Craig Morgan Plans Free Nashville Concert
Craig Morgan will host a free concert to celebrate the release of his upcoming album, A Whole Lot More To Me, set for release on Black River Entertainment on June 3. Presented by Kidde Fire Safety, LINE-X and NRA Country, the concert will be held Wednesday, June 8 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, beginning at 6 p.m.
The concert will also feature performances from Lindsay Ell, Adam Sanders, Hailey Whitters, Jillian Cardarelli. Third Day frontman Mac Powell, who duets with Morgan on “Hearts I Leave Behind” on Morgan’s new album, will also appear.
Mark Chesnutt Signs With Row Entertainment
Mark Chesnutt
Mark Chesnutt has signed with a new Nashville-based label, Row Entertainment. He will release the project, Tradition Lives, later this year, marking his first studio release of all-new music since 2008. Row Entertainment is a partnership with Jimmy Ritchey, Kyle Waites, and recording artist Tim Rushlow. Row Entertainment’s offices are located at 2818 Azalea Place in Nashville.
“Without a doubt, Mark is an artist that continues to stand for the best in the format,” Ritchey said. “Everyone here is so excited to be working along with him to bring his music to the masses.”
“Country music is what I’ve always been about, and that’s what I’ll always be,” Chesnutt said. “It’s all I know, and I think people will love the new music as much as I am going to love playing it for them.”
John Berry Announces New Album, Label, Publicist
Left photo (L to R):
Brian Smith, Leadership Artists; Trish Holman, Mansion Entertainment; John Berry; Dewayne Brown, Sony RED; John Mathis, Mansion Entertainment. Right photo, L-R: John Berry; Don Murry Grubbs, Absolute Publicity
John Berry will release his first studio album in three years on June 3. He has signed on with Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED for project distribution as well as Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs for public relations representation.
“After my successful Kickstarter effort last fall resulted in the recording of my new album, What I Love The Most, I wanted to partner with a label that would really ‘get it,'” says Berry. “I was very pleased when Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED stepped up and was excited to release it. They are focused and we are all looking forward to its June 3rd release.”
Berry adds, “I had heard of Absolute Publicity and I am friends with many of the acts they represent. So when my manager and label both suggested them I knew it would be the right fit. I am thrilled to work with Don and his team in promoting this album I am so proud of.”
Smithfield Make Grand Ole Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): J.R. Schumann, SiriusXM; Trey Smith; Jennifer Fiedler; Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Emerging duo Smithfield had the honor of making their Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, May 7. The duo, comprised of Trey Smith and Jennifer Fiedler, performed the tunes “Good Ol’ Days” and “Hey Whiskey,” and later filmed a behind-the-scenes video at the Opry.
After moving to Nashville in 2012, the duo began writing and recording, and recently released a self-titled, eight-track
EP.
In Pictures: Jake Owen And Randy Owen, Michael Ray, Dolly Parton, Scotty McCreery
/by Eric T. ParkerJake Owen Greets Randy Owen At Symphony
Pictured (L-R): Jake Owen, Randy Owen. Photo: Keith Gale
RCA Nashville artist Jake Owen visited with Randy Owen, frontman for Alabama, during the band’s show with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Thursday night (May 12). Jake Owen sported his vintage RCA T-shirt for the occasion. Alabama formerly recorded for RCA, earning 51 Top 10 hits.
Atlantic/WMN Newcomer Michael Ray Visits ACM
Photo (L-R): Bob Romeo, ACM; Michael Ray; Katie Conway, Ontourage Management; Tiffany Moon, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/ACM
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) welcomed Atlantic Records Nashville/Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray to its Los Angeles office. While at the ACM offices, Ray performed songs off his self-titled album including his current single, “Think a Little Less.” Click here to watch a video from Ray’s visit.
Dolly Parton Chats With Andy Cohen At Dollywood
Pictured (L-R): Andy Cohen, Dolly Parton. Photo: Rick Diamond
Dolly Parton sat down for a Town Hall special in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Town Hall, hosted by Andy Cohen, will air exclusive on Cohen’s Radio Andy at SiriusXM channel 102 (and SiriusXM app) on Friday, May 13 at 4:00 pm ET. During the interview, the two played a game of “Dollywood or Dollywoodn’t.” Other highlights include her date nights, renewing her vows to Carl Dean, and details of her NBC deal.
Scotty McCreery Drops By Storme Warren’s Show
Pictured (L-R): SiriusXM’s Storme Warren; Scotty McCreery; and McCreery’s publicist Scott Stem from Essential Broadcast Media.
After flying into Nashville from Chicago this week, Scotty McCreery stopped by SiriusXM on Thursday morning (May 12) for an interview on The Storme Warren Morning Show about his new book, Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream. McCreery is in the midst of a 14-city book signing tour.
Black River Publishing Signs Jacob Davis
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Attorney Lauren Kilgore; Black River Publishing’s Celia Froehlig; ASCAP’s Robert Filhart; Jacob Davis; Black River Publishing’s Kelly Bolton; Black River Publishing’s Dave Pacula; Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr; attorney T.D. Ruth.
Black River Publishing has signed Jacob Davis to its songwriting roster.
“I have been a Jacob Davis fan since meeting him soon after he came to Nashville,” said Black River Publishing’s VP Celia Froehlig. “I am thrilled to now be working together. He is a great talent and the perfect addition to our BRE family. Get ready to hear some great new music from Jacob Davis in the not too distant future!”
“The energy pours out the doors of this place and it’s infectious. I love it,” says Davis. “I felt that the very first time I walked into the building. It made me want to instantly be a part of something I knew was going to be huge. To become a part of the Black River family means exactly that for me…family. It may sound cheesy, but I feel like I’m coming home. I couldn’t be more excited to start this journey with such an insanely talented group of people. My FAMILY!”
The Shreveport, Louisiana, native began performing while in college at LSU. After graduating with a degree in environmental science, Davis spent a year working in that field before moving to Nashville to pursue music.
Davis resides in Nashville with his wife Whitney, daughter Percy and their yellow lab Topaz.
Black River Publishing’s roster also includes Doug Johnson, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, Josh Okeefe, Scott Stepakoff, Ben Caver, Kelsea Ballerini and John King.
Lori McKenna Announces New Album, Nashville Release Show
/by Jessica NicholsonLori McKenna. Photo: Becky Fluke
Lori McKenna will release The Bird & The Rifle, a new album produced by Dave Cobb, on July 29 on CN Records, via Thirty Tigers.
The 10-track project was recorded over a 10-day period at Cobb’s home studio in Nashville. The project also includes McKenna’s version of “Humble & Kind,” which Tim McGraw has recorded and released as a single.
McKenna adds, “This record was made in a way that’s very different from anything else I’ve ever done. It’s very much me—this record and the songs. But it’s like I took the ten songs and just got in someone else’s car and took a ride down the coast. I completely plugged into the world of Dave Cobb.”
Cobb says, “I really wanted to wanted to work with Lori because of the truth and honesty she carries with her pen. I love her wit and humor and the fact she writes her own songs purely for the sake of art.”
McKenna will embark on the Wreck You Tour beginning in July. The trek includes a Nashville date on July 29 at City Winery.
McKenna signed with Creative Nation for publishing and management in 2015. She won a Grammy for Best Country Song in February for co-writing Little Big Town‘s “Girl Crush.” She has also written singles for Hunter Hayes (“I Want Crazy”) and Faith Hill (“Stealing Kisses”).
The Bird and the Rifle Track Listing
1. “Wreck You” (Lori McKenna/Felix McTeigue)
2. “The Bird & The Rifle” (Lori McKenna/Caitlyn Smith/Troy Verges)
3. “Giving Up On Your Hometown” (Lori McKenna)
4. “Halfway Home” (Lori McKenna/Barry Dean)
5. “Humble & Kind” (Lori McKenna)
6. “We Were Cool” (Lori McKenna)
7. “Old Men Young Women” (Lori McKenna/Luke Laird/Barry Dean)
8. “All These Things” (Lori McKenna/Liz Rose)
9. “Always Want You” (Lori McKenna/Liz Rose/Hillary Lindsey)
10. “If Whiskey Were a Woman” (Lori McKenna)
Bobby Bones Admits Buying “Go Away Bobby Bones” Billboards
/by Craig_ShelburneIn an interview with The Washington Post, radio personality Bobby Bones said he spent nearly $13,000 of his own money on Nashville billboards that famously stated, “Go Away Bobby Bones.”
“I launched a massive negative PR campaign against myself to garner sympathy,” Bones told reporter Emily Yahr in a story published Friday (May 13). Bones moved to Nashville in 2013 and his initial broadcasts on WSIX received mixed reviews for a variety of reasons — partially because he had no background in country music and also because he asked unusual questions while talking to artists on air. Amid the criticism, he came up with the idea to create the billboards.
In the interview, Bones referred to the campaign as “pretty desperate measures to take to get more ratings.” Yahr also wrote, “No one guessed it was him.”
Bones writes about the incident in his new memoir, Bare Bones, to be released Tuesday by Dey Street Books.
Artist Updates: Craig Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, John Berry, Smithfield
/by Jessica NicholsonCraig Morgan Plans Free Nashville Concert
Craig Morgan will host a free concert to celebrate the release of his upcoming album, A Whole Lot More To Me, set for release on Black River Entertainment on June 3. Presented by Kidde Fire Safety, LINE-X and NRA Country, the concert will be held Wednesday, June 8 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon, beginning at 6 p.m.
The concert will also feature performances from Lindsay Ell, Adam Sanders, Hailey Whitters, Jillian Cardarelli. Third Day frontman Mac Powell, who duets with Morgan on “Hearts I Leave Behind” on Morgan’s new album, will also appear.
Mark Chesnutt Signs With Row Entertainment
Mark Chesnutt
Mark Chesnutt has signed with a new Nashville-based label, Row Entertainment. He will release the project, Tradition Lives, later this year, marking his first studio release of all-new music since 2008. Row Entertainment is a partnership with Jimmy Ritchey, Kyle Waites, and recording artist Tim Rushlow. Row Entertainment’s offices are located at 2818 Azalea Place in Nashville.
“Without a doubt, Mark is an artist that continues to stand for the best in the format,” Ritchey said. “Everyone here is so excited to be working along with him to bring his music to the masses.”
“Country music is what I’ve always been about, and that’s what I’ll always be,” Chesnutt said. “It’s all I know, and I think people will love the new music as much as I am going to love playing it for them.”
John Berry Announces New Album, Label, Publicist
Left photo (L to R):
Brian Smith, Leadership Artists; Trish Holman, Mansion Entertainment; John Berry; Dewayne Brown, Sony RED; John Mathis, Mansion Entertainment. Right photo, L-R: John Berry; Don Murry Grubbs, Absolute Publicity
John Berry will release his first studio album in three years on June 3. He has signed on with Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED for project distribution as well as Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs for public relations representation.
“After my successful Kickstarter effort last fall resulted in the recording of my new album, What I Love The Most, I wanted to partner with a label that would really ‘get it,'” says Berry. “I was very pleased when Mansion Entertainment and Sony RED stepped up and was excited to release it. They are focused and we are all looking forward to its June 3rd release.”
Berry adds, “I had heard of Absolute Publicity and I am friends with many of the acts they represent. So when my manager and label both suggested them I knew it would be the right fit. I am thrilled to work with Don and his team in promoting this album I am so proud of.”
Smithfield Make Grand Ole Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): J.R. Schumann, SiriusXM; Trey Smith; Jennifer Fiedler; Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Post Monroe Issues EP Produced By Chuck Ainlay, Dave Haywood
/by Jessica NicholsonSony/ATV songwriters Ashlee Hewitt and Shelby McLeod have teamed with Whitney Duncan, a former solo artist who is published by Given Entertainment, to form a new trio, Post Monroe. The band’s self-titled debut EP was released for digital download on Friday, May 13. The first single, “Red Hot American Summer,” will be released soon.
The five-track EP was produced by Chuck Ainlay and Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood (with Aaron Chmielewski producing on “Lucky One”). The trio is managed by Kelli Haywood of KCH Entertainment.
“I have had such an amazing time being on the production side of the music-making process with Post Monroe,” said Dave Haywood. “I truly believe that these girls are the real deal – from the writing room to the studio – they have a unique perspective and fresh sound that I can’t wait for people to hear.”
Hewitt grew up on a farm in Lancaster, Minnesota, and has extensive experience in live performance playing 150 shows annually throughout her teenage years. She was a contestant on the sixth season of Nashville Star.
A native Tennessean, Duncan was part of the Warner Music Nashville roster in 2008 with the release of her album, Right Road Now. Her singles were “When I Said I Would” and “Skinny Dippin”. She also appeared on Nashville Star as well as Survivor.
McLeod spent her childhood singing locally and participating in musical theater in her hometown of Madison, Georgia. She earned a degree in communications from the University of Georgia before landing a position in the music industry where she initially got to know her bandmates.
“We are so excited to get the first taste of our music out and available for everyone to hear,” said Duncan. “We have really been looking forward to this day for quite a while.”
Hewitt said, “We truly feel like the chemistry we have found together in the writing room and in the studio is something very special; we feel so blessed.”
“We are strong women and we’re vulnerable,” said McLeod. “There are many sides to every woman and we like writing songs that speak from all those sides.”
Post Monroe EP Track Listing:
1. Half Hearted (Whitney Duncan, Ashlee Hewitt, Greg Becker)
2. Lucky One (Whitney Duncan, Kelly Collins)
3. Red Hot American Summer (Whitney Duncan, Ashlee Hewitt, Shelby McLeod, Blair Daly)
4. Dixie Dust (Whitney Duncan, Ashlee Hewitt, Shelby McLeod, Dave Haywood, Dave Thompson)
5. Hell On Me (Whitney Duncan, Chris Tompkins)
MusicRow Challenge Coins: “Dibs,” “Somewhere On A Beach”
/by Jessica NicholsonThis week, MusicRow celebrated several Nashville songwriters whose compositions skyrocketed to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
MusicRow honored Jason Duke, Ryan Griffin and Josh Kerr for Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Dibs,” which topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on Dec. 10, 2015. Joining them for the celebration were industry executives from Dan Hodges Music, Black River Publishing and Black River Entertainment.
Duke, Griffin and Kerr co-wrote the song with Ballerini, who accepted her MusicRow Challenge Coin during MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards in February.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson and Sherod Robertson; Dan Hodges, Dan Hodges Music; Michelle Attardi, Dan Hodges Music; Jason Duke; Ryan Griffin; Josh Kerr; Dave Pacula, Black River Publishing; Kelly Bolton, Black River Publishing; Gordon Kerr, CEO Black River Entertainment, MusicRow‘s Craig Shelburne
Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Jason Duke, Ryan Griffin, and Josh Kerr.
Another gathering was held this week for songwriter Josh Mirenda, who co-wrote Dierks Bentley‘s “Somewhere on a Beach.” The song topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on April 21. Mirenda co-wrote the song with Michael Tyler, Jaron Boyer, Alexander Palmer and Dave Kunico. Tyler and Boyer received their coins in April.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, songwriter Josh Mirenda, and MusicRow‘s Troy Stephenson.
Since 2014, MusicRow has distributed No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
See the list of recipients.
Artist Updates: Josh Turner, Joe Nichols, Tyler Farr
/by Jessica NicholsonJosh Turner Returns With “Hometown Girl”
MCA Nashville’s Josh Turner has released “Hometown Girl,” the new single from his upcoming sixth studio project.
“The first time I heard ‘Hometown Girl’ I was excited,” Turner said. “First of all, it sounded like a hit to me. It just had that chorus and vibe that held your attention and didn’t lose you. Honestly, it was different for me and that was kind of what I was looking for.”
“Hometown Girl” was written by Marc Beeson and Daniel Tashian, and the song was produced by Kenny Greenberg.
Joe Nichols Releases New Single “Undone”
Joe Nichols has released his new single, “Undone,” via RED BOW Records. The track is available at all digital retailers and streaming services and is set to impact country radio on June 6. “Undone” was produced by Mickey Jack Cones, and co-written by Trevor Rosen, Josh Osborne, and Ross Copperman.
“I love this song. Rarely have I found a song that I think appeals to traditional AND new country fans in a romantic way like this song does. My greatest hope is that my wife likes it,” Nichols said.
Tyler Farr To Hold Free Concert At Tootsie’s
Tyler Farr
Tyler Farr is set for a special free concert at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville on Sunday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will mark his first since he was forced to cancel a tour due to microlaryngeal throat surgery to remove a vocal polyp in January. SiriusXM’s Storme Warren will host.
Farr expressed excitement to return to his former employer saying, “I worked at Tootsie’s when I first moved to Nashville. Seems fitting to have my first show be back where it started!”
MusicRowPics: James Dupré Preps New Album, ‘Stoned To Death’
/by Jessica NicholsonLouisiana native James Dupré’s eclectic career path has taken him from being a paramedic to a YouTube star to a Nashville singer-songwriter.
Dupré spent six years as a paramedic, but always harbored a love of music and singing. His musical aspirations got an early boost when a producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show saw videos of Dupré’s cover songs on YouTube, which led to a performance spot on the show.
“I was just getting experience playing in bars and clubs around that time,” recalls Dupré. “I hadn’t been on local television, much less national television. She wanted me to be on the show the next week. It was a lot of fun. I dove in headfirst and it turned out really well. Music wasn’t a hobby for me anymore after that.”
Like many artist careers, Dupré’s has been filled with stops and starts. He moved to Nashville in 2011 and saw a deal on Warner Bros. Records come and go. Television brought another career opportunity last year. During Season 9 of The Voice, Dupré got a four-chair turnaround from the judges and joined Team Adam [Levine]. He made it to the knockout rounds on the show before getting eliminated. Though he didn’t win the competition, he says the experience was invaluable.
“I had just left a deal on Warner Bros., and someone asked if I wanted to try out for the show,” he says. “I said yes, and the relationships I made on the show with the other contestants, and getting to meet the coaches, was priceless. A mentor for Team Adam was John Fogerty, so that was a highlight, getting to work with him.”
James Dupre with MusicRow staff.
Dupré co-wrote seven of the tracks on his latest independent album, Stoned To Death, along with writers including Jessi Alexander, Travis Meadows, Adam Wright, Jeff Hyde, Scooter Carusoe, and more.
Stoned To Death was produced by Jordan Lehning, son of producer Kyle Lehning (Randy Travis).
During a visit to the MusicRow office, Dupré previewed the project with a three-song performance, including “Green Light,” “Hurt Good,” and the title track.
“I first heard this song and was blown away by the lyrics,” said Dupré of “Stoned to Death.” “It reminded me of the hard-core country songs that I grew up listening to. I think Jordan did a phenomenal job on the production, and we liked it so much that we made it the title track. A title like that catches people’s attention and it’s a little dark for a title, but I kind of like it that way.”
In his review of the track, MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann wrote, “The title tune of Dupré’s upcoming album can be previewed on his website. And I urge you to do so. This is a singer who exudes charisma with every note. The song is stupendously well-written, boasting both perfectly executed turns of phrases and a beautifully swelling melody. Lehning’s slowly building production bonfire is magnificent. Sign me up for the fan club. Now.”
Brad Paisley Debuts “Without A Fight” Featuring Demi Lovato
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley has teamed with pop star Demi Lovato for his latest single, “Without a Fight.” The single is the first release from Paisley’s upcoming 10th studio album for Arista Nashville.
The track was co-written by Paisley, Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller, and co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten.
Paisley and Lovato will perform the national television debut of “Without a Fight” on Tuesday, May 24th, on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, 11:35 p.m./10:35 p.m. CT.
Paisley backed Lovato on guitar during her performance of “Stone Cold” during the iHeart Awards on April 3. He debuted “Without A Fight” on America’s Morning Show radio program.
Brad Paisley debuted “Without a Fight” on ‘America’s Morning Show’ on Friday, May 13. Pictured (L-R): Kelly Ford, Brad Paisley, Chuck Wicks and Blair Garner