NBC has green lighted the upcoming songwriter competition Songland, ordering an 11-episode first season of the series. Songland will offer undiscovered songwriters a chance to create a hit song. The first episode will include singer-songwriter-producer Shane McAnally, as well as OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, recording artist Charlie Puth, and songwriter Ester Dean.

Each episode will offer five contestants the chance to work with producers and an artist on new music, and one winner per episode will have his or her song released as an artist’s next single, according to NBC. The series is executive produced by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart.

Songland will be produced by Live Animals in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Dave Stewart Entertainment and 222 Productions. Levine and 222 Productions are represented by Irving Azoff, Adam Harrison for management and WME for film and television.

“Songwriters shape the anthems and tell the stories of each generation, and now we’re pulling back the curtain on the collaborative process and opening the door for new talent to emerge,” said Meredith Ahr, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. “While filming our first episode, the excitement was palpable as we witnessed the creative direction of our panelists transform and elevate the music right before our eyes. Without a doubt, Songland will inspire music lovers and give us all a greater appreciation for the songs we love.”

The series is currently seeking submissions at songlandcasting.com.

Kane Brown was country music’s biggest winner at last night’s (Oct. 9) American Music Awards. The Sony Music Nashville artist took home three awards in the country categories, including Favorite Male Artist-Country, Favorite Album-Country, and Favorite Song-Country (for “Heaven”). Brown also served as a presenter with CCM artist Lauren Daigle, who earned the Favorite Artist-Contemporary Inspirational honor.

Carrie Underwood was honored with the Favorite Female Artist-Country honor, and also performed a track from her recently-released Cry Pretty album, titled “Spinning Bottles.”

Florida Georgia Line, who served as presenters with their “Meant To Be” cohort Bebe Rexha, were honored with Favorite Duo or Group-Country.

The evening’s biggest winner was undoubtedly Taylor Swift, who opened the show with an electrifying rendition of “I Did Something Bad.” She took home Tour of the Year for her top-selling reputation tour, as well as Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock, Favorite Album-Pop/Rock (for reputation), and the coveted Artist of the Year title.

 

Rachel Reinert was just 18 when she joined pop-country harmony group Gloriana. Within a year, she and bandmates Tom and Mike Gossin, as well as Cheyenne Kimball, hit the Top 15 on the country charts with “Wild at Heart” in 2009. That same year, the duo earned a CMT Award, as well as an American Music Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. By 2010, the group had been named the ACM’s Top New Vocal Group, and in 2011, Gloriana’s “(Kissed You) Good Night” reached No. 2 on the Hot Country chart. “Wild at Heart” was certified Gold, while “(Kissed You) Good Night” was certified Platinum.

“I joined this band and we had been on this rocketship,” recalls Reinert, who moved to Nashville at 16 to pursue a career as a solo artist and songwriter. “We were barely a band for a year when we started opening for Taylor Swift in arenas. It was a crazy ride—one I’m grateful for because I have so many great memories.”

But 2011 also brought about major changes for the group, as Kimball left before the release of the band’s second album, A Thousand Miles Left Behind. Reinert would stay on with the Gossins for 2015’s album Three.

Reinert also left the band in 2016, determined to get a recording contract as a solo artist—and the opportunity to showcase her own songs, something she says was tough to come by as part of her former group.

“I was writing [while] in Gloriana but there were so many people who had their hand in choosing what we would do. It was definitely one of those situations when you are one girl against 10 men deciding things like that, it was difficult to get my voice heard. But that’s part of the beauty of doing this on my own—I can call the shots and make my own decisions. It is important that I write all my own songs. Every song has to be very reflective of who I am. I’m very excited about what I’m doing and excited for people to hear it and hope the right doors open.”

Though not signed with a label or publisher at the moment, Reinert has spent the past couple of years finding her voice as an artist, and reclaiming her dreams of a solo career.

During a recent visit to the MusicRow Magazine offices, she showcased several of those self-penned songs, including “Cool,” a single she released earlier this year, which traces the dissolution of a young romance.

The months of writing new music and experimenting with new sounds also resulted in her latest single, “Dark Star,” which she co-wrote with Joe Pisapia (Guster) and K.S. Rhoads. The track was produced by Davis Naish.

“This song really came from a place of frustration,” Reinert says. “When I left Gloriana, I think I had this idea that I was going to turn around and immediately get a [solo] record deal and that did not work out. It was a very frustrating time because I was very wrong. I had walked away from everything and had to sacrifice a lot to fight to be a solo artist to be on my own.

“I was in this place where I felt like I was falling behind and watching all of these other people come up with all these amazing opportunities. You just feel like ‘Why is it not me?’ and you are comparing yourself to other people constantly. Then, just hearing people talk about ‘Oh, she’s done,’ or ‘She’s given up.’ Even though I didn’t have any music out at the time, it didn’t mean that I wasn’t out there putting the work in and trying to make things happen. This song is my way of saying, ‘I’m still here and I’m still fighting for this.’”

With her new music, Reinert celebrates her California roots, and her early influences including Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Neil Young. “I wanted to capture that kind of essence of Southern California, but still have this modern country feeling.”

“Dark Star” releases to all digital retailers and streaming services Oct. 26, and is available to radio via PlayMPE on Oct. 15. Reinert is in the studio working on an upcoming debut solo album, expected to release in early 2019.

Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill will serve as judges for a new global talent competition, called The World’s Best.

CBS has ordered 10-episodes with James Corden serving as host and executive producer, alongside his The Late Late Show executive producer Ben Winston, through Fulwell 73 Productions, in addition to Mike Darnell (American Idol and Ellen’s Game of Games), Mark Burnett (SURVIVOR, The Voice), Brooke Karzen, Dan Sacks, Alison Holloway, James Breen and Barry Poznick.

Acts from around the world and every genre imaginable will not only have to impress the American judges, but will also need to impress the “wall of the world,” featuring 50 experts from around the world and every field of entertainment to advance through the competition. Only one act will ultimately be crowned THE WORLD’S BEST.

“It’s only fitting that THE WORLD’S BEST perform in front of the world’s best,” said Sharon Vuong, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming for CBS. “James, Drew, Faith and RuPaul are all amazing talents who have excelled in their respective fields on a global scale. We can’t wait for them to bring their distinct voices to a show that’s unlike any other.”

“The very name of the show defined the caliber of judges we sought out and ultimately got. Drew, RuPaul and Faith are incredibly accomplished superstars whose talents encompass every area of entertainment,” added Darnell. “Along with James, THE WORLD’S BEST will now be the gold standard of competition shows.”

“James Corden is at the top of his game, and there is no one better to host this ultimate international competition series,” said Burnett, Chairman of Worldwide Television Group, MGM. “This groundbreaking series is like the Olympics of talent shows and needed the perfect talent combination. Mike and I are thrilled Drew, Faith and RuPaul are all on board. We can’t wait to see the fun they have together.”

Currently, Hill is an executive producer of the Emmy-nominated daytime talk show Pickler & Ben, which began its second season in September.

The 10-episode series will premiere in 2019 on CBS.