Willie Jones & RVSHVD Team For Southeastern ‘Sticks & Swamps Tour’

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Willie Jones and RVSHVD are teaming up for a co-headlining “Sticks And Swamps Tour,” kicking off March 30 in Macon, Georgia. Renee Blair will open on all dates.

The six-date tour will run throughout the southeast, wrapping in Nashville at the Exit/In on April 21. Tickets are on sale Friday (Feb. 17).

Jones most recently released “Them Girls Do,” and is currently writing and recording the follow up to his debut album Right Now, which featured his single “American Dream.” Named one of the 12 Black Artists Shaping Country Music’s Future by USA Today, the rising artist serves as an ambassador for Ford Motor Company and has performed at festivals Stagecoach, CMA Fest, Lollapalooza, and more.

RVSHVD (pronounced Ra-Shad) started making music ten years ago. While listening to rap beats as a young teen, the self-taught R&B singer realized a new talent for songwriting and jumped genres after hearing “Sweet Thing” by Keith Urban. He signed with Penthouse South/Sumerian Records, and has built a following of 1.3 million fans on TikTok and is approaching a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Currently, he has over 100 million streams across all platforms which includes his most recent release “Hit Different.”

Sticks And Swamps Tour:
3/30/23 – Macon, GA – Hargray Capitol Theatre
3/31/23 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
4/1/23 – Tifton, GA – Terminal South
4/6/23 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl at Center Stage
4/7/23 – Rome, GA – Peaches
4/21/23 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In

Beville Dunkerley To Exit Position At SiriusXM/Pandora

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Head of Country Music Talent & Industry Relations at SiriusXM/Pandora, Beville Dunkerley, will exit her position on March 10.

Dunkerley will be returning to her roots in journalism and spending more time with her family.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to my journalism roots. While I adore and will miss my SiriusXM Nashville colleagues—some of the most talented people in the business—I have missed writing and media training and look forward to getting back to it. More importantly, I am incredibly excited to be able to spend more time with my kids!”

Dunkerley began her career as a host on WSM Radio, followed by time in New York City at AOL Music working as a writer, editor, artist relations coordinator, video segment producer, AOL Radio programmer and AOL Video host. She went on to serve as founder and editor of Rolling Stone Country and joined SiriusXM/Pandora in 2016.

At SiriusXM/Pandora, Dunkerley has been responsible for helping artists get their music to the masses, giving them keys to Pandora’s free marketing tools and pairing them with brands for big events and special projects, while also helping with talent booking for Pandora’s parent company, SiriusXM.

Reach Dunkerley at bevilledarden@gmail.com.

Jo Dee Messina Launches ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ Tour

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Jo Dee Messina is hitting the road tomorrow (Feb. 17) on her new “Heads Carolina, Tails California Tour.”

The nationwide tour kicks off in Greensboro, North Carolina and will visit 45+ markets through November with stops in Green Bay, Raleigh, Chicago, Atlantic City, Charlotte, and more. The cross-country trek is an ode to Messina’s debut 1996 platinum smash, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and in tribute to the nostalgic theme, she is using retro artwork from her original photo shoot for tour ads and limited-edition merchandise.

“It seems crazy that we’ve never toured under the ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ banner before. We are so excited to bring people songs that they know, stories we will share and, yes, new music!” shares Messina.

Messina also recently announced that her new album, Heads Carolina, Tails California: The Best of Jo Dee Messina, will be released March 10 on Curb Records. The album features 11 of her timeless hits, including “Bye, Bye,” “I’m Alright,” “Lesson In Leavin,’” ”Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and more, and marks Messina’s first-ever vinyl release.

“Heads Carolina, Tails California Tour” Dates:
Feb. 17 – Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 18 – North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Feb. 23 – Grand Rapids, Mich.
Feb. 24 – Green Bay, Wis.
March 25 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
April 14 – Fort Worth, Texas
April 15 – Georgetown, Texas
April 28 – Wichita, Kan.
April 29 – Fort Smith, Ark.
May 13 – Kansas City, Kan.
May 19 – Doswell, Va.
May 20 – Roanoke, Va.
June 9 – Clinton, Iowa
June 10 – Decatur, Ill.
June 16 – Ashland, Neb.
June 17 – Winsted, Minn.
June 23 – Raleigh – N.C.
June 24 – Virginia Beach, Va.
June 29 – Shipshewana, Ind.
June 30 – Central City, Iowa
July 13 – West Salem, Wis.
July 14 – Chicago, Ill.
July 15 – Pierz, Minn.
July 21 – LaGrange, Ga.
July 22 – Cullman, Ala.
July 28 – Kearney, Neb.
July 29 – Mendon, Ill.
Aug. 3 – Wausau, Wis.
Aug. 4 – Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Aug. 11 – Atlantic City, N.J.
Aug. 12 – West Chester, Ohio
Aug. 19 – Calgary, Alberta
Sept. 7 – Carterville, Ill.
Sept. 9 – Savannah, Tenn.
Sept. 14 – Spencer, Iowa
Sept. 22 – Frederick, Md.
Sept. 23 – Mount Vernon, Ky.
Oct. 7 – Hiawassee, Ga.
Oct. 19 – Greenville, S.C.
Oct. 20 – Kissimmee, Fla.
Oct. 21 – Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 3 – Lubbock, Texas
Nov. 4 – Waco, Texas
Nov. 10 – Phoenix, Ariz.
Nov. 11 – Indio, Calif.

Women’s Music Business Association Announces 2023 Officers, Board

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Virginia P. Brick, Aura Guadagno, Taylor Baird, Alyssa Hoffman; (L-R, bottom row): Libby Gardner, Megan Clemens, Mackenzie Adkins, Aya Robinson

The Women’s Music Business Association has announced its 2023 Board of Officers, Organizational Chairs and Board of Directors.

Serving on the 2023 board are President Virginia P. Brick (SESAC), Vice President Aura Guadagno (Varnell Enterprises), Treasurer Taylor Baird (Wiles + Taylor & Co.), Secretary Alyssa Hoffman (Manager of Wayland), Events & Education Co-Chairs Libby Gardner (Academy of Country Music) and Megan Clemons (CSM Management), and Marketing & Membership Co-Chairs Mackenzie Adkins (Rhonda & Company) and Aya Robinson (Opry Entertainment Group).

The WMBA Board of Directors will be led by newly-elected Chairwoman Amery Fridenstine (Above Board Consulting) alongside brand new board members Sheree Spoltore (Global Songwriters Connection), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), and Christy Walker-Watkins (The AristoMedia Group/AristoPR). Brandi Simms (MooTV, Moo Creative & The Steel Mill) will continue in an advisory role as Board of Directors Emeritus, and Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, & Norton LLP) will act as Legal Counsel.

WMBA held its first 2023 meeting to kick off the year on Jan. 24 at SESAC in Nashville. Simms was the featured speaker of the evening and shared her career story, the history of WMBA, and what she sees as the organization’s future.

“It is a privilege to follow in the footprints of those who served before me, and I admire the opportunity to lead this organization with a good balance of head and heart in 2023,” shares WMBA President Virginia Brick. “WMBA has built a culture of empowered women who choose to be bold and brilliant innovative leaders paving their own way in the music industry. My vision this year is to create safe spaces for our women to start conversations, migrate ideas, problem solve, impact through service projects, foster creative collaborations within our community of members and alumni while forging partnerships with other organizations and local businesses that align with WMBA’s mission. It’s going to be a fantastic year.”

The WMBA Class of 2023:
Nina Teapot Owens (The Teapot Legacy)
Jessica Hamorsky (Degy Entertainment)
Marisa Righi (Freeman)
Cait Murphy (TalkShop Live)
Ashlea Sexton (Concord)
Taylor Weatherby (The Recording Academy)
Madeline Hilliard (Grayscale Marketing)
Brianna Holko (Me Gusta Music)
Michaela Baker (AEG Presents)
Madison Policastri (Red Street Records)
Megan Osman (Rock Ridge Music)
Mariah Tobias (LBK Entertainment)
Emily Gene Baldridge (Peermusic)
Beka Bishop (B Street Management)
Megan Astri (The Country Music Hall of Fame)
Cambria Sojka (Red Street Records)
Shelby Rubin (Downtown Music Publishing)
Brenna Woods (Wasserman Music, LLC)
Robin Ruddy (Parlor Productions)
Andrea Castiano (Singer-Songwriter at Andrea Sings, LLC)
Erin Patterson (Day After Day Productions)

Darius Rucker’s Riverfront Revival Music Festival Returns In October

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Darius Rucker. Photo: Jim Wright

Darius Rucker‘s Riverfront Revival Festival is set to return to North Charleston’s Riverfront Park Oct. 7 and 8.

“Charleston’s hometown spirit was on full display last year and showed us what a local music festival meant to this community,” shares Rucker. “We know 2023 is going to be an even greater experience for fans and we can’t wait to see you there!”

The 2023 lineup of country and rock acts will be announced soon and the shows will also feature new music from Rucker himself, as well as some of the low country’s best food, drink, art and culture for attendees to enjoy while they jam.

Early access presale tickets are available now, as well as VIP tickets, including an exclusive merch package, dedicated entrance, priority and up-close viewing areas at both stages, dedicated bar and access to VIP lounge areas and premium restrooms at RiverfrontRevival.com.

“We were overwhelmed with the support and attendance of our first Riverfront Revival and are thrilled to bring the festival back for more fans to enjoy,” says SRE Entertainment partner Rob Lamble. “This is a festival built by Charlestonians who want nothing more than to showcase the best our city has to offer with great music, culture and food.”

Once again, proceeds from each ticket sold will benefit the Arts in Healing program at the Medical University of South Carolina. Passionate about giving back to the Charleston community, Rucker has raised millions of dollars throughout his career for the hospital where his late mother was a nurse.

Industry Ink: Niko Moon, Safe Tracks, Natalie Layne, More

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Niko Moon Enjoys Triple Platinum “Good Time”

Pictured: Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists surprise Niko Moon with news his debut single “Good Time” earned triple Platinum status. Photo: Corey Miler

Niko Moon recently celebrated his first RIAA triple-Platinum certification for his No. 1 debut single, “Good Time.” Staff from RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville and Make Wake Artists presented Moon with the news ahead of his sold-out show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl (Feb. 9).

Moon’s “Ain’t No Better Place Tour” continues this weekend with shows in Missouri and Arkansas.

 

CMA Hosts Safe Tracks Launch Party

Photo: Courtesy of Safe Tracks

Safe Tracks, a sexual assault prevention bystander intervention training program designed specifically for the music industry, held its official launch party at CMA’s headquarters on Jan. 25. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the bystander intervention training program and grow the Safe Tracks advocate community.

Originally, the Safe Tracks program was the creation of husband-wife duo Haley & Michaels and their two Belmont University interns with the goal of making Nashville the safest place to make music and chase dreams free from sexual harassment and violence. The program was officially adopted by the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) in 2022, and endorsed by the CMA with the support of one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, activist Tarana Burke.

To learn more about Safe Tracks, click here.

 

Natalie Layne Signs With Centricity Music

Layne also takes a celebratory photo with Centricity Music staff and manager Marcus Rixon

Natalie Layne has signed a worldwide recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music. Layne’s latest independent single, “Love Me Back to Life,” has gained millions of views on socials, where she has 2.8 million likes on her videos. The single follows her 2021 Castles EP and 2020 independent debut Be Human. She has opened for Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin and We the Kingdom, and shared stages at festivals with Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and Crowder.

“I’ve been telling our team for a long time that Natalie was an absolute force of talent and one of the most gifted artists I’ve come across,” says John Mays, Centricity Music’s Senior Vice President, A&R. “At our recent indie artist retreat, we discovered that her level of talent is exceeded only by her heart for God and love for people. We’re fortunate to be able to partner with Natalie and are excited to play our role in getting her music to the world.”

 

Carter Vintage Guitars To Relocate To Paseo South Gulch

Paseo South Gulch

Nashville guitar store Carter Vintage Guitars has signed a lease for 13,000 square feet encompassing the entire second floor of the revitalized antiques building found within SomeraRoad’s mixed-use district, Paseo South Gulch.

“We’re excited to continue Carter Vintage in the neighborhood where it all began,” shares Ben Montague, CEO of The North American Guitar, which merged with Carter Vintage Guitars in 2022. “Combining the legacy that Walter and Christie Carter built at their legendary location on 8th Avenue with the historic Antiques building next door feels like the perfect match. We want to ensure Carter Vintage remains just as convenient of a stop on 8th Avenue as it always has been, and the additional showroom space will help us to better serve our customers across the globe and the local vintage guitar market that Music City is known and loved for.”

Walter Carter, co-founder of Carter Vintage Guitars, adds, “The historic Antique building has a great vintage vibe, plus the space to accommodate a growing business, which makes it the perfect future home for Carter Vintage Guitars.”

