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.
Bayker Blankenship Signs With Lone Star/Santa Anna Records
/by Madison HahnenBayker 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
/by John Nix ArledgePictured (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
/by Lorie HollabaughPreshias 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
/by Liza AndersonDasha. 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’
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: 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
/by Liza AndersonThe 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.
BREAKING: Sony Music Nashville Elevates Lauren Thomas
/by Liza AndersonLauren Thomas
Sony Music Nashville has elevated Lauren Thomas to Senior Vice President, Promotion.
Thomas most recently served as Vice President, Columbia Promotion. She joined Sony Music Nashville in October 2009, and has held various roles on the Promotion team during her tenure while scoring nearly 80 No. 1 records. For the past year two years, Thomas has overseen the promotional efforts for the Columbia Nashville roster and staff. She has led chart-toppers for Old Dominion, Megan Moroney and Mitchell Tenpenny as well as multiple hits for Luke Combs.
Most recently, Thomas and her team landed Combs his 18th consecutive No. 1 record. She also played a part in the overall Sony Music Nashville team earning three debut No. 1 records on the country charts in just five months. Prior to joing the label, Thomas spent five years at KMLE-FM in Phoenix.
In her new role, she will oversee the day-to-day promotional operations of the RCA and Columbia imprints. Thomas will continue to report to Executive Vice President, Promotion Steve Hodges, working with him across the roster on all national promotional strategies and initiatives.
“For the past nine years I have watched LT grow and develop into a strong team leader and industry power player. Her passion and work ethic are infectious and second to none,” says Hodges. “I’m very proud to see her rise with this well-deserved promotion to Senior Vice President as she continues to step up and help the overall Sony national representation while continuing to lead the Columbia team.”
SOLID Raises Over $15,500 At Annual Music Row Madness Event
/by John Nix ArledgeMusic Row Madness 2024 Photo: Morgan Jergens
The Society of Leaders In Development raised $15,614 at its annual Music Row Madness event. The proceeds from this friendly bowling competition, held at Eastside Bowl, support SOLID Shares Partners Brooklyn Heights Community Garden, Hope On the Row, Musicians On Call, Nashville Launch Pad and Special Olympics Tennessee.
“This year marks the fourteenth year of our Music Row Madness fundraising event,” shares SOLID President Rio Van Risseghem. “Our organization takes great joy in choosing our annual SOLID Shares partners, and I am especially excited by the diversity of non-profit missions we are supporting both in financial assistance and volunteer hours. Our Community Outreach Chairs Guy Evans and Becky Parsons have been integral in keeping members engaged with our SOLID Shares partners, and have also done an amazing job rallying the support of our wider music community.”
In addition to Music Row Madness, SOLID hosted its annual Student Scholarship Competition, recognizing outstanding music business and marketing students. This year’s competition tasked students with creating a campaign for artist Sam Williams. The winning team received prize money, and all participants were given a professional development toolkit.
“It was such an incredible experience to get to be a part of the SOLID Marketing Plan Competition for college students in Middle Tennessee,” says Williams. “I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of creative ideas expressed and professionalism executed by the students. Some of the ideas shared within the projects are planning to be incorporated within our album release timeline for this upcoming year. I am so thankful and excited to connect with young minds and to have shared a reciprocal motivating experience. Seeing the students excited about my project makes me more thrilled to deliver it to the world! I hope to maintain some of the relationships with members in SOLID and am excited for their futures in the music industry!”
Ricky Young Signs With Warner Chappell Music
/by Madison HahnenPictured: (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Benji Amaefule, Taylor Phillips, Ricky Young, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Chappell Music
Singer-songwriter Ricky Young has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
The South Carolina native moved to Nashville in 2011 after working with producer Nick Autry. He aims to encapsulate the soul of country music as his songwriting skills continue to evolve. Young’s credits include Lee Brice’s “I Carry It With Me” and Bubba Sparxx’s “Baby Wussup,” among others. He has also toured with superstar Luke Combs in addition to opening for established artists such as Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker.
Performances Revealed For ‘CMA Fest’ Concert Special
/by Liza AndersonThe Country Music Association has revealed 30 performances set to be featured in the CMA Fest television concert special. Hosted by Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde, the special will air Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC and next day on Hulu.
Filmed during the 51st annual CMA Fest, the three-hour event will include performances by Jelly Roll, McBryde, Kelsea Ballerini, Big & Rich, Clint Black, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Terri Clark, Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean, Billy F Gibbons, Hardy, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Brittney Spencer, The War And Treaty, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman.
“Stepping onto the stage in front of 50,000 people to host CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in my hometown in Nashville was indescribable,” shares Jelly Roll. “The magnitude of the moment really hit me, to be across the street from the juvenile detention center I was in and to now be on stage hosting—how do you describe being in the same exact place while being in a place that couldn’t be more different, at the same time.”
“When my buddy Jelly Roll and I walked out into this massive crowd and felt the electric energy for the first time, it felt important,” says McBryde. “We were nervous! But it also felt good, because at the root of it all, it’s just me and my pal cutting up, only we’re doing it on national television for CMA Fest.”