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Billboard Music News

Kane Brown Banks 10th Hot Country Songs Top 10 With ‘One Mississippi’

Kane Brown ups his career top 10 count to 10 on Billboard’s airplay-, sales- and streaming-based Hot Country Songs chart, as “One Mississippi” rises to No. 9 on the list dated Nov. 20.

Brown wrote the single (expected to appear on his forthcoming album) with Jesse Frasure, Levon Gray and Ernest K. Smith. It increased by 9% to 5.4 million U.S. streams and 21% to 1,700 downloads sold in the week ending Nov. 11, according to MRC Data. On Country Airplay, it holds at its No. 13 high, up 5% to 12.5 million impressions in the week ending Nov. 14.

Brown has scored three No. 1s among his 10 Hot Country Songs top 10s. “What Ifs,” featuring Lauren Alaina, dominated for five weeks starting in October 2017; “Lose It” led for a week in November 2018; and “One Right Thing,” with Marshmello, reigned for a week in October 2019.

“Mississippi” grants Brown his third Hot Country Songs top 10 of 2021. “Memory,” with blackbear, debuted at its No. 9 best in July and “Famous Friends,” with Chris Young, reached No. 2 in June (and led Country Airplay in July, becoming Brown’s seventh No. 1 and Young’s 10th).

‘DIDN’T’ DID IT AGAIN Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didn’t Love You” rebounds from No. 2 for a third total week atop Country Airplay (28.1 million impressions).

The collaboration, which became Aldean’s 24th Country Airplay leader and Underwood’s 16th, is the lead single from Aldean’s 30-song double album Macon, Georgia. The full set is due April 22, 2022, with the first 15 songs having arrived Friday, Nov. 12.

Aldean and Underwood each add their fifth No. 1 on the list of three weeks or more. Aldean last logged such a reign with “When She Says Baby” (three weeks) in March 2014, while Underwood last did so with “So Small” (three) in December 2007.

MORE TO ‘LIKE’ Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” rules Hot Country Songs for an 18th week. It ties Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” (2016) for the eighth-longest rule since the chart became an all-encompassing genre songs survey in October 1958. (FGL and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be” led for a record 50 frames in 2017-18.)

“Fancy Like,” which shouts out Applebee’s menu highlights, sparked a commercial synch with the restaurant chain and has crossed to Billboard’s pop and adult airplay charts, maintains its Hot Country Songs command with 39.5 million in all-format audience, 15 million streams and 11,200 sold. It tops Country Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs for a 20th and 19th week, respectively. On Country Airplay, it ranks at No. 6 (22.4 million), a week after becoming Hayes’ first No. 1.


Taylor Swift Reacts to Mr. Feeny From ‘Boy Meets World’ Praising ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’

The praise for Taylor Swift’s new and improved Red (Taylor’s Version) continues to roll in, and a star from a popular ’90s sitcom has joined in to uplift the 31-year-old’s songwriting skills. On Monday (Nov. 15), William Daniels — who is known for playing Mr. Feeny on Boy Meets World — took to his granddaughter’s TikTok account to celebrate Red (Taylor’s Version) and tell her followers to stream the album.

“Some things get better with age, like the wisdom of Mr. Feeny. So, I’m here to tell you to listen to the new and better Red by Taylor Swift, mostly based on the recommendation of my granddaughter Grace,” Daniels said in the video before concluding with a classic Mr. Feeny quote: “And as you know all too well, believe in yourself, dream, try, do good.”

“My brother and I are FREAKING OUT, we’re huge fans!!! This is so awesome. Thank you! And thank you Grace!!!” Swift replied in the comment section of the TikTok post, along with several smiling emojis with hearts, as captured by @commentsbycelebs.

Grace later posted a follow-up video to her account to clarify why Mr. Feeny — her grandfather — felt the need to urge her followers to listen to Swift’s latest project, and when they can expect him to make another appearance on her account.

