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.
Clare Dunn Previews Upcoming EP With New Cowboy-Inspired Track
/by Lorie HollabaughClare Dunn is offering fans a taste of her upcoming new EP, In This Kind of Light, with her new song, “Holding Out For A Cowboy,” available everywhere now. In This Kind of Light is slated to drop Aug. 13 via Big Yellow Dog Music.
“Holding Out For A Cowboy” was produced by Dunn and co-written alongside Whitney Phillips. The soulful track celebrates the tried-and-true solid qualities cowboys possess that can serve us all well as we navigate the complexities of life. The song follows in the footsteps of Dunn’s latest single, “How It Comes Off,” both of which are featured on In This Kind Of Light.
“This song is all about having the courage to hold out for the right thing,” Dunn explains. “Like a lot of us, this past year was one of reflection and realization. The things a cowboy represents: loyalty, steadfastness, strength, and so much more, still hold true and I think matter more now than ever. Whether you’re from the city, or the country, I hope you find your cowboy.”
All songs produced by Clare Dunn
1. Holding Out For A Cowboy (Clare Dunn & Whitney Phillips)
2. Good Love Bad (Clare Dunn, Driver Williams, Mike Walker)
3. How It Comes Off (Clare Dunn, Driver Williams, Mike Walker)
4. Fool Moon (Clare Dunn, Driver Williams, Neil Mason)
5. Lonely Alone (Clare Dunn & Karyn Rochelle)
Industry Ink: The Bilbreys, AIMP, Kaileen Mangan
/by Lydia FarthingCountry Community Comes Together To Support The Bilbreys
Coming Home: Rebuilding the Bilbreys
The country music community came together for a night of music, stories, laughter, and tears in support of famed host and radio personality, Keith Bilbrey during Coming Home: Rebuilding the Bilbreys. Bilbrey and his wife, Emy Joe, lost their home on June 22 after a devastating house fire.
Governor Mike Huckabee and Larry’s Country Diner’s Larry Black hosted the event. Country music artists and industry peers who participated include The Bellamy Brothers, Bill Anderson, Charlie McCoy, Chonda Pierce, Craig Morgan, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Deborah Allen, Devon O’Day, Doyle Dykes, Exile, Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, Gene Watson, Gus Arrendale, The Isaacs, Jimmy Fortune, Janie Fricke, Jeannie Seely, John Berry, Kelly Lang, Lacy J. Dalton, Lee Greenwood, Lorrie Morgan, The Malpass Brothers, Mark Wills, Marty Stuart, Moe Bandy, Nadine (Larry’s Country Diner), Nan Kelley, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen and Richard Sterban, Rhonda Vincent, T. Graham Brown, Teea Goans, and T.G. Sheppard.
“Keith and Emy Joe Bilbrey have lots of friends that we certainly saw here at this wonderful tribute, where so many of the luminaries of the Nashville entertainment scene came in person to show their support,” shares Governor Huckabee. “Many others who couldn’t be here offered contributions in other ways to a couple who lost everything in a horrific house fire. Everyone wants to make sure that Keith and Emy Joe not only know that they are loved, but will rebuild their home and lives with the help of the country music community.”
AIMP Atlanta Chapter Holds Kickoff Event
Pictured (L-R): Michael Lau (AIMP NY Chapter President), Teri Nelson Carpenter (AIMP LA Chapter President), David Porter (Co-Founder & CEO of MIME), Tony D. Alexander (Co-Founder, President & Managing Director of MIME), and John Ozier (AIMP National Chair & Nashville Chapter President)
On July 15, the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held their AIMP Atlanta Chapter kickoff event at the new 4U Recording studio in Atlanta.
During the event, John Ozier (AIMP National Chair and Nashville Chapter President), Teri Nelson Carpenter (AIMP Los Angeles Chapter President), and Michael Lau (AIMP New York Chapter President) discussed their Chapters’ latest initiatives, how they work together to achieve national goals, and the overall benefits of the AIMP.
