Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Rising country singer Jake Worthington defined the meaning of traditional country music at his sold-out show at Cannery Hall in Nashville last night (Aug. 22).
As fans entered the newly-renovated concert hall, they were met with intriguing flyers hung up around the room promoting the Big Loud Records artists’ new single. It was revealed during the show that Worthington will be releasing his new song “Hello Shitty Day” on Sept. 27. The track will also feature country superstar Miranda Lambert.
McCoy Moore warmed up the crowd with a slew of original songs including “Good Ole Bars,” “Something To You” and more. Moore got the whole room dancing and singing along to his cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” before closing his set with his slow, melodic track “Bible And A Bar.”
The room was filled with anticipation waiting for Worthington to hit the stage. As the lights dimmed, the speakers were filled with the sound of iconic old school country songs, perfectly setting the tone for the evening. Walking onto the stage in his signature look with a cowboy hat, blue jeans, a button up and boots, Worthington kicked off the night with “Next New Thing.”
Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
After asking the crowd if they were “ready to have a good time tonight,” Worthington was met with an enthusiastic response before going into “Only Way To Find Out.” With the crowd already in the palm of his hand, he shared the news about his next single “Hello Shitty Day,” explaining how Lambert approached him with the song and how he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to record it. Worthington played the tune for the room, marking its live debut.
Cementing himself as a genuine country music singer three songs in, the crowd was ready to hear more as he went into a new unreleased track. Before keeping the party going, Worthington took the time to shout out his friends and family in the room. He then turned the dial up even more by playing his rocking “Night Time Is My Time.” During the song, he had the crowd raise their drinks to a “good night of country music.”
“Usually I’d come all the way from Texas to be here and I did, but the rest of these boys on stage are all Nashville residents,” Worthington said of his incredible band. He then brought Texas to Tennessee with “Ain’t Got You To Hold.” Fans hollered when he started into a favorite in his catalog, “Single At The Same Time,” which he dedicated to all the single people in the crowd.
Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
It was time to slow it down for a bit as Worthington showed off his vocals with “Is It Cold In Here,” a track off Hardy’s Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape. He is featured on the track with Hardy alongside icon Reba McEntire and Joe Diffie. He kept the slow tunes burning with his unreleased “Love So Big.”
Paying tribute to some of his idols, Worthington took some time for a slew of covers, including Merle Haggard’s “Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine” and George Jones’ “White Lightning,” a song both his grandpas used to sing to him when he was younger. After expressing his gratitude to the fans who showed up, he got everyone’s boots stomping to “Honky Tonk Crowd.”
In another tribute to Jones, Worthington beautifully covered “You’re Still On My Mind.” The reason he decided to cover another Jones song was because he was sharing the stage with Tom Killen, who played steel guitar on the road with Jones for 30 years. Worthington called it an honor to be sharing the stage with him, and the crowd felt the same. He ended his run of covers with “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will).”
As the night was coming to an end, Worthington still had a lot of energy left in his boots. To close out the set, he sang fan favorite “State You Left Me In,” and everyone sang along. After exiting the stage to a roaring applause, Worthington walked back out with the band for a two-song encore featuring a brand new track off his upcoming album, leaving the crowd in awe as he closed the show.
Ed Rode Chronicles 30 Years Of Nashville Talent In New Photo Documentary Book
/by Liza AndersonSeasoned photographer Ed Rode has released a new photo documentary book, Songwriter Musician, that chronicles three decades of Nashville musical talent. An accompanying exhibit at Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum will open Aug. 31 and remain on display through the end of the year.
Photo of Dolly Parton (taken by Ed Rode) featured in Songwriter Musician
Spanning generations and genres, each portrait captures the subject, their humanity and their artistry as Rode’s accompanying personal stories and biographies seek to place each moment, and each subject, into the broader story of Music City. Featured moments include a teenaged Taylor Swift spinning and smiling in the wake of impending stardom, “I Fall to Pieces” songwriter Hank Cochran stretching back on a well-worn hammock and Michael Rhodes wrapping his arms around his favorite bass, a tool that anchored sessions for greats from Johnny Cash to Elton John.
