SINGLE NEWS:
Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens has once again “broken the internet.” In May, Stevens, who is known worldwide for his classic southern-style comedy music, debuted his latest single tune, “The Quarantine Song,” on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner. Following the airing, the video went live on the internet and quickly caught fire. “The Quarantine Song” just surpassed 1.4 million views on YouTube and currently boasts 6.8 million views on Facebook— totaling an audience of more than 7.5 million. “Who’d a thunk it!” exclaimed Stevens upon hearing the news of the video’s online success. “I avoid old folks and should I sneeze, I do it in my elbow, or up my sleeve,” sings Stevens. “Six feet apart, that is the rule, and I pray for the day the kids can go back to school. I’m washing my hands like a raccoon with OCD. I’ve watched Hulu, Roku, Netflix, PBS and BBC!” “The Quarantine Song” was written by longtime Stevens pal Buddy Kalb and Nashville songwriter Joe Babcock.
SONGWRITER NEWS:
“The Boys Who Make the Noise on 16th Avenue” are to be inducted in to NSHoF. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2020/2021 will be inducted in October 2021 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. More info about this wonderful organization at NashvilleSongwritersFoundation.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.
STAGE NEWS:
There will soon be a permanent outdoor stage at the Ryman Auditorium. The new stage, which could be particularly beneficial if social distancing limitations continue into next year, should be completed by the end of 2020 and will be called PNC Plaza. The stage is part of a multi-year agreement between the Ryman and PNC Bank, the official banking sponsor for the historic venue. The stage will be located outside Café Lula, on the Fourth Avenue North side of the Ryman. PNC Bank announced that they will become presenting sponsor of ‘Ryman Community Day,’ that will welcome Tennessee residents to enjoy the Ryman daytime tour at no charge. Scheduled show dates and more info at https://ryman.com/
SINGER – SONGWRITER NEWS:
Country music singer/songwriter Filmore’s debut album, State I’m In, chronicles a chapter where he has experienced a lot of life’s ups and downs, and seen his worldwide fan base — who are along for every note and lyric of the journey — grow significantly. “This album is a look into my life over the last few years. It’s the ups and downs in relationships, experiences from my hometown, life on the road, and living in Nashville,” shares the Wildwood, Missouri-native, who has accumulated over 147 million career on-demand streams. “I wrote every song from a real and personal place with amazing writers and friends. My hope is that you can listen to this album from start to finish and know who Filmore is by the end. Knowing that these songs relate to others, to help them get through a break up, or celebrate love, or just let them enjoy a night out with friends, is why I made this album.” The 18-song project features “Nothing’s Better,” along with crowd sing-along favorites, including “Other Girl,” “Love That About You,” and “Slower,” and more. See http://www.filmoremusic.com/
TEXAS MUSIC NEWS:
From a small-town Arkansas kid to a mainstream songwriting scholarship in Nashville to a return to his independent country music roots, David Adam Byrnes is making the scene in Texas with singles flying up the Texas radio chart. On October 2nd, Byrnes will release his new album Neon Town, and for several months its presence has already been felt with three back-to-back #1 hit singles. The very week the second single, “I Can Give You One,” hits #1 in Texas, the virus pandemic hits the world. Shows canceled, album release canceled…life as we know it, canceled. After months of shutdown David decided that the show must go on. On April 10th he released his new single “Neon Town,” the title track to the new album, and it has also reached the #1 spot. His new single “Old School” is well on course to the top of the chart, and the hilarious music video is turning heads as well, premiered by CMT.com In celebration of his new album release, Byrnes is giving away 5 pairs of Durango cowboy boots to a handful of lucky winners who pre-order the album at www.davidadambyrnes.com.
TIMELIFE MUSIC NEWS:
An incredible 62 years after topping the Billboard Pop and R&B charts with the Grammy Award winning “Tequila,” The Champs featuring Dave Burgess are back with 12 freshly recorded tunes in their sensational new album Tequila Party. Included are seven new Burgess-penned compositions plus The Champs’ interpretations of “Peter Gunn,” “Watermelon Man,” “Oye Como Va,” “Green Onions” and a rousing rendition of their signature song retitled “Tequila Party.” The new album will be available digitally November 20, 2020 through an agreement with Time Life. “Tequila” was originally the B-side of The Champs’ debut single “Train To Nowhere,” but the infectious tune took off and spent three weeks at #1. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in countless movies, television shows and commercials over the years. It won a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance in 1959 and sold over one million copies.
TV NEWS:
Carrie Underwood will perform songs from her first full-length Christmas album My Gift, backed by a live orchestra and choir, during a Christmas special for HBO Max. The special, being shot this fall, will air during the Holiday season with exact air-dates to be announced. Carrie’s performance will be a combination of traditional favorites celebrating the spiritual nature of the holiday, as well as new original material from the album, which will also be released on vinyl October 30th. The Max Original special will be executive produced by Underwood and her manager, Ann Edelblute, alongside Playtone’s Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. My Gift is now available on CD and digital, and on vinyl Oct. 30.
VIDEO NEWS:
British country trio Essex County’s new single “Love at First” was love at first listen for its steadily growing fanbase – and tastemakers at Spotify and MTV. Released late September to all streaming services, “Love at First” was quickly pegged as ripe for crossover success. The song was immediately added to three editorial playlists on Spotify – Wild Country, Fresh Finds: Country and Next From Nashville. The ‘80s inspired video, which was filmed in Florida Georgia Line’s FGL House in Nashville, also debuted on MTV. “We never thought in our wildest dreams that we would be on MTV,” said Essex County singer Nate Bass. “The network shaped our upbringing and millions of others. MTV isn’t just a network, it’s in the DNA of pop culture.” “Love at First” is a groovy, masculine, moody mid-tempo with sexy guitars stacked on a percussive, driving beat. Essex County, comprised of brothers Nate, Mark and Kieran Bass, released their debut single “So Good” March 27 and their four-song EP of the same name three months later. The group, from Essex in England, is approaching 2 million streams across all streaming services. More at https://www.essexcountyband.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 is a monthly music news column by Preshias Harris
Have a great day!!!! Send me music stuff, I love to get it! / Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com TN/USA. Google “Preshias”
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