The Cadillac Three Slate ‘Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour’ For 2022

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The Cadillac Three. Photo: Nick Rau

The Cadillac Three will hit the road again on their “Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour.” The 2022 trek follows their 10th anniversary tour, which included a two-night stint at the Ryman Auditorium.

“We will be hitting all our favorite cities and clubs, as well as some we’ve never played before, and can’t wait to see y’all there! It’s exciting to be on the road in 2022 with the ‘Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour!’” shares TC3 frontman Jaren Johnston.

Dates kick off Jan. 28, 2022, at Joe’s in Rosemont, Illinois with stops in more than 20 different cities.

“Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour” 2022:
1/28/22: Rosemont, IL | Joe’s
2/3/22: Dallas, TX | Granada Theater
2/4/22: Fort Smith, AR | TempleLive
2/5/22: Little Rock, AR | Little Rock Music Hall
2/11/22: Champaign, IL | The City Center at Fat City
2/12/22: West Peoria, IL | Crusens
2/17/22: Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater
2/18/22: Baltimore, MD | Rams Head Live
2/19/22: Easton, PA | One Centre Square
2/24/22: Pittsburgh, PA | MR. Smalls Theatre
2/25/22: Rootstown, OH | Dusty Armadillo
2/26/22: Rootstown, OH | Dusty Armadillo
3/3/22: Salt Lake City, UT | The Complex – Grand
3/4/22: Emmett, ID | Stoney’s Roadhouse
3/5/22: Seattle, WA | Tractor Tavern
3/6/22: Portland, OR | Revolution Hall
3/10/22: Petaluma, CA | Mystic Theatre
3/11/22: San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall
3/12/22: Chico, CA | Senator Theatre
3/15/22: San Louis Obispo, CA | Fremont Theater
3/16/22: Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up
3/17/22: Los Angeles, CA | El Rey Theatre
3/18/22: Las Vegas, NV | Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
3/19/22: Tempe, AZ | Marquee Theatre
3/25/22: Oxford, MS | The Lyric Oxford
3/26/22: Jackson, TN | Hub City Brewing
4/21/22: Des Moines, IA | Wooly’s
4/22/22: Springfield, MO | Midnight Rodeo
4/23/22: Columbia, MO | The Blue Note
4/27/22: State College, PA | Stage West
4/28/22: Harrisburg, PA | Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

After 30 Years, The Kentucky Headhunters Will Make Their Grand Ole Opry Debut

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The Kentucky Headhunters. Photo: Ash Newell

Grammy award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Dec. 4.

“I must say The Kentucky Headhunters had to take a deep breath, twice, when our publicist Don Murry Grubbs called to say we had been asked to be on the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time,” says Headhunters guitarist and vocalist Richard Young.

The group first made their mark on country music in the early ’90s with their debut album, Pickin’ on Nashville. Released by Mercury Records, it sold over two million copies, and won a Grammy Award, three CMA Awards, an American Music Award and an ACM Award. Pickin’ on Nashville also spawned four Top 40 country hits: “Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine,” “Dumas Walker,” “Oh Lonesome Me,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Angel.” Around that time, Bill Monroe approached Roy Acuff about having the group perform on the Opry stage.

“Mr. Acuff said, ‘I think they are probably good boys and would do a fine job, but let’s get ’em a haircut first,'” reminisces Young. “Needless to say, it never happened. We are so looking forward to our first appearance on the Opry stage in 30 years. We still got our hair, too. Well, most of it!”

The Opry show can be heard at opry.com, wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Willie’s Roadhouse), and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM.

The group began their professional journey in 1968 when brothers Fred and Richard Young and cousins Greg Martin and Anthony Kenney formed the southern blues-rock band Itchy Brother, later becoming The Kentucky Headhunters. To date, the band has sold over eleven million records worldwide.

The Headhunters recently released their first album of all-new material in half a decade. The twelve-track compilation, That’s A Fact Jack!, is available now via Practice House Records.

Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter Remain At No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter continue their reign on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, marking a two-week No. 1 for their duet “Thinking ‘Bout You.” Lynch is credited as a songwriter on the single alongside Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly.

The duet originally appeared as a collaboration on Lynch’s album Tullahoma with Lauren Alaina. When Alaina wasn’t available to be a part of the single release, Lynch put a call out to the country music community for submissions for the part from up-and-coming female artists.

“I had my team remove all the names from the submissions and just number them so I wouldn’t be persuaded based on if I knew who it was, what camp they’re a part of, what they look like. On my first listen I ended up pointing to file number two or whatever it was. Two weeks later, I’m still listening through and keep coming back to it. It ended up being MacKenzie Porter,” Lynch explains. “We all gravitated to her performance, and I think there’s reason for that.” Click here to read MusicRow‘s full interview with Dustin Lynch.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, More Part Of Gaylord Opryland’s Parade Of Trees

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Darius Rucker’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Universal Music Group Nashville is hosting Parade of Trees, a display of Christmas trees decorated by their artists, as part of Gaylord Opryland Resort’s 38th annual “A Country Christmas” event.

Carrie Underwood’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Featured UMG artists with themed trees include Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Eric Church, George Strait, Luke Bryan and Mickey Guyton. The country artists have also donated VIP experiences for the event, including fly-aways, VIP concert experiences, exclusive merchandise and more to benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation. Proceeds raised will provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

Some of the themes and experiences include Underwood’s white tree celebrating her Christmas album, My Gift (Special Edition), as well as a trip to Las Vegas for her upcoming “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency,” as well as Church’s trees representing his albums Heart and Soul, colored red with an American theme and blue with a rock n’ roll theme, respectively, with accompanying East and West Coast VIP Experiences.

Also included is Guyton’s Indigo tree and an Ultimate NYC Thanksgiving VIP Experience, and Luke Bryan’s camo-themed tree accompanied by a Live In Las Vegas flyaway, including a pre-show margarita toast with the country superstar. Other artist packages include VIP festival experiences, exclusive numbered prints, signed guitars, custom toy packages, and more. The complete listings can be viewed here.

Luke Bryan’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Guests visiting Opryland can scan QR codes at each tree location to donate and wenter to win the designated artist’s VIP prize package. Fans can also bid on the sweepstakes online.

The Parade of Trees is on display in the resort’s Garden Conservatory now until Jan. 2 as a self-guided tour, and each VIP experience will be available for bid on online until Jan. 12.

Alan Jackson’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

George Strait’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Keith Urban’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Mickey Guyton’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Reba McEntire’s themed Christmas tree. Photo: Chelsea Thompson

Chris Tomlin’s ‘Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship’ To Air On K-LOVE On Demand

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Chris Tomlin. Photo: Darius Fitzgerald

Chris Tomlin is delivering holiday cheer into homes with a K-LOVE On Demand premiere of Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship on Thanksgiving evening (Nov.25) at 7 p.m. CT.

The one-hour event will feature videos from the live recording of Tomlin’s third Christmas album, Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship, as well as a special acoustic version of “Silent Night.”

The performances included in the special were captured at Ocean Way studio during the album’s live recording, and features special guests Matt Redman, CeCe Winans and We The Kingdom. Tomlin also sits down with Lauree Austin from K-LOVE and Matt Maher to share the stories behind the songs and creating the Christmas album.

The special will be exclusively available with K-LOVE ON Demand through Dec. 9. Tomlin will also be on the road this Christmas with his “Chris Tomlin Christmas Tour” which launches in Jacksonville, Florida on Dec. 1 with 12 shows in 10 cities before wrapping Dec. 18.

