BREAKING: Tanya Tucker, Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Lizzo Among Top Grammy Nominees

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The nominees for the 2020 Grammy Awards were announced Wednesday morning (Nov. 20).

This year’s nominees were selected from more than 20,000 submissions across 84 categories, and reflect the wide range of artistic innovation that defined the year in music (Oct. 1, 2018–Aug. 31, 2019). The final round of Grammy voting is Dec. 9, 2019–Jan. 3, 2020. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, live from Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8:00–11:30 p.m. ET/5:00–8:30 p.m. PT.

Here are the top nominees in selected categories:

Record Of The Year:
“Hey, Ma” — Bon Iver
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” — Ariana Grande
“Hard Place” — H.E.R.
“Talk” — Khalid
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo
“Sunflower” — Post Malone & Swae Lee

Album Of The Year:
i,i — Bon Iver
Norman F***ing Rockwell! — Lana Del Rey
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish
thank u, next — Ariana Grande
I Used To Know Her — H.E.R.
7 — Lil Nas X
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo
Father Of The Bride — Vampire Weekend

Song Of The Year:
“Always Remember Us This Way” — Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)
“Hard Place” — Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris, H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Lover” — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
“Norman F***ing Rockwell” — Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)
“Someone You Loved” — Tom Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn & Sam Roman, songwriters (Lewis Capaldi)
“Truth Hurts” — Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson & Jesse Saint John, songwriters (Lizzo)

Best New Artist:
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank And The Bangas
Yola

Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Spirit” — Beyoncé
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” — Ariana Grande
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo
“You Need To Calm Down” — Taylor Swift

Best Pop Vocal Album:
The Lion King: The Gift — Beyoncé
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish
thank u, next — Ariana Grande
No. 6 Collaborations Project — Ed Sheeran
Lover — Taylor Swift

Best Dance Recording:
“Linked” — Bonobo
“Got To Keep On” — The Chemical Brothers
“Piece Of Your Heart” — Meduza Featuring Goodboys
“Underwater” — RÜFÜS DU SOL
“Midnight Hour” — Skrillex & Boys Noize Featuring Ty Dolla $ign

Best Rock Album:
Amo — Bring Me The Horizon
Social Cues — Cage The Elephant
In The End — The Cranberries
Trauma — I Prevail
Feral Roots — Rival Sons

Best R&B Performance:
“Love Again” — Daniel Caesar & Brandy
“Could’ve Been” — H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller
“Exactly How I Feel” — Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane
“Roll Some Mo” — Lucky Daye
“Come Home” — Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000

Best Rap Album:
Revenge Of The Dreamers III — Dreamville
Championships — Meek Mill
I Am > I Was — 21 Savage
Igor — Tyler, The Creator
The Lost Boy — YBN Cordae

Best Country Song:
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” — Jeremy Bussey & Ashley McBryde, songwriters (Ashley McBryde)
“It All Comes Out In The Wash” — Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
“Some Of It” — Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson, songwriters (Eric Church)
“Speechless” — Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Dan + Shay)

Best Country Solo Performance:
“All Your’n” — Tyler Childers
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” — Ashley McBryde
“Ride Me Back Home” — Willie Nelson
“God’s Country” — Blake Shelton
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Tanya Tucker

Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
“Brand New Man” — Brooks & Dunn ft. Luke Combs
“I Don’t Remember Me Before You” — Brothers Osborne
“Speechless” — Dan+Shay
“The Daughters” — Little Big Town
“Common” — Maren Morris ft. Brandi Carlile

Best Country Album
Desperate Man — Eric Church
Stronger Than The Truth — Reba McEntire
Interstate Gospel — Pistol Annies
Center Point Road — Thomas Rhett
While I’m Livin’ — Tanya Tucker

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Thirsty Ghost — Sara Gazarek
Love & Liberation — Jazzmeia Horn
Alone Together — Catherine Russell
12 Little Spells — Esperanza Spalding
Screenplay — The Tierney Sutton Band

Best Gospel Album:
Long Live Love — Kirk Franklin
Goshen — Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers
Tunnel Vision — Gene Moore
Settle Here — William Murphy
Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album — CeCe Winans

Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album:
X 100PRE — Bad Bunny
Oasis — J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible — Flor De Toloache
Almadura — iLe
El Mal Querer — Rosalía

Best Americana Album:
Years To Burn — Calexico And Iron & Wine
Who Are You Now — Madison Cunningham
Oklahoma — Keb’ Mo’
Tales Of America — J.S. Ondara
Walk Through Fire — Yola

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling):
Beastie Boys Book — (Various Artists) Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Scott Sherratt & Dan Zitt, producers
Becoming — Michelle Obama
I.V. Catatonia: 20 Years As A Two-Time Cancer Survivor — Eric Alexandrakis
Mr. Know-It-All — John Waters
Sekou Andrews & The String Theory — Sekou Andrews & The String Theory

Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“The Ballad Of The Lonesome Cowboy” — Randy Newman, songwriter (Chris Stapleton), Track from: Toy Story 4
“Girl In The Movies” — Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, songwriters (Dolly Parton), Track from: Dumplin’
“I’ll Never Love Again” (Film Version) — Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Aaron Raitiere songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper), Track from: A Star Is Born
“Spirit” — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh, songwriters (Beyoncé), Track from: The Lion King
“Suspirium” — Thom Yorke, songwriter (Thom Yorke), Track from: Suspiria

Best Music Film:
Homecoming — Beyoncé
Remember My Name — David Crosby
Birth Of The Cool — (Miles Davis)
Shangri-La — (Various Artists)
Anima — Thom Yorke

Best Children’s Album:
Ageless Songs For The Child Archetype – Jon Samson
Flying High! – Caspar Babypants
I Love Rainy Days – Daniel Tashian
The Love – Alphabet Rockers
Winterland – The Okee Dokee Brothers

 

For a full list of nominees, visit grammy.com.

Ashley McBryde To Launch The One Night Standards Tour In January

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Newly-crowned CMA New Artist of The Year, Ashley McBryde, announced her 2020 headlining tour today (Nov. 19). The One Night Standards Tour kicks off Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Saturn in Birmingham, Alabama—and continues until Thursday, April 23 at Floore’s Country Kitchen in Helotes, Texas.

In 2019 McBryde earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 31st  annual MusicRow Awards. She also earned ACM New Female Artist of the Year, CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year winner and CMT Artists of the Year’s Breakout Artist of the Year, culminating with last week’s win as the CMA’s New Artist of the Year.

“After nearly a decade playing, driving to any gig I could, I don’t know how to describe it exactly, it just felt different—like things were about to change,” reflects McBryde. “On the road, in writes around town…I didn’t know it could get any better than that. Well, I was wrong!”

Ashley McBryde’s 2020 One Night Standards Tour announced dates:
Jan. 30 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL
Jan. 31 – The Lyric Oxford – Oxford, MS
Feb. 1 – Druid City Music Hall – Tuscaloosa, AL
Feb. 28 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
Feb. 29 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
March 7 – 8 Seconds Saloon – Indianapolis, IN
March 19 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
March 21 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI
March 28 – Soul Kitchen – Mobile, AL
April 23 – Floore’s Country Kitchen – Helotes, TX

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. local time.

Ryan Hurd Preps Platonic Tour With Adam Doleac, Niko Moon

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Ryan Hurd will embark on his headlining Platonic Tour, beginning Jan. 30. The tour will feature openers Adam Doleac and Niko Moon on select dates.

Fresh from opening for Old Dominion’s Make It Sweet Tour this fall, Hurd’s full-band show is headed to some of the country’s most respected rooms, including New York’s Gramercy Theatre, Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom, and Athens’ Georgia Theatre.

The Platonic Tour follows the success of Hurd’s latest radio climber, the Gold “To A T,” which has already reached No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown.

Platonic Tour Dates:
Jan. 30 – The Bluestone, Columbus, OH
Jan. 31 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
Feb. 6 – Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN
Feb. 7 – Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
Feb. 21 – 8 Second Saloon, Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 22 – Mercury Ballroom, Louisville, KY
Feb. 28 – Joe’s Sports Bar, Chicago, IL
Feb. 29 – St. Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI
March 5 – Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY
March 6 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
March 7 – Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
March 13 – The Midland Theater, Kansas City, MO
March 14 – DelMar Hall, St. Louis, MO
March 19 – Terminal West, Atlanta, GA
March 20 – Georgia Theatre, Athens, GA
March 21 – Coyote Joe’s, Charlotte, NC

Luke Bryan’s Sold-Out Crash My Playa 2020 Announces Final Talent Line Up

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The final line-up of performers for Luke Bryan‘s sixth consecutive Crash My Playa 2020 was announced today (Nov. 19), including headliner Old Dominion as well as Lee Brice, Scotty McCreery, Granger Smith, Jordan Davis, Jon Langston, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack, Kendell Marvel and DJ Rock. The sold-out concert in the Riviera Cancun region of Mexico will take place January 22-25, 2020.

As previously announced, Bryan will headline two nightly concerts and Jason Aldean, making his debut at Crash My Playa, will headline one night. Dustin Lynch returns as the only artist who has appeared all six years of the event.

ATLive Partnership With MAC Presents Brings Stellar Line-Up To 90,000 Fans

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Photo: courtesy of AMB Sports and Entertainment.

AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) launched its first self-promoted concert series, ATLive this past weekend on November 15 and 17, bringing more than 90,000 fans together in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for two nights.

The impressive two-night line-up included country superstars Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, and Eric Church. Featured artists also included newly crowned Male Vocalist of the Year Luke Combs, four-time CMA and Grammy-nominated Brothers Osborne, as well as other hit makers Sam Hunt, Sugarland, Judah & the Lion, and newcomer singer-songwriters Cale Dodds and Caylee Hammack.

The line-up came to AMBSE in partnership with MAC Presents led by industry power house Marcie Allen. ATLive was produced by AMBSE with Messina Group overseeing production of shows.

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium is an unprecedented venue for the city of Atlanta, so it was important to showcase an equally one-of-a-kind lineup of all-star country talent for AMB Sports & Entertainment’s first concert series,” says MAC Presents President Marcie Allen. “Thanks to the incredible artists who performed and the 90k+ devoted fans who attended ATLive. Excited for 2020!”

Pictured: Luke Combs (center) with MAC Presents President Marcie Allen and her NYU Steinhardt class at ATLive on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

“From the beginning, our goal was to create a concert series that would be the must-see event for Atlanta while allowing us the opportunity to give back to our communities and those in need. We are thrilled to say that ATLive exceeded our expectations,” says Tim Zulawski, chief revenue officer, AMB Sports and Entertainment. “It’s important for our organization to provide fans the best possible experience and for our first self-produced music series, we couldn’t be prouder of its success both for us as well as the organizations that will benefit. We look forward to bringing ATLive back for year two in 2020.”

AMBSE, in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, donated more than $100,000 each to two worthy organizations, the Johnny Mac Soldier’s Fund which honors military service and sacrifice by providing scholarships to veterans and military family members, and the Quest Community Development Organization whose mission is to develop affordable housing and provide needs-based community services for underserved individuals and families.

Matt Stell To Launch First Headlining Tour In January

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Matt Stell will begin his first headlining tour in January 2020. Stell’s Everywhere But On Tour launches Jan. 24 at Moonshine Flats in San Diego, California. The 24-date tour will feature support artists Chris Bandi and Ray Fulcher.

Stell’s debut EP, Everywhere But On, released May 24, driven by his Gold-certified, multi-week No. 1 hit “Prayed For You.” The track is the only debut artist single to top the chart in 2019; penned by Stell, Ash Bowers, and Allison Veltz, the track has earned more than 125 million streams.

Matt Stell Everywhere But On Tour Dates:
Jan. 24: San Diego, CA-Moonshine Flats
Jan. 25: San Bernadino, CA-The Brandin’ Iron
Jan. 30: Des Moines, IA-Wooly’s
Jan. 31: Sioux, IA-Anthem at the Hard Rock
Feb. 1: Dubuque, IA-Q Casino**
Feb. 6: Milwaukee, WI-The Rave II**
Feb. 7: Chicago, IL-Joes’s Bar*
Feb. 8: Minneapolis, MN-Wild Greg’s Saloon*
Feb. 13: Louisville, KY-Mercury Ballroom
Feb. 14: Warrendale, PA – Jergels*
Feb. 15: Rootstown, OH -Dusty Armadillo*
Feb. 27: Pensacola, FL-Wild Greg’s Saloon
Feb. 28: Macon, GA-Crazy Bull
Feb. 29: Savannah, GA-Saddle Bags
March 6: Ft. Myers, FL-The Ranch
March 11: New York, NY-Gramercy Theatre
March 12: Salisbury, MD-Blue Ocean Music Hall
March 13: Foxborough, MA-Six String Grill & Stage
March 14: Portland, ME-Aura**
March 18: Grand Rapids, MI-The Intersection
March 19: Ft. Wayne, IN-The Clyde
March 20: Columbus, OH-The Bluestone
March 21: Binghampton, NY-Touch Of Texas
March 28: Biloxi, MS-IP Casino Resort & Spa***

* dates without Chris Bandi, **without Ray Fulcher, ***without Chris Bandi and Ray Fulcher

Louis York Named To iHeartRadio’s “On The Verge” Program

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Louis York

Following the release of their full-length debut album American Griots—The Album, Nashville-based duo Louis York has been named to iHeartRadio’s “On The Verge” program, which runs through Dec. 22. As part of the program, “How Will I Feel,” the latest single from the duo, is being played on more than 25 Urban AC iHeartRadio stations in major markets, including Chicago, Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia.

“I’m really looking forward to our listener’s reaction when they finally hear Louis York’s ‘How Will I Feel’ on the radio. I was crazy about the song during the first listen,” stated Doc Wynter, iHeartMedia’s Executive Vice President of Urban / Hip Hop Programming Strategy.

Louis York’s Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly debuted at No. 8 on the iTunes Album chart with the project, which features Nashville poet Caroline Randall Williams on several tracks, and includes “Teach Me A Song,” from country artist/writer Jimmie Allen.

Next up, the group will put on its annual Christmas Time with Louis York & The Shindellas on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Franklin Theater in Franklin, TN. Additional east and west coast dates to be announced soon.

Third Annual “Heal The Music Day” Raises Over $400,000

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Music Health Alliance’s third annual “Heal The Music Day” raised over $400,000 to help support the non-profit’s life-saving free services. Entirely funded through grants and individual and corporate donations, “Heal The Music Day” helps fund critical support for members of the music community in need.

Dierks Bentley, Reba McEntire, Lauren Alaina, Gary Allan, Luke Bryan, Rodney Crowell and dozens more songwriters, musicians, performers, artist managers, publishers, business managers, record labels, and trade organizations pledged their support for their fellow musicians and peers in the industry in times of medical crisis during the annual fund drive.

Every dollar donated equals $30 in life-saving healthcare resources. Music Health Alliance’s free services range from access to doctors and hospitals, medicine, health insurance and finding financial assistance during times of illness. Support from “Heal The Music Day” helps to fund Music Health Alliance’s free programs and services in addition to The Ben Eyestone Fund, which assists un-insured or under-insured music industry professionals in Davidson and surrounding counties within Middle Tennessee receive life-saving diagnostics and treatment.

Contributions can still be made to Music Health Alliance and “Heal The Music Day” at MusicHealthAlliance.com/donate-to-heal.

Zach Williams To Continue The Rescue Story Tour In March

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Zach Williams

CCM artist Zach Williams will launch the second leg of his headlining The Rescue Story tour on March 5, 2020. The tour will feature openers We The Kingdom and Cain.

The Fall 2019 leg of the tour, which featured Bethel Music’s Josh Baldwin, brought his show to 26,000 fans in 20 U.S. markets, and included sold-out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Williams’ hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The Grammy-winning artist has earned three Gold-certified singles from the RIAA, including “Chain Breaker,” “Old Church Choir,” and “Fear Is A Liar.” Last week, Williams performed alongside Dolly Parton for a performance of “There Was Jesus,” which is featured on Williams’ album Rescue Story, which released in October.

Tickets for the 2020 The Rescue Story Tour dates go on sale Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. CT.

The Rescue Story 2020 Tour Dates:

3/5 Clearwater, FL – Countryside Christian Center
3/6 Lakeland, FL – Victory Church
3/7 Oviedo, FL – Crosslife Church
3/8 Sarasota, FL – Robarts Arena
3/12 Amarillo, TX – The Church At Quail Creek
3/13 Dallas, TX- Cross City First – Euless Campus
3/15 San Antonio, Tx – Oak Hills Church
3/19 Columbus, Oh – Genoa Church
3/20 Green Bay, Wi – Celebration Church
3/21 Milwaukee, Wi – Wisconsin Lutheran College
3/22 Ft. Wayne, In – Grand Wayne Convention Center
3/26 Madison, Ms – First Baptist Church Madison
3/27 Woodstock, Ga – First Baptist Church Of Woodstock
3/28 Johnson City, Tn – Grace Fellowship
4/2 Aiken, Sc – Millbrook Baptist Church
4/3 Durham, Nc – Catch The Fire Church
4/4 Greenville, Sc – Taylors First Baptist Church
4/16 Denver, Co – Foundations Church
4/17 Albuquerque, Nm – Hoffmantown Church
4/19 San Diego, Ca – Calvary Chapel Oceanside
4/23 San Bernardino, Ca – Immanuel Baptist Church
4/24 Visalia, Ca – Visalia First Assembly Of God
4/25 Modesto, Ca – Calvary Chapel Modesto
4/26 San Francisco, Ca – Cornerstone Church – Riordan Campus
4/28 Sacramento, Ca – Arcade Church
4/30 Portland, Or – East Hill Church
5/4 Billings, Mt – Faith E Church
5/5 Casper, Wy – Highland Park Community Church
5/7 St. Peters, Mo – Church On The Rock

Industry Ink: Music For Kids, Stephanie Quayle, Rumble On The Row, WME

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650 WSM Hosts Second Annual Music For Kids Event

Photo Credit: Haley Hall

650 AM WSM hosted its second annual “Music for Kids” event on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Studio A in the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The event provided day-long family fun packed with activities designed to make music accessible and fun for youth from all over Middle Tennessee. It offered children ages 5-16 free, age-appropriate music lessons from local professionals and opportunities to engage, learn, and get inspired. Over the course of the day, the station donated over 1000 lessons to young musicians with an overall value of $25,000. Over 300 children and teens were on hand for the free event.

 

Stephanie Quayle Named Brand Ambassador For Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops

Photo Credit: John Shearer

Stephanie Quayle is partnering with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s as an ambassador for the outdoor brands. As an ambassador, Quayle will showcase products, create original content and perform at outdoor and conservation-related events. Quayle, who kicked off the partnership last month with a performance at the outdoor retailers’ Flocktoberfest event in Memphis, also filmed the music video for her latest single “Whatcha Drinkin’ ‘Bout” at Big Cypress Lodge inside Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. The clip, which will premiere Nov. 20, also features an exclusive making-of-the-video sneak peek available now on Bass Pro Shops social channels.

 

Rumble On The Row Bouts Announced

The Charley Foundation has revealed its Rumble on the Row” bouts for the 16th annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids gala on Friday, March 6 at Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin. Jason Burchard (RootNote, co-founder and CEO) takes on Tom Hall (Merrill Lynch, management advisor); Marc Rucker (Big Loud/Maverick management) goes glove-to-glove with songwriter/artist Joey Hyde; Addie Saloman (BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, director digital strategy & analytics) faces Ania Hammar (Sirius/The Highway, host and producer), and artist/songwriter/producer Bridgette Tatum dukes it out with songwriter Jennifer Denmark (Curb/Word Music Publishing) at the charity event. 

The action-packed evening will feature gourmet dining, live music performances, surprise celebrity guests, an exciting silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and four “Rumble on the Row” amateur boxing matches sanctioned by USA Boxing. All funds raised will provide assistance to disabled and underprivileged children served by medical, recreational, and care groups in the Nashville community.

 

WME Clients Party Post-CMAs

WME clients Morgan Wallen, Ingrid Andress and Cole Swindell attend the agency’s CMA Awards Party after the show on Nov. 13.