Zach Bryan Moves Into Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Zach Bryan. Photo: Andrew Maclean.

Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan sits at No. 9 on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He currently has two entries on the chart with “I Remember Everything” and his solo-penned “Nine Ball.”

Josh Phillips is No. 1 again this week with his solo-penned “Dirt Cheap.” With “Bulletproof,” “Take Her Home” and “Chevrolet,” Hunter Phelps takes the No. 2 spot.

Ashley Gorley (No. 3), Jessie Jo Dillon (No. 4) and Matt Jenkins (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Larry Garris, Owner Of Corner Music, Passes

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Larry Garris

Larry Garris, Owner of Corner Music, passed away on Saturday (May 11) at age 75 after a brief battle with cancer.

Corner Music, one of Nashville’s longest-operating music stores, has sought to support many artists, A-list musicians, engineers and writers for nearly 50 years.

Originally from Albermarle, North Carolina, Garris came to Music City in the early 1970s as a sales representative for Aria Guitars. In 1976, he opened the store in a small building in the Berry Hill neighborhood, offering brand-name instruments as well as studio and stage gear. Corner Music became a popular spot among recording and touring professionals. Garris, along with his staff and family, were widely credited for the store’s expertise and friendly service.

It relocated to 12th Ave. S. near Music Row and Belmont University in 1982. The store has since earned several sales awards from both national and local music publications. Corner Music will continue operating under the leadership of Garris’ sons, Ben and Kirk Garris, at its current location on Dickerson Pike.

Memorial service details for Garris have yet to be announced.

K-Love Fan Awards Reveal 2024 Nominees

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The nominees for the 11th annual K-Love Fan Awards have been revealed.

This year’s award ceremony will take place on May 26 at the Opry House in Nashville. Brandon Lake and Sadie Robertson Huff will serve as hosts. On May 31, the awards will broadcast on TBN for worldwide viewing.

Lake leads the nominations this year with four nods, including for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Worship Song of the Year. Anne Wilson, Elevation Worship, Matthew West, Phil Wickham, Terrian and TobyMac all notched three nominations.

Housefires, Jwlkrs, Ryan Ellis and Stephen McWhirter all earned their first nominations for Song of the Year. Caleb & John, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen and Seph Schlueter also gained first-time nominations for Breakout Single, and Terrian is seeing her first nomination for Female Artist of the Year.

Voting for the awards begins tonight (May 13) at 6 p.m. CST. For a full list of nominees, see below.

Artist of the Year
Anne Wilson
Brandon Lake
Casting Crowns
for King & Country
Lauren Daigle
Matthew West
Phil Wickham
TobyMac

Song of the Year
“Come Jesus Come” – Stephen McWhirter
“Don’t Stop Praying” – Matthew West
“Faithfully” – TobyMac
“I Thank God” – Housefires (feat. Jwlkrs & Ryan Ellis)
“Praise” – Elevation Worship
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake
“Somebody To You” – Rachael Lampa (feat. Andrew Ripp)
“Strong” – Anne Wilson

Male Artist of the Year
Brandon Lake
Chris Tomlin
Crowder
Jeremy Camp
Matthew West
Phil Wickham
Tauren Wells
TobyMac

Female Artist of the Year
Anne Wilson
CeCe Winans
Katy Nichole
Lauren Daigle
Natalie Grant
Rachael Lampa
Tasha Layton
Terrian

Worship Song of the Year
“Fear is Not My Future” – Maverick City Music
“Firm Foundation” – Cody Carnes
“Holy Forever” – Chris Tomlin
“I Believe” – Phil Wickham
“I Thank God” – Housefires (feat. Jwlkrs & Ryan Ellis)
“Praise” – Elevation Worship
“Praise You Anywhere” – Brandon Lake

Breakout Single
“Big God”- Terrian
“Come Jesus Come” – Stephen McWhirter
“Counting My Blessings” – Seph Schlueter
“Good Day” – Forrest Frank
“Hallelujah Feeling” – Caleb & John
“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen

Group of the Year
Cain
Casting Crowns
Big Daddy Weave
Elevation Worship
Maverick City Music
MercyMe
We Are Messengers
We The Kingdom

Film Impact
Sound of Freedom
The Shift
After Death
The Chosen Season 4 (Theatrical Release)
Big George Foreman
The Blind
Journey to Bethlehem
Ordinary Angels

TV/Streaming Impact
Jonathan & Jesus
Chasing Cain
Eleanor’s Bench
Going Home (Season 2)
The Wingfeather Saga

Book Impact
Mostly What God Does – Savannah Guthrie
Like A River – Granger Smith
Untangle Your Emotions – Jennie Allen
Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer
Rescue Story – Zach Williams
The Digital Fast – Dr. Darren Whitehead
Upon Waking – Jackie Hill Perry
The Awe of God – John Bevere

Podcast Impact
Cooper Stuff – John Cooper
Whoa That’s Good – Sadie Robertson Huff
That Sounds Fun – Annie F. Downs
Made for This – Jennie Allen
The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast – Candace Cameron Bure
Back Porch Theology – Lisa Harper

Toby Keith’s Daughter Krystal Accepts His Honorary Degree At OU Commencement

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Krystal Keith. Photo: Courtesy of Shock Ink

Toby Keith‘s daughter Krystal Keith proudly stood in to accept her dad’s honorary degree from his beloved University of Oklahoma at the OU Commencement events over the weekend.

Keith shared her recollections of her father’s love and loyalty to the University, noting, “He loved his Sooner Nation! His passion started far back before he was 12 and 13 he sold cokes at the stadium just to be able to see the OU games. He broke his ankle playing a celebrity OU Alumni game in the 90’s. For as long as I can remember, he took our family to bowl games and was on every sidelines or courtside of every OU event that he possibly could, regardless of sport, or gender. He wanted to be at all of them. He supported them whole-heartedly. He simply bled Crimson and Cream.”

Keith learned he would be receiving the honor from the school last fall before succumbing to stomach cancer earlier this year. In addition to Keith, distinguished educator, economist, and activist Barbara Ann Posey Jones, Founder of Love’s Travel Stops Tom E. Love and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient for his work on the Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 spacecraft missions David Proctor received honorary degrees from OU this year.

Keep Memory Alive Honors Blake Shelton At 27th Annual ‘Power Of Love’ Gala

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Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

Blake Shelton was honored by the Keep Memory Alive organization at its 27th annual “Power of Love” gala on May 10 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Those on hand to celebrate Shelton included Gwen Stefani, Jay Allen, Colbie Caillat, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Grammer, Mickey Guyton, Gary LeVox, Cassadee Pope and Jay Pharaoh.

The “Power of Love” gala helps generate funds to enable the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health to find, fund and facilitate the most effective and innovative research, treatment and educational support programming for patients and their families affected by brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, multiple system atrophy and multiple sclerosis.

The Ruvos family presented Shelton with the Lou Ruvo Philanthropic Award for his charitable work, praising Shelton for, “living a life of true generosity and giving so freely to so many causes.”

Allen delivered a moving rendition of his viral hit song “Blank Stares,” inspired by his mother’s battle with the disease during the event, and Pharaoh then treated the audience to a comedy set before the artists performed a mix of originals and covers of Shelton’s songs. The night culminated in Shelton taking the stage to perform “Sangria,” “Ol’ Red” and leading the crowd in a rousing rendition of “Sweet Caroline” from Neil Diamond, the 2020 “Power of Love” honoree. Stefani then joined him for the closing duet “Nobody But You.”

Other notable guests in attendance included Lisa Vanderpump, Ken Todd, Crystal Minkoff, Rob Minkoff, Meredith Marks, Deniece Williams, Tommy Thayer, Mark Davis, Elaine Wynn, Jeffrey Soffer, Steven Lagos and Maria Shriver, founder of The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic and chief visionary and strategic advisor of the new Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center.

Guests also bid on once-in-a-lifetime silent and live auction items during the evening. Even Shelton got in on the action, bidding and winning a walk-on role in a Mark Wahlberg movie and later joking that he was a movie star.

Natalie Kilgore Returns To Brown Sellers Brown

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Natalie Kilgore. Photo: Courtesy of Brown Sellers Brown

Natalie Kilgore has returned to Brown Sellers Brown as VP of Publicity.

Kilgore comes to the company after having served as VP of Publicity & Integrated Marketing from the inception of Brown Sellers Brown in 2020 through her departure in late 2022. In hew new position, she will work to build and strengthen strategic media and key industry relationships for all artists on Brown Sellers Brown’s two label imprints, Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records. Leading the overall publicity strategy and execution for the music group, Kilgore will report directly to firm partners Benny Brown, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers.

Prior to her most recent stint with Brown Sellers Brown, she served as the VP of Publicity for BBR Music Group and developed its first in-house Publicity & Media Relations department. With over two decades of industry experience, Kilgore’s previous roles also include Head of Publicity for Big Machine Label Group, Communications Director for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Owner of boutique publicity firm Dashboard Media and Head of Public Relations for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC).

She is the latest industry executive to join Brown Sellers Brown amidst the company’s recent restructuring. Over the past six weeks, the company has also appointed Diana Garcia as Director of Streaming Relations & Marketing, Jessica Crans as Director of Social Media Marketing, Hannah Kennedy as Manager of Social Media Marketing and Kendra Whitehead as Director of Artist Relations.

“Natalie is an amazing person and an amazing publicist! As our restructuring continues, I am proud to welcome Natalie back to the Brown Sellers Brown family,” says Benny.

“Brown Sellers Brown is truly a special place within the modern-day music industry. I am over the moon about returning to work with Benny, Paul, Jason, the entire staff and all of the incredible artists on the roster,” says Kilgore. “There are some exciting releases and movement happening in 2024—I can’t wait to get started!”

Kilgore can be reached at natalie@brownsellersbrown.com.

Shelby Lynne Slates Special Ryman Show For September

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Shelby Lynne. Photo: Becky Fluke

Shelby Lynne will do a special show at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 26, sharing some brand new music as well as songs from her album, I Am Shelby Lynne, in its entirety.

Tickets for the show, which will feature special guests Waylon Payne and Meg McRee, are on sale now.

Lynne released a new song, “But I Ain’t,” produced by herself alongside Karen Fairchild, Ashley Monroe and Gena Johnson last month on Monument Records. The song serves as a bridge between her past and future, and interpolates “Dreamsome,” a standout track from I Am Shelby Lynne, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

YouTube video

A special reissue of the album was released last month via Monument Records in honor of its anniversary. In conjunction with the milestone, videos for album tracks “Gotta Get Back” and “Your Lies” are also now available online for the first time, after debuting on television 25 years ago.

Ace High Music Signs Lakeview

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Pictured (L-R): Travis Chaney (Ace High Music), Luke Healy (Lakeview), Jesse Denaro (Lakeview), Chris Poole (Ace High Music), Abigail Wate-Ayala (Ace High Music) Matt Woodson (Majik Management). Photo: Anna Schaeffer

Ace High Music has signed country-rock band Lakeview to a publishing deal.

Comprised of Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, Lakeview hails from the northeast. Their fusion of pop-punk style rock and blue-collar country songwriting has attracted fans with songs like “Home Team,” “Son Of A” and “Loser.”

“Being a published songwriter has been a dream of mine for longer than I can remember,” Healy shares. “Writing songs is what I’m hardwired to do and what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. Partnering with Ace High made the most sense for our goals as songwriters. The best part is that I get to do it with some of my best friends.”

“Before Lakeview, Luke and I both wrote music across all genres. From metal to pop to CCM and alternative rock,” Denaro adds. “I can’t wait to tap back into those genres and dig even deeper into the country rooms. I’m pumped for Ace High and the writing culture that they’re building—it’s an honor to be part of it on the ground floor.”

The band joins Ace High following the company’s rebrand and the addition of Chris Poole as Partner and Vice President of Publishing & Artist Development. The team also includes President & Managing Partner Travis Ray Chaney and Creative Director Abigail Wate-Ayala.

“When I heard Jesse and Luke’s songs for the first time, I was blown away by their craftsmanship as artists and songwriters,” Poole says. “Not only do their songs embody the sonic uniqueness and authentically country lyric that is Lakeview, but they also both have an uncanny ability to write songs for others across multiple genres. It’s our belief that their brand of country music represents a movement defined by their blue-collar work ethic and one-of-a-kind perspective. I’m so excited to work side by side with them every day and I have no doubt this is only the beginning!”

John Berry To Play Free Concert In Gallatin, Tennessee

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John Berry

John Berry is performing a free concert for his friends, neighbors and fans in Gallatin, Tennessee this weekend. His “A Night of Music at Triple Creek With John Berry & Friends” will take place on Saturday, May 18 at Triple Creek Park from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Berry, who lives in Gallatin, is bringing some of his closest friends along to perform on the show, including Mike Farris, Buddy Jewell, Elaine Roy, Bobby Marquez, Leigh Pollari and Makenzie Phipps.

“I love everything Gallatin has to offer, and I love living here,” shares Berry. “After I left Georgia, I wanted to be close to Nashville, yet in an area that still had that ‘Mayberry’ feel. Gallatin is a community-driven town, and we have the best friends and neighbors you can imagine. Music is the best way to connect people, so I am bringing some of my buddies out for a free show, and we hope you will join us!”

Berry’s career has spanned over three decades and 25 albums, including his latest release, Find My Joy. He has charted 20 singles on the charts, including six top five singles and one No. 1, and achieved numerous Gold and Platinum records. Berry’s co-written “A Mind Of Her Own” and “Kiss Me In The Car” introduced him to radio audiences in 1993, paving the way for hits including “You And Only You,” “Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye,” “I Think About It All The Time,” “She’s Taken A Shine” and his Grammy-nominated hit, “Your Love Amazes Me.”

Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Randy Travis, More Among Presenters For 59th ACM Awards

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Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Alabama, Randy Travis and more are among the lineup of presenters appearing on the upcoming 59th ACM Awards on Thursday (May 16) at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Breland, Tyler Cameron, Jordan Davis, Sara Evans, Carin León, Dion and Rozene Pride, Noah Reid, Richard Sherman, Charissa Thompson and Clay Walker will also present on this year’s star-studded show, which will be free to stream live exclusively for a global audience across over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video.

The ACM Awards will kick off with the Official ACM Awards Red Carpet Show hosted by Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton (Co-Hosts of the Country Heat Weekly podcast), Makho Ndlovu (Host of Amazon Live) and Elaina D. Smith (Host of Nights With Elaina and ACM Award winner), with Katie Neal (Host of Katie & Company and 59th ACM Radio Award winner for National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year) serving as a correspondent from the carpet. Presented by Prime Video and Amazon Music, the Red Carpet Show will also feature a performance by nominee Megan Moroney, and air on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 7 p.m. CT.

Artists hitting the stage to perform on the show include Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson, as well as a performance featuring brand new music from this year’s host, Reba McEntire. Additionally, the awards will also feature duets from Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan; Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani and Nate Smith featuring Avril Lavigne.