Inside Track on Music Row January 2023

Music Industry News with Preshias Harris

GRAMMY NEWS:

Daywind Record’s Karen Peck & New River continue to make a name for themselves in Gospel Music with the Grammy® nomination of their full-length studio album, 2:22.  The album, written out of hope, sorrow, grief, joy, and faith, was produced by the incomparable Wayne Haun and was released on Daywind Records on February 22nd, 2022.  The now six-time Grammy®-nominated, eight-time GMA Dove Award-winning group powerfully declares that the “Answer Is Jesus” through all of life’s joys and sorrows in this ground-breaking album. Inspired by the hope found in Jesus through life’s darkest tragedies, 2:22 sends a strong message of redemption and peace. The members of KPNR as well as their loved ones, experienced trials and tribulations prior to and during the making of 2:22. With some of these challenges including cancer, Covid, miscarriage, and addiction, 2:22 is a raw and honest collection of songs that resonates with all listeners.  Listen to the album, 2:22, here https://ffm.to/kpnr_222.   Impacting Gospel music through ministry for over 30 years, Karen Peck & New River once again, spreads the word that Jesus is the answer through powerful music and praise. More info here https://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com.  

INDIE NEWS:

Up and coming Country singer-songwriter and rapper David Morris will be hitting the road in early 2023 on his upcoming Hometown Heartbreak Tour. The 16-date tour will span the U.S. kicking off in Gainesville, Fla. on Feb. 19. This announcement follows his recent addition to Russell Dickerson’s She Likes It Tour for select dates in February throughout the Southeast. Tickets are available now at www.davidmorrisofficial.com.   “I’m beyond excited to be hitting the road this spring,” shares Morris. “There’s no better feeling than being on stage and hearing people sing along to my songs. I can’t wait to meet all my fans and put on one hell of a show!” The announcement rounds out Morris’ record-breaking year with his back-to-back hits “Carrying Your Love” and “Dutton Ranch Freestyle” that contributed to his monumental 110M global artist streams. Morris also had a busy year of touring including opening for Jelly Roll and Kidd G. His latest single “Broken Heartland,” is a stripped down, tell-all track written solely by Morris, that highlights his home state of West Virginia in his unique genre bending style. More here https://www.davidmorrisofficial.com  on Instagram (@davidmorris) and Twitter (@David_Morris).

INDUSTRY NEWS:

Nashville-based record label Average Joes Entertainment has announced the promotion of two executives. Forrest Latta has been promoted to President of the label group and Andrew Davis has been upped to Senior Vice President of Marketing. Latta joined the team in 2011 as a Product Manager, eventually working his way up to Vice President of A&R, overseeing many of the label’s recent successful signings. Forrest can be reached at forrest@averagejoesent.com.   Davis joined Average Joes in 2014 as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for the label group. He eventually broadened his scope of promotional duties to the company’s other media verticals, including film and television, after being elevated to Vice President of Marketing in 2020. Andrew can be reached at andrew@averagejoesent.com.  More info here www.averagejoesent.com.  

LABEL NEWS:

(Black Sheep Records)

Black Sheep recording artist Michael Austin gets a little gritty in his latest single as he sings the praises of all things dirt in his brand new song, “God Made Dirt,” out now and available here https://orcd.co/mjv8bb4.   The inspirational new tune reminds us just how important a little piece of land and some dirt can be and how key a part it plays in all of our lives, start to finish. From rolling in it as kids playing and four-wheeling through it as teens down back roads, to eventually working it and building a foundation and a life for our families, dirt is a building block of our lives, Austin reminds us in the upbeat new song, which he co-wrote with Tamara Laurel, Brian McKenna, and David Andrew Borys.   The new track can be found on Austin’s forthcoming album which was produced by Jimmy Ritchey and set for release early 2023. More Michael Austin news here https://michaelaustinlive.com. (@michaelaustinlive)                                                                                                                                                  

(Broken Bow Records)

Broken Bow Records star Dustin Lynch made spirits bright by giving back to his local community during the holiday season.  Hosting a sold-out seventh annual Dustin Lynch and Friends Benefit Concert at Tullahoma High School in Tullahoma, TN, December 13, Lynch raised over $30K for Shepherd’s House, Tullahoma Sports Council, Inc., and Hands-On Science Center, while performing chart-toppers inspired by his hometown like 3X Platinum “Small Town Boy” and Platinum “Ridin’ Roads” (off Tullahoma). Songwriters Hunter Phelps, Jordan Minton, and Jordan Reynolds also joined their fellow co-writer to play his latest release and smoldering Country ballad “Wood On The Fire.” Event guests were invited to bring a gift for the Tullahoma Fire Department Toy Drive, which Lynch made a Santa bag-sized donation to as well. Handpicking his toys from Nashville’s Phillips Toy Mart, Lynch captured the heart of his shopping spree plus a surprise local visit to the Seacrest Studio in Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, all toys purchased were donated to the Tullahoma Fire Department Toy Drive, Ryan Seacrest Foundation, and 147 Team. More details here https://www.dustinlynchmusic.com.    (@dustinlynch)

MEDIA NEWS:

Craig Campbell could be addressed in multitude of ways this year including artist, songwriter, record label owner, producer, publisher, and Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop owner. Now he has added City Councilman of Eagleville, Tennessee to his repertoire after winning the seat in last month’s election.  “Opening Grindstone Cowboy was a dream come true for (wife) Mindy and me.  Working with the great folks in Eagleville as we went through the process of pulling permits, renovating the building and getting the business up and running was fascinating…and a ton of work,” said Craig. “I’m grateful for the support we’ve received and really wanted to get involved with what goes on with the city, so I decided to run for city council…and won!”  Craig will be one of five city council members, who along with the mayor and vice mayor, will oversee planning, budgeting, citizen concerns, and more for the growing Middle Tennessee community. The Campbells opened Grindstone Cowboy earlier this year with a focus on coffee and other drinks, and customer demand quickly led them to expand their food offerings.  More about Craig Campbell here https://www.craigcampbell.tv.  

MILITARY NEWS:

When our service members can’t be home for the holidays, the United Service Organizations (USO) takes home to our service members. 17-year Army veteran Craig Morgan joined the nonprofit on a three-day trip, from December 19 to 21, to Germany where the country music star performed three concerts for troops and their families stationed at USAG Bavaria. Morgan, who was active duty for 10.5 years and a member of the U.S. Reserves for 6.5 years, was reunited with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions while touring USAG Bavaria, both of which he was a part during his years of service. Since Morgan’s first USO tour in 2002, he has visited 15 countries during 13 tours, entertaining more than 45,000 U.S. troops and their families. “It’s always an honor and a privilege to visit with our troops and their families, but especially during the holiday season,” said Morgan. “I know how much it means to them to receive those care packages at this time of the year and to hear those messages of gratitude from Americans everywhere who value the incredible sacrifices they make year-round.” More about USO here https://www.uso.org.