Luke Grimes. Photo: @WyomingOutLoud (Jake Hoffman)
Late last year, popular actor Luke Grimes signed a record deal with UMG Nashville and Range Music, and announced he would soon release country music.
Grimes was no stranger to the country community. Widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on hit show Yellowstone, he had become associated with the TV show known for breaking new country and Americana artists and songs.
Pictured (L-R): UMGN EVP & COO Mike Harris, UMGN President Cindy Mabe, Luke Grimes, UMGN EVP A&R Brian Wright, UMGN SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia. Photo: Chris Hollo
While he had mentioned his love of music in interviews over the years, country music fans and executives wondered what to make of the 39-year-old singing actor. Grimes was all too aware of that stereotype, and it became something he had to overcome in his own mind.
Raised in Ohio, Grimes grew up the son of a Pentecostal pastor. He played music in church, learning drums at church camp then next picking up guitar and piano. When he moved to Los Angeles, he even became a drummer and songwriter for a country band, but acting soon found its way to the forefront of his career.
At some point, Grimes reconnected with music while at home in Montana. Inspired by artists such as Colter Wall, Ruston Kelly, Paul Cauthen and the late Townes Van Zandt, he began exploring the musical offerings he could bring. Eventually, through some friends in Nashville, Grimes connected with Range Music’s Matt Graham about his music.
With encouragement from Graham, Grimes started pursuing a country music career. After taking his first label meeting with UMG, he signed with the company.
“They have a lot of people that I look up to and love. Chris Stapleton and George Strait are the GOATs,” Grimes tells MusicRow of his deal. “I was coming in pretty green about anyone in the business. I didn’t know anyone there. All I knew was the music that they’ve put out.”
Admittedly, an artist with Grimes’ profile could take their music wherever they wanted. As evident with artists such as Zach Bryan and others, country music stardom doesn’t always have to come out of Nashville. But for Grimes, it was important that he join the Music City community.
“Honestly, I probably didn’t have to come here, but I think the quality of the product would’ve suffered,” he says. “I don’t have any ego about how much of something I do on my own—clearly the other thing that I do is very much a team sport. [But with my music] I had an opportunity to work with some of the best writers in the world here. Why wouldn’t I do that?”
His first few releases included “No Horse To Ride” and “Hold On,” which Grimes says received mixed reactions from country music fans.
“There are people that are being very open-minded to it,” he says. “They’re allowing their minds to be open to the music. And then there’s definitely people who are on the other side of the fence, saying, ‘Why is this guy doing this? He already has a job. There’s enough people making really good music.’
“I understand that. At the end of the day, all I can do is approach it with as much love and honesty as possible and hope that people can relate to it,” Grimes says. “I got the opportunity and I knew that if I didn’t try, I would really regret it one day. Music—especially country, folk and Americana music—has been so important to me. If I hadn’t done it because I was afraid of the judgment, the workload or the stage fright… one day I would have regretted it.”
Once Grimes’ path was set, he soon found himself in writing rooms with some of the best of Music Row, such as Jonathan Singleton, Tony Lane, Hillary Lindsey, Randy Montana, Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne, Liz Rose, Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander. Though he had written songs alone and co-written a bit in his band, Grimes was nervous to write with country music hitmakers.
“I was very intimidated. [I learned] pretty quickly that I shouldn’t be, because they’re the coolest, nicest people around.
“I’ve only been doing this for the past year, but it seems like the good souls here tend to do really well. They’re those team players. They know how to make a room feel really comfortable to be creative,” Grimes says. “I’m blown away by the community on Music Row.”
After dropping a few singles, Grimes started recording his eight-song EP Pain Pills Or Pews, which is out today (Oct. 20).
To help him craft his own, unique sound, Grimes worked with Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Dave Cobb. Working through his intimidation of recording with the studio giant, Grimes found Cobb’s diversion to non-organic sounds the perfect push for his artistry.
“He’s in his own orbit. He doesn’t like computers. He doesn’t like tuning. He doesn’t like any of that stuff,” Grimes says. “[Had I worked with another producer], I would’ve wanted the help. I would have been like, ‘Give me all the tuning and computers,’ because I would’ve been afraid and wanted to cover up. I was in good hands with Dave.”
Grimes’ Pain Pills Or Pews EP features tracks that are highly personal to him, including the fan favorite “No Horse to Ride,” the recently released “Burn” and one of his personal favorites, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” amongst others. He says the latter and “Playing On The Tracks” were the most fun to write.
“Both of those writes were really memorable days. Both of those days I met really good new friends. Brent Cobb and Aaron Raitiere [who co-wrote ‘Ain’t Dead Yet’] have become really good friends of mine,” Grimes says.
“[For Playing On The Tracks,] about an hour and a half in, Brent and I start talking about how we both loved Nirvana unplugged growing up—and how that almost sounded country compared to the rest of Nirvana’s stuff. We were like, ‘What if instead of being from the Pacific Northwest, Kurt Cobain was from Kentucky.'”
On another song, “Oh Ohio,” Grimes, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall tackled his upbringing.
“Everyone’s got a song about their hometown. Usually, they’re positive,” he says. “I’m a little older and I have been away from home for over 20 years. A lot has changed. I’ve been around the world and I’ve probably grown past where I come from more than I wanted to—because I kind of had to. That song was hard to write because it wasn’t always pretty, even though there’s love there.”
Something that Grimes has gleaned throughout the last year is the strength of the country music community.
“In this industry, it feels like if you win and I win, then everybody wins,” he says. “It’s about the town and the genre. The music is the star. It feels more like a family.”
Ultimately, Grimes is honored to be given the chance to make country music.
“I’m just so thrilled and happy to be here. I am real appreciative that I get this opportunity. I’m first and foremost a huge fan.”
Luke Grimes On His New Musical Chapter: ‘I’m First & Foremost A Huge Fan’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellLuke Grimes. Photo: @WyomingOutLoud (Jake Hoffman)
Late last year, popular actor Luke Grimes signed a record deal with UMG Nashville and Range Music, and announced he would soon release country music.
Grimes was no stranger to the country community. Widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on hit show Yellowstone, he had become associated with the TV show known for breaking new country and Americana artists and songs.
Pictured (L-R): UMGN EVP & COO Mike Harris, UMGN President Cindy Mabe, Luke Grimes, UMGN EVP A&R Brian Wright, UMGN SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia. Photo: Chris Hollo
While he had mentioned his love of music in interviews over the years, country music fans and executives wondered what to make of the 39-year-old singing actor. Grimes was all too aware of that stereotype, and it became something he had to overcome in his own mind.
Raised in Ohio, Grimes grew up the son of a Pentecostal pastor. He played music in church, learning drums at church camp then next picking up guitar and piano. When he moved to Los Angeles, he even became a drummer and songwriter for a country band, but acting soon found its way to the forefront of his career.
At some point, Grimes reconnected with music while at home in Montana. Inspired by artists such as Colter Wall, Ruston Kelly, Paul Cauthen and the late Townes Van Zandt, he began exploring the musical offerings he could bring. Eventually, through some friends in Nashville, Grimes connected with Range Music’s Matt Graham about his music.
With encouragement from Graham, Grimes started pursuing a country music career. After taking his first label meeting with UMG, he signed with the company.
“They have a lot of people that I look up to and love. Chris Stapleton and George Strait are the GOATs,” Grimes tells MusicRow of his deal. “I was coming in pretty green about anyone in the business. I didn’t know anyone there. All I knew was the music that they’ve put out.”
Admittedly, an artist with Grimes’ profile could take their music wherever they wanted. As evident with artists such as Zach Bryan and others, country music stardom doesn’t always have to come out of Nashville. But for Grimes, it was important that he join the Music City community.
“Honestly, I probably didn’t have to come here, but I think the quality of the product would’ve suffered,” he says. “I don’t have any ego about how much of something I do on my own—clearly the other thing that I do is very much a team sport. [But with my music] I had an opportunity to work with some of the best writers in the world here. Why wouldn’t I do that?”
His first few releases included “No Horse To Ride” and “Hold On,” which Grimes says received mixed reactions from country music fans.
“There are people that are being very open-minded to it,” he says. “They’re allowing their minds to be open to the music. And then there’s definitely people who are on the other side of the fence, saying, ‘Why is this guy doing this? He already has a job. There’s enough people making really good music.’
“I understand that. At the end of the day, all I can do is approach it with as much love and honesty as possible and hope that people can relate to it,” Grimes says. “I got the opportunity and I knew that if I didn’t try, I would really regret it one day. Music—especially country, folk and Americana music—has been so important to me. If I hadn’t done it because I was afraid of the judgment, the workload or the stage fright… one day I would have regretted it.”
Once Grimes’ path was set, he soon found himself in writing rooms with some of the best of Music Row, such as Jonathan Singleton, Tony Lane, Hillary Lindsey, Randy Montana, Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne, Liz Rose, Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander. Though he had written songs alone and co-written a bit in his band, Grimes was nervous to write with country music hitmakers.
“I was very intimidated. [I learned] pretty quickly that I shouldn’t be, because they’re the coolest, nicest people around.
“I’ve only been doing this for the past year, but it seems like the good souls here tend to do really well. They’re those team players. They know how to make a room feel really comfortable to be creative,” Grimes says. “I’m blown away by the community on Music Row.”
After dropping a few singles, Grimes started recording his eight-song EP Pain Pills Or Pews, which is out today (Oct. 20).
To help him craft his own, unique sound, Grimes worked with Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Dave Cobb. Working through his intimidation of recording with the studio giant, Grimes found Cobb’s diversion to non-organic sounds the perfect push for his artistry.
“He’s in his own orbit. He doesn’t like computers. He doesn’t like tuning. He doesn’t like any of that stuff,” Grimes says. “[Had I worked with another producer], I would’ve wanted the help. I would have been like, ‘Give me all the tuning and computers,’ because I would’ve been afraid and wanted to cover up. I was in good hands with Dave.”
Grimes’ Pain Pills Or Pews EP features tracks that are highly personal to him, including the fan favorite “No Horse to Ride,” the recently released “Burn” and one of his personal favorites, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” amongst others. He says the latter and “Playing On The Tracks” were the most fun to write.
“Both of those writes were really memorable days. Both of those days I met really good new friends. Brent Cobb and Aaron Raitiere [who co-wrote ‘Ain’t Dead Yet’] have become really good friends of mine,” Grimes says.
“[For Playing On The Tracks,] about an hour and a half in, Brent and I start talking about how we both loved Nirvana unplugged growing up—and how that almost sounded country compared to the rest of Nirvana’s stuff. We were like, ‘What if instead of being from the Pacific Northwest, Kurt Cobain was from Kentucky.'”
On another song, “Oh Ohio,” Grimes, Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall tackled his upbringing.
“Everyone’s got a song about their hometown. Usually, they’re positive,” he says. “I’m a little older and I have been away from home for over 20 years. A lot has changed. I’ve been around the world and I’ve probably grown past where I come from more than I wanted to—because I kind of had to. That song was hard to write because it wasn’t always pretty, even though there’s love there.”
Something that Grimes has gleaned throughout the last year is the strength of the country music community.
“In this industry, it feels like if you win and I win, then everybody wins,” he says. “It’s about the town and the genre. The music is the star. It feels more like a family.”
Ultimately, Grimes is honored to be given the chance to make country music.
“I’m just so thrilled and happy to be here. I am real appreciative that I get this opportunity. I’m first and foremost a huge fan.”
Kix Brooks To Receive Nashville Symphony’s 2023 Harmony Award
/by Lorie HollabaughKix Brooks
Kix Brooks will be honored with the 2023 Nashville Symphony Harmony Award during the 39th annual Symphony Ball on Dec. 9 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Presented annually by the Nashville Symphony and selected by a dedicated committee, the Harmony Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community.
“Kix Brooks has had a remarkable career as one of the most successful country artists in history,” says Nashville Symphony CEO and President Alan D. Valentine. “Beyond his fame and musical success, he possesses a generous and philanthropic spirit and has made a significant impact in the Nashville community, particularly with regard to music education in Nashville—a cause near and dear to the Nashville Symphony. He is a passionate advocate for many wonderful causes and truly embodies the heart and soul of Nashville’s unique musical community. We are honored to recognize him for his musical accomplishments, as well as his community impact.”