Chris Tomlin. Photo: Darius Fitzgerald

Emmanuel: Christmas Songs of Worship Performances:
“Emmanuel God With Us”
“Christmas Day” with We The Kingdom
“I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day”
“O Holy Night” with CeCe Winans
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“Hope of Israel”
“Hallelujah” with Blessing Offor
“Crown Him (Christmas)” with Matt Redman
“His Name is Wonderful”
“All The World Awaits (Hosanna)”
“Silent Night” (Acoustic ersion)

IBMA World Of Bluegrass Attendance & Economic Impact Figures Released

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IBMA World of Bluegrass, which includes IBMA Bluegrass Live! powered by PNC, saw a combined attendance of 101,368 with the return to an in-person event in Raleigh, North Carolina this fall.

Last year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass took place virtually due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interest of health and safety, attendance and participation in all registered and ticketed IBMA World of Bluegrass activities this year required proof of vaccination.

This year’s festivities also generated more than $5.7 million in direct economic impact within Wake County according to figures released by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh). According to a release from IBMA, the $5.7 million is from tourism economic impact only, and does not include spending from locals, nor does it include a multiplier of indirect or induced impacts.

“It was vitally important to get back to live bluegrass music, as both musicians and fans were impacted by the events of the last two years,” says Pat Morris, executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). “The IBMA was able to accomplish holding a great weeklong event in a safe environment and we are so grateful for the lead support of PNC Bank and all of our partners in Raleigh who helped make the event possible, and to the fans that returned, again, to make this the best week of bluegrass in the world. It was a tremendous event, and we can’t wait to be back in Raleigh in 2022!”

Earlier this summer, the IBMA announced a three-year extension to keep the event in Raleigh through 2024. Next year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass will take place Sept. 27 – Oct. 1, 2022.

Artist Action: Miranda Lambert, Jimmie Allen, Laine Hardy

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Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation To Hold 4th Annual Share The Love Campaign

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Acacia Evans

Miranda Lambert‘s MuttNation Foundation will hold its fourth annual Share The Love campaign, which gives back to animal shelters.

Through the initiative, 20 shelters will each receive a $1,000 MuttNation grant on behalf of the randomly selected individuals who have supported their local shelter by volunteering, fostering or adopting a shelter pet between Feb. 1, 2021, and Jan. 30, 2022. In addition to the shelter grants on behalf of the selected registrants, each of the twenty randomly selected individuals will also receive a hand-signed Miranda Lambert CD.

“I always tell people who want to help that volunteering, fostering and adopting are so important to every shelter. Even if you’re not in a position to adopt, maybe you have time to foster or volunteer—it all makes such a big difference,” Lambert shares.

Since its inception, the Share The Love has expanded from selecting 5 volunteers/shelters to naming 20 in the coming year. To register, click here.

Jimmie Allen Nabs RIAA Platinum Certifications, Best New Artist Grammy Nomination

Jimmie Allen

Multi-Platinum country recording artist Jimmie Allen was surprised yesterday morning (Nov. 23) with two RIAA certification plaques as his debut chart-topping single, “Best Shot,” went double Platinum and his second consecutive No. 1 single, “Make Me Want To,” achieved Platinum status.

“Congratulations to Jimmie on becoming a multi-Platinum artist! It’s been inspiring to watch his career grow through a lot of hard work and his incredible talent,” shares Jackie Jones, VP Artist and Industry Relations for the RIAA. “We can’t wait to see what Jimmie does next!”

Allen also received his first-ever Grammy Award nomination yesterday (Nov. 23) for Best New Artist, a milestone achievement in his breakout career. The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will take place Jan. 31.

2021 was a monumental year for Allen who released his latest star-studded collaboration album, Bettie James Gold Edition; published his first children’s book, My Voice Is a Trumpet; was crowned New Male Artist of the Year at The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards; hit the road with country superstar Brad Paisley; served as Executive Music Producer for the Netflix series Titletown High; performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Garth Brooks; and appeared on Elton John’s newest album, The Lockdown Sessions, with the track “Beauty In The Bones.”

