Inside Track on Music Row: Fall 2023

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

“I was a different person before I started to write. When I realized I could be a songwriter and that people would listen – that was when I started feeling good in my life.” – Gwen Stafani

VERSE OF THE MONTH:

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. – Psalm 108:1

ACOUSTIC MUSIC NEWS:

Multi-PlatinumCountry rocker Brantley Gilbert revisits a fan-favorite track from So Help Me God (Deluxe Edition) with an acoustic reimagining of “Bury Me Upside Down (Live In Studio)” via The Valory Music Co. Listen to the song here: https://brantley.lnk.to/BuryMe_LiveInStudioPR and watch the video: 

“We’ve been having a blast playing this song out on the road,” shares Gilbert. “It raised its hand early on as a crowd favorite, so we wanted to give BG Nation this song in its purest form, hearing the guitars and vocals stripped-back, just like it sounded the day it was written with my buddies Brock Berryhill, Brian Davis, Brandon Day, Chase McGill, Josh and Taylor Phillips and Michael Ray.”

Released earlier this year, So Help Me God (Deluxe Edition) features 15 tracks all cowritten by Gilbert. Still considering himself a songwriter first and foremost, the project showcases his vast medley of influences alongside a wide cast of collaborators. Kicked off earlier this summer, Gilbert is currently on the Get Rollin’ Tour with Nickelback, bringing their explosive talents together for 50+ shows through October, Tickets are available at https://www.brantleygilbert.com.  #BrantleyGilbert

ACOUSTIC NEWS (Part II):

Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott strips down his Gold-certified hit, “Can’t Have Mine (Find You A Girl),” for a tender acoustic version — listen here: https://dylanscott.lnk.to/CantHaveMineAcoustic.  The romantic ballad written for his wife is the second single from his latest LP, Livin’ My Best Life, and is currently Top 20 and climbing at Country radio. After co-writing the song with Matt Alderman, Josh Melton and Dallas Wilson, Scott posted a clip online that quickly generated more than 100K videos on TikTok. Patterned after his real-life romance with his high school sweetheart, Blair, the heart-melting track finds the husband and father of two counseling every country boy on the type of woman to look for: “Find you a girl that leaves you speechless, gets wild on the town but still loves Jesus,” he advises. There’s just one condition: you can’t have his girl.  Scott is set to bring the viral hit to 15 cities this fall on his headlining This Town’s Been Too Good To Us Tour, named after his latest release, which pays homage to his hometown of Bastrop, La. Matt Schuster and Tayler Holder will provide direct support on the outing that kicks off Oct. 12 in Knoxville, Tenn.. Tour and ticket info at www.dylanscottcountry.com.  #DylanScott

ALBUM NEWS:

Platinum recording artist and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee Cody Johnson is set to release his third COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville studio album Leather on November 3 with pre-order available now at https://codyjohnson.lnk.to/preorder-leather.  The 12-track album was produced by Trent Willmon. “This round of songs, I have to say, is the best round of songs I have ever recorded and I feel like that’s the way it should be,” Cody said. “Each album should outdo the last one.” Cody has released brand-new tracks “Work Boots” written by Jason Afable, Brett Beavers, and Canaan Smith and “Watching My Old Flame Go Out” by Kat Higgins, Wynn Varble, and Clint Daniels. Both songs appear on Leather: Listen here: https://codyjohnson.lnk.to/workbootsandmore. The New York Times touted Leather’s first radio single “The Painter” comes from “one of mainstream country’s sturdiest performers, extends his streak of music that’s deeply earnest, unflashily produced, and a blend of emotionally stoic and trembling. It’s the lead single from ‘Leather,’ his third studio album on a major label after a long and robust independent career.” Leather is the follow up to Cody’s 2019 Ain’t Nothin’ To It studio album and 2021’s Human The Double Album. His major label catalog also includes Cody Johnson & The Rockin’ CJB Live and A Cody Johnson Christmas. Tour info at https://apps.codyjohnsonmusic.com/leather/.  #CodyJohns

AMERICANA NEWS:  

The Americana Music Association celebrated distinguished members of its community Sept 20, revealing the winners of the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. A world-class group of musical innovators garnered coveted awards. Guitar picking phenom—and 2022 Americana Artist of the Year—Billy Strings, earned Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year. Tyler Childers was awarded Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed self-produced record, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?. Bonnie Raitt was crowned with Song of the Year honors for her self-penned “Just Like That.” The War and Treaty (Michael and Tanya Trotter) also won Duo/Group of the Year for the second consecutive year. S.G. Goodman won Emerging Act of the Year, while SistaStrings (sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross) took home the Instrumentalist of the Year Award. The Avett Brothers and Nickel Creek were presented with Trailblazer Awards by two-time Artist of the Year Brandi Carlile and surprise presenter Kacey Musgraves, respectively. The 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards was the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST week. For a full list of Honors & Awards recipients, please visit www.americanamusic.org. 

APPLE MUSIC NEWS:

Apple Music has unveiled “Driving Back There In My Mind” performed by three-time Grammy winner Miranda Lambert, the second release of its Lost & Found program, which spotlights unreleased tracks written by some of the best songwriters in Nashville and re-recorded by today’s biggest artists, all in Spatial Audio. “Driving Back There In My Mind” was written by The Love Junkies, a trio consisting of Grammy Award-Winning songwriters Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose. It was a natural fit for Miranda Lambert to record one of their songs because of her long history with the trio. In speaking with Kelleigh Bannen on the next episode of Today’s Country Radio, Miranda explains “There’s so many reasons it’s a yes. The Love Junkies, number one, because individually, Liz [Rose], Lori [McKenna], and Hillary [Lindsey] are some of my favorite writers. The “Lost” demo, available on Apple Music, is the actual Voice Memo that was recorded on an iPhone by the Love Junkies, which is how they record many of their songs. Listen to Miranda Lambert’s version of “Driving Back There In My Mind” in Spatial Audio and check out the Lost & Found space on Apple Music at www.apple.co/lostandfound.   #MirandaLambert

ARENA NEWS:

What do you get a girl like Kelsea Ballerini for her birthday? How about headlining Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Nov. 2? Beyond being her first major arena show, it’s a Homecoming for the East Tennessee songwriter. Hours before she performed “Penthouse (Healed Version)” – from the Country Music Association Album of the Year-nominated Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – on MTV’s Video Music Awards, Ballerini officially announced “The Homecoming Show,” a one night only concert on Nov. 2 in Knoxville. For the six-time CMA Female Vocalist nominee, the homecoming show announcement is an emotional moment in a career marked by multiple Grammy nominations, an appearance on Saturday Night Live, a profile in the New York Times, writing and co-producing the groundbreaking Welcome Mat and another major magazine cover dropping this week. Tickets available now via https://www.kelseaballerini.com/tour. Ingrid Andress and Georgia Webster will open. Kelsea’s homecoming show has her heading back to the place that shaped her soul, her values and especially her will to succeed.

CANADIAN MUSIC NEWS:

Canadian Country Music Award winner Lisa Brokop’s newest album is now available for pre-save here: https://orcd.co/LisaBrokopWGFTH.  Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels?, featuring Georgette Jones and Jeannie C. Riley and produced by Chuck Rhodes (Daryle Singletary, Tony Jackson, Dale Watson) and Buddy Hyatt (Toto, Randy Travis, JoDee Messina and Lynn Anderson), is set to debut on Friday, Oct. 6. “I am so very proud of this new album, I love the combination of some of my favorite country classics as well as getting to share a few brand new songs,” says Brokop. “Having the legendary Jeannie C. Riley, and the amazing Georgette Jones on this record is the absolute sweetest icing on the cake! I’m over the moon about all of it!” Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels? takes listeners on a journey through different styles of country music. The album opens with the strong breakdown of “Delta Dawn”, transitioning into the mysterious country track “Come Back Bobby Gentry” released earlier this year in anticipation of the full album. The title track, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Heels?” highlights the unique combination of classic country hits with Brokop’s originals. As an adaptation of George Jones’ hit, the song provides a female perspective that pulls on the heartstrings in honor of the great women in country music and features the daughter of the original artist, Georgette Jones. More info at https://www.lisabrokop.com. 

