Justin Moore Slates Headlining Arena Run To Kick Off In April

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Multi-Platinum entertainer Justin Moore will embark on a 12-date arena tour, called the “Country On It Tour,” beginning April 22. Granger Smith will join as direct support with the Reeves Brothers, Scott Stevens, Heath Sanders, Lucas Hoge, and Sean Stemaly joining on various dates throughout.

Criss-crossing across the country, the tour will visit Knoxville, Pensacola, and more through September before wrapping at Spokane’s First Interstate Center on Sept. 17. Tickets for the dates will go on sale this Friday (Jan. 21) at 10 a.m. local time.

Moore’s latest single, “With a Woman You Love,” is currently climbing up the charts, and a new studio album is expected later this year. The Arkansas native also recently joined as a regular co-host on 103.7 The Buzz’s sports talk show, Morning Mayhem. Through the show, the singer-songwriter outs his sports knowledge on display on-air every weekday morning.

“C0untry On It Tour” Dates:
Apr. 22 | Pensacola Bay Center | Pensacola, FL –
May 5 | Knoxville Civic Auditorium | Knoxville, TN +
May 6 | Mountain Health Arena | Huntington, WV +
May 12 | Angel of the Winds Arena | Everett, WA ^
May 13 | Toyota Center | Kennewick, WA ^
May 14 | Ford Idaho Center | Nampa, ID ^
May 19 | Hartman Arena | Park City, KS #
May 20 | Ralston Arena | Ralston, NE #
May 21 | Mayo Clinic Event Center | Mankato, MN #
Sept. 15 | First Interstate Arena | Billings, MT ~
Sept. 16 | Butte Civic Center | Butte, MT ~**
Sept. 17 | First Interstate Center | Spokane, WA ~
Additional Openers:
– Reeves Brothers
+ Scott Stevens
^ Heath Sanders
# Lucas Hoge
~ Sean Stemaly
**No Granger Smith

Robert Earl Keen To Retire From The Road In 2022

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Robert Earl Keen. Photo: Nick Doll

Renowned singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen has announced that after Sept. 4, 2022, he will no longer be touring or giving public performances.

He shared the news on Friday (Jan. 14) with a heartfelt message on his website and social media platforms entitled “Time Flies.”

“I have been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electric and magical folks throughout my life,” Keen wrote. “It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you as of Sept. 4, 2022, I will no longer tour and perform publicly. I plan to continue to write songs, and interview a wide variety of celebrities and contributors for our Americana Podcast. I also embrace this as an opportunity to further support the musical community and the ever expanding body of young talent on our horizon.”

He continued, “As much as I love what I do, it’s more important that I do it well or not at all. I’m not sick or experiencing any existential crisis. I feel that making a decision and quitting the road while I still love it, is the way I want to leave it. I’ve witnessed first hand the alternative and promised myself I would go out feeling all the love for music and performing the same way I entered—with passion and enthusiasm.”

 

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The 66-year-old entertainer will continue performing up until Sept. 2022, including a stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 18. The rescheduled date was originally part of his “Road To Christmas Tour,” slated for last December.

Keen will wrap up his touring career with multiple performances at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas. Following the final performance, he will also host a fan-appreciation party on Sept. 5. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

A native of Houston, Keen celebrates a nearly four decade-long career and a number of successful songs, including “The Front Porch Song,” which he wrote with Lyle Lovett; his signature “The Road Goes on Forever,” recorded for 1989’s West Textures on Sugar Hill Records; “I Gotta Go;” “Feelin’ Good Again;” and the holiday classic “Merry Christmas From The Family.”

Throughout his career, he has released 12 studio albums and seven live albums.

Gorley Starts 2022 Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley

Like he did for much of 2021, Ashley Gorley sits atop the first MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart of 2022.

Gorley is a co-writer on a whopping eight charting songs, including “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), and “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland).

Jesse Frasure follows Gorley at No. 2. His current singles include “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), “If I Was A Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert), and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).

Rhett Akins (No. 3), Michael Hardy (No. 4) and Eric Church (No. 5) round out MusicRow‘s first Top Songwriter Chart of 2022.

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.

Weekly Register: Maren Morris’ ‘Circles Around This Town’ Adds To Growing List Of Achievements

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Maren Morris. Photo: Claire Schaper

Maren Morris continues to make waves with her first taste of new music in nearly three years. Her latest release, “Circles Around This Town,” debuts at No. 2 on the country streaming song chart this week as she earns 6.9 million first-week streams, according to MRC data. The track has also broken a handful of first-day streaming records and was the most added at country radio last week.

Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like” remains in the top spot with 7.6 million streams, while Taylor Swift‘s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” falls to third as it adds an additional 6.7 million streams. “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) stays in fourth with 5.8 million streams and “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown) drops down one to fifth as it earns 5.1 million streams.

Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album continues to be the most consumed album this week, with 43K in total consumption (2.2K album only and 51 million song streams), according to MRC data. He also claims No. 4 as If I Know Me sees 14K in total consumption. Swift maintains her spot at No. 2 with Red (Taylor’s Version) earning 33K in total consumption. Luke Combs takes up the remaining third and fifth positions as What You See Is What You Get adds 17K and This One’s For You adds 14K in total consumption, respectively.

MusicRow Promotes LB Cantrell To Director Of Operations & Content

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LB Cantrell

MusicRow magazine’s LB Cantrell has been promoted to Director of Operations & Content.

Cantrell will now oversee, manage, and help execute company operations, while continuing to guide all MusicRow and MusicRow-related content.

“LB quickly became an integral part of our MusicRow team after joining the publication,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “The combination of her skillset, work ethic, and enthusiasm created the perfect alignment for this new expanded role. I have no doubt that our team, as well as our readers, will benefit having LB serve as our Director of Operations & Content.”

Cantrell has been a part of the inception of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, the launch of the publication’s updated website, the expansion of the MusicRow Awards, and more.

The Georgia native and graduate from the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University began her music career at MusicRow as an intern in the beginning of 2018.

Cantrell can be reached at LBcantrell@musicrow.com.

Wasserman Music Signs Madeline Edwards

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Pictured (L-R): Wasserman Sr. VP, Lenore Kinder; Madeline Edwards; Wasserman VP of Branding, Chappel McCollister; Sam I Am’s Samantha Borenstein

Wasserman Music has signed rising singer-songwriter Madeline Edwards to its talent roster. She will be represented by Wasserman Sr. VP, Lenore Kinder.

Edwards has been recognized for her unique sound that incorporates jazz, soul, gospel and country influences. She made her national television debut at the 2021 CMA Awards, joining Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer onstage to perform “Love My Hair.”

Edwards was recently named a 2022 Spotify Hot Country Artist To Watch, and is currently working on her debut album. Her latest single, “The Road” has garnered over 1 million streams.

She is managed by Samantha Borenstein at Sam I Am Entertainment.

Former Grand Ole Opry Drummer Jerry Ray Johnston Passes

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Jerry Ray Johnston

Jerry Ray Johnston, a former staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry, passed away on Jan. 9 in Franklin, Tennessee from complications with COVID pneumonia. He was 65.

Jerry is the father of The Cadillac Three frontman Jaren Johnston, and the father in law to ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston.

Jerry Ray Johnston was born in Monroe, Louisiana and moved to Nashville at 24 to pursue a career in music as a drummer. Over the span of 40 years, he played with numerous country stars, had a recording contract with Warner Bros. with the group Bandana, and eventually became the staff drummer at the Grand Ole Opry, which was his dream when he left Louisiana.

He was known for encouraging many other musicians to move to Nashville, then guiding them and introducing them to the network they needed to get gigs. Jerry also donated time to play drums at his church whenever needed.

Jerry Ray Johnston is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Roark Johnston; children, Jaren Ray Johnston (Evyn) and Texa Rae Johnston; one grandson, Jude Daniel Johnston; brothers, Jody Lane Johnston (Judy), Randy McKnight (Diane) and Jimmy Johnston (Deborah); and special uncles Billy Johnston (Irene) and Clifford Johnston (Novis). Also mourning Jerry are four brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and their spouses; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy Johnston and Dorothy Johnston, and his grandparents, Clarence and Mae Johnston, who raised him from a small child.

Private services were held in West Monroe, Louisiana with Jerry’s brother-in-law officiating. A  memorial service will be held in Tennessee in a few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MusiCares, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

ASCAP’s Sundance Music Café Returns Virtually With Brandy Clark, Este Haim, More

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ASCAP’s 24th annual Sundance Music Café will return in virtual form for a second year this year from Jan. 21-24 on the festival’s online platform, beginning each day at 4 p.m. CT. The Café will feature special performances and interviews with ASCAP songwriter and composer members throughout the event.

Artists performing this year include Grammy nominee Brandy Clark; singer-songwriter and co-founder of LA punk band X, John Doe; award-winning actor/singer Evan Rachel Wood and Grammy-nominated guitarist/singer-songwriter Zane Carney as Evan + Zane; singer-songwriter and actress Hayley Sales; emerging R&B singer-songwriter Jordan Hawkins; and Zimbabwean-American singer-songwriter and record producer Shungudzo.

On Jan. 23 and 24, viewers can tune in for special ASCAP Screen Time conversations with top ASCAP composers and their collaborators. The ongoing interview series will host conversations with Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power composer Sharon Farber and the film’s director Nina Menkes; Neptune Frost co-director/composer/screenwriter Saul Williams and co-director Anisia Uzeyman; Call Jane composer Isabella “The Machine” Summers and the film’s director Phyllis Nagy; and Cha Cha Real Smooth composers Este Haim (of HAIM) and Christopher Stracey.

“Our long partnership with the Sundance Film Festival continues its mission to showcase the magical relationship between music and film,” says Loretta Muñoz, ASCAP AVP, Membership. “Every year, we highlight some of our talented ASCAP members and create those special connections for songwriters, composers and filmmakers. Whether in-person or virtual, we offer an intimate space for the discovery of captivating performances and conversations with creators whose music resonates with the Sundance Film Festival audience and beyond.”

To view a complete schedule of performances and for more information, click here.

Jeremy Camp To Set Out On ‘I Still Believe Tour’ In March

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Premier Productions and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp have revealed the “I Still Believe Tour” with special guests Riley Clemmons and Jordan St. Cyr.

The trek will span 20 cities and feature some of Camp’s biggest hits, including “Dead Man Walking,” “Keep Me in the Moment,” “When You Speak,” “I Still Believe” and more. The “I Still Believe Tour” will kick off on March 10 in Amarillo with additional stops in San Antonio, Lexington, Tampa, Knoxville, and more before wrapping on May 1 in Melbourne, Florida. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Jan. 20. For a full list of dates and cities, click here.

“I can’t wait to get out on the road for the ‘I Still Believe Tour’ in March,” says Camp. “It’s going to be an amazing sight to be worshipping again with people soon! I’m excited to have Riley Clemmons and Jordan St. Cyr, and love that they wanted to jump on board and be a part of this tour! Evangelism is such a huge part of my heart, so I want to encourage everyone to bring a friend who needs to experience the love of Jesus; that is what this night is going to be about, celebrating Jesus’ name!”

“We’re so honored to be working with Jeremy on this special tour,” says SVP of Global Touring with Premier Productions, Dan Rauter. “His authenticity and passion have resonated with audiences from day one and made him an important fixture in our space. His message of hope and perseverance is as timely and relevant now as it was when he first burst on the scene with ‘I Still Believe.’ We’re thrilled to be able to give audiences the opportunity to experience these songs live and hear Jeremy’s powerful testimony firsthand.”

In 2020, Camp celebrated the release of the film I Still Believe, which chronicles his personal story, starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson, Shania Twain and Gary Sinise. Camp also released a greatest hits album in February 2020, along with re-releasing his I Still Believe memoir.

Criticism Over Morgan Wallen Grand Ole Opry Performance Makes Nationwide News

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

After he made a surprise appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday (Jan. 8), Morgan Wallen and the organization have been the subject of scrutiny nationwide.

Wallen joined Big Loud label-mate Ernest during the singer-songwriter’s Grand Ole Opry debut to perform their new collaboration, “Flower Shops.” Ernest is a co-writer on many of the tracks on Wallen’s blockbuster sophomore album, Dangerous: The Double Album.

The performance was Wallen’s first appearance on the hallowed stage since a video surfaced of the singer using the N-word in February 2021. What started as backlash on social media turned into an abundance of media attention from outlets such as The Tennessean, News Channel 5, NBC News, CNN, Fox News, Newsweek, The Hill, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and many more.

Days after the performance, neither the Grand Ole Opry nor Wallen’s team has responded to MusicRow‘s request for comment.

Wallen and the Opry posted photos of his surprise performance Saturday evening, leading country music community members to express their disappointment that he should be allowed back onstage.

The Black Opry, an organization led by Holly G that supports Black artists and fans of country music, was at the forefront of the pushback. She tweeted an open letter to the institution relaying her frustration.

Holly pointed out that not only had the Opry tweeted on June 9 of 2020 that racism “has no place at The Grand Ole Opry,” but that the institution had honored the 55th anniversary of Charley Pride‘s debut performance on the hallowed stage just a night before. Pride is one of only two Black Grand Ole Opry members, the other being Darius Rucker.

Grammy-winner Jason Isbell also shared his frustration, saying that he was “real sad for a lot of [his] friends.”

Newcomer artist Joy Oladokun added: “Morgan Wallen’s thoughtless redemption tour is the nail in the coffin of me realizing these systems, and this town is really not for us. imma keep making my lil music in my attic, y’all can listen if you want. i don’t know that i’ll do this work forever.”

Other artists who shared their disappointment included Yola, Allison Russell, Rissi Palmer, Will Hoge, and more.

Despite the video of Wallen surfacing in February of last year, the controversial entertainer had one of the most successful albums of 2021, with Dangerous becoming the most consumed album of the year in the U.S., according to MRC data.

Immediately following the incident, Big Loud suspended Wallen’s recording contract, WME dropped him from their talent roster, and he was removed from many country radio playlists and disqualified from major awards ceremonies. But in August, Big Loud sent his new single “Sand In My Boots” to country radio, where it currently sits at No. 7. In November, Wallen announced a 46-date tour, to which he added more dates due to high demand.

Wallen has only done one interview on the matter. In July, during a talk with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, Wallen said that while he was using the word in a “playful” way, he knew it was ignorant and wrong to use the N-word.

During the same interview, when asked if he thought country music had a race problem, Wallen said “it would seem that way,” but he hadn’t “really sat and thought about that.” See the full interview here.