The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced that the inductees for its Class of 2021 are Amy Grant, Toby Keith, Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon and John Scott Sherrill.
Akins’ songwriter credits include his own “That Ain’t My Truck,” as well as “Honey Bee” (Blake Shelton) and “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett). Cannon’s songwriter resume is known for “Set ’Em Up Joe” (Vern Gosdin), “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” (George Strait) and “Give It Away” (George Strait). Sherrill’s hits include “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn).
Grant popularized many of her own compositions, including “Baby Baby,” “That’s What Love Is For” and “Tennessee Christmas.” Keith also recorded many of his self-penned hits, including “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “As Good As I Once Was.”
The five will be inducted into the Hall this November, according to an announcement made today (July 13) by Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its executive director.
“Today is one of my favorite days of the year, as we begin our journey to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in November with the announcement of our upcoming class,” says Cates. “Nashville has always been the home of legendary songs written by the world’s finest songwriters – and this class is no exception. It’s our great honor today to welcome our class of 2021: Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith as our songwriter/artist and Amy Grant as our veteran songwriter/artist.”
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, with inductees John Scott Sherrill, Amy Grant, Buddy Cannon, and Rhett Akins; Mark Ford, NaSOF’s executive director. Photo: Bev Moser
The five new inductees-elect will join the 213 previously inducted members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Nov. 1 at the Music City Center. Because the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration was postponed last year, this year’s event will honor two classes in a special double-sized event that will also spotlight NaSHOF’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.
For more biographical information on the 2021 inductees, see below:
RHETT AKINS
Valdosta, Georgia, native Rhett Akins began his professional music career as a performer at San Antonio’s Fiesta Texas theme park. In 1992, he made the move to Nashville. Initially a performer at Opryland theme park, he also worked as a demo singer, later signing a recording contract with Decca Records. As an artist, Rhett topped the charts in the mid-1990s with “Don’t Get Me Started” and his signature song, “That Ain’t My Truck.” By the later 2000s, Rhett was writing songs for other artists, including “Put A Girl In It” by Brooks & Dunn, “What’s Your Country Song” by Thomas Rhett, “All About Tonight” by Blake Shelton and “Boys ’Round Here” by Blake Shelton w/ Pistol Annies & Friends. Rhett also wrote “All Over Me” by Josh Turner (the 2011 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Honey Bee” by Blake Shelton (the 2012 ASCAP Country Song of the Year), “Take A Back Road” by Rodney Atkins (the 2012 BMI Country Song of the Year) and “It Goes Like This” by Thomas Rhett (the 2014 ASCAP Country Song of the Year). Rhett was named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year in 2011 and 2014. He was the 2017 ACM Songwriter of the Year and the 2019 ACM Songwriter of the Decade.
BUDDY CANNON
Buddy Cannon was born in Lexington, Tennessee. He began his diverse career as a songwriter/singer/musician/publisher/producer/label executive in the early 1970s as bass player in Bob Luman’s band, later making the jump to play in Mel Tillis’ band and write for his publishing company. During their 11 years together, Tillis recorded several of Buddy’s songs, including the chart-topping “I Believe In You.” Throughout his career, Buddy’s keen song sense has served him well in the studio, helping select and record hit songs for artists ranging from Shania Twain to Kenny Chesney to Willie Nelson, with whom he has written regularly since 2008. Buddy’s credits as a songwriter include “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Look At Us” by Craig Morgan, “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” by George Strait, the Vern Gosdin hits “I’m Still Crazy,” “Set ’Em Up Joe” and “Dream Of Me,” as well as the Sammy Kershaw hits “Anywhere But Here” and “If You’re Gonna Walk, I’m Gonna Crawl.” “Give It Away” by George Strait was named the 2007 ACM Song and Single of the Year and also the 2007 CMA Song of the Year.
