Pictured: Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson accept the Song of the Year award for “Starting Over” at The 55th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The Country Music Association returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 10) for its 55th Annual CMA Awards, after it was held for a limited audience at the Music City Center last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Luke Bryan for the first time, the evening was filled with several great performances, social statements, and lots of Chris Stapleton.
Bryan, a two-time Entertainer of the Year, kicked his first time hosting off with a monologue that included some shade for his lack of nominations this year, jokes over COVID protocols, praise to the Atlanta Braves for winning the World Series, and playful introductions for his friends in the audience. Throughout the night other stars—including fellow American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as Lady A, Darius Rucker, Elle King, and more—appeared to “help” Bryan out with his new hosting gig.
Pictured (L-R): Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Stapleton, who with Eric Church was the most nominated artist of the night with five each, made his way to the winner’s podium four times last night. His first win went to him and songwriter Mike Henderson for their hit “Starting Over” winning Song of the Year. Stapleton spoke a few words, then turned it to his co-writer Henderson, who “showed [Stapleton] how to write songs.” The country songwriter shared the honor with his songwriting mentors, Gary Nicholson, Wally Wilson, Kevin Welch, and John Hadley.
Stapleton then won Single of the Year for “Starting Over,” Album of the Year for his project of the same name, and Male Vocalist of the Year. By the time the powerful singer accepted his fourth award of the night, he had run out of things to say.
At one point in the night, Stapleton showed off why he’s a CMA favorite with a sultry performance of his “Cold.” The talented musician, backed by his band and a string section, gave a flawless performance. As usual, the audience ate it up. He also backed Jennifer Hudson for a stellar tribute to Aretha Franklin. The two world-class singers did a rendition of “Night Life,” a song originally written and recorded by Willie Nelson and later recorded by Franklin, followed by a duet of “You Are My Sunshine,” the Jimmie Davis-penned classic that both Franklin and Nelson also recorded.
In a moment where audience members and fans at home were holding their breath, actors Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins, who are both playing in Jason Owen‘s budding TV show Monarch, presented most controversial award of the night, Album of the Year. After a long pause filled with screaming fans anticipating the winner, the two announced that Stapleton beat out Church’s Heart, Carly Pearce‘s 29, Brothers Osborne‘s Skeletons, and most notably, Morgan Wallen‘s blockbuster album Dangerous: The Double Album. Wallen was not invited to attend the CMA Awards because of an incident that occurred earlier this year when a video surfaced of the singer using a racial slur outside his Nashville home. Despite being barred from attending the show, he was eligible to be nominated for categories that honor artistic works (Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories).
“I want to say thank you to everyone who listened to the record,” Stapleton said of his album, Starting Over. “There was a lot of great records in this category.”
Pictured: Luke Combs accepts the Entertainer of the Year Award. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA
The only award that Stapleton was nominated for and didn’t win, Entertainer of the Year, went to a first-time winner. Alan Jackson presented the night’s top honor. The Country Music Hall of Fame member said, “I can tell you from experience, when you stand up here and they call your name, it really brings you down to earth to realize all the great people who have come before you like Haggard and Jones, Charley Pride, Loretta, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and so many more.” He wasted no time pausing for dramatic effect when reading the winner’s name. Cheers abounded when he revealed that Luke Combs was the CMA Entertainer of the Year for the first time ever.
The artist was stunned. “I’m at a loss for words, Alan Jackson said my name…twice!
“I have never written a speech for something like this, which is not serving me very well right now. I just want to thank everybody in this room: the fans, every artist in this room,” Combs said. “I don’t deserve to win this, but I’m sure as hell glad I did. Thank y’all so much!” The young country star also debuted a brand new song last night, “Doin’ This,” which talked about what he would be doing if he wasn’t dominating the country charts.
Another first-time winner in their category, Carly Pearce took home Female Vocalist of the Year. Christian artists Amy Grant and Lauren Daigle presented the award to Pearce, and fellow nominee Ashley McBryde brought the emotional singer-songwriter up the stage. “There’s a lot of love, respect and admiration in this category,” McBryde said as Pearce gathered herself to speak.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world,” Pearce said, thanking her team members before doubling over with emotion.
Pictured: Carly Pearce accepts the Female Vocalist of the Year Award. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Other top winners included Old Dominion, who won Vocal Group of the Year for the fourth time and performed their latest hit, “I Was On A Boat That Day.”
Brothers Osborne clinched Vocal Duo of the Year for the fourth time, as well. Brothers TJ and John Osborne walked up to a thunderous applause when accepting their award. “It’s been a crazy rollercoaster of a year in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” said TJ, who came out as gay earlier this year. “To have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins tonight.” The crowd went wild for both TJ and John, who later performed their song inspired by TJ’s experience, “Younger Me.”
