Alan Jackson, Buddy Cannon
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) will present its seventh annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 24.
The evening will bestow honors to the peer-voted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” winners and NSAI’s Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the year honorees, as well as pivotal individuals who have had great influence in the world of songwriting.
Legendary songwriter and artist Alan Jackson will receive NSAI’s highest honor of the evening, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson has earned an astounding list of awards throughout his career. The Country Music Hall of Fame member has amassed 26 No. 1 songs over the past 30 years, and his legacy has been etched into the history books with songs like “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Gone Country,” “Remember When,” “Drive (for Daddy Gene),” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Where I Come From,” “Wanted,” “Little Man,” “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett, “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait, and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Jackson received CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
“When the NSAI Board of Directors chose Alan Jackson as this year’s recipient of the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, I knew they had made a fantastic choice,” says NSAI Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow. “I was eager to craft a segment of our annual awards show around his work as a songwriter. But, it wasn’t until I really studied his body of work and recalled decades of his songs that I realized just how deserving he was of this recognition. Alan’s songs, many of which he wrote by himself, have marked significant moments in time and are etched into the memories of multiple generations. Choosing only a handful of his many hits to highlight in a celebration of his career will be incredibly challenging…that I’m looking forward to!”
“City National Bank has supported the music industry from the first day we opened our doors in 1954 and we are especially proud of our work in the beloved country music and local Nashville communities,” says Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Managers of City National Entertainment in Nashville. “On behalf of City National, we congratulate the incomparable Alan Jackson for his Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Alan, as both an artist and a songwriter, has delivered the most inspirational, motivational and uplifting music and we applaud the recognition of his eloquent songwriting artistry.”
Additionally, NSAI will present the President’s Keystone Award during the Nashville Songwriter Awards. Presented by NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller, this year’s award will go to iconic producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon.
Perhaps best known for his work producing Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson, Cannon has written enduring songs such as “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” “I’ve Come To Expect It From You,” “Dream Of Me” and “Give It Away.” As an A&R executive, he contributed to signing and developing Shania Twain and Billy Ray Cyrus. In the studio, he’s shepherded projects by Alison Krauss, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery and many others.
“Buddy Cannon has spent decades as an elite member of our Music Row community. He has written songs for some of country music’s most legendary superstars, has ridden busses playing in their bands and he is one of the most important record producers of the last 30 years,” says Miller. “It is impossible to calculate the impact Buddy Cannon has had on the songwriters in this town. He is famous for being tough on songs and helping build multi decade careers, like Kenny Chesney’s, is an example of how incredible his barometer is for a hit song. I’m proud to present Buddy Cannon with the 2024 NSAI President’s Award.”
Beginning this year, NSAI will also commemorate one song chosen by NSAI’s professional songwriting members as the Legendary Song of its time, beginning with songs from 1967-1983. The NSAI board of directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs in the given range, and the pro membership anonymously voted to determine the winning song. The first-ever Legendary Song Award recipient will be revealed and performed at the show.
Performer announcement and ticket information for the 2024 Nashville Songwriter Awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Country Duo Lakeview Signs With Gravel Road
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L to R): Jason Martin, Luke Healy, Jesse Denaro, Anthony Martini, Matt Woodson. Photo: Anna Schaeffer
Country rock duo Lakeview has signed with Gravel Road, the Nashville-based label and management firm launched by industry veteran Anthony Martini and entrepreneur Rich Barner.
The duo, Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, are poised for a breakout year after amassing nearly 30 million streams on their single “Home Team.” The rural blue-collar country duo first connected through a bouncing job and bonded over their common interest in country music with a strong metal-core influence. They recently released a new single, “Money Where Your Mouth Is (featuring Gideon),” as well as a video for their song, “See Me In A Suit.”
“From the moment I stumbled across a Lakeview clip online I knew I had to work with them,” says Martini. “Their unique blend of country and rock, their background in hardcore and their blue-collar DIY ethos all resonated with me to the core. Jesse and Luke are fiercely independent, so I spent the next 8 months popping up at shows around the country showing them that I understood the mission. The business part is cool, but what’s even cooler is the friendship we’ve been able to develop getting here. I’m excited to help execute their vision and bring their music to the world.”
