DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs Proves Why He’s A Country Superstar

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Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

It’s all superstars, no waiting, today in DISClaimer.

Packed into this edition of the column are Luke Bryan, Carly Pearce, Lorrie Morgan, Lainey Wilson, Billy Currington and our Disc of the Day winner, Luke Combs.

Mix them together with talents like Drew Parker, Levi Hummon and Don Louis, there’s just no room for a newcomer to squeeze in. So there’s no DISCovery Award winner this week.

DREW PARKER / “Better On A Boat”
Writers: Dan Isbell/Drew Parker/Jacob Rice; Producer: Jacob Rice; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– I have made no secret of my admiration for this country-as-grits performer. His latest is a rocking summertime romp. As always, he sings with an endearing drawl and the production is perfection. ‘Pop, pop, pop-a-top/Pour yourself a  beer/Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug/Your troubles disappear.’ And if you are chilling on the water, so much the better. Please make this the mega  smash it deserves to be. 

LUKE BRYAN / “Mind Of A Country Boy”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/Luke Bryan/Rhett Akins; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Love the banjo. I am SO over bro country songs. Pass.

DON LOUIS / “Liquor Talkin’”
Writers: Cale Dodds/Don Louis/Thomas Kipp Williams; Producer: Kipp Williams; Label: Money Myers Entertainment LLC/ EMPIRE
– The groove is sultry and darkly rhythmic. His voice has baritone heat. The mood is mellow. The lyric is about a guy who needs a couple of shots to get the courage to talk to a lady. Roll with this bluesy winner. The EMPIRE imprint is on a roll with Niko  Moon, Wyatt Flores, Shaboozey and more.

LORRIE MORGAN / “Dead Girl Walking”
Writer: Kelly Lang; Producer: Lawson White//Lorrie Morgan/Richard Landis; Label: Cleopatra Records
– This is the title tune of Morgan’s first album in seven years. It’s a soulful heartache ballad stirred with terrific echoey guitars and percussion. She remains a sterling singer, investing every line with passion, heart and nuance. Morgan celebrated her 40th anniversary as an Opry member earlier this month. Dead Girl Walking is the final album produced by the late talent Richard Landis (1946-2023).

ANGEL WHITE / “2733”
Writers: Angel White/James Droll/Reed Jacob Berin; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Wyatt Road Records
– This Black Texan sings in a heartfelt tenor as he communicates open-sky loneliness, yearning and loss. His harmonica and  guitar propel the tasteful production. Give the guy extra points for playing both CMA Fest and Bonnaroo.

LUKE COMBS / “Remember Him That Way”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs; Producers: Chip Matthews/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs; Label: Seven Ridges Records/Columbia Nashville
– This warm recollection of an aging dad is drawn from Luke’s excellent Fathers and Sons album. Dobro, guitar and mandolin notes ripple around his heartfelt vocal. The whole project is emotionally awesome. There is a reason why this man is a country superstar.

BREI CARTER / “Sun Still Shining”
Writers: David Frasier/Lonnie Fowler/Marti Dodson; Producer: Bill McDermott; Label: BC
– It’s a lilting, upbeat ode to surviving a breakup. She’s not a powerhouse vocalist, but has a sweet, light soprano that covers the bases just fine.

LAINEY WILSON / “Out Of Oklahoma”
Writers: Lainey Wilson/Luke Dick/Shane McAnally; Producer: Luke Dick; Label: Atlantic Records
– This is drawn from an impressive, 29- track album of music from the soundtrack of the movie blockbuster Twisters. It drops on July 19. In the meantime, check out Wilson’s haunting, wistful, evocative, airy and delicious performance of this gently seductive reflection. She is not alone on this marvelously curated collection of established stars (Combs, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain, Kane Brown, Megan Moroney, Thomas Rhett) and gifted talents (Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Tanner Adell, Leon Bridges, Warren Zeiders, Bailey Zimmerman).

LEVI HUMMON / “Make It Love”
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Levi Hummon/Marcus Hummon; Producer: Eric Arjes; Label: Red Van Records
– The single remains his duet with Walker Hayes, “Paying For It.” Now comes this newly issued track, a hopeful, moving pop ode to curing the world’s ills with love. Very, very pretty and thoroughly enjoyable from the opening acoustic guitar notes to the string embellished finish.

DYLAN SCOTT / “I Owe You One”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ernest Keith Smith/Mark Holman/Morgan Wallen; Producer: Mark Holman; Label: Curb Records
– This oomphy performance is a salute to the community that raised him. It’s not particularly musical, but everyone can relate to this lyric.

CARLY PEARCE / “Oklahoma”
Writers: Carly Pearce/Jordan Reynolds/Nicolle Galyon/Shane McAnally; Producers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Carly Pearce; Label: Big Machine Records
– ‘I might be in Oklahoma, but I’m not OK,’ she sings as she drives as far from a broken heart as she can get. As always, she’s a brilliant vocalist, one of the finest in all of country music.

Billy Currington / “Everything Is Changing”
Writers: Billy Currington/Cary Barlowe/Rømans/Will Weatherly; Producer: Will Weatherly; Label: Mercury Nashville
– The scampering rhythm track gives this performance little electric jolts. But Currington’s delivery of the nostalgic lyric remains front and center. He looks around and sees that everything is being transformed so much that he doesn’t even  recognize his own town. Loved the rousing, naked-vocals ending.

Black Country Celebrated At Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

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Pictured (L–R): CMHOFM’s Michael Gray, Blanco Brown, Hubby Jenkins, The War and Treaty’s Tanya Trotter and Michael Trotter, Miko Marks, Darius Rucker, Cowboy Troy, Tony Jackson, Wendy Moten, Barrence Whitfield, Rissi Palmer, CMHOFM’s Lisa Purcell and Shannon Sanders. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Black country staged a triumphant event at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Tuesday (June 18).

10 artists raised their voices at the CMA Theater to salute the release of From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music. This is a CD boxed set of Black country recordings that is being updated and revived by the institution via Warner Music Nashville this summer. The new version will contain new essays as well as a new fourth CD. Many of the artists who performed at the museum’s venue are featured on the set’s fourth CD. Music by some of the others was on the original, three-CD collection. This project updates that landmark release, compiling Black country music up to 1988.

The commemorating show for the updated From Where I Stand was co-produced by “Color Me Country” Founder Rissi Palmer and Grammy-winning bandleader Shannon Sanders. Palmer kicked things off with a jubilant performance of “Country Girl,” preceded by a vivid historical video of Hall of Fame member DeFord Bailey.

“We’re going to celebrate tonight!” Palmer said to the sold-out audience. She favored the crowd with “Bad Case of the Blues,” to honor Linda Martel, one of the collection’s featured stars. “This is a very historic and significant night of music,” Palmer continued. “It’s more than just music tonight. We are honoring the ancestors.”

Former Carolina Chocolate Drops banjo player Hubby Jenkins saluted Black, old-time, string-band music artists Frank Patterson and Nathan Frasier, who are also represented on From Where I Stand. Barrence Whitfield sang “Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul” to honor Stoney Edwards. He also sang Merle Haggard’s song of interracial love “Irma Jackson.”  Wendy Moten received the night’s first standing ovation after she performed a soul-saturated version of “Release Me.” The country standard’s original Black version by Esther Phillips is on the boxed set. Moten also performed a simmering version of Tammy Wynette’s “Til I Get It Right.”

“Normally, I feel like the only raison in the rice pudding; so this is new,” said Tony Jackson about the event. He sang “The Grand Tour,” represented on the original album by Aaron Neville. Jackson also added his own “I Didn’t Wake Up This Morning” to the evening’s entertainment. Miko Marks took the stage with a spirited rendition of “It Feels Good,” then drew a standing ovation for her version of “Misty Blue.” On the album, that country classic is represented by Dorothy Moore’s hit 1976 version. Good-time country “hick hop” artist Cowboy Troy delighted the room with his 2005 hit “I Play Chicken With the Train,” which drew another standing ovation.

Blanco Brown rocked out with a highly entertaining version of his hit “The Git Up,” highlighted by his instrumental solo, playing the spoons. The War And Treaty revived the Ray Charles hit “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” which was a Don Gibson/Kitty Wells/Conway Twitty/Sammi Smith country evergreen. The duo then sang “Yesterday’s Burn,” drawing another standing ovation.

