Tom Yankton Signs With Jay DeMarcus’ Red Street Records

/by

Pictured (L-R): Mark Lusk, Red Street Records President/GM; Tom Yankton; Jay DeMarcus, Red Street Records CEO

Tom Yankton has entered into an exclusive distribution deal with Red Street Records. The Arkansas native is currently in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey with new music planned for release in August.

The son of a working-class family, his talent has led to tours and recording with artists like Chicago, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, and RaeLynn, among others. He has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, TODAY Show, The Grand Ole Opry, the ACM Awards, The Rolling Stones Zip Code Tour, and more. Yankton’s songs have appeared in Bad Mom’s Christmas, Lifetime’s Love At First Flight and Netflix’s Sex Education.

Hailing from Hot Springs, Yankton has been performing live across the U.S. with an eclectic stage show. His dynamic set earned him the winning slot at last month’s Pepsi Southern Original Contest, which enabled him to open for Luke Bryan at the rescheduled 2020 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. Yankton also recently landed a residency at the Resorts World Casino complex in Las Vegas, which kicked off on July 20.

“I am beyond thrilled to have Tom In the Red Street family,” says Rascal Flatts member and Red Street Records CEO Jay DeMarcus. “He is an extremely exciting, talented artist. We pride ourselves here on finding the best of the best to partner with, and he certainly is.”

“I met Jay at an event in San Antonio Texas when I was 14 years old, and we got to jam out and play some music that night,” shares Yankton. “I never dreamed I’d get to work with Jay, Mark [Lusk], and the Red Street family on sharing my own music with the world. This is incredible!”

Randy Rogers Band, Parker McCollum, Kylie Frey, More Set For 2022 Mile 0 Fest

/by

The first round of artists for the 5th Annual Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida have been announced, including Randy Rogers Band, Parker McCollum, Kylie Frey, Morgan Wade, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. The four-day festival is slated for Jan. 25-29, 2022, with ticket packages going on sale beginning Aug. 5.

Among the other performers named in the first round of the lineup are Ryan Bingham, The Dead South, Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen, American Aquarium, Shane Smith & The Saints, Jamie Lin Wilson, Stoney LaRue, Cody Canada & The Departed, Mike and the Moonpies, Kaitlin Butts, Bri Bagwell, Bonnie Bishop, The Band of Heathens, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Micky & The Motorcars, Jason Eady, Courtney Patton, Adam Hood, Channing Wilson, Roger Clyne And The Peacemakers, John Fullbright, The Dirty River Boys, Topo Chico Cowboys, Walt & Tina Wilkins, Zac Wilkerson, The Hooten Hallers, RC & The Ambers, and Red Dirt Rangers.

Founded in 2017, Mile 0 Fest Key West brings the best of Americana and Red Dirt Music to the island paradise for five days of full-band performances, acoustic sessions, and songwriter swaps from over eighty legendary, established, and emerging artists. Additionally, the festival will host an array of local food vendors, clothing, art, jewelry and more.

Of this year’s 5th anniversary Mile 0 Fest founder Kyle Carter shares, “We are excited and grateful to hit this milestone. Over the past four years, our attendees, artists and crew have become family – Mile 0 Fest has turned into an ever-growing ‘family reunion of strangers.’ Each year we strive to improve upon the last, pull some rabbits out of the hat and throw the best party of the year. 2022 will be no exception.”

Additional lineup announcements are expected over the coming weeks.

Whiskey Jam Celebrates 10 Years With Sold-Out Ryman Show

/by

Whiskey Jam founder Ward Guenther is presented with a plaque commemorating 10 years of the Nashville staple. Pictured (L-R): Randy Montana, Craig Campbell, Ryan O’Nan, Ward Guenther, Cole Swindell, Tyler Reeve and Jessi Alexander. Photo: Jason Myers for Whiskey Jam

Whiskey Jam, one of Nashville’s most beloved ongoing concert series, celebrated its 10th anniversary last night (July  26) with a sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium.

Founded in January 2011, Whiskey Jam has entertained Music City for more than 500 Monday nights, with 750+ live events, over 1 million in total attendance, and 2,250 performances by artists and songwriters since its inception. Taking place every Monday and Thursday night at Winners Nashville, Whiskey Jam has seen artists including Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Sam Hunt, Luke Combs, Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll and OneRepublic make their debut. The Nashville staple was founded by Ward Guenther, who also hosts his own radio show on Apple Music Radio.

“We started Whiskey Jam over 10 years ago because the guitar-pull set-up felt stale to try and repeat. We’re fortunate to already have places like The Bluebird Café and The Grand Ole Opry, rooms like the Listening Room and Exit/In, however if you’re not able to draw a crowd to those places yet, there really wasn’t a spot that had a built-in audience of music fans each week. As songwriters, we just needed a place to get up, jam, fail or fly and then have a drink immediately after to talk or laugh about it,” says Guenther. “It’s crazy to think that this system based on the currency of time and paying it forward has carried on for 10 years as the crowds invest in the artists on their way up and get to see them when they’re huge stars and vice versa. We are so grateful for this community. We can’t wait to see how this grows in the next 10, and if last night was any indication, the artist community is ready!”

Artists including Old Dominion, Chris Young, Cole Swindell, Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, Devin Dawson, Lauren Alaina, Ryan Hurd, Jessi Alexander, Travis Denning, Lainey Wilson, Randy Montana, Katie Ohh, Ernest, Frankie Ballard, David Nail, Channing Wilson, Tyler Reeve, Craig Campbell, Tyler Farr, David Ryan Harris, and Carter Faith were on hand to celebrate Whiskey Jam at the Ryman last night. Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis even appeared on-stage, and was joined by the performers to sing his hit “Forever and Ever, Amen” together.

Whiskey Jam participants join Randy Travis on stage at Ryman Auditorium for a special performance of “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Photo: Jason Myers for Whiskey Jam

Proceeds from the Ryman show benefit the newly-established 501©3 Jam Fam Foundation, created to support organizations that assist musicians, songwriters and the creative community when in need. “When the tornados hit, Chris Young and Whiskey Jam helped donate over 10,000 bottles of water to the communities hit the hardest and many of those folks were fans or participants of our series,” says Guenther. “Over the course of 10 years, we’ve grown as a community-based event and so it’s only natural that we create an avenue in which to give back.”

For King & Country To Launch Christmas Tour This Holiday Season

/by

For King & Country have announced a 14-date A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour. The brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone, will be bringing their annual Christmas spectacular to arenas around the country, performing their Top 10 album, A Drummer Boy Christmas, live in concert for the first time as well as selections from their six consecutive No. 1 hits.

The tour kicks off in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 27 and will visit Houston, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and more before wrapping with a world-wide livestream concert event at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, July 30. The duo will also be supporting The Salvation Army along the way to help families in need during the holiday season.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. and one of our favorite shows to perform! We’re thrilled to be bringing A Drummer Boy Christmas to you, in person and indoors for the very first time,” the Smallbones share. “We’ll be bringing the lights, the stage, and all the holiday cheer. And in the spirit of giving, we’ll be supporting our friends at The Salvation Army to help families in need throughout the tour. Looking forward to ringing in this Christmas season with you!”

For King & Country has racked up their sixth consecutive No. 1 single with the multi-chart smash hit “Amen.” The chart-topping duo now have five No. 1’s from their Grammy-winning, RIAA-Gold certified album, Burn The Ships, and nine No. 1 hits overall. “Amen” is currently climbing the mainstream charts, reaching No. 18 and 17 on Billboard and Mediabase’s AC charts, respectively.

A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour Dates:
Nov. 27 – Grand Rapids. MI – Van Andel Arena
Nov. 28 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
Dec. 2 – Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Energy Arena
Dec. 3 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Dec. 4 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Dec. 5 – Cedar Park, TX – H-E-B Center
Dec. 9 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
Dec. 10 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center
Dec. 11 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Dec. 12 – Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
Dec. 16 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Dec. 17 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Dec. 18 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
Dec. 19 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry House

Carrie Underwood To Release Special Edition Of ‘My Gift’

/by

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Award-winning recording artist Carrie Underwood is unveiling a special edition of her album My Gift on CD and digital set to release on Sept. 24, and on vinyl Nov. 5.

My Gift (Special Edition) will feature three additional tracks: “Favorite Time Of Year,” previously released exclusively as an Amazon Original and featured in Ring’s 2020 Doorbell Season holiday campaign which opened the HBO Max Original, My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood; “All Is Well,” an all-new studio recording of Michael W. Smith’s classic; and “Let There Be Peace/Something In The Water”, the live recording of the powerful medley and finale to the HBO Max Original special.

“My Gift is an album I’ve wanted to make from the beginning of my career,” says Underwood.  “It’s been such a blessing to share this special music and I’m excited to share even more with the release of My Gift (Special Edition).”

Initially released in September 2020, Underwood’s first-ever Christmas album debuted at No. 1 across multiple global charts, including Billboard’s country, Christian, and holiday album charts.  The album remained at No. 1 on the Christian chart 11 weeks after it was released and debuted No. 1 on the UK and Canadian Country album charts. It also hit No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200.

My Gift (Special Edition) Track List:
1. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Traditional)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful (Traditional)
3. Let There Be Peace (Carrie Underwood, Brett James, David Garcia)
4. Little Drummer Boy (featuring Isaiah Fisher) (Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis)
5. Sweet Baby Jesus (Carrie Underwood, Brett James, David Garcia)
6. Hallelujah (with John Legend) (John Stephens, Toby Gad)
7. O Holy Night (Traditional)
8. Mary, Did You Know? (Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry)
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin)
10. Away In A Manger (Traditional)
11. Silent Night (Traditional)
12. Favorite Time Of Year (Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, Chris DeStefano)
13. All Is Well (Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick)
14. Let There Be Peace/Something In The Water (LIVE From HBO Max’s MY GIFT: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood) (Carrie Underwood, Brett James, David Garcia, Chris DeStefano)

Jameson Rodgers’ Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour Hits The Road In August

/by

Jameson Rodgers

Columbia Nashville/River House Artists’ Jameson Rodgers has announced his 27-date Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour 2021. Kicking off in Rootstown, Ohio’s The Dusty Armadillo, the tour is named after his top 15 hit which features his labelmate Luke Combs. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 30.

The trek includes Rodgers’ first headlining show in New York City, plus stops in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. before wrapping with a two-night stand at Nashville’s storied Exit/In. Along the way, he will be joined on select dates by Drew Green, Brandon Lay, Drew Parker, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Rowe, and Rodger’s fiancé Sarah Allison Turner.

“I’ve waited 11 years to have a tour of my own like this one,” Rodgers shares. “Having my fiancé and some of my best friends opening the shows make it so much sweeter. This will be one to remember.”

Following the success of his Platinum-certified, No. 1 debut hit “Some Girls,” Rodgers’ latest EP In It For the Money continues to earn critical acclaim. The celebrated, multi-Platinum songwriter also has co-pen credits on Parker’s new single “While You’re Gone,” which is currently hitting country radio.

Rodgers is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2021 MusicRow Awards. Winners will be announced on Aug. 19 across all MusicRow platforms.

Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour Dates:
Aug. 6 – Rootstown, OH / The Dusty Armadillo ^
Aug. 13 – Des Moines, IA / Wooly’s ^
Sept. 9 – Hattiesburg, MS / Brewsky’s ^
Sept. 10 – Starkville, MS / Rick’s Café ^
Sept. 24 – Kansas City, MO / The Truman *
Sept.25 – Columbia, MO / The Blue Note *
Oct. 13 – New York, NY / Bowery Ballroom ~
Oct. 16 – Boston, MA / Brighton Music Hall ~
Oct. 17 – Uncasville, CT / Mohegan Sun Wolf Den ~
Oct. 21 – Washington, D.C. / Union Stage ~
Oct. 22 – Philadelphia, PA / The Foundry at The Filmore ~
Oct. 23 – Warrendale, PA / Jergel’s Rhythm Grille ~
Nov. 4 – Columbia, SC / The Senate +
Nov. 5 – Macon, GA / The Crazy Bull +
Nov. 6 – Charlotte, NC / Coyote Joe’s %
Nov. 12 – Oxford, MS / The Lyric Oxford #
Nov. 18 – Athens, GA / Georgia Theatre #
Nov. 19 – Knoxville, TN / The Mill & Mine #
Nov. 20 – Chattanooga, TN / The Signal #
Dec. 2 – Detroit, MI / St. Andrew’s Hall +
Dec. 3 – Milwaukee, WI / The Rave II +
Dec. 4 – Minneapolis, MN / Varsity Theater +
Dec. 9 – Grand Rapids, MI / Elevation at The Intersection +
Dec. 10 – Indianapolis, IN / 8 Seconds Saloon +
Dec. 11 – Cincinnati, OH / Bogart’s +
Dec. 16 – Nashville, TN / Exit/In #
Dec. 17 – Nashville, TN / Exit/In (Support TBD)

^ Brandon Lay | * Sarah Allison Turner | ~ Hunter Phelps | + Drew Parker | % Drew Green | # Jordan Rowe

New ‘Willie Nelson And Family’ Docuseries In The Works

/by

Willie Nelson. Photo: Pamela Springsteen

Production is underway on a new docuseries Willie Nelson and Family, from Blackbird Presents and Sight Unseen Pictures, that will chronicle the extraordinary life and career of the country legend.

Emmy and Grammy award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny and Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Oren Moverman are co-directors of this multi-part docuseries. Nelson and his family and friends are providing exclusive participation and access to his archives for the series, and filming is taking place in Austin, Maui, Nashville, L.A. and New York.

The project was developed by Nelson’s longtime manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder/Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, who have collaborated on several award-winning film, TV and music projects. Executive Producers on the docuseries are Wortman, Rothbaum, Annie Nelson, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman and Leonid Lebedev.

“Telling Willie’s story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to realize this dream with Thom, Oren and Sight Unseen,” says Rothbaum and Wortman.

“Words like ‘honored,’ ‘excited’ and ‘humbled’ don’t come close to describing the way we feel about being entrusted with telling Willie’s story. And what a story it is! We are celebrating the music, the career, the long road, the family, friends and history. But, more than anything, we are piecing together a narrative – one never before seen in its entirety – about an extraordinary man with a unique ability to bring people together; folks of all races, orientations, genders, political ideologies and musical leanings. These days, we sure could use the healing powers of Willie Nelson,” adds Zimny and Moverman.

At 88, Nelson is still going strong. In the last year alone he has led major online concert fundraisers for Farm Aid and the Austin Community Foundation and was the voice of 13 major sports leagues as part of the Ad Council’s national ad campaign on vaccination awareness. The legend also released a No. 1 album, That’s Life, that paid homage to his favorite Frank Sinatra songs, released his latest book Willie Nelson’s Letters to America, and was celebrated in a music special Willie Nelson: American Outlaw on A&E.

Gibson Launches New Record Label, Signs Slash As Flagship Artist

/by

Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. Photo: Austin Nelson

Gibson brands has announced the launch of Gibson Records, a strategic label partnership with BMG, headquartered in Nashville. The label will be home to artists with guitar-centric music and the first album will be from Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. The band is also the label’s first signing.

For the past 127 years, the iconic American instrument brand has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. In more recent years, Gibson, headed by Brand President Cesar Gueikian, has launched successful music initiatives including the newly opened Gibson Garage in Nashville. Gibson Records is the next major step in contributing to the evolution of collaborative artist partnerships.

“Launching a record label that is in service to our artists is the natural evolution of our 127 years of history. Gibson Records will work with Gibson artists to capture, record and promote their music under an artist friendly partnership,” says Gueikian. “Gibson Records will keep all of us at Gibson focused on our artist first culture that is engaged and connected to music.”

“It’s an honor to be the first release on the new Gibson Records,” says Slash. “It’s a zenith in our partnership for sure and having worked so closely with Gibson for so long, I know they will be a label that genuinely supports their artists creatively. Not just me, but all the artists they choose to work with. It’s perfect.”

Slash, the famed rock guitarist and songwriter, has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the classic lineup of Guns N’ Roses. His current band Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators has been touring worldwide and making music for a decade and includes Myles Kennedy (lead vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass/vocals) and Frank Sidoris (rhythm guitar).

Weekly Register: Dan + Shay Earn Biggest Country Debut And Other ‘Good Things’

/by

Dan + Shay

This week, Warner Music’s Dan + Shay earned the top country debut with their newest release, “Good Things,” which racked up 3.3 million streams, putting it at No. 37. The award-winning duo also take the No. 4 spot on the top country streaming songs with “Glad You Exist,” another single from their upcoming studio album, Good Things. The track gained 6 million streams this week, adding to a total of 110 million RTD, according to Nielsen.

Walker Hayes keeps up his momentum at No. 1 with “Fancy Like” which had another impressive week with 11 million streams. The song has 41 million streams RTD and currently sits at No. 12 overall. Nelly & Florida Georgia Line take the second spot with “Lil Bit” gaining 7.5 million streams, Luke Combs takes third with “Forever After All” gaining 7.4 million, and Chris Young & Kane Brown round out the top five with “Famous Friends” gaining 6 million streams this week.

As far as the top country streaming albums go, everything remains the same. Dangerous: The Double Album (Morgan Wallen) stays at No. 1, gaining another 44,000 streams for a total of 53 million RTD, according to Nielsen. Wallen also takes up the fourth spot with his 2018 album, If I Know Me, earning 15,000 streams. What You See Is What You Get and This One’s For You (Combs) take second and third with 24,000 and 17,000 streams, respectively. To wrap the top five, Traveller (Chris Stapleton) adds 13,000 streams this week.

Guy Clark Documentary Coming To The Belcourt Theatre

/by

Guy Clark

The Belcourt Theatre will host the Nashville debut of award-winning documentary feature film Without Getting Killed or Caught, the story of revered songwriter Guy Clark on Aug. 6. There will be a Filmmaker Q&A with director and producer team Tamara Saviano and Paul Whitfield after the screenings on Aug. 6 and 7, with screenings at the Belcourt running through Aug. 12.

Premiering at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival where it was lauded with the Louis Black Lone Star award, Without Getting Killed or Caught will tour theaters throughout the U.S. this summer and fall.

Clark, who died in 2016, wrote and recorded unforgettable songs (“L.A. Freeway,” “Desperados Waiting for a Train”) for more than forty years. The 95-minute documentary is based on his wife Susanna Clark’s personal diaries and follows the Clarks and close friend and songwriter Townes Van Zandt as they rise from obscurity to reverence. It is narrated by Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek and features interviews with acclaimed artists Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Verlon Thompson, and Terry & Jo Harvey Allen.

The film opened in Austin, TX on Friday, July 23 and will premiere in five additional cities in Texas followed by dates across the country. For a complete listing of participating theaters and dates visit www.withoutgettingkilledorcaught.com.