Former Country Music Hall of Fame Exec. Sharon Brawner Named President & CEO Of The National Corvette Museum
Sharon Brawner. Photo: Donn Jones
Sharon Brawner has been named as the new President and CEO of the National Corvette Museum. She most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville for nearly two decades.
Brawner initially joined the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum staff in 2001 as director of new business development. In her most recent role as SVP of sales, marketing & IT, she had day-to-day oversight of the museum’s revenue-producing areas, including admission ticket sales, special event sales, restaurant and catering sales, product licensing, corporate sponsorships, and the Museum’s retail store sales. Brawner also oversaw management of the historic RCA Studio B, the Home of 1,000 Hits, and Hatch Show Print.
Brawner assumed full CEO duties at the National Corvette Museum on Sept. 1, 2021.
“Sharon possesses the necessary skills to expand the mission of this museum and work collaboratively across the organization to help us reach our strategic objectives, says NCM Board Chairman Glenn Johnson. “Sharon’s leadership skills are proven, and we’re fortunate that her career path led her to our organization.”
“As a Kentucky native and a true car enthusiast, I have long been a fan of the Corvette. I’m thrilled to be able to bring my experience in tourism, museum, and non-profit leadership to The National Corvette Museum,” shares Brawner. “I’m beyond honored to accept the position of President and CEO, and I know that, together with the NCM team, we can create incredible new opportunities to continue the growth and success of this world class museum.”
Jim Hurst Joins Pinecastle Records, Reissues ‘Second Son’ Project
Pinecastle Records has added award-winning artist Jim Hurst to its roster. The singer-songwriter is currently in the studio finishing up new music expected to release in early 2022. He is also re-issuing his 2001 project, Second Son.
Second Son was Hurst’s first album on Pinecastle Records, featuring collaborations with acts like Russell Moore, Alison Brown, Missy Raines, John Cowan, Jesse Brock, Casey Driessen, Randy Kohrs, Ned Lubercki, Shawn Lane, Ron Stewart, Wayne Benson, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Charlie Cushman, Ray Deaton, Scott Vestal, Tim Stafford and Kristin Scott Benson.
“We’re beyond excited to welcome Jim Hurst back to Pinecastle Records,” says Pinecastle CEO Ethan Burkhardt. “Over the years, he’s established himself as one of the premiere musicians in the bluegrass genre, and we’re ecstatic for everyone to hear the amazing music that he has coming up. The next chapter of Jim’s career is looking very bright and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
Hurst has been honored by the bluegrass industry on multiple occasions, including with Guitar Player of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Most recently, he has seen success on the Bluegrass Today Grassicana chart with his solo penned “It’s a Beautiful Day.”
Black Sheep Label Signs Cliff Dorsey
Cliff Dorsey. Photo: Bill Thompson
Black Sheep Label has signed singer-songwriter Cliff Dorsey to an exclusive recording deal.
The Florida native bought his first guitar at fifteen and soon began performing songs at church. He soon began playing shows around his hometown of High Springs and eventually released his first album, 321, which included “If Whiskey Was A Woman.” In fall of 2020, he released Hurricane Blues.
“We are so honored to have the opportunity to sign Cliff Dorsey and welcome him to the Black Sheep family,” says Susan Hobbs Ortiz, CEO Black Sheep Label. “His deep, rich traditional sound will bring you back to the roots of country music.”
Dorsey is working on new music for his Black Sheep debut release expected later this year.
AIMP Unveils Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughThe AIMP’s Nashville Chapter has announced its 7th Annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021, which includes Rocky Block, Ben Chapman, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jenna LaMaster, Jared Scott, and Dan Wilson.
The new class will perform in a live songwriters’ round at The Listening Room Café on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. CT, which will be free for AIMP members and $5 for non-members. Members can register for the event at the AIMP website, and non-members can purchase tickets at The Listening Room Café website.
“While our 2020 Songwriter Series performances were delayed until March 2021, they will always hold a special place in our hearts as the first in-person event we were able to safely hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “We are thankful to be able to host our Class of 2021 at the Listening Room Café as well. These songwriters represent the very best of the Nashville independent songwriting community, and we can’t wait to see where their careers take them.”
