September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES 2021 Americana Honors & Awards Winners CMT Artists Of The Year To Honor Mickey Guyton Keith Urban To Receive 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award Dustin Lynch Signs With Warner Chappell Music ASCAP 2021 Christian Music Awards Winners Grammy Nomination Dates Records Nashville Adds Chele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb Marc Beeson Signs With SMACKSongs Emma-Lee Inks With Sony Music Publishing, RareSpark Media Group Warner Chappell, Low Country Sound Extend Deal With Aaron Raitiere DISClaimer Singles Reviews And much more… Friday, September 24, 2021 If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to receive it, sign up here. SIGN UP HERE (FREE!) Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Black Pumas Win At 2021 Americana Honors & Awards Pictured (L-R): Amanda Shires and Maren Morris of The Highwomen, Yola, Brandi Carlile of The Highwomen, Jason Isbell and Natalie Hemby of The Highwomen perform onstage at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association The Americana Music Association heralded its best and brightest at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 22, with Brandi Carlile taking home her second Americana trophy for Artist of the Year. Other big winners of the night include Sturgill Simpson who won Album of the Year for his first bluegrass project, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions; the Black Pumas, who were named Duo/Group of the Year; and the late John Prine, whose song “I Remember Everything,” written by Pat McLaughlin and Prine, received Song Of The Year honors. Charley Crockett received the award for Emerging Act of the Year while Kristin Weber, a 14-year veteran of worldwide touring and recording as a fiddler, was named Americana Instrumentalist of the Year. “Given today’s uncertain times, there is no greater assurance that the power of music brings people together to uplift their spirits when they need it the most,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “I’m beyond proud of our artists and community for reminding me again why this is my favorite night of the year, every year.” Highlights from the evening included a rendition of “I Believe” by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, as well as Carla Thomas offering a performance of her Page 1 of 18
Transcript
September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
2021 Americana Honors & Awards Winners
CMT Artists Of The Year To Honor Mickey Guyton
Keith Urban To Receive 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award
Dustin Lynch Signs With Warner Chappell Music
ASCAP 2021 Christian Music Awards Winners
Grammy Nomination Dates
Records Nashville Adds Chele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb
Marc Beeson Signs With SMACKSongs
Emma-Lee Inks With Sony Music Publishing, RareSpark Media Group
Warner Chappell, Low Country Sound Extend Deal With Aaron Raitiere
DISClaimer Singles Reviews
And much more…
Friday, September 24, 2021
If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to
receive it, sign up here.
SIGN UP HERE (FREE!)Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Black Pumas Win At 2021 Americana Honors & Awards
Pictured (L-R): Amanda Shires and Maren Morris of The Highwomen, Yola, Brandi Carlile of The Highwomen, Jason Isbell and Natalie Hemby of The Highwomen perform onstage at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association heralded its best and brightest at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 22, with Brandi Carlile taking home her second Americana trophy for Artist of the Year.
Other big winners of the night include Sturgill Simpson who won Album of the Year for his first bluegrass project, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions; the Black Pumas, who were named Duo/Group of the Year; and the late John Prine, whose song “I Remember Everything,” written by Pat McLaughlin and Prine, received Song Of The Year honors.
Charley Crockett received the award for Emerging Act of the Year while Kristin Weber, a 14-year veteran of worldwide touring and recording as a fiddler, was named Americana Instrumentalist of the Year.
“Given today’s uncertain times, there is no greater assurance that the power of music brings people together to uplift their spirits when they need it the most,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “I’m beyond proud of our artists and community for reminding me again why this is my favorite night of the year, every year.”
Highlights from the evening included a rendition of “I Believe” by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, as well as Carla Thomas offering a performance of her
Stax Records staple, “B-A-B-Y.” The Mavericks delivered a sweeping Spanish performance of “La Sitiera,” and Carlile, Margo Price and Amanda Shires paid tribute to the great John Prine with a heartfelt take on “I Remember Everything.”
Throughout the night, attendees were treated to additional performances by Crockett, Steve Earle, Henry with O’Donovan, The Highwomen (Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, Shires) with Yola, Jason Isbell with Shires, Sarah Jarosz, Valerie June with Thomas, Amythyst Kiah, Buddy Miller, Keb’ Mo’, Price, Allison Russell and Aaron Lee Tasjan.
2021 Americana Honors & Awards Winners and Honorees:Album of the Year: Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (The Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill SimpsonArtist of the Year: Brandi CarlileSong of the Year: “I Remember Everything” John Prine, written by Pat McLaughlin and John PrineDuo/Group of the Year: Black PumasEmerging Act of the Year: Charley CrockettInstrumentalist of the Year: Kristin WeberLegacy of Americana Award, presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music: Fisk Jubilee SingersTrailblazer Award: The MavericksLifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Keb’ Mo’Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer: Trina ShoemakerInspiration Award: Carla Thomas
Keb Mo’ performs at the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards. Photo: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association
CMT Artists Of The Year To Honor Mickey Guyton As Breakout Artist Of The Year
CMT will honor Mickey Guyton with the Breakout Artist of the Year award at its CMT Artists of the Year event taking place live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.
