Wynonna & More Among Lineup For ‘Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music Of Patsy Cline’

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“Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline” will celebrate the music of iconic country legend Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium on April 22.

The event will kick off with opening remarks by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who will join in paying tribute to Cline’s enduring legacy. A lineup of performers including Wynonna, Ashley McBryde, Rita Wilson, Home Free, Kristin Chenoweth, Mickey Guyton and more will take the stage, offering renditions of Cline’s timeless melodies in a celebration of her life.

Since 1959, Cline called Nashville her home, relocating to Music City to pursue her musical aspirations. Throughout her career, she graced the stage of the “Mother Church of Country Music” countless times, making it the perfect venue to an evening honoring her legacy.

Bailey Zimmerman Takes ‘Where It Ends’ To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart

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Bailey Zimmerman’s breakup anthem “Where It Ends” claims the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, climbing from No. 2 to No. 1.

Co-written with Grant Averill and Joe London, the track appears on Zimmerman’s Leave The Light On album, which also includes No. 1 hits “Fall In Love” and “Rock and A Hard Place.”

Zimmerman has been busy on the road headlining his very own “Religiously. The Tour.” set to make it’s final stop on Aug. 31 in Durant, Oklahoma at Choctaw Casino. Along with this, he has been providing support to Morgan Wallen on his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour.”

“Where It Ends” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 8 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

BMI Launches New Royalty Dashboard

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BMI has launched a new Royalty Dashboard as part of a broader initiative to enhance its overall affiliate customer service experience.

The new dashboard is featured in the redesigned Online Services (OLS) Platform, and seeks to provide BMI songwriters and composers with a more streamlined and transparent way to view their statements and gain greater insights into their earnings.

This resource aims to give affiliates a fully interactive view of their royalty statements for the first time, whether it’s a broad overview of how their catalog is performing or drilling down to specific earnings around a particular song.

Through the Royalty Dashboard, creators can now view their top-performing titles and search individual works for a consolidated earnings summary. Additionally, affiliates can monitor quarterly and annual earnings trends, explore international earnings and more.

“We’re excited to introduce the first iteration of BMI’s Royalty Dashboard through the redesigned OLS Platform as part of our commitment to delivering tools that empower our music creators,” says Alison Smith, EVP, Chief Distribution & Publisher Relations Officer, BMI. “Based on the feedback from an initial focus group of our songwriters and composers, we’re thrilled to report their enthusiastic response to the dashboard’s intuitive features, particularly the ability to consolidate song performance earnings and filter by source.”

Other enhancements to the OLS Platform allow users to log in from a mobile web browser or through the new fully featured iOS mobile app that aligns with the website experience. The platform also hopes to provide additional self-service options and a publisher focused dashboard to launch as part of a later phase.

‘Opry Country Classics’ To Pay Tribute To Johnny Paycheck In May

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“Opry Country Classics” will celebrate the music of singer-songwriter Johnny Paycheck on May 9.

Opry members Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson and the Gatlin Brothers as well as special guest William Michael Morgan are among those set to perform in Paycheck’s honor. Three second-generation performers: John Paycheck (son of Johnny Paycheck), Georgette Jones (daughter of George Jones and Tammy Wynette) and Jesse Keith Whitley (son of Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan) will also be featured during the special tribute show.

Hosted by Opry member Larry Gatlin, “Opry Country Classics” takes place on  Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Grand Ole Opry House. Each  event features a number of special guests, including a Spotlight Artist sharing several greatest hits and country classics. Those slated for upcoming shows include Avery Anna, The Bellamy Brothers, Suzy Bogguss, T. Graham Brown, Mae Estes, Don Schlitz, Marty Stuart and Twitty and Lynn.

For more information, click here.

Jelly Roll Opens Studio In Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center

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Jelly Roll opens studio in Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center

Jelly Roll has officially opened a music studio in Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center.

After dedicating a portion of the proceeds from his Bridgestone Arena headlining show last December, he opened the studio during a “Redemption Songs” event hosted by the Beat of Life Organization.

