TobyMac To Release ‘The Elements’ In October

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TobyMac will return with his first new album in three years, when The Elements releases Oct. 12.

The 11-track album includes “I just need U.,” which topped the CCM radio charts for 12 weeks. The project’s second single, “Everything,” is at No. 4 on the Hot AC and in the Top 15 at AC Indicator, AC Monitored, and Christian Airplay.

TobyMac and his DiverseCity Band will launch a 12-city theatre run with guest Ryan Stevenson later this year, following TobyMac’s 18 sold-out arena shows as part of his HITS DEEP Tour.

TobyMac has five Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award nominations for the upcoming 49th annual GMA Dove Awards, including nods in major categories such as Song of the Year (“I just need U.”), Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year.

The Elements Track Listing:
1. The Elements
2. I just need U.
3. Scars
4. Everything
5. Starts With Me (feat. Aaron Cole)
6. Edge Of My Seat
7. It’s You
8. Horizon (A New Day)
9. Hello Future
10. Overflow
11. See The Light

Luke Bryan Reveals Benefit Show For Community Foundation Of South Georgia

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Luke Bryan

Georgia natives Luke Bryan, Phillip Phillips, Cole Swindell, The Peach Pickers and DJ Rock will host a benefit show in their home state on Oct. 3 at the Exchange Club of Albany in Albany, Georgia. Proceeds raised will be donated to The Heart of South Georgia Fund of The Community Foundation of South Georgia to support the ongoing natural disaster relief efforts as well as other needs within the community.

“My hometown is more than a place for me. It is a way of life,” Bryan said. “Growing up in South Georgia has had such an impact on me in so many ways and I’m so glad that this group of amazing artists and writers are able to come back home and help those who have been hit by such devastation over the past couple of years.”

“Albany is my home,” Phillips said. “I have traveled near and far, but always come back home. This is where my family is and where I planted my roots. I was home on Jan. 22, 2017, when the tornado ravaged our area and surrounding areas. I was able to get out that night and in the days following to serve alongside my community, seeing the true heart of our city. I am honored to have the opportunity now to play this special show.”

“When I was asked to be a part of this event I didn’t hesitate,” Swindell added. “Even though I get to travel the country doing what I love day after day there is nothing that gives me a sense of recharging than coming back home to South Georgia and being around the people who helped get me here. Being able to give back in some small way means the world to me.”

Dallas Davidson of The Peach Pickers said, “I’m extremely excited to be a part of The Heart of South Georgia show. It’s an honor to be able to give back to a town that gave me so much. No matter where I am I always take a piece of Albany, Georgia with me.”

For more, visit heartofsouthgeorgia.org.

MV2 Expands Creative Team With Mike Whelan And Ben Strain

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Pictured (L-R): Nicole Sherrill – Creative Director, Tony Harrell – General Manager, Mike Whelan – Senior Creative Director, Ben Strain – Creative Director, Lauren Davis – Artist Management & Contract Administration, Lindsey Parrish – Digital Marketing Manager Photo by Acacia Evans

MV2 Entertainment has added industry vets Mike Whelan as Senior Creative Director and Ben Strain as Creative Director.

Whelan has 33 years of experience in music publishing, including stints with Polygram Music, Acuff-Rose Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He has worked with writers Bob McDill, Dean Dillon, Tony Martin, Skip Ewing, Casey Beathard, and more and as a plugger has had over 85 BMI and ASCAP Award-winning songs – 40 of which have topped the music charts. Whelan was also instrumental in helping secure record deals for up-and-comers Jordan Davis and Adam Hambrick with Universal Records.

Strain’s previous stops include Sony Records, Monument Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He’s worked with writers including Josh Thompson, Jeremy Stover, Tony Martin, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Dave Turnbull, Chris Janson and more, and placed over 100 cuts with artists including Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan & Shay, Justin Moore, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen and more. Strain was key in six No. 1 songs, including Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” and LOCASH’s “I Know Somebody.”

“We have so many exciting things happening here at MV2 and our new additions are undoubtedly high up on that list. We are incredibly excited to have both Mike and Ben join our team. They bring drive, experience, a love for music and values that truly fit our culture,” said MV2 General Manager Tony Harrell.

MV2’s roster includes Thomas Archer, Nick Donley, Jimmie Deeghan, Eric Dodd, Clay Mills, Robert Arthur and Nora Collins.

