Industry Ink: Rory Feek, Briana Galluccio, Lexi Larsen

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Rory Feek And Cracker Barrel Celebrate Gold

Photo: Vice President at Gaither Music Group, Paul Sizelove; Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel, Don Hoffman; Associate Merchandise Buyer at Cracker Barrel, Rachel Parker; Senior Marketing Manager at Cracker Barrel, Julie Ulmer; Merchandise Buyer at Cracker Barrel, John Jankowich; and Rory Feek celebrating Joey+Rory’s album “Hymns That Are Important to Us” reaching gold status. Photo: Supervisor of Creative Services at Cracker Barrel, Kevin Neely

Joey+Rory’s album, Hymns That Are Important to Us, reached gold status on March 7, selling more than 500,000 copies, and Rory Feek and his family celebrated at an event at Cracker Barrel’s Home Offices in Lebanon, Tennessee. The project sold nearly 160,000 copies at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, and Gaither Music presented Cracker Barrel with gold plaques at the event, where Feek and his family received custom rocking chairs and congratulations from Cracker Barrel. Feek’s wife Joey passed away almost exactly a year ago on March 4 from cervical cancer.

Joey Feek’s solo album, If Not For You, is set to be released April 7.

 

Galluccio To Join MCA Nashville Promo Team

Former All Access Nashville Editorial Assistant Briana Galluccio will join MCA Nashville as Coordinator/Promotion March 20. “I am thrilled Briana is joining our MCA team,” said VP/Promotion Katie Dean. “She’s a smart, driven team player and will be a great asset to the MCA roster and staff.”

Galluccio joined All Access in 2015, after serving on the promotion team for Beasley Country WKLB/Boston.

 

Lexi Larsen Becomes Durango Ambassador

Lexi Larsen has inked a deal to represent Durango Boots as a brand ambassador. Through the partnership, Lexi will offer fans exclusive discounts for Durango merchandise.

“I’m thrilled to join the Durango family,” says Larsen. “They’re brand and style is unique and timeless, I’m honored to be chosen to work with them.”

LifeNotes: Nashville Edition Singer Hurshel Wiginton Passes

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Prominent Nashville session vocalist Hurshel Wiginton has died at age 79.

As a member of The Nashville Edition, Wiginton sang on hundreds of hits in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s and was familiar to millions via the group’s long tenure on TV’s Hee Haw from 1969 to 1988.

Wiginton sang backup on records by a who’s-who of Nashville’s country recording artists, including Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, Brenda Lee, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold, Mel Street, Gary Stewart, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Charlie Rich, Johnny Paycheck, Tom T. Hall and Merle Haggard. The Nashville Edition also backed such pop stars as Henry Mancini, Elvis Presley, Bobby Goldsboro, Nancy Sinatra, Dave Loggins, Tommy James and Bobby Vinton.

The group sang on more than 12,000 recordings during its heyday. Among the many hit titles where the vocal ensemble can be heard are Charley Pride’s “My Eyes Can Only See As Far As You,” Dottie West’s “Country Sunshine,” Marty Robbins’ “El Paso City,” Tanya Tucker’s “Delta Dawn,” Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden,” Freddie Hart’s “Easy Lovin,’” Barbara Mandrell’s “The Midnight Oil,” Melba Montgomery’s “No Charge,” Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Hurshel Wiginton was The Nashville Edition’s bass singer. Group member Joe Babcock believed that Wiginton was the best bass vocalist in the music industry.

Wiginton was born Jan. 28, 1938 in Hamilton, Alabama. His earliest singing was at the Poplar Log Free Will Baptist Church, which was next door to his family’s home.

After his high school graduation, he made his way to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. One of the earliest hits he sang on was 1966’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” by soul singer Percy Sledge. Following a brief stint on the Memphis recording scene, Wiginton moved to Nashville.

He and Babcock became founding members of The Nashville Edition, along with Dolores Edgin and Ricki Page. The quartet stepped into the slot vacated by the mixed-voice backup group The Anita Kerr Singers, who had disbanded when leader Kerr departed Nashville.

By the mid-1970s, The Nashville Edition was performing on four recording sessions a day. The group won Superpicker Awards from the Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy in 1975, 1977 and 1978 due to its prominence on Music Row recordings.

The Nashville Edition was so successful with recording-session work that Wiginton had to persuade the others to take the Hee Haw television job. It turned out to be a long-running and lucrative sideline for the quartet.

Hurshel Wiginton died on Monday, March 6, following several years of declining health. His survivors include wife Doris, son Barry and daughters Jo Swafford, Anna Wiginton and Tina Goodrow, plus two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Also surviving are brothers James and Roger and sister Adgil Marie Lovett.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Alabama. The funeral service will be conducted in the singer’s boyhood church, Poplar Log Baptist.

