Tenille Townes’ “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” is No. 1 at BDS Canada and Mediabase Canada country radio charts this week—the acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer’s second chart-topping single following her Canadian Platinum-certified “Somebody’s Daughter,” which reached the pinnacle exactly a year ago this week. The feat makes Townes the only female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two No. 1 singles.

Of the accomplishment, Townes shares, “My heart is bursting because this song and the people who inspired it mean so much to me. And hearing stories from so many of you and how it’s made you feel less alone in your grieving and your questions, means the most to me.”

Released to widespread acclaim, Rolling Stone calls the single, “a stirring, full-bodied anthem about loss and faith,” while Taste of Country proclaims, “Townes continues to release music grounded in empathy…She aims for a higher brand of acclaim and satisfaction.”

Both “Jersey” and “Somebody’s Daughter” are featured Townes’ new EP, Road to the Lemonade Stand, which was produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town) and will be released February 7 via Columbia Nashville (pre-save/pre-order here). With the release of the EP, Townes is inviting fans to join her on the journey to her highly anticipated debut album, The Lemonade Stand, which will be released later this spring. Additional details to be announced soon.  

In celebration of the release, Townes will tour extensively this year including a series of dates supporting Alan Jackson. Upcoming stops include Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, Tulsa’s BOK Center, Denver’s Pepsi Center and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena among many others. See below for complete details. 

Today, CMT revealed the 17 artists to watch in its much-anticipated 2020 LISTEN UP campaign, which recognizes and supports country music’s most promising newcomers across CMT platforms. The year-long initiative raises awareness for new artists via support for their music and videos across CMT and CMT Music channels, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, CMT.com and @CMT social media channels, in addition to company-wide opportunities including live events and the ViacomCBS’ Times Square NYC Billboard. 

“CMT has curated an incredible list of emerging talent for 2020! Equally important, it’s a diverse group of new artists with 50/50 parity for female and male artists, with one bonus wildcard – Hot Country Knights – thrown in for good measure!” shared Leslie Fram, SVP of Music & Talent at CMT. “We will follow and support these newcomers throughout the year with opportunities from video airplay, content rollout, social support and live performances. We can’t wait for our audience to see and hear more of what they can do!”

The below 17 artists join CMT’s prestigious 2020LISTEN UP roster:  

·         Adam Doleac
·         Avenue Beat
·         Blanco Brown
·         Caleb Lee Hutchinson
·         Caylee Hammack
·         Gabby Barrett
·         Hailey Whitters
·         Hot Country Knights
·         Madison Kozak
·         Marcus King
·         Niko Moon
·         Parker McCollum
·         Payton Smith
·         Sam Williams
·         Sykamore
·         Tiera
·         Walker County

Since 2011, CMT’s LISTEN UP franchise has introduced new artists to the network’s passionate fan base and has helped launch the careers of superstars including Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Midland and RaeLynn, among others.

Earlier this week, CMT pledged 50/50 video airplay parity for female and male artists across CMT and CMT Music channels and teased its forthcoming #CMTEqualPlay campaign. Several of CMT’s LISTEN UP artists – Aubrie Sellers (2016), Brandy Clark (2016), Hailey Whitters, Madison Kozak and Walker County – are among those slated to open for GRAMMY-nominee Tanya Tucker when the CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour kicks off on February 5. 

RCA Nashville exciting newcomer Niko Moon has dropped his latest sonic-melding track “PARADISE TO ME” today (1/24). Listen here.

This new release is another glimpse into Moon’s singular sound, blending Atlanta-bred hip-hop and rural-fed traditional country, which takes center stage on Moon’s debut EP GOOD TIME – set for release Feb. 14. Listeners can pre-save GOOD TIME to their collections here. 

The rising star was recently named to CMT’s annual “LISTEN UP” campaign, which recognizes and supports country music’s most promising newcomers, as well as Amazon Music’s 2020 Artists to Watch list.

Following standout runs supporting Filmore and Eli Young Band, Moon kicks off his opening stint on Ryan Hurd’s PLATONIC TOUR Thursday, Jan. 30 at The Bluestone in Columbus, OH. Later this spring, he’ll head overseas to perform at C2C London, CMC Rocks QLD, and CMA Introducing Nashville series throughout Australia and New Zealand. 

Riser House/Columbia Nashville artist Mitchell Tenpenny is delivering more new digital music to his Night Owl fans releasing “Can’t Go To Church” today. The song was written by Mitchell, Jordan Schmidt and Matt Rogers. Find it HERE .

“I grew up in Nashville and went to a Christian school, David Lipscomb High School. All my friends and I attended both school and church together. The girlfriend I had at the time broke up with me and the first thing you do at that age is try to avoid them. And I knew if I went to church, I would see her. So, I wrote this song not because I didn’t believe in God and didn’t want to fellowship, I just didn’t want to see her. I said a prayer to God that ‘I will praise you, I just can’t walk in there anymore.’”

Mitchell’s current single “Anything She Says” was delivered to country radio after fans streamed the song over ten million times. Since its release streams have reached 25 million and it’s climbing the charts at radio. The single’s music video debuted on YouTube Music on January 10 and was played for the in-house audience before Mitchell’s Opry at The Ryman performance that night.

Last week, Mitchell launched the second leg of his ANYTHING SHE SAYS TOUR with special guests Seaforth and Adam Doleac. PEOPLE Magazine shared an exclusive look behind the scenes.

ACM, CMA and CMT Award-winning artist Luke Combs will make his debut as the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” next Saturday, Feb. 1, with host J.J. Watt. 

The performance is just the latest achievement in what continues to be a groundbreaking and historic series of years for Combs. In November, his critically acclaimed new album, What You See Is What You Get, debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with 172,000 equivalent units sold. It was also a global No. 1 album, topping charts in Canada, Australia and the U.K. Out now via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville (stream/purchase here ), the record enjoyed the largest streaming week ever for a country album with 74 million on-demand streams. It also achieved the biggest first week of album streams ever for a country artist on Apple Music and was the first country album ever to hit No. 1 on the platform’s U.S. overall albums chart, while also setting a new global record for first-week streams for a country album at Spotify and breaking the Amazon Music record for more first-week streams than any other country album debut. 

Produced by Scott Moffatt, What You See Is What You Get features 17 songs including the five tracks previously released via The Prequel EP last summer. The EP debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with all five tracks charting on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Top 25—a feat not accomplished by any artist in 60 years since Johnny Cash in 1959. Additionally, Combs’ most recent single, “Even Though I’m Leaving,” spent its third week at No. 1 at country radio, making it Combs’ seventh consecutive No. 1—a first on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

In celebration of the release, Combs is set to headline his first ever stadium show at Appalachian State University’s Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, NC on May 2. The sold-out stadium show is part of Combs’ “What You See Is What You Get Tour,” which continues Combs’ historic success on the road with all ten of the concerts selling out immediately after going on-sale.

Continuing his historic year, Combs’ double Platinum debut album This One’s For You recently spent its 50th non-consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart with Shania Twain’s Come On Over in 1997. This One’s For You was also the most-streamed country album of 2019. 

Sony Music Nashville has announced today the new signing of ROSS ELLIS to its roster. 

“I’m so excited to join the Sony Music family! When I moved to this town five years ago, I was broke, had written maybe five songs and didn’t know a soul on music row,” shares Ellis. “Now with an army of personal and professional support behind me and most importantly, God, I’m ready for what comes next on this crazy journey. And yes, that includes new music very, very soon!”

Born and raised in the small town of Monterey, Louisiana, Ellis began playing at fifteen in a band he formed with his cousin and some high school friends called “Wayside.” The band gained a strong following throughout Ellis’ high school and college years, playing venues across Louisiana and Mississippi. After graduating from University of Louisiana at Monroe, Ellis turned down multiple job offers to instead move to Nashville. After a month of living out of hotels, Ellis met a couple singer/songwriters who were looking for a third roommate. He worked various part time jobs during the day while songwriting in the evenings and weekends as well as playing writer’s rounds every chance he could. 

Ellis has released a number of powerful tracks independently since moving to Nashville including, “Home for the Weekend” in 2017, followed by his hauntingly powerful song, “Ghosts,” in 2018. He also celebrated a deeply personal milestone when fellow Louisiana native, Tim McGraw, released, “Neon Church,” co-written by Ellis, Ben Goldsmith and Ben Stennis in Oct. 2018. 

The Boot has called the Louisiana-native an “Artist to Watch” after “penning tracks for some of country music’s biggest acts.” Much of his early acclaim is no doubt due to soulful and personal tracks like his most recent release “Buy and “Buy” with country superstar Thomas Rhett telling Nash Country Daily “…it’s one of the freshest songs on the radio.” The song went on to hit No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Top 30 Countdown last month and has been featured on Apple Music’s Breaking Country, Amazon’s Introducing Country and Spotify’s Wild Country.

Since its release last fall, “Buy and Buy” has continued to receive a strong response from listeners as well reaching over 2 million in consumption to date and averaging almost 2000 in weekly sales.  Listen to “Buy and Buy,” and watch Ellis’ one-take acoustic video . 

While always writing and recording, Ellis has toured alongside Chris Janson, Brett Young, Chase Rice, Raelynn, and Eli Young Band. He is an BMI-represented writer, signed to Big Deal Music for publishing, and booked through WME.

For more information, visit rossellismusic.com or on social media @RossEllisMusic.

“Breakthrough entertainer” (Associated Press) Kane Brown played to a sold-out crowd last Thursday night (1/9) at the Los Angeles Staples Center.  With the record-breaking sell-out, Brown becomes one of only 10 other country acts to have sold out the historic LA arena in the venue’s 20-year history. 
 
In partnership with the Staples Center’s 20th anniversary celebration, Brown took to the stage to perform fan-favorite songs including “Learning,” as well as his four No. 1 hits at Country Radio, “Heaven,” “What Ifs,” “Lose It” and “Good As You.” Special surprise guest Marshmello took to the stage to join Brown for their “brutally catchy” (Rolling Stone) single, “One Thing Right” which was officially certified Platinum and has more than half a billion streams to date.  Additionally and true to form, Brown gave fans a sneak preview of new music and future  collaborations, performing two new tracks for his fans including “Take Me Home” with country trio Restless Road. 

The Multi-Platinum entertainer and 4X AMA winner continues to “defy-genres” and “break boundaries” (Billboard) in country music. After a record-breaking pre-sale in July, Brown sold out the Staples Center in under 90 minutes and became only the 11th country artist in the venue’s 20-year history to sell out the arena. Others include Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain and Tim McGraw. Brown is the first artist in Billboard history to top all 5 Billboard  Country charts simultaneously and with the 4X Platinum certification of “Heaven,” he became one of only five country acts with multiple 4X Platinum hits joining Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt and Taylor Swift.

Noted as being the “future of Country” (Billboard) and one of “31 People Changing the South” (Time), Brown released his sophomore Experiment in 2018, which debuted #1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums chart. He was one of only three country artists to top the Billboard 200 chart in all of 2018. To date, Experiment has produced back-to-back #1 hit singles- the Platinum-selling hit, “Lose It” and Platinum-selling hit, “Good As You,”– and was ranked by The New York Times  as one of the Top 10 Best Albums of the Year. An ACM, AMA, Billboard and CMT nominee, Brown first broke through the country charts with his debut self-titled album, which debuted #1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts and spent 13 weeks at the top of the chart. 

KANE BROWN STAPLES CENTER SET LIST:
Baby Come Back To Me
What Ifs
Weekend
Used To Love You Sober
Good As You
Learning
Homesick
Take Me Home (featuring Restless Road)
Short Skirt Weather
Be Like That
Like A Rodeo
Found You
Pull It Off
One Thing Right (featuring Marshmello)
Heaven
Lose It

