Rachel Reinert was just 18 when she joined pop-country harmony group Gloriana. Within a year, she and bandmates Tom and Mike Gossin, as well as Cheyenne Kimball, hit the Top 15 on the country charts with “Wild at Heart” in 2009. That same year, the duo earned a CMT Award, as well as an American Music Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. By 2010, the group had been named the ACM’s Top New Vocal Group, and in 2011, Gloriana’s “(Kissed You) Good Night” reached No. 2 on the Hot Country chart. “Wild at Heart” was certified Gold, while “(Kissed You) Good Night” was certified Platinum.

“I joined this band and we had been on this rocketship,” recalls Reinert, who moved to Nashville at 16 to pursue a career as a solo artist and songwriter. “We were barely a band for a year when we started opening for Taylor Swift in arenas. It was a crazy ride—one I’m grateful for because I have so many great memories.”

But 2011 also brought about major changes for the group, as Kimball left before the release of the band’s second album, A Thousand Miles Left Behind. Reinert would stay on with the Gossins for 2015’s album Three.

Reinert also left the band in 2016, determined to get a recording contract as a solo artist—and the opportunity to showcase her own songs, something she says was tough to come by as part of her former group.

“I was writing [while] in Gloriana but there were so many people who had their hand in choosing what we would do. It was definitely one of those situations when you are one girl against 10 men deciding things like that, it was difficult to get my voice heard. But that’s part of the beauty of doing this on my own—I can call the shots and make my own decisions. It is important that I write all my own songs. Every song has to be very reflective of who I am. I’m very excited about what I’m doing and excited for people to hear it and hope the right doors open.”

Though not signed with a label or publisher at the moment, Reinert has spent the past couple of years finding her voice as an artist, and reclaiming her dreams of a solo career.

During a recent visit to the MusicRow Magazine offices, she showcased several of those self-penned songs, including “Cool,” a single she released earlier this year, which traces the dissolution of a young romance.

The months of writing new music and experimenting with new sounds also resulted in her latest single, “Dark Star,” which she co-wrote with Joe Pisapia (Guster) and K.S. Rhoads. The track was produced by Davis Naish.

“This song really came from a place of frustration,” Reinert says. “When I left Gloriana, I think I had this idea that I was going to turn around and immediately get a [solo] record deal and that did not work out. It was a very frustrating time because I was very wrong. I had walked away from everything and had to sacrifice a lot to fight to be a solo artist to be on my own.

“I was in this place where I felt like I was falling behind and watching all of these other people come up with all these amazing opportunities. You just feel like ‘Why is it not me?’ and you are comparing yourself to other people constantly. Then, just hearing people talk about ‘Oh, she’s done,’ or ‘She’s given up.’ Even though I didn’t have any music out at the time, it didn’t mean that I wasn’t out there putting the work in and trying to make things happen. This song is my way of saying, ‘I’m still here and I’m still fighting for this.’”

With her new music, Reinert celebrates her California roots, and her early influences including Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Neil Young. “I wanted to capture that kind of essence of Southern California, but still have this modern country feeling.”

“Dark Star” releases to all digital retailers and streaming services Oct. 26, and is available to radio via PlayMPE on Oct. 15. Reinert is in the studio working on an upcoming debut solo album, expected to release in early 2019.

Drew Barrymore, RuPaul and Faith Hill will serve as judges for a new global talent competition, called The World’s Best.

CBS has ordered 10-episodes with James Corden serving as host and executive producer, alongside his The Late Late Show executive producer Ben Winston, through Fulwell 73 Productions, in addition to Mike Darnell (American Idol and Ellen’s Game of Games), Mark Burnett (SURVIVOR, The Voice), Brooke Karzen, Dan Sacks, Alison Holloway, James Breen and Barry Poznick.

Acts from around the world and every genre imaginable will not only have to impress the American judges, but will also need to impress the “wall of the world,” featuring 50 experts from around the world and every field of entertainment to advance through the competition. Only one act will ultimately be crowned THE WORLD’S BEST.

“It’s only fitting that THE WORLD’S BEST perform in front of the world’s best,” said Sharon Vuong, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming for CBS. “James, Drew, Faith and RuPaul are all amazing talents who have excelled in their respective fields on a global scale. We can’t wait for them to bring their distinct voices to a show that’s unlike any other.”

“The very name of the show defined the caliber of judges we sought out and ultimately got. Drew, RuPaul and Faith are incredibly accomplished superstars whose talents encompass every area of entertainment,” added Darnell. “Along with James, THE WORLD’S BEST will now be the gold standard of competition shows.”

“James Corden is at the top of his game, and there is no one better to host this ultimate international competition series,” said Burnett, Chairman of Worldwide Television Group, MGM. “This groundbreaking series is like the Olympics of talent shows and needed the perfect talent combination. Mike and I are thrilled Drew, Faith and RuPaul are all on board. We can’t wait to see the fun they have together.”

Currently, Hill is an executive producer of the Emmy-nominated daytime talk show Pickler & Ben, which began its second season in September.

The 10-episode series will premiere in 2019 on CBS.

BMI will celebrate the extraordinary career of Steve Cropper by naming him a BMI Icon at the 66th annual BMI Country Awards. Cropper will receive this honor in recognition of his influence on generations of music makers. The event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 13 at BMI’s Nashville office and will be hosted by BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville.

The BMI Icon Award is presented to songwriters who have distinctly and profoundly influenced the music industry. In receiving the award, Cropper will join an impressive list of Country music’s greatest songwriters including previous recipients Bob DiPiero, Vince Gill, Mac Davis, Hank Williams, Jr., Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and more.

“The iconic music coming out of Memphis in the 60’s is some of the best known American music ever made and is still heard all over the world. One consummate music man was in the middle of that wave…Steve Cropper,” said Williams. “Not only is Steve a masterful songwriter, he is one of the most influential guitarists in the world. His body of work as an artist and producer, along with the massive hits he wrote, truly make Steve a BMI Icon.”

Throughout the evening, the private event will also salute the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the past year’s most-performed country songs in the United States from BMI’s repertoire of nearly 14 million musical works. The BMI country song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the ceremony.

Cropper made his musical debut on American Bandstand in 1961 and within one year, along with Booker T and the MG’s, he had written the number one hit “Green Onions.” In the years to follow, he established himself as songwriting royalty, co-writing some of music’s biggest classics such as “Knock On Wood,” “Midnight Hour,” and the legendary “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” with friend Otis Redding. In addition to his obvious songwriting prowess, producing became second nature as he turned out timeless tracks by renowned artists like Wilson Pickett, Tower of Power, John Mellencamp, Otis Redding, and more. Cropper’s exemplary guitar work can be heard on albums by Rod Stewart, Peter Frampton, Booker T and the MGs, Ringo Starr, and Wynonna, and he has toured with legends like Neil Young and Jimmy Buffett. In the late 1970s, Cropper began his now famous work as an original of the Blues Brothers Band, appearing in both the major motion pictures and numerous TV shows. Cropper has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was the solo inductee into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has received Tennessee’s Arts and Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award and a lifetime achievement GRAMMY in 2007.

 

The Grand Ole Opry_, in association with the Ray Charles Foundation, celebrated the songs of Ray Charles and the influence the revolutionary artist had on country music last night (Oct. 8) with a special Monday night show, “An Opry Salute to Ray Charles.” The event was taped for a television special that will premiere in February 2019 on public television stations nationwide.

Hosted by Opry member Darius Rucker, the event united two iconic entities with unique collaborations and special performances of Charles’ music, performed by a star-studded lineup including Boyz II Men, Cam, Brett Eldredge, Leela James, Jessie Key, Ronnie Milsap, Lukas Nelson, LeAnn Rimes, Allen Stone, Travis Tritt, Charlie Wilson, and Chris Young.

Rucker addressed the packed audience at the beginning of the show stating, “As a Grand Ole Opry member I am moved to see the Opry recognize Ray and the magnitude of his contribution to country music. Both the Grand Ole Opry and Ray shared the same vision—to bridge musical genres.”

Trisha Yearwood contributed a memorable rendition of “You Don’t Know Me” that was taped for inclusion in the television special. A powerful all-star collaboration of “America The Beautiful” performed by all of the artists closed out the show with an uplifting message of unity.

“Ray Charles had a deep love for country music. I know he would have been extremely proud and grateful for all of the artists who joined us this evening to pay tribute. Without the passion and support of executive producer Steve Buchanan and the entire Opry family for championing this special, we would not have been able to bring Ray’s legacy to the Opry stage,” said Valerie Ervin, President, Ray Charles Foundation.

Sally Williams, SVP & GM, Grand Ole Opry, stated, “The Opry was thrilled to salute Ray Charles and his passion for the music and storytelling of country music. The performers tonight demonstrated what Ray understood so well—that music has no bounds.”