Country Update BILLBOARD.COM/NEWSLETTERS APRIL 1, 2019 | PAGE 1 OF 19 INSIDE BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE
[email protected] Kelsea, Combs Make Chart News ACM Surprise: How Golden Hour Brought >page 4 Six Nominations To A ‘Hack Of All Trades’ Zac Brown Band’s Great Escape When Ian Fitchuk showed up at a Nashville studio on Feb. 20 for trouble accepting recognition.” >page 9 a Carly Pearce recording session, the moment had an awkward Fitchuk has gotten plenty in recent years, particularly the kind air about it. musicians want most — numerous calls for repeat business — as he The Academy of Country Music had announced its has steadily built his reputation in Nashville. He plays keyboards nominations just hours earlier, and Fitchuk — who had never on most of the tracks on Maren Morris’ new Girl album and Austin Bashes been an ACM finalist — appeared contributes piano and/or drums Bolster Lineups six different times on the ballot. on the latest albums by Shania >page 10 He was up for producer of the year, Twain, Chase Rice, Lucie Silvas, and Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Midland, Ruston Kelly and Brett Hour — which he co-produced Eldredge. Fitchuk also plays with Musgraves and buddy Daniel bass on Dierks Bentley’s The Country Singer Tashian — was in the running Mountain, which will compete Shifts To Politics for album. Fitchuk also became with Golden Hour for album of the >page 10 the first person nominated year when the ACMs are handed simultaneously in four different out April 7 in Las Vegas. musician categories: bass player, “He’s such a musical guy,” says Makin’ Tracks: drummer, piano/keyboards The Mountain co-producer Ross HARDY Gets player and specialty instrument(s) Copperman.