VERSE OF THE MONTH:
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be – Saint Theresa.
ACM NEWS:
The ACM Awards are heading back to Las Vegas for the 2022 event. After two consecutive awards ceremonies in Nashville, they will be back in Nevada for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards to be held Monday, March 7, 2022 at Allegiant Stadium.
The 2022 Awards will be live-streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. This will mark the first time a major awards event has streamed exclusively, rather than on broadcast television. Ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to return to Las Vegas to celebrate country music’s party of the year in this incredible brand-new stadium and on the Prime Video streaming service for the first time ever,” says Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Updates at https://www.acmcountry.com.
ALBUM NEWS:
Multi-platinum Quartz Hill Records artist Joe Nichols is set to release his long-awaited new album, Good Day For Living, on 2/11/22. The 13-song collection, his inaugural project with new label home and tenth studio album, ushers in a new era of classic-influenced country music from Nichols, one of the format’s most-lauded 21st-century traditionalists. Pre-Save/Pre-Add Good Day For Living at https://orcd.co/gooddayforliving.
His first new full-length project in four years, Good Day For Living reunites Nichols with acclaimed music producers Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, who helmed his 2013 album Crickets containing back-to-back number 1 GOLD-certified hits “Sunny and 75” and “Yeah.” The entire project is a no-doubt nod to Nichols’ traditional roots, showcasing his smooth baritone on Saturday night dancehall stunner “Brokenhearted,” the light and fun “I Got Friends That Do,” featuring Blake Shelton, and the classic country tear-jerker “She Was.”
The collection features his newest single, “Home Run,” written by award-winning songwriters Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson and Ross Copperman. Nichols released a music video for the single and it was filmed in and around Nashville including the Music City Baseball field, and directed by David “Doc” Abbott, the “Home Run” music video chronicles a day in Nichols’ life on the road and the sweet reunion with his family – wife Heather and daughters Dylan (9) and Georgia (7) – as he returns home on his bus.
Music, news and tour info at https://www.joenichols.com.
AMERICANA NEWS:
Chris Stapleton and Yola top the Americana Music Association’s year-end Top 100 Americana Radio Airplay Charts of 2021. Stapleton’s album Starting Over secured the #1 spot on the Americana Radio Airplay Albums Chart with the most spins for the year, while Yola’s single “Diamond Studded Shoes” landed at the top of the Americana Radio Airplay Singles Chart. This data reflects records reported to the Americana Radio Airplay Albums and Singles Charts (powered by CDX) during the period of Jan. 11, 2021 through Dec. 14, 2021.
View the complete Top 100 albums list here: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/12695/32904 and the complete Top 100 singles list here: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/12695/32908.
The Americana Music Association is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year, including AMERICANAFEST and the critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program. The Americana Music Association receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC.
ARTIST NEWS:
Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa experienced the fastest sell-out in its seven-year history back in April 2021, and now we know the full lineup of performers joining Luke in Riviera Cancún, Mexico for this special destination vacation event taking place January 19-22, 2022. Dustin Lynch will return in 2022 for his seventh Crash My Playa – this time as a first-time headliner, rounding out the two previously announced headline nights with Luke and one with Jason Aldean. Ashley McBryde, Riley Green, Jimmie Allen, LoCash, Jameson Rodgers, Lainey Wilson, Caitlyn Smith, and Whitney Duncan along with DJ Rock complete the lineup of artists. Plus, Kendell Marvel will return with a special late-night performance. Crash My Playa 2022 will feature four nights of country music on a private stretch of white sand beach in Riviera Cancún, Mexico as well as daily pool parties, activities and local adventures. More details at www.crashmyplaya.com.
BABY NEWS:
Singer/songwriter and performer Jessie G’s “Rainbow Lullaby” song came to life, when she delivered her first child, daughter Ozeana Rae Pennings, on December 5, 2021. Ozeana weighed in at 7lbs 2oz and was 19.5 inches long. Baby, mom and dad are all home and adjusting to their new life wonderfully. Ozeana is derived from an Ancient Greek origin meaning Ocean. Jessie G and husband Matt Pennings chose the name after Jessie’s family heritage and lineage of west coast commercial fishing. Her middle name Rae means protector in honor of Matt, who serves in Army Special Operations. “It was such a smooth delivery,” said Jessie, who wrote and released her “Rainbow Lullaby” single after suffering multiple miscarriages. Known for hard-driving songs like “Timeless,” “Army Ranger,” and “Whatever This Is,” “Rainbow Lullaby” dove deep into hurt, longing, pain and joy with the taboo topic of miscarriages. Originally released in honor of October Miscarriage Awareness Month on Redneck Bayou, a division of Redneck Records, via ONErpm, the beautiful song can be heard at https://onerpm.link/RainbowLullaby.
Jessie G also did an appearance on the The Chris & Sandy Show were she talked abot the song, her son, and the journey of both as well as how COVID affected her and several other touching stories.
BAND NEWS:
In 2022, The Marshall Tucker Band (MTB) will celebrate five decades since its inception. To celebrate, the multi-platinum southern rock group will hit the road for its historic “50th Anniversary Tour.” The MTB revealed over 30 live concert dates with stops in Clearwater, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Nashville, Tenn., Detroit, Mich., Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y., Pittsburgh, Pa., Washington D.C., Phoenix, Ariz. and more.
“Five decades of The Marshall Tucker Band … sometimes it’s still hard to understand,” says MTB lead singer Doug Gray. “We are just regular people. The fans have given us so many special moments over these 50 years. I’m so proud of our band.”
In 1972, original members Toy Caldwell, Tommy Caldwell, Doug Gray, Jerry Eubanks, George McCorkle and Paul Riddle came together in Spartanburg, S.C. to form a southern rock band. They knew they had the magic for something that could reach people well beyond the South Carolina state line. Dave Mason will join the legendary group on select live concert dates. Tour updates will be posted at https://www.marshalltucker.com.
BLUEBIRD NEWS:
The legendary Bluebird Cafe and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) have formed a partnership with the estate of the late radio icon Bob Kingsley designed to ensure his legacy and fund preservation and distribution of historic songwriter performances. Bob Kingsley had a simple directive for his 40-year plus countdown show, “Pay it off with a song.” Bob’s estate, under the stewardship of his wife Nan Kingsley, announced a partnership with The Bluebird Cafe and NSAI with songwriters Rhett Akins, Victoria Shaw and Craig Wiseman performing. A significant portion of a financial donation will underwrite the digitization of a selection of historic Bluebird Cafe shows that were recorded over the years in a variety of mediums. Additionally, video interviews with songwriters featured during The Bluebird Cafe’s 40th anniversary season in 2022 will also be part of the partnership. “The goal is to begin airing some of the iconic shows when The Bluebird Cafe’s celebrates its 40th birthday next June,” said General Manager Erika Wollam-Nichols. NSAI recently launched a TOP 40 song page at https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com in honor of Bob Kingsley. Click the ‘Top 40’ tab.
CD RELEASES:
Marie Osmond’s Unexpected album was released via Oliveme LLC and BFD/The Orchard, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Albums Chart and No. 6 on Billboard’s Classical Albums Chart following its December 10 release. In her sixth decade as an entertainer, she continues to reach career milestones with the new album available now on CD, vinyl and digital platforms. To stream or download Unexpected, visit https://orcd.co/MarieOsmondUnexpected.
Unexpected harkens to an era where music was live with incredible orchestras and conductors. Osmond, who has 20 years of opera training, is accompanied by The Prague Symphony Orchestra on the album, which features songs in Italian, French and Czech. Osmond ranges from powerful to delicate on tracks like “Nessun Dorma” from the Italian opera Turnadot. With theatrical credits that include Anna Leonowens in the Broadway production of The King and I, Osmond also performs numbers from Into the Woods, West Side Story, The Sound of Music and more. More info at https://www.marieosmond.com.
CHARITY NEWS:
Pennington Distilling Company has made a $10,000 donation to Music Health Alliance (MHA) in support of the non-profit’s work to provide free healthcare advocacy and support to those within the music industry. In addition, Pennington has pledged to donate $1 of every bottle of Pickers Original Vodka sold in all their Nashville accounts that support live music will be donated to MHA in 2022.
“Music Health Alliance is so incredibly grateful for the continued commitment and support of Pennington Distilling Co. This generous gift will provide immediate healthcare access to the music industry during this critical season.” said Tatum Allsep, Music Health Alliance Founder & CEO.
Jeff and Jenny Pennington, co-founders of Pickers Vodka, state “We are thankful to be able to continue our support of Music Health Alliance and the amazing work that they do for the all the musicians across the U.S.” More about Music Health Alliance at https://www.musichealthalliance.com.
ENGAGED NEWS:
Rising country vocalist Tiffany Woys has gotten engaged to Jeff Siddiqi. Tiffany shared details about the romantic proposal, which took place over the weekend on the rooftop of a private home in Nashville. Tiffany posted news of her engagement on socials, saying: “I’m going to marry the love of my life!!! I’ve waited for this day since our second date! When you know you know Jeff, I promise to love you forever.”
Tiffany (31) and Jeff (33) met in Nashville in 2018, soon after she made the move to Music City from her hometown of Sacramento. Jeff has been by Tiffany’s side in the music videos for “Loved By You” and “Do Ya.” Tiffany’s brand new single, “About Love,” premiered on CMT.com in December and marks Tiffany’s fifth charted single on Billboard’s National Country Radio Indicator Chart with new music coming in the new year. More at https://www.tiffanywoys.com.
Other couples engaged lately are: Mitchell Tenpenny & Meghan Patrick – Travis Denning & Madison Montgomery.
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