JULIEN’S AUCTIONS ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL “HANDWRITTEN SONG LYRICS BENEFITTING MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE” ONLINE CHARITY AUCTION

Michael Martin Murphey, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Train, Little Big Town,
Loudon Wainwright, George Strait, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley,
Amy Grant, and More Offer Handwritten Lyrics of their Biggest Hits to Support the Music Community

Julien’s Auctions announced today the third annual online charity auction event HANDWRITTEN SONG LYRICS BENEFITTING MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE to take place exclusively at juliensauctions.com for advance bidding. The auction will open on Saturday October 1, 2022 and start closing in real time and in lot order for live bidding at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, October 24, 2022. Proceeds will benefit Music Health Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides 100% free advocacy, support, and access to life-saving healthcare and financial resources for the music industry.

For the third consecutive year, the auction house to the stars partnered with a marquee lineup of some of the most legendary singers and songwriters from the 1970s through today, spanning country, pop, rock, gospel, folk, and alternative rock music, who personally donated handwritten lyrics of some of their biggest hits to this critical initiative to aid and support underserved music professionals in their time of need.

Highlighted handwritten song lyrics signed by the songwriter and/or recording artist include (estimates: $600-$2,000 unless otherwise indicated):

  • Kelsea Ballerini, “Peter Pan” on a hand-painted and signed Epiphone acoustic guitar (co-written with Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee)
  • Michael Martin Murphey, “Wildfire” on a signed black Yamaha acoustic guitar and in a separate lot, signed lyrics of his other greatest hit, “What’s Forever For” handwritten by songwriter Rafe Van Hoy
  • “Meant To Be” recorded by Florida Georgia Line and BeBe Rehxa, signed by Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, and Josh Miller (co-written by Josh Miller, David Garcia)
  • Pat Monahan of Train, “Drops of Jupiter” on a stage-played Remo Emperor drumhead signed by all band members. (Recorded by Train)
  • Signed by Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean, co-writers Tully Kennedy and Lydia Vaughan handwrote “If I Didn’t Love You”
  • ZZ Top/Billy Gibbons signed “Sharp Dressed Man”
  • Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like” (co-written with Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, and Shane Stevens)
  • Rob Crosby and Stephanie Bentley, “Concrete Angel” (Recorded by Martina McBride)
  • Peter Frampton, “Do You Feel Like I Do” (co-written with John Siomos, Mick Gallagher and Rick Wills)
  • Wood Newton, Michael Spriggs, Dan Tyler, Wood Newton, and Michael Noble “Twenty Years Ago” (Recorded by Kenny Rogers) In Memory of Kenny Rogers, Music Health Alliance was gifted these lyrics by the songwriters.  Handwritten by songwriter Wood Newton and signed by all four co-writers to honor Rogers’ legacy, coinciding with Julien’s three-day auction celebration “Property from the Estate of Kenny Rogers” taking place October 21, October 22 and October 23 with a portion of proceeds to benefit Music Health Alliance.

 

Founded in 2013 and based in Nashville, Music Health Alliance (MHA) has provided free healthcare advocacy and lifesaving support and resources to more than 18,000 music industry members across 49 states in the non-profit’s first nine years. MHA has supported songwriters, musicians, performers, producers, engineers, venue operators, artist managers, agents, publishers, business managers, and more by providing access to medicine, mental health resources, COVID-19 relief, diagnostic tests, lifesaving transplants, end of life care, and many other necessary services, saving more than $85,000,000 in healthcare costs for the nationwide music community in less than a decade. Entirely funded through grants and individual and corporate donations, financial support from the music community is critical to continue MHA’s advocacy and free services. For every $1 donation, MHA is able to provide $30 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal The Music. MHA fights so those in our industry never have to feel alone in a health crisis and removes obstacles so patients can receive lifesaving care. All MHA services are free to any person who has worked in the music industry for three or more years or who has credited contributions to four commercially released recordings or videos. Spouses, partners, and children of qualifying individuals may also receive access to the non-profit’s services from birth to end of life. More info at www.musichealthalliance.com.