 

Laine Hardy Partners With Wild Wings Cafe, Little Kids Rock For Free, 6-City Tour

Laine Hardy. Photo: Robby Klein

American Idol winner Laine Hardy is teaming up with Wild Wing Cafe, a Carolinas-born restaurant chain, and Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit that champions music education in schools, for a six-market tour.

In each market, Hardy will visit a Little Kids Rock partner school presenting musical instrument gifts and performing a free concert, featuring songs from his recently released debut album, Here’s To Anyone, at the local Wild Wing Cafe. The run will kick off in Warner Robins, Georgia on Dec. 2 and conclude in Wild Wing Cafe’s headquarters city of Charlotte, North Carolina on Dec. 10. Other stops include: Anderson, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Columbia, South Carolina.

“Growing up in a town with a population of 2000, our schools didn’t have much of a music education program so I had to figure it out on my own with the help of my family,” says the Livingston, Louisiana, native. “It’s really important to me to help nurture the artists of tomorrow, giving back to my own schools and others through Little Kids Rock.”

“For more than 30 years, live music has been an important part of the Wild Wing Cafe brand with now famous singers and songwriters performing on our stages early in their careers, including Luke Combs, Edwin McCain, Old Dominion, Zac Brown and Hootie & the Blowfish, to name a few,” shares Wild Wing Cafe CEO, Steve Weigel. “Having Laine Hardy tour our stages strengthens our commitment to emerging artists and delivers a real treat to our guests.”

Lyle Lovett Returns To The Road On 2022 Tour

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Lyle Lovett

Lyle Lovett is launching a 2022 tour with his acoustic group, which will mark his first in-person shows since March 2020.

Kicking off Feb. 26 with two nights in Alexandria, Virginia, the tour will visit intimate venues throughout the south in Charleston, Chattanooga, Orlando, Birmingham, Myrtle Beach, and more, wrapping in Lovett’s home state of Texas in Dallas in April.

The show will feature stripped-down arrangements of Lovett standards along with a preview of songs from his upcoming Verve Records project scheduled for May. Lovett’s acoustic group features longtime bassist Viktor Krauss and violinist Luke Bulla, country and bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Jeff White, and dobro whiz Josh Swift.

In addition to 2022 touring and a new album, Lovett’s album Joshua Judges Ruth will see a special thirtieth anniversary Vinyl Me Please re-release in March 2022 via Curb Records.

“It doesn’t seem possible that was 30 years ago,” Lovett says. “I never dreamed in 1976 when I was 18 and first started performing that in 2022 I’d still be able to do something for a living I love this much. It’s thanks to the people who keep showing up, who keep buying my records and who’ve supported my livestreams during the pandemic. I’m grateful to them, and I want to do my best for them every time.”

Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group Live Dates:
January 25, 2022—Orlando, FL—Dr. Phillips Centers Steinmetz Hall
February 26, 2022—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere
February 27, 2022—Alexandria, VA—The Birchmere
February 28, 2022—Virginia Beach, VA—Sander Center for the Performing Arts*
March 1, 2022—Charleston, SC—Charleston Gaillard Center*
March 2, 2022—Knoxville, TN—Bijou Theatre
March 3, 2022—Asheville, NC—The Orange Peel
March 4, 2022—Chattanooga, TN—Walker Theatre
March 6, 2022—Myrtle Beach, SC—Carolina Opry Theater
March 7, 2022—Charlotte, NC—Knight Theater- Levine Center for the Arts
March 8, 2022—Greensboro, NC—Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts*
March 10, 2022—Albany, GA—Albany Municipal Auditorium
March 12, 2022—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
March 13, 2022—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
March 14, 2022—Ft Lauderdale, FL—The Parker
March 15, 2022—Jacksonville, FL—Florida Theatre
March 16, 2022—Mobile, AL—Saenger Theater
March 17, 2022—Birmingham, AL—The Lyric Theatre
March 18, 2022—Birmingham, AL—The Lyric Theatre
March 19, 2022—Germantown, TN—Germantown Performing Arts Center
March 21, 2022—Jackson, MS—Thalia Mara Hall
March 22, 2022—Fort Smith, AR—ArcBest Performing Arts Center
March 23, 2022—Eureka Springs, AR—The Auditorium
March 25, 2022—Galveston, TX—The Grand 1894 Opera House
March 26, 2022—Galveston, TX—The Grand 1894 Opera House
March 27, 2022—New Braunfels, TX—Gruene Hall
March 28—Waco, TX—Waco Hall†
April 8, 2022—Dallas, TX—The Majestic Theatre
April 9, 2022—Dallas, TX—The Majestic Theatre
*Tickets on sale December 10
†Tickets on sale December 6

New ‘Opry Country Christmas’ Shows To Kick Off For The Holidays

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Josh Turner. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry is kicking off a new tradition this weekend with the inaugural season of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Hosted by Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season during four shows running on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 8, and Dec. 12.

Each show will feature Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up exclusively of country Christmas favorites. Among the Spotlight Artists scheduled to appear during the season are Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, Josh Turner, and Trace Adkins.

All Opry Country Christmas shows will air on WSM Radio, WSM and Opry digital platforms. Tickets for Opry Country Christmas are on sale now.

Opry Country Christmas Lineup:
Nov. 28: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Jason Crabb, Jeannie Seely, Steve Wariner

Dec. 5: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan

Dec. 8: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Josh Turner

Dec. 12: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, The Isaacs, Connie Smith, Trace Adkins

AIMP To Honor Mitch Glazier, Alisa Coleman, Kris Ahrend, Heavy Hitters Music At 2021 Holiday Events

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Pictured (L-R, top row) Heavy Hitters Music, Mitch Glazier; (L-R, bottom row) Kris Ahrend, Alisa Coleman

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has announced its schedule of annual holiday events during which it will celebrate its success in 2021. The AIMP will recognize notable contributions to the independent music publishing community from Kris Ahrend and Alisa Coleman for their work with the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), Mitch Glazier of the RIAA, and independent music publishing company Heavy Hitters Music.

On Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. CT, the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter will host its Holiday Awards & Annual Meeting of Members virtually via Zoom. The Chapter will present its Indie Publisher of the Year award to Heavy Hitters Music, and its Individual Award in Support of Songwriters & Publishers to Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA.

“These annual awards are an opportunity for us to honor the best and the brightest organizations and individuals who are making an impact in our indie publisher community,” says Teri Nelson Carpenter, President of the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter. “After the untimely passing of Heavy Hitters Music co-founder Cindy Badell Slaughter this year, the company has managed to press on, achieving tremendous growth and success securing placements for its artists and clients this year. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments while honoring Cindy’s memory. Meanwhile, Mitch Glazier has been a great collaborator for the independent music publishing community through his work at the RIAA, working with the publishing community to pursue policies that are mutually beneficial for labels and publishers. We look forward to recognizing his contributions with our members.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. CT, the AIMP New York Chapter will host a virtual event to present their Indie Spirit Award to Alisa Coleman (Board Chair) and Kris Ahrend (CEO) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). Ahrend and Coleman have worked together since the formation of The MLC to address the concerns of the independent music publishing community.

“We are thankful to The MLC for their important work to ensure that indie music publishers receive accurate and timely mechanical royalties,” shares Michael Lau, President of the AIMP New York Chapter. “We look forward to closing out the year by honoring Alisa and Kris, and looking back on all the great work our New York Chapter members have done throughout the year.”

Due to the recent spike in COVID cases, the Nashville Chapter will not be holding an in-person general member event, but will hold a small event for Board members and its Young Professionals Committee. The Chapter’s all-member December meeting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. CT via Zoom.

“As we wrap up the year, we want to thank all of our members for their support and participation in the AIMP in general throughout the year,” comments John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to throw us curveballs, we are happy to have begun the process of moving back to in-person events, and are thrilled to have had the opportunity to see many of our members face to face over the course of the year. We are hopeful to see even more of you in 2022.”