Chris Janson has been an active supporter of the U.S. military throughout his career, and he’s showing his appreciation for our servicemen and women by teaming up with Bass Pro Shops to commemorate Military Family Appreciation Month and Veteran’s Day.

Now through Nov. 13, Bass Pro Shops is hosting an in-store “round-up at the register” campaign to help fund at least 20 life-changing scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members via national nonprofit organization Folds of Honor. Together, a minimum of $100,000 will be donated.

“I’m so grateful to my friends at Bass Pro Shops for doing the round-up at the register this week through Folds of Honor,” says Janson. “I couldn’t be more humbled that ‘Bye Mom’ inspired such a great opportunity. This week you can round up every purchase at Bass Pro Shops, and the proceeds will go to our great servicemen and women and their families. Thank you to our veterans this Thursday and always.”

Janson will wrap the year serving as the grand marshal at the Leiper’s Fork Christmas Day parade on Dec. 11. The avid outdoorsman will once again team up with Bass Pro Shops and the Franklin High School fishing team to pass out rods and reels to children along the route.

King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville have signed a worldwide publishing deal with Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Jay DeMarcus.

A member of the country group Rascal Flatts, DeMarcus has racked up 17 No. 1 hits, over 23 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads, and 2 billion streams throughout his career. As one of the most awarded country groups of the past decade, the trio has earned more than 40 trophies from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, People’s Choice, and more.

DeMarcus is also a Grammy-winning producer, working with acts like Chicago, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, Shenandoah, and Reba. He was honored in 2018 for producing Jason Crabb’s album Unexpected, which was named Best Roots Gospel Album by The Recording Academy.

Also on the executive side of the music business, Demarcus is the CEO and owner of Christian record label Red Street Records, home to Crabb, Avalon, Lauren Camey, Cade Thompson, and Iveth Luna.

Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville comments: “Jay’s name has always been synonymous with quality music throughout his career as an artist, writer, and producer. He also has an incredible sense of humor! Our team at Warner Chappell is excited to join forces with the King Pen team in working with Jay as he moves into this next chapter of his career.”

“It has been an honor to have been a part of Jay Demarcus’ legacy over the past 20+ years. His strong characteristics of work ethic, talent, and ability to create strong relationships has proven his success,” adds Kelly King, President, King Pen Music. “I’m looking forward to continuing our great relationship along with our Warner Chappell family in this next chapter of his career.”

“I’m so excited for this opportunity, and this new chapter in my life,” DeMarcus says. “To partner with Kelly in this capacity after 20 years of working together, just feels like such a natural, and easy fit. Ben is one of the absolute best in our business, and I’m honored to be a small part of such an extraordinary team. Exciting things are ahead!”

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.