Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year category. The Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter who wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song for the first time during the eligibility period of June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 23 at 5 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.
Matt Alderman has a recent hit as a co-writer and coproducer of “Nobody” recorded by Dylan Scott. Perfect for summer, he’s also a writer on the sunny new single from Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane, “Tequila On A Boat.” This follows previous cuts by Clare Dunn, Matt Stell, Brett Young and Jake Owen.
Benjy Davis and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Joey Hyde and Neil Medley teamed up to write the hit song “Made For You,” recorded by Jake Owen. Davis has a track record of cuts by Dan + Shay, Eli Young Band, Josh Abbott Band, Rascal Flatts, and Chris Young.
Nicolette Hayford had her first hit as a co-writer of the award-winning song “One Night Standards,” recorded by Ashley McBryde. Hayford’s other McBryde credits include “Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega,” “Shut Up Sheila,” “Voodoo Doll” and “Sparrow.” Additionally Hayford has recent cuts by Chrissy Metz and Kylie Morgan.
Joey Hyde scored his first hit with “Made For You,” cowritten with fellow nominees Benjy Davis and Neil Medley, and recorded by Jake Owen. Hyde’s credits include the new single by Walker Montgomery and recordings by Luke Dick, Sam Grow, Lindsay Ell, and Ryan Hurd.
Dan Isbell earned his first hit as a co-writer of “Better Together” recorded by Luke Combs. He wrote the song with Combs, who is nominated for MusicRow Artist of the Year, and Randy Montana, who is nominated for Male Songwriter of the Year. Isbell also has new cuts by Flatland Cavalry, Kameron Marlowe, Laine Hardy, Matt Stell, Tucker Beathard and Scotty McCreery.
Greylan James was honored when his first hit single “Happy Does” was recorded by one of his heroes, Kenny Chesney. James is a Knoxville native with other cuts by Chris Young, Chris Janson, Drake White, and Alexander Ludwig.
Alex Kline is part of the first all-female team to write, perform and produce a No. 1 country radio single, with Tenille Arts’ “Somebody Like That.” Accordingly, Kline is also nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year. She has previous cuts by Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire, Mitchell Tenpenny, Gary Allan, Terri Clark, and Cassadee Pope, as well as numerous production credits. Kline wrote the song with Arts, who is nominated for two MusicRow Awards, and Allison Veltz Cruz, who is also nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year.
Chris La Corte scored his first hit with “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ‘90s” recorded by Sam Hunt, from the album Southside. La Corte is the first writer signed to Hang Your Hat Music, Hillary Lindsey’s partnership with Concord. He also has a new cut by Andrew Jannakos.
Emily Landis charted her first hit as a co-writer of ”The Good Ones” recorded by Gabby Barrett. Landis is a graduate of Belmont University where she studied songwriting and has other cuts by Smithfield, Carolyn Miller, Eric Paslay and Kassi Ashton.
Michael Lotten earned his first hit with “Momma’s House” recorded by Dustin Lynch. This follows cuts by Mitchell Tenpenny (“Alcohol You Later”), Jon Langston (“All Eyes On Us”), Dylan Schneider, Chuck Wicks, Willie Jones, and Sam Grow.
James McNair has had several Luke Combs cuts and scored a hit with Combs’ recording of “Lovin’ On You.” Other artists who have recorded McNair’s songs include Kylie Morgan, Chase Rice, RaeLynn, The Cadillac Three, Chris Janson, Scotty McCreery, Morgan Wallen and Craig Campbell.
Neil Medley teamed with Benjy Davis and Joey Hyde to write “Made For You,” a hit for Jake Owen. He has had previous singles by Lindsay Ell (“I Don’t Love You”) and Josh Abbott Band (“Wasn’t That Drunk”). Medley also has cuts by Hailey Whitters, Tiera, CJ Solar, Cody Johnson, Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, and Brent Cobb.
