STEVEN LEE OLSEN GRAMMY NOMINEE Congratulations to Steven for his Grammy nomination as one of the writer on “Blue Ain’t Your Color” taken to the top of the charts by Keith Urban. Not long after having made the trek to Music City, Steven Lee Olsen signed a publishing deal with Roots Three Music/ole. It wasn’t long before his writing schedule included hit makers such as Hillary Lindsey, Angelo, Luke Laird, Richie Supa, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges, Chris Lindsey, Matthew Girrard, Carl Falk and Brian White. His impression on Music Row as a world-class writer was solidified when Craig Morgan recorded “Ordinary Angels” then others soon followed, The Judds “I Will Stand By You” and Emerson Drive recording “Let Your Love Speak”. Internationally, Steven Lee has made a name for himself as well, by writing extensively in Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany and Los Angeles garnering cuts by British sensation Westlife, Swedish Idol Kevin Borg and world
renowned DJ Armin van Buuren and many more. As an artist, Steven Lee has stirred up the Canadian Country Music scene with two top twenty hits on Canadian radio, along with a nomination for a Canadian Radio Music Award for his first single, “Now” and his second single, “Make Hay While The Sun Shines” charting on Billboard as the #22 most played song on Canadian Country radio for the entire year. Signed to Sony Music Nashville, Steven Lee Olsen made his intro into the USA country music scene with the release of his co-penned autobiographical anthem, “Raised by a Good Time.” which peaked at number 3 on the Canadian charts. We thought we would do something different and show you Steven’s acoustic version of “Blue Ain’t Your Color” Just click on the picture below and it will play.
COUNTRY GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEES On Tuesday morning nominees for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards were announced. In the allgenre categories, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris were nominated for Best New Artist and Sturgill Simpson’s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth for Album of the Year. The Grammys will air live Feb. 12 on CBSTV. Country category nominees are: Best Country Solo Performance: “Love Can Go To Hell” Brandy Clark “Vice” - Miranda Lambert “My Church” - Maren Morris “Church Bells” - Carrie Underwood “Blue Ain’t Your Color” - Keith Urban Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “Different For Girls” - Dierks Bentley f/Elle King “21 Summer” - Brothers Osborne “Jolene” - Pentatonix f/Dolly Parton “Think Of You” - Chris Young w/Cassadee Pope
Best Country Song: “Blue Ain’t Your Color” - Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey & Steven Lee Olsen, songwriters (Keith Urban) “Die A Happy Man” - Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett & Joe Spargur, songwriters (Thomas Rhett) “Humble And Kind” - Lori McKenna, songwriter (Tim McGraw) “My Church” - busbee & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris) “Vice” - Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) Best Country Album: Big Day In A Small Town - Brandy Clark Full Circle - Loretta Lynn Hero - Maren Morris A Sailor’s Guide To Earth - Sturgill Simpson Ripcord - Keith Urban
Top DMDS Downloads for December 5th to December 9th December 5th
DECEMBER 9TH
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Tucker Beathard “Momma And Jesus” (Big Machine) Josh Turner “Hometown Girl” (MCA Nashville/Universal) Ryan Follese “Put A Label On It” (Big Machine) RaeLynn “Love Triangle” (Warner) Jessica Mitchell “Blue Christmas” (Open Road)
Luke Bryan “Fast” (Universal) Jessica Mitchell “Blue Christmas” (Open Road) Garth Brooks “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Sony) Josh Turner “Hometown Girl” (MCA Nashville/Universal) Ryan Follese “Put A Label On It” (Big Machine)
DECEMBER 6TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Jason Aldean “Any Ol’ Barstool” (Sony) Garth Brooks “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Sony) RaeLynn “Love Triangle” (Warner) Josh Turner “Hometown Girl” (MCA Nashville/Universal) Tucker Beathard “Momma And Jesus” (Big Machine)
Most Increased Plays This Week DEAN BRODY “TIME” TIM HICKS “SLOW BURN” MEGHAN PATRICK “STILL LOVING YOU”
DECEMBER 7TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Jason Aldean “Any Ol’ Barstool” (Sony) Garth Brooks “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Sony) Jessica Mitchell “Blue Christmas” (Open Road) Ryan Keown “Best Thing” (Indie/R. Chubey Promo) RaeLynn “Love Triangle” (Warner)
DECEMBER 8TH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Luke Bryan “Fast” (Universal) Leah Daniels “We Got Snow” (Spin/Pitbull Promo) Ryan Keown “Best Thing” (Indie/R. Chubey Promo) Garth Brooks “Ugly Christmas Sweater” (Sony) Jessica Mitchell “Blue Christmas” (Open Road)
LINDSAY ELL “ALL ALRIGHT” BRETT ELDREDGE “WANNA BE THAT SONG” Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color” second week at number 1 (Grammy Nominated) Top Canadian on the Charts is Aaron Goodvin “Woman In Love” at number 10 Dean Brody “Time” Most Added most increased plays moves to #31 this week.
106,000 No Shoes Nation Fans Can’t Be Wrong! Leave it to the No Shoes Nation! When word hit that the man Los Angeles Times deemed “The People’s Superstar” would play Gillette Stadium August 25, the pre-onsale buzz was so strong that Kenny Chesney agreed to a second date. Given the passion New England has demonstrated since his first stadium show there in 2005, the songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee couldn’t imagine a summer without Boston. But he couldn’t have imagined the fervor. When the dust cleared - in spite of the last-minute addition of a second show - more than 106,000 tickets had been sold in a matter of hours. With only a few hundred open seats, it appears Boston doesn’t need a tour to turn out for what’s become a rite of summer: the New England gathering of the No Shoes Nation. “I didn’t know if it was the right thing,” Chesney concedes. “It feels a little like cheating, because I said I was taking the year off. But once we sent the trucks and the gear home and I stopped for a little bit, I was still hearing the cheers from those two crazy nights in my ears. How often can you tap into energy that carries you for weeks; that inspires you and stays with you? So I called my manager and my
promoter, said, ‘I know it’s unconventional, but I’d really like to play Boston - even if it’s just once.’ Now they tell me we sold over 106,000 tickets in a couple hours,” he marvels. “Maybe the No Shoes Nation wants to see me as badly as I want to see them. Because knowing those shows are coming... that’s going to make winter pass a whole lot faster.” These shows come on the heels of the 8-time Entertainer of the Year’s 14th and 15th sell-outs at the home of the New England Patriots. Breaking all concert ticket sales records at Gillette Stadium, Chesney has headlined the stadium more times than any other performer, due in part to the intense passion of his fans in the Northeast. “The Spread the Love Tour had hands-down the craziest, loudest shows of my whole career,” Chesney marvels. “At a time when people might be settling down a bit, the No Shoes Nation is singing better, cheering louder and - honestly - loving each other in a way that makes me proud. These songs I sing are theirs as much or more than they are mine, and it’s an honor to be able to go out and play ‘em for them even on my summer off!”
Country Singer Granger Smith Partially Collapses Lung in New Jersey Stage Fall Country music artist Granger Smith is back in Texas after he was hospitalized for injuries sustained when he fell off a stage in New Jersey. Smith posted Tuesday on Twitter that he’s starting to regain movement. Smith was treated for two broken ribs and a punctured and partially collapsed lung at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He was singing while standing on an audio monitor when it gave way and he fell into a metal barricade at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville on Friday night. He got back up and continued performing. His remaining 2016 shows have been canceled.
CMA ELECTS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Country Music Association announced today the new Board of Directors. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2017.
Advertising/Public Relations/Media Lon Helton, Country Aircheck Brian Philips, CMT
John Esposito completes his term as Chairman of the CMA Board and current CMA Board President Sally Williams, Vice President and General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, assumes that post. CMA President-Elect Bill Simmons, Partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company, will become President. Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer-Publisher Relations at BMI, has been named President-Elect. Kurt Johnson, Senior Vice President of Programming for Townsquare Media, has been named Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.
Affiliated Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment Bill Mayne, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Artist Kix Brooks Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town Composer Bob DiPiero, Love Monkey Music Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs, LLC
Entertainment Services Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC International Maria Molin Ljunggren, Capitol Music Group Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden Milly Olykan, AEG Europe/The O2 London, London, United Kingdom Marketing/Digital John Marks, Spotify Sally Seitz, iTunes
Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium Lifetime Directors J. William Denny, Denny Properties Ralph Peer II, peermusic Ex-Officio Members Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC, Washington, D.C. Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Music Publisher/Performing Rights Organization Michael Martin, ASCAP Jody Williams, BMI Musician Jimmie Lee Sloas Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc. Personal Manager Ann Edelblute, The HQ Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management Producer/Engineer/Studio Luke Laird, Creative Nation Music Radio Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications, New York, N.Y. Record Company John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville Talent Agent Rob Beckham, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC Talent Buyer/Promoter Allen Anders, AEG Live, West Palm Beach, Fla. Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group Touring Personnel Terry Calonge, Richards & Southern Everett Lybolt, Sound Image Venue
“It has been my great honor to serve as Chairman of the CMA Board,” said Esposito. “It has been an especially great thrill to have served on this historic 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards. Working with this Board and the great people who serve on it has been a major highlight of my career. I look forward to continuing to remain very active with CMA in other capacities. The Board is in great hands with Sally Williams as the incoming Chairman. She will further the mission of this organization.” “2016 was a monumental year for CMA. We celebrated a half century of Country Music with a brilliant 50th Anniversary Awards broadcast and the groundbreaking ‘Forever Country’ song and video. Hats off to John Esposito, Sarah Trahern, and the entire CMA staff for exceeding all expectations,” said Williams. “The stage certainly is set for Country Music to enjoy growth not only domestically but also internationally. I’m excited about collaborating with Bill Simmons, Jody Williams, and the rest of the Board as we continue to work toward that vital goal.”
pair of race car-driving brothers – can now be viewed FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE NOTCH ANOTHER MULTI-WEEK #1 WITH “MAY WE here. ALL” Superstar duo FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE continue to dominate the Country genre, notching yet another multi-week #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and also topping the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Airplay chart this week with their latest GOLD-certified single “May We All” (featuring Tim McGraw). Providing even more evidence that Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley are one of the most successful duos in Country history, “May We All” is FGL’s 12th #1 overall and second from their BMLG Records latest album, DIG YOUR ROOTS, which also debuted in the top spot this August. “Can’t think of a better way to end the best year of our lives than a #1 with one of our musical heroes, Tim McGraw! We had a blast working together and getting to spend the day shooting the video with Tim was a dream all itself,” shared Kelley. “Thank you Country radio for all the love and support, this still is the greatest feeling! And to our fans, y’all are everything to us. Can’t wait to see you out on tour in 2017!” A hopeful, big-picture anthem that features heartfelt vocals from one of the duo’s heroes, Tim McGraw, “May We All” was written by Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore. The song follows the 2X PLATINUM success of “H.O.L.Y.,” which ruled the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for an astonishing 18 weeks. The accompanying cinematic music video was directed by TK McKamy and has already amassed over 17 million views on YouTube. The groundbreaking short film – which features McGraw and casts the duo as a
Along with “May We All,” DIG YOUR ROOTS showcases even more special collaborations with FGL’s early musical influences – like pop phenomenon Backstreet Boys on “God, Your Mama, and Me” and reggae luminary Ziggy Marley on “Life Is a Honeymoon.” The winter leg of their arena filling DIG YOUR ROOTS TOUR gets underway January 27 in Tallahassee, Florida, with special guests Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane. Since introducing their breakout vibes in 2012, FGL has earned prestigious honors from the AMA, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, Billboard Music Awards and CMT. Their previous releases – 2X PLATINUM debut HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES and PLATINUM ANYTHING GOES – have attributed to sales surpassing 26 million tracks and more than 3.5 million albums worldwide. With their massive debut, FGL’s “Cruise” is the only Country single to ever be certified DIAMOND for sales exceeding 10 million copies and overtook the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
INDIE RELEASES
Anthony Young Far Away
Jasen Ridge Deep Water
Barbara Lynn Doran “Half Hearted Love”
Renee Lamoureux
Chantal Preston
“Warrior”
“Just Wing It”
Eli Barsi “Screamin ‘ Jimmy”
Jessica Rhaye Arlene Quinn “Life Is Good”
Ally Kearley “Still The One”
“Good To Be Alive in the Country”
FOUR ARTISTS THAT BROKE THROUGH
IT’S BEEN A GREAT YEAR FOR NEW ARTISTS AND COUNTRY MUSIC It’s been a great year for country music and it has been an exceptional year for new artists and indie artists. In this article we will take a look back at the past year and four artists who broke through. It is encouraging that radio is looking
more at indie artists and new artists and making room on their playlists for new. We spotlight 4 acts that have broken through. There are many more that have cracked the charts as indie artists.
DAN DAVIDSON
Dan Davidson exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 with the release of his second single “Found” (Co-written by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers). Dan became arguably the indie story of 2016 as his single “Found” rocketed up the charts and he became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. “Found” was the #1 selling Canadian country song in Canada for several weeks in July and August 2016. It had also #16 on the charts and was the 8th highest charting Canadian song in the country. The hit single also went top 50 on the Shazam charts across all formats and hit #15 on the iTunes sales charts. The future is bright for Davidson. In only 2 years of being involved in the country music scene, his name can be seen on the charts next to some of the top artists in North America – and he has found a way to do it 100% independently. Dan is new to the country scene, but is far from “green” in the music industry. He spent 10 years playing in the well-known Canadian indie rock band Tupelo Honey (who had several top 40 hits, top selling iTunes records and toured with bands like Bon Jovi). On the advice of a couple of long time friends (who happen to be top selling Canadian country artists), Dan decided to start focusing on his new country project. Dan’s sound came together as he started writing and working on music with Toronto producer Jeff Dalziel (Washboard Union, Andrew Hyatt, Autumn Hill, Brett Kissel) and the two spent the better part of a year developing an EP that’s characteristic of Dan’s love of “good time” music. You can catch Dan sharing the stage in 2016/2017 with artists like John Pardi, Brett Kissel, The Washboard Union, Kira Isabella, Beverly Mahood, George Canyon and many more!
IT HAS BEEN A STRONG YEAR FOR NEW FEMALE ARTISTS After the tomato comments from 2015 radio and the industry has opened their doors to more female artists .Radio stations have more females on their playlists and labels are looking at more female artists which is a good thing. This is a trend we expect to carry on into 2017.
JESSICA MITCHELL
Based in Toronto, and Nashville TN, she has spent the last decade digging deeper into her artistry, focusing on writing new music and crafting her richly unique sound, which has lead her to become country music’s best kept secret. After years of experimenting and dabbling in the rock genre, her dream of becoming a rock ‘n’ roll queen quickly shifted towards the country maven she is today. Joining forces with Slaight Music, it wasn’t until this pivotal moment where Mitchell was inspired by the raw honesty and storytelling nature of the country music genre. “What I love so much about the genre is the clever way in which country singers emote,” explains Mitchell. Influenced by artists such as Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Radiohead, Mitchell’s music tells it like it is, while delivering emotional vulnerability that showcases a more mysterious truth. When listening to Mitchell’s music, she makes it very easy for you to latch onto her inviting melodies and the genuine, soulful nature of her words. The rich tone and hopefulness in her voice grabs you and pulls you in – and once the song is over, you can’t help but feel as though you have personally connected with her on a deeper level. “Workin On Whiskey” was a song that brought Jessica to the forefront and her career has taken off in country music.
Born and raised in Bowmanville, Ontario, Meghan Patrick has dedicated her entire life to music, wanting it to be more than just a passion. “I was drawn to playing guitar so I could start writing music to go along with the words I was writing. I wanted to be self-sufficient as a creative artist.” It wasn’t long until Meghan had mastered both electric and acoustic guitar as well as the banjo. Prior to setting out as a solo artist, Meghan was the lead singer of the popular roots act The Stone Sparrows. A newgrass / bluegrass band, The Stone Sparrows released an EP and a full-length album before the members parted ways amicably in 2013 after playing their second Boots and Hearts Festival. Her debut album, is called Grace and Grit To make this album, Meghan travelled to a number of studios in Canada and America, including the capital city of country music, Nashville. On the way, she worked with producers Justin Niebank (Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes), Vince Gill, Chris Baseford (Nickelback, Avril Lavigne) and Carly McKillip. To add even more star power to her debut Meghan brought in a few more big names, including multiple Grammy nominee Joe Nichols who duets with her on “Still Loving You,” and fellow Canadian Chad Kroeger, who co-wrote and produced her forthcoming debut single “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” along with several other cuts on
the album. The songs Meghan writes are about real-life situations and are both personal and autobiographical. They are story songs, but they are her stories which infuse the material with an authenticity and sincerity that is palpable. “I have to feel connected to the music, especially when I am playing live. The emotions I write about are real and audiences know when you are being true to yourself. Performing my own music and forming a bond with my audience is what I do this for. And that’s the most enjoyable thing in the world.” Click on the picture below to see Meghan’s new video!
HER FATHER IS A COUNTRY RADIO PROGRAMMER THREE NUMBER ONE SINGLES SINCE HER FIRST SINGLE IN LATE 2014 KELSEA BALLERINI Kelsea Ballerini was born in Mascot, Tennessee and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her father, a country radio programmer, is of part Italian descent. Her mother has worked in marketing for Thomas Nelson Bible publishing and a sponsorship company. She started taking dance lessons at 3 and stopped ten years later. She sang in the church and school choirs. She wrote her first song at 12 for her mother[8] and moved to Nashville, Tennessee three years later. She attended Lipscomb University for two years until she pursued a musical career. At 19, she signed a deal with Black River Entertainment. In late 2014, she released her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It”, which debuted on the Country Airplay chart in October 2014. She released a self-titled extended play for the label in November. She was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country in 2014. She performed for the first time on the Grand Ole Opry on February 14, 2015 and sang “Love Me Like You Mean It”. For the chart dated July 4, 2015, “Love Me Like You Mean It” reached number one on
the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making Ballerini the first solo female country music artist to score a number one hit with her debut single since Carrie Underwood did so with “Jesus, Take the Wheel” in 2006, and only the eleventh in history to achieve the feat. Ballerini also became only the fifth solo female country music artist to score back-to-back number one hits with her first two singles when “Dibs” reached the top of the Country Airplay chart. She became the first to do it since Jamie O’Neal in 2001. The album’s third single, “Peter Pan”, was released to country radio on March 21, 2016. “Peter Pan” reached number one on both the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts in September, making Ballerini the first solo female country music artist to top both country music charts simultaneously. This achievement also made her the first solo female to send her first three singles to number one since Wynonna Judd accomplished the same feat in 1992. The album’s fourth single, “Yeah Boy”, was released to country radio on October 10, 2016.