STATE OF THE STATE: WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE

The next-generation leadership of Ben Kline and Cris Lacy (who were upped from EVPs to co-chairs/co-presidents just over a year ago) has yielded multiple successes out of the box, with breakouts and continued growth among the label’s younger acts.

Leading the charge was young phenom Bailey Zimmerman, who racked up big streams, #1 perches and double-platinum certifications with “Rock and a Hard Place” (six weeks in the top spot) and “Fall in Love.” Meanwhile, Cole Swindell’s gigantic “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” spent five weeks at #1, won Single and Song of the Year at the ACMs and Country Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards and was one of several platinum certs earned by the artist. Ingrid Andress notched another biggie with platinum #1 “Wishful Drinking” f/Sam Hunt.

Cody Johnson’s emotional powerhouse “’Til You Can’t” (double platinum) earned the Best Country Song Grammy as well as CMAs for Single and Music Video of the Year and a CMT Award for Performance of the Year. Johnson himself was anointed Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Awards.

Ashley McBryde added more trophies to her shelf—and plenty of critical acclaim—with her ambitious album Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, led by hit single “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” her duet with Carly Pearce. The song snagged a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and a CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year.

There were plenty of other certifications, both platinum (Swindell, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Morgan Evans) and gold (Avery Anna, Johnson, Ian Munsick, Zac Brown Band).

Kline and Lacy added Anna Pittman as VP artist development, and the label’s forward-looking approach to signing and developing acts is reflected in new inkings like Avery Anna (whose “Narcissist” is already gold), Giovannie and the Hired Guns (Best New Artist, Alternative & Rock, at the iHeart Awards) Chase Matthew, Austin Snell, Jordyn Shellhart, Madeline Edwards and Matt Schuster.