Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile Among First Round Of Grammy Performers

Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile

The first slate of artists scheduled to perform at this year’s 64th Annual Grammy Awards have been revealed. Among them will be current nominees Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, BTS, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Representing Nashville, Brothers Osborne received two Grammy nominations this year for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Younger Me”) and Best Country Album (Skeletons).

Meanwhile, 6x Grammy winner Carlile is nominated for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Right On Time,” for Song Of The Year for (“A Beautiful Noise” with Alicia Keys), and for Best American Roots Performance for “Same Devil.”

Elsewhere, BTS are up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Butter”), and 7x Grammy winner Eilish received seven nominations this year: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video for “Happier Than Ever,” as well as Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Happier Than Ever, and Best Music Film (Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles).

Two-time Grammy winner Lil Nas X is nominated for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best Music Video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Album Of The Year (Montero), and Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Industry Baby”). Harlow has two nominations this year for his work on Montero, in the categories of Best Melodic Rap Performance and Album Of The Year.

First-time nominee Rodrigo is up for seven awards: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Drivers License,” Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for SOUR, Best New Artist, and Best Music Video for “Good 4 U.”

This year’s Grammy Awards will broadcast live on CBS from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3 at 7 p.m. CT . Hosted by Trevor Noah, the show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

‘May We All: A New Country Musical’ Reveals First Round Of Special Guests For This Summer

May We All: A New Country Musical, co-produced by Florida Georgia Line‘s Brian Kelley, has unveiled the first round of dates for its all-star rotating lineup of guest artists running from June 7-25. Another round of dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks for guest artists including Kelley, Chris Ruediger, Cooper Alan, and Nick Fradiani, among others.

Stepping into the role of Bailey Stone, the multi-week roster slated to perform at Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville includes Alana Springsteen, Angie K, Alexandra Kay, Breland, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Canaan Smith, Danielle Bradbery, Jamie O’Neal, Lainey Wilson, Lindsay Ell, LoCash, RaeLynn, Robyn Ottolini, Scarlett Burke, Sydney Sierota, Thomas Mac, Tigirlily, and Trent Harmon.

May We All follows the story of Jenna Coates, a small-town girl whose big-city singing career is over before it begins, and how she returns to the people and the places of her past to find a path to the future. However, lot has changed in Harmony, Tennessee, since Jenna left and not necessarily for the better. If Jenna and her hometown are going to dig themselves out of their current crises, they’re going to need each other and music.

The production boasts a score of fan-favorites from Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Florida Georgia Line, Jessica Andrews, Johnny Cash, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, LoCash, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Reba McEntire, Runaway June, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw, and Zac Brown Band. Two original songs co-written by Kelley and FGL duo-mate Tyler Hubbard will debut exclusively as part of the musical.

May We All: A New Country Musical Dates:
June 7 | LoCash
June 8 | Breland
June 9 | Jamie O’Neal
June 10 | Robyn Ottolini
June 11 | Thomas Mac and Alana Springsteen *
June 12 | Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Alexandra Kay *
June 14 | Lainey Wilson
June 16 | Danielle Bradbery
June 17 | Sydney Sierota
June 18 | Angie K and Scarlett Burke *
June 21 | Trent Harmon
June 22 | Lindsay Ell
June 23 | Tigirlily
June 24 | RaeLynn
June 25 | Canaan Smith
*Two performances

Tickets are available now via TPAC.org, by phone at 615-782-4040, or at the TPAC Box Office.

Gene Watson Teases New Album For This Fall, Adds Dates To Anniversary Tour

Gene Watson

Gene Watson has teased new music coming this fall with his upcoming album Outside The Box. The Grand Ole Opry member has also added more dates to his “60th Anniversary Tour,” which will visit venues across the country through December.

Watson recently presented awards to two of his longtime band members–Staley Rogers and Todd Hines–backstage during a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Pictured (L-R): Dan Rogers (Vice President/Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry), Todd Hines (drummer), Gene Watson, Staley Rogers (bass). Photo: Stephen Shepherd

“I couldn’t have made it this far without my band and these are some of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with. I want to take this moment to show my gratitude to Staley Rogers, who has been with me as my bass player for 25 years and to Todd Hines, my drummer who has worked with me for 17 years and neither of them has ever missed a single performance in all those years!” Watson proclaimed during the special moment.

