Keith Bryant

/by

“The Note”
Jordash Records
I have always liked this guy’s singing, and I’ve always been a sucker for story songs. His clear phrasing is just right for this tale of old lovers reconnecting in the wake of her father’s passing.
—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Keith Bryant has returned with his moving single “The Note,” which is going for adds April 5 and will be available on iTunes March 15. Bryant has partnered with Nashville-based Jordash Records for the release. At Country Radio Seminar 2011, Bryant’s new music earned rave reviews from many programmers.
The Virginia-born artist grew up performing in church, and won numerous singing competitions with his vocal ability. His talent eventually reached Lofton Creek’s Mike Borchetta, who released singles such as “Ridin’ With The Legend” back in 2004. Bryant followed that up with the album Live It Slow, which featured the single “Beautiful Liar.”
http://jordashrecords.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/10194802/kbrnt-tnte.mp3″ text=”Keith Bryant – The Note” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Rachel Holder

/by

“Chocolate”
All Entertainment
Rachel Holder’s debut single, “Chocolate” displays a young lady with a thirst for originality and a creative streak a mile wide. Her debut album is in the works, and she has teamed up with industry veterans Chuck Howard and Wilbur Rimes to take the next step. The song is available for download now on Play MPE.
The 18 year old Holder is a fearless performer who started early, splitting time between school in Chattanooga and theater shows in Pigeon Forge, TN. By the time she had attained her driver’s license she had over 800 Broadway-style shows to her credit, and decided to make the move to Nashville.
“I’ve already learned that it takes more than a few good songs to make it in Nashville,” says Holder. “These days, I don’t think that there’s any one formula for success, necessarily, but I know you have to have faith in yourself, passion for the music and a serious will to succeed. And great songs!”
http://www.rachelholder.com/
Contact info:
Lynne Connolly
PCL Music
lynne@pclmusic.com
Christy Watkins
Aristo P.R.
christy@aristomedia.com
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/10194924/rhldr-choc.mp3″ text=”Rachel Holder – Chocolate” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

2011 CRS Edition—On The Cover Blake Shelton

/by

Click Here to Order the 2011 CRS

Blake Shelton

Label: Warner Bros. Records
Current Album: Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton
Current Single/Video: “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
Current Producer: Scott Hendricks
Hometown: Ada, Oklahoma
Management: Starstruck Management Group
Booking: William Morris Endeavour
Recent Hits: “All About Tonight,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” and “Home”
Awards: CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year; ACA for Music Video of the Year and Music Video: Male; ACM Award for Vocal Event of the Year; and CMT Award for Collaborative Video of the Year
Special TV/Film Appearances: Co-hosting the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (April 3rd)
Birthdate: June 18, 1976
Interesting Facts: I love “Words with Friends” on my iPhone; I’ve only ever owned trucks; I love log furniture and I have had three pet raccoons.
Outside Interests: Hunting; Gardening – growing watermelon, squash, sweet corn and potted tomatoes.
Musical Influences: Earl Thomas Conley, Bellamy Brothers, Conway Twitty, John Conlee
Favorite Record: Somewhere Between Right & Wrong (Earl Thomas Conley)
Things have never looked better for the young man who left Ada, Oklahoma, at 17 to pursue a career in Nashville. The going was slow initially, but Blake Shelton finally signed with Warner Bros. and launched with an impressive debut. Now, with his first ACM, CMA and CMT Award wins in 2010, the release of two SIX PACKS, a greatest hits album and his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, Shelton is on his best roll yet.
The SIX PAKS are two of Shelton’s most recent CD’s, innovative ways to get music into the hands of his fans more often. The first, Hillbilly Bone, included a title track that sped to the No. 1 spot on the singles charts and won Shelton three major awards including Vocal Event of the Year from the Academy of Country Music; Musical Event of the Year from the Country Music Awards; and the Collaborative Video of the Year (with his partner in crime Trace Adkins) from CMT. His follow-up release, All About Tonight, debuted at No. 1 on the SoundScan Top Country Albums chart and No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, making it Shelton’s highest charting record-to-date.
In his third 2010 release, Shelton pulled out his first ever greatest hits album with, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton, which debuted in the Top 10 on the SoundScan Top Country Albums charts. The release added Shelton to an elite group of artists who have charted three records in one year–among those are Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson.
Shelton is making music that is resonating with a wide and rowdy country audience. He’s also exploring new ways to connect with fans via social networking. His irreverent, edgy, timely and hilarious tweets have become the talk of fans and industry alike. At a time when economics and political correctness are putting a squeeze on the average blue-collar American, he is holding aloft a bright torch of freedom, fun and music.
“The crowds are great,” he says, flashing his characteristic grin, “but, then again, we’re there for the same reason—to have a great time and share music that tells our stories and celebrates our lives.”

Jessica Ridley

/by

“Flaming Red”
Executive/Universal/Nine North
“Flaming Red” is the debut single for Executive Music artist Jessica Ridley. To help country radio promotion efforts, Ridley has teamed up with Nashville’s Nine North Records.
“Flaming Red” is from Ridley’s debut album Fit To Be Tied, which features 13 tracks showcasing her distinctive vocal style. Jessica co-wrote four of the songs, and other writers represented on the album are James Dean Hicks (Kenny Chesney), Bob Carlisle (“Butterfly Kisses”), Jeff Silvey (George Strait), Billy Simon (Mark Wills) and Bill Champlin (former frontman for the group Chicago), among others. Producer Chris Omartian also contributed.
Ridley grew up in western Canada, where she dreamt of becoming a country singer. While her friends were listening to whatever was popular on the radio, Jessica was listening to George Strait, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and Martina McBride. She will soon relocate to Nashville, but admits the balancing act has helped inspire her.
“Success to me is getting to do what I love and making a living at it,” she says. “People ask me all the time how I do it, and I tell them, ‘When you’re doing what you’re meant to be doing, it gives you energy instead of taking it away.’ Singing gives me so much joy. It’s something I love and I’ve always loved. I’m just so excited that now I can do it as a career.”
http://www.jessicaridley.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195003/jrid-flrd.mp3″ text=”Jessica Ridley – Flaming Red” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Rascal Flatts, Turner & Nichols Part Ways

/by

After a decade of doing business together, Rascal Flatts and their management team of Trey Turner and Doug Nichols at Turner Nichols & Associates have decided to part ways.
“We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family,” the band said in a prepared statement. “And we have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the work that we’ve done together over the past ten years.”
“The Flatts are great guys and will always be part of our family as well,” said Turner and Nichols in a press release. “We wish them nothing but the best.”
All business pertaining to Rascal Flatts moving forward can be directed to Rascal Flatts Entertainment at 615-772-5466 or info@rascalflattsent.com.

Leah Seawright

/by

“On The Backroads”
Skytone Records
Leah invites friends in radio to join her for a special performance during CRS on Wednesday, March 2, at 10 pm in the Renaissance Hotel’s Fisk Room.
Leah Seawright’s “On The Backroads,” which she co-wrote with producer Frank Green, is the tale of young and rebellious love set to a driving beat. The song appears on her album Country Girl 101, on which she wrote or co-wrote all but one song.
“This comes from a very true place,” says Seawright. “I went through those wild teenage years of sneaking out and being in love. My life’s an open book in these songs.”
A native of Fort Payne, Alabama, Seawright grew up in a musical family and eventually gained the confidence to start singing for a local band. She worked numerous jobs during the week, and sang for a little extra money on the weekends.
In 2004 she won a local singing contest, which introduced her to producer and frequent co-writer Frank Green. She also added another notable Fort Payne native to her band–Alabama drummer Mark Herndon. After hearing her music in the studio, Herndon came out of retirement to drum for her, even adding his work to her album.
“It’s just been a roller coaster,” says Seawright. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve always been a glass-half-full gal.”
http://www.leahseawright.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195059/ls-otb-20311.mp3″ text=”Leah Seawright – On The Backroads” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Jacob Lyda

/by

“I’m Doin’ Alright”
Davis Music Group/Nine North
Davis Music Group’s singer/songwriter Jacob Lyda’s debut single, “I’m Doing Alright” has been released to country radio and is going for adds. Nine North Records has been tapped to oversee radio promotion initiatives.
Showcasing Lyda’s traditional honky-tonk vocal style, “I’m Doing Alright” was written by Lyda and Paul Overstreet (“Love Can Build A Bridge” “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” “Forever and Ever Amen”). Lyda’s upcoming debut album is being co-produced by Brent Maher (The Judds, Shelby Lynne, Kathy Mattea).
Originally from a small town in the northeast corner of Alabama, Lyda learned to play guitar in his teens and had joined a band by the time he was 16. He arrived in Nashville in 2006 and secured regular performance spots at The Nashville Palace and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Lyda’s friend, songwriter David Chamberlain introduced him to the people at Texas-based Davis Music Group.
Lyda’s path has been filled with many twists and turns, including a few years in an Alabama carpet mill. But some dreams refuse to die, and his passion for music has been a constant. Or, in his own words, “Music chose me. I didn’t choose it.”
http://www.jacoblyda.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195100/jl-ida-20311.mp3″ text=”Jacob Lyda – I’m Doin’ Alright” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Colt Ford

/by

“Country Thang”

Average Joes Entertainment
Colt Ford will be playing at MusicRow’s Annual CRS Meet & Greet Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm at Cadillac Ranch.
Colt Ford’s latest offering “Country Thang” is the title track to his upcoming album. He penned the song with the white-hot writing trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip (Blake Shelton’s “All AboutTonight,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me”)
Ford’s unique party-starting hybrid of country-rock and hip-hop, combined with a high-energy live show, has catapulted him into a celebrated indie star. Originally from Athens, GA, the former pro-golfer turned artist built a massive following through relentless touring, eventually selling over 150k units of his debut Rollin’ Through The Country. His sophomore album Chicken & Biscuits hit No. 8 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 2010 and features an all-star list of collaborators like Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, DMC (of Run DMC), James Otto and more. The artist says the key to his success has been in bringing something real to his shows and recordings.
“I tried to write songs I would like and that I thought people like me would like,” he offers. “I wrote about things they know about, and I can’t tell you how often someone will say, ‘Are you from my home town?’ I’ll say no and they’ll say, ‘You must be, because you write about exactly who we are and what we do.’ That’s the connection. I just tried to be honest and real, and this is what happened. They know I’m one of them.”
http://www.coltford.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/cfct13111.mp3″ text=”Colt Ford – Country Thang” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Joanna Smith

/by

Joanna Smith will be playing at MusicRow’s Annual CRS Meet & Greet Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm at Cadillac Ranch.
Joanna Smith is releasing her new single, “Georgia Mud,” which she co-wrote with Jim McCormick and Aaron Scherz. The song will appear on her upcoming debut album for Columbia Nashville.
“Aaron had the line about ‘bare feet hanging off the tire swing’ and he had that thump, thump, thump beat and I loved it,” says Smith of the song’s inception, “but I was trying to think of a nice way to tell him, I didn’t know if I should write this song because I have so many Georgia songs. I was trying to think in my head how to politely divert his attention from that title and then he started kind of playing me a little riff that he had and I said ‘okay let’s write it!’ It bumped another Georgia song off this record.”
Smith was raised on a farm in tiny Crestview unincorporated, Georgia, and proudly displays her rural roots in songs like “Farm Girl” and “Gettin’ Married.” After arriving in Nashville, she honed her live performance chops in front of the rowdy nighttime crowds at legendary Broadway hang Tootsie’s. The music that Smith is recording is an authentic extension of her rural upbringing and the sounds that inspire her.
“I write like I talk,” Smith says. “It’s just the way that I express myself and the most honest I can be. Songs that have a true story inspiring them are the songs that reach people. I play them and I watch the crowd. I see what they react to and that helps me write better songs.”
http://www.joannasmithofficial.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/10195118/js-gm12711.mp3″ text=”Joanna Smith – Georgia Mud” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Carter's Chord

/by

“A Little Less Comfortable”
Show Dog-Universal
Sister trio Carter’s Chord (Emily, Joanna, and Becky Robertson) is releasing its new single “A Little Less Comfortable.” The song was written by Emily and Joanna with Phillip White and tells the story of someone longing to return a more exciting, unpredictable time in a relationship.
The music of Carter’s Chord is steeped in tradition. The sisters were born into a musical family– their father was a pianist, producer, string arranger and their mother a singer, who both toured and recorded with Waylon Jennings during the height of the Outlaw movement.
After signing to Toby Keith’s Show Dog-Universal label, Carter’s Chord released the 2008 singles “Young Love” and “Different Breed.” The group has spent the last several months working on a new record with Toby Keith and Mark Wright.
“We’ve been spending the better part of this year in creative mode, living in the studio and immersing ourselves in writing,” says Becky. “We could not be more proud of the music we are turning out. It has been exciting to work in the studio with heavy hitters like Toby Keith and Mark Wright. This is the real Carter’s Chord; it’s the music we’ve always wanted to make.”
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/10195142/cc-allc.mp3″ text=”Carter’s Chord – A Little Less Comfortable” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]