Eric Church Receives North Carolina Award For Fine Arts
Pictured (L-R): DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson, Eva Clayton, Priya Kishnani, Eric Church, Governor Roy Cooper, Mickey Michaux, Stanley Riggs, and David Zucchino.
Country music star Eric Church, along with five other distinguished North Carolinians, were recently presented with the North Carolina Award by Governor Roy Cooper.
The other 2022 honorees include the Honorable Eva Clayton for Public Service, Honorable Mickey Michaux for Public Service, David Zucchino for Literature, Dr. Stanley Riggs for Science, and Dr. Priya Kishnani for Science.
As the state’s highest honor, the award recognizes significant lifetime achievements in the areas of fine arts, which was given to Church, as well as literature, public service, and science. Established by the General Assembly in 1961, the awards were first given in 1964. Since then, more than 250 notable natives have been honored by the state of North Carolina.
Cody Johnson Joins Pandora’s Billionaire Club
Pictured (L-R): Howie Edelman, Durango Artists; Ben Kline, WMG; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM; Cody Johnson; Cris Lacy, WMG; and Alina Thompson, SiriusXM Pandora.
COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville singer-songwriter Cody Johnson was recently awarded the Pandora Billionaires plaque. This achievement marks more than one billion streams on the music service. Johnson, a Platinum-selling, two-time CMA Award winner was surprised with the news following his CMA performance rehearsal during an interview with SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard.
“This is all because of the fans, they did this,” Johnson explains. “They’ve stuck with me for many years and never cease to surprise me in their constant support and involvement.”
Johnson’s current Pandora streams have notched 1.5 billion, and he has been added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires Radio in celebration of the honor.
Dillon Carmichael Raises Nearly $20K At Wilmington, North Carolina Benefit Show
Pictured (L-R): WAZO PD/ AM co-host Jason “Foz” Fosdick, AM co-host Michaela Batten, and Dillon Carmichael.
Riser House Records artist Dillon Carmichael headlined a special cancer benefit concert in Wilmington, North Carolina, raising nearly $20,000 for his drummer’s sister last weekend. The concert also included sets from Nashville artist Jason Cross and local talent Asia Daye.
Held at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, the capacity crowd endured inclement weather from tropical storm Nicole as Carmichael performed a 90-minute set. Carmichael’s camp, along with support from Make Wake Artists management and Riser House, acted to help Lisa Collins Stophel, an 18-year paramedic veteran, cover medical expenses for her cancer treatments. Stophel was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Bowel Cancer last August.
Carmichael visited the WAZO studios in Wilmington and talked with Z1075 morning show “Foz in the Morning starring Michaela” ahead of the performance.
Terry McBride Earns Trailblazer Award, Country Music Single Of The Year At Texas Country Music Awards
Terry McBride. Photo: Courtesy of Richlynn Group.
Terry McBride was honored with the Trailblazer Award on Sunday night (Nov. 13) at the Texas Country Music Awards held at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth. He also won Country Music Single of the Year for his song “Wild Horses,” performed by Kin Faux (featuring McBride). He co-wrote the song with fellow Texan Jim Beavers.
The Trailblazer Award honors McBride’s career as frontman of McBride & The Ride, a solo artist, and his massive list of songwriting credits for both himself and other artists. He has received 13 awards from BMI in his career for cuts with Garth Brooks, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Cole Swindell, and more.
“As a proud Texan it was truly an honor to receive the Trailblazer Award from the TCMA,” McBride shares. “Growing up, most of my favorite artists and songwriters came out of Texas and I burned up the road from my hometown of Lampasas to Austin to see my hero’s perform in person every chance I could get, so to be recognized by my home state in front of a house full of talented Texans at last night’s event is a night I won’t soon forget.”
McBride & The Ride, who have recently reunited and are releasing their first offering of new music in over two decades, performed their latest single “Marlboros & Avon” at the ceremony.
Medical Musical Group Hosts 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert
Medical Musical Group hosts the 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert. Photo: Courtesy of 117 Entertainment.
