Mickey Guyton To Perform On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’

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Mickey Guyton. Photo: UMGN

In September, Mickey Guyton released her EP Bridges, filled with powerful, vulnerable songs including “Black Like Me” and “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?.” That same month, Guyton offered a stunning rendition of “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” at the Academy of Country Music Awards, and last week, she earned a shoutout from CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year winner Maren Morris.

Tomorrow (Nov. 19), Guyton will perform “Salt,” another track from her EP Bridges, on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Guyton co-wrote all six tracks on her EP, including “Salt,” which she penned with Jesse Frasure, Cary Barlowe, and Steven Lee Olsen.

On the swirling, smoldering track, Guyton tries to warn the listener of a woman who will do whatever it takes to get ahead.

Yeah, she’ll break your heart Like it doesn’t matter/Yeah, she’ll play the part Just to climb the ladder/She’s got you blind but I see it all/You think you’re getting sugar But boy, you’re getting salt.

“We’re in an industry where there are beautiful women that work with producers that use their bodies and their beauty to get opportunities. That song’s just like, ‘Be careful, that is a real thing.’” Guyton previously told MusicRow Magazine about the track.

Guyton is also set to perform a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” on tonight’s “Stand Up For Heroes” event, airing at 9 p.m. ET on ABC News Live, TikTok, Facebook Watch, Cheddar, Twitch and Armed Forces Network.  

Garth Brooks ‘Backstage And Behind The Scenes’ Radio Special Available Now

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Garth Brooks is celebrating the release of his new Triple Live Deluxe album with a free “Backstage And Behind The Scenes” radio special (hosted by Brooks) available from Pearl Records. The special is available now for broadcast anytime beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, ahead of the project’s Friday, Nov. 20 release.

The label is offering the special free in support of Garth’s new three-disc, 30 song collection, which features four never-heard moments from his current record-shattering Stadium Tour, and it provides listeners with an unprecedented look “backstage and behind the scenes” via personal insights and reflections from the seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. Garth shares what the concert experience is like through his eyes – when he’s onstage, backstage before and after a show, and as he recounts some monumental concert moments.

Stations interested in running the special, which is available for download immediately, should contact their Pearl Records label rep or Maurice Miner at [email protected].

Steve Earle & The Dukes To Honor Justin Townes Earle With New Album, ‘J.T.,’ Set For January

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Steve Earle & The Dukes will honor Earle’s late son, musician Justin Townes Earle, on the upcoming album, J.T. The album will release Jan. 4, 2021, on what would have been Justin’s 39th birthday. Justin Townes Earle died Aug. 20, 2020 in Nashville.

On the project, Steve Earle and the Dukes cover 10 of Justin’s songs, including “Harlem River Blues,” which earned Song of the Year at the 2011 Americana Music Awards, following Justin’s win in the Emerging Artist of the Year category in 2009. The album closes with “Last Words,” a song Steve Earle wrote for Justin.

All of the artist advances and royalties from the album will be donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, Justin and Jenn Earle’s three-year-old daughter. Following the album’s January release, CD and vinyl editions will be available on March 19, 2021.

“The record is called J.T. because Justin was never called anything else until he was nearly grown. Well, when he was little, I called him Cowboy,” explains Steve Earle. “For better or worse, right or wrong, I loved Justin Townes Earle more than anything else on this earth. That being said, I made this record, like every other record I’ve ever made… for me. It was the only way I knew to say goodbye.”

Steve Earle and Justin Townes Earle. Photo: Sara Sharpe

On Dec. 13, Steve Earle, Luck Productions and City Winery will host the sixth annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert for Autism, which will be held virtually this year and feature performances from Steve Earle & The Dukes, Emmylou Harris, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Lucinda Williams, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, and many more. 100% of donations will go to The Keswell School – an institution close to Earle’s heart at which his youngest son and the event’s namesake, John Henry, is a student.

