Cole Swindell Announces New Album ‘Stereotype,’ Set For April Release

Grammy-nominated recording artist Cole Swindell has announced that his fourth studio album, Stereotype, will be released on April 8. Ahead of the album’s release, the brand new track, “I’m Gonna Let Her,” is available everywhere now.

The project includes Swindell’s 10th career, multi-week No. 1 “Single Saturday Night,” as well as his current fiery single, “Never Say Never” with Lainey Wilson. Produced by Zach Crowell, Chris La Corte, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Carter, Stereotype highlights Swindell’s hit-making songwriting abilities and taps some of Nashville’s other hit writers, including Michael Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Ernest K. Smith, Ross Copperman, and more.

The multi-Platinum singer will launch his headlining ‘Down To The Bar Tour’ on Feb. 17 in Peoria, Illinois, and will likely preview parts of the album along the way. Joining Swindell on the road are special guests Travis Denning and Ashley Cooke.

“I am so proud of this album and excited for everyone to hear what we have been working on,” says Swindell. “I’ve always had a ‘best song wins’ attitude when recording an album and I hope every song we recorded for Stereotype makes you feel something. I can’t wait for the ‘Down to the Bar Tour’ to start and play some of these songs for the fans.”

Stereotype Track List:
“Stereotype” – Cole Swindell, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
“Every Beer” – Cole Swindell, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
“Never Say Never (with Lainey Wilson)” – Cole Swindell, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina” – Cole Swindell, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure. Thomas Rhett, Mark D. Sanders, Tim Nichols
“Sayin’ You Love Me” – Mark Holman, Ernest K. Smith, James McNair
“I’m Gonna Let Her” – Dustin Lynch, Justin Ebach, Josh Thompson
“Down To The Bar (feat HARDY)” – Cole Swindell, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Thompson
“How Is She” – Hunter Phelps, Brock Berryhill, Greylan James
“Miss Wherever” – Cole Swindell, Chris LaCorte, Luke Laird, Josh Miller
“Single Saturday Night” – Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy and Mark Holman
“Some Habits” – Chris LaCorte, Josh Miller, Scooter Carusoe
“Girl Goes Crazy” – Cole Swindell, Michael Hardy, Ross Copperman
“Walk On Whiskey” – Randy Montana, Rodney Clawson, Jared Mullins

Kellie Pickler Signs On As Midday Host Of SiriusXM’s The Highway

Kellie Picker. Photo: Robby Klein

Singer, songwriter and actress Kelly Pickler is joining SiriusXM’s The Highway beginning Monday, Feb. 14. Pickler will host middays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. CT Mondays-Fridays on The Highway via satellite (Ch. 56) and on the SXM App.

“I am so excited to join the SiriusXM family as a host on The Highway,” shares Pickler. “This is such a fun and amazing opportunity to really connect with country music fans across North America. I’m looking forward to sharing some of my current favorite songs and artists, along with chatting with some very special guests!”

Pickler is known for her Gold-certified debut album, Small Town Girl; her Platinum single “Best Days of Your Life;” and five Emmy nominations for her talkshow Pickler & Ben. In 2018, she made her Hallmark Channel debut with Christmas at Graceland, their highest-rated movie in history, and followed that up with the June 2019 sequel, Wedding at Graceland. For the films, Pickler recorded and performed  “Silent Night,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Joy To The World,” and Elvis Presley hits “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Hound Dog.” In between touring, she also filmed her third Hallmark movie, The Mistletoe Secret, which premiered in November 2019.

Last year, Pickler was announced as one of the USO’s Global Ambassadors, supporting the organization’s Give More Than Thanks initiative–a campaign encouraging all Americans to find actionable ways to express their gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families.

Reservoir Acquires Buddy Cannon’s Producer Catalog

Buddy Cannon

Reservoir Media, Inc. has acquired the producer catalog of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Buddy Cannon.

The deal includes rights to all of Cannon’s Kenny Chesney collaborations from 1997’s I Will Stand through 2017’s Live In No Shoes Nation. Reservoir’s deal with Cannon does not include his SoundExchange royalties.

Cannon, a decorated songwriter, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021. He was named the Academy of Country Music’s Producer of the Year in 2006, and also received the CMA Song of the Year for George Strait’s “Give It Away.” Cannon has also collaborated with other country music giants, including Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Reba McEntire.

Cannon’s collaborative relationship with Chesney spans more than 20 years, with the music they created accumulating over three billion streams, 31 million album sales, and 36 million track sales. Among the most successful titles Cannon contributed to are 2x Platinum “American Kids,” two-time Grammy-nominated and Platinum-certified “You and Tequila” featuring Grace Potter, and Platinum-certified “When the Sun Goes Down,” as well as recordings across 18 Gold-or-higher certified albums by the country music superstar.

This news comes on the heels of Chesney selling one of his catalogs to Hipgnosis Song Management.

“I have worked very hard with Kenny for the past 25 plus years to make the best music possible and with the help of all the publishers and songwriters who have given us their very best songs we have managed to stay consistently around the top of the charts for a very long time,” shares Cannon. “When I was presented with this offer from Reservoir it seemed like it was the right thing to do and the right time for me to turn over my portion of future Kenny Chesney royalties to them. And now it’s time to make some more records and I promise to continue making the best music that I can make from here on down the road.”

Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative, John Ozier, adds, “Buddy has created some of country music’s biggest tracks for over two decades. We are honored to be entrusted with rights to his phenomenal legacy and are excited to continue expanding our country catalog with these fantastic songs.”

Stacey Dansky Named Executive Director Of Artist Rights Alliance

Former longtime Viacom Vice President Stacey Dansky has been named Executive Director of the Artist Rights Alliance.

Dansky joins the artist-run, non-profit organization after a decade serving as VP, Government Relations at Viacom, Inc. in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, she served as Chief Copyright Counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, drafting legislation to establish a public performance right in sound recordings and identifying copyright issues to bring before the committee.

“Stacey is an incredibly talented person, with a wealth of knowledge about law, policy, and politics; a love for music; and a demonstrated passion for artist rights. The Artist Rights Alliance is unquestionably in good hands, and along with its exceptional Board leadership, by artists and for artists, the organization could not be better positioned to tackle the challenges ahead,” shares outgoing Executive Director Ted Kalo, who will continue to support the organization in an advisory role.

“I look forward to Stacey’s creative guidance through the next phase of growth for the Artist Rights Alliance,” board member Rosanne Cash says. “It’s a critical time for setting the future for young musicians, and we want to leave a legacy of protection and stewardship. Stacey is enthusiastic, curious, and brings her wide experience and expertise to a leadership role in our mission.”

“ARA’s greatest strengths are its artist-led Board and its hard-earned reputation as a trusted and effective voice for the music industry’s songwriters and performers,” adds Dansky. “In recent years, the organization has proved its ability to organize broad coalitions by elevating the voices of working artists. I am excited to carry on that tradition and to expand our work into vital areas including arts education and COVID-19 relief. The issues on which the ARA is focused have never been more urgent. Along with our partners and peers in the creative community, we have much to do.”

The ARA works to ensure artists are at the table when decisions are made on policies that affect their lives and livelihoods, and empowers artists to advocate directly for themselves through classes, events, and presentations.

Cody Johnson Skyrockets On MusicRow Radio Chart

Cody Johnson’s “’Til You Can’t” bolts from No. 4 to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Matt Rogers penned the single with Ben Stennis, and it appears on Johnson’s sophomore effort Human The Double Album which contains songs originally rejected by other Nashville artists for what Johnson considers being “too country for country.”

“It’s so hard to watch the fight to get the cowboy back on the radio, so I told them to bring those songs to me because that’s who I am and the lifestyle I live,” Johnson shares. “There was too much good out there to let go of, so I just said, ‘We’re going to cut all of them.’ There are ones I wrote on, there are ones I didn’t write on, and there are ones that I wish I’d written.”

In addition to the release of Human, Johnson also released a Christmas album in 2021 and made his silver screen debut with his autobiographical documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Dustin Lynch Plots ‘Party Mode Tour’ For This Spring

Dustin Lynch. Photo: The Dwyers

Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch will embark on his 17-city “Party Mode Tour.” Rising artist Sean Stemaly will join him as support along the way.

Kicking off with back-to-back appearances at iconic Texas venues Gruene Hall in New Braunfels on March 17 and Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on March 18, Lynch will make stops all across the country before closing at Avila Beach Golf Resort in Avila Beach, California, on May 15. Tickets will go on sale beginning Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. local time.

“We’re starting summer early and throwing DOWN on the ‘Party Mode Tour,’” shares Lynch. “Get ready for new songs, a new show, and even more energy! I can’t wait to party with y’all!”

Since his 2012 breakout, the Grand Ole Opry member has played to over 3 million fans across three headline tours and has supported some of country’s biggest names, including Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and Brad Paisley.

His fifth studio album, Blue In The Sky, drops next Friday (Feb. 11). The 12-track collection was produced by Zach Crowell with five tracks to Lynch’s songwriting credit. The project also welcomes collaborators Riley Green, Chris Lane, and MacKenzie Porter–who appears on Broken Bow Records’ longest-reigning single at country radio with recent six-week No. 1 “Thinking ‘Bout You.”

“Party Mode Tour” Dates:

Sony Group Corporation Q3 Results Show Continued Increase In Streaming Revenue

Sony Group Corporation announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ending Dec. 31, 2021. In all of Sony’s business endeavors, Q3 consolidated sales increased 13% compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

For Sony’s music segment, specifically, Q3 sales increased 12% year-on-year, primarily due to an increase in streaming revenue. Despite the increase in sales of recorded music, operating income decreased primarily due to a decrease in sales of Visual Media and Platform.

In Q3, streaming revenue continued to grow at a high rate. As Sony’s largest growth driver, streaming saw a 29% year-on-year increase in recorded music and 27% year-on-year in music publishing. During the quarter, the recorded music business saw an average of 36 songs ranking in Spotify’s global top 100 songs.

Among Sony’s musical success, British singer-songwriter Adele celebrated a historic hit album in Q3. Her fourth studio album, 30, remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Albums chart for a consecutive 8 weeks after its November release.

To read the full report, click here.

Lauren Alaina, Craig Morgan, More To Star In New Reality Show ‘Beyond The Edge’

Lauren Alaina and Craig Morgan have been tapped to participate in CBS’ new reality series, Beyond The Edge. From the producers of Naked and Afraid, Beyond The Edge will feature nine celebrities braving the elements in the jungles of Panama to benefit their chosen charities.

In addition to Alaina and Morgan, the show’s first crop of celebrities also includes Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, NBA champion Metta World Peace, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, NFL legend Mike Singletary, actress Jodie Sweetin, and television personalities Colton Underwood and Eboni K. Williams. Showtime sports announcer Mauro Ranallo will host.

For two weeks, the celebrities will attempt to withstand the conditions while living in the Panama jungle. For each day they last and every adventure challenge they win with their team, the celebrities will raise more money for their charities. At the end of the 14 days, the top two earners will go head to head to become the Beyond The Edge champion and take home the most money for their charity.

Beyond The Edge is the most extreme celebrity format ever attempted,” says executive producer, Greg Goldman. “The day before we started principal photography, all of the producers looked at each other with the sinking feeling that this celebrity cast might see where they were living for up to two weeks—the harsh jungles of Panama—and just bolt. To the contrary, we were amazed by how these icons pushed themselves to their breaking points, showing incredible mental fortitude and physical tenacity. And all for an incredible cause: to raise money for charities that are near and dear to their hearts.”

Beyond The Edge will premiere Wednesday, March 16 (8-9 p.m. CT) on the CBS Television Network. It will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Eddie Montgomery, Tanya Tucker Lead Week Full Of Strong Releases

Eddie Montgomery. Photo: Michael Gomez

Today, we shower country record makers with a plethora of praises.

The award for Best Drinking Song goes to Adam Doleac. The honor for Best Comeback belongs to Pat Green. The Best Performance By a Superstar salute goes to Kenny Chesney. Best Production is Caitlyn Smith. Best Song is Tom Douglas. Elvie Shane gets the Best Rocker prize. Rayne Johnson wins the Best Topical Record award.

Returning to our traditional DISClaimer honors, the Disc of the Day goes to Eddie Montgomery & Tanya Tucker for their fiery duet. Happy listening.

CAITLYN SMITH / “High”
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Miley Cyrus/Jennifer Erin Decilveo; Producer: Caitlyn Smith; Label: Monument
–Her earth-shaking vocal performance is backed by booming percussion, dancing fiddle and a celestial choir. Originally recorded by Miley on her Plastic Hearts CD, Smith reclaims the song by self-producing this whisper-to-scream epic. The definition of power ballad, this single confirms the widely admired songwriter’s status as a first-rate record maker. This gal has the goods in every department.

MORGAN WADE / “Run”
Writers: Morgan Wade/Sadler Vaden; Producer: Sadler Vaden; Label: Sony
–A repeated guitar figure and steady-state percussion hypnotize you. Then she lays on the drama of escaping from a bad relationship and finding freedom. Her hurtin’ vocal is an emotional bullseye. I remain a fan.

ELVIE SHANE / “County Roads”
Writers: Dan Couch/Elvie Shane/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Wheelhouse/BBR
–Elvie bites off a piece of snarling country rock, chews it well and sends it south. It’s about growing up wild and restless, learning about life and love on the streets. The pounding track will have you pumping your fist in the air, and his vocal performance will have you shouting, “Amen!” If this ain’t a smash, there’s no justice.

