Pictured (L-R): Neon Coast’s Martha Earls, Kane Brown, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman and Neon Coast’s Nikki Boon. Photo: Sony Music Nashville

Music Row gathered at The Ruby yesterday afternoon (Sept. 7) to celebrate the release of country superstar Kane Brown‘s newest album Different Man.

Colored lights tinted the room and an exciting buzz filled the air as guests entered the venue. Brown’s voice blasted through the speakers while his music and lyric videos flashed across the front wall—engulfing the crowd in his talent.

Different interactive experiences filled the space, each one symbolizing a track from the upcoming album. The hit artist’s most recent single “Go Around” was represented by a 360 degree photo-op, allowing guests to stand on a platform and pose with props while a revolving camera captured their movements.

Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman took the floor to welcome and thank everyone for coming. He described the process of creating Different Man, referring to Brown as a musical pioneer.

“It’s been arduous, at times, to get here, but the album speaks for itself. I’m so proud of [Brown] and the man [he] has become,” shared Goodman.

Goodman took time to acknowledge and thank all the people involved in the project. Sony Music Nashville’s VP, A&R Margaret Tomlin was next to detail Brown’s vision, noting that he maintained creative control throughout the endeavor. Tomlin stated that the presence of Brown’s wife Katelyn will be a “force” on the record, along with Blake Shelton‘s feature.

Finally, Brown took the mic to express his gratitude. He told the crowd that he is still finding his sound and growing musically. Sharing his experimentation with the anticipated album, Brown states that he knew the direction he wanted to go in when performing the record and believes the tracks are enhanced when heard live.

Different Man will release tomorrow, Sept. 9. Brown will also be back at The Ruby tomorrow to ring in the release of the album with his fans.

Tyler Childers and The Food Stamps. Pictured (L-R): Jesse Wells, James Barker, Tyler Childers, Chase Lewis, Craig Burletic, Rod Elkins. Photo: Emma Delevante

Tyler Childers and his longtime band, The Food Stamps, are gearing up for the release of their new album, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? on Sept. 30 on Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records. In advance of the release, two versions of “Angel Band” are out now.

Conceptualized as a three-part project, the album’s eight songs are presented in a trio of sonic perspectives in Hallelujah, Jubilee and Joyful Noise. The collection features a mix of new and traditional songs, with the Hallelujah version capturing Childers and the core band playing live in a single room over the course of two days, while the Jubilee version builds with the addition of strings, horns, background vocals and an array of instruments such as dulcimer, mbira and sitar. The Joyful Noise version will be unveiled on release day.

“I grew up Baptist and I was scared to death to go to hell,” Childers says of the new album. “A lot of that stuck with me. Filtering through that and trying to find the truth, and the beauty, and the things you should think about and expelling all that nonsense has been something I’ve spent a lot of time on. This is a collection that came together through those reflections. In a lot of ways, this is processing life experiences in the different philosophies and religions that have formed me, trying to make a comprehensive sonic example of that.

“Working with the same song three different ways is a nod to my raising, growing up in a church that believes in the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and what that means,” he continues. “The Father being the root, the place from which everything comes from, and The Son coming to free up some of those things, allowing it to be more open and welcoming. And then you have the Holy Ghost once The Son is gone—that feeling that’s supposed to keep us sustained until we are reunited, in whatever way that looks. Message wise, I hope that people take that it doesn’t matter race, creed, religion and all of that like—the most important part is to protect your heart, cultivate that and make that something useful for the world.”

The new album is the first new music from Childers since 2020’s Grammy-nominated surprise release, Long Violent History.

Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? Track List:
Hallelujah:
1. Old Country Church
2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
3. Two Coats
4. Purgatory
5. Way of the Triune God
6. Angel Band
7. Jubilee
8. Heart You Been Tendin’Jubilee:
1. Old Country Church
2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
3. Two Coats
4. Purgatory
5. Way of the Triune God
6. Angel Band
7. Jubilee
8. Heart You Been Tendin’

Joyful Noise:
1. Old Country Church
2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
3. Two Coats
4. Purgatory
5. Way of the Triune God
6. Angel Band
7. Jubilee
8. Heart You Been Tendin

Blake Shelton has teamed with Lands’ End to create a new fall and holiday collection.

The collection will feature men’s, women’s and kids’ apparel with stylish layers, denim, and graphic tees. It will also include pet essentials such as beds and bandanas, and home finds like faux fur throws, percale sheets and more.

“When you know what works, you stick with it,” Shelton explains. “Flannel shirt, jeans, a great jacket…when clothes are done right, it’s just easy. This is what I wear. It’s really fashion for folks who want to look good and feel comfortable, no matter where they are or what they’re doing. My collection with Lands’ End is about making clothes you’ll know are keepers the second you put them on. When you know, you know.”

“We knew that Blake values comfortable and ready-to-wear clothing–all elements that stand at the core of our design process at Lands’ End,” adds Jerome Griffith, CEO at Lands’ End. “As we eyed our next collaboration partner, Blake was a natural fit for not only our brand, but our shopper. Reliable styles that can comfortably be dressed up or down and fit every body is where Lands’ End–and this collection–strikes a chord.”

Through Sept. 1, 2023, Lands’ End will donate a portion of each purchase from the Blake Shelton x Lands’ End collection to Habitat for Humanity, a global housing organization that partners with people in communities around the world to build or improve a place they can call home.

The Blake Shelton x Lands’ End collection can be found here or a Lands’ End retail store location.

Wade Bowen. Photo: Katie Kauss

CAA has signed country singer-songwriter Wade Bowen.

Originally from Waco, Texas, Bowen serves as a contemporary link in a Texan chain of roots-rock poets stretching back more than 50 years. Utilizing both country and rock influences, he complements his gravely vocals with an organic sound.

He has released a dozen album–including six studio sets, two live collections, a gospel album and an ongoing series of buddy-country hits with fellow Texan Randy Rogers. Along the way, he’s scored his fair share of hits, and continues to perform nearly 200 shows nationwide each year, including multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

His focus remains on writing songs with a literary quality and shifting his sonic territory to match his life, as evidenced by his uplifting lead single, “Everything Has Your Memory,” from his recent album Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth, which debuted Aug. 12 via Thirty Tigers.

Bowen is managed by Alicia Pruitt at Red Light Management. His attorney is Scott Safford at Safford/Motley PLC, his business manager is Fred Ford at FBMM Entertainment and his publicist is Ebie McFarland at Essential Broadcast Media.

Kirby Smith

Riser House Entertainment has hired Kirby Smith as Director of A&R + Publishing.

Riser House’s publishing division currently oversees the songwriting careers of Mitchell Tenpenny, Dallas Wilson, Michael Whitworth and Dillon Carmichael. On the records side, the roster includes Tenpenny (in partnership with Sony Nashville), Carmichael and Meghan Patrick, along with several label services clients.

Prior to joining Riser House, Smith served as Creative Director at WinSongs Music, where she worked closely with its founder and hit songwriter/producer Chris DeStefano. While there, Smith was instrumental in the signing of Emily Shackleton. Prior to her time at WinSongs, she spent time as the Creative Manager at Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music Group.

“I could not be more excited to join the team at Riser House,” shares Smith. “Jennifer Johnson and Brandon Perdue have done an incredible job growing and developing the publishing and label roster, and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to learn from them. Riser House is a place of great people and great talent. I am looking forward to representing such an amazing group of both songwriters and artists.”

“Adding Kirby to our team was the definition of a no-brainer,” adds the recently-promoted Perdue. “We’ve collaborated on several things over the past few years, and her reputation around town is impeccable. In her short time here, Kirby has already proven to be an incredible champion for our creatives, and I know she will be a massive part of our continued growth over the next few years.”