Country

13 Dec 2024

George Birge Lassoes His First Country Airplay No. 1 With ‘Cowboy Songs’: ‘An Absolute Dream Come True’

George Birge notches his first leader on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “Cowboy Songs” moseys two spots to No. 1 on the Dec. 21-dated survey. The song increased by 14% to 28.9 million audience impressions Dec. 6-12, according to Luminate.

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“Cowboy Songs” is from Birge’s same-named album, released in April. He co-authored the single with Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn and Michael Tyler. Guzman and McGinn produced the track about a love interest who “only dances to cowboy songs.” (“That steel guitar’ll steal her heart,” Birge sings.)

“Having the No. 1 song on the Billboard Country Airplay chart is an absolute dream come true,” Birge says. “It’s wild to think that the song I wrote about chasing my wife across dusty dive bars in Austin, Texas, is now sitting at the top. I couldn’t think of a better way to end the year.”

Birge’s first Country Airplay leader follows his rookie entry, “Mind on You,” which hit No. 2 in January.

Before launching his solo career, and signing to Records Nashville in 2021, Birge was half of duo Waterloo Revival with Cody Cooper. (The pair made two appearances on the lower reaches of Country Airplay in 2015.)

At Home in the Top 10

Dan + Shay earn their 12th Country Airplay top 10 as “Bigger Houses” rises 11-10 (17.3 million, up 2%).

The song, which the duo’s Dan Smyers co-wrote, is the title cut from the pair’s LP that entered at its No. 9 Top Country Albums high in September 2023, becoming the twosome’s fifth top 10.

The act — Smyers and Shay Mooney — logged its initial Country Airplay top 10, and first of eight No. 1s, with “Nothin’ Like You,” which dominated for one week in December 2015. The tandem most recently reigned with “Glad You Exist” for a week in August 2021.

13 Dec 2024

Which Performance at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards Was Your Favorite? Vote!

The 2024 Billboard Music Awards presented by Marriott Bonvoy are in the books, with multiple artists taking home awards in between memorable performances from Stray Kids, Jelly Roll and more.

Shaboozey was the first star to take the stage at the ceremony Thursday night (Dec. 13) — a fitting kickoff considering his single “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” dominated the Billboard charts this year. The country star got the crowd in a party mood by performing the track — which spent a record-tying 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year — after which Megan Moroney treated fans to a live rendition of “Man on the Moon” and Tyla brought the heat with “Push 2 Start” and “Shake Ah.” The “Chk Chk Boom!” boy band and SEVENTEEN both brought the house down with high-energy dance numbers, while Teddy Swims, Fuerza Regida and “Son of a Sinner” singer each performed two numbers a piece.

Plus, Coldplay tuned in live from their Music of the Spheres Tour, while Linkin Park shredded on “The Emptiness Machine.”

Hosted by Michelle Buteau, the 2024 BBMAs aired Thursday on Fox and Fire TV channels, as well as on-demand on Paramount+. Performances are available to watch back on Billboard.com and via @BBMAs and @Billboard social channels.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.

Which performance at the 2024 BBMAs was your favorite? Cast your vote below.

12 Dec 2024

Jelly Roll Calls the Devil a ‘Liar’ With Powerful Performance at 2024 BBMAs

Nothing is bringing Jelly Roll down after winning his first-ever Billboard Music Award during Thursday night’s (Dec. 12) ceremony, and the star kept riding the high with a dynamic performance of “Liar.”

“I see people crying and I see strangers wrapping their arms around them and spreading the love all throughout the building. I can feel the pain, and I can feel the healing happening,” he assured the crowd before the performance. Earlier in the show, he delivered an emotional rendition of “I Am Not Okay.”

He then told the crowd triumphantly that the “devil is a liar,” before delving into performance of the anthemic “Liar,” belting in the chorus, “You ain’t nothin’ but a liar/ Yeah, I walk right out the fire/ Yeah, you try to keep me down/ Try to put me underground/ But I’m only going higher.”

“Liar” was released in August as the second single from the Nashville native’s Billboard 200-topping album Beautifully Broken, and peaked at No. 62 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Over on the country charts, the track hit No. 21 on the Country Airplay and No. 13. on Hot Country Songs. On the rock charts, “Liar” hit No. 8 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and No. 6 on Rock & Alternative Airplay.

Earlier in the night, Jelly Roll accepted the BBMA for Top Hard Rock Song for “All My Life,” his summer team-up with Falling in Reverse. The Grammy-nominated star is a finalist for three total BBMAs this year, including Top Song Sales Artist and Top Rock Artist.

The 2024 BBMAs are hosted by Michelle Buteau, and fans can catch all the fun as the show airs on Fox and Fire TV Channels, as well as Paramount+. Performances will be available to watch on Billboard.com, as well as on social media via @BBMAs and @Billboard.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.