Whelan and Strain can be reached at mike_whelan@mv2entertainment.com and ben_strain@mv2entertainment.com.

Nashville Startup AVVAY Announces $1 Million Seed Round

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Pictured (L-R): Nick Dominguez (CXO), Mike Johnson (Lead Engineer), Addison Bean (Junior Engineer), Liza Kawaller (Business Development), Josh Colbert (CTO), Jon Howard (CEO), Nick de Partee (CCO). Photo by: Monique Villa

Nashville startup AVVAY, an online marketplace that helps creatives book locations for photo/video shoots, recording sessions, performances, and other creative events, has announced its $1 million seed round. The round is led by Denver-based Zero G Capital, with participation from Matchstick Ventures, SpringTime Ventures and Service Provider Capital, among others.

AVVAY was founded by Jon Howard, who has been on the road as a guitarist with Paramore. AVVAY currently serves the Nashville, Portland, Chicago, Dallas and Houston markets. At the time, Howard was also producing albums.

“I was making a solo record for Paramore’s drummer at that time — and the plan was to find interesting locations in each city we went,” Howard said. “Unless I was knocking on doors or knew someone, there was no way to access these places. AVVAY was born out of trying to solve these problems for ourselves.”

Along with the rest of the AVVAY founding team, Howard spent three months in Boulder, Colorado, as part of the tech accelerator, Techstars. They returned to Nashville in May, and with the closing of their seed round, the team is ready to continue AVVAY’s growth.

“One of the benefits of being accepted into the accelerator program is gaining access to the Techstars Network, which has provided us with incredible mentorship,” said Howard. “We spent three months taking a deep dive into our vision and processes, and now we’re excited about closing this seed round and continuing to bring our vision to fruition. Content creators are massively underserved and we are addressing their challenges head on.”

The AVVAY team includes founders Jon Howard, Nick de Partee, Josh Colbert and Nick Dominguez, early team member Mike Johnson and new addition Liza Kawaller.

“We are looking forward to creating really cool, interesting tech jobs here in Tennessee,” said Howard.

AVVAY was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Cool Springs at 106 Mission Court, Suite 103B, Franklin, Tennessee.

DISClaimer: Malcolm Holcombe Leads Gifted Americana Sounds

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Malcolm Holcombe. Photo by Andrea Furlan

It’s Americana week in Music City, and the listening is groovy.

The spectacularly gifted Malcolm Holcombe lands our Disc of the Day award with his new Nashville-recorded release.

The DisCovery Award goes to a husband-wife duo who call Nashville home, My One and Only.

But don’t stop with those two. There’s plenty more to hear here. Extra recommended are Mary Gauthier, Amos Lee and Jennifer Warnes. If I were choosing runners-up for our two top awards, they would be Mandy Barnett and Great Peacock.

AMOS LEE/No More Darkness, No More Light
Writer: Amos Lee; Producer: Tony Berg; Publisher: Soma Eel, ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
– The burbling track is quite light and lively, but there’s something serious going on in this lyric inspired by school shootings. As always, he sings with great elan and conviction. His highly recommended, brightly produced new CD is titled My New Moon. You’ll dig it.

MARY GAUTHIER/Soldiering On
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Jennifer Marino; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publisher: Mary Gauthier/SongWritingWithSoldiers, ASCAP; In The Black/Thirty Tigers
– Gauthier collaborated on all of the songs on her new Rifles & Rosary Beads collection with service men and women. The results ring with emotional honesty and stark inner truth, as though she tapped into their psyches like a therapist. Hubbard’s rumbling production on this track underscores her intense vocal delivery. This gifted singer-songwriter staged her Americana showcase on Wednesday at City Winery and will appear today at one of the convention’s discussion panels.

JENNIFER WARNES/Just Breathe
Writer: Eddie Vedder: Producers: C. Roscoe Beck/Jennifer Warnes; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; Porch Light
– This peerless song interpreter and longtime Leonard Cohen collaborator has a new album titled Another Place, Another Time. It leads off with this striking reinterpretation of a Pearl Jam tune. The eclectic collection also dips into the catalogs of John Legend, Mark Knopfler, Mickey Newbury, Marcus Hummon and Warren Haynes/Derek Trucks. This track shimmers with French horn, cello, strings and organ. But elsewhere you’ll find everything from blues to country. She remains an enduring treasure.

MALCOLM HOLCOMBE/The New Damnation Alley
Writer: Malcolm Holcombe; Producer: Marco Glovino/Jared Tyler; Publisher: Gypsy Eyes, BMI; Singular (track)
-This gritty North Carolina mountain troubadour evokes dark hollows and woodsy shadows whenever he sings. Iris DeMent and Greg Brown are his harmony singers on the new Come Hell or High Water CD. This dark-umber composition illustrates why he’s a songwriter’s songwriter. The acoustic production lets his smoke-stained voice plainly wheeze out its condemnation of “millionaire barbarians” and “limousine liars” who drag the bleeding poor to despair. Gripping and great.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL & THE AVETT BROTHERS/Willie Got There First
Writer: Seth Avett; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seirfert, Seth Avett & Scott Avett; Publishers: First Big Snow/Nemoivmusic/Ramseur Family Fold/Paw Paw/Lew Bob, SESAC/BMI; Bismeaux/Thirty Tigers
– It’s a slow waltz, not a scampering western swinger. “I had such a good idea for a song/But Willie got there first.” It seems that wherever the singer gets close to a gal and wants to woo her with music, the soundtrack has already been written by the Red Headed Stranger. Lots of Willie song titles are name-checked in the clever lyric. The rest of the Wheel’s New Routes CD hews closer to what one might expect. Its Americana showcase is late, late Thursday night at Mercy Lounge.

KATE CAMPBELL/Damn Sure Blue
Writers: Kate Campbell/Tom Kimmel; Producer: Will Kimbrough; Publishers: Large River/Morrissette, BMI/ASCAP; Large River (track)
– The title track to Kate’s new album is a laconic lament with a steady backbeat and some dandy vocal and twang support from her illustrious producer. She’s down but not out. And least not quite. Her always piquant originals form the core of the collection. But she also tosses in a pair of Johnny Cash covers as well as The Louvin Brothers’ “Great Atomic Power.” The album drops a week from tomorrow.

MY ONE AND ONLY/To My Rescue
Writers: Ben Wilson/Kassle Wilson; Producer: Abdrija Tokic; Publishers: none listed; MOAO (track)
– Two-steppin’ country, taken at a brisk pace. The production (by Alabama Shakes helmsman Tokic) is spare and twangy. They’re a husband-wife duo who share leads and harmonies. I like it that they start softly and then let fly with some grand hillbilly wailing. The Past Year is their debut CD, and it makes for some happy listening. Americana talent scouts, take note. These guys deserve some wide distribution.

MANDY BARNETT & JOHN HIATT/A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done
Writers: none listed; Producers: Marco Glovino/Doug Lancio; Publishers: none listed; Dame/Thirty Tigers
– She’s been typecast as a country neo-traditionalist, but at heart she has always been a torch singer. Thus, the new Strange Conversation CD’s repertoire spans Sanford Clark (”The Fool”), The Tams (”It’s All Right”), Tom Waits (”Puttin’ on the Dog”), Mabel Johns (”More Lovin’”) and Greg Garing (”Dream Too Real to Hold”), because all lend themselves to her sultry stylings. Not to mention a simmering, drunken-gypsy take on this Sonny & Cher chestnut with John Hiatt along for the ride. This is one extremely cool album. Check her out at Mercy Lounge on Thursday night. It’s bound to be an Americana convention highlight. The album drops next Friday.

GREAT PEACOCK/One Way Ticket
Writers: Kenneth Andrew Nelson/Stephen Blount Floyd; Producer: Dex Green; Publishers: Uncle Ken’s/Back 40; SESAC; Ropeadope (track)
-This Nashville band showcases at 5:00 p.m. at Musicians Corner on Thursday afternoon. Its new Gran Pavo Real CD contains this classy country-rocker boasting a delicious melody, high-lonesome harmonies, ultra-tight ensemble playing, dynamic rhythms and a terrifically engaging tenor lead vocal. Captivating and addictive.

AMANDA SHIRES/Parking Lot Pirouette
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Little Lambs Eat Ivy, BMI; Silver Knife (track)
– Her new To the Sunset CD has made her Americana’s current “It” girl. This track from it illustrates the collection’s strengths — pop song craftsmanship, layered arrangement, pert-soprano delivery, echoey atmosphere. Amanda’s convention showcase performance will be Thursday night at the Basement East.

ASCAP’s ‘I Create Music’ Expo 2019 Set For May 2-4

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ASCAP’s 14th annual “I Create Music” EXPO will return to the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles on May 2-4, 2019.

The ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO provides aspiring songwriters and composers with networking opportunities, one-on-one feedback and real-world advice from hit-making songwriters. Songwriters that have participated in ASCAP EXPO early in their careers include LELAND (“Youth,” Troye Sivan), Vincent Berry (“Sandcastles,” Beyoncé) and Meghan Trainor. Trainor was a keynote speaker at the 2018 EXPO, eagerly recounting to the audience her EXPO experience in 2010, when she attended sessions with Justin Timberlake and Bill Withers, Quincy Jones and Ludacris.

“ASCAP EXPO offers a unique, welcoming environment for music creators to come together and express their individual voices, no matter their level, musical style or genre,” said Lauren Iossa, ASCAP Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer. “In 2019, our participants will be encouraged to embrace new opportunities and the close-knit community they can only find at EXPO to reach the next stage of their careers.”

For a peek at the experience, ASCAP is making video of 60+ hours of panels and performances from the 2018 conference, including countless “only at ASCAP EXPO” moments, available at ascap.com/2018expovideo.

Bobby Bones, Charles Esten To Be Honored At Musicians On Call Celebration

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Bobby Bones and Charles Esten will be honored during A Night To Celebrate the Healing Power of Music, hosted by Musicians On Call on Oct. 10 at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The event will honor On-Air personality and Musicians on Call Board Member Bones with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele Award, and will present CMT’s Nashville star and Musicians On Call volunteer and supporter Esten with the Music Heals Golden Ukulele Award during the special evening.

The event will also feature special performances by Thomas Rhett and Chris Janson following the exclusive VIP reception in the Grand Foyer. Tickets to the concert are available to the general public now and can be purchased at musiciansoncall.org/nash or bobbybones.com.

As a Musicians On Call volunteer musician, Bones has played at the bedsides of patients at the Nashville VA and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and has supported Musicians On Call’s Project Playback, where he wrote and recorded music with patients at TriStar Centennial Hospital.

“Since he first became involved with Musicians On Call, Bobby has been an incredibly passionate and vocal supporter of our mission,” said Musicians On Call President Pete Griffin, “He has a positive energy that is impossible to ignore and has used it over and over again to bring joy to patients, families and caregivers in hospitals. Through his generous support of MOC, Bobby has personally enabled us to spread the healing power of music to thousands of patients around the country.”

Over the past four years Esten has been an active volunteer musician and regularly plays for the patients and staff at the Nashville VA. In October 2017 Esten joined Musician On Call on the #MOCheals trip to Las Vegas to play for victims, families, caregivers and first responders immediately following the tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

“We are very fortunate to have Charles continuously give his time to bring smiles to everyone at the Nashville VA,” said Griffin, “We witnessed his kindness and compassion first hand last fall when he spent time with survivors in Las Vegas, helping them heal through his music and infectious positivity. Charles has had a significant impact on our organization and it’s our honor to recognize his contributions.”

Golden Ukuleles will also be presented to Outstanding Volunteer Guide Mary Lee Bennett and Outstanding Volunteer Musicians Chris Swift and Laura Vance for their commitment to Musicians On Call’s Bedside Performance Programs at Nashville-area hospitals.

Americana Gala Honors Tried And True

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Pictured (L-R): Brandi Carlile, Irma Thomas, Courtney Marie Andrews, Tanya Blount and Michael Trotter, Jr. of The War and Treaty, Ann McCrary of The McCrary Sisters. (Photo credit: Getty Images for the Americana Music Association)

The 2018 Americana Music Honors & Awards celebration at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday night (Sept. 12) honored the genre’s established favorites while giving special recognition to legendary music figures.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit took home the Duo/Group honors and the Album of the Year prize for its collection The Nashville Sound. Isbell’s “If We Were Vampires” was named Song of the Year. He previously won the Americana Album award in 2014 and 2016. His songs earned additional top honors from the organization in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

John Prine repeated as Artist of the Year, an award he also claimed at the last Americana ceremony.

“I believe I got this last year – it’s Groundhog Day,” Prine quipped. “Every year, it gets better and better. I’d like to thank the whole Nashville music community for all the support over the years.”

Prine won yet another Artist of the Year accolade in 2005, and he was given an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting in 2003.

Molly Tuttle won Guitarist of the Year at the 2017 IBMA Awards for bluegrass music. Last night, the Americana Music Association (AMA) echoed that by giving her its Instrumentalist of the Year honor.

Singer-songwriter Tyler Childers was named the AMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year.

“Best I can tell, you left the back door open and now there is a stark, raving ‘hill-jack’ in your living room,” said the hard-core country stylist. “I’m an Appalachian artist, and I play country music,” he added, defiantly.

All of the winners performed outstanding music. They were matched by the veterans who garnered Lifetime Achievement honors – Buddy Guy, Irma Thomas, k.d. lang and Rosanne Cash. In the Industry/Executive category, Cris Williamson and Judy Dlugacz were saluted for their Olivia Records label.

The three-hour-plus ceremony was marked by standing ovations for performances in a variety of styles.

Fantastic Negrito, Nathaniel Rateliff and Lukas Nelson kicked off the show with a torrid performance of “Fortunate Son,” in honor of the 50th anniversary of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

During their opening monologue, show hosts The Milk Carton Kids delivered a funny, wry tune called “What Even Is Americana,” which poked good-natured fun at Isbell’s awards dominance. The Kids – Kenny Pattengale and Joey Ryan – were dryly humorous throughout the ceremony, somewhat in the manner of The Smothers Brothers of the ‘60s. They were also adept ad libbers.

John Hiatt introduced his daughter, Emerging Artist nominee Lilly Hiatt, who delivered the frothing rocker “Trinity Lane.” Jerry Douglas presented the Instrumentalist honor to Tuttle.

Mary Gauthier and Beth Nielsen Chapman harmonized on the topical “The War After the War,” which they co-wrote with military spouses. It is from Gauthier’s nominated CD Rifles & Rosary Beads. Its songs are all co-written with military personnel.

Emerging nominee Anderson East was soulful on “King for a Day.” Texas songwriting royal Robert Earl Keen is another Americana towering wordsmith. His “Feelin’ Good Again” was lilting and sweet. Emerging nominee Courtney Marie Andrews lifted the roof with her plaintive, gospel-styled wail of “May Your Kindness Remain.”

MTSU’s Ken Paulson introduced Don Was, who presented Rosanne Cash with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. Her acceptance drew cheers and repeated standing ovations.

Cash’s remarks made three main points. First, “We are the premier service industry for the heart and soul. Music creates community. Look at us here.” Second, “Women are not small, inferior versions of men. We deserve respect. We deserve equal representation in government and equal pay.” Third, “Children are more important than the right to own a personal arsenal of military-style weapons. The killing of children in schools should not be collateral damage for the Second Amendment.

“Today is the 15th anniversary of the day my dad left this planet. He left it a better place than he found it. And that’s what we all hope for.

“This award will give me the courage to speak up more. I didn’t give up my First Amendment rights when I picked up my guitar. I learned that from the first person to get this award [Johnny Cash, 17 years ago].”

The capper was her delivery of a new, riveting, heartfelt ballad, “Everyone But Me.”

Anti-establishment country parodist Wheeler Walker Jr. introduced Emerging nominee Tyler Childers. Tyler transfixed the crowd sitting alone on stage and delivering a searing “Nose on the Grindstone.”

Artist, Song and Album nominee Margo Price offered the country rocker “A Little Pain.” Her fellow Artist, Song and Album contender Brandi Carlile blasted out her survival power ballad “The Joke.”

The War & Treaty presented the AMA Lifetime Achievement Performance award to Irma Thomas, “The Soul Queen of New Orleans.”

“I’m never at a loss for words, but tonight I have to think before I speak,” said Thomas. “I feel very honored, because I’m among country stars, and I’m an r&b singer. I’m going to sing a song that I’ve really learned to appreciate, because Time has really been on my side.”

But her performance of “Time Is On My Side,” was sabotaged by a complete sound-system failure. “Bring her back!” screamed the crowd. So she was given a do-over.

Elizabeth Cook and Tyler Mahan Coe presented Isbell with his Song honor. “This is an exciting thing for me,” said the winner. “Everybody in this category had beautiful stories to tell and beautiful songs.”

Duo/Group nominees Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats ripped the Ryman to shreds with their “Hey Mama.” This was easily the best performance by any of the nominees in their category.

AMA executive director Jed Hilly appeared to cite his genre’s growth. When he took his post 12 years ago, there were 800 AMA members, and there are now 3,000. This year’s convention has attendees from 49 states and 14 countries. More than 250 artists are showcasing. The awards show has added CMT, which will air it on Nov. 18, in addition to its usual PBS home (airing in February).

Duo/Group nominees Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real were an audio revelation on “Forget About Georgia,” giving the tune a faintly Latin tinge, crisply forceful tenor vocals and tasteful electric-guitar filigrees.

Their fellow nominees I’m With Her embellished “Overland” with flawless trio harmonies.

“Women making music changed my life,” said NPR’s Ann Powers. “Their music spoke different truths.” Thus began her presentation of the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement for Executive to the Olivia Records founders. This was the first 100% female-run record label and also the first to embrace LGBTQ people.

“We helped change the way women were seen in the music industry,” observed Dlugacz. “This is the first time we’ve been acknowledged,” added Williamson. “An honor like this makes me feel like I made a difference in the world.”

Big winner Isbell offered a swirling, lush “White Man’s World.” The Lone Bellow said of Prine, “No one has been a bigger influence on us….He’s responsible for this community. He still leads this community.” Proving their point, Prine brought his laconic drawl to “Come on Home” with wistful, acoustic accompaniment.

Nicki Bluhm and Candi Staton teamed up to present the Album of the Year award. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to work with this family,” said producer Dave Cobb of The 400 Unit. “And it’s an honor to be part of this music community, the best community in the world.” Added Isbell, “I’m very grateful for this, and I believe in all of the work that all of us are doing together.”

Keb Mo presented the Lifetime Achievement Instrumentalist award to Buddy Guy. “Better late than never, especially if you’re a blues player,” said the honoree. “They quit playing the blues because the lyrics came too close to what you thought. But after hip-hop came out, I can say what I want. Don’t be the best in town, be the best around. Thank-you very much.”

Guy then plugged in and showed ‘em how it’s done with “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues.” Like many of the others who performed, he was rewarded with a standing ovation.

After Alejandro Escovedo and Fantastic Negrito presented Prine with his big award, Brandy Clark gave the Trailblazer Award to k.d. lang.

“I am honored to be in this temple of music,” said lang of the Ryman. She then filled the hall with her swaying and dreamy “Trail of Broken Hearts.”

In honor of the late Aretha Franklin, the show’s finale was “Chain of Fools” with Brandi, Irma, Courtney and The War & Treaty trading verses. Buddy Miller and the house band, plus the always fabulous McCrary Sisters pumped out the power.

 

Exclusive: Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley Talk Joining Thomas Rhett’s Tour As DJ Duo “ADHD”

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ADHD. Pictured (L-R): Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley

For the next few weeks, songwriters Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley are adding an interesting “side gig” to their status as hitmakers.

Under the moniker ADHD, Frasure and Gorley have joined the fall leg of Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour, serving as DJs—spinning tunes to amp up the crowd before the show and to keep the party going between sets.

“Hang out on the bus with us for a few hours and you know why we called it ADHD,” Frasure laughs.

“We’ll be midway through a verse and we’ll see a squirrel out the window and get distracted,” chimes Gorley.

As songwriters, Gorley and Frasure have penned over 50 No. 1 songs including several chart-topping favorites from Thomas Rhett’s catalog including “Crash & Burn,” “T-Shirt,” “Unforgettable,” “Marry Me” and most recent No. 1, “Life Changes.”

Early in his career, Frasure booked DJ gigs under the moniker Telemitry to make income alongside a growing career in publishing and songwriting. His popularity grew and was booked for gigs with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Alyssa Milano, Todd English, Jeremy Pivens, Kim Zolciak, Cee Lo among others. Meanwhile, Gorley was behind the turntables by the time he was 12, and continued spinning tracks for parties during high school and college.

