Melinda Newman
billboard
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Past articles by Melinda:
Chartbreaker: How Hailey Whitters Got Everything She Wanted With ‘Everything She Ain’t’
The country singer-songwriter was “hellbent” on achieving her dreams — but never could have predicted her current level of success. → Read More
Tracy Chapman Reacts To Luke Combs’ Cover of ‘Fast Car’: Exclusive
What did the reclusive singer-songwriter have to say about her iconic song reaching No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart? → Read More
Ryan Tedder’s Runner Music Hires Amanda Hill as Co-Chief Creative Officer: Exclusive
The former Sony Music Publishing executive will also serve as president of A&R. → Read More
How Meaningful Is It That Country Songs Occupy the Top Two Spots of the Billboard Hot 100?
This week's Five Burning Questions looks at Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" and Luke Combs' "Fast Car" taking the Hot 100's Nos. → Read More
Pulse Music Group and Concord Launch Pulse Records
The new label will focus on emerging artists and existing acts with Pulse ties. → Read More
New Billy Mann-Hosted Podcast ‘Yeah, I F–ked That Up’ Bows From Warner Music Group’s Interval Presents: Exclusive
Kelly Rowland, Stevie Van Zandt and Renée Elise Goldsberry are among the first season’s guests. → Read More
Bluegrass Titan Earl Scruggs’ Song Catalog Sells to Peermusic
The deal also includes the majority of the song catalog of his son, Grammy winner Gary Scruggs. → Read More
Garth Brooks Launches The Big 615 Country Radio Station With TuneIn: ‘We’re Going to Lean a Little More Traditional’
The station will be part of Brooks’ Sevens Network on the streaming platform. → Read More
A Fruitful Relationship: Why Jelly Roll’s Fans Are Called ‘Bad Apples’
The apple core tattoo on the musician’s face is an homage to an unofficial group of some of his hardcore fans. → Read More
From Prison to No. 1: Nashville Rising Star Jelly Roll Proves That ‘Losers Can Win’
Straddling country, rock and rap, he’s quickly established himself as a great new talent. But music is more than a career for him — it’s a mission and a road to redemption. → Read More
Jelly Roll: Photos From the Billboard Cover Shoot
Jelly Roll photos: Billboard cover shoot pics of the rising singer. → Read More
With So Few Hit Covers in 2023, Why Is Luke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’ Doing So Well?
This week’s Five Burning Questions looks at Luke Combs’ version of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic, which moves 11-9 on the Hot 100 this week. → Read More
Check Out Garth Brooks’ Full Setlist for ‘Garth Brooks/Plus ONE’ Opening Night in Las Vegas
The country icon blazed through 33 songs in a joyous return to stage. → Read More
Garth Brooks Heads Into New Vegas Residency ‘Without a Net’: ‘It’s Exciting, Right?’
The country icon kicks off a 27-show run at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Thursday night. → Read More
Sting & Shaggy to Launch One Fine Day Festival in Philadelphia
The two will headline the Sept. 9 festival with talent appearing across two stages. → Read More
Backstage at the 2023 ACM Awards with Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Chris Stapleton and Other Top Winners
From how they planned to celebrate to what was coming next, the ACM Awards winners shared their joy with Billboard. → Read More
Ed Sheeran ‘Would Love to Transition Into Country’
At rehearsals for the ACM Awards, the singer/songwriter also speaks on why he hopes his landmark copyright win will lead to a change. → Read More
Garth Brooks to Launch New Radio Network Through TuneIn
The suite of stations, conceived and curated by Brooks, will bow this summer. → Read More
First Listen: Hear Dierks Bentley & Miranda Lambert’s New Song Written for ‘Fire Country’ (Exclusive)
The country superstars will have four tracks appear exclusively in the CBS drama this month. → Read More
How the ACM Awards Plans to Bring the ‘Core Country Audience’ to Amazon Prime for This Year’s Show
Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside discusses what lessons were learned from last year’s switch from CBS to the streaming service. → Read More