“Choosing to work with Gravel Road was a natural decision for us; Ant’s background working with independent artists in metal and hip hop brings a fresh perspective to our project but also an understanding of who we are as artists and what we’ve done in our past bands,” says Healy. “Gravel Road’s commitment to support the vision and authenticity of Lakeview is what makes me most excited about this partnership. Everyone on team Lakeview gives a shit about us, our music, and our fans, and that’s all we could ever ask for.”
Denaro adds, “Working with a label this year wasn’t exactly part of the plan, to be honest. Lakeview is built on core values that honor our fans and allow Luke and I to best express our version of country music. There’s a reason our music sounds different than standard country songs you may hear on the radio and it’s because we aren’t trying to fit into a specific sound or create the next viral TikTok, we’re just making music that has come from years of struggling to make ends meet and what we’ve found is a community of fans who can relate. Gravel Road shares that vision with us and we couldn’t be more stoked to partner with them for our debut album.”
K.D. Lang To Be Inducted Into Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughK.D. Lang is set to be inducted into the 2024 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame at an exclusive ceremony during Country Music Week in Edmonton, Alberta over Sept. 11 – 14.
Edmonton-born singer-songwriter Lang has enjoyed a career spanning over four decades, and has appeared alongside musical icons like Tony Bennett, Elton John, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison and Bonnie Raitt. In 2014 Lang made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated musical After Midnight. In 2016, she united with Neko Case and Laura Veirs to create Case/Lang/Veirs, a collaborative album, and in 2017 celebrated the 25th anniversary of her Platinum-selling breakthrough album, Ingénue, with tours in Australia, Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom/Ireland. In 2021, she released Makeover, a collection of classic dance remixes that reimagined some of her most-loved songs from 1992-2000, highlighting her ability to evolve while staying true to her artistic roots.
Lang was a fixture in country music in the ’80s. Two of her four Grammy wins are in country categories, included Best Country Vocal Collaboration in 1989 with her and Orbison’s “Crying” and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1990 with her “Absolute Torch and Twang.” She also garnered ACM nominations for Top New Female Vocalist and Top Female Vocalist.
In addition to her Grammy awards, Lang has amassed a collection of accolades including eight JUNO Awards, 10 CCMA Awards (including three consecutive wins for Album of the Year and two consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards,) a BRIT Award, an AMA, a VMA and four GLAAD awards. She was recognized in 1996 with Canada’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada, was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Alberta Order of Excellence Award in 2021 and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
“I am beyond thrilled, and frankly pleasantly surprised to be honored in this way,” says Lang. She adds, “My love for the prairies, the people and our culture underscore every ounce of my inspiration. Not without its complexities, I might add. Such is life. I am so stoked to be coming to Edmonton to bask in this celebration… with deepest gratitude.”
“We are excited to announce the incomparable K.D. Lang as our 2024 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Artist inductee,” shares Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “A true Canadian icon and trailblazer in country music and beyond, K.D. embraced the genre with unparalleled passion, and her extraordinary talents have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of our nation. We proudly honor her incredible legacy and outstanding contributions, and can’t wait to celebrate her induction in Edmonton this September.”
JUST IN: NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards To Honor Alan Jackson, Buddy Cannon
/by LB CantrellAlan Jackson, Buddy Cannon
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) will present its seventh annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 24.
The evening will bestow honors to the peer-voted “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” winners and NSAI’s Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the year honorees, as well as pivotal individuals who have had great influence in the world of songwriting.
Legendary songwriter and artist Alan Jackson will receive NSAI’s highest honor of the evening, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson has earned an astounding list of awards throughout his career. The Country Music Hall of Fame member has amassed 26 No. 1 songs over the past 30 years, and his legacy has been etched into the history books with songs like “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Gone Country,” “Remember When,” “Drive (for Daddy Gene),” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Where I Come From,” “Wanted,” “Little Man,” “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett, “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait, and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” Jackson received CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
“When the NSAI Board of Directors chose Alan Jackson as this year’s recipient of the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, I knew they had made a fantastic choice,” says NSAI Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Turnbow. “I was eager to craft a segment of our annual awards show around his work as a songwriter. But, it wasn’t until I really studied his body of work and recalled decades of his songs that I realized just how deserving he was of this recognition. Alan’s songs, many of which he wrote by himself, have marked significant moments in time and are etched into the memories of multiple generations. Choosing only a handful of his many hits to highlight in a celebration of his career will be incredibly challenging…that I’m looking forward to!”
“City National Bank has supported the music industry from the first day we opened our doors in 1954 and we are especially proud of our work in the beloved country music and local Nashville communities,” says Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Managers of City National Entertainment in Nashville. “On behalf of City National, we congratulate the incomparable Alan Jackson for his Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Alan, as both an artist and a songwriter, has delivered the most inspirational, motivational and uplifting music and we applaud the recognition of his eloquent songwriting artistry.”
Additionally, NSAI will present the President’s Keystone Award during the Nashville Songwriter Awards. Presented by NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller, this year’s award will go to iconic producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon.
Perhaps best known for his work producing Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson, Cannon has written enduring songs such as “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” “I’ve Come To Expect It From You,” “Dream Of Me” and “Give It Away.” As an A&R executive, he contributed to signing and developing Shania Twain and Billy Ray Cyrus. In the studio, he’s shepherded projects by Alison Krauss, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery and many others.
“Buddy Cannon has spent decades as an elite member of our Music Row community. He has written songs for some of country music’s most legendary superstars, has ridden busses playing in their bands and he is one of the most important record producers of the last 30 years,” says Miller. “It is impossible to calculate the impact Buddy Cannon has had on the songwriters in this town. He is famous for being tough on songs and helping build multi decade careers, like Kenny Chesney’s, is an example of how incredible his barometer is for a hit song. I’m proud to present Buddy Cannon with the 2024 NSAI President’s Award.”
Beginning this year, NSAI will also commemorate one song chosen by NSAI’s professional songwriting members as the Legendary Song of its time, beginning with songs from 1967-1983. The NSAI board of directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs in the given range, and the pro membership anonymously voted to determine the winning song. The first-ever Legendary Song Award recipient will be revealed and performed at the show.
Performer announcement and ticket information for the 2024 Nashville Songwriter Awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Drew Baldridge Signs With UTA
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): UTA’s Lance Roberts, Nick Barnes, Drew Baldridge, UTA’s Matthew Morgan and Zach Hartley
Singer-songwriter Drew Baldridge has signed with UTA for representation in all areas.
The signing follows the rise of Baldridge’s Gold-certified single “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” to the top 15 at country radio, which his self-funded Lyric Ridge Records is continuing to push up the charts. The song, which started as a personal tribute to his wife, has gone viral with nearly a billion social media impressions and global streams.
Baldridge has also penned tunes recorded by Bailey Zimmerman, LoCash, Chase Matthew and more. When he is not writing and recording, he hosts a weekly radio show on L.A.’s Go Country/KKGO every Saturday and Sunday.
Baldridge recently performed at CMA Fest and has more festival appearances as well as headlining dates slated for this year, such as his third annual Big Baldridge & Bonfire Festival. He has played more than 400 shows over the past four years, including his “Baldridge & Bonfires Tour,” which he created during the height of the pandemic in order to safely perform for fans in their hometowns and backyards.
“We are wildly impressed with how Baldridge has independently grown touring, radio and festival audiences and are thrilled to welcome him to the UTA family,” says Matthew Morgan, UTA Partner & Nashville Co-Head.
“I am thrilled to be working with UTA and their talented team,” shares Baldridge. “Their passion and expertise align perfectly with my vision for my music and creative ventures. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
His longtime team consists of Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s Rusty Gaston, Huskin-Harris Business Management’s Becky Harris and Greenberg Traurig, LLP attorney Jeff Biederman.
Houston Gaither Joins UMG Nashville As Director Of Radio Marketing
/by Lorie HollabaughHouston Gaither
Houston Gaither has joined UMG Nashville as Director of Radio Marketing. In his new position, Gaither will oversee all audio and video content for the label’s Promotions department.
The Coweta, Oklahoma native began his radio career as an on-air personality for Cox Media Group’s KWEN in Tulsa while attending Rogers State University. He went on to serve as Music Director and Assistant Program Director for iHeart Media’s KTGX in Tulsa and KTST in Oklahoma City after graduation. Gaither relocated to Nashville in 2021, and joined Sony Music Nashville as Manager of Content, Promotion, & Artist Development.
“We are very excited to have Houston join the UMG Nashville family,” says Mike Harris, EVP & COO, UMG Nashville. “His vast radio experience and overall knowledge of the country genre are a perfect fit for the Universal Nashville promotion team.”
Gaither can be reached at houston.gaither@umusic.com.
Country Stars To Unite For ‘Toby Keith: American Icon’ Live Concert Event
/by Liza AndersonCountry music stars will unite at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for “Toby Keith: American Icon,” a live concert event celebrating the life and legacy of the renowned songsmith, on Monday, July 29. Additionally, NBC will air the special tribute on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 9–11 p.m. ET/PT.
Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, The War And Treaty and more are set to take the stage during the once-in-a-lifetime show.
One of the impactful voices in modern era of country music, Keith amassed 42 top 10 hits and 33 No. 1s in addition to selling 44 million albums, with 100 million BMI performances and over 10 billion streams largely on the strength of his own songwriting and producing. With songs like “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar” and so many more, his influence has spanned generations. He was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame shortly after his passing in February. Keith was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015 as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) in 2021, the same year he received the National Medal of Arts. He was then presented with the BMI Icon Award in 2022.
Tickets will go on sale this Friday (June 28) at 10 a.m. CT. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses, and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals and the top-rated in the Southeast. For more information, click here.
Toby Keith: American Icon will be produced by UMG Nashville’s Sing Me Back Home Productions and ITV America’s Thinkfactory Media, in association with Alex Coletti Productions. Cindy Mabe, Dawn Gates and Harper Grae will serve as Executive Producers for Sing Me Back Home Productions in partnership with Mercury Studios Executive Producers Alice Webb and Barak Moffitt. Other Executive Producers include Adam Reed and Jordana Hochman for Thinkfactory Media, Coletti for Alex Coletti Productions as well as TK Kimbrell and R.A. Clark. The show and special have been packaged by UTA, Keith’s longtime agency partner.
Dasha Partners With TikTok For Benefit Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): Eric Rasmussen (American Legion), Dasha, Dave Hickman (American Legion), Shannon Rasmussen (American Legion) and Will Amundson (American Legion). Photo: Tibrina Hodson
Pictured (L–R): Kimberly Hughes (TAPS), Vicky Egli (TAPS), Dasha, Katie Maness (TAPS), Avery King (King Publicity) and Alex Lunt (Type A Management). Photo: Tibrina Hodson
Following the performance, Dasha presented a $10,000 donation to The American Legion and an additional $10,000 donation to TAPS. The show was a full circle moment for Dasha, as it took place where the original visualizer for her smash hit “Austin” was filmed in November 2023. The rising artist performed for special VIP guests and fans during the event, with DJ Brandi Cyrus hyped up the packed venue before she took the stage.
“It was such an honor to team up with TikTok to be able to present this donation to two incredible organizations,” says Dasha. “I’m proud to use my platform in this way to uplift and help, especially to a cause that means so much to me.”
Additionally, she plans to release her new song “Didn’t I” on July 12 via Warner Records, before kicking off her debut headlining tour later this summer.
Lainey Wilson Announces New Track, Reveals Track List For Upcoming Album
/by LB CantrellPhoto: Eric Ryan Anderson
Reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson has unveiled more details regarding her forthcoming new album, Whirlwind, set to release on Aug. 23 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
Her new track, “4x4xU,” will be released on July 4, marking the third song to be revealed from the forthcoming album including the top-20-and-rising single “Hang Tight Honey” and the anthemic “Country’s Cool Again.”
Co-written by Wilson, Jon Decious and Aaron Raitiere, “4x4xU” was produced by frequent collaborator Jay Joyce. The superstar gave fans a taste of the romantic track at the opening night of her “Country’s Cool Again Tour.”
In addition to news of the track, Wilson has also revealed the full track list for Whirlwind.
Whirlwind Track List:
1. “Keep Up With Jones” (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. “Country’s Cool Again” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Aslan Freeman)
3. “Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” (Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
4. “Broken Hearts Still Beat” (Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Josh Thompson, Blake Pendergrass)
5. “Whirlwind” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
6. “Call A Cowboy” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
7. “Hang Tight Honey” (Lainey Wilson, Driver Williams, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes)
8. “Bar In Baton Rouge” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Kasey Tyndall, Jason Nix)
9. “Counting Chickens” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Josh Kear, Dallas Wilson, Jon Decious)
10. “4x4xU” (Lainey Wilson, Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere)
11. “Ring Finger” (Lainey Wilson, Aaron Raitiere, Marti Dodson, Jon Decious)
12. “Middle Of It” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
13. “Devil Don’t Go There” (Lainey Wilson, Abram Dean, Lance Miller, Joe Fox)
14. “Whiskey Colored Crayon” (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
Josh Turner Slates Upcoming LP ‘This Country Music Thing’ For August
/by Lorie HollabaughJosh Turner. Photo: David McClister
Josh Turner will cap off the summer with the release of his brand new album This Country Music Thing on Aug. 16 via MCA Nashville. Turner just released a taste of the forthcoming album with the new track, “Down In Georgia.”
This Country Music Thing, Turner’s 10th album, was produced by his longtime producer Kenny Greenberg. Turner released another track from the project, “Heatin’ Things Up,” in April. He wrote or co-wrote three of the songs on This Country Music Thing, and other writers contributing included Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Jon Randall, Chase McGill and more.
“I think they’ve been reading my mail, because I married a girl from Georgia and we actually moved to Georgia last year,” says the South Carolina native about the album’s inspiration and leadoff track.
The vinyl version of This Country Music Thing will be available Sept. 13. Turner is currently on his “Greatest Hits Tour” throughout 2024, with tour dates spanning coast to coast.
This Country Music Thing Track List:
1. “Down in Georgia” (Tyler Booth, Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard)
2. “If You Ain’t With Me” (Marv Green, Lance Miller, Jimmy Yeary)
3. “I Just Wanna Kiss You” (Jeff Hyde, Jon Nite)
4. “Heatin’ Things Up” (Marv Green, Luke Laird, Brice Long)
5. “This Country Music Thing” (Josh Turner)
6. “My Side” (Barton Davies, William Reames, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell)
7. “Two Steppin’ On The Moon” (Matt Dragstrem, Chase McGill, John Pierce)
8. “Somewhere With Her” (Rhett Akins, Will Bundy, Josh Miller)
9. “Whirlwind” (Josh Turner, Mark Narmore)
10. “Pretty Please” (Wyatt McCubbin, Jon Randall, Gordie Sampson)
11. “Unsung Hero” (Josh Turner)
‘Thomas Rhett: Live In Las Vegas’ Set For December
/by Liza AndersonThomas Rhett has slated a four-night run at the BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas for Dec. 6–7 and 13–14 during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Presented in collaboration with Fontainebleau Las Vegas and Live Nation, “Thomas Rhett: Live In Las Vegas” aims to bring fans closer to the music in the 3,800-capacity theater.
“For me, having the chance to set up in Vegas for a string of shows is something I’ve been trying to find the right time to do for awhile now,” shares the artist. “It gives us the chance to be back in smaller rooms—for almost a mini-residency—and really be right there to play off the fans and be sure every single one of them is on their feet each night. I’m already looking forward to making these shows unlike any we’ve ever done before. It’s going to be a blast.”
Fan will have access to tickets through a presale beginning tomorrow (June 26) at 8 a.m. CT. More presales will run throughout the week ahead of general sales, which start this Friday (June 28) at 8 a.m. CT. For more information, click here. Additionally, VIP concert & hotel packages will be available tomorrow (June 26) at 12 p.m. CT exclusively through Vibee.
The country star also recently shared that his seventh studio album, About A Woman, is set for release on Aug. 23. The 14-track project’s lead single, “Beautiful As You,” is already among the top 30 at country radio.