QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“If I am chasing your dream faster than you, then I am in the wrong dream.” – Preshias © (TM)
ALBUM NEWS:
Billboard No. 1 singer-songwriter Dustin Collins has enlisted industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley) to produce his new album, Working Man. The 11-track project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment. A portion of proceeds from the lead single and album will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA. GUMI focuses on providing U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society. The camp is located on a 258-acre piece of property in southeast Taney County, Mo. Veterans may reside without cost to them and heal at their own pace. Working Man follows Collins’ latest album, It’s Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the BillboardHeatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single “Cold Dead Hands” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart. The Kentucky native also earned a slot on Aaron Watson’s Vaquero Tour and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Kane Brown and many more. See also https://www.dustincollinsmusic.com. @dustincollinsofficial.
AMERICANA NEWS:
With the recent release of six-song EP Where Phones Don’t Work, Texas troubadour Wade Bowen offered fans a glimpse at his first new solo music in over three years, driven by a renewed sense of focus and passion inspired by his time off the road. Now, with live shows making a comeback, the “perennially popular” man who MusicRow proclaims “can always be counted on for country excellence” brings the new music and more to Nashville’s famed Exit/In on Wednesday, March 23. “It had been a long time since I’d come to Nashville to write music before this EP,” reflects Bowen. “It felt incredible once I got together with some of my songwriting friends here – almost like a fresh start 20 years into my career, which was really inspiring – so it’s only right that we celebrate with the amazing fans in the city that played such an important role in crafting this next chapter of music.” Tickets and tour info at https://www.wadebowen.com and follow on Facebook @TheWadeBowen or Twitter and Instagram @WadeBowen.
ANNIVERSARY NEWS:
Smokeshow Entertainment, an artist development and management firm established in 2015 to represent up and coming artists in the country music industry, begins a new era in 2022 by adding a full-service booking arm. Smokeshow’s current booking roster of artists, includes Keith Anderson, Clayton Shay, Phillip Michael Parsons, Carson Beyer, Noah Smith, Thomas Gabriel, Shannon Clark & The Sugar, Chad Wilson, David Starr, Warren Garrett, Chris Linton, Cody Bradley, Kaleb Sanders, Miller Holler, Tailgate Revival and 4 Low. Music genres represented in this group range from Americana and traditional country music to pop country, country rock and outlaw country. Market focus will include small and large venues, college, fair/festival, corporate and special events booking on a national and international scale. More info at www.smokeshowent.com.
ARTIST NEWS:
Cole Swindell and Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021” Lainey Wilson (Country Radio Broadcasters finalist for 2022) have released their highly anticipated, fiery new video for their duet “Never Say Never” across YouTube and as a New Release Spotlight on Facebook. See the video here https://coleswindell.lnk.to/neversaynever-omv, directed by Michael Monaco (FlyHi Films) and filmed at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary outside of Knoxville. “Never Say Never,” already in the Top 20 on the country singles chart and rising, was the most added song at country radio the week of release, giving both Swindell and Wilson their biggest ‘radio add day’ of their careers. The song, written by Swindell, Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, is the Georgia native’s follow-up radio single to his back-to-back No. 1 hits “Love You Too Late” and most recently his milestone multi-week, 10th career No. 1 hit “Single Saturday Night.” “Never Say Never” is also the follow-up single to Wilson’s No. 1 smash hit “Things A Man Oughta Know,” which is still streaming more than 3 million times each week since it peaked in September. Purchase/download “Never Say Never” at https://coleswindell.lnk.to/neversaynever.
BABY NEWS:
Blue is the newest color for my ‘music daughter’ Chelsie Love. She and her partner Joshua Scott Jones welcomed baby boy Lawson Kelly Love Jones on January 20th.
