NEWS - Page 722 of 3897 - MusicRow.com (2024)

Hardy moves into the top five this week, sliding up to No. 4 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He is a co-writer on “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), “That Ain’t Me No More” (Matt Stell), “The Worst Country Song Of All Time” (Brantley Gilbert, Hardy, Toby Keith) and “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy).

Ashley Gorley remains in the No. 1 position this week, as a co-writer on “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Single Saturday Night” (Cole Swindell), and “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton).

Corey Crowder remains at No. 2, Hunter Phelps moves up one to No. 3. Zach Crowell rounds out the top five.

The weeklyMusicRowTop Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to theMusicRowportfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the fullMusicRowTop Songwriter Chart.

Love From Music City will hold its 5th Annual Gala on Oct. 5 at The Estate at Cherokee Dock in Lebanon, Tenn., formerly the home of Reba McEntire.The Bill Anderson Icon Award will be presented during the evening toCrystal Gaylefor her contributions made to the community and her role as a pathbreaker and legendary performer.

The evening will feature live entertainment, a silent auction, great food, and more. The organization has a 50-year legacy of feeding and clothing orphans across the globe, with 10 years of including local, middle Tennessee foster care children.

“Post COVID, I sense a change in our community. I believe this is the time people are ready to get involved and be a part of the solution for every motherless child. I am excited!” shares Shanda Tripp. “Also, I have been a fan of Crystal Gayle forever! To think we get to honor her as our LFMC Bill Anderson 2021 Icon this year is amazing. She is a trailblazer for women and a true inspiration to me personally. I can’t wait for our Gala.”

Tickets to the Love for Music City Gala can be purchased here.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has added new programming featuring a mix of established and rising songwriters including Victoria Shaw, Ray Fulcher, Hannah Dasher and JT Harding. They are set to perform as part of the Songwriter Sessions series, held Saturdays at noon in the Hall’s Ford Theater. Songwriter Sessions are included with museum admission and free to members.

Below is a list of upcoming sessions:

Saturday, Aug. 7—Victoria Shaw co-wrote the No. 1 songs “I Love the Way You Love Me” (John Michael Montgomery); “She’s Every Woman” and “The River” (both for Garth Brooks) and “Too Busy Being in Love” (Doug Stone). Her credits include songs recorded by Christina Aguilera, Sarah Buxton, Eric Church, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lorrie Morgan, LeAnn Rimes, Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.

Saturday, Aug. 14—Ray Fulcher co-wrote sixteen songs on Luke Combs’s albums This One’s for You and What You See Is What You Get, including the hits ”Does to Me” (featuring Eric Church), ”Even Though I’m Leavin’,” “Lovin’ on You” and “When It Rains It Pours.” This year, Fulcher made his Grand Ole Opry debut and signed a record deal with Black River Entertainment, releasing singles “Bucket List Beers,” “Girl in It” and ”Way Out,” in advance of his debut album.

Saturday, Aug. 28—Songwriter and recording artist Hannah Dasher recently released her debut EP, The Half Record, which includes the singles “Girls Call the Shots” and ”Left Right.” Dasher is a member of CMT’sNext Women of Country, class of 2021.

Saturday, Sept. 18—J.T. Harding wrote “Alone with You” (Jake Owen), ”Beers and Sunshine” (Darius Rucker), ”Different for Girls” (Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King), “Sangria” (Blake Shelton), “Smile” (Uncle Kracker), “Somewhere in My Car” (Keith Urban) and “Somewhere with You” (Kenny Chesney).

Payton Smith Raises Funds For Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

AMG Records’ recording artist Payton Smith has raised over $11,000 in donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals via two livestream concerts this year. Last week’s benefit, filmed in Nashville, celebrated Phi Mu Fraternity’s 35-year partnership with CMN Hospitals, and featured newly-released music, “Run Girl” and “People In The Back.”

“Run Girl” is currently featured in the Country Risers and New In Country playlists on Apple Music, the Breakthrough Country playlist on Amazon Music, and the New Music Nashville playlist on Spotify. The official video for for the track is out now.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals can be made here.

Steven Lee Olsen’s ‘Relationship Goals’ Drops July 30

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen will release his upcoming five-track EP, Relationship Goals, on July 30.

As a chart-topping songwriter for artists like Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Billy Currington and more, the Canada native’s passion for writing and producing has pushed him into his own recording career. Relationship Goals is a collection showcasing Olsen’s versatile vocals and honest storytelling that reflect soul, country, R&B, and pop influences.

“I am so proud to be releasing this new music with my incredible partners at Universal Music Canada and The Core Entertainment,” says Olsen. “I can’t wait to share all of the exciting things to come.”

Relationship Goals is the first release via the recently launched joint venture between Universal Music Canada Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, and The Core Entertainment, the management company that specializes in discovering and championing new talent in music.

Natalie & the Damn Shandys Join PLA Media

PLA Media has added country/Americana trio Natalie & the Damn Shandys to its talent roster. The band originated in New York and features Natalie Anne (vocals/guitar), Rob Wagner (guitar/mandolin/vocals) and Ben Gorham (piano/vocals).

The trio released their debut EP Overlook Trail on Esque Records & VuDu recordings in May 2019. Since that EP, the group has released singles including “48 Polaroid” and “Homebody,” and are gearing up for forthcoming track “Lay Eyes on You.”

“This trio easily weaves conversational, sultry harmonies, hummable melodies and relatable messages. We are excited to be part of their team as they emerge on the music scene,” says PLA Media Founder Pam Lewis.

PLA Media is also home to award-winning artist and Broadway actor Gary Morris, The Tina Turner Museum and the Americana Music Triangle.

Ingrid Andress is launching her The Feeling Things headlining tour this fall and will visit 12 cities across the U.S., before traveling to Ireland, Scotland, London, Paris, Denmark and more and wrapping the tour in Oslo, Norway.Georgia Webster will join as the opener for the U.S. leg of the tour.

Andress will perform in Nashville on Nov. 18 at the Brooklyn Bowl as part of the new dates. The Feeling Things Tour marks the first headlining tour for the rising Nashville star since 2019, and will give Andress the opportunity to bring her debut album Lady Like to life. Tickets for the trek go on sale July 29, and in between headlining shows, Andress will rejoin Dan + Shay on The (Arena) Tour opening alongside The Band Camino.

“I’m so excited to bring my debut album, Lady Like, to the stage and perform these songs that have been such a huge part of my life for the past few years,” said Andress. “More importantly, I can’t wait to see all the fans that I’ve been missing for the last 18 months. As a songwriter, the human connection is one of my favorite parts of the whole experience of touring, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

The Feeling Things Tour Dates:

September 27th – Boston, MA – Royale

September 30th – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre

October 5th – Birmingham, AL – Saturn

October 6th – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater

October 7th – New York, NY – Webster Hall

October 11th – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour

November 6th – Auburn, AL – Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center

November 15th – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note

November 17th – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal

November 18th – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

December 9th – Richmond, VA – The National

December 10th – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

January 18th – Dublin, Ireland – Whelan’s

January 19th – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Limelight 1

January 21st – Glasgow, Scotland – Saint Luke’s

January 22nd – Manchester, United Kingdom – Gorilla

January 23rd – Birmingham, United Kingdom – O2 Institute 3

January 25th – London, England – Scala

January 27th – Paris, France – Le Pop Up Du Label

January 29th – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg

January 31st – Berlin, Germany – Privateclub

February 1st – Hamburg, Germany – Nochtwache

February 2nd – Copenhagen, Denmark – Lille Vega

February 3rd – Stockholm, Sweden – Nalen Klubb

February 5th – Oslo, Norway – Krosset

As the daughter of Michael Bonagura and Kathie Bailie of Bailie & The Boys, Alyssa Bonagura is no stranger to the life of an artist. Growing up playing and writing with her parents as musical inspirations, she quickly began writing and producing for artists such as Jessie James Decker, Jana Kramer, and Steven Tyler (“I Make My Own Sunshine”).

In 2015, Bonagura and Ruby Stewart, daughter of Rod Stewart, joined forces to become The Sisterhood Band. Soon after signing with Sony Music Nashville in 2017, the duo made their Grand Ole Opry debut and released the Summer Setlist EP.

However, after spending five years as The Sisterhood Band, the pair decided to part ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the physical distance between them, the girls saw creative differences and the opportunity to explore new territories for themselves.

“I was actually grateful that the pandemic happened because it gave Ruby and I time to chill out. We didn’t really need to make a statement because we didn’t really know what was happening,” explains Bonagura. “Five years is a long time, and I guess it was just time for it to change. Sometimes change doesn’t happen when you’re really expecting it. I think that those are the most uprooting times in our lives, and it was really hard for me.”

With a combination of being forced into lockdown, moving in with her parents in Franklin, Tenn., and her significant career change, Bonagura was able to use the thick of COVID as a time to heal, reassess, and figure out her new direction. Included in that period of rediscovery was an outpouring of new and resurrected songs.

“That time during lockdown turned into this really healing, inward time for me. It started out really bad, but then it became amazing to have that connection again with myself, my family, and my music,” Bonagura says. “I’m actually grateful for it all, looking at the other side of it now. I’m really glad I went through all of that because otherwise it wouldn’t have brought me here with all this new music.”

On Friday, July 2, Bonagura put out her first solo single, “New Wings,” which she co-wrote with Tawgs Salter over Zoom amidst quarantine. While the two had never met prior to the call, the culmination of feelings and experiences from the previous year quickly came together.

“Meeting someone for the first time over Zoom is cool because there’s no ego since you’re not in person. I think you’re able to really be yourself, which is cool,” she shares. “I started writing a bunch on Zoom and one of the writes was with Tawgs. He had brought this track to the session and we started talking about life and what both of us had been through and that transformation. The music he brought was so inspiring and I found a really special poem that made it all came together so perfectly.”

The poem that inspired the new track, entitled The Lesson of the Butterfly by Paulo Coelho, describes the importance of the growing process and of life’s challenges.

“The poem talks about how this man was walking past this branch and he saw that a butterfly was struggling to emerge out of its cocoon. After watching it struggle for a while, the guy felt bad for it and wanted to make the process easier, so he cut open the cocoon to let the butterfly fly out. He cuts open the cocoon and the butterfly falls out but isn’t able to fly because its wings are underdeveloped,” Bonagura explains. “The whole point of the story is that these struggles that we go through are really what make us stronger. We can’t cut those processes down because they’re all necessary for our growth. We don’t think about it but the process that it takes to get from a worm to a butterfly is not easy, but you have to get your wings strong so that you can fly.”

As far as future plans for her music go, Bonagura has plenty in store for the coming months. In addition to a handful of singles that will be peppered throughout the remainder of the year, she also has plans to release her first solo album in 2022. Though she’s doing it independently and without the backing of a label, Bonagura is excited for what lies ahead and using her new wings.

“I just want to play and share this music, so I’m doing things independently and creating art. I’m hoping that it’s helping people in some way get through this weird time and maybe bring them some kind of hope.” Bringing it full-circle, she shares, “That kind of goes to the sentiment of this whole song: when you get a pair of wings, you want to fly so just go for it. That’s what I’m doing, and I was scared sh*tless the whole time doing it. I’m so grateful that I did it, though. I’m grateful that the song is out, and now it gives me a little bit more confidence to keep putting songs out and doing it myself.”

Black Label Country Records’ artist Dusty Black has released his debut five-track EP, Who Are You, available everywhere now. The project was produced by country recording artist Colt Ford and Grammy award-winning producer Noah Gordon.

From speaking about life’s lessons in “Right Church, Wrong Pew” to “Somebody’s Mama” featuring Gary LeVox, the heartfelt track about raising a daughter, the five-song EP features songs penned by some of Nashville’s best songwriters, including Mitchell Tenpenny, Rhett Atkins, Jacob Durrett, Monty Criswell, Derek George, and more.

“This collection of songs perfectly expresses my life–past, present, and future,” shares Black. “I’m so excited to finally have new music to share.”

A Memphis native, Black inherited his love of country music from his grandfather, Floyd Black “Junior,” who played banjo and guitar in Johnny Cash’s band, and from his father, Allen Black, who sang country and influenced his musical style from a young age.

Black’s debut single, “Right Church, Wrong Pew,” won theMusicRow DISCovery Award in a weekly DISClaimer in December of 2020.

Who Are You Track List:
1. Right Church, Wrong Pew (Michael Heeney, Kenton Bryant, Jordan Walker)
2. Places to Run (Josh Mirenda, Taylor Phillips, Brock Berryhill)
3. Who Are You (Mitchell Tenpenny, Rhett Atkins, Jacob Durrett)
4. Make a Memory (Houston Phillips, Matt Chase, Josh Dunne)
5. Somebody’s Mama feat. Gary LeVox (Monty Criswell, Derek George, Houston Phillips)

Return Of The Storyteller Tour Schedule:
July 24 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns – SOLD OUT
Aug 19 – Macon, GA – Hargray Capitol Theatre^
Aug 20 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse^
Aug 22 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre^
Aug 23 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club^
Aug 25 – Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theater^
Aug 26 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House^
Aug 27 – State College, PA – The State Theatre^
Aug 28 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
Aug 30 – New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre^
Aug 31 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere^
Sept 1 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat^
Sept 3 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre^
Sept 4 – Charlotte, NC – McGlohon Theater^
Sept 5 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall^
Sept 8 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center#
Sept 9 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater%
Sept 10 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall Norfolk%
Sept 11 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall Hartford%
Sept 15 – Albany, NY – The Egg – Swyer Theatre%
Sept 16 – Natick, MA – The Center for Arts Natick%
Sept 17 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne%
Sept 18 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
Sept 19 – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage
Sept 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium&
Sept 29 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater#
Oct 1 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM
Oct 2 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma
Oct 3 – Egyptian Theatre – Boise, ID
Oct 4 – Tower Theatre – Bend, OR
Oct 7 – Seattle, WA – Washington Hall@
Oct 8 – Eugene, OR – Soreng Theater at Hult Center@
Oct 10 – Grants Pass, OR – The Rogue Theatre@
Oct 13 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall@
Oct 14 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall – SOLD OUT@
Oct 16 – San Luis Obispo, CA – The Fremont Theater@
Oct 17 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall@
Oct 20 – Healdsburg, CA – Raven Theatre@
Oct 22 – Paradise, CA – Paradise Performing Arts Center@
Oct 23 – Stateline, NV – Montbleu Resort & Casino**
Oct 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room – SOLD OUT#
Oct 27 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s
Oct 29 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater^^
Oct 30 – Omaha, NE – Scottish Rite Hall^^
Oct 31 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s^^
Nov 1 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s^^
Nov 3 – Iowa City, IA – The Englert Theatre^^
Nov 4 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre^^
Nov 5 – Chicago, IL – Park West#
Nov 6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Wealthy Theatre##
Nov 17 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre%%
Nov 18 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
Nov 19 – St. Louis, MO – Sheldon Concert Hall
Nov 20 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre&&
Dec 3 – Greenville, TX – Texan Theater
Dec 4 – Temple, TX – Cultural Activities Center
Dec 6 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing
Dec 7 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing
Dec 8 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing

Very Special Guests:
(*) Darrin Bradbury
(^) Aaron Lee Tasjan
(#) Jamie Lin Wilson
(%) Reed Foehl
(&) Jack Ingram
(@) Lilly Winwood
(**) David Lindley
(^^) Chicago Farmer
(##) Steve Poltz
(%%) Spanish Love Songs
(&&) Ramblin’ Jack Elliott

Luke Combs sees uptick in radio station adds this week for his latest single, “Cold As You.” Combs debuted at No. 42 on the Mediabase Chart earning 64 total adds. This is Combs second week on theBillboard Country Airplay Chart moving 15 spots to No. 35 and gaining 24 new stations. On theMusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, Combs received 15 new station adds moving him to No. 26 in just 3 weeks on the chart.

“Cold As You” was co-written by Combs, Shane Minor, Randy Montana, and Jonathan Singleton. It was recently announced that Combs will headline Stagecoach in 2022 alongside Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett.

For more chart data, view the latest edition of TheMusicRow Weekly.