Pictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter David Garcia and BMI songwriters Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller celebrate their No. 1 hit “Southbound.” Photo: Steve Lowry
Carrie Underwood was honored for her 27th No. 1 hit, “Southbound,” on Monday (Oct. 21) during a party held at BMI’s Nashville office.
The song also marks Underwood’s 14th No. 1 song as a songwriter; the BMI-aligned Underwood penned the sunny, party-ready track alongside Josh Miller (BMI) and David Garcia (ASCAP).
The No. 1 party comes just weeks after Underwood brought her headlining Cry Pretty Tour 360 to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a sold-out show. On Nov. 13, she will host the CMA Awards for the 12th consecutive year, this time alongside Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. She is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.
Among those celebrating “Southbound” were BMI’s Jody Williams and MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Cindy Mabe, and publishers including Cornman Music’s Brett James and Nate Lowery, Universal Music Publishing Group’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, and Spirit Music Group’s Frank Rogers.
“Carrie, you’re the premier voice of this generation,” UMPG’s Tomlinson said. “You’re the face of country music around the world.” He also thanked the Capitol Nashville team and Underwood’s manager Ann Edelblute. “You get the job done and you do it with grace…you are a rock star.”
BMI’s Williams recalled a recent conversation had with his fellow CMA Board member, songwriter Lori McKenna. “We were talking about artists being in the writing session with more seasoned writers and the mixed results that can come about from that combination. As we talked, Lori’s face just lit up and she said, ‘There are a few exceptions and I’m talking about Carrie Underwood. She’s not a good writer, she’s a great writer, and she can hold her own in writing with anyone.’ That was just an impromptu comment from one of Nashville’s most renowned writers and for her to categorize Carrie in this way is a huge compliment. She knows what she wants to sing about and she knows who she is singing to.”
Spirit Music Group’s Rogers praised both Garcia’s talent and work ethic, saying, “He’s one of the hardest workers. He won the ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award like six weeks ago. He gets his award and we go to dinner and he starts looking at his watch. He goes, ‘I’ve got to go back to the studio because I have a demo vocal at 10 p.m.. The artist is cutting on Friday so this is the only chance we have to get it to them.’ Well, he got the cut,” he said, to the applause of the crowd. “You deserve all the good things that happen to you. We are thrilled at Spirit to be part of your world.”
Rogers also said to Underwood, “Thank you for being a forward-looking artist in our industry…you care about making music that means something to you, and to your fans, and that’s why you are a guiding light in country music.”
“This is the first [No. 1] we get to spend together as part of Universal Music Group, so it is pretty special,” UMG Nashville’s Mabe told Underwood. “The Cry Pretty album is an album of taking creative chances and sharing deeply vulnerable and personal testament….I’m convinced that Carrie’s voice is so powerful because she speaks and has a voice for those who do not, and you can see them come out in droves every night to connect with her in concert, from little girls, to grown men, straight, gay, all ethnicities and ages, and especially women. Perhaps the thing that I have learned from her despite all the pressure as a woman, a wife and working mom, boss and entertainer, cultural influencer, and performer, is that she’s always working to use her platform to shine on others, including creating opportunities for other female artists, exposing new acts and encouraging fans to champion each other.”
She also offered high praise for Underwood’s current Cry Pretty Tour 360. “It’s mesmerizing no matter how many times you’ve seen it, and I’ve seen it six times,” Mabe said.
Pictured (L-R, top row): BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Universal Music Group’s Cindy Mabe, Spirit Music Group’s Frank Rogers, Universal Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery and Brett James; (L-R, bottom row): ASCAP songwriter David Garcia and BMI songwriters Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller. Photo: Steve Lowry
Underwood’s “Southbound” co-writers Garcia and Miller are also co-writers on the Florida Georgia Line/Bebe Rexha smash hit, “Meant To Be,” which earned BMI Pop Song of the Year last year. Miller has also penned chart-toppers including Chris Lane’s “Take Back Home Girl” (feat. Tori Kelly), and Kip Moore’s “More Girls Like You.” He also has numerous cuts on albums from Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Chase Rice and more.
“This is my dream job and it’s icing on the cake to get to celebrate things like this,” Miller said. Of Underwood, he said, “I remember I was a senior in high school and seeing you win American Idol. And to think that I’m up here…you’re a superstar and you are a superstar human. You are an artist and you have a voice and just thank you for doing everything you do, because your artistry is bigger than just shows and music.”
Garcia, who both wrote for and co-produced Underwood’s current album Cry Pretty, moved to Nashville in 2009. He’s earned four Grammy Awards for songs including Mandisa’s “Overcomer” and the album of the same title, as well as songs recorded by TobyMac. Garcia is the reigning ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year, and also took home the honor in 2015 and 2016. He also co-wrote Moore’s “More Girls Like You,” and co-wrote three tracks on NF’s album Perception.
Garcia took the time to praise Underwood not only as a songwriter, but as a producer. “When you look on the back of the record and it says ‘co-produced by Carrie Underwood,’ Carrie was in my studio in Berry Hill every session. Every day we had someone come over, she was right there. I’m so proud of this song, but I’m so proud of this record, too. Thank you for making this possible. We had an incredible record label that trusted us. Josh, I couldn’t be more proud of you, dude, just watching you do everything.”
“I’m so proud of this entire album. It is definitely me to the fullest extent,” Underwood said. “To be able to work with David throughout, it was just a blessing. It feels good singing these songs on the road every night. Getting to write with both of these guys, it was wonderful to have such talent in the room and get to know you guys. I’m excited to celebrate ‘Southbound,’ that last piece of the puzzle that we knew we needed. You’ve got to have those light, fun moments in the show and it’s such an honor to get to kick the show off with ‘Southbound.’”
She also thanked manager Ann Edelblute, the Capitol Music Nashville team, and country radio.
“It never, ever gets old. Every time you reach that No. 1 spot, it’s like you get to celebrate for the first time, every time.”
UMPG also made a donation to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters, while Pinnacle Bank made a donation to Underwood’s The C.A.T.S. Foundation.
Pictured: MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson presents David Garcia, Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller with their No.1 MusicRow Challenge Coins for “Southbound.”
Chris Stapleton To Headline First Event At Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton will headline the first-ever event at the new Texas Rangers baseball stadium, Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, March 14, 2020 with very special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Jamey Johnson and Yola.
Presented by Live Nation, the concert will go on sale to the public Friday, November 1, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Tickets can be purchased at www.LiveNation.com. Stapleton Fan Club pre-sale will begin Tuesday, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. local time. For more information visit www.StapletonFanClub.com.
It was also announced today that Stapleton will collaborate with P!nk for the debut performance of their duet “Love Me Anyway” on the 53rd Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 13, airing live on ABC. Stapleton is nominated this year for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year (for “Millionaire”).
Provident Label Group, Matthew West’s Story House Music Sign Leanna Crawford
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (back row L-R): PLG/Sony Music’s VP, A&R Blaine Barcus, Story House Collective’s David Childress and Rachel Pinkerton; (front row L-R): PLG/Sony Music CEO Terry Hemmings, Leanna Crawford, Matthew West.
Provident Label Group has partnered with Story House Music, which is helmed by multi-award winning artist Matthew West, to sign singer/songwriter Leanna Crawford.
“It is my honor to introduce Leanna Crawford, the newest addition to team PLG and the special joint venture with Story House Music,” shares West. “Leanna has such amazing talent that the world’s going to hear very soon, so get ready! She’s going to knock it out of the park, and the Lord’s going to use her voice in an awesome way.”
Crawford, who grew up in rural Washington, began playing shows more than three years ago and to date, has already shared the stage with West along with other artists such as Michael W. Smith, Matt Maher, and Jeremy Camp. She just wrapped The Roadshow Futures Tour and will be on the road touring this holiday season. She debuted a six-song EP as well as two Christmas tunes last year, and she is currently working on new music with her first single with PLG/Story House Music, slated to release in the new year.
“I’ve been a fan of the many artists Provident has worked with over the years, and I’m extremely honored and humbled to now be joining their amazing roster of artists, as well!” Crawford says. “I’m looking forward to working with their team alongside Story House, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
CMA’s ‘Introducing Nashville’ Series Wraps Successful Tour in Europe and U.K.
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson, Travis Denning, and Rachel Wammack at the Columbia Theatre in Berlin, Germany on Sunday, October 13th, 2019. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
The Country Music Association’s international artist-focused touring series “Introducing Nashville” just wrapped a successful run in Europe and the U.K. The 10-date tour made stops throughout October in Oslo, Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Amsterdam, Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow and Brighton before wrapping with a sold-out performance at London’s Cadogan Hall during Country Music Week.
With ticket sales nearly doubling in every market since last year’s European and U.K. tour, audiences flocked to see Nashville artists Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson (on the European leg), Travis Denning, Walker Hayes (on the U.K. leg) and Rachel Wammack. Selling out a number of shows including London, Oslo, Glasgow and Brighton, these Nashville artists introduced audiences to new music and had them singing along to the songs they knew.
In each city, audiences were captivated by the show’s intimate Nashville-style writer’s round, with artists appearing on stage together in an acoustic lineup, sharing their stories as they performed their songs.
Pictured (L-R): Travis Denning, Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson, and Rachel Wammack perform at Gruenspan in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday, October 12th, 2019. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Pictured (L-R): Travis Denning, Danielle Bradbery, Walker Hayes and Rachel Wammack made stops in Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow, Brighton and London as part of CMA’s “Introducing Nashville” U.K. tour. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Devin Dawson. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Danielle Bradbery. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Pictured (L-R): Rachel Wammack, Travis Denning, Walker Hayes and Danielle Bradberry perform during CMA’s Introducing Nashville U.K. tour in London on October 21, 2019. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Rachel Wammack. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Walker Hayes. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Travis Denning. Photo: Matt Carson/CMA
Blake Shelton Unveils Cover Art, Tracks For ‘Fully Loaded: God’s Country’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe title track and three-time CMA-nominated multi-week No. 1 “God’s Country” is the fastest country single in the past year to reach one million track equivalents. Nominated for a Video, Single and Song of the Year CMA Award this year, the smash hit became Shelton’s 26th chart-topper on country radio, where it remained for multiple weeks, becoming his 16th No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart as well. Shelton also earned a Musical Event of the Year nomination for “Dive Bar,” his collaboration with Garth Brooks.
CMA Awards Performers To Include Eric Church, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, P!NK, Dolly Parton, for King & Country
/by Jessica NicholsonThe first performers have been announced for this year’s Country Music Association awards.
Guest host Dolly Parton will team with for King & Country and Zach Williams for an inspirational gospel medley including for King & Country’s “God Only Knows,” as well as Williams’ “There Was Jesus,” and Parton’s not-yet-released new song, “Faith.”
Chris Stapleton, a three-time nominee this year, will join P!NK to perform their duet, “Love Me Anyway.”
Eric Church will perform “Some Of It” from his CMA Album of the Year-nominated Desperate Man project. Luke Combs, the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year and a three-time nominee this year, will offer “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” In addition to her guest hosting duties, Reba McEntire will perform her classic “Fancy.” Miranda Lambert, nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, will perform “It All Comes Out In The Wash.”
Maren Morris, who leads this year’s nominees with six nominations, will perform her hit “GIRL.” This year’s CMA host and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood will perform “Drinking Alone” from her CMA Album of the Year-nominated project Cry Pretty. Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, and a two-time nominee this year, Keith Urban will offer his new single “We Were.”
Country Music’s Biggest Night™ will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7 CT on the ABC Television Network. The 53rd Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alex Rudzinski is the Director, and David Wild is the Head Writer.
Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.
CASE Act Passes U.S. House Of Representatives
/by Jessica NicholsonThe CASE Act, which Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) introduced in the House in May 2019, would establish the Copyright Claims Board in the U.S. Copyright Office.
The bill aims to offer an alternative dispute resolution program for small copyright claims, and a solution for independent creators to fulfill their rights, without having to hire an attorney and go through federal court. The Copyright Claims Board, a three-judge panel, would hear and rule on small-claims infringement cases of less than $15,000 per infringed work, and less than $30,000 total per claim.
The bill now heads to Senate for a vote before it can become law.
Luke Bryan’s ‘Crash My Party’ Named ACM Album Of The Decade
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment; Lori Badgett, ACM President; Chuck Aly, ACM Vice-President and Special Awards Committee Co-Chair; Luke Bryan; Jeff Stevens; Cindy Mabe, President Universal Music Group Nashville; Mike Dungan, Chairman/CEO Universal Music Group Nashville; RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director
Luke Bryan received the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party in a surprise presentation during his performance at the 11th annual “Opry Goes Pink,” to help support the fight against breast cancer at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Tuesday night (Oct. 22). The recipients of this award include Bryan, the album’s producer, Jeff Stevens, and Capitol Records Nashville.
Bryan joins as the final recipient of the seven all-new ACM Decade Award categories. The ACM Album of the Decade Award recognizes an album that has impacted country music over the decade. The factors considered include success at radio of singles released from album, album concept, commercial media, sales and streaming, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.
“I’ve worked with Luke for many, many years and have seen first-hand his passion, endless energy and live performances. The Crash My Party album captured his vision and excitement with songs that you can’t get out of your head. We are honored to acknowledge Luke and his team’s accomplishments and career success over the past decade,” said RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director.
Bryan’s four-time Platinum-selling album Crash My Party was released in 2013 and firmly planted his career as a superstar entertainer. Crash My Party was the largest sales debut for a country male artist since 2004, selling nearly 530,000 albums its first week and debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Country sales chart. The album went on to sell over four million copies and contains six consecutive No. 1 singles, “Crash My Party,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” Drink A Beer,” “Play It Again,” “Roller Coaster,” and “I See You.”
Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert To Headline 2020 Tortuga Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw are set to headline the eighth annual Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on April 17-19, 2020.
The lineup will also include Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Barenaked Ladies, Gabby Barrett, Lee Brice, Blanco Brown, Billy Currington, Jordan Davis, Gone West ft. Colbie Caillat, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Hirie, Chris Lane, Jon Pardi, Jon Langston, LOCASH, Pitbull, Runaway June, Cole Swindell, Toots and the Maytals, Vanilla Ice and Morgan Wallen, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.
The three-day weekend beach retreat combines entertainment while raising money for ocean conservation and will take place on the shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Each year Tortuga Music Festival raises funds and promotes awareness of the issues that the world’s oceans currently face, as well as supporting marine conservation and research. Festival guests can learn about where a portion of the proceeds from their passes go onsite at the festival at Rock The Ocean’s Conservation Village, which offers exhibits within the festival grounds where fans can experience games, interactive touch tanks, cooking exhibitions, the latest ocean technology, and learn how they can help make a difference
Tortuga passes will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at tortugamusicfestival.com.
Ingrid Andress Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Gina Keltner (Director of Talent and Logistics, Grand Ole Opry), Ingrid Andress, Jeannie Seely. Photo: Chris Hollo/Opry
Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist Ingrid Andress recently made her debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage, offering a performance of her single “More Hearts Than Mine,” and her anthemic “Lady Like.”
Next week, she will launch her headlining tour with a show at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall. The Lady Like Tour Part II runs through December, with stops in markets including Boston, San Diego, and Philadelphia. In February, she will join Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton and more as part of Keith Urban’s All for the Hall benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Pictured: Blythe Scokin (Founder & CEO, bluejacket), Shane Tarleton (SVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Gina Keltner (Director of Talent and Logistics, Grand Ole Opry), Ingrid Andress, Jeannie Seely, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville). Photo: Chris Hollo/Opry
Carrie Underwood Celebrates 27th No. 1 Hit “Southbound” With Nashville Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter David Garcia and BMI songwriters Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller celebrate their No. 1 hit “Southbound.” Photo: Steve Lowry
Carrie Underwood was honored for her 27th No. 1 hit, “Southbound,” on Monday (Oct. 21) during a party held at BMI’s Nashville office.
The song also marks Underwood’s 14th No. 1 song as a songwriter; the BMI-aligned Underwood penned the sunny, party-ready track alongside Josh Miller (BMI) and David Garcia (ASCAP).
The No. 1 party comes just weeks after Underwood brought her headlining Cry Pretty Tour 360 to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a sold-out show. On Nov. 13, she will host the CMA Awards for the 12th consecutive year, this time alongside Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. She is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.
Among those celebrating “Southbound” were BMI’s Jody Williams and MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Cindy Mabe, and publishers including Cornman Music’s Brett James and Nate Lowery, Universal Music Publishing Group’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, and Spirit Music Group’s Frank Rogers.
“Carrie, you’re the premier voice of this generation,” UMPG’s Tomlinson said. “You’re the face of country music around the world.” He also thanked the Capitol Nashville team and Underwood’s manager Ann Edelblute. “You get the job done and you do it with grace…you are a rock star.”
BMI’s Williams recalled a recent conversation had with his fellow CMA Board member, songwriter Lori McKenna. “We were talking about artists being in the writing session with more seasoned writers and the mixed results that can come about from that combination. As we talked, Lori’s face just lit up and she said, ‘There are a few exceptions and I’m talking about Carrie Underwood. She’s not a good writer, she’s a great writer, and she can hold her own in writing with anyone.’ That was just an impromptu comment from one of Nashville’s most renowned writers and for her to categorize Carrie in this way is a huge compliment. She knows what she wants to sing about and she knows who she is singing to.”
Spirit Music Group’s Rogers praised both Garcia’s talent and work ethic, saying, “He’s one of the hardest workers. He won the ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year award like six weeks ago. He gets his award and we go to dinner and he starts looking at his watch. He goes, ‘I’ve got to go back to the studio because I have a demo vocal at 10 p.m.. The artist is cutting on Friday so this is the only chance we have to get it to them.’ Well, he got the cut,” he said, to the applause of the crowd. “You deserve all the good things that happen to you. We are thrilled at Spirit to be part of your world.”
Rogers also said to Underwood, “Thank you for being a forward-looking artist in our industry…you care about making music that means something to you, and to your fans, and that’s why you are a guiding light in country music.”
“This is the first [No. 1] we get to spend together as part of Universal Music Group, so it is pretty special,” UMG Nashville’s Mabe told Underwood. “The Cry Pretty album is an album of taking creative chances and sharing deeply vulnerable and personal testament….I’m convinced that Carrie’s voice is so powerful because she speaks and has a voice for those who do not, and you can see them come out in droves every night to connect with her in concert, from little girls, to grown men, straight, gay, all ethnicities and ages, and especially women. Perhaps the thing that I have learned from her despite all the pressure as a woman, a wife and working mom, boss and entertainer, cultural influencer, and performer, is that she’s always working to use her platform to shine on others, including creating opportunities for other female artists, exposing new acts and encouraging fans to champion each other.”
She also offered high praise for Underwood’s current Cry Pretty Tour 360. “It’s mesmerizing no matter how many times you’ve seen it, and I’ve seen it six times,” Mabe said.
Pictured (L-R, top row): BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Universal Music Group’s Cindy Mabe, Spirit Music Group’s Frank Rogers, Universal Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery and Brett James; (L-R, bottom row): ASCAP songwriter David Garcia and BMI songwriters Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller. Photo: Steve Lowry
Underwood’s “Southbound” co-writers Garcia and Miller are also co-writers on the Florida Georgia Line/Bebe Rexha smash hit, “Meant To Be,” which earned BMI Pop Song of the Year last year. Miller has also penned chart-toppers including Chris Lane’s “Take Back Home Girl” (feat. Tori Kelly), and Kip Moore’s “More Girls Like You.” He also has numerous cuts on albums from Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Chase Rice and more.
“This is my dream job and it’s icing on the cake to get to celebrate things like this,” Miller said. Of Underwood, he said, “I remember I was a senior in high school and seeing you win American Idol. And to think that I’m up here…you’re a superstar and you are a superstar human. You are an artist and you have a voice and just thank you for doing everything you do, because your artistry is bigger than just shows and music.”
Garcia, who both wrote for and co-produced Underwood’s current album Cry Pretty, moved to Nashville in 2009. He’s earned four Grammy Awards for songs including Mandisa’s “Overcomer” and the album of the same title, as well as songs recorded by TobyMac. Garcia is the reigning ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year, and also took home the honor in 2015 and 2016. He also co-wrote Moore’s “More Girls Like You,” and co-wrote three tracks on NF’s album Perception.
Garcia took the time to praise Underwood not only as a songwriter, but as a producer. “When you look on the back of the record and it says ‘co-produced by Carrie Underwood,’ Carrie was in my studio in Berry Hill every session. Every day we had someone come over, she was right there. I’m so proud of this song, but I’m so proud of this record, too. Thank you for making this possible. We had an incredible record label that trusted us. Josh, I couldn’t be more proud of you, dude, just watching you do everything.”
“I’m so proud of this entire album. It is definitely me to the fullest extent,” Underwood said. “To be able to work with David throughout, it was just a blessing. It feels good singing these songs on the road every night. Getting to write with both of these guys, it was wonderful to have such talent in the room and get to know you guys. I’m excited to celebrate ‘Southbound,’ that last piece of the puzzle that we knew we needed. You’ve got to have those light, fun moments in the show and it’s such an honor to get to kick the show off with ‘Southbound.’”
She also thanked manager Ann Edelblute, the Capitol Music Nashville team, and country radio.
“It never, ever gets old. Every time you reach that No. 1 spot, it’s like you get to celebrate for the first time, every time.”
UMPG also made a donation to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters, while Pinnacle Bank made a donation to Underwood’s The C.A.T.S. Foundation.
Pictured: MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson presents David Garcia, Carrie Underwood and Josh Miller with their No.1 MusicRow Challenge Coins for “Southbound.”