BREAKOUT NEWS:
Breakout Country artist Raleigh Keegan has released a brand-new track called “New To Nashville,” available everywhere now at https://vyd.co/NewToNashville. Written by Keegan with Daniel Leathersich and Ryan Brisotti, “New To Nashville” is the first track from his forthcoming EP, A Tale of 7 Cities. The new EP follows his critically acclaimed debut full-length album, Clocks Roll Forward, which released last October. “I wanted to start with ‘Nashville’ because it’s where I am now,” shares Raleigh of the new track. “A place where dreams are made, but no shortage of dreams don’t come true also. This song tells both sides of that story.” He recently offered a sneak peek acoustic performance of “New To Nashville” on Instagram @raleighkeegan. “New To Nashville” is the first of seven city-themed songs from A Tale of 7 Cities, which he has co-produced with Chad Judd. Raleigh has accumulated nearly 10 million streams across his catalog to date, and has opened for artists such as Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Drake White, and Mitchell Tenpenny. More about Raleigh at https://www.raleighkeegan.com and on Facebook / Instagram / Twitter.
CD RELEASES:
2022 marks 60 years since country music legend Gene Watson released his first single to radio. To celebrate, Watson is embarking on his 60th Anniversary Tour, which will take Watson to performing across the country. Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, the ‘singer’s singer’ has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records. The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago and thrilling fans with his famous octave jumping ending to “Farewell Party” night after night. Purchase tour tickets at https://genewatsonmusic.com/#GW_TOUR/.
“I wasn’t ever signed to a company called Sun Valley Records, Sun Valley was just the name of the street the drummer lived on,” shared Watson. “I’d never heard myself on the radio before, so I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard it the first time on a local Houston radio station.”
Additionally, Watson has been in the studio working on his new project due out in 2022. @GeneWatsonMusic.
CONCERT NEWS:
Produced by Live Nation, Tim McGraw’s Concert Tour 2022, the limited 17-city amphitheater tour, kicks off on April 29th at Walmart AMP in Rogers, AR making stops across the U.S. in Charlotte, Atlanta, Bristow and more before wrapping up in Mansfield, MA at Xfinity Center on June 4th. Tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit TimMcGraw.com. Joining McGraw on the road is multi-platinum recording artist Russell Dickerson, who will bring his high-energy show to the stage as the direct support for the tour. Known for bringing attention to up-and-coming artists, McGraw continues to shine a spotlight on several artists that are lighting up social media with their music, including Alexandra Kay and Brandon Davis, who will also join McGraw as opening acts on his forthcoming tour. Earlier this year, Kay’s cover of “Don’t Take The Girl” went viral after McGraw took to socials to applaud her take on the song. McGraw also showed his support for rising country singer Brandon Davis, teaming up with him for a virtual duet of McGraw’s “Something Like That.” For tour dates visit https://www.timmcgraw.com. @TheTimMcGraw
COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR NEWS:
Some of Music City Media’s emerging artists will be attending Country Radio Seminar ’22, Feb 23-25, 2022, and will be meeting with music media for interviews. Among those set to attend CRS: Mikayla Lane, inspired by traditional country music and the western lifestyle, sixteen-year-old Mikayla is a vibrant, young trendsetter who infuses yesterday’s heritage into today’s contemporary sound. Gavin Lee, whose ‘true grit’ sound has been influenced by traditional 90s country artists as well as the likes of Jason Aldean, Riley Green and Luke Combs, while the songs he writes are inspired by his own experiences and stories. Alyssa Bonagura is a celebrated songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who spent the past decade fine-tuning a sound that reaches far beyond her Nashville roots, mixing the southern storytelling of country music, the free-thinking spirit of rock and roll and the cinematic sweep of Brit-pop. Singer-songwriter Dakota Poorman who is a breath of fresh air in the country music scene, entertaining audiences with his unique style of ‘Red White and Blue Collar’ country – raw rock n’ roll infused with a fiery fiddle and badass banjo. See their Artist Profiles at https://www.musiccitynews.com.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY:
Hargus “Pig” Robbins, renowned pianist and Country Music Hall of Fame member passed away January 30, 2022. He was 84. Working thousands of recording dates since the late 1950s, Robbins has contributed to dozens of hits by artists in Country, rock, folk and pop. He garnered two CMA Awards throughout his career, CMA’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 1976 and 2000. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
“Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins was a defining sound for so much of the historic music out of Nashville,” said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO. “His talent spoke for itself through his decades-spanning career and work as a session pianist with countless artists across genres. Our hearts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
DUET NEWS:
Riser House/Columbia Nashville #1 hitmaker Mitchell Tenpenny enlisted the help of Grammy-nominated performer Danny Gokey to record a new version of his smash hit “Bucket List.” The two powerhouse vocalists, who connected through a mutual friend, spar it out on the refreshed track. The song, written by Mitchell, Chris DeStefano and Laura Veltz, was originally released on New Year’s Day 2021. The “Bucket List” original version is included on Mitchell’s current EP Midtown Diaries that was released in September. Get the Mitchell/Danny version at https://m10.lnk.to/BucketListDannyGokey. Tenpenny and Cokey shot a music video for “Bucket List” at the Melrose Church at Fiddlers Grove in Wilson County, Tenn. The film was shot with Director Tristan Cusick. “‘Bucket List’ is about trying to live everyday like it’s your last. You never know how long you have on this earth, so you need to try and live it to the fullest,” shared Mitchell. “I’ve been a big fan of Danny’s for a long time, his voice is so incredible.” Updates to Tenpenny’s 2 Us It Did Tour at https://www.mitchell10penny.com.
INDIE ARTIST NEWS:
Independent singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel, has released her highly anticipated single, “Bad News Baby.” It is available at major digital retailers via https://www.hannahbethel.com. Early reaction to the track is very strong, with out-of-the-gate editorial playlist adds at Amazon – Fresh Folk & Americana, Spotify – New Music Nashville, TIDAL – Nashville Now and Amazon – Breakthrough Folk. “Bad News Baby” is the lead single from Bethel’s forthcoming EP, Until the Sun Comes Back Around, set to release on March 25, 2022. Written by Bethel, “Bad News Baby” is a heartbreaking ballad that tells the story of an experience she had with someone she believed to be her catalyst, a person or thing that precipitates an event. Recorded in Nashville, “Bad News Baby” was produced by Tim Craven (The Brethren/Boys Club for Girls) and mixed by GRAMMY Award-winning engineer, Brandon Bell (Steep Canyon Rangers/Brandi Carlisle/The Highwomen). Bethel is a rare artist who blurs lines between Americana, country, pop, and rock. More about Hannah Bethel and her new single at https://www.hannahbethel.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS:
Music publisher Big Machine Music is opening a Los Angeles office, bringing on Timmy Haehl as Senior Director of Publishing. Landing in the top ten on Billboard’s Hot 100 Publishing Corp list the past five years running, BMM’s expansion from their Nashville-based headquarters comes on the heels of global successes. “Between Big Machine Music’s crossover hits, the growth of our roster to include LA-based songwriters and our inter-company collaborations with SB Projects, it is a natural move for us to formally open a West Coast office, and Timmy is the perfect creative publishing executive with which to start,” said BMM’s General Manager Mike Molinar. Follow @bigmachinemusic on Instagram.
LABEL NEWS:
(Mercury Nashville)
Recording artist Travis Denning celebrated a new milestone, with the news that his first-ever No. One hit single “After A Few” has officially been certified Platinum by the RIAA, with over One Million units of the song being consumed since its release. Denning was surprised by his team at Universal Music Group, Red Light Management and the RIAA following a performance at Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Denning co-wrote “After A Few” with Kelly Archer and Justin Weaver. “I’m blown away,” shared Denning. “This moment really only happens because of the team effort. My label, management, agent, radio, band and crew are all equally responsible for this milestone. Never would’ve dreamed I’d have a platinum song!” A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Denning has accelerated his ascent from a chart-topping single, releasing his debut EP Beer’s Better Cold that debuted in the Top 20 of Billboard’s Country Albums chart. Denning first made waves with the release of his Top 40 debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs.” Music, merch and more at https://www.travisdenning.com. NOTE: He recently got engaged to Madison Mongomery (John Michael’s daughter.)
(Valory Music Co.)
Having had two No. 1 Billboard Country Album debuts with Town Line and Sinner, Aaron Lewis has quietly made an impact on Country music without flexing to let everyone know what a big deal he was. With a decade invested in a genre that’s seen him record with Willie Nelson, George Jones, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Mickey Raphael, the Cox Family and Dan Tyminski and producer Buddy Cannon, the 15 million-selling front man of Staind doubled down on Frayed At Both Ends, out now via The Valory Music Co. Listen at https://aaronlewis.lnk.to/Frayed. Frayed At Both Ends is a meditation on shrinking opportunities, mistakes made, consequences of our actions and squaring up to it all with the dignity it takes to be a full-grown man. Drawing on the tattered reality and stoicism of Merle Haggard, the yearning of David Allan Coe’s Darlin’ Darlin’ era, the ragged fringe of Johnny Paycheck, Lewis collaborated with many of the songwriters who’ve become his friends over the last dozen years for the first time. More on the album and tour dates at https://aaronlewismusic.com.
