DISClaimer: Kenny Chesney Tops New Tracks With “Better Boat”

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How about a little Louisiana hot sauce with your music meal today?

That’s what is being offered by our DisCovery Award winners, Yvette Landy & The Jukes featuring Roddie Romero. They’re serving something zesty and different. Go ahead, give ‘em a taste.

Kenny Chesney takes home a Disc of the Day trophy. Give both the man and his new label props for letting his debut for the company be a benefit record for Caribbean hurricane relief.

Other worthy items on your plate today include singles by Jake Owen, the Calamity Janes and the splendid Danielle Bradbery/Thomas Rhett duet.

DALLAS REMINGTON/Never Turned Around
Writers: Dallas Remington/Regan Stewart; Producers: Kirk Willie/Kimo Forrest; Publishers: none listed; RoadWarrior
– Her vocal is just the teensiest bit flat. The punchy track is masterfully mixed.

HUNTER HAYES/Dear God
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic
– The lyric is very anguished. It reminds me of how conflicted and tormented we all felt as teenagers. The verses are semi-spoken, a style I have never liked much. But there are melodic moments in the choruses. All in all, an odd little single.

YVETTE LANDRY & THE JUKES/I Need Somebody Bad
Writers: B.J. Peters Jr.; Producers: Yvette Landry, Roddie Romero & Justin Tocket; Ben Peters, BMI; Soko Music (track)
– It’s an echoey ‘50s retro sound, complete with piano triplets, sighing steel guitar and softly punctuating sax. She has a cool, seductive voice that dips attractively into deep alto pockets. The track makes you feel like you’re in a bayou honky-tonk. And that’s a good feeling to have. The swampy, spicy album, featuring co lead vocalist Roddie Romero, is titled Louisiana Lovin.’ Seek it out.

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JAKE OWEN/Down to the Honkytonk
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Holy mackerel! Jake Owen has issued his most “country” tune ever, and you are going to love it. This is a barroom sing-along, a drinking anthem and a party pleaser. Steel guitar abounds. The chorus is classic. Grab a brew and stomp along.

JOHN SCHNEIDER/Can I Buy You A Beer
Writers: Mason Douglas; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Odyssey
– This sounds feeble. Find a producer.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Real World Hall of Fame
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rigby; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TB
– Written to salute his grandfather’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it also recognizes that there are “Hall of Fame” people everywhere. The video shows footage of a teacher, a fireman, a soldier, a mom, a policeman and other folks, in addition to gridiron stars. Bobby Beathard, the granddad, was a g.m. and/or administrator of the Redskins, Chargers, Dolphins, Chiefs and Falcons during a three-decade career that included four Super Bowl wins.

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CHRIS LANE & TORI KELLY/Take Back Home Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
-Tuneless hip-hop. I hate it.

DANIELLE BRADBERY & THOMAS RHETT/Goodbye Summer
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
– They sound great together. This swirling, melodic outing showcases both voices beautifully. And both of them prove to be able harmonizers. This is headed straight to the top.

CALAMITY JANES/Light It Up
Writers: A. Childs; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CJ
– Love their harmonies. The gist of the languid, sensuous song is that sometimes it’s best to burn your bridges behind you.

KENNY CHESNEY & MINDY SMITH/Better Boat
Writers: Travis Meadows/Liz Rose; Publishers: none listed; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; WB/Blue Chair
– Gentle, acoustic, contemplative and completely lovely. Mindy’s harmony vocal is angelic. An exquisite listening experience.

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Slacker Radio Launches ‘Woman Crush Everyday’ Country Station

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Natalie Stovall. Photo: Rick Diamond Photography

LiveXLive Media’s Slacker, a global digital media company focused on live entertainment, has launched #WCE (“Woman Crush Everyday”) Country, a digital radio station devoted to introducing and elevating female country artists, and Slacker Studio, a mobile app which allows hosts and contributors to remotely add music and commentary to Slacker stations. Both the station and the app were introduced at an Aug. 7 launch party in Nashville, co-hosted by WME and Change the Conversation.

#WCE Country will be hosted and curated by female artists, with additional women in the music industry adding commentary and selecting songs. Cam, whose “Burning House” was the top-selling single by a female country artist in 2015, is the station’s first host.

