Pictured (L-R): Midland’s Jess Carson, Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy
Nashville’s music industry members had no problems opening a cold one to toast the Big Machine Records trio Midland’s first No. 1 song, “Drinkin’ Problem,” earlier this week during a shindig at Nashville’s The Sutler Saloon.
On Oct. 11, The Sutler Saloon was packed to celebrate Midland members Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, as well as their “Drinkin’ Problem” co-writers Shane McAnally (GMR) and Josh Osborne (ASCAP). The Gold-certified song marks the Midland members’ first No. 1 both as songwriters and artists.
BMI’s Bradley Collins and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker hosted the event. Brinker surprised ASCAP writers with Yeti coolers, while BMI’s Collins offered a BMI guitar, which is offered to BMI writers who celebrate their first No. 1 song.
Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith announced a donation to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital on behalf of the writers.
“Drinkin’ Problem” is McAnally’s 25th No. 1 song, and Osborne’s 14th No. 1 hit.
Among those celebrating the No. 1 hit were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, SMACKSong’s Michael McAnally Baum, producer Dann Huff, engineer Justin Niebank, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen, Country Aircheck’s Paul Williams and CRB’s Holly Freeman.
Pictured (Bac row, L-R): Black River’s Dave Pacula, Spirit Music’s Daniel Hill, BRND MGMT’s Matt Graham, Sandbox’s Jason Owen, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Dann Huff, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, SMACKSongs’ Michael Baum. Pictured (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Josh Osborne, Midland, Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer, BMI’s Bradley Collins
“There are a lot of people here that have shaped our destiny,” said Duddy. “Someone said yesterday—I believe it was me, so to quote myself—in a year it looked like we had ran a marathon with our faces. The BMLG promo team, your work ethic has inspired us in ways you’ll never understand. It was boot camp from the beginning.”
“This industry is a family and the fact that we’ve been allowed into this family is the biggest honor of our lives,” said Carson. “People ask us what have been some of the things that have happened this year that have had an impact and it’s hard to even take stock. This train doesn’t stop but it’s the people we are surrounded by and people that elevate us and brought us to this place that I’m just so grateful for. Scott for taking a chance on us. Dann in the studio is the maestro, he hears everything. Josh, like our soul brother and family to us. We speak the same language. Shane, I want to be like Shane and I want to someday be where he’s at and have the respect that he’s got. Thank you to everybody.
“They say to work with people who are more talented and smarter than you are, and that’s what I did in getting together with Jess and Cameron,” said Wystrach. “I’ve been learning ever since. That’s what this band has done collectively. We literally have the dream team. Nobody’s tried to screw with our vision or say, ‘This isn’t right.’ Everybody thought there was something special and I know someday I’ll look back in my life and say that this is one of the best things in my life, getting to work with these guys and build this family. There is a bit of a rule: Would you want to invite these people home for family dinner? And it’s true there is not a person on this stage I wouldn’t want to invite home to my family’s ranch in Arizona and we’d have the time of our lives because we have shared interests and passions and work interests and a love for music.”
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, BMR’s Nicole Hunt, AJ Calvin, Erik Powell, Jim Weatherson and Kris Lamb. Pictured (Front row, L-R): Josh Osborne, Midland, Shane McAnally, Dann Huff
Country Rising Expands To Support Las Vegas Victims, Announces Lineup Changes
/by Jessica NicholsonThe recently announced star-studded benefit concert Country Rising, set for Nov. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, will now support victims of the Las Vegas shooting in addition to those in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Caribbean islands who have been impacted by the recent hurricanes.
Keith Urban has been added to the superstar lineup, while Garth Brooks will no longer be part of the event in Nashville due to a scheduling conflict with additional tour dates being added in Spokane, Washington. Instead, Brooks will donate all proceeds from his two added concerts on Nov. 12 to The Country Rising Fund.
The Nashville lineup also includes Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait and Carrie Underwood.
A new on-sale date for tickets and VIP packages has been set for Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. CT via ticketmaster.com. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. CT through Citi’s Private Pass program.
Tiffany Moon Exits ACM
/by Jessica NicholsonACM CEO Pete Fisher said:
“Although I have only worked side-by-side with Tiffany since late January, as an ACM Board member, I have had the pleasure of observing all she has given to the Academy over her 15 years of service. She has made an indelible impact which will benefit this great organization for many years to come. It is because of her great work, in partnership with a terrific staff and Board, that we are able to dream big dreams and chart the Academy’s future course.”
Dreamlined Entertainment Appoints VP, Creative And Artist Development
/by Jessica NicholsonGinny Johnson
Dreamlined Entertainment, led by acclaimed producer Keith Stegall, has appointed Ginny Johnson as Vice President of Creative and Artist Development. Johnson comes to Dreamlined from Knotting Hill Music, where she spent the past three years as Creative Director overseeing Music Publishing.