Jordan Minton is a co-writer of Niko Moon’s hit “Good Time,” along with fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Anna Moon, Joshua Murty, and Mark Trussell. He has cuts on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U record, as well as by Dan + Shay, Trent Harmon, Abby Anderson and Mitchell Tenpenny’s track “Telling All My Secrets.”
Jake Mitchell is the only nominee in this category with two qualifying songs: “Some Girls” recorded by Jameson Rodgers, and “One Beer” recorded by Hardy ft. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson. He co-wrote the title track to Luke Bryan’s current album Born Here Live Here Die Here, and has other cuts by Dawson, Rodgers, Ashley McBryde, Ashley Monroe, Matt Stell, Chrissy Metz, Florida Georgia Line and CJ Solar.
Anna Moon co-wrote “Good Time” with fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Joshua Murty and Mark Trussell, and Breakthrough Artist nominee Niko Moon. Anna Moon contributed multiple songs to her husband’s debut project.
Joshua Murty teamed with Anna Moon, Niko Moon, Jordan Minton, and Mark Trussell to write Niko’s hit “Good Time.” They collaborated on much of the EP, with Murty co-producing. Murty’s career includes time as a touring guitarist with Maren Morris.
Mitch Oglesby scored his first hit with Chris Janson’s recording of “Done.” The song was co-written with Janson, Jamie Paulin and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Matt Roy. Oglesby has multiple cuts by Janson, as well as artists Cody Johnson, Tyler Booth, and Styles Haury.
Matt Roy earned his first hit with Chris Janson’s “Done,” cowritten with Janson, Jamie Paulin and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Mitch Oglesby. Roy also has cuts by Chris Young, Alexander Ludwig, and Kane Brown.
Mark Trussell is a co-writer of the Niko Moon hit “Good Time,” which he penned with Niko, Anna Moon, Jordan Minton, and Joshua Murty. Trussell also has recordings by Chris Lane (“Fill Them Boots”), Keith Urban (“Polaroid”), Devin Dawson (“Range Rover”), Billy Currington (“Details”), Maren Morris (“RSVP”) and many others.
Dallas Wilson, Matt Alderman, and Dylan Scott penned Scott’s hit single “Nobody,” which earned Breakthrough Songwriter nominations for Wilson and Alderman. Among Wilson’s other co-writes are cuts by Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, Dylan Scott and Karl Michael. He is the son of studio musician and songwriter Lonnie Wilson.
Sam Williams Reveals Upcoming Project For August, New Track With Keith Urban
/by Lorie HollabaughSam Williams
Sam Williams will release his Mercury Nashville debut, Glasshouse Children, on August 20. Ahead of the release, he shared a new track from the project, “Kids (Feat. Keith Urban),” out now.
Williams recorded Glasshouse Children primarily in Nashville with Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw), Paul Moak (Joy Williams, Ashley Monroe), Sean McConnell, Bobby Holland, and more. The album includes co-writes with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Sean McConnell (Little Big Town, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts), Justin Parker (Lana Del Ray, Dua Lipa) and Johnston. It also features collaborations with country icon Dolly Parton on “Happy All the Time,” in addition to the new track featuring Urban.
Glasshouse Children Track Listing:
1. Glasshouse Children
2. Happy All The Time (Feat. Dolly Parton)
3. Can’t Fool Your Own Blood
4. Bulleit Blues
5. 10-4
6. Wild Girl
7. Kids (Feat. Keith Urban)
8. SHUTEYE
9. Hopeless Romanticism
10. The World: Alone
Dan + Shay Have ‘Good Things’ In Store For August
/by Lorie HollabaughDan + Shay
Warner Music Nashville’s Dan + Shay have announced that they will drop their brand new album, Good Things, on Aug. 13. Ahead of its release, the duo have shared the title track with fans, available everywhere now.
