Pictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Hipgnosis’ Ashley Alexander, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart and BMI’s Clay Bradley; (L-R, front row): Nick Schwarz, Cameron Jaymes, Drew Baldridge and Jimmy Yeary. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
Industry members, family and friends gathered on the BMI rooftop on Thursday (Oct. 3) to celebrate the achievement of Drew Baldridge and his historic No. 1 song.
“She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” written by Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes and Jimmy Yeary, and produced by Nick Schwarz, is the first song ever released by an independent artist to reach No. 1 on the country radio charts. Originally released in 2019, the momentous track made way for a tearful, heartfelt celebration.
Among those who spoke, a good friend and early believer in Baldridge, Rusty Gaston, took to the stage to share his congratulations with the artist and co-writers.
“Drew and I have worked together for about 12 years now, and there’s a few things that I want you guys to know about him. He has a heart of gold, he is genuine, he is loyal, he is honorable, he is faith-filled, he is resilient, he is creative, he is an overcomer, he is tough and he is never a victim,” Gaston said with tears in his eyes.
He continued, “When chasing a dream for 12 years, there can be a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but the difference-maker in Drew is when those downs came along, he never allowed himself to be a victim. He was never a person that said, ‘if I only had that,’ or, ‘if that person had only done this.’ Those words were never in his vocabulary. He chose to lean into things that he could control—and that was to create. He would create a new song, a new video, a new way to tour and a new way to get his music exposed.”
After words from Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton and Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, who presented the crew with a donation to Warrior Nation Cancer Foundation on their behalf, it was time for the writers and producer to speak.
Up first was Schwarz, Baldridge’s producer for the last five years, “A few things stood out to me immediately with Drew. One, he is a great songwriter, two, he is great on the mic and most of all, he is an incredible worker. The drive and vision that he has is amazing. It is bold as an independent artist to take your song to radio in the first place, but to get it to No. 1 takes an incredible amount of work.”
Jaymes, who was also celebrating his first No. 1, began by thanking God in a short prayer before sharing gratitude for his family, friends and Drew. “No one deserves it more than you, truly. You are the definition of the ‘good guy.’ In a world and a business where it feels like the nice guys finish last, man, it feels good to see the good guy finish in first.”
Inspired by Jaymes, Yeary took a moment to reflect on why he does what he does. “My intention is in 2 Corinthians, where it says we are supposed to comfort others with the same comfort that we have been given. I think the best way we can do that is to help others realize they aren’t alone in their trials and tragedy.”
Finally, Baldridge started by thanking God and his family joking,“Y’all didn’t know you were coming to a church service did you? We’re getting a little Jesus in here!”
He continued, “What I realized when I was in people’s backyards playing music during the pandemic is that I, and these guys on stage, aren’t writing music for this town. We are writing for people and their human hearts—that is what changed everything for me.”
Fourth Annual ‘Opry NextStage Live’ To Take Place In December
/by Madison HahnenThe Grand Ole Opry will hold its fourth annual “Opry NextStage Live,” presented by Tecovas, on Dec. 9.
The Opry-style show will feature emerging country artists who are part of the Opry NextStage program. Reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year, 2021 Opry NextStage alum and newest Opry member Lainey Wilson will host and perform.
The lineup will include 49 Winchester, Anne Wilson, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chase Matthew, Ella Langley, Flatland Cavalry, Josh Ross, Madeline Edwards and Wyatt Flores, who are all a part of the program’s 2024 class. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.
Founded in 2019, the NextStage program has introduced new talent to fans and has also featured Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Nate Smith, Hailey Whitters, Tenille Townes, Priscilla Block, Breland, Callista Clark, Chapel Hart, Travis Denning, Niko Moon, Restless Road, Jameson Rodgers, Elvie Shane, Conner Smith and Morgan Wade.
Drew Baldridge Commemorates Historic No. 1
/by John Nix ArledgePictured (L-R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Hipgnosis’ Ashley Alexander, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart and BMI’s Clay Bradley; (L-R, front row): Nick Schwarz, Cameron Jaymes, Drew Baldridge and Jimmy Yeary. Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI
Industry members, family and friends gathered on the BMI rooftop on Thursday (Oct. 3) to celebrate the achievement of Drew Baldridge and his historic No. 1 song.
“She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” written by Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes and Jimmy Yeary, and produced by Nick Schwarz, is the first song ever released by an independent artist to reach No. 1 on the country radio charts. Originally released in 2019, the momentous track made way for a tearful, heartfelt celebration.
Among those who spoke, a good friend and early believer in Baldridge, Rusty Gaston, took to the stage to share his congratulations with the artist and co-writers.
