Jelly Roll Opens Studio In Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center

/by

Jelly Roll opens studio in Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center

Jelly Roll has officially opened a music studio in Nashville’s Juvenile Detention Center.

After dedicating a portion of the proceeds from his Bridgestone Arena headlining show last December, he opened the studio during a “Redemption Songs” event hosted by the Beat of Life Organization.

Jelly Roll and fellow Nashville native Ernest both performed at the new studio for those currently incarcerated, along with other artists, volunteers and songwriters. Also in attendance were Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who introduced Jelly Roll, as well as Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway and a handful of music industry members in addition to local and national correctional leaders. The studio seeks to be a lasting resource for aspiring musicians to create in the very place Jelly Roll was once housed as a youth.

UMe To Release Remastered Jimmy Buffett Collections On Vinyl This Summer

/by

UMe is commemorating Jimmy Buffett‘s musical legacy by releasing remastered classic collections from his storied career on vinyl this summer.

10 albums will be released throughout the summer that stretch over three decades of Buffett’s career, including three of his ’90s albums making their debut on vinyl for the first time, and many of his ’70s and ’80s records returning to vinyl for the first time in more than four decades. Each release will be available on standard black vinyl and limited edition colored vinyl.

The first trio will be released on June 7, and consists of Living And Dying In 3/4 Time (1973), One Particular Harbour (1983) and Fruitcakes (1994). Living And Dying In 3/4 Time marked Buffett’s fourth album and debut on the charts, giving him his first top 40 single, “Come Monday,” breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. One Particular Harbour features a few fans favorites he played the most at his concerts, including “Stars On The Water” and the crowd-pleasing title track. Platinum-certified Fruitcakes, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, was the first of Buffett’s album to break the top five on Billboard’s 200 chart.

A sea breeze vinyl design is set for Living And Dying In 3/4 Time, while One Particular Harbour will have a daydream-colored design. The double LP Fruitcakes will have one album in sunshine ray color and the other in apricot.

Arriving July 12 is the second trio of vinyl releases,  A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean (1973), Havana Daydreamin’ (1976) and Banana Wind (1996). Featuring singles “Grapefruit – Juicy Fruit” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean helped introduce Buffett to a national audience. Havana Daydreamin’ became a real breakout album for the artist, reaching No. 65 on Billboard‘s 200 chart and No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. Banana Wind debuted at No. 4 on Billboard‘s Top 200, and contains “Jamaica Mistaica,” a tune inspired by a real-life incident where Jamaican authorities mistakenly shot at his seaplane with Bono, his family and Chris Blackwell on board.

A White Sport Coat and A Pink Crustacean will be released in transparent pumpkin spice orange, and  Havana Daydreamin’ will be in opaque carmine red. The double LP Banana Wind will pair a light blue album with an opaque white one.

The four releases set for Aug. 16 are Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes (1977), Son Of A Son Of A Sailor (1978), Volcano (1979) and Barometer Soup (1995). Platinum-certified Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Altitudes is his best-selling album with signature smash “Margaritaville.” Also certified Platinum, Son Of A Son Of A Sailor boasts the title track and the beloved tune “Cheeseburger In Paradise.” Peaking at No. 14 on Billboard‘s 200 chart as well as No. 13 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums, Gold-certified Volcano features the hit singles “Fins,” “Volcano” and “Survive.” The single “Mexico” highlights Barometer Soup, another Platinum album which reached No. 6 on Billboard‘s 200 chart.

Allman Brothers Band Founding Member Dickey Betts Passes Away

/by

Dickey Betts. Photo: Kirk West Photography

Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts of the Allman Brothers Band passed away peacefully in his Sarasota, Florida home today (April 18) at the age of 80.

Betts penned quintessential hits including “Blue Sky,” “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” With their guitar skills, he and bandmate Duane Allman developed a signature sound in the southern rock genre. The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and honored with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

In addition to Allman Brothers Band, Betts founded the Dickey Betts Band and Dickey Betts & Great Southern, which featured his son and fellow guitarist Duane Betts. Alongside music, he was known to love fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate and boxing, and is remembered by loved ones as excelling at anything that caught his attention.