“Feeny is a Swiftie and a One Direction fan, and that is because I am a Swiftie and a One Direction fan,” she said. “And, I just feel like I need to give a disclaimer that I don’t post Feeny very often, so I’m very sorry if that’s a disappointment. If you want to keep following me and stick around for when I do post Feeny, the next time will probably be when I see him in person next, which is over winter break.”

Swift continues to release gems from Red (Taylor’s Version) — on Friday, the singer shared the 15-minute short film to accompany the 10-minute version of the fan favorite track “All Too Well.” On Monday, Swift delivered a video for “I Bet You Think About Me,” and followed up with the release of a live acoustic version of “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” on Tuesday (Nov. 16), which she performed at the short film’s premiere in New York City.

See Swift’s reaction to Daniels’ TikTok below.

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Astroworld Tragedy Review: Officials Opt For County Administrator Review Over Independent Investigation

Calls for an independent investigation into what led to 10 deaths at the Astroworld music festival went unheeded Monday (Nov. 15), as Houston-area officials instead chose to direct a county administrator to conduct a review with other governmental entities. County Judge Lina Hidalgo — the top elected official in Harris County, which includes Houston — had proposed a third-party probe of the planning and execution of the festival founded and headlined by rap superstar Travis Scott.

The Harris County administrator instead will work with other city and county entities to review security, fire and other safety plans at the county-owned NRG Park, where the festival was held. “I hope that it comes back with actionable lessons,” Hidalgo said. “I hope it doesn’t result in something vague or forgotten.”

Other members of Harris County’s governing body, known as a commissioner’s court, were concerned Hidalgo’s investigation could lead to legal liabilities for the county. Dozens of lawsuits have already been filed over injuries and deaths at the Nov. 5 concert. Houston police are conducting a separate criminal investigation into what happened at the festival. No one has been charged. The police department, along with the city fire department, played key roles in crowd control and other safety measures at the show.

Experts in crowd safety say an investigation by neutral outsiders into the tragedy could help avoid potential conflicts of interest and promote transparency. Police have said they are reviewing surveillance video provided by concert promoter Live Nation, as well as dozens of clips of the show shared on social media. Investigators also planned to speak with Live Nation representatives, Scott and concertgoers.

Over 300 people were treated on site for injuries at the show, and at least 25 were hospitalized. Many unanswered questions center on the actions of event organizers. A 56-page event operations plan for the Astroworld music festival included protocols for dangerous scenarios including an active shooter, bomb or terrorist threats, and severe weather. But it did not include information on what to do in the event of a crowd surge. The 10 people who died included a 9-year-old boy. The oldest was 27. Reports on individual causes of death are pending.


Maxwell Takes ‘Off’ with New Single; Closes Album Trilogy with ‘blacksummers’NIGHT’

A week after announcing the partnership between his Musze label and BMG, Maxwell is back with more news. Along with the release on Tuesday (Nov. 16) of his new single “Off,” the artist revealed that his first full-length project under the new venture — blacksummers’NIGHT — will arrive in spring 2022.

The forthcoming project closes out the album trilogy that Maxwell launched in 2009 with the Grammy Award-winning BLACKsummers’night, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “Off,” the first taste from blacksummers’NIGHT, reunites the singer-songwriter-producer with his longtime creative collaborator, producer-musician Hod David. On the heat-seeking ballad, Maxwell couples his seductive invitation for romance with an enticing declaration, “And if I hit that spot/ We’re on a mission to go off.”

“From announcing a new partnership with BMG for my label Musze to receiving the Legend Award at the upcoming 2021 Soul Train Awards, I couldn’t be more excited to share this new single with loved ones offering a glimpse into NIGHT,” Maxwell said in a statement. The three-time Grammy winner is also partnering with the Black Promoters Collective (BPC), a coalition of African American independent promoters, to present the NIGHT 2022 Tour.

Featuring openers Anthony Hamilton and Joe, the 25-date arena tour begins in Dallas on March 2 with stops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta before concluding in Miami on May 8. Pre-sale starts Nov. 22 with tickets going on sale to the public on Nov. 29.

