Post-Spotify, John Marks Shares Streaming, Industry Expertise In New Venture.
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2021
JULY
6
CountryInsider.com | Sign Up For Daily Email Here
Post-Spotify, John Marks Shares
Streaming, Industry Expertise In New Venture.
John Marks is taking his experience at Spotify, SiriusXM and terrestrial radio and applying that knowledge to
his new artist-consulting company. “I’ve learned through watching data over the last five-and-a-half years and
how people behave to have some coaching ideas that I can help people at all levels,” Spotify’s former global
head of country tells Country Insider. Marks resigned from Spotify in April and opened the doors to his new
company in late June, availing both new and established artists with coaching opportunities based on more
than 30 years in radio and streaming services. (Continued on page 4)
COUNTRY INSIDER TOP 5:
The Long, Slow Rise Of Larry Fleet’s “Where I Find God.”
FGL, Friends To Launch First Tennessee Amphitheater With Feeding Nashville Benefit Show.
Seven Mountains Media Expands ‘Bigfoot Country’ In Wilkes-Barre, PA And Elmira, NY Markets.
Consultant Joel Raab Wonders: Is Content Really King? And If It’s Not, What Is?
Teamwork: Chris Young and Kane Brown’s “Famous Friends” Tops The Mediabase Chart.
1 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
John Scott
My Top 5 Male Bob Delmont
“Robbie, John and Toni” My Top 5 Country Middays - WPOC
Songs Of All Time: Mornings, WQIK Bands Of All Time: Baltimore, MD
Jacksonville, FL
1. He Stopped Loving Her Today -
George Jones 1. Alabama
2. Believe - Brooks and Dunn 2. Zac Brown
3. There Goes My Life -
3. Little Big Town
Kenny Chesney
4. If Tomorrow Never Comes - 4. The Chicks
Garth Brooks 5. Old Dominion
5. Wichita Lineman -
Glen Campbell
“Together: Feeding Nashville” To Christen New Franklin, TN
Amphitheater.
Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Lauren Alaina, Russell Dickerson
and Lily Rose lead the lineup for “Together: Feeding Nashville,” the first concert at the
FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, TN. The Aug. 3 concert benefits Feeding Nashville, a
nonprofit started last year by Hayley Hubbard, who is married to FGL’s Tyler Hubbard,
and Taylin Lewan, the wife of Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. “These
artists that are involved are great people with great hearts and jump at an opportunity
to do what we love for a greater cause,” Tyler Hubbard tells Country Insider. Barstool
Sports’ “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, which Taylor Lewan co-hosts, is the concert’s
presenting sponsor. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Matt Stell Staging “Frontline Fest” For Healthcare Workers.
“That Ain’t Me No More” singer Matt Stell teams up with Whiskey Jam to honor frontline
healthcare workers with “Frontline Fest” on Monday, July 12. Frontline workers who
show up with their work ID will get to skip the line to get into the concert, which takes
place in the parking lot at Losers, near Music Row. Collin Raye, Walker Hayes, Tenille
Arts, Adam Doleac, Hannah Dasher and Southerland are set to join Stell for the free
concert.
Carly Pearce Gets Country’s First Gold Record Of July.
The Recording Industry Association of America has certified Carly Pearce’s “Next Girl”
gold, for downloads and streams totaling 500,000 units. “Next Girl,” which sits at No. 17
on this week’s Mediabase country chart, is Pearce’s fourth single to receive RIAA gold
certification, along with “Hide the Wine,” “Every Little Thing” (now platinum) and, with
Lee Brice, “I Hope You’re Happy Now” (platinum).
FGL, Bebe Rexha’s “Meant To Be” Joins YouTube’s “Billion Views Club.”
‘Meant to Be,” the 2017 crossover hit from Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, joins
the list of videos in YouTube’s “Billion Views Club.” It’s FGL’s first entry into the club and
Rexha’s second, following “Hey Mama,” a David Guetta track on which she was featured
with Nicki Minaj and Afrojack. Korean entertainer Psy had the first video to garner a
billion views with 2012’s “Gangnam Style.”
3 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
John Marks’ New Venture. (Continued from page 1)
“There are a lot of people who [ask], ‘How can I get Swindell, Chase Rice and Mitchell Tenpenny.
playlisted?’” Mark says. “I’ll give you the answer:
There is no answer to that.” “John was one of my
early believers — he is
Instead, Marks’ boutique company crafts a strategy a true music lover and
unique to each individual at their particular career has a passion for artists,”
level. Tenpenny says.
“Everyone has a different set of needs,” he says. Marks championed many
“The streaming areas in particular, playlisting is not other acts during his
a strategy, it’s an outcome. time at Spotify, including
independent artist Kaylee
“If you’re lucky enough to get playlisted early that’s Rose. She says his help was invaluable.
fantastic, but you can’t rely on that. You need a
foundational process for building your artistry, “John took a chance on my songs during a time
building your following, building your social media when other people in the industry shot them
platforms. Those are the fundamentals I coach.” down,” says Rose, whose songs have been featured
on Spotify’s Wild Country and Fresh Finds: Country
Methodology, however, will be very different for a playlists. “He’s not afraid to take a risk on an
legacy act than for a new artist. independent artist if he believes in the sound and
“Legacy artists are rooted in FM radio,” Marks says. vision, and because of that I am forever grateful
“They’re challenged with bringing their audience for him. His support helped give my music a bigger
into the streaming world or finding the audience platform and opened the door to other amazing
that’s currently there.” opportunities. I’ve even had my songs played on
huge primary radio stations due to his exposure he
For newcomers, Marks first dispels the delusion gave me on Spotify.”
they should take their music to radio immediately.
Marks moved to Nashville in 2010 to head
“I think radio is still an important component for SiriusXM’s country
country music artists,” he says. “But the focus music programming
needs to center on building an audience, building after more than 30
your touring, building merchandising sales and years in terrestrial
building a good foundational approach to your radio. He started his
social media.” radio career in high
school at WPFB in
Once that foundation is built, Marks suggests a
Middletown, OH, with
consistent, strategic release of music with content
stops at Cumulus
supporting those releases. “Only when all of these
Media KKAT-AM Salt
elements come together will radio notice a new act,
Lake City, UT (860) and iHeartMedia KWNR Las
he says.”
Vegas (95.5), before spending seven years with
then-Lincoln Financial Media (now Audacy) KSON
Marks’ strategies for introducing acts have proven
San Diego (103.7).
successful.
During his five- Marks’ radio experience provides backup when he
year tenure as advises his clients that streaming success doesn’t
senior director always equate to radio success. But that doesn’t
of country mean radio is entirely out of the question.
programming
for SiriusXM, he “I have seen areas where radio hits don’t translate
played a key role inside of streaming and some streaming hits may
in familiarizing not translate into radio,” he says. “One size doesn’t
country listeners fit all every time. There are times when a song is
with Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris, Cole going to kill it in one area of music and maybe not
another.”
4 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
Why Stations Keep Finding Larry Fleet And
“Where I Find God.”
Singer-songwriter Larry Fleet finds God in nature’s tough for a brand new artist to break at radio. It was
beauty when he’s hunting and fishing. He may have probably not the safest move you would go with, but it
also found God in his long, slow rise up the country just seemed to work and people loved it.”
charts.
WXBQ in Johnson City, TN, added the song in May
Fleet’s debut single, “Where I Find God,” has been 2020. “We played it and said, ‘What do you think?’”
played at country radio for more than a year, officially says WXBQ’s Bill Hagy. “It exploded. We played it for
going for adds last October. While its peak spins came over six months in a heavy rotation because it kept
in March, stations keep adding it: SummitMedia’s six testing. It was the best-testing song that we’ve had in
stations added it in June, five adding it two weeks ago, the last year.”
more than 35 weeks into the record’s life.
Stacy Blythe, Senior VP of promotion for Big Loud
The song may be a bigger hit than its chart position Records, says, “Bill Hagy called me early in the record
suggests, as its adds have been spread out over and said, ‘Listen, we have to put this in power. Our
months. listeners just want to hear it more.’ They are
at almost 1,300 spins into this record at this
Fleet says the song’s long rise has been both point.”
gratifying and nerve-wracking.
“I don’t think we would have survived
“There was a lot of steam after without those stations that were the early
we put it out,” he says. “We believers. They were building our story and
were getting research back the story that we needed to gain the belief of
and for a lot of places it was some others.”
the top song that they had on
their station, and they played it Blythe says she has never
a lot. Every time they would test worked a record with such
it, it was their top-performing a slow build. “Honestly, in
song.” my career I have never worked a song
that is this instantly reactive,” she adds.
Fleet didn’t need research to tell him “Once a station gets to a place where
how “Where I Find God” connects with fans. They let they can expose it in the daytime, they see the impact
him know personally. He wrote the song about three and increase the airplay.
years ago with Connie Harrington, and he received
standing ovations every time he performed it in “I hope that country listeners are hearing ‘Where I Find
writers’ rounds. He gets the same response in his live God’ and really diving more into who Larry is as an
shows today. artist and it definitely feels that way. We’ve had a radio
single that hasn’t even really officially charted and he
A video for “Where I Find God” received a million views is selling tickets and selling these rooms. It is definitely
on YouTube before the song’s official release and its doing what it needs to do for Larry for sure.”
popularity is spreading across the world: At one point,
it was a top Shazam song in Madagascar. “Where I Find God” is the debut single of Fleet’s
sophomore release, which will hit streets in a few
“I never would have thought my first single to radio months. “The next record is real strong,” he says. “I
would be a double first-verse ballad called ‘Where I wrote all of the songs on it again. It’s a personal thing
Find God,’ but there it is,” he says. “I read comments for me, more of a songwriter record.”
and talk to people at these shows and this song has
changed a lot of lives.” Fleet says he is happy with the way the song has
performed at radio. “Yes, it has taken forever, but
The song’s message has inspired listeners during a people are getting it,” he says. “A number one hit is
time of COVID-19 and national political unrest. “People awesome, but if you can change a million lives and
are looking for something uplifting and they latched you’ve got a Top 40 hit, I am OK with that, too.”
onto the song and that helped it out,” Fleet says. “It is
a song that has God in the title, which is usually - Beverly Keel
5 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
POWER
TITLE
#
AIRPLAY RETENTION CALL OUT AUDIO POWER SALES COMPOSITE
ARTIST - LABEL
1 Forever After All
LUKE COMBS - River House/Columbia Nash
3 9 1 1 2 1
2 Famous Friends
CHRIS YOUNG & KANE BROWN - RCA Nashville
1 4 3 3 5 2
3 Single Saturday Night
COLE SWINDELL - Warner/WMN
4 2 5 16 10 3
4 Blame It On You
JASON ALDEAN - Macon Music/Broken Bow
5 6 7 6 17 4
5 Settling Down
MIRANDA LAMBERT - RCA Nashville
7 1 15 7 14 5
6 Gone
DIERKS BENTLEY - Capitol Nashville
2 3 8 4 21 6
7 Things A Man Oughta Know
LAINEY WILSON - Broken Bow
12 10 13 10 11 7
8 Glad You Exist
DAN + SHAY - Warner/WAR
10 15 4 5 16 8
9 My Boy
ELVIE SHANE - Wheelhouse
17 12 10 19 7 9
10 Minimum Wage
BLAKE SHELTON - Warner/WMN
9 5 11 14 13 10
NATIONAL CALLOUT
TITLE
#
N`EAST MID WEST WEST SOUTH
ARTIST
1 Forever After All
Combs, Luke
1 1 1 1
2 Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen.
Rice, Chase Feat. Florida Georgia Line
4 5 2 4
3 Famous Friends
Young, Chris & Kane Brown
12 3 3 6
4 Glad You Exist
Dan + Shay
3 7 10 3
5 Single Saturday Night
Swindell, Cole
11 4 8 2
6 You Time
McCreery, Scotty
2 12 11 5
7 Blame It On You
Aldean, Jason
9 2 13 30
8 Gone
Bentley, Dierks
8 6 17 10
9 Waves
Bryan, Luke
7 8 4 20
10 My Boy
Shane, Elvie
6 10 5 28
ACTION - UNDEREXPOSED
TITLE
#
AIRPLAY COMPOSITE
ARTIST - LABEL
1 NELLY & FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
35 - Lil Bit
48 13
2 BRANTLEY GILBERT
27 - The Worst Country Song Of...
46 19
3 ELLE KING & MIRANDA LAMBERT
26 - Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go..)
41 15
4 KELSEA BALLERINI
16 - Half Of My Hometown f/KChesney
37 21
5 RYAN HURD W/MAREN MORRIS
14 - Chasing After You
25 11
6 LILY ROSE
14 - Villain
50 36
7 ELVIE SHANE
8 - My Boy
17 9
8 DUSTIN LYNCH
7 - Thinking 'Bout You f/M. Porter
39 32
9 KANE BROWN
6 - Worship You
33 27
10 LAINEY WILSON
5 - Things A Man Oughta Know
12 7
John Marks’ New Venture. (Continued from page 4)
While he says it’s difficult to determine when radio “Finding those things that are oddly unique,
should keep an eye out for songs that are seeing accessible, but out there enough where it’s
success on streaming platforms, he offers some interesting, to where maybe this could do
guidance on when to pay attention. something,” he says. “Maybe it won’t work, but what
the heck? Let’s give it a try.”
“If you see a streaming artist who is outpacing other
artists on the chart, perhaps that merits a second Marks says acts like
look,” he says. Walker Hayes and Willie
Jones appealed to him
He cites Parmalee and Blanco Brown’s cross-genre early on, as both pushed
hit “Just the Way” as one example of streaming genre lines and were
success that translated to radio. stylistically unique and
“I think those are the kind of opportunities that unlike anything else heard
country radio can use to expand their audience, to over airwaves.
expand their brand,” he says. “I had fun, and hope to
On the other hand, he considers the format’s continue to have fun,
dismissal of Diplo and Morgan Wallen’s “Heartless” unearthing that music.” he says.
a big miss. “When you’re looking at the button- “Spotify and SiriusXM gave me opportunities to act
punching that goes on in the radio landscape any entrepreneurially against a backdrop of corporate
opportunity to take from another format for three security. Now I’m taking what I love to do and
minutes could be a growth opportunity.” translating it into a business enterprise. That’s my
When it comes to crossing the boundaries between hope and dream. We’ll see how it materializes.”
streaming and radio, Marks says to look for the unusual.
7 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
Is Content Really King? And If It’s Not, What Is?
Is Content really King? It may not be. For years, we’ve want to listen to you, much the way your vote may
all repeated that cliché. But I’m not convinced it’s be influenced when you meet a candidate in person
true. In a recent conversation, the always brilliant and they show an interest in you.
AC consultant Gary Berkowitz opined that on-the-
air companionship is most important. More than A liberal use of the word “you” connects: “If you’re
content. Not that content is unimportant, but heading to the Luke Bryan show, I hope you have a
first, you must connect on a personal level. As all great time with your friends — and I would love for
arrows lately seem to be pointing to air talent as the you to tell me about the show …”
salvation of AM/FM radio, I’ll explore how to be a Put listeners on the air. Having a conversation
companion first. enables the audience to vicariously feel like they’re
Connect one on one. Remember that radio is a talking to you, or that they could talk to you if they
personal medium, and imagine that you’re always wanted to. Allow your warmth, charm and humor
speaking with one person. Imagine that specific to shine. Show a strong interest in the listener.
person in your head. It could be a spouse’s friend, a Ideally, air two listeners per hour — even if they
co-worker, anyone you know who fits the profile of play over song intros. It gives the feeling of regular
your target listener. interactivity and active companionship.
Be good company. People leave the radio on Ask your listeners to call or connect
often just so that they can hear a human voice on through social media, then take the all-
the other end. Stay upbeat, friendly and positive. important step of connecting back with
Who wants them. You’re not a companion if you
to hang ignore their communication.
out with
negative Good companions are interesting: So bring it. Say
people? something that your listener will find memorable.
Invite a Make them smile or laugh, or tell their friends. This
response. requires learning and understanding what interests
Companions them.
interact with Finally, don’t say that you’re good company for
one another. the listeners, be good company, by being upbeat,
It’s not a interested in them, talking about what interests
one-way street. Ask your listeners to call or connect them, sharing a bit of yourself, and responding to
through social media, then take the all-important their outreach. Make them smile or laugh. Even
step of connecting back with them. Answer their better, let them make you laugh. You’ll be bonded
Facebook and Instagram comments. You’re not a forever.
companion if you ignore their communication.
In this impersonal world of 2021, Companionship
What’s going on in their world? Share what’s going indeed is King. - Joel Raab
on in your world (but don’t overshare). Find out
what’s going on in theirs — one listener at a time.
This approach doesn’t come naturally for everyone,
Contact:
but if you force yourself to do it, it will become more
joel@joelraab.com
natural to do so.
215-750-6868
Extend yourself in public. The lost art of personal
appearances and contact go a long way toward joelraab.com
making those connections with the listeners. Don’t
stay in the remote booth. Go out and introduce
yourself to people you don’t know, even if it’s
uncomfortable for you. After they meet you they’ll
8 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
Clockwise from top:
Big Machine Music signs producer/songwriter
Matt Dragstrem to an exclusive publishing deal.
(L-R): BMM GM Mike Molinar, Dragstrem and
BMM VP Alex Heddle.
Easton Corbin sang the national anthem before
a Los Angeles Dodgers game last week.
Jamie Floyd (l) and Ty Herndon at last week’s
Concert for Love and Acceptance.
Robyn Ottolini (c) visits iHeartMedia
Washington, DC-Baltimore’s Jeff Kapugi and wife,
Laurie, at “Bar Kapugi.”
Chris Young (l), Alan Jackson and Caylee
Hammack performed at a benefit concert
Jackson hosted for his hometown of Newnan, GA.
Tenille Arts (l) and CMT host Ashley ShahAhmadi
got a ride about an CV-22B Osprey at Florida’s
Hurlburt Field for “CMT Hot 20 Countdown.”
Brett Young poses with a plaque
commemorating a billion streams on Pandora.
9 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.com
RADIO Allen was both a PD and air talent
in Ocala, FL; Montgomery, AL; and
Chuck “DZL”
Thompson
Audacy flipped alternative Chicago. exits
“Alt Buffalo” WLKK to country iHeartMedia
“107.7FM and 104.7FM The Wolf” Chincoteague classic country Charlotte.
last week, starting a commercial- WOWZ Accomac, VA (101.1 and Thompson
free, 5,000-song run. The newly 99.3) adds EJ Foxx for weekdays previously
formatted 12-2pm. She handled
station will started last programming duties for “96.9 Kat
compete week and Country” WKKT, exiting that role
with Town splits middays in January. He continued as PD
square with host Skip of modern rock “106.5 The End”
“Country Dixon. Foxx WEND and classic rock “99.7 The
106.5” previously Fox” WRFX in Charlotte, as well
WYRK, a regular market leader worked as as classic rock WRDU Raleigh, NC
currently ranked third with an midday host (100.7).
8.2 12+ AQH share. WLKK’s at Adams Radio Group WKHI
107.7 frequency is licensed to Salisbury-Ocean City, MD, (98.5). iHeartMedia “The Big 98” WSIX-FM
Wethersfield, NY, about 44 miles Nashville midday host Brooke
Audacy “100.9 The Bull” KILT Taylor and husband Andrew Lowe
southeast of Buffalo, hence Houston morning co-host “Cowboy
the Buffalo-licensed translator welcomed their first daughter,
Dave” Bayless has exited after Emma Grace,
W284AP at 104.7. WLKK ranked more than a decade with the
17th in the market in Nielsen on June 23.
station. “It’s been an honor to serve Emma spent
Audio’s May ’21 results. On-air my hometown
programming details will be time in the
with some neonatal
announced soon. of the most intensive care
talented and unit before she
hardworking and Taylor were
folks in our discharged on June 27. “Emma
industry,” he Grace.. our little warrior is here,
tells Country and we are so happy,” Taylor wrote.
Heart of Wisconsin Media flipped Insider. “I
AC “Y-105.5” WLJY Nekoosa, WI, to truly feel lucky to have had the Seven Mountains Media
classic country “Country Legends opportunity to build a 12-year Expands Bigfoot Imprint In PA
24/7” and changed its call letters to relationship of trust and big ol’ And NY Markets. In addition to
WIRI. James Malouf is handling pro Texas belly laughs with all of my debuting classic country “Bigfoot
gramming. The company, owned neighbors who call Houston home.” Legends 107.7” on WLGD Wilkes
by Marcus Jaeger, purchased the Barre-Scranton, PA, Friday, Seven
Nikki Brown is leaving her PD Mountains Media made another
station and talk/sports WLJY (1320) position at New South WUSJ
from Seehafer Broadcasting in move to expand the “Bigfoot
Jackson to join the Alzheimer’s Country” reach in northeastern
April. Heart of Wisconsin Media Association as
already owns classic hits “Wisconsin PA and western New York. The
the Mississippi company places the “Bigfoot
106.1” WCWI in Adams, WI. Walk Manager. Country” brand on WKPQ
Nic Allen rises Brown, who Elmira, NY (105.3), which was
to middays also hosted “Kickin’ Country” under Sound
at Hall Com middays at Communications ownership.
munications Top 40 sister WKPQ now simulcasts the same
“97 Country” “Y101” WYOY, signal as “Bigfoot Country 96.1
WPCV Lakeland- will continue to WCBF Elmira and the Corning,
Winter Haven, voice track radio shows for First NY-licensed translator W236AK
FL. He had been Natchez Radio Group “95 Country” at 95.1. Seven Mountains Media
doing fill-in WQNZ Natchez, MS, and classic acquired WKPQ and WLGD, then
across Hall’s Florida stations. Allen hits “Fun 101” WWUU Washington, Christian-formatted WCIG, last
succeeds Jeni Taylor, who exited in MS, from her home studio. month in a three-way deal with
mid-May. Before joining Hall, Family Life Ministries and Sound
Communications.
10 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.comWe connect music industry professionals
with healthcare resources.
For mental health services, medicine, doctors, clinics, hospitals, and
financial assistance—we are your free, non-profit resource for all things healthcare.
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER
MusicHealthAlliance.com 615.200.6896
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT Music Health Alliance is a 501(c)3 public charityARTISTS Presley & Taylor, Mark McKay and
Liam Coleman also will perform.
Zedeck. “The
UTA team blew
Vince Gill has donated a fiddle me away with
used for many years by fellow Lefty Frizzell, Nanci Griffith, their passion,
Grand Ole Opry member Roy Mark James and Lightnin’ excitement,
Acuff to the Country Music Hall Hopkins will be inducted into and plan
of Fame and the 2022 Texas Songwriters Hall for me and
Museum. The of Fame. The new class will be my music,”
fiddle, now honored Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 Springsteen
part of the at the Paramount Theatre during said in a release. “They
museum’s the Texas Songwriters Hall of understood me and my vision
permanent Fame Weekend from day one, and UTA definitely
collection, in Austin, TX. A felt like home.”
was made in ticket on-sale
the late 19th date to the
century and given to Acuff by 2022 Hall of
American soldiers who found Fame Awards
it in a bombed-out music store Show will be
in Frankfurt, Germany, during announced in
World War II. Gill purchased the December. The Texas Heritage
instrument earlier this year from Songwriters’ Association, which
a descendant of Acuff’s longtime hosts the Hall of Fame Weekend,
band member “Bashful Brother was established in 2006 to honor King Calaway has joined the Red
Oswald” Kirby. and celebrate Texas songwriters Light Management roster. Gaines
who have helped to define and Sturdivant will manage the group.
Kelsea Ballerini’s “Hole in interpret Texas’ culture. “We couldn’t be happier to have
the Bottle” has been certified Red Light behind us in support of
The late Chris LeDoux’s son Ned a new direction and an exciting
platinum by the Recording LeDoux will open for Garth
Industry new chapter,” the band said in a
Brooks at Cheyenne Frontier release. The five-piece band will
Association Days on Friday, July 23. That
of America. release new music this summer
same day, he will help dedicate a via Stoney Creek Records. It’s the
It’s the fifth bronze statue of his father near
platinum single first music since member Jordan
the entrance to Cheyenne, WY’s Harvey departed last year.
of Ballerini’s Frontier Park.
career. “Hole “To start the Morgan Wade has signed an
in the Bottle” day honoring exclusive, worldwide publishing
reached No. 1 on the Mediabase my dad with agreement with Universal
country chart in February. this amazing Music Publishing Nashville.
Craig Campbell will headline bronze statue She released her debut album,
the inaugural Disaster Relief and end it by “Reckless,” in March. “Morgan has
Concert on Sunday, Aug. 29, in sharing the a rare mix of
Murfreesboro, TN. The concert stage with authenticity
will benefit tornado and flood Garth will be a great day,” LeDoux and grit,
victims said in a release. “And definitely accompanied
in Middle one to remember.” LeDoux plans with a fresh
Tennessee to start putting out new music sound and pop
through later this year with an eye toward a sensibility that
Inspiritus, a full album release in early 2022. blew my mind
nonprofit that the first time I
Alana Springsteen has heard her music,” UMPG Nashville
provides long- signed with global talent and
term recovery Director A&R Zach Lund said in a
entertainment company UTA for release. “She truly has no ceiling
assistance for worldwide representation. The
families and individuals following and the UMPG team is beyond
singer, who signed with Nashville grateful for the opportunity to
a natural disaster. The concert will management firm Morris Higham
be held at Hop Springs Beer Park work with her and join the ride.”
in March, will work with UTA
from 2:30-7:30pm CT. CJ Solar, agents Jeffrey Hasson and David
12 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.comINDUSTRY company continues to grow, I’m
excited to be growing along with
Grant Gilbert
to a worldwide
Jane Staszak joins Big Machine it!” she tells Country Insider. publishing deal.
Records’ radio promotion team “It took one
as Director, Midwest Promotion Warner Chappell Music has meeting with
and Marketing. She succeeds JC named Jenni Pfaff Senior our team for
Coffey, who VP, Head of Global Strategic us to realize
exits the label Integration & Operations and Grant was the
after two years. has hired Jesse Dang as Senior right fit for River House,” VP/GM
Staszak is based VP of People. “Jenni has been Zebb Luster said in a release.
in Pittsburgh an incredible “His excitement for songs is
and will promote strategic partner contagious, and his willingness
the imprint’s over these to absorb knowledge on how to
roster, which past few years improve in this industry will help
includes Tim McGraw, Carly as we looked him be successful.”
Pearce, Midland and Callista Clark. to re-energize
Staszak comes from Black River our company’s Alexander Palmer, a co-writer on
Entertainment where she was culture and Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” and
Director of Promotion Northeast launch our new business Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on
from 2012 until earlier this year. strategy,” WCM’s Co-Chairs, a Beach,” has inked a publishing
Guy Moot, CEO, and Carianne deal with Warner
Monument Records VP of Marshall, COO, said in a release. Chappell Music
Promotion Drew Bland departed “We’re equally Nashville.
the label last week for a to-be- as excited to “Alexander
announced new opportunity. welcome Jesse brings a unique
Bland joined Monument in 2020 to our Warner perspective
after three years Chappell having lived and
as PD/night family and look worked outside
host at Audacy forward to of Nashville,” WCM Nashville
(formerly partnering with President & CEO Ben Vaughn said
Entercom) him on our People strategy and in a release. “We’re all excited
“100.7 The Wolf” the employee experience for our to welcome him to the Chappell
KKWF Seattle. global teams.” family and watch him continue to
Previously, he put his own stamp on the music
programmed Cox Media Group scene.” Palmer was born in Berlin,
country “K92.3” WWKA Orlando Germany, and splits his time
and Audacy KMLE Phoenix (107.9). between Nashville and Los Angeles.
