DISClaimer: Kane Brown, Camo Brian, Sheryl Crow, And More

Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Black Lives Matter say the stars in this week’s edition of DISClaimer.

Henry Particelli and Tony Stampley are singing songs of racial reconciliation. Kane Brown is on hand with Khalid and Swae Lee, as is newcomer Camo Brian, who wins the DisCovery Award.

There are plenty of other good tunes today. I especially recommend Runaway June, Eric Paslay and Chris Janson. For super songwriting excellence, the essentials are Hailey Whitter‘s “Janice at the Hotel Bar” and our Disc of the Day, “Lonely Alone” by Sheryl Crow with Willie Nelson.

RUNAWAY JUNE/We Were Rich
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman/Nicolle Galyon; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Combustion Engine; Producer: none listed; BBR/Wheelhouse
-Sweetly heart tugging and absolutely gorgeous sounding. I don’t know which I like better, the deliciously well written lyric or the breath-taking harmony-vocal perfection. I fell hard for this little slice of American life. With new member Natalie Stovall on board, the trio introduced this on last week’s Grand Ole Opry broadcast. Loved it then. Love it now.

CHRIS JANSON/Waitin’ On 5
Writers: Chris Janson/Craig Wiseman/Shy Carter/Tommy Cecil; Publisher: Sony/ATV/BMG Rights/Ole; Producer: none listed; Warner
-A blue-collar rouser that’s itching for the working day to end so that the party can begin. I usually don’t like gang-shouted backup vocals, but they work perfectly here.

TONY STAMPLEY/Colorblind
Writers: Tony Stampley/Bonnie Swayze; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Chris Janson, Tommy Cecil; TS
-A song for our times. It’s a plea for peace between races and for universal love. Tony’s songs have been recorded by a country who’s-who, including Hank Jr., Billy Currington, Randy, Moe, Tritt, John Anderson, George Jones, Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad and his daddy Joe Stampley. As he had done many times before, he can sing ’em just fine, himself.

ERIC PASLAY/Nice Guy
Writers: Eric Paslay/Craig Wiseman; Publisher: none listed; Producer: F. Reid Shippen/Tofer Brown; Paso Fino Records
– Very cute. He’s gonna get mean and nasty because, “It just don’t pay to be a nice guy in a bad-guy world.” The bopping track and light-hearted vocal are as delightful as the lyric. The video is a spot-the-celebrity collage of cameo appearances interspersed with Paslay in the slammer. I’ve always liked this guy.

HAILEY WHITTERS/Janice at the Hotel Bar
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Lori McKenna; Publisher: Scrambler Music, a division of Carnival Music Group, Maps and Records Music, Creative Pulse Music; Producer: Jake Gear, Hailey Whitters; Pigasus/Big Loud/Songs & Daughters
– This woman is so prodigiously talented. As if singing like a hillbilly angel wasn’t enough, she can write something so simply profound and true as this minor masterpiece. While you’re seeking this gem out (and you should), get addicted and plunge into the audio wonders of “Dream Girl,” “All the Cool Girls” and the rest of her extraordinary catalog. Her entire album The Dream is a country lover’s dream.

KANE BROWN, SWAE LEE & KHALID/Be Like That
Writers: Xplicit/Charlie Handsome/Kane Brown; Publisher: Universal/Warner Chappell; Producer: none listed; RCA
– Tuneful, jaunty and catchy, in a loopy kinda way. The mash-up of country with hip-hop is surprisingly effective in this ditty about a conflicted relationship. It works because Swae Lee’s falsetto portion and Khalid’s robust lower voice alleviate Brown’s (overly?) repetitive main refrain.

HENRY PARTICELLI/Your Name
Writer: Particelli; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Henry Particelli; HP
-Particelli wrote this in the wake of George Floyd’s death. “I know you never wanted this kind of fame/I’m so sorry that’s how we know your name,” he sings to the innocent man who died at the hands of police officers. The video intercuts shots of everyday citizens, black and white, holding signs with slogans of affirmation with footage of him singing alone in the studio. Toward the finale, he is pictured performing the lyric in a police uniform. It is not a costume for the video. You see, he is a for-real Metro Nashville police sergeant, trying to restore cops’ reputations by emphasizing their overall wish to help the public. He has his work cut out for him: This week in a botched-address scenario, Nashville officers broke down the door of an innocent Black mother’s home with their guns drawn while she pleaded for her children’s lives.

