Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, More Added To CMA Awards Lineup

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Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton, and Chris Young & Kane Brown have been added to the list of performers for The 55th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 10, airing live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Two-time CMA Award winner Aldean will take the stage with 2021 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and seven-time CMA winner Underwood for the world premiere TV performance of their chart-topping collaboration “If I Didn’t Love You.” Also taking the stage are five-time CMA Awards winner and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Combs, who’s a three-time nominee this year, including Entertainer of the Year; and Lambert, the all-time female record holder for most-ever CMA nominations and three-time 2021 nominee, including CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Reigning and three-time consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion, nominated again this year, will bring their hit “I Was on a Boat That Day” to the CMA Awards stage; while ten-time CMA Awards winner and five-time nominee this year, including CMA Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton performs “Cold” from his CMA Album of the Year-nominated Starting Over. Young, a three-time nominee this year, and Brown, also a three-time nominee this year, will join forces for their chart-topping hit “Famous Friends.”

Previously announced performers include Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer & Madeline Edwards, Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, and Blake Shelton.

Additional performers and presenters for The 55th Annual CMA Awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Brandi Carlile’s ‘Right On Time’ Shifted To Pop Category For 64th Annual Grammy Awards

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After the release of the preliminary ballots for the upcoming 64th Annual Grammy Awards, it has been revealed that Brandi Carlile‘s single, “Right On Time,” has been shifted to the best pop performance category rather than the American Roots division.

“Right On Time” was the lead single off of Carlile’s recently released studio album, In These Silent Days, which topped the Billboard Top Americana/Folk Albums and Top Rock Albums. A celebrated singer, songwriter, performer, and producer, Carlile has earned 12 Grammy nominations and six wins throughout her career.

Carlile took to social media to express her disappointment for this decision saying, “Americana/American Roots music is more than a genre to me. It represents my community, my family, my friends and my beautiful island of misfits. I am also proud that it represents a great number of people actively working to platform marginalized people—LGBTQIA, women, and people of color (who, of course, actually built the genre).”

She continues, “While I’m incredibly flattered to be considered ‘pop’ as a 40 year old crooning lesbian mother, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit surprised and disappointed to learn the Recording Academy decided to move ‘Right On Time’ out of the American Roots genre and into the pop category.” She concludes, “Being recognized by the Grammys—in any form—is a great honor. I just want folks to know this wasn’t my decision. Regardless, it doesn’t change who I am or what my Americana community continues to mean to me.”

 

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This news follows another controversy surrounding the Recording Academy’s screening committee which deemed Kacey Musgraves‘ Star-Crossed not eligible for inclusion in the Country Album of the Year category.

Final nominees for this year’s awards will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Dierks Bentley Extends His “Beers On Me Tour” Into 2022

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Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley has revealed details behind the winter run of his upcoming 2022 “Beers On Me Tour.” After recently wrapping the first leg, Bentley will continue the tour with a 21-city run launching Jan. 6th in London, Ontario.

The shows will include openers Jordan Davis, Tenille Arts, and Lainey Wilson. Tickets for the new dates go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. local time.

“People think we are crazy to go to Canada and the northwest in January, but we’ve learned from previous tours that it’s a great time to bring a party up there,” Bentley says. “For me personally, I don’t mind that there is plenty of ice, snow, and mountains for some adventure between shows.”

Bentley also dropped the video for the tour’s namesake today, featuring Bentley, Hardy and Breland ambushing unsuspecting bystanders across Nashville with free beer and plenty of high fives and selfies.

“Beers On Me Tour” Dates:
01/06/2022    London, ON – Budweiser Gardens*
01/08/2022    Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre*
01/09/2022    Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre*
01/13/2022    Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre*
01/14/2022    Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre*
01/15/2022    Regina, SK – Brandt Centre*
01/19/2022    Lethbridge, AB – ENMAX Centre*
01/20/2022    Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome*
01/21/2022    Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place*
01/28/2022    Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place*
01/29/2022    Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena*
02/04/2022    Missoula, MT – Adams Center**
02/05/2022    Billings, MT – MetraPark**
02/10/2022    Yakima, WA – SunDome**
02/11/2022    Eugene, OR – Matthew Knight Arena**
02/12/2022    Tacoma, WA – TacomaDome**
02/24/2022    Columbus OH – Nationwide Arena**-
02/25/2022    Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena**
03/03/2022    Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena**
03/04/2022    Bloomington, IN – Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall**
03/05/2022    Toledo OH – Huntington Center**-
*with Jordan Davis and Tenille Arts
**with Jordan Davis and Lainey Wilson