Hootie & The Blowfish pop/rock star Darius Rucker has become contemporary country’s leading Black artist with seven No. 1 smashes. He sang his career-launching “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Rucker also saluted his forefather, Charley Pride, with “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.” Next, he brought the entire crowd to its feet with his 11-time Platinum hit “Wagon Wheel.” Rucker recalled the night he joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. “Jimmy Dickens drew me aside and said, ‘Don’t ever let them tell you that you don’t belong [as a Black country artist].'” He then summoned all 10 artists back to the stage for the Hall’s anthem “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” with Sanders guiding the band and the massed singers to the evening’s climax.

The new version of the boxed set will also be available as an online experience, consisting of this concert, educational lesson plans and more, via countrymusichalloffame.org.

Dexter And The Moonrocks Announce New EP Following Severance Records Signing

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Dexter and the Moonrocks. Photo: David Forehand

Alternative rock group Dexter and The Moonrocks recently signed with Severance Records, becoming the Nashville-based imprint of Big Loud Rock’s flagship act.

The band has also announced their new EP, Western Space Grunge, set for release on July 19. Comprised of a fry cook, an oil field operator, a concrete surface decorator and a kids’ baseball coach who met up in west Texas, Dexter and The Moonrocks recently released the second single from Western Space Grunge, “Bleach.” Additionally, the project’s track “Sad In Carolina” has entered the Alt-18 Countdown on SiriusXM’s AltNation.

In just two years, they have collected more than 50 million streams and 675,000 followers on TikTok and counting.

Western Space Grunge Track Listing:
1. “Outta Luck”
2. “Sad In Carolina”
3. “Wasting Away”
4. “For Once”
5. “Bleach”
6. “Pixie”

Clint Black Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Collective Artist Management’s Brinson Strickland, Sony Music Publishing’s Cam Caldwell, Tom Luteran, Aubrey Landon, Clint Black, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Dale Bobo and UTA’s Cass Scripps

Renowned country artist Clint Black has signed a global agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. The deal will see the company administering songs across his catalog of compositions, including hits “A Good Run Of Bad Luck,” “Like The Rain,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Nothin’ But The Taillights” and more.

“Clint Black is without a doubt a country music icon, whose songs carved a unique path and propelled country into what it is today,” says Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO. “We look forward to working with Clint and his team to extend his creative influence even further.”

Black states, “I have great respect for Rusty and the entire team at Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and I am excited to move forward on all things past, present and future!”

Since his 1989 debut album, Killin’ Time, first propelled him into stardom, the Texas-raised songsmith has gone on to earn widespread critical acclaim and notch numerous Platinum-certified albums throughout his career, with his classic tunes becoming permanently ingrained in the cultural fabric of country music. Black has sold more than 20 million records, amassed over 22 No. 1 singles and more than 30 top-10 hits, in addition to earning a a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He has also been recognized with a Grammy as well as multiple CMA, AMA and ACM Awards, including the 2023 ACM Honors Poet’s Award.

This year, Black embarked on his 2024 “Killin’ Time – The 35th Anniversary World Tour,” performing the triple-Platinum album live from start to finish for the first time ever in concert.

Bayker Blankenship Signs With Lone Star/Santa Anna Records

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Bayker Blankenship.

Bayker Blankenship has signed an exclusive recording agreement with Lone Star/Santa Anna Records.

“Bayker is one of the rare, special artists who possesses a pure, singular talent, matched only by his unaffected personality and big heart,” says Todd Moscowitz, CEO of Alamo Records/Santa Anna Records. “His authenticity, warmth and wit shines through on ‘Maxed Out,’ which is quickly establishing itself as a very reactive hit. We are thrilled to welcome Bayker to the Lone Star/Santa Anna family, and look forward to an amazing journey together.”

The Tennessee native began posting covers on TikTok, which started quickly gaining attention. He then posted his original song “Maxed Out,” giving the singer his first breakout hit. The song has reached No. 2 on the Spotify Viral Charts, and No. 43 on the Apple Music Country chart. The song has been viewed six million times on Blankenship’s page, and used 26,000 times by TikTok creators, as well as garnering over six million streams.

2024 BMI Christian Awards Honor Top Songwriters & Publishers

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Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Essential Music Publishing’s Jamie Rogers, Phil Wickham and BMI’s Mike Steinberg. Photo: Larry McCormack

BMI held the 2024 BMI Christian Awards, honoring its songwriters and publishers within the genre, on Tuesday (June 18).

Hosted by BMI’s AVP of Creative, Nashville Leslie Roberts, the event recognized 21 first-time winners for their efforts in penning the top 25 most-performed Christian songs of the previous year, such as “Fear Is Not My Future,” “God Is in The Story,” “Heart of God,” “Hymn of Heaven,” “Love Me Like I Am,” “Rest On Us,” “Who I Am” and more. These first-time winners include Bryan Fowler, Enrique Holmes, Jesse Cline, Nicole Hannel, Jonathan Jay, Jacob Mills, Levi Mills, Hannah Shackelford, Anthony Skinner and P!nk.

The 2024 Song of the Year award went to “Gratitude,” featured on Brandon Lake’s album House of Miracles, written by Dante Bowe and Ben Hastings. Phil Wickham, who contributed to four of this year’s award-winning tracks, earned the title of Songwriter of the Year, while Essential Music Publishing claimed the accolade for Publisher of the Year.

During the ceremony, singer Anne Wilson delivered her hit “Strong” alongside BMI’s 2023 Songwriter of the Year Jeff Pardo. Newcomer Charly Beathard made her BMI performance  debut with “Hallelujah Anyway,” and multi-Grammy-nominated artist Wickham performed an acoustic version of his song “Hymn of Heaven.”

The complete list of 2024 BMI Christian Award winners can be found here.

‘A Preshias Night Of Music’ Benefit Set For June 25

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Preshias Harris

“A Preshias Night Of Music,” benefitting music creator advocate Preshias Harris, will take place on June 25 at 6 p.m. at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley. The event will feature performances by Brady Seals, Dave Gibson, Elvie Shane and more.

Harris is known for being a friend, guide, guardian and cheerleader for emerging songwriters and artists, giving them her time and talent for over three decades. In 2022, she was surprised at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Awards with the Friend of Songwriters medallion.

After suffering two heart attacks, bypass surgery and a serious fall, Harris has recently endured four hospitalizations in four months. These hospitalizations, in addition to the ones currently scheduled, have put her under considerable emotional and financial strain with mounting bills, even after the portion covered by insurance. Through all of the challenges, Harris aims to maintain her focus on her ‘kids’ (as she calls the songwriters and singers whom she mentors). She understands many of her ‘kids’ face financial concerns as they chase their dreams, so she keeps her fees affordable by working part-time night shifts at St. Thomas Hospital and takes no management fees or a share of their publishing.

Those unable to attend the benefit but would like to help can use this QR code to donate.

Weekly Register: Dasha Remains Among Top Five On Country Streaming Songs Chart

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Dasha. Photo: Adam Budd

Dasha‘s “Austin” remains at No. 5 on the country streaming songs chart this week with 13 million new streams, adding to 162 million ATD, according to Luminate data.

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen‘s “I Had Some Help” resides at the top with 37 million streams, adding to 255 million ATD, followed by Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” at No. 2 with 34 million new streams, adding to 291 million ATD. Zach Bryan‘s “Pink Skies” persists at No. 3 with 26 million streams, adding to 84 million ATD, while he and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” stays at No. 4 with 14 million new streams, adding to 802 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time rules at No. 1 with 72K in total consumption (1.3K album only/91 million song streams). His Dangerous: The Double Album returns to No. 2 with 44K (424 album only/57 million song streams), while Shaboozey’s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going shifts down to No. 3 with 41K (1K album only/48 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled project continues at No. 4 with 35K (3.1K album only/42 million song streams), as his American Heartbreak holds No. 5 with 32K (1.1K album only/40 million song streams).

Kenny Chesney Earns 33rd Chart-Topper With ‘Take Her Home’

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Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville

Kenny Chesney has extended his own record for the most No. 1s on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his 33rd chart-topper, “Take Her Home,” which recently landed at No. 1 on the Mediabase chart as well.

“It’s an amazing feeling, hearing the people singing it back to us,” says Chesney. “It reminds you how these songs really do hold pieces of actual lives inside them, how deeply people feel these records; they’re more than hits. But when you get that call, and they tell you it’s No. 1, you realize how many people are seeing themselves on the radio. To me, that’s why I started doing this.”

The hitmaker has also broken his previous attendance records at almost ever stadium on his “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour.” His performance at Chicago’s Solider Field on Saturday (June 15) saw almost 2,000 more people than his prior best.

“It’s been the most amazing summer,” he notes. “No Shoes Nation has always been this passionate, insane country without borders with people who come together, raise our pirate flag and enjoy life in ways that inspire me. I didn’t know you could have some of the responses we’ve had on this tour, and just when you think it can’t get any louder or more heartfelt, Chicago happens.”

The journey will run through Aug. 25, wrapping with a three-night stand at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

ACM Announces Special Award Winners & ACM Honors Hosts

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The Academy of Country Music has announced the Special Award winners for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards. The winners will be celebrated alongside the recipients of the ACM Industry and Studio Recording Awards, which will be presented by Tyler Hubbard, during the 17th Annual ACM Honors. Hosted by Carly Pearce and Jordan Davis, the ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

“I’m thrilled to return to host ACM Honors for the fourth year in a row,” says Pearce. “It’s always an unforgettable night that I look forward to, and I’m excited to have Jordan joining me this year!”

“I’ve performed at ACM Honors for the past two years and love that the show celebrates the behind-the-scenes titans in this industry as well as so many of the artists I’ve looked up to for years,” Davis adds. “I’m really honored to join Carly as host this year and excited for what will be a great night.”

Lainey Wilson will receive this year’s ACM Triple Crown Award following her win for ACM Entertainer of the Year last month. By claiming that title along with ACM New Female Artist of the Year at 57th ACM Awards and her first ACM Female Artist of the Year at the 58th ACM Awards, Wilson qualified for the Triple Crown Award, which only nine other artists have received. She is the first solo woman to be honored with the award in a three-year span as well as the first act since The Chicks to qualify in that timeframe. Wilson has also been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, which honors the contributions of longtime ACM Awards Director & Producer Gene Weed. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.

Tony Brown and Trisha Yearwood will both be presented with the ACM Icon Award. The award honors the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his work as producer as well as his country music career, and is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who, throughout their career, has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple industry facets. Throughout his storied career, Brown has played piano with Elvis Presley and Emmylou Harris in addition to playing as a part of the TCB Band. He has also produced over 100 No. 1 country hits for Yearwood, Reba McEntire, George Strait and more. The former President of MCA Nashville has previously won seven ACM Awards, including Producer of the Year. Yearwood emerged as one of the top country voices in the ’90s, winning ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year in 1991 and winning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year in 1997. Along with a win for ACM Video of the Year in 2016, she has taken home three ACM Awards over the course of her career thus far.

Shannon Sanders has been named this year’s ACM Lift Every Voice Award recipient. Presented for the first time last year, this award recognizes a country music artist, duo/group, industry leader or affiliate/partner who plays a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the genre, transcending demographics and geography. The nominee for this category is proposed by the rising leaders of ACM’s LEVEL UP: Lift Every Voice professional development and enrichment program. Sanders is a respected member of Nashville’s music industry with multiple awards under his belt as a songwriter, producer and musician. He currently works as Executive Director, Creative at BMI, and serves on the ACM Board of Directors as well as chairs the ACM Lifting Voices Council.

Luke Bryan will take home the ACM Lifting Lives Award, which honors the contributions of business manager and past ACM Lifting Lives President Gary Haber. This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, possesses a generous spirit and is committed to serving others. The recipient is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. The three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year winner has 30 No. 1 singles and ten total ACM Awards under his belt. Along with his music, Bryan is known for his philanthropic efforts, including his annual “Farm Tour.”  Son of a peanut farmer, he brings his shows to farms across the country to honor the hard work. Since the tour’s inception in 2009, Bryan has awarded over 80 scholarships, and raised enough money alongside sponsors to donate more than eight million meals.

Walt Aldridge and Alan Jackson will both receive the ACM Poet’s Award, which presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of the genre. Aldridge has amassed over 20 Gold and Platinum RIAA certifications. He has been named one of Billboard’s top writers of the year twice and has written hits for Ronnie Milsap, Earl Thomas Conley, Travis Tritt and Heartland. An accomplished musician, singer and producer, Aldridge spent nearly 20 years in Muscle Shoals working at Fame Recording Studio. Jackson is a 20-time ACM Award winner, a Country Music Hall of Fame member and a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. He has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and charted 50 top-10 hits and 35 No. 1s.

These honorees join the previously-announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year, Chris Stapleton, and ACM Songwriter of the Year, Jessie Jo Dillon.

Tickets for the 17th Annual ACM Honors will be available to ACM A-List Newsletter subscribers and ACM members through an exclusive presale beginning this Thursday (June 20), with general sales starting this Friday (June 21), through AXS. For more information, click here. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks.