Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, and Maren Morris are among the nominees for the upcoming 7th Annual iHeartRadio Music Awards, airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 29 on FOX. Vying for Country Artist of the Year are Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett, while Jimmie Allen, Matt Stell, Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, and Runaway June are up for Best New Country Artist.
Combs is also nominated in the overall Male Artist of the Year category, alongside Ed Sheeran, Khalid, Post Malone, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are nominated in the overall Best Duo/Group of the Year category, alongside Imagine Dragons, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, and Panic! At The Disco.
Big Machine Label Group’s badflower are nominated for Rock Song of the Year (“Ghost”), as are Q Prime South-managed band The Black Keys (for “Lo/Hi”). Cage The Elephant, which recorded their latest album Social Cues in Nashville, are nominated for Alternative Rock Song of the Year (“Ready To Let Go”) and are nominated for Alternative Rock Artist of the Year.
Songwriter Ashley Gorley is nominated in the all-genre Songwriter of the Year category, alongside Finneas, Frank Dukes, Louis Bell, and Savan Kotecha.
Dan+Shay’s collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” and Maren Morris’ “The Bones” are nominated for Best Lyrics, while Keith Urban‘s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Lover,” is nominated for Best Cover Song.
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” is nominated for Best Music Video. The song is also nominated for Best Remix, as is Morris’ “The Bones” ft. Hozier.
Artists receiving multiple nominations include Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Daddy Yankee, Dan + Shay, Drake, Ed Sheeran, El Fantasma, Halsey, J Balvin, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Khalid, Kygo, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Selena Gomez, SHAED, Shawn Mendes, Snow, Summer Walker and Taylor Swift. A full list of categories can be found at iHeartRadio.com/awards.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrates the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2019. The event will also be broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and iHeartRadio, the all-in-one digital music, podcast, on demand and live-streaming radio service.
“The iHeartRadio Music Awards is a true celebration of the music and artists that millions of fans listen to every day on their favorite radio stations across the country,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “FOX’s young and engaged audience has proven to be the perfect home for our iHeart listeners.”
“It’s always exciting to see who gets nominated for our iHeartRadio Music Awards,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “This year’s nominees represent the music heard all year on our stations and the iHeartRadio app. We can’t wait to bring them together for one incredible night of celebration and see who takes home the award in all thirty-plus categories.”
iHeartRadio Nominations (Selected Categories):
Country Song of the Year:
- “Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs
- “GIRL” – Maren Morris
- “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
- “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” – Justin Moore
- “Whiskey Glasses” – Morgan Wallen
Country Artist of the Year:
- Carrie Underwood
- Dan + Shay
- Luke Bryan
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
Best New Country Artist:
- Jimmie Allen
- Matt Stell
- Morgan Wallen
- Riley Green
- Runaway June
Rock Song of the Year:
- “Blue On Black” – Five Finger Death Punch
- “Ghost” – Badflower
- “Lo/Hi” – The Black Keys
- “Monsters” – Shinedown
- “S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)” – The Glorious Sons
Songwriter of the Year:
- Ashley Gorley
- Finneas
- Frank Dukes
- Louis Bell
- Savan Kotecha
CMA Announces Triple Play Awards Songwriter Recipients
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s recipients include Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Ross Copperman, Justin Ebach, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Shay Mooney, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne, Bobby Pinson, Matthew Ramsey, Jordan Reynolds, Thomas Rhett, Trevor Rosen and Dan Smyers.
Gorley, the most decorated CMA Triple Play Awards recipient, will receive three Triple Play Awards this year for penning nine No. 1 songs over the past year.
UMPG Nashville Chairman/CEO and CMA Board Member Troy Tomlinson will host the industry-only CMA Triple Play Awards luncheon, to be held Feb. 25. That evening, Copperman will host a CMA Songwriters Series performance at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, beginning at 7 p.m., featuring Ebach, Gorley, Nite, Pinson, and Reynolds. In celebration of the Triple Play Awards, $3 of each ticket sold will benefit the CMA Foundation, which supports music education programs across the country.
The CMA Triple Play Awards are based on charts including Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs.
The 11th annual CMA Triple Play Awards recipients are being recognized for writing the following songs:
Kane Brown
“Lose It” recorded by Kane Brown
“Good As You” recorded by Kane Brown
“One Thing Right” recorded by Marshmello & Kane Brown
Luke Combs
“She Got The Best Of Me” recorded by Luke Combs
“Beautiful Crazy” recorded by Luke Combs
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” recorded by Luke Combs
Ross Copperman
“Woman, Amen” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Get Along” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Love Ain’t” recorded by Eli Young Band
Justin Ebach
“Singles You Up” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Good Girl” recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Here Tonight” recorded by Brett Young
Jesse Frasure
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“One Thing Right” recorded by Marshmello & Kane Brown
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Ashley Gorley
“What Makes You Country” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Eyes On You” recorded by Chase Rice
“Love Ain’t” recorded by Eli Young Band
“Rumor” recorded by Lee Brice
“Living” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“I Don’t Know About You” recorded by Chris Lane
“Good Vibes” recorded by Chris Janson
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Ridin’ Roads” recorded by Dustin Lynch
Michael Hardy
“Up Down” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Florida Georgia Line
“Simple” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“God’s Country” recorded by Blake Shelton
Shay Mooney
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
“10,000 Hours” recorded by Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber
Jon Nite
“Break Up In The End” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Knockin’ Boots” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Living” recorded by Dierks Bentley
Josh Osborne
“Kiss Somebody” recorded by Morgan Evans
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
Bobby Pinson
“Burning Man” recorded by Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
“Some Of It” recorded by Eric Church
“Rearview Town” recorded by Jason Aldean
Matthew Ramsey
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“Make It Sweet” recorded by Old Dominion
Jordan Reynolds
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Tequila” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
Thomas Rhett
“Sixteen” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Look What God Gave Her” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Trevor Rosen
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“Make It Sweet” recorded by Old Dominion
Dan Smyers
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Tequila” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
Dan+Shay, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, badflower, Ashley Gorley Among iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughCombs is also nominated in the overall Male Artist of the Year category, alongside Ed Sheeran, Khalid, Post Malone, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are nominated in the overall Best Duo/Group of the Year category, alongside Imagine Dragons, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, and Panic! At The Disco.
Big Machine Label Group’s badflower are nominated for Rock Song of the Year (“Ghost”), as are Q Prime South-managed band The Black Keys (for “Lo/Hi”). Cage The Elephant, which recorded their latest album Social Cues in Nashville, are nominated for Alternative Rock Song of the Year (“Ready To Let Go”) and are nominated for Alternative Rock Artist of the Year.
Songwriter Ashley Gorley is nominated in the all-genre Songwriter of the Year category, alongside Finneas, Frank Dukes, Louis Bell, and Savan Kotecha.
Dan+Shay’s collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” and Maren Morris’ “The Bones” are nominated for Best Lyrics, while Keith Urban‘s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Lover,” is nominated for Best Cover Song.
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” is nominated for Best Music Video. The song is also nominated for Best Remix, as is Morris’ “The Bones” ft. Hozier.
Artists receiving multiple nominations include Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Daddy Yankee, Dan + Shay, Drake, Ed Sheeran, El Fantasma, Halsey, J Balvin, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Khalid, Kygo, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Selena Gomez, SHAED, Shawn Mendes, Snow, Summer Walker and Taylor Swift. A full list of categories can be found at iHeartRadio.com/awards.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrates the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2019. The event will also be broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and iHeartRadio, the all-in-one digital music, podcast, on demand and live-streaming radio service.
“The iHeartRadio Music Awards is a true celebration of the music and artists that millions of fans listen to every day on their favorite radio stations across the country,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “FOX’s young and engaged audience has proven to be the perfect home for our iHeart listeners.”
“It’s always exciting to see who gets nominated for our iHeartRadio Music Awards,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “This year’s nominees represent the music heard all year on our stations and the iHeartRadio app. We can’t wait to bring them together for one incredible night of celebration and see who takes home the award in all thirty-plus categories.”
iHeartRadio Nominations (Selected Categories):
Country Song of the Year:
Country Artist of the Year:
Best New Country Artist:
Rock Song of the Year:
Songwriter of the Year:
Hailey Whitters To Release ‘The Dream’ In February
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger-songwriter Hailey Whitters, known for penning songs including Little Big Town’s “Happy People,” will release her new album The Dream on Feb. 28.
The 12-track album includes 10 songs penned by Whitters, alongside top-shelf female co-writers including Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Brandy Clark, and Nicolle Galyon. The Dream also includes two cover tracks—renditions of Chris Stapleton’s “The Devil Always Made Me Think Twice,” and Brent Cobb’s “Loose Strings.”
Whitters funded the project herself, with money earned from waiting tables, selling a guitar, touring, and from royalties earned from writing songs recorded by Alan Jackson, McBride and Little Big Town. BMG’s Jake Gear produced the album, with Logan Matheny overseeing engineering and mixing.
“This is the first record that feels 100 percent me. It’s a time capsule of my time in Nashville and coming to terms with dreams and what they mean to you,” says Whitters.
Whitters spent much of 2019 on tour alongside Maren Morris, Cobb, and McKenna. She also released the singles “Ten Year Town” and “Heartland,” and will release her latest, “Janice At The Hotel Bar,” on Jan. 24. Last year, she also inked a co-management deal with Make Wake’s Chris Kappy and BRND MGMT’s Matt Graham.
Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Lizzo To Perform During Grammy Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are set to perform on the upcoming Grammy awards, marking their first performance together on the Grammy stage. Aerosmith, Billie Eilish, and Lizzo were also named as first-round performers during the The Recording Academy’s announcement Wednesday morning (Jan. 8).
Alicia Keys returns as host for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, which will air on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
Shelton is nominated this year for Best Country Solo Performance for “God’s Country,” while Stefani is a three-time Grammy winner.
Eilish will make her Grammy debut performance; the first-time Grammy nominee is up for overall Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Album of the Year (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance (“Bad Guy”), and Best Pop Vocal Album (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?).
Also a first-time Grammy nominee and performer, Lizzo is nominated for overall Record of the Year (“Truth Hurts”), Album of the Year (Cuz I Love You [Deluxe]), Song of the Year (“Truth Hurts”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance (“Truth Hurts”), Best R&B Performance (“Exactly How I Feel”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Jerome”), and Best Urban Contemporary Album (Cuz I Love You [Deluxe]).
Rock legends Aerosmith will also be honored during Grammy week as MusiCares Person of the Year, honoring their philanthropic efforts. The group first performed on the Grammys in 1991.
NSAI Adds To Board Of Directors
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville Songwriters Association International has added four songwriters to its board of directors.
J.T. Harding, Josh Kear, Jon Nite and Emily Shackelton have been elected as new members, while current board members re-elected to two-year terms include Steve Bogard, Jeff Cohen, Chris DeStefano, Byron Hill, Liz Rose, Jenn Schott and Jimmy Yeary.
Roger Brown and Lee Thomas Miller were re-elected to one-year terms as “Legislative Co-Chairs,” Rhett Akins and Caitlyn Smith were re-elected to one-year terms to the “Artist Writer” board positions and Brett James was re-elected to a one-year term to the “Industry Liaison” position.
They join existing board members Jim Beavers, Sarah Buxton, Nicolle Galyon, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Rivers Rutherford, Anthony L. Smith, Bobby Tomberlin, Laura Veltz, Troy Verges and Danny Wells whose terms expire in 2021. The board terms begin each year at the May meeting.
NSAI Board President Steve Bogard said, “Once again, NSAI has elected an outstanding Board of professional songwriters that reflects the growing diversity, scope and influence of our organization. We look forward to another great year of progress for songwriters.”
Curb | Word Entertainment Announces PR, Marketing, Promo Staff Changes
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, top row): Maddi Bayer, Brian Day; (L-R, bottom row) James Freshwater, Jessie Lowe
Curb | Word Entertainment has made several new promotions and hirings. Jessie Lowe moves into the role of Director, Publicity, to spearhead publicity efforts on behalf of the country and Christian artist rosters. Lowe has served multiple roles at Curb | Word Entertainment over the past five years, and spent the past three years as Coordinator for the Country Promotion team.
James Freshwater moves to the role of Digital Marketing Manager, where he will implement digital marketing strategies on behalf of the country and Christian artist rosters. The Ohio native most recently served as an A&R representative, and previously spent time as part of the band Lovedrug.
Brian Day joins as Promotions & Marketing Coordinator for Curb | Sidewalk Records. In his role, Day facilitates pop promotion initiatives and marketing efforts for the Curb and Sidewalk Records roster. Day previously worked at Columbia Nashville and in promotions for Hall Communications.
Maddi Bayer joins Curb Records as Coordinator of the Country Promotion team, having previously worked with the Radio & Streaming team at Warner Music Nashville. The Belmont graduate also spent time as an assistant to the President at Musicians On Call.
Curb | Word Music Publishing Hires Ciara Shortridge, Signs Kyle Jacobs And Chris Gelbuda
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Ciara Shortridge, Kyle Jacobs, Chris Gelbuda
Curb | Word Music Publishing has made a round of hiring and signing announcements. Ciara Shortridge has joined as Sr. Creative Director of Country Publishing. Songwriters Kyle Jacobs and Chris Gelbuda have also signed with the publisher.
Shortridge will report directly to Colt Murski; she most recently held the position of A&R Manager and served as the main creative point of Disney’s Nashville-based office. Shortridge’s career at Disney began in 2009 after graduating from Belmont University. She can be reached at cshortridge@curb.com.
Jacobs earned his first significant success as a writer in 2003 with Kimberly Locke’s “8th World Wonder.” In 2007, he penned Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory,” which debuted at No. 1; co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “Still” and Eli Young Band’s “Dust;” and produced four No. 1 singles for Lee Brice including “Hard To Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “Drinking Class” and “Rumor,” which is also his latest No. 1 as a songwriter.
Chicago native Gelbuda has had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, Dustin Lynch, and Meghan Trainor, and produced Trainor and John Legend’s four-time platinum hit, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You.” As a vocalist, writer and producer, Gelbuda also wrote, produced, and contributed vocals to the Platinum-selling “Bad Ideas” by German dance artist Alle Farben. Gelbuda is also a partner at The Attic studios in West Nashville.
K-LOVE Syndicated Radio Show “The Skip & Amy Show” Relocating To Franklin
/by Jessica NicholsonSkip Mahaffey and Amy Baumann
K-LOVE syndicated morning show “The Skip & Amy Show,” will relocate from Indianapolis to Franklin, Tennessee in May.
The show will begin broadcasting on May 18 from Franklin, which coincides with K-LOVE’s annual fan awards, which will be held May 22-24 in Nashville. K-LOVE airs “The Skip & Amy Show” from 5 a.m.-10 a.m. on Monday-Saturday.
Iowa native Amy Baumann has been part of the K-LOVE morning show since 2011. Skip Mahaffey joined K-LOVE in 2016, after being part of the morning show at country station KPLX in Dallas. Mahaffey is a three-time CMA Air Personality of the Year, and has worked at stations including KVOO, WFUS, and WQYK.
K-LOVE CEO Bill Reeves said, “Having personally been a part of the Franklin Christian music and media community for almost 25 years, I believe having K-LOVE’s morning show in the heart of it all will further deepen the network’s relationships with the industry and artists, and ultimately serve our listeners and supporters even better.”
Scooter Brown Band’s Carrigan Shields Passes Away
/by Jessica NicholsonScooter Brown Band member and pianist Carrigan Chet Shields passed away on Dec. 30, 2019. He was 30. No cause of death has been revealed.
The Idaho native’s final performance came on Dec. 28 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, alongside his bandmates Scott “Scooter” Brown, Matt Bledsoe, Steven Sutherland, and Brian Sowell.
Scooter Brown Band offered the following statement: “Carrigan was and always will be our brother and one of the greatest cats to pound those keys. Not only was he a great talent, he was also one of the most kind-hearted human beings. We’ve had some great times together over the years – his last performance was, fittingly, at the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium on the Grand Ole Opry. The last song he played was ‘American Son’ and he truly is an American Son. Our condolences to his family and all of his friends and fans who have loved him.”
A private service will be held in Nashville on Jan. 12. Donations to a GoFundMe setup for funeral expenses and to support his family in their time of need may be made here.
Cory B. Savage Appointed One Vision Music Group CEO
/by Lorie HollabaughSavage will spearhead One Vision Music Group’s launch of Harrison’s forthcoming album release due June 12, Chosen Family Tree, which features her teaming up with some of Nashville’s most prominent songwriters including Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton, Liz Rose, Trent Dabbs, and more. The 12-track album will also feature a special guest appearance by Brothers Osborne’s lead guitarist John Osborne on the title track.
Savage was previously President/CEO of Cory B. Savage Enterprises, a multi-media design consulting business based in Nashville, with satellite offices in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City. Savage also helmed positions as a Marketing Director with CBS consulting; Brand Partnership and Sponsor Relations Consultant for Sony Music Entertainment; Content Director for GIO Journal; Brand Strategist and Sponsor Relations Consultant for Big Machine Label Group; and Business Development Associate for Viant Group, LLC. His video production resume includes multiple hit videos, including Blake Shelton and Robin Thicke, and his work has graced the pages of countless magazines including Vogue, People, InStyle, Redbook, etc.