Country Thunder Roars Back To Bristol With Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, More

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After October’s sell-out event, Country Thunder Bristol is expanding into a two-day experience next fall. Headliners Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen will perform at the historic Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Kameron Marlowe, MacKenzie Porter, and Ian Munsick, are also on the bill for the 2022 show. More artists will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.

“The fans in Bristol, and indeed, the entire Tri-Cities area have spoken,” says Country Thunder Music Festivals CEO, Troy Vollhoffer. “We have made so many wonderful new friends in this part of the world that we can’t wait to get back. The camping culture is huge in so many Country Thunder markets, and I see it growing here now that we are a multi-day event. Add that to the history and electricity of Bristol Motor Speedway and you have one incredible event!”

General Admission, Platinum Experience, Gold Circle, Camping and all the extras are available now at countrythunder.com to purchase, or by phone at 1-866-388-0007.

Industry Ink: Nashville Cartel, The Kentucky Headhunters, Bre Kennedy

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Nashville Cartel Hosts Fundraiser Event With Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, More

Pictured (L-R): Bigg Vinny, Jared Blake, Lee Brice, Stetson Pollard, Jessica Andrews, James Otto, Jerrod Niemann and Jimmy Wayne. Photo: Justin Hammond

Nashville Cartel hosted a fundraiser at Whiskey Room Live in Franklin, Tennessee on Sunday, Dec. 5. The night featured performances from Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Bigg Vinny, Jared Blake, Jessica Andrews, Jimmy Wayne, and James Otto.

The event, which included a silent auction, was emceed by Bigg Vinny and Blake and benefitted charities in the Middle Tennessee area. It also honored special guest Stetson Pollard, who was gifted a red and white Fender guitar by the Live To Be charity, signed by all of the evening’s performers.

“Stetson has sensory processing disorder. His love of music gives him peace, and Live To Be gave him a brand new guitar to help bring him more of that peace,” said Autumn Pollard, Stetson’s mother. “It was such a wonderful night for our family, and Stetson had so much fun. This charity is amazing; what they do for children is just beautiful.”

 

The Kentucky Headhunters Make Grand Ole Opry Debut, 30 Years In The Making

The Kentucky Headhunters make their Grand Ole Opry debut on Sat., Dec. 4 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Chris Hollo

Grammy award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters officially made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Dec. 4. The evening marked the band’s first Opry performance in their 30-year career.

During their set, the Headhunters performed “Dumas Walker,” “Stumblin,'” and their new Christmas tune, “Let’s All Get Together and Fight.” They left the stage to a standing ovation.

Guitarist and vocalist Richard Young explains: “Living just north of the Grand Ole Opry in Edmonton, Kentucky, I guess we never completely understood how fortunate we were to have such a monument of American history at our back door and that folks travel worldwide to come and be a part of the Opry experience. It’s kind of like folks who live in New York City who have never visited the Statue of Liberty.”

He continues, “That all changed for The Kentucky Headhunters the moment we arrived and stepped off our bus. From the time we entered the Grand Ole Opry, everything became very electric and almost surreal! Meeting all the wonderful folks who work there and their help to make our Opry debut a one-of-a-kind experience, as well as the Opry crowd’s response to our performance, was nothing short of overwhelming. I must say the cherry on top was to see how proud our family and friends were of us to accomplish this wonderful milestone in our musical career. We kinda felt like Dorothy when she landed in Oz!”

 

Nettwerk Records Adds Bre Kennedy To Artist Roster

Bre Kennedy signs with Nettwerk Records

Singer-songwriter Bre Kennedy has signed with Nettwerk Records.

For many years, Kennedy has written with and for other artists. However, now she is letting her own music take center stage. Throughout her music, Kennedy touches on themes of life’s messy moments and self-growth. The singer has opened for artists such as Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark Jr. and Birdtalker.

In 2019, she released her Jealous of Birds EP, which was followed by her 2020 Twenty Something EP. Her debut album, Note To Self, is available everywhere now.

Kennedy is expected to release new music in the coming weeks.

Matthew West To Embark On ‘The Brand New Tour’ In 2022

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Matthew West will kick off the new year with his 34-city “The Brand New Tour,” featuring special guests Anne Wilson, CAIN, Jordan Feliz and Hannah Kerr.

The tour, promoted by Premier Productions, will launch Feb. 3 in Williamsport, Maryland. The trek will make stops in Dallas, Atlanta, Columbus, Baton Rouge, Jacksonville, Detroit and more before wrapping on May 7 in Lexington, Kentucky. Tickets are available now.

“I am so excited to hit the road this spring on ‘The Brand New Tour’ with an awesome lineup of talented artists and friends,” says West. “After the disappointment of COVID concert cancellations and postponements, I’m feeling like a kid again. I can’t believe I get to do what I do for a living, getting on a tour bus and playing live music for people. It all feels brand new again and I can’t wait!”

He continues, “Most importantly though, this world has been through a hard season like I’ve never witnessed. I’m praying that each night on this tour will be a powerful reminder for all who attend that we serve a God who promises to do a new thing! It’s a brand new year, a brand new beginning and a brand new tour! Let’s go!”

“The Brand New Tour” Dates:
Feb 3, 2022 Williamsport, MD
Feb 4, 2022 Lexington, SC
Feb 6, 2022 Naples, FL
Feb 8, 2022 Toccoa Falls, GA
Feb 10, 2022 Ashland, KY
Feb 11, 2022 Bartlett, TN
Feb 12, 2022 West Monroe, LA
Feb 13, 2022 Allen, TX
Feb 17, 2022 Mt. Vernon, IL
Feb 18, 2022 Baton Rouge, LA
Feb 19, 2022 Tupelo, MS
Feb 20, 2022 Bowling Green, KY
Mar 24, 2022 Lubbock, TX
Mar 25, 2022 Tyler, TX
Mar 26, 2022 Austin, TX
Mar 27, 2022 Beaumont TX
Mar 28, 2022 Brandon , MS
Mar 31, 2022 Meridian, MS
Apr 1, 2022 Warner Robins , GA
Apr 2, 2022 Woodstock, GA
Apr 3, 2022 Jacksonville, FL
Apr 7, 2022 Raytown, MO
Apr 8, 2022 Alma, AR
Apr 10, 2022 O'Fallon, IL
Apr 21, 2022 Camp Hill, PA
Apr 22, 2022 Mansfield, OH
Apr 24, 2022 Columbus, OH
Apr 26, 2022 Burlington, NC
Apr 28, 2022 Pensacola, FL
Apr 29, 2022 Montgomery, AL
May 1, 2022 Panama City, FL
May 5, 2022 Detroit, MI
May 6, 2022 McMurray, PA
May 7, 2022 Lexington, KY

Integrity Music Launches Integrated Music Rights Service Led By Greg Bays, Jonathan Lane

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Greg Bays  & Jonathan Lane

Integrity Music has launched its Integrated Music Rights distribution and song publishing administration service. The effort will be spearheaded by industry veterans Greg Bays, Integrity’s Vice President of Digital Business & Commercial Partnerships, and Jonathan Lane, Integrity’s Senior Director of Music Administration.

The new service will offer playlisting, full-service accounting, and royalty-processing services for independent artists and songwriters within the worship genre. This one-stop solution provides access to a team with extensive marketplace insights, and can help simplify business and infrastructure needs.

“Integrity is fiercely supportive of independent artistry in the worship community, and we are firmly committed to a belief in the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers, and the idea that in the life of the worshiping church around the world, everybody has a part to play,” says Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music. “With our expanded services through Integrated Music Rights, we are putting those ideas into practice by equipping emerging and established independent worship artists and writers to find global highways that can help their songs connect with worshipers worldwide.”

“We take care of the business so our creative partners can do what they do best,” adds Bays. “Over the last ten years, the market has shifted rapidly, helping independent artists find unprecedented opportunities to reach their audience through global streaming platforms. Our team provides hands-on experience and insights to help artists maximize and accelerate their growth potential.”

Round Hill Records Adds Brian Hay As Head Of Catalog

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Brian Hay. Photo: Imani Givertz

Round Hill Records has added industry veteran Brian Hay as the company’s new Head Of Catalog. Hay will relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville, the company’s new headquarters, to develop product and marketing plans around the Round Hill Records’ growing catalog. He will also seek out catalogs acquisitions and find new ways to help artists grow their audience and revenue.

Prior to joining Round Hill, Hay was Sr. VP Commerce, Consumption & New Business at Rhino Records. Before that, he spent almost a decade as VP of Global Account Management for WEA at iTunes.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brian to our growing Round Hill Records team given his vast experience in modernizing catalog recordings for the digital age. His leadership skills, rational demeanor, and genuine passion for music history make him an ideal fit to oversee all aspects of our catalog division. We’re also stoked that Brian will be joining us here in Nashville at our new label HQ,” says Joe Calitri, president of Round Hill Records.

“I’ve been really lucky to live in so many amazing places doing something I love: selling and marketing great music,” adds Hay. “The chance to live in a music first town like Nashville and get to work at an ambitious and rapidly growing label like Round Hill was just what I wanted as my next chapter. I worked with Joe when he was at FBR. He is a strategic leader who loves music and cares about people.”

Inside Music City’s Coolest New Venue: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville [Interview]

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Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville is one of Music City’s newest and most unique live entertainment venues: Brooklyn Bowl Nashville.

As the third location of the Brooklyn Bowl franchise, following the opening of locations in New York and Las Vegas, the multi-concept venue is the home to more than just music. In addition to its 1,200 capacity live music space, with top-grade production, Brooklyn Bowl also features 19 bowling lanes with screens displaying the shows happening in real-time. The space also offer patrons multiple bars stocked with local craft beer favorites, a full dining menu from Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, and a scenic patio overlooking the Nashville Sounds’ First Horizon Park.

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

“It’s unlike anything else,” Brooklyn Bowl Nashville’s General Manager, Sara Barnett, shares with MusicRow. “We want it to be a destination where you don’t just come for the show and then you leave right after the show is over. We want people to come early, eat, bowl a few games, stay for the show, and then, if they want to hang out and have a few more drinks, they can hang out on the patio. We want them to stay as long as they want and do all the things.”

Originally slated to make its grand opening on March 13, 2020, the venue and its staff has experienced their fair share of ups, downs, and adjustments as they’ve navigated their way through opening during a global pandemic.

Officially opening its doors on June 25, Brooklyn Bowl welcomed Nashville’s own Old Crow Medicine Show for two nights. Since its opening nearly six months ago, the venue has hosted performances from an eclectic range of artists such as Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Sheryl Crow, Ingrid Andress, Leon Bridges, Moon Taxi, Madison Beer, Waterparks, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and many others. Brooklyn Bowl was also able to partner with this year’s annual AmericanaFest to host some of the conference’s events.

Barnett, a Nashville native who has worked in hospitality since she was 18 years old, has made stops as the general manager at Butchertown Hall and as assistant general manager at ACME Feed & Seed before joining the Brooklyn Bowl team. “This opportunity [with Brooklyn Bowl Nashville] came along and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. How could I not?’ I get to work in a bar, be around live music, and work for this amazing company with owners that truly care about music and people. It’s a dream job, and it really has turned out to be,” she says.

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

Meanwhile, focused on the live entertainment side of the business, is Brooklyn Bowl’s Talent Buyer & Director of Booking Colin Keegan. He first gained experience as sales manager for the Manhattan Center in New York before joining Brooklyn Bowl’s original location in 2016 as assistant talent buyer. “I grew up in Georgia, so I’m familiar with the south. I’m excited to be back and really excited to bring an A+ music venue here and share in the fun times of all these bands, the good food, and everything else [Brooklyn Bowl offers],” he shares.

“That’s what we’re in this industry for: to share the times with the people that pay money to see this stuff,” he continues. “We’ve been really lucky to work with such incredible artists and be a vessel for these bands to be able to play in front of people who love them after a year and a half [of not being able to play].”

With so many loved and historic venues in Nashville that bring with them their own fan clubs, what sets Brooklyn Bowl apart from the rest?

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

“The capacity that we’re at is a perfect capacity for the city. It’s between a lot of venues like Marathon and the Ryman, so we fit a nice crowd in the city,” offers Keegan. “We’re coming from New York into Nashville, but we clearly respect and love going to see shows at the Ryman, Marathon, Basement East, Exit/In, and all those places.”

He continues, “We offer something that’s different, though. The bowling aspect is really fun and the sound and lights are great here too. We try to create a space where people will come out, have a lot of fun, feel safe, and see the band that they love. We’re going to continue doing that and hopefully people will start to love us more. We’ll keep going one foot in front of the other.”

With an all-star staff that boasts over 65 years of combined music industry experience, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville has already made quite the impression in Music City, earning a nomination for Best New Concert Venue at the 33rd Annual Pollstar Awards. With such early attention and acclaim, Brooklyn Bowl Nashville is embarking on what’s sure to be a long and happy future in Music City.

“At the original location, they have a lot of regulars. It would be outstanding if we had people that just come to Brooklyn Bowl on Friday nights to hang out,” Barnett says. “Even if they don’t know the band, they know they’re going to have a great time and they’ll buy a ticket just to come for the whole experience.”

“Our goal is to continue to be a place that people love, whether it’s the 10th time they’ve been here or the first,” Keegan sums. “We want to make it a stop that not only fans and artists like to come to but, eventually, people from all over come for a weekend to see a show. My goal is to just keep doing what we’re doing and be happy doing it.”

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Nick LeTellier

A.B. Eastwood Signs With Prescription Songs

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Pictured (L-R:) Christian Conant (Prescription Songs), Katie Fagan (Prescription Songs), Chris Martignago (Prescription Songs), A.B. Eastwood, Farrah Usmani (Nixon Peabody LLP), Eric Holt (Syzygy Management), Zack Cobb (SYZYGY)

A.B. Eastwood has signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs.

Eastwood is a Nashville native and producer/songwriter who graduated from Nashville School of the Arts. He apprenticed under Dubba-AA, contributing production for Kodak Black, Denzel Curry and DJ Khaled’s label We The Best Music Group. Eastwood has also had film and TV placements for Netflix, Frito-Lay, VH1 and more. He has executive produced numerous projects for developing Nashville hip-hop and R&B artists like Tim Gent, Bryant Taylorr, Lauren McClinton and Jamiah.

“AB has been an important collaborator with a lot of the emerging Nashville rap and R&B artists in recent years. His ability to pull out the best in artists and craft original sounds will serve him well at RX Songs. SYZYGY looks forward to having him join his management mates Bryant Taylorr and Tim Gent so they can continue to create great art together,” says SYZYGY management in a statement.

“AB has been the backbone of Nashville’s hip-hop production community for many years, and I am so thrilled to see him receive the shine he deserves,” adds Nixon Peabody, LLP’s Farrah Usmani. “Chris [Martignago] has similarly invested so much time and care into the alternative music scene in our city, so their partnership feels like a natural extension of Nashville’s journey to become a fully inclusive town for songwriters.”

“It’s a special feeling, to have a team like Rx that’s so excited for you, for your vision. We’re embarking on something here that’s gonna change the culture in Nashville forever,” says Eastwood.

RIAA Announces Class Of 2021 First-Time Gold & Platinum Award Recipients

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The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has announced its Gold & Platinum Class Of 2021, recognizing artists who achieved Gold or Platinum status for the very first time. This year 43 artists from several different genres earned their first Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certification.

“This year’s ‘Class Of 2021’ first-time Gold & Platinum Awards club joins a towering group of musical giants – legends who have shaped our culture and achieved the very highest level of creative and commercial success. It’s especially great to see this year’s crop of Nashville-based stars carrying on the Music City’s legacy launching amazing careers and Gold & Platinum success,” RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier tells MusicRow. “Congratulations to all of this year’s artists and the label teams that helped them reach this incredible milestone moment. We can’t wait to see what you do next!”

Of the 43 artists recognized, Wheelhouse Records’ Elvie Shane received his first Gold record for his breakout single, “My Boy.”

“Music isn’t just the noise we make,” shared Shane in a statement about the achievement. “It is the people that consume it. This song isn’t just a song. It is a chapter out of my personal journey. A sincerest ‘Thank You’ to my listeners for giving my story a Gold record.”

Pictured (L-R): – Brian Wolf (Maverick Management), JoJamie Hahr (BBR Music Group), Elvie Shane, Jay Jones (BBR Music Group)

Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music and Republic Records artist Lily Rose was awarded her first RIAA plaque this year, with her debut single “Villian” earning Gold status. The achievements add to a triumphant year for Rose, who was just named as part of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2022.

“I’m still taken aback at how much ‘Villain’ has not only changed my life, but also helped a lot of people feel seen and comforted in tough relationships,” Rose tells MusicRow. “It’s pretty much the only reason we do what we do — for people to discover 3 minutes of lyric and music that makes them feel something. I’m extremely proud to do this for a living, and so thankful for the fans for connecting with this record.”

Lily Rose. Photo: John Shearer

Also representing the Nashville music industry is singer/songwriter/rapper Jelly Roll, who received two Gold records this year for “Creature (feat. Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)” and “Save Me.” In an Instagram post shared in September, Jelly Roll thanked his fans for their support.

 

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A post shared by Jelly Roll (@jellyroll615)

For the full Gold & Platinum Class Of 2021 list, click here.

MerleFest Shares Initial Lineup For 2022 Festival

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Emmylou Harris

MerleFest has announced that Emmylou Harris, Greensky Bluegrass, Rissi Palmer, and more will be on the bill for its 2022 festival, slated for April 28 – May 1, 2022.

MerleFest 2022 will be Greensky Bluegrass’ first time on the bill and Harris’ 12th appearance.

Taking place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest 2022 marks the festival’s return to its traditional spring weekend after being postponed to September in 2021. Other artists set to perform during the four-day festival include Andy May, Banknotes, Charles Welch, Donna the Buffalo, Jack Lawrence, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Smothers, Kruger Brothers, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Sam Bush, The Local Boys, The Waybacks, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, and more. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are very excited to welcome music fans back to the campus of Wilkes Community College in the Spring,” says MerleFest’s new Festival Director, Wes Whitson. “Endless gratitude to all artists, staff, volunteers, vendors, and fans for their patience and support for the 2021 festival. Our team has put together another great lineup for 2022 and we’re looking forward to sharing 4 days of the very best in traditional+ music with fans.”

Tickets for next year’s festival are on sale now and may be purchased at MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857.

Old Crow Medicine Show Returns With New Album

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Old Crow Medicine Show announced their seventh studio album, Paint This Town, releasing April 22 via ATO Records. The band also shared a music video for the album’s title track “Paint This Town,” a swinging anthem that fully embodies the band’s carefree troublemaking over the last two decades. The video was directed by Travis Nicholson and turns back time to show younger versions of the band’s six members.

“This song is about growing up in a small town, and having to make fun wherever you could find it,” explains bandleader Ketch Secor. “Our band has always drawn its inspiration from those elemental American places, where water towers profess town names, where the Waffle House and the gas station are the only spots to gather; this is the scenery for folk music in the 21st century. And the John Henry’s and Casey Jones of today are the youth who rise up out of these aged burgs undeterred, undefeated, and still kicking.”

Paint This Town is a return to form for Old Crow Medicine Show, showcasing their ability to merge profound introspection with the rapturous string band revival sound that has made them one of the most influential and respected bands today. Their most incisive body of work to date, the new album shines a light on the darker aspects of the American experience with character-driven songs underpinned by the band’s vision for a more harmonious future. The album was recorded Spring of 2021 in Old Crow’s own Hartland Studio, where they co-produced it with Matt Ross-Spang (John Prine, Jason Isbell), taking a far more insular approach than their previous work. The process unlocked a new level of creative freedom, reviving the band’s spirit of pure abandon and making way for the deliberate unpredictability that recalls their earliest days busking on the street.

“At the end of the day, we’re still just trying to stop you on the street and get you to put a dollar in the guitar case,” says Morgan Jahnig. “Then once we’ve got your attention, we’re gonna tell you about things like the opioid epidemic and the Confederate flag and what’s happening with the environment—but we’re gonna do it with a song and dance. We feel a great obligation to talk about the more difficult things happening out there in the world, but we also feel obligated to make sure everyone’s having a great time while we do it.”

Old Crow Medicine Show released three tracks in the last year that all speak to the current state of the world—“Nashville Rising,” “Quarantined” and “Pray For America.” They also appeared on a duet with Keb’ Mo’ titled “The Medicine Man,” and recently teamed up with filmmaker Julia Golonka to create a video for their 2008 track “Motel In Memphis,” raising funds for Nashville’s community-based grassroots organization Gideon’s Army. One of the most enduring bands of the last two decades, Old Crow Medicine Show has garnered widespread acclaim from NPR, Associated Press, Rolling Stone, Billboard, The New York Times and many more.

In 2020, the band’s East Nashville-based Hartland Studio became home to their regular “Hartland Hootenanny” live stream variety show, which returns on December 18 for a special holiday episode featuring special guest Brittney Spencer. The show airs at 7:00pm CT and will broadcast live on the band’s YouTube and Facebook.

Old Crow is currently on tour and will return to the Ryman Auditorium for their annual New Years Eve performances on December 30 and 31. Find a full list of tour dates at www.crowmedicine.com/tour.

Paint This Town Tracklist
1. Paint This Town
2. Bombs Away
3. Gloryland
4. Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise
5. Honey Chile
6. Reasons To Run
7. Painkiller
8. Used To Be A Mountain
9. DeFord Rides Again
10. New Mississippi Flag
11. John Brown’s Dream
12. Hillbilly Boy