An announcement naming Bland’s Curb Records and the Mike Curb
successor is expected this week. Hunter Hayes has signed a Foundation filed a federal lawsuit
Outback Presents promotes distribution deal with Downtown against Tennessee Governor Bill
Heather Cramsie to the newly Music Services. The company Lee and three other government
created position of Director of also has renewed its publishing officials, claiming that a law set
Marketing. She will oversee the agreement with Jason Isbell. to take effect in Tennessee on
marketing department with Lori Their signings are part of a wider July 1 forces
Shapiro, who was promoted announcement of publishing businesses
to Director administration and distribution to violate
of Digital deals, the first since parent federal non-
Marketing. company Downtown Music discrimination
For the past Holdings created a new business laws. Curb
three years unit by aligning the services of Records v.
Cramsie was Downtown Music Publishing and William Lee, filed Wednesday,
the company’s DashGo. challenges HB1182, which requires
Marketing Manager. “Outback businesses to post public notices
River House Artists, in if they allow transgender people
Presents is the largest partnership with Sony Music
independent concert and comedy to use the bathroom of their
Publishing Nashville, has signed choosing.
promoter in the U.S. and, as the
13 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.comJULY 6, 2021
LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud 6a-7p %
3 1 CHRIS YOUNG & KANE BROWN / Famous Friends (RCA 32659 1741 8999 611 41.926 1.445 4663 52
Nashville)
2 2 LUKE COMBS / Forever After All (River House/Columbia Nash) 29774 -2089 7943 -504 41.326 -1.477 4428 56
4 3 COLE SWINDELL / Single Saturday Night (Warner/WMN) 29109 1726 8063 558 38.112 2.309 4249 53
5 4 JASON ALDEAN / Blame It On You (Macon Music/Broken 28026 1134 7551 441 36.557 1.397 3798 50
Bow)
6 5 JORDAN DAVIS / Almost Maybes (MCA Nashville) 27251 2868 7653 928 30.848 3.546 3815 50
1 6 DIERKS BENTLEY / Gone (Capitol Nashville) 26088 -6849 6971 -2081 36.55 -5.779 3715 53
7 7 MIRANDA LAMBERT / Settling Down (RCA Nashville) 22437 -370 6138 -90 29.011 -0.692 2935 48
8 8 CHASE RICE F/F.G.L. / Drinkin' Beer Talkin' God Amen 21849 2108 5979 584 27.263 2.212 3095 52
(Dack Janiels/BBR-BMLG)
9 9 DAN + SHAY / Glad You Exist (Warner/WAR) 19803 400 5377 146 24.228 0.831 2758 51
10 10 BLAKE SHELTON / Minimum Wage (Warner/WMN) 18757 530 5129 138 22.871 0.671 2485 48
11 11 JUSTIN MOORE / We Didn't Have Much (Valory) 18049 1004 5006 257 22.915 0.932 2552 51
12 12 KEITH URBAN WITH P!NK / One Too Many (RCA/Capitol 16469 53 4585 30 19.533 0.517 2246 49
Nashville)
13 13 LAINEY WILSON / Things A Man Oughta Know (Broken Bow) 16430 326 4576 128 19.553 0.382 2155 47
14 14 THOMAS RHETT / Country Again (Valory) 16342 360 4561 192 20.669 0.284 2262 50
15 15 LUKE BRYAN / Waves (Capitol Nashville) 15509 607 4274 194 19.596 0.824 2064 48
18 16 SCOTTY MCCREERY / You Time (Triple Tigers) 13775 1281 3767 400 15.612 1.646 1600 42
17 17 CARLY PEARCE / Next Girl (Big Machine) 13560 300 3831 95 15.634 0.907 1504 39
19 18 ELVIE SHANE / My Boy (Wheelhouse) 12804 875 3724 276 13.386 0.824 1548 42
20 19 JAMESON RODGERS / Cold Beer Calling...f/L. Combs 12423 1227 3403 433 14.167 1.42 1511 44
(River House/Columbia Nash)
21 20 OLD DOMINION / I Was On A Boat That Day (Arista 11675 1370 3206 413 13.725 1.389 1420 44
Nashville)
22 21 LEE BRICE / Memory I Don't Mess With (Curb) 10949 1186 2955 373 12.814 1.555 1164 39
23 22 LADY A / Like A Lady (BMLG) 9302 143 2484 67 9.854 0.525 827 33
26 23 JIMMIE ALLEN & BRAD PAISLEY / Freedom Was A 8956 976 2382 219 9.072 0.629 732 31
Highway (Stoney Creek)
25 24 KENNY CHESNEY / Knowing You (Blue Chair/Warner/WEA) 8862 818 2532 245 8.847 0.689 820 32
27 25 RYAN HURD W/MAREN MORRIS / Chasing After You 8512 662 2347 170 7.846 1.016 723 31
(Arista Nashville)
CountryInsider.com/Newsletters AUGUST 7, 2020 | 1
14 | JULY 6, 2021 CountryInsider.comJULY 6, 2021
LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud 6a-7p %
30 26 MICHAEL RAY / Whiskey And Rain (Warner/WEA) 6782 628 1824 179 7.116 1.111 528 29
29 27 PRISCILLA BLOCK / Just About Over You (Mercury 6661 43 1785 53 6.58 -0.117 545 31
Nashville/InDent)
31 28 JON PARDI / Tequila Little Time (Capitol Nashville) 6133 192 1617 67 6.416 -0.035 440 27
32 29 RUSSELL DICKERSON / Home Sweet (Triple Tigers) 5949 387 1562 105 5.809 -0.051 369 24
33 30 CALLISTA CLARK / It's 'Cause I Am (Big Machine) 5580 693 1550 208 4.758 0.916 481 31
35 31 DUSTIN LYNCH / Thinking 'Bout You f/M. Porter (Broken Bow) 5240 1009 1331 266 5.841 1.077 353 27
36 32 CHRIS STAPLETON / You Should Probably Leave 4810 754 1286 185 5.846 1.196 464 36
(Mercury Nashville)
39 33 ZAC BROWN BAND / Same Boat (Home Grown/Warner/WAR) 4728 782 1238 222 4.681 0.647 428 35
38 34 KELSEA BALLERINI / Half Of My Hometown f/KChesney 4649 670 1353 146 4.49 0.755 405 30
(Black River Entertainment)
34 35 PARKER MCCOLLUM / To Be Loved By You (MCA Nashville) 4613 268 1238 125 3.606 0.064 281 23
37 36 INGRID ANDRESS / Lady Like (Warner/WEA) 4356 360 1142 39 3.714 0.277 291 25
40 37 HARDY / Give Heaven Some Hell (Big Loud) 3995 137 1127 45 3.899 0.38 245 22
42 38 MATT STELL / That Ain't Me No More (Arista Nashville/ 3348 -22 969 12 2.347 -0.142 201 21
RECORDS)
43 39 LAUREN ALAINA / Getting Over Him w/Jon Pardi 3067 273 889 80 1.854 0.099 150 17
(Mercury Nashville)
45 40 BRETT YOUNG / Not Yet (BMLG) 3062 310 845 80 3.47 0.736 179 21
47 41 ELLE KING & MIRANDA LAMBERT / Drunk (And I Don't 2809 614 692 150 2.888 0.702 262 38
Wanna Go..) (RCA/Columbia Nashville)
44 42 CAITLYN SMITH / I Can't f/Old Dominion (Monument) 2809 54 820 1 1.577 0.036 162 20
46 43 RILEY GREEN / If It Wasn't For Trucks (BMLG) 2608 132 793 27 1.734 0.194 205 26
52 44 BRANTLEY GILBERT / The Worst Country Song Of... 2484 707 620 171 2.193 0.353 233 38
(Valory)
48 45 BROTHERS OSBORNE / I'm Not For Everyone (EMI Nashville) 2378 195 673 53 1.422 -0.082 137 20
24 46 GARTH BROOKS & TRISHA YEARWOOD / Shallow (Pearl) 2349 -6629 654 -1845 2.321 -6.187 282 43
51 47 DARIUS RUCKER / My Masterpiece (Capitol Nashville) 2087 303 613 100 2.775 0.244 100 16
49 48 CHRIS BANDI / Would Have Loved Her (RECORDS Nashville) 2081 109 655 25 1.076 0.06 105 16
50 49 CLAY WALKER / Need A Bar Sometimes (Show Dog Nashville) 1931 -32 629 -10 1.003 0.056 103 16
54 50 LARRY FLEET / Where I Find God (Big Loud) 1848 210 565 50 1.443 0.227 151 27
CountryInsider.com/Newsletters AUGUST 7, 2020 | 1
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