Industry Ink: Will Overton & Katie Kerkhover, Brooke Eden, Rhyme Partners

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Discover Sooner To Host “Priceless Answers From Publishers” Event With Will Overton, Katie Kerkhover

Katie Kerkhover & Will Overton

Discover Sooner, the online platform seeking to accelerate attention of publishers to songwriters, will hold a virtual Q&A with A&R Director, Warner Chappell,  Will Overton and Senior Creative Director, A&R, BMG, Katie Kerkhover on Thursday, July 15 at 5 p.m. CST. The free Zoom event, title “Priceless Answers From Publishers,” will be hosted by Nancy Deckant, Founder and CEO of Discover Sooner.

The interactive event seeks to bring a great understanding of how publishers select the songwriters they sign and to provide a live Q&A session. During the event, three artists will be introduced, and their songs played for the professional panelists.

Overton signs new acts and develops established acts on Warner Chappell’s roster, and has been part of the company since 2015. He recently signed chart-topping songwriter, producer, and classically-trained pianist Alexander Palmer with No. 1 hits at country radio, including Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” and Dierks Bentley’s 2x Platinum “Somewhere on a Beach.” Kerkhover is responsible for BMG’s Nashville publishing roster including hitmakers Scooter Carusoe, Ben Goldsmith, James Slater, and Wynn Varble, among others, and signing and developing new songwriters and artists.

 

 

Brooke Eden Joins Pride For Youth To Reimagine Songs With Aspiring Songwriters

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BBR Music Group recording artist Brooke Eden recently joined Musicians On Call for a virtual songwriting session with two aspiring songwriters at Pride For Youth on Long Island. Together the group created reimagined lyrics for her song “Got No Choice” that address self-love and identity.

Eden talked about the inspiration for her song and her journey towards self-love and finding acceptance of her relationship while pursuing her career in country music. Meanwhile, the youth shared their experiences embracing their identities by pursuing their passions, finding community, and living life with no boundaries.

Eden has volunteered with Musicians On Call in the past, performing at patients’ bedsides in Nashville as part of MOC’s Bedside Performance Program. With over 40 million on-demand streams already, Eden has garnered new critical acclaim with her trilogy of new tracks and music videos that illustrate her own path towards loving honestly.

 

 

Rhyme Partners Reveals Speak Life To End Bullying, The Musical

Rhyme Partners staff and writers. Pictured (L-R): Rebecca Burd, Leland Grant, Dan Burd, Melissa Bollea Rowe, Briana Tyson, Tripp Weir and Lisa Doughtery.

Speak Life Performing Arts Company (SLPAC) is releasing a new film version of Speak Life The Musical to End Bullying this fall. SLPAC has been a leader in the nation’s conversation on the issue of bullying for over 13 years, and their musical has now been seen by over 370,000 students across America.

Melissa Rowe, songwriter and owner of Nashville’s Rhyme Partners Music Publishing, wrote, co-wrote, and co-produced all of the new music for the show. Speak Life The Musical follows a day in the life of four high school students giving us a glimpse into their public persona and private struggles. Every day in schools across America, kids are abused by their peers. Social media has allowed the abuse to chase them home, and cyberbullying leaves no place to hide.

Rowe admits that her involvement in this project has been distinctly different than anything she has done previously in her career. “The opportunity to make an impact on kids and audiences all over the nation through our words and music was an honor that I didn’t take lightly,” she says of Rhyme Partners’ all encompassing involvement which not only included writing and composing all the music but also overseeing every aspect of the project. “Music comforts us and takes us places we can’t go by any other means. It can save a life,” she concludes.

Founded in 2013, Rhyme Partners catalog includes hundreds of cuts on both independent and record label artists with millions of combined streams across all digital platforms. Their songs have been recognized, nominated for, and won several independent and major music awards. Rhyme Partners catalog has also seen success with national brands and sync placements for television and film.

Tennessee Tourism Unveils Kix Brooks Music Pathways Marker At Arrington Vineyards

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Kix Brooks (right) with Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. Photo: Dawn Majors & Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Arrington Vineyards and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development honored country music stalwart Kix Brooks with the unveiling of a Tennessee Music Pathways marker at his award-winning Arrington Vineyards.

Tennessee Music Pathways, launched by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2018, is an online planning guide that connects visitors to the state’s rich musical heritage. From the largest cities to the smallest communities, Tennessee Music Pathways stretches across all 95 counties and features hundreds of landmarks from the genres of music that call Tennessee home.

“From Memphis to Knoxville, and of course, Nashville, the heart and hub for what I do, there’s no state quite like Tennessee,” says Brooks. “From Dolly to Stax, to everything in between, it is amazing what we have here, and it’s so important to invite people to come and experience that incredible musical energy. That energy excites me so much, and the fact that I would be recognized on a project like this. I am truly honored and love that our marker is going to be right here at Arrington Vineyards. It truly means the world to me.”

“Kix is not only an accomplished singer-songwriter, but he’s also been a tremendous advocate for the tourism industry,” says Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “It is a great honor to celebrate him as a part of the Tennessee Music Pathways. We are thrilled to invite visitors to explore and learn more about our state’s rich contributions to music at Arrington Vineyards.”

Photo: Dawn Majors & Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Country music singer, songwriter, actor, film producer, television and radio host, and vintner, Brooks came to prominence as one-half of country music’s most successful duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn. The pair sold over 30 million albums, making them the best-selling duo in country music history. Their debut album, Brand New Man, was certified six times platinum and all but two of their studio albums were certified platinum by the RIAA. They won the CMA award for Duo of the Year every year but one between 1992 and 2006. Overall, they have earned over 80 industry awards including two Grammy awards for Best Country Record by a Duo or Group.

In 2015, after a five-year hiatus, Brooks & Dunn reunited and joined forces with their friend Reba McEntire for a Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and in 2019, Brooks & Dunn had the honor of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Outside of music, Brooks entered the movie business with a production company, Team Two Entertainment. He also raised Beefmaster cattle on his farm near Nashville and became a founding partner of Arrington Vineyards. Giving back to the community, he became prominent in charity, advocacy, and philanthropy. In 2014, he was the first recipient of the CMA Humanitarian Award.

Martina McBride To Celebrate Three Decades In Music With Vinyl Greatest Hits Double LP

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To celebrate three decades of her career, one of country music’s most powerful and timeless voices Martina McBride has announced she will release an extensive greatest hits project. Her Greatest Hits: The RCA Years Double LP will be available exclusively in vinyl and on-sale on Aug. 20.

The collection of songs spans McBride’s vast catalog of recordings with RCA, including some of her biggest hits like “Independence Day,” “Concrete Angel,” “This One’s For The Girls,” “A Broken Wing,” among many other fan favorites.

“When I signed my record deal with RCA in 1991, vinyl was out and CD’s were in. Even though I’ve always been happy to have my name on any form of recorded music, I’ve always hoped to see my music on vinyl,” says McBride. “I’m SO THRILLED to share this double vinyl album of hits that I recorded during my time with RCA. This is a very special project to me and I’m excited that everyone will be able to add it to their vinyl collection.”

It was also recently announced that McBride’s accomplishments and influence will be honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum with a new exhibit, Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voice. The exhibit encompasses McBride’s journey from performing in her family’s band as a child to becoming an award-winning country music artist with an enduring career. It opens on July 30 and will run through Aug. 7, 2022.

Martina McBride’s Greatest Hits: The RCA Years Track Listing:

Side A:
The Time Has Come
That’s Me
My Baby Loves Me
Independence Day
Where I Used To Have A Heart
Life #9

Side B:
Wild Angels
Safe In The Arms Of Love
Cry On The Shoulder Of The Road
Happy Girl
A Broken Wing
Wrong Again

Side C:
Whatever You Say
I Love You
Love’s The Only House
Concrete Angel
Blessed
When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues

Side D:
Where Would You Be
This One’s For The Girls
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Anyway
Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong

Weekly Register: Florida Georgia Line Shakes Up Country Songs & Albums Chart A ‘Lil Bit’

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Florida Georgia Line. Photo: John Shearer

Nelly & Florida Georgia Line‘s “Lil Bit” has taken the top country streaming song this week with 8.2 million streams and 135 million RTD, according to Nielsen. The high-energy track also places No. 43 overall.

Luke Combs comes in at No. 2 with “Forever After All” at 7.8 million and the “Famous Friends,” Chris Young & Kane Brown, take No. 3 with 6.6 million streams. Meanwhile, Walker Hayes breaks into the top five with “Fancy Like,” earning the fourth spot at 5.5 million streams this week. Dierks Bentley finishes out the top songs with “Gone” earning 5.3 million streams.

This week’s top country album debut goes to EMI’s Gary Allan who released Ruthless, his first project in eight years, on June 25. Ruthless debuted at No. 8 on the country chart and No. 86 overall with 11,000 streams.

Morgan Wallen stays at the top of the country streaming album chart with Dangerous: The Double Album. The project, sitting at the No. 6 spot overall, earned 47,000 streams this week bringing the total RTD streams up to 56 million. Wallen also keeps the No. 4 spot with If I Know Me gaining another 15,000 streams this week. Combs’ What You See Is What You Get and This One’s For You also stay at No. 2 and No. 3 with 25,000 and 18,000 streams, respectively. FGL’s February release, Life Rolls On, rounds out the top five with 13,000 streams.

Matt Stell, Whiskey Jam To Honor Frontline Healthcare Workers With Frontline Fest

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Matt Stell. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Matt Stell is teaming up with Whiskey Jam for Frontline Fest, a show to honor frontline healthcare workers on Monday, July 12 in Nashville.

The free concert is open to anyone 21+ and will kick off at 6 p.m. from the parking lot at Losers at 1911 Division St. in Nashville. Any frontline worker who presents their work ID will get to skip the line and head straight for the stage for performances from Collin Raye, Tenille Arts, Hannah Dasher, Walker Hayes, Adam Doleac, and Southerland, in addition to Stell.

“What’s better than a Whiskey Jam parking lot shindig with a fresh crop of badass country artists on the rise along with a bona fide solid gold country legend you ask? Well the answer is honoring our frontline healthcare workers while we throw all the way down,” says Stell.

“Whiskey Jam is excited to team up with Matt and celebrate a return to live music in Nashville,” says Ward Guenther, co-founder of Whiskey Jam and host of the Ward Guenther Show on Apple Music. “This show is a small token of our appreciation for the tireless work over countless hours by all of our frontline workers.”

Stell scored back-to-back No. 1 singles with his first two singles, “Prayed For You” and “Everywhere But On.” As one of only eight debut country artists in the last six years to have their first two singles top the charts, Stell will join Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, and Toby Keith on tour starting this summer.

Chris Young, Kane Brown Take ‘Famous Friends’ To The Top

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Chris Young & Kane Brown

Chris Young and Kane Brown have topped the Mediabase country radio chart this week with their hit, “Famous Friends.” The feat marks Young’s 12th career No. 1, and the sixth for Brown.

Penned by Young, Cary Barlowe, and Corey Crowder on a tour stop in Tampa in 2018, the autobiographical tune name-checks Rutherford County where Young grew up and Brown’s hometown of Hamilton County, along with Music City’s home of Davidson County. The song also took home the trophy for Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards and is already a No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout radio chart, SiriusXM’s The Highway, and spent three weeks at No. 1 on Canadian country radio.

Young took to socials to celebrate the news saying, “Finding out you have the number one song in Country Music is such a crazy feeling. My career started with a No. 37, No. 52, No.37 in that order. If you had asked me if I ever thought I’d be celebrating my 12th number one… just wow… no words.”

 

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With nearly five billion career streams, Young is also gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated 8th studio album, Famous Friends, on Aug. 6. Led by the chart-topping title track with Brown, the 14-song project features several more of Chris’s famous friends, including collaborations with Lauren Alaina and Mitchell Tenpenny, plus background vocals from Sarah Buxton and Hillary Lindsey.

Opry NextStage Names Parker McCollum As Featured Artist For July 2021

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Parker McCollum. Photo: Tyler Conrad

Opry NextStage has named MCA Nashville’s Platinum-selling, rising country artist Parker McCollum as the featured artist for July.

Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage invests in the discovery and development of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month. Initially launched in 2019, the inaugural class included Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes, and Travis Denning. McCollum joins Hailey Whitters in the 2021 class.

McCollum, the ACM-nominated New Male Artist of the Year, made his Grand Ole Opry debut in February of this year and is set to return on Tuesday, July 20. He released his major label debut, Hollywood Gold, last fall and it quickly became the top-selling debut country EP of 2020 and held his first No. 1 with the Platinum-selling “Pretty Heart.” His current radio single, “To Be Loved By You,” is the newest release off his forthcoming album, Gold Chain Cowboy, out July 30. He was named MusicRow‘s Breakout Artist of the Year at the 2021 CountryBreakout Awards.

“Parker has a way of connecting with fans through a sound that is about as real as it gets,” says Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy at Opry Entertainment Group Jordan Pettit. “We look forward to shining a spotlight on his craft as he continues to win over the hearts of our audiences.”

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Opportunities for Opry NextStage artists include feature performances on the Grand Ole Opry and Circle’s Opry Live broadcast and livestream; a performance at a special Opry NextStage concert in 2021; content produced by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team that utilizes all Opry Entertainment venues including Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and Ole Red locations nationwide; exclusive content to be distributed via Circle broadcast, streaming, and video-on demand channels; customized marketing and promotion activations utilizing Opry web and social assets; and other opportunities such as outdoor advertising, 650 WSM-AM radio specials, and more.

Drake Milligan Signs With BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, Debut EP Due July 23

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Drake Milligan. Photo: Jay Blakesberg

Country newcomer Drake Milligan has signed with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, and is set to release his debut self-titled EP on July 23.

Milligan co-wrote every song on the new EP, which was co-produced by Tony Brown and Brandon Hood. In the trouble-drowning, alcohol-soaked track “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin,’” the Texas native layers fiddle and steel, while on the upbeat, rebellious “Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do,” he shows off his fast talking ability. In the ballad, “Don’t Look Down,” he paints a picture of falling in love on a dance floor, while “She” is a simple but emotive depiction of a lovesick boy listing off everything he adores about a girl.

“The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”

Drake Milligan Track List:
1. Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ (Drake Milligan, Brice Long, Brett Beavers)
2. Don’t Look Down (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
3. Kiss Goodbye All Night (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Jenkins)
4. She (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
5. Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do (Drake Milligan, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)

Alabama Brings Live Music Back To Bridgestone Arena, Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Tour

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Alabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond

Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama are celebrating 50 years with their anniversary tour that kicked off with two nights at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this weekend. It was the band’s first arena performance in Nashville in nearly two decades, and was the first full-capacity concerts held at Bridgestone Arena since the start of the pandemic in early March of 2020.

Alabama’s set was lively and homespun, like a comforting welcome back to live music at Bridgestone Arena after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. They got things started with “Pass It Down,” and transitioned into “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.” Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry thrilled the crowd when they went into “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” Iconic country bands and fiddle players flashed up on the screens behind the 10-piece ensemble. The audience roared when the great fiddle player Charlie Daniels’ picture appeared on the screen. “If I said that we were thankful to see you,” Owen said, trailing off, looking into the crowd with awe.

Wasting no time, the band went into their 1983 hit “The Closer You Get” and 1989’s “High Cotton,” with Owen dancing along with the crowd. While the musicianship was top-notch with virtuoso players like Gordon Mote on keys and Megan Mullins on fiddle, the show’s production was simple and served as a great way to remind Nashville of its roots for its first full-capacity arena show back.

Before the band launched into their monster hit “Dixieland Delight,” Gentry said, “Every time I drive downtown, I hear it in one of [those] clubs, so they still like it.” “Thank the Lord,” Owen responded. The electrifying tune had all of Bridgestone Arena on their feet, dancing a jig. Alabama then seamlessly transitioned into “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”

Bringing out a string section and a choir, the band played the song that has become somewhat of a theme song for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “Angels Among Us.” Cell phone lighters waved in the air.

“This is an emotional night,” Owen said mid-way through Alabama’s set. “A few years ago we didn’t know if anyone cared about us anymore. Thank you for letting us share 50 years of our lives.”

“The only thing that would make this the perfect night is if our cousin Jeff Cook was here,” Gentry added. They then played a song written about Cook, whose 2017 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease left him unable to tour with the band.

After turning on the romance for “Love In The First Degree” and “Feels So Right,” Alabama welcomed their “long lost cousin” Jake Owen on stage for “Lady Down On Love.” Owen was clad in an Alabama jacket, and stood back in awe of the iconic country band in action.

Randy Owen, Jake Owen. Photo: Rick Diamond

Keeping the energy alive, Alabama invited the crowd to shag to “Dancin’, Shaggin’ On The Boulevard,” and the whole arena sang along to another staple, “Mountain Music,” before the band walked offstage and the lights turned down. A relentless roar from the audience sent Alabama back out to the Bridgestone Arena stage, this time in Nashville Predators jerseys, to encore to “My Home’s In Alabama.” Beautiful photos of the bands sacred home state flashed behind the country music icons. Owen and Gentry took an emotional bow, and ended the heart-warming evening.

Martina McBride. Photo: Rick Diamond

Another country great Martina McBride opened the show with her many hits and stellar voice on including “This One’s For The Girls,” “Wild Angels,” and the appropriate “Independence Day.” Alabama brought McBride back out during their set just to recognize her and tell her they loved her. It was just announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame will highlight McBride’s three-decade career with an exhibit opening at the end of July.

Alabama will continue their 50th Anniversary tour on July 23 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with Tracy Lawrence. Click here to see all the upcoming dates.

FGL, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris To Play Inaugural Feeding Nashville Benefit

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Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and wife Hayley along with the Tennessee Titans’ Taylor Lewan and wife Taylin are hosting a live benefit concert in support of their joint non-profit, Feeding Nashville. The concert will take place on Aug. 3 at the brand new FirstBank Amphitheater and will mark the inaugural event of the Thompson’s Station venue.

Together: Feeding Nashville will feature a powerful night of music and positivity featuring Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina, Lily Rose, and more special guests to be revealed.

Founded in April 2020 by the Hubbards and Lewans, Feeding Nashville is focused on providing healthy meals for at-risk students, low-income patients, and the homeless in Nashville, while also supporting a network of local chefs. Since launching, Feeding Nashville has prepared and delivered meals to 70,858 individuals in the region.

Pictured (L-R): Rick McEachern (FirstBank Amphitheater), Nancy McEachern (FirstBank Amphitheater), Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Hayley Hubbard, Ryan Reisdorf (Placemat), Taylin Lewan, Taylor Lewan (Tennessee Titans), Lenai Augustine (FirstBank), Janie Rittenberry (FirstBank), R. Wade Peery (FirstBank), Ali Harnell (Live Nation Women), Holli Mattison (Live Nation), Emily Mayer (Live Nation). Photo: Laura Moll Photo

Last Thursday (July 1), the Hubbards and Lewans held a press conference to share details on the benefit event. FirstBank’s Wade Peery, Jeanie Rittenberry, and Lenai Augustine were also in attendance and surprised the couples with a $5K check to jumpstart their charity efforts.

“There’s such a need in our community, whether there’s a pandemic, or a tornado, even without those things, we need to be feeding people and so we just realized that need within our own backyard. It’s been so cool to watch the community come together,” said Hayley Hubbard of the event. “Gosh, I’m pinching myself that this is actually going to happen because this vision of having a concert together – live together – was just such a dream last year, and so I’m just grateful to be here.”

Together: Feeding Nashville is produced by Live Nation and Executive Producer Ali Harnell, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Live Nation Women. Presented by Barstool Sports’ Bussin’ With The Boys, tickets for the event will go on sale Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. CST, with net ticket proceeds directly supporting Feeding Nashville.