In Pictures: Ronnie Dunn, Aaron Lewis, Joe Johnson

Ronnie Dunn Throws A Barn Party

Pictured (L-R): Allison Jones, Sr. VP of A&R Big Machine Label Group; Ronnie Dunn; Jim Weatherson, GM Nash Icon. Photo: Jessica Valiyi

Ronnie Dunn gathered friends and industry members to hear songs from Tattooed Heart, his upcoming album on Big Machine Label Group. Dunn hosted the intimate gathering in his barn and personal studio, where he recorded most of the vocals for the project. The album will be released on Oct. 21.

**Aaron Lewis Previews Sinner Album**

Vector Management's Ross Schilling, Dot Records' Chris Stacey, Aaron Lewis and Dot Records' Kris Lamb. Photo: Nate Rau

Vector Management’s Ross Schilling, Dot Records’ Chris Stacey, Aaron Lewis, Dot Records’ Kris Lamb. Photo: Nick Rau

Aaron Lewis performed a number of songs from an upcoming album, Sinner, at Nashville’s 12th & Porter on Wednesday night (Aug. 31). Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski joined Lewis onstage for a bluesy rendition of “I Lost It All” as well as “Whiskey And You” and “Mama.”

Lewis will release Sinner on Sept. 16 on Dot Records, an imprint of Big Machine Label Group. He recorded the album over the course of 16 hours at Blackbird Studios in Nashville with producer Buddy Cannon.

“I listened to new country radio for an entire day,” Lewis shared before launching into his single. “Those artists inspired me and I need to thank them. So did the greats because they remind me what real country is. This is music I grew up on.”

Music Industry Figure Joe Johnson Turns 89 With Friends

Pictured (L-R): Randy Rayburn, Joe Johnson, David Bennett

Friends of music industry figure Joe Johnson gathered at Midtown Café in Nashville to celebrate music industry legend Joe Johnson’s 89th birthday. The party was hosted by Randy Rayburn, David Bennett and Rick Sanjek. Guests included Manuel, Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Murphy, and Dianne Sherrill.

Johnson’s career in the music industry began in Nashville at Columbia Records before he moved to L.A. to work with the iconic Gene Autry at Four Star Records. Autry and Johnson purchased the company in 1961.