Weekly Chart Report (12/09/16)
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DISClaimer: Have Yourself A Merry, Music-Filled Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like you-know-what.
And so, on this day, I am crowning Nashville’s king and queen of Christmas 2016. They are Chris Young and Jennifer Nettles, who have this year’s finest new Music Row holiday albums. They sing their faces off on It Must Be Christmas and To Celebrate Christmas, respectively. Buy them both, and your tree trimming party will be a smash.
Those two share the Disc of the Day award. Because we have no newcomers here, there is no DisCovery Award this week.
TRISHA YEARWOOD/Santa Baby
Writers: Joan Javits/Tony Springer/Phil Springer; Producer: Mark Miller; Publishers: Tamir (ASCAP); Pearl (track)
– Christmas Together is the first duet album by Garth and Trisha. It is a Target exclusive. While he has his moments on it (”Ugly Christmas Sweater”), her solo performances steal the show. She brings just the right kittenish, mercenary purr to this perennially entertaining delight. “Hard Candy Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” are also Trisha standouts. He has a duet with James Taylor on a Thanksgiving tune.
KACEY MUSGRAVES/Mele Kalikimaka
Writer: R. Alex Anderson; Producers: Kacey Musgraves, Misa Arriaga & Kyle Ryan; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– A Very Kacey Christmas is a blast from start to finish. Where else can you find cha-cha, reggae, western-swing and Hawaiian arrangements on one holiday collection? Her star collaborators include Leon Bridges (”Present Without a Bow”), Willie Nelson (the weed-themed “A Willie Nice Christmas”) and, most notably The Quebe Sisters on this Hawaiian tune as well as on “Let It Snow.” Heartily recommended.
BRETT ELDREDGE & MEGHAN TRAINOR/Baby It’s Cold Outside
Writers: Frank Loesser; Producers: Jay Newland/Rob Mounsey; Publisher: Frank, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– Brett went to New York to record his Glow holiday collection, which is full of brassy, old-school pop charts. His imitation of Harry Connick Jr. is spot-on in the vocal department. So if that’s what you’re looking for this season, climb aboard. But if you are seeking a country Christmas album by a country singer, this is not it. Also, he and Trainor both lack the wit and wink that should be in this performance.
REBA/Winter Wonderland
Writers: Felix Bernard/Richard Smith; Producers: Reba/Doug Sizemore; Publishers: WB, ASCAP; Nash Icon (track)
– Reba’s My Kind of Christmas is a Cracker Barrel exclusive. This collection throws you a bit of a curve ball. There is no band. It is just a singer and a pianist. And, surprise, it works. When the singer is as ornamented as Reba and the piano player is as creative and inventive as Catherine Marx, you enjoy every note. It starts with this standard and adds 10 more very, very familiar tunes.
CHRIS YOUNG & ALAN JACKSON/There’s a New Kid in Town
Writers: Don Cook/Curly Putman/Keith Whitley; Producers: Corey Crowder/Chris Young; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
– Chris’s It Must Be Christmas is THE essential holiday country collection to own this year. Boyz II Men join him on “Silent Night.” Brad Paisley duets on “The First Noel.” Alan Jackson is his partner on this modern Nashville Christmas classic, which I never tire of hearing. Other stunners include a fantastic new seasonal song called “Under the Weather” and a ferociously rocking treatment of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” This man is a singer’s singer, and you need this music in your life. What a gift.
JENNIFER NETTLES & IDINIA MENZEL/Little Drummer Boy
Writers: Katharine K. Davis/Henry Onorati/Harry Simeone; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: EMI/International Korwin/EMI Mills/Sony-ATV; Big Machine (track)
– Jennifer’s To Celebrate Christmas is a triumph. This lady inhabits the holiday repertoire like few others can. She totally rocks “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” offers a completely unexpected delight with “Celebrate Me Home” and brings fellow vocal goddess Andra Day along with her on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Whether it’s “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Circle of Love” or “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” these are performances that will pin your ears back. She doesn’t really have the pipes for “O Holy Night,” but more than makes up for that misstep via this collaboration with Idina Menzel. It is, simply, the best version of this standard ever.
