Ashley McBryde. Photo: Katie Kauss
International Women’s Day occurred yesterday, so it’s fitting that the women of country music owned their genre in today’s DisClaimer.
Hitting it out of the park were Megan Moroney, Priscilla Block, Ashley McBryde and Kelsea Ballerini. The last two finished in a neck-and-neck finish for the Disc of the Day award with McBryde getting the edge because her track is a bona fide single, while Ballerini’s is a stunning TV performance. In any case, all four of these women are the Future.
That said, the DisCovery Award goes to a male singer-songwriter, Big Loud’s Larry Fleet.
JUSTIN MOORE / “Stray Dog”
Writers: Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover, Justin Moore; Producesr: Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta; Label: Big Machine
– The duet with Priscilla Block remains the single. This is the title tune of the new album that contains it. It’s an “outlaw” anthem about being a free-spirit renegade. Electric guitars scream and drums pound, but it’s still as country as grits.
JOHN CARTER CASH / “Garden of Stone”
Writers: John Carter Cash; Producer: none listed, Label: JCC
– Somber, stately and meditative, this atmospheric ballad muses on death and the passage of time. Yet there is something warm and comforting about it. Cash’s soft, evocative delivery gets right up next to you.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Light on in the Kitchen”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Life advice, set to rippling guitars, shuffling percussion and tinkling mandolin. The singer carries strength and love with her everywhere, thanks to the support and wisdom of mama. Immensely tender and wonderfully listenable. I believed every word, and that’s the mark of a great country record.
RODNEY CROWELL, JEFF TWEEDY / “Everything at Once”
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Jeff Tweedy; Producer: Jeff Tweedy; Label: New West
– A gentle, hooky country rocker with an irresistible groove. The lyric asks us to stay sane in a world gone mad, or at least that’s what I got out of it. I do know one thing, if I made a record, I’d want Tweedy in the producer’s chair. A dandy listening experience.
WILLIE JONES / “No Tellin’”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: Sony
– It’s an invitation to a fling between two folks who are cheating on their significant others. With the assurance that they’ll keep it on the down low. The mood is country, the beats are hip hoppy and a melody is kind of suggested.
DAILEY & VINCENT / “If I Die A Drinkin’”
Writers: Vince Gill/Ashley Monroe; Producers: Paul Worley; Label: BMG
– The duo’s Let’s Sing Some Country! album finds them wandering off the bluegrass path and exploring honky-tonk territory, especially on this steel-soaked ballad. As always, Jamie Dailey’s vocal performance is simply breathtaking. He is one of the greatest country singers of this generation. This album is essential.
PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couple Spring Breaks Back”
Writers: Priscilla Block/Randy Montana/Chris La Corte; Producers: Robbie Artress, Justin Johnson, Jake Curry; Label: UMG/InDent Records
– She recalls a happy drunken affair when they were young and free. The nostalgia is brilliantly conveyed in this extremely well written lyric. The oomphy production is a plus, as is her soaring delivery.
WILLIE NELSON / “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love”
Writers: Harlan Howard; Producers: Buddy Cannon; Label: Legacy
– Willie turns 90 next month, yet he’s still as vital a record maker as ever. His new album is I Don’t Know a Thing About Love, a tribute to the works of his songwriting contemporary Harlan Howard. Its title tune was a chart topper for Conway Twitty in 1984. Willie sounds totally at ease amid a stellar production of steel and thump in his remake. This is beyond cool.
MEGAN MORONEY / “Lucky “
Writers: Megan Moroney/Casey Smith/Ben Williams/David Mescon; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– This sprightly, barroom romp is the title tune of Megan’s debut album. It’s a two-stepper with a clever countrified take on loose morals. I have loved everything I have heard by this woman, and this is no exception
LARRY FLEET / “Daddy Don’t Drink”
Writers: Larry Fleet/Derek Bahr/Luke Laird; Producers: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Exquisitely written and sung with conviction. Daddy doesn’t drink anymore because the birth of his son turned his life around. Every line is a gem. Three chords and the truth, indeed.
PARKER McCOLLUM / “Rest of My Life”
Writers: Parker McCollum; Producers: Jon Randall; Label: MCA Nashville
– McCollum goes to the dark side in his scary, troubling video for this song about drug addiction. His depth as a writer seems to increase with every release. He’s an important artist. Lend him your ears.
KELSEA BALLERINI / “Penthouse”
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment
– Ballerini’s appearance on Saturday Night Live last weekend was a triumph. On this post-divorce ballad she unveiled a dramatic, torchy side to her talent. Performing it with stark piano accompaniment, she owned the spotlight like never before. The song contains the line that named her new EP and its film short, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.
First-Ever People’s Choice Country Awards Coming to NBC, Peacock This Fall
/by Caela GriffinCarrie Underwood accepts The Country Artist of 2022 Award on stage during the 2022 People’s Choice Awards. Photo: Rich Polk/E! Entertainment/NBC via Getty Images
The long-running People’s Choice Awards is launching the People’s Choice Country Awards with a live telecast at the Grand Ole Opry. The date for the awards has not yet been announced, but it will reportedly take place in September.
In distinction from some of its competitors, the People’s Choice Country Awards’ winners will be entirely fan-voted. Several honorary awards will be bestowed that night as well.
“We’re excited to partner with the Grand Ole Opry to bring the year’s biggest celebration in country music to Nashville,” says Cassandra Tryon, Sr. VP of Live Events, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming. “Country fans are passionate about their music and there’s no better place to host this event than from country music’s biggest stage.”
The People’s Choice Awards, airing annually in December on NBC, has included country categories and performances. Most recently, Music Icon Award-winner Shania Twain performed a four-song medley at the 2022 awards and Carrie Underwood won Country Artist of 2022.
Marking NBC’s re-entry into the country music awards game, this new project follows NBCUniversal’s investment in Opry Entertainment Group alongside Atairos. Den of Thieves is set to produce the two-hour show with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, and Barb Bialkowski slated as executive producers.
RIAA Releases 2022 Revenue Report
/by Caela GriffinCourtesy of RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released their annual recorded music revenue report, reflecting the seventh consecutive year of growth.
The report also marks the all-time high of $15.9 billion in estimated retail value for 2022. Streaming is fueling the market with 92 million paying subscribers. Vinyl is making a steady resurgence, amplifying how actively fans engage with recorded music.
“2022 was an impressive year of sustained ‘growth-over-growth’ more than a decade after streaming’s explosion onto the music scene,” says RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “Continuing that long run, subscription streaming revenues now make up two thirds of the market with a record high $13.3 billion. This long and ongoing arc of success has only been possible thanks to the determined and creative work of record companies fighting to build a healthy streaming economy where artists and rightsholders get paid wherever and whenever their work is used.”
Courtesy of RIAA
Streaming continued to be the largest driver and collectively accounted for 84% of total revenues through paid subscriptions, ad-supported services, digital and customized radio, and others.
Courtesy of RIAA
Still, physical music formats maintained an upward trend in revenues, up to 4% at $1.7 billion. For the first time since 1987, vinyl albums outsold CDs in units (41 million vs 33 million). Vinyl sales accounted for 71% of physical format revenues, and grew 17% to $1.2 billion in the sixteenth consecutive year of growth.
Read the full report here.
CRS Paddle Royale Ping Pong Tournament Returns March 13
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Paddle Royale Ping Pong Tournament is returning to CRS on March 13, immediately following “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat” at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
This year’s Paddle Royale players include Ashley Cooke, Morgan Evans, Gator Harrison, Laura Hostelley, Riley Green, Erin Kinsey, Chris Lane, Scotty McCreery, Jake Owen, Tim Roberts, Jelly Roll, Lily Rose, Nate Smith, Kristen Williams and Brett Young.
The one-of-a-kind event features country artists and music industry members competing for bragging rights and a giant championship trophy. Tennessee Titans Play-By-Play man Mike Keith returns to call the action, and will be joined by color commentator UMG Nashville Chairman Mike Dungan.
“The vision here is to have everyone working in this community come together to laugh with and at one another, trash talk, drink a little together, cheer, boo and enjoy one another without any panels or performances,” says the Prime Ministers of Paddle Royale George Couri and Tim Roberts. “And to give Mike Dungan a microphone to unleash on everyone.”
Caitlyn Smith & Team Celebrate International Women’s Day With Panel At RIAA
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): RIAA’s Morna Willens, Monument Records’ Katie McCartney, Caitlyn Smith, USA Today‘s Melissa Ruggieri, Universal Music Publishing Nashville’s Missy Roberts and Gena Johnson. Photo: Cipriana Thompson Photography, LLC
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Creative Right Caucus, National Music Publishers Association and Recording Academy hosted a special conversation with Caitlyn Smith and her all-female team in celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8).
