Josh Ross Leads CCMA Awards Nominations With Six Nods

Pictured (clockwise): Josh Ross, Tenille Townes, Dallas Smith, The Reklaws

Josh Ross leads this year’s Canadian Country Music Association Awards nominations with six nods, while The Reklaws, Dallas Smith and Tenille Townes follow with five nominations each.

Returning to Hamilton for the seventh time, the 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD showcases and celebrates some of Canada’s biggest stars and homegrown talent. Winners will be announced on Sept. 16 as the awards are broadcast live from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app.

Ross leads the pack with six nominations, including a nod for TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year. Tenille Townes is nominated for TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award, Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year and Video of the Year. The Reklaws are up for TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award, Album of the Year, Musical Collaboration of the Year, Single of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year. Smith is nominated for TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award, Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Musical Collaboration of the Year and Video of the Year.

Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson and Tim & The Glory Boys each garnered four nominations this year.

Townes, Smith, Eagleson, James Barker Band, Sam Hunt and rock band Train have been added to the star-studded list of performers set to take the stage at the 2023 CCMA Awards. They join the previously announced performers The Reklaws, Ross, Brody and Carly Pearce.

Chosen by country music lovers across Canada, the fan-driven TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award nominees were also announced today and include Brody, Eagleson, James Barker Band, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Brett Kissel, The Reklaws, Ross, Smith and Townes. Voting for the TD Aeroplan Visa Fans’ Choice Award is now open, and fans can vote online by visiting ccmafanvote.com or by using the appropriate hashtag on Twitter.

“This year’s group of 2023 CCMA Award nominees is a testament to the strength and quality of country music in Canada,” says Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “Returning to Hamilton, a city that has welcomed us so many times before, is truly exciting, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone during Canada’s biggest night in country music. None of this would be possible without the commitment of our wonderful sponsors—Bell Media, TD Bank Group (TD), TD Aeroplan Visa, and SiriusXM. Your support is invaluable, and we wouldn’t be able to honour the achievements of our country music community without it.”

Dan + Shay Return With New Album ‘Bigger Houses’ Set For Fall

Dan + Shay are gearing up for a new era with their upcoming album, Bigger Houses. The project was co-produced by the duo’s Dan Smyers and will release Sept. 15 via Warner Music Nashville.

The leadoff single “Save Me The Trouble” is the first offering from the new project, which was created following a turbulent few years that was kept private until the recent surprise release of The Drive, a revelatory short film in which Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney offer up a soul-baring recap of the struggles and triumphs they faced privately behind closed doors.

“Save Me The Trouble” showcases a more live, stripped-down feel for the duo. “I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a song that I am this one,” says Smyers. “We wanted to have something that was a real moment, and when we started writing this, it felt like it could be something big. I wanted every section to build, and even in the second chorus, when you’re like, ‘Okay, there’s no way it could possibly get any crazier,’ then Shay takes off even further.”

The duo also released two more new songs from Bigger Houses, “Heartbreak On The Map” and title track “Bigger Houses”—along with videos for all three.

“Some of our records have been more pop- or hip-hop/R&B-infused,” Smyers shares, “But on this record, I wanted to make tracks that we could hop up at any bar anywhere with our live band and play the songs as they were recorded. Ultimately, this music, this whole album, is something that I’ll be able to look back on in a decade or two and be really proud of the way it turned out.”

Dan + Shay will be sharing a couple of the new tracks live next Friday (July 21) as part of this summer’s Citi Concert Series on Today. They were also recently announced as coaches for season 25 of NBC’s The Voice, and will join Reba McEntire, John Legend and Chance the Rapper in Spring 2024 as the first-ever coaching duo in the show’s history.

In the 10 years since they formed, Dan + Shay have garnered more than 11 billion career streams globally, multiple international No. 1s, and 49 Platinum and Gold certifications in the U.S. alone.

Bigger Houses Track Listing:
1. “Breakin’ Up With a Broken Heart” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley
2. “Save Me The Trouble” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds
3. “Heartbreak On The Map” – Dan Smyers, Jimmy Robbins, Ernest Keith Smith
4. “Always Gonna Be” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds
5. “For The Both of Us” – Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds
6. “Then Again” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Lori McKenna, Jordan Reynolds
7. “Heaven + Back” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson
8. “What Took You So Long” – Dan Smyers, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, Jimmy Robbins
9. “Missing Someone” – Trannie Anderson, Adam Doleac, Dylan Guthro, Gordie Sampson
10. “We Should Get Married” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert
11. “Neon Cowgirl” – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley
12. “Bigger Houses” – Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds

Carly Pearce To Sing National Anthem At Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Carly Pearce. Photo: Allister Ann

Grammy Award-winning songwriter Carly Pearce is slated to sing the National Anthem at the third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT IndyCar Series race on Sunday, Aug. 6 in Nashville. Pearce will perform her stunning rendition of the National Anthem LIVE at 11:11am CST prior to the race.

The announcement comes at an exciting time for the Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) artist who recently released her acclaimed new single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton. Pearce was one of the headlining acts at the 2022 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix alongside BMLG artist Brantley Gilbert.

This year, the grand prix will feature performances from Brian Kelley, Chris Janson, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, Gavin DeGraw, Flo Rida, Jay DeMarcus, Jason Crabb, Consumed By Fire, Cade Thompson, Iveth Luna and Tim Dugger.

Tickets for the Big Machine MCGP are still available including three-day tickets and premium packages, providing the greatest value and access to all on-track activities featuring the NTT IndyCar Series and concerts each night.

Brothers Osborne Slate New Self-Titled Album For September

Brothers Osborne

Brothers Osborne are gearing up for the release of their upcoming fourth studio album, an 11-song self-titled project available Sept. 15 via EMI Records Nashville. The duo shared a track from the new project, “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet,” today.

The brothers enlisted Mike Elizondo to produce the new collection, which features a collaboration with Miranda Lambert on “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up,” as well as their chart-climbing current single “Nobody’s Nobody,” which was penned with Elizondo and Kendell Marvel and captures a message of inclusion and acceptance.

“We’ve always had a lot of mystery intentionally around the things we have done, but with this album, we decided to be all in,” says TJ Osborne. “And doing that reminded me of what it was like when I first started playing music, when it was an outlet for my angst or just a way to have fun.”

John Osborne adds, “Since our last record, we’ve been very forthcoming with who we are. By acknowledging TJ’s personal life and my mental health struggles, we are more ourselves creatively and publicly than we’ve ever been.”

Brothers Osborne will celebrate the album release with four newly-announced shows in October, performing in New York City, L.A., Washington D.C. and Nashville. Tickets for New York and Los Angeles are on sale now, and tickets for Washington D.C. and Nashville will be available to The Family, the Brothers Osborne fan club, as an exclusive presale on July 18. General on-sale will begin on Friday, July 21.

Brothers Osborne Track Listing:
1. “Who Says You Can’t Have Everything” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard)
2. “Nobody’s Nobody” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Mike Elizondo, Kendell Marvel)
3. “Might As Well Be Me” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder, Julian Bunetta)
4. “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder)
5. “Goodbye’s Kickin’ In” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller, Mike Elizondo)
6. “Love You Too” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
7. “New Bad Habit” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
8. “We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert)
9. “Back Home” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
10. “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jaren Johnston, Lee Miller)
11. “Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day)” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jamie Hartman)

Kane Brown Tops The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Bury Me In Georgia’

Kane Brown‘s “Bury Me In Georgia” is at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week.

Brown co-wrote the anthemic hit with Matt McGinn, Jordan Schmidt and Josh Hoge. It appears on his third studio album, Different Man, which also contains hits “Like I Love Country Music,” “One Mississippi” and “Thank God” with Katelyn Brown.

“Bury Me In Georgia” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 10 on the Mediabase chart.

Brown recently headlined Boston’s Fenway Park, becoming the first Black artist to headline the historic ball park solo.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Olivia Lane Gets Morning Show On SiriusXM’s The Message [Exclusive]

Olivia Lane

Singer-songwriter and TikTok star Olivia Lane will be joining SiriusXM as the host of The Olivia Lane Show on the Contemporary Christian channel, The Message.

The Nashville-based artist is known for documenting her transformation from a non-believer to a faithful follower and has a string of viral TikTok posts discussing her story.

The Olivia Lane Show will air Monday through Friday starting July 17 from 5 a.m.-11 a.m. CT on The Message (Channel 63) and anytime on the SXM App. Throughout the show, Lane plans to share songs and stories of encouragement along with the faith, hope and music, as it relates to her own journey that began five years ago.

The Message was the first to break her song “Woman at the Well,” and followed with heavy on-air rotation of the tune. Lane was also named as the channel’s One to Watch in 2022.

Parmalee Celebrates 10 Years Of Opry Appearances

Pictured (L-R): JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Jenn Tressler (Opry), Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Scott Thomas; Matt Thomas; and Opry’s Jordan Petit and Dan Rogers. Photo: David Fanning

Parmalee celebrated a decade of Grand Ole Opry appearances last night (July 12) with a three-song set for the Opry crowd and a heartwarming dedication.

The band opened with their current hit “Girl In Mine,” followed by Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022 “Take My Name,” before closing with their first No. 1 smash, “Carolina.” Formed in 2001, the band includes brothers Matt (lead singer) and Scott Thomas, cousin Barry Knox and childhood friend Josh McSwain.

“You guys changed our lives with this next song, and I got to tell you a little story about it first,” Matt said of “Carolina” from the Opry stage. “We went in the studio to record the first version of this song and our ‘buddy’ who was helping us out with the money, wrote us a check to pay the studio bill, but the check bounced. So, we owed the studio guy $11,000 and the only person I felt comfortable asking to help was my mom.

“She took out a second mortgage on her little three-bedroom house and wrote a check to cover the bill. And here’s the kicker, one of those songs was ‘Carolina.’ So, we paid her back plus 20% and new car so here’s to all the momma’s and daddy’s out there supporting your babies and your dreamers y’all! I want to dedicate this to my mom!”

Following their Opry appearance, the band headed west for a weekend of shows.

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Welcomes Two New Staffers

Ed Schulte, Katherine Palmer

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has added two new staffers. Katherine Palmer has been appointed Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement, and Ed Schulte has joined the museum as Director of Facilities.

Prior to joining the museum, Palmer most recently held the position of Curator of Education at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. She holds a doctor of musical arts degree, a master of arts in ethnomusicology and a master of music from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

In her new role, Palmer will oversee the cultural institution’s educational offerings for school, family, community and volunteer and intern populations, encompassing over 1,200 programs that serve more than 120,000 people annually. She manages the Taylor Swift Education Center, which includes three classrooms, interactive galleries and distance learning studios. Palmer also supports the museum’s education council, which is composed of board members and community experts in education, music and  equity initiatives, who advise on programming in service to diverse audiences.

Schulte formerly worked as Director of Facilities for Nickelodeon Studios Orlando and most recently served in the same role at the Nashville Zoo since 2018. He brings over 35 years of facilities management experience to the museum. In his new role, he will oversee operating systems for the museum’s more than 350,000-square-foot building, which houses gallery and collection storage spaces, retail and restaurant establishments and event and office facilities. His management oversight includes maintenance and facility improvements for the institution and its systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and more.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Hannah Dasher Creates A ‘Fabulous Sonic Slab’

Hannah Dasher. Photo: Jeremy Ryan

Is it just me, or is there more new blood in country music than ever these days?

Vying for our attention this week are such up-and-comers as Ashley Cooke, Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, War Hippies, Hannah Dasher, Dylan Marlowe and Elvie Shane. The Disc of the Day contenders are Cooke, Shane, Chase Rice, Lukas Nelson & Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt and our winner, Hannah Dasher.

We have no actual newcomers today, but I would like to point out the presence of at least three previous DisCovery Award winners—Nate Smith, War Hippies and Hannah Dasher.

CHASE RICE / “Bad Day to Be a Cold Beer”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase Rice/John Byron/Justin Thomas; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: BBR
– Announcing THE drinking song of 2023. This rollicking romper is a working man’s anthem, a party-hearty banger and a kick-butt production all wrapped up in hillbilly delight. Turn it up.

NATE SMITH / “World On Fire”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Lindsay Rimes/Nate Smith/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Arista Nashville
– The metaphor doesn’t really work for me, but even if the lyrics are nonsense, this is a spectacularly charismatic vocal performance. The track is molten-rock hot.

HANNAH DASHER / “(I’m the One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like”
Writers: Hannah Dasher/Brandon Hood/Wynn Varble; Producers: none listed; Label: HD
– Witty, bluesy and twanging. She takes the new girlfriend aside to let her know just how intimately she knows the boy on this unreleased track. A fabulous sonic slab. I remain a massive fan.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Dirt Road When I Die”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Downbeat, borderline depressing and a little confusing. Okay, after we take you down that dirt road, what do you want us to do with your body? Bury it? Burn it? Leave it out in the sun in the back of that pickup truck?

ASHLEY COOKE / “Your Place”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music
– This lady sure can write ‘em and sing ‘em. This track from her forthcoming (July 21) debut album sets some definite boundaries for her ex. Her current situation is none of his damn bizness. This is an artist you need to be listening to.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Pretty Little Poison”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Jared Keim/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Records
– This is his upcoming album’s title tune and lead single. He sings it with passion, but the track drags and the song’s tone is unrelentingly monochromatic.

LUKAS NELSON & POTR WITH LAINEY WILSON / “More Than Friends”
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producers: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real; Label: 6 Ace Records
– His Sticks and Stones album drops tomorrow and the record-release party is tonight at The Nashville Palace. This track from it is a boatload of pleasure—two great voices, one funky country band and a hearty, good-time song. What’s not to love? Lukas gets better and better with each release, and Lainey blends with him perfectly as the icing on this cake. A breezy summer outing.

DIAMOND RIO / “The Kick”
Writers: Carson McKee/Dana Williams/Daniel Thomas Truman/James W. Olander/Marty Roe/Micah Schweinsberg; Producer: James W. Olander; Label: Rio Hot Records
– An instrumental! This is a country category that seems to have died years ago, but leave it to Diamond Rio to revive it with this sizzling jam. Drummer Brian Prout and multi-instrumentalist Gene Johnson have retired after 33 years in the band. Their replacements, Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee, more than keep pace with group mainstays Dan Truman (keyboards), Jimmy Olander (lead guitar), Dana Williams (bass) and Marty Roe (rhythm guitar) on this lively outing. A welcome return.

GIRLS NEXT DOOR / “What’s This Thing You’ve Got About Leaving”
Writers: TW Hale/Roger Murrah; Producers: TW Hale/Tom Harding; Label: Girls Next Door Music
– After an absence of 30+ years, Cindy Nixon Psanos, Diane Williams Austin, Tammy Stephens Smith and Doris King Merritt have reunited as the Girls Next Door. The quartet initially made some noise with a flurry of singles on MTM Records in the late ‘80s. The group’s comeback single is a lively, bopping, good-vibes ditty that vividly shows that their creamy harmony blend is as flawless as ever. Nicely done, all around.

SAM HUNT / “Outskirts”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers/Josh Osborne; Producers: Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– Regret, nostalgia, reflection and mourning for the love he threw away. Singing with the throttle wide open, Hunt has seldom sounded better. The song displays very classy craftsmanship. Totally a winner.

WAR HIPPIES / “The Hangman”
Writers: Donald E. Reis III/Scoot Edward Brown; Producer: Donnie Reis; Label: War Hippies
– This is a duo of military combat vets. The song is a haunting western-outlaw ballad about two lovers who are strung up, side-by-side. Complete with gunshot and galloping-horse sound effects. Imaginative, indeed.

ELVIE SHANE / “Baptized”
Writers: Elvie Shane/Dan Couch/Luke Preston/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Simmering with gospel passion, this ode to a deep and sensuous love is downright riveting. Shane is one of our most talented and distinctive newcomers. Lend the “My Boy” singer your ears once again.

Chuck Rhodes & Dr. Glenn Toby Launch The Entertainment Alliance

Pictured (L-R): Chuck Rhodes, Dr. Glenn Toby. Photo: BMR Photography LLC

Chuck Rhodes and Dr. Glenn Toby have launched The Entertainment Alliance, a new full-service, multi-genre entertainment company headquartered in Nashville.

Headed up by Rhodes (CEO) and Dr. Toby (President), TEA will include an in-house label with global distribution via The Orchard, as well as management, publishing, booking and label services including social media and public relations.

TEA will also broker select movies, TV series, documentaries and subscription video-on-demand products. TEA’s A&R services are based in New York, with a satellite office in Atlanta. Flagship artists will be announced soon with an inaugural project release scheduled for later this year.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Rhodes migrated to L.A. in the ’70s where he began his career as a keyboard player, working with Cher, Ray Charles and many more. Returning to the Lone Star state in the ’80s, he transitioned to radio and was part of the team that made KVIL the No. 1 A/C station in America. He then moved to Nashville to work with Irving Azoff and Jimmy Bowen at MCA Records. In 1990, he helped develop Giant Records with producer James Stroud and promotion executive Nick Hunter. The team went on to produce seven No. 1 singles with Clay Walker and launch the career of the late Daryle Singletary, who Rhodes worked with for 25 years. Rhodes has also worked with Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels and the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. He currently also helms his production company, On the Rhodes Entertainment, and his record label/distribution company in partnership with Bob Frank Entertainment.

As founder/CEO of Glenn Toby Enterprises, Dr. Toby shepherds an international holding corporation with extensive ties in the real estate, technology, entertainment and sports communities. The list of artists, actors and athletes that the New York native has worked with include LL Cool J, Positive K, Rapper Saigon, Lance Reddick, Swizz Beatz, Damion Hall of Guy, actor Jason Mitchell, “Queen of House” Barbara Tucker, David Banner, and more. A noted philanthropist, Dr. Toby is also founder of The Book Bank Foundation which promotes literacy. Raised in Queens, Dr. Toby worked hard to overcome multiple challenges including homelessness. Over the years, his career expanded to encompass promoting, producing, contract negotiation, public speaking engagements and authoring books. He’s been honored with The Harvard Outstanding Man of the Year Vanguard Award, The National Urban League Leadership and Achievement Award, The Princeton University Excellence Award and has received the Congressional Proclamation of Honor.

“As we move forward with this new company, I am proudly and respectfully standing on the shoulders of those who have mentored me along the way, all legendary in their own right,” says Rhodes. “Jimmy Bowen, Nick Hunter, James Stroud, Shelia Shipley Biddy and Bob Frank just to name a few. These men and women have inspired, taught, and prepared me to take on a leadership role in this business of music and entertainment we all love.”

“Rhodes is the Clive Davis of the South whether it’s country, southern blues or soul and I’ve been involved in hip-hop, pop, R&B and dance,” explains Dr. Toby. “We don’t care about age, race or genre; we’re bringing everybody in. The fuel for this new venture is two music industry veterans that have written, arranged, produced, performed, advised and discovered talent in our more than 40 years of combined experience. We’ve been behind the curtains for so long that it’s time to come to the forefront.”