Hit Makers & Rum Chasers To Kick Off 25-City Songwriters Tour in Nashville

Hit Makers & Rum Chasers, a 25-city songwriters tour to benefit the Charley Foundation in support of music and arts initiatives for school children living in the U.S. and the Virgin Islands, is launching a series of shows that will kick off Jan. 29 at City Winery in Nashville.

Hosted by JT Harding, who penned hits like “Somewhere In My Car,” and “Sangria,” the tour will feature Jim Beavers (Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” and Dierks Bentley’s “Am I the Only One”), Justin Ebach (Brett Young’s “Sleep Without You” and Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To”), Chase McGill (Little Big Town’s “When Someone Stops Loving You” and Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”), Jon Nite (“We Were Us” by Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert, and Kenny Chesney’s “Noise”), Jimmy Robbins (Maren Morris’ “I Could Use a Love Song” and Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like this”), and Bridgette Tatum (Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country” and Kristy Lee Cook’s “Lookin’ for a Cowgirl”).

The writers will perform their hits and share behind-the-scenes stories about the music and the writing process in a setting which will evoke an island feel. Guests will enjoy Blue Chair Bay Rum cocktails, a silent auction, and an island-inspired dinner menu created by renowned USVI chefs.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting this Hit Makers and Rum Chasers tour,” said Harding. “There’s no app or streaming service of any kind that can give you this kind of experience. Non-stop hit songs performed by the people who wrote them in an island-vibe setting. We’ll make you laugh and pull on your heartstrings. Music City is coming to your city so don’t miss it!”

“The USVI was devastated by the hurricanes and as it rebuilds kids aren’t getting access to music and arts programs,” said Carolyn Miller, music industry veteran and Charley Foundation founder. “And funding for the arts in cities here stateside have taken a hit as budget allocations diminish. With this tour we want to help raise money for and awareness about these programs to give kids a chance to cultivate their creativity.”

Hit Makers & Rum Chasers songwriting series first launched in St. John, USVI in 2013, and in January 2017, the show came to City Winery in Nashville to raise USVI hurricane relief funds. All proceeds from the 2019 tour will benefit the Charley Foundation.

Hit Makers & Rum Chasers dates:

  • Jan. 29 – Nashville (City Winery) – JT Harding, Jon Nite, Bridgette Tatum and Justin Ebach
  • Feb. 7 – Chicago (City Winery) – JT Harding, Jim Beavers and Justin Ebach
  • Feb 8. – Kansas City (Cherry Hall) – JT Harding, Jim Beavers and Justin Ebach
  • Feb. 16 – Atlanta (GA Freight Depot) – JT Harding, Jimmy Robbins, Bridgette Tatum and Corri English Bentley
  • March 7 – New York City (City Winery) – JT Harding, Jimmy Robins and Jim Beavers
  • March 8 – Boston (City Winery) – JT Harding, Jimmy Robins and Jim Beavers
  • March 9 – Cambridge, MD (venue TBA) – JT Harding, Bridgette Tatum and Jim Beavers
  • March 20 – Charleston (Galliard Center) – JT Harding, Jon Nite and Chase McGill
  • March 21 – Washington, DC (City Winery) – JT Harding, Jon Nite and Chase McGill
  • April 13 – St John, USVI (venue TBA) – JT Harding, Jimmy Robbins and Bridgette Tatum

Weekly Chart Report (12/7/18)

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Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts To Perform At 2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days

Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Midland, Kelsea Ballerini, Devin Dawson, Clint Black, and Tanya Tucker are all set to perform during the 2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days, set for July 19-27.

The shows will offer some unique pairings, with Lady Antebellum performing with Kelsea Ballerini and Midland; Rascal Flatts with Clint Black; Josh Turner with Tanya Tucker; and Tim McGraw with Devin Dawson during the nine days of concerts.

“We are very excited about the performer lineup for 2019,” Contract Acts Chairman Randy Kraft said. “We are still working on our remaining shows and will announce them as we get them signed.”

Concert ticket prices range from $39 to $81, with daily rodeo tickets costing $20 to $35. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets and $5 discount on concert tickets purchased before July 1. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, December 15 at 9 a.m. MST at cfdrodeo.com, the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Ticket Office and by calling (307) 778-7222. Fans can upgrade to a Frontier Nights® Fast Pass for early admission to the Party Zone, a voucher for best-available same-day rodeo tickets and a souvenir rodeo program.

2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Entertainment Schedule:
July 19: Lady Antebellum with Kelsea Ballerini and Midland
July 20: Rascal Flatts with Clint Black
July 21: Josh Turner with Tanya Tucker
July 22-23:  Professional Bull Riders – Last Cowboy Standing
July 24: TBA
July 25: TBA
July 26: Keith Urban
July 27: Tim McGraw with Devin Dawson
July 20 – 28: PRCA Rodeo action

CCM/Gospel Grammy Nominations: Lauren Daigle, Tori Kelly, Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan McReynolds Top Honorees

Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle‘s chart-topping Look Up Child project earned her two nominations when the Grammy nominations were called Friday morning (Dec. 7). The album was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, while her song “You Say,” which she penned alongside Paul Mabry and Jason Ingram, was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

Other artists earning double nominations include Tori Kelly, who earned Best Gospel Album for Hiding Place, and “Never Alone,” ft. Kirk Franklin, was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song.

Jekalyn Carr and Jonathan McReynolds were also nominated in the same gospel categories, with Carr earning two nods for the album One Nation Under God, and the track “You Will Win.” McReynolds is nominated for Best Gospel Album for Make Room, as well as Best Gospel Performance/Song for “Cycles” ft. DOE.

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, or rock recordings.

LOOK UP CHILD
Lauren Daigle

HALLELUJAH HERE BELOW
Elevation Worship

LIVING WITH A FIRE
Jesus Culture

SURROUNDED
Michael W. Smith

SURVIVOR: LIVE FROM HARDING PRISON
Zach Williams

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.

RECKLESS LOVE
Cory Asbury; Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver & Ran Jackson, songwriters

YOU SAY
Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram & Paul Mabury, songwriters

JOY.
for KING & COUNTRY; Ben Glover, Matt Hales, Stephen Blake Kanicka, Seth Moslely, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters

GRACE GOT YOU
MercyMe Featuring John Reuben; David Garcia, Ben Glover, MercyMe, Solomon Olds & John Reuben, songwriters

KNOWN
Tauren Wells; Ethan Hulse, Jordan Sapp & Tauren Wells, songwriters

Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD
Jekalyn Carr

HIDING PLACE
Tori Kelly

MAKE ROOM
Jonathan McReynolds

THE OTHER SIDE
The Walls Group

A GREAT WORK
Brian Courtney Wilson

Best Gospel Performance/Song

YOU WILL WIN
Jekalyn Carr

WON’T HE DO IT
Koryn Hawthorne

NEVER ALONE
Tori Kelly Ft. Kirk Franklin

CYCLES
Jonathan McReynolds Ft. DOE

A GREAT WORK
Brian

Best Roots Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

UNEXPECTED
Jason Crabb

CLEAR SKIES
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

FAVORITES: REVISITED BY REQUEST
The Isaacs

STILL STANDING
The Martins

LOVE LOVE LOVE
Gordon Mote

Brandi Carlile Tops American Roots Grammy Categories, Earns All-Genre Nods

Brandi Carlile

Nashvillian Brandi Carlile earned top Grammy nods when the nominations were revealed Friday morning (Dec. 7), with her song “The Joke” earning a nod for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, while her album By The Way, I Forgive You earned a nod in the all-genre Album of the Year category.

“The Joke” is also nominated for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song, while By The Way, I Forgive You earned a nod in the Best Americana Album category.

John Prine earned three nods, including Best Americana Album for The Tree of Forgiveness, as well as two entries in the Best American Roots Song category, as a writer on “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door” (with Pat McLaughlin) and “Summer’s End” (also with McLaughlin).

Lee Ann Womack earned two nods, including Best American Roots Song as a writer on “All The Trouble” and Best Americana Album for The Lonely, The Lonesome and The Gone.

Willie Nelson is also nominated for Best American Roots Performance, for “Last Man Standing.”

Americana/Roots Nominees:

Best American Roots Performance
For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

KICK ROCKS
Sean Ardoin

SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES
Jon Batiste

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile

ALL ON MY MIND
Anderson East

LAST MAN STANDING
Willie Nelson

Best American Roots Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL THE TROUBLE
Waylon Payne, Lee Ann Womack & Adam Wright, songwriters (Lee Ann Womack)

BUILD A BRIDGE
Jeff Tweedy, songwriter (Mavis Staples)

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

KNOCKIN’ ON YOUR SCREEN DOOR
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

SUMMER’S END
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

Best Americana Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile

THINGS HAVE CHANGED
Bettye LaVette

THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS
John Prine

THE LONELY, THE LONESOME & THE GONE
Lee Ann Womack

ONE DROP OF TRUTH
The Wood Brothers

AIMP Announces Chapter Board Elections Results

The Association of Independent Music Publishers recently held its bi-annual Board of Directors elections. In Nashville, John Ozier of ole, previously Executive Director under the old bylaws, was re-elected to the new position of President, while Board Members Ree Guyer of Wrensong Music, Chris Van Belkom of Combustion Music, and Dale Bobo of Big Deal Music were elected Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer respectively.

“I couldn’t be happier to keep the AIMP Nashville Chapter moving forward over the next two years as we continue to support our annual AIMP Nashville Awards, AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series, weekly AIMP Nashville Pubcast, and other monthly events,” said AIMP Nashville President Ozier. “As the hub for country music, Nashville is a hotbed of activity in the independent publishing scene. We are excited to continue advocating for independent songwriters and publishers in our city.”

At AIMP’s Los Angeles Chapter, Teri Nelson Carpenter of Reel Muzik Werks, LLC was elevated to President, and Marc Caruso of Angry Mob Music; David Weitzman of ole; and Steven Ambers of SOCAN were elected Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. The New York Chapter re-elected Alisa Coleman of ABKCO Music & Records Inc. to the new position of President (she too was previously Executive Director), while Mark Spier of Memory Lane Music Group; Steve White, CPA of Janover LLC; and Arthur Levy, Esq. of The Levy Firm were elected Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, respectively. The Executive Committee also voted to appoint Nelson Carpenter as the national Chair.

In addition to choosing new leadership effective January 1, 2019, members ratified revised Association bylaws, the first substantive update since the AIMP’s establishment in 1977. In addition to bringing the document in line with the industry and technological advances of the past 40 years, the new bylaws establish a national Executive Committee to govern the overall Association, with representation from each chapter. This Committee will be made up of each Chapter’s President and Vice President, the latter a newly-created position at the Chapter level, and the Committee members will vote to elect a Chair to head the national Association. In addition, all Presidents and Vice Presidents are now required to be independent music publishers.

Elections to the AIMP Board of Directors are held at each Chapter every two years, with no board member allowed to serve more than four consecutive years in the same position, excluding Treasurers. Candidates must be a current member of their respective Chapter, which requires that they be actively engaged in music publishing or a related business.

Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves Lead Grammy Country Categories


The 2019 Grammy nominations were announced this morning. Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves topped this year’s country Grammy categories, with three nominations each.

Kacey MusgravesGolden Hour earned an all-genre nod for Album of the Year, as well as for Best Country Album, while Musgraves also earned a Best Country Solo Performance nomination for “Butterflies.” Her “Space Cowboy,” which Musgraves penned with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally, also earned a Best Country Song nomination. Musgraves won Best Country Album in 2014 for her Same Trailer, Different Park album, and was nominated in the category in 2016 for Pageant Material. She also earned a Grammy in 2014 in the Best Country Song category for “Merry Go Round.”

In addition to earning all-genre nods for her work with Zedd and Grey on “The Middle,” Morris earned a nod in the Best Country Solo Performance category with “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,” as well as Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Dear Hate” with Vince Gill. “Dear Hate,” which Morris co-wrote with Tom Douglas and David Hodges, also earned a nod for Best Country Song. Morris previously earned a Grammy for “My Church” for Best Country Solo Performance in 2017.

Brothers Osborne picked up two nominations, including Best Country Album (Port Saint Joe) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Shoot Me Straight”).

Chris Stapleton earned two country category nods, including Best Country Solo Performance (“Millionaire”) and Best Country Album (From A Room: Vol. 2).  His collaboration on “Say Something” with Justin Timberlake was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. To date, Stapleton has earned five Grammys, including two Best Country Album nods (Traveller, From A Room: Vol. 1), two Best Country Solo Performance honors (“Traveller,” “Either Way”) and Best Country Song (“Broken Halos”).

Little Big Town also earned a nod in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “When Somebody Stops Loving You,” while the song’s writers (Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill and Lori McKenna) earned a nod for Best Country Song for penning the track.

Lori McKenna previously earned the Best Country Song honor for the past two years, for “Humble and Kind” (2017), and in 2016 alongside Hillary Lindsey in 2016 for another LBT cut, “Girl Crush.”

Ashley McBryde earned her first nomination, in the Best Country Album category for Girl Goin’ Nowhere. Luke Combs earned his first nod in the overall Best New Artist category.

Dan+Shay‘s first nomination came in the Country Duo/Group Performance category, for “Tequila,” while Dan Smyers picked up an additional nod, alongside Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon, as a writer on “Tequila” in the Best Country Song category.

Florida Georgia Line also earned their first Grammy nomination, in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category, for their Bebe Rexha smash collaboration “Meant To Be.”

Loretta Lynn picked up nomination for Best Country Solo Performance for “Wouldn’t It Be Great?”.

 

Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT?
Loretta Lynn

MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS
Maren Morris

BUTTERFLIES
Kacey Musgraves

MILLIONAIRE
Chris Stapleton

PARALLEL LINE
Keith Urban

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

SHOOT ME STRAIGHT
Brothers Osborne

TEQUILA
Dan + Shay

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Little Big Town

DEAR HATE
Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill

MEANT TO BE
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BREAK UP IN THE END
Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill & Jon Nite, songwriters (Cole Swindell)

DEAR HATE
Tom Douglas, David Hodges & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill)

I LIVED IT
Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley & Ben Hayslip, songwriters (Blake Shelton)

SPACE COWBOY
Luke Laird, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)

TEQUILA
Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds & Dan Smyers, songwriters (Dan + Shay)

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Little Big Town)

Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY
Kelsea Ballerini

PORT SAINT JOE
Brothers Osborne

GIRL GOING NOWHERE
Ashley McBryde

GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves

FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 2
Chris Stapleton

Grammy Awards Nominees Revealed

Country female artists earned top nominations during Friday morning’s Grammy nominations announcement.

Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris earned nominations in top categories, with Musgraves’ Golden Hour earning a nod in the overall Album of the Year category, and Morris’ collaboration on “The Middle” with Zedd and Grey earning nods in the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. “The Middle” was also nominated for Best Pop Group/Duo Performance.

Female country artists took three of the five Best Country Album nominations, with Kelsea Ballerini’s Unapologetically, Ashley McBryde‘s Girl Going Nowhere, and Musgraves’ Golden Hour nominated alongside Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Vol. 2 and Brothers Osborne‘s Port Saint Joe.

Female artists also took three of the five Best Country Solo Performance slots, with Loretta Lynn‘s “Wouldn’t It Be Great?”, Morris’ “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters,” and Musgraves’ “Butterflies” soaring alongside Stapleton’s “Millionaire” and Keith Urban‘s “Parallel Line.”

Margo Price was nominated for the overall Best New Artist category, as was sales juggernaut Luke Combs.

In The Best Country Duo/Group Performance category, Brothers Osborne’s “Shoot Me Straight,” Dan+Shay’s “Tequila,” the Maren Morris/Vince Gill collab “Dear Hate,” Little Big Town‘s “When Someone Stops Loving You” and the Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line collaboration “Meant To Be” earned honors.

The Best Country Song honor, which is awarded to the songwriters, includes nominations for Cole Swindell‘s “Break Up In The End,” Maren Morris’ “Dear Hate,” Blake Shelton‘s “I Lived It,” Musgraves’ “Space Cowboy,” Dan+Shay’s “Tequila,” and Little Big Town’s “When Someone Stops Loving You.”

There were 21,000 submitted recordings for this year’s honors.

A full list of nominees is below:

Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

I LIKE IT
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Invincible, JWhiteDidIt, Craig Kallman & Tainy, producers; Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Tom Elmhirst & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer

THIS IS AMERICA
Childish Gambino
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, producers; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali & Riley Mackin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

GOD’S PLAN
Drake
Boi-1Da, Cardo & Young Exclusive, producers; Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga & Benjamin Rice, producers; Tom Elmhirst, engineer/mixer; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Al Shux & Sounwave, producers; Sam Ricci & Matt Schaeffer, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

ROCKSTAR
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
Louis Bell & Tank God, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
Grey, Monsters & Strangerz & Zedd, producers; Grey, Tom Morris, Ryan Shanahan & Zedd, engineers/mixers; Mike Marsh, mastering engineer

Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.

INVASION OF PRIVACY
Cardi B
Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Belcalis Almanzar & Jorden Thorpe, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Dave Cobb & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer

SCORPION
Drake
Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters; Chris Athens, mastering engineer

H.E.R.
H.E.R.
Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper Jr, H.E.R. & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Darhyl Camper Jr & H.E.R., songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer

BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
Post Malone
Louis Bell & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell & Austin Post, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

DIRTY COMPUTER
Janelle Monáe
Chuck Lightning & Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, producers; Mick Guzauski, Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, engineers/mixers; Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Taylor Parks & Janelle Monáe Robinson, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer

GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves
Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers; Craig Alvin & Shawn Everett, engineers/mixers; Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers

BLACK PANTHER: THE ALBUM, MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY
(Various Artists)
Kendrick Lamar, featured artist; Kendrick Duckworth & Sounwave, producers; Matt Schaeffer, engineer/mixer; Kendrick Duckworth & Mark Spears, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)

BOO’D UP
Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai)

GOD’S PLAN
Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake)

IN MY BLOOD
Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (Shawn Mendes)

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

THE MIDDLE
Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)

THIS IS AMERICA
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino)

Best New Artist
An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

CHLOE X HALLE

LUKE COMBS

GRETA VAN FLEET

H.E.R.

DUA LIPA

MARGO PRICE

BEBE REXHA

JORJA SMITH

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

FALL IN LINE
Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato

DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Backstreet Boys

‘S WONDERFUL
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall

SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

GIRLS LIKE YOU
Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B

SAY SOMETHING
Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton

THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.

LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall

MY WAY
Willie Nelson

NAT “KING” COLE & ME
Gregory Porter

STANDARDS (DELUXE)
Seal

THE MUSIC…THE MEM’RIES…THE MAGIC!
Barbra Streisand

Best Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal pop recordings.

CAMILA
Camila Cabello

MEANING OF LIFE
Kelly Clarkson

SWEETENER
Ariana Grande

SHAWN MENDES
Shawn Mendes

BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA
P!nk

REPUTATION
Taylor Swift

Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT?
Loretta Lynn

MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS
Maren Morris

BUTTERFLIES
Kacey Musgraves

MILLIONAIRE
Chris Stapleton

PARALLEL LINE
Keith Urban

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

SHOOT ME STRAIGHT
Brothers Osborne

TEQUILA
Dan + Shay

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Little Big Town

DEAR HATE
Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill

MEANT TO BE
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BREAK UP IN THE END
Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill & Jon Nite, songwriters (Cole Swindell)

DEAR HATE
Tom Douglas, David Hodges & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill)

I LIVED IT
Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley & Ben Hayslip, songwriters (Blake Shelton)

SPACE COWBOY
Luke Laird, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)

TEQUILA
Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds & Dan Smyers, songwriters (Dan + Shay)

WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Little Big Town)

Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY
Kelsea Ballerini

PORT SAINT JOE
Brothers Osborne

GIRL GOING NOWHERE
Ashley McBryde

GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves

FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 2
Chris Stapleton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.

RECKLESS LOVE
Cory Asbury; Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver & Ran Jackson, songwriters

YOU SAY
Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram & Paul Mabury, songwriters

JOY.
for KING & COUNTRY; Ben Glover, Matt Hales, Stephen Blake Kanicka, Seth Moslely, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters

GRACE GOT YOU
MercyMe Featuring John Reuben; David Garcia, Ben Glover, MercyMe, Solomon Olds & John Reuben, songwriters

KNOWN
Tauren Wells; Ethan Hulse, Jordan Sapp & Tauren Wells, songwriters
38. Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD
Jekalyn Carr

HIDING PLACE
Tori Kelly

MAKE ROOM
Jonathan McReynolds

THE OTHER SIDE
The Walls Group

A GREAT WORK
Brian Courtney Wilson

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, or rock recordings.

LOOK UP CHILD
Lauren Daigle

HALLELUJAH HERE BELOW
Elevation Worship

LIVING WITH A FIRE
Jesus Culture

SURROUNDED
Michael W. Smith

SURVIVOR: LIVE FROM HARDING PRISON
Zach Williams

Best Roots Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

UNEXPECTED
Jason Crabb

CLEAR SKIES
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

FAVORITES: REVISITED BY REQUEST
The Isaacs

STILL STANDING
The Martins

LOVE LOVE LOVE
Gordon Mote

Best American Roots Performance
For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

KICK ROCKS
Sean Ardoin

SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES
Jon Batiste

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile

ALL ON MY MIND
Anderson East

LAST MAN STANDING
Willie Nelson

Best American Roots Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL THE TROUBLE
Waylon Payne, Lee Ann Womack & Adam Wright, songwriters (Lee Ann Womack)

BUILD A BRIDGE
Jeff Tweedy, songwriter (Mavis Staples)

THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

KNOCKIN’ ON YOUR SCREEN DOOR
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

SUMMER’S END
Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

Best Americana Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile

THINGS HAVE CHANGED
Bettye LaVette

THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS
John Prine

THE LONELY, THE LONESOME & THE GONE
Lee Ann Womack

ONE DROP OF TRUTH
The Wood Brothers

Best Bluegrass Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.

PORTRAITS IN FIDDLES
Mike Barnett

SISTER SADIE II
Sister Sadie

RIVERS AND ROADS
Special Consensus

THE TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS
The Travelin’ McCourys

NORTH OF DESPAIR
Wood & Wire

 

DISClaimer: Karen Waldrup, Lori McKenna Lead A Banquet Of Ballads

Karen Waldrup

It’s a banquet of ballads today at DisClaimer.

Rita Wilson, Brett Young, Josh Gracin and Blue Honey are checking in with slow songs. That’s okay, because it’s also a ballad that wins the Disc of the Day. That would be super country vocalist Karen Waldrup delivering an awesome Lori McKenna song.

The DisCovery Award goes to a charming, up-and-coming Music City singer-songwriter with the one-named billing Hardy.

BLUE HONEY/Can You See Me
Writers: Kassie Jordan-Brooks/Troy Brooks/Rob Klerkx; Producers: Kassie Jordan-Brooks/Troy Brooks; Publisher: none listed; BH
– It has an echoey, spooky atmosphere. Kassie’s lead vocal has a hushed intimacy. Decidedly left field, but undeniably intriguing. I look forward to more from this team.

BRETT YOUNG/Catch
Writers: Brett Young/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/Songs of Black River/Wordspring/Memory Days/WBM/The Best I Could Do/WB, ASCAP/SESAC; Big Machine (track)
– This new track from Brett has an acoustic tracked, video version. The lyric terrain is familiar territory for this artist — dreamy and romantic and lost-in-love.

JIMMY CHARLES/I Am Not Alone
Writers: Jimmy Charles/C.J. Garton/Rich Fehl; Producer: Paul David; Publishers: Hook, Line and Singer, BMI; JC (track)
– This former American Idol contestant has issued this thumping rouser that tells the stories of folks impacted by cancer. Its inspirational vibe encourages us to remain strong and hopeful in the face of such a diagnosis.

JOSH GRACIN/Good For You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed: Publisher: none listed; Sixteen 08 (track)
– This romantic ballad has a blue-eyed soul vocal performance that’s quite attractive. The drawbacks are a tempo that plods and its four-minute length.

RITA WILSON/Bigger Picture
Writers: none listed; Producer: Fred Mollin; Publisher: none listed; Sing It Loud/The Orchard
– The title tune of Wilson’s album is a gently strummed acoustic ballad. She has a sweet, lilting pop soprano voice that’s recorded crisply and clearly. The actor/singer/songwriter and hubby Tom Hanks recently attended the annual BMI awards banquet in Music City. Plus, she was a presenter on the CMA Awards, and she she staged her debut on the Opry.

KAREN WALDRUP/Sometimes He Does
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KW (download)
– This gal is a Real Deal country singer. The stunning ballad is loaded with terrific visual details and emotional truths. A minor masterpiece. Listen and believe.

YouTube video

TUCKER BEATHARD/Leave Me Alone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TB (download)
– Intensely painful heartache, with a touch of rage. His anguished vocal is gripping, and the track pounds with repressed fury on the choruses. Highly recommended.

WALKER MONTGOMERY/Just Say When
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WM (download)
-This Kentucky boy is “to the manner born,” as they say. He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and the nephew of Eddie Montgomery. His country-boy vocal on this churning, lovelorn tune is right on the money. The gist of it is, he’s right here waiting when she finally comes back. Exactly in contemporary country music’s center lane.

HARDY/This Ole Boy
Writers: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Publsher: none listed; Big Loud/Tree Vibez Music
– Hardy has cowritten hits for Morgan Wallen (”Up Down”) and FGL (”Simple”), the latter of whom collaborate with him on this catchy, cute and country rompin’ stomper. Its rock-ish tone can’t disguise the cleverness in his phrases. Lively, drawling and endearing.

DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town
Writers: Dylan Scott/John Taylor/Matt Alderman; Producers: Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs & Jim Ed Norman; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– The track is punchy and groovy. His vocal is just fine. But haven’t we completely worn out this song idea? Drinking in a field with your gals and guys on the weekend while celebrating your small-town, country ways? Really? Again?

On The Row: Tiffany Woys Previews Tracks Off Upcoming Debut

Tiffany Woys performs for MusicRow staffers. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Tiffany Woys recently visited the MusicRow office to perform new music off of her upcoming debut EP, including her already available single “Priceless.”

Woys’ parents always wanted her to be an attorney; but she knew the courtroom wasn’t for her. Impressed upon by the likes of Celine Dion and Michael Bolton at a very young age, Woys knew the stage was for her. Country artists like Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill drew the Californian into country music.

After putting an independent album together and singing in a cover band while in college, Woys knew that she needed to move to Nashville to be in the heart of country music.

Woys, at this moment, is not a songwriter; but she has a great reverence for the craft of songwriting. While she would like to develop her writing one day, she is more interested in mining for great songs that might not otherwise be heard.

“As I was coming to Nashville back and forth for the last five years, I started to learn so much about the songwriting community,” said Woys. “That is what this city is based off of: songwriters. I knew there were thousands of songs in this city collecting dust and not getting heard. If I can be the vehicle [for those songs], I would absolutely love to do that.”

Tiffany Woys with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

The four-song EP has no shortage of great songwriters.

“Priceless,” Woys’ uptempo debut single, was penned by Emily Shackleton, Mickey Guyton, and Kelly Archer. The ballad of the EP, a tender heartbreak tune that was originally on hold for Brett Young, was written by Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen and Sara Haze.

“This EP in general has been six years in the making for me,” said Woys. “One thing in my life I’m not impatient for is music. I know this is what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Tiffany Woys with MusicRow staffers.