An emotional Jimmie Allen was awarded the New Artist of the Year award. “Five years ago I spent my last $100 and came to the CMA 50th to watch Charley Pride perform on stage. And I got to perform with him last year,” Allen remembered before listing off his thank you’s. He gave a special shout out to Ash Bowers, who signed him after 10 years of hard work. Later on Allen showed off his vocal talent and skillful dance moves with a performance of “Freedom Was A Highway.”
Some standout performances of the night included a medley of hits from Miranda Lambert, the birthday girl, who kicked the set off with “Kerosene.” The high-energy performance included flames shooting up behind her that harkened back to her 2005 CMA Awards performance of the same song. She also played snippets of “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon,” and “Gunpowder & Lead” as the audience rocked along to her ambush of hits.
Gal pals Pearce and McBryde sounded great on their new duet, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” and Thomas Rhett, clad in a flannel shirt and jeans, gave a sweet performance on his “Country Again.”
Pictured (L-R): Madeline Edwards, Mickey Guyton, and Brittney Spencer perform “Love My Hair.” Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
A young girl, Faith Fennidy, introduced Mickey Guyton‘s performance by letting the crowd know that Guyton’s ode to self-acceptance, “Love My Hair,” was inspired by Fennidy getting sent home from school because of her braids. “This next artist created this song to make sure girls like me feel seen and loved,” Fennidy said. “That’s how you turn something very painful into something very positive.”
Guyton was joined by Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards for the stunning performance. Guyton anchored the performance, while Spencer added gorgeous, honeyed melodies and Edwards lended her smokey, sultry voice for a stunning moment.
Musician of the Year, fiddle player Jenee Fleenor, backed country superstar Blake Shelton as he sang his rocking ditty about reincarnation, “Come Back As A Country Boy.” The CMA also awarded Sarah Michaud, PEOPLE Magazine’s Senior News Editor, with the 2021 CMA Media Achievement Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music.
Nominees Kane Brown and Chris Young preformed their infectious hit “Famous Friends” as yearbook photos of country hitmakers appeared on the screen behind the stars.
Overall, the night celebrated country music, its growing commitment to acceptance, and its emergence from the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To view a full list of winners, click here.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, The Kentucky Gentlemen
/by Robert K OermannBrothers Osborne
Wednesday’s CMA Awards marked new maturity for the country genre.
There were still drinkin’ and cheatin’ songs, to be sure. But there were also a great many truly transcendent musical moments–Jennifer Hudson soul singing with Chris Stapleton, the electrifying showmanship of Jimmie Allen, the rocking delight of Eric Church and sterling duet work by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, plus the three songs highlighted in today’s column.
They are “Doin’ This” by Luke Combs, “Love My Hair” by Mickey Guyton and our Disc of the Day winner, “Younger Me” by Brothers Osborne. This is a stand-alone song with its own video, not a track from the Osbornes’ Skeleton. The clip is as moving as the live performance was.
Our DISCovery Award goes to the charming duo The Kentucky Gentlemen.
SIX GUN SALLY / “Drunk Text”
Writers: Daniel Rach/David Evan Barbe/Jeffrey Todd Thurston; Producer: none listed; Label: SGS
–Blue-collar country-rock, performed with raucous good vibes. There’s a bit of Skynyrd in their honky-tonking sound. Sweaty, gritty and beer soaked.
JOE NICHOLS / “Screened In”
Writers: Neil Thrasher/Anthony Jerome Martin; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones & Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
–This stellar neo-traditionalist’s new single drops tomorrow. It’s a good-time banger about chillin’ with your pals. It goes without saying that his vocal performance is exemplary. And country to the core.
THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Vibin’”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/Kyra Hunter/Laurin Hunter; Producer: none listed; Label: TKG
–Twin brothers Derek and Brandon Campbell hail from Versailles, KY. They made it onto CMT with the video for this tune, and it’s a solid winner. The groove is burbling and bubbling. The singing is sunny and sublime. It’s everything a hit needs to be, memorable, hooky and singable. Breezy is the vibe. Catchy is the bottom line.
AARON LEWIS / “Goodbye Town”
Writers: Aaron Lewis/Randy Montana; Producer: Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean & Ben Kitterman; Label: Valory
–A simple acoustic guitar strum kicks it off, framing his beautifully weathered baritone eloquently. Harmonica and dobro accents gently rise in the mix as he unspools a ballad of wistful departure. You can hear him breathing in the performance. I love this. We need his sound.
LUKE COMBS / “Doin’ This”
Writers: Drew Parker/Luke Combs/Robert Williford; Producer: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews & Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House / Columbia
–That “Amen” you might have heard when he introduced this song on the CMA telecast was the sound of every musician in the arena hearing themselves in the lyric. It was a moment of profound truth and beauty from a man who seems to brim with them. He moves me every time he opens his mouth. His heart is so huge, and their are few in the format who are as completely relatable. Our titanic Entertainer of the Year strikes once again. A masterpiece.
MICKEY GUYTON / “Love My Hair”
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Anna Krantz; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol
–As recently as five or ten years ago, it would have been unimaginable that a song about Black hair would be showcased on the CMA Awards. Gutsy Guyton is just the woman to do it. You’ll find the tune on her excellent CD Remember Her Name, alas without the terrific harmony vocals of Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards you heard on the telecast.
BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Younger Me”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/John Osborne/T.J. Osborne; Producer: John Osborne; Label: EMI
–There was a lot of love in the room at the CMA Awards, perhaps never more manifest than in the re-crowning of the Osbornes as Duo of the Year. “Love wins,” said T.J. succinctly. One of the most profoundly poignant moments on the CMA show was his performance of this song. It’s a gay adult singing to his younger self that, “It gets better.” The lyric is stunning; the throbbing tempo is thrilling, and he sings his face off. Country music for the ages. Check out the video with its images of inclusion.
BRANDI CARLILE / “This Time Tomorrow”
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Phil Hanseroth/Tim Hanseroth; Producer: Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings; Label: Elektra / Low Country Sound
–Nashville’s time in the network TV spotlight wasn’t limited to the CMA show. On Tuesday, this Americana star performed this lovely ballad on Stephen Colbert’s late-night telecast. Performed as a harmony trio with the Hanseroth twins, accompanied by acoustic guitars, it’s a goodbye to a loved one in the most kind and gentle way. This is one of the many gems on her current album In These Silent Days.
SAM WILLIAMS / “Snow Angels”
Writers: Sam Williams/Hillary Lindsey/Jonny Price; Producer: Paul Moak; Label: Mercury
–Williams brings a tender, nostalgic vocal to this wintery ballad of recollection. Strings provide a gorgeous billowing curtain behind his plaintive delivery. A simply exquisite recording.
ROSS COPPERMAN & CAM / “Everything Changes”
Writers: Ross Copperman/ROMANS/Steph Jones; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Photo Finish
–Heartbreak and loss have seldom sounded so pretty. They’re going their separate ways, resigned to the fact that they are simply too different as people. Copperman’s tenor is sweet and strong, but the thing really comes alive when Cam’s sensational voice chimes on harmonies and takes a verse on her own. Awesome listening.
NATALIE HEMBY / “It Takes One to Know One”
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Label: Fantasy
–Renowned a a powerhouse pop and country hit songwriter, Hemby’s sophomore album is Pins and Needles. As before, the Highwomen chanteuse channels Tom Petty as much as she does Sheryl Crow and Miranda on this emphasis track. It’s a funky little hip shaker with loads of verve.
AIMP Nashville Board Forms New Young Professional Committee
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (top row, L-R): Mike Giangreco, Ciara Shortridge, Taylor Lamb, Jake Gear, Sophie Moll, Jamie Bruno, Maurna Donovan, Raleigh Berschback, Harrison Sokoloff; (bottom row, L-R) Nina Jenkins, Megan Pekar, Shaina Botwin, MaryAnn Keen, Lauren Lieu.
The Nashville Chapter Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has formed its inaugural AIMP Nashville Young Professional Committee.
The Young Professional Committee’s primary purpose is to educate, inform, and share insight on the inner workings of independent music publishing, while also encouraging and involving members in the young professional music community.
“One of our most important goals at AIMP Nashville is to strengthen our independent publishing community by educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders in our field. Each member of our Young Professional Committee is a testament to the success of that approach,” says John Ozier, national chair of the AIMP and president of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “These talented young executives represent the future of Nashville independent music publishing, and we are excited to work with them as they innovate new ways to engage our community.”
The AIMP Nashville Young Professional Committee will hold their first event, “The Masked Singer of Music Row,” on Jan. 11 at a location to be announced. The event will feature some of Music Row’s favorite industry executives as they disguise themselves and perform. AIMP committee members are invited to attend for free, and non-members will be able to purchase a ticket to the show. For more information, click here.
AIMP Nashville Young Professional Committee Members:
Raleigh Berschback (The MLC)
Shaina Botwin (Boom Music Group)
Jamie Bruno (Eclipse Music Group)
Maurna Donovan (Wrensong Entertainment)
Jake Gear (Hang Your Hat Music)
Mike Giangreco (Big Loud Publishing)
Nina Jenkins (Jody Williams Songs)
MaryAnn Keen (BMI)
Taylor Lamb (RED Creative)
Lauren Lieu (Play It Again Publishing)
Sophie Moll (JRM Publishing)
Megan Pekar (Loeb & Loeb)
Ciara Shortridge (Curb/Word Publishing)
Harrison Sokoloff (King Pen Music)
Alex Tamashunas (Creative Nation)
Senior Advisor – Courtney Crist (Anthem Entertainment)
Senior Advisor – Ree Guyer (Wrensong Entertainment)
Blake Shelton, Ryman Hospitality Properties Announce Plans For Ole Red Expansion To Vegas
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): WSM Radio Host Bill Cody, Blake Shelton and Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman/CEO Colin Reed. Photo: Erika Goldring
A new Ole Red location in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip is slated to open in 2023. Blake Shelton joined Ryman Hospitality Properties yesterday at a press conference to announce plans for the new venue, marking the brand’s sixth location.
Located in front of Caesars Entertainment’s Bally’s Las Vegas at the Grand Bazaar Shops, the planned Ole Red Las Vegas project will be the company’s first Western location. The company revealed plans to spend approximately $30 million developing the four-story building, which will feature a main dining floor and two additional guest floors overlooking a central stage with state-of-the-art video, acoustics and lighting.
Renderings of the Las Vegas Ole Red location.
Guests will also enjoy food, beverages and a live music experience on an expansive 4,500 square-foot rooftop while taking in the Las Vegas cityscape. The Shelton-inspired menu will feature food and cocktails that are unique to the Las Vegas location and infused with southern hospitality. At approximately 27,000 square feet with a planned 686 seats, Ole Red Las Vegas is slated to be the brand’s largest location to date.
“I know what it’s like to be a young musician playing bars and small venues, never knowing what to expect. I’m proud that we’re building a network of places where artists can get the kind of exposure playing live that is so critical for growing their fan base,” said Shelton. “Having these locations for artists to play in different parts of the country is a dream come true.”
“Las Vegas is one of the most important leisure playgrounds on the planet with over 40 million tourists a year,” added Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryman Hospitality Properties. “As we expand this brand into tourist and convention-focused markets, Las Vegas is a natural fit since many of its top feeder markets are home to high concentrations of country lifestyle consumers. We are excited to have the opportunity to develop a flagship Ole Red location on such a coveted piece of commercial real estate within the Caesars Entertainment empire where over 100,000 people walk by each day.”
Big Machine Label Group Celebrates CMA Award Win
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Kris Lamb and Erik Powell, CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner Carly Pearce, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt and Samantha Kane. Photo: Erika Goldring
Big Machine Label Group celebrated several performers and one winner after this year’s 55th Annual CMA Awards.
Held live and in-person at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, BMLG’s Carly Pearce took home her first win for Female Vocalist of the Year. Pearce has had a banner year, releasing her acclaimed project 29, being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and launching her first true headlining tour. She said backstage, “You have to know and understand how badly I wanted to win Female Vocalist of the Year as a little girl. I would watch the CMA Awards, see all the women who’d come before and dream one day I might be up there, too. But when it happens? When you’re in the moment? Nothing can prepare you for that, and it’s even more powerful, more exciting than anything I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Pearce also gave a flawless performance of her current single, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” alongside duet partner Ashley McBryde.
Big Machine recording artist Thomas Rhett also offered viewers his “Country Again” from a stripped down set. Lady A and Florida Georgia Line were also in attendance to present.
Click here to read more about the 55th Annual CMA Awards.
Pictured (back row, L-R): Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Big Machine Label Group’s Jake Basden, Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Big Machine Label Group’s Andrew Kautz, Tyler Rich, Ayron Jones, Badflower’s Joey Morrow, Heath Sanders, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg, Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar; (front row, L-R): Midland’s Jess Carson, Midland’s Cameron Duddy, Callista Clark, Abbey Cone, Big Machine Label Group’s Sandi Spika Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Carly Pearce, Danielle Bradbery, Conner Smith, Tiera. Photo: Erika Goldring
Pictured (L-R): Lady A’s Dave Haywood, Callista Clark, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Lady A’s Charles Kelley, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen and Matthew Hargis. Photo: Erika Goldring
Pictured (back row, L-R): The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Tyler Rich, Conner Smith, Heath Sanders, Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg; (front row, L-R): Tiera, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, The Valory Music Co.’s Ashley Sidoti. Photo: Erika Goldring
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Michelle Attardi, Eric Paslay, Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Laura Veltz, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle. Photo: Erika Goldring
From YEP Mixers To Guiding A Star In The Making: Meet Andrew Cohen [Interview]
/by Lydia FarthingAndrew Cohen. Photo: Jason Myers
Andrew Cohen knew from a young age that he had a special interest in the business side of the music industry. After reading about Belmont University and eventually attending in 2008, he could’ve never guessed how his interest in tracking his favorite songs in Country Weekly would put him where he is now: the owner of Cohencidence Projects and managing one of the hottest rising country acts of 2021, Brittney Spencer.
Graduating from Belmont in 2009, Cohen spent his first year out of college trying to get his foot in the door of Nashville’s music business, including a four-month stint at a booking agency that wasn’t the right fit.
In 2011, Cohen co-founded YEP–Young Entertainment Professionals–which today acts as a critical, free tool for young jobseekers in the music industry to network and learn the business, as well as a resource for professional development. The organization held educational events and mixers with Cohen at the helm for nearly six years before his departure.
“YEP was based on me and my friends getting out of Belmont and being thrust into the industry with no safety net,” Cohen explains to MusicRow. “The day that the idea started, I was at Tin Roof with MaryAnn Keen [of BMI] and she mentioned somebody that I didn’t know. I was like, ‘How do I not know all of your friends? All we do is hang out in bars while we don’t have jobs. I should know people you know and you should know people I know.” So, the two co-founded YEP.
In October of 2011, Cohen got a job at Crush Management under John Grady‘s leadership. Over his five year tenure, Cohen became a jack of all trades. Starting off as a day-to-day manager for Kristen Kelly, Cohen worked with Striking Matches and Ashley Monroe during the week, while spending the weekends with Kelly on Brad Paisley‘s tour. Cohen also began running marketing for the management company’s Nashville office and eventually took on the marketing for Grady’s I.R.S. Records in 2013.
However, he missed being in the trenches with the artists. Cohen left to start up his own management company, which only lasted for a few years. Since then, he has found success consulting through his own Cohencidence Projects, and filling a special niche that he feels was missing in the artist’s toolbox.
Brittney Spencer and her team at UTA. Pictured (L-R): Emily Wright (UTA), Jeffrey Hasson (UTA), Brittney Spencer, Andrew Cohen (Cohencidence Projects)
“At first, it was mainly DSP promotion and helping independent artists land on playlists to get their music heard. I’ve worked on DSP promotion projects with Kameron Marlowe, Brandon Davis, and Andrew Jannakos, who we launched a song with that hit No. 12 on Billboard,” Cohen says. “I found a niche within the industry that was really needed to help artists get their music heard by editors at Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and Pandora.”
He continues, “It led me back into management. I ended up signing Andrew and Brittney last year and it’s been a wild year. It’s been really fun and I get to do my favorite part, which is being at the very beginning with an artist and helping to build a team.”
Of Cohencidence Projects, he says: “It’s built to be whatever iteration it needs to be for an artist. I’ve done management consulting where I’ve helped an artist [in a pseudo-manager role] over the years. He’s got a great head on his shoulders and he really knows what he wants to do. He just needed some help executing it from time to time and somebody to bounce ideas off of.” He adds, “For artists out there that really know how to work independently or don’t have the funds to have a manager yet, I help whoever needs it.”
Cohen’s biggest leap came with country newcomer Brittney Spencer, who just this year was named People Magazine‘s One to Watch, a 2021 Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch, a Pandora 2021 Artist to Watch, and is a member of CMT Next Women of Country. Just last night (Nov. 10) Spencer performed alongside Mickey Guyton and Madeline Edwards at the CMA Awards.
Having met Spencer six years ago at a YEP event, Cohen began working with the young act with DSP promotion for her 2020 Compassion EP. With each single release, the pair started to see better and better responses from the DSPs. After releasing her viral cover of The Highwomen‘s “Crowded Table,” and receiving a name drop from The Highwomen’s Maren Morris at the 2020 CMA Awards, Spencer and Cohen have seen a busy year full of collaborations, performances, and building out the right artist team.
Brittney Spencer & Andrew Cohen. Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Cohen
“This has been a massive year of growth and we’re starting to navigate what her team looks like as we roll into next year… We’re trying to surround her with the right people to help amplify everything we’re doing,” Cohen offers. “I’m still learning a ton as we go. Every artist is so drastically different with what they need and what their team looks like.”
He continues, “It seems like every two weeks something drops into Brittney’s world. Opportunities are showing up and we’re chasing them. Seeing her interact and build her community has been so cool. She’s out there making noise and there’s going to be a long career here, so I’m excited to be a part of it.” Cohen adds, “I’m very glad to be back on this side. If you have the right artists, the right music, and the right story to tell, I would much rather be in the trenches with the artists telling that story. Brittney’s got so much to tell and that’s where people are connecting with her story.”
While the world was navigating their way through a raging pandemic, Cohen and Spencer were grateful for the ability to slow down and focus on the creative aspects of her career rather than juggling the challenges of touring with it.
“There were some advantages to the remote world because it didn’t throw [going on] the road at these artists that were emerging right away.” Cohen elaborates, “It’s pretty intensive to get players and rehearsals, and to make sure everything’s ready. During the pandemic, we could just release music, do interviews, and she was writing a ton. We were in this creative space and she got to stay in that creative space rather than balance it all at the same time.
He adds: “It was a little bit of an advantage for it to marinate a little bit, and for us to really lean in on the writing side and build relationships with her team. She’s been building it out little by little, and it was nice to be able to do that with a little less urgency.”
Along the way, Cohen has had his fair share of people champion him, among them are some Nashville music business heavy hitters, such as Beth Laird, Jody Williams, and Leslie Roberts. He notes that Grady, his former boss, has been one of his biggest supporters and teachers throughout his career.
“He taught me everything I know about the business. He was so great about letting us get to know his contacts, which is something that I hope to do down the road. He opened up his Rolodex and said, ‘Those contacts are yours. The people I’ve built relationships with, you can build relationships with too.’”
CMA Awards Recap: Big Night For Stapleton, Combs, & Pearce, Among Others
/by LB CantrellPictured: Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson accept the Song of the Year award for “Starting Over” at The 55th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The Country Music Association returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 10) for its 55th Annual CMA Awards, after it was held for a limited audience at the Music City Center last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Luke Bryan for the first time, the evening was filled with several great performances, social statements, and lots of Chris Stapleton.
Bryan, a two-time Entertainer of the Year, kicked his first time hosting off with a monologue that included some shade for his lack of nominations this year, jokes over COVID protocols, praise to the Atlanta Braves for winning the World Series, and playful introductions for his friends in the audience. Throughout the night other stars—including fellow American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as Lady A, Darius Rucker, Elle King, and more—appeared to “help” Bryan out with his new hosting gig.
Pictured (L-R): Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Stapleton, who with Eric Church was the most nominated artist of the night with five each, made his way to the winner’s podium four times last night. His first win went to him and songwriter Mike Henderson for their hit “Starting Over” winning Song of the Year. Stapleton spoke a few words, then turned it to his co-writer Henderson, who “showed [Stapleton] how to write songs.” The country songwriter shared the honor with his songwriting mentors, Gary Nicholson, Wally Wilson, Kevin Welch, and John Hadley.
Stapleton then won Single of the Year for “Starting Over,” Album of the Year for his project of the same name, and Male Vocalist of the Year. By the time the powerful singer accepted his fourth award of the night, he had run out of things to say.
At one point in the night, Stapleton showed off why he’s a CMA favorite with a sultry performance of his “Cold.” The talented musician, backed by his band and a string section, gave a flawless performance. As usual, the audience ate it up. He also backed Jennifer Hudson for a stellar tribute to Aretha Franklin. The two world-class singers did a rendition of “Night Life,” a song originally written and recorded by Willie Nelson and later recorded by Franklin, followed by a duet of “You Are My Sunshine,” the Jimmie Davis-penned classic that both Franklin and Nelson also recorded.
In a moment where audience members and fans at home were holding their breath, actors Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins, who are both playing in Jason Owen‘s budding TV show Monarch, presented most controversial award of the night, Album of the Year. After a long pause filled with screaming fans anticipating the winner, the two announced that Stapleton beat out Church’s Heart, Carly Pearce‘s 29, Brothers Osborne‘s Skeletons, and most notably, Morgan Wallen‘s blockbuster album Dangerous: The Double Album. Wallen was not invited to attend the CMA Awards because of an incident that occurred earlier this year when a video surfaced of the singer using a racial slur outside his Nashville home. Despite being barred from attending the show, he was eligible to be nominated for categories that honor artistic works (Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories).
“I want to say thank you to everyone who listened to the record,” Stapleton said of his album, Starting Over. “There was a lot of great records in this category.”
Pictured: Luke Combs accepts the Entertainer of the Year Award. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA
The only award that Stapleton was nominated for and didn’t win, Entertainer of the Year, went to a first-time winner. Alan Jackson presented the night’s top honor. The Country Music Hall of Fame member said, “I can tell you from experience, when you stand up here and they call your name, it really brings you down to earth to realize all the great people who have come before you like Haggard and Jones, Charley Pride, Loretta, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and so many more.” He wasted no time pausing for dramatic effect when reading the winner’s name. Cheers abounded when he revealed that Luke Combs was the CMA Entertainer of the Year for the first time ever.
The artist was stunned. “I’m at a loss for words, Alan Jackson said my name…twice!
“I have never written a speech for something like this, which is not serving me very well right now. I just want to thank everybody in this room: the fans, every artist in this room,” Combs said. “I don’t deserve to win this, but I’m sure as hell glad I did. Thank y’all so much!” The young country star also debuted a brand new song last night, “Doin’ This,” which talked about what he would be doing if he wasn’t dominating the country charts.
Another first-time winner in their category, Carly Pearce took home Female Vocalist of the Year. Christian artists Amy Grant and Lauren Daigle presented the award to Pearce, and fellow nominee Ashley McBryde brought the emotional singer-songwriter up the stage. “There’s a lot of love, respect and admiration in this category,” McBryde said as Pearce gathered herself to speak.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world,” Pearce said, thanking her team members before doubling over with emotion.
Pictured: Carly Pearce accepts the Female Vocalist of the Year Award. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Other top winners included Old Dominion, who won Vocal Group of the Year for the fourth time and performed their latest hit, “I Was On A Boat That Day.”
Brothers Osborne clinched Vocal Duo of the Year for the fourth time, as well. Brothers TJ and John Osborne walked up to a thunderous applause when accepting their award. “It’s been a crazy rollercoaster of a year in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” said TJ, who came out as gay earlier this year. “To have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins tonight.” The crowd went wild for both TJ and John, who later performed their song inspired by TJ’s experience, “Younger Me.”
An emotional Jimmie Allen was awarded the New Artist of the Year award. “Five years ago I spent my last $100 and came to the CMA 50th to watch Charley Pride perform on stage. And I got to perform with him last year,” Allen remembered before listing off his thank you’s. He gave a special shout out to Ash Bowers, who signed him after 10 years of hard work. Later on Allen showed off his vocal talent and skillful dance moves with a performance of “Freedom Was A Highway.”
Some standout performances of the night included a medley of hits from Miranda Lambert, the birthday girl, who kicked the set off with “Kerosene.” The high-energy performance included flames shooting up behind her that harkened back to her 2005 CMA Awards performance of the same song. She also played snippets of “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon,” and “Gunpowder & Lead” as the audience rocked along to her ambush of hits.
Gal pals Pearce and McBryde sounded great on their new duet, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” and Thomas Rhett, clad in a flannel shirt and jeans, gave a sweet performance on his “Country Again.”
Pictured (L-R): Madeline Edwards, Mickey Guyton, and Brittney Spencer perform “Love My Hair.” Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
A young girl, Faith Fennidy, introduced Mickey Guyton‘s performance by letting the crowd know that Guyton’s ode to self-acceptance, “Love My Hair,” was inspired by Fennidy getting sent home from school because of her braids. “This next artist created this song to make sure girls like me feel seen and loved,” Fennidy said. “That’s how you turn something very painful into something very positive.”
Guyton was joined by Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards for the stunning performance. Guyton anchored the performance, while Spencer added gorgeous, honeyed melodies and Edwards lended her smokey, sultry voice for a stunning moment.
Musician of the Year, fiddle player Jenee Fleenor, backed country superstar Blake Shelton as he sang his rocking ditty about reincarnation, “Come Back As A Country Boy.” The CMA also awarded Sarah Michaud, PEOPLE Magazine’s Senior News Editor, with the 2021 CMA Media Achievement Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music.
Nominees Kane Brown and Chris Young preformed their infectious hit “Famous Friends” as yearbook photos of country hitmakers appeared on the screen behind the stars.
Overall, the night celebrated country music, its growing commitment to acceptance, and its emergence from the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To view a full list of winners, click here.
Jack White Slates Two New Albums For 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughJack White. Photo: David James Swanson
Jack White is releasing two new albums next year, marking his first new full-length collections in over four years. Fear Of The Dawn arrives everywhere via Third Man Records on April 8, and Entering Heaven Alive follows on July 22.
White has been writing and recording music throughout the past several years, creating two distinctive albums–each defined by different inspirations, themes, and moods.
The two new albums are available for pre-order on vinyl and CD now. In addition to the standard black vinyl version of Fear Of The Dawn, five limited edition vinyls are also available for pre-order at various locations in midnight blue, astronomical blue vinyl, moon glow white, and a split moon glow white and astronomical blue with an 11”x11” screen printed poster and Third Man Records compilation CD.
Details on digital pre-orders for both albums and vinyl for Entering Heaven Alive will be announced at a later date.
A 12x Grammy winner, all three of White’s solo albums–2012’s Gold solo debut Blunderbuss, 2014’s Lazaretto, and 2018’s Boarding House Reach–debuted at No. 1 on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 along with a variety of other charts.
Last year The White Stripes Greatest Hits made top 10 chart debuts around the world, and this year White opened Third Man Records London, the label’s first store outside the U.S. and third physical space alongside Nashville and Detroit.
1. Taking Me Back
2. Fear Of The Dawn
3. The White Raven
4. Hi-De-Ho (W/ Q-Tip)
5. Eosophobia
6. Into The Twilight
7. Dusk
8. What’s The Trick?
9. That Was Then (This Is Now)
10. Eosophobia (Reprise)
11. Morning, Noon And Night
12. Shedding My Velvet
1. A Tip From You To Me
2. All Along The Way
3. Help Me Along
4. Love Is Selfish
5. I’ve Got You Surrounded (With My Love)
6. Queen Of The Bees
7. A Tree On Fire From Within
8. If I Die Tomorrow
9. Please God, Don’t Tell Anyone
10. A Madman From Manhattan
11. Taking Me Back (Gently)
Lori McKenna Tackles The Ups & Downs Of The Holidays With Debut Christmas Collection
/by Lydia FarthingLori McKenna. Photo: Thomas Heney
Multiple Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Lori McKenna will release her debut holiday EP, Christmas Is Right Here, on Nov. 19.
Produced by McKenna alongside Luke Laird and Barry Dean, the six-song release features five new original holiday songs as well as McKenna’s version of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” The project’s originals were penned by McKenna with other members of Nashville’s songwriting royalty, including Laird, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and more.
“It was such a joy making this holiday music with my Nashville family of co-writers, musicians and friends,” McKenna shares. “I feel like we hit on some of the emotions that come with the holidays—the easy feelings and the harder ones. It seems impossible for me to talk or sing about the holidays without going back in time and I feel so blessed to have the music to come back with me.”
The new release continues a series of landmark years for McKenna, following three widely acclaimed albums—The Balladeer (2020), The Tree (2018), and The Bird & The Rifle (2016). Her 2018 album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2019 Americana Music Awards and landed on several best-of lists including Entertainment Weekly, Paste, Slate, The A.V. Club, The Washington Post and Rolling Stone.
