Post Malone & Blake Shelton Stay At No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Post Malone keeps the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Pour Me A Drink” featuring Blake Shelton.

The track comes off of his recently-released album, F-1 Trillion, and was written by Post, John Byron, Louis Bell, Rocky Block, Charlie Handsome and Jordan Dozzi.

Post is currently on the road headlining his “F-1 Trillion Tour” with support from Muscadine Bloodline. The tour will come to a close near the end of October with big stops in Boston’s Fenway Park and Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, among others.

“Pour Me A Drink” currently sits at No. 7 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Industry Ink: Lainey Wilson, The Band Loula, The MLC, More

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Lainey Wilson Performs On The Tonight Show

Pictured: Lainey Wilson; Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

Lainey Wilson made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday (Sept. 10) to discuss the past year and perform her current single “4x4xU.” The seven-time CMA Award-winner is nominated for four more awards at the 58th annual CMA Awards this fall, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

 

 

The Band Loula Wraps Up Final ‘WMN: On Deck’

Pictured (L-R): Justin Luffman, Stephanie Davenport, Logan Simmons, Malachi Mills, Cris Lacy and Christina Dunkley. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

Warner Music Nashville wrapped up their final “WMN: On Deck” event of the summer on their patio Tuesday evening (Sept. 10). The event featured a performance from a new addition to their roster, The Band Loula, as well as representatives from the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to inspire pediatric patients through entertainment and education initiatives.

Sponsors for the night included NoBaked Cookie Dough, Jack Daniel’s, Freshie and -196.

 

 

The Korea Copyright Commission Visits The MLC HQ

Pictured (L-R): Kris Ahrend, Ellen Truley, KIM Hye-Chang, Rick Marshall and Kim Hui

The Korea Copyright Commission recently visited The MLC’s headquarters in Nashville to discuss and learn more about their role in distributing U.S. mechanical royalties and further operations. The visit gave both parties an opportunity to share insights and practices regarding global royalty distribution.

The Korea Copyright Commission was established under the Korean Copyright Act and is essential in shaping copyright regulations and a variety of copyright-related matters.

 

 

Chancey Williams Inducted Into The Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall Of Fame

Chancey Williams. Photo Courtesy of HomeSlice Artist Management.

Chancey Williams was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame on Friday night (Sept. 6) along with fellow inductees Darrell Dienfenbach, Rick Eccli, Orval Epler, Rocky Garnett, Mary Hartman, Tad Herz, Dick Truitt and The Tuck Family. One of only two artists to both compete in the rodeo and perform on the main stage at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Williams now has an exhibit in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.

 

 

The Reeves Brothers Debut New Track At The Grand Ole Opry

Pictured: Craig Morgan & The Reeves Brothers; Photo: Samuel Harris

Tuesday night (Sept. 10), The Reeves Brothers debuted their new song, “She Don’t Want a Cowboy,” during a performance with Opry member Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry. The track, which features Morgan, is set to release on Sept. 27.

“Coming from a family of sharecroppers in Delight, Arkansas whose weekly entertainment was sitting by candlelight in front of a battery-powered radio listening to the Grand Ole Opry on WSM, getting to step into the circle at The Opry House holds a big sentiment to us and our family. It is the highest honor we could ever receive in country music,” said The Reeves Brothers, adding, “Craig Morgan was one of the first people in this town to reach out and take a chance on us, so getting to share that stage with him makes it that much more special.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Country Stylists Give ‘Utterly Enchanting’ Version Of Adele Hit

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Lukas Nelson. Photo: Shervin Lainez

Three generations of stylists compete in this country edition of DISClaimer.

Sweet nostalgia washed over me at hearing great new sounds from heritage artists Bill Anderson, Ray Benson and Dwight Yoakam. Modern veterans Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan are still swinging for the fences.

And then there are the youngsters—Julie Williams, Justin Moore, Carl Ray, Post Malone and their contemporaries. They have new sounds you need to hear, too. Riding atop this group are Lukas Nelson, Sierra Ferrell and The Travelin’ McCourys, whose outstanding collaboration brings us our Disc of the Day.

LUKE BRYAN / “Country Song Came On”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Dan Alley/Neil Medley; Producer: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol
– The single remains “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” but Bryan has been issuing further preview tracks from his upcoming (Sept. 27) album. This one is about how hearing country music makes him want to drink. Really? I guess if you say so.

BRELAND / “Icing”
Writers: Breland/Jared Griffin/Rufio Hooks/Autumn Buysse; Producers: Sam Sumser, Sean Small & Noby Sidez; Label: Atlantic
– Wildly entertaining. The rapid-fire lyric, interjected screams, finger snaps, relentless tempo and non-stop energy are the recipe for a frothing audio stew.

CARL RAY / “Caney Fork”
Writers: Carl Ray Williams/Wood Newton/Daniel Johnson; Producer: Mike Loudermilk; Label: Sucarnochee
– Innocent, sunny, jaunty, acoustic, charming and country, country, country. Young love sounds so sweet in this outdoorsy tune. Carl Ray is a Black bluegrass artist who stages a mighty bid for mainstream country exposure here.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Dammit Randy”
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Brendan McLoughlin/Jon Randall; Producer: Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall; Label: Republic
– Postcards From Texas drops tomorrow as Miranda’s new collection, her first for Republic. This ultra-confident, twanging, feisty performance from it celebrates female independence with verve. Platinum personality on parade.

LUKAS NELSON feat. THE TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS & SIERRA FERRELL / “Someone Like You”
Writers: Dan Wilson/Adele Adkins; Producer: none listed; Label: LN
– Yes, it’s the 2011 Adele pop hit delivered by super country stylists Nelson and Ferrell, backed by the bluegrass picking of the McCourys. First of all, it is utterly enchanting. Second of all, I would love to hear these two singers together more often. Third of all, drop what you are doing and glue your ears to this when it drops tomorrow. A single that’s truly an event.

JUSTIN MOORE / “Love Your Hometown”
Writers: Justin Moore/Will Bundy/Randy Montana/Jeremy Stover; Producers: Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta & Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Valory
– It’s a love letter to an overseas soldier, reminding her that her hometown still thinks the world of her and that he’s patiently waiting. With its range and emotion, this is arguably Moore’s finest vocal to date.

JETT HOLDEN / “Scarecrow”
Writer: Jett Holden; Producer: Will Hoge; Label: Black Opry
– He sings with fierce commitment. The song uses the characters of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to communicate his emotional turmoil in coming out as gay to his Jehovah’s Witness family. As I have mentioned before, his songwriting needs a professional collaborator/editor to make it less wordy and more commercial.

DWIGHT YOAKAM & POST MALONE / “I Don’t Know How to Say Goodbye”
Writer: Dwight Yoakam; Producer: Dwight Yoakam; Label: Via Records/Thirty Tigers
– Yoakam is breaking his silence of nine years to issue a new album in November. Its advance single is a twang-fest two stepper embellished with stuttering steel and bounced fiddle bows. Post Malone keeps up with the neo-traditionalist in the hilibilly vocal department. A joyous collaboration. Country excellence on the hoof.

DENITIA / “Sunset Drive”
Writers: Denitia/Brad Allen Williams; Producer: Denitia & Brad Allen Williams; Label: Denitia
– Denitia has had a fine year, staging her debut at the Opry, being in CMT’s Next Women of Country class, touring with the Black Opry Revue, headlining at Nashville Pride and issuing her debut album last week. Its title tune perfectly weds her lilting soprano to a gently breezy rhythmic track and a sweet/sad relationship lyric. Very pretty listening.

BILL ANDERSON / “The Last One I’ll Forget”
Writers: Bill Anderson/Steve Dorff; Producer: Steve Dorff; Label: MCA Nashville/UMe
– The timeless Opry veteran emotes beautifully on this softly contemplative ballad of enduring love in old age. I promise that this will tug at your heartstrings. He’s still got the goods.

JULIE WILLIAMS / “Just Friends?”
Writers: Julie Williams/Melody Walker; Producer: Jonathan Smalt; Label: JW
– I have long been a fan of this country stylist. Her songwriting has always had a poignant vibe, and her soprano singing is exemplary. This eloquently produced, twinkling, alt-folk tune is accompanied by an overtly queer-female video treatment.

RAY BENSON / “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”
Writer: Bobby Troup; Producer: Doctor Dread & Tony Garnier; Label: RB
– I know this sounds impossible, but this is an audio fusion of western swing and reggae. Believe it or not, it works. Benson’s jazzbo phrasing and the swinging sounds of Asleep at the Wheel members bump up against a funky Caribbean rhythm track. The album, Swingin’ and Swankin,’ features guest appearances by everyone from Willie Nelson and Lucky Oceans to Warren Haynes and Stanley Jordan.

Jon Decious Signs With Reservoir & One Riot

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Pictured (L–R): Reservoir’s John Ozier, One Riot’s Halle Bartlett, Reservoir’s Beth St. Jean, One Riot’s Holly Loman, Jon Decious, Reservoir’s Greg Gallo, One Riot’s Amy Patton and Reservoir’s Sarah McDaniels

Jon Decious has signed a joint publishing deal with Reservoir Media, Inc. and One Riot.

Based in Nashville, Decious has three credits on Lainey Wilson’s new album Whirlwind, including “4x4xU,” “Counting Chickens” and “Ring Finger.” He also co-wrote “Armadillo” from Miranda Lambert’s forthcoming album Postcards from Texas, and worked with Tyler Halverson on his upcoming project Western Amerijuana Pt 2. Additionally, Decious has collaborated with Ashley McBryde, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kylie Morgan, Anderson East, Paul Cauthen and Lola Kirke, among others.

“Jon is a great addition to the Reservoir and One Riot family,” says John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative. “We are happy to join One Riot in supporting Jon at this pivotal moment in his career as his star continues to rise.”

Amy Patton, One Riot President, adds, “Jon is a rare songwriting talent who can weave unique stories that hook your attention and melodies that get stuck in your head for days. It is a true privilege to get to work with Jon at this exciting time in his life and career and to call him a friend.”

“I just feel like the luckiest guy there is! I’m incredibly grateful and forever indebted to my amazing co-writers and artists and for the support of the amazing team that surrounds me, from One Riot to Reservoir to RedLight Management,” shares Decious. “If I had a better word than ‘blessed’ for the way I feel about it, I’d use that, but I don’t. ‘Blessed’ sums it up perfectly.”

The MLC Promotes Five Leaders To Enhance Resources & Operations

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Pictured (L–R, top row): Ellen Truley, Lindsey Major and Andrew Mitchell; (L–R, bottom row): Joya Carmichael and Rick Marshall

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has promoted five existing leaders in an effort to enhance its tools, resources and operations for the benefit of its members and other stakeholders.

Since before The MLC began full operations, Ellen Truley has led outreach and educational activities that seek to reach rightsholders wherever they are located, while also strengthening partnerships and industry relations. To further these endeavors, she has been elevated to Chief Marketing & External Affairs Officer and will continue to develop and execute The MLC’s overall marketing strategy and oversee the organization’s advertising, marketing and communications efforts as well as coordinate its educational activities, songwriter relations, industry partnerships, government relations and other external affairs.

Lindsey Major, who created and has since managed The MLC’s Support Team, has risen to Chief Member Experience Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for designing, implementing and coordinating the delivery of world-class experiences to the organization’s membership as well as the development and enhancement of its tools that enable members to register works, claim their shares of previously-registered works, submit proposed matches of their works to unmatched usage and more.

Having led The MLC’s matching efforts since the beginning, Andrew Mitchell has been promoted to Chief Analytics & Automation Officer. In this new position, he will continue to oversee matching, including the company’s internal Matching Team and its recently-announced Supplemental Matching Vendor Network, while designing, developing and implementing new strategies for harnessing data, leading fraud prevention efforts and developing new ways to automate The MLC’s internal business processes.

Joya Carmichael has spearheaded the organization’s attempts to create, document and manage the end-to-end royalty distribution process starting with the very first monthly royalty distribution. To build upon that work, she has been elevated to Chief Administrative Officer and will continue to lead the team that coordinates and manages The MLC’s end-to-end royalty distribution process, while expanding her remit to manage other key internal processes and lead various process documentation and process improvement initiatives for the company.

Rick Marshall has worked to ensure The MLC’s compliance with its statutory and regulatory obligations since joining the organization in 2021 in addition to managing its interactions with DSPs and the blanket compulsory licensing process. Having risen to General Counsel earlier this summer, he now leads The MLC’s in-house legal team and coordinates all of the organization’s legal matters, including its interactions with the U.S. Copyright Office, the conduct of its important enforcement obligations under the Music Modernization Act (MMA), the management of any pending litigations as well as the provision of legal advice and guidance to the rest of The MLC’s team.

BMI Files Action In Rate Court Against SiriusXM

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BMI filed an action in its rate court today (Sept. 12) to determine fees for a license with SiriusXM.

According to BMI, SiriusXM is attempting to lower its payments to BMI songwriters, composers and publishers despite years of negotiations. The PRO alleges that the digital radio giant is ignoring their large market share, changes in the marketplace, SiriusXM’s product evolution towards a digital service and the company’s strong revenue growth.

“After attempting to negotiate with SiriusXM in good faith for more than two years, we were compelled to file this action given their insistence on underpaying the creators of the music that drives the majority of their business,” says Mike O’Neill, BMI’s President & CEO. “SiriusXM’s proposal is a clear attempt to rely on a rate that was established when the company was very different in terms of its size, reach, degree of digital focus and revenue growth, and falls well below what is in the best interests of our affiliates. We will continue to fight for fair and appropriate rates when we believe the music created by our songwriters and composers is being significantly undervalued.”

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite has come out in support of BMI’s action.

“Digital radio payments to songwriters and music publishers have been a huge problem for many years. We are extremely pleased that BMI has taken the largest satellite radio company in the world to court to demand what’s fair,” Israelite shared in a statement. “Today, record labels and artists receive from digital radio significantly more than songwriters on a model that has historically valued them equally. Labels and artists are not paid too much. Songwriters and publishers are not paid enough. That’s why for years we have called to lessen the ‘Digital Radio Divide.’”

SiriusXM did not immediately return a request for comment.

Veteran Engineer Billy Sherrill Passes

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Billy Sherrill

Billy Sherrill, the engineer who was behind the board for hits recorded by Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, The Chicks, The Marshall Tucker Band and many more, passed away on Tuesday (Sept. 10). He was 77.

Born in west Tennessee and raised for most of his childhood in Paducah, Kentucky, Sherrill was in bands in high school and college. He first got a taste of the recording world when he and the band recorded in a friend’s studio in Benton, Kentucky.

Having connected with Music Row engineer Scotty Morris, Sherrill headed to Nashville after college. Morris introduced him to Thomas Wayne, and Sherrill began to help Wayne set up the studio that became Sound Shop. Soon, Sherrill was making tape copies for publishers on Music Row.

While working at Sound Shop, Sherrill met producer/songwriter Larry Butler, who invited him to work on his first real recording session for Jean Shepard’s “Slippin’ Away” (1973). The record hit the top five on the country charts and garnered more work for Sherrill. It also marked the beginning of his and Butler’s long relationship.

Together the pair worked on hit records for Dottie West, Billie Jo Spears, Ed Bruce, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Mac Davis, Mickey Gilley, John Denver, Paul Anka and more. When Butler bought Jack Clement’s studio, Sherrill followed him.

Butler produced and Sherrill engineered many of Kenny Rogers’ hits, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” “You Decorated My Life” and “Coward of the County.”

Eventually Sherrill went out on his own. He engineered more hit records such as The Chicks’ Grammy-winning Fly album, and a lot of Kenny Chesney’s early work, like hits “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “That’s Why I’m Here.” He also served as the sound mixer for the Grand Ole Opry for several years.

In 2019, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) presented Sherrill with a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in Studio Recording & Mixing. He was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame the same year.

Billy Sherrill is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter Chandler Nicole and son David.

A visitation for Billy Sherrill will take place on Friday (Sept. 20) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday (Sept. 21) from 2 p.m. until a service will commence at 4 p.m. at Brook Hollow Baptist Church (678 Brook Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37205).

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Sherrill’s honor to The Musicians Hall of Fame or Brook Hollow Baptist Church.

Niko Moon Announces ‘These Are The Nights: The Tour’

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Niko Moon will kick off “These Are The Nights: The Tour” on Jan. 24.

“I’m beyond excited to hit the road again and bring the energy to these cities,” shares Moon. “This tour is all about the nights where we come together and share the love of music. I can’t wait to see everyone out there!”

Moon will visit Charlotte, Cincinnati, Richmond, Gainesville,and more through March 29 on the new journey. Tickets will go on sale to the general public tomorrow (Sept. 13). For more information, click here.

The tour announcement follows the release of Moon’s latest EP, These Are The Days, which features four tracks all co-written by Moon and a special collaboration with Michael Franti & Spearhead. Ahead of the 2025 run, the artist has slated various dates coast to coast, including a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 20, which coincides with his birthday.

Big Yellow Dog Signs Trent Tomlinson

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Pictured (L–R, back row): Brannen Carter, Carla Wallace, Jacee Badeaux and Alana Morgan; (front row): Trent Tomlinson

Big Yellow Dog Music has signed established songwriter Trent Tomlinson.

With a career spanning over two decades, Tomlinson has penned hits including No. 1 single “Damn Strait” by Scotty McCreery and RIAA Black Diamond-Certified track “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young, which earned a BMI Song of the Year award. His songwriting work has garnered more than three billion streams across platforms.

As a solo artist, Tomlinson has made his mark in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with singles like “One Wing In The Fire,” “She Just Might Have Her Radio On” and “Drunker Than Me,” and has become an in-demand collaborator for Lainey Wilson, George Strait, Chris Young, Sara Evans and more.

“Trent Tomlinson is a world-class songwriter who has honed his craft through dedication and hard work,” says Carla Wallace, Co-Founder, Big Yellow Dog Music. “I’m thrilled to work with him and proud to welcome him to the Big Yellow Dog Music family.”

“What an honor and privilege to be a part of such an iconic company as Big Yellow Dog,” shares Tomlinson. “From the very first meeting, I knew it’s where I wanted and needed to be. The ownership and staff shared my same passion for the hustle, and the camaraderie was second to none of any place I had ever been professionally. Thank you, Carla and Kerry.”

Kip Moore Partners With Virgin Music Group

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Pictured (L–R): Miles Rivera (RLM), John Mayer (VMG), Cindy James (VMG), Scott Safford (Safford Motley), Jacqueline Saturn (VMG), Kip Moore (Artist) Gaines Sturdivant (RLM), Courtney Johanson (RLM), Jordon Isbell (VMG), Jen Bontusa (VMG) and Julie Boos (FBMM). Photo: Jessie Rogers

Kip Moore has partnered with Virgin Music Group for the next phase of his career. He will release his track entitled “Live Here to Work” under the new deal on Sept. 20. The song, which reunites him with co-producer Jaren Johnston, will serve as his first new release in almost two years.

“I’m a firm believer that this life is what you make it and is enhanced by the people you surround yourself with,” shares Moore. “I see this next chapter of my career as an opportunity to keep building this thing brick by brick. I was making this record independently when I began having the initial conversations with Virgin and other record labels. It was ultimately the tangible passion from Virgin Music Group that made me want to team up and see where we could take this next chapter.

“There is a trust and a freedom in what I do and I can feel that from this team,” he adds.

“I have been a fan of Kip’s for years now,” shares Jacqueline Saturn, President, Virgin Music Group North America, and EVP of Global Artist Relations. “His music’s universal themes transcend genre and appeal to a huge variety of music fans. Along with his music, his commitment to relentless touring has helped him build a powerful global fanbase. We know this next phase of his career is going to be amazing.”

Moore has blazed his own trail since his debut in 2012, building a repertoire of five critically-acclaimed albums and penning over a dozen chart-topping singles along the way. He has garnered over a billion streams and 2.5 million monthly listeners with multi-Platinum tracks like “Something’ ‘Bout a Truck,” “Hey Pretty Girl,” “Beer Money” and “More Girls Like You.”

Moore is in the midst of his “Nomad World Tour,” which resumes in arenas and stadiums later this month with a 14-show run in Australia, includes a return to South Africa where he performed to crowds of over 40,000 fans last year and culminates with a string of dates in the U.S. this fall.