“Thomas Rhett asked us about DJing on his tour,” Frasure recalls. “I did a run with him on the first leg of the Life Changes Tour and he said, ‘You should come do it again.’ I said, ‘I will if Ashley comes and does it with me.’ It was a joke, but it kind of evolved…”

Gorley adds, “Thomas Rhett was like, ‘Ashley won’t do that.’ I’ve always loved hip-hop and that was how I cut my teeth learning songs and tempos and keys. I learned a lot about songwriting through learning how to match up songs. Jesse did, too, so when Thomas Rhett said he didn’t think I would do that, I was like, ‘When’s the first show?’”

Each night, ADHD will set up four turntables in the middle of the arena. Frasure says having two DJs ups the challenge and the fun.

“Nowadays with technology, you can automatically beat match, so [having two DJs] forces you to get back to an old-school thing…beat matching by ear and trading songs back and forth,” says Frasure.

“It’s a little bit of a challenge.” Gorley agrees. “Jesse will play a song and I’ll immediately be like, ‘Oh man, what should follow this?’ So it becomes a bit of a game. It will be fun going back and forth.”

By day, they will be collaborating on new music (including co-writes with Thomas Rhett) on the tour bus booked for the outings. Fans may hear a few some snippets of the tunes they pen during those morning writing sessions.

“It’s a fun tester,” Frasure says. “We will plant little easter eggs, some things that might never be released or some things that might be released down the line—just different remixes.”

Tackling the turntables at night also serves as a refresher when they return to the writing room.

“When you are getting to spin songs you love, it becomes a way of reminding yourself, ‘What is it about this song that I always love hearing?’” Gorley says, “and then you can check the songs you are writing against the songs you love, that you are getting to spin, to see if you’re feeling those same kinds of gut reactions to them.”

“DJing has always taught me the difference between a smash and a popular song,” Frasure says. “Our job is just to keep the culture of fun going, so the fun thing about a great DJ experience is when they check the ego at the door. We know [songs] we love or favorite remixes we’ve done. So you can plan some things ahead of time, but you have to also be able to read the fans and every town is a little different.”

The fall run of Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes Tour will visit Bangor, Maine on Thursday, Sept. 13 and stretch through October.

Dolly Parton And Sia Duet To Release At Midnight, From Forthcoming Netflix Movie Dumplin’

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Prior to the Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out program at Music Biz 2018 on May 15.
Pictured (L-R): John Zarling, EVP, Marketing and New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Caryl Healey Atwood, VP, Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; Linda Perry; Danny Nozell, CTK Management; Dolly Parton; Darren Stupak, Executive VP/GM Sales, Sony Music Entertainment; Alaina Vehec, Director, Digital Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; and James Donio, President, Music Business Association. Photo: Courtesy of Music Biz

Dolly Parton has been working on original music for an upcoming motion picture titled Dumplin’.

Today (Sept. 12) it was announced a newly recorded collaboration of Parton’s 1971 track “Here I Am” will release for download and streaming after midnight ET with pop star Sia, which is off of the officially titled Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Additionally, Parton contributed six new compositions for the soundtrack, co-written and produced with Grammy nominee Linda Perry along with newly-recorded collaborations of some of Parton’s most popular songs. A partial list of official guests on the project includes Miranda Lambert, Mavis Staples, Elle King, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent and the film stars Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston. Miley Cyrus was revealed to also appear on the soundtrack during the Music Biz 2018 conference. Produced by Perry and Executive Produced by Parton, the soundtrack is set to release worldwide on Nov. 30 on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville (Sony Music). 

It was also announced today that Netflix has acquired the film Dumplin’, directed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses), based on Julie Murphy‘s bestselling novel about a plus-size, teenage daughter (Macdonald) of a former beauty queen (Aniston), who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest.

The film will be released later this year on Netflix in the U.S. and select international territories, and in select theaters in the U.S. Executive producers are Aniston and Parton’s manager Danny Nozell.

Parton is no stranger to motion picture work, not only starring herself in many films, her co-founded Sandollar Productions produced such films as Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II. It was announced in June that Netflix is set to carry a series of television films in 2019 based on a different Parton classic songs, with Parton’s Dixie Pixie Productions and Warner Bros. Television. This follows Parton’s successful NBC Christmas specials that aired in 2015-16.