Blanco Brown, Lily Rose
There’s a lot of pop in this week’s country music offerings.
I believe they call it “pushing the envelope.” Whatever the case, it’s what Tanner Adell, Little Big Town with Sugarland, Kelsea Ballerini and Blanco Brown are bringing. On the country side, we have Tracy Lawrence, Lily Rose, Dylan Marlowe, Tenille Townes and Luke Bryan.
Taking one from each column, we have two winners of the Disc of the Day award, Blanco Brown and Lily Rose.
TENILLE TOWNES / “Thing That Brought Me Here (Truck Song)”
Writers: Tenille Townes/Ben Rector; Producers: Tenille Townes/Logan Wall; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The gifted Canadian award winner returns with a “road” song that rolls along on wheels of rhythm. The track ebbs and flows with an echoey twang and a gripping lead vocal that keeps you glued to the speakers. I remain a huge fan.
KELSEA BALLERINI / “Love Me Like You Mean It (Reimagined)”
Writers: Forest Glen Whitehead/Josh Kerr/Kelsea Ballerini/Lance Carpenter; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment
– I have always liked this song, and Ballerini’s new arrangement of her 2014 breakthrough hit sparkles with imagination. It begins with a stark, unadorned vocal then gradually builds with electronic percussion burbles and deft guitar touches. Highly listenable and downright addictive.
TANNER ADELL / “Whiskey Blues”
Writers: Tanner Adell/Akii King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White; Producers: Tanner Adell/Akil “worldwidefresh” King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White “J. White Did It”; Label: Columbia Records
– Adell’s appearance on the Beyoncé album has raised her profile dramatically. But the “Buckle Bunny” singer’s new single sounds like an ‘80s rock track rather than a country performance.
LUKE BRYAN / “Love You Miss You Mean It”
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip/Jacob Rice/Jordan Minton; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A country romance, written with panache and hooks a-plenty. Hit bound.
LILY ROSE / “True North”
Writers: David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Trannie Anderson/Lily Rose; Producers: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Deliciously melodic and marvelously evocative as a lyric. When she feels like she’s losing her way, “I head down South to my True North.” Authentic and honest. Sung with ringing conviction. This Georgia artist hits a bullseye every time. Lily Rose stages her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night. They’re lucky to have her.
RHIANNON GIDDENS / “The Ballad Of Sally Anne”
Writers: Alice Randall/Harry Stinson/Mark O’Connor; Producer: Ebonie Smith; Label: Oh Boy Records
– Dropping tomorrow, My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall is an all-star album that casts the songwriter’s works as expressions of the Black female experience. It is part of a package deal that also includes Randall’s memoir of the same title. On this advance track, Giddens takes Randall’s song on an old-time music journey that evokes an ancient, tragic folk ballad. Her banjo leads the way. Others on the album include such favorites as Valerie June, Miko Marks, Rissi Palmer, SistaStrings, Layla McCalla, Allison Russell and Adia Victoria.
BLANCO BROWN / “Good As It Gets”
Writers: Bennie Amey III/David Fanning/Matt Thomas/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Blanco Brown; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The charismatic “Git Up” man has returned with a new EP and this change-of-pace, deeply romantic outing. Instruments swirl around him as he soars into his upper vocal register. Sonically innovative and totally dreamy.
DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE / “We’re Still Here”
Writers: Dave Alvin/Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Producer: Dave Alvin; Label: Yep Roc Records
– The Blasters front man and The Flatlanders Texas great teamed up as a duo in 2017. In advance of Texicali, their sophomore album together, they’ve released this rollicking, rootsy romp. Guitar twang and barrelhouse piano abound.
DANIELIA COTTON / “Roll On Mississippi”
Writers: Dennis Morgan/Kye Fleming; Producer: none listed; Label: Cottontown
– Cotton salutes her Black country forefather with this revival of Charley Pride’s 1981 hit. She struggles painfully with the high notes.
LITTLE BIG TOWN & SUGARLAND / “Take Me Home”
Writers: Phil Collins; Producers: Little Big Town/Kristian Bush; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Little Big Town has long peppered its concerts with reworkings of pop/rock oldies. On this week’s CMT Awards, the group and its tour mates of Sugarland stunned viewers with this spectacular treatment of the Phil Collins 1986 pop smash. Drenched in vocal harmonies, it is absolutely gorgeous. It has nothing to do with country music, but what a sound.
TRACY LAWRENCE / “Gulf Of Mexico”
Writers: Monty Criswell/Derek George/Bubba Strait; Producers: none listed; Label: TL
– The honky-tonk master nails this heartache ballad completely. It’s a slow dance for the down and out who can’t drink away a memory.
DYLAN MARLOWE / “Bat Outta Hell (With A Boat On The Back)”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Dylan Marlowe/Kyle Fishman; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The fisherman is speeding home to get to her before she leaves him. The energetic track pushes things along.
Spotify Debuts ‘Written By Ingrid Andress’ Playlist
/by Madison HahnenSpotify has launched the latest of their “Written By” playlists with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress.
Andress’ playlist includes songs she has penned and released herself, including hits “More Hearts Than Mine,” “Lady Like,” “Wishful Drinking” (feat. Sam Hunt), “Feel Like This” and “The Stranger,” as well as cuts she’s garnered by others such as “Boys” (Charli XCX), “Girl in the Mirror” (Bebe Rexha), “In Too Deep” (Why Don’t We), “Conflicted” (Halestorm), “No Saint” (Lauren Jenkins) and more.
The playlist totals 59 songs, crossing country, pop and rock genres. Andress’ playlist joins the ranks of other “Written By” lists for Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Murda Beats, Meghan Trainor, Sia and more. Spotify curates “Written By” lists to helps songwriters reach to new audiences, strengthen relationships with current fans and maximize discoverability on the platform by allowing listeners to hear career-spanning works.
“Written By Ingrid Andress” is available here.
Grand Ole Opry Partners With Sky Arts In The U.K.
/by Madison HahnenThe Grand Ole Opry has partnered with Sky Arts in the U.K. to continue their global audience reach. Sky Arts will air 16 episodes of Opry content through June 14.
Sky Arts began airing Opry Live shows last fall, while Opry member Luke Combs was touring the U.K. This spring’s shows will feature material with June Carter Cash, Emmylou Harris, Kenny Rogers, Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, CeCe Winans and more.
Fans everywhere can also tune in to Opry Live every Saturday night on Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels, or via the Circle Now app. United States fans can tune in through Circle Country.
Upcoming Opry performers include Clint Black, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, T Graham Brown, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Craig Morgan, Chase Rice, Nate Smith, Underwood and more.
iHeartCountry Festival’s 2024 Daytime Village Lineup Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughiHeartMedia has announced the Daytime Village lineup for the 2024 iHeartCountry Festival, presented by Capital One, on May 4 in Austin, Texas.
The free event will feature performances by Riley Green, Chris Lane, Walker Hayes, Ashley Cooke, Chase Matthew and Kelsey Hart as well as interactive experiences by iHeartRadio’s brand partners from 12:30-4:30 p.m. CT at the Dell Technologies Plaza of Moody Center.
Now in its eleventh year, the 2024 lineup for the iHeartCountry Festival includes Green, Hayes, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, Lady A, Ashley McBryde and Brothers Osborne. The festival will once again be hosted by iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated top on-air country personality Bobby Bones.
iHeartMedia’s country music radio stations will broadcast the event live in their local markets and on iHeartRadio.com on May 4 at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the main stage are on sale now. For more information, click here.
Amazon Music Invites Fans To Pull Up To ‘Bonfire,’ A New Flagship Playlist
/by Lorie HollabaughAmazon Music has launched a new playlist, “Bonfire,” a mood-based, genre-blending list that gathers timeless music that’s lyric-driven, emotive, elemental and outdoorsy.
“Bonfire” isn’t tied to a specific genre, and aims to be a first-of-its-kind home for fans of the latest generation of storytellers, including Boygenius, Zach Bryan, Hozier, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson, artists who serve as the playlist’s inspiration.
