Nashville Insider Congratulates the ACM Award Winners!

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WINNERS!

Entertainer of the Year

Miranda Lambert

 

Female Artist of the Year

Carly Pearce

 

Male Artist of the Year

Chris Stapleton

 

ACM New Male Artist of the Year

Parker McCollum

 

ACM New Female Artist of the Year

Lainey Wilson

 

Duo of the Year

Brothers Osborne

 

Group of the Year

Old Dominion

 

Single of the Year

“If I Didn’t Love You,” Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

 

Song of the Year

“Things A Man Oughta Know,” Lainey Wilson

Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson

 

Video of the Year

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),”Elle King and Miranda Lambert

Producers: Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, James Stratakis

Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos

 

Songwriter of the Year

Michael Hardy

  

Music Event of the Year

“Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville

 

Album of the Year

Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen

Producer:?Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen

RICKY SKAGGS, STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN AND FRIENDS RAISE OVER $200,000 FOR MAYFIELD, KY. TORNADO VICTIMS AT SOLD-OUT BENEFIT CONCERT

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Kentucky natives Ricky Skaggs and Steven Curtis Chapman raised over $200,000 for victims of the devastating Mayfield, Ky. tornado via Samaritan’s Purse at their sold-out benefit concert. Held Feb. 20 at Heartland Church in Chapman’s hometown of Paducah, the uplifting evening also included performances from Jason Crabb, Larry Stewart and more.

The Kentucky Tornado Relief Benefit Concert received support from numerous organizations committed to helping the region recover. Blue Wolf Capital Partners, The State Group and the family of companies throughout Kentucky (Rick’s Electric, Beltline Electric, Comstock Electric and Delta Services) sponsored the event. US Bank of Paducah, Baptist Health, Golden Rules Sign, Price Foundation and Fourteen Foods served as partners. Mercy Chefs provided catering, while Chick-fil-A also supplied everyone with a free meal. Tornado relief donations can still be made via Samaritan’s Purse at kytornadobenefit.com.

​​“Sometimes amazing beauty shows up in the most broken places, and that’s what it felt like happened in Paducah on the evening of Feb. 20. Out of a broken heart for a community broken by a devastating tornado, we all showed up to show love, bring encouragement and raise some money to help those most impacted… and it was truly a beautiful night! I’m so thankful for all who came to be a part of the night, on stage and in the audience, and all the generous sponsors who helped make it possible. And I’m especially grateful for Samaritan’s Purse for partnering with us and continuing to care for the people of Mayfield,” shared Chapman.

“I want to thank all the folks who came out and supported the benefit for Mayfield, Ky. last Sunday night. We thank our sponsors. We couldn’t have done this show without you. I believe God blessed all of our efforts,” stated Skaggs.

“The people of Kentucky are some of the most hard-working, humble and loving people you’ll ever meet. They’re the first to say, ‘make sure you take care of others before you take care of me!’ That’s just how us Kentucky people are. To see my friends and fellow Kentucky boys chip in and help just warmed my heart so much. Thank you Steven Curtis Chapman, Ricky Skaggs and Samaritan’s Purse for inviting me to be a part of a wonderful evening to help our Kentucky friends and neighbors!” expressed Crabb.

“I was so honored to be asked to perform in my hometown for the tornado relief concert and to join Steven Curtis, Ricky and Jason for a magical evening of music. I am so thankful and appreciative of the support from the full house and the giving spirit and love shown for the people of Mayfield,” added Stewart.

Based in Boone, N.C., Samaritan’s Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations, especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

JENNY TOLMAN RELEASES MARRIED IN A HONKY TONK

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Following a show-stopping performance at her standing-room only album release show in Nashville, modern era troubadour Jenny Tolman unveils Married in a Honky Tonk, available today.

Click HERE to stream or download Married in a Honky Tonk.

With Married in a Honky Tonk, Tolman vows to join the colorful characters of the fictional ‘Jennyville’ with her own real-life experiences. The release of her sophomore album marks a turning point for the singer and is the second collaboration with GRAMMY®-nominated producer and co-writer Dave Brainard.

