Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Producer of the Year category. This stellar class of nominees conjured up some of country music’s most innovative projects 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 5:00 p.m.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.

Dave Cobb lent his production talents to a wide swath of artists, ranging from the traditional country sounds of Chris Stapleton to rock band Kaleo to Americana heroes Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. Among his recent hits are Stapleton’s “Starting Over” from the ACM Album of the Year by the same name. Cobb worked on the heralded album by The Highwomen, and with icons John Prine, Barry Gibb and The Oak Ridge Boys, as well as the talents of A Thousand Horses, Anderson East, Blackberry Smoke, Dawes, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Randy Rogers Band, and Travis Tritt. Cobb was nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 63rd Grammy Awards. He is a two-time MusicRow Producer of the Year.

Ross Copperman is co-producer of Gabby Barrett’s blockbuster debut album Goldmine, home to the hits “I Hope” and “The Good Ones.” Over the last year Copperman also had hits including Darius Rucker’s “Beers and Sunshine,” and worked with newcomers Bexar and King Calaway. He produced new music by Darius Rucker (“My Masterpiece”), Brad Paisley (“City of Music”) and Michael Ray (“Picture”). Copperman’s own recent EP, Somewhere There’s A Light On, is out now via Photo Finish Records. This is his fourth nomination for MusicRow Producer of the Year.

Corey Crowder enters the Producer of the Year category for the first time in 2021, thanks to numerous hits including Chris Young and Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends,” Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard’s “Undivided,” and Florida Georgia Line’s “Long Live.” His credits also include FGL’s 6-Pack EP, Chris Tomlin & Friends and Chase Rice’s “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” featuring FGL. Crowder re-upped with Tree Vibez Music in late 2020, where he produces artists including Brian Kelley and RaeLynn, and also released his own song as an artist.

Dann Huff is the producer and/or co-producer of Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful” and “Cool Again,” Russell Dickerson’s “Love You Like I Used To” and “Home Sweet,” and Brett Young’s “Lady.” He also worked with MusicRow Artist of the Year nominee Thomas Rhett on “What’s Your Country Song” and “Country Again,” and produced Lady A’s current single “Like A Lady,” and Rascal Flatts’ “How They Remember You.” Additional credits include Brantley Gilbert, Brad Paisley, Danielle Bradbery, Dillon Carmichael, Heath Sanders, Lanco, Lindsay Ell, Noah Schnacky, Restless Road, Robert Counts, and Ross Ellis. Huff has been voted MusicRow Producer of the Year for the last two years, and is an overall four-time winner.

Jay Joyce produced recent hits by Eric Church (“Stick That In Your Country Song,” “Hell Of A View”), and Brothers Osborne (“I’m Not For Everyone”), as well as Miranda Lambert’s Grammy-winning album Wildcard. In addition, “Hell Of A View” is nominated for MusicRow Awards Song of the Year, while Church and Lambert are nominated for MusicRow Awards Artist of the Year. Joyce also produced acclaimed artist Brandy Clark, and newcomer Lainey Wilson, who is in the running for Discovery Artist of the Year. He also has credits on fresh tracks from Charlie Worsham, Declan McKenna, Devin Dawson, Kip Moore and Tenille Townes. Joyce is a two-time MusicRow Producer of the Year.

Joey Moi produced one of 2021’s most-streamed albums, Dangerous: The Double Album by Morgan Wallen. Moi, a partner at Big Loud, also produced many of the company’s other artists including Chris Lane, Ernest, Hardy, Jake Owen, Larry Fleet, Lily Rose, MacKenzie Porter, and Sean Stemaly. This includes hits by Lane (“Big, Big Plans”), Owen (“Homemade,” “Made for You”) and Hardy (“One Beer,” “Give Heaven Some Hell”). Hardy’s “Give Heaven Some Hell” is nominated for MusicRow Song of the Year. This is Moi’s second nomination for Producer of the Year.

Pictured (L-R): Emily Wright (UTA), Jeffrey Hasson (UTA), Brittney Spencer, Andrew Cohen (Cohencidence Projects)

A Spotify and Pandora 2021 Artist to Watch, Brittney Spencer has signed with United Talent Agency for representation.

Moving from Baltimore to Nashville to pursue her musical career, the indie artist recently released her latest single “Sober & Skinny.” On the heels of the signing, Spencer is preparing to hit the road opening shows for Jason Isbell and making stops at festivals like Merlefest, The Melissa Etheridge Cruise, and Cayamo Cruise 2022.

“We are incredibly honored to represent such an amazingly talented artist such as Brittney,” says Jeffrey Hasson, UTA Agent. “Brittney’s ability to tackle deep and relatable subject matters with such power and control vocally is inspiring. It was clear to us from the first meeting that Brittney has such an important voice for the future, and we’re honored to help share that with the world through every area at UTA.”

“I’m so excited to partner with UTA!” exclaims Spencer. “I’m confident this partnership will aid in helping me find creative, innovative ways to build out my live show and connect with lots of music lovers along the way. Live shows are finally back, and I feel more ready than ever with this incredible new addition to my team.”

Spencer is represented by Andrew Cohen at Cohencidence Projects; Jeffrey Hasson, Alec Vidmar, Joe Wohlfeld, Riley Folsom, and Emily Wright at United Talent Agency; and Shore Fire Media.

The Secret Sisters. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

The Secret Sisters will release their new Quicksand EP on Friday, July 16 via New West Records.

The four-song set was produced by Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, John Paul White) at Sundrop Sound in Florence, Alabama. The project features two new original songs by Laura and Lydia Rogers as well as their renditions of Fiona Apple’s “Heavy Balloon,” and The Strokes’ “Someday.”

The Quicksand EP follows The Secret Sisters’ Grammy-nominated albums Saturn Return (2019) and You Don’t Own Me Anymore (2017) which were both produced by Brandi Carlile and Phil and Tim Hanseroth.

The duo have also announced a string of 2021 North American tour dates. Launching August 25 in Alexandria, Virginia, the trek features stops at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Colorado, the Casbah in San Diego, two nights at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, and more. For a full list of their upcoming dates, click here.

Quicksand EP Tracklist:
1. Heavy Balloon (Fiona Apple)
2. Quicksand
3. Someday (The Strokes)
4. Endless Running Out of Time

Jimmie Allen. Photo: Shea Flynn

Jimmie Allen has added author to his growing list of achievements with his new children’s book, My Voice Is A Trumpet, available everywhere now.

Penned with veteran illustrator Cathy Ann Johnson, the new book celebrates the many types of voices that can affect change, and encourages kids to use their voice in positive ways. The book offers children confidence in the power of their voice from a young age and the knowledge that all voices are valuable.

“It’s very important to me that kids learn at a young age that they have a voice, and that it is powerful. It is up to us as adults to teach them to use their voice to encourage and show love,” shares Allen. “Being a father of two kids, I try to encourage them to be themselves and love everyone around them. I’m hoping this book inspires at least one child and they always remember their voice is a trumpet.”

Allen’s latest album, Bettie James Gold Edition, was released June 25 and doubles down on his expansive love for music across genres with nine brand new star-studded collaborations. It is a follow up to the success of its predecessor, Bettie James – named in honor of his late grandmother and late father – which was released July 2020 and has amassed 160+ million streams along with critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, Billboard, and Rolling Stone.