Country radio lights up with Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban
Thomas Rhett has earned his 16th career No. 1 hit as “Be A Light,” his current single “urging positivity during these troubled times” (Variety), shines brightly atop the Mediabase Country Chart this week. Thomas Rhett enlisted the help of friends Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban to amplify the song’s “powerfully beautiful message” (Music Row), propelling a CMA Award nomination for Musical Event of The Year alongside his Male Vocalist of the Year nomination.
“I’m completely blown away and humbled by the support of ‘Be A Light’ from the fans, country radio and the entire industry,” Rhett shares. “When we decided to release this song in March, it was the best way I knew how to share what was on my heart, and I’m feeling so hopeful and encouraged to see so many of you inspired to take action because of it in your own communities. Thank y’all for coming together like this!”
In addition to Thomas Rhett and the song’s collaborators donating all proceeds from the single to the ongoing MusiCares COVID-19 Relief efforts, last week he and Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta surprised Recording Academy Chairman and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and MusiCares Executive Director Laura Segura via a video conference call with an additional $100,000 for the relief fund.
“Be A Light” also spans McEntire’s reign of No. 1 hits into five decades: 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s, marking her the first female country artist to capture the feat. The single also marks McEntire’s 60th Top 10 hit on Billboard, extending her record for the most among female artists. McEntire has now collected Top 10 hits in five straight decades and is the fourth artist to achieve the feat alongside George Jones, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.