He survived by his fifth wife Donna and his four children. Betts is preceded in death by Allman and bandmates Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman as well as Allman Brothers Band crew members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan.

According to a post shared from Betts’ Instagram account, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy during this time. More information will be announced at a later date.

Chris Young To Headline Nashville’s ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ Fourth Of July Celebration

/by

Chris Young. Photo: John Shearer

Chris Young is slated to headline this year’s “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” celebration, presented by Dr Pepper.

The country star will be joined on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage by Yola, Girl Named Tom and Blessing Offor. Free and open to the public, the annual downtown event will feature one of the nation’s largest Independence Day firework shows, which will include drone light elements synchronized to live music from the Nashville Symphony for the first time. The Amazon Family Fun Zone will also return, and include inflatables and live music.

“Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” is partnering with Public Education Needs Community Involvement & Leadership (PENCIL), which links community resources with students and teachers at Metro Nashville Public Schools, to raise funds and collect school supplies. A dollar from each official event T-shirt sold will also go to PENCIL. To help support the organization, household essentials brand and event sponsor Simply Done is donating supplies such as crayons, folders, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, rulers, scissors and more to benefit 500 Metro Nashville students. Additionally, Presenting Sponsor Dr Pepper is providing 500 student backpacks.

“Chris Young is going to deliver an unforgettable performance as the headliner for yet another spectacular Fourth of July celebration, and we are truly excited about the exceptionally diverse lineup, which features talents like Yola, Girl Named Tom and Blessing Offor,” says Ken Levitan, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) Board of Directors Chairman and Vector Management Co-President. “In addition to these thrilling performances, we are proud to introduce new elements to enhance the festivities, such as incorporating drones into the fireworks display and partnering with PENCIL to support their invaluable work of empowering Nashville’s youth. We invite everyone to join us for a full day of music, fireworks and giving back to our community.”

Curb | Word Music Publishing Signs Josh Melton

/by

Pictured (L-R): Victory Entertainment’s Chris Perkins, Curb | Word’s Colt Murski, Josh Melton, Curb | Word’s Sarah Schumacher and Calista Miller

Curb | Word Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Josh Melton.

The Ohio native grew up listening to the likes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra with his dad. After high school, he attended nursing school before making the move to Music City in 2014. While working as a nurse’s assistant at a Nashville retirement home, Melton would bring his guitar to work and play at the residents’ request. He was then gifted a car from a patient on his deathbed, under the condition that Melton would use it to travel to bigger stages outside of the retirement home.

Melton has since worked with notable songwriters and producers including Justin Ebach, Zach Abend, Matt Alderman, Dallas Wilson and more. Last year, he earned his first No. 1 with Dylan Scott’s Platinum single “Can’t Have Mine.”

“Watching Josh continue to grow as a person, musician and songwriter over the last few years made it a no-brainer to add him to the roster,” shares Colt Murski, VP, Country Publishing, Curb | Word Entertainment. “We are very excited to welcome Josh as a part of the Curb | Word family and thrilled to continue to share his success!”

“I’m very humbled and excited to join the Curb | Word family,” shares Melton. “Continuing to do what I love for a living and doing it with friends is a dream come true. I cannot wait to see what this partnership brings.”

Caroline Hodson Rises To Director, A&R At Tape Room Music

/by

Caroline Hodson. Photo: Alex Wieland

Caroline Hodson has risen to Director, A&R at Nashville publishing company Tape Room Music.

The Belmont University graduate and former Director of Education for Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) of Nashville joined Tape Room as an intern in 2020 and has risen through the ranks to her current position, collaborating with the team in order to cultivate a motivating and fulfilling environment for the company’s roster of writers. In her new role, Hodson will expand her creative position of managing calendars and pitching songs for Tape Room writers as well as company leader and hitmaker Ashley Gorley.

“Caroline has been a rockstar since day one and is immensely deserving of this promotion,” says Blain Rhodes, Tape Room Music President. “She is an integral part of our team, and our writers are lucky to have her in their corner.”

“The writers and staff at Tape Room Music are once in a lifetime,” shares Hodson. “I am incredibly grateful for the past four years, and I am humbled to continue working with the crew that has inspired me to learn and develop a passion for this community. Huge thank you to Ashley, Blain and our writers for trusting me with this position. Excited to see where we continue to grow!”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kameron Marlowe Brings Soulful Voice To Ballad

/by

Kameron Marlowe. Photo: Trea Allen.

The voices of today meet the legends of yesterday in this week’s DISClaimer. 

Country music is in good hands (throats?) with such new talents as Avery Anna, Sam Williams, Harper Grace, Kane Brown and Disc of the Day winner Kameron Marlowe.

Showing the kiddies how it’s done are Barbara Fairchild and the late Ed Bruce.  

This week’s DISCovery Award goes to Dustin Kensrue, the singer from the band Thrice. He is apparently transitioning from rock to country.

BARBARA FAIRCHILD/ “All My Cloudy Days Are Gone”
Writer: Alan Rhody; Producer: Don Williams; Label: 65South
– Prior to his death in 2017, Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams collaborated with ‘70s hit maker Fairchild. He both produced and sang harmony on her project, which is now seeing the light of day. The album’s title tune is a splendid two-step with a rolling rhythm track and soft strings backing her heartfelt delivery. As country as a mountain stream.

NATE SMITH/ “Bulletproof”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– The “World On Fire” man returns with a rocking barroom stomper. No matter how many shots he drinks, he can’t forget her. Hence, her “memory must be bulletproof.”

HARPER GRACE/ “Break It Like A Man”
Writers: Scott Stepakoff/Alex Kline Eisberg/Harper Gruzins; Producers: Alex Kline/Cooper Bascom/Tedd T.; Label: Curb Records
– Grace spits out this country-rocker with fiery force. She wails righteously on the choruses of the fiesty, wronged-woman outing. Well worth your spins. The video debuted on CMT yesterday.

KANE BROWN/ “Fiddle In The Band”
Writers: Gabe Foust/Jordan Walker/Kane Brown/Russell Sutton; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– A blast furnace of energy. Brown paints the town red while a scorching fiddle in the house band sizzles. A little r&b, a little honky-tonk and a whole lotta rock percussion. A wild ride.

SAM WILLIAMS/ “Carnival Heart”
Writers: Ned Houston/PJ Harding/Sam Williams; Producers: Ben Roberts/Nathan Sexton; Label: Mercury Nashville
– This was created to accompany Cirque du Soleil’s new country show “Songblazers “which will open in Nashville in July. The orchestrated track has a celestial, dreamy quality, and Williams delivers a message of pain and hope brilliantly. An epic ballad, beautifully produced and sung.

RAELYNN/ “Funny Girl”
Writers: Lauren Hungate/Racheal Davis; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: Daisy Rae Productions
– A winsome little piece of advice for a youngster who is hurting. You’ll grow out of this and blossom into a winner, she promises in this anthem of perseverance.

ED BRUCE/ “Old Timer”
Writers: E. Bruce/J.Bruce/T.Bruce; Producers: Ed Bruce/Jeff Elliott/Mike Morgan; Label: MRT/Old Hat
– The songwriting  great, successful actor and country hit maker (14 top-20 hits in 1975-86) passed away in 2021. But Bruce left behind many guitar-vocal demos, sung in his unforgettable, resonant baritone. Producers Elliott and Morgan have fleshed some of these out with sympathetic accompaniment to create an album titled After Hours. The 16-track  collection concludes with this wistful waltz. The first verse concerns a combat vet, the second describes a retired rodeo rider and the third is about a forgotten music star. It chillingly suggests an obituary. It also proves that the creator of such classics as “Texas (When I Die),” “The Last Cowboy Song,” “The Man That Turned My Mama On,” “Everything’s a Waltz” and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was a songwriting master to the end.

AVERY ANNA/ “Two Sides Of The Story”
Writers: Andy Sheridan/Avery Anna/Ben Williams/David Fanning; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This streaming sensation (“Make It Look Easy,” “Narcissist”) caresses this ballad of heartbreak resignation with elegance and eloquence. The CMT-nominated youngster seems to be going from strength to strength. She has a voice of gold.

KAMERON MARLOWE/ “Keepin’ The Lights On”
Writers: Kameron Marlowe/Kendell Marvel/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Dan Huff; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The title tune of Marlowe’s upcoming sophomore album is a recollection of hard times when his hard-working parents weathered spirit-crushing storms to provide for the family. The beautifully produced ballad mixes his expressive, soulful voice up front and intimately in your ear. I have been a consistent fan of this artist for four years and am more convinced than ever that he is one of our greatest living country singers.

GRAHAM BARHAM & LAUREN WATKINS/ “Straight To My Heart”
Writers: Graham Barham/Lauren Watkins/Lydia Vaughan/Will Bundy; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Highly engaging. “Whiskey went straight to my head/Goodbye went straight to my heart.” Nicely done, from pristine vocal harmonies to propulsive production.

DUSTIN KENSRUE & CAT CLYDE/ “Death Valley Honeymoon”
Writer: Dustin Kensrue; Producer: Dustin Kensrue; Label: Vagrant Records
– This is an alt country gem, packed with retro harmonies, echoey twang and standout pedal steel guitar. Immensely cool. This is the California rock artist’s country debut, and Clyde adds an extra layer of audio authenticity. Absolutely send more. Mark your calendars: Kensrue is playing the fantastic Eastside Bowl on April 29.

Kate Hudson To Unveil Her ‘Glorious’ Debut Album In May

/by

Photo: Guy Aroch

Acclaimed actress Kate Hudson will unveil her debut album, Glorious, on May 17.

Her love for music has been a driving force in her life since childhood. So when it came to sharing her work as a singer-songwriter with the world, Hudson set the bar very high for both the execution and creation of a project that aims to reflect the woman she’s become.

“I’d say it doesn’t seem real,” she says. “But the truth is: this is realer to me than anything I’ve done in my entire life. It was always this, I just needed to get to a place where I was ready…and the songs got to the core of who I am.”

For the independently-recorded, 12-song collection, Hudson worked with Danny Fujikawa, Johan Carlsson and Linda Perry to concoct a sound that seeks to be both fresh and somehow familiar. Yesterday (April 17), BBC Radio 2 premiered “Gonna Find Out,” which joins previously-released Glorious tunes “Talk About Love” and its Party Pupils remix as well as “Live Forever.”

Distributed by Virgin Music Group, Glorious intends to take a closer look at how we face life while delivering the kinds of tunes that you can sing, dance or listen to after a long day when you just want someone to understand. Hudson plans to celebrate the album’s release with a ticketed show at The Bellwether in Los Angeles, California on May 18. For more information, click here.

CMA Promotes Michelle Kirk & Mary Overend To Senior Director Roles

/by

Michelle Kirk & Mary Overend. Photos: John Russell/CMA

The Country Music Association has promoted Michelle Kirk to Senior Director, Integrated Marketing and Mary Overend to Senior Director, Marketing.

Kirk previously held the position of Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships at CMA before becoming a Brand Partnerships Agent at WME. The Illinois State University graduate returned to the organization as Director, Integrated Marketing in 2019. In her new role, she is responsible for managing day-to-day activity on all broadcast television integrations and CMA’s network sales partnership as well as developing strategies and managing relationships with key marketing and digital partners. Additionally, Kirk and her team work to ensure the organization’s strategic initiatives, marketing relationships and industry needs are met, while educating corporate partners on the power and potential of strategic alliances with country music. She reports to Senior Vice President, Marketing, Content & Communications Strategy Kelly Striewski.

