
The winners have been revealed for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
For the first time ever, Miranda Lambert was named Entertainer of the Year. This win brings her total ACM Awards count to 37, more than any artist in ACM Awards history, and qualifies her for the coveted Triple Crown Award (New Female/Male Artist of the Year, Female/Male Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year).
Carly Pearce earned her first win for ACM Female Artist of the Year and her second win for Music Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde), bringing her total ACM Awards count to four. Chris Stapleton garnered his third Male Artist of the Year win, and his 13th ACM Award overall.
Old Dominion won for Group of the Year for the fourth time, marking their seventh ACM win overall. Brothers Osborne earned their third win for Duo of the Year, their sixth overall.
Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood took home Single of the Year for “If I Didn’t Love You.” This is Underwood’s second win in that category and 16th award overall, and Aldean’s second win in that category and 15th overall.
Lainey Wilson (New Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Things A Man Oughta KNow”), Parker McCollum (New Male Artist of the Year), and Morgan Wallen (Album of the Year for Dangerous: The Double Album) all took home their first ACM Award wins.
Off-camera awards included winners for the Music Event of the Year, Video of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Pearce and McBryde were announced as winners of the ACM Award for Music Event of the Year for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” produced by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Lambert and Elle King were announced as winners of the ACM Award for Video of the Year for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” produced by Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, and James Stratakis and directed by Alexa and Stephen Kinigopoulos. Michael Hardy was announced as the ACM Award Songwriter of the Year.
To read a full recap of the 57th Annual ACM Awards, click here.
Winners Below In Red:
Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Female Artist Of The Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Male Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
New Female Artist Of The Year
Tenille Arts
Priscilla Block
Lily Rose
Caitlyn Smith
Lainey Wilson
New Male Artist Of The Year
HARDY
Walker Hayes
Ryan Hurd
Parker McCollum
Elvie Shane
Album Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Tony Brown
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records
Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Matt Dragstrem
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group
Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
Producer: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records
Famous Friends – Chris Young
Producer: Mark Holman, Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Chris DeStefano
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Producers: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Record Company-Label: Vanner Records / RCA Records Nashville
Single Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
Producers: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Joe Thibodeau
Record Company-Label: Monument Records
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producers: Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG
You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville
Song Of The Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
7 Summers – Morgan Wallen
Songwriters: Morgan Wallen, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally
Publishers: Big Loud Mountain, Bo Wallace Publishing, Smackborne Music, Sony/ATV Accent, Smackstreet Music, Tempo Investments, Warner Geo Met Ric Music
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing II, Bentprop Pub, Big Blue Nation Music, Combustion Five, Jentown, Jordan Davis Music, Smackwork Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group Music, Universal Music Corporation, WC Music Corp
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
Songwriters: Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, Shane Stevens, Walker Hayes
Publishers: Songs of SMACK, Rarespark Media Group, Smackworks Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group, Holy Graffiti Music, Purplebeatz, WC Music Corp
Knowing You – Kenny Chesney
Songwriters: Adam James, Brett James, Kat Higgins
Publishers: 3 Ring Circus, BMG Platinum Songs, Pompano Run Music, Songs of Brett, WC Music Corp
Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
Publishers: Sony/ATV Accent, Sony/ATV Countryside, Spirit Two Nashville, Super Big Music
Video Of The Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert
Producers: Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, James Stratakis
Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producer: Jennifer Ansell
Director: Peter Zavadil
I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton
Producers: Jil Hardin, Blake Lively, Kathy Palmer, Austin Swift
Director: Blake Lively
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Shaun Silva
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Producer: Ryan Byrd
Director: Alexa Campbell
Songwriter Of The Year (Off Camera Award)
Jesse Frasure
Nicolle Galyon
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Josh Osborne
Music Event Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
half of my hometown – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins, Kelsea Ballerini
Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville
Charley Crockett Slates New Album ‘Jukebox Charley’ For April
/by Lorie HollabaughCharley Crockett. Photo: Bobby Cochran
Charley Crockett is set to release his new album Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley on April 22 via Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers. The album’s lead single, out now, is Crockett’s take on “I Feel For You,” a standout from Jerry Reed’s 1966 debut album The Unbelievable Guitar & Voice of Jerry Reed.
“Mark Neill turned me on to this one,” explains Crockett about the single. “It was a guiding light for both Welcome to Hard Times and Music City USA. It really spoke to me, hit me as a timeless song. Once we started the sessions for Jukebox Charley, it became clear this would be a single.” Crockett and his band the Blue Drifters performed the song this past weekend as part of their debut CBS Saturday Mornings “Saturday Sessions” appearance.
The fourth edition of his Lil’ G.L. tribute series, Jukebox Charley weaves old school blues, R&B, soul, cajun, western swing and other classic touchstones with country. The project features songs penned by country legends like Willie Nelson, Tom T. Hall and George Jones, along with cuts by regional acts like Louisiana’s Larry Brasso.
“I’ve done a few Lil’ G.L. records now,” says Crockett. “This Jukebox Charley LP makes four. I wanted to really stretch out on this one and take some chances. Do something different. We took some risks and laid down a lot of lesser known, more adventurous classics. Hope folks pick up what I’m puttin’ down.”
Crockett will kick off his coast-to-coast “Jukebox Charley” headlining spring tour later this month, culminating in his return to the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California at the end of April. He’ll also perform at Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson’s ranch outside Austin during SXSW, and will open a pair of amphitheater shows for Nelson in May as well.
Jukebox Charley Track List:
Make Way For A Better Man (written by Cy Coben)
I Feel For You (written by Jerry Reed Hubbard)
Lonely In Person (written by Tom T. Hall)
Diamond Joe (Traditional)
Where Have All The Honest People Gone (written by Dennis Linde)
Home Motel (written by Willie Nelson)
Jukebox Charley (written by Johnny Paycheck & Aubrey Mayhew)
I Hope It Rains At My Funeral (written by Tom T. Hall)
Heartbreak Affair (written by Kay Adams)
Battle With The Bottle (written by Joe Avants Jr & John Koonse)
Out Of Control (written by George Jones, Darrell Edwards & Herby Treece)
Six Foot Under (written by Clint Lewis & James Hutchins)
Same Old Situation (written by Wayne Kemp & Bill McDonald)
Between My House And Town (written by Sanger D. Shafer)
Hank Williams Jr. Announces 2022 Tour Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughHank Williams Jr. Photo: David McClister
Hank Williams Jr. has announced a limited number of 2022 tour dates. The country legend will visit Huntsville, Jackson, Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and more on the 16-date run, which kicks off April 1 at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.
“It’s about that time, and you better believe I’m ready brothers and sisters,” Williams Jr. shares. “We’re bringing some blues, some rock and some country back to country.”
With six RIAA-certified Platinum albums, 20 RIAA Gold-certified albums and over 70 million sold, Williams Jr. has released 37 studio albums in his five-decade career.
Hank Williams Jr. Tour Dates: Southaven, MS Grand Forks, ND Des Moines, IA Lake Charles, LA Huntsville, AL Monticello, IA Dayton, OH Salem, VA Harrington, DE North Little Rock, AR Durant, OK Jackson, MS Beaver Dam, KY North Lawrence, OH
April 1 Landers Center
May 27 First Interstate Arena at MetraPark^ Billings, MT
May 29 Alerus Center^
June 17 Wells Fargo Arena^
June 18 Denny Sanford Premier Center^ Sioux Falls, SD
July 8 Golden Nugget+
July 9 Orion Amphitheater~
July 21 Great Jones County Fair
July 22 Nutter Center^
July 29 Salem Civic Center^
July 30 Delaware State Fair
Aug. 5 Simmons Bank Arena#
Aug. 6 Choctaw Grand Theatre
Aug. 9 Jackson County Fair
Aug. 12 Beaver Dam Amphitheater+
Aug. 13 Neon Lights Festival*
*On Sale March 9
^On Sale March 11
~On Sale March 18
#On Sale April 1
+SOLD OUT
The ACM Awards Return To Las Vegas For A Fun-Filled Night
/by LB CantrellPictured: (L-R) Co-hosts Gabby Barrett, Dolly Parton, and Jimmie Allen speak onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
The Academy of Country Music made its grand return to Las Vegas Monday night (March 7) when country music stars, industry members, and fans gathered at Allegiant Stadium for the 57th Annual ACM Awards. Performances and award presentations streamed live on Prime Video, without commercial interruptions, for the first time in history.