“Drew and I have worked together for about 12 years now, and there’s a few things that I want you guys to know about him. He has a heart of gold, he is genuine, he is loyal, he is honorable, he is faith-filled, he is resilient, he is creative, he is an overcomer, he is tough and he is never a victim,” Gaston said with tears in his eyes.
He continued, “When chasing a dream for 12 years, there can be a lot of ups and a lot of downs, but the difference-maker in Drew is when those downs came along, he never allowed himself to be a victim. He was never a person that said, ‘if I only had that,’ or, ‘if that person had only done this.’ Those words were never in his vocabulary. He chose to lean into things that he could control—and that was to create. He would create a new song, a new video, a new way to tour and a new way to get his music exposed.”
After words from Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton and Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, who presented the crew with a donation to Warrior Nation Cancer Foundation on their behalf, it was time for the writers and producer to speak.
Up first was Schwarz, Baldridge’s producer for the last five years, “A few things stood out to me immediately with Drew. One, he is a great songwriter, two, he is great on the mic and most of all, he is an incredible worker. The drive and vision that he has is amazing. It is bold as an independent artist to take your song to radio in the first place, but to get it to No. 1 takes an incredible amount of work.”
Jaymes, who was also celebrating his first No. 1, began by thanking God in a short prayer before sharing gratitude for his family, friends and Drew. “No one deserves it more than you, truly. You are the definition of the ‘good guy.’ In a world and a business where it feels like the nice guys finish last, man, it feels good to see the good guy finish in first.”
Inspired by Jaymes, Yeary took a moment to reflect on why he does what he does. “My intention is in 2 Corinthians, where it says we are supposed to comfort others with the same comfort that we have been given. I think the best way we can do that is to help others realize they aren’t alone in their trials and tragedy.”
Finally, Baldridge started by thanking God and his family joking,“Y’all didn’t know you were coming to a church service did you? We’re getting a little Jesus in here!”
He continued, “What I realized when I was in people’s backyards playing music during the pandemic is that I, and these guys on stage, aren’t writing music for this town. We are writing for people and their human hearts—that is what changed everything for me.”
The Red Clay Strays To Drop First Live Project In November
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Red Clay Strays are releasing their first live project, Live At The Ryman, Nov. 15 on RCA Records.
The new project was recorded earlier this month during the band’s sold-out, three-night headline debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and includes songs from across their catalogue, including “I’m Still Fine,” out today (Oct. 4).
Live At The Ryman adds to a breakout year for The Red Clay Strays, who are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year at the upcoming 58th Annual CMA Awards (their first CMA nomination), won Emerging Act of the Year at the 2024 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, and released their new album, Made by These Moments, earlier this summer.
The band will continue to perform through fall including upcoming shows at Los Angeles’ The Wiltern, Boston’s Roadrunner, Philadelphia’s The Fillmore, Denver’s Mission Ballroom and San Diego’s SOMA, among several others. The Red Clay Strays have sold out every one of their headline shows this year as well as their newly-confirmed 2025 Canadian tour.
Live At The Ryman Track List:
1. “Ramblin”’
2. “Wanna Be Loved”
3. “I’m Still Fine”
4. “Wondering Why”
5. “Will The Lord Remember Me”
6. “Drowning”
7. “Stones Throw”
8. “Disaster”
9. “No One Else Likes Me”
10. “Ghosts”
11. “Don’t Care”
Jamey Johnson Readies First Solo Studio Album In 14 Years
/by LB CantrellJamey Johnson. Photo: David McClister
Award-winning singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson will release his new album, Midnight Gasoline, on Nov. 8 as his first with Warner Music Nashville. The project will mark his first solo studio album in 14 years.
Midnight Gasoline is also the first of Johnson’s Cash Cabin Series, which is a collection of albums recorded at the famed studio in Hendersonville that was owned by Johnny and June Carter Cash, and now owned by their son, John Carter Cash. Johnson spent three weeks recording about 30 songs there, sleeping in his bus that was parked outside.
“I’ve always wanted to make an album there,” he shares. “I went in with an album in mind, where we go in and cut and cut and cut. That is when I knew we were off to the races. This is more than an album; this is a series.”
Also known as Cash One, Midnight Gasoline follows Johnson’s his Platinum-certified That Lonesome Song (2008) and the Gold-certified, Billboard No. 1 album The Guitar Song (2010). The Grand Ole Opry member also released a 2012 duets project, the Grammy-nominated Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran and a Christmas EP.
The new album contains “21 Guns,” “What a View,” “Trudy” and “Sober,” all of which were released during the last few months. His “Someday When I’m Old” is out today (Oct. 4).
“I think the only common thread would be me,” Johnson says of Midnight Gasoline. “There isn’t an overtone or some underlying theme in the songs. They are just glimpses of my life. Some of them are just funny stories, and not all of them were written recently. In that regard, I really am kind of picking up where I left off, grabbing those few songs that were probably ready to put out back then. It’s good to get those out there.
“Some of the songs are new,” he adds. “’What a View’ is one of the first of the new ones that was written for this album. It’s straight from a very personal place.”
The album’s first half was produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys—Wayd Battle, Jim “Moose” Brown, Tom Bukovac, T.W. Cargile, Kevin “Swine” Grant, Cowboy Eddie Long, Dave McAfee, James Mitchell and Chris Powell. Dave Cobb, who also worked on That Lonesome Sound and The Guitar Song, produced the album’s second half.
In addition to partnering with Warner Music Nashville, Johnson has also signed with TKO Artist Management as his new management team.
“Jamey and I have been friends for a long time and frequently spoke about working together. You just don’t miss an opportunity to work with a talent like Jamey Johnson,” shares TK Kimbrell, Owner of TKO Artist Management.
Midnight Gasoline Track Listing:
1. “Bad Guy” (Jamey Johnson and Dale Dodson)
2. “Midnight Gasoline” (Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon and Jeff Hyde)
3. “What a View” (Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Rob Hatch and Dallas Davidson)
4. “21 Guns” (Jamey Johnson and Jim “Moose” Brown)
5. “Someday When I’m Old” (Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey and Troy Verges)
6. “Trudy” featuring Randy Houser (Charlie Daniels)
7. “One More Time” (Jamey Johnson, Ernest Keith Smith and Rob Hatch)
8. “Saturday Night in New Orleans” (Jamey Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Tony Joe White)
9. “Sober” (Jamey Johnson and James Slater)
10. “I’m Tired of It All” (Dallas Davidson and Kyle Fishman)
11. “No Time Like the Past” (Jamey Johnson and Chris Stapleton)
12. “What Do You Answer To” (Jamey Johnson, Ira Dean, Ajay Popoff and Jeremy Popoff)
Lindsay Ell Inks With Universal Music Canada, Announces New EP
/by Lorie HollabaughLindsay Ell
Platinum hitmaker Lindsay Ell has signed with Universal Music Canada and is set to release her new EP Love Myself, on Oct. 25.
After a decade of establishing herself as a successful artist in Nashville with three No.1 hits and over 220 million streams, Ell feels that she has undergone a musical metamorphosis, transforming into an unbound, fearless and unapologetic artist. She is making her producing debut alongside Doug Schadt on the new project, and has released the lead single, “Story I Tell Myself,” which offers a first glimpse into her most autobiographical music to date. The track is a reflection on damaging self-talk and an attempted shift towards a kinder inner voice.
“Lindsay Ell is a one-of-a-kind human, and a once-in-a-lifetime artist. We are so honored to partner with her to share her powerful music and message to the world,” says Julie Adam, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Universal Music Canada. “Lindsay is a multi-talented musician, and her positive energy and resilience will inspire and connect with fans globally.”
“I am more inspired and excited to make music than I ever have been before and, for the first time in a long time, I’m no longer standing under a veil of trying to be who I’m not,” says Ell. “This project is all about learning how to love myself again. This has been my journey back to myself, back to the music that I have wanted to make since I first moved to Nashville.”
Ell has toured alongside artists like Keith Urban, OneRepublic and Maren Morris, and brought her electric live performance style to audiences across the U.S., Canada, Europe and the U.K. Fans have recently seen Ell as Shania Twain’s lead guitarist on the superstar’s “Come on Over” international tour and Las Vegas residency, which continues into 2025.
Morgan Wallen Notches Another No. 1 On The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeMorgan Wallen has reached the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Lies Lies Lies.”
The track is part of his Abbey Road Sessions, released in celebration of his third studio album One Thing At A Time, and was written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross and Chris Tompkins.
Wallen recently made headlines after donating $500,000 to the Red Cross through the Morgan Wallen Foundation to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in his home of east Tennessee.
“Lies Lies Lies” currently sits at No. 11 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 9 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Eric Church To Support Home State Through Its ‘Darkest Hour’ After Hurricane Helene
/by Liza AndersonEric Church. Photo: Robby Klein
Eric Church has announced his plans to sign over all of his publishing royalties for new song “Darkest Hour” to the people of North Carolina to support relief following the devastation of Hurricane Helene and provide ongoing funds to build a more resilient future for his home state. Available everywhere now, “Darkest Hour” marks his first solo release in over three years.
“From Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, Upstate South Carolina, parts of Georgia and even Florida which took a direct hit, there are so many places that were impacted. Specifically in the area that I’m from, the mountains of Western North Carolina were devastated. There are places that are just biblically gone. These are our family members, they’re our friends, they’re our neighbors—and they’re in dire need of help,” reflects Church. “And I’ve been in the studio for a while, trying some different things and exploring creativity. I had this song that I’d written, and the line that struck me in light of the recent devastation was ‘I’ll come running,’ because there are a lot of people out there right now who are in their darkest hour and they need people to come running. We were going to wait to release music until next year, but it just didn’t feel right to wait with this song. Sometimes you give songs their moment and sometimes they find their own moment.
This song, ‘Darkest Hour,’ was the best way I could think to try to help. We’ve been helping with boots-on-the-ground efforts, but this is something that will live beyond just the immediate recovery. This is not a quick thing to fix, so hopefully ‘Darkest Hour’ will be able to contribute to that for a long time to come. This song goes to my home, North Carolina, now and forever.”
Additionally, Church’s Chief Cares Fund will not only be assisting in North Carolina, but in all states and communities affected from Appalachia to the Gulf. For more information, click here.
Production Manager Jason Parkin Passes
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Parkin, Darius Rucker’s longtime production manager, passed away on Sept. 30. He was 49.
The Raleigh, North Carolina native spent 25 years working on the road, including working on Hootie & the Blowfish’s 2019 “Group Therapy Tour,” which Rucker fronted.
Rucker wrote in a statement about his friend: “For nearly 25 years, Jason ‘Devil Boy’ Parkin was a staple in our crew. He was more than our production manager, he was our brother. We are devastated by his passing this week. Our prayers are with his family — thank you for loaning him to us all these years.”
Services have not been scheduled yet but will be handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Terri Jo Box Re-Ups With Jonas Group Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Denise Jonas, Emily Peacock (Sr. Creative Dir., JGP) and Leslie T. DiPiero (Pres., JGP); (L-R, back row): Kevin Jonas Sr. (Founder/Chairman Jonas Group Entertainment) and Terri Jo Box. Photo: Cole Barnhill
Texas-born songwriter Terri Jo Box has re-signed her deal with Jonas Group Publishing.
Box was the first writer signed to JGP in 2020, and has had cuts with Cody Johnson on “God Bless The Boy (Cori’s Song)” and Lainey Wilson with “Those Boots (Deddy’s Song)” and “Hillbilly Hippie,” which both appeared on Wilson’s Grammy-winning Bell Bottom Country album.
In addition to her JGP cuts, she’s enjoyed success with Ashley McBryde’s “American Scandal” and “Bible and a .44,” which has also been recorded by Eric Church, Trisha Yearwood and others. Her song, “Dear Old Sun,” written with Miranda Lambert and Gwen Sebastian, was featured on Lambert’s Weight Of These Wings album, which won the 2017 ACM Album of the Year award. Named to the 2023 Class of Up-and-Coming Songwriters by the Association of Independent Music Publishers, Box has also had songs recorded by Patty Loveless, Joe Nichols, Gary LeVox, Wade Hayes, Bryan Martin, Annie Bosko and more.
“I heard something so unique in Terri Jo, that I signed her to a publishing deal even before JGP was established,” says JGE Founder and Chairman Kevin Jonas Sr. “She writes from a different viewpoint from most of us, but she speaks to all of us, and that’s a special gift.”
“Terri Jo has a deep understanding of what makes country music country,” says JGP President Leslie T. DiPiero. “She is a visible thread between new and established artists and writers. Her approach to songwriting and encouragement of all songwriters enriches our creative community.”
“Having Leslie DiPiero on my side is such a gift,” says Box. “Leslie is a songwriter’s best friend; she will fight, crawl, scrap, cheer, celebrate, and work tirelessly to get her writers across the line to win. She, Emily Peacock and the entire team are Music Row royalty, and I am so grateful to call them ‘my team.’ And working with Kevin Jonas Sr. has been an honor and growing experience for me. To have the wisdom AND kindness of somebody who has been so immersed in all aspects of the industry has been invaluable. He is such a lover of songs. Kevin, Denise Jonas, and all ‘the boys’ are such a beautiful, epic, family love story.”
BREAKING: Garth Brooks Accused Of Sexual Assault & Battery
/by LB CantrellGarth Brooks
According to multiple outlets, including CNN, Garth Brooks has been accused of sexual assault and battery by a woman who says she worked for him as a hairstylist and makeup artist.
Named “Jane Roe” in the complaint, filed in a state court in California today (Oct. 3), she claims that she was raped by Brooks during a work trip in 2019. The suit alleges that Roe began handling hair and makeup services for Brooks in 2017, and that she was first hired to do hair and makeup for his wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999.
Read more from CNN here.
Brooks has responded to the allegations, stating, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.
“Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another.
“We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.
“I want to play music tonight,” he says in reference to his Las Vegas residency show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. “I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.”