Tanya Tucker Returns With Brandi Carlile/Shooter Jennings-Produced Project

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Album art: Steven Lyon

Tanya Tucker is back with a brand new album after 17 years, While I’m Livin’, which is set for release on Aug. 23 via Fantasy Records.

The new project was produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, and marks Tucker’s first for the label and her first new material since 2002’s Tanya. Tucker and Carlile will take the stage for a performance at tonight’s CMT Music Awards.

“Brandi is truly out of this world. She’s talented, smart, funny, never ever slows down and has a heart of gold,” says Tucker of the collaboration. “I just love her. She was like my shadow when we were in the studio. Every time I turned around, she was there. And Shooter, I’ve known him since he was a baby. He’s the one who brought us all together. So I’m ready to get this music out there because it’s different than anything I’ve ever done.”

While I’m Livin’ is largely comprised of songs written by Carlile, the twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth and Tucker. The album’s debut song is “The Wheels of Laredo.” On “The Day My Heart Goes Still” she reflects on her enduring love for her late father, while “Mustang Ridge” recalls Tucker’s hardscrabble childhood in central Texas. While I’m Livin’ also contains some covers including “High Ridin’ Heroes,” a 1987 song Shooter selected that featured David Lynn Jones and his dad, Waylon Jennings, Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” and “Hard Luck” the 1979 chestnut by country-rockers, Josefus.

“It’s a musical biography of sorts,” said Carlile, “about Tanya’s real life and the places she’s seen, and it’s narrated by the greatest country and western singer this side of Johnny Cash. We have so few opportunities to thank the legends that have influenced the generations of Country music singers and writers. With Tanya we have quite an opportunity because she’s young. I’m drawn to Tanya Tucker because she’s been to hell and to heaven, not to mention every square inch of Texas. She’s lived, she’s living, she’s got something to say and I’m listening.”

While I’m Livin Tracklist:
1. Mustang Ridge (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
2. The Wheels Of Laredo (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
3. I Don’t Owe You Anything (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
4. The Day My Heart Goes Still (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
5. High Ridin’ Heroes (written by David Lynn Jones)
6. The House That Built Me (written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin)
7. Hard Luck (written by John C. “Pete” Bailey, David Lee Mitchell, Raymond L. Turner and Jerry Ontiberoz)
8. Rich (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
9. Seminole Wind Calling (written by Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)
10. Bring My Flowers Now (written by Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth and Phil Hanseroth)

Midland Sets New Album Release For August

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Country trio Midland earned a chart-topping country album with their debut On the Rocks, along with a Grammy nod for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, as well as Best Country Song (for their hit “Drinkin’ Problem”). They were also honored with the ACM New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year award in 2018.

The trio returns Aug. 23 with their sophomore album Let It Roll. Produced by Dann Huff, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, the new album returns to the neo-traditional country sounds that made Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson gain a buzz at country radio.

“We want to keep things fresh and real,” says Duddy. “The beauty of being in Dripping Springs and spending so much time on the road, we don’t get caught up in what’s trending. We’re able to follow our hearts (and our livers) to where we think country is the best.”
“Everything we’ve learned out on the road touring On The Rocks is all right here on this album,” says Wystrach. “These songs are deeply personal and from the heart.”
“A lot of what was is still so cool, and with the help of Dann, Shane and Josh, as well as the support of Scott and Big Machine, we’re able to be true to the music and keep our kind of country alive,” says Carson.

Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Dan+Shay Playing Free Nashville Shows For CMT Music Awards

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Carrie Underwood. Photo: Steve Jennings

Carrie Underwood will play a free, one-song performance in Nashville leading up to tonight’s (June 5) 2019 CMT Music Awards.

The performance is scheduled for tonight at the Parthenon in Centennial Park. To get a priority wristband for the one-song performance that will air during the awards show, organizers advised to arrive at the Parthenon at Centennial Park at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Those unable to get a priority wristband can line up for general admission ahead of the performance on Wednesday evening. Those who receive a wristband are asked to arrive at the Parthenon at 6:30 p.m. tonight and must arrive by 7:30 p.m. or forfeit an opportunity for priority placement.

Underwood is a finalist nominee for the CMT Video of the Year award for her clip “Cry Pretty,” and is currently headlining her Cry Pretty Tour 360, which includes Maddie & Tae and Runaway June.

Additionally, the outdoor stage at Broadway & 5th Avenue (just outside of Bridgestone Arena) will feature performances from Toby Keith, Cole Swindell, Dan+Shay and Kane Brown. Fans should arrive at Broadway and 5th Avenue by 6:30 p.m. for these performances. Brown is also nominated as a finalist for the Video of the Year honor, for the video clip for his latest chart-topper “Good As You.”

Music Publisher ole Media Management Rebrands As Anthem Entertainment

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ole Media Management has changed its name to Anthem Entertainment.

The Canadian company’s ownership, staff and offices will remain the same, as will all sub-brands (Cavendish Music, Compact Media, Jingle Punks and 5 Alarm Music). As part of the rebranding, Anthem has also revealed their new company logo and website.

“As the company heads into its 15th year, we are celebrating the building of our successful independent global content creation and entertainment services platform. It is also important to stop and reassess our mission, values and our name,” said Helen Murphy, CEO, Anthem Entertainment. “Looking forward, I want the name of our company to more easily identify with who we are and what we do. We have grown from a small music publishing company to a large independent producer of content and entertainment services platform. Along the way, we have expanded and now have deep roots in music, film, and television.”

Anthem Records launched 42 years ago. As part of the acquisition of Rush masters and publishing in 2015, the company acquired The Anthem Entertainment Group, including the Canadian label Anthem Records that was founded by artist manager Ray Danniels in 1977, as well as Anthem Film & Television Productions. Anthem Entertainment is home to the legendary band Rush, Big Wreck, Max Webster, Kim Mitchell, and many more musicians and singers.

“It’s an honour to witness this rebranding,” said Danniels. “When I started out, I never envisioned that 42 years later, the name would become a platform for such a large international company. When we went through the acquisition process, we had a preference to keep the catalogues with a Canadian company, so this makes it even more satisfying. I wish Anthem Entertainment and Helen Murphy the continued success they deserve in the future.”

The company includes a music publishing division, recorded music label, production music division, and a leading film and television audio-visual secondary rights (AVSR) management company. Anthem Entertainment operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville and Toronto with a team of approximately 200 dedicated industry professionals.

Cassadee Pope, Clare Dunn, Lucie Silvas, Ryan Kinder Perform At Escape The Ordinary Event

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Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Holley, Co-Founder, FlyteVu; Ryan Kinder; Laura Hutfless, Co-Founder, FlyteVu; Clare Dunn; Cassadee Pope and Lucie Silvas

Singer-songwriters Cassadee Pope, Clare Dunn, Lucie Silvas and Ryan Kinder performed at the Escape the Ordinary event presented by FlyteVu and BMG on Tuesday (June 4) at the FlyteVu offices in Nashville.

This is the second installment of the entertainment marketing agency’s Escape the Ordinary showcase series, after the Creative Nation showcase in May. The Escape the Ordinary series will further feature partnerships with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, United Talent Agency, and BBR Music Group.

Tuesday, June 25 at 5 p.m.
Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville: Music is Universal
Talent: Hunter Hayes, Caylee Hammack, Striking Matches

Thursday, July 25 at 5 p.m.
United Talent Agency: United by Music
Talent: Jimmie Allen, High Valley

Additional series events will be added in partnership with BBR Music Group.

Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Maren Morris Join Forces On New Track “Prove You Wrong”

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Sheryl Crow. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Valory

Sheryl Crow has teamed with Maren Morris and Stevie Nicks for a sunny, confident new track “Prove You Wrong.”

I’ve got my mind made up and my high heels on/It wouldn’t take much to prove you wrong, the three artists sing, trading lines on the track, a lighthearted take on a song that sets out to prove a heartbreak keep them “in a bed of tears.”

According to a tweet Crow sent out, the jangly, uptempo piece also features some high-powered musicians, including Vince Gill, the Eagles’ Joe Walsh and guitarist Waddy Wachtel.

The track marks the latest release from Crow, following the gritty reworking of “Redemption Day” featuring vocals from Johnny Cash, and its follow up “Live Wire,” which features  Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples. The tracks are all from Crow’s upcoming Big Machine Records duets album, Threads, slated for release later this year.

Video Of The Year Finalists Unveiled For CMT Music Awards

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CMT has announced the finalists for its coveted Video Of The Year award at tonight’s CMT Music Awards. For the last four weeks, fans have been voting on a group of nominations that have been narrowed down to the following five finalists:

  • Carrie Underwood –“Cry Pretty”
  • Kane Brown –“Good as You”
  • Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels –“Coming Home”
  • Kelsea Ballerini –“Miss Me More”
  • Luke Combs –“She Got the Best of Me”

As of this morning, Twitter voting is open for this award and will remain open through the live broadcast of tonight’s show. Voting is only available on Twitter, and fans will need to tweet #CMTawards with the artist-specific hashtag in order to cast a vote. If Underwood takes home the prize tonight, she will bring her total to 19 wins, as she is the most-awarded artist in CMT Music Awards history.

This year’s CMT Music Awards boasts a record-breaking number of performances and will include additional surprise guests on the live telecast, which starts at 7 p.m. CT. Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs will all take the stage as performers this year during country music’s biggest party.

CAA Welcomes Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum To Raise Funds For Music Education

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Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Russell Dickerson, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook. Photo: Hunter Berry

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its 27th annual CAA Nashville BBQ at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint on June 3. More than 540 people were in attendance at the event, which raised more than $54,000 for Communities in Schools of Tennessee at Nashville and PENCIL, two organizations supporting students at local public schools.

Clients and friends of the agency were on hand, including Lady Antebellum, Kid Rock, Little Big Town, Darren Criss, Chase Rice, Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina, Cassadee Pope, Derrick Henry, Rex Ryan, and Colton Underwood. CAA Nashville co-founders Rod Essig and John Huie, and CAA Nashville co-heads Brian Manning, Marc Dennis and Darin Murphy were also in attendance.

“CAA has always been an active supporter of causes close to the Nashville community and we are proud to continue a tradition that helps countless students benefit from important programs through Communities in Schools of Tennessee and PENCIL,” said Dennis.

Communities in Schools helps with student dropout prevention and PENCIL works to connect community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools. Both have longstanding relationships with the agency.

Pictured (L-R): Lauren Alaina and Cassadee Pope. Photo: Hunter Berry

Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Brian Manning, CAA’s Darryl Eaton, CAA’s Jeff Krones. Photo: Jason Myers

National Museum Of African American Music Releases 2019 State Of Black Music

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The Nashville-based National Museum of African American Music has released its second annual State of Black Music summary, highlighting the top successes and trends in black music throughout the past year.

Last year, hip-hop overtook rock as the most-played music in the United States. Eight of the 10 most-streamed artists last year were rappers, with Drake ending 2018 as the most-streamed artist on the planet.

The video also noted that with the success of “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X became the most-streamed artist in a single week, following his collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus.

The video also highlighted the success of artists including Jimmie Allen, Rhiannon Giddens, Jonathan McReynolds and Wayne Shorter, as well as artists who were the subjects of documentaries such as Quincy Jones (Quincy), Beyoncé (Homecoming) and Aretha Franklin (Amazing Grace).

Missy Elliott was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. Meanwhile, Childish Gambino‘s song “This Is America” became the first rap song to win the Grammy honor for Record of the Year.

H. Beecher Hicks III, president and CEO of the National Museum of African American Music, stated that, “the State of Black Music’s reach is larger than ever, spanning platforms, countries and genres.”

The National Museum of African American Music will open in Nashville next year, and will be the only museum dedicated to solely highlighting the work, influence, and achievements of African American musicians.

Darius Rucker And Friends Celebrate A Decade Of Raising Money For St. Jude

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Darius Rucker performs to a sold-out Ryman Auditorium crowd in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Photo: Katie Kauss

Darius Rucker kicked off CMA Fest 2019 Monday night (June 3) with his tenth annual Darius and Friends concert, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, at the Ryman Auditorium. Prior to last night’s show, the event had raised $1.6 million for St. Jude. Rucker.

The recent recipient of the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award marked a decade of giving, along with his friends Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Kane Brown, Jimmie Allen, Brett Young, Travis Denning, and Charles Kelly.

Rucker set the feel-good groove early in the night, kicking off the show with his 2009 hit, “Alright.” In his blue jeans, t-shirt and ball cap, Rucker’s contagious smile lifted everyone to their feet to dance with him. “Let’s play some country music!,” he said. “We’re at the Ryman!” Rucker transitioned from Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On,” to his most recent No. 1, “For the First Time.”

Rucker then introduced his first guest, country rocker Travis Denning. Denning started out with his new single, “After A Few,” and followed it with his ode to the fake-ID-days diddy, “David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs.” The crowd liked him, but when he went into the Allman Brothers’ iconic hit “Ramblin’ Man,” they loved him. The crowd ate him up, and the band grinned onward as Denning shredded on his electric. Denning left the stage with a standing ovation.

Travis Denning performs a dual-guitar solo during his rendition of The Allman Brothers’
“Ramblin’ Man.” Photo: Katie Kauss

Rucker returned to the stage to introduce his next friend. “There’s legends and then there’s legends,” he said. Nine-time Grammy award-winning Sheryl Crow ventured out to join him.

“Howdy!” she said, channeling her best Minnie Pearl. Crow quickly got everyone swaying to her Cat Steven’s cover “The First Cut Is the Deepest.” Hands flew up in the air with her massive hit, “Soak Up the Sun.” Crow smiled as she said, “This is my favorite place in America to play!”

Once Rucker was back to center stage, he played a sultry album cut from his latest record When Was the Last Time, titled “Hands On Me.” After following it with “Radio,” it was time for Rucker to introduce his next guest.

“This dude makes me laugh so hard,” Rucker said as Jimmie Allen walked out on stage to join him. Clad in a Clint Black t-shirt, Allen crooned on his debut No. 1 single, “Best Shot.”

Jimmie Allen performs. Photo: Keith Griner

Venturing into the crowd is becoming somewhat of a habit for Jimmie Allen. The BBR artist made his way through the Ryman aisles as he performed a Matchbox 20 cover, “Unwell.” Allen paid his respects to Rucker, and said, “I’m not brave enough to step onto the golf course with him, but he can put some Jordan’s on and I’ll take him on the basketball court.”

Rucker laughed and told him to get his skinny jeans off the stage.

Next up was Capitol label-mate Luke Bryan. After he performed his newest single, “Knockin’ Boots,” he coaxed Rucker back out on stage to take a shot. Bryan toasted Rucker for his work with St. Jude, and for being a good person. Appropriately, Bryan then went into his hit “Most People Are Good.”

After finishing with the whole crowd on their feet, shaking it with Bryan for “That’s My Kinda Night,” Bryan headed backstage.

Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan backstage. Photo: Katie Kauss

“Homegrown Honey” was the next Rucker No. 1 on deck, followed by “Come Back Song.” At this point, the whole crowd was dancing, pointing at their significant others for the epic choruses, and beaming up at a smiling Rucker.

He then introduced Big Machine hitmaker, Brett Young. Young serenaded the crowd with his first Platinum hit, “Sleep Without You,” followed it with his 2x Platinum smash, “Mercy,” and concluded with Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” When Rucker returned to the stage, he joked, “I don’t like men, but I was backstage thinking that guy is attractive.”

Rucker then turned to another new hit-maker on the scene. The crowd roared as Kane Brown walked into the spotlight.

With a fiddle player added to Rucker’s incredible backing band, Brown played his fun “Short Skirt Weather” and then transitioned into a cover of Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses.” He finished his set with the crowd screaming the words to his latest No. 1, “Good As You.”

When Rucker ventured back out, he commended Brown for his work and for his place in the industry. “When I came to Nashville they told me it would never work. It worked. That kid is about to explode the world,” he said of Brown.

Darius Rucker with event host Ashley Eicher and St. Jude patients Warner and Ian backstage. Photo: Katie Kauss

For one final surprise, good friend and golfing buddy, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, joined Rucker to perform a rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

Before the final song, Rucker thanked everyone for coming and making the event so lucrative for St. Jude every year. “This event sells out in minutes every year, and no one even knows who is friggin’ playing yet!”

Rucker and all his friends came together to join voices for Rucker’s mega-hit “Wagon Wheel” to close the night, kicking off CMA Fest with a fun, spirited country music hoo-rah.