Country
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There is no slowing down Jelly Roll. The singer-songwriter-entertainer is set for an acting role in the CBS series Fire Country, with Jelly Roll’s episode set to air April 11. Jelly Roll previously made a cameo as himself in the series Tulsa King, but in this new Fire Country role, the Tennessee native will be […]
Lainey Wilson‘s career whirlwind will continue surging this year, when the 2023 CMA entertainer of the year winner launches her Whirlwind World Tour in March.
The nearly 50-date trek will feature openers Maddox Batson, Kaitlin Butts, Ernest, Zach Meadows, Drake Milligan, Muscadine Bloodline and Lauren Watkins at various shows. The Whirlwind Tour, which takes its name from Wilson’s 2024 album, will play across Europe, Canada and the United States, hitting London’s O2 Arena, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and New York’s Madison Square Garden along the way.
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Wilson revealed the tour in a comedic skit with openers Ernest and Muscadine Bloodline’s Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton that plays with the tour’s title. Wilson portrays a meteorologist, who is telling viewers about a powerful whirlwind that is ripping through (tour stop) cities across the U.S., while Ernest and Muscadine Bloodline portray fellow newscasters/weathermen impacted by the whirlwind.
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Wilson’s album Whirlwind is currently nominated for best country album at the upcoming 67th annual Grammy Awards, which are this Sunday (Feb. 2).
See the full list of tour dates below.
March 4: Zurich, CH (X-TRA)~
March 6: Antwerp, BE (De Roma)~
March 8: Rotterdam, NL (Rotterdam Ahoy)
March 9: Berlin, DE (Uber Eats Music Hall)
March 12: Copenhagen, DK (Vega Main)~
March 14: London, UK (O2 Arena)
March 15: Belfast, N. Ireland (SSE Arena)
March 16: Glasgow, Scotland (The SSE Hydro)
March 18: Kingston upon Thames, UK (Banquet Records)
March 19: Paris, FR (Elysée Montmartre)~
May 30: Panama City Beach, Fla. (Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam)
May 31: Lexington, Ky. (Railbird Festival)
June 6: Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Carolina Country Music Fest)
June 20: Wildwood, N.J. (Barefoot Country Music Fest)
June 26: Milwaukee (Summerfest)
June 27: Cadott, Wis. (Country Fest)
July 12: Cavendish, PEI (Cavendish Beach Music Festival)
Aug. 14: Phoenix (Footprint Center) *
Aug. 15: Albuquerque, N.M. (Isleta Amphitheater)*
Aug. 16: Denver (Ball Arena) *
Aug. 21: Bend, Ore. (Hayden Homes Amphitheater)*
Aug. 22: Sacramento, Ca. (Golden 1 Center)*
Aug. 23: Los Angeles (Kia Forum)*
Aug. 28: Calgary, AB (Scotiabank Saddledome)*
Aug. 29: Edmonton, AB (Rogers Place)*
Aug. 30: Saskatoon, SK (SaskTel Centre) *
Sept. 11: Baton Rouge, La. (Raising Cane’s River Center) †
Sept. 13: Bossier City, La. (Brookshire Grocery Arena)†
Sept. 18: Austin, Texas (Moody Center) ‡
Sept. 19: Fort Worth, Texas (Dickies Arena)‡
Sept. 20: Houston (The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman) ‡
Sept. 25: Toronto, Ontario (Budweiser Stage) §
Sept. 26: Clarkston, Mich. (Pine Knob Music Theatre) §
Sept. 27: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Van Andel Arena) §
Oct. 2: Nashville, Tenn. (Bridgestone Arena) ||
Oct. 3: Noblesville, Ind. (Ruoff Music Center) §
Oct. 4: Cleveland, Ohio (Blossom Music Center) §
Oct. 9: Columbia, Md. (Merriweather Post Pavilion) §
Oct. 10: New York (Madison Square Garden) §
Oct. 11: Mansfield, Ma. (Xfinity Center) §
Oct. 16: St. Louis, Mo. (Hollywood Casio Amphitheatre) ||
Oct. 17: Rosemont, Ill. (Allstate Arena) ||
Oct. 18: Saint Paul, M.N. (Xcel Energy Center) ||
Oct. 24: Knoxville, Tenn. (Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center) #
Oct. 25: Charlotte, N.C. (Spectrum Center)#
Nov. 7: Tampa, Fla. (Amalie Arena) #
Nov. 8: Orlando, Fla. (Kia Center) #
~with special guest Zach Meadows
*with special guests ERNEST and Kaitlin Butts
†with special guests ERNEST and Maddox Batson
‡with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Drake Milligan
§with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Lauren Watkins
||with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Maddox Batson
#with special guests ERNEST and Drake Milligan
Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood’s “I’m Gonna Love You” climbs three spots to No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Feb. 8). It gained by 11% to 17.3 million audience impressions Jan. 24-30, according to Luminate.
