George Birge. Photo: Dustin Haney
Singer-songwriter George Birge made waves this year with his tongue-in-cheek viral hit, “Beer Beer, Truck Truck.”
After Birge saw a TikTok from influencer and music educator Erynn Chambers who joked that men in country music only sing about “beer beer, truck truck, girls in tight jeans,” he was inspired to write a song in response. Thus “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” was born.
In less than 2 weeks, Smith’s demo of “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” had 2.7 million views and earned him 130k followers. In June of 2021, Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ Records, a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment, announced it had signed Birge to the roster. He released it as officially single in August, with Chambers as a co-writer.
“Basically every record label in Nashville started blowing up my phone, which was everything I prayed for. It was really surreal,” Birge said in a recent virtual visit with MusicRow
But Birge wasn’t just another overnight TikTok sensation. The singer-songwriter first moved to Nashville as part of the country duo Waterloo Revival, and had modest success with singles “Something You Ain’t Ever Had” and “What Guy Wouldn’t” on Big Machine Records and then Show Dog Nashville. The duo announced their break up in February of 2021.
“Waterloo Revival brought me to town and was where I’ve had some of my best memories on the road,” Birge said. “But I was in a place where I wasn’t super excited with the direction I was being pushed in.
“It was a scary time because you dream your whole life of getting a record deal and then you’re sitting there with what you prayed for and it wasn’t exactly what you thought it was going to be,” Birge added about his time in Waterloo Revival. “So in the middle of last year I asked out of my record deal, without a backup plan.”
After asking out of his recording contract, Birge started to write songs for other artists, which proved to be successful for the Wide Open Music songwriter. Birge has written songs with Matt Stell, Chris Lane, Gary LeVox and Jay Demarcus, among others.
He also got pulled in to write on Clay Walker’s current single “Need A Bar Sometimes,” and “Catching Up With An Ol’ Memory,” on Walker’s latest album Texas To Tennessee.
Walker, who boasts over 1 million followers on TikTok, was the one who encouraged Birge to start taking the platform seriously. Birge remembers having a beer with Walker after the two were finished writing for the day, and coming to the country star for advice on what to do next, after he had left Waterloo Revival.
“He sat me down and said, ‘Man, I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do.’ Clay is a superstar and has been around the block, so I’m expecting some pretty profound advice. He says, ‘You need to put your songs on TikTok,'” Birge said with a laugh. “That wasn’t exactly what I was hoping to hear from Clay Walker.”
But that night Birge created a TikTok account and saw Chambers’ video that spawned “Beer Beer, Truck Truck.” The rest is history.
Now, with a new record deal and a viral hit under his belt, Birge is releasing more music. His newest song, “Mind On You,” was released today (Nov. 5). Co-written by Birge along with Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler and Colt Ford, and produced by Ash Bowers, “Mind On You” almost wasn’t recorded by Birge.
“I thought it could be a big hit for Jason Aldean, so I sent it to his producer Michael Knox. About 24 hours later I got an email saying, ‘Hey, don’t play this song for anyone else. We’re taking it,'” Birge said.
However, once Birge signed to Records Nashville, executive Barry Weiss told him he should cut the song. “With my tail tucked between my legs I asked for the song back,” Birge said. “I cannot say enough about how gracious that camp was. They gave me the song back and were so excited for my story.”
Birge’s “Mind On You” is available on all streaming platforms now.
CRB Announces Nominees For CRS 2022 New Faces Of Country Music Show
/by LB CantrellCountry 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.
Matthew Holmberg Promoted To Director Of Marketing At BBR Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughMatthew Holmberg, Photo: Cody Heckber
Matthew Holmberg has been promoted to Director of Marketing at BBR Music Group.
Holmberg will report to Sr. VP of BBR Music Group, JoJamie Hahr, and manage projects for the label group’s roster including Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, Dustin Lynch, Elvie Shane, Jelly Roll, King Calaway, Kolby Cooper, Lainey Wilson and more.
Formerly Holmberg was the Manager of Group Strategy, Syndication & Secondary Promotion, where he assisted Renee Leymon, VP of Radio Syndication & Group Strategy, with syndication and radio group strategy for the label group, built and maintained relationships with key syndicated partners, and created and executed radio tours, syndication/media days and content days.
Since joining BBR Music Group in April 2017, Holmberg has worked as a Promotion Coordinator, Manager of Secondary Promotion as well as a Catalog Coordinator in publishing. While attending Belmont, Holmberg interned for BBRMG in 2013 and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Music Business.
“Matthew is the perfect fit for this role,” says Hahr. “His passion, creativity and attention to detail is unmatched. He is so loved by our artists and their teams, and we are so thrilled to have him dig in!”