12 Dec 2024

Morgan Wallen Thanks His Fans After Four Wins at 2024 BBMAs

Morgan Wallen was a big winner at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, picking up four trophies, winning in the categories of Top Male Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist and Top Collaboration (for his Post Malone collaboration “I Had Some Help”).

Wallen accepted the honors and thanked fans in his acceptance speech. Holding a BBMA trophy, he said, “What’s goin’ on, Billboard Music Awards. Morgan Wallen here, I just wanted to say thank you guys, for everyone who’s supported me along my journey. As always, and most importantly, thank you to my fans. You guys have just given me so much freedom to make music that I want to make, whether it’s a song that sounds similar to something I’ve put out in the past, or whether it’s something that’s completely different. You guys have always just at least given me the chance, and that’s all I can ask for. I really just want to say thank you guys for being that way with my music.”

Wallen added, “I hope I can come back next year and accept some more, but for now, I really appreciate it. God bless.”

Wallen won the most BBMAs in 2023, picking up 11 wins. This year, he earned 15 finalist entries in 13 categories, including five for his Post Malone collaboration “I Had Some Help.”

“I Had Some Help” spent six weeks atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 this year, while Wallen’s “Love Somebody” also topped the same chart.

In addition to adding to his collection of chart-topping songs this year, Wallen also wrapped his One Night at a Time World tour, an 87-concert trek which played an array of venues including 51 stadiums, as Wallen performed for over three million fans in 10 countries and three continents.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.

12 Dec 2024

Shaboozey Throws a Ballroom Party for Vibrant ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Performance at 2024 Billboard Music Awards

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has taken Shaboozey across the globe, and after spending a record-tying 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, the Boozey train makes a stop at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.

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From the W Hollywood hotel, the 29-year-old made his own stage to perform his J-Kwon-sampling anthem on Thursday night (Dec. 12). “Billboard Music Awards, let me tell you about my story,” he said kicking off his performance.

Rocking a dove-white suit with sparkling brown cowboy fringe, Shaboozey made his way down the white staircase to the elegant ballroom where he was greeted by a group of energetic fans cheering him on.

A three-piece band and team of dancers joined the show while Shaboozey showed off his vocal range to make the award show performance stand out compared to the standard “A Bar Song” CDQ version heard on streaming services.

For the finale, the Virginia-bred singer fittingly took his talents to the ballroom bar and the fans got in on the action while swinging black and white napkins in the air before last call. Boozey took a bow as the applause rained on him.

Shaboozey has proven to be one of music’s biggest breakout stars in 2024. He’s a first-time finalist in the Top New Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song, Top Selling Song and Top Country Song categories.

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has enjoyed 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and needs just one more week at the summit to stand alone as the longest-running No. 1 Hot 100 hit ever.

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.

12 Dec 2024

Morgan Wallen Pleads Guilty to 2 Misdemeanor Charges, Sentenced to Probation & a Week in DUI Education Center

Morgan Wallen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts in a Nashville courtroom on Thursday (Dec. 12) following an April incident during which he threw a chair off the sixth-floor balcony of Eric Church’s bar, Chief’s, in April.

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He was sentenced to probation for two years and seven days in a DUI education center.

Wallen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, which had been pled down from the original charges, which were three Class E felonies for reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon (the chair) and one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

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Thursday’s appearance followed a hearing on Tuesday (Dec. 10), which Wallen did not attend, but where his attorney, Worrick Robinson asked to waive the country artist’s right to a preliminary hearing and a grand jury.

Wallen, wearing a gray blazer, black pants and black shirt, entered the courtroom Thursday with his attorney and security. It was the first time he has attended any of the hearings following the April incident. In the courtroom, Wallen and his attorney Worrick Robinson stood before Judge Cynthia Chappell, who reiterated the charges that Wallen was entering a guilty plea for. Wallen kept his comments to a minimum during the session, mostly answering the judge’s questions with a direct, soft-spoken “Yes, ma’am” or “No, ma’am.” Following the session, Wallen and his attorney exited the courtroom.

In a statement following the hearing, Robinson said, “Earlier today, Morgan Wallen appeared in Davidson County Circuit Court with Judge Cynthia Chappell presiding, where he entered a conditional plea pursuant to Tennessee’s Diversion Statute that does not result in a conviction. The plea agreement with the Office of the District Attorney requires Mr. Wallen to spend seven days at a DUI education center, be on probation for two years — one year for each of the misdemeanor charges for reckless endangerment— pay a $350 fine and court fees. Upon the successful completion of his probation, the charges will be eligible for dismissal and expungement … Mr. Wallen has cooperated fully with authorities throughout these last eight months, directly communicating and apologizing to all involved. Mr. Wallen remains committed to making a positive impact through his music and foundation.”

The court date comes three weeks after Wallen won entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards on Nov. 20.

12 Dec 2024

Post Malone Celebrates Platinum Certification For Debut Country Album and 5X Certification For ‘I Had Some Help’

In addition to hanging those stockings with care, Post Malone is going to have to make more room on his mantle for new hardware from the RIAA. The Recording Industry Association announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that Malone’s star-packed debut country album, F-1 Trillion, has been certified Platinum (one million).

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And that’s not all. In addition to scoring his latest Platinum album plaque, the album’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single, “I Had Some Help” (feat. Morgan Wallen) — which spent six weeks atop the chart — was certified 5x Platinum, and his Blake Shelton collab, “Pour Me a Drink,” was certified Platinum.

Malone could pick up more trophies for F-1 Trillion at February’s 67th annual Grammy Awards, where he has seven nominations, including best country album and best recording package, as well as best country song and best country duo/group performance for “I Had Some Help.” He could also win some awards for his collaborations this year, including on “Fortnight” from Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (best music video, record of the year, song of the year) and best pop duo/group performance for his team-up with Beyoncé on her Cowboy Carter tune “LEVII’s JEANS.”

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Malone won’t have much time to celebrate, as he’s gearing up to headline the Bud Light Backyard Presents show at the Fillmore New Orleans on February 7, two days before the big game takes place at the Caesars Superdome in the Big Easy. The rapper/singer’s 2025 will also have him headlining a night at Coachella in April alongside Lady Gaga, Green Day and Travis Scott, as well as headlining the North American Big Ass Stadium tour with guest Jelly Roll next spring and summer.

11 Dec 2024

Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music 2025 Performers Revealed

Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed the rising country music newcomers to be featured as part of the 2025 New Faces of Country Music showcase during next year’s Country Radio Seminar, slated for Feb. 19-21 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.

Announced Wednesday (Dec. 11), the showcase will highlight Drew Baldridge (Lyric Ridge/BMG/Stoney Creek), Ashley Cooke (Big Loud/Back Blocks), Dasha (Warner Records), Zach Top (Leo33) and Warren Zeiders (Warner Records).

Earlier this year, Baldridge saw his single “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” reach the top 5 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, while Cooke earned a breakthrough song with “Your Place” and was nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award for new female artist of the year. Dasha also had a whirlwind year thanks to her hit “Austin,” which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart, while Top released his debut country album Cold Beer & Country Music, spearheaded by the Country Airplay top 20 hit “Sounds Like the Radio” and his current Hot Country Songs top 10 “I Never Lie.” Lastly, Zeiders earned a Country Airplay No. 1 with “Pretty Little Poison” and followed that with his recent single “Relapse.”

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For more than five decades, the New Faces of Country Music Show has been a centerpiece of the annual Country Radio Seminar, highlighting five rising artists who have earned success during the qualification period (which, for the 2025 show, runs from Nov. 1, 2023, to Oct. 31, 2024). Since its launch in 1970, the event has showcased new country music talent, with members of the 2025 class joining past New Faces performers including Tim McGraw, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Jelly Roll.

Next year’s New Faces of Country Music Show is co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The annual Country Radio Seminar convention focuses on issues relevant to country music radio and is designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices within the country music industry.

11 Dec 2024

Shaboozey, Eric Church, Lainey Wilson & More Added to ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’ Lineup

The performers lineup for CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is getting packed with even more musical talent. The special, which will be headlined by Kane Brown, Keith Urban and Jelly Roll, will also feature performances from Shaboozey, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Zach Top.

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Jelly Roll, Urban and Brown will headline from Nashville’s Bicentennial Park, while Parker McCollum will perform from the Brooklyn Bowl, with special guests SiriusXM and CMT host Cody Alan, and SiriusXM host Caylee Hammack.

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The special will be hosted by four-time Grammy winner Urban and Entertainment Tonight‘s Rachel Smith. Shaboozey has seen his smash hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” rule on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks this year, while Eric Church and Luke Combs aided those impacted by Hurricane Helene earlier this year by teaming up with artists including Billy Strings, Urban and James Taylor for the all-star Concert For Carolina in October. Bryan, Lambert, Post Malone, Top and Wilson all released new projects in 2024.

The five-hour celebration will air live on Dec. 31 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT, 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. ET/PT) on the CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Set in Music City, the special will feature more than 40 performances, while Nashville counts down to midnight with the East Coast, and continues the festivities through midnight Central Time with the city’s signature Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Mall stage.

New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in partnership with Music City Inc., the foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. The special will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.