Earlier this year, McKenna won her third Grammy Award for Best Country Song for The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table.” This follows her back-to-back wins for both Song of the Year at the CMA Awards and Best Country Song at the Grammys for “Girl Crush” performed by Little Big Town and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.” McKenna also became the first female ever to win Songwriter of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Throughout her career, she has had cuts by Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Hunter Hayes and Reba McEntire, along with co-writing “Always Remember Us This Way,” which was featured in the Academy award-winning 2018 film, A Star Is Born.
1. Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)
2. Christmas Without Crying (Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
3. North Pole (Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose)
4. Still Christmas In Nashville (Lori McKenna, Dustin Christensen, Jordyn Shellhart)
5. Hail Mary (Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Barry Dean)
6. Grateful (Lori McKenna)
Erik Dylan Signs With 50 Egg Music, Duckman & Warner Chappell Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Joey Harris (50 Egg), Molly Reinold (50 Egg), Tali Canterbury (50 Egg), Jonathan Singleton (50 Egg), Riley Green, Dylan, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Jessi Stevenson (WCM)
Singer-songwriter Erik Dylan has signed a global publishing deal with 50 Egg Music, Duckman, and Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
A frequent collaborator to Luke Combs and Riley Green, Dylan contributed to Combs’ record-breaking album What You See Is What You Get and co-wrote Green’s No. 1 hit “There Was This Girl.” The Kansas native also has cuts by Parker McCollum, Brantley Gilbert, Elvie Shane, Ashland Craft, Kip Moore, Trisha Yearwood, Ray Fulcher, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Brent Cobb, and more.
An an artist Dylan has enjoyed success as well. His “JJ’s Market” was named one of American Songwriter’s Top 20 Songs of 2020, and his full-length projects include his 2016 debut album Heart of a Flatland Boy and the follow-up Baseball on the Moon (2018), which features duets with Steve Earle and Combs.
2021 CMA Award Winners – Complete List
/by LB CantrellCountry artists and industry members gathered once again at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 10) for The 55th Annual CMA Awards.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s CMA Awards were held at Nashville’s Music City Center with only nominees and essential personnel in attendance. This year’s event, hosted by Luke Bryan, included a proper audience.
Eric Church and Chris Stapleton led the nominees with five each this year. Stapleton walked away with four wins (Song, Single, Album, and Male Vocalist of the Year).
The night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year, went to Luke Combs. This was Combs’ first time winning the coveted award.
Other CMA Award winners included Carly Pearce, Brothers Osborne, Jimmie Allen, and Old Dominion.
Kelsea Ballerini won her first-ever CMA Award before the televised program, with her and nine-time CMA Award-winner Kenny Chesney taking home CMA Musical Event of the Year and CMA Music Video of the Year for their collaboration, “Half Of My Hometown.”
Click here to read MusicRow‘s full recap of the CMA Awards.
A full list of CMA Awards honorees is below (winners in RED):
Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Female Vocalist Of The Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Male Vocalist Of The Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
New Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Hardy
Musician Of The Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Aaron Sterling – Drums
Ilya Toshinskiy – Banjo
Derek Wells – Guitar
Album Of The Year (Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
29 – Carly Pearce
– Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Jimmy Robbins
– Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
– Record Label: Big Machine Records
Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
– Producers: Dave Cohen, Matt Dragstrem, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome and Joey Moi
– Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
– Record Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records
Heart – Eric Church
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
– Producers: Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
– Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
Single Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Producers: Corey Crowder and Chris Young
– Mix Engineer: Sean Moffitt
– Record Label: RCA Nashville
“The Good Ones” – Gabby Barrett
– Producers: Ross Copperman and Zach Kale
– Mix Engineers: Chris Galland and Manny Marroquin
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
“Hell Of A View” – Eric Church
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
“One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton
– Producers: Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
– Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
Song Of The Year (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Forever After All”
– Songwriters: Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Robert Williford
“The Good Ones”
– Songwriters: Gabby Barrett, Zach Kale, Emily Landis, Jim McCormick
“Hell Of A View”
– Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell
“One Night Standards”
– Songwriters: Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde
“Starting Over”
– Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
Musical Event Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s))
“Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
– Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
– Record Label: MCA Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville
“Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
– Producers: Aaron Eshuis and Teddy Reimer
– Record Label: Arista Nashville
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Elle King & Miranda Lambert
– Producer: Martin Johnson
– Record Label: RCA Records / Columbia Nashville
“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Producers: Corey Crowder and Chris Young
– Record Label: RCA Nashville
“Half Of My Hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
– Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins
– Record Label: Black River Entertainment
Music Video Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s))
“Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
– Director: TK McKamy
“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Director: Peter Zavadil
“Gone” – Dierks Bentley
– Directors: Wes Edwards, Travis Nicholson, Ed Pryor, Running Bear and Sam Siske
“Half Of My Hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
– Director: Patrick Tracy
“Younger Me” – Brothers Osborne
– Director: Reid Long