Chart Action: Thomas Rhett’s Chart Impact Anything But Slow

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Following 18 career No. 1s, Thomas Rhett impacts country radio with his latest single, “Slow Down Summer.” The single earned 195 new station adds across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout charts. Rhett is also the highest debut landing at No. 23 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, No. 30 on Mediabase, and No. 51 on MusicRow with the collective spin gain of +2,988 spins.

“Slow Down Summer” kicked off a fresh chapter of new music for Rhett as he sets his sixth studio album, Where We Started for release early 2022. The single was written by Rhett, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Sean Douglas, and Rhett Akins and captures a red hot romance that’s destined to change with the seasons.

YouTube video

“I wrote this song from the point of view of two people who are in love during senior year of high school,” Rhett explains. “I envisioned them headed off to different schools and they’re starting to understand that the moment the weather starts to change, they’ve got a 99-percent chance this relationship is not going to work. I know that myself and a lot of people have been there before, wishing the fireworks stage doesn’t have to end.”

For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Judah & The Lion Unveil New Single Ahead Of New 2022 Studio Album

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Judah & the Lion. Photo: David OD

Multi-Platinum alternative band Judah & the Lion have released the newest single from their upcoming album, slated for 2022. An alternative version of the new track, “Find Another Reason Why,” was originally released this September in the Netflix Original film The Starling.

“Find Another Reason Why” is Judah & the Lion’s second single of 2021 and follows May’s “Help Me To Feel Again,” which coincided with Mental Health Awareness month.

“As we start this new chapter as a band, we hope this song will set the tone for what’s to come. It’s a song about changing as a person. It is extremely hard to let go of the old self, and press on to something new,” the band shares. “But that surrender comes with a lot of growth and freedom. More to come.”

Judah & the Lion’s last studio album, the autobiographical Pep Talks (2019), was written in the midst of a turbulent year for frontman Judah Akers. The project tackled death, divorce, alcoholism and despair head on which landed at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

More details about new music and their upcoming album will be shared in the coming months.

Joe Nichols Slates New Album ‘Good Day For Living’ For February

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Photo: David “Doc” Abbott

Joe Nichols will kick off 2022 with the release of a long-awaited new album, Good Day For Living, on Feb. 11. A new song from the project, “Screened In,” written by Neil Thrasher and Anthony Jerome Martin, is out today.

The 13-song collection, his inaugural project for Quartz Hill Records and 10th studio album, ushers in a new era of classic country from Nichols. Good Day For Living reunites the traditionalist with producers Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, who helmed his 2013 album Crickets which featured the back-to-back Gold hits “Sunny and 75” and “Yeah.” Cones also produced Nichols’ follow-up album Never Gets Old.

“For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel any pressure,” Nichols said. “I’m around great people. I’m the type of person who’s always striving for more, but I’ve reached a place where I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished so far. It’s been such a good run. I feel at peace, and that has freed me up to make new music that’s very honest.”

Other songs releasing in advance of the full album include “I Wanna Be Your Tonight” (Dec. 10) and the title track,” Good Day For Living” (Jan. 28).  The entire project is a nod to Nichols’ traditional roots, showcasing his baritone on dancehall stunner “Brokenhearted,” the light and fun “I Got Friends That Do,” featuring Blake Shelton, and the classic country tear-jerker “She Was.”

Good Day For Living – Track List:
1. “Brokenhearted” (Rhett Akins, Marv Green, John Thomas Harding)
2. “I Got Friends That Do” (feat. Blake Shelton) (Danick Dupelle, Tebey Ottoh, Jimmy Thow)
3. “Home Run”* (Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Ross Copperman)
4. “Dance With the Girl” (Jason Gantt, John Pierce, Emily Shackelton)
5. “I Wanna Be Your Tonight” (Philip O’Donnell, Wade Kirby, Marv Green)
6. “Good Day For Living” (Dave Cohen, Bobby Hambrick, Neil Mason)
7. “Screened In” (Neil Thrasher, Anthony Jerome Martin)
8. “That’s How I Grew Up” (Steven McMorran, Josh London, Adam Craig)
9. “Reckon” (Derek George, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
10. “Why Can’t She” (Adam Craig, Jon Nite, Matt Rogers)
11. “One Two Step Closer”* (Justin Lantz, Clint Daniels, Lance Miller)
12. “Hawaii on Me”^ (Chris Janson, Will Nance, Kelly Roland)
13. “She Was” (Neal Lee Coty, Jimmy Edward Melton)

CMA Awards Ratings Remain Steady, Lead Primetime Slots

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The 55th Annual CMA Awards topped all of primetime on Wednesday night (Nov. 10), reaching 6.9 million total viewers and earning a 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to Deadline. Compared to last year’s ceremony, which reached 6.82 million viewers and earned a 1.1 rating in the same demographic, the 2021 show remained relatively steady.

The 2020 event saw a 40% decrease in viewership from the previous year, which reached 11.27 million viewers with a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

Though the awards did top of all the primetime slots, it was only by a slim margin. CBS’ Survivor and Fox’s The Masked Singer both earned a 0.9 rating with 5.36 million viewers and 3.82 viewers, respectively. Additionally, NBC’s Chicago Fire saw 6.41 million viewers.

Luke Combs Confirms Handful Of 2022 Stadium Tour Dates

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Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

Newly-crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs is launching a mini headlining stadium tour next year that will include performances at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High on May 21, Seattle’s Lumen Field on June 4, and Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 30. Special guests on the dates include Cody Johnson, Zach Bryan and Morgan Wade.

Tickets for the newly confirmed shows will be available for pre-sale starting next Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. local time through Ticketmaster Verified Fan, with general on-sale following on Nov. 19.

Combs surprise-released his new song, “Doin’ This,” a personal reflection on his own life and career, earlier this week, debuting it live during the CMA Awards broadcast. His current single, “Cold As You,” is Top 5 and rising at radio, and is his seventh single released from What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. Combs also recently released his new song “South On Ya,” which has been selected as the official theme song for the SEC Network’s 2021 football season.

“This week has been a whirlwind–got to debut a new song on the CMAs, release the song and music video to my fans, and announce three stadium shows at NFL stadiums. Talk about a week! It will be hard to top this one,” admits Combs.

Luke Combs Tour Dates:
Nov. 16—New Orleans, LA—Smoothie King Center
Nov. 18—Dallas, TX—American Airlines Center
Nov. 19—Dallas, TX—American Airlines Center
Nov. 20—Memphis, TN—FedEx Forum
Nov. 29—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden
Nov. 30—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden
Dec. 2—Boston, MA—TD Garden
Dec. 3—Boston, MA—TD Garden
Dec. 15—Las Vegas, NV—T-Mobile Arena
Dec. 16—Salt Lake City, UT—Vivint Smart Home Arena
March 11, 2022—Glasgow, Scotland—C2C Festival at The SSE Hydro
March 12, 2022—Dublin, Ireland—C2C Festival at 3Arena
March 13, 2022—London, England—C2C Festival at The O2
March 20, 2022—Toronto, ON—Scotiabank Arena
March 21, 2022—Toronto, ON—Scotiabank Arena
March 24, 2022—Ottawa, ON—Canadian Tire Centre
March 26, 2022—Quebec City, QC—Videotron Centre
March 28, 2022—Montreal, QC—Centre Bell
March 30, 2022—London, ON—Budweiser Gardens
March 31, 2022—London, ON—Budweiser Gardens
May 1, 2022—Indio, CA—Stagecoach
May 21, 2022—Denver, CO—Empower Field at Mile High
June 4, 2022—Seattle, WA—Lumen Field
July 7, 2022—Cavendish, PEI—Cavendish Beach Music Festival
July 9, 2022—Ottawa, ON—RBC Bluesfest
July 23, 2022—Columbus, OH—Buckeye Country Superfest
July 30, 2022—Atlanta, GA—Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown To Perform On ‘2021 American Music Awards’

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Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and Kane Brown are set to perform on the upcoming 2021 American Music Awards on Nov. 21 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Cardi B.

The three will be featured during a new “My Hometown” segment of the telecast which will showcase the towns, humble beginnings, influential individuals and mentors that helped shape today’s superstars.

During the ABC broadcast, Underwood will join fellow 2021 nominee Aldean for a special performance of their smash duet “If I Didn’t Love You.” Meanwhile five-time AMA winner Brown will perform at Tennessee State University, a notable HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Brown will give fans a look into his Tennessee and Georgia roots and personal journey as an artist along with performing his latest single “One Mississippi.”

Sony Music Nashville Ups Scott Stachelski To Sr. VP, Finance

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Scott Stachelski. Photo: Matt Berinato

Sony Music Nashville has elevated Scott Stachelski to Senior Vice President, Finance.

In Stachelski’s new role, he will continue to oversee the finance department and Sony Music Nashville’s day to day financial operations, including internal and external reporting, deal analysis, forecasting, budgeting and analysis. He joined Sony Music Nashville as Director of Finance in 2006, and rose to his previous position of Vice President of Finance in 2017.

Stachelski is a Clark, New Jersey native and a graduate of Pace University’s Lubin School of Business with a BBA in Public Accounting and a CPA. Prior to moving to Nashville, he was Director of Financial Reporting for Sony BMG Entertainment and Senior Internal Auditor for BMG Entertainment.

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Ken Robold, says: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to promote someone of Scott’s caliber, both as a professional and as a person. In addition to his in-depth knowledge of all elements of Label Finance, Scott continually demonstrates his understanding of all the nuances of label decision making, which makes him an invaluable employee and a great teammate.”

“I would like to thank Ken Robold for his leadership and support,” adds Stachelski. “I am humbled and honored to continue overseeing the finance team. It is privilege to work with Sony Music Nashville’s extremely talented staff and gifted roster of artists with Randy Goodman at the helm.”

Stachelski can be reached at scott.stachelski@sonymusic.com.

Morgan Wallen Hits No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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Morgan Wallen returns to country radio topping the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Sand In My Boots.” The single appears on Wallen’s record breaking album, Dangerous: The Double Album. This is Wallen’s first single back at radio after being temporarily removed from major radio conglomerates’ stations following his use of a racial slur in February.

“Sand In My Boots” was written by Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne. The writers currently sit at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 7 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Wallen has been back on the road, playing one-off shows across the United States. He held his “Morgan Wallen And Friends” acoustic benefit concert in September, and raised over $725,000 for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to immediately assist victims of the severe September storms and flooding in Humphreys County and other parts of Middle Tennessee.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, The Kentucky Gentlemen

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Brothers 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

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Pictured (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)