Florida Georgia Line To Hit The Road On I Love My Country Tour

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Global superstars Florida Georgia Line are returning to the road this fall with the I Love My Country Tour 2021, presented by Old Camp and sponsored by T-Mobile.

Kicking off the much-anticipated tour at Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta on Sep. 24, FGL has invited Russell Dickerson as direct support, plus Lauren Alaina and Redferrin as openers on all dates. The 29-stop trek will wrap Nov. 20 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

“Touring is back, y’all! This is the longest we’ve gone without being on the road, and we’ve been counting down the days until we can finally say – we’re going on tour! Thank you to our fans for all of your support with our new music over the past year, we truly can’t wait to bring these tunes to the stage,” shares FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. “We’re excited to see your faces, feel the energy, and bring some good vibes to your city this fall. Let’s make some new memories!”

FGL’s fan club, FGL Lifers, will have first access to pre-sale tickets starting Friday, May 28 at 10 a.m. local time, while Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. local until Thursday, June 3. Produced by Live Nation, tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. local time here.

FGL’s I Love My Country Tour Dates:
9/24 | Atlanta, GA – Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
9/25 | New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
9/26 | Houston, TX – Toyota Center
9/30 | Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
10/1 | Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
10/2 | Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
10/7 | Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
10/8 | Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
10/9 | Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
10/14 | Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
10/15 | Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
10/16 | St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
10/21 | Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
10/22 | Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
10/23 | Washington, DC – Jiffy Lube Live
10/28 | Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
10/29 | Chicago, IL – United Center
10/30 | Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
11/4 | San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
11/5 | Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
11/6 | Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
11/7 | Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
11/11 | Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
11/12 | Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
11/13 | San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater
11/16 | Denver, CO – Ball Arena
11/17 | Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
11/19 | Portland, OR – Moda Center
11/20 | Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Acclaimed Songwriter Jon Nite Renews Deal With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Jon Nite

Sony Music Publishing Nashville announced it has renewed its worldwide deal with Grammy-nominated, CMA, and ACM award-winning hitmaker Jon Nite. This agreement extends Nite’s longstanding relationship with the company which began in 2009.

“Jon is a true craftsman of the highest order. Throughout his years of success as one of Nashville’s top songwriters, he has never sacrificed his integrity or work ethic, and he continues to create masterful music that will be appreciated for generations. We are honored to remain Jon’s publisher and look forward to celebrating many more career milestones with him in the coming years,” shares Josh Van Valkenburg, SVP Creative, Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

Texas native Nite is credited for an array of country music hits including “Lady” by Brett Young, “Break Up in the End” by Cole Swindell, “Strip it Down” by Luke Bryan, “Living” by Dierks Bentley, “We Were Us” by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, “Beachin” by Jake Owen, “Think a Little Less” by Michael Ray, “Boy” by Lee Brice, and many more.

Over the last year, Nite earned incredible success with his work on Gabby Barrett’s multi-genre, award-winning break-up anthem “I Hope,” which was co-written by fellow SMP songwriters Barrett and Zach Kale. “I Hope” dominated the country charts, breaking airplay and streaming records.

“I’m so thankful to be a part of the Sony Music Publishing family. I’ve been lucky enough to have these friends for the last decade help me take these songs and turn them into a living, breathing American dream,” says Nite. “Josh V, Dane, Tom, Rusty, all the way to Jon Platt have believed in what I’m fighting to create every day, and it has resulted in hits that are heard in places I can’t even pronounce. I hope to keep the bar high and help my team see the success they deserve.”

Throughout his songwriting career, Nite’s songs have been recorded by country superstars Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, David Nail, Kenny Chesney, Phillip Phillips, Chase Rice, Chris Young, Darius Rucker, and Dustin Lynch, among many others. He has written sixteen No. 1 singles, and earned three CMA Triple Play Awards, an ACM Vocal Event of the Year award, an NSAI Song of the Year Award for Swindell’s “Break Up In The End,” and was named one of Variety’s 2020 hitmakers.

‘Forever After All’ Co-Writers Climb MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs‘ heartfelt hit “Forever After All” has him and his co-writers Drew Parker and Robert Williford rising on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The Platinum-certified single appears on Combs deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get.

Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 this week, as a co-writer on Thomas Rhett’s “Country Again” and “What’s Your Country Song,” HARDY’s “Give Heaven Some Hell,” Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night,” Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave,” and Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots” and “Warning.”

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Garth Brooks Honored At 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Joan Baez, Garth Brooks; (L-R, front row) Debbie Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Midori

Garth Brooks was celebrated at the 43rd annual Kennedy Center Honors over the weekend in a series of events in the nation’s capital. Fellow Kennedy Center Honorees along with Brooks included actress-dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen, folk singer and activist Joan Baez, violin virtuoso Midori, and beloved acting icon Dick Van Dyke.

