Artist Action: Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Mark Wystrach

/by

Maren Morris Takes Flight With U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds

Maren Morris. Photo: Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver

Maren Morris had the thrill of a lifetime on Friday, June 4 when she flew in an F-16 with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.

This high-flying ride came in advance of the Thunderbirds headlining demonstration at The Great Tennessee Air Show held every June in Smyrna, Tennessee. BBR Music Group’s Blanco Brown performed the National Anthem at Saturday’s show while Track45 performed it on Sunday.

 

 

Dustin Lynch Hosts Multi-Day Pool Situation In Vegas

Dustin Lynch. Photo: Powers

Broken Bow Records recording artist Dustin Lynch hosted his own “Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Vegas” last Thursday (June 3) through Sunday (June 6).

The first country music-themed full-weekend pool party of its kind included special guests Jordan Davis, HARDY, and Brandi Cyrus, in addition to surprise appearances by MacKenzie Porter and Conner Smith throughout the Las Vegas strip.

“What a rush! Year 1 of the Pool Situation was certainly a situation – in the best way possible. We live for that connection of all being on the same wavelength to celebrate, forget about the real world, and just live in the moment,” shares Lynch. “Our mission this weekend was to give our fans the best weekend possible, and want to come back and do it again and again. It sure feels like we accomplished that, along with a bunch of ideas to make next year even bigger and better.”

Lynch kicked off the sold-out multi-day event at Drai’s with the “Where It’s At” Welcome Party on Thursday with a supercharged DJ set by Cyrus. Lynch also headlined Friday’s “Cowboys and Angels” Pool Party at Encore Beach Club. Performing for the first time this year with a full band, Lynch played some of his fan favorites, including “Ridin’ Roads,” “Good Girl,” and “Momma’s House,” plus a slew of others since his 2012 breakout.

 

 

Blanco Brown To Release First Taste Of New Music Since 2020 Life-Threatening Accident

Blanco Brown. Photo: J.Kaviar

‘TrailerTrap’ creator and mastermind behind the triple-Platinum sensation “The Git Up,”  Blanco Brown will release “Nobody’s More Country” on June 18 via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. This marks Brown’s first new music since his life-threatening accident in 2020.

Written by Brown, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, and Quintin Amey, the track reaffirms Brown’s country status as he pulls inspiration from his Georgia roots. Throughout the song, Brown also notes that while he appreciates all of the places country music has taken him—“there’s no place like home.”

“I’ve been all around the world and have seen people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds uniting over their love of country music—the music ties us together,” says Brown. “It’s the sound of home. It’s the sound of my Georgia heart. It’s hard to imagine anybody loving it more than me.”

Fans will get a sneak peek of the song as he performs the new track tonight (June 9) on the RAM Trucks Side Stage at the CMT Music Awards where he is nominated for Group Video of the Year with Parmalee for “Just the Way.”

 

 

Midland Lead Singer Mark Wystrach To Appear In New Film The Eyes Of Tammy Faye

YouTube video

Midland lead singer Mark Wystrach appears in the upcoming film The Eyes of Tammy Faye which will be released by Searchlight Pictures on Sept. 17.

Directed by Michael Showalter, the film is an intimate look at the rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In the 1970s and 80s, Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim Bakker, created the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park, and were revered for their message of love, acceptance and prosperity. Bakker was known for her indelible eyelashes, idiosyncratic singing, and eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandals toppled their carefully constructed empire.

Wystrach acts alongside Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Fredric Lehne, Louis Cancelmi, Sam Jaeger, Gabriel Olds, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Jeremy Rush Named Senior Director, Public Relations For CMHOF

/by

Jeremy Rush

Jeremy Rush is returning to the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum as Senior Director of Public Relations following a previous stint in media relations at the museum from 2005-2010.

In his new role, Rush is responsible for developing and managing the organization’s external communications, media coverage, influencer marketing, and media relations strategy, as well as fostering relationships across the music industry, nonprofits, and the broader Middle Tennessee community. He will report to Lisa Purcell, SVP of external affairs.

Rush brings more than 16 years of experience in public relations and media relations strategies for major nonprofits to his new position. Immediately prior to rejoining the museum, Rush oversaw system-wide public relations and media engagement efforts for PeaceHealth, a nonprofit health care system with medical centers across Washington, Oregon and Alaska, including serving as a key public information officer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, he handled strategic communications and media relations for Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute in Portland, Ore..

A Nashville area native, Rush received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his PR work, he has written music reviews and features for the Nashville Scene, Goldmine magazine and other publications, as well as stories for WPLN Nashville Public Radio, Vanderbilt Medical Center publications and print publications in Kenya and Uganda.

Lady A Rediscovers Sound & Vision With New Album Out June 25

/by

After spending the last year rediscovering their sound and vision, multi-Platinum band Lady A will release their upcoming album, What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) via BMLG Records on June 25.

“There’s an interdependence that we have with each other, and music is at the center of that to me,” says Hillary Scott, one third of Lady A. “We are all living in the now together… we’re all a work in progress, and that is what we wanted to share with these songs on the first chapter.”

Produced by Dann Huff, each track on the seven-song project is penned by at least one member of the award-winning trio. Rather than being dedicated to the struggles of 2020, this new effort was born alongside them and adds a layer of depth to Lady A’s catalog.

The album’s title-track opens the trio’s hearts to a fresh start, while songs like “Talk of This Town” and “Fire” use third degree romantic burns as a metaphor for adversity. “Worship What I Hate” takes a look at who we become if we’re not paying attention and “Chance of Rain” reminds us not to play it safe in matters of life and love. The gentle “Things He Handed Down” dusts off some handed-down wisdom, questioning how it’s put to use.

What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) Track List:
1. Talk of This Town – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
2. What A Song Can Do – Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz
3. Like A Lady – Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson, Brandon Paddock
4. Things He Handed Down – Charles Kelley, Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure
5. Fire – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Justin Ebach
6. Chance of Rain – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Topher Brown, Justin Ebach
7. Worship What I Hate – Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Natalie Hemby, Amy Wadge

Industry Ink: Thomas Rhett, Toby & Molly Music, New Lost City Records

/by

Thomas Rhett Unveils New Outdoor Shoe Collection With Chaco Footwear

Thomas Rhett

Chaco Footwear and multi-Platinum selling country artist Thomas Rhett have partnered to create the Thomas Rhett Collection, a series of three limited-edition sandal designs inspired by his passion for the outdoors and time spent outside with his family.

The Thomas Rhett Collection will include three product drops throughout this summer in both men’s and women’s sizing. The Boulder design, which is available now, features green webbing with a colorful fly-fishing lure pattern and is a nod to Rhett’s new track “More Time Fishin’” from Side A of his Country Again album.

“When I’m outside my creativity levels go through the roof and it’s no wonder that nature has had such an influence on my new music,” Rhett says. “There is something about being outside that just takes the worries of the world away and depletes them, for at least an hour or so. It’s a place that you can slow down and learn how to live in the moment.”

“We’ve known that Thomas Rhett has been a Chaco fan for a while, and we are thrilled to be partnering with him on this collection,” says Jamie Kirby, Marketing Director for Chaco. “Our team had a lot of fun working with Thomas Rhett to design unique patterns that represent some of his favorite outdoor memories, and we hope they will inspire others to get outside as well.”

 

 

Toby & Molly Music Raise Over $1,500 Through ‘A Benefit For Team Fox’

Pictured (L-R): Tia Sillers, Austin Giorgio, Brent Morgan, SixForty1’s Brooks Hoffman and Austin Gee, Chase Wright. Photo: Josh Holt

Nashville-based publishing company Toby & Molly Music hosted A Benefit for Team Fox on Thursday, May 27 at Music City’s Listening Room Café.

“My father suffers from Parkinson’s disease,” shares Toby & Molly co-founder Robert Filhart. “Since launching Toby & Molly music, supporting the incredible work being done by the Michael J. Fox Foundation has been important. Anytime we put together a live show or sell merchandise, all net proceeds always benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation.”

The sold-out writers round featured performances by Toby & Molly writers and friends including Austin Giorgio, Brent Morgan, Chase Wright, Tia Sillers and SixForty1‘s Austin Gee and Brooks Hoffman. Throughout the event, over $1,500 was raised with proceeds benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

“Nashville is a city with deep music roots and a strong sense of community,” says Bethany Parker of Team Fox Nashville. “We are extremely grateful to Toby & Molly Music for bringing together the two to benefit Parkinson’s disease research.”

 

 

New Lost City Records Announces Summer Tour With Whelan Stone, Blake Henderson, Forrest Finn

New Lost City Records has partnered with Davidson Reserve Whiskey to present a summer tour featuring the indie label’s artists Whelan Stone, Blake Henderson, and Forrest Finn. The tour will kick off June 3 in Atlanta at Smith’s Old Bar.

“We’ve got these great artists on our roster who have released music in the past few months, and knew we needed to get them on the road to play for their growing fan bases,” MV2’s GM Tony Harrell explains.

“We are so excited to launch the New Lost City tour this summer with an amazing sponsor, Davidson Reserve,” says MV2’s Creative Director Nicole Sherrill. “Working with Jeff and Jenny Pennington (Pennington Distillery) and their entire team has been a dream come true. The MV2 team could not be more excited to see Forrest, Blake and Whelan Stone’s hard work pay off this year on the road.”

The tour will take the artists throughout the southeast, running through Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas, with more dates being added and announced soon. Tickets can be purchased at the venues.

New Lost City Records 2021 Tour Dates:
6/3 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Old Bar
6/4 – Mobile, AL – Cedar Street Social Club
6/5 – Pensacola, FL – Florabama
6/10 – Macon, GA – JBA
6/11 – Newnan, GA – Brickhouse Grille &Tavern
6/12 – Lawrenceville, GA – Slow Pour Brewing Company
6/17 – Birmingham, AL – The Nick
6/18 – Dadeville, AL – Rodeo Club
6/19 – Freeport, FL – Horse Power Pavilion
7/16 – Conway, AR – JJ’s Grill
7/17 – Little Rock, AR – JJ’s Grill

Steve Earle & The Dukes Announce U.S. Tour

/by

Steve Earle. Photo: Shervin Lainez

Steve Earle & The Dukes are heading out on an extensive tour beginning July 1 in New Braunfels, Texas that will run through Sept. 4 with more dates to be added. The tour will include dates in Memphis, Kansas City, Scranton, Cincinnati, Atlanta and many more, with a Nashville date set for August 30 at the Ryman Auditorium.

Earle most recently released his 20th studio album J.T., a tribute to Steve’s late son Justin Townes Earle, on January 4 of this year. The song “The Saint Of Lost Causes,” a cover of Justin’s 2019 song from the album of the same name, appeared on the tribute project. Steve and the band’s rendition of “The Saint Of Lost Causes” has also received a new live version, with a video by Ehud Lazin originally shot at the new City Winery in NYC.

One hundred percent of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. are being donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle.

YouTube video
Steve Earle & The Dukes Tour Dates:
7/1 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX
7/2 – Billy Bob’s – Forth Worth, TX
7/3 – Barge 295 – Seabrook, TX
7/4 – The Bluff – Natchez, MS
7/6 – Lafyette’s Music Room – Memphis, TN
7/8 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
7/9 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
7/10 – Riverside Park Amphitheater – Jefferson City, MO
7/11 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
7/15 – Mountain Arts Center – Prestonsburg, KY
7/16 – The Burl – Lexington, KY
7/17 – Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD
7/18 – The Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyard – Hammondsport, NY
7/20 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
7/21 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
7/23 – The Paramount Theatre – Rutland, VT
7/24 – Marty’s Driving Range – Mason, NH
7/25 – Scranton Circle Drive-In Theater – Scranton, PA
7/27 – Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY
7/29 – Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
7/30 – The Kent Stage – Kent, OH
7/31 – Riverfront Live – Cincinnati, OH
8/1 – Mountain Stage – Charleston, WV
8/6 – Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, WI
8/7 – Canterbury Park Summer Concert Series – Shakopee, MN
8/17 – The Kessler – Dallas, TX
8/20 – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
8/21 – Amaturo Theatre – Fort Lauderdale, FL
8/22- Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
8/24 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre – Montgomery, AL (With Los Lobos)
8/26 – The Freeman Stage at Bayside – Selbyville, DE (With Los Lobos)
8/27 – Inssbrook After Hours – Glen Allen, VA (With Los Lobos)
8/28 – Atlanta Botanical Garden – Atlanta, GA (With Los Lobos)
8/30 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN (With Los Lobos)
9/2 – Newberry Opera House – Newberry, SC
9/3 – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC (With Los Lobos)
9/4 – Beaver Dam Amphitheatre – Beaver Dam, KY (With Los Lobos)
10/16 – Brooklyn Made – Brooklyn, NY (Steve Earle Solo)
10/22 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI (Steve Earle Solo)
10/23 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI (Steve Earle Solo)

Big Loud Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Sign Mark Holman

/by

Pictured (L-R): Michael Giangreco (Big Loud), Austen Adams (Big Loud), Kimberly Gleason (Big Loud), Seth England (Big Loud), Travis Carter (Big Loud), Mark Holman, Christina Wiltshire (Warner Chappell Music), T.D.RUTH (Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP), Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Music), JOEY MOI (Big Loud). Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Big Loud Publishing and Warner Chappell Music have teamed up to sign chart-topping songwriter Mark Holman to a co-publishing deal.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Big Loud and Warner Chappell families,” says Holman. “I’ve always admired their creative mentality and ability to push boundaries in the industry. Having a great team is so important to me, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.”

An Illinois native, Holman began writing and producing in 2008, eventually making the move to Nashville in 2014. He soon scored his first No. 1 hit as a songwriter on Florida Georgia Line’s 2018 hit, “Simple,” and now has two singles at country radio—Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night” and Maddie & Tae’s “Woman You Got.”

Overall, Holman has over 60 cuts from artists across a range of genres, including Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Gary Allan, Three Days Grace, The Struts, Blue October, Halestorm, and Art of Dying. He also has upcoming releases with Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Morgan Evans, Dylan Scott and Daughtry.

“We couldn’t be more excited and honored to welcome Mark into the Big Loud Publishing family, in partnership with the great team at Warner Chappell Music,” explains Big Loud Publishing’s Travis Carter. “As a longtime fan of Mark’s, I’ve always been blown away by his ability to navigate multiple genres with ease in both his songwriting and producing. He’s truly a next-level talent, and we’re really looking forward to building upon his already impressive track record in the country genre and beyond.”

Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn To Headline 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

/by

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam has revealed that Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn and Old Dominion will headline the 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam which will take place from Sept. 3-5, 2021 at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.

The rescheduled 2020 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam kicked off last week. An array of performers took the stage over the weekend, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Nichols, Lindsay Ell, Jon Langston, Brad Paisley, Cole Swindell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tenille Townes, Shy Carter, Luke Bryan, Brothers Osborne, Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Tenille Arts, and many more.

“This has been an emotional week to hear music blasting from this stage a full 20 months after our 2019 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam,” said Executive Director Randy Lovelady to the crowd of over 25,000 fans. “We are beyond excited about Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Old Dominion standing on this very stage just three months from today, and we can’t wait to reveal the full lineup in a few weeks.”

For more information on Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, click here. Tickets for the 2021 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in September are available for purchase now.

Robyn Ottolini Readies Warner Music Nashville Debut

/by

Robyn Ottolini is releasing her Warner Music Nashville debut, The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP, on June 25.

The four-song project flips the script on her The But I’m Not Always Hilarious EP and includes the recently-released track “Tell You Everything.” Fans will be able to pre-save the four-song EP beginning June 18.

“The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP is basically a continuation of my story from last year, when I put out a bunch of breakup songs,” Ottolini. “I want to keep telling my story as authentically, honestly and in-time as possible. Even though I’ve written some heartbreakers, a huge part of who I am is making people laugh. I love to have a good time and not take life too seriously. This EP has got a lot of love on it—romantic love, self-love, friend-love, family-love. I’m happy to finally share that part of who I am with everybody.”

Ottolini’s “F-150” scored with audiences in late 2020 via TikTok, and has racked up nearly 40 million global streams, reaching No. 4 on Spotify’s all-genre US Viral 50 chart. Inspired by artists like Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves and Sam Hunt, the 25-year-old is currently tied for the most 2021 CMA Ontario Award nominations with five total nods.

The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP Track List:
1.     Tell You Everything (Robyn Ottolini, Jesse Slack)
2.     Hold Me Back (Robyn Ottolini, Lydia Sutherland, Jesse Slack)
3.     Sincerely, Drunk Me (Robyn Ottolini)
4.     Daddy’s Daughter (Robyn Ottolini)

International Country Music Conference Marks 37th Year

/by

The 37th Annual International Country Music Conference, the leading academic conference devoted to country music, was held virtually on June 3-5. Co-hosts for the conference were James Akenson and Don Cusic.

The conference began with a pre-keynote session titled “Country Music Around the World,” with Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA, Milly Olykan, VP of International Relations and Development for the CMA, Anna-Sophie Mertens with Live Nation in the U.K. and Natalie Waller with ABC Music in Australia.

Pictured (clockwise): Sarah Trahern, Anna-Sophie Mertens, Milly Olyken, Natalie Waller

The keynote was followed by over 35 presentations and panel discussions with participants from Japan, Australia, Sweden, Hawaii and Canada as well as from universities and colleges throughout the United States. A wide range of topics were addressed, including race, gender, culture and politics in country music as well as studies on individual artists and songs.

On Friday, June 4, the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism was presented to Marcus K. Dowling, and the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on or about country music was presented to Travis Stimeling for Nashville Cats: Record Production in Music City.

The International Country Music Journal edited by Don Cusic is published annually to coincide with the International Country Music Conference. In this issue are articles about country music in Japan, the Stanley Brothers, Hank Williams, Irish country music, Milton Estes, the Sleepy Hollow Ranch and Eva Thompson Jones, who accompanied Uncle Jimmy Thompson on the first broadcast of what became the Grand Ole Opry and who was arrested for prostitution during World War II in a controversial case. This is the only academic journal dedicated to country music.

Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Jake Hoot, More Join 2021 Concert For Love & Acceptance

/by

The 2021 Concert For Love & Acceptance has added Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Jake Hoot, Jamie Floyd, Paul Cardall and Cody Belew, as well as comedian Dana Goldberg to its growing lineup of artists and performers. In addition, former NFL quarterback Steve Young and his wife Barbara Graham Young, both advocates for LGBTQ equality and acceptance, will make a special appearance together in support of LGBTQ youth.

Set to take place on Wednesday, June 30, the event returns this year as a star-studded online event, co-hosted by Ty Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan, who has hosted the event alongside Herndon since 2017. It will take place at 7 p.m. CST and be live-streamed exclusively on CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and on the Foundation’s website.

Previously announced appearances and performances include Brothers Osborne, Kristin Chenoweth, Terri Clark, Brooke Eden, Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Gretchen Peters, Tenille Townes, Walker County, and Chase Wright.

Mattea will be honored during the evening with the second annual Foundation For Love & Acceptance R.A.L.Y. (Rescue A Life, Y’all) Award, presented by Herndon in recognition of her early advocacy for the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS awareness.

“Kathy Mattea was standing up for LGBTQ people and raising awareness about the HIV and AIDS epidemic long before it was cool — especially in the country music community. It’s an honor to give her the long-overdue recognition she deserves for being a pioneering ally and friend,” shares Herndon.

Herndon also announced this year’s Red Carpet Countdown, an online event that will feature additional appearances and performances in the two hours preceding the live concert that will stream online exclusively on his Facebook channel. Announced performances include ARLO, Jada Cato, Exit 216, Justin Fabus, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Brandon Stansell, and Jaime Wyatt with additional performances and appearances to be announced.