THANKS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR! FROM ALL OF US ® © Copyright 2014 RCS. All Rights Reserved. RCS Sound Software, Mediabase, RateTheMusic, HitPredictor, Mscore, and Media Monitors are all registered trademarks. Should auld singles be forgot and never brought to mind? Of course not, that’s what recurrents are for ... but here’s what you have to look forward to in 2016. Arista star is shooting in and around Nashville Drew Baldridge “The bright ‘yellow’ spot on the Arista right now and will air on CMT next roster this year has been Cam,” says year. We’ll announce our 2016 Mega VP/Promotion Lesly Simon. “‘Burning Truck Series dates in Q1 as well.” House’ has quickly become one of the most impactful songs of 2015 and Big Loud Records has helped solidify Cam as one of the Chris Lane’s debut single “Fix” went hottest new artists in country music.” for official adds Dec. 7 but Pres. Clay Cam’s debut album Untamed was Hunnicutt reports it’s already doing released Dec. 11. Carrie Underwood’s well. “We have had some early radio Storyteller launched with her 22nd believers and adds with many more to No. 1 “Smoke Break,” and new single come,” he says. “Chris is also on tour “Heartbeat” is already raising pulses at with Dustin Lynch now through the end Country radio as she prepares to launch of February.” her Storyteller Tour: Stories in the Round in January. Brad Paisley has taken over Big Machine the “Country Nation” with his fourth The BMLG flagship kicks off 2016 with single from Moonshine In The Trunk. Grammy-winning Jennifer Nettles’ “Coming soon ... we are incredibly “Unlove You,” her debut single for excited to unleash the new band to the label, impacting in early January. watch in 2016,” says Simon. “Get ready Nettles has been writing and recording Mellencamp-meets-John Mayer prodigy” singer/songwriter Jordan Rager is to experience LANco.” and will headline CMT’s Next Women Seth Alley, who’s been touring, making currently mid-way through an extensive of Country Tour. “She has been wowing his Grand Ole Opry debut and is in the radio tour introducing his debut single Average Joes radio friends at every stop,” says SVP/ studio with Dann Huff putting final ‘Feels Like One Of Them.’” “We’re excited to ring in the new year Partnership Marketing & Promotions touches on his debut album. His lead here at AJE,” says VP/Promo & Mktg. John Zarling. “Get ready for a major single is set to hit Country radio in Capitol Tony Morreale. “We’ll continue to build return to the airwaves for one of February. “And what Q1 would be VP/Promo Shane Allen says Dierks the fan base for Sarah Ross and her country’s finest female voices ever.” complete without the next audio drive- Bentley’s “Riser” will continue rising Calm Before The Storm EP. Look for the Up next for Tim McGraw is a song he by from The Cadillac Three?” asks up the charts in 2016. Keith Urban’s new Moccasin Creek Hillbilly Rockstar says is one of the favorites he’s ever Zarling. “Enjoy the holidays and get “Break On Me” will set the stage for album in February. We’re also excited recorded – “Humble and Kind” from ready to get ‘Ship-Faced.’” his new album Ripcord. Jon Pardi’s to share new music from Trailer Choir Damn Country Music. “The Big Machine “Head Over Boots” will charge into and Charlie Farley. Colt Ford, The Lacs is claiming 2016 as the ‘year of humble Big Spark the new year ahead of the launch of and Lenny Cooper will be in the studio and kind’” says Zarling. “In this crazy “We’ve been developing our debut artist his second album. “Little Big Town’s working on new music/albums. Our world we live in, let’s not forget about Olivia Lane since opening the label,” Pain Killer will continue spreading TV show Still The King starring Billy Ray what’s most important.” Also on deck says Big Spark Music Group’s Dennis warm and cheery thoughts in the cold Cyrus as a fallen-from-grace country for early 2016 is the red-headed “John Kurtz. “We were immediately drawn winter months,” says Allen. “Charles to her shiny personality, unstoppable Kelley’s ‘The Driver’ featuring Bentley Maren Morris energy and dynamic live performance.” and Eric Paslay will be driving into the Lane has been writing and recording spring release of his first solo project. with Ilya Toshinsky and Jim Beavers, Luke Bryan’s ‘Home Alone Tonight’ and the three have written her new featuring Karen Fairchild will become single “Make My Own Sunshine.” the new breakup revenge anthem.” Also expect new music from Darius Rucker Black River and Mickey Guyton early