“We have amazingly talented women making music in Nashville, and they deserve to be heard,” said Jess Wright, Slacker’s Country Format Captain. “In 2017, more than 97% of the artists who appeared on the year-end Country Top 40 were male. This doesn’t reflect the quality of music created by women; it reflects a lack of support from the gatekeepers of country music who believe that women have limited commercial appeal. I’m excited that, through Slacker, we can bring the music of female country artists directly to our audience, curated by the people who are most passionate about it – the women in Nashville’s music industry.”

Emerging artists Natalie Stovall, Post Monroe, and Lauren Duski performed at the Nashville launch event. Held at WME’s Nashville office, attendees included musicians, songwriters’ managers, journalists, and other women involved in Nashville’s music industry, many of whom were given VIP access to the Slacker Studio app to share their perspective and personal stories on #WCE Country.

“I’m thrilled that there’s another platform to support female artists,” said Leslie Fram, the co-founder of Change the Conversation and the senior vice president of strategy at CMT.  “Women have always been the cornerstone of country music, and their voices need to be heard.”

 

IBMA Announces Nominees For Special Awards, Momentum Awards

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The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced the nominees for this year’s Special Awards and Momentum Awards. The recipients of both categories will be presented with their awards at luncheons on Sept. 26-27 in Raleigh, North Carolina as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event Sept. 25-29. Thursday’s Awards Luncheon will include a segment honoring the recipients of the 2018 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Registration for the IBMA Business Conference is required to attend the events.

“The virtuosity of bluegrass musicians is recognized worldwide. With the Special Awards, we recognize that same quality, found in our industry professionals who make vital contributions felt by everyone,” says IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “The Momentum Awards celebrate both the incredible achievements of the rising stars in our music, and the generosity of those who mentor them.  Congratulations to each and every nominee for being recognized by your peers!”

The Special Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Bluegrass Event of the Year, Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project, Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project, Print/Media Person of the Year and Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year. New this year will be Sound Engineer of the Year, in recognition of audio professionals in both live and studio settings.

The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.

The 2018 IBMA Special Awards nominees are:
Graphic Design:
Drew Bolen & Whitney Beard – Project: Old Salt Unionby Old Salt Union
Lou Everhart – Project: A Heart Never Knowsby The Price Sisters
Richard Hakalski – Project: Portraits and Fiddlesby Mike Barnett
Corey Johnson – Project: Sounds of Kentuckyby Carolina Blue
Karen Key – Project: Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition by Various Artists

Liner Notes:
Craig Havighurst – Project: The Story We Tell by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Steve Martin – Project: The Long Awaited Album by Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Joe Mullins – Project: Sounds of Kentucky Grassby Carolina Blue
Ted Olson – Project: Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Traditionby Various Artists
Peter Wernick – Project: Carter Stanley’s Eyesby Peter Rowan

Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year:
Larry Carter
Michelle Lee
Steve Martin
Alan Tompkins
Kris Truelsen

Print Media Person of the Year:
Derek Halsey
Chris Jones
Ted Lehmann
David Morris
Neil Rosenberg

Songwriter of the Year:
Becky Buller
Thomm Jutz
Jerry Salley
Donna Ulisse
Jon Weisberger

Event of the Year:
Bluegrass on the Green – Frankfort, IL
County Bluegrass – Fort Fairfield, ME
Emelin Theatre – Mamaroneck, NY
Flagler Museum’s Bluegrass in the Pavilion – Palm Beach, FL
FreshGrass Festival – North Adams, MA

Sound Engineer of the Year:
Dave Sinko
Stephen Mougin
Gary Paczosa
Tim Reitnouer
Ben Surratt

Momentum Award nominees:
Festival/Event/Venue
Anderson Bluegrass Festival – SC
Farm & Fun Time – VA
Hovander Homestead Bluegrass Festival – WA
Red Wing Roots Music Festival – VA
SamJam Bluegrass Festival – OH

Industry Involvement:
Megan Lynch Chowning and Adam Chowning
Justin Hiltner
Kris Truelsen

Mentor:
Daniel Boner
Cathy Fink
Scott Napier
Jon Weisberger
Pete Wernick

Band:
Cane Mill Road
Man About a Horse
Midnight Skyracer
The Trailblazers
Wood Belly

Vocalist:
Ellie Hakanson (Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Greg Blake Band)
Will Jones (Terry Baucom & the Dukes of Drive)
AJ Lee (AJ Lee & Blue Summit)
Evan Murphy (Mile Twelve)
Daniel Thrailkill (The Trailblazers)