“Huge congratulations to the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021, a snapshot of the names to remember as you scan the credits of future chart-topping tracks,” adds Ree Guyer, Vice President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “We were blown away by the sheer talent on display this year, and as always, had a difficult time narrowing the Class down to these final artists. We know they will put on an amazing show!”
All members of the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021 were selected by a special committee made up of industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville members. Each writer must not have had a song charting higher than a Top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts.
The Class of 2020 included Ryan Beaver, Dillon Carmichael, Ian Christian, Colin Elmore, Jeff Garrison, LJ, and Tiera. Other former honorees include Brinley Addington, Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Hailey Whitters, Ash Bowers, Hannah Ellis, Ross Ellis, Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Kassi Ashton, Nicolette Hayford, Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, and more.
Past performers at the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series have gone on to score chart-topping hits both as performers and as writers for prominent artists like Maren Morris, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Jimmie Allen, and Matt Stell, as well as win prestigious awards and reach No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Darryl Worley Partners With Leatherwood Distillery For 20th Anniversary Of 9/11
/by Steven BoeroDarryl Worley
Country artist Darryl Worley has partnered with veteran-owned and operated Leatherwood Distillery to launch a limited-edition spirits line to help raise money and awareness for veteran and military organizations ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The distillery was founded by retired Army Green Beret and Afghanistan combat veteran Master Sergeant Andrew Lang.
MSGT (RET) Andrew Lang (Leatherwood Distillery owner & operator, Army Green Beret & Special Operations veteran), Darryl Worley
Through the partnership, Leatherwood Distillery has created special 2021 bottles of Darryl Worley Bourbon, Darryl Worley Rye Whiskey, and Darryl Worley Sweet Feed Whiskey as well as 2021 bottles of Have You Forgotten Darryl Worley Moonshine in Peach, Apple Pie, and Elderberry flavors.
“Darryl is the perfect promotional partner for this endeavor as we are coming upon the 20th anniversary of the horrific tragedy of 9/11 and his song ‘Have You Forgotten’ really makes us think of how many have forgotten what took place that day,” says Lang, President of Leatherwood Distillery. “September 11 is nothing to celebrate, it’s a time to remember how all our lives changed and those who lost their lives for no reason.”
Lang joined the Army in 1993 as an infantryman and spent three years in Italy in the 3/325 Airborne. After graduating from Special Forces training in 2001, Andrew was Assigned to 5th Special Forces Group at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. During his time at 5th Group, he deployed to Iraq six times between 2003-2009. He retired in 2017.
Worley debuted on the country charts with a trio of top-15 hits in 2000-01. His breakthrough year, though, was 2002 when Worley’s touching ballad “I Miss My Friend” became his first No. 1 hit. After spending Christmas 2002 entertaining America’s troops overseas, he wrote the patriotic anthem “Have You Forgotten?,” which became his second No. 1 song and remained at the top of the charts for six weeks.
Loretta Lynn To Host Hometown Rising Benefit With Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, More
/by Lorie HollabaughLoretta Lynn and a handful of her country music friends will be hosting “Loretta Lynn’s Friends: Hometown Rising Flood Relief Benefit Concert” in response to the devastating flooding that took place in Dickson and Lynn’s hometown of Humphreys Counties.
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan and Luke Combs have all jumped in to perform with more artists to be announced in the coming days. Slated for Sept.13 at the Grand Ole Opry House, tickets are on sale now. The special event will also be broadcast live on Circle Network at 7 p.m. CT in addition to live streaming on Circle All Access via social media. All proceeds will directly support United Way of Humphreys County.
“I am so honored that so many of our friends are coming together to show so much love for our neighbors and community after such a devastating loss,” shares Lynn. “You know, we’ve all needed help from time-to-time, and that’s why when we can give back, we do.”
The devastating floods rushed through rural Tennessee on Aug. 17 after the area received more than 15 inches of rain over a six-hour period, leading to flash flooding that took the lives of 20 people–including the Lynn family’s own longtime ranch hand Wayne Spears.
“United Way of Humphreys County has been dedicated to our communities for years, and we established the Humphreys County Flood Relief Fund to get immediate and long-term needs met for all the flood victims,” notes Executive Director Nioka Curtis. “We had no idea this would be one of the worst floods in our history, but our community will be whole again. It’s UWHC’s goal to help make that happen as quickly as possible with the help of our generous donors. From the rental deposits and down payments necessary for people to get re-housed, to remodeling, replacing clothing and rebuilding their lives, we want to make sure their needs are met and we will continue our fight to make that happen.”
Those wanting to donate can click here or text TNFLOODRELIEF to 44321
Nominees For 55th Annual CMA Awards To Be Announced Sept. 9
/by Steven BoeroThe final nominees for The 55th Annual CMA Awards will be revealed Thursday, Sept. 9 at
Hosts, performers and presenters for this year’s CMA Awards will be announced in the coming weeks. The program will air in November on ABC.
At the 54th Annual CMA Awards in 2020, Eric Church took home the biggest honor of the night for Entertainer of the Year, while Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get won Album of the Year and Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” won both Song of the Year and Single of the Year. For a full recap of last year’s award winners, click here.
The 55th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alan Carter is the Director, and David Wild is the Head Writer.
Cody Johnson Returns In October With ‘Human The Double Album’
/by Lorie HollabaughCody Johnson. Credit Chris Douglas
Cody Johnson has announced his sophomore album from COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville, Human The Double Album, will be released Oct. 8. Johnson has also released brand new tracks “Treasure” and “Son of a Ramblin’ Man,” both of which appear on the 18-track project.
The upcoming double album is packed with songs originally rejected by other Nashville artists for what Johnson considers being “too country for country,” containing songs penned by Willie Nelson, Travis Meadows, Trent Willmon, Harlan Howard, Eric Paslay, Matt Stell, and others.
“It’s so hard to watch the fight to get the cowboy back on the radio, so I told them to bring those songs to me because that’s who I am and the lifestyle I live,” Johnson shares. “There was too much good out there to let go of, so I just said, ‘We’re going to cut all of them.’ There are ones I wrote on, there are ones I didn’t write on, and there are ones that I wish I’d written.” He continues, “I addressed things personally with this music and when people listen to Human, they are going to hear a lot more of me being me. I am finally comfortable with myself and able to share that with my fans.”
Johnson’s recently released feature-length documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story, is also available to rent or purchased exclusively via the Apple TV app through Oct. 8. The documentary was first released to select cinemas nationwide for a limited time, with multiple showings added due to popular demand, totaling 239 theaters. Throughout the film, Johnson opens up about how his years on the rodeo circuit prepared him for being a country artist.
Cody Johnson. Credit Chris Douglas
Part 1
1. Human – Tony Lane, Travis Meadows
2. Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors – Carson Chamberlain, Wyatt McCubbin, Michael White
3. Sad Songs and Waltzes – Willie Nelson
4. ’Til You Can’t – Matt Rogers, Ben Stennis
5. God Bless the Boy (Cori’s Song) – Barrett Baber, Terri Jo Box, Scott Sean White
6. Known for Loving You – Cody Johnson, Ben Hayslip, Trent Willmon
7. Driveway – Lindsay Rimes, Matt Rogers
8. Son of a Ramblin’ Man – Vince Gill
9. I Always Wanted To – Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin, Jordyn Shellhart
Part 2
10. I Don’t Know a Thing About Love – Harlan Howard
11. Longer Than She Did – Eric Paslay, Paul Sikes, Matt Stell
12. Made a Home – Cody Johnson, Jesse Raub, Scott Sean White
13. Let’s Build a Fire – Chris Janson, Mitch Oglesby
14. When It Comes to You – Jeremy Bussey, Tony Lane
15. Treasure – Matt Rogers
16. Stronger – Jared Elledge, Dustin Miller, Trent Willmon
17. Cowboy Scale of 1 to 10 – Cody Johnson, David Frasier, Trent Willmon
18. By Your Grace – Cody Johnson
Nashville Symphony Announces New Health & Safety Protocols
/by Steven BoeroThe Nashville Symphony has announced new health and safety protocols for patrons attending events at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Beginning Sept. 13, proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test within 48 hours of the performance will be required for all audience members. For patrons who cannot provide either, on-site rapid tests will be available for no charge through Nov. 28. Face masks will also be required indoors at the Schermerhorn at all times, with no exceptions for age, medical or religious reasons, or vaccination status.
Additionally, MERV-14 filters have also been installed in all air-handling units throughout the venue. These filters are considered to be hospital-grade and are extremely effective at filtering out pathogens.
“Everyone’s safety–our audiences, musicians, staff, and volunteers–is our top priority. With heightened concerns around the spread of COVID-19 because of the Delta variant, this updated policy puts patrons’ health first and allows us to get back to fulfilling our mission: making music for the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” says Alan D. Valentine, President & CEO.
Details about the new policy along with frequently asked questions can be found here. Health and safety measures may be updated as conditions of the pandemic warrant.
Morgan Wallen To Host Benefit Concert For Waverly Flood Victims
/by Lydia FarthingBig Loud/Republic Records’ multi-Platinum recording artist Morgan Wallen will host “Morgan Wallen and Friends” on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Marathon Music Works in response to the recent catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee.
The singer-songwriter announced the event via social media last night (Sept. 2) saying, “I have been touched and heartbroken by the stories I’ve heard from the recent flooding and it’s impact in Middle Tennessee. Wanted to do my part to help.” He continues, “Proud that this is my first official show in such a long time. Hope you guys can make it on such short notice.”
The writers round style show will feature performances from Hardy, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson, Josh Thompson, Ernest, Ben Burgess, Lathan Warlick, and Jared Mullins. Tickets for the event sold out instantly after the “Whiskey Glasses” singer made the announcement.
Proceeds from the acoustic concert will benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, assisting victims of the recent storms and flooding in Humphreys County and Middle Tennessee. To make a direct donation, click here.
Aldean, Underwood Rocket To No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex Parry“If I Didn’t Love You” by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood bolts to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Gaining an additional 5 stations and a +175 spins this week. This single the quickest to reach No. 1 in 2021, doing so in a record six weeks.
“If I Didn’t Love You” was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan, and produced by Michael Knox.
Aldean shares, “We were pretty close to finishing up this album, but this song came in and we knew we had to record it. I went ahead and put my vocals down while we asked Carrie in the meantime. Luckily she loved the song and it was kind of like a rocket from there. She did her thing like only Carrie can… and I don’t know how, but she made it sound even better than what we expected. It’s a really special song to start this album.”
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Charlie Worsham: ‘Life’s Been Really Great Here Lately’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellPhoto: Jason Myers
Beloved musician Charlie Worsham is in a sweet season of life. In April, he and his wife Kristen welcomed their first child, son Gabriel Thomas; and in July, Worsham released his anticipated new EP, Sugarcane. The project follows Worsham’s 2017 album, Beginning of Things, which received critical acclaim across the board.
“Life’s been really great here lately. In the midst of this pandemic, I’ve been so excited to be able to continue to work. The session work that’s happened in the last year has been a godsend, and getting to be around Kristen during the pregnancy was amazing,” Worsham beams.
The sweetness shines through on Worsham’s Warner Music Nashville release, Sugarcane. Produced by Jay Joyce, the six-song release finds the singer-songwriter marveling on endearing romance (“Sugarcane,” “Half Drunk”), frustrating disappointment (“Fist Through This Town”), hope (“Believe In Love”), and what really matters in life (“For The Love,” “Hang On To That”).
Worsham wrote the title track on the flight home from his honeymoon. “I’m the one person who brought a guitar to his honeymoon,” Worsham quips.
“Kristen had gone out to get some coffee or something and I was messing with little riff. I put in my phone, as we do, and I didn’t think anything of it. On the last full day there, we signed up for this tour of a farm on a mountain side. We rode horses, pet the chickens, and tried cheese that they make and all this stuff. At the end of the tour you got to take a strip of sugarcane and use this hand crank to get the juice out of it.
“These things all got planted in my brain and on the flight home, I started writing the song. I think it’s representative of the full set of tunes because of everything that has happened for me since the last time the world heard from me. The last time the world heard from me I was sandwiched between Sam Hunt and Kip Moore on tour and I was not in a good place, I was very angry. That’s where ‘Fist Through This Town’ comes into the story. But eventually I stopped writing songs for everybody else and I started writing songs for this one person. I was trying to get Kristen to laugh or to get her to think I was sweet. That’s where these songs started happening.”
Worsham’s muse is the subject of a few songs on the project, another being “Half Drunk.”
“I first told Kristen that I loved her outside the Station Inn after my Beginning of Things album release. It was April, 2017. The week before the record came out, my day-to-day manager quit management, my publisher had dropped me and I owed him 10 copyrights, and I could feel in my gut already that this record wasn’t going to be my Gambler like it was for Don Schlitz. But I was in love with this girl and I worked up the courage to tell her. That’s where the song comes from.
“The title is actually from a line of dialogue and an episode of Twin Peaks, which we binged early in the pandemic. The line was ‘half drunk, half joking and half crazy.’ I wrote it with Jay Knowles.”
“Believe In Love,” co-written by Worsham and Jimmy Bell, tells the musician’s guiding life principles. “I believe our better days are up ahead and not behind / I believe we’ll have our struggles but they’ll get sweeter with time,” Worsham sings.
“It’s my story of the roadmap that I was raised and sent away from home with for how to live and love. And then of course the future that I’m building now with my wife.”
Worsham’s romantic, hopeful and wise EP Sugarcane is available everywhere now.
Industry Ink: Sharon Brawner, Jim Hurst, Cliff Dorsey
/by Lydia FarthingFormer Country Music Hall of Fame Exec. Sharon Brawner Named President & CEO Of The National Corvette Museum
Sharon Brawner. Photo: Donn Jones
Sharon Brawner has been named as the new President and CEO of the National Corvette Museum. She most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville for nearly two decades.
Brawner initially joined the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum staff in 2001 as director of new business development. In her most recent role as SVP of sales, marketing & IT, she had day-to-day oversight of the museum’s revenue-producing areas, including admission ticket sales, special event sales, restaurant and catering sales, product licensing, corporate sponsorships, and the Museum’s retail store sales. Brawner also oversaw management of the historic RCA Studio B, the Home of 1,000 Hits, and Hatch Show Print.
Brawner assumed full CEO duties at the National Corvette Museum on Sept. 1, 2021.
“Sharon possesses the necessary skills to expand the mission of this museum and work collaboratively across the organization to help us reach our strategic objectives, says NCM Board Chairman Glenn Johnson. “Sharon’s leadership skills are proven, and we’re fortunate that her career path led her to our organization.”
“As a Kentucky native and a true car enthusiast, I have long been a fan of the Corvette. I’m thrilled to be able to bring my experience in tourism, museum, and non-profit leadership to The National Corvette Museum,” shares Brawner. “I’m beyond honored to accept the position of President and CEO, and I know that, together with the NCM team, we can create incredible new opportunities to continue the growth and success of this world class museum.”
Jim Hurst Joins Pinecastle Records, Reissues ‘Second Son’ Project
Pinecastle Records has added award-winning artist Jim Hurst to its roster. The singer-songwriter is currently in the studio finishing up new music expected to release in early 2022. He is also re-issuing his 2001 project, Second Son.
Second Son was Hurst’s first album on Pinecastle Records, featuring collaborations with acts like Russell Moore, Alison Brown, Missy Raines, John Cowan, Jesse Brock, Casey Driessen, Randy Kohrs, Ned Lubercki, Shawn Lane, Ron Stewart, Wayne Benson, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Charlie Cushman, Ray Deaton, Scott Vestal, Tim Stafford and Kristin Scott Benson.
“We’re beyond excited to welcome Jim Hurst back to Pinecastle Records,” says Pinecastle CEO Ethan Burkhardt. “Over the years, he’s established himself as one of the premiere musicians in the bluegrass genre, and we’re ecstatic for everyone to hear the amazing music that he has coming up. The next chapter of Jim’s career is looking very bright and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
Hurst has been honored by the bluegrass industry on multiple occasions, including with Guitar Player of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Most recently, he has seen success on the Bluegrass Today Grassicana chart with his solo penned “It’s a Beautiful Day.”
Black Sheep Label Signs Cliff Dorsey
Cliff Dorsey. Photo: Bill Thompson
Black Sheep Label has signed singer-songwriter Cliff Dorsey to an exclusive recording deal.
The Florida native bought his first guitar at fifteen and soon began performing songs at church. He soon began playing shows around his hometown of High Springs and eventually released his first album, 321, which included “If Whiskey Was A Woman.” In fall of 2020, he released Hurricane Blues.
“We are so honored to have the opportunity to sign Cliff Dorsey and welcome him to the Black Sheep family,” says Susan Hobbs Ortiz, CEO Black Sheep Label. “His deep, rich traditional sound will bring you back to the roots of country music.”
Dorsey is working on new music for his Black Sheep debut release expected later this year.