Eli Young Band Join The Pandora Billionaires Club

Following their Grand Ole Opry performance on Feb. 22, Eli Young Band were surprised with a Pandora Billionaire Plaque, commemorating over 2 billion streams on the platform.

With this milestone, the band has been added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires Radio.

“Sometimes these moments sneak up on you and refill the gas tank,” reflected lead singer Mike Eli. “We love to play music and when something like this comes along and reminds you that people are listening, it just feels so good. The first and last time someone will call us billionaires!”

Last week, the band delivered their new single “Love Talking” to country radio. The band will return to the road for their 51-city “Love Talking Tour.” For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.

Priscilla Block Celebrates First RIAA Certification For “Just About Over You”

Priscilla Block was surprised with some happy news on Friday (Feb. 18) while joining SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard for The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour.

While in the studio, RIAA’s Jackie Jones popped in to the live broadcast, saying, “I am here to do one of my favorite things–to give an artist their very first certification. I’d like to congratulate you on your first Gold record!”

Jones presented Priscilla with Gold plaque for Block’s hit debut single “Just About Over You.”

“I’m at a loss for words!” shared a stunned Block. “This is because of [my family, friends, supporters, and fans]. [This is] my first certified gold single! Thank y’all for keeping music alive and continuing to buy and stream my music and letting me have a dang career doing what I love!”

Earlier this week, Block was also awarded the Breakout Artist of the Year award at MusicRow‘s 20th annual CountryBreakout Awards. Block earned the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart than any other debut artist last year.

 

Jon Langston Makes Opry Debut, Earns Gold Treatment

32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville artist Jon Langston made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Feb. 22. Along the way, he delivered an array of performances, including his upcoming single, “Back Words,” and fan favorite “Forever Girl.”

During the show, Langston was surprised backstage with a plaque commemorating “Forever Girl” being certified Gold by the RIAA.

The song was the first song Langston ever wrote, kicking off a career that has seen the Georgia native sell out shows across the country and tally more than 500 million total streams.

Langston will release “Back Words” this Friday (Feb. 25).

Dustin Collins Inks With New Vision, New Revolution

Dustin Collins has signed with New Vision Artist Management’s Mike Kraski and New Revolution Entertainment’s Jeff Solima.

Collins recently announced his forthcoming album, Working Man, which was produced by Buddy Cannon and Bill McDermott. The project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment. A portion of proceeds from the project will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment and enables them to re-enter society.

Kraski began his career in sales and distribution at CBS Records, eventually making his way to Sony Music Nashville where he worked with Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Montgomery Gentry, and more. He was eventually elevated to executive VP and General Manager for the Nashville division. In 2003, Kraski left Sony to open Equity Records. Since 2007, he has worked in artist management, consulting and music publishing at Tenacity Management and at M-Pact Music Group, recently partnering with artist manager John Dorris to launch New Vision Artist Management.

Solima, whose career started at Music Matters, managed Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker, as well as opened the multi-award-winning Hitsquad Promotions in 1993. In 2006, he co-founded New Revolution, and in 2008, he co-founded Bigger Picture Promotions, which became the No. 5 record label in 18 months. Clients that have included Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Martina McBride, Lee Brice, Gloriana, Uncle Kracker, Jesse James Decker, and more.

“It’s truly amazing to get to work with some of the best that Nashville has to offer. Management wise, Mike has helped me achieve everything I’ve wanted to on my new project and going forward to radio, you can’t help but to be impressed with Jeff’s track record of success and professionalism,” shares Collins.

Industry members and artists gathered for an emotional No. 1 party earlier this week when Broken Bow Records star Lainey Wilson celebrated her first chart-topper, “Things A Man Oughta Know.”

The crowd filled the Melrose Billiards hall, and a slew of Wilson’s artist friends—including Ian Munsick, Ashland Craft, Meghan Patrick, Mitchell Tenpenny, and more—were there to support the young artist.

The party, hosted by BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, honored the song’s co-writers Wilson, Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton. “Things A Man Oughta Know” is Wilson and Nix’s first No. 1 hit, and Singleton’s fourteenth. “I feel very lucky and honored to talk about all three of these writers,” Keen said.

Keen started what was an array of high praise for Wilson throughout the event. “You’re such a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “You deserve all the good things that come your way, and I know there’s going to be a lot of them.”

Keen also recognized Pinnacle bank for their support of No. 1 parties. Pinnacle’s David DeVaul hopped on the mic to congratulate everyone.

Representatives from Spirit Music Group, Big Machine Music, and Sony Music Publishing were on hand to gush about their songwriters.

Spirit’s Frank Rogers spoke about hit writer Singleton. “It’s a joy to work with you. You’re one of the hardest working writers in town,” he said. Rogers also mentioned Wilson’s importance to the country music genre, saying, “As a fan, we need Lainey Wilson. As a publisher, we need Lainey Wilson. As a music community, we need Lainey Wilson.”

Big Machine’s Mike Molinar, Singleton’s former publisher, spoke about the song and Wilson’s impact. He made sure to mention the song’s ACM nomination for Song of the Year. “I think you know what to do,” he said. “All five songs are great, all of those writers are great, but a song like this is going to keep connecting with people so much longer than we’re even going to know what an Applebee’s is.”

Rusty Gaston from Sony Music Publishing seconded Molinar on ACM voting. He also highlighted co-writer Nix’s work ethic, pointing out that he commutes two hours to write in Nashville. “That is somebody that is determined to make his dreams come true,” he said.

Gaston piled on the praise for Wilson. “What’s unique about Lainey is she isn’t someone who just has a dream. She has a vision to make that dream happen,” Gaston said. “You’re going to be using Lainey Wilson’s name in the future when we have conversations about artists that have defined a decade, that defined our genre…Lainey, everyone in this building loves you to death. You are the future of country music.”

With the crowd fired up after Gaston’s speech, BBR head Jon Loba got up to speak. He first recognized the BBR promotion staff, marketing and digital team, and A&R staff. “They will always carry a torch for Lainey,” he said.

“We were at the Ryman opening for Ashley McBryde. 50% of the audience knew her at the beginning, the entire audience was on their feet at the end,” Loba recalled. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I sat there watching Lainey on that hallowed stage and said, ‘We’re not going to see you on that stage for the next two, five, or ten years. We’re going to see you on that stage for decades.’ And I believe it.”

When it came time to hear from the songwriters, Nix started things off. “I know your mom and daddy are here,” Nix said to Wilson. “I want to thank y’all for raising someone who knows what she wants to say and how she wants to say it. I’m thankful to work with you and to know you.”

Singleton added, “I’m super excited about this song. I’m most excited that it’s Lainey and Jason’s first No. 1.”

Wilson held herself together as she began to speak. “I’m looking around the room right now and see my best friends,” she said. “I’m going to try not to cry.

“This is a moment I’ve been dreaming about since I was knee-high,” she added. “This is all I know how to do. Country music is my life.”

Wilson talked about her drive to become a country music artist, her family’s support, and her journey trying to make it in Nashville. “I knew absolutely nobody, but I knew this was what I was going to do. I have been bound and determined to do this thing. There’s been no plan B for me.”

She closed with some words on the song. “This song is not about whether or not you can change a tire, you can YouTube all that stuff. This song is about having good character, treating people right, and having the courage and discernment to do the right thing,” she said. “I’m so thankful that this song was my first No. 1 because, to my core, it tells who I am and what I stand for.”

Naomi Cooke, lead singer of country trio Runaway June, has announced her exit from the group after seven years. She will pursue a solo career.

Cooke shared the news via Instagram, saying: “I am incredibly excited to officially be able to announce that I am taking a new musical journey as a solo artist, and I am beyond excited to share new stories and music with you. It has been 7 wonderful years as the lead singer of Runaway June, and I am so grateful for the memories and time well spent with my bandmates, Hannah [Mulholland], Jennifer [Wayne] and Natalie [Stovall].” She continues, “It has been extremely hard to keep quiet about what I’ve been up to, and I cannot wait to share everything with you all very soon!! I miss you guys so much, and can’t wait to see y’all out on the road. I love you guys so much I could burst.”

Cooke, alongside original members Jennifer Wayne and Hannah Mulholland, who left the group in May of 2020, formed Runaway June in 2015 and signed with BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records. Their debut project, Blue Roses, included their hit single “Buy My Own Drinks,” marking them as the first all-female trio to earn a Top 5 hit at country radio in over 16 years. The trio spent much of 2019 on the road opening for Carrie Underwood’s “Cry Pretty Tour 360” and were part of CRS’ New Faces of Country Music Class of 2020.

After Mulholland’s exit in 2020, it was announced that vocalist, fiddle player and songwriter Natalie Stovall would join the group. She previously fronted Natalie Stovall and the Drive, known for the 2014 single “Baby Come On With it.” Since then, the Cooke, Stovall and Wayne released the single “We Were Rich,” a five-track Christmas EP, another three-song EP Backstory, and joined Luke Bryan on his “Proud To Be Right Here Tour.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature Rodney Crowell in its ongoing, in-depth interview series Poets and Prophets. The program is presented in support of the museum’s exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s.

Taking place on Saturday, March 19 from 2:30-4 p.m. CT at the Museum’s Ford Theater, the program will include a performance and interview with Crowell, and will be illustrated with photos, film and recordings from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive.

Crowell started his career in Texas, playing drums in his father’s honky-tonk band at age 11. He has written more than a dozen No. 1 songs and a collection of hit songs, including “’Til I Gain Control Again” (Emmylou Harris, Crystal Gayle), “I Ain’t Living Long Like This” (Waylon Jennings), “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” (Oak Ridge Boys), “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” (Rosanne Cash), “Shame on the Moon” (Bob Seger), “Ashes by Now” (Lee Ann Womack), “Please Remember Me” (Tim McGraw), “Song for the Life” (Alan Jackson) and “Making Memories of Us” (Keith Urban).

As a recording artist, Crowell’s 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt yielded five No. 1 singles, including “After All This Time.” The song, which he also wrote, took home a Grammy for Best Country Song.

Admission to Poets and Prophets is included with museum admission and free to museum members. For more information, click here.

The Poets and Prophets series features a variety of songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. Previous songwriters featured include Bill Anderson, Gary Burr, Wayne Carson, Buzz Cason, Roger Cook, Sonny Curtis, Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Dallas Frazier, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Roger Murrah, Paul Overstreet, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Jim Weatherly, Jimmy Webb, Craig Wiseman, and more.