“Being honored with this award truly means the world to me,” says Brooks. “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, but Nashville, Music City, is home. So, to be recognized by this community always means a little extra. I want to give a special ‘thank you’ to all the people and organizations like the Nashville Symphony that I’ve crossed paths with over the years who have helped make Nashville a one-of-a-kind place to live.”
Brooks’ musical career spans five decades, as a songwriter, a solo artist and as half of Brooks & Dunn, the highest-selling duo in country music history. Over 20 years, Brooks & Dunn sold more than 30 million records, won more than 75 major music awards, including Grammys and CMAs, and scored 20 No. 1s. The duo was also inducted in 2019 into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Brooks was recently recognized for his songwriting achievements as an inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 2023 class.
In addition to his career as an artist, Brooks has hosted the syndicated radio program American Country Countdown for over 15 years. He was honored as CMA Broadcast Person of the Year three times and earned an ACM Radio Award for National Personality. Brooks is also a founding partner of Arrington Vineyards, a winery and events venue in Arrington, Tennessee. Through Brooks’ involvement with organizations such as the Country Music Association, Operation Finally Home, Veterans Matter, Tennessee Tourism Board and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, he has become an advocate for many causes. In December of 2014, Brooks was the first recipient of the CMA’s Humanitarian Award, celebrating his unwavering dedication to the community.
The Symphony Ball is one of the Nashville Symphony’s annual signature fundraisers. Since its inception in 1985, the Ball has raised more than $12 million for the Symphony, sustaining the organization’s mission of inspiring and engaging a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences.
Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Marty Stuart.
Cher’s New ‘Christmas’ Album Includes Tune By Nashville Songwriter
/by Sherod RobertsonCher’s first new studio album in five years, Christmas, is available now on Warner Records. The project includes 13 songs, several holiday classics and four originals. It also features a star-studded list of her musical besties including Darlene Love, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper and Tyga.
The album includes a song written by Nashville music industry executive, Bryan Frasher, his wife Traci Frasher and son Maxwell Frasher.
Frasher shares, “One morning at Christmas time a few years ago, when Max was a little boy, we were hanging in the kitchen and goofing around as Traci made breakfast. I was playing my guitar and said, ‘Hey, just for fun, let’s write a family Christmas song.’ Max and Traci jumped in and about 30 minutes later we had a little song called ‘I Like Christmas.'”
The song highlights all of the wonderful nostalgic things everyone loves about Christmas, from “loud tacky lights” to “singing at the top of our lungs.” At the end of the song’s recording, Cher offers her signature laugh saying, “I love this! Come on!”
Recorded primarily in L.A. and London, Christmas was produced by longtime collaborator Mark Taylor (“Believe”). Songs include beloved superstar duet classics “What Christmas Means To Me” with Wonder and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Love. Love first recorded the song in 1963 with Phil Spector while a 17-year-old Cher sang background vocals.
“DJ Play A Christmas Song,” the first single, was written by Sarah Hudson (Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Troye Sivan) and her team who contributed four new songs for the album. The project also includes a haunting version of “Home” written and sung with Bublé.
One of the many highlights for Cher is a duet by her and Wonder of his “What Christmas Means to Me.” Cher says, “Every time I hear that harmonica, I’m a teenager again. It’s a personal dream come true for me to record this song with Stevie.”
Two other standouts include an unexpected pairing with Tyga on another Hudson song called “Drop Top Sleigh Ride,” produced by Alexander Edwards, Mike Crook and Ryan OG, and the magnificent “Angels in the Snow” plus “Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart” with Lauper.
“I never say this about my own records but I’m really proud of this one. It is one of the most amazing highlights of my career,” says Cher.
Cher is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of her multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning Believe with the release of Believe 25th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition) on Warner Records.
You can listen to Cher’s Christmas album here.
