Joey Feek’s Solo Debut, ‘If Not For You,’ To Be Released

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Just over a year after the death of Joey Feek, one half of country duo Joey+Rory, Joey’s solo album debut will be released.

If Not For You will be released April 7, 2017 via Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. The project will include a special edition featuring a 48-page booklet of photos, memories, and stories penned by Joey, as well as her husband and singing partner Rory and other family members.

Joey died in March 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Recorded in 2005 and originally titled Strong Enough To Cry, the album was previously released independently and made available at the duo’s shows and on their website. The 12-song collection was produced by Rory Feek and Bill McDermott, and includes the original rendition of “That’s Important To Me.” If Not For You also includes cameo appearances from Joey’s parents and daughter Heidi Feek, as well as a tribute to her late brother Justin, titled “See You There.”

“[The album is] filled with songs that spoke to her and, even more, spoke volumes about her. About what’s most important to her. The lyrics of this record made it clear who she was and who she wanted to be,” Rory said in the album’s booklet. “Yes, her voice might have changed a bit in time, but her character was already rock-solid.”

In the past few years, fans have followed the couple’s journey on Rory’s blog, This Life I Live, as they welcomed their daughter Indiana and Joey battled cancer. The duo first garnered attention as finalists on CMT’s Can You Duet in 2008, and went on to release eight albums, earning a Grammy last month for Best Roots Gospel Album for Hymns (Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings).

If Not For You will be exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music. It will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace, and through online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Target, Walmart.com, and crackerbarrel.com. The recording will also be available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

Industry Ink: ACM, PLA Media, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

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ACM Welcomes Easton Corbin

Pictured (L-R): Easton Corbin with Pete Fisher, ACM Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Corbin performed his current single, “A Girl Like You,” from his upcoming fourth studio album. He also performed songs from his current album About To Get Real.

 

PLA Media Adds Matt Rogers To Roster

PLA Media has added singer-songwriter Matt Rogers to its roster, which also includes the Johnny Cash Museum, Americana Music Triangle and singer-songwriter Jesse Rice. Rogers is set to release a new EP in 2017.

“It is very exciting to partner with a company as prestigious as PLA Media for the upcoming release of my new EP and transitioning to the next chapter of my career,” says Rogers. “I know together we will connect with my fans and new listeners with what I think is the best music I’ve written so far.”

“We are thrilled to work with an artist like Matt,” says PLA President Pam Lewis. “He has a real talent for authentic country with a great voice and passion for storytelling, and we are confident that he will continue to grow and share his gift with country music fans.”

 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store To Offer Deluxe Version Of MercyMe’s Lifer

A deluxe version of MercyMe‘s Lifer will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store beginning March 31. The latest artist to release a project under Cracker Barrel’s Spotlight Music Program, MercyMe’s Lifer deluxe album will include three bonus tracks, including “A Little Hope,” “Sing,” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”

Since 2015, Cracker Barrel’s Spotlight Music Program has highlighted five to seven artists each year by creating unique initiatives and experiences to launch music content across the more than 640 stores in 43 states nationwide.

SXSW 2017 Releases Full Artist Showcase List

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South By Southwest (SXSW) has released the full list of artists participating in this year’s festival, which runs March 10-19 in Austin, Texas. Nashville will be well-represented on the bill this year. Garth Brooks, Chris Young, A Thousand Horses, and Lady A with Busbee and Nicolle Galyon are all slated to take part in the event, which features more than 2,000 artists showcasing at participating venues.

The Music City artists taking part throughout the week in Austin include: Eli Young Band, Casey Chambers, Cory Branan, Brent Cobb, Andrew Combs, ELEL, Karen Elson, Future Thieves, Ron Gallo, Devon Gilfillian, Ron Gilmore, Lilly Hiatt, Jonny P, Masha, Andreas Moss, Muddy Magnolias, MY RED + BLUE, The Outer Vibe, Savoy Motel, Emi Secrest, Starlito, The Whistles & the Bells, Reuben Bidez, Canyon City, CAPPA, Brandi Cyrus, EZA, Faux Ferocious, The Grahams, Idle Bloom, Kingsbury, KOYOKE, Lovella, Mignon, NAWAS, Nightly, nobigdyl, PHANGS, K Phillips, R.LUM.R, Elliot Root , Patrick Sweany, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Nicole Atkins, Blank Range, Champagne SuperChillin, The Dead Deads, James Droll, Langhorne Slim, Lukr, Lillie Mae, R Stevie Moore & Jason Falkner, Oginalii, Pujol, Caitlyn Smith, and The Weeks.

To help guide attendees, over 35 influential music bloggers have contributed their thoughts on over 100 up-and-coming artists that should be seen live at the festival in the Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2017.

DISClaimer: Big & Rich, Simba Jordan Make The Cut

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Big & Rich, Simba Jordan

The big news in today’s column is that we have two young African-American country artists in our listening stack.

The even better news is that Tony Jackson and Simba Jordan are both well worth your attention and your spins. Lend them your ears. We fondly remember Tony from his dandy remake of “Nashville Cats” last year. But Simba is a newcomer to the column, so he lands a DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day prize goes to the always dependable Big & Rich. Their tightly crafted “California” wins on all levels — song, performance and production.

RACHAEL TURNER/Hurts Don’t It
Writers: Kerry Kurt Phillips/Larry Haack/Michael Higgins; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed; Rustic (CDX)
– She has a great deal of vocal “presence,” with an up-close-and-personal delivery that’s married to a crystal-clear production. In addition, she nails the pain in the lyric perfectly. This aching ballad richly deserves your spins.

BIG & RICH/California
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Vicky McGehee/John Rich; Producers: Big & Rich; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Big & Rich/New Revolution
– Their vocal harmonies have never been more stellar. And this rolling country-rocker just might be the most tuneful and catchy song they’ve ever recorded. A home run.

DENNY STRICKLAND/We Don’t Sleep
Writers: Jaida Dreyer/Cole Taylor/Tommy Cecil/Jody Stevens; Producer: Sean Giovanni; Publishers: none listed; Red Star (CDX)
– It’s kinda sexy when he’s in his softer voice on the verses. The power-ballad, shouted choruses shatter the mood. But all in all, this is a performer who shows great promise.

TONY JACKSON/The Grand Tour
Writers: Norro Wilson/Carmol Taylor/George Richey; Producers: Donna Dean-Stevens/Jim Della Croce; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Pathfinder (CDX)
– Taking on this definitive 1974 George Jones classic takes courage. Jackson juts out his chin and goes for it, note for note. Well done, buddy. You gave me chills.

 

ZAC BROWN BAND/My Old Man
Writers: Zac Brown/Niko Moon/Ben Simonetti; Producers: Dave Cobb & In The Arena Productions; Publishers: none listed; SESAC; Southern Ground/Elektra
– Folkie, like a countrified James Taylor. The gentle ballad’s father-son sentiment is so warm that you’ll melt.

AUBRIE SELLERS/Liar Liar
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic (CDX)
– Aubrie tones down the garage-rock country roaring in favor of an accusatory female attitude tune with a sidewinder backbeat. Gripping. Compelling. Mesmerizing.

SIMBA JORDAN/Those Goodbye Eyes
Writers: Lonnie Wilson/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Lonnie Wilson; Publishers: none listed; Kinfolk (CDX)
– His pleading tenor hurts in all the right places on this heartbreak tune. The song is a winner, and the arrangement is nicely understated. Well done by all.

RACHEL HOLDER/You Only Call Me When You’re Drunk
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Rachel Farley; Producers: Norman DeVasure, Wilbur Rimes, and Rachel Holder; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Curb (CDX)
– The song is strong. Thus, there’s no point in her trying so overly hard to sell it.

 

SARAH DUNN BAND/Figure It Out
Writers: Sarah Dunn; Producer: Larry Beaird; Publishers: none listed; BMI; 9 North (CDX)
– The song meanders around too much, and there’s nothing that is attention grabbing in her performance of it. My mind wandered off. My attention drifted away.

WHEELER BRYSON/Pour Me Out Of This Town
Writers: Stephen Dorff/Andrew Dorff/Bobby Tomberlin; Producers: Stephen Dorff/Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; BMI; Varese Sarabande (CDX)
– “Wheeler Bryson” is the fictional star of the low-fi country movie Wheeler, starring actor Stephen Dorff as the title character. His slightly raspy, growly delivery is ear catching, and this drinking song has plenty of hooks. Stephen and his late songwriter brother Andrew are the sons of successful composer Steve Dorff (”Every Which Way But Loose,” “I Just Fall in Love Again,” “I Cross My Heart,” “Through the Years,” etc.).

 

In Pictures: Cole Swindell, Michael Ray, Jake Owen, Billy Dean, Steve Moakler

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Cole Swindell Celebrates Number One And Gold

Back row, (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s (WMN) Justin Luffman, WMN’s Kristen Williams,
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, WMN’s Katie Bright, WMN’s Chris Palmer.
Front row (L-R): Producer Michael Carter, WMN’s John Esposito, Cole Swindell, WMN’s Peter Strickland, WMN’s Cris Lacy, WMN’s Mallory Opheim Photo: Steve Lowry

Cole Swindell celebrated his sixth No. 1 single “Middle of a Memory,” and his RIAA gold-certified album You Should Be Here, at a party with friends and industry members last week.

You Should Be Here includes the Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1, over 1 Billion-reaching smash single “You Should Be Here,” his Gold-certified multi-week No. 1 “Middle of a Memory” and his current single “Flatliner” which features his friend/current tour mate Dierks Bentley.

 

Michael Ray Counts Down The Hits With Helton

Michael Ray stopped by “Country Countdown USA” recently to discuss his latest single “Think A Little Less” with show host Lon Helton. The show will air this weekend.

 

Jake Owen And Bobby Bones Chat About Ascend Show

Jake Owen dropped by the studio to visit with Bobby Bones to announce his upcoming headlining date in Nashville on April 27 at Ascend Amphitheater.

 

Billy Dean Is Florida Hall Of Famer

Pictured (L-R): Don Felder, Billy Dean, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Jim Stafford. Photo: Suzanna Mars/Gainesville Magazine

Billy Dean was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame Feb. 23 in Gainesville, Florida, along with former Eagles member Don Felder, country artist Jim Stafford, and poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.

 

Steve Moakler Celebrates ‘Steel Town’ Album Release

Pictured (L-R): Band member Joe Clemmons, co-writer & producer Luke Laird, Steve Moakler and band member Daniel Shifftlett. Photo: CN Records

Steve Moakler celebrated his album release for Steel Town, Tuesday night (March 7) at The Country. Moakler performed songs from the new CD, including “Just Long Enough” which was co-written with Luke Laird and Barry Dean. The new album is available on March 17.

Melissa Etheridge To Perform On Skyville Live March 20

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Melissa Etheridge will perform as part of the latest installment of Skyville Live on March 20, during a special taping at the Skyville Live Studios in Nashville. The performers joining Etheridge will be announced in the coming days.

“Melissa Etheridge has such tremendous talent with her commanding stage presence, iconic voice and gift for songwriting. We cannot wait for her to join the list of legendary artists to grace the Skyville Live stage,” said Wally Wilson, creator of Skyville Live.

The show, which streams live, features unique collaborations such as Lady Antebellum, Jason Isbell, Jewel, Brandy Clark and Amanda Shires bringing down the house with Kris Kristofferson on his classic “Me and Bobby McGee” and Gladys Knight, Martina McBride and Estelle joining forces on a stirring rendition of the classic “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

For full details on how to stream the performance live, fans can visit SkyvilleLive.com.

 

 

 

Jack Purcell Joins EM.co

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Jack Purcell

Jack Purcell has joined management company EM.co as Sr. VP, Radio Promotion & Marketing. Purcell was previously Big Machine’s Sr. VP/Promotion.

In his new role, Purcell will “create and implement radio strategy” for EM.co’s artist roster, which includes Tim McGraw. The deal also involves working with Sandbox Management client Faith Hill.

“We are thrilled to add Jack to the EM.Co and Sandbox teams,” said Sandbox’s Jason Owen and EM.co’s Scott Siman. “He is one the most awarded radio executives and highly respected people in the industry and we look forward to working with him closely on new projects.”

Purcell joined Big Machine in 2006 as VP, Promotion and rose through the ranks to his current position in 2012. His career has also included 17 years at Warner Bros. and time at Adium/Koch.

Kris Lamb Named VP, Promotion For Big Machine Records

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Kris Lamb

Kris Lamb has been named Vice President of Promotion for the Big Machine Records imprint, effective immediately.

“Kris has been on a mission since the day he joined Big Machine as a regional in 2010,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “There’s nothing that I love more than young, smart, aggressive employees coming into the system and working their way to the top. I am so proud of Kris Lamb! This next chapter of his career is going to be the most prolific yet. Tighten your seatbelts…”

“To have the opportunity to take the promotion helm of Big Machine Records is a dream come true,” said Lamb. “Being reunited with the incredible staff and artist roster of one of the most dominate and respected labels on the planet is the opportunity I’ve been preparing myself for since I was a young executive. I cannot thank Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, Jimmy Harnen, and the entire staff of Big Machine Label Group enough for their trust and belief. The next chapter for Big Machine Records starts NOW.”

Lamb has been an invaluable member of the BMLG team over the past seven years with past roles including Senior Director of West Coast Promotion for Big Machine Records and most recently Vice President of Promotion for Dot Records. He has been integral in developing the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler, Rascal Flatts, Maddie & Tae, Drake White and Tucker Beathard.

He can be reached at 615.846.7750 or via [email protected].

Little Big Town, CMA Foundation To Honor Music Teachers

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Little Big Town will help the CMA Foundation honor 31 teachers as 2017 CMA Music Teachers of Excellence, furthering its mission to support music education programs in Nashville and beyond.

Honorees will attend a celebratory dinner Wednesday, April 26 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Ticket proceeds will directly benefit the CMA Foundation. Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild serves on the CMA Foundation Board of Directors.

Now in its second year, CMA Music Teachers of Excellence recognizes music educators who are making an impact through music in their classrooms and school communities. 25 educators were selected from Metro Nashville Public Schools, with six additional recipients from across the U.S. who were selected through a partnership with Give a Note Foundation’s Music In Our Schools Tour with Radio Disney. These dedicated educators will each receive a stipend from the CMA Foundation in recognition of their work for their students and music programs.

The honors program was created in partnership with Metro Schools’ Music Makes Us initiative. Foundation funds are generated through CMA Music Festival ticket proceeds and presented on behalf of the artists who participate in the event for free.

“The CMA Foundation is committed to proactively addressing the challenges music education programs face, and there is no more meaningful or efficient way to do that than to honor these top music educators who are on the front lines, consistently making a difference in their students’ lives,” said Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Chairman.

The 2017 CMA Music Teachers of Excellence honorees are:

Jennifer Barnes (Lockeland Design Center)
Emily Biederstadt (Sylvan Park Paideia Design Center)
Rita Black (Eakin Elementary)
Christopher Blackmon (Thomas Edison Elementary)
M. Jennifer Burton (Cane Ridge Elementary School)
Bryan Gallagher (Ramona High School, Riverside, Calif.)
Matt Gerry (Salina South Middle School, Salina, Kan.)
Mark Hale (Mt. View Elementary)
Kathy Hart (Harpeth Valley Elementary School)
Daniel Hayes (Granbery Elementary)
John Hazlett (McGavock High School)
Kathy Hull (Hull-Jackson Montessori Magnet School)
Ira Jacobs (Head Middle Magnet Prep)
Kevin Jankowski (Oliver Middle School)
Julie Jolly (West End Middle School)
Lisa Kemp (Haywood Elementary)
Angela Mangum (Tar River Elementary, Franklinton, N.C.)
Melissa McClaran (Cane Ridge Elementary)
Anna Maria Miller (Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School/Martin Luther King Academic Magnet School)
Franklin Norris (Meigs Academic Magnet)
Colin O’Dwyer (James Otis Elementary, East Boston, Mass.)
Rebecca Pearson (Norman Binkley Elementary School)
Ramon Rivera (Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, Wash.)
Roberta Rodgers (Glendale Elementary)
Alaina Schwartz (Crieve Hall Elementary)
Don Stinson (Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Ill.)
Matthew Taylor (Meigs Academic Magnet)
Elizabeth Voltz, Ed. D. (Creswell Middle Prep School of the Arts)
Paul Waters (Bellevue Middle School)
Susan Waters (Oliver Middle School)
John Womack (McGavock High School)

Ed Sheeran Sets Bridgestone Arena Date On New Tour

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Ed Sheeran is heading to Music City’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 6, as part of his newly-announced world tour.

Sheeran’s new album Divide was released on March 3 and includes the singles “Shape Of You” and “Castle On The Hill.”

His North American tour dates launch June 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Ticket pre-sales are set to begin Monday (March 13), with general tickets available at 10 a.m. on March 17.