Inside Track on Music Row: April 2020 Music News

inside track on music row by preshias Harris

VERSE OF THE MONTH: 

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. – Psalm 71:23. 

JOE DIFFIE: 

John Anderson and Joe Diffie. Photo Courtesy of Vernell Hackett

Joe Diffie, who passed away March 29, 2020, will be deeply missed by fans and members of Nashville’s music community. Here are just a few of the many tributes from the music community.  

“Joe was much more than a great country singer. He was a great song guy as well. He also knew how to put on a show. I will miss you, my friend.” – Teddy Gentry on behalf of ALABAMA. 

 ”Joe was a character. A great singer of songs and always had a story or joke to make you smile. I’ll miss crossing paths with him every year on the road, and my heart goes out to his family.” – John Anderson. 

“Joe Diffie was the ‘pickup man’ — always had a smile and a story, to cure and encourage. It was my fortunate blessing to come along the same time JD did, in music —so many great memories, and so many times he ‘propped me up.’” – Randy Travis. 

“He was a warm-hearted, good-natured, fun-loving man with an extraordinary voice. I will miss him.” – Lee Roy Parnell. 

“Rest in peace, Joe Diffie. Country music‘s huge loss of my friend, a great singer and songwriter. May God Bless his family and friends.” – Jerry Lee Lewis. 

More about Joe here https://joediffie.com/ 

And my personal memories at https://www.nashvillemusicline.com/ 

ACM NEWS & AWARDS:

The ACM announced the new date for the 55th ACM Awards. It has always been held the first week in April with a full week before of charity events, Golfing tourneys, etc. The new Awards date is going to be Wednesday, Sept. 16 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will stream live and on demand on CBS All Access. As previously announced, the 55th ACM Awards® that honors the biggest names and emerging talent in the Country Music industry, will be hosted by reigning ACM® Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award® winner Keith Urban for the first time. Additional details surrounding the 55th ACM Awards will be available soon, including the venue, performers and more. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards, follow on Instagram at @ACMawards and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List for more immediate updates. For a full list of nominations and early awards given, go to www.acmcountry.com  

ALBUM NEWS: 

Craig Morgan pays tribute to his past and his future with his newest album, God, Family, Country, releasing May 22, on Broken Bow Records. The album combines five new songs with remastered versions of some of the most powerful tracks he recorded for Broken Bow from 2002 to 2008, combining his past hits mixed with future signatures, including his faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry, “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost.” In time for Memorial Day, Craig offers his take on Gavin DeGraw’s smash, “Soldier.” He also teamed up with active duty Army Airborne Rangers Justin Wright and Andrew Yocovone to offer up the summery “Sippin’ On The Simple Life.” “This album is based on everything that’s happened in my life and my career,” Craig says. “I feel like I have some of the most quality songs I’ve ever recorded, and there is a new energy here. After all I’ve been through, I’m at one of the most inspired places I’ve ever been.” Pre-order info and music at https://www.craigmorgan.com/gfc-splash   

AMERICAN IDOL ALUM NEWS: 

Rising country artist AND American Idol alumna Alexandria Corn is a scorned woman in her newest single “Cheated Better” in which she laments the lackluster cheating of an ex-boyfriend. She advises that he could have been smarter by anything from bringing a change of clothes to making sure to come up with an alibi. With her detailed lyrics placed over a pop-influenced melody, “Cheated Better” is a force to be reckoned with. Written by Corn with Khiana Meyer and Mandy McMillan and produced by Sam Grow, listen to the single here https://ffm.to/7q45avg.opr  Since moving to Nashville, after making it through to the Hollywood round of American Idol, Corn has made quite the name for herself as a truly independent artist. She’s already racked up over 115,000 Spotify streams in under three months on her last single with just her own drive and passion. The New York native has also opened for Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, Jake Owen, Chris Janson, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Dan and Shay, Cam among others. More at https://alexandriacornmusic.com/  

AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS: 

Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit debuted a new song, “What’ve I Done To Help,” in March. The song is the latest unveiled from Isbell’s highly anticipated new album, Reunions, which will be released May 15 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, the album features 10 new songs written by Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, Isbell including album track, “Be Afraid,” which was released in February. Reunions is Isbell’s seventh full-length studio album and the fourth released with his band. Of the release, Isbell shared, “There are a lot of ghosts on this album. Sometimes the songs are about the ghosts of people who aren’t around anymore, but they’re also about who I used to be, the ghost of myself.” Pre-save the album via https://www.jasonisbell.com/  

ARTIST NEWS:  

Maddie & Tae continue to fill-in pages of their expansive journey with the release of their full-length sophomore album The Way It Feels (Mercury Nashville), set to be released on April 10. Produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells, the album is available for pre-save now. Featuring songs and stories from their previous two EPs shared last year, which helped propel the pair as the Best Streaming Female Country Duo of All Time with over 812 MILLION streams The Way It Feels is rounded out with five brand new tracks all co-written by Maddie & Tae, culminating in the duo’s winding journey of love, loss… and most importantly redemption. “It has been four years since we’ve released an album. For us, this is a lot more than just an album release,” Marlow shared. “This sophomore album will always be a reminder that no matter the setbacks and struggles, we will come out stronger and better. In March, the duo released a video, currently at CMT, for “Bathroom Floor,” a track on the new album. Pre-save info, videos, music and more at https://thewayitfeels.maddieandtae.com/  

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