EDDIE MONTGOMERY & TANYA TUCKER / “Higher”
Writers: Jim “Moose” Brown/David Wade/Shane Grove/Erik Michael Westfall; Producers: Noah Gordon/Shannon Houchins; Label: Average Joes
–These two strike twin vocal matches and burn this duet to the ground. It sounds like neither one held anything back as they created this romantic inferno. Fierce and forceful from start to finish. Applause, applause, applause.

RAYNE JOHNSON / “Who-Dey Nation”
Writers: Eliot Sloan/Joe Jordan/Ronnie Vaughn/Kevin Fox/Michael Star/Greg Jackson; Producers: Mark Liggett/Jerry Lane/Ronnie Vaughn; Label: Mountain Road/Verge
–It’s official: The Bengals now have a bona fide anthem. It’s a smashing, crashing fusion of rock guitars, hip-hop beats and hillbilly sass. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I know where my heart is gonna be on Super Bowl Sunday. Rock on, Rayne.

BRANTLEY GILBERT / “How to Talk to Girls”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Brian Wayne Davis/Brandon Day/Chase McGill/Josh Phillips/Michael Ray/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brock Berryhill/Brantley Gilbert; Label: Valory
–Very nice. This artist has always excelled at the softer ballads, and this one is a pip. He knows how to ask for dates and how to use a good bar pick-up line. But when it comes down to the serious moment of asking her to be his bride, he’s tongue tied. And when it comes to talking to his daughter, he’s at a loss for words.

PAT GREEN / “Miles and Miles of You”
Writers: Jon Randall/John Scott Sherrill; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Empire
–Finally! This million-selling Texas fave hasn’t issued a new collection since 2015. Here’s the title tune of his comeback album, a gorgeous romantic ballad with wave-on-wave of echoey atmosphere and liquid ripples of mandolin. A welcome return.

KENNY CHESNEY / “Everyone She Knows”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne; Producers: Kenny Chesney/Ross Copperman; Label: Warner
–A steady thump and ringing guitars lead you into this toe-tapping ode of female independence. “She’s stuck between being 17 and everyone she knows.” This gal wants nothing to do with marriage, babies, sobriety and settling down. She enjoys the freedom of being single on Saturday night, even though the boys bore her and the men are too old. A portrait of a character you’re bound to love, sung by a master storyteller.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Drinkin’ It Wrong”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Cary Barlowe/Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: Arista
–This is a boatload of fun. The rump-shaking percussion and scampering banjo let you know you’re in for a good time on this rollicking rocker. If you’re still thinking about your worries and your work, you’re drinkin’ it wrong sez this hearty-sounding merry maker. The party anthem is a delightful change of pace for the newcomer.

IAN MUNSICK & CODY JOHNSON / “Long Live Cowgirls”
Writers: Ian Munsick/Aby Guitierrez/Phil O’Donnell; Producers: Ian Munsick/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner
–It’s a slow waltz with weaving fiddles and a languid mood. The singers swap verses in praise of the brave ladies of the west. Gently persuasive.

TOM DOUGLAS / “Van Gogh”
Writers: Tom Douglas/Allen Shamblin; Producers: Andy Skib/Alyson McAnally; Label: Monument
–This track teases a documentary titled Love, Tom that will start streaming on Paramount+ on Feb. 24. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is joined on its soundtrack album by some of the folks who have made his works come to life (Miranda, Tim, Collin, Lady A, Chris Janson). But he’s singing solo here. Accompanied by sighing harmonica, he advises courage in the face of adversity. When you pour your heart into your work and they reject you, persevere. Soul piercing, touching and true.

Tanya Tucker Slates ‘Hard Luck Tour’ Beginning In February

Tanya Tucker. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Tanya Tucker is returning to the road on her 2022 “Hard Luck Tour,” which kicks off Feb. 13 at the San Antonio Rodeo.

The tour will visit Chattanooga, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Cherokee, North Carolina; and more through Aug. 5 with more dates to be added soon. Tickets are on sale now at TanyaTucker.com.

“So excited to get back out on the road! I’ve had a little bit of Hard Luck lately, but my luck’s changing and I can’t wait to see y’all on our new ‘Hard Luck Tour’ real soon! I love my fans and hope to see y’all this year!” Tucker shares.

Tucker has been busy in recent months collaborating with several guest artists and friends, including “Higher” with Eddie Montgomery, “This Is Our Country” with RuPaul, and “Never Again, Every Time” with Leigh Nash.

“Hard Luck Tour” Dates: