HARDY, Thompson, Gorley: MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart’s Top Three

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HARDY remains at the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credits on “More Than My Hometown” (Morgan Wallen), “One Big Country Song” (LOCASH), and “Some Girls” (Jameson Rodgers), as well as his own “One Beer.”

Josh Thompson maintains the No. 2 position this week. Ashley Gorley moves up to No. 3 with credits on “Hard To Forget” (Sam Hunt), “Hole In The Bottle” (Kelsea Ballerini), “One Big Country Song” (LOCASH), “One Of Them Girls” (Lee Brice), and “We Were Rich” (Runaway June).

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.

Island Hopper Songwriter Festival Postponed Until 2021

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The 7th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has been postponed due to concerns over the coronavirus. The new dates will be Sept. 17-26, 2021.

The 10-day music festival in Southwest Florida features more than 80 artists performing more than 100 shows, most of which are free in small, intimate venues across Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, and downtown Fort Myers.

“After extensive consideration, and in light of the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the most prudent way to proceed,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director for The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. “We are just as disappointed as our songwriters and fans but we’re looking forward to next year.”

The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest organizers have produced three monthly installments of Songs from the Sofa – a virtual experience featuring previous Island Hopper songwriters on Instagram Live. Songs from the Sofa will continue on the third Thursday of every month, and updates will be shared on island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com.

Ethan Hulse, "Who You Say I Am," Essential Music Publishing Top BMI Christian Awards

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BMI honored its top songwriters and publishers in Christian music recently. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, BMI has been honoring its top songwriters from the past year across all genres via online platforms in lieu of traditional in-person ceremonies.

Among this year’s BMI Christian Music Awards honorees, the Song of the Year title went to “Who You Say I Am,” written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan and published by Capitol CMG Publishing and Hillsong MP Songs. The song was nominated for Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards and won the GMA Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year in 2019. It peaked at No. 2 and spent an impressive 109 weeks on the Billboard US Christian Songs Chart.

For the second year in a row, the Songwriter of the Year award went to Ethan Hulse, who wrote “Confidence,” “Haven’t Seen It Yet,” “Known” and “Scars.” In 2019, Hulse won his first BMI Award and was simultaneously named Songwriter of the Year.

Essential Music Publishing took home the Publisher of the Year award. The company had the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “Confidence,” “Even Then,” “Freedom Hymn,” “Haven’t Seen It Yet,” “Known,” “Living Hope,” “Only Jesus,” “Resurrecting,” “Scars,” “Survivor,” “Till I Found You,” and “What a Friend.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI is also paying homage to the Twenty-Five Most Performed Christian Songs of the Year (2019). This year’s group of inspirational winners featured 14 first-time award winners, including Jeff Bumgardner (“Even Me”), Austin French (“Freedom Hymn”), Gareth Gilkeson (“Counting Every Blessing”), Lyn Rowell (“I Believe He’s Alive”), and Shane Stevens (“Beat Up Bible”), among others. Veteran Christian artist and six-time Songwriter of the Year winner TobyMac took home his 29th award for “Everything.”

“I look forward to the BMI Christian Awards every year, and 2020 is no exception,” says Leslie Roberts, Executive Director, Creative, BMI Nashville. “This year has been a difficult one for so many reasons. I am thrilled to be able to celebrate and honor these songs that are so full of hope and have brought comfort to so many during this tumultuous time in our world.”

Miranda Lambert Earns Seventh Country Radio Chart-Topper With "Bluebird"

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Miranda Lambert has earned her seventh No. 1 single this week, as “Bluebird” tops both Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.

“Bluebird” is the second single from her album Wildcard and Lambert co-wrote the track alongside Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick. The song has earned more than 130 million on-demand streams to date.

“2020 hasn’t offered a whole lot to celebrate, especially for musicians,” Lambert said on Twitter. “But I am celebrating this week. I’m celebrating happiness and the feeling of artistic freedom in a time where we all feel a little caged. I’m celebrating country music and all the joy it has brought to my life. I’m celebrating ALL the fans, the writers, the musicians, the crews and bands, radio and streaming services, and venues for allowing me to have the most wonderful career for the last 17 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And thank you to Luke Dick for allowing me to write this beautiful idea with you and to Natalie Hemby (my Dean Dillon) for bringing it home. Also Jay Joyce for bringing it to life and giving it wings, Trey Fanjoy for setting this bluebird free in the most beautiful video. And my management Shopkeeper MGMT/Marion Kraft and Sony Nashville for fighting for this song and for me. Turns out we did have a wildcard up our sleeve.”

“Bluebird” marks Lambert’s first No. 1 song on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart in eight years, and her first on Mediabase in six years.

She previously reached No. 1 as part of the 2018 Jason Aldean collaboration “Drowns The Whiskey,” but as a solo artist, her most recent No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart was in 2012 with “Over You.” She last hit No. 1 on Mediabase in 2014 with “Automatic.”

“Bluebird” follows an uptick in No. 1 songs from solo female artists so far in 2020, following chart-toppers from Maren Morris (the multi-week No. 1 “The Bones”), Ingrid Andress (“More Hearts Than Mine”), Gabby Barrett (“I Hope”) and Carly Pearce (“I Hope You’re Happy Now” ft. Lee Brice).

Publisher/Producer John E. Denny Dies

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Longtime Music Row business figure John E. Denny died Tuesday (July 21) at age 79. He had been battling diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease for years.

Born John Everett Denny, he was the son of Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Denny (1911-1963).

Opry manager Jim Denny founded Cedarwood Music with Webb Pierce in 1953. Along with Acuff-Rose and Tree, this was one of the cornerstones of the Nashville song publishing business.

When Jim Denny died, sons Bill Denny and John Denny assumed control of Cedarwood. John was Cedarwood’s vice president. The company was sold to Mel Tillis in 1983.

John Denny wrote several songs for the Cedarwood catalog, including the novelty numbers “All I Want for Christmas Is a Go-Go Girl,” “Jesus Took the Outlaw Out of Me” and “What’s Tootsie Gonna Do When They Tear the Ryman Down.”

One of the firm’s spin-offs was the Dollie Records label. John Denny produced Dollie singles for Carl Perkins, including “Country Boy’s Dream” and “Shine, Shine, Shine” which charted in 1966-67. He also produced Diana Duke and others for Dollie. The label’s acts included Johnny Wiggins, Marti Brown, Gene Wyatt and Johnnie Bailes.

In 1965, he formed his own Denny Music Group. The publishing arm, John E. Denny Music registered 422 titles with BMI. Most of its songs were recorded by independent country artists.

He had his own recording studio, Denny’s Den.

He also founded JED Records (named for his initials). The label released singles by Kent Westbury, Bobby Sykes, Scotty Stoneman, Rusty Adams, Chris Gantry, Jimmy Smart, Max D. Barnes, Ruthie Steele, Audie Ashworth and more before folding around 1980.

John E. Denny received the Lifetime Achievement award from R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) in 2004. He was one of the organization’s founders.

He is survived by his wife Pandora, son James Rae Denny II, sister Linda Gayle, brother J. William, a grandson and a granddaughter.

There will be a private family gravesite service on Thursday (July 30) at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Country Music Hall of Fame or to the charity of your choice.

BEXAR’s Chris Ryan Signs With Reservoir

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Pictured (L-R): Scott McGhee (1˚ Entertainment Music & Management Group), Greg Gallo (VP Creative, Reservoir), Chris Ryan, John Ozier (EVP Creative, Reservoir), Golnar Khosrowshahi (CEO, Reservoir) Photo credit: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Chris Ryan has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Reservoir. Ryan is part of the country music duo BEXAR, which recently signed with Warner Music Nashville.

The Reservoir deal includes all compositions from Ryan’s catalog, plus future works, including BEXAR’s newly-released single “Again.”

The up-and-coming country duo, pronounced “bear,” gets its name from Ryan’s hometown, Bexar County, Texas. Ryan performs lead vocals/guitar alongside Logan Turner, who rounds out their sound with additional vocal/banjo/guitar. BEXAR self-released their EP, BEXAR, in 2018 and have since amassed over 25 million streams. Their new single “Again,” a collaboration with writer-producer Ross Copperman, has been released on all platforms.

“Chris Ryan is a masterful songwriter and storyteller,” said John Ozier, Reservoir EVP, Creative. “It’s such an exciting time, as BEXAR are working on new music and sharing it with the world and we’re so happy to be on this journey with him.”

“As a songwriter, it’s so important to align with a publisher that has the same sensibilities as you,” added Ryan. “I love my team at Reservoir, John Ozier and [VP Creative] Greg Gallo, and the creative opportunities they provide me with.”

Brad Paisley, Steve Wariner Take Part In Instrumental Collaboration To Benefit MusiCares

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Brad Paisley

Several artists and musicians have joined for a new cross-genre instrumental collaboration “Quarantine,” to benefit MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Written and produced by award winning producer and musician Scotty Wilbanks on March 29, 2020, the collaboration of players recorded individual parts in home or personal studios over the next few months.

Country superstar Brad Paisley, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jonathan Cain (Journey), four-time Grammy winner Steve Wariner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones) join Luke Bryan’s band, Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and many more to form The Quarantine All-Stars.

“Truly one of the highlights of my career came at the most unusual time,” said Wilbanks, who is familiar to country and Christian music fans as the keyboard player for Luke Bryan and Third Day. “What started out as an idea in the middle of quarantine, turned into this unique collaboration with some of the most gifted musicians. It was an honor to work with these incredible players, who all contributed in their own unique way in bringing this project to life for a great cause, MusiCares!”

YouTube video

“What a thrill to play with this caliber of musicians! A social distance jam with players like these certainly isn’t preferable, but it’s the right way to do it these days, and to help out our struggling musicians by supporting MusiCares makes it even more special,” Wariner shared.

“It felt great to play on this smokin’ hot tune and fun video with so many other fine musicians in support of such a vital organization as MusiCares,” added Leavell. “I hope folks will enjoy it and join us in the cause!”

The full list of participating musicians is below:

The Quarantine All-Stars:
Guitars/Pedal Steel:
Brad Paisley
Steve Wariner
Michael Carter (Luke Bryan)
Josh Reedy (Thomas Rhett)
Katlin Owen (John Pardi)
Dave Ristrim (Luke Bryan)

Keyboards:
Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones)
Scotty Wilbanks (Luke Bryan, Third Day)
Jonathan Cain (Journey)

Drums:
Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton, Earth, Wind & Fire)
Chris Kimmerer (Thomas Rhett)
Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan)

Bass:
Sam Sims (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake)
James Cook (Luke Bryan)

Fiddle:
Kevin Arrowsmith (Luke Bryan)

Horns:
Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band)
Keith Smith (TobyMac)
Lee Thornburg (Joe Bonamassa, Tower of Power)
Mark Douthit (Michael McDonald)
Roy Agee (Lauren Daigle)
Dan Falcone (Lady Gaga, Celine Dion)
Greg Vail (Luis Miguel)

Billy Blue Records Signs Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

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Pictured (L-R): Jerry Salley (Billy Blue Records), Colton Powers, Max Etling, Seth Mulder, Ben Watlington, Cody Bauer, Ed Leonard (Billy Blue Records)

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run have signed with Billy Blue Records.

The Gatlinburg, Tennessee group includes Mulder on mandolin and vocals, alongside Colton Powers (banjo, vocals), Ben Watlington (guitar/vocals), Max Etling (upright bass, vocals) and Cody Bauer (fiddle).

Billy Blue Records’ roster of artists includes Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Carolina Blue, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, and the Grammy-nominated recording “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout.” Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.

“This is a group that really cares about the music and about one another,” says Billy Blue Records Creative and A&R Director, Salley. “They are infinitely entertaining when they perform. The vocals and musicianship are top notch, of course, but it’s that visible camaraderie that absolutely makes fans fall in love with Midnight Run.”

Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris To Play Grand Ole Opry

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Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the Opry’s 4,935th consecutive Saturday night broadcast.

Over the years, the three superstars have toured together and collaborated on stage and in writing rooms.

“I met [Emmylou] and Rodney when I was 19,” Gill said. “I don’t have two better friends in the world.”

Crowell penned “Bluebird Wine,” which was included on Harris’ Pieces of the Sky album, and Crowell later joined Harris’ Hot Band in the 1970s. When Crowell left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career, he put together the band the Cherry Bombs. Gill would leave his role at the time in Pure Prairie League to join the Cherry Bombs. In the mid-1980s, Gill joined Harris’ backing band for three albums, including The Ballad of Sally Rose, Thirteen and Angel Band. Crowell also worked with Harris and Gill on Thirteen. Crowell and Harris collaborated on 2013’s Old Yellow Moon and 2015’s The Traveling Kind. Crowell and Harris also contributed to tracks on Gill’s 2006 four-CD box set These Days.

“It’s still my favorite gig, is playing with Rodney,” Gill told No Depression last year. Gill added, “I can’t even fathom what my life would be like if I hadn’t met Emmy.”

“Emmy and Vince? Hmm…With those voices, maybe I’ll have a chance if we’re wearing masks,” mused Crowell.

“There’s nothing better than singing with old and dear friends, especially if those friends happen to be Rodney and Vince,” said Harris.

Though concerts with live audiences are currently paused at the Grand Ole Opry’s venue, the show continues to be broadcast live each week on Circle and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV and other affiliates.

This Saturday (July 25) EMI Records Nashville artist and This Is Us star Chrissy Metz will perform, as will Gospel Music Hall of Fame member CeCe Winans, as well as Tracy Lawrence.

Collin Raye Signs With BFD/Audium Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): David “Fergie” Ferguson, Steve Cox (Raye’s manager), Collin Raye, Chuck Rhodes (BFD / Audium Nashville), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity). Photo: Absolute Publicity

Collin Raye has signed with BFD (Bob Frank Distribution)/Audium Nashville. Raye is currently in the studio recording new material, which is set for release later this year. Studio veteran David “Fergie” Ferguson is producing the project.

Raye’s forthcoming project will mark his first studio album of all-new material since 2009’s Never Going Back. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The timing for this upcoming album is just right,” says Raye. “My producer David Ferguson gave me total freedom in the studio. I think it will be my most artistic album ever.”

Last month, Raye made headlines when he performed one of the first public concerts since COVID-19 forced national shutdowns earlier this year. On June 13, Raye journeyed to Cedar City, Utah to perform an outdoor concert for the Utah Business Revival. Over 100 small businesses setup booths at the event to sell their products and services in an open-air environment.