Canaan Smith Launches ‘Smashing’ Charity Initiative

Canaan Smith

Mercury Nashville artist Canaan Smith has launched the charitable initiative Smash Cancer, which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On stage earlier this year and feeling the energy he shares with his fans, Smith had an impulse to smash something. He says, “I didn’t realize what was happening, all of a sudden I’m clutching this drum I just bashed.”

Smith now autographs the drums he smashes in concert and auctions them off after each show to raise money for the organization. Prior to its official launch, Smash Cancer has already raised nearly $20,000 for St. Jude and caught the attention of Guitar Center. The instrument retailer generously donated a considerable number of drum sets and guitars to the cause.

Thompson Square Headlines Buchholz Bowl

Pictured (L-R): L-R: Keifer Thompson, Lindsay Buchholz, Clay Buchholz, Shawna Thompson

Thompson Square helped raise $250,000 for the Clay Buchholz Foundation when they headlined the fourth annual Buchholz Bowl on July 7 at the House of Blues in Boston. This year’s proceeds will benefit Melmark New England, Family Reach Foundation, Pitching in for Kids and Christopher’s Haven. The duo shared the stage with comedian Josh Wolf as the host and were joined by country artists Wade Bowen and Kevin Fowler.

“We always love to go to Boston but this past visit was particularly special,” says Keifer Thompson. “We always jump at the opportunity to be a part of a good cause but now with our son Cooper, charities that help children in need, like the Clay Buchholz Foundation, really strike a chord with us. I’m glad we were able to be there and do our part.”

Created by Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz and wife Lindsay in March 2013, the foundation works with established and qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations to provides health, educational and sports opportunities to improve the lives of children in need.

Jimmy Wayne’s Book Surpasses 100K Sales

Nashville rock band Goodbye June has released a new track, “Darlin’,” via Cotton Valley Music/Interscope Records, with an EP to follow. The track is being featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.

The band collaborated with producer Paul Moak, known for his work with The Weeks and Joy Williams of Civil Wars. A full-length debut is set for 2017. Other tracks they’ve released are “Man of the Moment” and “Oh No.”

Goodbye June will be promoted by Interscope’s new Nashville office. The band previously inked a deal with Nashville-based label Cotton Valley Music in 2012.

Growing up, cousins Landon Milbourn, Brandon Qualkenbush, and Tyler Baker had longtime plans of forming a band. When Baker’s brother was killed in a car accident in June 2005, it served as a catalyst for the trio to chase their dreams now, rather than later.

“It wasn’t until after Shane passed away that we decided to finally make this happen, and to focus on writing music that felt really meaningful to us,” notes Qualkenbush.

Interscope’s Nashville roster also includes soulful rock artist Billy Raffoul, and pop/country singer Elizabeth Huett.

John Prine

John Prine will release For Better, Or Worse, an album of classic songs recorded with female vocalists, on Sept. 30. The project will be released on his own label, Oh Boy Records, distributed by Thirty Tigers.

The songs were originally written or popularized by artists like Hank Williams, George Jones, Buck Owens and Ernest Tubb. Prine recorded all but one of the songs as duets with female artists from country and roots music, including Iris DeMent, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Kathy Mattea, Kacey Musgraves, Amanda Shires, Susan Tedeschi, Holly Williams and Lee Ann Womack.

His wife, Fiona Prine, sings with him on “My Happiness,” while the set concludes with a solo performance of “Just Waiting.”

“I cut my teeth on Hank Williams songs,” Prine says. “When I sing these songs there is a small pipeline straight from my heart to my lips.”

To coincide with the release, Prine will perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. A 2003 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Prine will turn 70 on Oct. 10.

The concept of For Better, Or Worse is similar to Prine’s 1999 album, In Spite of Ourselves. That album will be released on vinyl for the first time on July 29.

John Prine’s For Better, Or Worse Track List
1. “Who’s Gonna Take The Garbage Out” feat. Iris Dement
2. “Storms Never Last” feat. Lee Ann Womack
3. “Falling In Love Again” feat. Alison Krauss
4. “Color Of The Blues” feat. Susan Tedeschi
5. “I’m Telling You” feat. Holly Williams
6. “Remember Me” feat. Kathy Mattea
7. “Look At Us” feat. Morgane Stapleton
8. “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” feat. Amanda Shires
9. “Fifteen Years Ago” feat. Lee Ann Womack
10. “Cold Cold Heart” feat. Miranda Lambert
11. “Dreaming My Dreams” feat. Kathy Mattea
12. “Mental Cruelty” feat. Kacey Musgraves
13. “Mr. & Mrs. Used To Be” feat. Iris Dement
14. “My Happiness” feat. Fiona Prine
15. “Just Waiting”

Brent Cobb. Photo: Don Van Cleve

Brent Cobb will release his major label debut album, Shine On Rainy Day, on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records on Oct. 7. The project was produced by his cousin, Dave Cobb, who launched Low Country Sound with Elektra Records in 2015.

The project was recorded over four days in Nashville. The lead track, “Solving Problems,” premiered on NPR Music’s Songs We Love series on Thursday (July 14).

Speaking about their collaboration, Brent Cobb said, “It’s not as good as it’s going to get. But if it’s the last thing that I ever do, if I died the day after it came out, then thank God I was able to record it because the songs and the production, it was everything I wanted to say. Finally.”

Dave Cobb added, “I wanted to work with Brent for very selfish reasons. When he lifts a pen and opens his mouth, it sounds like home. I did his record because he’s part of the fabric of South Georgia and the soundtrack to my family. Pure rural country soul filled music.”

Brent Cobb will tour with Anderson East (another Low Country Sound/Elektra Records signing) this fall. He will also appear on Chris Stapleton’s concert at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Oct. 15.

Born in Ellaville, Georgia (population 1,609), Brent Cobb moved to Nashville in 2008. His songs have been recorded by Luke Bryan (“Tailgate Blues”), Kenny Chesney (“Don’t It”), Miranda Lambert (“Old Shit”), David Nail (“Grandpa’s Farm”), Kellie Pickler (“Rockaway”) and others.

Track List For Brent Cobb’s Shine On Rainy Day

1. “Solving Problems”
2. “South Of Atlanta”
3. “The World”
4. “Diggin’ Holes”
5. “Country Bound”
6. “Traveling Poor Boy”
7. “Shine On Rainy Day”
8. “Let The Rain Come Down”
9. “Down In The Gulley”
10. “Black Crow”