“We created ‘Bonfire’ because Amazon Music customers have consistently sought out this music. This playlist will feature emotive, songwriting-forward tracks that fit a vibe that’s sentimental, woody, and crackling with fire,” says Emily Cohen, the Country Programming Lead for Amazon Music. “We know our customers love this music, and with ‘Bonfire’ we’re making it easier for fans to find and for artists to nurture the artist community that’s pioneering this sound.”
To launch “Bonfire,” Amazon Music has recruited songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin to record an Amazon Music Original cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s classic, “Sundown,” available only on Amazon Music.
“I believe Gordon to have been one of the greatest songwriters of our time and felt this opportunity with Amazon Music was perfect to shine a light on one of his most popular songs a little over 50 years after its original release date,” says Godwin. “It’s such an honor to be included in a playlist like this with so many amazing artists. Keeping company like this is all I ever could have wished for when I set out on this path of music. ‘Bonfire’ is so fitting for those special moments in life when we’re enjoying the company of our friends and family.”
Godwin will debut “Sundown” live at Stagecoach Festival on April 28, and fans around the world can watch the performance on the festival’s livestream on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and Prime Video.
Hatch Show Print Celebrates 145 Years
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Mikala Kozuszek, Sarah Budeski, Rosa Jeffiers, Heather Moulder, Bailey Walters, Violet Stubbs, Celene Aubry (Director of Hatch Show Print and Shop Manager), Allyson Wherry, Jennifer Bronstein, Nick Larson, Jackson Haley, Michaela Tures and Sarah Edmonds. Photo: Courtesy of CMHOFM
Hatch Show Print is celebrating its 145th anniversary today (April 12).
Hatch Show Print was founded by brothers Charles and Herbert Hatch in 1879. The shop’s unique posters served as the leading advertising method for Southern Entertainment. The shop produced posters for many Grand Ole Opry members, including Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and more. They also served music stars Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Bessie Smith, among others. Thousands of posters and billboard-sized advertisements were printed for traveling vaudeville and minstrel shows, circuses and carnivals across the country. In 1992, Hatch Show Print became property of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHOFM).
The company continues to create prints today, averaging between 700-900 designs a year. Recent clients consist of Gillian Welch, Guns N’ Roses, Willie Nelson, Yola, the NFL, Taschen Books, the U.S. Postal Service and more.
CMHOFM visitors can tour the Hatch Show Print shop for an inside look at poster creation and the history of the company as well as hand print their very own poster.
Jordan Davis’ ‘Tucson Too Late’ Reaches No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeJordan Davis’ gentle tune “Tucson Too Late” takes the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, rising from No. 3 to No. 1.
The track appears on Davis’ Bluebird Days album and was written by Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins.
Davis is currently on the road after extending his sold-out “Damn Good Time” tour. Joining him for these new dates are artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke. The tour is set to close on Oct. 20, 2024 at the Abbotsford Center in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
“Tucson Too Late” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
NMAAM Welcomes Two New Board Members & New Board Interns
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, top row): Keri Floyd Kelly and Brian Sexton; (L-R, bottom row): Joseph Page and Jacolby Robinson
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has elected Brian Sexton and Keri Floyd Kelly to its Board of Directors. They will serve a three-year term that commenced March 8, 2024.
Sexton brings a wealth of experience in community development and as the Metro Council Liaison for Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Known for his dedication to improving education, workforce development and affordable housing, he founded Creatives Day and co-created the Music Business Accelerator at Tennessee State University.
Kelly is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Nissan Americas. Bringing a broad scope of experience from finance to human resources, her strategic approach to DEI makes her an invaluable asset to the NMAAM board.
Additionally, the museum has welcomed Joseph Page and Jacolby Robinson as new board interns. Their tenure started on March 3 and will last for one year.
Page, Special Projects Manager for the Sycamore Institute, brings a background in political organizing and policy research. Robinson, an Assistant Vice President and Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank, leads teams to provide top-notch financial services.
“We are delighted to welcome our new board members and board interns to the National Museum of African American Music family,” says Executive Director, Dion Brown. “Their diverse backgrounds and wealth of expertise will undoubtedly enrich our organization and help us continue advancing our mission.”
