Sam Hunt
Several Nashville artists are nominated for honors at the upcoming 2016 Billboard Music Awards, set to take place in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on May 22, and air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sam Hunt has four nominations, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Album (for Montevallo), and two entries in the Top Country Song category, with “Take Your Time” and “Break Up In A Small Town.”
The Top Country Artist and Top Country Album categories mirror each other this year, with Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood earning the nominations in both categories.
Additional finalists for the Top Country Song category include Little Big Town‘s “Girl Crush,” Thomas Rhett‘s “Die A Happy Man” and Chris Young‘s “I’m Comin’ Over.”
The Top Christian Artist finalists include Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle, Hillsong United, MercyMe, and Chris Tomlin, while Top Gospel Artist finalists include Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Tasha Cobbs, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene and Marvin Sapp.
Country duo Joey+Rory‘s Hymns That Are Important To Us was also nominated in the Top Christian Album category.
The Weeknd has the biggest showing among the finalists, with 19 nominations in 16 categories. Justin Bieber follows with 12 nominations in 11 categories. Drake and Fetty Wap are both finalists 11 times, in 10 categories. Taylor Swift and Adele are both finalists for eight awards.
2016 Billboard Music Awards Nominations:
Top Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Fetty Wap
OMI
Charlie Puth
Silentó
Bryson Tiller
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group:
Maroon 5
One Direction
twenty one pilots
The Rolling Stones
U2
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Ellie Goulding
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Silentó
The Weeknd
Top Social Media Artist:
Justin Bieber
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist:
Madonna
One Direction
The Rolling Stones
Taylor Swift
U2
Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Jeremih
Rihanna
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
Wiz Khalifa
Silentó
Top Country Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Top Rock Artist:
Fall Out Boy
Elle King
twenty one pilots
Walk the Moon
X Ambassadors
Top Latin Artist:
Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga
Juan Gabriel
Nicky Jam
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
DJ Snake
David Guetta
Major Lazer
Zedd
Top Christian Artist:
Casting Crowns
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong United
MercyMe
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy
Tasha Cobbs
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Marvin Sapp
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Adele, 25
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Ed Sheeran, x
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Soundtrack:
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
Pitch Perfect 2
Top R&B Album:
Chris Brown, Royalty
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
Tyrese, Black Rose
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Rap Album:
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Dr. Dre, Compton
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly
Meek Mill, Dreams Worth More Than Money
Top Country Album:
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Top Rock Album:
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
David Bowie, Blackstar
Coldplay, A Head Full Of Dreams
Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
twenty one pilots, Blurryface
Top Latin Album:
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Juan Gabriel, Mis Número 1…40 Aniversario
Mana, Cama Incendiada
Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Romeo Santos, Formula, Vol. 2
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
David Guetta, Listen
Major Lazer, Peace Is The Mission
ODESZA, In Return
Skrillex & Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
Zedd, True Colors
Top Christian Album:
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be
Hillsong UNITED, Empires
Joey + Rory, Hymns That Are Important To Us
TobyMac, This Is Not A Test
Chris Tomlin, Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship
Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Everyday Jesus
Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion
Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two
Marvin Sapp, You Shall Live
Top Hot 100 Song:
Adele, “Hello”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Selling Song:
Adele, “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
OMI, “Cheerleader”
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Radio Song:
Adele “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Silentó, “Watch Me”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top R&B Song:
Alessia Cara “Here”
Omarion Featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko, “Post To Be”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Rap Song:
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Fetty Wap, “679” feat. Remy Boyz
Silentó, “Watch Me”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Top Country Song:
Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”
Top Rock Song:
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Elle King, “Ex’s & Oh’s”
twenty one pilots, “Stressed Out”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”
X Ambassadors, “Renegades”
Top Latin Song:
J Balvin “Ginza”
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdon”
Maluma, “Borro Cassette”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring ROZES, “Roses”
DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge, “You Know You Like It”
David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack, “Hey Mama”
Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, “Lean On”
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber
Top Christian Song:
Hillsong UNITED, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
Hillsong UNITED, “Touch The Sky”
MercyMe, “Flawless”
NEEDTOBREATHE Featuring Gavin DeGraw, “Brother”
Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father”
Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy, “Worth”
Erica Campbell feat. Big Shizz, “I Luh God”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?”
Travis Greene, “Intentional”
Brian Courtney Wilson, “Worth Fighting For”
Artist Updates: Jason Aldean, Lionel Richie, William Michael Morgan
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean Teams With Outlaw Energy Drink
Jason Aldean has formed an exclusive partnership with Outlaw Energy Drink. The promotion will include exclusive backstage experiences on tour and interactive online opportunities. First available in Southern California and Nevada, the energy drink line is expanding to Northern California, Oregon, Washington and other points throughout the West in 2016. Outlaw Energy Drink comes in five flavors: Original, Passion, Fruit Punch, Fresh Zero and Tropical Zero.
Lionel Richie To Be Honored With Johnny Mercer Award
Lionel Richie. Photo: Alan Silfen
Lionel Richie will be the 2016 recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award from The Songwriters Hall of Fame at the 47th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 9 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, is exclusively reserved for a songwriter or songwriting team who has already been inducted in a prior year, and whose body of work is of such high quality and impact, that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer. Lionel Richie was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.
William Michael Morgan Welcomes Daughter
William Michael Morgan
Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville artist William Michael Morgan has welcomed daughter Presley Morgan, born March 23 and weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz.
“I am so excited to be a dad! I can’t wait to experience all the joys of being a father, like seeing my baby girl grow, crawl, walk, hearing her call me ‘Daddy’ for the first time, starting school, and so much more,” said Morgan. “Her mother and I look forward to providing Presley with a loving and nurturing environment so that all of her dreams and desires can come true. Children are the promise of our future and of God’s love. Presley is truly a blessing from God!”
SOLID Bowling Event Raises $29,000 For Big Brothers Big Sisters
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Sarah Beatty, Director of Events and Communications, BBBSMT; Carlyle Carroll, CEO, BBBSMT; SOLID’s Ben Boyd, Courtney Kruckeberg, John Huelsman, Basak Kizilisik, Eric Wright and Rachel Cunningham, Chris Buerck, Development & Communications Specialist, BBBSMT; Shelby Huggins, Development and Events Specialist, BBBSMT
SOLID, Nashville’s diverse group of music industry professionals, raised more than $29,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT) through the fifth annual Music Row Madness—Bowl for Kids’ Sake on March 31.
SOLID added more than $3,000 to 2015’s contribution total. SOLID has raised more than $167,000 for BBBSMT to date with its Music Row Madness.
A total of 23 music-industry teams sign up for the Bowl For Kids’ sake bowling event at the Donelson Plaza Strike and Spare. Sign-up fees from all teams went straight to BBBSMT’s effort to mentor local youth.
APA, CAA, Carvana and Dickinson Wright were the big Bowling Partners of the night, making considerable donations to the cause. Other sponsors included: Beck Oral Surgery, FBMM, Grand Ole Opry, Loeb & Loeb, Sound Emporium Studios and Vector Management.
SOLID also held a raffle and silent auction at the bowling alley, offering items donated by local businesses such as the M Street group, City Winery, Hatch Show Print and more. Concert tickets, merchandise and vouchers for experiences around town were among the prizes up for grabs.
Simultaneously, BBBSMT was able to raise funds through its Charity Buzz online auction that ran until April 7. Thanks to donations from Gruhn Guitars, Iconic Entertainment Group, Morris Higham Management and Red Light Management, the auction included much-desired items such as meet & greet passes and tickets for Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini and Jake Owen; a guitar signed by Ballerini; a guitar signed by Grand Ole Opry members and Gruhn Guitars merchandise.
All proceeds from the event, raffle, silent auction and online bidding directly benefit BBBSMT.
Jill Napier Joins Legacy Law Group
/by Craig_ShelburneJill Napier
Legacy Law Group, P.C. has announced the hiring of Jill Napier as Operations Case Manager, Client Services Director.
Napier oversees the management of the Brentwood office. She will be an extension of the client’s business team and continue to build strong rapport with clients through managing relationships, contract adherence, expectation setting and status communications.
In April 2015, Napier joined Zavitson Music Group as VP/GM of MusicPubWorks. Prior to that, she served as Director of Music Services, Founder and President of the Nashville chapter of the AIMP; Exec. VP, Big Loud Bucks; and VP, Business Affairs at Ten Ten Music Group.
‘We are a very tight, very focused group in Brentwood,” said James (Jay) M. Adcox III, Owner/Counselor and Attorney at Law of Legacy Law Group, P.C. “Jill’s legal experience and business sense fit right in, and it’s my pleasure to have her on board. She is poised to become a great asset to our team and clientele.”
Founded in 2009, Legacy Law Group, P.C. practices estate planning, probate and trust, asset protection and elder law.
Her new contact information is:
Jill Napier
Legacy Law Group, P.C.
216 Centerview Drive, Ste. 140
Brentwood, TN 37027
Office: 615-933-7636
Fax: 615-933-7639
jill@legacylawtn.com
Vanderbilt Professor Creates Online Course About Music Industry
/by Craig_ShelburneJen Gunderman
A new online open course will give music fans the opportunity to learn from Jen Gunderman, a veteran Nashville musician and Vanderbilt Blair School of Music professor, about the music industry in the United States.
The course, titled Understanding the Music Business: What Is Music Worth?, is offered through the Coursera platform. All course content is free and open to the public. In addition, the on-demand format allows learners to sample any or all of the material, in any order they wish, on their on time schedule.
Drawing from her extensive experience as a recording and touring musician, Gunderman created and produced the course to provide a broad outline of the various segments of the music industry, which have been evolving quickly during the digital age, and to encourage learners to think critically and entrepreneurially about these changes.
“My whole motivation was to offer free information to musicians and music fans, and to spark discussion about the way that music is valued in the digital age,” she said.
With the help of the Vanderbilt Institute for Digital Learning, Gunderman filmed both traditional lectures and 12 on-location segments featuring interviews with educators, the Nashville musicians’ union president, and entrepreneurs including recording studio and club owners, a radio station owner, an artist services company president, a production/tour manager, and a performing rights organization executive.
Additional highlights from the location shoots include a new cylinder recording created on an original 19th-century mechanical (non-electric) Edison machine, and a behind the scenes look at the home studio recording session for the course theme song titled “What’s It Worth?”, which she composed specifically for the project.
Participants will grapple with questions about art and commerce which are both timeless and crucially important today, and will emerge from this course with tools allowing them to make more informed decisions as creators, promoters, and consumers of music.
Gunderman divides her time between teaching, performing, and recording. She is Assistant Professor of Musicology at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School Of Music, specializing in American popular music history courses, but she is also an active studio session musician and producer, and she plays keyboards and sings regularly with several groups based in Nashville, most often with Sheryl Crow.
Little Big Town Surprised With Double-Platinum Plaque For “Girl Crush”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): LBT’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, RIAA EVP Public Policy & Industry Relations Michele Ballantyne, LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: Becky Fluke
Little Big Town received a surprise visit from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) prior to a performance at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena Friday night (April 8). Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet were presented with an RIAA double-platinum certification plaque celebrating their hit, “Girl Crush.”
“Girl Crush,” written by Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, won two CMA Awards (Single of the Year and Song of the Year), was nominated for Grammy Song of the Year and earned the distinction of Grammy Best Country Song. The group also took home a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the record-breaking tune.
“Girl Crush,” the second single off Little Big Town’s gold-selling sixth studio album Pain Killer (Capitol Records Nashville), remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 13 consecutive weeks, setting the longest run in the top spot for a group since 1959.
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Jumps To No. 2 On Overall Albums Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
After winning numerous honors during last week’s ACM Awards, Chris Stapleton lands at No. 2 on the overall albums rankings, with Traveller selling 73K/59K album only (a 149 percent increase).
The jump is enough to put him on the top of the country albums rankings this week as well, followed by Joey+Rory‘s Hymns That Are Important To Us (21K), Carrie Underwood‘s Storyteller (9.5K), Sam Hunt‘s Montevallo (7.7K), and Thomas Rhett‘s Untangled (7.3K).
Other performers and winners saw increases after the awards show as well, including Little Big Town (72 percent increase), Kelsea Ballerini (58 percent increase), and Eric Church (56 percent). Underwood and Rhett were also performers during the ACMs. Joey + Rory’s The Album Collection, a Walmart exclusive that comprises their first three album releases on Sugar Hill Records, debuts at No. 10 (4.1K) on the country albums chart.
Merle Haggard
The passing of country legend Merle Haggard last week spurred album sales. Haggard holds the top two spots on the country album catalog rankings, with 20 Greatest Hits selling 5.6K and 40 Greatest Hits selling 4.2K. A total of four Haggard albums make the top 10 in the country catalog rankings, with Essential Merle Haggard and 40 No. 1 Hits also making the Top 10.
Kanye West‘s Life of Pablo takes the top spot in the overall albums chart with 94K units (28K album only).
Overall album sales are down 17.1 percent, while overall digital album sales are down 24.1 percent. Country album sales are down 4.1 percent, while overall country digital album sales are down 11.9 percent.
Jason Aldean. Photo: Jim Wright
Newly-crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean‘s latest track, “Lights Come On,” leads the country digital tracks rankings, debuting at No. 1 with 70K. Tim McGraw‘s “Humble and Kind” is at No. 2 with 64K, followed by Blake Shelton‘s “Came Here to Forget” (44K), Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere On A Beach” (40K), and Thomas Rhett‘s “Die A Happy Man” (40K).
Meanwhile, Haggard has eight songs on the country digital tracks chart this week.
The overall tracks rankings finds Lukas Graham‘s “7 Years” at the top spot, with 127K. The track has sold over 1 million RTD.
Overall tracks sales are down 25.1 percent YTD, while country tracks sales are down 19.6 percent YTD.
Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.
‘Nashville Scene’ Editor Jim Ridley Dies At 50
/by Jessica NicholsonJim Ridley
Nashville Scene editor Jim Ridley, who began his career at the alternative weekly in 1989, died Friday (April 8) at age 50.
According to an obituary on the weekly’s website, Ridley suffered a cardiac event on March 28, and never regained consciousness.
Ridley’s journalism career began at age 13, when he contributed book reviews to The Tennessean. In 1989, he joined Nashville Scene as a film review contributor and in 2009, he took the helm of the Scene as editor, when SouthComm purchased the paper from Village Voice Media.
Ridley’s talent earned first place honors in arts criticism from the Association for Alternative Newsmedia in 2006 and 2010. Under his leadership, the Nashville Scene won 40 AAN awards.
For a full obit and remembrance, visit nashvillescene.com.
Services were held Saturday, April 16, at Woodfin Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro. A GoFundMe account was set up to cover medical expenses, funeral expenses and to support his family.
Tin Pan South 2016: Night 4
/by Craig_ShelburneMarti Frederickson at The Country. Photo: Jason Delkou Photography
Some of Nashville’s top songwriters serenaded sold-out crowds at Tin Pan South shows at 10 different venues across Nashville on Friday night (April 8).
The “One Stop Shop for Nashville Pop” show at the Blue Bar featured Sammy Arriaga, Tyler Filmore, Sebastian Garcia and Steve Means. Kip Moore, Brett James, Caitlyn Smith and Justin Weaver delighted a packed Bluebird Café late show, and the same could be said for the late show at The Country with Kim McLean, Alyssa Micaela, Liz Rose and Emily Shackelton.
The line to see Naima Adedapo, Cassidy Lynn Alexander, Whitney Duncan, Clay Mills, Anthony Smith and special guests at the Commodore Grille early show was cut off before showtime due to an overflow crowd. Ella Mae Bowen, Marcus Hummon, Autumn McEntire, Chris Roberts and Scott Stevens packed the Douglas Corner early show, as did Tommy Lee James, Ryan Lafferty, Jon Randall and others at the Station Inn late show.
Meanwhile, the lineup at 3rd & Lindsley included Bobby Bones, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, Travis Meadows, Lee Thomas Miller and Angaleena Presley, among others.
Pictured: Bobby Bones (red hat) leads the late round at 3rd & Lindsley with Ashley Gorley, Chris DeStefano and Lee Thomas Miller
Photo Credit: Jason Delkou Photography
Chris DeStefano. Photo: Jason Delkou Photography
Travis Meadows. Photo: Libby Oellerich
Angaleena Presley. Photo: Libby Oellerich
Carrie Underwood To Join Keith Urban On Tour In Australia
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood
While most artists will be winding down their tours in December, Carrie Underwood will ramp up with six newly-added tour dates in Australia. Underwood will join Keith Urban on the Australian leg of his Ripcord World Tour 2016.
The trek will be Underwood’s third trip Down Under, following an album promotional tour in 2011, and in 2012, when she brought her Blown Away Tour to Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.
This time, Underwood and Urban will visit Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and wrap with two shows in Brisbane.
Underwood is touring throughout 2016 on The Storyteller Tour—Stories In The Round, which will wrap its U.S. dates on Nov. 28 in West Valley City, Utah.
Ripcord World Tour 2016 Australia Tour Dates:
Tues., Dec. 6, Adelaide – Entertainment Centre
Thurs., Dec. 8, Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena
Sat., Dec. 10, Canberra – GIO Stadium
Mon., Dec. 12, Sydney – Allphones Arena
Fri., Dec. 16, Brisbane – Entertainment Centre
Sat., Dec. 17, Brisbane – Entertainment Centre
Sam Hunt Leads Country Finalists For Billboard Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Hunt
Several Nashville artists are nominated for honors at the upcoming 2016 Billboard Music Awards, set to take place in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on May 22, and air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sam Hunt has four nominations, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Album (for Montevallo), and two entries in the Top Country Song category, with “Take Your Time” and “Break Up In A Small Town.”
The Top Country Artist and Top Country Album categories mirror each other this year, with Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood earning the nominations in both categories.
Additional finalists for the Top Country Song category include Little Big Town‘s “Girl Crush,” Thomas Rhett‘s “Die A Happy Man” and Chris Young‘s “I’m Comin’ Over.”
The Top Christian Artist finalists include Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle, Hillsong United, MercyMe, and Chris Tomlin, while Top Gospel Artist finalists include Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Tasha Cobbs, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene and Marvin Sapp.
Country duo Joey+Rory‘s Hymns That Are Important To Us was also nominated in the Top Christian Album category.
The Weeknd has the biggest showing among the finalists, with 19 nominations in 16 categories. Justin Bieber follows with 12 nominations in 11 categories. Drake and Fetty Wap are both finalists 11 times, in 10 categories. Taylor Swift and Adele are both finalists for eight awards.
2016 Billboard Music Awards Nominations:
Top Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Fetty Wap
OMI
Charlie Puth
Silentó
Bryson Tiller
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Ed Sheeran
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group:
Maroon 5
One Direction
twenty one pilots
The Rolling Stones
U2
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Ellie Goulding
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Fetty Wap
Silentó
The Weeknd
Top Social Media Artist:
Justin Bieber
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Touring Artist:
Madonna
One Direction
The Rolling Stones
Taylor Swift
U2
Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Jeremih
Rihanna
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Fetty Wap
Future
Wiz Khalifa
Silentó
Top Country Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Top Rock Artist:
Fall Out Boy
Elle King
twenty one pilots
Walk the Moon
X Ambassadors
Top Latin Artist:
Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga
Juan Gabriel
Nicky Jam
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
DJ Snake
David Guetta
Major Lazer
Zedd
Top Christian Artist:
Casting Crowns
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong United
MercyMe
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy
Tasha Cobbs
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Marvin Sapp
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Adele, 25
Justin Bieber, Purpose
Ed Sheeran, x
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Soundtrack:
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
Pitch Perfect 2
Top R&B Album:
Chris Brown, Royalty
Rihanna, Anti
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
Tyrese, Black Rose
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness
Top Rap Album:
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Dr. Dre, Compton
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly
Meek Mill, Dreams Worth More Than Money
Top Country Album:
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Top Rock Album:
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
David Bowie, Blackstar
Coldplay, A Head Full Of Dreams
Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
twenty one pilots, Blurryface
Top Latin Album:
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Juan Gabriel, Mis Número 1…40 Aniversario
Mana, Cama Incendiada
Gerardo Ortiz, Hoy Más Fuerte
Romeo Santos, Formula, Vol. 2
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
David Guetta, Listen
Major Lazer, Peace Is The Mission
ODESZA, In Return
Skrillex & Diplo, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
Zedd, True Colors
Top Christian Album:
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be
Hillsong UNITED, Empires
Joey + Rory, Hymns That Are Important To Us
TobyMac, This Is Not A Test
Chris Tomlin, Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship
Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Everyday Jesus
Tasha Cobbs, One Place Live
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion
Jonathan McReynolds, Life Music: Stage Two
Marvin Sapp, You Shall Live
Top Hot 100 Song:
Adele, “Hello”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Selling Song:
Adele, “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
OMI, “Cheerleader”
Rachel Platten, “Fight Song”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Radio Song:
Adele “Hello”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Justin Bieber, “Sorry”
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Silentó, “Watch Me”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top R&B Song:
Alessia Cara “Here”
Omarion Featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko, “Post To Be”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”
The Weeknd, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”
The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Top Rap Song:
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Fetty Wap, “679” feat. Remy Boyz
Silentó, “Watch Me”
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Top Country Song:
Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town”
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”
Top Rock Song:
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Elle King, “Ex’s & Oh’s”
twenty one pilots, “Stressed Out”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up And Dance”
X Ambassadors, “Renegades”
Top Latin Song:
J Balvin “Ginza”
Ariel Camacho y Los Plebes del Rancho, “Te Metiste”
Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, “El Perdon”
Maluma, “Borro Cassette”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring ROZES, “Roses”
DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge, “You Know You Like It”
David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack, “Hey Mama”
Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, “Lean On”
Skrillex & Diplo, “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber
Top Christian Song:
Hillsong UNITED, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
Hillsong UNITED, “Touch The Sky”
MercyMe, “Flawless”
NEEDTOBREATHE Featuring Gavin DeGraw, “Brother”
Chris Tomlin, “Good Good Father”
Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy, “Worth”
Erica Campbell feat. Big Shizz, “I Luh God”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy?”
Travis Greene, “Intentional”
Brian Courtney Wilson, “Worth Fighting For”