Inside Track on Music Row with Preshias Harris

MAY 2021

PR NEWS: 

Craig Campbell gets a little rowdy with his latest release, “Good Things Come To Those Who Drink” The fun song, written by Craig with Mark Holman and James McNair, is available at all streaming services on Grindstone Records.  

Craig and Western wear model/social media influencer Holly Stock also launched the TikTok BottlePop Challenge. Fans hold two beer bottles in one hand and skillfully pop one open with the heel of their boot, and then post the video on TikTok. Campbell is also considered by many to be one of the most talented yet under the radar stars, across all genres. Craig is back on the road both with his band and on a series of intimate acoustic shows across the country.  Visit www.craigcampbell.tv for tour updates, music and more. 

RADIO NEWS: 

Country music icon and actor Mark Collie has returned to radio airwaves with his latest single, “The Son of a Gun,” (BFD / Audium Nashville / Harvest Entertainment). Listen/order at https://orcd.co/markcolliethesonofagun.   “The Son of a Gun” was written by Collie and Hollywood writer, director and filmmaker Jonathan Hensleigh (Die Hard with a Vengeance, Jumanji, Armageddon, The Punisher).

“This was my first songwriting collaboration with Jonathan,” explains Collie. “He came up with the idea and it really fit the album and gave us an opportunity to recognize and honor those who keep us safe and free.” “It started with a conversation about our World War II survivor fathers,” adds Hensleigh. “Men who had to carry a firearm in the line of duty and what effect that has on a person when they return from combat.” 

The new single will be included on Collie’s forthcoming album, Book of My Blues, set to release later this year.  More about Mark Collie and his music at https://markcollie.com  where you can watch the video of “The Son of a Gun.” 

SIGNING NEWS: 

Award-winning songwriter and recording artist Billy Dean has signed a publishing deal with Given Entertainment, according to an announcement made today by Given founding partner Cindy Owen. Since his launch in the early 90’s, Dean has sold millions of records, won numerous top-tier music industry honors and amassed a loyal following with his brand of pop-folk-influenced country music. Billboard Country Update’s Tom Roland recently singled him out as a member of the class of 1991artists who are influencing today’s country hitmakers. With this signing, Owen and Dean are reunited from their days at Starstruck Entertainment, when Owen brought the artist to Narvel Blackstock for management. 

“Signing Billy is a no-brainer. His passion for music is as strong as it ever was and he is writing and singing better than ever,” Owen said. “We are proud to give him a platform to continue to build on the Billy Dean legacy that had so many of us hooked.” More about Billy Dean at https://www.billydean.com.  

SINGER-SONGWRITER NEWS:

“Playing House” is the first single from singer/songwriter Allie Colleen’s debut album Stones. “Playing House” was co-written by Allie Colleen with Billy Dawson and Jason Matthews and produced by Joe Costa. Physical CDs are available now at https://www.alliecolleenmusic.com with digital single releases of more singles up to the official Black Friday release on all digital platforms, November 19, 2021.

“This was one of those song titles and ideas I have had in my songwriting book forever.  Every co-write, the writers would pass on the idea, but everything fell right into place when Billy and Jason loved the idea,” expressed Allie Colleen. “From there the story came out on its own. Inspired by a relationship between two people I know, came the song all of us hate to relate to…“Playin’ House.”

Colleen is no stranger to the music industry. A passion for singing and songwriting since a young age has garnered her a reputation of being a notable songwriter with an iconic-sounding voice. Her impeccably strong voice with hints of timeless tradition falls between classic country and the emerging country sound. 

SINGER-SONGWRITER NEWS 2: 

Singer, songwriter and celebrated guitarist Patrick Droney continues to preview his debut studio album State of the Heart ahead of its May 21 release via Warner Records with new track “Talk About That” – a swelling build that finds Droney encouraging deeper, more honest conversations- available now.

Co-written and co-produced by Droney, introspective lyrics, “We all have words we can’t take back / Look too long at a photograph / All have something we think we lack / Holding onto bags that we can’t unpack / All need help, but we don’t ask / Maybe we should talk about that,” ambitiously motivate connection and conversation via the common ground amongst us all. 

“There’s a thread between all of us woven within the unspoken,” Droney explains. “While each of our stories are our own, there are a million examples of how we are more the same than different. The more specific I get in my songwriting the more universal the stories seem to become.” Music, info and videos at https://www.patrickdroneymusic.com.   

SINGLE NEWS: 

Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore has dropped a brand new single, “Good Life,” available to listen at https://strm.to/KipMooreGoodLifePR.  Stepping into the studio for the first time with renowned producer Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban), the new track sees Moore shift gears sonically for the windows-down, volume-up anthem. Co-written by Moore with Dan Couch and Joyce, “Good Life” embodies a snappy self-awareness and an appreciation for living in the moment, with a soul-driven groove. The track is the first single taken from Moore’s fifth studio album and offers a look into a new upcoming chapter from the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. 

“I haven’t been this fired up about new music in a good while,” shared Moore. “I’m always trying to push myself out of any comfort zones that I may have settled into during the previous project, and I think working with Jay definitely helped me with that. I wrote this song and many more while surfing this past winter and I can’t wait for the fans to hear what’s coming.” Music and more at http://www.kipmoore.net.  

