Old Dominion Cancels C2C Performances Due To Coronavirus Concerns

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Old Dominion announced today (March 6) that they are withdrawing from their performances at popular UK country festival C2C, due to coronavirus concerns.

C2C is slated to take place in Berlin, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands; London, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Glasgow, Scotland from March 7-15; Old Dominion had five shows slated as part of the festival. UK group The Shires are set to replace Old Dominion on the lineup, making The Shires the first UK artist to perform on the C2C Arena main stage.

“After much consideration, we have decided to withdraw from our upcoming performances as part of the C2C Music Festival in Berlin, Amsterdam, Dublin, London and Glasgow,” the band said via a message on Twitter. “We are so sorry to disappoint our fans overseas; however with the growing uncertainty and unpredictable nature of the virus that is spreading throughout the world, the safety and security of our entire team is the top priority. We are forever grateful for every opportunity we get to witness just how far our music is reaching, and we will be back across the world as soon as we can. Much love and thank you for your support – Matthew, Trevor, Brad, Geoff & Whit.”

Other artists scheduled to perform during C2C include Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Brett Young, The Cadillac Three, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tanya Tucker, and more.

Globally, there are now more than 100,000 confirmed cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of March 5, there are 262 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Germany, 38 cases in the Netherlands, 89 in the United Kingdom, and two in Ireland. According to CNN, there are confirmed cases in 20 U.S. states; this week, Tennessee had its first confirmed case, as a 44-year-old man in Williamson County, just south of Nashville, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday (March 5).

Mickey Guyton Asks The Hard Questions In New Single

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Mickey Guyton is releasing a new song “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” today (March 6). The thought-provoking song poses the simple question, “what are you gonna tell her/when she figures out/that all this time you built her up just so the world could let her down.” It was written by Guyton, Karen Kosowski, Victoria Banks and Emma Lee just three weeks prior to the annual UMG Nashville showcase, held at the Ryman Auditorium during this year’s Country Radio Seminar in downtown Nashville, where Guyton performed the song for the first time. Guyton’s inspired rendition received the only spontaneous standing ovation from the gathering of country radio programmers and decision makers.

“As an artist, I’m so grateful for music,” explains Guyton. “It allows me to convey important messages that are dear to me. I know this song will touch people because it is so truthful.”

The unapologetically honest new track will be included on Guyton’s upcoming album, set for release this summer. Last year Guyton’s poignant and uplifting song, “Hold On,” which she co-wrote with Karen Kosowski and Victoria Banks, was featured in the Breakthrough movie and soundtrack.
See Guyton’s performance of the song from the UMG Nashville showcase at Country Radio Seminar below:

YouTube video

Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Sheryl Crow, Yola, Ashley McBryde To Lead Nashville Tornado Relief Concert

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Nashville’s music community continues to come together to help the greater Nashville area heal following the devastating tornadoes that heavily damaged parts of the area earlier this week.
Several top Nashville artists will perform at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Monday, March 9, beginning at 7:30 p.m., as part of the benefit concert To Nashville, With Love. Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Brothers Osborne, Kendell Marvel, Dan Auerbach, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sheryl Crow, Soccer Mommy and Yola will all be performing.

The Basement East co-owner Mike Grimes will be a featured speaker at the event; The Basement East was destroyed during the recent tornadoes that hit East Nashville.
“We have seen the resilience of Nashville before but nothing like the display of humanity being put forth currently,” Grimes said in a statement. “That sweat equity combined with our incredible friends’ generous offers of their gift of music will galvanize our city, making it stronger than ever before. Please join us Monday friends for an event that will help and heal. We Will Rise.”

Every dollar from ticket sales, and donations for the event, will benefit the To Nashville, With Love Fund, which was created by several music industry professionals to raise money to help  the Nashville community. The fund will allocate all money raised to disaster relief and to mental health organizations. WRLT/Lightning 100 will broadcast the event via its website lightning100.com and via 100.1 FM.

Tickets on sale now, priced at $75. To purchase tickets, to make a donation and for more information, please visit tonashvillewithlove.org.

Isbell stated, “Amanda [Shires] and I are proud to call Nashville our home, and we’re proud of the Nashville community’s ability to come together in a time of crisis. We’re lucky that our home and our loved ones are safe, but we know that isn’t the case for many Nashvillians. I’m happy to do what I can to help the city recover.”

Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, an organization benefiting from the fund, stated, “We know when disasters strike, there are no quick fixes. We are grateful to our partners from the entertainment industry for their tireless work in making these special events a reality. Thanks to these efforts through the work of nonprofits on the ground helping victims address their needs, we will be able to better respond to the damage caused by these disastrous storms.”

CMA, SESAC Hosting Tornado Relief Supplies Drive

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The CMA and SESAC are collecting essential items needed by a variety of nonprofits throughout Middle Tennessee following the devastating storms that ravaged the mid-state earlier this week. The drive will run from March 6-13, with dropoff hours on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Both organizations are asking those near the Music Row area to consider donating crucial relief supplies including canned food, toiletries, and other essentials, a list of which can be found here. Items can be dropped off at the back of the building between the CMA/SESAC building (located at 35 Music Square East) and the lot behind RCA Studio A. CMA and SESAC will then regularly deliver donations to groups in need throughout the region.

Weekly Radio Report (3/6/20)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.

DISClaimer: Dixie Chicks’ "Gaslighter" Is "A Total Blast From Start To Finish"

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Greatness is timeless.

That’s the message in today’s DisClaimer column. Some of the best music in this stack comes from veterans like Pam Tillis, the Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban and Bobby Bare. In fact, the Dixie Chicks ride off with the Disc of the Day award.

Among our newcomers today, Stephanie Nash sounds like a real comer to me. Give that lady a DisCovery Award.

SEAN STEMALY/Come Back To Bed
Writers: Sean Stemaly/Andy Albert/Jared Mullins/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Buzz Light Beer Music (ASCAP), Tree Vibez Music/Mullins It Over Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs US (BMI), Castle Bound Music, Inc. (SESAC); Big Loud
-The lyric is super sexy. The monotonic melody is a turn off.

STEPHANIE NASH/Best Side of Me
Writers: Stephanie Nash/Logan Tucker/Ethan Willis/Jody Chappell; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; SN
– This has a very cool, dark, rocking undertow that is gripping and ear catching. Her confident, penetrating vocal delivery smacks every note resoundingly. The “rebel” lyric is a winner, too. Play it.

PAM TILLIS/Looking for a Feeling
Writers: Pam Tillis/Waylon Payne; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stellar Cat
– I have always loved the smoky soul in this woman’s voice. On this title track of her forthcoming album, she luxuriates in a deep-South, bluesy groove while painting portraits of friends, neighbors and kin. Can’t wait to hear the rest of what promises to be a landmark collection.

DON RAY/Band of Gypsies
Writers: Don Ray/Tony Paoletta; Producer: Tony Paoletta/Don Ray; Publisher: Margdon/Sister Spike, BMI; Margdon (track)
– It’s a slow, drawling, brooding, dramatic tale about refusing to give in to the demands of the music biz. He stands by his “outlaw” friends in his band when the Man tells him to leave them behind. But he sounds so darned flat-footed and boring while doing it.

DIXIE CHICKS/Gaslighter
Writers: Emily Strayer/Jack Antonoff/Martie Maguire/Natalie Maines; Producers: Dixie Chicks/Jack Antonoff; Publisher: none listed; SME/Columbia
– This is a total blast from start to finish. The trio goes all sassy and feisty, bitch-slapping a no-good ex who made off with the money. The vocal harmonies are stunning. The beat is relentless. The mood is firecracker explosive. In a word, fabulous. In another word, “Yaaaaaay!”

CAITLYN SMITH/Supernova
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Aimee Mayo; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Monument
– The title tune of Smith’s sophomore CD is a gorgeous, sad, haunting ballad. Time is fleeting, and we are all must grow and leave our childhoods behind. The echoey atmosphere and spare piano accompaniment are as mesmerizing as her aching vocal delivery.

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– It’s a romantic slow-burn groover with touches of quiet-storm soul. Extremely glossy and listenable. A big hit, for sure.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Hole in the Bottle
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– Snappy and coy, this little bopper excuses her wino problem because she’s nursing a busted heart. Cleverly written. Delightfully sung.

BOBBY BARE/Living Legend
Writer: Shel Silverstein; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– The Country Music Hall of Famer is wry and ironic on this self-referential two-step about a fading folk singer. He recollects past glories and regrets the pills while pleading for a one more gig. You kiddies who don’t know who the late Shel Silverstein is need to stop what you’re doing right now and research his brilliant songwriting catalog.

THE REVENUE MAN/Tennessee Sunset
Writers: Denny Rudolph/Glenn Brown; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TRM (track)
– This unusual billing belongs to singer-songwriter Glenn Hunter Brown. His debut CD is titled 25 Years Behind and features this wistful meditation on a romance he foolishly let slip away. His weathered, lived-in voice has a plain-spoken beauty, and the simple, eloquent production is perfect for the nostalgia in the lyric. Also check out his countrified reading of Elvis Costello’s “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding.” Americana programmers take note, as well.

Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Kid Rock, Blanco Brown, Gavin DeGraw Sign On For CMT Tornado Relief Telethon

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Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley

Several music artists have lined up for today’s telethon, hosted by CMT and the American Red Cross, to benefit those affected by the tornadoes that devastated portions of Middle Tennessee this week.

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, Kid Rock, Gavin DeGraw, Blanco Brown, Nashville actor and music artist Sam Palladio and more are set to take part in the event, which begins today (March 5) at 4 p.m. CT, and runs until 7 p.m. CT, according to CMT.

The telethon will air live on WSMV News 4 in Nashville and will be featured on all CMT social platforms.

Other artists taking part include Travis Denning, Kalie Shorr, Whitney Duncan, Sarah Darling, Gavin DeGraw, Devin Dawson, Shy Carter, Erin Oprea, Hannah Ellis, Savannah Keyes, Tommy Emmanuel, Emily Hackett, Caroline Spence, Anna Vaus, Erin Enderlin, Avenue Beat, Big Machine Label Group founder/CEO Scott Borchetta and CMT’s Cody Alan. All donations will support disaster relief efforts in Middle Tennessee.

To make a donation, call 833-585-0179 between 4 p.m.-7 p.m. CT, or visit rdcrss.org/cmt.

Jon Pardi Celebrates Career Milestones

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Pictured, (L-R): Brian Wright, UMGN EVP of A&R; Rachel Fontenot, UMGN VP of Marketing & Artist Development; Maggie Hunt, Red Light Management; Jon Pardi; Mike Dungan, UMGN Chairman & CEO; Mike Harris, UMGN EVP & COO; Stephanie Wright, UMGN SVP of A&R; Rob Femia, UMGN SVP of Business & Legal Affairs

Jon Pardi was surprised this week with a bunch of heavy metal commemorating 10 million in digital singles sold and one million albums sold, along with his multi-week No. 1, the 3x multi-platinum “Dirt on My Boots,” his No. 1 hits “Head Over Boots” and “Heartache On the Dance Floor” going double Platinum, and “Night Shift” reaching Platinum status.

“She Ain’t In It” from Pardi’s No. 1 album California Sunrise and “Heartache Medication” from Pardi’s current ACM-nominated album of the same name are also now officially certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Heartache Medication debuted among the top albums on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and includes his new single, “Ain’t Always The Cowboy” which impacts country radio on March 16.

Taylor Swift Donates $1 Million To Nashville Tornado Relief Efforts

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After tornadoes heavily damaged parts of Middle Tennessee earlier this week, leaving at least 25 people dead, Taylor Swift has responded to the disaster by donating $1 million to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, a rep for Swift has confirmed to MusicRow Magazine.

“Nashville is my home. And the fact that so many people have lost their homes and so much more in Middle Tennessee is devastating to me,” Swift said via her Instagram story on March 5.
This is far from the first time Swift has pitched in to help those in Nashville, where the country artist-turned-pop star got her start at Nashville-based Big Machine Records (she signed with Universal Music Group’s Republic Records in 2018).

In 2013, she pledged $4 million to the Country Music hall of Fame and Museum to fund the Taylor Swift Education Center. After the 2010 floods devastated Nashville, Swift donated $500,000 to the relief efforts. She also donated $100,000 to the Nashville Symphony for her 24th birthday in 2013.

Leading up to the release of her album 1989, she donated proceeds from her song “Welcome To New York” to NYC Public Schools.

In 2016, she donated $250,000 to fellow singer-songwriter Kesha to help with legal fees during Kesha’s lawsuit against producer Dr. Luke. She has also made various donations to music fans to help with everything from paying off student loans to aiding fans who are battling cancer.

Swift is one of many artists who have donated funds to help tornado relief efforts around Nashville in recent days. Dan+Shay, who will launch their Dan+Shay The (Arena) Tour on Friday with the first of two shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, have donated $100,000 to relief efforts. Additionally, the country duo’s team, including AEG Presents, Sandbox Entertainment, CAA and Bridgestone Arena are also donating a portion of each ticket sold for both of Dan+Shay’s Nashville shows to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“We are heartbroken by the devastation the tornadoes left upon Tennessee earlier this week. Our love goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” the duo said via a statement. “We are so proud to call Nashville our home, and have seen first hand that this community is strong, resilient, and compassionate. What this town does best in times of need, is come together, so it is only fitting that our tour starts tomorrow in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. Friday and Saturday, through the power of music, we will all unite to celebrate the spirit of our incredible city. On behalf of Dan + Shay, we will be making a $100,000 donation to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. We are looking forward to two unforgettable shows, in the town we hold dearest to our hearts.”

Fellow country artist Chris Young also recently announced a $50,000 donation to the Music City Inc. Foundation, while Kacey Musgraves pledged to donate proceeds from a fashion sale to aid those affected by the storms.

Sheryl Crow will hold a yard sale on Friday (March 6) and Saturday (March 7) at 2809 12th Ave. S. in Nashville; the sale will run Friday from 3-6 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with a brief acoustic set at 2 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Gideon’s Army United, to aid those affected by the tornadoes.
Nashville’s sports community has also responded, with The Nashville Sounds donating $100,000 to relief efforts. The Titans Foundation, including controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, have announced a $1 million donation to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“As leaders in the community, we want to lend our help to this cause of healing and rebuilding. Together we will help our neighbors through this long and difficult process,” the Tennessee Titans organization said via a statement.

Nashville Songwriting Camp Pairs Writers From Los Angeles, Nashville

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Photo credit: Alexa Campbell

Music execs Katie Vinten (Co-founder of Facet and founder of Black Diamond Management) and Alicia Pruitt (Founder of Madfun Entertainment) organized a songwriting camp to celebrate community among writers that was held this week in Music City. The duo united some of music’s biggest songwriters from both Nashville and Los Angeles for collaborative writing sessions over three days at Nashville’s Ocean Way Nashville. Among the writers participating in the retreat were Jesse Frasure, Emily Weisband, Sarah Buxton, and more.

Throughout the week, Sony Records, Warner Records, Universal Music Group Nashville and Big Machine Records each showed their support by sponsoring daily events in conjunction with the camp such as a bowling night, a pizza & trivia night, and more. The camp officially concluded last night (March 4) with an intimate Writers Round event at the Listening Room where each of the writers performed tracks they love, ranging from brand new songs they collaborated on during the week to massive hits they’ve previously written.

“I am so thrilled to be a part of this amazing songwriting event,” said Vinten. “I can only hope that these writing sessions converge into lessons, that spawn some friendships and dialogue, which evolves into art. There’s no hidden agenda. Just a re-emphasis of enjoying the process with creatives from different walks of life. With one priority, human connection.”

The full list of songwriters that participated in the retreat:
Aron Wright (Panic! At The Disco)
Audra Mae (Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson)
Boy Matthews (Duke Dumont, ZAYN, Anthony Ramos)
Brandon Colbein (ZAYN, Anthony Ramos, Hayley Kiyoko)
Brock Berryhill (Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert)
Caroline Pennell (Astrid S, Grace VanderWaal)
Emily Weisband (Sam Hunt, Camila Cabello)
Eren Cannata (Shea Diamond)
Jesse Frasure (Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Kane Brown)
Jordan Reynolds (Dan & Shay, Camila Cabello)
Josie Dunne (Jacob Sartorius)
Justin Tranter (Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Imagine Dragons)
Kennedi (Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Jonas Brothers)
Nicolle Galyon (Dan & Shay, Keith Urban)
Sam Ellis (Lady A, Ingrid Andress)
Sarah Buxton (Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum)
The Roommates (Selena Gomez, Ant Clemons)
Zach Skelton (Jonas Brothers, Shawn Mendes, Paul McCartney)