Big D & Bubba Join 103.3 Country/WKDF’s Morning Lineup
Pictured (L-R): Big D, Patrick Thomas, Carsen, and Bubba.
Nashville country music station 103.3 Country/WKDF-FM has added the Big D & Bubba radio show to its weekday morning lineup. The show will debut on 103.3 on Monday, Oct. 18, and can be heard live Monday through Friday from 4 a.m.-10 a.m.
Charlie Cook, Programming Operations Manager, Cumulus Nashville, says: “We are lucky that talent this good is right here in our backyard. We’ve heard Big D and Bubba for years and understand how hard they’ll work for WKDF. They are funny, relevant and artists love them.”
“Airing live in mornings on 103.3 Country is the culmination of a ton of hard work,” shares Bubba. “Preparation and luck have met, and it’s time to cook this chicken!”
“This is our home,” adds Big D. “We live here. We have each raised our families in this town. Bubba’s a volunteer firefighter. We are the listener, and we’re living the lifestyle. Country is what we are.”
Recording Academy Appoints David Gregory As Chief Information Officer
The Recording Academy has appointed David Gregory as Chief Information Officer, reporting to Co-President Panos A. Panay.
Gregory leads the Information Technology team responsible for the technology infrastructure at the Academy and its awards shows, including network and systems technology, distribution and support of mobile devices, and training. He is responsible for driving operational technology and processes for IT, ERP, CRM, data security, governance, risk, and compliance. Gregory also oversees the applications that manage membership and the voting process for the Grammy Awards.
“Implementing new technological solutions is critical as we sharpen and modernize our service to staff and members,” says Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “David’s track record will further accelerate the Academy’s growth as we continue to refine our practices on every level and transform the future of the organization.”
“I am delighted to welcome David to the Academy as our new Chief Information Officer,” adds Panay. “I’ve had the pleasure of working together with David for many years and look forward to bringing his talent and experience to the Academy as we architect and redevelop our data and technological infrastructure to meet the demands and needs of a new Academy and a new music business.”
Aubrie Sellers & Jade Jackson Form Duo Jackson+Sellers
Jackson+Sellers will celebrate the release of their forthcoming album, Breaking Point, with a live stream event in partnership with Mandolin. Following the album’s release on Oct. 22, the duo will perform the full album live with a full band. The event will be streamed on Sunday, Oct. 24.
Jackson+Sellers, comprised of singer-songwriters Aubrie Sellers and Jade Jackson, connected on social media during the pandemic. Their L.A.-written, Nashville-recorded album is soundtracked by raw guitars, driving drums and a pop-rock sound that combines ’70s rock, ’90s raucous roots, and modern indie pop.
“Sometimes it seems like when you are on the right track the universe aligns so easily that it’s astonishing,” Sellers explains. “That’s how we felt from our first meeting and we are glad to be playing this record from start to finish and sharing our cosmic collision.”
Jackson adds, “It’s crazy to think that Aubrie and I have only known each other for a year! We connected so quickly on so many different levels and I couldn’t be more excited for our creative child to be in the world!”
Copperline Signs Deal With Joe Denim
Pictured (L-R): Amanda Hale (Management), Joe Denim, Mandi Davis-Gratzmiller (Copperline,Director of A&R-West), Will Edwards (Copperline, CEO). Photo: Mike Gratzmiller
Copperline has signed a global distribution deal with Songs Forever, LLC, owned by country artist Joe Denim.
Copperline will distribute future music from Denim via The Orchard beginning with the soon to be released “Real Tree Christmas,” available everywhere Nov. 5. Denim’s catalogue will also transfer to Copperline Music Group for distribution.
“Having Joe as a partner with Copperline is like having three acts in one: a hilarious comedian, a talented musician and brilliant songwriter,” shares Copperline CEO Will Edwards. “We look forward to having a good laugh while listening to his releases.”
“When my manager, Amanda Hale, introduced me to A&R Director Mandi Davis-Gratzmiller, who then made the deal with Will possible, I knew instantly that we all had to work together,” adds Denim. “Hannah Klotz and the rest of their team are fantastic, and I know with their guidance, we can reach not only my existing fans, but a whole new audience.”
