1970s Country Hit Maker Misty Morgan Passes

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Misty Morgan and Jack Blanchard in 1974. Photo: Courtesy Robert K. Oermann

Misty Morgan, 75, who once topped the country charts in a duo with Jack Blanchard, died of cancer in Florida on New Year’s Day.

Her languid, behind-the-beat alto vocal and inventive keyboard playing characterized the zany novelty “Tennessee Bird Walk.” The song hit the peak of the country charts in 1970. With husband Blanchard, she also scored a top-10 hit with its follow-up, “Humphrey the Camel.”

She was born Mary Donahue in Buffalo, New York in 1945. The family moved to southern Ohio when she was young, and she began her career playing keyboards in pop groups around Cincinnati. She then ventured further afield as a lounge singer and piano-bar entertainer. Morgan performed as “Jacqueline Hyde” and “Maryann Mail” before adopting her permanent stage name.

She met songwriter/comedian Jack Blanchard in Florida in 1963. They married in 1967. They performed pop, jazz, rock, Dixieland or anything else it took to make a living. Morgan hooked up various electronic devices to her keyboard, so the duo never needed other band members. Blanchard’s distinctive, “velvet saw” low voice and story-telling lyrics made their move into country music a natural transition.

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan staged their debut on the country charts with “Big Black Bird (Spirit of Our Love)” in 1969. “Tennessee Bird Walk” catapulted them to fame the following year. It hit No. 1 and was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (they lost to Johnny Cash & June Carter).

“Humphrey the Camel” continued in the novelty vein, as did such subsequent top-40 singles as “Fire Hydrant #79” (1971) and “The Legendary Chicken Fairy” (1972). But there was more to Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan than wacky comic songs. Blanchard’s off-center songwriting could range from bizarre novelty daffiness to deeply felt social commentary. “Bethlehem Steel” was about a discouraged, homesick factory worker. “There Must Be More to Life (Than Growing Old)” and “Poor Jody” ruminated on aging. “Changin’ Times” lamented the commercialization of modern life.

The compelling “Somewhere in Virginia in the Rain” told the story of a working-class pair’s breakup and reconciliation. It rose to No. 15 in 1972, becoming the couple’s third biggest hit.

Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan placed 15 titles on the country charts in 1969-1976. Blanchard wrote all of them, except for the team’s version of The Fortunes’ 1965 pop hit “You’ve Got Your Troubles (I’ve Got Mine).” Seven of their singles were top-40 successes. Two albums made the charts, Birds of a Feather (1970) and Two Sides of Jack & Misty (1972)

Their sound, arranged by Morgan, was completely unique for country music of that time. It had a quirky, “stoned” vibe, something like Sonny & Cher lost in a poppyfield in South Carolina. His soulful groaning rasp cut across her dreamy croon while underneath pulsed a steady shuffle beat dotted with harmonica, steel and guitar bubbles of sound.

The twosome called their creations “Jack and Misty Productions,” so Morgan can be credited as country’s trailblazing female record producer. When “Tennessee Bird Walk” became a smash, Misty Morgan became the first woman to co-produce a No. 1 hit. The single’s wah-wah guitar effect was the first time this sound was heard on a country record.

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan were absent from the country charts following 1980, but the team continued to entertain theme-park tourists in Orlando’s nightclubs. They also continued to record. Among their subsequent collections were Sweet Memories (1987), Back in Harmony (1995), Back From the Dead (2000), A Little Out of Sync (2001), Weird Scenes Inside the Birdhouse (2007) and Just One More Song (2012).

In performance, they later formed a jazz trio—Morgan on piano backed by a hired drummer and Blanchard on bass. The gigs got smaller in recent years, but she maintained her positivity and dedication to her craft.

Misty Morgan recorded with Jack Blanchard for the Mercury/Wayside, Mega, Chalice, Epic, United Artists, Playback, Stadust and Omni labels, as well as their own Velvet Saw imprint.

During their career, they issued 15 albums and more than 40 singles. Blanchard spoke of his wife and musical partner’s passing on social media last week. Misty Morgan was taken to the hospital on Christmas Day and was diagnosed with advanced cancer. She died a week later, Jan. 1, 2021, with her husband by her side.

A GoFundMe site has been established to raise funds to pay for Misty Morgan’s funeral expenses.

Industry Ink: Carrie Underwood, SoundExchange, Blackwood Brothers

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Carrie Underwood Partners With BODYARMOR LYTE Sports Drink

Carrie Underwood. Photo: BODYARMOR

Carrie Underwood has formed a new equity partnership with BODYARMOR LYTE Sports Drink. As part of the new partnership, she will star in a national TV campaign, a first for the brand, and will also appear in advertising for BODYARMOR SportWater, a premium water with a performance pH9+. In the BODYARMOR LYTE campaign, Underwood is positioned alongside basketball superstar and veteran brand partner, James Harden.

“Partnering with BODYARMOR LYTE was a natural evolution for me, from a personal and professional standpoint,” said Underwood. “I’m a firm believer that what you put into your body matters, so the fact BODYARMOR LYTE is made with no artificial flavors, sweeteners and no colors from artificial sources, is important to me. BODYARMOR LYTE has everything that my body needs to recharge and keep me hydrated throughout my day and everything I do. While music will always be my first love and priority, I’m so fortunate to have been able to build my passion for health and fitness into a business model and personal brand I can stand behind and be proud of. This partnership is an important next step for me and the community I am building, which goes far beyond endorsing a brand.”

 

Paul Gills Joins SoundExchange As VP/Publisher Services

Paul Gills

Paul Gills has been named Vice President of Publisher Services at SoundExchange. In this position, Gills will plan, lead, and implement the publishing operations shared services model across all SoundExchange companies and teams. Gills will report to SoundExchange Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Anjula Singh. Before joining SoundExchange, Gills was Vice President of North American Administration for Universal Music Publishing Group, where he led the operational redesign, development, and implementation of core business systems, process re-engineering, and organizational change. Prior to UMPG, Gills spent more than 20 years at EMI Music Publishing, where he spearheaded the redesign of the company’s core publishing operations and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Central European Licensing and Administration Service.

“There is no one more qualified to help us develop our publishing practice,” said Michael Huppe, President and Chief Executive Officer, SoundExchange. “Paul’s proven track record and subject-matter expertise are exactly what SoundExchange needs to expand its presence in the publishing space and develop solutions that benefit an even broader community of music creators.”

 

Blackwood Brothers’ Jonathan Mattingly Exits The Group

Pictured (L-R): Kasey Kemp, Jonathan Mattingly, Billy Blackwood

The Blackwood Brothers are electing to scale back from touring full-time, continuing to play select concerts in 2021 and beyond. In anticipation of the upcoming changes, lead singer Jonathan Mattingly has announced that he will be joining forces with the up and coming trio, Avenue. Mattingly was first introduced to Gospel music fans with his family, the Mattingly Family, before uniting with the Blackwood Brothers in 2017. For nearly nine decades, generations of Blackwood Brothers have shared the Gospel around the globe, having recorded over 200 albums and toured in 47 countries, earned GRAMMY and Dove Awards, and appeared on countless stages and events.

Kasey Kemp shares his excitement for welcoming Jonathan into the Avenue family, “Jon and his wife Sarah have been dear friends of our family for many years, so I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to sing together. We are excited about the future and what God has for us going forward!”

“Champagne Night” Becomes Lady A’s 11th Career No. 1

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Lady A‘s “Champagne Night” has topped the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart for the third consecutive week, and holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the second week, becoming their 11th career chart-topping hit. The song hit No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart in September.

Nashville writer Madeline Merlo co-wrote the original version of the song—titled “I’ll Drink To That”—with Patricia Conroy, David “Dwave” Thomson, and Tina Parol. Merlo then brought it onto the season two premiere of NBC’s primetime series Songland, where Lady A was the guest artist. Merlo’s mentor on the show, Shane McAnally, and the trio reworked the song into “Champagne Night,” which became the winning song. “Champagne Night” is the first song from Songland to become a radio single.