The effort to establish an Atlanta Chapter of the AIMP is being led by Tony D. Alexander, Co-Founder, President, and Managing Director of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), which runs its MIME Publishing Group and Beatroot Music companies from Atlanta via the new 4U Recording studio and offices. Alexander and MIME Co-Founder & CEO David Porter, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee for his work at Stax Records, including writing “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Coming” for Sam & Dave, were on hand for the event as well.
Sony Music Nashville Adds Kaileen Mangan As Regional Promotion Manager
Kaileen Mangan
Sony Music Nashville has appointed Kaileen Mangan as Regional Promotion Manager, Arista Nashville. Mangan will report to Josh Easler, Vice President, Promotion, Arista Nashville.
Mangan most recently held the position of Promotion Coordinator, MCA Records, and prior to that Assistant to Promotion EVP at UMG. Following her graduation in 2018 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, she moved to Nashville where she had spent her two previous summers interning at CMA, Iconic Entertainment, CMT and Essential Broadcast Media.
“Kaileen has an unmistakable passion, enthusiasm and vision for record promotion,” shares Easler. “When I first met her, I knew she had the talent and skills that would equip her to become an immediate champion of our artists and music. We are beyond excited she is joining our Arista Nashville promotion team.”
“I’m so grateful and thrilled for this opportunity,” says Mangan. “I’m eager to join Josh, Steve and the regionals in promoting Arista Nashville’s phenomenal roster. Can’t wait to hit the ground running in the Midwest and get my Portillo’s fix, of course.”
Mangan can be reached at kaileen.mangan@sonymusic.com.
Niko Moon’s ‘Good Time’ Slated For August Release
/by Lorie HollabaughNiko Moon. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Niko Moon is set to release his debut album, Good Time, on Aug. 27. He also released a new song from the project, “Small Town State Of Mind,” that he co-wrote with Anna Moon and Joshua Murty. The song and pre-save for the album are available here.
Produced by Moon alongside longtime collaborator and friend Joshua Murty, Good Time features the No. 1, Platinum-certified title track, as well as Moon’s latest single, “No Sad Songs.” The album evokes an old school country feel along with influences from Michael Franti, John Prine, The Eagles, and Outkast, and includes tracks penned by Moon with writers Blake Bollinger, Anna Moon, Steven Lee Olsen, and more. The project also includes Moon’s take on the Darrell Scott-penned Travis Tritt classic “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.”
“My debut album Good Time is almost here!” shares Moon. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into making this record and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it! The album is Good Time vibes front to back so put it on, grab a cold one, and turn it up to 10!”
Moon is gearing up to play the new tracks when he hits the road for his opening stint on Lady A’s What A Song Can Do Tour starting July 29 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Good Time Track List:
1. NO SAD SONGS (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty/Steven Lee Olsen/Alysa Vanderheym)
2. WAY BACK (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
3. PARADISE TO ME (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
4. LAST CALL (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
5. DANCE WITH ME (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
6. GOOD TIME (Niko Moon/Jordan Minton/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty/Mark Trussell)
7. LET IT RIDE (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
8. SHE AIN’T YOU (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
9. SMALL TOWN STATE OF MIND (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
10. GOOD AT LOVING YOU (Niko Moon/Blake Bollinger/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
11. WITHOUT SAYIN A WORD (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
12. DRUNK OVER YOU (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
13. DIAMOND (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
14. IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE (Darrell Scott)
Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson To Be Featured In Next Round Of ASCAP Experience
/by Lydia FarthingASCAP Experience, ASCAP’s signature event created to inspire, educate, and connect aspiring songwriters and composers, has announced the upcoming schedule of virtual expert sessions slated for July and August.
Leading the lineup is a conversation between Grammy winners Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson to take place on July 28 where the pair will discuss the art of writing music together, and share tips to ensure your collaborators are as thrilled with the results as you are. Additionally, on Aug. 11, top film and TV composers take the stage for a trio of educational sessions with insider tips on navigating a music career, the process of scoring a scene, film/TV scoring business essentials and more.
The virtual sessions are free to attend and take place twice monthly on Wednesdays via YouTube, Instagram, and on the ASCAP Experience website. For more information and to RSVP to upcoming events, click here.
A full description of the upcoming ASCAP Experience events can be found below:
July 28
“The Art of Collaboration with Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson” — Grammy-winning songwriters Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson will talk about how they’ve worked together and with other artists to create some of the 21st century’s biggest hits. Stapleton has co-penned huge songs with Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan and Justin Timberlake, in addition to his chart-topping career as a solo artist; Wilson’s resume includes top 10 hits and Grammy winners for Halsey, Dierks Bentley, Adele, The Chicks, his band Semisonic and more.
August 11
“What Every Film/TV Composer Needs to Know About the Business” — A distinguished lineup of composers will offer tips on the business know-how that every professional film/TV composer needs to sustain a long-term career, and explain their own journeys of breaking through and finding success. Featuring composers Siddhartha Khosla (This Is Us), John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon), Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel) and Joel Beckerman, the founder of Your Music, Your Future.
August 25
“Songwriting for the Voice” — Vocal coach Matt Ramsey with songwriter/producer/vocalist Autumn Rowe and Grammy-winning arranger-composer Vince Mendoza will explain how to craft songs that take advantage of the voice’s natural abilities and limitations. They’ll discuss what makes a melody or lyric singable, pitching your song to fit different vocalists, how to leave room for vocals in your arrangements and mixes, and much more.
Chart Action: Eric Church’s Fire Add Week
/by Alex ParryEric Church. Photo: Joe Pugliese.
Eric Church‘s latest single, “Heart On Fire,” claims most added this week on the Mediabase and MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart earning a total of 71 new station adds. The single is the lead track on his Heart & Soul trilogy and was written solely by Church.
Robert K. Oermann extolled the single saying, “Oh yeah! A little Bruce, a little Elvis, a little Skynyrd, a little Seger and a whole lotta rump shakin’ goodness. This rollicking rocker is one more example why the Chief stands head and shoulders above just about everyone else in this format. Turn it up and lose yourself in its soulfulness.”
Church returns to the road this fall for The Gather Again Tour playing arenas across the country with the stage at the center of each floor.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Kolby Cooper To Release Label Debut, ‘Boy From Anderson County’
/by Lydia FarthingKolby Cooper. Photo Gabriel Muniz
Singer-songwriter Kolby Cooper will release his six-track EP, Boy From Anderson County, on Friday, Aug. 6. This will mark his debut project with BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records in partnership with Combustion Music since signing with them in June.
All six songs on the upcoming project were produced by Phillip Mosley. The title track kicks off the project with Cooper’s heavy southern drawl delivering a heartfelt love song, reminiscing on the impact his wife has had on his life and recognizing it was her who made him a man. Co-written by Cooper, Jameson Rodgers, and Brent Anderson, Cooper’s vocals are at the forefront in “Good For You,” as he pines after the girl who didn’t let him hold her back, while “Way To Go” is self-deprecation at its finest but leaves Cooper enlightened by the mistakes of his past.
The up-beat, “This Song Don’t Make No Sense” finds Cooper dumbfounded by his former affirmation for his departed ex while “Her Favorite Songs,” a tongue-in-cheek song flaunting all of Cooper’s success to a formidable antagonist, wraps up the EP.
Boy From Anderson County Track List:
1. Boy From Anderson County (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker)
2. Good For You (Kolby Cooper, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Anderson)
3. Excuses (Kolby Cooper, Brett Tyler, Jordan Walker)
4. Way To Go (Kolby Cooper, Mike Walker, Josh Jenkins)
5. This Song Don’t Make No Sense (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker, Matt McKinney)
6. Her Favorite Songs (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker, Jacob Davis)
Pandora Expands ‘Billionaires’ Artist Program With Launch Of New Stations
/by Lorie HollabaughThe country Billionaires station will spotlight music from Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, and more. In 2018, Pandora kicked off its “Billionaires” program by presenting artists with a commemorative plaque, and artists honored over the past three years include Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, and many more.
“Pandora’s Billionaires stations are cool to be a part of because they’re the biggest songs. So, to be the most streamed country artist is huge to me,” said Aldean, the top country artist on Pandora with over 11 billion streams to date.
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.