“When I started this photographic journey, I realized early on that I was witnessing musical moments few people get to experience,” says Rode. “It felt important to capture and collect them for generations to come. To me, this book is a window into the soul of Nashville’s music community.”
The project framed by his lens began in 1990, and was encouraged by guitarist, producer and label executive Chet Atkins. Rode, then working as a photojournalist for the Nashville Banner, met Atkins on an assignment and the two developed a friendship. He told Atkins about a hopeful but blurry vision for a far-reaching, pointedly personal documentary project.
“This is a town of songwriters and session musicians,” Rode remembers Atkins telling him. “Go photograph them because they’re usually in the background. People out there hear their work, but don’t know who they are.”
Atkins introduced him to Harlan Howard, Curly Putman and “Cowboy” Jack Clement, among others. After marking the moments, Rode started to see the full picture of Songwriter Musician.
Photo of Willie Nelson (taken by Ed Rode) featured in Songwriter Musician
“One of the greatest figures in country music helped me forge partnerships and foster friendships,” he notes. “What Chet Atkins contributed to Nashville’s story is incalculable. What he contributed to this project is just as immeasurable.”
“Some of the faces in this book may be unfamiliar beyond Music Row, some are among the most celebrated in the world,” Rode continues. “Every one of them adds their own color and contrast to Nashville’s music community. I hope this book brings it all into view—from the humanity behind the superstars to the history-changing contributions of people behind the scenes.”
Click here to order Rode’s Songwriter Musician.
Jake Worthington Brilliantly Brings Back Traditional Country Music At Cannery Hall
/by Madison HahnenJake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Rising country singer Jake Worthington defined the meaning of traditional country music at his sold-out show at Cannery Hall in Nashville last night (Aug. 22).
As fans entered the newly-renovated concert hall, they were met with intriguing flyers hung up around the room promoting the Big Loud Records artists’ new single. It was revealed during the show that Worthington will be releasing his new song “Hello Shitty Day” on Sept. 27. The track will also feature country superstar Miranda Lambert.
McCoy Moore warmed up the crowd with a slew of original songs including “Good Ole Bars,” “Something To You” and more. Moore got the whole room dancing and singing along to his cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Red Dirt Road” before closing his set with his slow, melodic track “Bible And A Bar.”
The room was filled with anticipation waiting for Worthington to hit the stage. As the lights dimmed, the speakers were filled with the sound of iconic old school country songs, perfectly setting the tone for the evening. Walking onto the stage in his signature look with a cowboy hat, blue jeans, a button up and boots, Worthington kicked off the night with “Next New Thing.”
Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
After asking the crowd if they were “ready to have a good time tonight,” Worthington was met with an enthusiastic response before going into “Only Way To Find Out.” With the crowd already in the palm of his hand, he shared the news about his next single “Hello Shitty Day,” explaining how Lambert approached him with the song and how he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to record it. Worthington played the tune for the room, marking its live debut.
Cementing himself as a genuine country music singer three songs in, the crowd was ready to hear more as he went into a new unreleased track. Before keeping the party going, Worthington took the time to shout out his friends and family in the room. He then turned the dial up even more by playing his rocking “Night Time Is My Time.” During the song, he had the crowd raise their drinks to a “good night of country music.”
“Usually I’d come all the way from Texas to be here and I did, but the rest of these boys on stage are all Nashville residents,” Worthington said of his incredible band. He then brought Texas to Tennessee with “Ain’t Got You To Hold.” Fans hollered when he started into a favorite in his catalog, “Single At The Same Time,” which he dedicated to all the single people in the crowd.
Jake Worthington. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
It was time to slow it down for a bit as Worthington showed off his vocals with “Is It Cold In Here,” a track off Hardy’s Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape. He is featured on the track with Hardy alongside icon Reba McEntire and Joe Diffie. He kept the slow tunes burning with his unreleased “Love So Big.”
Paying tribute to some of his idols, Worthington took some time for a slew of covers, including Merle Haggard’s “Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine” and George Jones’ “White Lightning,” a song both his grandpas used to sing to him when he was younger. After expressing his gratitude to the fans who showed up, he got everyone’s boots stomping to “Honky Tonk Crowd.”
