Newcomer Jordan Davis Visits CMA

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Pictured (L-R): Angela Strader (Awards & Industry Relations Assistant, CMA), MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis, Brandi Simms (Sr. Director of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA), Brenden Oliver (Manager of Awards & Industry Relations, CMA). Photo: Hunter Berry

MCA Nashville’s promising new artist Jordan Davis stopped by the CMA last Friday (Feb. 9) to play an acoustic set and mingle with staffers. Davis’ debut single “Singles You Up” is currently Top 15 on the country airplay charts and his debut album Home State is set to be released March 23.

He just embarked on his first headlining White Wine and Whiskey tour with special guest Jillian Jacqueline.

Stars React To Daryle Singletary’s Passing

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Daryle Singletary

Country singer Daryle Singletary died unexpectedly on Monday morning (Feb. 12) at his Nashville home, at age 46. After news of Singletary’s death spread, artists began sharing thoughts and condolences.

“Daryle was one of the best country singers in Nashville. I was saddened when I heard the news. Just saw him at Mel Tillis’ memorial service. I hugged him and told him that I loved him. What a shock! It made me realize that life is a gift, and none of us are promised tomorrow. I’ll miss him.”
–Ricky Skaggs

“Daryle was a fine singer who always knew exactly what to do with a song. His vocals conveyed authentic emotion right on par with the greats. It was my pleasure to share the stage and the studio a few times with him over the years. His greatest accomplishment and treasure was his family. He loved to talk about his four children, and my thoughts and prayers are with Holly and the kids.”
–John Anderson

“So fortunate we got to hear Daryle Singletary one more time at dad’s memorial, and I’m so sad we lost another classic country singer and a good man. My heart is hurting for the family. He was one of my favorite singers and everyone that knew him said he was a great man. I wish I could have known him better. He was admired by all of us for representing traditional country music.”
–Pam Tillis

“I am simply silenced by the news of Daryle’s passing. He was my friend and brother in Christ. I loved him for exactly who he was. He was undoubtedly the best friend a real country song could ever have, and honestly, I don’t know if our industry can stand to lose him at this time. He was the ‘Keeper’ of the lost tradition, and we all loved him for it.”
–Darryl Worley

“Well, like a lot of you, I awoke to the heartbreaking news of the passing of my fellow Georgian, Daryle Singletary. I am truly shocked by the news. I didn’t know Daryle as a personal friend but I sure knew that voice. Man, could he sing a country song… as a matter of fact, any song Daryle sang became a country song.”
–John Berry

“Prayers for Daryle Singletary’s family. We’ve lost a talented and great man.”
–Aaron Tippin

“Daryle was a very nice man and a GREAT country singer. My condolences to his family.”
–Larry Gatlin

“I’m saddened to hear of Daryle’s passing. What a great guy and a fine country singer!”
–Rudy Gatlin

“Daryle has definitely left his mark on country music, not only with his great songs and classic baritone voice, but his legacy will live on in the voices of the new generation of entertainers he has inspired.”
–Craig Wayne Boyd

“So very sad to hear about the passing of Daryle Singletary. Country music has lost another great voice, but his music will live forever in the hearts and minds of anyone who ever heard him sing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
–T.G. Sheppard

“Our hearts are so broken over the loss of Daryle. His voice was so pure and authentically country. Our prayers will be with his wife and children at this terrible time. Life is so uncertain. What a sad reminder for us to tell those we love how much they mean to us, while we still can.”
–Kelly Lang

“Daryle Singletary- one of the single greatest singers who ever sang a song. I loved singing with him. We shared a kindred spirit on and off the stage. I will miss him dearly. Rest In Peace, my friend.”
–Rhonda Vincent

“Daryle was one of the nicest people in the music business and what a great voice.”
–Larry Stewart, Restless Heart

“The country music community suffered a terrible loss this morning. Daryle Singletary, one of the finest and purest country voices of all time, passed away at much too young an age. We were fortunate to be on several shows through the years with Daryle. I used to see him at The Station Inn when he would sit in with a band called 45 RPM. Please join us in offering prayers for his wife and family.”
–Greg Jennings, Restless Heart