COLLABORATION NEWS: 

Grammy, ACM and CMA winning Shenandoah enlists reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs for a new version of the group’s global hit “Two Dozen Roses.” Released via 8 Track Entertainment, the collaboration is available now. Stream and download here: https://shenandoah.lnk.to/2DozenRoses.  Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon delivers the opening lyrics of “Two Dozen Roses” with his signature sound that helped establish the style of ’80s and ’90s country music, influencing a new generation of artists like Combs. Complementing Raybon’s emotive vocals, Combs takes the second verse, bringing his unique edge to the classic, which he has included in his own concert setlist. Billboard exclusively premiered the first listen to “Two Dozen Roses,” produced by Grammy winning engineer Noah Gordon and recorded at the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, where the original version was recorded and the longtime home to founding members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire.  “As collaborations and interpolations of classic hits pile up in the country music genre, an iconic ’90s country group and one of country music’s current biggest stars are teaming up to refresh a ’90s country classic,” writes Billboard’s Jessica Nicholson. More about Shenandoah here: https://www.shenandoahband.com. #ShenandoahBand

COUNTRY ROCK NEWS: 

After a whole summer of slow-burning sizzle, Smoklahoma Records band Southall have just thrown gas on the fire beneath their fast-rising career, releasing their raw and explosive self-titled album Southall.  Featuring 11 tracks co-penned exclusively by the six-piece group – making an exception for “One Day At A Time”, written by three out of the six plus Ben Mckenzie – Southall pulls on stylistic threads from hard charging ‘70s Rock and gritty Southern Soul to grooving back-alley Blues and beyond. The set was produced by hitmaker Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Cody Jinks), and finds a power group planting their sonic flag. Stream/download Southall here: https://found.ee/southallalbum.  One of the most fearlessly diverse bands on the road, front man Read Southall’s dynamic vocal leads a tough-nosed mix of screaming distortion, tender nostalgia and guitar-driven general badass-ery, as Southall sends a roundhouse kick of new school Country-Rock out into the world.  Along with the album release, Southall has also dropped the needle on their new focus track, “All I Have.” A rootsy Alt-Rock throwback featuring chugging guitars, driving drums, heady melodies and a piano interlude, the tune is a tribute to knowing yourself and finding peace in giving your best. More at https://officialsouthall.com. #SouthallBand

DUET NEWS:

Billboard called Tenille Arts’ “Jealous of Myself” single featuring LeAnn Rimes a “moody masterpiece with a classic misdirection.” Now, Tenille premieres the stunning music video of the emotional song on her YouTube channel.

The clip was conceived, produced and directed by the award-winning film maker Roman White for Red Mill Productions. The director of photography was Rhet Bear, and the entire video was shot on green screen at Laurel Canyon Studios in Los Angeles. Written by Emily Weisband, Trevor Rosen and John Byron and produced by Nathan Chapman, “Jealous of Myself” is the first single released by Dreamcatcher Artists. The single is available here: https://stem.ffm.to/-jealousofmyself.  A life-long fan of LeAnn, Tenille saw her perform “Blue” on the Grand Ole Opry when she was a youngster. The appearance created a spark for Tenille’s dream of following in the superstar’s footsteps. The video of Tenille singing the hit song at age 11 and transitioning into her own recent Opry appearance became one of her most popular TikTok moments and can be viewed on TikTok. In a full-circle moment LeAnn invited Tenille to perform “Blue” at her sold-out Ryman Auditorium concert in April. Music, tour dates and tickets at https://www.tenillearts.com.  #TenilleArts

EP NEWS:

Rising newcomer Walker Montgomery leans into his traditional country roots and legacy more than ever on his brand new EP, Work To Do, out now at all streaming outlets via Clear Creek Productions. Stream here https://ffm.to/worktodoep.  The new Bart Butler-produced project meshes Montgomery’s love of 90’s country and the genre’s throwback sound with contemporary production and some solid, stone country lyrics penned by some of the best tunesmiths Nashville has to offer, including Josh Thompson, Neil Thrasher, Trent Tomlinson, Jim Collins, and more. Several standout tracks from the new EP have already been released, including the raucous boot-stomper “Lonely For A Livin’,” the crisp, fiddle and steel-tinged two-stepper title track, and the touching love ballad, “Tired Of You.” For Montgomery, who penned two songs on the new collection, the EP moves him one step closer to cementing who he wants to be as an artist on country’s new canvas of up-and-comers. “This was my first time in the studio working with Bart Butler, and that was obviously a treat to get in there and work with him. I’m really proud of the way it sounds and I hope the fans like it.” Show dates and ticket info at https://www.walkermontgomery.com.  #WalkerMontgomery.