LAUREN ALAINA & JON PARDI/Getting Over Him
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Paul DiGiovanni/Emily Weisband; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Mercury Nashville
-It’s a rocking “rebound” tune. They both exude personality and verve, but Alaina definitely has the edge over her partner.

CAMO BRIAN/Already Famous
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producers: none listed; Average Joes
-Bear with me: His name is Camo, and he wears camo. Musically, he takes a page from the Lil Nas X/BRELAND country-trap playbook in this banger about loving his lady just the way she is. She’s a “celebrity on the red carpet/In some clothes you bought from Target.” Also: He likes her rear end, so “Go ahead and park it.” He’s an animated figure in his video wherein he name checks both “Old Town Road” and “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” This is his first single.

SHERYL CROW & WILLIE NELSON/Lonely Alone
Writer: Sheryl Crow, Shane McAnally; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Steve Jordan; Valory Music Co.
-Drawn from her celebrity-collabs CD Threads, which she says is her final album, Crow gets all warm and cozy in this outstanding duet with Nelson. The song of two strangers sidling up to each other in a bar is wonderfully well written. Willie’s beautifully comforting voice and guitar playing are the real stars here, plus a splendid harmonica solo from Mickey Raphael. Applause, applause, applause for a superbly executed track.

LUKE LAIRD/Music Row
Writer: Luke Laird; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Luke Laird; LL
-Laird has written 24 chart-topping hits for others and collected baskets of award trophies. This is the title tune of his debut solo album. He sings in a light, soft tenor while the lazy-day, drum-loop track burbles gently behind him. The charming lyric is packed with Nashville place names while describing the uncertain yet hopeful life of a tunesmith. Laird also hosts a new show on Apple Music called Country Replay Radio.

Margo Price, The Milk Carton Kids, Lucinda Williams Join Americana Music’s Thriving Roots Conference

The Milk Carton Kids, Margo Price and Lucinda Williams are among the latest panelists who have been announced for the upcoming Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference, Sept. 16-18. With close to 70 sessions including artist, industry and workshop panels, plus special events and music breaks, the full conference schedule is also now available.

The Milk Carton Kids will speak with Williams and perform together during a special edition of their “Sad Songs Comedy Hour” residency. Elsewhere, “Price Points: Talking Artistic Values With Margo Price” finds the outspoken singer-songwriter opening up about channeling her values and voice into songs, statements and other aspects of the public sphere during a discussion with music critic/NPR Music Contributor Jewly Hight.

National Independent Venue Association Board Members Chris Cobb, Dayna Frank and Sarah Mertz will join National Independent Talent Organization founding member Frank Riley for “Fighting for the Survival of Independent Music,” an examination of the groups’ advocacy work for U.S. government aid and how the entire independent music community is working together toward a future of live venue reopenings in the wake of COVID-19.

Carrie Colliton (Record Store Day) rounds up a team of seasoned brick-and-mortar owners and managers including Terry Currier (Music Millennium, Portland, OR), Doyle Davis (Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, Nashville, TN), John Kunz (Waterloo Records & Video, Austin, TX) and Andy Nelson (Easy Street Records, Seattle, WA) for “The Brick and the Mortar,” shining a light on the new business opportunities and revenue streams that have arisen in the face of adversity.

Additional new programming includes “Indie Labels in the Time of Consolidation: Surviving or Thriving?,” an inside look at how a handful of independent labels are navigating the choppy waters of retail and marketing, as well as their strategies on artist signings. Moderated by David Hirshland (BMG), this discussion will include John Allen (New West Records), Jim Olsen (Signature Sounds), Paul Roper (Dualtone Music Group) and John Strohm (Rounder Records).
In between panels and after business hours, attendees can also enjoy special events and music breaks. ANTI- Records will spotlight Ben Harper, Jeremy Ivey and Wynonna for show-stopping performances, while Thirty Tigers will treat audiences to numbers by Brent Cobb, Charley Crockett, Lori McKenna and more. During Mono Mundo’s “The Mavericks & Friends En Español,” catch the band celebrating their Cuban and Mexican roots with performances from their home in Nashville.

Radio Promo Veteran Buddy King Dies at 79

Buddy King. Photo: Courtesy Alan Young Promotions

Radio promotion veteran Buddy King of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away Friday, Aug. 21. He was 79.

King’s career in the industry spanned over six decades. He began as a radio DJ and later became a program director, before transitioning into radio promotion. He had recently promoted singles for Bobby Wills, Rachael Turner and CJ Solar, and worked with Alan Young as part of the team that took Solar’s “Airplane” and “American Girls” to No. 15 and “Coming My Way” to Top 10 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio chart. The unique industry veteran didn’t own a cell phone or computer, choosing to work the old school way with pen, paper, and his home phone over modern technology.