Steve Earle – J.T. Track Listing:
1. I Don’t Care
2. Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving
3. Maria
4. Far Away In Another Town
5. They Killed John Henry
6. Turn Out My Lights
7. Lone Pine Hill
8. Champagne Corolla
9. The Saint Of Lost Causes
10. Harlem River Blues
11. Last Words

Warehouse West Entertainment Inks Development, Management Deal With TracieLynn

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Warehouse West Entertainment has signed TracieLynn to its artist development and management roster. TracieLynn’s single, “99 Bottles,” will release Nov. 20.

Producer and Warehouse West Entertainment partner Luke Wooten says, “We are incredibly excited to help deliver Tracie’s brand of rowdy, raucous country music to listeners, and ’99 Bottles’ delivers on all fronts. Tracie’s energy and passion are infectious not only in her music, but also in her ability to connect with fans even during an extremely difficult time to do so.”

“What I love about ’99 Bottles’ is that its lyrics are fun, refreshing, and not necessarily expected from a female artist,” says TracieLynn. “But that’s why I decided to grab it by the reins and turn it into something that’s mine. I want it to serve as an inspiration to other rising female country artists, to show that we don’t need to fit into any specific mold.”

TracieLynn has also solidified deals with Gateway Bronco and Star Master Coaches and has had a No. 1 on Radio Disney Country with her single “Good Kind of Crazy.”

Industry Ink: CMT, Deluge Music, Pinecastle Records, Banner Music

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Chase Martin Enjoys Virtual Visit With CMT

Pictured (Top Row, L-R): Katrina Lothamer (CMT Music & Talent), Heather Conley (Monarch Publicity), Jordan Hatton (CMT Music & Talent), Ashlee McDonald (CMT Radio); (Middle Row, L-R): Donna Duncan (CMT Music & Talent), Leslie Fram (CMT Music & Talent), Ash Bowers (Wide Open Entertainment/RECORDS Nashville), Stacey Cato (CMT Music & Talent); (Third Row, L-R): Melissa Goldberg (CMT Digital/Social), Kelsey Hendrix (CMT Digital/Social), Emma Giovino (CMT Digital/Social), Chase Martin; (Bottom Row, L-R): Jordan Walker (CMT Music & Talent), Alison Bonaguro (CMT Digital/Editorial).

Chase Martin virtually visited with CMT recently, sharing her story and playing a few new songs including her debut single, “Levi Denim.” The spirited track, written by Abby Anderson, Matt Stell and Allison Veltz-Cruz, released on Oct. 9 along with a video featuring TV star/beauty entrepreneur Savannah Chrisley.

 

Theo & Brenna Sign Management Deal With Deluge Music

Pictured: Theo, Chris Alderman, Brenna

Brother/Sister Bluegrass duo Theo & Brenna have signed with Deluge Music for management. Their debut record When You Go introduced the band as a rising staple in the Bluegrass and Americana world, and most recently, the duo released a timely single entitled, “Let Us Breathe Again.” Deluge recently partnered with Chris Alderman of Rough Hollow Management to form Deluge Music Management, whose roster includes Josh Mirenda, Theo & Brenna, Becky Buller and Jake Hoot.

 

Bobby & Teddi Cyrus Join Pinecastle Records

Bobby and Teddi Cyrus

Bobby & Teddi Cyrus have signed with Pinecastle Records. The husband-and-wife duo is set to release their forthcoming Bluegrass/Americana project in 2021, and the collection features the brand new single, “My Wedding Day,” co-written by Jimmy Sites alongside Jimmy Yeary.

 

Walker Campbell Joins Banner Music Roster

Pictured (L-R): Camilla Kleindienst, Walker Campbell, Daniel Kleindienst. Photo: Banner Music

Walker Campbell has signed with Banner Music. He is the newest addition to their Banner Believers roster with his single, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and is the youngest Banner Believer at just 11 years old.

“Walker Campbell is a pleasure to work with and we are very excited to work with someone so talented and driven,” says Camilla Kleindienst, CEO of Banner Music.

Carrie Underwood To Debut ‘My Gift’ Christmas Special Dec. 3 On HBO Max

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Carrie Underwood released her first holiday album, My Gift, in September, but the Grammy-winner has another holiday gift for her fans: her upcoming HBO Max music special, My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood, set to begin streaming on Dec. 3.

