Dixie Chicks Postpone ‘Gaslighter’ Album Release

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Dixie Chicks fans will have longer to wait for the release of the trio’s upcoming album, Gaslighter. The album, which was slated to release May 1 via Columbia, has now been postponed and no new release date has been revealed at this time.

The album marks the trio’s first new project since 2006’s Taking The Long Way, which was certified 2x Platinum and earned the group’s Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison five Grammy honors.

They recently released the lead single from the album, the title track “Gaslighter,” along with an accompanying video.

 

Luke Bryan To Perform During NFL Draft

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright

Luke Bryan will appear during this year’s 2020 NFL Draft performing “Play It Again” as part of Verizon’s #PayItForwardLIVE Series. Bryan’s performance will air during the draft broadcast on April 25 beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

This year’s NFL Draft will be fully virtual, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, league personnel and club staff working from their individual locations. ESPN, NFL Network and ABC are joining forces to present the Draft across their broadcast networks. It will also be live-streamed on the ESPN app and NFL app as well as streaming on Sling TV and YouTube TV.

“I was honored to be included in the partnership with Verizon #PayItForwardLIVE supporting small businesses,” Bryan said. “They are such a vital part of our communities and it is important we continue to raise awareness for them so they can sustain themselves and keep their doors open. My boys and I look forward to watching the NFL Draft ALL weekend.”

In 2019, Bryan joined the GameDay hosts live on set during their prime-time coverage of the 2019 NFL Draft as it broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee. The evening before Luke, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and Music City, Inc. hosted a charity fundraiser at LUKE’S 32 Bridge Food+Drink, raising money for the Predators Foundation, Tennessee Golf Foundation, Titans Foundation and Vanderbilt Children’s Foundation.

Shakey Graves’ New EP ‘Look Alive’ To Drop In May

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Shakey Graves will release Look Alive, a new EP on May 4 that will coincide with the final episode of the band’s ongoing “Hello Gorgeous” web series.

Shakey Graves frontman and bandleader Alejandro Rose-Garcia debuted “Hello Gorgeous” on Monday, April 6 as a three-part bi-weekly documentary/music video project, inspired by the name of his new studio. Each chapter in the series takes a behind the scenes look at the history of Shakey Graves, the making of Hello Gorgeous, life on the road, as well as a performance of a brand new track. Episode 2, “The Recipe,” is premiering today with two new songs: the title-track as well as “Not Everything Grows.”

“I made ‘Hello Gorgeous’ without goal—not to create a TV show, not to make music videos, simply to document and create something that meshed all the worlds of my creative life into one,” said Rose-Garcia. “It was an experiment of sorts, trying to peel back that personal veil of secrecy. How many bad takes happen before a good song emerges? If an idea enters a room, can you see it in real time? I was weary of spending hours and months working behind closed doors only to emerge with a handful of carefully crafted songs to then sit on and promote until you can’t stand hearing them, all before anyone in the public had heard a single note. I wanted to create a unified project, a song that was the video, a video that was the story, the story that was the point.”

In the weeks between episodes, Rose-Garcia will live-stream a concert/hang/call-in/quiz show/performance to raise money on behalf of MusiCares. The next live stream will take place next Monday, April 27.

Ray Wylie Hubbard Collaborates With Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Don Was, Chris Robinson On New Single

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Ray Wylie Hubbard. Photo: Alan Messer

Ray Wylie Hubbard has released the single “Bad Trick” featuring an all-star guest lineup of Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh and Chris Robinson. The tune establishes the tone of his gritty upcoming new 10-track collection CO-STARRING, due out July 10 on Big Machine Records.

Hubbard conceptualized and produced CO-STARRING, his 17th studio album, which includes bluegrass/folk legend Peter Rowan on the tender “Hummingbird,” Ashley McBryde on the tough girl homage “Outlaw Blood,” Paula Nelson and Elizabeth Cook on “Drink ‘Til I See Double” and Aaron Lee Tasjan on “Rock Gods.”

“I have believed in the rule that one should not sing their own praises, but with my new record on Big Machine Records, well I’m going to have to break that rule,” said Hubbard. “Co-Starring has got grit, groove, tone and taste and is so righteously cool that small demons will drool, and little angels will want to line dance.”

Average Joes Entertainment Launches Texas/Americana Label Imprint With Rich O’Toole

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Average Joes Entertainment has launched a new Texas/Americana imprint, Buffalo Roam Records, with artist/writer Rich O’Toole as both the first artist signed to the label, as well as the leader for the new venture.