Cher’s Christmas Track List:
1. DJ Play A Christmas Song
2. What Christmas Means To Me (with Stevie Wonder)
3. Run Run Rudolph
4. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) [with Darlene Love]
5. Angels In The Snow
6. Home (with Michael Bublé)
7. Drop Top Sleigh Ride (with Tyga)
8. Please Come Home For Christmas
9. I Like Christmas
10. Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You
11. Santa Baby
12. Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart (with Cyndi Lauper)
13. This Will Be Our Year
Black River Records Signs Scotty Hasting
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Black River’s Tanya Schrage; Black River’s Rick Froio; Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon; Black River’s Doug Johnson; Scotty Hasting; Black River’s Karen Kane; Attorney Lauren Kilgore; Black River’s Gordon Kerr; Black River’s Dawn Delvo
Black River Records has signed songwriter, artist and army veteran Scotty Hasting to its artist roster. His label debut “How Do You Choose” is slated for release on Nov. 3.
Hasting first picked up the guitar in 2020, teaching himself to play via YouTube. Despite 10 nearly fatal gunshot wounds from his time spent serving in Afghanistan, which left no feeling in his right hand, Hasting’s passion for music and desire to help others with mental health struggles spurred him onward.
In a chance encounter, Hasting met Black River’s CEO and President Gordon Kerr‘s son, who brought the Cincinnati/northern Kentucky native into the sights of the independent label. Hasting immediately caught the attention of renowned hit songwriter, producer and Black River’s Vice President of A&R Doug Johnson, who took the promising country artist under his wing.
“I don’t think that thank you is enough. I’ve been through a lot. Black River has welcomed me and become family,” says Hasting. “Thank you to Black River for giving me a new purpose, for giving people like me — veterans, people with disabilities, people who are at the end of their line — an opportunity and a reason to wake up tomorrow. Thank you for giving me a voice and letting other veterans hear a story like this that can change their whole lives.”
Hasting’s first release, “How Do You Choose,” was co-written with Jesse Wayne Taylor in association with CreatiVets — a nonprofit that the budding singer is heavily involved with. The song was inspired by a conversation with the mother of his late best friend Adam Hamilton.
“How Do You Choose” details his first visit to Adam’s tombstone, whose death followed about one month after an ambush that left Hasting fighting for his life flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot in April of 2011.
“I know you’ll change somebody’s world,” says Johnson of Hasting’s signing. “I’m a big fan, and your friendship means the world to me. Everybody here believes in you, your music, your heart, and your spirit. We are honored. Thank you for trusting us.”
Kerr shares, “It is with great pleasure that we come together and join Scotty’s team. We are so excited for the opportunities that await for the world to hear Scotty’s heart. Nothing takes place by coincidence — that’s what today represents.”
Lainey Wilson To Kick Off ‘Country’s Cool Again Tour’ In May With Nashville Show
/by Lorie HollabaughLainey Wilson. Photo: Cece Dawson
Lainey Wilson will launch her North American “Country’s Cool Again Tour” on May 31 with a show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. Jackson Dean, Ian Munsick and Zach Top will join as support on the 35+ date tour.
“Nothing gets me buzzin’ like putting on a show and singing along with the crowd,” says Wilson. “I want to give a big thank you to all of the fans who have continuously showed up and showed out this year. We can’t wait to see you nationwide on the ‘Country’s Cool Again Tour!'”
Among the cities Wilson will visit on the new trek are Saratoga Springs, Boise, Lubbock, Raleigh, Little Rock, Oklahoma City and more through Nov. 15.
Tickets will be available starting with the Wild Horses pre-sale beginning Oct. 23, and additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Oct. 27 at LaineyWilson.com. Citi is the official card of the “Country’s Cool Again Tour” and Citi card members will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesdays through Thursdays through the Citi Entertainment program.
The “Country’s Cool Again Tour” is sponsored by T-Mobile and Wrangler and T-Mobile is giving customers exclusive access to preferred tickets—even at sold-out shows. Customers can snag their Reserved Tickets starting 30 days prior to tour stops at first-day prices.
Along with her many accolades, Wilson was recently honored at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards with the Rulebreaker Award, was named “Tractor Supply Brand Ambassador,” and most recently joined forces with Wrangler as the face of their 2023 fall/winter women’s collection.
Morgan Wallen Tops MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Thinkin’ Bout Me’
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
In just nine weeks, Morgan Wallen‘s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” tops the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. The chart-topper follows Wallen’s “Everything I Love” reaching No. 1 on the MusicRow chart one month ago.
Written by John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Ryan Vojtesak, the hip-hop infused country hit appears on Wallen’s blockbuster third studio album One Thing At A Time. The project arrived in March as the No. 1 album on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, where it remained for 12 consecutive weeks; the most at the top for a country album in over 30 years.
“Thinkin’ Bout Me” currently sits at No. 2 on both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Country Fest 2024 Announces Full Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin has revealed the full lineup for the three-day festival set for June 27 – 29, 2024.
Along with previously-announced headliners Eric Church, Keith Urban and Jake Owen, the country’s largest country music and camping event packed with five stages and over 40 acts will also include performances by Scotty McCreery, Ashley McBryde, Warren Zeiders, Conner Smith, Morgan Evans and many more.
“Fans are unbelievably excited,” says festival promoter and General Manager Wade Asher. “VIP and Reserved Lawn tickets for 2024 both sold out the week following 2023’s festival—the earliest in Country Fest’s history. We continue to be incredibly grateful for our fans’ support and can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the middle of nowhere, and the center of everything.”
Country Fest Schedule:
June 26 – Tailgate Party (exclusive to 3-day ticket holders): Sawyer Brown, Slamabama, Six to Midnight and more.
June 27: Jake Owen, Scotty McCreery, Hailey Whitters, Chayce Beckham, Lorrie Morgan, George Birge, Kassi Ashton, Dylan Schneider and more.
June 28: Keith Urban, Warren Zeiders, Cooper Alan, Deana Carter, Neon Union, Dalton Dover, Redferrin, Shaylen and more.
June 29: Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Conner Smith, Morgan Evans, Shane Profitt, Dillon Carmichael, The Castellows, Logan Crosby and more.
CAA Signs Cam Allen [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellCam Allen. Photo: Hyped Visuals
CAA has signed Oklahoma-based singer Cam Allen.
Rising quickly through the country music ranks across the midwest, Allen blends his south-side Oklahoma roots with an unmistakable Nashville sound. He has headlined numerous sold-out shows, and shared the stage with some of the industry’s top acts, including Dustin Lynch, Randy Rogers, Jack Ingram, Corey Kent, Randall King, Carly Pearce and Dwight Yoakam.
Allen’s debut EP, Daydream, was released in March 2022 on GOAT Music Group, an independent Texas label. To date, he has released six singles, including “Daydream,” “Drink To That Too,” “Texas,” “Jack Daniel’s Cologne” and “Lake Days and Missin’ You.” His first album, In a Hometown, was released in April 2023 and his upcoming single, “Dive Bar,” is set to come out in November.
Allen is managed by Brandon Ore and William Murray at Goat Music Group.
Legacy Recordings To Release ‘Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl’
/by Lorie HollabaughLegacy Recordings is releasing two new Willie Nelson titles to celebrate the artist’s 90th birthday year.
Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl, produced by Blackbird Presents, will be released Dec. 15 as a 2 CD+Blu-Ray deluxe edition, a complete digital edition and as a 2xLP highlights. Dave Matthews‘ performance of “Funny How Time Slips Away” from Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl is available via all DSPs now.
Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl, features the music from the star-studded concerts celebrating Willie’s 90th birthday. Recorded live on April 29-30 at the Hollywood Bowl, the shows featured performances by Willie, Allison Russell, Billy Strings, Booker T. Jones, Buddy Cannon, Charlie Sexton, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Gary Clark Jr., George Strait, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Leon Bridges, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Margo Price, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Neil Young, Norah Jones, Snoop Dogg, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Tyler Childers, Warren Haynes, Waylon Payne, Ziggy Marley and many more.
The 2CD+Blu-ray and digital configurations of Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl will include three plus-hours of video performances from the concert along with three video bonus performances, 39 audio tracks and a multi-page booklet. A 2xLP vinyl edition featuring select highlights from the event will also be available.