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The team-up was authored by Kelly Archer, Travis Denning and Chris Stevens. It’s from the deluxe version, released in November, of Johnson’s 2023 album Leather. The set reached No. 5 on Top Country Albums, becoming his fifth top five title.
Johnson, from Sebastopol, Texas, adds his fifth Country Airplay top 10. His latest follows “Dirt Cheap,” which reached No. 5 last September; “The Painter” (No. 1 for one week, March 2024); “Human” (No. 8, June 2023); and “‘Til You Can’t” (No. 1, two weeks, March-April 2022).
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Underwood earns her 31st Country Airplay top 10 and first since “Ghost Story,” which peaked at No. 6 in October 2022. In between, she banked two top 20 hits: “Out of That Truck” (No. 18, April 2024) and “Hate My Heart” (No. 20, May 2023). She notched her 16th and most recent No. 1 with “If I Didn’t Love You,” with Jason Aldean, for three weeks in October-November 2021.
Underwood boasts the second-most Country Airplay top 10s among women dating to the chart’s 1990 launch. Reba McEntire leads the category with 37.
‘Good’ News
Dylan Scott scores his seventh Country Airplay top 10, and his fifth in succession, as “This Town’s Been Too Good to Us,” which he co-wrote, lifts 11-10 (17 million, up 9%).
Meanwhile, Scott claims concurrent top 10s for the first time, as “Boys Back Home,” with Dylan Marlowe, ranks at No. 6 after reaching No. 2. Scott’s active top 10 streak is rounded out by “Can’t Have Mine,” which led for a week in December 2023, becoming his third No. 1; “New Truck” (No. 1, one week, August 2022); and “Nobody” (No. 2, June 2021).
More ‘Love’
Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” rules Country Airplay for a second week (35.4 million, up 5%). Of his 16 chart-toppers, his newest marks his eighth to lead for multiple weeks.
Two musical trios have joined forces for a harmony-drenched new song about heartbreak, with country group Rascal Flatts and sibling pop trio the Jonas Brothers blending their vocal talents on the new track, “I Dare You.” Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Flatts’ Gary LeVox launches the first […]
Jelly Roll didn’t write “I Am Not Okay” specifically about the Los Angeles fires, but like many of the songs performed during the Thursday (Jan. 30) FireAid benefit concert, it took on added meaning given the emotional upheaval Los Angelenos have gone through the past month as fires have ravaged parts of the county. Striding […]
Ben Vaughn, president/CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, died on Thursday (Jan. 30). A cause of death was not disclosed. He was 49.
The much-beloved Vaughn, who was Billboard‘s Country Power Players executive of the year in 2020, joined Warner Chappell Nashville (WCN) in 2012 and was promoted to president in 2017, adding the role of CEO in 2019. The Belmont University alumnus was honored with Belmont’s Music City Milestone Award in 2015.
Warner Chappell Music co-chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall released the following memo to Warner Chappell Music staffers that read in part, “It is with broken hearts that we share the unthinkable news that Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passed away this morning. Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.”
Under Vaughn, WCN had consistently dominated the country music publishing market. In 2024, they were crowned ASCAP Country Music and BMI Publisher of the Year (for the fifth time) and marked their third consecutive quarter at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay publisher rankings. Apart from Q3 of 2022 to Q3 of 2023, Warner Chappell Nashville had held the quarterly top spot, dating back to the first quarter of 2017. In November 2019, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC all named WCN their country publisher of the year — only the third time a publishing company has been honored as such, and a first for WCN.
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Among the singer/songwriters Vaughn worked with were Thomas Rhett, Zach Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Riley Green, Warren Zeiders, Hunter Phelps, Bailey Zimmerman, Jessi Alexander, Liz Rose, Josh Phillips, Thomas Rhett, Nicolle Galyon and Randy Montana.
The father of three was extraordinarily passionate about songwriters, especially developing ones, and relished helping young singer/songwriters find their voice and their first record deal. “There’s so many people that want that record deal, so helping someone get to that spot is one of the hardest things in the music business,” Vaughn told Billboard in 2020. “So the job is to take away the nos and help that person get to a place where you get a yes.”
Tributes poured in quickly. Jon Platt, chairman/CEO of Sony Music Publishing, who worked with Vaughn at EMI and then brought him over to Warner Chappell in 2012, said in a statement, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Ben Vaughn, and united in grief with the entire songwriting community. Ben dedicated his life to songwriters. As an exceptional leader and mentor, he leaves an indelible mark on the music business. I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones and all who were touched by his spirit. I feel privileged to have known Ben and shared a close relationship with him. He was the best of the best and I will miss him greatly.”
“Ben was warm, welcoming, and always someone that supported and elevated the American songwriter,” says Lucas Keller, president/founder of Milk & Honey. “The world will not be the same without him – this is a loss most cannot process today. We met 15 years ago on my first trip to Nashville when he was at EMI, and I’ll never forget him.”
