Drew and Ellie Holcomb Pen Songs For Tennessee Tourism
Drew and Ellie Holcomb recorded the new music at the Sound Kitchen. Photo: Katie Kauss/Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development
Drew and Ellie Holcomb released the new songs “Feels Like Home” and “Hey Rivers” as a part of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s “For the Love of Tennessee, Travel Safe” campaign.
The songs were inspired by a seven-day, 1600-mile R.V. trek the Holcombs and their three children took across the state as part of a video series to promote safe travel in the era of Covid 19.
To date the campaign has netted more than 75 million views. To view the webisodes, including the Holcomb’s performance of “Hey Rivers” and “Feels Like Home” live on the historic Ryman stage, visit www.tnvacation.com.
Ellie Holcomb also has a new song with Amy Grant. “A Woman,” released Friday (Feb. 12), is the story of Mary Magdalene and the debut single from the multi-artist album FAITHFUL: Go and Speak.
Doug Stone Celebrates 10 Million Albums Sold Worldwide
Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Westby, Pres./CEO, 2911 Media; Austin Smith, Smith Social Media; Doug Stone; Tayler Bock, SPM Brand Partnerships; Jimmy Dasher, Countdown Talent booking
Doug Stone was recently awarded a plaque to commemorate 10 million albums sold worldwide, including multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications. Stone’s legacy spans three decades consisting of 10 studio albums, eight No. 1s and 26 charted singles including “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),” “I Thought It Was You,” “A Jukebox With Country Song,” “In a Different Light,” ”Too Busy Being in Love” and “Why Didn’t I Think of That.”
“Wow, I knew I had sold some records, but I had no idea that 10 million CDs had gone out the door,” says Stone. “My life has been a country song with many ups and downs. I am thankful to still be doing what I have always loved doing and that is singing for the fans and bringing my music to the stage. We all lived through a tough year last year and to start 2021 off with this honor is absolutely a great beginning to what is in our future.”
Drake White’s Wednesday Night Therapy Nears First Anniversary
Dillon Carmichael and Drake White at the Wednesday Night Therapy show on Feb. 3, 2021. Photo: Zack Knudsen
Drake White is nearing the one-year anniversary of his streaming live show, Wednesday Night Therapy.
Since debuting on March 18, 2020, White has welcomed Kip Moore, Colbie Caillat, Frankie Ballard, and Dillon Carmichael to his Whitewood Hollow barn in Nashville for performances. Hayes Carll will join the Feb. 17 show.
The last 18 months have been eventful for White, who suffered a paralyzing stroke mid-concert and endured months in the hospital. He went on to launch Wednesday Night Therapy just as the pandemic broke out. White recently gave a TEDxNashville Talk titled: “How paralysis helped me find my true 100%.”
As White approaches the one-year anniversary of his livestream, he expresses gratitude for wife Alex, his physical therapists and doctors, his band The Big Fire, the artists who have joined him on the show each week, and his fans The Firestarters.
Lainie Allbee Retires From Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates
/by Sarah SkatesLainie Allbee
Lainie Allbee, partner of Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates, has retired after 36 years serving as business manager to artists including Brad Paisley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many more.
Her retirement was effective December 31, 2020.
Working alongside business partner Kirke Martin, who passed away in December 2020, they built Martin, Allbee & Associates into one of the top business management companies in Music City. Over the years, their two-person staff grew to nine full-time employees, representing clients including T. Graham Brown, Tammy Wynette and Keith Whitley, as well as a sizable roster of Christian music artists.
Allbee first joined Martin-Cook as an Administrative Assistant in 1985 and climbed the ranks of the company while completing her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Trevecca Nazarene University.
In 2002 she was made a full partner, where she handled client relations, assisted the account management staff, and managed and promoted the business.
Allbee mentored Breanne Miller and Elaine Bryan, who eventually became partners in the company.
Allbee said, “I have been blessed with an interesting career in the music industry and worked with an array of creative souls. My awesome partners, Elaine and Breanne will be missed, along with the rest of our wonderful staff. Here’s to the new generation steering MAMBA into the future.”
Added Miller, “I have had the joy of working beside Lainie for 20 years, and it truly was a pleasure. Lainie always wanted us to succeed and did everything in her power to help make it happen! I am honored to have been able to call her a business partner and a good friend.”
“I am grateful for the constant support Lainie has provided to me since I started working with her in 1999. Her positive attitude is an attribute I have always admired and found truly inspiring. I wish her only the best and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement!” said Bryan.
Allbee has been a sponsor of the SOURCE Awards, MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row event, We Run the Row 5K benefiting Musicians On Call and Women In Music Business, and Music Health Alliance’s The First And The Worst Songwriters event.
She looks forward to continuing her community initiatives, which in the past have included serving as a board member and president of both SOURCE and the Music City Chapter of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance, as well as a board member of the W.O. Smith School of Music.
She can be reached at lallbee@comcast.net.
Exit/In Property Listed For Sale
/by Sarah SkatesThe Elliston Place property which is home to the Exit/In is up for sale. Venue owner Chris Cobb is working with Grubb Properties to make a bid for the property. If he is able to purchase the land, it would help solidify the future of the legendary club.
Grubb has a live venue recovery fund in which it partners with independent venue operators to help them own the property on which their venue resides.
The Exit/In Tweeted: “We’re thrilled to be working with Grubb Properties Live Venue Recovery Fund and have the opportunity to own our buildings. Operator ownership is critical to the long-term health of the independent venue ecosystem. Our dream has Exit/In anchoring the Rock Block for another 50 years.”
The club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
News of the property being listed for sale was first reported by Tennessee Lookout.
TPAC, Nashville Symphony Look to Safely Return to Live Performances
/by Lorie HollabaughTennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony have formed a two-year joint health and safety partnership with HCA Healthcare and its TriStar Health affiliate based in Nashville to help guide their safe reopening and return to live performances. By helping to sustain a safe environment for TPAC spaces, the partnership will bring ballet, opera and professional theatre back to the community through the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Nashville Repertory Theatre.
In addition to providing valuable financial support through a grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation, HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health will serve as the “Official Health and Safety Partner” for both TPAC and the Symphony to build resilience in the performing arts community and deliver safe and enriching arts experiences for artists, musicians, patrons, staff and volunteers. The partnership builds on decades-long relationships between the organizations and HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health, which has sponsored TPAC’s annual Broadway at TPAC series for 14 years and supported the presentation of more than 70 Broadway productions to 1.5 million people.
The partnership’s initial focus will include:
“We are beyond grateful to HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health for expanding our partnership to provide critical resources and support as we plan for our reopening,” says Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan Valentine. “Through their generosity and partnership, we are now taking our next steps toward providing our community with live music again. Their expertise will help us open on the right timeline with proper precautions for our musicians, staff and patrons. We are confident that live music will once again fill our hall this year, and we’re elated to have the experts at HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health guide us in making that a reality.”
“It is our privilege to collaborate with Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony as a health and safety partner to help facilitate a safe reopening and return to live performances,” said Dr. Tama Van Decar, Chief Medical Officer, TriStar Health. “Through this collaboration, we will seek to deliver safe experiences utilizing clinical resources and best practices in safety protocols, which will build lasting confidence for artists, patrons and staff. It is important that we focus on returning to these enriching live experiences to support the mental health and well-being of our Nashville community. There is a psychological benefit in being present, immersing ourselves and participating in shared artistic experiences.”
BMG Signs Jordan Harvey
/by LB CantrellJordan Harvey
BMG announced the signing of singer-songwriter Jordan Harvey. Already signed to BMG as a songwriter, the multi-instrumentalist now joins the roster as an artist.
Growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jordan began working in a local recording studio at 16 years old. After moving to London and studying music at Tech Music School, Jordan headed back home to Edinburgh, where he opened for Simple Minds as a member of the OK Social Club. By 2016, he was playing his own shows as a solo act, and by 2017, he was singing on BBC One as a contestant on the singing competition Let It Shine.
Jordan then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined King Calaway. The group opened for Garth Brooks and a host of shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show with James Corden, TODAY, The Kelly Clarkson Show and the internationally-acclaimed show Neighbours. Jordan separated from the band late last year.
“We’ve known Jordan for years and there has always been a special magic about him that lights up a room,” said Jon Loba, President, BMG Nashville. “We’re excited to see his creativity flourish and where his talent leads him.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better birthday present—since day one the people at BMG have become family and I can’t imagine entering this next chapter with any other team,” said Jordan. “I am so grateful for their relentless support and especially Loba for believing in me.”
Jordan is currently focused on writing with new music anticipated this year.
Tune In to Learn The 2021 CountryBreakout Awards Winners Tomorrow
/by LB CantrellIn place of the annual Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, MusicRow will reveal the winners of the 19th annual CountryBreakout Awards virtually starting at 9:00 a.m. TOMORROW (Feb. 16). Winners will be revealed on all MusicRow online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards Schedule of Announcements:
9:00 a.m.: Reporter of the Year
9:30 a.m.: Songwriter of the Year
10:00 a.m.: Label of the Year
10:30 a.m.: Independent Artist of the Year
11:00 a.m.: Breakout Artist of the Year
11:30 a.m.: Group/Duo of the Year
12:00 p.m.: Female Artist of the Year
12:30 p.m.: Male Artist of the Year
Each winner will be featured in MusicRow‘s Country Radio & Streaming issue, out Tuesday (Feb. 16).
Celebrities Send Valentines To Frontline Workers Through Musicians On Call
/by Lorie HollabaughTenille Townes performs during Musicians On Call’s Frontlines Valentines Initiative. Photo: Musicians On Call.
Artists including Jon Pardi, Jameson Rodgers, Adam Hambrick, Andrew Jannakos, Jillian Jacqueline, Leigh Nash, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Green and Tenille Townes sent love and thanks to frontline caregivers in hospitals across the country recently through Musicians On Call’s Frontlines Valentines Initiative.
The artists recorded dedications for healthcare workers to say thank you for their continued sacrifices during the pandemic. Townes and Jacqueline also performed virtually for hospital workers at Children’s Health in Dallas and Alive Hospice in Nashville, respectively through MOC’s Virtual Bedside Performance Program.
As part of the Frontline Valentines initiative, Musicians On Call also worked with national brand partners including Crocs, Kendra Scott and Bose to send surprise gifts to deserving caregivers.
“All year long Musicians On Call is proud to show how grateful we are for the sacrifices of our hardworking caregivers by sharing the joys of live music. The care they show their communities every day is inspiring, and for that reason we wanted to make sure they felt extra special this Valentine’s Day. Thanks to the support of these talented artists and committed brand partners, we can lift them up and brighten their day,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin.
Brandy Clark Taps Brandi Carlile, Lindsey Buckingham For Deluxe Album
/by Lorie HollabaughBrandy Clark
Brandy Clark is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her critically acclaimed album, Your Life is a Record, with the release of a special deluxe edition available March 5 on Warner Records.
The expanded album will feature six bonus tracks including “Remember Me Beautiful,” a new song Clark wrote earlier this year as part of NPR’s Morning Edition Song Project. It also includes collaborations with Brandi Carlile (“Like Mine” and “Same Devil”) and Lindsey Buckingham (“The Past is the Past”), as well as live renditions of two album tracks: “Pawn Shop” and “Who You Thought I Was,” the latter of which is out now.
In honor of the album’s anniversary, Clark will perform her first ticketed livestream concert Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. ET via Mandolin. Details here.
The new release continues a big year for Clark, who is nominated for two awards at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards—Best Country Album (Your Life is a Record) and Best Country Solo Performance (“Who You Thought I Was”).
Artist Action: Drew and Ellie Holcomb, Doug Stone, Drake White
/by Sarah SkatesDrew and Ellie Holcomb Pen Songs For Tennessee Tourism
Drew and Ellie Holcomb recorded the new music at the Sound Kitchen. Photo: Katie Kauss/Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development
Drew and Ellie Holcomb released the new songs “Feels Like Home” and “Hey Rivers” as a part of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s “For the Love of Tennessee, Travel Safe” campaign.
The songs were inspired by a seven-day, 1600-mile R.V. trek the Holcombs and their three children took across the state as part of a video series to promote safe travel in the era of Covid 19.
To date the campaign has netted more than 75 million views. To view the webisodes, including the Holcomb’s performance of “Hey Rivers” and “Feels Like Home” live on the historic Ryman stage, visit www.tnvacation.com.
Ellie Holcomb also has a new song with Amy Grant. “A Woman,” released Friday (Feb. 12), is the story of Mary Magdalene and the debut single from the multi-artist album FAITHFUL: Go and Speak.
Doug Stone Celebrates 10 Million Albums Sold Worldwide
Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Westby, Pres./CEO, 2911 Media; Austin Smith, Smith Social Media; Doug Stone; Tayler Bock, SPM Brand Partnerships; Jimmy Dasher, Countdown Talent booking
Doug Stone was recently awarded a plaque to commemorate 10 million albums sold worldwide, including multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications. Stone’s legacy spans three decades consisting of 10 studio albums, eight No. 1s and 26 charted singles including “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),” “I Thought It Was You,” “A Jukebox With Country Song,” “In a Different Light,” ”Too Busy Being in Love” and “Why Didn’t I Think of That.”
“Wow, I knew I had sold some records, but I had no idea that 10 million CDs had gone out the door,” says Stone. “My life has been a country song with many ups and downs. I am thankful to still be doing what I have always loved doing and that is singing for the fans and bringing my music to the stage. We all lived through a tough year last year and to start 2021 off with this honor is absolutely a great beginning to what is in our future.”
Drake White’s Wednesday Night Therapy Nears First Anniversary
Dillon Carmichael and Drake White at the Wednesday Night Therapy show on Feb. 3, 2021. Photo: Zack Knudsen
Drake White is nearing the one-year anniversary of his streaming live show, Wednesday Night Therapy.
Since debuting on March 18, 2020, White has welcomed Kip Moore, Colbie Caillat, Frankie Ballard, and Dillon Carmichael to his Whitewood Hollow barn in Nashville for performances. Hayes Carll will join the Feb. 17 show.
The last 18 months have been eventful for White, who suffered a paralyzing stroke mid-concert and endured months in the hospital. He went on to launch Wednesday Night Therapy just as the pandemic broke out. White recently gave a TEDxNashville Talk titled: “How paralysis helped me find my true 100%.”
As White approaches the one-year anniversary of his livestream, he expresses gratitude for wife Alex, his physical therapists and doctors, his band The Big Fire, the artists who have joined him on the show each week, and his fans The Firestarters.
Kari Jobe Announces 22-City The Blessing USA Tour
/by LB CantrellKari Jobe
Kari Jobe, in conjunction with Premier Productions, has announced The Blessing USA Tour. Sponsored by illumiNations and CovidSafeChurch.com, Jobe will hit 22 cities across the U.S.
Also featuring Cody Carnes, the tour will kick off on April 15 in Pittsburgh, and continue on to markets including Dallas, Orlando, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Houston. Tickets will go on sale to the public next Friday, Feb. 19.
The tour is implementing “socially distanced and/or reserved COVID-safe seating and capacities” in each venue. Tour members will be tested and everyone entering will be temperature checked in addition to other standards and local requirements.
“This past year has been so difficult for a lot of us,” Jobe remarked. “We had no idea that the timing of ‘The Blessing’ would fall at such an incredibly sensitive time for our globe. I have cried so many times as I’ve watched different people all over the world declaring this song over their families, their churches and their nations. It has been so sweet. I’m so thankful that His promises are promises of peace and strength.”
Written and released the week before the the COVID pandemic hit the globe, Jobe co-wrote the tour’s namesake, “The Blessing,” with her husband and songwriter Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship’s Steven Furtick and Chris Brown. “The Blessing” was the most consumed new CCM song of the year in 2020 and also won for Worship Song of the Year at last year’s GMA Dove Awards. It is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
The Blessing USA Tour (all dates subject to change):
4/15/21 – Pittsburgh, PA
4/16/21 – Cleveland, OH
4/17/21 – Lexington, KY
4/22/21 – Jacksonville, FL
4/23/21 – Orlando, FL
4/24/21 – Ft. Myers, FL
4/25/21 – Tampa, FL
4/29/21 – Dallas, TX
4/30/21 – Joplin, MO
5/1/21 – St. Louis, MO
5/2/21 – Jackson, MS
5/6/21 – Tulsa, OK
5/7/21 – Oklahoma City, OK
5/8/21 – College Station, TX
5/9/21 – Houston, TX
5/14/21 – Atlanta, GA
5/15/21 – Cullman, AL
5/16/21 – Knoxville, TN
5/20/21 – Minneapolis, MN
5/21/21 – Cedar Rapids, IA
5/22/21 – Omaha, NE
5/23/21 – Wichita, KS
Clare Dunn’s ‘Real Thing’ EP Out Today
/by Sarah SkatesClare Dunn released her new female empowerment EP, Real Thing, Friday (Feb. 12) via Big Yellow Dog Music.
She says, “Real Thing walks through the journey of not being afraid to be exactly who you are as a woman—whether that means standing up for yourself, not being afraid to express your emotions when you’ve been blown off, not being afraid to fall head-over-heels in love, or not being afraid to accept yourself as you are. There’s no wrong way to be a woman.”
“No Wrong Way” is the culmination of the project’s theme, disposing of all the labels people put on women and finding strength in imperfection. Throughout the project, Dunn addresses authenticity (“Real Thing”), vulnerability (“Unread”), and in-the-moment fearlessness (“No Reservations”).
Dunn co-wrote and self-produced the EP at her family’s ranch in Southeast Colorado. It features co-writes by some of Nashville’s top talent including Luke Dick, Liz Rose and Connie Harrington.
Real Thing Track List:
1. No Reservations (Clare Dunn, Liz Rose, Luke Dick)
2. Real Thing (Dunn, Jenn Decilveo)
3. Unread (Dunn, Joseph Patton, Josh Gabbard)
4. No Wrong Way (Dunn, Rose, Ben West)
5. We Are (Dunn, Connie Harrington, Mark Holman)