Jelly Roll and fellow Nashville native Ernest both performed at the new studio for those currently incarcerated, along with other artists, volunteers and songwriters. Also in attendance were Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who introduced Jelly Roll, as well as Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway and a handful of music industry members in addition to local and national correctional leaders. The studio seeks to be a lasting resource for aspiring musicians to create in the very place Jelly Roll was once housed as a youth.

UMe To Release Remastered Jimmy Buffett Collections On Vinyl This Summer

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UMe is commemorating Jimmy Buffett‘s musical legacy by releasing remastered classic collections from his storied career on vinyl this summer.

10 albums will be released throughout the summer that stretch over three decades of Buffett’s career, including three of his ’90s albums making their debut on vinyl for the first time, and many of his ’70s and ’80s records returning to vinyl for the first time in more than four decades. Each release will be available on standard black vinyl and limited edition colored vinyl.

The first trio will be released on June 7, and consists of Living And Dying In 3/4 Time (1973), One Particular Harbour (1983) and Fruitcakes (1994). Living And Dying In 3/4 Time marked Buffett’s fourth album and debut on the charts, giving him his first top 40 single, “Come Monday,” breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. One Particular Harbour features a few fans favorites he played the most at his concerts, including “Stars On The Water” and the crowd-pleasing title track. Platinum-certified Fruitcakes, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, was the first of Buffett’s album to break the top five on Billboard’s 200 chart.

A sea breeze vinyl design is set for Living And Dying In 3/4 Time, while One Particular Harbour will have a daydream-colored design. The double LP Fruitcakes will have one album in sunshine ray color and the other in apricot.

Arriving July 12 is the second trio of vinyl releases,  A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean (1973), Havana Daydreamin’ (1976) and Banana Wind (1996). Featuring singles “Grapefruit – Juicy Fruit” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean helped introduce Buffett to a national audience. Havana Daydreamin’ became a real breakout album for the artist, reaching No. 65 on Billboard‘s 200 chart and No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. Banana Wind debuted at No. 4 on Billboard‘s Top 200, and contains “Jamaica Mistaica,” a tune inspired by a real-life incident where Jamaican authorities mistakenly shot at his seaplane with Bono, his family and Chris Blackwell on board.

A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean will be released in transparent pumpkin spice orange, and  Havana Daydreamin’ will be in opaque carmine red. The double LP Banana Wind will pair a light blue album with an opaque white one.

The four releases set for Aug. 16 are Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes (1977), Son Of A Son Of A Sailor (1978), Volcano (1979) and Barometer Soup (1995). Platinum-certified Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Altitudes is his best-selling album with signature smash “Margaritaville.” Also certified Platinum, Son Of A Son Of A Sailor boasts the title track and the beloved tune “Cheeseburger In Paradise.” Peaking at No. 14 on Billboard‘s 200 chart as well as No. 13 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums, Gold-certified Volcano features the hit singles “Fins,” “Volcano” and “Survive.” The single “Mexico” highlights Barometer Soup, another Platinum album which reached No. 6 on Billboard‘s 200 chart.

Chris Young To Headline Nashville’s ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ Fourth Of July Celebration

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Chris Young. Photo: John Shearer

Chris Young is slated to headline this year’s “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” celebration, presented by Dr Pepper.

The country star will be joined on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage by Yola, Girl Named Tom and Blessing Offor. Free and open to the public, the annual downtown event will feature one of the nation’s largest Independence Day firework shows, which will include drone light elements synchronized to live music from the Nashville Symphony for the first time. The Amazon Family Fun Zone will also return, and include inflatables and live music.

“Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” is partnering with Public Education Needs Community Involvement & Leadership (PENCIL), which links community resources with students and teachers at Metro Nashville Public Schools, to raise funds and collect school supplies. A dollar from each official event T-shirt sold will also go to PENCIL. To help support the organization, household essentials brand and event sponsor Simply Done is donating supplies such as crayons, folders, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, rulers, scissors and more to benefit 500 Metro Nashville students. Additionally, Presenting Sponsor Dr Pepper is providing 500 student backpacks.

