Cody Johnson Breaks Records at RodeoHouston

Currently, there is only one independent artist in the world who can safely say they’ve sold out NRG Stadium at RodeoHouston – that artist is Cody Johnson. Following his performance this past Saturday, Johnson made history as the only unsigned artist to sell out the stadium, outselling his predecessors from this year’s lineup including Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan and Chris Young—with the exception of Garth Brooks.

Johnson also managed to top the ticket sales of Pop superstar Alessia Cara and Grammy-nominated soul singer Leon Bridges who played the RodeoHouston stage last month.

“Houston, biggest show of my life all thanks to y’all! Can’t begin to express what it means to be the first unsigned artist in history to sell out RodeoHouston at NRG…thanks for a night I’ll never forget,” shared an emotional Johnson

Chuck Dauphin with Billboard, who was in town to cover the event, shared “hearing the name Cody Johnson and the word ‘sensation’ is one thing. Seeing it up close – and 75,000 fans singing along lyric after lyric is believing. After this weekend, I am a believer!”

Last year, Johnson made his RodeoHouston performance debut filling in at the last minute for Old Dominion. This year, he was invited back to headline his own slot alongside Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, One Republic and more.

Houston Chronicle recapped the evening reaffirming that “Johnson’s second RodeoHouston performance was going to be tough to top this year” while firmly stating that Johnson “imbues his music with a blend of grit, sincerity and subtle showmanship that’s missing from most of today’s superstars.

In what has become a Johnson tradition, he left the stage in style, riding out on horseback for the second year in a row.

Johnson continues to spread his traditional yet modern brand of country music across the nation like wildfire, selling out venues coast-to-coast, even in cities he has never stepped foot in before.

Next month, Johnson will return to Los Angeles to headline a show at Belasco Theater on April 18. The venue is double the capacity of The Troubador, which Johnson sold out in just 2 weeks when he made his debut as a headliner in the market in 2017.

Jake Owen Makes Huge Impact At Country Radio with New Single “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)”

Big Loud recording artist Jake Owen has a lot to celebrate because of the tremendous support from country radio for his new single “I Was Jack (You Were Diane).” Over 130 monitored chart-reporting country radio stations added his new song on or before it’s official impact date (3/12), marking an unprecedented start to a new single in Jake’s career to date. “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” is the most-added record at country radio for a second consecutive week.
 
“I’m so ecstatic about the launch of this new music and single,” says Owen. “Big Loud Records has done an incredible job launching this new project for me and believing in who I am and what kind of music I’m drawn to make. Joey Moi, once again, helped elevate the song to a whole other level, and we are all fired up about this start to a great 2018. Thanks country radio for believing in me!”
 
“Jake delivered a huge record and country radio showed up big for us,” adds Stacy Blythe, Big Loud’s National Promotion Director. “134 stations by add date is a debut we couldn’t even imagine. I’m very proud of this Big Loud family and this is just the start!”
 
Clay Hunnicutt, President of Big Loud Records, expresses, “Thank you to everyone who has helped Jake and the Big Loud team get off to such an amazing start. This far exceeded our expectations. There’s a proven track record that Jake and Joey Moi make great music together, so we really shouldn’t be surprised.”
 
“I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” was an iHeart World Premiere, and Sirius XM’s “The Highway” blasted it out of the gate. The new nostalgic single is garnering attention from digital media partners as well. Jake graced the cover of Spotify’s Hot Country playlist, featuring “I Was Jack (You Were Diane).” Also, the song topped Amazon Music’s Fresh Country playlist and was added to Apple Music’s A-List Country playlist, as well as, Pandora’s New Country Now playlist.
 
In addition, Owen’s 2018 “Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour” kicks off on May 15th in Chattanooga, TN, at AT&T Field, with special guest Chris Janson and rising star Jordan Davis. The majority of shows will take place at baseball stadiums across the country. Check it out HERE. Tickets on sale NOW.

