Inside Track on Music Row: October 2019

RADIO NEWS:

Kalie Shorr has just released her full-length debut album, Open Book. Ahead of the album, Shorr released the single, “F U Forever,” penned by Shorr with Candi Carpenter and Annie Wildgen. Instant grat tracks, “Too Much To Say” and “Escape,” are available on all digital platforms alongside the new song. Shorr’s first single from the album, ‘Lullaby’, made its radio premiere when Bobby Bones selected it for his Women of iHeartCountry radio show that is syndicated nationally on iHeartCountry stations. “These songs are like three minute journal entries,” said Shorr. “Seeing them resonate means more than I even realized it would.” Upcoming tour dates include opening slots for LeAnn Rimes in Norwalk, Conn. (Oct. 25) and Rochester, N.H. (Oct. 27), a show with NY Country Swag on the Clipper City in New York, N.Y., and Kalie’s fifteenth appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on September 28 followed by an album signing event in the Opry Shop. Details at http://www.kalieshorr.com/

ROAD NEWS:

Currently in its 47th year on the road, legendary southern rock group The Marshall Tucker Band (MTB) continues to “Take the Highway” as the band pummels the live concert trail on its 2019 Through Hell & High Water… and Back tour. The band recently added 36 concert dates to its extensive cross-country trek. “We cherish all of these years of performing, smiling and laughing with the fans,” says MTB lead singer and founding member Doug Gray. “I so look forward to being with my great bandmates and crew for all of these upcoming shows as we round out the year. I live for this, and our loyal fans have never let us down. See ya soon!” The Marshall Tucker Band was founded in Spartanburg, SC. Thanks to hits like “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song,” “Fire On The Mountain,” and “24 Hours At A Time,” the 5x Gold, 3x Platinum-selling Southern Rock group has sold millions of albums worldwide. Tour updates at https://www.marshalltucker.com.

SINGLE NEWS:

Ned LeDoux’s first single, “Old Fashioned,” is now at country radio and his music has the kind of power to take the listener to a place they’d rather be, and his compelling songs can carry someone back in time to a treasured memory, or transport a person to a spectacular western prairie they’ve only visited in their dreams. Such is the case on LeDoux’s sophomore collection of 13 songs called Next In Line, due out November 8, 2019. Produced by Mac McAnally, the album pre-order is available now here: https://orcd.co/nextinline. LeDoux’s songs reflect his roots and honor the hard-working characters who have influenced his life; like his grandfather, Bud Rhoads, who he tips his cowboy hat to with the earnest tribute “Worth It.” He celebrates his brother Beau on the upbeat “A Cowboy is All” and he closes the album by putting his own spin on his famous father, Chris LeDoux’s “Homegrown Western Saturday Night.” More at https://nedledoux.com/

SONGWRITER NEWS:

“The Boys Who Make the Noise on 16th Avenue” are to be inducted in to NSofF. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2019 are: Dwight Yoakam, Larry Gatlin, Rivers Rutherford, Marcus Hummon, Sharon Vaughn and Kostas Lazarides who will be formally inducted during the awards show on Oct. 14, to be held at Nashville’s Music City Center. “The quality of the songs that emanate from the legendary Nashville Songwriting community is most often the standard by which most songwriters measure their success,” says Pat Alger. “Iconic songs from its eminent songwriters help make this town the musical sanctuary it has become and in turn, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates the illustrious careers of those songwriters each year by inducting four new members, the highest honor that any Nashville songwriter can hope for. This year we are extremely proud to welcome the class of 2019: Tickets for the Hall of Fame Gala are $250 each and benefit the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters Foundation. Select seating is available to the public and may be purchased as available by contacting Executive Director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com or 615-460-6556. More info about this wonderful organization at www.nashvillesongwritersfoundiation.com NOTE:The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was launched in 1970 and includes more than 200 inductees, including Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and more.

TOUR NEWS:

Justin Moore and Tracy Lawrence will hit the road together next year on the 2020 Late Nights And Longnecks Tour, sponsored by ROXOR and led by Outback Presents. The tour launches Jan. 16 at Dodge City, Kansas’ United Wireless Arena. Each night will feature a yet-to-be-announced opening act. Moore recently earned his eighth chart-topper with “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” the lead single off his fifth album, Late Nights And Longnecks. His follow-up track, “Why We Drink,” impacted country radio on Sept. 30. Lawrence has sold more than 13 million albums and has charted 18 No. 1 songs. Lawrence wrote eight of the 12 tracks on his recently-released album, Made In America. Tickets for the Late Nights And Longnecks Tour are now available at https://www.tracylawrence.com/#!/ Stay tuned for more info on Tracy’s Mission (Turkey Fry for the homeless shelter).

Singer/songwriter Tucker Beathard he will ramp things up a gear this fall when he heads out on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour presents: Tucker Beathard kicking off in Columbia, SC on 10/31. Making stops across the U.S. and hitting major cities, the tastemaker concert series will see Beathard join the company of previous Monster Energy Outbreak Tour alumni including Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore, The Chainsmokers, Post Malone, Kane Brown, and more. A born road warrior, Beathard will be sharing his music with fans and premiering new music from the forthcoming second installment of his debut double album. Known for sparking a special connection with fans at his live shows, fans can catch Beathard on the road through December, with tickets available now at https://www.tuckerbeathard.com/ and http://outbreakpresents.com/

VIDEO NEWS:

Alexis Ebert has introduced her latest music video “Way Back In The Woods,” premiering on The Heartland and The Country Note. Additionally, CMT.com showcased the clip in a “Next Up Now” spotlight on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Ebert is Smashville Entertainment’sflagship artist and a Wrensong Music Publishing/Rezonant Music Publishing songwriter. Directed by Sean Hagwell (Sean Hagwell Productions), the video was shot in the hills and backlands of Ashland City and Franklin, Tennessee. Basking in the cloak of darkness, the storyline is reminiscent of the Sirens in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and portrays four femmes fatales (including Hallie Rose and Abby Glover) evading the social confines of society, and the law, to participate in their rite of passage–making moonshine. “I wanted to create a video that felt like the song. I envisioned mysterious angelic creatures sauntering through the woods; the imagery has a haunting beauty,” Ebert said. The single was released in late July 2019 via all digital and streaming outlets. Check out https://www.alexisebertmusic.com/videos

VINYL NEWS:

Nearing three decades in the music business, Mark Chesnutt, one of country music’s finest stylists and a traditional mainstay, is set to introduce his very first vinyl LP—Live From the Honky Tonk (Nada Dinero Records) — Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Produced by Chesnutt and pressed on 180g vinyl, the 12 sides showcase live performances of the string of hits that brought him to the dance in the 90s (“I’ll Think Of Something,” “I Just Wanted You To Know,” “Ol Country” and “Too Cold At Home”) along with country music standards, fan favorites and medley tributes to George Jones and Waylon Jennings. The tracks were recorded at The Trapp in Nashville and spotlight performances by his touring band, both current and former members. “We’re in a day and time where the ‘old is new’ again. It’s hard to believe, after all these years, we’re releasing my music on vinyl,” Chesnutt said. Music and tour info at https://www.markchesnutt.com/

WESTERN MUSIC NEWS:

Joni Harms has been nominated in the categories of Entertainer of the Year and Female Performer of the Year for the annual International Western Music Association. The awards will be presented at the association’s annual event, this year scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. “It’s a great honor because that’s the most prestigious award of all,” said Harms. “Most of the year I spend traveling to get to wherever I’ve been invited to come and share my music. When I found out the WMA voters and the western music deejays had selected me as one of the top five for entertainer of the year, let me tell you, it makes every mile worth it.” Harms most recent album, “Lucky 13,” has received much acclaim in the year it’s been out. She graced the cover of the IWMA magazine last Fall, and was featured in an issue of “Woman’s World” magazine that came out last October. Details at http://www.joniharms.com/

WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:  www.cmaworld.com * www.nashvillesongwriters.com * www.globalsongwriters.com *  www.indiebible.com

WHO’S LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING:

Brett Eldredge, Elvie Shane Payton, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton and Walker County.

Inside track on music row news is by Preshias Harris.