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Country-music veterans mix attractively with newcomers this week.

On the established-stars side, we have Vince Gill, Toby Keith and Sammy Kershaw on hand. Among the baby acts, we find Waterloo Revival, Logan Mize and DisCovery Award winner Cherie Oakley.

The Disc of the Day honor gets divided like an awards show. The Female winner is Cam. The Male prize goes to Logan Mize. The Group du jour is Old Dominion.

Happy listening.

LOGAN MIZE/Thinking About You
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Troy Verges; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Yellow Dog
– This sounds like a summer hit to me. The infectious tempo is gripping, the melody is delightful, the production is layered complexity and the performance is loaded with warmth. Pop-country nirvana.

TOBY KEITH/That’s Country Bro
Writers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson/Reid Shippen; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog
– As always, he sings with macho authority. This time around, he’s giving you kiddies a lesson in what’s country. The rhythm is as relentless as the litany of classic stars’ names and song titles. If you ask me, this tragically diluted format could use a lecture like this. Pay attention, people.

CAM & DIPLO/So Long
Writers: Diplo/Cam/Sam Hunt; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Charming. She provides the sweetly sexy vocal, and he provides the beats. Ebullient and joyful ear candy.

KEITH URBAN/We Were
Writers: Ryan Tindell/Jeff Hyde/Eric Church; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Publishers: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– Lilting nostalgia, set in a swirly melody and produced with pop panache. Notch up another mega hit on the belt of the reigning Entertainer of the Year.

OLD DOMINION/Some People Do
Writers: noen listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA;
– The band executes an excellent change of pace with this ballad of regret, remorse and self recrimination. A plea for forgiveness and reconciliation that hits the heart hard.

CHERIE OAKLEY/Work It
Writers: Cherie Oakley/Mark Oakley/David Fanning; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Cherie Oakley/MV2 Entertainment, ASCAP/BMI; CO
– It’s a peppy, female-empowerment banger with crunchy beats and a slight soul-sister vocal vibe. Shake your groove thang.

VINCE GILL/A Letter To My Mama
Writer: Vince Gill; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA
– He still gets me every time. This heart-in-throat ballad is a love letter from a son to his mother that’s packed with truth and emotion. A master at work.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What If I Never Get Over You
Writers: Sam Ellis/Jon Green/Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Universal/Happy Rock/Dalmatian/Songs of Universal/hurdjamz/Big Music Machine/Never Veltz So Good, BMI; BMLG
– Very densely produced with vocal layer programmed upon vocal layer in a synth wash. The song can take it, because it’s solidly constructed with a memorable tune and spot-on lyrics. A promising re-invention of this hit-making trio.

SAMMY KERSHAW/Grillin’ and Chillin’
Writers: Casey Beathard/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publishers: none listed; Cleopatra
– It’s an Applebee’s commercial jingle that’s also a country, country, country ditty. Smiley, if disposable.

DEE JAY SILVER & WATERLOO REVIVAL/Getaway Driver
Writers: George Birge/Jason Massey/Corey Crowder; Publishers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Reven8te Nashville
– Country’s favorite mix master teams up with this up-and-coming group for a sunny outing. Lightweight but enjoyably harmless.

Five-Year “Nashville To New York” Anniversary Show Set For May 21

On Tuesday, May 21, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman will host a fifth year anniversary show called “Nashville To New York” at 3rd & Lindsley, in celebration of a show Burr and Middleman hold in Manhattan every three months, to bring hit songwriters to join them for an in-the-round show. The Nashville show will feature fellow writers Pat Alger, Gretchen Peters, Dennis Matkosky, Roger Cook, Matraca Berg, J.T. Harding, Jim Photoglo, Steve Diamond, Rivers Rutherford, Liz Longly, Don Henry, Marcus Hummon, Roxie Dean, Dave Berg, Jeff Hannah, John Scott Sherril and unannounced surprise guests. The event will be held May 21 at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.).

Warehouse West Entertainment Adds Creative Coordinator

Paige Kosinski

Warehouse West Entertainment has named Paige Kosinski to the newly-created role of Creative Coordinator. In her role, Kosinski will assist in meeting the creative and digital marketing needs of the company’s growing roster of artists, including Jordan Brooker, Alana Springsteen and Willie Shaw.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to continue to learn and grow at Warehouse West Entertainment,” said Kasinski. “I am looking forward to working with this team that is so passionate about developing unique talent and fostering creativity.”

Commenting on the move, Warehouse West’s co-owner, Luke Wooten, said, “Since we launched in June of 2018, Paige has been an important part of the team and now we’re incredibly excited to have her in an expanded role. She’s our Swiss Army knife—a utility player—and our artists are lucky to have her in their corner.”

Joshua Hedley Launches Radio Show “The Grand Tour”

Third Man recording artist Joshua Hedley has launched “The Grand Tour,” his new show on online radio platform Gimme Country. As Gimme Country’s first premiere DJ, Joshua’s first episode aired Wednesday, May 15. Gimme Country is available at gimmecountry.com and has mobile apps for both iOS and Android.

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, Female Songwriter of the Year. 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 subscribed members. Voting closes on May 21 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot and invitation.

2019 Female Songwriter of the Year nominees:

Jessie Jo Dillon
“Break Up In The End,” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Rich,” recorded by Maren Morris

Nicolle Galyon
“All To Myself,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Coming Home,” recorded by Keith Urban
“Tequila,” recorded by Dan + Shay

Hillary Lindsey
“Buy My Own Drinks,” recorded by Runaway June
“Closer To You,” recorded by Carly Pearce
“Cry Pretty,” recorded by Carrie Underwood
“Knockin’ Boots,” recorded by Luke Bryan
“People Are Different,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“When Someone Stops Loving You,” recorded by Little Big Town
“What Whiskey Does,” recorded by Randy Houser

Liz Rose
“Better Boat,” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Cry Pretty,” recorded by Carrie Underwood

Laura Veltz
“A Song For Everything,” recorded by Maren Morris
“Rich,” recorded by Maren Morris
“Keeping Score,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Speechless,” recorded by Dan + Shay
“The Bones,” recorded by Maren Morris
“To A T,” recorded by Ryan Hurd

Parker Welling
“Every Little Thing,” recorded by Russell Dickerson
“Blue Tacoma,” recorded by Russell Dickerson