VERSE OF THE MONTH:
Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
ALBUM NEWS:
Tanya Tucker, whose critically acclaimed album While I’m Livin’ landed at No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2019, has set 2020 tour dates for the CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour. Kicking off on February 5, the CMT tour will make stops in such major cities as Boston, Dallas, Houston, New York, Ontario, Vancouver and more. Fans can sign up for early access to presale tickets at https://www.tanyatucker.com/ ~~ Joining Tucker on tour will be a variety of CMT’s Next Women of Country alum, including Aubrie Sellers (2017), Brandy Clark (2013), Erin Enderlin (2017), Hailey Whitters (2020), Madison Kozak (2020) and Walker County (2020), as well as Shooter Jennings, who will appear at various stops along the tour. Additional dates and openers will be revealed at a later date. Tucker had her first country hit, the classic “Delta Dawn,” at the age of 13 in 1972 and amassed 23 Top 40 albums and 56 Top 40 singles and ten No. 1s on the Billboard country charts.
ARTIST NEWS:
Clay Walker wrapped up one 2019 as of his busiest years in recent memory, highlighted by the 25th anniversary of his “If I Could Make A Living” hitting #1 on the Country charts. He played over 80 shows, including several shows with Toby Keith, signed with powerhouse management company TKO Artist Management and released Clay Walker – The Complete Albums 1993-2002. A lifelong Houston Astros fan, Clay was honored to sing the National Anthem at game six of this year’s World Series, joined on the field by his two young sons. Clay travels to Midland/Odessa on January 16 to host Basin Strong, a concert at the La Hacienda Event Center that offers hope, healing and support to those affected by the August 31, 2019 shooting rampage. Clay’s 2020 touring schedule will launch February 13 at the Historic State Theatre in Elizabethtown, KY and criss-cross the country at amphitheaters, arenas, fairs, festivals and casinos. Tickets and tour dates at: http://claywalker.com/
CD NEWS:
When Tenille Arts thought about what to call her new album, she only had to look at her life over the last couple of years to come up with Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between. The 12-song album, due out January 10, 2020 on Reviver Records/19th & Grand Records, gives a glimpse into dreams that have come true, sacrifices made along the way and…well…everything in between. “I’m so excited about this album,” said Tenille. “It’s everything I’ve been through this past year, so I decided to title it ‘Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between.’ It’s four love songs, four breakup songs and four songs about everything else in life. I got to collaborate with new songwriters and producers, and I’m so proud of the creativity on this album.” Tenille wrote two of the songs solo and partnered with the likes of Allison Margaret Cruz, Whitney Duncan, Derek George, Alex Kline, Palmer Lee, Josh Logan, Lizzy McAvoy, James Slater, Grand Vogelfanger and Adam Wheeler on the other 10 cuts. Visit https://www.tenillearts.com/ for album pre-order and tour dates.
CD RELEASES:
On February 7, 2020, The Steeldrivers will release Bad For You, their fifth studio album and the follow-up to their GRAMMY®-winning 2015 release The Muscle Shoals Recordings winning the award for Best Bluegrass Album. The eagerly awaited new album features eleven new songs, ten of which were co-written by Tammy Rogers, whose spirited and soulful voice and fiddle playing have been a hallmark of the band’s hard-driving sound throughout its existence. It also marks the band’s debut recording with Kelvin Damrell, the singer, and guitarist who joined the band in early 2018. “I was pretty fresh to bluegrass,” Kelvin says. “The only bluegrass I’d heard was couch pickin’ at my grandparents’ house, and I wasn’t into it, to be completely honest. I was a rocker. Cinderella was my favorite band before I met these guys.” But that kind of angular perspective was more in tune with The Steeldrivers than he could have known, and his initiation into bluegrass infused a convert’s zeal into his performances. Music, album info and tour info at https://thesteeldrivers.com/
CMA TOURING NEWS:
Country artist and 2017 CMA New Artist of the Year Jon Pardi will host the 2019/2020 CMA Touring Awards, taking place Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The CMA Touring Awards highlight vital behind-the-scenes members of the touring industry. During the event, Conway Entertainment Group/Ontourage Management founder/owner Tony Conway will be presented with the 2019 CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. Conway, who currently manages ALABAMA, Lorrie Morgan and Randy Travis, is widely recognized as a leader in live event production. He coordinated the very first FarmAid show in 1985, working closely with many installations of the event since. Conway was also Executive Producer for the annual CMA Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair and now CMA Fest) for 11 years and was instrumental in moving the festival from the old Nashville Fairgrounds to its current downtown Nashville footprint. The CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award is for an individual who has accomplished the highest level in the Country Music field of touring. For more information about the Country Music Association’s awards and initiatives, visit https://www.cmaworld.com/
CLASSIC COUNTRY NEWS:
Country artist James Robert Webb released his reimagined version of the hit “Tulsa Time.” Webb brings his mix of modern and classic country to life in his take on the standard, sent to No. 1 by Don Williams in 1978 and has also been recorded by Eric Clapton, Reba McEntire, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and more. SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse started spinning the song amongst major hits from many of Webb’s heroes. The song will be on Webb’s self-titled new album in early 2020. “To me, western swing music is the world’s best antidepressant,” said Webb. “My grandparents introduced me to it and told me stories about back in the day when they would listen to Bob Wills playing at the Cain’s Ballroom live on KVOO every Saturday. I remember hearing ‘Tulsa Time’ all the time when I was a kid, I thought everyone had a song about where they lived! I couldn’t think of any better way to pay homage to my hometown than combining western swing and this incredible song in my own special way.” Details at https://www.jamesrobertwebb.com/
CONCERT NEWS:
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Daniels has announced the return of his legendary Volunteer Jam live concert. Headlined by The Charlie Daniels Band, the all-star, multi-artist event is set to take place on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 7 p.m. / CT at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster. “We play over one hundred cities every year and they’re all special in their own way, but when you get a chance to bring it all back home, especially when so many of your friends are joining you, it don’t get much better than that,” says Daniels. “Jammin’ in the Guitar Town, second to none!” From last-minute surprise guests to legendary collaborations, each Volunteer Jam is a special experience. Participating artists will be announced in February. The event is produced by Outback Presents in association with David Corlew and Associates. Info and updates at https://www.charliedaniels.com/
DUO NEWS:
The best-selling duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn are ending a milestone 2019 with an accumulation of honors in tow after catapulting into the year with their critically acclaimed collaboration project Reboot. The album garnered a GRAMMY-nomination for “Best Country Duo / Group Performance” for their performance of “Brand New Man” with Luke Combs. Debuting at No. One on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, the release features collaborations with Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, LANCO, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Midland, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Tyler Booth and Kacey Musgraves. The remarkable feat marked the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009, while simultaneously earning their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history. The pair will then return to Vegas with Reba McEntire in April for the fifth year of their Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas residency, recently revealing their return to Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Find Reboot, tour dates and more at https://www.brooks-dunn.com/
FESTIVAL NEWS:
After welcoming a sold-out crowd of over 70,000 fans to the inaugural Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival, Danny Wimmer Presents has announced the dates for the 2nd Annual event, September 12 and 13, 2020 at the Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Part of Danny Wimmer Presents’ Louisville Trifesta, Hometown Rising will kick-off the three-week festival series, with Louder Than Life occurring September 18 – 20 and Bourbon & Beyond wrapping up the month on September 25 – 27. The lineup for Hometown Rising will be announced in February, with early bird passes on sale in late January. Fans can expect the same elevated festival experience in 2020, including top-notch food and beverage options, line dancing in the Kroger’s Big Bourbon Bar, access to on site camping and unique one-of-a-kind activations. The Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center are located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville. Full details at https://hometownrising.com/
