This week, the Americana music winners come two-by-two.
In a DisClaimer first, the tie for the Disc of the Day award is a father and son. That would be Willie Nelson and his boy Lukas Nelson.
There are also two DisCovery Award winners in this stack of Americana platters. They are singer-songwriters Sarah Peacock and Van Darien. Heed them both.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Couldn’t Break Your Heart
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: John Alga and Promise of the Real; Publisher: none listed; Fantasy
– Audio ecstasy. The band is super tight, rolling along with a steady thump, some echoey atmosphere and high, keening electric and steel notes. Lukas rides atop the enchanting production with a plaintive, spot-on vocal of heart, head and soul. This is a foretaste of the act’s collection Naked Garden, which drops a week from Friday (3/27).
WILLIE NELSON/Our Song
Writer: Chris Stapleton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
-This soft, meditative ballad completely envelopes you with its intimacy and warmth. A simple, gentle production, Willie’s guitar and an almost whispered vocal cuddle up next to you like loved ones. I swooned over this. The track comes from his forthcoming 70th (!) album, First Rose of Spring. It is due April 24, and Willie turns 87 five days later. May I remind you that he has won Grammy Awards the past two years in a row? The man is still at the top of his game.
THE SECRET SISTERS/Late Bloomer
Writers: Laura and Lydia Rogers; Producers: Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth; Publisher: none listed; New West
– Languid and folkie, this has a certain simple charm. But it is a little too pristine and pretty for my taste.
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/What I’ve Done To Help
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers
– Soulful and fiery, with his usual searing honesty. A new highlight in a catalog that’s already full of memorable moments.
DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Emmylou
Writer: Soderberg; Producers: Darin Alridge/Mark Fain; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– Brooke possesses one of the most gripping voices in all of country music, and Darin’s harmony work tugs at every heart string. Their little falsetto leaps in this enchanting song tickle the ears at every turn. This lovable couple is marketed as bluegrass, but their appeal is so much broader than that. Every music lover on earth needs to hear the magic that they make. And, yes, I did pen the liner notes for their exquisite current CD.
BOBBY BARE/The Day All The Yes Men Said No
Writers: Shel Silverstein; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
-Let’s face it, the wry, dry Bare and the wry, dry and high Silverstein were made for each other. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member (1930-1999) wrote hits for Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook, Brenda Lee, Dave & Sugar, Waylon Jennings, The Irish Rovers, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. But his collaborations with Bare have always been special events.
SARAH PEACOCK/Burn The Witch
Writers: Sheena Brook/Sarah Peacock; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publisher: none listed; Road Dog
– The rumbling bass undertow, heartbeat cello and mysterious atmosphere are perfect for her haunting soprano delivery of this poetic, evocative saga. This Music City troubadour is cool and different, and I fell for her at once. Think about the wail and passion of the Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick mixed with the dark, magical swirl of Stevie Nicks and you’ll be in the general vicinity. Elsewhere on her Burn the Witch CD, she’s a folk-pop diva with plenty to say.
WEBB WILDER/Night Without Love
Writer: R.S. Field; Producers: Webb Wilder/George Bradfute; Publisher: Sharp Circle/ASCAP; Landslide
– This great Music City rock showman is back with a romping, thoroughly Americana collection that includes slabs of sound penned by the likes of Russell Smith, Los Lobos and Chip Taylor, not to mention six of his own individualistic concoctions. The title tune is a light-hearted skip through a countrified ditty, complete with steel guitar. Don’s worry, the CD has a bluesy take on “Hi Heel Sneakers,” too.
VAN DARIEN/Levee
Writers: Van Darien/Ryan Michael; Producer: Steven Cooper/J.D. Tiner; Publisher: none listed; Mechanical Heart
– I dig her throaty alto as well as her evocative lyrics. This is the atmospheric title tune of a collection that sends repeated waves of liquid sound over you. This Texas-to-Tennessee transplant is essentially an introspective folk-flavored troubadour with a healthy dose of deep soul. Start your welcome-to-Nashville applause right now, because this is one of the most promising debut discs I’ve heard this year.
