Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Legions of dedicated Morgan Wallen fans gathered at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium Thursday night (May 2) for the first of three shows. The Tennessee native was joined by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith and Lauren Watkins for the Music City dates of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour.”
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
To kick off the night’s music, Watkins gave a charming set that included her cheeky “Anybody But You” and new song “Mama, I Made It.” Her charisma and excitement resonated with the early arrivals at the stadium who danced along during her 25 minutes.
When Smith took the stage, he brought the passion and vocal chops that felt ready for a stadium-sized crowd. The singer gave his all on tunes “Bulletproof,” “Wreckage,” “Sleeve” and his first chart-topper “Whiskey On You.” After a cover of Foo Fighters’ “My Hero,” Smith closed with his record-breaking, 10-week No. 1 hit “World On Fire.”
Next it was time for Zimmerman to take the stage. When the 24-year old appeared, the crowd was ready for his signature energizer bunny stage presence. He opened his set with “Religiously,” and immediately started taking advantage of the large stage’s full real estate.
Fans were excited to hear “Warzone,” “Chase Her,” “Fix’n To Break,” “Holy Smokes” and his first-ever No. 1 “Fall In Love” before rain interrupted his set, sending some fans into the covered terminals of the stadium. That didn’t bring Zimmerman down though. He continued his rampage of streaming monsters including “You Don’t Want That Smoke,” “Where It Ends” and “Rock and A Hard Place.”
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
The crowd was buzzing with anticipation by the time Wallen took the stage. When the lights went out and the history-making artist’s face appeared on the screen, a deafening scream came from Nissan Stadium. After his signature, athlete-style videoed walk-up, set to his country hip-hop jam “Broadway Girls,” Wallen officially hit the stage with “Ain’t That Some.”
He blitzed the exhilarated audience with “I Wrote the Book,” “One Thing At A Time” and “You Proof,” stalking up and down the catwalk, letting the excitement show in his body language.
“It’s good to be home, baby!” Wallen exclaimed. “Me and the boys have had this one circled on the calendar for a long time. This is a special show for us.
“We have a bunch of family, friends and people that have worked with us for a very long time here in order to make something like this happen. Thank you so much for being here!”
The sheer size of Wallen’s stage and the production value of the tour allowed for him to create several opportunities for his cult-like fans to see him. Early in his set, he went over to a side stage where a set of bleachers and flags with his high school colors on them were positioned.
He spoke about his love for baseball before playing “’98 Braves.” The bracelets that concertgoers received upon entry to the show lit up in Braves colors as the singer serenaded the crowd.
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Before leaving the small stage, Wallen played his romantic “7 Summers.” His face lit up in a smirk when the girls swooned as the song started.
Wallen returned to the main stage for the trappy “Sunrise” and rock-flavored “Whiskey Friends.” Then, covered in security officers, the entertainer walked through the crowd on the floor of the stadium to a satelite stage at the other side of the room.
Jumping up on the small stage with an acoustic guitar and one musician accompanying him, Wallen did his best to emulate the intimacy he felt with his fans when he was playing smaller rooms. The effort created one of the night’s standout moments, with fans fully enveloped in his iconic cover of Jason Isbell‘s “Cover Me Up.”
Despite the amount of times he sings his hits that have garnered billions of streams, you get the feeling that he still feels it in his performance of the songs. Even if the lyrics are no longer applicable to his life, you can see him feeling it resonating with his fans. That connection is especially noticeable in the acoustic, tender moments of his nearly two-hour show.
From the satellite stage he played “Thought You Should Know,” “Sand In My Boots” and a song that is “technically unreleased but won’t be for long” called “Lies Lies Lies.” He then triumphantly returned to the main stage for his first hit “Up Down.” Zimmerman joined him for the fun tune.
Ernest and Morgan Wallen perform onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Next up was “Cowgirls,” which the song’s featured artist Ernest appeared for. Wallen reminded fans that Ernest’s new album Nashville, Tennessee had just been released before hitting another side stage.
On the opposite side of the high school-themed side stage was one with a model of his grandmother’s house from his One Thing At A Time album cover. In front of the little house, Wallen sang “Chasin’ You” and “Man Made A Bar.”
