Frankie Miller
Texas-based country singer Frankie Miller, who originated the evergreen “Blackland Farmer,” has died at age 95.
Miller was born in East Texas in 1931. He excelled at football during his teen years. He formed a band called The Drifting Texans and signed with Gilt Edge Records (a subsidiary of 4-Star) in Houston. His 1951 efforts for that label were unsuccessful.
He joined the Army during the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star. Frankie Miller signed with Columbia Records in 1954 and joined the cast of Fort Worth’s Cowtown Hoedown later in the 1950s.
His heyday began when he signed with Nashville’s Starday Records in 1959. The label issued his self-penned “Black Land Farmer” that year, and it rose to No. 5 on the country hit parade. Miller followed it with “Family Man,” another top-10 hit.
Merle Kilgore’s sentimental “Baby Rocked Her Dolly” hit No. 15 for Miller in 1960. Frankie Miller was named the Most Promising Male Country Singer of 1960 by Cash Box magazine. He joined the cast of The Louisiana Hayride on KWKH in Shreveport.
Thanks to renewed airplay in Texas and Michigan, “Black Land Farmer” became a hit for Miller a second time in 1961. The song has since been recorded by Faron Young, Elizabeth Cook, Wink Martindale, Hard Working Americans, Pat Boone, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Gilmer, Steve Young, Sleepy LaBeef and a number of others.
Miller’s final chart entry was 1964’s “A Little South of Memphis.” He signed with United Artists in 1965, but no further hits ensued.
His straightforward, spare, honky-tonk style was out of step with the more-produced Nashville Sound stylists that were then ascending. In addition, he reportedly lacked ambition and suffered from stage fright.
Miller left the music business. He went to work at a Chrysler dealership in Arlington, Texas.
In the 1980s, he became a cult figure, with record collectors avidly championing him as a nearly forgotten country stylist. Reissues of his tunes were issued by Germany’s Bear Family Records label in 1983. In 2006, Frankie Miller returned to recording via the Heart of Texas Records label.
Tracy Pitcox, President of Heart of Texas Records, shared the news of his death, writing, “Frankie had just completed work and released his biography, The Blackland Farmer: Life Among Country Music Legends, written by Greg Wilson. He remained active in the industry and continued to enjoy making music into his 90s. He even was a special guest and performed with his long-time friend Willie Nelson a few years ago at the Luck Reunion.”
Miller is survived by his daughters Sandi Wilson and Lori Chaney, their husbands Greg Wilson and William Chaney, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Services have not yet been announced.
NSAI Unveils Details For 27th Annual NSAI Song Contest
/by Lauryn SinkNSAI will open its 26th annual Song Contest on Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. CST.
Entries can be submitted here for $35 per song or lyric entry for current NSAI members and $45 per song or lyric entry for the general public. There is no limit to the number of songs or lyrics that songwriters can submit. The submission portal will close at 5:00 p.m. CST on Oct. 31.
This year, prizes will be distributed between 13 songwriters who place in the competition.
Winners and runners-up prizes will include items such as mentor sessions with Trisha Yearwood, Matthew West or Jenn Schott, industry opportunities and meetings, a cash prize up to $5,000, a curated Music Row Experience, a Taylor Gold Label 712e, a complete home studio recording package from Custom House at Guitar Center, the chance to attend the 10th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards in 2027 at The Ryman, an evening at the Bluebird Cafe and more.
Additional prizes for the Song Category winner include a chance to perform the winning song at both The Bluebird Cafe and Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, and an offer for a one-year single-song contract for the winning song from SMACKSongs. More information about prizes can be found here.
The judging will be completed in four phases, kicking off with an analysis of each individual entry by an industry professional. The highest scoring songs and lyrics from each judge will move forward to the next rounds. A total of 13 entries will place in the contest over the other three phases of judging, which will culminate with a final judging where the Lyric Category Grand Prize winner and runners-up will be announced, and the Song Category Top 10 finalists will be judged for the final time before determining the Song Category Grand Prize Winner. Judging will take place no later than February 2027. Up to 10 additional entries will be recognized as Honorable Mentions in the contest.
Dolly Parton Honored During Star-Studded Opry Show
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Mark Mosrie
The Grand Ole Opry dedicated Saturday night’s show (Aug. 29) to the late Dolly Parton.
A portion of each ticket sold from the show will be donated to Parton’s Imagination Library.
Carly Pearce, who began her career at Dollywood and was surprised by Parton with an invitation to join the Opry in 2021, performed “Those Memories of You” and celebrated her fifth anniversary as an Opry member. Kathy Mattea dedicated “Jolene” to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry Member’s memory. Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle sang “Just Someone I Used To Know,” and Dan Tyminski dedicated his song “Smile When You’re Alone” to Parton, saying “her voice would have been perfect on it.” Additional highlights included T. Graham Brown delivering “Beulah Land,” Belle Frantz, making her Opry debut, singing “Where No One Stands Alone,” Channing Wilson singing “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” and Jada Star, Parton’s niece, performing “The Orchard.”
All the artists gathered at the end of the show to perform “9 to 5,” including a surprise walk-on by Opry member Jelly Roll. The night concluded with the artists and several backstage guests taking the stage to watch a video of Parton singing “I Will Always Love You” at the Opry.
Photo: Mark Mosrie
Photo: Mark Mosrie
‘Blackland Farmer’ Hit Maker Frankie Miller Passes
/by Robert K OermannFrankie Miller
Texas-based country singer Frankie Miller, who originated the evergreen “Blackland Farmer,” has died at age 95.
Miller was born in East Texas in 1931. He excelled at football during his teen years. He formed a band called The Drifting Texans and signed with Gilt Edge Records (a subsidiary of 4-Star) in Houston. His 1951 efforts for that label were unsuccessful.
He joined the Army during the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star. Frankie Miller signed with Columbia Records in 1954 and joined the cast of Fort Worth’s Cowtown Hoedown later in the 1950s.
His heyday began when he signed with Nashville’s Starday Records in 1959. The label issued his self-penned “Black Land Farmer” that year, and it rose to No. 5 on the country hit parade. Miller followed it with “Family Man,” another top-10 hit.
Merle Kilgore’s sentimental “Baby Rocked Her Dolly” hit No. 15 for Miller in 1960. Frankie Miller was named the Most Promising Male Country Singer of 1960 by Cash Box magazine. He joined the cast of The Louisiana Hayride on KWKH in Shreveport.
Thanks to renewed airplay in Texas and Michigan, “Black Land Farmer” became a hit for Miller a second time in 1961. The song has since been recorded by Faron Young, Elizabeth Cook, Wink Martindale, Hard Working Americans, Pat Boone, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Gilmer, Steve Young, Sleepy LaBeef and a number of others.
Miller’s final chart entry was 1964’s “A Little South of Memphis.” He signed with United Artists in 1965, but no further hits ensued.
His straightforward, spare, honky-tonk style was out of step with the more-produced Nashville Sound stylists that were then ascending. In addition, he reportedly lacked ambition and suffered from stage fright.
Miller left the music business. He went to work at a Chrysler dealership in Arlington, Texas.
In the 1980s, he became a cult figure, with record collectors avidly championing him as a nearly forgotten country stylist. Reissues of his tunes were issued by Germany’s Bear Family Records label in 1983. In 2006, Frankie Miller returned to recording via the Heart of Texas Records label.
Tracy Pitcox, President of Heart of Texas Records, shared the news of his death, writing, “Frankie had just completed work and released his biography, The Blackland Farmer: Life Among Country Music Legends, written by Greg Wilson. He remained active in the industry and continued to enjoy making music into his 90s. He even was a special guest and performed with his long-time friend Willie Nelson a few years ago at the Luck Reunion.”
Miller is survived by his daughters Sandi Wilson and Lori Chaney, their husbands Greg Wilson and William Chaney, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Services have not yet been announced.
Bridey Costello Inks With Blue Harbor Music
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Kendall Lettow (Blue Harbor Music), Bridey Costello, Anthony Modica (management), Miller Arant (Blue Harbor Music) and Steve Markland (Blue Harbor Music)
Singer-songwriter Bridey Costello has signed a global publishing and strategic artist partnership deal with Blue Harbor Music.
The Chicago native’s songwriting centers on honest, plainspoken storytelling, touching on family, queerness, growing up and finding your identity. Her raw recordings keep the focus on the songs themselves, often capturing the immediacy of a first voice memo or early demo rather than a polished studio production.
She has also built a growing live resume, opening for Olivia Barton, Abby Powledge, Taylor Bickett, Abby Holliday and Ethan Tasch. Costello is currently working on new music, with additional releases planned throughout the year. She has released her new single, “Knew What I Wanted,” today (Aug. 31).
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Bridey Costello to the Blue Harbor Music family. Bridey is a uniquely talented writer with a voice and perspective that immediately stood out,” says Steve Markland, President, Blue Harbor Music. “Her writing is honest, unexpected, and deeply personal, with a way of making specific experiences feel universal. We’re also excited about the opportunity to continue expanding the diversity of voices and perspectives represented across our roster. Bridey brings something truly special to the company, and we’re honored to support her as she develops her music and career.”
Breanne Miller Launches Wayfinders, Inc.
/by Madison HahnenBreanne Miller & Kyle Malone
Breanne Miller, formerly of Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates LLC, has launched Wayfinders, Inc., a Nashville-based financial management firm serving recording artists, songwriters, performers, producers and entertainers at all stages of their careers.
Miller brings 25 years of experience in financial management within the music and entertainment industries.
“I am thrilled to bring the vision of Wayfinders to life,” says Miller. “The experience I gained with Kirke Martin & Laine Allbee is an exceptional foundation, and I will forever be grateful for it. I will continue to honor this legacy as I work to build something lasting.”
She is joined by longtime colleague and Belmont University alum Kyle Malone, who brings experience in the entertainment and music business.
Wayfinders plans to continue growing its client base while providing financial management services to both established and emerging members of the entertainment industry.
Flatland Cavalry Slates Deluxe LP ‘Work Of Heart – Heartstrings’ For October
/by Lorie HollabaughFlatland Cavalry are releasing a deluxe edition of their fifth studio album, Work of Heart – Heartstrings, on Oct. 2 via Lost Highway.
The deluxe edition adds five new songs to the collection, and a new track from the expanded project titled “Strangers & Angels” will drop on Friday (Sept. 4.)
“We recorded 17 songs when we went into the studio to record Work Of Heart,” shares frontman Cleto Cordero. “It wasn’t easy separating these songs into two factions – the standard and the deluxe – but, per usual, leaning upon intuition, I knew Heartstrings was raising its hand to be set apart. It came from a musical idea our pianist and multi-instrumentalist, Adam Gallegos, brought to the table. On one of our days off we got together alongside Reid [Dillon] and Jason [Albers] and chased it down. To me, it sounded like a classic love song and brought forth the image of one following his heart, floating through a relationship on Cloud 9; not weary of naysayers claiming he’s ‘trippin.’ If we’re to trip, tripping on heartstrings seems a noble way to fall.”
Tonight, the band kicks off their run as support on Kacey Musgraves’ “Middle of Nowhere Tour” with two nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Their own “Work of Heart Tour” rolls on through the end of 2026, with five dates left.
Work of Heart – Heartstrings Track List:
1. “Gone” (Cleto Cordero, Ryan Beaver, Aaron Eshuis)
2. “On and On” (Cleto Cordero, Ray Fulcher, Cole Taylor)
3. “Bird’s Eye View” (Cleto Cordero, Ryan Beaver, Aaron Eshuis)
4. “Never Comin’ Back” (Cleto Cordero, Luke Laird, Aaron Raitiere)
5. “Unglued” (Cleto Cordero, Dwight Baker)
6. “Life, Love, and Happiness (Entertainer’s Lament)” (Cleto Cordero, Jason Nix)
7. “Flicker” (Cleto Cordero, Jason Albers, Reid Dillon)
8. “Work of Heart” (Cleto Cordero, Clara Calaway)
9. “Long Goodnight” (Cleto Cordero, Rodney Clawson)
10. “Nightshine” (Cleto Cordero, Dwight Baker)
11. “Real Slow” (Cleto Cordero, Dwight Baker, Conner Smith)
12. “All or Nothing” (Cleto Cordero)
13. “Hard Lessons” (Cleto Corero, Nick Walsh)
14. “Cinnamon Sugar (It’s Love)” (Cleto Cordero, Jay Knowles)
15. “Heartstrings” (Cleto Cordero, Adam Gallegos, Jason Albers, Reid Dillon)
16. “Strangers & Angels” (Cleto Cordero, Casey Beathard, Phil O’Donnell)
17. “One More Song” (Cleto Corero, Reid Isbell, Jason Nix)
Jeff Tobias Named VP Of Sales At Mogul
/by Lauryn SinkJeff Tobias.
Jeff Tobias has been named Vice President of Sales at Mogul.
In this role, Tobias leads the company’s enterprise sales and go-to-market strategy, with a focus on business management firms, artist management companies, distributors, catalog owners, royalty administrators and other organizations managing artists, rights and royalty income at scale.
Prior to joining Mogul, he served as Senior Director of Business Development at Tone, where he helped build the company’s go-to-market strategy, expanded its client base, and drove significant revenue growth across artists, labels, business managers, and other music industry partners. He previously held senior commercial and artist-facing roles at Stem and ONErpm, including Head of Artist & Label Relations for Nashville at Stem and Head of Country Music at ONErpm.
New 17-Track Collection ‘Terri Clark: Live From The Ryman’ Due In October
/by Lorie HollabaughTerri Clark. Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
Terri Clark will release Terri Clark: Live From The Ryman, a new 17-song album recorded during her long-awaited debut at the Ryman Auditorium, on Oct. 30.
The upcoming collection captures the special evening live from the first note to the final encore during her Aug. 29, 2024 debut, when Clark stepped onstage at the Mother Church for a night filled with timeless hits, reimagined medleys, and unforgettable surprise guests including Ashley McBryde and Trisha Yearwood.
The new live album includes performances of Clark’s chart-topping hits “You’re Easy On The Eyes,” “I Wanna Do It All,” “Girls Lie Too” and more, as well as duet renditions of the mega hit “Better Things To Do,” with McBryde and “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” with special guest Yearwood to close out the show.
“Headlining a show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium has always been a lifelong dream of mine,” shares Clark. “Although we never intended it to become a live record, that’s exactly what happened. What you will hear is exactly how the show went down that night. Piecing together board tracks from my road technicians, it found its way to the live recording that encapsulates one of the greatest experiences I have ever had on stage. I’m so grateful for all the fans who came for this show, they are a huge part of what makes this what it is. A truly joyous and magical exchange of energy that will be hard to ever top or replicate.”
Before the release of her live album, Clark will join Cody Johnson this September for select dates across the U.S. and Canada in addition to headline shows this fall and a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 29. Following the show, Clark will host a special VIP event Opry After Party for the first 200 fans who purchase Terri Clark: Live From The Ryman in the Opry Shop that evening. Those fans will receive admission for two to an exclusive performance and conversation with Clark directly following the show.
Fans will also have the opportunity to hear Clark speak about the album for the first time on TalkShopLive at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The Heartland Network To Premiere New Series, ‘Common Strings’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Heartland Network will premiere a new series Common Strings, featuring conversations between country’s hitmakers, veterans and emerging artists usually reserved for green rooms, tour buses, backstage hallways and writers’ rooms, on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. CT.
The weekly, one-hour series offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at candid and unscripted conversations that reveal the vulnerable, funny, and human moments and strip the glamour and glitz away from show business, revealing what artists’ lives are really like.
The first seven episodes are ready for airing, with the final six going into production this fall. In “Family Roots,” Tyler Reese Tritt and Alison Nichols discuss what it means to grow up in country music families, reflecting on the opportunities, expectations and challenges of carrying a legendary last name while forging identities of their own.
“Ten Year Town” brings together Craig Campbell, Allie Colleen and Dave Fenley for a conversation about the perseverance required to build a career in Nashville, revealing the years of sacrifice, setbacks and determination behind what audiences often see as overnight success.
In “Remixing the Rules,” Drew Baldridge and Chase Wright examine how independent thinking, entrepreneurship and betting on themselves have helped redefine what success can look like in today’s music business.
Legendary producer Keith Stegall is paired with neo-traditional artists Mo Pitney and Spencer Hatcher in “Old School, New School” to explore the resurgence of traditional country, the enduring influence of the 1990s, and the importance of honoring the genre’s roots while moving it forward.
“The Reality Check” reunites artists whose careers were launched before millions on national TV. Adam Sanders, Ashland Craft and HunterGirl discuss life after the competition shows ended, reflecting on the transition from prime-time TV to building lasting careers as recording artists.
In “TikTok Trailblazers,” viral artists Taylor Austin Dye and Atlus explore how social media has transformed artist discovery, fan engagement and career development, offering a firsthand look at how a new generation is rewriting the rules of the music industry.
Frank Ray and Elizabeth Nichols appear in “Unexpected Detours” and reveal insights around pivotal moments which redirected their lives toward music, proving that some of country music’s most compelling stories begin with a path no one expected.
In addition to airing on The Heartland Network, Common Strings will also stream on Heartland+, with new one-hour episodes premiering weekly.
CMA Awards Nominees To Be Revealed Next Week
/by LB CantrellThe final nominees for the 60th annual CMA Awards will be revealed next Thursday, Sept. 10.
The announcement will kick off with Good Morning America host Lara Spencer revealing a selection of categories live on air, followed by a livestream at 8:00 AM/CT revealing the remaining categories, hosted by country star Lee Ann Womack and recent American Idol winner Hannah Harper on CMA’s official YouTube channel.
All nominations are determined by CMA’s Professional voting membership. The 60th annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18 on ABC, Disney+ and next day on Hulu.
Tickets for the live event will go on sale Friday, Sept. 18 at 10:00 AM/CT.