After winning the ACM and CMA Song of the Year award, Maren Morris and her co-writers have taken home the title at the BMI Pop Awards.
The crossover hit, written by BMI affiliates Morris and Laura Veltz along with Jimmy Robbins (ASCAP), appeared on Morris’ sophomore album, Girl, and climbed to the number 12 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.
This is the first BMI Pop Award for the Morris and Veltz, who already have a combined total of 14 BMI Country Awards between them.
The co-writers were celebrated at the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, held virtually today (May 10). The company recognized the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms.
Pop star Halsey was named Songwriter of the Year for having written four of the previous year’s most performed songs including “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” “Be Kind,” and “You Should Be Sad.” With this award, Halsey earns her tenth BMI Pop Award after receiving accolades for Song of The Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.
Sony Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for the ninth time for representing 24 of the top 50 award-winning BMI Pop songs including hits “3 Nights,” “Boyfriend,” “My Oh My,” “Roses,” and “The Man.”
BMI also honored the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the 50 most-performed pop songs of the previous year. This year’s class of recipients included a record 59 first-time Pop Award winners such as BENEE, Edgar Barrera, Doja Cat, Trevor Daniel, Metro Boomin, Noah Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, SAINt JHN, JP Saxe and more.
Hits like “10,000 Hours” co-written by Jessie Jo Dillon and Shay Mooney, “I Hope” co-written by Gabby Barrett and Zach Kale, “Bang!” written and performed by AJR, Dua Lipa’s infectious dance anthem “Don’t Start Now” co-written by Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, and Taylor Swift’s “Lover” were also among the songs being recognized.
Read the full list of winners from 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards here.
Fox Orders Country Music Drama ‘Monarch’ To Series
/by Lydia FarthingFox has handed a series order to Monarch, formerly known as the ‘Untitled Country Music Dynasty’ drama from writer Melissa London Hilfers, Deadline has reported.
Michael Rauch (Instinct, Royal Pains) will act as showrunner and executive producer for the series. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady will executive produce alongside Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen (Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves). According to Deadline, Owen’s clients and friends are expected to be appearing and performing on the show.
Monarch, which was teased late last fall, is described as a ‘Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music.’ The show marks the first live-action scripted series fully owned by Fox, since the sale of 20th Television to Disney.
‘The Bones’ Wins Song Of The Year At The BMI Pop Awards
/by LB CantrellAfter winning the ACM and CMA Song of the Year award, Maren Morris and her co-writers have taken home the title at the BMI Pop Awards.
The crossover hit, written by BMI affiliates Morris and Laura Veltz along with Jimmy Robbins (ASCAP), appeared on Morris’ sophomore album, Girl, and climbed to the number 12 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.
This is the first BMI Pop Award for the Morris and Veltz, who already have a combined total of 14 BMI Country Awards between them.
The co-writers were celebrated at the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, held virtually today (May 10). The company recognized the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms.
Pop star Halsey was named Songwriter of the Year for having written four of the previous year’s most performed songs including “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” “Be Kind,” and “You Should Be Sad.” With this award, Halsey earns her tenth BMI Pop Award after receiving accolades for Song of The Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.
Sony Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for the ninth time for representing 24 of the top 50 award-winning BMI Pop songs including hits “3 Nights,” “Boyfriend,” “My Oh My,” “Roses,” and “The Man.”
BMI also honored the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the 50 most-performed pop songs of the previous year. This year’s class of recipients included a record 59 first-time Pop Award winners such as BENEE, Edgar Barrera, Doja Cat, Trevor Daniel, Metro Boomin, Noah Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, SAINt JHN, JP Saxe and more.
Hits like “10,000 Hours” co-written by Jessie Jo Dillon and Shay Mooney, “I Hope” co-written by Gabby Barrett and Zach Kale, “Bang!” written and performed by AJR, Dua Lipa’s infectious dance anthem “Don’t Start Now” co-written by Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, and Taylor Swift’s “Lover” were also among the songs being recognized.
Read the full list of winners from 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards here.
Peermusic Nashville Adds Lee Greenwood To Publishing Roster
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Kendall Lettow, Creative Manager, Peermusic Nashville; Lee Greenwood; Michael Knox, SVP Peermusic Nashville; and Matt Michiels, Senior Creative Director, Peermusic Nashville. Photo: Jeremy Westby.
Peermusic Nashville has signed legendary artist and songwriter Lee Greenwood to an exclusive global music publishing deal. Greenwood has scored seven No. 1 country hits and, through this new deal, Peermusic will administer some of his most iconic songs, including the classic “God Bless The U.S.A.”
“Peermusic has had a special relationship with country music since it was founded, so adding a songwriter of Lee Greenwood’s stature to our roster is a truly special accomplishment for everyone here. Lee could obviously have his pick of publishers, so we’re thrilled he chose to sign with Peermusic,” says President & COO of Peermusic, Kathy Spanberger.
