Stephen Wilson Jr. Releases ‘Søn Of Dad (Deluxe)’

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Stephen Wilson Jr. has released a deluxe edition of his debut double album, Søn Of Dad, via Big Loud Records.

The collection features two new tracks taken from his “Live at the Print Shop” performance, the dedication to his late father “I’m A Song” and a reinterpretation of Ben E. King‘s “Stand By Me.”

“A song can be a bookmark in a 10 million+ page book that can take you right to the very paragraph and page. A story is what a song is, and our species lives for stories,” Wilson Jr. says. “‘I’m A Song’ was the song that made it all make sense for me. A cache I found along the trail that gave form to what I was chasing. My father’s favorite song, he told me. A song I couldn’t play for a while but one that came back to me when it was time. Time is the thread that is stamped along the way as our chosen path is woven for the length it is given. A path I chose because my father was a song, and it demands to be sung.”

The new version also includes 10 acoustic renditions of tunes like “Cuckoo,” “Year To Be Young 1994,” “Father’s Søn,” “Grief is Only Love” and more.

“In an attempt to continue the conversation after the release of Søn Of Dad, we’ve been traveling all over the world playing these songs and watching them evolve with a few new welcome additions to the story,” he continues. “Playing them stripped down and in full band settings. Each performance is an opportunity to learn something new about the song.”

The deluxe album arrives as Søn Of Dad enters its seventh consecutive week in the top 10 on the iTunes Country Albums chart, where it has reached No. 1 multiple times. Wilson Jr. plans to take these tracks on the road for his extended “Søn Of Dad Tour” next month.

Additionally, a four-disc deluxe edition vinyl is now available preorder. For more information, click here.

Søn Of Dad (Deluxe) Track Listing:
1. Stand By Me (Live at The Print Shop)
2. I’m A Song (Live at The Print Shop)
3. The Devil
4. Cuckoo
5. Billy
6. Patches
7. American Gothic
8. Werewolf
9. Mighty Beast
10. Year to Be Young 1994
11. Twisted
12. Father’s Søn
13. Grief is Only Love
14. Hang in There
15. Calico Creek
16. Holler from the Holler
17. Hometown
18. Not Letting Go
19. For What It’s Worth
20. All the Wars from Now On
21. Kid
22. Henry
23. You
24. The Beginning
25. Cuckoo (Acoustic)
26. Year to Be Young 1994 (Acoustic)
27. Father’s Søn (Acoustic)
28. Grief is Only Love (Acoustic)
29. Patches (Acoustic)
30. Kid (Acoustic)
31. American Gothic (Acoustic)
32. All the Wars from Now On (Acoustic)
33. The Devil (Acoustic)
34. Calico Creek (Acoustic)

Mackenzie Carpenter Gives A Shout Out To The ‘Country Queens’ On Full-Length Debut

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Rising artist Mackenzie Carpenter will release her debut album, Hey Country Queen, on March 7 via The Valory Music Co.

Carpenter pays homage to the beloved Country Queens who paved the way for her to speak her mind, write her truth and have some fun along the way on the new album, and co-wrote all 13 tracks on the new project.

The young star already released tracks “Sound Of A Heartbreak,” “Only Girl” and “Boots On,” from the new album, and a brand-new song “Dozen Red Flags,” is out now. Written by Carpenter alongside Nicolle Galyon and frequent collaborator Brandon Hood, “Dozen Red Flags,” is an anthem for the girls who realize they deserve to be knee-deep in red roses—not red flags—and have the courage to step away in search of something better.

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“This album has been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally share these songs with you. I’ve lived with them for years, and now it’s time to set them free,” shares Carpenter. “Hey Country Queen captures the essence of girlhood, heartbreak and love, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Hey Country Queen Track List:
1.“Dozen Red Flags” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Nicolle Galyon, Brandon Hood)
2. “Boots On” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Rhett Akins, Brandon Hood, Ben Williams)
3. “Only Girl” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, Mia Mantia, SJ McDonald)
4. “I Wish You Would (ft. Midland)” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jamie Moore, Chris Tompkins)
5. “Don’t Mess With Exes” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Nicolle Galyon, Brandon Hood)
6. “Gone Fishin’” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Mia Mantia, SJ McDonald)
7. “Red Wine Blue” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Luke Laird, Anna Vaus)
8. “Jesus, I’m Jealous” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Steve Moakler)
9. “Sound Of A Heartbreak” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Brandon Hood, Liz Rose)
10. “Cowgirl Like Me” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, Lauren LaRue)
11. “Guys Like You” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Nicolle Galyon, Brandon Hood)
12. “The Other Side” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Mia Mantia, SJ McDonald)
13. “Country Queen” (Mackenzie Carpenter, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ben Johnson)

JUST IN: Lyndsay Cruz Exits ACM Lifting Lives

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Lyndsay Cruz

ACM Lifting Lives’ Lyndsay Cruz has stepped down from her position of Executive Director after six years with the organization.

Under Cruz’s leadership, Lifting Lives generated more than six million dollars in funding, with over four million dollars from its COVID-19 fund providing assistance to more than 2,000 individuals. As the pandemic subsided, the organization shifted focus to mental health, establishing a dedicated fund that has awarded $400,000 in grants to support mental health initiatives within the country music community.

“This organization has touched so many lives and will continue to do so,” she says. “I am beyond proud of what we accomplished over the last six years helping our community in their greatest time of need. It’s been wonderful to witness the positive changes ACM Lifting Lives has had in this industry and I’ll be honored to watch it grow and succeed.”

Cruz began her career as a political appointee under President George W. Bush, serving as an Advance Representative for the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Vice President. She later joined the international nonprofit Oxfam America, where she spent 13 years creating and managing their first-ever public figures ambassador program. After Oxfam, Cruz transitioned to independent consulting, working with numerous nonprofit organizations on major events and fundraising initiatives.

She is currently exploring new opportunities and can be reached here.

The Wiggles Go Country With ‘Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!’ Due In March

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The Wiggles

The Wiggles are grabbing their cowboy hats and boots and teaming up with some country stars including Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, Jackson Dean, Dasha and more for a brand new album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up! set for release March 7.

Other artists joining The Wiggles on their country romp are Orville Peck, Morgan Evans, Troy Cassar-Daley, MacKenzie Porter, Kaylee Bell, Travis Collins, The Wolfe Brothers, Lucky Oceans and the late Slim Dusty. The title track from the new project, a collaboration with Dasha, is out now.

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As the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles have educated, entertained and enriched the lives of millions of pre-schoolers (and their parents) across the globe with over three billion music streams, five billion views on YouTube, 30 million album and DVDs sales and over eight million books sold globally.

“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever been a part of, in fact, I’ve never spent so much time on an album before,” says Anthony Field, Blue Wiggle and co-founder of the group. “Country music is all about storytelling and connection. Combining that with The Wiggles’ fun and imagination and collaborations with these legendary country music artists felt like the perfect match. We can’t wait for families everywhere to hear these songs!”

“We’re so excited to share Wiggle Up, Giddy Up! with families everywhere,” adds Lachy Gillespie, Purple Wiggle. “It’s a song that’s packed with energy, fun, and plenty of country flair. Collaborating with the incredible Dasha, whose music has already brought country music to a whole new audience, was an absolute joy. Whether you’re three, thirty-three, or ninety-three, this song is all about bringing people together to sing, dance, and even try a bit of line dancing!”

Milly Olykan Joins Live Nation

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Milly Olykan

Milly Olykan has joined Live Nation’s Concert division as Senior Vice President of Artist Development & Global Touring.

Reporting to President of Touring Omar Al-Joulani, Olykan will help to guide the development of the company’s country and Americana strategy worldwide and work closely with Live Nation’s global promoters to identify new touring opportunities, foster relationships with the artist community and drive the company’s growth internationally.

She comes to Live Nation from the Country Music Association, where she served as Vice President of International Relations & Development for six years. During her tenure, Olykan further developed CMA’s international strategy with a focus on expanding country music’s global footprint and built a network of industry leaders that assisted in driving awareness for the genre worldwide. Olykan also oversaw CMA’s programming strategy for CMA Fest and served as interim Festival Director for two years.

“I’ve been so fortunate to work under Sarah Trahern’s incredible leadership at CMA, an organization whose mission is to grow country music around the world,” Olykan expresses. “It’s been a privilege to have built so many meaningful relationships worldwide, and I’m excited to continue advancing that mission from my new role at Live Nation.”

Prior to her time at CMA, Olykan was Vice President of Live Music & Major Arena Events at AEG Presents and established country touring in the United Kingdom for the company, earning her the CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award. She was also one of the founding promoters of Country to Country (C2C) Festival.

“Country and Americana artists are touring more of the world than ever before as the global demand for their music is on the rise, and Milly’s extensive experience and industry connections make her a great asset to support our efforts in continuing to expand touring of those genres worldwide,” says Al-Joulani. “We’re excited for the opportunities her leadership will create for artists and their tours around the world.”

Chris Stapleton Announces Summer ‘All-American Road Show’ Dates

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Chris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke

Chris Stapleton has added a slate of summer dates to his “All-American Road Show” tour beginning June 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Newly-confirmed shows include dates at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, Denver’s Ball Arena, Salt Lake City’s Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre and Albany’s MVP Arena, among others. Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Marcus King, Nikki Lane, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Brittney Spencer, Allen Stone, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and The War & Treaty will serve as special guests on the tour.

Stapleton’s fan club will have early access to tickets starting Jan. 14, with general on-sale following Jan. 17 at chrisstapleton.com/tour.

The dates add to yet another stellar year for Stapleton, who is nominated for two awards at the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Album (Higher) and Best Country Solo Performance (“It Takes A Woman”).

“All-American Road Show” Tour Dates:
June 4 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena†
June 7 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena‡
June 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena+
June 18 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum^
June 20 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena^
June 27 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre#
July 11 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre‡
July 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
July 23 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena~
July 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden~
August 1 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center**
August 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena‡‡
August 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre*
August 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena**
October 10 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live

*with special guest Marcus King
†with special guest Nikki Lane
‡with special guest Brittney Spencer
+with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
^with special guest Maggie Rose
#with special guest The War & Treaty
~with special guest Grace Potter
**with special guest Allen Stone
‡‡with special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

The MLC Launches ‘Taking Care Of Your Music Business’ Podcast

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The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched its podcast, Taking Care of Your Music Business, designed to educate and empower music creators.

Featuring interviews with songwriters and music executives, Taking Care of Your Music Business seeks to provide valuable insight into navigating the business side of the music industry and explore the ways creators can earn and access royalties to help them take control of their careers and maximize their earnings.

The first season includes interviews with songwriters Jenn Schott, Anthony Smith, Kent Blazy and Phillip White as well as The MLC’s Serona Elton and Jamie Dominguez and Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME)’s Tony Alexander. Episodes are now live on all major podcast platforms, and full video episodes are available on The MLC’s YouTube channel.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen Takes First Disc Of The Day In The New Year

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Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud/Mercury Records/Republic Records

In keeping with the subdued emotions of wintery weather, today’s edition of DISClaimer is a snow shower of ballads.

Morgan Wallen wins the Disc of the Day award with his bittersweet ballad “Smile,” and he has plenty of company in the downbeat department. Kameron Marlowe, Muscadine Bloodline, Kat Luna, Warren Zeiders, Lee Brice and the trio of Mary Chapin Carpenter with Scottish stars Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart are also crooning slow tunes.

Slightly more upbeat is Dylan Schneider, who takes home this week’s DISCovery Award. Even more stirring is Mackenzie Carpenter’s winking delivery of “Dozen Red Flags,” which gets bonus points for cleverness.

DYLAN SCHNEIDER / “Better Than You Left Me”
Writers: Brett Tyler/Dylan Schneider/Lalo Guzman/Michael Tyler; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Don’t be mislead by his plaintive delivery: This is a revenge song where he struts his newfound joy in the face of the one who dumped him. Engaging and promising.

KAMERON MARLOWE / “Hello Whiskey”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Kendell Marvel/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Ben West; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The slow-ballad track is a bottomless well of dark, echoey doom, and his anguished vocal is a midnight-cry of the soul. He seeks oblivion and anesthesia for his heartache, and it’s fascinating listening.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Fight Like Hell”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Jared Keim/Ryan Beaver/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– The simple, piano-vocal production throws a spotlight on his nicely shaded phrasing, vocal range and earnest spirit. Sit back and let him work his audio magic on this power ballad.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, JULIE FOWLIS & KARINE POLWART / “Hold Everything”
Writer: Karine Polwart; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Label: Lambent Light Records
– The sound is an acoustic folk tapestry. The delivery is a hushed wash of breathy seduction. The lyric is a meditation on mortality. The trio’s album, Looking for a Thread, drops on Jan. 24. Based on this enchanting track, I am mighty intrigued to hear it.

PARMALEE / “Cowgirl”
Writers: David Fanning/James Daniel Lewis/Parmalee/Peter Daniel Newman/Robbie Jay/Thomas Frank Ridley Horsley; Producers: David Fanning, James Daniel Lewis; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– Bopping and merry. The galloping electronic tempo, compressed production and rapid-fire vocals describe tumbling head over heels in love. Catchy as can be.

KIP MOORE / “Bad Spot”
Writer: Casey Beathard; Producer: Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore; Label: Virgin Music
– This fellow is building an overseas career that’s stronger than any of his peers. Hence his CMA International Artist Achievement Award. This midtempo outing apologizes for his past behavior and asks for another shot. As usual, his delivery is urgent and believable. “Bad Spot” is an advance track for a 23-song double album titled Solitary Tracks that will drop next month.

MORGAN WALLEN / “Smile”
Writers: Charlie Handsome/Ernest Keith Smith/John Byron/Luis Witkiewitz/Morgan Wallen/Rocky Block; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Bittersweet heartache, accompanied by hushed backup sighing and gently-plucked guitars. Beautifully done.

KAT LUNA / “Happiest I’ve Ever Been”
Writers: Erika Ender/Josh Kerr/Kat Luna/Peytan Porter; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Love her catch-in-throat alto delivery with its shards of pain. As with her previous release, the ballad’s lyric is delivered in both Spanish and English. There’s a certain tension and underlying power in her singing that I find quite compelling.

LEE BRICE / “Cry”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/David Garcia/Lee Brice; Producers: Ben Glover, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records
– This isn’t due until Jan. 31, but an advance listen indicates that Brice has not lost his touch in engaging top-shelf material. On top of a simple yet ear catching production, he moans marvelously in an aching description of a heart broken male. I remain an enormous fan. Brice’s acoustic tour hits the Ryman on Feb. 18.

MACKENZIE CARPENTER / “Dozen Red Flags”
Writers: Brandon Hood/Mackenzie Carpenter/Nicolle Galyon; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Hilarious. In her drawling delivery, she lists all the reasons why she should have never fallen for him. Sardonic and really, really fun.

MUSCADINE BLOODLINE / “10-90”
Writers: Charlie Muncaster/Gary Stanton/Kendell Marvel; Producers: Charlie Muncaster, Gary Stanton, Ryan Youmans; Label: Big Machine Records/Thirty Tigers
– This is a vow of eternal love, performed with plaintive, poignant emotion. “Give me you on your worst day, and I’ll give you my best.’ ‘I’ll be the answer to what you’re praying.” A wedding, first-dance song if I’ve ever heard one.

TIMOTHY WAYNE / “Louisiana Saturday Night”
Writers: Jimmy Newman/Tom T. Hall; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: UMG Nashville
– Wayne sang this jaunty 1981 Mel McDaniel classic on the Louisiana Office of Tourism float on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl Parade. The Franklin, Tennessee native is in his third year at LSU, balancing his pursuit of a college degree with his pursuit of country stardom. He’s hitting the books as well as the recording studio as he preps his debut album.

Makayla Lynn Inks With Eclipse Music Group, Wrensong Entertainment & Harvey Dog Hits

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Pictured (L–R): Eclipse Music Group’s Anna Thiel, Courtney Crist, Penny Gattis, Makayla Lynn, Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer and Harvey Dog Hits’ Abbe Nameche

Singer-songwriter Makayla Lynn has signed a global publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group in partnership with Wrensong Entertainment and Harvey Dog Hits.

“Our writers have been collaborating with Makayla for quite some time, and we’ve long been fans of her talent, so we’re thrilled to join forces with our friends Ree Guyer and Abbe Nameche as her publishing partner,” shares Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group.

“Makayla is the real deal,” adds Courtney Crist, Vice President, Eclipse Music Publishing. “She is an amazing writer and performer that stops everyone in their tracks when she starts to sing. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

A Canada native, Lynn was named as one of Rolling Stone‘s “New Artists You Need To Know.” With a presence on both sides of the border, she spent time at No. 1 on CMT’s 12-Pack Countdown and has earned two East Coast Music Awards in Canada. Recently, Lynn was honored as part of the 2024 Class of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Songwriter Series. She has collaborated with artists and songwriters, such as Trisha Yearwood, Lori McKenna, Gordie Sampson, Marcus Hummon, Leslie Satcher, Matraca Berg and Ronnie Bowman, among others.

“Makayla amazes me with her pitch perfect voice, old soul writing and she’s the consummate musician,” says Guyer Owner, Wrensong Entertainment. “We are honored to be working with her alongside our partners at Eclipse and Harvey Dog Music.”

“The opportunity to work with an undeniably talented songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist is rare,” expresses Nameche. “Add Makayla’s work ethic, gracious nature and our Eclipse partners, and you have a winning combo.”

“I’ve felt like an unofficial adopted member of the Eclipse family for a few years now, so putting pen to paper with them and continuing to write with Wrensong is a dream for me,” shares Lynn. “Courtney, Penny, Abbe and Ree are all such song driven people, and I feel honored to put my songs in their hands every day.”

Full Slate Of Performers Announced For 16th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival

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The lineup has been revealed for the 16th annual 30A Songwriters Festival on Jan. 16-20 along Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida.

Melissa Etheridge, Amos Lee, The Jayhawks and more are set to headline the event. Additional artists including Brandy Clark, Natalie Hemby, Maggie Rose, Katie Pruitt, Secret Sisters, Darrell Scott, The dB’s, Shawn Mullins, Livingston Taylor, Jeffrey Steele, Lilly Hiatt, Tommy Prine, John Driskell Hopkins, Paul Sikes, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton and many more will showcase at 30 venues during the expansive event, which will present over 130 songwriters and 300+ solo, band and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend.

“The Songwriters Festival stands apart in South Walton as the sole cultural event that brings most of the South Walton communities together, in harmony, to produce a four-day, around-the-clock presentation of extraordinary music.” says Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County President & CEO and Festival Co-Producer Jennifer Steele. “From Thursday, Jan. 16 through Monday, Jan. 20, the 30A corridor will be full of music fans enjoying wall-to-wall music venues, world-class musicians, and fabulous food & wine. If you haven’t experienced this immersive melodic experience, join us in 2025.”

Festival Weekend Passes are currently available at 30asongwritersfestival.com. VIP tickets that include premium seating and complimentary gourmet food and drinks in the VIP tent on Saturday and Sunday afternoons are also available.

Nashville’s WMOT will again interview and record select artists at the Festival for its World Cafe sessions aired throughout the year in conjunction with WXPN in Philadelphia.