The imprint’s first album release is O’Toole’s New York City, which will release June 26. Texas native O’Toole has topped the Texas Music Chart three times, has had 23 Top 10 singles at Texas radio, and sold more than 100,000 albums. The signing marks a return to Average Joes for O’Toole, who released the album Kiss Of A Liar on the label in 2011.

“As we began to consider re-approaching the Texas music scene, Rich was a natural pick for a partner. Having worked with him in the past when he was an artist on Average Joes, we knew his drive and determination, as well as his Texas roots, would align well with the core spirit of Average Joes. We’re excited to have him back, and look forward to a bright future,” said Forrest Latta, Average Joes Entertainment A&R.

“I’m excited to bring a Texas/Americana sound with the new AJE imprint, Buffalo Roam Records. We will be delivering some of the best up-and-coming artists out of the southwest,” said O’Toole.

O’Toole can be reached at [email protected].

Industry Ink: Grand Ole Opry, Third Man, Nashville Musicians Association, James Robert Webb

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Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent Usher In 4920th Opry Saturday Night

Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent. Photo: Grand Ole Opry


Grand Ole Opry members and bluegrass legends Ricky Skaggs and Dailey & Vincent performed on the  Opry’s 4,920th consecutive Saturday night last Saturday night (April 18). Their performance could also be seen on Circle Television. For the past six weeks, amidst the current COVID-19 crisis the Opry has continued without an audience in attendance.

 

Third Man Records Relaunches Public Access Show

Third Man Records has re-launched Third Man Public Access, which will now consist of long-form broadcasts of exclusive content, intimate at-home performances, readings, music videos and more from Third Man artists and friends in lieu of live-streamed performances. In this new episode, Olivia Jean and J Mascis perform songs from home, and elsewhere artists like Kelley Stoltz, Redd Kross, Dale Crover, Luke Schneider and many more showcase both live and studio versions of their songs. Additionally, Third Man Books author Ben Myers reads from his novel “The Gallows Pole,” and Shadow Show walk us through the recording of a demo. Third Man Public Access Episode 3 – From Home premieres on YouTube today (April 21).

 

Nashville Musicians Association Crisis Assistance Fund Opens

The Nashville Musicians Association has re-launched its 501c3 charitable fund to accept donations which will be distributed to help Nashville area musicians who have been adversely affected by the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. The fund was originally created to provide financial assistance for musicians who suffered losses in the 2010 Nashville Flood. Donations will be tax-deductible, and all funds raised will be distributed equitably to musicians in need through the NMA Crisis Assistance Fund. Application details will be forthcoming, and donations can be made at the nashvillemusicians.org COVID resources page or at the Nashville Musicians Association Facebook page. All SunTrust branches (and drive throughs) can accept donations made out to the“NMA Crisis Assistance Fund,” and donation checks or money orders may be mailed directly to AFM Local 257, 11 Music Circle North, Nashville, TN. 37203.

 

James Robert Webb Sets Self-Titled Release For May

James Robert Webb‘s upcoming self-titled release is set for May 1. The project includes songs penned by Wynn Varble, Bob McDill, Casey Beathard, as well as Webb himself. The album was produced by Buddy Cannon, and is available for pre-order.

Old Dominion Releases Documentary Behind Music Video For "Some People Do"

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Old Dominion with Jason Schneidman

Old Dominion has released a mini-documentary in support of the music video for their single “Some People Do.” The documentary looks at the story of celebrity men’s groomer Jason Schneidman and shows members of Old Dominion working with him in Los Angeles.

Schneidman, who also works with Old Dominion, was previously homeless and overcame drug addiction. In his spare time, he helps out the homeless of Los Angeles, providing free haircuts as a means to connect with those who may be battling addiction issues, and funds scholarships to rehab centers. In February 2020, the band joined him on the ground to help out.

Jason Schneidman’s Men’s Groomer Foundation is inspired by more than just a calling but the ability to help people get off the street and back on their feet.  The foundation is working with rehabs in California providing funding through the sales of Schneidman’s products.

“Some People Do” is Old Dominion’s newest single with currently over 26.2 million streams. The song is the latest track off Old Dominion’s self-titled third studio album, which was released in the fall of 2019.

Sony Music Nashville Teams With Cracker Barrel Old Country Store To Help Healthcare Workers

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is set to launch a new program, ‘There’s Comfort in Giving,’ which will donate meals and pay-it-forward to healthcare professionals in the HCA Healthcare system fighting on the frontlines of COVID-19.