Brett Young Unveils Visually Stunning Music Video for Latest Single “Mercy”

MULTI-PLATINUM selling entertainer Brett Young partnered with Apple Music to unveil the official music video for “Mercy.” Directed by Seth Kupersmith, the visually stunning video was filmed over the course of two days in Encino, CA and White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. WATCH IT HERE – https://apple.co/mercymusicvideo

“‘Mercy’ is one of my favorite songs on the record, so it’s been really cool to see it come to life,” Young said. “My buddy Seth has always had such a creative and artistic brain – I got chills when I read his idea for this video for the first time. I’m really excited to share this one with fans!”

“Mercy,” Young’s latest single co-written alongside Sean McConnell, follows three back-to-back No. 1 hits, “Sleep Without You,” “In Case You Didn’t Know” and “Like I Loved You.” The “soulful ballad” (Billboard) was the most-added song upon hitting Country radio and is rapidly climbing the charts.

Dierks Bentley Teams Up with 5-Hour Energy

Multi-PLATINUM artist Dierks Bentley has been enlisted by the makers of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, as one of the anchors of their fully integrated national advertisement campaign. Taking a major marketing position in country music, the dietary supplement with a blend of Vitamin B and amino acids with zero sugar and four calories, will continue with its “Get Back to 100 Percent” campaign and introduce other programs designed to reward, engage and connect with fans.

Bentley’s multi-platform integration will include a national television campaign, exclusive social media content, product sampling and education and direct fan engagement. Additionally, 5-hour ENERGY® will hit the road with Bentley on his highly anticipated 2018 tour.

“With a very full personal life and touring schedule, I’m constantly managing my energy,” said Bentley. “The boost I get from 5-hour ENERGY® shots allows me to tap into my peak energy level at any moment and hit the stage with maximum power and presence. When combined with the music from my band and the uproar from our fans, I’m able to give every show everything I’ve got and then some.”

“The 5-hour ENERGY® music program was created to further connect and market to our core consumer, as well as engage with our key retailers,” said Melissa Skabich, Communications Directorfor Living Essentials, LLC, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots. “Country Music fans are so loyal and involved. They feel close to their favorite artists and we are so proud that Dierks will be our voice to that fan base.  Dierks has earned his spot at the top of the country music genre and continues to give back to his fans, his charitable interests and his community. 5-hour ENERGY® has a lot planned around this program in 2018 and we are excited to get it started.”

For more information visit www.dierks.com.

Chris Young Celebrates Ten No.1 Singles

ACM Male Vocalist nominee CHRIS YOUNG took the stage at Nashville’s Tin Roof Broadway for a special live performance of his ten No. 1 singles as he joined his music industry friends, including country icon Randy Travis, and family earlier this week in celebrating the chart-topping success of “Losing Sleep.”

Renamed “Ten” Roof just for the momentous occasion, the RCA Records Nashville artist performed each of his ten chart-toppers to cap off the party honoring Young (BMI), “Losing Sleep” co-writers Chris DeStefano (ASCAP) and Josh Hoge (SESAC) and co-producer Corey Crowder.  Sony Music Nashville EVP/COO, Ken Robold also surprised the singer with a Double Platinum plaque for his multi-week No. 1, “I’m Comin’ Over.”

“We have no idea if we ever get to stand with a microphone in front of people at a No. 1 party ever again.  I didn’t think I’d get to do my first one,” says Young.  “It really is one of those things where I went from playing at El Chico on Murfreesboro Road, and with everybody’s support…my family’s support…and a lot of luck, right now I’m standing up here talking about my tenth No. 1 and Randy Travis is sitting over there.”

Chris Young No. 1 Singles
“Getting’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”*
“The Man I Want To Be”
“Voices”*
“Tomorrow”*
“You”*
“Who I Am With You”
“I’m Comin’ Over”*
“Think Of You” with Cassadee Pope*
“Sober Saturday Night” featuring Vince Gill*
“Losing Sleep”*
*co-written by Chris Young