Brad Paisley, Steve Wariner Take Part In Instrumental Collaboration To Benefit MusiCares

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Brad Paisley

Several artists and musicians have joined for a new cross-genre instrumental collaboration “Quarantine,” to benefit MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Written and produced by award winning producer and musician Scotty Wilbanks on March 29, 2020, the collaboration of players recorded individual parts in home or personal studios over the next few months.

Country superstar Brad Paisley, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jonathan Cain (Journey), four-time Grammy winner Steve Wariner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones) join Luke Bryan’s band, Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and many more to form The Quarantine All-Stars.

“Truly one of the highlights of my career came at the most unusual time,” said Wilbanks, who is familiar to country and Christian music fans as the keyboard player for Luke Bryan and Third Day. “What started out as an idea in the middle of quarantine, turned into this unique collaboration with some of the most gifted musicians. It was an honor to work with these incredible players, who all contributed in their own unique way in bringing this project to life for a great cause, MusiCares!”

“What a thrill to play with this caliber of musicians! A social distance jam with players like these certainly isn’t preferable, but it’s the right way to do it these days, and to help out our struggling musicians by supporting MusiCares makes it even more special,” Wariner shared.

“It felt great to play on this smokin’ hot tune and fun video with so many other fine musicians in support of such a vital organization as MusiCares,” added Leavell. “I hope folks will enjoy it and join us in the cause!”

The full list of participating musicians is below:

The Quarantine All-Stars:
Guitars/Pedal Steel:
Brad Paisley
Steve Wariner
Michael Carter (Luke Bryan)
Josh Reedy (Thomas Rhett)
Katlin Owen (John Pardi)
Dave Ristrim (Luke Bryan)

Keyboards:
Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones)
Scotty Wilbanks (Luke Bryan, Third Day)
Jonathan Cain (Journey)

Drums:
Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton, Earth, Wind & Fire)
Chris Kimmerer (Thomas Rhett)
Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan)

Bass:
Sam Sims (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake)
James Cook (Luke Bryan)

Fiddle:
Kevin Arrowsmith (Luke Bryan)

Horns:
Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band)
Keith Smith (TobyMac)
Lee Thornburg (Joe Bonamassa, Tower of Power)
Mark Douthit (Michael McDonald)
Roy Agee (Lauren Daigle)
Dan Falcone (Lady Gaga, Celine Dion)
Greg Vail (Luis Miguel)

Billy Blue Records Signs Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

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Pictured (L-R): Jerry Salley (Billy Blue Records), Colton Powers, Max Etling, Seth Mulder, Ben Watlington, Cody Bauer, Ed Leonard (Billy Blue Records)

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run have signed with Billy Blue Records.

The Gatlinburg, Tennessee group includes Mulder on mandolin and vocals, alongside Colton Powers (banjo, vocals), Ben Watlington (guitar/vocals), Max Etling (upright bass, vocals) and Cody Bauer (fiddle).

Billy Blue Records’ roster of artists includes Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Carolina Blue, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, and the Grammy-nominated recording “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout.” Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.

“This is a group that really cares about the music and about one another,” says Billy Blue Records Creative and A&R Director, Salley. “They are infinitely entertaining when they perform. The vocals and musicianship are top notch, of course, but it’s that visible camaraderie that absolutely makes fans fall in love with Midnight Run.”

Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris To Play Grand Ole Opry

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Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the Opry’s 4,935th consecutive Saturday night broadcast.

Over the years, the three superstars have toured together and collaborated on stage and in writing rooms.

“I met [Emmylou] and Rodney when I was 19,” Gill said. “I don’t have two better friends in the world.”

Crowell penned “Bluebird Wine,” which was included on Harris’ Pieces of the Sky album, and Crowell later joined Harris’ Hot Band in the 1970s. When Crowell left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career, he put together the band the Cherry Bombs. Gill would leave his role at the time in Pure Prairie League to join the Cherry Bombs. In the mid-1980s, Gill joined Harris’ backing band for three albums, including The Ballad of Sally Rose, Thirteen and Angel Band. Crowell also worked with Harris and Gill on Thirteen. Crowell and Harris collaborated on 2013’s Old Yellow Moon and 2015’s The Traveling Kind. Crowell and Harris also contributed to tracks on Gill’s 2006 four-CD box set These Days.

“It’s still my favorite gig, is playing with Rodney,” Gill told No Depression last year. Gill added, “I can’t even fathom what my life would be like if I hadn’t met Emmy.”

“Emmy and Vince? Hmm…With those voices, maybe I’ll have a chance if we’re wearing masks,” mused Crowell.

“There’s nothing better than singing with old and dear friends, especially if those friends happen to be Rodney and Vince,” said Harris.

Though concerts with live audiences are currently paused at the Grand Ole Opry’s venue, the show continues to be broadcast live each week on Circle and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV and other affiliates.

This Saturday (July 25) EMI Records Nashville artist and This Is Us star Chrissy Metz will perform, as will Gospel Music Hall of Fame member CeCe Winans, as well as Tracy Lawrence.

Collin Raye Signs With BFD/Audium Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): David “Fergie” Ferguson, Steve Cox (Raye’s manager), Collin Raye, Chuck Rhodes (BFD / Audium Nashville), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity). Photo: Absolute Publicity

Collin Raye has signed with BFD (Bob Frank Distribution)/Audium Nashville. Raye is currently in the studio recording new material, which is set for release later this year. Studio veteran David “Fergie” Ferguson is producing the project.

Raye’s forthcoming project will mark his first studio album of all-new material since 2009’s Never Going Back. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The timing for this upcoming album is just right,” says Raye. “My producer David Ferguson gave me total freedom in the studio. I think it will be my most artistic album ever.”

Last month, Raye made headlines when he performed one of the first public concerts since COVID-19 forced national shutdowns earlier this year. On June 13, Raye journeyed to Cedar City, Utah to perform an outdoor concert for the Utah Business Revival. Over 100 small businesses setup booths at the event to sell their products and services in an open-air environment.

Warner Music Nashville Signs BEXAR

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Bexar. Photo: Emily Dorio

Warner Music Nashville has signed country duo BEXAR, which takes its name from Bexar County, Texas, where lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Ryan spent time as a child. He is joined by Kentucky native and vocalist/guitarist/banjo player Logan Turner.

“When two worlds collide like this, you can start creating something special,” Ryan says of their emerging group.

“I want people to feel about our music the way I felt about music when I first fell in love with it,” adds Turner. “That it takes you somewhere—a place that nothing else in the world can take you to.”

BEXAR’s debut single, “Again,” was produced and co-written by Ross Copperman. The single is available now.

“It’s about being unapologetically you,” Ryan says of the song.

“At the end of the day, there’s always things that you wish you could go back and do differently,” Turner adds. “but even with mistakes, you learn from them and move forward.”

The duo released their eponymous debut EP in 2018 and have gained more than 25 million streams to date.

Media/Production Company Country Rebel Relocates To Tennessee

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The Country Rebel media and production company, founded in 2014 by brothers Kevin and Darin Blue in San Diego, California, has relocated their business to Ashland City, Tennessee.

The scenic 30-acre “Country Rebel Ranch” now houses a multitude of businesses including full video production capabilities, order fulfillment, high-tech CO2 laser wood manufacturing as well as a menagerie of dogs, cats and farm animals.

“The country music community welcomed us with open arms from the moment we launched Country Rebel in 2014,” said CR’s Kevin Blue. “We love the culture, the music and especially the people, and we feel a great sense of responsibility being a part of helping launch and sustain careers.”

The Country Rebel brand has attracted over 18 million country music and lifestyle fans and receives over 24 million social engagements per month on its vast network of country sites and social fan pages. Driven by a strong passion for country music, Country Rebel initially created a clothing line that promoted the spirit of the country lifestyle, and in just over five years, their website morphed into a top-ranking country platform for both new and established artists to connect with country fans all over the world.

The brothers recently produced their inaugural “Fireside Sessions” featuring 138 acoustic performances by 33 artists. The videos began airing on Country Rebel’s YouTube channel and social media pages and are generating tens of thousands of views for artists like Ashley McBryde, Drake White, David Nail, and many more.

Brantley Gilbert Receives Pandora Billionaire Plaque

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Brantley Gilbert receives the Pandora Billionaire Plaque honoring his achievement of surpassing 3.5 billion streams on the platform.

Brantley Gilbert was honored as a Pandora Billionaire recently and received the plaque honoring his achievement during a Zoom of SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour with Buzz Brainard on The Highway. He recently surpassed the 3.5 billion stream mark on the platform.

“I really do appreciate all of you,” Gilbert shared via Zoom. “All of ya’ll have been really, really good to me. I couldn’t ask for a better team or a better family. I’m floored. I had absolutely no idea. I don’t get surprised, so this is amazing. We’re surrounded by a bunch of awesome folks, and all of you that are watching here tonight as a part of this happy hour, I appreciate ya’ll letting me hang out and be a part of it to share in this.”

Last month, Gilbert released his new single “Hard Days,” which follows his recent No. 1 “What Happens In A Small Town” with Lindsay Ell, marking the Georgia native’s seventh chart-topper.

Big Loud Adds Drew Magid To Management Team

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Drew Magid

Big Loud has added Drew Magid to its management team, serving as day-to-day manager for Warner Records’ R&B artist Bren Joy. Bren Joy is signed to Big Loud for management and publishing.

“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Big Loud team,” shares Magid. “My goal in all of my years touring was to ultimately become an artist manager. Getting to work for an artist I believe in as much as Bren Joy is a dream come true.”

Magid graduated from Penn State University in 2011 and began touring with O.A.R., then working with rock artists including The War On Drugs, Walk the Moon, and Young the Giant. He concentrated on tour management full time, working with Grouplove, Charlie Puth, KT Tunstall and more, as well as an extensive role as tour manager for Imagine Dragons on their 140+ date Evolve World Tour in 2018. He served as tour manager for Florida Georgia Line before joining Big Loud Management. Magrid has also won Young Gun Tour Manager of the Year during the 2020 Pinnacle Awards at the Live Production Summit.

“We’ve already built a great working rapport with Drew, and I’m pumped to have him join our Management team,” adds Seth England, Partner/CEO of Big Loud. “He’s got a killer touring record and a special connection with his clients. His excitement and dedication to Bren Joy makes this pairing an ideal fit.”

Weekly Radio Report (7/24/20)

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

BBR Music Group Signs DJ Duo RoadHouse

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RoadHouse

BBR Music Group has signed DJ duo RoadHouse, comprised of Dee Jay Silver and DJ Ikon.
In addition to remixing other artists’ songs, the duo will release original music that infuses country, pop, EDM, hip-hop and other genres. The duo has released its first remix, a new spin on LOCASH’s “One Big Country Song.”

DJ Silver was the first DJ to be signed to a Nashville record label, and has opened shows for artists including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brad Paisley, and Chris Young. DJ Ikon a staple in Las Vegas clubs for years.

“Silver has unofficially been in our family for years. He and [Jason] Aldean revolutionized the country concert experience through his performances between sets at nearly every amphitheater and arena in the US, not to mention his electrifying club performances. Ikon is a force of nature in his own right with a proven track record,” said Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “When the guys laid out their vision for RoadHouse, we immediately recognized the opportunity for them to be revolutionaries in country music again, while bringing new listeners into the genre through their remixes and original work. Our world needs an escape and party more than ever and RoadHouse brings that in spades!”

“Our goal from day one as RoadHouse was to do something different—something that has never been done before! We knew for this project to work, we would need the right partner, one that wasn’t afraid to take chances and believes in us! It took one meeting with Jon Loba and we knew we were home,” said RoadHouse. “BBR has always looked outside the box and has never been afraid to take chances. We are excited to work with the whole team and create something truly amazing together! We are proud to be the newest members of the BBR family!”

RoadHouse is managed by Red Light Management.