For the first time ever, Miranda Lambert won the night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year. Chris Stapleton, Carly Pearce, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen were also among the televised winners.
The incomparable Dolly Parton was the host for the evening. She first appeared on screen with a shimmery outfit that looked to be made from a broken disco ball. “We’re making history tonight,” she said of the Prime Video stream. “What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.”
Parton’s co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett kicked the music off with a performance of “Viva Las Vegas” and “Let’s Go To Vegas” from another stage. That’s when the camera panned around the enormous Allegiant Stadium, which held three stages. Barrett later performed a cover of Lee Ann Womack‘s “I Hope You Dance,” and Allen performed his new single, “Down Home.”
Perhaps because the show wasn’t limited by a huge television network, the energy and flow of the ACM Awards was fun and less polished. Nominees and fans danced in the aisles, and presenters let loose when announcing performers or giving out awards.
Pictured: Ashley McBryde and Eric Church perform onstage during the ACM Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
Entertainer of the Year nominee Eric Church performed a medley of his many hits early in the night. His sampling included “How ‘Bout You,” “Guys Like Me,” “Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Springsteen,” “Give Me Back My Hometown,” “Round Here Buzz,” “Record Year,” “Hell of A View,” and more. His nine album covers flashed on the screens as Church powered through his performance. Ashley McBryde appeared on stage to sing on “Heart On Fire.”
Walker Hayes performed his new single “AA” before getting the crowd on their feet for his massive hit “Fancy Like.”
When it came time to present the first televised award, Duo and Group of the Year were revealed back-to-back. Brothers Osborne were crowned as the ACM Duo of the Year. The grateful brothers thanked their fans, family and team. “About a week ago, they pulled our single from country radio,” TJ Osborne said candidly of “I’m Not For Everyone,” adding, “I needed a little bit of wind in our sails.”
Old Dominion took home their fifth consecutive Group of the Year Award, the longest winning streak in the category since 2008. “We don’t take that for granted,” frontman Matt Ramsey said, before recognizing the fighting going on in Ukraine. “We’re in this beautiful bubble here when there’s people out there fighting for their lives,” he said.
The next slate of performances included Maren Morris playing one of her new songs, “Circles Around This Town,” and Parmalee, Blanco Brown and Brooke Eden coming together for “Just The Way.” Jason Aldean—who was performing when a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas in 2017—introduced Chris Stapleton’s performance of “Watch You Burn,” which was written in response to the tragedy.
Yellowstone actors Luke Grimes and Kelsey Asbille, who elicited a big cheer from the country fans, were on hand to present Song and Single of the Year.
Pictured: Lainey Wilson accepts the Song of the Year award for “Things a Man Oughta Know” onstage during the ACM Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
Darling Lainey Wilson won her second and third ACM Awards—she was named Best New Female Artist last week in some early award announcements—and took home trophies as the artist and co-writer for Song of the Year with “Things A Man Oughta Know.” Wilson knocked her acceptance speech out of the park. “Country music is my life,” she said, before thanking her family, her co-writers and producer Jay Joyce, and her fervent team. “Country music fans have wrapped their loving arms around me, which is a prayer answered,” she continued, before letting the huge stadium and fans at home know that “Things A Man Oughta Know” is about the golden rule: treating others the way you want to be treated.
Immediately thereafter, Aldean and Underwood won Single of the Year for their anthemic “If I Didn’t Love You.” The pair recognized the songwriters and their teams, and later performed the massive hit. After two of his artists accepted their trophies—Wilson and Aldean—the camera panned to BBR Label Group head Jon Loba who beamed up at the stage.
More performances ensued. Pearce and McBryde performed their Music Event Of The Year award-winner “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” Thomas Rhett played “Slow Down Summer,” starting at the piano. Brothers Osborne performed their rocking “Skeletons.”
James Patterson appeared to promote his new novel with Parton and introduce his co-writer to perform a tune from the novel’s accompanying album, “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans,” with Kelsea Ballerini.
Pictured: Morgan Wallen accepts the Album of the Year ACM award for Dangerous: The Double Album. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
When it came time to announce the winner for Album of the Year, fans and attendees were shocked to hear Morgan Wallen’s name called for his blockbuster album Dangerous: The Double Album. This marks the first time the controversial figure has won a major voted award for his massively successful sophomore album due to his now infamous use of a racial slur in early 2021. Wallen thanked his family, his team, and his army of fans. “Thank you to everyone who has shown me grace along the way,” he said.
For the next section of performances, Parker McCollum played his breakout hit “Pretty Heart.” Breland played “Praise The Lord,” with a gospel choir and Thomas Rhett lending their vocals to the fun song. Kane Brown sounded fabulous on a swanky new one, “Leave You Alone.” Last year’s Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan performed “Up” before playing “Buy Dirt” with Jordan Davis. Lady A played “What A Song Can Do.”
Male Artist of the Year went to Stapleton for the third time. “This is a rowdy bunch,” he said before recognizing his supporters. Pearce won the ACM Female Artist of the Year, marking her first win in the category and her second win for Music Event of the Year, bringing her total ACM Awards count to four. “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do in the whole world,” she said.
Chris Young played “At The End Of The Bar” with Mitchell Tenpenny before playing his 2019 hit “Raised On Country.” Kelly Clarkson honored host Parton with a beautiful, tender version of “I Will Always Love You.”
Pictured: A screengrab of Miranda Lambert accepting her Entertainer of the Year award. Photo: Arturo Holmes/ACMA2022/Getty Images for ACM
Parton was tasked with announcing the winner of the night’s top honor. For the first time ever, Lambert won the ACM Entertainer of the Year. But also for the first time in 17 years, the singer-songwriter was not in attendance, as she was overseas gearing up for her C2C performance.
Via video, an elated Lambert said, “I’ve been waiting for this for a really long time. I actually never thought it would happen.”
With her hands clenched in a fist, Lambert added, “This one goes out to all the singer-songwriter girls out there that are putting their blood, sweat and tears into their guitar strings. We did it! This is for us.”
Closing out the fun show on an appropriate note, Brothers Osborne and Brittney Spencer collaborated on a special performance of “These Boots are Made for Walkin’.”
WME’s Shannon Saunders Talks C2C 2022 & The Return Of International Touring [Interview]
/by Lydia FarthingShannon Saunders. Photo: Courtesy of WME
C2C: Country to Country is Europe’s biggest country music festival, created by AEG Europe and SJM Concerts in association with the Country Music Association. Each March, country music artists from Nashville, the United Kingdom, and Europe come together in London, Glasgow and Dublin for three days of the best in country music and programming.
After having to cancel the past two years of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, C2C will make its triumphant return for its eighth year this week (March 11 – 13).
At the top of the bill for the 2022 C2C festival are Darius Rucker, Miranda Lambert, and Luke Combs, the latter two of which are represented by WME.
MusicRow recently spoke with Shannon Saunders, an agent in WME’s Nashville office with a focus on booking international acts, about what goes in to picking the best artists for an event like C2C, the influence of Nashville artists overseas, and the return to touring in country music.
MusicRow: What is your role at WME?
I have been with WME for over 10 years now, and have worked in various places booking for domestic territories, including fairs and festivals all across the U.S. Most recently I’ve moved into the international territory where I focus on growing our international touring opportunities for our Nashville roster.
What is the importance of a festival like C2C? Why is connecting Nashville artists such a vital piece of it?
C2C has been going on for quite a few years, much longer than I have been working with it directly. It’s always been a great event that introduces new country artists to the UK and Irish marketplace, and most recently even into Germany and the Netherlands. It’s one of our marquee events of the year, and I know that everyone is really looking forward to getting back there.
C2C has really created a wonderful community and culture around it where fans get together and look forward to discovering new artists. You find a lot of artist discovery with the different festival stages during the day, specifically around London. You also get to watch acts like Ashley McBryde, who started on a Spotlight Stage and has continued [to become] a big, main stage act as well.
It’s predominantly [American artists] that are coming over, but there are domestic country music artists that are on the festival as well. For instance, we represent Essex County, who is a part of the festival this year. They are based in the UK and are local to that market. There are many others on the bill as well, so it’s definitely a mix of [American] and local acts.
WME acts Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert are two of the three headliners for C2C this year. What goes into finding the perfect act for an event like this?
Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert
We’re always looking for talent that’s never been overseas before or acts that have put in the work and continue to grow a strong and loyal fanbase in Europe. You have definitely seen that with Luke Combs, who is a strong act there. He started touring really small and has grown all the way up into a major headliner in Europe.
We’ve got acts of all kinds all over [the world]. WME has 18 acts booked from our roster on this 2022 festival that range from big, marquee headliners all the way down to acts that are going over for the very first time and will be introduced as a new artist in Europe.
The 2020 and 2021 editions of C2C were cancelled because of COVID. With that in mind, what will this year’s show be like?
I’m really looking forward to the 2022 festival. I highly anticipate it to be a very large celebration of the comeback of country touring overall, and the excitement of everyone getting together with that community and getting to watch some amazing talent. The lineup this year is truly incredible. It’s very diverse and it’s a great cross section of everything that country music has to offer and all of the many different sounds that live within that genre.
I think C2C is going to be the kickoff of a lot more international country touring for the rest of this year and into 2023. I’m really looking forward to a lot of the things that we have in the pipeline. We have quite a few tours already announced through 2022 with Brad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, Morgan Evans, and The Cadillac Three.
There will be more that will continue to be announced over the next few months, so this is just the beginning of country touring coming back. I’m really looking forward to having a robust touring season in the year to come.
Kelsea Ballerini’s ‘Half Of My Hometown’ Becomes Seventh Chart-Topper
/by Lorie HollabaughKelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney
Kelsea Ballerini has landed her seventh No. 1 atop the Billboard and Mediabase Country Airplay charts with her Gold-certified single “Half Of My Hometown,” featuring fellow East Tennessee native Kenny Chesney.
The song is also a milestone for Chesney as it marks his 35th No. 1, extending his record of the most No. 1s on the Country Singles chart. In addition to topping the charts, “Half Of My Hometown” is also approaching 200 million streams.
The track went No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart on Jan. 7, 2022, and celebrated two wins at the 2021 CMA Awards for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.
“Sometimes leaving is the only way you understand the importance of where you’re from. Leaving Knoxville at 15 to go chase my dreams was the hardest and best decision I’ve ever made. I love every single person who is a part of ‘Half Of My Hometown,’” shares Ballerini. “Kenny Chesney showed up in every way for this song and has become such a friend and brother through it. Thank you, country radio; thank you, Black River Entertainment and thank you to the cheerleading coach who didn’t let me on the team, because I would have never picked up the guitar and gotten here.”
“When Kelsea texted, I wanted to hear the kind of song a girl from back home would write,” Chesney adds. “And it was even better than I’d thought, and my expectations were pretty high. Kelsea’s song is everything about leaving where we’re from is: how hard to leave a place that is everything you are, how badly the need to be a singer or a writer of songs can be. She nailed it, and I was honored to be a part of it.”
“Half Of My Hometown” is the fourth single off of Ballerini’s self-titled third full-length studio album Kelsea and was recently certified Gold, marking the seventh RIAA Gold and Platinum certification from the project. The achievement is the latest success for Ballerini, who performed “Big Dreams And Faded Jeans” on stage with Dolly Parton last night (March 7) during the 57th Annual ACM Awards.
Industry Ink: Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, Hangover Fest, Tyler Rich
/by Lydia FarthingJon Pardi Sets 2022 Attendance Record With His RodeoHouston Debut
Jon Pardi. Photo: Tyler Leaman
Jon Pardi sold out the famed RodeoHouston for his debut appearance on Saturday night (March 5). The CMA and ACM award-winner sold 72,859 tickets, marking the highest paid attendance so far of 2022.
Pardi, who was slated to perform at the rodeo in 2020, was finally able to make his debut on the rotating stage. “It only took us two years, but we finally made it,” Pardi told the crowd.
His “Ain’t Always the Cowboy Tour” will kick off on July 14 in Irving, Texas, and will wrap up with a Nashville show on Oct. 1 at Ascend Amphitheater.
Cody Johnson Joins Class Of 2022 Inductees To The Texas Cowboy Hall Of Fame
Cody Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of Schmidt Relations
Platinum recording artist Cody Johnson has been inducted into The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 with the Spirit of Texas Award. Other Class of 2022 honorees included Patti Colbert, Wilson Franklin, Scharbauer Cattle Company, and Dr. Charles “Bud” Townsend.
The induction came just days after Johnson sold out opening night of RodeoHouston, becoming only the third performer in its 90-year history to do so.
Inaugural Hangover Fest Celebrates Sold Out Show, $57,000 Raised
Pictured (L-R): Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Molson Coors’ Pete Coors, The Morning Hangover Founder & Publisher Kurt Bardella, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz, comedian Dusty Slay. Photo: Bryan Steffy
The Morning Hangover, a multi-media country music news and entertainment platform, sold out the House of Blues Las Vegas for its first-ever Hangover Fest on Sunday night (March 6).
Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives, the event featured performances from more than a dozen country acts, including Dustin Lynch, Hardy, Jordan Davis, Scotty McCreery, Lainey Wilson, Drew Baldridge, Adam Doleac, Morgan Evans, Caitlyn Smith, Tenille Townes, Lacy Kaye Booth, Hannah Ellis, Jordan Fletcher, Breland, Kat & Alex, Conner Smith, and comedian Dusty Slay.
Molson Coors Board Chairman, Pete Coors, presented a check for $50,000 to ACM Lifting Lives on behalf of presenting sponsor Coors Light. Multi-Platinum entertainer Chris Young also made a surprise appearance and performance before adding a personal donation of $7,000 in celebration of 7 nominations at the 2022 ACM award show.
“The live music experience is the heart-beat of The Morning Hangover,” shares TMH Founder and Publisher Kurt Bardella. “I started The Morning Hangover so that artists I believed in like the ones we had on our stage last night could have a bigger platform to share their songs, stories, and connect directly with the fanbase. The Morning Hangover is about discovery and elevating the new and diverse voices of country music. I am so grateful to everyone who took part of #HangoverFest22 and helped make it such a huge success.”
Tyler Rich Commemorates Three SiriusXM No. 1s
Pictured (L-R): George Briner (The Valory Music Co.), Neil Vance (Collective Artist Management), Tyler Rich, Ashley Sidoti (The Valory Music Co.) and Chris Palmer (The Valory Music Co.) Photo: Courtesy of The Valory Music Co.
The Valory Music Co. recently surprised Tyler Rich with plaques commemorating his three No. 1 hits on SiriusXM’s The Highway, including “The Difference,” “Leave Her Wild” and “Better Than You’re Used To.”
“What an amazing surprise! It’s been such a fun ride with SiriusXM The Highway, and I’m so proud of these three No. 1s! But none of this is remotely possible without my fans, the listeners, JR Schumann, The Valory Music Co., Neil Vance and my management team,” reflects Rich. “Hope you’re loving my current single ‘A Little Bit Of You’ playing on The Highway right now, and know, a lot more new music is coming.”
Rich will set off on the second leg of his “Two Thousand (More) Miles Tour” beginning this Thursday (March 10) with a headlining show at the Midnight Rodeo in Springfield, Missouri. For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.
The 57th Annual ACM Award Winners [Full List]
/by LB CantrellThe winners have been revealed for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
For the first time ever, Miranda Lambert was named Entertainer of the Year. This win brings her total ACM Awards count to 37, more than any artist in ACM Awards history, and qualifies her for the coveted Triple Crown Award (New Female/Male Artist of the Year, Female/Male Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year).
Carly Pearce earned her first win for ACM Female Artist of the Year and her second win for Music Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde), bringing her total ACM Awards count to four. Chris Stapleton garnered his third Male Artist of the Year win, and his 13th ACM Award overall.
Old Dominion won for Group of the Year for the fourth time, marking their seventh ACM win overall. Brothers Osborne earned their third win for Duo of the Year, their sixth overall.
Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood took home Single of the Year for “If I Didn’t Love You.” This is Underwood’s second win in that category and 16th award overall, and Aldean’s second win in that category and 15th overall.
Lainey Wilson (New Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Things A Man Oughta KNow”), Parker McCollum (New Male Artist of the Year), and Morgan Wallen (Album of the Year for Dangerous: The Double Album) all took home their first ACM Award wins.
Off-camera awards included winners for the Music Event of the Year, Video of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Pearce and McBryde were announced as winners of the ACM Award for Music Event of the Year for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” produced by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Lambert and Elle King were announced as winners of the ACM Award for Video of the Year for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” produced by Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, and James Stratakis and directed by Alexa and Stephen Kinigopoulos. Michael Hardy was announced as the ACM Award Songwriter of the Year.
To read a full recap of the 57th Annual ACM Awards, click here.
Winners Below In Red:
Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Female Artist Of The Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Male Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
New Female Artist Of The Year
Tenille Arts
Priscilla Block
Lily Rose
Caitlyn Smith
Lainey Wilson
New Male Artist Of The Year
HARDY
Walker Hayes
Ryan Hurd
Parker McCollum
Elvie Shane
Album Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Tony Brown
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records
Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Matt Dragstrem
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group
Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
Producer: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records
Famous Friends – Chris Young
Producer: Mark Holman, Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Chris DeStefano
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Producers: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
Record Company-Label: Vanner Records / RCA Records Nashville
Single Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
Producers: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Joe Thibodeau
Record Company-Label: Monument Records
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producers: Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG
You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville
Song Of The Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
7 Summers – Morgan Wallen
Songwriters: Morgan Wallen, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally
Publishers: Big Loud Mountain, Bo Wallace Publishing, Smackborne Music, Sony/ATV Accent, Smackstreet Music, Tempo Investments, Warner Geo Met Ric Music
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing II, Bentprop Pub, Big Blue Nation Music, Combustion Five, Jentown, Jordan Davis Music, Smackwork Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group Music, Universal Music Corporation, WC Music Corp
Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
Songwriters: Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, Shane Stevens, Walker Hayes
Publishers: Songs of SMACK, Rarespark Media Group, Smackworks Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group, Holy Graffiti Music, Purplebeatz, WC Music Corp
Knowing You – Kenny Chesney
Songwriters: Adam James, Brett James, Kat Higgins
Publishers: 3 Ring Circus, BMG Platinum Songs, Pompano Run Music, Songs of Brett, WC Music Corp
Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
Publishers: Sony/ATV Accent, Sony/ATV Countryside, Spirit Two Nashville, Super Big Music
Video Of The Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert
Producers: Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, James Stratakis
Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producer: Jennifer Ansell
Director: Peter Zavadil
I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton
Producers: Jil Hardin, Blake Lively, Kathy Palmer, Austin Swift
Director: Blake Lively
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Shaun Silva
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Producer: Ryan Byrd
Director: Alexa Campbell
Songwriter Of The Year (Off Camera Award)
Jesse Frasure
Nicolle Galyon
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Josh Osborne
Music Event Of The Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville
half of my hometown – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins, Kelsea Ballerini
Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment
If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG
Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville
Chris Tomlin’s ‘Good Friday Nashville’ To Return To Bridgestone Arena
/by Lydia FarthingChris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein
Chris Tomlin‘s “Good Friday Nashville” concert will make its return to Bridgestone Arena on Friday, April 15.
The annual event benefits the foster care and adoption crisis through For Others, a non-profit foundation created by Tomlin and his wife Lauren, which aims to close the gap between children-in-need and capable care providers through raising awareness, maximizing resources and mobilizing communities. Tickets for “Good Friday Nashville” are available now.
“’Good Friday Nashville’ is one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. When this event began 5 years ago, I had a dream it might become an annual thing… a tradition for family and friends to come together, to celebrate, to remember,” he adds. “As we got closer to that first Good Friday, I felt a need to make this night more than just a concert. My wife, Lauren, and I had felt a calling to shed light on the foster care and adoption crisis in our nation. It was through that and our first Good Friday that our non-profit, For Others, came to be. And so, each year ‘Good Friday Nashville’ benefits helping children find forever homes across our state. So, when you join us for this powerful night of worship… know that you are a part of making a difference in so many lives.”
For Others will host an inaugural private vision gathering on April 14 that will bring together a select group of difference-makers who have a heart for solving America’s foster care crisis. Among the featured experiences are a celebrity golf tournament, private concert, and auction. Participants include Marcus Allen, Mike Fisher, Eddie George, Kirk Herbstreit, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Shay Mooney from Dan & Shay, Willie Robertson, Ben Roethlisberger, Daryll Strawberry, TobyMac, Brett Young, and Ben Zobrist.
Since its inception in 2017, “Good Friday Nashville” has sold out each year, becoming the largest ticketed Christian concert in the history of the venue. Plans are currently in place for Tomlin to continue the Good Friday concerts indefinitely.
Ashley Gorley Notches Sixth Consecutive Week Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley
For the sixth consecutive week, Ashley Gorley remains in the top spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Gorley is a co-writer on “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), and “You Didn’t” (Brett Young).
Shane McAnally stays at No. 2 this week. supported by the songs “Everyone She Knows” (Kenny Chesney), “23” (Sam Hunt), “Half Of My Hometown” (Kelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny Chesney), “AA” (Walker Hayes), “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” (Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde), and “No Hard Feelings” (Old Dominion).
Michael Hardy (No. 3), Eric Church (No. 4) and Jesse Frasure (No. 5) round out the top five.
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.
Weekly Register: Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan Claim Top Country Song
/by Lydia FarthingJordan Davis and Luke Bryan have taken hold of the No. 1 spot on the country streaming songs chart with “Buy Dirt.” The track earns 7.4 million streams this week, contributing to a total of 201 million RTD, according to MRC data. The pair’s touching single is up for three awards—Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year—at the 57th annual ACM Awards airing tonight (March 7) exclusively on Amazon Prime.
Luke Combs rises to the second spot as “Doin’ This” gains 6.1 million streams this week, while Cody Johnson‘s “‘Til You Can’t” falls to the third spot with 6 million streams. Walker Hayes takes up the remaining two positions: “Fancy Like” comes in at No. 4 with 5.7 million streams, and “AA” seals the top 5 also at 5.7 million streams this week.
There are no changes on the country albums chart this week. Morgan Wallen remains at No. 1 with Dangerous: The Double Album claiming 42K in total consumption (1.5K album only/51 million song streams). Taylor Swift keeps her second spot as Red (Taylor’s Version) adds 20K. Combs maintains his two spots on the chart: What You See Is What You Get at No. 3 with 18K this week, and This One’s For You at No. 4 with 16K. Hayes’ Country Stuff: The Album finishes out the top five, gaining 14K in total consumption this week.