George Strait. Photo courtesy NSAI
While this year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards, held Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the Ryman Auditorium, was certainly a star-studded event, the evening focused on quality songs and the talented tunesmiths who craft them, with the night’s winners ranging from legendary songwriters to newcomers.
The 2019 Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, given to recognize a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook, was presented to Loretta Lynn, who wrote a significant amount of her own signature songs, including “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” and “The Pill.”
“We can bestow no greater honor on a songwriter,” NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow said of Lynn.
Video and performance tributes followed. Reba McEntire took to the Ryman stage to offer “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man,” her voice imbued with realness, hurt, bravery, and vocal skill.
Loretta’s granddaughter Tayla paid tribute with a rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” her voice offering a close rendering of her grandmother’s full-bodied note bending and frank phrasings.
Kellie Pickler offered “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.” “I’m no Loretta, but I’m just going to do my best,” Pickler told the crowd.
Video tributes came from songwriters including Liz Rose and Connie Harrington.
“Listeners can sniff out dishonesty. If you write true lyrics, it reaches,” Rose said.
Following the performances, Lynn, 87, was escorted to the stage by Kid Rock.
“I’m Loretta,” she greeted the crowd as they offered thunderous applause. “I want y’all to know I love you for being here tonight. Thank you all, I love you.”
Loretta Lynn accepts the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement honor. Photo courtesy NSAI
Meanwhile, songwriters overflowed with words of admiration for this year’s recipient of the President’s Keystone Award, George Strait.
“He’s the Frank Sinatra of country music.” “He’s the king of country music.” “We’ve all been trying to write George Strait songs since 1981.” Those are a few of the praises offered to Strait by songwriters who have penned some of his more than 60 No. 1 hits.
Dean Dillon, who has written for Strait for more than four decades, and counts hits including “If I Know Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” among his catalog, offered a performance “Here For A Good Time,” which he wrote with George and Bubba Strait, as well as “The Chair.”
“I’ve always had an appointment on Monday morning at 10 a.m. to play him some songs on every record he ever cut,” Dillon told the crowd. “George, I thank you for that.”
Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens performed a medley of “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me.”
“I think songwriting is a gift from God,” Strait said told the crowd, and briefly alluded to the story of how Johnny Paycheck’s stint in jail kept him from recording the Dillon/Frank Dycus song “Unwound,” a track that Strait would go on to record, producing his first Top 10 hit.
“I’ve leaned on [songwriters] for years and they’ve been kind enough to send me some great songs to record and I really appreciate it,” Strait said.
Songwriter of the Year winner Josh Osborne. Photo courtesy NSAI
Nashville Songwriters Association International leaders hosted the event, including Turnbow, Director of Development Katie Arata, Executive Director Bart Herbison, and NSAI Board President Bogard. City National Bank was the evening’s presenting sponsor.
Luke Combs was honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year. He was not in attendance, but accepted via video.
“This is the real cherry on top of everything we’ve gotten to do over the past year,” Combs said.
Josh Osborne, who has netted 18 No. 1 hits in his career, was named Songwriter of the Year.
Though the Nashville Songwriter Awards program book listed a performance of a new track titled “Sinning With You,” performer Sam Hunt decided at the last minute to tribute Osborne with “Come Over,” which Osborne penned alongside Hunt and Shane McAnally (who began the segment with a video tribute to Osborne) and was recorded by Kenny Chesney.
“Josh is one of the best songwriters in this town and I’m proud to be part of recognizing it,” Hunt said. Michael Ray offered a rendition of his chart-topper “One That Got Away.”
Osborne was moved by the honor, and accepted with a speech that was humble, humorous, and personal.
“[Songwriters] are insecure by nature, so to get an award on the same stage as Reba and Loretta, that will shake you down a bit,” he told the crowd.
Osborne thanked his wife Toni, letting the crowd know they are expecting their first child, a girl.
“Hopefully, Nicolle [Galyon], you can sign her to your label [the recently-launched Songs & Daughters]…verbal contract.”
He also noted that he moved to Nashville 21 years ago to write songs, and thanked all of his co-writers.
“I still wake up every day determined to prove I belong in that room with you.”
With George Strait sitting in the audience, Osborne also took the opportunity to mention an artist cut that has long been on his bucket list.
“I really, really want a George Strait cut,” he said. “I mean, really. So if anyone in this room knows how to make that happen….” As the crowd laughed and applauded.
Growing serious, Osborne noted that his father died nearly two years ago to the day. “I choose to believe he is seeing this,” Osborne said. “He would have had two questions: ‘Is Sam Hunt putting out new music?’ and ‘Are your seats better than Ashley Gorley’s?’ The answers are ‘Soon,’ and ‘Yes.’”
Senator Lamar Alexander was honored with The White Hat Award, for his work supporting the Music Modernization Act [MMA] and similar legislation that assists songwriters. Lee Brice was on hand to perform “Falling Apart Together,” a track from his 2010 Love Like Crazy album. Brice told the crowd how Alexander had supplied the title of the song; Brice then co-wrote the rest of the song with Billy Montana and Jon Stone, and gave Alexander a writer’s credit on it.
“I want to thank Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Jon Stone for teaching me a lesson in how songwriters get paid,” Alexander said, noting he earned $101.75 in royalties for an entire year from having an album cut.
“The name of this new law [the MMA] really ought to be the songwriters law, because you made it happen,” Alexander said. “So many of you came to Washington, D.C., brought your guitars, went from office to office telling your stories. You did it, you made it happen.”
The evening proved to be extra special for Dean Dillon, as he watched as his daughter, Jessie Jo Dillon, was honored alongside Chase McGill and Jon Nite for writing the 2019 Song of the Year, “Break Up In The End,” recorded by Cole Swindell.
After the three songwriters stepped on the Ryman stage, McGill thanked all of his fellow songwriters in Nashville, while Nite thanked his wife for her support.
“There was a moment I gave this up,” Nite told the crowd. “She gave me a [gift of] a [writers] weekend at NSAI. A couple of songs in, a publisher gave me a deal and here we are.”
“This is one of my favorite songs I’ve written,” said Dillon, who thanked her publisher Big Machine Music, Big Machine Label Group, and NSAI. She also offered encouragement to aspiring songwriters. “If there are songwriters who feel discouraged, worn out, or feel like you want to quit…don’t quit.”
Swindell performed the song alongside Dillon, Nite and McGill.
“Thank you for trusting me with this song,” Swindell said. “I’m just grateful you let me cut it.”
Photo: Courtesy NSAI
Also honored during the evening were the ’10 Songs I Wish I Had Written,’ which featured two songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, two written by artist-writer Michael Hardy and two written by Bobby Pinson.
Artists including Chris Janson, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, and Jason Aldean all took the stage to perform the compositions.
This year’s 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Include:
“Meant To Be”: written by Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, Josh Miller and Bebe Rexa; recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Whiskey Glasses”: written by Kevin Kadish and Ben Burgess; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drunk Girl”: written by Chris Janson, Tom Douglas and Scooter Carusoe; performed by Chris Janson
“God’s Country”: written by Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Hardy; recorded by Blake Shelton
“Burning Man”: written by Luke Dick and Bobby Pinson; recorded by Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Tequila”: written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon; recorded by Dan + Shay
“Some Of It” written by Bobby Pinson, Clint Daniels, Eric Church and Jeff Hyde; recorded by Eric Church
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”: written by Chris Stevens, David Lee Murphy and Jimmy Yeary; recorded by David Lee Murphy ft. Kenny Chesney
“Up Down”: written by Brad Clawson, CJ Solar and Michael Hardy; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drowns The Whiskey”: written by Brad Kinney, Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson; recorded by Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
Kenny Chesney To Receive CRB Humanitarian Award
/by Lorie HollabaughKenny Chesney with St. John School for the Arts students. Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell
Kenny Chesney has been named the recipient of the 2020 Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian Award. He’ll receive the award on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as part of the 2nd Annual Warner Music Nashville Kickoff Luncheon, which serves as the official launch of Country Radio Seminar 2020. The Blue Chair/Warner Music Nashville recording artist will also headline this year’s Kickoff Luncheon, where he’ll be joined by several artists from the Warner Music Nashville family.
Chesney’s charitable work is widespread. His Love for Love City Foundation helped spearhead the rebuilding of St. John following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. In addition to humanitarian aid and working with local teams to facilitate physical clean-up and rebuilding, he and his core staff worked to rescue and relocate over 2,000 displaced animals of St. Thomas and St. John to several no-kill shelters and loving families in the U.S.
Chesney donated all proceeds from his Songs for the Saints album, which featured Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Buffett and Mindy Smith, to the Love for Love City Foundation. Raising over $1.1 million to date, the project continues to generate funds for St. John’s ongoing reconstruction work. Chesney also filled the St. John School for the Arts with a bounty of musical instruments, to inspire the children to go to school and be creative as they recovered from the disaster. Songs for the Saints generated the multiple week No. 1 “Get Along,” an anthem Chesney felt spoke to the spirit of people coming together post-devastation. Having already been involved with two successful PassItOn.Org campaigns with “Spread the Love” and “The Good Stuff,” the life-affirming organization requested an unprecedented third collaboration, and “Get Along” has already surpassed 2.5 billion views.
Following the bombing at the Boston Marathon, Chesney worked with the Boston Medical Center, creating the Spread the Love Fund to benefit amputee survivors. He aided survivors by selling special edition t-shirts as well as creating a place for donations, including turning a “Good Morning America” Summer Concert appearance into a fundraising opportunity. To date, Spread the Love has accrued over two million dollars, and the beneficiaries, as well as first responders, can often be seen at Chesney’s Gillette Stadium shows.
Chesney’s ongoing commitment to ocean habitat conservation extends from his years spent on the water. No Shoes Reefs has helped rebuild coral reefs in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as supported other local ocean ecology efforts around Florida and the Gulf Coast. He has also worked regularly – and often anonymously – with a myriad of other organizations, including MusiCares, the Red Cross, Farm Aid, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ACM Lifting Lives, the CMA Foundation, Kids Wish Network and many local charities.
“It’s as if this CRS award was created for Kenny Chesney,” said CRS/CRB Board President, Kurt Johnson. “Artists with his career span are rare. Among them, artists who do as much good as he does, for as long as he has, without calling attention to it, are particularly singular. Here’s to you, Kenny.”
“I was raised to lend a hand where I could, but also to reach out quietly and keep the focus on the people who need the help,” said Chesney. “I’ve always tried to do the right thing where I could, but this award really belongs to all the people I’ve met over the years who are rebuilding their lives, their homes, their world. Watching them come together – the courage, the hours and strength they give to these things – my award is getting to be inspired by what these people have accomplished.”
Beloved Country Music Journalist Chuck Dauphin Passes
/by Sherod RobertsonChuck Dauphin. Photo credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA
Beloved Nashville country music industry journalist and Dickson resident Chuck Dauphin passed away Wednesday evening (Sept. 18) at 6:47 p.m., following a series of complications from diabetes. He was 45.
As a radio broadcaster, record promoter and journalist, he has spent the past 25 years sharing his passion for country music and carrying a torch for all of its artists, songwriters and industry members.
With over 1,000 articles published in various magazines and newspapers, including Roughstock, At Home Tennessee, Sounds Like Nashville and Billboard among many others, he will always be known for his integrity, preparation, creativity and passion for country music. His peers and close friends will also remember him for his quiet wit and unwavering support of others.
As one of the most well-respected journalists within the industry, the veteran radio and music journalist was presented with the 2014 CMA Media Achievement Award on the night of the “The 48th Annual CMA Awards.”
Dauphin launched his career as a professional radio host in 1991 during his junior year in high school, when he earned his first job in the music business at WDKN in Dickson, Tennessee. He worked there for 18 years, rose to program director and was known to everyone in Dickson County by his on-air personality, “Crazy Chucky.” He enjoyed a flourishing radio career with stops at WNKX in Centerville, Tenn., Nashville’s WSM-AM, and he often appeared as a guest on Sirius XM’s country channels.
He is survived by his father Charles F. Dauphin, Jr., his stepmother, Marcia Dauphin of Savanna, Ill., a stepson Zach Heath of Kentucky, stepdaughter Isabella Heath of Pennsylvania, stepbrother Lyle Klein (Dee Dee) of Carthage, Ill., a stepsister, Deanna Deal (Eric) of Freeport, Ill., an uncle Burt Dauphin of Savanna, Ill., two aunts, Diana Chaplin of Baileyville, Ill. and Gloria Roberts of Freeport, Ill. and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, his grandparents Ernest and Pauline Clymer, Charles and Edna Dauphin, two uncles Jim Chaplin and Del Roberts, an aunt Peg Dauphin and a cousin, Douglas Harbers, and many beloved pet dogs and cats, including Lassie, Brownie and Chloe.
5:00 – 8:00 PM Visitation
Taylor Funeral Home
214 North Main St.
Dickson, TN 37055
Phone: 615-446-2808
Sunday, September 22, 2019
3:00 PM Celebration of Life
A reception will follow Chuck’s Celebration of Life at Burns Church of Christ.Burns Church of Christ
2718 Church St.
Burns, TN 37029
Phone: 615-441-3984
Industry Ink: All For The Hall, Big Machine, WME, Big Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonSheryl, Luke, Vince, And Emmylou Are All For The Hall
Pictured (L-R): Emmylou Harris, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Last night, Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, along with Luke Combs and Sheryl Crow took the stage at All for the Hall Los Angeles, a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs. Gill has hosted or co-hosted every All for the Hall concerts since he founded the campaign in 2005.
Big Machine Label Group Adds Two Promotion Coordinators
Pictured: Samantha Kane, Athena Puharic
Big Machine Label Group announced today the addition of Athena Puharic to The Valory Music Co. and Samantha Kane to Big Machine Records. Puharic joins The Valory Music Co. team as the Promotion Coordinator following her former role as Associate Editor at ALL ACCESS. Kane brings previous communications experience from the Country Music Association to her new role as Promotion Coordinator for Big Machine Records.
WME Hosts Early Listening Party For Jillian Cardarelli’s New Single
Pictured (L-R): Lauren Ledford (WME), Sloane Logue (WME), Cam Caldwell (Dickinson-Wright), Jillian Cardarelli, Matt Malcolm (WME), Alex Kline (producer), Lindsey Dodge (WME).
WME hosted a listening event for the release of Jillian Cardarelli‘s new single, “I Never Do This,” from her upcoming EP. The track is co-written by Cardarelli and Curb|Word writer Adam Wood.
Boardman Promoted At Big Deal Music Group Nashville
Emily Boardman
Emily Boardman has been promoted to Manager / Creative at Big Deal Music Group Nashville. She has been with Big Deal Music since 2015, and previously served as catalog manager for Red Vinyl Music.
Play It Again Music Signs Walker Montgomery To Publishing, Artist Development Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Dallas Davidson and Walker Montgomery
Play It Again Music has signed Walker Montgomery to a multi-faceted music publishing and artist development deal. Play It Again founder and CEO Dallas Davidson, who has earned 25 No. 1 singles, will produce a new project for Montgomery, the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery, which will be released on the company’s independent label.
“I know a superstar when I see one, and as soon as I met Walker I knew we had to make him a part of our team. With that much talent running through his blood, it won’t be long before everyone knows how incredible he is,” Davidson says.
Before signing his deal, Walker Montgomery earned more than 3 million streams with his self-penned first single “Simple Town,” which earned the attention of Play It Again’s President, Juli Newton-Griffith. Griffith looks forward to spearheading the development of Montgomery’s career and establishing him as a major songwriter and recording artist.
“There is something very special about Walker. He is a natural super star. This is going to be really fun!” says Newton-Griffith.
“This is totally BUCKET LIST for me!! I’ve been in awe of Dallas Davidson since I was a teenager and only dreamed about the opportunity to shake his hand someday. To be signed to his music company and have him produce a record on me is just mind boggling. And, I’m also very lucky to have Juli as a mentor and leader. I feel very blessed and I’m so appreciative of this opportunity,” Montgomery adds.
Spirit Music Group Signs David Garcia
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Derek Crownover, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); David Garcia; Megan Keelan, Legal Intern (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Michelle Davey, Director of Administration/Office Manager (Spirit Music Nashville); Cam Caldwell, Attorney (Dickinson Wright PLLC); Derek Wells, Sr. Director of A&R/Production (Spirit Music Nashville); Brian Bradford, VP of Administration and Operations (Spirit Music Nashville); David Crow, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Matthew Beckett, Attorney (Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC); Frank Rogers, CEO (Spirit Music Nashville); Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative (Spirit Music Nashville)
Spirit Music Group has signed a multi-faceted deal with songwriter and producer David Garcia, which includes the purchase of his catalog as well as a publishing deal for future works.
“Spirit Music Group is honored to partner with David Garcia in both his catalog and new works,” said Jon Singer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group. “David has a proven track record of hits, and the impressive ability to write in multiple genres—the entire global team at Spirit is excited to give David our full support.”
“David Garcia is a force of nature,” said Frank Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “His songs, his production, his energy and his personality are addictive. We could not be more excited to partner with David and welcome him to the Spirit Music family!”
“I am so excited to be partnering with Frank Rogers and the whole Spirit Music team for this next chapter of my songwriting career,” said Garcia. “The energy and excitement that is coming out of the Nashville office is amazing, and I am thrilled to have them on-board as my publishing partner.”
Four-time Grammy recipient Garcia co-wrote and co-produced the smash hit “Meant To Be,” recorded by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line. The song spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In 2017, he earned a No. 1 hit for co-writing and co-producing “More Girls Like You,” recorded by Kip Moore.
Garcia has penned more than 20 No. 1 Contemporary Christian songs. He was named ASCAP’s 2019 Christian Songwriter of the Year earlier this week (he previously earned the honor in 2015), and has earned nine Dove Awards.
He worked with Carrie Underwood on her sixth studio project, including the lead single “Cry Pretty,” and “Southbound.” His latest single, “Hell Right,” recorded by Blake Shelton (ft. Trace Adkins) is currently at radio.
Since announcing the appointment of Frank Rogers to Chief Executive Officer of Spirit Music Nashville in May of this year, the company has made quick impact with the formation of a JV with Grammy-nominated Platinum producer Derek Wells (also appointing Wells as Senior Director A&R Production); the signing MusicRow‘s Song of the Year co-writer Jeremy Bussey; as well as the signings of Bobby Hamrick and Brinley Addington. Other recent successes by Spirit Music Nashville and Fluid Music Revolution include ASCAP’s Song of the Year (“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell and Josh Osborne); SESAC’s Song of the Year (“It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” by Billy Currington); CMA Song of the Year (“Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban) and CMA Album of the Year From a Room: Volume 1 by Chris Stapleton); and a publishing interest in ACM nominations for Song of the Year (“Whiskey & You” by Chris Stapleton); Single of the Year (“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton and “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland) and Songwriter of the Year (Josh Osborne).
Spirit Music Group and Spirit Music Nashville have had a string of signings and acquisitions over the past year. In January, Spirit Music Group executives Singer and Ross Cameron formed Lyric Capital Group to take ownership of Spirit Music Group and secure a recapitalization of over $350 million. Spirit Music Group is now wholly-owned by the newly formed Lyric Capital Group.
Striking Gold: Ryan Hurd, Matt Stell, Colt Ford
/by Lorie HollabaughRyan Hurd Celebrates Gold Success Of “To A T”
Pictured (L-R): Janet Weir, 42 Entertainment/Red Light Management, Dennis Reese, SVP Promotion RCA Records Nashville, Steve Hodges, EVP Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville (SMN), Caryl Atwood, SVP Sales/Streaming, SMN, Ryan Hurd, Tracy Fleaner, VP Creative Services, SMN, Jim Catino, EVP A&R, SMN, Paige Altone, Sr. Director Marketing, SMN, Taylor Lindsey, SVP A&R, SMN Photo Credit Alan Poizner
Ryan Hurd received a Gold certification for his single “To A T” on Tuesday (Sept. after participating in the SIP Hope 4 Hope Town benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday. Late Tuesday, Hurd was rehearsing for his upcoming opening slot on the Old Dominion “Make It Sweet Tour,” which kicks off on Sept. 27 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte when members of his management team and Sony Music Nashville surprised him with T-shirt-shaped cookies and a Gold plaque for “To A T.”
On Friday he’ll release his five-song Platonic EP which includes his current rising radio hit “To A T” and the sweetly wistful “Wish For the World,” which Hurd performed during the Hope 4 Hope Town benefit. The star-packed concert raised funds for an estimated 70,000 people in the Bahamas left homeless by the ravages of Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 1.
Matt Stell’s “Prayed For You” Achieves Heavy Metal Status
Pictured (L-R): Liz Cost, Sr. Director Marketing, SMN, Keith Gale, Good Company Entertainment, Ash Bowers, Wide Open Music, Barry Weiss, RECORDS, David Enriquez, RECORDS, Brendan Rich, Wide Open Music, Matt Stell, Josh Easler, VP Promotion Arista Nashville; Jamice Jennings, GCE Promotion, and Laurent Thomas, Director National Promotion, SMN Photo Credit Alan Poizner
Matt Stell was surprised Monday night (Sept. 16) with a Gold plaque for his hit single “Prayed For You” presented by his management and label teams in front of a capacity crowd at Whiskey Jam in Nashville. “Prayed For You” is currently at No. 9 with a global reach of more than 90 million digital streams.
Jamey Johnson Surprises Colt Ford With Gold At Opry
Pictured: Jamey Johnson, Colt Ford. Photo: Alan Taylor
MusicRow Introduces New N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, Submissions Now Open
/by LB CantrellIn our effort to recognize the industry’s up-and-coming talent, MusicRow‘s inaugural N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) Music Industry Directory will be featured in MusicRow‘s print issue that comes out the first week of December.
The N.B.T. Music Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who are rising through the ranks. This class of industry members occupy mid-level roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to lead the Nashville music industry into the future. Applicants should ideally have a minimum of 5 or more years experience in the music industry.
Sherod Robertson, MusicRow Publisher/Owner says, “As leaders in the music industry, it’s important to work closely with up-and-coming professionals to help them become better, more effective leaders in the future—which not only benefits the Nashville music industry today, but helps advance the direction of our industry into the future. Recognizing these individuals is the first step and is the mission of this new MusicRow directory.”
This print edition also includes the annual Next Big Thing artists listing, with editorial features focused on the touring segment of our industry.
For you or a staff member(s) to be considered for inclusion in this year’s edition of the N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, please click here to access the application form. (Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to be listed in the directory.)
Note: If you are submitting multiple candidates, you will need to click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the form before entering another candidate.
While you can submit more than one candidate, only those that meet the above criteria will be considered.
Please send a recent head shot to art@musicrow.com. (Photo specs: 2” x 2” or larger, 266+ dpi, color, jpeg).
New submissions for the directory close on Friday, September 27, 2019. For questions, email lbrogers@musicrow.com or call (615) 499-5420.
Bandsintown Unveils Bandsintown For Artists Platform
/by Lorie HollabaughBREAKING: Janine Appleton Ebach Resigns From Curb|Word Entertainment Role
/by LB CantrellJanine Appleton Ebach
Janine Appleton Ebach has resigned from her role as VP of Publishing for Curb|Word Entertainment, MusicRow has confirmed.
During her six year stint as what started as Word Country prior to the Curb acquisition, Ebach celebrated five No. 1 singles including Brett Young’s debut single “Sleep Without You,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” Jon Pardi’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor,” Dustin Lynch’s “Good Girl,” and more recently Brett Young’s multi-week single “Here Tonight.”
Ebach is a 2019 honoree of MusicRow Magazine’s Rising Women on the Row as well as AIMP’s Song Champion of the Year, and an active member of the W.O. Smith Board.
She can be reached at appletonj@gmail.com.
Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Luke Combs, Josh Osborne Honored At Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait. Photo courtesy NSAI
While this year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards, held Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the Ryman Auditorium, was certainly a star-studded event, the evening focused on quality songs and the talented tunesmiths who craft them, with the night’s winners ranging from legendary songwriters to newcomers.
The 2019 Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, given to recognize a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook, was presented to Loretta Lynn, who wrote a significant amount of her own signature songs, including “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” and “The Pill.”
“We can bestow no greater honor on a songwriter,” NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow said of Lynn.
Video and performance tributes followed. Reba McEntire took to the Ryman stage to offer “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man,” her voice imbued with realness, hurt, bravery, and vocal skill.
Loretta’s granddaughter Tayla paid tribute with a rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” her voice offering a close rendering of her grandmother’s full-bodied note bending and frank phrasings.
Kellie Pickler offered “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.” “I’m no Loretta, but I’m just going to do my best,” Pickler told the crowd.
Video tributes came from songwriters including Liz Rose and Connie Harrington.
“Listeners can sniff out dishonesty. If you write true lyrics, it reaches,” Rose said.
Following the performances, Lynn, 87, was escorted to the stage by Kid Rock.
“I’m Loretta,” she greeted the crowd as they offered thunderous applause. “I want y’all to know I love you for being here tonight. Thank you all, I love you.”
Loretta Lynn accepts the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement honor. Photo courtesy NSAI
Meanwhile, songwriters overflowed with words of admiration for this year’s recipient of the President’s Keystone Award, George Strait.
“He’s the Frank Sinatra of country music.” “He’s the king of country music.” “We’ve all been trying to write George Strait songs since 1981.” Those are a few of the praises offered to Strait by songwriters who have penned some of his more than 60 No. 1 hits.
Dean Dillon, who has written for Strait for more than four decades, and counts hits including “If I Know Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” among his catalog, offered a performance “Here For A Good Time,” which he wrote with George and Bubba Strait, as well as “The Chair.”
“I’ve always had an appointment on Monday morning at 10 a.m. to play him some songs on every record he ever cut,” Dillon told the crowd. “George, I thank you for that.”
Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens performed a medley of “Carried Away” and “Carrying Your Love With Me.”
“I think songwriting is a gift from God,” Strait said told the crowd, and briefly alluded to the story of how Johnny Paycheck’s stint in jail kept him from recording the Dillon/Frank Dycus song “Unwound,” a track that Strait would go on to record, producing his first Top 10 hit.
“I’ve leaned on [songwriters] for years and they’ve been kind enough to send me some great songs to record and I really appreciate it,” Strait said.
Songwriter of the Year winner Josh Osborne. Photo courtesy NSAI
Nashville Songwriters Association International leaders hosted the event, including Turnbow, Director of Development Katie Arata, Executive Director Bart Herbison, and NSAI Board President Bogard. City National Bank was the evening’s presenting sponsor.
Luke Combs was honored as Songwriter-Artist of the Year. He was not in attendance, but accepted via video.
“This is the real cherry on top of everything we’ve gotten to do over the past year,” Combs said.
Josh Osborne, who has netted 18 No. 1 hits in his career, was named Songwriter of the Year.
Though the Nashville Songwriter Awards program book listed a performance of a new track titled “Sinning With You,” performer Sam Hunt decided at the last minute to tribute Osborne with “Come Over,” which Osborne penned alongside Hunt and Shane McAnally (who began the segment with a video tribute to Osborne) and was recorded by Kenny Chesney.
“Josh is one of the best songwriters in this town and I’m proud to be part of recognizing it,” Hunt said. Michael Ray offered a rendition of his chart-topper “One That Got Away.”
Osborne was moved by the honor, and accepted with a speech that was humble, humorous, and personal.
“[Songwriters] are insecure by nature, so to get an award on the same stage as Reba and Loretta, that will shake you down a bit,” he told the crowd.
Osborne thanked his wife Toni, letting the crowd know they are expecting their first child, a girl.
“Hopefully, Nicolle [Galyon], you can sign her to your label [the recently-launched Songs & Daughters]…verbal contract.”
He also noted that he moved to Nashville 21 years ago to write songs, and thanked all of his co-writers.
“I still wake up every day determined to prove I belong in that room with you.”
With George Strait sitting in the audience, Osborne also took the opportunity to mention an artist cut that has long been on his bucket list.
“I really, really want a George Strait cut,” he said. “I mean, really. So if anyone in this room knows how to make that happen….” As the crowd laughed and applauded.
Growing serious, Osborne noted that his father died nearly two years ago to the day. “I choose to believe he is seeing this,” Osborne said. “He would have had two questions: ‘Is Sam Hunt putting out new music?’ and ‘Are your seats better than Ashley Gorley’s?’ The answers are ‘Soon,’ and ‘Yes.’”
Senator Lamar Alexander was honored with The White Hat Award, for his work supporting the Music Modernization Act [MMA] and similar legislation that assists songwriters. Lee Brice was on hand to perform “Falling Apart Together,” a track from his 2010 Love Like Crazy album. Brice told the crowd how Alexander had supplied the title of the song; Brice then co-wrote the rest of the song with Billy Montana and Jon Stone, and gave Alexander a writer’s credit on it.
“I want to thank Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Jon Stone for teaching me a lesson in how songwriters get paid,” Alexander said, noting he earned $101.75 in royalties for an entire year from having an album cut.
“The name of this new law [the MMA] really ought to be the songwriters law, because you made it happen,” Alexander said. “So many of you came to Washington, D.C., brought your guitars, went from office to office telling your stories. You did it, you made it happen.”
The evening proved to be extra special for Dean Dillon, as he watched as his daughter, Jessie Jo Dillon, was honored alongside Chase McGill and Jon Nite for writing the 2019 Song of the Year, “Break Up In The End,” recorded by Cole Swindell.
After the three songwriters stepped on the Ryman stage, McGill thanked all of his fellow songwriters in Nashville, while Nite thanked his wife for her support.
“There was a moment I gave this up,” Nite told the crowd. “She gave me a [gift of] a [writers] weekend at NSAI. A couple of songs in, a publisher gave me a deal and here we are.”
“This is one of my favorite songs I’ve written,” said Dillon, who thanked her publisher Big Machine Music, Big Machine Label Group, and NSAI. She also offered encouragement to aspiring songwriters. “If there are songwriters who feel discouraged, worn out, or feel like you want to quit…don’t quit.”
Swindell performed the song alongside Dillon, Nite and McGill.
“Thank you for trusting me with this song,” Swindell said. “I’m just grateful you let me cut it.”
Photo: Courtesy NSAI
Also honored during the evening were the ’10 Songs I Wish I Had Written,’ which featured two songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, two written by artist-writer Michael Hardy and two written by Bobby Pinson.
Artists including Chris Janson, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, and Jason Aldean all took the stage to perform the compositions.
This year’s 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written Include:
“Meant To Be”: written by Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, Josh Miller and Bebe Rexa; recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“Whiskey Glasses”: written by Kevin Kadish and Ben Burgess; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drunk Girl”: written by Chris Janson, Tom Douglas and Scooter Carusoe; performed by Chris Janson
“God’s Country”: written by Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Hardy; recorded by Blake Shelton
“Burning Man”: written by Luke Dick and Bobby Pinson; recorded by Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Tequila”: written by Dan Smyers, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon; recorded by Dan + Shay
“Some Of It” written by Bobby Pinson, Clint Daniels, Eric Church and Jeff Hyde; recorded by Eric Church
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”: written by Chris Stevens, David Lee Murphy and Jimmy Yeary; recorded by David Lee Murphy ft. Kenny Chesney
“Up Down”: written by Brad Clawson, CJ Solar and Michael Hardy; recorded by Morgan Wallen
“Drowns The Whiskey”: written by Brad Kinney, Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson; recorded by Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert