Luke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Certified RIAA Platinum
Reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs received RIAA Platinum certification for his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy Award-winning “Fast Car.” In celebration of the milestone, a new live performance video for the song – filmed earlier this spring during Combs’ sold-out show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis – debuted yesterday (July 18).
“Fast Car” is from Combs’ acclaimed new album, Gettin’ Old, and continues his monumental success at radio as it is No. 5 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and Chapman, the sole writer on the track, sits at No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart.
The song is No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week – its third consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. This is Combs’16th consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. Garnering over 337 million global streams to date, “Fast Car” is also currently No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Launches ‘It Takes Balls’ Campaign
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Miranda Lambert has launched a new MuttNation campaign, “It Takes Balls,” to raise awareness for the importance of spay and neuter, and to offer grant applications to low-cost programs in Tennessee, focusing on rural areas.
“Spay and neuter is the best way to keep pets out of overcrowded shelters, to reduce pet homelessness and to make sure your cats and dogs live happy and healthy lives,” says Lambert. “Sometimes it literally takes balls to do the right thing. Please spay or neuter your pets!”
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. While beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them wind up in overcrowded shelters, especially as thousands are euthanized across the country every year, often due to lack of space. MuttNation is inviting lo- cost spay and neuter programs in Tennessee to complete and submit a grant application to help address this ongoing issue.
“We especially encourage low-cost spay and neuter clinics in rural Tennessee that serve multiple counties to apply,” adds Lambert, “and we hope to expand the program beyond Tennessee soon.”
Jelly Roll Grants Community Service Hero’s Dying Wish
Suzanne Durham & Jelly Roll. Photo: Andrea Thompson.
On Monday (July 17), Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie visited a private concert and reception for Suzanne Durham, arranged by the James Bess Foundation.
Durham is a Nashville resident who was diagnosed with an inoperable and untreatable lung cancer and given less than five months to live. Having turned her own life around from drug and alcohol additions, she works as a house manager for a Nashville rehabilitation facility. She has transformed the lives of several individuals who also struggled with addiction, and wanted Jelly Roll to speak and sing for them.
Jelly Roll played a set including his hits “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner” with his guitarist Alex Mark Howard before having dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.
The James Bess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nashville that grants wishes to adults battling a terminal illness. Named for James Bess, a man whose dying wish to meet Garth Brooks went unfulfilled due to lack of resources, the foundation began granting wishes in August of 2017 and have fulfilled 33 wishes nationwide.
Kasey Tyndall Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Liza AndersonKasey Tyndall during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Emma Kate Golden
Country artist Kasey Tyndall celebrated her 28th birthday by making her Grand Ole Opry debut last night (July 19).
Tyndall exhibited her strong vocals and stage presence performing two of her self-penned singles, “Nothing Wrong With Being Country” and “Middle Man,” as she stood in the circle for the first time.
“I’ve always dreamed of making my Opry debut. When I moved to Nashville, I hit the ground running to make that dream a reality,” says Tyndall. “I’m getting to stand in the same circle as my heroes and my friends while playing for my fans and family. It’s an unexplainable feeling. And to do it on my birthday is something that will be hard to top!”
Additionally, her new single “Dirt Road to Hell” will be released on Friday, Aug. 4.
Thomas Rhett Launches Limited-Edition Tecovas Collection
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett has teamed up with Tecovas boots on a new, limited-edition product line.
The brand’s first-ever celebrity collaboration, The Thomas Rhett Collection is available for purchase exclusively on the Tecovas website and in select Tecovas retail stores now.
Rhett’s personal sense of style was an integral part of the designs, and the boots were inspired by vintage cowboy boot designs and leathers, refined into his casual yet classic personal aesthetic. The limited-edition collection features six designs — three men’s and three women’s, each named after a member of his family, along with two hats and a signature T-shirt.
“I remember when Tecovas first came on the scene and I saw some of my friends wearing the boots – I immediately wanted to know all about them,” he shares. “Ever since I got my first pair, it’s been my dream to work with the brand. Getting to be their first artist collaborator and being involved in the design process from start to finish has been a blast for me. The collection is also named after my family members which has made it even more special to me!”
The collaboration came together after the artist and Tecovas’ Founder Paul Hedrick met in 2019. What started out as boot-sizing advice from Hedrick evolved into a conversation about shared passions for country music, boots and a deep-rooted love of western culture.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Thomas Rhett on this collection, which perfectly embodies our mission to share the true spirit of the West with more people. TR has become a true friend of our brand, and it’s been amazing to see how TR lives his life by example — fostering a sense of community, giving a nod to his time-honored past and by living life to the fullest. We believe this collaboration will ignite a deeper appreciation for western wear’s timelessness among our loyal customers and those new to the Tecovas brand,” says Hedrick.
The Thomas Rhett Collection includes:
The Akins ($495): Named after Thomas Rhett’s namesake
The Gregory ($295): Named after Thomas Rhett’s father-in-law
The Lankford ($395): Named after Thomas Rhett’s stepfather
The Macy ($395): Named after Lauren Akins’ younger sister
The Kasey ($315): Named after Thomas Rhett’s sister
The Lauren ($295): Named after Lauren Akins, Thomas Rhett’s wife
Romeo Entertainment Group Adds Three New Members To Finance Department
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Christian Rodich, Haley Taylor and Navjot “Navi” Singh
Christian Rodich joins Romeo Entertainment Group as Vice President of Finance & Administration. Rodich has over two decades of experience in financial management, accounting and operations across multiple industries, and previously served as the CFO of Envirotech Vehicles Inc. He also held senior positions at companies including Masterbrand Cabinets, Smith & Nephew, Mueller Industries and Pfizer. Rodich holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Tennessee.
Navjot “Navi” Singh has been appointed Senior Accountant at Romeo Entertainment Group. Singh earned his accounting & finance degree from the University of Mississippi and fulfilled his dream of living in Music City, where he began his career.
Haley Taylor joins the company as Staff Accountant. Taylor is a recent graduate from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in global supply chain management. She is also actively involved with organizations such as Make-A-Wish and the Arkansas State Food Pantry.
“We are thrilled to announce the latest additions to our REG family. With our expanding operations and strategic partnerships, it is crucial to attract individuals who share our vision and values,” states R.J. Romeo, President & CEO of Romeo Entertainment Group. “We are proud to have onboarded some very accomplished performers, who bring a wealth of experience across various business sectors. These team additions will undoubtedly contribute significantly to our growth and success. We are confident that their expertise and dedication will benefit our clients and further solidify our position as a leader in the entertainment industry.”
Simultaneously, the organization honors Harlan Burggraaf’s distinguished service as he retires from the company after a dedicated 25-year tenure.
“Bob, Michelle and I are so grateful for Harlan’s dedication and loyalty to the company these past 25 years. His contributions and guidance have been integral in our growth and our future success,” shares Romeo.
Kelsea Ballerini ‘Leaves The Key’ For Fans At Exclusive Events
/by Caela GriffinKelsea Ballerini will host three intimate conversations and screenings of her Rolling Up The Welcome Mat short film. Tickets for the three “Under The Welcome Mat” events become available July 20.
The multiple Grammy nominee wrote and recorded the very personal Rolling Up The Welcome Mat EP (Black River Entertainment) with producer Alysa Vanderheym as a way to share her heart with the friends and fans who know her best.
“There’s never been a moment to stop and talk about what the response to Welcome Mat has meant to me,” Ballerini says of the events. “Everything moved so fast after the release and took on a life much bigger than I ever anticipated. After feeling and hearing the response on tour every night these last few months, I wanted to make sure to honor this musical chapter more fully. So, while Subject to Change was out there doing everything it’s supposed to do, you supported me with this project that I needed to make for myself and my heart loudly. I can’t thank you enough, but these three events are me trying.”
Kicking off at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Aug. 1, Ballerini will screen the short film she wrote and directed, taking fans behind-the-scenes of the process and her vision. She will also talk about the inspiration, writing and recording of making Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, giving fans a glimpse into this season of her life, as well as answering questions.
From Los Angeles, Ballerini heads to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in her adopted hometown of Nashville on Aug. 8 followed by a final screening and conversation at the intimate Whitby Theater in New York City on Aug. 10.
The three events culminate with an NBC Today Show Citi Concert Series performance on Aug. 11 on the plaza at Rockefeller Center. Ballerini perform her current Top 20 and climbing country radio hit “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too),” and treat viewers across America to selections from Rolling Up The Welcome Mat.
“Sometimes I write songs to figure out where I am, how I feel,” says Ballerini. “I write to honor my feelings and get them out because that’s the purest way I know how. The purpose of this EP and short film was to release those very naked, honest feelings in hopes anyone feeling similar highs and lows would have a few songs to feel not alone to. Every step of this Rolling Up The Welcome Mat chapter has been a new experience, which you helped make feel not scary by being alongside me every step.
“Now, I need to move on now—and maybe you do, too—but before we do, these three events are all about being in one space, together, sharing all of it. I want to bring you deeper into how it all came to be and why you’re such an important piece of all of this. I want to say ‘thank you’ so, if you’re in Los Angeles, New York, or Nashville, please come join me.”
First Round Of Performers Announced For Sixth Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards
/by Liza AndersonThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and presenting partner City National Bank have announced the round of artist and songwriters set to perform at the sixth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards on Sept. 26 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
The lineup includes Trannie Anderson, Renee Blair, Ben Johnson, Tracy Lawrence, Megan Moroney, Hunter Phelps, Emily Shackelton, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Dallas Wilson and more.
The two-hour, music-filled ceremony will be dedicated to the amazing minds behind the hit songs fans love and those who contribute to the success of the songwriting profession. The Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year will be revealed, as well as the peer-voted Song of the Year and the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards, one of the most cherished honors in the songwriting industry.
The evening will also include special segments for previously announced honorees Bobby Braddock, Tim McGraw and David Israelite. Braddock will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, McGraw will be recognized with the NSAI President’s Keystone Award and Israelite will be honored with the NSAI Advocacy Award.
“City National Bank has a long history of supporting the music industry, especially songwriters,” says Lori Badgett and Diane Pearson, Heads of Entertainment Banking for City National in Nashville, in a joint statement. “We are proud to support the Nashville Songwriter Awards again this year and to celebrate the talent and contributions of these amazing songwriters who mean so much to our industry.”
Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 21). For more information, click here.
CRS To Host CRS360 ‘The Power Of Collaboration’ Webinar
/by Caela GriffinCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) has announced the next installment of its webinar series, CRS360. Titled “The Power of Collaboration: How Country Radio, Labels and DSPs Can Work Together to Shape the Country Music Industry,” the session will explore the challenges faced by industry stakeholders and emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 26 at 1 p.m. CT.
Beverlee Brannigan will lead a panel of distinguished experts, including Michelle Kammerer from Amazon Music, Adrian Michaels from BMG Nashville and Bo Matthews from KBAY/San Jose. These industry leaders will share invaluable insights derived from a year-long think tank convened by the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB). The think tank’s objective was to foster collaborative communication and generate actionable solutions for the industry’s pressing challenges.
CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis comments, “July’s CRS360 continues sharing the work of our industry think tank established last year, with a discussion about industry collaboration among every segment of our business. Our format is currently enjoying a surge in popularity and consumption. By working together, country radio, labels and DSPs can help to ensure sustained growth and continued success of the country genre.”
Participation in the webinar is free, but registration is required. For more information, click here.
The CRS360 webinar series has garnered a strong following and has become an essential platform for industry professionals to gain valuable knowledge and insights. Recordings of past CRS360 webinars are available to access for playback.
Spirit Music Group Forms Joint Venture To Sign Sawyer Utah
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville; Norbert Nix, President/Partner at Triple Tigers Records and Founder of VISCYRL; Gregg Wattenberg, Arcade Songs; and Tom Lee, Arcade Songs; (front row): Sawyer Utah
Spirit Music Group has formed a creative joint venture with VISCYRL and Arcade Songs to sign emerging 22-year-old writer, producer and artist Sawyer Utah.
VISCYRL is an artist development and entertainment enterprise founded by music business veteran and President of Triple Tiger Records, Norbert Nix. Arcade Songs is an independent music and entertainment company headed by multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Gregg Wattenberg.
Utah began his musical journey writing and recording in his La Crosse, Wisconsin home at the age of seven. He started engineering and producing when he was in middle and high school, and after a conversation with a family friend, he was connected to Nix and signed to VISCYRL.
Soon after, Utah’s songs caught the attention of multi-Platinum producer and songwriter Frank Rogers of Spirit Music Group in Nashville as well as Wattenberg and Tom Lee of Arcade Songs in New York.
“I’ll forever be grateful for Norbert seeing my vision and believing in me when we initially met in 2019. When he connected me to Frank, Gregg, Tom and the entire Spirit/Arcade team, I immediately felt their support. It was a perfect fit on so many levels. I’m excited to push forward and work with this well-respected and distinguished team,” says Utah.
“Spirit Music is thrilled to welcome Sawyer Utah and to partner with VISCYRL and Arcade Songs,” shares Rogers. “With Sawyer’s talent and the team around him, we truly feel that the sky is the limit!”
“Meeting multi-dimensional creative Sawyer Utah was a complete coincidence, but after listening to his music, I knew I wanted to work with this young talented powerhouse. His positive energy and musical instincts were key in forging our partnership with Spirit Music and Arcade Songs,” says Nix.
“Sawyer is an undeniable raw talent and amazing songwriter. His voice and energy immediately resonated with me at our very first meeting. This is just the beginning, and we are thrilled to be on this journey with him, Norbert Nix and our partners at Spirit Music Group,” adds Lee.
Now in songwriting circles within Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, Utah has recently been collaborating with Zach Hood, Camylio, Prateek Kuhad, Benzi Edelson, Jesse Fink, David Arkwright, Sophie Simmons and more. His debut single, “Nights Like This,” was released on June 8.
Tim Montana’s Inaugural ‘American Thread’ Benefit Concert Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughTim Montana. Photo: Chris Douglas
BBR Music Group recording artist Tim Montana will hold his inaugural “American Thread” benefit concert Oct. 2 at Nashville‘s City Winery.
Several surprise guest performers are also on tap for the event, which will benefit Special Ops Xcursions, a nonprofit that supports U.S. special operations forces and their families. Tickets for the American Threads benefit concert go on sale July 21 via citywinerynashville.com. Pre-sales begin today (July 19).
For the past three years, Montana has headed up the American Thread Sporting Clays Shoot in Nashville, with celebrities lending their time to help our nation’s military heroes. Previous attendees include Charlie Sheen, Colbie Caillat, Lee Brice, Steve Cropper and more. Montana will continue his tradition with the fourth annual Sporting Clays Shoot, set for Oct. 3 at the Nashville Gun Club. The yearly event has generated nearly one million dollars since its inception.
“The Tim Montana and Friends American Thread Shoot has helped us impact thousands of special operations family members,” explains Special Ops Xcursions Executive Director Scott Graves. “The funds and awareness raised provides the opportunity for healing to happen in the outdoors! Bottom line, our warriors still in the fight need us and we need them. The world is a better place by this remarkable combination of celebrities and our nations most elite soldiers.”
“I’m honored to get to serve those that have served us,” says Montana. “Raising money through the American Thread Shoot has been one of the highlights of my life and career and has been life changing to our active duty soldiers, veterans and their families”
WMG & TikTok Announce Expanded First-Of-Its-Kind Partnership
/by Lorie HollabaughWarner Music Group and TikTok have formed a wide-ranging, first-of-its-kind partnership to license the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
The multi-year, multi-product deal will expand the level of partnership, collaboration and innovation between the two companies and help create new revenue, marketing and insights opportunities for WMG’s artists and songwriters, while deepening the engagement with TikTok’s huge audience of passionate music fans.
“We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok,” says Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG. “Through this expanded and significantly improved partnership for both companies, we can jointly deliver greater value to WMG’s artists and songwriters and TikTok’s users.”
Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, says, “We are very excited to partner with Warner Music Group to create a shared vision for the future in which artists, songwriters, music fans, and the industry can all benefit from the power of discovery on TikTok platforms.”
As part of the new deal, WMG and TikTok will find new ways to harness TikTok’s revenue generation and promotional capabilities, as well as a wealth of insights. In addition, artists and songwriters will have access to new ways of working with TikTok’s brand partners, as well as to new fandom development and monetization features, like merchandise, ticketing and digital goods and services, among other opportunities. The deal will also see the joint development of additional and alternative economic models.
The companies have also agreed to a licensing deal for TikTok Music, the premium subscription streaming service that recently launched in Indonesia and Brazil, with plans for further growth in other markets. The deal also paves the way for WMG artists and songwriters to leverage the unique promotional capabilities and engage with the growing community of users on TikTok’s sister video-editing app, CapCut.
Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll
/by Caela GriffinLuke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Certified RIAA Platinum
Reigning two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs received RIAA Platinum certification for his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s Grammy Award-winning “Fast Car.” In celebration of the milestone, a new live performance video for the song – filmed earlier this spring during Combs’ sold-out show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis – debuted yesterday (July 18).
“Fast Car” is from Combs’ acclaimed new album, Gettin’ Old, and continues his monumental success at radio as it is No. 5 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and Chapman, the sole writer on the track, sits at No. 2 on MusicRow‘s Top Songwriter Chart.
The song is No. 1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts this week – its third consecutive week atop the Billboard chart. This is Combs’16th consecutive No. 1 single at country radio, yet another historic feat. Garnering over 337 million global streams to date, “Fast Car” is also currently No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Launches ‘It Takes Balls’ Campaign
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Courtesy of Miranda Lambert
Three-time Grammy Award-winner Miranda Lambert has launched a new MuttNation campaign, “It Takes Balls,” to raise awareness for the importance of spay and neuter, and to offer grant applications to low-cost programs in Tennessee, focusing on rural areas.
“Spay and neuter is the best way to keep pets out of overcrowded shelters, to reduce pet homelessness and to make sure your cats and dogs live happy and healthy lives,” says Lambert. “Sometimes it literally takes balls to do the right thing. Please spay or neuter your pets!”
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. While beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them wind up in overcrowded shelters, especially as thousands are euthanized across the country every year, often due to lack of space. MuttNation is inviting lo- cost spay and neuter programs in Tennessee to complete and submit a grant application to help address this ongoing issue.
“We especially encourage low-cost spay and neuter clinics in rural Tennessee that serve multiple counties to apply,” adds Lambert, “and we hope to expand the program beyond Tennessee soon.”
Jelly Roll Grants Community Service Hero’s Dying Wish
Suzanne Durham & Jelly Roll. Photo: Andrea Thompson.
On Monday (July 17), Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie visited a private concert and reception for Suzanne Durham, arranged by the James Bess Foundation.
Durham is a Nashville resident who was diagnosed with an inoperable and untreatable lung cancer and given less than five months to live. Having turned her own life around from drug and alcohol additions, she works as a house manager for a Nashville rehabilitation facility. She has transformed the lives of several individuals who also struggled with addiction, and wanted Jelly Roll to speak and sing for them.
Jelly Roll played a set including his hits “Need A Favor” and “Son Of A Sinner” with his guitarist Alex Mark Howard before having dinner with Durham and some of her closest friends and family.
The James Bess Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Nashville that grants wishes to adults battling a terminal illness. Named for James Bess, a man whose dying wish to meet Garth Brooks went unfulfilled due to lack of resources, the foundation began granting wishes in August of 2017 and have fulfilled 33 wishes nationwide.