SONGWRITER’S NEWS: 

Endurance Music Group has announced the renewal of its worldwide publishing agreement with 2-time #1 songwriter and producer Paul Sikes. Sikes claims songwriting credit on recent hits by fellow EMG writers, including Stoney Creek Records artist Jimmie Allen’s second consecutive #1 song, “Make Me Want To,” and RECORDS artist Matt Stell’s second consecutive chart-topper, “Everywhere But On.” He has cuts on upcoming releases by Allen, Endurance writer and RECORDS artist Chase Martin, Cody Johnson and others, and he co-wrote the current Johnny McGuire single, “100 MPH.” 

Sikes said, “I’m really happy to be continuing this journey with my family at Endurance. They are driven, hardworking, and forward-thinking, all while maintaining a culture of integrity and fairness. I’m just so thankful I get to write songs for a company that’s made up of people that believe in me the way I believe in them. That’s tough to beat.” See also https://endurancemg.com.  

TOUR NEWS: 

Thomas Rhett’s headlining The Center Point Road Tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick-off on August 13 with back-to-back nights in Orange Beach, AL. The 17X chart-topper will mark his return to the road this summer with special guests Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett.  Tickets previously purchased will be honored accordingly for the rescheduled dates, while tickets for newly announced dates are now available to the public at LiveNation.com. For any further previous ticket inquiries, fans are advised to reach out to point of purchase. For more information visit: https://www.thomasrhett.com/tour.  

“I can’t even put into words what getting back out on the road means to me, my band and crew,” Thomas Rhett shared. “We’ve dreamt about this moment for a long time and I feel more rejuvenated and excited than ever to get back out there as safely as possible to connect in-person over live music again, especially with so much new material to share. There’s no feeling in the world like it – see y’all out there!”  

TRIO MUSIC NEWS:

Country’s newest male vocal trio Texas Hill (Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Adam Wakefield) have released their latest single “Neon Heart” on all streaming platforms. A richly melodic tune with both contemporary and classic elements, “Neon Heart” sets the tone for a series of new releases from the trio in 2021.  Listen to “Neon Heart” at their website: https://www.texashillofficial.com.   

Texas Hill recently hit the road again, selling out five of their first twelve shows in the month of March alone. They recently completed a weekly residency at The Nashville Palace for the month of April with special guests, and their “Brothers in Harms Tour” continues through the summer with dates in Texas, Colorado, Alaska, Alabama, and more to be announced. Each of the individual Texas Hill members earned a national presence as contestants on TV music competitions – Boyd and Wakefield were both members of Blake Shelton’s team during different seasons of NBC’s The Voice, and James developed a following during the Simon Cowell era of FOX’s American Idol. 

VENUE NEWS:

Blake Shelton marked his first visit to Ole Red Orlando with a full band performance for a limited number of frontline workers and special guests. The fourth Ole Red location opened at Orlando’s ICON Park™ last summer brings the best of southern food, hospitality and concert-quality live music to residents and visitors alike. Shelton shared with the intimate but lively crowd that it was the first time he had performed his single “Minimum Wage” live after the COVID-19 pandemic brought touring and live entertainment to a standstill. 

“I wanted to come here and do a proper grand opening,” said Shelton. “Even if it’s not the same as having this whole room full of people, we are going to pretend it is tonight.”

Shelton also presented Ole Red Orlando with a special outfit he wore on NBC’s “The Voice” along with an outfit worn by fiancé Gwen Stefani. Both outfits are now on display at the venue.  The two-story, 17,000+-square-foot entertainment venue operates alongside Ole Red locations in Tishomingo, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. More at https://olered.com and follow @olered on social media. 

VIDEO NEWS: 

Mercury Nashville Recording artist Travis Denning brought his new single “ABBY” to life, premiering the official music video exclusively on CMT. Denning, alongside director PJ Brown, took the already-humorous anthem up a gear in the new video as Denning embraced the role of multiple characters all tipping their hat to some unforgettable and beloved country music videos from the 2000’s.

“‘ABBY’ has always been a song that typically gets a good laugh when people first hear the lyrics,” explained Denning. “So, when it came to a concept for the music video, it just made sense for it to be something that matched that sentiment of lightheartedness and not taking yourself too seriously. We had so much fun shooting this music video and honestly just paying tribute to some of my favorite artists in the genre, from Toby Keith to Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney to Montgomery Gentry. I hope everyone feels that when they’re watching it.” More at https://www.travisdenning.com.  

VOICE NEWS:

Ariana Grande will be the newest star turning her chair (on not) on the upcoming season of The Voice, filling the spot vacated by Nick Jonas. Soon after the announcement, Blake Shelton tweeted: “There’s a new @NBCTheVoice coach in town y’all! Welcome to the fam @ArianaGrande!!!!!” The next day on the Today show, Blake told Hoda Kotb that the producers of The Voice don’t tell the coaches in advance who their new colleague will be. “There’s one chair on The Voice that seems like, lately it’s kind of turned into like this revolving door of different coaches that we’re able to bring in,” he said. “The producers texted us and said it was going to be Ariana. I’m excited about it. I’m a fan of hers, I’m not going to lie. We’re still going to beat the crap out of her, you know, on the show. It’s our job — they pay us to win, Hoda. They don’t pay me to lose.” Stay current with The Voice at https://www.facebook.com/NBCTheVoice/  

WWWEBSITES TO CHECKOUT:  

www.cdxcd.com / www.proverbs1210rescue.org

www.radiosobro.com / www.furchguitars.com / www.shannoncountry.com  

WHO’S LOOKING  *  WHO’S CUTTING:   

Gyth Rigdon, Josh Gallagher. 


Inside Track on Music Row is a monthly column by Preshias Harris.

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

Preshias Harris is a freelance music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com.