Emily Weisband
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Emily Weisband finds authenticity paramount when making her own music. The Grammy winner has become a well-know songwriter, having written songs for other artists including Camila Cabello, Danny Gokey, Dan + Shay, BTS with Halsey, Jeremy Camp and Keith Urban. But when she is taking her own place in the spotlight as an artist, she says the things she can’t on country and Christian radio.
“Every genre has different rules. With pop, obviously, I can say more. I can be a little more point blank in pop music. A lot of it is about math and melody and that kind of thing, but as far as lyrics go, I can really say whatever I want to say,” she says. “In country music, obviously I’m not going to talk about sex in country music and if I am, it’s going to be PG. I can talk about God, I can talk about drinking and hometowns, I can tell a story. And then in Christian music—I’m not dissing on the Christian music industry at all, I’m so grateful to them for embracing me in a way that they have—but in my hard truth opinion, you can say you’re breaking but you’re not really allowed to say why, and you have to be fixed by the time you’re talking about it.
“We’re all inherently the same and that’s really the point of this EP,” Weisband says of her I Call It Being Human EP, out today (April 2) on Warner Records. “We all want to love, we want to be loved. We want to be fully known and fully accepted, and we shame ourselves for the things that we experience because of that. This EP is about embracing those things fully and completely, and allowing yourself to be all of those things.”
The 5-song project finds Weisband tackling lost love, interpersonal conflict, and emotional spirals. “Psychopath,” the lead-off track, was inspired by Weisband discovering her ex was newly engaged. “So did I get feelings seeing you with her? Did my heart start beating a little faster? Did it take me back? Well, yea… cause I’m not psychopath,” she sings.
Current single from the project, “New Salt,” finds Weisband revisiting a painful relationship in a vulnerable moment, and putting “new salt in an old wound.”
“I wrote the song about a hotel room experience. I was staying in New York and my ex called me at 2:00 in the morning. He was just saying everything that he should have said, he was just too late. I fell for it in the moment and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I was so pissed when I got off the phone. I really let it set in the next couple of days, the conversation we had, so when I got back to Nashville and I was actually writing with one of the guy’s best friends, which is such a Nashville, high school thing. I was just venting to them about it. My co-writer, Jimmy Robbins, he said, ‘Man, it’s kind of like you put new salt an old wound.’ We all looked at each other and we’re like, ‘Holy shit, we have to write that.'”
Christian artist Tauren Wells collaborates with Weisband on “Love 2 Hard,” a song about going all-in on new love.
“First of all, I love Tauren so much. I’ve worked with him a lot on his music, on his records. I’m just a huge fan of him as a person, of him as a voice,” Weisband says. “And I really wanted my first collab to be with a friend. I thought that was a really authentic thing for me.”
Weisband also wanted to include Wells to show that she can combine her Christian faith with music about intimately human experiences. “I did an interview probably three or four months ago, right after ‘Not Afraid To Say Goodbye,’ and this guy said to me, ‘I think it’s really interesting that you have strong church roots and yet your music is so revealing, and human and honest.’ I was like, ‘Thank you.’ And I knew he meant it as a compliment but I got off the phone with him [and it bothered me].
“I’m really frustrated with Christian culture. It bothered me that being a Christian and being revealing and honest through your art don’t go in the same sentence to a lot of the world. I know plenty of creators who have faith and are believers who want to be human in their music and they want to be real. All of us humans are the same, we might have different belief systems, but things that make us human are all the same. And so to not be human in your music, that does not work for me.
“My point is, it was kind of my response to that interview. I was like, ‘My first collab is going to be with one of my friends and I’m also going to put one of my Christian artist friends on it.’ The song is not a Christian song, it’s not a religious song. It’s just a human song, because at the end of the day, I’m a human and my Christian artist friend is a human and our art is going to reveal that.”
By the end of the EP, Weisband shows healing and acceptance on “Indie Movie Zoomout Moment.”
“I had this weird moment in my brain where I imagined myself in A Christmas Carol, walking down the street and peering into windows of houses, like the ghost of Christmas past, and just seeing all my exes having a fantastic Christmas morning with their new girls. It was this like movie moment where I zoomed out and saw it all and I was really okay with it.”
Weisband sums, “That kind of acceptance frees you up to be able to move forward and be happy yourself.”
Emily Weisband Strives For Raw Authenticity On ‘I Call It Being Human’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellEmily Weisband
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Emily Weisband finds authenticity paramount when making her own music. The Grammy winner has become a well-know songwriter, having written songs for other artists including Camila Cabello, Danny Gokey, Dan + Shay, BTS with Halsey, Jeremy Camp and Keith Urban. But when she is taking her own place in the spotlight as an artist, she says the things she can’t on country and Christian radio.
“Every genre has different rules. With pop, obviously, I can say more. I can be a little more point blank in pop music. A lot of it is about math and melody and that kind of thing, but as far as lyrics go, I can really say whatever I want to say,” she says. “In country music, obviously I’m not going to talk about sex in country music and if I am, it’s going to be PG. I can talk about God, I can talk about drinking and hometowns, I can tell a story. And then in Christian music—I’m not dissing on the Christian music industry at all, I’m so grateful to them for embracing me in a way that they have—but in my hard truth opinion, you can say you’re breaking but you’re not really allowed to say why, and you have to be fixed by the time you’re talking about it.
“We’re all inherently the same and that’s really the point of this EP,” Weisband says of her I Call It Being Human EP, out today (April 2) on Warner Records. “We all want to love, we want to be loved. We want to be fully known and fully accepted, and we shame ourselves for the things that we experience because of that. This EP is about embracing those things fully and completely, and allowing yourself to be all of those things.”
The 5-song project finds Weisband tackling lost love, interpersonal conflict, and emotional spirals. “Psychopath,” the lead-off track, was inspired by Weisband discovering her ex was newly engaged. “So did I get feelings seeing you with her? Did my heart start beating a little faster? Did it take me back? Well, yea… cause I’m not psychopath,” she sings.
Current single from the project, “New Salt,” finds Weisband revisiting a painful relationship in a vulnerable moment, and putting “new salt in an old wound.”
“I wrote the song about a hotel room experience. I was staying in New York and my ex called me at 2:00 in the morning. He was just saying everything that he should have said, he was just too late. I fell for it in the moment and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I was so pissed when I got off the phone. I really let it set in the next couple of days, the conversation we had, so when I got back to Nashville and I was actually writing with one of the guy’s best friends, which is such a Nashville, high school thing. I was just venting to them about it. My co-writer, Jimmy Robbins, he said, ‘Man, it’s kind of like you put new salt an old wound.’ We all looked at each other and we’re like, ‘Holy shit, we have to write that.'”
Christian artist Tauren Wells collaborates with Weisband on “Love 2 Hard,” a song about going all-in on new love.
“First of all, I love Tauren so much. I’ve worked with him a lot on his music, on his records. I’m just a huge fan of him as a person, of him as a voice,” Weisband says. “And I really wanted my first collab to be with a friend. I thought that was a really authentic thing for me.”
Weisband also wanted to include Wells to show that she can combine her Christian faith with music about intimately human experiences. “I did an interview probably three or four months ago, right after ‘Not Afraid To Say Goodbye,’ and this guy said to me, ‘I think it’s really interesting that you have strong church roots and yet your music is so revealing, and human and honest.’ I was like, ‘Thank you.’ And I knew he meant it as a compliment but I got off the phone with him [and it bothered me].
“I’m really frustrated with Christian culture. It bothered me that being a Christian and being revealing and honest through your art don’t go in the same sentence to a lot of the world. I know plenty of creators who have faith and are believers who want to be human in their music and they want to be real. All of us humans are the same, we might have different belief systems, but things that make us human are all the same. And so to not be human in your music, that does not work for me.
“My point is, it was kind of my response to that interview. I was like, ‘My first collab is going to be with one of my friends and I’m also going to put one of my Christian artist friends on it.’ The song is not a Christian song, it’s not a religious song. It’s just a human song, because at the end of the day, I’m a human and my Christian artist friend is a human and our art is going to reveal that.”
By the end of the EP, Weisband shows healing and acceptance on “Indie Movie Zoomout Moment.”
“I had this weird moment in my brain where I imagined myself in A Christmas Carol, walking down the street and peering into windows of houses, like the ghost of Christmas past, and just seeing all my exes having a fantastic Christmas morning with their new girls. It was this like movie moment where I zoomed out and saw it all and I was really okay with it.”
Weisband sums, “That kind of acceptance frees you up to be able to move forward and be happy yourself.”
Country Radio Broadcasters Accepting Applications For CRS 2022 Agenda Committee
/by Lydia FarthingThe Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is now accepting applications for the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2022 Agenda Committee. The deadline for submitting applications is April 9, 2021.
Any industry professionals who are interested in serving on the committee must be available to attend the agenda meetings on Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4 which will take place in Nashville. All applicants will also be expected to attend CRS 2022 which is set to take place February 23-25, 2022.
Serving as leadership of the 2021-2022 Agenda Committee are Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield) who is returning as chairman, and Joey Tack (KNCI/Sacramento) who is returning as vice-chair.
The balance of the CRS 2022 Agenda Committee will be made up of volunteer professionals from all sectors of the country radio, streaming, and record industries. The committee’s main function is to be responsible for planning the events for the upcoming year’s conference.
“We’re inviting anyone with a tie to the country music or radio industries who want to help shape the discussion for CRS 2022 to put in an application,” says Michaels. “We’re excited to bring CRS back in-person and want to follow up the strong discussions in 2021 with a look at the most important topics facing us all next year and beyond. If you’ve ever been interested in serving on the CRS Agenda Committee, we’d love to hear your voice.”
Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com to fill out the application. You can reach Sheree Latham at sheree@crb.org or call the CRB office at (615) 327-4487 with any questions.
Jon Randall Reaches Back To Lone Star Roots On New Project ‘Neon Texas’ [Exclusive]
/by Lorie HollabaughJon Randall. Photo: Jess Tomlins
Grammy-winning country songwriter Jon Randall is paying homage to his Texas roots with a new project, Neon Texas, due out on April 2.
The Dallas-born songwriter weaves nostalgic tales of his Texan teen years and of characters he’s never met on the new project, taking listeners on a sonic and visual journey. The leading song from the project “Tequila Kisses,” co-written with Jeff Middleton and Matthew Lane Fleener, tells a seductive story inspired by a vast assortment of people, places and experiences Randall has witnessed during his extensive travels, tied together with vivid imagery to complete the movie-like story.
“I have joked about this song being my own true story, to which Jessi [Alexander, Randall’s wife and frequent collaborator] has responded by correcting me through a laugh,” says Randall. “Fair enough. The truth is I have met, experienced and witnessed so many weird and strange people and situations over the years, that sometimes parts of those stories seep into my subconscious while I’m writing, and a new story is formed. Somehow I feel like I am telling someone’s true story, even if it isn’t my own.”
Randall is also paying tribute to the Lone Star state on another new project with Miranda Lambert and Jack Ingram, The Marfa Tapes, set for release on May 7. The album is a collection of raw recordings inspired during a trip to Marfa, Texas.
Between 1995 and 2005, Randall released four solo albums, What You Don’t Know, Cold Coffee Morning, Willin’ and Walking Among the Living. Over the last 15 years, Randall has penned hits including Lambert’s “Tin Man” (written with Lambert and Ingram) which won the 2018 ACM Song Of The Year, and “Whiskey Lullaby” for Brad Paisley (with Bill Anderson), as well as cuts for Emmylou Harris, Maren Morris, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Scotty McCreery, and Guy Clark. As an acclaimed producer, he’s worked with Bentley, Ingram, Dwight Yoakam, Pat Green, and most recently produced Parker McCollum’s Platinum-selling single, “Pretty Heart.”
Neon Texas Track List:
1) Tequila Kisses
2) Streets Of Dallas
3) Acapulco Blue
4) Driving To Mexico
Alan Jackson’s First New Album In Six Years Set For May
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Credit: Russ Harrington and Gregory Ballos
Alan Jackson is returning with his first album of all new music in six years this spring when Where Have You Gone arrives Friday, May 14.
The expansive collection includes 21 tracks, 15 penned by Jackson himself, and was produced by Jackson’s longtime producer Keith Stegall. The project is his 16th studio album, and the 25th in a storied career that includes two Christmas albums, two gospel albums, three Greatest Hits collections, a bluegrass album, and one boxed set.
Led by the self-penned title track, Where Have You Gone is highlighted by songs like the poignant “Things That Matter” and the heartache-filled “Way Down in My Whiskey.” In a more personal vein, “You’ll Always Be My Baby” and “I Do” were both written for Jackson’s daughters’ weddings, while “Where Her Heart Has Always Been” was penned for his mother’s funeral and includes a recording of her reading from The Bible. There’s also plenty of fun to be had on barnburners like “Livin’ On Empty,” “Back” and “Beer:10.” And, in the spirit of the album’s overall sound, “That’s the Way Loves Goes (A Tribute to Merle Haggard)” is a bonus track.
“It’s a little harder country than even I’ve done in the past,” Jackson says. “And it’s funny, I was driving and listening to the final mixes Keith sent me, and I started to tear up. I was surprised to get so overly emotional, but I just love this kind of music. When I write, I visualize back home and growing up. Real country songs are life and love and heartache, drinking and Mama and having a good time…but it’s the sounds of the instruments, too. The steel and acoustic guitar, the fiddle – those things have a sound and a tone…and getting that right, the way those things make you feel, that’s country, too.”
“Alan’s taken his experiences over the last six years and implemented his poet’s perspective to weave together a masterful love letter to country music,” says UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe. “This is Alan’s story but it’s also the story of country music. This music love letter was written about the most universal experiences in life, almost exclusively with Alan’s own pen, and it’s once again a reminder of what a one-of-a-kind creator he truly is.”
Where Have You Gone Track List:
Extra Track: “That’s The Way Love Goes” (A Tribute to Merle Haggard) (Lefty Frizzell, Whitey Shafer)
Brett Young’s ‘Caliville Weekend’ Moves to Labor Day Weekend
/by Steven BoeroBrett Young‘s “Caliville Weekend” in Palm Springs, CA has been moved to Labor Day weekend on September 3-6.
The inaugural event, presented by Pollen and curated by Young, was moved in an effort to host the safest and most special experience possible for fans.
It was announced that Chase Rice, Maddie & Tae, Devin Dawson, Seaforth, Filmore, Keaton Simons, Noah Needleman, Matt Ferranti, DJ Hish and DJ Coral will join the musical lineup across the long weekend. The resort takeover will also feature a wide-range of actives including pool parties, BBQs, golfing with Young and more.
Packages go on-sale April 13, while anyone who has already purchased a package will be reserved for the new dates and protected by Pollen’s COVID-19 money-back guarantee.
Young has gained success with his West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed “Caliville” style. While touring is paused, he has been tapped for several high-profile, all-genre livestreams including Spirit Airlines & Mastercard Present Brett Young’s Live from the Runway, Live at The Ryman and more.
Miranda Lambert Slays MusicRow Chart
/by Alex Parry“Settling Down” by Miranda Lambert takes the No. 1 spot this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The single was co-written by Lambert, Luke Dick, and Natalie Hemby.
At the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, Lambert took home Best Country Album for Wildcard and performed her hit, “Bluebird,” from the album.
On May 7, Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall will release a collection of intimate and raw songs written and recorded together in the tiny town of Marfa, Texas, called The Marfa Tapes.
Later this year, Lambert will become the first female country artist with a branded bar on Broadway in Nashville. The bar is named Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa and will be located at 308 Broadway.
Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Hayden Haddock Signs With Forge Management
/by Lydia FarthingHayden Haddock, Trent Willmon
Hayden Haddock has signed with Trent Willmon’s Forge Management for exclusive representation.
Founded by producer and songwriter Willmon (Cody Johnson, Eric Church, Randy Houser), Haddock is the flagship artist signed to this new company. After successfully launching Johnson’s career, Willmon began working as Haddock’s producer in 2019 and soon saw the potential for their partnership.
“I feel like Hayden represents the future of country music. He’s a great singer and writer with a traditional sound and a fresh perspective; he’s got a great work ethic and is just a downright amazing human being. I’m excited to watch his career taking off and I’m proud to be a part of it,” says Willmon.
Haddock was recently awarded the 2021 New Male Vocalist of the Year at the T3R Music Awards, and he celebrated two top 10 records on the Texas charts in the past year. Additionally, his current single “Honky Tonk On,” is climbing the Texas charts and was added to Spotify’s Texas Music Now playlist.
At only 22, Haddock released his sophomore album Red Dirt Texas in January 2020 with the help of Willmon. Since then, the album has racked up over two million Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music streams and more than 1 million YouTube views.
You can listen to the entire Red Dirt Texas album here.
HYBE Acquires Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, Including BMLG
/by Sarah SkatesIthaca Holdings is a fully integrated media company with interests across music, tech, film, television, brands and culture. The deal brings together a range of services including management, label services and publishing for global artists BTS, TXT, SEVENTEEN, NU’EST, GFRIEND, ENHYPEN, ZICO, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, Demi Lovato, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A and more.
HYBE will use Ithaca’s market and industry expertise to expedite HYBE artists’ entry in the U.S. market and beyond.
Regarding the newly integrated partnership, HYBE Chairman & CEO Bang Si-Hyuk said, “The inevitable joining of HYBE and Ithaca Holdings marks the start of a new adventure no one could have possibly imagined. The two companies will work closely together leveraging our proven track records of success, know-how, and expertise to create synergy, transcend borders and break down cultural barriers. Please look forward to the endless possibilities of HYBE and Ithaca Holdings, and the new paradigm the partnership will establish in the music industry.”
Braun said, “This will be the first time HYBE’s groundbreaking systems and curation will be integrated in the U.S. market at the onset of an artist’s career. Plus, it will help us to continue to further the careers of the artists we already work with. Global opportunities for artists become exponential with this partnership. This is an opportunity for us to make history and further innovate the music industry and revolutionize the game itself. Its implications for the business will be monumentous for a long time to come. I am incredibly grateful for Chairman Bang’s friendship and his willingness to support the creative journey of an artist.”
The Mechanical Licensing Collective Announces Webinar Series
/by Steven BoeroThe Mechanical Licensing Collective has announced a new, four-part webinar series geared to inform current and prospective members on what they need to know about the organization and its work.
Each webinar is 30-minutes and will focus on a particular area of interest, inlcuding what The MLC does, how to become a member, the importance of musical works data accuracy, and a summary of The MLC’s royalty distribution process.
Both current and prospective members are welcome to register for the events.
Starting on April 8, the webinars are scheduled as follows:
The MLC is responsible for administering the new blanket compulsory license for the use of musical works by digital music services. As of January 2021, mechanical royalties from streaming in the U.S. are now processed and paid out by The MLC at no cost to songwriters or music publishers.
ACM Lifting Lives To Premiere Vaccine PSA At ACM Awards
/by Steven BoeroEric Church, Ashley McBryde, Darius Rucker
ACM Lifting Lives, teamed up with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative, is set to premiere a COVID Vaccine PSA at the upcoming ACM Awards.
The new advertisements are part of the national campaign, “It’s Up to You,” and emphasize the important role education about COVID-19 vaccinations plays in a return to live music. The PSA will feature Eric Church, Ashley McBryde and Darius Rucker at the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry House.
“We are so grateful to Eric, Ashley, Darius and the team at ACM for lending their talent for this extraordinary partnership. Together, we will help increase awareness about the COVID-19 vaccines and connect audiences to resources where they can get answers to their top questions,” says Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “Millions of Americans are looking forward to getting back to seeing live music again, and getting educated on the vaccines is one of the best steps to getting there.”
According to Ad Council research fielded by Ipsos in February, approximately 40% of the American public remain undecided about getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Of that undecided population, only 56% say they feel confident they have enough information to guide their decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccination, compared to 96% of those already committed. A majority (over 80%) are eager to get back to the moments and people they miss.
“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to partner with the Ad Council in educating the public on the COVID-19 vaccinations and how they can play a role in ending the pandemic,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives executive director. “With the support of the country music industry and artists, we have worked tirelessly this past year to provide over $3.5 million in financial aid to families in need within the country music community. By joining the Ad Council and this campaign, we are continuing our commitment to providing a brighter future for these families and fans. We would like to thank each of the artists for making this message impactful and supporting us in achieving this goal.”
The “It’s Up To You” initiative launched in February and is the largest and most significant communications effort in U.S. history. Developed pro bono by ad agency Pereira O’Dell, the new PSA will direct audiences to GetVaccineAnswers.org for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines.
The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, airs on April 18 at 7 p.m. CST on CBS.