10 Dec 2024

Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ & Morgan Wallen Dominate 2024 Year-End TouchTunes Rankings

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” isn’t just one of the longest-running No. 1s of all time on the Billboard Hot 100; it was also the most-played song on TouchTunes jukeboxes for 2024, TouchTunes announced on Tuesday (Dec. 10).

“A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which was released in April, was an immediate hit on the company’s jukeboxes, allowing it to reign as the most-played song of the year despite not being available for the first quarter of the year. In July, Billboard began partnering with TouchTunes to present a pair of quarterly charts – the Frontline and Catalog rankings – and Shaboozey’s tune has ranked at No. 1 on the Frontline survey for both iterations so far.

According to TouchTunes, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is the first Frontline song (defined as music released in the past 18 months) to be its most-played year-end music on its jukeboxes since Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was released in 2015.

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(Naturally, Stapleton’s rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” remains a perennial favorite; it’s the second-most-played song on TouchTunes for the year.)

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 between July and November, tying the song with Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, for the longest reign on the tally in its history.

Shaboozey was also the 10th-most-played artist on TouchTunes in 2024. The distinction of No. 1 goes to Morgan Wallen, whose music dots the collection of most-played songs on TouchTunes for the year. Along with being featured on Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” the No. 5 song of the year, his own “Last Night” is No. 8, and he’s featured on six of the top 50 most-played songs of the year in all. “I Had Some Help,” “Last Night” and his “Cowgirls,” featuring ERNEST, are also Nos. 3-5 for the most-played songs in the Frontline category of the year.

The No. 2 in the Frontline category also happens to be the only non-country song in the top 10 of the overall ranking: Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” which ends the year as the third-most-played song overall. The pop track topped the Hot 100 for a week in March and boasts a monstrous 45 weeks in the top 10, second-most all time behind The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”

One must scroll to No. 11 to find the most-played rock song of the year, Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.” Even still, the rock genre remains the most-consumed genre on TouchTunes, with the company reporting that 38% of its plays were rock songs in 2024. Country music follows with 24%. Comparatively, rock had 39% in 2023, while country had 23%. Other genres that saw gains year over year include hip-hop (up 2% to 14%) and pop (up 1% to 11%).

The entire top nine of the year was performed by soloists; the first duo or group to appear comes in at No. 10 via Brooks and Dunn’s “Neon Moon.” AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” which ranks at No. 31, is the highest-performing song of the year for the veteran rockers, who rank as TouchTunes’ most-played band of the year.

Taylor Swift ends the year as the most-played solo woman on the platform, with the top song from a woman being “Save Me,” Lainey Wilson’s duet with Jelly Roll.

See more insights from TouchTunes’ year-end roundup here and see below for the top 50 most-played songs of the year.

TouchTunes’ Most-Played Songs of 2024

1. “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey
2. “Tennessee Whiskey,” Chris Stapleton
3. “Lose Control,” Teddy Swims
4. “I Love This Bar,” Toby Keith
5. “I Had Some Help,” Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
6. “Friends in Low Places,” Garth Brooks
7. “Son of a Sinner,” Jelly Roll
8. “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen
9. “Fast Car,” Luke Combs
10. “Neon Moon,” Brooks & Dunn
11. “Fat Bottomed Girls,” Queen
12. “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink,” Merle Haggard
13. “Copperhead Road,” Steve Earle
14. “Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
15. “Cowgirls,” Morgan Wallen feat. ERNEST
16. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey
17. “Something in the Orange,” Zach Bryan
18. “Whiskey Glasses,” Morgan Wallen
19. “Lovin on Me,” Jack Harlow
20. “Save Me,” Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
21. “Simple Man,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
22. “Truck Bed,” HARDY
23. “White Horse,” Chris Stapleton
24. “Rockstar,” Nickelback
25. “Family Tradition,” Hank Williams Jr.
26. “Wasted On You,” Morgan Wallen
27. “Beautiful Things,” Benson Boone
28. “The Joker,” The Steve Miller Band
29. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” Toby Keith
30. “Brown Eyed Girl,” Van Morrison
31. “Thunderstruck,” AC/DC
32. “Save Me,” Jelly Roll
33. “Where the Wild Things Are,” Luke Combs
34. “Higher,” Creed
35. “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” Zach Bryan
36. “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses
37. “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
38. “In the Air Tonight,” Phil Collins
39. “Too Sweet,” Hozier
40. “Bartender Song,” Rehab
41. “Kryptonite,” 3 Doors Down
42. “Picture,” Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow
43. “Feathered Indians,” Tyler Childers
44. “You Proof,” Morgan Wallen
45. “Hippies and Cowboys,” Cody Jinks
46. “I Remember Everything,” Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves
47. “Chicken Fried,” Zac Brown Band
48. “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” Def Leppard
49. “Dreams,” Fleetwood Mac
50. “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd