Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Riley Green, BMI Icon Award winner Randy Owen, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and BMI’s Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Hundreds of industry members gathered at BMI’s Nashville headquarters last night (Nov. 19) for the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards.
Transforming the building’s parking garage into an extravagant ballroom, the evening was full of special celebrations and music for what BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative, Clay Bradley, called the “greatest parking lot party in country music.”
Songwriters, publishers and other industry executives swarmed the elegant room and caught up over crafted cocktails. Once guests found their seats, they were greeted with a beautiful table display of flowers, candle light and a yummy chocolate cake topped with the BMI logo.
A dinner of steak, a cheesy potato soufflé cake and sautéed vegetables was served. Wine bottles on the table were passed around, and the night was off.
Pictured (L–R): Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley and Lukas Nelson perform onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill started the program by welcoming everyone and highlighting all the work that the country music community has done for others in need over the past year. He introduced Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson and Aaron Raitiere for the night’s first bit of music, who gave an electrifying performance of “With a Little Help from My Friends” as headlines of the community’s charitable efforts flashed on the screens.
O’Neill then welcomed Bradley, and the two started handing out the awards for the 50 most-performed country songs of the previous year. Songwriters and publishers came from all directions to the stage in the middle of the room to collect their prizes and grab a group picture as the rest of the room cheered them on.
After presenting half of their most-performed song awards, O’Neill and Bradley changed gears to begin honoring the iconic Alabama frontman Randy Owen with the BMI Icon Award, an honor bestowed on songwriters who have had an indelible influence on music makers over generations.
O’Neill detailed Owen’s lasting mark on country music with the Alabama band, as well as his philanthropic impact, most notably with St. Jude. A video featuring Troy Tomlinson, Tony Conway, Kenny Chesney and Dolly Parton was played with remarks about Owen.
Warner Chappell Music accepts the Publisher of the Year award onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Fellow Alabama native Riley Green soon appeared on stage to honor the BMI Icon with a performance of “My Home’s in Alabama.” Owen wiped tears from his eyes as Green sang.
Luke Bryan performed his own rendition of “Feels So Right” and then Blake Shelton led the whole room in a sing-along of the Alabama classic, “Mountain Music,” a jam so fun that Bryan had to join him onstage.
Before BMI presented the award to Owen, they invited up his wife Kelly up to speak. She shared about the first song he played her, “Feels So Right,” and about his love of the music.
“Thank you for honoring Randy while he is living,” Kelly said. “So that his children and grandchildren can see his legacy.”
When Owen took the microphone, he first invited up bandmate Teddy Gentry and the two embraced.
“BMI, thank y’all for the call. When you said, ‘the Icon Award,’ I cried. It’s so special,” Owen shared. “Thank y’all for this night. It’s a highlight.”
Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Chase McGill and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
More BMI executives took the stage to continue giving out awards for the most-performed songs of the year until it was time to present the big honors.
The Publisher of the Year accolade went to Warner Chappell Music, which published 34 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, including megahits like Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down,” Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country,” Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously.”
BMI Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Chase McGill and Zach Bryan, who was not present. Bryan serves as a writer of “Burn, Burn, Burn,” “Dawns,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Sun to Me.” McGill co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen’s “Mamaw’s House.”
McGill spoke about the people who have supported him in his songwriting career, calling special attention to UMPG’s Terry Wakefield, who is battling health struggles but was in the room to celebrate.
Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, BMI’s Mike Steinberg, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Katie Welle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter John Byron, Big Loud’s Seth England and Stacey Blythe, BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley onstage with the 2024 BMI Country Award for Song of the Year. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
“Terry came to my house the day we started working together, about four years ago. We hung out a bit, and he asked me what my goals were as a songwriter,” McGill said. “I said, ‘I have one goal. I want to be the BMI Songwriter of the Year.’ He helped me lay out a plan and here we are.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” was named 2024 BMI Country Song of the Year, published by Big Loud Mountain, John Byron Music, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. The tune was written by John Byron and Charlie Handsome, and was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks—the most ever for a solo song.
The evening wore on with snacks, drinks and coffee in the BMI lobby. With all three PRO awards done for the year, the publishing community has a new legion of winners, and will go into the 58th CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 20) proud of the songs they’ve been a part of.
BREAKING: 2024 CMA Award Winners Revealed [Full List]
/by Liza AndersonCountry music creators and industry members came together for the 58th annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night (Nov. 20).
Morgan Wallen was awarded the night’s big honor of Entertainer of the Year. Co-host Lainey Wilson was crowned Female Vocalist of the Year, and Chris Stapleton was named Male Vocalist of the Year once again. Old Dominion scored their seventh win for Vocal Group of the Year, and Brooks & Dunn took home Vocal Duo of the Year. Stapleton’s “White Horse” rode off with the Single of the Year and Song of the Year honors, and Cody Johnson‘s Leather won Album of the Year.
Read MusicRow‘s recap of the show here.
The full list of winners is below:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Chris Stapleton
– Morgan Wallen – WINNER
– Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry
Mix Engineer: Raul Lopez
– “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
– “Watermelon Moonshine” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian
Mix Engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder
– Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
– Higher – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Leather – Cody Johnson – WINNER
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
– Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll
Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens
Mix Engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley
SONG OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
– “Burn It Down”
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
– “Dirt Cheap”
Songwriter: Josh Phillips
– “I Had Some Help”
Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
– “The Painter”
Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
– “White Horse” – WINNER
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
– Kelsea Ballerini
– Ashley McBryde
– Megan Moroney
– Kacey Musgraves
– Lainey Wilson – WINNER
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton – WINNER
– Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
– Lady A
– Little Big Town
– Old Dominion – WINNER
– The Red Clay Strays
– Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:
– Brooks & Dunn – WINNER
– Brothers Osborne
– Dan + Shay
– Maddie & Tae
– The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
– “Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan)
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
– “I Remember Everything” – Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
Producer: Zach Bryan
– “Man Made A Bar” – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
Producer: Joey Moi
– “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green) – WINNER
Producer: Will Bundy
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
– Tom Bukovac – Guitar
– Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
– Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
– Rob McNelley – Guitar
– Charlie Worsham – Guitar – WINNER
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
– “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
– “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Director: Chris Villa
– “I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Jeff Johnson, Megan Moroney
– “The Painter” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
– “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” – Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Director: Patrick Tracy
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
– Megan Moroney – WINNER
– Shaboozey
– Nate Smith
– Mitchell Tenpenny
– Zach Top
– Bailey Zimmerman
Tucker Wetmore Extends ‘Waves On A Sunset Tour’ Into 2025
/by Lorie HollabaughTucker Wetmore. Photo: Jarrod Anthonee
Tucker Wetmore has extended his “Waves On A Sunset Tour” into 2025 with 17 dates.
The new leg will kick off in Berlin on March 8 and move on to a Country To Country (C2C) Festival appearance and a special headline show at The Garage in London, before hitting the west coast with Jacob Hackworth.
“You guys sold out the entire ‘Waves On A Sunset Tour,’ and it was incredible! I’m so thankful for each of you. Seeing you out there singing along and partying with us was unforgettable—I didn’t want it to end,” shares Wetmore. “That’s why I’m excited to announce ‘Waves On A Sunset’ part two, kicking off next spring in Berlin and Europe! From there, we’re heading west to California, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and a few other stops along the way. I’m so beyond blessed. Thank you all so much. I’ll see y’all out there.”
An artist presale is taking place now until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 10 p.m. local time. Tickets will be available to the public starting this Friday (Nov. 22) at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
Rob Mills Receives 2024 CMA Founding President’s Award
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): Sarah Trahern, Luke Bryan, Rob Mills, Lainey Wilson, Peyton Manning
and Robert Deaton. Photo: Drew Noble/CMA
Walt Disney Television’s EVP, Unscripted & Alternative Entertainment Rob Mills received the 2024 CMA Founding President’s Award, created in honor of Connie B. Gay, yesterday (Nov. 19) during rehearsals for the 58th annual CMA Awards in Nashville.
This year’s CMA Awards hosts Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson joined CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and CMA Awards Executive Producer Robert Deaton to surprise Mills with the news. He has been a key voice in CMA’s long-standing relationship with ABC. Through CMA’s partnership with ABC and across a broader content landscape, including Hulu and Disney+, Mills seeks to promote the genre by aiding in creating unique and dynamic avenues to bring country music to audiences everywhere.
“The CMA Founding President’s Award, determined by our Board of Directors, celebrates individuals who have shown exceptional dedication and service to CMA,” says Trahern. “Over the past decade, Rob’s outstanding leadership has been instrumental to the growth and success of CMA’s television properties. As we look forward to our next decade of collaboration, we are grateful to have a partner who not only champions country music, but also continuously seeks innovative opportunities within the network to elevate our genre.”
The longtime television executive first joined the Alternative division in 2003, and oversees unscripted development and current production for ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, including American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor franchise, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Kardashians, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and more. He has also shepherded numerous high-profile network events.
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Honors Four At Pre-CMA Party
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Peter Strickland (BMG), Thomas Coesfeld (BMG), Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Jon Loba (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG) and Katie Kerkhover (BMG). Photo: Keith Griner
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville celebrated its roster, team, partners and fans at their 2024 Pre-CMA Awards Party last night (Nov. 19) at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. BMG’s Americas President Jon Loba led the event, celebrating career milestones for label stars Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Dustin Lynch and Parmalee.
Aldean celebrated 28 No. 1 hits at country radio, while Shelton received praise for 156 first-week radio adds for his latest single “Texas.” Lynch was honored for his 10 No. 1 country radio songs, and Parmalee were recognized for their three consecutive No. 1 singles.
Hosted by Austin & Colin, the party featured performances by Aldean, Shelton, Lynch, Parmalee, The Frontmen, Haven Madison, Dylan Schneider, Madeline Merlo, Frank Ray, John Morgan, Tim Montana, K. Michelle, Drew Baldridge, Chayce Beckham and Lanie Gardner.
Pictured (L-R): Adrian Michaels (SCR), Stan Marczewski (SCR), Parmalee’s Barry Knox, Peter Strickland (BMG), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Jon Loba (BMG), Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, Shelley Hargis (BMG), David Fanning (33 Creative), Krista Hayes (BMG), Tina Crawford (33 Creative), Regan Donato (BMG), Matt Vieira (SCR), Parmalee’s Josh McSwain and Parmalee’s Scott Thomas. Photo: Terry Wyatt for Getty
The party served as a kickoff to the CMA Awards, airing tonight (Nov. 20) on ABC, where fellow label singers and 2025 Grammy nominees Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll are both nominated for the night’s highest honor of Entertainer of the Year. Wilson is also nominated for Single of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year, while Jelly Roll boasts additional nominations for Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Lanco Slates Sophomore Album, Tour For 2025
/by Lorie HollabaughLanco will kick off the New Year with the release of their sophomore album, We’re Gonna Make It, releasing on Jan. 17 via Riser House Records.
Fans can pre-save the new album, which was produced by Jay Joyce, Jared Conrad and Lanco, beginning Nov. 22. The project features 14 tracks, including previously-released hits “Low Class Lovers” and “Sound of a Saturday Night,” along with the new song “We Grew Up Together” featuring Grammy-nominated Christian artist Cory Asbury, which will drop on Nov. 22.
“We often think our parents have it all together, but they’re just people who met each other, fell in love, and had a kid,” says Lanco lead vocalist Brandon Lancaster of the new song. “I realized in raising my own children that we’re all learning as we go. There are so many times when I’m teaching my kids a lesson, and I’m thinking about how it applies to me, too.”
The band will hit the road in support of the new music with the “We’re Gonna Make It Tour 2025,” which kicks off Feb. 27 in Minneapolis. The tour will run through March, with additional dates to be announced soon.
We’re Gonna Make It Track List:
“We’re Gonna Make It” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Ben Williams *
“Memories (We Didn’t Know)” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Craig Wiseman *
“Where I Belong” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Jason Nix *
“Low Class Lovers” – Brandon Lancaster #
“We Grew Up Together” featuring Cory Asbury – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Cory Asbury *
“Honey I Lost My Job Today” – Brandon Lancaster / Jeremy Spillman #
“You’ll Always Be” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Joey Hyde *
“Come Over” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Jared Hampton / Tripp Howell / Wyatt Durrette #
“Beer With Younger Me” – Brandon Lancaster / Jared Conrad / Keelan Donovan / Chandler Baldwin *
“Sound of a Saturday Night” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Tate Howell / Jeremy Spillman #
“Leaving Looks Good On You” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Chandler Baldwin / Tommy Cecil #
“Million Dollar Memory” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Grant Vogel #
“Last Call” – Brandon Lancaster / Mike Walker / Rian Ball #
“Nothing That You Could Do” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Seth Alley *
* Produced by Jared Conrad and LANCO
# Produced by Jay Joyce
Willie Jones Signs With Gravel Road Records
/by Madison HahnenWillie Jones. Photo: Jabari Jacobs
Country artist Willie Jones has signed with independent record label Gravel Road Records.
Recognized for his mix of country, hip-hop and soul alongside his unique voice, Jones’ tracks “Down by the Riverside” and “American Dream” have garnered over 200 million streams. The Louisiana native was also featured on Beyoncé’s “Just For Fun” earlier this year.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Willie to the Gravel Road family,” says Rich Barner, Co-Founder of Gravel Road. “With his authentic storytelling and unique sound, we believe Willie will resonate deeply with country music fans and continue to push the boundaries of the genre. Together, we’re excited to embark on this journey and create music that speaks to the heart and soul of our listeners.”
“I’ve been a Willie Jones fan for a long time, he’s a rockstar in every sense,” adds Anthony Martini, Co-Founder of Gravel Road. “He’s authentic, bold, and speaks to the next generation of country music fans. Gravel Road welcomes artists who aren’t afraid to break the mold – and Willie epitomizes that.”
“Beyond excited to partner with Gravel Road and get this music out,” shares Jones. “The past year has been one of the greatest years of my life, and now to have a team of people who believe in me and my vision who can help expand help the vibration of the world through music is truly an honor.”
Jones is currently working on his next project set to release in early 2025.
Eric Church Honors Influences At One-Night-Only SiriusXM Event
/by John Nix ArledgeEric Church performs during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Eric Church returned to the Neon Steeple stage last night (Nov. 19) at his venue, Chief’s on Broadway, for a one-night-only event with SiriusXM. The show, originally scheduled for late September, was postponed by the North Carolina native in response to the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene stating, “I’m devastated by the destruction in the mountains of western North Carolina…To all the families and first responders, you are in our prayers and we are doing everything we can to get you the help you need now.”
In the two months since the storm, Church has made good on that promise, helping raise nearly $25 million for relief efforts with “Concert For Carolina” and bringing awareness to the situation through his track “Darkest Hour.”
Eric Church performs during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
With relief efforts well underway, Church’s focus returned to music for the night as he took the stage in a packed room of SiriusXM listeners and fans. He kicked off the show by explaining to the crowd that this full-band performance would be a tribute to his musical influences, “The [stained glass] windows you see behind you are the influences of my life. So tonight, we are going to do something different and play these influences and how they relate to what we do.”
He started the night by weaving in his first inspiration, Johnny Cash’s “Long-Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man” between his own tracks,“How ‘Bout You” and “Lotta Boot Left to Fill.” Next, with the Stone’s tongue and lip stained glass behind him, Church segued into The Rolling Stone’s “Gimme Shelter” and his hit “Chattanooga Lucy.”
“I wouldn’t be here today without the face you now see behind me, Mr. Bob Seger. He saved my life at a time when my life needed saving and has inspired a lot of my life and music, including that last song. So, we are going to do a couple of Bob songs.”
In a fiery performance alongside his longtime backup singer, Joanna Cotten, Church chose “Ramblin’ Gamblin Man” and “Get Out Of Denver” to pay homage to who he referred to as his “desert island artist”—an artist he could listen to every day were he stranded on a desert island.
Eric Church performs with Joanna Cotton during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Next, he nodded to artists Hank Williams Jr., Tina Turner and The Band with tracks “Country Boy Can Survive,” “Proud Mary” “The Weight,” “Ophelia,” “Atlantic City,” while seamlessly blending in his hits “Homeboy” and “Bad Mother Trucker.”
For his final tribute of the night, Church spoke about one of the biggest influences in his life, “I want to throw it back to a guy that has the center window back here, Bruce Springsteen. Over the years, we have become friends and we are going to try to pay homage to him, you guys and what we have built here at Chief’s.”
As Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” faded out, the familiar chords of Church’s hit song “Springsteen” took center stage, bringing the crowd to their feet and an end to the special performance.
Fans can listen to the show on SiriusXM when Eric Church Outsiders Radio takes over Y2Kountry (Channel 57) on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. CT, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and Nov. 24 at 12 p.m. CT. The concert will also be available to stream via the SiriusXM app.
BMI Celebrates 2024 Country Award Winners, Honors Randy Owen With Icon Award
/by LB CantrellPictured (L–R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Riley Green, BMI Icon Award winner Randy Owen, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and BMI’s Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Hundreds of industry members gathered at BMI’s Nashville headquarters last night (Nov. 19) for the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards.
Transforming the building’s parking garage into an extravagant ballroom, the evening was full of special celebrations and music for what BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative, Clay Bradley, called the “greatest parking lot party in country music.”
Songwriters, publishers and other industry executives swarmed the elegant room and caught up over crafted cocktails. Once guests found their seats, they were greeted with a beautiful table display of flowers, candle light and a yummy chocolate cake topped with the BMI logo.
A dinner of steak, a cheesy potato soufflé cake and sautéed vegetables was served. Wine bottles on the table were passed around, and the night was off.
Pictured (L–R): Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley and Lukas Nelson perform onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill started the program by welcoming everyone and highlighting all the work that the country music community has done for others in need over the past year. He introduced Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson and Aaron Raitiere for the night’s first bit of music, who gave an electrifying performance of “With a Little Help from My Friends” as headlines of the community’s charitable efforts flashed on the screens.
O’Neill then welcomed Bradley, and the two started handing out the awards for the 50 most-performed country songs of the previous year. Songwriters and publishers came from all directions to the stage in the middle of the room to collect their prizes and grab a group picture as the rest of the room cheered them on.
After presenting half of their most-performed song awards, O’Neill and Bradley changed gears to begin honoring the iconic Alabama frontman Randy Owen with the BMI Icon Award, an honor bestowed on songwriters who have had an indelible influence on music makers over generations.
O’Neill detailed Owen’s lasting mark on country music with the Alabama band, as well as his philanthropic impact, most notably with St. Jude. A video featuring Troy Tomlinson, Tony Conway, Kenny Chesney and Dolly Parton was played with remarks about Owen.
Warner Chappell Music accepts the Publisher of the Year award onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Fellow Alabama native Riley Green soon appeared on stage to honor the BMI Icon with a performance of “My Home’s in Alabama.” Owen wiped tears from his eyes as Green sang.
Luke Bryan performed his own rendition of “Feels So Right” and then Blake Shelton led the whole room in a sing-along of the Alabama classic, “Mountain Music,” a jam so fun that Bryan had to join him onstage.
Before BMI presented the award to Owen, they invited up his wife Kelly up to speak. She shared about the first song he played her, “Feels So Right,” and about his love of the music.
“Thank you for honoring Randy while he is living,” Kelly said. “So that his children and grandchildren can see his legacy.”
When Owen took the microphone, he first invited up bandmate Teddy Gentry and the two embraced.
“BMI, thank y’all for the call. When you said, ‘the Icon Award,’ I cried. It’s so special,” Owen shared. “Thank y’all for this night. It’s a highlight.”
Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Chase McGill and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
More BMI executives took the stage to continue giving out awards for the most-performed songs of the year until it was time to present the big honors.
The Publisher of the Year accolade went to Warner Chappell Music, which published 34 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, including megahits like Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down,” Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country,” Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously.”
BMI Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Chase McGill and Zach Bryan, who was not present. Bryan serves as a writer of “Burn, Burn, Burn,” “Dawns,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Sun to Me.” McGill co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen’s “Mamaw’s House.”
McGill spoke about the people who have supported him in his songwriting career, calling special attention to UMPG’s Terry Wakefield, who is battling health struggles but was in the room to celebrate.
Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, BMI’s Mike Steinberg, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Katie Welle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter John Byron, Big Loud’s Seth England and Stacey Blythe, BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley onstage with the 2024 BMI Country Award for Song of the Year. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
“Terry came to my house the day we started working together, about four years ago. We hung out a bit, and he asked me what my goals were as a songwriter,” McGill said. “I said, ‘I have one goal. I want to be the BMI Songwriter of the Year.’ He helped me lay out a plan and here we are.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” was named 2024 BMI Country Song of the Year, published by Big Loud Mountain, John Byron Music, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. The tune was written by John Byron and Charlie Handsome, and was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks—the most ever for a solo song.
The evening wore on with snacks, drinks and coffee in the BMI lobby. With all three PRO awards done for the year, the publishing community has a new legion of winners, and will go into the 58th CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 20) proud of the songs they’ve been a part of.
Tom Petty Estate & Third Man Records Share New Petty Bootleg
/by Lorie HollabaughTom Petty. Photo: Dennis Callahan
The Tom Petty Estate and Third Man Records have collaborated to share a rare Petty bootleg performance, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Live In Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes, on Nov. 29.
Recorded by house sound mixer Gennaro Rippo and taped at the band’s show in Edinburgh, Scotland in the fall of 1982, the unique recording showcases a raw era-defining moment in the band’s career as they toured their album, Long After Dark, and will be available in a limited vinyl-only press of 7,000 copies.
The project is inspired by Third Man Record’s Jack White and Ben Blackwell, longtime fans of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and their enthusiasm for hearing something raw and unpolished from the band in this golden era. The release marks the first and only Petty live recording that hasn’t been touched since the day it was captured, pressed directly from cassette to vinyl. The band enjoyed listening to the cassette tapes after shows in what they would call affectionately “Gennaro’s Hawaiian Disco,” often giving him the Presidential Suite in the hotel for the band to hang out and listen each night.
The previously unreleased show is available as a three-disc collection in three unique colors, including Tom Petty Store-exclusive turquoise vinyl, Third Man Records Store-exclusive maroon reverse splatter and indie retail-exclusive orange wisp.
The Gennaro Tapes rounds out the look at the 1982 collection of archival footage and music shared by the Tom Petty Estate this year. Cameron Crowe’s documentary, Heartbreakers Beach Party and Long After Dark Deluxe Edition, included 45 minutes of rediscovered music, and Petty’s unearthed original single from the deluxe edition, “Never Be You,” is out now with a new video created and directed by animator Jeff Scher.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live in Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes Track List:
SIDE A
1. “American Girl”
2. “Listen To Her Heart”
3. “A Thing About You”
4. “You Got Lucky”
SIDE B
5. “I Need To Know”
6. “Don’t Do Me Like That”
7. “I’m In Love”
8. “Change Of Heart”
9. “Louie Louie”
SIDE C
10. “Straight Into Darkness”
11. “Stories We Could Tell”
12. “Louisiana Rain”
SIDE D
13. “One Story Town”
14. “A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me)”
15. “Kings Road”
SIDE E
16. “Breakdown”
(Hit The Road Jack Interlude)
17. “Refugee”
SIDE F
18. “Shout”
19. “So You Wanna Be A Rock ‘N’ Roll Star”
20. “Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll”
Date & Venue Announced For 2025 CCMA Awards
/by Liza AndersonThe Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced that the 2025 CCMA Awards will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, and air live exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app.
Supported by Tourism Kelowna, City of Kelowna, Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, and the 2025 Host Committee, Country Music Week will return to British Columbia for a third time and mark its first time in Kelowna, with events starting on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“We are thrilled to bring the 2025 CCMA Awards and Country Music Week to Kelowna this September,” shares Amy Jeninga, CCMA President. “The response from fans has already been incredible, and we can’t wait to experience Kelowna’s breathtaking scenery and vibrant spirit together. This is the perfect setting to celebrate Canadian country music, and we’re excited to create unforgettable moments alongside artists, fans and the community.”
Presale tickets are available now. General sales will start this Friday (Nov. 22) at 12 p.m. CT. For more information, click here.
“We are all so excited for Kelowna to host our first Canadian Country Music Week, and you can feel the energy growing,” says Lisanne Ballantyne, Tourism Kelowna President & CEO. “September is an amazing time to come and explore Kelowna and the Central Okanagan, and now that the dates are set and the tickets are available, we recommend you start planning and booking now. We’ve got information on our website to help you, and community specialists standing by to help you make your plans and build your itinerary.”