MEDIA NEWS:
Jason Aldean has revealed more details behind the expansive 10th release of his double-album Macon, Georgia (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records), available April 22. Built slow through long months off the road, Aldean’s full 10th studio album represents the first chunk of time since Aldean was a teen that he was not hopping from city to city each night, and he put it to good use. Part all-new music and part career retrospective, highlighting the fiery live shows Aldean’s made his calling card, the massive set features 30 songs over two jam-packed releases – with 20 new tunes and 10 unheard live takes showcasing everything he does. The full release will also be marked by a commemorative three-disc vinyl set which fans can pre-order here. The collection’s second installment, Georgia, is now available for pre-order at https://jasonaldean.lnk.to/georgiaPR, with Macon already available at https://jasonaldean.lnk.to/macon. The three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year” has bolstered 26 No. One hits, 15 billion streams and more than 20 million albums sold. @JasonAldean
MUSIC NEWS:
Fans of traditional country and the way that Tracy Lawrence does it have a treat right now. Tracy’s album, Hindsight 2020: Volume 3 Angelina is out now. The release completes the trilogy and is available at https://www.tracylawrence.com/. Volume 1 was subtitled Stairway To Heaven, Highway To Hell,and Volume 2 was subtitled Price of Fame. A Deluxe Bundle consisting of all three volumes is also available from Tracy’s merch page on his website. Tracy is setting out on the road with his buddy Clay Walker. They will be joined by Alexandra Kay and Randall King on select dates. VIP Experiences are available and include a 30-minute Q&A session with Tracy and Clay, VIP laminate, signed 8×10 photo and more. Tour updates and tickets at https://www.tracylawrence.com/#!/events. No doubt, audiences will be treated to Tracy’s fan-favorites such as “Alibis” “How Cowgirls Say Goodbye” “Sticks and Stones” and his career-defining song “Time Marches On.” @therealtracylawrence
NUMBER ONE NEWS:
Kenny Chesney joined with friends and members of Nashville’s music business community to honor the writers of his 34th Number One hit, “Knowing You.” It seems like forever ago, but Number One parties were a regular occurrence in Music City – sometimes several in a month – but concerns for the coronavirus put an end to the festivities. For those gathered at The Sutler in Nashville on January 25, it felt like a chance to reconnect and celebrate together. Released in March 2021 on Blue Chair/Warner Nashville, “Knowing You” was written by Adam James, Brett James and Kat Higgins, and produced by Chesney and Buddy Cannon. It was the fourth single release from his 2020 album, Here and Now. The song marks the 26th Number One country hit for Brett and a first chart-topper for both Adam and Kat. “Nobody’s ever done country music better than Kenny Chesney, period,” said Brett James. Addressing Chesney, he added, “Everybody knows you can’t find anybody that has a bad word to say about anything that you and your organization do.” Chesney thanked the writers of “Knowing You” adding that he will be, “the person who gets up on stage for the rest of his life and sing this song.” More about Kenny Chesney, including new 2022 tour dates, here: https://www.kennychesney.com/home. @kennychesney
OPRY NEWS:
Multi-platinum-selling No. 1 singer/songwriter Lauren Alaina will officially become part of the Grand Ole Opry family on Saturday, February 12. Opry member and Alaina’s friend/mentor Trisha Yearwood, who surprised her onstage in December with the Opry invitation, will return to be part of Alaina’s induction. The Opry was the first major stage Alaina played just a week after she was named runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol, making her Opry debut on June 10, 2011. She marked her 50th appearance on the Opry last Fall. Alaina’s Opry induction can be seen on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Network, and as part of its Saturday night Opry Live livestream on Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. It can also be heard on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM: Willie’s Roadhouse, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. Yearwood duets with Alaina on her Gold-certified song “Getting Good” from her recent album Sitting Pretty On Top of the World and also wrote the foreword to her just-released Amazon best-selling inspirational book Getting Good At Being You. Lauren Alaina will launch her 2022 headlining Top of the World Tour presented by Maurices on February 24 in Silver Spring, MD. The tour is in support of her No. 1 debuting album Sitting Pretty on Top of the World which includes her current hit single “Getting Over Him” featuring Jon Pardi as well as the RIAA Gold-certified “Getting Good” featuring her friend and mentor Trisha Yearwood. Tour updates and more at https://www.laurenalainaofficial.com.
PODCAST NEWS:
Award-winning broadcaster and podcaster, Candy O’Terry and Music City Mentor, Jacy Dawn Valeras have released another episode in their joint podcast project, Country Music Success Stories. The new podcast is an intimate conversation on location at CURB Word Music as they welcome Candy and Jacy into a writer’s room with CMA, ACM and Grammy Nominee, Bobby Tomberlin, for some heartwarming Country music success stories. Subscribe to the podcast @ www.candyoterry.com/countrymusicpodcast and listen on all podcast platforms here: https://smarturl.it/countrymusicsuccess.
“Being a guest on Country Music Success Stories with Candy and Jacy was a pleasure. It was easy to open up to them about my life and I shared stories that I had never told. I’m a big fan of their podcast!” expressed Bobby Tomberlin.
Future guests include Jim Messina, Jim Vest, Pam Lewis and many others. Past guests have included Jamie O’Neil, Sonny LeMaire, Frank Myers, Lily Isaac, Chris Lindsay, Bill Anderson, John Schneider, Collin Raye, Aimee Mayo, John and Robin Berry, Steve Dorff, Naomi Judd, Jeannie Seely, Crystal Gayle, Lori McKenna, Karen Staley, Kent Blazy, Larry Strickland, T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang.
PUBLISHING NEWS:
Endurance Music Group has signed breakthrough country songwriter and artist Johnny Dailey to a global publishing agreement. The Alabama native, part of the Morris Higham Management roster, landed in Nashville by way of Charleston, South Carolina, where he honed his performance chops by playing his original songs on the city’s infamous King Street. Hailed a “new, significant name in Music City” by American Songwriter, Dailey was a featured performer on ASCAP’s notable 30A Songwriters Festival showcases in January and kicks off 2022 with a new single, the Aaron Eshius-produced track, “Trouble,” set to release on February 4. Dailey’s debut EP, Dillashaw follows in early March.
Dailey said of the signing, “I couldn’t be more excited to work with Michael Martin and the Endurance team. I’ve respected Michael since the day I met him because of his passion for songwriters and a great song. I’m thankful for this team’s belief in me and my music, and I look forward to what we will create together!”
More at https://endurancemg.com and https://johnnydailey.com. @endurance_music
RADIO NEWS:
Jason Cramer, the grandson of Opry performer, Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame star Floyd Cramer is home on WSM radio with a new weekly radio show. Millions of music fans have enjoyed watching the Jason Coleman Show online since 2020. Now, a new weekly radio version is launching on WSM radio on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 8pm central time. The show will have a different theme each week highlighting the various hits and sounds making up the country music genre and the stories behind those songs performed on piano in the same slip-note style made famous by Jason’s grandad, Floyd Cramer who played on numerous hit songs recorded in the 50s, 60s and 70s, including Elvis Presley’s biggest songs. So, the music is endless and bridges generations. Jason Coleman’s upbeat personality and love for the legacy and history shine through years after first performing with his grandad on the Grand Ole Opry and popular TNN television shows. More details at https://jasoncolemanmusic.com. WSM is heard worldwide at https://wsmradio.com.
ROW NEWS:
In place of the annual Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, MusicRow will announce the winners of the 20th annual CountryBreakout Awards virtually on Feb. 23. Now in its 20th year, the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards celebrate those who have dominated country radio’s secondary market. Winners in eight categories are determined by spins on the secondary market stations that report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart panel each week. Winners will be revealed on all MusicRow online platforms, including the website https://musicrow.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, on Feb. 23. Each winner will be featured in MusicRow’s Country Radio & Streaming issue, also out Wednesday, Feb. 23.