“We are thrilled to honor the immensely talented Mickey Guyton as this year’s Breakout Artist of the Year. After relentlessly chasing her dreams in country music for years, her perseverance, tenacity and spirit have culminated in this spectacular moment of recognition where she’s finally receiving the credit she deserves,” shares Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. “Congratulations Mickey! We look forward to celebrating with you, and all of our honorees on Oct. 13.”
As previously announced, this year’s CMT Artists of the Year will honor its class of 2021, including Chris Stapleton, Gabby
Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs. Musical pairings, special guests and additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. MR
Country hitmaker Dustin Lynch has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Lynch ended 2020 as Billboard’s third most-played artist on the Country Airplay chart. His fourth studio album, Tullahoma, delivered consecutive chart-toppers: Platinum “Ridin’ Roads” and Gold “Good Girl” – both co-written by Lynch, in addition to Top 5 “Momma’s House.” Since his breakout in 2012, he’s earned four Top 5 albums, eight Gold and Platinum certified singles, over 2.5 billion on-demand streams, and has achieved a total of seven No. 1 songs at country radio including “Small Town Boy,” which was also the longest reigning No. 1 of 2017 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville says, “If you know Dustin you know he’s all about his fans and delivering memorable songs they’ll be singing for years. As a songwriter, from his very first hit (the game-changing ‘Cowboys and Angels’), to ‘Good Girl’ and ‘Ridin’ Roads,’ to his current single (‘Thinking ‘Bout You’), he knows how to deliver a smash. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him since he first came to Nashville and we’re all excited for the next part of his journey.”
“Ben [Vaughn], Ryan [Beuschel], and the WCM Nashville team have been in my corner as long as anyone on Music Row,” sums Lynch. “I’m thrilled to align my dreams and goals with theirs and take this next chapter of making music to a whole new level. Keep an eye on what we start building together and may the hit train roll on!” MR
Keith Urban To Receive 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement
Award
Multi-award-winning artist Keith Urban will receive the 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award. Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan will present the award during the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 13 at The Westin in Nashville, Tennessee.
The CRB Artist Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music and country radio through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership.
Urban has won four Grammy Awards, thirteen CMAs, fifteen ACMs, three AMAs, two People’s Choice Awards, and celebrated nine consecutive Gold, Platinum, or multi-Platinum albums. He has garnered 24 No. 1 songs, 43 Top 10 singles in the U.S., 27 No. 1s in Canada, and numerous other chart-topping placements in Australia, the U.K., and other countries worldwide.
He has supported numerous charities, making him a beloved figure among many philanthropic communities. He is the first Ambassador of the CMA Foundation, an advisory board member at the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and a longtime supporter of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund and The Grammy Foundation.
CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson says, “Only a very select group of artists ascends to the level of this award. They do it by combining years of uncompromised brilliant performance with sustained success. As Keith continues to reach new creative heights every year, let’s pause to celebrate him. Be there Oct. 13 when we recognize him for all he has achieved… so far. It will be an unforgettable moment.” MR
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WHMA Anniston, ALWXFL Florence, ALKHBZ Harrison, ARKQUS Hot Springs, ARKDXY Jonesboro, ARKWCK Searcy, ARKRAZ Santa Barbara, CAWPAP Panama City, FLWUBB Savannah, GAKXIA Marshalltown, IAKIAI Mason City, IAKBOE Oskaloosa, IAKTHK Idaho Falls, IDWOOZ Carterville, IL
New On The Chart —Debuting This Weeksong/artist/label—Chart PositionNever Wanted To Be That Girl/Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde/Big Machine/WMN — 51All It Cost Me Was Everything/Cody Jinks/Late August Records — 71Honky - Tonk/Josiah Siska/Black River Entertainment — 75At the End Of A Bar/Chris Young feat. Mitchell Tenpenny/RCA Nashville — 77
Greatest Spin Increasesong/artist/label—Spin IncreaseSand In My Boots/Morgan Wallen/Big Loud Records — 251Never Wanted To Be That Girl/Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde/Big Machine/WMN — 23823/Sam Hunt/MCA Nashville — 236Buy Dirt/Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan/MCA Nashville — 165One Mississippi/Kane Brown/RCA Nashville — 155
Most Addedsong/artist/label—No. of AddsNever Wanted To Be That Girl/Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde/Big Machine/WMN — 1823/Sam Hunt/MCA Nashville — 15It's Gettin' There/Dave Wilbert/Wilbilly Records — 12Sand In My Boots/Morgan Wallen/Big Loud Records — 6All It Cost Me Was Everything/Cody Jinks/Late August Records — 6
On Deck—Soon To Be Chartingsong/artist/label—No. of SpinsFreedom/Houston Bernard/HBB — 164Truth About A Lie/Jamie Trent/Restless Kardigan Music — 159Think About Me/Maggie Baugh — 157'Til You Can't/Cody Johnson/CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville — 156Heart First/Jennifer Belle/JGSII Records — 155
NO. 1 SONGCHART ACTION
Friday, September 24, 2021
“If I Didn’t Love You” by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood returns to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart marking its third week on top. The singles holds +57 spins over the No. 2 position despite losing a total of -29 spins the last two weeks.
