Pictured (L-R): Nathan Spicer, Jennifer Schott, Matt McGinn. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

In true Nashville fashion, the industry gathered earlier this week to celebrate Nathan Spicer, Jennifer Schott and Matt McGinn, the writers on Tim McGraw’s No. 1 hit “7500 OBO.” BMI hosted the writers, colleagues and supporters, welcoming them into their Music Row office on a sunny Tuesday afternoon (July 25).

This hit was released during the sizzling summer in 2021, and climbed to the top of the charts in July 2022. It marks the first No. 1 for both Spicer and Schott, and the sixth country No. 1 for McGinn. “7500 OBO” is McGraw’s 45th No. 1 country single, and was voted as one of NSAI’s “10 Songs I Wish I Had Written.” The single went No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in May of 2022.

Josh Tomlinson, Director of Creative at BMI, opened the event with touching video from McGraw, who was unable to attend the celebration in person. He sent his congratulations to all of the writers and creative teams behind the project, and said he looked forward to working them on upcoming projects.

Tomlinson then continued with comments about BMI’s writer Schott, congratulating her on her first No. 1 and presenting her with a signature BMI Taylor guitar to commemorate the occasion.

Pictured (L-R): Evyn Mustoe Johnston (ASCAP), Gilles Godard (Anthem), Nathan Spicer, Courtney Crist (Anthem), Kevin Lane (Kobalt), Jennifer Schott, Noah Dewey (Anthem), Matt McGinn, Robin Palmer (SMACKSongs), Josh Tomlinson (BMI), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Ron Cox (Studio Bank). Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

He remarked, “Jenn has maintained a reputation that precedes herself. That’s why she gets in the rooms that she gets in, that’s why her career has had such longevity and that’s why she’s got her first No. 1 today.”

Next, Evyn Mustoe Johnston,  ASCAP’s Senior Director of Creative, spoke about Spicer. “This is Nathan’s first No. 1 song. Everyone in this room knows what a big deal that is, how hard that is to make happen and what a big feat it is. A huge congratulations [to Nathan].”

McGinn received high accolades from the team at SESAC. “Matt is a two-time SESAC Songwriter of the Year. We’ve also celebrated with him for Song of the Year,” said Shannan Hatch, SESAC’s SVP, Head of Nashville Creative. “[Today] is a year and one week after the song went No. 1, so what a great way to continue the celebration with you guys.”

Chief Creative Officer at SMACKSongs, Robin Palmer, shared kind words about the thought and intention that went into crafting “7500 OBO.”

“When Matt co-wrote this song, he was so excited. They had googled the ’06 F-150 [mentioned in the song] and figured out all the parts, details and accessories that went on an ’06 Ford F-150. I just thought, ‘Who else does that?’ It’s a great song,” Palmer shared.

Courtney Crist, Senior Creative Director at Anthem Entertainment, extended thanks to the McGraw’s management team at EM.Co., the promotion staff at Big Machine Records and the other publishing teams. Kevin Lane shared congratulations on behalf of Kobalt Publishing before Tomlinson took the stage to read a statement from Red Creative’s Jeremy Stover and Taylor Lamb.

“Congratulations to Jenn Schott and Nathan Spicer as well as Matt McGinn on this incredible achievement. It’s an honor to work with you all. Thank you for bringing this song into the world and for your creative passion for country music,” the statement read. “We’d like to thank a few people who played crucial roles in the success of this song. First and foremost, Tim McGraw, Missi and Byron Gallimore, Scott Borchetta and the rest of the McGraw and Big Machine teams for believing in the song and making it the hit it was always meant to be.”

Studio Bank’s Ron Cox gave heartfelt congratulations coupled with an announcement of a donation to Porter’s Call being made in the names of McGraw and songwriters.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Nathan Spicer, Jennifer Schott, Matt McGinn, MusicRow‘s Caela Griffin. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI

McGinn led the trio of songwriters in their remarks, giving thanks and due credit, yet keeping his speech short.

“Thank y’all for being here,” he said. “I’d like to go down the line of everyone we’ve thanked—Tim, Big Machine, Missi, Byron, Kris Lamb for running it up, all the publishers, Robin, Kobalt, Anthem, Red, SESAC, BMI and ASCAP.”

Schott wrote a tender list of thanks, ranging from her current team to her past publishers over her career. She shared, “I want to thank my co-writers, Matt and Nathan. You know I love y’all so much. It was so fun to write this with you guys and share this journey. Cheers to you both. Let’s do it again.”

Schott added, “I also want to thank my former publishers. This is my sixth publishing deal—I’ve been here a long time. Had it not been for those publishers, I wouldn’t be in this deal now.”

In closing her remarks, Schott shared a sweet story of her early days in the industry. ” I have a little picture in my bag that I brought today It’s of me attending my very first No. 1 party in this room. It would have been the end of 1998 or the beginning of 1999. I was working for a publisher in town who had a song by the Dixie Chicks that went No. 1. I was dressed as a chicken. 

“I was just starting to write songs. I don’t think I had dreamed of having a No. 1 yet. I was dreaming of having a publishing deal and about maybe getting song recorded one day. Had I told young me, “It’s going to take you a long time,” I think I still would’ve done it because this is the journey. This is the path I was supposed to be on,” she shared.

Spicer said a round of thanks before telling the crowd about the demo for the celebrated track. “A lot of people have supported me on my journey and I want to say thank you. The success of a No. 1 buys us time to express what we want to musically and creatively. That’s a huge gift.

“The craziest part about this song is that when I went to make the demo to send to Matt and Jenn, I looked up the tempo of ‘Where The Green Grass Grows.’ It was so close to ours and it was in the exact same key. I took that fiddle loop at the beginning that’s soloed perfectly and I threw it in the entire demo,” Spicer shared. “For Tim to hear something like that in it and cut it is huge. So thank you, it means the world.”

ACM LEVel Up Hosts 2023 Cohort Session With Cris Lacy

Pictured (L-R): ACM’s Kortney Toney, Smoking Section Podcast’s Markus Koger, CAA’s Sabrina Butera, Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy, CMHOF’s Aimee Graham, UMPG Nashville’s Roxy King and ACM’s Jade T. Sampson.

The Academy of Country Music hosted a session for their LEVel Up 2023 cohort with Co-Chair/Co-President of Warner Music Nashville Cris Lacy.

ACM LEVel Up is a professional development program for rising leaders in country music. It consists of a two-year curriculum designed to empower participants to expand the horizons of the country genre into new audiences that transcend demographics and geography.

CMHOF To Host Black CMA & Black Opry Conversation & Performance

Pictured (L-R): Holly G, Frankie Staton and Dr. Cleve Francis

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host a special event spotlighting the Black Country Music Association and the Black Opry on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m. in the Ford Theater, in support of the museum’s exhibition American Currents: State of the Music.

The Black Country Music Association was founded by performer Cleve Francis in 1995, and has been led by songwriter and performer Frankie Staton since 1996. The association has built community, hosted showcases in Nashville and educated fans about country music’s Black performers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Black Opry continues that work, spotlighting Black Americana, blues, country and folk artists and connecting Black fans. Founded in April 2021 by Virginia native and country music fan Holly G, the organization has grown into a national performance series, the Black Opry Revue, which is helmed by the Founder and her Co-Director Tanner Davenport.

During the program, hosted by museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer, the organizations will unite to share their histories as well as their impact within the music industry and their future goals. The event will also feature performances from Denitia, Valierie Ellis Hawkins, Staton and Joe West.

The program is free to museum members, and tickets are included with museum admission. A ticket required for entry into the event. For more information, click here.

Morgan Myles Signs With KZZ Music & Blue Élan Records

Morgan Myles signs with KZZ Music and Blue Élan Records

Nashville singer-songwriter Morgan Myles has signed with KZZ Music and Blue Élan Records.

Myles competed on season 22 of NBC’s The Voice as a member of Camila Cabello‘s team, finishing as a finalist. She has opened for artists including Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Hank Williams Jr. and Kane Brown. Myles received a standing ovation during her Grand Ole Opry debut in January.

“What’s amazing about KZZ Music/Blue Élan Records is that they truly want to help through music. That’s their legacy, and the thing I’m most excited about is just knowing I have a team that truly sees me as an artist, and would do anything to bring my vision to life,” Myles shares.

Pinecastle Records Signs The Edgar Loudermilk Band

The Edgar Loudermilk Band

Pinecastle Records has signed Edgar Loudermilk and his band to a record deal.

Loudermilk is a Georgia-based singer-songwriter who got his start in the early 2000s as a member of Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and Marty Raybon’s inaugural bluegrass band. He also spent seven years performing with IIIrd Tyme Out.

The Edgar Loudermilk Band also consists of Zack Autry, Jamey Pittman and current IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year nominee Anthony Howell. The group is set to simultaneously release one secular album and an all-Gospel project.

“Pinecastle was with us for the successful release of Georgia Maple,” says Loudermilk. “It’s like coming back home. We’re looking forward to and are excited about having Pinecastle with us on the release of our upcoming secular and gospel projects.”

Emma Kiefer

Emma Kiefer has been promoted to A&R Manager at Boom Music Group.

Kiefer graduated with an Honors Dual-Degree from Boston College and Berklee College of Music in May of 2020. Following graduation, she moved to Nashville and held positions with Girlilla Marketing, Dave Cobb and Twelve6 Entertainment before landing at Boom Music Group in 2022. Kiefer joined Boom’s team as Creative Coordinator, and has worked with artists Erin Kinsey, James Barker, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins and Jimmy Robbins.

“I met Emma shortly after she moved to Nashville in 2020, fresh out of school,” says Boom’s Sr. Director of A&R, Shaina Botwin. “From our first meeting, I knew she had an incredible work ethic and passion for songwriters. Adding her to the Boom team a year ago was a no-brainer, and this promotion is well-deserved.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to grow within and alongside the Boom team,” says Kiefer. “Thank you to Shaina Botwin and Joe Fisher for investing their trust, mentorship, and generosity into my work from the very beginning, and thank you to all of the Boom writers & artists for making our jobs so fulfilling. Excited for what’s to come.”

Jon Langston. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

After 10 years in music, Jon Langston will release his anticipated debut full-length album, Heart On Ice, on Sept. 8 via 32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville.

To celebrate, the singer-songwriter is sharing the project’s title track. Langston revealed the album’s track list and title Thursday night (July 27) with a self-penned poem and cryptic trailer.

Langston co-wrote 11 of the album’s 14 tracks. Jody Stevens, Brad Wagner and Jacob Rice produced the project that includes previously released tracks “Whiskey Does” and “Ain’t No Cowboy.” Fellow Georgia native Travis Denning joins Langston on the album’s only collaboration, “I ain’t Country.”

Langston shares, “Finally. It’s time. My debut album. This album tells the story of my life the past 10 years. What I’ve been going through, and how I’ve grown in my life. The title track ‘Heart On Ice’ was the missing puzzle piece to this album and was the perfect song to kick it off. I am so proud of this album and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

Heart On Ice Track Listing:
**Produced by Jacob Rice and Jody Stevens
***Produced by Jody Stevens
1. “Heart On Ice” (Nick Columbia, Jordan Gray, Jake Mitchell, Hunter Phelps)
2. “Beer In A Bar” (Jon Langston, Sam Carter, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)
3. “I ain’t Country” (Feat. Travis Denning) (Jon Langston, Brad Clawson, Jordan Rager, Brad Wagner)*
4. “Whiskey Does” (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Cole Taylor, Brad Wagner)*
5. “Where’s That Girl” (Jessi Alexander, Jordan Gray, Ben Hayslip)
6. “Never Left Me” (Josh Dorr, Jordan Gray, Nate Jones)
7. “Dirt Roads & Diamonds” (Jon Langston, Brad Clawson, Jordan Rager, Brad Wagner)**
8. “Granddaddy’s Watch” (Jon Langston, Jeb Gipson, Lynn Hutton)
9. “Day In The 90’s” (Jon Langston, Chris Miller, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)
10. “Ain’t No Cowboy” (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Brad Wagner)**
11. “Better Off” (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Nate Jones)*
12. “If You Ever Leave Atlanta” (Jon Langston, Brent Anderson, Lynn Hutton)***
13. “Wrong Side Of The Bottle” (Jon Langston, Benjy Davis, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)***
14. “May Magnolia” (Jon Langston, Jordan Fletcher, Austin Nivarel)*Produced by Jody Stevens, Jacob Rice and Brad Wagner

Three-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Tim McGraw will hit the road in 2024 on his “Standing Room Only Tour.” He announced the new tour live at a fans-only sneak preview concert at Los Angeles’ famed The Whisky a Go Go nightclub earlier this week.

Named for McGraw’s upcoming 17th studio album, the tour will hit arenas in over 30 cities beginning March 14, 2024. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce will join on all dates as direct support.

“I always want to deliver the best possible concert I can for the fans,” says McGraw. “We’ve got some really special plans to make this the biggest and the best tour we’ve ever done.”

Produced by Live Nation, the “Standing Room Only Tour” will feature huge production elements, McGraw’s biggest hits and songs from the upcoming album. All tickets—including VIP packages—will be on sale starting Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. local time in each market. VIP packages and experiences will include a variety of offerings from an exclusive gift item to meeting McGraw.

On Aug. 25, McGraw will release his new album Standing Room Only via Big Machine Records and McGraw Music. The album’s title track is currently top 15 at country radio and marks McGraw’s 92nd career chart entry. He released an acoustic version of the track on July 14. The previously released album tracks “Hey Whiskey” and “Remember Me Well” offer a preview of what’s to come on McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth. 

Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 top 10 hits and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks. He also holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

For Pearce, the tour announcement comes on the heels of her acclaimed new single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (feat. Chris Stapleton). With four No. 1 hits, the 2022 ACM Awards Female Artist of the Year continues to resonate with her honesty and musicality.

Tim McGraw’s “Standing Room Only Tour” 2024 Dates:
Date – City – Venue
March 14 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
March 15 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
March 16 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
March 21 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
March 27 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
March 29 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
March 30 – Eugene, OR – University of Oregon – Matthew Knight Arena
April 4 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
April 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
April 6 – Boise, ID – Boise State University – ExtraMile Arena
April 13 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
April 18 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
April 19 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
April 20 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
April 25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
April 26 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena
May 9 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
May 11 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena
May 16 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
May 17 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
May 18 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
May 30 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
May 31 – Chicago, IL – United Center
June 1 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
June 6 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center
June 7 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
June 8 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
June 13 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
June 15 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center
June 20 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
June 21 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
June 22 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
June 27 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center