JODY WILLIAMS SONGS SIGNS ANDY AUSTIN AND HARPER O’NEILL TO PUBLISHING ROSTER, TRENT DABBS TO WRITER MANAGEMENT

 

Independent publisher Jody Williams Songs (JWS) announced today the signing of three uniquely talented music creators to its growing roster. Andy Austin and Harper O’Neill individually ink a publishing deal with JWS and Warner Chappell Music, while Trent Dabbs joins JWS as a writer management client.

Nina Jenkins Fisher, Sr. Director, Creative, commented, “As songwriters Andy, Harper and Trent occupy completely different lanes and bring exciting opportunities to our company. We are fortunate to be working with them.”

A Kannapolis, NC native and University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate, writer-artist Andy Austin has been writing and performing in Nashville since 2018. A vocalist with a natural tenor, Austin’s music embodies neo-traditional sensibilities reminiscent of 80’s and

90’s country music. Austin is a member of a trio with Dan Alley and Sam Banks. Their three-part harmonies are reminiscent of Diamond Rio and Shenandoah, and their original songs are equally as captivating. Their popular performances at The Scoreboard Bar & Grill have become a must-see weekly event.

Harper O’Neill is a writer-artist from Richardson, Texas and a graduate of University of Texas Austin who has been pursuing her artist career in Nashville for the past four years. O’Neill’s music is a bluesy blend of Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt, with a strong songwriting nod to her musical hero Carole King. As a writer, O’Neill collaborates with a tribe of like-minded writer-artists such as Meg McCree, Ben Chapman, Collin Nash, and Aaron Raitiere. The first single from her debut EP, produced by Jake Gear, will be released this fall.

Trent Dabbs is a writer, producer and the consummate collaborator. Between his own artist career, writing with and producing other artists, and the world of sync, Dabbs is at home in almost any setting. You can find his songs everywhere from Kacey Musgraves’ GRAMMY Award winning album, Golden Hour (‘High Horse”) to hundreds of films and TV shows including “Greys Anatomy,” “Love is Blind,” “Vampire Diaries,” “Nashville” and more. COIN, Anderson East, Caylee Hammack, Natalie Hemby, Lady A, Little Big Town, Ingrid Michaelson (“Girls Chase Boys”) and NEEDTOBREATHE are among the artists who have penned and recorded Dabbs’ songs. JWS as writer managers will handle calendar duties for Dabbs primarily in the areas of Country and Americana.

These three join a multi-faceted roster of innovative artists, writers and producers represented by JWS including Greg Bates, Nathan Chapman, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby, Peytan Porter, Jason Nix, Jeremy Spillman, Driver Williams and Ashley McBryde.

ADAM HOOD WILL HEADLINE LIGHTNING 100’S NASHVILLE SUNDAY NIGHT THIS WEEKEND

Adam Hood will be headlining Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday Night this Sunday, Oct. 2 at 3rd & Lindsley in downtown Nashville. Joining Hood and opening the show will be southern rock singer and songwriter, Jobe Fortner. Doors open at 6 P.M. and the all-ages show will kick off at 8 P.M. Hood will be playing new music off of his recent critically-acclaimed record, Bad Days Better which came out Sept. 16. To purchase tickets, click here. For media RSVP, please contact [email protected].

