Adam Craig To Unveil Two New Tracks Tomorrow

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Adam Craig is releasing two new songs on Friday (April 5). He transports listeners back to their glory days in a small town with “If You’re Lucky,” while the up-tempo barroom tune “Whatever You’re Drinking To” will have folks longing for a cold one. Both new tracks will be available at midnight Friday. 

Both songs were produced by Michael Carter and “If You’re Lucky” was penned by Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, while “Whatever You’re Drinking To” was written by Craig, Matt Rogers and Michael Carter. Craig is also a celebrated songwriter himself, having penned Parmalee’s Top 3 hit “Close Your Eyes,” and cuts by Jason Aldean (“Church Pew or Bar Stool”), Dustin Lynch (“World to Me”), Love & Theft (“Whiskey on My Breath”) and more.

“This is the first time that I’ve really met with publishers and got deep into the weeds in the new music process and it feels really good, I’m so excited to share this new music with the world,” said Craig. “The last couple of months I have been able to play these on the road and watching the crowd’s reaction has been amazing! They are so fun to perform.”

This weekend he will perform his new music live at the ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off on Saturday in Las Vegas, in advance of the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year.

Dan + Shay Lead Country Nominees For 2019 Billboard Music Awards

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Dan+Shay. Photo: Patrick Tracy

Dan + Shay are among the leading nominees at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards. It was announced Thursday (April 4) that the duo earned seven nominations, including the all-genre categories Billboard Chart Achievement Award and Top Duo/Group. They are also up for Top Country Artist, Top Country Duo/Group, Top Country Album, Top Country Song (the duo earned two nominations in the top Country Song category, including “Tequila” and “Speechless”).

Florida Georgia Line, Luke Combs, and Kane Brown each earned four nominations, with FGL earning nods in the Top Country Artist, Top Country Duo/Group, the all-genre Top Radio Song, and Top Country Song categories. Combs is nominated for Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album, and Top Country Song, while Brown is nominated for Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album, and Top Country Song.

Cory Asbury, For King & Country, Hillsong Worship, Koryn Hawthorne, and Lauren Daigle lead the CCM and Gospel nominees, with three nominations each.

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will take place May 1 at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on NBC from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Kelly Clarkson will serve as the host.

2019 Billboard Music Awards nominations:

ARTIST AWARDS

Top Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
Travis Scott

Top New Artist:
Bazzi
Juice WRLD
Lil Baby
Dua Lipa
Ella Mai

Billboard Chart Achievement Award:
Dan + Shay
Drake
Ariana Grande
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Dua Lipa

Top Male Artist:
Drake
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Ed Sheeran
XXXTENTACION

Top Female Artist:
Cardi B
Ariana Grande
Halsey
Ella Mai
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group:
BTS
Dan + Shay
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Drake
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
Travis Scott
XXXTENTACION

Top Hot 100 Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Juice WRLD
Post Malone

Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
XXXTENTACION

Top Song Sales Artist:
Drake
Ariana Grande
Imagine Dragons
Lady Gaga
Post Malone

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Maroon 5
Post Malone

Top Social Artist:
BTS
EXO
GOT7
Ariana Grande
Louis Tomlinson

Top Touring Artist:
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Justin Timberlake

Top R&B Artist:
H.E.R.
Khalid
Ella Mai
The Weeknd
XXXTENTACION

Top R&B Male Artist:
Khalid
The Weeknd
XXXTENTACION

Top R&B Female Artist:
H.E.R.
Ella Mai
Queen Naija

Top R&B Tour:
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Childish Gambino
Bruno Mars

Top Rap Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Juice WRLD
Post Malone
Travis Scott

Top Rap Male Artist:
Drake
Post Malone
Travis Scott

Top Rap Female Artist:
Cardi B
City Girls
Nicki Minaj

Top Rap Tour:
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Drake
Travis Scott

Top Country Artist:
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line

Top Country Male Artist:
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs

Top Country Female Artist:
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Top Country Duo/Group:
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion

Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Shania Twain

Top Rock Artist:
Imagine Dragons
lovelytheband
Panic! At The Disco
Queen
twenty one pilots

Top Rock Tour:
Elton John
The Rolling Stones
U2

Top Latin Artist:
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
J Balvin
Ozuna
Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
Calvin Harris
Kygo
Marshmello
ODESZA
The Chainsmokers

Top Christian Artist:
Cory Asbury
Lauren Daigle
for KING & COUNTRY
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe

Top Gospel Artist:
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tori Kelly
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Marvin Sapp

ALBUM AWARDS

Top Billboard 200 Album:
Cardi B “Invasion of Privacy”
Drake “Scorpion”
Post Malone “beerbongs & bentleys”
Travis Scott “ASTROWORLD”
XXXTENTACION “?”

Top Soundtrack:
“13 Reasons Why: Season 2”
“A Star is Born” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
“The Greatest Showman”

Top R&B Album:
Ella Mai “Ella Mai”
H.E.R. “H.E.R.”
Khalid “American Teen”
The Weeknd “My Dear Melancholy,”
XXXTENTACION “17”

Top Rap Album:
Cardi B “Invasion of Privacy”
Drake “Scorpion”
Post Malone “beerbongs & bentleys”
Travis Scott “ASTROWORLD”
XXXTENTACION “?”

Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean “Rearview Town”
Kane Brown “Kane Brown”
Luke Combs “This One’s For You”
Dan + Shay “Dan + Shay”
Carrie Underwood “Cry Pretty”

Top Rock Album:
Dave Matthews Band “Come Tomorrow”
Imagine Dragons “Origins”
Mumford & Sons “Delta”
Panic! At This Disco “Pray For The Wicked”
twenty one pilots “Trench”

Top Latin Album:
Anuel AA “Real Hasta la Muerte”
Bad Bunny “X 100PRE”
J Balvin “Vibras”
Maluma “F.A.M.E.”
Ozuna “Aura”

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Clean Bandit “What Is Love?”
David Guetta “7”
Kygo “Kids in Love”
Major Lazer “Major Lazer Essentials”
The Chainsmokers “Sick Boy”

Top Christian Album:
Cory Asbury “Reckless Love”
Lauren Daigle “Look Up Child”
for KING & COUNTRY “Burn The Ships”
Hillsong Worship “There Is More”
Zach Williams “Chain Breaker”

Top Gospel Album:
Snoop Dogg & Various Artists “Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love”
Aretha Franklin “Gospel Greats”
Koryn Hawthorne “Unstoppable”
Tori Kelly “Hiding Place”
Jonathan McReynolds “Make Room”

SONG AWARDS

Top Hot 100 Song:
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Juice WRLD “Lucid Dreams”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”
Post Malone “Better Now”
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Juice WRLD “Lucid Dreams”
Post Malone “Better Now”
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”
XXXTENTACION “SAD!”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
Drake “In My Feelings”
Juice WRLD “Lucid Dreams”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”
XXXTENTACION “SAD!”

Top Selling Song:
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Drake “In My Feelings”
Halsey “Without Me”
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper “Shallow”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”

Top Radio Song:
Khalid & Normani “Love Lies”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”
Post Malone “Better Now”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant to Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle”

Top Collaboration:
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Khalid & Normani “Love Lies”
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B “Girls Like You”
Marshmello & Bastille “Happier”
Post Malone ft. Ty Dolla $ign “Psycho”

Top R&B Song:
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper & Quavo “No Brainer”
Ella Mai “Boo’d Up”
Ella Mai “Trip”
Khalid “Better”
Lil Dicky ft. Chris Brown “Freaky Friday”

Top Rap Song:
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin “I Like It”
Drake “In My Feelings”
Juice WRLD “Lucid Dreams”
Post Malone “Better Now”
Travis Scott “SICKO MODE”

