BMG PROMOTES JOJAMIE HAHR TO EVP, RECORDED MUSIC - NASHVILLE
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January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
Friday, January 27, 2023
BMG Promotes JoJamie Hahr To EVP, SIGN UP HERE (FREE!)
Recorded Music – Nashville
If you were forwarded this
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THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
BMG Ups JoJamie Hahr To
EVP, Recorded Music
Abbey Cone Signs With
Warner Chappell Music &
Truth Or Dare Publishing
Concord Music Publishing
Signs Corey Crowder,
Acquires Majority Of Catalog
Stem Grows Nashville
JoJamie Hahr. Photo: Cody Heckber Presence With Key Executive
Hires [Exclusive]
BMG announced the elevation of JoJamie Hahr to EVP Recorded Music –
Nashville. In her new role, Hahr will oversee day-to-day operations of BMG MacKenzie Porter Inks With
Recorded Music in Nashville, including BBR Label Group, its roster and CAA [Exclusive]
imprints: Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records and Wheelhouse
Records. She will continue reporting to President, BMG Nashville, Jon Loba. 117 Entertainment Taps Dave
Felipe As Director Of
Hahr was promoted to SVP of BBR Music Group in 2020, where she oversaw Publicity [Exclusive]
all artist project strategy, brand partnerships, strategic marketing, as well as
digital and creative efforts for each of the BBR Music Group. She has been
Lauren Branson Joins River
with the company for eight years, previously serving as VP, Promotion and
House Artists As VP, Publicity
then VP, Marketing. Prior to joining BBR, Hahr served as National Director of
Field Promotion for The Valory Music Co., after being promoted from Dir. of
SE Promotion and Marketing. Her 20 years in the industry include stops at Clara Park Joins
UMG, WSIX and WWKA. SmackSongs’ Writing Roster
Under Hahr’s tenure, Jason Aldean has achieved ACM Entertainer of the My Music Row Story:
Year three times, has been named the ACM Artist of the Decade, and recently SMACK’s Robin Palmer
tallied his 27th No. 1. In the past year, BBR was named the Country Aircheck/
Mediabase No. 1 airplay label for country music, Dustin Lynch notched his DISClaimer Single Reviews
eighth No. 1, and the label saw a breakout year for Lainey Wilson with
several award wins. Jelly Roll notched a No. 1 at rock and country and has And much more…
spent 22 weeks atop the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.
Hahr was honored in MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row class of 2022.
MR
Page 1 of 18
January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
My Music Row Story: SMACK’s Robin Palmer
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features
notable members of the Nashville music industry
selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These
individuals serve in key roles that help advance and
promote the success of our industry. This column
spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels
rolling and the music playing.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Robin Palmer
arrived in Nashville in 1979 to attend MTSU,
majoring in Recording Industry Management. She
interned and worked for Jim Ed Norman’s
publishing company, Jensong before it sold to Tree
Publishing. Soon after, she went to work for Eddie
Rabbitt’s Deb Dave/Briarpatch Music, making tape
copies and pitching songs, working with such writers
as Even Stevens, Thom Schuyler and Paul
Overstreet. In 1984, James Stroud formed The
Writers Group with Schuyler, Overstreet, and Fred
Knobloch and Palmer joined as their song plugger. The company was successful with songs such as “Forever and
Ever, Amen, “You Can’t Stop Love,” “When You Say Nothing At All” and “On The Other Hand,” among others.
Screen Gems-EMI (now EMI Music Publishing ,part of Sony Music) purchased The Writers Group catalog and
Palmer began a 10-year stint as Creative Director, and Senior Creative Director under the leadership of Celia
Froehlig. In 1996, Celia and Robin started their own Froehlig Palmer Music, and had many notable cuts, especially
“Where The Green Grass Grows” (Tim McGraw) and “We Were In Love” (Toby Keith.)
In 2008, she re-connected with past acquaintance Shane McAnally, and they started working together, eventually
getting their first No. 1 with “Somewhere With You” recorded by Kenny Chesney. Many more hits have followed, and
the collaboration has grown to become SMACK Songs, which currently has a roster of 21 writers. Palmer currently
serves as Chief Creative Officer of SMACK and continues her favorite role of developing and nurturing writers.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
Amarillo, Texas.
Were you into music as a kid?
Always. My mother played records constantly. She played Ray Charles, Marty Robbins, The Oak Ridge Boys,
Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap and even Broadway musicals. I would look at all the liner notes and read every bit,
so I knew who some people were before I moved here.
Page 3 of 18
January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
Did you play any music?
I played piano.
Did you know you wanted to be in the music industry
then?
No. I never would have gotten here if it hadn’t been for my
brother Randy. He lived in Nashville and was working on
songwriting. I wanted to see what was outside of Amarillo,
and he offered me the chance to move to Nashville. He
said, “You can come be my roommate and go to MTSU. It’s
just down the road.” That’s how I got here. If it hadn’t been
for him offering that, I don’t know what I would have done.
Did you study music business at MTSU?
I did but I didn’t mean to. I had no sense of direction. I
thought I might want to do advertising or something in
mass communications. On orientation day at MTSU, I
walked into the Recording Industry Management
department by accident because they were in the same
building as mass comm. When I walked in, Geoff Hull, Pictured (L-R): Marc Beeson, Robin Palmer, Bryan Kennedy and
who was the head of the department, was talking about the Celia Froehlig
music industry. I changed my major that day.
For my internship, they sent me to Jim Ed Norman‘s publishing company called Jensong. Walter Campbell was the
plugger there and I interviewed with this woman named Paige Rowden, who later became Paige Levy. She said,
“We’ve had the worst male interns. If you’re you’re willing to work and have ovaries, you’re our intern.” [Laughs] She
said, “I need help and an ally.”
During my internship, I made tape copies, typed lyrics and just absorbed everything. I was keeping track of everybody
that came in. I did notice there weren’t many women that came in to play songs or drop off cassettes.
Did that intimidate you or motivate you?
It made me want to do it more. I knew of the women pluggers in town who people thought were really good. You’re
just a sponge taking it all in at that point. I would hear about Celia Hill, who became Celia Froehlig. I would hear
about Pat Rolfe, Karen Conrad, and Judy Harris.
What did you do after your internship?
They ended up hiring me part-time, which was great. Then they sold that catalog to Tree, so I was in need of a job.
After that, I did this series of fill-in-the-blank jobs—thanks to recommendations from Paige and Walter—where I would
fill in for people. There was a company called Don Gant Music and their tape copy guy was going on the road with
Tanya Tucker to play drums for the summer, so I filled in to make tape copies and clean the building there. I filled in
at ATV Music and at Silver Line Gold Line, where I got to know Pat Halper and Noel Fox. I met a lot of people by
being around all these different companies and seeing how they all did it differently.
What was next?
I worked for a company called DebDave Briar Patch. Their plugger, Mason Cooper, helped bring me in.
It was Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens, Jim Malloy and David Malloy. Thom Schuyler was a writer there, and Paul
Overstreet and Fred Knobloch would hang out there a lot. There were just so many great people there. They let me
pitch which is unbelievable since we’re talking early ’80s and I had no experience.
Page 5 of 18
January 27, 2023
CHART ACTION NO. 1 SONG
New On The Chart —Debuting This Week
song/artist/label—Chart Position
Looking For You/Chris Young/RCA Nashville — 61
Angels/Thomas Rhett/Valory — 65
Need A Favor/Jelly Roll/Stoney Creek Records — 66
Marry That Girl/Easton Corbin/Stone Country Records — 76
Diamond Country/Whitney Miller/Whitney Miller Music — 78
Whiskey Train/Kish Moody/Century II — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
song/artist/label—Spin Increase
Memory Lane/Old Dominion/Arista Nashville — 200
Rock And A Hard Place/Bailey Zimmerman/Elektra/Warner
Music Nashville — 194
Everything She Ain't/Hailey Whitters/Pigasus/S&D/
Big Loud — 172
Angels/Thomas Rhett/Valory — 163
What He Didn't Do/Carly Pearce/Big Machine — 156
It Matters To Her/Scotty McCreery/Triple Tigers Records — 138
Most Added
song/artist/label—No. of Adds Carly Pearce pushed her way to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow
Angels/Thomas Rhett/Valory 12 CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “What He Didn’t Do.” Pearce wrote
Memory Lane/Old Dominion/Arista Nashville — 11 the song alongside Ashley Gorley and Emily Shackleton.
Looking For You/Chris Young/RCA Nashville — 8
Marry That Girl/Easton Corbin/Stone Country Records — 7 In 2022, Pearce signed a new management deal with Starstruck
Girl In Mine/Parmalee/Stoney Creek Records — 6 Management. She hosted t h e 15th Annual Academy of Country
Music Honors. She also received several honors including CMA and
You, Me, & Whiskey/Justin Moore & Priscilla Block/Valory — 6
ACM Musical Event of the Year ("Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with
Jealous Of Myself/Tenille Arts/Dreamcatcher Artists — 6 Ashley McBryde), ACM Female Artist of the Year, one of CMT’s Artists
of the Year and induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
song/artist/label—No. of Spins
Die Running/Mike Ryan/Rock & Soul — 78 Each songwriter and artist earning No. 1
Just Me/Gillian Smith/Gillian Smith Records — 78 credit on the MusicRow Chart receives a
Twinkle Twinkle/Charles J & The Conquistadors/ MusicRow Challenge Coin. Click here to
MetaMundo — 74 view a full list of recipients.
