MusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, has released its 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue, with Big Loud/Back Blocks/Mercury/Republic emerging star Ashley Cooke gracing its cover.
Cooke’s July 2023 debut album shot in the dark unfolds as if it was ripped from pages of her personal journal. Fully capturing the essence of a daring twenty-something growing up, chasing her dreams and taking risks, Cooke infuses heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies and raw relatability as she invites listeners to come along for the ride. The striking debut garnered Cooke praise from critics, as well as her first CMT Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards. The ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee recently celebrated her first career No. 1 song at country radio with “your place.”
The MusicRow Awards print issue highlights this year’s MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group/Duo Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
The winners of the 36th annual MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank. This print issue also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Award winners, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period.
“The MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors, celebrating the achievements of artists, songwriters, producers and more,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “Honors such as the annual MusicRow Awards play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the music industry. These types of accolades serve multiple purposes: they celebrate artistic achievements and recognize emerging talent.”
The 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue also looks into the illustrious career of country music journalist and historian Robert K. Oermann, as well as Opry Photographer Chris Hollo. The MusicRow Awards print issue also contains an informative roundup of all the awards applicable to the Nashville music industry.
Single copies of the 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $25, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
On The Cover: Ashley Cooke Graces Cover Of 2024 MusicRow Awards Issue
/by MusicRow StaffMusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, has released its 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue, with Big Loud/Back Blocks/Mercury/Republic emerging star Ashley Cooke gracing its cover.
Cooke’s July 2023 debut album shot in the dark unfolds as if it was ripped from pages of her personal journal. Fully capturing the essence of a daring twenty-something growing up, chasing her dreams and taking risks, Cooke infuses heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies and raw relatability as she invites listeners to come along for the ride. The striking debut garnered Cooke praise from critics, as well as her first CMT Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards. The ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee recently celebrated her first career No. 1 song at country radio with “your place.”
The MusicRow Awards print issue highlights this year’s MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group/Duo Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
The winners of the 36th annual MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank. This print issue also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Award winners, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period.
“The MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors, celebrating the achievements of artists, songwriters, producers and more,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “Honors such as the annual MusicRow Awards play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the music industry. These types of accolades serve multiple purposes: they celebrate artistic achievements and recognize emerging talent.”
The 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue also looks into the illustrious career of country music journalist and historian Robert K. Oermann, as well as Opry Photographer Chris Hollo. The MusicRow Awards print issue also contains an informative roundup of all the awards applicable to the Nashville music industry.
Single copies of the 2024 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $25, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Taylor Phillips Continues To Climb Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenTaylor Phillips
Taylor Phillips continues to climb the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, jumping up two spots to No. 6 this week. His entries on the chart include “I Am Not Okay,” “Liar,” “Love You Again” and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.”
Zach Bryan remains in the No. 1 spot for the sixth consecutive week with “28,” “American Nights,” “Bass Boat,” “Better Days,” “Nine Ball,” “Oak Island,” “Pink Skies” and “Sandpaper.” Ashley Gorley sits at No. 2 this week with “Bulletproof,” “Cowgirls,” “I Am Not Okay,” “I Had Some Help,” “Liar,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Whiskey Whiskey” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights.”
Josh Phillips (No. 3), Chris Stapleton (No. 4) and Jessi Alexander (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Jeremy Cowart Opens New Photography Studio Offering 60-Second Photo Shoots
/by Lorie HollabaughJeremy Cowart
Artist and photographer Jeremy Cowart has opened a new photography studio, The Portrait Lab. Located in Franklin, Tennessee, the studio offers 60-second photo shoots.
The high-tech photo sessions use rotating setups that create beauty light, overhead dramatic light, side Rembrandt lighting and backlight mood lighting as well as 200 backdrops, featuring both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cowart’s own physical artwork, that sync with the lighting on a state-of-the-art LED backdrop wall.
Cowart has also invented a system that edits the portrait quickly in different formats, such as in black and white, multiple color overlays, contrast or tone. The photo session uses various glass, prisms and foreground elements to give every portrait its own fingerprint so that each portrait is its own work of art.
“It’s always the idea that motivates me,” he shares. “The 60-second photo shoot was an idea to create a process of using patented lighting and state-of-the-art techniques that I have been fine-tuning over the past two decades. My hope is that the public sees my love for art and love for people throughout all of it.”
