BREAKING: Legendary Entertainment Executive & Artist Manager Dale Morris Passes Away

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Dale Morris. Photo: Courtesy of Morris Higham Management

Legendary entertainment executive and artist manager Dale Morris has passed away at the age of 89.

A Nashville industry leader for almost seven decades, Morris found his initial success as a songwriter, landing Johnny Paycheck in the Top 5 with “Don’t Monkey With Another Monkey’s Monkey.”

Over the years, Morris signed and worked with many of country music’s top acts, including Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Alabama and Kenny Chesney, through his company, Dale Morris & Associates. Inducted into the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s Hall of Fame in 2010, Morris built an internationally renowned staging company, known as Morris Light & Sound, to ensure cutting-edge production elements for his artists. In 2018, Morris sold the Dale Morris Agency to Paradigm, now known as The·Team, retaining autonomy for his agents in the process.

Morris was married to his wife Earline for 68 years and the couple had one son, Tim, who preceded him in death. They loved and took great pride in being involved in the lives of their daughter-in-law Jennifer, their grandchildren Zack, Colton (and wife Mary Blair), Nick (and wife Shelby) and Kendall, and great-grandchildren Mary Dee and Gus.

A Celebration for Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Nobody loved life, people, the chase more than Dale,” the family shares. “But above all that, he loved his family most of all. As a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he created a world where we felt safe, supported and ready to shine…We will miss him every day and carry his love with us always.”

“He was larger than life, and never met a dream he couldn’t build,” says Morris Higham Management President Clint Higham, who joined Dale Morris & Associates while still a student at Belmont University. “Dale Morris gave me my first internship, and I never wanted to go anywhere else. He saw things in people, in me, in Kenny, and inspired everyone to reach beyond what we thought possible. Maybe it’s how much he loved life, loved his family, loved us. He lived a big, bold, beautiful, blessed life, and I’m holding onto that right now. It’s the end of an era.”

RaeLynn To Host Two Benefit Shows For The RaeLynn Diabetes Fund

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RaeLynn.

RaeLynn will host two benefit shows for the RaeLynn Diabetes Fund on Monday (Aug. 24) at The Listening Room Cafe.

She will be joined by Corey Crowder and Rhett Akins for both performances. Tickets are available here.

The RaeLynn Diabetes Fund offers encouragement, empowerment and community for those facing diabetes. Its mission is to raise funds to support individuals and families impacted by Type 1, Type 2 and juvenile diabetes.

MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of the MusicRow Weekly recaps a busy week across Nashville’s music industry, from the 19th Annual ACM Honors and its celebration of country music’s biggest names to new partnerships, signings and Grand Ole Opry milestones. Click here to see the full edition.

The 19th Annual ACM Honors took over The Pinnacle in Nashville on Wednesday night (Aug. 19), raising more than $65,000 for ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music. Carly Pearce returned to host the event for the sixth consecutive year, joined by Parker McCollum, who co-hosted the ceremony for the first time.

The evening recognized a wide-ranging group of honorees, including Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, the Paramount+ hit series Landman, Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke. The ceremony also celebrated previously announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year Ella Langley and ACM Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon, along with the ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award recipients from the 61st ACM Awards cycle.

Elsewhere across the industry, The Neal Agency has partnered with WIN Artists, expanding TNA’s roster integrations throughout the broader entertainment business.

Echo House Collective has also launched, with Emma Kiefer joining the company as Senior Director of A&R. Co-founders Jet and Krysten Harvey will work with Kiefer as she leads A&R development, publishing, signings, roster management and other areas of the company’s operations.

The Grand Ole Opry continued welcoming new artists to its historic stage this week. Josh Tatofi made his Opry debut on Aug. 11, while Sons of Habit made their debut on Aug. 14. The duo’s Mitchell Douglas and Hagan Edge have also signed with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.

In other career news, Jaid Joice has signed with WME, while Jade Eagleson has joined BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Eagleson is also expanding his team, signing with Range Music for management, CAA for booking and Spirit Music, in a joint venture with Alliance Music Partners, for publishing.

