Megan Moroney first took the country music scene by storm with her breakout smash “Tennessee Orange,” captivating fans with her strong yet soft sound and clever writing style.

With songs such as the witty “I’m Not Pretty” and the uniquely relatable “Hair Salon,” she has maintained her superstar momentum. As “I’m Not Pretty” hit the airwaves, Moroney took some time to share a little about herself and her career thus far with MusicRow, serenading us with the radio-ready tune and more, including “No Caller ID,” a vulnerable track that she co-wrote with Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillion and Connie Harrington about an ex spontaneously-yet-constantly reaching out.

Born and raised in Douglasville, Georgia, the singer-songwriter began playing guitar at age 16, after her dad suggested it as an outlet to process post-breakup emotions and taught her how to play. Moroney then began posting covers on social media, some featuring three-part harmonies with her dad and brother.

The University of Georgia alum was known as “the country singer” in college. One of her first live performances was at her sorority’s spring philanthropy event. There she caught the attention of country star Chase Rice, who asked if she would open for him at the Georgia Theatre the following month. In the time leading up to her supporting appearance, Moroney started writing her own songs.

She then shifted her studies from accounting to marketing, digital marketing and music business. Through the music business program, Moroney met her current producer Kristian Bush as well as his brother Brandon Bush, and served as their publishing intern in Atlanta during the second semester of her senior year.

After graduation, she made the move to Nashville in June of 2020. Moroney spent her first year in Music City writing and working as an influencer. Kristian then reached out and introduced her to her now manager Juli Griffith, who connected her with some of her frequent collaborators. One of them being Ben Williams, who has co-written many songs with Moroney.

Last year, Moroney began to gain traction with “Tennessee Orange” and her Pistol Made of Roses EP, which led to a record deal with Columbia Records/Sony Music Nashville. She has since been named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2023, released her debut album Lucky, made multiple fairs and festivals appearances and opened for the likes of Brooks & Dunn and more.

“Hearing people sing my songs back to me has been the coolest [part of my career] so far,” says Moroney.

Growing up, Mononey’s father had her analyzing songs by The Eagles, James Taylor and other great acts at a young age, showing her how to identify the various riffs and patterns that draw fans in. During her time as an influencer, Moroney was able learn and hone in on other creative components that get people’s attention. As a result, she brings a blend of those skills into her music career. When it came to developing her first full-length project, Moroney had full creative control over every aspect.

“I have everything to do with every single creative [element] you see. All the visuals are 100 percent me,” she shared. “When I thought of “Lucky” I [could picture] line dancing in a casino and knew I could create a whole world around it.”

Moroney co-directed the recently released video for “I’m Not Pretty” alongside Jeff Johnson, which stars the artist in a dual role as the song’s protagonist and the mean girl trying to put her down.

“[When] I started writing songs, I was seeing music videos in my head. I feel like [that’s the case] with a lot of my songs, I can [usually] visualize what they’re going to look like,” she expressed. “To have creative control and be with a label that trusts me creatively is really fulfilling for me, because I love that side of it just as much as songwriting.”

Moroney recently unveiled “Can’t Break Up Now,” a collaboration with Old Dominion, and will continue to pour her heart into her songs and bring her visions to fruition this year as she hits the road on her headlining trek, “The Lucky Tour,” which kicks off Sept. 20 with her New York City debut at The Bowery Ballroom.

Jordan Davis Celebrates Billionaire Streaming Status At Ascend Nashville Show

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

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.

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.