DISClaimer Single Reviews: Tracy Lawrence Serves Up A Helping Of Classic Country

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Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

It’s in with the new and in with the old today in DISClaimer.

I’m pleased to report that we have a trio of fine first-timers in the column—Karley Scott Collins, Sacha and our DISCovery Award winner, Stefanie Joyce.

At the same time, we have dandy new music from three veterans—Jeannie Seely, Deborah Allen and our Disc of the Day awardee, Tracy Lawrence.

Spin ‘em all.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Whatever You’re Up For”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Chris Sligh/Derek Campbell/Paul Wrock/Ty March; Producers: Chris Sligh/Matt McClure; Label: KG
–I was quite taken with these twins (Derek & Brandon Campbell) when I reviewed their infectious disc debut last year. They’re back with a sexy, good-time come-on that is ready for any country dance floor. This jam is star-making stuff.

TRACY LAWRENCE / “Don’t Drink Whiskey”
Writers: Cassidy Lynn Alexander/Conner Lawrence Sweet/Marla Cannon-Goodman; Producers: Tracy Lawrence/Julian King; Label: TL
–Classic country. This is honky-tonk heartache at its finest, and Tracy’s singing has never sounded more accomplished. Thank goodness someone is still making music like this; it’s what made this genre great.

BLANE HOWARD / “Boot N’ Rally”
Writers: Blane Howard/Keesy Timmer; Producers: John Shaw/Blane Howard; Label: BH
–It’s one of them rock ‘em, sock ‘em thangs with screaming electric guitar and pounding rhythm. The ditty is aided considerably by a cleverly written lyric.

MAREN MORRIS / “Background Music”
Writers: Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Sony
–Her voice emerges from a deep well of echo with only the barest accompaniment. As the ballad progresses, the production adds layers and her singing increases in intensity. Fascinating, ear catching, magnetic.

SACHA / “We Did”
Writers: Brad Rempel/Ben Stennis; Producer: Gavin Slate; Label: Starseed
–This Canadian is on all kinds of artist-to-watch lists. I can certainly hear why. Her dazzling, bopping country rocker is produced like there’s no tomorrow. Her singing has all the verve, joy and delirium of young love. The twirling, swirling sound is utterly celestial. Make her a star.

KASSI ASHTON / “Dates in Pickup Trucks”
Writers: Kassi Ashton/David Garcia/Luke Laird; Producers: Luke Laird/Dave Garcia/Kassi Ashton; Label: MCA/Interscope
–Her quasi-spoken singing has more than a hint of R&B, and vibe here is distinctly hip-hop. In what sense is this record “country” music?”

JEANNIE SEELY / “So Far So Good”
Writers: Penn Pennington/Mitch Ballard; Producer: Don Cusic; Label: Curb
–Delightful. It’s a lively western swinger with scampering piano, twin fiddles and flawless background harmonies by The Whites (Sharon & Cheryl). It left me grinning from ear to ear.

LEVI HUMMON / “Bottled Up”
Writers: Levi Hummon/Mason Thornley/Grant Vogelfanger; Producer: Eric Arjes; Label: Reservoir
–Second-generation country guy Levi is the son of mega-hit writer Marcus Hummon (who recently debuted an opera in Music City). This track from his forthcoming EP is a well-written tune about the repressed emotions of a broken-hearted dude on a barstool. Catchy and commercial.

CHRIS LANE / “Howdy”
Writers: John Byron/Sam Ellis/Blake Pendergrass; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–Breezy and easy going. His plain-spoken, relaxed delivery sidles up next to you in an instantly-familiar way while the track twangs and thumps in a lulling pattern around him. Gently endearing.

STEFANIE JOYCE/ “Idle Hands”
Writer: Stefanie Joyce; Producer: Kyle Manner; Label: Avalon
–The funky, backbeat production is uber cool. Her drawling vocal is an arrow of truth. The guitar-groove melody is solid and hooky. Best of all, the lyric is a brilliantly fashioned plea for salvation from pills and booze. This is an extraordinary disc debut. I can’t wait to hear what else this singer-songwriter has in her arsenal.

DEBORAH ALLEN / “Blue Collar Baby”
Writers: Deborah Allen/Margaret Phillips; Producer: Deborah Allen; Label: DA
–This romping retro-rockabilly rave up is a rollicking audio party, complete with stuttering guitar, piano plunking and non-stop rhythm.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Heavenly”
Writers: Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Champan; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony
–Her burlap-and-velvet vocal tone is enchanting. The song is a regulation positive love tune, but she makes it sound like something exceptional. Promising. Send more.

Willie Nelson To Debut New Studio Album, ‘A Beautiful Time,’ In April

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Willie Nelson. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

Willie Nelson is releasing his new studio project, A Beautiful Time, on April 29. The first single from the album, “I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die,” penned by Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton, is available everywhere now.

A Beautiful Time arrives on Nelson’s 89th birthday and will be available on black vinyl and an exclusive orange vinyl edition for Barnes & Noble, as well as on CD and digitally. The album includes five new Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon compositions with contributions from some of Nashville’s best songwriters, including two Shawn Camp-penned songs–”A Beautiful Time” and “We’re Not Happy (Till You’re Not Happy).” The collection also premieres Willie’s covers of Leonard Cohen‘s “Tower of Song” and The Beatles‘ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

A Beautiful Time is Nelson’s latest collection for Legacy Recordings, which in 2021 released two albums from the country music legend–That’s Life and The Willie Nelson Family. That’s Life, a tribute to the artistry of Frank Sinatra, debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard‘s Jazz Albums chart and the Traditional Jazz Albums chart and is currently in the running for the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

A Beautiful Time Track List:
1. I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die (Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton)
2. My Heart Was A Dancer (Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
3. Energy Follows Thought (Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
4. Dreamin’ Again (Jack Wesley Routh and Douglas Graham)
5. I Don’t Go To Funerals (Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
6. A Beautiful Time (Shawn Camp)
7. We’re Not Happy (Till You’re Not Happy) (Shawn Camp and Charles R. Humphrey III)
8. Dusty Bottles (Jim “Moose” Brown, Scotty Emerick and Don Sampson)
9. Me And My Partner (Ken Lambert)
10. Tower Of Song (Leonard Cohen)
11. Live Every Day (Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
12. Don’t Touch Me There (Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
13. With A Little Help From My Friends (John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
14. Leave You With A Smile (Buddy Cannon, Bobby Terry and Matt Rossi)

Blair Miller Launches New Marketing Agency, Chaos Creators

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Blair Miller. Photo: Emily McMannis

Rising music business professional Blair Miller has launched Chaos Creators, an entertainment marketing agency focused on disrupting traditional artist development and fan engagement in the digital space.

Before launching Chaos Creators, Miller was the Creative Director of Jonas Group Media, an entertainment marketing agency she founded with Kevin Jonas, Sr. While there, Miller oversaw the marketing strategy for artists and creators such as Frankie Jonas, Lanie Gardner, Public, Melanie Pfirrman, Livvia, and Lucy Cloud. She also launched social campaigns with influencers such as Charli D’Amelio, Bella Poarch, Avani, Lil Huddy, and Madi Monroe.

Throughout her career, Miller has guided Frankie Jonas’ TikTok growth and limited edition merch drop, capitalized on Public’s viral song “Make You Mine,” led campaign ideation and execution for Melanie Pfirrman’s “Suda” featuring Pitbull, and sustained Lanie Gardner’s viral “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac cover video and surprise remix release with David Guetta. In just two years at Jonas Group Media, her clients amassed over 405 million Spotify streams, 2.3 million user generated TikTok videos, 226 million YouTube views, and 19 million social media followers.

“Creativity is at the core of everything I do. With the launch of Chaos Creators, I am able to add value to my clients’ music careers by bridging the gap between creativity and forward thinking strategy across new platforms and technologies,” says Miller. “I am excited for this new chapter, especially as I set out to build a diverse roster and amplify the voices of all minorities in the entertainment industry,” the recent Nashville Briefing 30 Under 30 honoree adds.

Miller earned her degree in Music Business from Belmont University. During her time there, she honed her marketing skills through stints with Scooter Braun Projects, Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Nashville, The Recording Academy, CMA, and Crowd Surf. After graduating, Miller began her career as a Digital Marketing Manager at Thinkswell where she supported the social media efforts of clients such as Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Chase Bryant, and Country Radio Seminar.

She can be reached at blair@chaoscreatorsent.com.

Steve Dorff & Friends To Share Stories And Songs At BMI City Winery Event

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BMI is presenting “An Evening of Songs and the Stories Behind Them with Steve Dorff and Friends” on March 15 at City Winery Nashville.

The one of a kind evening will be hosted by Dorff, a 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning BMI writer. Throughout the night, he will showcase hits he co-wrote with both his guests and other Nashville writers, including some of the biggest hits of the last four decades. Featured guests include John Berry, Jeffrey Steele, Phil Vassar and more, with other surprise guests to be announced soon.

“I am excited to be doing my first show in Nashville since moving here 2 and a half years ago. BMI is graciously sponsoring the event, and I have several incredible guest artists who I’m sure will make the evening very special!” shares Dorff.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. CT, with a portion of sales going to the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund to continue his legacy to uplift a new generation of music lovers.

City Winery will require all restaurant and ticket holders to show proof of a negative COVID test or full vaccination status.

Nicole Wyatt Named Creative Director At Carnival Music

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Nicole Wyatt

Nicole Wyatt has joined Carnival Music Publishing as Creative Director. In her new position, she will spearhead all publishing needs, deepening writer connections and showcasing the talents at Carnival.

A Chattanooga native, Wyatt attended Full Sail University in Orlando and made her way to Nashville in 2009 for an assistant position in the marketing and media department at Sony Music. Her previous stops include stints at Average Joes Entertainment, 38 Music Publishing, and Writerslist. Wyatt fronted her own independent venture, Little Red Truck Ent., prior to joining Carnival.

“Everyone who knows Nicole recognizes her passion for great songs and her dedication to songwriters and their craft. We are beyond excited to count her as one of our own now and know that she will greatly contribute to the future success of Carnival,” says Carnival’s Courtney Gregg.

She can be reached at nicole@carnivalmusic.net.

Carnival has celebrated 16 chart-topping singles, with seven writers achieving their first No. 1 with the publishing company. Carnival’s roster includes Adam Wright, Aham Smith, Aubrie Sellers, Brent Cobb, David Nail, Derik Hultquist, Dustin Christensen, Gretchen Peters, Jaida Dreyer, Kylie Frey, Marla Cannon-Goodman, and Waylon Payne.

Jordan Reynolds Renews Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell

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Pictured (L-R): Phil May (WCM), BJ Hill (WCM), Jordan Reynolds, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Nick Burnett (Hit Ranch)

Multiple Grammy award-winning songwriter Jordan Reynolds has renewed his global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville. His chart-topping hits have led to numerous award nominations, including two Grammy wins with “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber in 2021, and “God Only Knows” by For King & Country and Dolly Parton in 2020.

Reynolds has written six No. 1 songs, including five of the last Dan + Shay hits: “Speechless” (5x Platinum); “All to Myself” (2x Platinum); “10,000 Hours” (4x Platinum); “Glad You Exist” (Platinum); and “Tequila” (7x Platinum), which was also named the 2019 Song of the Year by the ACM. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious CMA Triple Play for penning three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period.

Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville shares: “Jordan has been with us at Warner Chappell for the better half of a decade and during that time he’s crafted some of Nashville’s most memorable songs of this generation. He’s a rare, dynamic talent whose sound isn’t bound by any one genre and we couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship.”

Reynolds has also worked with the likes of Lady A, Camilla Cabello, Lany, Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Charlie Puth, Keith Urban, and more. In 2021, he founded Better Songs, a blog meant to help budding musicians develop their craft.

“We’ve seen Jordan’s career reach incredible heights with multiple crossover hits and truly meaningful music. Fruits of his versatile talent and being an absolute gem of a human,” BJ Hill, VP, A&R, WCM Nashville adds. “We’re grateful to have been with him from the start and look forward to this next chapter together.”

“My team at Warner Chappell has been there since the beginning and has played a crucial part in my journey to becoming the writer I am today,” Reynolds offers. “I’m looking forward to an exciting future with this deal and building on our deep relationship.”

57th Annual ACM Awards Nominees: See The Full List

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The nominees have been revealed for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.

The ACM Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton alongside Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 7, and will exclusively stream on Prime Video.

Allen and Barrett announced select nominees this morning (Feb. 10) on the ACM official Twitter account. Both nabbed nominations for the Male and Female Artist of the Year categories, respectively.

Leading the ACM nominees this year is Chris Young with seven nominations including for Album of the Year and Single of the Year. He shares three of his nominations with fellow artist and collaborator Kane Brown for their hit “Famous Friends.”

Miranda Lambert receives a record-tying 16th Female Artist of the Year nomination (tied with Reba McEntire), as well as four other nominations. Walker Hayes, a first-time nominee, also receives five nominations; as does Chris Stapleton, including his fourth nod for Entertainer of the Year and his seventh for Male Artist of the Year.

Jordan Davis, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen each receive four nominations.

Notably, there are women nominated in every single eligible main awards category this year. Female pulled in 37% of nominations this year, compared to an average of 35% in the past 5 years.

Stapleton, Lambert and Luke Combs are nominees for Entertainer of the Year. A win for either artist in that category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (male, female, or duo or group) and Artist (male, female, duo or group) categories.

Lambert and Kelsea Ballerini both receive nominations as producers for the first time, while Nicolle Galyon receives her first Songwriter of the Year nomination. Galyon has previously been nominated for three ACM Awards, winning two, and is the second woman to be nominated for Songwriter of the Year.

Marking a year of collaborations, all videos nominated for Video of the Year are collaborations for the first time in ACM Awards history.

Overall, this year’s nominations include 31 artists and industry creators receiving their first-ever ACM Awards nominations. Cameron Bartolini, Brandon Bell, Ryan Byrd, Priscilla Block, Alexa Campbell, Jacob Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Jacob Durrett, Kat Higgins, Walker Hayes, Ryan Hurd, Adam James, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Billy Justineau, Viktor Krauss, Blake Lively, Todd Lombardo, Josh Matheny, Jason Nix, Kathy Palmer, Lily Rose, Elvie Shane, Caitlyn Smith, Jonathan Singleton, Wesley Stebbins-Perry, Shane Stevens, James Stratakis, Austin Swift, Joe Thibodeau and Lainey Wilson all receive their first ACM Award nomination.

See the full list of ACM nominees below:

Main Awards:
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

The 2021 Industry Awards and Studio Recording Awards will be presented to recipients at Academy of Country Music Honors, a special event held annually in August at the historic Ryman Auditorium. More details to be announced in coming months.

Studio Recording Awards
Bass Player Of The Year
J.T. Cure
Mark Hill
Viktor Krauss
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Glenn Worf

Drummer Of The Year
Chad Cromwell
Fred Eltringham
Evan Hutchings
Derek Mixon
Jerry Roe
Nir Z

Acoustic Guitar Player Of The Year
Dave Cobb
Todd Lombardo
Bryan Sutton
Ilya Toshinskiy
Charlie Worsham

Piano/Keyboards Player Of The Year
David Dorn
Charlie Judge
Billy Justineau
Gordon Mote
Benmont Tench

Specialty Instrument Player Of The Year
Stuart Duncan
Paul Franklin
Josh Matheny
Mickey Raphael
Kristin Wilkinson

Electric Guitar Player Of The Year
Tom Bukovac
Dan Dugmore
Jedd Hughes
Rob McNelley
Derek Wells

Audio Engineer Of The Year
Brandon Bell
Jim Cooley
Gena Johnson
Jason Hall
Vance Powell

Producer Of The Year
Buddy Cannon
Dave Cobb
Ian Fitchuk
Dann Huff
Joey Moi

Industry Awards
Casino Of The Year – Theater
Agua Caliente – Rancho Mirage, CA
Choctaw Casino – Durant, OK
Deadwood Mountain Grand – Deadwood, SD
Resorts World – Las Vegas, NV
Soaring Eagle Casino – Mt. Pleasant, MI

Casino Of The Year – Arena
Hard Rock (Live at Etess Arena) – Atlantic City, NJ
Laughlin Event Center – Laughlin, NV
Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
Mystic Lake Casino – Prior Lake, MN

Festival Of The Year
Carolina Country Music Fest – Myrtle Beach, SC
Country Thunder – Florence, AZ
Faster Horses Festival – Brooklyn, MI
Tortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Windy City Smokeout Festival – Chicago, IL

Fair/Rodeo Of The Year
Auburn Rodeo – Auburn, AL
California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, CA
Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY
Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, MN
San Antonio Rodeo – San Antonio, TX

Club Of The Year
Basement East – Nashville, TN
Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth, TX
Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
Coca-Cola Roxy – Atlanta, GA
Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA

Theater Of The Year
American Music Theatre – Lancaster, PA
Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
Blue Gate Performing Arts Center – Shipshewana, IN
Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

Outdoor Venue Of The Year
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
Saint Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL
Whitewater Amphitheater – New Braunfels, TX

Arena Of The Year
BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
Dickies Arena – Ft. Worth, TX
Ford Center – Evansville, IN
Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY

Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year
Brent Fedrizzi
Michelle Romeo
RJ Romeo
Shawn Radley
Todd Boltin

Promoter Of The Year
Aaron Spalding
Adam Weiser
Bradley Jordan
Brian O’Connell
Ed Warm

Nashville Artists & Venues Represent At 33rd Annual ‘Pollstar’ Awards

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33rd annual Pollstar Awards. Photo: Courtesy Scoop Marketing

The 33rd annual Pollstar Awards, presented by Live Nation, returned to their in-person format last night (Feb. 8) at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom. Hosted by comedian Steve Treviño, the night recognized the most successful artists, venues, and executives on both artistic and commercial levels.

Representing Nashville and country music, Chris Stapleton‘s “All American Road Show,” which set up camp for two back-to-back nights in Nashville in December, took home the honor for Best Country Tour. Elsewhere, Billy Strings earned the award for Best New Headliner/Artist Development Story.

Colin Keegan, Talent Buyer & Director of Booking at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, at the 33rd annual Pollstar Awards. Photo: Courtesy Scoop Marketing

On the venues front, Music City demonstrated how it got its namesake with wins for Theatre of the Year going to the historic Ryman Auditorium and Best New Concert Venue – Small Venue being awarded to the city’s coolest new venue Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Bridgestone Arena’s Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Venues, David Kells, walked away with Venue Executive of the Year.

“2021 will be remembered as the year that artists were able to once again connect with fans at live events around the world, and Pollstar is thrilled to be able to recognize the artists, venues, events and executives who were able to make that happen at the highest level, as determined by their peers,” said Ray Waddell, President of Media & Conferences for Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company. “This year’s Pollstar Awards is a celebration of live entertainment, and we salute the winners, nominees and all who participate in the greatest business there is.”

David Kells, Bridgestone Arena’s Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Venues, at the 33rd annual Pollstar Awards. Photo: Courtesy Scoop Marketing

Among the other top honors, Harry Styles won the award for Major Tour of the Year; Foo Fighters for Best Rock Tour; J. Cole for Best Hip-Hop Tour; Earth, Wind & Fire for Best R&B Tour; Maroon 5 for Best Pop Tour; and Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin for Best Latin Tour.

Additional awards from the night honored venues and venue executives, talent buyers, promoters, agents and agencies, talent managers, tour managers, and more. To see the full list of winners click here.

Partial List of 33rd Annual Pollstar Awards Winners:
Best Country Tour – Chris Stapleton, Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show Tour
Best New Headliner/Artist Development Story – Billy Strings
Theatre of the Year – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn.
Best New Concert Venue – Small Venue – Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, Tenn.
Venue Executive of the Year – David Kells, Bridgestone Arena

LoCash Collaborates With Beach Boys Mike Love & Bruce Johnston

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Pictured (L-R): Mike Love (The Beach Boys), LoCash’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, John Cowsill (The Beach Boys). Photo: Jenn Curtis

BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records duo LoCash tapped into a good vibration for their newest single, “Beach Boys.”

Incorporating the hook from the iconic Beach Boys song “I Get Around,” the pair originally released the track as a solo version on their Woods & Water EP. “Beach Boys” was written by the duo’s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, alongside Dallas Wilson and Jared Mullins. The Beach Boys co-founders Brian Wilson and Mike Love are also credited songwriters.

Now, Love and longtime Beach Boys band member Bruce Johnston are featured on the track.

“The day we wrote ‘Beach Boys,’ I remember Chris and I dreaming of recording it with The Beach Boys,” shares Brust. “We never imagined that they’d hear it, let alone get the chance to lay down our parts with Mike and Bruce and actually feel like we were a part of a group that we’ve idolized for so long! It’s crazy how it all became a reality and now the fun really begins!”

YouTube video

Ahead of its March 4 release, the legendary musicians invited LoCash to join them onstage Sunday night (Feb. 6) during their sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium to debut the collaboration.

“We had a blast collaborating with Chris and Preston of LoCash!” said Love, who donned a cowboy hat on stage for the performance. “The song is so hooky – I can’t get it out of my head. I love mixing it up! Country rock met surf rock and created a fun summer hit!”

The legendary band, accompanied by John Stamos, thrilled the Nashville audience with a sampling of their many hits, including “Surfin Safari,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “I Get Around,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “California Girls,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “Good Vibrations,” and many more.

Greylan James Stacks Team With Publishing, Management & Booking Signings

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Kevin Meads (WME), Brandon Morlock (Morris Higham), Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham), Ron Stuve (UMPG), Terry Wakefield (UMPG); (front row): Greylan James. Photo: Matt Zahn

Singer-songwriter Greylan James has signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. James has also rounded out his team, signing with Morris Higham for management and WME for booking. His debut single, “Anything Cold,” is set for release Feb. 11.

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, James moved to Nashville at 18 to pursue songwriting professionally. In 2020, he landed a Kenny Chesney cut with his song “Happy Does,” which climbed its way to No. 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. A talented musician as well, James played every instrument on his upcoming debut project.

“Greylan is a triple threat artist. Writer, musician, and singer/performer,” says Clint Higham, Morris Higham. “He also has a work ethic, and drive, that is rarely seen. Morris Higham is honored to represent Greylan James and we look forward to a long successful career and ride with him.”

“Greylan has already proved that he knows his way around a song. I’m excited to help Greylan show the world that he also knows his way around a stage,” shares Kevin Meads, WME.

“Team UMPG is proud to extend our relationship with Greylan and we look forward to this new artistic journey!” adds Ron Stuve, Universal Music Publishing Group.