did you change lanes to being an entertainment attorney?
During that time—again, I’m still at Belmont—Time Warner merged with AOL. So at the age of 19 or 20, I got my first inside look at corporate mergers and what that means. (Laughs) To speak generically, it set off a light bulb in my head. I love the music industry. I love the creative side. I don’t love that somebody 2,000 miles away has the power to decide whether or not I have a job tomorrow. The other thing that kept ringing in my head was virtually anytime I would spend with artists, I almost felt like a therapist because they would start opening up about issues they were having. “I’m stuck in a management deal and I can’t stand my manager,” or “I’ve been signed to the label for eight years and still don’t have an album out,” and so on. I couldn’t help, but think, “Gosh, every single one of these scenarios seems somewhat predictable and more importantly, preventable. Why wasn’t this dealt with in your agreements? Why aren’t you protected in these various ways that seem predictable and protectable?” I was driving back to my apartment at Belmont one day and a light bulb went off in my head. I thought, “I want to be the guy who can help people like this when they’re doing their contracts.” As soon as Belmont was done, I went down to law school in Florida.
I stayed in contact with everybody that I worked with [while in law school]. In typical music industry fashion, they all spread out to different places. When I came back in 2006, I immediately hit the ground running to meet with all of those people and say, “Hey, I’m back. This is what I’m doing. I would love it if you would keep me in mind, if you need anything.” It’s so humbling to me that I’m sitting here in 2022 and some of my clients are the same guys who either hired me or were mentoring me 25 years ago.
Pictured (L-R): Jason Turner, Shane McAnally
Now you’re a partner at the law firm you started with Jordan Keller in 2011. When do you feel most fulfilled in what you do?
I get the most joy seeing my clients succeed. I know that sounds cliche, but just last week I had four clients experience their very first No. 1 song. Technically it was three clients [who got their first No. 1], for the fourth client, it was his second No. 1 as a writer. It was for the Cody Johnson song “‘Til You Can’t.” I represent both of the writers. For Ben Stennis, it’s his very first No. 1 and that guy has been busting his tail for over a decade in this town. It’s the very first No. 1 for the publisher, Young Guns, as well as Trent Willmon, the producer of the song. Matt Rogers was the other writer, and it was his second No. 1. To get to see all of those individuals experience that, let alone on the same song in the same week, it truly was a reminder to me how lucky I am to get to do what I do with who I get to do it with. That’s why I do it every day.
Pictured (L-R): Jon Loba, Jason Turner
Who have been some of your mentors along the way?
I hate to confess it was this long ago, but 24 years ago, a very young Jon Loba [was a mentor of mine]. Jon was very young, he was a promo coordinator at the time, but he really empowered me. So did Bill Mayne, who was GM of Reprise at the time, and Bob Saporiti, who was GM of Warner Brothers at the time. Those guys truly empowered me to take the whole secondary radio thing and run with it. Ken Tucker is another guy. He was the national director of promotion at the time and he would spend time teaching me what the charts meant and what the different strategies were.
Jerry Duncan was Warner’s outside indie promoter for the secondary market stations when I was there, so he and I worked records together. He was one of the kindest people to me back in the day when it came to showing me the ropes of working with programmers and music directors. We had a ton of fun, and success, working records together on people like Faith Hill, Chad Brock, George Jones, and more.
What makes a successful person in business or in life?
I’m going to sound like a cheesy Hallmark movie, but I firmly believe what I’m about to say: work hard, do better than you think your best is, and treat others with kindness and humility. We all make mistakes. I’m speaking specifically as a lawyer right now—if somebody on the other side of you made a mistake, guess what? That may be you tomorrow. Remember that. We’re all just trying to do the best we can.
There’s always something to learn. I always tell my clients, whether they’re an artist, a songwriter or a business owner, continue to surround yourself with people who are better at your craft than you are. That’s what’s going to make you better at what you’re doing.
Carly Pearce To Headline Ryman In October
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Pearce will perform her first-ever headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium on October 26 in “Carly Pearce: One Night At The Ryman.”
Pre-sale for the show begins today (June 1) for the fan club before the public on sale Friday (June 3) at ryman.com/carlypearce.
“I truly can’t get over how many people gave me grace and love when I was dealing with so much hurt. Now to be on the other side, talking to fans not only about their challenges, but also offering hope that it will get better,” shares Pearce. “Country music is three chords and the truth. Well, those who know me know I can’t help but be honest in my music so what better way to celebrate my first time playing the Mother Church of Country Music than with some cold hard truth songs!”
Pearce offers final reckoning of a relationship that failed and a new set of standards for the next time she falls in love with her latest single, “What He Didn’t Do.” The song, which Pearce co-wrote alongside Ashley Gorley and Emily Shackleton, is the final release from her album 29: Written In Stone.
Thomas Rhett Celebrates 19th Career No. 1 With ‘Slow Down Summer’
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett‘s “Slow Down Summer” has become his 13th consecutive No. 1, landing at the top of the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart this week.
Penned by Rhett, his father Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Jesse Frasure, and Ashley Gorley, the ode to young love is also the star’s 19th overall career chart-topper.
Also out this week is Rhett’s new single “Half Of Me” featuring Riley Green. Written by Rhett, Akins, William Bundy and Josh Thompson, the track beckons listeners to put away the to-do list and kick back with an ice cold beer.
“Today is a really cool day,” Rhett shares. “I’m pretty blown away to be celebrating my 19th No. 1 with ‘Slow Down Summer’ and the release of my new single ‘Half Of Me.’ I wrote both of these songs with my dad, which is special to me, and several other truly incredible songwriters. I hope fans have as much fun singing along to ‘Half Of Me’ as we did writing it.”
Rhett is gearing up to take his 19-and-counting hits on the road with his “Bring The Bar To You Tour,” which launches June 17.
Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain, More To Receive ACM Special Awards
/by Lydia FarthingThe Academy of Country Music has unveiled the recipients of the Special Awards for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Honorees will be celebrated during the 15th Annual ACM Honors on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
“ACM Honors is truly a special and unique night as the entire country music community comes together to celebrate the achievements of artists, musicians, and industry executives that have made a positive impact on the industry during the prior year or over their careers,” notes Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “Being the 15th anniversary of this event also makes it a night to remember some of the Academy’s pioneers who originally inspired these honors.”
Previously announced Songwriter of the Year winner Hardy, as well as the Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, will be feted at ACM Honors. Performers, host, and ticket on-sale information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Special Award Honorees:
ACM Triple Crown Award – Miranda Lambert will receive the prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award following her first win for ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards. Lambert qualified for the Triple Crown Award after winning ACM Top New Female Vocalist, ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, and ACM Entertainer of the Year throughout her career, an honor only seven other artists have been awarded.
Lambert continues to reign as the most decorated artist in the history of the ACM, most recently earning her second ACM Video of the Year award and her first ACM Entertainer of the Year title at the 57th ACM Awards, bringing her career total to 37 ACM awards. Additional highlights include a record-setting nine consecutive ACM Female Artist of the Year awards, ACM Song of the Decade for “The House That Built Me,” 10 ACM Song and ACM Single of the Year awards (as either an artist or an artist and songwriter), the ACM Milestone Award, and the first-ever ACM Spirit Award.
ACM Icon Award – Connie Bradley has been chosen to posthumously receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his country music career. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.
Bradley served more than three decades at ASCAP, championing songwriters. She began her career with ASCAP as the company’s first female membership representative, eventually rising to Senior Vice President and head of the Nashville office. Over the span of her career, Bradley’s leadership contributed to ASCAP signing artists including Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, George Strait, and Trisha Yearwood, among others. Bradley’s creativity, vision, hard work, and dedication to the genre undoubtedly contributed to country music’s global success.
ACM Lifting Lives Award – Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles have each been chosen to receive the Lifting Lives Award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, known as a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Barnabee has been an avid supporter of ACM Lifting Lives throughout his career. Having served two consecutive years as the Chair of the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors, his passion and investment played an instrumental role in jumpstarting the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund in 2020. A senior staffer tapped to lead Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.’s (FBMM) Los Angeles office, Barnabee has 30 years of diverse industry experience in many divisions including Polygram Records, Sony Music, and FBMM. He also served as Chairman of the board for the ACM (2015-2016) and was a member of the board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee for five years.