RASCAL FLATTS/Deck The Halls
Writers: traditional; Producers: Jay DeMarcus/Rascal Flatts; Publisher: public domain; Big Machine (track)
– I’m all for creative arrangements. But here and in several other places on the CD The Greatest Gift of All, the group takes leave of traditional melody and goes off into aural parts unknown. At a slender 10 tracks, this is the briefest of this year’s Nashville holiday offerings.
AMY GRANT/Tennessee Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Capitol CMG
– Judging by my informal survey of local retailers, Amy’s new Christmas album is the hit of the season. It seems to be sold out everywhere and is hard to find. With reason: Tennessee Christmas is a lovely record. The arrangements twinkle like holiday lights. Her vocals are luminous. The repertoire is a wintery wonderland. One nice touch is the fact that she interjects spoken-word passages about her fondest holiday memories.
SELAH/Rose of Bethlehem
Writers: Lowell Alexander; Producers: Jason Kyle Saetveit, Todd Smith, Allan Hall & Nicol Sponberg; Publishers: Birdwing/EMI, ASCAP; Curb (track)
– File this one under “arty.” Selah is a CCM vocal trio with a penchant for elaborately arranged performances. No one is a hair-raising singer, but when they combine their voices, magic happens. Dolly Parton guests on her own tune “Once Upon a Christmas,” pop singer Plumb drops by for “Mary Sweet Mary” and the Annie Moses Band appears on a medley. This title tune is typical of the CD’s tone. The record gets bonus points for being dominated by newer songs, rather than standards. It is also l-o-n-n-n-ng, at 15 tracks.
LORETTA LYNN/White Christmas Blue
Writers: Lynn/Shawn Camp; Producers: Patsy Lynn Russell/John Carter Cash; Publishers: Sure Fire/Scamporee/International Dog, BMI; Legacy (track)
– Loretta Lynn and Shawn Camp win the award for the best new country Christmas song of 2016, and he harmonizes with the legend on its catchy choruses. It is the title tune and standout track of her new LP, which is available on vinyl. The other groovy tunes are her self-penned “To Heck With Old Santa Claus” and “Country Christmas.” But both of these were on her 1966 Christmas album, as were “Blue Christmas,” “Away in a Manger” and “Frosty the Snowman,” all of which are reprised here. More original material would have helped this project, since my thoughts drifted when she sang overly familiar standards. One other highlight is her reading of Clement Moore’s classic 1822 poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Billy Currington Celebrates 11th Chart-Topper With “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To”
Pictured (L-R): (front row) Co-writers Shy Carter (BMI), Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington (ASCAP) and Cary Barlowe (SESAC). (back row): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Major Bob Music’s Tina Crawford, BMG’s Chris Oglesby and Mercury Nashville’s Damon Moberly. Photo: Ed Rode.
Several members of the music industry elite turned out on Tuesday, Dec. 6 as ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch hosted a gathering to fete Billy Currington‘s 11th No. 1 single, “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” The shindig, held at SOUTH, also marked the final No. 1 party for 2016.
The two-week No. 1 was BMI songwriter Shy Carter‘s second No. 1 in the country format (following his work on Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue”), and it was SESAC songwriter Cary Barlowe‘s fourth No. 1 country single.
Among those celebrating were Major Bob Music’s Tina Crawford, who noted that Barlowe and Carter were in the middle of a co-writing session during CMA Music Festival a few years ago when Currington stopped by to say hello. The impromptu meeting became the full-fledged, three-way co-writing session that rendered the hit song.
Also on hand to celebrate “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” were producer Dann Huff, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Mercury Nashville VP of Promotion Damon Moberly, UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser, CRB’s Holly Lane, First Tennessee Bank’s Andrew Kintz, and more. It was announced that Pinnacle Bank offered a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, on behalf of the songwriters.
Pictured (L-R): Shy Carter, Billy Currington and Cary Barlowe. Photo: Ed Rode.
‘MusicRow’ Inaugural Touring Issue Features ASCAP Songwriter Kelsea Ballerini
ASCAP songwriter and Black River Entertainment recording artist Kelsea Ballerini is featured as the cover artist for MusicRow Magazine’s inaugural 2017 Touring Issue.
Ballerini has made a name for herself, becoming the only female artist in country music history to chart three consecutive No. 1 singles from her debut album, The First Time. She is currently on her first solo headlining tour, by the same title as her album. The headlining tour follows opening slots for Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum. Earlier today (Dec. 6), Ballerini earned a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category.
