Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski Among Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman Summer Lineup

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Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, The SteelDrivers, Dailey & Vincent, and more are set to perform at this Summer’s Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series. The weekly Thursday night music shows will kick off on June 18 featuring a performance by the Del McCoury Band with The Lil Smokies.

Depending on weather, all performances will follow a pre-show “Pickin’ on the Plaza” event presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans on the Ryman’s 4th Avenue plaza that will feature live music from local bluegrass artists and bands presented by 650 AM WSM, food and drink specials from Cafe Lula, and giveaways and raffles.

Series passes and individual show tickets go on sale Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. and will be available at ryman.com/bluegrass.

Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman 2020 Lineup:
June 18 – Del McCoury Band with The Lil Smokies
June 25 – Dan Tyminski and Molly Tuttle
July 2 – The SteelDrivers
July 9 – Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
July 16 – Dailey & Vincent
July 23 – Vince Gill

Dewayne Brown Joins Copperline Music Group As Head of A&R And Label Acquisitions

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Dewayne Brown has been appointed Head of A&R and Label Acquisitions for Copperline Music Group.

Formerly in Label & Artist Development at The Orchard/Sony Music Entertainment, Brown began his career in 1979 working for CBS Records while he was a sophomore at Belmont University. Years later he found his niche under the Sony Music Entertainment umbrella, where he worked for over 25 years. During his tenure, Brown was instrumental in creating and developing distribution deals to multiple independent labels including Broken Bow Records (Jason Aldean), Black River Records (Kelsea Ballerini), Thirty Tigers (Sturgill Simpson) and many more.

“First and foremost, Dewayne is a record guy,” says Rusty Harmon, Partner/ Copperline Music Group. “Dewayne’s knowledge and experience in growing labels, distribution and building rosters are already proving to be a game-changer for CMG. We are proud and honored to call Dewayne a member of our team.”

“I am extremely thankful for the many years I’ve had working for so many ground-breaking artists and record labels,” says Brown. “I am honored to now be given the ability to focus on my deep passion for finding new talent, and developing label partnerships with the great folks at Copperline Music Group.”

Brown’s first artist signing is the Davisson Brothers Band. Straight from the hills of West Virginia, the band is composed of brothers Chris Davisson and Donnie Davisson, with Aaron Regester and Gerrod Bee. Featuring an authentic country sound rooted in time-honored Appalachian tradition and infused with Southern-rock energy, the band established themselves on tour around the nation with acts like Chris Janson, and also penned the theme song to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. Their reflective single “Jesse James” was released in 2015, and played extensively on SiriusXM’s “The Highway.” The band made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2019. They are managed by the Erv Woolsey Management Company.

Dan+Shay Earn Second Grammy Win

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Dan + Shay

Dan + Shay won their second Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance on Sunday (Jan. 26) for “Speechless,” marking their second win in the category, following last year’s win for “Tequila.”

The duo’s Dan Smyers said, “This is one of the coolest moments ever,” before thanking his wife Abby. “Thank you Abby for inspiring this song and every song we write. Shay’s wife Hannah, who is home in Nashville, we love you.”

The duo thanked their label Warner Music Nashville, and managers Sandbox Entertainment mogul Jason Owen and SB Projects powerhouse Scooter Braun.

The win is the latest milestone for the duo, who recently topped four charts simultaneously with their Justin Bieber collaboration “10,000 Hours.” The duo is gearing up for their first U.S. arena headlining tour this year, featuring Ingrid Andress and The Band Camino.

“This is a dream come true,” Smyers summed.

Keb’ Mo’, Sara Bareilles, I’m With Her Win Grammy Americana Categories

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This year’s Grammy accolades in Americana and American Roots categories were evenly spread among several winners.

Best American Roots performance went to Saint Honesty from Sara Bareilles. This marks her first Grammy win.

Best American Roots Song went to powerhouse trio I’m With Her’s “Call My Name,” penned by Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins.

Keb’ Mo’ album Oklahoma earned Best Americana Album. Keb’ Mo’ has had four Grammy wins and 12 nominations in his career.

During the Premiere ceremony, fellow Americana category nominee Yola performed a stirring rendition of her Grammy-nominated hit “Faraway Look.” Yola is also nominated for the all-genre Best New Artist category at this year’s ceremony.

Willie Nelson Wins Best Country Solo Performance Grammy

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Willie Nelson earned Best Country Solo Performance at this year’s Grammy Awards on Sunday (Jan. 26) for “Ride Me Back Home,” the title track from his 2019 album.

Nelson was not in attendance to accept the honor in person. Nelson has had nine Grammy award wins, and 52 nominations over the course of his career.

For King & Country Earn Two Grammy Honors

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Contemporary Christian duo for King & Country won two Grammy honors on Sunday (Jan. 26). The duo, which includes brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone, first took home Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song for their collaboration on “God Only Knows” ft. Dolly Parton. The song was written by Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, and Tedd Tjornhom.

“It is Australia Day today so this is very special for us,” said Joel Smallbone, noting their parents were in the audience. “If you were ever planning to go to Australia, go now. Because unfortunately a lot of people aren’t going on holiday right now, and a lot of Australia’s economy is built on tourism.”

“When we stepped in to write this song we were all waking though very hard moments,” he said of penning “God Only Knows.” “When that happens, you tend to put it on paper. To have Dolly Parton, who is an incredible human being, its one of the best honors of our career to have her be part of this.

“She said, ‘I’m going to take this song to Dollywood to Bollywood to Hollywood,’ and we did it, Dolly. We took it all the way.”

Moments later, the duo’s recent album Burn The Ships was named Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

Luke Smallbone said, “Thank you so much to our producers…you guys were able to make something very special and important with us.” They thanked their label, booking agents, and their wives. Luke also shared the story behind the title track to Burn The Ships.

“I realized that in the process of writing this song that there are so many people in life that need new beginnings, a new dawn, and Jesus offers that for people like you and people like me. I stand up here thankful for this award, but it ultimately represents redemption for me and my family.”

for King & Country has previously earned two Grammy honors, including Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (for Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.) and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (for “Messengers” ft. Lecrae), both in 2015.

Tanya Tucker Wins First Two Grammy Honors

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Tanya Tucker earned her very first two Grammy honors on Sunday night (Jan. 26). She earned Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now,” as well as Best Country Album for While I’m Livin’.

“Bring My Flowers Now” was penned by Tucker alongside Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth. The song was the lead single from her album While I’m Livin’ produced by Carlile and Shooter Jennings.

“Thank you so much. After almost 50 years in this business, after many dreams, it’s unbelievable to me that I’d have a few first’s left,” Tucker said after taking the stage. “After 14 nominations, this is the first win.”

Tucker’s first Grammy nomination came in 1972, while she was still a teenager, and nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for “Delta Dawn.”

She thanked her management and public relations representatives, as well as her co-writers, before telling the audience, “No matter how young or old you are, never stop following your dreams. Keep going.”

Carlile added, “This is really Tanya’s moment and this is her song and this song is the story of her life. It is one of the great honors of my life to stand by her as she earns her first Grammy. At 61 years old, a woman in country music leading the way.”

Moments later, Tucker’s album While I’m Livin’ was named Best Country Album.

“Shooter Jennings get up here Buddy! Your daddy’s up there with mine right now and he’s really proud of us right now,” Tucker said. “There are no words to express how I feel right now.”

Tucker, Carlile, Phil and Tim Hanseroth were also nominated for overall Song of the Year (also for “Bring My Flowers Now”) at the 2020 Grammy ceremony (the honor went to Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy”).

Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus Earn Early Grammy Wins

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Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus earned a Grammy for Best Music Video for their record-breaking hit “Old Town Road” during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 26.

Lil Nas X took the stage, simply saying “Thank you,” to the audience. He was joined by video director Calmatic, as well as several video producers for the clip.

Later during the Premiere ceremony, it was announced that the hit song also earned Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

“Old Town Road” is also nominated for Record of the Year. Lil Nas X’s project 7 is nominated for Album of the Year, while Lil Nas X is up for Best New Artist.

Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Aaron Raitiere Win Grammy For “I’ll Never Love Again”

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Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey and Aaron Raitiere, alongside Lady Gaga, won a Grammy during the 2020 Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (Jan. 26), in the Best Song Written For Visual Media category, for their song “I’ll Never Love Again.”

The song was performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the film A Star Is Born.

“Thank you so much. We went out to write with Lady Gaga for this movie. We didn’t know we would even get a song in this film,” Hemby said.

Lindsey and Raitiere thanked Lady Gaga, Cooper and the song’s producer Dave Cobb. Hemby, Lindsey and Lady Gaga are also nominated for overall Song of the Year at the 2020 Grammy ceremony, for penning “Always Remember Us This Way,” another song from the A Star Is Born soundtrack. Lindsey is also nominated for Best Country Song for penning Miranda Lambert’s “It All Comes Out In The Wash.”

Belmont University Honors Alvin Love III, Dwan Hill With Curtain Call Award

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Pictured: Alvin Love III and Dwan Hill accepting the Curtain Call Award at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee on January 22, 2020.

Belmont University’s School of Music recently presented its annual Curtain Call Award to commercial music alumni and Grammy winners Alvin Love III (2007) and Dwan Hill (2008), who penned “Never Have to Be Alone” for former Belmont trustee Cece Winans. “Never Have to Be Alone” earned the 2018 Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song. Love also produced Winans’s album Let Them Fall In Love, which was named Best Gospel Album by the Grammys in 2018.

Hill also played piano for eight of the cuts on Christian artist Lauren Daigle’s Look Up Child and was approached afterward to work on a new arrangement for her rendition of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

The School of Music presented Love and Hill with the award on January 22 in the Massey Performing Arts Center, followed by a concert performed by Love and Hill and Belmont musicians Nathan Dugger on guitar, Rich Brinsfield on bass and Marcus Hill on drums. Winans joined the duo on stage to perform “Never Have to Be Alone.”

The Curtain Call Award was created in 1995 to honor commercial music alumni who are using the foundation gained at Belmont University to impact the world.

“Alvin and Dwan continue to exemplify Belmont’s values through leadership, faith and excellent musicianship. They work with not only each other, but with other School of Music alumni to create inspiring music that impacts others,” said Dean of the College of Music and Performing Arts Stephen Eaves. “From their Grammy winning co-write on ‘Never Have to Be Alone’ to Dwan’s work on Lauren Daigle’s arrangement of ‘Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus’ to their collaborations to create original worship music for Nashville Life Church and other churches, they are truly transforming the world. It was an honor to have Alvin and Dwan return to Massey Concert Hall to motivate and encourage our current students with their creative musical journey.”

Previous Curtain Call honorees include Melinda Doolittle, Josh Turner, Danny Wells, Akil Thompson and Tammy Rogers King.