The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has announced the 12 nominees for the class of 2021. Eight of these nominees are for the Songwriters category, while the remaining four are for the Songwriter/Artist category.
Nominees in the Songwriters category are Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Mary Ann Kennedy, David Malloy, Frank J. Myers, and Tia Sillers. Nominees in the Songwriter/Artists category are Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Shania Twain, and Phil Vassar.
All nominees experienced their first Top 20 song at least 20 years ago. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected in these categories by their professional songwriter peers and members of the Hall of Fame. In addition, two more will be named to the Class of 2021. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a veteran songwriter and a veteran songwriter/artist, both of whom experienced their first Top 20 song at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.
The new group will be among those honored at the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, November 1, 2021, at the Music City Center alongside the organization’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.
“We were forced to postpone our 50th Anniversary celebration last year, so this will be our ‘50/51’ party—celebrating two years and two classes in a special double-sized event,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We congratulate all of this year’s nominees and look forward to next month, when we will announce those who will be inducted as members of the Class of 2021.”
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2021 NOMINEES:
Category 1 – SONGWRITERS
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 Record. As an artist, Akins 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, he 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 Shelton with Pistol Annies & Friends. Akins also wrote “All Over Me” by Josh Turner (the 2011 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Honey Bee” by 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 Rhett (the 2014 ASCAP Country Song of the Year). Akins 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, and 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 Cannon’s songs, including the chart-topping “I Believe In You.” Throughout his career, Cannon’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. His 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 Strait was named the 2007 ACM Song & Single of the Year and also the 2007 CMA Song of the Year.
LARRY CORDLE
Larry Cordle was raised in eastern Kentucky, where he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. He scored his first hit in 1983 when Ricky Skaggs topped the charts with “Highway 40 Blues.” Two years later, Cordle moved to Nashville and began creating a catalog that includes “Heartbreak Hurricane” by Skaggs, “Honky Tonk Crowd” by John Anderson, “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me” by Diamond Rio, “Against The Grain” by Garth Brooks and “Hollywood Squares” by George Strait. “Lonesome Standard Time,” by his band of the same name, was the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year, as well as a country hit for Kathy Mattea. “Murder On Music Row,” also by Lonesome Standard Time, was the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year and the 2001 SPBGMA Song of the Year. The following year, the country version by Strait & Alan Jackson was named the 2001 CMA Song of the Year. “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, was named the 2018 IBMA Song of the Year. He was named the 2001, 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. In 2015, Cordle was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
CARL JACKSON
Carl Jackson was born in the small town of Louisville, Mississippi. By age 8, he was well on his way to being an accomplished musician, and by age 14, he was invited to play banjo in Jim and Jesse McReynolds’s band. Five years later, Jackson joined Glen Campbell’s band. During that time, he began to concentrate on songwriting. Among his diverse catalog of songs, Jackson has bluegrass hits such as “Comet Ride” by Ricky Skaggs and “Run Mississippi” by Rhonda Vincent; Gospel hits such as “It’s Not What You Know (It’s Who You Know)” by The Whites; and country hits such as “(Love Always) Letter To Home” by Glen Campbell, “No Future In The Past” by Vince Gill, “Put Yourself In My Place” by Pam Tillis, “Breaking New Ground” by Wild Rose and his own “Dixie Train.” “Little Mountain Church House” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver was named the 1990 IBMA Song of the Year. “Where Shadows Never Fall” by Campbell & Kelly Nelon Thompson earned the 1991 GMA Dove Award for Best Southern Gospel Song. Jackson was named the 1998 and 2000 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. He was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2006.
MARY ANN KENNEDY
Mary Ann Kennedy hails from Muskego, Wisconsin, where she grew up singing in school choirs and performing in her family’s band. After college graduation, she taught junior high school choral music for two years before deciding to move to Nashville in 1978. A few years later, she was signed to a record deal as part of the all-female group Calamity Jane and also saw her first hit as a songwriter – 1982’s “Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands” by Lee Greenwood (later a hit for Reba McEntire in 1996). By 1983, Kennedy and frequent co-writer Pam Rose left Calamity Jane to form Kennedy Rose. The duo recorded a pair of albums for Sting’s Pangea Records label and toured with him in the early 1990s. Beyond the duo, Kennedy’s catalog includes songs such as “Dixie Road” by Greenwood, “Me Against The Night” by Crystal Gayle, “Safe In The Arms Of Love” by Martina McBride, “You Will” by Patty Loveless, “A Little Bit Closer” by Tom Wopat and “He’s Letting Go” by Baillie & The Boys. Janie Fricke hit with “Somebody Else’s Fire” and “The First Word In Memory Is Me.” “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart was named the 1988 ASCAP Country Song of the Year.
