Justin Townes Earle. Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins
Americana music star Justin Townes Earle died yesterday (Aug. 23) at age 38.
Earle was a singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer who released eight albums and won awards from the Americana Music Association. He was the son of celebrated singer-songwriter Steve Earle and the nephew of critically acclaimed Nashville tunesmith Stacy Earle.
Born in Nashville in 1982, Justin Townes Earle was raised by his mother, Carol Ann Hunter. He began performing in local clubs as a teenager, including weekly gigs at Springwater. He also played in the rock band The Distributors and in an acoustic group called The Swindlers.
He joined his father’s road band The Dukes when he was 20. He can be heard on Steve Earle’s 2003 live album Just an American Boy.
But both father and son agreed that Justin should chart his own course as an artist and not be tied to his father’s stardom.
Justin Townes Earle issued an EP titled Yuma in 2007 and his first full-length album, The Good Life, in 2008. His style at the time was low-key and poetic, with a bluesy tinge. His second CD, 2009’s Midnight at the Movies, led to his being named Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2010 Americana Music Awards. The record was nominated as Album of the Year and he also received an Artist of the Year AMA nomination.
He came into his own as an artist with 2010’s Harlem River Blues. More fully produced with R&B influences than his earlier efforts, the record made him an Americana star. Its title tune was named Song of the Year at the AMA’s 2011 awards show, where Justin Townes Earle was also again nominated as Artist of the Year.
He performed “Harlem River Blues” on Late Night with David Letterman with Jason Isbell backing him on guitar. The singer-songwriter also appeared at Bonnaroo, MerleFest and the Grand Ole Opry.
In 2012, he produced Unfinished Business, an album by rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson. He wrote one of its songs and sang a duet with her on the collection.
Like his father, Justin Townes Earle experienced periodic setbacks due to substance-abuse issues. But his disc output continued steadily with 2012’s Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, 2014’s Single Mothers, 2015’s Absent Fathers and 2017’s Kids in the Street.
In 2017, he toured with the acclaimed Canadian group The Sadies serving as his opening act and backing band.
Justin Townes Earle turned a promising artistic corner with his 2019 album The Saint of Lost Causes. Its character-driven songs touched on social issues and brought new depth to his rootsy style. He toured in support of the record until the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
Justin Townes Earle married his wife Jean Marie in 2013. They became parents to daughter Etta in 2017.
No cause of death has been announced. Funeral arrangements are also unknown at press time.
The Franklin Theatre Announces New Advisory Board
/by Lorie HollabaughFranklin Theatre. Photo: Courtesy The Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Tennessee, has appointed a new Advisory Board for The Franklin Theatre. The 16 board members represent experience in the entertainment, marketing and non-profit industries, and will work with The Franklin Theatre and the Heritage Foundation teams over the next several years to support long-term vision and planning.
Board members include: Chair Jennifer Parker, Trey Bruce, Ramon Cisneros, Carla Denham, Fletcher Foster, David Garrett, Dan Haseltine, David Haskell, Paul Jankowski, Sherri Leathers, Debbie Schwartz Linn, Matt Logan, Dionne Lucas, Emily Magid, T.J. Portis, and Dan Rogers.
“We couldn’t be prouder of this group of talented people who have stepped up to serve and support our beloved historic downtown theatre and the Heritage Foundation. The combined experience, talent and passion of these 16 people will be a key factor in our strategic planning, fundraising and programming for long-term vision of The Franklin Theatre. With this talented team rallying for us, the sky’s the limit for the possibilities,” says Beasley.
The Franklin Theatre, an operating division of the Heritage Foundation, has temporarily suspended all programming until 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions on live entertainment venues.
Dan Wise Named ‘American Songwriter’ Chief Operating Officer
/by Lorie HollabaughDan Wise
Dan Wise has joined music publication American Songwriter as Chief Operating Officer.
In his new role, Wise will continue to grow the American Songwriter Podcast Network, which since its inception earlier this year, has onboarded shows like Dave Barnes’ 5 Hot Takes and Americana with Robert Earl Keen, among others. Wise will also be responsible for business development, including the scaling of existing and creation of new content initiatives.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Dan to the American Songwriter family,” said CEO Sam Savage. “Dan’s invaluable experience in the music industry and track record of creating deep and meaningful relationships makes him an incredible addition to our team.”
Wise began his career in the music industry over two decades ago as an audio engineer, production manager, and tour manager. Soon after he moved into artist management, where he most recently worked with Starstruck Entertainment, led by Narvel Blackstock.
“Joining a company that has planted its roots in the music industry 35 years ago and earned the respect of musicians and songwriters around the world is truly an honor,” said Wise. “I look forward to expanding upon the incredible success that Sam and the team have already built.”
Thomas Archer Reaches Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellThomas Archer enters the top five on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with co-writer credit on Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” and the Luke Combs track “Lovin’ On You.”
The top three on the chart remain the same this week, with Josh Thompson at No. 1, HARDY at No. 2 and Matt Dragstrem at No. 3.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Dominates Country Albums, Streaming Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
Big Loud’s Morgan Wallen tops both the Country Albums chart and the Country On-Demand Audio Streaming chart this week, according to Nielsen. He has one of the hottest songs of the year so far, as “7 Summers” debuts at No. 1 on the On-Demand Country Streaming Songs chart (and No. 3 overall) with 22 million streams in its first week.
He has three of this week’s Top 5 country streaming songs, with “Chasin’ You” at No. 3 with 7.3 million streams, and Diplo & Julia Michaels‘ “Heartless” (which Wallen is also featured on) at No. 4 with 7 million streams.
Gabby Barrett‘s former No. 1 hit “I Hope” is at No. 2 this week with 9.1 million streams, while Maddie & Tae‘s recent No. 1 radio hit “Die From A Broken Heart” is at No. 5 with 6.9 million streams.
Wallen also tops the Country Albums chart this week, with If I Know Me moving 25K in total consumption. Kane Brown debuts at No. 2 with his new EP Mixtape Vol. 1 (22K), followed by Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get at No. 3 with 21K, Luke Bryan‘s Born Here Live Here Die Here at No. 4 with 19K, and Combs’ This One’s For You at No. 5 with 19K.
Lindsay Ell’s Stoney Creek project heart theory debuts at No. 33 on the country albums chart with 5.6K in total consumption, while Columbia artist Orville Peck‘s Show Pony debuts at No. 46 with 4.7K.
SESAC, RMLC Announce New Agreement
/by Jessica NicholsonThe agreement rolls forward rates and terms from the prior license, including a blanket license fee of 0.2557% of net revenue, and an all-talk rate of .0575% of revenue. As before, the agreement applies to stations’ over-the-air broadcasts, simulcast streams and HD signals.
The RMLC represents the vast majority of the nation’s radio stations, and SESAC represents more than 1 million songs and some 30,000 songwriters, composers and music publisher affiliates.
SESAC President and COO Kelli Turner said, “As a performing rights organization, we remain focused on bringing value to our songwriters and publishers—which has become increasingly important during these uncertain times. We appreciate the RMLC’s cooperation to once again reach an agreement that will enhance the livelihoods of the creative community.”
RMLC Chairman Ed Atsinger said, “We are pleased to carry forward the terms of the prior agreement with SESAC, which is an efficient path forward for both sides in a music licensing landscape that has become increasingly complex.”
Kane Brown Joins Elite Circle With Latest Chart Milestone
/by Jessica NicholsonKane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Kane Brown has earned the best country EP debut of 2020, with his Mixtape Vol. 1 project (which released Aug. 14) entering Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart at No. 2, with more than 22,000 in consumption units. The seven-song collection’s on-demand streams total earns the year’s highest first-week marks since Sam Hunt’s Southside album debut.
Brown currently has three projects in the Top 20, including Mixtape Vol. 1, the Platinum-certified Experiment and the 2x multi-Platinum Kane Brown. Brown joins Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line and Kacey Musgraves as the only artists to accomplish this feat since 2017, when the Billboard Country chart first reflected total consumption, blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums.
Mixtape Vol. 1 includes pop collaborations with Swae Lee and Khalid on his current Top 40 hit “Be Like That,” and with John Legend on “Last Time I Say Sorry.” The EP also includes the timely inspirational message “Worldwide Beautiful,” which released two days after the music industry observed Blackout Tuesday in June.
Avenue Beat, Lindsay Ell, Louis York Set For Virtual Concert To Encourage Voter Registration
/by Lorie HollabaughAvenue Beat, Lindsay Ell, Maggie Rose, Aubrie Sellers, Louis York, The Cadillac Three, Natalie Prass and Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, and the Nashville Action Committee (chaired by writer/producer Alex Kline) are hosting “Get Your Vote On!,” a free virtual concert on August 30 to encourage nonpartisan voter registration and activation. Get Your Vote On! will broadcast live on nugs.net on Sunday, August 30, at 6 p.m. ET.
“The right to vote isn’t just a right, it’s a privilege. I feel personally obligated to raise my voice and encourage others to become active in this year’s election,” said Rose. “I’m honored to stand alongside each of these amazing artists, and the Nashville Action Committee, to encourage and empower voter engagement — not only in Nashville, but nationwide.”
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with HeadCount and to have an array of acts — that range from country to soul to indie rock to pop — all come together to play this event,” said Kline. “We believe our voices are heard loudest at the ballot boxes and I think it’s only fitting that the voices of these artists will help thousands more in America be heard.”
In addition to signing on for a three-song set, Rose reached out to streaming platform nugs.net (which broadcasted her multi-cam, 4K “Help Myself” Virtual Release Party show in May) about serving as streaming partner for Get Your Vote On!.
“They responded passionately about our cause, and were very excited about the lineup and immediately signed on to stream the event,” Kline shares. “I couldn’t have dreamed up a better partnership.”
Fireflight’s "Unbreakable" Certified Gold
/by Lorie HollabaughFireflight
Rockers Fireflight have achieved Gold status for their 2007 chart-topping single “Unbreakable.” With digital single sales surpassing 500,000 units, “Unbreakable” is the title track from the band’s bestselling 2008 Flicker Records release, and was also featured on NBC’s Bionic Woman in 2007.
Fireflight’s Dawn Michele (vocals), Wendy Drennen (bass), Glenn Drennen (guitars) and Justin Cox (guitars), signed to RockFest Records last year. The foursome is readying their highly anticipated RockFest debut, which is slated for release this Fall.
With a Grammy nomination to their credit, 26 million views on VEVO, nine No. 1 Christian rock singles, seven Dove Award nominations, and more than 400,000 albums sold, Fireflight has built a fiercely devoted following, transcending both Christian and mainstream rock. Bursting onto the scene with their 2006 Flicker Records debut, The Healing Of Harms, the band’s discography also includes Unbreakable (2008) and For Those Who Wait (2010). The group’s Essential Records debut, Now, was the top-selling Christian rock album of 2012, while Fireflight’s independently released INNOVA (2015) yielded two No. 1 singles, joining such career-defining hits as “Waiting,” “The Hunger,” “Unbreakable” and “Stay Close,” among others.
Ryan Griffin Unveils Track List For New EP ‘Name On It’
/by Lorie HollabaughRyan Griffin has revealed the artwork and track list for his upcoming major label debut, Name On It. The six-song EP features tracks all co-written by Griffin with writers like Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, Josh London, and more, each inspired by personal stories of his own.
Griffin has previewed the EP with recent releases “Down,” “One Prayer Left,” “Going Going Gone,” his debut single “Right Here Right Now,” and the EP’s title track, which all feature stories of love, faith, gratitude and good times. Produced by Mark Trussell, Jason Massey and busbee, Name On It is due everywhere Aug. 28.
Moving to Music City at 17 after growing up on his family’s farm in Florida, Griffin first found success as a songwriter, penning songs like Kelsea Ballerini’s Platinum-selling hit “Dibs.” Featured as a SiriusXM Highway Find, he has racked up more than 20 million streams in the U.S. with his independently released tracks, including the infectious “Woulda Left Me Too,” “Best Cold Beer” and “Play It By Heart.”
Singer-Songwriter Justin Townes Earle Dies At 38
/by Robert K OermannJustin Townes Earle. Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins
Americana music star Justin Townes Earle died yesterday (Aug. 23) at age 38.
Earle was a singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer who released eight albums and won awards from the Americana Music Association. He was the son of celebrated singer-songwriter Steve Earle and the nephew of critically acclaimed Nashville tunesmith Stacy Earle.
Born in Nashville in 1982, Justin Townes Earle was raised by his mother, Carol Ann Hunter. He began performing in local clubs as a teenager, including weekly gigs at Springwater. He also played in the rock band The Distributors and in an acoustic group called The Swindlers.
He joined his father’s road band The Dukes when he was 20. He can be heard on Steve Earle’s 2003 live album Just an American Boy.
But both father and son agreed that Justin should chart his own course as an artist and not be tied to his father’s stardom.
Justin Townes Earle issued an EP titled Yuma in 2007 and his first full-length album, The Good Life, in 2008. His style at the time was low-key and poetic, with a bluesy tinge. His second CD, 2009’s Midnight at the Movies, led to his being named Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2010 Americana Music Awards. The record was nominated as Album of the Year and he also received an Artist of the Year AMA nomination.
He came into his own as an artist with 2010’s Harlem River Blues. More fully produced with R&B influences than his earlier efforts, the record made him an Americana star. Its title tune was named Song of the Year at the AMA’s 2011 awards show, where Justin Townes Earle was also again nominated as Artist of the Year.
He performed “Harlem River Blues” on Late Night with David Letterman with Jason Isbell backing him on guitar. The singer-songwriter also appeared at Bonnaroo, MerleFest and the Grand Ole Opry.
In 2012, he produced Unfinished Business, an album by rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson. He wrote one of its songs and sang a duet with her on the collection.
Like his father, Justin Townes Earle experienced periodic setbacks due to substance-abuse issues. But his disc output continued steadily with 2012’s Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, 2014’s Single Mothers, 2015’s Absent Fathers and 2017’s Kids in the Street.
In 2017, he toured with the acclaimed Canadian group The Sadies serving as his opening act and backing band.
Justin Townes Earle turned a promising artistic corner with his 2019 album The Saint of Lost Causes. Its character-driven songs touched on social issues and brought new depth to his rootsy style. He toured in support of the record until the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
Justin Townes Earle married his wife Jean Marie in 2013. They became parents to daughter Etta in 2017.
No cause of death has been announced. Funeral arrangements are also unknown at press time.