Rissi Palmer Rereleases 2007 Debut Album On Streaming Platforms

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Rissi Palmer is rereleasing her self-titled debut album from 2007 on streaming platforms.

The reissue was made possible by Invasion Merch, a new merchandising company that seeks to empower independent artists. The remixed collection includes all 12 of the album’s original songs as well as three bonus tracks, also released in 2007, as an EP for Starbucks: “Roots & Wings,” “No Air” and “Remembering You.”

Rissi Palmer made history 17 years ago by featuring the first charting country song by a Black female artist in two decades.

“As an artist, having the freedom to express oneself creatively and autonomously is paramount. Reissuing this album on my own terms is a dream come true,” says Palmer. “I hold immense affection for this album and look forward to new audiences finding it and loving it too.”

The artist has released three independent albums ,and received two Grammy nominations in the Best Children’s Music Album category. Palmer also hosts Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music, where she champions the diverse contributions of people of color to country music.

Rissi Palmer Track Listing:

1. Hold On To Me
2. Country Girl
3. No Air
4. Anybody Out There
5. Hurt Don’t Know When To Quit
6. Mr. Ooh La La
7. All This Woman Needs
8. Flowers On My Window Ledge
9. Leavin’ On Your Mind
10. Butterflies
11. Sweet Contradictions
12. Love You Like A Woman
13. I’m Not Afraid Of This World
14. Roots And Wings
15. Remembering You

Roy Carter, DelFest & High Sierra Festival Co-Founder, Dies

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Roy Carter

Roy Carter, one of the original founders of the High Sierra Music Festival and DelFest, passed away of congestive heart failure on April 29. He was 68.

Carter got his start in the business doing publicity for clubs and venues, and creating recycling programs for festivals and music events. In 1991 he and three other partners started High Sierra Music Festival in Leland Meadows, California. The festival pioneered featuring rock, acoustic, bluegrass, jazz and folk all together in one weekend.

High Sierra Music Festival nurtured the burgeoning jam scene, helping boost the careers of acts such as the String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, the Slip, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Umphrey’s McGee and many others. Carter had a keen eye for talent, and was known for booking bands very early in their careers such as Billy Strings, the Revivalists, Avett Brothers and the Lumineers.

Carter is survived by his wife, Carla, and daughter, as well as his sister Anne and brother Bob. In lieu of flowers, Carter requested donations to the American Heart Association or a local food bank.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Travis Denning & Mickey Guyton Share Disc Of The Day

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Travis Denning, Mickey Guyton

The sun is shining, and there’s a spring in your step, so the country stars are here to get your feet tapping, too.

New tracks by Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Elle King and a Darius Rucker/Jennifer Nettles collaboration set the pace this week in DISClaimer.

Our male winner of the Disc of the Day prize is Travis Denning, and his winning female counterpart is Mickey Guyton. Each had tough competition via the new tracks by Tim Dugger and Lacy J. Dalton, respectively.

I have no DISCovery honoree this week. But we live in hope.

RYAN CHARLES / “Heartbreak Rodeo”
Writer: Ryan Charles; Producers: Kyle Jefferson/Austin Bianco; Label: River House Artists
– This nasal-sounding rapper is attempting a hip-hop country fusion. I’m not buyin’ it. It takes more than putting on a cowboy hat to be a country artist.

JOSH TURNER / “Heatin’ Things Up”
Writers: Brice Long/Luke Laird/Marv Green; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Label: MCA Nashville
– Turner dips into his lowest register during his performance of this slow-burn ode to lust. Nice and listenable.

TIM DUGGER / “Man Upstairs”
Writers: Brandon Hood/Josh Thompson/Tim Dugger; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Curb Records
– I like the easy-going, kicked-back vibe of this neo-traditionalist’s love song. It has a summertime, front-porch-swing mood that is mighty attractive. The gently persuasive, less-is-more production is perfect.

DARIUS RUCKER & JENNIFER NETTLES / “Never Been Over”
Writers: Darius Rucker/John Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– The relationship has had its ups and downs, but through it all, they endure. Rucker takes the first verse and his phrasing dominates. Nettles enters, piercingly, then he joins her in a duet. She takes the harmony part, but does some dandy extemporaneous vocal licks, too. Well done, both of you.

ELLE KING / “Baby Daddy’s Weekend”
Writers: Elle King/Nicolette Hayford; Producers: Elle King/Dave Cohen; Label: RCA Records
– King’s on a rompin,’ stompin’ rampage on this rousing, summer-vacation anthem. Her buddies are shouting along while the guitars and drums rock out.

WILLIE NELSON / “Made In Texas”
Writers: Monty Holmes/Shawn Camp; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Willie turned 91 on Monday. He also released a new track. Drawn from his upcoming album The Border, it’s a jaunty western swinger that has shout outs to Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb and Lone Star Beer. Not to mention the immortal line, “You can always tell a Texan/But you can’t tell him much.” Cool extended guitar workouts flavor the tune. And a good time was had by all.

GRANT GILBERT / “Drunk Since Dallas”
Writers: Forrest Finn/Grant Gilbert/Joe Whelan; Producer: Lukas Scott; Label: River House Artists
– Hillbilly heartache, set to a wildly percolating, bopping beat.

MIRANDA LAMBERT / “Wranglers”
Writers: Audra Mae/Evan McKeever/Ryan Carpenter; Producers: Miranda Lambert/Jon Randall; Label: Republic Records
– It’s a female-empowerment, revenge roar. She always did love to light stuff on fire, but alas, “wranglers take forever to burn.”

TRAVIS DENNING / “Add Her To The List”
Writers: Paul DiGiovanni/Bobby Pinson/Jeremy Stover; Producers: Paul DiGiovanni/Jeremy Stover; Label: Mercury Nashville
– He has run into the ditch, hit dead ends, taken wrong turns and screwed up many, many times. Not the least of the things he wishes he could fix is the relationship. So of all the wrongs he’d make right, you can “add her to the list.” Marvelously well written and performed with verve. This deserves massive airplay.

MICKEY GUYTON / “Scary Love”
Writers: Karen Kosowski/Emma-Lee/Mickey Guyton/Victoria Banks; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Guyton is such an excellent singer. And with a piece of material this strong, she can really raise the rafters. The pounding, throbbing production matches her passionate performance of this inspirational motherhood lyric. The video features beyond-adorable footage of her baby as an infant and as a toddler. Your heart will melt.

LACY J. DALTON / “What Don’t Kill Ya!”
Writer: Lacy J. Dalton; Producer: Jimmy Norris; Label: StarVista Music
– To the accompaniment of a bluesy, twanging track, veteran Dalton struts through this slice of outlaw wisdom. No matter the difficulty you face in your life, face it and you’ll survive. Punchy and potent. One of the most charismatic voices in this genre still has the goods. And how.

TERRI CLARK & BEN RECTOR / “Now That I Found You”
Writer: J.D. Martin/Paul Begaud/Vanessa Corish; Producer: Terri Clark; Label: Universal Music Enterprises
– Clark’s album of celebrity duets drops on May 31. Titled Take Two, it includes her collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Kelly Clarkson, Carly Pearce (”Girls Lie Too”), Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde (”Better Things to Do”), Lauren Alaina and more. Clark is in fine voice on this swoon-y ballad. Rector doesn’t have her magnetism, but is an able duet foil on the romantic, melodic reinterpretation of her 1998 hit.

Big Machine Label Group Partners With GSTV To Provide Exclusive Content

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Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has partnered with on-the-go video network GSTV, which reaches audiences across tens of thousands of fuel retailers, to provide exclusive musical content.

The partnership will launch with the Sound Bites Powered by Big Machine series, giving customers at over 29,000 locations nationwide behind the scenes looks, new music previews and more from the label group’s roster including Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean as well as its latest addition Mötley Crüe, among others.

Brands will also have the opportunity to work with the label group’s artists and music in new ways through the partnership, such as participating in the Big Machine Label Group x CMA Fest 2024 while engaging with GSTV’s more than 115 million viewers each month.

“Our audience of drivers inherently loves music, and we’re thrilled to partner with Big Machine Label Group, one of Nashville’s biggest and best labels, to engage our viewers with beloved artists and encourage discovery of new music while on the road,” says Kristina Lutz, EVP, Marketing, GSTV. “Our partnership also brings robust opportunities for our brand partners to engage with Big Machine’s roster of talent in an unexpected and impactful way during a powerful moment of attention and consideration. This is great for viewers, for artists and for our retail and brand partners—a true win/win/win.”