Instrumentalist [three are chosen in this category]:
Tabitha Agnew (Midnight Skyracer)
David Benedict (Mile Twelve)
Catherine (“BB”) Bowness (Mile Twelve)
Thomas Cassell (Circus No. 9)
Hasee Ciaccio (Molly Tuttle Band)
Matthew Davis (Circus No. 9)
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (Mile Twelve)
Aynsley Porchak (Carolina Blue)
Trajan Wellington (Cane Mill Road)

 

Will Lowery Joins Endeavor Content

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William Lowery has joined Endeavor Content as a Senior Associate focused on film financing, development and sales. Based in Nashville, Lowery will provide consulting services to financiers and production facilities with an emphasis on the Southeast region. Additionally, Lowery will help oversee Endeavor Content’s relationship with Third Coast Content, the faith and family label that Endeavor Content invested in earlier this year.

Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG).

Lowery most recently worked at APA, where he served as head of the content finance and strategic advisory department. During his time at APA, Lowery represented financiers and production facilities, in addition to consulting for Pinewood Atlanta Studios, spearheading an agency sports partnership with Leigh Steinberg Enterprises and advising the Island of Cayman on its International Film Festival. Prior to APA, Lowery was a talent manager and producer at Defy Media, formerly known as Generate.

In addition, Lowery was recently appointed to sit on the board of directors for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission by Governor Bill Haslam. The Commission handles incentives and legislation for all media related entertainment subsidies. He is also a board member of the Nashville Film Festival and a mentor and advisor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

Lowery is a graduate and former All Academic SEC Football Player at Vanderbilt, and was a participant in last year’s annual “Music City Rumble on the Row” Charity Boxing event.

AIMP Nashville Pubcast Launches Second Season

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AIMP Nashville has launched season two of its AIMP Nashville Pubcast.

Hosted by AIMP Nashville Board Member Tim Hunze of Parallel Music and sponsored by Jammber and SoundExchange, the podcast’s first episode features an interview with Tyler Hubbard, member of Florida Georgia Line and co-owner of Tree Vibez Music.

Future episodes, which will be posted weekly on Wednesdays, will feature writer-publishers Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Luke Laird, and Josh Osborne, among others.  Each week, Hunze sits down with music industry professionals to address topics such as Sync Licensing, Publishing Deals, Legislative Issues, Administration and A&R’s role.

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Three Keith Urban Albums Head To Vinyl, Including Latest ‘Graffiti U’

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Keith Urban’s albums, Be Here, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, and his latest Graffiti U are available now on vinyl for the first time ever via Capitol Nashville/UMe.  The albums join the already-available Urban LPs Fuse, Get Closer and Golden Road, all of which were first released on vinyl in 2016, making Urban’s entire album catalog now available to vinyl listeners.

The three hit-filled albums are pressed on standard weight black vinyl and have all been expanded to 2LPs to present the music in the highest quality.

Graffiti U, Urban’s ninth studio album, emerged as one of 2018’s Top 10 best-selling albums in any genre. The 15-song collection includes the hits “Female,” “Parallel Lines” and its latest song “Coming Home,” featuring Julia Michaels, which borrows an iconic guitar riff from Merle Haggard’s classic “Mama Tried.”

The double platinum smash Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, originally released in November 2006, features the No. 1 hit “Once in a Lifetime,” which set a record for what was then the highest debuting single in the six-decade history of Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, along with three more Top Five hits: “I Told You So,” “Everybody,” and Urban’s second Grammy-winning song “Stupid Boy.”

Be Here, Urban’s third American album, was originally released in 2004, and achieved quadruple platinum status, spawning three Number No. 1 singles, “Days Go By,” “Better Life” and the Rodney Crowell-penned “Making Memories of Us.”

Graffiti U Tracks:
LP1
SIDE A
1. Coming Home (featuring Julia Michaels)
2. Never Comin’ Down
3. Same Heart
4. (My Wave Intro)
5. My Wave (featuring Shy Carter)

SIDE B
6. Parallel Line
7. Drop Top (featuring Kassi Ashton)
8. Way Too Long

LP2
SIDE C
9. Horses (featuring Lindsay Ell)
10. Gemini
11. (Texas Time Intro)
12. Texas Time

SIDE D
13. Love The Way It Hurts (So Good)
13. Female
15. Steal My Thunder

Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing Tracks:
LP1
SIDE A
1. Once In A Lifetime
2. Shine
3. I Told You So

SIDE B
4. I Can’t Stop Loving You
5. Won’t You Let You Down
6. Faster Car
7. Stupid Boy

LP2
SIDE C
8. Used To The Pain
9. Raise The Barn (feat. Ronnie Dunn)
10. God Made Woman
SIDE D
11. Tu Compania
12. Everybody
13. Got It Right This Time

Be Here Tracks:
LP1
SIDE A
1. Days Go By
2. Better Life
3. Making Memories of Us

SIDE B
4. God’s Been Good to Me
5. The Hard Way
6. You’re My Better Half

LP2
SIDE C
7. I Could Fly
8. Tonight I Wanna Cry
9. She’s Gotta Be
SIDE D
10. Nobody Drinks Alone
11. Country Comfort
12. Live To Love Another Day
13. These Are The Days

Keith Urban, busbee and Carrie Underwood Celebrate No. 1 “The Fighter”

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Pictured (L-R): busbee, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Photo: Steve Lowry

“‘The Fighter’ was born out of a real conversation I had with my wife before we got married, trying to reassure her that I was a safe place and that I would take care of her so she could remain vulnerable and didn’t have to become hardened,” confessed Keith Urban at the No. 1 party for one of his 24 No. 1 songs.

“…I’m saying too much, but people say you have to have thick skin…I don’t agree with that,” continued Urban. “I think you should be vulnerable and have your spirit and be real. And maybe if people would stop being so harsh—especially toward ourselves sometimes—we could be just me more of who we already are, which is pure spirit, fragile and real. Real human beings. ‘When they try to get to you, baby I’ll be the fighter’ is what that’s about.”

Urban was joined on stage by co-writer and co-producer busbee, who was celebrating his fifth No. 1 single. Urban’s duet partner and labelmate Carrie Underwood also joined to celebrate the chart-topping song. The three performed “The Fighter” during the party, one year and two weeks after the single reached the top of the charts.

“It’s never too late to celebrate a No. 1 record,” teased host Jody Williams in representing his BMI writers. Pinnacle Bank made a donation on behalf of the writers.

“This is an honest [song] with one person completely showing all their vulnerabilities,” gushed label president Mike Dungan. “…and it’s a tempo. What a wonderful thing!”

While Underwood’s vocals were recorded in Pennsylvania, the song was written at Kensaltown Studios in London after busbee flew to write with Urban during a break.

“Keith worked out in the morning and ran to the studio,” recalled busbee. “As soon as he could get it out of his mouth we were singing this to each other. It was one of those magical days. [Songwriting] is an otherly thing. I believe in God…we walk in to a room and pull something out of the sky.”

Underwood testified to the songwriting process, saying, “The demo was busbee doing all the girl stuff. Thank you for that little gift. I saved it…that’s gonna come back to haunt you at some point.”

“This is a spins party, so it’s about our radio promotion team,” continued Dungan. “Nobody beats the Capitol team: Bobby Young, Mara Sidweber, Brent Jones, Annie Sandor, Ashley Laws, Megan Youngblood, and Katelyn Lester.” Nearly everyone who took the stage recognized the same promo department, including Urban, who named everyone without notes.

UMG’s Radio Promotion team celebrates with Universal Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and busbee. Photo: Steve Lowry [CLICK TO ENLARGE]

Credit also went to UMG staffers Taylor Freeman, Amy Jackson, Lori Christian, Royce Risser, Cindy Mabe, Brian Wright, Stephanie Wright, Donna Hughes, Brent Jones, Chris Schuler and David Friedman. Additional credit went to Borman Entertainment’s Gary Borman, Elisabeth Ashley and DJ Kisshauer; and CAA’s Darin Murphy. A special thanks went out to Serban Ghenea for mixing the record in addition to Underwood’s management at The HQ, Ann Edelblute. “We shot two videos,” recalled Urban in thanking Underwood and Edelblute. “It’s never happened in my whole life that we had to shoot a second video, and both of you showed up…and multiple performances. Thank you.”

Williams congratulated busbee’s publishers on the song, Ben Vaughn and BJ Hill from Warner/Chappell. Publishers who lauded the creatives from the stage included Daniel Lee from BMG and Ron Stuve from Universal Music Publishing Group. Brandi Simms from the CMA was also on hand to deliver No. 1 medallions.

Pictured (L-R): busbee, BMI’s Jody Williams, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Photo: Steve Lowry

Industry Ink: Applause Award, Big Branch Productions, Outloud Music Festival

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Former BMI Exec To Receive Applause Award

The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will present its highest honor, the Applause Award, to Bridgestone Americas and John Cody, the former Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), at the 2018 TPAC Gala, on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Cody served at BMI from 2006-2010, served on TPAC’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2016, including two years as chairman from 2010 to 2012. During that time, his passion for the performing arts and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and dig into major projects like TPAC’s historic step to launch a national tour of “9 to 5” with Dolly Parton in 2010 was evident.

 

Big Branch Productions Launches In Los Angeles, Nashville

Bart Peters

Bart Peters, former Audience Network executive, has launched Big Branch Productions, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville. The new company will produce original content for live events, film, and television.

Big Branch Productions’ initial programming slate includes “Super Saturday Night with JLo,” which aired prior to Super Bowl LII on Audience Network; “Audience Music,” Audience Network’s Friday night concert series; and the Audience Network comedy series “Loudermilk.”

“My vision for Big Branch Productions is to create a production company that isn’t limited to any specific genre or programming type – but encompasses a variety of content across genres, including live audience events – an approach in synch with today’s ever expanding TV and film landscape,” said Peters. “I love the opportunity to bring the full extent of my experience as a television executive, producer and director to the projects that Big Branch develops. I look forward to partnering with old and new friends within the creative community and produce innovative programming that has global appeal.”

 

OUTLOUD Music Festival To Feature Betty Who, Big Freedia

OUTLOUD Music Festival kicks off in Nashville on Sept. 8. The one-day, music-centric event includes Betty Who, Big Freedia, CupcakKe, Cazwell and many more on two stages. Along with the festival headliners, the event features Shelly Fairchild, Jake Wesley Rogers, Zoe Cummins, Stasney Mav, Myylo, Fame & Fiction, Kiya Lacey and several drag performances.

Betty Who burst onto the scene in 2016 with her hit single “I Love You Always Forever”.  Her second album, The Valley, was released in 2017 to rave reviews and a sold out tour. Her shows are non-stop energy and not something to miss.

Big Freedia is a New Orleans-based rapper and the undisputed Queen of Bounce. A vibrant twist on hip-hop, Bounce music is characterized by call-and-response lyrics over rapid-fire beats and booty-shaking. After running the New Orleans club scene for over two decades, the GLAAD media award winner is bringing the Bounce movement world-wide.

CupcakKe hails out of Chicago and released her first two singles on the internet becoming a viral sensation. She released her debut mixtape in 2016 and was placed in Rolling Stone’s “Best Rap Albums of 2016”. She uses her music as platform for advocacy including causes such as LGBT rights and female empowerment.

General Admission early bird tickets are $30.00 until the week of the event.  Betty Who, Big Freedia, and CupcakKe meet and greet tickets are also available at outloudmusicfestival.com.

 

Tauren Wells, Zach Williams Lead GMA Dove Awards Nominees

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The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, revealed exclusively on Facebook Live with the help of Travis Greene and Francesca Battistelli.

Tauren Wells leads artist nominations with seven, followed by Zach Williams with six and Cory Asbury, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and TobyMac with five nods each. Top nominated writer/producer Colby Wedgeworth scored eight nominations.

Artist vying in the Artist of the Year category include Hillsong United, MercyMe, NEEDTOBREATHE, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zach Williams.

“Congratulations to this year’s Dove Award nominees!” GMA President Jackie Patillo said. “God is doing amazing things through our artists and their music. This year’s theme Reverent Wonder celebrates the greatness of God and acknowledges His powerful message of hope for the world.”

The awards show will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Lipscomb University. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the show on Sunday, Oct. 21. Voting for the final winners will run Aug. 20 through Aug. 27.

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by GMA’s professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership.

Nominees in select categories are listed below; for a full list of this year’s nominees, visit doveawards.com.

Artist of the Year
Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Music Australia / Capital CMG
MercyMe, Fair Trade Services
NEEDTOBREATHE, Atlantic Records
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Zach Williams, Provident Label Group

Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“Blessings” – (writers) Allen Swoope, Asheton Hogan, Lecrae Moore, Maurice Simmonds, Tyrone Williams Griffin, Jr.
“Broken Things” – (writers) Andrew Jacob Pruis, Jason Houser, Matthew West
“Control (Somehow You Want Me)” – (writers) Jason Ingram, Matt Bronleewe, Mike Donehey
“Different” – (writers) Kyle Lee, Micah Tyler
“Hills and Valleys” – (writers) Chuck Butler, Jonathan Smith, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Kevin McKeehan
“I’ll Find You” – (writers) Danny Majic, John Mitchell, Justin Franks, Lecrae Moore, Natalie Sims, Sasha Sloan, Victoria Kelly
“O’Lord” – (writers) Joe Williams, Paul Mabury
“Old Church Choir” – (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams
“Reckless Love (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Unfinished” – (writers) Ben Glover, Colby Wedgeworth

New Artist of the Year
Cory Asbury, Bethel Music
Koryn Hawthorne, RCA Inspiration
Mosaic MSC, Essential Worship
Pat Barrett, Capitol CMG
Tauren Wells, Provident Label Group

Gospel Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans, Puresprings Gospel / Thirty Tigers
Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Kirk Franklin, RCA Inspiration
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration

Worship Song of the Year
“Do It Again” – (writers) Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick
“Reckless Love” – (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” – (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Spirit of the Living God” – (writers) Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“Tremble” – (writers) Andres Figueroa, Hank Bentley, Mariah McManus, Mia Fieldes

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – Crowder, (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“O’Lord”– LaurenDaigle, (writers)JoeWilliams, Paul Mabury
“When We Pray” – Tauren Wells, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – TobyMac, (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Toby McKeehan
“Old Church Choir” – Zach Williams, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“Not Today Satan (ft. Andy Mineo) ” – KB, (writers) Andrew Mineo, Chris Mackey, Jacob Cardec, Joseph Prielozny, Kevin Burgess
“War Cry (ft. Tauren Wells)” – Social Club Misfits, (writers) Andrew Wells, David Frank, Fernando Miranda, John Thomas Roach, Martin Santiago, Tommee Profitt
“SMILE” – Tedashii, (writers) Lasanna Harris, Marquis Rachad, Philip Green, Shama Joseph, Tedashii Anderson
“Forever” – Trip Lee, (writers) Jacob Cardec, William Barfield
“Praying Hands (ft. Trip Lee)” – Ty Brasel, (writers) Kenneth Christian Mackey, Ty Brasel

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year
“I Got That” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy, (writer) Anthony Brown
“A Great Work” – Brian Courtney Wilson, (writers) Aaron W. Lindsey, Alvin Richardson, Brian Courtney Wilson
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved” – Jonathan McReynolds, (writers) Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson
“Won’t He Do It” – Koryn Hawthorne and Roshon Fegan, (writers) Loren Hill, Makeba Riddick, Rich Shelton
“You (ft. Tye Tribbett)” – Snoop Dogg, (writers) Jovan J. Dawkins, Jevon Hill, Stanley Green Jr, Timothy Tyrone Bush Jr, Tye Tribbett

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“​He Can Take It​”​ – ​Brian Free & Assurance,​ (writers) Jeff Bumgardner, Kenna Turner West, Sue C. Smith
“​Clear Skies​”​ – ​Ernie Haase & Signature Sound​, (writers) Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun
“Hallelujah Band” – Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Becca Mizell, Sam Mizell
“Washed By The Water” – Jason Crabb, (writers) Dave Barnes, Jason Crabb, Jordan Reynolds
“Just When You Thought” – Joseph Habedank, (writers) Joseph Habedank, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun

‘CMA Fest’ Special Featuring 29 Of Country’s Hottest Acts Airs Tonight

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CMA Fest premieres tonight on ABC at 7 p.m. CT. The three-hour primetime special is in its 15th straight year, with Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini returning as hosts for a second year.

Filmed during Nashville’s 47th annual CMA Fest, the special includes performances during the festival by 29 of music’s hottest acts, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Midland, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Brett Young. Special guest collaborations include Lauren Alaina with Brown, Julia Michaels with Urban, Morgan Wallen with Florida Georgia Line, and Dwight Yoakam with Bentley.

Thomas Rhett returns to host “CMA Fest” for a third year, and Ballerini returns for a second year. The show is executive produced by Robert Deaton.