“Our hearts are heavy today in learning about the passing of longtime ACM Board Member and former ACM Board Chair, and good friend to all of us, Ben Vaughn,” added Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Ben was a champion of the country music genre and strong advocate for songwriters and good songs. He served as board chair of the Academy in 2018 and was the first music publisher to serve as chairman in the Academy’s history, in addition to serving on the ACM Lifting Lives board. On behalf of the ACM Board, ACM Lifting Lives Board, and the ACM staff, we send our condolences to Ben’s family, friends, coworkers, and all of those who crossed his path and were lifted up by his passion. His memory will live on forever through the great music he made happen.”
Vaughn grew up in the tiny community of Sullivan, Ky., and comes from “a proud tradition of coal miners, teachers and mechanics,” he told Billboard. As a high school student, he got a job as a weekend DJ at country radio station WMSK-FM, which set him on a path to Nashville. “I would devour the vinyl and read all the publishing and writer credits,” he told Billboard. “I thought, ‘I want to go where these people are.’ ”
That led him to Nashville’s Belmont University and an internship at WCN in 1994 under then-executive vp Tim Wipperman, who taught Vaughn the intricacies of publishing. While there, he got to know producer Scott Hendricks, whose Big Tractor publishing company had a partnership with WCN. Hendricks was so impressed with Vaughn that he eventually asked him to run Big Tractor — while Vaughn was still a college student. “He said, ‘I’m going to give you six months to see how it goes, but if you quit school, I’ll fire you,’ ” recalls Vaughn.
Through the decades, Vaughn remained in wonderment of songwriters and the new worlds they created. “It is awe-inspiring how much talent it takes to create something out of nothing that literally can make the whole world sing,” he said. “The most sacred responsibility is to help connect writers’ dreams to their goals. The fact that as publishers we are trusted to hold that space for them is everything.”
Moot and Marshall’s full memo to WMG:
To everyone at WMG,
It is with broken hearts that we share the unthinkable news that Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passed away this morning. Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends.
Ben has led our Nashville team since 2012, and we know that many of you around the world got to know him over the years. Anyone who had the pleasure of working with him will be as shocked and saddened as we are.
First and foremost, Ben was an extraordinary human being. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was infectious.
He was always a passionate advocate of songwriters and a topflight music publisher. The Nashville community has lost one of its greatest champions, and he will be profoundly missed by so many across our company and the entire industry.
We are planning to visit the Nashville team very soon and thank you all for helping support them through this awful tragedy.
With love,
Guy & Carianne
This is a developing story.
Jordan Davis and his wife Kristen are expecting their fourth child in June.
The five-time Billboard Country Airplay chart-topper revealed that his family is growing by posting a humorous video that opens with Davis standing by a pool and sipping on a beer, as the theme song to the TV series Full House plays in the background.
“Well, this is a dude, well a dad. Three beautiful children,” he says in a voiceover. “What’s better than three? What’s better than three is four.” Meanwhile, the video shows footage of some of his older children crying, and one of them rolling a toy truck into a balcony wall.
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“That’s where we’re gonna be at come June. Baby Davis No. 4,” he adds. “Look out! Now you may be thinking, ‘How’s this dude gonna do it?’ … But, the dude abides. 2025’s gonna be a big one. Namely because, we’re gonna be welcoming a brand new baby. Love to meet you, baby Davis — I’m gonna need a few more of these things.” Davis then takes a long swig of his drink.
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“Let’s keep the party going,” he says as the clip concludes.
Davis captioned the video with a humorous note, writing, “To contribute to the Baby Davis #4 diaper fund, please stream my music and buy tickets.”
The couple wed in 2017, and are parents to Eloise (5), Locklan (3) and Elijah (19 months).
Davis’s upcoming shows for 2025 include stops at iconic Texas venue Billy Bob’s, as well as a performance at Tortuga Music Festival. Meanwhile, his current single “I Ain’t Sayin’” is in the top five on the Country Airplay chart. Last year, Davis’s song “Next Thing You Know” won song of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. He wrote the track with Chase McGill, Greylan James and Josh Osborne.
See Davis’ reveal video below:
Sam Hunt will reportedly avoid charges related to a Jan. 20 stop and arrest outside Nashville for speeding and violating an anti-DUI interlock device. According to People, the former college quarterback-turned-country star was arrested and jailed last week in Henderson Country, TN, with TMZ reporting that he was jailed and released the same day on […]
Jelly Roll will play a headlining benefit show to support first responders who have bravely faced the wildfires that ravaged parts of greater Los Angeles earlier this month. The “I Am Not Okay” hitmaker will lead the benefit concert on Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and is inviting only first responders and […]
Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton are coming to the aid of those impacted by the wildfires that have ravaged parts of the greater Los Angeles area of California earlier this month. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The couple’s charitable fund Outlaw State of Kind donated $1 […]