“GSTV has such an incredible reach—especially with the power of a captive audience. We’re excited for all of the possibilities this partnership creates in addition to rolling out the new content series,” notes Clay Hunnicutt, EVP, Label Operations, Big Machine Label Group. “We love being able to treat the millions of music lovers that stop at GSTV locations across the U.S. to fresh, fun content and music from their favorite artists…and maybe even introduce them to their next favorite artist or song.”

Artists & Industry Professionals Gather For Grammys On The Hill

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Pictured (L-R): House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Sheryl Crow and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Photo: Courtesy of the Recording Academy/Getty Images

Grammy winners, nominees and industry leaders visited Washington D.C. this week for Grammys on the Hill.

Artists in attendance included Patti Austin, Lauren Daigle, Kenyon Dixon, Sara Gazarek, J. Ivy, Rapsody, Mark Ronson and Leon Thomas. Leaders of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. (CEO), Panos A. Panay (President), Todd Dupler (Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer) and Tammy Hurt (Chair of the Board of Trustees) were also present.

The War and Treaty. Photo: Courtesy of the Recording Academy/ Getty Images

The program began on Tuesday night (April 30) with the Grammys on the Hill Awards. Hosted by singer and actress Candiace Dillard Bassett, the awards honored nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow, Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). All three were presented with an award for their contributions and support of music creators.

During the award ceremony, several artists performed including Crow, Daigle, Arkai, Dwan Hill and The War and Treaty.

On Wednesday (May 1), attendees began the day by meeting with members of congress, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX). Conversations focused on the No AI FRAUD Act, the No FAKES Act, the Fans First Act and the TICKET Act.

To wrap up the day, they visited the White House for time to talk with top Biden administration professionals surrounding the issues music creators are facing today.

The week will culminate on Friday (May 3) with the innaguaral Grammys on the Hill Future Forum. Held in partnership with the Human Artistry Campaign, the event will dive into the impact of AI on the music community with a industry leader panel.

Vincent Mason Signs With WME

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Pictured (L-R): WME’s Braeden Rountree, Carter Green, Adam Fisher, Vincent Mason, and Champ Management’s Matt Musacchio, Kyle Marsh   Photo: Courtesy of WME

Singer-songwriter Vincent Mason has signed with WME for global representation in all areas.

The rising artist grew up in Roswell, Georgia, and was inspired early on by movie soundtracks and how each song fit perfectly into the storyline. Fusing influences such as Parker McCollum and John Mayer, he meshes southern country with his pop sensibilities into a fresh new sound that’s becoming popular in the genre. His track “Hell is a Dance Floor” has already amassed over 12 million streams and has recently been added to SiriusXM’s The Highway.

Mason has been on the road opening for McCollum, Ashley Cooke and Niko Moon, and is set to open for Gavin Adcock on several dates and make his CMA Fest debut this summer.

“Vincent’s fresh approach to songwriting and unique sound has already made him a standout in our genre and WME is thrilled to be part of the team,” share his WME reps.

“The first time I met the team at WME, I felt their belief in me and knew they were ready to get to work. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to play some incredible shows and I’m excited for what’s next,” says Mason. “I’m blessed to have them on my team!”

Industry Ink: Lizzie Greene, Bill Anderson, CAA, Jake Angel, Bandit Lites

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Black River Entertainment Hires Lizzie Greene

Lizzie Greene

Black River Entertainment has hired Lizzie Greene as Manager, Digital Marketing in an expansion of the company’s digital department. Announced by Black River’s Senior Director, Streaming & Revenue, Grace Watson, Greene will lead the development and implementation of all digital marketing strategies for Black River’s roster.

Greene brings a wealth of experience to Black River, having previously worked with companies such as Beautiful Digital, Crowdsurf and TikTok. In her previous roles, she managed global clients and artist accounts, promoting audience interaction and increased engagement.

“I’m thrilled to have Lizzie join our team here at Black River,” expresses Watson. “Her expertise in the digital marketing space will be a great asset to our company and the continued development of our artists.”

“I’m delighted to be joining the Black River Entertainment team and working under the guidance of Gordon Kerr, Rick Froio, and Grace Watson,” shares Greene. “I’m eager to work alongside the team to create strategic digital campaigns for Black River’s artists!”

 

Bill Anderson Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

Pictured (L-R) Dr. David Godbold and Bill Anderson. Photo: Lee Willard

Legendary Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson was honored with yet another accolade on Thursday (April 25). The South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame presented Anderson with the first ever Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award, named after Hall of Fame founder Dr. David Godbold, recognizes an artist who has previously been inducted and has achieved significant national access in the field of music or entertainment.

“What a thrill it was to go back to the state where I was born and receive the first Lifetime Achievement Award ever given to a member of the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame,” Anderson shares. “I appreciate the efforts of Dr. David Godbold and his staff for keeping alive the music and accomplishments of entertainers and musicians with roots in South Carolina. I told the audience in my acceptance speech that Bill Anderson has never ceased to be proud that he’s from South Carolina and that it’s nice to know South Carolina hasn’t forgotten Bill Anderson as well.”

 

CAA Hosts Brunch At Stagecoach 2024

Flying Mojito Bros, Jacob Lapidus

Creative Artists Agency celebrated Stagecoach with a star-studded brunch in Indio, California on April 27.

The event brought together CAA agents, executives, clients and friends along with executives Rich Schaefer from AEG, Big Loud’s Greg Thompson, Left/Right’s John Meneilly, Spotify’s Jeremy Erlich, Range’s Matt Graham and more.

The festival featured a plethora of CAA performances including Jelly Roll, Maddie & Tae, Nickelback, Leon Bridges, Hailey Whitters, Charley Crockett, Willie Nelson and more.

 

Jake Angel Inks With Kobalt

Pictured (L-R): Kevin Lane and Jake Angel

Beat-maker Jake Angel has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Kobalt. Amassing over 400 million global streams across his catalog, the Leeds, UK native, known under the moniker Jake Angel Beats, has had his beats used by the likes of Chase Matthew, NBA YoungBoy, Jay Webb, Traphouse Koda, Dixon Dallas, Jamie Ray and more.

 

Bandit Lites Taps Matt Day As Human Resources Director

Matt Day

Bandit Lites has hired Matt Day as its new Human Resources Director. Joining the company with nearly two decades of human resources experience, Day will lead the human resources department, enhance employee engagement and streamline the company’s operations.

“I personally oversaw the process as the HR position is so vitally important to Bandit, as it is every firm,” says Bandit Lites Chair Michael T. Strickland. “We had to have a top notch, highly qualified and very respected person. Matt is just that person. I know he will be a great team member for years to come and I am proud to work beside him. Thank you for joining the team, Matt!”

“Working in Human Resources is more than just a job; it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself,” says Day. “Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this role is assisting others to resolve issues that they cannot fix themselves. In HR, each interaction is an opportunity to foster a positive work environment and empower individuals to thrive professionally and personally.”

Dolly Parton To Kick Off CMA Fest Fan Fair X Events

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Dolly Parton is set to kick off CMA Fest’s Fan Fair X with a special conversation on the CMA Close Up Stage on June 6, launching four days of one-of-a-kind panels, special performances, meet-and-greets, partner activations and a vendor marketplace.

Fans can also experience Parton’s All Access! Pop Up Experience at Fan Fair X, open every day. The Experience will feature many of Parton’s merchandise items as well as sampling and demonstrations from Good Lookin’ Cookin’, the new cookbook written by Parton and her sister, Rachel Parton George.

Fan Fair X will welcome some of country’s hottest stars featured as CMA Fest Artists of the Day—Cody Johnson takes the CMA Close Up Stage on Friday, Thomas Rhett on Saturday, and Lainey Wilson on Sunday.

The lineups have also been revealed for Fan Fair X’s CMA Close Up Stage and Spotlight Stage as well.

Hitting the acoustic Spotlight Stage inside Fan Fair X from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday are Abbie Callahan, Adam Mac, Andrew Swift, Ashley Ryan, Boomtown Saints, Cale Tyson, Camille Parker, Carson Wallace, Charly Reynolds, Conor Clemmons, Dillon James, Dzaki Sukarno, The Heels, Holdyn Barder, Ian Harrison, Jacquie Roar, Jarvis Redd, JD Shelburne, Jenny Teator, Kezia Gill, Lane Pittman, Leah Turner, Michael Warren, Nice Horse, Orlando Mendez, Remember Monday, Ryan Larkins, Sacha, Sasha McVeigh, Scoot Teasley, Taylor Moss, Taylor-Rae, Teigan Gayse, Valerie Ponzio, Veronique Medrano, Wade Forster, Wardel and Zach John King.

Fan Fair X takes place Thursday, June 6-8 (9:30 a.m-5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, June 9 (9:30 AM-4:00 PM). Venue doors open daily at 9:30 a.m..

Mark Your Calendar—May 2024

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Single/Track Release Dates: 

Photo: Courtesy of Republic Records

May 3
Miranda Lambert/Wranglers/Republic/Big Loud
Kelsey Hart/Burn My Summer/Curb Records
Brennley Brown/Miracle Story/Provident Entertainment

May 6
Johnny Cash/Well Alright/Mercury Nashville/UMe
Austin Snell/Pray All The Way Home/Warner Music Nashville
Kassi Ashton/Called Crazy/MCA Records Nashville/ICLG
Frank Ray/Uh-huh (Ajá)/Stoney Creek Records
Jet Jurgensmeyer/Good Days/Simba Entertainment
Rob Fitzgerald/Forever Together/Riverbend Recordings

May 13
Locash/Hometown Home/Galaxy Label Group
Dalton Dover/Bury Me In This Bar/Mercury Nashville
Ryan Jewel/Owe It All To You/Ryan Jewel Music
Lefory/Back Home/Stallion Records

May 16
Pepper Brooks/Old Fashioned Therapy/MC1
Myranda Christi/Shattered Heart/MC1

May 17
Annie Bosko/Neon Baby (Roadhouse Remix) Dance Version/Ston Country Records

May 20
Kameron Marlowe & Ella Langley/Strangers/Columbia Nashville
Soul Circus Cowboys/Sit On A Beach/Kismet Nashville

May 24
Becca Bowen/Heartbreaking Business

May 27
Anthony Von/Kiss Me First/Greg Kavanagh Music
Dionya Maria/Miss You So Mad/Billieegee Productions

May 28
Alex Miller/My Daddy’s Dad/Billy Jam Records

May 31
Rachel Lipsky/Wonky Tonk/Riot South

 

Album/EP Release Dates: 

May 3
Tenille Arts/To Be Honest/Dreamcatcher
Bowen*Young/Us/Snakefarm

May 10
Scotty McCreery/Rise & Fall/Triple Tigers
Sturgill Simpson/Metamodern Sounds In Country Music
Brian Kelley/Tennessee Truth/Big Machine Records
Wade Bowen/Flyin/Bowen Sounds/Thirty Tigers/The Orchard
Lily Rose/Runnin’ Outta Time/Big Loud
Ed Bruce (posthumous)/After Hours/Music Row Talent Records

May 17 
The Mavericks/Moon & Stars/Mono Mundo Recordings/Thirty Tigers
Kate Hudson/Glorious/Virgin Music
Laci Kaye Booth/The Loneliest Girl In The World/Geffen Records
Reid Haughton/Higher Than 9/River House Artists

May 24
Travis Denning/Roads That Go Nowhere/Mercury Nashville

May 31
Willie Nelson/The Border/Legacy Recordings
Shaboozey/Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going/Empire
Kameron Marlowe/Keepin’ The Lights On/Sony Music Nashville
Kelsey Hart/Life With You/Curb Records
Austin Tolliver/Bad 4 U/Average Joes Entertainment
Terri Clark/Terri Clark: Take Two/Mercury Nashville

 

Industry Events:

 

May 1 – 5
Key West Songwriters Festival

May 13 – 16
Music Biz 2024

May 16
59th ACM Awards

Tenille Arts To Embark On ‘To Be Honest World Tour’

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Tenille Arts will embark on her “To Be Honest World Tour,” starting in Helotes, Texas this Friday (May 3).

After opening the Canadian dates of Luke Bryan’s “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” earlier this month, Arts is set to play 27 dates across the U.S., Canada as well as five U.K shows throughout the headlining journey. Beginning May 30, she will join Walker Hayes’ “Same Drunk Tour” for 12 dates in addition to opening for Justin Moore in Champaign, Illinois on Sept. 13. For more information, click here.

Arts also plans to release her fourth studio album, To Be Honest, this Friday. The singer-songwriter co-wrote 12 of the tour namesake’s 14 tracks. The project also includes “So Do I,” written by Demi Lovato, Sasha Sloan, Laura Veltz and the track’s producer King Henry, which Arts debuted live on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

“I am so excited to be able to celebrate the To Be Honest album on tour all over the world this year,” she says. “Getting to join Luke Bryan, Walker Hayes, Justin Moore and other friends out on the road is such a dream come true. There’s nothing better than seeing the fans out on the road and making new ones along the way! I’ll see you out there on the ‘To Be Honest World Tour’!”