“It’s an honor to be a part of Mr. Greenwood’s legendary catalog,” says SVP Peermusic Nashville, Michael Knox. “It was exciting enough watching from the outside looking in, and now I get to be inside the circle with the real deal, a legend.”
“It’s important to me to have a publisher who will support my music and help me continue to share it with the world, and after getting to know Kathy, Michael and their team I know that they will. Peermusic has a long history with country music and I’m glad to now be a part of it,” says Greenwood.
Since beginning his career in the 1960s, Greenwood’s catalog features twenty-two studio albums and seven No. 1 hits, including “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going, Going, Gone,” “Dixie Road,” and “Mornin’ Ride.” He has earned multiple awards, including a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance for “I.O.U.” in 1985.
Greenwood’s stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), making it the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It also reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after 9/11.
Brandy Clark, Jimmy Robbins To Be Honored For Their Dedication To Music Education
/by Lorie HollabaughHosted by Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT, the evening will feature performances by Maddie & Tae, Lori McKenna, Jon Nite, and more. Special guest appearances include last year’s honorees, Ross Copperman and Nicolle Galyon, as well Mark Brown and Jessie Jo Dillon.
Attendees and viewers will have the opportunity to hear directly from teachers and students who have benefited from Save The Music and SongFarm.org’s programs. Funds raised will help jumpstart music technology programs in underserved high schools in Clark’s and Robbins’ hometowns in Washington, North Carolina, and Nashville. Hometown To Hometown sponsors include CMT, Gibson Gives, Victrola, and Warner Music Group.
Visit savethemusic.org for tickets and more information.
Bobby Bones Maps Out Plans For Inaugural Bobbyfest This September
/by Lorie HollabaughRadio and TV personality Bobby Bones’ musical comedy band Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots has announced its inaugural Bobbyfest will take place September 4 and 5 in New Braunfels, Texas and Wichita, Kansas, respectively.
The family-friendly music festival will feature The Raging Idiots headlining both evenings with special guests Russell Dickerson and Maddie & Tae as part of the musical lineup. More event details will be revealed over the coming weeks, and tickets for both dates are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
The band’s latest project, Award Winning EP, will be available on May 14 with the lead track, “Can’t Say That (In A Country Song)” featuring Jon Pardi, is available now. Later this month, Bones’ new travel TV series Breaking Bobby Bones is slated to debut with two back-to-back episodes on May 31 on National Geographic. He is also currently the official in-house mentor on ABC’s American Idol, with new episodes airing Sundays and Mondays at 7 p.m. CST.
Kenna Turner West Extends Relationship With Curb|Word Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Curb|Word Music Publishing VP Christian A&R, Publishing Jonathan Mason; Kenna Turner West; Curb| Word Music Publishing Senior Director Publishing, A&R Trevor Mathiesen
Kenna Turner West is extending her publishing agreement with Curb|Word Music.
Over the last two decades, West has cowritten songs such as “Say Amen,” “Revival,” and “Even Me,” and has over 100 Song Of The Year nominations, 25 Song Of The Year wins, and eight BMI Awards to her credit. The multi Dove award-winning songwriter has also penned songs on projects by Jason Crabb and Lady A’s Hillary Scott. West also recently released her debut single as a Crossroads Label Group recording artist, “Calling All Prodigals,” which is currently rising on the charts. The full project, A Reason For Hope, is slated for release this summer.
“When I look back over the years and see what God has done with the songs He’s given us, it’s truly humbling. All I have wanted to do since I committed my life to Christ is to find creative ways to communicate the gospel—and He continues to allow me to do just that. Sometimes it’s through singing or teaching, and sometimes it’s through writing,” says West. “Since everything I am comes together around music, it’s a total joy for me to partner with the amazing team at Curb|Word Music Publishing. It really is a great place to call home as a songwriter.”
Curb | Word Music Publishing VP of Christian A&R and Publishing, Jonathan Mason, says, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Kenna here at Curb | Word Music Publishing. To work with someone who has such a deep musical heritage alongside her own personal track record of success across multiple genres inspires us all.”
Zac Brown Band To Hit The Road This Summer On The Comeback Tour
/by Lydia FarthingZac Brown Band’s long-awaited return to the road has come to an end with the announcement of 2021’s The Comeback Tour, running from August 5 through October 17.
The 23-city run will bring the band to some of the nation’s most storied venues including Boston’s Fenway Park, Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania, Ohio’s Riverbend Music Center, and Nashville’s famed Bridgestone Arena. Teddy Swims, Adam Doleac, Gabby Barrett, Devin Dawson and Ashland Craft will also be accompanying the band at various points along the tour.
“We couldn’t be more excited to get back out on the road and share our new music with our fans,” says Brown. “It’s been a long, difficult year for everyone and we’re fired up to be reuniting with our crew, get back on tour, and celebrate a brand new world.”
Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 14 at 12 p.m. local time at ZacBrownBand.com. Zac Brown Band fan club members will have priority pre-sale ticket access beginning Tuesday, May 11 at 12 p.m. local time.
Dan + Shay Announce Rescheduled Tour Dates To Kick Off In September
/by Lydia FarthingDan + Shay. Photo: Catherine Powell.
Three-time consecutive Grammy Award-winning duo Dan + Shay are gearing up to get back on the road with Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour kicking off September 9 in Greenville, SC.
The trek will continue to over thirty stops before concluding on December 7 in Boston, MA and includes a show at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on September 16. Additionally, two new shows were announced – October 15 in Los Angeles, CA at Staples Center and October 16 in San Diego, CA at Pechanga Arena.
Alternative pop rockers The Band Camino and 3x Grammy nominee and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress will join The (Arena) Tour as special guests for all dates. Pre-sales for those shows begin today, May 10 at 12 p.m. CST, with general on sale for all tickets beginning Friday, May 14 at 12 p.m. CST.
The tour, presented by AEG Presents, marks the duo’s first ever headlining arena trek which officially kicked off in March of 2020 with three consecutive sold-out shows at more than 40,000 tickets sold – two back-to-back in Nashville and another in Columbus, OH.
The tour was rescheduled due to COVID-19. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for new, rescheduled dates. Tickets for all other dates and more information is available at http://www.danandshay.com.
Meghan Patrick Announces New Album ‘Heart On My Glass’
/by Lydia FarthingBack-to-back CCMA Female Artist of the Year and 15-time CMA Ontario winning country artist Meghan Patrick has announced that her third studio album, Heart On My Glass, will be released on June 25 via Riser House Records.
To celebrate the announcement, Patrick surprised fans last week with the release of “Mama Prayed For,” the latest single from the 10-song collection. Written by Patrick with James McNair (Luke Combs, Hardy, Keith Urban) and Ben Stennis (Tim McGraw, Ronnie Dunn), the track is sung from a rough-around-the-edges woman accepting that she might not be every mother’s dream girl for their son.
The song follows Patrick’s “Never Giving Up On You,” which landed on several playlists like Spotify’s Wild Country and Next From Nashville, Amazon’s Introducing Country, Pandora’s Rising Women In Country, Apple Music’s New In Country, Country Risers and more.
Heart On My Glass Track Listing:
1. Heart On My Glass – Meghan Patrick, Sam Sumser, Michael Lotten, Sean Small
2. Goes Good With Beer – Patrick, Joey Hyde, Adam Craig
3. My First Car – Patrick, Hyde, Craig
4. Never Giving Up On You – Patrick, Victoria Banks, Karen Kosowski
5. Mama Prayed For – Patrick, James McNair, Ben Stennis
6. Better Story – Patrick, Blake Bollinger, Phil Barton
7. Where You Drink – Patrick, Brent Anderson, Jake Mitchell
8. Cool About It – Patrick, Carly Barlowe, Corey Crowder
9. Belong In Boots – Patrick, Hyde, Fancy Hagood
10. Liar Too – Patrick, Brian Davis, Ben Simonetti
Noah Hicks Signs With RED Creative Group
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): RED Creative Group VP of Publishing Taylor Lamb; RED Creative Group Owner Jeremy Stover; Noah Hicks; Red Creative Records General Manager John Cantu. Photo: Courtesy of RED Creative Group
Noah Hicks has signed an exclusive publishing, label, and development deal with RED Creative Group. The 22 year-old’s debut single for the label, “No More of ‘Em,” a duet with songwriter Rhett Akins, is set for release this Friday, May 14.
A Carrollton, Georgia native, Hicks quickly made a name for himself in Nashville as a promising writer and performer, and his musical talent and high-energy live shows initially caught the attention of RED Creative Group’s Taylor Lamb, who was recently promoted to Vice President of Publishing. “No More of ‘Em” (produced by Will Bundy and Jeremy Stover) kicks off a series of releases that Hicks has coined ‘Shot & Chaser’ – two back-to-back songs released simultaneously. (The follow-up single “Miss You Back,” produced by Paul DiGiovanni and Jeremy Stover, is due out May 28).
“Noah’s the real deal,” says Jeremy Stover, owner of RED Creative Group. “The energy and raw talent he brings to every writer’s room and every stage is next level. We’re proud to have him at RED Creative. We’re not knocking on doors, we’re about to kick some down.”
“RED Creative felt like home the second I walked in for my first meeting,” says Hicks of signing with RED. “Working with Jeremy and the team is a dream come true. I love their creativity, work ethic, and ability to move mountains. It’s going to be a fun year and we’re just getting started.”