EP RELEASES:

Alex Miller releases his latest project, Country, October 6. Listen/Pre-Save here: https://linktr.ee/alexmillercountry, Miller’s new, five-track EP marks his second outing with award-winning producer Jerry Salley. The latest streaming track from the EP, “Every Time I Reach For You,” opens with a searing steel guitar that recalls the whistle of a midnight train, while a wistful fiddle fans the flames of despair. Miller’s vocal offers a gut-punch of emotion, and the result is his most impressive performance to date. “Girl, I Know A Guy” is Alex’s current charting single, and the upbeat love song strikes a hopeful note with traditional instrumentation and a timely theme. The straightforward lyric spotlights a guy offering the girl who has everything a chance for something more … love. Miller’s rowdy and successful single, “When God Made The South,” is an anthemic guitar-driven ode to the glories of Southern living. Gritty as a gravel road and as raw as moonshine, the straight-ahead Country lyric is driven by a Southern Rock beat – and Miller clearly enjoys the ride. From the fiddle down to the wah-wah guitar “Puttin’ Up Hay” is pure Alex. “Gettin’ Lucky In Kentucky” is a mix of Western Swing and Kentucky guitar picking song that tells the story of a man who goes to a horse race wins his bet – and the air as well. More at https://alexmillercountry.com. 

GOLD MUSIC NEWS:

On the heels of earning the most first week adds of his career (120) with his latest single “Cab in a Solo,” Triple Tigers recording artist Scotty McCreery celebrated another career milestone during his Grand Ole Opry appearance in September — Gold Certification from the RIAA for his most recent hit “It Matters to Her.” Written by McCreery with veteran Music City songwriters Rhett Akins and Lee Thomas Miller, the song captures lessons learned during his first four years of marriage to wife, Gabi. “I am thankful to my fans and my team anytime a song of mine is certified Gold,” shared McCreery. “I don’t take it for granted. But, to be presented a Gold album plaque for ‘It Matters to Her’ on the Grand Ole Opry stage is something I will always treasure.” With another RIAA certification under his belt and the release of his new single, the country crooner launches a new chapter in his career just as he approaches his 30th birthday October 9. Having spent almost half his life making country music, the North Carolina native continues to push himself creatively as well as personally. Stream “Cab in a Solo” here: https://orcd.co/CIAS.  McCreery will be back on the Opry stage on December 3 as part of “Opry Country Christmas.” Tickets can be purchased at Opry.com. #ScottyMcCreery

GRAND OLE OPRY NEWS: 

The Grand Ole Opry will remember one of country music’s all-time most-loved voices Sat., Oct. 14 with I Wonder Do You Think Of Me: The Opry Remembers Keith Whitley. The show is set to feature performances and remembrances from Whitley’s widow Lorrie Morgan and his son Jesse Keith Whitley as well as Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer Garth Brooks, who officially inducted Whitley into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year. Others confirmed for the show include Terri Clark and Ashley McBryde, with additional artists to be announced soon.  Whitley was enjoying tremendous success and was to have been surprised in the spring of 1989 with the realization of one of his greatest dreams: becoming an official Opry member. He passed away just three weeks before learning that he was to have become an Opry member. The night will feature two shows, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at (615) 871-OPRY and www.opry.com.  Portions of the show will air as a Saturday night Opry Live later this year on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Network, Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Opry show will be heard on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, and the show’s flagship radio home, WSM Radio. 

HALL of FAME NEWS:

Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, December 5, for Urban’s All for the Hall concert, presented by City National Bank, which benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The concert will feature performances by musical directors Urban and Gill, Country Music Hall of Fame members Brooks & Dunn, and member-elect Patty Loveless, as well as Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Patty Griffin, Mickey Guyton, HARDY, and Trisha Yearwood. This year’s show, themed “The Song Remembers When,” will feature artists performing a song that defines a memorable moment in their life, in addition to one of their own hits. This is Urban’s eighth All for the Hall Nashville concert; collectively, these concerts have raised $4.3 million in support of the Museum, furthering its educational mission. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com and via https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/. 

INDIE NEWS:

Country music singer-songwriter Makenzie Phipps has released her new single “You Bring The Beer (I’ll Bring The Noise)” just in time for bonfires, tailgating, and football. “We got Friday night tailgates right before the football games” and “Out on every corner everyone knows your name” is a way of life in small towns across the country, many struggle with the “want” for something more. Written by Shane Begley and produced by Sal Oliveri (Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban), “You Bring The Beer (I’ll Bring The Noise)” continues to showcase Makenzie Phipps’ talent and ability to captivate audiences one listener at a time. The video premiered on RFD. Purchase/stream “You Bring The Beer (I’ll Bring The Noise)” via Makenzie’s website: https://www.makenziephipps.com/.  “I am thrilled to be having this song released” expresses Phipps. “Not only does it depict who I am as a person but also what made me that person: growing up in a small town in Virginia. Although I’ve moved to Nashville, Bluefield, Virginia will always be my home. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of this song!” Phipps continues to thrive on social media, releasing acoustic covers throughout the week with nearly 4 million combined views on Facebook and continuing to grow daily. #MakenziePhipps

