Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Female Songwriter of the Year category. Female Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between April 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.
The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 17 at 5 p.m. CT.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.
Jennifer Denmark, Curb | Word Music Publishing, ASCAP
“Make Me Want To,” recorded by Jimmie Allen
Nicolle Galyon, Warner Chappell, BMI
“All To Myself,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Details,” recorded by Billy Currington
“homecoming queen?,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
Natalie Hemby, UMPG, BMI
“Bluebird,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Butterflies,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves
“Heartache Medication,” recorded by Jon Pardi
“Mess With My Head,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Rainbow,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves
“Redesigning Women,” recorded by The Highwomen
Hillary Lindsey, Endurance Music Group/BMG, ASCAP *Signed to Concord Music Publishing in June 2020
“Almost Maybes,” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Buy My Own Drinks,” recorded by Runaway June
“Closer To You,” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Hole In The Bottle,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“It All Comes Out In The Wash,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Knockin’ Boots,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“One Beer,” recorded by HARDY featuring Devin Dawson and Lauren Alaina
“Over Drinking,” recorded by Little Big Town
“People Are Different,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“What She Wants Tonight,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“What Whiskey Does,” recorded by Randy Houser
Laura Veltz, Big Machine Music, BMI
“A Song For Everything,” recorded by Maren Morris
“Keeping Score,” recorded by Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
“Speechless,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“The Bones,” recorded by Maren Morris
“To A T,” recorded by Ryan Hurd
“To Hell & Back,” recorded by Maren Morris
“What If I Never Get Over You,” recorded by Lady A
“What I’m Leaving For,” recorded by Lady A
Parker Welling, Home Team/Roc Nation/Warner Chappell, BMI
“Every Little Thing,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Love You Like I Used To,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“These Days,” recorded by Mackenzie Porter
Ryan Griffin Sets Major Label Debut EP Release For August
/by Jessica NicholsonRyan Griffin
Altadena/Warner Records/Warner Music Nashville recording artist Ryan Griffin will release his major label debut EP, Name On It, on Aug. 28.
Griffin, known for co-writing Kelsea Ballerini’s No. 1 hit “Dibs,” has released several tracks from his upcoming project, including “Right Here Right Now,” “Going Going Gone,” and his most recent, “One Prayer Left.”
“Name On It is a collection of moments in my life that I’m proud to put my name on,” Griffin says. “It’s the lessons that have taught me to love deeper, to soak up the little things, to pray harder, to be grateful and most of all to be proud of who I am.”
The Florida native has toured with Old Dominion and Carly Pearce, and has earned more than 20 million streams to date in the United States.
Blair Garner To Open New Entertainment Venue The Mulehouse
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Mulehouse. Photo: courtesy The Mulehouse
Broadcaster Blair Garner is opening a 55,500-square-foot music venue in Columbia, Tennessee next year called The Mulehouse. The space was formerly a Baptist church and is next door to the President James K. Polk presidential home, museum, and library and was once part of Polk’s property.
The venue is part of the historic preservation district with a steady flow of tourists coming to the area, and has a seating capacity of 500, with the general admission number still to be determined. During COVID, Garner and his team were able to pivot the design process to enable The Mulehouse to become the first music and event venue in America designed specifically for live event streaming. The stage is large enough to accommodate a 14-piece band, along with a large side stage, and there will be a radio studio inside as well.
“There are different versions of concert series slated. This is for ease of ticketing. There’s the Headliner Series, The Fan’s Choice Series, The Icon Series, and The Ground Floor series. Each has its distinct slant, serving a different purpose. What is different about our fare, is that on-stage interviews will be a core component. Viewers/guests will know every song that’s performed, but by the end of the night they’ll truly feel that they ‘know’ that performer. That’s the interview component, which is where I come in,” Garner said in a statement.
The back of the venue is designed for easy crew load-in. Artists will be treated to locally sourced and prepared meals, full spa treatments with massage, etc.
Former iHeart market manager for Memphis Michael Oppenheimer has been named GM for the new venture. Clair Solutions are designing the theater’s entire sound and video system, and Phase Two and Three will incorporate a 6,000-square-foot bar and full restaurant and 26-room boutique hotel. Construction is slated to be completed by March of 2021 with events scheduled for Spring 2021.
National Museum Of African American Music Board Appoints Music Industry Relations Committee
/by Lorie HollabaughCelebrity strategist, media personality and NMAAM Board Member Dyana Williams and entertainment attorney Leron E. Rogers, Esq will serve as co-chairpersons of the committee.
Williams brings years of expertise to the role with a career working with dozens of notable Black artists and entertainment professionals. She has spent decades as a radio host in Philadelphia, but also is prominently known as one of the co-founders of Black Music Month which has been celebrated annually in June since 1979.
Rogers is an entertainment attorney and partner in the Atlanta office of Lewis Brisbois where he is vice-chair of the Entertainment, Media & Sports Practice. He has worked with high-profile actors, athletes, recording artists, producers, songwriters, record labels, publishing and management companies, music industry trade organizations and new media companies.
Eighteen individuals representing all areas of the music industry have been selected to lead the committee including artists, label executives, talent managers, media executives, media personalities, entertainment attorneys, entertainment marketing professionals and entertainment strategists.
Current members of the NMAAM Media Industry Relations Committee include:
Co-Chairs:
Members:
‘Billboard’ Changes Chart Methods Regarding Merch And Ticket Bundles
/by Lorie HollabaughOn the issue of bundling, the latest rule changes supersede a number of others that were previously instituted in January, including a requirement that albums bundled with merchandise be available for purchase concurrently and individually on the same website, as well as a requirement that merchandise sold on its own be priced lower than bundles that included the album. Additionally, merchandise/album bundles could only be sold on an artist’s official direct-to-consumer web store and not via third-party sites.
In an acknowledgement that those measures have fallen short in accurately reflecting consumer intent, Billboard eliminated the practice of counting albums bundled with merchandise and concert tickets on its album and song charts altogether.
The new rules will be implemented at a start date to be announced, and under them all albums bundled with either merchandise or concert tickets must be promoted as an add-on to those purchases in order to be counted on the charts. Those included as part of a baked-in, single-price option (along with the merchandise or ticket), with the album cost undisclosed to the consumer, will no longer be counted.
In addition, Billboard will no longer allow sales of physical albums or singles bundled with digital downloads to be reported as digital sales, thereby eliminating the practice of “spontaneous” non-manufactured items being used to influence first-week chart rankings. Only when the physical item or what the consumer is buying is shipped, will it be counted in Billboard’s official tallies.
The practice of selling vinyl, CDs and other physical releases that won’t be manufactured and shipped to consumers for weeks or months—while offering a digital download that can be redeemed instantly has become popular practice to help boost chart positions and the rule changes will render that ineffective. Billboard hopes that the new guidelines will better ensure that chart rankings more accurately reflect the conscious purchasing decisions of consumers and level the playing field for all artists.
Rebecca St. James Returns With First Studio Project In Nine Years
/by Jessica NicholsonRebecca St. James will return with her first studio recording in nine years, and her first for Heritage Music, when she releases the six-song EP Dawn on July 24. The project, produced by Seth Mosley and Tedd T., features guest contributions from St. James’ brother—for King & Country’s Luke Smallbone—as well as Bethel Music’s Josh Baldwin and Brandon Lake.
“Worship just seems to be the right kind of music for me to make in this season; it’s so true to who I am and my roots,” St. James says of her return. “The foundation of the EP is the idea of dawn—a new sunrise, a new beginning, a new spring. The theme throughout is God’s redemption; new seasons of joy after pain, and hope.
“Nearly three years ago God did a rebirth in our little family during what we would call a winter,” St. James explains. “I miscarried twice after our first daughter, and it just felt like when it rains, it pours. It was winter on so many levels—dealing with internal pain, major vocational change and unknowns, outside family issues—just a lot all at once. Then God brought about a total change in my heart and in my husband’s heart too, and we felt that He delivered us into a spring season, a renewal that started on the interior.”
She collaborated with songwriters including Smallbone, Baldwin, Bethel Music’s Kristene DiMarco and Mia Fieldes and others. The title track highlights St. James and Smallbone’s sibling harmonies, while “Middle of the Fire,” featuring Baldwin, offers an anthem of trust.
“The time away from music has helped me come back with fresh energy,” St. James says. “It’s much easier to go with a formula that feels safe or sure to be received, but I’ve not wanted to do that. I’ve really wanted this project to feel progressive but also really accessible.”
St. James debuted on the CCM scene in 1994 with her self-titled ForeFront Records album and has since won numerous Dove Awards, and earned nine No. 1 Christian radio singles as well as two Gold-certified recordings. As an author, she penned titles including Wait For Me (Thomas Nelson) and Pure (Hachette/Faithwords). She starred in the 2009 film Sarah’s Choice and portrayed Mary Magdalene in the rock opera !Hero. She also co-wrote songs for for King & Country’s 2019 album Burn the Ships and is the co-host of the weekly podcast Rebecca St. James & Family.
2020 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Female Songwriter Of The Year
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Female Songwriter of the Year category. Female Songwriter of the Year nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between April 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.
The MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 17 at 5 p.m. CT.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.
Jennifer Denmark, Curb | Word Music Publishing, ASCAP
“Make Me Want To,” recorded by Jimmie Allen
Nicolle Galyon, Warner Chappell, BMI
“All To Myself,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Details,” recorded by Billy Currington
“homecoming queen?,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
Natalie Hemby, UMPG, BMI
“Bluebird,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Butterflies,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves
“Heartache Medication,” recorded by Jon Pardi
“Mess With My Head,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Rainbow,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves
“Redesigning Women,” recorded by The Highwomen
Hillary Lindsey, Endurance Music Group/BMG, ASCAP *Signed to Concord Music Publishing in June 2020
“Almost Maybes,” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Buy My Own Drinks,” recorded by Runaway June
“Closer To You,” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Hole In The Bottle,” recorded by Kelsea Ballerini
“It All Comes Out In The Wash,” recorded by Miranda Lambert
“Knockin’ Boots,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“One Beer,” recorded by HARDY featuring Devin Dawson and Lauren Alaina
“Over Drinking,” recorded by Little Big Town
“People Are Different,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“What She Wants Tonight,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“What Whiskey Does,” recorded by Randy Houser
Laura Veltz, Big Machine Music, BMI
“A Song For Everything,” recorded by Maren Morris
“Keeping Score,” recorded by Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
“Speechless,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“The Bones,” recorded by Maren Morris
“To A T,” recorded by Ryan Hurd
“To Hell & Back,” recorded by Maren Morris
“What If I Never Get Over You,” recorded by Lady A
“What I’m Leaving For,” recorded by Lady A
Parker Welling, Home Team/Roc Nation/Warner Chappell, BMI
“Every Little Thing,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Love You Like I Used To,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“These Days,” recorded by Mackenzie Porter
Ongoing Conversation Series “Dear Music City…” To Examine Racial Issues In The Nashville Music Industry
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville Music Equality is launching “Dear Music City…,” a series of continued conversations about racial issues that surround the Nashville Music Industry community.
This follows the two extraordinary panel discussions, “A Conversation on Being African American in the Nashville Music Industry,” that were held beginning June 2 in the response to Blackout Tuesday (#TheShowMustBePaused).The first webinar of “Dear Music City…,” will be held on July 15, 2020 at 5 p.m. CST. Moderators will include Grammy-Award Winning Producer and 102.1 THE VILLE Founder and Program Director Shannon Sanders, and CMT’s Senior Vice President of Music Strategy Leslie Fram.
“Part 1: Minority Fans of Country Music” will discuss topics including unwelcoming and racist acts fans have experienced from other country fans, including their concerns for their personal safety while attending music concerts. They will explore their opinions on whether the industry is turning a blind eye to the effects of racism on their fans of color, as well as the images and messages the genre projects to the world and its tradition of excluding African American creators and employees. In addition to that, the series will also include candid letters written by those in the country music industry in which they share their thoughts on racism in Nashville and the country music industry.
Attendees can register here.
HARDY Claims No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMichael Hardy—or HARDY—earns the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credit on “More Than My Hometown” and “This Bar” (Morgan Wallen), “One Big Country Song” (LOCASH), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “Some Girls” (Jameson Rodgers), and “One Beer” (HARDY feat. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson). After an impressive 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1, Craig Wiseman shifts down to No. 2.
Josh Thompson, Shane McAnally and Morgan Wallen round out the top five this week.
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.
Industry Pics: Live From The Drive-In, Travis Denning, Grand Ole Opry, Charlie Daniels
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi Thrill During Live From The Drive-In
Darius Rucker. Photo: Freddy Breedon
Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi treated fans to a long-awaited Summer concert at Live Nation’s Live From The Drive-In Concert Series over the weekend at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. Jon Pardi kicked off the weekend bringing the party to a packed crowd on Friday (July 10), while Brad Paisley hit the stage Saturday playing some of his biggest hits including “Crushin’ It,” “Mud on the Tires,” “American Saturday Night,” and “No I In Beer.” The superstar also surprised concert-goers with a special video duet with Carrie Underwood for their smash hit “Remind Me” and an opening comedy set in Nashville from Kevin Nealon. Darius Rucker headlined the final night of the weekend, complete with a “Only Wanna Be With You” singalong with the crowd. Fans who weren’t able to make it out to the first Live From The Drive In, can check out Paisley’s livestream from his Nashville performance on Saturday. The livestream has earned more than 619,000 views so far and is still available to watch HERE.
Travis Denning’s Golden Drive-By Surprise
Top row, (L-R): Damon Moberly – Mercury Nashville VP Promotion, Royce Risser – UMG Nashville EVP Promotion, Mike Dungan – UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO, Brian Wright – UMG Nashville EVP A&R, Rob Femia – UMG Nashville SVP Business & Legal Affairs.
Bottom row left to right: Angie Coonrod – Red Light Management, Travis Denning, Tom Becci – Red Light Management, Jeremy Stover – RED Creative Group. Photo: Bo Lbbotson
Travis Denning was surprised recently by his team at Universal Music Group, Red Light Management, RED Creative and WME with a drive-by parade in Nashville to celebrate his No. 1 hit single “After A Few,” which has officially been certified GOLD by the RIAA. Denning co-wrote “After A Few” with Kelly Archer and Justin Weaver, and just released his followup single to country radio, “Where That Beer’s Been.”
The Gatlin Brothers Tribute Charlie Daniels During Opry
The Gatlin Brothers performed “Heaven’s Jubilee” and “Help Me” in honor of their fellow Opry member Charlie Daniels on Saturday night’s show. Photo: Photos courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Mark Mosrie, photographer
The Grand Ole Opry honored the life and career of Country Music Hall of Famer and beloved Opry member Charlie Daniels during Saturday night’s show (July 11). Opry members The Gatlin Brothers performed “Heaven’s Jubilee” and “Help Me” in honor of their fellow Opry member. Margo Price and Jimmie Allen joined the Gatlins on the show, which was the 4,932nd consecutive Saturday night Opry broadcast.
Charlie Daniels Laid To Rest In Mt. Juliet
Photo credit: Nate Shuppert
Family, friends and hundreds of fans gathered Friday (July 10) at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to pay their respects to country and southern rock icon Charlie Daniels, who passed away July 6. Throughout the morning, several guest performers took the stage to pay tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member. Trace Adkins performed the patriotic “Arlington,” while Vince Gill crooned through “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” and “America the Beautiful.” Travis Tritt led the congregation in “Amazing Grace.” Accompanied on piano by Michael W. Smith, Gretchen Wilson honored Daniels with gospel classic “I’ll Fly Away.” Speakers included former U.S. Navy SEAL David Rutherford, tenured CDB roadie Roger Campbell, and Daniels’ longtime manager David Corlew. World Outreach Church pastor Allen Jackson eulogized the legendary singer, who was laid to rest at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Weekly Register: Maren Morris Tops Country Streaming Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonMaren Morris. Photo: Harper Smith
Maren Morris tops the On-Demand Country Streaming Songs chart this week, with 8.3 million streams for “The Bones,” according to Nielsen Soundscan. Sam Hunt‘s clever “Hard To Forget” follows at No. 2 with 8 million streams. Gabby Barrett‘s long-running chart-topper “I Hope” is at No. 3 this week, with 7.8 million streams. Morgan Wallen‘s “Chasin’ You” is at No. 4 with 7.5 million streams, while Miranda Lambert‘s sweet anthem of hope “Bluebird” rounds out the Top 5 with 7.2 million streams.
Sales juggernaut Luke Combs remains atop the country albums chart, with What You See Is What You Get moving 23K this week in total consumption. Wallen continues his success on the country albums chart as well with If I Know Me at No. 2, with 22K in total consumption. Combs’ This One’s For You is at No. 3 with 20K, followed by Hunt’s Southside at No. 4 with 15K. Willie Nelson‘s First Rose of Spring—the legend’s 70th studio album—debuts at No. 5 with 12K.
Following the death of entertainer Charlie Daniels, his 16 Biggest Hits project re-entered the country albums chart at No. 12 (and overall chart at No. 105) with 8.7K.