“So few voices heard these days evoke the real heart and soul of country music. We lost one of those rare voices this morning. May God bring peace and comfort to Daryle Singletary’s family and all those who loved him.”
–Dave Innis, Restless Heart

“Truly saddened today for Holly and their four beautiful children, along with his mom and dad. Daryle Singletary, was a man’s man. He was in all respects, one of the greats. A country music singer’s singer. We will miss our friend and hold close his loving family in prayer. Until we meet on the shores of the everlasting Rest In Peace.”
–Marty Raybon, Shenandoah

“Sorry to hear that a great country voice has passed away. God bless you, Daryle Singletary.”
–Sammy Kershaw

“We have lost one of our great singers. Great guy. We are praying for his family.”
–Moe Bandy

“I’m shocked and very saddened by the passing of my friend Daryle Singletary. We have known each other for close to 25 years. He is definitely one of the very best voices I ever had the opportunity to share a stage with, and his love of COUNTRY music will be greatly missed!”
–Mark Wills

Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent Set For Ryman Auditorium’s Bluegrass Nights Summer Series

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Bluegrass Nights. Photo: Ryman Auditorium

The Ryman Auditorium’s annual Bluegrass Nights summer series will welcome stars including Dailey & Vincent, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Del McCoury Band, and more.

For more than two decades, the Ryman Auditorium has highlighted its distinction as the birthplace of bluegrass music with the summer series. In 1945, Grand Ole Opry star Bill Monroe, along with musical cohorts Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise and Howard Watts, stepped onto the Ryman Auditorium stage and their performance birthed the genre of music today known as bluegrass.

The 2018 Bluegrass Nights lineup includes:
June 21 – Dailey & Vincent
June 28 – Hot Rize
July 5 – Artist TBA
July 12 – The Del McCoury Band
July 19 – Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
July 26 – Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Each show will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be preceded by the free WSM showcase Pickin’ On The Plaza from 6 p.m.-6:45 p.m., which features regional bluegrass bands.

In Pictures: Jake Owen, Kelsea Ballerini, Change The Conversation, ASCAP Bluebird Showcase, Smithfield

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Jake Owen And Jordan Spieth Team For Fourth Year At AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Pictured (L-R): Wayne Gretzky, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Jake Owen  Photo: Marc Howard for Monterey Peninsula

Big Loud recording artist Jake Owen recently partnered for a fourth year in a row with PGA champion Jordan Spieth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

“Playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is always one of my favorite weeks of the year,” said Owen. “I was truly honored to be partnered for a fourth time with my buddy Jordan Spieth, and to have Dustin Johnson and Wayne Gretzky in our foursome was so awesome. To be able to walk alongside those guys this week was amazing, but the most incredible part for me was having my dad as my caddie. He taught me and my twin brother how to play golf when we were little kids, so walking with him on the greens at Monterey Peninsula is something that is hard to describe and I’ll never forget.”

Kelsea Ballerini Kicks Off Unapologetically Tour In Birmingham

Pictured (L-R): Iconic’s Fletcher Foster, Black River’s Dave Dame, Brian Rhodes and Mike Wilson. Dollar Bill/WDXB, CAA’s John Huie, Kelsea Ballerini, Tim Hanrahan/WDXB, Black River’s Theresa Ford, Ray Quinn/WDXB, and Black River’s Bill Macky

Kelsea Ballerini’s Unapologetically Tour kicked off last weekend in a big way in Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre with a sold-out crowd and surrounded by her supportive team.

 

Change The Conversation Holds Town Hall Meeting On Sexual Harassment

Pictured (L-R): Beverly Keel, Anne Martin, Tracy Gershon

Change the Conversation recently held the second part of its Town Hall meeting on Sexual Harassment, featuring a conversation with attorney Anne Martin, at Warner Music Nashville.

“It was a powerful night,” says Change the Conversation co-founder Beverly Keel, who led Martin in a 2-hour conversation with about 60 men and women. “Our members shared their personal experiences, offered tips to others about how to handle uncomfortable situations and offered ways to help victims of harassment. It’s important that our members know they aren’t alone in facing these issues, so they shouldn’t feel alone in finding solutions.”

 

Joe Clemmons, Josh Grider, Cody Belew Hunter Phelps Play ASCAP Bluebird Showcase

Pictured (L-R): A​SCAP’s Robert Filhart, Hunter Phelps, Joe Clemmons, Josh Grider, Cody Belew and ASCAP’s Holly Chester

ASCAP hosted its long-running monthly showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe Feb. 7. ASCAP songwriter-artist Hunter Phelps hosted the round that featured songwriter Joe Clemmons, songwriter-artist Josh Grider, and one of the newest members of the ASCAP family, songwriter-artist Cody Belew.  Clemmons, Belew and Grider all made their Bluebird Cafe debut at the showcase, curated by ASCAP’s Robert Filhart.

 

Smithfield And Deluge Records At CRS

Pictured (L-R): Mark Friedman (VP Deluge Records) Jennifer Fielder & Trey Smith (Smithfield) and David Robkin (President Deluge Records)

Smithfield took a break from their debut radio tour and the Granger Smith tour to participate in their first CRS. Their breakout ballad “Hey Whiskey” will hit country radio on March 26.

RIAA Announces January Gold And Platinum Honors

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January was a big month for single sales in country, with six artists reaching RIAA Platinum or multiplatinum status during the month. Kane Brown reached double Platinum with his smash “What Ifs,” while Brett Eldredge (“Wanna Be That Song”), Dustin Lynch (“Small Town Boy”), LANCO (“Greatest Love Story”), Midland (“Drinkin’ Problem”) and Russell Dickerson (“Yours”) all achieved platinum status for their singles.

Nashville-affiliated artists achieving RIAA Gold Single certification during the month of January included:
Florida Georgia Line – “Smooth”
Justin Moore – “Somebody Else Will”
MercyMe – “Even If”
Miranda Lambert – “Tin Man”
Third Day “Soul On Fire (Featuring All Sons And Daughters)”

Eric Church‘s Mr. Misunderstood was also certified Triple Platinum, and Dan +Shay‘s Where It All Began reached Gold Album status.

 

 

 

 

Lindsay Ell Added To Keith Urban’s “Graffiti U” Canadian Tour Dates

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Lindsay Ell

Lindsay Ell has been added to the upcoming Canadian run of Keith Urban‘s Graffiti U World Tour 2018. Ell, a multiple CCMA nominee, will open Urban’s September performances in Canada, as well as for his upcoming show in Rogers, Arkansas. After playing there, Ell will head north of the border for seven Canadian shows, the first of which will be on Sept. 14 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

“It’s not very often you get to share the stage with an artist you’ve looked up to since the beginning of your career,” said Ell,  who recently released her Stoney Creek Records album The Project. “I am so excited to be touring with Keith Urban and can’t wait to play for fans in the venues I grew up in!”

The 58-city Graffiti U World tour 2018 launches June 15 in St. Louis, with Kelsea Ballerini added as a supporting act for all other dates.

The Graffiti U 2018 World Tour Canadian Dates:

Aug. 15: Rogers, Ark.; Walmart AMP
Sept. 14: Ottawa, Ontario; Canadian Tire Centre
Sept. 15: London, Ontario; Budweiser Gardens
Sept. 19: Winnipeg, Manitoba Bell MTS Place
Sept. 21: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; SaskTel Centre
Sept. 22: Edmonton, Alberta; Rogers Place
Sept. 23: Calgary, Alberta; ScotiaBank Saddledome
Sept. 25: Vancouver, British Columbia; Rogers Arena

 

Reviver Entertainment Group Promotes Two

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Clay Henderson, Hayley Cowoski

Reviver Entertainment Group has announced two promotions, with Clay Henderson being named National Director of Strategic Marketing. Henderson, with 20 years of music industry experience, brings knowledge and experience in visual marketing, as well as regional radio promotion, syndication and streaming analysis. Prior to accepting the Reviver post, Henderson worked for Warner Music Nashville, Universal South, Broken Bow Music Group and Southern Ground Artists.

Additionally, Hayley Cowoski has been promoted to Manager, Marketing & Artist Development. Cowoski joined Reviver Records in 2015 as a Promotion Coordinator. Her newly created role and duties will include project management and creative.

Henderson will report to Reviver’s Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels and Cowoski to VP Marketing & Artist Development, Paul Williams.

“We have been fortunate in our ability to attract staff that is passionate, laser focused and driven towards a common goal – Clay and Hayley clearly fit that mold,” said Reviver Founder and President/CEO David Ross. “Our artists and their music deserve committed professionals, industry veterans like Clay, who can deliver results, not to mention the enthusiasm and talent that Hayley brings.”

The Knoller Group Opens Nashville Office

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Kimberly Knoller

The Knoller Group, known for artist management, marketing and brand development, has announced the opening of its Nashville office. The Knoller Group founder and CEO Kimberly Knoller will split time between the company’s Nashville and Los Angeles offices, while Brett McGinn will oversee the Los Angeles office.

The Knoller Group’s current clients include Warner Bros.’ The Regrettes, Sony Nashville’s Fairground Saints, and PHASES. The Regrettes and Fairground Saints were both discovered, developed and signed to major labels by Knoller.

Knoller says, “I’ve been a fan of the unique and welcoming Nashville music community for years and after signing Fairground Saints to Sony Nashville, it made sense to have a regular presence in what truly is Music City.”

Knoller previously served as Warner Bros. Records’ Head of Direct to Consumer Marketing and e-Commerce, as well as VP, Marketing for Musictoday, which was founded by Coran Capshaw.

The Knoller Group’s Nashville office can be reached at 629-401-3588.

Maren Morris’ ‘I Could Use A Love Song’ Goes Gold

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Maren Morris recently celebrated the Gold certification of her first No. 1, “I Could Use A Love Song,” with staffers at her label, Columbia Records Nashville. She is following up the hit with her brand new single, “Rich,” a fan favorite from her lauded debut album Hero, which goes to radio today.

“‘Rich’ feels like the perfect, confidant, laugh-the-B.S.-off-with-your-friends kind of song to go into Spring with. More importantly, ‘Rich’ is the first time we’ve really let fans pick the single, so it was a no brainer to make it my final single from Hero,” says Morris.

The Gold certification caps off a year for Morris that has included six nominations for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, a summer tour with Sam Hunt, five CMA nominations for the 50th Annual CMA Awards, MusicRow‘s 2017 Breakthrough Artist award, the Breakthrough Artist Award by the Music Business Association at Music Biz 2017, Radio Disney’s Country Best New Artist award, her fifth Grammy nomination, and the announcement of joining Niall Horan on Niall’s Flicker World Tour 2018 with dates in Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada.

She appears tomorrow night in New York City at the All For The Hall New York benefit concert at the Times Square PlayStation Theater.

Country Hitmaker Daryle Singletary Dies

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Daryle Singletary

Daryle Singletary died Monday morning (Feb. 12) in Nashville. He was 46. His cause of death is being determined.

Singletary was best known for ’90s country hits including “I Let Her Lie,” “Too Much Fun,” and “Amen Kind of Love.” Throughout his career, Singletary has collaborated with George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, John Anderson and more.

Singletary moved to Nashville in 1990, and began performing in talent contests around Music City, before he began a regular gig at The Broken Spoke. After releasing a couple of unsuccessful singles on Evergreen Records in the early ’90s, Singletary released his debut album for Giant Records in 1995, followed by two follow up projects, garnering hits including “I Let Her Lie Lie” and “Too Much Fun.”

By 2000, he had teamed with Koch Records for the album Now and Again, which featured Greg Cole as producer. They followed with 2002’s That’s Why I Sing This Way, which featured collaborations with Johnny Paycheck, Jones, Haggard and more.

After Koch Records closed in 2005, Singletary moved to Shanachie Records to release 2007’s Straight From The Heart, which featured appearances from Skaggs, Anderson and others on country evergreens including “The Bottle Let Me Down” and “Fifteen Years Ago.” 2009 saw the release of Rockin’ The Country, followed by 2015’s There’s Still A Little Country Left. In 2017, he teamed with bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent on the duets album American Grandstand.

Singletary, a native of Cairo, Georgia, is survived by his wife, Holly, two sons, Jonah and Mercer, two daughters, Nora and Charlotte, parents, Roger and Anita Singletary, brother, Kevin Singletary, sister-in-law, Melinda Singletary, mother and father-in-law, Terry and Sandy Mercer, and brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Kristy Rowland.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.