Ashley Gorley
Each week, MusicRow releases its Top Songwriter Chart, ranking the top 60 songwriters using algorithms based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales, and streams.
Using proprietary software, the points earned by each song are evenly split among each of the song’s co-writers, echoing how the publishing business works in Nashville with respect to publishing revenues and ownership—while reflecting the overall success of active songs for each songwriter.
Because of this, at any moment in time, the current MusicRow Songwriter Chart lists the most active and successful songwriters in Music City.
As we look back on 2021, Ashley Gorley earned the most points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart throughout the year, placing him at the top of our list.
Jesse Frasure
Gorley saw success this year with songs such as “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton) and many more. He consistently stayed in the upper echelons of the Top Songwriter Chart throughout 2021.
Gorley was also a co-writer on Lee Brice’s “One Of Them Girls,” which made history by winning the Country Song Of The Year honor at the BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP Awards.
Jesse Frasure is at No. 2 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
His arsenal of hits from 2021 include “Almost Maybes” (Jordan Davis), “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), and more.
Frasure was named Songwriter of the Year at the 69th Annual BMI Country Awards. It was his second time winning the award.
Josh Osborne comes in at No. 3 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
Josh Osborne
In 2021, Osborne had success with “Beers And Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “I Was On A Boat That Day” (Old Dominion), and more. He was also this year’s ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for the first time.
In the No. 4 spot on the year-end list is Corey Crowder.
The songwriter-producer made waves this year with “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Famous Friends” (Chris Young and Kane Brown), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), and more.
Michael Hardy rounds out the top five on the MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list. In addition to his successful artist career, Hardy cranked out multiple hits for other artists this year.
In 2021, Hardy saw success with “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), and “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton), as well as his own “Give Heaven Some Hell,” and collaboration with Dierks Bentley and Breland, “Beers On Me.”
Though the annual list continues to be male dominated, there are 20 female songwriters in the top 100 this year—which is made up of 123 songwriters because of tied scores. This is a continued increase from last year’s 19 female songwriters within the top 100, and 2019’s 13.
Taylor Swift is the highest ranking female songwriter on this year’s list at No. 9.
MusicRow‘s Top Songwriters of 2021:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Jesse Frasure
3. Josh Osborne
4. Corey Crowder
5. Michael Hardy
6. Luke Combs
7. Hunter Phelps
8. Jonathan Singleton
9. Taylor Swift
10. Rhett Akins
11. Randy Montana
12. Zach Crowell
13. Shane McAnally
14. Nicolle Galyon
15. Ernest Keith Smith
16. Chris Stapleton
17. Josh Thompson
18. Eric Church
19. Brinley Addington
20. Jerry Flowers
21. Martin Johnson
22. Tyler Hubbard
23. Ross Copperman
24. Drew Parker
25. Robert Williford
26. Jordan Davis
27. Thomas Rhett
28. Chris Young
29. Ben Johnson
30. Cary Barlowe
31. Elle King
32. Josh Jenkins
33. Morgan Wallen
34. Niko Moon
35. Miranda Lambert
36. Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison
37. Luke Dick
38. Matt Rogers
39. Paul DiGiovanni
40. Hillary Lindsey
41. Mike Henderson
42. Natalie Hemby
43. Chase McGill
44. Mark Holman
45. Brett James, Adam James, Kat Higgins
46. Ryan Hurd
47. Lainey Wilson, Jason Nix
48. Ryan Vojtesak
49. Carly Pearce
50. Dan Smyers
51. Gabby Barrett, Zachary Kale
52. Brian Davis
53. Lee Brice, Billy Montana
54. Jeremy Stover
55. Parker McCollum
56. Chris Loocke
57. Chris DuBois
58. Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Emily Kroll
59. Kane Brown
60. Jordan Reynolds
61. Jon Nite
62. Matt Alderman
63. Luke Laird
64. Monty Criswell
