Photos by John Shearer/Getty Images
As part of a touring schedule keeping Jake Owen busy until at least October, the RCA Nashville star took to Music City’s Ascend Amphitheater on Thurs., April 27.
For his first headlining concert in Nashville, Owen showcased a high-energy set-list of fan-favorites alongside radio hits.
After a string of upbeat songs, Owen slowed the tempo with the memorable, “Alone With You.” Without losing the standing crowd’s enthusiasm, Owen teased with a prelude of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” complete with a 3-piece horn section, before leading into a rearranged cover of “8 Second Ride.”
Offering more hits, including “Beachin'” and “Days of Gold,” complete with flamethrower pyrotechnics, the singer then covered Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire,” emphasized by the backing brass section.
Owen again slowed the 90-minute set with another mega-hit, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” accented by the dynamic horns.
“In a town filled with so much talent, I’m so flattered you would see the guys and I come out and play,” said a humble Owen with heartfelt gratitude for the capacity crowd, adding that he moved to Music City 13 years ago to follow his dream.
Owen even threw it back to 2006 with “Yee Haw,” the lead single from his debut album, and also played his hit “The One That Got Away.” If there were anthems that filled the venue, “Anywhere With You” and the encore “American Country Love Song,” were them.
For a rare acoustic highlight, Owen gave a tribute to the late Merle Haggard with “Footlights.” He next welcomed show opener Eric Paslay back to the stage for a mash-up of “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (co-written by Paslay) and Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.” The night’s wall of sound concluded with dazzling fireworks.
LANco and Paslay were featured as special guests for the outing. Paslay said he felt, “like we’re in the back yard.” The UMG Nashville hitmaker donned sun shades for “High Class,” following the remarkably written “She Don’t Love You.” Paslay wrapped with Eli Young Band’s No. 1, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” another hit he co-wrote.
To catch all the action, see Owen on the recently-announced Good Company World Tour, expected to hit arenas and theaters in America, Canada and Europe in 2018.
(L-R): Dennis Reese (SVP Promotion, RCA Nashville), Keith Gale (Good Company Entertainment), Rob Beckham (WME), Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Jake Owen, Ken Robold (COO, Sony Music Nashville), John Zarling (SVP Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (SVP A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Lauren Thomas (Director National Promotion, Sony Music Nashville)
Jake Owen and Eric Paslay.
Charles Esten To Host 2017 CMT Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonCharles Esten
Nashville star Charles Esten will host the fan-voted 2017 CMT Music Awards live from Nashville on Wednesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The announcement was made by Esten on Instagram.
The news comes as the music drama preps to return with new episodes on Thursday, June 1 at 9 p.m., ET/PT. Recently topping ratings and viewership for CMT, a new season is slated to premiere early next year.
Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett are set to perform with additional artists, presenters and special guests being announced soon.
Maren Morris Adds Ten Dates To Hero Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughTickets for the additional dates go on sale on Morris’ website at 10AM this Friday, May 5. For the fall dates Morris has partnered with CID Entertainment to offer special VIP experiences including a meet and greet, early venue entry, an exclusive signed poster, and special VIP merchandise. A portion of the proceeds from the VIP experiences will be donated to The HEROES Fund which benefits fine arts programs and music education in public schools.
Ryan Hurd, who opened the sold-out winter/spring leg of Morris’ tour, will also provide support for the fall dates.
The HERO Tour 2017 (U.S. Fall dates)
10/5 State Theatre, Kalamazoo, MI
10/6 The Rave, Milwaukee, WI
10/7 7 Flags Event Center, Clive, IA
10/12 Keith-Albee Theatre, Huntington, WV
10/13 Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
10/19 City Hall Live, Brandon, MS
10/21 Soul Kitchen, Mobile, AL
10/26 Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, Kansas City, MO
10/27 Brady Theater, Tulsa, OK
10/28 The Cotillion, Wichita, KS
Old Crow Medicine Show Performs ’50 Years of Blonde on Blonde’ At Country Music Hall of Fame
/by Dan_StrassbergGrammy-award winning string-band Old Crow Medicine Show today (April 28) released their sixth album, 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde, a recreation of Bob Dylan’s classic album Blonde on Blonde. The album is being released via Columbia Records, which also released Dylan’s iconic original version. 50 Years of Blonde on Blonde, a 14-track set, was recorded live at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On Thursday (April 27) the band returned to the Country Music Hall of Fame for a special event featuring footage from the live recording, a panel discussion, and performance.
The group discussed what it meant to them to recreate what they referred to as the first “pop” album, part of which was recorded in Nashville, and how important it was for them to have the album released by Columbia Records. They also discussed some of the more challenging aspects of the recording process, such as memorizing all the lyrics to Dylan’s “masterpieces.”
The panel was followed by a meet and greet, and a live set which included performances of “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” “One of Us Must Know,” “Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine,” “ Just Like a Women,” and “Obviously 5 Believers.”
The Old Crow Medicine Show Performing Blonde on Blonde tour is set to start May 4. The album will be performed in its entirety in 26 cities in the US and Europe.
Brad Paisley Releases Country Music’s First Visual Album ‘LOVE AND WAR’
/by Haley CrowBrad Paisley has released a visual version of his new album LOVE AND WAR, featuring videos for all 16 tracks which flow seamlessly as a movie to tell the album’s complete story. Locations of the video shoots ranged from a concert in a Sleep Number store in a mall, a party at Brad’s parent’s house, to the USS Midway in San Diego, CA.
The project is available exclusively on Apple Music starting today Friday, April 28. Paisley is the first country artist to release a visual album, and fans can view a sneak peek here.
Below is a complete list of video credits for the LOVE AND WAR visual album.
Artist Action: Raelynn’s Late Night Debut, ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ Turns 25, Darius Rucker Goes Undercover
/by Lorie HollabaughRaelynn Visits Seth Meyers
Raelynn made her late-night TV debut Thursday (April 27) on NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers, performing a raw and emotional rendition of her current single, “Love Triangle.” See it here.
Penned with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, the track is the lead single from her debut album, Wildhorse, and is currently in the Top 30 on the country charts. Raelynn’s RaVe TOUR will hit Nashville May 24.
“Just Call Me Cyrus”
It’s been 25 years since “Achy Breaky Heart” was released on March 23, 1992. And today Billy Ray Cyrus is marking the anniversary of his trademark hit with a new version of the song. The singer, who has adopted the one-name moniker Cyrus, trekked to Muscle Shoals, Ala. to re-record the song with members of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
Cyrus is also gearing up for the second season of CMT’s series Still The King.
Darius Rucker Goes Undercover
For the first time on the series, state-of-the-art prosthetic makeup was used to disguise Rucker.
Darius Rucker will be the first celebrity featured on CBS’s Undercover Boss. Rucker traveled to Austin, Texas on a journey to discover great musical talent. During his time undercover, he ran an open mic night, worked as a roadie, and strolled Austin’s famous Sixth Street in search of standout street performers. The episode airs Friday, May 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).
Big Video Premieres: Thomas Rhett Gives Sneak Peek, Kenny Chesney Teams With SiriusXM
/by Sherod RobertsonSeveral lucky industry members and invited guests attended Thomas Rhett‘s sneak-peek of the music video for “Craving You” ft. Maren Morris, Rhett’s lead single and title track from his third studio album. The video is slated to be released in the near future.
The viewing was held at BMI’s theater on Tuesday, April 25. Introduced by Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta, both Thomas Rhett and Morris discussed their experience filming the video for the attendees.
Grammy-winner Morris joined Thomas Rhett to perform the new single, written by Dave Barnes and Julian Bunetta, at tour stops at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21.
Kenny Chesney Leads Into Video Premiere With Mystery Teasers
Click to see the video.
Kenny Chesney debuted the video for “Rich and Miserable,” an album track from Cosmic Hallelujah, this morning (April 28) on SiriusXM, marking the first world premiere on the satellite radio platform’s website. Chesney teased the premiere in an unconventional way, without mention of the song or the artist, via clips which popped up on SiriusXM’s site, with only the tag “World Video Premiere,” a date (Friday, 4/28/17) and time (10 a.m. EST).
“I think there’s so much more to what goes on a record than radio can play,” Chesney says of the decision, “and some songs need to be heard. For ‘Rich and Miserable,’ it felt like it was addressing so many of the things we’re sold and told—about what makes us happy, or we’re supposed to want, or are expected to do. I didn’t want that message getting lost, so we decided to skip a video on some of the singles and do this instead. What was even better is that the people we work with at SiriusXM understood doing this was about the message. They allowed us to break out what the song was about without relying on an artist’s name or the usual tags. They saw the importance of what we’re trying to say.”
Jake Owen Showcases Horns, Hits Beyond Radio, At Ascend Show
/by Eric T. ParkerPhotos by John Shearer/Getty Images
As part of a touring schedule keeping Jake Owen busy until at least October, the RCA Nashville star took to Music City’s Ascend Amphitheater on Thurs., April 27.
For his first headlining concert in Nashville, Owen showcased a high-energy set-list of fan-favorites alongside radio hits.
After a string of upbeat songs, Owen slowed the tempo with the memorable, “Alone With You.” Without losing the standing crowd’s enthusiasm, Owen teased with a prelude of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” complete with a 3-piece horn section, before leading into a rearranged cover of “8 Second Ride.”
Offering more hits, including “Beachin'” and “Days of Gold,” complete with flamethrower pyrotechnics, the singer then covered Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire,” emphasized by the backing brass section.
Owen again slowed the 90-minute set with another mega-hit, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” accented by the dynamic horns.
“In a town filled with so much talent, I’m so flattered you would see the guys and I come out and play,” said a humble Owen with heartfelt gratitude for the capacity crowd, adding that he moved to Music City 13 years ago to follow his dream.
Owen even threw it back to 2006 with “Yee Haw,” the lead single from his debut album, and also played his hit “The One That Got Away.” If there were anthems that filled the venue, “Anywhere With You” and the encore “American Country Love Song,” were them.
For a rare acoustic highlight, Owen gave a tribute to the late Merle Haggard with “Footlights.” He next welcomed show opener Eric Paslay back to the stage for a mash-up of “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (co-written by Paslay) and Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.” The night’s wall of sound concluded with dazzling fireworks.
LANco and Paslay were featured as special guests for the outing. Paslay said he felt, “like we’re in the back yard.” The UMG Nashville hitmaker donned sun shades for “High Class,” following the remarkably written “She Don’t Love You.” Paslay wrapped with Eli Young Band’s No. 1, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” another hit he co-wrote.
To catch all the action, see Owen on the recently-announced Good Company World Tour, expected to hit arenas and theaters in America, Canada and Europe in 2018.
(L-R): Dennis Reese (SVP Promotion, RCA Nashville), Keith Gale (Good Company Entertainment), Rob Beckham (WME), Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Jake Owen, Ken Robold (COO, Sony Music Nashville), John Zarling (SVP Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (SVP A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Lauren Thomas (Director National Promotion, Sony Music Nashville)
Jake Owen and Eric Paslay.
Jim Lauderdale Finds Inspiration Across The Pond On Latest CD
/by Lorie HollabaughProduced by Neil Brockbank and Robert Trehern in two sessions at London’s Gold Top Studios, and due out June 30, London Southern is Lauderdale’s 29th album. Yesterday (4/27) American Songwriter premiered the first song from London Southern, “You Came to Get Me” a track that is available for instant download with every album pre-order.
“I wanted a different sound, kind of a throwback to the early ’60s. All the players had the same sort of experience I did, only from where they were. So it was that thing of how much British musicians loved American music, and how they interpreted our roots, then we interpreted them. They love a lot of the same things I do, only from a very different perspective…it was very American to British to America to Britain to America to, well, here. And sonically, I really put myself in Neil’s hands. He got things that were very unique, and fresh, and captured that feeling I was after.”
1. Sweet Time (Lauderdale)
Cheap Trick Plans New Big Machine Project
/by Lorie HollabaughThe band co-produced the new project, their 18th studio album, with longtime collaborator Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell, Fastball). The album will be available in standard and deluxe editions, with the deluxe version including three bonus tracks, including a kaleidoscopic cover of The Move’s “Blackberry Way.”
WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT! Track List:
1. “You Got It Going On”
2. “Long Time Coming”
3. “Nowhere”
4. “Radio Lover”
5. “Lolita”
6. “Brand New Name On An Old Tattoo”
7. “Floating Down”
8. “She’s Alright”
9. “Listen To Me”
10. “The Rest Of My Life”
Deluxe Tracks
11. “Blackberry Way”
12. “Like A Fly”
13. “If You Still Want My Love”
Rising Stars Brett Young, Luke Combs Earn RIAA Gold
/by Sarah SkatesThe BMLG artist is on the road with Justin Moore and Lee Brice, and will soon head to Canada to open for Thomas Rhett before spending the summer on tour with Lady Antebellum.
Luke Combs’ debut single “Hurricane” has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Continuing its meteoric rise, the single peaked at No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart and continues to rise on the major-market charts. It is No. 2 on the country streaming charts this week with over 74 million streams.
Combs’ debut album This One’s For You will be released June 2 on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. The project features twelve tracks co-written by Combs. Fans who pre-order it will immediately receive five tracks: “Hurricane,” “Out There,” “Memories Are Made Of,” “Beer Can,” and “This One’s For You.” On May 19, previously unreleased track “One Number Away” will also be available as part of the pre-order.
Combs has played over 110 sold-out headlining shows, and continues on the Devil Don’t Sleep Tour with Brantley Gilbert through September.