TOBY KEITH
Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993 Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached No. 1 on the country chart and would go on to become the most played country song of the 1990s. As an artist, he has placed 45 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 16 No. 1s and 17 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You Ain’t Much Fun,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was named BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as that organization’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in 2015.
AMY GRANT
Raised in Nashville, Amy Grant was signed to a record deal at age 16 and was a star by the late ’70s. Her singer-songwriter fusion of pop, rock, gospel and ’70s Jesus-music created a fresh, new sound that kick-started the contemporary Christian genre and led to the first Platinum-selling album in the new genre’s history — her 1982 breakthrough, Age to Age. By the mid-’80s, Amy was reaching pop audiences with hits such as “Find A Way” and “Lead Me On.” Her blockbuster 1991 album, Heart in Motion, generated the multi-genre hits “Baby Baby,” “Every Heartbeat,” “Good For Me,” “I Will Remember You” and “That’s What Love Is For.” Another song from this era, “Place In This World,” written with and performed by, Michael W. Smith, earned the 1992 GMA Song of the Year. Amy’s catalog also includes the hymnal mainstay “Thy Word,” as well as her signature holiday standard “[Tender] Tennessee Christmas.” As an artist, she has placed 36 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard and Contemporary Christian music charts, including 12 No. 1s and 18 more in the Top 10. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. Amy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL
John Scott Sherrill was raised in Chappaqua, New York, and in Uganda and Bolivia by parents who were book and magazine writers. Drawn at an early age to folk, country and rock music, he played coffeehouses in Boston and spent time as a musician in Amsterdam. In 1975, on his way to California, John Scott decided to remain in Music City and soon signed a songwriting deal with Combine Music. By 1982, he had his first No. 1 hit – “Wild And Blue” by John Anderson (later recorded by Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson and Lucinda Williams). Throughout the ’80s and into the 2000’s, John Scott enjoyed more No. 1 hits: “Some Fools Never Learn” by Steve Wariner, “That Rock Won’t Roll” by Restless Heart, “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes” and “Cry, Cry, Cry” by Highway 101, “The Church On Cumberland Road” by Shenandoah, “No Doubt About It” by Neal McCoy, “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Another popular song, “Nothin’ But The Wheel,” was a Top 20 country hit for Patty Loveless and was also recorded by the bluegrass band Special Consensus and the rock duo of Peter Wolf & Mick Jagger. In the late 1980s, John Scott was a member of the country group Billy Hill and wrote many of their songs.
Nashville Songwriter Rufio Hooks Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal With Reservoir
/by Lorie HollabaughRufio Hooks
Nashville-based artist, writer, and producer Rufio Hooks has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Reservoir. The deal includes Hooks’ current global hit co-write, “Butter,” by the K-Pop group BTS, plus all future works.
Rufio’s wildly popular cut, “Butter,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, where it has remained for seven consecutive weeks, in addition to topping the Digital Song Sales chart. Upon release, the track set several all-time records, including Spotify’s biggest song debut with over 11 million first-day streams, and the music video soaring to a record-breaking 113 million views within 24 hours. “Butter” is also the best-selling download of 2021 so far.
Originally from New Jersey, and now based out of Nashville, Hooks has established himself as a rising songwriter, producer, and artist. His knack for crafting melodies and lyrics, skill in vocal production, and propensity for blending sounds across genres has led to sessions with Zach Crowell, Filmore, Jennifer Denmark, Jimmie Allen, Seaforth, Sophia Quinn, Cameron Bedell, and Stephen Kirk, among others.
“Seasoned songwriters dream of achieving the kind of record-breaking success that ‘Butter’ has, but the fact that this is Rufio’s first cut is utterly extraordinary and only speaks to his remarkable talent,” says Reservoir EVP of Creative John Ozier. “He has such a strong ability to write across various genres, and we’re eager to tap into his natural gift and identify future collaborations for him across the industry.”
“I am excited to team up with Reservoir and start this next chapter of my career,” says Rufio. “I think the culture that they have built in both Nashville and LA is really special.”