Top Country Song:
Kane Brown “Heaven”
Luke Combs “She Got the Best of Me”
Dan + Shay “Speechless”
Dan + Shay “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant to Be”

Top Rock Song:
Foster The People “Sit Next to Me”
Imagine Dragons “Natural”
Imagine Dragons “Whatever It Takes”
lovelytheband “broken”
Panic! At The Disco “High Hopes”

Top Latin Song:
Bad Bunny ft. Drake “Mia”
Daddy Yankee “Dura”
DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B “Taki Taki”
Nicky Jam & J Balvin “X”
Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny & Ozuna “Te Bote”

Top Dance/Electronic Song:
DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B “Taki Taki”
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa “One Kiss”
Marshmello & Bastille “Happier”
Tiësto & Dzeko ft. Preme & Post Malone “Jackie Chan”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle”

Top Christian Song:
Cory Asbury “Reckless Love”
Lauren Daigle “You Say”
for KING & COUNTRY “joy.”
Hillsong Worship “Who You Say I Am”
Tauren Wells “Known”

Top Gospel Song:
Todd Dulaney “Your Great Name”
Koryn Hawthorne “Won’t He Do It”
Tori Kelly ft. Kirk Franklin “Never Alone”
Jason Nelson “Forever”
Brian Courtney Wilson “A Great Work”

SiriusXM and Pandora Combine Strengths Into New Pandora NOW Feature

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SiriusXM and Pandora are introducing Pandora NOW, the first original and exclusive music experience created for both SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners. Pandora NOW combines Pandora’s listener data and SiriusXM’s curatorial expertise to create access to the most popular and fast-trending music right now. The service launches Thursday (April 4) on both platforms.

Pandora NOW will be presented as both a SiriusXM channel and Pandora interactive station and playlist for its combined audience of 100 million listeners. Pandora NOW features today’s hottest and most listened-to new music on Pandora and will be delivered uniquely to both the SiriusXM and Pandora audiences. On SiriusXM, Pandora NOW will be presented as a new curated channel (Channel 3), while Pandora users can experience Pandora NOW music as an interactive station with song skipping and thumbs up/down rating, or as a continually-updated playlist for Pandora Premium subscribers.

The music played on Pandora NOW will be uncensored and showcase the most listened-to and fastest-trending new music on Pandora across all genres. Pandora announced that Cardi B, Post Malone, and Khalid are currently among its most listened-to artists.

“Pandora NOW will be an amazing new experience for both SiriusXM and Pandora listeners,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.  “We’re excited to combine, for the first time, the wealth of Pandora listener data with the proven curation expertise of our SiriusXM team to give our combined 100 million listeners a truly unique and unprecedented listening experience. Not only will Pandora NOW give listeners exclusive, up-to-the-moment access to the music people are streaming on Pandora the most, but it will let music fans influence which songs are played.”

SiriusXM subscribers will be able to listen to Pandora NOW (Ch. 3) on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app, and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Amazon Alexa devices, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more.  Pandora users can experience Pandora NOW as an interactive station for ad-supported and Pandora Plus listeners, or as a curated playlist for Pandora Premium subscribers on both the web and Pandora’s mobile app.

Florida Georgia Line To Return To Las Vegas For Limited Residency

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Following the success of their Las Vegas shows in December 2018, Florida Georgia Line will return to Las Vegas with their limited residency, Florida Georgia Line Live From Las Vegas inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on November 6, 8, 9 and 12.

Tickets for shows will go on sale to the public Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. PT. General ticket prices begin at $39, plus applicable tax and fees, and may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in-person at the Planet Hollywood box office. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

FGL’s fan club community, FGL Lifers, have first access to a pre-sale beginning Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. PT. Citi is the official presale credit card for the  residency. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. PT until Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. PT through Citi Entertainment. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com. In addition, Total Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a pre-sale running Wednesday, April 10 at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, April 11 at 10 p.m. PT.

Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, Tali Canterbury Launch Publishing, A&R Venture

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Pictured: Luke Combs, Tali Canterbury, Jonathan Singleton

Luke Combs and Jonathan Singleton are launching a new publishing and artist development venture alongside A&R executive and publisher Tali Canterbury, who will serve as the company’s President.

Singleton originally launched 50 Egg Music in 2016 with the Big Machine Music (BMM) co-signing of Luke Combs. Also part of the 50 Egg/BMM roster are artist/writer Kenton Bryant and songwriter Reid Isbell.

“We already can’t believe that we get to write songs for a living and are lucky enough to work with some of our best friends” shared Combs and Singleton. “Now that we can officially help launch careers together just makes it all the better.”

Adds Canterbury, “We are thrilled to continue building a team of amazing talent at 50 Egg Music. The idea of the company started with a passion to develop talent, dream big and do things a little differently. I couldn’t be more excited to launch this company with two of the most talented guys in the music business who are also my incredible friends.”

Previously, Canterbury served as Director A&R/Project Management and Manager of Publishing at BMLG. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Nashville School of Law in 2016. Her career also includes time at NSAI and Full Circle Music Publishing.

Brad And Kimberly Williams-Paisley Break Ground On New Nonprofit The Store

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Pictured (L-R): Gina Hancock, Megan Zarling, Dr. Bob Fisher, Brad Paisley Kimberly Williams-Paisley, David Minnigan Photo by: Sam Simpkins

Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley broke ground yesterday morning (April 3) on their new project, The Store, a nonprofit, free, referral-based grocery store they are co-founding. Also on hand for the ceremony were Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, The Store Board of Trustees Chair Megan Zarling and The Store Trustee member and architect David Minnigan.

In addition to outlining the vision for The Store, the event featured a few surprises, including a commissioned artist’s print depicting Brad, Kimberly and Dr. Fisher in front of a rendering of The Store, and Brad personally jumping onto the backhoe on site to officially break ground on The Store’s location.

The Paisleys have partnered with Brad’s alma mater, Belmont University, on the location of The Store at 2005 12th Ave. South, next to the University’s Ministry Center. Belmont has begun offering Legal Aid Clinics at the center and plans to also offer healthcare services. Both groups will work closely together to serve the broader community in a range of ways. The location is convenient to bus routes and in the heart of Nashville’s ever-growing 12 South district.

Brad Paisley helps break ground on The Store on 12th Ave. S. in Nashville. Photo: Sam Simpkins

“I’m so excited to be here and see this dream come to fruition. In Nashville there are 1 in 7 people and 1 in 5 children that have food insecurity. That means they don’t know where they are going to get their next meal. The Store will be another resource to help families and individuals going through a hard time but working toward self-sufficiency,” says Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

“Our goal is to give dignity to parents,” added Brad. “They can go to The Store and shop in a completely normal way, from choosing the food to checking out, but with no money exchanging hands. The kids can even ride a mechanical pony out in front of The Store – no charge. Kids do not need the stress of wondering how their parents are going to feed them. In Nashville we have the power of the benevolence of the residents to support The Store.”

“Belmont’s mission is to challenge students with an education that empowers them to use their talents and skills to engage and transform the world,” said Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher. “As an alum, Brad Paisley has certainly achieved that mission and more throughout his career, and today’s groundbreaking for The Store marks another milestone in the work he and Kimberly are doing to impact lives for the better. I am especially grateful that Belmont University has been invited to partner with them in this effort, and our current students and faculty are already laying the groundwork to serve Store patrons through legal aid and health care clinics. This is just the beginning—we anticipate The Store being a significant part of the Belmont community for years to come.”

The building has been designed by Nashville-based architectural firm ESa (Earl Swensson Associates) which donated their services. Construction will be done by J&S Construction Company, Inc. The construction is projected to be completed by the end of 2019.

Rendering of The Store.

Opry Entertainment Launches Video Series “The Write Stuff”

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Opry Entertainment Group is set to launch their newest video series “The Write Stuff,” offering insight into the biggest hits for country’s top stars, as well as exclusive Opry performances. In the coming weeks, episodes of “The Write Stuff” will take deep dives into a number of songs including Little Big Town’s groundbreaking hit “Girl Crush.”

“We just didn’t think it was a song someone would cut,” recalls “Girl Crush” co-writer Lori McKenna, who penned the song with her “Love Junkies” co-horts Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose. “It just seemed like such a personal thing. We didn’t even know if it made sense. It made sense to us because we were all there when it happened but we didn’t know if someone else coming in for the first time would get it right away.”

Other episodes will highlight songs from Lee Brice, Hunter Hayes and RaeLynn.

“We wrote ‘Boy’ because I was pregnant,” recalls songwriter Nicolle Galyon of Brice’s 2017 hit. “I was 39 weeks pregnant and it was my last day to write. This song was really more of a stream of consciousness. We literally wrote it from first line to last line.”

“From the Grand Ole Opry stage to our backstage dressing rooms, we have been fortunate to hear firsthand so many moving stories behind these songs,” shares Sally Williams, SVP of Programming & Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry. “It is with those moments in mind that ‘The Write Stuff’ was created as part of our continued efforts to preserve the heritage and origins of these great contributions to American music.”

Watch the first episode, highlighting “Girl Crush,” below:

 

YouTube video

 

Industry Ink: AIMP, Nashville Pride Festival, T.J. Martell Foundation

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AIMP Nashville Tracks Performance Trends

Pictured (L-R): AIMP Nashville Board Members Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), and Tim Hunze (ole); AIMP Nashville Vice President Ree Guyer (Wrensong); Barry Massarsky (Massarsky Consulting Inc.); AIMP Nashville President John Ozier (Reservoir Media); Brad Peterson (Regions); AIMP Nashville Board Member Mark Brown (Round Hill Music); and AIMP Nashville Treasurer Dale Bobo (Big Deal Music)

The AIMP Nashville event “Trends in Country Performance Income That You Need to Know!” took place on April 2, at the CMA offices in Nashville. Hosted by Barry Massarsky, President of Massarsky Consulting Inc, the event covered current trends in country performance income and what those lifecycle events look like based on chart position. Attendees discussed an array of topics with Massarsky, who is a recognized economic expert in the evaluation of PRO earnings and in the formal valuation process for music transactions.

 

Performers Announced For Nashville Pride Festival

1990’s R&B group TLC will headline this year’s Nashville Pride Festival, set for June 22-23 at Public Square Park in downtown Nashville. The event will also include performances from Neon Trees, Madame Gandhi, Cakes Da Killa, Brandon Stansell, and Brody Ray.

Nashville’s own LGBTQ+ artists will be well represented on the festival’s multiple stages, with performances from Taco Mouth, The Blam Blams, Myylo, Spazz Cardigan, Mikala Jones, Jess Coppens, Adam Mac, Shelly Fairchild, Houston Kendrick, Sisters Mann, DJ Remedy, DJ Chris Spear, DJ Aazera, and many more. Rounding out the lineup will be national talent Joy Oladokun, Kate Yeager, and more.

 

T.J. Martell Foundation Young Professionals Advisory Council To Present Fourth Annual Bed Race Nashville

The T.J. Martell Foundation Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC) will present the fourth annual Bed Race Nashville on May 7, 2019 with kickoff at 5 p.m. The event benefits cancer research and netted over $70,000 last year. Team registration is now open at bedracenashville.com.

CCM Artist And Ragamuffin Band Founding Member Rick Elias Dies

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Rick Elias, a founding member of late CCM artist Rich Mullins’s A Ragamuffin Band, died Tuesday, April 2, following a battle with cancer. He was 64.

