COURTESY OF BIG LOUD FOR TENN TEXAS MEDIA | PHOTO CREDIT: ROBBY KLEIN
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Big Loud / Back Blocks Music’s country songstress Ashley Cooke has notched her first-ever No. 1 song at country radio (Country Aircheck / Mediabase) with her moody breakup anthem, “your place.” The song penned by Cooke, Jordan Minton, and Mark Trussell, is the first single from a breakout Big Loud female to claim the top spot and is only the second single to reach No. 1 from a female artist at country radio in 2024. Cooke is also the highest charted solo female in 2024 on Billboard Country Airplay, reaching No. 2 this week.
“It is truly an honor to join the legacy of country radio No. 1s,” shares Cooke. “Reaching the top of the chart has been a goal of mine since the first time I picked up a microphone and getting to ring the bell with the greatest team at Big Loud and the radio champions I now call friends is all the more rewarding.”
After first impacting radio on Dec. 11, the trajectory of “your place” claiming the top spot took the “promising Nashville up-and-comer” (Los Angeles Times) a short 26 weeks from debut to peak, tying her as the second fastest growing solo female debut single on Country Aircheck / Mediabase in the last ten years. “your place” also earned Cooke a four-week No.1 on the U.K. Country Radio Airplay chart, making her the first artist to do so since the chart launched earlier this year.
Billboard predicted the song’s “real potential at becoming her first radio hit” which had already reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown, notching over 62M global on-demand streams to date. The career milestone comes just days after Cooke’s feature on Brantley Gilbert‘s track “Over When We’re Sober” released to country radio on June 20 for immediate airplay before releasing universally on June 21. The duet impacted country radio today at No. 31 and No. 41 on Billboard Country Airplay and Country Aircheck / Mediabase charts, respectively – the most-added single of the week – crediting Cooke with two of the top three gainers on Country Aircheck / Mediabase this week.
Earlier this year,“your place” earned Cooke her first-ever CMTMusicAward win for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. The music video released earlier this year, took home the fan-voted award thanks to Cooke’s rapidly growing fanbase of over 1M strong. Directed by ACM and CMA award-winner Justin Clough, the video captures the essence of the song’s raw emotions, showcasing Cooke’s autobiographical journey of moving forward and reclaiming her independence after a toxic breakup. As her intrusive ex persistently crosses boundaries that no longer concern him, Cooke draws a firm line – “her current situation is none of his damn bizness” (MusicRow).
Cooke will continue sharing her critically acclaimed debut album shot in the dark on the U.S. leg of Jordan Davis’ DAMN GOOD TIME TOUR throughout the summer with a headline tour to be announced soon. As she grows with unstoppable momentum, the MusicRow Discovery Artist of the Year and 2024 Next Big Thing artist will appear at some of the country’s hottest festivals including Windy City Smokeout, Faster Horses, Country Boom, Country Summer, and more.
ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE
With Big Loud / Back Blocks Music country artist Ashley Cooke, it’s best to know what you’re getting into – because this emerging star is the definition of more than meets the eye. A graceful exterior matched by a casual-cool nature. Skillfully crafted lyrics and a knack for unforgettable performance. Effortless vocal beauty and a bold sense of internal grit, freely mixing it up with the boys while she rallies the girls. And most important, a passion for capturing the magic between heartbeats, each moment as unique as she is. Still early in her journey, being herself has already served Cooke well. It has led to over 270M global streams with chart climbing hits like “Never Til Now” with Brett Young, Ryman and Grand Ole Opry debuts, national TV appearances on ABC’s The Bachelorette and NBC’s TODAY, tours with Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Cole Swindell, Brett Young, and more.
And now, her next chapter continues with her July 2023 debut album shot in the dark. Unfolding as if they were ripped from pages of her personal journal, Cooke’s sun-kissed blend of two-lane pop country is on full display in the collection’s 24 tracks, inspired by true tales of love, heartbreak and all the moments in between. Fully capturing the essence of a daring twenty-something growing up, chasing her dreams and taking risks, Cooke infuses heartfelt lyrics, captivating melodies, and raw relatability as she invites listeners to come along for the ride. The striking debut has already garnered Cooke praise from Billboard who named her the July 2023 Rookie of the Month, with additional praise pouring in from People, American Songwriter, The Tennessean, and more. Cooke went on to win her first CMTAward for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the 2024 CMT Awards before being nominated for ACM New Female Artist of the Year, adding to previous recognition as one of MusicRow’s 2023 Discovery Artist of the Year and Next Big Thing as well as iHeartCountry’s On The Verge artist. Meanwhile, her award-winning single “your place” continues to take her career to new heights as she notches her first career No.1 song at country radio.