INT’L MUSIC NEWS:

Rising UK Country music star Preston D Barnes shared his new video, “Heart Breaks Better That Way” featuring Moriah Domby with The Country Note. The pair deliver the track, co-written by Moriah with Steve Hunley and Nick Halsted with an impassioned performance in the Logen Christopher-directed video. Regarding the video production, Barnes said, “Working with Stormlight Pictures in a city I have dreamed about creating music in for so many years was nothing short of ‘Incredible’ – Driving a 1060’s Mustang round the streets of Nashville and creating music with Moriah Domby, an established Singer/Songwriter from Music City made the whole process a dream come true! She really was superb!” Stream and share the video

Preston D Barnes Is a British Army veteran who served for over 20 years. He served the first 16 years of his Army career traveling the world to over 38 countries, performing music with The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Since signing with Sonic Boom Record, Preston has gone on to release eight singles over the last sixteen months with four of the releases hitting the number one spot on the iTunes Country Charts. More at https://www.prestondbarnes.com.  #PrestonDBarnes

LABEL NEWS:

(Ol’ Buddy Records/Thirty Tigers)

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and musician Brent Cobb’s anticipated new album, Southern Star, is out now via Ol’ Buddy Records/Thirty Tigers. Stream/purchase here: https://orcd.co/southernstar.  Produced by Cobb (his first self-produced album) and recorded at Macon’s famed Capricorn Sound Studios, Southern Star is a love-letter to Cobb’s southern roots, filled with the sounds and stories of his home state of Georgia. Across these ten tracks, featuring local Georgia musicians, Cobb finds beauty in the small moments, as he explores seemingly simple themes with his signature southern electric sound and lyrical depth. In celebration of the new music, Cobb kicked off his extensive headline tour, which includes shows at Austin’s Parish, Dallas’ Studio at The Factory, Los Angeles’ Troubadour, San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Cambridge’s The Sinclair, Lexington’s The Burl, Atlanta’s Terminal West, Macon’s Hargray Capitol Theatre (sold out) and Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl among many others. Updated tour info at https://www.brentcobbmusic.com.  In addition to his work as an artist, Cobb is also an esteemed songwriter with cuts by Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters, Whiskey Myers and many more. #BrentCobb.

MEDIA NEWS:

Center Stage Live has announced the Indie Country Showdown talent show to be held at the Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom in West Nashville. Four straight weeks of intense competition as Center Stage Live presents the Top 15 Rising Indie Country Artists in the greater Nashville region chosen by a mix of fan vote and Nashville music industry professionals. Highlights from each show and special live-stream segments with the contestants will be featured on Center Stage Magazine’s website and to the tens of millions of viewers that engage with Center Stage Magazine’s social media properties each year. You can also follow the Indie Country Showdown weekly from Oct. 15th on The Big Country 98 and on iHeart Digital Media with Wayne D and Tay on Big Country 98 who will be interviewing contestants on air from Oct 15 to Nov 16. An expert panel of celebrity judges and music industry professionals will determine the winner over the intense four-week competition. To register to be a contestant, sign-up is available online at https://www.csmlivetix.com/ShowdownEntry.  Tickets can be purchased to attend the event in person and are now at https://www.raystevenscabaray.com.  Center Stage Magazine Co-Founder Tommy Lemon states, “Center Stage Magazine was born out of the love for promoting independent artists. The Indie Country Showdown is another great way to promote some amazing independent country artists who deserve a shot at stardom! We wish all of the entrants the best of luck!” #CenterStage Mag.

MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME NEWS: 

Music and culture icon, Ringo Starr, was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame during a private ceremony Sunday, September 24 at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, in Nashville, Tennessee.  Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum CEO Linda Chambers was joined by presenters Brenda Lee and Peter Frampton, who spoke to their experiences with Starr and his musical, cultural and charitable contributions.  The curated tribute band included Danny Rader (Music Director/Guitar), Mark Beckett (Drums), Jimmie Lee Sloas (Bass), Jerry McPherson (Electric Guitar), Blair Masters (Keyboard), and Sam Levine (Saxophone) and Cliff Downs on background vocals. Additional tribute performers included Rodney Crowell, Felix Cavaliere, Steve Lukathur, Wendy Moten, and alumnus of Fisk Jubilee Singers.  Of the moment, Starr says, “Wow what a lovely tribute – thank you Linda, Peter, Brenda and everyone at the Musicians Hall of Fame for all of this. I am really touched and honored to be here and to accept the first Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy award. I’ve always loved Nashville, and country music, though I know this place honors all musicians regardless of genre or instrument.” Following the ceremony, Starr joined his All-Starr band at the Historic Ryman Auditorium, a venue close to Ringo’s heart, and did what he and his band do best – played a solid show to a sold-out crowd.  More about the Hall of Fame here: https://www.musicianshalloffame.com. #MusiciansHallOfFame

NON-PROFIT NEWS: 

Today’s Country Magazine’s Jeffrey Kurtis has been selected by the non-profit organization, Music Amplifies, to be one of their ambassadors for 2023-2024. Kurtis will serve in his ambassador role alongside music artists Brandon Lee, Baylee Lynn, Elizabeth Edgar and AlmostBama. “It’s so humbling to be chosen to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves, and by such an incredible organization that has already done so much amazing charitable work with a clear-cut vision to grow even more going forward to help that many more!” Kurtis says. The organization will host their next fundraising event, Amp Up 4 Kids night, at The Palace Theatre in Gallatin, TN on Friday November 3, 2023, featuring performances from Buddy Jewell, John Berry, John Ford Coley, Makenzie Phipps, Brandon Lee, and comedian Dan Whitehurst. Music Amplifies is a 501c3 established to pull music talent and industry professionals together to ‘Amp Up’ and provide help for children during the Christmas season.

For all details, please visit: https://musicamplifies.com/. 

NUMBER ONE NEWS:  

Country music superstar and five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan was honored with a celebration for his career milestone of landing 30 #1 singles on country radio. Since his very first #1 single “Do I” landed atop of the charts in December 2009 to his thirtieth in December 2022 with “Country On” Luke has accumulated 56 total weeks at #1.  The evening kicked off with performances and anecdotes by some of Luke’s closest friends much to his surprise in multiple ‘this is your life’ moments. Hillary Scott and Dave from Lady A performed “Do I” followed by Dierks Bentley, who went on a hilarious riff comparing their #1 tallies, and sang “Play It Again.” Up next was Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, a long-time musical hero to Luke, who performed “Fast.” The final surprise performer was good friend Jason Aldean who sang Luke’s “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.”  After the guest performances Luke generously spent time to highlight many of the people who attended the party thanking them for their part in his career. He saw familiar faces in the crowd including dozens of songwriters who had written many of the 30 #1 hits, members of the industry including ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC representatives and more who all showed up to celebrate the success of one of country music’s most highly respected and likeable artists. Luke closed out the performances singing “Country On.” More at https://www.lukebryan.com/home. #LukeBryan

RISING STAR NEWS:

Black River’s MaRynn Taylor continues to evolve, spreading her wings worldwide with “Shakin’ In My Boots” (listen here: https://orcd.co/mtshakininmyboots)  now a featured track in the global launch of the mobile gaming app, Country Star. Meanwhile, the rising songwriter and artist pulls back the curtains into her reality with the raw and deeply personal new track “In My Head” (https://orcd.co/mtinmyhead) and her current single “Make You Mine” (https://orcd.co/mtmakeyoumine) continues to climb at Country radio. Available now on Apple and Android, the makers of Beatstar invite country music fans to join their favorite artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Morgan Wallen, Craig Morgan, MaRynn Taylor and many more in Country Star, the world’s first music game dedicated to the country genre. Players follow the rhythm of their favorite hit songs, including MaRynn Taylor’s “Shakin’ In My Boots,” featured as a Rising Stars track in the app, as they tap and swipe to the instruments, vocals or beats to master their favorite songs and experience them in a whole new way. Co-written by Taylor with Kylie Sackley and Jerry Jacobs, “In My Head” is produced by Grammy-winner Josh Kerr. The song takes listeners along on the rising star’s vulnerable journey as she faces the difficult truth of growing up and attempting to put up a happy front while dealing with internal battles. More info at https://marynntaylor.com.  #MarynTaylor

SINGLE NEWS: 

Keeping the momentum of the early applause and welcome of his debut single “Beer And The Bible” as an official introduction to the country music scene, Louisiana resident and Nashville country recording artist Corey Davis (Bama Beats) has announced the scheduled release of his sophomore single “When The Devil Took Me” due Friday, November 10, 2023 via all major digital retail outlets and streaming services (distribution by ONErpm).  The evocative original (written by Davis and produced by Grady James) is a striking recollection of a man’s first encounter with an entrancing woman and a romance that blurs the lines between alluring qualities, both angelic and devilish, much too strong to resist. Rich in motion, the narrative is intensified by the vivid description of the salty breeze and the heart’s vulnerability tugged by a powerful chemistry. With lines like “I met her on the street where the waves meet the sand” and “She’s hot enough to send you straight to hell,” the lyrics artfully play with the duality of mysticism and a magnetic pull.  The new release, “When The Devil Took Me,” is illustrative of the storyteller’s knack for delivering simplistic and realistic lyrics that paint a crystal-clear picture from a truthful perspective and is a featured track on his six-song CD anticipated in early 2024.  More about Corey at https://www.coreydaviscountry.com and https://www.facebook.com/coreydaviscountry.

SINGLE & VIDEO NEWS: 

Southern rockers The Cadillac Three have debuted their latest single and accompanying music video. Out now on all platforms via Big Machine Records, “Double Wide Grave” is inspired, in part, by the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. With the Foos’ electrifying rock & roll as a key sonic influence on the track, TC3 nimbly shifts between melodic passages in the verses to meaty, lacerating choruses in which frontman Jaren Johnston wails like never before. Listen to “Double Wide Grave here: https://tc3.lnk.to/DoubleWideGrave and watch the video.  

“It’s a heavy love song,” Johnston explains. “‘Double Wide Grave’ is another song I wrote about me and my wife, but it happened to be written when we were also dealing with the loss of Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters. I made that track a day or two after he passed. At the time, I was producing the Foo Fighters’ guitarist Chris Shiflett’s album, so I got to witness the pain the band was going through. I did everything in the song like they would’ve done it, just with a southern TC3 spin added in, and it worked.”  Pre-save TC3’s upcoming album, Young and Hungry, here: https://tc3.lnk.to/TYGF.  More at https://www.thecadillacthree.com. 

STREAMING NEWS: 

Multi-Platinum trio Lady A kicks off new creative chapter with the release of nostalgic yet fresh track, “Love You Back” (BMLG Records). The song is out now and available for streaming here: https://la.lnk.to/LYBPR.  Led by a passion to connect with listeners, Lady A releases “Love You Back” to the excitement of fans after first sharing a sneak peek of the track during CMA Fest and through social media. While on the road for their Request Line Tour which incorporates voicemail requests from fans attending each night’s show, Lady A has been giving audiences an early listen of “Love You Back,” with fans loving how the song is reminiscent of Lady A’s classic sound.  Written by James McNair, Lindsay Rhimes, and Emily Weisband, and produced by Dann Huff, the mid-tempo song features a powerful, fresh melody and Lady A’s signature rich harmonies.  “When we first heard ‘Love You Back,’ we knew immediately it was such a great fit for us,” the band shared. “Heartbreak is something almost everyone has experienced and this song describes that experience in a whole new way. We’ve loved seeing how fans react to the song and to now share the official version with everyone is really special!” More at https://www.ladyamusic.com/#/.  #LadyA

STUDIO ALBUM NEWS:

Quickly following the release of his third studio album, Tennessee-native Larry Fleet’s Earned It is making an emphatic entrance, garnering three million U.S. streams in its first week. Listen/stream here: https://larryfleet.lnk.to/EarnedIt.  Recognized as a notable release of the week by NPR’s All Songs Considered, the album “bursting at the seams with songs demanding attention” (Entertainment Focus) earned the top spot on the iTunes Country chart and the No. 3 rank on the iTunes all-genre album chart, while breaking in on the Spotify U.S. Debut Album chart at No. 2. With a heavy-hitting 21 song selection, Earned It landed as a Top 15 Apple Music country album, charting in 75 territories globally, and is Top 15 now on the Billboard Heatseeker albums chart. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the response this album has gotten so far,” says Fleet. “Sharing songs that are relatable for working people who go out and ‘earn it’ every day – that’s an honor and something I don’t take lightly.” Fleet took the historic Ryman Auditorium stage before a sold-out crowd Sept. 22, showcasing the three albums worth of material now under his belt. Tour and ticket info at https://larryfleet.com.  #LarryFleet

STYLE NEWS:

RaeLynn and BuddyLove have announced a limited-edition capsule collection of women’s and kids’ apparel for every celebration. The collection highlights RaeLynn’s electric personality with bold textiles from BuddyLove. The collection boasts 24 unique stage-to-street styles incorporating electric leather hues, sequined mini and maxi dresses, embellished denim, loungewear and mommy & me looks featuring lyrics from RaeLynn’s “Raisin’ Me a Country Girl” song. “I am beyond excited to share this incredible collaboration with the world,” RaeLynn expressed. “BuddyLove has been an amazing partner, and together, we have created a collection that truly embodies my style and the spirit of Nashville. I can’t wait to see everyone at the launch party and celebrate this special moment!” The RaeLynn x BuddyLove Collection is available for purchase exclusively at Nashville retail store, The Showroom and online at BuddyLove.com and all BuddyLove retail locations. More about RaeLynn at https://www.raelynn.com. 

TEXAS MUSIC NEWS:

Red dirt country singer-songwriter Wade Bowen, who recently won Texas Male Vocalist of the Year among other notable recognitions at the T3R Awards, has released a powerful new single, “Lovin’ Not Leavin’”. Filmed in scenic locations across the Southwest, the accompanying music video for the single debuted with CMT earlier in September, giving fans a surprise sneak peak of Bowen’s latest release and his signature storytelling prowess. Watch the vide:

Stream/download the track here: https://orcd.co/lovinnotleavin.  Produced by Wade, “Lovin’ Not Leavin’” is a Bowen track through-and-through with huge dynamics that push his vocals to his limit and play into his biggest strengths sonically. His first co-write with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Casey Beathard (Eric Church, Kenny Chesney), the single tells a sentimental story about a gypsy spirit who finds the one to settle them down. The cinematic official video brings the passionate lyrics to life, featuring Bowen’s wife and locations that are meaningful to his life. In addition to music, Wade is also passionate about giving back to the community through his Bowen Family Foundation, which has raised more than $6M to-date. At the end of August, the singer-songwriter hosted his annual invite-only Bowen Invitational golf tournament, which raised nearly $1M for the Bowen Family Foundation. More at https://wadebowen.com.  #WadeBowen

TOUR NEWS: 

In yet another monumental feat, reigning 2x CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs sold over a million tickets for his 2024 “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” stadium tour in the first weekend tickets were on-sale, with 16 of the 25 shows selling out immediately including back-to-back nights at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, Santa Clara’s Levi’s® Stadium, Milwaukee’s American Family Field, Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium and Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium among others. In just a few days, Combs already matched the number of tickets sold during the U.S. leg of his 2023 World Tour, which sold over a million tickets across 15 stadium shows.  Combs also continues to break records with the upcoming tour, becoming the highest-selling country artist and the first ever to play back-to-back shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, the highest-selling male country artist at Santa Clara’s Levi’s® Stadium and Glendale’s State Farm Stadium and the fastest-selling two-day run in the region of Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium.  Additional tour and ticket details here: https://www.lukecombs.com.  Combs is nominated for four awards at the 57th Annual CMA Awards—Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Gettin’ Old) and Single of the Year (“Fast Car”)

VOCAL GROUP NEWS:

Stunning harmonies and imaginative storytelling are on the new single “When the Water’s Down” released by Girls Next Door. Alluring vocals, top-notch instrumentation and a gritty storyline create an interesting musical palette for the listener. The new music is available for streaming and download music platforms at https://linktr.ee/girlsnextdoormusic.  “We loved this song from the moment we heard it,” shared Girls Next Door. “It is in the great tradition of storytelling that country music is known for. It’s a story of a ‘guilty’ southern town known for its sins. In the end, no matter how hard people try to cover their wrongdoing, things usually rise to the top in the end. Using the analogy, ‘you never know what shows up when the water’s down,’ the song tells of all the secrets that surface in a river when the water’s down during a drought. The song features each member of Girls Next Door individually during the verses, culminating in a rousing chorus of harmony.” Girls Next Door came onto the country music scene strong during the mid-80s. Cindy, Diane, Doris and Tammy knew one another while performing in the live shows at Opryland Music Park. More at https://www.girlsnextdoormusic.com and https://www.facebook.com/girlsnextdoormusic. 

WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:

www.cmaworld.com * www.nashvillesongwriters.com  *  www.indiebible.com  

Have a great day!!!!

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

Preshias Harris is a music journalist with more than three decades on the Nashville music scene. She is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at   www.collegeofsongology.com   #PreshiasHarris