With over a decade of service to ACM Lifting Lives, Wiles’ tenure on the organization’s Board dates back to before its 2008 rebranding, when it was still named the ACM Charitable Foundation. During this time, Wiles played an integral role in shaping the organization’s charitable efforts, building many of the core tenets of ACM Lifting Lives that remain today, including Party for a Cause, the Grant Cycle, and Music Camp. Having served the longest tenure as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Wiles’ financial leadership enabled ACM Lifting Lives to give generously to the country music community throughout the years. As a Certified Public Accountant who helped build business management firm Wiles + Taylor & Co., his experience in the music industry spans three decades, encompassing personal management for several artist clients, business management, and financial consulting. Wiles is a former board member of Nashville’s WPLN and Leadership Music, and a current member of ACM, CMA, NARAS, TSCPA and AICPA. He is also co-owner of Do Write Music.
ACM Milestone Award – Morgan Wallen has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, honoring the contributions of Gene Weed, who directed and produced the ACM Awards for more than 30 years. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Wallen’s critically-acclaimed Dangerous: The Double Album launched the singer’s career to new heights in 2021. Landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for 10 weeks following its release, the project remains at the top of the charts, recognized as the country album with the most weeks (60) in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart, and the most weeks (59) at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, to date. It also won ACM Album of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards in March 2022. With more than 4.1 million units sold, the singer’s rapid rise and unparalleled success earned him Country Male Artist of the Year at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Wallen’s 55-show “The Dangerous Tour” has netted over 800,000 tickets sold in 2022 so far, with $3 from every ticket benefiting his More Than My Hometown Foundation. His first solo release of 2022, “Don’t Think Jesus,” earned a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 debut and landed atop Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Wallen the first artist to score three No. 1 debuts on the chart since its inception.
ACM Service Award – Duane Clark has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Service Award, honoring the contributions of songwriter Mae Boren Axton and her service to the Academy. This award is presented to an outstanding country music artist, duo/group, or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy.
An award-winning business manager and trusted adviser, Clark has been a co-owner of FBMM for over a decade. As President and Chief Operations Officer at FBMM, he has provided counseling and strategic support to his roster of clients, ensuring their financial management and security for years to come. His long history of dedicated service to the industry is evident through his 13-year tenure on the ACM Board of Directors, beginning in 2009. From 2011-2016, Clark served as Treasurer of the Academy’s Board, playing an instrumental role in making the record-setting 50th ACM Awards show at AT&T Stadium in Dallas a monumental success. Clark served as Chairman of the organization from 2018-2019 and continues to support the Academy as Treasurer of the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. He also acts as a financial advisor to Country Radio Broadcasters, is a member of the Recording Academy, and is a charter member and alumnus of SOLID.
ACM Spirit Award – Chris Stapleton has been chosen for the ACM Spirit Award, honoring the contributions of Merle Haggard, who received 20 ACM Awards in his career, including the Triple Crown Award. This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country music legend Merle Haggard by following their own path, crafting great songs, and epitomizing Haggard’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.
The Kentucky native has maintained the traditional, outlaw edge of the genre with riveting singles including “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Nobody to Blame,” and “Starting Over,” while appealing to wider audiences with crossover collaborations including features on Taylor Swift’s “I Bet You Think About Me,” Adele’s “Easy On Me,” and more. An 8x Grammy and 13x ACM Award-winner, Stapleton’s monumental career has been lauded across every major music awards stage. Most recently, he won ACM Male Artist of the Year for the third time at the 57th ACM Awards. His highly acclaimed 2020 album, Starting Over, also won three awards at the 67th Annual Grammys (Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance, and Best Country Song), as well as Album of the Year at the 56th ACM Awards as both an artist and producer.
