SMACK's Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne celebrated Midland's 1st number one for "Drinkin' Problem" with Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson, and Mark Wystrach of Midland and co-producer Dann Huff. Midland's debut full length album, On the Rocks, produced by McAnally and Osborne is available now.
Kenny Chesney Scores His 30th Chart-Topping Single
Kenny Chesney's "All the Pretty Girls" takes the #1 spot this week (I'll back date the post) making 13 #1s for SMACK's Josh Osborne.
Walker Hayes isn’t afraid to sing about struggling, and it’s making him a success →
Walker Hayes shows The Washington Post a vulnerable side as he talks about both his personal and professional failures and successes. Hayes finds that singing about his struggles really strikes a nerve with his audience. Hayes says, “They don’t want me to write a song about a Saturday nightunless it’s a Saturday night that actually went down. To me, that makes the music so much better – I think that’s standing out.”
Matthew Ramsey Of Old Dominion On Why Men Should Write About "Girl Power" →
Old Dominion front man, Matt Ramsey, writes a letter to Refinery 29 about the message behind “Be With Me.” Ramsey says, “Between the seven dudes who created this song and video, there are 11 daughters. Hopefully one day they watch this video and see how inspiring they can be, just by being themselves. The women in my life show me that every day. These are women I want to ‘be with me.’” Admittedly, girl power is not something you would expect from an all guy band, but the men of Old Dominion wanted to not only recognize the wonderful women around them, but all women in general.
Click here to read the full article.
Newcomer Brandon Lay’s High School Memories Target Radio ‘Speakers’
In Brandon Lay’s debut single, ”Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers,” Lay collaborates with writer Shane McAnally as they introduce listeners to a bit of the newcomer’s history and get a glimpse of his background. Lay tells Billboard that this song details the three biggest parts of his high school years; music, sports and religion. Brandon says, “Being a brand-new guy that nobody knows, the label was like, ‘[The lead single] needs to be something that tells your story and lets people know what you’re all about and where you come from.’”
Click here to read the full article
Old Dominion Launches “Happy Endings” →
Old Dominion’s new album Happy Endings is produced by GRAMMY Award winning producer and songwriter, Shane McAnally. The new album’s increased use off off-the-beat melodic rhythms mirrors the band’s unique style. Lead singer Matt Ramsey says, “We wanted to have something substantial, but for the most part it was just, ‘Let’s focus on the song.’ We didn’t look for like a bigger, broader statement or anything. We just wanted to make sure that the songs were solid and our performances were good.”
Billboard compliments the bands understanding of their own identity, calling that understanding key.
Click here to read the full article
Kelsea Ballerini Releases "Unapologetically" Track List
Unapologetically track list:
1. “Graveyard” (Ballerini, Forest Glen Whitehead, Shane McAnally; *Produced by Whitehead, Massey, McAnally)
2. “Miss Me More” (Ballerini, David Hodges, Brett McLaughlin)
3. “Get Over Yourself” (Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally)
4. “Roses” (Ballerini, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley)
5. “Machine Heart” (Ballerini, Greg Wells, James Abrahart)
6. “In Between” (Ballerini, Jimmy Robbins, McAnally)
7. “High School” (Ballerini)
8. “End Of The World” (Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey, Lindsay Rimes; *Produced by Lindsay Rimes)
9. “I Hate Love Songs” (Ballerini, Trevor Rosen, McAnally)
10. “Unapologetically” (Ballerini, Whitehead, Hillary Lindsey)
11. “Music” (Ballerini, Robbins, Nicolle Galyon, Jennifer Denmark; *Produced by Whitehead, Massey, Robbins)
12. “Legends” (Ballerini, Whitehead, Lindsey)
Read More: Kelsea Ballerini's "Unapologetically" coming Nov. 3
Midland Releases "On the Rocks" Track List
1. “Lonely for You Only” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne)
2. “Make a Little” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne(
3. “Drinkin’ Problem” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
4. “At Least You Cried” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Jonathan Singleton)
5. “Burn Out” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
6. “Out of Sight” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
7. “More Than a Fever” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
8. “Check Cashin’ Country” (Jess Carson)
9. “Nothin’ New Under the Neon” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
10. “This Old Heart” (Jess Carson, Mark Wystrach, David Lee Murphy, Jonathan Singleton)
11. “Altitude Adjustment” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson)
12. “Electric Rodeo” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
13. “Somewhere on the Wind” (Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne)
Read More: Midland's Debut Album Coming Sept. 22 |
SMI (Surviving the Music Industry) chats with multi Platinum, GRAMMY Award winning songwriter, Josh Osborne
The SMI Podcast, hosted by Brandon Harrington, featured an interview with 12-time No.1 hit songwriter, Josh Osborne. The 72 minute podcast follows Josh’s journey from signing his first publishing deal to earning his latest No.1s.
Source: https://www.smipodcast.com/josho
The Washington Post: How Sam Hunt’s ‘Body Like a Back Road’ became a top contender for song of the summer
The Washington Post describes the “two-minute-and-45-second earworm” as not only the country song of the summer, but also one of the top songs for 2017 across all genres. With the announcement of its 25th week atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, “Body Like A Back Road” has broken the record as the longest standing No.1 Country song in the chart’s history.
Entertainment Focus: Interview with Country Music Rising Star Jo Smith →
Entertainment Focus talks with Jo Smith about her new EP, upcoming music and UK debut at the Nashville Meets London Festival.
Entertainment Focus says, “Rising star Jo Smith is about to be the next big thing in country music, with her single Old School Groove already getting a great response in the States.”
Smith speaks about her music’s influences, collaborations and even fan reactions.
People Magazine: Five Things to Know About Walker Hayes →
People Country dives into Walker Hayes’ family life, music career and details everything else in between. Hayes speaks about influences such as his six children, ultra-supportive wife and even his background in classical piano.
People describes the artist’s lyrics as “wildly creative” and compares him to great legends. Hayes says that his songs are “really just journal entries from my life. I started writing songs about dollar stores, my kids, experiences with my wife. I just started writing about the truth because really that’s my expertise.”
NPR: Walker Hayes’ Mixtapes Keep Country Conversational: World Cafe Nashville →
"Walker Hayes details his journey in the industry, shares inspiration for his 8Tracks and reveals the story behind his new single, “You Broke Up With Me.” Hayes also speaks about his opportunity for a second chance in music and details how this time is different than the first time around. "I have ultimate freedom to write the truth. To me that's the biggest difference — and I got a haircut,” Hayes says.”
Exclusive Q & A with Jo Smith and Whiskey Riff →
Whiskey Riff describes Jo Smith’s style as a unique blend of contemporary country and classic Motown. Whiskey Riff sits down with Jo Smith to talk about upcoming projects, her journey so far and her single, “Old School Groove.”
Walker Hayes included in The Tennessean’s “5 Buzzworthy Nashville Artists” →
The Tennessean has tapped Walker Hayes as one of Nashville’s hot new artists. Hayes asserts that authenticity is key for new artists to keep in mind. “My stuff is authentic, and it’s 100 percent who I am,” Hayes says. “I don’t think I could have found that avenue to reach people with my music without the people I’ve met in this town.”
CMT: Jo Smith's Soul-Searching Evolution →
CMT dives deep into the artist evolution of Jo Smith, calling Smith’s current music, "Sassy, frank, warm, bold and real.” Smith candidly admits that it took years to figure out who she is as an artist, but remarks that her journey is filled with gratitude for her past experiences and lessons learned among the way. “That’s the whole thing of learning to listen to your inner voice,” Smith says. “I know that sounds super corny. It took me my first decade in Nashville to know that that little thing inside was what I should listen to.”
Jo Smith is a Rolling Stone “New Country Artist You Need to Know: May 2017 →
Rolling Stone Country has named Jo Smith one of ten “new country artists you need to know” in May 2017. Rolling Stone Country recommends Smith for fans of Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini and Sixties girl groups.
"I grew up in South Georgia listening to my dad’s country and Motown records, and it was so important to me to blend those influences on my new EP,” Smith says. "My single 'Old School Groove' sets the tone perfectly of who I am as an artist, and I'm so proud the world is getting to hear it."
Jo Smith Drops ‘Old School Groove’
Sarah Skates • March 17, 2017 •
SMACKSongs artist Jo Smith has released the first song from her debut EP for the label. “Old School Groove” is a Motown-inspired torcher set to steel guitar. It was revealed as a Highway Find on SiriusXM’s “The Highway” earlier today (March 17).
The four-song project, titled Introducing Jo Smith, was helmed by award-winning producers Jesse Frasure (Thomas Rhett) and Shane McAnally (Sam Hunt, Kacey Musgraves), masters of blending classic R&B with contemporary country.
“Old School Groove,” which was written by Ben Burgess, Bobby Huff and Smith, yearns for the 1960s when a lover’s heart could spin like “vintage vinyl.”
“I love how this song connects with people,” says Smith. “There is a reason that vinyl is making a comeback, and I think this song captures the essence of that time.”
Smith has a lot to celebrate. Earlier this week, the Country Music Association announced that Smith will perform on the 2017 CMA Fest Broadway Stage.
Read more: https://www.musicrow.com/2017/03/jo-smith-drops-old-school-groove/
Story Behind the Song: William Michael Morgan, ‘I Met a Girl’
William Michael Morgan earned a No. 1 hit with his debut single, “I Met a Girl.” The song, from Morgan’s freshman album, Vinyl, was written by Shane McAnally, Old Dominion‘s Trevor Rosen and Sam Hunt, before the latter two had record deals of their own. Morgan says that, although he didn’t write the song, it resonated with him when he recorded it, and rings even more true now that he has a baby girl and is engaged to Runaway June‘s Jennifer Wayne.
Recently, McAnally, Rosen and Morgan sat down with The Boot and other reporters to recall the day the song was written, and the path it took to become Morgan’s first hit.
Shane McAnally: It was just kind of a typical writing day, where we all just get together. At that time, we wrote with Sam a lot, and not necessarily, at that point, for any specific project, or if he was going to be an artist. We didn’t know; we were just writing. We were writing at that time a lot; Trevor wasn’t as busy as he is now, nor was Sam.
It was just one of those days where, I don’t really remember how it all came together. I would be surprised if any of us came in and said, “Let’s write a song, “I Met a Girl;”” that doesn’t sound like something we would start with. But the chorus and the flow and the way that’s laid out feels very much like something we would start with, and then probably would have written something …
When you have that many colors and that many pieces, it’s kind of nice to just land on something simple like “I Met a Girl.” It really gives you room to color up the verses with “tilt-a-whirl” and “blue-jean pearls” and things like that.
Trevor Rosen: I remember when [label executives] Scott Hendricks and Cris Lacy brought us in to listen. They said, “We cut this song on this new artist. You’ve never heard of him, but we’re proud of it.” When I heard it, I thought it was a lot different than the demo; it was very country, but it was beautiful and amazing. But, at the time, there was this real movement at radio, where they weren’t playing songs like this. I thought to myself, “I don’t know if this will ever get played, but it really sounds cool and amazing,” but it was very different.
William Michael Morgan: I fell in love with with the song. Obviously I wasn’t a writer on it, but that was one of the things that I fell in love with, was the pictures … That’s what really caught my attention as far as wanting to cut the song.
I think it was one of those songs that, out of the whole session, it was one that we couldn’t stop listening to, and one that really just kind of pried at us.
McAnally: “I Met a Girl,” those are real images that he keeps talking about; those are real things that happened to us. The three of us in the room were trying to go back to moments — My little girl thinks that “I Met a Girl” is about her. It was actually written before she was born, but I do love that it can live in that world, because now I kind of can’t remember that it’s not about her.
Read More: Story Behind the Song: William Michael Morgan, 'I Met a Girl' | http://theboot.com/william-michael-morgan-i-met-a-girl-lyrics/?trackback=tsmclip
Sony Music's Monument Records Revived By Shane McAnally, Jason Owen
1/26/2017 by Marc Schneider
Back in its heyday, Fred Foster's Monument Records had quite a knack for signing future songwriting legends, including Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton and Roy Orbison. The label shuttered in 1990 before being revived a few years later, notably breaking the fiery Dixie Chicks. Now, the imprint's iconic name, logo and genre-bending ethos are being resurrected once again, as part of a joint venture between Sandbox Entertainment founder Jason Owen and songwriter/producer Shane McAnally, in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment.
Sony Music has confirmed the venture, with CEO Doug Morris calling Owen and McAnally a "great team and a terrific addition to the Sony Music family." The revived imprint will operate out of Sandbox's Nashville offices, with support from its parent in New York City. UMG Nashville's Katie McCartney has been brought in as senior vp of marketing and label operations. Kelli Porter, formerly of UMG, has been tapped as manager, marketing & label operations
The label's first singings include singer-songwriters Caitlyn Smith and Walker Hayes, both of whom McAnally says are "impossible to compare to anyone else; they are true originals and originality is what we intend to build Monument on."
"It has always been in my nature to create new paths and identify unique opportunities for artists, especially for those who don’t necessarily fit into one particular box," Owen said in a statement. "I’ve been waiting to find the perfect scenario, to explore that passion and take it to the next level, and this partnership with Shane and Sony is the perfect opportunity to purposefully sign and market excellent music from unique, one-of-a-kind artists, regardless of genre boundaries. It is something that we believe is needed."
Formerly of Universal Music Group, Owen founded Sandbox in 2010 as a full-service artist management and marketing firm. Its clients include Kacey Musgraves, Dan+Shay, Little Big Town and Charlie Worsham, among others, as well as the estates of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. McAnally has penned tracks for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum and others.
Country Music Hall of Famer Fred Foster had singer-songwriters in mind when he co-founded the original Monument with Buddy Deane in 1958. "If your artist can write, you don’t have to go out and break your back searching for a hit," Foster told Billboard last October. "Plus, I also wanted someone that was readily identifiable, that didn’t sound like anybody else. If you’ll notice, all those people (Parton, Orbison, Nelson), you know them immediately."
Read more: http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7669714/monument-records-sony-music-label