Underwood will offer a mix of traditional holiday favorites as well as original material from her My Gift album, accompanied by her band and a live orchestra and choir, led by musical director Rickey Minor. The special will include Underwood collaborating with John Legend on “Hallelujah,” an original song Legend wrote with Toby Gad, as well as behind-the-scenes moments of Underwood recording “Little Drummer Boy” alongside her five-year-old son, Isaiah.

“I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Playtone and HBO Max to bring My Gift to life,” said Underwood. “Just like the album, I hope this special will help bring some much-needed joy and become part of the soundtrack to people’s holiday festivities this year as it streams throughout the season and beyond.”

“My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” will be available to stream starting Thursday, Dec. 3 on HBO Max. Underwood is not the only country artist set to premiere a holiday special this  year, as Dolly Parton, and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood have also announced upcoming holiday specials.

ACM Lifting Lives Board Of Directors Announced For 2020-2021 Term

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ACM Lifting Lives has announced a second-year term for the ACM Lifting Lives Officers and announced the newly elected Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term. Continuing their tenure in office are Chairman Paul Barnabee, Vice-Chairman Troy Vollhoffer, Vice-President Lorie Lytle, Treasurer Dwight Wiles, and Secretary Taylor Wolf.

“ACM Lifting Lives is grateful to have our Officers continue for another term. With their service and leadership, ACM Lifting Lives has been able to help hundreds of individuals within the country music community who have been experiencing financial hardships this year,” said Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing the important work of being a resource for those in need.”

The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors is comprised of ACM Board Members, referred to as representative directors, as well as leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs that aren’t ACM Board Members, referred to as public directors.

This year, there were four representative director positions elected, three public director positions elected, five representative director positions appointed and six public director positions appointed by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors:

Newly elected Representative directors include:

  1. Rod Essig
  2. Ebie McFarland
  3. Daniel Miller
  4. Sally Williams

Newly elected Public directors include:

  1. Fletcher Foster
  2. Kimberly Schlapman
  3. Meredith Seacrest

Newly appointed Representative directors include:

  1. Jackie Campbell
  2. Beville Dunkerley
  3. Greg Hill
  4. F. Reid Shippen
  5. Butch Waugh

Newly appointed Public directors include:

  1. Mark Bloom
  2. Chris Farren
  3. Kathleen Flaherty
  4. Ricky Kelley
  5. Elaina Smith
  6. Jay Williams

“I’m honored to continue as Chairman of the ACM Lifting Lives Board and to serve the Industry at this critical time,” said ACM Lifting Lives Chairman Paul Barnabee. “We talk a lot about the influence of music lifting the spirits of those in a time of need and right now it feels more important than ever. The vital work that we do could not happen without the commitment of the artists and industry leaders and their continued support, and we are forever grateful.”

2020-2021 ACM LIFTING LIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS
Chairman: Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Vice-Chairman: Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production  
Vice-President: Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
Treasurer: Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
Secretary: Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives

REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS

  • Paul Barnabee, FBMM
  • Jackie Campbell, 615 Leverage + Strategy
  • Duane Clark, FBMM
  • RAC Clark, Lion’s Heart Entertainment
  • Ryan Dokke, Play It Again Music
  • Beville Dunkerley, Pandora
  • Rod Essig, CAA
  • Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
  • Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
  • Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
  • Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
  • Darin Murphy, CAA
  • F. Reid Shippen, Robot Lemon
  • Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production
  • Butch Waugh, Studio2bee
  • Sally Williams, Live Nation

PUBLIC DIRECTORS

  1. Tiffany Brush, Topgolf
  2. Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
  3. Ross Copperman
  4. Chris Farren, Combustion Music
  5. Kathleen Flaherty, K21 Communications
  6. Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
  7. John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
  8. Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia
  9. Ellen Lehman, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
  10. Lorie Lytle, Fridrich & Clark Realty
  11. Beth Moore
  12. Lisa Paulsen, Stand Up To Cancer
  13. Kimberly Schlapman
  14. Meredith Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest Foundation
  15. Elaina Smith, Nights with Elaina
  16. Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
  17. Jay Williams, WME
  18. Judee Ann Williams, CAA

PAST CHAIRS

  1. Lori Badgett, City National Bank
  2. Bruce Bowman, Kaboom!
  3. Debbie Carroll, MusiCares
  4. Mark Hartley
  5. Gayle Holcomb, WME
  6. Bill Mayne
  7. Tree Paine, Premium PR
  8. Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan+Shay Set To Perform On ‘CMA Country Christmas’

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Tim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein

Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Little Big Town, and Darius Rucker with Lindsey Stirling will take the stage for a spirited night of festive classics on the upcoming CMA Country Christmas special airing Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

The performers join hosts Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren Akins on the 11th annual musical holiday celebration, which was filmed for the first time without a live audience this past September.

“The idea for this year’s show was to do a throwback of the great Christmas specials of the 1960s and 1970s,” says Robert Deaton, CMA Country Christmas Executive Producer. “Andy Williams, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra all had classic Christmas specials where the viewer was invited into the homes of the host to celebrate the holiday like a best friend coming to visit. That was what we wanted to create for this year’s show. Instead of a big flashy production, we took a page from those iconic specials to say, ‘Come relax, and let’s celebrate the holidays together.’”

Fusion Touring Adds Speakers Series Division Featuring Naomi Judd, Ty Herndon, And More

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Fusion Touring has launched a new Speaker Series division.

Principals Mike Meade, Amy Aylward and Chuck Rhodes revealed the company’s roster of speakers today (Nov. 17), which include Naomi Judd (Singer/Songwriter, Author, Activist), Cledus T. Judd (Host, Motivational Speaker, Comedian), Ty Herndon (Singer, Advocate), Devon O’Day (Host, Radio/Television Personality, Author), Pam Lewis (Author, Public Relations, Entrepreneur), Lisa Brokop (Singer/Songwriter, Motivational Speaker), Mary Sue Englund (Singer/Songwriter, Health and Wellness), Lisa Wysocky (Award-winning Author, Motivational Speaker, Equine Clinician), Scott Augenbaum (Former FBI agent, Author, Cybersecurity Expert), Cynthia Minor (Attorney, Author, Screenwriter), and Chris Thompson (Influencer/Motivational Speaker).

“Considering the overall state of the music and entertainment industry, combined with an ever-changing environment, diversity is not only key, it is essential,” said Meade, Co-Vice President of Fusion Touring. “Our goal is to seek out opportunities that offer alternatives for revenue and growth potential. The development of the speakers division under the Fusion Touring umbrella opens the door to a whole new platform for our roster.”

Fusion Touring has also announced its new office location: 2937 Kraft Drive, Nashville, TN (located in the Berry Hill area). Fusion’s current touring roster includes Darryl Worley, Herndon, Danielle Peck, Michelle Wright, Keith Anderson, Gary Morris, Trent Tomlinson and more. Additional artist signings will be announced in December.

Dolly Parton’s $1 Million Donation To Vanderbilt Helps Fund Leading COVID-19 Vaccine

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In April, Dolly Parton donated $1 million to COVID-19 research at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center. That donation has partially funded research that has helped biotechnology company Moderna develop one of the current leading COVID-19 vaccines, which has proven to be 94.5% effective.

The New England Journal of Medicine listed the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund from Vanderbilt as among the supporters of the vaccine. Moderna has stated it could potentially produce 1 billion doses of the vaccine by the end of 2021 and is applying for Emergency Use Authorization with the US Food and Drug Administration.

“My longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad, who’s been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure,” Parton said of the donation back in April via Twitter. “I am making a donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt towards that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations.”

The donation is just one of many of Parton’s philanthropical efforts. She launched the Imagination Library in 1995; the program has since gifted more than 135 million books to children and is currently gifting books to 1.5 million children around the world each month. In 2017, Parton donated $3 million to those affected by wildfires in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, also raised funds via the Smoky Mountains Rise telethon, and provided $1,000 each month to Sevier County families whose primary residences were destroyed by the fires.