Over the next few weeks, Cracker Barrel will donate 5,000 meals to healthcare workers at select hospitals in partnership with Sony Music Nashville. Chris Young will kick off the program with a live stream performance on the Cracker Barrel Facebook page on Sunday, April 26.

“I am glad to be teaming up with Cracker Barrel to give back to the doctors, nurses, and first responders who are pushed to the limit day in and day out fighting COVID-19,” said multi-platinum selling Sony Music Nashville recording artist, Chris Young. “My Dad is in the high risk category as a cancer survivor and missing part of his lung and I’m immensely grateful for everything our healthcare workers are doing to keep everyone safe.”

Others on the Sony Music Nashville roster are also set to participate, including Adam Doleac, Jameson Rodgers, Matt Stell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Niko Moon, Rachel Wammack, Robert Counts, Seaforth, and The Sisterhood Band. Many artists will host performances both on their own social channels as well as on Cracker Barrel channels. Each Sony Music Nashville act has chosen specific hospitals that hold special meaning to them to receive meal donations. Among the hospitals that will receive meals are: Medical City Healthcare (Dallas, Texas); HCA Houston Healthcare (Houston, Texas); HCA Healthcare affiliated hospitals (Orlando, Florida); HCA Healthcare affiliated hospitals (Tampa, Florida) and TriStar Health (Nashville, Tennessee).

“We’re humbled and honored to provide meals to those on the frontlines working so hard to protect us,” said Jeff Sigel, Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “Thanks to a great partnership with Sony Music Nashville, we’re pleased to invite guests and fans to pay it forward.”

“We are deeply grateful to Cracker Barrel and Sony Music Nashville for generously honoring our healthcare heroes,” said Heather J. Rohan, President of TriStar Health. “Thank you for recognizing our dedicated caregivers who are giving their all everyday on the frontlines.”

When Cracker Barrel guests give the virtual gift of a meal to someone they love, Cracker Barrel will give a meal to a frontline worker. With the purchase of every $10 in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® e-gift cards via crackerbarrel.com now through May 12, Cracker Barrel will donate one additional meal (up to 5,000 meals) to healthcare workers.

Apple Music, Other Services Expand To More Countries Worldwide

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Apple has announced that starting today, the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and iCloud are now available in 20 more countries, and Apple Music is available in 52 additional countries.

The App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and iCloud are now available in the following countries and regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania, and Apple Music is also expanding to Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, and Oceania.

“We’re delighted to bring many of Apple’s most beloved Services to users in more countries than ever before,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and International Content. “We hope our customers can discover their new favorite apps, games, music, and podcasts as we continue to celebrate the world’s best creators, artists, and developers.”

Apple Music is now available in 167 countries and regions and offers 60 million songs. New Apple Music subscribers in the 52 additional countries can enjoy a six-month free trial of the service, with locally curated playlists including Africa Now, Afrobeats Hits, Ghana Bounce, and more. In addition, users have access to programs from globally celebrated creators including Virgil Abloh, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Pharrell, and more.

KB Inks Joint Deal With Sony’s Essential Sound/Provident Label Group

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Hip-hop artist KB has launched a joint partnership with Sony Music, partnering his own HGA Music imprint with Sony’s Essential Sound/Provident Label Group.

KB has released four studio albums, and has had projects reach the Top 5 on Billboard‘s Top Rap Album chart, including 2012’s Weight & Glory and 2015’s Tomorrow We Live. He has just released his first single under the new Sony deal, titled “Armies,” along with a lyric video for the track.

“It feels as if God has been preparing me for the music that I’m making right now,” said KB. “I’m profoundly grateful for all the possibilities that it brings and I hope that it will make a positive impact on our culture and the world. I’m excited to see what this new partnership has in store.”

“KB’s deep connection with his fans is obvious,” said Jason McArthur, Vice President of Artists & Repertoire for Sony Music Entertainment’s faith-based division Provident Label Group. “KB is one of those rare talents whose creativity, charisma and masterful hip-hop lyric writing are surpassed only by his depth and passion for his mission. I knew right away he was someone we wanted to partner with.”

Phil Thornton, SVP/General Manager of Essential Sound/Provident Label Group says, “We are thrilled to welcome KB to our Essential Sound/Provident family. I’ve been a longtime fan of KB’s incredible artistry. His skilled lyricism and candid performances continue to break boundaries and command attention with all his fans worldwide. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to releasing new music soon!”