Mark Germino
Critically acclaimed Nashville folk-pop artist Mark Germino passed away Wednesday (July 3) at age 73.
During his career, Germino issued six albums and became a popular Nashville nightclub performer. Although he never wrote a hit single, his tunes were recorded by such Hall of Fame artists as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to have an album issued on compact disc, as well as on vinyl and cassette.
Mark Germino was a native of North Carolina who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he healed emotionally from his war experiences.
When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.
He arrived in Music City in 1974 and took up the guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make inroads on Music Row. He began performing in clubs in 1976 and quickly attracted the attention of his songwriting peers. Paul Craft issued Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as s single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill took Germino to his publisher, Combine Music, in 1981.
Two years later, Loretta Lynn cracked the country top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash both recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window.” Steve Earle performed Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.
Germino overcame initial onstage shyness to become a charming live performer, himself. His dry, drawling, conversational vocal style and lightly humorous, rumpled, offbeat personality delighted fans at his club appearances.
Talent scout Mary Martin caught one of Germino’s performances at The Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, noted for his work with such artists as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album, 1986’s London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, which Germino described as “folk ’n’ roll.”
Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other publications. At the time, the compact disc was new technology, so Germino’s album also achieved some notoriety because of its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the U.S.
Germino tried again with 1987’s Caught In the Act of Being Ourselves, but RCA only issued it overseas. Stateside, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of independent-label artists recorded his songs.
In 1991, Germino teamed up with the Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radartown. It contained “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs at shows. It told the story of a radio DJ who is fired for playing music he loves, rather than what he is told to play. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.
Germino returned to the studio to create 1995’s Rank and File, a folk music outing. It contained his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” He then put music aside to write three novels.
In the meantime, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill,” and it became a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney issued Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.
The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic Candlestick in 2006, this time billed as Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of recording silence, he issued Midnight Carnival in 2021.
The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield, as well as on Wikipedia. Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.
Tyler Childers To Take ‘Mule Pull Tour’ Down Under In February
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Childers. Photo: Sam Waxman
Tyler Childers will take his “Mule Pull Tour” to Australia and New Zealand in February with a handful of newly-confirmed shows in Auckland, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and more.
Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale starting July 9-12, with general on-sale following Friday. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Blaze Aid, a local Australian organization that helps rebuild communities after natural disasters.
The new shows follow Childers’ extensive 2024 run, which kicked off earlier this year with sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden (two nights), Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (two nights) and many more. Childers recently released a new track, “Song While You’re Away,” which will be featured on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie out July 19.
The song follows Childers’ latest album, Rustin’ In The Rain, which was released this past fall and included the two-time Grammy and ACM-nominated single, “In Your Love.” The song broke into the top 35 on the Mediabase country chart and garnered over 10 million video views and 165 million on-demand streams.
Tyler Childers’ Australian Dates:
February 6 —Auckland, New Zealand—Spark Arena
February 8 —Brisbane, Australia—Sandstone Point Hotel
February 9 —Byron Bay, Australia—The Green Room
February 12 —Sydney, Australia—Hordern Pavilion
February 15 —Newcastle, Australia—Newcastle Foreshore Park
February 16 —Canberra, Australia—Royal Theatre
February 20 —Melbourne, Australia—Sidney Myer Music Bowl
February 22 —Korumburra, Australia—Coal Creek Community Park and Museum
Radio Pics: MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by MusicRow StaffOver 60 stations across the country report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart each week. MusicRow celebrates country music’s success at radio in secondary markets.
Click here to see the current CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
BoomTown Saints visit with KFGE’s Cory Edmondson
Laura Bryna and WCTY’s Jimmy Lehn
Christian Yeager visits WVNW’s Erik Lane
Orville Peck Rides Back In With New Duets Collection ‘Stampede’
/by Lorie HollabaughOrville Peck. Photo: Ben Prince
Orville Peck is galloping out of the gate with a huge collection of new duets on his forthcoming album, Stampede, out on Aug. 2 via Warner Records.