Can I Call/Alannah McCready — 72
MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart Reporting Stations
WHMA Anniston, AL KKMV Rupert, ID WTCM Traverse City, MI KITX Hugo, OK WLLX Lawrenceburg, TN
WXFL Florence, AL WOOZ Carterville, IL KYSM Mankato, MN KWEY Weatherford, OK KFTX Corpus Christi, TX
KQUS Hot Springs, AR WAAG Galesburg, IL KZPK St. Cloud, MN KWOX Woodward, OK KYKX Longview, TX
KDXY Jonesboro, AR WMCI Mattoon, IL KFAV Warrenton, MO KRKT Albany, OR KLLL Lubbock, TX
KBOD Mountain Home, AR WYOT Rochelle, IL WBBN Laurel, MS KRWQ Medford, OR KXOX Sweetwater, TX
KWCK Searcy, AR WRTB Rockford, IL WFAY Fayetteville, NC WVNW Lewistown, PA WAKG Danville, VA
KRAZ Santa Barbara, CA WIFE Connersville, IN KZZY Devils Lake, ND WNBT Mansfield, PA WAXX Altoona, WI
WCTY Norwich, CT KAIR Atchison, KS KYCK Thompson, ND WCFT Selinsgrove, PA WJVL Janesville, WI
WUBB Savannah, GA KQZQ Pratt, KS KRVN Lexington, NE WFGE State College, PA WGLR Platteville, WI
KXIA Marshalltown, IA WKDZ Cadiz, KY KFGE Lincoln, NE KMOM Aberdeen, SD WQPC Prairie du Chien, WI
KIAI Mason City, IA WDHR Pikeville, KY KQBA Santa Fe, NM KZZI Spearfish, SD WCOW Sparta, WI
KBOE Oskaloosa, IA KRRV Alexandria, LA WDNB Monticello, NY WUCZ Carthage, TN WDGG Huntington ,WV
KTHK Idaho Falls, ID WKPE Hyannis, MA WCJW Warsaw, NY WDKN Dickson, TN
JANUARY 27, 2023
Weeks Last This Spins / % Spin
Song / Artist / Label Spins +/-
On Chart Week Week Reports Power
32 3 1 What He Didn’t Do / Carly Pearce / Big Machine 1943/61 9 156
13 1 2 Going, Going, Gone / Luke Combs / River House Artists/Columbia Nashville 1875/58 -2 -30
10 2 3 Thought You Should Know / Morgan Wallen / Big Loud Records 1840/55 0 7
18 4 4 Thank God / Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown / RCA Nashville 1725/47 3 51
22 7 5 Handle On You / Parker McCollum / MCA Nashville 1641/60 8 128
26 5 6 Whiskey On You / Nate Smith / Sony Music Nashville 1544/44 -1 -16
12 10 7 Rock And A Hard Place / Bailey Zimmerman / Elektra/Warner Music Nashville 1391/58 16 194
27 9 8 Brown Eyes Baby / Keith Urban / Capitol 1382/58 7 87
21 8 9 No Body / Blake Shelton / Warner Music Nashville 1365/52 4 58
21 11 10 Wild As Her / Corey Kent / Combustion Music/RCA Records 1267/53 10 115
29 13 11 Everything She Ain’t / Hailey Whitters / Pigasus/S&D/Big Loud 1215/57 16 172
18 16 12 It Matters To Her / Scotty McCreery / Triple Tigers Records 1153/55 14 138
16 14 13 How It Oughta Be / Shane Profitt / BMLG 1134/53 11 112
35 12 14 Human / Cody Johnson / CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville 1115/50 5 50
29 15 15 Water Under The Bridge / Sam Hunt / MCA Nashville 1102/48 8 83
6 22 16 Dancin’ In The Country / Tyler Hubbard / EMI Nashville 881/48 16 120
11 19 17 Hate My Heart / Carrie Underwood / Capitol 878/49 9 71
58 17 18 You Didn’t / Brett Young / BMLG 873/34 0 4
44 18 19 Note To Self / Randy Houser / Magnolia Music Group 868/42 4 37
31 21 20 Doing Life With Me / Eric Church / EMI Records Nashville 842/44 9 73
15 20 21 Your Heart Or Mine / Jon Pardi / Capitol 830/46 6 50
24 24 22 You / Dan + Shay / Warner Music Nashville 773/40 14 96
13 26 23 You, Me, & Whiskey / Justin Moore & Priscilla Block / Valory 765/44 15 102
26 25 24 Something In The Orange / Zach Bryan / Belting Bronco/Warner Records 739/39 11 72
9 27 25 Heaven By Then / Brantley Gilbert & Blake Shelton feat. Vince Gill / Valory 727/45 12 79
17 23 26 Up There Down Here / Jake Owen / Big Loud Records 727/40 -1 -5
19 28 27 Can’t Have Mine / Dylan Scott / Curb 712/43 12 76
50 31 28 Good Day For Living / Joe Nichols / Quartz Hill Records 666/36 14 81
18 30 29 Ain’t A Woman Like A River / Flat River Band / Early Bird Records 649/37 11 64
16 36 30 Girl In Mine / Parmalee / Stoney Creek Records 632/37 21 108
3 39 31 Memory Lane / Old Dominion / Arista Nashville 625/42 47 200
11 35 32 Cheaper Than The Truth / Smith & Wesley / Dream Walkin’ Records/BDF Audium 573/40 8 42
13 33 33 All Trucks Go To Heaven / BoomTown Saints / 8 Track Entertainment 571/39 3 17
16 34 34 All Hat, No Cattle / Sweet Tea Trio / Top Dog Records 556/36 1 7
58 41 35 Son Of A / Dillon Carmichael / Riser House 471/31 17 69
15 38 36 Back / Jacob Johnson / AJG Music Group/Bow To Stern Records 458/29 5 22
16 40 37 Me On You / Muscadine Bloodline / Stancaster Music, LLC 445/33 9 37
4 47 38 Tennessee Orange / Megan Moroney / Megan Moroney 366/26 20 62
23 43 39 Y’all Life / Walker Hayes / Monument Records 357/24 8 27
19 44 40 Country Can / Hannah Ellis / Curb 352/23 9 29
Weeks Last This Spins / % Spin
Song / Artist / Label Spins +/-
On Chart Week Week Reports Power
31 42 41 Never Til Now / Ashley Cooke & Brett Young / Big Loud/BMLG Records 351/23 -2 -6
15 45 42 Take It Slow / Conner Smith / Valory 335/22 6 20
12 48 43 Between George Strait and George Jones / Corey Layne / Mountaintop Music 334/16 17 49
20 46 44 If He Wanted To He Would / Kylie Morgan / EMI Records Nashville 330/21 7 22
9 49 45 Excuses / Kolby Cooper / Wheelhouse Records 328/21 15 44
23 50 46 Man Made / Matt Stell / RECORDS 315/20 13 35
