Triple Tigers artist Russell Dickerson has earned his fourth consecutive No. 1 single with “Love You Like I Used To,” which tops both the Mediabase country chart and Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart this week.
“This feels really big for us,” Dickerson tells MusicRow. “I had a couple of friends over for a bonfire and I got a call from the radio team saying that the chart had just closed and it was officially No. 1, and it felt great. This one is special because it’s off the new album. I can’t believe it’s No. 1, it’s insane.”
The song follows his previous consecutive No. 1 songs, including “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” and “Every Little Thing”—all songs that the Triple Tigers team has propelled to No. 1 on the radio charts.
“The missing piece was the Triple Tigers team—their promo team is hands-down the best in the business,” Dickerson says. “This is my fourth No. 1 and Scotty McCreery has had several, so just out of the gate, to earn that many No. 1s with two artists is a testament to them. It feels like God kind of hand-picked the best radio veterans to all come together and take these to No. 1.”
He wrote the song alongside Parker Welling and Casey Brown. Dickerson recalls how his wife, Kailey Dickerson, even gave the singer-songwriter some direction with “Love You Like I Used To.”
“We had written the song once, and she’s brutally honest, and was like, ‘The title of the song is better than the song.’ And she was right. I got back together later that year with Parker and Casey, they had come on the road with us, and we completely re-wrote the song, just took it down to the studs—different groove, tempo, totally different lyric. Then we played it for the team and the label, and it just clicked and it was like, ‘Boom, there it is.’ In the first verse now, it kind of throws you for a loop, it feels like a breakup song. We wrote that twist in verse one, and then you get to the chorus and it’s like ‘Nope! It’s a big ‘ol love song.’ We knew it was special.”
“Love You Like I Used To” is the first track from Dickerson’s upcoming album, Southern Symphony, set for Dec. 4. The song has earned 96 million streams to date.
Dickerson says the COVID-19 touring shutdowns have allowed him ample time to focus on the production for his upcoming album. “We were throwing mixes around every few weeks up until a few months ago. For me, it’s no question it’s a giant step up from album one, from production and writing and a vocal standpoint,” says Dickerson, who produced the project alongside Brown and Dann Huff.
“We had a cool thing going with album one, it was younger sounding with a pop edge. This one has more roots to it, and more organic instruments, but it’s still a polished, big production. We had done a majority of the recording before quarantine hit, and then I had more time to focus on production.”
Dickerson played the guitar solo on his current chart-topper, something he says he normally wouldn’t get to do because he would be on the road. “I had time to add things like that and actually kind of pull my weight as a producer,” he notes. He also gained more confidence in the studio this time around, thanks to Brown and Huff.
“I’ve learned to speak my mind a lot more freely. It’s a hard road to walk as an artist and producer,” says Dickerson, who studied music at Belmont University. “To go into the studio and really get into the technical jargon and not shy away from my musical knowledge in the studio and just being confident in that. They both really encouraged me to keep doing that in the studio.”
Eric Church’s “Hell Of A View” Most-Added At Country Radio
/by Jessica NicholsonEric Church. Photo: Anthony DAngio
Eric Church‘s new single, “Hell of a View,” is the most-added this week at country radio, with 46 new adds on Mediabase, bringing his total to 61. EMI Records Nashville’s Church is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at Wednesday’s CMA Awards, where he is slated to perform the song live during the ABC telecast.
Church co-wrote the track alongside Casey Beathard and Monty Criswell, and the recording features Church’s longtime backing vocalist Joanna Cotten.
“We were in North Carolina in the mountains, and when I came back in from a jog Casey immediately started playing the first part of the song he’d been working on with Monty,” Church said.. “He had the line ‘caught your wings on fire when I smoked my Bronco tires out of that town,’ and I just thought that was such a great line. I was smitten with it, so we finished it and then recorded it that night. I knew it was pretty special when it went down, because it felt like a big hit but at the same time it has that timeless quality to it.”