Carrie Underwood’s Debut Album, ‘Some Hearts,’ Certified 9x Platinum

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Carrie Underwood and Jackie Jones, RIAA VP, Artist & Industry Relations. Photo: Chris Hollo

Carrie Underwood was surprised at her Oct. 23 Grand Ole Opry performance with plaques commemorating two new career milestones: the 9x RIAA Platinum certification of her 2005 debut album, Some Hearts, and the 7x Platinum certification of her smash hit single, “Before He Cheats.”

The superstar was awarded the honors by Jackie Jones, RIAA Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations during her Opry appearance.

Some Hearts, which was released by Arista Nashville in 2005 and produced by Mark Bright and Dann Huff, is the sixth and most recent country album to achieve 9x Platinum. Underwood now joins Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only three country artists to reach that pinnacle in the past 16 years.

“Before He Cheats,” written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, is the 11th and most recent country song to achieve 7x Platinum.

Five singles from Underwood’s Cry Pretty album have gone Platinum and Gold, including the Platinum-certified singles, “The Champion” featuring Ludacris and “Southbound,” and the Gold-certified “Cry Pretty,” “Love Wins,” and “Drinking Alone.”

All nine of her consecutive album releases have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart, making her the only artist to accomplish that feat. Her latest single “If I Didn’t Love You,” a duet with Jason Aldean, is currently No. 1 at country radio.

Underwood has sold more than 66 million records worldwide, recorded 28 No. 1s (14 of which she co-wrote), and has seven albums certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. In just over 15 years, she has achieved Gold and Platinum history with over 70 million certifications.

RIAA & Garth Brooks Honor Charley Pride Posthumously With Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dion Pride accepts the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his father, Charley Pride, from Garth Brooks at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tennessee on Oct. 25, 2021. Photo: Blue Rose Inc.

Monday night (Oct. 25), members of the music industry gathered at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville to honor the late country music trailblazer Charley Pride with the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was posthumously presented by Garth Brooks, another country music giant, in his own right.

Pride, who spent over 50 years as a recording artist, enjoyed one of the most successful years in country music and became the first Black superstar within the format.

Throughout his career, Pride sold millions of records worldwide with his expansive repertoire of hits, earning three Grammy awards. He was the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and the Top Male Vocalist of 1971 and 1972. Pride also received the Crossroads of American Music Award At the 2019 Grammy Museum Mississippi Gala in November of 2019, and the Country Music Association’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award one year later in November 2020 before his death on Dec. 12.

Jackie Jones, VP of Artist & Industry Relations at RIAA, kicked off the night to welcome the intimate crowd, as well as introduce the President & CEO of NMAAM, H. Beecher Hicks, III.

“When this museum was conceived, it was really for moments just like this,” Hicks explained. “[It was created] to honor incredible artists just like Charley Pride, to bridge generations, and connect people and communities. The NMAAM provides a platform for discussions like these and a place for anyone—from a local songwriter to a towering global superstar—to reflect on the music and the artists that have shaped our lives, our culture, and our nation.”

RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier took the stage to share his thanks to the Pride family, the museum, and to Brooks, who Glazier explained came up with the idea for the night’s festivities to celebrate Pride, his friend of 25 years.

Garth Brooks. Photo: Diana King

Joining Brooks for an enlightening Q&A was a fellow, celebrated music trailblazer, Alice Randall. Now a professor in Vanderbilt University’s Department of African-American and Diaspora Studies, Randall was one of the first Black women to co-write a country hit (“XXX’s And OOO’s” recorded by Trisha Yearwood) and has gone on to co-write more than twenty other recorded songs. She has published extensively on Black artists in country music and teaches courses on The Country Lyric in American Culture and Black Country.

Together, Brooks and Randall took time to discuss the legacy of Charley Pride in country music and in American music at large, the influence that Pride had on Brooks’ music, Pride’s last recording with Brooks, and more.

Pride’s first single, “The Snakes Crawl At Night,” was released in 1966, and his first No. 1 came three years later with “All I Have To Offer You Is Me.” When asked about his favorite Pride single, Brooks was unable to name just one, listing off hits like “Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone” and “Mountain of Love,” breaking out his guitar to sing a snippet of each.

“I hear Charley Pride in Garth Brooks music so much… His influence on me was probably greater than I thought,” Brooks shared. “He was a big influence on my mom too. Her favorite song was ‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning,'” to which he also gave a preview of.

As Brooks was first coming onto the music scene in 1989 with “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” Pride was closing on his first quarter of a century in country music. Pride’s influence on Brooks was undeniable as Brooks said he couldn’t remember the radio without Pride on it, becoming an integral part of his childhood.

“When you talk about influences and what his music means to people, for me it’s that he never seemed like he doubted himself when he stepped up to the mic, so therefore he sold it to me, my mom, and to a lot of other people. The RIAA number of records he sold would prove that,” Brooks said with a laugh. “That was something you learned as a kid before you got into the business, like ‘Son, if you’re gonna do this, don’t leave any of you out. Let’s bring everything you’ve got.’ That’s what [Charley] specialized in,” Brooks explained.

“[Charley Pride] was a freak of nature. He was gifted beyond belief and was so humble about his gifts,” he added. “It’s easy to stay humble in this business when you know that if Charley Pride had sang ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes,’ it would’ve been a bigger song… It’s really sweet to get to hang around guys that cheered you on and actually wanted you to do better than them. [Charley] sincerely wanted you to do better than he did.”

A similarity shared between the two larger-than-life entertainers is their love for baseball. Both men played in various leagues and on various teams throughout their years, with Pride actually going on to become one of the owners of the Texas Rangers. Whether through music or through sports, Pride played a central role in American life and in bringing people together.

“The new word that people are using right now is ‘unifier.’ Charley Pride was a unifier before unifiers were even thought of,” Brooks offered.

“We’re so divided. You can use a word and half the people will love it and half the people won’t like it. How in the world when you use the word ‘America’ do half of the people [groan]?” He continued, “He was what we all want to be and what we all want to stand for. One of the greatest American icons that I can think of would be [Charley Pride].”

Shortly before Pride’s death in December of 2020, he and Brooks recorded “Where The Cross Don’t Burn,” which became the last song Pride recorded. Penned by the late songwriters Troy Jones and Phil Thomas, the track tells the story of a friendship between a young white boy and an older Black man during segregation.

Featured on his 2020 album, Fun, Brooks had been holding on to the song for ten years hoping to eventually collaborate with Pride.

“What I love about that song is that it starts out as a white boy and a Black, old man, but by the time you get to the end it’s just a young boy and a kind, old man. It’s the evolution or progression of love,” Brooks elaborated. “Love gets you past the differences and focuses on what you have in common.”

He concluded, “The best way that all of us can take Charley Pride’s name forward is to love one another. That was his thing… When you talk about the future of country music, I want the country artists of the future to be sincere in loving country music. I don’t care if they’re white, Black, transgender, or what their religion is. I want people who love country music like [Charley Pride] did.

“It didn’t matter that Charley Pride was Black, but it mattered so much that Charley Pride was Black,” he summed. “When it shouldn’t have mattered, it didn’t. When it should’ve mattered, he was the most proud of that.”

Pictured (L-R): Mitch Glazier (RIAA), H. Beecher Hicks III (NMAAM), Michele Ballantyne (RIAA), Dion Pride, & Garth Brooks. Photo: Diana King

Before the plaque presentation, RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne shared a list of Pride’s record of achievements, including being the first Black artist to win the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award and a Grammy in the country genre; being one of six country music giants to win a CMA Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, and Willie Nelson; and earning 29 No. 1 hits on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and over 70 million records sold, giving him 11 Gold albums and 1 Gold-certified single for “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.”

Charley’s son, Dion Pride, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his family’s behalf saying, “We’re all very, very proud of my father’s accomplishments… all of his accomplishments are a byproduct of the sheer love that he had for country music.”

Dion continued, “As a son, I am more impressed with the man. My father was a great, great man. All of his values, all of his principles, will live through me.”

Brandi Carlile Confirms Headline Tour Dates For 2022

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Brandi Carlile. Photo: Neil Krug

Brandi Carlile has announced some new headline dates on her “Beyond These Silent Days Tour,” which will launch in 2022. Special guests on the tour include Ani DeFranco, Brittany Howard, Celisse, Indigo Girls, Lake Street Dive, Lucius, Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell.

Stops on the tour include Washington’s Gorge Amphitheater on June 11, Los Angeles’ The Greek Theatre on June 24, Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on July 8-9, Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island on August 6, D.C.’s Merriweather Post Pavilion on Aug. 18, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater on Sept. 9-10, Boston’s TD Garden on Oct. 21, and New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 22.

Pre-sale will begin Thursday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. local time with general on-sale following Friday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. local time. Citi is the official card of the tour and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, Oct. 26-28 through Citi Entertainment.

Ahead of the newly-confirmed dates, Carlile will once again perform Joni Mitchell’s legendary album Blue in full to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 6. Her successful Girls Just Wanna Weekend will return Feb. 1-5 in Mexico’s Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

Brandi Carlile Tour Dates:
November 6—New York, NY—Carnegie Hall (SOLD OUT)
February 1-5—Riviera Maya, Mexico—Girls Just Wanna Weekend (SOLD OUT)
April 22—Miramar Beach, FL—Moon Crush 2022
April 29—Indio, CA—Stagecoach Music Festival
June 11—George, WA—Gorge Amphitheater*
June 24—Los Angeles, CA—The Greek Theatre†
July 8—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater‡
July 9—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater‡
July 30—St. Paul, MN—Xcel Energy Center+
August 6—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island#
August 18—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion§
September 9—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheater~
September 10—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheater§
October 21—Boston, MA—TD Garden^
October 22—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden^
*with special guests Sarah McLachlan and Lucius and featuring Celisse
†with special guest Lucius
‡with special guests Indigo Girls and Celisse and featuring Lucius
+with special guests Lake Street Dive and Celisse
#with special guests Ani DeFranco and Celisse
§with special guests Indigo Girls and Allison Russell
~with special guests Lucius and Allison Russell
^with special guest Brittany Howard

Red Creative Group Signs Matt Koziol To Label, Artist Development Deal

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Pictured (L-R): John Cantu (General Manager, RED Creative Records), Matt Koziol, Jeremy Stover (President, RED Creative Records)

Red Creative Group has signed singer-songwriter Matt Koziol to an exclusive label and artist development deal.

Koziol, who signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs in 2019, has worked with noteworthy artists, including John Paul White, Joy Oladokun, Jimmie Allen, Charlie Worsham, Steve Moakler and more.

Some of his previously released singles include “Runs In The Family,” “Wrong Things,” and his debut EP Here For The Long Haul. Koziol is set to release his upcoming single, “Work All Day,” this Friday (Oct. 29).

“Matt is a true talent with a deep love for the craft, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear this guy’s voice and musicianship,” shares John Cantu, General Manager of RED Creative Records. “He is one of those timeless artists who is just undeniable. We’re excited to be working with him at RED Creative Records.”

“I feel like the magic of Nashville is that you get to create with folks you consider family. That’s what it has felt like recording and creating with Matt Odmark (Jars Of Clay). I’m excited to bring some of that creativity and work into the world with the help of John Cantu and Jeremy Stover over at Red Creative Group,” adds Koziol. “They really understand the vision, and the passion that goes into creating honest music. I feel very fortunate to be part of their team, and I’m really excited for what’s next!”

Lee Starr Signs With Sony Music Publishing & KP Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Rusty Gaston, Kerri Edwards, Lee Starr, Aubrey Schwartz, Scott Safford

Rising singer-songwriter and producer Lee Starr has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and KP Entertainment.

Originally hailing from Arkansas, Starr arrived in Nashville in 2014 after spending time as a working musician in and around Austin. He has worked with up-and-coming artists as a songwriter and producer, penning songs for Elvie Shane, Ashland Craft, Conner Smith and Drew Green.

Starr co-wrote Shane’s debut single, “My Boy,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. In the same week, “My Boy” reached the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with 6.6 million U.S. streams.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Lee and the team at KP Entertainment,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston. “Lee’s songs are full of heart, and his work ethic is second to none. His potential is endless and I’m looking forward to all that is to come.”

“When our Creative Director Aubrey Schwartz played some demos of Lee earlier this year, I knew he was someone we had to represent,” adds Kerri Edwards, Founder, KP Entertainment. “His approach to songwriting and producing is inspiring, along with his drive to work toward those next level goals. Lee is such a great addition to our roster, and I look forward to building this with him.”

“Aubrey has been my champion since day one and as soon as she introduced me to Kerri, I knew where I wanted to be,” shares Starr. “Rusty and the staff at Sony Music Publishing are incredible, and everyone involved in this deal is an absolute hustler. When you find good people, you stick with them. I think the sky is the limit for us.”

Hipgnosis Songs Group Signs Co-Publishing Deal With Emily Kroll

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Pictured (L-R): TD Ruth, Emily Kroll, Emily Boardman, Pete Robinson

Songwriter Emily Kroll has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with Hipgnosis Songs Group.

Kroll went to Belmont University and graduated with a degree in social work. She eventually decided to leave social work and pursue her passion for songwriting. Kroll began working at The Listening Room Cafe, where she became good friends with future UMG Nashville artist, Priscilla Block.

Kroll is a co-writer on Block’s viral hit and currently charting single, “Just About Over You,” and is participating in ASCAP’s GPS program for new songwriters.

“We are honored to have Emily join our roster. She is a brilliant young writer, and her career is just getting started,” says Hipgnosis Nashville GM, Pete Robinson.

“I am so excited to introduce the Nashville music community to Emily,” adds Creative Manager, Emily Boardman. “She has an amazing work ethic and a knack for lyrics that make her a great addition to the Hipgnosis roster.”

U.S. Representative Ted Deutch Introduces New Legislation To Help Independent Artists

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U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) has introduced the Protect Working Musicians Act, which would allow artists and music creators to negotiate rates and terms for the use of their music online.

Currently, small and independent musicians have little ability to bargain rates for the use of their music by online streaming platforms. Rather, they must accept whatever is offered by these essential platforms to reach fans and get heard.

“Through the pandemic, streaming services became even more indispensable, allowing us to enjoy the music we love, even when live performances were shut down. But with the exponentially increasing market power of a few tech platforms, the voices of independent musicians are getting harder to hear,” says Rep. Deutch. “By empowering a more diverse chorus of voices to negotiate fair terms and rates for their music, the Protecting Working Musicians Act recognizes the fundamental value of music and gives working artists a fair shot.”

According to Deutch, the Protect Working Musicians Act would empower small, independent artists and music creators by allowing working artists and independent musicians to band together to negotiate with streaming platforms; ensuring that antitrust laws aren’t an obstacle to these negotiations; and by granting working artists and independent musicians the ability to collectively refuse to license their music to an online music distribution platform that refuses to pay market value rates.

The Protect Working Musicians Act is endorsed by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA).

“The Protect Working Musicians Act is crucial legislation to make sure that indie music survives as distribution on dominant digital music platforms becomes all the more necessary,” shares A2IM President and CEO, Dr. Richard James Burgess. “The power imbalance must be addressed by Congress so that creators and independent labels can band together to fight for fair compensation and against anticompetitive schemes that devalue music. Year after year these platforms grow their profits and subscriber bases at astronomical rates while artists struggle, especially in the wake of the pandemic. We thank Representative Deutch for standing up for the premise that artists and creators deserve to make a living wage even if they aren’t a mega star or signed to a major label.”

“We are so grateful to have a friend and supporter like Congressman Deutch,” says Rosanne Cash, co-chair of the Artist Rights Alliance and Grammy winning singer and songwriter. “His appreciation for music is evident and his commitment to all musicians gives me hope that we can create a fairer, stronger music economy that works for fans, services, artists, and songwriters alike.”