Chris Stapleton has added a slate of summer dates to his “All-American Road Show” tour beginning June 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Newly-confirmed shows include dates at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, Denver’s Ball Arena, Salt Lake City’s Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre and Albany’s MVP Arena, among others. Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Marcus King, Nikki Lane, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Brittney Spencer, Allen Stone, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and The War & Treaty will serve as special guests on the tour.
Stapleton’s fan club will have early access to tickets starting Jan. 14, with general on-sale following Jan. 17 at chrisstapleton.com/tour.
The dates add to yet another stellar year for Stapleton, who is nominated for two awards at the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Album (Higher) and Best Country Solo Performance (“It Takes A Woman”).
“All-American Road Show” Tour Dates:
June 4 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena†
June 7 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena‡
June 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena+
June 18 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum^
June 20 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena^
June 27 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre#
July 11 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre‡
July 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
July 23 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena~
July 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden~
August 1 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center**
August 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena‡‡
August 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre*
August 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena**
October 10 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
*with special guest Marcus King
†with special guest Nikki Lane
‡with special guest Brittney Spencer
+with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
^with special guest Maggie Rose
#with special guest The War & Treaty
~with special guest Grace Potter
**with special guest Allen Stone
‡‡with special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched its podcast, Taking Care of Your Music Business, designed to educate and empower music creators.
Featuring interviews with songwriters and music executives, Taking Care of Your Music Business seeks to provide valuable insight into navigating the business side of the music industry and explore the ways creators can earn and access royalties to help them take control of their careers and maximize their earnings.
The first season includes interviews with songwriters Jenn Schott, Anthony Smith, Kent Blazy and Phillip White as well as The MLC’s Serona Elton and Jamie Dominguez and Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME)’s Tony Alexander. Episodes are now live on all major podcast platforms, and full video episodes are available on The MLC’s YouTube channel.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TheMLC.png10801080Liza Andersonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLiza Anderson2025-01-09 13:10:312025-01-09 13:10:31The MLC Launches ‘Taking Care Of Your Music Business’ Podcast
Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud/Mercury Records/Republic Records
In keeping with the subdued emotions of wintery weather, today’s edition of DISClaimer is a snow shower of ballads.
Morgan Wallen wins the Disc of the Day award with his bittersweet ballad “Smile,” and he has plenty of company in the downbeat department. Kameron Marlowe, Muscadine Bloodline, Kat Luna, Warren Zeiders, Lee Brice and the trio of Mary Chapin Carpenter with Scottish stars Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart are also crooning slow tunes.
Slightly more upbeat is Dylan Schneider, who takes home this week’s DISCovery Award. Even more stirring is Mackenzie Carpenter’s winking delivery of “Dozen Red Flags,” which gets bonus points for cleverness.
DYLAN SCHNEIDER / “Better Than You Left Me” Writers: Brett Tyler/Dylan Schneider/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Don’t be mislead by his plaintive delivery: This is a revenge song where he struts his newfound joy in the face of the one who dumped him. Engaging and promising.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “Hello Whiskey” Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Kendell Marvel/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Ben West; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The slow-ballad track is a bottomless well of dark, echoey doom, and his anguished vocal is a midnight-cry of the soul. He seeks oblivion and anesthesia for his heartache, and it’s fascinating listening.
WARREN ZEIDERS / “Fight Like Hell” Writers: Erik Dylan/Jared Keim/Ryan Beaver/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– The simple, piano-vocal production throws a spotlight on his nicely shaded phrasing, vocal range and earnest spirit. Sit back and let him work his audio magic on this power ballad.
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, JULIE FOWLIS & KARINE POLWART / “Hold Everything” Writer: Karine Polwart; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Label: Lambent Light Records
– The sound is an acoustic folk tapestry. The delivery is a hushed wash of breathy seduction. The lyric is a meditation on mortality. The trio’s album, Looking for a Thread, drops on Jan. 24. Based on this enchanting track, I am mighty intrigued to hear it.
PARMALEE / “Cowgirl” Writers: David Fanning/James Daniel Lewis/Parmalee/Peter Daniel Newman/Robbie Jay/Thomas Frank Ridley Horsley; Producers: David Fanning, James Daniel Lewis; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– Bopping and merry. The galloping electronic tempo, compressed production and rapid-fire vocals describe tumbling head over heels in love. Catchy as can be.
KIP MOORE / “Bad Spot” Writer: Casey Beathard; Producer: Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore; Label: Virgin Music
– This fellow is building an overseas career that’s stronger than any of his peers. Hence his CMA International Artist Achievement Award. This midtempo outing apologizes for his past behavior and asks for another shot. As usual, his delivery is urgent and believable. “Bad Spot” is an advance track for a 23-song double album titled Solitary Tracks that will drop next month.
