Darius Rucker, Don McLean, Duane Eddy & Joe Galante Going To Music City Walk Of Fame

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Pictured (clockwise): Darius Rucker, Don McLean, Joe Galante, Duane Eddy

Four more stars will be added to the Music City Walk of Fame this fall when three-time Grammy Award-winner Darius Rucker, Don McLean of “American Pie” fame, rock and roll guitarist Duane Eddy and former record-label executive Joe Galante are inducted.

The induction ceremony will bestow the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant work of preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song.

The induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park. Members of the public are invited to view the ceremony.

“This exceptional inductee class for the Music City Walk of Fame embody iconic moments in the history of music—from Darius Rucker’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” to Don McLean’s classic “American Pie” to the distinctive twang of Duane Eddy’s guitar,” says Ken Levitan, Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Board of Directors and Founder and Co-President of Vector Management. “Nashville’s music industry would not be the dominant force it is today without Joe Galante, who solidified country as a leading genre in the record industry and who continues to nurture the next generation of music leaders through tech startups and entrepreneur programs.”

“Darius, Don, and Duane have not only given us the gift of their music and inspired new generations of musicians, but they have also given back generously over their career to important causes that matter to all of us” adds Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “Joe has broken boundaries all throughout his career, developed some of the most iconic country artists of all time, and is a driving force in our community. All of us at Gibson are proud to join Music City Walk of Fame in honoring Darius, Don, Duane and Joe.”

Professional wrestler Ric Flair will be in attendance to induct Rucker. Connie Valens, the sister of the late Ritchie Valens whose death was immortalized in “American Pie,” will present McLean. Grammy Award-winner and Music City Walk of Fame member Steve Wariner will induct Eddy. Vince Gill, 22-time Grammy Award winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Music City Walk of Fame, will induct Galante.

Matt McGinn Signs With Boom Music Group & Cinq Music Group

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Joe Fisher (Founder, Boom Music Group), Matt McGinn, Shannan Hatch (SVP, Head of Nashville Creative, SESAC PRO); (L-R, back row): Shaina Botwin (Sr. Director A&R, Boom Music Group), Logan Mulvey (Partner, Cinq Music Group), Lydia Schultz Cahill (Sr. Director, Creative Services, SESAC PRO)

Hit songwriter and producer Matt McGinn has signed a publishing deal with Boom Music Group in partnership with Cinq Music Group.

With many cuts in multiple genres, McGinn has celebrated nine No. 1 songs. Chart-toppers co-written by McGinn include “7500 OBO” recorded by Tim McGraw, as well as several hits recorded by Kane Brown, such as “Like I Love Country Music,” “Homesick,” “One Thing Right” and “Heaven,” the latter of which was the first song to win Song of the Year at all three country awards for ASCAP, BMI and SESAC in 2018. He was named Songwriter of the Year at the SESAC Nashville Music Awards in 2018 and again in 2020.

McGinn currently has a top 3 hit with Brown’s latest, “Bury Me In Georgia” and recently celebrated a 2-week No. 1 at Active Rock radio with Staind’s “Lowest In Me.” Additionally, he co-wrote all ten songs on Staind’s upcoming album, due out in September.

“I used to listen to Matt’s demos on Soundcloud before I even moved to Nashville,” says Shaina Botwin, Sr. Director, A&R at Boom Music Group. “He’s a brilliant songwriter and I’m very excited to partner with him and Cinq for the next chapter of his career!”

“I am honored to join the Boom and Cinq rosters alongside some of my favorite songwriters in Nashville,” says McGinn. “Joe Fisher’s veteran experience and his pragmatic business approach, coupled with Shaina Botwin’s inability to be anything but a badass made this a decision hard for even me to overthink… if only second verses were this easy.”

Industry Ink: Jordan Davis, Hardy, Fall Copyright Symposium, More

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Jordan Davis Celebrates Billionaire Streaming Status At Ascend Nashville Show

Jordan Davis and UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe. Photo: Caleb Cockrell

Jordan Davis successfully launched his headlining “Damn Good Time Tour” over Labor Day weekend with a sold-out show at The Roxy in Atlanta (Aug. 31), then at Nashville’s riverfront venue Ascend Amphitheater (Sept. 1). At the Music City show, Davis was surprised by UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe with a commemorative plaque celebrating his more than 5 billion career streams since first breaking out onto the scene with his RIAA Gold-certified debut album Home State.

With the February 2023 launch of his Gold sophomore album Bluebird Days, Davis has now earned six No. 1s, including the 2x Platinum hit “Singles You Up,” Platinum hits “Take It From Me” and “Slow Dance in A Parking Lot,” as well as the multi-week No. 1s “Buy Dirt” (2x Platinum), “What My World Spins Around” (Gold) and “Next Thing You Know” (Platinum). He has also earned a Top 5 Platinum hit with “Almost Maybes” and will support Luke Combs’ 2024 stadium tour.

 

Hardy Receives Platinum Surprise With Lainey Wilson At Knoxville Show

Hardy and Lainey Wilson. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Hardy launched his headline “The Mockingbird & The Crow Fall Tour” this past weekend across the south. With Lainey Wilson and Dylan Marlowe along for the ride, he greeted 11,325 fans over the tour’s first two nights.

His 21-song set was backed by upgraded visuals, pyrotechnics, and a three-piece band, delivering No. 1 hits, deep cuts, and fan favorites across the 90-minute headline sprint. Backstage at the Knoxville, Tennessee show on Aug. 31, Hardy and Wilson were surprised with a plaque celebrating their Platinum No. 1 “Wait In The Truck,” that earned the pair multiple ACM awards and a CMT Collaborative Video of the Year award this year.

 

Fall Copyright Symposium Set For Sept. 11 At Belmont

The Fall Copyright Symposium with Copyright Society of the South will be held at Belmont University on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Janet Ayers Academic Center Conference Room (Ayers C & D).

The three session event will feature Judge Steve Ruwe, one of the three current judges on the Copyright Royalty Board, as well as John Riley, Assistant Attorney General at the Copyright Office. Space is limited. To sign up to attend, RSVP here or email copyrightsocietyofthesouth@gmail.com.

 

Steven Champion Signs With Average Joes Entertainment

Steven Champion. Photo: Julian Mendoza

Steven Champion, formerly known as Tainted Lyric, has signed a deal with Average Joes Entertainment. In conjunction with the announcement of his signing, Champion has shared his debut single, “Tired Of Losing,” on all major digital platforms.

After 12 years of working as a nightshift boiler operator in the lumber industry, the Alabama native first gained traction on TikTok after the release of his single, “This Road I’m On,” which has earned over four million worldwide streams since its release in February of 2021. Champion has amassed a following of more than 750,000 across TikTok and Instagram.

“I’m very excited to join the Average Joes family,” shares Champion. “I can’t wait to get to work and some things I’ve been working on with my fans!”

 

Michael Johnathon Joins PLA Media Roster

Michael Johnathon of WoodSongs

Singer-songwriter, performer, screenwriter and broadcast personality Michael Johnathon has signed with PLA Media for representation.

PLA Media previously worked with Johnathon on a number of projects, including the launch of his radio show WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour, which is aired on over 500 stations, public TV coast-to-coast, and more. PLA also supported him through the release of his 15th studio album Legacy, which includes the nine-minute title track about the history of songwriters.

“I am so happy to be rejoining forces with the PLA Media team. We have a wonderful synergy and I look forward to their support of my many initiatives including a new season of WoodSongs, WoodSongs Kids TV, the 8th annual gathering of SongFarmers, my 20th studio album and more,” says Johnathon.

John Jarrard To Be Inducted Into Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame

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John Jarrard

The late John Jarrard will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) at the 53rd anniversary NaSHOF Gala on Oct. 11 at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Jarrard was elected in NaSHOF’s Legacy category, which is designed specifically to honor hall of fame-worthy candidates who are deceased. He will be inducted posthumously alongside the previously announced members of the Class of 2023 – Keith Urban, Kix Brooks, Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy and Rafe Van Hoy. The six new inductees-elect will join the 235 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

A native of Gainesville, Georgia, he moved to Nashville in 1977 to pursue a songwriting career. Within a year the University of Georgia graduate began to lose his sight to diabetes, and by 1979 he was totally blind. Undaunted, Jarrard became a familiar figure on Music Row, negotiating its streets on foot with the use of a cane. His determination never failed, and in 1983 Don Williams scored a chart-topping hit with his song “Nobody But You.”

Throughout the ’80s, more hits followed including “There’s No Way” by Alabama, “What’s A Memory Like You (Doin’ In A Love Like This)” by John Schneider, “Lonely Alone” by The Forester Sisters, “You’ve Got The Touch” by Alabama and “Shouldn’t It Be Easier Than This” by Charley Pride. In the ’90s, Jarrard scored more top five trend hits with “Mirror, Mirror” by Diamond Rio, “Money In The Bank” by John Anderson, “My Kind Of Girl” by Collin Raye and “Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait.

“We’re gratified to see John Jarrard memorialized in this year’s class,” says Rich Hallworth, NaSHOF Board of Directors Chair. “Through memorable songs such as “Money In The Bank” by John Anderson and “Blue Clear Sky” by George Strait, John will be remembered always.  He is richly deserving of our ultimate recognition.”

Jarrard is also a 2010 inductee into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Curb | Word Music Publishing Announces Staff Promotion & Addition

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Sarah Schumacher & Calista Miller

Curb | Word Music Publishing has promoted Sarah Schumacher to Senior Creative Director, Country Publishing, and added Calista Miller as Creative Coordinator, Country Publishing.

Schumacher began her publishing career at Disney Music Group, where she served as Catalog Manager and handled day-to-day writer management. In 2019, the California State University, Northridge graduate formed writer management and development company Darkhorse Music Management. Schumacher then joined Curb | Word Music Publishing in October 2021 as Creative Director, Country Publishing.

Reporting to Ciara Shortridge, VP, Country Publishing/A&R and Colt Murski, VP, Country Publishing & Creative, her responsibilities include managing creative operations of the country songwriter roster and catalog. Most recently, Schumacher signed history-making country writer and producer Alex Kline into the Curb | Word Music Publishing family.

Miller officially joined the Curb | Word Music Publishing team upon her graduation from Belmont University’s Mike Curb College Of Entertainment & Music Business in 2022, after working as an intern her senior year.

Reporting to Schumacher, Shortridge and Murski, her primary responsibilities consist of coordinating and facilitating strategic writing sessions for the country songwriter roster, managing social media strategy for the department, and assisting in pitching/placing writer catalog, in addition to catalog administration duties.

Tyler Childers Confirms Global ‘Mule Pull ’24 Tour’

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Tyler Childers and The Food Stamps. Photo: Sam Waxman

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Tyler Childers and his longtime band, The Food Stamps, will embark on their global “Mule Pull ’24 Tour” next year. Stops on this tour include New York’s Madison Square Garden, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (two nights), Inglewood’s Kia Forum, Austin’s Moody Center, Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena and London’s Eventim Apollo as well as shows in Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Norway and more.

Special guests on the tour include Medium Build, Hayes Carll, Sylvan Esso, 49 Winchester, John R. Miller and Allison Russell.

The upcoming tour adds to yet another monumental year for Childers, who was just presented with Pandora Radio’s Billionaire Award and is set to release his highly anticipated new album, Rustin’ In The Rain, this Friday, Sept. 8 on Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records. In celebration of the record, Childers hosted a special “Tyler Childers & Friends” show at the Grand Ole Opry last night (Sept. 5), performing alongside S.G. Goodman, Margo Price, Erin Rae and The Travelin’ McCourys, all of whom are also featured on the new album.

“This is a collection of songs I playfully pieced together as if I was pitching a group of songs to Elvis,” says Childers, reflecting on his new album. “Some covers, one co-write, and some I even wrote in my best (terrible) Elvis impersonation, as I worked around the farm and kicked around the house. I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as I enjoyed creating it. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Continuing to receive widespread attention, Childers recently unveiled breakthrough lead single, “In Your Love,” alongside an official music video, which debuted as YouTube’s No. 1 trending music video. Since then, the song has garnered over 5.9 million video views and 30 million on-demand streams along with critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR Music, Billboard, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Consequence, The Advocate, OUT, LGBTQ Nation and Rolling Stone.

Watch the official music video, written and creative directed by Silas House, and starring Colton Haynes and James Scully here and “The Making of ‘In Your Love’,” a special behind-the-scenes look at the video here.

In addition to “In Your Love,” the record also features new renditions of Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and S.G. Goodman’s “Space and Time” as well as special guest vocals from Goodman, Margo Price and Erin Rae (“Luke 2:8-10”) and Ronnie McCoury, Jason Carter and Alan Bartram of the Travelin’ McCourys (“Percheron Mules”).

Tickets for the U.S. dates of the “Mule Pull ’24 Tour” will be available for pre-sale starting next Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. local time through 10 p.m. local time, with general on-sale following Friday, Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. local time. General on-sale for the Knoxville show will begin Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. local time. Registration for pre-sale access is open now via Ticketmaster, full details can be found at www.tylerchildersmusic.com/tour.

To help fans get tickets at the original prices and limit professional reseller activity, the tour will use Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange for resale. If needed, fans will be able to use the Exchange to resell tickets to other fans at the original price paid. Tickets for all shows (excluding New York) will be mobile only and restricted from transfer. In New York, tickets will be transferable, but Face Value Exchange is still encouraged to maintain original pricing.

Leo33 Signs Flagship Artist Zach Top

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Leo33’s Meg Goggins and Natalie Osborne, Zach Top, Leo33’s Katie Dean and Daniel Lee; (L-R, back row): Major Bob’s Patrick Belinson, Leo33’s Dusty Cantrell and Tracy Gibson, Major Bob’s Bob Doyle, Mike Doyle and Jensen Sessums. Photo: Cedrick Jones

New Nashville-based independent record label Leo33 has signed its first artist, rising country newcomer Zach Top.

“We are so thrilled to have Zach as our Leo33 flagship artist – his sound is fresh yet familiar, with a voice that is pure country gold,” shares Katie Dean, Head of Leo33. “We’re so grateful he chose us and joined the pack at Leo33.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining forces with the Leo33 team!” says Zach. “They’re all veterans of the industry and some of the best in the business, but starting out on a new venture, they’re just as hungry as I am and eager to show the world the best country music money can buy! I can’t wait to get to work, blow this thing wide open, and bring my brand of country music to fans who are hungry for it all over the world!”

A native of Sunnyside, Washington, Top’s sound embodies the spirit of ’90s country greats such as George Strait, Keith Whitley and Randy Travis. His love of traditional country music began when he would listen to Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs cassette as he tended to livestock on his family’s ranch. When Top was seven, he formed a bluegrass band with his siblings called Top String.

Throughout his teenage years and early twenties, Top honed his craft by playing in various bluegrass bands, including Modern Tradition, a group that won the 2018 SPBGMA International band competition. The band scored a series of hits on bluegrass radio, including the chart-topping single “Like It Ain’t No Thing.”

After moving to Nashville in 2021, Top caught the attention of Bob Doyle’s Major Bob Music, leading him to a publishing deal. Since then, he has been making his mark as an artist to watch, with multiple performances on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Managed by Bob Doyle and Associates with booking representation by Jay Williams at WME, Top has garnered support from fans and critics alike including 10 million views on TikTok and 1 million views on YouTube.

Luke Combs Continues To Make Billboard Chart History

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Luke Combs continues to make Billboard chart history this week, as he is the first person to claim the top two slots on the Country Airplay chart without another billed artist since the chart’s launch in 1990.

Combs’ single, “Love You Anyway,” lands atop the chart to mark his 17th consecutive No. 1—another unprecedented feat—while his version of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy-winning song, “Fast Car,” sits at No. 2, after topping the chart earlier this summer. “Love You Anyway” reaches No. 1 just four weeks after “Fast Car” topped the chart, the fastest return to the top of the chart for an artist with a different song.

“Fast Car” also reached No. 1 on the Hot AC chart, making it the first song by a male solo artist to ever top both the Hot AC and Country charts. The double-Platinum cover is also currently No. 2 on Billboard‘s all-genre Hot 100 chart and has garnered over 512 million global streams to date.

Combs is currently on his headlining “World Tour,” and recently announced 25 stadium dates for his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” next year.

Oliver Anthony Climbs To No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Oliver Anthony

Oliver Anthony (born Christopher Anthony Lunsford) has climbed to No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

Anthony entered the chart last week at No. 3 with his solely written tunes “Rich Men North of Richmond,” “Ain’t Gotta Dollar” and “I’ve Got To Get Sober.” This week, he adds “I Want To Go Home” to the mix.

Ashley Gorley sits at No. 2 as a co-writer on 10 charting songs. Tracy Chapman holds the No. 3 spot this week with Jordan Schmidt at No. 4 and Taylor Swift at No. 5.

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.

Ernest To Unveil Double-Sided Vinyl, ‘Ernest & The Fellas Unplugged’

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Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud Records

Ernest is releasing live performance audio from his Salvage Sessions and Circle Sessions in a limited double-sided vinyl, Ernest & The Fellas Unplugged, on Sept. 29.

Releasing both on vinyl and across streaming services, the project features fan favorites “This Fire,” “Miss That Girl,” “Feet Wanna Run” and a cover of John Mayer‘s “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.” Writers contributing to the project include Dean Dillon, Brian Kelley, Josh Thompson, Charles Kelley and more.

Capping off the musical milestone and Flower Shops chapter, he has added several new additions to his accomplishments with “Flower Shops” the single earning more than 306 million on demand U.S. streams and the album earning over 300,000 album equivalents, reaching No. 2 on Apple Music Country and debuting top 20 all-genre.

“Flower Shops has been such a wild ride,” says the artist. “I can’t put words to how much the love and support for the album and its deluxe means to me. Now that we’re getting ready to be back out on the road headlining this fall, it only felt right that the fellas and I wrap up this chapter with live versions of some of our favorites to play live.”

On the road now as direct support for Morgan Wallen‘s “One Night At A Time World Tour” with upcoming dates in Illinois, Nebraska as well as a trek around Canada, Ernest will kick off his headlining “This Fire Tour” this fall. He launched season four of his Just Being Ernest podcast this summer while on the road, kicking it off with tour-mate Hardy and chatting with friends old and new about music, life and current events.

Ernest & The Fellas Unplugged Track Listing:

1. “This Fire (Circle Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rocky Block, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan)
2. “Wild Wild West (Circle Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
3. “What Have I Got To Lose (Circle Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Brian Kelley, Dean Dillon)
4. “Done At A Bar (Circle Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson)
5. “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (Circle Sessions)” (John Clayton Mayer)
6. “Feet Wanna Run (Salvage Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Chris LaCorte, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
7. “Comfortable When I’m Crazy (Salvage Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson)
8. “Songs We Used To Sing (Salvage Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Justin Ebach, Charles Kelley)
9. “Miss That Girl (Salvage Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Brad Clawson, Jacob Durrett)
10. “Unhang The Moon (Salvage Sessions)” (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Brad Clawson, Jacob Durrett)