Jackson Dean at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo: Robby Stevens

If you weren’t at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl Wednesday night (Feb. 14), then you missed out on a sold-out, electric live show from Jackson Dean. The Maryland native proved why he has been named an artist to watch by MusicRow, Pandora, Spotify CMT, and more.

Mae Estes started off the night and quickly warmed up the crowd. Sporting a pair of red sparkly cowboy boots, she showed off her genuine country twang with tracks like “Twang,” “Getting’ Back Up To Heaven” and “Thinkin’ Bout Cheatin’.” Estes also showed off her vocals in the slow acoustic track “Your Hands,” which was perfect for the Valentine’s Day show.

Hailing from Arkansas, the singer shared that she has been in Nashville chasing the “neon dream for nine years.” She thanked Dean for having her out on the tour and shared that this is the first tour she has been a part of. Estes ended her set with honky-tonk track “What I Shoulda Done,” and was sent off by the crowd with a roaring applause.

Next up was Alabama native Dee White. From the first note, White showed off his pure-country sound. He started off the set with “Million Miles,” “Tools Over Toys” and “Quick Sand.” With the crowd in the palm of his hand, he dialed up the energy with fast-paced “Sent Me Up The Creek Again” before going into “A Little At A Time,” “Ain’t The First Snake” and “Whiskey Please.” During the set, White showed off his vocals while harmonizing with his band members, and the stage was lit up with jam sessions from himself and his band. He then took the time to dedicate the next song, “Heart Talking,” to his girlfriend before closing out his night with “One More Time,” a song he wrote with one of his band members.

It was then time for Dean to hit the stage. Even from the house warm-up music, you could tell the crowd was ready. Walking out under a yellow rustic lighting, Dean came out in his signature black homburg hat and guitar in hand. He immediately fired up the crowd with “Greenbroke,” and then started off the next track “Trailer Park,” with a thundering guitar entrance. In the middle of this performance, Dean went quiet and you could hear every single person in Brooklyn Bowl singing along.

Jackson Dean at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo: Robby Stevens

“I’m gonna tell you a few stories tonight about some of these songs,” Dean shared. He then set up the scene for “Don’t Take Much,” which was inspired by a room his dad and uncle had set up in their Maryland home. The singer continued to light up the crowd with “Heavens To Betsy,” a track he wrote right here on Music Row. His smooth harmonies with fellow band members and the bright lights shining down on the stage gave a bone-chilling moment to the crowd.

After the roaring applause from the crowd, Dean started the stomp-like production for “Wings,” and his band member showed off his skills in a guitar solo. He then took the time to explain the next song, which he came up with while traveling in his van to play a show with Hardy. The unreleased track “Big Blue Sky” was an instant crowd pleaser.

Dean asked if everyone was still feeling good and then showed off his incredible vocal runs in “Train.” It was then time for some cover songs, starting with “49 Tons” by Fred Eaglesmith. He then had the crowd warm up their vocal cords with saying “yeah yeah yeah yeah” for the next cover, “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes. The crowd was singing along to every word, and Dean had everyone in the palm of his hand.

“I gotta say a thank you to country radio for getting this one [up] the charts. I want to say thank you to all of you for playing this song,” Dean said before launching into his current single “Fearless.” After lighting up the crowd yet again, he played another unreleased track, “Talking In Backroads,” and then a crowd favorite “Superstitions.”

For the next section, Dean’s bandmate brought out a mandolin. They played two more unreleased tracks, “Cumberland Gap” and “Raised,” and shared that new music is coming soon, which excited the already enthused crowd.

To encapsulate his outlaw style of country, Dean proceeded to sing “1971.” After getting the crowed hyped up, he brought out singer-songwriter Luke Dick to help him with the next track. Sharing that the next song changed his life, Dean started the opening beats to his first No. 1 hit on country radio, “Don’t Come Lookin,” which Dick co-wrote and produced with Dean. It was a special moment for both singers, as they thanked the fans for making it happen.

Pictured (L-R): Luke Dick, Mae Estes, Mac McAnally, Jackson Dean and Dee White at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo: Robby Stevens

After the crowd roared for more from Dean after he exited the stage, he came back out for an encore performance. For the first song, he brought out singer/songwriter/musician Mac McAnally. With just the two of them on stage and no band tracking, they dove into a beautiful cover of “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Michael Bolton. Dean just released his own studio version of the track last Friday (Feb. 9).

Before going into the last song of the night, Dean shared that the first time he saw a performance of the next song, he was at the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. He said he remembered the feeling of how impactful it was, and how it is “one of the best songs ever written.” He then welcomed his full band on stage, and welcomed back out Estes, White, Dick and McAnally. All lined up together, the group sang “The Weight” by The Band. The inspiring performance left the crowd in awe as Dean wrapped up the night.

Lady A. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Lady A has been named Cornerstone Building Brands’ 2024 Home For Good Project Ambassadors.

By joining forces with Lady A’s Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, Cornerstone Building Brands hopes to bring more awareness to the affordable housing crisis.

Continuing its commitment to building stronger, more sustainable communities, Cornerstone Building Brands is also renewing its eight-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity, pledging to donate half a million dollars in building products and facilitating home builds as well as volunteer efforts to help build and remodel affordable housing across North America. This year, the company is donating vinyl siding, windows, metal roofing and accessories. The Home For Good project is expected to support approximately 100 Habitat for Humanity builds in 2024.

“We’re delighted to be part of sharing the incredible work the Home For Good project does,” says Scott. “Everyone deserves a safe, warm place for their family to call home. So, this project to help more people from all walks of life achieve their dream of having a home of their own truly resonates with us. We’re so proud to be partnering with Cornerstone Building Brands this year!”

“We are thrilled to team up with Lady A and renew our partnership with Habitat for Humanity through our Home For Good project,” says Rose Lee, President & CEO, Cornerstone Building Brands. “Making homeownership more accessible for families at all income levels is central to our company’s vision and purpose of positively contributing to the communities where people live, work and play.”

Cornerstone Building Brands has donated more than $3.4 million in products and resources to help build or remodel more than 720 homes in 135 communities since the inception of the Home For Good project in 2016.

The lineup has been announced for Big Machine Label Group’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Luncheon on March 1. The event is slated for 12 p.m. in the Omni Nashville Hotel’s Broadway Ballroom.

This year’s lineup includes Lady A, Mackenzie Carpenter, Jackson Dean, Riley Green, Greylan James, Chris Janson, Brian Kelley, Carly Pearce and surprise special guests.

“Our CRS Luncheon concert has become one of my favorite presentations of the year,” says Scott Borchetta, Chairman & CEO, Big Machine Label Group. “Our artists always shine and attendees always tell us it’s one of their can’t-miss shows of the year. This year will be no exception as everyone will be bringing their A game and we have a couple of incredible surprises on tap. Don’t miss it!”

CRS 2024 will take place Feb. 28-March 1. Online registration is now closed, and will reopen on-site at the Omni Nashville Hotel. For more information, click here.

JC Coffey

Industry veteran JC Coffey has joined Magnolia Music Group as Director of Audience Platforms, a newly created role.

Magnolia Music Group is home to country star Randy Houser, who is coming off a big year that included a headline tour, feature film appearances in Killers of the Flower Moon and The Hill as well as the release of his song “Cancel.” Houser plans to share more new music in 2024.

“I have been passionate about Randy Houser’s music since the moment I heard his voice,” says Coffey. “I could not be happier to take on this new role and hit the ground running with this amazing team.”

“JC’s passion, work ethic and multi-dimensional thinking will help propel the continued growth of Magnolia,” says Nick Hartley, Houser’s manager.

Coffey can be reached at jc@magnoliamusicgroup.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Dey Street Books

Darius Rucker plans to share his journey so far in Life’s Too Short: A Memoir by Darius Rucker, out May 28 via Dey Street Books.

The raw, heartfelt memoir tells the award-winning artist’s life story through the lens of the music that made him, including songs by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder to R.E.M., Kiss and Prince in addition to his own music with Hootie & the Blowfish and as a solo artist.

Multiple decades into his career, Rucker recounts the ascent of his band and wild tales of his road-hardened life filled with stumbles, missteps and battles with demons that ultimately results in triumph.

“If I look back at my life and try to see into my past, everything seems blurry,” he says. “But then I lean in and start to hear something. Melodies. Chords. Harmonies. Lyrics. This book is the story of my life as told through 23 songs that took me away, soaring, starting at ground level, living in a poor but happy home, never wanting for much more, enjoying what I had, even when times got tough, because I had my escape, my refuge, my music.”

Raised by a single mother in Charleston, Rucker co-founded Hootie & the Blowfish with three classmates at the University of South Carolina in 1986. What began as a party band playing frat houses and dive bars quickly became a global rock-pop phenomenon through their double Diamond-certified debut album Cracked Rear View, featuring hit songs “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand.”

While remaining with the group, Rucker has charted a pioneering path as a solo country artist with Diamond-certified hit “Wagon Wheel” as well as “Alright” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Throughout the years, he has shared the stage and mic with the likes of David Crosby, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Adele, Taylor Swift and more. This past year, Rucker was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and honored with the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award. He also released his first solo project in six years, Carolyn’s Boy.