next year. “After a record-setting year with Kelsea Ballerini and our first No. 1 Cold River single (“Love Me Like You Mean It”), New artist Drew Baldridge is out at 2016 looks even brighter,” says VP/ radio with a new single, video and tour. Promotion Mike Wilson. “First quarter In addition to Baldridge, the label has we expect to introduce an exciting, signed rising singer-songwriter Rae fresh new act. We’ll also continue our Solomon. “Rae is in the studio working run with Craig Morgan’s ‘When I’m on her debut project and we look Gone,’ which he produced with Byron forward to introducing her to our radio Gallimore.” Expect a new single from partners,” says VP/Promo Jim Dandy. Ballerini at the end of Q1 following “Dibs.” “We’d like to say a huge ‘thank Columbia you’ to our friends at Country radio for “We’re thrilled to launch into the New an unforgettable 2015,” adds Wilson. Year with one of Nashville’s most buzzed- about new talents, Maren Morris, and Broken Bow her debut single ‘My Church,’” says VP/ “Jason Aldean will follow his current Promo Norbert Nix. Look for the first single ‘Gonna Know We Were Here’ single from Chase Rice’s upcoming with another one from Old Boots, New album following back-to-back Top 5s, as Dirt,” says VP/National Promo Lee well as the opening single from Kenny Adams. “Dustin Lynch’s ‘Mind Reader’ Chesney’s new album. Catch Chesney on is moving up the charts at three times his Spread the Love Tour while Tyler Farr the pace of his last No. 1 single. He is continues his march up the charts with also on his first headlining tour. New “Better in Boots.” PAGE 31 • DECEMBER 2015 About To Get Real. Scotty McCreery’s a goal of a first quarter add date – and still ringing the “Southern Belle” and we are expecting something new from preparing to release his third studio Craig Campbell too. Get ready 2016, album. Lauren Alaina’s working on her here comes the Red Bow team and our second album while “Next Boyfriend” incredible artists!” continues at radio. “Canaan Smith will kick off the new year on tour with Republic Nashville Brantley Gilbert, toasting crowds with “Florida Georgia Line’s current single his second single ‘Hole In A Bottle,’” ‘Confession’ continues to climb says VPP Damon Moberly. “And look for the charts as Brian Kelley and Tyler Paslay has stepped it up with ‘High a hot new single from Billy Currington Hubbard are in the studio working on Contrast Class’ tempo and edge. His new album in 2016.” their third album,” says VPP Matthew Robby Johnson releases his debut will be released in Q2. Alan Jackson Hargis. A Thousand Horses and album Don’t Look Back Jan. 12. The continues to bring country and “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” gallop singer/songwriter’s single “Hate Me tradition to the airwaves with ‘Angels out on tour with Jason Aldean and Tonight” is impacting now. and Alcohol.’” Thomas Rhett. Cassadee Pope’s “I Am Invincible” continues to heat up Curb in2une the airwaves alongside her duet with “Lee Brice’s ‘That Don’t Sound Like Matt Gary will continue with “It’s On Chris Young. “Additionally, we’ll begin You’ continues to grow and trend, while You” followed by his next single in Q2. the nationwide roll-out of singer/ Mo Pitney’s ‘Boy & A Girl Thing’ is Rainey Qualley’s still honoring the songwriter Brett Young,” says Hargis. just heating up,” says VP/Promo Ryan Man in Black with “Me And Johnny “Brett is a California native and is Dokke. “Radio has something so special Cash” – look for a new single in the currently in the studio with producer right under their noses,” says Dokke. spring. “Both Matt and Rainey will head Dann Huff.” “The audience is more than ready for out on a mall tour in early 2016,” says Mo. Dylan Scott’s ‘Crazy Over Me’ is Natl. Dir./Promotion Jamice Jennings. Show Dog out-of-the-gate strong in a very difficult “We hope to have a very big surprise to Toby Keith’s single “Beautiful Stranger” climate. More than 60,000 single sales announce end of Q1.” from his 35 MPH Town album kicks off inside eight weeks screams hit. Wait the label’s Q1. “Toby will once again until this hits max exposure. Dylan is IRS Nashville embark on a major tour in ‘16 with going to break in 2016!” Duo Striking Matches’ ballad “When select dates to be announced soon,” says The Right One Comes Along” will be VPP Rick Moxley. “Go OU football!” Dot released in January. The first single “Q1 will be a tipping point quarter from female duo Muddy Magnolias Southern Ground with the realization of a lot of planning will also come out Q1.