Cowart has spent the last 20 years shooting portraits of celebrities and humanitarian projects around the world. In November 2022, his portrait work was featured in a PHILLIPS art auction in London among photos shot by Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Diane Arbus and more. Cowart’s past clients include Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, Kim Kardashian, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, One Republic, Ryan Tedder, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Emma Stone, Sting, Kelly Clarkson, Heidi Klum, Garth Brooks and The Killers, among others.
For more information, click here.
UMPG Nashville Signs Rob Snyder
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): UMPG Nashville’s Cyndi Forman, Rob Snyder and UMPG Nashville’s Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG Nashville
UMPG Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Rob Snyder to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.
The West Chester, Pennsylvania native has penned songs recorded by Luke Combs, including four-week Billboard No. 1 “She Got The Best Of Me,” as well as Warren Zeiders, Zac Brown Band and more. In 2013, Snyder founded Revival, a platform spotlighting exceptional songwriters in Nashville.
“I have been a fan of Rob’s songwriting through the years,” says Cyndi Forman, Senior VP, A&R, UMPG Nashville. “I knew he was a great songwriter, but after getting to know him, I’ve come to realize he’s an even better person who is a true student of the craft.”
Snyder shares, “I’m thrilled to have found a home at Universal Music Publishing! They believed in me from the start, and I’m fired up to work with such an awesome group of hardworking, good people!”
Morgan Wallen, Hardy & Ernest To Perform At Gala Honoring Seth England
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): Morgan Wallen (Photo: Cameron Baird), Hardy (Photo: Robby Klein) and Ernest (Photo: Delaney Royer)
The T.J. Martell Foundation has announced details regarding its 49th Annual New York Honors Gala, taking place Sept. 17 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s primary fundraiser supporting cancer research.
Big Loud recording artists Morgan Wallen, Ernest and Hardy will participate in a special writers’ round during event, where the independent music conglomerate’s CEO/Parter Seth England will be honored with the foundation’s Lifetime Music Industry Award.
“We are thrilled to be honoring our distinguished music industry colleague and dear friend Seth England with this year’s Lifetime Music Industry Award to commemorate his deep commitment to the foundation,” says Steve Gawley, Board of Trustees Chairman-Elect, T.J. Martell Foundation. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on Seth’s dedicated efforts towards our cancer research as well as his pioneering work in the music world, and look forward to celebrating Seth and his achievements with an exhilarating night of music!”
The evening will also include a fundraising auction and the announcement of an initiative hoping to continue to raise awareness of early screening and testing made by Def Jam Chief Creative Officer/EVP and 2023 Rising Music Superstar Award recipient Archie Davis.
For more information, click here.
Matt McVaney Inks With Round Hill Music
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Round Hill Music Director of A&R Taylor Antle; Round Hill Music GM/SVP of A&R Mike Whelan; Matt McVaney; Round Hill Music Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will
Songwriter and producer Matt McVaney has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Round Hill Music.
The Ohio native first made waves with writing and producing credits on Kane Brown’s “Used To Love You Sober.” He also is credited on Brown’s “I Love That I Hate You” and his debut single “Thunder In The Rain.” Since then, he has worked with Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lainey Wilson, Scotty McCreery, Tim McGraw, Gary LeVox and Dalton Dover.
“I’m thrilled to work with a writer and producer of McV’s caliber,” says Round Hill’s Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He has a proven track record of producing and developing some of the best talent in country music and we’re pumped to bring him on board to produce some of our artists at Round Hill. McV is an incredible writer and so much fun to be around; we’re so excited to welcome him to the RHM family!”
“I’m so excited to be signing with Round Hill Music,” adds McVaney. “Lindsay has been such a huge champion of me, and I love the way she thinks outside the box when it comes to the songwriting industry and has a forward-thinking approach to the music industry as a whole. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together!”
Warner Music Nashville Signs The Band Loula
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Christina Dunkley (Management), Ben Kline (Co-Chair/Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (Co-Chair/Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Patrick Sabatini (SVP Legal & Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville) and Chip Dorsch (Management); (L-R, front row): Stephanie Davenport (VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Malachi Mills (The Band Loula), Logan Simmons (The Band Loula) and Mary Hilliard Harrington (Management)
Warner Music Nashville has signed The Band Loula. Their major-label debut track, “Don’t Call Me,” is set for release this Friday (Aug. 23).
Hailing from north Georgia, the duo is made up of longtime friends Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons. Together they have created a swampy, soul-forward country sound, and are currently in the studio with Grammy-winning Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne working on new music.
“The Band Loula’s music is equal parts raw talent, southern storytelling, heart and soul,” shares WMN’s VP of A&R, Stephanie Davenport. “Their incredible songwriting is matched only by their insane vocals, and I’m so thrilled to have them at Warner Music Nashville.”
The Band Loula has spent the year touring with Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, Paul Cauthen and Brent Cobb, and they will continue touring with Elle King through November. Their team also includes managers Mary Hilliard Harrington, Chip Dorsch and Christina Dunkley and agents Grace Stern and Jay Williams of WME. They are signed to UMPG Nashville for publishing.
Keith Urban Pops Up In Alabama For Surprise Buc-ee’s Show
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban
Keith Urban thrilled fans in Athens, Alabama with a surprise pop-up concert in a parking lot adjacent to a Buc-ee’s convenience store and gas station, where he played for an estimated crowd of 6,000.
The concert came off with same day notice and quick construction of a stage, and Urban performed songs from his forthcoming album High, as well as many of his No. 1 hits for the crowd. Buc-ee’s put him to work behind the food counter inside as well, where he poured sauce on their famous brisket and chopped up some meat.
“I came down to this Buc-ee’s about a month ago and when I left, I went ‘it’d be kinda fun to do a show there,'” said Urban. There’s no word on whether there will be any more random pop-ups in the works.
The Young Fables Ink With BMG
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Wes Lunsford (The Young Fables), Laurel Wright (The Young Fables), Patryk Larney (Manager, Hope Tree Entertainment) and Chris Oglesby (BMG). Photo: Hope Tree Entertainment
Country/folk duo The Young Fables have signed a publishing deal with BMG.
Members Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford have made a mark in the country/folk scene with their vulnerable take on musical storytelling paired with their whimsical blend of the sounds.
“Authenticity and emotion can be hard to find. Laurel and Wes combine it with grit and determination. Laurel’s vocals pull you into every word, while Wes’s harmony and guitar complete the story. I am so excited to begin this journey and introduce you to The Young Fables,” says Chris Oglesby, VP, Publishing, BMG Nashville.
The Young Fables will release their fourth studio album, Short Stories, in October. They will host a release show at the Basement East in Nashville on Oct. 20. They also recently released their feature documentary The Fable of a Song, which won the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award.
“BMG has been an inspiration to us. Chris Oglesby and the team have embraced us wholeheartedly and we’re excited to learn from their experience and their forward-thinking approach to publishing. We truly value their dedication and unwavering focus on supporting artists and are happy to call BMG a new member of our musical family,” share Wright and Lunsford.
Paul Cauthen Slates ‘Black On Black’ For October
/by John Nix ArledgeRising artist Paul Cauthen is set to release his new album, Black on Black, on Oct. 25 via Anemoia Records/Atlantic Records.
Today (Aug. 19), to tease the new record, Cauthen released the track “Sweetheart from the Trailer Park” from the project, and announced headline shows in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and more for the fall.
“Sweetheart from the Trailer Park” comes one the heels of the recently released “Hot Damn” and forthcoming title track “Black on Black.” These new songs mark a pivotal time for the Cauthen, who brought out Lana Del Rey to duet “Unchained Melody” during his Stagecoach performance and scored a feature on Shaboozey’s track “Last of my Kind” from his recent album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.
Black on Black was largely recorded at Rosewood Studios in Cauthen’s hometown of Tyler, Texas with collaborator Jason Burt and crafted during the artist’s tour across North America on his motorcycle and tour bus.
Cauthen, affectionately known as “Big Velvet” for his smooth baritone voice, grew up singing in the church choir. He steadily made himself known throughout the country and Americana genres as a part of the duo Sons of Fathers before taking his career solo with debut album, My Gospel. Since then, he has released two more albums Room 41 and Country Coming Down and toured across the world sharing stages with Margo Price, Orville Peck, Elle King, Midland, Cody Jinks and more.
Paul Cauthen’s Black On Black Track List:
1. “Black on Black”
2. “Ridin’ the Line”
3. “Angels & Heathens”
4. “Hot Damn”
5. “Speaking in Cursive”
6. “Everybody Get in Line”
7. “Bet on Me”
8. “Lavender Jones”
9. “Innocent”
10. “Black Roses”
11. “Sweetheart From the Trailer Park”
12. “To Whom Do You Belong”