After being delayed a year due to COVID-19, the group’s Washington, D.C. itinerary included a Thursday meeting with the President and First Lady, a Thursday evening event featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, Friday’s Medallion Ceremony in the Kennedy Center’s Opera House which was hosted by prior recipient Gloria Estefan, and a Saturday performance event on an outdoor plaza at the cultural center for the arts.

Brooks was elated at receiving the honor. “Just getting to be among this level of ‘character’…I feel very lucky,” he noted at the Medallion Ceremony Friday evening. “An award is only as good as the names that are on it,” he explained. “When you walk in that door…and you see the list of names…and then you sit in this group…and get to be a part of this…for the first time in my life, I don’t mind being the weak link in the chain. I’m in the chain – that’s it.”

Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood

On Saturday, Brooks added more thanks, posting on his socials, “To loosely quote Maya Angelou, I stand here as one but I stand here for the people who have carried me to this point.”

Brooks is also celebrating selling out the University of Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, where 80,000 tickets were sold in less than an hour. He will likely recap the weekend of celebrations on Inside Studio G on Facebook today (May 24).

Morgan Wallen’s Eligibility For 2021 CMA Awards

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

The CMA Board of Directors have voted to amend Morgan Wallen’s 2021 CMA Awards eligibility.

Wallen, who came under fire in February when a video surfaced of him using the N-word outside of his Nashville home, was disqualified from the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards.

The  Country Music Association announced its ballot schedule for The 55th Annual CMA Awards, slated for this November.

The CMA Board of Directors amended Wallen’s 2021 CMA Awards eligibility, making him eligible in categories that honor artistic works (Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories), so as not to limit opportunity for other credited collaborators. He will not be eligible for nomination in the individual artist categories (Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year categories), however.

After a period of social media silence, Wallen has begun to post again and was even spotted performing at Kid Rock’s bar on Broadway Avenue in Nashville recently.

Jason Aldean Earns 15th No. 1 Song On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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Jason Aldean earns his fifteenth No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Blame It On You.” Written by Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, Michael Tyler, and Brian White, the single appears on Aldean’s latest album, 9, released via Macon Music and Broken Bow Records. 

While performing his first live show since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Bonnaroo Farm last weekend, Aldean announced his Back in the Saddle Tour will kick off on Aug. 5. Hardy and Lainey Wilson will serve as opening acts.

“It’s been emotional being back on stage with my band for the first time in a year this weekend,” says Aldean of the Bonnaroo shows. “It’s made us all even more ready to get back to life as we all know it. Being on the road makes all of us – the band, the crew, and me – happy and I haven’t felt this excited about going on tour in 15 years.”

Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson & Willie Nelson, Dustin Lynch & Chris Lane

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Willie Nelson, Cody Johnson

Collaborations are on the menu today in DisClaimer.

Sometimes they are between country acts (Dustin Lynch & Chris Lane, Willie & Cody Johnson) and sometimes they are cross-genre efforts (Needtobreathe & Carrie, Maren & Joy Oladokun). But in every case, they are all worthwhile.

The Disc of the Day award goes to my man Cody Johnson for his revival (with Willie) of Willie’s song “Sad Songs and Waltzes.” If you must have tempo, you can’t do better than the Lynch/Lane collab “Tequila on a Boat” or the Nashvillains’ bopping “Who Don’t.”

Give the James Barker Band this week’s DisCovery Award.

CODY JOHNSON & WILLIE NELSON / “Sad Songs and Waltzes”
Writers: Willie Nelson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville
— I have always loved this Willie chestnut. As a duet between these two awesome Texans, it becomes an atmospheric mini masterpiece. The production is perfection, and the vocals are as warm as a campfire.

DUSTIN LYNCH & CHRIS LANE / “Tequila On A Boat”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Justin Ebach/Matt Alderman; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow Records
— This funky groover sounds exactly like a summer anthem. Bob heads and smile.

JOEY HEFFERNAN & JOE DIFFIE / “When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall”
Writers: Bill Monroe; Producer: none listed; Label: JH
— Veteran sideman, Dobro instructor and touring artist Hefferman teamed up with the late great vocalist Diffie for this stately, slow-waltz rendition of a Bill Monroe gem. Their accompanying band is an all-star get together. Diffie’s lead vocal is a stirring reminder of what a fine talent we lost when he became the first music star to die of Covid-19 last year.

WILLIE JONES / “Down By the Riverside”
Writers: Willie Jones/Josh Logan/Jason Afable; Producer: Jason Afable; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Penthouse
— This guy manages to fuse hip-hop and country better than most. This tilts a little more more urban than country, but there’s still singing plus a square-dance element. Catchy and clever.

CHASE BRYANT & JESSI ALEXANDER / “Even Now”
Writers: Chase Bryant/Joe Haydel/Tim Owens; Producer: Jon Randall/Chase Bryant; Label: Green Iris
— Exquisitely heartbreaking. This is the best written and most beautifully sung breakup ballad I’ve heard in ages. Play and believe.

MICHAEL RAY / “Picture”
Writers: Michael Ray/Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Ross Copperman; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— “Take every snapshot while you can/Tell them that you love them while you got a chance.” Because one day all you will have is the memory and a photo. A lovely sentiment, a pretty melody and a sincere performance. What’s not to love?

JAMES BARKER BAND / “Over All Over Again”
Writers: Gavin Slate/James Barker/Todd Clark/Travis Wood; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— The ingredients here are dynamic country-rock rhythm, dandy lyrics, youthful energy and a soaring lead vocal. I dig this. Play it again.

TRIXIE MATTEL & ORVILLE PECK / “Jackson”
Writers: Billy Edd Wheeler/Jerry Leiber; Producer: Nick Goldston; Label: TM
— Trixie is a country-music drag queen. Orville is that guy in the fringed mask with the throaty, melodramatic delivery. Their pairing on this Johnny-and-June classic is country camp all the way. It has verve and moxie to spare.

NEEDTOBREATHE & CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “I Wanna Remember”
Writers: Bear Rinehart; Producer: Konrad Snyder/Needtobreathe; Label: Elektra
— The Grammy winning Christian rock band teams with the mighty voiced country queen on a boiling, emotive power ballad. This little pop beauty will definitely stir yer blood.

JADEN HAMILTON / “Heaven’s Jukebox”
Writers: Jaden Hamilton/Ryan Beaver/Jared Keim; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— I remain in this neo-traditionalist kid’s corner. This time, he’s treating us to a rolling, upbeat ditty that is a country fan’s vision of the Hereafter. Worthy.

JOY OLADOKUN & MAREN MORRIS / “Bigger Man”
Writers: Joy Oladokun/Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Joy Oladokun; Label: Amigo/Verve Forecast/Republic
— Joy is a Nigerian American who has moved to Music City from Arizona. She cites Tracy Chapman as an influence, and I can certainly hear that in her folk-tinged, Americana style. Maren helps to anchor the downbeat, poetic lyric with her languid, earthy vocals. Intriguingly different.

NASHVILLAINS / “Who Don’t”
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Brad Tursi/Corey Crowder; Producer: Steve Dorff; Label: Fate Entertainment
— This is a trio comprised of Music City songwriters/producers Brett Boyett, Troy Johnson and Scott Lindsey. Their single is a thumpy, rhythm-happy outing with bounce and charm. I defy you not to tap your toes.

Phil Guerini Joins Jonas Group Entertainment As CEO

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Phil Guerini. Photo: Acacia Evans

Jonas Group Entertainment has announced that music industry power player Phil Guerini has joined the team as CEO, effective immediately.

Based in Nashville, Guerini will be at the helm of Jonas Group Entertainment. The company was founded in 2005 by Kevin Jonas, Sr., who was managing his sons, Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum selling group Jonas Brothers. Jonas Group Entertainment now houses entertainment, publishing, and marketing divisions, with offices in Nashville and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Guerini last oversaw music strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide networks, alongside all aspects of Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country. He played a vital role within three divisions and five businesses of The Walt Disney Company with highlights that include spearheading the development and launch of the annual Radio Disney Music Awards in 2013, and reimagining Radio Disney’s highly-acclaimed artist development program Next Big Thing (NBT). Prior to that he spent time in roles at radio stations in Miami and Atlanta, in addition to record labels like MCA Records, A&M Records, Chrysalis Records, and East West Records. He launched his career as a staff writer for the Miami Herald.

“Life is truly an unpredictable blessing and every once in a while, we’re lucky enough to experience a full circle moment. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have spent the last 28+ years of my career with the world’s leader in family entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and I plan to bring that knowledge and experience to Jonas Group Entertainment,” Guerini says. “This dynamic organization is boldly redefining diversified management and the entertainment business model by integrating music, strategic partnerships, and content creation all done with a purpose. I had the honor of first meeting the Jonas family and working with Kevin, Joe, and Nick back in 2005, so it is extremely special that I now get to join forces with Kevin Jonas, Sr. to build something that I feel will be extraordinary. I want to thank Kevin Sr. and Jonas Group Entertainment for giving me this amazing opportunity. It feels like a homecoming and I’m very excited to begin this next chapter.”