DAVID MALLOY
California native David Malloy moved with his family from Los Angeles to Nashville at age 13. The son of an award-winning recording engineer, Malloy took his first guitar lesson at 15 and immediately knew that he wanted to write and produce music for a living. After a pair of early singles by Sammi Smith and Carmol Taylor, his first major success as a songwriter came through his collaboration with Eddie Rabbitt and Even Stevens. Together, the trio wrote and produced classic chart-topping hits for Rabbitt such as “Drivin’ My Life Away,” “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” “Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight,” “Gone Too Far” and “You Can’t Run From Love.” Rabbitt’s “Suspicions” (also a hit for Tim McGraw in 2008) was BMI’s 1980 Country Song of the Year. “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers was named ASCAP’s 1983 Country Song of the Year. Other hits from Malloy’s catalog include “Real Love” by Dolly Parton & Rogers and “One Honest Heart” by Reba McEntire.
FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His father, a champion fiddle player and singer, taught Myers to play the guitar. By age 14, he had formed a band with his brother and was featured on Porter Wagoner’s TV show. In 1981, Myers moved to Nashville, where he was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, he co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Myers’ “You And I” became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from his catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — the 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song, 1994 ACM Song and Single of the Year, 1994 CMA Single of the Year, 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, and 1994 NSAI Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.
TIA SILLERS
Growing up in Nashville, Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting as a high-school student when she attended her first songwriters round. Years later her first publishing deal yielded “Lipstick Promises” by George Ducas in 1995. Also that year, Kenny Wayne Shepherd made her “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 rock hit. Three years later, Shepherd delivered a No. 1 rock hit with “Blue On Black,” which earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May. In 2008, Sillers’ co-written “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack with The Sons of the Desert became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year, and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. Other notable songs from her catalog include “Land Of The Living” by Pam Tillis, “There’s Your Trouble” by the The Chicks, “I Cry” by Tammy Cochran, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.
Category 2 – SONGWRITER/ARTISTS
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 Keith’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. 1 songs 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). In 2015, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.
BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Paisley wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, he was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Paisley signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball, and Tracy Byrd, he signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 No. 1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” Paisley was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
SHANIA TWAIN
Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When she was two, she moved with her family to Timmins, Ontario. During high school, she began writing songs and fronting a local cover band. After graduation, she toured Ontario with another band before returning home in 1987 to care for her younger siblings after their parents died in a car accident. A few years later she was signed to Mercury Nashville. Since the release of her debut album in 1993, Twain has placed 22 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 7 No. 1 songs and 8 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You’re Still The One” (1998 Grammy for Best Country Song and 1999 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Come On Over” (1999 Grammy for Best Country Song) and “Forever And For Always” (2004 BMI Country Song of the Year), along with “You’ve Got A Way,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!,” “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “No One Needs To Know,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Twain was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as BMI’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year and 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
PHIL VASSAR
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his college years, he began playing piano and singing in local clubs. Moving to Nashville to pursue music, he found the going slow for several years until 1997 when some of his initial songs were recorded by BlackHawk, Skip Ewing, and The Sons of the Desert. Then in 1998, Vassar’s songs started gaining traction as singles for a variety of artists. During the next two years, he garnered six chart-topping hits from Collin Raye, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina (including the No. 1 “Bye, Bye”) and Tim McGraw (including the No. 1 “My Next Thirty Years”). During that time, he was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. In late 1999, he signed a record deal with Arista Nashville. Released the following year, his debut album generated the self-penned hits “Carlene,” “Rose Bouquet,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and “Just Another Day In Paradise,” Vassar’s first No. 1 as an artist. Propelled by that success, he was named ASCAP’s 2001 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Other hits by Vassar as an artist include “American Child,” “In A Real Love” and “Last Day Of My Life.” He was named NSAI’s 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.
BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records Sign Kolby Cooper
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Chase Cooper (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Davis Danziger (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Chris Van Belkom (Falcon – Combustion Music), Chris Farren (Combustion Music), Jeb Hurt (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Kolby Cooper, Jared McManus (Floating Leaf Entertainment), Jon Loba (President, BMG Nashville), Chris Poole (Director A&R, BBR Music Group), JoJamie Hahr (SVP, BBR Music Group). Photo: Wales Toney
BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records has signed recording artist Kolby Cooper in partnership with Combustion Music.
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who has already racked up over 110 million streams, has been playing sold-out shows around the country and built an audience of thousands of fans. With a fresh sound, Cooper’s music is influenced by his Texas roots layered over a wailing electric guitar.
“The observational perspective of Kolby’s songwriting immediately piqued my interest but seeing the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response at live shows has been really exciting to witness,” says Chris Poole, Director A&R, BBR Music Group. “I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent and help expand his wildly passionate fanbase he’s been cultivating and take everything to the next level.”
“It’s badass, I’m really excited to be a part of a team that wants to make what I do as huge as possible and is down for it all,” says Cooper. “We’re about to light this thing up!”
Cooper will release his first song as a signed artist, “Excuses,” on June 25. Inspired by his guitar player’s sudden breakup, the new song delivers overwhelming relatability paired with his rough-hewn vocals. The song is available for pre-save and pre-add now.
Kolby is managed by Floating Leaf Entertainment, booked by Red 11 Music, and is a staff songwriter at Combustion.
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Re-Enters Top 5 On Country Songs & Albums Chart
/by Lydia FarthingChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
UMG Nashville’s Chris Stapleton has entered the top five this week on both the top country songs and albums chart. His 2015 hit single “Tennessee Whiskey” has taken the No. 5 slot with 5.3 million streams this week and 880 million RTD, while his critically acclaimed 2020 album Starting Over also earned the 5th spot on the country albums chart with 13K streams and 12 million RTD, according to Nielsen.
Luke Combs keeps up his streak at the top of the country song chart for the fourth week in a row with “Forever After All” racking up 9.9 million streams. Nelly & Florida Georgia Line gain 2 spots, rising to second with “Lil Bit” at 6.7 million. Recent CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year winner Dylan Scott jumps up to No. 3 with “Nobody” at 5.7 million, bumping Gabby Barrett‘s “The Good Ones” down to the fourth spot with 5.6 million streams.
Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album remains in its place as the top country album with 50K streams this week and 60 million RTD, according to Nielsen. If I Know Me, Wallen’s 2018 debut album, also holds steady at the fourth spot with 15K streams. Filling out the top 5, Combs maintains his momentum at No. 2 with What You See Is What You Get and No. 3 with This One’s For You at 28K and 18K, respectively.
Toby Keith’s Country Comes To Town Tour Launching June 20
/by Lorie HollabaughToby Keith
Country recording artist Toby Keith is continuing his Country Comes To Town Tour June 20 in Prescott, Arizona after recently launching in California, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. The run will visit over two dozen markets across the country through the end of the year.
The tour name originates from Keith’s hit of the same name which was featured on his How Do You Like Me Now?! album. After adding the track back to the set list on his 2019 That’s Country Bro Tour!, Keith knew that its lyrics were perfect for this newest touring effort. As the song says, “You better be ready when the sun goes down, that’s when country comes to town.”
Keith recently hosted his annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic in Oklahoma. The 16th annual classic in 2019 raised $1.3 million and over the years the event has raised $13.7 million used to build and operate the OK Kids Korral, the cost-free home for families of children being treated at area hospitals.
