The Musicrow Weekly Friday, December 4, 2020

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December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly Friday, December 4, 2020

MusicRow Magazine’s Touring Issue Features Russell Dickerson SIGN UP HERE (FREE!)

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THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES

MusicRow Magazine Releases 2021 Touring Issue

Driver Williams Inks Co-Pub Deal With River House MusicRow Magazine’s 2021 Touring Issue, with Triple Tigers Records artist Artists, Jody Williams Songs Russell Dickerson gracing the cover, is available now. HARDY Claims His First Multi-Platinum Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Chart-Topper As An Artist Dickerson has established himself as a proliﬁc songwriter and powerhouse showman. In 2017, his Gold-certiﬁed full-length debut album, Yours, bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, while Dickerson rose to No. 1 on Lanie Gardner Inks Deals the Emerging Artists Chart. Yours yielded three consecutive No. 1 hits, including With Republic Records, the double-Platinum “Yours,” the Platinum “Blue Tacoma,” and Platinum “Every Jonas Group Entertainment Little Thing.” In 2020, he received a nomination in the category of Best New Male Artist of the Year at the ACMs. He has opened shows for Thomas Rhett, Florida MusicRow Reveals 2021 Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Lady A, and Kane Brown in addition to bringing the “RD Party” to sold out venues everywhere as a headliner. His second full-length Next Big Thing Artists List; album, Southern Symphony [Triple Tigers Records], will release Dec. 4. Led by 2021 N.B.T. Industry No. 1 single, “Love You Like I Used To,” Dickerson has also released two Directory additional tracks off the forthcoming album, “Home Sweet,” and “Never Get Old.” Rakiyah Marshall Launches MusicRow Magazine’s annual Touring Issue also features its 2021 Next Big Thing Artists list, as well as the N.B.T. Industry Directory, which spotlights many of Music Publishing, Artist Nashville’s rising music industry executives. Development Company

This issue also celebrates MusicRow Magazine Owner/Publisher Sherod Nathan Barlowe Signs With Robertson’s 10-year anniversary of leading the publication. WME Nashville Co- Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Heads Becky Gardenhire and Jay Williams, UTA Nashville’s Curt Motley, and Music Revolution CAA Music Nashville Co-Head Marc Dennis discuss how touring could look in 2021, while concert lighting and design expert Chris Lisle examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted touring professionals. Touring specialists Radio Disney, Radio Disney Trent and Joey Hemphill offer one example of how their touring company has Country To Close pivoted during the pandemic. MusicRow also provides an update on the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)’s work to aid independent music venues. DISClaimer Singles Reviews Additionally, the 2021 Touring Directory is included in this issue, featuring contact information for touring transportation, production and insurance companies. And much more… Single copies of MusicRow’s Touring Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow memberships.

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December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly

Driver Williams Inks Co-Pub Deal With River House Artists, Jody Williams Songs

River House Artists (in partnership with Sony/ATV) and Jody Williams Songs (in partnership with Warner Chappell Music) have signed Driver Williams to a new co- publishing agreement, uniting Williams’ existing team at River House Artists with the publishing company launched recently by his father, former BMI VP and industry vet Jody Williams.

Driver Williams has spent the last three years as a River House Artists staff songwriter. With the launch of Jody Williams Songs earlier this year, plans developed between River House’s Lynn Oliver-Cline and Jody Williams to share publishing representation. Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams (Founder, Jody Williams Songs); Nina Jenkins (Creative Director, Jody Williams Songs); Driver Williams, Zebb Luster (Director of Creative/A&R, “It has long been a dream of mine to work River House Artists); Lynn Oliver-Cline (Founder, River House Artists); Kayla Adkins with my father in this kind of creative (Publishing Coordinator, River House Artists) capacity,” shares Driver. “I am very excited to be part of a new ‘song forward’ company writes. His passion for music is contagious and RHA couldn’t be prouder whose aim is to move the needle in our to continue our relationship with him and his talents as a songwriter.” genre, coupled with my unflagging partnership with Lynn and the powerhouse “Driver has been a huge asset for the River House family from the crew at River House Artists.” beginning,” notes Zebb Luster, RHA Director of Creative/A&R. “His dedication to the team and his ability to help artists and writers really find As the long-time lead guitarist for 2020 CMA what they are trying to say in a song is what I love most about him. Driver Entertainer of the Year Eric Church, Williams really gets behind the people he believes in and pushes them to be the has co-written Church’s Double-Platinum best they can be. I couldn’t be more excited to have him around!” certified “Smoke A Little Smoke” as well as songs recorded by artists including Jon “Driver is a master collaborator,” adds Nina Jenkins, JWS Creative Pardi, Jason Aldean, Drew Parker and more. Director. “His daily objective is the relentless pursuit of quality music, brought to fulfillment through thoughtful songwriting and an ever-present “We feel very fortunate to partner with Lynn’s positive attitude. He is a team player who lifts up his co-writers and team at River House for this next season of publishers alike.” Driver’s songwriting career,” says Jody Williams. “Driver’s determination and skill, In addition to the new publishing deal signed with Driver Williams, Jody coupled with the synergy of our two Williams Songs represents Ashley McBryde, Nathan Chapman, Jeremy companies, feels like a perfect storm. Zebb Spillman, Greg Bates, Jason Nix and Pat McLaughlin. Jody Williams Luster and Kayla Adkins are in it to win it, Songs is a co-publishing partnership with Warner Chappell Music. just like me and Nina Jenkins. And on a personal level, I’m thrilled the time is finally Launched in 2016, River House Artists recently became a joint venture right to get to work with my son. This is going with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Along with Driver Williams, their roster to be fun!” also includes artist writers Drew Parker, Jordan Rowe, Luke Combs’ longtime cowriter Ray Fulcher, as well as Nicolette Hayford, a frequent “I am thankful for the intro to Driver from co-writer of McBryde. MR Jody just a few short years ago,” adds Oliver-Cline, who first formed a close friendship with Jody Williams when the two were BMI writer reps in the late ’90s. “Driver has such depth and a unique perspective. I always look forward to hearing everything he

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Friday, December 4, 2020

CHART ACTION NO. 1 SONG New On The Chart —Debuting This Week song/artist/label—Chart Position Cold Beer Calling My Name/Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs/River House Artists/Columbia Nashville — 71 Radio Back/Danny Kensy/Rad Records — 74 Just Like You/Paige King Johnson/PCG Artist Development — 79 River Bent/Caleb Kelley/River Bend Entertainment — 80

Greatest Spin Increase song/artist/label—Spin Increase What's Your Country Song/Thomas Rhett/Valory — 365 Hell Of A View/Eric Church/EMI — 144 Just The Way/Parmalee x Blanco Brown/Stoney Creek — 108 Memory I Don't Mess With/Lee Brice/Curb — 100 Down To One/Luke Bryan/Capitol — 94 Luke Combs earns his fourth MusicRow Challenge Coin of 2020 with Chain Breaker/Zach Williams/Provident Label Group — 88 “Better Together.” His previous single, “Lovin’ On You” stayed at No. 1 Blame It On You/Jason Aldean/Broken Bow — 87 for two weeks in August, and “Does To Me” (feat. Eric Church) graced No. 1 in March. He also received songwriter credit for “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice which rose to No. 1 in January and remained for a second week in February. Most Added song/artist/label—No. of Adds “Better Together” was written by Combs, Dan Isbell, and Randy Chain Breaker/Zach Williams/Provident Label Group — 11 Montana. Montana ranks No. 2 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter What's Your Country Song/Thomas Rhett/Valory — 9 Chart while Combs and Isbell rank No. 9 and No. 30 respectively. Just The Way/Parmalee x Blanco Brown/Stoney Creek — 6 Blame It On You/Jason Aldean/Broken Bow — 5 In October, Combs made history with his current album release, as the Memory I Don't Mess With/Lee Brice/Curb — 5 only country artist in Apple Music history to reach No. 1 on Apple Music’s US Albums chart twice. Over the past 12 months, Combs has earned the most streams on Apple Music of any country artist, and his On Deck—Soon To Be Charting total stream count over the past 12 months is 62% higher than the next biggest country artist. song/artist/label—No. of Spins Extra/Kylie Trout/Kylie Trout Music — 161 Freedom And Wings/Heather Smith — 152 Each songwriter and artist earning No. 1 Whiskey And Rain/Michael Ray/Warner Music Nashville — 141 credit on the MusicRow Chart receives a Just Friends/Caylee Hammack/Capitol — 141 MusicRow Challenge Coin. Click here to Things A Man Oughta Know/Lainey Wilson/Broken Bow — 140 view a full list of recipients.

MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart Reporting Stations WHMA Anniston, AL WAAG Galesburg, IL WTCM Traverse City, MI KWHW Altus, OK KFTX Corpus Christi, TX WXFL Florence, AL WMCI Mattoon, IL KYSM Mankato, MN KITX Hugo, OK KYKX Longview, TX KHBZ Harrison, AR WYOT Rochelle, IL KZPK St. Cloud, MN KWEY Weatherford, OK KMRK Odessa, TX KQUS Hot Springs, AR WRTB Rockford, IL KWWR Mexico, MO KWOX Woodward, OK KYYK Palestine, TX KDXY Jonesboro, AR WCCI Savanna, IL KFAV Warrenton, MO KRKT Albany, OR KXOX Sweetwater, TX KWCK Searcy, AR WIFE Connersville, IN WQNZ Natchez, MS WNBT Mansﬁeld, PA WAKG Danville, VA KRAZ Santa Barbara, CA KAIR Atchison, KS KZZY Devils Lake, ND WCFT Selinsgrove, PA WAXX Altoona, WI WPAP Panama City, FL WKDZ Cadiz, KY KRVN Lexington, NE WFGE State College, PA WJVL Janesville, WI WUBB Savannah, GA WBKR Owensboro, KY Jersey Shore Country WMIR Myrtle Beach, SC WGLR Platteville, WI KXIA Marshalltown, IA WDHR Pikeville, KY KQBA Santa Fe, NM KIQK Rapid City, SD WQPC Prairie du Chien, WI KIAI Mason City, IA KRRV Alexandria, LA WDNB Monticello, NY WUCZ Carthage, TN WCOW Sparta, WI KBOE Oskaloosa, IA WUUU Covington, LA WOLF Syracuse, NY WDKN Dickson, TN WTNJ Beckley, WV KTHK Idaho Falls, ID WKPE Hyannis, MA WCJW Warsaw, NY WLLX Lawrenceburg, TN WDGG Huntington ,WV WOOZ Carterville, IL WVMD Cumberland, MD WFRY Watertown, NY KAYD Beaumont, TX

Wednesday, December 4, 2020

Weeks Last This Spins / % Spin Song / Artist / Label Spins +/- On Chart Week Week Reports Power

9 2 1 Better Together / Luke Combs / Columbia 1846/59 4 63 27 5 2 Almost Maybes / Jordan Davis / MCA Nashville 1756/63 5 85 14 4 3 Starting Over / Chris Stapleton / Mercury Nashville 1726/58 1 24 7 7 4 Down To One / Luke Bryan / Capitol 1709/65 6 94 18 6 5 I Should Probably Go To Bed / Dan + Shay / Warner Music Nashville 1612/50 -3 -48 14 9 6 7 Summers / Morgan Wallen / Big Loud Records 1490/62 6 81 24 1 7 How They Remember You / Rascal Flatts / Big Machine 1455/50 -20 -367 31 8 8 Lady / Brett Young / BMLG 1452/60 2 25 42 11 9 Nobody / Dylan Scott / Curb 1415/55 2 28 32 10 10 Made For You / Jake Owen / Big Loud Records 1406/58 1 13 10 13 11 One Too Many / Keith Urban & P!nk / Capitol 1323/57 7 84 4 17 12 What’s Your Country Song / Thomas Rhett / Valory 1296/62 39 365 13 12 13 Settling Down / Miranda Lambert / Vanner Records/RCA Records 1292/61 4 49 6 14 14 Gone / Dierks Bentley / Capitol 1218/61 5 60 10 16 15 Next Girl / Carly Pearce / Big Machine 1004/52 5 46 5 21 16 Hell Of A View / Eric Church / EMI 994/57 17 144 26 15 17 Hard Days / Brantley Gilbert / Valory 982/46 0 4 15 20 18 Good Time / Niko Moon / RCA Nashville 929/37 8 72 44 18 19 Momma’s House / Dustin Lynch / Broken Bow 917/39 1 12 48 19 20 Somebody Like That / Tenille Arts / 19th & Grand 885/39 0 3 25 22 21 Wine, Beer, Whiskey / Little Big Town / Capitol 860/40 2 19 8 23 22 Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s / Sam Hunt / MCA Nashville 838/43 4 29 23 24 23 The Good Ones / Gabby Barrett / Warner Music Nashville 820/40 9 65 15 26 24 Good Time Waitin’ To Happen / James Robert Webb / Bison Creek Records 814/47 8 62 23 25 25 Grew Up On That / High Valley / Warner Music Nashville 788/42 5 35 20 28 26 I Still Think About You / Jake Simon / Spaceshot Records 745/39 11 75 20 27 27 Land Of Y’all / Smith & Wesley / Dream Walkin/Audium Nashville 729/36 6 39 22 29 28 Mix ‘Em With Whiskey / Drake White / Reverend White 660/33 2 13 7 30 29 We Didn’t Have Much / Justin Moore / Valory 647/42 4 24 14 31 30 Waitin’ On 5 / Chris Janson / Warner Music Nashville 623/33 0 2 34 32 31 To Hell & Back / Maren Morris / Columbia 605/37 -1 -5 15 34 32 Wash My Truck / Bobby Wills / MDM Recordings 590/33 3 15 9 35 33 Tiny Town / Laine Hardy / Buena Vista Records 586/42 2 13 5 40 34 Memory I Don’t Mess With / Lee Brice / Curb 585/44 21 100 10 33 35 Waste Of A Whiskey Drink / Gary Allan / EMI 564/35 -3 -20 19 36 36 Made For Mornings / Lockeland / Lockeland Entertainment LLC 535/35 3 18 8 38 37 If It Wasn’t For Trucks / Riley Green / BMLG 529/34 6 28 19 37 38 Ain’t Bad For A Good Ol’ Boy / Mo Pitney / Curb 520/27 3 16 9 42 39 Everybody Dies But Not Everybody Lives / Shane Owens / Amerimonte Records 502/34 9 43 19 39 40 Y’allsome / Pryor & Lee / Black River Entertainment 494/30 1 3

Weeks Last This Spins / % Spin Song / Artist / Label Spins +/- On Chart Week Week Reports Power

6 41 41 Heaven On Dirt / Teddy Robb / Monument 490/39 5 22 8 45 42 Where I Find God / Larry Fleet / Big Loud Records 489/30 15 62 11 43 43 Sometimes Late At Night / Eric Burgett / Bow To Stern Records 477/35 5 23 9 44 44 Bad Guy / Casey Donahew / Almost Country Records 459/27 2 10 4 51 45 Blame It On You / Jason Aldean / Broken Bow 446/31 24 87 7 58 46 Just The Way / Parmalee x Blanco Brown / Stoney Creek 410/23 36 108 18 47 47 We Were Rich / Runaway June / Wheelhouse Records 405/26 5 18 16 48 48 Simple Things / Dylan Gerard / SSM Nashville 389/27 1 4 10 53 49 The Mountain / Calamity Jane / Mountain Records 384/28 10 35 6 52 50 Just About Over You / Priscilla Block / Mercury Nashville 378/31 7 26 12 46 51 Dear Rodeo / Cody Johnson / CoJo Music/Warner Bros. 365/23 -6 -23 17 50 52 Wishin’ I Was Fishin’ / Lucas Hoge / Forge Entertainment 364/22 -1 -5 12 49 53 Never Be Sorry / Old Dominion / RCA Nashville 360/18 -4 -16 10 55 54 Sometimes Always Never / Brandon Ratcliff / Monument 355/28 5 17 8 57 55 Comin’ Home / The Desert City Ramblers / Crane Kick Records 351/23 11 35 11 56 56 Population 2 / Tom Sexton / Lots To Do Music, LLC 325/25 0 -1 6 62 57 As Soon As You / Bri Bagwell / 10XMusic 283/20 6 15 9 61 58 I Can Tell By The Way You Dance / Josh Turner / MCA Nashville 271/18 0 0 3 65 59 Worship You / Kane Brown / RCA Nashville 262/15 13 31 9 64 60 Bad Decision / Emily Jean / SSM Evolution 259/19 1 3 17 59 61 betty / Taylor Swift / MCA Nashville/Republic Records 245/15 -12 -32 3 67 62 Anybody Else / Mira Goto / ArtistMax/Copperline 237/18 14 29 16 60 63 Single Saturday Night / Cole Swindell / Warner Music Nashville 232/15 -16 -44 3 75 64 God Save The World / Jeff Carson / MC1 Nashville 221/14 22 40 5 68 65 Your Love Won’t Let Me Cheat / RT Johnson / CCB Nashville 219/16 7 15 5 71 66 Calling All The Angels / Brooke Lee / Brooke Lee Music 215/14 11 21 2 77 67 Ain’t Gonna Be Today / Ward Davis / Ward Davis Music/Thirty Tigers 213/19 20 36 5 69 68 Same Ole / Chris Kroeze / 212/17 5 11 5 66 69 You Time / Scotty McCreery / Triple Tigers Records 212/15 -1 -3 3 73 70 Meghan / Brecken Miles / Rhyme Partners 206/16 10 18 1 90 71 Cold Beer Calling My Name / Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs / River House Artists/ 202/17 52 69 Columbia Nashville 4 70 72 Ghost Town Nation / Travis Tritt / Big Noise 202/12 0 1 6 72 73 Beers To Catch Up On / LOCASH / Wheelhouse Records 201/13 6 11 1 82 74 Radio Back / Danny Kensy / Rad Records 188/13 15 25 2 76 75 Heartland / Hailey Whitters / Big Loud Records/S&D 180/16 1 2 5 78 76 Martha Devine / Ashley McBryde / Atlantic Records/WMN/WAR 174/15 -2 -3 10 74 77 Saltwater Gospel (Fins Up Version) / Eli Young Band & Jimmy Buffett / Valory 174/12 -4 -8 2 80 78 Won’t Forget / Rusty Gear / Chickahominy Marsh Records 172/14 2 3 1 84 79 Just Like You / Paige King Johnson / PCG Artist Development 169/15 13 20 1 81 80 River Bent / Caleb Kelley / River Bend Entertainment 164/15 -1 -1

No. 1 Song Greatest Spin Increase Highest Debut

December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly HARDY Claims His First Chart-Topper As An Artist With “One Beer”

HARDY is no stranger to the country charts, having co-written seven No. 1 singles for other artists. Now, he’s celebrating a new pinnacle, with his own song “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson reaching the top of the charts and marking his very ﬁrst No. 1 as an artist.

Penned by HARDY with Jake Mitchell and Hillary Lindsey, and produced by Joey Moi and Derek Wells, the hit sits atop both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase country charts this week.

“I am so thankful for the writers and my label for helping me take this song all the way to No. 1,” HARDY said. “My ﬁrst No. 1 as an artist means so much to me and it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”

“One Beer” marks milestones across the board for both HARDY and his label Big Loud Records. The newly minted No. 1 is his eighth chart- topper as a songwriter, recently cracking the Top 10 on Billboard’s all- genre Hot 100 Songwriters chart. For Big Loud Records, the single yields the ﬁrst set of back-to-back No. 1 country radio hits with different songs taking the top spot for a record label in 2020, following Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown” last week, which was also written by HARDY.

HARDY’s debut album, A Rock, which released in September, has reached over 263 million on-demand streams to date, and was co- written entirely by HARDY. MR

HARDY. Photo: Tanner Gallagher

Lanie Gardner Inks Deals With Republic Records, Jonas Group Entertainment

After releasing a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” that has earned more than 44 million views across various social platforms, 21-year-old Nashville- based pop artist Lanie Gardner has signed a management deal with Jonas Group Entertainment and a label deal with Republic Records.

“It is still hard to process what exactly is happening. Beginning with Kevin and Joe Jonas sharing my video, to now signing with their dad, Kevin Jonas, Sr., it’s unreal,” says Gardner. “And Mick Fleetwood—are you kidding me? I never imagined legends like him would even know of my existence. Everything is happening Lanie Gardner. Photo: Kirsten Balani so fast. It’s deﬁnitely intense, but I’m down for the ride. I’ve waited my whole life for it.” Jonas Group Entertainment Founder/CEO and talent manager Kevin Jonas, Sr. “Her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ has “There are times when you ﬁnd a new artist and it is ignited everyone listening and allowed the world to see a truly more than an introduction, it is an arrival. Lanie is gifted new artist hit the scene. We are so thankful to add her to one of those rare artists who turns heads, lifts the the talented roster of artists at Jonas Group Entertainment.” spirit, and inspires people at the deepest level,” said MR

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December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly MusicRow is proud to reveal its list of artists, who in 2021, are predicted to become the Next Big Thing (NBT). The annual NBT list features 11 artists, who are each proﬁled in MusicRow’s latest 2021 Touring Issue print magazine, which is out now.

MusicRow Magazine’s Next Big Thing Class of 2021 has set itself apart from today’s artists with talent and hard work. Some of these NBT artists have just released their ﬁrst singles, while others are celebrating chart-topping hits. All have broken through by bringing unique styles and by surrounding themselves with team members who champion them.

They are diverse in sound, style and level of success, but what they have in common is extraordinary talent and a passion for today’s ever-evolving country music format. These future stars are sure to lure a broad spectrum of listeners to the genre’s growing umbrella. And with touring at a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these up-and-comers are making the most of their social media savviness.

BRELAND

Bad Realm/Atlantic Records / self-published / WME / Why & How Projects/SAL&CO / BMI

BRELAND roared into the burgeoning territory of country-trap with his smash “My Truck.” The track blew up, reaching Gold certiﬁcation, and solidiﬁed BRELAND's place as a pioneer of the sub-genre that melds rural lyrical references and hip-hop beats.

PRISCILLA BLOCK

Mercury Nashville/InDent Records / BMI

Buzzed-about singer-songwriter Priscilla Block jolted onto the scene with a signiﬁcant fan base and fast-rising single “Just About Over You.” Block approaches life and music with an unapologetic, let-it-all- hang out attitude that resonates with her listeners.

JAMESON RODGERS

River House Artists/Columbia Nashville / Combustion / CAA / Red Light Management / ASCAP

Jameson Rodgers' music offers rock sensibilities which ﬁt snugly into a country radio playlist—that’s part of the appeal of his No. 1 debut single, “Some Girls.” Rodgers was also recently named the MusicRow Awards Robert K. Oermann Discovery Artist of the Year.

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December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly

SHY CARTER

Warner Music Nashville / BMG / WME / T.R.U.T.H. Management / BMI

Shy Carter is a go-to songwriter and producer behind some of the biggest songs of the last decade—now it's his turn. Carter merges gospel, R&B and soul inﬂuences, and the results have garnered critical acclaim and captivated millions of listeners.

TRAVIS DENNING

Mercury Nashville / RED Creative / WME / Red Light Management / BMI

Travis Denning scored his ﬁrst No. 1 in 2020, with the enticing, driving rhythm of “After A Few,” but this Georgia boy is just getting started. Heading into 2021 he’s adding fuel to the ﬁre with the clever new single “Where That Beer’s Been."

FILMORE

Curb Records / Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville / CAA / Victory Entertainment / BMI

Drawing from a broad palate of inﬂuences, from his Colombian mother’s salsa music to his father’s 1980s favorites, FILMORE's music is a pop-friendly and radio-ready sound, which shows itself on his debut album State I’m In.

NIKO MOON

RCA Nashville / Warner Chappell / CAA / Make Wake / River House Artists / SESAC

Niko Moon is bringing laid back vibes to country radio—just like he’s been doing for more than a decade. The rising star, known as cowriter of ﬁve No. 1's by Zac Brown Band, is riding high with his own Gold-certiﬁed single, “Good Time.”

Page 15 of 22 December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly

LAINEY WILSON

Broken Bow Records / Sony/ATV / WME / Red Light Management / ASCAP

In her debut EP, Redneck Hollywood, Lainey Wilson wraps up a balance of spitﬁre and sensitivity into a radio-ready package, accented by her lilting twang and elevated songwriting. The winning combination is found on her debut single “Things A Man Oughta Know.”

ELVIE SHANE

BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records / Rome Phrey Publishing / UTA / Maverick / BMI

Elvie Shane’s soulful Southern rock sound ﬁrst got attention on American Idol, and grew exponentially with the self-release of his song “My Boy.” The heartfelt song about his stepson became a viral hit, and an anthem for non-traditional family dynamics.

PAYTON SMITH

Big Machine Records / Eclipse Music Group / WME / The AMG / BMI

20-year-old Payton Smith is on the fast track to stardom. The Louisiana native’s debut single “Like I Knew You Would” is rising quickly at radio. His self-titled EP shows off a mix of solid songs, youthful charm and his killer skills as a multi-instrumentalist.

HAILEY WHITTERS

Pigasus Records/Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters / CAA / BRND MGMT/Make Wake Artists / ASCAP

The Dream has come to fruition. Hailey Whitters is on a hard-fought, well-deserved path toward lasting success. Long championed by the Nashville music industry, this singer-songwriter has come into her own as an artist, being recognized beyond Music City.

Page 16 of 22 December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly

MusicRow Highlights Rising Leaders With 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory

Rising Nashville music industry leaders have been selected as MusicRow Magazine’s 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory.

Now in its second year, MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is the ﬁrst and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who occupy important roles at their respective companies, and who are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.

All members of the N.B.T. Industry Directory are featured in MusicRow’s current 2021 Touring Issue, which is out now.

Learn the 90 members of MusicRow Magazine’s 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory here.

Rakiyah Marshall Launches Music Publishing, Artist Development Company Back Blocks Music

Music publishing executive Rakiyah Marshall has launched the independent music publishing and artist development company, Back Blocks Music. The Nashville-based company will announce its roster in the coming weeks.

Marshall previously spent three years at BMG; her career also includes time at Republic Records in New York and Nashville’s Cornman Music. She was named a 2020 Billboard Power Player.

“Throughout my time in Nashville, I have been continuously inspired by independent entrepreneurs, especially in the independent music publishing and artist development space. Having the time that 2020 has afforded us all to be home has allowed me to realize that now is the time to chase my dream of owning my own business,” shares Marshall. “I am so thankful for my time at BMG and all of the relationships I have developed through the experience. I will miss my writers immensely and know they all have bright futures ahead.”

Marshall can be reached at [email protected]. MR

Page 17 of 22 December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly Nathan Barlowe Signs With Spirit Music Nashville/ Radio Disney, Radio Disney Fluid Music Revolution Country To Close

Disney will cease operations for Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country, beginning in the ﬁrst quarter of 2021, according to an announcement made Thursday (Dec. 3) by Disney Branded Television President and Chief Creative Ofﬁcer Gary Marsh. The closures will Nathan Barlowe. Photo: Kenneth Cappello impact 36 full-time and part-time employees.

The announcement follows the recent Nathan Barlowe, former frontman of the pop rock band Luna Halo, structural changes that ﬁnd Disney Branded has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Nashville/ Television increasing its focus on producing Fluid Music Revolution. kids and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Radio Disney in Latin America is a Barlowe has had songs recorded by Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, separate operation and is not impacted by the Keith Urban, Newsboys and Jars of Clay, among others. He has announcement today. had three top 10 Billboard dance singles, a Grammy nomination, and has written songs for movies and TV, including The Voice, Radio Disney launched in November 1996 as a American Idol, The Equalizer, Transporter and the theme song for terrestrial broadcast network; by 2005, Radio the ﬁnal season of the hit show King of Queens. In 2016 Barlowe Disney was available in 97% of the U.S. via became a member of Keith Urban’s band. In 2017 Barlowe won a more than 50 terrestrial radio stations and CMA Award for Touring Musician Of The Year. He invented an SiriusXM, and had offshoots in the UK, Japan instrument he dubbed “The Phantom,” an electronic sampling and Latin America. Radio Disney Country machine played like a keyboard. launched in 2015 as a digital-only platform, before expanding in 2017 with the launch of During his time as frontman of Luna Halo, he was signed by Rick two Los Angeles terrestrial stations and Rubin to his iconic American Recordings label. After Luna Halo increased digital streaming. MR disbanded, Barlowe started the band Five Knives, signed with Red Bull Records, and went on to tour with 21 Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins and Icona Pop. They appeared at major EDM festivals such as Electric Zoo and Ultra.

“Nathan and I go back to his early Luna Halo days. We’ve always tried to ﬁgure out a way to work together and this year lined up for us. Nathan is a great addition to what we are building at Spirit Fluid,” said AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution.

“I have known AJ a long time, and everyone in Nashville knows of Frank Rogers. It’s exciting for me to be able to start a new chapter in my writing career with these guys and Spirit/Fluid,” said Barlowe. “I can already tell that we are going to do some great things together!” MR

Page 18 of 22 December 4, 2020 The MusicRow Weekly DISClaimer Singles Reviews: The War and Treaty, Waylon Payne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, And More

It’s high time we paid heed to the outstanding music that continues to be made by the Americana community.

There’s an embarrassment of riches here—Dianne Davidson, Ruthie Foster, Waylon Payne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche and more. The War and Treaty. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame Towering above them all is The War and Treaty, who has the unchallenged Disc of the Day. Read Robert K. Oermann's reviews of The War and Treaty, The DisCovery Award goes to Cidny Bullens. Waylon Payne, Dianne Davidson, Thomm Jutz, Ray Wylie Here’s to new beginnings. Hubbard, and more, here.