Calling Maxwell one of the most respected artists in the industry, Black Promoters Collective CEO Gary Guidry said, “His body of work and showmanship are second to none. We believe he has a true connection to the culture. We are happy to partner with him on the NIGHT Tour and look forward to growing this relationship for years to come.” BPC president Shelby Joyner added, “Maxwell’s music has been the soundtrack to many of our lives. People are ready to return to live music and regain a sense of normalcy. As a partner, we look forward to not only promoting the NIGHT Tour, but also creating space for Maxwell’s fans to safely listen to and enjoy the music they love so much.”

Check out the dates for Maxwell’s 2022 NIGHT tour and listen to “Off” below:

March 2 — Dallas, TX @ Texas Trust CU Theater

March 4 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center

March 5 — New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center

March 9 — Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena

March 11 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

March 12 — Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum

March 16 — Columbus, GA @ Columbus Civic Center

March 17 — Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center

March 19 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena

March 20 — Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex

March 23 — St. Louis, MO @ Chaifetz Center

March 25 — Memphis, TN @ FedExForum

March 26 — Birmingham, AL @ Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex

March 27 — Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center

March 30 — Brooklyn, NY  @ Barclays Center

April 1 — Atlantic City, NJ @ Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

April 2 — Washington, D.C. @ Capital One Arena

April 6 — Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

April 7 — Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse

April 9 — Chicago, IL @ United Center

April 10 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena

April 15 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum

April 16 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

May 7 — Tampa, FL @ Amelie Arena

May 8 — Miami, FL @ FTX Arena


New TuneCore Tool Helps Artists Drop, Monetize Songs on TikTok & Other Social Platforms

TuneCore is getting social.

For the first time, the indie distributor is enabling its community of creators to share their music directly into the music libraries of social platforms, which the company anticipates will create more viral opportunities and, potentially, income.

TuneCore charges no upfront fee for the new service, named Social Platforms, a discovery tool which works across TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and other social channels.

Social Platforms is presented as a “first of its kind” distribution offering, and a “one-stop solution for artists to release and monetize their music on key social media platforms with no-upfront fee to provide an easily accessible launchpad for creators,” explains Tunecore CEO Andreea Gleeson in a statement.

TuneCore will participate in “a small share of revenues” generated by the tracks on the social platforms that carry and share its users’ works.

The new distribution offering is another feather in Gleeson’s cap, after she spearheaded TuneCore’s international expansion and facilitated artist education and support efforts for the 1 million artists that use its services over the past year, efforts that were rewarded with her promotion to CEO in August of this year.

Under Gleeson, the business launched TuneCore Rewards, which offers discounts for artists who watch its educational “Master Class” videos; and TuneCore Certified, which offers digital plaques to artists based on how many streaming milestones they hit. She also worked closely on strategic partnerships with Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify and oversaw launches in Brazil, Russia, and India in 2020 and throughout Latin America earlier this year.

TuneCore is owned by Paris-based label and distributor Believe.


Taylor Swift Debuts These Two Songs From ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ on Airplay Charts

Taylor Swift sends two songs from her newly released album Red (Taylor’s Version) onto Billboard radio airplay charts.

The traditional-country “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault),” featuring Chris Stapleton, jumps onto the Country Airplay tally (dated Nov. 20) at No. 23. Released Nov. 12 and aided by hourly plays that day on participating iHeartMedia stations, it bows with 6.1 million impressions at the format in its first three days, according to MRC Data.

The song marks Swift’s second-highest start among her 39 Country Airplay entries, following “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which began at its No. 13 peak in September 2012. Stapleton scores his highest premiere, besting “Either Way” (No. 26, its peak, May 2017).

“Think,” whose official video arrived Monday (Nov. 15), is one of nine new “From the Vault” songs on Swift’s 30-track, re-recorded LP Red (Taylor’s Version), also released Nov. 12. (Notably, “We Are Never” is from the original Red.) In another tie-in to the initial Red, Swift earns her highest Country Airplay rank as a lead artist since the set’s title track placed at its No. 7 high in December 2013. She segued more fully to pop with her next album, 1989, in 2014.