Holmberg can be reached at matthew@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Celebrates Newest Circle Guard Initiates
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Emmylou Harris, Jerry Williams, Ken Levitan, Mike Milom, E. W. “Bud” Wendell
Emmylou Harris and E. W. “Bud” Wendell announced the newest initiates to the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’s Circle Guard recently at an intimate luncheon on the Museum’s Carlton Family Terrace. Harris and Wendell are Trustees Emeriti of the museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees, and Wendell is also a Chairman Emeritus of the board.
The Circle Guard celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent and treasure to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguard the integrity of country music and make it accessible to a global audience. This is the second class of initiates to be honored with the designation.
In recognition of their significant contributions to the museum, the newest Circle Guard initiates are:
Beginning last Sunday (Nov. 7), these new initiates lead the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute. The annual ritual, open to all museum visitors, pays tribute to each of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s yearly classes and their inducted members during the two weeks leading up to the annual Medallion Ceremony. Circle Guard members are conducting the ritual beginning Nov. 7 – Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. daily. The ceremony includes reading Country Music Hall of Fame members’ biographies in the museum’s Rotunda.
The new Circle Guard initiates join existing members David Conrad, Bill Denny, Mary Ann McCready, Seab Tuck, Steve Turner and Kyle Young.
Nashville Music Equality Launches ‘Dear Music City’ Podcast
/by Lydia FarthingNashville Music Equality (NME), the organization dedicated to creating an anti-racist environment in the Nashville music industry, has launched its own podcast, Dear Music City.
Dear Music City will include in-depth conversations with leaders in the Nashville community as well as music leaders around the world. The first episode of the podcast, featuring Color Me Country host and artist Rissi Palmer, is available now. Other special guests to be featured include NME board member and Head of Marketing & Digital Strategy at Maverick Nashville, Amanda Cates; CEO and CCO of The Change Agent-Cy, Lucia Folk and Lisa Chader; singer and contestant on NBC’s The Voice, Wendy Moten; Wasserman’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Lindsay LaBennett; former mayor of Nashville and substance abuse advocate, Megan Barry, and more. For more information or to listen to Dear Music City, click here.
Tonight (Nov. 8) the board of Nashville Music Equality—along with the Grammy Museum, the National Museum of African American Music, Rosedale Collective, and Propper Daley—will host the 1st Annual Rosedale Summit in Nashville. The event will feature a series of performances and conversations with Palmer, Frankie Staton, Allison Russell, Reyna Roberts, Louis York, Tony Evans Jr., and more that will celebrate and recognize the art of BIPOC country musicians of the past, as well as spark conversation around country music’s future.
Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, More Win Big At ASCAP Country Music Awards
/by LB CantrellThe winners list has been revealed for the 59th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards.
In place of an in-person event, the writers and publishers of country music’s most-performed songs of the past year will be honored by ASCAP on their social media platforms beginning today. Using the hashtag #ASCAPAWARDS, exclusive winner photos, videos, and acceptance speeches will be posted to @ASCAP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Dedicated posts for each winning song will be rolled out on @ASCAP social media each day through Nov. 10.
ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews and EVP, Chief Creative Officer John Titta kicked off the online festivities with a joint welcome video message along with congratulations from ASCAP Vice President, Membership Nashville Mike Sistad and the ASCAP Nashville team.
Hitmaker Josh Osborne is this year’s ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for the first time. He is credited with eight chart-topping songs this year, including “7 Summers” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers and Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s” (Sam Hunt), “Happy Anywhere” (Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani), “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “How They Remember You” (Rascal Flatts), “Next Girl” (Carly Pearce) and “Nobody But You” (Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani). This is Osborne’s 35th ASCAP Award, including Song of the Year wins in 2015, 2018 and 2020. George Strait, one of Osborne’s biggest influences, shared news of the win with Osborne in an exclusive video featured on @ASCAP social media.
Ashley Gorley’s chart-topping “One of Them Girls” (recorded by Lee Brice) received ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year honors. ASCAP shared Gorley’s award acceptance for the certified Platinum single, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, along with kudos from Brice and several of the song’s publishers on social media.
Sony Music Publishing wins Publisher of the Year for the first time since 2012. Its winning songs include “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s” (Sam Hunt), “Hole in the Bottle” (Kelsea Ballerini), “Lady” (Brett Young) and “Things a Man Oughta Know” (Lainey Wilson). SMP CEO Nashville, Rusty Gaston, appeared on @ASCAP social media thanking the company’s songwriters and staff.
For a full list of winners, visit ascap.com.
The social media event will also include a celebration of the life of Connie Bradley, former head of ASCAP Nashville who passed away earlier this year. Bradley was a beloved trailblazer in the music business who served more than three decades at ASCAP, rising to Senior Vice President and head of the Nashville office at a time when women filled very few top leadership positions in the music industry. The video tribute features remembrances from Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant and more.
Exile Re-Issues Classic ‘Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas’ Album
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Steve Goetzman, JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Les Taylor. Photo: Mark Conner
Exile’s classic Christmas album, Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas, is being reissued through a deal with Time Life just in time for the holiday season.
The multi-award winning album, containing vintage Yuletide favorites like “Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and “Silent Night,” will be available on all digital platforms.
“Exile is driven by an astounding amount of talent, writing and performing music that appeals to everyone from rock to pop to country music fans,” says Time Life Sr. Vice President, Live Entertainment Mike Jason. “We’re thrilled to help deliver their music across digital platforms to all of them.”
“I have been aware of, and highly impressed with the Time Life brand for many years,” adds Exile’s Marlon Hargis. “It is a real thrill to be included in their family!”
Throughout their nearly six decades together Exile has garnered ten No. 1 singles including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance,” and their signature hit “Kiss You All Over” which appeared in the films Happy Gilmore and Employee of the Month. The five original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today, and current band members J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman recently celebrated 57 years for the band in 2020.
Run Rudolph Run
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Little Drummer Boy
Merry Christmas From Cancun
Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
Oh, Holy Night
Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas
Bluegrass Kind Of Christmas
Go Where I Send Thee (Live)
Silent Night (Live)
Walker Hayes Announces ‘Fancy Like’ Tour Kicking Off In January
/by Steven BoeroMonument recording artist Walker Hayes has announced “The Fancy Like Tour,” set to kick off in early 2022. With special guest Mackenzie Porter, Hayes will bring his show to nearly two dozen cities, beginning in Grand Rapids on Jan. 27.
For the first time since its release, Hayes will bring “Fancy Like” to stages across the country, as well as his extensive catalogue including the RIAA double Platinum-certified “You Broke Up With Me,” the loved “Don’t Let Her,” and fan-favorites “Craig,” “Country Stuff,” and “90s Country.”
The tour’s namesake made history when it jumped from No. 17 into the Top 10 at country radio earlier this year, making it the biggest jump into the Top 10 on the Mediabase country chart in 17 years.
“It has been so fun to watch everyone react to ‘Fancy Like,’ from Tik Tok, to country radio, to pop radio. I can’t wait to finally hit the road and play it live for the fans who have made it so big,” says Hayes. “After almost two years with no shows, it feels so good to get back up on stage and see you all in person.”
“Fancy Like” has been atop every country streaming and sales chart since its release in June. The track has spent a whopping sixteen weeks at the No. 1 spot on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs, while also being among the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs, Top 5 at country radio, and Top 5 at pop radio.
Big Machine Records Ups Erik Powell To VP, Promotion & Marketing
/by Lydia FarthingErik Powell
Big Machine Records has elevated Erik Powell to VP, Promotion & Marketing. In his new role, he will continue to report to Sr. VP, Promotion & Digital Kris Lamb.
Powell is celebrating his 15th year with the company this year, formerly serving as Director of National Promotion for Big Machine. Since joining the label in 2007, Powell has helped chart various No. 1 hits, including Tim McGraw’s “I Called Mama,” Carly Pearce’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and Midland’s “Drinkin’ Problem.” Before joining Big Machine, Powell spent time at Katapult Records and Diane Richey Promotions.
“Erik has proven time and time again to be a valued leader and always gets the job done at a very high level with great integrity,” says Big Machine Records General Manager, Clay Hunnicutt. “His belief in our process, our people, and our artists is second to none. I can’t wait to see what Erik will do over the next 15 years!”
“[Erik] embodies all the positive attributes of what it means to be a Machinist. He is an integral part of this team and it’s a privilege for all of us at Big Machine to have him on board in a leadership capacity as we pursue new and unique ways to drive exposure for our artists,” Lamb shares. “There is no doubt–with Erik as a VP–the Machine is running HOT.”
“I am so excited to take on this new role with my Big Machine family,” adds Powell. “Over the past 15 years, I have been blessed to be part of some incredible accomplishments and wonderful memories. Thanks to Scott, Clay, and Kris for this new opportunity. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter has in store.”
Congratulate Powell at erik.powell@bmlg.net.
Colt Ford Releases Six-Song EP, ‘Keys To The Country’
/by Steven BoeroColt Ford has released Keys To The Country, a six-song EP produced by Ford and Noah Gordon, and co-produced by Shannon Houchins.
Known for his all-star collaborations, Keys To The Country continues Ford’s tradition with a star-studded lineup on the new EP. Featured are rap and hip-hop stars Kevin Gates and Jermaine Dupri on “Hood;” country singer-songwriter Josh Mirenda on “My Town;” RVSHVD, Dan Tyminski, and Vince Gill on “Keys To The Country,” hit songwriter Matt Stell on “Bad Beer;” and Jana Kramer on “If I Didn’t Know Better.”
After selling over three million albums and hitting more than one billion total streams, Ford’s dynamic discography spans collaborations with everyone from Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Jermaine Dupri to members of No Doubt, Lit, and Lady A. His work as a songwriter includes hit country songs “Dirt Road Anthem” by Jason Aldean and “Country Must Be Country Wide” by Brantley Gilbert.
Ford is also a featured artist on Hardy‘s Hixtape: Vol. 2 project, with the two collaborating with Brantley Gilbert on “To Hank.”
Keys To The Country track list:
1. “When Country Comes Back” (Monty Criswell, Derek George, Taylor Phillips)
2. “Hood” feat. Kevin Gates & Jermaine Dupri (Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Tursi, Kevin Gates)
3. “Keys To The Country” feat. Rvshvd, Vince Gill & Dan Tyminski (Colt Ford, Taylor Phillips, Josh Mirenda)
4. “If I Didn’t Know Better” feat. Jana Kramer (Taylor Phillips, Tebey Ottoh, Adam Doleac, Jeremy Bussey)
5. “Bad Beer” feat. Matt Stell (Taylor Phillips, Jay Brunswick, James Greylan, Jody Scott)
6. “My Town” feat. Josh Mirenda (Brock Berryhill, George Birge, Tommy Cecil, Evan Coffman, Cody Cooper)
On The Row: George Birge Talks His Journey From Waterloo Revival To ‘Beer Beer, Truck Truck’
/by LB CantrellGeorge Birge. Photo: Dustin Haney
Singer-songwriter George Birge made waves this year with his tongue-in-cheek viral hit, “Beer Beer, Truck Truck.”
After Birge saw a TikTok from influencer and music educator Erynn Chambers who joked that men in country music only sing about “beer beer, truck truck, girls in tight jeans,” he was inspired to write a song in response. Thus “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” was born.
In less than 2 weeks, Smith’s demo of “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” had 2.7 million views and earned him 130k followers. In June of 2021, Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ Records, a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment, announced it had signed Birge to the roster. He released it as officially single in August, with Chambers as a co-writer.
“Basically every record label in Nashville started blowing up my phone, which was everything I prayed for. It was really surreal,” Birge said in a recent virtual visit with MusicRow
But Birge wasn’t just another overnight TikTok sensation. The singer-songwriter first moved to Nashville as part of the country duo Waterloo Revival, and had modest success with singles “Something You Ain’t Ever Had” and “What Guy Wouldn’t” on Big Machine Records and then Show Dog Nashville. The duo announced their break up in February of 2021.
“Waterloo Revival brought me to town and was where I’ve had some of my best memories on the road,” Birge said. “But I was in a place where I wasn’t super excited with the direction I was being pushed in.
“It was a scary time because you dream your whole life of getting a record deal and then you’re sitting there with what you prayed for and it wasn’t exactly what you thought it was going to be,” Birge added about his time in Waterloo Revival. “So in the middle of last year I asked out of my record deal, without a backup plan.”
After asking out of his recording contract, Birge started to write songs for other artists, which proved to be successful for the Wide Open Music songwriter. Birge has written songs with Matt Stell, Chris Lane, Gary LeVox and Jay Demarcus, among others.
He also got pulled in to write on Clay Walker’s current single “Need A Bar Sometimes,” and “Catching Up With An Ol’ Memory,” on Walker’s latest album Texas To Tennessee.
Walker, who boasts over 1 million followers on TikTok, was the one who encouraged Birge to start taking the platform seriously. Birge remembers having a beer with Walker after the two were finished writing for the day, and coming to the country star for advice on what to do next, after he had left Waterloo Revival.
“He sat me down and said, ‘Man, I’ll tell you exactly what you need to do.’ Clay is a superstar and has been around the block, so I’m expecting some pretty profound advice. He says, ‘You need to put your songs on TikTok,'” Birge said with a laugh. “That wasn’t exactly what I was hoping to hear from Clay Walker.”
But that night Birge created a TikTok account and saw Chambers’ video that spawned “Beer Beer, Truck Truck.” The rest is history.
Now, with a new record deal and a viral hit under his belt, Birge is releasing more music. His newest song, “Mind On You,” was released today (Nov. 5). Co-written by Birge along with Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler and Colt Ford, and produced by Ash Bowers, “Mind On You” almost wasn’t recorded by Birge.
“I thought it could be a big hit for Jason Aldean, so I sent it to his producer Michael Knox. About 24 hours later I got an email saying, ‘Hey, don’t play this song for anyone else. We’re taking it,'” Birge said.
However, once Birge signed to Records Nashville, executive Barry Weiss told him he should cut the song. “With my tail tucked between my legs I asked for the song back,” Birge said. “I cannot say enough about how gracious that camp was. They gave me the song back and were so excited for my story.”
Birge’s “Mind On You” is available on all streaming platforms now.