Belmont University Honors Two Students With Inaugural Bill Pursell Memorial Scholarship
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Belmont University’s Stephen Eaves and Mark Volker; student and scholarship fund recipients Matthew Oliver and Sam Wood; Laura Pursell; Belmont University’s Terry Klefstad and scholarship friend David Johnston. Photo: Katie Hodgson/Belmont University
The inaugural Bill Pursell Memorial Scholarship at Belmont University was awarded on Monday (April 8) to students Matthew Oliver and Sam Wood. Pursell, the late renowned composer, arranger and pianist, was a 37-year Professor of Music at Belmont University.
The ceremony honoring the two students’ outstanding musical works and accomplishments was held at the Massey Performing Arts Center during Belmont University’s Scholarship and Award Day.
“This scholarship is a tribute to the legacy Bill left at Belmont, the countless composition and commercial music students he taught and mentored over the years who have gone on to do great things,” says Terry Klefstad, Professor of Music. “Student scholarships are the best way to honor his dedication to music and teaching. Bill was devoted to his students and gave of himself freely as a teacher. This scholarship is a way to continue that legacy.”
A musical tribute to Bill was held last summer (June 15) to a packed house at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Netcom Music recording artist and daughter of Bill, Laura Pursell, the Nashville All-Stars and the Nashville Recording Orchestra conducted by Steve Mauldin performed many of Bill’s iconic arrangements and songs that he performed on during his 50-year musical career with iconic artists such as Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Chet Atkins and more, along with some of his last original works.
An album of the songs was in the process of being recorded by Bill and Laura, but unfortunately Bill passed from COVID -19 in September of 2020.
“It was my dad’s dream to finish this very personal album. He wasn’t able to do it in his lifetime, and I’m so grateful to Netcom Music for allowing me to complete it,” Laura shares of the project, Lost In Time.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Blanco Brown & Lily Rose Share The Disc Of The Day
/by Robert K OermannBlanco Brown, Lily Rose
There’s a lot of pop in this week’s country music offerings.
I believe they call it “pushing the envelope.” Whatever the case, it’s what Tanner Adell, Little Big Town with Sugarland, Kelsea Ballerini and Blanco Brown are bringing. On the country side, we have Tracy Lawrence, Lily Rose, Dylan Marlowe, Tenille Townes and Luke Bryan.
Taking one from each column, we have two winners of the Disc of the Day award, Blanco Brown and Lily Rose.
TENILLE TOWNES / “Thing That Brought Me Here (Truck Song)”
Writers: Tenille Townes/Ben Rector; Producers: Tenille Townes/Logan Wall; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The gifted Canadian award winner returns with a “road” song that rolls along on wheels of rhythm. The track ebbs and flows with an echoey twang and a gripping lead vocal that keeps you glued to the speakers. I remain a huge fan.
KELSEA BALLERINI / “Love Me Like You Mean It (Reimagined)”
Writers: Forest Glen Whitehead/Josh Kerr/Kelsea Ballerini/Lance Carpenter; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment
– I have always liked this song, and Ballerini’s new arrangement of her 2014 breakthrough hit sparkles with imagination. It begins with a stark, unadorned vocal then gradually builds with electronic percussion burbles and deft guitar touches. Highly listenable and downright addictive.
TANNER ADELL / “Whiskey Blues”
Writers: Tanner Adell/Akii King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White; Producers: Tanner Adell/Akil “worldwidefresh” King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White “J. White Did It”; Label: Columbia Records
– Adell’s appearance on the Beyoncé album has raised her profile dramatically. But the “Buckle Bunny” singer’s new single sounds like an ‘80s rock track rather than a country performance.
LUKE BRYAN / “Love You Miss You Mean It”
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip/Jacob Rice/Jordan Minton; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A country romance, written with panache and hooks a-plenty. Hit bound.
LILY ROSE / “True North”
Writers: David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Trannie Anderson/Lily Rose; Producers: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Deliciously melodic and marvelously evocative as a lyric. When she feels like she’s losing her way, “I head down South to my True North.” Authentic and honest. Sung with ringing conviction. This Georgia artist hits a bullseye every time. Lily Rose stages her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night. They’re lucky to have her.
RHIANNON GIDDENS / “The Ballad Of Sally Anne”
Writers: Alice Randall/Harry Stinson/Mark O’Connor; Producer: Ebonie Smith; Label: Oh Boy Records
– Dropping tomorrow, My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall is an all-star album that casts the songwriter’s works as expressions of the Black female experience. It is part of a package deal that also includes Randall’s memoir of the same title. On this advance track, Giddens takes Randall’s song on an old-time music journey that evokes an ancient, tragic folk ballad. Her banjo leads the way. Others on the album include such favorites as Valerie June, Miko Marks, Rissi Palmer, SistaStrings, Layla McCalla, Allison Russell and Adia Victoria.
BLANCO BROWN / “Good As It Gets”
Writers: Bennie Amey III/David Fanning/Matt Thomas/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Blanco Brown; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The charismatic “Git Up” man has returned with a new EP and this change-of-pace, deeply romantic outing. Instruments swirl around him as he soars into his upper vocal register. Sonically innovative and totally dreamy.
DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE / “We’re Still Here”
Writers: Dave Alvin/Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Producer: Dave Alvin; Label: Yep Roc Records
– The Blasters front man and The Flatlanders Texas great teamed up as a duo in 2017. In advance of Texicali, their sophomore album together, they’ve released this rollicking, rootsy romp. Guitar twang and barrelhouse piano abound.
DANIELIA COTTON / “Roll On Mississippi”
Writers: Dennis Morgan/Kye Fleming; Producer: none listed; Label: Cottontown
– Cotton salutes her Black country forefather with this revival of Charley Pride’s 1981 hit. She struggles painfully with the high notes.
LITTLE BIG TOWN & SUGARLAND / “Take Me Home”
Writers: Phil Collins; Producers: Little Big Town/Kristian Bush; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Little Big Town has long peppered its concerts with reworkings of pop/rock oldies. On this week’s CMT Awards, the group and its tour mates of Sugarland stunned viewers with this spectacular treatment of the Phil Collins 1986 pop smash. Drenched in vocal harmonies, it is absolutely gorgeous. It has nothing to do with country music, but what a sound.
TRACY LAWRENCE / “Gulf Of Mexico”
Writers: Monty Criswell/Derek George/Bubba Strait; Producers: none listed; Label: TL
– The honky-tonk master nails this heartache ballad completely. It’s a slow dance for the down and out who can’t drink away a memory.
DYLAN MARLOWE / “Bat Outta Hell (With A Boat On The Back)”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Dylan Marlowe/Kyle Fishman; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The fisherman is speeding home to get to her before she leaves him. The energetic track pushes things along.
Futureshirts Initiates Internal Realignment & Announces Promotions
/by Madison HahnenMatt Pih & Josh Thompson. Photos: Courtesy of Futureshirts.
Entertainment merchandise company Futureshirts has created two new divisions within its structure, Artists Services and Strategic Partnerships & Retail. With this realignment, the company seeks to strengthen client experience and simplify operations for growth.
The Artists Services division will be led by former SVP of Touring & Live Events Matt Pih, and combine the company’s Client Management, Touring and E-Commerce teams into one.
The Strategic Partnerships & Retail division will be led by former SVP of Sales & Marketing Josh Thompson. This team will focus on artist signings, strategic partnerships and retail licensing.
Futureshirts has also promoted Vicki Farrell to SVP of Operations and Chris Smith to SVP of Human Resources & Information Technology.
“At Futureshirts, our mission is clear: to make merch easy for our clients. The establishment of the Artist Services and Strategic Partnerships & Retail divisions underscores our unwavering commitment to this goal,” says Futureshirts CEO Corey Neal. “Under the leadership of Matt and Josh, these new divisions will champion the acquisition, partnerships and exceptional service of our artists. Coupled with the well-deserved promotions of Vicki and Chris, Futureshirts is primed for a prosperous future, for both our company and our clients.
“With these strategic initiatives in place,” Neal continues, “Futureshirts reaffirms its dedication to delivering unparalleled support and opportunities for artists while driving innovation and growth within the music merchandising industry.”