“If I Didn’t Love You” was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan and produced by Michael Knox.
Underwood earned a nomination for Entertainer of the Year at this year’s 55th Annual CMA Awards, which airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00 – 11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC. Click here to see a full list of nominees.
Each songwriter and artist earning No. 1 credit on the MusicRow Chart receives a MusicRow Challenge Coin. Click here to
9 2 1 If I Didn’t Love You / Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood / Broken Bow/Macon Music/Capitol 1699/49 -1 -1426 5 2 Chasing After You / Ryan Hurd w/ Maren Morris / Arista Nashville 1642/51 6 9041 3 3 Cold Beer Calling My Name / Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs / River House Artists/
Columbia Nashville1600/43 -1 -22
15 6 4 Same Boat / Zac Brown Band / Home Grown Music/Warner Music Nashville 1581/60 4 5912 7 5 Cold As You / Luke Combs / Columbia/River House Artists 1546/51 2 3637 4 6 My Boy / Elvie Shane / Wheelhouse Records 1500/46 -6 -9212 9 7 Heart On Fire / Eric Church / EMI Records Nashville 1490/67 5 7210 15 8 Buy Dirt / Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan / MCA Nashville 1423/64 13 16523 8 9 Half Of My Hometown / Kelsea Ballerini / Black River Entertainment 1413/62 -4 -5234 10 10 Freedom Was A Highway / Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley / Stoney Creek Records 1376/50 -2 -2910 13 11 Fancy Like / Walker Hayes / Monument 1367/48 8 9830 11 12 Knowing You / Kenny Chesney / Blue Chair Records/Warner Music Nashville 1351/43 1 1019 1 13 You Should Probably Leave / Chris Stapleton / Mercury Nashville 1347/52 -24 -41837 12 14 Give Heaven Some Hell / HARDY / Big Loud Records 1283/60 -1 -1522 14 15 It’s Cause I Am / Callista Clark / Big Machine 1263/58 0 435 16 16 To Be Loved By You / Parker McCollum / MCA Nashville 1224/57 0 345 17 17 You Time / Scotty McCreery / Triple Tigers Records 1195/39 0 45 23 18 Sand In My Boots / Morgan Wallen / Big Loud Records 1144/60 28 25131 18 19 Getting Over Him / Lauren Alaina feat. Jon Pardi / Mercury Nashville 1100/54 0 440 21 20 Whiskey And Rain / Michael Ray / Warner Music Nashville 1095/46 6 6620 19 21 Tip Jar / Jackson Michelson / Curb 1093/50 4 3720 20 22 Thinking ‘Bout You / Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter / Broken Bow 1091/49 4 4015 22 23 Never Mine / Craig Campbell / Grindstone Records 952/53 2 217 27 24 Best Thing Since Backroads / Jake Owen / Big Loud Records 917/58 13 1045 33 25 One Mississippi / Kane Brown / RCA Nashville 873/47 22 15527 24 26 My Masterpiece / Darius Rucker / Capitol 839/40 0 021 25 27 Fill Them Boots / Chris Lane / Big Loud Records 824/43 -1 -105 31 28 Wild Hearts / Keith Urban / Capitol 816/50 12 8722 26 29 I’m Not For Everyone / Brothers Osborne / EMI Records Nashville 804/47 -4 -3011 30 30 That’s What Cowboys Do / Garth Brooks / Pearl Records 773/43 5 3830 29 31 I Can’t / Caitlyn Smith feat. Old Dominion / Monument Records 762/44 0 313 32 32 Old School / Toby Keith / Show Dog Nashville 743/43 3 2016 28 33 Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) / Elle King & Miranda Lambert / RCA Nashville 731/41 -8 -6318 34 34 Back Then, Right Now / Tenille Arts / 19th & Grand Records 709/41 2 169 35 35 7500 OBO / Tim McGraw / Big Machine 692/41 3 188 36 36 Beers On Me / Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND & HARDY / Capitol 678/43 7 4415 37 37 Fine / Mira Goto / ArtistMax 645/34 4 2430 39 38 Home Sweet / Russell Dickerson / Triple Tigers Records 628/36 5 289 43 39 Get To Work Whiskey / Ward Davis / Ward Davis/Thirty Tigers Records 533/42 10 49