The Nashville native has received critical-acclaim for her masterful storytelling found in the lyrics of her songs and co-wrote every song on the new album. From the spirited, tongue-firmly-in-cheek “Home to Roost” to poignant lines like Sometimes the only reason/I think this heart of mine keeps beating/Is so I can go on wishing you were here (“Nothing Left of You”) to the moving-on optimism of I’ll breathe in a brand-new day/ And exhale your memory in “Sweetest Revenge” Tolman marries humor, sorrow and resilience.

As featured on People.com, Tolman and Brainard got engaged in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in October of 2020 after four years of dating. Fans got to watch Tolman shop for her upcoming nuptials on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” this summer, as the country singer appeared on Season 19 of the series.

Married in a Honky Tonk Track List
1. Good Morning Jennyville (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman)
2. Borrowing Sugar (Dave Brainard/ Rob Hatch/Jenny Tolman)
3. The World’s a Small Town (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
4. Married in a Honky Tonk (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
5. Sweetest Revenge (Dave Brainard/ Jeff Silbar/Jenny Tolman)
6. Watering the Weeds (Dave Brainard/ Mando Saenz/Jenny Tolman)
7. I Know Some Cowboys (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
8. Afraid (Jenny Tolman)
9. Home to Roost (Dave Brainard/Jeff Silbar/Jenny Tolman)
10. The Mayor’s Remarks
11. Same Train as You (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman)
12. Working Woman’s Blues (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
13. Nothing Left of You (Dave Brainard/Rick Tiger/Jenny Tolman)

COLE SWINDELL RELEASES “DOWN TO THE BAR” FEATURING HARDY FROM HIS UPCOMING FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM STEREOTYPE

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Current Single/Duet with Lainey Wilson “Never Say Never” In Top 15 and Rising on the Country Charts

Grammy-nominated multi-Platinum superstar Cole Swindell has released a new song, “Down To The Bar,” featuring HARDY, today from his upcoming fourth album, Stereotype. “Down To The Bar” is the namesake of his current headlining tour, Down To The Bar Tour, which launched in February and runs through April 3.
Stereotype will be released April 8 and includes Swindell’s milestone, 10th career, multi-week No. 1 “Single Saturday Night,” as well as his current fast-rising single, “Never Say Never,” with Lainey Wilson.
In addition to the album’s No. 1 debut single, “Single Saturday Night,” Swindell has released “Some Habits,” and “I’m Gonna Let Her” from the album. To preorder Stereotype, click HERE and get the album’s song “Down To The Bar” instantly.
Stereotype, produced by Zach Crowell, Chris LaCorte, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Carter, highlights Swindell as a hit-making songwriter across the project, writing 7 of the album’s 13 tracks. Stereotype is available for preorder at all digital retailers now. Special fan bundles, including a Stereotype limited edition t-shirt box set and autograph album, are also available now HERE.
Swindell launched his headlining Down To The Bar Tour last month in Peoria, IL. Next week he will be in his home state of Georgia with shows in Macon (March 10) and Augusta, GA (March 12). Joining Swindell on his Down To The Bar Tour are special guests Travis Denning and Ashley Cooke. To purchase tickets go to www.ColeSwindell.com.
“Never Say Never,” already sitting in the Top 15 on the country singles chart and rising, was the most added song at country radio the week of release, giving both Swindell and Wilson their biggest radio add day of their careers. The single, written by Swindell, Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, immediately received rave media reviews including EOnline exclaiming, “If there’s one duet country music fans should listen to this weekend, we found it.” Country Now boasts “The temperature may be dropping, but Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson are certainly heating things up with their brand new duet, ‘Never Say Never.’” Billboard called the duet a “power ballad,” Taste of Country says the song is “smoldering,” Music Mayhem Magazine calls it a “fiery new duet” and an “arena ready anthem.” Outsider.com calls the duet a “firey song” and says Swindell and Wilson have “such unique vocal styles.”
Click HERE for the fiery video “Never Say Never,” directed by Michael Monaco (FlyHi Films) and filmed at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary outside of Knoxville.
Click HERE to purchase/download “Never Say Never.” The lyric video for “Never Say Never” can be seen HERE.

MAGNOLIA MUSIC GROUP LAUNCHES

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Randy Houser Signs as Flagship Artist

Magnolia Music Group launches today with Platinum-selling Country musician Randy Houser as its flagship artist. Heather Propper and Kimmie Trosdahl join as Co-VPs of Radio Promotion; Emily Hoch signs on as Coordinator and Kyleigh Roberts joins as Director of Content.

“We are thrilled to have Heather and Kimmie onboard, as they personify the passion, experience, work ethic and talent that will position Magnolia to thrive,” shares Nick Hartley, Steadfast founder and manager for Houser. “The timing couldn’t be better for Magnolia to ramp up radio, streaming and visual roles as Randy gets ready to deliver the best music of his career, all while preparing for an aggressive touring schedule and roles in two major feature films due later this year.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about the creation of Magnolia Music Group and feel like it’s time to be more present than ever,” shares Houser. “Magnolia’s commitment to artistry is very important to me and has been a cocoon of safety for me while writing and recording new music. I can’t wait to emerge and share what we’ve been creating!”

Propper spent five years at KMLE/ Phoenix, followed by over a decade at Stoney Creek/BMG and Warner Music Nashville. Trosdahl was most recently with Warner Music Nashville, with prior stops at Wheelhouse/BMG and Bigger Picture, while Roberts’ previous stops include Roy Orbison’s Still Working Music Group.

Magnolia will leverage data and new technologies as it positions itself for long-term sustainability across label, publishing and catalogue divisions. Magnolia will be distributed by Empire and utilize Thinkswell’s marketing services.

Magnolia is currently hiring additional positions in radio, streaming and visual departments, with new team members to be announced soon.

Breakout Country Music Star Priscilla Block Receives Her First RIAA Gold Certification for Hit Single “Just About Over You”

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Gold Certification Follows First-Ever ACM Nomination for New Female Artist of the Year

Mercury Nashville recording artist and ACM New Female Artist of the Year Nominee, Priscilla Block, hit another milestone in her thriving young career on Friday (Feb. 18) while joining SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard for The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour. In the studio to surprise Priscilla, RIAA’s Jackie Jones popped into the live broadcast saying, “I am here to do one of my favorite things – to give an artist their very first certification. I’d like to congratulate you on your first Gold record!” and presented Priscilla with a “Just About Over You” Gold Certification plaque for the hit single.

“I’m at a loss for words!” shared a stunned Priscilla. “This is because of y’all [family, friends, supporters, and fans] MY FIRST CERTIFIED GOLD SINGLE. Thank y’all for keeping music alive and continuing to buy and stream my music and letting me have a dang career doing what I love!”

Making it all the sweeter was getting to share the moment with her friends at SiriusXM, who pegged Priscilla as one of its Highway Finds back before she had fully caught the attention of Music Row.

Since exploding onto the Country music scene in 2020 and building a fanbase via TikTok with hit viral songs like “Thick Thighs,” “PMS” and “Just About Over You,” Priscilla has landed on numerous Artist to Watch lists including Amazon Music, CMT, MusicRow, Spotify, Sounds Like Nashville, Pandora and more. Her major label debut album, Welcome to the Block Party, is available now, her brand-new single “My Bar” is currently playing on country radio, and fans can find Priscilla on the road headlining her first-ever Welcome to the Block Party Tour.

ACM LIFTING LIVES® ANNOUNCES TOPGOLF TEE-OFF & ROCK ON PRESENTED BY CANTEEN SPIRITS SET FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 6

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Three-Time ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan to Headline Aristocrat Gaming Stage
with Additional Performances by Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson and More

ACM Lifting Lives®, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music®, today announced the return of Topgolf Tee-Off & Rock On Presented by Canteen Spirits, set to take place on Sunday, March 6 at Topgolf Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, ahead of the 57th ACM Awards®. In addition to the reimagined golf tournament experience fans have come to love in prior years, the event will also feature expanded programming with live entertainment on the Aristocrat Gaming Stage headlined by three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan plus additional performances by Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson and even more artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

Now in its third year and returning for the first time since 2019, the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off & Rock On event will bring together artists, industry members and fans for a golf skills competition and an extended day of live entertainment.

“ACM Lifting Lives has helped so many people in our industry through the years, especially when touring was restricted over the pandemic,” says Bryan. “I am thankful for their work and honored to be able to help in this way.”

“The support of the Country music community is instrumental in making the philanthropic work of ACM Lifting Lives, possible” notes Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz. “We’re incredibly thankful to Luke, Jordan and Lainey for being so eager to be part of this event and can’t wait to get back to Las Vegas to celebrate with the fans.”

Individual tickets and fan golf bays are available for purchase starting this Friday, Feb. 18 via Ticketmaster. All proceeds benefit ACM Lifting Lives.

The ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off & Rock On precedes the 57th ACM Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton together with Jimmie Allen & Gabby Barrett and airing live and without commercial interruption from Allegiant Stadium on Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT, exclusively on Prime Video.

In addition to Canteen Spirits and Aristocrat Gaming, the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off & Rock On event is also supported by official partner 1000 Stories Wine.

For more information, visit ACMLiftingLives.com. For general Academy of Country Music information, visit ACMcountry.com and follow the Academy on social media @ACMcountry.

 

ASHLEY McBRYDE EARNS THREE NOMINATIONS FROM THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

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Receives Nods for Female Artist of the Year, Video of the Year + Music Event of the Year for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”

With multiple sold-out shows during the first leg of her 50+ dates on the This Town Talks Tour, including a milestone three-night headlining debut residency at Ryman Auditorium, Ashley McBryde continues her ascension in the format with three 2022 nominations from The Academy of Country Music, including her third nomination for Female Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and Music Event of the Year for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” her chart-climbing duet with Carly Pearce.

“What an honor to be recognized by our peers and the Academy. There’s nothing better than celebrating alongside all the powerhouse female artists in this category,” shares the three-time Female Artist of the Year nominee, “and what a treat to be nominated with my friend Carly for Video of the Year and Music Event of the Year on a song we wrote together. Thank you to the fans for listening to our stories and for sharing yours in return. These moments wouldn’t exist without you.”

In between tour dates, McBryde has been writing and recording new music to be announced later this year. Dubbed “one of the most empathetic songwriters of her generation” by NPR, the Arkansas-native has been dropping hints and sharing some behind-the-scenes photos from her time in the studio with her band Deadhorse on social media, encouraging fans to get excited for the first taste of new music in nearly two years.

As the follow-up to 2018’s breakthrough major-label debut Girl Going Nowhere, McBryde’s Never Will  (Warner Music Nashville) was released to critical acclaim, earning a title early on in 2020 as one of the best albums of the year to-date by SPIN, Variety, Billboard, Paste, Esquire, Stereogum and American Songwriter, and ultimately receiving the title of Best Album from Nashville Scene’s 21st Annual Country Music Critics’ Poll.

The 11-track collection also earned a spot in the Top 20 of Rolling Stone’s all-genre “Best Albums of 2020,” celebrating the record as “this year’s most adventurous mainstream country album” while landing at No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s “Best Country and Americana Albums of 2020,” proclaiming it “re-creates the trick McBryde pulled off on her stellar debut: proving that honest-to-goodness country songs can have commercial appeal.”

“Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” McBryde’s duet with fellow nominee Pearce, continues to climb the charts at Country radio, currently in the Top 15 on the Country Aircheck chart and at No. 17 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song was dubbed by Rolling Stone as a “spiritual descendant of Reba McEntire and Linda Davis’ classic ‘Does He Love You’” that “ditches the campy melodrama for a bracing jolt of regret and clarity,” while MusicRow sums it up with a similar sentiment: “In a word, sensational…For the love of country music, play this.”

McBryde headlined over 30 shows in 2021 along with supporting dates on Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get Tour. The This Town Talks Tour continues tonight at The Bluestone in Columbus, Ohio with Ashland Craft as support on the remaining shows. Additional dates and tickets are available at AshleyMcBryde.com.

POWERHOUSE VOCALIST CAITLYN SMITH EARNS FIRST ACM NOMINATION WITH NOD FOR NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

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Teases Music to Come with Self-Produced Track “High” Plots Headlining High & Low Tour 2022

When singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith arrived in Music City she quickly made a name for herself in writing rooms around town, penning songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor and John Legend and Garth Brooks and releasing two critically acclaimed albums of her own, 2018’s Starfire and 2020’s Supernova.

Now after more than a decade of song, Smith scores her first ever ACM Award nomination with a nod for New Female Artist of the Year. The news follows the release of “High” from her forthcoming self-produced project. The arena-ready new track was written by Smith along with Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Erin Decilveo (originally released by Cyrus on her album Plastic Hearts) MusicRow notes “this single confirms the widely admired songwriter’s status as a first-rate record maker.”

“I came to Nashville over a decade ago with a dream to write and sing songs,” shares Smith. “The journey since then from the stages I’ve played, to the incredible artists I’ve had the privilege to work with have gone far beyond my wildest dreams. This nomination is definitely another one of those pinch me moments, and I’m so humbled and grateful to be recognized by our country music family.”

After spending the last year opening for George Strait, Reba, Little Big Town and Old Dominion where she played stadiums and arenas across the country, Smith just announced her own headlining High & Low Tour 2022 which kicks off in her hometown of Minneapolis, Minn. on April 1. The 13-city tour includes stops at New York’s Gramercy Theatre and at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

About Caitlyn Smith
After winning a Critics Choice Award and writing songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Garth Brooks, and Jason Aldean, Caitlyn Smith has established herself as one of Nashville’s brightest rising stars. Undeniably one of the best vocalists of this generation, Smith’s 2018 Starfire and 2020’s Supernova saw her in the pages of TIME Magazine and The New York Times, and had her named to Rolling Stone’s 10 country artists to know and Paste’s 10 country artists to watch. Her latest single, “High,” is available everywhere now. Visit CaitlynSmith.com for more information and follow along on Instagram and Twitter @caitlynsmith or @caitlynsmithmusic on Facebook and TikTok.

LEWIS BRICE RELEASES ‘PERFECT VALENTINE’S DAY SOUNDTRACK’ WITH NEW SINGLE “CALL ME YOURS”

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Just in time for February 14, singer-songwriter Lewis Brice releases new single “Call Me Yours,” the “perfect Valentine’s Day soundtrack (Taste of Country).” Taste of Country exclusively premiered the track, noting “Call Me Yours” is a lyrical confession of a man’s past romantic transgressions, wedded to a chorus in which he reveals that he’s changed thanks to the love of a good woman.”

When you called me yours, everything changed
Rolled off your lips and I’ll never be the same
Ain’t no way I could ever go back
When you go and say a thing like that
Ain’t that man anymore
Thought I’d heard it all before
Then you call me yours, yours, yours
Then you call me yours, yours, yours

“I may not have been the writer of this song, but I felt like it was the perfect continuation of a love story that came to life with some of my other singles, ‘It’s You’ and ‘That’s a Given,'” shares Brice. “My buddies Rob Hatch, Ben Simonetti and Adam James wrote it on a writers retreat we were all on, and I just fell in love with it and am so stoked to release it right in time for Valentine’s Day!”

The song is another romantic single from the country singer, with previous single “It’s You” amassing more than 15 million streams, as covered in People, the video featured Brice’s fiancé Denelle Manzer. “Call Me Yours” is the second release of a forthcoming album from Brice, set for release in August of this year.

Brice has been named one of Rolling Stone Country’s “2017’s New Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “Country Artists to Watch in 2018”. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists, and its lead single ‘Best Ex Ever’ reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s Country Breakout radio chart. 

In October 2021, Double Down Music, a publishing division of PIA Music Group (PIA), partnered with Pump House Music to announce the signing of Brice to the new publishing company.

ABOUT LEWIS BRICE:
Lewis’s debut self-titled EP, produced by himself and his brother Lee Brice, was released via Pump House Music on July 14th, 2017 to glowing reviews, landing at No. 11 on the US iTunes Country chart. Since then, Lewis has been named one of Rolling Stone Country’s “New Country Artists You Need to Know” and Billboard’s “Country Artists to Watch in 2018”. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists, and its lead single ‘Best Ex Ever’ reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s Country Breakout radio chart. The next chapter of Lewis’ music was unveiled with “Blessed” as the first single from his forthcoming second collection of songs and was introduced to the world by a special Thanksgiving acoustic performance premiere with his brother Lee Brice. The single was also recognized internationally when Brice received a British Country Music Award for International Song of the Year. Followed by “It’s You,” a huge streaming success, amassing more than 18 million streams since its release and placement on key playlists including Spotify’s Global Viral, Hot Country, US Viral, Breakout Country and New Boots, Apple Music’s Breaking Country, Pure Country Radio, Pandora’s New Country Radio playlists and many more. Brice’s streaming continues to flourish as his music garners nearly 33 million overall streams. With more new music on the horizon, 2022 promises to be the best year yet for Lewis Brice!