Swift also enters Adult Pop Airplay at No. 36 with the new album’s pop-oriented “Message in a Bottle (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault).” Concentrated airplay on iHeartMedia stations also contributed to spins in the song’s first day of release. The song marks Swift’s record-extending 36th career Adult Pop Airplay entry.

Meanwhile, the new LP’s high-profile “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” whose 10-minute, 13-second “From the Vault” version is accompanied by its 14-minute, 56-second short film video that additionally premiered Nov. 12, has received a sampling of all-format airplay (favoring its 5-minute, 29-second version), translating to 150,000 in audience over its first three days.

Red (Taylor’s Version) is set to launch on next week’s Billboard album charts, dated Nov. 27.


TV Ratings: ‘Adele One Night Only’ Oprah Interview/Performance Scores for CBS

CBS got big ratings from its Adele concert special on Sunday (Nov. 14), outdrawing everything other than the NFL in primetime. The show also drew the biggest Sunday night audience for any network entertainment program so far this season. Adele One Night Only, which featured the singer performing past hits and songs from her upcoming album 30 — and sitting for an interview with Oprah Winfrey — averaged 9.92 million viewers, per time-zone-adjusted fast national ratings from Nielsen.

That’s well above CBS’ usual tune-in for a Sunday, and a little bit more than this year’s Oscars (9.85 million). It’s also the highest viewer total for a CBS entertainment show since an episode of NCIS in April. Among adults 18-49, One Night Only is currently at a 1.5 rating, the network’s third-best primetime number of the season (behind two post-NFL editions of 60 Minutes, including Sunday’s). Fast national ratings don’t include out-of-home viewing, so the special’s numbers will rise a bit in the finals released Tuesday (Nov. 16).

Adele performed in front of an A-list audience at L.A.’s Griffith Park Observatory — and without a rehearsal, executive producer Ben Winston said in a Clubhouse chat after the show. “We were loading in on a Friday, and there was 100 percent chance of storm on Monday, and there was no way we were going to be able to do this show outdoors. [We thought], Well we have to just not do a rehearsal and we just have to shoot the rehearsal because the first time Adele was able to get on that stage was the day she performed, and you all saw it.”

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

 


ARIA Awards 2021: The Kid LAROI, Amy Shark, Rüfüs Du Sol to Perform

The Kid LAROi will cap a record-busting year when he performs at the ARIA Awards, set for Nov. 24. The performer lineup announced on Tuesday (Nov. 16), includes LAROi (real name Charlton Howard) as well as Amy Shark, RÜFÜS DU SOL and Genesis Owusu.

Sydney-raised, Los Angeles-based teen Howard has enjoyed a fine ride in 2021, during which time he led the Billboard 200, the Billboard Hot 100 and crushed both main charts in his homeland, setting records along the way. The 18-year-old singer and rapper enters the ARIA Awards with four nominations, and he does so in solid award-winning form.

Last weekend, he won for best artist at Australia’s National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), and in April, he took out best newcomer at the APRA Music Awards, where he was the youngest winner on the night. Presenters at this year’s ARIAs include Troye Sivan, Ruel, Lime Cordiale and The Wiggles, while Ed Sheeran will appear for a special video tribute to Michael Gudinski, the late Mushroom Group chairman and founder who passed away in March at age 68.

Sheeran has the honor of presenting the inaugural Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award, a renamed category that honors the independent music legend and his “immense and irreplaceable contribution to signing, developing and championing Australian artists and music locally and internationally,” read a statement from ARIA. It’s a five-strong field, featuring Budjerah, Gretta Ray, Masked Wolf, MAY-A and Ngaiire.

The Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist category is one of many changes to this year’s ARIA Awards. The 35th edition will be an all-digital affair, streamed live to a global audience on YouTube, through a partnership with YouTube Music. As part of the ceremony’s evolution, organizers have dumped the gender-based categories, a progressive move that has been welcomed by the ARIA Voting Academy. And, for the first time, the ARIAs will beam out from Sydney’s iconic Taronga Zoo. Though the pandemic has, once again, altered plans for the Australian music industry’s big night, the 2021 edition will be a celebration of “an incredible year of creativity, dedication and perseverance,” said ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd in a statement.

“Our focus is about, in a year when we can’t be together in a big room with a big audience and stage,” Herd tells Billboard. “We still want to give the nominees and winners this year as much attention and focus on their work as much as we could. That’s been our guiding light.” As previously reported, Amy Shark and Genesis Owusu are the artists to beat with six nominations each.

Close behind, on five nominations, are Budjerah, Masked Wolf, Midnight Oil, The Avalanches, Tones And I and Vance Joy.  “We want to make a really positive show to get people excited about next year and the fact that, despite everything, amazing music is still being made,” adds Herd. “We want it to be a really upbeat show this year.”


Taylor Swift Drops Live Acoustic Version of 10-Minute ‘All Too Well’ Performance

The Taylor’s Version of Red is the gift that keeps on giving. Taylor Swift has dropped the live acoustic version of “All Too Well” that appears on the just-released Red (Taylor’s Version) album. The recording is taken from last week’s premiere of the epic Sadie Sink/Dylan O’Brien video for the single at the AMC 13 Lincoln Square in Manhattan; Swift wrote and directed the short film.

In a tweet, Swift said that the live version marked the first-ever performance of the song, tracked in front of an audience of 400 fans. The singer also played the epic iteration of the tune on Saturday Night Live over the weekend. The 30-track Red (Taylor’s Version) launched in a major way last week, putting up the biggest first-day streams by a female artist ever on Spotify with 90.8 million global streams; the high-water mark broke Tay’s own previous Spotify record with 2020’s Folklore, which in its first day saw 80.6 million streams.

Additionally, with Friday’s release of Red (Taylor’s Version), Swift became the most-streamed female in a day in the history of Spotify, with more than 122.9 million streams. Swift currently has over 47 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

The singer also dropped the video for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version),” which was co-written with actress Blake Lively, who also directed the clip. The song, which features additional vocals from country star Chris Stapleton — who does not appear in the video — finds Swift intruding on a Miles Teller’s wedding day, practicing his vows in the bathroom alongside as a vision of Swift pops up in the mirror, staring back at him.

Swift continues to wreak havoc on what’s supposed to be the best day of Teller’s life by taking a fistful of the couple’s wedding cake, delivering a speech to the newly married couple in front of all their friends, and appearing in front of him in a bridal gown, making him think of the life he could have had with her.

Check out Taylor tweet announcing the “All Too Well” acoustic version.

The first ever performance of All Too Well (10 min version) was at the AMC 13 theater in front of 400 fans. We recorded the acoustic performance so now we can all experience it together It’s available here https://t.co/H55gVedcRh pic.twitter.com/ntDSDI9tYV

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 15, 2021


Universal Music Partners With ABG to Buy, Boost Artist Brands

Universal Music Group has partnered with Authentic Brands Group – a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company – on a strategic initiative to acquire and actively manage artist brands, it was announced today.

Under the deal, UMG and ABG will work with artists, their representatives and legal heirs to leverage artists’ names and likenesses in pursuit of merchandise, memorabilia, licensing, brand experiences and media and entertainment opportunities worldwide in an effort to expand their legacies and tap new revenue streams.

Based in New York City, ABG’s existing portfolio of over 30 consumer brands and properties includes Elvis Presley, Thalia, Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe.

In a statement, UMG chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said, “UMG and ABG have strong track records as powerful stewards of artist and celebrity brands. Through this initiative, we will invest in name and likeness rights to create unique opportunities for artists with the goal of greatly expanding their cultural and commercial impact.”

ABG founder, chairman and CEO Jamie Salter added, “We are honored to partner with the enormously talented team at UMG for this groundbreaking initiative. Together, UMG and ABG will work strategically to preserve the legacies of history’s greatest artists.”