Elias was born Jan. 7, 1955 in San Diego, California. He attended Azusa Pacific University. After playing in bands including Harlequin, Vision, and the Rick Elias band, he moved to Los Angeles in 1984 and later signed with Alarma Records in 1990, to release the album Rick Elias and the Confessions; the single “Confession of Love” reached No. 4 on the Christian Top 40 chart.

From 1993 until 2002, Elias worked as a founding member of Mullins’s A Ragamuffin band. He also wrote and produced music that was included in movies such as That Thing You Do!, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Dawsons Creek and more. He produced artists including Mullins, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Aaron Neville and others, and released four solo albums.

A benefit concert was held for Elias in February in Franklin, Tennessee to raise money for medical expenses. The concert featured performers from the original 1998 The Jesus Record, including Elias, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and A Ragamuffin Band (Elias, Mark Robertson, Jimmy Abegg, and Aaron Smith). The Jesus Record had been scheduled as the ninth release from Mullins, before his untimely death in 1997. His foundation, A Ragamuffin Band, and record company determined to move forward with recording the project in his honor, alongside guest artists who were his friends. The project included two discs; Disc One — the nine rough song demos recorded by Mullins, and Disc Two — the studio version of the same songs, produced by Elias.

In addition, Elias’s work has received awards and nominations from the Gospel Music Association, The United Catholic Music and Video Association, and the Nashville Music Awards.

After relocating to Nashville, Elias became an adjunct instructor at the Contemporary Music Center in Brentwood, Tennessee, teaching music business classes, as well as becoming a real estate agent.

He is survived by wife Linda Tollner Elias. Together they have four children, sons Graham Griffith, Zack Elias and Taylor Elias, and daughter Amber Elias Gould (husband Hamilton Gould, and their two children).

Funeral information has not been released at this time.

Keith Whitley’s Career Illuminated In New Country Music Hall Of Fame Exhibit

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Keith Whitley’s brief life and legendary career will be the focus of a new Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum exhibition “Still Rings True: The Enduring Voice of Keith Whitley,” opening May 3, 2019. 

Whitley completed only four solo studio albums before his death in 1989, at age 33, but despite the brevity of his career, he produced many significant country hits, and his music continues to exert tremendous influence on subsequent generations of country singers. Many of the groundbreaking artists who expanded country music’s audience in the 1990s—including Country Music Hall of Fame member ­Garth Brooks, Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss and Tim McGraw cite Whitley as a primary influence. His impact continues into the new century, through the work of acolytes Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and others.

Items featured in “Still Rings True: The Enduring Voice of Keith Whitley” include stage wear, significant instruments and personal artifacts representative of Whitley’s childhood and music career. Some highlights include:

  • A Sony TC-540 reel-to-reel tape recorder with detachable speakers, used by Elmer Whitley to record the Lonesome Mountain Boys, a bluegrass group featuring his sons Dwight and Keith (recordings were broadcast weekly on radio station WLKS)
  • A Dangerous Threads bolero jacket worn by Whitley at one of his final public performances in March 1989
  • A 1980 C.W. Parsons & Co. acoustic guitar with walnut finish used extensively by Whitley
  • Original draft of Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz’shandwritten lyrics to “When You Say Nothing at All,” a #1 hit for Whitley in 1988 (co-written with Paul Overstreet)
  • Whitley’s handwritten lyrics to “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” and “Wherever You Are Tonight” (which appear on his posthumous, 1995 album Wherever You Are Tonight)

“Whitley’s haunting and emotional voice represented the resurgence of the traditional sound on mainstream country radio,” said Kyle Young, CEO, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “His bluegrass roots and love for honky-tonk music led to his unique, drawling style that continues to inspire and influence today’s country music artists. We are honored to examine the indelible impact of Whitley’s brief but significant career.”