The album features new collaborations with Beck, Teddy Swims, Margo Price, Mickey Guyton, Debbii Dawson, TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne, Fancy Hagood and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, along with his latest single “Midnight Ride” with Kylie Minogue and Diplo, which was released a few weeks back.
Stampede rounds out the collection of massive duets that was first introduced as Stampede Vol. 1 in May, featuring songs with Willie Nelson, Elton John, Noah Cyrus, Midland, Allison Russell, Nathaniel Rateliff and Bu Cuaron.
“This project has always been something I’ve fantasized about, so to see it finally come to fruition really is a dream come true,” says Peck.
Peck recently announced his sixth annual rodeo event, featuring performances from Medium Build, Guyton, Reyna Roberts, The Nude Party and more, in addition to a headline set from Peck and Tanya Tucker. Hosted by John Waters, the rodeo will take place on Aug. 24 at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, with a kickoff party at Basement East on Aug. 23 and a closing party at Brooklyn Bowl on Aug. 25.
Stampede Track List:
1. Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other [with Willie Nelson]
2. The Hurtin’ Kind [with Midland]
3. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) [with Elton John]
4. Back At Your Door [with Debbii Dawson]
5. Chemical Sunset [with Allison Russell]
6. Death Valley High [with Beck]
7. How Far Will We Take It? [with Noah Cyrus]
8. Miénteme [with Bu Cuaron]
9. Papa Was a Rodeo [with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway]
10. Midnight Ride [with Kylie Minogue and Diplo]
11. Ever You’re Gone [with Teddy Swims]
12. You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) [with Margo Price]
13. Where Are We Now? [with Mickey Guyton]
14. Conquer The Heart [with Nathaniel Rateliff]
15. Rhinestone Cowboy [with TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne and Fancy Hagood]
Song Poet Mark Germino Passes
/by Robert K OermannMark Germino
Critically acclaimed Nashville folk-pop artist Mark Germino passed away Wednesday (July 3) at age 73.
During his career, Germino issued six albums and became a popular Nashville nightclub performer. Although he never wrote a hit single, his tunes were recorded by such Hall of Fame artists as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to have an album issued on compact disc, as well as on vinyl and cassette.
Mark Germino was a native of North Carolina who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he healed emotionally from his war experiences.
When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.
He arrived in Music City in 1974 and took up the guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make inroads on Music Row. He began performing in clubs in 1976 and quickly attracted the attention of his songwriting peers. Paul Craft issued Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as s single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill took Germino to his publisher, Combine Music, in 1981.
Two years later, Loretta Lynn cracked the country top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash both recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window.” Steve Earle performed Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.
Germino overcame initial onstage shyness to become a charming live performer, himself. His dry, drawling, conversational vocal style and lightly humorous, rumpled, offbeat personality delighted fans at his club appearances.
Talent scout Mary Martin caught one of Germino’s performances at The Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, noted for his work with such artists as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album, 1986’s London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, which Germino described as “folk ’n’ roll.”
Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other publications. At the time, the compact disc was new technology, so Germino’s album also achieved some notoriety because of its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the U.S.
Germino tried again with 1987’s Caught In the Act of Being Ourselves, but RCA only issued it overseas. Stateside, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of independent-label artists recorded his songs.
In 1991, Germino teamed up with the Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radartown. It contained “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs at shows. It told the story of a radio DJ who is fired for playing music he loves, rather than what he is told to play. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.
Germino returned to the studio to create 1995’s Rank and File, a folk music outing. It contained his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” He then put music aside to write three novels.
In the meantime, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill,” and it became a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney issued Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.
The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic Candlestick in 2006, this time billed as Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of recording silence, he issued Midnight Carnival in 2021.
The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield, as well as on Wikipedia. Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.
Wynonna Returns To The Venetian Resort Las Vegas In December
/by Lorie HollabaughWynonna Judd is returning to the Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a special three-night run during NFR week this December.
To celebrate her four decade-long career, which began as one half of the legendary mother-daughter duo, The Judds, Judd will play The Greatest Hits in honor of her 40th anniversary as an entertainer. The shows will take place Wednesday, Dec. 11, Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14.