17 42 40 Local Honey / Mo Pitney / Curb 526/28 6 2812 41 41 How Far Can It Go? / Hailey Whitters feat. Trisha Yearwood / Big Loud/S&D/Pigasus 519/33 3 132 61 42 23 / Sam Hunt / MCA Nashville 495/38 91 23617 44 43 Princess / Dallas Remington / RoadWarrior Records 468/30 5 219 45 44 Am I The Only One / Aaron Lewis / Valory 424/24 1 410 47 45 Grow Up / Ian Flanigan feat. Blake Shelton / Reviver Records 413/31 6 245 46 46 Steal My Love / Dan + Shay / Warner Music Nashville 410/28 1 34 52 47 New Truck / Dylan Scott / Curb 397/30 32 9716 48 48 Get Lost / Lucas Hoge / Forge Entertainment Group 369/22 -3 -124 53 49 Sunrise Tells The Story / Midland / Big Machine 351/25 17 5112 49 50 Rub A Little Dirt On It / Chase Likens / On The Green 347/21 1 51 100 51 Never Wanted To Be That Girl / Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde / Big Machine/WMN 340/27 127 2384 59 52 They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More / Travis Tritt / Big Noise 338/23 22 6121 40 53 Woman You Got / Maddie & Tae / Mercury 336/19 -34 -17311 54 54 Hillbilly Shake / AC Thomas / Birmingham Entertainment 312/24 8 2222 51 55 That Ain’t Me No More / Matt Stell / RECORDS/Arista Nashville 304/19 -5 -166 62 56 Record High / Randall King / Warner Music Nashville 303/24 17 4410 60 57 Walking In Your Wonderful Light / Rhonda Towns / Dawn Records 303/17 9 266 58 58 These Boots Were Made To Dance / Timothy Baker & Clayton Smalley / YN Records 294/23 6 1612 56 59 Better Than You’re Used To / Tyler Rich / Valory 282/21 -2 -57 66 60 Hometown In My Headlights / JD Shelburne / JD Shelburne Music LLC 272/17 13 3214 64 61 Evangeline / Sammy Kershaw / White Mustang Records 271/19 8 208 63 62 Feel Good Again / RT Johnson / CCB Nashville 266/20 4 114 65 63 Wilder Days / Morgan Wade / Ladylike Records 264/18 10 234 71 64 Broke It Down / Brian Callihan / Reviver Records 242/20 14 308 67 65 Please Don’t Let Me / Dylan Gerard / SSM Nashville 242/21 3 83 73 66 Hit Me Up / Josh Kinney / Birmingham Entertainment 240/21 21 415 68 67 The American Face / The Isaacs / House of Isaacs 237/17 2 43 70 68 I Know A Girl / MaRynn Taylor / Black River Entertainment 223/21 5 108 69 69 American Made / Dakota Poorman / Ten Inch Vinyl Entertainment, LLC 222/16 0 014 55 70 You’ll Always Be My Baby / Alan Jackson / EMI Records Nashville 221/18 -23 -671 86 71 All It Cost Me Was Everything / Cody Jinks / Late August Records 220/20 54 772 80 72 Stealing Home / James Robert Webb / Bison Creek Records 214/21 35 553 75 73 Who Cares / Filmore / Curb 204/13 5 104 72 74 Version Of Me / Emily Rose / Growing Rose Recording Co. 204/15 -1 -21 87 75 Honky - Tonk / Josiah Siska / Black River Entertainment 197/20 39 552 77 76 Music Man / Shane Owens / AmeriMonte Records 193/20 12 211 88 77 At the End Of A Bar / Chris Young feat. Mitchell Tenpenny / RCA Nashville 187/15 33 462 76 78 Blue Collar / Kevin McCoy Band / Honky Tonk Hippie 181/13 4 72 78 79 Long Gone / The Posse Band feat. Doug Supernaw / 176/13 5 92 79 80 Hey Dad / Matt Stillwell / 723 Entertainment 168/12 4 6
ASCAP Announces Winners For 2021 Christian Music Awards
ASCAP has announced the winners of its annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards on Sept. 22.
Honoring the most performed Christian music of the past year, the social media event featured exclusive photos, videos, performances, acceptance speeches and more from some of the winning songwriters and publishers posted with the hashtags #ASCAPAwards to @ASCAP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For the fourth time, Matthew West has been named ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year, honoring his hit songs like Jeremy Camp’s “Keep Me in the Moment,” and Casting Crowns’ “Love Moved First” and “Start Right Here.” With over 130 songwriting credits for artists including Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery and Amy Grant, as well as his own hits as an artist, West has also been recognized as ASCAP’s Christian Songwriter-Artist of the Year in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
Grammy-nominated songwriter, artist and worship leader Cory Asbury took home ASCAP Christian Songwriter-Artist of the Year for the first time. After winning ASCAP Song of the Year in 2019 for his chart-topping hit “Reckless Love,” he adds two ASCAP most-performed song awards for “The Father’s House” and “Sparrows.”
The Grammy and Dove Award-nominated song, “Famous For (I Believe),” earned ASCAP’s Christian Song of the Year. Co-written by ASCAP member Alexis Slifer and published by All Essential Music and Buddybabe Music, the Tauren Wells and Jenn Johnson track spent 54 weeks on the charts.
Capitol CMG Publishing receives ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year for the 19th consecutive year for songs including “Good God Almighty,” “Out Of My Hands” and “Peace Be Still.” To celebrate the honor, the Capitol CMG publishing team gathered virtually to accept the award.
ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams says: “My heart is full of gratitude for you, ASCAP’s family of songwriters, composers and music publishers. Your beautiful music shines a light in both hard and joyful times, guiding us forward with messages of love, hope, faith and mercy… Congratulations to all of this year’s winners for your achievements.”
The two-day social media celebration featured exclusive photos, videos, performances, acceptance speeches and more from some of the winning songwriters and publishers, including a performance of “Rise Up (Lazarus)” from chart-topping newcomers CAIN and an acceptance speech from Dave Haywood of Lady A for their winning song “Who You Are to Me.”
Other songs honored as the most performed from the last year include “Battle Belongs” (Phil Wickham), “Graves Into Gardens” (Elevation Worship), “Still Rolling Stones” (Lauren Daigle), and “Together” (For King & Country), among others. MR
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September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
RaeLynn Takes Fans Back Home On Full Baytown Album [Interview]
Two-time ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year nominee RaeLynn has many things to celebrate this season with the birth of her first child, daughter Daisy Rae, on Sept. 8, and the release of her new full-length album, Baytown, which is available everywhere today (Sept. 24).
After releasing a six-song EP by the same name in 2020, the Baytown album expands upon the original set by adding eight more tracks to the full-length project.
Marking her debut studio album on Florida Georgia Line‘s Round Here Records and her first full-length release since 2017’s Wildhorse, RaeLynn is a writer on all 14 songs on the Corey Crowder-produced album alongside some of Nashville’s most in-demand writers, including Bob DiPiero, Brett James, Emily Weisband, Tyler Hubbard, and Crowder.
Baytown, named after RaeLynn’s hometown outside of Houston, Texas, draws serious inspiration from the place that made her the person and artist that she is today.
“Any artists I meet that didn’t come from Nashville are all unique in their own way. What makes them unique is where they grew up, what they were around, what music they were surrounded by, and what their environment was,” RaeLynn tells MusicRow. “For the first couple of years, I was trying to figure out who I was in Nashville. I realized that what makes me different and what makes me special is that I grew up in a place called Baytown and being the baby of eight kids. I realized that all of these different things that are woven inside of me have made me who I am, and that’s going to show into my music,” she explains.
“The best way for me to describe Baytown is country people with a little grit and sass.” When describing Baytown in a sonic sense, she sums, “It’s like if Cardi B and Dolly Parton had a baby. It’s fun, but a little ratchet in the best way.”
With tracks like the heartfelt “Small Town Prayer” and the revealing “Only In A Small Town,” RaeLynn offers up the different shades of growing up in a place like Baytown on the aptly named record.
“I love those two songs because they go to show the undeniable pureness and authenticity of a small town that makes us who we are, but then they also have the rowdiness of what a small town represents too. Everybody knows each other and gets into a little bit of trouble, but everybody has each other’s back too,” she comments.
Additionally, the album includes a couple of welcomed duets, including the entertaining “Why I Got A Truck” with her former The Voice coach Blake Shelton, and the flirty “Get That All The Time” with Mitchell Tenpenny.
Baytown also features familiar favorites like “Keep Up,” “Judgin’ To Jesus,” “Rowdy,” and “Bra Off,” while also giving fans new tracks that showcase more sides of the Platinum singer-songwriter that they haven’t heard before.
“She Chose Me,” which undoubtedly serves as the album’s centerpiece, takes listeners behind the curtain of RaeLynn’s life as she learned that she was the result of an extramarital affair. Giving a vulnerable invitation into how she came into this world, the track chronicles her mother’s momentous choice to keep the pregnancy despite the small town scrutiny while also serving as a prequel to her 2016 breakout Gold-certified single, “Love Triangle.”
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September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
Coming full-circle from there, RaeLynn also shares a demo version of “Made For Me To Love,” which make her own daughter, Daisy, her muse for the first of what’s sure to be many times to come.
With over 840 million career streams and nearly half a million album equivalents sold, one of country music’s newest parents will be spending the next few months diving into motherhood with plans of returning to the road in early 2022.
“I don’t know anything about [motherhood] so it’s all gonna be new to me, but I’m beyond excited,” she shared as she was preparing for Daisy’s arrival. “This pregnancy has honestly been an incredible experience… I’ve had such a beautiful time being pregnant, and it’s been so cool to be able to do something beyond myself.
“I’m gonna miss being pregnant for those special moments, but I am excited to drink a margarita,” she jokingly admits.
RaeLynn’s full-length album, Baytown, is available now. MR
Save The Date: Grammy Nominations Announcement
The Recording Academy announced that the nominees for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021.
The 2022 Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET / 5-8:30 p.m. PT.
A list of dates for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards process are below:
Sept. 1, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2021Product Eligibility Period
Oct. 22 – Nov. 5, 2021First Round Voting
Tues, Nov. 23, 2021Nominees Announced for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards
Dec. 6, 2021 – Jan. 5, 2022Final Round Voting
Mon, Jan. 31, 202264th Annual Grammy Awards
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September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
Records Nashville Adds Chele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb
Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ label Records, has expanded its team with two new staffing additions.
