INDIE ARTIST NEWS:
Breakout artist Bailey James continues to release new music for the fans on a regular basis. Within this past year, she has released a song in almost every genre. Bailey is now dropping her fifth song of 2021, which follows the recent release of her rock single “Bitter.” This empowering new breakup song, “Over You,” is available on all digital streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and more. The country/southern rock tune was penned by Bailey James, Nolan Neal, hit songwriter Jeremy Bussey and Smith Curry who is also the producer. This song shows that breakups aren’t always the end of the world.
“In the chorus, I explain that I don’t need another person to get over him. It’s empowering as hell,” says Bailey. “Over You” combines country and rock styles with energetic lyrics and impressive vocals.
Bailey James has 240k+ followers across her social media platforms and is stamping her name on country music and beyond, including a Top 40 hit, chart-topping singles, over a quarter of a million combined streams just on Spotify, a golden ticket to Idol, and more. Updates at https://www.baileyjamesgang.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS:
It’s no secret that country star Larry Gatlin struggled with addiction during the early days of his career. However, until now, it was a secret that he was the country singer with a cocaine addiction whom Matthew McConaughey wrote about in his new memoir, Greenlights. In an exclusive interview with People, Gatlin reveals he was indeed that country singer.
“I remember the day, it was October something of 1984,” Gatlin tells People. “University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal and I were talking. We had hit it off right away. For me, he was one of those people that you meet, and you instantly don’t have to explain anything to each other. We were at this Pro-Am party at this golf tournament, and Coach Royal caught me with white powder on my nose. He told me, ‘Larry Wayne, I have never had any trouble turning the page in the book of my life. He said to me, ‘It’s time you turned the page.'”
Following the encounter with Coach Royal, Gatlin sought treatment. Today, he is 35+ years sober. See link to the People story at https://www.gatlinbrothers.com.
LABEL NEWS:
(Stoney Creek Records/Nashville)
Stoney Creek Records PLATINUM-selling band Parmalee have released a new pop version of their smash hit with TrailerTrap creator Blanco Brown, “Just the Way” featuring pop/hip-hop maverick, Bryce Vine. The original version of the upbeat, celebratory tune recently claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard and Mediabase Country radio charts in the US and Canada. This new version of “Just the Way,” co-produced by Andrew Goldstein and David Fanning, went to pop radio on April 12. Listen to “Just the Way” (feat. Bryce Vine)” at https://parmalee.lnk.to/jtwpop. The song, which celebrates the beauty of one’s authentic self, was written by Nolan Sipe, Kevin Bard, and Parmalee’s Matt Thomas. The band asked longtime friend, Blanco Brown to be a part of the song, as he not only emanates positivity but his contribution would highlight the song’s message about embracing differences. The addition of Bryce Vine, best known for his multi-platinum hit, “Drew Barrymore,” echoes that sentiment and adds an exciting new layer to the mix. See more at http://www.parmalee.com
(Capitol Records Nashville)
Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley is bringing back the High Times & Hangovers club tour with five shows in five nights, kicking off on May 11. The last time Bentley headlined a dive bar tour by the same name was 2006, also with special guest Cody Canada & The Departed (Cross Canadian Ragweed). Tickets now available at www.dierks.com. His rowdy club shows will highlight Bentley’s 19 No. One hits with impromptu crowd-favorites. As CMT said about the first run, “fans got a close-up look at what makes Bentley one of the most roadworthy country artists” and they will be reminded of how that has not changed over a decade later. Each date will be in compliance with CDC regulations based in each market. Bentley continues to be a dominant voice for the genre with over 6.4 billion streams. Bentley co-wrote 10 of 13 tracks on his last album The Mountain, which earned him the highest debut sales of his career and became his seventh chart-topping release. Following his 19th No. One hit at Country radio, he continues to climb the chart with his current Top 20 single “Gone.”
LEGEND NEWS:
There’s a new album from Steve Cropper, legendary guitarist formerly with Booker T and the MGs, heard on dozens of soul and pop hits in the 60s and 70s. The new album, Fire It Up, dropped April 23.
“This album is different from everything out there now,” he says. “It’s made from old grooves, because during a lockdown, you work on stuff that’s been in your head for years, but, all that stuff is floating in my head all the time,” he adds. “I can reach in there and get it out.” Fire It Up, co-produced by Jon Tiven, has its roots in the sessions with Felix Cavaliere. “Jon would pull out those tracks and he’d call me and say, ‘You know, this stuff is pretty good,’” says Cropper.
Tiven and Cropper live near each other in Nashville, and for nearly 20 years they’ve been meeting weekly to write songs. One day during the pandemic, Cropper answered his phone and the idea for Fire It Up was on the other end. Cropper’s distinctive guitar can be heard on many hits from Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd and more. More about Steve and the album at http://playitsteve.com/home/.
LIVESTREAM NEWS:
Jason Aldean will return to the live music scene for this first time in over a year with two nights of Jason Aldean: Live at The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, TN on May 14th and May 15th. The three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year” will host a limited number of fans in socially distanced four-person pods, starting at $99 a pod. Tickets are on sale now on www.JasonAldean.com and www.BonnarooFarm.com, with $1 from each ticket benefiting the Bonnaroo Works Fund. “You could’ve asked me to play a gas station at this point and I would say yes,” said Aldean. “So being able to setup the full show with all the band guys plugged in is going to make for a really good time. We’re going to turn it up – there’s nobody out there to bother – and make up for some lost time for sure.” Tickets provide access to an 8’ x 8’ pod, with pods arranged to allow 6 feet of distance between groups. Fans are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to create their own comfortable space within their pod.
MEDIA NEWS:
There’s a new permanent outdoor stage on PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium, offering another location for visitors and the local community to enjoy live music and outdoor events as part of their Ryman experience. The permanent stage is 10 feet deep and 19 feet long, and features several new amenities, including the capability to accommodate a five-person band. Positioned on the Fourth Avenue North side of the property, the new stage is part of a multi-year agreement with PNC Bank, which includes the stage naming rights and makes PNC the official banking sponsor of the Ryman. As with prior expansion projects on the property, the outdoor stage addition leaves the original 1892 auditorium untouched. Guests will get to experience the new PNC Plaza and outdoor stage during the Ryman’s annual Community Day on May 30, when Tennessee residents are invited to experience the Ryman daytime tour experience free of charge. The stage also will be used for other community events that showcases a wide variety of local artists. More Ryman info at https://ryman.com/events/.
MOVIE NEWS:
Two top singer/songwriters have been added to the already star-studded cast of Martin Scorsese’s upcoming movie Killers of the Flower Moon. The movie is based on a nonfiction book by David Grann about a series of murders that took place in Oklahoma’s Native American Osage Nation in the 1920s. Jason Isbell has been cast to play the white husband of a murdered Osage woman, and Sturgill Simpson will play a bootlegger and rodeo champion. Isbell and Simpson will join previously-announced cast members Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jesse Plemons and more. The movie focuses on events surrounding the brutal killing of Osage natives after oil was discovered on their land. The movie’s release date has yet to be announced. Killers of the Flower Moon will be Scorsese’s first feature film since The Irishman, and his first with DiCaprio since The Wolf of Wall Street.
MUSIC NEWS:
Americana/Bluegrass/Red Dirt Country Entertainer Jimmy Bowen returns to the airwaves this spring with season two of Jimmy Bowen & Friends, a live TV music series. The show hosted by Bowen consists of thirteen half-hour episodes featuring Bowen performing live with his band and a featured guest artist each week. “I am thrilled to be back for season two. ‘Jimmy Bowen & Friends’ is the music variety TV show I always dreamed of hosting and with the outstanding team we have assembled, and the super-talented guests we have lined up, I know we will continue to expand our viewership with each and every season. Our show offers a diverse line-up crossing musical genres and blending rising artists and seasoned entertainers, so I am confident that there is something for everyone.” Bowen commented. Jimmy Bowen & Friends is syndicated nationwide and was produced by award-winning production company CJM Productions. The star-studded line-up includes multiple award-winning artists Jason Crabb, Becky Bullard, Lewis Brice, Rockland Road, Brady Seals, Frank Ray, Nosey Flynn, Deborah Allen, Linda Davis, Larry Stephenson Band, Nu-Blu and T. Graham Brown. Details at http://cjmproductions.com/jimmy-bowen-and-friends/.
NUMBER ONE NEWS:
On the heels of racking up his seventh consecutive No.1 hit, with “Lady.” Multi-Platinum star Brett Young announced his next chapter today with Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, available June 4 via BMLG Records. As Young’s red-hot career catapults to towering heights and as he simultaneously experiences the life-altering changes of early fatherhood and an expanding family, the singer/songwriter has funneled each milestone into a creative throttle. Coupling the professional and personal, he will deliver eight fresh tracks exploring love, family, loss and everything in between. The consistent chart-topper stretches into blazing new sonic territory with his most sonically versatile project to date. Young co-wrote the entire Dann Huff-produced collection, which features “Lady” and “You Got Away With It.” Pre-order at https://brettyoung.lnk.to/WLALDTD_Preorder PR.
Young previews more music from his eagerly-awaited project with new single “Not Yet.” Blending crisp vocals with vivid scenes of fresh new romance and soaring guitar riffs, the song serves as an instant album highlight. Listen to “Not Yet” and see more details at https://www.brettyoungmusic.com.
ONLINE MUSIC NEWS:
My favorite Kentucky Group Exile, have announced a one-time airing, VIP online concert experience with Sessions Live May 20 at 7:00p CST. The exclusive livestreaming performance from The Kinkead Entertainment Soundstage Studio in Nashville, TN will include options for participating in a virtual ZOOM hang with the band, merchandise and more. Tickets can be purchased at https://sessionslive.com/exile/tickets. With a career spanning nearly six decades and eleven number one songs, three Gold Albums and 8 Million records sold, country rock band and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame members Exile will be performing #1 hits and many all-time fan favorites including “Kiss You All Over,” “Woke Up In Love,” “Give Me One More Chance” and many more, including songs from The Garage Tapes, Exile Hits, Live at the Franklin Theatre and People Get Ready. For the first time ever, the multi-award winning will perform their first ever online livestream concert. More information on Exile can be found at http://www.exile.biz/.
OUTLAW MUSIC NEWS:
“No Shortage Of The Blues” recorded by Billy Don Burns, one of the few remaining original Outlaw Country Music singer-songwriters, is now at Country radio. This is the second single off the Outlaw Billy Don Burns, The Country Blues album released by Country Rewind Records. The new recording was penned by Burns and Mack Vickery and is available for streaming and download on all digital music platforms.
“Me and my old friend Mack Vickery, R.I.P., were talking about the scars around my throat and chest caused from multiple stab wounds after I came off the stage one night in a honky-tonk,” shared Billy Don Burns. “Mack said, ‘Let’s write a song about the life we have lived in honky-tonks’. ‘No Shortage of the Blues’ is what we came up with.” About a year before Mack died, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Burns accompanied him to the induction into the prestigious association. “Mack’s star is between Lionel Richie and Percy Sledge,” said Burns. More at www.billydonburns.net and www.countryrewindrecords.com.
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