Opry To Get A Little Sand In Its Circle With Throwdown Series

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The Grand Ole Opry is going on Spring Break as it takes its “Circle Throwdown” series to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 7-9 in conjunction with the Tortuga Music Festival. Festival ticketholders will be treated to pop-up performances from top artists behind the Opry’s signature mic stand and a replica of the famed wooden circle from the Opry House that will be “thrown down” for the impromptu concerts.

Fans from around the world can watch the Circle Throwdowns live through the Grand Ole Opry and Tortuga Festival Facebook pages.

“Surprise performances have always been in the mix at Tortuga, and year five of the festival felt like the right time to take it to the next level and partner with an iconic brand, the Grand Ole Opry,” said Evan Harrison, CEO for HUKA Entertainment. “Our fans will love a little taste of the Opry on the beach!”

Brad Paisley Teams With Jagger, Fogerty, Timbaland On ‘Love And War’

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Brad Paisley has announced the track listing for his 11th Arista Nashville project, LOVE AND WAR, which hits retailers April 21. The 16-track album is a star-studded affair filled with guests including Mick Jagger, Timbaland, John Fogerty, and Bill Anderson.

Anderson co-wrote the track “Dying To See Her,” and contributed vocals to it, while Jagger teamed with Paisley and writer Matt Clifford on “Drive Of Shame,” which he guests on as well. Fogerty and Paisley joined forces on the title track, “Love And War,” which they co-wrote, and the project also includes a song Paisley penned with Johnny Cash, “Gold All Over The Ground.”

Other co-writers on the album include Chris DuBois, Brent Anderson, Kelley Lovelace, Lee Thomas Miller, Mike Ryan, Hannah Dasher, Ashley Gorley, Jim Beavers, Jared Gutstadt, Timothy Mosley, Robert Arthur, and Kenny Lewis.

LOVE AND WAR Track Listing:

1. “Heaven South”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

2. “Last Time for Everything”
Brad Paisley/Smith Ahnquist/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Mike Ryan

3. “One Beer Can”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

4. “Go to Bed Early”
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Hannah Dasher/Chris DuBois

5. “Drive of Shame” (Featuring Mick Jagger)
Brad Paisley/Mick Jagger/Matt Clifford

6. “Contact High”
Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace/Lee Thomas Miller

7. “Love and War” (Featuring John Fogerty)
Brad Paisley/John Fogerty

8. “Today”
Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley

9. “selfie#theinternetisforever”
Brad Paisley/Jim Beavers/Chris DuBois (ASCAP/BMI)

10. “Grey Goose Chase” (Featuring Timbaland)
Brad Paisley/Jared Gutstadt/Lee Thomas Miller/Timothy Mosley

11. “Gold All Over the Ground”
Brad Paisley/John R. Cash

12. “Dying to See Her” (Featuring Bill Anderson)
Brad Paisley/Bill Anderson

13. “Solar Power Girl” (Featuring Timbaland)
Brad Paisley/Jared Gutstadt/Timothy Mosley

14. “The Devil Is Alive and Well”
Brad Paisley/Robert Arthur/Kenny Lewis

15. “Meaning Again”
Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace/Lee Thomas Miller

16. “Heaven South” (Reprise)
Brad Paisley/Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois

Weekly Chart Report (3/10/17)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

T.J. Martell Foundation Names John Esposito As 2017 Ambassador Of The Year

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John Esposito

Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito has been named the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 2017 Ambassador Of The Year.

The “Roasting and Toasting” will take place Monday, April 17 at Zanies in Nashville. Doors open at 4:45 p.m., and the event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Tables and tickets are on sale now at tjmartell.org.

 

‘Front And Center’ Debuts Jennifer Nettles’ CMA Songwriters Series Performance

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Brandy Clark makes a special appearance during Jennifer Nettles’ CMA Songwriters Series performance on “Front and Center” airing on public television. Photo: Jim Belmont

Public television’s live music series, Front and Center, has again joined forces with the Country Music Association for a new episode of CMA Songwriters Series featuring Jennifer Nettles.

Filmed at New York’s Iridium, Nettles is joined on stage by Brandy Clark to perform her hit song “Love Can Go to Hell.” Nettles is later joined by Amos Lee for two songs including Sugarland’s “Very Last Country Song.”
 

YouTube video

 
Nettles says, “My love of performance actually comes from a love of live performance. If it happens to translate through a camera or through a recording, I love that. I love that we have the technology to record performances and repeat them as many times as we want, (whether) in our cars or in our headphones or on our televisions.”

The episode will air nationally on public television. Check local listings for air dates and times.

Joey Feek’s Solo Debut, ‘If Not For You,’ To Be Released

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Just over a year after the death of Joey Feek, one half of country duo Joey+Rory, Joey’s solo album debut will be released.

If Not For You will be released April 7, 2017 via Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. The project will include a special edition featuring a 48-page booklet of photos, memories, and stories penned by Joey, as well as her husband and singing partner Rory and other family members.

Joey died in March 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Recorded in 2005 and originally titled Strong Enough To Cry, the album was previously released independently and made available at the duo’s shows and on their website. The 12-song collection was produced by Rory Feek and Bill McDermott, and includes the original rendition of “That’s Important To Me.” If Not For You also includes cameo appearances from Joey’s parents and daughter Heidi Feek, as well as a tribute to her late brother Justin, titled “See You There.”

“[The album is] filled with songs that spoke to her and, even more, spoke volumes about her. About what’s most important to her. The lyrics of this record made it clear who she was and who she wanted to be,” Rory said in the album’s booklet. “Yes, her voice might have changed a bit in time, but her character was already rock-solid.”

In the past few years, fans have followed the couple’s journey on Rory’s blog, This Life I Live, as they welcomed their daughter Indiana and Joey battled cancer. The duo first garnered attention as finalists on CMT’s Can You Duet in 2008, and went on to release eight albums, earning a Grammy last month for Best Roots Gospel Album for Hymns (Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings).

If Not For You will be exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music. It will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace, and through online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Target, Walmart.com, and crackerbarrel.com. The recording will also be available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

Industry Ink: ACM, PLA Media, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

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ACM Welcomes Easton Corbin

Pictured (L-R): Easton Corbin with Pete Fisher, ACM Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Corbin performed his current single, “A Girl Like You,” from his upcoming fourth studio album. He also performed songs from his current album About To Get Real.

 

PLA Media Adds Matt Rogers To Roster

PLA Media has added singer-songwriter Matt Rogers to its roster, which also includes the Johnny Cash Museum, Americana Music Triangle and singer-songwriter Jesse Rice. Rogers is set to release a new EP in 2017.

“It is very exciting to partner with a company as prestigious as PLA Media for the upcoming release of my new EP and transitioning to the next chapter of my career,” says Rogers. “I know together we will connect with my fans and new listeners with what I think is the best music I’ve written so far.”

“We are thrilled to work with an artist like Matt,” says PLA President Pam Lewis. “He has a real talent for authentic country with a great voice and passion for storytelling, and we are confident that he will continue to grow and share his gift with country music fans.”

 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store To Offer Deluxe Version Of MercyMe’s Lifer

A deluxe version of MercyMe‘s Lifer will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store beginning March 31. The latest artist to release a project under Cracker Barrel’s Spotlight Music Program, MercyMe’s Lifer deluxe album will include three bonus tracks, including “A Little Hope,” “Sing,” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”

Since 2015, Cracker Barrel’s Spotlight Music Program has highlighted five to seven artists each year by creating unique initiatives and experiences to launch music content across the more than 640 stores in 43 states nationwide.

SXSW 2017 Releases Full Artist Showcase List

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South By Southwest (SXSW) has released the full list of artists participating in this year’s festival, which runs March 10-19 in Austin, Texas. Nashville will be well-represented on the bill this year. Garth Brooks, Chris Young, A Thousand Horses, and Lady A with Busbee and Nicolle Galyon are all slated to take part in the event, which features more than 2,000 artists showcasing at participating venues.

The Music City artists taking part throughout the week in Austin include: Eli Young Band, Casey Chambers, Cory Branan, Brent Cobb, Andrew Combs, ELEL, Karen Elson, Future Thieves, Ron Gallo, Devon Gilfillian, Ron Gilmore, Lilly Hiatt, Jonny P, Masha, Andreas Moss, Muddy Magnolias, MY RED + BLUE, The Outer Vibe, Savoy Motel, Emi Secrest, Starlito, The Whistles & the Bells, Reuben Bidez, Canyon City, CAPPA, Brandi Cyrus, EZA, Faux Ferocious, The Grahams, Idle Bloom, Kingsbury, KOYOKE, Lovella, Mignon, NAWAS, Nightly, nobigdyl, PHANGS, K Phillips, R.LUM.R, Elliot Root , Patrick Sweany, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Nicole Atkins, Blank Range, Champagne SuperChillin, The Dead Deads, James Droll, Langhorne Slim, Lukr, Lillie Mae, R Stevie Moore & Jason Falkner, Oginalii, Pujol, Caitlyn Smith, and The Weeks.

To help guide attendees, over 35 influential music bloggers have contributed their thoughts on over 100 up-and-coming artists that should be seen live at the festival in the Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2017.