NBC
NBC’s 2019 coup is back this week when Songland Season Two premiere Monday April 13 at 10 p.m. ET / PT after a brand new episode of The voice. Here’s what you need to know about judges, guest artists and songwriters for the second season.
Judges / Producers
Ester Dean: This Grammy-nominated songwriter has produced music for Rihanna, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, plus she has starred in the Perfect movie franchise.
Shane McAnally: This three-time Grammy-winning songwriter is the Academy of Country Music’s songwriter of the year twice and has more than 40 country records. He has produced music for Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson and Sam Hunt.
Ryan Tedder: This lead singer from OneRepublic is a four-time Grammy-winning songwriter. He has produced music for Adele, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and the Jonas Brothers.
Invited artists
For the second season, the guest artists are Lady Antebellum, Boyz II Men, Florida Georgia Line, Luis Fonsi, H.E.R., Martina McBride, Julia Michaels, Ben Platt, Bebe Rexha and Usher.
As fun as it is for Songland to get such big names is a mutually beneficial relationship. Season 1 artists – John Legend, Will.i.am, Kelsea Ballerini, Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, Aloe Blacc, Macklemore, Old Dominion, Leona Lewis, Charlie Puth and OneRepublic – have collectively raised more than $ 200 million digital downloads of their songs in the first season and many of them reached # 1 on an iTunes chart.
Jonas Brothers’ “Greenlight” Reaches First Place in the iTunes Overall Ranking
Kelsea Ballerini’s “Better Luck Next Time” reached # 1 on the iTunes Pop Chart and # 2 on the iTunes Charts
Black Eyed Peas “Be Nice” ranked # 1 on iTunes Rock Charts
Macklemore (ft. IRO) “Shadow” ranked # 1 on iTunes Hip-Hop / Rap Chart
“Solo Quiero (Somebody to Love)” by Leona Lewis, Cali y El Dandee and Juan Magan reached first place in the iTunes Latino charts
John Legend’s “We Need Love” ranked # 1 on the iTunes R&B chart
Songwriters
Each week, four songwriters perform an original song for the three producers and the guest artist for this episode. Three are chosen to be reworked with the help of producers, and the final versions are performed for guest artists, with one song selected as the winner. The winning song will usually be released by the guest artist, although in one case in the first season, Charlie Puth has chosen not to publish the winning song, and songwriter Zach Sorgen should release it.
Episode 2 of Season 2 features songwriters Tim Halperin, whom viewers may remember from Season 10 of American Idol, Canadian country singer Madeline Merlo, singer-songwriter Steven Battey and singer-songwriter Ryan Innes, who was part of Usher’s team on The voice season four, but was eliminated in the knockout round.
Season two preview features H.E.R. saying, “What makes a good song? Something unforgettable. Songland is where to find these documents. “
“The purpose of this show is to showcase the art of collaboration and the art of songwriting,” says Tedder.
It is fascinating to see a song go through the stages of brainstorming and workshops. It is also very interesting to hear what the different artists are looking for in the songs they choose.
Songland aired Monday at 10 p.m. ET / PT on NBC.
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