June 2022 - Nashville Music Line

Alex Miller: torch-bearing champion of traditional country music

His hot new album, Miller Time, and a 12-Pack Q&A

By Preshias Harris

Traditional country music is alive and well – in the shape of Alex Miller. A genuine country boy – he works the family cattle farm – Alex found fame on ABC TV’s American Idol Season 19. At the time, he was just seventeen and wowed all three judges with his self-penned song, “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me.” Judge Luke Bryan asked him, “What happens if you ever play the Grand Ole Opry?” To which Alex replied, “Oh, I don’t know, man. I’d die and go to heaven!” Luke said he’d try and make that happen. Sure enough, Alex got the ‘Golden Ticket’ and was off to Hollywood and a national audience.

*Alex Miller performing on the Hard Rock Concert Stage at CMA Music Fest 2022. Photo: Brandi Hall*

Now, the tall (6’ 6”) Kentucky native is regarded by country purists as The Real Thing: a torch-bearer for traditional country with a deep, arresting voice that defies his baby face appearance.

Despite his explosion on the music scene thanks to Idol, Alex is no newcomer to music, having performed in public since the age of seven around his hometown of Lancaster, KY, and further afield as his vocal and songwriting skills developed. In just the past couple of years, he has shared the stage with the likes of Hank, Jr, Josh Turner, Lee Brice and Shenandoah, and has performed at the Ryman Auditorium and at high-profile State Fairs. In October 2021, he was named Texas Roadhouse Artist of the Month. Now aged eighteen, he has released his debut album titled Miller Time – although, ironically, he is still too young to purchase the adult beverage alluded to in the album’s title.

Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t” celebrated at No. 1 party

Ben Stennis, Matt Rogers honored as songwriters

By Preshias Harris

Number One parties are always important milestones in the career of an artist or songwriter. When the party also celebrates a couple of ’firsts’ then the celebration is that much sweeter.

On Wednesday, June 22, platinum-selling hitmaker Cody Johnson celebrated the chart-topping success of “Til You Can’t” with the song’s writers, Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers, jointly hosted by ASCAP and BMI. The celebration was held at The Local, fast becoming the go-to venue for Number One parties, showcases, and just good live music.

*Cody Johnson (center) expresses his thanks to songwriters Matt Rogers (left) and Ben Stennis. Photo: Preshias Harris*

“Til You Can’t” is Johnson’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. For Johnson, the achievement is all the more remarkable in that he has racked up numerous RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum recordings without actually hitting No. 1 until “Til You Can.”

The song also marked the first No. 1 for songwriter Ben Stennis, although he is no newcomer. The BMI Award winning songwriter has credits that include Tim McGraw’s “Neon Church” and cuts on Ronnie Dunn (“Damn Drunk”), Parmalee (“Roots”) and more.

Describing Stennis during the event, Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Director, Creative, noted that he had watched Stennis grow as he “kept his head down and put in the work” that led to this moment. “It’s been a privilege to watch,” he added.

Backrow, L to R (standing) : Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Anthem’s Tim Whipperman, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, and Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy.
L to R (seated): ASCAP writer Matthew Rogers, BMI songwriter and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson, BMI writer Ben Stennis (Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI)

CMA Fest back with a bang for 2022

Country music stars and fans happy to be back at CMA Fest

By Preshias Harris and Judy Mayes

I had an incredible CMA Music Fest week. I had my good friend Judy Mayes join me for some super media fun and Catrina Engelby helping us with photos!

*Nissan Stadium filled with fans for CMA Fest 2022. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA*

The CMA Music Festival came in like a “Hurricane” (no pun intended) with 2022 CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs. Luke invited 9,000 of his closest friends and fans to celebrate his number one songs (this makes thirteen in a row) and kicked it off Wednesday night – “CMA Fest Eve” – at BMI Nashville’s parking lot.

*Luke Combs and songwriters celebrate at BMI’s biggest No. 1 party the day before CMA Fest started. Photo: Erika Goldring/BMI*

Luke brought his friends and co-writers to celebrate and perform with him. His special guests were; Drew Parker, Randy Montana, James McNair, Dan Isbell, Tyler Reeve, Rob Williford, Jonathan Singleton, Hailey Whitters, Thomas Archer, Wyatt Durrette, Ray Fulcher and Shane Minor.

Fans join Craig Campbell and celebs for Cornhole Challenge

Fight Colorectal Cancer benefit kicks off CMA Fest, raises $25,000

By Preshias Harris

Country music fans and celebs gathered to support a great cause and enjoy fun in the sun, Tuesday, June 7, for the 8^th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge. Again, the event served as an unofficial precursor to the CMA Music Festival, with so many country artists already gathering in Music City.

*Craig Campbell and the contestants gather for a group photo before the Cornhole Challenge gets under way. Photo credit: Tracie Moore*

Fans were invited to bid for the opportunity to be part of sixteen teams and play alongside celebrity contestants, with all the proceeds benefitting Fight CRC, a leading advocacy organization of relentless champions of hope in the fight against colorectal cancer. The result: The event raised more than $25,000 for the national nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC).

The location for this year’s event was Loser’s Bar and Grill in Nashville, followed by a performance by Craig Campbell and fellow artists in the Whiskey Jam parking lot. This year’s winners were Andrew Millsaps, half of music duo Neon Union, and John Smyth, a loving caregiver for his sister Denise who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Craig Campbell (l.) with Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge winners Andrew Millsaps (c.), half of music duo Neon Union, and John Smyth (r.), a loving caregiver for his sister Denise who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC)

Mikayla Lane, rising teenage country star, signs with Brown Lee Entertainment

Mikayla Lane visits CMT with her next single, “Ambush”

By Preshias Harris

June is proving to be a busy month for emerging artist Mikayla Lane who is partnering with Red River Publishing and Brown Lee Entertainment ahead of her upcoming single, “Ambush,” set for release on July 29.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Brown Lee Entertainment and Red River Publishing!” Mikayla shared. “Dewayne has played such an important role in the development of many artists’ careers and I am honored to be next in line to learn and benefit from his industry expertise.”

*Mikayla Lane, center, with Dewayne Brown and Nancy Lee of Brown Lee Entertainment*

The folks at Brown Lee were equally excited to join forces with Mikayla and Red River Publishing and embark on releasing her new material. “When we first saw her perform at The Local, we knew right then and there she was exceptional. Her writing and performance skills swept me off my feet,” said Dewayne Brown.

Brown Lee is a fully functional independent record label and artist development company based in Nashville. Established in 2021, Brown Lee Entertainment specializes in artist development, digital marketing and more.

Written by Mikayla and John Conrad and produced by Jimmy Ritchey (Jake Owen, Clay Walker, Mark Chestnutt), “Ambush” brings a spunky, cowgirl-themed tale of unexpected love on the range and offers up a western-esque vibe.

Pre-save “Ambush” here.

Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd celebrate No. 1 with songwriters

“Chasing After You” written by Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers honored at No. 1 party

By Preshias Harris

First of all, Hayes Andrew Hurd is the sweetest, cutest two-year-old you could ever meet! And speaking of babies… Nine months is a fairly standard gestation period – if you are parents, anticipating the arrival of your bundle of joy. But if you are a recording artist or a songwriter, nine months can seem like a lifetime, from the moment your song cracks the chart, going for adds, increasing spins, streams and sales, until it finally rises to the top.

*A scene from the official music video for “Chasing After You”*

A nine-month chart climb is by no means a record-setter, but it was doubtless a nail-biter for Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris who recorded “Chasing After You” and also for Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers, the writers of the hit song.

The song’s success was celebrated Tuesday, May 31 at a Number One party on the rooftop of BMI’s offices in Nashville. Hurd and Morris (with son Hayes) joined friends, music publishers and industry execs to fete Addington and Flowers.

MaryAnn Keen, Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, was the party’s ‘hostess with the mostest’ and introduced Jerry Flowers and Brinley Addington to the partygoers. Keen noted that she and Addington have been friends since 2008 and have often said, “Cannot wait until we are celebrating [Addington’s] first Number One,” and now it had come to fruition. She also pointed out that this song was the first chart-topper for both Addington as writer and Ryan Hurd as artist.

The Isaacs stay busy with “Humpty Dumpty Heart” and tour

IBMA, GMA Dove award winners The Isaacs continue to ride the road

By Preshias Harris

The multi-GRAMMY-nominated group, The Isaacs, don’t like to let the grass grow under their feet and a glance at their current schedule proves it.

One of the most in-demand family acts in any music genre, they are currently continuing on a long string of tour dates, already stretching into October, interspersed with frequent stops on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Additionally, there’s a charting single and their newest album to keep them busy, along with leading annual guided tours to the Holy Land.

Their current single, “Humpty Dumpty Heart”, has been welcomed by their legion of fans and is steadily climbing the charts. “Humpty Dumpty Heart” is the second single from the group’s 2021 album The American Face. See the official music video for the song here. Written by members Sonya and Becky along with hitmaker Ronnie Bowman, the song is out everywhere now. Listen to a preview here.

Elle King, Martin Johnson, Miranda Lambert celebrate No. 1

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” hailed at No. 1 party

By Preshias Harris

One thing is for sure: Nobody wanted to go home from the Number One party for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”. The party was held May 25 in the lobby of BMI’s Nashville offices, having moved inside from the planned rooftop locale due to the approaching rainstorm. The chart-topping hit, performed by Elle King and Miranda Lambert, was written by King and Martin Johnson.

The song had the distinction of being the first by a female duo to top the charts since Reba McEntire and Linda Davis hit No. 1 with “Does He Love You” way back in 1993. Yes, almost thirty years ago, or in a previous century, to put it another way.

Lambert and King are close friends as well as collaborators: In 2019, Lambert invited King to be part of her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour with the goal of bringing powerful female voices to the forefront.