Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year category. The Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter and recording artist who for the first time 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 subscribed member here.
Tenille Arts had a history-making single with “Somebody Like That.” Written by Arts, Allison Veltz Cruz and Alex Kline, it is the first country song performed and produced entirely by females to reach No 1. This success earned the trio multiple MusicRow Awards nominations. Arts was selected for the CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2021, and was nominated for ACM New Female Artist of the Year. This summer she’ll be working her follow-up single “Back Then, Right Now” and hitting the road with Lady A.
Ben Johnson of trio Track45 has two qualifying songs which earned him a nomination for Breakthrough Artist-Writer: “Gone” recorded by Dierks Bentley, and “One Of Them Girls” recorded by Lee Brice. His chart action during the eligibility period also includes “All My Favorite Songs” by Weezer which was a hit on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. Johnson’s other cuts include ”Believe” by Meek Mill and Justin Timberlake, “On Me” by Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown ft. Ava Max, “Hot Beer” by Dillon Carmichael, and “Give Heaven Some Hell,” by Hardy, which is nominated for MusicRow Awards Song of the Year. Johnson also co-produced Kylie Morgan’s debut EP.
Chris Lane scored his first No. 1 as a songwriter with “Big Big Plans.” He wrote the song with Jacob Durrett and Ernest Keith Smith, a fellow nominee for Breakthrough Artist-Writer. Lane’s previous hits as a recording artist were outside cuts including “I Don’t Know About You,” “Fix,” and “Take Back Home Girl” ft. Tori Kelly. Lane is following the success of “Big Big Plans” with new single, “Fill Them Boots,” and a tour of the same name. He also dropped the tracks “Summer Job Money,” “That’s What Mamas Are For,” and is featured on Dustin Lynch’s “Tequila On A Boat.”
Ashely McBryde is a co-writer of her hit single “One Night Standards” along with Nicolette Hayford and Shane McAnally, marking her first entry into the top 10 as a songwriter, despite her notable past success. The song was released on Sept. 23, 2019, as the lead-off single to her second studio album, Never Will, and peaked at radio a year later. McBryde is the 2019 MusicRow Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Her co-writes have been recorded by artists including Chrissy Metz, Carly Pearce, Dan Smalley and Shy Carter. McBryde returns to the road this summer, including her first headlining shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Parker McCollum earned his first No. 1 at country radio with “Pretty Heart,” which received RIAA Platinum certification and was featured on his Hollywood Gold EP, the highest-selling debut country EP of 2020. McCollum’s year of many highlights includes numerous sold-out shows, and his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry. His full-length major label debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy, is set for release July 30. McCollum wrote “Pretty Heart” with frequent collaborator Randy Montana, who is the reigning MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter and is in the running for Male Songwriter of the Year this year.
Ernest K. Smith scored an impressive five qualifying hits during the eligibility period. His cuts include “Big Big Plans,” which also earned a Breakthrough Artist-Writer nomination for Chris Lane. Smith also co-wrote Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ‘90s,” Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country,” Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown” and “Heartless” recorded by Diplo ft. Morgan Wallen. Smith contributed eleven tracks to Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album. He has Lane’s current single “Fill Them Boots,” FGL’s “Blessings,” and Zayn’s “Tightrope,” as well as his own new single “American Rust.”
BMI Ups Two In Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services Department
/by Lydia FarthingShouvik Das and Misha Hunke. Photo: Erika Goldring
BMI has named two promotions within the company’s Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services department. Both based in Nashville, Shouvik Das has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services, and Misha Hunke was promoted to Vice President, Administration & Publisher Relations.
These new roles will streamline the reporting structure of the Distribution & Administration departments, which previously reported as separate entities to Alison Smith, Executive Vice President, Distribution, Publisher Relations, and Administration Services. Both departments will now function under Das, who will continue to report to Smith. Hunke will now report directly to Das.
“Shouvik and Misha consistently go above and beyond to serve our songwriters, composers and music publishers,” shares Smith. “In the past year alone, they’ve overseen multiple initiatives including processing nearly two trillion performances, launching phase one of Songview and the early distribution of royalty payments to BMI’s affiliates during the first two quarters of the pandemic.” Smith adds, “This new reporting structure will help the department function even more seamlessly, and I look forward to working with Shouvik and Misha in their new roles and seeing the team thrive under their leadership.”
Das previously served as Vice President, Distribution & Administration Services. He joined BMI in 2003 as an Executive Director of Finance and Business Control Solutions before moving to Distributions and Administration Services, where he was Assistant Vice President of Performing Rights.
Das will continue to work closely with Smith to manage the relationships with BMI’s publishers, while overseeing the company’s domestic and international royalty distributions and administration services to affiliated songwriters, composers, and publishers.
Hunke was previously the Assistant Vice President of Distribution and Administration Services. She oversaw the teams’ daily functions and strategic direction, including collaborating with major publisher clients and industry-wide administration professionals regarding digital initiatives, royalties, licensing, data quality and administration. She also spearheaded strategic development projects designed to increase efficiencies, create quality controls, and improve customer service to affiliates. Hunke joined BMI in 1987 in the Writer/Publisher Relations department and has been a member of the Distribution and Administration Services department’s client service team since 1995.
Hunke will take on a more expansive role in leading business areas of the department, including affiliation, agreements, royalty assignments, research, publisher customer services, and online services. She will also continue to supervise the business team responsible for Songview, the searchable data platform developed with ASCAP that currently features copyright ownership information on over 20 million works.
Jason Aldean Earns 25th Career No. 1 With ‘Blame It On You’
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean has reached another career milestone this week as he charts his 25th career No. 1 with his latest hit, “Blame It On You.” The single currently holds the top spot on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Singles chart and Billboard‘s Country Airplay this week. The single also went No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart on May 21, 2021.
The track marks back-to-back chart-toppers off his sixth consecutive No. 1-selling album, 9. “Blame It On You” gives Aldean his 34th Top 10 song on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart since making his chart debut in 2005, which is more than any other artist to date.
“25 No. 1 songs is bigger than I could have dreamed while I was driving that delivery truck back in Macon, GA,” Aldean shares. “This one is for the fans, country radio, and my team for taking this crazy ride with us.”
Aldean is returning to the road Aug. 5 for his Back In The Saddle Tour in Virginia Beach with special guests Hardy and Lainey Wilson. For more tour and ticket information, click here.
Ashley Gorley Tops MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley hits the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on the following charting songs: “Country Again” by Thomas Rhett, “Give Heaven Some Hell” by Hardy, “Sand In My Boots” by Morgan Wallen, “Single Saturday Night” by Cole Swindell, and “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton.
Corey Crowder, who spent seven weeks atop the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, shifts down one to No. 2, with credit on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” by Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line, “Famous Friends” by Chris Young and Kane Brown, and “Minimum Wage” by Blake Shelton.
Nicolle Galyon moves up one to round out the top three.
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.
ACM Party For A Cause 2021 Set To Make Nashville Debut
/by Lydia FarthingThe Academy of Country Music has announced the return of its annual ACM Party for a Cause benefiting ACM Lifting Lives on Tuesday, Aug 24, debuting for the first time ever in Nashville at the Ascend Amphitheater.
This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will be hosted by SiriusXM’s The Highway host Storme Warren, with live performances by Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and special guests Tenille Townes, Trisha Yearwood, and more to be announced.
“ACM Lifting Lives is thrilled to be back and celebrating Party for a Cause with a historic debut in Nashville,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “ACM Lifting Lives has worked tirelessly this year in finding innovative ways to raise funds virtually for the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund – successfully distributing more than $3.5 million to members of the country music community in need. While we are proud of the aid we have been able to provide, we are excited to rock Nashville and to once again lift lives with the power of music. Party for a Cause is a terrific celebration of live music and charitable giving and we look forward to bringing it to Music City for the first time while welcoming back all our fans.”
Proceeds from ACM Party for a Cause will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, which works to lift lives through the power of music. Additional details regarding the event, including performances, will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event will be available beginning Tuesday, July 20.
2021 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Male Songwriter Of The Year
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Male Songwriter of the Year category. Male Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between 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 subscribed member here.
Ross Copperman
Sony Music Publishing Nashville, BMI
“Nobody But You” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“The Other Girl” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey
“Lady” recorded by Lady A
“We Were Rich” recorded by Runaway June
“Happy Anywhere” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Beers And Sunshine” recorded by Darius Rucker
“Half Of My Hometown” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini ft. Kenny Chesney
Jesse Frasure
Warner Chappell Nashville/Rhythm House/Roc Nation, BMI
“Some People Do” recorded by Old Dominion
“Center Point Road” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Hole In The Bottle” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Almost Maybes” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Minimum Wage” recorded by Blake Shelton
Ashley Gorley
Round Hill Music, ASCAP
“Catch” recorded by Brett Young
“One Big Country Song” recorded by LoCash
“Hole In The Bottle” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“Hard To Forget” recorded by Sam Hunt
“One Of Them Girls” recorded by Lee Brice
“Single Saturday Night” recorded by Cole Swindell
“We Were Rich” recorded by Runaway June
“Give Heaven Some Hell” recorded by Hardy
“What’s Your Country Song” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“You Should Probably Leave” recorded by Chris Stapleton
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Warning” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Country Again” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Randy Montana
Warner Chappell Nashville, BMI
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” recorded by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
“Better Together” recorded by Luke Combs
“Pretty Heart” recorded by Parker McCollum
“Young Man’s Blues” recorded by Parker McCollum
“We Didn’t Have Much” recorded by Justin Moore
“Cold As You” recorded by Luke Combs
“If It Wasn’t For Trucks” recorded by Riley Green
Josh Osborne
Sony Music Publishing Nashville/SMACK Songs, ASCAP
“Never Be Sorry” recorded by Old Dominion
“Nobody But You” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Hard To Forget” recorded by Sam Hunt
“Breaking Up Was Easy In The ‘90s” recorded by Sam Hunt
“How They Remember You” recorded by Rascal Flatts
“Happy Anywhere” recorded by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
“Beers And Sunshine” recorded by Darius Rucker
“7 Summers” recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Next Girl” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Sand In My Boots” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Josh Thompson
MV2 Entertainment, BMI
“One Margarita” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Ain’t Always The Cowboy” recorded by Jon Pardi
“Be A Light” recorded by Thomas Rhett featuring Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban
“Build Me A Daddy” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Whiskey And Rain” recorded by Michael Ray
“Wasted On You” recorded by Morgan Wallen
Dan + Shay To Celebrate Album Release With Centennial Park Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughThe show marks the first time a major concert has happened at the venue and will cap off the release day of the duo’s fourth studio album. General on sale for all tickets begin Friday, July 23 at 10 a.m. CST.
The Good Things Album Release Concert precedes the duo resuming their headline Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour this fall with new 2021 dates. The 30-date trek launches Sept. 9 in Greenville, South Carolina and concludes on Dec. 7 in Boston. The tour includes stops at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sept. 16 and Staples Center in L.A. on Oct. 15. Alternative pop rockers The Band Camino and 3x Grammy nominee and multi-Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress will join the pair as special guests for all dates.
Bill Anderson Celebrates 60th Anniversary As Opry Member, Honored With “Bill Anderson Day”
/by Lydia FarthingBill Anderson Celebrates 60th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry Member. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry honored Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson on his 60th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday, July 17. In celebration of the Grammy-nominated and ACM Poet Award honoree, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an official proclamation that July 17 is “Bill Anderson Day.” Nashville Mayor John Cooper also proclaimed July 17 as “Bill Anderson Day” in Music City.
Anderson made his Opry debut just a few weeks before his 21st birthday and became an official Opry member less than three years later on July 15, 1961 at 23, making him the youngest member at the time. Sara Evans and Opry members Mark Wills and Vince Gill joined other artists on stage to congratulate the Country Music Hall of Famer on his milestone 60th Anniversary.
Pictured (L-R): Scott Bailey, President, Opry Entertainment; Bill Anderson; Gina Keltner, Talent Director, Grand Ole Opry; Dan Rogers, Vice President/Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
“First of all, it’s really hard to imagine I’ve been at the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years,” shared Anderson. “It seems like yesterday they asked me if I wanted to be a part of this great family, and of course I couldn’t wait to tell them yes and be a part of this wonderful family… I tell people all the time that the Grand Ole Opry is like Yankee Stadium to a baseball player, or Broadway to an actor, or Hollywood to someone in film. It’s the highest rung on the ladder. It’s as high as you can go in country music and I’m just thankful that I’ve gotten to be here for 60 years.”
Anderson’s music career started in 1958 when Ray Price recorded his song, “City Lights” and it stayed at the top of the Billboard country charts for 13 weeks. Soon after this success, he signed with Decca Records and began to have hits of his own such as “Po’ Folks,” “Mama Sang a Song,” “Still” and “Bright Lights and Country Music.” Through the years Anderson has written hit songs for numerous artists, including Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan,” Conway Twitty’s “I May Never Get to Heaven,” and many more, including Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different,” George Strait’s “Give It Away,” and Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby,” with the last two hits winning CMA Song of the Year honors.
Darius Rucker Announces 12th Annual Benefit Concert For St. Jude
/by Lorie HollabaughDarius Rucker‘s 12th annual Darius and Friends benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will return as a live event this year on Aug. 17 following last year’s virtual concert due to the pandemic. The annual fundraiser, which has raised over $2 million to date, will return to the Ryman Auditorium to celebrate with an all-star roster of friends to be announced in the coming weeks.
“The incredible work being done at St. Jude really made an impact on me when I had a chance to visit and hear the patients’ stories,” shares Rucker. “They are some of the bravest people I’ve ever met and being able to support them with this event is always a highlight of my year. I’m so glad we’ll be back to performing in front of a full house at the Ryman for such a great cause!”
Artists who have performed with Rucker in past years have included Lauren Alaina, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Brett Young, among many others.
Tickets to the 12th annual Darius and Friends benefit are available for purchase to the general public on Friday, July 23. Livestream passes to enjoy the concert from home will also be available here.
Carolyn Snell Joins Brandi Carlile’s Team At Red Light Management
/by Lorie HollabaughCarolyn Snell
Carolyn Snell has joined Red Light Management as Associate Manager for Brandi Carlile.
Snell brings nearly 25 years of combined touring, live event, management, and marketing experience to her new position. An East Nashville resident, Emerson College graduate, and Omaha native, Snell is also an advocate and former board member of nonprofit Thistle Farms.
“For years now, I’ve watched Carolyn improve the lives of everyone she’s come into contact with,” shares Carlile. “She has a brilliant eye for detail and a bottomless well of energy, wicked humor, and enthusiasm. I’m thrilled and honored to walk alongside her on this crazy, beautiful journey.”
“I witnessed Brandi’s extraordinary talent and drive as her former Tour Manager and love seeing more audiences discover what I experienced over a decade ago,” says Snell. “I’m so grateful she asked me to join her in this new role.”
Snell can be reached at carolyn.snell@
2021 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 33rd MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year category. The Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year is voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter and recording artist who for the first time 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 subscribed member here.
Tenille Arts had a history-making single with “Somebody Like That.” Written by Arts, Allison Veltz Cruz and Alex Kline, it is the first country song performed and produced entirely by females to reach No 1. This success earned the trio multiple MusicRow Awards nominations. Arts was selected for the CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2021, and was nominated for ACM New Female Artist of the Year. This summer she’ll be working her follow-up single “Back Then, Right Now” and hitting the road with Lady A.
Ben Johnson of trio Track45 has two qualifying songs which earned him a nomination for Breakthrough Artist-Writer: “Gone” recorded by Dierks Bentley, and “One Of Them Girls” recorded by Lee Brice. His chart action during the eligibility period also includes “All My Favorite Songs” by Weezer which was a hit on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. Johnson’s other cuts include ”Believe” by Meek Mill and Justin Timberlake, “On Me” by Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown ft. Ava Max, “Hot Beer” by Dillon Carmichael, and “Give Heaven Some Hell,” by Hardy, which is nominated for MusicRow Awards Song of the Year. Johnson also co-produced Kylie Morgan’s debut EP.
Chris Lane scored his first No. 1 as a songwriter with “Big Big Plans.” He wrote the song with Jacob Durrett and Ernest Keith Smith, a fellow nominee for Breakthrough Artist-Writer. Lane’s previous hits as a recording artist were outside cuts including “I Don’t Know About You,” “Fix,” and “Take Back Home Girl” ft. Tori Kelly. Lane is following the success of “Big Big Plans” with new single, “Fill Them Boots,” and a tour of the same name. He also dropped the tracks “Summer Job Money,” “That’s What Mamas Are For,” and is featured on Dustin Lynch’s “Tequila On A Boat.”
Ashely McBryde is a co-writer of her hit single “One Night Standards” along with Nicolette Hayford and Shane McAnally, marking her first entry into the top 10 as a songwriter, despite her notable past success. The song was released on Sept. 23, 2019, as the lead-off single to her second studio album, Never Will, and peaked at radio a year later. McBryde is the 2019 MusicRow Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Her co-writes have been recorded by artists including Chrissy Metz, Carly Pearce, Dan Smalley and Shy Carter. McBryde returns to the road this summer, including her first headlining shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Parker McCollum earned his first No. 1 at country radio with “Pretty Heart,” which received RIAA Platinum certification and was featured on his Hollywood Gold EP, the highest-selling debut country EP of 2020. McCollum’s year of many highlights includes numerous sold-out shows, and his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry. His full-length major label debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy, is set for release July 30. McCollum wrote “Pretty Heart” with frequent collaborator Randy Montana, who is the reigning MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter and is in the running for Male Songwriter of the Year this year.
Ernest K. Smith scored an impressive five qualifying hits during the eligibility period. His cuts include “Big Big Plans,” which also earned a Breakthrough Artist-Writer nomination for Chris Lane. Smith also co-wrote Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ‘90s,” Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country,” Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown” and “Heartless” recorded by Diplo ft. Morgan Wallen. Smith contributed eleven tracks to Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album. He has Lane’s current single “Fill Them Boots,” FGL’s “Blessings,” and Zayn’s “Tightrope,” as well as his own new single “American Rust.”