Dan + Shay Welcome The Holiday Season With “Take Me Home For Christmas”

 

Dan + Shay are getting into the holiday spirit with their new song, “Take Me Home For Christmas.”

“This is our first original Christmas song, and we had a blast writing and recording it,” the duo’s Dan Smyers said. “It was cool to get in the holiday spirit a little early this year, because I think we could all use some extra positivity and cheer. Our fans have asked for Christmas music every year, so I hope you all have as much fun listening to it as we did making it.”

Dan + Shay will be joined by Justin Bieber for the world television premiere of their No. 1 global hit “10,000 Hours” during the CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Dan + Shay added four CMA nods this year to their career-total 10 nominations, with an additional two going to Dan Smyers as producer in the Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year categories. Their current single, “I Should Probably Go To Bed,” has already accumulated more than 100 million global streams and is approaching Top 10 at country radio.

“10,000 Hours” had the biggest first-week streaming total in country music history and was the fastest country song to reach one million U.S. track equivalents in 2019, earning more than 3.6 million U.S. track equivalents to date, and more than 1.3 billion global streams. It was the first song by a country duo or group ever to debut in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 5 and spent 21 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The worldwide smash has achieved 2x multi-Platinum certification in Australia and Canada, Platinum certification in the Netherlands, and Gold certification in four other countries.

 

Thomas Rhett Namechecks Country Classics In Upcoming Single

Thomas Rhett is paying homage to several timeless country classics with his upcoming single. The singer-songwriter, who recently tied with Carrie Underwood for ACM Entertainer of the Year, shared snippets of his new track, “What’s Your Country Song,” a taste of the music that will be on his forthcoming fifth studio project from The Valory Music Co. He penned the song alongside Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Parker Welling.

The new track namechecks several country songs, including Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight,” Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee,” Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places,” Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine,” and even Rhett Akins’ “That Ain’t My Truck.”

“We wrote this song on the road last year in Dallas, Texas,” Thomas Rhett said. “It’s really about how I was noticing that no matter where you live or where you’re from, everyone has a little bit of country inside their bones.”

Thomas Rhett is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year at next week’s CMA Awards, as well as for Musical Event of the Year for “Be A Light,” featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin.

 

Barry Gibb Collaborates With Jason Isbell, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile, Keith Urban, And More On New Album

Singer, songwriter and producer Barry Gibb has teamed with producer Dave Cobb on a project that finds Gibb collaborating with several of Nashville’s top artists to craft new renditions of hits from the catalog of songs he crafted and recorded alongside his late brothers and Bee Gees bandmates Robin and Maurice.

The result, Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, Vol. 1, recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studios, and set to release Jan. 8 via Capitol Records. The 12-track project includes collaborations with Alison Krauss, Brandi Carlile, David Rawlings, Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch, Jason Isbell, Jay Buchanan, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Olivia Newton-John, Sheryl Crow and Tommy Emmanuel.

Gibb announced the project with the release of “Words of a Fool,” with Isbell.

Gibb says, “From the first day we stepped into RCA Studios in Nashville (the very place where Elvis, Willie, Waylon, Roy, the Everly Brothers and so many other legends made their magic) the album took on a life of its own. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work with Dave and all the artists who stopped by. They were all incredibly generous with their time and talent. They inspired me more than words can express. I feel deep down that Maurice and Robin would have loved this album for different reasons. I wish we could have all been together to do it…but I think we were.”

Cobb adds, “It was truly an honor to work with one of my heroes. The Bee Gees’ first album has always been a staple for me and it was surreal to get to witness the genius of Barry Gibb in the studio—he’s one of the greatest of all time!”

Isbell says, “Barry Gibb is one of the greatest songwriters and singers in popular music history, and I’m happy to say he still has that beautiful voice and that magical sense of melody. Working with him on this project has been one of the great honors of my career. He’s a prince.”

The Bee Gees wrote “Islands In The Stream,” which Dolly Parton and the late Kenny Rogers turned into an iconic duet that topped Billboard‘s Hot 100 in 1983. The song yielded Barry, Maurice and Robin a CMA Song of the Year nomination in 1984. Olivia Newton-John sings on the Barry Gibb-penned “Rest Your Love On Me,” a Top 40 country hit for the Bee Gees in 1979 and later a No. 1 country hit for Conway Twitty in 1981.

Gibb has nine No. 1 singles as as performer, 16 No. 1s as a songwriter and 14 as a producer. He’s earned eight Grammys, the Grammy Legend Award and most recently the 2015 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the recipient of the American Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, the BMI Icon Award, four BMI Songwriter of the Year Awards, four BMI Song of the Year Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Barry received one of Britain’s highest honors when the Bee Gees were made Commanders of the British Empire and, in 2018, was Knighted “Sir Barry Gibb” by Prince Charles for his services to music and charity.

