01/06/2022
Our first feature was about Derek Johnson, who was the only United States Veteran (GoArmy) in 2021 to score a Billboard hit, Country Music's Top Chart. He and George Strait were the only two in 2020.
We mentioned him setting two significant Country Music records and after a few messages and comments, we are going to answer those by explaining how Country Music works from a hit artist and songwriter's boots from an actual hit artist, songwriter, and his team.
Being friends with Derek has given us so much insight on what modern hit artists and songwriters actually face from the business to the fans. And because fans are the lifeline to artists and their music, it's very important to understand how artists get where they are and why you love them.
Recently, more and more fans seem to be led astray from what made Nashville and Country Music exactly what it is. Some of the comments by many fans today prove why we write this, and more than just us need to set the record straight.
One should always look in the mirror and ask... "how many hits do I have?" Anyone who's never had a hit, arguing or debating an artist or songwriter who does, says it all.
Here's a direct look into the Country Music system from those with hits.
If you're the fan that says:
"I don't listen to radio anymore."
"Billboard and Country Radio does not matter."
"I've never heard of you and your music."
"You're not in Morgan Wallen's league."
"No one pays attention to Billboard anymore, if you'd focus on 'great music' like us fans do, you'd understand why we love (insert a Top 25 name here)."
Mark Twain said, "it's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
Country Music is a business. The business revolves around and only exists because of hit songs. The business has a system. That system has a structure. The structure has angles. The angles lead to record or publishing deals. Those deals lead to hit songs. Those hits are scored on Billboard Country Airplay.
There's a reason you love the artists you love. They didn't just fall out of the sky. Where do artists and songwriters move? To Nashville. What's in Nashville? Music Row. What's on Music Row? Record Labels, Publishers, Agencies, Managements, etc. Why do so many move to Nashville if there isn't a systematic process?
This format and process are why fans "love" what they "love." Every fan, redneck, bumpkin, hillbilly, cat, dog, tumbleweed, barn, dirt road, skoal can, campfire, and tailgate ONLY know Hank Williams to Morgan Wallen and every mainstream artist in between because of 👉 Billboard Country Airplay.
There's a system with a structure with a format. Billboard has 60 bullets, it does not stop at #25. Every artist from #26 to #60 are next-in-line to jump into Top 25 where artists become your "favorites" due to a 👉 format and process.
Country Airplay is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine since January 20, 1990. This chart lists the 60 most-listened-to records played on 150 mainstream country radio stations across the country as monitored by Nielsen BDS, weighted to each station's Nielsen ratings.
The first number-one song was "Nobody's Home" by Clint Black.
Here's some more examples:
Example: In 2021, "Am I The Only One" debuted at #1 on Billboard Hot Country Songs... Aaron Lewis' Label then posed the question, "Should we take it" where? 👉 RADIO. = Billboard Country Airplay.
Example 2: Priscilla Block's song "Just About Over You" went viral on TikTok, Universal Records signed her, where did they take the song? 👉 Country Radio. Scored a hit on what? 👉 Billboard Country Airplay.
Example 3: Carrie Underwood won American Idol, a syndicated TV show with a captivated audience with viewership at its high, 36 million in 2006 to 6 million present day; the show comes with a record deal for winning, where did her label take her debut song? 👉 Country Radio system. Where did and does she score all of her hits? 👉 Billboard Country Airplay. How many listeners are in Country Radio's 105 stations? 100 million.
"Not in the same league" lol
Before we address this ignorant comment, why are fans getting defensive for finding out there's a or more new artists you might like to put on your playlist?
Derek Johnson hits 👉 Billboard Country Airplay
The only reason you heard of to love Morgan Wallen is because of 👉 Country Radio System. Where does he score his hits? 👉Billboard Country Airplay.
Two, the musicians on hit artists albums are the top musicians in the business and are different than everyone else. Majority of them will not play on just anyone's album, plus most artists cannot afford the session. Same caliber musicians on Wallen's, are on Derek's.
Three, there's companies called publishers who have staff writers. And there's hit writers with their own publishing. They pitch songs to hit artists or newly signed artists with majors and mid-majors. 99% of artists do not write their own music. Not only does Derek write all of his, he writes with many of those hit writers on all your favorite artist's albums.
3. Their teams all know each other. Most have worked with one or another at other companies. Derek's team is the same who launched: Toby Keith, Sammy Kershaw, Gary Allan, Zac Brown Band, LoCash, Chris Janson, Eli Young Band, Montgomery-Gentry, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, Randy Rogers Band, Joe Nichols, Kid Rock (Country), and the list continues.
You do not have to like certain artists, that's your preference and you're entitled to it, but Country Music is a business, and until the Major Labels stop using Billboard as the system to score their hits, that's the artists you should be supporting. If their style of music doesn't match your taste, great, there's your entitlement in action, but making ignorant comments reflects on the person you are, it does not stop the system delivering the artist's you love.
It's unfortunate today's popular Country Publications do not deliver news from all artists on Billboard. Every artist from #30 to #60 are next-in-line to become your next sensation. That's just how the system works.
But if you do not like the system, that's ever more reason to support Derek, who's in position to be the first unsigned artist to chart Top 25.
After all, he only holds the secrets and formula for all unsigned artists and songwriters to go straight to Billboard.
Facts are facts.
FOX10 News
Fox News
Rick and Bubba
65 South
Taste of Country
Wide Open Country
Raised Rowdy
Whiskey Riff
People
Country Music Weekly
Country Music Weekly
This Week In Country Music
Country Music People magazine
MSN Entertainment
Storme Warren
Bobby Bones Show
Warner Chappell Music
Average Joes Entertainment
Silverado Records
BBR Music Group