Earlier this year, Ballerini was named Female Artist of the Year and Breakout Artist of the Year at MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards. She was also named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and co-hosted ABC’s summer series Greatest Hits.
Also inside MusicRow’s Touring Issue print magazine, exclusive editorial examines numerous aspects of road life, including Lou Taylor‘s business management role for concert budgeting and Scott Scovill‘s success as one of Nashville’s concert creation and production leaders. An agent roundtable brings together Darin Murphy (CAA), Jay Williams (WME), Nick Meinema (UTA) and Steve Lassiter (APA).
The January issue will also delve into event security, examined with insurance companies Anderson Benson and Frost Specialty. VIP experiences are discussed with CID Presents, while merchandising is highlighted with Richards & Southern, and Chris Lisle gives insights from his concert lighting business.
Single copies of MusicRow‘s Touring Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $30, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.
‘MusicRow’ Reveals 2017 Next Big Thing Artists
MusicRow is proud to reveal MusicRow‘s picks for its 2017 Next Big Thing list featured in the new print edition of MusicRow‘s Touring Issue.
This year’s 11 Next Big Thing artists range from established hit makers prepping their next moves, to newcomers ready to claim their turns in the spotlight.
“It’s a great honor to shine the spotlight on these deserving and talented artists,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “They are poised to make large strides in 2017 earning them our Next Big Thing title. These artists have all proven they have talent and dedication and we see their stars shining even brighter in the coming year.”
Be sure to pick up your copy of the print magazine here, or receive your copy with purchase of a yearly subscription.
MusicRow‘s 2017 Next Big Thing Artists:
Tucker Beathard (Dot Records)
Tucker Beathard is bringing rock ‘n’ roll attitude to country music. His debut single “Rock On” reached No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart and his EP, Fight Like Hell, shot to the top of the iTunes Country Chart on opening day. Beathard co-wrote every track on the project, and played both lead guitar and drums on the release. Beathard is entertaining audiences around the world. He toured Europe twice and recently launched his first-ever headlining tour, joined by fellow NBT artist Aubrie Sellers. He wraps 2016 with almost 200 performances under his belt.
Tucker Beathard. Photo: Jim Wright
Kane Brown (Zone 4/RCA Nashville)
Georgia native Kane Brown went from virtual unknown to viral sensation on the strength of his muscular baritone. He crowd funded the EP Closer, and his single “Used To Love You Sober” was later certified Gold by the RIAA. “Thunder In The Rain” was his fifth song to top the iTunes Country Chart, prior to receiving radio airplay. Brown’s success brought a deal with RCA Nashville, and an opening slot on Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour. Brown released his major label, self-titled debut album on Dec. 2. He partnered with Monster Energy Outbreak for his current headlining tour.
Kane Brown. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Chris Lane (Big Loud Records)
Big Loud Records made plenty of noise in 2016, as the independent label launched its flagship artist Chris Lane straight to No. 1 at country radio. His debut single “Fix” gave listeners their fix for a smooth mix of r&b meets country. Producer Joey Moi helped Lane concoct the radio-ready tracks on his debut album Girl Problems. “Fix” has surpassed 26 million streams on Spotify and 6 million views on Vevo and earned Gold certification. Lane is following that success with fast-rising new single “For Her.” In 2017, look for Lane to earn even more love from country fans.
Chris Lane. Photo: Delaney Royer
LOCASH (Reviver Records)
LOCASH is riding high heading into 2017. The Reviver Records duo comprised of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust scored big with the hits “I Know Somebody” and “I Love This Life.” Their first chart-topper, “I Love This Life,” is RIAA Gold-certified. The Fighters, their first full-length project for the indie label, spawned those hits as well as new single “Ring On Every Finger.” The duo is on a North American tour to promote the album and are also playing dates on Live Nation’s Ones To Watch Tour. LOCASH’s self-penned song “Tough” is featured in the Comcast Built Ford Tough national advertising campaign.
LOCASH. Photo: David McClister
William Michael Morgan (Warner Bros.)
Mississippi native William Michael Morgan’s debut EP for Warner Music Nashville, Vinyl, is one of the most traditional projects to be released on a mainstream country label in recent years. Morgan earned his first chart-topping single in 2016, with “I Met A Girl,” penned by Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt, and Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen. He’s following up that No. 1 with “Missing,” an up-tempo shuffle about getting away from the daily grind. Beginning in January 2017, he will take his neo-country sound to Lee Brice and Justin Moore’s American Made Tour.