GREENFIELDS: THE GIBB BROTHERS’ SONGBOOK, VOL. 1 TRACK LIST
1. “I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You” with Keith Urban
2. “Words of a Fool” with Jason Isbell
3. “Run to Me” with Brandi Carlile
4. “Too Much Heaven” with Alison Krauss
5. “Lonely Days” with Little Big Town
6. “Words” with Dolly Parton
7. “Jive Talkin’” with Miranda Lambert, Jay Buchanan
8. “How Deep Is Your Love” with Tommy Emanuel, Little Big Town
9. “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” with Sheryl Crow
10. “To Love Somebody” with Jay Buchanan
11. “Rest Your Love On Me” with Olivia Newton-John
12. “Butterfly” with Gillian Welch, David Rawlings

Chrissy Metz Releases Christmas Track

Chrissy Metz

Chrissy Metz is releasing her first holiday song today—a heartwarming rendition of the Bing Crosby classic “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

“’I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is not only nostalgic but incredibly special to me because it’s my Mom’s favorite Christmas song,” says Metz. “This year it takes on a whole new meaning as we all more than ever want to be with loved ones, especially during the holiday season.”

Metz’s current single “Talking To God” is playing on country radio now. The This Is Us actress made her debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry this summer after signing a record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville earlier this year. In 2019, she starred in the film Breakthrough, and performed the film’s theme song, “I’m Standing With You,” at the Academy of Country Music Awards, joined by Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae, and Mickey Guyton. Earlier this year, she performed the song at the 92nd Academy Awards, where the track scored a nomination for Best Original Song.

Luke Dick Chats About ‘Red Dog’ On ‘And The Writer Is…With Ross Golan’ Podcast

Luke Dick. Photo: Adam Murphy

Luke Dick is the latest guest on the podcast “And The Writer Is…with Ross Golan,” where he shares stories about growing up in rural Oklahoma, breaking in as a Nashville songwriter, and becoming an accomplished filmmaker with his most recent autobiographical documentary Red Dog, available on Hulu.

Red Dog brought his unconventional childhood story to the big and small screens earlier this year. Originally premiering at SXSW, the film follows Luke’s journey to learn more about the Red Dog, the Oklahoma City-based topless bar where his mother Kim worked while raising him. It features interviews and stories with former dancers, employees and patrons of the bar, and Luke carefully wrote, performed and curated the songs that appear in the film featuring some superstar friends like Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley. He’ll release Music From The Documentary Red Dog via UMG’s Ingrooves on Dec. 4. The album features 13 songs plus nine interludes from the film that help guide the story.

On Friday, Nov. 13, the latest focus track, “Blazer” featuring Dierks Bentley will be released to all digital and streaming partners. The project also includes The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney as a songwriter and producer, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, and rising country artist Jackson Dean.

MUSIC FROM THE DOCUMENTARY RED DOG Track List:

1 – Red Dog Intro
2 – ”Oklahomie” – Performed by Hey Steve featuring Patrick Carney (Written by Luke Dick and Patrick Carney)
3 – Prison Tat (Interlude)
4 – Tattoo – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick, Laura Veltz and Jessie Jo Dillon)
5 – Got An Average (Interlude)
6 – Polyester – Performed by Luke Dick featuring Miranda Lambert (Written by Luke Dick and Chris Dubois)
7 – Plain White T – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde and Laura Veltz)
8 – It Wasn’t Normal (Interlude)
9 – Blazer – Performed by Luke Dick featuring Dierks Bentley (Written by Luke Dick, Joey Hyde and Jeff Hyde)
10 – Guy Named Rachel – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick and Rodney Clawson)
11 – Henceforth (Interlude)
12 – Nasty Kathy – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick and Chris Dubois)
13 – Kool – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde and Jessie Jo Dillon)
14 – Solar Dryer (Interlude)
15 – B Level Hustler – Performed by Luke Dick featuring Jackson Dean (Written by Luke Dick and Chris Dubois)
16 – Vegas (Interlude)
17 – Dance Like Me – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick and Rick Brantley)
18 – Five O’Clock Shadow – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby and Rosi Golan)
19 – I Won (Interlude)
20 – Tiny Dreams – Performed by Luke Dick (Written by Luke Dick, Jason Lehning and Patrick Carney)
21 – You’re Beautiful (Interlude)
22 – Mothers and Sons – Performed by Luke Dick featuring Natalie Hemby (Written by Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)

Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum To Offer Free Admission To Service Members On Veterans Day

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will honor active-duty and retired armed services members with free museum admission on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The museum will also extend free admission to up to three immediate family members. Active duty and retired armed services members will also receive a 10 percent discount at Circa, the Museum Store and the Hatch Show Print retail store on Nov. 11.

Timed admission tickets can be reserved by calling 615-416-2001, or tickets can be obtained at the museum’s box office on Nov. 11. Valid military ID is required to claim tickets. Due to limited capacity, advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Additionally, the museum’s virtual Songwriter Session, set for Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. CT and featuring Bob Regan and Mike Byer, will also recognize those who serve and have served in the armed forces. A Nashville-based songwriter, Regan is founder and director of Operation Song, an organization that pairs professional songwriters with veterans, active-duty military and their families. Joining Regan is Byer, a veteran, songwriter and Operation Song program director.

Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood Prepping “Secret Project,” Says John Carter Cash

According to a social media post, it seems Carrie Underwood and Reba are teaming for a new project.

John Carter Cash, the only child of music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, shared a post on Instagram of Reba and Underwood at the Cash Cabin, with the photos accompanied simply with the hashtag #secretproject. No other details were given.

 

 

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@reba @carrieunderwood at @cash_cabin #secretproject

A post shared by John Carter Cash (@johncartercash) on

According to the Cash Cabin’s official site, Johnny Cash had the Cash Cabin built in 1979 as a place of refuge, away from the bustle of his busy music career. Beginning with American III: Solitary Man, Cash would record nearly half of the remainder of his American Recordings series at the Cash Cabin. June Carter Cash also recorded the project Press On (1999) and her final solo album, 2003’s Wildwood Flower, at the cabin. In 2003, Johnny made his final recording at the cabin, including “Like the 309” for the project American Recordings V: A Hundred Highways, and “Engine One-Forty-Three” for an album produced by John Carter, The Unbroken Circle, The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family.

Underwood and Reba, alongside Dolly Parton, co-hosted the CMA Awards last year, and Reba is set to return as a co-host this year, with Darius Rucker. Underwood earned her third Entertainer of the Year nomination heading into next week’s awards show. She is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor she has previously taken home five times. Six-time CMA winner McEntire is nominated for Musical Event of the Year heading into this year’s show, for her work on Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light,” which also features Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban, and Lady A’s Hillary Scott.

Chris Stapleton Tops The CountryBreakout Radio Chart

Rising to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over.” Penned by Stapleton and Mike Henderson, this is the title track to his latest album set for release next week (Nov. 13) via Mercury Records.

While Stapleton’s All-American Road Show tour was canceled in 2020, dates have been rescheduled for 2021. Visit chrisstapleton.com/tour/ for a list of new dates.

This week in 2015, Stapleton won his first CMA Awards for New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year (Traveler). This year, he is nominated for Male Vocalist Of The Year and Music Video Of The Year for his song “Second One To Know.” The 54th Annual CMA Awards live broadcast will take place Wednesday (Nov. 11) at 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.

Click here to access the latest issue of The MusicRow Weekly.

Pentatonix Celebrates Holidays With New Album, ‘We Need A Little Christmas’

Pentatonix is helping us ring in the holidays this year with their sixth holiday album, We Need A Little Christmas, set for release Nov. 13 on RCA Records.

The first single and video from the new project, a cover of Chris Tomlin’s platinum-certified hit “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” is out now. The group’s five previous albums from their holiday collection (which includes the double-platinum That’s Christmas To Me) have sold over 12.5 million albums worldwide.

Most recently, Pentatonix released their original singles, “Be My Eyes” and “Happy Now” in addition to their At Home EP along with videos for their “Home” medley as well as for their covers of “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd), “when the party’s over” (Billie Eilish), “Break My Heart” (Dua Lipa) and “Dreams” (The Cranberries). Their new original album, The Lucky Ones, will be released on Feb. 12, 2021.

Pentatonix has had two No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart – 2015’s gold-certified self-titled album and the double platinum That’s Christmas To Me. All 10 Pentatonix releases have reached the top 10 on the Billboard Charts, and the group has received multiple RIAA certifications for multi-platinum, platinum and gold-selling albums and singles, a Daytime Emmy nomination, starred in three holiday specials on NBC, and appeared in the feature film Pitch Perfect 2.

 

Industry Ink: Entercom, Jeannie Seely, 3rd & Lindsley

Cam Chats With Entercom Radio Staffers

Pictured (L-R, top row): Brooks O’Brian/KSON, Annie Brooks/Triple Tigers, (L-R, middle row): CAM, Heather Froglear/KFRG, (L-R, bottom row): Kevin Callahan/KFRG, Scott Roddy/KWJJ

Cam recently did a Zoom chat with West Coast Entercom staffers. The singer-songwriter, now signed with Triple Tigers/RCA Records, recently released her sterling new album, The Otherside.

 

Jeannie Seely, Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers Celebrate Opry’s Legacy

Continuing the celebration of the legacy of the Grand Ole Opry, Vice President/Executive Producer of the Opry, Dan Rogers and 53-year Opry member Jeannie Seely took part in a roundtable discussion with Pollstar contributing editor Holly Gleason today (Nov. 5) on the Pollstar Facebook platform, generating over 16,000 views.  See the video interview here.

 

3rd & Lindsley Teams With Underground Music Collective For Showcase Series

Underground Music Collective is teaming with 3rd & Lindsley to present Underground Sounds, a new series showcasing independent artists in Nashville. On Thursday, Nov. 19, they will welcome Talia Stewart to the 3rd & Lindsley stage. The Southern California native released her most recent EP, Confessional, in 2019, along with two new singles in 2020—”Broken Sinks” and “Who Am I Without You Telling Me So.”