Music Health Alliance To Hold Second Annual Handwritten Lyrics Auction
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Handwritten lyrics of “Time After Time” art piece created by Cyndi Lauper, George Thorogood’s “Bad To The Bone,” and Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance”
Julien’s Auctions announced the launch of Music Health Alliance Second Annual Handwritten Lyrics Auction–the exclusive, online charity auction–at juliensauctions.com for advance bidding beginning today (Oct. 15). The auction will start closing at 1 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 1.
Proceeds will benefit Music Health Alliance to provide access to healthcare for music professionals.
For the second consecutive year, the auction house has partnered with some of the most decorated and influential singers and songwriters across the genres of pop, rock, country, folk, Americana, and gospel music, who personally donated handwritten lyrics of some of their classic and ground-breaking hits.
Highlighted handwritten song lyrics include Rosanne Cash, “Crossing Jerusalem;” Dan & Shay and Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours;” David Frasier, Ed Hill, and Josh Kear “Most People are Good;” Jason Isbell, “Cover Me Up;” Miranda Lambert, “Tin Man;” Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time;” Lady Gaga, Aaron Raitiere, Natalie Hemby and Hillary Lindsey, “I’ll Never Love Again,” from the soundtrack of A Star is Born; Tim McGraw, “Live Like You Were Dying;” John Michael Montgomery, “I Love the Way You Love Me;” Dennis Morgan and Kye Fleming, “Smoky Mountain Rain;” Maren Morris, “The Bones;” Amanda Shires, “Wasted and Rollin’;” Tia Sillers and Mark Sanders, “I Hope You Dance;” Chris Tompkins and Kear, “Before He Cheats;” and Matt Warren and Lindsey, “Every Storm Runs Out of Rain,” among others.
Ryan Hurd Plots “Tour De Pelago” For 2022 On Heels Of Album Release
/by Lorie HollabaughRyan Hurd. Photo: Nicki Fletcher
Ryan Hurd is set to launch his headlining “Tour de Pelago” in January, with dates including Chicago’s The Vic, New York’s Irving Plaza, Nashville’s Marathon Music Works and more.
The tour is in support of his new debut album, Pelago, which features the Platinum certified duet “Chasing After You” with wife Maren Morris, plus previously released tracks “June, July, August,” “Coast,” and “Tab with My Name on It.”
Pelago was inspired by Hurd’s upbringing on the shores of Lake Michigan and was produced with childhood friend and longtime creative partner Aaron Eshuis, along with Jesse Frasure and Teddy Reimer.
Tickets for the new tour, which runs through May 8 of 2022, go on sale Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. CT.
21-Oct – Carol’s Pub – Chicago, IL
30-Oct – DeltaPlex Arena – Grand Rapids, MI*
4-Nov – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater – Tuscaloosa, AL†
13-Jan – The Bluestone – Columbus, OH
15-Jan – The Vic – Chicago, IL
16-Jan – The Deluxe – Indianapolis, IN
21-Jan – The Truman – Kansas City, MO
22-Jan – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
23-Jan – Delmar Hall – Saint Louis, MO
2-Feb – House of Blues – Boston, MA
3-Feb – Irving Plaza – New York, NY
4-Feb – Roxian Theatre – McKees Rocks, PA
5-Feb – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI
10-Feb – TLA – Philadelphia, PA
11-Feb – The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
12-Feb – Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
24-Feb – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN
26-Feb – The Signal – Chattanooga, TN
7-Apr – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
8-Apr – Buckhead Theater – Atlanta, GA
9-Apr – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
29-Apr – Stagecoach – Indio, CA
1-May – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
4-May – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT
5-May – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
6-May – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
7-May – Showbox – Seattle, WA
8-May – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR
*with Brett Young
†with Jon Pardi
Industry Ink: Big D & Bubba, Recording Academy, Jackson+Sellers, Joe Denim
/by Lydia FarthingBig D & Bubba Join 103.3 Country/WKDF’s Morning Lineup
Pictured (L-R): Big D, Patrick Thomas, Carsen, and Bubba.
Nashville country music station 103.3 Country/WKDF-FM has added the Big D & Bubba radio show to its weekday morning lineup. The show will debut on 103.3 on Monday, Oct. 18, and can be heard live Monday through Friday from 4 a.m.-10 a.m.
Charlie Cook, Programming Operations Manager, Cumulus Nashville, says: “We are lucky that talent this good is right here in our backyard. We’ve heard Big D and Bubba for years and understand how hard they’ll work for WKDF. They are funny, relevant and artists love them.”
“Airing live in mornings on 103.3 Country is the culmination of a ton of hard work,” shares Bubba. “Preparation and luck have met, and it’s time to cook this chicken!”
“This is our home,” adds Big D. “We live here. We have each raised our families in this town. Bubba’s a volunteer firefighter. We are the listener, and we’re living the lifestyle. Country is what we are.”
Recording Academy Appoints David Gregory As Chief Information Officer
The Recording Academy has appointed David Gregory as Chief Information Officer, reporting to Co-President Panos A. Panay.
Gregory leads the Information Technology team responsible for the technology infrastructure at the Academy and its awards shows, including network and systems technology, distribution and support of mobile devices, and training. He is responsible for driving operational technology and processes for IT, ERP, CRM, data security, governance, risk, and compliance. Gregory also oversees the applications that manage membership and the voting process for the Grammy Awards.
“Implementing new technological solutions is critical as we sharpen and modernize our service to staff and members,” says Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “David’s track record will further accelerate the Academy’s growth as we continue to refine our practices on every level and transform the future of the organization.”
“I am delighted to welcome David to the Academy as our new Chief Information Officer,” adds Panay. “I’ve had the pleasure of working together with David for many years and look forward to bringing his talent and experience to the Academy as we architect and redevelop our data and technological infrastructure to meet the demands and needs of a new Academy and a new music business.”
Aubrie Sellers & Jade Jackson Form Duo Jackson+Sellers
Jackson+Sellers will celebrate the release of their forthcoming album, Breaking Point, with a live stream event in partnership with Mandolin. Following the album’s release on Oct. 22, the duo will perform the full album live with a full band. The event will be streamed on Sunday, Oct. 24.
Jackson+Sellers, comprised of singer-songwriters Aubrie Sellers and Jade Jackson, connected on social media during the pandemic. Their L.A.-written, Nashville-recorded album is soundtracked by raw guitars, driving drums and a pop-rock sound that combines ’70s rock, ’90s raucous roots, and modern indie pop.
“Sometimes it seems like when you are on the right track the universe aligns so easily that it’s astonishing,” Sellers explains. “That’s how we felt from our first meeting and we are glad to be playing this record from start to finish and sharing our cosmic collision.”
Jackson adds, “It’s crazy to think that Aubrie and I have only known each other for a year! We connected so quickly on so many different levels and I couldn’t be more excited for our creative child to be in the world!”
Copperline Signs Deal With Joe Denim
Pictured (L-R): Amanda Hale (Management), Joe Denim, Mandi Davis-Gratzmiller (Copperline,Director of A&R-West), Will Edwards (Copperline, CEO). Photo: Mike Gratzmiller
Copperline has signed a global distribution deal with Songs Forever, LLC, owned by country artist Joe Denim.
Copperline will distribute future music from Denim via The Orchard beginning with the soon to be released “Real Tree Christmas,” available everywhere Nov. 5. Denim’s catalogue will also transfer to Copperline Music Group for distribution.
“Having Joe as a partner with Copperline is like having three acts in one: a hilarious comedian, a talented musician and brilliant songwriter,” shares Copperline CEO Will Edwards. “We look forward to having a good laugh while listening to his releases.”
“When my manager, Amanda Hale, introduced me to A&R Director Mandi Davis-Gratzmiller, who then made the deal with Will possible, I knew instantly that we all had to work together,” adds Denim. “Hannah Klotz and the rest of their team are fantastic, and I know with their guidance, we can reach not only my existing fans, but a whole new audience.”
Chris Tomlin & United Announce Co-Headlining Tour For 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughMulti-Platinum selling Christian artists Chris Tomlin and United are teaming up for their co-headlining “Tomlin United” Tour, set to kick off in 2022 at North Carolina’s Greensboro Coliseum on Feb. 9.
The tour will welcome fans each night to worship together and experience songs that have shaped modern faith today. The trek will visit 33 cities across the U.S., including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Miami and more before wrapping in Duluth, Georgia on April 13. Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning Oct. 22.
“We really believe this tour is going to be something unforgettable,” Tomlin and Joel Houston (United) share. “We’ve been trying to do something like this for a long time and we have a real sense of trust in the fact that this is the right time. This is the moment for what God has been planning and in that, we think the timing has everything to do with the people joining us each night.
“At the heart of it, we want people to leave with the understanding that there is a greater hope in this world. This is a critical moment in time for people to be reminded that there is a true and living hope, and that’s Jesus… Our prayer is that these nights of worship would be like coming home moments for people, people who have found themselves far from God. That they would experience something that feels like an anchor, a real moment where the spirit of God can do what only the spirit of God can do in people’s lives.”
“Tomlin United” Tour Dates:
02/09/2022- Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
02/11/2022 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
02/12/2022 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
02/14/2022 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
02/15/2022 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
02/17/2022 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
02/18/2022 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
02/19/2022 – Chicago, IL – United Center
02/22/2022 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
02/23/2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
02/25/2022 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
02/26/2022 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
02/28/2022 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
03/01/2022 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
03/03/2022 – Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena
03/04/2022 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
03/05/2022 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
03/22/2022 – Portland, OR – MODA Center
03/23/2022 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Center
03/24/2022 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
03/26/2022 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena
03/28/2022 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
03/29/2022 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
03/30/2022 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
03/31/2022 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
04/02/2022 – Los Angeles, CA – Banc of California Stadium
04/05/2022 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
04/06/2022 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
04/07/2022 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
04/09/2022 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
04/11/2022 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena
04/12/2022 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
04/13/2022 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
Walker Hayes Lands First-Ever MusicRow CountryBreakout No. 1
/by Alex ParryThe viral hit by Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like,” is crowned this week’s No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Hayes continues his reign at the top of the country streaming songs chart as “Fancy Like” earns another 14 million streams, putting it at No. 6 overall. Since its release, the track has racked in over 180 million streams, according to Nielsen.
Hayes wrote the single with Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens and Josh Jenkins and is featured on his latest EP, Country Stuff.
Hayes’ last single “You Broke Up With Me” was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Bluegrass Musician Phil Leadbetter Dies At 59
/by Lydia FarthingPhil Leadbetter. Photo: Courtesy of Crossroads Music
Bluegrass musician and businessman Phil Leadbetter has died after contracting COVID-19. He was 59.
Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Leadbetter’s bluegrass career started at 14 with the founding of the Knoxville Newgrass Boys. The group would eventually be invited to perform at the White House during the bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
Leadbetter was hired on with Grandpa Jones in 1988, followed by a year with country singer Vern Gosdin. Beginning in 1990, he played resophonic guitar for J.D. Crowe and eventually took over booking for the group until 2001. Leadbetter recorded two album with Crowe–Flashback (1994) and Come On Down To My World (1999).
He served as a founding member of Wildfire with Robert Hale, Curt Chapman, Darrell Webb, and Barry Crabtree, later departing to start Grasstowne with Alan Bibey and Steve Gulley. He recorded three albums with Wildfire and two with Grasstowne.
As a solo artist, Leadbetter released three albums: Filibuster (1999), Slide Effects (2005), and The Next Move (2014). He released Swing For The Fences by Phil Leadbetter & The All-Stars of Bluegrass in 2020. The group had also played a number of shows in 2018-19 with a rotating cast of pickers and singers.
Leadbetter is a three-time recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year award. Gibson released the Phil Leadbetter Signature Series Dobro guitar in 2003 in his honor. Two years later, he won the first of his IBMA Resophonic Guitar Player awards, while also garnering an Instrumental Recording of the Year trophy for his second solo album, Slide Effects. He was nominated for a Best Bluegrass Album Grammy in 1994 for his work with J. D. Crowe and the New South on the album Flashback.
In 2011, Leadbetter received his first of five Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnoses.
He is survived by his grandchildren and son, Matt Leadbetter, who also become a professional resophonic guitar, now working with Dale Ann Bradley.
Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.
Miranda Lambert Releases New Single “If I Was A Cowboy” & New Fragrance
/by Lorie HollabaughMiranda Lambert. Photo: Alexa King
Miranda Lambert has unveiled her new single, “If I Was a Cowboy,” along with her first-ever fragrance, Idyllwind Eau De Perfume.
The Western-inspired tune follows up her latest hit, “Settling Down,” from her Grammy-winning album Wildcard, which also produced the No. 1 “Bluebird.”
“I wrote this song with my new friend, Jesse Frasure. We met doing the remix of ‘Tequila Does’ and he and I just got together one afternoon for a write and this is what came out of it,” shares Lambert. “It’s funny, he’s a Detroit boy and I’m an East Texan, but somehow we wrote a song about the Wild West together.”