ACM Poet’s Award – Sonny Throckmorton and Shania Twain have each been chosen as recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Throckmorton’s songwriting career began in the late 1970s when he had 150 songs cut within a nine-month span. Between 1976 and 1980, a Throckmorton-penned song appeared on the charts almost every single week. Throughout his storied career, he had more than 1,000 songs recorded by an astounding list of artists, including Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, The Judds, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, and more. Throckmorton notched No. 1 singles with Johnny Duncan, The Oak Ridge Boys, and T.G. Sheppard. He also co-wrote classics such as Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am,” Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Middle Age Crazy,” George Strait’s “The Cowboy Rides Away,” and The Judds’ 1984 ACM Song of the Year, “Why Not Me.” He has received countless accolades for his contributions to the genre, including Songwriter of the Year recognition from organizations such as NSAI (1978-1979), BMI (1980), and the DJs of America (1980). In 1985, Throckmorton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Twain has established her career as one of country music’s most versatile songwriters, with instantly-recognizable hits and an undeniable crossover appeal that has earned her three ACM Awards and five Grammys. The release of her album The Woman in Me in 1995, featuring her breakthrough hit single “Any Man of Mine,” was awarded ACM Album of the Year at the 31st ACM Awards, the same year Twain took home the title of ACM Top New Female Vocalist. Twain became the first artist in history to release three consecutive diamond-certified albums and, with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, she remains the top-selling female country pop artist of all time. Twain’s first album in 15 years, Now, was released in September 2017 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, making it the first female country release in over three years to top the all-genre chart.
ACM Film Award – Yellowstone has been chosen to receive the ACM Film Award, honoring the contributions of Tex Ritter, who was known for both his acting career and country music career. This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series, or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music.
The SAG and PGA-nominated series is co-created by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, along with John Linson. Andrea von Foerster serves as music supervisor, while Oscar-winning actor and seasoned musician, Kevin Costner, stars as John Dutton. The dramatic scenes and compelling music heard on Yellowstone have captivated audiences, introducing viewers to numerous country and Americana artists. Artists such as Zach Bryan, Hayes Carll, Turnpike Troubadours, Whiskey Myers, and ACM Award winner Lainey Wilson have all had their music featured in the show. The tremendous success of Yellowstone on Paramount Network has inspired multiple prequels: 1883 which stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sam Elliott and made its debut in late 2021 on Paramount+; and the recently announced 1932, which is set to premiere in December 2022.
ACM Songwriter of the Year Award – Hardy was awarded the 57th ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and PRO representatives. The Panel submits five nominees, at which time ACM members in the Artist/Musician/Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Music Publisher/PRO and Record Company categories vote for the winner.
Hardy has emerged as one of country music’s most distinctive and creative talents, gaining career momentum through major cuts by Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, and Cole Swindell. His collaborative spirit most recently carried him to No. 1 as a songwriter and featured artist on Dierks Bentley’s “Beers on Me.” Hardy placed multiple songs, including “More Than My Hometown” and “Sand in My Boots,” on Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album, which won ACM Album of the Year in 2022. He has co-penned 11 No. 1 singles since 2018, including his own chart-topping, double- Platinum single “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson.
Warner Chappell Music Extends Global Publishing Deal With Jessi Alexander [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellJessi Alexander
Warner Chappell Music has extended its worldwide publishing deal with chart-topping songwriter, Jessi Alexander.
The Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter has multiple No. 1 hits to her credit, including Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson’s “Never Say Never,” Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” and “Drink On It,” Scotty McCreery’s “In Between,” and Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck.” Her most recent success includes Morgan Wallen’s record-breaking single, “Don’t Think Jesus,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making it one of only 11 songs to ever debut at the top of the chart. The song also drew 18.1 million US streams within its first week of release and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales and all-genre Digital Song Sales charts.
“Starting a new partnership at Warner Chappell is kind of a surreal, full-circle moment for me. Twenty years ago, Warner Chappell took a chance on me as a young writer and signed me to my first publishing deal,” Alexander says. “Fast forward, here I am, getting to work with a powerhouse team that feels like family with Jessi Vaughn Stevenson and Ben Vaughn! I feel more inspired than ever to write a new chapter in the same Warner Chappell building and hopefully create some songs we can all be proud of.”
Alexander has been playing music since she was a child, and started writing songs at 11. The Tennessee native first gained prominence with Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” Since then, she’s earned an NSAI Song of the Year honor, as well as ACM and CMA awards for Song of the Year with “I Drive Your Truck.”
“[My songwriting has changed in] so many ways!” Alexander tells MusicRow. “I have so much more life and songwriting experience to bring to the table now. It took the first 10 years to figure out what my strengths were, find my voice in the writing room, build confidence and finally have a radio hit. And over the last ten years I’ve become more grateful and trusting of the process. I can honestly say that I love my job and am somehow not tired of it yet.”
Vaughn, President and CEO, WCM Nashville says, “You know it when you hear a song written by Jessi Alexander. She is unapologetically country and a true songwriter who is setting a new standard for what that career path can look like. Her co-writers are fiercely loyal to her and know a day spent in the weeds digging out that next great country song will be well worth it. We are incredibly proud to be part of her journey and look forward to creating more hits in the future.”
Stevenson, Senior Director A&R/digital, WCM Nashville adds, “Jessi Alexander is a world class songwriter. Her work ethic and focus combined with her innate talent for writing universally relatable songs has garnered her so much success thus far and I cannot wait to help her accomplish even more goals in this new chapter. Jessi (and her husband, Jon Randall) took a chance on me as their writer manager when I was a junior in college, so to be working together again in an official capacity is a really special, full circle moment”
Alexander has also released two albums throughout her career, Down Home and Decatur County Red, in which several country artists are featured including Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, and Randy Houser.
When it comes to songwriting, Alexander is most excited for the talented artists and songwriters she will continue to get to work with as she extends her partnership with Warner Chappell.
She sums, “Most days I’m truly blown away by their talent and it keeps me inspired! Also being a devotee and lover of the old school, more traditional country music style, I am thrilled to get to work with more and more artist that lean in that direction.”
Old Dominion To Headline Nashville’s 4th Of July Celebration
/by Lydia FarthingOld Dominion
CMA and ACM Group of the Year Old Dominion will headline Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper.
As previously announced, Grammy-winning reggae artist Gramps Morgan, country-pop-punk singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope and rising country artist Levi Hummon will be part of the concert lineup. Held at the downtown riverfront, the evening will include the city’s biggest fireworks show synchronized to a live performance from the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.
A free Amazon Family Fun Zone will be open on Sunday, July 3, from noon to 6 p.m., and Monday, July 4 from noon to 5 p.m. with inflatables and live music. A total of 16 Nashville-based artists will be featured on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage and at the Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park over the two-day celebration.
“The Nashville 4th of July is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and to draw in visitors to our city from around the world,” notes Courtney Ross, Amazon’s Senior Manager of Community Engagement. “We are delighted to contribute to the programming of this year’s celebration with the Amazon Family Fun Zone, which will feature family-friendly activities and great performances from incredible local artists.”
The Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage will be located at First and Broadway before shifting to Ascend Amphitheater for the live performance by the Nashville Symphony and fireworks show. Kelly Sutton will host both stages, Wendy Moten of The Voice will sing the national anthem, and Coach (DJ) will entertain between sets. CMT will broadcast Let Freedom Sing! from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., including a portion of the concert and the entirety of the fireworks show.
Performances at the Amazon Family Fun Zone on July 3 will include Troubadour Blue, Craig Duncan & Friends, Les Kerr & The Bayou Band, The Woods, Jesse Labelle and Emily Earle, along with DJ Dave Audé. On July 4, performances will include San Rafael Band, Joe West Band, Jenny Tolman, Nick Howard and Jeverson, along with DJ Rod Youree.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper is produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp for the city of Nashville. This will be the 19th annual celebration produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and the 38th in the city.
AIMP Global Publishing Summit To Feature Ashley Gorley As Keynote Speaker
/by Lorie HollabaughAshley Gorley
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has released the schedule for this year’s Global Music Publishing Summit to be held June 14 at the 3 West Club in New York City. The Summit will take place both online and in-person, and feature a full day of panels and keynotes on the business, sync, and creative areas of the industry.
This year’s keynote conversation will feature songwriter/producer/publisher Ashley Gorley. With a record 60 No. 1s and more than 400 songs recorded, he will discuss his success and more with Tim Hunze, VP of Publishing for Big Machine Music and host of the AIMP Nashville Pubcast.
In a joint statement, John Ozier (AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President/Reservoir), Teri Nelson-Carpenter (AIMP LA Chapter President/Reel Muzik Werks), and Michael Lau (AIMP NY Chapter President) share: “Music publishers would be nothing without songwriters, and we’re so fortunate to be able to have Ashley Gorley join us on June 14, along with the rising stars that our partners NYC3 and Music Publishers Canada have put together for the evening showcase. Our program hits all the current hot topics, from catalog acquisitions and the metaverse, to the latest on the U.S. legislative and international fronts. It will be a great day to be together in New York!”
The NYC3 and Music Publishers Canada will close out the day with a showcase featuring performances from Canadian and U.S. songwriters Jewels Gold (Rainbow Rock Music), Sarah MacDougall (Arts & Crafts Music Inc.), Tatiana Owens (Angry Mob Music), and Poesy (Daytripper Music Publishing).
Ahead of the Summit on Monday, June 13, the AIMP Young Professionals Committee and Music Publishers Canada NXTextGen will be hosting a mixer welcome event aimed towards people starting their careers in publishing at Turntable LP Bar; the event is free, but advance registration is required.
Morgan Wallen Hits Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
Morgan Wallen jumps from No. 11 to No. 3 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The singer is a co-writer on his own “Thought You Should Know,” “You Proof,” and “Wasted On You,” as well as Corey Kent’s new single, “Wild As Her.”
Ashley Gorley moves up into the top spot this week. He receives credit from seven currently charting songs, such as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), and “Holy Water” (Michael Ray).
Ernest Keith Smith (No. 2), Jesse Frasure (No. 4) and Chase McGill (No. 5) complete the top five 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.
Mackenzie Carpenter Builds Out Team With G Major Management
/by Lydia FarthingMackenzie Carpenter. Photo: Jami-Lyn Fehr
Following the announcement of her addition to The Valory Music Co. earlier this month, Mackenzie Carpenter has signed with G Major Management for representation.
Her first release on The Valory Music Co., “Can’t Nobody,” debuted last week as a SiriusXM Highway Find. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter worked with producer Brandon Hood to dial in her sound, and is currently in the studio recording her debut project.
Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Carpenter’s musical upbringing led her to attend Belmont University where she immersed herself into the local songwriting community. Her first cut as a songwriter, Lily Rose‘s “Villain,” landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Country chart. She will open for Jake Owen on tour this fall.
“I first discovered Mackenzie when Nicolle Galyon shared a song they had written together and it stopped me in my tracks,” notes G Major Management founder Virginia Bunetta. “The authenticity in her songwriting and the vision she has for herself as an artist is a breath of fresh air. She is beyond her years in both intelligence and chops. We are so excited to welcome her to the G Major family.”
Founded by Bunetta in 2013 in partnership with Live Nation, G Major Management also guides the career of CMA and ACM winning, Grammy-nominated artist Thomas Rhett. Additionally, Bunetta oversees signings and operations of Home Team Publishing, a joint venture with Rhett, his father Rhett Akins and Warner Chappell, whose roster includes Parker Welling and Conner Smith.
Connor James Signs With Universal Music Publishing Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ron Stuve (UMPG Nashville), Connor James and Cyndi Forman (UMPG Nashville)
Connor James has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.
The New York native is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with writer, producer, and artist credits in multiple genres. He has had sync placements with Apple, Motorola, and Toyota, as well as cuts by Caylee Hammack and Josie Dunne.
“Ron Stuve and I have been Connor James fans for several years,” shares Cyndi Forman, Senior Vice President, A&R at UMPG Nashville. “His writing ability, production chops and creativity are unlimited. We’re proud to welcome him to the UMPG family.”
James adds: “I couldn’t be happier for the chance to work with Cyndi, Ron and the rest of the UMPG family. The care and dedication for their writers is second to none. I am so thankful to have them along for this journey.”