Canadian-born and Nashville-based, Townes recently won four awards at the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards: Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Somebody’s Daughter”), Anthem Entertainment Songwriter of the Year and Video of the Year (“Somebody’s Daughter”). Winning all four of her nominated categories, Townes lead the night with the most awards received. She is also a MusicRow 2020 Next Big Thing Artist, an iHeartCountry’s “On The Verge” artist and has been included in Amazon Music’s “2019 Artists To Watch,” CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” iHeart Radio’s “Artists To Watch in 2019,” “The Bobby Bones Show’s” “Class of 2019,” CMT’s “Listen Up” and the inaugural class of “Opry NextStage.” Townes also recently participated in Cracker Barrel’s “Five Decades, One Voice” campaign—a project created to highlight the importance of women in country music by celebrating legendary female artists and those following in their footsteps. For the project, Townes was personally selected by Brandi Carlile to collaborate on new versions of two songs—Townes’ “ Somebody’s Daughter” and Carlile’s “Fulton County Jane Doe.”

In addition to her work as a musician and songwriter, Townes remains committed to charitable causes including her own initiative, Big Hearts For Big Kids, which has raised over $1.9 million to date benefiting a youth shelter in her hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta. More information can be found at bigheartsforbigkids.com.

ROAD TO THE LEMONADE STAND TRACK LIST
1. “Holding Out For The One”
2. “White Horse”  
3. “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” 
4. “I Kept The Roses”
5. “Somebody’s Daughter” 
6. “Stupid Boy”  

TENILLE TOWNES CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
January 17—Las Vegas, NV—The Colosseum at Caesars Palace*
January 18—Las Vegas, NV—The Colosseum at Caesars Palace*
January 23-24—Rivera Cancun, Mexico—Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Festival 
February 8—Nashville, TN—Country Music Hall of Fame 
February 10—Nashville, TN—All For The Hall at Bridgestone Arena 
February 14—Atlanta, GA—State Farm Arena†
February 15—New Orleans, LA—Smoothie King Center†
February 21—El Paso, TX—UTEP Don Haskins Center†
February 22—Fort Worth, TX—Dickies Arena†
March 7—Berlin, Germany—Verti Music Hall 
March 8—Amsterdam, Netherlands—AFAS Live 
March 10—Cologne, Germany—Club Volta 
March 11—Munich, Germany—Hansa 39 
March 13—London, UK—The O2 
March 14—Glasgow, UK—SSE Hydro 
March 15—Dublin, Ireland—3Arena 
March 26—Tulsa, OK—BOK Center†
March 27—Springfield, MO—JQH Arena†
March 28—Kissimmee, FL—Country Thunder 
April 8—Green Cove Springs, FL—Clay County Fair 
April 17—Biloxi, MS—Crawfish Music Festival 
April 19—Florence, AZ—Country Thunder 
April 25—Indio, CA—Stagecoach Festival 
August 7—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena†
August 28—Detroit, MI—Little Caesars Arena†
August 29—Green Bay, WI—Resch Center†
October 2—Salt Lake City, UT—Vivint Smart Home Arena†
October 3—Denver, CO—Pepsi Center†
*supporting Keith Urban
†supporting Alan Jackson  

Miranda Lambert is giving communities throughout her upcoming Wildcard Tour the chance to shine a spotlight on local first responders.

Radio listeners can nominate local first responders to participating country stations (click here for full list). The selected honoree will receive two show tickets and meet & greets with Lambert.

“I was really inspired by Kelly Ford, who honors a first responder every Friday on her show, and last November I got to nominate my husband, Brendan. I wanted to be able to spread that to every city we’re visiting on the Wildcard Tour, and say thank you to the brave men and women who keep those places safe,” said Lambert. “It’s been incredibly inspiring to hear stories of local heroes, and I’m honored to have them as our guests every night.”

The Wildcard Tour gets underway Friday, Jan. 16 in Tupelo, Miss. with special guests Cody Johnson and LANCO. Tickets are available now at MirandaLambert.com. 

Wildcard Tour Dates:
Thursday, Jan. 16   BancorpSouth Arena || Tupelo, Miss.+
Friday, Jan. 17        Mississippi Coast Coliseum || Biloxi, Miss.+
Saturday, Jan. 18    Legacy Arena at the BJCC || Birmingham, Ala.+
Thursday, Jan. 23    Verizon Arena || Little Rock, Ark.+
Friday, Jan. 24         Bridgestone Arena || Nashville, Tenn.+
Saturday, Jan. 25     Ford Center || Evansville, Ind.+
Wednesday, Jan. 29  The Birds Nest || Scottsdale, Ariz.#
Friday, Jan. 31         Vivint Smart Home Arena || Salt Lake City, Utah+
Saturday, Feb. 1    Pepsi Center || Denver, Colo.+
Thursday, Feb. 6    Sprint Center || Kansas City, Mo.*
Friday, Feb. 7         BOK Center || Tulsa, Okla.*
Saturday, Feb. 8    American Airlines Center || Dallas, Texas*
Thursday, Feb. 20    Honda Center || Anaheim, Calif.+
Friday, Feb. 21        Viejas Arena || San Diego, Calif.+
Saturday, Feb. 22    Toyota Arena || Ontario, Calif.+
Thursday, Feb. 27    Save Mart Center || Fresno, Calif.+
Friday, Feb. 28        SAP Center || San Jose, Calif.+
Saturday, Feb. 29    Golden 1 Center || Sacramento, Calif.+
Thursday, April 23    Ford Idaho Center Arena || Boise, Idaho+
Friday, April 24        Spokane Arena || Spokane, Wash.+
+Featuring Cody Johnson and LANCO
*Featuring Randy Rogers Band and Parker McCollum
#Featuring Cody Johnson

SMN is celebrating eight 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations, with Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Matt Stell, and Tenille Townes each picking up nods for this year’s Awards.

Combs is nominated in the all-genre Male Artist of the Year category, as well as Country Song of the Year (“Beautiful Crazy”) and Country Artist of the Year.

Lambert’s cover of “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” which features Morris and Townes among its collaborators, was tapped for Best Cover Song.

Morris’ “GIRL” is up for Best Country Song, while “The Bones” is nominated for Best Lyrics and Best Remix for her reimagined version featuring Hozier.

Matt Stell is featured in the Best New Country Artist category. A full list of categories including SMN nominees is below.

The 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards air Sunday, March 29 live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Fox.

Male Artist of the Year:
Ed Sheeran
Khalid
Luke Combs
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes

Country Song of the Year:
“Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs
“GIRL” – Maren Morris
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” – Justin Moore
“Whiskey Glasses” – Morgan Wallen

Country Artist of the Year:
Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett

Best New Country Artist:
Jimmie Allen
Matt Stell
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Runaway June

Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
“7 rings” – Ariana Grande
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish
“Beautiful People” – Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid
“Hot Girl Summer” – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign
“Juice” – Lizzo
“Lose You To Love Me” – Selena Gomez
“Nightmare” – Halsey
“Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
“Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
“The Bones” – Maren Morris
“You Need to Calm Down” – Taylor Swift

Best Cover Song: *Socially Voted Category
Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” – Miley Cyrus cover
Ariana Grande – “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” – Lana Del Rey cover
Phil Collins – “Can’t Stop Loving You” – Taylor Swift cover
Sam Smith & Normani – “Dancing With A Stranger” – 5SOS cover
Elvin Bishop – “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” – Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack cover
The Rembrandts – “I’ll Be There For You” – Meghan Trainor cover
Taylor Swift – “Lover” – Keith Urban cover
Lewis Capaldi – “Someone You Loved” – Camila Cabello cover
Jonas Brothers – “Sucker” – Halsey cover
Post Malone – “Sunflower” – Vampire Weekend cover

Best Remix: *Socially Voted Category
“bad guy” – Billie Eilish (with Justin Bieber)
“Con Calma” – Daddy Yankee, Katy Perry featuring Snow
“Good As Hell” – Lizzo featuring Ariana Grande
“Higher Love” – Kygo & Whitney Houston
“Lover” – Taylor Swift featuring Shawn Mendes
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“The Bones” – Maren Morris featuring Hozier
“Thotiana” – Blueface featuring Cardi B and YG
“Trampoline” – SHAED featuring Zayn
“Without Me” – Halsey featuring Juice WRLD