Luke Bryan Reveals Eighth Studio Album Coming In September

/by

Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan will release his eighth studio album, Mind Of A Country Boy, on Sept. 27 via Capitol Records Nashville.

Produced by father and son Jeff and Jody Stevens, the 14-track project is Bryan’s first new album in four years. Mind Of A Country Boy finds the singer exploring themes of country living, family and faith that have built his 17-year career.

“I’ve been able to take my time and really compile songs for this album,” Bryan says. “If it’s a song that I cut two or three years ago, and I still love it, and it still sounds fresh, then I feel like it’ll stand the test of time.

“I think this album, as I’ve tried to do with all my albums, just has a little bit of everything,” he adds. “I do some things different vocally on this one that I’ve not done before. It’s about each song having its place and having its meaning. It’s trying not to be overly redundant with songs. I think that’s why I’ve been blessed to have a long career and what I feel like this album’s going to do.”

Mind Of A Country Boy includes previously-released tunes “But I Got A Beer In My Hand,” “Southern and Slow” and the title track as well as his 30th No. 1 hit “Country On” and current single “Love You, Miss You, Mean It.” To celebrate the album news, Bryan will release another track, “Closing Time In California,” just in time for his “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” stops in San Diego and Los Angeles this week.

YouTube video

On the live front, Bryan has established a legacy of highly-successful concert events like his Spring Break concerts that have gathered more than 200,000 fans on the Florida shores as well as his “Farm Tour,” which will kick off its 15th run next month, and his destination concert experience Crash My Playa that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in January.

“I’m still having a lot of fun in my concerts, and it’s still a big ole party,” he shares. “But I think as you grow older and mature, subject matters change and things that you can sing about change. But the love of trying to find the right song and a song that moves people is still at the forefront of what I want to do as an artist.”

Mind Of A Country Boy Track Listing:
1. “Mind Of A Country Boy” (Luke Bryan, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
2. “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” (Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice, Jordan Minton, Rhett Akins)
3. “Country Song Came On” (Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
4. “Pair Of Boots” (Bobby Pinson, Taylor Phillips, Tofer Brown, Jaxon Free)
5. “But I Got A Beer In My Hand” (Chase McGill, Matt Dragstrem, Geoff Warburton)
6. “Kansas” (Chase McGill, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Dragstrem)
7. “Country On” (Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, Styles Haury)
8. “Fish On The Wall” (Dallas Davidson, Chris Tompkins, Ben Johnson)
9. “She’s Still Got It” (Rodney Clawson, Heather Morgan, Will Bundy, Jim McCormick)
10. “Closing Time In California” (John Byron, Mark Holman, Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill)
11. “For The Kids” (Luke Bryan, Justin Ebach, Brad Tursi)
12. “Southern and Slow” (Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, Chase McGill)
13. “I’m On A Tractor” (Neil Thrasher, Lee Thomas Miller)
14. “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids” (Jeff Hyde, Tucker Beathard, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel)

Vince Gill Added To ‘Concert For Cumberland Heights’ Lineup

/by

Vince Gill

Vince Gill has been added to the “Concert for Cumberland Heights: A Night of Stories & Song” lineup.

Taking place next Thursday (Aug. 15) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the event will also feature performances by Charles Kelley, Bob DiPiero, Victoria Shaw, Randy Montana, Ernest, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman and The Warren Brothers as well as an appearance by Cumberland Height’s music therapist John McAndrew.

Since 1996, the “Concert for Cumberland Heights” has raised over $3.6 million for the John Hiatt Fund for Adolescent and Young Adult Treatment, which provides support for the nonprofit’s programs and patient scholarships dedicated to transforming lives through addiction recovery.

“I feel a strong connection to the work that Cumberland Heights does,” says Kelley, who is two years into his sobriety journey. “It’s an honor to be part of an event that helps others on their path to recovery.”

Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.

Scotty Hasting Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

/by

Scotty Hasting during his Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Scotty Hasting recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut as the Opry celebrated the 30th anniversary of Forrest Gump.

After receiving an invitation from Gary Sinise, Hasting fulfilled his dream of stepping into the historic circle. Prior to the performance, he welcomed 49 CMA EDU students backstage to wrap the first day of the program’s 11th annual Leadership Summit.

Scotty Hasting & Gary Sinise. Photo: Dawn Delvo

Following an introduction from Forrest Gump producer Wendy Finerman, Hasting was immediately greeted with a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd. He then kicked off his set with a rendition of “Fortunate Son” from the film’s soundtrack. Between the hoots and hollers from friends, family and fans, Hasting took it all in and shared the significance of the next number.

“This next song is the hardest song I’ve ever written…April 21, 2011 was the day that I got shot in Afghanistan,” he stated. “The hardest thing about being at Walter Reed [National Military Medical Center] wasn’t trying to survive, it wasn’t going to occupational therapy, it wasn’t going to physical therapy. It was the fact that some of the greatest people I’ve ever known were still in Afghanistan, they were losing their lives, and there was nothing I could do about it.”

Hasting continued, “The hardest one was everyone’s best friend. His name was Adam [‘Ham’] Hamilton. Actually, his family is here right now.”

Everyone rose from their seats once again in thanks and support of the Hamilton family’s service and sacrifice. The artist proceeded to tell the story of “How Do You Choose,” which he wrote following a conversation with Hamilton’s mother after she came to see him perform on Broadway in Nashville. Hasting performed the emotional track for the audience, which included 16 of Hamilton’s family members and friends—leaving over 4,000 Opry guests and himself with tear-brimmed eyes.

Additionally, Hasting accepted a formal invitation to serve as the Grand Marshal for the Second Annual National Veterans Parade yesterday (Aug. 7). The parade is set to take place in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 10.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Randall King ‘Wails To The Heavens’ On New Single

/by

Randall King. Photo: Yve Assad

Today’s DISClaimer includes entries from the farthest ends of country’s audio spectrum, from bluegrass to pop.

The bluegrass world is bringing us a couple of cover tunes, Rhonda Vincent’s take on “Wagon Wheel” and Bill Taylor’s version of “Roll Me Away.” Of the two, Taylor’s re-imagining of Bob Seger is the cooler track. In fact, it wins him a DISCovery Award. Also: I love the name of his band, The Appalachian Heatherns.

From way over on the pop side, we have Maren Morris and Shelby Lynne. Both have left country music far behind, but are making extraordinary records nonetheless.

From somewhere down the middle of the country music world we have our Disc of the Day award winner. It’s Randall King and his “I Could Be That Rain.”

BILL TAYLOR / “Roll Me Away”
Writer: Bob Seger; Producer: Randall Deaton; Label: Lonesome Day Records
– I have always been a huge Bob Seger fan. So are the folks gathered on the new, multi-artist album Silver Bullet Bluegrass. This hearty, chesty baritone has one of the collection’s standout tracks, an exhilarating ride on wheels of fleet picking and close harmony singing. It feels like a splash of mountain spring water on your face. And it turns out that Seger’s 1983 rock classic sounds simply splendid in a bluegrass setting. Appalachia meets Motor City. Enthusiastically recommended.

MAREN MORRIS / “I Hope I Never Fall In Love”
Writers: Delacey/Evan Blair/Lucy Healey/Maren Morris; Producer: Evan Blair; Label: Columbia Records
– This echoey, throbbing, bittersweet ballad has a lovely ‘60s pop vibe. The luscious melody is bolstered by a thumping backbeat, ringing guitar and ghostly female vocal harmonies. It’s drawn from her upcoming pop EP Intermission, due Aug. 12.

RANDALL KING / “I Could Be That Rain”
Writers: Brian Fuller/Mason Thornley; Producers: Jared Conrad, Randall King; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– It is one of the great mysteries of our time why this superb vocalist is not yet a country superstar. As always, he delivers the goods. This time, he rides atop a cool rhythm pattern and some crashing guitars as he wails to the heavens. So nice I played it twice.

PHIL VASSAR & JEFFREY STEELE / “Like A Man’s Supposed To”
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Phil Vassar; Producers: Jeffrey Steele, Scott Baggett; Label: 3 Ring Circus Records
– These two dudes are multiple award-winning troubadours. As a team, they sound like real brothers. This mid-tempo track has a retro, blue-eyed-soul flavor, punctuated by organ and sax blasts.

GREYLAN JAMES / “Who Broke Up With You”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Brad Clawson/Greylan James; Producers: Brock Berryhill, Greylan James, Jason Massey; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– It starts out kinda dull, but when he kicks into the hooky part, the thing takes off. The gist of it is that the guy who broke up with her must have been out of his mind. The production churns along nicely as he unspools his observations.

MEGAN MORONEY / “Hell Of A Show”
Writer: Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
– He treats her mean, but she has to hide her heartbreak because the show must go on. Anyone who has had to smile in spite of pain can relate to this tiny gem. It is performed with just a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment to her aching vocal delivery. The brief, tender little heartbreaker is the closing track on her brilliant new sophomore album Am I Okay?

JETT HOLDEN & CASSADEE POPE / “Karma”
Writer: Jett Holden; Producer: Will Hoge; Label: Black Opry Records
– This one is a darkly sinister rocker with a rapid-fire vocal delivery. He sings splendidly, Pope adds a perfect vocal assist, and the production kicks butt. Like many beginning country songwriters, he is overly word-y. But there is real promise here.

SHELBY LYNNE / “Gone To Bed”
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Burt Bacharach/Hal David/Karen Fairchild/Shelby Lynne; Producers: Ashley Monroe, Gena Johnson, Karen Fairchild, Shelby Lynne; Label: Monument Records
– Lynne’s first album in nine years is an audio pop wonderland. Its single starts off with an extended, spoken-word heartbreak meditation, followed by a dreamy, airy tune in an electronic soundscape. Titled Consequences of the Crown, the collection drops on Aug. 16. Throughout the project, she is utterly fascinating.

DILLON JAMES / “River Black”
Writers: Dan Alley/Dillon James/Jason Gantt; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Buena Vista Records
– The title tune of this guy’s debut EP is a bluesy country rocker with a stately, stomping pace. Moody and intense.

RHONDA VINCENT / “Wagon Wheel”
Writers: Bob Dylan/Ketch Secor; Producer: Rhonda Vincent; Label: Upper Management Music
– The Queen of Bluegrass drops her new Destinations and Fun Places collection tomorrow (Aug. 9). She has already issued her covers of “Please Mr. Please” and the IBMA award-nominated “City of New Orleans” as teasers for the album. Now the Opry star is taking on the Darius Rucker/Old Crow Medicine Show hit with a soprano vocal harmony by Alison Krauss. Vincent and her band The Rage take an extended instrumental ride toward the song’s finale, extending the single to seven minutes in length. This is the oft-played song’s sweetest version yet.

REDFERRIN / “Just Like Johnny”
Writers: Blake Redferrin/Micah Wilshire; Producers: Jake Saghi, Micah Wilshire, Redferrin; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The reason he is “just like Johnny” is that he is deeply into substance abuse. He cautions her that he “ain’t nowhere close to walking that line.” He loves her, but thinks he will always hurt her, let her down and put her through misery…. and that he will never change. Depressing yet compelling.

JOE ELY / “Driven To Drive”
Writer: Joe Ely; Producer: Joe Ely; Label: Rack ‘Em Records
– Some 23 albums into his career, this Americana stalwart is issuing a “road” album that celebrates the freedom of the highway. This propulsive country-rocker sets the mood.

Big Machine Music Signs Lanie Gardner

/by

Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Machine Label Group’s Megan Joyce and Lauren Davis, Left Right Management’s Jonathan Craig, Taylor Guttmann and PLLC’s Rachel Guttmann; (L-R, front row): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Lanie Gardner and Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle. Photo: Eden Gerlock for Big Machine Music

Big Machine Music has signed singer-songwriter Lanie Gardner to an exclusive co-publishing deal.

Gardner, a North Carolina native, was born into a musical family who supported her writing from the age of 12. Influenced by a blend of rock and country, she has earned over a million social media followers with her sound.

“Lanie is a force of nature. While still early in her journey, she is already a powerhouse of originality as an artist, songwriter and person,” says BMM’s President Mike Molinar. “We are proud that she has chosen Big Machine Music to join her team as her publishing partners.”

“I am so excited to sign my first publishing deal. Alex Heddle, Mike Molinar and the team at Big Machine Music understand that songwriting is core to my artistry,” shares Gardner. “Here’s to new beginnings!”

Gardner latest release “Chasing The Wind” is featured on Twisters: The Album, alongside a track list of some of today’s biggest country music stars.

12th Annual Watershed Festival Rocks The Gorge Amphitheatre

/by

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit To Release ‘Live From The Ryman Vol. 2’

/by

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit will release Live From The Ryman Vol. 2, the latest collection of tracks recorded during their sold-out stints at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, on Oct. 4 via Southeastern Records.

Live From The Ryman Vol. 2 pulls multi-track recordings by the band’s longtime front-of-house engineer Cain Hogsed from four of the last six years of Ryman shows. Co-produced by Jason Isbell and Hogsed and mixed with Todd Tidwell, the album features 15 live versions of songs from their last two studio albums, Reunions and Weathervanes, as well as a rendition of “The Last Song I Will Write” from Isbell’s 2009 self-titled project and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Room at the Top.”

The group will return to the historic venue for their annual eight-night residency in October.

Live From The Ryman Vol. 2 Track Listing:
1. “Save the World”
2. “King of Oklahoma”
3. “Only Children”
4. “Overseas”
5. “Dreamsicle”
6. “Running with Our Eyes Closed”
7. “Middle of the Morning”
8. “The Last Song I Will Write”
9. “Strawberry Woman”
10. “Cast Iron Skillet”
11. “Miles”
12. “River”
13. “When We Were Close”
14. “Room at the Top”
15. “This Ain’t It”

Capitol Christian Music Group Promotes Three

/by

Pictured (L-R): Emily Dashiell, Jeff Gunkel and Carlos Monnaco. Photos: Austin Lord

Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has promoted Emily Dashiell to Senior Vice President of Commercial Partnerships, Jeff Gunkel to Senior Vice President of Market Development and Carlos Monnaco to Senior Vice President of Finance.

“We are thrilled to share the exciting news of Emily Dashiell, Jeff Gunkel and Carlos Monnaco’s well-deserved promotions,” share CCMG Co-Presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. “Their commitment to the company and their teams has been instrumental in our success and in our relationships with our artists and writers. We know that they will continue to do great things in their expanded roles.”

Capitol Christian Music Group staff. Photo: Austin Lord

Dashiell joined CCMG as Brand Manager in 2015 to launch the company’s proprietary curator brand, SOZO Playlists. She most recently served as Vice President of Marketing & Commercial Partnerships, and was integral to the commercial success of artists NF, Anne Wilson, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, Blessing Offor and more. In her new position, Dashiell will oversee CCMG’s revenue strategies across its entire portfolio. Additionally, she plans to continue to focus on partner activations with DSPs while also guiding the label business across global distribution, eCommerce/D2C, catalog marketing, streaming and playlisting strategy.