MORGAN WALLEN / “Smile” Writers: Charlie Handsome/Ernest Keith Smith/John Byron/Luis Witkiewitz/Morgan Wallen/Rocky Block; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Bittersweet heartache, accompanied by hushed backup sighing and gently-plucked guitars. Beautifully done.
KAT LUNA / “Happiest I’ve Ever Been” Writers: Erika Ender/Josh Kerr/Kat Luna/Peytan Porter; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Love her catch-in-throat alto delivery with its shards of pain. As with her previous release, the ballad’s lyric is delivered in both Spanish and English. There’s a certain tension and underlying power in her singing that I find quite compelling.
LEE BRICE / “Cry” Writers: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/David Garcia/Lee Brice; Producers: Ben Glover, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records
– This isn’t due until Jan. 31, but an advance listen indicates that Brice has not lost his touch in engaging top-shelf material. On top of a simple yet ear catching production, he moans marvelously in an aching description of a heart broken male. I remain an enormous fan. Brice’s acoustic tour hits the Ryman on Feb. 18.
MACKENZIE CARPENTER / “Dozen Red Flags” Writers: Brandon Hood/Mackenzie Carpenter/Nicolle Galyon; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Hilarious. In her drawling delivery, she lists all the reasons why she should have never fallen for him. Sardonic and really, really fun.
MUSCADINE BLOODLINE / “10-90” Writers: Charlie Muncaster/Gary Stanton/Kendell Marvel; Producers: Charlie Muncaster, Gary Stanton, Ryan Youmans; Label: Big Machine Records/Thirty Tigers
– This is a vow of eternal love, performed with plaintive, poignant emotion. “Give me you on your worst day, and I’ll give you my best.’ ‘I’ll be the answer to what you’re praying.” A wedding, first-dance song if I’ve ever heard one.
TIMOTHY WAYNE / “Louisiana Saturday Night” Writers: Jimmy Newman/Tom T. Hall; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: UMG Nashville
– Wayne sang this jaunty 1981 Mel McDaniel classic on the Louisiana Office of Tourism float on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl Parade. The Franklin, Tennessee native is in his third year at LSU, balancing his pursuit of a college degree with his pursuit of country stardom. He’s hitting the books as well as the recording studio as he preps his debut album.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mw_smile_cover1-scaled-e1736264534781.jpg19901990Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2025-01-09 13:03:142025-01-09 14:26:12DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Takes First Disc Of The Day In The New Year
Pictured (L–R): Eclipse Music Group’s Anna Thiel, Courtney Crist, Penny Gattis, Makayla Lynn, Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer and Harvey Dog Hits’ Abbe Nameche
Singer-songwriter Makayla Lynn has signed a global publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group in partnership with Wrensong Entertainment and Harvey Dog Hits.
“Our writers have been collaborating with Makayla for quite some time, and we’ve long been fans of her talent, so we’re thrilled to join forces with our friends Ree Guyer and Abbe Nameche as her publishing partner,” shares Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group.
“Makayla is the real deal,” adds Courtney Crist, Vice President, Eclipse Music Publishing. “She is an amazing writer and performer that stops everyone in their tracks when she starts to sing. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
A Canada native, Lynn was named as one of Rolling Stone‘s “New Artists You Need To Know.” With a presence on both sides of the border, she spent time at No. 1 on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown and has earned two East Coast Music Awards in Canada. Recently, Lynn was honored as part of the 2024 Class of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Songwriter Series. She has collaborated with artists and songwriters, such as Trisha Yearwood, Lori McKenna, Gordie Sampson, Marcus Hummon, Leslie Satcher, Matraca Berg and Ronnie Bowman, among others.
“Makayla amazes me with her pitch perfect voice, old soul writing and she’s the consummate musician,” says Guyer Owner, Wrensong Entertainment. “We are honored to be working with her alongside our partners at Eclipse and Harvey Dog Music.”
“The opportunity to work with an undeniably talented songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist is rare,” expresses Nameche. “Add Makayla’s work ethic, gracious nature and our Eclipse partners, and you have a winning combo.”
“I’ve felt like an unofficial adopted member of the Eclipse family for a few years now, so putting pen to paper with them and continuing to write with Wrensong is a dream for me,” shares Lynn. “Courtney, Penny, Abbe and Ree are all such song driven people, and I feel honored to put my songs in their hands every day.”
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Makayla-Lynn-press-photo--scaled.jpg19202560Madison Hahnenhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMadison Hahnen2025-01-09 10:55:152025-01-09 10:55:15Makayla Lynn Inks With Eclipse Music Group, Wrensong Entertainment & Harvey Dog Hits
The lineup has been revealed for the 16th annual 30A Songwriters Festival on Jan. 16-20 along Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida.
Melissa Etheridge, Amos Lee, The Jayhawks and more are set to headline the event. Additional artists including Brandy Clark, Natalie Hemby, Maggie Rose, Katie Pruitt, Secret Sisters, Darrell Scott, The dB’s, Shawn Mullins, Livingston Taylor, Jeffrey Steele, Lilly Hiatt, Tommy Prine, John Driskell Hopkins, Paul Sikes, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton and many more will showcase at 30 venues during the expansive event, which will present over 130 songwriters and 300+ solo, band and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend.
“The Songwriters Festival stands apart in South Walton as the sole cultural event that brings most of the South Walton communities together, in harmony, to produce a four-day, around-the-clock presentation of extraordinary music.” says Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County President & CEO and Festival Co-Producer Jennifer Steele. “From Thursday, Jan. 16 through Monday, Jan. 20, the 30A corridor will be full of music fans enjoying wall-to-wall music venues, world-class musicians, and fabulous food & wine. If you haven’t experienced this immersive melodic experience, join us in 2025.”
Festival Weekend Passes are currently available at 30asongwritersfestival.com. VIP tickets that include premium seating and complimentary gourmet food and drinks in the VIP tent on Saturday and Sunday afternoons are also available.
Nashville’s WMOT will again interview and record select artists at the Festival for its World Cafe sessions aired throughout the year in conjunction with WXPN in Philadelphia.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/unnamed.png608608Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2025-01-09 10:54:292025-01-09 10:54:29Full Slate Of Performers Announced For 16th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival
Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album has been named the No.1 album on the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century Chart. The 200-position ranking summarizes performance on the weekly Billboard 200 albums chart from the beginning of 2000 through the end of 2024.
The project first debuted at No. 1 on the weekly chart dated January 23, 2021 and held the top spot through the March 27, 2021 chart, making it the first album since 1987 to spend its first 10 weeks at No. 1. The last album to achieve this was Whitney Houston’s Whitney, which spent all 11 of its weeks at No. 1 following its debut.
Dangerous has continued to rack up chart milestones since then. In September 2022, it marked its 86th week in the Billboard 200’s top 10, surpassing Peter, Paul and Mary’s self-titled album for the most weeks spent in the top 10 by an album from a solo artist, since the chart began its weekly publication in March 1956.
As of the December 28, 2024-dated Billboard 200, Dangerous: The Double Album has spent 158 weeks in the top 10. The only album with more weeks in the top 10 is the original cast recording of My Fair Lady, which accumulated 173 weeks between 1956 and 1960.
Wallen has two albums in the top 10 of the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart, with his One Thing at a Time holding the No. 6 spot. His debut project If I Know Me, ranks at No. 159 on the same chart.
Other albums in the top 10 on the chart include Adele‘s 21 (No. 2), Taylor Swift‘s Fearless (No. 3) and 1989 (No. 4), Hamilton: An American Musical (No. 5), Post Malone‘s Hollywood’s Bleeding (No. 7), Lily Baby‘s My Turn (No. 8), Nickelback‘s All The Right Reasons (No. 9) and Lady Gaga‘s The Fame (No. 10).
Additional country albums landing on the top-200 chart include Swift’s Taylor Swift (No. 18), Red (No. 85), Speak Now (No. 120) and Red (Taylor’s Version) (No. 197); Carrie Underwood‘s Some Hearts (No. 19) and Carnival Ride (No. 142); Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller (No. 30); Luke Comb‘s This One’s For You (No. 35) and What You See Is What You Get (No. 44); Lady A‘s Need You Now (No. 51); Florida Georgia Line‘s Here’s To The Good Times (No. 54); Luke Bryan‘s Crash My Party (No. 71) and Tailgates & Tanlines (No. 130); Rascal Flatts‘ Me And My Gang (No. 74) and Feels Like Today (No. 160); Jason Aldean‘s My Kinda Party (No. 88); Dixie Chicks‘ Home (No. 89); Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak (No. 114) and Zach Bryan (No. 156); Sam Hunt‘s Montevallo (No. 129); Gretchen Wilson‘s Here For The Party (No. 136); Zac Brown Band‘s The Foundation (No. 137); Blake Shelton‘s Based On A True Story… (No. 138) and Alan Jackson‘s Drive (No. 179).
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Untitled-6-1.png10801920Madison Hahnenhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMadison Hahnen2025-01-09 10:37:582025-01-09 12:57:33Morgan Wallen Claims No. 1 Spot On Top Billboard 200 Albums For 21st Century
This week, Shazam is unveiling its Shazam Fast Forward 2025 list, announcing 10 artists per day. The groups are broken down into broader genres, including dance, Latin, alternative, rock, country, pop and hip-hop and R&B.
Based on Shazam’s data and algorithms, and coupled with the knowledge of Apple Music’s global editorial team, this selection of artists aims represent the biggest trends in music now and in the future. According to the research, each artist featured has shown early indicators of future growth, including early and consistent momentum in Shazam activity as well as discovery trends in more than one country.
The country creators listed include Zach Top and Adrien Nunez.
Top first garnered attention on Shazam in February 2024 in Sweden. He then made his Shazam chart debut in the U.S. and Canada in October and November with “I Never Lie.” The song spent six weeks and three weeks on the charts, respectively. “I Never Lie” appears on Top’s debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, alongside lead single “Sounds Like the Radio,” which is currently his top song on the platform. Nunez, who recently signed with Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records, started to gain traction on Shazam in August 2024 in South Africa. His Daily Shazam reached an all-time high the day he released his first single, “Low Road.”
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Zach-Top-Adrien-Nunez-2.png600600Liza Andersonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLiza Anderson2025-01-09 10:18:492025-01-09 10:18:49Zach Top & Adrien Nunez Among Shazam Fast Forward 2025 Artists
Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. will headline the annual Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park on the Milwaukee lakefront on July 11-12.
In addition to Stapleton (July 12) and Williams Jr. (July 11) several additional top acts will perform at the yearly celebration of music, moto-culture and the H-D hometown of Milwaukee, and the complete slate of artists and full performance schedule will be announced at a later date.
Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival events will be held at both free and ticketed venues across the Milwaukee area, including Veterans Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum, H-D Headquarters on Juneau Ave., Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls, and at local Harley-Davidson dealerships. Admission to Veterans Park for live music performances and other activities requires a ticket. More Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival entertainment and event details will be announced as plans are finalized.
Ticket sales for the event will kick off Jan. 17 at HDHomecoming.com. Ticket holders can experience the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park with 2-Day and 1-Day General Admission (GA), GA+, or VIP ticket options to enjoy all the music, entertainment, local food, beverages and more.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chris-Stapleton-Hank-Williams-Jr.-FT.png10801080Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2025-01-09 10:07:592025-01-09 10:07:59Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr. To Headline 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
Live entertainment industry publication Pollstar is refreshing its brand with a new website, a premium digital edition and greater data resources.
As part of this transformation, and aligning with its sustainability commitment, beginning mid-February 2025 Pollstar will shift to a monthly print schedule and introduce a new weekly digital edition for subscribers. The services will include predictive analytics and query-based global insights derived from Pollstar’s database spanning the last 43 years of live entertainment. Rounding out the new offerings is a redesigned and streamlined website that will deliver faster access to breaking news, data and analytics while also creating a seamless user journey.
“Pollstar has been the most trusted resource for the live entertainment industry for decades, and this evolution marks an exciting new chapter,” says Andy Gensler, Editor-in-Chief, Pollstar. “Digital adoption has soared over the past decade fundamentally changing the way our subscribers and the larger consumer market engage with our content and data. With this new digital overhaul, we’re adapting to these shifts by leaning heavily into digital technology, data-driven personalization and a new enhanced website. These new features will allow us to deliver first-class editorial, reporting and experiences that meet the needs of today’s industry professionals and live entertainment enthusiasts ensuring that Pollstar remains the Voice of Live for decades to come.”
As part of the transition, VenuesNow will merge into Pollstar. Pollstar subscribers will now enjoy VenuesNow content enabling readers to stay current on the ever-evolving venue side of the live industry ecosystem. Pollstar is upgrading its live industry data with more streamlined reporting, integration of AI and in-depth industry analysis that will also include greater global market coverage. Additionally, the publication will remain committed to publishing its special issues, including Impact 50, Women of Live, VN All-Stars and NextGen, as well as its directories.
Pollstar will also continue to host its annual panels and conferences, including the upcoming Production Live!, Pollstar Live! and VenuesNow Conference. As part of the rebrand, these events will be enhanced to deliver even greater value, including expanded opportunities for networking and collaboration, with upgraded programming and experiences.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Pollstar-FT.png10801080Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2025-01-08 15:55:512025-01-08 15:55:51‘Pollstar’ Rebrands With New Website, Digital Edition, More
Eric Church and Jelly Roll will come together to conclude this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) with an intimate, unscripted conversation on Feb. 21.
The celebrated creators will explore their personal journeys and artistic inspirations as well as the future of country music.
“We are thrilled to have Eric Church and Jelly Roll close out CRS 2025,” says RJ Curtis, CRS Executive Director. “Their ability to connect with fans and push the boundaries of the genre makes this session a perfect culmination of this year’s seminar.”
CRS 2025 is set for Feb. 19–21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Online registration will close on Jan. 17. For more information, click here.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CRS-2025.png10801920Liza Andersonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLiza Anderson2025-01-08 15:10:572025-01-08 15:10:57Eric Church & Jelly Roll To Close Out CRS 2025 With Special Conversation
Chris Stapleton Announces Summer ‘All-American Road Show’ Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
Chris Stapleton has added a slate of summer dates to his “All-American Road Show” tour beginning June 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Newly-confirmed shows include dates at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, Denver’s Ball Arena, Salt Lake City’s Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre and Albany’s MVP Arena, among others. Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Marcus King, Nikki Lane, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Brittney Spencer, Allen Stone, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and The War & Treaty will serve as special guests on the tour.
Stapleton’s fan club will have early access to tickets starting Jan. 14, with general on-sale following Jan. 17 at chrisstapleton.com/tour
The dates add to yet another stellar year for Stapleton, who is nominated for two awards at the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Album (Higher) and Best Country Solo Performance (“It Takes A Woman”).
“All-American Road Show” Tour Dates:
June 4 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena†
June 7 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena‡
June 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena+
June 18 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum^
June 20 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena^
June 27 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre#
July 11 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre‡
July 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
July 23 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena~
July 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden~
August 1 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center**
August 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena‡‡
August 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre*
August 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena**
October 10 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
*with special guest Marcus King
†with special guest Nikki Lane
‡with special guest Brittney Spencer
+with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
^with special guest Maggie Rose
#with special guest The War & Treaty
~with special guest Grace Potter
**with special guest Allen Stone
‡‡with special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
The MLC Launches ‘Taking Care Of Your Music Business’ Podcast
/by Liza AndersonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched its podcast, Taking Care of Your Music Business, designed to educate and empower music creators.
Featuring interviews with songwriters and music executives, Taking Care of Your Music Business seeks to provide valuable insight into navigating the business side of the music industry and explore the ways creators can earn and access royalties to help them take control of their careers and maximize their earnings.
The first season includes interviews with songwriters Jenn Schott, Anthony Smith, Kent Blazy and Phillip White as well as The MLC’s Serona Elton and Jamie Dominguez and Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME)’s Tony Alexander. Episodes are now live on all major podcast platforms, and full video episodes are available on The MLC’s YouTube channel.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Takes First Disc Of The Day In The New Year
/by Robert K OermannPhoto: Courtesy of Big Loud/Mercury Records/Republic Records
In keeping with the subdued emotions of wintery weather, today’s edition of DISClaimer is a snow shower of ballads.
Morgan Wallen wins the Disc of the Day award with his bittersweet ballad “Smile,” and he has plenty of company in the downbeat department. Kameron Marlowe, Muscadine Bloodline, Kat Luna, Warren Zeiders, Lee Brice and the trio of Mary Chapin Carpenter with Scottish stars Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart are also crooning slow tunes.
Slightly more upbeat is Dylan Schneider, who takes home this week’s DISCovery Award. Even more stirring is Mackenzie Carpenter’s winking delivery of “Dozen Red Flags,” which gets bonus points for cleverness.
DYLAN SCHNEIDER / “Better Than You Left Me”
Writers: Brett Tyler/Dylan Schneider/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Don’t be mislead by his plaintive delivery: This is a revenge song where he struts his newfound joy in the face of the one who dumped him. Engaging and promising.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “Hello Whiskey”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Kendell Marvel/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Ben West; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The slow-ballad track is a bottomless well of dark, echoey doom, and his anguished vocal is a midnight-cry of the soul. He seeks oblivion and anesthesia for his heartache, and it’s fascinating listening.
WARREN ZEIDERS / “Fight Like Hell”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jared Keim/Ryan Beaver/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– The simple, piano-vocal production throws a spotlight on his nicely shaded phrasing, vocal range and earnest spirit. Sit back and let him work his audio magic on this power ballad.
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, JULIE FOWLIS & KARINE POLWART / “Hold Everything”
Writer: Karine Polwart; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Label: Lambent Light Records
– The sound is an acoustic folk tapestry. The delivery is a hushed wash of breathy seduction. The lyric is a meditation on mortality. The trio’s album, Looking for a Thread, drops on Jan. 24. Based on this enchanting track, I am mighty intrigued to hear it.
PARMALEE / “Cowgirl”
Writers: David Fanning/James Daniel Lewis/Parmalee/Peter Daniel Newman/Robbie Jay/Thomas Frank Ridley Horsley; Producers: David Fanning, James Daniel Lewis; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– Bopping and merry. The galloping electronic tempo, compressed production and rapid-fire vocals describe tumbling head over heels in love. Catchy as can be.
KIP MOORE / “Bad Spot”
Writer: Casey Beathard; Producer: Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore; Label: Virgin Music
– This fellow is building an overseas career that’s stronger than any of his peers. Hence his CMA International Artist Achievement Award. This midtempo outing apologizes for his past behavior and asks for another shot. As usual, his delivery is urgent and believable. “Bad Spot” is an advance track for a 23-song double album titled Solitary Tracks that will drop next month.
MORGAN WALLEN / “Smile”
Writers: Charlie Handsome/Ernest Keith Smith/John Byron/Luis Witkiewitz/Morgan Wallen/Rocky Block; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Bittersweet heartache, accompanied by hushed backup sighing and gently-plucked guitars. Beautifully done.
KAT LUNA / “Happiest I’ve Ever Been”
Writers: Erika Ender/Josh Kerr/Kat Luna/Peytan Porter; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Love her catch-in-throat alto delivery with its shards of pain. As with her previous release, the ballad’s lyric is delivered in both Spanish and English. There’s a certain tension and underlying power in her singing that I find quite compelling.
LEE BRICE / “Cry”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/David Garcia/Lee Brice; Producers: Ben Glover, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records
– This isn’t due until Jan. 31, but an advance listen indicates that Brice has not lost his touch in engaging top-shelf material. On top of a simple yet ear catching production, he moans marvelously in an aching description of a heart broken male. I remain an enormous fan. Brice’s acoustic tour hits the Ryman on Feb. 18.
MACKENZIE CARPENTER / “Dozen Red Flags”
Writers: Brandon Hood/Mackenzie Carpenter/Nicolle Galyon; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Hilarious. In her drawling delivery, she lists all the reasons why she should have never fallen for him. Sardonic and really, really fun.
MUSCADINE BLOODLINE / “10-90”
Writers: Charlie Muncaster/Gary Stanton/Kendell Marvel; Producers: Charlie Muncaster, Gary Stanton, Ryan Youmans; Label: Big Machine Records/Thirty Tigers
– This is a vow of eternal love, performed with plaintive, poignant emotion. “Give me you on your worst day, and I’ll give you my best.’ ‘I’ll be the answer to what you’re praying.” A wedding, first-dance song if I’ve ever heard one.
TIMOTHY WAYNE / “Louisiana Saturday Night”
Writers: Jimmy Newman/Tom T. Hall; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: UMG Nashville
– Wayne sang this jaunty 1981 Mel McDaniel classic on the Louisiana Office of Tourism float on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl Parade. The Franklin, Tennessee native is in his third year at LSU, balancing his pursuit of a college degree with his pursuit of country stardom. He’s hitting the books as well as the recording studio as he preps his debut album.
Makayla Lynn Inks With Eclipse Music Group, Wrensong Entertainment & Harvey Dog Hits
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L–R): Eclipse Music Group’s Anna Thiel, Courtney Crist, Penny Gattis, Makayla Lynn, Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer and Harvey Dog Hits’ Abbe Nameche
Singer-songwriter Makayla Lynn has signed a global publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group in partnership with Wrensong Entertainment and Harvey Dog Hits.
“Our writers have been collaborating with Makayla for quite some time, and we’ve long been fans of her talent, so we’re thrilled to join forces with our friends Ree Guyer and Abbe Nameche as her publishing partner,” shares Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group.
“Makayla is the real deal,” adds Courtney Crist, Vice President, Eclipse Music Publishing. “She is an amazing writer and performer that stops everyone in their tracks when she starts to sing. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
A Canada native, Lynn was named as one of Rolling Stone‘s “New Artists You Need To Know.” With a presence on both sides of the border, she spent time at No. 1 on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown and has earned two East Coast Music Awards in Canada. Recently, Lynn was honored as part of the 2024 Class of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Songwriter Series. She has collaborated with artists and songwriters, such as Trisha Yearwood, Lori McKenna, Gordie Sampson, Marcus Hummon, Leslie Satcher, Matraca Berg and Ronnie Bowman, among others.
“Makayla amazes me with her pitch perfect voice, old soul writing and she’s the consummate musician,” says Guyer Owner, Wrensong Entertainment. “We are honored to be working with her alongside our partners at Eclipse and Harvey Dog Music.”
“The opportunity to work with an undeniably talented songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist is rare,” expresses Nameche. “Add Makayla’s work ethic, gracious nature and our Eclipse partners, and you have a winning combo.”
“I’ve felt like an unofficial adopted member of the Eclipse family for a few years now, so putting pen to paper with them and continuing to write with Wrensong is a dream for me,” shares Lynn. “Courtney, Penny, Abbe and Ree are all such song driven people, and I feel honored to put my songs in their hands every day.”