“It is a great honor to have Phil Guerini join us as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment. He has been an instrumental part of my family’s journey and was an early supporter of my sons before they experienced their tremendous success,” recalls Jonas, Sr., founder and chairman of Jonas Group Entertainment. “Phil is a force of nature; a true entertainment professional; a developer of talent and opportunities; a wealth of knowledge and experience; and a personal friend. Matching our current projects and talent with his tremendous leadership will assist in bringing Jonas Group Entertainment into its finest days. I am confident that we will move forward into incredible things with Phil leading the way.”

RCA Records Partners With Sony Music Nashville To Support Elle King Country Projects

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Elle King. Photo: Corey Bost

RCA Records and Sony Music Nashville have announced a new partnership in support of global entertainer Elle King.

King’s new intoxicating duet with Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” has already racked up over 40 million streams globally. The single debuted at No. 1 in early March on both Billboard’s Rock Digital Sales Chart and the Country Digital Song Sales Chart. Additionally, King is the first female artist in history to have scored four radio No. 1 singles on different formats including Adult Pop Songs, Adult Alternative Songs, Alternative Songs and Country Airplay charts.

King has enjoyed over 1.5 billion streams worldwide. Her debut album Love Stuff featured her breakthrough single “Ex’s & Oh’s,” which earned her two Grammy nominations and is certified 4x Platinum. Her single “Shame,” off her second studio album Shake The Spirit, marked King’s fourth radio No. 1 single. King released her latest EP, Elle King: In Isolation, in summer of 2020, a collection of raw demos and songs she recorded acoustically while quarantining at home.

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” officially impacts country radio on June 14. King will join Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show this summer.

Country Music Industry Stalwart Patsy Bruce Passes

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Patsy Bruce. Photo: Bev Moser

Businesswoman, songwriter and artist manager Patsy Bruce died on Sunday, May 16. She was 81.

Patsy’s impressive resume spanned industries, skill sets and states as she found success in the entertainment industry, event planning, tourism, journalism, activism and politics.

Born Patsy Ann Smithson in Brownsville, Tennessee to a military family. She married the late Ed Bruce, who was working as a car salesman and trying to break into music at the time. They met in 1964, married shortly after in Memphis, and moved to Nashville in 1966. The two had three children together before separating in 1986.

During their marriage, Patsy worked as Ed’s manager, during which time he became known as a singer, songwriter and actor. She was also a casting director, and worked on the TV show Maverick and the movie Urban Cowboy.

She is credited as a songwriter, along with Ed, on Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings’ iconic duet, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” She also collaborated with Ed on his songs “Texas (When I Die),” “Girls, Women and Ladies,” “(When You Fall in Love) Everything’s a Waltz,” “Ever, Never Lovin’ You,” and “After All.”

Patsy briefly served as president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International in the late 1970s and early ’80s, and she and Ed ran the Ed Bruce Talent Agency and their publishing companies during that period.

Patsy worked in event planning in the ’80s and ’90s, after her divorce. As owner of Events Unlimited, she converted the Super Dome into a one-third replica of the famed French Quarter for a $9 million Honda event with a team of 1,300 people. This success helped her win Events magazine’s Gala Award, the event industry’s top award. She also launched Patsy Bruce Productions Inc., a film and television production company.

She also became a political activist and community leader, working with Phil Bredesen’s campaign for Tennessee governor. After the election, Bredesen appointed Patsy to the Tennessee State Board of Probation and Parole, where she served for 10 years in the early 2000s. She also became involved in Bredesen’s wife Andrea Conte’s non-profit, You Have the Power, which provides support for victims of crimes.

In 2017 Patsy launched Songbird Tours, a songwriting-focused tour company in Nashville, with her son and songwriter Trey Bruce.

Patsy is survived by her devoted partner Jim Trout, son Trey Bruce (Laci); daughters Ginny Bruce and AnnMarie Bruce Pinhal (Joey); grandchildren Sara Bruce Manual (Greg), Maggie Bruce Emmick (Cory), Sela Bruce, Railee Bruce, Patrick Elder, Chelsea Jensen, Joseph Pinhal (Katie), Cathrine Pinhal and Juliana Pinhal; and great-grandchildren Eisley, Elynn, Lilah, Cason, Addison, Bentley, Bella and Cade; and her personal angel on the ground and caregiver, Meaghan Stack. She is preceded in death by her son, Beau Bruce, who died in 2019, and her parents, Henry and Hazel Smithson.

Memorial service details have not yet been announced.