William Michael Morgan. Photo: Amy Richmond
Maren Morris (Columbia Nashville)
“Can I get a hallelujah? Can I get an amen?” That’s what Maren Morris sang in her breakthrough hit “My Church,” earning shouts of praise from fans and critics. The song set a debut-week record at country radio and went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. Morris’ expert blend of soulful vocals and sassy lyrics propelled her album Hero to move 45,000 units in its first week of release, making her the first artist in Columbia Nashville history to open at No. 1 with a debut album in the Soundscan era. She took home the CMA’s New Artist of the Year honor, and spent plenty of time on the road with Keith Urban’s world tour, as well as headlining her own dates.
Maren Morris. Photo: Robbie Klein
Jon Pardi (Capitol Records Nashville)
Capitol Records Nashville artist Jon Pardi practically two-stepped into the hearts of country listeners this year, earning two chart-toppers, with both his single “Head Over Boots,” and his album California Sunrise. “Head Over Boots” has now been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Pardi offers a double shot of his rock-infused classic country sound with his new single, “Dirt On My Boots.” Pardi is currently on the road as an opener for Kip Moore’s Me and My Kind Tour, and will join Dierks Bentley’s What The Hell World Tour in 2017.
Jon Pardi. Photo: Jim Wright
Runaway June (Wheelhouse Records)
Songwriters and artists Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne felt a spark of magic when they began collaborating in Nashville. The trio, who performs under the name Runaway June, is one of the hottest new acts on the roster of BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. Harmonious vocals accent their brand of organic country, as found on spirited debut single “Lipstick.” They spent plenty of time on the road in 2016, performing and meeting radio. They closed the year with dates on Kip Moore’s tour and by being named to the CMT Next Women of Country list.
Runaway June. Photo: Jason Myers
Aubrie Sellers (Warner Music Nashville)
Aubrie Sellers spent three years crafting the songs that would land on her debut album, and her hard work and impressive skills paid off when she signed with Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. When it came time to record, Sellers teamed with stepfather Frank Liddell (the award-winning producer behind Miranda Lambert) to create a unique sound they dubbed “garage country.” The result is a critically acclaimed debut album titled New City Blues. Among the highlights is the single “Sit Here & Cry,” a combination of edgy sound and sarcastic lyrics about what not to do after a breakup.
Aubrie Sellers. Photo: Allister Ann
Drake White (Dot Records)
Alabama native Drake White’s gospel-infused, soul-inspired country music brings a bluesy, foot-stomping energy to BMLG’s Dot Records imprint. White’s debut album Spark was released in August and landed in the Top 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The project includes lead single, “Livin’ The Dream.” White spent much of 2016 on tour, opening for Zac Brown Band’s Black Out The Sun Tour, and for Dierks Bentley’s Somewhere On A Beach Tour. He recently took part in the Country Music Association’s Forever Country Cover series, offering a rendition of Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman.”
Drake White. Photo: David McClister
Brett Young (BMLG Records)
Brett Young’s blend of country and blue-eyed soul has caught the attention of country music listeners. His debut single, “Sleep Without You,” recently topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart. The California native spent his childhood pursuing a career in baseball. After sustaining an elbow injury his junior year in high school, Young began learning to play and write songs. The career switch has paid off. Young co-wrote all the tracks on his six-song, self-titled EP. Dann Huff produced the project. In 2016, he made his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry.
Brett Young. Photo: Chapman Baehler
Grammy Nominations Revealed
Current Best New Artist Grammy winner Meghan Trainor announced the nominations in four general field categories on CBS This Morning. 21,000 recordings have been submitted for Grammy nominations this year.
Both Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris scored Best New Artist nominations.
Morris also picked up nominations for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song (“My Church”), and Best Country Album (Hero).
Sturgill Simpson‘s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth earned an Album of the Year nomination, as well as a Best Country Album nomination.
Lori McKenna, writer on Best Country Song nomination “Humble and Kind,” also picked up a Best Americana Album nomination for The Bird & The Rifle (CN Records). Additionally, she earned a nomination with Felix McTeigue for Best American Roots Song for “Wreck You,” as well as Best American Roots Performance (“Wreck You”).
The Time Jumpers, featuring Vince Gill, picked up nominations in the Best Americana Album (Kid Sister) and Best American Roots Song (“Kid Sister”).
In the Contemporary Christian categories, Lady Antebellum member Hillary Scott and The Scott Family earned nominations for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Love Remains), and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Thy Will”).
The Nashville Symphony and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero received three nominations. Nashvillian Jack White earned four nods.
Beyonce leads this year’s Grammy nominations with nine nominations, followed by Drake, Rihanna and Kanye West with eight nominations apiece.
Grammy nominations include (selected categories):
Record of the Year
“Hello,” Adele
“Formation,” Beyonce
“7 Years,” Lukas Graham
“Work,” Rihanna
“Stressed Out,” Twenty One Pilots
Album of the Year
25, Adele
Lemonade, Beyonce
Views, Drake
Purpose, Justin Bieber
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, Sturgill Simpson
Song of the Year
“Formation,” Beyonce
“Hello,” Adele
“I Took A Pill in Ibiza,” Mike Posner
“Love Yourself,” Justin Bieber
“7 Years,” Lukas Graham
Best New Artist
Kelsea Ballerini
The Chainsmokers
Maren Morris
Chance the Rapper
Anderson Paak
COUNTRY FIELD
Best Country Solo Performance
“Love Can Go To Hell” — Brandy Clark
“Vice” — Miranda Lambert
“My Church” — Maren Morris
“Church Bells” — Carrie Underwood
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Keith Urban
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Different For Girls,” Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
“21 Summer,” Brothers Osborne
“Setting The World On Fire,” Kenny Chesney & P!nk
“Jolene,” Pentatonix Featuring Dolly Parton
“Think Of You,” Chris Young With Cassadee Pope
Best Country Song
“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey & Steven Lee Olsen, songwriters (Keith Urban)
Track from: Ripcord Label: Capitol Records Nashville; Publisher(s): Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Songs of The Corn, admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; HillarodyRathbone Music, admin. by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC; House Of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville.
“Die A Happy Man,” Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett & Joe Spargur, songwriters (Thomas Rhett)
Track from: Tangled Up Label: The Valory Music Co.; Publisher(s): EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Cricket On The Line admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC./ Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Eastman Pond Publishing admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Music of Big Deal/Nice Life/Frederic and Ried Music. admin. by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC.
“Humble And Kind,” Lori McKenna, songwriter (Tim McGraw)
Track from: Damn Country Music Label: Big Machine Records; Publisher(s): Songs of Universal, Inc./Hoodie Songs
“My Church,” busbee & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris)
Track from: Hero Label: Columbia Nashville; Publisher(s): International Dog Music/Words & Music/BMG Platinum Songs/BMG Rights Management/Hello I Love You Music
“Vice,” Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
Track from: The Weight of These Wings Label: Vanner Records/RCA Nashville; Publisher(s): SonyATV Tree Publishing/Pink Dog Publishing/Smack Songs LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing/Anderson Fork In The Road Music/Kobalt Music Publishing
Best Country Album
Big Day In A Small Town, Brandy Clark, Label: Warner Bros. Records
Full Circle, Loretta Lynn, Label: Legacy Recordings
Hero, Maren Morris, Label: Columbia Nashville
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, Sturgill Simpson, Label: Atlantic
Ripcord, Keith Urban, Label: Capitol Records Nashville
AMERICANA FIELD
Best Americana Album
True Sadness, The Avett Brothers, Label: American Recordings/Republic Records
This Is Where I Live, William Bell, Label: Stax
The Cedar Creek Sessions, Kris Kristofferson, Label: KK Records, Llc
The Bird & The Rifle, Lori McKenna, Label: CN Records
Kid Sister, The Time Jumpers, Label: Rounder Records
Best American Roots Song
“Alabama At Night,” Robbie Fulks, songwriter (Robbie Fulks)
Track from: Upland Stories Label: Bloodshot Records; Publisher(s): Lorne Rall Music
“City Lights,” Jack White, songwriter (Jack White)
Track from: Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998 – 2016 Label: Columbia/Third Man Records; Publisher(s): Peppermint Stripe Music
“Gulfstream,” Eric Adcock & Roddie Romero, songwriters (Roddie Romero And The Hub City All-Stars)
Track from: Gulfstream Label: Octavia Records; Publisher(s): Grand Bayou Music/Roddie Romero Music
“Kid Sister,” Vince Gill, songwriter (The Time Jumpers)
Track from: Kid Sister Label: Rounder Records; Publisher(s): Vinny Mae Music admin. by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing
“Wreck You,” Lori McKenna & Felix McTeigue, songwriters (Lori McKenna)
Track from: The Bird & The Rifle, Label: CN Records; Publisher(s): Melanie Howard Music, Inc./Rusty Muffler Songs admin. by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing
Best American Roots Performance
“Ain’t No Man,” The Avett Brothers, Track from: True Sadness Label: American Recordings/Republic Records
“Mother’s Children Have A Hard Time,” Blind Boys Of Alabama, Track from: God Don’t Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson Label: Alligator Records
“Factory Girl,” Rhiannon Giddens, Track from: Factory Girl Label: Nonesuch Records Inc.
“House Of Mercy,” Sarah Jarosz, Track from: Undercurrent Label: Sugar Hill Records
“Wreck You,” Lori McKenna, Track from: The Bird & The Rifle, Label: CN Records
POP FIELD
Best Pop Vocal Album:
25 — Adele
Purpose — Justin Bieber
Dangerous Woman — Ariana Grande
Confident — Demi Lovato
This Is Acting — Sia
DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC FIELD
Best Dance/Electronic Album:
Skin — Flume
Electronica 1: The Time Machine — Jean-Michel Jarre
Epoch — Tycho
Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future — Underworld
Louie Vega Starring…XXVIII — Louie Vega
ROCK FIELD
Best Rock Album:
California — Blink-182
Tell Me I’m Pretty — Cage The Elephant
Magma — Gojira
Death Of A Bachelor — Panic! At The Disco
Weezer — Weezer
ALTERNATIVE FIELD
Best Alternative Music Album:
22, A Million — Bon Iver
Blackstar — David Bowie
The Hope Six Demolition Project — PJ Harvey
Post Pop Depression — Iggy Pop
A Moon Shaped Pool — Radiohead
R&B FIELD
Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Lemonade — Beyoncé
Ology — Gallant
We Are King — KING
Malibu — Anderson Paak
Anti — Rihanna
RAP FIELD
Best Rap Performance:
“No Problem” — Chance The Rapper Featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz
“Panda” —Desiigner
“Pop Style” — Drake Featuring The Throne
“All The Way Up” — Fat Joe & Remy Ma Featuring French Montana & Infared
“That Part” — ScHoolboy Q Featuring Kanye West
JAZZ FIELD
Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Sound Of Red — René Marie
Upward Spiral — Branford Marsalis Quartet With Special Guest Kurt Elling
Take Me To The Alley — Gregory Porter
Harlem On My Mind — Catherine Russell
The Sting Variations — The Tierney Sutton Band
GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FIELD
Best Gospel Album:
Listen —Tim Bowman Jr.
Fill This House — Shirley Caesar
A Worshipper’s Heart [Live] —Todd Dulaney
Losing My Religion — Kirk Franklin
Demonstrate [Live] —William Murphy
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
Poets & Saints — All Sons & Daughters
American Prodigal — Crowder
Be One — Natalie Grant
Youth Revival [Live] — Hillsong Young & Free
Love Remains — Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song:
“Trust In You,” Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle, Michael Farren & Paul Mabury, songwriters
Track from: How Can It Be Label: Centricity Music; Publisher(s): CentricSongs/Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Word Music & Pocket Full of Rocks Publishing
“Priceless,” For King & Country; Benjamin Backus, Seth Mosley, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters
Track from: Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. [The Anniversary Edition] Label: Fervent/Curb Records; Publisher(s): Warner Tamerlane/Dayspring Music, LLC/Kilns Music / WB Music Corp./Word Music, LLC/Method To The Madness/Shankel Songs/CentricSongs/2 Hour Songs/R1WAY Music Publishing/Wordspring Music, LLC
“King Of The World,” Natalie Grant; Natalie Grant, Becca Mizell & Samuel Mizell, songwriters
Track from: Be One Label: Curb Records; Publisher(s): SeeSeeBubba Songs admin. by Music Services/Maxx Melodies/BMG Platinum Songs/Takin It To The Maxx
“Thy Will,” Hillary Scott & The Scott Family; Bernie Herms, Hillary Scott & Emily Weisband, songwriters
Track from: Love Remains Label: EMI Records Nashville; Publisher(s): W.B.M. Music Corp./EKT Publishing, admin. by W.B.M. Music Corp./WB Music Corp./Thankful For This Music, admin. by WB Music Corp./Songs of Universal, Inc./G650 Music
“Chain Breaker,” Zach Williams; Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters
Label: Essential Records/Provident/Sony Music; Publisher(s): Anthems of Hope/Upside Down Under/Be Essential Songs/Not Just Another Song Publishing/So Essential Tunes
LATIN FIELD
Best Latin Pop Album:
Un Besito Mas — Jesse & Joy
Ilusión — Gaby Moreno
Similares — Laura Pausini
Seguir Latiendo — Sanalejo
Buena Vida — Diego Torres
AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC FIELD
Best American Roots Performance:
“Ain’t No Man” — The Avett Brothers
“Mother’s Children Have A Hard Time” — Blind Boys Of Alabama
“Factory Girl” — Rhiannon Giddens
“House Of Mercy” — Sarah Jarosz
“Wreck You” — Lori McKenna
SPOKEN WORD FIELD
Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling):
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo — Amy Schumer
In Such Good Company: Eleven Years Of Laughter, Mayhem, And Fun In The Sandbox — Carol Burnett
M Train — Patti Smith
Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History Of L.A.Punk (John Doe With Tom DeSavia) — (Various Artists)
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink — Elvis Costello
MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA FIELD
Best Song Written For Visual Media:
“Can’t Stop The Feeling!” — Max Martin, Shellback & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Zooey Deschanel, Walt Dohrn, Ron Funches, Caroline Hjelt, Aino Jawo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse & Kunal Nayyar), Track from: Trolls
“Heathens” — Tyler Joseph, songwriter (Twenty One Pilots), Track from: Suicide Squad
“Just Like Fire” — Oscar Holter, Max Martin, P!nk & Shellback, songwriters (P!nk), Track from: Alice Through The Looking Glass
“Purple Lamborghini” — Shamann Cooke, Sonny Moore & William Roberts, songwriters (Skrillex & Rick Ross), Track from: Suicide Squad
“Try Everything” — Mikkel S. Eriksen, Sia Furler & Tor Erik Hermansen, songwriters (Shakira), Track from: Zootopia
“The Veil” — Peter Gabriel, songwriter (Peter Gabriel), Track from: Snowden
MUSIC VIDEO/FILM FIELD
Best Music Video:
“Formation” — Beyoncé
“River” — Leon Bridges
“Up & Up” — Coldplay
“Gosh” — Jamie XX
“Upside Down & Inside Out” — OK Go
PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL FIELD
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical:
Benny Blanco
Greg Kurstin
Max Martin
Nineteen85
Ricky Reed
For a full list of nominations, visit grammy.com.
Weekly Register: Miranda Lambert, Garth Brooks Dominate Country Albums Chart
Garth Brooks has a strong hold on the Top 10 country album rankings this week, as his recently-released albums Christmas Together and Gunslinger take three of the top five slots this week. Garth and Trisha Yearwood‘s Christmas Together is at No. 2 with 30K sold, while the Christmas album combined with Gunslinger lands at No. 3 with 23K. The solo Gunslinger project is at No. 4 on the country albums ranking with 19K.
However, it is Miranda Lambert who takes the top ranking this week, with The Weight Of These Wings moving 31K, for a total of 153K. Brett Eldredge‘s Christmas project Glow rounds out the Top 5, with 14K sold this week.
Several albums have reached the 500K units mark, enough to earn Gold certification. Those titles include Blake Shelton‘s If I’m Honest, Thomas Rhett‘s Tangled Up, and Joey + Rory‘s Hymns. Also of note is Gillian Welch’s latest, Boots No. 1- The Official Revival Bootleg, comes in at No. 30 selling 3.8K.
Overall album sales have declined 16 percent year to date, while overall digital album sales have declined 20.6 percent. Country album sales are down 6.7 percent, while country digital sales are down 16.8 percent year to date.
The Voice contestant Sundance Head
TRACK SALES
The Voice contestant Sundance Head debuts at No. 1 country and No. 14 overall on the digital tracks sales charts, with “Me and Jesus” selling 28K. Fellow The Voice contestant Billy Gilman‘s rendition of Martina McBride’s “Anyway” debuts at No. 4 country and No. 22 overall, moving 21K units.
Keith Urban‘s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” lands at No. 2, with 27K. Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” lands at No. 3, with 21K, while Florida Georgia Line (ft. Tim McGraw), lands at No. 5 with “May We All” moving 16K.
Overall digital track sales are down 24.7 percent year to date, while country track sales are down 22.7 percent year to date.
All information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.
Dolly Parton Organizes Telethon To Support Gatlinburg Wildfire Victims
Dolly Parton is organizing a telethon to support those affected by the recent wildfires in and around Gatlinburg, Tennessee, MusicRow has exclusively learned. The telethon is set for Dec. 13 in Nashville.
“I know there are a lot of great events being planned to help the people of East Tennessee, however, I am planning a telethon to support the ‘My People Fund’ where 100% of the money will help those who lost their homes in the wildfire. I am planning on doing this on Dec. 13th in Nashville, Tennessee,” the singer says.
100 percent of all donations made to Dolly’s My People Fund will go directly to support those affected by the wildfires. No administration costs will taken out of donations given to the fund.
Parton announced the My People Fund on Nov. 30, after the airing of Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, and has already pledged to provide $1000 each month to Sevier County families who lost their homes.
More information on the telethon, including artist lineup and syndicates, is forthcoming.
Artists interested in taking part can contact [email protected] and [email protected].
Weekly Chart Report (12/02/16)
Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
iHeartRadio Launches Tiered Subscription Services From $4.99 Per Month
Two new subscription services have been released from iHeartRadio in beta for iOS and Android.
HeartRadio Plus ($4.99 a month) and iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster ($9.99 a month) will be the first to offer a service adding on demand functionality and interactivity to live radio. The services are expected to be fully available on mobile and desktop in January.
iHeartRadio Plus:
- Replay: Instantly replay for songs from the radio and then return to the live radio station in progress
- Live and custom Artist Radio stations: Save button can instantly save songs from radio directly to My Music playlist for playback any time
- Search and Play: Songs from a library with millions of tracks
- Unlimited skips: When listening to custom Artist Radio stations there will no longer be a limit on the number of song skips
iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster:
- Combines Libraries: Interactive radio functionally of iHeartRadio Plus will be complete with personal music collections and libraries linked seamlessly to the radio
- Flexibility: Listen to music when you want; No playback cap and users have the ability to reorder, delete and sequence the playlist experience as well as manage unlimited playlists
- Offline listening: Take your music and playlists with you everywhere you go, even when you don’t have a data connection
With more than 850 radio stations in 150 markets that reach over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners across the U.S, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America. In addition, 84 percent of iHeartRadio users do not currently subscribe to an on demand service.
“10 times more Americans listen to radio every month than use a subscription service so the debut of iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster is a unique opportunity to capture these non-music subscribers with an on demand service built around radio,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. “Whereas the LP, CD and music downloads are the ancestors of all current on demand services, the ancestor for our new on demand offerings is broadcast radio. By combining radio’s popularity and reach with interactive on demand functionality, we have created the first fully differentiated streaming music service for consumers.”
“iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access powered by Napster are revolutionizing how we think of live radio,” said Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio. “With features such as personal music libraries and playlists, the ability to search and play any song instantly, and the option to save and replay songs directly from live and custom radio listening, our new iHeartRadio on demand offerings are fundamentally changing the way consumers interact with live radio at an unprecedented level. We are introducing a service like no other to tens of millions of consumers across dozens of devices, and also driving massive awareness of the new service to more than a quarter of a billion Americans a month through our broadcast stations alone, which presents a major revenue growth opportunity for our very important strategic partners – artists and the music industry.”
iHeartMedia partnered with Napster to power the music technology back office behind iHeartRadio All Access. Napster brought their depth of experience in on-demand music delivery, customer billing, data and analytics and rights holders’ payments to complement the iHeartRadio-based application.
“iHeartMedia has a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the tremendous value premium streaming services bring to music fans, and to the music community at large,” said Mike Davis, Napster CEO. “We’re honored that iHeartMedia selected the Napster platform and brand to power a great music experience for consumers, and we’re excited to play a role in what will be a successful launch.”
Aside from the two new subscription on-demand services, iHeartRadio will remain free.