Luke Combs Extends Firestone Partnership With New Digital Content Series

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Luke Combs has teamed up with Firestone once again for a new digital content series that opens up the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, his dedication to his craft and his unparalleled fan connection. The latest installments extend Combs’ partnership with Firestone, which began in 2017 with his “Story Behind the Songs” series.

Three new episodes (which embody Harvey Firestone’s legacy pillars: Hardworking, Time-tested, and Uncompromising) revisit Combs after a whirlwind year of unprecedented success, and will premiere on Firestone’s social channels.

Combs’ debut LP This One’s For You is currently the most-streamed country album of 2018, achieving over one billion streams, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. He’s had three consecutive No. 1 radio singles, his 3x Platinum-debut “Hurricane,” 2x Platinum “When It Rains It Pours” and Platinum “One Number Away, and his latest single “She Got The Best of Me” seems to be on its way as well, rising this week to No. 2 at radio. Combs’ just-announced Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour is already nearly sold out, with 26 of 28 venues at capacity, and he also recently earned two nominations at the 2018 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

Fairground Saints Announce Partnership With Sony Music Nashville And The Orchard

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Pictured (front row L-R): Jessica Phelps-Colvin General Manager, The Orchard; Elijah Edwards of Fairground Saints; Mason Van Valin of Fairground Saints; Meg McAllister of Fairground Saints; Randy Goodman Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; (back row L-R): Angie Magill Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs Sony Music Nashville; Lauren Kasper Director of Nashville Label Management, The Orchard; John Zarling Executive Vice President Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Kimberly Knoller Manager, The Knoller Group; Ken Robold Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Sony Music Nashville; Taylor Lindsey Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville

Nashville-based trio Fairground Saints – Elijah Edwards, Meg McAllister, and Mason Van Valin – have signed a global development partnership with Sony Music Nashville and Sony-owned distribution and label services arm The Orchard. The band is set to release their new single “Somewhere Down The Line” next Friday (10/26).

“Fairground Saints have created something unique in country music, a sound that reflects their West Coast leanings that is harmony-driven, adventurous, and carefree with intricate vocals, thoughtful songwriting, and solid musicianship,” said Randy Goodman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville. “With The Orchard partnership, we are in a great position to focus our individual resources on identifying and cultivating opportunities to advance the band and their growing fan base on a bigger scale. And with ‘Somewhere Down The Line,’ we are off to a very good start.”

“The Orchard is excited to work with the talented Fairground Saints and Sony Music Nashville to make this project happen,” Brad Navin, CEO The Orchard said. “We look forward to helping them develop and find opportunities within our global network.”

“The three of us are thrilled to finally share our new music with the world!” said the band. “We are so incredibly grateful for the supportive, smart, collaborative, and creative team behind us with both Sony Music Nashville and The Orchard working together on our behalf.”

The Saints will be premiering a new video for “Somewhere Down The Line” soon, and are working on new music for release in 2019 as part of this innovative strategic alliance.

Maren Morris Celebrates Multi-Platinum Singles At CMT ‘Artist Of The Year’ Event

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(L-R) John Zarling Executive Vice President, Marketing & New Business Sony Music Nashville; Janet Weir 42 Entertainment/Red Light Management; Randy Goodman Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville; Morris; Ken Robold Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Sony Music Nashville; Jim Catino Executive Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville; Taylor Lindsey Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville   Photo Credit: Rick Diamond Photography for Sony Music Nashville

Maren Morris got a surprise following her knockout performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” with Brandi Carlile at the CMT Artists of the Year celebration when she was presented with three RIAA plaques celebrating the success of her singles. The CMT Artists of the Year broadcast on Oct. 17 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville celebrated the women in country music, and Morris was lauded backstage by Sony Music Nashville label execs with a Platinum certification for “I Could Use a Love Song” and “80s Mercedes” and a Double Platinum certification for her career-launching hit “My Church,” from her debut album Hero.

Morris has had a big year this year, collaborating with electronic house DJ and producer Zedd along with electronic duo Grey for her smash hit, “The Middle,” which spent six weeks at No. 1 at Top 40 Radio and five weeks at No. 1 at Hot AC radio. She also wrapped up the Niall Horan Flicker World Tour, which spanned across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA.

Weekly Chart Report (10/19/18)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Budweiser Announces All-Female Lineup For CMA Awards Showcase

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Budweiser will sponsor the CMA Awards for the third consecutive year, and is set to host a special “Country Club” showcase on Nov. 11 at Exit/In in Nashville. The showcase will honor an all-female lineup, including The Sisterhood Band, Kassi Ashton, Clare Dunn, and Lindsay Ell.

The show will begin at 6 p.m.

The Budweiser Country Club is a fan-enhancing experience at the largest country music festivals and events in the country featuring Budweiser products, photo opportunities, a dance floor, games as well as a variety of premium giveaways.

The Budweiser Country Club is open to the public via RSVP, at budweiser.com.

Morgan Wallen Celebrates First No. 1 With Writers, Announces Tour

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Pictured (L-R): Brad Clawson, Hardy, Morgan Wallen, Tyler Hubbard, CJ Solar. Photo: Steve Lowry

ASCAP and BMI hosted a party for Morgan Wallen‘s first No. 1 song as an artist, “Up Down”  feat. Florida Georgia Line, on a beautiful Wednesday (Oct. 17) afternoon at The Thompson Hotel’s rooftop, LA Jackson, in Nashville.

Wallen’s manager Seth England first heard “Up Down” acoustically, at BMI’s Key West Songwriter Festival. He then texted Big Loud’s label president Clay Hunnicutt to snag Wallen the single.

BMI’s Leslie Roberts hosted for writers Brad Clawson and Michael Hardy, each celebrated their first No. 1 with the Platinum-certified “Up Down.” Specifically, Hardy also co-wrote FGL’s current No. 1 “Simple” and as an artist himself will release his first single on Friday with Big Loud under the moniker Hardy, as announced for tour support on Wallen’s spring 2019 outing (dates below). BMI’s David Preston offered remarks for their writer Clawson, offering ceremonial BMI No. 1 guitars for their first No. 1 write. BMI thanked their partner for No. 1 parties, Pinnacle Bank, while also congratulating their BMI-affiliated Wallen and Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, who was absent from the ceremony from volunteering for hurricane relief in his home state.

ASCAP’s Michael Martin offered congratulations for the third writer on “Up Down,” CJ Solar, with an ASCAP-branded YETI cooler. Sea Gayle’s Creative Dir. Christina Wiltshire offered remarks on behalf of Solar, who had previously been an intern at the publishing company while a student at Belmont University. Now he’s a touring artist who once employed Hardy in his road band. Solar himself thanked his parents in the audience in addition to his past and present family at Sea Gayle publishing in addition to the late Mike Owens.

Warner/Chappell’s A&R Mgr. Will Overton and Tape Room’s Blain Rhodes spoke on behalf of Clawson. Overton confirmed the late Jeff Carlton saw a spark in the song but encouraged the writers to finish it up a year after they first wrote it. Son of hit songwriter Rodney Clawson, Brad Clawson thanked his wife Katie and his parents. “They told me not to [be a songwriter], and thankfully it worked out.”

Hardy’s publisher and distant kin Dennis Matkosky gave the young artist a rod and reel for “bobbin’ up and down.” Matkosky recalled the potential he, his business partner and son Jesse Matkosky from Relative Music Group saw in Hardy five years ago. “His vehicle is songwriting, vocals and guitar, but the person that he is is what everyone’s attracted to—he’s honest and sincere…We had originally cut ‘Up Down’ for Michael, but Seth wanted to give it to Morgan, and I’m glad we did.” Hardy offered thanks to everyone, including FGL producer Joey Moi for currently “whipping his but in the studio” in addition his mom who was unable to attend the event. “You move to town and have goals, but this is a moment I’ve literally dreamed about, so it’s weird to stand here,” said Hardy.

Hunnicutt offered thanks for the outside song from the writers, “We never forget what you gave us in a song and we will always treat them special.” Hunnicutt brought up National Dir. of Promotion, Stacy Blythe as “the badass that brought this [single] home.”

FGL’s Hubbard sent regrets for Kelley and thanked Wallen, “The first [No. 1] is really difficult,” confirmed Hubbard in thanking Big Loud’s radio staff. “It’s as hard as it gets so thank you guys for pushing…This is the song in interviews when they say which song do you wish you wrote that you weren’t a part of this year? It’s this one right here.”

Wallen concluded the ceremony with thanks to his “Up Down” co-writers in addition to his label/manager/publisher heads Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi and Seth England. “I remember when one of my buddies showed me FGL on a boat one day,” recalled Wallen. “Now I’m sittin’ here with Tyler, and I consider him a brother. It’s crazy where my life has gone in the past few years and I just want to let you know how much I appreciate it. I moved to Nashville about four years ago with a couple songs and knew [this is] what I wanted to do. I appreciate you all for supporting me.”

Pictured Front Row (L-R): Brad Clawson, Hardy, Morgan Wallen, Tyler Hubbard, Cj Solar; Back Row (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Tape Room’s Ashley Gorley, Big Loud’s Clay Hunnicutt, Relative Music’s Dennis Matkosky, Relative Music’s Jonathan Watson, Big Loud’s Seth England, Big Loud’s Joey Moi, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Sea Gayle’s Christina Wiltshire, Relative Music’s Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Steve Lowry

Also offering congratulations from the stage were CMA’s Brandi Simms, Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly and CRB’s Brooke Sanders. MusicRow presented No. 1 challenge coins prior to the ceremony.

Wallen’s next single is “Whiskey Glass.”

Morgan Wallen’s 2019 IF I KNOW ME TOUR Sponsored By Shiner Light Blonde:

1/5 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1/10 – Birmingham, Alabama
1/11 – Knoxville, Tennessee
1/17 – Overland Park, Kansas
1/18 – Lincoln, Nebraska
1/19 – Denver, Colorado
1/24 – Columbia, South Carolina
1/25 – Athens, Georgia
1/26 – Madison, Wisconsin
1/31 – Nashville, Tennessee
2/2 – Springfield, Illinois
2/7 – Oxford, Mississippi
2/9 – Starkville, Mississippi
2/16 – Lexington, Kentucky
2/21 – New York, New York
2/22 – Boston, Massachusetts
2/23 – Asbury Park, New Jersey
3/1 – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
3/7 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania
3/8 – Clifton Park, New York
3/23 – Los Angeles, California
3/27 – San Diego, California
3/28 – Phoenix, Arizona
3/29 – Las Vegas, Nevada
3/30 – Salt Lake City, Utah

Presales start October 23 on Spotify followed by Wallen’s Fan Club / VIP Nation on October 25, and become widely available October 26.

Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning, Jameson Rodgers Earn Inaugural CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship

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CMA KickStart Artists. Pictured (L-R): Travis Denning, Kassi Ashton and Jameson Rodgers.

The Country Music Association (CMA) has selected rising stars Kassi Ashton, Travis Denning and Jameson Rodgers as recipients of the first-ever CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship. Throughout the next year, CMA and its staff will provide support for the three artists, helping connect each with professionals within the industry as well as providing unique opportunities to participate in CMA-related events during CMA Fest, CMA Awards and C2C: Country 2 Country festival in the U.K.

The scholarship program is the brainchild of artist managers and 2017 CMA Board Artist Relations Committee Chair Marion Kraft (ShopKeeper Management) and Vice Chair Mary Hilliard Harrington (Red Light Management). The program saw more than 100 interested artists through the application process, with 48 eligible finalists vying for a spot.

“The CMA board is continually looking for ways to grow our format and help support our artist community. The idea behind KixStart was to focus on emerging artists who are already out there working hard but could use a boost that these extra resources might provide. And I think we found out from the high number of artists who applied for the scholarship program that CMA has identified a real need,” said Harrington.

Adds Kraft, “Our goal is to give artists an opportunity to learn best practices in an industry that has no structure on teaching someone how to become a successful working artist. We are excited that the CMA KixStart scholarship is highlighting three talented and unique artists like Kassi, Travis and Jameson.”

On Tuesday evening (Oct. 16), Denning and Rodgers performed for CMA board members during a private dinner held at BMI, while Ashton is currently overseas, participating in the CMA Songwriters Series U.K. tour.

Ashton, who is signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records, released her auto-biographical song “California, Missouri,” where she paints an unconventional portrait of life growing up in her small town. She followed it up with her latest single, “Taxidermy.” Keith Urban featured Ashton on his song “Drop Top” for his latest album Graffiti U.

Mercury Nashville’s Travis Denning moved to Nashville in 2014 and within a year signed a publishing deal with Jeremy Stover’s RED Creative Group. After securing outside cuts by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and Chase Rice he caught the attention of Universal Music Group where he signed a record deal in 2017. Denning just released his debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,” an upbeat coming-of-age song that paints a picture of a young man reminiscing on his carefree college memories. The singer/songwriter has previously opened shows for Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Moore and Rice and is set to hit the road with LANCO on the “Hallelujah Nights” tour this fall. When Denning is not touring, the Georgia native is in the studio working on his debut album.

Batesville, Mississippi, singer-songwriter Rodgers released his new self-titled EP in January 2018. This year, Rodgers also received the AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers) Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year nomination for the third annual awards show. The former college baseball player, who landed a publishing deal with Combustion Music in 2014, scored his first songwriting cuts with Florida Georgia Line’s “Wish You Were On It” and “Talk You Out Of It” in addition to co-writing Chris Lane’s new single “I Don’t Know About You.” His debut EP, released in 2016, features the streaming hit “Midnight Daydream.” In addition to opening shows for Sam Hunt and Old Dominion, Rodgers has been selling out clubs throughout the south and Midwest this year. He will join Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour,” kicking off in January.

The CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship is named after former CMA Board Chairman and long-serving board member Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. An artist advocate, Brooks drove the creation of the CMA Board of Directors’ Artist Relations Committee in 2006.

Jim Catino Elevated At Sony Music Nashville

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Jim Catino

Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman announced today the promotion of Jim Catino to Executive Vice President, A&R, Sony Music Nashville. Most recently Senior Vice President of A&R, Catino is a 23-year music industry veteran who first joined the label group in October of 2001. Based in Nashville, he continues to report directly to Goodman.

On the appointment, Goodman remarked, “Jim is one of the most respected A&R professionals in the business. His passion, dedication to our artists, and his ability to build a team that shares his commitment and vision has been central to our ongoing success and the mission of always leading with great music.”

Reflecting on the promotion and 17 years with Sony Music Nashville, Catino said, “What strikes me most, is how thankful I am to work with great talent: Randy Goodman and the professional SMN staff, the exceptional A&R team, and with our outstanding roster of artists. I enjoy being part of building successful careers and developing exciting new talent and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in my new post.”

As Executive Vice President, A&R, for Sony Music Nashville, Catino will continue signing and developing artists with Sony Music Nashville’s three labels – Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville – and, overseeing the A&R team which includes Vice President, A&R Taylor Lindsey, Associate Director John Johnson, A&R Representative Margaret Tomlin, and A&R Representative Jillian Whitefield.

Prior to joining Sony Music Nashville, Catino held posts at DreamWorks Music Publishing, Giant Records, and MCA Music Publishing. At each company, he worked closely with songwriters and secured copyrights.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Catino graduated from Belmont University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Music Business. He serves on the Board of Belmont’s Music Business Department and is a member of the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, Leadership Music, and The Recording Academy, including the P&E Wing.

Catino and his wife Molly and daughters Katy and Kelly reside in Brentwood, Tennessee.

Industry Pics: Craig Morgan, Grand Ole Opry, SESAC, Craig Wiseman

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Craig Morgan Celebrates 10th Opry Anniversary

Pictured (L-R): Sally Williams, GM, Grand Ole Opry/Sr. VP, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment; Craig Morgan; and Dan Rogers, Dir. Marketing, Communication and Artist Initiatives, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo

Craig Morgan celebrated his 10th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with an appearance on the Opry on Oct. 16 at the Grand Ole Opry House performing some of his biggest hits including “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” and a new song “Whiskey,” among others.

Morgan was inducted into the Opry family on Oct. 25, 2008 by Opry member John Conlee. Morgan was invited by Conlee to become an Opry member during a special concert for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Sept. 18, 2008. That evening was a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who was stationed at Ft. Bragg from 1990 to 1992 during his ten-year active duty tenure in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

 

SESAC Hosts Monthly Songwriter Series

Pictured (L-R): SESAC songwriters Michael Whitworth and Tina Parol; SESAC Manager of Creative Services, Lydia Schultz; and SESAC songwriters Jake Rose and Livy Jeanne.

SESAC hosted its monthly songwriter series SESAC Presents at the Bluebird Café on Oct. 16. SESAC songwriters included Michael Whitworth, Tina Parol, Jake Rose, and Livy Jeanne.

 

Big Loud Leader Craig Wiseman Inducted Into Hattiesburg, Mississippi Hall Of Fame

Craig Wiseman at Davis Wade Stadium. Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Songwriter and Big Loud co-founder Craig Wiseman was recently humbled by his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, chosen among the inaugural class of inductees to the new Hattiesburg Hall of Fame.

Presented by the Hattiesburg Public School District Foundation during a weekend of activities over Oct. 4-5, the honor was bestowed on 14 distinguished alumni who share a “common theme of excellence,” according to Hugh Bolton, a member of the Hall of Fame Steering Committee. Wiseman joins a cast of prominent business leaders, politicians, sports figures and more who have become role models for today’s local youth.

CMT’s All-Female ‘Artists Of The Year’ Changes Conversation To Action With Network TV Power

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Pictured (L-R) sitting: Margaret Comeaux, VP, Music & Event Production, CMT; Kevin Kay, President, Paramount Network/CMT/TV Land; Leslie Fram, SVP, Music & Talent, CMT. Standing: Frank Tanki, GM, CMT and TV Land; Carrie Underwood; Hillary Scott; Maren Morris; Miranda Lambert; Kelsea Ballerini; Kimberly Schlapman; Karen Fairchild; John Hamlin, EP, Switched On Entertainment. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

On October 17, CMT officially turned a conversation to action by switching its 90-minute Artists Of The Year (CMTAOTY) live program towards the crusade of its top network executives, to help women find a platform in country music.

“You are not here because you are women. You’re here because you are dang good!” encouraged four-time CMTAOTY recipient Carrie Underwood, who was honored last night alongside three-time recipient Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.

Carrie Underwood, Runaway June and Maddie & Tae. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT

Last year was one of two CMTAOTY events which happened to feature an exclusive male lineup, with some of the men reaching six receipts since the show’s debut in 2010. Exclusively picking females for 2018 allowed a first time win for Morris and the first formal honor for Ballerini.

“I feel like the women in this room are putting out the most compelling, emotional, bad-ass music right now, of our lifetimes,” cheered Morris in her speech about being bold and speaking your truth.

Nearly every young female artist in Nashville was in the room.

CMT’s 5th Annual Next Women Of Country Event

Fairchild and Schlapman’s combined acceptance endorsed this new crop in what the Washington Post is calling one of the most powerful awards show moments of the year. Those newcomers named included Danielle Bradbery, Runaway June, Kelleigh Bannen, Kassi Ashton, Ashley McBryde, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Micky Guyton, Lucie Silvas, Jillian Jacqueline, Heather Morgan, Abby Anderson, Aubrey Sellers, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack, Maddie + Tae, Carly Pearce, Ruthie Collins, Maggie Rose, Caitlyn Smith, Lindsay Ell, Jana Kramer, Claire Dunn, Lauren Alaina, Margo Price, The Sisterhood Band, Natalie Stovall, Kree Harrison, Brooke Eden, Candi Carpenter, Emily Hackett, Lillie Mae, Little Feather, Kalie Shorr and Lacy Cavalier.

Schlapman held her award play-off music interjecting, “Without our mama’s, we would not be on this stage. And to my two little women at home, you can do anything in the world you dream up.”

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman with Gladys Knight. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images/CMT

The night was a whirlwind of snippets from females in country music history and a shout-out to some women’s rights advocates who came before, providing some of the honorees “hope” when they were younger. Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Emmylou Harris, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, The Judds, etc.

“I want to see little girls at home seeing us on stage being like, I want to do that…and I want them to know it’s possible,” confirmed Underwood, who brought five of her 2019 female tour mates—Runaway June and Maddie + Tae—on stage for a medley of some influential hits, capped with Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman.”

Among those legends Trisha Yearwood, Alison Krauss and Martina McBride participated in the program. The latter, a full-song tribute to the night’s Artist of a Lifetime Achievement, Miss. Loretta Lynn. McBride then introduced Sheryl Crow and Dierks Bentley for a performance of “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” before a heartfelt, tearful presentation from Sissy Spacek to the night’s absent honoree.

 

Honoree Ballerini, who performed “Ghost In This House” with Krauss, thanked many of those first-name females for reaching out and letting her share the stage with them. She noted at one point through the ceremony that bro-country had been leaving people out, a motif the gathering culminated around.

Thus, every honoree specifically thanked CMT, which according to Ballerini, “Chang[ed] the conversation in to an action.

CMT’s VP Tessa Jordan, Margaret Comeaux and Sr. VPs Suzanne Norman and Leslie Fram stepped up to lead the crusade with the network’s Next Women movement, founded five years ago now complete with online platform and tour. Fram co-leads Change The Conversation, a four year old collective aimed to help women.

Pictured (L-R): Alison Krauss, Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images/CMT

Not just country music royalty graced the stage. Schlapman and Fairchild performed a “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Help Me Make It Through The Night” with Gladys Knight. Smokey Robinson introduced Morris and Brandi Carlile for a soulful cover of “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” by his close friend, the late Aretha Franklin. The night was a tribute, down to the commercial break house music, playing the likes of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Cyndi Lauper.

Tori Kelly joined honoree Scott for “American Honey,” “Never Alone” and “Oh Happy Day” with Kirk Franklin. The Pistol Annies (Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley and Lambert) kicked off the whole she-bang with new music, set for release Nov. 2, confidently trading verses in the sexually playful “Sugar Daddy.” “Not a day will go by that I won’t want to collaborate with other women in this industry. We have to be there for each other, and I feel like we are,” accepted Lambert with an intro from artist Elle King.

Dierks Bentley with his daughter. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images/CMT

Keith Urban honored Underwood, while male artists in the groups (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet) presented the females among them. Specifically, Lady Antebellum’s Scott thanked the wives of her band mates and directed her remarks to her three daughters.

“My mom gave a gift to me and my baby sister, that there is no dream too big. And if we work hard and are kind, that we can see what the world has to offer and how much God can bring you to and through in your life,” accepted Scott.

View CMT’s most-watched AOTY event, in full at cmt.com.

Pictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT

Pistol Annies. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT

Hillary Scott, Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CMT