“Sometimes I feel like you just need to throw a big party for yourself! This is a milestone year for me,” says Judd. “Mom and I played our very first show in 1984, which means I’ve been performing live for 40 years. That’s more than half of my life! The Greatest Hits celebration is a chance for the fans and I to celebrate. They have been with me for so long and my hope is that everyone will get to hear their favorite song. How many hits can we fit into one show? Let’s find out!”
Tickets start at $49.50, plus fees, and will go on sale to the general public July 12 at Ticketmaster.com, VenetianLasVegas.com, the box office at The Venetian Resort, or by calling 702-414.9000 or 866-641.7469.
Judd last appeared at The Venetian Theatre during “The Judds – Girls Night Out” residency with her mom Naomi Judd for a nine-show run in 2015.
Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely & Mandy Barnett To Host SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 21st annual SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards on Aug. 27 will be hosted by Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett.
The event, which honors and inducts a select group of “Women Behind The Music” into the SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame, will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in the Municipal Auditorium. Individual tickets are $110 and on sale now.
This year Grammy-winner Jeannie Seely will be honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award, joining an elite group of Lifetime Achievement Award honorees including Walker-Meador (2004), Lee (2006) and Frances Preston (2010).
This year’s SOURCE’s Nashville Hall of Fame inductees include Teena Camp, Marty Craighead, Leslie Fram, Kathy Harris, Judy Seale and Sheree Spoltore.
Morgan Wallen’s Hyde Park Debut Sets Record For Largest U.K. Country Concert
/by Liza AndersonMorgan Wallen during his record-setting debut at London’s Hyde Park. Photo: @jrcmccord
Morgan Wallen performed for 50,000 fans during his sold-out debut at London’s Hyde Park yesterday (July 4)—marking the largest country concert ever held in the United Kingdom.
The show marked Wallen’s first U.K. appearance since performing for a sold-out crowd at The O2 in December. His 24-song set featured a solo rendition of he and Post Malone’s history-making collaboration, “I Had Some Help,” and an acoustic performance of his new single, “Lies Lies Lies.” Wallen then closed out the milestone evening with “The Way I Talk” from his 2018 debut album, If I Know Me.
Morgan Wallen’s One Thing At A Time cover art projected onto the Welling Arch. Photo: Jos Newbold
Written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross and Chris Tompkins, and produced by Joey Moi, the superstar timed the release of “Lies Lies Lies” to his return to the city where it was originally recorded as a part of his Abbey Road Sessions, which he released on March 3 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of One Thing At A Time. As Wallen prepared to take the stage, the record-breaking collection’s cover art was projected throughout Camden and Southbank as well as onto Tate Modern and the Wellington Arch. He also surprised fans with the drop of a U.K.-exclusive “Lies Lies Lies” physical CD.
With a portion of every ticket purchased to his live shows benefitting the Morgan Wallen Foundation (MWF), which operates on the core belief that all children deserve a chance to thrive, play and create through sports and music, the MWF earmarked $20,000 to support London Youth Choirs (LYC), whose mission is to improve access to music for disadvantaged youth.
Wallen will travel overseas once again to kick off his first-ever European tour in Stockholm, Sweden on Aug. 28. The seven-show run will include stops in Copenhagen, Denmark; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Glasgow, U.K. and more before concluding with two back-to-back nights in Dublin, Ireland.
Pictured (L–R): Big Loud’s Seth England, EMI UK’s Rebecca Allen, UMG’s Lucian Grainge, Morgan Wallen, UMG UK’s David Joseph, Big Loud’s Brianne Deslippe and The Neal Agency’s Austin Neal. Photo: David Lehr
Mary Martin, Veteran Artist Manager & A&R Executive, Passes
/by LB CantrellMary Martin. Photo: Kay Williams, courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Music industry veteran Mary Martin has passed away on Thursday night (July 4) at Alive Hospice. The news was posted on social media and shared by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
“Time and again, Mary Martin spotted great talents and elevated their careers,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the CMHOFM. “Early on, she connected Bob Dylan to her friends the Hawks, who became the Band. She managed Leonard Cohen in his first musical outings, then guided the budding solo careers of Van Morrison, Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill. At Warner Bros., she signed future Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris, at RCA she helped sign and develop Clint Black and Lorrie Morgan, and she encouraged a young Keith Urban to move from Australia to Nashville. Mary’s unerring feel for songs and performers was legendary, and she was a fierce ally for the artists she represented.”