Chele Fassig will take on the role of Promotion Manager, reporting to Records Nashville co-heads of promotion, Jamice Jennings and Andy Elliott. She joins the company with over 28 years of experience in the radio industry.
Fassig began her career in Decatur, Illinois at WDZQ. After stops at WNAP and WGRL, Fassig joined WSOC in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she remained the
marketing, promotion and NTR director for over 25 years. She currently serves in a Senior Media Consultant role for Beasley and officially started in her new role on Sept. 22. Fassig can be reached at [email protected] / (704) 724-1166.
Laurel Kittleson-Cobb has been brought on as A&R Consultant. Formerly the VP of Artist Development and A&R at Curb Records, she recently launched Rainier Entertainment, a consulting company for A&R, artist development and publishing. Kittleson-Cobb’s prior stops include Big Machine Label Group, Show Dog-Universal Records and Elevation Music Publishing. She can be reached at [email protected].
“We’re excited to continue to build out the team at Records Nashville,” comments Weiss, Partner and Co-Founder of Records. “Chele and Laurel are great additions to help take the label to the next level. Let’s go!” MR
Chele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb
Marc Beeson Signs With SMACKSongs
SMACKSongs has signed songwriter Marc Beeson to a worldwide publishing deal.
Beeson was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois and moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1990. He signed record deals with Warner Brothers, BNA, and Curb Records, and charted multiple singles as an artist throughout the ’90s.
As a songwriter Beeson has had publishing deals with EMI, Sony, Crossfire 3, Warner Chappell, and most recently Downtown Music Publishing. Some of his cuts include Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight,” Blake Shelton’s “She’s Got A Way With Words,” and Restless Heart’s “When She Cries,” which won both the ASCAP Country Song of the Year in 1993 and Pop Song of the Year awards in 1994.
“Marc brings something really special to our roster with his dedication to the craft of songwriting and always reaching for the very best,” offers SMACKSongs Chief Creative Officer, Robin Palmer. “Our team is really excited to welcome him and continue this journey with him.”
“Robin has always been one of the best song people I’ve ever known. She and the whole SMACK crew have made me feel so welcome and I’m grateful to be part of their team,” says Beeson. MR
Pictured (L-R): Sam Sarno, Marc Beeson, Robin Palmer. Photo: Molly Bouchon
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jameson Rodgers, Marty Stuart, Lily Rose
The vets outshine the shiny new stars today.
Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, José Feliciano, Dolly Parton and Marty Stuart sound a whole lot better than most of the major-label country contenders do. One exception is Sony’s Jameson Rodgers, who earns the Disc of the Day award.
Also check out the worthy new efforts by Lily Rose, David Nail and Scotty McCreery.
We have no newcomers in this edition of the column, hence no DISCovery Award.
Read Robert K. Oermann's weekly single reviews column here.Jameson Rodgers. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Willie Nelson Keeps It In The Family On Latest Project
Weekly Register: Kacey Musgraves Enjoys “Simple Times” With Top Country Album & Song Debut
‘Christmas With Ronnie Milsap’ Sees Holiday Reissue After 35 Years
Nashville A-Team Musician Bob Moore Dies
Tracy Lawrence Announces 16th Annual Turkey Fry & Concert
Deana Carter Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of ‘Did I Shave My Legs For This?’ With Special Re-Issue
NMPA & Twitch Reach Agreement
Lainey Wilson’s “Things A Man Oughta Know” Tops The Charts
Spotify Celebrates ’90s Country’s Resurgence Of Popularity With Gen Z
Kelsea Ballerini Sets The Stage In Nashville On Jonas Brothers’ “Remember This” Tour
Recording Academy Promotes Ruby Marchand & Joanna Chu In Awards Department
MLC To Host “El MLC En Español” For Hispanic Heritage Month, Unveils New Spanish Resources
Nashville-Based Solo Music Creating First Global Music Marketplace On Blockchain Platform Solana
The Last Maddox Brother, Don Maddox, Dies
Loretta Lynn And Friends Benefit Raises Nearly $1 Million And Counting
Jimmie Allen, Damon Whiteside, Jackie Jones To Hold Keynote Conversation At Mondo.NYC Conference
Emma-Lee Inks With Sony Music Publishing, RareSpark Media Group
Emma-Lee has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing and RareSpark Media Group.
Originally hailing from Toronto, Emma-Lee has released three full-length albums since her debut in 2009. Her songs have charted multiple times on Billboard and have been featured in many film and TV placements such as Beauty & The Beast, Saving Hope, Teen Wolf, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Wynonna Earp, Dance Moms and Hello/Goodbye.
Emma-Lee has also found success as a songwriter with cuts like “What Are You Gonna Tell Her” and “Bridges” for Mickey Guyton, as well as several other songs on Guyton’s upcoming debut album Remember Her Name.
“Our entire team has been fans of Emma-Lee’s songwriting for quite some time,” says Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “It is an honor and a privilege to partner with RareSpark to wave her flag.”
