Walker Hayes‘ blockbuster hit single “Fancy Like” has reached the top spot at country radio, officially earning the Monument Records recording artist his first radio No. 1, as well as the label’s first chart-topper.

Since its release in June, the track has spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and hit the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs chart, while also sitting atop countless country streaming and sales charts.

“Country radio, you hung the moon,” says Hayes. “This is the ‘we did it’ moment for Laney and me. No matter what I say, you won’t be able to know how grateful I am. Thank you for a hundred chances… now I’m ‘Fancy Like’ No. 1!”

“Fancy Like” leaped from No. 17 into the top 10 at country radio in October, making it the biggest jump into the top 10 on the Mediabase Country chart in 17 years. The song has spawned collaborations with Kesha and Carin Leon, television appearances, an Applebee’s commercial, and iHeart festival slots, and has become one of the fastest certified Platinum singles of 2021.

“When Walker Hayes walked up to me at Smoothie King almost 7 years ago, he hoped I would change his life, but he ended up changing mine,” says Monument Co-President Shane McAnally. “I have learned more about perseverance and passion and heart from him than any artist I’ve ever known. I am so glad to see his name at the top of the chart where it has always belonged.”

“When we launched Monument, we picked Walker Hayes as the artist to do it with for a reason,” continues Monument Co-President Jason Owen. “Walker has always written songs that transcend boundaries, and we knew it was only a matter of time for this moment to come.”

The achievement follows Hayes’ recent news that he will be setting out on “The Fancy Like Tour” in early 2022. The run will kick off in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Jan. 27.

APRA Honors Lindsay Rimes for 1,000,000,000 Streams on Kane Brown’s “Heaven”

Nashville-based songwriter and producer Lindsay Rimes has been honored by APRA AMCOS, the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society. Rimes has been added to The 1,000,000,000 List for co-writing Kane Brown‘s 2017 smash hit “Heaven.” This is the first country song, and the 35th overall, recognized for surpassing more than one billion streams across all major streaming services.

The track topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Canada Country chart. It is certified 6x Platinum in the U.S. and triple Platinum in Canada.

“I’m thrilled to have a billion streams for ‘Heaven!’ Thanks to everyone who listened to the song and APRA AMCOS for their continued support of Aussie writers abroad,” Rimes shares.

Originally from Sydney, Rimes focused on songwriting and producing after an injury curtailed his rugby career. He relocated to Nashville and co-penned Dylan Scott’s country hit “Hooked” with Morgan Evans and Seth Ennis at an APRA AMCOS SongHubs and quickly became an in-demand collaborator. Rimes’ credits include releases by Locash, Luke Bryan, Tyler Rich, and more. He was honored with an Overseas Recognition Award at the 2019 APRA Music Awards.

“Lindsay Rimes proved, once again, that he is a HITMAKER on any continent! ‘Heaven’ was a massive song for Kane Brown and country music, and we are proud to represent Lindsay in all of his successes!” adds Sony Music Publishing, Executive Vice President, Nashville A&R, Josh Van Valkenburg.

 

 

Ben Hutto Rises To Director Of Brands & Partnerships At Triple 8 Management

Triple 8 Management’s Ben Hutto has risen from artist manager to Director of Brands and Partnerships.

Hutto has secured brand and sponsor deals, with Triple 8 clients recently landing partnerships with EA Sports, Samsung, Microsoft, Shell, Citibank, Bud Light, ESPN, Journeys, Chipotle, Pizza Hut, Ford, Southwest Airlines and Wild Turkey, among others. He has been key in the company’s major successes in brand and sync opportunities including Judah & the Lion penning the Nashville SC theme song that plays in-stadium before every home game as well as Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors’ songs being featured in multiple award-winning ad campaigns.

“Ben and I actually met when he was in college–he was managing Judah & the Lion while they were all students at Belmont together,” notes Triple 8 Executive Partner Paul Steele. “I was so impressed by him and the band that I offered him a job the day he graduated, and it’s been a pleasure to work together ever since.”

“We love turning what may seem like one-off opportunities into career pillars for artists,” adds Hutto. “Our focus in that area with Judah & the Lion over the years is a major part of what has allowed them to grow their brand the way they have, so I’m excited to continue creating opportunity for all of our artists on the Triple 8 roster.”

 

 

Vibecity Music Publishing Signs Steve Smentek

Vibecity Music Publishing, a Nashville-based boutique publishing company owned by Clay Mills and Marty Dodson, has signed Steve Smentek to an exclusive staff songwriter deal.

A Chicago native, Smentek has been coming to Nashville on a regular basis to attend songwriting events and network, eventually joining SongTown. Smentek is currently working with a wide range of artists and co-writers.

“I’m really excited about Steve joining the VibeCity team. His tenacity for chasing down a hook and a great song is stronger than just about any writer I’ve worked with,” Mills says.

“Steve is one of the hardest working songwriters I know,” adds Dodson. “He continues to learn and grow as a writer and we are excited to see where his partnership with VibeCity can take us all.”

Dodson and Mills collectively have over 250 cuts and 12 No. 1 songs between them, including Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven,” Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” Darius Rucker’s “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” and Diamond Rio’s “Beautiful Mess.” They co-founded VibeCity in 2018, whose roster now includes Smentek, Josh Byrd, Kelly McKay and Jesse Slack.

Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter crack the top five on the country streaming songs chart this week with “Thinking ‘Bout You,” which jumps from No. 15. The duet earned 5.9 million streams, contributing to 141 million streams RTD since its March 2021 release, according to Nielsen. The track is currently at No. 4 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Monument’s Walker Hayes continues his reign at the top of the country streaming songs chart as “Fancy Like” adds another 10 million streams this week, for a total of 229 million streams RTD. “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) rises to No. 2 with 7.2 million streams, “If I Didn’t Love You” (Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood) dips to No. 3 with 6.7 million streams, and “Chasing After You” (Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris) falls to No. 4 with 6.7 million streams.

There’s no movement on the top streaming country albums chart this week. Morgan Wallen remains in the top spot as Dangerous: The Double Album racks up another 42,000 streams, totaling 50 million RTD. Wallen also keeps the fourth spot with If I Know Me gaining 13,000 streams. Luke Combs stays in the second spot with What You See Is What You Get adding 23,000 streams, and the third spot with This One’s For You adding 15,000 streams. Chris Stapleton seals the top five as Starting Over earns 13,000 streams this week.

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has released the list of nominees for the 2022 New Faces of Country Music Show. The nominated artists for the show are Gabby Barrett, Priscilla Block, Blanco Brown, Callista Clark, Walker Hayes, Ryan Hurd, Parker McCollum, Niko Moon, Jameson Rogers, Elvie Shane, and Lainey Wilson.

Voting for the Class of 2022 will be open Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19 at countryradioseminar.com. The five acts with the most votes will make the lineup up for the New Faces show, to be held Friday, Feb. 25 at Omni Nashville Hotel during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2022.

“These 11 artists represent a bright future for country music,” says CRB New Faces Committee chair, Chuck Aly. “They also give this year’s voters some very difficult choices to make.”

Formed in 1970, the annual New Faces show is one of the most anticipated events at CRS, and has played a pivotal role in many country artists’ careers. Five emerging artists who have achieved significant success at country radio during the qualification period are selected each year to perform. The qualification period is Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, preceding the New Faces Show.

Changes to the New Faces of Country Music voter criteria went into effect last year and have been expanded to include a wider representation of the country music industry. Eligible voters must be full-time employees primarily involved in the programming, promotion, and distribution of country music, from the following types of companies: broadcast radio, satellite radio, television outlets, and digital service providers, while expressly excluding those with vested interests in individual artists or musical works such as labels, managers, agents, and publishers.

CRS will be held Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Feb. 25, 2022. The New Faces of Country Music Show closes out the event each year. Registration for CRS 2022 is open and available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.