LABEL NEWS:
(Fantasy Records)
Legendary country music icon Tanya Tucker will release Live From The Troubadour on October 16, 2020, the one-year anniversary of Tanya’s historic, standing-room only set from which it originates. In October 2019, Tanya was in the midst of resurgent visibility and acclaim generated by her Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings produced album While I’m Livin’, released two months earlier – so the brief stand in front of the West Hollywood tastemaker crowd took on a palpable air of significance. Pre-order Live From The Troubadour at https://found.ee/TTLiveFromTheTroubadour. Tanya is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album directly to The Troubadour, including 100% of the revenue generated by the custom Live From The Troubadour poster available at Tanya’s online store. The Troubadour is a member of NIVA: National Independent Venue Association. Formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, NIVA now represents more than 2,600 members in all 50 states and D.C. To learn more and find out how you can help, please go to www.saveourstages.com. #saveourstages
(Oh Boy Records)
John Prine’s Souvenirs is now available for the first time on vinyl on Oh Boy Records. Originally released in 2000, Souvenirs was produced by Prine and his longtime collaborator and friend, Jim Rooney, and includes members from his longtime band, Jason Wilber and Dave Jacques. The fifteen-track album features new performances of some of Prine’s most beloved songs, including “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone” and “Hello In There.” Find the album at https://www.ohboy.com/store-vinyl Additionally, on October 3, PBS’ “Austin City Limits” will kick-off Season 46 with “The Very Best of John Prine.” Prine will also be honored as part of the Recording Academy’s “Great Performances: GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends” ceremony recognizing the 2020 Special Merit Awards recipients. Airing October 16 on PBS, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires will all perform in celebration of Prine and the Lifetime Achievement Award he received this past January at the 62nd Grammy Awards. Moreover, “Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine,” will re-air on John Prine’s YouTube channel with additional footage on October 10 in celebration of Prine’s 74th birthday. Details at https://www.johnprine.com/
MEDIA NEWS:
Alabama got to play their first and only 2020 gig on September 15. Recognized as the most successful group in the history of country music, Alabama has graced the stage in stadiums and arenas across America and around the world, but, like other big-league acts, they have had to sit out 2020 away from the spotlights. However, their Sept. 15 appearance was not in a stadium but on Camping World®’s FREE virtual weekly concert series, Taking the Highways Across America. “We are happy that we get to play our music live where you can watch for free in the safety of your home, camper or motorhome,” says ALABAMA frontman Randy Owen. “Thanks to our friends at Camping World for making this possible. We hope and pray that everyone is staying healthy and following the safety rules for the pandemic.” The free concerts will be streamed at https://rv.campingworld.com/concert? and on the company’s social media pages. Acts scheduled in October & November include Ricky Skaggs & Steven Cutis Chapman, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Amy Grant & Vince Gill. See website for details.
MINI-SERIES NEWS:
Looks like a biopic miniseries about the lives of George Jones and Tammy Wynette could be on the way soon. Titled George & Tammy, the miniseries is adapted from a feature film screenplay based on the book The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, penned by the couple’s daughter, Georgette Jones. Wynette will be played by Jessica Chastain who also is attached as an executive producer. Josh Brolin, also an executive producer, was originally on board to play Jones, but a final decision will be announced. The project has been optioned by Spectrum Originals and the Paramount Network. Current plans call for George & Tammy to play for Spectrum subscribers followed after nine months by availability on the forthcoming ViacomCBS streaming service and Paramount network.
MUSIC ALLIANCE NEWS:
Experienced music industry and non-profit veteran Jackie Proffit has joined the now ten-person team at Music Health Alliance (MHA) as Executive Assistant to Founder and CEO, Tatum Allsep. In her new role with the Nashville-based non-profit, Jackie will support Tatum with the organization’s research, strategy and daily operations. Jackie’s previous tenure includes stints at DreamWorks, Arista and Radio & Records Magazine and most recently ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where she specialized in entertainment marketing and radio development. Based in Nashville, Music Health Alliance has provided free healthcare advocacy and support to more than 11,000 music industry members across the U.S. and saved the music community more than $50,000,000 nationwide by providing advocacy and access to lifesaving transplants, medicine, mental health resources, end of life care and many other necessary services. For every $1 donation, MHA is able to provide $30 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal The Music. In response to the pandemic, Music Health Alliance’s COVID-19 Relief Plan was created to provide direct support for the immediate needs of music industry professionals and their families during this public health crisis. More info at www.musichealthalliance.com.
MUSIC NEWS:
Check out a cool online destination focused on artist-forward, first-person storytelling, called Music.com. At the site, artists share personal thoughts and ideas about their music in a deeply personal way. Now Luke Bryan is doing just that, sharing personal details about each track on his new album, Born Here Live Here Die Here. The post includes videos for two tracks, “Build Me A Daddy” and “Down to One,” which feature Luke talking about the stories behind the two songs. Here’s a link to Luke’s feature at the site: https://music.com/story/search?q=bornhereliveherediehere One of the coolest features of Music.com is that fans are asked to share their own video reactions to the songs. Music.com launched in May with a “500 Artists Wanted” initiative, paying indie artists impacted by Covid-19 the cost of an average gig, when they posted the story behind one of their songs on the platform. They also exclusively debuted “Virginia,” a new song from The Neptunes that celebrated the frontline workers in Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo’s home state. Warning: Music.com is addictive! You’ll find yourself going from one story to the next, maybe about songs or artists that are new to you.
NUMBER ONE NEWS:
Thomas Rhett has earned his 16th career No. 1 hit as “Be A Light,” his current single topped the Mediabase Country Chart. Joined on the song by friends Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban, Rhett earned a CMA Award nomination for Musical Event of The Year alongside his Male Vocalist of the Year nomination. “When we decided to release this song in March, it was the best way I knew how to share what was on my heart, and I’m feeling so hopeful and encouraged to see so many of you inspired to take action because of it in your own communities,” said Rhett. “Thank y’all for coming together like this!” All proceeds from the single will go to MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief efforts. Additionally, he and Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta surprised Recording Academy Chairman and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and MusiCares Executive Director Laura Segura via a video conference call with an additional $100,000 for the relief fund. More at www.ThomasRhett.com. NOTE: Thomas and Carrie Underwood made ACM Award history as they tied for the 55th Anniversary show – 2020 Entertainer of the Year winners.
PUBLISHING NEWS:
Nashville-based music publisher TriScore Music, which entered the publishing rights acquisition business with the purchase of RPM Music Group last year, has added Juli Newton Griffith as Vice President of their publishing operations. The deal was announced by TriScore principals Blake Chancey and Scott Siman, who will be working closely with Griffith to make additional catalog and rights acquisitions and oversee the songwriter roster. Griffith has previously served as VP of Magic Mustang Music, joining the company at its inception in 2003. Under Griffith’s direction, Magic Mustang Music was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year for three consecutive years (2013-2015). Details at https://triscoremusic.com/
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