Alison Nichols has signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG, adding another new name to the publisher’s roster.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Kenny Chesney takes the No. 1 spot with “Carry On.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

One:eight Entertainment Launches Publishing Division, Signs Producers Kyle Lee & Ryan Rich

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Pictured (L-R): Taylor Niemi, Alex Whiten, Bella Miller, Derek Spirk, Ryan Rich, Greg Ham, Kyle Lee, Madeline Halm and Elyse Mead

Artist development company one:eight entertainment has launched a new publishing division led by Greg Ham and Madeline Halm and has signed producers and songwriters Kyle Lee and Ryan Rich.

Since its founding, one:eight entertainment has represented many influential artists and creatives in music and entertainment, including Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Robert Deaton, Charity Gayle, DOE, Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Kennedy.

Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Lee joins one:eight publishing following years of partnership with the team through work with clients such as CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith. This year alone, Lee has worked with artists including Chris Tomlin, CeCe Winans, Charity Gayle, DOE, Gateway Worship, Josh Baldwin, Patrick Mayberry and Ryan Kennedy. His work has earned multiple No. 1 singles, Gold and Platinum certifications, and several Grammy and Dove Awards, including four recent Dove nominations, including Producer of the Year. He’s best known for projects like CeCe Winans’ Believe For It, Gateway Worship Español’s Danzando, Leeland’s Way Maker, and Josh Baldwin’s Made For More. 

Producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rich has quickly become one of the industry’s most respected emerging creatives, collaborating with artists including Martin Smith, Charity Gayle, Gateway Worship, Michael Bethany, Abbie Gamboa, and Elyssa Figueroa, and his work has earned multiple Dove Award nominations. Whether producing records at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the UK, or writing songs that have found homes in churches around the world, Rich approaches every project with this purpose: creating music that points people to Jesus while championing the artists that have been entrusted to him.

“Creativity is always in its healthiest form when it’s flowing in a community of people who share the same vision, and who champion each other,” says Lee. “Through that lens, I’ve never been so hopeful and encouraged than I am entering this new season of partnership with one:eight and collaboration with Ryan Rich.”

“As the industry continues to evolve, we’re excited to expand the ways we serve the creative community,” adds Ham, Founder of one:eight entertainment, “We have seen first-hand how songs have the potential to make an eternal impact. That’s why we’re passionate about coming alongside the songwriters and producers behind those songs to help them steward their God-given gifts.”

Reba Spotlights Songwriter Brandy Clark On Fifth Music Capsule ‘Tourist’

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Reba McEntire is celebrating her longtime friend and collaborator Brandy Clark in her fifth music capsule, Tourist – EP, out today via MCA.

Clark co-wrote every track on the new collection, including the title track, co-written with Jeremy Spillman and Travis Meadows. McEntire and Clark most recently shared the stage at the 68th Annual Grammys, where McEntire was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Trailblazer,” written by Clark, Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson.

Complementing each capsule release is a curated playlist, with “The Continuation Of Reba” arriving Sept. 1. McEntire is celebrating 50 years of music with a new capsule each month, and has released One Night In Tulsa – EP, Hurt Like That – EP, Ain’t Gonna Keep It Waitin’ – EP, and Ring Ring – EP, each pairing a new recording with songs spanning her five-decade career.

Tourist Track List:
1. “Tourist” (Brandy Clark, Jeremy Spillman, Travis Meadows)
2. “Tammy Wynette Kind Of Pain” (Brandy Clark, Mark Narmore, Shelley Skidmore)
3. “The Day She Got Divorced” (Brandy Clark, Mark D. Sanders, Shane McAnally)
4. “She Got Drunk Last Night” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)
5. “Cry” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)

Evan Masyr Named Chief Financial Officer At K-LOVE

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Evan Masyr

Evan Masyr has joined K-LOVE, Inc. as the Ministry’s Chief Financial Officer.

Masyr will lead the accounting, finance and tax departments at the company while serving on the Ministry Leadership Team. He spent the last 26 years at Salem Media Group, holding the position of CFO for 19 years. Prior to that, Masyr worked for the global accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers for nearly seven years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo.

“We are delighted to have someone with Evan’s deep industry experience and relationships, along with his record of integrity and heart for ministry,” says K-LOVE Chief Executive Officer Tom Stultz. “Evan has been on the frontlines of practically every major media innovation for the past two decades. He adds depth to everything we do. And he is committed to financial transparency, integrity and stewardship.”

“It is a tremendous blessing and a calling to join K-LOVE and serve a ministry that shares the hope of Jesus Christ with listeners across the country and around the world,” adds Masyr. “I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside the outstanding leadership team and dedicated employees, continuing to advance K-LOVE’s mission of inspiring people to move closer to Jesus. I am honored to join an organization whose mission 100% aligns with my personal faith.”

