MAREN MORRIS

RACHEL WAMMACK

KAT (OF KAT & ALEX)

PISTOL ANNIES

HANNAH DASHER WEBSTER MIRANDA LAMBERT

MAREN MORRIS

RACHEL WAMMACK TENILLE TOWNES

KAT (OF KAT & ALEX)

PISTOL ANNIES

HANNAH DASHER GEORGIA WEBSTER ELLE KING

LET’S GROW, GIRLS Labels share what to expect from the women on their rosters in 2021 and beyond

19th & Grand out June 25. Pearce returns to the road in late July as Broken Bow Coming off her first No. 1 at direct support for the upcoming : What A Song Can Do Tour. Lainey Wilson knows some Country radio with “Somebody things a man … and woman … Like That” and an ACM New is already Top 40 with her debut single, “It’s ‘Cause I Am.” Chosen by the majority of oughta know. Called a “song Female Artist nomination, every country fan needs to hear” Tenille Arts is set to release her broadcast companies as a new music initiative and most recently selected as iHeartCountry’s On The (Taste of Country) and a “must third studio later this year. listen” (), “Things A “Back Then, Right Now” is the Verge artist, the 17-year-old is Man Oughta Know” is climbing Lainey lead single. “With the success of celebrating the release of her Tenille Arts through the teens. And she’s Wilson ‘’ breaking debut collection, Real To Me. “The thing that sets Callista just getting started, according records across the board, it to VP/Promotion Lee Adams: becomes the highest-charting song and the only No. 1 apart, and that both listeners and programmers see and “Lainey’s work ethic is second to none. Her content country song written, produced and performed by an is creative and continuous.” With her signature “Bell all-female team,” reminds VP/Promotion Jim Malito. hear, is that she is real,” says GM Clay Hunnicutt. “She’s Bottom Country” sound, Wilson’s blend of traditional Arts is touring this year with Lady A, with another tour country with a modern-yet-retro flare can be found confirmed for Jan. 2022. lived the songs she sings and delivers them in a powerful way throughout her album, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. “Lainey proved early on that she connects and that she that is perfect for mainstream Callista Clark BBRMG Country radio and their will be a major part of our format and its future,” says “In her latest trilogy of music, Brooke Eden has listeners.” Following the release Adams, who touts Wilson’s streaming and consumption beautifully shown the world her most authentic self, of her sophomore album, I Don’t Believe We Met, numbers as nearing 70 million on-demand streams and not only giving everyone a glimpse of her heart, but will also be releasing new music gold consumption. She’s back on the road and will join also proving she has found an infectious sound that this summer. “Danielle is one of the most incredible ’s Back In The Saddle tour in August. is connecting with consumers,” begins SVP JoJamie female vocalists in music — period,” insists SVP/ Hahr. Eden, who has been Promotion & Digital Kris Lamb. Capitol focused the past few years on is in the studio honing her sound, recently Big Sky working on new music, according made a triumphant return to to VP/Promotion Bobby Young, with a trilogy of Stephanie Quayle readies her next digital release, “Lone Ranger,” to join her 2021 who says “We’re excited about releases that caught the eyes getting her back out in front of of the industry, earning ink collection of songs “By Heart,” “Wild Frontier” and “We Buy programmers.” Hammack is also in Rolling Stone, NPR, MTV a support act on ’s News, Billboard, People and the Gold.” The new sound from Quayle reflects her creative Proud To Be Right Here Tour, Caylee Brooke Washington Post while amassing kicking off in July. Hammack Eden more than 38 million on- chemistry with producer Alex demand streams and receiving Kline. “The country music fan is substantial support on SiriusXM. Her music video for consuming music at the highest Columbia After officially making her entrance in the format, Elle “Got No Choice” premiered on a billboard in Times rate we’ve ever seen, and our King’s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” (w/ Square, and the video for “Sunroof” amassed more pivot in strategy reflects this,” Stephanie Miranda Lambert) is impacting Country radio now. than seven million streams in its first 36 hours, beating hails VP/Strategic Partnerships Quayle The ACM and CMA award winning artist’s musical style out “Silk Sonic” ( and Anderson.Paak) for & Development EJ Bernas. “We was deemed “a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll” the No. 1 all-genre position on iTunes. are highlighting Stephanie’s evolution creatively by releasing music every 8-12 by Rolling Stone and “punkish country” by Variety. On weeks.” Quayle continues to build her résumé of the heels of an award-winning year, Maren Morris has brand partners with the addition of Lucchese, to be been all over the airwaves while “We are proud to have such a strong female formally announced this summer. taking home Female Artist of presence at Big Loud,” shares VP/Promotion Stacy the Year trophies from the most Blythe. “Each of these women have a unique voice recent ACM and CMA Awards, that is propelling the genre forward.” MacKenzie Black River MaRynn Taylor moved to Nashville in 2019 to pursue in addition to Song and Single Porter has a single out with and will for “The Bones.” She’s currently spend the summer recording music for release music and stepped into an almost dreamlike scenario. ascending the chart with her later this year. She’s already collaboration with husband earned a spot as a Pandora She was standing in the rain — when doesn’t it rain during , “Chasing After 2021 Country Artist to You.” “Maren is spending a good Watch, a CMA Fest — ready to go home Elle King when she was handed a flyer for part of this summer writing and nomination and achieved the recording, and there’s so much most-added single alongside Black River’s 60-Second Spotlight. As luck would have it, the talent anticipation to hear what’s coming next from this world- Lynch. Revamping her class entertainer,” shares SVP/Promotion Shane Allen. critically-acclaimed 2020 opportunity was closed for the day, but as fate would have it, MaRynn After earning rave reviews on her 2020 debut album, debut album, The Dream, Taylor The Lemonade Stand, Tenille Townes will have new music Hailey Whitters surprised the executive staff enjoyed the conversation and invited her to coming throughout the year. Her first release, “Girl Who fans and critics alike with Lily Rose Didn’t Care,” is available now. an extended version calling sing. The first song she wrote and released last summer on a star-studded roster of is a tribute to her father, “Dads And Daughters.” Taylor collaborators — Brent Cobb, Jordan Davis, Hillary released “I Know A Girl” in February and “Lies Of My Curb “I am so excited to be talking about a female artist,” Lindsey, , Lori McKenna and Trisha Fears” arrived June 11. exclaims SVP/Promotion RJ Yearwood. The deluxe album finds Whitters moving As seen with “Half Of My Hometown” (f/Kenny Meacham. “Hannah Ellis is our from fantasizing “the dream” to actually living it. Chesney), Ballerini’s storytelling delivers first new female act in a while, Releasing new music this summer, Whitters will be modern twists on traditional country themes. “She and trust me, the Curb team has taking it on the road with Midland later this year. remains an ambassador for the format as she continues big plans.” He adds, “If you’ve Lily Rose made waves last year with her TikTok to use her platform to support up-and-coming artists,” had the chance to be around reactive hit “Villain.” Her identifiable tone sets her points out SVP/Promotion Mike Wilson. Hannah at all, you know she is the apart, with “Villain” gaining traction at Country absolute total package and real radio. Collaborating with producer , the BMLG Records deal. Her voice, her personality, “promising new talent” (Billboard) is in the studio Lady A’s current single “Like her look — she has it all. Get Hannah gearing up to release music throughout the year. A Lady” continues to climb ready for Hannah’s new music Ellis Ashland Craft is putting the finishing touches on the charts, and their latest coming very soon. And we will her debut album releasing later this year, produced collection of music, What A make sure that each of you have a by Jonathan Singleton, and joins the Song Can Do Chapter 1, was chance to hang with and get to know this star ASAP!” Band tour this summer and fall. As American released June 25. Look for says, “There’s a new country badass in their tour of the same name to town, and her name is Ashland Craft.” launch July 30. BMLGR is also Laci Kaye EMI Nashville gearing up for the launch of Booth “Some of you were able to meet Kylie Morgan right their newest artist, Laci Kaye as the pandemic began, and we are excited to get her Big Machine back out on the road and continue what we started,” “Next Girl,” the follow-up to ’s CMA and Booth. Hailing from Livingston, says VP/Promotion Jimmy Rector. “The Oklahoma ACM award winning platinum single “I Hope You’re TX, Booth grew up with country music in her blood native released her first EP to DSPs June 11, and we Happy Now” – and featured on her latest collection, playing around the state until 2019 when she went look forward to bringing her music to radio.” 29 – climbs inside the Top 20 at Country radio. The on and placed Top 5. After moving to third most-played female artist in the format last year Nashville to hone her writing skills, she was signed in (Country Aircheck), Pearce is scheduled to release a 2020. Booth is currently in the studio with producer GrassRoots Promotion collection of new music this fall. She’s also featured Dann Huff, will be releasing music later this summer Actress Veronika from FX’s What We Do In The Shadows on the soundtrack for the Netflix filmThe Ice Road, and has touring plans for 2021. is climbing the charts at Country radio with her

PAGE 23 • JUNE 2021 • MUSIC PREVIEW debut single, “Homesick.” After going viral on TikTok King’s first single released to Country. Meanwhile, for and won a multitude of awards, including ACM performing a song she wrote about her bad taste in stop by Lambert’s new Nashville cantina, Casa Rosa. New Female Artist of the Year, and has already topped men, Mary Heather Hickman makes her debut at one billion global career streams. radio with “Treasure.” “We are excited about these Riser House distinctive female voices and the stories they are “Speaking as one with too few Warner/WEA telling,” shares Managing Partner/Co-Owner Nancy X chromosomes (or one Y too has had a big 2021: she was Tunick. “We are a 100% female-owned company, and many), I’m proud Riser House nominated for three Grammys and was the only eight of our 12-member staff are female, including our was co-founded and led by a country artist who earned a nod in the all-genre accomplished VP/Promotion Renee McClure. We feel woman,” says SVP/Promotion Best New Artist category. Her No. 1 debut “More passionately about helping women contribute their Bob Reeves. Hearts Than Mine” has been certified platinum, unique perspective to the country music landscape.” released her Heart On My and her current Glass LP June 25, and the single “Lady Gwendolyn Records woman who signed her, Pres. Meghan Like” is Top 40 This year marks the Jennifer Johnson, says, “She Patrick and climbing 30th anniversary of Trisha has a distinct voice, not only in with nearly 100 Yearwood’s self-titled debut music, but as an intelligent, opinionated woman with million streams album and record-breaking a grounded life perspective.” Reeves and Johnson heading into debut single “She’s In Love “can’t wait” to introduce her one-on-one to radio June. This fall, With The Boy.” To celebrate this and their listeners. Andress will get milestone, Yearwood recorded the opportunity a special new rendition that will to start where she be featured on her upcoming With more than 1.2 million TikTok followers, Hannah left off before Walker County Every Girl 2021 Deluxe Album to be Dasher has built a dedicated fanbase with “just the the pandemic: released this summer. right amount of leather and lace” (Billboard). Her latest opening for Dan release, “Left Right,” sets the pace for her upcoming + Shay’s arena tour beginning in September. CMT MCA project The Half Record (arriving July 9), confirming her Listen Up and Next Women of Country duo Walker ’ next album, which will be role as “the country-rock goddess County are celebrating the radio release of their jointly released via Interscope and UMGN, is country music needs” (Taste of debut single, “Bits & Pieces.” Lead vocalist Ivy and expected later this year. Reba McEntire contributed Country). Says VP/A&R Margaret percussionist sister Sophie have been performing “Somehow You Do” to the motion picture Four Tomlin, “With her bold lyrics and together for as long as they can remember – and Good Days, currently available on demand. This contagious personality, Hannah have been on the road meeting radio. They will also year marks several anniversaries in McEntire’s is carving a significant place for open for Old Dominion this summer. catalog, as well, and those will be spotlighted at herself in country music.” Rising DSPs and retailers. Joint country/Latin husband/wife Warner/WMN Interscope/UMGN artist team Kat & Alex made waves Hannah Robyn Ottolini signed with Kassi Ashton has also been with the release of their debut Dasher WMN in Oct. 2020, just weeks in the studio working on track “How Many Times” and its after her song “F-150” became new music. Finally, MCA accompanying Spanish version. a viral sensation. The post- welcomes Catie Offerman to The duo recently released “You And The Radio” and breakup hit reached No. 4 on the roster. The Texas native is “Heartbreak Tour,” which The Times called “an ’s US Viral 50 chart and an accomplished fiddle player. earnest power country slow-burner.” No. 3 on Rolling Stone’s all-genre Coupled with her abilities River House Artists/Sony Music Nashville Trending 25 chart. By spring, it Catie on guitar, she has a unique newcomer Georgia Webster first gained attention garnered more than 20 million Robyn Ottolini Offerman sound rooted in traditional when her song “Tell Your Mom” went viral on TikTok, streams globally. With numbers country with thoughtful picking up nearly three million views in a few days. like that, “F-150” became the obvious choice for her lyrics. Offerman is currently working on her debut Now, with her new track “Push And Pull” earning debut Country radio single and was among the Top album, and SVP/Promotion Katie Dean expects to critical acclaim and more than 240,000 TikTok 5 most-added songs upon impact. As the world starts introduce her to radio later this year. followers, Webster is gearing up for the July 16 to open back up, Ottolini will hit the road this fall as release of her debut EP, My First Goodbye. “When Lynn direct support for Breland, performing songs from Mercury Oliver-Cline brought us Georgia, we knew instantly we The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP. Ashley McBryde “The women of Mercury are coming strong with needed to partner with River House Artists, making earned Album of the Year nods at the ACM, CMA new music in the second half of 2021,” says SVP/ her the first female signing with the joint-venture,” and Grammy Awards (country) for her sophomore Promotion Damon Moberly. enlisted notes SVP/A&R Taylor Lindsey. record Never Will and was selected to co-host the 2020 the help of for current tempo jam “Getting CMT Awards with Kane Brown. She kept the spirits of Over Him,” the single from her new studio album Stoney Creek country music fans high throughout lockdown with set for Q3 release. “Lauren Alaina is a staple of our In their debut outing with her weekly quarantine content and the release of playlist at KRTY/San Jose,” says GM Nate Deaton. “Met Me Now,” sibling trio Never Will: Live From A Distance. McBryde is now back Priscilla Block, who KSCS & KPLX/Dallas PD Mike Track45 (Jenna, Ben and KK in the studio working on new music, and this summer Preston calls “an emerging star,” hit the scene in the Johnson) immediately caught she is out on her own headlining tour before joining middle of a pandemic but is now getting out on the radio’s attention, nabbing the tour as direct support this fall. road to meet programmers and the most-added position fans as the debut single “Just of the week with a sound Wheelhouse About Over You” – from her self- described as “new old school” Comprised of Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall and titled EP — climbs the charts. by songwriter/producer Jennifer Wayne, Runaway June are the “Next Hot Her full-length debut album . “Track45 is Trend in Country Music” (Billboard). In the past will be released in the third fresh, young and old school few years, the quarter. Maddie and Tae are – blended with their familial Jenna & KK trio has been coming off a No. 1 ballad as the harmonies – it’s a one-of-a- Johnson nominated for Mercury team brings their new Priscilla kind sound that is missing New Vocal Duo single “Woman You Got!” for the Block from our format,” says VP/Promotion Adrian Michaels. or Group of summer. Additional tracks will While young, each sibling is a musician and earned The Year at the follow in July and September publishing deals on their way to a record deal. Collective ACM Awards, leading up to the release of their next studio album. writing credits include Justin Timberlake, , selected for , , Weezer and Hardy. CRS New Faces Monument Class of 2020, In 2021, Monument shipped powerhouse vocalist Triple Tigers released their Runaway June and songwriter ’s first single to Country Cam became the first solo female debut album to radio, “I Can’t” (f/Old in 2021 to have the most-added critical praise, Dominion). Getting creative on record on impact with current toured the country on ’s Cry 2021’s version of a radio tour single “Till There’s Nothing Left” Pretty Tour and made history with single “Buy My meant renting out full venues off her critically-acclaimed album Own Drinks,” which marked the first time a female in cities across the country for The Otherside, released in October. trio has broken into the Top 5 on the Mediabase/ five or six people at a time to The New York Times calls the track Country Aircheck chart since in 2003. hear her sing. “Luckily, with “an arena-country promise of Runaway June are currently in the studio working an artist like Caitlyn Smith, uninhibited backseat passion.” on new music — slated to be shared during their whether over Zoom or in a SVP Kevin Herring adds, “I don’t sets on Luke Bryan’s Proud to Be Right Here 2021 Cam Tour this year. ‘socially distanced’ theater, Caitlyn Smith think there’s a better litmus test she’s going to blow you away,” for a track than having almost says VP/Promotion Drew 1,200 spins on The Highway, which helped drive White Mustang Bland. With new music coming from nearly all the more than 25 million streams and 3 million video Flagship artists Presley & Taylor will continue to grow label’s artists through the end of the year, including views. Radio can be more confident than ever about their “unique blend of country vibes and God-given Smith and newly signed sister-duo Tigirlily, Co-Pres. the validity of this song and artist.” Cam is “a global sibling harmonies” with Shane McAnally teases, “The music Monument is brand,” as Herring puts it, with a massive following, and more releases in the getting ready to release is what the label was built on “Till There’s Nothing Left” is a prime example of her fall. New music is being — creativity, innovation and true originality.” captivating vocals and natural artistry. finalized with producer/ . label head James Stroud RCA Warner/WAR and comes on the heels Miranda Lambert’s “Settling continues leading of their debut single, Down” continues to resonate the charge for the next wave “Everybody Sees It,” which with listeners. SVP/Promotion of soon-to-be country music garnered more than a Dennis Reese remarks, “We’re superstars. Her debut album million streams and two going for No. 1 at the end of made history, with her 5x million video views. Their July, giving her back-to-back top- platinum-certified debut single current single, “Don’t Presley & Taylor of-chart hits.” He adds, “She’s (“I Hope”) hitting No. 1 on the Even Know Your Mama,” been writing and is in the studio Miranda airplay charts and its platinum- is already showing faster and will have new music sooner Lambert certified successor (“The Good growth. Head/Marketing Pepper Meiler says to keep than later.” She’s also featured Ones”) following suit for three Gabby Barrett an eye out for the “cinematic brilliance of director Gus on “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Elle weeks. She has been nominated Black” on the single’s new video. CAC

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