Lil Nas X And Billy Ray Cyrus Release Old Town Road Remix With Young Thug, Mason Ramsey

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Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus have unveiled a new version of their global No.1 smash “Old Town Road” today. The new official remix features viral singer/yodeler Mason Ramsey and hip-hop heavyweight Young Thug alongside Nas and Cyrus.

The cultural phenomenon that is “Old Town Road” featuring Cyrus continues to lead the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1 for the 14th consecutive week. The song is now officially the longest running Hot 100 hip-hop single of all time, and the first song in history to sell 10,000,000 copies while remaining No.1 on Billboard. The star-studded music video for the track has exceeded 200 Million views since released in May.

Lionsgate recently unleashed a trailer featuring “Old Town Road” to promote the Sept. 20 release of Rambo: Last Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone.

Chris Young Releases New Duet With Lauren Alaina, Extends Tour

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Chris Young and Lauren Alaina have teamed up for a brand new duet, “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” which was released to digital and streaming services today. The breakup anthem was penned by Young with Cary Barlowe, Corey Crowder and Shay Mooney, (who also contributes backing vocals on the track,) and was debuted in front of a surprised crowd at Spotify House at Ole Red during CMA Music Fest last month.

Young will likely perform the new tune on upcoming new dates on his Raised On Country World Tour 2019. He has added another nineteen shows to the tour, which included over 25 dates on the first leg which ends September 14. The tour resumes September 26 in Erie, PA and runs through November 23, wrapping at Lexington’s Rupp Arena. He’ll be joined by special guest Eli Young Band as direct support along with Matt Stell for the Fall run in September.

Tickets for the new dates go on sale beginning July 19.

Chris Young’s “Raised On Country World Tour 2019”*
September 26+# Erie, PA Erie Insurance Arena
September 27+# Amherst, MA Mullins Center
September 28+# Westbrook, ME Maine Savings Pavilion
October 3+# Grand Forks, ND Alerus Center
October 4+# Sioux City, IA Tyson Events Center
October 5+ Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center
October 17+# Columbia, MO Mizzou Arena
October 18+# La Crosse, WI La Crosse Center Arena
October 19+ Duluth, MN AMSOIL Arena
October 24+ Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center
October 25+# Augusta, GA James Brown Arena
November 7+ Cedar Park, TX H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
November 8+# Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
November 9+# Springfield, MO JQH Arena
November 15+ Baltimore, MD Royal Farms Arena
November 16+# Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
November 21+# Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
November 22+ Saginaw, MI Dow Event Center
November 23+ Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
+with special guests Eli Young Band and Matt Stell

 

Weekly Chart Report (7/12/19)

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

Disney Music Group To Close Nashville Publishing Office [Exclusive]

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Disney Music Group is set to close its Nashville publishing operation by the end of the year, MusicRow has learned. A source close to the situation states the company aims to centralize its music publishing operations in its Burbank, California headquarters.

Disney Music’s Nashville publishing outpost includes two employees, including A&R Manager Ciara Shortridge, who began working with Disney in 2009, as well as A&R Coordinator Sarah Schumacher, who joined the company in 2017.

 

Industry Ink: Brad Paisley, Crowd Surf, Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen

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Brad Paisley To Make ‘America’s Got Talent’ Guest Appearance

Brad Paisley will join as a guest judge on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, July 16. Other celebrities who will make guest appearances on the judges panel in coming weeks include actress Ellie Kemper, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno.

 

Crowd Surf Founders Launch ‘How I Got Backstage’ Podcast Season 2

Crowd Surf’s co-founders Jade Driver and Cassie Petrey have launched the second season of their podcast How I Got Backstage featuring Dan + Shay’s day-to-day manager Lisa Ray of Sandbox Entertainment as a special guest. Driver kicks off season two from Music City with substitute co-host Elise Stawarz (Crowd Surf’s VP of Marketing) alongside special guest, Ray. Driver shares how she came to know Stawarz over their mutual love for boy bands as the pair highlights Ray’s career path from VP of A&R at Warner Music Nashville to her current position as the manager of 2x Platinum-selling country duo Dan + Shay.

Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen Share The Stage For The First Time

Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers celebrated a series of collaborative performances in Texas last week including a record-breaking 4th of July show in Kerrville, Texas. The shows marked the first time the friends have performed together on stage. Keen and Childers both guested on each other’s sets. Keen sang Childers’ “Whitehouse Road” and “Honky Tonk Flame” with Tyler and his band, The Food Stamps. Childers joined Keen’s sets to perform “What I Really Mean” and “Broken End of Love” with Robert and his band.

Chris August Signs With BMG Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Be Music Management’s James A. Hodgin, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Chris August, and BMG Music Publishing’s Chris Oglesby and Kos Weaver. Photo: Cody Heckber

ASCAP songwriter-artist Chris August has signed a publishing agreement with BMG Music Publishing. The multiple GMA Dove Award-winning recording artist has also enjoyed success as a country songwriter and plans to continue to work in both genres.

August said, “Songwriting has always been my favorite part of the music creating process. After my first meeting with BMG, I knew I had found the place to really work on my craft. I’m grateful and looking forward to the opportunity to write with other songwriters I’ve followed and admired. Special thank you to ASCAP’s Kele Currier for believing in me and helping connect this relationship.”

“I have known and loved Chris’s music for years. He is an extremely gifted writer/artist with a work ethic that is second to none. We are so glad to have him become part of our BMG family,” commented BMG Vice President, Creative Chris Oglesby on the signing.

ASCAP Assistant Vice President, Strategic Services, Membership Kele Currier said, “It is rewarding to see a passionate writer like Chris August pair up with a true ‘song man,’ Chris Oglesby, and the BMG team. Their creative chemistry is undeniable and we can’t wait to see the great things that come out of this partnership.”

DISClaimer: Willie Nelson Is The Heart And Soul Of Country Music

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Willie Nelson by Ed Rode

Nashville’s country performers are as hot as our summer skies today.

In a rare occurrence, every record here is mini masterpiece. I was also in heaven because the listening session combined living legends, terrific newcomers and current superstars in equal portions.

Master stylist Willie Nelson has the Disc of the Day with his rendition of a Guy Clark/Roger Murrah song about America’s illustrious immigrant heritage. Long may he sing.

In a field crowded with such excellent new talents as Sam Williams, Erik Dylan and Donovan Woods, I’m handing a DisCovery Award to Sundance Head. If you don’t know who Head’s producer and label head Dean Dillon is, you do not belong in country music.

MICKEY GUYTON/Sister
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Nathan Spicer/Victoria Banks; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead; Publishers: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– She’s wailing from the heart on this anthem to enduring female friendship. A snappy backbeat, cool piano notes and some synth-y wooshing frame her powerful performance. This is hot stuff.

THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner Tamerlane/Telemitry Rhythm House/Songs of Roc Nation/Combustion Engine/WB/Round Hill Songs II/Caleb’s College Fund, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
– Warm, uplifting, touching and lovely. If you can’t relate to this, your heart is made of lead.

DONOVAN WOODS & TENILLE TOWNES/I Ain’t Ever Loved No One
Writers: none listed; Producer: Todd Lombardo; Publishers: none listed; INgrooves
– Juno Award winning Woods and Nashville star-on-the-rise Tenille Townes are tender and touching on this gently strummed acoustic ballad. Guitar notes ripple around them as they harmonize sweetly. Dreamy and delicious.

WILLIE NELSON/Immigrant Eyes
Writers: Guy Clark/Roger Murrah; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publishers: none listed; Legacy
– This poignant melody was written about those coming to Ellis Island 100 years ago, but it couldn’t be more timely than it is today. And the song’s video makes it quite clear that the abuse of asylum seekers is immoral. America’s greatness is built on its immigrants, and Willie’s strong singing here is just the reminder we need. This man is the heart and soul of country music.

SUNDANCE HEAD/Close Enough To Walk
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dean Dillon; Publishers: none listed; Wildcatter
– “You don’t have to drive me crazy/I’m close enough to walk.” How cool is that? But the clever songwriting is just the start. Wait until you hear this guy’s soulful singing. He’s a hoss of a vocalist, and the jaunty, pinpoint production shines a spotlight directly on that. I’m so definitely into this.

SHERYL CROW, MAREN MORRIS & STEVIE NICKS/Prove You Wrong
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: noen listed; Big Machine
– Wildly catchy. Jangly and bopping, with plenty of feisty femme feelings. All three women are on fire as vocalists here. WSM is already playing this, and I can certainly hear why. Clap yer hands and sing along.

SAM WILLIAMS/Gemini
Writers: Sam Williams/Jaida Dreyer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Get It Done
– Piercing and potent, this guy sings with uncommon ferocity and passion. Here, he describes the darkness and light that coexist inside him while doomy, boot-stomping drums pound beneath. He’s the son of Bocephus, the brother of Holly and the grandson of Hank, and he carries his family’s legacy forward with startling creativity. Send more.

ERIK DYLAN & LUKE COMBS/Baseball On The Moon
Writers: Erik Dylan/Douglas Waterman/Michael Reaves; Producer: Erik Dylan; Publishers: none listed; Iddy Biddy (track)
– This came out last year, but with Combs-mania now at its height, it seems right to revisit this duet. And it also gives me the opportunity to praise the talents of super- promising singer-songwriter Erik Dylan. His works have been recorded by Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Thompson Square, Trisha Yearwood, Riley Green and Eli Young Band. But as this illustrates, he’s a fine record maker himself. He and Combs scale to the top of inspiration on this ode to holding fast to your dreams, no matter what the nay-sayers say. Both of them have that rumpled, regular-guy vocal thang, so its a thoroughly endearing outing.

VINCE GILL/When My Amy Prays
Writer: Vince Gill; Producers: Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers: none listed; MCA
– Goosebump raising. In a career already dazzled with stunning vocal performances, this stands out as a spectacular pinnacle of his power. A ballad that will stop you in your tracks. Listen and believe.

KANE BROWN/Homesick
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Matthew McGinn/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Kane Brown/Warner-Tamerlane/Don’t Be a Gypsy/Smackworks/Smack BLue/Kobalt/Top, BMI/SESAC; RCA
– If home is where the heart is, then he’s homesick for the one he loves. It’s a cool idea for a song, and the yearning performance with a spare production sells it right to you. I can hear this being adopted by military folks who are far from their families, but we can all relate to its loneliness.

Convention Center Authority Approves $6 Million For National Museum Of African American Music

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The Nashville Convention Center Authority voted unanimously Thursday morning (July 11) to provide $6 million to the National Museum of African American Music, which will include the Francis S. Guess Roots Theater presented by Music City Center.

Guess, a dedicated business leader and civil rights activist, was a trailblazer for the NMAAM. He joined the Convention Center Authority in 2011 and remained on the board until the time of his death in 2015.

“Francis S. Guess was a tireless advocate for the museum knowing it would be a worldwide monumental addition to Music City,” said Charles Starks, President/CEO of Music City Center. “As we invest in the National Museum of African American Music and therefore our city, we commemorate his vision and recognize music is a powerful connector of diverse groups.”

The National Museum of African American Music is located at the former site of the Nashville Convention Center. In 2013, Music City Center at the request of Metro asked for the redevelopment of the old Nashville Convention Center with a requirement that the museum be included. In addition. MCC is building a parking garage that will be leased back to the developer and benefit the museum.

“MCC recognizes the strength of inclusivity and values the contributions of diverse business partners,” said Starks. “We celebrate another authentic Nashville experience that will attract the local community as well visitors and conventioneers from around the globe attending events at Music City Center.”

Scooter Braun’s SB Projects Inks Deal With Amazon Studios

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Scooter Braun

Scooter Braun‘s SB Projects has inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, reports Deadline.com. SB Projects is a subsidiary of Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, which also recently acquired and partnered with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group.

The outlet reports the Amazon/SB Projects deal is a multi-year contract to develop both scripted and non-scripted projects with the company. SB Projects’ film/TV division has produced projects including the series Scorpion and the Justin Bieber documentary Never Say Never.

Superstar manager Braun’s management division also guides the careers of artists including Bieber, Ariana Grande, Zac Brown Band, Dan + Shay (with Sandbox Management), Demi Lovato and more. Ithaca Holdings also previously acquired music publishing company Atlas, which represents Brandi Carlile and more.

The recently-acquired Big Machine Label Group is home to the music catalog of Taylor Swift, and is recording home for artists including Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Lady Antebellum, Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, and more.

Music City Roots To Open Live Music Venue In Madison, Tennessee

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Music City Roots, the live showcase, radio broadcast and public television series, has revealed plans for a new music venue to open in Fall 2020 in Madison, Tennessee.

On July 11, the Music City Roots team joined Nashville Mayor David Briley, Madison’s Metro City Councilmember Nancy VanReece and other community leaders to reveal plans for a new venue next to Amqui Station. The Roots Barn, scheduled for a grand opening in the Fall of 2020, will be part of a larger Madison Station development, with new housing and street plans poised to solidify Madison as an epicenter of life, work, arts and travel in the growing Metro Nashville area.

The Roots Barn, with state of the art audio by Sound Image, will hold approximately 750 attendees seated or 1,000+ standing. The bars, food service and ticketing areas will be isolated from the music hall, creating optimal conditions for performers and music lovers alike. The Barn will present ticketed shows, private events on request and “Music City Roots – Live from Madison Station” on a weekly basis. Adjacent to the barn, a separate building will house a remote studio for MCR partner WMOT Roots Radio 89.5 FM, the 100,000 watt Americana-format public radio station out of Middle Tennessee State University.

Briley said: “For years, Music City Roots has helped Nashville showcase new talent while carrying on and sharing our deepest musical heritage. Reviving this institution in a neighborhood as vibrant as Madison, where it will complement historic Amqui Station and help establish a walkable neighborhood center, is definitely cause for celebration.”

Amqui Station makes a charming and appropriate companion to the Roots Barn. Built in 1910, it was the last stop north of Nashville before passenger trains reached Union Station downtown. When passenger service was discontinued, Johnny Cash acquired the structure to save it from demolition and moved it to his property in Hendersonville. After his death, it emerged that Johnny had made provisions to return the antique station and its contents to its original home. It stands there now, not far from its once-functional place along the tracks as a museum and visitors welcome center, operated by Discover Madison, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The potential synergies for local or city-wide events are many.

The Roots Barn was made possible through a transaction between Music City Roots and Discover Madison, Inc. The property is part of a public/private relationship giving community benefit for generations to come, explained Councilmember VanReece: “The land was originally donated to Discover Madison, Inc. by AT&T with the help of US Rep. Jim Cooper and TN Rep. Bill Beck, with the express intent for such an ongoing benefit. This amazing opportunity not only celebrates our history but ensures our renaissance.”

“I’m really excited about Music City Roots getting started on this Madison music venue and the opportunity for WMOT to be a part of it. WMOT and Music City Roots have worked together for nearly three years to bring Americana and Roots music to middle Tennessee on WMOT 89.5. This new space will allow that partnership to continue to grow and expand, while growing our music community in Madison, middle Tennessee and beyond,” said Val Hoeppner, Executive Director, WMOT 89.5 FM.

“The three greatest exports of Southern culture are music, food and whiskey. Ask anyone from around the world about Tennessee, and their answers will most definitely revolve around these things. Of course, our focus is on broadcasting real music—past, present and future—but in the spirit of true Southern hospitality, we will offer an authentic experience combining the best of all these elements to our visitors,” said John Walker, Executive Producer, Music City Roots.