Lambert’s new perfume combines her favorite scents, including notes of Georgia sweet peach blossoms and musky golden sandalwood reminiscent of the piney woods of East Texas. Idyllwind Eau De Parfum is available for pre-order now with delivery expected to begin in late October.
Lambert is also gearing up for the upcoming 55th Annual CMA Awards, where she’s nominated for Entertainer, Female Vocalist, and Musical Event of the Year for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Elle King.
Nashville-Based Startup Yat Adds Investors G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, More
/by Lydia FarthingYat Co-Founder, Naveen Jain
Nashville-based technology startup Yat is transforming online identities through personalized emojis. Building on the concept of emojis as a universal language, Yat offers a universal internet identity, website URL, and payment address through the use of personalized emojis. Yats are also a new form of NFTs, with real functional utility.
Yat co-founder and serial entrepreneur, Naveen Jain, launched Yat in Music City to build the next hub of media innovation in Nashville. Over the last six months, the company has grown to 55 employees. A group of high profile artists, including Questlove, Black Thought, G-Eazy, and Lil Wayne, have invested in the company, it was announced today (Oct. 14).
“Our vision for Yat is to transform online identities from usernames that have little meaning to a short string of emojis that tell your story,” says Jain. “At Yat, our slogan is ‘Be an Icon,’ and we’re giving people a new way to express themselves online while building the groundwork for a self-sovereign universal internet identity system–all built from the emojis that everyone knows and loves.”
Since launching in February, the company has built a community of Yat Creators spanning world-class artists, students, musicians, and celebrities, including Kesha and Disclosure, with some creators giving more than $425,000 for their own online identity made up of a personalized string of emojis.
Unveiled in July of 2021, the platform’s new feature allows creators to turn their Yats into animations with the Yat Visualizer. They can also mint their Yats on Ethereum and share them on OpenSea, one of the world’s largest NFT platform.
Texas Hill’s ‘Heaven Down Here’ Slated For January
/by Lorie HollabaughTexas Hill have announced the release of their debut album, Heaven Down Here, on Jan. 21. The trio–Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James and Adam Wakefield–are previewing the new project with the Casey James-led track, “Up One Side,” available everywhere this Friday, Oct. 15.
The 12-song album includes previously released tunes from their self-titled debut EP plus five new tracks. The trio first began writing and performing together in 2019 and announced the band publicly in June of 2020. Among the writers contributing to the project are Keith Stegall, Phillip White, Morgan Myles and more.
“All three of us were thrust into situations where millions of people made snap judgements on our talent and ability in 90 seconds, and that’s why this project has been so cathartic for us,” says Wakefield. “There are so many things we’re proud of on this record. I think the one I’m most proud of is how diverse and raw it is. At a time where new music coming out of ‘Music City’ can be formatted and predictable, we let the music lead; and it took us to a lot of different places. There are elements of Blues, R&B, Country, Southern Rock and even Latin influences on this mama-jama. I think there’s something for everyone on here.”
Heaven Down Here Track List:
1. Heaven Down Here (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James)
2. For The Love of It (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc)
3. Up One Side (Phillip White, James LeBlanc, Casey James)
4. Four Roses (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Shannon Lawson)
5. Love Me When I’m Leaving (Adam Wakefield)
6. Neon Heart (Mike Walker, Ryan Beaver, James LeBlanc)
7. Easy On The Eyes (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Morgan Myles)
8. Where The Lonely Go (Keith Stegall, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White)
9. Love Is A River (Adam Wakefield)
10. Sugar Cane (Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc, Craig Wayne Boyd)
11. Darkest Sky (Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker, James LeBlanc)
12. For The Love of It *Encore Version (Adam Wakefield, Casey James, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc
‘Living & Learning With Reba McEntire’ Returns For Second Season
/by Lydia FarthingLiving & Learning with Reba McEntire is returning to Spotify for its second season with episodes beginning on Oct. 25.
Each week, Reba will tackle numerous topics through informative and intriguing conversations with a variety of celebrity guests. She will be joined by her boyfriend “Sugar Tot” Rex Linn, country music trio Lady A, and fellow country music icon Trisha Yearwood, among others.
The first season featured interviews with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Kristin Chenoweth, Thomas Rhett & Lauren Atkins, Glennon Doyle, Karamo Brown, and more. To catch up before season 2’s debut, click here.