Luke Bryan. Photo: Robby Klein
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has scored his 30th No. 1 hit at country radio with “Country On” hitting the top of the Mediabase charts. The tune was written by Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, and Styles Haury; produced by Jeff Stevens; co-produced by Jody Stevens; and features Sarah Buxton on background vocals.
Luke Bryan celebrates his 30th No. 1 with his band and road crew ahead of final 2022 engagement at the Resorts World Theatre on Dec. 10. Photo: Eder Acevedo
Since scoring his first chart-topper with 2009’s “Do I,” Bryan has been at the chart pinnacle for a total of 56 weeks in his career. He’s had hits in three different decades, covering everything from from party anthems such as “That’s My Kind of Night” and “One Margarita,” to romantic tunes like “I Don’t Want This Night To End” and “Strip It Down,” to deeper life songs such as “Drink A Beer” and “Most People Are Good.”
According to Bryan, the secret to his longevity is both being able to write songs and find outside songs. 12 of his 30 No. 1 hits were co-written by Bryan.
“I looked at all my heroes—guys like George Strait and Brooks & Dunn—all of my heroes wrote songs and they found songs, too,” Bryan tells MusicRow.
Luke Bryan. Photo: Ethan Helms
He also points out that it’s been crucial for him to pay attention to the next generation of hit-makers.
“Somewhere in Nashville, there’s young songwriters writing right now with a fresh approach and a new way to say stuff. For me, it’s always fun to really open up to the whole town to try to find new songs,” he says.
As a songwriter, Bryan has had a hand in writing enduring hits such as “What Makes You Country,” “I See You,” “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” “Do I,” and “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”
“When I write with younger people and step outside of my comfort zone, there’s always something cool that comes up,” Bryan shares. “The main thing is staying who you are, but also trying to grow as a writer, as a singer, and as a musician.”
When it comes to finding great outside songs, Bryan is surrounded by a team of experts. He looks to his team to help him pick the next singles, but he also makes sure he pays attention to how new tunes are reacting live, as well as some his key A&R people: his kids.
“My children are at the top of the list,” Bryan says with a laugh when asked about his single-picking strategy. “They’re not jaded. They’re just listening. I play demos whenever we get in my pickup truck, and whatever demos the boys keep wanting to hear, there’s something special about those.”
It’s fitting that Bryan’s 30th No. 1 hit, “Country On,” evokes the spirit of his lasting career. He sings, “Hey Nashville, keep bending them strings. Diggin’ for gold, chasin’ them dreams. Keep on with your songs ’til the whole worlds singin’ along.”
“What I love about that song is it’s got a lot of the same feelings of an Alabama song, like ‘Forty Hour Week (For a Livin’)’ or ‘Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).’ That song just speaks to the hardworking Americans out there. In my opinion, a lot of the people that I reference in that song make the world go around.
“I’ve never really done a song that had patriotic aspects to it,” he shares. “When we say, ‘Hey, hey, USA. We ain’t seen our better days,’ that’s a come-together moment. I couldn’t have hand-picked a better 30th.”
Ultimately, Bryan feels grateful to be able to do what he loves most at a high level. “I just wanted to have fun doing what I love,” he says. “That’s what I’ve done and I couldn’t be happier about that.”
Luke Bryan Earns 30th Career No. 1 With ‘Country On’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellLuke Bryan. Photo: Robby Klein
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has scored his 30th No. 1 hit at country radio with “Country On” hitting the top of the Mediabase charts. The tune was written by Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, and Styles Haury; produced by Jeff Stevens; co-produced by Jody Stevens; and features Sarah Buxton on background vocals.
Luke Bryan celebrates his 30th No. 1 with his band and road crew ahead of final 2022 engagement at the Resorts World Theatre on Dec. 10. Photo: Eder Acevedo
Since scoring his first chart-topper with 2009’s “Do I,” Bryan has been at the chart pinnacle for a total of 56 weeks in his career. He’s had hits in three different decades, covering everything from from party anthems such as “That’s My Kind of Night” and “One Margarita,” to romantic tunes like “I Don’t Want This Night To End” and “Strip It Down,” to deeper life songs such as “Drink A Beer” and “Most People Are Good.”
According to Bryan, the secret to his longevity is both being able to write songs and find outside songs. 12 of his 30 No. 1 hits were co-written by Bryan.
“I looked at all my heroes—guys like George Strait and Brooks & Dunn—all of my heroes wrote songs and they found songs, too,” Bryan tells MusicRow.
Luke Bryan. Photo: Ethan Helms
He also points out that it’s been crucial for him to pay attention to the next generation of hit-makers.
“Somewhere in Nashville, there’s young songwriters writing right now with a fresh approach and a new way to say stuff. For me, it’s always fun to really open up to the whole town to try to find new songs,” he says.
As a songwriter, Bryan has had a hand in writing enduring hits such as “What Makes You Country,” “I See You,” “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” “Do I,” and “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.”
“When I write with younger people and step outside of my comfort zone, there’s always something cool that comes up,” Bryan shares. “The main thing is staying who you are, but also trying to grow as a writer, as a singer, and as a musician.”
When it comes to finding great outside songs, Bryan is surrounded by a team of experts. He looks to his team to help him pick the next singles, but he also makes sure he pays attention to how new tunes are reacting live, as well as some his key A&R people: his kids.
“My children are at the top of the list,” Bryan says with a laugh when asked about his single-picking strategy. “They’re not jaded. They’re just listening. I play demos whenever we get in my pickup truck, and whatever demos the boys keep wanting to hear, there’s something special about those.”
It’s fitting that Bryan’s 30th No. 1 hit, “Country On,” evokes the spirit of his lasting career. He sings, “Hey Nashville, keep bending them strings. Diggin’ for gold, chasin’ them dreams. Keep on with your songs ’til the whole worlds singin’ along.”
“What I love about that song is it’s got a lot of the same feelings of an Alabama song, like ‘Forty Hour Week (For a Livin’)’ or ‘Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).’ That song just speaks to the hardworking Americans out there. In my opinion, a lot of the people that I reference in that song make the world go around.
“I’ve never really done a song that had patriotic aspects to it,” he shares. “When we say, ‘Hey, hey, USA. We ain’t seen our better days,’ that’s a come-together moment. I couldn’t have hand-picked a better 30th.”
Ultimately, Bryan feels grateful to be able to do what he loves most at a high level. “I just wanted to have fun doing what I love,” he says. “That’s what I’ve done and I couldn’t be happier about that.”
Zac Brown Band To Launch ‘From The Fire Tour’ In June
/by Lorie HollabaughZac Brown Band. Photo: Danny Clinch
Zac Brown Band has announced their upcoming 2023 “From the Fire Tour,” marking their 10th North American tour. The band will be joined by a variety of opening acts on select dates throughout the trek, including Marcus King, Tenille Townes, and King Calaway.
The 30-plus date tour kicks off in Columbus, Ohio on June 30, and will continue through November. Shows include a return to Fenway Park, as well as performances at Jones Beach Theater, Hersheypark Stadium, Budweiser Stage, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
“This past year was monumental, and we’re thrilled to bring all that momentum with us into 2023 and onto the ‘From the Fire Tour,’” Brown shares. “We are all like family in this band and having the opportunity to bring our music from city to city is something we never take for granted. We can’t wait to be back out on the road with our fans.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Dec. 16 at ZacBrownBand.com. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Dec. 14, and the Zamily Fan Club pre-sale will also begin on Dec. 14.
Just ahead of the “From the Fire Tour,” the band will make their anticipated return to the international stage with headlining performances at both C2C Festival in the United Kingdom and CMC Rocks in Australia in March.
CRS Unveils Its New Faces Of 2023 Lineup
/by Lydia FarthingCountry Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has unveiled the artists to be featured at the CRS 2023 New Faces of Country Music Show. The sold out show, taking place March 15 at Omni Nashville Hotel, will include performances by Priscilla Block, Jackson Dean, Frank Ray, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith.
“The radio and streaming partner constituencies of CRS have spoken and, word is, the future of country music is bright,” says CRB New Faces Committee Chairman Chuck Aly. “This year’s New Faces class comprises artists with admirable creative depth and burgeoning commercial impact. Translation: Don’t miss it!”
Formed in 1970, the annual New Faces of Country Music Show showcases five emerging artists who have achieved significant success at country radio during the qualification period. A complete list of past New Faces performers can be found here.
CRS 2023 will feature educational panels, virtual networking, and workshops designed to provide instant, actionable takeaways. Country Radio Seminar will take place Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for CRS 2023 is open now.
Ashley McBryde Officially Becomes A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry
/by Lorie HollabaughAshley McBryde & Terri Clark. Photo: Chris Hollo
Ashley McBryde was officially inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry family on Saturday night (Dec. 10) by fellow member Terri Clark.
Ashley McBryde. Photo: Chris Hollo
The induction moment came after Clark and McBryde collaborated on the tune “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” which earned McBryde a standing ovation on the night of her Opry debut on June 16, 2017. Clark recalled that McBryde knelt to kiss the Opry circle on that debut evening.
“Right then we all knew you belonged here,” Clark noted. “The Opry is a family and my sister, you have earned your spot at the table.”
“This moment is the biggest of my life,” McBryde shared. “And if it’s your first time to be at the Opry, this is what it feels like every time you are here. It looks like it’s made of brick and mortar, but it is pure, pure love. That is what you are experiencing. Thank you. I know what this means. I know what my responsibilities are, and I take this very seriously. And God Bless country music.”
McBryde’s induction was followed by a collaboration with another surprise guest, Eric Church. The pair sang fan-favorite, “Bible and a .44,” and Church concluded the evening’s first show with a solo acoustic set.
“What a great night for country music and what a great addition to the Opry,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “Watching Ashley on stage tonight, I think almost everyone in the room as well as those tuned in could feel a collective approving nod from those who have come before as well as the sense that the future is wide open for this new member and for this show edging closer to its landmark 100th year.”
Ashley McBryde hanging her Opry member plaque. Photo: Chris Hollo
Walker Hayes Plots ‘Duck Buck Tour’ For 2023
/by Lorie HollabaughWalker Hayes. Photo: Robert Chavers
Walker Hayes will kick off spring of 2023 with his headlining “Duck Buck Tour.” Ingrid Andress, Breland, and Ray Fulcher will join him on select dates.
The 23-date tour will kick off on April 13 in Rosemont, Illinois, and will visit Oklahoma City, Wichita, Boston, Jacksonville and Charlotte, with a Music City stop on June 23 at Ascend Amphitheater. Additionally, Chris Lane and Nicolle Galyon will make a special appearance with Hayes during his performance at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 5. Tickets for the dates go on sale Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. CT.
“I can’t wait to get back out on tour,” says Hayes. “Headlining an arena tour for the first time this past year was a dream come true. The whole family was able to come out and the road has become our new home away from home. All the fans that have come out or will come out are making this dream a reality. I owe it all to them, and this next tour will be the biggest and best. I don’t take for granted that they spent their hard-earned money on my shows, and I plan to make it well worth it!”
Hayes’ single, “Y’all Life,” is currently sitting in the top 30 on the Mediabase chart. His most recent release, “Face In The Crowd,” is an ode to his biggest fan, his wife Laney. The song is especially meaningful to Hayes after his breakthrough year, which saw him earn a Grammy nomination, six Billboard Music Awards nods, five ACM nominations, a nod at both the CMT Awards and CMA Awards, and his first No. 1 at country radio.
Scotty McCreery Revs Up For His ‘2023 Damn Strait Tour’
/by Lydia FarthingFollowing a successful 2022, Scotty McCreery will embark on his “2023 Damn Strait Tour,” boasting over 20 dates and running through the end of April.
The trek will see the American Idol alum visit cities all across the country, including stops in San Antonio, Knoxville, Milwaukee, Tulsa, Scottsdale, and more. McCreery’s fan club pre-sale will begin Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by the general on sale on Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. local time.
“Looking forward to hitting the road in 2023 with the ‘Damn Strait Tour,’” McCreery notes. “I’ve enjoyed my time at home learning to be a dad to Avery, but I’ve missed being onstage with the band and performing for the fans. Can’t wait to see everyone in the new year!”
The namesake of the tour and McCreery’s fifth consecutive chart-topper, the RIAA Gold-certified “Damn Strait,” also landed at No. 4 on the Billboard Year End Country Airplay chart along with being named among Billboard’s 10 Best Country Songs of 2022. McCreery’s current single, “It Matters To Her,” currently sits at No. 32 on the Mediabase chart.
Ranking No. 13 on the Top 50 list of 2022 Country Airplay Artists by Billboard, McCreery was a co-writer on all but four of the 18 tracks on the recently released Same Truck: The Deluxe Album. Produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, the project features six new songs, including “On It,” co-written with Jessi Alexander, Jonathan Singleton, and Rogers.
Chase Matthew To Kick Off ‘Love You Again Tour’ In January
/by Lorie HollabaughChase Matthew. Photo: Justin Mayotte
Recent Warner Music Nashville signee Chase Matthew is set to kick off his headlining “Love You Again Tour” on Jan. 27.
The 12-date trek will visit Charleston, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Kansas City and more through April, alongside a previously-announced co-headline run with Kidd G. For ticket information, click here.
Matthew’s headline “Born For This Tour” criss-crossed the nation earlier this year. The Tennessee native has earned a growing fanbase that includes more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 900,000 followers across social media platforms.
Last week, Matthew released his steamy new single, “Love You Again,”which rapidly went viral after he posted a snippet of the track on social media last month.
Amy Grant To Be Featured On ‘CBS Mornings’ Following 2022 Kennedy Center Honors
/by Lydia FarthingAmy Grant. Photo: Tracey Salazar
Contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant will be featured on CBS Mornings on Monday (Dec. 12) after becoming one of the 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees.
Pictured (L-R, top row): U2 members Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono; (L-R, bottom row): Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, and Tania León. Photo: Gail Schulman
During the segment, Grant will give an in-depth interview with Vlad Duthiers, marking the first in a series of profiles on the Kennedy Center Honorees, including acclaimed actor and filmmaker George Clooney; legendary singer of soul, gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight; Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and iconic Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.
Grant, who became the first contemporary Christian music star to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, accepted her honor last weekend during the taping of the annual broadcast and events filled with family and friends. The taping of the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors will air Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. CT on CBS and will be available to stream on Paramount+.
Country Music Hall Of Fame To Feature Herb Pedersen In Next Installment Of ‘Nashville Cats’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter Herb Pedersen in its in-depth interview series “Nashville Cats” on Feb. 4 in the museum’s Ford Theater.
An accomplished guitarist, banjo player, singer and songwriter, Pedersen is a founding member of the Desert Rose Band and was a member of the Dillards from 1969 to 1971. He has recorded solo albums and performed and recorded with Jackson Browne, John Denver, the Doobie Brothers, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Dan Fogelberg, John Fogerty, Chris Hillman, Gordon Lightfoot, Lyle Lovett, Gram Parsons, John Prine, Tony Rice, Johnny Rivers, Linda Ronstadt, Ringo Starr, James Taylor, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson and Earl Scruggs, among many others.
The interview will be illustrated with archival photos, recordings and film clips. The conversation is in support of the “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock” exhibit presented by City National Bank, and made possible in part by the Academy of Country Music.
The ongoing “Nashville Cats” series showcases musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours.
The program is included with museum admission and is free to museum members. Seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance.
Cassadee Pope Moves Away From Country Genre, Exits Fusion Music
/by LB CantrellCassadee Pope. Photo: John Shearer
Singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope is shifting from the country music genre back into the pop-rock scene.
The genre change will be a homecoming for Pope, who got her start in the pop-punk band Hey Monday. The group had success with singles “Homecoming” and “How You Love Me Now” before Pope ventured out on her own in 2012.
She competed on season three of The Voice, becoming its first female winner. As a member of Voice coach Blake Shelton‘s team, the Florida native sang many country songs throughout the competition. Pope released her debut country album Frame by Frame in 2013 via Republic Nashville, and had a hit with “Wasting All These Tears.”
Pope went on to release another country album and tour with artists such as Maren Morris and Tim McGraw, among other accomplishments. She had another hit alongside Chris Young for their 2015 duet “Think Of You.”
For her 2021 album Thrive, Pope combined her pop-punk roots and country sensibilities. According to an interview with People, Pope’s collaboration with Levi Hummon for his new song “RSVP” serves as a “bridge for [her] between what [she] did before and where [she’s] headed with [her] next solo project.”
The genre-shift also means that Pope is no longer on the roster of Nashville-based management firm Fusion Music, who represents Martina McBride, Riley Green, Lily Rose, and more.