“We are thrilled to partner with Legacy Recordings to bring these iconic live shows that celebrated Willie’s 90th to fans around the world,” share Mark Rothbaum and Keith Wortman, Creators and Executive Producers of the Willie 90 shows. “This release captures the magic of these shows and enables audiences all around the world to experience these performances as if they were at the Hollywood Bowl with all of us.”
Additionally, Willie Nelson Greatest Hits, a freshly compiled career-spanning collection, will be released on Nov. 3. The collection chronicles Willie’s musical journey from the early ’60s country-pop, singer-songwriter era through the ’70s outlaw country revolution to his current iconic status. Willie Nelson Greatest Hits will be released in conjunction with the livestream of Willie’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The album will be available in CD, digital and 2xLP configurations.
Industry Pics: Luke Grimes, Brooke Eden & Jordan Harvey, AIMP, More
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Grimes Celebrates Debut EP At Old Glory Gathering
Pictured (L-R): Matt Graham, Managing Partner and Head of Music at Range Media Partners; Mike Harris, EVP and COO, UMGN; Lori Christian, EVP, Marketing, UMGN; Luke Grimes; Rob Femia, EVP, Business & Legal Affairs, UMGN; Cameron Lutz, SVP Strategic Marketing & Content Innovation, Range Media Partners/Music and Range’s Jordy Dettmer. Photo: Chris Hollo
Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes celebrated the upcoming release of his debut EP, Pain Pills Or Pews, on Oct. 16 in Nashville. The gathering of friends, family and industry was held at Old Glory and featured a performance by Grimes from the Dave Cobb-produced EP, which is due out Oct. 20.
Known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit television series, Yellowstone, Grimes has been making music for years. After the release of his debut EP, he’ll be heading out on the road to perform the songs this fall.
Brooke Eden, Jordan Harvey Open Titans London Game
Brooke Eden, Jordan Harvey. Photo: Courtesy of NFLUK
Last Sunday, (Oct. 15) BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville artists Brooke Eden and Jordan Harvey performed for NFL fans in London and around the globe at the Tennessee Titans matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Eden performed the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Harvey performed the United Kingdom’s National Anthem, “God Save The King” at the special international NFL game.
AIMP Hosts Big Loud Records Chat
Pictured (L-R): ET Brown (SESAC), Kendall Lettow (peermusic), Trina Smith-Dort (Me Gusta Music), Ree Guyer (Wrensong), Sara Knabe (Big Loud Records), Patch Culberston (Big Loud Records), Stephanie Cox (Kobalt Music Publishing), Tim Hunze (Big Machine Music), Emily Boardman (River House Artists) and Shannan Hatch (SESAC)
AIMP held a Nashville event “All About: Big Loud Records,” on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the SESAC offices in Nashville.
Stephanie Cox (GM & SVP, Creative at Kobalt Music Publishing) spoke with panelists Patch Culberston (Big Loud Records SVP/GM) and Sara Knabe (Big Loud Records SVP, A&R) about all things Big Loud Records, music publishing and more at the event.
CMA & Conexion Americas Host Special Event For Metro Nashville Students
Mia McNeal, CMA Senior Director, Industry Relations and Inclusion, with Frank Ray. Photo: Emily April Allen/CMA
The CMA partnered with Conexión Américas for a special event at its Nashville headquarters on Oct. 11. CMA and Conexión welcomed more than 40 high school students from Metro Nashville Public Schools to visit CMA and during the visit, students heard from Frank Ray about his journey as a Latin country artist and about different careers in the music industry.
Conexión Américas’ mission is to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed. CMA’s partnership with Conexión Américas is a key way of making this happen while also highlighting country music within the Nashville community.
Caitlin Mae Inks With Dream Music Label Group
Caitlin Mae, Kim Shrum
Singer-songwriter Caitlin Mae has signed a publishing, management and production deal with Nashville-based Dream Music Label Group, Inc.
Mae has notched several No. 1 singles on the iTunes charts, where her debut EP, Perspective, also landed upon release. Her first single of 2023, “Fiona,” debuted on BBC Introducing, was added to the BBC’s A-List and hit No. 1 on iTunes.