About Adam Hood
Solo artist. Frontman. Behind-the-scenes songwriter. For more than 2 decades, Adam Hood has left his mark onstage and in the writing room, carving out a southern sound that mixes soul, country, and American roots music into the same package. It’s a sound that began shape in Opelika, Alabama. Raised by working-class parents, Hood started playing hometown shows as a 16 year-old, landing a weekly residency at a local restaurant. He’d perform there every Friday and Saturday night, filling his set list with songs by John Hiatt, Steve Warner, Hank Williams Jr, and Vince Gill. As the years progressed, the gigs continued — not only in Alabama, but across the entire country, where Hood still plays around 100 shows annually. These days, though, he’s no longer putting his own stamp on the songs of chart-topping country stars. Instead, many of those acts are playing his music. Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Travis Tritt, Riley Green, Whiskey Myers, Anderson East, Frankie Ballard, Josh Abbott Band, Lee Ann Womack, and Brent Cobb are among the dozens of artists who’ve recorded Hood’s songs. An in-demand songwriter, while still maintaining a busy schedule of tour dates in support of his third solo release, Welcome to the Big World and Two years later, he continues the balancing act with his newest album, Somewhere in Between. And now in 2022, his fifth studio album, Bad Days Better, recorded at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia with the help of members of Blackberry Smoke, and Brent Cobb in the producer’s chair will be released with 10 new songs. “It’s southern music,” he says, “That’s what it represents: the soulful side of southern music, the country side of southern music, the genuineness of southern culture, and the way I grew up. One of the t-shirts I sell at every show simply says ‘Southern songs’ and that’s a good summary of what I do. It’s what I’ve always done.”

DRAKE MILLIGAN ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 5 GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT AMONG NEW TOUR DATES

“Sounds Like Something I’d Do” Second Most Added at Country Radio

Hot off the heels of his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, country breakout and Stoney Creek Records recording artist Drake Milligan is on the gas again, adding dates to an already slammed tour schedule – including his Grand Ole Opry debut. Set for October 5, his Opry debut marks another career milestone for the Billboard Emerging artist, as he aims to thrill from the moment his boot hits those historic floorboards.

Revealing eight new shows for his ongoing 2022 run, the Texas native was already on track to visit cities from coast to coast – with high profile stops like his first headline date at Billy Bob’s Texas thrilling a hometown crowd of nearly 6,000 fans last Friday (9/23).

Milligan will make additional stops in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas, with his biggest moment yet – the Grand Ole Opry – kicking things off. More dates to be added soon.

“I couldn’t be more excited and honored about playing the Grand Ole Opry!” shares Milligan. “To have the opportunity to step in that circle that so many legends have shared will be a dream come true.”

The news arrives just as Milligan’s debut album smashed expectations on its September 15 arrival, with Dallas/Fort Worth hitting #1 on not just the iTunes Country Album Chart, but the ALL-GENRE iTunes Album Chart, as well as landing in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Albums Sales Chart.

Billboard has praised the record as “a steady mix of laid-back, ‘90s Strait inspired come-ons” and a “worthy debut from this newcomer,” while American Songwriter lauded the album “…hits on rockabilly riffs and classic honky tonk and older renderings that have been transported from bygone country days to the present, all punctuated by Milligan’s deep, baritone croon.” Milligan has also received early critical acclaim from People, Taste of CountryParadeCountry NowSaving Country MusicCountry Swag and Hollywood Life, to name a few.

That coincides with strong signals from country radio, who are predicting big things from Milligan’s rollicking “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” – the #2 most added single of the week when it dropped – and fans have the same idea. The action-packed “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” also landed at #1 on iTunes Country Songs Chart, as Milligan builds momentum into the fall.

Six One Five Collective Partners With Nashville-Based Soles4Souls To Provide Shoes For People In Need

 Music City supergroup Six One Five Collective (Sarah Darling, Michael Logen, and Nicole Witt) has partnered with Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Soles4Souls to provide shoes to people in need, as well as funding to bolster additional educational and economic opportunities.

Fans of Six One Five Collective will be able to donate their gently used shoes at upcoming shows (next stops include Wire and Wood Festival in Alpharetta, GA, Canton Stage, on October 8th, and Oct. 9th at Lawrenceville Arts Center in Lawrenceville, GA). There will be Soles4Souls collection boxes near the stage at each show, as well as a QR code available for convenient scanning (which will allow people to easily make monetary donations). Every dollar donated creates educational and economic opportunities.

