Following Monday’s (May 13) announcement of this year’s nominees for the 31st annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at a newly-added category for this year’s awards, the Artist of the Year category. The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony on June 26.
See the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting closes on May 21 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.
2019 Artist of the Year nominees:
Dierks Bentley recently celebrated his 18th career No. 1 with “Burning Man,” feat. Brothers Osborne. The song is the second consecutive chart-topper from his ninth studio album The Mountain, following the hit “Woman, Amen.” Bentley co-wrote 10 of 13 tracks on The Mountain, which earned the highest debut sales of his career and became his seventh No. 1 album. Additionally, “Burning Man” earned a 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year nomination, and his tour of the same name is a sold-out success.
Kane Brown scored his third consecutive No. 1 with “Lose It,” and followed that with his new single, “Good As You,” which was the most-added at country radio that week. With the 2018 release of his album Experiment, Brown became one of only three country artists to top the overall Billboard 200 chart last year. For the album, Brown worked with Dann Huff, who is nominated for MusicRow Producer of the Year. Brown wrapped his soldout headlining arena tour in March, and will spend the summer on the road with Jason Aldean.
Eric Church is playing back-to-back nights in cities on his current Double Down Tour, visiting arenas nationwide. In addition, he’s upping the ante with a stop at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on May 25, expected to more than double his attendance record set at Bridgestone Arena in 2017. His current album, Desperate Man, debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart in October, and his producer Jay Joyce is nominated for 2019 MusicRow Producer of the Year. Church is a co-writer of the album’s latest single, “Some of It,” which recently climbed to No. 1 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart.
Luke Combs was voted Breakthrough Artist during last year’s MusicRow Awards, and he returns this year in the running for Artist of the Year. Combs recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks. His single “Beautiful Crazy” spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and makes Combs the first artist to send his first five singles to the top of that chart. He is currently on the Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour, a sold-out nationwide run named after his brand new single.
Dan + Shay had a runaway year thanks to their major hits “Tequila” and “Speechless.” Together the songs made Dan + Shay the first duo to hold the top two spots on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart simultaneously for eight consecutive weeks. Also, “Tequila” was the most-streamed country song released in 2018. Their current single “All To Myself” follows suit as it climbs the charts. After Dan + Shay’s sold-out headlining tour, they will hit the road on tours with Florida Georgia Line, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are also nominated for 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year as co-writers of “Speechless,” and their producer, Scott Hendricks, is nominated for Producer of the Year.
Kacey Musgraves is having a stellar run with her latest album Golden Hour, which won four Grammy Awards, including the overall Album of the Year, and was voted Album of the Year at the CMA and ACM Awards. The project includes current single “Rainbow,” which is also nominated for MusicRow Song of the Year. Musgraves is wowing audiences around the globe on her sold-out Oh, What a World: Tour II. The acclaimed singer-songwriter is a previous three-time MusicRow Awards winner, taking the triple crown in 2013 for Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, and Song of the Year.
Luke Combs Moves Into The Top Five On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs moves up 10 slots to No. 5 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with co-writer credits on his hit “Beautiful Crazy” and his new climbing single “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 for the seventh consecutive week with eight charting titles. Michael Hardy maintains his position this week at No. 2; as does Ross Copperman at No. 3 and Jordan M. Schmidt at No. 4.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Luke Combs Moves Into The Top Five On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs moves up 10 slots to No. 5 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with co-writer credits on his hit “Beautiful Crazy” and his new climbing single “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 for the seventh consecutive week with eight charting titles. Michael Hardy maintains his position this week at No. 2; as does Ross Copperman at No. 3 and Jordan M. Schmidt at No. 4.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
2019 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Artist of the Year
/by Jessica NicholsonFollowing Monday’s (May 13) announcement of this year’s nominees for the 31st annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at a newly-added category for this year’s awards, the Artist of the Year category. The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony on June 26.
See the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting closes on May 21 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.
2019 Artist of the Year nominees:
Dierks Bentley recently celebrated his 18th career No. 1 with “Burning Man,” feat. Brothers Osborne. The song is the second consecutive chart-topper from his ninth studio album The Mountain, following the hit “Woman, Amen.” Bentley co-wrote 10 of 13 tracks on The Mountain, which earned the highest debut sales of his career and became his seventh No. 1 album. Additionally, “Burning Man” earned a 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year nomination, and his tour of the same name is a sold-out success.
Kane Brown scored his third consecutive No. 1 with “Lose It,” and followed that with his new single, “Good As You,” which was the most-added at country radio that week. With the 2018 release of his album Experiment, Brown became one of only three country artists to top the overall Billboard 200 chart last year. For the album, Brown worked with Dann Huff, who is nominated for MusicRow Producer of the Year. Brown wrapped his soldout headlining arena tour in March, and will spend the summer on the road with Jason Aldean.
Eric Church is playing back-to-back nights in cities on his current Double Down Tour, visiting arenas nationwide. In addition, he’s upping the ante with a stop at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on May 25, expected to more than double his attendance record set at Bridgestone Arena in 2017. His current album, Desperate Man, debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart in October, and his producer Jay Joyce is nominated for 2019 MusicRow Producer of the Year. Church is a co-writer of the album’s latest single, “Some of It,” which recently climbed to No. 1 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart.
Luke Combs was voted Breakthrough Artist during last year’s MusicRow Awards, and he returns this year in the running for Artist of the Year. Combs recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks. His single “Beautiful Crazy” spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and makes Combs the first artist to send his first five singles to the top of that chart. He is currently on the Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour, a sold-out nationwide run named after his brand new single.
Dan + Shay had a runaway year thanks to their major hits “Tequila” and “Speechless.” Together the songs made Dan + Shay the first duo to hold the top two spots on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart simultaneously for eight consecutive weeks. Also, “Tequila” was the most-streamed country song released in 2018. Their current single “All To Myself” follows suit as it climbs the charts. After Dan + Shay’s sold-out headlining tour, they will hit the road on tours with Florida Georgia Line, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are also nominated for 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year as co-writers of “Speechless,” and their producer, Scott Hendricks, is nominated for Producer of the Year.
Kacey Musgraves is having a stellar run with her latest album Golden Hour, which won four Grammy Awards, including the overall Album of the Year, and was voted Album of the Year at the CMA and ACM Awards. The project includes current single “Rainbow,” which is also nominated for MusicRow Song of the Year. Musgraves is wowing audiences around the globe on her sold-out Oh, What a World: Tour II. The acclaimed singer-songwriter is a previous three-time MusicRow Awards winner, taking the triple crown in 2013 for Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, and Song of the Year.
2019 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Artist of the Year
/by Sarah SkatesSee the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting closes on May 21 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.
2019 Artist of the Year nominees:
Dierks Bentley recently celebrated his 18th career No. 1 with “Burning Man,” feat. Brothers Osborne. The song is the second consecutive chart-topper from his ninth studio album The Mountain, following the hit “Woman, Amen.” Bentley co-wrote 10 of 13 tracks on The Mountain, which earned the highest debut sales of his career and became his seventh No. 1 album. Additionally, “Burning Man” earned a 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year nomination, and his tour of the same name is a sold-out success.
Kane Brown scored his third consecutive No. 1 with “Lose It,” and followed that with his new single, “Good As You,” which was the most-added at country radio that week. With the 2018 release of his album Experiment, Brown became one of only three country artists to top the overall Billboard 200 chart last year. For the album, Brown worked with Dann Huff, who is nominated for MusicRow Producer of the Year. Brown wrapped his soldout headlining arena tour in March, and will spend the summer on the road with Jason Aldean.
Eric Church is playing back-to-back nights in cities on his current Double Down Tour, visiting arenas nationwide. In addition, he’s upping the ante with a stop at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on May 25, expected to more than double his attendance record set at Bridgestone Arena in 2017. His current album, Desperate Man, debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart in October, and his producer Jay Joyce is nominated for 2019 MusicRow Producer of the Year. Church is a co-writer of the album’s latest single, “Some of It,” which recently climbed to No. 1 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart.
Luke Combs was voted Breakthrough Artist during last year’s MusicRow Awards, and he returns this year in the running for Artist of the Year. Combs recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks. His single “Beautiful Crazy” spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and makes Combs the first artist to send his first five singles to the top of that chart. He is currently on the Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour, a sold-out nationwide run named after his brand new single.
Dan + Shay had a runaway year thanks to their major hits “Tequila” and “Speechless.” Together the songs made Dan + Shay the first duo to hold the top two spots on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart simultaneously for eight consecutive weeks. Also, “Tequila” was the most-streamed country song released in 2018. Their current single “All To Myself” follows suit as it climbs the charts. After Dan + Shay’s sold-out headlining tour, they will hit the road on tours with Florida Georgia Line, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are also nominated for 2019 MusicRow Song of the Year as co-writers of “Speechless,” and their producer, Scott Hendricks, is nominated for Producer of the Year.
Kacey Musgraves is having a stellar run with her latest album Golden Hour, which won four Grammy Awards, including the overall Album of the Year, and was voted Album of the Year at the CMA and ACM Awards. The project includes current single “Rainbow,” which is also nominated for MusicRow Song of the Year. Musgraves is wowing audiences around the globe on her sold-out Oh, What a World: Tour II. The acclaimed singer-songwriter is a previous three-time MusicRow Awards winner, taking the triple crown in 2013 for Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, and Song of the Year.
Big Machine Label Group Tops Country, Active Rock Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonBig Machine Label Group artists top the charts in two genres this week, as Eli Young Band‘s “Love Ain’t” sits at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart, while rock outfit badflower‘s “Heroin” tops the Active Rock chart. Eli Young Band’s chart-topper marks their fourth No. 1 hit at BMLG (this time on The Valory Music Co. imprint) while badflower earns their second consecutive chart-topper on Big Machine/John Varvatos Records.
Big Machine Label Group Tops Country, Active Rock Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonBig Machine Label Group artists top the charts in two genres this week, as Eli Young Band‘s “Love Ain’t” sits at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart, while rock outfit badflower‘s “Heroin” tops the Active Rock chart. Eli Young Band’s chart-topper marks their fourth No. 1 hit at BMLG (this time on The Valory Music Co. imprint) while badflower earns their second consecutive chart-topper on Big Machine/John Varvatos Records.
ACM’s Pete Fisher Steps Down, RAC Clark Named Interim Executive Director
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music has announced that Pete Fisher is stepping down after almost two and a half years as the head of the organization, which includes his duties with the Academy of Country Music Awards™ show and ACM Lifting Lives®, the charitable arm of the Academy. Fisher plans to pursue new opportunities. R.A. (RAC) Clark, Executive Producer of the Academy of Country Music Awards, has been appointed the interim Executive Director of the Academy, effective immediately.
“Following many years on the ACM Board, it’s been an honor to serve the Academy in the role of CEO,” said Fisher. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the Academy staff, Officers and Boards, and I look forward to continuing to support the good work of the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives. Proud of what we have accomplished, I look forward to what the future holds.”
Clark has been associated with the Academy – and with country music – throughout his 38 year producing career. In addition to producing the Academy of Country Music Awards live on the CBS Television Network since 1999, he has executive produced many Academy TV specials, TNN’s Prime Time Country, and much more. He is the son of one of the founding members of the ACM Awards telecast, Dick Clark, the late television and broadcasting pioneer.
“My work with the ACM over the years has included some of my most professionally-fulfilling projects. I look forward to stepping into this interim role and supporting the legacy of the Academy,” said RAC Clark.
ACM’s Pete Fisher Steps Down, RAC Clark Named Interim Executive Director
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music has announced that Pete Fisher is stepping down after almost two and a half years as the head of the organization, which includes his duties with the Academy of Country Music Awards™ show and ACM Lifting Lives®, the charitable arm of the Academy. Fisher plans to pursue new opportunities. R.A. (RAC) Clark, Executive Producer of the Academy of Country Music Awards, has been appointed the interim Executive Director of the Academy, effective immediately.
“Following many years on the ACM Board, it’s been an honor to serve the Academy in the role of CEO,” said Fisher. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the Academy staff, Officers and Boards, and I look forward to continuing to support the good work of the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives. Proud of what we have accomplished, I look forward to what the future holds.”
Clark has been associated with the Academy – and with country music – throughout his 38 year producing career. In addition to producing the Academy of Country Music Awards live on the CBS Television Network since 1999, he has executive produced many Academy TV specials, TNN’s Prime Time Country, and much more. He is the son of one of the founding members of the ACM Awards telecast, Dick Clark, the late television and broadcasting pioneer.
“My work with the ACM over the years has included some of my most professionally-fulfilling projects. I look forward to stepping into this interim role and supporting the legacy of the Academy,” said RAC Clark.
Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Offers Great Music, Moments
/by Lorie HollabaughLive In The Vineyard CEO Bobbii Hach-Jacobs, Mickey Guyton, CMT’s Leslie Fram, Kaci Brown and Sam Gray of Brown & Gray gathered together during an exclusive dinner held for music supervisors at MadoroM Vineyards.
Live In The Vineyard Goes Country took place May 14-16 in Napa, with attendees enjoying top tier wines, meals from world-renowned chefs, and elbowing with artists during the three-day event. Among those enjoying some vino with the guests were Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Brandon Ratcliff, Brothers Osborne, Brown & Gray, Caylee Hammack, Chris Lane, Cody Johnson, Dillon Carmichael, Erin Enderlin, Gone West, Haley & Michaels, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Jon Pardi, Kylie Morgan, LANCO, Michael Ray, Mickey Guyton, Morgan Evans, Rayne Johnson, Runaway June, Scotty McCreery, Seaforth, Teddy Robb, Tenille Townes, Travis Denning, and Walker Hayes.
Each year, LITVGC hosts industry insiders as well as grand prize winners from radio station promotions across the country and special sweeps winners through sponsors. Attendees were treated to intimate performances by some of Country music’s biggest names and fastest rising stars in a beautiful countryside setting all while enjoying specially made, locally-driven cuisines and award-winning wines from partner wineries including Regusci Winery and Round Pond Estates as well as hosting wineries Whetstone Wine Cellars, Hall Winery, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Peju, One Hope, Caymus Vineyards, JaM Cellars, MadoroM Vineyards, Far Niente, Italics Winegrowers, etc. Concerts were also hosted at Uptown Theatre and Blue Note (JaM Cellars Ballroom).
Big Loud President Clay Hunnicutt, Chris Lane, HARDY and Big Loud’s VP of Marketing Candice Watkins at Round Pound Estate Winery during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT
Little Big Town performs during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT at Uptown Theatre
Held in the intimate, rustic quarters of JaM Cellars York House, UMG Nashville’s Travis Denning played to a packed room of music programmers and industry influencers during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT
Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Offers Great Music, Moments
/by Lorie HollabaughLive In The Vineyard CEO Bobbii Hach-Jacobs, Mickey Guyton, CMT’s Leslie Fram, Kaci Brown and Sam Gray of Brown & Gray gathered together during an exclusive dinner held for music supervisors at MadoroM Vineyards.
Live In The Vineyard Goes Country took place May 14-16 in Napa, with attendees enjoying top tier wines, meals from world-renowned chefs, and elbowing with artists during the three-day event. Among those enjoying some vino with the guests were Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Brandon Ratcliff, Brothers Osborne, Brown & Gray, Caylee Hammack, Chris Lane, Cody Johnson, Dillon Carmichael, Erin Enderlin, Gone West, Haley & Michaels, HARDY, Ingrid Andress, Jon Pardi, Kylie Morgan, LANCO, Michael Ray, Mickey Guyton, Morgan Evans, Rayne Johnson, Runaway June, Scotty McCreery, Seaforth, Teddy Robb, Tenille Townes, Travis Denning, and Walker Hayes.
Each year, LITVGC hosts industry insiders as well as grand prize winners from radio station promotions across the country and special sweeps winners through sponsors. Attendees were treated to intimate performances by some of Country music’s biggest names and fastest rising stars in a beautiful countryside setting all while enjoying specially made, locally-driven cuisines and award-winning wines from partner wineries including Regusci Winery and Round Pond Estates as well as hosting wineries Whetstone Wine Cellars, Hall Winery, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Peju, One Hope, Caymus Vineyards, JaM Cellars, MadoroM Vineyards, Far Niente, Italics Winegrowers, etc. Concerts were also hosted at Uptown Theatre and Blue Note (JaM Cellars Ballroom).
Big Loud President Clay Hunnicutt, Chris Lane, HARDY and Big Loud’s VP of Marketing Candice Watkins at Round Pound Estate Winery during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT
Little Big Town performs during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT at Uptown Theatre
Held in the intimate, rustic quarters of JaM Cellars York House, UMG Nashville’s Travis Denning played to a packed room of music programmers and industry influencers during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country (2019), presented by CMT