MEDIA NEWS:
Kalie Shorr continues to break barriers in country music with her debut album Open Book. Renowned British press outlet, The Guardian, named Shorr a “best new artist for 2020” (the only country artist among fifty artists of all genres) and recently interviewed her about her highly acclaimed album, hailing her “The New Queen of Country.” The Guardian’s digital edition also debuted Shorr’s new lyric video for “F U Forever.” Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, NPR has asked various artists and authors to write about what is helping them get through the pandemic. Shorr describes in her article for Our Daily Breather how being isolated has affected her creativity as well as describing her recovery from COVID-19. Recently, Shorr was Bobby Bones’ “National Spotlight Artist of the Week” on his nationally syndicated show – iHeartCountry’s Top 30 with Bobby Bones. Shorr burst onto the Nashville music scene in 2016 with her self-penned hit “Fight Like A Girl.” Videos, music and show dates at http://www.kalieshorr.com/
MORE ARTIST NEWS:
Baton Rouge native CJ Solar is a proud Louisianan to the core, and he jumped at the chance to record “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In” for 19Thanks, a campaign celebrating the state’s front line workers. The collective tribute applauds essential workers in song and with ringing of bells – or clanging of pots and pans – 19 times on the 19th of every month at 1900 hours (7 p.m.). “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign,” said CJ. “I want to give a big thank you to the Louisiana men and women in the health care industry helping kick COVID-19’s butt.” The campaign is the brainchild of Baton Rouge business leader and philanthropist Deborah Sternberg who wanted to turn the numbers associated with COVID-19 into a positive. To date, 28 artists have recorded versions of the song. All of the videos can be seen at https://www.19thanks.org/ CJ recently released his much-anticipated Coming My Way EP, and his “Watered Down Whiskey” single continues to climb the national charts. More at https://www.cjsolar.com/
MUSIC BIZ NEWS:
Unfortunately, this year’s Music Biz conference has now been canceled. (one of my favorite ALL time music conferences) Earlier, the Music Business Association had announced the conference, originally planned for May would move to Aug. 16-19, 2020. However, the event is now canceled. “The COVID-19 crisis has created conditions that we feel will not safely allow us to offer the in-person experience Music Biz Conference attendees are used to, thus we sadly announce the cancellation of our 2020 physical event,” commented Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “However, we plan to follow up the success of our Music Biz LIVE series by virtually offering segments of our Conference through the rest of the year. This is a challenging time for our global industry, but it has created an opportunity for Music Biz to offer our programming in exciting new ways and to bring our community together despite our physical separation.” The 2021 Music Biz Conference will be held at the JW Marriott Nashville on May 10-13, 2021. (PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTTEND) Updates at https://musicbiz.org/events/music-biz-2020/
MUSIC NEWS:
Warner Music Nashville’s Tucker Beathard is continuing to strengthen his connection with his fans, releasing a new track – “Can’t Stay Here” – at their request, available to listen at https://tuckerbethard.lnk.to/cantstayhere/ Co-written by Beathard with Ryan Tyndell, Will Lamb and Joe Whelan as well as co-produced by Beathard with Tyndell and Jordan Rigby, he first offered a stripped-down look at the song on his social media platforms post-writing session and in response to immediate fan reaction decided to record the track and add the brand new song to the singer/songwriter’s upcoming second chapter of his debut double album. Beathard also shared a visual look into his most recent song, dropping a soul-searching video for “Can’t Stay Here” Continuing to garner critical acclaim for his homegrown sound, “Can’t Stay Here” follows the release of Beathard’s newest single “You Would Think.” Music, tour info and video at https://www.tuckerbeathard.com/
MUSIC ROW NEWS:
My buddy and music row mainstay, independent country artist, Cody Purvis, who garnered nearly eight million streams and scored his first Top-50 charted hit on Billboard’s Indicator with his single “Drinkin’ Terms” in mid-February, has now released a very special project, Boots on the Ground – Acoustic, via all digital platforms. Proceeds from the title track of the EP will be donated to COVID-19 musicians’ relief. The official lyric video of the title track from Boots on the Ground – Acoustic premiered exclusively through Cowboys & Indians magazine as well.
The video honors hometown heroes from across the nation who have had their “boots on the ground” during the COVID-19 health crisis and features fan-submitted photographs of truck drivers, grocery store clerks, fast food workers, deliver truck drivers, health care providers and more, who are working despite the potential risk to keep America’s communities operating.
Fresh on the heels of the release, Purvis announced the return of “Nashville’s Most Wanted,” Music City’s newest full-band, weekly showcase series featuring its hottest, and most buzzed-about rising acts. The series returned Tuesday, June 2 at The Local (110 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN, 37203) under the guidelines of Davidson County’s Phase 2 social distancing requirements and will, for the time being, feature acoustic duos and solo performances. Despite these limitations, Tuesday’s relaunch featured a stellar lineup: Dove Award-winning artist/songwriter/producer Jeff Silvey (“Little Bit of Faith”); cowgirl vocal powerhouse Kylie Frey (“Spur of the Moment”) alongside the wildly talented singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Emma Zinck (produced by Blake Chancey); Jesse Keith Whitley (“Try to Change My Ways”), the only son of the legendary Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan, and grandson of the great George Morgan; Warner Bros. top-10 recording artist William Michael Morgan (“I Met a Girl”); and southern rock-rooted singer-songwriter Ethan Willis (“Warmer than Whiskey”). Admission to the show is always FREE, but because of social-distancing requirements, seating and space is limited, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure entry. The show is also broadcast via livestream on The Local’s Facebook page, and cross-posted to both Cody Purvis and Nashville’s Most Wanted Facebook pages for those who want to see it from the safety of their homes. Purvis appeared as a contestant last year on USA Network’s “Real Country” featuring Travis Tritt, Shania Twain and Jake Owen. Find the video at http://www.codypurvis.com/
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