Shane McAnally
Shucked, the Tony Award-winning musical created by Nashville icons Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, has begun its run at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).
After captivating audiences at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, the show—celebrated for its sharp humor and heartwarming storytelling—will play at TPAC through Nov. 10, marking the start of its North American tour.
Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark. Photo: Emilio Madrid
With a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, music by Clark and McAnally, and direction by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, Shucked delivers a comedic tale centered around corn, proving that sometimes tearing down walls, rather than building them, is the only way to preserve what matters.
In celebration of this milestone, MusicRow spoke with McAnally, who reflected on the creative success he and Clark achieved with Shucked after working on the project for over a decade.
“The first preview on Broadway, which happened a month before opening night, was an out-of-body experience. I’ve never felt a feeling like that. We were sitting next to each other on the balcony, Brandy and I, and when Alex Newell sang ‘Independently Owned’ and the audience got on their feet, I looked at Brandy and said, ‘I don’t feel like I’m on the ground.’ I’ll spend the rest of my life chasing that.”
The show’s impact resonated widely, earning nine Tony Awards nominations in 2023, and Newell, who played Lulu, won Best Featured Actor In A Musical. The musical also earned 12 Drama Desk Awards nominations and won two, with McAnally and Clark taking home Outstanding Music and Newell winning Outstanding Featured Performance In A Musical. The cast album later earned a Grammy nomination.
The brilliance of Shucked lies in its ability to weave profound meaning into a story that’s outrageously funny.
“I’ve always leaned towards humor, even in the saddest of times. I think gay people, by nature, lean on humor to mask pain or garner acceptance, so I’ve always considered myself a funny person,” McAnally says. “But what happens in a theater of people is that they all of a sudden realize that they’re laughing at the humanity—they’re laughing because they can relate. It doesn’t matter who you’re sitting next to or your differences, when it comes to laughter, it’s universal.”
McAnally says that it was easy to observe audience members soaking in the message of Shucked after they’ve delighted in a side-splitting laugh.
“People are disarmed when they’re laughing. They don’t have their guard up. They open up, and then you have the opportunity to get in there.”
Alex Newell as Lulu in Shucked at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. Photo: Emilio Madrid
Another charm of Shucked is its playful embrace of country culture. While it’s not the first country-inspired musical to succeed on Broadway—think Oklahoma! or Annie Get Your Gun—seeing polished theater professionals romp around in a show about corn brings a refreshing, lighthearted break in a time of growing divides.
McAnally, a Texas native, shares how he sometimes clarified southern expressions and country dialects during rehearsals.
“A lot of these actors went to Berkeley or Juilliard, so even if they’re from the south, they’ve had it beaten out of them,” he says. “There are compromises in there. There are things that would not fly in the country litmus test, but we found a middle ground so that people that loved Broadway didn’t feel completely outside of the music. It had to be accessible for both crowds and I think we got that.”
Reflecting on the parallels between the theater world and Music Row, McAnally notes some similarities.
“It’s like Music Row in that the odds are not in your favor,” McAnally says with a laugh. “Just like making it in country music, you have to have a lot of faith, but you also have to have some naivety, because if you know too much, you wouldn’t do it. If we had known the true odds when Brandy and I got into it, we wouldn’t have done it.
“It’s a miracle that this thing went to Broadway and now is getting to tour,” he adds. “We’re so blessed. Yes, the material is wonderful, but there’s a lot of great material out there that just doesn’t get its chance.”
Now, bringing Shucked to Nashville, McAnally feels immense gratitude.
“I cannot wait to be in Nashville sitting among not just people that are in the industry and love country music, but just true southerners who want to see how we brought the worlds together. Hopefully, we did it justice and make people proud. I know that we did, and I’m ready for everybody that didn’t have the chance to go to New York to be able see it.”
Tickets remain available for Shucked‘s multi-night run in Nashville.
First Round Of Performers Revealed For 58th Annual CMA Awards
/by Liza AndersonThe first round of performers have been revealed for the 58th annual CMA Awards.