Prior to joining CMA, Overend was the eCommerce Marketing Coordinator at Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh. The University of Tennessee alumna most recently served as CMA’s Director, Marketing. In her new position, she oversees the organization’s digital properties including social media, email marketing, multiple websites, year-round app and curated playlists in addition to advertising campaigns and radio partnerships. Overend determines strategies to support CMA’s key goals and integration with data architecture/CRM initiatives, while her team manages day-to-day operations and relationships with internal teams and external vendors. She reports to Vice President, Marketing Catherine Frizzell.

“Michelle and Mary are valuable leaders and integral members of our team at CMA,” says Striewski. “Beyond a broad knowledge base of marketing, their expertise across the broadcast and digital landscapes specifically, allows CMA to continually expand our fan engagement and brand footprint, further develop our partnership opportunities and ultimately grow all categories of our audience; all of which feeds into our mission of driving awareness and consumption for the country music genre. I look forward to seeing them shine in their new roles!”

Kirk can be reached at mkirk@cmaworld.com, and Overend can be reached at moverend@cmaworld.com.

Industry Ink: Drew Baldridge, CMHOFM, Ole Red Las Vegas

/by

Drew Baldridge Receives First-Ever RIAA Gold Certification

Pictured (L-R): Cameron Jaymes, Drew Baldridge, Jimmy Yeary and Nick Schwarz. Photo: Amy Allmand.

Country newcomer Drew Baldridge celebrated his first-ever RIAA Gold certification with friends, family and industry professionals at Sony Music Publishing on Tuesday (April 16). The certification was awarded to his current single “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” which is currently sitting at No. 32 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 33 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.

The track was co-penned by Baldridge, Cameron Jaymes and Jimmy Yeary,and was produced by Nick Schwarz. Baldridge’s wife, who served as inspiration for the song, was also in attendance to celebrate the achievement. Hosted by Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, the event also featured a performance of the track.

 

CMHOFM Hosts Panel Discussion On History Of British Archive Of Country Music

Pictured (L-R): Martin Hawkins, Olivia Tyson (President of the Tyson Family Foundation), Paul Kingsbury (Museum Senior Director of Editorial), Alan Barnes, Kevin Fleming (Museum Director of Library & Archival Collections), Alan Stoker (Museum Curator of Recorded Sound Collections), Brenda Thomas (Museum Recorded Sound Processing Specialist) and John H. Tyson (Chairman of the Board for Tyson Foods Inc). Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHOFM) hosted a panel discussion and listening session about the history of the British Archive of Country Music (BACM) on Tuesday (April 16). The museum recently acquired the BACM, which was compiled by late British collector Dave Barnes, and is comprised of over 50,000 historic sound recordings and more. The acquisition and transport of the collection from England was made possible through the Tyson Family Foundation.

The panel discussion, held in the museum’s Ford Theater, consisted of fine art dealer Alan Barnes, CMHOFM’s Director of Library & Archival Collections Kevin Fleming and music historian Martin Hawkins. The discussion was moderated by CMHOFM’s Senior Director of Editorial Paul Kingsbury.Following the panel, CMHOFM’s Curator of Recorded Sound Collections Alan Stoker and Recorded Sound Processing Specialist Brenda Thomas led a conversation and listening session of the collection’s records.

 

Ole Red Las Vegas Celebrates Grand Opening With Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton performing at Ole Red Las Vegas. Photo: Stephen Greathouse

Ole Red Las Vegas celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday (April 16) with a private concert from Blake Shelton. This marks the franchise’s sixth location, and the largest so far.

Shelton treated attendees to performances of some of his biggest hits. Gwen Stefani also joined him for their single “Nobody But You.”

“I know Las Vegas has been a big destination for cowboys, but not until tonight has there been a destination for absolute hillbillies, and now we got it,” Shelton shared from the stage.