“Chris Young is going to deliver an unforgettable performance as the headliner for yet another spectacular Fourth of July celebration, and we are truly excited about the exceptionally diverse lineup, which features talents like Yola, Girl Named Tom and Blessing Offor,” says Ken Levitan, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) Board of Directors Chairman and Vector Management Co-President. “In addition to these thrilling performances, we are proud to introduce new elements to enhance the festivities, such as incorporating drones into the fireworks display and partnering with PENCIL to support their invaluable work of empowering Nashville’s youth. We invite everyone to join us for a full day of music, fireworks and giving back to our community.”

Curb | Word Music Publishing Signs Josh Melton

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Pictured (L-R): Victory Entertainment’s Chris Perkins, Curb | Word’s Colt Murski, Josh Melton, Curb | Word’s Sarah Schumacher and Calista Miller

Curb | Word Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Josh Melton.

The Ohio native grew up listening to the likes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra with his dad. After high school, he attended nursing school before making the move to Music City in 2014. While working as a nurse’s assistant at a Nashville retirement home, Melton would bring his guitar to work and play at the residents’ request. He was then gifted a car from a patient on his deathbed, under the condition that Melton would use it to travel to bigger stages outside of the retirement home.

Melton has since worked with notable songwriters and producers including Justin Ebach, Zach Abend, Matt Alderman, Dallas Wilson and more. Last year, he earned his first No. 1 with Dylan Scott’s Platinum single “Can’t Have Mine.”

“Watching Josh continue to grow as a person, musician and songwriter over the last few years made it a no-brainer to add him to the roster,” shares Colt Murski, VP, Country Publishing, Curb | Word Entertainment. “We are very excited to welcome Josh as a part of the Curb | Word family and thrilled to continue to share his success!”

“I’m very humbled and excited to join the Curb | Word family,” shares Melton. “Continuing to do what I love for a living and doing it with friends is a dream come true. I cannot wait to see what this partnership brings.”

Caroline Hodson Rises To Director, A&R At Tape Room Music

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Caroline Hodson. Photo: Alex Wieland

Caroline Hodson has risen to Director, A&R at Nashville publishing company Tape Room Music.

The Belmont University graduate and former Director of Education for Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) of Nashville joined Tape Room as an intern in 2020 and has risen through the ranks to her current position, collaborating with the team in order to cultivate a motivating and fulfilling environment for the company’s roster of writers. In her new role, Hodson will expand her creative position of managing calendars and pitching songs for Tape Room writers as well as company leader and hitmaker Ashley Gorley.

“Caroline has been a rockstar since day one and is immensely deserving of this promotion,” says Blain Rhodes, Tape Room Music President. “She is an integral part of our team, and our writers are lucky to have her in their corner.”

“The writers and staff at Tape Room Music are once in a lifetime,” shares Hodson. “I am incredibly grateful for the past four years, and I am humbled to continue working with the crew that has inspired me to learn and develop a passion for this community. Huge thank you to Ashley, Blain and our writers for trusting me with this position. Excited to see where we continue to grow!”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kameron Marlowe Brings Soulful Voice To Ballad

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Kameron Marlowe. Photo: Trea Allen.

The voices of today meet the legends of yesterday in this week’s DISClaimer. 

Country music is in good hands (throats?) with such new talents as Avery Anna, Sam Williams, Harper Grace, Kane Brown and Disc of the Day winner Kameron Marlowe.

Showing the kiddies how it’s done are Barbara Fairchild and the late Ed Bruce.  

This week’s DISCovery Award goes to Dustin Kensrue, the singer from the band Thrice. He is apparently transitioning from rock to country.

BARBARA FAIRCHILD/ “All My Cloudy Days Are Gone”
Writer: Alan Rhody; Producer: Don Williams; Label: 65South
– Prior to his death in 2017, Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams collaborated with ‘70s hit maker Fairchild. He both produced and sang harmony on her project, which is now seeing the light of day. The album’s title tune is a splendid two-step with a rolling rhythm track and soft strings backing her heartfelt delivery. As country as a mountain stream.

NATE SMITH/ “Bulletproof”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– The “World On Fire” man returns with a rocking barroom stomper. No matter how many shots he drinks, he can’t forget her. Hence, her “memory must be bulletproof.”

HARPER GRACE/ “Break It Like A Man”
Writers: Scott Stepakoff/Alex Kline Eisberg/Harper Gruzins; Producers: Alex Kline/Cooper Bascom/Tedd T.; Label: Curb Records
– Grace spits out this country-rocker with fiery force. She wails righteously on the choruses of the fiesty, wronged-woman outing. Well worth your spins. The video debuted on CMT yesterday.

KANE BROWN/ “Fiddle In The Band”
Writers: Gabe Foust/Jordan Walker/Kane Brown/Russell Sutton; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– A blast furnace of energy. Brown paints the town red while a scorching fiddle in the house band sizzles. A little r&b, a little honky-tonk and a whole lotta rock percussion. A wild ride.

SAM WILLIAMS/ “Carnival Heart”
Writers: Ned Houston/PJ Harding/Sam Williams; Producers: Ben Roberts/Nathan Sexton; Label: Mercury Nashville
– This was created to accompany Cirque du Soleil’s new country show “Songblazers “which will open in Nashville in July. The orchestrated track has a celestial, dreamy quality, and Williams delivers a message of pain and hope brilliantly. An epic ballad, beautifully produced and sung.

RAELYNN/ “Funny Girl”
Writers: Lauren Hungate/Racheal Davis; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: Daisy Rae Productions
– A winsome little piece of advice for a youngster who is hurting. You’ll grow out of this and blossom into a winner, she promises in this anthem of perseverance.

ED BRUCE/ “Old Timer”
Writers: E. Bruce/J.Bruce/T.Bruce; Producers: Ed Bruce/Jeff Elliott/Mike Morgan; Label: MRT/Old Hat
– The songwriting  great, successful actor and country hit maker (14 top-20 hits in 1975-86) passed away in 2021. But Bruce left behind many guitar-vocal demos, sung in his unforgettable, resonant baritone. Producers Elliott and Morgan have fleshed some of these out with sympathetic accompaniment to create an album titled After Hours. The 16-track  collection concludes with this wistful waltz. The first verse concerns a combat vet, the second describes a retired rodeo rider and the third is about a forgotten music star. It chillingly suggests an obituary. It also proves that the creator of such classics as “Texas (When I Die),” “The Last Cowboy Song,” “The Man That Turned My Mama On,” “Everything’s a Waltz” and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was a songwriting master to the end.

AVERY ANNA/ “Two Sides Of The Story”
Writers: Andy Sheridan/Avery Anna/Ben Williams/David Fanning; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This streaming sensation (“Make It Look Easy,” “Narcissist”) caresses this ballad of heartbreak resignation with elegance and eloquence. The CMT-nominated youngster seems to be going from strength to strength. She has a voice of gold.

KAMERON MARLOWE/ “Keepin’ The Lights On”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Kendell Marvel/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Dan Huff; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The title tune of Marlowe’s upcoming sophomore album is a recollection of hard times when his hard-working parents weathered spirit-crushing storms to provide for the family. The beautifully produced ballad mixes his expressive, soulful voice up front and intimately in your ear. I have been a consistent fan of this artist for four years and am more convinced than ever that he is one of our greatest living country singers.

GRAHAM BARHAM & LAUREN WATKINS/ “Straight To My Heart”
Writers: Graham Barham/Lauren Watkins/Lydia Vaughan/Will Bundy; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Highly engaging. “Whiskey went straight to my head/Goodbye went straight to my heart.” Nicely done, from pristine vocal harmonies to propulsive production.

DUSTIN KENSRUE & CAT CLYDE/ “Death Valley Honeymoon”
Writer: Dustin Kensrue; Producer: Dustin Kensrue; Label: Vagrant Records
– This is an alt country gem, packed with retro harmonies, echoey twang and standout pedal steel guitar. Immensely cool. This is the California rock artist’s country debut, and Clyde adds an extra layer of audio authenticity. Absolutely send more. Mark your calendars: Kensrue is playing the fantastic Eastside Bowl on April 29.