For the final stretch of the evening, Wallen brought the hits, pumping the crowd up with “Heartless,” “Wasted On You” and “This Bar,” using the latter to advertise his soon-to-be-opened spot on Broadway. After “More Than My Hometown” and “Whiskey Glasses,” Wallen said goodnight, but his fans were no fools. They stood in the darkness waiting for the once-in-a-generation entertainer to return.
All of a sudden, the wrists of concert-goers lit up and Wallen returned with a blistering fury, performing the country hip-hop juggernaut “Thinkin’ Bout Me” to a re-invigorated Nissan Stadium. Wallen transitioned into “Last Night” and his theme song “The Way I Talk” before officially closing the night with a glistening firework show.
Wallen will continue his Nissan Stadium run tonight (May 3) and tomorrow (May 4) before making his way to Hershey, Pennsylvania this coming Thursday (May 9).
ACM Announces Additional Awards Week Events
/by Liza AndersonThe Academy of Country Music has announced additional events set to take place during this year’s ACM Awards Week ahead of the 59th annual ceremony on May 16.
The ACM Country Kickoff fan festival will get the week started for a second year. The two-day function, set for May 14–15, will feature live performances by ACM Award nominees and rising talent on the outdoor Carhartt Stage, along with artist meet-and-greets, food trucks and partner activations. New for 2024 is the Country Kickoff VIP ticket, which includes premium viewing access of the outdoor stage from the Lucas Oil VIP Area, a meal voucher redeemable at any of the onsite food trucks, two drink tickets, dedicated bar service; a Jack Daniel’s whiskey tasting and more. For more information, click here.
Powered by The Bluebird Cafe and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the ACM Songs & Stories brunch will also take place on May 15. Hosted by singer-songwriter and actor Charles Esten, the event celebrates the ACM Songwriter of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year nominees with a traditional Nashville songwriters round. This year, fans will be purchase tickets to for the first time in event history. Each ticket include a buffet brunch and open bar. For more information, click here.
The previously announced “Parker McCollum and Friends: ACM Lifting Lives Live” event, presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, is also set for May 15 at Topgolf The Colony. The show will feature Old Dominion, Jordan Davis, Ashley Cooke and Kameron Marlowe taking the stage to perform live alongside McCollum.
MerleFest Wraps Successful 2024 Event
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Jim Gavenus
MerleFest concluded its annual spring homecoming last weekend with a ‘Traditional Plus’ celebration, drawing both seasoned attendees and newcomers to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Artists performing during the four-day event included Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and more.
“MerleFest 2024 was a testament to the enduring spirit of community and music,” shares Festival Director Wes Whitson. “The unwavering support from our artists, fans, staff, volunteers, and sponsors not only creates unforgettable moments but also fuels the educational mission of Wilkes Community College. The beautiful weather this weekend served as a perfect backdrop to the magic unfolding on stage, adding an extra layer of joy to our festivities. We were thrilled to see an overwhelming turnout on Thursday evening, a resounding affirmation that MerleFest continues to grow stronger with each passing year.”
The four-day gathering, inspired by the vision of festival founder and North Carolina native Doc Watson, is the biggest economic driver of scholarships, capital projects, and educational needs within the greater community. Since its inaugural event in 1988, MerleFest has continued to demonstrate a commitment to supporting the residents of Wilkes County, while showcasing outstanding talent from its home state and beyond. This year’s festival was no different, with nearly one hundred acts spanning diverse styles and genres performing across 12 stages from Thursday through Sunday.
Making Of Randy Travis’ AI-Generated Single Explored In CBS News ‘Sunday Morning’ Segment
/by Liza AndersonKyle Lehning & Randy Travis
The making of country legend Randy Travis‘ new artificial intelligence (AI)-generated single, “Where That Came From,” will be exclusively explored during a segment of CBS News’ Sunday Morning airing May 5 at 8 a.m. CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Travis shared the new song with fans today (May 3)—something he hadn’t done since suffering a stroke in 2013. The area of his brain controlling speech and language was severely damaged as a result of the stroke, and doctors believed Travis’ chance of surviving was slim.
Now, Travis is doing well, and with the help of AI, his fans are getting to hear his cherished vocals again.
“There’s just so much chatter about all the negative sides of AI,” says Cris Lacy, Co-Chair & President, Warner Music Nashville. “We started with this concept of ‘What would AI…look like for us?’ And the first thing that came to mind…was we would give Randy Travis his voice back.”
Throughout the special feature, the show’s Lee Cowan takes an inside look at how cutting-edge AI enabled Travis to raise his voice musically once again. He talks with the star and his wife Mary while getting a behind-the-scenes look at how Travis’ longtime producer Kyle Lehning—with the artist’s blessing—crafted a song using his past audio tracks as a starting point. With the help of another singer, a special AI program overlayed Travis’ voice on the new recording. With the Hall of Famer’s input, Lehning carefully molded the AI-created vocal into a tune that felt authentic to Travis.
“It’s not about how it sounds. It’s about how it feels,” notes Lehning. “Him being here and him being able to be a vital part of the decision-making process makes all the difference to me.”
Cowan was there when Travis’ country music friends and family heard the song for the first time.
To listen to Travis’ “Where That Came From,” click here.
Warner Music Nashville Signs Roan Ash
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): BJ Hill (SVP A&R, Warner Chappell Music), Jay Williams (WME), Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME), Stephanie Davenport (VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Patrick Sabatini (SVP Legal & Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville); (L-R, front row): Cris Lacy (Co-Chair and Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Roan Ash, Ben Kline (Co-Chair and Co-President, Warner Music Nashville)
Warner Music Nashville has signed South African singer-songwriter Roan Ash. His major label debut single “Holy Ground” is out now.
Ash has independently garnered 100 million global streams to date with his country-rock fusion and strong lyrical sense. Learning a few guitar chords from an older sister, he grew up inspired by lyricists such as Kris Kristofferson and Don Williams. In his teens he was drawn to the music of Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and John Mayer.
Ash released his first independent album, The Traveller, in 2014. He released it follow-up Whiskey to My Soul in 2018, where he found his creative mark.
“The main thing I love about music is the integrity,” Ash says. “There has to be integrity between your heart and what you want to say. Otherwise, you just need to keep quiet. It’s all about the lyrics and the story. I don’t wanna be an empty guy saying empty things, so I’ve always tried to work on something worth saying.”
Ash’s talents have found a home across the globe in Nashville. As he readies his first major label release, he’s keeping his focus strictly on the music.
“I was and still am just a dreamer, and I just want to make good music,” Ash admits. “I’m not worrying about business. I’m just going to do what I’ve always done, and that’s given me so much liberty. I’m here. It’s time to do what I do.”
Industry Ink: CMHOFM, CAA, Emily Ann Roberts, Owen Riegling
/by John Nix ArledgeCountry Music Hall Of Fame Reveals Plans For ‘All For The Hall Dallas’
Pictured (L-R) Carri Hyde, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward, Lisa Arpey, Vikram Agrawal, Lisa Purcell, Ben Hall Photo: Celeste Cass
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has revealed plans for the return of “All for the Hall Dallas,” a two-day musical benefit supporting the nonprofit museum’s educational programs.
The event will kick off Monday, Sept. 9, with a performance by Midland at a patron party hosted by honorary co-chairs Anne and Steve Anne Stodghill. On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill, joined by several performers, is set to host a guitar pull at Gilley’s Dallas.
The announcement was made during an event at the home of the Stodghills, which featured a performance by Runaway June including their songs “Buy My Own Drinks,” “Fine Wine” and more.
This year’s event leaders include Lisa Arpey, Vikra Agrawal, the Stodghills and Carri Hyde.This marks the second time “All for the Hall” will be held in Dallas, with the inaugural event in 2021 raising over $630,000. Annabel Morgan and Emily Hyde are co-chairs for the Troubadour Dallas Ambassadors.
PENCIL & CAA Host 20th Annual ‘A Little Night Of Music’
Lauren Alaina
PENCIL, an organization that links community resources to Nashville Public Schools, partnered with CAA for the 20th annual “A Little Night of Music” fundraiser on Wednesday, April 24 at the Grand Ole Opry House.
The event, headlined by Lauren Alaina and Niko Moon, raised a record-breaking $425,000 for PENCIL and brought together over 400 business, civic and community leaders.
“I am in awe knowing that our friends at CAA started this event 20 years ago, bringing their best talent to our intimate event,” says PENCIL President and CEO Christiane Buggs. “Their support continues to make a phenomenal impact on public education that now exceeds $3.3 million through our partnership.”
Emily Ann Roberts Performs For Children At Vanderbilt’s Seacrest Studios
Emily Ann Roberts, Jordan Larsen
Emily Ann Roberts, along with fiddle player Jordan Larsen, recently performed for children at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The performance, held at Seacrest Studios, was made possible by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which establishes studios in pediatric hospitals. Seacrest Studios offer diverse programming, accessible both in-studio and via closed-circuit networks on patients’ TV screens.
Owen Riegling Signs Co-Management Deal With Workshop Music Group & The Familie
Owen Riegling
Mildmay, Ontario native Owen Riegling has entered a co-management deal with Workshop Music Group and The Familie.
Signed by Universal Music Canada, Riegling’s music is deeply rooted in the heart of country and boasts over 50 million global streams. His new EP, Bruce County, will be released in May.
“We are fired right up to partner with The Familie as we continue to help Owen tell his story as an artist. Their skills and network, alongside our shared values, set a solid foundation for this partnership,” share managers Mark Schroor and Erik Fintelman.
“Our entire team is thrilled to partner with Owen. After getting to know Mark and Erik, it’s clear this collaboration will be enduring,” says The Familie’s Steve Astephen.
Morgan Wallen Kicks Off Three-Night Stand At Nissan Stadium
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Legions of dedicated Morgan Wallen fans gathered at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium Thursday night (May 2) for the first of three shows. The Tennessee native was joined by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith and Lauren Watkins for the Music City dates of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour.”
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
To kick off the night’s music, Watkins gave a charming set that included her cheeky “Anybody But You” and new song “Mama, I Made It.” Her charisma and excitement resonated with the early arrivals at the stadium who danced along during her 25 minutes.
When Smith took the stage, he brought the passion and vocal chops that felt ready for a stadium-sized crowd. The singer gave his all on tunes “Bulletproof,” “Wreckage,” “Sleeve” and his first chart-topper “Whiskey On You.” After a cover of Foo Fighters’ “My Hero,” Smith closed with his record-breaking, 10-week No. 1 hit “World On Fire.”
Next it was time for Zimmerman to take the stage. When the 24-year old appeared, the crowd was ready for his signature energizer bunny stage presence. He opened his set with “Religiously,” and immediately started taking advantage of the large stage’s full real estate.
Fans were excited to hear “Warzone,” “Chase Her,” “Fix’n To Break,” “Holy Smokes” and his first-ever No. 1 “Fall In Love” before rain interrupted his set, sending some fans into the covered terminals of the stadium. That didn’t bring Zimmerman down though. He continued his rampage of streaming monsters including “You Don’t Want That Smoke,” “Where It Ends” and “Rock and A Hard Place.”
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
The crowd was buzzing with anticipation by the time Wallen took the stage. When the lights went out and the history-making artist’s face appeared on the screen, a deafening scream came from Nissan Stadium. After his signature, athlete-style videoed walk-up, set to his country hip-hop jam “Broadway Girls,” Wallen officially hit the stage with “Ain’t That Some.”
He blitzed the exhilarated audience with “I Wrote the Book,” “One Thing At A Time” and “You Proof,” stalking up and down the catwalk, letting the excitement show in his body language.
“It’s good to be home, baby!” Wallen exclaimed. “Me and the boys have had this one circled on the calendar for a long time. This is a special show for us.
“We have a bunch of family, friends and people that have worked with us for a very long time here in order to make something like this happen. Thank you so much for being here!”
The sheer size of Wallen’s stage and the production value of the tour allowed for him to create several opportunities for his cult-like fans to see him. Early in his set, he went over to a side stage where a set of bleachers and flags with his high school colors on them were positioned.
He spoke about his love for baseball before playing “’98 Braves.” The bracelets that concertgoers received upon entry to the show lit up in Braves colors as the singer serenaded the crowd.
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Before leaving the small stage, Wallen played his romantic “7 Summers.” His face lit up in a smirk when the girls swooned as the song started.
Wallen returned to the main stage for the trappy “Sunrise” and rock-flavored “Whiskey Friends.” Then, covered in security officers, the entertainer walked through the crowd on the floor of the stadium to a satelite stage at the other side of the room.