“Emma-Lee is a force–she has a gift for bringing the artist’s point of view to a song, along with an incredible voice, commitment to the craft, and a graciousness that draws everyone in. We are honored to work with her at RareSpark and we’re excited to partner with Rusty and the entire family at Sony Music Publishing to represent her!” adds Scot Sherrod, VP/GM and Suzanne Strickland, Owner, RareSpark Media Group. MR
Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Low Country Sound Extend Deal With Aaron Raitiere
Singer-songwriter Aaron Raitiere has extended his worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville and Low Country Sound, the imprint founded by Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Dave Cobb.
Raitiere’s recent cuts include four songs on Anderson East’s latest album, Maybe We Never Die, including “Hood of My Car” and “Drugs;” as well as “Heroes” (Natalie Hemby); “Rock My Soul” (Oak Ridge Boys); and Midland’s upcoming radio single, “Sunrise Tells The Story.” He was also a co-writer on the Grammy Award-winning song “I’ll Never Love Again” from A Star is Born.
Raitiere’s debut single as an artist, “Everybody Else,” is available now on Dinner Time Records via Thirty Tigers.
The Kentucky native is slated to perform at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville on Sept. 24. He has previously toured with
Paul Cauthen and Willie Nelson, and recently performed at the Barefoot Country Festival.
Raitiere is managed by Michelle Szeto (Paquin Entertainment Group) and distributed by Thirty Tigers. His publicist is Asha Goodman (Sacks & Co.), and his agents are Marc Dennis and Justin Cahill (CAA). MR
Aaron Raitiere. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Page 14 of 18
September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
Lauren Daigle Continues Her Record-Setting Streak [Interview]
Christian singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle is continuing to break records with her music.
Since the release of her Grammy-winning, Platinum certified album Look Up Child in 2018, Daigle has remained in the upper echelons of the Billboard charts. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top 200 Albums chart, making Daigle the first female artist to simultaneously hit the Top 10 on both Billboard’s Pop and Christian Billboard Album Charts. After spending 100 weeks at No. 1, Look Up Child also holds the record for the greatest number of weeks atop the the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart in its history.
Additionally, the Centricity Music artist’s Grammy-winning crossover hit, “You Say,” became the longest-running No. 1 song of any genre on the weekly Billboard “Hot”-named song charts (which
blend streaming, airplay and sales data, as tabulated by Nielsen Music/MRC Data.) “You Say” remained at No. 1 for an incredible 132 weeks and was recently certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
“I feel kind of awestruck [by Look Up Child‘s achievements] to be honest,” Daigle tells MusicRow. “I really feel like there’s something about people’s stories and people’s connection to this record that really keeps me in a space of being in awe. I’m super grateful for the connection that people have had to it. I don’t take it for granted and I’m honored to have had something like this that I get to be a part of in life.”
Daigle most recently extended her record of most No. 1 hits among women on the Hot Christian Songs chart with her sixth No. 1 single, “Hold On To Me.”
“‘Hold On To Me’ is a song about having people around you that see the best in you and remind you of those things when you might only see the worst of who you are,” Daigle says. “It’s a song about someone who doubts themselves or questions their worth or whether they’re able to make it through a difficult time and realizes what it means to have people around them that can see beyond the current circumstance and remind them, ‘Hey, there’s more beyond this. Keep your head up, stay focused.’ I really believe there’s power when people are unified. Life is a journey and anytime that you’re doing it alone, it only feels half full. I think there’s something beautiful about people holding onto each other in the worst of times, it allows us to get through difficult things together rather than alone.
“I hope that aspiring female CCM artists can see that the sky is the limit,” she continues. “There’s so much potential, and if you bring artistry, if you bring your craft, if you bring diligence, and if you find a team around you that can support all your efforts, the sky is truly the limit. I hope that people, especially aspiring females, can look at this and say, ‘OK, she did it, I’m gonna work hard to do it too.’ I hope that it allows more female vocalist to be on the radio and on these charts.”
Daigle has earned seven Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, ten GMA Dove Music Awards and sold-out concert venues all over the world. She will head back out on the road again with her arena tour kicking off Friday (Sept. 24) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The “Lauren Daigle World Tour” will make stops throughout the U.S. including Kansas City, Atlanta, Lafayette, Houston, and New Orleans before wrapping in Nashville on Nov. 19.
“I cannot wait to be in front of a crowd, to hear applause and hear people screaming at the top of their lungs,” Daigle says. “It is a feeling of joy that doesn’t just stop at me. It circulates around the room, and I think that is something I will never take for granted again especially after this time. I’m also looking forward to the beauty of playing music with people that I love so dear. I feel like I’m back with a family that I’ve missed for so long.” MR
Pictured (L-R): Grand Hubbard, Kris Love, Chris Hauser, Greg Chimento, Lauren Daigle, Caren Seidle, John Stokes, Andrew Lambeth, Steve Ford
Page 15 of 18
1 1 Ashley Gorley Beers On MeCountry AgainGive Heaven Some HellSand In My BootsSteal My LoveYou Should Probably Leave
2 2 Jonathan Singleton Cold as YouSame BoatSouth On YaThings A Man Oughta Know
Luke CombsZac Brown BandLuke CombsLainey Wilson
3 3 Zach Crowell Country AgainWaves
Thomas RhettLuke Bryan
4 4 Hunter Phelps Best Thing Since BackroadsCold Beer Calling My NameDrinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. AmenGive Heaven Some HellThat Ain't Me No MoreThinking ‘Bout You
22 20 Chris Young Famous Friends Chris Young + Kane Brown
23 21 Cary Barlowe Famous Friends Chris Young + Kane Brown
24 27 A. Eshuis You Time Scotty McCreery
25 28 Frank Rogers You Time Scotty McCreery
ThisWeek
LastWeek Songwriter’s Name Song(s) Artist
Sunday, September 19, 2021
26 29 Scotty McCreery You Time Scotty McCreery
27 30 Brian Davis Memory I Don’t Mess With Lee Brice
28 31 Lee Brice Memory I Don’t Mess With Lee Brice
29 32 Billy Montana Memory I Don’t Mess With Lee Brice
30 25 Elle King Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home) Elle King and Miranda Lambert
31 49 Shane McAnally 23Half Of My HometownI Was On A Boat That Day
Sam HuntKelsea Ballerini feat. Kenny ChesneyOld Dominion
32 33 Brett Tyler Cold Beer Calling My NameOld School
Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke CombsToby Keith
33 39 Kurt Allison If I Didn't Love You Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
34 40 Tully Kennedy If I Didn't Love You Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
35 41 Lydia Vaughan If I Didn't Love You Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
36 42 John Morgan If I Didn't Love You Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
37 36 Kat Higgins Knowing You Kenny Chesney
38 37 Adam James Knowing You Kenny Chesney
39 38 Brett James Knowing You Kenny Chesney
40 34 Jameson Rodgers Cold Beer Calling My Name Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs
41 35 Alysa Vanderheym Cold Beer Calling My Name Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs
42 48 Parker McCollum To Be Loved By You Parker McCollum
43 43 Walker Hayes Fancy Like Walker Hayes
44 44 Shane Stevens Fancy Like Walker Hayes
45 45 Cameron Bartolini Fancy Like Walker Hayes
46 50 Andy Albert Steal My LoveThinking ‘Bout You
Dan + ShayDustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter
47 46 Ernest Keith Smith Fill Them BootsMemoryOne Mississippi
Chris LaneKane Brown & BlackbearKane Brown
48 54 Ben Simonetti Same Boat Zac Brown Band
49 55 Zac Brown Same Boat Zac Brown Band
50 59 Jon Pardi Tequila Little Time Jon Pardi
51 60 Luke Laird Tequila Little Time Jon Pardi
52 51 Chris Stapleton You Should Probably Leave Chris Stapleton
53 52 Chris DuBois You Should Probably Leave Chris Stapleton
54 53 Eric Church Heart On Fire Eric Church
55 47 Kane Brown MemoryOne Mississippi
Kane Brown & BlackbearKane Brown
56 56 Matt Rogers Freedom Was A Highway Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley
57 57 Jimmie Allen Freedom Was A Highway Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley
58 58 Ash Bowers Freedom Was A Highway Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley
59 61 S. Minor Cold as You Luke Combs
60 18 Paul DiGiovanni Getting Over HimWe Didn't Have Much
Lauren Alaina with Jon PardiJustin Moore
ThisWeek
LastWeek Songwriter’s Name Song(s) Artist
September 24, 2021 The MusicRow Weekly
Jimmie Allen, Charley Pride. Photo: Courtesy of CMA Brothers Osborne. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
CALENDAR
Singles
September 24William Lee and The Goldens/Come And DineFor King & Country/For God Is With Us/Curb | Word RecordsAmerican Young/Happy Again/Curb | Word RecordsThe Kentucky Headhunters/How Could I/BFD/Audium NashvilleRay Stevens/Ain’t Nothin’ Funny Anymore/Curb RecordsOmer Netzer/Country Boy
September 27Chris Janson/Bye Mom/Warner/WARNiko Moon/Paradise To Me/RCAConner Smith/Learn From It/ValoryBen Gallaher/Every Small Town/Quartz Hill RecordsJoe Hermes/Stronger Than Whiskey/OTM Productions
Albums
September 24Johnny Cash/Bear’s Sonic Journals: Johnny Cash, At The Carousel Ballroom, April 24 1968/BMGCarrie Underwood/My Gift (Special Edition)/Universal Music Group NashvilleMickey Guyton/Remember Her Name/Capitol Records NashvilleBilly Strings/Renewal/Rounder RecordsLarry Fleet/Stack Of Records/Big Loud RecordsKidd G/Down Home Boy/Rebel Music/Geffen RecordsLeigh Nash/The Ride, Vol. 1/Visionary Media Group
October 1Brandi Carlile/In These Silent Days/Low Country Sound/Elektra RecordsAsleep At The Wheel/Half A Hundred Years/Home Records/Thirty TigersLily Rose/Stronger Than I Am/Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music/Republic RecordsLogan Mize/Welcome To Prairieville/Big Yellow Dog Music
Industry Events
September 25-26Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