GRAMMY NEWS:
Almost 50 years into his remarkable career, John Prine will be honored by the Recording Academy as one of their 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The latest accolade adds to a monumental series of years for Prine following the release of his critically acclaimed album, The Tree of Forgiveness — out now on Oh Boy Records. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb, the album is Prine’s first release featuring new material in over 13 years and debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 54,000 equivalent albums sold in its first week—a career high chart position and sales week for Prine. The album also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, #2 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and #2 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart. Prine was officially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this spring, received three GRAMMY nominations and received two awards at the 2019 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards. Music and tour updates at https://www.johnprine.com/
ICON NEWS:
Music icon Jerry Lee Lewis received a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail December 19 at The Lewis Ranch, his longtime home in Nesbit, Miss. The event was his first public appearance since a minor stroke in March of 2019 and signals a productive 2020 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member. “After pioneering the genres of rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly with hits that crossed over to the country music charts, Jerry Lee decided to locate to Nesbit to settle down, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have the music legend call Mississippi home,” said Governor Phil Bryant, adding, “it is an honor to dedicate a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker here at his ranch.” More about Jerry Lee at https://jerryleelewis.com/
INDIE NEWS:
MusicRow has just announced its “Next Big Thing” Artists Class of 2020, and super-talented indie artist Jenny Tolman, is among this year’s elite group. Now in its sixth year, this honor celebrates 11 artists who are making strides early in their careers, whether through touring, streaming, radio or songwriting success. Called “a songwriter’s songwriter,” Tolman, who is the only independent artist in the Class od 2020, said, “Being born and raised in Nashville, I’ve seen how important MusicRow has always been to everyone in the music industry. I’m just beyond grateful!” Tolman’s current release, “There Goes the Neighborhood”, has been lighting up Music City, with Nashville Scene recently selecting it Writers’ Choice for “Best Country Debut Album.” Die-hard country music fans can see Jenny perform on the second longest running radio show in history when she takes the microphone at The Earnest Tub Midnite Jamboree on Saturday, December 21st. Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely will be hosting.
INDUSTRY NEWS:
Nashville-based concert promotion company Outback Presents continues to expand its staff with the hiring of music industry live concert guru Taylor Freeman. He assumes the role of the company’s newly-appointed Show Coordinator effective immediately. Freeman, a Nashville native, graduated from the Music Business program at MTSU in 2010. His career began at WME (William Morris Endeavor) in Music City in 2011, working as an agent assistant before making a transition to concert promotion and talent buying in 2015. Most recently he worked at Big Spring Entertainment as the head talent buyer where he helped double the gross revenue during his two-year stint. Outback Presents is an independent, full-service concert and comedy promoter based in Nashville, Tennessee. See https://www.outbackpresents.com/
LABEL NEWS:
(Valory Music Co.)
Thomas Rhett wrapped up 2019 with his 14th career No. One hit as “Remember You Young” topped both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase Airplay charts. The song serves as the second chart-topper from his GRAMMY-nominated fourth studio album Center Point Road (The Valory Music Co.) and was co-written by Thomas Rhett with Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley. “Wow… I truly can’t think of a better way to end this crazy year,” Thomas Rhett said. “Thank you so much to the fans for embracing such a special song to me that has easily been an all-time favorite I’ve ever gotten a chance to write. It’s all about looking back on all the people in your life that you love and always seeing them in their youth or in their prime, and it’s been really cool to see people relate to that sentiment.” Additionally, Rhett’s “Beer Can’t Fix” ft. Jon Pardi is his upcoming single, available at country radio January 6. Co-written by Thomas Rhett with collaborators Julian Bunetta, Zach Skelton and Ryan Tedder, the track was an instant stand-out during Rhett’s 2019 Very Hot Summer Tour. Info on music and tour dates at https://centerpointroad.thomasrhett.com/
MEDIA NEWS:
Wade Hayes originally wrote “Who Saved Who” as a tribute to his dog, “Jack,” who helped him get through two bouts of cancer several years ago. The touching song is now the title cut to Wade’s new album. The 10-song collection follows his is 2017 Old Country Song album and is currently available via https://www.wadehayes.com/ “This whole project stemmed from the title track ‘Who Saved Who,’” said Wade. “I first played it on The Country Music Cruise with no intention of recording it – it was just a personal song about my dog. The reaction was the same every time I played it, and I and realized I need to record it!” Wade met his dog Jack eight years ago at a gas station around midnight 75 miles outside of Nashville. He recalls the skinny dog was full of ticks and had holes in him. The folks at the station told Wade the dog had been there for several days, and no one had claimed him. The dog jumped into his pickup and sat down as if to say, “OK, I’m ready to go.”
MUSIC NEWS:
Multi-PLATINUM group and Arista Nashville hit-makers LANCO has mapped out plans for the new year announcing details behind their headlining What I See Tour, launching Jan. 9 in Overland Park, MS. Named after their newly released single, “What I See.” LANCO has paved their course with the success of the 2x PLATINUM single “Greatest Love Story,” which became a multi-week radio chart-topper and their GOLD certified hit “Born To Love You.” They recently surprised fans by dropping two irresistible nostalgic tracks “What I See,” written by frontman Brandon Lancaster, drummer Tripp Howell, bassist Chandler Baldwin and Jeremy Spillman, and “Old Camaro” revealing another layer of LANCO. The new dates propel LANCO’s road-warrior mentality after hosting capacity crowds and playing over 100 shows this year including their headlining run overseas and sets at prominent festivals including Stagecoach. The What I See Tour kicks off ahead of LANCO hitting the road with Miranda Lambert for her 2020 Wildcard Tour. Music, tour dates and videos at https://www.lancomusic.com/
PR NEWS:
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter David Nail has signed with 117 Publicity, building the next chapter in his well-established career. With hits like, “Whatever She’s Got,” and “Let It Rain,” Nail has multiple number ones under his belt. In 2018 he branched out from his solo career with a project under the name ‘David Nail and the Well Ravens’ titled Only This and Nothing More. Spending a majority of his time over the past few years raising his twins and working through his battle with depression, Nail is ready to kick off 2020 with new music, strategic touring and more big announcements to come. Nail is also represented by APA for booking and The Vaden Group for business management. Check out https://davidnail.com/
RADIO NEWS:
Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has announced the lineup for the CRS 2020 New Faces of Country Music® Show. The final list of performers includes Ingrid Andress (Atlantic/WMN), Morgan Evans (Warner/WEA), Riley Green (BMLGR), Runaway June (Wheelhouse), and Mitchell Tenpenny (Riser House/Columbia Nashville). The five emerging artists set to perform were selected based on votes submitted by full-time radio station employees during the voting period, held Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 22nd. The New Faces of Country Music® Show is one of the most anticipated events at Country Radio Seminar. The show has played a pivotal role in the careers of almost every major Country star. The annual showcase was formed in 1970, making CRS 2020’s New Faces event the 50th Anniversary show. For the upcoming year, the show will be held during CRS 2020 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The show is co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Country Radio Seminar and Country Aircheck sponsor the evening’s annual industry awards presentation. Dinner tickets for the 2020 New Faces of Country Music® Show are SOLD OUT. The $649 registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2020, held Wednesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 21 at the Omni hotel, is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.
SINGLE NEWS:
Mary Chapin Carpenter has released a new single, “Our Man Walter Cronkite,” the first new music released by Carpenter since last year’s acclaimed Sometimes Just The Sky, which celebrated her acclaimed 30-year recording career. “Growing up, Walter Cronkite was in our house Monday through Friday, presenting the news as The Most Trusted Man In America, as he was known in his time,” said Carpenter. “My parents raised us to believe that people in jobs like Cronkite’s told the truth; they raised us to believe in a world that reaches out to those who need help, that does not turn away from those less fortunate, or homeless, or those forced to leave their country because of the threat of violence, poverty and persecution. It’s a different time now. I miss my parents, and I miss Walter Cronkite.” Details and details about the Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin: Together On Stage tour at https://www.marychapincarpenter.com/news
SONG NEWS:
Legendary country music artist, Bobby Bare, has released a brand new song “Snowflake In The Wind.” Keeping with the traditions of the genre, Bare tells the story of heartbreak and trying to find his way after a loss, “drifting like a snowflake in the wind.” Throughout the song, Bare contemplates moving to different places, but continuously mentions that he will always see her face, eventually ending up where he has always been. “Snowflake In The Wind,” written with Darrell Scott (“It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” “Out In The Parking Lot”), is the first release since his album Things Change in 2017. Bare also has a podcast, “Bobby Bare and Friends,” where he tells stories from the past and reminisces with his friends. Guests have included Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins and Bill Anderson with more to come in 2020. The Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member will be announcing a major new project in 2020. Updates at https://www.bobbybare.com/
SONGWRITER NEWS:
TIN PAN SOUTH DATES announced! Nashville’s legendary Songwriter Festival will run from March 28-April 1, 2017. Tin Pan South is the world’s largest songwriter festival and celebrates its 28th anniversary in 2020! In 2019, more than 350 songwriters and acts performed at 92 shows in 10 different Music City venues over the course of 5 days. Nashville Songwriters (NSAI) are the festival producers. ‘Fast Access’ passes will go on sale February 25 at 10:00 a.m. Central and usually sell out quickly. See ticket info at https://tinpansouth.com/tickets/
TOUR NEWS:
Legendary multi-platinum selling southern rock group The Marshall Tucker Band has announced the first round of dates for its newly-unveiled 2020 tour: The Southern Rockin’ Roundup. The iconic band will enter the new decade with nearly 25 live concerts on the books with many additional shows to be announced in the coming weeks. The national tour kicks off on Friday, January 10 in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin. “The future of The Marshall Tucker Band is overwhelming,” says MTB lead singer Doug Gray. “We are all stunned and excited at the amount of shows being booked for 2020’s Southern Rockin’ Roundup tour. We’ll be announcing lots more shows soon, and when all is said and done, 2020 will be our biggest touring year in recent memory.” Additional artists will join the MTB on the tour and will be announced in the coming weeks. Tour updates and more at https://www.marshalltucker.com/
TV NEWS:
The inaugural season of The Song – Recorded Live @ TGL Farms is set to premiere in national syndication on predominantly CBS, ABC, FOX and NBC affiliates January 4, 2020 in 131 markets across the country including New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, San Francisco, Miami and Seattle. The show includes intimate performances by some of the biggest acts in a variety of genres singing their most iconic songs. In-depth interviews with the artists and songwriters will reveal never-before-heard details behind those songs, the inspiration and how they became woven into the fabric of popular culture. Scheduled artists include CeeLo, All-4-One, Rick Springfield, Big & Rich, Lonestar, Don McLean, Gretchen Wilson, Travis Tritt and other top acts. Season one will include 10 fast-paced episodes, including nine hosted by Krista Marie and Damien Horne and a one-hour “Best of The Song” finale co-hosted by CeeLo Green. Gray Television will distribute the series, which is presented by Ally and powered by Nashville Music City. The series was filmed at picturesque TGL Farms in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Videos and more at https://www.facebook.com/thesongtgl/
VIDEO NEWS:
Stephen Martines lightens the mood with the release of his upbeat music video for “Alright.” Emmy-award-winning producer/director Anthony Hemingway (Red Tails, American Crime Story, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G) patterns the video after the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” as Stephen begins the video by pretending to be sick while on the phone with his agent. He then proceeds to head out into L.A., down to the beach to enjoy a fun filled day singing that “today is going to be alright.” “Alright” is receiving worldwide radio airplay and it’s his longest-lasting radio single to date. Fans can expect new music from Stephen throughout 2020. For more info visit https://stephenmartinesmusic.com/
WHO’S LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING:
Brad Paisley, Brooke Eden, Elvie Shane Payton, Meg Rilley, Dillon Carmichael, Little Big Town, and Tim McGraw.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
By: Preshias Harris
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