Swon Brothers, Alyssa Micaela, Ryan Griffin Celebrate March Album Releases

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Swon Brothers Debut Their ‘Scars’

The Swon Brothers are releasing a brand new EP, Pretty Cool Scars, March 17. The new six-song project, which includes their new single, “Don’t Call Me,” and the Jonathan Singleton/Ross Copperman/Heather Morgan-penned title track, was produced by Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne).

“This is our first time to work with Brad, who produced records that garnered Grammy nominations and awards this year, and for good reason,” says Zach. “He’s a very talented guy.  He brought out sides of us that we didn’t even know were there, both musically and vocally.  He actually brought this song to us also, he’s got a great ear.”

Swon Brothers – Pretty Cool Scars Track Listing:

“Dwight Trashed” – Ben Stennis, Jared Mullins and Blake Bollinger
“Don’t Call Me” – Jordan Reynolds and Robyn Collins
“Pretty Cool Scars” – Heather Morgan, Ross Copperman, Jonathan Singleton
“Take Off” – Chris Roberts, Jason Gantt and John King
“About Last Night” – Zach Swon, Colton Swon, Matt McGinn, Joey Hyde
“Gold” – David Hodges, Jake Scott, David Ryan Harris

 Alyssa Micaela Shares Cowboy Songs on New EP

Alyssa Micaela‘s debut EP Cowboys Like That is out today (March 10). The EP shares music inspired by Texas cowboys and Nashville honky tonks and features the moving ballad, “Cowboys Like That,” a tribute to her grandfather and the old-school cowboy. Micaela’s song “Getaway Car” was a hit last summer upon its release, streaming more than three million times on Spotify. “Alyssa Micaela is a star,” said Liz Rose, President of Liz Rose Music, with whom Alyssa is signed. “There is no doubt about her commitment to a unique style that celebrates country music and relates to today’s strong young woman.”

Last year, Alyssa signed with Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. Ben Vaughn, President of Warner Chappell Nashville adds, “We are so excited to see Alyssa’s new music coming out and know that her fans will enjoy watching the growth of this dynamic new artist.”

Cowboys Like That Track Listing:

1. “Clean Break” (Alyssa Micaela, Corey Crowder, Emily Shackelton)
2. “Highlights” (Alyssa Micaela, Seth Ennis, Liz Rose, Corey Crowder)
3. “Cowboys Like That” (Alyssa Micaela, Liz Rose, Emily Shackelton)
4. “I’m In A Bar” (Liz Rose, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Chris Tompkins)
5. “Getaway Car” (Alyssa Micaela, Derrick Southerland, Jesse Walker)**

** “Getaway Car” produced by Keith Follese

Ryan Griffin Releases Debut Today

Singer/songwriter Ryan Griffin is also releasing his debut EP today (March 10). The new project features his single, “Back Seats And Burnt CD’s,” which is currently being featured on Sirius XM’s Highway Finds program. Griffin, whose influences run the gamut from George Strait to Brian McKnight. is the co-writer of Kelsea Ballerini‘s no. 1 hit “Dibs.

Ryan Griffin Sake Of The Summer Track Listing:

“Backseats & Burnt CD’s” – Josh Kerr and Jordan Reynolds
“I Would Have Left Me Too” – Ryan Griffin, Lisa Carver
“Young Love”  – Ryan Griffin, Josh Kerr, Tiffany Vartanyan
“Drinkin’ To Do” – Jason Duke, Chris Gelbuda, Ryan Griffin
“Sake Of The Summer” – Ryan Griffin, Josh Kerr, Marty Dodson

MusicRowPics: Rick Monroe Previews New Music

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Rick Monroe with Matt Dyar

Singer-songwriter Rick Monroe recently previewed tracks from his upcoming EP during a visit to the MusicRow office.

Monroe performed three tracks, including “This Side Of You,” a co-write with Ryan Griffin and Jason Duke. Griffin and Duke are also the co-writers of Kelsea Ballerini’s hit “Dibs.” Monroe, along with guitarist Matt Dyar, also performed acoustic renditions of “A Moment Like This” and “Ease On Down.”

“This Side Of You” is the current single from his upcoming EP Gypsy Soul.

The title is appropriate, given that Monroe lived in several places throughout his childhood, including California, Connecticut, and North Carolina. That gypsy spirit continues as he’s taken his music to 17 countries, and nearly every state in the U.S.

Monroe currently has a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy Drink.

Rick Monroe with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson

 

Industry Ink: Rory Feek, Briana Galluccio, Lexi Larsen

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Rory Feek And Cracker Barrel Celebrate Gold

Photo: Vice President at Gaither Music Group, Paul Sizelove; Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel, Don Hoffman; Associate Merchandise Buyer at Cracker Barrel, Rachel Parker; Senior Marketing Manager at Cracker Barrel, Julie Ulmer; Merchandise Buyer at Cracker Barrel, John Jankowich; and Rory Feek celebrating Joey+Rory’s album “Hymns That Are Important to Us” reaching gold status. Photo: Supervisor of Creative Services at Cracker Barrel, Kevin Neely

Joey+Rory’s album, Hymns That Are Important to Us, reached gold status on March 7, selling more than 500,000 copies, and Rory Feek and his family celebrated at an event at Cracker Barrel’s Home Offices in Lebanon, Tennessee. The project sold nearly 160,000 copies at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, and Gaither Music presented Cracker Barrel with gold plaques at the event, where Feek and his family received custom rocking chairs and congratulations from Cracker Barrel. Feek’s wife Joey passed away almost exactly a year ago on March 4 from cervical cancer.

Joey Feek’s solo album, If Not For You, is set to be released April 7.

 

Galluccio To Join MCA Nashville Promo Team

Former All Access Nashville Editorial Assistant Briana Galluccio will join MCA Nashville as Coordinator/Promotion March 20. “I am thrilled Briana is joining our MCA team,” said VP/Promotion Katie Dean. “She’s a smart, driven team player and will be a great asset to the MCA roster and staff.”

Galluccio joined All Access in 2015, after serving on the promotion team for Beasley Country WKLB/Boston.

 

Lexi Larsen Becomes Durango Ambassador

Lexi Larsen has inked a deal to represent Durango Boots as a brand ambassador. Through the partnership, Lexi will offer fans exclusive discounts for Durango merchandise.

“I’m thrilled to join the Durango family,” says Larsen. “They’re brand and style is unique and timeless, I’m honored to be chosen to work with them.”

LifeNotes: Nashville Edition Singer Hurshel Wiginton Passes

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Prominent Nashville session vocalist Hurshel Wiginton has died at age 79.

As a member of The Nashville Edition, Wiginton sang on hundreds of hits in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s and was familiar to millions via the group’s long tenure on TV’s Hee Haw from 1969 to 1988.

Wiginton sang backup on records by a who’s-who of Nashville’s country recording artists, including Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, Brenda Lee, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold, Mel Street, Gary Stewart, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Charlie Rich, Johnny Paycheck, Tom T. Hall and Merle Haggard. The Nashville Edition also backed such pop stars as Henry Mancini, Elvis Presley, Bobby Goldsboro, Nancy Sinatra, Dave Loggins, Tommy James and Bobby Vinton.

The group sang on more than 12,000 recordings during its heyday. Among the many hit titles where the vocal ensemble can be heard are Charley Pride’s “My Eyes Can Only See As Far As You,” Dottie West’s “Country Sunshine,” Marty Robbins’ “El Paso City,” Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn,” Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden,” Freddie Hart’s “Easy Lovin,’” Barbara Mandrell’s “The Midnight Oil,” Melba Montgomery’s “No Charge,” Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Hurshel Wiginton was The Nashville Edition’s bass singer. Group member Joe Babcock believed that Wiginton was the best bass vocalist in the music industry.

Wiginton was born Jan. 28, 1938 in Hamilton, Alabama. His earliest singing was at the Poplar Log Free Will Baptist Church, which was next door to his family’s home.

After his high school graduation, he made his way to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. One of the earliest hits he sang on was 1966’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” by soul singer Percy Sledge. Following a brief stint on the Memphis recording scene, Wiginton moved to Nashville.

He and Babcock became founding members of The Nashville Edition, along with Dolores Edgin and Ricki Page. The quartet stepped into the slot vacated by the mixed-voice backup group The Anita Kerr Singers, who had disbanded when leader Kerr departed Nashville.

By the mid-1970s, The Nashville Edition was performing on four recording sessions a day. The group won Superpicker Awards from the Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy in 1975, 1977 and 1978 due to its prominence on Music Row recordings.

The Nashville Edition was so successful with recording-session work that Wiginton had to persuade the others to take the Hee Haw television job. It turned out to be a long-running and lucrative sideline for the quartet.

Hurshel Wiginton died on Monday, March 6, following several years of declining health. His survivors include wife Doris, son Barry and daughters Jo Swafford, Anna Wiginton and Tina Goodrow, plus two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also surviving are brothers James and Roger and sister Adgil Marie Lovett.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Alabama. The funeral service will be conducted in the singer’s boyhood church, Poplar Log Baptist.

Opry To Get A Little Sand In Its Circle With Throwdown Series

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The Grand Ole Opry is going on Spring Break as it takes its “Circle Throwdown” series to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 7-9 in conjunction with the Tortuga Music Festival. Festival ticketholders will be treated to pop-up performances from top artists behind the Opry’s signature mic stand and a replica of the famed wooden circle from the Opry House that will be “thrown down” for the impromptu concerts.

Fans from around the world can watch the Circle Throwdowns live through the Grand Ole Opry and Tortuga Festival Facebook pages.

“Surprise performances have always been in the mix at Tortuga, and year five of the festival felt like the right time to take it to the next level and partner with an iconic brand, the Grand Ole Opry,” said Evan Harrison, CEO for HUKA Entertainment. “Our fans will love a little taste of the Opry on the beach!”

Brad Paisley Teams With Jagger, Fogerty, Timbaland On ‘Love And War’

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Brad Paisley has announced the track listing for his 11th Arista Nashville project, LOVE AND WAR, which hits retailers April 21. The 16-track album is a star-studded affair filled with guests including Mick Jagger, Timbaland, John Fogerty, and Bill Anderson.

Anderson co-wrote the track “Dying To See Her,” and contributed vocals to it, while Jagger teamed with Paisley and writer Matt Clifford on “Drive Of Shame,” which he guests on as well. Fogerty and Paisley joined forces on the title track, “Love And War,” which they co-wrote, and the project also includes a song Paisley penned with Johnny Cash, “Gold All Over The Ground.”

Other co-writers on the album include Chris DuBois, Brent Anderson, Kelley Lovelace, Lee Thomas Miller, Mike Ryan, Hannah Dasher, Ashley Gorley, Jim Beavers, Jared Gutstadt, Timothy Mosley, Robert Arthur, and Kenny Lewis.

LOVE AND WAR Track Listing:

1. “Heaven South”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

2. “Last Time for Everything”
Brad Paisley/Smith Ahnquist/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Mike Ryan

3. “One Beer Can”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

4. “Go to Bed Early”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Hannah Dasher/Chris DuBois

5. “Drive of Shame” (Featuring Mick Jagger)
Brad Paisley/Mick Jagger/Matt Clifford

6. “Contact High”
Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace/Lee Thomas Miller

7. “Love and War” (Featuring John Fogerty)
Brad Paisley/John Fogerty

8. “Today”
Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley

9. “selfie#theinternetisforever”
Brad Paisley/Jim Beavers/Chris DuBois (ASCAP/BMI)

10. “Grey Goose Chase” (Featuring Timbaland)
Brad Paisley/Jared Gutstadt/Lee Thomas Miller/Timothy Mosley

11. “Gold All Over the Ground”
Brad Paisley/John R. Cash

12. “Dying to See Her” (Featuring Bill Anderson)
Brad Paisley/Bill Anderson

13. “Solar Power Girl” (Featuring Timbaland)
Brad Paisley/Jared Gutstadt/Timothy Mosley

14. “The Devil Is Alive and Well”
Brad Paisley/Robert Arthur/Kenny Lewis

15. “Meaning Again”
Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace/Lee Thomas Miller

16. “Heaven South” (Reprise)
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

Weekly Chart Report (3/10/17)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

T.J. Martell Foundation Names John Esposito As 2017 Ambassador Of The Year

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John Esposito

Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito has been named the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 2017 Ambassador Of The Year.

The “Roasting and Toasting” will take place Monday, April 17 at Zanies in Nashville. Doors open at 4:45 p.m., and the event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Tables and tickets are on sale now at tjmartell.org.

 

‘Front And Center’ Debuts Jennifer Nettles’ CMA Songwriters Series Performance

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Brandy Clark makes a special appearance during Jennifer Nettles’ CMA Songwriters Series performance on “Front and Center” airing on public television. Photo: Jim Belmont

Public television’s live music series, Front and Center, has again joined forces with the Country Music Association for a new episode of CMA Songwriters Series featuring Jennifer Nettles.

Filmed at New York’s Iridium, Nettles is joined on stage by Brandy Clark to perform her hit song “Love Can Go to Hell.” Nettles is later joined by Amos Lee for two songs including Sugarland’s “Very Last Country Song.”
 

 
Nettles says, “My love of performance actually comes from a love of live performance. If it happens to translate through a camera or through a recording, I love that. I love that we have the technology to record performances and repeat them as many times as we want, (whether) in our cars or in our headphones or on our televisions.”

The episode will air nationally on public television. Check local listings for air dates and times.

BMI Execs Bradley Collins, David Levin To Speak At 2017 SXSW

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Pictured (L-R): David Levin, Bradley Collins

BMI executives Bradley Collins and David Levin are set to speak during SXSW 2017.

Levin, who serves as VP, Digital Licensing at BMI, will take part in the discussion Music & Commerce: Licensing Music For Social Media. The event will take place Thursday, March 16 at 2:40 p.m. at SXSW Austin Convention Center, room 10B.

Collins, who serves as Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI’s Nashville office, will take part in mentoring sessions. The sessions will cover topics including performance rights, songwriting royalties and publishing. The event takes place Thursday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. at SXSW Austin Convention Center Room 8AB.

For more, visit schedule.sxsw.com.