Johnson can be reached at Gjohnson@
Shenandoah Returns To Radio After 20 Years With New Jay DeMarcus-Produced Track
/by Lorie HollabaughShenandoah is releasing a new single, “Noise” today. The group recently inked a recording contract with BMG for the new single and forthcoming album, which is slated for the first quarter of 2018. Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, a longtime friend of the band, produced the new song.
“Special thanks to Jay DeMarcus for taking such an interest in Shenandoah to produce this song on us,” said Shenandoah’s Mike McGuire. “If it hadn’t been for him, we’d have never gone in the studio to do this project. He struck the perfect balance of keeping our original sound and at the same time, making us sound current.”
“Having the fortunate opportunity to get a record deal with BMG after 30 years of being in this business is beyond exciting,” says Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon. “The new music has given flames to embers that have burned since we started in 1987. It’s been 20 years since our last recordings. The new music is fresh, up to date and allows us to continue where we left off. We feel like we still have so much to say when it comes to music and it gives us the joy of sharing it with country music fans all over the world.”
Scooter Brown Band Shares New Tunes With ‘MusicRow’
/by Eric T. ParkerScooter Brown Band. Photo: Haley Crow
Red River Entertainment’s Scooter Brown Band visited MusicRow on Wednesday (Oct. 11) to share music off their Sept. 8 release, American Son. The album features Charlie Daniels, whose longtime manager David Corlew manages the 5-person group.
“It is refreshing to see someone doing it like the old days,” said Corlew. “Playing 150 dates a year without a bus, working hard to build a name.”
Bob Frank (BFD) producer Casey Wood (Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels), and Steve Lassiter (APA) round out the band’s support team.
Of the 13 tracks on American Son, lead singer and Colorado native Scott Brown has writing credits on 12, only because a cover of Charlie Daniels’ “New York City King Size Rosewood Bed” rounds out the listings.
Pictured (L-R): David Corlew, Scooter Brown Band, and MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow
Brown was in the Marine Corps and served in Iraq in 2003 when a buddy helped him learn how to play the guitar and expand on the songwriting he dabbled with in high school. After trying his hand in the Texas music scene, Brown met Corlew, who brought him more into the Southern states, where their music has most resonated, said Brown.
Two members of the group visited, sampling “Story Of My Life, and “Never Met A Heart I Wouldn’t Break” and the title track, “American Son.”
Scooter Brown Band with MusicRow staffers. Photo: Bev Moser
Midland Celebrates First No. 1 Hit, “Drinkin’ Problem,” With Nashville Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Midland’s Jess Carson, Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy
Nashville’s music industry members had no problems opening a cold one to toast the Big Machine Records trio Midland’s first No. 1 song, “Drinkin’ Problem,” earlier this week during a shindig at Nashville’s The Sutler Saloon.
On Oct. 11, The Sutler Saloon was packed to celebrate Midland members Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, as well as their “Drinkin’ Problem” co-writers Shane McAnally (GMR) and Josh Osborne (ASCAP). The Gold-certified song marks the Midland members’ first No. 1 both as songwriters and artists.
BMI’s Bradley Collins and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker hosted the event. Brinker surprised ASCAP writers with Yeti coolers, while BMI’s Collins offered a BMI guitar, which is offered to BMI writers who celebrate their first No. 1 song.
Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith announced a donation to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital on behalf of the writers.
“Drinkin’ Problem” is McAnally’s 25th No. 1 song, and Osborne’s 14th No. 1 hit.
Among those celebrating the No. 1 hit were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, SMACKSong’s Michael McAnally Baum, producer Dann Huff, engineer Justin Niebank, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen, Country Aircheck’s Paul Williams and CRB’s Holly Freeman.
Pictured (Bac row, L-R): Black River’s Dave Pacula, Spirit Music’s Daniel Hill, BRND MGMT’s Matt Graham, Sandbox’s Jason Owen, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Dann Huff, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, SMACKSongs’ Michael Baum. Pictured (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Josh Osborne, Midland, Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs’ Robin Palmer, BMI’s Bradley Collins
“There are a lot of people here that have shaped our destiny,” said Duddy. “Someone said yesterday—I believe it was me, so to quote myself—in a year it looked like we had ran a marathon with our faces. The BMLG promo team, your work ethic has inspired us in ways you’ll never understand. It was boot camp from the beginning.”
“This industry is a family and the fact that we’ve been allowed into this family is the biggest honor of our lives,” said Carson. “People ask us what have been some of the things that have happened this year that have had an impact and it’s hard to even take stock. This train doesn’t stop but it’s the people we are surrounded by and people that elevate us and brought us to this place that I’m just so grateful for. Scott for taking a chance on us. Dann in the studio is the maestro, he hears everything. Josh, like our soul brother and family to us. We speak the same language. Shane, I want to be like Shane and I want to someday be where he’s at and have the respect that he’s got. Thank you to everybody.
“They say to work with people who are more talented and smarter than you are, and that’s what I did in getting together with Jess and Cameron,” said Wystrach. “I’ve been learning ever since. That’s what this band has done collectively. We literally have the dream team. Nobody’s tried to screw with our vision or say, ‘This isn’t right.’ Everybody thought there was something special and I know someday I’ll look back in my life and say that this is one of the best things in my life, getting to work with these guys and build this family. There is a bit of a rule: Would you want to invite these people home for family dinner? And it’s true there is not a person on this stage I wouldn’t want to invite home to my family’s ranch in Arizona and we’d have the time of our lives because we have shared interests and passions and work interests and a love for music.”
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, BMR’s Nicole Hunt, AJ Calvin, Erik Powell, Jim Weatherson and Kris Lamb. Pictured (Front row, L-R): Josh Osborne, Midland, Shane McAnally, Dann Huff
Hillary Lindsey Makes History With NSAI Song Of The Year “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
/by Lorie HollabaughKris Kristofferson, Hillary Lindsey
BMG songwriter Hillary Lindsey‘s third win for NSAI Song Of The Year for her hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” places her in some pretty impressive company, tying her with legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson as the only other writer to receive the honor three times in the NSAI’s 50-year history. Kristofferson officially presented Lindsey with the award during the recent NSAI 50th Anniversary Concert at the Ryman Auditorium.
A peer-voted award, NSAI’s “Song of the Year” is determined by the song that receives the most votes during the ‘Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written’ annual balloting. Lindsey received her first NSAI “Song of the Year” award in 2006 for co-writing the Grammy-winning, chart-topping, multi-platinum, crossover hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood). She followed that win up in 2015 by co-writing another Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, crossover chart-topper,”Girl Crush” (Little Big Town), which landed her a second NSAI “Song of the Year” trophy.
“There is no question Hillary is an amazing creative force and widely-revered as one of the best songwriters in music today,” said Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville. “The success and accomplishments throughout her career, and innate musical talent to go beyond genre lines in music, speaks volumes about the dedication she has to the craft. We are proud to call BMG her home.”
With 20 No. 1 singles to her credit, Lindsey is the recipient of an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song (“Coming Home”) and two Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song (“There’s A Place For Us,” “Coming Home”). Lady Gaga’s most recent chart-topping album Joanne featured several songs penned by Lindsey including the smash hit “Million Reasons” which she performed with Gaga on Saturday Night Live. Earlier this year, Lindsey received her fifth Grammy nomination for “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which was also nominated for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the 52nd ACM Awards. The song is RIAA certified double-Platinum.
Academy Of Country Music Announces New Board of Directors, Officers For 2018
/by Lorie HollabaughThis year, seven of the 13 qualifying professional categories were elected by the Academy’s membership. In addition to those elected, director-at-large positions have been appointed by Chairman Ben Vaughn, President Duane Clark and Vice President Ed Warm. Directors are elected from each category based on the number of members in that category. Each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year.
Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include:
Newly appointed director-at-large members of the Board of Directors include:
Weekly Chart Report (10/13/17)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Russell Dickerson Sells Out Nashville Album Release Show
/by Haley CrowPhoto: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Russell Dickerson
Just two days before his debut album Yours is released on Triple Tigers Records, rising country star Russell Dickerson kicked off his street week with a sold-out show in his hometown of Nashville.
Dickerson celebrated with an album release party at neighboring bar Hurry Back, before fans packed Exit/In Wednesday night (Oct. 11) for his album release show.
During the industry pre-party, Dickerson was presented with an RIAA Gold plaque for his hit single, “Yours,” which he co-wrote with Parker Welling and producer Casey Brown.
Pictured (L-R): Dennis Entertainment’s John Dennis, Triple Tigers Records GM Norbert Nix, Russell Dickerson, Triple Tigers Records SVP Promotion Kevin Herring. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Russell Dickerson
Artist Hannah Ellis opened the show before joining the crowd for Dickerson’s performance of fan favorites including “Billions” and streaming hit “Blue Tacoma.”
“This is something I’ve dreamed of doing since I started playing guitar at sixteen. I’ve always dreamed of writing songs,” Dickerson told his fans. “I grew up in Nashville and always went to every show at Rocketown and wanted to be that guy on the stage. Y’all are making it happen.”
After leaving the stage, screaming fans cheered Dickerson back on for an encore performance of the title track “Yours” to close out the show.
Fans lined up around the block for the sold-out show at Exit/In. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Russell Dickerson
Fans can pre-order Yours here to immediately receive six songs of the album, and the album in its entirety will be out this Friday, Oct. 13.
Yours Track Listing:
1. Every Little Thing
2. Yours
3. Blue Tacoma
4. Billions
5. All Fall Down
6. Float
7. MGNO
8. Would You Love Me
9. Low Key
10. You Look Like a Love Song
11. twentysomething
12. Yours (Wedding Edition)