Toby Keith’s Country Comes to Town Tour:
6/20 – Findlay Toyota Center- Prescott, AZ
6/25 – Country Jam USA – Grand Junction, CO
6/26 – Nebraskaland Days – North Platte, NE
7/10 – Pendleton Whisky Music Festival – Pendleton, OR
7/15 – LaPorte County Fair – LaPorte, IN
7/17 – Meadow Event Park – Doswell, VA
7/30 – Adirondack Bank Center – Utica, NY
7/31 – Summer Stage at Tag’s – Big Flats, NY
8/1 – Orange Motorsports & Ent. – Middletown, NY
8/8 – Jackson County Fair – Jackson, MI
8/13 – Ashley for the Arts – Arcadia, WI
8/14 – First National Bank Arena – Jonesboro, AR
8/15 – Illinois State Fair – Springfield, IL
9/2 – The Great Allentown Fair – Allentown, PA
9/3 – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
9/4 – Bank of NH Pavilion/Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
9/5 – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – Atlantic City, NJ
9/10 – Freedom Fest – Fort Polk, LA
9/18 – Nugget Event Center – Sparks, NV
10/14 – Xtream Arena – Coralville, IA
10/15 – InTrust Bank Arena – Wichita, KS
10/16 – Budweiser Events Center – Loveland, CO
10/17 – Ford Wyoming Center – Casper, WY
10/23 – Laughlin Event Center – Laughlin, NV
12/3 – Hertz Arena – Estero, FL
Stephanie Greene Named President Of Deluge Music
/by Lydia FarthingStephanie Greene
Stephanie Greene has been named President of Deluge Music. She will helm the company’s Nashville office, which boasts a publishing roster that includes Madeline Merlo, Johnny Gates, Jason Saenz, Danny Myrick, Kylie Sackley and Mason Thornley.
Greene joins Deluge Music following tenures as Director of Publishing at My Good Girl Music, VP at Combustion Music, and Creative Director of Chrysalis Music. She will continue to operate her company, Gravity Gone Music, which is currently a joint venture partnership with Deluge Music and Saenz.
“Deluge has fostered an incredible group of songwriters and artists,” shares Greene. “I care about people and their stories. I want to help songwriters grow yet challenge them at the same time. I am very grateful and excited to be a part of this team!”
Mark Friedman, co-founder of Deluge Music, will continue with Deluge as Senior Advisor and be responsible for the company’s activity in Los Angeles.
CRB Raises Royalty Rate For Webcasters
/by LB CantrellOn Friday (June 11), the Copyright Royalty Board announced a royalty rate increase for digital performances of sound recordings over the Internet by nonexempt, noninteractive transmission services—or webcasters like Pandora and SiriusXM.
The ‘Web V’ rate increase for 2021 is $0.0026 per performance on commercial subscription services and $0.0021 per stream for ad-supported non-subscription services. The rates for the period 2022 through 2025 for both subscription and non-subscription services shall be adjusted to reflect the increases or decreases in the Consumer Price Index. Prior to the increase, the rates had been $0.0024 for paid subscription services and $0.0018 for ad-supported services.
Although SoundExchange was aiming for an increase to $0.0031 for paid services and $0.0024 for ad-supported services in the Web V royalty setting proceedings, the organization’s President/CEO Michael Huppe is pleased with the “step forward toward building a healthier music industry.” His full statement is below:
Industry Ink: Rhett Akins & Thomas Rhett, Darryl Worley, ‘Who Knew,’ Mason Lively
/by Lydia FarthingRhett Akins, Thomas Rhett Take Opry Stage Together For First Time Over The Weekend
Thomas Rhett and Rhett Akins. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry welcomed award-winning singer-songwriter Rhett Akins and multi-Platinum selling artist Thomas Rhett for a sold-out show on Saturday, June 12. The night’s performance marked the first-time father and son played the Opry on the same evening and the first time they took the Opry stage to perform together.
Akins performed first with his No. 1 hit “That Ain’t My Truck” and also entertained the crowd with the No. 1 song he wrote for Opry member Blake Shelton, “Boys ‘Round Here.” Rhett followed with several of his hits including “Die A Happy Man,” his current single “Country Again,” and “Sixteen.”
“Do y’all understand how freakin’ cool this is right here? We are going to play a song we wrote together. It’s the first single off my latest album,” shared Rhett from the stage. Akins added, “This is unbelievable. You were over there [pointing to side of stage] at two years old watching me play. We’ve written songs in the kitchen since you were eight years old and now we are singing one we wrote together on the Grand Ole Opry that went to No. 1!”
Darryl Worley, Leatherwood Distillery Partner For 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Darryl Worley
Country recording artist Darryl Worley has partnered with veteran-owned and operated Leatherwood Distillery to launch a limited-edition spirits line to help raise money and awareness for veteran and military organizations on the heels of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
“I am excited to be working with Andy Lang and the folks at Leatherwood Distillery on this project,” shares Worley. “Andy is a special forces veteran, and we will never know what all those guys had to endure while serving our country. Helping raise money and awareness for their charity is something I feel very passionate about and it is truly an honor to have an opportunity to work with these quiet professionals.”
Leatherwood Distillery will be creating 2021 bottles of Darryl Worley Bourbon, Darryl Worley Rye Whiskey, and Darryl Worley Sweet Feed Whiskey as well as 2021 bottles of Have You Forgotten Darryl Worley Moonshine in Peach, Apple Pie, and Elderberry flavors. The liquor will ship in August 2021, however, with limited bottles available, a pre-sale is being offered to reserve your bottle(s) and help support the charities.
“Darryl is the perfect promotional partner for this endeavor as we are coming upon the 20th anniversary of the horrific tragedy of 9/11 and his song ‘Have You Forgotten’ really makes us think of how many have forgotten what took place that day,” adds Lang, President of Leatherwood Distillery. “September 11 is nothing to celebrate, it’s a time to remember how all our lives changed and those who lost their lives for no reason.”
Rendy Lovelady, Craig Campbell To Host Who Knew The Smartest Person In The Room Webinar
Industry professionals Rendy Lovelady and Craig Campbell will host Who Knew The Smartest People In The Room. The free event will take place on Tuesday, June 15 at 3:00 p.m. CST. To register, click here.
Lovelady has worn several hats throughout his time in the music industry, including rock tour manager, artist manager, and festival producer. His latter role will be the focus of this session as he discusses his recent success with the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam which took place June 4-6 and was the largest event to return since the COVID-19 pandemic forced tours and events to be postponed worldwide.
Campbell is the CEO of Campbell Entertainment Group, which includes managing the careers of numerous artists as well as driving PR and publicity for artists and companies. With an impressive network of connections throughout the industry, he will lead a discussion with Lovelady about what’s next for live music post-pandemic.
Red 11 Music Signs Booking Agreement With Mason Lively
Mason Lively
Mason Lively has signed an exclusive booking agreement with Red 11 Music, with Geoff Turner as his responsible agent.
Growing up in Victoria, Texas, Lively’s early music influences span from John Mayer and Jack Johnson to Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green and Wade Bowen. This blend has helped Lively develop a unique sound with clever lyrics, warm vocals, and dynamic live performances.
Lively released his 2018 debut album Stronger Ties and began to build a steady touring schedule, including performances with artists like Parker McCollum, Lee Brice, Randy Rogers Band and Jon Pardi. After releasing his self-titled second album in March of 2021, Lively has continued to gain fans and grow an audience.
Ben Johnson Hits Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellSongwriter Ben Johnson is No. 9 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with Hardy’s “Give Heaven Some Hell” and Dierks Bentley’s “Gone” fueling his rise.
Corey Crowder remains at No. 1 on the chart for the third 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 top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart remain the same this week, with Jesse Frasure at No. 2, Ashley Gorley at No. 3, Nicolle Galyon at No. 4, and Zach Crowell at No. 5.
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.
Brooks & Dunn Announce New Dates For Reboot 2021 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughBrooks & Dunn have relaunched their Reboot 2021 tour with seven new dates and a slate of rescheduled shows. Special guests Travis Tritt and Elvie Shane will join the duo on the new run.
The tour is named after the duo’s 2019collaboration project Reboot, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. The impressive feat marks the first time Brooks & Dunn has topped the album charts since 2009 while simultaneously earning the duo their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history. Following the release of Reboot, they were nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Duo/ Group Performance for their collaboration with Luke Combs on “Brand New Man” on the album and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the Modern Era Artist category in 2019.
The Reboot Tour marks the duo’s first nationwide tour in ten years and will kick off Sept. 2 in Indianapolis’s Ruoff Music Center with stops along the way in Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas, and more. The trek will wrap up at The Wharf Amphitheater on Oct. 9 in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Tickets for the new dates go on sale starting June 18 at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. For rescheduled shows, all previously purchased tickets will be honored and are also available for purchase now.
Reboot Tour Dates:
9/2 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
9/3 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/4 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center^
9/9 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
9/10 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater^
9/11 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center^
9/16 – Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion^
9/17 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center^
9/18 – Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre^
9/23 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
9/24 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
9/30 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
10/1 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
10/2 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
10/7 – Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre^*
10/8 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/9 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
^New Dates | *Travis Tritt and TBA Artist
Rhett Akins, Brad Paisley, Shania Twain Among 2021 Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees
/by Lydia FarthingThe Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has announced the 12 nominees for the class of 2021. Eight of these nominees are for the Songwriters category, while the remaining four are for the Songwriter/Artist category.
Nominees in the Songwriters category are Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Mary Ann Kennedy, David Malloy, Frank J. Myers, and Tia Sillers. Nominees in the Songwriter/Artists category are Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Shania Twain, and Phil Vassar.
All nominees experienced their first Top 20 song at least 20 years ago. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected in these categories by their professional songwriter peers and members of the Hall of Fame. In addition, two more will be named to the Class of 2021. A separate body of veteran voters will elect a veteran songwriter and a veteran songwriter/artist, both of whom experienced their first Top 20 song at least 30 years ago. As part of that process, nominees in those categories are not announced.
The new group will be among those honored at the “50/51” Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, November 1, 2021, at the Music City Center alongside the organization’s previously named Class of 2020: Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham.
“We were forced to postpone our 50th Anniversary celebration last year, so this will be our ‘50/51’ party—celebrating two years and two classes in a special double-sized event,” says NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. “We congratulate all of this year’s nominees and look forward to next month, when we will announce those who will be inducted as members of the Class of 2021.”
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2021 NOMINEES:
Category 1 – SONGWRITERS
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 Record. As an artist, Akins 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, he 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 Shelton with Pistol Annies & Friends. Akins also wrote “All Over Me” by Josh Turner (the 2011 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Honey Bee” by 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 Rhett (the 2014 ASCAP Country Song of the Year). Akins 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, and 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 Cannon’s songs, including the chart-topping “I Believe In You.” Throughout his career, Cannon’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. His 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 Strait was named the 2007 ACM Song & Single of the Year and also the 2007 CMA Song of the Year.
LARRY CORDLE
Larry Cordle was raised in eastern Kentucky, where he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. He scored his first hit in 1983 when Ricky Skaggs topped the charts with “Highway 40 Blues.” Two years later, Cordle moved to Nashville and began creating a catalog that includes “Heartbreak Hurricane” by Skaggs, “Honky Tonk Crowd” by John Anderson, “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray For Me” by Diamond Rio, “Against The Grain” by Garth Brooks and “Hollywood Squares” by George Strait. “Lonesome Standard Time,” by his band of the same name, was the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year, as well as a country hit for Kathy Mattea. “Murder On Music Row,” also by Lonesome Standard Time, was the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year and the 2001 SPBGMA Song of the Year. The following year, the country version by Strait & Alan Jackson was named the 2001 CMA Song of the Year. “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, was named the 2018 IBMA Song of the Year. He was named the 2001, 2019 and 2020 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. In 2015, Cordle was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
CARL JACKSON
Carl Jackson was born in the small town of Louisville, Mississippi. By age 8, he was well on his way to being an accomplished musician, and by age 14, he was invited to play banjo in Jim and Jesse McReynolds’s band. Five years later, Jackson joined Glen Campbell’s band. During that time, he began to concentrate on songwriting. Among his diverse catalog of songs, Jackson has bluegrass hits such as “Comet Ride” by Ricky Skaggs and “Run Mississippi” by Rhonda Vincent; Gospel hits such as “It’s Not What You Know (It’s Who You Know)” by The Whites; and country hits such as “(Love Always) Letter To Home” by Glen Campbell, “No Future In The Past” by Vince Gill, “Put Yourself In My Place” by Pam Tillis, “Breaking New Ground” by Wild Rose and his own “Dixie Train.” “Little Mountain Church House” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver was named the 1990 IBMA Song of the Year. “Where Shadows Never Fall” by Campbell & Kelly Nelon Thompson earned the 1991 GMA Dove Award for Best Southern Gospel Song. Jackson was named the 1998 and 2000 SPBGMA Songwriter of the Year. He was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2006.
MARY ANN KENNEDY
Mary Ann Kennedy hails from Muskego, Wisconsin, where she grew up singing in school choirs and performing in her family’s band. After college graduation, she taught junior high school choral music for two years before deciding to move to Nashville in 1978. A few years later, she was signed to a record deal as part of the all-female group Calamity Jane and also saw her first hit as a songwriter – 1982’s “Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands” by Lee Greenwood (later a hit for Reba McEntire in 1996). By 1983, Kennedy and frequent co-writer Pam Rose left Calamity Jane to form Kennedy Rose. The duo recorded a pair of albums for Sting’s Pangea Records label and toured with him in the early 1990s. Beyond the duo, Kennedy’s catalog includes songs such as “Dixie Road” by Greenwood, “Me Against The Night” by Crystal Gayle, “Safe In The Arms Of Love” by Martina McBride, “You Will” by Patty Loveless, “A Little Bit Closer” by Tom Wopat and “He’s Letting Go” by Baillie & The Boys. Janie Fricke hit with “Somebody Else’s Fire” and “The First Word In Memory Is Me.” “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart was named the 1988 ASCAP Country Song of the Year.
DAVID MALLOY
California native David Malloy moved with his family from Los Angeles to Nashville at age 13. The son of an award-winning recording engineer, Malloy took his first guitar lesson at 15 and immediately knew that he wanted to write and produce music for a living. After a pair of early singles by Sammi Smith and Carmol Taylor, his first major success as a songwriter came through his collaboration with Eddie Rabbitt and Even Stevens. Together, the trio wrote and produced classic chart-topping hits for Rabbitt such as “Drivin’ My Life Away,” “I Love A Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” “Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight,” “Gone Too Far” and “You Can’t Run From Love.” Rabbitt’s “Suspicions” (also a hit for Tim McGraw in 2008) was BMI’s 1980 Country Song of the Year. “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers was named ASCAP’s 1983 Country Song of the Year. Other hits from Malloy’s catalog include “Real Love” by Dolly Parton & Rogers and “One Honest Heart” by Reba McEntire.
FRANK J. MYERS
Frank J. Myers grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His father, a champion fiddle player and singer, taught Myers to play the guitar. By age 14, he had formed a band with his brother and was featured on Porter Wagoner’s TV show. In 1981, Myers moved to Nashville, where he was hired by Eddy Raven as a guitar player – later becoming Raven’s band leader and road manager. During that time, he co-wrote 10 Top 10 singles for Raven, including “Bayou Boys,” “I Got Mexico” and “Sometimes A Lady.” In 1982, Myers’ “You And I” became a hit for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. Other hits from his catalog include “My Front Porch Looking In” by Lonestar, “Come In Out Of The Pain” by Doug Stone and “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. The John Michael Montgomery version of “I Swear” earned a slew of awards — the 1994 Grammy for Best Country Song, 1994 ACM Song and Single of the Year, 1994 CMA Single of the Year, 1995 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, and 1994 NSAI Song of the Year — with the All 4 One version topping the pop chart for 11 consecutive weeks. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar was the 2002 ASCAP Country Song of the Year and the 2002 BMI Country Song of the Year. “Tomorrow” by Chris Young was the 2011 SESAC Country Song of the Year.
TIA SILLERS
Growing up in Nashville, Tia Sillers became hooked on songwriting as a high-school student when she attended her first songwriters round. Years later her first publishing deal yielded “Lipstick Promises” by George Ducas in 1995. Also that year, Kenny Wayne Shepherd made her “Deja Voodoo” a Top 10 rock hit. Three years later, Shepherd delivered a No. 1 rock hit with “Blue On Black,” which earned the 1998 Billboard Music Award for Rock Track of the Year. The song was re-recorded in 2019 by Five Finger Death Punch with Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert & Brian May. In 2008, Sillers’ co-written “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack with The Sons of the Desert became a chart-topping multi-genre smash that earned the 2000 Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as the 2000 ACM Song and Single of the Year, the 2000 CMA Song and Single of the Year, the 2001 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, the 2001 BMI Country Song of the Year, and the 2000-2001 NSAI Song of the Year. Other notable songs from her catalog include “Land Of The Living” by Pam Tillis, “There’s Your Trouble” by the The Chicks, “I Cry” by Tammy Cochran, “That’d Be Alright” by Alan Jackson, “A Joyful Noise” by Jo Dee Messina and “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love” by Trisha Yearwood.
Category 2 – SONGWRITER/ARTISTS
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 Keith’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. 1 songs 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). In 2015, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.
BRAD PAISLEY
Brad Paisley was born and raised in Glen Dale, West Virginia. He received his first guitar from his grandfather, who taught him to play at eight years old. At age 13, Paisley wrote his first song, which he performed publicly and eventually led him to an eight-year stint performing on Wheeling’s Jamboree USA. After high-school graduation and two years at West Liberty State College, he was awarded a fully paid ASCAP scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where he majored in music business. A week after graduating from Belmont, Paisley signed as a writer with EMI Music Publishing. Following cuts by David Kersh, David Ball, and Tracy Byrd, he signed with Arista Nashville and soon began to record his own songs. As an artist, he has placed 33 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 15 No. 1s and 14 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity,” “Ticks,” “Letter To Me,” “Then,” “This Is Country Music,” “Water,” and his duet with Carrie Underwood “Remind Me.” Paisley was ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. He was NSAI’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
SHANIA TWAIN
Shania Twain was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When she was two, she moved with her family to Timmins, Ontario. During high school, she began writing songs and fronting a local cover band. After graduation, she toured Ontario with another band before returning home in 1987 to care for her younger siblings after their parents died in a car accident. A few years later she was signed to Mercury Nashville. Since the release of her debut album in 1993, Twain has placed 22 self-penned Top 20 songs on the Billboard charts, including 7 No. 1 songs and 8 more in the Top 10. Among those compositions are “You’re Still The One” (1998 Grammy for Best Country Song and 1999 BMI Country Song of the Year), “Come On Over” (1999 Grammy for Best Country Song) and “Forever And For Always” (2004 BMI Country Song of the Year), along with “You’ve Got A Way,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!,” “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “No One Needs To Know,” “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!,” “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Twain was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, as well as BMI’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year and 2000 Country Songwriter of the Year. She was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
PHIL VASSAR
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his college years, he began playing piano and singing in local clubs. Moving to Nashville to pursue music, he found the going slow for several years until 1997 when some of his initial songs were recorded by BlackHawk, Skip Ewing, and The Sons of the Desert. Then in 1998, Vassar’s songs started gaining traction as singles for a variety of artists. During the next two years, he garnered six chart-topping hits from Collin Raye, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina (including the No. 1 “Bye, Bye”) and Tim McGraw (including the No. 1 “My Next Thirty Years”). During that time, he was named NSAI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP’s 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. In late 1999, he signed a record deal with Arista Nashville. Released the following year, his debut album generated the self-penned hits “Carlene,” “Rose Bouquet,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “That’s When I Love You” and “Just Another Day In Paradise,” Vassar’s first No. 1 as an artist. Propelled by that success, he was named ASCAP’s 2001 Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year. Other hits by Vassar as an artist include “American Child,” “In A Real Love” and “Last Day Of My Life.” He was named NSAI’s 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year.
River House Artists Ups Zebb Luster To VP/General Manager
/by Lydia FarthingZebb Luster. Photo: Acacia Evans
River House Artists (RHA) has announced the promotion of Zebb Luster to VP/General Manager, effective immediately.
River House Artists is a Nashville-based label, publishing, management and artist development company led by industry veteran Lynn Oliver-Cline and boasts a roster including Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Nicolette Hayford, Drew Parker, Jameson Rodgers, Jordan Rowe, Southerland, Driver Williams, Billy Strings and more.
Luster, who previously served as creative director, has been with the company since 2017 and was RHA’s first hire. In Luster’s newly created role, he will be responsible for assisting CEO Oliver-Cline in label services and overseeing the company’s artist development, management and publishing roster.
“I am so grateful to find an executive like Zebb who is as passionate about River House and our amazing artists and writers as I am. He not only super serves them, but is there for our young and talented team every day as well,” shares Oliver-Cline. “Thank you, Zebb, for believing. Congrats on being the first employee four years ago, to now accepting your new role as the VP/GM!”
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida, Luster moved to Nashville in 2015 and started the lifestyle and apparel brand YNOT, morphing into the largely successful songwriters round YNOT Wednesday. Luster joined River House Artists as a publishing manager in 2017 before being promoted to creative director/A&R in 2019. Luster has helped grow the RHA roster by helping sign songwriters like Hayford, Williams, Parker, Rowe, Neil Medley and more.
“When I moved to Nashville six years ago, being a music executive was my dream. I had the drive and the passion, but I couldn’t have even dreamt up the path God had planned for me. I owe everything to Lynn Oliver-Cline because she saw something in me early on and gave me an unmatched opportunity to learn and grow,” shares Luster. “The RHA team works harder than anyone I know and we are all following Lynn’s ‘super serve’ mentality that has proven to be successful. Being at River House has been a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.”