Priscilla Block, Parker McCollum, More Added To CMT Music Awards’ Ram Trucks Side Stage Lineup

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Six of country music’s fastest-rising artists are set to take the Ram Trucks Side Stage as part of the upcoming 2022 CMT Music Awards, airing live from Nashville on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. CT on CBS as well as streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

Spotlighting the best and brightest up-and-coming stars, this year’s Side Stage will feature Priscilla Block (“My Bar”), Breland (“Praise The Lord”), Jessie James Decker (“Should Have Known Better”), Parker McCollum (“To Be Loved By You”), Elvie Shane (“My Boy”), and Caitlyn Smith (“High”).

In addition to their performances, all six entertainers will be competing for Breakthrough Video of the Year alongside fellow first-time nominee Tenille Arts, who performed on last year’s Side Stage and is also nominated for Female Video of the Year.

Previously announced performances and collaborations for this year’s show include co-host Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban.

Brown leads the nominations with four nods, while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, Breland, and Johnson follow close behind with three each. Carrie Underwood remains the most decorated artist in CMT history with 23 wins, as she vies for two additional trophies for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year, both for her collaboration with Jason Aldean.

General fan voting is now open until Monday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m. CT, when the top finalists for Video of the Year will also be revealed. For a full list of nominations, click here.

Seventh Annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Celebrates Emerging Writers

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Pictured (L-R): John Ozier (Reservoir Media, AIMP National Chair & Nashville President), Dan Wilson (Black River Publishing), Jenna LaMaster (Sheltered Music / 50 Egg Music), Rocky Block (Big Loud Publishing), Jonathan Hutcherson (Creative Nation), Jared Scott (Plaid Flag Music / Kobalt), Matt Jenkins (Madfun Entertainment / Warner Chappell), Duff Berschback (Concord Music, AIMP Nashville Board member), Emily Boardman (Hipgnosis Songs, AIMP Nashville Treasurer), Corey Crowder (Tree Vibez Music), Kendall Lettow (peermusic, AIMP Nashville Admin Asst), Courtney Kruckeberg (Endurance Music Group, AIMP Nashville Admin Director). Not Pictured: Ben Chapman

The Nashville Chapter of the AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers) held its seventh annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series this week at the Listening Room Cafe.

The event, sponsored by Endurance Music Group, featured two rounds of up-and-coming songwriters invited to join the prestigious class, including Rocky Block, Ben Chapman, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jenna LaMaster, Jared Scott, and Dan Wilson. Hosted by hit songwriters Corey Crowder and Matt Jenkins, the round allowed for each of the class members to perform two songs and share the stories behind them with the audience.

Past performers in the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series have gone on to achieve great success as both songwriters and artists. In order to qualify for the class, each of the songwriters must not have had a song charting higher than a top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase country charts. They are selected by a special committee made up of music industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville members.

Since its inception in 2015, the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series has established itself as an indicator of what’s to come from the thriving independent music publishing community.

Past classes include:

2020: Ryan Beaver, Dillon Carmichael, Ian Christian, Colin Elmore, Jeff Garrison, LJ, Tiera

2019: Claire Douglas, Emily Falvey, Ben Goldsmith, Griffen Palmer, Dave Pittenger, Jake Rose

2018: Kassi Ashton, Jordan Brooker, Nicolette Hayford, Kylie Morgan, Mike Walker, Anna Vaus

2017: Hannah Ellis, Ross Ellis, Michael Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Daniel Ross, Sarah Allison Turner

2016: Brinley Addington, Ash Bowers, Dustin Christensen, Erik Dylan, Jeffrey East, Josh Jenkins

2015: Maggie Chapman, Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Matt Rogers, Hailey Whitters, J.P. Williams

‘Pitch List’ Podcast Gears Up For Season 5 With Featured Guest Luke Laird

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Season five of songwriter Chris Lindsey‘s Pitch List podcast is set to launch this Thursday (March 31) with an episode featuring hit songwriter Luke Laird.

The new season will include a stacked lineup, including Martina McBride, Vanessa Carlton, Ian Fitchuk, Sasha Alex Sloan, Priscilla Block and more. 

With Pitch List, Lindsey set out to discover what makes creative people tick. Starting with writing and branching out to various aspects of the music industry, Pitch List skips the standard interview questions and opts for organic conversations, diving deep into the heart of making music.

“It has been absolutely incredible to help build this show with Chris over the past four years or so,” says Pitch List producer Daena Rogers. “We’ve been able to feature such a diverse group of guests, from classic Nashville songwriters and LA pop artists, to music legends like John Oates and up-and-coming stars that we’ve had the pleasure of watching explode onto the scene. We’re ecstatic to launch this set of new episodes that will hopefully be our best season yet!”

Past guests include hit songwriters and artists such as Lori McKenna, John Paul White, Cam, Bill Anderson, John Oates, and more with over 75 episodes and counting.

Kelsea Ballerini Honored With Song Suffragettes Yellow Rose Of Inspiration Award

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Pictured (L-R): Song Suffragettes founder Todd Cassetty, Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Song Suffragettes’ Maddie Lenhart. Photo: Libby Danforth

The Listening Room Café hosted Nashville’s all-female, singer-songwriter collective, the Song Suffragettes, on Monday (March 28) as it celebrated its eighth anniversary.

The sold-out show honored Kelsea Ballerini with the Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award, an honor bestowed on a female songwriter who has inspired the Song Suffragette women who one day hope to follow in Ballerini’s successful footsteps.

Singer-songwriter and publisher Nicolle Galyon interviewed Ballerini onstage, discussing her success, songwriting process, and personal journey. Song Suffragettes’ Founder Todd Cassetty and Event Director Maddie Lenhart presented Ballerini with the award.

Pictured (L-R, back row): Song Suffragettes founder Todd Cassetty, Peytan Porter, Nicolle Galyon, Autumn Nicholas, Kelsea Ballerini, Kalie Shorr, Ava Suppelsa, Mia Morris, Song Suffragettes’ Maddie Lenhart; (L-R, front row): Caroline Watkins, Lauren Hungate, Madeline Merlo, Lanie Gardner, Emily Brooke, Ava Paige. Photo: Libby Danforth

Ballerini also performed her recent No. 1 hit “Half Of My Hometown” along with “I Quit Drinking” to a standing ovation, with Galyon accompanying her on keyboard and vocals.

“Thank you guys for letting me be here and be a part of this amazing event,” Ballerini shared. “It’s a big full circle being here 8 years later. Thank you, Song Suffragettes.”

The evening’s first songwriting round was hosted by original Song Suffragette and TMWRK Records recording artist Kalie Shorr performing with Ava Suppelsa, Autumn Nicholas, Ava Paige and first-time Song Suffragette and Republic Records recording artist Lanie Gardner. Multi-instrumentalist and resident cajon player Mia Morris backed all performances in addition to performing an original song of her own.

The second writers’ round was hosted by Song Suffragettes alumna Lauren Hungate, and featured Caroline Watkins, Emily Brooke, first-time performer Peytan Porter and BMG recording artist Madeline Merlo along with Morris. The women ended the show with a cover “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” by last year’s Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award honoree, Ashley McBryde.

The entire sold-out show and livestream is available for viewing here.

CRB Announce Leadership For 2023 CRS Agenda Committee

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The leaders of the 2023 CRS Agenda Committee have been revealed, which include Joey Tack (WLHK/Indianapolis) as Chairman and Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield) as Vice-Chair.

Both Tack and Michaels served in leadership positions on the 2021-2022 agenda committee but are swapping the roles in which they previously held.

CRB, Inc. is now accepting applications for the CRS 2023 Agenda Committee.  The deadline to apply is April 8, and interested parties can submit here.

Industry professionals who want to be considered to serve on the committee must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville in person on June 29-July 1. Applicants must also be available to attend CRS 2023 on March 13-15, 2023.

“We’re looking for the brightest minds and rising stars to help us put together the biggest gathering of country music professionals in the industry,” says Tack and Michaels. “Please consider applying and lending us your expertise.”

The CRS 2023 Agenda Committee will be made up of volunteer professionals from all sectors of the country radio, streaming, and record industries. The committee is responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s CRS.

LeAnn Rimes Enlists The Next Generation Of Female Country Artists For ‘CMT Crossroads’

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Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes is the next headliner on an upcoming installment of CMT Crossroads.

CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends will feature a powerhouse lineup of Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Carly Pearce and Mickey Guyton, and will premiere Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. CT exclusively on CMT.

The all-female concert event celebrates Rimes’ 25th career anniversary. From her biggest chart-topping hits alongside new songs, the 90-minute special brings the Grammy award-winning vocalist together with the next generation of female artists who have been inspired and influenced by her music.

“It was such a magical and surreal experience, celebrating the past 25 years of my music as a full installment of CMT Crossroads. And to share the stage with women who are each, so unique and truly standing in their own magnificence, to get to hear firsthand how I have, in some special way, influenced their artistry… it was humbling and special,” shares Rimes, who recently announced her upcoming “The Story…So Far Tour.” “This is such an expansive year for me, from my new album release later this year to my upcoming tour, and I could not think of a better way to kick it all off than to celebrate the past, present and future with this memorable show.”

YouTube video

“What better way to celebrate LeAnn’s music and legacy than to bring together those who credit LeAnn for inspiring their own careers,” adds Margaret Comeaux, Executive Producer & Senior Vice President, Production, CMT. “The reciprocal admiration amongst these women is more than evident throughout filming, and makes for a truly magical connection on stage in this special extended episode of CMT Crossroads.”

A 3x CMT Music Awards nominee, Rimes took home her first trophy in 2008 for Collaborative Video of the Year with Bon Jovi. She also celebrated the world premiere of “Swingin’” and a performance of “Nothin’ Better To Do” at past CMT Music Awards. Rimes also teamed up with British soul singer Joss Stone for a special edition of CMT Crossroads.

NSAI Announces Winners Of 22nd Annual Song Contest

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Tarrah Walson & James Maltese

NSAI has announced the winners of its 22nd Annual Song Contest. Tarrah Walston of Nashville took home the Grand Prize for her submission “Tabs On You,” while James Maltese of Princeton, New Jersey is the Lyric-Only winner for his submission “Ferris Wheels.”

Walston was awarded $5,000 cash; a mentoring session with hit songwriter Rhett Akins; NSAI and CMT prize packs, including tickets to the CMT awards; and a one-year single-song publishing contract with Anthem Entertainment. She will also take part in the 30th anniversary Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival where she’ll perform the winning song at the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville tonight (March 29) to open the round featuring Jamie Floyd, Ty Herndon, Jake Hoot and Rachel Thibodeau.

Maltese won a mentoring session with hit songwriter Ali Tamposi; $2,500 cash; an NSAI prize pack, including a new acoustic guitar; and more.

In addition to the prize packages given, the nine song category runners-up will each receive a meeting with an industry professional and a one-year NSAI membership. The Lyric-Only category runner-up receives an event certificate to attend one of NSAI’s education events as well as a one-year NSAI membership.

The contest was presented by The Bluebird Cafe and CMT, with final judging held at Anthem Entertainment in Nashville. In total, the contest had nearly 2,500 entries and, after several rounds of judging, 22 songs placed in this year’s competition.

The judging panel featured Kelly Archer (professional songwriter), Fletcher Foster (President and CEO of F2 Entertainment Group), Leslie Fram (Senior Vice President, Music Strategy and Talent at CMT), Erika Wollam Nichols (COO and General Manager of The Bluebird Cafe), and Tim Wipperman (President of Publishing at Anthem Entertainment Nashville).

Full List of Winners:
Grand Prize Winner – “Tabs On You” – Tarrah Walston (Nashville, TN)
Lyric-Only Winner – “Ferris Wheels” – James Maltese (Princeton, NJ)
Lyric-Only Runner-up – “Where The Green Grass Glows” – Everton Rocca (Franklin, TN)

Song Category Runners-up
“Better On You” – Lauren Eliza (Nashville, TN)
“Comes To Light” – Andrew Marik (Memphis, TN)
“Cowboy Buddha” – Andrea Brodeur (Boston, MA)
“Hold That Thought” – Elysse Yulo (Nashville, TN)
“How Many Angels” – Sam Varga (Louisville, KY)
“Jingles In My Heart” – Sal Cosentino (Brooklyn, NY)
“John Denver” – Chris Nurthen (Memphis, TN)
“Make It A Habit” – Hayden Cain (Richmond, KY)
“The Devil’s A Liar” – Russell Dritz (Chappaqua, NY)

Honorable Mentions
“Beer Thirty” – Robert Starnes
“Broken Heartland” – Matt Jordan
“Buying Houses” – Sam Blasko
“Colors Of God” – Russ Parrish
“Seven Day Weekend” – Steven Sumners
“Starts With A Spark” – Jon Eborn
“Stealing Home” – Alli Carruth
“Till It Happens To You” – John Frank
“Why We Drive Trucks” – Ryan Price
“Wrong Turns Right” – Carin Fradin

Breland To Host Ryman Oasis Center Benefit With Kane Brown, Charles Kelley, More

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Breland is hosting a star-studded concert, “Breland & Friends,” on April 12 at the Ryman Auditorium. The show will benefit Middle Tennessee’s Oasis Center to help support local youth in need.

Sponsored by Amazon Music, the show will feature the Platinum-selling entertainer and a top lineup of guests, including Tyler Braden, Kane Brown, Russell Dickerson, Mickey Guyton, Charles Kelley, RaeLynn, Restless Road, Seaforth, and Brittney Spencer. The show will kick off at 7:30 pm CT with tickets for the special evening available here.

“Oasis Center does incredible work with youth in crisis, and their impact on the Nashville community and beyond is unmatched,” Breland explains. “I can’t think of a better location to celebrate and raise money for this amazing organization than the Mother Church itself. Every artist I have joining me at the Ryman represents the same altruistic ideals as the Oasis Center, and I’m so excited to share the stage with them.”

One of Middle Tennessee’s most comprehensive youth development agencies, Oasis Center helps young people and their families navigate complex challenges with over 20 programs and services available to respond to the area’s diverse needs.

The night before the benefit, Breland will be on hand at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, where he is nominated for three fan-voted awards.

Later this spring, Breland will also be a part of Amazon’s For Love & Country documentary, which explores the growing diversity movement in country music. His forthcoming album, Cross Country, is set for release this summer through Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville.

Brad Paisley Takes A Trip Across The Pond For Upcoming ‘World Tour 2022’

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Brad Paisley. Photo: Timothy Hiele

Brad Paisley will embark on his “World Tour 2022” beginning this May and running through October. This marks the decorated country artist’s ninth European tour and his first international shows since 2019.

The trek, which will travel around much of Europe, Canada and the U.S., will launch on May 27 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The run will end with his first-ever tour in Australia this fall.

Paisley will be joined by Tracy Lawrence, Scotty McCreery, Morgan Evans, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack and others along the way as direct support. Tickets for all dates will be available for purchase at bradpaisley.com.

A portion of ticket sales will go to The Store, a nonprofit free-referral based grocery store which aims to empower low-income individuals and families in the Nashville area. The Store was co-founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and currently serves 450 families a month.

In 2021, Paisley played over 30 concert stops across the U.S., playing major markets such as Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Chicago, Phoenix and more. The tour kicked off in Nashville on July 4 for Music City’s Let Freedom Sing! concert, which broke attendance records as 350,000 people gathered into downtown for the show.

Earlier this year, Paisley also scored his 25th career No. 1 with Jimmie Allen on their hit collaboration “Freedom Was A Highway.”

“World Tour 2022” Dates:
Friday, May 27, 2022 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Sunday, May 29, 2022 – Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
Thursday, June 2, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake *
Friday, June 3, 2022 – Philadelphia, PA – Waterfront Music Pavilion*
Saturday, June 4, 2022 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts*
Friday, June 10, 2022 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park X
Saturday, June 11, 2022 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans AMPHITHEATER at Va. Beach X
Friday, June 24, 2022 – Greeley, CO – Greeley Independence Stampede – Island Grove Regional Park
Saturday, June 25, 2022 – Fort Hall, ID – Shoshone-Bannock Hotel Casino
Sunday, June 26, 2022 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Friday, July 15, 2022 – Glasgow, Scotland – SSE Hydro ++
Saturday, July 16, 2022 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena ++
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 Poppodium ++
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena ++
Friday, July 22, 2022 – Bergen, Norway – Bergenhus Festning ++
Sunday, July 24, 2022 – Trondheim, Norway – Kristiansten Festning ++
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Liseburg Amusement Park
Friday, July 29, 2022 – Gavle, Sweden – Furuviksparken
Sunday, July 31, 2022 – Schwetzingen, Germany – Schlossgarten Open Air
Friday, August 12, 2022 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Resort Casino – Sandia Amphitheatre
Saturday, August 13, 2022 – Tucson, AZ – Ava Amphitheatre
Thursday, August 18, 2022 – Murphys, CA – Ironstone Amphitheatre X
Friday, August 19, 2022 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre X
Saturday, August 20, 2022 – Temecula, CA – Pechanga Resort Casino – Pechanga Summit X
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 – Put In Bay, OH – Bash on the Bay Country Music Festival
Thursday, August 25, 2022 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview XX
Friday, August 26, 2022 – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort – Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre
Saturday, September 17, 2022 – McHenry, IL – Splash into Country – Rise Up McHenry
September 23-25 – Willowbank, QLD – CMC Rocks
Monday, September 26, 2022 – Brisbane, QLD – Brisbane Entertainment Centre ++
Thursday, September 29, 2022 – Melbourne, VIC – Rod Laver Arena++
Saturday, October 1, 2022 – Deniliquin, NSW – Deni Ute Muster
Sunday, October 2, 2022 – Mareeba, QLD – Savannah In The Round
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 – Sydney, NSW – Qudos Bank Arena++
Saturday, October 8, 2022 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena ++

*Tracy Lawrence & Tenille Townes
++ Morgan Evans
X Tracy Lawrence & Caylee Hammack
XX Scotty McCreery & Caylee Hammack

Conner Smith Inks With Warner Chappell, Home Team & Miller Crow Music For Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Virginia Bunetta (Home Team), Spencer Nohe (WCM), Zach Crowell (MCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM); (L-R, bottom row): Conner Smith, Thomas Rhett (Home Team)

Rising singer-songwriter Conner Smith has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, in partnership with Thomas Rhett’s Home Team and Miller Crow Music.

Smith recently released his debut collection Didn’t Go Too Far on The Valory Music Co., which featured his current single “Learn From It” and viral hit “I Hate Alabama.” The 21-year-old Nashville native has been writing songs since he was 6 years old, and aligned with BMI at age 9.

“Conner is one of the most exciting new artists in Nashville,” says Rhett. “I am so honored to be a part of his publishing and songwriting journey along with Ben Vaughn and the whole Warner Chappell team. Home Team was meant for writers like Conner who know exactly who they are and what they have to say.”

Spencer Nohe, Senior Director, A&R, WCM Nashville adds, “Conner is a remarkable and prolific songwriter who has quickly proven to be an electrifying performer who will have a significant impact in country music for years to come. More importantly, he operates with humility, discipline, and a quiet, confident work ethic which is an honor to represent. We couldn’t be more grateful to partner with Conner, Home Team, and Zach [Crowell] for this next chapter of Conner’s career.”

Smith, who has been named to many prestigious artist-to-watch lists since debuting on the country scene, has scored opening slots on Rhett’s “Bring The Bar To You” tour and Ryan Hurd’s “Tour De Pelago.” He has also performed alongside young country favorites including Kane Brown and Sam Hunt, and is managed by Homestead Music.

“I couldn’t feel more thankful to get to center myself and career around people who I respect and trust so much,” Smith shares. “Having people on my team who believe in me the way Home Team, Warner, and Miller Crow do is really a special thing. I’m excited to share this next chapter with people who are dialed into the vision I have for my journey.”