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!”

Sam Hunt Leaps To Top 20 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Fresh off the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, SOUTHSIDE, Sam Hunt finds himself up 38 slots to No. 14 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with co-writer credit on his tunes “2016,” “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” “Hard To Forget,” “Kinfolks,” “Sinning With You,” “That Ain’t Beautiful” and “Young Once.”

Josh Thompson (No. 15) and Zach Crowell (No. 30) also see big jumps from co-writer credits on Hunt’s new album, as well, while Ross Copperman retains his lead at No. 1 this week.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

2020 SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards Canceled

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SOURCE Nashville has announced the cancellation of the 18th Annual Source Hall of Fame Awards scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. The rescheduled date for the annual awards show will be announced in January 2021.

SOURCE Nashville will continue to help and honor the women behind the music and all of those affected by COVID-19 in the music and entertainment industry by making contributions to various organizations that are assisting those in need.

This year’s class of inductees previously announced will be honored at the 2021 Awards. They include Margie Hunt, (Waylon Jennings/Jessi Colter, AWMG Entertainment, Hunt Music Services, CBS Records, Sony Music), Aleene Jackson (Monument Records, Showbud Guitars, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Conway Twitty Enterprises, Tree International, Cowboy Jack Clement Productions), Suzanne Lee (ASCAP), Dottie Oelhafen (Erv Woolsey Company), Norma Jean Owen (CBS Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records, The Entertainment Group), Betty Sanders (The Pride Music Group, Blake Mevis, The Hyland Company, Chuck Flood & Associates/Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.), and Ima Withers (Chips Moman & Don Crews American Recording Studios, Warner Brothers, RCA Records, Merit Music, BMI).

The following inductees will be honored posthumously at SOURCE’s May 2021 luncheon: Mary Reeves Davis, (Manager/Jim Reeves, CMA Board), Dale Franklin (Nashville Music Association, Leadership Music) and Ann Tant, (Ann’s Promotion Service, Mercury Records, Joe Taylor Booking Agency, GRC Records, Warner Bros., John A. Hobbs, Music City Motorplex, ROPE, Donelson RedHat Honey’s).

SOURCE Hall of Fame inductees are nominated and inducted based upon peer recommendations, biographies, accomplishments, reputation, the number of years each individual has worked within the entertainment industry, and level of community involvement.

High Valley Details New EP ‘Grew Up On That’

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High Valley. Photo: Mike Stahl

High Valley has shared some details of their upcoming EP, Grew Up On That, set for release May 22.

The new six-song project shares some universal themes of childhood, family, and love from their unique upbringing, and the duo is previewing the EP with the release of new song “River’s Still Running” that finds them looking on the bright side of things. The up-tempo tune, penned by High Valley’s Brad Rempel with Randy Montana and Corey Crowder, offers an uplifting message during difficult times.

“When we wrote this song, we had no idea about the predicament we’d be in right now,” said Brad. “But it’s pretty true that if you can look outside and see the sun still shining, see the river still running… then you know it’s going to be ok. We just have to focus on little pieces of positivity every single day.”

Also available from the EP is “Your Mama,” a message from parent to child, that pays tribute to the duo’s better halves. Written by Ben West, Josh Miller, Troy Verges and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, the song is highlighted in a new video which stars the brothers as well as their wives and children and was shot at Brad’s home outside of Nashville.

Grew Up On That EP Track Listing:
1.  Grew Up On That (Brad Rempel, Ben Stennis, Jaron Boyer)
2.  Your Mama (Ben West, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Miller, Troy Verges)
3.  River’s Still Running (Brad Rempel, Randy Montana, Corey Crowder)
4.  Northern Star (Brad Rempel, Matt Rogers, Ben Stennis)
5.  One Day You’ll Get It (Brad Rempel, Derrick Southerland, Ben West)
6.  Show Me The Way (feat. Jillian Edwards) (Brad Rempel, Daniel Tashian, Tenille Nadkrynechny)

Weekly Register: Gabby Barrett At No. 1

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Gabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein

Warner Music Nashville artist Gabby Barrett has plenty to celebrate. Her debut single “I Hope” is the current No. 1 single on country radio, topping both the Billboard Country Airplay Chart and the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart this week.

The feat makes Barrett the first solo female to have a debut single reach No. 1 since 2017, when Carly Pearce’s “Every Little Thing” topped the country radio charts.

Barrett’s “I Hope” also retains its lead on the on-demand country song streaming chart, with 8.3 million streams this week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

The Top 5 Country On-Demand Streaming Songs this week are:

Gabby Barrett, “I Hope”: 8.3 million streams
Diplo & Julia Michaels w/ Morgan Wallen, “Heartless”:  6.9 million streams
Maren Morris, “The Bones”:  6.7 million streams
Morgan Wallen, “Chasin’ You”: 6.5 million streams
Old Dominion, “One Man Band”:  6.2 million streams
Sam Hunt’s Southside remains at No. 1 for  second week on the country albums chart, with 22K in total consumption.
The Top 5 country albums this week are:
Sam Hunt, Southside: 22K
Luke Combs, What You See Is What You Get: 22K
Luke Combs, This One’s For You: 20K
Morgan Wallen, If I Know Me: 17K
Blake Shelton, Fully Loaded: Gods Country: 13K

Charlie Daniels, Journey Home Project Join Code Of Vets To Aid Veterans During COVID-19 Pandemic

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Charlie Daniels and his veterans non-profit The Journey Home Project are joining forces with another non-profit, Code of Vets, to aid former U.S. servicemen and women who are suffering amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Their collective mission is a call to action to seek public donations for vets suffering from economic hardships as well as those who have contracted the virus.

In pre-COVID-19 times, Code of Vets assisted veterans with mental health crisis, unemployment, housing and transportation, among others, but they are now encountering dire situations they never expected. Pressing issues for vets include being unable to pay bills due to layoffs, a spike in food assistance requests, being unable to afford basic needs such as water, electricity, gas, an increase in veteran suicides, being unable to afford room or board due to job loss, no access to rent, mortgage, car payment relief or deferred payment programs, and being unable to reach the VA (by phone/in-person) for necessary mental health appointments.

“We are operating under emergency conditions with this alarming spike of veterans in crisis,” explains Code of Vets Founder Gretchen Smith. “Please donate to assist with basic needs like food, housing and utilities. Our veterans matter. Every dollar matters. It is on us to take care of our own.”

“Gretchen Smith and the folks at Code of Vets cover the guys below the radar, the ones with immediate needs and no place to turn, with a rapid deployment type response to veterans in desperate circumstances,” says Daniels. “These are the same veterans who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. Our nation is pretty distracted by the coronavirus pandemic we’re all dealing with, but the need in the veterans world goes on, and the urgent need for funds is truly critical. I would ask you to join The Journey Home Project in supporting Code of Vets in providing for the needs of our most worthy citizens.”

Donations can be made at codeofvets.com.

Adam Doleac Releases ‘Famous’ EP

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Adam Doleac. Photo: Jessica Steddom

Arista Nashville’s Adam Doleac has released his new EP Famous, which includes his SiriusXM The Highway two-week No. 1 hit “Famous,” as well as “Whiskey’s Fine,” which hit the SiriusXM The Highway’s Top 5. The project was produced by Jason Gantt, Lindsay Rimes and Andy Skib.

“These songs and the inspiration behind them go back as far as five years and some only a few months ago. So for people to finally get to see how they all come together as one body of work is the coolest thing for me,” said Doleac. “This is my first Arista Nashville EP since signing with Sony Music Nashville, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to share this music that means so much to me with all my fans.”

Famous Track List:
1. Famous (Adam Doleac/Bobby Hamrick/Andy Skib)
2. Neon Fools (Adam Doleac/Thomas Finchum/Andy Skib)
3. I Choose Lonely (Adam Doleac/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins)
4. SOLO (Adam Doleac/Jason Gantt/Chris Gelbuda)
5. Mom and Daddy’s Money (Adam Doleac/AJ Babcock/Pete Good)
6. Whiskey’s Fine (Adam Doleac/Monty Criswell)

One World Together At Home Special Raises $127 Million In Support Against COVID-19 Pandemic

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The One World: Together At Home global broadcast event held over the weekend that included performances by Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and many more has raised $127 million in commitments to date in support of healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corporate partners and philanthropists announced their support for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation, during the broadcast, and donations to the fund will support WHO’s work around the world, the vaccine development alliance Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and UNICEF. The Together At Home effort will also aid over 100 additional local and regional charities that will also receive funds, including Education Cannot Wait, Direct Care, Feeding America and United Way, among others.

Global Citizen together with Lady Gaga presented the historic eight-hour globally promoted special that featured dozens of superstars and celebrities and garnered unprecedented worldwide distribution, reaching billions. More than 60 global broadcast networks, across more than 175 countries, nine digital platforms and hundreds of affiliates, celebrated and supported brave healthcare workers doing life-saving work on the front lines. One World: Together At Home kicked-off with a six-hour digital stream that was followed by a two-hour broadcast special.