Luke Bryan to Co-Host Songwriter Focused Radio Concert

Luke Bryan is teaming up with industry power BMI and local radio networks from around the nation for a special cause, raising money for songwriters through a live radio concert.

Dubbed “A Salute to the Songwriters,” the event is set up as a three-hour, commercial-free concert on more than 100 country stations across the nation, and the lineup includes some of the writers behind country’s biggest hits. It’s a group collectively responsible for hits from Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl In It” to Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” and much, much more.

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We’ve teamed up with local radio broadcasters Cox Media Group (CMG), Alpha Media, Beasley Media Group, Hubbard Radio, Neuhoff Media and Townsquare Media and some of country music’s top songwriters for a radio concert to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief fund. “A Salute to the Songwriters,” will feature country music superstar @LukeBryan as a special guest co-host alongside several local DJs throughout the event airing nationwide on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 7PM CST. Proceeds will go directly to the special @MusiCares fund created by #BMI, @ASCAP and @SESAC to support songwriters affected by the pandemic. The commercial-free three-hour concert will be broadcast on more than 100 country stations across all six broadcast groups and will feature some of the songwriters behind country music’s biggest hits straight from their living rooms and home studios. The line-up includes @officialrhettakins, @jonrandallmusic and Jessi Alexander, @lukedick and Jeff Hyde, Brandon Kinney and Clint Daniels, Barry Dean and @nataliehemby, as well as Dylan Altman and Wynn Varble. These acclaimed music creators will take audiences behind the scenes and into the writing rooms with stories of how their hit songs were created. In addition, the show will spotlight several songwriters on the rise as they discuss how this difficult time has directly affected them and their livelihoods.

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With performers including Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins, Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander, Luke Dick and Jeff Hyde, Brandon Kinney and Clint Daniels, Barry Dean and Natalie Hemby, Dylan Altman and Wynn Varble, the show will highlight some of the stories behind hit songs — and also share a glimpse into the life of songwriters struggling during the COVID-19 lockdown. Nashville alone is home to thousands of aspiring tunesmiths, most of whom chase their chart-topping dreams on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis. And without their work, country’s famously vibrant songwriting tradition would be dimmer for sure. All money raised will go to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief fund, meant to support those songwriters.

“We’re proud to partner with the country’s leading local radio groups to support the songwriters whose music brings us together in good times and in bad,” said Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. “Songwriters are often considered the smallest of small businesses, and like so many small businesses, they are deeply impacted by this pandemic. We’re so grateful that some of BMI’s top country music creators are lending their voices to support this incredibly important cause.

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“Like so many others, songwriters have been deeply impacted by COVID-19 and the temporary closure of bars, restaurants and live music venues.” said Tim Clarke, VP of Content and Audience for Cox Media Group. “Broadcasters have outstanding relationships with this community, and we are honored to join together in creating this special to celebrate and support these talented individuals who are the heart of country music.” 

A Salute to the Songwriters will air Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m. local time. Proceeds will go directly to the special MusiCares fund created by BMI, ASCAP and SESAC to support songwriters affected by the pandemic.