Bobby Karl Works The Room: The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Press Conference
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, with inductees John Scott Sherrill, Amy Grant, Buddy Cannon, and Rhett Akins; Mark Ford, NaSOF’s executive director. Photo: Bev Moser
Chapter 644
This year’s press conference announcing the newest members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was a hybrid affair.
Participants could choose either to experience the event via streaming or attend in person. The option to show up live was limited to 40 people, to allow for COVID guidelines. Staged as usual at Columbia Studio A, the event was characterized by warmth and camaraderie.
We convened on Tuesday morning (July 13), and the fellowship was evident immediately. Everyone started to beam when they saw this year’s class of inductees posing for a group portrait. How could you not be delighted? Buddy Cannon, Amy Grant, John Scott Sherrill and Rhett Akins are all so abundantly worthy. Absent, but sending a video from the road was inductee Toby Keith.
Working the socially distanced room were such mavens as Lance Cowan, Jennifer Bohler, Bev Moser, Dave Paulson, Tom Roland, Peter Sherrill, Carol Ann Ford and Mike Porter.
“We’re honored to be in this historic space where so many of our [Hall of Fame] members recorded their most iconic songs,” commented NSHoF board chair Sarah Cates in welcoming the crowd. That would include prior inductees Tammy Wynette, Marty Robbins, Flatt & Scruggs, Johnny Cash, John Anderson, Rodney Crowell, Larry Gatlin, Rosanne Cash and Merle Haggard.
“It’s so good to be back together,” added NSHoF executive director Mark Ford. “We haven’t done this in a year and a half.”
“I’m overwhelmed that I am here,” said Rhett when he was invited to the podium. “When I saw the names on the ballot, I said to my wife, ‘I don’t have a shot.’ I take this very seriously. I want to keep the flame of country songwriting burning as long as I can.”
“I don’t really know what to say,” said an equally humbled Buddy. “I’m pretty much speechless. The first two songs of mine that were ever recorded were by Bob Luman, produced by Glenn Sutton right here in this room. I am so honored to be in this group of people.”
“To say this is an honor is to put it mildly,” said Scotty. “I have loved this town ever since I first landed here. In those first few days, I heard some songs that changed my world.”
“I’m so grateful to be in a town that celebrates creativity,” said Nashville native Amy. “I want to encourage everybody who’s ever had a creative thought: The world needs your stories.”
Commenting via video, Toby added, “This induction means everything to me. I’m looking forward to seeing you in November.”
The banquet and induction ceremonies will be held at the Music City Center on Nov. 1. It will be a double-sized event, since the 2021 gala will also salute the 2020 inductees—Steve Earle, Kent Blazy, Brett James, Spooner Oldham and Bobbie Gentry. They comprise the 50th anniversary class. The NaSHOF golden anniversary gala was postponed due to the pandemic, hence the double ceremony this year.
Following many happy reunions and hearty congratulations, we snacked on coffee and fresh-baked cookies. Surprisingly, neither Buddy Cannon nor John Scott Sherrill had ever been in the adjacent, super-historic founding building of Music Row, The Quonset Hut. Mike Porter happily offered guided tours to the songwriting veterans.
Double Down Music Announces Joint Venture With Jason Aldean’s Triple Play Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Triple Play Music’s founders Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Jason Aldean and PIA Music Group’s founder Dallas Davidson and CEO Ryan Dokke
Play It Again Music Group’s recently launched publishing company, Double Down Music, has embarked on a joint venture with Triple Play Music, founded by Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, and Tully Kennedy. Under the agreement, Double Down Music will handle creative services for all Triple Play Music songwriters, the first two of which are the co-ventures newest signees: John Morgan and John Edwards.
“It’s always cool to team up with people who are great at what they do,” says Aldean. “For me, it’s cool that we’ll be part of helping the next generation of artists and songwriters.”
“It is an honor to work with friends like Jason, Kurt, and Tully whom I hold in high regard. We are excited to welcome them, along with John Morgan and John Edwards to the PIA Music Group family,” comments PIA Music Group founder Dallas Davidson. “Triple Play brings so much to the table when helping create opportunities for superstar talent.”
“Jason Aldean is known as a massive superstar artist, however he is equally as talented, along with Kurt and Tully, at finding and developing young talent. The evidence is John Morgan and John Edwards,” shares Ryan Dokke, CEO of PIA Music Group. “This partnership between Dallas and Jason, Kurt, and Tully just makes so much sense! They are going to build superstar artists and songwriters together.”
In addition to Morgan and Edwards, Double Down Music’s songwriter roster includes Blake Bollinger and Clara Calaway.
Gibson Gives Celebrates Two Years, Launches New Advisory Councils
/by Lydia FarthingRe-launched in July of 2019, Gibson Gives immediately committed to donating 1,000 guitars in 1,000 days to non-profits including music education, music wellness programs and musicians in need worldwide. Since then, the organization has climbed above and beyond by donating over 2,800 guitars in 700 days.
“When we announced we would donate 1,000 guitars in 1,000 days, I thought it was a lofty goal,” explains Dendy Jarrett, Executive Director of Gibson Gives. “We could have never predicted all the hurdles this past year presented in the music community and beyond. It’s been a humbling experience and an honor to work with so many worthy music and health programs in need, directly supporting and impacting individual people, as well as non-profits.”
Gibson Gives representatives donate a music room to Maplewood High School in Nashville, TN.
To continue its charitable efforts, Gibson Gives has created two new groups which include an Influencers and an Artist Advisory Council which will provide thoughtful leadership, foundation, and funding strategies, as well as present philanthropic opportunities that fulfill the foundation’s mission.
The Gibson Gives Artist Advisory Council members include Lzzy Hale, Celisse, Alex Lifeson, Matt Heafy, Joe Bonamassa, Billy F. Gibbons, Slash, Captain Kirk Douglas, and more.
The Gibson Gives Influencers group is composed of leaders from across the Music and Entertainment Business, Sports, Youth, Education, Legacy, International, the Nashville “Music City” Community and Gibson’s partner advisors. Influencers include Jeff Smith/Music Makes Us (Director of Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools), Ken Adams (Co-Owner, Tennessee Titans), Matt Crews (CEO, Music City Grand Prix), Ian Ayers (CEO, Nashville Soccer Club), Ben Hall (Senior Director of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame), Lee Bartram (Head of Marketing and Cultural Influence, Gibson Brands Europe), Toby Lee (Musician), Nina Miller (Executive Director of Miranda Lambert’s Mutt Nation/Former Executive Director, Gibson Foundation), Reid Shippen (Song Farm/Grammy award-winning producer/engineer/mixer), Melinda Colaizzi (Founder, Women Who Rock), and Erica Krusen (Managing Director of Mental Health, MusiCares).
Gibson Gives also recently announced the launch of TEMPO, Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose–a collaborative program with MusiCares, Harbor Path and 7 non-profits–to save musicians lives in response to continued and elevated opioid overdoses from over a year of confinement and Covid-19 closures. TEMPO empowers participating non-profits and venues by providing the life-saving training necessary for using the drug naloxone to prevent opioid overdose.
For more information about Gibson Gives and the work it’s doing to help our community, click here.
Dierks Bentley Shares Some Telluride Magic On New Live EP
/by Lorie HollabaughDierks Bentley is offering fans a taste of his set from last month’s 48th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival on a new five-track EP, Live From Telluride, available everywhere today (July 13).
For this project, Bentley tapped The War And Treaty for their powerhouse vocals throughout as well as had multi-instrumentalist sisters Larkin Poe join the band for the entire set. Legendary grasser Sam Bush was also enlisted during the Telluride set, all of which is captured on the new EP.
“This really was a once in a lifetime show for me,” shares Bentley. “Getting to play at my favorite festival with some of my favorite musicians and performers in one of my favorite places in the world… felt like a dream. Luckily this dream was captured on tape and I can go back and relive the way it felt that night whenever I want.”
Bentley recently announced the cancellation of his annual Seven Peaks Music Festival in Colorado due to COVID-19 restrictions. While fans won’t be able to enjoy this year’s three-day campout festival, they can catch Bentley and his band on the road all over the country on his Beers On Me Tour 2021.
Live From Telluride Track List:
1. Woman, Amen – Live – Dierks Bentley feat. The War And Treaty
2. Travelin’ Light – Live – Dierks Bentley feat. Larkin Poe
3. Bad Angel – Live – Dierks Bentley feat. The War And Treaty
4. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd – Live – Dierks Bentley
5. Pride (In The Name Of Love) by U2 – Live – Dierks Bentley feat. The War And Treaty, Sam Bush
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Reveals 2021 Inductees
/by LB CantrellThe Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced that the inductees for its Class of 2021 are Amy Grant, Toby Keith, Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon and John Scott Sherrill.
Akins’ songwriter credits include his own “That Ain’t My Truck,” as well as “Honey Bee” (Blake Shelton) and “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett). Cannon’s songwriter resume is known for “Set ’Em Up Joe” (Vern Gosdin), “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” (George Strait) and “Give It Away” (George Strait). Sherrill’s hits include “Wild And Blue” (John Anderson), “The Church On Cumberland Road” (Shenandoah) and “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn).
Grant popularized many of her own compositions, including “Baby Baby,” “That’s What Love Is For” and “Tennessee Christmas.” Keith also recorded many of his self-penned hits, including “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “As Good As I Once Was.”
The five will be inducted into the Hall this November, according to an announcement made today (July 13) by Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Ford, its executive director.
“Today is one of my favorite days of the year, as we begin our journey to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in November with the announcement of our upcoming class,” says Cates. “Nashville has always been the home of legendary songs written by the world’s finest songwriters – and this class is no exception. It’s our great honor today to welcome our class of 2021: Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith as our songwriter/artist and Amy Grant as our veteran songwriter/artist.”
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors, with inductees John Scott Sherrill, Amy Grant, Buddy Cannon, and Rhett Akins; Mark Ford, NaSOF’s executive director. Photo: Bev Moser
The five new inductees-elect will join the 213 previously inducted members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Nov. 1 at the Music City Center. Because the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration was postponed last year, this year’s event will honor two classes in a special double-sized event that will also spotlight NaSHOF’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.
For more biographical information on the 2021 inductees, see below:
RHETT AKINS
Valdosta, Georgia, native Rhett Akins began his professional music career as a performer at San Antonio’s Fiesta Texas theme park. In 1992, he made the move to Nashville. Initially a performer at Opryland theme park, he also worked as a demo singer, later signing a recording contract with Decca Records. As an artist, Rhett topped the charts in the mid-1990s with “Don’t Get Me Started” and his signature song, “That Ain’t My Truck.” By the later 2000s, Rhett was writing songs for other artists, including “Put A Girl In It” by Brooks & Dunn, “What’s Your Country Song” by Thomas Rhett, “All About Tonight” by Blake Shelton and “Boys ’Round Here” by Blake Shelton w/ Pistol Annies & Friends. Rhett also wrote “All Over Me” by Josh Turner (the 2011 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Honey Bee” by Blake Shelton (the 2012 ASCAP Country Song of the Year), “Take A Back Road” by Rodney Atkins (the 2012 BMI Country Song of the Year) and “It Goes Like This” by Thomas Rhett (the 2014 ASCAP Country Song of the Year). Rhett was named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year in 2011 and 2014. He was the 2017 ACM Songwriter of the Year and the 2019 ACM Songwriter of the Decade.
BUDDY CANNON
Buddy Cannon was born in Lexington, Tennessee. He began his diverse career as a songwriter/singer/musician/publisher/producer/label executive in the early 1970s as bass player in Bob Luman’s band, later making the jump to play in Mel Tillis’ band and write for his publishing company. During their 11 years together, Tillis recorded several of Buddy’s songs, including the chart-topping “I Believe In You.” Throughout his career, Buddy’s keen song sense has served him well in the studio, helping select and record hit songs for artists ranging from Shania Twain to Kenny Chesney to Willie Nelson, with whom he has written regularly since 2008. Buddy’s credits as a songwriter include “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Look At Us” by Craig Morgan, “I’ve Come To Expect It From You” by George Strait, the Vern Gosdin hits “I’m Still Crazy,” “Set ’Em Up Joe” and “Dream Of Me,” as well as the Sammy Kershaw hits “Anywhere But Here” and “If You’re Gonna Walk, I’m Gonna Crawl.” “Give It Away” by George Strait was named the 2007 ACM Song and Single of the Year and also the 2007 CMA Song of the Year.
TOBY KEITH
Oklahoma native Toby Keith received his first guitar at age eight. After high-school graduation, he worked in the oil fields by day and played with his band at night. In the early ’90s, one of his demo tapes found its way to producer Harold Shedd, who signed him to a deal with Mercury Records. In 1993 Toby’s solo-written debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” reached No. 1 on the country chart and would go on to become the most played country song of the 1990s. As an artist, he has placed 45 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 16 No. 1s and 17 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You Ain’t Much Fun,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier,” “A Little Too Late” and “God Love Her.” “As Good As I Once Was” was BMI’s 2006 Country Song of the Year. Among his many awards, he was named BMI’s 2001 Songwriter of the Year, 2004 Writer/Artist of the Year and 2006 Songwriter of the Year. He was NSAI’s 2003, 2004, 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as that organization’s Songwriter/Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in 2015.
AMY GRANT
Raised in Nashville, Amy Grant was signed to a record deal at age 16 and was a star by the late ’70s. Her singer-songwriter fusion of pop, rock, gospel and ’70s Jesus-music created a fresh, new sound that kick-started the contemporary Christian genre and led to the first Platinum-selling album in the new genre’s history — her 1982 breakthrough, Age to Age. By the mid-’80s, Amy was reaching pop audiences with hits such as “Find A Way” and “Lead Me On.” Her blockbuster 1991 album, Heart in Motion, generated the multi-genre hits “Baby Baby,” “Every Heartbeat,” “Good For Me,” “I Will Remember You” and “That’s What Love Is For.” Another song from this era, “Place In This World,” written with and performed by, Michael W. Smith, earned the 1992 GMA Song of the Year. Amy’s catalog also includes the hymnal mainstay “Thy Word,” as well as her signature holiday standard “[Tender] Tennessee Christmas.” As an artist, she has placed 36 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard and Contemporary Christian music charts, including 12 No. 1s and 18 more in the Top 10. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003. Amy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL
John Scott Sherrill was raised in Chappaqua, New York, and in Uganda and Bolivia by parents who were book and magazine writers. Drawn at an early age to folk, country and rock music, he played coffeehouses in Boston and spent time as a musician in Amsterdam. In 1975, on his way to California, John Scott decided to remain in Music City and soon signed a songwriting deal with Combine Music. By 1982, he had his first No. 1 hit – “Wild And Blue” by John Anderson (later recorded by Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson and Lucinda Williams). Throughout the ’80s and into the 2000’s, John Scott enjoyed more No. 1 hits: “Some Fools Never Learn” by Steve Wariner, “That Rock Won’t Roll” by Restless Heart, “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes” and “Cry, Cry, Cry” by Highway 101, “The Church On Cumberland Road” by Shenandoah, “No Doubt About It” by Neal McCoy, “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn and “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner. Another popular song, “Nothin’ But The Wheel,” was a Top 20 country hit for Patty Loveless and was also recorded by the bluegrass band Special Consensus and the rock duo of Peter Wolf & Mick Jagger. In the late 1980s, John Scott was a member of the country group Billy Hill and wrote many of their songs.
