Nashville’s Music Row Inside Track with Preshias Harris May 2014

preshiasMay Music Column 2014

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

ARTIST NEWS: Nancy Jones, the widow of country music icon George Jones, announced The George Jones Scholarship Fund at Middle Tennessee State University, which has become a living memorial to the late singer, has raised in excess of $171,000. Donations can be made online at www.MTSU.edu/give or by mail at George Jones Scholarship Fund, MTSU, Office of Development, Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. In celebration of The Country Music Hall of Fame members passing on April 26, 2013, at the age of 81, Nancy Jones and the Jones family planted two dogwood trees at the “He Stopped Loving Her Today” monument at Woodlawn Cemetery.

 

BABY NEWS:  Official pictures are now online of Joey & Rory Feek’s precious little baby bundle.  The newest family addition, daughter Indiana Boon, was born at 12:03 pm on February 17. Joey & Rory recently confirmed that Indiana has “Down syndrome,” a chromosomal disorder.

 

BENEFIT NEWS: ‘Play One For Billy’, a musical benefit and silent auction for Nashville musician, promoter and personality Billy Block, will be held May 4 from 5-8pm at The Listening Room in Nashville. Block is battling stage IV metastatic melanoma and funds raised will help cover his medical expenses. Donations are also being accepted through Yep Nashville. Anyone who would like to participate should contact Crush Music’s Andrew Cohenandrew@crushmusic.com  or Marc Rucker marc@crushmusic.com.

 

BOOK RELEASES: Josh Turner, who has sold more than five million albums, recently released his first book, “Man Stuff: Thoughts on Faith, Family, and Fatherhood.” The book is centered on his Christian faith, with Turner telling stories and revealing lessons learned throughout his life as a father, husband, son, brother, and friend. “Man Stuff” (featuring a forward written by “Duck Dynasty” star Jase Robertson) is published by Thomas Nelson.  Turner headed for New York City to make the media rounds in support of the book, appearing on ABC Television’s “The Chew,” Fox News Channel’s “FOX & Friends” and GAC’s “Headline Country,” and will appear on the nationally-syndicated “The Better Show” and on CBN’s “700 Club,” in May 5. More at www.JoshTurner.com.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME:  The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will explore a year in the life of Grammy-winning country star Miranda Lambert with its “Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access,” which opens May 16 and runs through Nov. 9, 2014. The exhibit will feature gowns, stage costumes, awards and more. For starters, opening weekend festivities will include a songwriter session featuring Lambert’s Pistol Annies’ bandmate Ashley Monroe, a songwriting program for families and a free film screening. Later in the month, songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Jimmy Robbins will participate in a songwriter round.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum debuted a spotlight exhibit devoted to iconic crossover star Crystal Gayle on May 2, 2014. Crystal Gayle: When I Dream will feature fashion, awards, letters, family photos and more from her groundbreaking career. The exhibition will run through November 3, 2014.
CRACKER BARREL NEWS: The award-winning duo Joey+Rory’s forthcoming CD, the 12-song “Country Classics: A Tapestry of Our Musical Heritage,” is slated for an exclusive May release via Cracker Barrel and Joey+Rory’s webstore. The album contains Joey+Rory’s take on classics such as “I’m Not Lisa,” “Rocky Top” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” among others.” “We were raised on great traditional country songs and still love to sing them,” Feek said of the new album. The disc will be available at Walmart stores and other retailers around the country in the fall.

 

INDIE NEWS: Singer/songwriter/eco-activist Joyce Rouse (AKA Earth Mama) has spent the past three years recording a new CD of original folk-Americana songs she hopes will give listeners “a better understanding of our home, the natural world”. “A Sense of Place” reflects the spirit of Southern Appalachia where the artist lives.  More info atearthmamajoyce@mac.com.

 

INDUSTRY NEWS:  MusicRow, Nashville’s industry publication, has announced the release of its all-new flagship print directory, InCharge. The 88-page industry resource serves as the definitive collection of industry gatekeepers and key decision-making professionals within the Nashville entertainment community. Each of the 426 profiles includes current contact information, updated career biography, and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.

 

LABEL NEWS: (Average Joes) Nashville-based Average Joes Entertainment has expanded its reach in the Off-Road Entertainment world having acquired a 50% ownership stake of Mega Truck Series (MTS). The widely popular extreme off-road racing series launched its third season in April at Bama Jam Farms in Enterprise, Alabama. The extreme off-road sport has grown increasingly more popular with attendance at individual events exceeding 10,000 fans. The 2015 season will expand to 10 races. More info at www.megatruckseries.com  andwww.averagejoes.com.

(MCA Records) Kip Moore has released “Dirt Road,” a track from his upcoming sophomore album.  The track is available at all digital retailers and was written by Moore along with close friends Westin Davis and Dan Couch (Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” and “Hey Pretty Girl”). Highlighted by Moore’s smoky voice, the song features a surging tempo and vibrating guitars encompassing of the road warrior’s signature rock vibe. To preview the track, go to http://www.thegreenroompr.com/kipmoore.html  Moore’s debut album UP ALL NIGHT became the best selling debut album from any solo male country artist released in 2012 and 2013, and produced three back-to-back No. one singles with the PLATINUM-selling “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck,” “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl.”

 

LEGEND NEWS: During an April 22 press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the CMA revealed that the late Hank Cochran (who died in 2010), Ronnie Milsap and Mac Wiseman will be the newest inductees into the revered hall of fame. Specifically, Cochran will be inducted in the rotating “Songwriter” category, while Milsap will join in the “Modern Era Artist” category and Wiseman will join in the “Veterans Era Artist” category. CMA Board member Kix Brooks served as host for the event. Following the press conference, Milsap and Wiseman participated in a discussion during the 11th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon attended by CMA artist members and board representation. The honorees will be celebrated at the annual invitation-only Medallion Ceremony later this year. For more info, visit www.CMAworld.com.

 

MEDIA NEWS: Tickets have been selling quickly for all shows on the first leg of Eric Church’s recently announced “The Outsiders World Tour” with special guest Dwight Yoakam. Over 14,000 tickets were sold in the first few days at Target Center in Minneapolis making it one of the hottest stops on the first set of announced dates.  When it became apparent that at least 902 tickets had been identified as being purchased by scalpers that were in violation of the sales limits of the show, those ticket orders have been cancelled, and the 902 tickets were put back into the system for sale at that time. More at www.ericchurch.com.

 

MUSIC NEWS: Dolly Parton celebrated Record Store Day on Saturday, April 19, with the release of a limited 7-inch vinyl.  The blue vinyl features two tracks from Parton’s upcoming album BLUE SMOKE – “Blue Smoke” and “Home.”  The album is set for release by Sony Masterworks and Dolly Records on May 13, 2014, featuring 12 bluegrass and country songs including covers of Bob Dylan and Bon Jovi classics, and duets with Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers.  Blue Smoke marks the first release of new music from Parton since 2011.

 

NUMBER ONE NEWS: Randy Houser rocketed to the top of the charts at the end of April with his current smash hit “Goodnight Kiss.” Following the Platinum No. 1 singles “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” “Goodnight Kiss” marks Houser’s third consecutive No. 1 off his 2013 debut album for the label, How Country Feels. It also marks his first No. 1 as a songwriter, Houser having penned “Goodnight Kiss” with Rob Hatch and Jason Sellers. Houser’s previous successes include the 2009 No. 2 hit “Boots On” (written by Houser and Brandon Kinney) and debut power ballad “Anything Goes.” More info at RandyHouser.com.

 

PUBLISHING NEWS: The Writer’s Den Music Group continues its aggressive growth with the signing of songwriter and musician Tom Worth. The company partner Bobby Rymer also announced the hiring of Sarah Feldman as Creative Director.  In her new position, Feldman will work closely with The Writer’s Den staff writers to set up co-writes, evaluate songs, pitch songs to producers, artists and A&R execs and help develop new writers. She will report to Rymer. Currently signed to the roster are Ben Cooper, Melissa Fuller, Jerry Salley, Thom Schuyler and Tom Worth. Writer’s Den also represents the catalogs of Bonnie Bishop, Tami Hinesh, Trent Jeffcoat, and Adam Wright. Info at www.writersdenmusicgroup.com.

 

TOUR NEWS: Only a few dates remain on the final leg of recently crowned ACM Entertainer of the Year and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour Presented by Quicken Loans, but Strait announced the addition of a tour stop Thursday, June 5 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. Tickets for the added show go on sale to the public at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 2.  The only act in the history of music to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades, Strait announced the addition after his sold-out stop in Tulsa, Okla. Remaining dates for The Cowboy Rides Away Tour are shown atwww.georgestrait.com.

WWWEBSITES TO CHECKOUT:  www.globalsongwriters.com  / www.christmas4kids.org  /www.nashvegasinsider.com  / www.cdxcd.com / www.namm.org

 

WEDDING BELLS NEWS: Congrats to Arista Mgr. of Regional Promotion guy Ryan Dokke and country artist Mallary Hope, who were married April 13 in Mt. Juliet, TN. Dokke popped the question in October in the middle of the unbroken circle on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry

WHO’S LOOKING  *  WHO’S CUTTING:   Lauren Alaina,  Mark Chesnutt, Clay Walker and Rusty Williams.

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