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.

Tenille Townes’ ‘The Lemonade Stand’ Named Juno Awards Country Album Of The Year

/by

Tenille Townes. Photo: John Shearer

Canadian-born and Nashville-based recording artist Tenille Townes received the award for Country Album of the Year for her debut album, The Lemonade Stand, at the 50th Annual Juno Awards on Sunday, June 6.

The critically acclaimed project was produced by Jay Joyce and released last June via Columbia Nashville in partnership with RCA Records. Townes first effort included “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” and “Somebody’s Daughter,” which both reached No. 1 on the Mediabase Canada chart, making her the first female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve that feat.

“It feels surreal and so exciting to know that people have heard this collection of music and wrapped their arms around it,” shared Townes. “Truly was a dream to make this record and it’s such an honor to get to celebrate this moment with the Canadian music community at the Junos tonight!”

The MusicRow 2020 Next Big Thing Artist, and MusicRow‘s first ever Robert K. Oermann Discovery Artist winner, has had an impressive year following The Lemonade Stand‘s release, including being named New Female Artist of the Year at the 55th ACM Awards and winning three awards at the 2020 Canadian Country Music Awards, making her an eight-time overall winner at the CCMA’s. Townes has also raised over $2 million for charity through her annual Big Hearts For Big Kids fundraiser.

Sam Williams Signs To UMG Nashville

/by

Pictured (L-R): Missi Gallimore (Owner & CEO, T.R.U.T.H. Management), Sam Williams, Cindy Mabe (President, UMG Nashville), Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO, UMG Nashville)

Universal Music Group Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Sam Williams.

Williams, the grandson of country music pioneer Hank Williams and the son of outlaw legend Hank Jr., sings and writes in his own style, fusing gut-wrenching honesty and plainspoken poetics with raw vulnerability and empathy.

“We are so proud and excited that Sam Williams is joining Universal Music Group,” says President of UMG Nashville Cindy Mabe. “His powerful, soulful vocals combine with his introspective storytelling to fully immerse you into Sam’s own life making you feel everything he feels. He’s such a special talent and I believe Sam’s music will help lead country music into its next evolution.”

Williams is set to release his debut album, Glasshouse Children, later this summer. Early releases from the project include “Shuteye,” “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood,” “The World: Alone,” and most recently “10-4,” which have all garnered critical acclaim. Williams also made his national television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in April of this year where he performed “Can’t Fool You Own Blood.”

Linda Martell To Receive Equal Play Award At 2021 CMT Music Awards

/by

Pictured (L-R) Quia Thompson, granddaughter, filmmaker; Linda Martell. Photo: Sean Rayford/2021 CMT Awards/Getty Images for CMT

Country music pioneer Linda Martell will be recognized with the CMT Equal Play Award during the 2021 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday (June 9).

Martell’s legacy started when she released three pop-country singles at the turn of the 1970s, including an unprecedented Top-20 Billboard Hot Country Charts single “Color Him Father” in 1969. She released her debut album Color Him Father in 1970.

Known for being one of the most influential Black female artists in country music history, Martell became the first Black female performer to play the Grand Ole Opry. However, the lack of success for her last debut album single, 1970’s “Bad Case of the Blues,” caused her to be shelved by her label and prohibited from finding a new label willing to release new material. She eventually returned to her home state of South Carolina to raise her family.

Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the now 86-year-old’s career, thanks to exposure given to her story by modern female country artists Maren Morris, Yola, Mickey Guyton, Rhiannon Giddens, and Brittney Spencer. Media professional and artist Rissi Palmer even titled her Apple Music podcast Color Me Country, in tribute to Martell.

Martell’s granddaughter Quia, an independent filmmaker, is currently completing a documentary about her grandmother’s life.

Artists including Guyton, Palmer, Giddens, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, and Jennifer Nettles will congratulate Martell during this year’s awards as CMT highlights her place in music history.

“Linda Martell is a living legend who has influenced so many artists of color, giving them the courage and hope to pursue their dreams and a future reality of Equal Play in country music,” says Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. “Linda embodies the spirit of our ‘Equal Play’ initiative and we are proud to honor her with this prestigious award.”

The CMT Music Awards airs live Wednesday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. central on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT Australia.

Weekly Register: Dierks Bentley Cracks Top 5 On Country Songs Chart

/by

Dierks Bentley. Photo: Jim Wright

Capitol Nashville’s Dierks Bentley has cracked the top five on this week’s top country songs chart and takes the fifth spot with his current radio single “Gone” at 5.7 million streams and 78 million RTD, according to Nielsen.

Luke Combs takes the No. 1 spot on the country song chart for a third consecutive week with “Forever After All” earning 9.8 million streams this week. Gabby Barrett (“The Good Ones”), Eric Church (“Hell Of A View”), and Nelly & FGL (“Lil Bit”) maintain the second, third, and fourth spot this week with 6.9 million, 6.7 million, and 6.4 million streams, respectively.

Morgan Wallen continues his residency at No. 1 on the country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album earning 52K streams this week. His 2018 debut album, If I Know Me, also climbs to No. 4 with 16K streams, according to Nielsen. Combs takes up two spots again this week with What You See Is What You Get (29K) and his 2017 debut album This One’s For You (18K). Rounding out the top five, Blackberry Smoke takes over the fifth position with their new album You Hear Georgia receiving 13K streams.

Flatland Cavalry Announces Welcome To Countryland Tour This Summer

/by

Flatland Cavalry. Photo: Fernando Garci.

Flatland Cavalry is set to release their upcoming album, Welcome to Countryland, on July 2. To celebrate their new music, Flatland Cavalry has also set course for the Welcome To Countryland tour this summer.

As the band hits the road, they will be making stops at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, Austin’s Nutty Brown Café, Denver’s The Grizzly Rose, and Charlotte’s Coyote Joe’s among several others. In addition to the headline run, Flatland Cavalry will also join Luke Combs and Parker McCollum for select dates this year.

The band consists of Cleto Cordero (vocals, acoustic guitar), Jason Albers (drums, background vocals), Jonathan Saenz (bass, background vocals), Reid Dillon (electric guitar), Wesley Hall (fiddle) and Adam Gallegos (piano, keys, mandolin, banjo). Since forming in 2012, Flatland Cavalry has toured across the country, building a passionate grassroots fanbase. In addition to multiple headline runs, they’ve also recently joined artists such as Midland, Hailey Whitters and Jameson Rodgers on the road.

For tickets to see Flatland Cavalry, click here.

Welcome To Countryland Tour Dates:
June 5—Austin, TX—Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatre
June 11—Concan, TX—House Pasture Cattle Company
June 12—Coleman, TX—Coleman Rodeo
June 18—Gonzales, LA—Lamar Dixon Expo Center*
June 19—Stockdale, TX—Watermelon Thump
June 25—Christoval, TX—Cooper’s BBQ
July 2—Orange Beach, AL—The Amphitheatre at the Wharf†
July 3—Orange Beach, AL—The Amphitheatre at the Wharf†
July 4—Orange Beach, AL—The Amphitheatre at the Wharf†
July 9—Bloomington, IN—Bluebird Nightclub
July 10—Fort Laramie, OH—Country Concert
July 11—Alexandria, VA—Birchmere
July 16—Nashville, TN—Marathon Music Works
July 17—Chattanooga, TN—The Signal
July 23—Fredericksburg, TX—Luckenbach Texas
July 24—New Braunfels, TX—River Road Icehouse
July 29—Tucson, AZ—The Rock
July 30—Artesia, NM—Eddy County Fairgrounds
July 31—Dallas, TX—Dos Equis Pavilion*
August 5—Kansas City, MO—Power and Light District
August 6—Seward, NE—Seward Country Fair*
August 7—Columbia, MO—The Blue Note
August 8—Chesterfield, MO—Chesterfield Amphitheater
August 13—Cullman, AL—Rock the South†
August 14—Mobile, AL—Soul Kitchen
August 18—Little Rock, AR—The Rev Room
August 19—Manhattan, KS—The Hat
August 20—Denver, CO—The Grizzly Rose
August 21—Cheyanne, WY—The Lincoln Cheyanne
August 26—Fayetteville, AR—George’s Majestic
August 28—Buda, TX—Buck’s Backyard
September 4—Belton, TX—Bell County Expo Center
September 10—College Station, TX—Hurricane Harry’s
September 15—Stephenville, TX—Larry Joe Taylor Music Fest
September 18—Prior, OK—Born and Raised Festival
September 24—Greenville, SC—Blind Horse Saloon
September 25—Charlotte, NC—Coyote Joe’s
September 30—Wichita, KS—Wichita River Fest
*with Parker McCollum
†with Luke Combs

Luke Bryan Heads Back To The Farm This Fall For Six Shows

/by

Luke Bryan. Photo: Ryan Anderson

Luke Bryan is bringing back his popular Farm Tour for the event’s 12th year since its inception in 2009. The 2021 Farm Tour will run through six farms this fall from Sept. 9-18.

The Georgia native will detour from his headlining tour as he and his team set up stages in the fields of local farmers across six states. Bryan will continue giving back to the farmers in those states by awarding college scholarships to students from farming families who are attending a local college or university near the tour stops. To date, more than 60 scholarships have been granted.

“I think I am more excited about this year’s Farm Tour than any other year,” Bryan shares. “Growing up in a farming family in rural Georgia I know how hard farming can be even on a good year, and how hard those families work–from sun-up to sundown. After the challenges we have all faced in the last year with so many people losing their jobs, struggling to put food on their tables, food supply chains jeopardized, grocery stores struggling to keep food on the shelves in some areas, it is so apparent to me, and I hope everyone, why our farmers are truly the backbone of our country. They never stopped providing for all of us. Ever. It’s time to thank our farmers, once again. It’s going to mean even more to me this year.”

Tickets for the 2021 Farm Tour will go on sale June 11 at 10 a.m. local time at lukebryan.com/FarmTour. Pre-sale tickets for Luke’s Fan Club and fan app are available beginning June 8 at lukebryan.com/all-access-pass.

Farm Tour 2021 Dates:
9/9 – Marshall, WI – Statz Bros. Farm
9/10 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Brown Farms
9/11 – Chillicothe, IL – Three Sisters Park
9/16 – Kingman, IN – Martin Farms
9/17 – Baltimore, OH – Miller Family Farms
9/18 – Fowlerville, MI – Kubiak Family Farms

Jeff Tobias Elevated To Head Of Country Music At ONErpm

/by

Jeff Tobias. Photo: Matt Valluzi

Jeff Tobias has been promoted to the newly-created position of Head of Country Music at ONErpm.

Los Angeles native Tobias moved to Nashville in 2014, gaining industry experience at CAA Nashville and later as a manager at ROAR before joining the A&R team at ONErpm in 2018. Tobias has been instrumental in the recent rise of numbers, streams and success of artists Chevel Shepherd, Brit Taylor, Ian McConnell, Trey Lewis, and Taylor Acorn.

“We’re excited to see this well-earned promotion and added duties given to Jeff,” says Ken Madson, GM, ONErpm. “His ear for talent and deep understanding of the music landscape make him the perfect fit for our growing presence in Nashville.”

“ONErpm has grown significantly since I’ve been with the company,” Tobias notes. “With the additions to our country marketing team, expansion of specialists and services we now offer our artists, it’s an exciting time to be working with ONErpm, and I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role.”

Chris Tomlin Celebrates Summer With New EP, 13-City Amphitheater Tour

/by

Chris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein

Chris Tomlin is releasing the Chris Tomlin & Friends: Summer EP on July 2, a follow-up to his successful 2020 Chris Tomlin & Friends album.

Chris Tomlin & Friends has racked up over 150 million global streams, had two songs featured in Spotify’s Viral 50, and included his second longest-running No. 1,“Who You Are To Me” featuring Lady A which spent six consecutive weeks at the top of the charts and debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The new EP coming this summer will feature a host of superstar collaborations which will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Tomlin also announced a 13-city amphitheater tour starting Aug. 13 with Kari Jobe, Bethel Music, and special guest Cody Carnes. Tickets for the tour, which will run through Detroit, Austin, Charlotte, Jacksonville and more through September 3, are on sale to the public starting June 11 at 10 a.m. local time at christomlin.com.

“As we are coming out of this unique moment in history, my prayer for everyone as they listen to these songs is that they feel encouraged, uplifted, and be reminded that ‘the greatest of these is love’,” shares Tomlin. “It is with great anticipation that we head into this summer with the announcement of the tour and the upcoming release of the EP, knowing that it’s going to be filled with new memories and powerful encounters with the living God.

“Over the last year I’ve come to realize that I have taken for granted the ability to gather together as the church in worship,” he continues. “To not only worship outside amidst God’s creation but to do it alongside some of the most influential worship leaders in the church right now is something I am honored to be a part of. This is truly going to be a moment of impact and one we will never forget.”