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.
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.
Apple Music Releases ‘Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Beyoncé Covered’
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Tanner Adell, Breland, Brittney Spencer, Joy Oladokun, Madeline Edwards and Tiera Kennedy. Photo: Courtesy of Apple Music.
Apple Music has released a new collection of songs, the Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Beyoncé Covered. The collection includes six live recordings of original Beyoncé songs covered by Black rising country artists Breland, Brittney Spencer, Joy Oladokun, Madeline Edwards, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy.
The collection celebrates Beyoncé’s global impact on music.
The session includes Breland singing “Sandcastles” off of Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, Spencer covering “Irreplacable” off B’Day, Oladokun taking on “II Most Wanted” off Cowboy Carter, Edwards singing the iconic “Halo” off I Am… Sasha Fierce, Adell taking on “Drunk In Love” off the self-title album and Kennedy rounding out the collection with “1 + 1” off of 4.
“I get to add to the tapestry of beautiful American stories that make up the South,” says Edwards of her inclusion on the project.
“Audiences of country music are bigger than we thought,” Oladokun adds, “and they don’t look like we thought.”
Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Beyoncé Covered is available in Spatial Audio on Apple Music.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs ‘Fathers’ Top Country Album Debut
/by Liza AndersonLuke Combs‘ Fathers & Sons takes the top debut on the country albums chart this week, ranking No. 2 with 60K in total consumption (14K album only/57 million song streams) according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time resides at No. 1 with 73K (1.4K album only/93 million song streams), as his Dangerous: The Double Album descends to No. 3 with 44K (443 album only/57 million song streams). Shaboozey‘s Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going shifts down to No. 4 with 40K (856 album only/47 million song streams), while Zach Bryan‘s self-titled collection falls to No. 5 with 36K (3.4K album only/43 million song streams).
Based on audio streams, Wallen and Post Malone‘s “I Had Some Help” continues at No. 1 on the country streaming songs chart with 34 million new streams, adding to 291 million ATD. Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sits at No. 2 with with 33 million streams, adding to 328 million ATD, followed by Bryan’s “Pink Skies” at No. 3 with 23 million new streams, adding to 108 million ATD. Bryan and Kacey Musgaves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at No. 4 with 15 million new streams, adding to 817 million ATD, while Wallen and Moneybagg Yo‘s “Whiskey Whiskey” debuts at No. 5 with 14 million streams.