The Medical Musical Group hosted the 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert in Nashville on Nov. 10. The concert benefitted children of military families who battle cancer at Vanderbilt, St. Jude’s, and Shriners Hospital. The show also strived to raise awareness about veteran’s physical and mental health.
Special guests included the Rhonda Vincent and new country duo War Hippies. Veterans, as well as the Nashville community came out to celebrate the special holiday.
The Medical Musical Group is America’s premiere chorale and symphony orchestra comprised of musically-gifted doctors, nurses, volunteers, and others in the medical field. Well-renowned musicians and directors from the group include Victor Wahby (Senior Conductor), Joe A. Fitzpatrick (Chorus Master), and Joseph Car (Associate Conductor).
Zach Bryan Continues His Run At No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Lydia FarthingZach Bryan. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media
The top 10 stays the same this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
At its peak, you can find Zach Bryan for the ninth week in a row. He has four tracks on the chart, all of which are his own, including “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” the newly added “Sun To Me” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Because he is the only writer on each of the songs, Bryan earns all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.
Filling out the remainder of the top five are Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Morgan Wallen (No. 3), Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4) and Luke Combs (No. 5).
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Kenny Chesney Returns To Markets That Launched Him On New ‘I Go Back Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Jill Trunnell
Kenny Chesney will launch his “I Go Back Tour” in March, taking him back to the places that started it all for the superstar. Kelsea Ballerini will join Chesney as special guest on the new tour.
Kicking off in State College, Pennsylvania on March 25, the 21-date tour will criss-cross the country with stops Chesney played on the climb to superstardom, including Lexington, Kentucky, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lincoln, Nebraska and Oklahoma City, as well as headlining the Hy-Vee Indy Race in Des Moines and Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Having played to over 1.3 million fans on 2022’s “Here And Now Tour,” including breaking his personal best at many of the 21 NFL stadium shows, Chesney wanted to take his music to the people who live beyond the major markets on the new tour.
“When a year is as hot and alive as 2022 was,” Chesney explains, “you don’t want to try to recapture that magic. Or maybe it’s me. I still have the sounds of diesel engines and No Shoes Nation in my head—and that made me ask, ‘What else could I do? What would be something that would put me every bit as much in the music and give No Shoes Nation another reason to believe? How can we reach those people who might not come to stadium shows, who live a little off the obvious path, but who love this music every bit as much…
“And that’s when it hit me: ‘I Go Back.’ That song is about holding all those things that shaped you very close, recognizing how special they are—and keeping them alive any way you can. So, I decided that rather than just go repeat what we did, I wanted to take this band and these songs to a lot of the cities we played on our way up! Let’s call the tour ‘I Go Back’—and do just that.”
The tour continues a working relationship between Chesney and Ballerini that started with Ballerini’s ode to her east Tennessee roots, “Half Of My Hometown,” which features Chesney.
“Music has taken me so many incredible places,” Ballerini says. “Around the world, singing with some of my heroes in pop, alternative and contemporary music, but singing with Kenny is going home. He was the only voice I heard on ‘Half Of My Hometown,’ and when he comes in, it’s just like hitting the Knoxville city limits. So to be able to go out to those cities like the place he and I grew up with an artist who’s accomplished what he has, it’s a lot like going home.”
American Express Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Dec. 1. General on-sale begins Dec. 2 at KennyChesney.com.
Kenny Chesney “I Go Back Tour” Dates:
March 25 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
March 30 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
April 1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
April 6 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
April 8 – Wilkes-Barre Township, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
April 12 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
April 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place Amphitheater
April 16 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga*
April 25 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
April 27 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
April 29 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
May 4 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena at The Mark
May 6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
May 9 – Grand Forks, ND – The Alerus Center
May 11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center
May 13 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
May 18 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
May 20 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
May 25 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
May 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf
July 22 – Des Moines, IA – Hy-Vee Indy Race*
*previously announced
Q Prime South Inks Management Deal With Paul Cauthen
/by Lydia FarthingPaul Cauthen
Q Prime South has added Texas-bred singer-songwriter Paul Cauthen to its management roster.
Cauthen was raised in a musical family, as his paternal grandfather went to school with Hank Williams and his maternal grandpa, who worked with Buddy Holly and the Crickets, introduced Cauthen to singing. His grandmother taught him to play piano, while his grandfather and great uncle were the song leader and preacher, respectively, of the local Christian Church of Christ.
Cauthen started his musical career with the duo Sons of Fathers. In 2016, he released his debut solo album, My Gospel, which made Rolling Stone‘s list of Top 40 Country Records of 2016. He has since released three albums and an EP as a solo artist.
His most recent project, Country Coming Down, was released in April 2022, and was the No. 2 album on iTunes’ Top Country Albums Chart. He has garnered over 110 million career streams, including over 13 million album streams. He is currently working on new music, and will be on tour throughout December and into early 2023. For a full list of dates, click here.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul to the family,” says John Peets, Q Prime South’s founder. “He is an artist with a strong vision—he is a great addition to our Q Prime South roster.”
“It feels good to finally have found a home with Q Prime South,” Cauthen adds. “Stoked about the future and excited to get to work.”
In addition to Cauthen, Q Prime South’s roster includes Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Brandon Ratcliff, Marty Stuart and Dee White.
CMHOF Honors Kay West At 14th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Lisa Purcell, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Michael McCall, Senior Museum Writer-Editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Nancy Shapiro; Denise Stiff; Kyle Young, CEO at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; (L-R, front row): Bebe Evans, Kay West and Bonnie Garne. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recognized writer and music industry veteran Kay West on Wednesday night (Nov. 16) at its 14th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in the museum’s Ford Theater.
West discussed her 40 years in media in Nashville and on Music Row during an in-depth interview with the museum’s Michael McCall.
Michael McCall, Senior Museum Writer-Editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum & Kay West. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
As a journalist, she has been a regular contributor to People and TV Guide magazines and a staff writer at the daily Nashville Banner and weekly Nashville Scene newspapers. Her books include How to Raise a Lady and How to Raise a Gentleman, and the cookbook Around the Opry Table.
She has held positions as media director at MCA and RCA, and has served as an independent publicist for Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, and George Strait.
She has also volunteered her time in support of political causes and charitable organizations, including Women for Tennessee’s Future, Nashville CARES, Magdalene/Thistle Farms and more.
The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum was first presented in 2007. Past honorees include Kay Clary, Bebe Evans, Bonnie Garner, Dixie Hall, Cindy Mabe, Mary Martin, Bev Paul, Nancy Shapiro, Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Traci Thomas, Sarah Trahern, Marcie Allen Van Mol and Jo Walker-Meador.
The program was filmed and will be available to stream on the museum’s website next year.
CRS Opens $249 Day Pass Rate For 2023, Announces Digital Music Summit Speakers
/by Lorie HollabaughDay passes for CRS 2023 are available now for purchase. The CRS Digital Music Summit, which kicks off the three-day event, is returning as well on March 13.
Tim Foisset of Warner Music Nashville will lead the three-person agenda team for the Digital Music Summit, which also includes Emily Cohen Belote of Amazon and Beville Dunkerly of Pandora. Foisset succeeds UMG Nashville’s Annie Ortmeier in that role.
In 2021, CRS expanded its three-day education curriculum to include an exclusive one-day track focusing on streaming and digital education initiatives. The content planned for the 2023 event will also include the metaverse, web3, NFTs, and emerging next-gen platforms. The Summit is included in full registration packages and also available when purchasing a day pass.
“It’s been an incredible experience to see the lineup for 2023 come together,” Foisset comments. “Our Digital Music & Tech Summit team challenged ourselves to ensure that this year’s Summit reflects the continuously evolving landscape of our digital music business. The talented experts in every session are pushing the boundaries of our industry, bringing new perspectives and ideas that will carry us into the future. We’re proud to present a conference day you won’t want to miss.”
Confirmed speakers for CRS 2023 Digital Music Summit include Cohen Belote (Amazon Music), Zach Blair (VNUE), Cameo Carlson (M Theory Nashville), Robert Carlton (SmackSongs), Johnny Chiang (Pandora), Jade Driver (Crowd Surf), Foisset (Warner Music Nashville), Debra Herman (Apple Music), Sean Peace (SongVest), Noah Itman (Digital Music News), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox), Katie McCartney (Monument Records), Chris McMurtry (Pex), Doug Phillips (Q-Prime Nashville), Rahul Sabnisis (iHeartMedia), Clark Mims Tedesco (Warner Music Nashville), and Rachel Whitney (Spotify).
In addition to targeted educational sessions, the one-day Summit will include a digital networking breakfast, the Warner Music Nashville kickoff luncheon, an interactive conversation with Garth Brooks, the Amazon Country Heat showcase, and the third annual Paddle Royale ping-pong tournament.
CRS Day passes are priced at $249 per day and are available here.
Riser House Entertainment Promotes Megan Schultz
/by LB CantrellMegan Schultz. Photo: Shannon Bradley
Riser House Entertainment’s Megan Schultz has been elevated to Label Manager.
Schultz has been with the company for five years, helping to oversee the careers of artists including Dillon Carmichael and Meghan Patrick. She was also involved in the launch of Riser House Records, marking the start of Mitchell Tenpenny and Riser House’s joint venture with Sony Music Nashville.
In her new role, Schultz will continue to oversee and plan all label operations and scheduling for Riser House Records’ artists including Carmichael and Patrick, along with label services clients Jordana Bryant, Drew Baldridge, and more to be announced in 2023.
“Megan has proven her management and leadership skills in spades,” says Riser House Entertainment President and Co-founder Jennifer Johnson. “She’s an achiever and a champion. She is passionate about her team and our artists. Having been here since the beginning of Riser House, Megan has a clear vision and path for our future growth and success.”
“I am incredibly proud of what we have built at Riser House over the past five years,” Schultz adds. “Riser House is a place filled with an exceptional team of hardworking employees and uniquely talented artists. I am thankful to continue to grow with Riser House and am looking forward to all of the amazing things in store for the future.”
Reach Schultz at megan.schultz@riserhouse.com.
Industry Ink: Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Dillon Carmichael, More
/by Lydia FarthingEric Church Receives North Carolina Award For Fine Arts
Pictured (L-R): DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson, Eva Clayton, Priya Kishnani, Eric Church, Governor Roy Cooper, Mickey Michaux, Stanley Riggs, and David Zucchino.
Country music star Eric Church, along with five other distinguished North Carolinians, were recently presented with the North Carolina Award by Governor Roy Cooper.
The other 2022 honorees include the Honorable Eva Clayton for Public Service, Honorable Mickey Michaux for Public Service, David Zucchino for Literature, Dr. Stanley Riggs for Science, and Dr. Priya Kishnani for Science.
As the state’s highest honor, the award recognizes significant lifetime achievements in the areas of fine arts, which was given to Church, as well as literature, public service, and science. Established by the General Assembly in 1961, the awards were first given in 1964. Since then, more than 250 notable natives have been honored by the state of North Carolina.
Cody Johnson Joins Pandora’s Billionaire Club
Pictured (L-R): Howie Edelman, Durango Artists; Ben Kline, WMG; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM; Cody Johnson; Cris Lacy, WMG; and Alina Thompson, SiriusXM Pandora.
COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville singer-songwriter Cody Johnson was recently awarded the Pandora Billionaires plaque. This achievement marks more than one billion streams on the music service. Johnson, a Platinum-selling, two-time CMA Award winner was surprised with the news following his CMA performance rehearsal during an interview with SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard.
“This is all because of the fans, they did this,” Johnson explains. “They’ve stuck with me for many years and never cease to surprise me in their constant support and involvement.”
Johnson’s current Pandora streams have notched 1.5 billion, and he has been added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires Radio in celebration of the honor.
Dillon Carmichael Raises Nearly $20K At Wilmington, North Carolina Benefit Show
Pictured (L-R): WAZO PD/ AM co-host Jason “Foz” Fosdick, AM co-host Michaela Batten, and Dillon Carmichael.
Riser House Records artist Dillon Carmichael headlined a special cancer benefit concert in Wilmington, North Carolina, raising nearly $20,000 for his drummer’s sister last weekend. The concert also included sets from Nashville artist Jason Cross and local talent Asia Daye.
Held at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, the capacity crowd endured inclement weather from tropical storm Nicole as Carmichael performed a 90-minute set. Carmichael’s camp, along with support from Make Wake Artists management and Riser House, acted to help Lisa Collins Stophel, an 18-year paramedic veteran, cover medical expenses for her cancer treatments. Stophel was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Bowel Cancer last August.
Carmichael visited the WAZO studios in Wilmington and talked with Z1075 morning show “Foz in the Morning starring Michaela” ahead of the performance.
Terry McBride Earns Trailblazer Award, Country Music Single Of The Year At Texas Country Music Awards
Terry McBride. Photo: Courtesy of Richlynn Group.
Terry McBride was honored with the Trailblazer Award on Sunday night (Nov. 13) at the Texas Country Music Awards held at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth. He also won Country Music Single of the Year for his song “Wild Horses,” performed by Kin Faux (featuring McBride). He co-wrote the song with fellow Texan Jim Beavers.
The Trailblazer Award honors McBride’s career as frontman of McBride & The Ride, a solo artist, and his massive list of songwriting credits for both himself and other artists. He has received 13 awards from BMI in his career for cuts with Garth Brooks, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Cole Swindell, and more.
“As a proud Texan it was truly an honor to receive the Trailblazer Award from the TCMA,” McBride shares. “Growing up, most of my favorite artists and songwriters came out of Texas and I burned up the road from my hometown of Lampasas to Austin to see my hero’s perform in person every chance I could get, so to be recognized by my home state in front of a house full of talented Texans at last night’s event is a night I won’t soon forget.”
McBride & The Ride, who have recently reunited and are releasing their first offering of new music in over two decades, performed their latest single “Marlboros & Avon” at the ceremony.
Medical Musical Group Hosts 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert
Medical Musical Group hosts the 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert. Photo: Courtesy of 117 Entertainment.
The Medical Musical Group hosted the 2022 National Veterans’ Day Concert in Nashville on Nov. 10. The concert benefitted children of military families who battle cancer at Vanderbilt, St. Jude’s, and Shriners Hospital. The show also strived to raise awareness about veteran’s physical and mental health.
Special guests included the Rhonda Vincent and new country duo War Hippies. Veterans, as well as the Nashville community came out to celebrate the special holiday.
The Medical Musical Group is America’s premiere chorale and symphony orchestra comprised of musically-gifted doctors, nurses, volunteers, and others in the medical field. Well-renowned musicians and directors from the group include Victor Wahby (Senior Conductor), Joe A. Fitzpatrick (Chorus Master), and Joseph Car (Associate Conductor).
Granger Smith Announces New Album & Acting Debut
/by Liza AndersonGranger Smith. Photo: Ian Schexnayder.
Granger Smith released his latest album Moonrise today (Nov. 18).
The multi-Platinum selling country artist and Amazon best-selling author also announced his acting debut as the star of the upcoming PureFlix film Moonrise, out Dec. 15. Produced by Smith and John Marlin, every track on the new record will be featured in the movie.
In the film, Smith plays Will Brown, a country artist with three kids who has lost his wife in a tragic accident and seeks redemption with his music and family. He felt connected to his character after reading the script, having gone through tragedies himself, and asked to hear the songs. After discovering there wasn’t any, Smith took on the role of musical supervisor and wrote all of the music for the motion picture.
While in his trailer between scene shoots, Smith went through old songs he had never finished. He began piecing them together, writing and recording all of them within a span of five months.
“I definitely didn’t expect to record an album this year (or at least in this way)!” says Smith. “Last holiday season when I accepted the lead role in the movie, I spoke with the director about a song mentioned prominently in the script called ‘Forever Forward’ among others. I said, ‘Can you send me this song, so I can learn it?’ and she replied, ‘Oh, we don’t have that yet, but we’ll find it!’
“So, I decided the easiest thing to do would be to write the songs to fill in the gaps for the film,” he continues. “Before long, I had 12 brand new songs and a complete album. This was so different than any other process of music making that I’d been involved with, and I loved every minute of it.”
He will premiere the official music video for “In This House” from the Moonrise album and film tonight (Nov. 18) at 6 p.m. CT while responding to fans’ reactions and questions. To tune in, click here.
Moonrise Track List:
1. Never Been (Granger Smith, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel, William Blake Bollinger)
2. I Wanna (Steven Olsen, Corey Crowder, Granger Smith)
3. Tailgate Church Pew (Granger Smith, John Marlin)
4. Still Find You (Justin Wilson, Granger Smith, Andy Albert, Jordan Schmidt)
5. Damn Guitar (Granger Smith)
6. In This House (Thomas Marc Archer, Granger Smith, Matt Alderman, Mitchell Tenpenny)
7. Broke In (Granger Smith, Jared Mullins, Cameron Montgomery)
8. Something Is Changing (Granger Smith, John Marlin)
9. Black Suit (Granger Smith, Dusty Saxton, John Marlin, Chris Lee)
10. Something To Go On (Granger Smith, Rodney Clawson, Kyle Fishman, Justin Wilson)
11. Forever Forward (Granger Smith, John Marlin)
12. Moonrise (Andy Albert, Jordan Schmidt, Granger Smith, Justin Wilson)
Chart Action: Brantley Gilbert Debuts At Country Radio
/by Alex ParryBrantley Gilbert‘s “Heaven By Then” impacts country radio this week.
The single, which features Blake Shelton and Vince Gill, debut at No. 29 on Billboard, No. 43 on Mediabase and No. 54 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Writers on the song include Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Michael Hardy, Jake Mitchell, Randy Montana, Hunter Phelps and Taylor Phillips.
“‘Heaven By Then’ came out of a conversation during a writers retreat in Texas that we do every year,” Gilbert shares. “A guitar ended up in Hardy’s lap, which is usually a good sign that it’s about to turn into something special. I think we all knew that as it was being written. It came to life that night.
“To have Blake Shelton and Vince Gill on the song meant so much to me. Those two brought so much to the table and gave it a voice I didn’t have. We were all in separate places when we recorded, but it was a cool way for everyone to put their spin on it. They just did what felt natural and sonically you hear that,” he concludes.
“Heaven By Then” is the lead single from Gilbert’s latest album, So Help Me God. He is currently on tour with Five Finger Death Punch.
For more chart data, click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records Sign Singer-Songwriter Megan Moroney
/by LB CantrellMegan Moroney
Sony Music Nashville and Columbia Records have signed rising artist Megan Moroney. The singer-songwriter announced the news during her opening slot on Warren Zeiders‘ Nashville stop of “The Up to No Good Tour.”
“No one knows this at all, but here goes nothing,” she said from the stage. “Last week, I signed a record deal with Sony Music. I’m very thankful and couldn’t do it without the people have supported me.”
Moroney also let the crowd know that her viral sensation “Tennessee Orange” will be her debut single at country radio.
The tune took off on social media after Moroney posted a TikTok of her singing the hook about a Georgia Bulldogs fan falling for a Tennessee boy. “Tennessee Orange” was written by Moroney, Ben Williams, David Fanning, and Paul Jenkins, and is currently at No. 19 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
According to Billboard, Moroney’s team also includes PunchBowl Entertainment’s Juli Griffith for management, UTA’s Elisa Vazzana for booking, and Alexandra Kolea for tour management.