Jumping up on the small stage with an acoustic guitar and one musician accompanying him, Wallen did his best to emulate the intimacy he felt with his fans when he was playing smaller rooms. The effort created one of the night’s standout moments, with fans fully enveloped in his iconic cover of Jason Isbell‘s “Cover Me Up.”
Despite the amount of times he sings his hits that have garnered billions of streams, you get the feeling that he still feels it in his performance of the songs. Even if the lyrics are no longer applicable to his life, you can see him feeling it resonating with his fans. That connection is especially noticeable in the acoustic, tender moments of his nearly two-hour show.
From the satellite stage he played “Thought You Should Know,” “Sand In My Boots” and a song that is “technically unreleased but won’t be for long” called “Lies Lies Lies.” He then triumphantly returned to the main stage for his first hit “Up Down.” Zimmerman joined him for the fun tune.
Ernest and Morgan Wallen perform onstage during night one of his “One Night At A Time 2024 Tour” at Nissan Stadium. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Next up was “Cowgirls,” which the song’s featured artist Ernest appeared for. Wallen reminded fans that Ernest’s new album Nashville, Tennessee had just been released before hitting another side stage.
On the opposite side of the high school-themed side stage was one with a model of his grandmother’s house from his One Thing At A Time album cover. In front of the little house, Wallen sang “Chasin’ You” and “Man Made A Bar.”
For the final stretch of the evening, Wallen brought the hits, pumping the crowd up with “Heartless,” “Wasted On You” and “This Bar,” using the latter to advertise his soon-to-be-opened spot on Broadway. After “More Than My Hometown” and “Whiskey Glasses,” Wallen said goodnight, but his fans were no fools. They stood in the darkness waiting for the once-in-a-generation entertainer to return.
All of a sudden, the wrists of concert-goers lit up and Wallen returned with a blistering fury, performing the country hip-hop juggernaut “Thinkin’ Bout Me” to a re-invigorated Nissan Stadium. Wallen transitioned into “Last Night” and his theme song “The Way I Talk” before officially closing the night with a glistening firework show.
Wallen will continue his Nissan Stadium run tonight (May 3) and tomorrow (May 4) before making his way to Hershey, Pennsylvania this coming Thursday (May 9).
Luke Bryan To Launch ‘Farm Tour 2024’ This Fall
/by Liza AndersonLuke Bryan will launch his “Farm Tour 2024” this fall, marking the 15th annual journey.
Since 2009, the country star has given back to farmers by awarding college scholarships to students from farming families who are attending local colleges or universities near the “Farm Tour” stops. To date, 83 college scholarships have been granted.
This year’s trek will take place Sept. 21–28 with special guests Conner Smith, Tucker Wetmore, The Peach Pickers (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip) and DJ Rock. The 2024 stops include Mulberry Orchard in Shelbyville, Kentucky and Miller Family Farm in Millerport, Ohio as well as first-time visits to Huggins Store in Marshville, North Carolina and Cunningham Family Farm in Smithton, Pennsylvania with two more shows to be announced soon.
Continuing their partnership that began in 2015, Bayer will remain a “Farm Tour” Presenting Sponsor this year and will join forces with Bryan for their annual “Here’s To The Farmer” initiative that benefits Feeding America. The campaign celebrates American farmers who help to provide people in the U.S. and beyond with critical nutrition. The program has given over eight million meals to people experiencing hunger through Feeding America’s network of food banks. To support the initiative, fans can share #HeresToTheFarmer on their social media platforms now through Oct. 31.
For the past two years, the artist has joined Fendt, another Presenting Sponsor, to create Luke Bryan’s Boldy Grown Popcorn and Luke Bryan’s Boldy Grown Peanuts. When the limited edition snacks have sold out, Fendt has donated to the National FFA Organization, which prepares members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Throughout the partnership, Fendt has given $75,000 to the organization.
Citi serves as the official “Farm Tour” card. Cardmembers will have access to presale tickets starting this Monday (May 6) at 10 a.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. Bryan’s Nut House fan club will also have access to presale tickets at 10 a.m. local time on Monday, with general sales beginning this Thursday (May 9) at the same time. For more information, click here.
Kelsey Hart To Share ‘Life With You’ This Month
/by Madison HahnenKelsey Hart has plotted the release of his debut album, Life With You, for May 31 via Curb Records.
The 15-track project will give listeners a glimpse into Hart’s life, from songs about his wife and father, to anthems about longnecks and backroads, to songs about love and heartbreak.
To celebrate, Hart released the opening track, “Burn My Summer,” today (May 3). The sizziling summer song was penned by Ryan Beaver, Kelley Lovelace, Andy Sheridan and Brad Clawson, and produced by Blake Bollinger.
The title track debuted in the top 10 on Billboard‘s Country Digital Songs chart and went viral on social media platforms. It also notched the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown. Additionally, the intimate music video featuring footage from Hart’s wedding was played on CMT.
Hart is slated to perform on the Good Molecules Reverb Stage during this year’s CMA Fest as well as “Celebrating 60 Years of Curb Records” at Ascend Amphitheater. He will also make his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 28.
Life With You Track Listing:
1. “Burn My Summer”
2. “4×4”
3. “Without You In It”
4. “Flannel”
5. “Man Down”
6. “Drink About Me”
7. “Life With You”
8. “Zebco”
9. “Better By The Beer”
10. “My Daddy’s Fault”
11. “Like You Leaving”
12. “Put It On The Map”
13. “6-Pack Gone”
14. “Missin’ You”
15. “Country In Business”
‘From Where I Stand: The Black Experience In Country Music’ Returns As Multifaceted Initiative
/by Lorie HollabaughAn expanded version of the 1998 box set From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music is being released by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in collaboration with Warner Music Nashville on May 31.
The updated CD collection spans a century of music and traces the many ways Black Americans have created, contributed to and been influenced by country music, and will be accompanied by a free-to-access online experience via the museum’s website.
Released more than 25 years ago, the original set’s creation was inspired and urged by Black country artist Cleve Francis and American Baptist College executive Nelson Wilson, who saw a disturbing gap in music history. “It’s a part of our history that’s been hidden from us,” Francis told the Washington Post upon the set’s release.
The updated box set encompasses 82 tracks, with a fourth disc titled Reclaiming the Heritage that presents a fresh wave of Black artists in country and Americana who emerged through 2020. New essays by recording artists Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer join the original essays by distinguished music scholars and journalists in the set as well.
Giddens states in her essay, “The most beautiful thing to me about the Black country renaissance is that its stars, who are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve, are truly using country music the way that, to me, it was born to be used. Their music reflects and highlights a cultural viewpoint that has been traditionally suppressed, shows the best of the American narrative, and, in the end, tells the important stories of now, for the generations of tomorrow.”
The CD set is packaged in a hard-bound booklet and illustrated with traditional quilt designs created years ago by the women of the Gee’s Bend community of Alabama. Each era of music is represented with a quilt from roughly the same time period as the music. The set is now available for preorder on the museum’s website.
A variety of artists represented in the box set will celebrate the release in a one-time-only concert on June 18 in the museum’s CMA Theater. “From Where I Stand: The Concert Celebration,” presented by Amazon and Riverview Foundation, will be led by co-producers Palmer and Shannon Sanders, and artists set to perform include Blanco Brown, Cowboy Troy, Tony Jackson, Hubby Jenkins, Miko Marks, Wendy Moten, Palmer, Darius Rucker, The War And Treaty and Barrence Whitfield.
Tickets to the free concert can be reserved beginning May 31, based on availability. The concert will be filmed and released on the museum’s website this fall.
Beginning May 31, all the music in the box set can be heard on the museum’s website via From Where I Stand: The Online Experience. The free, online educational resource contains all the essays, archival photographs and video, and historical track notes for each selection. In addition, supplemental resources from the museum’s archive and resources for educators will be available. The online experience will also include music that was unable to be licensed for the physical box set release, including Beyoncé and the Chicks’ collaboration on “Daddy Lessons,” Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and Al Green’s version of “For the Good Times.”
Jelly Roll’s ‘Halfway To Hell’ Reaches No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeJelly Roll’s track “Halfway To Hell” takes the No. 1 spot the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, rising from No. 5 to No. 1.
The track appears on his Whitsitt Chapel album and was written by Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jason DeFord and Matt Jenkins.
Jelly Roll is currently on the road on his “Beautifully Broken Tour.” Joining him on tour are artists Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay. The tour is set to close on Oct. 27, 2024 at the Spectrum Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Halfway To Hell” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 8 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.