Three years after their self-titled album that catapulted the duo into new career heights, the highly anticipated LP features 12 tracks with production helmed by the duo’s Dan Smyers. The recently released title track, “Good Things,” provides a glimpse into what fans can expect from the upcoming collection of music. The pair have also released the track’s accompanying music video, directed by frequent collaborator Patrick Tracy.
Good Things is already showing some impressive success with the album’s first single, the multi-week No.1 “10,000 Hours” featuring Justin Bieber, already being certified 4x Platinum. The track had the biggest first-week streaming total in country history, and was the fastest country song to reach one million U.S. track equivalents in 2019. The worldwide smash spent 21 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and landed the duo their third Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The success has continued with the Platinum-certified “I Should Probably Go To Bed,” which became their fifth consecutive and eighth career No.1. Their current single, “Glad You Exist,” recently became RIAA Gold-certified and has accumulated 800,000 track equivalents so far.
The pair’s first headlining arena run, Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour, will resume this fall with new 2021 dates. The tour includes a night at the famed Madison Square Garden in NY, NY and will feature Atlantic Records’ The Band Camino and labelmate Ingrid Andress.
Good Things Track List:
1. Good Things (Dan Smyers, Ross Copperman, Jason Evigan, Ashley Gorley)^
2. Steal My Love (Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Reynolds)
3. You (Dan Smyers, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)*
4. Body Language (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes, Jordan Reynolds)*
5. Give In To You (Dan Smyers, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)+
6. Irresponsible (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)*
7. Lying (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds, Bill Withers)
8. One Direction (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds)
9. Let Me Get Over Her (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Kyle Fishman, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Tursi)*
10. Glad You Exist (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx, Jordan Reynolds)
11. 10,000 Hours (with Justin Bieber) (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd)
12. I Should Probably Go To Bed (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Sean Douglas, Jason Evigan)
All tracks produced by Dan Smyers
*Co-produced with Scott Hendricks
^Co-produced with Jason Evigan
+Co-produced with Jordan Reynolds
2021 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
/by Sarah SkatesThe MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 23 at 5 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.
Matt Alderman has a recent hit as a co-writer and coproducer of “Nobody” recorded by Dylan Scott. Perfect for summer, he’s also a writer on the sunny new single from Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane, “Tequila On A Boat.” This follows previous cuts by Clare Dunn, Matt Stell, Brett Young and Jake Owen.
Benjy Davis and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Joey Hyde and Neil Medley teamed up to write the hit song “Made For You,” recorded by Jake Owen. Davis has a track record of cuts by Dan + Shay, Eli Young Band, Josh Abbott Band, Rascal Flatts, and Chris Young.
Nicolette Hayford had her first hit as a co-writer of the award-winning song “One Night Standards,” recorded by Ashley McBryde. Hayford’s other McBryde credits include “Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega,” “Shut Up Sheila,” “Voodoo Doll” and “Sparrow.” Additionally Hayford has recent cuts by Chrissy Metz and Kylie Morgan.
Joey Hyde scored his first hit with “Made For You,” cowritten with fellow nominees Benjy Davis and Neil Medley, and recorded by Jake Owen. Hyde’s credits include the new single by Walker Montgomery and recordings by Luke Dick, Sam Grow, Lindsay Ell, and Ryan Hurd.
Dan Isbell earned his first hit as a co-writer of “Better Together” recorded by Luke Combs. He wrote the song with Combs, who is nominated for MusicRow Artist of the Year, and Randy Montana, who is nominated for Male Songwriter of the Year. Isbell also has new cuts by Flatland Cavalry, Kameron Marlowe, Laine Hardy, Matt Stell, Tucker Beathard and Scotty McCreery.
Greylan James was honored when his first hit single “Happy Does” was recorded by one of his heroes, Kenny Chesney. James is a Knoxville native with other cuts by Chris Young, Chris Janson, Drake White, and Alexander Ludwig.
Alex Kline is part of the first all-female team to write, perform and produce a No. 1 country radio single, with Tenille Arts’ “Somebody Like That.” Accordingly, Kline is also nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year. She has previous cuts by Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire, Mitchell Tenpenny, Gary Allan, Terri Clark, and Cassadee Pope, as well as numerous production credits. Kline wrote the song with Arts, who is nominated for two MusicRow Awards, and Allison Veltz Cruz, who is also nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year.
Chris La Corte scored his first hit with “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ‘90s” recorded by Sam Hunt, from the album Southside. La Corte is the first writer signed to Hang Your Hat Music, Hillary Lindsey’s partnership with Concord. He also has a new cut by Andrew Jannakos.
Emily Landis charted her first hit as a co-writer of ”The Good Ones” recorded by Gabby Barrett. Landis is a graduate of Belmont University where she studied songwriting and has other cuts by Smithfield, Carolyn Miller, Eric Paslay and Kassi Ashton.
Michael Lotten earned his first hit with “Momma’s House” recorded by Dustin Lynch. This follows cuts by Mitchell Tenpenny (“Alcohol You Later”), Jon Langston (“All Eyes On Us”), Dylan Schneider, Chuck Wicks, Willie Jones, and Sam Grow.
James McNair has had several Luke Combs cuts and scored a hit with Combs’ recording of “Lovin’ On You.” Other artists who have recorded McNair’s songs include Kylie Morgan, Chase Rice, RaeLynn, The Cadillac Three, Chris Janson, Scotty McCreery, Morgan Wallen and Craig Campbell.
Neil Medley teamed with Benjy Davis and Joey Hyde to write “Made For You,” a hit for Jake Owen. He has had previous singles by Lindsay Ell (“I Don’t Love You”) and Josh Abbott Band (“Wasn’t That Drunk”). Medley also has cuts by Hailey Whitters, Tiera, CJ Solar, Cody Johnson, Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, and Brent Cobb.
Jordan Minton is a co-writer of Niko Moon’s hit “Good Time,” along with fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Anna Moon, Joshua Murty, and Mark Trussell. He has cuts on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U record, as well as by Dan + Shay, Trent Harmon, Abby Anderson and Mitchell Tenpenny’s track “Telling All My Secrets.”
Jake Mitchell is the only nominee in this category with two qualifying songs: “Some Girls” recorded by Jameson Rodgers, and “One Beer” recorded by Hardy ft. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson. He co-wrote the title track to Luke Bryan’s current album Born Here Live Here Die Here, and has other cuts by Dawson, Rodgers, Ashley McBryde, Ashley Monroe, Matt Stell, Chrissy Metz, Florida Georgia Line and CJ Solar.
Anna Moon co-wrote “Good Time” with fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominees Joshua Murty and Mark Trussell, and Breakthrough Artist nominee Niko Moon. Anna Moon contributed multiple songs to her husband’s debut project.
Joshua Murty teamed with Anna Moon, Niko Moon, Jordan Minton, and Mark Trussell to write Niko’s hit “Good Time.” They collaborated on much of the EP, with Murty co-producing. Murty’s career includes time as a touring guitarist with Maren Morris.
Mitch Oglesby scored his first hit with Chris Janson’s recording of “Done.” The song was co-written with Janson, Jamie Paulin and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Matt Roy. Oglesby has multiple cuts by Janson, as well as artists Cody Johnson, Tyler Booth, and Styles Haury.
Matt Roy earned his first hit with Chris Janson’s “Done,” cowritten with Janson, Jamie Paulin and fellow Breakthrough Songwriter nominee Mitch Oglesby. Roy also has cuts by Chris Young, Alexander Ludwig, and Kane Brown.
Mark Trussell is a co-writer of the Niko Moon hit “Good Time,” which he penned with Niko, Anna Moon, Jordan Minton, and Joshua Murty. Trussell also has recordings by Chris Lane (“Fill Them Boots”), Keith Urban (“Polaroid”), Devin Dawson (“Range Rover”), Billy Currington (“Details”), Maren Morris (“RSVP”) and many others.
Dallas Wilson, Matt Alderman, and Dylan Scott penned Scott’s hit single “Nobody,” which earned Breakthrough Songwriter nominations for Wilson and Alderman. Among Wilson’s other co-writes are cuts by Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, Dylan Scott and Karl Michael. He is the son of studio musician and songwriter Lonnie Wilson.
CMT Giants To Honor The Legendary Charley Pride In New TV Special
/by Lydia FarthingCharley Pride. Photo: Ben De Rienzo
CMT will host CMT Giants: Charley Pride, an all-new special celebrating the life and legacy of trailblazing country music artist Charley Pride. The star-studded, 90-minute event premieres Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. CST on CMT.
CMT Giants: Charley Pride will bring together some of the biggest names in music today, including Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, son Dion Pride, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Gladys Knight, Jimmie Allen, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs, Robert Randolph, Reyna Roberts, Mickey Guyton, and Wynonna. Special guests, such as Neal McCoy, Nolan Ryan, Reba, Ronnie Milsap, and Charley’s wife Rozene Pride, will also make an appearance to share their personal memories and reflect on Pride’s lasting legacy. Also on display will be a collection of rare archival photos, interviews, and performances, with clips and commentary from Pride himself.
“It’s an incredibly great honor to celebrate Charley Pride’s career from the perspective of those who knew him best – his friends, family, and peers,” says Margaret Comeaux, executive producer, CMT. “As a true ‘giant’ in country music, Charley serves as an inspiration for present and future artists, and his legendary career transcends barriers with music that stands the test of time.”
“I am delighted to have so many giants in the business celebrate the legacy of Pride. He would have been so happy to see the artists give so generously of their time and talent honoring him. This truly is a testament to the impact that he had on the country music community for so many years,” shares Rozene.
Charley Pride celebrated more than 50 years as a recording artist, enjoying one of the most successful careers in the history of country music, and is credited with helping to break color barriers by becoming the first black superstar within the genre. Selling tens of millions of records worldwide with his large repertoire of hits, Pride is a three-time Grammy award and Recording Academy “Lifetime Achievement Award” winner, and garnered no less than 36 chart-topping country hits, including “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.” On December 12, 2020, Pride died at the age of 86 from complications due to COVID-19. His memory and storied legacy will live on through his vast library of stories and songs, with forthcoming plans for a final album release, public celebration of life ceremony, tribute concert, and biopic film.
Launched in 2006, the CMT Giants franchise celebrates the careers of country music’s most legendary artists, including Reba McEntire (2006), Hank Williams, Jr. (2007), Alan Jackson (2008), and Kenny Rogers (2020).
Chase Rice Bolts To No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryChase Rice. Photo: Jason Myers
Chase Rice rises three spots to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart. “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” features duo Florida Georgia Line and was written by Rice, Hunter Phelps, Cale Dodds, and Corey Crowder.
Rice sat down with MusicRow to discuss his three-part project, The Album, and returning to live music after the pandemic. “I played ‘Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.’ at the Ryman a couple of weeks ago and it was mind blowing! Everybody stood up and came to the front–I don’t know if that was allowed or not– but we didn’t care. It was a special moment and I haven’t seen a reaction like that since ‘Ready Set Roll,’ to be honest. Even ‘Eyes On You’ didn’t get a reaction like that live. I feel like I finally have a party song that’s going to become a hit for the first time since ‘Ready Set Roll,’ which I think is going to be one of the coolest moments during shows.” Click here to read the full interview.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Anthem Entertainment Adds Courtney Crist, Ups Alex Tamashunas
/by Lydia FarthingAnthem Entertainment has announced the hiring of Courtney Crist as Sr. Director of Creative of Anthem Music Publishing. Anthem has also promoted Alex Tamashunas to Manager of Creative.
Courtney Crist & Alex Tamashunas
Crist attended Middle Tennessee State University, studying in their Recording Industry program. Throughout her college and post-graduation career, Crist worked for Lee Ann Womack and eventually did road management and A&R for the Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter. Since then, she has worked for Bob DiPiero, Frank Rogers Productions, HoriPro Entertainment and now, Anthem Entertainment. She is a co-chair of The Hometown Pub Takeover and The Music Row Ambassadors for St. Jude. She is a recipient of the 2017 Song Champion of The Year at the AIMP Awards, a member of the Nashville AIMP board, and on the committee that hosts the AIMP Awards.
Tamashunas is an NYU graduate who started at Exploration Group as a public relations manager, and is now embarking on a new position at Anthem Entertainment Nashville in their creative department. Prior career stops for Tamashunas include time at ASCAP, Grammy U, and YouTube.
“Courtney brings an experienced skill set, great ears, and an unsurpassed passion for songwriters to Anthem, as is evidenced by her being honored by her peers as the AIMP Song Champion. She is the perfect complement to our creative staff,” says President of Anthem Music Publishing in Nashville, Tim Wipperman. “Alex has proven herself as an indispensable part of our team and she epitomizes this generation of young music publishers in all the best ways. Congratulations to her on this well deserved promotion.”
Industry Ink: Monument/SMACK, 615 Leverage + Strategy, BlackHawk, The Outlaws
/by Lydia FarthingMonument Records, SMACKSongs Host Tuesday Night Music Club At Basement East
Pictured (L-R): Lindsey Jones (CMA Foundation), Tiffany Kerns (CMA Foundation), Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily, Kendra Slaubaugh of Tigirlily, Katie McCartney (Monument Records), Caitlyn Smith, Alex Hall, Tenille Townes, Robert Carlton (SMACKSongs), Falon Keith (CMA Foundation)
On Tuesday, July 13, Monument Records and SMACKSongs hosted the second edition of Tuesday Night Music Club at the Basement East. This week’s show was headlined by Caitlyn Smith who sang her current single, “I Can’t,” as the track—which features Old Dominion—approaches the top 40 at country radio.
The full band show was preceded by a songwriter session that included performances from Tenille Townes, Alex Hall, and sister-duo Tigirlily.
The Tuesday Night Music Club event is a monthly residency at the venue to celebrate the return of live music since the onset of COVID-19 in March of 2020.
615 Leverage + Strategy Adds Emma DiMaio As Project Manager
Emma DiMaio
615 Leverage + Strategy has brought on Emma DiMaio as the team’s new Project Manager. The New Jersey native will support client initiatives for the boutique marketing agency, with a focus in digital strategy and creative design.
“Bringing a background in publicity, digital marketing and graphic design, Emma’s tenacity and drive impressed Jackie and I from the first time we met her,” says 615 Leverage + Strategy President & Chief Strategy Officer, John Zarling. “It’s rare to find new talent who relish challenges at the pace Emma does. In a business that is fast-paced, and for a company like ours that is offering an array of services, Emma’s talent will be a tremendous asset.”
“I have such an admiration for the work that Jackie and John have accomplished amidst their storied careers,” says DiMaio. “Being prime examples of the adaptability that the music industry requires, their expertise and background has made it all the more exciting for me to have the opportunity to collaborate and share my ideas, while fulfilling my own passion of playing an integral role in the elevation of artists and brands.”
She can be reached at 908-477-5305 and via email at emma@615leverage.com.
UTA Inks With BlackHawk, The Outlaws
BlackHawk
Country music group BlackHawk and southern rock band The Outlaws have signed exclusive booking deals with United Talent Agency. UTA will represent both bands worldwide in all areas — live concert bookings, literary deals, film, television and more.
“We’re thrilled to be working with UTA,” says Henry Paul, a founding member of both bands. “This is the dawning of the return to the road for BlackHawk and The Outlaws, and getting back to what we have loved to do for so many years.”
The Outlaws. Photo: John Gellman
“The Outlaws are a pillar in the history and the fabric of southern rock music today,” notes UTA’s Alec Vidmar, Greg Janese, and Lance Roberts in a joint statement. “BlackHawk produced some of the most iconic songs of ’90s country music with distinctive three-part harmonies. It is not every day we have the opportunity to work with such genre-defying acts. We are over the moon to work with both iconic groups to bring their music to crowds everywhere.”
BlackHawk and The Outlaws are managed by Charlie Brusco and Darren Hagen in the Atlanta Red Light Management office.
Caleb Lovely Signs With Peermusic Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured L-R: Matt Michiels, Sr. Creative Dir., peermusic; Kendall Lettow, Creative Dir. Peermusic; Michael Knox, Sr. VP, peermusic Nashville; Michael Dulaney, Watercolor Sky Songs. Seated: Caleb Lovely. Photo: Annelise Loughead
Caleb Lovely has signed an exclusive global publishing deal with Peermusic in partnership with Michael Dulaney’s Watercolor Sky Songs.
Lovely is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who has been playing music since the age of eleven. He has been performing on stages all over the U.S., and his songwriting has already yielded some cuts, most recently, “Livin’ Man” recorded by Jimmie Allen and Neon Union on Allen’s Bettie James Gold Edition.
“Caleb is an exciting talent. He attacks his craft as a songwriter, producer, and artist. He’s got it all covered,” says Michael Knox, Senior Vice President, Peermusic Nashville.
“Caleb Lovely has so many talents it’s hard to pick a favorite,” says Dulaney. “He’s a gifted songwriter, artist, producer, and musician. I am so thankful to have the chance to work with him and so thankful that Michael Knox and Peermusic immediately recognized his world-class potential. Wait until you witness what has somehow been kept hidden in a studio in Franklin, Tennessee!”
“Signing a publishing deal as a writer and producer in Nashville is truly one of my biggest dreams come true. I honestly don’t have the words to tell you how I feel and as surreal as it is—it feels even better knowing the team I’m with now truly has my back,” says Lovely.
Rhiannon Giddens Unveils New Audible Original, 4-Book Publishing Deal
/by Lorie HollabaughRhiannon Giddens. Photo: Ebru Yildiz
Rhiannon Giddens has announced that she will be releasing a new Audible Original audiobook, To Balance on Bridges, on July 22. Giddens also shared that she has inked a new four-book publishing deal with Candlewick Press which includes two picture books. The first of these, Build a House, will be due in fall of 2022.
Giddens’ Audible Original will debut as part of the Words + Music series exclusively on Audible. The 1.5 hour audio-only memoir follows Giddens as she examines the multitude of influences and identities that have defined her creative life. Throughout To Balance on Bridges, she leads listeners through a journey of musical styles, lyrical patterns, and instrumentation while confronting questions on race, culture, appropriation, and class with searing precision while also delivering performances from several of her acclaimed albums. Audible’s signature Words + Music series has recently featured top recording artists such as Common, Tom Morello, and Patti Smith.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson, Charlie Worsham, Boy Named Banjo
/by Robert K OermannCody Johnson
The country singers are out in full force this week.
We have stellar vocal performances from Charlie Worsham, Jon Langston, Lily Rose, Conner Smith and Jimmie Allen with Chris Tomlin. Our Disc of the Day winner is another vocal powerhouse, Cody Johnson. He’s offering a double dose of his talent with “God Bless the Boy” and “Stronger.”
The DisCovery Award goes to a band dubbed Boy Named Banjo. The group sounds like it is really onto something.
JON LANGSTON / “Try Missing You”
Writers: Jon Langston/Jody Stevens; Producer: Jody Stevens; Label: EMI/32 Bridge
— He has one of those good-buddy country voices, and it is used to great effect on this honky-tonk ballad. He’s on the road doing shows, but missing his lover desperately. A steel guitar sighs sympathetically.