Returning as host for a fourth straight year, two-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan is set to perform his 31st No. 1 hit, “Love You, Miss You, Mean It.” First-time CMA Awards host, reigning Entertainer of the Year and four-time nominee this year, Lainey Wilson will also take the stage to sing her current single, “4x4xU,” and Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Ashley McBryde will be on hand to deliver a special performance. Among the lineup are first-time nominees Post Malone, who will treat the crowd to “Yours,” a song inspired by his daughter, and Shaboozey, who is set to perform a medley of his multi-Platinum smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and new single “Highway.” Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and five-time nominee Chris Stapleton will also grace the stage for “What Am I Gonna Do.”
Additionally, three-time CMA Award winner Dierks Bentley will be joined by Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes for a rendition of Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” Post Malone and Stapleton will also unite to perform “California Sober,” and two-time CMA Award winner Thomas Rhett will welcome Teddy Swims to the CMA Awards stage, as a mash-up of their hits “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman” and “Lose Control” will mark their first performance together.
The awards ceremony will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. CT on ABC, and will be available next day on Hulu.
Shane McAnally Talks The Gift Of ‘Shucked’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellShane McAnally
Shucked, the Tony Award-winning musical created by Nashville icons Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, has begun its run at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).
After captivating audiences at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, the show—celebrated for its sharp humor and heartwarming storytelling—will play at TPAC through Nov. 10, marking the start of its North American tour.
Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark. Photo: Emilio Madrid
With a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, music by Clark and McAnally, and direction by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, Shucked delivers a comedic tale centered around corn, proving that sometimes tearing down walls, rather than building them, is the only way to preserve what matters.
In celebration of this milestone, MusicRow spoke with McAnally, who reflected on the creative success he and Clark achieved with Shucked after working on the project for over a decade.
“The first preview on Broadway, which happened a month before opening night, was an out-of-body experience. I’ve never felt a feeling like that. We were sitting next to each other on the balcony, Brandy and I, and when Alex Newell sang ‘Independently Owned’ and the audience got on their feet, I looked at Brandy and said, ‘I don’t feel like I’m on the ground.’ I’ll spend the rest of my life chasing that.”
The show’s impact resonated widely, earning nine Tony Awards nominations in 2023, and Newell, who played Lulu, won Best Featured Actor In A Musical. The musical also earned 12 Drama Desk Awards nominations and won two, with McAnally and Clark taking home Outstanding Music and Newell winning Outstanding Featured Performance In A Musical. The cast album later earned a Grammy nomination.
The brilliance of Shucked lies in its ability to weave profound meaning into a story that’s outrageously funny.
“I’ve always leaned towards humor, even in the saddest of times. I think gay people, by nature, lean on humor to mask pain or garner acceptance, so I’ve always considered myself a funny person,” McAnally says. “But what happens in a theater of people is that they all of a sudden realize that they’re laughing at the humanity—they’re laughing because they can relate. It doesn’t matter who you’re sitting next to or your differences, when it comes to laughter, it’s universal.”
McAnally says that it was easy to observe audience members soaking in the message of Shucked after they’ve delighted in a side-splitting laugh.
“People are disarmed when they’re laughing. They don’t have their guard up. They open up, and then you have the opportunity to get in there.”
Alex Newell as Lulu in Shucked at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. Photo: Emilio Madrid
Another charm of Shucked is its playful embrace of country culture. While it’s not the first country-inspired musical to succeed on Broadway—think Oklahoma! or Annie Get Your Gun—seeing polished theater professionals romp around in a show about corn brings a refreshing, lighthearted break in a time of growing divides.
McAnally, a Texas native, shares how he sometimes clarified southern expressions and country dialects during rehearsals.
“A lot of these actors went to Berkeley or Juilliard, so even if they’re from the south, they’ve had it beaten out of them,” he says. “There are compromises in there. There are things that would not fly in the country litmus test, but we found a middle ground so that people that loved Broadway didn’t feel completely outside of the music. It had to be accessible for both crowds and I think we got that.”
Reflecting on the parallels between the theater world and Music Row, McAnally notes some similarities.
“It’s like Music Row in that the odds are not in your favor,” McAnally says with a laugh. “Just like making it in country music, you have to have a lot of faith, but you also have to have some naivety, because if you know too much, you wouldn’t do it. If we had known the true odds when Brandy and I got into it, we wouldn’t have done it.
“It’s a miracle that this thing went to Broadway and now is getting to tour,” he adds. “We’re so blessed. Yes, the material is wonderful, but there’s a lot of great material out there that just doesn’t get its chance.”
Now, bringing Shucked to Nashville, McAnally feels immense gratitude.
“I cannot wait to be in Nashville sitting among not just people that are in the industry and love country music, but just true southerners who want to see how we brought the worlds together. Hopefully, we did it justice and make people proud. I know that we did, and I’m ready for everybody that didn’t have the chance to go to New York to be able see it.”
Tickets remain available for Shucked‘s multi-night run in Nashville.
Visionary Media Group & The Pack Shack To Pack Meals For Hurricane Victims
/by John Nix ArledgeVisionary Media Group, together with The Pack Shack, a leader in charitable food packing and distribution, will hold a 200,000-meal packing event, “Feed The Funnel,” at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m.
The event, designed for participants ages 12 and up, requires advance registration and is currently accepting donations via its Visionary Impact Fund. For more information, click here.
“I’m honored to stand alongside The Pack Shack and Lipscomb University—and their 400+ student volunteers—plus our artist and staff to pack 200,000 meals for so many who were hard hit by Helene and Milton,” says Dr. Ron Zamber, Founder, Managing Director & Chairman of Visionary Private Equity Group and Visionary Media Group. “We welcome as many people as would like to join us for a high energy and impactful day of community spirit and support at our ‘Feed the Funnel’ party dedicated to providing relief for those affected by recent hurricanes.”
Bret Raymond, CEO of The Pack Shack, says, “In the wake of devastating hurricanes that have impacted countless lives, the Nashville community is coming together to help those in need. This is a chance to actively and practically show support for those who need it most right now. Every meal we pack can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by the hurricanes.”
“We are honored to be able to host this event on our campus in partnership with The Pack Shack and Visionary Media Group,” adds Brent Roe-Hall, Dean of Student Life for Spiritual Formation at Lipscomb University. “Serving others is an important way to make a difference and we are pleased to have this opportunity to impact the lives of those who need it most right now.”
RIAA 2024 Music Job & Benefits Report Shows Contributions To Economic Growth
/by Liza AndersonThe Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released a new report, conducted by Secretariat Managing Director Robert Stoner and Director Jéssica Dutra, that reflects data provided by independent labels, performing rights organizations (PROs), independent venues, music museums and other organizations across the nation.
This report uses the latest consolidated data available at this scale and covers periods both before and after the onset of COVID in March of 2020.
According to the data shown, the music industry has contributed $212 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (5.7% annually from 2017–2020) and accounts for 2.5 million jobs. The report’s state-by-state breakdown seeks to provide a closer look at how recorded music is a driving force within the broader ecosystem from venues, festivals, brick-and-mortar stores, digital platforms to artists, songwriters, music schools and more.
Chart Graphic: Courtesy of The U.S. Music Industries Jobs & Benefits: The 2024 Report
The top six states for each of the relevant measures (earnings, employment and value added) consist of California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
In California, music contributed more than $51.4 billion as fans flocked from Coachella to the Troubadour, two of 80,433 notable music establishments, and 416,802 students expanded their talents across the state. Latin, pop and southern rock fuel the Florida scene, which supports 169,706 jobs and adds $9.3 billion to the U.S. GDP. New York generated $24.9 billion in music industry value in 2020, resulting in 1.3 times the rate that music contributes to U.S. GDP and adding 210,878 jobs to the market.
With 114,731 jobs supported and 6,715 royalty recipients, Pennsylvania brings $6.3 billion to U.S. GDP. Home to 74,289 songwriters in Nashville, Memphis and cities in between, music industries hit $7.5 billion and contributed nearly twice as much to Tennessee’s GDP (1.7%) as the national average (0.9%). Beyond Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival, Texas hosts 127,993 songwriters and pumps $26.6 billion into the economy.
To read the full report, click here. For RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier‘s perspective on the findings, click here.
Kevin Jonas Sr. Gets Festive On Debut Christmas EP, Out Friday
/by Lorie HollabaughKevin Jonas Sr. will release his debut Christmas EP, Ready Set Glow — A Holiday Collection, this Friday (Nov. 8) via Red Van Records.
The project features seven tracks, most of which he co-wrote alongside Bob DiPiero, Amy Stroup and the EP’s producer David Kalmusky. Additionally, his wife, Denise Jonas, lends her vocals to select songs.
The collection opens with the title track, a duet from the couple that includes guest vocals from members of Jonas Group Entertainment, Red Van Records and friends. Nick Jonas serves as a co-writer on “Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer),” which he penned at the age of nine. Another highlight includes the medley “Jesu Bambino/O Holy Night,” recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and arranged by David T. Clydesdale.
“35 years ago, I promised my wife Denise that I would record and release a Christmas record, and now it’s finally coming to life,” shares Jonas Sr. “Ready Set Glow — A Holiday Collection is all about the magic and warmth of the holiday season, shared with family and friends.”
Ready Set Glow — A Holiday Collection Track Listing:
1. “Ready Set Glow (feat. Denise Jonas)”
2. “Jesu Bambino/O Holy Night”
3. “ChrisMess”
4. “Stained Glass Window”
5. “Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer)”
6. “Wrap me up in Christmas”
7. “ChrisMess – Friends Bonus Version”
Ashley Gorley Commemorates 80th No. 1 With A Focus On Mental Health
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss
Ashley Gorley has extended his record of chart-toppers with his 80th No. 1 hit, “I Am Not Okay,” recorded and co-written by Jelly Roll along with Tape Room writers Taylor Phillips and Casey Brown.
To commemorate the milestone, the 10-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year is supporting the launch of a program designed for the creative community by The Onsite Foundation: Creatives Support Network, which provides free mentorship, education, resources and mental wellness support specifically designed for members of the songwriting community.
“A song about struggling to get out of bed in the morning is No. 1 and that really speaks to where we are in the world,” Gorley shares. “It was important for us to take this moment to say ‘you’re not the only one,’ and to support a creative network with programming that is tailored to songwriters at any stage of their journey.”
A key part of the Creatives Support Network are two-day immersive individual or group coaching and therapy sessions explicitly curated for creatives called Songwriter-Focused Intensives. The program also includes mentorship and social impact initiatives as well as online curriculum and conversation resources complimentary to the creative community thanks to Gorley’s gift in the form of 80 grants for 80 individuals as well as program infrastructure support.
“This song in particular, along with the Jelly Roll Era, is creating a movement and timely conversation regarding the need to equip creatives with necessary tools to optimize their personal and professional pursuits,” adds Onsite’s Miles Adcox.
“I’ve been at the intersection of Music and Mental Wellness for the better part of my career and have experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing today’s creatives. Music is medicine, and the comfort, relief, support, and overall impact it provides globally to humanity is immeasurable,” Adcock adds. “Our storytellers are a national treasure we should pour into and protect at all costs. We’re grateful to Ashley, Jelly Roll, and the Tape Room writers for starting this conversation in the songwriting community and for lending their expertise and resources.”
Click here to learn more about The Onsite Foundation’s Creatives Support Network.
CMHOFM Exhibits Artifacts From Nashville Folk & Blues Artist Cortelia Clark
/by Lorie HollabaughCortelia Clark. Photo: Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is featuring several artifacts from blind folk and blues singer Cortelia Clark in a temporary display, “Cortelia Clark’s Everyday Blues.”
Open through September 2025, the exhibit explores the story of the Grammy-winning artist and Nashville figure who performed on the streets of downtown for years.
Clark came to Music City in 1919 at the age of 17 to work in a broom factory, and learned how to play the guitar from another blind man. By the 1960s, he was playing almost daily on 5th Avenue North by a Woolworth store, where he caught the attention of RCA Records producer Felton Jarvis. Jarvis then recorded Clark live, talking and playing on an average day in the city. Later, his 1966 album, Blues on a Street, won the Grammy for Best Folk Recording in March 1967. Not long after, Clark was filling his kerosene heater, which exploded and set his wood-frame house on fire. The explosion left him badly burned and resulted in his untimely death weeks later on Christmas Eve in 1969.
The items on display include Clark’s broken Grammy, which was damaged in the fire, and the Kay 6116 Super-Auditorium model guitar featured on his album cover as well as his Kay 5113 Plains Special guitar.
“Cortelia Clark’s Everyday Blues” is supported by a new video on the museum’s YouTube channel, which includes interviews with Clark’s friend, producer and champion Mike Weesner, Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray and the museum’s Instrument Collection Curator Jack Clutter. The video also features the museum’s Vice President of Creative Warren Denney, who sat down with Weesner.
T.G. Sheppard Celebrates 50-Year Career In Country Music
/by Lorie HollabaughT.G. Sheppard
T.G. Sheppard is celebrating his 50-year anniversary as a country artist.
Sheppard’s first No. 1 single, “Devil In The Bottle” was released in October 1974 and quickly climbed the charts, where it remained for 10 weeks. The hit laid the foundation for Sheppard’s career success, marking the first of his 22 No. 1s, which include classics like “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I’ll Be Coming Back for More,” “Do You Want to Go to Heaven,” “Party Time,” “Only One You,” “I Loved ‘Em Every One,” “Slow Burn” and more.
“Over 50 years ago, I had no idea the career journey I started would still be going strong today,” shares Sheppard. “It’s been the most incredible and rewarding trip, and I’m happy to say the highs have far outweighed the lows. I still have to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t just a dream. Every day, I thank God and the fans for blessing me with such an amazing life and allowing me to continue doing what I love. I hope you’ll join me on the 50th Anniversary Tour and sing along to many of the 22 No. 1 hits I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve. I am humbled beyond words.”
Sheppard and singer-songwriter/author Kelly Lang recently released their latest duets album, Chemistry: The Duets Collection. The album includes 11 love songs, including classics such as “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” “More Today Than Yesterday” and “It’s Too Late,” along with their recently-released singles “You’re Still The One,” “Addicted to You” and “Because You Loved Me.”
Josh Gicker Launches Living Life Films
/by Liza AndersonJosh Gicker
Nashville-based creative director Josh Gicker has launched Living Life Films.
Focused on creating visually and emotionally resonant music videos, short-form documentaries and commercials, Gicker has worked with Alan Jackson, Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Gabby Barrett, Lauren Daigle, Universal Music Group (UMG), Warner Music Nashville, Big Loud Records, HCA Healthcare and more.
“I’ve been pursuing a calling on my heart to tell stories since I was just a kid, and it brings me so much joy to know that I’ve been blessed to help and document so many other individuals’ journeys while chasing after that dream,” he shares. “Living Life Films thrives on collaboration, bringing clients’ visions to the screen and engaging audiences through sentimental content.
“I firmly believe that the trick to determining a good video is if the viewer not only wants to show it to a friend, but if they also want to watch it again. So how do we do that together? We think bigger than what is on screen and think about the person who will be watching it. By tugging at the heartstrings and telling a story that inspires.”
For more information, click here.
Ricky Skaggs To Kick Off 2024 Christmas Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughRicky Skaggs. Photo: Courtesy of Skaggs Family Records
Ricky Skaggs has announced his 2024 holiday tour “Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Christmas,” which will kick off Dec. 5 in Tucson.
Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder will hit the tour trail this December with 13 Christmas concerts across the nation in Louisville, Knoxville, Scottsdale and more, wrapping with a Ryman Auditorium show on Dec. 22. Concertgoers can expect to hear the bluegrass tune “Christmas Time’s A Comin,’” along with a rendition of “New Star Shining,” a hit for Skaggs and James Taylor. Beloved classic songs “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls” and “Let it Snow” are also part of the show, along with other special Christmas melodies and seasonal sing-a-longs.
“This is my favorite time of the year,” explains Skaggs. “Not only do we celebrate the birth of the Savior, we also get to play some really fun music. I hope you will come out and see one of our Kentucky Thunder Christmas shows. It’s a joyful time. You’ll love it.”
“Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Christmas” Tour Dates:
Dec. 5 – Tucson, AZ – Fox Theatre
Dec. 6 – Scottsdale, AZ – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Dec. 10 – Richmond, KY – EKU Center for the Arts
Dec. 11 – Newport News, VA – Ferguson Center for the Arts
Dec. 12 – Huntington, WV – Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center
Dec. 13 – Wheeling, WV – The Capitol Theatre
Dec. 14 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak
Dec. 15 – Marietta, OH – Peoples Bank Theatre
Dec. 18 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center
Dec. 19 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
Dec. 20 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
Dec. 21 – Germantown, TN – Germantown Performing Arts Center
Dec. 22 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium