Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

Morgan Wallen once again explodes on to the top country streaming songs chart this week as the east Tennessee native owns 4 of the top 5 songs this week and 6 of the top 10.

The newest release in Wallen’s string of new music, “You Proof,” debuts at No. 1 with 21 million streams, according to Luminate data. “Thought You Should Know” takes second with 9.9 million streams, “Wasted On You” sits in third with 8.2 million streams, and “Whiskey Glasses” re-enters the top five at the last slot with 6.2 million streams. The only other artist in the top 5 this week is Zach Bryan at No. 4 with “Something In The Orange” gaining 8.1 million streams.

Wallen continues to dominate on the albums front, taking up two spots on the top five. Dangerous: The Double Album maintains its place at No. 1 with 55K in total consumption (1.4K album only/68 million song streams). He also takes the third spot as If I Know Me moves its way up the chart, gaining 18K in total consumption.

Luke Combs also claims two spots on the albums chart: No. 2 with What You See Is What You Get adding 19K in total consumption and No. 4 as This One’s For You earns 18K in total consumption. Taylor Swift‘s Red (Taylor’s Version) seals the top five with 15K in total consumption.

Pictured (L-R): LM Executive Director Debbie Linn, Chuck Harmony (LM ’19), Gina Miller (LM ’22), Claude Kelly (LM ’18), Paul Kwami (LM ’06), Scott Gerow (LM ’19), Jackie Patillo (LM ‘02), Mitch Glazier (LM ’10), Rachel Whitney (LM ’13), Otto Price (LM ’08), Lisa Purcell (LM ‘17), Phil Hughley (LM ’15), Debbie Carroll (LM ‘01), Chester Thompson (LM ’95), Bret Wolcott (LM ’07), Lane Wilson (LM ’12), David Kells (LM ’14), Shannon Sanders (LM ’17). Not pictured: Erick Long (LM ’16) and Tuwisha Rogers-Simpson (LM ’22)

BMI hosted a mixer on May 19 for Leadership Music’s Board of Directors and Black alumni to celebrate the creation of Leadership Music’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee is co-chaired by Phil Hughley (LM ’15), Erick Long (LM ’16) and Shannon Sanders (LM ’17).

Leadership Music was founded in 1989 by 12 music industry execs who had graduated from Leadership Nashville. They recognized that there was a unique sense of camaraderie to the Nashville music community and a need for a program designed to ensure and protect the dialogue and relationship building within the Nashville music community.

Currently the national program in Nashville has graduated more than 1,300 leaders from across the country in virtually every segment of the entertainment industry, as well as community leaders, including two Nashville mayors, the deputy chief of police and a Tennessee Congressman.

Tauren Wells is launching an extensive headline tour in support of his new album, Joy In The Morning, on Oct. 6 in Tampa, Florida. Aaron Cole and Lakewood Music will join as special guests on all dates.

The North American run will include stops at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre, The Soundstage at Graceland in Memphis, The Tabernacle in Atlanta, and a show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 15. Tickets for the “The Joy In The Morning Tour” are on sale now.

“Performing is my favorite part of what I do. I love it,” says Wells. “I love the entertainment aspect of it–just being able to get out there and dance and sing and crack jokes and tell stories. It is life-giving and it’s a great privilege to have people showing up every night to go there together.”

Joy In The Morning will be released by Capitol Records/CCMG on June 10. Wells will celebrate with an appearance at the Grammy Museum L.A. Live on June 13. The evening, which is part of the museum’s “The Drop” series, will feature an intimate conversation with Wells, moderated by television host Jason Kennedy, and a performance.

Wells, who is nominated for KLOVE Fan Awards Male Artist of the Year, will co-host the awards with Matthew West at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on May 29. The show airs on TBN on June 3.

Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan has broken the 2022 record for the most streamed country album in a single day on Spotify and Apple Music with his debut album American Heartbreak.

The Navy veteran-turned-country-breakout artist has now surpassed 1 billion global streams, and recently topped the Billboard Country Songwriter Chart. Additionally, his initial breakout track, “Heading South,” was just certified Gold from the RIAA.

American Heartbreak Track List:
Late July
Something In The Orange Z&E
Heavy Eyes
Mine Again
Happy Instead
Right Now The Best
The Outskirts
Younger Years
Cold Damn Vampires
Tishomingo
She’s Alright
You are My Sunshine
Darling
Ninth Cloud
Oklahoma City
Sun to Me
Highway Boys
Whiskey Fever
Billy Stay
Sober Side of Sorry
High Beams
The Good I’ll Do
Someday (Maggie’s)
Poems and Closing Time
From Austin
If She Wants a Cowboy
Corinthians (Proctor’s)
Open The Gate
Half Grown
No Cure
’68 Fastback
Blue
Morning Time
This Road I Know

Parker McCollum onstage at Ascend Amphitheater on May 21, 2022. Photo: Chris Kleinmeier

“We don’t get rained out, we get rained on!” Parker McCollum told the devoted fans who waited out an hours-long storm delay before he took the stage at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater around 10 p.m. on Saturday (May 21) for a sold-out show.

Standing in the spotlights, McCollum embraced the moment, looking at a sea of enthusiastic followers; some soaked, others in ponchos. He was wearing his standard attire: plain white T-shirt, gold chains, and a white ball cap. “I don’t even have the words to express how grateful I am that this many people stuck around to see me,” he said.

It was a night for McCollum to toast a year of wins driven largely by his current album, Gold Chain Cowboy. The project is a showcase for McCollum’s perfectionist songwriting polished up by his talented collaborator and producer Jon Randall. From that album, McCollum’s set included “Wait Outside,” “Drinking,” “Why Indiana,” “Dallas” and “Never Loved You At All,” as well as the No. 1 singles, “To Be Loved By You” and “Pretty Heart,” which initiated a major crowd singalong. He also offered the brand new song, “Stoned.”

Earlier in the evening, Universal Music Group Nashville surprised its rising MCA star with plaques to celebrate “Pretty Heart” being certified 2-times Platinum, and “To Be Loved By You,” being certified Gold.

McCollum receives RIAA certifications for “To Be Loved By You,” and “Pretty Heart.” Pictured (L-R): Jackie Jones, RIAA; Cindy Mabe, UMGN; Enzo DeVincenzo, Red Light Management; Parker McCollum; Hallie Ray Light McCollum; Stephanie Wright, UMGN;  Brian Wright, UMGN; Katie Dean, UMGN; and Annie Ortmeier, UMGN. Photo: Chris Kleinmeier

Over the course of three albums, McCollum has shown musical growth and sophistication, with hints of influences including Ryan Adams and John Mayer. As a songwriter, McCollum veers easily between introspective and vulnerable, and fun and upbeat.

McCollum’s trajectory dates back to 2015 with the release of his first full-length album. Along the way he has built an enviable touring base and successfully transitioned from playing heavily in his home state of Texas to being a national headliner.

Onstage at Ascend, he recalled his 2020 concert at Nashville’s Exit/In, grateful to have moved to a much bigger venue in only two years. Other recent milestones for the young troubadour include winning ACM New Male Artist of the Year, realizing his childhood dream of playing the sold-out RodeoHouston, and getting married. Accordingly, McCollum then sang “Hell of a Year,” a solo-written fan favorite and proof of his songwriting ability.

When he closed with “I Can’t Breathe,” the audience was in his hands. It was a glimpse into the future of an artist who still has a ton of potential up his T-shirt sleeve. With his 30th birthday right around the corner, McCollum is just getting started.

McCollum will make his debut appearance at this year’s CMA Fest in Nashville, performing at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 12. He will also make his first appearance on the iconic music television series ACL Live on July 26.

Photo: Chris Kleinmeier