Country Update BILLBOARD.COM/NEWSLETTERS JULY 22, 2019 | PAGE 1 OF 21 INSIDE BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE
[email protected] Eric Church Earns ‘Some’ Success Big Loud, Nicolle Galyon Partner For >page 4 All-Female Label Imprint Songs & Daughters Highwomen, Strait Albums Due As women artists continue facing an uphill battle at country radio, the studio with Joey Moi (Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane). >page 10 Nashville-based independent label Big Loud is launching Songs & Her debut song, “First Last Name,” will be officially released Daughters, an imprint devoted solely to signing female acts. on July 26 to digital streaming partners, with more new music Songwriter-producer Nicolle Galyon (“Tequila,” to follow. “Automatic”) will run the label as president. Settling into a couch “That song, that’s meant for poignant moments, you-can-hear- Sally Williams at the Alabaster Collective event space in Nashville’s historic a-pin-drop moments,” says Watkins. “So we’re going to pursue Leaves Opry Germantown section, she details the evolution of Songs & elements that fit that vibe.” >page 10 Daughters with Big Loud The initial idea for the vp marketing Candice imprint started as a joke. Watkins and first signee Big Loud partner Seth Madison Kozak. England invited Galyon Alabama, Wariner Since it has been nearly to a showcase for Kozak Head To Hall nine months since the in hopes of setting up co- >page 11 idea took shape, Galyon writes for the budding jokes that they’re birthing songwriter. As Kozak a baby. performed “First Last Makin’ Tracks: “It’s been nine months Name,” a ballad she Kane Brown’s of keeping a secret and penned for her dad for basically speaking in code Father’s Day, England ‘Homesick’ GALYON KOZAK Road Tale about this idea,” Galyon saw tears streaming down >page 16 tells Billboard.