Masyr’s first day at K-LOVE will be Sept. 14.

Troy Cartwright Receives Standing Ovation During Grand Ole Opry Debut

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Troy Cartwright. Photo: Matt Paskert

Troy Cartwright stepped into the Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time earlier this week.

The Dallas native made his Opry debut performing two unreleased songs, “One Summer When I Was Young” and “Shoulders.”

“Country music specifically is such a special genre because places like the Grand Ole Opry preserve the history and cherish memories made there,” Cartwright shared as he got off stage. “Standing in that circle for the first time, not only do I carry with me all of those who have come before me, but I get to look out into the audience and see my parents, my wife and my son. I am so honored to make my Opry debut and even more honored to share it with those who mean the most to me.”

Cartwright received his first guitar at age 13. As a songwriter signed to Big Machine Publishing, Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Ryan Hurd, Nickelback and several others. Through his own releases, Cartwright garnered over 250 million streams to date and shared stages with HARDY, LANCO, Hayes Carll and more. He is the host of Ten Year Town podcast.

Troy Cartwright. Photo: Matt Paskert

Troy Cartwright. Photo: Matt Paskert

Gavin Adcock Reveals Track List For Upcoming Album

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Gavin Adcock has revealed the track list for his upcoming album, The Day I Hang It Up, due Oct. 2 via Thrivin Here Records LLC under exclusive license to Warner Records Nashville.

The 26-track project was written alongside Paul Sikes, Joybeth Taylor, Erik Dylan, Ben Hayslip, Will Bundy and Josh Miller, among others. A co-writer on all but four songs, the project also includes collaborations with Treaty Oak Revival, ERNEST, and his previously released fan favorite, “Cheap Thrills” with Hudson Westbrook.

Adcock previewed the album today (Aug. 21) with “Having One Now,” written by Adcock, Luke Laird and Rhett Akins.

“‘Having One Now’ is an upbeat song about finding some love when you were down and out,” Adcock shares. “Last week I dropped a sad song, the week before that I dropped a song for all the blue collar people out there. So, get ready… and don’t be surprised if I drop another one next week.”

The new project marks his third album in three years, following last year’s 24-track Own Worst Enemy, which boasted over 25 million U.S. streams in its first week. His most recent full-length project, Country Never Dies, released in March, brought together Hudson Westbrook, Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Lanie Gardner, Vincent Mason and more for collaborations on some of country music’s most iconic hits.

Adcock’s headlining “The Day I Hang It Up Tour” is now underway with a rotating lineup of special guests including Pecos & The Rooftops, Corey Kent, Tyler Nance, Jake Worthington, The Creekers, Braxton Keith and Mack Geiger.

The Day I Hang It Up Track List:
1. “The Day I Hang It Up” (Tucker Beathard, Austin Goodloe, Brett Tyler)
2. “Lowball Me” (Gavin Adcock, Paul Sikes, Dan Isbell)
3. “Get A Grip” (Gavin Adcock, Jack Rauton, Joybeth Taylor, Colton Venner)
4. “Having One Now” (Gavin Adcock, Luke Laird, Rhett Akins)
5. “Workin’ Man” (Gavin Adcock, Luke Laird, Jimi Bell)
6. “Us Again (Feat. Treaty Oak Revival)” (Gavin Adcock, Sam Canty)
7. “Thing For You” (Gavin Adcock, Colton Venner, Jack Hummel, Jeremy Stover)
8. “Through With Me” (Gavin Adcock, Brody Frazier)
9. “Rockstar Life” (Matt Roy)
10. “Bad Off” (Gavin Adcock, Jack Rauton, Joybeth Taylor, Colton Venner)
11. “Anymore” (Gavin Adcock, Logan Cheeseman, Christian Vead)
12. “Holes In The Boat” (Gavin Adcock, Rhett Akins, Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton)
13. “Mama Never Liked You Anyway” (Gavin Adcock, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton)
14. “Save My Breath (Feat. ERNEST)” (Gavin Adcock, Ernest Smith, Jon Michael McKinnon)
15. “Dreamer” (Will Bundy, John Pierce, Josh Miller)
16. “Wannabe” (Gavin Adcock, Jacob Durett, Brad Clawson, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen)
17. “Time For A Slow Down” (Gavin Adcock, Jack Rauton, Will Bundy, Erik Dylan)
18. “18” (Gavin Adcock, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins)
19. “Cheap Thrills (feat. Hudson Westbrook)” (Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Reid Haughton)
20. “One Hell Of A Steal” (Gavin Adcock, Luke Laird, Jack Hummel, Chase McDaniel)
21. “Strangers In A Bar” (Gavin Adcock, Jack Rauton, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins)
22. “Shoes” (Gavin Adcock, Jon Michael McKinnon, Bennett Boswell)
23. “Every Other Heartbreak” (Jack Rauton, Colton Venner)
24. “When I Get Home Tonight” (Gavin Adcock, Luke Laird, Jack Hummel, Joybeth Taylor)
25. “Dancing In The Flames” (Gavin Adcock, Devin Flanigan, Jack Hummel, Jack Rauton, Chandler Walters)
26. “Most Wanted” (Gavin Adcock, Jack Hummel, Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy)*
* Physical-Exclusive Bonus Track

Presley & Taylor Relive The Chaos Of Their 20s On New Album ‘Act My Age,’ Due In October

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Sister duo Presley & Taylor are heading into a brand new chapter with their new album Act My Age, set for release Oct. 16.

Along with the album announcement, Presley & Taylor have released their new single, “Drunk,” which flips the script on the classic breakup bender, proving the boys aren’t the only ones who head to the bar when a relationship goes sideways.

Built around the messy, funny, emotional and often unpredictable reality of being in your 20s, Act My Age finds Presley & Taylor getting candid about every mistake, bad decision, heartbreak, growing pain and hard-earned lesson that comes with figuring out who you are, and refusing to apologize for any of it. On the 12-song set, the sisters aren’t trying to present a perfectly polished version of themselves, instead documenting the chaos of growing up, falling in love, getting hurt, chasing a dream, experiencing life and learning, sometimes the hard way, to trust their own instincts.

“Once we figured out all of the songs we wanted to include in this new chapter, it was easy to see a common thread: the messiness of life in your 20s,” shares Presley & Taylor. “We’re both married now and starting to settle down but we certainly had our share of toxic relationships, bad decisions, heartbreak, fun and everything in between and are grateful to lean into it all. ”’Drunk’ really sums up that dramatic, chaotic, ‘throw caution to the wind’ air to your twenties, all wrapped up in a breakup.”

“Drunk” is the fifth track to be released from the project since the duo teamed up with Andrew Baylis, and follows “Bands Breakup” “Sting,” “Out of This Dodge” and the autobiographical ballad “The Kind of Girl.”

The duo is slated to join Tracy Lawrence on tour this fall.

Act My Age Track List:
1. “One Last Shot” (Haley Mae Campbell, Lydia Dall, Jason Haag, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
2. “So Badly” (Andrew Beason, Emma Place, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini, Kate Zickler)
3. “Drunk” (Haley Mae Campbell, Lydia Dall, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
4. “The Kind of Girl” (Michael Farren, Tiffany Goss, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
5. “Act My Age” (Brent Mccollough, Will Dakota, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
6. “Sting” (Andrew Beason, Emma Place, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
7. “Lucky Old No. 7” (Canaan Smith, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
8. “Boys Lie” (Haley Mae Campbell, Brent Mccollough, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
9. “Out of This Dodge” (Sam Blasko, Claire Carruthers, Brent Mccollough, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
10. “Tell Me” (Andrew Beason, Emma Place, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
11. “Bands Breakup” (Andrew Beason, Canaan Smith, Presley Termini, Taylor Termini)
12. “On the Ride” (Adam M. Watts, Alyson R. Michalka, Amanda Joy Michalka, Andrew Creighton Dodd, Carrie Michalka)

Kenny Chesney Extends His No. 1 Run On The MusicRow Radio Chart

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Kenny Chesney; Allister Ann

Kenny Chesney extends his run at No. 1 on the MusicRow Radio Chart with his hit “Carry On.”

The track comes off of Chesney’s twenty-first studio album Silver Sands Marina and was written by Chase McGill, Matt Jenkins and Jessi Alexander.

Chesney is set to release “Goldfish” and its Maui-based music video on Aug. 28, ahead of his new album arriving Sept. 25.

“Carry On” currently sits at No. 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 7 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.