DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kelsea Ballerini ‘Beautifully’ Previews Upcoming Album

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Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: John Russo

We have a lot of fresh-sounding tracks in this week’s DISClaimer roundup.

There’s the clear, folk acoustic style of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, the “outlaw” rowdiness of Gavin Adcock and the retro, soul-rock stew of Jeremie Albino. Adcock, Albino and Kayley Green are all making their debuts in the column, and talented newcomers are always welcome here. The DISCovery Award goes to Gavin Adcock.

Established hit-makers Thomas Rhett, Walker Hayes and McBride & The Ride are here as well. So is Kelsea Ballerini, who wins the Disc of the Day prize with her insightful “Sorry Mom.”

KAYLEY GREEN / “Shadow of a Cowboy”
Writers: Kayley Green/Jon Nite/Ross Copperman/Ben Williams; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The drum machine and processed production are a little off-putting. But she sings her face off with an attractive purr and soulful range on a hurtin’ relationship lyric. Plus the melody is yummy. All in all, a marvelous debut.

WALKER HAYES / “Ball Player”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Ross Copperman; Producers: Ben Johnson, Danny Majic; Label: Monument Records/RCA Records
– It’s a fatherhood song, addressed to a baseball-playing son with words of wisdom. He wants the boy to know that he’s loved whether he strikes out or hits a home run. Released just in time for the Little League World Series.

FANCY HAGOOD / “Good Grief”
Writers: Fancy Hagood/Jeremy Lutito; Producer: Jeremy Jutito; Label: Fancy Haygood Enterprises
– A cool, breezy track underlies a gentle reflection on the nature of grief. In a tender, tenor vocal performance, he tries to find acceptance and even joy as he thinks about the loved one he has lost. Very affecting.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Sorry Mom”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment/Big Machine Music
– Yeah, she’s been drinking and smoking and having sex. But beyond all the mistakes, escapades and disagreements, she’s become a woman her mother can be proud of. Beautifully done, from the exquisite production to her lilting, conversational vocal. This mid-tempo gem is drawn from her upcoming, female-centric album Patterns. I, for one, cannot wait to hear the rest of it.

JEREMIE ALBINO / “I Don’t Mind Waiting”
Writers: Jeremie Albino/Dan Auerbach/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– The band lays down a Southern, neo-soul groove while his throaty, charismatic voice pleads for love. A retro romp, complete with horns and organ, that’s a pure audio pleasure. Also check out his rumbling road tune “Rolling Down the 405.” Both tunes will be found on his album, Our Time in the Sun, due Nov. 1.

THOMAS RHETT / “After All the Bars Are Closed”
Writers: Jacob Kasher Hindlin/John Byron/Thomas Rhett/Jaxson Free/Julian Bunetta; Producers: Dann Huff, Julian Bunetta; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Here’s another preview of Rhett’s forthcoming album. Finger snaps, plucked guitar notes and relaxed, romantic singing are the hallmarks of this mellow ode to budding love.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Hell Out of a Hometown”
Writers: Priscilla Block/David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Summer Overstreet; Producers: David Garcia, Dave Cohen; Label: UMG Nashville/InDentRecords
– Her small town is suddenly claustrophobic and confining. She can’t drive around alone, seek anonymity in a bar or find solace at a church in a place everybody knows your name. He’s ruined the community she used to love. As usual, this woman’s singing and songwriter are first rate. This rolling thumper just confirms her greatness.

KENT BLAZY / “This One’s for You”
Writer: Kent Blazy; Producer: Kent Blazy; Label: Kent Blazy
– Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Blazy is on a mission to release a new album each year. His new one is titled My Life So Far, and it is his best-produced to date. You can “drop the needle” anywhere on it and be entertained. On this passionate country rocker, he salutes a buddy and bandmate from his Kentucky youth. Blazy has vocal and guitar chops to spare.

McBRIDE & THE RIDE / “No More Cryin’”
Writers: Josh Leo/Terry McBride; Producer: none listed; Label: Geffen
– This ‘90s hit-making band is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a live EP of some of its best-loved tunes. Original members Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas kick up some serious dust on this lively rocker, which originally appeared on the soundtrack of the cult-favorite rodeo movie 8 Seconds.

GAVIN ADCOCK / “Run Your Mouth”
Writers: Gavin Adcock/Jack Rauton; Producer: Jay Rogers; Label: Thrivin Here Records LLC/Warner Music Nashville
– This bluesy, drawling stomper is loaded with sass, aggression and attitude. He sounds like a real country-music disrupter. Watch out for the surprise silent “breathing” passage in mid hell-raiser snarl. Adcock’s debut album, Actin’ Up Again, is 16 tracks of fire. Country music needs this guy to kick it in its pop pants.

NEON UNION / “Luck Don’t Live Around Here”
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Kelley Lovelace/Neil Thrasher; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Label: Red Street Records, LLC
– Good things don’t come from good luck. They come from hard work, faith, love and “blood, sweat and tears.” That’s what the duo says on their stirring new anthem. It’s probably the team’s most commercial single to date.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS / “Hashtag”
Writers: David Rawlings/Gillian Welch; Producer: David Rawlings; Label: Acony Records
– This folk duo hasn’t released any new music since winning a Grammy for its 2020 collection of covers All the Good Times. And it has been seven years since Welch and Rawlings have issued an album of original tunes. The wait will be over when their Woodland album drops this fall. In the meantime, here’s a preview, a gentle meditation on the passage of time, accented with sighing strings.

Kacey Musgraves To Star In ‘Austin City Limits’ Milestone Season 50 Premiere

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Kacey Musgraves performs on Austin City Limits

Kacey Musgraves will kick off Austin City Limits‘ epic 50th anniversary season on Sept. 28.

The Golden, Texas native returns for the show’s golden anniversary season in her third series appearance, performing a collection of songs from her latest project Deeper Well in the season premiere.

The landmark show’s 50th season will feature an all-star slate of returning favorites to celebrate the half-century milestone including Chris Stapleton, Juanes, Gary Clark Jr., Brittany Howard, Nickel Creek, Black Pumas, Maggie Rogers and The War And Treaty, along with debuts from Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll and Jacob Collier.

“We are beyond proud to celebrate such a milestone in ACL’s growth and evolution,” says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “The talent for the first half of the season is testament itself to what defines Austin City Limits—an eclectic mix of authentic, original music captured in an intimate setting and shared worldwide. ACL brings together the past, present and future of music!”

YouTube video

ACL kicks off its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a trio of Austin-based events: the 10th Anniversary Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honoring Garth Brooks taping on Sept. 5; Austin City Limits 50th Birthday Bash on Oct. 17; and on Nov. 21, the taping of a primetime special, ACL Celebrates 50 Years, an all-star celebration featuring some of the brightest stars in the show’s 50-year history as they return to the ACL stage for the occasion, which will air on PBS in 2025. The anniversary events are open to the public and celebrate the city and community that plays a starring role in the series.

ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide, and full episodes are available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast.

Season 50 Broadcast Lineup:
September 28 | Kacey Musgraves
October 5 | Gary Clark Jr. | Black Pumas
October 12 | Maggie Rogers | Gracie Abrams
October 19 | Jacob Collier | Nickel Creek
October 26 | Brittany Howard
November 2 | Jelly Roll | The War And Treaty
November 9 | Chris Stapleton
November 16 | Juanes

The second half of the season will be announced separately.

Christian Hayes Forms Team [Exclusive]

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Pictured (L–R, back row): UMPG’s Troy Tomlinson, Safford Motley PLC’s Scott Safford and UMPG’s Don Glista; (L–R, middle row): UMPG’s Cyndi Forman, Roxy King and Wildrose Projects’ Helena Capps; (front): Christian Hayes. Photo: Courtesy of UMPG

Country newcomer Christian Hayes has assembled his team, signing with WME for booking, UMPG for publishing and FBMM for business management. The ASCAP affiliate’s representation includes Safford Motley PLC’s Scott Safford for legal and Essential Broadcast Media for publicity.

Pictured (L–R, back row): WME’s John Showfety, Brian Jones, Jon Folk and Doug Neff; (L–R, front row): WME’s Lane Wilson, Christian Hayes, Wildrose Projects’ Helena Capps and WME’s Geoff Turner. Photo: Courtesy of WME

The group of experts join Hayes’ manager Helena Capps of Wildrose Projects, who discovered him on Instagram in September of 2023. Hayes was living in Rome, Georgia and working at an oil company when he posted a video singing his self-penned song “Leaving” to the platform. After a series of messages and music links, the two started working together. Hayes has since released the viral single “LILY,” which has amassed over two million streams, as well as recent release “Cheyenne.”

“Music has always been a part of my life and now, it always will be,” shares Hayes. “Not many people get to live out their passion and purpose and I’m beyond blessed to do so thanks to this amazing team we’ve built. I’m excited to start this journey alongside all of them!”

Hayes started writing at just seven years old when his Grandpa Jack gave him his first journal, in which he was encouraged to write poems, songs and feelings. He began playing guitar when he was eight and the rest is history. After picking up a copy of Guitar for Dummies at the local library, Hayes started leading worship at his church until he graduated from high school and enrolled in the US Navy Reserve. In college at the University of Alabama is where he feels his songwriting began to improve.

“After hearing ‘LILY,’ we were huge fans of Christian’s songwriting,” says Cyndi Forman, Senior VP, A&R atUMPG Nashville. “Once we heard him perform live, we knew we had something incredibly special on our hands. Christian’s approach to songwriting is unique yet fits right in at a time when genres are blending.”

Jon Folk, Partner at WME, shares, “We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Christian Hayes. He is such an incredible singer, songwriter and performer. We can’t wait to see the rest of the world discover such an amazing talent!”

Redferrin Sets ‘The Old No. 7 Tour’ For September

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Redferrin. Photo: Sean Hagwell

Redferrin is set to kick off his first major headlining journey, “The Old No. 7 Tour,” on Sept. 4 in Lakehead, California.

The Warner Music Nashville artist will visit over 35 cities on the trek, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis, Tuscaloosa, Boston and more, in support of his co-written and co-produced, Tennessee whiskey-inspired debut EP, Old No. 7, which has now amassed 120 million streams. General tickets go on sale tomorrow (Aug. 16) at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.

“It’s tough to put into words how excited I am about ‘The Old No. 7 Tour,'” says Redferrin. “It’s been very rewarding to see people connecting to the songs. I’m sure thankful for everyone that’s come to a show so far this year and I hope to see y’all this fall on my first headlining run. We ’bout to have us a time!”

The 2024 Amazon Breakthrough Artist to Watch has surpassed 200 million global career streams to date with viral breakout hits like “Jack and Diet Coke” and current track “Just Like Johnny,” which continues to average 2.7 million streams a week.

Russell Dickerson Readies ‘Bones The EP’

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Russell Dickerson plans to release his latest body of work, Bones The EP, on Aug. 30.

Serving as an ode to the people and relationships that have shaped Dickerson, the five-song project centers around memories of late-night bonfires with friends, old flames, unknowingly significant conversations over cold beers and more. Credited as co-writer on every tune, the country star dropped the title track last month.

“Bones The EP is a nostalgic collection of songs that take me back to some of the best times of my life,” shares Dickerson. “Those nights that you don’t want to end with the people you love most. Relationships that didn’t work out and hurt at the time, but turned out for the best. I hope people hear these songs and get transported to a place with people they love.”

Additionally, he will head to Ireland next week to kick off his “Good Day To Have A Great Tour.”

Bones The EP Track Listing:
1. “What A Life” (Russell Dickerson, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps)
2. “Bones” (Russell Dickerson, Chase McGill, Chris LaCorte, Parker Welling)
3. “Miss You So (Letters To You)” (Russell Dickerson, Seth Ennis, Joe Fox, Alejandro Linares, Alexander James Pappas, Derek Thomas Doherty, Nathan Scot Barcalow, William Strohmeyer Jr.)
4. “Those Nights These Days” (Russell Dickerson, Seth Ennis, Jordan Reynolds)
5. “Cold Beer Conversation (Acoustic)” (Russell Dickerson, Casey Brown, Ryan Hurd, Brad Tursi)

Christine Melko Ross Joins Outback Presents

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Christine Melko Ross

Christine Melko Ross has joined Outback Presents as Senior Vice President of Global Operations.

Based in Montreal, she will spearhead the live entertainment company’s Canadian operations and oversee international business development and expansion strategy. The Illinois Wesleyan University graduate’s career began at Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment in Chicago. Melko Ross then served as the lead Talent Buyer for Donald K. Donald/Universal Concerts/House of Blues Concerts, where she booked multiple shows and managed tours for acts like the Backstreet Boys and Leonard Cohen.

Prior to Outback Presents, Melko Ross spent over two decades with Just For Laughs Group. She created the comedy company’s Touring division and played a key role in running its Montreal festival and launching its Toronto festival, while working with comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Trevor Noah, Tom Segura, Hannah Gadsby, Bill Burr, Iliza Shlesinger, Sebastian Maniscalco, Rick Mercer, Jimmy Carr, John Cleese Eric Idle and more. She has also produced and developed festivals in Sydney, Bermuda, Mexico, London and Austin as well as managed corporate hospitality for the Kentucky Derby, among other events.

“Everyone at Outback Presents is excited to have Christine join the team,” says Michael Smardak, Outback Presents Co-CEO. “Her extensive achievements and experience in comedy will be invaluable to our global growth. We are very proud to have her join us.”

“I am very excited to work with Mike Smardak, Brian Dorfman and the entire team at Outback,” adds Melko Ross. “They have built an amazing roster of successful touring talent and have done a fabulous job at establishing themselves as the largest independent promoter in North America. Together, we will strive to elevate Outback to the global stage. We cherish similar values in ensuring a great audience and artist experience, and I can’t wait to get started!”

She can be reached at christine.melkoross@outbackpresents.com.

Maddox Batson To Host ‘Maddox Batson & Friends’ Show Next Month

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Maddox Batson Corn Maze

Rising teen country star Maddox Batson plans to host a special headlining show, “Maddox Batson & Friends,” on Sept. 28 at the White House Pumpkin Patch in White House, Tennessee. Select proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a cause that is very dear to Batson, whose mother has had Type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years.

In addition to musical performances, the event will feature a Batson-shaped corn maze as well as a hayride, farm games, farm animals and more. General tickets and VIP tickets, which include preferred seating and priority access to a meet-and-greet are only available online. For more information, click here.

The 14-year-old spent last summer playing over 20 shows, developing his sound and learning alongside his father, who is also a musician. His debut single, “Tears In The River,” went viral earlier this year with more than 21 million global streams, peaking at No. 18 on Spotify’s Viral 50 U.S. chart and reaching No. 12 on the TikTok Viral chart. Batson’s second track, “I Wanna Know,” garnered nearly 10 million streams and landed on YouTube’s Trending page upon release. Most recently, he co-wrote Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s latest single, “Tough.”

Shawna Thompson To ‘Lean On Neon’ In September

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Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square will release her solo debut album, Lean On Neon, on Sept. 13 via Sun Records.

Featuring collaborations with Leona Williams, Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Ricky Skaggs and more, Lean On Neon explores family ties, themes of faith and loss as well as hope and love while drawing inspiration from music trailblazers.

“My dad was the biggest influence on this record,” Thompson shares. “He played me the first music I’d ever heard. I lost him eight years ago to colon cancer, so writing and recording this record was a way to feel closer to him. Growing up, I was his shadow. I’m super thankful he took me with him to so many shows and included me in his love of country music. If it weren’t for his influence, I never would’ve started singing or met my husband Keifer and started Thompson Square. Lean On Neon is the album I moved to Nashville to create. It just took me a while.”

She co-wrote seven tunes on the 13-track project, which her husband produced alongside two-time Grammy winner Chad Carlson. The collection also features renditions of Williams’ “Yes Ma’am (He Found Me In A Honky Tonk),” Hank Williams Jr.’s “Outlaw Women” and Buck Owens’ “Together Again.”

“I have a deep seated passion for classic country music. In creating Lean On Neon, we tried to honor its authenticity and pay homage to all the artist that came before me and made me who I am,” the artist continues. “It’s very important to me to pass down this tradition to the next generation. And for my fellow old school country fans, I want you to feel like you stepped into a time machine when you’re listening.”

Lean On Neon Track Listing:
1. “The Honky Tonk Overture” (Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
2. “Yes Ma’am (He Found Me In A Honky Tonk)” (Glen Barber)
3. “Burn It Down” (Rob Hatch, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
4. “The Doctor’s Always In” (Connie Harrington, Chuck Jones, Jimmy Ritchey)
5. “Bama Clay (feat. Vince Gill & Ricky Skaggs)” (Leslie Satcher, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
6. “Lean On Neon (feat. Jim Lauderdale)” (Leslie Satcher, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
7. “Honky Tonk Hurtin’” (Leslie Satcher, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
8. “Lonesome And Then Some” (George Ducas, Marv Green, Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson)
9. “Small Town Wreck” (Leslie Satcher, Keifer Thompson)
10. “I Don’t Know Why (feat. Leona Williams)” (Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson, Leona Williams)
11. “Jones On The Jukebox” (Don Goodman, Becky Hobbs, Mack Vickery)
12. “Outlaw Women (feat. Sunny Sweeney & Ashton Shepherd)” (Hank Williams Jr.)
13. “Together Again” (Buck Owens)

BMI’s ‘Rooftop On The Row’ Features Lauren Watkins & Josh Ross

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Pictured (L-R): Nina Carter, Mason Hunter, Claire Dodelin, Leslie Roberts, Lauren Watkins, MaryAnn Keen, Josh Tomlinson, Clay Bradley; Photo: Nathan Zucker

Last night (Aug. 13), BMI held another “Rooftop On The Row” event, presented by George Dickel, which saw performances from rising artists Lauren Watkins and Josh Ross.

The event welcomed over 600 industry professionals to the top of BMI Nashville to watch performances, eat and connect. The final installment of the “Rooftop On The Row” series will be held next month on Sept. 17 and will act as the official kick-off to AmericanaFest, featuring Wyatt Flores, Kade Hoffman and Emily Nenni.

Josh Ross

Watkins kicked the evening off with her songs “One Trick Pony,” “Gatlinburg” and several tunes from her recently-released album, The Heartbroken Record. These tracks included “Shirley Temple,” “Mama, I Made It,” “Anybody But You” and “Stuck In My Ways.” Following Watkins, Ross took the stage performing “On A Different Night,” “Red Flags” and a single from his Complicated EP, “Single Again.”

During the event, BMI’s Mason Hunter teamed up with Delta Air Lines’ Maddie Marrott and Charlie Schewe to give away two first-class round-trip tickets to a lucky guest. Attendees were provided food and drinks by sponsors Delta Air Lines, Gallagher Insurance, ONErpm, Red Bull Jukebox, Texas Roadhouse, Topo Chico, White Claw and YETI. Stars to previously take the stage on BMI’s rooftop include Morgan Wallen, Billy Strings, The War & Treaty, Hardy, K. Michelle, Riley Green, Maddie & Tae, Mackenzie Carpenter and Dylan Marlowe.

Tracy Lawrence Inducted Into Texas Country Music Hall Of Fame

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Linda Davis & Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Sean O’Halloran

Tracy Lawrence was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame on Saturday (Aug. 10) in Carthage, Texas alongside Roy Orbison and The Mandrell Sisters.

The Lone Star State native also took the stage to perform his tune “Texas Tornado” during the ceremony. Over the course of his career, Lawrence has sold 13 million albums and notched 18 No. 1 singles. In June, he unveiled his Out Here In It EP and hosted a sold-out show during CMA Fest, where he was surprised with a plaque commemorating over one billion career streams.

“I’m so honored. For those who don’t know, I was born in Atlanta, Texas. I appreciate your graciousness and hospitality of everyone here in Carthage, it’s been such a great day for us,” Lawrence shared during his induction. “It’s not really a job, it’s a lifestyle. I love it. I still love it as much as I ever did.”

He also recently supported Riley Green’s “Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tour,” while hosting fellow country stars on his TL’s Road House podcast and raising money for his Mission:Possible charity.