Monument Records GM and Smith’s Manager Katie McCartney, VP A&R Universal Music Publishing Nashville Missy Roberts and producer/engineer Gena Johnson rounded out the panel alongside moderator USA Today National Music Writer Melissa Ruggieri for an open discussion about women in the music business. The overall theme of the night showcased what a woman’s unique perspective offers to the wider industry.
RIAA Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens welcomed the audience with excitement and acknowledgment that women have made a lot of progress in the music business – but not nearly enough. She shared a few insights from a recent USC Annenberg study reflecting the slow movement toward equality before introducing video remarks from Creative Rights Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Judy Chu.
“Hearing from these amazing women in the industry on International Women’s Day is so important because they are showing countless girls that they too can succeed in this business. We know that when women see other women in these positions, and especially when they receive mentorship and guidance, they are much more likely to succeed. In fact, over 90 percent of women in the music industry who had been mentored felt that their careers benefited as a result, and women with mentors earn more money and are more satisfied with their career growth. I look forward to continuing our work together to make the music industry even stronger and more inclusive,” stated Chu.
“In the last few years, I’ve shifted to this team of women and it gave me a space to be more vulnerable, to be more comfortable. And it pushed me into a spaces like production, things I’ve never done, all because of this magical group of women,” said Smith.
“I have had some incredible mentors – Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Karen Fairchild and Lori McKenna – that have sat down with me and talked about being a mom and an artist, all of the challenges in balancing important aspects of your life,” she added. “So being able to sit with a hero, in whatever field you’re in, and have them say ‘you can do this,’ it for sure helped me keep going in times that I didn’t know I could. To have these pillars in my life, I mean that’s just the best damn thing.”
Smith wrapped the event with an acoustic performance featuring her Miley Cyrus cut “High” along with “Lately” and “The Great Pretender” from her self-produced third album High & Low. Reflecting on the symbolic night, she finished the set with a stirring cover of Carole King‘s “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.”
Bailey Zimmerman Nabs Two-Week No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by LB CantrellBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Spidey Smith
Bailey Zimmerman holds his position atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart for the second week with “Rock and A Hard Place.”
The tune was written by Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth and Jet Harvey, and appears on Zimmerman’s first full-length release, Leave The Light On. The project became the most-streamed all-genre debut of 2022 upon release as well as the biggest streaming country debut of all time.
Having earned more than 1.4 billion career streams to date, Zimmerman ranked as Billboard’s 2022 No. 2 Top New Country Artist and No. 4 Top New Artist across all genres. He was the only country artist in 2022 to receive two Platinum certifications from the RIAA, beginning with his No. 1 debut single “Fall In Love,” the fastest debut single to reach No. 1 at country radio since 2015.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Austin Snell Signs Record Deal, Named First Country Artist To SiriusXM’s Artist Accelerator Program [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellCountry riser Austin Snell has been named the first country artist to be selected as a part of SiriusXM’s Artist Accelerator program, which aims to develop and break new artists by leveraging the combined audience of the company’s flagship premium subscription service, SiriusXM, and its ad-supported streaming service, Pandora. Snell became the latest SiriusXM’s the Highway’s Highway Find, which serves as the channel’s vessel to bring country artist discovery to its listeners.
Pictured (L-R, front row): Taylor Aretz (WMN), Genevieve Thompson (Mick Management); (L-R, middle row): Lynn Oliver-Cline (River House Artists), Lance Houston (River House Artists), Stephanie Davenport (WMN), Snell, Cris Lacy (WMN), Patrick Sabatini (WMN); (L-R, back row): Zebb Luster (River House Artists), Grant Gravitt (Mick Management), Matt Cottingham (Lewis Brisbois). Photo: Alan Poizner
A native of Dudley, Georgia, Snell moved to Nashville in May of 2022. He quickly began making waves, releasing “Excuse the Mess” in September of the same year. The track amassed more than 1 million streams in its first week out. He followed the breakout hit with a cover of Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” before releasing his own “Get There First” on Jan. 27. Since his first release in September, Snell has generated more than 7 million Pandora Streams.
Snell coins his unique blend of rock and country “grunge country,” which appears to be a hit as his songs have accumulated over 35 million streams since September of 2022.
Snell shares, “It is a dream come true to be supported by SiriusXM and Pandora, I grew up listening to music on these platforms. I am extremely grateful to be included in their Artist Accelerator program.”
SiriusXM’s support began while Snell was still an independent artist, but it was also announced that River House Artists and Warner Music Nashville have signed Snell as the first artist co-signed via the joint venture between the two entities.
“Watching Austin craft his sound and unique style over these past few years has been an honor. He truly knows who he is as an artist and musician,” says Zebb Luster, GM of River House Artists. “He has a natural ability to follow his own instincts that have musically set him apart. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work alongside Warner, just as Lynn Oliver-Cline and Cris Lacy envisioned this partnership thriving.”
Red Street Records Expands Team With Three Additions
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury, Dottie Chamberlain and Riley Cooper.
Red Street Records, led and co-owned by Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, has added Brooklynn Gould-Bradbury as Manager of Publicity & Communications, Dottie Chamberlain as Executive Assistant/Operations Manager and Riley Cooper as Digital Marketing Coordinator.
Gould-Bradbury joins the label from CMT, where she started as a part of the Music & Talent team and most recently worked as an Associate Producer on the Digital team. Chamberlain previously served as Executive Assistant to Mike Dungan from 1995 through 2023, as Dungan rose to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville. Cooper comes to Red Street Records after completing internships with Sweet Talk Publicity, Tennessee Golf Foundation and Triple 8 Management.
“At Red Street Records, our team is dedicated to putting artists first and helping them build successful careers. Brooklynn, Dottie and Riley all bring a wealth of music industry experience as well as a true passion for serving artists in their careers,” shares DeMarcus. “We’re thrilled to have all three of them joining the Red Street Records family!”
ASCAP Posts Record High Revenues & Distributions For 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughASCAP’s strategic growth plan launched in 2015 focused on revenue growth, technological innovation and operational efficiency, and resulted in a 6% compound annual growth rate for total revenues, and a 7% compound annual growth rate for total distributions to members.
In 2022, ASCAP grew every major category of licensing to drive ASCAP domestic revenue to $1.178 billion, up 16.5%, an increase of $167 million over 2021. General licensing revenue increased by 40%, radio by 32%, audio streaming by 16% and audio-visual by 7%. This was the second year that ASCAP domestic revenues from U.S.-licensed performances topped $1 billion.
Royalty distributions to ASCAP members also exceeded $1 billion for the sixth year in a row in 2022 and increased 10.7% over 2021, with a total of $1.388 billion available for distribution to ASCAP’s music creator and publisher members. In 2022, ASCAP delivered 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties.
“It is our technical innovation coupled with an unparalleled work ethic that grew our domestic revenue 16.5% in 2022 and yielded a 6% compound annual growth rate since the inception of our strategic plan eight years ago. ASCAP is the only US PRO that operates on a not-for-profit basis which is a key differentiator among PROs. ASCAP creator and publisher members are the sole beneficiaries of this growth because we invested years ago in cloud computing, enabling us to address the challenges of digital streaming efficiently, and because we only pay songwriters and publishers, not private investors,” says ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews.
“We are elated to share these historic financial revenue and distribution results for 2022 with our songwriter, composer and publisher members, who are the foundation of the music we all love,” shares ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “In the US, we have competition, meaning that creators have a choice, and that choice should be ASCAP. It is in ASCAP’s DNA to ensure that we operate in the best interest of all our members. Our financial success for over 100 years, and a singular commitment to nurture their careers and maximize the value of their music, prove that our not-for-profit model of collective licensing works.”
The full ASCAP 2022 Annual Report can be viewed at ascap.com/annualreport22.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Women Of Country Music Own The Genre
/by Robert K OermannAshley McBryde. Photo: Katie Kauss
International Women’s Day occurred yesterday, so it’s fitting that the women of country music owned their genre in today’s DisClaimer.
Hitting it out of the park were Megan Moroney, Priscilla Block, Ashley McBryde and Kelsea Ballerini. The last two finished in a neck-and-neck finish for the Disc of the Day award with McBryde getting the edge because her track is a bona fide single, while Ballerini’s is a stunning TV performance. In any case, all four of these women are the Future.
That said, the DisCovery Award goes to a male singer-songwriter, Big Loud’s Larry Fleet.
JUSTIN MOORE / “Stray Dog”
Writers: Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover, Justin Moore; Producesr: Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta; Label: Big Machine
– The duet with Priscilla Block remains the single. This is the title tune of the new album that contains it. It’s an “outlaw” anthem about being a free-spirit renegade. Electric guitars scream and drums pound, but it’s still as country as grits.
JOHN CARTER CASH / “Garden of Stone”
Writers: John Carter Cash; Producer: none listed, Label: JCC
– Somber, stately and meditative, this atmospheric ballad muses on death and the passage of time. Yet there is something warm and comforting about it. Cash’s soft, evocative delivery gets right up next to you.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Light on in the Kitchen”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Life advice, set to rippling guitars, shuffling percussion and tinkling mandolin. The singer carries strength and love with her everywhere, thanks to the support and wisdom of mama. Immensely tender and wonderfully listenable. I believed every word, and that’s the mark of a great country record.
RODNEY CROWELL, JEFF TWEEDY / “Everything at Once”
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Jeff Tweedy; Producer: Jeff Tweedy; Label: New West
– A gentle, hooky country rocker with an irresistible groove. The lyric asks us to stay sane in a world gone mad, or at least that’s what I got out of it. I do know one thing, if I made a record, I’d want Tweedy in the producer’s chair. A dandy listening experience.
WILLIE JONES / “No Tellin’”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: Sony
– It’s an invitation to a fling between two folks who are cheating on their significant others. With the assurance that they’ll keep it on the down low. The mood is country, the beats are hip hoppy and a melody is kind of suggested.
DAILEY & VINCENT / “If I Die A Drinkin’”
Writers: Vince Gill/Ashley Monroe; Producers: Paul Worley; Label: BMG
– The duo’s Let’s Sing Some Country! album finds them wandering off the bluegrass path and exploring honky-tonk territory, especially on this steel-soaked ballad. As always, Jamie Dailey’s vocal performance is simply breathtaking. He is one of the greatest country singers of this generation. This album is essential.
PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couple Spring Breaks Back”
Writers: Priscilla Block/Randy Montana/Chris La Corte; Producers: Robbie Artress, Justin Johnson, Jake Curry; Label: UMG/InDent Records
– She recalls a happy drunken affair when they were young and free. The nostalgia is brilliantly conveyed in this extremely well written lyric. The oomphy production is a plus, as is her soaring delivery.
WILLIE NELSON / “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love”
Writers: Harlan Howard; Producers: Buddy Cannon; Label: Legacy
– Willie turns 90 next month, yet he’s still as vital a record maker as ever. His new album is I Don’t Know a Thing About Love, a tribute to the works of his songwriting contemporary Harlan Howard. Its title tune was a chart topper for Conway Twitty in 1984. Willie sounds totally at ease amid a stellar production of steel and thump in his remake. This is beyond cool.
MEGAN MORONEY / “Lucky “
Writers: Megan Moroney/Casey Smith/Ben Williams/David Mescon; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– This sprightly, barroom romp is the title tune of Megan’s debut album. It’s a two-stepper with a clever countrified take on loose morals. I have loved everything I have heard by this woman, and this is no exception
LARRY FLEET / “Daddy Don’t Drink”
Writers: Larry Fleet/Derek Bahr/Luke Laird; Producers: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Exquisitely written and sung with conviction. Daddy doesn’t drink anymore because the birth of his son turned his life around. Every line is a gem. Three chords and the truth, indeed.
PARKER McCOLLUM / “Rest of My Life”
Writers: Parker McCollum; Producers: Jon Randall; Label: MCA Nashville
– McCollum goes to the dark side in his scary, troubling video for this song about drug addiction. His depth as a writer seems to increase with every release. He’s an important artist. Lend him your ears.
KELSEA BALLERINI / “Penthouse”
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment
– Ballerini’s appearance on Saturday Night Live last weekend was a triumph. On this post-divorce ballad she unveiled a dramatic, torchy side to her talent. Performing it with stark piano accompaniment, she owned the spotlight like never before. The song contains the line that named her new EP and its film short, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.
Triple 8 Adds Matthew Miller As Manager
/by Caela GriffinMatthew Miller. Photo: Mick Brodie
Industry veteran Matthew Miller has joined Triple 8 Management’s team as Manager, representing William Beckmann and Lauren Weintraub. As an established artist manager with a publishing background, he brings his nearly 20 years of experience to this role.
Most recently, Miller spent eight years at Red Light Management, working with Parker McCollum, Lee Ann Womack and Randy Rogers Band.
Miller began his career in WME’s Agent Trainee program. He then worked at Carnival Music, where he was instrumental in the careers of Natalie Hemby, Brent Cobb, Hailey Whitters and Adam Hood, and the success of the late Troy Jones.
“The people we welcome on to our team need to check a lot of boxes to meet the standard of professionals we want surrounding us. Matthew checks every box,” shares George Couri, CEO & Founder of Triple 8. “We knew he was the right fit as a collaborative and experienced manager, and we didn’t hesitate in welcoming him into our work family.”
“I’ve always admired Triple 8’s truly collaborative spirit across the entire company,” shares Miller. “That team approach results in great attention to artists. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work with such a unique group of talented people.”