“I am incredibly honored to step into my expanded role at Capitol CMG! I want to thank Hudson Plachy and Brad O’Donnell for their continued leadership and support,” says Dashiell. “The future of Christian and gospel music is robust—and I’m eager to help drive new commercial strategy, bespoke innovation and accelerated growth for our talented roster of artists.”

Joining the company in 2004, Gunkel spent his first 14 years in key roles with CCMG Publishing. Rising from Vice President of Market Development, he will now oversee the areas of market development and digital rights as well as Re:Think Records, which Gunkel helped relaunch in 2018. Under his leadership, Re:Think aims to work alongside artists and labels to grow their audience and enhance listener engagement.

“I am honored and excited to step into this new role,” expresses Gunkel. “Christian music has a vibrant future that will be built by artists paving new paths outside traditional industry landscapes. Re:Think is committed to constant evolution, setting its sights on how to meet the needs of artists by growing their reach to impact future generations.”

Monnaco formerly served as Vice President of Finance, and recently celebrated 18 years with the CCMG. His responsibilities have now expanded to include oversight of financial planning and analysis, royalty accounting and IT.

“Having served in the music industry for many years now, this opportunity to help steward the legacy of our artists and writers is both humbling and exciting,” says Monnaco. “I’m grateful to both Hudson and Brad and look forward to keep supporting our creative community as they continue to bring an uplifting message to a worldwide audience.”

Cody Jinks To Revisit The ‘Backside Of 30’

/by

Cody Jinks is revisiting his fan-favorite 2012 album 30 with Backside Of 30, due out Sept. 27 via Late August Records.

“I really love the 30 album, I feel like it was a big step up for me in my writing and it was time to remaster, add a new one, and re-release,” shares Jinks

Backside Of 30 will serve as a reflection of Jinks’ life and career over the last 12 years. The remastering was done by Adam Grover and it was remixed by Nick Choate. A perfect opportunity to encapsulate his Texas roots and show off his southern sound, the project was recorded at Rosewood Studios in Tyler, Texas and Blue Smoke Studios in Fort Worth, Texas.

The track listing includes the 10 original tracks from 30, as well as new song “When The New Wears Off.” Produced by Ryan Hewitt and Joshua Thompson, the new tune is a heartfelt anthem about everlasting and unconditional love. It will also show Jinks’ different eras of songwriting all in one.

Backside Of 30 Track List: 
1. “A Memory And A Dream”
2. “Looking For A Friend”
3. “We Get By”
4. “Thunderheads”
5. “13 Years”
6. “Prairie House Redemption (feat. Sam Anderson)”
7. “Glad To Say”
8. “Lady Bug”
9. “This Old Guitar”
10. “Alone”
11. “Just Enough”
12. “When The New Wears Off”

2024 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Group/Duo Artist Of The Year

/by

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 36th annual MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, we take a closer look at the Group/Duo Artist of the Year category. This category is voted on by MusicRow’s subscribers to honor outstanding achievements by a Nashville Group or Duo during the eligibility period.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 9 at 5:00 p.m. To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, becoming a MusicRow subscriber here.

ACM and CMA Award-winning duo Brothers Osborne are one of music’s most consistently adventurous bands. Growing up in Deale, Maryland, the brothers are leaders of a progressive yet classic school of country music, and the faces of the new generation in Nashville. The duo took home their first Grammy in 2022 for Best Country/Duo Group Performance. Altogether, they have been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, won six CMA Vocal Duo of the Year awards and four ACM Duo of the Year awards. Brothers Osborne has amassed seven CMA Awards, seven ACM trophies, the ASCAP Vanguard Award, multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and more than three billion global streams. They have shared the stage with Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert as well as held their own headlining tours. They released their fourth studio album, Brothers Osborne, last fall, featuring the single “Nobody’s Nobody.”

Three-time Grammy winners Dan+ Shay continue to make a permanent mark on country music and beyond. Their fifth studio album, Bigger Houses, gave the duo their 10th No. 1 at country radio with lead single “Save Me The Trouble.” The song marked their largest add-day to date and the highest Country Aircheck debut since June 2022. It won the 2024 CMT Music Award for Duo/Group Video of the Year. Bigger Houses followed the duo’s record-breaking album Good Things, which featured Platinum-certified hits “I Should Probably Go To Bed” and double-Platinum “Glad You Exist.” It also saw the five-times Platinum global smash “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber, which crossed one billion streams on Spotify in December 2023. The project was the first country album in the streaming era to achieve RIAA Gold certification at release and is one of the only 12 albums all-genre to be released and go Gold in 2021. The duo also made history in the last year by becoming the first ever team to coach on The Voice.

Multi-Platinum band Old Dominion are consistently at the forefront of country music with their skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows. To date, the group has notched nine No. 1 singles, amassed five billion streams and received over a dozen RIAA Platinum and Gold single certifications. Their accolades include seven ACM Awards, six CMA Awards and several Grammy nominations. The 2023 release of 18-track Memory Lane continued the group’s infectious sound, lyrical wit and hook-heavy songwriting. The title track peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and hit No. 27 on the Hot 100. The album also featured the band’s duet with Megan Moroney, “Can’t Breakup Now.” Old Dominion continues to headline arenas and amphitheaters around the globe and are scheduled to appear at Watershed Festival, Musikfest, XRoads41, Coastal Country Jam and more. They recently dropped their newest radio single “Coming Home,” which debuted at No. 24 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.

In 2023, Parmalee were crowned the most-played group/band on country radio. The group has earned four No. 1 singles, multiple Platinum records and over one billion on-demand streams. With the whole group hailing from North Carolina, their breakout hit “Carolina” topped the charts and was followed up with their Platinum-certified No. 1 single with Blanco Brown “Just The Way.” Then, they released Billboard‘s Most Played Country Song of 2022, “Take My Name.” With recent single “Girl In Mine,” the group scored their third straight No. 1 track, and it was No. 8 on Billboard‘s Most Played Country Songs of 2023. Parmalee dropped their latest album, For You 2, which includes their top-25-and-climbing single “Gonna Love You.” They recently wrapped their run on Kane Brown’s tour and are scheduled to appear at Country Jam, NC Freedom Fest, Coastal Country Jam, Country In The Park, Country Calling and more, along with numerous headlining shows.

Husband and wife duo The War And Treaty have become one of the most electrifying new acts in music, with their lionhearted sonic blend both roaring with passion and tender to the touch. The duo’s debut album Lover’s Game earned critical praise and includes standout tracks “Blank Page” and “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me.” The pair also collaborated with Zach Bryan on smash hit “Hey Driver.” The group recently extended their headlining tour, with stops scheduled in Chicago, Omaha, New York City, Denver, St. Louis and more. They also will be seen on bills for Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan, Ian Munsick, Gary Clark Jr. and Orville Peck throughout the year as well as appearances at Lasso Festival, North Carolina Folk Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, Sound On Sound and more. They have been keeping fans happy with recently-released tracks “Stealing A Kiss,” “Leads Me Home” and “Called You By Your Name.”

Sisters and reigning ACM New Duo of the Year Tigirlily Gold had been playing music together since childhood before forming their band in high school. The North Dakota natives played gigs across the midwest before moving to Nashville. When they got to Music City, they started with a weekly residence at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. During their four hour sets, they developed a captivating and fun performance style, proving that entertaining is in their blood. Their debut single at country radio, “Shoot Tequila,” hit the top 40 and amassed millions of views on social media in addition to millions of streams. The track earned them CMT Music Award nominations earlier this year for Breakthrough Female Video and Duo/Group Video of the Year. Their current radio single, “I Tried A Ring On,” is top-45-and-climbing. Both tracks are featured on their recently-released debut album, Blonde, a deeply personal project that shares tales of love and loss alongside powerful anthems and songs of female empowerment.