THE CARTER FAMILY/Farther Along
Writer: traditional; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: public domain; Reviver Legacy
– This fascinating collection came out late last year. It’s titled Across the Generations because it combines voices of this legendary dynasty from first generation (Sara, Maybelle), to second generation (Anita, June, Helen), third generation (Carlene, John Carter Cash, Dale Jett. Lorrie Carter Bennett, David Carter Jones), fourth (Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, AnnaBelle Cash, Tucker Jett) and even fifth (Flo Wolfe, Adrianna Cross, Lux Darling, Jacob Strong). This set-opening track features Sara with descendants Dale and Adrianna. Elsewhere, you’ll hear ear-opening new treatments of such Carter chestnuts as “Gold Watch and Chain,” “Worried Man Blues,” “I Never Will Marry,” “Foggy Mountain Top” and, of course, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” This, my friends, is the definition of American folk music. Not to mention the original foundation of country music.
DISClaimer: Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson Offer New Musical Gems
/by Robert K OermannIn a DisClaimer first, the tie for the Disc of the Day award is a father and son. That would be Willie Nelson and his boy Lukas Nelson.
There are also two DisCovery Award winners in this stack of Americana platters. They are singer-songwriters Sarah Peacock and Van Darien. Heed them both.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Couldn’t Break Your Heart
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: John Alga and Promise of the Real; Publisher: none listed; Fantasy
– Audio ecstasy. The band is super tight, rolling along with a steady thump, some echoey atmosphere and high, keening electric and steel notes. Lukas rides atop the enchanting production with a plaintive, spot-on vocal of heart, head and soul. This is a foretaste of the act’s collection Naked Garden, which drops a week from Friday (3/27).
WILLIE NELSON/Our Song
Writer: Chris Stapleton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
-This soft, meditative ballad completely envelopes you with its intimacy and warmth. A simple, gentle production, Willie’s guitar and an almost whispered vocal cuddle up next to you like loved ones. I swooned over this. The track comes from his forthcoming 70th (!) album, First Rose of Spring. It is due April 24, and Willie turns 87 five days later. May I remind you that he has won Grammy Awards the past two years in a row? The man is still at the top of his game.
THE SECRET SISTERS/Late Bloomer
Writers: Laura and Lydia Rogers; Producers: Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth; Publisher: none listed; New West
– Languid and folkie, this has a certain simple charm. But it is a little too pristine and pretty for my taste.
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/What I’ve Done To Help
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers
– Soulful and fiery, with his usual searing honesty. A new highlight in a catalog that’s already full of memorable moments.
DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Emmylou
Writer: Soderberg; Producers: Darin Alridge/Mark Fain; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– Brooke possesses one of the most gripping voices in all of country music, and Darin’s harmony work tugs at every heart string. Their little falsetto leaps in this enchanting song tickle the ears at every turn. This lovable couple is marketed as bluegrass, but their appeal is so much broader than that. Every music lover on earth needs to hear the magic that they make. And, yes, I did pen the liner notes for their exquisite current CD.
BOBBY BARE/The Day All The Yes Men Said No
Writers: Shel Silverstein; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
-Let’s face it, the wry, dry Bare and the wry, dry and high Silverstein were made for each other. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member (1930-1999) wrote hits for Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook, Brenda Lee, Dave & Sugar, Waylon Jennings, The Irish Rovers, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. But his collaborations with Bare have always been special events.
SARAH PEACOCK/Burn The Witch
Writers: Sheena Brook/Sarah Peacock; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publisher: none listed; Road Dog
– The rumbling bass undertow, heartbeat cello and mysterious atmosphere are perfect for her haunting soprano delivery of this poetic, evocative saga. This Music City troubadour is cool and different, and I fell for her at once. Think about the wail and passion of the Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick mixed with the dark, magical swirl of Stevie Nicks and you’ll be in the general vicinity. Elsewhere on her Burn the Witch CD, she’s a folk-pop diva with plenty to say.
WEBB WILDER/Night Without Love
Writer: R.S. Field; Producers: Webb Wilder/George Bradfute; Publisher: Sharp Circle/ASCAP; Landslide
– This great Music City rock showman is back with a romping, thoroughly Americana collection that includes slabs of sound penned by the likes of Russell Smith, Los Lobos and Chip Taylor, not to mention six of his own individualistic concoctions. The title tune is a light-hearted skip through a countrified ditty, complete with steel guitar. Don’s worry, the CD has a bluesy take on “Hi Heel Sneakers,” too.
VAN DARIEN/Levee
Writers: Van Darien/Ryan Michael; Producer: Steven Cooper/J.D. Tiner; Publisher: none listed; Mechanical Heart
– I dig her throaty alto as well as her evocative lyrics. This is the atmospheric title tune of a collection that sends repeated waves of liquid sound over you. This Texas-to-Tennessee transplant is essentially an introspective folk-flavored troubadour with a healthy dose of deep soul. Start your welcome-to-Nashville applause right now, because this is one of the most promising debut discs I’ve heard this year.
THE CARTER FAMILY/Farther Along
Writer: traditional; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: public domain; Reviver Legacy
– This fascinating collection came out late last year. It’s titled Across the Generations because it combines voices of this legendary dynasty from first generation (Sara, Maybelle), to second generation (Anita, June, Helen), third generation (Carlene, John Carter Cash, Dale Jett. Lorrie Carter Bennett, David Carter Jones), fourth (Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, AnnaBelle Cash, Tucker Jett) and even fifth (Flo Wolfe, Adrianna Cross, Lux Darling, Jacob Strong). This set-opening track features Sara with descendants Dale and Adrianna. Elsewhere, you’ll hear ear-opening new treatments of such Carter chestnuts as “Gold Watch and Chain,” “Worried Man Blues,” “I Never Will Marry,” “Foggy Mountain Top” and, of course, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” This, my friends, is the definition of American folk music. Not to mention the original foundation of country music.
Brooks & Dunn’s 2020 Tour Dates Rescheduled For Fall
/by Jessica NicholsonBrooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn announced today that their Brooks & Dunn REBOOT 2020 Tour is rescheduled for this fall. The duo’s first nationwide tour in 10 years will now kick off in Cincinnati, Ohio on Aug. 28 and take them across the country through the fall. Tickets purchased will be honored for the rescheduled date.
Brooks & Dunn REBOOT 2020 Tour Official Dates:
8/28—Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
8/29—Burgettstown, PA – S & T Bank Music Park
9/3—Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
9/4—Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
9/5—Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/10—Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheater
9/11—Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
9/18—Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
9/19—Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
9/24—Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
9/25—Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
9/26—Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
10/2—Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
10/3—St Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
10/23—Tampa, FL – Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater
10/24—Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
10/29—Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
10/30—Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Cole Swindell Reschedules Remaining Down To Earth Tour Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughCole Swindell has postponed the remaining dates of his headlining Down To Earth Tour and rescheduled them until Fall. The tour will kick back off Oct. 1 in his home state for a show in Macon, Georgia at the Macon Centreplex Auditorium. Joining Swindell on the tour will be special guests HARDY and Trea Landon, with Jon Langston now joining for the final three shows.
“We were so disappointed to have to pause the Down To Earth Tour but it was the absolute right thing to do for the safety of our fans, our band, crew, families and public in general,” said Swindell. “I am happy to say we have been working hard over the past few days to get these dates rescheduled and get this Down To Earth Tour back out in front of the fans. Me, HARDY, Trea and Jon have a lot of exciting things still in store.”
Tickets purchased for the original tour will be honored for the rescheduled dates. Any further ticket inquiries can be addressed at point of purchase.
Heidi Newfield Readies New Collection Featuring Delbert McClinton, Chris Stapleton, More
/by Lorie HollabaughHeidi Newfield is releasing a new album The Barfly Sessions on June 5. The collection was co-produced by Newfield with Jim “Moose” Brown, who, in addition to being a hit songwriter and producer, is known for playing Hammond B3, guitar and is the band leader of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band.
“It’s inspiring to see an artist who’s had the kind of success she’s had be so determined to push new musical boundaries and get outside of her comfort zone,” Brown says. “Heidi and I have been friends for many years and I’ve always been a fan of her music, but I really had no clue as to the depth of her musicianship, songwriting, and general bad-assery until now. She is a deep mix of old school country, Texas twang, blues and straight-up soul, and she absolutely delivers the goods on this record.”
The album, which has 12 songs co-penned by Newfield herself, features a notable collection of collaborators and co-writers including Al Anderson, Randy Houser, Jim Lauderdale, Delbert McClinton, Jon Randall, Mickey Raphael, Rivers Rutherford, Leslie Satcher, Chris Stapleton, Matt King and Kenny Vaughan.
One track she didn’t write, “Blues Is My Business,” is a standout, especially to its writer, Kevin Bowe, who says, “I’ve heard many, many versions … from Etta James to the old bar-band down the street … but no one owns this song like Heidi Newfield. Her combination of big-hearted soul and an even bigger middle finger gave this song exactly what it wanted. Having the legendary Delbert McClinton join Heidi was better than having the cherry on top — more like the spicy BBQ sauce, the perfect combination and flavor.”
Big Machine Music Signs Ryan Hurd
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, back row): Red Light Management’s Dallas McVey, BelleSouth Business Management’s Anna Marsh, Red Light Management’s Janet Weir, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, Big Machine Label Group’s Malcolm Mimms; (L-R, front row): Ritholz Levy Fields’ Chip Petree, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Ryan Hurd, Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar. Photo: Seth Hellman for Big Machine Music
Big Machine Music, the music publishing arm of Big Machine Label Group, has signed Ryan Hurd to an exclusive songwriting agreement, and has acquired his Lake Allegan Pub Club (ASCAP) and Hurdjamz (BMI) music publishing catalogs. The catalogs include songs recorded by Lady Antebellum (“What If I Never Get Over You,” “You Look Good”), Luke Bryan (“Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”), Diplo (“Heartless” ft. Julia Michaels and Morgan Wallen) and wife Maren Morris (“I Wish I Was,” “All My Favorite People”), and more.
As an artist, Hurd is currently signed with Sony Music Nashville, and has released singles including “We Do Us,” “Love in a Bar,” and the Gold-certified, Top 20 hit “To A T.”
BMM General Manager Mike Molinar said, “Ryan is a dynamic artist and songwriter with a high trajectory and boundless future. The power of his music translates through both his voice and his writing, across genres, through audiences and up the charts. Big Machine Music is proud to become the steward of his catalog and advocate for his songwriting career.”
“I love being a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the last few years, I have gotten to know Mike Molinar and Alex Heddle on a personal and professional level. They treat songs and songwriters with amazing care and excitement, and I’m so happy to begin a new chapter with the entire publishing team at Big Machine Music,” shared Hurd.
Big Machine Music’s roster also includes Brett Young, Brandy Clark, Laura Veltz, Jessie Jo Dillon, Eric Paslay and more.
Third Man Records To Host Daily Live-Streamed Performances, Starting Today
/by LB CantrellThird Man Records has announced Third Man Public Access, a series of daily live-streamed performances to take place every day at 12 p.m. CT from their famed Blue Room in their Nashville headquarters. Starting today at 12 p.m. CT will be a performance from new age pedal steel player Luke Schneider.
The live-streamed performance can be viewed at Third Man Records’ Youtube channel today and every day for the foreseeable future. Check Third Man’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages for daily performance information. A full schedule of performances will be announced soon.
Please be assured that they will have fewer than 10 people in the Blue Room—and at the Third Man Records headquarters in general—and everyone will be staying more than 6 feet apart. Third Man will be including Venmo and Paypal handles for you to tip your entertainers.
BREAKING NEWS: Confirmed U.S. Cases Of Coronavirus Now Exceeds 10,000
/by Sherod RobertsonDespite efforts to delay spread, the confirmed cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 in the United States has now exceeded the benchmark of 10,000 cases as of Mar. 19, 2020 with 10,755 confirmed U.S. cases according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at John Hopkins University (JHU) and is expected to continue rising. The report shows there have been 154 deaths and 106 recovered in the U.S. so far.
Although there have been continued promises by the federal administration of adequate testing abilities, those have been slow to come to fruition; therefore, this number is widely expected to increase as more tests actually become available and more cases can be tested and confirmed.
According to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at John Hopkins University (JHU), total cases currently confirmed globally are 229,289 with total deaths of 9,324 and 84,557 recovered.
Their report shows the state of Tennessee has a total of 100 confirmed cases with no deaths and none recovered.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the most recent report (updated at 2:00 p.m. CST yesterday on Mar. 18) indicates total confirmed cases in the state is 98 (74 of which were done outside of the State Public Health Laboratory in other commercial and private laboratories). Most of the confirmed cases come from two Tennessee counties: Davidson County with 58 and Williamson county with 24.
Discrepancies occur between CSSE at JHU and TDH due to timing differences of reports.
Presley & Taylor Sign With PLA Media
/by Lorie HollabaughPresley & Taylor
Presley & Taylor have signed with PLA Media for publicity representation.
Their newest single, “End of the World,” is available now on all streaming platforms, and the siblings have already enjoyed success with original material like their single “Heart Over Mind” featuring Pam Tillis, and “Tall, Dark and Lonesome,” penned by Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson.
“I am a sucker for familial harmonies and these sisters have it going on,” PLA Media President and CEO Pam Lewis said. “They have already won over James Stroud, Keith Burns, and Pam Tillis. We at PLA are the newest members of their team; however, we quickly realized that their stage presence, beauty and work ethic is sure to be a winning combo. The only way Presley & Taylor are going is up!”
“So happy to work with the great folks at PLA,” said Presley & Taylor. “We are looking forward to good things to come as we continue to release new music in 2020.”
Michael August Elevated To GM At Demolition Music
/by Lorie HollabaughMichael August, Jamie Dryburgh
Michael August has been promoted to General Manager at Demolition Music and Jamie Dryburgh has been promoted from Creative Manager to Creative Director at the company.
As GM, August will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations including creative and strategic partnerships, synch licensing, and artist development. August joined Demolition in 2014 as a staff songwriter, and moved into the position of Creative Manager in June of 2017. Along with this promotion, August also has a worldwide exclusive publishing agreement with Demolition as a staff songwriter.
In conjunction with August’s promotion, Demolition Music has promoted Jamie Dryburgh from Creative Manager to Creative Director. As Creative Director, Dryburgh will oversee the calendars of Demolition’s writers, assist with song plugging, act as a songwriter liaison, and continue to seek out creative opportunities for the company. Dryburgh is also the co-owner of two Nashville-based lifestyle brands, Young Music City and RNBW. She joined the Demolition team in August of 2018 and prior to that spent two years at Wrensong Entertainment in songwriter relations.
“Michael and Jamie have given Demolition that powerful one-two punch that has built our brand, added depth and diversity to our team and catalogue, and put us in position for some big things to happen in the very near future,” said Demolition President Jon D’Agostino.
JUST IN: ACM To Hold Two-Hour "At Home" Concert Special April 5
/by Jessica NicholsonACM Presents: Our Country will feature conversations and at-home acoustic performances with top country artists, along with clips from their favorite moments from the Academy of Country Music’s 55-year history. Participating artists will be announced in coming weeks.
Artists will appear from their homes via video chat to share some heartfelt thoughts and perform acoustic versions of country hits. Additionally, video clips from previous ACM Award® broadcasts will allow viewers to reminisce with them about their favorite ACM moments. It will be a night filled with entertainment, hope and reflection, bringing the healing power of music to Americans at a time when they need it most.
“Although the highly anticipated 55th ACM Awards show is unable to take place on April 5 due to the health crisis, we still wanted to deliver fans an entertaining ACM Country Music special as planned,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We are thrilled to announce ACM Presents: Our Country, an all-new special that allows fans to connect with their favorite country artists and to relive some of the greatest moments of the ACM Awards, all from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”
“Music has always served as a powerful form of hope and solidarity during challenging times,” said Amy Thurlow, President, dick clark productions. “It’s our privilege to offer audiences an uplifting message through music as well as a look back at some of the best moments in ACM Awards history.”
“Broadcast television and music have always been mediums that bring people together,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. “From their living rooms to yours, CBS is pleased to partner with the ACM and dick clark productions to have some of today’s biggest country artists connect with and entertain fans in an intimate way while allowing everyone to stay safe.”
The Academy of Country Music Awards have been rescheduled for September, with a specific date, time and venue yet to be announced.