“Since we started the journey with ‘Champagne Night’ every step of the process has been so special to us,” Hillary Scott said. “We couldn’t be more thankful for all the support from our fans and friends at country radio and to Songland for believing in the song as much as we did. I can’t believe we get to start 2021 off with a multi-week No. 1…it almost feels unreal!”

The single is included on Lady A’s Ocean Deluxe Edition, released in November.

Johnny Lee Announces Album, Releases New Single “Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright”

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Country legend Johnny Lee, known for his dynamic stage presence and No. 1 smash crossover hit “Lookin’ for Love,” has released the new single and title track “Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright” from his upcoming album, which will be released by BFD/Audium Nashville distributed exclusively through The Orchard on Feb. 12.

Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright consists of 14 songs, some written or co-written by Lee, that he has saved throughout the years for the perfect album that truly reflects his life and legacy. Lee also wanted to include “Statue Of A Fool,” which was the first country song he ever learned.

“The last few years have had some major ups and downs in not only my life but in the whole world,” says Lee. “Music brings us together and gives us peace of mind like nothing else. Throughout my entire career, I have worked hard to record the best music possible and while creating this album, that was the entire goal. This is a hard world we are living in, but I want everyone to know that Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright. I believe it so much so, it is the title track and first single on my new album. This is my legacy and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

YouTube video

Lee’s hit “Lookin’ For Love,” was included on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, and became his first Gold record. The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart, and No. 2 on the Pop chart. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the hit movie starring John Travolta and Deborah Winger. As part of the celebration, Lee reunited with Mickey Gilley for the Urban Cowboy Reunion Tour. At the 54th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville last November, both were recognized for their contributions to country music, and “Lookin’ For Love” was featured and performed by Old Dominion. The Urban Cowboy Reunion Tour will continue throughout 2021.

CCM News: for King & Country, Chris Renzema, Cross Point Music, Petey Martin

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for KING & COUNTRY Release Country Version Of Smash Hit “Together”

for KING & COUNTRY have released “TOGETHER (The Country Collaboration),” a brand-new rendition of their multi-week No. 1 hit featuring country singer/songwriters Hannah Ellis and Jackson Michelson. The new version places the globally recognized track against a lush backdrop of violins, steel guitars, and banjos. Since debuting the song earlier this year during the duo’s TOGETHER: A Night of Hope streaming event, “TOGETHER” has gone on to become a genre-defying global smash, spending multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard and Mediabase Christian radio charts, and reaching No. 23 on the Hot AC chart and No. 13 on the AC chart.

“In a time where this virus is not isolated to one people group or country or social class—it has become the great equalizer,” shares for King & Country’s Joel and Luke Smallbone. “It is helping us all reconsider this beautiful concept that we all bleed the same blood. And if we are able to unite, and support—be a neighbor to someone, serve someone, reach out to someone—how might those acts of kindness change the scope of our futures, together?”

 

Chris Renzema Releases Let The Ground Rest B-Sides

Chris Renzema is releasing his new EP Let The Ground Rest – B-Sides today (Jan. 8) at digital and streaming outlets. The EP features five live studio tracks, including three versions of songs from Renzema’s acclaimed sophomore LP and Centricity Music debut, Let The Ground Rest, along with two new songs : “Tear My House Down” and the single “Mercy.” The new Let The Ground Rest versions on B-Sides include the title track, “God Is Love,” and the Air1 Radio Network-featured “Springtime.” The songs were also captured on video for The Smoakstack Sessions video documentary, which was premiere-streamed this week on YouTube.

“2020 has been really hard,” states Renzema. “I think it has been a journey for me as a writer and a person, discovering what it even means to be content, what it means to let your plans change. A lot of what I wrote for the last project has taken on new meaning in the pandemic, and singing about waiting on a season to change or sitting it out through a hard time means a lot more to me now that it did then.”

 

Cross Point Music Vows To ‘Never Stop Singing’ With Centricity Debut

Nashville’s Cross Point Music releases its Centricity Music debut EP Never Stop Singing today (Jan. 8) at digital and streaming outlets internationally. Written and recorded by this collective of nearly 400 volunteer musicians, vocalists and songwriters, anchored by worship leaders Mike Grayson and Cheryl Stark, the EP includes four original songs emanating from the worship at Cross Point Church, which serves about 10,000 people across six campuses in and around Music City.

The project’s lead single and title track “Never Stop Singing” features Stefan Cashwell from Atlanta’s Maverick City Music, who penned the song with fellow songwriter Mary Beth Sudduth and Cross Point Franklin pastor Kevin Robison. Written before the pandemic and before Cross Point’s doors were closed following a tornado that ripped through Middle Tennessee in March 2020—damaging a large portion of Cross Point’s main building in downtown Nashville—“Never Stop Singing” has become an anthem of hope despite the adversity.

 

Petey Martin Debuts New Single ‘Come Back Home’ With Lauren Daigle

Petey Martin is releasing his Palm Tree Records debut single “Come Back Home,” featuring Lauren Daigle. The anthemic single combines Martin’s piano house production with Daigle’s powerhouse vocals.

Martin wrote and produced Celine Dion’s “Ashes” from the Deadpool 2 soundtrack, which helped catapult him into producing, where he decided to pursue a career in dance music with the help of Kygo and his Palm Tree Records team. In 2019 he wrote/produced “Think About You” by Kygo, “Bigger Than” by Seeb, and made his debut as an artist in his own right, collaborating with Matoma on their song “Keep It Simple” (feat. Wilder Woods). Last year, he wrote and produced five song’s on Kygo’s Golden Hour album, as well as releases with Loud Luxury, Frank Walker, and a remix for Seeb.

 

Country Music Singer-Songwriter Ed Bruce Dies

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Ed Bruce

Country singer-songwriter Ed Bruce died Friday (Jan. 8) in Clarksville, Tennessee, of natural causes. He was 81.

In 1957, at the age of 17, he went to see Jack Clement, a recording engineer for Sun Records. Bruce caught the attention of Sun owner Sam Phillips, for whom he wrote and recorded “Rock Boppin’ Baby” (as “Edwin Bruce”). In 1962, he wrote “Save Your Kisses” for pop star Tommy Roe and in 1963 he reached No. 109 on the Billboard “Bubbling Under” chart with his own recording of “See the Big Man Cry” (Wand 140), both published by Bill Justis at Tuneville Music. Charlie Louvin recorded “See the Big Man Cry” (Capitol 5369) in 1965; Louvin’s version reached No. 7 on the Billboard “Country Singles” chart. During his career, many songs that Bruce wrote and recorded were more successful when re-recorded by others.

In the early 1960s, Bruce recorded for RCA and some smaller labels like Wand/Scepter, singing rockabilly music, as well as more pop-oriented material such as “See the Big Man Cry.” In 1966, he returned to RCA and recorded “Puzzles,” “The Price I Pay To Stay” and “Lonesome Is Me”. He still did not achieve great charting action. He made money doing voice-overs for television and radio commercials. He scored his first charted single with “Walker’s Woods” in 1967, and also charted with his version of The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville.” Both of these singles were minor hits. In 1969, Bruce signed with Monument Records, where he continued to have minor successes with “Everybody Wants To Get To Heaven” and “Song For Jenny.”

Meanwhile, he continued to write songs like “The Man That Turned My Mama On,” which was a major hit for Tanya Tucker in 1974, and “Restless” for Crystal Gayle the same year. He signed with United Artists Records in 1973 and released several singles, but only one single in 1974 became a minor hit. He finally made the upper regions of the charts when he made the Top 20 with his version of “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” a song he co-wrote in 1976.

Two more Top 40 hits followed for Bruce in 1976, and in 1977, he signed with Epic Records where he would score minor hits. In 1978, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” was recorded by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. It became a major hit and continued the upward swing in Bruce’s career. In 1979, Tanya Tucker took Bruce’s 1977 song “Texas (When I Die)” into the country Top 5.

In 1980, Bruce signed with MCA Records, where he would score his biggest successes. His early hits with MCA included “Diane,” “The Last Cowboy Song,” “When You Fall In Love (Everything’s A Waltz),” “Evil Angel,” and “Love’s Found You And Me.” His biggest hit, “You’re The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” went to No. 1 on the country chart in 1982. This also was Bruce’s first Top 10 as a singer after 15 years. He had other hit songs that made the Top 10 like “Ever, Never Lovin’ You,” “My First Taste of Texas,” and “After All.”

In 1984, he returned to RCA Records and scored a No. 3 hit with “You Turn Me On Like A Radio” in 1985. His last Top 10 single was “Nights” in 1986 and his last Top 40 single (and last chart single to date) was “Quietly Crazy” in 1987.

During this time, Bruce began to act and do commercials. One of his biggest acting roles was as the second lead on the television revival of 1957’s Maverick, called Bret Maverick. Starring James Garner as a legendary western gambler, the series ran on NBC-TV during the 1981-82 season, but was unexpectedly canceled. Bruce played the surly town lawman who found himself reluctantly co-owning a saloon with Maverick, with whom he seemed to maintain a surreally adversarial relationship more or less throughout the entire season. Bruce also sang and wrote the theme song to the show, while Garner himself sang the same song over the end titles at the show’s close.

After the 1986 album entitled Night Things and a 1988 self-titled follow-up, Bruce made a conscious decision to cut back on his music to focus on his acting career, appearing in several made-for-TV films. He hosted two shows in the late 1980s, Truckin’ USA and American Sports Cavalcade. Bruce has also appeared in several theatrical releases, including Fire Down Below with Steven Seagal.

Bruce wrote “One,” recorded by George Jones and Tammy Wynette, off their 1995 album of the same name.

He was honored with the Arkansas Country Music Award for Lifetime Achievement on June 3, 2018 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Funeral arrangements were not announced at press time.

IBMA Winner Justin Moses’ New Album ‘Fall Like Rain’ Slated For January 22

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Justin Moses is releasing his new album Fall Like Rain on January 22nd.

Moses’ songwriting skills and musicianship are highlighted on the new self-produced, full-length project on Mountain Fever Records. Featuring a slew of stringed instruments, from flat-top six-string and Weissenborn guitar, to mandolin and banjo, Fall Like Rain not only sheds light on Moses’ many talents, but on the skill and perseverance it takes to piece them all together to create the polished finished product.

Acclaimed musicians Del McCoury, Shawn Lane, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Jerry Douglas, Cody Kilby, Barry Bales, Michael Cleveland, Jason Carter, and more can all be heard between the album-opening Eric Clapton cover, “Fall Like Rain,” and its tenth and final track, “Locust Hill.”

Moses has toured with Blue Moon Rising, The Dan Tyminski Band, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Blue Highway, and The Gibson Brothers, and in his two-year stint with Tyminski, he realized an early dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry for the first time and recorded the 2009 IBMA Album of the Year and Grammy-nominated album, Wheels. In 2018 and 2020, he received the IBMA’s Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year award. Moses has appeared on stage or in studio with artists including Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Joe Diffie, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Peter Frampton, Rosanne Cash, Dwight Yoakam, and Barry Gibb.

75 Or Over? Nashville Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccinations

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Nashville residents ages 75 and over are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Residents are required to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. Appointments are available on Saturdays and Sundays beginning this Saturday, Jan. 9.

Qualifying residents can call 615-862-7777 or click here to make appointment.

Grammy Winning Singer-Songwriter Jamie O’Hara Passes

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Jamie O’Hara

Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Jamie O’Hara has died at age 70. He courageously battled cancer and sadly succumbed on Jan. 7, with his wife, Lola White O’Hara, by his side.

O’Hara won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” a 1986 hit for The Judds. He was also noted as half of the performing and recording duo The O’Kanes alongside Kieran Kane. The O’Kanes had six consecutive top 10 hits in 1986-88, all of which were co-written by O’Hara and Kane.

James Paul O’Hara was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. He was an all-American high-school football star who was offered a tryout by the Detroit Tigers right out of high school, which he turned down to play football at Indiana University. A knee injury ended his football career. During his recovery, he took up the guitar and started writing songs.

Despite family and friends’ disapproval, he moved to Nashville at age 26. Within a year, he was signed as a staff songwriter by the industry giant Sony-ATV (then called Tree International Publishing).

He initially tasted success as a songwriter in 1980-87 with cuts by John Conlee, T.G. Sheppard, Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee, Michael Johnson and other stars of the era. In 1981, Ronnie McDowell scored back-to-back smash hits with O’Hara’s “Wandering Eyes” and “Older Women.” The 1986 Judds hit “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Old Days) earned Grammys for the duo’s performance as well as for O’Hara’s songwriting.

Jamie O’Hara next formed The O’Kanes with fellow songwriter Kieran Kane. The duo debuted on the charts with the 1986 top 10 hit “Oh Darlin.'” The O’Kanes scored a No. 1 hit in 1987 with “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You.” This was followed by the 1987-88 top 10 successes “Daddies Need to Grow Up Too,” “Just Lovin’ You,” “One True Love” and “Blue Love.”

The duo issued three LPs – The OKanes (1987), Tired of Runnin’ (1988) and Imagine That (1990) – before amicably parting ways.

Don Williams had scored a top 10 hit in 1988 with O’Hara’s co-written “Desperately,” and Tammy Wynette succeeded with “Talkin’ To Myself Again” in 1987. So O’Hara returned to writing for others. Trisha Yearwood, The Chicks, Randy Travis, Emmylou Harris, Mark Collie and Michael Martin Murphey were among those who recorded his songs in the early 1990s. Tanya Tucker popularized his farm-crisis song, “Bidding America Goodbye.”

The songwriter returned to recording with the 1994 solo CD Rise Above It. His second solo CD was 2001’s Beautiful Obsession, and in 2012 he followed it with Dream Hymns. The first of these contained his notable Vietnam War elegy “50,000 Names.”

O’Hara’s songwriting success continued with “You’ve Got to Talk to Me,” a major hit for Lee Ann Womack in 1997. George Jones (2000’s “The Cold Hard Truth”) and Wynonna (1997’s “When Love Starts Talkin’”) also maintained O’Hara’s songwriting prominence.

Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris included his “When We’re Gone Long Gone” on their 1999 Trio II collection. In 2001, Gary Allan had a No. 1 hit with “Man To Man,” and he also recorded several other O’Hara compositions.

Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Joey & Rory, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis and Josh Turner were among those who have recorded O’Hara songs in recent years. He also has a number of bluegrass-music successes.

During his songwriting career, Jamie O’Hara provided songs to dozens of stars. The list includes Janie Fricke, Mel McDaniel, Brady Seals, Shelby Lynne, Mandy Barnett, Kathy Mattea, Larry Stewart, Dave & Sugar, Tom Wopat and Stacy Dean Campbell, among many others.

There are no plans for a public memorial at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Jamie O’Hara’s name to Bonaparte’s Retreat, Doctors Without Borders, MusiCares, and SmileTrain.

MusicRow’s LB Cantrell Promoted To Director Of Content

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MusicRow‘s Director of Content LB Cantrell.

MusicRow magazine’s LB Cantrell has been promoted to Director of Content.

In this newly created position, Cantrell will oversee all MusicRow and MusicRow-related content, including managing the editorial team.

MusicRow Publisher Sherod Robertson says, “LB has quickly become an integral part of the MusicRow team. Her ability to manage administrative and project-based processes, while also understanding the editorial needs that serve our industry members, is a valued asset for the continued growth and success of our publication. This promotion is well-deserved.”

She will continue to manage the MusicRow social media accounts, head up specific, large-scale projects for the company, and assist in day-to-day operations. Cantrell also manages all MusicRow memberships, and facilitates the company’s annual events, including the MusicRow Awards, CountryBreakout Awards and Rising Women on the Row.

Cantrell joined MusicRow full-time in January of 2019, after interning and working part time for the company. She is from Blairsville, Georgia and graduated from the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

She can be reached at LBcantrell@musicrow.com.