Full Slate Of Performers Announced For 16th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughThe lineup has been revealed for the 16th annual 30A Songwriters Festival on Jan. 16-20 along Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida.
Melissa Etheridge, Amos Lee, The Jayhawks and more are set to headline the event. Additional artists including Brandy Clark, Natalie Hemby, Maggie Rose, Katie Pruitt, Secret Sisters, Darrell Scott, The dB’s, Shawn Mullins, Livingston Taylor, Jeffrey Steele, Lilly Hiatt, Tommy Prine, John Driskell Hopkins, Paul Sikes, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton and many more will showcase at 30 venues during the expansive event, which will present over 130 songwriters and 300+ solo, band and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend.
“The Songwriters Festival stands apart in South Walton as the sole cultural event that brings most of the South Walton communities together, in harmony, to produce a four-day, around-the-clock presentation of extraordinary music.” says Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County President & CEO and Festival Co-Producer Jennifer Steele. “From Thursday, Jan. 16 through Monday, Jan. 20, the 30A corridor will be full of music fans enjoying wall-to-wall music venues, world-class musicians, and fabulous food & wine. If you haven’t experienced this immersive melodic experience, join us in 2025.”
Festival Weekend Passes are currently available at 30asongwritersfestival.com. VIP tickets that include premium seating and complimentary gourmet food and drinks in the VIP tent on Saturday and Sunday afternoons are also available.
Nashville’s WMOT will again interview and record select artists at the Festival for its World Cafe sessions aired throughout the year in conjunction with WXPN in Philadelphia.
Morgan Wallen Claims No. 1 Spot On Top Billboard 200 Albums For 21st Century
/by Madison HahnenMorgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album has been named the No.1 album on the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century Chart. The 200-position ranking summarizes performance on the weekly Billboard 200 albums chart from the beginning of 2000 through the end of 2024.
The project first debuted at No. 1 on the weekly chart dated January 23, 2021 and held the top spot through the March 27, 2021 chart, making it the first album since 1987 to spend its first 10 weeks at No. 1. The last album to achieve this was Whitney Houston’s Whitney, which spent all 11 of its weeks at No. 1 following its debut.
Dangerous has continued to rack up chart milestones since then. In September 2022, it marked its 86th week in the Billboard 200’s top 10, surpassing Peter, Paul and Mary’s self-titled album for the most weeks spent in the top 10 by an album from a solo artist, since the chart began its weekly publication in March 1956.
As of the December 28, 2024-dated Billboard 200, Dangerous: The Double Album has spent 158 weeks in the top 10. The only album with more weeks in the top 10 is the original cast recording of My Fair Lady, which accumulated 173 weeks between 1956 and 1960.
Wallen has two albums in the top 10 of the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart, with his One Thing at a Time holding the No. 6 spot. His debut project If I Know Me, ranks at No. 159 on the same chart.
Other albums in the top 10 on the chart include Adele‘s 21 (No. 2), Taylor Swift‘s Fearless (No. 3) and 1989 (No. 4), Hamilton: An American Musical (No. 5), Post Malone‘s Hollywood’s Bleeding (No. 7), Lily Baby‘s My Turn (No. 8), Nickelback‘s All The Right Reasons (No. 9) and Lady Gaga‘s The Fame (No. 10).
Additional country albums landing on the top-200 chart include Swift’s Taylor Swift (No. 18), Red (No. 85), Speak Now (No. 120) and Red (Taylor’s Version) (No. 197); Carrie Underwood‘s Some Hearts (No. 19) and Carnival Ride (No. 142); Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller (No. 30); Luke Comb‘s This One’s For You (No. 35) and What You See Is What You Get (No. 44); Lady A‘s Need You Now (No. 51); Florida Georgia Line‘s Here’s To The Good Times (No. 54); Luke Bryan‘s Crash My Party (No. 71) and Tailgates & Tanlines (No. 130); Rascal Flatts‘ Me And My Gang (No. 74) and Feels Like Today (No. 160); Jason Aldean‘s My Kinda Party (No. 88); Dixie Chicks‘ Home (No. 89); Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak (No. 114) and Zach Bryan (No. 156); Sam Hunt‘s Montevallo (No. 129); Gretchen Wilson‘s Here For The Party (No. 136); Zac Brown Band‘s The Foundation (No. 137); Blake Shelton‘s Based On A True Story… (No. 138) and Alan Jackson‘s Drive (No. 179).
See more data at Billboard.com.
Zach Top & Adrien Nunez Among Shazam Fast Forward 2025 Artists
/by Liza AndersonZach Top & Adrien Nunez
This week, Shazam is unveiling its Shazam Fast Forward 2025 list, announcing 10 artists per day. The groups are broken down into broader genres, including dance, Latin, alternative, rock, country, pop and hip-hop and R&B.
Based on Shazam’s data and algorithms, and coupled with the knowledge of Apple Music’s global editorial team, this selection of artists aims represent the biggest trends in music now and in the future. According to the research, each artist featured has shown early indicators of future growth, including early and consistent momentum in Shazam activity as well as discovery trends in more than one country.
The country creators listed include Zach Top and Adrien Nunez.
Top first garnered attention on Shazam in February 2024 in Sweden. He then made his Shazam chart debut in the U.S. and Canada in October and November with “I Never Lie.” The song spent six weeks and three weeks on the charts, respectively. “I Never Lie” appears on Top’s debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, alongside lead single “Sounds Like the Radio,” which is currently his top song on the platform. Nunez, who recently signed with Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records, started to gain traction on Shazam in August 2024 in South Africa. His Daily Shazam reached an all-time high the day he released his first single, “Low Road.”
To view the full list, click here.
Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr. To Headline 2025 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr.
Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. will headline the annual Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park on the Milwaukee lakefront on July 11-12.
In addition to Stapleton (July 12) and Williams Jr. (July 11) several additional top acts will perform at the yearly celebration of music, moto-culture and the H-D hometown of Milwaukee, and the complete slate of artists and full performance schedule will be announced at a later date.
Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival events will be held at both free and ticketed venues across the Milwaukee area, including Veterans Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum, H-D Headquarters on Juneau Ave., Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls, and at local Harley-Davidson dealerships. Admission to Veterans Park for live music performances and other activities requires a ticket. More Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival entertainment and event details will be announced as plans are finalized.
Ticket sales for the event will kick off Jan. 17 at HDHomecoming.com. Ticket holders can experience the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival at Veterans Park with 2-Day and 1-Day General Admission (GA), GA+, or VIP ticket options to enjoy all the music, entertainment, local food, beverages and more.
‘Pollstar’ Rebrands With New Website, Digital Edition, More
/by Lorie HollabaughLive entertainment industry publication Pollstar is refreshing its brand with a new website, a premium digital edition and greater data resources.
As part of this transformation, and aligning with its sustainability commitment, beginning mid-February 2025 Pollstar will shift to a monthly print schedule and introduce a new weekly digital edition for subscribers. The services will include predictive analytics and query-based global insights derived from Pollstar’s database spanning the last 43 years of live entertainment. Rounding out the new offerings is a redesigned and streamlined website that will deliver faster access to breaking news, data and analytics while also creating a seamless user journey.
“Pollstar has been the most trusted resource for the live entertainment industry for decades, and this evolution marks an exciting new chapter,” says Andy Gensler, Editor-in-Chief, Pollstar. “Digital adoption has soared over the past decade fundamentally changing the way our subscribers and the larger consumer market engage with our content and data. With this new digital overhaul, we’re adapting to these shifts by leaning heavily into digital technology, data-driven personalization and a new enhanced website. These new features will allow us to deliver first-class editorial, reporting and experiences that meet the needs of today’s industry professionals and live entertainment enthusiasts ensuring that Pollstar remains the Voice of Live for decades to come.”
As part of the transition, VenuesNow will merge into Pollstar. Pollstar subscribers will now enjoy VenuesNow content enabling readers to stay current on the ever-evolving venue side of the live industry ecosystem. Pollstar is upgrading its live industry data with more streamlined reporting, integration of AI and in-depth industry analysis that will also include greater global market coverage. Additionally, the publication will remain committed to publishing its special issues, including Impact 50, Women of Live, VN All-Stars and NextGen, as well as its directories.
Pollstar will also continue to host its annual panels and conferences, including the upcoming Production Live!, Pollstar Live! and VenuesNow Conference. As part of the rebrand, these events will be enhanced to deliver even greater value, including expanded opportunities for networking and collaboration, with upgraded programming and experiences.
Eric Church & Jelly Roll To Close Out CRS 2025 With Special Conversation
/by Liza AndersonEric Church and Jelly Roll will come together to conclude this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) with an intimate, unscripted conversation on Feb. 21.
The celebrated creators will explore their personal journeys and artistic inspirations as well as the future of country music.
“We are thrilled to have Eric Church and Jelly Roll close out CRS 2025,” says RJ Curtis, CRS Executive Director. “Their ability to connect with fans and push the boundaries of the genre makes this session a perfect culmination of this year’s seminar.”
CRS 2025 is set for Feb. 19–21 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Online registration will close on Jan. 17. For more information, click here.