5 52 47 If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too) / Kelsea Ballerini / Black River Entertainment 291/21 20 48
7 51 48 When God Made The South / Alex Miller / Billy Jam Records 280/19 13 32
4 57 49 Jealous Of Myself / Tenille Arts / Dreamcatcher Artists 275/26 29 62
4 59 50 Fearless / Jackson Dean / Big Machine 267/19 36 71
3 62 51 Marlboros & Avon / McBride & The Ride / TMC Records/InGrooves 247/20 35 64
22 53 52 Project / Chase McDaniel / 244/15 1 3
15 55 53 Sounds Like Something I’d Do / Drake Milligan / Stoney Creek Records 238/18 3 6
11 66 54 Savior / Brooke Moriber / Reviver Records 223/12 32 54
15 56 55 I Can’t Love You Anymore / Maren Morris / Columbia Nashville 221/16 0 0
24 61 56 Worth A Shot / Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley / RCA Records/Columbia Nashville 219/17 16 31
7 60 57 Over For You / Morgan Evans / Warner Music Nashville 205/16 5 9
14 58 58 $ (Money) / Chris Kroeze / 199/17 -5 -11
4 63 59 We Got History / Mitchell Tenpenny / Riser House Records 198/15 10 18
6 64 60 Hour on the Hour / Mike and the Moonpies / Prairie Rose Records 189/19 7 12
1 84 61 Looking For You / Chris Young / RCA Nashville 188/17 100 94
7 67 62 Learning How To Forget / Andrew Salgado / Synapse Publishing & Entertainment, LLC 174/13 6 10
3 72 63 Stars Like Confetti / Dustin Lynch / Broken Bow Records 171/14 38 47
9 68 64 Oklahoma Breakdown / Toby Keith / Show Dog Nashville 171/13 6 10
1 0 65 Angels / Thomas Rhett / Valory 163/12 0 163
1 89 66 Need A Favor / Jelly Roll / Stoney Creek Records 155/12 104 79
2 73 67 Missin’ You / Cam Allen / Goat Music Group 148/11 21 26
4 69 68 Back Road / Chase Mitchell / CHYP 148/11 9 12
3 74 69 Beer Needs Drinkin’ / Reed Foley / Studios Magnetic 131/12 10 12
2 78 70 Going Going / Donice Morace / Bad Jeu Jeu Records/CDX Records 128/13 22 23
23 71 71 Everything Has Your Memory / Wade Bowen / Bowen Sounds 124/4 -3 -4
4 75 72 Fast Car / Randy Rogers Band / Thirty Tigers 120/11 8 9
3 80 73 God Gave Me A Girl / Russell Dickerson / Triple Tigers Records 116/8 14 14
2 77 74 Girls Do / Cliff Dorsey / Black Sheep Records 116/9 9 10
2 79 75 Walk A Mile / Coffey Anderson / Coffey Anderson 115/11 10 10
1 119 76 Marry That Girl / Easton Corbin / Stone Country Records 109/10 127 77
2 81 77 Right Nows / Hurricane Highway / Kick Ass Music 108/7 7 7
1 87 78 Diamond Country / Whitney Miller / Whitney Miller Music 96/9 22 17
28 82 79 Long Live Cowgirls / Ian Munsick with Cody Johnson / Warner Music Nashville 96/9 -5 -5
1 85 80 Whiskey Train / Kish Moody / Century II 91/4 6 5
No. 1 Song Greatest Spin Increase Highest Debut
January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
We had a studio in the back and James Stroud played sessions there on a lot of records. James decided he was
going to start a publishing company and Thom Schuyler was going to go with him. They asked me if I wanted to come
over there too, and I did. Paul Overstreet ended up coming over there later. Cliff Audretch Jr. was there too. It was
called The Writers Group and it did really well. It was during the early career of Randy Travis and we had all those
Paul Overstreet songs [that Randy cut]. Thom and Fred were having hits too.
What was your first hit?
When I was at DebDave, one of the guys I’d filled in for at Don Gant Music—Chris Dodson—called me and asked if I
had any songs for John Conlee. He said, “I can give them to Bud Logan, his producer.” I gave him a tape and then
he called me and told me John Conlee cut this song called “Years After You,” which was a Thom Schuyler song. It
became a top 5 hit.
How did you start working with Celia Froehlig?
Writers Group became really successful and sold to EMI Music. I went with it so I could go with the catalog. Charlie
Feldman, who was running it, went to work at BMI in New York, so Celia Froehlig got hired to run the office, so one of
the women I had heard about during my internship ended up being my boss.
It’s funny because I had an A&R executive—a female—call me and say, “Hey, if you need me to put a word in for you
somewhere else, let me know.” When I asked why, she said, “Women don’t work well together.” The first day that
Celia came in the building, I made sure to be there when she walked in. She was always so great to me and became
a mentor.
EMI was great. We had an awesome staff and great writers and had a great run of success. While there, I met and
pitched songs to Shane McAnally, who was a Curb Records artist at the time.
Eventually, Celia offered me a chance to help start a new company, Froehlig Palmer Music. I had always dreamed of
some ownership of what I loved so much: songs. We had some hits and some great times and I learned a lot.
And thus, a new chapter opens.
Yes, I got reconnected with Shane McAnally around
2007, thanks to Erin Enderlin. She was borrowing
a writers room and working with Shane. He brought
in a CD and “Somewhere With You” was on there—
along with some other great songs including the
work-tape of “Last Call.” He mentioned that he
heard Lee Ann Womack liked it but he wasn’t sure.
The next time he came in, Lee Ann had cut it.
Renee Bell called and said, “Kenny Chesney
needs one more song. We’re having a thing at
Cabana. Kenny’s going to tell everybody exactly
what he wants, but if you would just bring one song
on a CD, he’s going take it out and listen to
everything on the road.” I brought “Somewhere With
You.” Then I got an email from Buddy Cannon‘s
Pictured (L-R, back row): Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins, Ryan Hurd, Sam Hunt assistant that Kenny heard “Somewhere With You”
and Josh Jenkins; (L-R, front row): Robin Palmer and Shane McAnally and asked if he could get a lyric sheet. That’s when
things turned around.
Wow. Then you two started building what is now SMACK.
Shane had all these other amazing songs. He was writing with Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne, Trevor Rosen, Jessie
Jo Dillon, Matt Jenkins, Matt Ramsey and more.
Page 9 of 18
January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
We decided to rent an office in the basement of
Carnival. Frank Liddell is a good friend and he
rented us some space down there. We had two
rooms, my little office and then Shane’s writer’s room.
Sam Hunt and Kacey Musgraves were coming in to
write. I had an amazing front row seat.
Matt McGinn was the first writer we signed together
and then we signed Trevor Rosen with Wrensong.
Did you realize then how big this was going to
get?
No. I always dreamed but it was bigger than any
dream I could have had. Although I know Shane’s
dreams—he probably planned the whole thing.
[Laughs] I’ve learned how to dream bigger.
Now, as Chief Creative Officer at SMACK, what is Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Whitney Daane, JT Harding and Robin
most fulfilling about what you do? Palmer celebrate “Somewhere With You.” Photo: Ed Rode
Working with songwriters. Providing a safe
environment and a home. Giving people what they need to be their best. That’s what we hope to do.
When you look back on your career, what sticks out about your journey?
I’ve been so lucky. The way you’re successful is if you’re surrounded by really good people and I have been. MR
Abbey Cone Signs With Warner Chappell Music
& Truth Or Dare Publishing
Abbey Cone has signed a global publishing deal
with Warner Chappell Music and Truth or Dare
Publishing. The agreement is part of the recently
announced partnership between the two publishing
entities.
Cone was raised in Texas and moved to Music City
to hone her craft when she was 16. She burst onto
the country scene in 2021 with the release of her
single “Rhinestone Ring,” and in 2022 released her
debut EP, Hate Me, featuring six tracks she co-
wrote and co-produced.
After wrapping up a tour with Brittney Spencer, she
Pictured (L-R): Missi Gallimore (Truth), Sophia Gallimore (Truth), Abbey
headed out as a supporting act on CMT’s “Next
Cone, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Christina Wiltshire (WCM) and Alexa Morris Women of Country Tour” with Maddie & Tae and
(WCM) Sacha.
The CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020
inductee was named one of Pandora’s 2022 Country Music Artists to Watch and has collaborated with writers
such as Lori McKenna, Heather Morgan and Jessie Jo Dillon. MR
Page 10 of 18January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
Concord Music Publishing Stem Grows Nashville
Signs Corey Crowder, Acquires Presence With Key Executive
Majority Of Catalog Hires [Exclusive]
Alison Junker, Jeff Tobias, Chris Allen
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Nite (Concord), Matt Turner
(Concord), Jim Selby (Concord), Brad Kennard (Concord),
Corey Crowder, Courtney Allen (Concord), Melissa
Stem, a distribution and payments platform for
Spillman (Concord), Garrett Stephenson (Concord), Jen independent musicians and labels, has announced
Hubbard (Concord). Photo: Audrey Spillman three executive hires that will expand their presence to
Nashville.
Concord Music Publishing has announced the signing Alison Junker joins Stem as Head of Artist & Label
and catalog acquisition of country hitmaker Corey Strategy, Nashville; Jeff Tobias as Head of Artist &
Crowder. The worldwide co-publishing deal includes a Label Relations, Country; and Chris Allen as Head of
majority of Crowder’s catalog and all future works. Artist Relations, Rock & Alternative.
Originally from Loganville, Georgia, Crowder relocated Stem was launched in 2015 by Co-Founder and CEO
to Nashville in 2010 to pursue songwriting. He found Milana Rabkin Lewis, who sought to provide a
early success with Chris Young, including his 3x multi- financial platform for artists to run their own
Platinum, three-week No. 1 “I’m Comin’ Over,” 2x multi- businesses with transparency, clarity, and long-term
Platinum No. 1 “Think of You” (feat. Cassadee Pope) career sustainability. Stem’s interface enables artists to
and “Hangin’ On.” Now one of Nashville’s most in- track, divide, disperse, and even donate revenue to
demand songwriters and producers, Crowder has various recipients, designating percentages and
celebrated several chart-climbing singles, including simplified splits in real-time. The company prides itself
FGL’s “I Love My Country” and “Long Live,” as well as on its regular monthly payment schedule and has
“Famous Friends” (Chris Young ft. Kane Brown) and distributed $230 million to 26,000 people as of 2022.
“Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice ft. FGL),
earning him CMA’s prestigious Triple Play Award for 3 In addition to their responsibilities to sign new artists to
No. 1 songs in a 12-month span. the Stem platform, Junker, Tobias and Allen will also
be supporting Stem’s existing Nashville roster, which
Crowder has notched 11 No. 1 songs across the U.S. includes PIA Entertainment, OurVinyl, Drew Baldridge
and Canadian charts and has topped the charts as the and many artists on Big Loud Records.
No. 1 songwriter on both Billboard’s Country Songwriter
and MusicRow’s Top Songwriter charts for multiple To read more about their new roles and past career
consecutive weeks. stops, click here. MR
Crowder is also an accomplished producer, with credits
on FGL’s album, Life Rolls On, LoCash’s No. 1 “One Big
Country Song,” and Chris Tomlin and Lady A’s “Who You
Are To Me.” Other production credits include work for
Brian Kelley, Rice, Pope, RaeLynn and Jamie Lynn
Spears, among others. MR
Page 11 of 18January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
MacKenzie Porter Inks With 117 Entertainment Taps Dave
CAA [Exclusive] Felipe As Director Of Publicity
[Exclusive]
Pictured (L-R): Dave Felipe, Jessica Vandergriff, Zach
Farnum, Mae Dowda. Photo: Jason Myers
Pictured (L-R): Bennett Beckner (CAA), Jeff Krones (CAA),
MacKenzie Porter, Greg Thompson (Partner/President, Big Loud
Management), Drew Magid (Manager, Big Loud Management). 117 Entertainment Owner Zach Farnum has
Photo: Brayln Kelly
announced the hiring of Dave Felipe as Director of
Publicity.
Big Loud singer-songwriter MacKenzie Porter has
inked with CAA for booking representation. Bringing with him more than two decades of
experience in public relations, media strategy and
The Canadian-born and Nashville-based artist made corporate communications, Felipe will oversee all
quite the introduction in 2021 with her six-week No. 1 publicity initiatives for the company’s roster of clients,
with Dustin Lynch, “Thinking ‘Bout You,” and followed which include Hall of Famers, award-winning brands,
it up with an impressive 2022 that saw her garner hit singer-songwriters and rising talent.
award nominations, a CMA Fest main stage debut, a
rigorous touring schedule and more. Felipe began his professional career in Washington,
D.C. at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he
Porter has continued to release standout hits, such as helped develop and lead business policy and political
“Pickup,” “About You” and “These Days,” with her full- PR initiatives for one of the country’s most influential
length, debut album slated for release early this year. lobbying organizations, among other things. He lived
She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in late 2021 and in NYC for nearly seven years, working as the Director
was the only female nominated for Favorite Country of Communications for an emerging e-commerce
Song at the 2022 American Music Awards. company, while pursuing his own musical endeavors
as an independent singer-songwriter.
Named the 2022 MusicRow Discovery Artist of the
Year this past summer, Porter has also earned seven After moving to Nashville in 2013, Felipe spent more
CCMA nominations in just the last two years alone, than six years as the publicist for the Nashville
including a nod for Entertainer of the Year. Symphony, where he spearheaded the
communications efforts for several projects and
A member of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of programs, notably the historic Violins of Hope
2021, Porter previously starred as an actress in cult- Nashville initiative in 2018. Prior to joining 117, Felipe
followed sci-fi television series Travelers, and has was the Public Relations Manager for the Mechanical
toured the globe opening for Blake Shelton, Kenny Licensing Collective (The MLC).
Chesney, Walker Hayes, Jordan Davis, Brad Paisley,
Chris Lane, Dallas Smith and Rascal Flatts. MR Felipe joins 117 Entertainment’s growing team that
also includes Publicity Manager Jessica Vandergriff
and Publicity and Tour Marketing Associate Mae
Dowda. MR
Page 12 of 18January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
Lauren Branson Joins River Clara Park Joins SmackSongs’
House Artists As VP, Publicity Writing Roster
Pictured (L-R): Carly Sater, Jeremy Groves, Clara Park, Lee
Krabel, Jim Landers, Robin Palmer and Sam Sarno.
SMACKSongs has inked a worldwide publishing deal
Lauren Branson. Photo: Jeff Molyneaux
with Clara Park.
River House Artists has announced the hiring of Lauren Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Park
Branson as Vice President, Publicity. moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. While
there, she majored in songwriting and took freelance
Branson joins River House after eight years at BMI as work producing, while also writing hundreds of songs
the Senior Director, Media Relations. In that role, she throughout her four years. Graduating in 2021, Park
led the communications efforts for BMI’s Nashville and continued writing, producing and getting cuts with artist
Austin offices, working closely with the company’s such as Linsey Urrea and Jules Paymer.
Creative and Partnerships and Events departments to
develop and execute media campaigns for all events “This is a huge milestone for me, and something I
including showcases, No. 1 parties, awards shows, and have been chasing since I moved to Nashville,” Park
festival stages including ACL Fest and the Key West shares. “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and
Songwriters Festival. Prior to BMI, the MTSU grad had I’m so grateful to be around such talented people.”
career stops at Yep Roc Records, Zenph Sound
Innovations, Epic Records and Sony Music Nashville. “I’ve been following Clara’s career for a couple years
now thanks to an introduction from my friend, Jim
At River House, Branson will be responsible for creating Landers. Every time I met with Clara, she just kept
and implementing public relations strategies for the getting better and better, says Lee Krabel, Vice
River House Artists roster. She reports directly to President of Publishing. “I knew when we met late last
founder and CEO Lynn Oliver-Cline and VP and year it was time for her to become a part of the team
General Manager Zebb Luster, effective immediately. here at SMACK. We are beyond excited to welcome
her to the team and look forward to seeing what she
“Lauren’s passion for music is contagious and her can accomplish!”
relationships in our business and in media speak for
themselves,” says Cline. “She will be a big part of the Park joins a roster of over 20 staff writers with more
future for our artists and River House as a whole. We than 50 No. 1s–seven of which were from last year
are so lucky to have her!” alone–including multi-Grammy award winners Shane
McAnally and Josh Osborne. MR
Congratulate Branson at lauren@riverhouseartists.com.
MR
Page 13 of 18January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Chris Young Delivers
'A Pile Driver' With New Single
It’s Boys Town here at DISClaimer today.
Caitlyn Smith and Chapel Hart are trying their best, but this listening
session belonged to the likes of Tyler Hubbard, Chris Janson,
Mitchell Tenpenny, Hardy, Thomas Rhett and their musical brothers.
Riding at the front of the herd is Chris Young, who has the Disc of
the Day.
Click here to read Robert K. Oermann's weekly single reviews. MR
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Celebrates Minnie Pearl Film General Counsel
UMG Nashville’s Dottie Chamberlain To Exit GrassRoots Promotion Ups RJ Jordan To
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James Barker Band Joins RECORDS Nashville’s Tracy Lawrence & Brent Michaels To Receive
Growing Roster 2023 CRS Humanitarian Awards
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Crow’ [Interview]
Page 14 of 18January 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
Elle King Celebrates Debut Country Album &
Her Many Forms Of Luck
One could truly feel the fellowship among Nashville’s
music industry in giant swells earlier this week as Elle
King rang in the release of her full-length, debut
country album, Come Get Your Wife. The dozen-song
project, produced by Ross Copperman, will be
available everywhere tomorrow (Jan. 27).
Setting up shop at American Legion Post 82 on the east
side of town, industry execs from far and wide,
including members from Apple Music, UMG, ACM, BMI,
Sony Music Publishing, Monument Records and many
more, were in attendance, as well as a handful of fellow
artists–Dierks Bentley, The War And Treaty, King
Calaway, Caitlyn Smith, Charlie Worsham and
Pillbox Patti, to name a few.
Standing in such a packed room full of so many familiar
faces from all sections of the industry, it was evident
that Nashville has rallied behind King in a special way
for her debut project.
Decked out with a 360 photo station, a kissing booth,
temporary tattoos to resemble her signature ink and a
variety of specialty cocktails, the evening saw King and
her trusty band clad in classic westernware.
Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing
Nashville, was on hand to welcome the crowd and Elle King. Photo: Courtesy of Press On Publicity
shower King in praise.
“There is [someone] in here thinking to themselves, ‘This is a rockstar that has come to Nashville to make a country
record because this is easy.’ I want to tell you there is nothing that is further from the truth,” Gaston put plainly. “This
girl is a real songwriter, she is a real American storyteller. What she’s done is come home. She is one of us, she’s
part of this community, she is welcomed here and she belongs here”
He continued, “There are creators that live in rarified air, people that have a respect level at another level like
Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Chris Stapleton. Tonight we’re adding a new name to that list and it is RCA
recording artist Elle King!”
With the stage set, King shot off into a six-song preview of the album, beginning with the firecracker track “Tulsa.”
Before taking on the lazy rocker of “Before You Met Me,” King took a moment to address the crowd of friends and
supports, noting, “I’m very proud of this whole record and I want to say thank you to all of the songwriters and badass
musicians who played on it. Thank you everyone for being here to celebrate this.”
A common theme throughout the evening, King doted on her firstborn child, Lucky, who was born in September of
2021 and served as a major source of inspiration throughout the creation of the record. King also explained that she
never could’ve expected her breakout country single with Lambert, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” to
become a history-making, No. 1 tune, and essentially, her foray into making Come Get Your Wife.
To read more about the evening and King’s debut country album, click here. MR
Page 15 of 18Sunday, January 22, 2023
This Last
Songwriter’s Name Song(s) Artist
Week Week
1 1 Zachary Lane Bryan Burn, Burn, Burn Zach Bryan
Oklahoma Smokeshow Zach Bryan
Something In The Orange Zach Bryan
Sun To Me Zach Bryan
The Good I’ll Do Zach Bryan
2 2 Morgan Wallen Brown Eyes Baby Keith Urban
One Thing At A Time Morgan Wallen
Tennessee Fan Morgan Wallen
Thought You Should Know Morgan Wallen
Wasted On You Morgan Wallen
Wild As Her Corey Kent
You Proof Morgan Wallen
3 3 Ashley Gorley Girl In Mine Parmalee
Gold Dierks Bentley
I Can’t Decide Easton Corbin
One Thing At A Time Morgan Wallen
She Had Me At Heads Carolina Cole Swindell
Tennessee Fan Morgan Wallen
What He Didn’t Do Carly Pearce
You Didn’t Brett Young
You Proof Morgan Wallen
4 4 Ernest Keith Smith One Thing At A Time Morgan Wallen
Son Of A Sinner Jelly Roll
Wasted On You Morgan Wallen
You Proof Morgan Wallen
5 5 Luke Combs Going, Going, Gone Luke Combs
Out In The Middle Zac Brown Band
The Kind of Love We Make Luke Combs
6 6 Ross Copperman Dancin’ In The Country Tyler Hubbard
Gold Dierks Bentley
Note To Self Randy Houser
Pick Me Up Gabby Barrett
Worth A Shot Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley
7 7 Jon Nite Dancin’ In The Country Tyler Hubbard
Pick Me Up Gabby Barrett
You Didn’t Brett Young
8 9 Ryan Vojtesak One Thing At A Time Morgan Wallen
Wasted On You Morgan Wallen
You Proof Morgan Wallen
9 8 Ilya Toshinskiy Son Of A Sinner Jelly Roll
10 10 Jordan Davis Next Thing You Know Jordan Davis
What My World Spins Around Jordan Davis
11 11 Parker McCollum Handle On You Parker McCollum
12 12 Monty Criswell Handle On You Parker McCollum
13 13 Michael Hardy Hate My Heart Carrie Underwood
Heaven By Then Brantley Gilbert & Blake Shleton feat. Vince
Tennessee Fan Gill
Wait In The Truck Morgan Wallen
Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson
14 16 Josh Thompson Brown Eyes Baby Keith Urban
Half Of Me Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
Wasted On You Morgan Wallen
15 14 Ryan Hurd What My World Spins Around Jordan Davis
16 15 Matt Dragstrem What My World Spins Around Jordan Davis
17 19 Miranda Lambert Thought You Should Know Morgan Wallen
18 20 Nicolle Galyon Thought You Should Know Morgan Wallen
19 21 Dallas Wilson Can’t Have Mine Dylan Scott
Heart Like A Truck Lainey WilsonThis Last
Songwriter’s Name Song(s) Artist
Week Week
20 22 Nate Smith Whiskey On You Nate Smith
21 23 Russell Sutton Whiskey On You Nate Smith
22 24 Lindsay Rimes Whiskey On You Nate Smith
23 17 Ray Fulcher Going, Going, Gone Luke Combs
24 18 James McNair Going, Going, Gone Luke Combs
25 28 Trannie Anderson Heart Like A Truck Lainey Wilson
26 29 Lainey Wilson Heart Like A Truck Lainey Wilson
27 31 Rodney Clawson Brown Eyes Baby Keith Urban
No Body Blake Shelton
28 25 Jet Harvey Rock and A Hard Place Bailey Zimmerman
29 26 Jacob Hackworth Rock and A Hard Place Bailey Zimmerman
30 27 Heath Warren Rock and A Hard Place Bailey Zimmerman
31 32 T. Lane Human Cody Johnson
32 33 Travis Meadows Human Cody Johnson
33 30 Gabby Barrett Pick Me Up Gabby Barrett
34 34 Brett Tyler Excuses Kolby Cooper
Wild As Her Corey Kent
35 35 Carly Pearce What He Didn’t Do Carly Pearce
36 36 E. Shackelton What He Didn’t Do Carly Pearce
37 37 Thomas Rhett Half Of Me Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
She Had Me At Heads Carolina Cole Swindell
38 45 Jordan Schmidt Wait In The Truck Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson
We Got History Mitchell Tenpenny
39 43 Kelly Archer Wild As Her Corey Kent
40 44 Hunter Phelps Heaven By Then Brantley Gilbert & Blake Shleton feat. Vince
Wait In The Truck Gill
Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson
41 38 Bryan Simpson Beer With My Friends Kenny Chesney & Old Dominion
Everything She Ain’t Hailey Whitters
42 46 Renee Blair Wait In The Truck Hardy feat. Lainey Wilson
43 48 Christian Davis Thank God Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
44 49 Jaxson Free Thank God Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
45 50 Kyle Fishman Thank God Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
46 51 Jared Mullins Thank God Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
47 52 Josh Hoge Thank God Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown
48 53 Rhett Akins Half Of Me Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
I Can’t Decide Easton Corbin
It Matters To Her Scotty McCreery
49 58 Will Bundy Brown Eyes Baby Keith Urban
Half Of Me Thomas Rhett feat. Riley Green
50 47 Josh Osborne Girl On Fire Kameron Marlowe
Next Thing You Know Jordan Davis
Water Under The Bridge Sam Hunt
Worth A Shot Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley
51 54 John Morgan That’s What Tequila Does Jason Aldean
52 55 John Edwards That’s What Tequila Does Jason Aldean
53 56 Kurt Allison That’s What Tequila Does Jason Aldean
54 57 Tully Kennedy That’s What Tequila Does Jason Aldean
55 62 Josh Kear No Body Blake Shelton
56 63 Chris Tompkins No Body Blake Shelton
57 59 Ben Simonetti Out In The Middle Zac Brown Band
58 60 Jonathan Singleton Out In The Middle Zac Brown Band
59 61 Zac Brown Out In The Middle Zac Brown Band
60 64 Brett Young You Didn’t Brett YoungJanuary 27, 2023 The MusicRow Weekly
CALENDAR
Single/Track Releases
January 27
Shenandoah/Revival/8 Track Entertainment
McBride & The Ride/Marlboros & Avon
Craig Campbell/Tractor Songs/Grindstone Recordings
Brooke Moriber/Little Bit Of You/Reviver Records
Canaan Cox/Hate Me More/Empire Nashville
Laurel Taylor/Old House
Madelyn Rose/Taillights Fade/Vere Music
Casi Joy/Under The Hood
Leah Marie Mason/Holy Water/Warner Chappell Music/Numbers Don’t Lie/The Orchard
7Descent/Prisoner/Heart Songs Music Group
January 30
Dustin Lynch/Stars Like Confetti/BBR
February 3
Danielle Bradbery/A Special Place/Big Machine Records
Brady Lee feat. Kelsey Lamb/Strangers In A Photograph
Matthew Wayne/Reckless
Hank Ruff/Whiskey Always Wins
Album/EP Releases
January 27
Tyler Hubbard/Tyler Hubbard/EMI Records Nashville
Elle King/Come Get Your Wife/RCA
Brett Kissel/South Album
DANiiVORY/Dreamland/Heart Songs Music Group
February 3
Helene Cronin/Landmarks/HKC
Industry Events
January 30
2022 CMA Touring Awards
February 5
65th Annual Grammy Awards
Page 18 of 18
Jimmie Allen, Charley Pride. Photo: Courtesy of CMA Brothers Osborne. Photo: Courtesy of CMAYou can also read
