Inside Track on Music Row: May 2020 Music News

SILBLING MUSIC NEWS: 

With impeccable timing, sisters Nata and Tinka Morris of Southern Halo mark their debut as a duo with an upbeat, uplifting reminder to slow down and give gratitude with “Don’t Let Another Day Go By.” Perfect for our current “social distancing” lifestyle and the self-reflections that are a natural by-product of this environment, the new single is a punchy, positive rallying cry for “staying present” and expressing appreciation for the world – and the people in it. Written by Nata Morris and renowned composer/producer Cliff Downs (Foreigner, The Judds, Gary Morris), a shortened radio version and an extended fan track were mixed by legendary engineer Ted Jensen (The Eagles, Toto, Norah Jones) of “Hotel California” fame.

“We love and respect each other so much,” notes Nata Morris, lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for the group. “When Hannah decided she wanted to pursue her education and her passion for Interior Design, Tinka and I celebrated with her and re-dedicated ourselves to our passion, which is music.”

Fans can stream and/or purchase both versions of “Don’t Let Another Day Go By” via https://www.southernhalo.net/  

SINGLE NEWS: 

MCA Nashville’s exciting newcomer Parker McCollum has released a new track titled “Like A Cowboy.” Written by Chris Stapleton and Al Anderson, “Like A Cowboy” marks the first outside cut for the Austin, Texas native. 

“When I first heard ‘Like A Cowboy’ I probably listened to it 15 times in a row,” shares Parker. “It made me think of my Grandpa who would have loved this song. He was one of my best friends and he believed in me so much that I know he’d be happy to see everything that’s happened in my career.”

Parker’s first official single to country radio will be the nostalgic “Pretty Heart,” which has already garnered 25 million streams and cracked Top 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.  Parker recently released the music video for “Pretty Heart.” Being named an Artist to Watch by CMT, Rolling Stone, SiriusXM,  MusicRow and Sounds Like Nashville, 2020 is poised to be a breakout year for Parker. More info at https://parkermccollum.com.

SONG NEWS: 

Blake Mills shared his single and new music video “Summer All Over” in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  The single is included on Grammy-winning producer, composer, guitarist and songwriter Mills’ new album, Mutable Set, which is now available. Growing up in Los Angeles, Mills has borne witness to climate change firsthand as annual rains slowed and wildfires grew in scope and intensity. Shortly after a rare storm during California’s seven-year drought, Mills wrote “Summer All Over,” which NPR Music described as a “a sobering, tender ballad…teeter[ing] at the threshold of hope and despair.” Mutable Set is Mills’ fourth studio album, crafted as a soundtrack to the emotional dissonance of modern life. Mills is widely sought after as a producer, co-writer and session musician, and was nominated for “Producer of the Year” at the GRAMMY Awards in both 2015 and 2017, and his producing on Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color won the “Best Alternative Music Album” GRAMMY Award in 2015. More at https://www.blakemillsonline.com/  

TIN PAN SOUTH NEWS: 

The Nashville Songwriters Association International has announced that the organization’s Tin Pan Week has been rescheduled to take place October 19-24, 2020. On Monday and Tuesday (October 19-20, 2020), Tin Pan Week will kick-off with Tin Pan South Songwriting Seminar, powered by Sweetwater, and then beginning on October 20th, the highly anticipated 28th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presented by Regions Bank will fill venues with our favorite songwriters as they share the stories we’ve all been waiting to hear. Every effort will be made to bring as much of the originally scheduled programming back as possible and we look forward to announcing more details soon on venues, times, performers, and additional Tin Pan Week events. For the most up-to-date information, follow @tinpansouth on all social media platforms or visit tinpansouth.com.  Established in 1967, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization and has a membership of more than 5,000 spanning the United States and eight (8) foreign countries. 

TOUR NEWS: 

Multi-Platinum trio Lady Antebellum announced that May and June dates of their Ocean 2020 Tour have been rescheduled, with the trek now kicking off on July 2 at Sacramento, CA’s Toyota Amphitheatre. Lady A’s headlining run featuring special guests Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae has been pushed back out of caution for fans, band and crew members, as well as venues nationwide. Tickets previously purchased will be honored for the rescheduled dates listed below. For any further ticket inquiries, fans are advised to reach out to point of purchase. Over the course of their decade-plus career, Lady Antebellum has become one of the 21st century’s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds. As a Country-radio staple, the trio has amassed record-breaking success ushering in 10 No. One hits with more than 18 million album units and 34 million tracks sold and nearly 5 billion digital streams. The trio earned the biggest first week streams of their career with their critically acclaimed No. One album Ocean that has been touted as “the finest album of the band’s career” (Nashville Scene). Known for their 9X Platinum hit “Need You Now” which is the highest certified song by a Country group, they have earned ACM and CMA “Vocal Group of the Year” trophies three years in a row and countless other honors including seven GRAMMY awards, Billboard Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards and a Tony Award nod. For more information on tour dates and Lady A visit www.ladyantebellum.com  

VIDEO NEWS:

Sammy Kershaw has delivered his first music video in more than seven years. CMT Music and CMT.com exclusively debuted the official music video for “My Friend Fred.” The new tune tells the harrowing, true-life story of the journey one man took to lose everything in his life, including his family and friends, to drug addiction.

“I really related to the story of Fred the very first time I heard the song because I’ve seen first-hand how methamphetamines, heroin, opioids, alcohol and other terrible addictions have destroyed way too many precious lives, families and really great people,” explains Kershaw. “A lot of times we just kind of ignore or throw people like this away,” he adds. “I really believe that if we took the time to help them a little bit more and really show that we love them and that their life really does mean something, it might help the process of them finally getting rid of this terrible addiction. We all know a Fred.”

Download or stream the song at https://orcd.co/sammykershaw  

WWWEBSITES TO CHECKOUT: 

www.cdxcd.comwww.proverbs1210rescue.org

www.radiosobro.com / www.furchguitars.com / www.shannoncountry.com  

WHO’S LOOKING  *  WHO’S CUTTING:   

Luke Bryan, Heath Coleman, Jess Taylor, Gyth Rigdon, Rusty Williams  and Josh Gallagher. 

Inside Track on Music Row News is a monthly column by Preshias Harris

By Preshias Harris

Send me music stuff, I love to get it! / Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com   Google “Preshias”  (TN/USA) 

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