THE BELLAMY BROTHERS & DENNIS QUAID / “I Can Help”
Writers: Billy Swan; Producer: none listed; Label: BB
— They sound like they are singing in a tin can. The mix is awful. Quaid sounds like getting out every note is struggle.
BOY NAMED BANJO / “Circles”
Writers: William Reames/Oscar Charles/Jon Sherwood; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Mercury
— Packed with pep, this country rocker ramps up the energy with hearty vocals, relentless percussion and ripples of banjo notes beneath wafting electric guitar. Very zesty indeed. This quintet is going places.
CHRIS YOUNG / “One of Them Nights”
Writers: Chris Young/Rhett Akins/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Jeff Braun/Taylor Bray/Scott Johnson; Label: RCA Records
— One of them raucous, rocking, tuneless country-party songs.
CONNER SMITH / “Learn From It”
Writers: Conner Smith/Daniel Ross; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: The Valory Music Co.
— Youthful and innocent sounding. He reflects back on all the crazy, silly, dangerous, wild stuff he did as a kid. Promising.
CHARLIE WORSHAM / “Half Drunk”
Writers: Charlie Worsham/Jay Knowles; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— He’s such a complete music man. Everything works here: The shuffling, loose-limbed rhythm, his sincere tenor-vocal swoops, his lead guitar passages, the young-crazy-in-love lyric. A delightful audio experience.
LILY ROSE / “Villain”
Writers: Kyle Clark/Lily Rose/Mackenzie Carpenter; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud / Republic Records
— This is for everyone who has ever been through a messy breakup. She says they can make her out to be the bad guy in the story if that makes it easier for them. The muffled percussion touches in the mix are mesmerizing, and her voice is extraordinarily compelling. More, more, more.
CHRIS TOMLIN & JIMMIE ALLEN / “Love People”
Writers: Chris Tomlin/Tyler Hubbard/Corey Crowder/Dave Barnes; Producer: Corey Crowder/Chris Tomlin/Tyler Hubbard; Label: Sparrow
— CCM star Tomlin again teams up with country celebs on his new EP. In addition to tracks with FGL, Thomas Rhett and Russell Dickerson, the collection includes this anthemic, super-positive message song about universal brotherhood. “Faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is……”
CHASE BRYANT / “Think About That”
Writers: Chase Bryant/Lance Miller/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Green Iris
— Nostalgia set to melody. His expressive vocal is placed in an exquisite audio setting of echoey guitars and steady percussive thump. There is an unadorned passage where you get to hear him really emote. Very involving.
CODY JOHNSON / “God Bless the Boy”
Writers: Barrett Baber/Terri Jo Box/Scott Sean White; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
— He adores his daughter so much and wishes the very best for the boy who’ll fall in love with her. Cody is one of my very favorites of the country newcomers, and he sings the fire outta this ballad. It’s half of an innovative “double single” that also includes the terrific tempo romance tune “Stronger,” which he also sings like a man possessed. Next month, he stars in a biographical documentary titled Dear Rodeo that traces his rise from the arena dirt to singing for millions.
AARON LEWIS / “Am I the Only One”
Writers: Aaron Lewis/Ira Dean/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Aaron Lewis/Ira Dean; Label: The Valory Music Co.
— Someone is “taking all the good we got and turning it into bad” and he’s pissed off about it. Whatever it is. Evidently “the threads of Old Glory are coming undone” and “statues are coming down” and he’s the only one who sings along to Springsteen and is willing to die for his country. Really?
MUSTANGS OF THE WEST / “T-Shirt From California”
Writers: Suzanna Spring/Wes Hightower; Producer: George Landress/Sherry Rayn Barnett; Label: Blue Elan
— This is a five-piece female band with a lilting, sunny sound featuring creamy three-part vocal harmonies, lovely fiddle work and a wistful, heartache lyric. Refreshing.