In another tribute to Jones, Worthington beautifully covered “You’re Still On My Mind.” The reason he decided to cover another Jones song was because he was sharing the stage with Tom Killen, who played steel guitar on the road with Jones for 30 years. Worthington called it an honor to be sharing the stage with him, and the crowd felt the same. He ended his run of covers with “If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will).”
As the night was coming to an end, Worthington still had a lot of energy left in his boots. To close out the set, he sang fan favorite “State You Left Me In,” and everyone sang along. After exiting the stage to a roaring applause, Worthington walked back out with the band for a two-song encore featuring a brand new track off his upcoming album, leaving the crowd in awe as he closed the show.
Mickey Guyton Readies Sophomore Album ‘House On Fire’
/by LB CantrellFour-time Grammy-nominated artist Mickey Guyton will release hew sophomore album House On Fire on Sept. 27 via Capitol Records Nashville. The project follows her 2021 critically-acclaimed debut album Remember Her Name.
House On Fire includes the recently-released fun and flirty track “Make It Me,” the tribute to her son “Scary Love” and her duet with Kane Brown “Nothing Compares To You.” To celebrate the album announcement, Guyton has released another tune, “My Side Of The Country.”
Guyton shared the album news first with her fans on social media ahead of her performance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where she sang her song “All American.” She heads out on the “CMT On Tour Presents Mickey Guyton” on Sept. 18 in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing along Denitia and Abbey Cone as support.
House On Fire Track Listing:
1. “My Side of the Country” (Mickey Guyton, Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard)
2. “Make It Me” (Mickey Guyton, Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard)
3. “Here With You” (Mickey Guyton, Victoria Banks, Karen Kosowski)
4. “House On Fire” (Mickey Guyton, Stephen Kirk, Jenna Andrews)
5. “Little Man” (Mickey Guyton, Jessica Cayne, Karen Kosowski)
6. “In Between” (Mickey Guyton, Autumn McEntire, Karen Kosowski)
7. “Make ‘Em Like You” (Mickey Guyton, Stephen Kirk, Jenna Andrews)
8. “Deserve” (Mickey Guyton, Autumn McEntire, Karen Kosowski)
9. “Nothing Compares To You” (Tyler Hubbard, Bebe Rexha, Jordan Schmidt)
10. “Grayson’s Interlude”
11. “Scary Love” (Mickey Guyton, Victoria Banks, Karen Kosowski, Emma-Lee)
12. “I Still Do” (Mickey Guyton, David Kalmusky, Abbey Cone)
Scott Gerow Named President Of Leadership Music Board
/by Liza AndersonScott Gerow with the ceremonial President’s Cup and President-Elect Neal Spielberg, who is supporting Past President Kelli Haywood’s laminated representation during the annual Leadership Music Board Meeting
Scott Gerow has been elected as President of the Leadership Music Board for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Located in Nashville, Leadership Music is one of the nation’s top leadership programs designed for established leaders in the industry. Gerow, who graduated from the program in 2019, owns and manages Battery Lane Music, a production company that specializes in artist/writer production, studio recording and mixing as well as music production for film, television and advertising.
“Being one of the music industry’s premiere educational and networking organizations, Leadership Music is at the heart of a dynamic and influential industry. Its Board members and alumni are some of the most talented professionals in the world and work tirelessly to promote positive change in the community,” he shares. “It is an honor, privilege and one of my highest career achievements to lead and serve this organization.”
Officers joining Gerow include President-Elect Neal Spielberg of Spielberg Entertainment, Past President Kelli Haywood of Hsquared Management, Treasurer Steve Eggart of Wiles + Taylor and Secretary Brad Bissell of CAA. Other members of the Executive Committee are Debbie Carroll of Onsite Workshops, Andrew Kautz of Big Machine Label Group/HBA, Manuel Delgado of Delgado Guitars, Jackie Patillo of the Gospel Music Association and Rondal Richardson of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Leadership Music’s four newest Board members include Eggart, Tera Healy of the Recording Academy, Catherine Moore of Farris, Self & Moore and Craig Dunn of One Spark Entertainment. Additionally, Will Cheek and Lynn Morrow of Adams & Reese LLP will serve as legal counsel.
Full 2024-2025 Leadership Music Board List:
Brad Bissell, CAA
David Boyer, FBMM
Debbie Carroll, Onsite Workshops
Manuel Delgado, Delgado Guitars
Nic Dugger, TNDV: Television LLC
Beville Dunkerley, Maverick Nashville
Craig Dunn, One Spark Entertainment
Steve Eggart, Wiles + Taylor
Emily Evans, CMA
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment
Scott Gerow, Battery Lane Music
Mitch Glazier, RIAA
Kelli Haywood, Hsquared Management
Tera Healy, The Recording Academy
Phil Hughley, Musician/Songwriter
Mason Hunter, BMI
Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Amazon Music
Andrew Kautz, Big Machine Label Group/HYBE
Victoria Mason, Warner Music Nashville
Catherine Moore, Farris, Self and Moore
Jackie Patillo, Gospel Music Association
Lisa Purcell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Rondal Richardson, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Allison Warren Simpson, Cumulus Nashville
Neal Spielberg, Spielberg Entertainment
Adam Weiser, AEG Presents
Lane Wilson, WME
Tenille Townes Parts Ways With Sony Music Nashville
/by LB CantrellTenille Townes. Photo: Robert Chavers
Award-winning singer-songwriter Tenille Townes has parted ways with Sony Music Nashville. She revealed the news in a TikTok posted on this week.
“I have decided to fly free from my record label,” Townes said in the video. “It’s a big shift for me. We’ve been working together for over seven years now.
“I want the freedom to write and record whatever music I want to make, share it with you guys and put it out into the world,” she shared. “Making this decision to fly free means that I can do that now.”
Townes, a 17-time Canadian Country Music Award Winner, began singing at age five in her rural Canadian hometown, Grande Prairie, Alberta, and penned her first song by age 14. She moved to Nashville in 2013 to pursue her music career and signed with Sony Music Nashville in 2018.
She released her debut album with the label, The Lemonade Stand, in 2020. It was named Country Album of the Year at the 50th JUNO Awards, and produced two No. 1 hits in Canada with “Jersey on The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” and “Somebody’s Daughter,” which is certified Gold in the U.S. She followed that project up with her 2023 album Masquerades.
Townes was named New Female Artist of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards, and she took home another trophy that year for Music Event of the Year with a collaboration with Miranda Lambert and other female artists, “Fooled Around And Fell In Love.”
Looking ahead, Townes will release music as an independent artist. She will head out on her headlining “The Thing That Brought Me Here Tour” in October and November.
Townes is managed by Shopkeeper Management, booked by WME and published by Big Yellow Dog Music.
Kira Lynn Partners With Muserk
/by Lorie HollabaughMuserk’s Paul Goldman, Kira Lynn and Muserk’s Marc Driskill
Singer-songwriter Kira Lynn has signed a worldwide co-publishing and administration agreement with Muserk.
An Edmonton, AB Canada native, Lynn grew up on the stage dancing competitively, studying musical theater, piano, guitar and voice. After earning her degree in Canada, Lynn moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a songwriter and performer.
“We are so proud to welcome Kira to our roster at Muserk. She’s such an impressive songwriter and combines that talent with a great voice, work ethic and vision that makes her so much fun to work with. We are so excited to be part of the impact she is going to have with her music,” says Muserk CEO/Founder Paul Goldman.
“I have known Kira for awhile and am a big fan of her and her music. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of her team and to help expand her music’s reach,” adds Marc Driskill, Music Development in Nashville for Muserk.
Lynn says, “Timing is everything! I have been writing and recording music most of my life, but over the past couple of years, I have been focused on launching my cereal bar, Wanna Spoon in 12 South. Paul, Marc and the Muserk team are the right partners for me at the right time in my career, and I am so excited to join them!”
Mason Ramsey Teases Upcoming Album With New Single
/by John Nix ArledgeMason Ramsey offers a glimpse into his upcoming album, I’ll See You In My Dreams, with new single “Come Pick Me Up” releasing today (Aug. 23). The single, co-written by Ramsey and producer Dan Fernandez, showcases his distinctive vocals and nostalgic sound.
“This album is a huge introduction into who I am as an artist, and ‘Come Pick Me Up’ is a glimpse into the project as a whole,” explains Ramsey. “This song in particular is about a girl I was interested in over the summer, and it was one of those songs that just kind of wrote itself. It’s a classic love song.”
Ramsey, the youngest country artist signed to a major label in almost 20 years, has continued to make waves on the scene with releases, “Blue Over You” and “Shake Shake (All Night Long)” both garnering millions of streams shortly after release. His upcoming project aims to reflect his growth as a songwriter, performer and singer since his viral Walmart-yodeling days.
Most recently showcasing his growth at Spotify House and on stage with Lana Del Rey, Ramsey has already released three EPs, earned a Gold-certified single, and gained over 450 million global streams to date.
I’ll See You In My Dreams Track Listing:
1. I’ll See You In My Dreams (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
2. Blue Over You (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
3. All The Way To Memphis (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
4. Come Pick Me Up (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
5. Joy (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
6. The Woman From Havana (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
7. Lies, Lies, Lies (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
8. How Do I Know If I’m In Love (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
9. Something You Can Hold (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
10. Cowboys Always Come Home (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
11. Prettiest Girl at the Dance (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
12. Trouble Is (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
13. Family Pictures (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
14. All I See Is You (Dan Fernandez, Mason Ramsey)
Lainey Wilson Stays At No. 1 On The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeLainey Wilson sits at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart again this week with “Hang Tight Honey.”
The track is included on her new album Whirlwind, which released today (Aug. 23). It was written by Wilson, Driver Williams, Jason Nix and Paul Sikes.
This week, Wilson and Spotify invited some of her top fans out to the Nashville Farmers’ Market for their “Whirlwind Market,” celebrating the new album. Attendees enjoyed offerings from local vendors and heard a sneak preview of the new music.
“Hang Tight Honey” currently sits at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 11 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Ryman Auditorium Unveils Fall ‘Sidewalk Sessions’ Performers
/by Madison HahnenThe Ryman Auditorium has revealed the dates and performers for its fall 2024 “Sidewalk Sessions.”
Beginning on Sept. 5, up-and-coming artists will perform on the PNC Plaza before select shows for nine weeks. These events are free and open to the public, and will feature drinks at the outdoor bar and giveaways from the Ryman Shop. Hiller, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), New Belgium Brewing and Torchy’s Tacos will serve as this year’s sponsors.
The event will kick off approximately two hours before the Ryman ticketed concert begins. The Ryman Shop will also be open for all guests. For more information, click here.
Industry Veteran Ken Biddy Passes
/by Liza AndersonKen Biddy
Industry veteran Herbert Kenneth “Ken” Biddy passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 21 after battling cancer and congestive heart failure.
Growing up the Woodstock, Georgia area, Ken worked as a bouncer, a rock-a-billy artist manager and carpet layer before landing jobs at Lockheed and Ken Stanton Music. It was his love of music that led Ken to Nashville in 1983, where he and partners Jimmy Long and Myron Cantrell formed Copperfield Music Group and signed the Chuck Wagon Gang. During their time with Copperfield, the band won the TNN/Music City News Award for Country Gospel Group of the Year on four occasions.
Ken expanded his business into the country field by securing country cuts by Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack, LeAnn Rimes, Jeff Carson, Kenny Rogers and others. Dedicated to nurturing songwriters, songs from his catalog often appeared in film and television.
In July of 1991, Ken met another music executive Shelia Shipley while having drinks at Sunset Grill. Introduced by Shelia’s best friend and personal assistant, Lori Evans, they went on their first date a week later. They married in February of 1992 and spent 32 years together as husband and wife until his passing.
Ken had five children, including Crystal Milligan, Dena Biddy Bryant, Daniel Biddy, Amanda Biddy and Michael Shipley, as well as many grandchildren.
A gathering of family and friends will be held this Sunday (Aug. 25) from 3 p.m.–6 p.m. as well as on Monday (Aug. 26) from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 p.m. A graveside service will also take place on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Condolences can be shared with Shelia Shipley Biddy at shelia@musichealthalliance.com.