UTA Signs Graham Barham

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Pictured (L-R): UTA’s Jack Arnett, Haley Fairman, Kyle Levinsohn, Fngrprnt’s Dillon Goldberg, Graham Barham, UTA’s Lauren Holland, Lolo McClusky and Curt Motley. Photo: Navid Sharbatdar for UTA

Singer-songwriter Graham Barham has signed with UTA for worldwide representation in all areas. Barham also recently inked a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Cornman Music.

Born and raised in the rural Louisiana village of Oak Ridge, Barham grew up on his family’s farm and started singing in church at a young age. He taught himself to play guitar and was writing songs by the age of 10, mining inspiration from artists like George Strait as well as heavy hitters in the pop world.

Barham moved to Nashville at 18 to pursue a songwriting career. His debut project, produced primarily by Will Bundy, includes his breakout single, “Preachers Need People” and “Beer By My Bed,” a slow-burning, gritty portrait of post-blackout regret.

The rising 24-year-old artist will make his first CMA Fest appearance June 9 on the Hard Rock Stage.

Turnpike Troubadours To Return With New Album ‘A Cat In The Rain’

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Turnpike Troubadours. Photo: David McClister

Turnpike Troubadours will release their new album, A Cat in the Rain, on Aug. 25 via Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers.

On the tracks, “Mean Old Sun,” is available now, along with its music video directed by Sterlin Harjo and filmed at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom.

Produced by Shooter Jennings, A Cat in the Rain marks a long-awaited return for the band following their self-imposed hiatus in 2019. With these ten new songs, the band renews with a fresh perspective on their authentic songwriting and signature foot-stomping sound fans have come to know and love.

Pioneers of the Red Dirt music scene, Turnpike Troubadours has amassed more than 1.5 billion global streams and over 1.28 million equivalent units sold to-date. Originally from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, members of group include Evan Felker (vocals, guitar), Kyle Nix (fiddle), Ryan Engleman (electric guitar), RC Edwards (bass), Gabe Pearson (drums) and Hank Early (accordion).

The band is slated to headline shows at New York’s Beacon Theater, Washington D.C.’s The Anthem, Los Angeles’ Greek Theater and more, including two nights Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and three nights at Fort Worth’s Billy Bob’s this fall. They will also perform at the Newport Folk Festival, Born & Raised Music Festival, Memphis Mempho Music Festival and Darius Rucker’s Riverfront Revival Music Festival.

A Cat In The Rain Track Listing:
1. “Mean Old Sun”
2. “Brought Me”
3. “Lucille”
4. “Chipping Mill”
5. “The Rut”
6. “A Cat in the Rain”
7. “Black Sky”
8. “Easy Side Love Song (Bottoms Up)”
9. “Three More Days”
10. “Won’t You Give Me One More Chance”

Industry Ink: Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, ‘Hope & Healing for Heroes,’ Mitchell Tenpenny

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Carrie Underwood, Ludacris Celebrate Double Platinum Like Champs

Pictured (L-R): Carrie Underwood, Ludacris. Photo Courtesy of Carrie Underwood.

Global superstars Carrie Underwood and Ludacris reunited Thursday night (May 4) at Bridgestone Arena to celebrate their hit collaboration “The Champion” earning its RIAA Double Platinum certification. Underwood penned the track with Brett James, Chris DeStefano, and Christopher Bridges (aka Ludacris). Produced by Jim Jonsin, the song was used for NBC’s Super Bowl LII and their 2018 Olympic Winter Games coverage. The event anthem quickly hit No. 1 in 10 countries including the U.S.

Underwood and Ludacris also released a poignant and powerful montage music video for “The Champion. Directed by Jimmy Lynch, it featured a behind-the-scenes look at the pair recording the song. The video also showed historic moments highlight professional athletes and everyday champions. Fans launched a trend sharing their own champion-inspired photos and videos on social media using #TheChampion.

 

Kane Brown Team Celebrates Stagecoach Victory

Pictured (L-R): Taylor Sowers, Nicole Marinake, Parker Stacey, Jeff Rizzo, Meg Kehoe, Martha Earls (Neon Coast), Kane Brown, Dennis Reese, Olivia Laster, Larry Santiago, Nikki Boon (Neon Coast) and Meghan Reich at Stagecoach 2023. Photo: Marcus McDonald.

Kane Brown headlined Stagecoach Festival for the event’s 15th Anniversary with an explosive performance on Saturday, April 29. His pyro-packed set lit up the desert sky and had a special appearance from his wife and fellow artist Katelyn Brown.

Kane is nominated for five ACMs at the upcoming Awards on Thursday (May 11), including Entertainer Of The Year and Male Artist Of The Year, as well as Single Of The Year, Visual Media Of The Year and Music Event Of The Year for “Thank God,” alongside his wife Katelyn.

Nashville Educators Gather For ‘Hope & Healing for Heroes’

Lauren Daigle performs with students. Photo: Dean Berner

Last Monday (May 1), over 1,000 teachers, educators, staff and administrators in Nashville gathered at Belmont’s Fisher Center for the “Hope and Healing For Heroes” event. The evening was hosted to provide an opportunity to connect in community and gain tools for navigating the trauma of the recent Covenant School mass shooting.

Miles Adcox, Chairman at The Onsite Foundation, emceed the event which featured inspirational music from Lauren Daigle, Tyler Hubbard, Trisha Yearwood and CeCe Winans. Messages of hope were shared from teachers and student survivors from Parkland, Columbine and Paducah. Adcox moderated a panel of experts in trauma-informed education and counseling services.

 

Mitchell Tenpenny, Meghan Patrick & Crown Royal Kick Off Military Appreciation Month

Pictured (L-R): Mitchell Tenpenny, Meghan Patrick. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images.

In celebration of Military Appreciation Month, Crown Royal, Mitchell Tenpenny and Meghan Patrick partnered with Nashville-based nonprofit, CreatiVets, at their Third Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Proceeds go towards supporting CreatiVets’ mission of helping veterans heal through music therapy and the arts.

To continue the celebration and to further support our military, Crown Royal and CreatiVets hosted Tenpenny, Patrick, Jameson Rodgers, and numerous other country music stars at Old Hickory Country Club. The country music family also participated in the brand’s decade-long program, The Purple Bag Project, which turns donated Crown Royal bags into care packages for the military overseas.

“As the son of an Air Force vet, supporting our military and recognizing the sacrifices our men and women make to keep us safe is personal. I’m proud I can join Crown Royal which has long supported our military communities during Military Appreciation Month,” says Tenpenny. “Today and everyday, I appreciate the steadfast support of these selfless individuals, and I’m proud that I could join Crown Royal and my peers in extending gratitude to CreatiVets for all they do to support our military and veteran communities.”

Parker McCollum Scores Third Consecutive No. 1 With ‘Handle On You’

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Parker McCollum has earned his third consecutive No. 1 with his latest hit “Handle On You.”

The song tops the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, following McCollum’s prior No. 1 hits, his multi-Platinum debut “Pretty Heart” and Platinum “To Be Loved By You.” “Handle On You” is the lead single from his upcoming new album, Never Enough, due out this Friday, May 12.

“Thank y’all for making ‘Handle On You’ my third No. 1,” shares McCollum. “Releasing a new album with a No. 1 already on it is really special and I’m glad country radio digs it. Thank you to my fans and thank you country radio!”

McCollum is gearing up for a busy summer and is set to perform at the iHeart Country Festival in Austin, Texas on May 13. Along with headlining his own tour, he will also play stadiums with Morgan Wallen on his “One Night At A Time World Tour.”

Whitaker Elledge Rises At Dualtone Music Group

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Whitaker Elledge has been promoted to General Manager/SVP Artist Development at Dualtone Music Group.

Formerly the VP of Artist Development, Elledge joined the company in 2018. In this expanded position, Elledge will oversee all Dualtone staff and daily operations and continue to lead all album roll outs, marketing campaigns, teams and spends against budget performance. He will be the point person for all artists and their teams through album cycles, as well as third party team members.

“Whitaker has played an invaluable role for Dualtone over the past five years,” says Dualtone President Paul Roper. “Our online businesses have exploded under his watch while our operations have become more efficient and focused. He has a drive for excellence, integrity and compassion which serves our artists, their teams and our entire staff well. This recognition is well deserved.”

“Coming to work for my favorite record label was a dream job and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to continue growing with a company where artistic integrity comes first,” says Elledge. “It’s a rare and wonderful privilege to collaborate every day with the great minds of Paul Roper and our dynamic team in service of music that matters.”

Elledge is based in Nashville and will continue to report to Roper.

Peter One Returns To Spotlight With New Fusion Project ‘Come Back To Me’

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Peter One. Photo: Angelina Castillo

Peter One, a 67 year old country-folk musician originally from the Cote d’Ivoire now living in Nashville, is releasing his major label solo debut Come Back To Me today (May 5).

The album marks his return to music nearly 30 years after he was a star in his home country. At the age of retirement, Peter One is boldly embarking on his second act and returning to his first passion—music—after years of working as a nurse.

Come Back To Me is a multi-lingual blend of afropop, 70s-influenced country and folk, featuring a blend of sounds from an artist who has been on a most unique life journey. The heartfelt collection of folk songs sung in English, French and Guro shares tales of painful divorce, love and loss, as well as reflection on concepts of the healing power of music, diaspora, immigration and home.

Originally from the Cote d’Ivoire, Peter One was once a star in West Africa, as one half of a duo—alongside his writing partner Jess Sah Bi—who created a seminal folk album Our Garden Needs Its Flowers in 1985. The album gained momentum across the region, and found Peter performing his music for presidents, first ladies, adoring sold-out crowds, and even soundtracking the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 as shown on the BBC.

He moved to the U.S. in the ’90s due to political unrest in his home country and suffering political persecution for creating the Ivory Coast’s first musicians union, as well as an attempt to pursue his music career stateside. However, due to cost of living, he was forced to switch jobs and has been working in relative obscurity as a nurse first in Delaware, then Tennessee, for the better part of 20 years, until now.

Back in full form, Peter One will perform Saturday night (May 6) at Nashville’s The Blue Room at Third Man Records, and at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 16 opening for Gipsy Kings. The legendary Newport Folk Festival also recently announced Peter One as part of its lineup this summer.

Come Back To Me Track List:
Cherie Vico
Kavudu
Ejie
Staring Into The Blues
Sweet Rainbow
On My Own
La Petite
Joue-Moi Le Piano
Bonne Annee ft. Jess Sah Bi
Birds Go Die Out of Sight ft. Allison Russell

Dan Tyminski Returns To His Bluegrass Roots With ‘God Fearing Heathen’

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Dan Tyminski is set to release God Fearing Heathen, his first true bluegrass album in 15 years, on June 23 via 8 Track Entertainment.

The album marks a series of firsts for the celebrated musician, now three decades into a career that includes time as a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station as well as his own solo work. The project marks his first time taking the reins as producer on the album’s 10 new tracks.

The fresh collection of songs explores the timeless tenants of bluegrass while lyrically delving into modern themes, with tracks dedicated to self-reflection, human brotherhood and even PTSD. Each one is imbued with the youthful energy of Tyminski’s brand new band. Tracks include “Silence In The Brandy” detailing the struggle of a lone soldier, “Never Comin’ Home,” which laments a love that’s gone for good, “Never Met a Stranger” that embraces friends we’ve yet to meet and “Ode to Jimmy,” a tribute to bluegrass icon Jimmy Martin.

The album also features “Keep Your Eye on Kentucky,” where Tyminski name checks the state’s barrel-aged exporters and vows to hold its beauty in his heart, no matter where he goes, and a fresh take on the career-changing “Hey Brother,” in the way he first heard it in his head. Those pre-saving/pre-ordering God Fearing Heathen today will instantly have access to the track “G.O.A.T.,” a salute to the back-porch heroes of American Roots music.

Produced by Tyminski and executive produced by Grammy-winning engineer Noah Gordon, the album represents the follow up to a series of successful creative detours, including his 2013 global EDM smash with DJ Avicii, “Hey Brother,” which has now been streamed over one billion times, and the 2017 experimental-roots album, Southern Gothic.

This summer, Tyminski and his band will also return to the road, embarking on a series of festival and headlining dates across the nation.

God Fearing Heathen Track Listing:
1. “Never Comin’ Home” (Dan Tyminski/Ira Dean)
2. “Hey Brother” (Ash Pournouri/Salem Al Fakir/Tim Bergling/Veronica Maggio/Vincent Pontare)
3. “Keep Your Eye on Kentucky” (Dan Tyminski/Monty Criswell)
4. “Never Met a Stranger” (Dan Tyminski/Luke Dick/Jaida Dreyer)
5. “Silence in the Brandy” (Dan Tyminski/ Megan Mullins)
6. “God Fearing Heathen” (Dan Tyminski/Ira Dean)
7. “G.O.A.T.” (Dan Tyminski/Monty Criswell)
8. “No Song to Sing” (Dan Tyminski/Monty Criswell)
9. “Occam’s Razor” (Dan Tyminski/Monty Criswell)
10. “Ode to Jimmy Martin” (Dan Tyminski/Phillip Lammonds)

TPAC Partners With Architecture Team To Design New Performance Center

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Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) has selected a global architecture team for the design of a new performance home. The team will include BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), William Rawn Associates and EOA Architects.

The choice is a significant step toward relocation for the almost 50-year-old performing arts non-profit and follows a recent approval by the Tennessee General Assembly of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s 2023-24 budget proposal. $200 million will support TPAC’s move from the State-owned James K. Polk Cultural Center. The State has determined via a comprehensive asset review that the site—built from an investment in 1974—is suited for better use.

In addition to the $200 million commitment, the 2023-24 budget also intends for TPAC to receive an added $300 million in next year’s budget with a requirement of private philanthropic contributions to support the relocation. This $500 million total investment is based on a study conducted by the State estimating the costs for repair and renovation of the existing facility.

Since presenting its first live performances in September 1980, TPAC has grown into an arts and culture leader attracting visitors from across the state and welcoming approximately 435,000 audience members each year. A new performing arts center will grow audiences by an estimated 33 % and will allow TPAC to increase programming, expand educational and mission-driven activities and drive new visitation to the region while supporting new jobs across industries.

With a new and larger home, TPAC will expand programming for Tennesseans with world-renowned artists and touring Broadway productions, as well as ballet, opera and dramatic theatre performances from its three resident companies—Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre—while also growing its nationally recognized arts education programs to serve more students and teachers across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to the Governor and General Assembly for granting TPAC the essential financial support to construct a new world-class performing arts center and acknowledging the monumental impact that the arts have on the lives of Tennesseans,” says Jennifer Turner, TPAC President & CEO. “As we take these initial steps toward a cultural vision that represents the future of the performing arts, we are thrilled to work with this incredible team of internationally renowned architects to envision how TPAC will continue to captivate, connect and inspire positive change. I commend the TPAC Board of Directors for their courageous leadership in pursuit of this project.”

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Church, Chambers, Spyridon Bring Walk Of Fame Tally To 100

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Eric Church, Linda Chambers and Butch Spyridon. Photo: Alan Poizner for Nashville CVC

Chapter 669

We have been adding pavements to downtown’s Walk of Fame for 17 years, and a milestone was reached on Thursday afternoon (May 4).

Under balmy, sunny, springtime skies, the 25th induction ceremony honored Eric Church, Joe & Linda Chambers and Butch Spyridon, which brings the Music City Walk of Fame to its 100th star. The pavement stars are at Walk of Fame park, between the Hilton Hotel and the Country Music Hall of Fame on Demonbreun.

Eric Church. Photo: Alan Poizner for Nashville CVC

“Music City is not a slogan — it’s a title that has been earned over hundreds of years of singers, songwriters, producers, musicians, publishers and music executives….the creative people who have made a lasting mark,” observed event host Bill Cody. The Walk of Fame was established to honor these people, regardless of music genre.

Inductee Joe Chambers was mentored by the legendary Billy Sherrill at CBS. His songs were recorded by Conway Twitty, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Joe Diffie, B.J. Thomas and more. He founded Chambers Guitars with locations in Nashville, Franklin, Smyrna, Murfreesboro and Bowling Green. He and his wife Linda Chambers established the Musicians Hall of Fame, which also houses the Grammy Museum gallery and the SOURCE Hall of Fame honorees.

Joe passed away last fall, but Linda was on hand to accept their joint Walk of Fame induction. Garth Brooks did the honors.

“This whole street is paved with stars honoring people who came with a dream,” Garth said. “Someone’s gonna salute the players on those [hit] records. As an artist, I can’t imagine having a career without them. These are the true heroes of music, and it was Joe and Linda Chambers who decided to honor them.”

“Garth, you and Joe shared the same love and appreciation for musicians,” Linda responded. “We are blessed and honored to be able to call you ‘friend.’” She shared, “Joe’s biggest joy in life was to give credit, to lift up someone else.” Joe & Linda Chambers as a couple are Walk of Fame star #98.

Star #99 was installed for Eric Church. “He has made an indelible impact on Music City,” observed Cody. He cited the facts that Church was the inaugural artist at Ascend Amphitheater, set an attendance record at Nissan Stadium and was the first to financially support the restoration of the historic Club Baron on Jefferson Street. Next year, Eric will open Chief’s, a six-story entertainment venue on Lower Broadway.

Garth Brooks, Butch Spyridon. Photo: Alan Poizner for Nashville CVC

Inducting Church was ESPN broadcaster Marty Smith. “Nashville, Tennessee is a magical place,” Marty said. “It’s built on a song….Songwriters save lives — their work is a sanctuary, and my sanctuary was Church.” When Marty’s father died, he was emotionally crippled, and Eric’s songs gave him something to cling to.

“I came to town in a 1987 two-tone Chevy Blazer in 2000,” Eric recalled. “I knew no one. I had a guitar and big, big dreams. I thought I had big dreams, and this is beyond what I ever dreamed….The ‘honor’ is that [Nashville] is Home. I am very grateful.”

The 100th Walk of Fame star was given to Butch Spyridon, who founded the attraction. Butch retires from his 32-year gig as head of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau next month. During his tenure, Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, the Music City Center with its Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the July 4th and New Year’s Eve celebrations, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and the spectacularly successful 2019 NFL Draft event all came into being. Under his leadership, Nashville became a global tourism destination, which generates $8.8 billion in visitor spending annually.

“When you’re wandering around down here thinking, ‘Who thinks of this stuff?’ — think of Butch Spyridon,” said Garth.

“This is not my star, it’s the city’s star,” responded Butch, referring to the community that he promoted to being, “one of the hottest destinations in the world.” He recalled the Walk of Fame inductions of Little Richard, Dolly Parton and Kings of Leon as favorite memories. He also insisted that the Fisk Jubilee Singers become the first star installed. He added, “It has been a marvelous journey. I am beyond humbled….Fans, thank you for loving Nashville.”

There were fans a-plenty, gathered to take snaps and gaze at Eric, Garth, Steve Wariner, Jay McDowell, Terry Bulger, NMAAM’s Henry Hicks, Ken Levitan, Kevin Lavender, John Peets, Kay Smith, Jackie Marushka and WKRN News 2’s Stephanie Langston. Guitarist extraordinaire David Anderson provided the event’s lovely soundtrack.

Karley Scott Collins Shares New EP ‘Hands On The Wheel’

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Karley Scott Collins has released her Sony Music Nashville debut EP, Hands on the Wheel.

Collins co-produced the title track on the project and hand painted the cover art for the album, which is filled with authentic storytelling, soulful grit and themes that explore coping with the chaos of romance in your twenties. She co-wrote all five songs alongside co-writers including Natalie Hemby, Summer Overstreet, Brock Berryhill and more.

Each song on the new collection touches on a different shade and emotion during the journey from love to heartbreak. The title track explores the feeling of trying to drive away your emotions and outrun a breaking heart. “Brain On Love” highlights infatuation and the early stages of a relationship. “Favorite Perfume” emotes the feeling of someone’s memory lingering long after they’re gone, and how hard it can be to stop loving someone. “Loose Thread” depicts the heart-racing adrenaline and pain of seeing an old flame in person for the first time after the relationship ends, and “Heavenly” takes listeners through the euphoric feeling of being secure and truly happy.

“These songs are pieces of my heart that I’m putting back together in a collection of songs, and I hope that everyone who listens can find a piece of their heart in it too,” shares Collins. “Love, heartbreak and everything in between is such a rollercoaster, it feels like sometimes all you can do is keep your hands on the wheel.”

Hands on the Wheel Track Listing:
“Hands on the Wheel” / Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman, Natalie Hemby
“Brain on Love” / Karley Scott Collins, Summer Overstreet, Cameron Bartolini, Liam Kevany
“Favorite Perfume” / Karley Scott Collins, Brock Berryhill, Brett James
“Loose Thread” / Karley Scott Collins, Brock Berryhill, Luke Laird
“Heavenly” / Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman