DISClaimer Single Reviews: Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Lauren Alaina & Jon Pardi

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Marty Stuart brings home Disc of the Day honors for “One In A Row.”

It’s country stars old and new in today’s DISClaimer column.

Despite the presence of such hot “today” acts as Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi, Brett Young, Justin Moore and Jameson Rodgers, it’s the established legends who carry the day.

Ruling the roost are Reba McEntire, Mark Collie, Joe Nichols, Terri Clark and our Disc of the Day winner—and new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee—Marty Stuart. Singing a Willie Nelson song, no less.

Everyone here has been making records for years, so we have no DISCovery Award to give.

ADAM DOLEAC / “Coulda Loved You Longer”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Casey Brown/Jesse Lee Levin; Producer: Andy Skib; Label: Arista
—Finger-snapping pop, heavy on the groove and light on the lyric.

MARK COLLIE / “The Son of a Gun”
Writers: Mark Collie/Jonathan Hensleigh; Producer: Chad Cromwell/Kenny Greenberg/Mark Collie; Label: MC
—Dramatic and forceful, this poetic outing salutes the courageous individuals who have stood their ground, been true to themselves and lived wild and free. The video salutes war veterans.

BRETT YOUNG / “Not Yet”
Writers: Brett Young, Justin Ebach, Kelly Archer; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG
—We’re in familiar Brett-romance territory here. As always, professional and listenable, if not exactly ground breaking.

KIP MOORE / “Good Life”
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Jay Joyce; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: MCA Nashville
—Very cool sounding. The rump-shaking rhythms and double-tracked, spoken/shouted/sung vocals on this jam add dandy new textures to this artist’s sound. Get up and bop around the room.

ASHLEY MONROE / “Groove”
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Ashley Monroe/Mikey Reaves; Producer: Mikey Reaves; Label: Mountainrose
—The stacked vocal harmonies in this lustrous production are lovely. The single continues this former country standout’s exploration of the pop-music landscape.

JUSTIN MOORE / “Straight Outta the Country”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Cam Montgomery/Josh Thompson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Label: Valory
—It’s the one with the rock guitars about the hard-working redneck party boy out in the sticks. Been here. Done that. Bought the t-shirt.

JOE NICHOLS / “Home Run”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Dallas Davidson/Ross Copperman; Producers: Mickey Jack Cones/Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
—He remains a superb country singer. It’s almost baseball season, but despite its title, this irresistibly rhythmic tune isn’t about that. It’s about doing a run back to your family, your roots, your innocence and your home. Well worth your spins.

JAMESON RODGERS / “In It for the Money”
Writers: Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell/Hunger Phelps/Brent Anderson; Producers: Chris Farren/Jake Mitchell; Label: Columbia/River House
—This is the title tune of the new EP by this shooting star, and it’s a doozy. His soulful rasp is effectively applied to this terrific lyric about what life is like as a country troubadour. The collection also includes “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” “Good Dogs” and “Some Girls.” Get it now.

REBA McENTIRE / “Somehow You Do”
Writers: Diane Warren; Producer: Tony Brown; Label: Rockin’ R/UMG
—In this slow-waltz ballad, Reba offers balm and comfort to people everywhere who are suffering and struggling in grief, difficulty, tough times and loss. Powerful stuff.

TERRI CLARK / “The Highway”
Writer: Holly Williams; Producer: Terri Clark; Label: Baretrack
—She yearns for the road. Don’t we all? Nicely written and performed with sincerity.

LAUREN ALAINA & JON PARDI / “Getting Over Him”
Writers: Emily Lynn Weisband/Lauren Alaina Suddeth/Paul Charles Digiovanni; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Mercury
—A rollicking duet about using a no-strings hookup as a remedy for heartbreak. Full of personality.

MARTY STUART / “One In a Row”
Writers: Willie Nelson; Producer: none listed; Label: MS
—Gorgeous. Marty takes this Willie gem into a Latin realm with swirls of strings, guitars and keyboards. His umber shaded baritone vocal is given just a touch of echo to make the whole thing even more compelling. The track is from Songs I Sing in the Dark, a stunning new collection by this new Country Music Hall of Famer. Also check out his timely remake of “Ready for the Times to Get Better.”

Craig Wiseman, John Titta, Gadi Oron Set For AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit 

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers has announced the first set of speakers for its AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit, taking place online June 7-9, 2021.