Christie and Walter Carter founded Carter Vintage Guitars in November 2012 with the vision of providing a comfortable place for fine fretted instruments and the people who appreciate them. When the company was founded, both had more than 25 years of experience in the guitar and music industry.

 

Carly Evans Joins Marathon Music Group

Marathon Music Group’s Carly Evans & Chuck Sweeney at the 2022 Texas Country Music Awards

Carly Evans has joined Marathon Music Group as a booking agent. A veteran radio personality and programmer, Evans has received award nominations from both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association, in addition to capturing the award for Texas Regional Radio Personality of the Year six times. She also carved out a home behind the mic with her podcast, The Troubadour Podcast, which aired on stations in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, South Dakota and Virginia.

Marathon Music Group’s team was also among the nominees for the 2023 Texas Country Music Industry Awards. Owner and CEO Chuck Sweeney is nominated for Artist Manager of the Year and Evans earned a nomination for Texas Country Podcast of the Year for her work alongside Jared “Pete” Gile on The Troubadour Podcast.

New ‘Power Hour’ Speaker Sessions Announced for CRS 2023

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Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is launching its new “Power Hour” speaker sessions, set to take place on Wednesday, March 15, during CRS 2023.

These new sessions are designed to challenge the traditional ways of thinking by presenting topics in a unique and dynamic manner, utilizing speakers to cover different subjects in short-form presentations. The “Power Hour” sessions will feature several lecturers, each presenting their own perspective on a given subject in a fast-paced 15-20 minute “talk” style format.

The speakers and their respective topics include:

  • Alek Halverson, PD/personality at iHeart KAJA/San Antonio, with “Living The Dream – How A Younger Generation of Broadcasters Can Capture The Joy of Radio.”
  • Mia McNeal, CMA Sr. Director of Industry Relations and Inclusion, with a talk titled “Beyond the Box: A Conversation on Expansive Inclusion.”
  • Fred Jacobs, President of Jacobs Media, with a “Fred Talk” titled “The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be.”

“Prepare to be inspired and perhaps even a little provoked at CRS this year! Our ‘Power Hour’ speakers have been hand-picked to help you connect the dots between the business of today and the future,” says Joey Tack, chairman of the CRS 2023 Agenda Committee.

CRS attendees are encouraged to mark their calendars for these “Power Hour” sessions, which are sure to educate, inspire and energize.

CRS 2023 will take place Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Registration for CRS 2023 is open and is available through www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. More agenda details surrounding the remainder of CRS 2023 will be released soon.

Live Nation Announces New Country Music Festival In Virginia Beach

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Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett are headlining Live Nation’s new Beach It! Festival in Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia this June for a three-day, two-stage festival. Joining the lineup for June 23-25 will be Riley Green, Jo Dee Messina, Kip Moore, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jameson Rodgers, Nate Smith, Alana Springsteen, Cole Swindell, Lily Rose, and Hailey Whitters, with Dee Jay Silver performing in between sets.

Brian O’Connell, President of Country Touring for Live Nation, announced the addition to Live Nation’s slate of festivals this morning alongside Deputy City Manager Taylor Adams and Virginia Beach native Springsteen. General Admission and VIP passes for this summer event will go on sale Feb. 21 at beachitfestival.com.

The Beach It! Festival will also feature a host of newcomers on its second-stage called Next From Nashville. Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Ben Burgess, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Madeline Edwards, Erin Kinsey, Pillbox Patti, Peytan Porter, and Aaron Raitiere are set to perform during the weekend in Viriginia Beach.

Beach It! is the latest announcement of country music festivals playing across the country this year. It joins Tidal/Wave in Atlantic City Beach, New Jersey; Watershed in George, Washington; Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Faster Horses Music Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan; and Seven Peaks Music Festival in Villa Grove, Colorado.

Lonestar Announces New Album & Upcoming National Tour

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Pictured (L-R): Lonestar’s Michael Britt, Drew Womack, Keech Rainwater, Dean Sams. Photo: Taylor Ballantyne

In 2022, Lonestar celebrated their 30th anniversary as a band. The award-winning group is celebrating the milestone by announcing their new album, Ten to 1, will release June 2. By re-recording 10 of their No. 1 hits, the album will give fans brand new versions of their beloved classics in a project that combines nostalgia and innovation.

The collection’s lead single, “Amazed,” originally spent 11 weeks atop the charts, and it is set to release on March 1. Lonestar’s Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater, Michael Britt, and Drew Womack all worked on these re-recordings to balance freshness and familiarity for the Ten to 1 project.

“We’ve been doing this for a very long time, and we’ve been super blessed in our 30 plus years together to have 22 top 10 singles and then have 10 of those go No.1,” says Sams, a founding member of Lonestar and producer of the group’s last six albums.

“Most of these songs we’ve played for 25 years or so, and we know these songs like the back of our hand,” adds Britt. “It was fun to be able to record songs that everybody knows and just put a different spin on them because we’ve changed them over time.”

The 10-song collection is ordered chronologically beginning with Lonestar’s very first No. 1 from 1996, “No News.”

Ten to 1 Tracklist:
“No News”
“My Front Porch Looking In”
“Come Cryin’ To Me”
“Amazed”
“Smile”
“What About Now”
“Tell Her”
“I’m Already There”
“Mr. Mom”
“Everything’s Changed”

Coming off a successful touring year in 2022, Lonestar has a full slate of upcoming shows beginning in February, including some of their bucket list venues on their national trip. March 3 will mark Lonestar’s first headlining show at Nashville’s historic and iconic Ryman Auditorium.

Lonestar Tour Dates:
2/17 – Carlsbad, NM – Walter Gerrells Performing Arts & Exhibition Center
2/18 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Rodeo
2/25 – Kingsland, GA – K-Bay Mardi Gras
3/3 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
3/4 – Versailles, OH – BMI Event Center
3/16 – Sugarcreek, OH – Ohio Star Theater
3/17 – Bloomington, IL – Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
3/18 – Flint, MI – Capitol Theatre
3/19 – Jackson, MI – The Potter Center at Jackson College
3/24 – Lake Jackson, TX – The Clarion at Brazosport College
3/25 – Marble Falls, TX – Putters & Gutters
4/13 – El Cajon, CA – Sycuan Casino Resort
4/14 – Florence, AZ – Country Thunder Arizona
4/15 – Santa Fe, NM – Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
4/16 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn
5/12 – Lampe, MO – Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater
5/13 – Kansas City, KS – Legends Field
6/16 – Deadwood, SD – Downtown Deadwood (Main Street)
7/15 – Tipton, IA – Cedar County Fair
7/22 – Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder Wisconsin
8/4 – Camrose, AB – Big Valley Jamboree
8/5 – Lake Cowichan, BC – Sunset Country Festival
8/12 – Galva, IL – The Back Road Music Festival
8/17 – Fairmont, MN – Martin County Fair
8/19 – Lakeside Marblehead, OH – Hoover Auditorium
9/2 – West Liberty, OH – Country Legends Festival
10/7 – Pocomoke City, MD – Dock Jam
10/21 – Kissimmee, FL – Country Thunder Florida

Tracy Lawrence & Gary Allan Slate First Ever Co-Headlining Tour For May

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Tracy Lawrence and Gary Allan are teaming up for a new co-headlining tour kicking off in May.

Lawrence and Allan have both shared radio waves and mutual respect for each other throughout their lengthy careers, and the new tour marks the first time fans will get to see both artists do full sets on the same stage. Tickets will be available for presale on Thursday, Feb. 16 with public on sale beginning Feb. 17 at tracylawrence.com.

“I’m really looking forward to doing these shows with Gary Allan,” shares Lawrence. “We’ve been talking every day and we’re really excited to hit the road together. What he brings to the table is unmatched and is going to elevate an already great night of music.”

“Tracy Lawrence is one of the iconic artists of the ’90s country sound,” says Allan. “It’s going to be fun to hit the road with him and hear those great songs every night.”

Lawrence just wrapped the rollout of a three-part album series, Hindsight 2020, featuring a collection of new songs and re-recordings of some of his biggest hits. In addition to releasing new music and touring, he continues his radio show, Honky Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence, and recently launched a new podcast right from his tour bus called TL’s Road House, which has featured guests including Hardy, Jason Aldean and Jelly Roll, to name a few.

Allan is on the heels of his recent album Ruthless and a tour spanning his 25 years of outside-the-lines hits. His latest album won praise from critics and marked his eighth straight top 10 country project. He recently appeared on Lawrence’s radio show and supported Lawrence’s Mission:Possible charity, including a set at 2022’s 17th annual Turkey Fry—which raised more than $250,000 to help combat homelessness.