Jeremy McComb Signs With Average Joes Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Average Joes’ Marketing Manager, Andrew Davis; Average Joes’ V.P./A&R, Forrest Latta; Jeremy McComb, Morreale Entertainment Artist Manager, Tony Morreale; Average Joes’ Sr. Dir./Publicity, Claire Cook-Taylor; Producer Nick Gibbens

Jeremy McComb has signed with Average Joes Entertainment, and will release his new single, “Cotton’s Getting High,” on Sept. 25. Produced by Nick Gibbens, the track is a kick-it-up-a-notch barn burner penned by Luke Laird, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally.

McComb was born and raised in Idaho. He has been touring relentlessly for over a decade and has released four albums, charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, penned songs for projects including the Grammy-nominated soundtrack Blue Collar Comedy Tour – One For The Road, worked as a radio programmer, and tour managed comedian Larry The Cable Guy.

“Jeremy’s craft as a storyteller, musician and entertainer, coupled with his relentless work ethic, truly make him stand out from the crowd. The entire Average Joes’ team is excited to have him on board,” said Forrest Latta, Average Joes’ VP, A&R.

Exile Inks With Ontourage Management, Kinkead Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Exile’s Steve Goetzman, Sonny LeMaire, JP Pennington, Entourage Management’s Tony Conway, Exile’s Marlon Hargis and Les Taylor. Photo Credit: Brandon Mauldin

Exile has signed with Ontourage Management for exclusive management representation. The band has also signed with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for booking.

2020 marks the 57th anniversary for the band, which formed in Richmond, Kentucky, in 1963. The band has had hits on both the pop and country charts, achieving 10 No. 1 songs on the country chart alone. They are known for hits including “Kiss You All Over,” “Give Me One More Chance,” and “I Don’t Want to Be a Memory,” to name a few.

“We’ve known Tony for decades, back from when Exile was just another struggling Kentucky band. It’s a real pleasure to finally get to work with someone we’ve respected for years, and more importantly, consider to be a friend!” said Marlon Hargis of Exile. “It’s also great to work with Bob and all the Kinkead staff – good people, doing a wonderful job, particularly helping us through the 2020 Covid-19 disaster!”

“Exile was the first band I promoted when I was a sophomore in high school. Some people and music come into our lives, leave footprints, touch our hearts, and we are never the same. Exile is one of those amazing groups of talented musicians , songwriters and entertainers,” stated Ontourage Management’s Tony Conway. “We look forward to working with them to expand the brand and legacy of Exile that they have created for the past 57 years.”

“My team and I, here at Kinkead Entertainment, have represented Exile since Nov 2019. It has been a great ride lining up all the shows and events throughout the USA, until the COVID-19 virus hit our nation in March. We managed to move most of their dates into 2021. We are excited to get Exile back on the road, and in front of their fans, performing their biggest hits,” shared TKEA’s Bob Kinkead. “Exile will kick-off their tour in January 2021, starting in Texas, pending no more spikes or setbacks with regard to the virus. We are extremely excited to be in business with the Conway Entertainment Group, the new management company for Exile. 2021 looks bright!”

Chris Stapleton Returns With ‘Starting Over’ Album In November

Chris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke

Chris Stapleton will release a new album, Starting Over, out Nov. 13 via Mercury Records Nashville. The album, which was completed in February, only weeks before studio shutdowns began, finds Stapleton revisiting Nashville’s RCA Studio A, where he recorded the bulk of his breakthrough album Traveller as well as his two From The A Room projects, and teaming again with producer Dave Cobb. Additional work on Starting Over was done at Muscle Shoals Sound and Compass Sound Studio.

The album’s first release, “Starting Over,” was penned by Stapleton and Mike Henderson, while the album also includes covers of John Fogerty’s “Joy of My Life” and Guy Clark’s “Worry B Gone,” and “Old Friends.”

The record features Stapleton’s wife, Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with longtime bandmates J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums). Special guests include legendary musicians Mike Campbell (electric guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel) as well as the All Voices Choir who are featured on “Watch You Burn,” written by Stapleton and Campbell.

STARTING OVER TRACKLIST
1. Starting Over
2. Devil Always Made Me Think Twice
3. Cold
4. When I’m With You
5. Arkansas
6. Joy Of My Life
7. Hillbilly Blood
8. Maggie’s Song
9. Whiskey Sunrise
10. Worry B Gone
11. Old Friends
12. Watch You Burn
13. You Should Probably Leave
14. Nashville, TN

TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer To Step Down


TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has decided to leave the company, less then three months after joining TikTok from his previous role at Disney, reports NBC News.

In a letter from Mayer obtained by NBC News, Mayer said, “In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for. Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”

The news follows the Trump administration’s recent executive order, signed on Aug. 6, which states that TikTok must be sold by Sept. 15 or the app could be banned in the United States. TikTok is owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance. Though the U.S. administration has stated that TikTok’s connection to China makes it a threat to national security,  TikTok has stated its U.S. user data is stored within the United States, with a backup in Singapore.

On Monday (Aug. 24), TikTok sued the U.S. government, claiming it was withheld due process. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Oracle are competing to acquire TikTok from its parent company.

Brian White Extends Publishing Deal With Anthem Music Publishing

Brian White

Brian White has extended his worldwide co-publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing.

Since joining the Anthem family in 2018, White has become a highly sought-after producer and songwriter in Nashville. With success in both the country and Christian music worlds, his songwriting credits include cuts by Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Neal McCoy, Danny Gokey, Michael English and more. White has 16 No. 1 songs under his belt, including the SESAC Country Song of The Year and Billboard’s Most Played Song of The Year, Rodney Atkins’ “Watching You,” and he received two Dove Awards for Song of The Year for Michael English’s “Holding Out Hope To You” and The Martins’ “The Promise,” as well as numerous ACM and CMA nominations.

“We are thrilled to further our deal with Brian White,” said Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He has already proven to be a great addition to the Anthem family, and we look forward to great continued success with him.”

“I’m excited about continuing my publishing relationship with Anthem Entertainment,” White said. “It’s important to have the right people in your corner, and the team at Anthem is the best!”

Nashville’s "Keep The Show Rolling" Caravan To Focus On Crisis State of Live Events Industry

Chris Lisle

Keep the Show Rolling, a caravan of branded live entertainment industry vehicles, will make its way through Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 1, beginning at 2 p.m. CT, in support of #WeMakeEvents, a coalition of trade organizations, businesses, unions, and live events workers who are encouraging Congress to pass the Restart Act to aid small businesses and extend Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits to the live events industry that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The route includes several locations key to Nashville’s live music industry: Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater, Nissan Stadium, Municipal Auditorium, TPAC, and lower Broadway.

“The live entertainment industry was one of the first to shut down and will be one of the last to return,” said Chris Lisle, creator of Tuesday’s caravan, owner of Chris Lisle Lighting Design (which has worked with Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, among others) and co-creator of the Touring Career Workshop. “Our entire industry is in need of further financial assistance in order to weather the storm. We hope Keep the Show Rolling brings attention to that need and the sheer number of people and companies in Nashville that have been impacted.”

On Sept. 1, in addition to the caravan, numerous venues, businesses and structures around Nashville—including Nissan Stadium, Ascend Amphitheater, Metro Courthouse, Korean Veterans Bridge, Hilton Downtown, Hotel Indigo, and companies including Bandit Lites, Soundcheck/Crew 1, Brantley Sound Associates, Pyrotek Nashville, and Clair Global—will be lighted in red to help raise awareness of the fact that the live entertainment industry is on red alert for its survival.
Those interested in participating in the caravan can contact chris@touringcareerworkshop.com.

A map of the Keep the Show Rolling caravan route is below:

Ashley McBryde’s "One Night Standards" Goes Gold, Tops Canadian Country Airplay Chart

Ashley McBryde | Photo Credit: Daniel Meigs

Ashley McBryde‘s “One Night Standards” has topped the Canadian Country Airplay Chart, and has earned RIAA Gold status in the United States and Canada.

The song is currently in the Top 15 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay Chart.

“It’s really special to have this song reach an audience this size,” says McBryde. “I grew up listening to albums in addition to flipping through the country radio dial, so some of the biggest songs that influenced my career weren’t the ones you heard on the radio. But that discovery — when the deejay said ‘and that was Mary Chapin Carpenter,’ or ‘that was Terri Clark,’ man, it would send me down a rabbit hole. If you can walk that line, introduce millions of new fans to your music and at the same time give them something to go deeper with on your records, then I think you’re right where you need to be. And right now, I’m very thankful to be here.”

“One Night Standards” is included on McBryde’s latest album, Never Will, which released April 3 on Warner Music Nashville and follows her Grammy-nominated debut project. The song was recently named Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville’s Publisher’s Pick at this year’s awards. McBryde was also named Artist-Writer of the Year.