The hitmaker has charted 75 titles throughout his career, including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records.

“60th Anniversary Tour” Dates:
March 17 Rio Grande Livestock Show – Mercedes, Texas
March 18 Heart of Texas Festival – Brady, Texas
March 19 2920 Roadhouse Bar & Grill – Hockley, Texas
March 25 Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn.
March 26 The Palace Theatre – Crossville, Tenn.
March 31 Arlington Music Hall – Arlington, Texas
April 1 The Cactus Theatre – Lubbock, Texas
April 2 Bare Bones BBQ – Gatesville, Texas
April 8 Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn.
April 9 Jackson Live Events Center – Seymour, Ind.
April 23 McMinnville Park Theater – McMinnville, Tenn.
April 24 Nathan Stanley Festival – Micanopy, Fla.
April 29 The Little Roy & Lizzie Festival at The Lewis Family Homeplace – Lincolnton, Ga.
April 30 Walhalla Civic Auditorium – Walhalla, S.C.
May 7 Sisseton Performing Arts Center – Sisseton S.D.
May 14 Mo’s Place – Katy, Texas
May 21 Southern Junction – Rockwall, Texas
June 3 Hank Williams Festival – Georgiana, Ala.
June 11 Texas Pride BBQ – Adkins, Texas
June 17 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
June 18 Honky Tonk Texas – Silsbee, Texas
June 25 Rodgers Theatre – Poplar Bluff, Mo.
July 1 Beebe City Park – Beebe, Ark.
July 7 Bluegate Performing Arts Center – Shipshewana, Ind.
July 9 Red Barn Convention Center – Winchester, Ohio
July 16 Alto Country Club – Alto, N.M.
Aug. 12 Jettie Baker Center – Clintwood, Va.
Aug. 13 Old Dominion Barn Dance – Hopewell, Va.
Aug. 14 Old Dominion Barn Dance – Hopewell, Va.
Aug. 19 Reidsville Showcase Theater – Reidsville, N.C.
Aug. 20 Liberty Showcase Theatre – Liberty, N.C.
Sept. 4 Fayette County Fair – Lagrange, Texas
Sept. 9 Wild Rose Casino – Jefferson, Iowa
Sept. 10 Monson Lake Opry Festival – Sunburg, Minn.
Sept. 17 Hardy Murphy Coliseum – Ardmore, Okla.
Sept. 30 Capitol Arts Theatre – Bowling Green, Ky.
Oct. 1 Marion Cultural & Civic Center – Marion, Ill.
Oct. 3 Clay Cooper Theater – Branson, Mo.
Oct. 7 Dailey & Vincent Festival – Gainesboro, Tenn.
Oct. 12 Georgia Mountain Fair – Hiawassee, Ga.
Oct. 14 Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky.
Oct. 15 Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky.
Oct. 22 The Mansion – Branson, Mo.
Oct. 29 Coyote Country Store – Gail, Texas
Nov. 11 The Mansion – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 12 Windstone Entertainment Center – Jefferson City, Mo.
Nov. 18 Country Tonite Theatre – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Nov. 19 Heard County Performing Arts Center – Franklin, Ga.
Dec. 2 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
Dec. 9 The Historic Ritz Theatre – Toccoa, Ga.

Hitmakers Hold Steady On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

Ashley Gorley

Positions one through 17 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart remain in place this week.

Ashley Gorley notches his seventh consecutive week at No. 1. The songs that help him maintain his position are “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), and “You Didn’t” (Brett Young).

Shane McAnally stays at No. 2, and newly crowned ACM Songwriter of the Year Michael Hardy rounds out the top three this week.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

CMA Fest 2022 To Return Live & In-Person This June

CMA Fest will make its triumphant return to its live and in-person format this summer from June 9-12 in downtown Nashville.

After having to cancel the 2020 and 2021 editions of the four-day country music festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Country Music Association, artists, and country fans will come together to celebrate the 49th year of the event.

The multi-day festival usually features nightly shows at Nissan Stadium as well as performances all day long at various stages across the city, including the Ascend Amphitheater Stage, CMA Close Up Stage and Spotlight Stage at the Music City Center, the Riverfront Stage on the bank of the Cumberland River, the Stage at Bridgestone Plaza, and stages at Ascend Park and the Walk of Fame.

The week also features a variety of daytime events and stages that are free and open to the public, including games, activities, giveaways, and more. A limited number of four-day tickets are currently available for purchase.

Performers and festivities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Landon Parker Inks With EM.Co & CAA, Shares Plans For New Music

Pictured (L-R, bottom row): Rachael Jordan (EM.Co), James Stewart (EM.Co), Landon Parker, Scott Siman (EM.Co), Beka Bishop (EM.Co); (L-R, top row): Juli Griffith (TriScore), Kelly Clague (EM.Co), Brian Kaplan (EM.Co), Rod Essig (CAA), Blake Chancey (TriScore / Producer), Jack Purcell (EM.Co)

Management firm EM.Co has inked a deal with country singer-songwriter Landon Parker. He joins Tim McGraw, Bad Ass Records, and more on the company’s roster.

Parker signed to Free Dive, McGraw’s publishing company in partnership with TriScore Music, in 2021. He continues to build his team with EM.Co and representation from CAA’s Rod Essig.

“I’m so proud to be working with such a hard-hitting crew,” says Parker. “Everyone at EM.Co, CAA and Free Dive with our TriScore Music partnership has believed in my vision. This dream wouldn’t be possible without them. I’m grateful for their support and I’m ready for fans to hear this music!”

The North Carolina native has plans to release two new songs he co-wrote this Friday (March 18). “Good Beer Drinkin,’” penned with Cody Gregg, and “Caught Me at a Good Time,” written alongside Blake Chancey and Josh Hoge, were both produced by Chancey.

“We signed Landon to our publishing company last year, and he’s just been cranking out hits,” Em.Co President Scott Siman offers. “We’re eager to get this music out and take this to the next level.”

EM.Co VP of Artist Management, James Stewart, adds, “We’ve known Landon since he came to town. His voice and songwriting are unparalleled. To say we’re excited to have him on board is an understatement.”

Later this year, Parker is expected to release an EP via Bad Ass Records, featuring his writing credit on every track with Chancey at the production helm.

Nashville Writers Celebrate Huge Pop Hit, ‘abcdefu’

Pictured (L-R): Dave Pittenger (SESAC), Gayle (BMI) and Sara Davis (BMI) celebrate their No. 1 hit, “abcdefu.” Photo: Acacia Evans

Three Nashville songwriters, Gayle, Sara Davis, and Dave Pittenger, recently came together with their teams to celebrate their massive pop hit, “abcdefu.”

BMI and SESAC’s Nashville teams helped the trio celebrate, throwing a party at Hurry Back before 17-year-old Gayle took the stage next door at Exit/In. “abcdefu” marks all three songwriter’s first No. 1 song. The certified Platinum track has amassed over 1.1 billion streams globally, and will be included on Gayle’s debut EP A Study Of The Human Experience Volume One, due out March 18.

The party started with a rousing singalong of the in-your-face breakup anthem. BMI’s Clay Bradley took the stage to get things started. “Man, is this a cultural moment or what?” he said. “This is a song that defines a generation. I like to say it’s built as a classic Nashville-style song. The art of storytelling, this time through the eyes of a 17-year-old.”

Pictured (L-R, top row): Big Machine’s Alex Heddle, Atlantic Records’ Kelly Sayer, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, UMPG’s Zach Lund, Atlantic Records’ Pete Ganbarg, Arthouse Entertainment’s Kara DioGuardi, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, Big Machine’s Mike Molinar, BMI’s Clay Bradley, and Kristina Russo; (L-R, bottom row): Dave Pittenger, Gayle, Sara Davis. Photo: Acacia Evans

In typical Nashville fashion, respected publishers and label executives were on hand to talk about the monumental achievement.

Bradley first invited SESAC’s Shannan Hatch to speak about her affiliate, Pittenger. “I really thought I would be up here doing this for Dave with a country song,” Hatch said of the multi-genre writer. “So this is fun!”

Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace also spoke on Pittenger’s behalf. Wallace eloquently recalled the events of the writing of “abcdefu” during the pandemic. “Armed with vodka disinfectant, and a strong middle finger, Dave, Galye and Sara sat inside the Big Yellow Dog office’s empty halls to write the ultimate break up song,” she said. “‘abcdefu’ is the ultimate anthem.”

Big Machine’s Mike Molinar stepped up to speak on 20-year-old writer Davis. “You may have beaten the Nashville 10-year-town rule, just by a smidge,” Molinar joked before telling Davis’ story of moving to Nashville to write songs at the age of 14. “You may have beat the 10 year rule, but you’ve put in your 10,000 hours already.”

Molinar also pointed out that, now with a pop hit under their belt, they can continue building onto that success at “Big Machine West”—the indie music publisher’s recently opened Los Angeles office. “Thank you for making us look like geniuses two months ofter opening our LA office!” he said.

UMPG’s Zach Lund stepped up to speak on Gayle. “Gayle is someone who, to the deepest level, knows who she is and has a vision,” he said. “The exciting thing about tonight is not just that we’re celebrating this massive song, but also that this moment will serve as a catalyst for an artist who knows who she is and is going to take this opportunity to its fullest.”

Arthouse’s Kara DioGuardi, who discovered the young talent, highlighted that when it comes to success, age is but a number. “This song sends a really important message to the industry because it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter how established you are,” she said. “Forget metrics, just look at pure talent.”

Atlantic Record’s Pete Ganbarg closed the executive presentations with a list of some the song’s stats. “The fact that we are sitting here with three growing songwriters, who have written a No. 1 pop record out of Nashville that is right now streaming cumulatively over 1.1 billion streams, make this even more enjoyable,” he said.

When the co-writers spoke, they each told a story about the creation and meteoric rise of the fun song.

Pittenger was emotional when he got up to speak, thanking his team and co-writers for their part in the success of the song. “Everyone asks if we knew [it was going to be a hit] when we wrote it. The answer is yes,” he said “We made a pact to get tattoos when it went No. 1, so we knew.”

Davis added her own stories about “abcdefu,” pointing out that Pittenger brought in the idea for the song. “Thanks so much to everyone who has been a part of this,” she said to the crowd.

Gayle echoed her co-writers sentiments, and looked back on how far she’d come. “I played my first round seven years ago yesterday. I was just a girl with a dream and a guitar that was bigger than me,” the young writer said. “Sara and I started writing pop music in my bedroom. It was so daring. We were two Nashville girls writing pop music.”

She closed with a word of thanks to her team, family, and co-writers. “Thank you to every single person that has been with me on this music journey, especially [my co-writers]. We would not be here without you.”

Weekly Register: Dolly Parton Makes Top 5 On The Country Albums Chart

Country icon Dolly Parton explodes onto the top country albums chart this week with the release of her newest record Run, Rose, Run. The album, which serves as a companion album to her book of the same name that she co-wrote with award-winning author James Patterson, debuts at No. 4 on the country charts and No. 34 overall with 17K in total consumption (15.5K album only/1.1 million song streams).

Morgan Wallen continues his reign at the top of the country albums chart as Dangerous: The Double Album earns 45K in total consumption (2K album only/54 million song streams), according to MRC data. Taylor Swift also maintains her spot at No. 2 with Red (Taylor’s Version) gaining 19K in total consumption. Luke Combs nabs the remaining spots with What You See Is What You Get coming in at No. 3 and This One’s For You at No. 5 with 18K and 16K, respectively.

On the songs front, “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) keeps its spot at No. 1, gaining 6.3 million streams this week. Walker Hayes follows in the second spot as “Fancy Like” adds 5.9 million streams. Hayes also takes the fifth spot with “AA” earning 5.6 million streams. Combs’ “Doin’ This” falls to No. 3 with 5.7 million streams, and Cody Johnson‘s “Til You Can’t” falls to No. 4 with 5.6 million streams.

A Look Inside The New 320,000+ Square Foot Production Campus, Worldwide Stages

Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

A little over 30 miles out from downtown Nashville sits a new production campus serving the entertainment industry, Worldwide Stages. With 320,000+ square feet of facilities on 38 acres, the expansive campus was settled in the former Saturn headquarters in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Of its many amenities, Worldwide Stages contains four sound stages ranging from 3,000 to 21,000 square feet that can be used by musicians to rehearse their performances before they go on tour, or film/TV professionals to produce movies and TV series.

Pictured: Worldwide Stages CEO, Kelly Frey. Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

But Worldwide Stages aims to be more than just another sound stage. They want to be a gathering place for creatives that provides concierge services and amenities to the guests using their space.

In addition to their expansive sound stages, Worldwide Stages offers on-site food and beverage service, event spaces, parking for hundreds of vehicles, on-site industry vendors, and even laundry and shower facilities. Within its massive square footage are areas dedicated to meeting spaces, production offices, a theater for viewing rehearsal footage, and on-site dining areas. They are even designing a speakeasy where artists can relax while on campus.

All of these amenities speak to Worldwide Stages’ plan to create an environment where the artists concentrate on performance and creation—rather than logistics.

Worldwide Stages was originated by two music industry veterans, Shane Ellis and Mark Long. CEO Kelly Frey, whose background includes executive production and technology projects, runs the operation.

“What we saw was an industry that was underserved,” Frey tells MusicRow. “We wanted to create a safe, secure environment where the artists can come in, do the hard work that’s required for tour prep, and do it in the proximity of their home.

“We’re very service oriented,” he adds. “It’s not only the visual space, but it’s the support structure as well. We have gigabyte-level internet speed, 400 amp 3-phase power with distros coming off the power at the places where you need them. We’ve got [approximately] a quarter of a million dollars in backline equipment. If somebody forgot something, we can come in and provide speakers, microphones, drum sets, or whatever is required. We’re just trying to make it easier, this industry is tough enough.”

On the film and TV side, the sound stages at Worldwide Stages are readily adaptable for whatever a film crew may need. “Having those capabilities provides an advantage over just a big black box that [crews] sometimes find themselves in.”

Security is also top priority for Worldwide Stages. The campus is surrounded on three sides by four-lane highway with interstate highway style fencing, and employs 24/7 security personnel with video surveillance technology. “When you drive up, it looks like another industrial building. That’s by design. We don’t want to stick out,” Frey says.

Worldwide Stages opened for business in September of 2021, and has already hosted many award-winning acts. They will hold a grand opening on a to-be-determined date at the end of May to coincide with the one year anniversary of closing on the real estate.

“I love it when I hear that a tour manager has told another tour manager, ‘You’ll never go anywhere else,'” Frey sums. “We credit that to our people. We have a staff that goes above and beyond.”

Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

A dining area. Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

The lobby at Worldwide Stages. Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

Sitting area. Photo: Courtesy of Worldwide Stages

The Shires Commemorate Journey On New Album ’10 Year Plan’

The Shires. Photo: JBK Photography

The Shires, the UK country duo comprised of Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle, have released their new album, 10 Year Plan.

The 13-track project, produced by Lindsay Rimes, reminisces about the duo’s big city hopes and dreams when their career was just starting in 2012. Opening with“Cut Me Loose,” the Shires bring their harmonies together on tracks such as “Sparks Fly” and “A Bar Without You,” as well as on the closing, pedal steel guitar-tinged “When It Hurts.” Writers contributing to the project include Eric Paslay, Justin Ebach, and Lizzy McAvoy.

“We are so excited to finally have our new album 10 Year Plan out,” The Shires share. “We celebrate 10 years together as duo next year, and this album looks back at every point on that journey–all the milestones we have had. Our hope is that this album can be the soundtrack to uplift spirits and enable us all to create new happy memories. We hope you enjoy it.”

The Shires’ achievements were recently celebrated when they were presented with the CMA’s Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award for furthering the popularity of country music throughout the UK.

The duo’s 2015 debut album, Brave, became the first-ever Top 10 album by a UK country music duo. In the years since, they have achieved three consecutive UK Top 3 albums, four No. 1 UK country albums, over 100 million streams, two Gold certified records, and played countless sold-out headlining shows.

10 Year Plan Track List:
“Cut Me Loose” (Justin Ebach, Lizzy McAvoy)
“Sparks Fly” (Ben Earle)
“Side By Side” (Ben Earle, Katya Edwards)
“Plot Twist” (Ben Earle, Beth McCarthy)
“10 Year Plan” (Ben Earle, Sarah Sheldrake)
“I See Stars” (Ben Earle, Jeff Cohen)
“A Bar Without You” (Ben Earle, Eric Paslay, Jennifer Wayne)
“Baby We’re Rich” (Ben Earle, Lindsay Rimes)
“Skydive” (Ben Earle)
“Wild Hearts” (Ben Earle)
“Forever Tonight” (Ben Earle, Sarah Sheldrake)
“Peggy I’m Sorry” (Ben Earle)
“When It Hurts” (Ben Earle)