WMN/Atlantic Records artist Brett Eldredge welcomed industry members yesterday (Sept. 10) on the eve of album release day for his sophomore project, Illinois.

Artist and label held an album listening party at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios, where the majority of the album was recorded. The reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, known for his warm, r&b-tinged voice, garnered three chart-topping hits from his debut project Bring You Back, including “Beat of the Music,” “Don’t Ya” and “Mean To Me.” Its sonically cohesive, polished followup seems a confident, natural progression.

WMN CEO/president John Esposito predicted that Eldredge would very soon see his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit with his current chart-climber “Lose My Mind.” Clocking in at two minutes and 38 seconds, Eldredge noted it’s the shortest song he’s ever written. Eldredge co-wrote several tracks on the new 12-song set, including “Fire,” “Just A Taste,” “Lose It All,” and the title track.

In introducing what he called “probably my favorite song on the record,” Eldredge said, “I started hearing about people getting engaged to ‘Mean To Me’.” Prior to a concert at Kansas Motor Speedway, a reporter asked Eldredge what he ultimately wanted to do with his music. “I thought about how I want to be that song that leaves a mark on peoples’ lives.” He told songwriter Scooter Carusoe, just prior to taking the stage, “I wanna write a song called, ‘Wanna Be That Song.'” Three months later, Carusoe reminded him of the idea, and they co-wrote the track with writer Ross Copperman, who is also a co-producer on the album.

“Sometimes songs come back from the dead,” Eldredge quipped while introducing the infectious “Drunk On Your Love.” “Well, it wasn’t dead, but it took a nap. We wrote it back in 2012.” At the time, Eldredge was neighbors with Hayley Stommel, who married Florida Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard earlier this year. “They asked to used the demo of the song in their wedding video. They put that video out of their wedding and used a bit of the song, and we knew people would be asking about it. So we had to hurry to update it and included it on the album.”

The album is not without its share of heartbreak songs, most notably the Bill Anderson co-write “Lose It All.” “I love a good heartbreak song,” commented Eldredge. “I’ve always idolized Bill Anderson. The song is about looking back at how bad you effed it up.”

The title track was co-written by another superstar, Tom Douglas. “I’ve always wanted an album called Illinois,” said Eldredge, who thanked Douglas for making the drive to Illinois to write with Eldredge. He also mentioned that Douglas was hearing the final version of the song for the first time during the preview at Ocean Way.

Though only his sophomore project, Illinois highlights an artist comfortable with the array of styles his smooth voice can authentically cover. The project offers more nods to r&b and ’70s rock than traditional country. He welcomes current tourmate Thomas Rhett on the ’70s vibe of “You Can’t Stop Me,” and takes risks with the hard rock riffs and distorted lead vocal on “Shadow.” Even the creation of “Shadow” was less than traditional. “We started with a beat-box, a vocal, and a stapler I grabbed off a desk to use for percussion,” said Eldredge.

After playing the album, Eldredge offered an acoustic, live rendition of “Drunk On Your Love.”

Eldredge ended the party by having the crowd record a singalong version of the chorus to “Drunk On Your Love.” But first, attendees got a little shot of bravery via an interesting alcoholic combination of whiskey and pickle juice. Eldredge gave thanks to the label, his co-writers, the album’s producers, and everyone in the industry who has made his career what it is thus far.

Illinois releases today (Sept. 11).

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 503

We headed for Walk of Fame Park on Wednesday afternoon (9/10) for the unveiling of two new stars in its Walkway, and got three instead.

Star #64 was presented to Trisha Yearwood. Star #65 went to Garth Brooks. The surprise of the afternoon was that Star #66 was given to “The Music Mayor,” Karl Dean.

“Mayor Dean made the world know how great Nashville was,” said Trisha. “Everybody wants to be here, and it’s because of you”

“For all that you’ve done for Nashville, let Nashville do something for you,” said Garth. “You are the newest star on the Walk of Fame!”

“I am not often surprised, but I AM surprised,” said Mayor Dean. “Music is so important to Nashville….The fundamental thing about Nashville that’s so cool is the creative people. Cities thrive on creative people. Other cities would die to have what we have. It has been an honor to be the Mayor of Nashville.”

Bill Cody ably hosted this 15th Walk of Fame ceremony. Ken Levitan inducted Trisha into the Walkway. He cited her 12 million in sales, three best-selling cookbooks, 1999 Grand Ole Opry cast induction, upcoming furniture collection and six seasons of her Emmy-winning Food Network TV series Trisha’s Southern Kitchen.

“I moved to town in 1985,” she recalled. “I wanted it [singing renown] more than anything in the world. It’s very surreal to have gone from moving here and driving up and down 16^th and 17^th Avenues, being a tour guide [at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as being the receptionist at MTM Records]…. to standing here — This is very emotional and really, really special.

“This is a very special city. If you want to catch a glimpse of me, just come down here, where I’ll be standing on it every day, to make sure it’s still here.”

“To see that star, that is forever,” she added later. “It will be here long after I’m not.”

Allen Reynolds did the honors for Garth. “I know he’s a famous person, but he is also one of the best human beings I’ve known in my life,” said Allen of the superstar whose records he produced. “He’s been so gracious to everybody around him. He is kind, consistent, compassionate and generous.

“Nashville is lucky to have him as a friend and a neighbor.”

“What I love about this place is that it is the home of the dreamers,” said Garth of Music City. “I cannot thank Nashville enough for giving me a second home. It is the home and the protector and the haven of the songwriters.”

Karl Dean and Ed Hardy surprised Garth with the presentation of the Music City Ambassador Award. “He has carried the Nashville message around the world,” said the Mayor. He also reminded the crowd of the nine concerts that Garth did for the Community Foundation’s flood relief fund. They raised $4 million.

“You have been a model of giving back. Your random acts of kindness have impacted thousands in this community.”

“Taking this music around the world has been a joy,” said Garth. “Be proud that it’s country music you’re taking around the world.” He added that because of his current concert trek, “The No. 1 tour in the world is under the flag of country music.”

Ed Hardy presented Mayor Dean with a custom-designed, 18-carat gold pin in the shape of a musical note, embedded with a diamond. “Music has a $10 billion impact on Nashville. He was the first mayor to ever recognize that. You understood the importance and value of our music industry. Thank you for all that you’ve done.”

More than 1,000 fans surrounded the site, cheering as Garth and Trisha waved and posed for snapshots. After admiring each others’ stars in the Walkway, they talked to the press corps.

“I was shocked to hear that we’re the first husband and wife to be inducted together,” Trisha remarked. “That makes it so much sweeter. Being on the same piece of pavement with this man is an honor as an artist and a wife.”

When Loretta Lynn’s star, “is right next to you, that’s when you know you’ve made it,” added Garth. “And we went in with ‘The Elvis Presley Mayor,’ a rock star who can also balance a budget.”

Mayor Dean steps down in a couple of weeks. Trisha asked him what’s next. He responded, “My plan on leaving office is to take a vacation, teach at Belmont and stay involved with the community. I love Nashville, and I’ll never leave.”

Guitarist David Anderson serenaded the crowd before the stars arrived and provided instrumental versions of their hits in between the speeches and presentations.

Terry Bulger, Terry Bumgarner, Kerry O’Neil, Kent Oliver, Bob Doyle, Bobby Wood, Joe Galante, Joe Mansfield, Storme Warren, Preshias Tomes, Rusty Jones, Randy Goodman, Jason Moon Wilkins, Cindy Watts, Hunter Kelly, Bruce Bouton, Bill Catino, Ken Robold, Mike Bohan, Butch Spyridon and Sally Williams worked the room.

So did Megan Barry, campaigning to succeed Dean as Mayor of Nashville. As it happened, the event occurred on Election Day.

“Megan’s got a couple of things going on today, so bear with her,” kidded Karl.

At 9:10 p.m. that night, Megan Barry took to the podium to deliver her victory speech as she handily won the election to become the first female mayor in Nashville history. At a party at the Farmer’s Market attended by hundreds, she said, “I need you to help me write the next chapter in Nashville’s story….I cannot do this without all of you.”

Like Mayor Dean, mayor-elect Barry is a graduate of Leadership Music. She added, “This story is going to be written by the artists, the musicians, the entertainers who inspire all of us. These creatives need a mayor who is going to support the artistic community and make sure that Nashville stays affordable.”

She was cheered by business folks like Ron Samuels, Saralee & Larry Woods, Michael O’Neill and Randy Rayburn; visual artists Bill Myers and Myles Mailiie; politicians Howard Gentry, Harold Love, John Ray Clements, Brenda Wynn and Jeff Yarbro; and our own Music Row fabulons Nancy Shapiro, Mary Ann McCready & Roy Wunsch, Beth Gwinn, Rolff Zwiep, Pat Halper, Rob Simbeck, Kay West, her son Harry West of the rock band Wild Cub, Beverly Keel, Hunter Davis, Manuel and Lauren Tingle.

We waved foam-rubber hammers reading, “Nail it Down: Mid-South Carpenters for Barry.” We dined on chicken barbecue, bow-tie pasta salad, coleslaw, corn casserole, beans, bruschetta, cornbread and pudding deserts. We sipped box wine and tapped beer. We bopped to classic Motown hits booming over the sound system. We cheered as the results rolled in.

“At the end of the day, Nashville always does the right thing,” said Ronnie Steine.

Blake Shelton is planning the fall release of a greatest hits album. Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits is coming out Oct. 23 via Warner Music Nashville, just in time for holiday shopping. It will likely be a boon for country sales in the fourth quarter.

Shelton shared the news last night (Sept. 9) on Twitter.

The singer recently celebrated his 20th No. 1 single when “Sangria” reached the top of the charts. All 20 of the titles will be on the album, as well as current single, “Gonna,” which will be a bonus track.

Shelton will also return to the big red chair on NBC’s The Voice on Sept. 21.

Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton, his first greatest hits album, was released in 2010.

Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits track list:
1. Sangria
2. Lonely Tonight (feat. Ashley Monroe)
3. Neon Light
4. My Eyes (feat. Gwen Sebastian)
5. Doin’ What She Likes
6. Mine Would Be You
7. Boys ’Round Here (feat. Pistol Annies and Friends)
8. Sure Be Cool If You Did
9. Over
10. Drink On It
11. God Gave Me You
12. Honey Bee
13. Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
14. All About Tonight
15. Hillbilly Bone (feat. Trace Adkins)
16. She Wouldn’t Be Gone
17. Home
18. Some Beach
19. The Baby
20. Austin
21. Gonna (Bonus Track)