Pictured (L-R, back row): Jackson Dean, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith; (L-R, front row): Frank Ray and Priscilla Block. Photo: CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen
Five new talented artists were added to the prestigious history of the CRS New Faces of Country Music showcase. Priscilla Block, Jackson Dean, Frank Ray, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith all took the stage in front of the country radio industry last night (March 15) to close out the 2023 edition of Country Radio Seminar.
Frank Ray performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
The night was dedicated to Country Radio Hall of Fame member Charlie Monk, who hosted the New Faces show at least 40 times in its 50-plus year history. Throughout the evening, video tributes to Monk appeared on screens, complete with many great stories and jokes from the honorary “Mayor of Music Row.”
Ray was the first New Faces honoree to take the stage. Ray is a former police officer, Texas chart-topper, and bilingual recording artist for BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek. He entertained the audience with his radio-ready “Tequila Mockingbird,” “Somebody Else’s Whiskey” and “Y’all Showed Up.”
A stand-out from his set was his smooth “Country’d Look Good on You,” but nothing got the radio executives on their feet like his debut single “Streetlights,” which let Ray show off his roots with verses of Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” mixed in. A small mariachi horn section and salsa dancers swirling around Ray brought the audience to their feet for the night’s first standing ovation.
Jackson Dean performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
Next up was Big Machine Records’ Dean. The singer-songwriter invited the radio execs in the crowd into his moody and artistic world, kicking hit set off with “Wings.” Before playing his “Heavens to Betsy,” he let the crowd know that it was a songwriter’s song.
The audience was in the palm of his hand by the time he played new single, “Fearless (The Echo).” The track follows his history-making debut hit “Don’t Come Lookin’,” which Dean closed with. “Don’t Come Lookin'” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented Dean as the youngest solo male country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut.
Mercury/UMG Nashville’s Block lightened the room when she emerged on stage. As usual, she was funny and charismatic, and she let the radio execs know that she was nervous to be playing for them.
Priscilla Block performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
She kicked things off with “My Bar” and got the crowd on their feet with “Off The Deep End.” Block brought the energy back down for a tender performance of her new song, “Me Pt. 2,” sounding awesome and sincere with every note. She followed that with her breakout hit “Just About Over You,” and tearfully thanked outgoing UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan for discovering her. Dungan exited his position at the label this month and was celebrated frequently during CRS.
The next artist to take the stage was Sony Music Nashville/Arista’s Smith. The powerful singer also admitted he was nervous when he emerged on stage, but he quickly got comfortable by singing a new song, “Name Storms After.”
Nate Smith performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
The crowd thoroughly enjoyed Smith’s powerful and unique voice on songs such as “Wreckage” and “Better Boy.” They were thrilled with his performance of his very first No. 1 song, “Whiskey On You.”
BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek’s Jelly Roll closed the night with a genre-bending set. The crowd instantly rose to their feet when he made his way on stage. Audience-members danced along to his rowdy “Halfway to Hell” and sang the words to his current single “Need A Favor.” Nothing thrilled the radio programmers more than his performance of his country No. 1 hit, “Son Of A Sinner.”
Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings joined Jelly Roll for “Behind Bars” before he closed out Country Radio Seminar with “Save Me.”
Jelly Roll performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
In addition to the New Faces of Country Music showcase, several awards were given out throughout the night, including the CRS/Country Aircheck Awards.
Tracy Lawerence accepted the 2023 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts. Before he gave his speech, a video played that showed Lawrence’s commitment to addressing multiple aspects of homelessness with programs such as his Mission: Possible platform, which has raised over two million dollars to help fight the homelessness epidemic.
Radio programmer Brent Michaels received the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award for his selfless public service efforts. The Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the CRB Board of Directors to honor an individual in country radio who largely exhibits care and generosity in service to their community through hands-on action and a personal commitment of time, talent and resources.
Bailey Zimmerman Slates Full Length Debut ‘Religiously. The Album.’ For May
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Spidey Smith
Bailey Zimmerman has announced he’ll release his full-length debut, Religiously. The Album., on May 12 via Warner Music Nashville/Elektra.
Zimmerman co-wrote 11 of the 16 tracks on the new project, including the soaring title-track, “Religiously,” out today.