Georgia Webster To Share Her ‘First Goodbye’ July 16
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorgia Webster will release her debut EP, First Goodbye, on Friday, July 16. Webster penned all five songs on the new Sony Music Nashville/River House Artists project, which follows her major label debut single, “Push & Pull.”
The Hampden, Mass. native attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music’s songwriter camps, and in July 2020 her original song, “Tell Your Mom,” became an instant viral hit on TikTok, amassing more than two million views in just a few days. Webster’s TikTok success brought offers from pop and rock record labels out of New York and Los Angeles. However, she elected to work out of Nashville and teamed up with songwriter and producer Paul DiGiovanni to create the studio version of “Tell Your Mom.”
“I’m so excited to be sharing my first EP with you guys,” says Webster. “These songs are all songs I’ve written throughout my high school career, and I couldn’t have brought them to life like this without the help of my team.”
First Goodbye Track List:
1. “Tell Your Mom”
2. “Push & Pull”
3. “First Goodbye”
4. “UGLY”
5. “Box of Memories”
Nominees Revealed For 33rd Annual MusicRow Awards
/by LB CantrellMusicRow is proud to reveal the nominees for the 33rd annual MusicRow Awards. The industry-voted winners of the MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually on all MusicRow platforms on Aug. 19. Subscribed members of MusicRow will receive their ballots via email on Wednesday, July 14.
Click here to view the digital “Nominator” newsletter for a complete list of all nominees.
Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
There are 11 member-voted categories, including:
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label Group of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Artist of the Year
Nominees for the MusicRow Awards are determined by committee, with outside nominations being considered for Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer. Male and Female Songwriter nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
MusicRow‘s August/September print magazine, which is produced and mailed out prior to the MusicRow Awards winners announcement on Aug. 19, features all of the nominees for the 33rd Annual MusicRow Awards. This print edition also includes exclusive industry-related editorial features.
Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thursday, Aug. 19, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.
Voting for the MusicRow Awards will begin Wednesday, July 14 and run through Friday, July 23 for all MusicRow subscribed members. To become a subscribed member and become eligible to vote, sign up here.
Martin Johnson Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMartin Johnson
Newly-signed Warner Chappell writer Martin Johnson has jumped 10 slots to No. 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. Johnson is a co-writer on “Like A Lady” recorded by Lady A and “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” recorded by Elle King and Miranda Lambert.
Corey Crowder remains at No. 1 on the chart this week for the seventh consecutive week. He is a co-writer on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Famous Friends” (Chris Young and Kane Brown), and “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton).
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Music Festival Cancelled For 2021
/by Lydia FarthingDierks Bentley. Photo: Jim Wright
Dierks Bentley has announced that his Seven Peaks Music Festival 2021 has officially been cancelled.
Bentley took to social media to break the news, informing fans that, despite attempts to make it work, the festival’s home of Chaffee County, Colorado had decided against lifting capacity restrictions. All 2021 passes purchased for Seven Peaks Music Festival will be fully refunded within 30 days back to the original form of payment.
“I want to thank my team for the work, the artists for the trust, and above all our fans, who look forward to this event all year long,” Bentley shares on Instagram. “Really appreciate you guys hanging in there with us through the ups and downs of Covid. Together we built something very special and it’s going to be a big celebration when our 7P family is together again. We will be back!”
Originally scheduled for Labor Day weekend in Buena Vista, Colorado, the three-day campout experience was set to feature a full list of performers, including Bentley, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Old Crow Medicine Show, Randy Houser, Travis Denning, Ingrid Andress, Caitlyn Smith, Hailey Whitters, Callista Clark, Payton Smith, Clay Walker, Reyna Roberts, and Pam Tillis, among others.