SIGNING NEWS:
Award-winning artist and songwriter CJ Solar has signed with Empire. His first single on the label is the hard-driving, uptempo “The Future’s Neon,” released February 11, 2022, and his first full-length album of the same name will be available later this spring. Pre-save/add the single at https://music.empi.re/thefuturesneon.
“Every artist wants to find a label that’s passionate about their music and career, and I’ve definitely found that with everyone at EMPIRE,” said Solar. “I’m as excited about this relationship as I’ve ever been and can’t wait to get this new music out to the world!”
CJ wrote “The Future’s Neon” with fellow Louisiana natives Blake Griffith and Jim McCormick, and he produced the track with Nick Gibbens. He co-wrote all nine cuts on The Future’s Neon album, collaborating with Devin Barker, Kenton Bryant, Bart Butler, Frankie Courtney, Corey Crowder, Jackson Dean, Bob DiPiero, Aaron Eshius, Jeff Garrison, HARDY, Jason Lehning, Lynn Hutton, Joey Hyde, Billy Montana, and Lydia Vaughan on the other eight songs. Tour info and more at https://www.cjsolar.com.
NOTE: When CJ Solar got booked to perform in Lake Tahoe for a New Year’s Eve concert, he knew it would be the perfect place to propose to his girlfriend, Courtney Kruckeberg…and it was! During his set – outside on a cold, snowy night at Heavenly Village – he called Courtney on stage, got down on one knee and popped the question. She said yes! CJ met Courtney, who is the Creative Manager at Endurance Music Group in Nashville, at a Whiskey Jam concert where CJ was performing several years ago. The beautiful ring holds great sentiment to the couple, as the center diamond originally graced the wedding ring of CJ’s great grandmother. No date for the nuptials has been set. CJ has kicked off his Nashville Hits The Roof tour of eight Tin Roof locations and will soon be announcing the release of new music. Tour updates and music at https://www.cjsolar.com. @cjsolar
SINGLE NEWS:
Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore is making good on a long-time back and forth with his loyal fanbase, officially releasing fan-favorite track “Crazy One More Time” (Revisited) to country radio. The original version was released as an album track on Moore’s widely celebrated debut album Up All Nightand has gone on to grow a life of its own over the past ten years. One of the most requested songs during Moore’s signature live show, the original track has been streamed over 20 million times to date. Co-written by Moore with Chris Lindsey and Aimee Mayo, Moore hit the studio to put a 2022 update on the track, available to listen on all streaming platforms here: https://strm.to/CrazyOneMoreTimePR.
“The initial idea for ‘Crazy One More Time’ came about after running into someone that I hadn’t seen in years, and someone that I had a lot of history with,” shared Moore. “That’s kind of how I feel about this song right now, there is a history there, but now it has this new life sonically since we went back in the studio and recut it.” More at http://www.kipmoore.net. @KipMooreMusic
SONG NEWS:
Lady A launches into the new year with their next single “What A Song Can Do” (BMLG Records), available now and impacting Country radio on January 31. The title track from their eighth studio album serves as a love letter to fans that is steeped in music’s power to get us through and has already garnered nearly 4 million on-demand streams. Written by the group’s Charles Kelley with Ryan Hurd, Sam Ellis and Laura Veltz, “What A Song Can Do” also illustrates the patience and optimism the trio has taken from their years together and is available at all digital retailers at https://la.lnk.to/WASCDPR.
“We have been overfilled with gratitude after releasing this album and we don’t take it lightly that after eight albums our music still resonates with so many people,” Kelley said. “This song is the summation of where our hearts are right now and how much music can really pull us through in times of need. We love writing songs about lost love and things like that, but I feel like our favorite material comes with a strong positive message.” For more information visit www.LadyAMusic.com. @ladya
STADIUM TOUR NEWS:
Five-time Entertainer of the year Luke Bryan, who in his career has played sold-out shows for 12+ million fans inclusive of nearly 40 stadium concerts, Spring Break shows, Farm Tours and seven sold-out Crash My Playa destination concerts, has revealed details of his Raised Up Right Tour, launching June 9 in Charleston, WV, featuring Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny and DJ Rock and playing 30+ cities before wrapping in late October. Promoted by Live Nation, tickets go on sale this Friday, February 4 at 10am local time at https://www.lukebryan.com/raised-up-right-tour.