Born in 1939 in Toronto, Canada, Martin began her career in New York in 1962 as executive assistant to artist manager Albert Grossman, who guided the careers of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Peter, Paul & Mary and others. She went out on her own four years later, and managed the early career of Leonard Cohen and then Van Morrison.
In 1972, she joined Warner Bros. Records in New York, where she signed Emmylou Harris, Leon Redbone and The Marshall Tucker Band. Moving to Los Angeles at the end of the ’70s, she returned to artist management, working with Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill. She also gave production assistance to Crowell for artists he produced like Rosanne Cash, Sissy Spacek, Guy Clark and Albert Lee, and initiated the fan clubs and oversaw the creation of a successful merchandising venture for both artists during this time.
Martin moved to Nashville in 1985 and became Vice President of RCA Records, where she worked with Gill, Clint Black, Paul Overstreet, Aaron Tippin and Lorrie Morgan.
She became the Executive Director of ECO (Earth Communications Office) in 1991, overseeing fundraising and other activities for the nonprofit. She consulted with the A&R department of Asylum Records from ’94 – ’96 before joining Mercury Records as Vice President in 1999. Martin won a Grammy in 2002 for her work on the Hank Williams tribute album Timeless, which featured Dylan, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Tom Petty and others.
SOURCE inducted Martin into its Hall of Fame in 2007. She was honored at the Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in 2009. Martin inspired generations of music industry professionals, especially women.
Memorial services have not yet been announced.
Nashville’s ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ 2024 Celebration Draws Record Attendance
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Alan Poizner for Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Nashville wrapped another sparkling fourth of July celebration downtown with its annual “Let Freedom Sing!” event, drawing a record 355,000 people in spite of the oppressive heat and a temporary downpour.
The lineup of music featured headliner Chris Young as well as Girl Named Tom and Blessing Offor. Yola‘s scheduled performance did not take place due to the weather delay. To help keep attendees safe in the severe heat, safety precautions were put in place including misting tents and hydration stations. Red Frogs volunteers handed out free water, misting, sunscreen and more.
For the first time ever, the massive fireworks display incorporated drones into the 30-minute show high above the city, which were choreographed to a live musical performance by the Nashville Symphony.
“Once again, Music City delivered another spectacular Independence Day celebration, and the fireworks and drone show choreographed to the Nashville Symphony was a highlight,” says Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Thank you to headliner Chris Young and our wonderful lineup, as well as all our event partners, Metro agencies and everyone who celebrated with us.”
Charlie Peacock To Release ‘Roots & Rhythm: A Life In Music’ Memoir
/by Madison HahnenCharlie Peacock. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Industry veteran Charlie Peacock is set to release his memoir, Roots & Rhythm: A Life In Music, early next year via William. B. Eerdmans Publishing. The book will touch on his journey from the beginning of his career to now, acting as a tribute to the joy and perseverance in his life in music as well as the ancestral and musical influences that have shaped his career.
He describes the novel as a “chapter-by-chapter remix of the music, places and people that made me and the music I made.” Roots & Rhythm: A Life In Music will include retellings of his time developing Switchfoot, producing The Civil Wars, co-writing Amy Grant’s “Every Heartbeat” and more.
Peacock’s 50-year career as an artist has brought him Grammy Awards, solo albums, hit productions with acts such as Chris Cornell, Holly Williams and more. He is also the Founder of re:think, a label that has signed Switchfoot, among others, and created the Commercial Music program at Nashville’s Lipscomb University.
Additionally, Peacock is known for his pioneering contributions to gospel rock and the Americana/Folk movement of the 2000s as well as his jazz explorations with bassist John Patitucci.
Along with the new book, he plans to release a solo album, co-produced with Sam Ashworth, in the near future. Like the novel, the album takes a reflective look backward, using the lessons learned and inspiration gained from the five decades.