Chris Janson Celebrates Triple Platinum Certification

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Pictured: Warner Music Nashville EVP/GM Ben Kline with Chris Janson. Photo: Courtesy Warner Music Nashville

Chris Janson was presented with a special plaque during his performance Friday night (Aug. 28) as part of the “Live at the Ryman” exclusive virtual concert experience.

The acclaimed entertainer translated his signature high-energy performance to the new medium with performances of fan favorites, including his recent multi-week No. 1 “Done,” and his new single “Waitin’ On 5.”

Warner Music Nashville EVP/GM Ben Kline took the stage to present Janson with a plaque commemorating the milestone of “Buy Me A Boat” being certified triple Platinum.

Ryman Auditorium To Reopen For Limited Capacity Live Audience Concerts On Friday

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Scotty McCreery. Photo: Jeff Ray

The Ryman Auditorium will reopen for limited capacity live audience concerts beginning Friday, Sept. 4, with Scotty McCreery‘s headlining concert, part of the Live at the Ryman series. The concert will mark the first performance with a live audience at the Ryman since venue shutdowns began in mid-March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The venue will be limited to 125 ticketed attendees (approximately 5% of the venue’s capacity). The audience will be physically distanced inside the venue with “POD” seating, allowing groups of 2-6 people per pod. Masks will mandatory for all guests, as well as for all Ryman Auditorium operations and production staff. There will be designated restrooms, entrance and exit points for the main floor and balcony seating. There will be no food or beverage service, though complimentary bottled water will be available. All Ryman Auditorium staffers will undergo temperature checks.

In-venue tickets for the McCreery show begin at $89, which include an exclusive Hatch Show Print poster and in-person access to the artist Q&A prior to the show. Livestream ticket prices begin at $10 with VIP upgrades available for $40 (livestream ticket and virtual artist Q&A) and $95 (livestream ticket, virtual artist Q&A, autographed Hatch Show Print poster and series t-shirt). All merchandise is available for purchase in advance online to commemorate the landmark series. In-venue tickets for the Sept. 4 show are on sale at ryman.com.

The Live At The Ryman series will continue with concerts from Brett Young (Sept. 11) and Old Crow Medicine Show (Sept. 18).

Each concert in the series is produced by the same team that has produced the weekly Saturday live broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry since the early days of the pandemic when all events with a live audience were suspended. Live At The Ryman uses the Mandolin livestream platform, giving fans at home access to a front row seat.

Willie Nelson, Margo Price, Chris Stapleton Set For Farm Aid 2020

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On Sept. 26, Farm Aid will celebrate its 35th anniversary via a virtual festival, “Farm Aid On The Road,” with performances from the festival’s board members Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson and Neil Young, as well as Brandi Carlile, Jack Johnson, Bonnie Raitt, and Chris Stapleton.

The lineup also includes Black Pumas, Edie Brickell (with Charlie Sexton), Jamey Johnson, Jon Batiste, Kelsey Waldon, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Valerie June, the War and Treaty, and more.

This year’s virtual event will be aired from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT on Sept. 26, via the FarmAid YouTube channel, AXS TV and fans.com.

“This pandemic and so many other challenges have revealed how essential family farmers and ranchers are to the future of our planet,” Willie Nelson said via a statement. “Farm Aid 2020 is going to give the whole country a chance to learn about the important work of farmers and how they’re contributing to our well-being, beyond bringing us good food.”

Farm Aid launched on Sept. 22, 1985 in Illinois, and has been held annually since 1992.

“Since we started in 1985, Farm Aid has kept its finger on the pulse of farm country and deployed funds and resources to help farm families confront the challenges they face,” Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar said in a statement. “It’s clear that this is a critical moment for farmers and ranchers. We risk losing their important contributions to our communities and our families if we do not adequately respond as a country.”

BREAKING: 2020 CMA Awards Nominees Revealed

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The nominees for the 2020 CMA Awards were announced Tuesday (Sept. 1) morning. Select categories were first announced by Luke Combs and Carly Pearce on Good Morning America, with remaining categories revealed by Ingrid Andress and Gabby Barrett during a live stream hosted by Ashley Eicher.
Combs received his first nomination for the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year, along with Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

Lambert leads the nominees with seven nominations, breaking the record for most nominations by a female artist in CMA Awards history with 55 total career nods.

Combs follows with six nominations; Maren Morris has five; and Dan + Shay, producer Jay Joyce and Pearce each secured four.

First time CMA Awards nominees are Andress, Barrett, Justin Bieber, Jimmie Allen, Justin Clough, David Coleman, Jim Cooley, Luke Dick, Sam Ellis, Ray Fulcher, Caylee Hammack, Hozier, Zach Kale, Rob McNelley, Buckley Miller, Scott Moffatt, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton, Sam Siske, Derrick Southerland, Chris Tomlin, Tenille Townes and Laura Veltz.

It was also announced that The 54th Annual CMA Awards live broadcast will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.

Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Single Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Producer: Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
Producer: Scott Moffatt
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“The Bones” – Maren Morris
Producer: Greg Kurstin
Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
“I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

Album Of The Year
Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi
Never Will – Ashley McBryde
Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets
Old Dominion – Old Dominion
Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
Producer: Scott Moffatt
Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Jay Joyce

Song Of The Year
“Bluebird” – Written by Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert, recorded by Miranda Lambert
“The Bones” – Written by Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz, recorded by Maren Morris
“Even Though I’m Leaving” – Written by Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, recorded by Luke Combs
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton, recorded by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
“More Hearts Than Mine” – Written by Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland, recorded by Ingrid Andress

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Vocal Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

Musical Event Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Producer: Dan Smyers
“Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
Producer: Dann Huff
“The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier
Producer: Greg Kurstin
“Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley
McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
Producer: Jay Joyce
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Producer: busbee

Musician Of The Year
Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley, Guitar
Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
Derek Wells, Guitar

Music Video Of The Year
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
Director: Patrick Tracy
“Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy
“Homemade” – Jake Owen
Director: Justin Clough
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Director: Sam Siske
“Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton
Director: David Coleman

New Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen

Finalists For Broadcast Personality Of The Year (by market size):

National
“American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Westwood One
“The Blair Garner Show” (Blair Garner and “Off Eric” Garner) – Westwood One
“CMT After Midnite” (Cody Alan) – Premiere Networks
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Mayor of Music Row” (Charlie Monk) – Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Major Market
“Angie Ward” – WUBL, Atlanta, Ga.
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and McKaila Granning) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Double-L” (Lois Lewis) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Fitz in the Morning” (Cory Fitzner) – KNUC, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
“Paul Schadt & Sarah Lee in the Morning with Producer Geof” (Paul Schadt, Sarah Lee and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.

Large Market
“The Big Dave Show (“Big Dave” Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Jason Statt and Ashley Hempfling) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Lexi & Banks” (“Lexi” Elena Abatgis and “Banks” Jared Danielson) – KUBL, Salt Lake City-Ogden- Provo, Utah
“Obie & Ashley” (“Obie” Obed Diaz and Ashley Morrison) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“Ridder, Scott and Shannen” (“Ridder” Shaun Ridderbush, Scott Dolphin, and Shannen Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.

Medium Market
“Brent Michaels” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“Clay & Company” (Clay Moden, Rob Banks, and Val Townsend) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
“Kenn McCloud” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“Scott and Sarah in the Morning” (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) – WQMX, Akron, Ohio
“Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

Small Market
“Big Rick In The Morning” (“Big Rick” Daniels) – WGGC, Bowling Green, Ky.
“Bobby & Steve (and Mandi!)” (Bobby Cook, Steve Schwetman and Mandi Turner) – WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.
“Brent and Candy – The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
“Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
“Steve And Jessica Mornings” (Steve Waters and Jessica Cash) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Va.

Finalists For Radio Station Of The Year (by market size):
Major Market
KNUC – Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
KYGO – Denver-Boulder, Colo.
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

Large Market
KNCI – Sacramento, Calif.
KUBL – Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, Utah
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
WQMX – Akron, Ohio
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WXCY – Wilmington, Del.

Small Market
KKNU – Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
WBYT – South Bend, Ind.
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
WXFL – Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Morgan Wallen Adds Republic To His Team

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

Big Loud Records artist Morgan Wallen has scored a huge streaming hit with his latest, “7 Summers.” Now, Republic Records is partnering with Big Loud to work Wallen’s music, and will start with a radio campaign for “7 Summers.” The news was first reported by Hits Daily Double and confirmed by MusicRow Magazine.

“7 Summers,” which Wallen wrote alongside Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, debuted at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, becoming only the fifth track to do so since the chart began in 1958, and the first to debut at the top of the chart since 2017. Prior to its official release, Wallen released a snippet of the song on TikTok and it went viral. “7 Summers” set the new Apple Music first day record for a country song with the most streams ever (4.6 million), debuting at No. 3 on the Global Top 100 chart and topping the Country Songs chart in the United States and Canada. At Spotify, the song reached the biggest all-time first day record for a country song from a solo artist, reaching No. 3 on the U.S. all-genre Top 200 chart.

Wallen’s debut album If I Know Me has been certified Gold by the RIAA and he’s earned a string of Platinum and multi-Platinum singles to date, including “The Way I Talk,” “Up Down,” “Whiskey Glasses,” and “Chasin’ You,” among others.

Ernest Keith Smith Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Big Loud writer Ernest Keith Smith moves up six spots to No. 7 on MusicRow‘s Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credit on Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country,” Chris Lane’s “Big, Big Plans,” and Morgan Wallen’s “This Bar” and “More Than My Hometown.”

Kane Brown follows Smith at No. 8, with his own “Worship You” and “Cool Again,” as well as Lindsay Ell’s “wAnt me back” and Florida Georgia Line’s “I Love My Country.”

At No. 1 again this week is Josh Thompson, while HARDY maintains the No. 2 position on the MusicRow Chart.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded 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.

Weekly Register: Tim McGraw’s ‘Here On Earth’ Debuts At No. 1

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Here On Earth, the latest album from Tim McGraw, debuts at No. 1 this week on the Top Country Albums chart, according to Nielsen, with 24K in total consumption. The project marks McGraw’s first since returning to Big Machine.

Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me falls one spot to No. 2 on the country albums tally, with 22K in total consumption this week. Luke Combs takes the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, with What You See Is What You Get selling 21K in total consumption, followed by This One’s For You with 19K. Kane Brown‘s recent EP, Mixtape Vol. 1 is at No. 5 this week, with 16K.

Wallen holds fast to the pinnacle of the Country On-Demand Audio Streaming chart again this week with his smash hit “7 Summers,” which earned 11 million streams in its second week out (33 million streams to date).

Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” remains at No. 2 with 8.6 million streams, followed by Maddie & Tae‘s “Die From A Broken Heart” with 7.1 million streams. Wallen appears again on the final two of the Top 5 this week, with his own “Chasin’ You” at No. 4 with 6.6 million streams. Diplo & Julia Michaels (ft. Wallen)’s “Heartless” is at No. 5 with 6.4 million streams.

Chris Young To Headline Boys And Girls Clubs Great Futures Gala

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Chris Young. Photo: Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee

Chris Young will headline a virtual benefit for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, the Great Futures Gala, on Friday, Oct. 2. The concert will feature music from Young, appearances from several surprise celebrity guests, and messages from the youth and families that rely on Boys & Girls Clubs for access to virtual schoolwork, healthy snacks and meals, and social/emotional guidance as they navigate recent events.

This year’s Gala, presented by Nissan, will stream from 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. CT on Oct. 2. Past celebrity guests at previous (in-person) Great Futures Galas have included Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Shaquille O’Neal and Martin Short. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the more than 4,700 Club members who count on their Clubs for tutoring, healthy food and life mentorship. Full details of the event can be found at bgcmt.org/gala2020.

“Our young people truly need us now more than ever,” said Jennifer Wheeler Buhrman, Chief Development Officer at BGCMT. “The global pandemic has hit our families the hardest, whether it is a family without reliable internet at home that cannot access virtual schooling, or an essential worker that has to decide between leaving her child at home alone or bringing home a paycheck. Our Clubs and new E-Learning Centers are a lifeline for children and teens to stay on track to graduate while we navigate this new normal.”

Liv Charette Signs With The AMG

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Pictured (L-R): (second row) The AMG’s Brooke Mansfield, Eva Gilleland, Rob Beckham, Leigh Ann Pique, Sheila Gerardy, (first row) Becky Harris of Huskins-Harris, Liv Charette, The AMG’s Adria DeLaune. Photo: David Colón

Liv Charette has signed with The Artist Management Group for exclusive management representation. The Canadian-born singer/songwriter is represented by Adria DeLaune, a manager at The AMG.

“The AMG is happy to announce that we have added Liv to our top-notch talent roster,” AMG co-founder Rob Beckham said. “With her enormous vocal range, she will no doubt have a long and successful music career.”

“When I heard Liv sing for the first time, I knew instantly that she was an artist I wanted to work with because of both her powerhouse vocals and her incredible ability to tell a story through her songs,” DeLaune said. “I am so proud of the success of her debut single, and I can’t wait to see what is to come for her.”

Charette just achieved the 100,000 stream mark with her debut single “That Kind of Song,” which was penned by Andrew Dorff and Barry Dean. The tune was produced by Steve Dorff, father to the late Andrew Dorff.

Operation Song Announces New Board Members

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Pictured: Storme Warren, Cindy Morgan, Heather McBee

Operation Song, the Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to empowering military veterans through songwriting, has appointed broadcaster Storme Warren, singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan, and executive Heather McBee to its board of directors.

“Operation Song is fortunate to be endowed with an abundance of dedicated, generous and talented board members,” said Kyle Frederick, Executive Director of Operation Song. “It’s an honor to welcome and recognize Cindy, Heather and Storme as part of our leadership team.”

“As a lifelong supporter of our military and a 37-year veteran of the music business, I am honored to join the board of Operation Song,” said Warren, host of “The Storme Warren Show” on SiriusXM’s The Highway Channel. “To be able to combine these passions in an effort to help our veterans, and those currently serving, as they find their voices and healing through songwriting is equally humbling and inspiring.”

“Participating in Operation Song’s programs these past five years has given me a deep appreciation for the tremendous sacrifice the men and women of our military have made in their lives for the freedom of our nation,” said Morgan, a multiple Dove Award-winning artist. “I have seen firsthand the healing that occurs when they are given the chance to tell their story through a song. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the bravest among us.”

“’It all starts with a song’ has never been so true than when it comes to the healing power of music,” said McBee, VP, Operations of Nashville Entrepreneur Center. ”I’m extremely honored to join the Board of Operation Song, an organization dedicated to using that healing power to support veterans and active military.”

Founded in 2012 by hit songwriter Bob Regan, Operation Song has served veterans and active duty servicemen and women of all ages, ethnicities, and demographics helping them tell their stories through songwriting. It also serves their families through its Spouses and Caregivers retreats.