The Summit will be headlined by keynotes from songwriter, producer, and Big Loud founder Craig Wiseman in conversation with musician, publisher, and ASCAP Executive Vice President of Membership John Titta on June 7, and Gadi Oron, Director General of CISAC, will speak on June 9.

In addition, two powerhouse panels will bring together the heads of publishing and music rights organizations in the U.S. and abroad. The “U.S. Alliance” panel will include David Israelite, President and CEO, NMPA; Mitch Glazer, Chairman and CEO, RIAA; Richard Burgess, CEO, A2IM; Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI; Michael Lau; and moderator Portia Sabin, President, Music Biz.

The International Alliance panel will include Margaret McGuffin, CEO, Music Publishers Canada; Annette Barrett, President/Chair of the Board, IMPF; Will Kreth, EIDR/DDEX; and Teri Nelson Carpenter; moderated by Ger Hatton, Principal, Hatton.eu.

The perennial Indie Perspective panel will also return this year with Mike Molinar, General Manager, Big Machine Music; Kathy Spanberger, COO, peermusic; Jim Selby, Chief Publishing Executive, Concord Music; Neil Gillis, President, Round Hill Music; and John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter/Reservoir. More speakers and panels will be announced in the coming weeks.

The event will span three days, kicking off with Creator Day on June 7, followed by Business of Publishing on June 8, and wrapping with International Day on June 9.

Registration for the 2021 AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit is open at aimpsummit.com, with a rate of $139 for AIMP members and $199 for non-members, and single day passes available for $79 per day.

Sony Fiscal Year Report Shows Streaming Growth

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Click to enlarge.

This week Sony Group Corporation announced its financial statements and consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

The music division of the media and electronics giant saw fiscal year 2020 sales increase 11 percent year-over-year to 939.9 billion yen (approx. $8.63 billion), primarily due to the growth of streaming revenue and Demon Slayer–Kimetsu no Yaiba–the Movie: Mugen Train, which was a blockbuster hit.

Sales for Recorded Music increased mainly due to an increase in revenues from streaming services, which were up approximately 22 percent year-over-year.

Sales for Visual Media and Platform increased mainly due to an uptick in sales for the anime business (Demon Slayer) and an increase in revenues for mobile game applications.

Operating income increased a significant 45.7 billion yen ($419 million) year-over-year to 188.1 billion yen ($1.7 billion), largely due to the impact of the increased sales and the recording of one-time gains from the transfer of businesses. See the full report here.

 

Dallas Davidson Doubles Down, Launches Play It Again Music Group

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Pictured top row (L-R): Ryan Dokke, CEO, Play It Again Music Group; Erin Kidd, Creative Dir., Double Down Music; Bottom row (L-R): Lauren Lieu, Creative Dir., Double Down Music; Cade Price, Dir., Streaming & Creative Content at PIA Entertainment

Hit songwriter and publisher Dallas Davidson has established Play It Again Music Group as a full-service music company housing his longtime PIA Publishing and label/artist management and development division PIA Entertainment, established in 2020. In conjunction, Davidson is also launching a new publishing company, Double Down Music, as a division of PIA Music Group.

Industry veteran Ryan Dokke will serve as CEO of PIA Music Group, overseeing daily operations of each division. Erin Kidd and Lauren Lieu have been tapped to serve as Creative Directors for Double Down Music, and Cade Price will move from his role at PIA Publishing to Director, Streaming & Creative Content at PIA Entertainment.

PIA Publishing’s roster includes Davidson, Kyle Fishman, Warner Music Nashville recording artist Trea Landon, Justin Wilson, and Tommy Cecil. Play It Again Entertainment is home to Walker Montgomery and Dylan Marlowe. The songwriting roster for Double Down Music has not been announced.

“The creativity and culture at PIA Music Group is incredible right now!” says Dokke. “I’m extremely excited to turn Erin, Lauren and Cade loose with their ideas and passion for our songwriters and artists! We place a high priority on service to creative talent.”

Adds Davidson, “Launching Double Down Music and aligning everything under the PIA Music Group allows us to work with even more incredible artists and songwriters and provide high level creative resources to the top talent in music. With the addition of Double Down Music, the PIA Music Group reaffirms our commitment to the songwriting and artist community!”

Davidson is one of music’s most in-demand songwriters with chart-topping hits recorded by Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton and many more. Over the course of his career, he has earned songwriter of the year honors from Billboard, BMI, NSAI, and ACM, and is a six-time CMA Triple Play award recipient. Davidson currently serves as the Chairman of the Georgia Music Foundation.

 

Hon. Nancy VanReece Joins Music City Roots

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Hon. Nancy VanReece will join the Music City Roots team May 1 in the newly-created position of Vice President, Public Affairs and Business Development. The longtime community leader and Metro Council Member will represent the show and the new Roots Barn, a 1,000-person capacity music venue set to open in Madison, Tenn. in early 2022.

VanReece is a veteran of the music business and beyond with city-shaping achievements in the arts, marketing, social media, organization-building, and public service. She was instrumental in bringing Music City Roots to Madison, helping to secure the land, negotiating innumerable legal details, and working to integrate the Roots Barn into the emerging Madison Station Blvd development, which ties together a future park, historic Amqui Station, FiftyForward Madison Station, a tree-lined complete street, and a future residential/commercial district.

VanReece got her start in 1983 as an announcer and program director for three radio stations in both Texas and Oklahoma, before moving to Nashville in 1986 to continue in artist management, music publishing, and marketing. She worked as Sr. Licensing Executive at BMI from 1998-2007, specializing in the corporate and healthcare markets. VanReece was awarded the Steine Public Leadership in the Arts Award in 2017, was named by the Business Journal as one of the most Influential Women of the Year in Nashville for 2019, and was noted on the Nashville Post INCharge List for Policy in Government & Politics in 2021.

“Everything I’ve done for the last 40 years in the music business has given me the unique skill set to help put together a place where all people feel like the music of their roots has a home,” VanReece said. “The people involved are my kind of people. We have the vision to build something that lasts. Long after I’m gone, there will still be music at the Roots Barn. This is will be a place where stories will be told, lives will be inspired and memories will be made. I am so very happy to be invited to join this team and look forward to engaging other brands and organizations in partnership.”

KLove Fan Awards To Be Presented In Person

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After last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19, the KLove Fan Awards are pleased to announce that this year’s awards show will be held live and in person.

Among the artists on the lineup for this year’s show are Andrew Ripp, Cain, Cory Asbury, Crowder, Danny Gokey, Elevation Worship, For King & Country, Jenn Johnson, Josh Baldwin, Mac Powell, Matthew West, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Riley Clemmons, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tauren Wells, We Are Messengers, We The Kingdom, and Zach Williams.

The show will take place on Sunday, May 30 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. There are also plans for a socially-distanced red carpet.

The event is part of the KLove Fan Awards Weekend, running May 28-30.

‘The Marfa Tapes’ Come To Life In New Film

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Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall will offer a glimpse inside the creative process of the making of their new album in a new full-length film, The Marfa Tapes, premiering Saturday, May 8 at 6 p.m. CT. The Marfa Tapes will be available to view for 24 hours on Lambert’s official Facebook page.

Directed by Spencer Peeples, the film features live performances set against the West Texas backdrop, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage captured during the five-day album recording sessions in Marfa, Texas last November. Barely a dot on the map, the desolate location has been a songwriting haven for the trio for more than half a decade.

Recorded with just a pair of mics and an acoustic guitar, The Marfa Tapes provides an intimate, unadorned snapshot of a moment in time. The trio recorded much of the album outdoors, inviting the ambient sounds of the desert to seep into the mix.

While a couple of the tracks may already be familiar such as “Tin Man” and fan favorite “Tequila Does,” the vast majority have never been heard outside of Marfa.

The trio performed the latest sneak-peek track, “Geraldene,” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday (4/28.)

The Marfa Tapes track list
01) In His Arms
02) I Don’t Like It
03) The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow
04) Am I Right Or Amarillo
05) Waxahachie
06) Homegrown Tomatoes
07) Breaking A Heart
08) Ghost
09) Geraldene
10) We’ll Always Have The Blues
11) Tin Man
12) Two-Step Down To Texas
13) Anchor
14) Tequila Does
15) Amazing Grace (West Texas)

Warner Music Nashville Welcomes Zac Brown Band

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Warner Music Nashville has signed Zac Brown Band via a deal with Warner Music Nashville / Home Grown Music. New music is expected soon from the band that has tallied more than nine billion streams and 15 No. 1 radio singles over the course of more than a decade.

“Warner Music Nashville and Zac Brown Band share a fundamental value: forging connections through amazing and heartfelt music,” says Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito. “Their songs have ceaselessly fed our hearts and souls, and I am so proud to welcome them to our label home as we journey together into this new chapter.”

The multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy-winning band has had six consecutive albums reach the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart.

Warner joins the band’s team which includes managers David Plyler and Dirk Lemmenes at Home Grown Music, Scott Clayton and Matthew Morgan at WME, Cameo Carlson and Michael Corcoran at mtheory, Stephanie Jones at JONESWORKS and Reid Hunter at Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP.

“We couldn’t be more excited to become part of the Warner Music Nashville family,” says Zac Brown. “We feel incredibly blessed to be working with John Esposito, Cris Lacy, Ben Kline and their talented team. We’ve been hard at work in the studio and can’t wait to share our new music with our fans!”

Adds WMN EVP A&R Cris Lacy: “Zac Brown Band is known worldwide for their consummate musicianship, litany of timeless hits and incomparable live shows. From the moment they stepped onto the scene, they were grinding out this game-changing vision. When we heard the new music our only question was, ‘How quickly can we get this to the fans?’ It was absolutely, positively undeniable. Enough said. It feels good to have them back in the Warner family, and we’re excited to make some new history together.”

Hit Songwriter Pam Belford Passes

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Pam Belford, Photo: Barbara Potter

Widely beloved Nashville songwriter Pam Belford passed away last Thursday (4/22) at age 70.

Noted for such songs as George Strait’s “If I Know Me” and “Holding My Own,” Belford was a favorite performer at The Bluebird Café and a longtime employee of the Nashville Public Library.

Pamela Anne Belford was born March 29, 1951. She began showcasing her songs at the Bluebird during “in the round” appearances in the early 1980s, and she remained a steady visitor to the songwriters’ mecca for more than 30 years. She was also a regular at the Commodore Lounge writers’ nights. In addition to her own songs, the petite entertainer was noted for performing witty parodies of others’ hits.

Noted as a skilled lyricist, she began writing poetry when she was nine and playing guitar at age 13 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Belford received the instrument as a Hanukkah present. She recalled that she couldn’t learn others’ songs when she played, so she started writing her own.

Her first publisher in Music City was Peermusic. She got her first cut when pop-music legend Connie Francis recorded “Don’t Tell Me Not to Cry” in 1981. Produced by Harold Shedd, the track was reissued in 2004 and 2020. In 1981, Terri Gibbs became the first country act to record her material.

She co-wrote songs with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon for five years. Their “If I Know Me” was a No. 1 hit for superstar Strait for two weeks in 1991. The fan favorite “Holding My Own” was the title tune of his 1992 album.

Belford’s other songwriting collaborators included Kent Blazy, Angela Kaset, David Ball, Angel Pontier, Aaron Barker, Jeremy Stover, Billy Dean and John Tirro. But much of her catalog is solo written.

That catalog includes “Sad State of Affairs,” which charted for Leon Everette in 1986. She also had cuts by such country artists as Doug Stone, Linda Jordan, Karen Taylor-Good, Blackcreek, Rich McCready, Renee Wahl, Anna Marie, Susan H. Brantley and Michael Dean Church, as well as Dean Dillon.

In 2015, she released her album Slow Dancing Cowboys & Strawberry Pie, marketing it on her Facebook page.

Pam Belford retired from the Nashville Public Library system five years ago. Details of her death have not been made public, but it was evidently sudden and unexpected. Funeral arrangements were not announced.

Friends and loved ones remember her warmth and kindness. Online tributes can be left here.

2021 AIMP Nashville Awards Winners Announced at 6th Annual Event

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The AIMP Nashville Chapter Board of Directors; Back row, (L-R): Mark Brown (Round Hill), Mike Sistad (ASCAP), John Ozier (Reservoir), Michael Martin (Endurance Music Group), ET Brown (SESAC), Chris VanBelkom (Combustion), Courtney Crist, and Alex Heddle (Big Machine). Front row, (L-R): Duff Berschback (Concord), Shannan Hatch, Courtney Kruckeberg (Endurance Music Group), Kendall Lettow (Peer), and Emily Boardman (Hipgnosis). Not Pictured: Robert Carlton, Ree Guyer, Tim Hunze, Leslie Roberts, and Shannon Sanders.

The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) announced the winners of its 6th Annual AIMP Nashville Awards at a special socially distanced event hosted by Charles Esten at The Listening Room Café in Nashville on Tuesday, April 27. The ceremony was also livestreamed to AIMP members.

During the ceremony, Big Machine Music was named Publisher of the Year, with Songwriter of the Year going to Hillary Lindsey (Concord Music Publishing) and Artist-Writer of the Year to Ashley McBryde (Jody Williams Songs).

In addition, Song of the Year went to Lee Brice’s “One of Them Girls” (written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Dallas Davidson, and Lee Brice). Hardy’s “Give Heaven Some Hell” (written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps, and Michael Hardy) was named Publisher’s Pick.

AIMP Nashville also recognized Matt Alderman (Curb | Word Music Publishing) as Rising Songwriter of the Year and Ruston Kelly (Concord Music Publishing) as Rising Artist-Writer of the Year. The Song Champion award was presented to Ward Guenther (Whiskey Jam).

The event featured live performances of many of the Song of the Year and Publisher’s Pick nominees, including Ashley McBryde performing Jon Pardi’s “Ain’t Always the Cowboy,” Carly Pearce performing Maddie & Tae’s “Die from a Broken Heart,” Hardy performing Jameson Rodgers’ “Some Girls” (which he co-wrote), Jon Pardi performing Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird,” Maddie & Tae performing Ashley McBryde’s “One Night Standards” (with McBryde accompanying on Jon Pardi’s guitar), and Tenille Arts and Adam Hambrick performing Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”

Video performances of Lee Brice playing “Give Heaven Some Hell” and Ryan Hurd playing “One of Them Girls” were also presented.

“Last night was a reaffirmation of the Nashville independent music community and the powerful work they have done to get us through this past year,” said Ree Guyer, Vice President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter and Co-Chair of the AIMP Nashville Awards. “As we approach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited about the return of in-person songwriting sessions, writers’ rounds, and live performances, and know our winners and nominees will continue to create amazing music to soundtrack the hopefully joyous year ahead.”

“Congratulations to all the independent publishers and songwriters who won or were nominated for AIMP Nashville Awards this year!” said John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “In an unprecedented and dark time, their songs provided a light for so many. It is a testament to the power of music, which would not exist without those who do the difficult and sometimes unheralded work of songwriting. We are happy to shine a light on them today.”

The full list of winners and nominees by category can be found below.

Big Machine Music celebrated another major milestone when they took home Publisher of the Year for the first time at the 6th Annual AIMP Nashville Awards. BMM’s dynamic catalog features over 12,000 songs and three dozen chart-toppers, including five-week No. 1 “Better Together” (written and recorded by Luke Combs) as well as works from Grammy-nominated songwriters Laura Veltz’s “The Bones” (recorded by Maren Morris) and Jessie Jo Dillon’s “10,000 Hours” (recorded by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber), which holds the highest streaming first-week in country music history. Pictured back row, (L-R): Catalog Manager Taylor Courtney, Vice President Tim Hunze, Vice President Alex Heddle, Sr. Director of Royalties and Finance Grayson Stephens; Front row, (L-R): Creative Director Michelle Attardi, General Manager Mike Molinar, and Creative Coordinator Lizzy Gallatin. Photo Credit: Katie Kauss

 

RISING SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Alex Kline (Ziggys Z Music)
Benjy Davis (Big Machine Music)
Jake Mitchell (Reservoir Media / Patrick Joseph Music)
WINNER – Matt Alderman (Curb | Word Music Publishing)
Neil Medley (Mojo Music & Media / Son of a Carl Music)
Nicolette Hayford (River House / SMACKSongs)
Steph Jones (Disney Music Publishing / Hipgnosis Song Group)

RISING ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR
Avenue Beat (Tape Room Music)
Jameson Rodgers (Combustion Music)
WINNER – Ruston Kelly (Concord Music Publishing)
Ryan Hurd (Big Machine Music)
Tenille Arts (Oven Music)
Tenille Townes (Big Yellow Dog)

ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR
WINNER – Ashley McBryde (Jody Williams Songs)
Brothers Osborne (King Pen Music)
Carly Pearce (Altadena)
Eric Church (Little Louder Music)
Jon Pardi (Song Factory Music)

SONG CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Allison Jones (Big Machine Label Group)
Ciara Shortridge (Curb | Word Music Publishing)
Jake Gear (Hang Your Hat Music)
Laurel Kittleson-Cobb (Curb | Word Entertainment)
Trina Smith-Dort (Me Gusta Music)
WINNER – Ward Guenther (Whiskey Jam)

PUBLISHER’S PICK
“Beautiful Noise” written by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Hailey Whitters, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry, Ruby Amanfu.
 Independently published by Atlas Music Publishing, Big Machine Music, Carnival Music, Concord Music Publishing, Creative Nation, Deep Dark Robot Music, Happy People Music, Like Butta Baby Music, Maps and Records Music, peermusic. 
Recorded by Brandi Carlile & Alicia Keys

“Better Than We Found It” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz, Maren Morris
. Independently published by Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music, Big Machine Music, Heroes and Halos Music, Millicent Hill Music, JRM3, Muse Magic, Round Hill Music. 
Recorded by Maren Morris

“Chasing After You” written by Brinley Addington, Jerry Flowers. 
Independently published by Adding Tone Music, Combustion Music, Downtown Music Group, Mojo Music & Media, Tape Room Music
. Recorded by Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd

WINNER – “Give Heaven Some Hell” written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy
. Independently published by Big Blue Nation Music, Caleb’s College Fund, Relative Music Group, Round Hill Music, Tape Room Music
. Recorded by HARDY

“Janice at the Hotel Bar” written by Hailey Whitters, Lori McKenna. 
Independently published by Carnival Music, Creative Nation, Concord Music Publishing, Maps and Records Music, Pulse Music Group
. Recorded by Hailey Whitters

“Things a Man Oughta Know” written by Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson. 
Independently published by Big Machine Music, Spirit Music. 
Recorded by Lainey Wilson

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Ain’t Always the Cowboy” written by Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson. 
Independently published by Big Machine Music, MV2 Music, peermusic, Whiskey Tub Music. 
Recorded by Jon Pardi

“Bluebird” written by Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby. 
Independently published by Emileon Songs, Little Louder Songs
. Recorded by Miranda Lambert

“Die From a Broken Heart” written by Deric Rutan, Jonathan Singleton, Madison Marlow, Taylor Dye
. Independently published by Big Machine Music, Jehovah Nissi Music, Seven Red Birds Publishing, Spirit Music
. Recorded by Maddie & Tae

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” written by Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs, Randy Montana. 
Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Altadena, Big Machine Music, Jett Music, Spirit Music, Straight Dimes Publishing
. Recorded by Carly Pearce & Lee Brice

WINNER – “One of Them Girls” written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Dallas Davidson, Lee Brice
. Independently published by 8Minute Publishing, Artist Publishing Group, Big Blue Nation Music, Caleb’s College Fund, Play It Again Music Group, Natalia’s Music Money, Round Hill Music. 
Recorded by Lee Brice

“One Night Standards” written by Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally. 
Independently published by Canned Biscuit Songs, River House, SMACKSongs, Smackstreet Music, Tempo Investments
. Recorded by Ashley McBryde

“Some Girls” written by CJ Solar, Jake Mitchell, Michael Hardy
. Independently published by Harding Road Music, Sea Gayle Music, Relative Music Group, West Pass Music. 
Recorded by Jameson Rodgers

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Michael Hardy (Relative Music Group)
Ashley Gorley (Round Hill Music)
Shane McAnally (Tempo Investments)
Josh Thompson (MV2 Entertainment)
Ernest K Smith (Big Loud Music)
WINNER – Hillary Lindsey (Concord Music Publishing)

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
WINNER – Big Machine Music
Downtown Music Publishing
Kobalt Music
peermusic
Round Hill Music
SMACKSongs

 

AIMP Nashville Awards:
Founding Chairman: 
Michael McAnally Baum, 
Ree Guyer
2021 AIMP Nashville Awards Committee:
 Ree Guyer, Courtney Crist, Shannan Hatch, Alex Heddle, Abbe Nameche, Sophie Moll
Production Team: Tim Fink, Nic Dugger
Graphics: Andy Sundin, Molly Bouchon