Granger Smith Launches Fall Apparel Line As ‘Country Things Vol. 1’ Sets To Drop

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Granger Smith. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Granger Smith has unveiled the Fall launch of his outdoor apparel company, Yee Yee Apparel. The line features a collection of 31 new products including T’s, pullovers, custom women’s ball caps, camo neck gaiters and more, and comes as he prepares to release his new album, Country Things, Vol. 1 on Friday (Sept. 25).

For five years, the Smith brothers (Granger, Tyler and Parker) have meticulously built a sustainable lifestyle brand that caters to those in America’s heartland. Stemming from the notorious catchphrase, “YEE YEE,” from Granger’s country boy alter-ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., the brand has become a symbol for all those who cherish hard work, American values, God, country, family, and our flag.

Through the close-knit relationship Granger has built with his fanbase, the brothers have exponentially grown Yee Yee Apparel. The brand is just another branch of the family of creative and business outlets that Smith has become known for. From Earl Dibbles, Jr., to his family YouTube show “The Smiths,” to his No. 1 book If You’re City, If You’re Country, to his Granger Smith podcast, to his hero-honoring documentary They Were There: A Hero’s Documentary, to his work with the River Kelly Fund, the chart-topper continues to build a brand synonymous with those who cherish hard work and want to live life to its fullest.

The apparel brand also serves as a way to give back as well. The Smith family’s mission, “to share our passion for the outdoors and living life to the fullest and to give back to organizations around the globe who are doing their best to make the world a better place,”has already resulted in over $230,000 in donations to charities. For the Fall launch, they have chosen Veteran Outdoors, an organization that honors our country’s wounded veterans’ patriotism and sacrifice by providing quality hunting, fishing and outdoor related activities.

Recent Yee Yee Apparel Donations:
June 2019 – 218,000 to Dell Children’s Medical Center
November 2019 – $7,500 to Disabled Outdoorsmen USA
January 2020 – $15,000 to The River Kelly Fund
April 2020 – $5,000 to Meals on Wheels America
June 2020 – $7,500 to The River Kelly Fund

Drew Green’s ‘Dirt Boy Vol. 1’ Out Now

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Drew Green released his debut EP, Dirt Boy Vol. 1, on Friday (Sept. 18).

The project includes the two critically acclaimed songs Green has released since signing to Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville in early June: “Little More Be Alright,” and “Right Where I Be,” along with four other previously-unreleased tracks: “She Got That,” “Woods,” “Fine By Me,” and “Dirty Money.” Green co-wrote all six songs on Dirt Boy Vol. 1.

“Little More Be Alright,” was selected as Sirius XM The Highway’s On The Horizon Pandora Pick and has received heavy airplay on the satellite station. Green released his music video for “Right Where I Be,” on July 31 and co-stars in the clip alongside Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise’s Danielle Maltby. Green signed a publishing agreement in November 2018 with Grammy-winning Brett James’ Cornman Music, a co-venture with Warner Chappell Nashville. In 2019, Florida Georgia Line cut “Colorado,” which Green co-penned with Hunter Phelps and Michael Hardy (HARDY), for their No. 1 album,  Can’t Say I Ain’t Country.

Brock Berryhill Extends Deal With Warner Chappell Music Nashville

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Brock Berryhill.

Hit songwriter/producer Brock Berryhill has extended his global publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

Berryhill has earned three No. 1 singles, including “Good As You” and “Homesick,” both recorded by Kane Brown, as well as “What Happens In A Small Town,” recorded by Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell. Berryhill also co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s hit “Happy Does” and Gilbert’s single “Hard Days,” which are both currently climbing Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The BMI-aligned songwriter has also earned cuts for Jason Aldean, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Jon Langston and more.

“Since moving to Nashville just a few short years ago Brock’s been making his mark on Music City in a big way with his talent supported by his inspiring work ethic,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “He is respected and beloved by everyone who crosses paths with him. We’re excited to extend our partnership with him as he reaches new heights in his career.”

BREAKING: BMLG Promotes Allison Jones To EVP, A&R

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Allison Jones. Photo: Courtesy BMLG

Big Machine Label Group has promoted Allison Jones to Executive Vice President, A&R. Jones has been with BMLG for 12 years and most recently served as Senior Vice President, A&R. In her newly elevated role Jones will continue to lead all A&R efforts for the entire BMLG roster which includes Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Midland, Carly Pearce and more.

“Allison Jones is one of those extremely rare A&R executives who just knows when it comes to great artists and great songs. Our success together has left an indelible mark on this era of country music,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “She continually blows my mind at her knowledge of what’s going on in the marketplace, where the great songs and songwriters are and what new artists are circling. It’s extremely rare that I can bring up a new song or new artist that she doesn’t already know about. Thank you Allison! Nobody better.”

“I’ve worked with Scott since 1997 when we were part of the original team to open Dreamworks Nashville and I’m beyond grateful that he asked me to join his history-making Big Machine team twelve years ago,” said Jones. “I would not be the executive that I am today without his leadership, mentorship and faith in me. I’m so honored to represent our incredible roster of artists and crazy proud of all that we’ve accomplished. I’ve never been more passionate about discovering and developing new talent while continuing to champion our established artists throughout their careers.”

Prior to joining Big Machine Label Group, Jones worked in A&R at Universal Nashville as the Vice President, A&R, as well as at Dreamworks Nashville, Giant Records and BNA Records/RCA. She has been named to Billboard‘s Women In Music and Country Power Players lists and was recognized by the Nashville Business Journal for being one of the most influential executives in the music business.

Priscilla Block Signs With UMG Nashville

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Pictured: Priscilla Block with cardboard cut out versions of UMG Nashville’s EVP, A&R, Brian Wright; Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan; President, Cindy Mabe. Photo: Katie Kauss

A few weeks ago, Priscilla Block‘s song, “Just About Over You,” reached the top spot on the iTunes all-genre song chart within 12 hours of release. Now, Block has inked a deal with Universal Music Group Nashville, releasing the song to country radio via Mercury Nashville/InDent Records.

“All of us at UMG are beyond thrilled that Priscilla has decided to join our family,” says UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan. “With a massive fan base already in place, we are excited to take her and her music to the Universe!”

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina as one of five children, Priscilla moved to Nashville to pursue music shortly after high school. In Nashville, the affable up-and-comer worked multiple jobs to make ends meet while remaining steadfast in her study of songwriting and music.

Block has sold out shows at Deep South the Bar in Raleigh, the Listening Room Cafe, and Nashville’s rowdiest block party, Whiskey Jam. She has also shared the stage with artists including Gabby Barrett, Adam Craig and Dillon Carmichael.

Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay Lead Billboard Music Awards Country Nominees

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Earlier today, Billboard announced this year’s Billboard Music Awards nominees. Post Malone leads this year’s nominees with 16 nominations. Lil Nas X follows with 13 nominations, while Billie Eilish and Khalid earned 12 nominations each.

Luke Combs, Maren Morris, and Dan + Shay lead this year’s country nominees.
Combs is nominated for four awards, including the Billboard Chart Achievement Award, as well as Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist and Top Country Album (for What You See Is What You Get).

Dan + Shay were nominated in the all-genre Top Duo/Group category, as well as Top Country Artist, Top Country Duo/Group, and Top Country Song (for “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber).

Morris is nominated for Top Country Artist, Top Country Female Artist, Top Country Album (for GIRL) and Top Country Song (“The Bones”).

Kane Brown earned three nominations, for Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album (for Experiment). Thomas Rhett also earned three nominations, for Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album (Center Point Road).

Old Dominion and Morgan Wallen are each up for two honors, with Old Dominion nominated for Top Country Duo/Group, and Top Country Song (“One Man Band”). Wallen is nominated for Top Country Album (for his Platinum-selling If I Know Me) and Top Country Song (“Whiskey Glasses”).

Blake Shelton is nominated in the all-genre Top Selling Song for “God’s Country.” The song also earns a nod for Top Country Song.

Kanye West dominates the Gospel and Christian categories with nine nominations, with songs from his album Jesus Is King placing four of the five slots in the Top Gospel Song category, while the album is also up for Top Christian Album and Top Gospel Album. West is also nominated for Top Christian Artist, Top Gospel Artist and Top Christian Song.

This year’s awards show will air live from Los Angeles’ The Dolby Theatre on Oct. 14 on NBC. Kelly Clarkson will return as host for this year’s show, which was originally slated for April 29, 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See below for a list of select nominations:

Top Country Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Dan + Shay
Maren Morris
Thomas Rhett

Top Country Male Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett

Top Country Female Artist:
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Top Country Duo/Group:
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion

Top Country Tour:
Eric Church
Florida Georgia Line
George Strait

Top Country Album:
Kane Brown Experiment
Luke Combs What You See Is What You Get
Maren Morris GIRL
Thomas Rhett Center Point Road
Morgan Wallen If I Know Me

Top Selling Song:
Lewis Capaldi “Someone You Loved”
Billie Eilish “bad guy”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Lizzo “Truth Hurts”
Blake Shelton “God’s Country”

Top Country Song:
Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours”
Maren Morris “The Bones”
Old Dominion “One Man Band”
Blake Shelton “God’s Country”
Morgan Wallen “Whiskey Glasses”

Top Christian Artist:
Lauren Daigle
Elevation Worship
For King & Country
Hillsong United
Kanye West

Top Gospel Artist:
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Sunday Service Choir
Kanye West

Top Christian Album:
Bethel Music Victory: Recorded Live
Casting Crowns Only Jesus
Hillsong United People
Skillet Victorious
Kanye West Jesus is King

Top Gospel Album
Kirk Franklin Long Live Love
Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers Goshen
William McDowell The Cry: A Live Worship Experience
Sunday Service Choir Jesus Is Born
Kanye West Jesus is King

Top Hot 100 Song:
Lewis Capaldi “Someone You Loved”
Billie Eilish “bad guy”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Lizzo “Truth Hurts”
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Señorita”

Top Streaming Song:
Chris Brown ft. Drake “No Guidance”
Billie Eilish “bad guy”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Lil Tecca “Ran$om”
Post Malone & Swae Lee “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”

Top Collaboration (Fan Voted):
Chris Brown ft. Drake “No Guidance”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello “Señorita”
Post Malone & Swae Lee “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”
Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber “I Don’t Care”

Top Rap Song:
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road”
Lil Tecca “Ran$om”
Lizzo “Truth Hurts”
Post Malone & Swae Lee “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”
Post Malone “Wow.”

Top Christian Song:
Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser “Raise A Hallelujah”
Casting Crowns ft. Matthew West “Nobody”
Lauren Daigle “Rescue”
For King & Country “God Only Knows”
Kanye West “Follow God”

Top Gospel Song:
Kirk Franklin “Love Theory”
Kanye West “Closed on Sunday”
Kanye West “Follow God”
Kanye West “On God”
Kanye West “Selah”

Nate Kenyon Signs With Anthem Music Publishing

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Nate Kenyon has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing.

A native of Southeast Georgia, Kenyon was raised on a variety of different genres and artists, which influenced his unique writing style and voice. Along with his songwriting, he is also pursuing an artist career as well, and has shared stages with Luke Combs, Jon Pardi, Tyler Farr and Justin Moore, to name a few. Raking in upwards of 50 million YouTube views over the past two years, he has begun building a dedicated fanbase.

“From the first song we heard of Nate’s, we knew he was a special writer,” said Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “His wordsmithing is visceral and paints vivid pictures in your mind’s eye. You’ll be hearing a lot from Nate in the near future!”

“Not only do I get to say I’m lucky enough to have a publishing deal in Nashville, but I also get to say I have one with a family like Anthem that I know has my back,” Kenyon said.

Anthem Music Publishing is a division of Anthem Entertainment, with offices in Nashville, Toronto and Los Angeles.

Devon Gilfillian, Jason Isbell, The War And Treaty, More Set Livestream Concert To Benefit The Equity Alliance

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Devon Gilfillian and Friends are holding a livestream concert, “There’s An Election Going On” on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. ET in partnership with The Equity Alliance, Nugs.net and HeadCount.org.

During the special musical event the artists will perform songs from Marvin Gaye’s classic album, What’s Going On, live. The event will also include special guests playing songs of protest, freedom and community. In addition to Gilfillian, performers will include Aaron Lee Tasjan, Breland, Drew Holcomb, Emoni Wilkins, Grace Potter, Jason Eskridge, Jason Isbell, Joy Oladokun, Katie Pruitt, Kyshona Armstrong, Lera Lynn, Local Natives, The Lone Bellow, Nickie Conley and The War and Treaty.

“I don’t have much political power, but I do have the power of music,” said Gilfillian. “I decided I wanted to learn the entirety of Marvin Gaye’s album, What’s Going On, and use that music to raise money to fight voter suppression, bring people together, and share the message that Marvin was trying to get across. Marvin simply wanted this country to have a conversation, an informed conversation, on the injustice and pain that people are facing. To simply look at ‘what’s going on.’ Almost 50 years ago, this album came out, and every word still rings with such relevance.”

Gilfillian performed the national anthem at NASCAR 2020 on the day they banned the Confederate flag. He recently launched The Good Life Fund, which supports organizations that are doing good in the world, including Give A Note Foundation and Rebuilding Together Nashville.

UMPG Nashville Signs Global Publishing Deal With Ian Munsick (Exclusive)

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Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Ian Munsick to a global publishing deal. Munsick earned more than 20 million streams and more than 200,000 monthly listeners as an independent artist and recently signed with Warner Music Nashville. He is managed by The Erv Woolsey Company/Not a Public Figure Management. HIs first single, “Long Haul,” released earlier this month.

Cyndi Forman, Senior Vice President A&R, UMPG Nashville, said, “Ian brings such authenticity to his songwriting and artistry. His energy and positivity shines through his music and his work ethic. I can’t wait for people to get to know him. Our entire UMPG family is looking forward to working with him and his incredible team.”

Munsick added, “Working with publishers that have as much respect for Country music as Cyndi and Troy Tomlinson is a dream come true. Cyndi is such a champion for young artists like me who want to broaden the spectrum of Country music yet keep it rooted in lyrical integrity. Her ability to balance both the progressive and traditional ranges of the genre is why I’m confident I have the best damn publisher in town.”

Rock/Country Showman Roy Head Dies At 79

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Rocker Roy Head, who later forged a long career in country music, died Monday morning (Sept. 21) at age 79.

Head is best known for his 1965 pop/rock hit “Treat Her Right.” He was a wild, unpredictable showman whose stage performances were legendary. Between 1974 and 1986 he placed 24 singles on the country charts.

He grew up in East Texas, influenced by the musicians in the Black community around him, his mother’s Ernest Tubb records and the weekly broadcasts of The Louisiana Hayride.

Head recorded a few rockabilly tunes, then broke through with the R&B barn burner “Treat Her Right.” The single rose to the upper reaches of the charts, prevented from hitting No. 1 by The Beatles’ “Yesterday.”

The song became a big country hit for Barbara Mandrell in 1971. “Treat Her Right” was also covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Mae West, Robert Plant, Tom Jones, Otis Redding, George Thorogood, The Box Tops, Doug Sahm, Sandy Nelson, Joe Stampley and Los Straightjackets.

Head’s version was heard on the soundtracks of the 1991 movie The Commitments and Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

“Apple of My Eye” was the follow-up top 40 hit in late 1965. A string of releases on Back Beat, Scepter and Mercury ensued in 1966-71. Future rock star Johnny Winter got his start in Head’s band The Traits.

It was during this time that Roy Head built his reputation as a microphone-slinging, frantic, manic, back-flipping, leg-splitting stage wild man. Vocal shrieks and enthusiastic shouts accompanied his gymnastic dancing. Head’s offstage exploits were equally colorful, and Head’s re-telling of them was invariably embellished.

When his pop/rock career faded, Head turned his attention to country music.
He made his debut on the country charts with Mickey Newbury’s tune “Baby’s Not Home” in 1974. The following year, he scored his first country hit, “The Most Wanted Woman in Town.” It cracked the top 20 and became a top 10 hit on the Canadian country charts.

Head had his two biggest country hits in 1977-78, “Come to Me” and “Now You See ‘Em Now You Don’t.” Both were top 20 hits on ABC/Dot Records.

Other notable singles included his country versions of Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night” (1978) and Loggins & Messina’s “Your Mama Don’t Dance” (1983). Roy Head remained a Houston music legend into the 1990s and beyond. He retained his reputation as an electrifying showman into his senior years, and continued to be an entertaining raconteur.

Son Sundance Head was a finalist on American Idol in 2006, then won on The Voice in 2016. That led to the top 10 country hit “Darlin’ Don’t Lie” and a remake of his father’s “Treat Her Right” as a duet with Blake Shelton.

Roy Head was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of fame in 2007. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Jason (Sundance), daughter-in-law Misty, and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.