“When Nicole approached us with this idea, we were ecstatic,” said Jamie Ellis, Vice President, Marketing and Communications. “Soles4Souls is headquartered in Nashville so it was a natural fit to collaborate with Nashville artists in the 615 Collective. I’m excited about merging two of the things that Nashville is best at: music and serving others!”

The partnership comes on the heels of music news for The Collective’s Nicole Witt. A song she co-wrote with Skip Black and Aaron Goodvin, “You Ain’t,” was cut by Goodvin (featuring Meghan Patrick) and released to Canadian country radio on Friday, 9/23, via Warner Canada.

“I am SO excited for the world to hear this song. Aaron and Meghan sing the fire out of this single. I love how the story of the song progresses from heartbreak to you’re too late,” said Witt. “The lyric hits against a feel good country mid tempo.”

Collective artist Sarah Darling just wrapped a five-show run supporting Carly Pearce in Europe, with stops in Hamburg, London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin.

“Touring with Carly Pearce across Europe was life changing,” Darling said. “I’ve played across the pond a lot in my life, but to share these sold out spaces honestly felt like a dream. Hearing people sing the lyrics of your songs halfway across the world is one of the most magical experiences ever as an artist. I loved getting to watch Carly share her heart each night on stage, and honored I got to duet with her in her set. I’m still pinching myself.”

About Six One Five Collective:
The Six One Five Collective (Sarah Darling, Michael Logen, and Nicole Witt) is a collaborative effort and creative brainstorm of solo artists that are steeped in the musical mix of Country, Americana, Folk and Pop. Their sound is an undeniable wall of distinctive harmonies, vocal prowess, and solo voices that are reminiscent of those great American bands that have come before them; Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town, etc. They will be hosting several guest artists on tour this fall, including Shelly Fairchild, Cyndi Thomson and Emily Earle.

Their road show is an eclectic mix of original solo music, hit songs they’ve written for other artists, and high energy songs that are the “Six One Five sound.” They’ve toured around the world opening for John Legend, India Arie, John Hiatt, Kenny Chesney, and others. They’ve played the Grand Ole Opry stage, C2C and have toured extensively overseas. They are Nationally awarded artists and songwriters with a Grammy nomination and an IBMA Song of the Year honor. Their songs have been written for household names like Kelly Clarkson, George Strait, Lee Brice, Ingrid Andress, Marc Broussard, Sister Hazel, and several TV shows such as Nashville, Virgin River, and Parenthood.

GENE WATSON’S OUTSIDE THE BOX LANDS IN LUMINATE’S TOP 15 COUNTRY ALBUM SALES CHART

Opry Country Classics to Spotlight Watson’s Greatest Hits Thursday, Sept. 29
with Performances from Watson, Lorrie Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Rhonda Vincent,
The Gatlin Brothers and Jake Hoot

Legendary country vocalist Gene Watson‘s newest album, Outside the Box, lands among Luminate’s Top 15 Country Album Sales Chart this week alongside Luke Combs and Taylor Swift. On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Country Classics will celebrate Watson’s iconic career and greatest hits with performances from Watson, Lorrie Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Rhonda Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers and Jake Hoot. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

Outside the Box features Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country legend and fellow Texan, Willie Nelson on “Wonderful Future.” The album also features a duet with Grand Ole Opry peer Rhonda Vincent on “I’ve Got One of Those Too.” Click HERE to stream Outside the Box.

Nelson, like so many of Watson’s peers, is a longtime fan of the ‘singer’s singer’ and welcomed Watson to his own SiriusXM channel, Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 59) for an Outside the Box album release special hosted by Grand Ole Opry legend and Sundays with Seely host, Jeannie Seely.

The album release special was recorded with a live audience of subscribers at SiriusXM’s Music City Theatre in Nashville, the one-hour special features performances of new and classic songs from Watson and his Farewell Party Band, as well as conversation and never-told-before stories from their years in the music industry.

