Josh Jenkins Named Songwriter of the Year

“Fancy Like” Named Song of the Year

SMACK Named Publisher of the Year

SESAC Songwriter of the Year Josh Jenkins Photo credit: Katie Kauss

SESAC celebrated its songwriters and music publishers behind the year’s most-performed country and Americana songs at the company’s annual Nashville Music Awards – held in person for the first time in three years – tonight at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

Josh Jenkins was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year after his hugely successful year penning chart-topping hits such as “Buy Dirt,” recorded by Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan, and “Fancy Like,” recorded by Walker Hayes. “Buy Dirt” was recently awarded NSAI’s Song of the Year honor and is nominated for the same award at the 56th Annual CMA Awards. “Fancy Like,” published by SMACK, was also awarded SESAC’s Song of the Year. SMACK took home the title of Publisher of the Year, after previously being awarded the trophy in 2020.

SESAC affiliates Lee Brice and Blanco Brown teamed up to kick off the night with a performance of Brice’s latest single “Soul,” which was recently certified gold by the RIAA. Jordan Davis was on hand to perform “Buy Dirt” alongside his brother Jacob Davis and their co-writers and brother duo Matt and Josh Jenkins. Megan Moroney serenaded the group with her latest viral hit “Tennessee Orange” which has garnered over 45 million streams in just over two months.

Additionally, affiliate Derek Wells received the Spirit of SESAC Award in recognition of his musical contributions playing on over 100 number one songs. The song that clinched this impressive milestone, “Like I Love Country Music” – recorded by Kane Brown and co-written by SESAC affiliate Matt McGinn – was honored with a performance activity award at the ceremony. Honoring Derek by performing a medley of a few of those hits was Brinley Addington, Joey Hyde, Mike Walker,  Aaron Eshuis, Phil Lawson, and Allison Veltz Cruz.

The celebration was hosted by SESAC’s Vice President of Creative Services Shannan Hatch. More than 400 songwriters, publishers, and industry professionals attended the awards celebration, sponsored in part by Barre3 Nashville, British M, Dr. Bronner’s, Essentia, Ettitude, Flying Embers, Garnier, Havaianas, I’m With The Band, Justin’s, Karma, Lano, Opopop, Poppi, Rise Brewing, Simply Gum, Sio Beauty, Soapy Faith, Sound Royalties, Still Standing, The Spa Dr., and The Electric Jane.

Honorees:

“FANCY LIKE”
Written by:
Josh Jenkins
Published by:
Follow Me Where I Go, SMACK Songs, Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by:
Walker Hayes

“BUY DIRT”
Written by:
Josh Jenkins
Published by:
Follow Me Where I Go, SMACK Songs, Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by:
Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan

“SAME BOAT”
Written by:
Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti
Published by:
Day For The Dead Publishing, Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by:
Zac Brown Band

“FREEDOM WAS A HIGHWAY”
Written by:
Jimmie Allen
Published by:
Endurance Juliet, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by:
Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley

“WILD HEARTS”
Written by:
Jennifer Wayne
Published by:
Wild Wild Wild West Songs, BMG Silver Songs
Recorded by:
Keith Urban

“7500 OBO”
Written by:
Matt McGinn
Published by:
McGinndependence Day, SMACK Songs, Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by:
Tim McGraw

“LAST NIGHT LONELY”
Written by:
Joe Fox
Published by:
Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by:
Jon Pardi

“TRUTH ABOUT YOU”
Written by:
Matt Alderman
Published by:
Good Vibes Good Times Music, Curb Congregation Songs
Recorded by:
Mitchell Tenpenny

“LIKE I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC”
Written by:
Matt McGinn
Published by:
McGinndependence Day, SMACK Songs, Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by:
Kane Brown

“UP”
Written by:
Jeremy Bussey
Published by:
Hit By The Buss Music, Songs of Fluid, Spirit Music Nashville
Recorded by:
Luke Bryan

“HOME SWEET”
Written by:
Casey Brown
Published by:
Blue Corolla Oklahoma, Feel Your Creative Pulse Music
Recorded by:
Russell Dickerson

“23”
Written by:
Chris LaCorte
Published by:
Card Tables Music, Concord Tunes, Hang Your Hat Hits
Recorded by:
Sam Hunt

“HELLBENT FOR LEATHER”
Written by:
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Published by:
Snake Farm Publishing, BMG Silver Songs
Recorded by:
Ray Wylie Hubbard

“NICE THINGS”
Written by:
Hayes Carll
Published by:
Highway 87 Publishing, BMG Silver Songs
Recorded by:
Hayes Carll

“MODERN WOMAN”
Written by:
Erin Rae
Published by:
Good Memory, Confidentially Canadian Publishing
Recorded by:
Erin Rae

“IN DREAMS”
Written by:
Sierra Ferrell
Published by:
Abel Elba, Pulse Music Publishing
Recorded by:
Sierra Ferrell

“THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SOMEBODY THROUGH IT”
Written by:
Jim Lauderdale
Published by:
Wudang Mountain Songs, BMG Silver Songs
Recorded by:
Jim Lauderdale

Tunnel to Towers Helps Military & First Responder Families

This holiday season just got a little brighter with a heartwarming TV special, Homes for the Holidays, hosted by CMA and ACM award-winning artist Ashley McBryde. The television event stars Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler in the hit western drama series Yellowstone; multi-platinum, award-winning artist Travis Tritt; music icon, Bret Michaels, Warner Music Nashville artist Ian Munsick; chart-topping country trio Runaway June (Natalie Stovall, Jennifer Wayne, Stevie Woodward), and the multiple Grammy-nominated Robert Randolph. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation invited celebrity friends to give Gold Star and fallen first responder families the ultimate holiday gifts – mortgage-free homes.

The special, which features intimate musical performances, was filmed all over the U.S., including the ruggedness of Idaho; a Columbia, Tennessee church turned music venue, The Mulehouse; Santa’s Pub in Nashville; at a beautiful church in New Jersey; and backstage before a concert in Kentucky.

“For our Gold Star families and fallen first responder families, every day without their hero is painful, but the holiday season can bring about its own particular wave of grief. At the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, our hope is that the security of a mortgage-free home, the guarantee that they will never have to leave the place where they created so many holiday memories, eases that burden of grief just a little bit. We have a very special relationship with the country music community, and it means the world to us that Ashley, Cole, Travis, Bret, Ian, the members of Runaway June, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band are supporting us in our mission,” said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller.

Besides hosting the holiday special, Ashley McBryde also performs the show’s closing number, “Amazing Grace.”

“What better way to celebrate the meaning of the holiday season than by helping Tunnel to Towers showcase the love, resilience and hope of these military and first responder families,” said McBryde, who was recently asked by Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Award-winning actor Cole Hauser traveled to his beloved West where he films the hit TV series Yellowstone to be a part of Homes for the Holidays. Hauser comments, “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the amazing work Tunnel to Towers is doing and wanted to showcase how the charity is providing accessible homes for those that have been catastrophically injured defending our country.”  

Since September 11, 2001, Tunnel to Towers has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building custom-designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Throughout the special, families will share their stories and discuss how the organization impacted their lives.

Homes for the Holidays will air from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day across multiple network affiliates, including Fox, Scripps, and Gray stations. It will also air on the Circle Network and AXS TV. Check local listings to see when it airs in your area.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through Jan. 1

With several new lighting displays across its 160 acres, Dollywood theme park—the 14-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event—now boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights as part of the popular Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 5- Jan 1, 2023).

The event, which easily can be described as one of America’s favorite Christmas traditions, shines brightly thanks to the warmth of gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and the warm family traditions so many guests have enjoyed throughout the festival’s 30 plus years.

“I believe each season in the Smokies is a precious gift from above, but I also know there is no better time than Christmas to experience the magic of this special place,” Dolly Parton explained. “Christmas is a time for new memories to be created, cherished family traditions to be celebrated and the love of the holidays to warm us all.”

“It is my wish that our guests celebrate the light of the Christmas season while they are here with us at Dollywood. I also hope they pause long enough to savor the moments spent with one another. It’s those special moments that are sure to become the beautiful memories they will look upon so fondly for so many years.”

Dollywood truly sparkles this Christmas season with new lighting elements throughout the park providing an element of surprise to guests around every corner, even for those aboard the Dollywood Express. Visitors riding the guest-favorite attraction will enjoy a special light show draped across the field located inside the train’s upper turning loop. Another new lighted area is the Village Pass, which features a 130’ light curtain wall that includes programmed movement. This area leads guests from lower Craftsman’s Valley to The Village. Adventures in Imagination shines in pink, platinum and gold decorations—as well as 60 LED butterflies and a new 20’ ft. tall Christmas tree—in an area fittingly called Dolly’s Christmas.

Guests will find hundreds of additional lighted trees throughout the park this year, as well as more new décor elements and eight different light zones to provide each area of Dollywood its own unique look and feel. The new elements add 1 million lights to the park’s already-impressive total, meaning guests will enjoy 6 million lights during this season’s festival.

Returning this year on Friday and Saturday evenings is the “Merry & Bright!” fireworks display, which provides a sparkling ending to the day. “Merry & Bright!” lights the sky above Dollywood with a display set to the rhythm of upbeat contemporary holiday hits. After Christmas, the music changes to help guests ready to ring in the new year. Additionally, the New Year’s version of the show takes place nightly Dec. 26- Jan. 1.

In one of the most unique experiences during the Christmas season at Dollywood, Old Saint Nick allows visitors a sneak peek into his little cabin in the Smokies. Guests who visit Santa’s cabin can literally see inside as he reviews…the list! Kids discover whether their names are on the naughty or nice list, and they might even have their photo made as they peer through the window during this once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Santa at work. Santa goes on a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him in action shouldn’t wait!

Glacier Ridge fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to inspire and delight guests. Wilderness Pass serves as one of the highlights of Glacier Ridge thanks to the Wonderful Christmas! Plaza Tree Show, which features a 50-ft. tall animated tree sparkling to life to present a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show throughout the evening. Each show is capped by an immersive snow finale!

Dollywood’s family favorite shows light up both indoor and outdoor stages. The festival’s headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” has been a must-see for families every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Many other Dollywood Christmas classics return including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Heart of the Holidays,” “Candlelight Carolers,” “The Mistletones,” “Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band,” “Holiday Wild Roots” and more.

And for those looking to celebrate the holidays with the perfect family meal, Dollywood’s team of chefs have a menu full of culinary surprises sure to delight. From herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham to chicken pot pie in a bread cone, there are a number of savory items to satisfy every appetite. A number of unique items abound including eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cake, holiday limeade and more.

As always, guests can experience Dollywood’s world-class rides amidst the hustle and bustle of the park during the holidays, as most rides are operational during the Christmas season. Nothing compares to racing quickly through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.

The Christmas fun makes its way to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa with even more ways to help families make memories this holiday season. To create a truly immersive Smoky Mountain Christmas experience, the resort is celebrating the holidays with a variety of festival-inspired activities, crafts, entertainment, décor and culinary options.

The resort’s halls are decked in beautiful décor inspired by warm, rich memories of Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. The centerpiece is an awe-inspiring, two-story Christmas tree that can be seen from both levels of the lobby. DreamMore Resort’s culinary team prepares delicious holiday meals in Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. Guests can gather together to give thanks and enjoy a flavorful meal throughout the season, or experience one of four holiday dining experiences—Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch, or New Year’s Eve dinner.

Finally, for anyone searching for the perfect Christmas gift of family fun and memories, a Dollywood season pass is the solution! Diamond or gold season passes purchased during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas provides admission to this year’s Christmas festival along with admission for Dollywood’s “BIG” 2023 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2023 season pass online now or upgrade their paid one-day admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward the purchase of a 2023 season pass. The 2023 season features “big” fun, including the opening of Dollywood’s longest roller coaster, Big Bear Mountain, as well as 15 additional operating days and the new I Will Always Love You Celebration, honoring the 50^th anniversary of Dolly’s iconic song.

For more information and a park operating calendar, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Emily Ann Roberts just announced a new single “The Building,” due out Friday, November 4. To coincide with this release, Emily Ann also announced an exciting giveaway for fans that pre-save the new song. One lucky person will be chosen on November 4 to win two tickets to meet and watch her perform at the Grand Ole Opry on November 18th along with a $500 airfare gift card. Fans are thrilled as the pre-save announcement generated over 500 pre-saves and pre-adds in the first 24 hours! Pre-save “The Building” here: https://emilyannroberts.lnk.to/thebuilding

The success of her previous single, “Whole Lotta Little”  has re-energized fans and excited them for what’s to come, as these are her first releases in two years. “Whole Lotta Little” has garnered almost one million cumulative streams since its mid-October release and there’s no slowing down now.

Some will remember Emily Ann from her time spent on Blake Shelton’s team on NBC’s The Voice where she was the runner-up on Season Nine. Since then, she has spent the last few years on the road opening for superstars like Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and more. She is becoming a consistent face at the Grand Ole Opry and will be appearing again on November 18. For more info, please visit emilyannroberts.com.

About Emily Ann Roberts
Influenced by artists like The Chicks and Dolly Parton, Emily Ann Roberts, named one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Best Acts of CMA Fest 2019” aims to take her love for authentic, classic country and make it fresh and new. In her hometown of Knoxville, TN, she was raised on mountain music and bluegrass. Her love for the sound shines through each release and sets her apart. In 2015, she placed as the runner-up on NBC’s The Voice. Roberts then began co-writing and recording her own music in Nashville while playing shows at venues across the country opening for big name artists like Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. Fans can see Emily Ann’s boot stomping live show at over 30 dates in 2022. After dedicating three years to original music, she released the song, “Stuck On Me + You”, followed by “I’ve Got Forever” in 2018, both positively received by fans with over 1.2M streams. Roberts released her debut EP, “Someday Dream,” which landed at number two on Billboard album charts. She returned to The Voice stage to perform the title single “Someday Dream” receiving a standing ovation from all four judges. Most recently, Roberts released her highly-anticipated TikTok hit, “Whole Lotta Little,” and plans to continue releasing music through the year.

Garth Brooks to discuss criteria and selection process, plus share additional insights
during a unique conversation with Garth Brooks on opening day (Monday, 3/13) of CRS 2023

Country Radio Broadcasters has announced the establishment of a new industry honor, the Garth Brooks ‘No Fences’ Award.  Presented by CRB and inspired by the influential career of Garth Brooks, and his groundbreaking 1990 No Fences album release, the newly established honor will recognize an individual in the Country music industry who has boldly demonstrated innovation, creativity, and tenacity.