“My favorite place to be is on stage performing to country music fans,” said Luke. “So thankful every night when I walk out on that stage and know you are there to have a blast along beside me. It never gets old!”
Citi is the official card of the tour. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. The tour takes its name from the chorus of Luke’s current smash single “Up,” which is the sixth single from Luke’s #1 debuting Born Here Live Here Die Here album. @LukeBryan
TIN PAN SOUTH NEWS:
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), in partnership with Regions Bank has announced dates for the 30th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place in Nashville, Tuesday, March 29th through Saturday, April 2, 2022 in Music City’s most popular venues spread throughout town. Each venue will host two shows per night showcasing hundreds of songwriters from Nashville and beyond. Tin Pan South is one of Nashville’s most revered and highly anticipated events of the year and the 2022 festival will be no exception! It will feature performances from a diverse array of exceptional musical talent spanning multiple genres, and the entire week will be filled with a variety of unforgettable events and networking opportunities for established songwriters and rising artists alike. The stellar 2022 Tin Pan South line-up will be revealed and passes will go on sale on March 1st at 10 AM CST. Details and updates at https://tinpansouth.com. @TinPanSouth
TOUR NEWS:
5X Grammy® Awards nominee Thomas Rhett is released details for his headlining Bring The Bar To You Tour. Produced by Live Nation and presented by Dos Primos, the tour kicks off June 17 in Gilford, NH, and will visit over 30 cities throughout the U.S. Taking its name from a to-be-released song from the superstar’s upcoming sixth studio album Where We Started (The Valory Music Co.), the tour features special guests Parker McCollum and Conner Smith. Tickets are now on sale to the general public. Citi is the official card of the tour. For complete ticket and pre-sale details visit www.thomasrhett.com.
“Man, it feels good to share this tour news,” Thomas Rhett said. “I’ll never take for granted being able to come see y’all and I’m so fired up to play some of these new ones that were made with these nights in mind. I have a feeling things are going to get loud – I’m counting down the days already!”
Pre-order the album at https://tr.lnk.to/WhereWeStartedPR. @ThomasRhett
TRIO NEWS:
Country supergroup Texas Hill (Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Adam Wakefield) made their Grand Ole Opry debut, taking the iconic stage on Saturday, January 22. Adding to the excitement, their debut album, Heaven Down Here, dropped the day before the performance. The band stepped into the historic Opry circle to display their stunning vocals, opening as an acoustic trio with “Darkest Sky” and closing with “For the Love of It” accompanied by the Opry house band; they were received with a standing ovation from the audience.
“We were so honored and unbelievably excited to get to step into the Circle together as brothers. And to see Ricky Skaggs standing there side stage rooting us on… we’ll never forget it,” said Craig Wayne Boyd.
Listen to Heaven Down Here at https://ffm.to/heavendownhere. The 12-track project, which furthers the band’s soul-soaked, in-your-face harmonies, includes previously released tunes from their self-titled debut EP plus five new tracks including “Up One Side.” The trio first began writing and performing together in 2019 and announced the band publicly in June of 2020 via Billboard. More at https://www.texashillofficial.com. @texashill
VIDEO NEWS:
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan exclusively premiered the new music video for his smash hit “Up” with Facebook in mid-January. The video was shot by Shaun Silva, a director whom Luke has worked with multiple times in the past. Written by Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, and Bobby Pinson “Up” is the sixth single from Luke’s #1 debuting Born Here Live Here Die Here album that already contains five consecutive #1 singles.
The video is set in a barn where a small-town gathering is taking place. The crowd is watching film footage, scenes of weddings, homecomings, and football games. In in the same barn at a different time, Luke performs the song and is watching his own movie. Shaun captured Luke viewing his film for the first time, so his reactions are real and authentic.
“When I saw the footage of my boys with both their grandfathers and then the closeup clip of my brother basically looking at me it was so overwhelming,” said Luke. “I could not be prouder, not only of the message of this song, but also how this video turned out.” @lukebyran
WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:
www.countrymusicfestivals.net / www.cmt.com / www.countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.com / www.last.fm
WHO’S LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING:
Abby Anderson, Lindsay Ell, Chris Lane, Alan Jackson and Chris Young.
Preshias Harris is a freelance music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com.
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