“The past two years of my life have been insane and the fact that I get to release my first ever album is so surreal,” Zimmerman shares. “Thank you to everyone that has had my back through thick and thin. I will never be able to repay y’all for the love and support, this album is for you.”
The rising singer-songwriter was also recently announced as a first-time 2023 CMT Music Awards nominee, receiving a nod in the Breakthrough Male Video of the Year category for his Platinum-selling, No 1. debut “Fall In Love,” as well as the Male Video of the Year category for current single “Rock And A Hard Place.” The Platinum-certified hit is No. 2 at country radio now, continues its reign as one of the Top 3 most-streamed country songs of the year in the U.S., has earned nearly 550 million global streams to date and is currently Top 20 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Zimmerman’s 2022 record-shattering debut EP, Leave The Light On, made history upon release as not only the most-streamed all-genre debut of 2022, but also the biggest streaming country debut of all time. He has earned more than 1.5 billion career streams to date, and was ranked as Billboard’s 2022 No. 2 Top New Country Artist and No. 4 Top New Artist across all genres.
Programming Revealed For 2nd Annual CMT Music Awards Week
/by Lorie HollabaughCMT has announced a slew of specials slated for the second annual CMT Music Awards Week March 27-April 2.
The stacked week of original programming includes the debut of a brand-new series CMT Defining, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of CMT Next Women of Country, on March 30. CMT Defining will highlight a featured female artist as they walk filmmakers through their personal and professional past, present and future with a goal of defining who they are as an artist. Next Women of Country alum Carly Pearce will kick off the series, sharing a one-of-a-kind look back at her career and the milestones that shaped it, from her arrival in Nashville over a decade ago, to her rise to stardom and latest critically-acclaimed album, 29: Written In Stone.
CMT’S Cody Alan and Carissa Culiner are set to host the CMT Music Awards Nominee Special, a half-hour celebration featuring the star-packed list of CMT Awards nominees, on March 27.
The week will also consist of two new CMT Storytellers spotlighting Kane Brown, on March 28, and Dierks Bentley, on March 29, as they share never-before-heard stories about how their hits came to be.
The CMT Music Awards will then return to CMT on April 2 at 7 p.m. CT, followed by the inaugural CBS broadcast of the CMT Music Awards Extended Cut, featuring 30 extra minutes of bonus content and never-before-seen performances on April 6 at 7 p.m. CT.
Date Announced For 2023 Billboard Music Awards
/by LB CantrellThe 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19. Additional details regarding this year’s show will be announced soon by Billboard and Dick Clark Productions.
Winners for the BBMAs are determined by performance on the Billboard charts. This year’s awards are based on music consumption reflected on charts dated Nov. 19, 2022 through Oct. 21, 2023. Billboard Music Award winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including audio and video streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and touring.
Last year, Taylor Swift took home four awards, including for Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Female Artist and Top Country Album (Red (Taylor’s Version)). Morgan Wallen walked away with Top Country Male Artist, while Dan + Shay won their third trophy for Top Country Duo/Group. Eric Church took home the award for Top Country Tour and Walker Hayes earned the trophy for Top Country Song for his smash mega-hit “Fancy Like.”
Randy Travis, Joe Nichols, More Added To ‘Still Playin’ Possum’ Tribute Show
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones” has added Aaron Lewis, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Dillon Carmichael, Gretchen Wilson, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis and Sara Evans to the growing list of performers for the tribute show on April 25.
Set to take place at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the event will be filmed for an upcoming television special, and features tributes to Jones and his enduring legend. Among the special moments on tap for the evening are Wynonna and Jamey Johnson paying tribute to George & Tammy Wynette in a special performance of “Golden Ring.”
With the recent configuration of the stage, the producers of the show are releasing around 300 extra tickets, which will go on sale today through TicketMaster and the Von Braun Box Office. In addition, the Nancy Jones VIP dinner, taking place the night before the concert at the Von Braun Center Ballroom, will include appearances by Travis, Jeannie Pruett, songwriter Billy Yates, Tony Jackson and others to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are $200 and will include a sit-down meal as well as a photo opportunity with Nancy Jones.
“I am so thankful to the loyal fans of country music. George’s music still lives on and I am so honored that so many of George’s fellow artists and friends have agreed to come to celebrate him,” says Nancy Jones. “This special night would not be the same without so many people doing what they do best – from the producers of the show to the artists bringing their voices to the fans buying the tickets.”
Jackson Dean’s ‘Live At The Ryman’ Set For April
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Big Machine Records
Jackson Dean is sharing his bucket list moment/debut on the hallowed stage of the Ryman Auditorium through his new album, Live At The Ryman, out April 14 on Big Machine Records.
The eight-song set, presented exactly as it was delivered during his Ryman debut in October of 2022, captures the unbridled energy of Dean’s live show, with a little extra magic. The collection marks the debut of the standout track “Heavens To Betsy” as well as the other unreleased show staple Dean wrote with his longtime band members, “1971.”
“The Ryman is hallowed ground; it had been a bucket list item for me to take that stage. It was a blessing not only playing there, but also capturing that moment in a way I can revisit again and again,” says Dean. “I love that I can share that memory and the energy of that crowd with the rest of the world. I hope the folks listening are transported to those pews and can feel the five of us giving it our all— no click, no tracks—just raw noise, running on pure adrenaline.”
Dean has released the first taste of the collection with “Fearless (Live At The Ryman),” the latest version of his sophomore single. The original version appeared on his debut album, Greenbroke, and quickly became a fan-favorite during live shows. Having recorded the initial version in his late teens, he and producer Luke Dick recently re-recorded the track to reflect his vocal maturity and his high-energy live performances. The re-recorded “Fearless (The Echo)” is currently climbing the charts.
The burgeoning artist made a splash earlier this week at the Country Radio Seminar on the New Faces stage, where he received a standing ovation for his performance.
Live At The Ryman Track Listing:
1. “Greenbroke (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Jeff Hyde
2. “Trailer Park (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure
3. “Fearless (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Jonathan Scott Sherwood
4. “Wings (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Park Chisolm
5. “Heavens To Betsy (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Benjy Davis, Driver Williams
6. “1971 (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Brandon Aksteter, Rich Kolm, Sean Mercer
7. “Don’t Come Lookin’ (Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Luke Dick
8. “Red Light (Metal Version / Live At The Ryman)” | Jackson Dean, Jonathan Scott Sherwood, Ryan Tyndell
Parker McCollum To Headline Concert At Nashville Superspeedway
/by Steven BoeroParker McCollum
Parker McCollum will be this year’s official pre-race performer at the Nashville Superspeedway ahead of the Ally 400 on Sunday, June 25.
McCollum will perform at approximately 5 p.m. from the pre-race concert stage located on pit road. Fans attending the race have the opportunity to enhance their experience by purchasing a Pre-Race Track Pass for $75 (plus tax) that provides stage-front access for the concert and driver introductions, views down pit road, and the opportunity to view the race from within the infield. The Pre-Race Track Pass must be accompanied by a race day ticket.
“It’s really an honor to play the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway,” says McCollum. “I’ve always been a big fan of NASCAR and am excited to bring my show to the track in June. See y’all there.”
McCollum is expected to sing many of his popular songs including his No. 1 Platinum-selling hits “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved By You” from his critically-acclaimed debut album Gold Chain Cowboy.
“We are thrilled to showcase Parker McCollum, one of country music’s fastest rising superstars, at Nashville Superspeedway prior to the green flag for the Ally 400,” says Matt Greci, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Nashville Superspeedway. “As the home for NASCAR Cup Series racing here in Music City, we always want to make sure we provide an amazing music performance before America’s best drivers hit the track for the Ally 400.”
McCollum’s next album, Never Enough, is set for release on May 12 and features the chart-climbing lead single “Handle on You,” plus recent releases “Stoned,” “I Ain’t Going Nowhere” and “Speed.”
This article also appears in MusicRow‘s sister publication, The Sports Credential.
Bailey Zimmerman Notches Third Week At No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by LB CantrellBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Chris Ashlee
Bailey Zimmerman marks his third consecutive week atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart 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.
Zimmerman is out on the road with Morgan Wallen on his “One Night At A Time World Tour.” The 39-date trek will visit multiple legendary venues including stadium stops at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and Boston’s Fenway Park before wrapping on Oct. 7 at Tacoma Dome in Washington.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
CRS Day Three: Miles Adcox, BMLG Luncheon, New Faces Showcase
/by LB CantrellThe 2023 edition of Country Radio Seminar came to a close last night (March 15) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Below are some of the highlights from yesterday’s programming. Next year, Country Radio Seminar will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28 – Friday, March 1, 2024.
Miles Adcox Holds ‘Human School’ Session
Miles Adcox speaks during CRS.
Miles Adcox, Chairman & Owner of the emotional wellness lifestyle brand Onsite, shared a session on day three of CRS on becoming more resilient, managing anxiety and stress, optimizing our lives by harnessing an awareness of ourselves and others, and reconnecting to what makes us all human.
Adcox is a speaker, thought leader, advocate, advisor and entrepreneur in the emotional wellness space. He has created and managed multiple mental health programs and personal growth workshops, has consulted major brands on organizational health and emotional wellness, and is a communication, personal growth, and mental health consultant to the entertainment industry.
BMLG Showcases Talent During Annual CRS Luncheon
Pictured (L-R, back row): Mackenzie Carpenter, Shane Profitt and Conner Smith; (L-R, middle row): The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Chris Janson, Justin Moore, Riley Green, Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt and CRB’s Kurt Johnson; (L-R, front row): BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Brantley Gilbert, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Danielle Bradbery and CRB’s RJ Curtis. Photo: CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen
Big Machine Label Group showcased eight of its artists during its annual luncheon on Wednesday. Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Riley Green, Danielle Bradbery, Conner Smith, Shane Profitt and Mackenzie Carpenter all shared music with radio programmers.
BMLG Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta invited the room to explore new music and celebrate career milestones they helped create alongside imprint leaders Jimmy Harnen (BMLG Records President & CEO), George Briner (The Valory Music Co. President) and Clay Hunnicutt (Big Machine Records GM).
CRS New Faces Showcase
Pictured (L-R, back row): Jackson Dean, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith; (L-R, front row): Frank Ray and Priscilla Block. Photo: CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen
Five new talented artists closed the 2023 edition of CRS with performances at the CRS New Faces of Country Music showcase. Priscilla Block, Jackson Dean, Frank Ray, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith all took the stage in front of the country radio industry.
Read more about the CRS New Faces showcase here.
CRS/Country Aircheck Awards
Pictured (L-R): CRB’s Kurt Johnson, Brent Michaels, Tracy Lawrence, CRB’s RJ Curtis, and CRB’s Beverlee Brannigan. Photo: CRB/CRS/Hunter Berry
During the CRS New Faces dinner, the organization gave out its annual awards alongside Country Aircheck. Additionally, Tracy Lawerence accepted the 2023 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts and radio programmer Brent Michaels received the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award for his selfless public service efforts.
Five Talented Artists Take The Stage For CRS New Faces 2023
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Jackson Dean, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith; (L-R, front row): Frank Ray and Priscilla Block. Photo: CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen
Five new talented artists were added to the prestigious history of the CRS New Faces of Country Music showcase. Priscilla Block, Jackson Dean, Frank Ray, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith all took the stage in front of the country radio industry last night (March 15) to close out the 2023 edition of Country Radio Seminar.
Frank Ray performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
The night was dedicated to Country Radio Hall of Fame member Charlie Monk, who hosted the New Faces show at least 40 times in its 50-plus year history. Throughout the evening, video tributes to Monk appeared on screens, complete with many great stories and jokes from the honorary “Mayor of Music Row.”
Ray was the first New Faces honoree to take the stage. Ray is a former police officer, Texas chart-topper, and bilingual recording artist for BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek. He entertained the audience with his radio-ready “Tequila Mockingbird,” “Somebody Else’s Whiskey” and “Y’all Showed Up.”
A stand-out from his set was his smooth “Country’d Look Good on You,” but nothing got the radio executives on their feet like his debut single “Streetlights,” which let Ray show off his roots with verses of Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” mixed in. A small mariachi horn section and salsa dancers swirling around Ray brought the audience to their feet for the night’s first standing ovation.
Jackson Dean performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
Next up was Big Machine Records’ Dean. The singer-songwriter invited the radio execs in the crowd into his moody and artistic world, kicking hit set off with “Wings.” Before playing his “Heavens to Betsy,” he let the crowd know that it was a songwriter’s song.
The audience was in the palm of his hand by the time he played new single, “Fearless (The Echo).” The track follows his history-making debut hit “Don’t Come Lookin’,” which Dean closed with. “Don’t Come Lookin'” was the fastest debut to reach No. 1 in 2022 and cemented Dean as the youngest solo male country artist to reach the top of the charts with a debut.
Mercury/UMG Nashville’s Block lightened the room when she emerged on stage. As usual, she was funny and charismatic, and she let the radio execs know that she was nervous to be playing for them.
Priscilla Block performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
She kicked things off with “My Bar” and got the crowd on their feet with “Off The Deep End.” Block brought the energy back down for a tender performance of her new song, “Me Pt. 2,” sounding awesome and sincere with every note. She followed that with her breakout hit “Just About Over You,” and tearfully thanked outgoing UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan for discovering her. Dungan exited his position at the label this month and was celebrated frequently during CRS.
The next artist to take the stage was Sony Music Nashville/Arista’s Smith. The powerful singer also admitted he was nervous when he emerged on stage, but he quickly got comfortable by singing a new song, “Name Storms After.”
Nate Smith performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
The crowd thoroughly enjoyed Smith’s powerful and unique voice on songs such as “Wreckage” and “Better Boy.” They were thrilled with his performance of his very first No. 1 song, “Whiskey On You.”
BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek’s Jelly Roll closed the night with a genre-bending set. The crowd instantly rose to their feet when he made his way on stage. Audience-members danced along to his rowdy “Halfway to Hell” and sang the words to his current single “Need A Favor.” Nothing thrilled the radio programmers more than his performance of his country No. 1 hit, “Son Of A Sinner.”
Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings joined Jelly Roll for “Behind Bars” before he closed out Country Radio Seminar with “Save Me.”
Jelly Roll performs at CRS New Faces showcase.
In addition to the New Faces of Country Music showcase, several awards were given out throughout the night, including the CRS/Country Aircheck Awards.
Tracy Lawerence accepted the 2023 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts. Before he gave his speech, a video played that showed Lawrence’s commitment to addressing multiple aspects of homelessness with programs such as his Mission: Possible platform, which has raised over two million dollars to help fight the homelessness epidemic.
Radio programmer Brent Michaels received the 2023 Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award for his selfless public service efforts. The Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award is given at the discretion of the CRB Board of Directors to honor an individual in country radio who largely exhibits care and generosity in service to their community through hands-on action and a personal commitment of time, talent and resources.
4Runner Is ‘Back Runnin” With New Album After Two Decades
/by Lorie Hollabaugh4Runner is returning to the music scene after nearly two decades with new album Back Runnin’ via BFD/Audium Nashville on March 31.
After some success in the ’90s fueled by harmony-laden hits such as “Cain’s Blood,” 4Runner’s momentum came to a halt when their label shuttered. Lead vocalist Craig Morris and bandmates Billy Crittenden, Lee Hilliard and Jim Chapman each transitioned to other careers, but always kept in touch.
Now, the group is launching a new chapter with Back Runnin,’ an 11-song project featuring founding members Hilliard, Chapman and Morris as well as Morris’ son Sam. The album’s lead single, “Ragged Angel,” was initially released in 2004, but has since been reimagined, serving as the cornerstone of the collection steeped in the band’s signature harmonies.
On the album, the group delivers updated versions of fan favorites including “Cain’s Blood” and “House at the End of the Road” as well as new songs that resonate with life experience such as the gospel-flavored “Gritted Teeth,” written by Morris as a tribute to his late mother’s strength and resiliency.
“I never expected to have another go at it, not that I didn’t want to, it’s just that I never expected to, so this comes as a bit of a surprise to all of us,” Morris admits. “It’s a dream come true. It’s like a dream you didn’t know you had, but when it starts happening you’re going, ‘Man, this IS a dream come true because I’m singing with guys I already love.'”
Back Runnin’ Track Listing:
1. “Ragged Angel”
2. “Forrest County Line”
3. “Love Survivors”
4. “No One in the World (Till You)”
5. “House at the End of the Road”
6. “Hurricane”
7. “Getaway Car”
8. “Tidal Wave”
9. “Gritted Teeth”
10. “You Come to My Senses”
11. “Cain’s Blood”