65. Jimmie Allen, Ash Bowers
66. Aaron Eshuis
67. Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers
68. Jon Pardi
69. Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti
70. Casey Beathard
71. Andy Albert
72. Joey Hyde
73. Neil Medley, Benjy Davis
74. Walker Hayes
75. Brett Tyler
76. Dylan Scott, Dallas Wilson
77. Elvie Shane, Nick Columbia, Lee Starr, Russell Sutton
78. Jameson Rodgers
79. Shay Mooney
80. Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown
81. Sam Hunt, Chris LaCorte
82. Dan Isbell
83. Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens
84. Jim McCormick, Emily Landis
85. Alysa Vanderheym
86. John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan
87. Brett Young
88. Chase Rice, Cale Dodds
89. Matt Jenkins
90. Parker Welling
91. Justin Ebach
92. Will Weatherly
93. Jordan M. Schmidt
94. Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx
95. Tenille Arts
96. Kelsea Ballerini
97. Matt Thomas
98. Charles Kelley
99. Dustin Lynch
100. Dallas Davidson
Katie Jelen Exits Warner Chappell, Launches Honestly Good Music
/by Lorie HollabaughKatie Jelen
Katie Jelen has exited her role as Creative Sync Executive to launch a new boutique music licensing company, Honestly Good Music. There she will offer a variety of services, including synch representation and consulting around music licensing, creative synch development, and catalog viability in the synch space.
“After nearly five years at Warner Chappell, I’m incredibly excited to return to my indie roots with the launch of Honestly Good Music,” said Jelen. “I’ve learned so much along the way and am so grateful for the projects that I’ve had the privilege of being a part of. I look forward to representing the Nashville community in new ways through film, TV and advertising opportunities while focusing on creating a culture of honesty, integrity and goodness.”
As the first-ever creative sync executive on the ground for Warner Music Group in Nashville, Jelen spent the last five years growing Warner Chappell and Warner Music Nashville’s synch business across film, TV and advertising opportunities.
In 2019, Jelen spearheaded a multi-year partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line for Warner Chappell songwriters to create custom songs for the brand’s online ad campaigns. Most recently, she worked alongside songwriting duo Outskrts on a custom song for the Tennessee Titans, called “Get Loud (Titan Up),” for use both on and off the field. In addition to placing music in campaigns for Target, Peloton, Facebook, Hershey’s, Walmart, Macy’s, and Coca-Cola, she has grown opportunities for country across brands such as Ford and Old Navy, and in TV shows including Yellowstone, The Ranch and 9-1-1 Lonestar.
Prior to her time at Warner Music Group, Jelen got her start at Secret Road Music Services in Los Angeles where she helped to grow the management team, assist in the launch of Secret Road’s publishing division, and launch the Nashville operations for the company. She is an alumni of the Leadership Music program (2020), a member of the Nashville Film Fest music committee, and the Nurturing Outstanding Women (NOW) mentoring program.
River House Artists Adds Three New Staff Members For 2022
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Kristin Watson Byrne, Trey Wilson, Taylor Rasnick
Label, management and publishing company, River House Artists, has announced three new hires going into 2022.
Kristin Watson Byrne will assume the role of Director of Digital Strategy, Taylor Rasnick as Manager of Creative Services, and Trey Wilson as Artist Manager.
Watson Byrne joins River House after 10 years at Sony Music Entertainment, with previous stops at Songfluencer, Crowd Surf, Collective Artist Management, and ThinkSwell. The Kansas native will be responsible for building innovative and effective digital plans for the company’s artists and releases.
A Nashville native, Rasnick joins the team from the Pratt’s Institute in Brooklyn, New York. As Manager of Creative Services, she will be responsible for overseeing the creation and execution of all creative elements for artists and in-house creatives.
Originally from Texas and a Belmont University graduate, Wilson will spearhead day-to-day management for up-and-coming artist Jordan Rowe after earning six years of experience as tour manager for Jon Pardi.
“River House is growing tremendously and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the future. Our roster of talent is second to none, so having hard working, creative and innovative employees like these three join our family is only going to help elevate everyone,” shares Zebb Luster, Vice President/General Manager of River House Artists. “We are thankful they are as excited about what River House is doing as we are.”
Watson Byrne, Rasnick, and Wilson can be reached at kristin@riverhouseartists.com, taylor@riverhouseartists.com, and trey@riverhouseartists.com, respectively.
Founded in 2016 by Lynn Oliver-Cline, River House boasts a roster consisting of Luke Combs, Jameson Rodgers, Billy Strings, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ray Fulcher, Drew Parker, Georgia Webster, Kasey Tyndall, Grant Gilbert, Rowe, and more.
Anthem Entertainment, Chris Janson Sign The Davisson Brothers & Shane Profitt [Exclusive]
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Noah Dewey (Sr. Dir. Creative, Anthem Publishing Nashville), Donnie Davisson, Chris Janson, Chris Davisson, Tim Wipperman (Pres, Anthem Publishing, Nashville), Courtney Crist (Sr. Dir. Creative Anthem Publishing, Nashville), Erv Woolsey (Pres, Erv Woolsey Co. Manager), Allen Mitchell (Erv Woolsey Co. Manager)
Anthem Entertainment’s publishing division and Chris Janson‘s Old Tom Music Publishing are partnering together on a new artist development and co-publishing venture. The Davisson Brothers (Chris and Donnie Davisson) are the first official signing under the new venture, along with Shane Profitt, a songwriter discovered by Janson.
Hailing from Clarksburg, West Virginia, The Davisson Brothers were named one of Rolling Stone‘s Top 10 Country/Americana bands to watch, and debuted on the Grand Old Opry in 2019. They also host their own two-day country festival, Wild and Wonderful Country Fest, that averages over 15,000 daily attendees. Their current album is being produced by Brent Cobb and David “Ferg” Ferguson (Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson).
Shane Profitt
Profitt is a budding singer-songwriter who is slated to hit the road with Janson on his upcoming “Halfway to Crazy” Tour.
“I’m so proud to be signing Chris Davisson and Donnie Davisson to a publishing deal with Anthem, and my company, Old Tom Music Publishing,” says Janson. “These guys work harder than anyone I know. I’ve believed in the Brothers for many years, and they believed in me, way back before I ever even had a hit song. I love these guys. I encourage every single one of my songwriter friends, to write with them. They’re hungry to WIN. And win, they will.
“Shane is the real deal, and a fantastic songwriter,” Janson continues. “He has a natural knack for writing hits. He’s a great singer too, and he’s going to be joining me on the road this year on the ‘Halfway to Crazy Tour.’ I’m really proud to be working with him.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding our successful relationship with Chris Janson,” adds Anthem Entertainment CEO, Helen Murphy. “Chris is a creative genius, and he has a unique ability to write and produce songs that express the raw emotion and vulnerability of life and family. We look forward to supporting Chris and his new talent signings and continuing to create music that resonates with everyone.”
“We are thankful and honored to be working with Chris Janson (Old Tom Music Publishing) and Anthem Entertainment Group,” says Donnie and Chris Davisson. “We stopped to help a stranger on the side of the road many years ago, that stranger ended up being Chris Janson. Since then, we have become brothers on and off stage. We have traveled the country doing countless shows together. Now, along with the amazing team at Anthem Entertainment Group, we are working together to create new music to share with the world.”
Anthem Nashville Publishing President, Tim Wipperman, adds, “When Chris Janson brought us the Davissons, we realized he had found a truly unique, genuine West Virginia rockin’ country duo, and two great songwriters to boot. Shane adds that gritty blue collar country view on life to our mix.”
Borman Entertainment Announces Company-Wide Expansion
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Liz Nixon, Elisabeth Ashley, Erik Peterson
Borman Entertainment has announced the promotion of several key staffers as part of a company-wide expansion in preparation for 2022.
The company guides the careers of artists such as Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Dan Smalley, Mickey Guyton (in partnership with Steve Moir), and Abbey Cone and Track45 (in partnership with Missi Gallimore).
Liz Nixon has been elevated to the position of Sr. VP, Marketing. Nixon is a 20-year consumer marketing veteran, overseeing brand partnerships, digital and social media, streaming and direct to consumer marketing for the Borman Entertainment roster.
Elisabeth Ashley, a 14-year veteran who has spent a decade as an Associate Manager for Keith Urban at Borman Entertainment, has been elevated to VP, Management & Artist Development.
Erik Peterson, who has spent the last eight years as an associate manager working with many of the company’s roster, has been elevated to VP, Management & Artist Development.
“Liz, Elisabeth and Erik are three of the industry’s best,” says Gary Borman, the company’s namesake. “They’re consummate professionals whose leadership, passion, inventiveness and commitment contribute immeasurably to the success of our artists and serve as inspiration to the entire team.”
Additionally, Sarah Redo and Kaitlyn Gruber have been elevated to Sr. Manager, Social Media and Marketing.
Donna Jean Kisshauer, who has called Borman Entertainment home for the past 22 years, continues to oversee touring and radio marketing for the company’s roster in her role as Sr. VP, Touring and Radio Marketing.
Top Songwriter Chart: MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters Of 2021
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley
Each week, MusicRow releases its Top Songwriter Chart, ranking the top 60 songwriters using algorithms based on song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales, and streams.
Using proprietary software, the points earned by each song are evenly split among each of the song’s co-writers, echoing how the publishing business works in Nashville with respect to publishing revenues and ownership—while reflecting the overall success of active songs for each songwriter.
Because of this, at any moment in time, the current MusicRow Songwriter Chart lists the most active and successful songwriters in Music City.
As we look back on 2021, Ashley Gorley earned the most points on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart throughout the year, placing him at the top of our list.
Jesse Frasure
Gorley saw success this year with songs such as “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton) and many more. He consistently stayed in the upper echelons of the Top Songwriter Chart throughout 2021.
Gorley was also a co-writer on Lee Brice’s “One Of Them Girls,” which made history by winning the Country Song Of The Year honor at the BMI, SESAC, and ASCAP Awards.
Jesse Frasure is at No. 2 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
His arsenal of hits from 2021 include “Almost Maybes” (Jordan Davis), “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “What’s Your Country Song” (Thomas Rhett), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), and more.
Frasure was named Songwriter of the Year at the 69th Annual BMI Country Awards. It was his second time winning the award.
Josh Osborne comes in at No. 3 on MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list.
Josh Osborne
In 2021, Osborne had success with “Beers And Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “I Was On A Boat That Day” (Old Dominion), and more. He was also this year’s ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for the first time.
In the No. 4 spot on the year-end list is Corey Crowder.
The songwriter-producer made waves this year with “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Famous Friends” (Chris Young and Kane Brown), “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), and more.
Michael Hardy rounds out the top five on the MusicRow’s Top 100 Songwriters of 2021 list. In addition to his successful artist career, Hardy cranked out multiple hits for other artists this year.
In 2021, Hardy saw success with “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), and “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton), as well as his own “Give Heaven Some Hell,” and collaboration with Dierks Bentley and Breland, “Beers On Me.”
Though the annual list continues to be male dominated, there are 20 female songwriters in the top 100 this year—which is made up of 123 songwriters because of tied scores. This is a continued increase from last year’s 19 female songwriters within the top 100, and 2019’s 13.
Taylor Swift is the highest ranking female songwriter on this year’s list at No. 9.
MusicRow‘s Top Songwriters of 2021:
1. Ashley Gorley
2. Jesse Frasure
3. Josh Osborne
4. Corey Crowder
5. Michael Hardy
6. Luke Combs
7. Hunter Phelps
8. Jonathan Singleton
9. Taylor Swift
10. Rhett Akins
11. Randy Montana
12. Zach Crowell
13. Shane McAnally
14. Nicolle Galyon
15. Ernest Keith Smith
16. Chris Stapleton
17. Josh Thompson
18. Eric Church
19. Brinley Addington
20. Jerry Flowers
21. Martin Johnson
22. Tyler Hubbard
23. Ross Copperman
24. Drew Parker
25. Robert Williford
26. Jordan Davis
27. Thomas Rhett
28. Chris Young
29. Ben Johnson
30. Cary Barlowe
31. Elle King
32. Josh Jenkins
33. Morgan Wallen
34. Niko Moon
35. Miranda Lambert
36. Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison
37. Luke Dick
38. Matt Rogers
39. Paul DiGiovanni
40. Hillary Lindsey
41. Mike Henderson
42. Natalie Hemby
43. Chase McGill
44. Mark Holman
45. Brett James, Adam James, Kat Higgins
46. Ryan Hurd
47. Lainey Wilson, Jason Nix
48. Ryan Vojtesak
49. Carly Pearce
50. Dan Smyers
51. Gabby Barrett, Zachary Kale
52. Brian Davis
53. Lee Brice, Billy Montana
54. Jeremy Stover
55. Parker McCollum
56. Chris Loocke
57. Chris DuBois
58. Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Emily Kroll
59. Kane Brown
60. Jordan Reynolds
61. Jon Nite
62. Matt Alderman
63. Luke Laird
64. Monty Criswell
65. Jimmie Allen, Ash Bowers
66. Aaron Eshuis
67. Scotty McCreery, Frank Rogers
68. Jon Pardi
69. Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti
70. Casey Beathard
71. Andy Albert
72. Joey Hyde
73. Neil Medley, Benjy Davis
74. Walker Hayes
75. Brett Tyler
76. Dylan Scott, Dallas Wilson
77. Elvie Shane, Nick Columbia, Lee Starr, Russell Sutton
78. Jameson Rodgers
79. Shay Mooney
80. Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown
81. Sam Hunt, Chris LaCorte
82. Dan Isbell
83. Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens
84. Jim McCormick, Emily Landis
85. Alysa Vanderheym
86. John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan
87. Brett Young
88. Chase Rice, Cale Dodds
89. Matt Jenkins
90. Parker Welling
91. Justin Ebach
92. Will Weatherly
93. Jordan M. Schmidt
94. Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx
95. Tenille Arts
96. Kelsea Ballerini
97. Matt Thomas
98. Charles Kelley
99. Dustin Lynch
100. Dallas Davidson
Maren Morris Breaks Amazon Music Record With Debut Of ‘Circles Around This Town’
/by Lydia FarthingMaren Morris. Photo: Claire Schaper
Following its debut at country radio on Friday (Jan. 7), Grammy-winning vocalist Maren Morris’ latest single, “Circles Around This Town,” broke Amazon Music’s record for most streams for a country song debut by a female artist.
Written by Morris, Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels and Jimmy Robbins, “Circles Around This Town” was the most-added song at country radio last week and marks Morris’ first bit of new music for 2022. The song also debuted as the No. 1 country song and No. 7 all genre song on Pandora’s Top Thumbed Hundred Chart.
The track was released in tandem with its music video, which was directed by Harper Smith.
“I could see the visuals for ‘Circles Around This Town’ the moment I wrote the song,” Morris says of the video. “I’ve always been so inspired by the industrial, blown out colors of music videos from the 90s, so Harper Smith and I wanted the aesthetics of this video to reflect that grainy, devil-may-care attitude of all my females heroes from that era: Sheryl, Fiona, Alanis. Obviously, having a penchant for the nostalgic, we decided to recreate my teenage bedroom and pin old photos of me as a kid on the walls and have me typing on an old PC computer… ‘Circles Around This Town’ is my story, so I felt like I truly got to relive my journey from Texas to Nashville again.”
Morris is nominated for two Grammy awards this year: Best Country Song for “Better Than We Found It” and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Chasing After You,” alongside her husband Ryan Hurd.
Details For CRS 2022 Mentoring Breakfasts Revealed
/by Lydia FarthingCountry Radio Seminar has released details on four mentoring breakfasts set to take place during CRS 2022, taking place Feb. 23-25.
This year’s breakfasts are Streaming Summit Networking, Programming Mentoring, Women’s Mentoring, and Label Mentoring. There will be two breakfast options available on Friday (Feb. 25)–the Women’s Mentoring Breakfast and the Label Mentoring Breakfast. Availability is limited for all mentoring breakfasts, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to reserve a spot.
CRS 2022 will feature a jam-packed schedule that includes Country Radio Seminar’s most anticipated events, including educational panels, networking, and workshops. More details surrounding this year’s agenda will be released in the coming weeks. To register and for more information, click here.
Read the details of each breakfast below:
Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Streaming Summit Networking Breakfast – 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. CT
The Streaming Summit Networking Breakfast is a kick-off welcome from the Streaming Agenda Committee, DSPs, and label partners in the streaming, digital retail, and e-commerce world. Confirmed Mentors are Emily Cohen (Amazon Music), Patch Culbertson (Big Loud), Margaret Hart (YouTube), Claire Heinichen (Spotify), Tim Foisset (Warner Music Nashville), Ali Matkosky (Big Loud), Annie Ortmeier (UMG Nashville), Vipin Reddy (UMG Nashville), Alina Thompson (Pandora/Sirius XM), Alison Junker (Spotify), and Taylor Viegut (UMG Nashville).
Thursday, Feb. 24 – Programming Mentoring Breakfast – 8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. CT
This one-on-one session provides the opportunity for attendees to sit down with experienced PDs to build their skillset and learn new ideas. Confirmed mentors for the session are Marci Braun (Audacy WUSN/Chicago), Aaronee Cottam (Cherry Creek Media), Pepper Daniels (American General Media), John Foxx (Audacy), Kenny Jay (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media), Bruce Logan (Hubbard Radio), Ashley Morrison (K92.3, Cox Media Group), Rod Phillips (iHeartMedia), Tim Roberts (Audacy), Ashley Wilson (iHeartMedia), Clay Walker (WPAW, Audacy), and Ryan Wild.
Friday, Feb. 25 – Women’s Mentoring Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. CT
Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, sponsored by NuVoodoo Media Services, will offer attendees the opportunity to approach and chat with some of music’s female “power players.” In attendance will be Amber Anderson (Amazon Country Heat Weekly podcast co-host and SmackSongs), Hillary Borden (Premiere Networks and iHeartMedia nationally syndicated show, The Bobby Bones Show), Marci Braun (Audacy WUSN/Chicago), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Tali Canterbury (50 Egg Music), Mackenzie Cooper (Westwood One), Kelly Ford (Former Audacy WNSH/New York morning personality), Jessica “Carsen” Humphreville (Silverfish Media nationally syndicated Big D & Bubba morning co-host and Country With Carsen midday host), Jenna Johnson (Warner Music Nashville), Kimsey Kerr (Red Light Management), Angela Lange (Q-Prime), Ashley Main (Grants Pass, OR Country KRRM/Medord, OR), Rakiyah Marshall (Back Blocks Music), Mandy McCormack (Pearl Records and #TeamTY), Lynn Oliver-Cline (River House Artists), Dawn Santolucito (Beasley WKLB/Boston), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), Dana Swearingen (Audacy KSON/San Diego & KFRG/Riverside and The Wakeup Call morning co-host), Monta Vaden (Country Aircheck), and Rachel Whitney (Spotify). Pre-registration for the Women’s Mentoring Breakfast is available here.
