Shaboozey. Photo: Daniel Prakopcy

Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” stays atop the country streaming songs chart this week with 32 million new streams, adding to 66 million ATD, according to Luminate data.

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at No. 2 with 16 million streams, adding to 706 million ATD, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” ascends to No. 3 with 11.6 million new streams, adding to 1.35 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” sits at No. 4 with 11.5 million streams, adding to 1.37 billion ATD, and Beyoncé‘s “Texas Hold ‘Em” tumbles down to No. 5 with 11 million new streams, adding to 222 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time returns to No. 1 with 69K in total consumption (1.3K album only/87 million song streams). Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter slides down to No. 2 with 52K (6.7K album only/56 million song streams), followed by Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album at No. 3 with 40K (348 album only/52 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled collection claims No. 4 again with 36K (2.4K album only/44 million song streams), as his American Heartbreak rests at No. 5 with 29K (718 album only/37 million song streams).

Tanya Tucker performs during the grand opening of her new Tequila Cantina at Nudie’s Honky Tonk. Photo: Icon Entertainment & Hospitality

Tanya Tucker celebrated the grand opening of her new Tequila Cantina at Nudie’s Honky Tonk on Nashville’s lower Broadway on Thursday (May 2).

Tanya Tucker with her Friesian stallion Lauw at the grand opening of her new Tequila Cantina at Nudie’s Honky Tonk. Photo: Jessica Candage

Dressed in a custom Double D Ranch periwinkle suit embellished with rhinestones, Tucker galloped down Broadway on the back of her striking black Friesian stallion Lauw, who was adorned with fresh flowers, right to the front door of Nudie’s Honky Tonk.

The event provided an exclusive, advanced look at the second floor of Nudie’s that has been transformed into a lively cantina-style bar that reflects the country star’s spirit. The immersive experience seeks to capture Tucker’s unique personality, and features a number of her most iconic costumes and memorabilia from her career thus far. 

Attendees sipped on a variety of cocktails made with Tucker’s own tequila brand, Cosa Salvaje, and the artist herself got behind the bar to serve up some shots. In addition to getting on top of the bar to dance and sing along with the band, Tucker performed onstage with  T. Graham Brown. Later, The Oak Ridge Boys joined her to close out the evening with her classic hit “Delta Dawn.”

Heather Vassar, Sarah-Beth Gerlecz and Hannah Galluzzi

Independent record label, publisher and distributor Empire has appointed Heather Vassar to Senior Vice President of Operations and Sarah Beth Gerlecz as Director of Business and Legal Affairs.

Additionally, the company has hired Hannah Galluzzi as Director of A&R. She arrives at Empire after a six-year stint in the A&R department at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she worked with Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block and Jordan Davis.

Vassar will continue to spearhead Empire Nashville releases and expand its roster. Gerlecz remains the key dealmaker for Empire Nashville’s Label and Publishing divisions. Galluzzi will play a key role in the relationships and development of artists and release strategy.

“I’m really excited to continue spearheading & growing the team with EMPIRE,” Vassar shares. “We have been investing in Nashville for several years in creating a more synergistic ecosystem that is artist led and globally focused. To see the benefits of this approach on such a monumental level with Beyoncé choosing to work with our artists on four tracks and continuing the rise with Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ entering Billboard‘s Hot 100 at No. 3 is so rewarding to the patience, persistence and teamwork across the globe from our team.

“We are at the forefront of breaking down barriers and making history in country music, it’s in our DNA,” she adds. “Adding Hannah to our team has only solidified our position with her expertise and experience with high caliber talent.”

Over the past year, Vassar has led Empire Nashville to exponential growth, adding 10 artists to the label roster. Most recently, the company celebrated two rising acts, Shaboozey and Reyna Roberts, being featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. Shaboozey also shared his latest single “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which cracked 3 million streams in just 24 hours and now boasts 65 million streams globally. The company recently partnered with Magnolia Music Group for the promotion of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” to country radio.

Empire Nashville has also signed Texas native and rising recording artist Don Louis to its label and publishing division and will release the first project from Willie Jones—another rising country artist featured on Cowboy Carter.

Pictured (L-R): Carly Sater, Lee Krabel, Jenn Schott, Robin Palmer, Jeremy Groves and Sam Sarno

Renowned songwriter Jenn Schott has signed a publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

Schott’s track record includes hits such as Tim McGraw‘s “7500 OBO” and “Two Lanes Of Freedom,” Mickey Guyton‘s “Better Than You Left Me” and Rascal Flatts‘ “Feel It In The Morning.” Previous stops include Dreamworks, UMPG, Big Loud and Red Creative.

“Jenn has always been a talented, hardworking and positive force in this songwriting community,” shares Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Officer at SMACK. “We’re really excited to finally get to welcome her to our family!”

In addition to her songwriting talents, Schott sits on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) alongside fellow SMACK writer and President of NSAI, Lee Thomas Miller.

Of the deal, Schott shares, “I’m so honored to be joining the SMACK family. I’ve known and admired Robin and Lee [Krabel] for many years, and to get to work with them alongside Jeremy [Groves], Sam [Sarno], Carly [Sater], Emily [Carignan], and the rest of the SMACK team feels like I hit the songwriter jackpot. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can accomplish together!”

Ashley McBryde, Maddie & Tae, Michael Warren and Lucinda Williams are set to perform at the Bob Woodruff Foundation VetFest at Nashville’s Skydeck on Broadway on June 22.

The third annual celebration will also feature raffles, games and activities as well as Nashville-style food. VetFest will also connect attendees with local organizations that are part of the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Got Your 6 Network—giving them the opportunity to learn more about the resources and programs dedicated to supporting veterans, service members and their families in the Nashville area.

Participating organizations include CreatiVets, Memories of Honor, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, Operation Song, Operation Stand Down Tennessee and Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone. Partners featured at the event offer services that are accessible to over 500,000 veterans and uniformed service members in the state of Tennessee.

“I can’t believe we’re already on the third year of VetFest in Nashville,” says Woodruff, Co-Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “Live music has been an important part of the foundation since we started this work 18 years ago, so it’s fitting that we’re celebrating and supporting veterans and military families in Music City. And don’t forget–the support doesn’t stop after the show. We’re working year-round to ensure the military community has everything they need to thrive.”

Entry is free for all veterans, service members and military families. Tickets are available now and must be reserved in advance. For more information, click here.