BILLBOARD.COM/NEWSLETTERS JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 1 OF 20 BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE [email protected]Country Update INSIDE Rhett’s ‘Light’ Shines >page 4 Edison Issues Media Wakeup Call >page 10 Adkins: ‘Tell Jesus I Said, “Hey” ’ >page 11 Kip Moore Goes ‘Wild’ On ABC >page 11 Makin’ Tracks: Runaway June’s ‘Rich’ Single >page 17 Country Coda: Greenwood’s ‘Dixie Road’ >page 20 GREG NOIRE “Sometimes you gotta lose yourself to find your way back home.” That line from “Paris, Illinois,” the closing number on Brett Eldredge’s new album, Sunday Drive, is a familiar sort of prod- igal journey. It harks back a bit to Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” which went to No. 1 10 years ago, the same summer that Eldredge’s first sin- gle, “Raymond,” was released to country radio via PlayMPE. “Raymond” leaned on El- dredge’s personal history, inspired by his grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. And Sunday Drive, released July 10, similarly tugs on his own life as he intention- ally embraces a more transparent approach to his art at the start of his second decade in the national spotlight. Sunday Drive is, he says, “a game-changer,” and that’s not just hyperbole or salesmanship. The 12-song project employs old- school influences — Van Morri- son, The Band, Stax Records and Jackson Browne — with material that mines his personal experiences, be it the uncertain ending to a seminal relationship in the first single, “Gabrielle” (No. 42, Country Airplay), or the specific image of pumping gasoline on Spring Street in the plot of “Magnolia.” Eldredge’s voice carries its familiar ring of soul, heartland rock, traditional pop and modern country, but the frame around it has a classic air, matching a journey he took leading into the proj- ect that involved temporarily shutting off social media, spend- ing time alone and using meditation to generate more calmness in his life. “We created the space to allow myself to sing and to tell these stories,” he says. “It feels more re- laxed. It feels at home, like I just belonged in this spot, and when I sing it, it feels like that, too. And not that the other stuff doesn’t, but it really has been a profound expe- rience for me in getting that space and telling these stories.” The “other stuff” did well for Eldredge. Beginning with his third single, 2012’s “Don’t Ya,” he reeled off nine top 10 singles on Country Airplay in 10 tries, with each of those tracks going gold or platinum. Some of those tracks — particularly “Lose My Mind,” “Somethin’ I’m Good At” and “Love Someone” — were built on pop components, sometimes pushing boundaries and often using the drum and keyboard programming that has become de rigeur for current mainstream country. But, befitting the serenity he discovered during his break from the cultural treadmill, he sought a back-to-basics change Sunday Drive Launches New Part Of Artistic Journey For Brett Eldredge ELDREDGE
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BILLBOARD.COM/NEWSLETTERS JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 1 OF 20
“Sometimes you gotta lose yourself to find your way back home.”That line from “Paris, Illinois,” the closing number on Brett
Eldredge’s new album, Sunday Drive, is a familiar sort of prod-igal journey. It harks back a bit to Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” which went to No. 1 10 years ago, the same summer that Eldredge’s first sin-gle, “Raymond,” was released to country radio via PlayMPE.
“R ay mond ” lea ned on El-dredge’s personal history, inspired by his grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. And Sunday Drive, released July 10, similarly tugs on his own life as he intention-ally embraces a more transparent approach to his art at the start of his second decade in the national spotlight. Sunday Drive is, he says, “a game-changer,” and that’s not just hyperbole or salesmanship. The 12-song project employs old-school influences — Van Morri-son, The Band, Stax Records and Jackson Browne — with material that mines his personal experiences, be it the uncertain ending to a seminal relationship in the first single, “Gabrielle” (No. 42, Country Airplay), or the specific image of pumping gasoline on Spring Street in the plot of “Magnolia.”
Eldredge’s voice carries its familiar ring of soul, heartland
rock, traditional pop and modern country, but the frame around it has a classic air, matching a journey he took leading into the proj-ect that involved temporarily shutting off social media, spend-ing time alone and using meditation to generate more calmness
in his life.“We created the space to allow
myself to sing and to tell these stories,” he says. “It feels more re-laxed. It feels at home, like I just belonged in this spot, and when I sing it, it feels like that, too. And not that the other stuff doesn’t, but it really has been a profound expe-rience for me in getting that space and telling these stories.”
The “other stuff ” did well for Eldredge. Beginning with his third single, 2012’s “Don’t Ya,” he reeled off nine top 10 singles on Country Airplay in 10 tries, with each of those tracks going gold or platinum. Some of those tracks — particularly “Lose My Mind,” “Somethin’ I’m Good At” and “Love Someone” — were built
on pop components, sometimes pushing boundaries and often using the drum and keyboard programming that has become de rigeur for current mainstream country.
But, befitting the serenity he discovered during his break from the cultural treadmill, he sought a back-to-basics change
Sunday Drive Launches New Part Of Artistic Journey For Brett Eldredge
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 2 OF 20
of pace with this project. He enlisted Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, the duo that produced Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour, to co-write and co-produce most of Sunday Drive, seeking a fresh outlook to his sound. They holed up in Tashian’s converted garage, The Royal Plum, to develop the album’s personal material in seclusion.
“They create so differently than anybody I’ve created with,” says Eldredge. “It was out of my comfort zone at first, but that’s exactly what I was looking for. I was trying to create and see the world through different eyes a little bit, or see how I can create a little bit different. These guys are the guys to do it.”
Underscoring just how much they avoided comfort zones, Sunday Drive is not only a departure for Eldredge, but it’s also a different sound from the ex-perimental tones on Golden Hour, a sign that no one in the core creative circles was resting on his most familiar laurels.
“After Golden Hour, the expectations are high both for me personally and from others,” says Fitchuk. “To have Brett’s project kind of come on the heels of that felt very free to be myself.”
Eldredge, in fact, even steered his partners away when their instincts began to venture down that Golden Hour road.
“Anytime Ian or I would try to play a synthesizer or use a drum machine or any kind of modern weaponry — we’re both very fond of that stuff — Brett just had such a clear idea in his mind that he didn’t want anything like that on this record,” recalls Tashian. “His North Stars were [artists] like Van Morrison. He kept telling me about this Van Morrison record that he loved.”
Eldredge lived out that “find your way back home” line with his team, bring-ing both producers and his manager, Q Prime South founder John Peets, back to Paris, Ill., to get a feel for the small-town scenery and Midwestern values that formed the foundation of Eldredge’s development.
“The beautiful tomatoes that his aunt was growing — I’ve never tasted a to-mato like that,” says Tashian. “This is the heartland of America. This is where it all springs from.”
Having tapped into Eldredge’s geographical well, the entourage moved away from Nashville and instead employed Shirk Studios in the heart of Chicago to record Sunday Drive. They built the tracks with Eldredge, Tashian and Fitchuk playing and singing in the same room — no isolation booths — requiring them to be in sync on the performances. The attitude matched one of the goals El-dredge picked up from his downtime: to live in the moment as much as possible.
And ultimately that’s what Sunday Drive accomplishes. It wears a common-man wardrobe with elegance, celebrating a more innocent time when Eldredge could experience the world as it happened without concern for ticket sales, fan bases or social engagements.
The title track completes the prodigal journey, placing a young man on old familiar roads back home, engaging with his parents in their later years, much as he engaged in his first single with his grandmother. But this full-circle mo-ment is also likely the beginning of a new phase of artistic maturity.
“This feels like my zone,” says Eldredge. “Like I found my home in the music.”
Gabby Barrett (bottom) performed “I Hope” during the July 9 episode of syndicated TV show Live With Kelly and Ryan, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.
Songwriter Josh Mirenda (“Somewhere on a Beach,” “They Don’t Know”) signed a recording deal with Average Joes. From left: Average Joes vp A&R Forrest Latta and owner Colt Ford, Mirenda and Deluge Management president Chris Alderman and associate Megan Bocklage.
Members of The Desert City Ramblers, Brian McComas (left) and Bart Walker, performed for Billboard Nashville staff in a July 10 Zoom visit.
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 20
Thomas Rhett’s “Be a Light” (Valory), featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban, enters the top 10 of Billboard’s Country Air-play chart dated July 18, rising 12-10. In the tracking week ending July 12, it increased by 6% to 20.6 million impressions, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. The song, written in 2019, arrived March 30 to comfort listeners amid the coronavirus pandemic. Rhett, who co-wrote it, earns his 17th Coun-try Airplay top 10.
McEntire tallies her 37th Country Airplay top 10, the most among women and the eighth-best sum among all artists, dating to the chart’s January 1990 launch. (George Strait leads with 61 top 10s.) It’s her first top 10 since “Turn On the Radio,” which became her 11th No. 1 in January 2011.
Scott scores her first solo Country Airplay top 10 in her first chart appearance apart from trio Lady A (which boasts 14 top 10s).
Tomlin likewise reaches the Country Airplay top 10 in his maiden visit to the tally. On Christian Airplay, he has banked a record 28 top 10s.
Urban adds his 41st Country Airplay top 10, tying Brooks & Dunn for the sixth-most.
As for its star-studded lineup, “Be a Light” marks the most billed artists to share a Country Airplay top 10 since Jimmy Buffett’s update of Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’,” with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Strait, reached No. 8 in July 2004.
GREENWOOD REIGNS Lee Greenwood’s signature hit, “God Bless the USA” (MCA Nashville/Capitol/Curb), flies 18-1 to top Country Digital Song Sales for the first time, thanks to a 366% surge to 15,000 sold in the week ending July 9. It also vaulted by 380% to 2.6 million U.S. streams in the same pe-riod. The anthem peaked at No. 7 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1984.(For more on Greenwood, see page 20.)
DAN I ELS REM EM BERED Following the death of Charlie Daniels at age 83 on
July 6, his biggest single, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band (Epic), reenters Hot Country Songs at No. 24. It became Daniels’ lone leader, among three top 10s, in August 1979. The classic reenters Country Digital Song Sales at No. 2 (11,000 sold; up 1,358%) while gaining by 84% to reach 3 million streams.
‘ B O N ES’ B EST I N ST RE A M S Maren Morris’ “The Bones” (Columbia Nash-ville) rules Hot Country Songs for a 19th week, tying Leroy Van Dyke’s “Walk On By” (1961-62) for the fifth-longest reign since the chart became an all-en-
compassing genre survey in 1958. (Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be” holds the record with its 50-week command in 2017-18.)
“Bones,” which topped Country Airplay for two weeks in February, attracted 10.2 million streams in the track-ing week and leads Country Streaming Songs for the first time in its 53rd frame, becoming Morris’ first No. 1 among four top 10s.
‘ S P R I N G’ T I M E The legendar y Willie Nelson, now 87 years young, becomes the first artist to score top 10s in every decade — seven in all — since Top Country Albums originated in January 1964 as First Rose of Spring (Legacy) blooms at No. 5 with 12,000 equivalent album units. The set, produced by Nelson’s longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon, was originally slated for release on April 24 but
was pushed back to July 3 due to the coronavirus.Nelson adds his record-extending 53rd Top Country Albums top 10. His
first entry, Country Favorites-Willie Nelson Style, hit No. 9 in 1966. His top 10 totals by decade: ’60s (three), ’70s (14), ’80s (19), ’90s (one), 2000s (six), ’10s (nine) and ’20s (one).
A L D E A N ‘GOT ’ A N OT H E R Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” (Macon/Bro-ken Bow) bumps 11-9 on Hot Country Songs, marking his 33rd top 10. It climbs 19-18 on Country Airplay (11 million, up 10%), drew 7.1 million streams and sold 8,000 in the tracking week.
Thomas Rhett’s All-Star ‘Light’ Shines; Willie Nelson Scores Top 10 Album
Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside (MCA Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville), debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac-cording to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
Southside marks Hunt’s second No. 1 on the chart and fourth top 10. It follows freshman LP Montevallo, which arrived at the summit in No-vember 2014 and reigned for nine weeks. To date, Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 million in album sales.
Montevallo has spent 267 weeks on the list, tying Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party as the sixth-longest-running titles in the chart’s 56-year history.
On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar-rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 after the No. 3-peaking Montevallo.
Hunt first released the EP X2C, which debuted and peaked at No. 5 on Top Country Albums in August 2014. Following Montevallo, Between the Pines: Acoustic Mixtape started at its No. 7 high in November 2015.
Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country Airplay: “Leave the Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “House Party” and “Make You Miss Me.” “Break Up in a Small Town” peaked at No. 2.
Hunt co-penned all 12 songs on Southside, including “Body Like a Back Road,” which was released in 2017. The smash hit ruled Country Airplay for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart for a then-record 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18).
“Downtown’s Dead,” which is also on the new set, reached Nos. 14 and 15 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, respectively, in June 2018. “Kin-folks” led Country Airplay on Feb. 29, becoming Hunt’s seventh No. 1. It hit No. 3 on Hot Country Songs.
Latest single “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in
sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil-lion audience impressions, up 16%).
TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Young achieves his fifth consecutive and total Country Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends
2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions.Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With-
out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved You” (three, January 2018), “Mercy” (two, August 2018) and “Here Tonight” (two, April 2019).
“Catch” completes his longest journey to No. 1, having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out-paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.”
On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for a new high.
COMBS ‘DOES’ IT AGAIN Luke Combs’ “Does to Me” (River House/Columbia Nashville), featuring Eric Church, ascends 11-8 on Country Airplay, up 10% to 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly promoted No. 1 singles.
Church adds his 15th Country Airplay top 10.
THAT TOOK QUITE ‘A FEW’ MONTHS Travis Denning shatters the record for the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the Country Airplay top 10 as “After a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil-lion in radio reach.
The song surpasses two tracks that took 50 weeks each to enter the top 10: Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Like You,” which reached No. 10 in January 2018 be-fore peaking at No. 6 that February, and Aaron Watson’s “Outta Style,” which achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017.
“After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018.
SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country Albums; Brett Young ‘Catch’-es Fifth Airplay
BULLETSl Awarded on Country Airplay to titles gaining audience or remaining flat from the previous week. A song will also receive a bullet if its percentage loss in
audience does not exceed the percentage of monitored station downtime for the format. Titles that decline in audience but increase in detections will also receive a bullet if the total audience erosion for the week does not exceed 3%.
TIESOn Country Airplay, if two songs are tied in total audience, the song with the larger increase in audience is placed first.
RECURRENTSOn Country Airplay, descending titles below No. 10 in either audience or detections are moved to recurrent after 20 weeks, provided that they
are not still gaining enough audience points to bullet or if they rank below No. 10 and post a third consecutive week of (non-bulleted) audience decline, regardless of total chart weeks.
HOT SHOT DEBUTAwarded to the highest-ranking new entry on Country Airplay.
MOST ADDEDThe total number of new adds officially reported to Billboard by each reporting station, or by an automatic-add threshold (seven plays for the first time in a chart tracking week, according to Nielsen Music) for stations that do not report adds.
MOST INCREASED AUDIENCEMost Increased Audience on Country Airplay lists the songs with the greatest week-to-week increases in total audience.
AIRPOWERAwarded on Country Airplay to titles ranking inside top 20 in plays and audience rankings for the first time, with increases in both plays and audience.
BREAKERAwarded on Country Airplay to titles achieving airplay (at least one detection) at 60% of reporting stations for the first time.
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 8 OF 20
TEXAS REGIONAL RADIO REPORTWEEK ENDING JULY 12, 2020
Country Airplay
McCREERYMADDIE & TAE
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AIRPLAY MONITORED BY
Texas Regional Radio Report Top 100 is compiled from weekly online playlist reports from 86 radio stations located in Texas and surrounding states, including reports from specialty shows, internet and satellite radio outlets. Songs are ranked by total plays. For tracking, complete chart methodology and more information, visit www.texasregionalradio.com, or contact Dave Smith at 972-252-8777. Copyright 2020, Texas Regional Radio Report
MOST ADDED®TITLE Imprint/Label Artist ADDSLOVIN’ ON YOU River House/Columbia Nashville Luke Combs 18SOME PEOPLE DO RCA Nashville Old Dominion 10BIG, BIG PLANS Big Loud Chris Lane 9THE GOOD ONES Warner Music Nashville/WAR Gabby Barrett 8JUST THE WAY Stoney Creek Parmalee x Blanco Brown 7WE WERE RICH Wheelhouse Runaway June 7PRETTY HEART MCA Nashville Parker McCollum 6LOVE YOU LIKE I USED TO Triple Tigers Russell Dickerson 6STICK THAT IN YOUR COUNTRY SONG EMI Nashville Eric Church 6CHEATIN’ SONGS Big Machine Midland 5
MOST INCREASED PLAYSTITLE Imprint/Label Artist GAINBLUEBIRD Vanner/RCA Nashville Miranda Lambert +740DONE Warner Music Nashville/WAR Chris Janson +689DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART Mercury Maddie & Tae +610HARD TO FORGET MCA Nashville Sam Hunt +563LOVIN’ ON YOU River House/Columbia Nashville Luke Combs +456BE A LIGHT Valory Thomas Rhett Feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban +417WHY WE DRINK Valory Justin Moore +381ONE OF THEM GIRLS Curb Lee Brice +356ONE MARGARITA Row Crop/Capitol Nashville Luke Bryan +327SOME GIRLS Combustion/River House/Columbia Nashville Jameson Rodgers +305
MOST INCREASED AUDIENCETITLE Imprint/Label Artist
GAIN(IN MIILIONS)
DONE Warner Music Nashville/WAR Chris Janson +3.116HARD TO FORGET MCA Nashville Sam Hunt +2.963BLUEBIRD Vanner/RCA Nashville Miranda Lambert +2.739LOVIN’ ON YOU River House/Columbia Nashville Luke Combs +2.151DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART Mercury Maddie & Tae +2.146PRETTY HEART MCA Nashville Parker McCollum +1.474WHY WE DRINK Valory Justin Moore +1.466COOL AGAIN RCA Nashville Kane Brown +1.335GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME Hit Red/Capitol Nashville Keith Urban +1.310ONE MARGARITA Row Crop/Capitol Nashville Luke Bryan +1.238
THIS WEEK
LAST WEEK
WKS ON CHART TITLE (Label) ARTIST
TW SPINS
SPINS +/–
1 2 19 YOU, ME AND A BOTTLE (Independent) HH 1 Week at 1 HH Randy Rogers Band 1880 -13
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 10 OF 20
affiliate sales from senior director, Talkers.com reported … Services were held July 10 for KKQY Hays, Kan., morning co-host Scott Boomer, who died July 7, according to The Hays Post.
’ROUND THE ROWOperation Song appointed Kyle Frederick executive director of the nonprofit, which has assisted over 750 veterans by matching them with professional songwriters to work through the stories and emotions of their service. Singer-songwriter Frederick previously managed Clay Walker and ran the Band Against MS charity … Tech-enabled production company Soundstripe added vp music Jay Harren. He spent the last two years as StubHub head of music partnerships … Luke Combs signed a songwriting deal with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville … Songwriter-producer-musician Karen Kosowski joined the Sony/ATV Nashville roster … Rollin’ the Dice Records, formed by Erv Woolsey Company CEO/founder Erv Woolsey, signed a distribution agreement with Copperline Music Group. The first release in the deal is Stone Senate’s cover of George Strait’s “The Fireman,” due July 17 … The Mechanical Licensing Collective launched two new efforts, the Data Quality Initiative and a Music Data Organization Form, to help self-administered music copyright owners oversee their works … The 56th annual Academy of Country Music Awards are slated for April 18, 2021, on CBS. The 55th awards, which were postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, remain on the books for Sept. 16 … The Country Music Association joined UnitedHealthcare and Pancoast Benefits to offer over 30 health insurance plans for Tennessee-based CMA members … The CMA Foundation established Unified Voices for Music Education, a collaborative resource for teachers across the United States to compare notes and lesson plans amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus era. Go here for more info … Montreal-based Yoop established a virtual events platform, Yoop eSpace, providing artists and creators a new mechanism to monetize online experiences … The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted July 8 to repeal a ban on businesses where customers visit the owner’s residence. Assuming Mayor John Cooper signs it, the move legalizes home studios and at-home music teachers, who have shadowed their businesses since the law took effect in 1998 … Musically Fed provided food for 100 families in its first drive-through distribution in Nashville on July 13, with additional goods allocated for Brad Paisley’s charitable venture The Store. Go here for more info … The International Songwriting Competition set its judges for 2020. Country acts on the panel include Tanya Tucker, Sara Evans, Cam, Easton Corbin and Sugarland’s Kristian Bush … Bassist Richard Shook died at his Hendersonville, Tenn., home on July 2, The Gallatin News reported. He operated Music Row studio the Shook Shack with his brother, guitarist Jerry Shook, and played for seven years in Jerry Reed’s band, supplying the bass on “East Bound and Down.” Services are pending. Go here for details … Songwriter-executive Gary Walker died July 8 at Va nderbi lt Med ica l C enter in Nashville, according to The Tennessean. He authored hits for Jim Reeves, Carl Smith, Kitty Wells and Webb Pierce, and founded The Great Escape, a popular used-record store … Songwriter Craig Martin (“Don’t Take the Girl”) died unexpectedly on July 3. His son, Keith Martin, established a GoFundMe page to cover expenses for his July 11 funeral … Drummer Joe Porcaro died July 6. Primarily a jazz musician, he also played studio dates, handling percussion on Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights.” Th ree of Porca ro’s sons were members of the rock band Toto.
EDISON’S MORNING WAKEUP CALLCOVID-19 has introduced a series of lifestyle changes in the United States, from mastering Zoom to wearing masks, and one new piece of data suggests that audiences also have adjusted their approaches to media.
An Edison Research study found that Americans are waiting 75 minutes later to begin consuming audio during the coronavirus-altered era. Prior to the pandemic, 50% of the Share of Ear project’s respondents indicated they started listening to audio content by 7:15 a.m. But since the advent of COVID-19, half of the study’s participants are not on board the audio train until 8:30 a.m.
“This data shows that if Americans continue current work patterns, audio strategies may need to be adjusted,” Edison Research director Laura Ivey suggested in a release about the study.
Among the changes that might be up for review are starting/ending times for morning dayparts, rotations of music at stations and the placement of the most influential guests on morning TV shows. Artists appearing on live media outlets for promotional purposes might also find it more favorable to barter for a later time slot.
Numerous studies have shown that Americans are sleep-deprived. The Edison study does not indicate if the later audio start time is a result of people sleeping longer during the COVID-19 era, going to sleep later or simply wait-ing longer after they rise to engage with media.
’RADIO AND RECORDS®Warner Music Nashville hired Chris Fabiani as Team WEA regional manager of radio and streaming, beginning July 13. He fills the role vacated when Shari Roth was promoted to national director. Fabiani spent the last two years as Universal Music Group Nashville director of promotion and artist engagement … Katie Bright started July 7 as Capitol Nashville director of Midwest regional promotion. She returns to label affiliation after a stint on the morning show at WUSN Chicago. Reach her here … Country Radio Broadcasters added three new members to its board of directors: iHeartMedia/Nashville senior vp programming Gator Harrison, Vista14 president Judy Lakin and Westwood One Nashville director of programming Paul Williams. Go here for a full list of board members … A.J. Punjabi joined iHeartMedia/Charleston, S.C., as market president, InsideRadio.com reported. He was previously Cox Media/Miami general sales manager. The Charleston portfolio includes country WEZL … KTHK Idaho Falls, Idaho, PD/morning host Don Jarrett parted ways with the company, according to InsideRadio.com … New South/Jackson, Miss., adds market manager Bob Lawrence, effective July 27, RadioInk.com reported. The cluster’s signals include country WUSJ and classic country WHJT. Lawrence segues from Saga, where he was vp programming … El Dorado Broadcasters hired Chris Fleming as executive vp for the chain and GM for Victorville, Calif., according to Talkers.com. The company’s country outlets include KATJ Victorville and KTTI Yuma, Ariz. … Premiere Networks promoted Michael Kindhart to vp operations,
NASHVILLE & NATIONAL TOM ROLAND
Brad Paisley (left) and fiddler Justin Williamson dig in during the third night of the Live From the Drive-In Tour, playing to a socially distanced crowd in the parking lot on July 12 at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Ind.
Trisha Yearwood (right) was among the guest hosts during the week of July 13 on Westwood One’s Nights With Elaina, regularly hosted by Elaina Smith. Y
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 11 OF 20
July 14• 2017 — Garth Brooks visits the Children’s
Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where patients and staff sing “Friends in Low Places” in his honor.
• 1980 — Glen Campbell and Tanya Tucker sing the national anthem at the Republican National Convention in Detroit, later admit-ting they were on cocaine at the time.
July 15• 2005 — The movie Wedding Crashers, starring Owen Wilson and
Vince Vaughn, debuts in theaters. Among the cast: Dwight Yoakam, who is derided by an ex as a “hillbilly” in a divorce negotiation dur-ing the opening scene.
• 1970 — Kris Kristofferson begins recording the album The Silver Tongued Devil and I at Monument Studios in Nashville. Among the day’s material: “The Pilgrim, Chapter 33,” in which he famously refers to Johnny Cash as “a walking contradiction.”
July 16• 2019 — Luke Combs joins the Grand Ole Opry, and is inducted by
Vince Gill and Joe Diffie.
July 17• 2000 — Mike Dungan takes over as the head of Capitol’s country
division three days after Pat Quigley’s departure. During the next decade, the label will represent Lady A, Eric Church, Keith Urban and Little Big Town, among others.
• 1990 — Arista releases Michelle Wright’s self-titled debut album.
July 18• 2018 — Kelsea Ballerini attends pop artist Halsey’s concert at Ascend
Amphitheater in Nashville. Afterward, the two head off to sing kara-oke at Santa’s Pub, where they team on “Landslide” and “Picture.”
July 19• 2010 — Capitol releases Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You
Baby” to radio.
July 20• 2015 — Miranda Lambert writes “Vice” with Shane McAnally and
Josh Osborne.• 2002 — Toby Keith occupies the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Hot
Country Songs chart with “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
Source: RolandNote.com, the Ultimate Country Music Database
Four veteran country acts have new projects to discuss during July and August, with the highest-profile of those albums — Tim McGraw’s Here on Earth — due Aug. 21. Leading up to that, The Bellamy Brothers issued a six-song EP, Bucket List, July 10; Bill Anderson puts new stamps on 20 of his songs with The Hits Re-Imagined on July 24; and Jeannie Seely does a series of collaborations on An American Classic, arriving Aug. 14. Also in the queue: Charley Crockett’s Welcome to Hard Times, July 31; Joel Crouse’s WasteLand, rescheduled for Aug. 7; Au-brie Sellers’ EP World on Fire, Aug. 7; and The Texicana Mamas’ self-titled debut, Aug. 21. The latter group includes Tish Hinojosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones and Patricia Vonne.
The July 10 memorial for Charlie Dan-iels was a mix of patriotism, sorrow and humor with a healthy dose of religion thrown in at the World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Vince Gill melded “Go Rest High on That Mountain” with “America, the Beautiful,” Gretchen Wil-son sang “I’ll Fly Away,” Travis Tritt covered “Amazing Grace,” and Trace Adkins served up “Arlington.” Adkins closed with an extra tip of the hat to his fellow Grand Ole Opry member: “Love you, Charlie — tell Jesus I said, ‘Hey.’ ”
The July 13 ABC special CMA Best of Fest was scheduled to include a three-minute piece of content that hails the new Ford Bronco four-door vehicle. Titled “Wild Built,” the clip was to feature Kip Moore and highlight a song or two, presumably from his compatibly titled new album Wild World.
The CMA Fest was mothballed for a year in June — thank you, COVID-19 — but Darius Rucker kept his 11th annual Darius & Friends fundraiser going, shifting from a downtown Nashville venue to the worldwide internet. This year’s edition is set for July 30 with guests Clint Black and Tracy Lawrence. Rucker also tried out a new form of concerts, playing a Live From the Drive-In date outside Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on July 12. And he’s becoming more vocal about racial issues, telling NBC Today host Harry Smith that police have stopped him more than once by simply because he was a Black man driving an expensive car. “One sentence can end your career in country music,” he said. “I’m sure I’ve already lost fans.” Watch the five-minute segment here.
WILSON
Chris Young joined with several Music City entities to donate 144,000 bottles of water to the Nashville Rescue Mission. From left: Rescue Mission director of major gifts Brandon Taylor, ROAR head of music Ryan O’Nan, Whiskey Jam founder Ward Guenther, Camshaw Consulting owner Jensen Gahagan Sessums, Young and NashvilleTN Store partner Tim Gerst.
NASHVILLE & NATIONAL TOM ROLAND
Billboard Announces New Chart Rules: No More Merch & Ticket Bundles
Singer Anita ‘Lady A’ White Responds To Trademark Lawsuit: ‘I Am Not Going To Be Erased’
Spotify Adds Hundreds More Songwriter Pages And ‘Written By’ Playlists
What’s The Most-Honored Country Recording Of All Time? Let’s Figure It Out
Safe & Sound: As Recording Studios Reopen, Health Concerns Clash With Creativity
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Top Headlines from .comClick on headlines below for more details
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 13 OF 20
JO
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GORLEY
The weekly Country Songwriters and Country Producers charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on the Hot Country Songs chart. As with Billboard’s yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings).
Hot Country Songs
1 #1 4 WKS JOSH THOMPSON
2 HARDY
3 MATT DRAGSTREM
4 CRAIG WISEMAN
5 ASHLEY GORLEY
6 MORGAN WALLEN
7 JON NITE
8 SHANE MCANALLY
TIE 9 GABBY BARRETT
TIE 9 ZACH KALE
1 #1 13 WKS JOEY MOI
2 DANN HUFF
3 JAY JOYCE
4 GREG KURSTIN
5 SCOTT MOFFATT
6 ZACH CROWELL
7 ROSS COPPERMAN
8 MICHAEL KNOX
9 ZACHARY “ZACH” KALE
10 DEREK WELLS
COUNTRY PRODUCERSTMCOUNTRY SONGWRITERSTM
SALES, AIRPLAY & STREAMING DATA COMPILED BY
The weekly Country Songwriters and Country Producers charts are based on total points accrued by a songwriter and producer, respectively, for each attributed song that appears on the Hot Country Songs chart. As with Billboard’s yearly recaps, multiple writers or producers split points for each song equally (and the dividing of points will lead to occasional ties on rankings).
THIS WEEK
LAST WEEK
TWO WEEKS
AGOWKS ON CHART
TITLE Artist PRODUCER (SONGWRITER) IMPRINT / PROMOTION LABEL
COUNTRY AIRPLAY
RANKPEAK
POSITION
1 1 1 71 THE BONES HH No. 1 (19 weeks) HH Maren Morris G.KURSTIN (M.MORRIS,J.M.ROBBINS,L.J.VELTZ) COLUMBIA NASHVILLE
RC 1
l2 3 4 17 ONE MARGARITA Luke Bryan J.STEVENS,J.STEVENS (M.R.CARTER,M.DRAGSTREM,J.THOMPSON) ROW CROP/CAPITOL NASHVILLE 1 2
l3 2 2 63 I HOPE HH Airplay Gainer HH Gabby Barrett R.COPPERMAN,Z.KALE (Z.KALE,J.M.NITE,G.BARRETT) WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WAR
RC 2
l4 4 3 22 HARD TO FORGET Sam Hunt Z.CROWELL,L.LAIRD (S.L.HUNT,A.GORLEY,L.LAIRD,S.MCANALLY,J.OSBORNE,A.GRISHAM,M.J.SHURTZ,R.HULL) MCA NASHVILLE 2 3
6 5 5 47 CHASIN’ YOU Morgan Wallen J.MOI (J.MOORE,M.WALLEN,C.WISEMAN) BIG LOUD 5 2
l7 8 11 51 DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART HH Streaming Gainer HH Maddie & Tae J.M.ROBBINS,D.WELLS (M.MARLOW,T.DYE,J.SINGLETON,D.RUTTAN) MERCURY
8 7
l8 10 12 16 I LOVE MY COUNTRY Florida Georgia Line C.CROWDER,T.HUBBARD,B.KELLEY (K.BROWN,C.CROWDER,R.C.MCGILL,E.K.SMITH,CHARLIE HANDSOME,W.WEATHERLY) BMLG 11 8
l9 11 16 22 GOT WHAT I GOT HH Digital Gainer HH Jason Aldean M.KNOX (M.TYLER,A.PALMER,T.ARCHER) MACON/BROKEN BOW
18 9
10 9 7 20 HERE AND NOW Kenny Chesney B.CANNON,K.CHESNEY (C.WISEMAN,D.L.MURPHY,D.A.GARCIA) BLUE CHAIR/WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WEA RC 7
l11 13 13 15 BE A LIGHT Thomas Rhett Featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban D.HUFF (THOMAS RHETT,M.DRAGSTREM,J.MILLER,J.THOMPSON) VALORY 10 11
l12 15 19 20 DONE Chris Janson C.JANSON,T.CECIL (C.JANSON,M.OGLESBY,J.PAULIN,M.ROY) WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WAR 4 12
13 12 10 26 DOES TO ME Luke Combs Featuring Eric Church S.MOFFATT (L.COMBS,R.M.L.FULCHER,T.M.REEVE) RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE RC 4
l14 14 14 19 GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME Keith Urban K.URBAN,D.MCCARROLL (C.AUGUST,M.CARTER,SHY CARTER,J.T.SLATER) HIT RED/CAPITOL NASHVILLE 12 14
l15 16 17 30 ONE BIG COUNTRY SONG LOCASH 770 PRODUCTIONS (J.FRASURE,A.GORLEY,M.W.HARDY) WHEELHOUSE 7 15
l16 19 20 12 COOL AGAIN Kane Brown D.HUFF (K.BROWN,J.HODGES,M.MCGINN,L.RIMES) RCA NASHVILLE 13 12
l17 17 18 23 WHY WE DRINK Justin Moore J.S.STOVER,S.BORCHETTA (J.MOORE,C.BEATHARD,D.L.MURPHY,J.S.STOVER) VALORY 9 17
l18 18 21 13 ONE OF THEM GIRLS Lee Brice B.GLOVER,K.JACOBS,L.BRICE (A.GORLEY,B.JOHNSON,D.DAVIDSON,L.BRICE) CURB 21 18
l19 20 26 12 MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN Morgan Wallen J.MOI (M.W.HARDY,E.K.SMITH,CHARLIE HANDSOME,M.WALLEN) BIG LOUD 31 12
l20 21 23 28 ONE NIGHT STANDARDS Ashley McBryde J.JOYCE (A.MCBRYDE,S.MCANALLY,N.HAYFORD) ATLANTIC/WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WAR 15 20
l21 24 28 9 LOVIN’ ON YOU Luke Combs S.MOFFATT (L.COMBS,T.ARCHER,R.M.L.FULCHER,J.MCNAIR) RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE 17 19
l22 22 22 28 ONE BEER HARDY Featuring Lauren Alaina & Devin Dawson J.MOI,D.WELLS (M.W.HARDY,H.LINDSEY,J.MITCHELL) BIG LOUD 25 21
l24 RE-ENTRY 22 THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA The Charlie Daniels Band J.BOYLAN,NOT LISTED (C.DANIELS,F.EDWARDS,J.MARSHALL,C.HAYWARD,T.CRAIN,T.DIGREGORIO) EPIC RC 1
l25 27 27 10 I CALLED MAMA Tim McGraw T.MCGRAW,B.GALLIMORE (M.GREEN,L.MILLER,J.YEARY) MCGRAW/BIG MACHINE 14 22
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 14 OF 20
COUNTRY MARKET WATCHA Weekly National Music Sales Report
Hot Country SongsSALES, AIRPLAY & STREAMING DATA COMPILED BY
For inquiries about any Nielsen Music data, please contact Josh Bennett at 615-807-1338 or [email protected]
ALBUM CONSUMPTION
AUDIO ON-DEMAND
VIDEO ON-DEMAND
This Week 1,282,000 1,399,220,000 136,508,000
Last Week 1,268,000 1,387,283,000 136,233,000
Change 1.1% 0.9% 0.2%
This Week Last Year 1,038,000 1,081,344,000 273,636,000
Video On-Demand 7,183,900,000 3,787,234,000 -47.3%
YEAR-TO-DATE
ALBUM CONSUMPTION’19
’20
TOTAL ON-DEMAND STREAMS’19
’20
34.89 billion
28.07 million
37.45 billion
31.27 million
All data measures U.S. activity as of the week ending July 9, 2020. All units counts are rounded to the nearest thousand. Album consumption units — also known as albums plus TEA plus SEA — consists of album sales; track-equivalent album (TEA) sales whereby 10 tracks equal one consumption unit; and stream equivalent albums (SEA) whereby 1,250 paid and/or 3,750 ad-supported audio on-demand streams (OAD) equal one consumption unit. Nielsen Music/MRC Data has reprocessed year-to-date figures to account for a change in methodology, resulting in a restatement in streaming data from a provider, which has resulted in a shift in some previously reported data, most notably for video streams.
THIS WEEK
LAST WEEK
TWO WEEKS
AGOWKS ON CHART
TITLE Artist PRODUCER (SONGWRITER) IMPRINT / PROMOTION LABEL
l30 41 48 6 GOOD TIME Niko Moon N.MOON,J.MURTY (N.MOON,J.MINTON,A.MOON,J.MURTY,M.TRUSSELL) RCA NASHVILLE 43 30
l31 35 37 16 LOVE YOU LIKE I USED TO Russell Dickerson D.HUFF,C.BROWN,R.DICKRESON (R.DICKERSON,C.BROWN,P.WELLING) TRIPLE TIGERS 30 31
32 34 38 8 ALMOST MAYBES Jordan Davis P.DIGIOVANNI (J.DAVIS,J.FRASURE,H.LINDSEY) MCA NASHVILLE 48 32
l33 47 — 4 HOLE IN THE BOTTLE Kelsea Ballerini J.FRASURE,K.BALLERINI (K.BALLERINI,S.JONES,H.LINDSEY,J.FRASURE,A.GORLEY) BLACK RIVER 45 33
l34 36 35 13 CHAMPAGNE NIGHT Lady A S.MCANALLY,A.DEROBERTS (D.HAYWOOD,C.KELLEY,H.SCOTT,P.CONROY,E.R.DEAN,A.DEROBERTS,T.A.GEMZA,S.MCANALLY,M.R.MERLO,R.B.TEDDER,D.THOMSON) BMLG 28 27
l35 39 39 10 LADY Brett Young D.HUFF (B.YOUNG,R.COPPERMAN,J.M.NITE) BMLG 47 22
37 23 36 3 STICK THAT IN YOUR COUNTRY SONG Eric Church J.JOYCE (D.NAISH,JEFFREY STEELE) EMI NASHVILLE 33 23
l38 43 43 16 SOME PEOPLE DO Old Dominion S.MCANALLY (M.RAMSEY,J.FRASURE,S.MCANALLY,THOMAS RHETT) RCA NASHVILLE 29 38
l39 40 42 9 NO I IN BEER Brad Paisley L.WOOTEN,D.HUFF (B.PAISLEY,K.LOVELACE) ARISTA NASHVILLE 23 39
40 37 31 10 SIX FEET APART Luke Combs C.MATTHEWS,L.COMBS (L.COMBS,B.COBB,R.SNYDER) RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE RC 10
l41 42 46 16 THE OTHER GIRL Kelsea Ballerini x Halsey R.COPPERMAN,S.MCANALLY,K.BALLERINI (K.BALLERINI,S.MCANALLY,R.COPPERMAN,A.FRANGIPANE) BLACK RIVER RC 19
42 31 40 5 WORLDWIDE BEAUTIFUL Kane Brown D.HUFF (K.BROWN,SHY CARTER,R.J.HURD,J.M.SCHMIDT) RCA NASHVILLE 36 28
l43 45 44 21 JUST THE WAY Parmalee x Blanco Brown D.FANNING (M.THOMAS,K.BARD,N.W.SIPE) STONEY CREEK 56 31
47 44 34 3 THE GOOD ONES Gabby Barrett R.COPPERMAN,Z.KALE (G.BARRETT,E.LANDIS,J.MCCORMICK,Z.KALE) WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WAR 52 34
l48 RE-ENTRY 3 THE MAN WHO LOVES YOU THE MOST Zac Brown Band B.SIMONETTI,M.MANGANO,Z.BROWN (Z.BROWN,B.SIMONETTI,A.JAMES) HOME GROWN/19TH & GRAND 49 24
l49 49 — 20 THIS BAR Morgan Wallen J.MOI (M.W.HARDY,J.MORGAN,J.SCOTT,E.K.SMITH,CHARLIE HANDSOME,M.WALLEN) BIG LOUD - 29
l50 RE-ENTRY 8 TO HELL & BACK Maren Morris BUSBEE,M.MORRIS (M.MORRIS,J.J.DILLON,L.J.VELTZ) COLUMBIA NASHVILLE 44 44
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 15 OF 20
The week’s top-streamed and top-selling paid download country songs, respectively, from sales reports collected and provided by Nielsen Music. Charts update weekly on Tuesdays at www.Billboard.Biz/charts. Copyright 2020, Prometheus Global Media, LLC and Nielsen Music, Inc. All rights reserved.
TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS COUNTRY DIGITAL SONG SALES
Top Country Albums ranks the most popular country albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on multi-metric consumption (blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums). Copyright 2020, Prometheus Global Media, LLC and Nielsen Music, Inc. All rights reserved.
Americana/Folk Albums ranks the most popular Americana/folk albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on multi-metric consumption (blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums). Copyright 2020, Prometheus Global Media, LLC and Nielsen Music, Inc. All rights reserved.
AMERICANA/ FOLK ALBUMS
COUNTRY STREAMING SONGS
Bluegrass Albums ranks the most popular bluegrass albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on album sales. Copyright 2020, Prometheus Global Media, LLC and Nielsen Music, Inc. All rights reserved.
BLUEGRASS ALBUMS
THIS
W
EEK
LAST
W
EEK
WKS
ON
CH
ART
TITLEARTIST
l1 18 17 GOD BLESS THE USA LEE GREENWOOD
l2 RE-ENTRY THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
l3 3 14 ONE MARGARITA LUKE BRYAN
l4 5 11 GOT WHAT I GOT JASON ALDEAN
l5 4 45 I HOPE GABBY BARRETT
6 6 18 HARD TO FORGET SAM HUNT
l7 RE-ENTRY COURTESY OF THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE (THE ANGRY AMERICAN) TOBY KEITH
8 7 17 BLUEBIRD MIRANDA LAMBERT
l9 NEW IF THAT AIN’T GOD CHRIS YOUNG
l10 11 23 CHASIN’ YOU MORGAN WALLEN
11 1 3 STICK THAT IN YOUR COUNTRY SONG ERIC CHURCH
12 8 30 NOBODY BUT YOU BLAKE SHELTON DUET WITH GWEN STEFANI
13 9 15 BE A LIGHT THOMAS RHETT F/R. MCENTIRE, H. SCOTT, C. TOMLIN & K. URBAN
l14 16 10 I LOVE MY COUNTRY FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
l15 NEW SEASIDE BILLY CURRINGTON
16 14 10 ONE OF THEM GIRLS LEE BRICE
17 15 6 MY TRUCK BRELAND
18 12 47 THE BONES MAREN MORRIS
l19 NEW BROKEN UP MITCHELL TENPENNY
20 20 5 DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART MADDIE & TAE
21 19 229 TENNESSEE WHISKEY CHRIS STAPLETON
22 17 23 DOES TO ME LUKE COMBS FEAT. ERIC CHURCH
23 21 7 WHY WE DRINK JUSTIN MOORE
l24 25 58 GOD’S COUNTRY BLAKE SHELTON
l25 RE-ENTRY MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN MORGAN WALLEN
THIS
W
EEK
LAST
W
EEK
WKS
ON
CH
ART
TITLEARTIST
l1 2 53 THE BONES MAREN MORRIS
l2 4 14 HARD TO FORGET SAM HUNT
3 1 37 I HOPE GABBY BARRETT
l4 7 10 BLUEBIRD MIRANDA LAMBERT
l5 5 27 CHASIN’ YOU MORGAN WALLEN
l6 6 8 ONE MARGARITA LUKE BRYAN
7 3 47 HEARTLESS DIPLO PRESENTS THOMAS WESLEY FEAT. MORGAN WALLEN
l8 12 5 DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART MADDIE & TAE
l9 8 170 TENNESSEE WHISKEY CHRIS STAPLETON
l10 9 73 WHISKEY GLASSES MORGAN WALLEN
11 10 46 ONE MAN BAND OLD DOMINION
l12 11 114 BEAUTIFUL CRAZY LUKE COMBS
l13 14 6 GOT WHAT I GOT JASON ALDEAN
l14 16 9 MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN MORGAN WALLEN
l15 18 4 I LOVE MY COUNTRY FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
l16 15 137 MEANT TO BE BEBE REXHA & FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
l17 21 6 HERE AND NOW KENNY CHESNEY
18 13 22 I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY NOW CARLY PEARCE & LEE BRICE
Billboard will publish its annual GRAMMY® Contenders special issue, showcasing the music and artists that made an impact during the eligibility period for the 63rd GRAMMY Awards®.
This special issue will highlight the artists, producers and other creative professionals whose work is in contention this year, including for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist.
Billboard’s 6th annual Country Power Players issue will profile the people who have driven another solid year for the country music industry, generating billions in sales, streaming, and touring.
This special feature will include a photo portfolio featuring the top artists, songwriters, musicians, executives, and coverage on the most talked about topics in country music.
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 17 OF 20
COVID-19 has demanded a lot of reevaluation.The self-isolation has inspired some people to take on new hobbies, taught
entire industries how to work from home and reminded many of us to repri-oritize relationships with family and friends.
That kind of consideration caused a temporary crisis for Runaway June when original member Hannah Mulholland, who married Los Angeles-based drummer-cinematographer Ian Jay in October 2018, decided to leave the band and return to her native California as the pandemic unfolded. Her place was taken by vocalist-fiddler Natalie Stovall, who charted in 2014 as the lead voice in Natalie Stovall & The Drive before pursuing a solo career.
Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne, who served as a promotion representa-tive when The Drive was in operation, officially extended the offer.
“When she first called, I was so thrown because it’s such a left-field ask,” recalls Stovall. “Artists don’t get job offers to be other artists. That’s not something that happens.”
It was not the only coronavirus-related change to the Runaway June game plan. The week that COVID-19 was declared a national emergency, the trio’s single “Head Over Heels” was at No. 43 on the Country Air-play chart dated March 14. The band and Wheelhouse stopped working it.
“Overnight, that song became irrelevant,” says lead singer Naomi Cooke. “For a song called ‘Head Over Heels,’ literally no one could head over anywhere.”
In its place, the entire team focused on “We Were Rich,” a song that reexamines family and priorities conveyed by an adult protagonist who has risen above meager financial roots but values the innocence of those wonder years more than her accomplishments. As it turned out, it was Stovall’s favorite song on the band’s 2019 debut album, Blue Roses. To update the recording, Mulholland’s vocals were stripped out; Stovall overdubbed a new alto voice and added light fiddle in a self-isolated session with a single engineer.
“That was the first time I really got to, quote, sing with the girls,” says Stovall. “It felt so natural. I love the sound of our voices together, and I am just so thankful that this gift was dropped into my lap in the middle of the world pandemic.”
“We Were Rich” fell into the laps of the songwriters — Nicolle Galyon (“Au-tomatic,” “Tequila”), Ashley Gorley (“Hard To Forget,” “Dirt on My Boots”) and Ross Copperman (“Nobody but You,” “I Lived It”) — during a December 2015 appointment. They had started a different uptempo song, and in the middle, began pursuing another track simply titled “Rich,” but the lighter approach they were using kept falling flat.
“I do remember Ashley just going, ‘What’s the most meaningful way that we can do this?’ ” says Galyon. “Once we allowed ourselves to go there, we locked into something that we felt mattered immediately.”
It became “We Were Rich,” a montage of childhood images — including a one-bathroom house, spare change under the sofa cushions, KOA camp-ing trips and Daddy’s lone paisley tie — that fed into a gentle message about money, social status and love.
“I just loved the whole [idea]: We had everything we needed; it wasn’t about money or things,” says Copperman. “You’re just describing this kind of simple childhood where money was not abundant.”
It skirts modern songwriting techniques, waiting over 70 seconds to arrive at the chorus, though it does drop the title in at the 36-second mark.
“That’s what kind of saved us,” says Gorley. “We just did what felt good with this one. These kinds of songs, the rules usually go out the window and
they just say what they want to say.”The message reaches its apex at the setup before the end of the chorus: “I
never thought the grass was greener/On the other side of our chain link fence.” Not only is chain link a cheaper form of neighborhood borders, it really does allow people to see if the other side has greener grass — or dirt, or weeds. The next line reminds the listener, “Yeah, we were rich.”
“All of these things in this song are about physically being together, which I don’t think we ever really talked about,” says Galyon. “But you can’t really do a lot of these things remotely. You have to do them with the people, in person.”
It took at least two sessions to finish, mostly because they had so many vi-gnettes that it was difficult to edit it down. Galyon sang the demo, built around an arpeggiated guitar and a descending, three-note instrumental hook that fills in gaps between stanzas. All of the writers believed they had written
something special, which led to frustration as over two years passed without a serious nibble.
“The song had been sitting around for forever, and me and Ashley were always just baffled,” recalls Copperman.
Finally, it found a home when Runaway June heard it during a face-to-face pitch meeting with a publisher near the end of recording Blue Roses.
“It’s like being in a perfume store after a while,” says Cooke of those appointments. “Everything smells the same. After you hear a hundred songs, it’s a little disorienting, but this song was just such a standout. Literally everyone in the room felt trans-ported back to their childhood, back to that KOA and back to that old house, pulling cushions off the couch and finding change. It was so powerful. We were all crying.”
Runaway June asked Copperman to take the reins on the master version, and he assembled a band at
Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studios, with Dan Dugmore spreading steel guitar tones over the track, propelled by guitarist Ilya Toshinsky’s rendition of the original arpeggiation.
“Ilya really drove that session,” says Wayne.Runaway June’s three-part harmony, judiciously placed to take advantage
of the song’s minimal chord changes, gave “We Were Rich” a new, sisterly sensibility.
“If you’re singing it by yourself, you’re singing your story,” says Wayne. “But when there’s three voices singing the song, it’s almost like all three of us are remembering our childhood together. I feel like that’s a really, really special thing.”
Wheelhouse issued the new version featuring Stovall to country radio via PlayMPE on June 12, just a week or two after paperwork for the new lineup was completed. The song’s nostalgic elements mimic some of the experiences adults are having in a lockdown in which most entertainment is recycled.
“If you’re watching things on TV, it’s usually reruns,” says Gorley. “If it’s sports, then it’s stuff that happened 20 years ago. People are having time, they’re going through their phones. All of a sudden I’ll send my wife some-thing with the kids from 10 years ago. It takes us back on a good, cool trip.”
“We Were Rich” entered the Country Airplay chart dated July 11 at No. 58 and moves to No. 55 in week two, perhaps offering simple wisdom to a na-tional debate about how best to balance financial concerns against family and health. That makes the song’s familiar images and familial message a reassuring salve for a difficult era.
“People want to escape what we’re going through right now,” says Cooke. “Maybe the healthiest way to do that is to go back to a happy time in our minds.”
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 18 OF 20
Country Airplay IndexA
AIN’T ALWAYS THE COWBOY Peermusic III, Ltd., BMI/Whiskey Tub Music, BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (B.Kinney, J.Thompson) 26
ALL NIGHT All The Kings Pens, ASCAP/Trampy McCauley, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Songstein Publishing, ASCAP/Songs In The Key Of Claire, ASCAP/Patriot Games Publishing, ASCAP/DTCM Ave, ASCAP (J. Osborne, T.J. Osborne, A.DeRoberts) 39
ALMOST MAYBES Ole Red Cape Songs, ASCAP/Jordan Davis Music, ASCAP/Anthem Entertainment, ASCAP/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/BIRB Music, ASCAP/BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP (J.Davis, J.Frasure, H.Lindsey) 48
B
BE A LIGHT EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Cricket On The Line, BMI/Matt Drag Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Jack 10 Publishing, BMI/Songs Of The Corn, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (Thomas Rhett, M.Dragstrem, J.Miller, J.Thompson) 10
BIG, BIG PLANS Magic Mustang Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Tree Vibez Music, LLC, BMI/Ern Dog Music, BMI (J.Durrett, C.Lane, E.K.Smith) 35
BLUEBIRD Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/Pink Dog Publishing, BMI/Emileon Songs, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Little Louder Songs, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Wrucke For You Publishing, BMI (M.Lambert, L.Dick, N.Hemby) 3
C
CHAMPAGNE NIGHT WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Haywoodja Cut That Song, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/RADIOBULLETSPublishing, BMI/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/EKT Publishing, SESAC/Sllaight Music Publishing, SOCAN/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Dat Damn Dean Music, BMI/Songs In The Key Of Claire, ASCAP/Patriot Games Publishing, ASCAP/Downtown DLJ Songs, ASCAP/G23 Publishing, SESAC/Eligible Music dba Songland Television Publishing, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC/Tempo Investments, GMR/Smackwood Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR/MerloJamsPublishing, ASCAP/Deluge Music, ASCAP/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP/Write Me A Song Publishing, GMR/Downtown Global Two, GMR (D.Haywood, C.Kelley, H.Scott, P.Conroy, E.R.Dean, A.DeRoberts, T.A.Gemza, S.McAnally, M.R.Merlo, R.B.Tedder, D.Thomson) 28
CHASIN’ YOU BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP/Team Destiny, ASCAP/JMZL Music, ASCAP/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Red Toe Rocker, ASCAP (J.Moore, M.Wallen, C.Wiseman) 5
COOL AGAIN Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/Songs For Owen Music, SESAC/Kobalt Group Music Publishing, SESAC/McGinntellectual Property, SESAC/True Blue Works, SESAC/RP Music, SESAC/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Koala T Tunes, BMI (K.Brown, J.Hodges, M.McGinn, L.Rimes) 13
D
DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART Super Big Music, ASCAP/Seven Red Brids Publishing, ASCAP/Big Music Machine, BMI/Jehovah Nissi Music, BMI/Jett Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Thankful For This Music, ASCAP/Doc And Maggie Music, SOCAN/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (M.Marlow, T.Dye, J.Singleton, D.Ruttan) 8
DONE ole Red Vinyl Music, BMI/Buckkilla Music, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Songsfortatum Publishing, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Rounding Third Publishing, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Mitchell Marlow Music, ASCAP/KJM Music Publishing, ASCAP (C.Janson, M.Oglesby, J.Paulin, M.Roy) 4
E
EVERY OTHER MEMORY Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/hurdjamz, BMI/Red Like The Sunset Music, ASCAP/Anthem Entertainment, ASCAP/Spicer And Everyting Nicer, ASCAP/Universal Music Corp., ASCAP/No Bridge Publishing, ASCAP (R.J.Hurd, N.Spicer, C.Taylor) 57
TITLE Publishing-Licensing Org. (Songwriter) Chart Position
EVERYWHERE BUT ON Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Pedal Down Music, ASCAP/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/Presley Jake Music, SESAC (M.Stell, P.Sikes, L.Miller) 20
GETTING GOOD Weistribe Publishing, ASCAP/Thankful For This Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (E.L.Weisband) 37
GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP/Gold Leaf Pages, ASCAP/Micah Carter Publishing Designee, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/You Want How Much Of What Publishing, BMI/Worldwide EMG Music B, BMI/Bro 2 Bro Publishing, BMI (C.August, M.Carter, Shy Carter, J.T.Slater) 12
THE GOOD ONES GBF Music Global, BMI/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/BMG Blue, BMI/Fox Landis Lyrics, BMI/Songs Of Jim McCormick, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Revinyl House, BMI (G.Barrett, E.Landis, J.McCormick, Z.Kale) 52
GOOD TIME W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/Niko Moon Publishing, SESAC/Here Comes The Boom Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Anna Moon Publishing, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Joshua Murty Publishing, ASCAP/Mark Trussell Music, ASCAP/Future Heartbeat Publishing, ASCAP (N.Moon, J.Minton, A.Moon, J.Murty, M.Trussell) 43
GOT WHAT I GOT Peertunes, Ltd., SESAC/MTNoize, SESAC/Peermusic III, Ltd., BMI/Alexander Palmer Songs, BMI/MV2 Music, BMI/Hits Like Hurricane, BMI (M.Tyler, A.Palmer, T.Archer) 18
H
HARD DAYS Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Indiana Angel Music, BMI/Don’t Be A Gypsy, BMI/Spirit Of Nashville One, BMI (B.Gilbert, J.Bell, B.Berryhill, J.Brunswick, L.Wall) 53
HARD TO FORGET Universal Music Corp., ASCAP/Between the Pines, LLC, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing, GMR/We Are Creative Nation, GMR/Suzanne James Songs, GMR/Unichappell Music, Inc., BMI/Smackstreet Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR/Tempo Investments, GMR/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Smackborne Music, ASCAP/Jamie Music Publishing Co., BMI (S.L.Hunt, A.Gorley, L.Laird, S.McAnally, J.Osborne, A.Grisham, M.J.Shurtz, R.Hull) 2
HOLE IN THE BOTTLE Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Vistaville Music, ASCAP/Steph Jones Who Music, ASCAP/Big Deal Hits, ASCAP/410 Music, ASCAP/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP (K.Ballerini, S.Jones, H.Lindsey, J.Frasure, A.Gorley) 45
HOW THEY REMEMBER YOU Son Of Ron Songs, ASCAP/Downtown DLJ Songs, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP/Smackville Music, ASCAP/Smack Songs LLC, ASCAP/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP/Built On Rock Music, ASCAP (M.Beeson, J.Osborne, A.Shamblin) 38
I
I CALLED MAMA All Night Linda Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/BMG Silver Songs, SESAC/Still Working For All Inc., SESAC/Sonic Style Music, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC/Cedar Church Music, BMI (M.Green, L.Miller, J.Yeary) 14
I LOVE MY COUNTRY Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/Plum Nelly, BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Big Tree Vibez Music, BMI/Ern Dog Music, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Big Crowd Publishing, ASCAP/Georgia Song Vibez, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Mandy’s Favorite Songs, BMI/Track House Worldwide Entertainment, BMI (K.Brown, C.Crowder, R.C.McGill, E.K.Smith, Charlie Handsome, W.Weatherly) 11
J
JUST THE WAY Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/JM Thomas Music, BMI/Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, ASCAP/Kevin Bard Music, ASCAP/Margetts Road Music, ASCAP/Nolan W. Sipe Music, ASACP (M.Thomas, K.Bard, N.W.Sipe) 56
L
LADY Super Big Music, ASCAP/Caliville Publishing, ASCAP/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP/Iris In The Sky With Diamonds, BMI/Nite Writer Music, ASCAP (B.Young, R.Copperman, J.M.Nite) 47
LONELY IF YOU ARE Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Dack Janiels Publishing, BMI/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Koala T Tunes, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Who Wants To Buy My Publishing, ASCAP (C.Rice, L.Rimes, H.Phelps) 19
LOVE YOU LIKE I USED TO BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Kailey’s Dream, BMI/Blue Corolla Oklahoma, SESAC/Feel Your Creative Pulse Music, SESAC/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Songs Of Home Team Music, BMI/Tunes Of TrailerParker, BMI (R.Dickerson, C.Brown, P.Welling) 30
LOVIN’ ON YOU Big Music Machine, BMI/50 Egg Music, BMI/Straight Dimes Publishing, BMI/MV2 Music, BMI/Larkin Hill Publishing, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Stay Creative Music, BMI/Works Of RHA, BMI (L.Combs, T.Archer, R.M.L.Fulcher, J.McNair) 17
M
MADE FOR YOU Plaid Flag Music, BMI/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/Dixie Stars Music, ASCAP/Son Of a Carl Music, ASCAP/HoriPro Entertainment Group, Inc., ASCAP (B.Davis, J.Hyde, N.A.Medley) 51
THE MAN WHO LOVES YOU THE MOST Weimerhound Music, BMI/Day For The Dead Publishing, SESAC/Reach Music Tunes, SESAC/Simonetti Music Publishing, SESAC/Kobalt Group Music Publishing, SESAC/Something To Be Proud Of Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI (Z.Brown, B.Simonetti, A.James) 49
MOMMA’S HOUSE Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP/Two Black Dogs, ASCAP/ole Music Of Parallel, BMI/Lucky Mic Publishing, BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Ford Drives A Chevy, BMI/Shirt At Work, BMI/Legends Of Magic Mustang Music, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC (D.Schneider, M.Lotten, R.Clawson, J.T.Wilson) 34
MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Tree Vibez Music, LLC, BMI/Em Dog Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI (M.W.Hardy, E.K.Smith, Charlie Handsome, M.Wallen) 31
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NOBODY Curb Congregation Songs, SESAC/Good Vibes, Good Times Music, SESAC/Curb Songs, ASCAP/Songs Of Riser House, BMI (D.Scott, M.Alderman, D.Wilson) 46
NOBODY BUT YOU EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Endurance Romeo Charlie, BMI/Smack Of Ham Songs, BMI/Smack Hits, GMR/Smack Songs LLC, GMR/Tempo Investments, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Smackborne Music, ASCAP/Still Working For The Man Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Smackstreet Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR (T.L.James, R.Copperman, S.McAnally, J.Osborne) 6
NO I IN BEER New House Of Sea Gayle Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Own My Own Music Publishing, ASCAP (B.Paisley, K.Lovelace) 23
NOW YOU KNOW Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Mandy’s Favorite Songs, BMI/Murphy The Wolf Music, BMI/Five Miles West Songs, BMI/Don’t Be A Gypsy, BMI (J.Langston, B.Clawson, B.Berryhill) 32
O
ONE BEER Relative Music Group, BMI/BIRB Music, ASCAP/New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, BMI/West Pass Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP (M.W.Hardy, H.Lindsey, J.Mitchell) 25
ONE BIG COUNTRY SONG Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI (J.Frasure, A.Gorley, M.W.Hardy) 7
ONE MARGARITA Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP/243 Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Matt Drag Music, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (M.R.Carter, M.Dragstrem, J.Thompson) 1
ONE NIGHT STANDARDS Canned Biscuit Songs, BMI/Smack Hits, GMR/Tempo Investments, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/I Love RHA, SESAC/Smackworks Music, SESAC/Smack Blue, LLC, SESAC/Smackstreet Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR (A.McBryde, S.McAnally, N.Hayford) 15
ONE OF THEM GIRLS Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Big Blue Nation Music, ASCAP/Natalia’s Music Money, BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Love Cannons Publishing, SESAC/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC (A.Gorley, B.Johnson, D.Davidson, L.Brice) 21
SHE’S MINE Music Of Stage Three, BMI/Songs Of Cornman, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Songs From The Couch, BMI/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (K.Moore, D.Couch, S.Stepakoff) 24
SINGLE SATURDAY NIGHT Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Art In The Fodder Music, BMI/Hark Molman Songs, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Ju Jettsu Music, BMI (A.Gorley, M.W.Hardy, M.Holmes) 58
SOMEBODY LIKE THAT Oven Music Inc., BMI/Ziggys Z Music, SESAC/Tunes Of Big Deal Music, SESAC/Songs Of Porterfied Music, SESAC (T.Arts, A.Kline, A.M.Cruz) 41
SOME GIRLS Harding Road Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Watsky Music, LLC, BMI/New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, BMI/West Pass Music, BMI/New House Of Sea Gayle Music, ASCAP (M.W.Hardy, J.Mitchell, C.J. Solar) 16
SOME PEOPLE DO Smackville Music, ASCAP/Smack Songs LLC, ASCAP/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Smack Hits, GMR/Smack Songs LLC, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Cricket On The Line, BMI/Tempo Investments, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR (M.Ramsey, J.Frasure, S.McAnally, Thomas Rhett) 29
STICK THAT IN YOUR COUNTRY SONG Hillbilly Science And Research Publishing, SESAC/Do Write Music, LLC/Jeffrey Steele Music, BMI (D.Naish, Jeffrey Steele) 33
THE STRANGER Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/What Is An Ingrid, BMI/Straight From The Art Music, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/SWMBMGBMI, BMI (I.Andress, R.Lafferty) 59
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THAT’S WHY I LOVE DIRT ROADS Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Climbing Windmills Music, BMI/EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP/CDS Words And Music, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing, GMR/Spruce Road Publishing, GMR/Nite Writer Music, ASCAP (C. DeStefano, J.M.Nite, B.Rempel, G.Smith) 50
THIS IS US KMR II GT Publishing Limited, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Round Hill Works, BMI/Georgia Song Vibez, ASCAP/We-Volve Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Sony/ATV Songs LLC, BMI/Sparko Phone Music, BMI/Medina Sound, BMI/DII Music LLC, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Pile Of Schmidt Songs, ASCAP/The Money Tree Vibez, ASCAP (N.Cyrus, T.Hubbard, J.M.Schmidt, I.Juber, D.Emile II) 54
TO HELL & BACK International Dog Music, BMI/Downtown DMP Songs, BMI/Jay Gatsby Music, BMI/Revelry Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Oh Denise Publishing, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI (M.Morris, J.J.Dillon, L.J.Veltz) 44
W
WE WERE RICH EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Rezolant Music, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Combustion Engine Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI (R.Copperman, A.Gorley, N.Galyon) 55
WHAT I SEE Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Neon Cross Music, BMI/Concession 114 Music, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Songs Of Freetown, BMI/Me Gusta Music, BMI/Abundantiam Publishing, BMI (T.Howell, B.Lancaster, C.B.Baldwin, J.N.Spillman) 40
WHY WE DRINK Big Music Machine, BMI/Double Barrel Ace Music, BMI/Seven Ring Circus Songs, BMI/Little Louder Songs, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Old Desperados, LLC, ASCAP/N2D Publishing Company, Inc., ASCAP/Carol Vincent And Associates, LLC., ASCAP/Ole Red Cape Songs, ASCAP/Real Big Red Tunes, ASCAP (J.Moore, C.Beathard, D.L.Murphy, J.S.Stover) 9
WORLDWIDE BEAUTIFUL Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Worldwide EMG Music B, BMI/You Want How Much Of What Publishing, BMI/hurdjamz, BMI/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Pile Of Schmidt Songs, ASCAP/The Money Tree Vibez, ASCAP (K.Brown, Shy Carter, R.J.Hurd, J.M.Schmidt) 36
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 19 OF 20
Hot Country Songs IndexA
AIN’T ALWAYS THE COWBOY Peermusic III, Ltd., BMI/Whiskey Tub Music, BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (B.Kinney, J.Thompson) 27
ALMOST MAYBES Ole Red Cape Songs, ASCAP/Jordan Davis Music, ASCAP/Anthem Entertainment, ASCAP/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/BIRB Music, ASCAP/BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP (J.Davis, J.Frasure, H.Lindsey) 32
B
BE A LIGHT EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Cricket On The Line, BMI/Matt Drag Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Jack 10 Publishing, BMI/Songs Of The Corn, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (Thomas Rhett, M.Dragstrem, J.Miller, J.Thompson) 11
BLUEBIRD Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/Pink Dog Publishing, BMI/Emileon Songs, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Little Louder Songs, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Wrucke For You Publishing, BMI (M.Lambert, L.Dick, N.Hemby) 5
THE BONES International Dog Music, BMI/Downtown DMP Songs, BMI/Jammy Rabbins Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs Jimmy Robbins, ASCAP/Extraordinary Alien Publishing, ASCAP/Oh Denise Publishing, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Heroes And Halos Music, BMI (M.Morris, J.M.Robbins, L.J.Veltz) 1
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CHAMPAGNE NIGHT WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Haywoodja Cut That Song, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/RADIOBULLETSPublishing, BMI/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/EKT Publishing, SESAC/Sllaight Music Publishing, SOCAN/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Dat Damn Dean Music, BMI/Songs In The Key Of Claire, ASCAP/Patriot Games Publishing, ASCAP/Downtown DLJ Songs, ASCAP/G23 Publishing, SESAC/Eligible Music dba Songland Television Publishing, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC/Tempo Investments, GMR/Smackwood Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR/MerloJamsPublishing, ASCAP/Deluge Music, ASCAP/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP/Write Me A Song Publishing, GMR/Downtown Global Two, GMR (D.Haywood, C.Kelley, H.Scott, P.Conroy, E.R.Dean, A.DeRoberts, T.A.Gemza, S.McAnally, M.R.Merlo, R.B.Tedder, D.Thomson) 34
CHASIN’ YOU BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP/Team Destiny, ASCAP/JMZL Music, ASCAP/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Red Toe Rocker, ASCAP (J.Moore, M.Wallen, C.Wiseman) 6
COOL AGAIN Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/Songs For Owen Music, SESAC/Kobalt Group Music Publishing, SESAC/McGinntellectual Property, SESAC/True Blue Works, SESAC/RP Music, SESAC/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Koala T Tunes, BMI (K.Brown, J.Hodges, M.McGinn, L.Rimes) 16
D
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI (C.Daniels, F.Edwards, J.Marshall, C.Hayward, T.Crain, T.DiGregorio) 24
DIE FROM A BROKEN HEART Super Big Music, ASCAP/Seven Red Brids Publishing, ASCAP/Big Music Machine, BMI/Jehovah Nissi Music, BMI/Jett Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Thankful For This Music, ASCAP/Doc And Maggie Music, SOCAN/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (M.Marlow, T.Dye, J.Singleton, D.Ruttan) 7
TITLE Publishing-Licensing Org. (Songwriter) Chart Position
DOES TO ME Big Music Machine, BMI/50 Egg Music, BMI/Straight Dimes Publishing, BMI/Works Of RHA, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Larkin Hill Publishing, BMI/Kirbfinder’s Mucho Love Music, BMI (L.Combs, R.M.L.Fulcher, T.M.Reeve) 13
DONE ole Red Vinyl Music, BMI/Buckkilla Music, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Songsfortatum Publishing, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Rounding Third Publishing, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Mitchell Marlow Music, ASCAP/KJM Music Publishing, ASCAP (C.Janson, M.Oglesby, J.Paulin, M.Roy) 12
E
EVERYWHERE BUT ON Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Pedal Down Music, ASCAP/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/Presley Jake Music, SESAC (M.Stell, P.Sikes, L.Miller) 28
G
GETTING GOOD Weistribe Publishing, ASCAP/Thankful For This Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (E.L.Weisband) 36
GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP/Gold Leaf Pages, ASCAP/Micah Carter Publishing Designee, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/You Want How Much Of What Publishing, BMI/Worldwide EMG Music B, BMI/Bro 2 Bro Publishing, BMI (C.August, M.Carter, Shy Carter, J.T.Slater) 14
THE GOOD ONES GBF Music Global, BMI/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/BMG Blue, BMI/Fox Landis Lyrics, BMI/Songs Of Jim McCormick, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Revinyl House, BMI (G.Barrett, E.Landis, J.McCormick, Z.Kale) 47
GOOD TIME W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC/Niko Moon Publishing, SESAC/Here Comes The Boom Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Anna Moon Publishing, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Joshua Murty Publishing, ASCAP/Mark Trussell Music, ASCAP/Future Heartbeat Publishing, ASCAP (N.Moon, J.Minton, A.Moon, J.Murty, M.Trussell) 30
GOT WHAT I GOT Peertunes, Ltd., SESAC/MTNoize, SESAC/Peermusic III, Ltd., BMI/Alexander Palmer Songs, BMI/MV2 Music, BMI/Hits Like Hurricane, BMI (M.Tyler, A.Palmer, T.Archer) 9
H
HARD TO FORGET Universal Music Corp., ASCAP/Between the Pines, LLC, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing, GMR/We Are Creative Nation, GMR/Suzanne James Songs, GMR/Unichappell Music, Inc., BMI/Smackstreet Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR/Tempo Investments, GMR/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Smackborne Music, ASCAP/Jamie Music Publishing Co., BMI (S.L.Hunt, A.Gorley, L.Laird, S.McAnally, J.Osborne, A.Grisham, M.J.Shurtz, R.Hull) 4
HERE AND NOW Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Red Toe Rocker, ASCAP/Old Desperados, LLC, ASCAP/N2D Publishing Company, Inc., ASCAP/Spirit Two Nashville, ASCAP/4TheKidz Music, ASCAP (C.Wiseman, D.L.Murphy, D.A.Garcia) 10
HOLE IN THE BOTTLE Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Vistaville Music, ASCAP/Steph Jones Who Music, ASCAP/Big Deal Hits, ASCAP/410 Music, ASCAP/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP (K.Ballerini, S.Jones, H.Lindsey, J.Frasure, A.Gorley) 33
I
I CALLED MAMA All Night Linda Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI/BMG Silver Songs, SESAC/Still Working For All Inc., SESAC/Sonic Style Music, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC/Cedar Church Music, BMI (M.Green, L.Miller, J.Yeary) 25
I HOPE Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/GBF Music Global, BMI/Revinyl House, BMI/EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP/Nite Writer Music, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, BMI (Z.Kale, J.M.Nite, G.Barrett) 3
I LOVE MY COUNTRY Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/Plum Nelly, BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Big Tree Vibez Music, BMI/Ern Dog Music, BMI/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Big Crowd Publishing, ASCAP/Georgia Song Vibez, ASCAP/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Mandy’s Favorite Songs, BMI/Track House Worldwide Entertainment, BMI (K.Brown, C.Crowder, R.C.McGill, E.K.Smith, Charlie Handsome, W.Weatherly) 8
J
JUST THE WAY Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/JM Thomas Music, BMI/Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, ASCAP/Kevin Bard Music, ASCAP/Margetts Road Music, ASCAP/Nolan W. Sipe Music, ASACP (M.Thomas, K.Bard, N.W.Sipe) 43
L
LADY Super Big Music, ASCAP/Caliville Publishing, ASCAP/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP/Iris In The Sky With Diamonds, BMI/Nite Writer Music, ASCAP (B.Young, R.Copperman, J.M.Nite) 35
LOVE YOU LIKE I USED TO BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Kailey’s Dream, BMI/Blue Corolla Oklahoma, SESAC/Feel Your Creative Pulse Music, SESAC/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Songs Of Home Team Music, BMI/Tunes Of TrailerParker, BMI (R.Dickerson, C.Brown, P.Welling) 31
LOVIN’ ON YOU Big Music Machine, BMI/50 Egg Music, BMI/Straight Dimes Publishing, BMI/MV2 Music, BMI/Larkin Hill Publishing, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Stay Creative Music, BMI/Works Of RHA, BMI (L.Combs, T.Archer, R.M.L.Fulcher, J.McNair) 21
M
THE MAN WHO LOVES YOU THE MOST Weimerhound Music, BMI/Day For The Dead Publishing, SESAC/Reach Music Tunes, SESAC/Simonetti Music Publishing, SESAC/Kobalt Group Music Publishing, SESAC/Something To Be Proud Of Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI (Z.Brown, B.Simonetti, A.James) 48
MOMMA’S HOUSE Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP/Two Black Dogs, ASCAP/ole Music Of Parallel, BMI/Lucky Mic Publishing, BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Ford Drives A Chevy, BMI/Shirt At Work, BMI/Legends Of Magic Mustang Music, SESAC/BMG Cicada, SESAC (D.Schneider, M.Lotten, R.Clawson, J.T.Wilson) 44
MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI/Tree Vibez Music, LLC, BMI/Em Dog Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI (M.W.Hardy, E.K.Smith, Charlie Handsome, M.Wallen) 19
N
NO I IN BEER New House Of Sea Gayle Music, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Own My Own Music Publishing, ASCAP (B.Paisley, K.Lovelace) 39
O
ONE BEER Relative Music Group, BMI/BIRB Music, ASCAP/New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, BMI/West Pass Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/BMG Gold Songs, ASCAP (M.W.Hardy, H.Lindsey, J.Mitchell) 22
ONE BIG COUNTRY SONG Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI (J.Frasure, A.Gorley, M.W.Hardy) 15
ONE MARGARITA Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP/243 Music, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs BLS JV, ASCAP/Matt Drag Music, ASCAP/Big Loud Proud Songs, ASCAP/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Big Music Machine, BMI/Two Laine Collections, BMI (M.R.Carter, M.Dragstrem, J.Thompson) 2
ONE NIGHT STANDARDS Canned Biscuit Songs, BMI/Smack Hits, GMR/Tempo Investments, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/I Love RHA, SESAC/Smackworks Music, SESAC/Smack Blue, LLC, SESAC/Smackstreet Music, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR (A.McBryde, S.McAnally, N.Hayford) 20
ONE OF THEM GIRLS Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Big Blue Nation Music, ASCAP/Natalia’s Music Money, BMI/Round Hill Compositions, BMI/Love Cannons Publishing, SESAC/W.C.M. Music Corp., SESAC (A.Gorley, B.Johnson, D.Davidson, L.Brice) 18
THE OTHER GIRL Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Tempo Investments, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Endurance Romeo Charlie, BMI/Smack Of Ham Songs, BMI/17Black Music, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI (K.Ballerini, S.McAnally, R.Copperman, A.Frangipane) 41
SHE’S MINE Music Of Stage Three, BMI/Songs Of Cornman, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Songs From The Couch, BMI/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, ASCAP (K.Moore, D.Couch, S.Stepakoff) 29
SINGLE SATURDAY NIGHT Round Hill Songs II, ASCAP/Caleb’s College Fund, ASCAP/Relative Music Group, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Art In The Fodder Music, BMI/Hark Molman Songs, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Ju Jettsu Music, BMI (A.Gorley, M.W.Hardy, M.Holmes) 45
SIX FEET APART Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Bootleg Lyrics, BMI/Tiltawhirl Music, BMI/Teefus Criley’s Tunes, BMI/Carnival Music Publishing, BMI/Works Of 50 Egg Music, BMI/Catch Your Dream Publishing, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/(SKMP), BMI (L.Combs, B.Cobb, R.Snyder) 40
SOME GIRLS Harding Road Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Watsky Music, LLC, BMI/New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, BMI/West Pass Music, BMI/New House Of Sea Gayle Music, ASCAP (M.W.Hardy, J.Mitchell, C.J. Solar) 26
SOME PEOPLE DO Smackville Music, ASCAP/Smack Songs LLC, ASCAP/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, ASCAP/Telemitry Rhythm House Music, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI/Songs Of Roc Nation Music, BMI/Smack Hits, GMR/Smack Songs LLC, GMR/Kobalt Music Group Ltd., GMR/EMI Blackwood Music Inc., BMI/Cricket On The Line, BMI/Tempo Investments, GMR/Warner Geo Met Ric Music, GMR (M.Ramsey, J.Frasure, S.McAnally, Thomas Rhett) 38
STICK THAT IN YOUR COUNTRY SONG Hillbilly Science And Research Publishing, SESAC/Do Write Music, LLC/Jeffrey Steele Music, BMI (D.Naish, Jeffrey Steele) 37
T
THIS BAR Relative Music Group, BMI/Ransom Quarter Note Music, ASCAP/Pie Cost Publishing, ASCAP/WC Music Corp., ASCAP/Torches And Pitchforks Music, BMI/Sony/ATV Countryside, BMI/Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Big Loud Mountain, BMI (M.W.Hardy, J.Morgan, J.Scott, E.K.Smith, Charlie Handsome, M.Wallen) 49
TO HELL & BACK International Dog Music, BMI/Downtown DMP Songs, BMI/Jay Gatsby Music, BMI/Revelry Music, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Oh Denise Publishing, BMI/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., BMI (M.Morris, J.J.Dillon, L.J.Veltz) 50
W
WHY WE DRINK Big Music Machine, BMI/Double Barrel Ace Music, BMI/Seven Ring Circus Songs, BMI/Little Louder Songs, BMI/Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., BMI/Old Desperados, LLC, ASCAP/N2D Publishing Company, Inc., ASCAP/Carol Vincent And Associates, LLC., ASCAP/Ole Red Cape Songs, ASCAP/Real Big Red Tunes, ASCAP (J.Moore, C.Beathard, D.L.Murphy, J.S.Stover) 17
WORLDWIDE BEAUTIFUL Songs Of Universal, Inc., BMI/Kane Brown Music, BMI/BMG Platinum Songs US, BMI/Worldwide EMG Music B, BMI/You Want How Much Of What Publishing, BMI/hurdjamz, BMI/Sony/ATV Accent, ASCAP/Pile Of Schmidt Songs, ASCAP/The Money Tree Vibez, ASCAP (K.Brown, Shy Carter, R.J.Hurd, J.M.Schmidt) 42
BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE JULY 13, 2020 | PAGE 20 OF 20
On July 20, 1985, Lee Greenwood’s “Dixie Road” traveled 2-1 on Hot
Country Songs. Written by Don Goodman, Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose, the song became Greenwood’s third of seven leaders.
Born Melvin Lee Greenwood in South Gate, Calif., he has posted 33 Hot Country Songs entries, includ-ing 20 top 10s.
Now 77, Greenwood sent his signature hit, “God Bless the USA,” to No. 7 on Hot Countr y Songs in July 1984. It also reentered at No. 16 in September 2001 after the 9/11 tragedy. On the current, July 18-dated Digital Song Sales and
Country Digital Song Sales charts, it reigns for the first time, up 366% to 15,000 downloads sold in the week ending July 9, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
Along with its perennial July 4 p o p u l a r i t y, “ U S A” h a s b e e n playe d at nu merou s p ol it ic a l gat her i ngs t h rou g h t he yea rs . Greenwood performed it live as recently as Feb. 1, when President Donald Trump held an event for supporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump has also played the recording regularly during campaign stops.
—JIM ASKER
Greenwood in 1985.
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35 Years AgoLee Greenwood’s ‘Road’ Led To No. 1In 1985, the artist best known for “God Bless the USA” banked his third Hot Country Songs leader