Weekly Register: Midland Makes Top Country Debut With ‘On The Rocks’

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Midland

Valory Music Co.’s Thomas Rhett retains his top spot on the Nielsen Soundscan country album sales chart this week, with Life Changes moving 27.1K in total consumption.

Big Machine Records trio Midland make the top country debut (No. 2 country overall) on the Nielsen Soundscan rankings this week with their album On The Rocks. The project moved 20.1K in its debut week.

Vocal group Home Free‘s Timeless debut is the third-highest selling country project this week with 16.7K. Sony Music Nashville’s  Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You follows at No. 4 with 12.5K. Mercury Nashville’s Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller rounds out the Top 5 this week with 10.7K.

Other debuts this week include Warner Music Nashville’s Chris Janson‘s Everybody at No. 7. The album moved 10.6K

On the core digital country songs chart, RCA Nashville/Zone 4 artist Kane Brown‘s “What Ifs”  (ft. Lauren Alaina) tops the list with 24K.

MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” is at No. 2 with 17.2K. The track has moved 1.68 million units to date.

Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini is at No. 3 with her newly-released “High School” moving 17K.

Combs’ “When It Rains It Pours” is at No. 4 with 16.7K.

Sony Music Nashville band LANCO rounds out the top 5 with “Greatest Love Story” moving 16.4K this week.

Aldean Issues Vegas Statement: “We Aren’t Democrats Or Republicans… We Are All Humans”

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Jason Aldean. Photo: Jim Wright

Jason Aldean released an emotional second response following the tragic shootings that occurred while he was onstage performing during the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1.

“Over the last 24 hrs I have gone through lots of emotions. Scared, Anger, Heartache, Compassion and many others. I truely dont understand why a person would want to take the life of another. [sic],” Aldean posted via Instagram on Monday (Oct. 2).

“Something has changed in this country and in this world lately that is scary to see,” he continued. “This world is becoming the kind of place I am afraid to raise my children in. At the end of the day we aren’t Democrats or Republicans, Whites or Blacks, Men or Women. We are all humans and we are all Americans and its time to start acting like it and stand together as ONE! That is the only way we will ever get this Country to be better than it has ever been, but we have a long way to go and we have to start now. My heart aches for the victims and their families of this senseless act. I am so sorry for the hurt and pain everyone is feeling right now and there are no words I can say to take that pain away. Just know you all are in my heart and my prayers as we all go through this together. Time to come together and stop the hate!#stopthehate #prayforlasvegas”

Aldean was performing during the festival when a gunman, later identified as Stephen Paddock, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. At least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded.

The entertainer first responded on Instagram shortly after the attacks, to reassure fans and friends that he and his crew members were safe.

“Tonight has been beyond horrific,” he posted on Sunday, Oct. 1. “I still dont [sic] know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night. #heartbroken #stopthehate

 

Over the last 24 hrs I have gone through lots of emotions. Scared, Anger, Heartache, Compassion and many others. I truely dont understand why a person would want to take the life of another. Something has changed in this country and in this world lately that is scary to see. This world is becoming the kind of place i am afraid to raise my children in. At the end of the day we arent Democrats or Republicans, Whites or Blacks, Men or Women. We are all humans and we are all Americans and its time to start acting like it and stand together as ONE! That is the only way we will ever get this Country to be better than it has ever been, but we have a long way to go and we have to start now. My heart aches for the Victims and their families of this Senseless act. I am so sorry for the hurt and pain everyone is feeling right now and there are no words i can say to to take that pain away. Just know u all are in my heart and my prayers as we all go through this together. Time to come together and stop the hate! #stopthehate #prayforlasvegas

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on

Adam Doleac Offers Mississippi Soul On New EP

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Adam Doleac (L) performs. Photo: Haley Crow

Hattiesburg, Mississippi native Adam Doleac bucked family tradition to launch a career as a singer-songwriter. Doleac’s grandfather, Malcolm C. Doleac, started Doleac Electrical Company in Hattiesburg in 1947, with little more than $500 and a used service truck. Adam Doleac’s father took over the company after Malcolm died.

“He wanted me to take it over too, and I had all that in me and I could have very well stayed there,” Adam Doleac says. “But I’ve always had something that I always want more. I feel like I’m letting myself down if I’m not doing something that is very hard to achieve.”

With that drive for success in his blood, Doleac began writing songs and performing. In 2010, Doleac moved to Nashville. Eventually, he built a touring schedule of more than 200 shows per year on the road. Doleac signed with Sony/ATV and stayed close to Nashville to focus on songwriting. The focus has paid off; Doleac co-wrote “Don’t” for Darius Rucker’s upcoming album For The Last Time, in addition to every track on his own EP.

Doleac is managed by 287 Management, led by Jake LaGrone and Greg McCarn.

Adam Doleac with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow

During a visit to the MusicRow offices, Doleac performed songs from his recently released self-titled, six-song EP, including “Everybody Needs Somebody,” and “Whiskey’s Fine,” which became a “Highway Find” on SiriusXM. Doleac’s frequent writing collaborator Lindsay Rimes produced the album.

“I’m from Mississippi and this has that bluesy flavor I like to do,” he said.

Doleac will join Ashley McBryde and High Valley on SiriusXM and Live Nation’s The Highway Finds Tour this fall.

“All those people who have been listening to the songs and have been becoming fans the past several months, I’m just excited to get out there and meet them and shake some hands,” Doleac says.

Adam Doleac Track List

“Bigger Than Us” (Adam Doleac / Lindsay Rimes / Michael Heeney)
“Shady” (Adam Doleac / Brock Berryhill / Taylor Phillips)
“Refill” (Adam Doleac / John Gurney / Matt Roy / Taylor Phillips)
“Everybody Needs Somebody” (Adam Doleac / Jon Nite / Tom Douglas)
“Whiskey’s Fine” (Adam Doleac / Monty Criswell)
“Some Girls” (Adam Doleac / Lindsay Rimes / Monty Criswell / Luke Sheets)

Adam Doleac with MusicRow staffers.

Eric Church, Maren Morris To Perform At Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Awards

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Eric Church and Maren Morris have signed on to the lineup of artists set to honor the newest inductees into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association’s 2018 Hall of Fame on Feb. 24, 2018.

The two will join Joe Ely, Larry Gatlin, Jack Ingram, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Hayes Carll, Bob Schneider, Radney Foster and Chris Newbury at Austin’s Paramount Theatre to perform in tribute to this year’s inductees: Buddy Holly, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mickey Newbury and Liz Rose.

A VIP sponsor-only DKR Pickin’ Party at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will kick off the weekend on Feb. 23 with special performances by Maren Morris, Lori McKenna and Jack Ingram.

The four new inductees join an exclusive group who embody the spirit of Texas through songwriting. Past inductees include Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, K.T. Oslin, and Townes Van Zandt.

A limited number of seats for Saturday’s Hall of Fame Awards Show will be made available to the public with information on tickets to be announced soon.

Strang Steps Down From Warner Music Group Board, Three Added

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Cameron Strang will exit the Warner Music Group Board of Directors after six years of service, according to an announcement made Tuesday (Oct. 3) by Warner Music Group.

Three new members will join its Board of Directors: Jon Platt, Max Lousada and Noreena Hertz. Effective Oct. 1, Lousada and Platt, respectively the heads of WMG’s Recorded Music and Music Publishing divisions, have expanded their leadership roles as Board members, helping to chart the company’s future direction.

Previously serving from 2014-2016, international economist Noreena Hertz rejoined the Board effective Sept. 15. As a result of the changes, the WMG Board of Directors increases from 11 to 13 members.

“As the creative leaders of WMG’s two major divisions, Max and Jon are excellent additions to our Board,” said Len Blavatnik, Chairman & Founder of Access Industries. “I am also pleased to welcome Noreena back onto the Board, joining an impressive group of experts across business, technology, entertainment and media. I, along with Steve and the other directors, would like to thank Cameron Strang for his service on the Board; we are deeply appreciative of his many contributions.”

“I am very pleased to welcome these three leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Steve Cooper, CEO, WMG. “With Max now bringing his entrepreneurial vision to our entire Recorded Music operation, and Jon leading Warner/Chappell to new heights around the world, they will bring invaluable insight to our Board. I’m also delighted that we’ll once again draw on Noreena’s unique global perspective and experience, which were so welcome during her previous tenure.”

 

 

 

Songwriter Kenny Beard Dies

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Kenny Beard

Nashville songwriter Kenny Beard, affectionately known as “KB,” died of natural causes on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017.

A Louisiana native, Beard moved to Nashville in 1986 to pursue his dreams of being a songwriter. He went on to write songs including Trace Adkins’ “The Rest Of Mine,” “Big Time” and “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow,” as well as numerous songs for Tracy Lawrence, including “As Any Fool Can See,” “My Second Home,” “If The World Had A Front Porch,” and “Is That A Tear.” He also penned Aaron Tippin’s “Where The Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly” and Jeff Bates’ “The Love Song,” among others.

In addition to his career as a songwriter, Beard was a music manager and record producer.

Beard is survived by his wife Amy, three daughters Cali, Amanda, Alyson, and his grandpup “PawPaw’s Pretty Girl” Phoebe Beard.

A visitation and service will be held at Sellars Funeral Home (2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN). The visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 5 from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., and services will be held Friday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. A graveside memorial will follow at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent in honor of Kenny Beard to “Campus Outreach Knoxville” with a memo referencing “General Outreach Knoxville General Fund” PO Box 2426, Knoxville, TN 37901 or online giving through coknoxville.com

Rocker Tom Petty Dies In California

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Tom Petty. Photo: Facebook/Tom Petty

Additional reporting by Robert K. Oermann

Tom Petty, lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, has died at the age of 66 at UCLA Medical Center on the same day there were many early, erroneous reports citing his death. Petty was rushed to the hospital after being found in a full state of cardiac arrest in his Malibu home on Sunday night (Oct. 1). He is said to have arrived at the medical center with no brain activity. He died at 8:40 p.m. PT surrounded by family, bandmates and friends, according to longtime manager of the band Tony Dimitriades.

In September, the 2002-inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer wrapped a six-month, 52-show 40th Anniversary tour after a three-night run at Los Angeles’s Hollywood Bowl. The outing touched down in 24 states and three countries including Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in April. A photo spread of Petty’s final outing was posted the day he died. He was scheduled to perform in New York next month.

Known for writing and producing his own hits like “Free Fallin’,” “American Girl,” “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” and “Learning To Fly,” Petty also produced Stevie Nicks’ 1981 breakout Bella Donna which featured his song “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” Petty was also featured on Hank Williams Jr.’s two-week No. 1 “Mind Your Own Business” in 1986, alongside Willie Nelson, evangelist Reverend Ike and Reba McEntire.

In April, Warner Bros. announced the re-release of six individual albums from the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers catalog as stand-alone vinyl titles, on 140g black vinyl with the original LP artwork. She’s The One, Echo, The Last DJ and Highway Companion have been remastered from original tapes, while Mojo and Hypnotic Eye have been repressed from the original masters.

In 1996, Petty and his Heartbreakers band joined Johnny Cash and producer Rick Rubin for the release of the Grammy-winning album Unchained, which includes a cover of Petty’s “Southern Accent,” originally written and recorded a decade earlier by the rocker.

Tom Petty has written two country hits: Rosanne Cash’s No. 1, “Never Be You,” in 1986 and Southern Pacific & Emmylou Harris’ “Thing About You” in 1985. Many country artists covered Petty, including Sammy Kershaw, The Swon Brothers, Robin Meade, Aaron Watson, Glen Campbell, Neal Coty and The Everly Brothers. Bluegrass covers also came from Dale Ann Bradley, Infamous Stringdusters and The Gibson Brothers.

The Chris Hillman album that Petty produced is also a reunion of Desert Rose Band members with Petty’s song “Wildflowers” appearing on the album.

Petty also appears on The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 3, singing “Irene Goodnight.”

No arrangements have been announced.

Tom Petty wraps 40th Anniversary Show at Hollywood Bowl in September 2017. Photo: Official Website/Tom Petty

 

Live Nation Releases Statement Regarding Its Route 91 Harvest Festival

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Live Nation, creator of the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, has released a statement regarding the tragic mass shooting that occurred Sunday (Oct. 1) during the festival in Las Vegas. The shooting left nearly 60 people dead, with more than 500 injured.

“We are heartbroken over the tragedy that took place at the Route 91 Harvest festival. To think that anyone would want to inflict harm on a gathering of music lovers is beyond our comprehension. And while we are stunned and grieving over this incomprehensible act of violence, we know that this is a moment when we must come together to prevent more tragedies like this from occurring.

“Live Nation will do everything in our power to support the victims and their families through the aftermath of this horrendous event and extends our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders who helped save as many lives as possible. To our Live Nation on-site employees, we cannot thank you enough for your bravery and perseverance over the past 24 hours and will ensure you have the resources and support necessary to heal from this.”

The inaugural Route 91 Harvest Festival launched in 2014, and is one of several country music festivals in Live Nation’s portfolio, including Faster Horses (Brooklyn), Country LakeShake (Chicago) and Watershed (The Gorge, Washington).

Music City Cares Fund Established To Aid Las Vegas Victims

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The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has established the Music City Cares Fund with 100 percent of the donations going to Las Vegas to help with the immediate and long-term needs of victims from Sunday’s (Oct. 1) mass shooting that occurred during the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

“Country music is the heart of Music City,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We are reaching out to country music fans who fell victim to this evil. They must know we care and care deeply. Our prayers are with them.”

Donations to the Music City Cares Fund are tax-deductible. To give to the fund, go to cfmt.org.

CMA Final Ballot Voting Postponed Until Oct. 3

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In light of the recent mass shooting that occurred during the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, the Final Ballot for the CMA Awards that was previously scheduled to be sent to CMA Members today (Oct. 2), will be postponed until Tuesday, Oct. 3.

“Our hearts go out to the fans, artists and crew members who experienced the tragedy in Las Vegas last night. The country community is deeply saddened to hear lives were lost and many injured at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Prayers for all as we search for understanding and come together to cope with this horrific act,” the organization said in a statement.

Earlier today, CMA’s Sarah Trahern, along with Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp’s Butch Spyridon also announced a vigil will be held later today in Nashville, beginning at 6 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater. Free parking will be available at Nissan Stadium Lot R.