62nd ASCAP Country Music Awards Honors Talented Songwriters & Publishers

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, Chris Stapleton and ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Country music stars, songwriters and publishers ascended the steps of The Twelve Thirty Club on Monday night (Nov. 18) for the ASCAP Celebrates Nashville event, awarding the top performing ASCAP members of the past year.

ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

The upscale club featured multiple spaces for party-goers to mingle, with intimate seating areas thoughtfully placed beneath the soft, dim lighting. The drinks were flowing with multiple bar locations, and attendees noshed on The Twelve Thirty Club’s yummy sushi and sashimi, shrimp cocktail, hummus and crudités, pimento cheese and pita bread and more.

In addition to the red carpet, songwriters and publishers took photos in front of a large ASCAP step and repeat that listed the top performing songs.

Country duo Everette kicked off the evening’s program with a performance. ASCAP’s VP of Nashville Membership Mike Sistad then appeared to welcome everyone to the event, and shed light on some members’ recent success. He saluted Hillary Lindsey on her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York, as well as David Bellamy into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and John Anderson into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Sistad then welcomed up ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews to the podium. Matthews shared meaningful words about former EVP and and Chief Creative Officer, John Titta, who passed away a few weeks ago.

Sony Music Publishing CEO Nashville Rusty Gaston (front row, third from left) with the staff of Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

For the first award of the night, Matthews shared that 80-time chart-topper Ashley Gorley was the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year for an 11th time, extending his record as the winningest ASCAP songwriter in the country format.

“It’s a privilege to be a country music fan in the era of Ashley Gorley,” Matthews said of the hitmaker who was recently nominated for induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“Thank you ASCAP for all that you do for songwriters, ” Gorley said, highlighting Titta’s legacy. “It’s been really cool to see country music and country songs have a bright spotlight this past year, and to see songs move up some different charts. It’s not a secret anymore that the Nashville is special and one of a king. I’m proud to be part of it.”

Pictured (L-R): Co-writer of the Country Music Song of the Year Ashley Gorley, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams and Country Music Song of the Year co-writer JKash. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Next it was time for the Publisher of the Year honor, which went to Sony Music Publishing. The company won for an 11th time with 24 of this year’s most-performed songs.

“At Sony Music Publishing in Nashville, we believe that every song has the power to change the world. They all take amazing songwriters,” shared Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “It is our greatest honor to get to walk alongside and champion the songwriters that we get to work with.”

Matthews welcomed up ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams to present the next awards. He also shared special words about the late Titta, speaking about his legacy as a friend to songwriters.

Chris Stapleton accepts the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Williams announced that Chris Stapleton was the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year, with his “White Horse” (co-written by ASCAP member Dan Wilson) and “Think I’m in Love with You” are among ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of the year.

“I moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. That was my dream and my whole plan,” Stapleton said. “I have so many friends and people who have encouraged me [in the room tonight]…I’m honored to be a songwriter tonight.

“Congratulations to all the winners tonight,” he continued. “If you’re in this room tonight, you should feel honored. If you’re wearing one of those things around your neck tonight, that’s what we all move to town to do. If you’re a songwriter, you’re always going to be a songwriter.”

The ASCAP Country Song of the Year went to “Last Night,” performed by Morgan Wallen. ASCAP members Gorley and JKash accepted the honor, giving Gorley his fourth ASCAP Country Song of the Year win. Sony Music Publishing, Kobalt Songs Music Publishing, Domain Capital Group, Poppy’s Picks, Prescription Songs and Rap Kingpin Music celebrated with them.

After the big awards had been presented, the ASCAP executives continued to honor the most-performed songs of the year, calling up ASCAP songwriters and playing their awarded hits over the speakers. The room cheered each recipient on, making for a joyous celebration.

Click here for a complete list of ASCAP Country Music Award winners.

Blake Shelton Notches Biggest Radio Add Day Of His Career

Pictured (L–R): BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville General Manager Peter Strickland, BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld, Blake Shelton, BMG Americas President Jon Loba and BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville EVP JoJamie Hahr. Photo: Kevin Grace

Country star Blake Shelton has notched the biggest radio add day of his career with his latest single, “Texas,” via Wheelhouse Records.

Tallying over 149 first-week Mediabase stations (156 overall), the track marks his debut release with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, whom he signed with in September. The label’s team surprised Shelton with a celebration for the milestone event yesterday (Nov. 18).

Released to streaming services last Friday (Nov. 15), “Texas” amassed high numbers across all platforms. Produced by Shelton’s longtime producer Scott Hendricks and written by Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr and Lalo Guzman, the tune describes a man stranded in the dust of a carefree woman who has no idea where she’s headed, though he figures she’s somewhere in Texas.

“I moved to Nashville the month after I graduated from high school to sing country music and, hopefully, get to hear one of my songs on the radio,” shares Shelton. “After all these years, it’s still exciting. Thanks to fans for listening and coming out to shows. I can’t wait to play ‘Texas’ live!”

Additionally, he plans to perform “Texas” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tomorrow (Nov. 20).

 

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Industry Ink: No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival, Kristin Wilkinson, Randy Rogers Band, More

Inaugural No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival Lights Up South Maui

Pictured (L-R, seated): Jeffrey Steele, Jessi Alexander, Randy Houser, Kassi Ashton and Brad Warren; (L-R, standing): Storme Warren, Dan Goodfellow, Lukas Nelson, Claudia Goodfellow, Derick Sebastian, Jerry Flowers, Preston Cooper and Jared Keim

The inaugural No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival took place Nov. 7-9 in south Maui. The tropical event combined exclusive performances, business collaboration, and philanthropy, with proceeds benefiting LeLe Aloha and the Maui Family YMCA Music Program. Songwriters participating included Jeffrey Steele, Jessi Alexander, Randy Houser, Kassi Ashton, Brad Warren, Jared Keim and more.

 

Kristin Wilkinson Spotlighted in Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Nashville Cats Program

Kristin Wilkinson and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Writer-Editor Jon Freeman at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently featured classically trained violist Kristin Wilkinson in its in-depth interview series Nashville Cats, which showcases musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in the studio or on  tour.

Wilkinson is one of Nashville’s most in-demand string arrangers and has hundreds of credits on country, rock and pop projects since the 1980s. As an arranger, Wilkinson has contributed to recordings with Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Trisha Yearwood and Willie Nelson. She has worked with artists such as Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor and Chris Stapleton on live shows. The program was moderated by museum Writer-Editor Jon Freeman, and following the interview, Jake Kiszka, Bill Miller and Larry Paxton joined Wilkinson onstage for a brief performance.

 

Randy Rogers Band Delivers Deliver Donation For Scholarship Fund During KASE 100.7’s Friendsgiving

Pictured (L-R): Jason Mellard, Director of the Center for Texas Music History; Anne Hudson, KASE; Kelly Damphousse, President – Texas State University; Randy Rogers and Alek Halverson, KASE. Photo: Justin Rice

The Randy Rogers Band took the stage during KASE 100.7’s Friendsgiving at the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas on Nov. 13 to present a check for The Kent Finlay Legacy Endowed Scholarship in Texas Music History and the Tommy Foote Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The star-studded event also included performances from Jon Pardi, William Beckmann, Tucker Wetmore, Priscilla Block and Austin Snell. The funds raised from Cheatham Street Warehouse’s 50th Anniversary Street Party (Oct. 20), brought in $37,500 for each fund for a total of $75,000 raised.

 

Bryana Cielo Joins National Independent Venue Association As Admin Manager

Bryana Cielo

Bryana Cielo recently joined the National Independent Venue Association as Administrative Manager. Cielo came to Nashville in 2021 as a Programming and Media Coordinator for Circle Network, the Grand Ole Opry’s TV network. Most recently, Cielo worked for CMT as Leslie Fram and Margaret Comeaux’s Executive Assistant, working across the talent and production teams.

In her new role reporting to NIVA Executive Director Stephen Parker and working from Nashville, Cielo will support NIVA’s administrative operations and project manage NIVA’s efforts to support independent venues all over the country and NIVA’s advocacy at the federal, state and local levels.

 

Megan Danielle Inks With Provident Entertainment

Megan Danielle Signs with Provident Entertainment, Managed by Hsquared Management and booking with Jeff Roberts Agency

Singer-songwriter Megan Danielle has signed with Provident Entertainment. The 2023 American Idol runner-up has released her first label debut single “When I Found You.” She has also been featured on songs with Ben Fuller (“If I Got Jesus”) and Sidewalk Prophets (“Looking Up”).

“We are thrilled to have Megan join the family of creators at Provident Entertainment,” says Provident Entertainment’s President Holly Zabka. “The moment I heard her on American Idol, I fell in love with her sweet spirit and the way her voice draws you into the emotion of a song.”

 

Visionary Media Group, The Pack Shack, Lipscomb & Convoy of Hope Team To Pack 200,000 Meals for Hurricane Victims

Representatives of Visionary Media Group, The Pack Shack, Convoy of Hope and Lipscomb University; including Candice McQueen, Lipscomb University President and Brent Roe-Hall, Dean of Student Life for Spiritual Formation

Over 400 volunteers gathered at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena to pack 200,000 meals sponsored by Visionary Media Group and set up by The Pack Shack. The meals, delivered overnight by Convoy of Hope, will serve people in areas impacted by recent hurricanes. The event started with country duo O.N.E The Duo ringing the opening gong to kick off the pack and ended with a loaded Convoy of Hope semi-truck driving to East Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida.

Jordan Davis To Headline Boots In The Park Festival

Jordan Davis is headlining the Boots In The Park Festival this spring in Fresno, California on April 12.

Also taking the Boots In The Park stage will be Nate Smith, Parmalee, Presley Tennant and more. The traveling festival will include all-day country parties featuring multiple artists, line dancing, craft food from local vendors, beverages including craft beer and handmade cocktails, as well as art installations. Tickets for the one-day festival will go on sale Nov. 22.

“Boots In The Park is a celebration of music, community, and country culture,” says Steve Thacher, President of Activated Events. “We’re proud to return to Fresno each year, the city where it all began, and grateful for the ongoing support from fans who make this event so special.”

Tyler Childers, The Red Clay Strays, More To Headline Under The Big Sky Festival

Tyler Childers, Mumford & Sons and The Red Clay Strays will headline Under The Big Sky Festival, taking place July 18–20 at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana.

Wyonna Judd, Dylan Gossett, Wyatt Flores and Luke Grimes are also set to perform along with 11 local acts, including Hannah King, North Fork Crossing, The Bridger Creek Boys, Helnore Highwater Band and Give It To ‘Em, Florabelle.

In addition to live music, Under The Big Sky will deliver a full three-day roughstock rodeo, featuring bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc, team roping and barrel racing.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will be able to sample Western cuisine, from both local and handpicked national food vendors, shop vintage Western wear on mercantile row, explore the ranch on family-focused horse rides and interact with a petting zoo.

Under The Big Sky is open to all ages, and offers children ages six and under free entry. Presale tickets will be available this Thursday (Nov. 21), starting at 1 p.m. CT, with general sales beginning this Friday (Nov. 22) at the same time. For more information, click here.

Luke Grimes Makes Grand Ole Opry & Ryman Headline Debut

Luke Grimes performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Hank Chafin

Mercury/Range recording artist Luke Grimes recently celebrated two milestones, performing his first headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 14 and making his Grand Ole Opry debut the next night.

Pictured (L-R): Jenn Tressler (Opry Entertainment), Cameron Lutz (Range Media Partners), Rob Femia (UMGN), Luke Grimes, Cindy Mabe (UMGN), Matt Graham (Range Media Partners), Lori Christian (UMGN) and Nicole Judd (Opry Entertainment). Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry

Grimes’ Ryman show was part of his “Playin’ On The Tracks Tour,” which runs through the end of the year. The tour continues on Nov. 21 in Cleveland, Ohio.

During his Opry debut, Grimes performed “Hold On” and “No Horse To Ride” in the iconic circle. He brought his wife and newborn son on stage for the special experience.

The singer-songwriter and actor released his self-titled debut album earlier this year. Produced by Dave Cobb, the project features 13 tracks including “No Horse to Ride,” which debuted at No. 7 on the Country Songs sales chart in 2022 and accumulated 59.2 million release-to-date global on-demand streams, and “Hold On,” which has amassed 39.9 million global streams.

Grimes is widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit drama Yellowstone, which returned to television on Nov. 10 for its fifth season.

‘Carrie Underwood: Reflection’ Concert Special Coming To Hulu

Carrie Underwood will offer fans a front-row seat at the larger-than-life show she has performed at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas for over three years in a new Hulu concert special, Carrie Underwood: Reflection.

The new special will be coming exclusively to Hulu in January and captures the one-of-a-kind production conceived by Underwood specifically for Vegas to celebrate highlights of her career. The show features her greatest hits, including 14 No. 1s and songs from eight of her studio albums. “Reflection” brings fan favorites to life in a whole new way, utilizing spectacular special effects, pyrotechnics and state-of-the-art visual and audio technology with extravagant set pieces that couldn’t be packed up and moved from city to city on tour, including a show-stopping elevating waterfall feature to close the show. The high-energy production combines the spirit of Nashville and the glitz, glamour and spectacle Las Vegas audiences have come to expect.

Underwood recently announced she’ll conclude her reign as the venue’s first and longest-running headliner on April 12. Underwood’s “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” marked the first-ever residency at Resorts World in Las Vegas and has been a must-watch show since December 2021.

Date Announced For 2025 SOURCE Awards

The 22nd annual Source Hall of Fame Awards will take place at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in the Historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Names of the 2025 honorees that SOURCE Nashville will induct during the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. Inductees are nominated and inducted based upon peer recommendations, biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years each individual has worked within the entertainment industry and level of community involvement. All are women who have made a significant impact on the Nashville entertainment industry.

Ticket information will be announced at a later date. For partnership and program advertising opportunities contact Rachel Guttmann at rachel@tgmusic.law.

Post Malone’s ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour’ Set To Kick Off In April

Post Malone. Photo: Adam DeGross

Post Malone will launch his biggest headlining tour to date with “Post Malone Presents: The Big Ass Stadium Tour,” kicking off in April. He’ll be joined on the trek by Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell.

Beginning April 29 at Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, the tour will visit 25 stadiums across the United States and Canada in markets including Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Citi Field in New York City.

Fans in the U.S. and Canada can register for access to tickets in the Artist Presale now at signup.ticketmaster.com/postmalone. Artist Presale tickets will go on sale beginning Nov. 22 with additional presales running ahead of the general onsale beginning Nov. 26 at livenation.com.

Malone made waves with fans everywhere with his debut country album, F-1 Trillion, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album. Included on the album was the smash single “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen, which crash landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at the top for six consecutive weeks. “I Had Some Help” also landed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Songs of the Summer chart for 2024 and was just nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

“Post Malone Presents: The Big Ass Stadium Tour” 2025 Dates:
Tue Apr 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rice-Eccles Stadium^
Sat May 03 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium^
Wed May 07 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome^
Fri May 09 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium^
Sun May 11 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium^
Tue May 13 – St. Louis, MO – Busch Stadium^
Sun May 18 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field^
Tue May 20 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium^
Thu May 22 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field^
Sat May 24 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park^
Mon May 26 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre^
Wed May 28 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium^
Thu May 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park^
Sat May 31 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium
Mon Jun 02 – Washington, DC – Northwest Stadium
Wed Jun 04 – New York, NY – Citi Field
Sun Jun 08 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium*
Tue Jun 10 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium
Fri Jun 13 – Ridgedale, MO – Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
Sun Jun 15 – Denver, CO – Empower Field at Mile High
Sat Jun 21 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium*
Tue Jun 24 – Boise, ID – Albertsons Stadium
Thu Jun 26 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park
Sat Jun 28 – Portland, OR – Providence Park
Tue Jul 01 – San Francisco, CA – Oracle Park

*Without Jelly Roll
^With Sierra Ferrell

Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Takes Top Country Streaming Songs Debut

Zach Bryan. Photo: Trevor Pavlik

Zach Bryan‘s “High Road” takes the title of top debut on the country streaming songs chart, arriving at No. 4 with 12 million streams, according to Luminate data.

Based on audio streams, Morgan Wallen‘s “Love Somebody” remains at No. 1 with 16 million new streams, adding to 83 million ATD, followed by Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” at No. 2 with 15 million streams, adding to 897 million ATD. Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” holds No. 3 with 13 million new streams, adding to 791 million ATD, while Bryan’s “Pink Skies” falls to No. 5 with 11 million streams, adding to 431 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time stays at the top with 43K in total consumption (905 album only/55 million song streams). Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken continues at No. 2 with 31K (7K album only/30 million song streams), while Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion sits at No. 3 with 30K (1.6K album only/35 million song streams). Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album claims the fourth slot again with 29K (365 album only/37 million song streams), as Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene secures the fifth slot with 24K (141 album only/31 million song streams).