Friday, Feb. 25 – Label Mentoring Breakfast – 7:30 a.m.-8:50 a.m. CT
An opportunity to meet, greet and eat with some of the industry’s record label executives to create a network, gain knowledge, and connect. Attendees will then have the chance to move from mentor to mentor throughout the session to ask questions and exchange contact information. No artist/music critiques and/or music will be accepted during this session. In attendance will be Matt Brum-Taylor (Big Machine), Tim Foisset (Warner Music Nashville), Sara Knabe (BBR Music Group), Norbert Nix (Triple Tigers), David Friedman (UMG Nashville), Tanya Schrage (Black River Entertainment), and Nikki Wood (Big Loud).
Jeremy Ivey Slates New Album ‘Invisible Pictures’ For March
/by Lorie HollabaughJeremy Ivey. Photo: Courtesy of ANTI- Records
Singer-songwriter Jeremy Ivey will release Invisible Pictures, his third album for ANTI- Records, on March 11.
The record’s first track, the bittersweet “Orphan Child,” channels ’60s pop as it addresses the sense of lostness and also reflects on Ivey’s personal experience of being raised by foster parents.
“I try to put a little bit of hope into everything I do,” says Ivey. “No matter how heavy, no matter how dark things may get, there’s always a little bit of light shining through.” He continues, ““I’ve always felt like l was born at the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong body to the wrong people. Maybe it’s because I was adopted, but I think it’s more than that. As soon as you’re born you are automatically judged by someone because of your sex or race or the culture you are raised in. Hated for something that you had no part in choosing. That’s what this song is about.”
When he began work on Invisible Pictures, Ivey shifted his gaze inward to reflect on his own journey. With touring off the table for more than a year, he decided to stretch compositionally, returning to the harmonically sophisticated music that had fascinated him in his youth but had taken a backseat since his move to Nashville and marriage to Margo Price.
“I started listening to a lot of Paco de Lucía and playing more nylon string guitar at home,” Ivey recalls. “I started using more passing tones in my writing, too, and then I’d make up chords to go along with those melodies, even if I didn’t know what it was that I was playing.”
On the new project, Ivey embraces creative freedom and sonic exploration, drawing on flamenco, classical music, vintage indie rock, and British Invasion tunes to craft the album.
Ivey released his critically acclaimed solo debut The Dream and The Dreamer in 2019, followed by Waiting Out The Storm in 2020. He will embark on a tour with Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs this spring, beginning March 9 in Tampa.
Invisible Pictures Track List:
1. Orphan Child
2. Trial By Fire
3. Keep Me High
4. Downhill (Upside Down Optimist)
5. Grey Machine
6. Phantom Limb
7. Empty Game
8. Invisible Pictures
9. Black Mood
10. Silence And Sorrow
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Unveils Full Lineup For 2022
/by Lydia FarthingBonnaroo 2019. Photo: Charles Reagan Hackleman
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has shared its lineup for this year’s event, taking place June 16-19 on the Bonnaroo Farm. Located 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo 2022 will feature a wide array of top artists performing across more than 10 stages over the four-day festival.
Among the highlights on this year’s lineup are The Chicks, Billy Strings, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks, Machine Gun Kelly, Flume, Illenium, Roddy Ricch, 21 Savage, $uicideboy$, and Porter Robinson. Also included in the lineup are Whiskey Myers, Maggie Rose, Judah & The Lion, Joy Oladokun, Teddy Swims, Patrick Droney, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and Wild Rivers.
Tickets for Bonnaroo will go on sale Thursday, Jan. 13, at 12 p.m. CT, including General Admission (4-Day), VIP (4-Day), General Admission Camping & Parking, VIP Camping, and more. For more information on the festival and ticket options, click here.
This will be the first Bonnaroo festival to take place since 2019, as the 2020 edition of the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Bonnaroo 2021 was called off as a result of inclement weather last fall.
Making its return, Bonnaroo 2022 will see the debut of additional activities and site improvements, including enhanced signage, wayfinding help, pedicabs, info booths, cooling stations, and more.
See the complete Bonnaroo 2022 lineup below:
Industry Ink: Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Katy Daley
/by Lydia FarthingDustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter Celebrate Six Weeks At No. 1
Dustin Lynch has tallied a new personal best with his current single, “Thinking ‘Bout You.” The track, a duet with MacKenzie Porter, has notched its sixth consecutive week as country radio’s No. 1 song.
The track once again sits atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week for its sixth week, a feat that only a handful of country singles have achieved, including “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, “How Forever Feels” by Kenny Chesney, and Lonestar’s “I’m Already There.” The BBR recording artist also breaks his personal record of four weeks at No. 1, which he earned with 2017’s “Small Town Boy.”
“‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ is a six-week No. 1 single at country radio–that’s WILD y’all,” shares Lynch. “What a way to enter 2022! I’m excited to keep this momentum going, and to celebrate all year long. Thank you to all my friends and supporters at country radio. I’m beyond thankful for everyone that’s worked so hard to make sure this song has the life it deserves.”
Co-written by Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly, the song marks Lynch’s eighth No. 1 at country radio overall, as well as his third career chart-topper as a songwriter. It also gives Porter her first U.S. No. 1 after four Canadian hits.
Ole Smoky Distillery Announces Music Partnership With The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. Photo: Amy Richmond
Ole Smoky Distillery has partnered with Grammy-nominated east Tennessee bluegrass band, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. Founded by CJ Lewandowski, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys was formed while Lewandowski was working at Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg in 2014.
“Music has always been a part of the Ole Smoky experience,” says Robert Hall, CEO, Ole Smoky Distillery. “By featuring quality entertainment at our locations, we have created family-friendly destinations that salute the hospitality of east Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.” He continues, “We are proud of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and their passion for bluegrass music. We like to think of them as family, as they started playing together at our Holler Distillery. What started as one of our house bands, is now a national bluegrass favorite. We look forward to supporting their national tour this year.”
“We are so grateful to Ole Smoky Distillery for not only helping us get our start in bluegrass music, but now, supporting our music, our tour and our brand,” adds Lewandowski.
IBMA Foundation Launches Katy Daley Broadcast Media/Sound Engineering Scholarship
Katy Daley
The IBMA Foundation has launched the Katy Daley Broadcast Media/Sound Engineering Scholarship. Daley and her husband, Bill Brown, have made a $10,000 donation to the IBMA Foundation to endow the scholarship.
Daley, co-host of the Bluegrass Stories podcast series along with Howard Parker, has spent over 30 years in bluegrass (WAMU-FM and Bluegrass Country) and country (WMZQ) radio in the Washington, DC area. She’s a member of the IBMA and a 2008 graduate of IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass class. She was named IBMA Bluegrass Broadcaster of the year in 2009 and 2011; has received the DC Bluegrass Union’s 2017 Washington Monument Award, the 2019 and 2020 IBMA Liner Notes Awards for her portion of the liner notes for Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey on Smithsonian Folkways Records, and as the sole writer for the reissued Seldom Scene Recorded Live at the Cellar Door from Rebel Records; and was honored with the IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in September 2019.
The Katy Daley Broadcast Media/Sound Engineering Scholarship will be awarded annually to individuals planning to study broadcasting or sound engineering at college or in a continuing education program with a bluegrass music focus, including radio, television, digital media, recorded sound engineering and mastering, live sound engineering, and related disciplines.
IBMA Foundation board chair and former bluegrass broadcaster Fred Bartenstein says, “The professional presentation of bluegrass music has a direct effect on how new fans and musicians are attracted to the genre. The Foundation supports the effort to present the best music on the planet in the best way possible for the benefit of new listeners and new generations, as well as for loyal fans. We thank Katy Daley and Bill Brown for their generous donation to found the scholarship, and it is our hope that others in the bluegrass community interested in broadcasting and engineering will also support this scholarship. Our goal is to raise at least $20,000, which would generate at least one annual scholarship in the amount of $1,000.”
The first scholarship will be awarded in August 2022. The deadline for applications for all IBMA Foundation scholarships is June 1. For more information, click here.