“Gone Too Soon” Hitmaker Andrew Jannakos Inks Sony Label Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonTop row (L-R): Steve Hodges, Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotions & Artist Development; Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO; Andrew Jannakos; Andrew Cohen, Cohencidence Projects; Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville EVP & COO; Jim Catino, Sony Music Nashville EVP, A&R. (Middle row, L-R): Caryl Atwood, Sony Music Nashville SVP, Sales; Dennis Reese, Sony Music Nashville SVP, RCA Nashville Promotions; Margaret Tomlin, Sony Music Nashville Director, A&R; Anthony Stone, Cohencidence Projects; Jennifer Way, Sony Music Nashville Sr. Director, Marketing; Tracy Fleaner, Sony Music Nashville VP, Creative. (Bottom row, L-R): Lauren Thomas, Sony Music Nashville VP, National Promotion; Angie Magill, Sony Music Nashville SVP, Legal & Business Affairs; Matt Cottingham, Ritholz Levy Fields LLP.
Former The Voice contestant Andrew Jannakos, singer-songwriter behind the recent viral hit “Gone Too Soon,” has inked a deal with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville imprint.
In July, Jannakos’ girlfriend (now wife) posted a video to TikTok of Jannakos singing along to “Gone Too Soon.” The video earned more than 250,000 likes overnight and brought him over half a million followers on the TikTok platform.
When it released in September, Jannakos debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Emerging Artist chart. The song also reached No. 12 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales Chart, and No. 2 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart. “Gone Too Soon” has earned nearly 14 million on-demand streams to date.
“I’m so excited to be starting this journey with Sony Music Nashville!” shares Jannakos. “I could not be more grateful to my team and my family, who have supported me from the beginning. It just goes to show that hard work and dedication pay off.”
Russell Dickerson Celebrates Fourth No. 1 With “Love You Like I Used To”: “We Knew It Was Special”
/by Jessica NicholsonTriple Tigers artist Russell Dickerson has earned his fourth consecutive No. 1 single with “Love You Like I Used To,” which tops both the Mediabase country chart and Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart this week.
“This feels really big for us,” Dickerson tells MusicRow. “I had a couple of friends over for a bonfire and I got a call from the radio team saying that the chart had just closed and it was officially No. 1, and it felt great. This one is special because it’s off the new album. I can’t believe it’s No. 1, it’s insane.”
The song follows his previous consecutive No. 1 songs, including “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” and “Every Little Thing”—all songs that the Triple Tigers team has propelled to No. 1 on the radio charts.
“The missing piece was the Triple Tigers team—their promo team is hands-down the best in the business,” Dickerson says. “This is my fourth No. 1 and Scotty McCreery has had several, so just out of the gate, to earn that many No. 1s with two artists is a testament to them. It feels like God kind of hand-picked the best radio veterans to all come together and take these to No. 1.”
He wrote the song alongside Parker Welling and Casey Brown. Dickerson recalls how his wife, Kailey Dickerson, even gave the singer-songwriter some direction with “Love You Like I Used To.”
“We had written the song once, and she’s brutally honest, and was like, ‘The title of the song is better than the song.’ And she was right. I got back together later that year with Parker and Casey, they had come on the road with us, and we completely re-wrote the song, just took it down to the studs—different groove, tempo, totally different lyric. Then we played it for the team and the label, and it just clicked and it was like, ‘Boom, there it is.’ In the first verse now, it kind of throws you for a loop, it feels like a breakup song. We wrote that twist in verse one, and then you get to the chorus and it’s like ‘Nope! It’s a big ‘ol love song.’ We knew it was special.”
“Love You Like I Used To” is the first track from Dickerson’s upcoming album, Southern Symphony, set for Dec. 4. The song has earned 96 million streams to date.
Dickerson says the COVID-19 touring shutdowns have allowed him ample time to focus on the production for his upcoming album. “We were throwing mixes around every few weeks up until a few months ago. For me, it’s no question it’s a giant step up from album one, from production and writing and a vocal standpoint,” says Dickerson, who produced the project alongside Brown and Dann Huff.
“We had a cool thing going with album one, it was younger sounding with a pop edge. This one has more roots to it, and more organic instruments, but it’s still a polished, big production. We had done a majority of the recording before quarantine hit, and then I had more time to focus on production.”
Dickerson played the guitar solo on his current chart-topper, something he says he normally wouldn’t get to do because he would be on the road. “I had time to add things like that and actually kind of pull my weight as a producer,” he notes. He also gained more confidence in the studio this time around, thanks to Brown and Huff.
“I’ve learned to speak my mind a lot more freely. It’s a hard road to walk as an artist and producer,” says Dickerson, who studied music at Belmont University. “To go into the studio and really get into the technical jargon and not shy away from my musical knowledge in the studio and just being confident in that. They both really encouraged me to keep doing that in the studio.”
BMI Honors Dolly Parton With “Songteller To Songteller” Video Series
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI celebrated its annual Country Awards by honoring one of its most prolific writers, BMI Icon Dolly Parton, with a series of videos featuring seven BMI award-winning writers, each discussing the impact Parton’s art and songwriting have had on them.
Parton’s songs have earned more than 22 million performances and she has earned 36 BMI songwriting awards. Parton recently teamed with acclaimed author and journalist Robert K. Oermann for her upcoming book, Songteller:My Life In Lyrics, which releases Nov. 17.
In the video series, Parton discusses the craft of songwriting and is lauded by artists and songwriters including Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Brandi Carlile, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Thomas Rhett, and Carrie Underwood.
BMI announced this year’s Country Awards winners earlier today, including Ross Copperman as Songwriter of the Year, and “Whiskey Glasses” (co-written by BMI writer Ben Burgess) as Song of the Year.
See the video tributes below:
Ashley McBryde:
Brandi Carlile:
Carrie Underwood:
Kane Brown:
Luke Bryan:
Scotty McCreery:
Thomas Rhett:
Luke Combs Skyrockets To Top Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey
Luke Combs leaps 17 slots to the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with 11 songs from his What You See Ain’t Always What You Get Deluxe Edition release fueling his ascent. The deluxe edition set the new weekly streaming record last week for a country album with 102.26 million on-demand streams, breaking his’ own record, which he set last November when he released What You See Is What You Get.
Combs’ co-writers also make gains this week, with Randy Montana at No. 4 with Combs’ “Better Together” and “Cold as You,” as well as Parker McCollum’s “Pretty Heart” and Justin Moore’s “We Didn’t Have Much.” Dan Isbell jumps from No. 77 to No. 11 as a co-writer on Combs “Without You,” “1, 2 Many,” “Moon Over Mexico,” “My Kinda Folk,” and “Better Together.”
HARDY is at No. 2 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, after a seven-week reign at No. 1.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
FlyteVu Partners With AB Bernstein to Launch Agency Philanthropic Donor Fund
/by Lorie HollabaughFlyteVu employees will now have the ability to apply for funds, including on behalf of clients and partners, to support nonprofit organizations throughout the year. FlyteVu has committed to an initial investment of $250,000 in 2020 to start the fund, and all donations will support causes aligned with FlyteVu’s values including music, health and family.
Over the past five years, and including the Fund’s initial investment, FlyteVu has donated more than $750,000 to a wide range of certified nonprofits chosen by employees, including Musicians On Call, Youth Villages, Porter’s Call, Ronald McDonald House of Charities Nashville, Safe Haven Family Shelter, Thistle Farms, and many others, as part of the agency’s ongoing ‘FlyteVu Gives Back’ program. This new fund comes as part of the FlyteVu’s continued growth and commitment to the community.
The agency stated, “At FlyteVu, we believe we can only move forward by giving back. Now more than ever, our community and our nation needs companies and leaders who challenge our culture’s definition of success, not by earnings but by lives changed from radical generosity. Rising tides lift all ships and our deepest hope is that God will use this Fund to shine hope, light, and love to those who need it most.”
“As a philanthropic organization ourselves that is investing heavily into Nashville, we are excited to be working with FlyteVu to support their mission. For over 50 years, AB has been dedicated to helping clients align their values with their investments and it is the innovative businesses like FlyteVu that are dedicating resources to impact investing and philanthropy that will create a better future for generations to come,” said Adam Sansiveri, Managing Director of Bernstein’s Private Wealth Group in Nashville.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Holds Top Sales Spots, Cam Makes Top Debut
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs, Cam
Luke Combs has the top two albums this week on the country albums chart, with What You See Is What You Get at No 1 with 52K in total consumption, according to Nielsen. Meanwhile, Combs’ This One’s For You is at No. 2 with 18K. Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me is at No. 3 with 15K, followed by Carrie Underwood‘s My Gift at No. 4 with 15K. Kane Brown‘s Mixtape Vol. 1 is at No. 5 with 11K.
This week’s top debut is Cam‘s The Otherside, which enters at No. 19 on the country albums chart, with 6.2K.
The BIG 98 Adds Brooke Taylor As Midday Host
/by Jessica NicholsonBrooke Taylor
On-air personality Brooke Taylor has been added as midday host at iHeartCountry Nashville station The BIG 98, broadcasting from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., effective immediately.
Taylor’s previous career stops include serving as assistant program director and host for the former BIG 95.5, serving as midday host and assistant program director for Fort Wayne, Indiana’s WBTU, and an on-air personality for Radio Disney.
Taylor will continue to host the night show for iHeartMedia Denver’s 106.7 The Bull and broadcast on several iHeartCountry stations across the country.
“When I set out to work in country music, one of the first things I prayed for was to be in Nashville one day, and the fact that this is becoming a reality is honestly a dream come true,” said Taylor. “I can’t wait to join an already incredible team at The BIG 98 and to represent the iHeartCountry brand.”
“Brooke is the perfect addition to the WSIX franchise,” said Rod Phillips, Executive Vice President/Country Programming Strategy for iHeartCountry. “She has always been very active on the iHeartCountry team as well, which made this the perfect next step and location for her and for our country brands.”
Luke Dick Extends Publishing Deal With Little Louder Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Little Louder Music’s Offensive Coordinator Arturo Buenahora, Luke Dick, Little Louder Music Supervisor of Morale Jefferson Brown
Luke Dick has extended his publishing deal with Nashville-based Little Louder Music.
The singer/songwriter was originally signed to the publishing house in 2014, and the extension continues his relationship with President Arturo Buenahora, who has been a champion of his for nearly a decade.
“Luke has accomplished so much in the last few years and we are all very excited to keep sharing the sunshine with him,” said Buenahora. “Whether writing for Hey Steve or for others, making music or movies, Luke brings a curious intelligence to every project.”
“Arturo is one of the first people who really got behind my music” said Luke. “He welcomed me when I was new in town and we share the same vision for my work. It is awesome that we can continue this crazy journey this together.”
Luke is a musician, songwriter, filmmaker and artist who is currently nominated for a CMA Award for Song of the Year for Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird,” and has also penned songs for The Highwomen, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, The Cadillac Three, Eli Young Band and more. His next project, Music From The Documentary Red Dog, will be released on Dec. 4 via UMG/INgrooves. The film originally premiered at SXSW and follows Luke’s journey to learn more about the Red Dog topless bar where his mother Kim worked while raising him. It features interviews and stories with former dancers, employees and patrons of the Red Dog, and he wrote, performed and curated the songs that appear in the film featuring some of his superstar friends.
Lee Brice, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard Test Positive For COVID-19, Cancel CMA Awards Appearances
/by Jessica NicholsonTyler Hubbard, Lee Brice.
With just days leading up to the 54th annual Country Music Association Awards, two performers have canceled their appearances on the show, due to positive COVID-19 tests.
Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard revealed Monday (Nov. 9) that he tested positive for COVID, and is quarantining on his tour bus outside of his home.
“Some of y’all guessed it,” Hubbard wrote on Instagram. “Got the Rona. Asymptomatic. Quarantining on bus. Miss my family. Writing songs. Thankful.”
On Sunday (Nov. 8), Lee Brice‘s team also announced Brice will not take part in the awards show due to a positive COVID test. According to the Associated Press, Brice says that he is “in good spirits and not experiencing any symptoms.”
This year’s CMA Awards are set to welcome artists “safely…all in one room,” according to an earlier release from the Country Music Association, though without an in-house audience.
Brice had been slated to perform his chart-topping duet with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” on the CMA Awards show. On Monday morning, the CMA announced Lady A’s Charles Kelley will be stepping in for Brice. “I Hope You’re Happy Now” is nominated for Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.
The CMA released the following statement, noting that “our process enabled us to manage each situation immediately and before either artist ever entered our set. Most importantly, it prevented anyone else from being exposed.” See the full statement below: