Weekly Radio Report (4/3/20)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.

Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots Make Surprise Album Drop with ‘Live In Little Rock’

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Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots celebrated Bones’ birthday today (April 2) with a surprise album drop, releasing Live In Little Rock.

“When we started The Raging Idiots years ago, our main goal was to make people laugh and spread positivity however we could,” Bones said. “Everyday life has drastically changed the last few weeks and people are unable to get together and celebrate the way they planned, so I wanted to try to share some laughs on my birthday and hopefully it brings smiles when people need it the most!”

The album was recorded in Bones’ home state of Arkansas during their recently-wrapped tour, which was titled It’s Just The Two Of Us…Sorry. The new album follows the EP Live In Boston, which featured the tracks “Jesus Knows” and “Hobby Lobby Bobby.”

Live In Little Rock is available for purchase and streaming now.

LIVE IN LITTLE ROCK Track List:
1) “I’m Here” feat. Walker Burroughs
(Bobby Bones, Eddie Garcia, Emma Klein)
2) “The Target Song”
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers)
3) “Can’t Say That (In A Country Song)”
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers)
4) “It’s Not You, It’s Me” feat. Emma Klein
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers, Eddie Garcia)
5) “Poison Ivy”
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers, Brandon Ray)
6) “Dinner with Orlando Bloom”
(Bobby Bones, Brandon Ray)
7) “All the Holidays”
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers)
8) “These Are the Things I Like”
(Bobby Bones, Jim Beavers, Brandon Ray)

DISClaimer: Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Orville Peck Top New Releases

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Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Orville Peck

It’s country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.

Maybe it’s the dreadful time we’re living in or maybe it’s a coincidence, but lots of guys in this listening session are gazing inward and slowing things down. Whatever the cause, there’s some terrifically moving stuff here.

Our duos Florida Georgia Line and Big & Rich are rocking, but the listening session was dominated by the slowies offered by Kenny Rogers, Kane Brown & John Legend, Jordan Davis, Kip Moore and Thomas Rhett. I’m calling this a photo finish for Disc of the Day between the bearded men, Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis.

If you haven’t already been hip to Orville Peck, now is your chance to catch up with this left-field wonder. He’s our DisCovery Award winner.

ORVILLE PECK/Summertime
Writer: Orville Peck; Producer: Orville Peck; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– Deep, deep twang and big, big drama infuse this slow, echoey ballad. His throaty vocal hails from the jumpsuit-Elvis era, which catches your ear right away. This theatrical masked man is kind of a country “performance artist.” Different and oddball, maybe. But heaven knows we can use a little “different” in this hidebound genre.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country
Writers:Corey Crowder/Ernest Keith Smith/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-This rompin’ stomper is the feel-good anthem for the warm days to come. At a time when everybody else seems intent on sounding like a pop act, this loud-and-proud ditty is country to the core.

BIG & RICH/Stay Home
Writer: Charlie Pennachio/John Rich/Larry Gatlin/Phillip Anthony McDaniel; Producer: Big & Rich/Nick Brophy listed; Publisher: none listed; Thirty Tigers
-A country rocker with a coronavirus-containment lyric that has built-in smiles.

THOMAS RHETT/Be A Light
Writer: Thomas Rhett/Josh Miller/Josh Thompson/Matt Dragstrem; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-I choked up and my eyes brimmed with tears because of the powerfully beautiful message here. In a world of madness, this is, indeed, a shining light. Rhett’s guests on this include Reba, Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin and Hillary Scott. Proceeds benefit MusicCares.

RYAN GRIFFIN/Going Going Gone
Writers: Ben Johnson/Jason Duke/Ryan Griffin; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Pop-urban-hiphop blah blah blah.

KENNY ROGERS/Goodbye
Writer: Lionel Richie; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– It was written as a break-up song, but in light of Kenny’s passing it takes on an extraordinary poignancy. It’s pretty dang hard not to be touched by this ballad. I still think Kenny is one of the great voices. Framed by strings and piano, he shines as brightly as ever on this swan song. Farewell, Kenny. I’m grateful for the music you left us.

KELSEA BALLERINI & HALSEY/The Other Girl
Writers: Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally/Ashley Frangipane/Kelsea Ballerini; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publisher: Sony ATV/Kobalt/Warner Chappell; Black River
– There already is a Taylor Swift. And she’s better than this.

JORDAN DAVIS/Detours
Writers: David Turnbull/Jacob Davis/Jordan Davis; Publishers: Anthem Entertainment; Producer: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Very cool and super expressive. He’s thoughtful, meditative and reflective as he takes us through the wrong turns of life that led him to goodness. I was with him on every note. This deserves to be a smash.

KIP MOORE/Wild World
Writers: Josh Miller/Kip Moore; Producer: Kip Moore/David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Kip slows it down and gives life a harder look while a chubby rhythm track and tastefully spare guitar work give his soulful vocal extra oomph.

KANE BROWN & JOHN LEGEND/Last Time I Say Sorry
Writers: Kane Brown/John Legend/Matt McGinn/Andrew Goldstein; Producer: Andrew Goldstein; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– We’ve all been here. How many times have we hurt the one we love and then felt a regret so deep that it’s in your bones? Legend’s piano anchors the arrangement and both voices soar mightily. Well done, you two.

Mark Your Calendar—April 2020

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Single Add Dates


April 6
Jason Aldean/Got What I Got/Broken Bow
Shane Owens/Love Me To Death/Amerimonte Records
Andrew Hopson/Stronger Than That/Tower Road Records

April 13
Tucker Beathard/You Would Think/Warner/WAR

April 20
Kelsea Ballerini with Halsey/the other girl/Black River
Mags/Light Of A Clear Blue Morning/Emerald Field Productions

April 27
MacKenzie Porter/These Days/Big Loud Records

Album Releases


April 3
Ashley McBryde/Never Will/Warner Music Nashville
Sam Hunt/SOUTHSIDE/MCA Nashville

April 10
John Anderson/Years/Easy Eye Sound
Maddie & Tae/The Way It Feels/Mercury Nashville

April 17
Bobby Bare/Great American Saturday Night/Sony Legacy/BFD
Colt Ford/Chicken & Biscuits (Second Helping)/Average Joes Entertainment

April 24
Luke Bryan/Born Here, Live Here, Die Here/Capitol Records Nashville
RUMER/Nashville Tears/Cooking Vinyl

Matt Stell Celebrates Platinum Success During RIAA’s First-Ever Virtual Plaque Presentation

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L to R: RIAA VP Artist & Industry Relations In Nashville Jackie Jones, Wide Open Music President Ash Bowers, RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier, Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman, RECORDS co-founder and CEO Barry Weiss, Matt Stell

Matt Stell was surprised yesterday (April 1) on a Zoom video call with his team to celebrate his Platinum plaque for his multi-week No. 1 “Prayed For You.”

Ash Bowers (Wide Open Music), Barry Weiss (RECORDS), Randy Goodman (Sony Music Nashville), Mitch Glazier (RIAA), and Jackie Jones (RIAA) surprised Stell with the virtual Platinum song plaque, the first of its kind, celebrating the song, which was the only Billboard chart-topper by a debut artist in 2019. The million-selling hit, written by Stell with Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz Cruz, joins an elite group as one of only 30 RIAA Platinum-certified country songs in the last two years.

Stell’s new single, “Everywhere But On,” which was co-written by Stell along with Paul Sikes and Lance Miller, is currently climbing the country charts. The track is featured on Stell’s Everywhere But On EP, which also includes a collaboration with Jimmie Allen, “Home In A Hometown,” and Stell’s cover of the Ariana Grande hit “God Is a Woman.”

BREAKING: Gov. Lee Requires Tennesseans To Remain At Home

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is set to sign Executive Order 23, which requires that Tennesseans stay home unless carrying out essential activities. The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation analyzed traffic pattern data for March 2020, and though there was a steep decline in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning March 30 indicated travel has been increasing again across the state. The Administration also analyzed data from Unacast to understand cell phone mobility and determined movement trends among people. Unacast indicates the movement of Tennesseans is trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels.

“Over the last few weeks, we have seen decreases in movement around the state as Tennesseans socially distance and stay at home,” said Gov. Lee. “However, in recent days we have seen data indicating that movement may be increasing and we must get these numbers trending back down. I have updated my previous executive order to clearly require that Tennesseans stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities.

“The month of April stands to be an extremely tough time for our state as we face the potential for a surge in COVID-19 cases,” said Lee. “Every Tennessean must take this seriously, remain at home and ensure we save lives.”

As of Thursday afternoon (April 2) The Tennessee Department of Health reported that 2,845 Tennesseans had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. There have been 32 deaths across the state as a result of complications from coronavirus and 220 of those affected have recovered.

CRS Agenda Committee Application Deadline Approaching

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Just a reminder: Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is still accepting applications from those wishing to be considered for the 2020-2021 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Agenda Committee and has extended the deadline for applications through Friday, April 3.

The CRS Agenda Committee is comprised of volunteer professionals from all areas of the country radio and record industries, and the committee is primarily responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Prospective applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville on a date to be determined.

A link to the online application for those wanting to apply can be found here: countryradioseminar.com/agenda-committee-application-2021.

Gator Michaels Exits Reviver Entertainment To Launch Consulting Business

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Gator Michaels

Gator Michaels has parted ways with Reviver Entertainment in order to launch Gator Michaels Consulting, a consulting service focused on independent labels and artists.

His first client is indie label 19th and Grand Records; artist Tenille Arts has also exited Reviver Records to work solely with 19th and Grand.

Michaels joined Reviver Entertainment in 2015 and was promoted to President of Reviver Records last year; he continued to serve as VP/GM of Reviver Entertainment Group in conjunction with serving as President of the company’s label arm.

“I am excited to offer my 30 years of experience in the music business, to help developing acts and labels to succeed in this ever changing landscape,” said Michaels. “I am also thrilled to announce that my first client is 19th and Grand Records. This will continue the relationship that I have developed with Tenille Arts over the last two years and I look forward to helping Tenille become the superstar that she is destined to be. Her current single, “Somebody Like That” continues to climb the charts at Country Radio and we are just getting started!”

After a decade-long radio career, Gator Michaels served as the GM for Young-Olsen & Associates and the Vice President of Promotion at Dreamcatcher Entertainment prior to joining Warner Bros. Nashville, where he earned the title of Senior Vice President. In 2010, Michaels went on to lead Davis Music Group as Executive Vice President/General Manager before founding his own promotions company, Instigator Entertainment, in 2011. He then became Vice President of Blaster Records in 2012, before later joining Reviver Entertainment.

Michaels can be reached at 615-400-6957 0r gator@gmcnashville.com.

CMA And CMA Foundation Pledge $1 Million To MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

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The CMA and its philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, have pledged a million dollars to the COVID-19 Relief Fund established by The Recording Academy and MusiCares. The funds will be used to provide support to those in the music industry whose employment has been impacted by the effects of the virus, and will specifically assist in covering mortgage and rent costs to help keep out-of-work industry professionals in their homes.

“We have heard firsthand the many ways the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only our CMA members but the music industry at large,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to be a resource and support system for those in the music business who are currently struggling, and we’re incredibly grateful for MusiCares’ commitment to serve music industry professionals, especially right now. Our business does not exist without these hardworking individuals who make up the touring industry as well as our artists, songwriters and musicians, and we hope our pledge can provide a bit of comfort during these troubling times.”

“We’re very grateful to the CMA for the extraordinary donation to the COVID-19 Relief Fund,” says Steve Boom, MusiCares Chair. “The funds will provide much needed assistance to creators and industry professionals most affected by this pandemic. Country Music speaks to the heart and CMA has touched the heart of MusiCares, and the many members of the industry who will benefit from their generosity.”

“Nashville consistently represents the best of human values and strength of character, always showing up in tough times and when there is need,” says Debbie Carroll, MusiCares Vice President, Health and Human Services. “CMA is a shining example of what makes this city great. Our heartfelt gratitude for their incredible gift that will provide much needed assistance to those struggling in the music community.”

To support MusiCares’ efforts, visit grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund. For music industry members in need of assistance, visit MusiCares.org.

‘CMT Giants’ Special Honoring Kenny Rogers To Benefit MusiCares

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Kenny Rogers. Photo: Piper Ferguson

CMT is holding “CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares,” an uplifting celebration to honor the life and music of the late Kenny Rogers. The special will premiere Wednesday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT.

The tribute will feature special virtual performances and interviews from Rogers’ friends including Dolly Parton, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, Jennifer Nettles, Lady Antebellum, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, Randy Houser, Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill and more, all filmed directly from their homes and blended alongside rare archival photos, interviews and performances, with clips and commentary from Rogers himself.

“Kenny Rogers transcended genres and generations with his musical versatility, legendary collaborations and timeless appeal, and we’re honored to pay tribute to his legacy,” shared Margaret Comeaux, Executive Producer and Vice President of Production, Music & Events, CMT. “Particularly in these turbulent times, we’ll stop and take a moment to allow the memory of our dear friend Kenny to bring us together and inspire us to lend support to those in the music community who are most in need.”

Throughout the special, fans will have the opportunity to honor Rogers’ life and donate directly to MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund, which was established to provide critical funds to the thousands of music creators and industry professionals who have the greatest need due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Half of all funds raised will go directly to the Nashville country community.

“The resilience and strength of the country music community is heartwarming,” said Debbie Carroll, Vice President, Health and Human Services MusiCares. “Our deepest gratitude to the Rogers Family and CMT for designating MusiCares as the beneficiary of this broadcast. Their support will help the thousands of music professionals in need of assistance with rent, utilities, food and other basic necessities. I’m proud to call Nashville home and I’m so fortunate to be a member of this community.”

Viewers can visit musicares.org/kennyrogers and text KENNYCARES to 41444 during the broadcast to contribute, and members of the music industry needing assistance can visit musicares.org.
Rogers has a celebrated history with CMT and was honored in 2015 as “Artist of a Lifetime” during the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony. In 2005, he collaborated with close friend Lionel Richie for an episode of CMT Crossroads and also appeared alongside Dolly Parton at CMT 100 Greatest Duets to sing “Islands in the Stream,” which earned the No. 1 spot on CMT’s prestigious list.

“CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares,” will encore on both MTV Live at 8 p.m. ET on April 10 and again on CMT at 12 p.m. ET on April 11.