Pictured (L-R, front row): Dennis Matkosky (Relative), Hardy, Jameson Rodgers and Jesse Matkosky (Relative); (L-R, back row): Rusty Gaston (SMP), Kenley Flynn (SMP), JP Durant (Redlight Mgmt) and Caroline Bouldin (Relative). Photo: Amy Allmand
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Jameson Rodgers has signed a global publishing agreement Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Relative Music Group.
As a recording artist, Rodgers has achieved back-to-back, Platinum chart-toppers with “Some Girls” and “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” The MusicRow Discovery Artist of the Year winner and iHeartRadio Music Awards nominee has opened for the likes of Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan and many more.
As a songwriter, he has penned numerous chart-topping hits for talent including Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out of It” and Chris Lane’s No. 1 hit “I Don’t Know About You,” as well as cuts for Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis and more.
“Jameson Rodgers is as authentic and consistent as they come – he’s a true songwriter and artist that shows up every day to write the stories he knows. We are so happy to partner with Michael and Relative Music Group with Jameson to move into the next chapter of Jameson’s long and bright future,” says Kenley Flynn, Vice President, Creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
Hardy, Partner at Relative Music Group, adds, “I have been a Jameson Rodgers fan for a long time and it’s an added bonus that he is a good friend of mine. I have been a champion of his songs for nearly 10 years and I truly think he is one of Nashville’s great songwriters. He always comes prepared. He’s a hard worker and he is a standup guy. I am honored to have him on the relative team and can’t wait to see what he brings to the table over these next few years.”
“Joining forces with Relative and Sony feels like the right next step for me,” shares Rodgers, who recently unveiled his new, independent EP entitled JAMO. “I am grateful for where I’ve come from and I’m looking forward to where this new partnership takes me. I’ve never been more inspired to write songs and teaming up with my old friend, Hardy, is going to be fun. I’ve had a front row seat in watching him become one of the best songwriters this town has seen so it was a no brainer to jump on his team.”
He adds, “I’ve known Kenley Flynn for a long time and have a lot of respect for his work ethic and passion, so I’m excited to get to work with him again, along with everyone else on the Sony Music Publishing team. I’m also really excited to team up with Jesse, Caroline, Ali and Dennis at Relative. I love their passion for songs and songwriters. Good things ahead!”
MusicRow Reveals 2025 CountryBreakout Award Winners
/by MusicRow StaffFor 23 years, MusicRow has celebrated country music’s success at radio in secondary markets with its annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards.
Based on spins on the secondary market stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart panel each week, winners in eight categories are awarded. These artists and industry professionals wrote, recorded and promoted the music that played across small town America throughout 2024.
Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Dan + Shay, Zach Top, Drew Baldridge and Big Machine Label Group prevail at this year’s CountryBreakout Awards for garnering the most spins in their own respective categories. Hit songwriters Ashley Gorley and Charlie Handsome, as well as MusicRow Radio Chart reporter Dani Holland are also victors for their esteemed skills.
Morgan Wallen is the winner for Male Artist of the Year for the third year in a row, while Lainey Wilson takes home her second win for Female Artist of the Year. Dan + Shay notch their third win in the Group/Duo of the Year category.
The Breakout Artist of the Year honor is given to a new artist whose first single or album was released in 2024, and earned the most spins on stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Zach Top takes this year’s Breakout Artist of the Year distinction.
The Independent Artist of the Year award honors a top independent artist, based on the number of spins earned on stations that report to the chart, as well as factors including label size, distribution model and promotion staff. Drew Baldridge takes home the honor this year for the first time for his independent work with “Somebody’s Daughter.”
For the first time, Big Machine Label Group earns the Label Group of the Year honor, with its artists earning the most spins of any label imprint on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2024.
Songwriting juggernaut Ashley Gorley takes home his seventh Songwriter of the Year honor for penning the most No. 1 songs on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2024. This year, Gorley tied with Charlie Handsome for the honor, his first time taking home the win.
This year’s Reporter of the Year goes to Dani Holland (WALS). This honor is an editorial decision that recognizes a MusicRow station panelist that best epitomizes the spirit of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
The winners of MusicRow‘s 23rd annual CountryBreakout Awards are highlighted in this week’s MusicRow Weekly newsletter, containing the digital Country Radio & Streaming issue. Click here to view.
Chris Tomlin Adds Executive Producer Stripes On New Film ‘The Last Supper’
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein
Chris Tomlin is an Executive Producer on the upcoming new film The Last Supper, due out March 14 from Pinnacle Peak Pictures and producer Michael Scott.
The film marks Tomlin’s first foray into theatrical filmmaking, and is a depiction of the ultimate act of divine love and sacrifice, told through the eyes of those who walked alongside Jesus Christ. The deeply intimate film unveils untold perspectives, shedding new light on the profound Biblical truths that shaped salvation history. In just a few weeks, the film’s teaser trailer has garnered over 35 million views.
“I have always said that worship is more about seeing than singing and years ago, I was leading worship in Israel and that understanding was deeply reinforced,” says Tomlin. “While standing in the place and seeing where Jesus gave His life, I was profoundly moved, reflecting on His final moments on Earth. That experience was a marking moment in my life. In watching The Last Supper film I have had that same spiritual encounter. My prayer is that this film will meet people where they are and make a deep and eternal impact on their lives.”
Hailed by TIME Magazine as the “most often sung artist in the world,” Tomlin’s global impact includes 21 No. 1 singles, 30 top 10 hits (the most of any Christian artist), and over 7 billion streams. With a career-spanning decades, he has spent more than 158 weeks at No. 1 on radio, solidifying his place as a defining voice in Christian music. He also holds the distinction of being the first Christian artist to reach 1 billion streams on Pandora, earning the platform’s prestigious Billionaire award.
Dylan Scott Reaches No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeDylan Scott jumps to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with his track “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.”
The song is part of his second studio album Livin’ My Best Life and was written by Scott, John Byron, Charlie Handsome, Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips.
Scott will hit the road this spring on his headling “Country Till I Die Tour.” This 17-city trek includes stops in major markets like New York City and Toronto and will see Scott joined by special guests George Birge, Dasha and Graham Barham.
“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” currently sits at No. 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 8 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Patsy Cline ‘Lost Recordings’ Collection To Be Released On Record Store Day
/by Lorie HollabaughA treasure trove of unreleased material from Patsy Cline will be released on Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963), a revelatory new collection from Elemental Music/Deep Digs due out on Record Store Day (April 12).
The limited edition two-LP set, produced in association with the Patsy Cline Estate, features 48 unissued tracks, all faithfully transferred, mastered and released for the first time. They cover the full breadth of the singer’s artistry, from her first days as a professional musician with Bill Peer & the Melody Boys and Girls in the early ‘50s to the peak of her popularity, just weeks before she tragically died at the age of 30 in a plane crash.
Drawn from radio broadcasts, TV shows, and demos, the meticulously restored performances cast a fresh spotlight on Cline’s powerful voice in an intimate, unadorned way. Alternate versions of Cline’s chart-topping crossover hits “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” and “She’s Got You” are included, and she duets with such fellow country stars as Cowboy Copas (who died in the same crash that took Cline’s life), Ferlin Husky, Red Foley, Bobby Lord, Ernest Tubb, and Lonzo & Oscar.
Co-produced by award-winning archival producer Zev Feldman, Cline discographer and authority George E. Hewitt and sound restoration engineer Dylan Utz, Patsy Cline – Imagine That features a detailed track-by-track discography; a historical note by author/writer Martin Melhuish; reflections on Cline’s art by musicians k.d. lang, Marty Stuart, Ray Benson, and more. The two-LP set will also be released as two CDs and digital download on April 18.
CMHOFM To Feature Natalie Hemby In Next ‘Poets And Prophets’ Interview Series
/by John Nix ArledgeThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will honor songwriter Natalie Hemby in the next installment of its interview series “Poets and Prophets.” The series, focusing on songwriters who have made a significant impact on country music, will take place on March 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.
The Bloomington, Illinois native, raised in Nashville, signed her first publishing deal at age 19 and has made a significant mark on the music industry. Hemby has cataloged hundreds of songs, including Labrinth’s “Jealous,” Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again” and “Always Remember Us This Way,” both from the 2018 film A Star Is Born, Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” and “Tornado,” Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic,” “Bluebird” and “White Liar,” Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need a Drink” and Kacey Musgraves’s “Rainbow.”
She independently released her first studio album, Puxico, in 2017 and joined Fantasy Records to release her second album, Pins and Needles in 2021. She is a member of the supergroup the “Highwomen” along with Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires and won her second Grammy for co-wirting their song “Crowded Table.” She has also received ACM and NSAI Song of the Year awards for “Automatic.”
“Poets and Prophets” will be moderated by museum writer-editor Allison Moorer and will be complete with photos, film and recordings.
The program is included with museum admission and free to members. A full list of previous Pets and Prophets honorees and videos of previous interviews are available on the museum’s website.
Shania Twain, Tyler Hubbard & Lainey Wilson To Headline Cavendish Beach Festival
/by Madison HahnenShania Twain, Tyler Hubbard and Lainey Wilson.
Shania Twain, Tyler Hubbard and Lainey Wilson will headline the annual Cavendish Beach Music Festival, taking place July 10-12 in Cavendish, PEI, Canada.
“We are so thrilled to unveil the complete lineup for this year’s Bell Main Stage performances,” shares Ben Murphy, CEO of Whitecap Entertainment. “As we head into CBMF’s 16th year, we’re looking forward to welcoming CBMF alumni back to Cavendish, while bringing new, remarkable talent to the festival stage for the first time. Knowing our fans and the hospitality of the island, this certainly won’t be their last!”
Thursday (July 10) will showcase performances from The Wild Palominos, Tony Stevens, Sacha, Bryan Martin and Josh Ross, before culminating with a performance by Twain.
Amanda Rheaume will keep the weekend rolling on Friday (July 11), joined by Nate Haller, Adrien Nunez, Meghan Patrick and Stephen Wilson Jr. before Hubbard closes out the evening.
Justin Fancy will kick off the final day (July 12), followed by Abby Anderson, Tim & The Glory Boys, Bayker Blankenship and Wyatt Flores. The weekend will conclude with Wilson, marking her first-ever appearance in Atlantic Canada.
Tickets for the three day festival are available now.
Tyler Childers & Sturgill Simpson To Headline FairWell Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson are the headliners for the third annual FairWell Festival set for July 18-19 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon.
The festival will feature over 30 artists across three stages with additional performances from Sierra Ferrell, Dwight Yoakam, Koe Wetzel, Cody Jinks, Flatland Cavalry, Ludacris, Tanya Tucker, Treaty Oak Revival, Wyatt Flores, Charles Wesley Godwin and more for the ultimate country music celebration in the High Desert of Central Oregon.
The full lineup with performances by-day can be found at fairwellfestival.com, and presale tickets for Central Oregon residents are available now followed by the public on sale tomorrow (Feb. 14).
Alexandra Kay Signs With BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Peter Strickland (BMG), Katie Kerkhover (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG), Alexandra Kay, Beth Keith (Sound Talent Group), Nick Simmonds (Whole Brain Digital) and Quinn Bauducco (BMG)
Alexandra Kay has signed with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
With over 8.5 million social media followers, Kay, who starred on Netflix’s series Westside, dropped her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, in 2023. The project reached No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts globally and earned her a spot in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker charts, independently.
Kay wrapped 2024 with breakout releases and a packed tour schedule on the road performing on Jelly Roll’s sold-out “Beautifully Broken Arena Tour.” She also landed a track on Twisters: The Album soundtrack, has sold over 80,000 tickets as an independent headlining artist and is one of the top-selling artists on TikTok Shop for music.
Currently in the studio readying her debut project for BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Kay is set to release her catchy, spunky uptempo new sing-along “Cupid’s A Cowgirl” on Feb. 21. She’ll embark on her headlining U.S. and Canadian “Cupid’s A Cowgirl Tour” on Feb. 23 in Jacksonville, Florida.
“Having known Alexandra for a number of years, I came away from every interaction impressed not only with her talent, passion and work ethic, but also her strategic mind and determination to build a career not for a moment, but for a lifetime; a career anchored in the strong bond she is building with audiences around the world,” says says Jon Loba, President, Frontline Recordings, Americas, BMG. “It felt much like when I was first getting to know Jelly Roll. So, it was ironic when, completely separate from me, he saw the same qualities and invited her to tour with him last year. We are so excited to welcome Alexandra to the BMG family and look forward to continuing to help her build that lifetime career.”
Jameson Rodgers Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville & Relative Music Group
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, front row): Dennis Matkosky (Relative), Hardy, Jameson Rodgers and Jesse Matkosky (Relative); (L-R, back row): Rusty Gaston (SMP), Kenley Flynn (SMP), JP Durant (Redlight Mgmt) and Caroline Bouldin (Relative). Photo: Amy Allmand
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Jameson Rodgers has signed a global publishing agreement Sony Music Publishing Nashville, in partnership with Relative Music Group.
As a recording artist, Rodgers has achieved back-to-back, Platinum chart-toppers with “Some Girls” and “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” The MusicRow Discovery Artist of the Year winner and iHeartRadio Music Awards nominee has opened for the likes of Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan and many more.
As a songwriter, he has penned numerous chart-topping hits for talent including Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out of It” and Chris Lane’s No. 1 hit “I Don’t Know About You,” as well as cuts for Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis and more.
“Jameson Rodgers is as authentic and consistent as they come – he’s a true songwriter and artist that shows up every day to write the stories he knows. We are so happy to partner with Michael and Relative Music Group with Jameson to move into the next chapter of Jameson’s long and bright future,” says Kenley Flynn, Vice President, Creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
Hardy, Partner at Relative Music Group, adds, “I have been a Jameson Rodgers fan for a long time and it’s an added bonus that he is a good friend of mine. I have been a champion of his songs for nearly 10 years and I truly think he is one of Nashville’s great songwriters. He always comes prepared. He’s a hard worker and he is a standup guy. I am honored to have him on the relative team and can’t wait to see what he brings to the table over these next few years.”
“Joining forces with Relative and Sony feels like the right next step for me,” shares Rodgers, who recently unveiled his new, independent EP entitled JAMO. “I am grateful for where I’ve come from and I’m looking forward to where this new partnership takes me. I’ve never been more inspired to write songs and teaming up with my old friend, Hardy, is going to be fun. I’ve had a front row seat in watching him become one of the best songwriters this town has seen so it was a no brainer to jump on his team.”
He adds, “I’ve known Kenley Flynn for a long time and have a lot of respect for his work ethic and passion, so I’m excited to get to work with him again, along with everyone else on the Sony Music Publishing team. I’m also really excited to team up with Jesse, Caroline, Ali and Dennis at Relative. I love their passion for songs and songwriters. Good things ahead!”
CRS Unveils Lineup For Big Machine Label Group Luncheon
/by John Nix ArledgeCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) has revealed the performance lineup for the Big Machine Label Group Luncheon taking place in the Omni Nashville Hotel’s Broadway Ballroom at 12 p.m. on Feb. 21. This year’s talent includes Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Jackson Dean, Mackenzie Carpenter, Preston Cooper, Chase McDaniel, Greylan James, Chris Janson, Caroline Jones, Shaylen and Jack Wharff and The Tobacco Flatts.
“In what has become a CRS tradition, we’re extremely proud to present this stellar lineup,” says Scott Borchetta, Chairman & CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “This year’s showcase highlights not only superstar talent but also the best in new and rising artists.”
Advance registration for CRS 2025 is now closed. On-site registration will be available starting Feb. 19, at the rate of $799. For more information, click here.