Outside the Box showcases Watson’s masterful vocals that have been his signature for more than six decades. The 12-track collection fuses newly recorded songs from Watson as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard to Etta James. The album was produced by Dirk Johnson and executive produced by Watson.

“We titled the album before we ever recorded the first song,” shared Watson. “I just wanted to do something that was different, not only for me, but for the fans too. Of course it’s still pure country music but the very first song I recorded was one by Etta James that I’ve always thought was one of the greatest songs out there. I really searched for songs I know my fans will appreciate and from that came this album, “Outside the Box.”

Celebrating 60 years in the music business hasn’t slowed down Watson, as he continues to added more dates to his 60th Anniversary Tour.

Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, he has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records. The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago.

CMT NAMES COUNTRY MUSIC ICON ALAN JACKSON AS “ARTIST OF A LIFETIME”

Star-studded special premieres Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony

CMT today announced country superstar Alan Jackson will be honored with the “Artist of a Lifetime” award presented by Ram Trucks at the 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR,” premiering Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c on CMT. Jackson will join the illustrious ranks of previous “Lifetime” honorees Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014) as he’s celebrated by his peers for a remarkable career spanning more than three decades.

“I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor,” Jackson says. “I’m very proud.”

“We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT ‘Artist of a Lifetime.’ For more than thirty years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched,” shared CMT Producers. “From his early beginnings in Newnan, Georgia, to selling out the world’s largest stages, Alan has led fans on a musical journey that proved to be a reflection of their own lives. As his songs continue to inspire new generations of fans, we are privileged to celebrate his lifetime of accomplishments.”

The 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” hailing from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, will honor Jackson and previously announced honorees Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes with special never-before-seen performances, special guests and congratulatory moments. Additional honorees, performers and presenters for the 90-minute special to be announced in the coming weeks.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson’s storied career has yielded a staggering 35 No. 1 hits and nearly 60 million sales worldwide, including iconic songs “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.” For more than 30 years, his music has entertained (“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”), touched hearts (“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”) and mirrored the emotions and experiences of many (“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When”) giving him a revered place in country music history. His remarkable career includes a long list of accolades that include more than 30 years of membership in the Grand Ole Opry, three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, two GRAMMYs and the Heritage Award as the most-performed country songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years. Jackson recently released the critically-acclaimed album, Where Have You Gone, and is continuing to thrill audiences on his sold-out Last Call: One More For The Road tour.

Jackson’s history with CMT runs deep. He has made and released nearly 60 iconic music videos, starting with his debut single…two of which were honored as the CMA Video of the Year (“Chattahoochee” and “Midnight in Montgomery”), another recognized as the ACM Video of the Year (“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”). He was honored as a “CMT Giant” in 2008 and received the inaugural Impact Award at the 2014 “CMT MUSIC AWARDS.” Jackson has also ranked No. 1 on both CMT’s “40 Greatest Songs of the Decade” and CMT’s fan-voted “20 Greatest Men in Country Music” lists.

2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. The Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. Leslie Fram is Executive in Charge of Talent; Shanna Strassberg is Talent Producer.

COLE SWINDELL EARNS HIS THIRD BACK-TO-BACK, MULTI-WEEK NO. 1 SINGLE WITH “SHE HAD ME AT HEADS CAROLINA”

Swindell Nominated For Two CMA Awards for “Never Say Never” –
Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Cole Swindell remains at the top of the Billboard country airplay chart this week with his fastest-rising to date, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” The song is now the third consecutive multi-week No. 1 single from his fourth album, Stereotype, following “Single Saturday Night” and “Never Say Never” (with Lainey Wilson). “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” is Swindell’s 12th career No. 1. Additionally, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” Swindell’s 12th career No. 1, has more than 182 million global streams to date.

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” produced by Zach Crowell and co-written with Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett and the original writers on “Heads Carolina, Tails California” Mark D. Sanders and Tim Nichols, also hit No. 1 on Sirius XM’s The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown last month.

Swindell is nominated for two CMA Award nominations for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year with Lainey Wilson for his multi-week No. 1 duet single “Never Say Never.” “Never Say Never” was previously his fastest-rising single to date before “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country airplay chart last week. The 56th Annual CMA Awards will air LIVE from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC.

About Cole Swindell:

Multi-Platinum selling superstar Cole Swindell recently released his new album Stereotype has already charted two back-to-back multi-week No. 1 hits including “Single Saturday Night,” and most recently his Gold-certified smash single “Never Say Never,” a duet with his friend and BBR Music Group’s rising star Lainey Wilson. His new single “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” has become his fastest-rising single to date hitting the top 10 in just seven weeks and No. 1 in just 12 weeks. In the seven years since his debut on Warner Music Nashville, Swindell has racked up an impressive 12 No. 1 singles as an artist – 13 No. 1’s as a songwriter – nine certified Platinum singles (four singles at 2x Platinum), a Platinum-certified debut album (Cole Swindell) and a Gold-certified sophomore album (You Should Be Here). The Georgia hitmaker has over 5 BILLION global career streams. His massive, GRAMMY-nominated hit “Break Up In The End” was named the NSAI Song of the Year (2019).

Swindell has played on some of the biggest stages in the world, including making history being the first-ever live radio and TV broadcast from the 57th floor terrace of 4 World Trade Center. He has played high-profile national television performances on NBC’s Citi Concert Series on TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, ABC’s CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, MLB Network, NASCAR and Sports Illustrated among others. The entertainer has toured with some of the biggest names in country music, including Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line and Dierks Bentley. He officially became a headliner on his own in 2018 with his Reason To Drink Tours and his subsequent headlining Down To Earth Tour, most recently his Down To The Bar Tour and will be back out on the road in the fall headlining his Back Down To The Bar Tour with Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe.

COUNTRY ARTISTS COMMIT TO THE FIFTH ANNUAL “HEAL THE MUSIC DAY” TO SUPPORT MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE

With the growing need for access to life-saving healthcare, mental health, and financial resources for working musicians, artists of all music genres are teaming up to support Heal the Music Day October 21, 2022

Donate at MusicHealthAlliance.com/Heal-The-Music-Day; Donations will be matched up to $25,000 October 1-21

The fifth annual “Heal The Music Day” will be October 21, 2022 and music makers across all genres are invited to join Chris & Morgan Stapleton, Lauren Daigle, Keith Urban, Rodney Crowell, Ronnie Dunn, Tina Parol, Vince Gill, Wiatr & Associates, and many more to raise awareness and funding to support Music Health Alliance (MHA). In just nine years, MHA has provided free healthcare advocacy and access to life-saving health and financial resources to more than 18,000 working music professionals nationwide and is entirely funded through individual and corporate donations and grants.

Launched in 2017, Heal The Music Day is the brainchild of Grammy-winning musician Rodney Crowell who is championing this year’s campaign with MHA in an effort to raise awareness and support for the emergency and ongoing medical needs of our country’s creative community, 76% of whom are self- employed or part of a small business, many with limited and unpredictable resources, and often uninsured or under-insured for healthcare. To participate, members of the music community — including artists, songwriters, producers, publishers, publicists, promoters, business managers, record label executives, booking agents, attorneys, venues, stylists and more — can pledge a percentage of a single day earnings or event to support MHA’s life-saving services and help their fellow music makers who are in need.

“In the world of the working musician, good health is something most of us take for granted – that is, until something goes wrong,” says Crowell. “The healthcare advocates at MHA ensure that no music professional must face a healthcare crisis alone. It is crucial to support MHA’s work to heal the music and the best part is that music makers don’t have to do anything that they are not already doing. Pledges can be as simple as a percent of a concert, event, creative work, or single donation made for Heal The Music Day October 21.”

Through personal and compassionate healthcare advocates, Music Health Alliance’s free services range from access to doctors, specialists, diagnostic testing, hospitals, medicine, health insurance, Medicare and senior care, mental health support, dental and vision resources, end of life care, and financial assistance resources during times of illness. For every $1 donated, MHA can provide $30 in healthcare support and services.

“Heal The Music Day is not only our largest fundraiser, but also an opportunity for the music industry to step up and support their fellow musicians in need. The need for our services has increased more than 65% this year over last, with mental health support growing more than 300% over the past two years. Our goal is to raise more than $300,000 this year to meet the continued increase in critical need and ensure that nobody working in the music industry will ever have to walk a health crisis alone. Heal The Music Day is a great investment into the long-term health and wellness of the music industry as a whole,” says Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder and CEO.

Pledges made for Heal The Music Day will continue the impact of MHA’s services on our country’s working musicians since 2013.

Become a Heal The Music Day partner and make a pledge at https://www.healthemusic.com/. Through an anonymous matching donor, all donations made October 1-21 will be matched up to $25,000, doubling the impact of donations by music makers and music supporters alike.

WINNERS REVEALED AT 5TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE SONGWRITER AWARDS

Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins awarded the 
2022 NSAI ‘Song of the Year’ Honor For “Buy Dirt”

A sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium experienced a night to remember Tuesday September 20 as NSAI, alongside presenting partner City National Bank, celebrated the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. An evening filled with heartfelt speeches, emotional stories and incredible performances, over 20 songwriters and artists took the stage throughout the ceremony to pay tribute to the honorees and award-winning songs. GARTH BROOKS (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award), ASHLEY GORLEY (Songwriter of the Decade) and TAYLOR SWIFT (Songwriter-Artist of the Decade) were honored with milestone achievements, and another top honor of the night, ‘Song of the Year,’ was awarded to Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins for “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan). Gorley was named ‘Songwriter of the Year’ for a record-breaking 6th time and MATTHEW WEST earned ‘Songwriter-Artist of the Year,’ making him now only the second-ever Christian genre songwriter-artist to receive the title. In addition, 11 songs in total were celebrated as winners in the cherished peer-voted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ award category!

Previously announced recipient, Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO, was presented with the President’s Keystone Award by NSAI Board President, Steve Bogard and celebrated with a performance of “Rich Man” by LITTLE BIG TOWN, and to honor Brooks and his lifetime of achievements, Luke Combs sang “Beaches of Cheyenne,” and legendary songwriters Pat AlgerKent Blazy and Tony Arata, performed a medley of hits, concluding with “The Dance”.   

Throughout the night, the audience was thrilled with several special appearances, including Anne Wilson who joined Matthew West at the top of the show to perform “Me On Your Mind,” Sam Hunt who joined the stage performing “23” alongside Chris LaCorte and Josh Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini who sang “Half Of My Hometown” with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, and Larry Fleet who performed a moving rendition of “Sand In My Boots”.

In a stunning close to the show, the final surprise of the night was an appearance by Taylor Swift, who took center stage after receiving her Songwriter-Artist of the Decade Award, where she performed “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”, bringing the Ryman audience to their feet as they sang along to close out the show.

Additional artist appearances that filled the night included: ParmaleeHARDYGAYLEAlana SpringsteenWalker HayesTigirlilyThomas Rhett and Babyface, as well as many of the incredible award-winning songwriters.

“On behalf of City National Bank, we would like to congratulate the winners of the 5th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards – particularly Garth Brooks, Ashley Gorley, Matthew West and Taylor Swift for their milestones,” said Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Heads of City National Bank Entertainment Division, Nashville.  “We are thrilled a sold out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium helped us celebrate songwriters from across the music community!”

Bringing one of the NSAI’s mission pillars to the forefront, the Nashville Songwriter Awards, now it its 5th year, is truly a night all about celebrating songwriters and their importance to the community at large and beyond. The annual awards are set to return to the Ryman Auditorium Fall 2023.