Brett Eldredge is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his 2013 debut album, Bring You Back, by releasing a special edition of the project. The collection is currently available for preorder.

In honor of the anniversary, a new song from the vault, “Adios Old Friend – 10 Year Anniversary Bonus Track,” has been unveiled today (Aug. 17). Written by Eldredge and Jon Randall, the song was recorded in 2013, but was never released. Bring You Back was the breakout album for the crooner and yielded three No. 1s, including “Don’t Ya,” “Beat of the Music” and “Mean To Me.”

In addition to the new track, fans can experience From The Vault: Bring You Back (10 Year Anniversary Concert), available now. The mini- concert features a mix of hits and album cuts including the powerful “One Mississippi.”

Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 35th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Group/Duo Artist of the Year category. This category is voted on by MusicRow’s subscribers to honor outstanding achievements by a Nashville Group or Duo during the eligibility period.

This year’s winners will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribers. Voting is now open and closes on Aug. 18 at 5:00 p.m.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscriber here.

The reigning CMA and ACM Duo of the Year winners, Brothers Osborne are connected by not just blood, but also a lifetime of performing together. The siblings, John and TJ, took home their first Grammy in 2022, winning Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their song “Younger Me,” inspired by TJ’s recent coming out. The song is featured on the deluxe version of their Grammy-nominated album, Skeletons. The band has been nominated for 10 Grammys in total, standing as a five-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year and a four-time ACM Duo of the Year. Their critically acclaimed hit songs have tallied multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, while surpassing more than 2.7 billion global streams. Brothers Osborne’s upcoming, self-titled fourth studio album is set to release in September and features the chart-climbing single “Nobody’s Nobody.” The duo’s latest headlining “We’re Not For Everyone Tour” hit more than 50 markets.

Award-winning group, Little Big Town first entered the music scene over 20 years ago. Comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, the band has celebrated multiple No. 1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of 2015 “Girl Crush” and the Grammy-winning, multi-week No. 1 single “Better Man.” The band’s self-produced ninth studio album Nightfall was released January 2020 and hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey.” Little Big Town has earned more than 45 award show nominations and has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple Grammy, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA and ACM Awards, in addition to an Emmy Award. Their 10th studio album Mr. Sun debuted as the Top Country Album by a group in 2022.

Since Maddie & Tae broke onto the scene in 2013 with their Platinum-selling smash, “Girl In A Country Song,” the duo’s Maddie Font and Tae Kerr have charmed fans with their tight harmonies, unbreakable bond and honest songwriting. In 2022, the two released volumes 1 and 2 of their Through The Madness projects, which follows their No. 1 debuting The Way It Feels album, including the 3-times Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Die From A Broken Heart.” With “Die From A Broken Heart” topping the country airplay charts, Maddie & Tae became the first and only female twosome with multiple No. 1s. They took home Group/Duo Video of the Year at the 2022 CMT Music Awards and were nominated an eighth time for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards. Maddie & Tae’s headlining “All Song No Static Tour” sold out major markets coast-to-coast in 2022, with additional shows extending through spring of 2023. The duo recently started a new chapter of music with the release of their new track, “Heart They Didn’t Break.

Old Dominion has carved out a space for themselves at the forefront of country music with their clever lyrics and an infectious sound created by members Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Whit Sellers and Geoff Sprung. Since breaking onto the music scene, the band has notched nine No. 1 singles at country radio, surpassed five billion ondemand streams, earned a dozen RIAA Platinum and Gold single certifications and headlined arenas and amphitheaters around the globe. The band are currently the reigning sixtime Academy of Country Music and five-time Country Music Association Group of the Year. Old Dominion’s 8-song Memory Lane EP was released in June, and its title track recently topped the charts. They are currently out on the road on their “No Bad Vibes Tour,” which has sold out multiple dates and spread the joy found in Old Dominion hits.

The last few years for Parmalee have been nothing short of career years. The band—comprised of brothers Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas, along with their cousin Barry Knox and friend Josh McSwain—first topped the charts in 2013 with “Carolina.” The band didn’t return to the chart pinnacle until 2021 with their Platinum-certified “Just The Way” with Blanco Brown. They followed its massive success with “Take My Name,” which was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022. Their latest single “Girl In Mine” is Top 10 and climbing. Back in radio’s good graces, Parmalee recently announced they will release a new album, For You 2, in September. With a full slate of summer festivals and amphitheaters, Parmalee will take their hit-packed set on tour with Grammy Award winners Train, later this summer. In July, the band celebrated the tenth anniversary of their Grand Ole Opry debut.

Founded in 2014 by the husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, The War And Treaty have emerged as one of the most electrifying new acts in American music. Earning respect, they’ve gone on to appear as top-flight collaborators, and have been recognized by the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Americana Music Association as 2022 Duo/Group of the Year. The duo have dominated stages across the globe including North America, Europe, Italy, Australia, and Ireland, while headlining their own shows and opening for a diverse group of living legends such as Al Green, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Legend, Lauren Daigle and Van Morrison among them. The War And Treaty released their major label debut album Lover’s Game in March. The Dave Cobb-produced project included fan-favorites “Dumb Luck,” “Blank Page,” “That’s How Love Is Made” and “Have You A Heart.”

TidalWave Music Festival hosted its three-day event this past weekend. Fans returned to the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey to “Roar on the Shore” with a star-studded lineup, including headliners Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn.

To kick off the weekend, fans headed to the shore on Friday (Aug.11) to catch energetic sets from Nate Smith, Jo Dee Messina, Cole Swindell and more while the sun shined down the boardwalk. The night ended with headliner Rhett’s action-packed set, featuring his most iconic singles and full display of stage pyrotechnics.

The crowd returned for Saturday’s (Aug. 12) summer fun with memorable sets across both stages. Fans sang along to Peytan Porter, Jake Worthington, Hailey Whitters, Mitchell Tenpenny, Dylan Scott and more, keeping the festivities flowing on the main stage until headliner Aldean closed out the festival’s second night.

Sunday (Aug. 13) closed out the weekend with performances from Priscilla Block, Lindsay Ell, Randy Houser, Jelly Roll and more. As the sun set on Atlantic City Beach, country legends Brooks & Dunn took the stage to sing some of the biggest hits of their lengthy discography, ending the second annual TidalWave Music Festival on a high note.

TidalWave also introduced fans to the genre’s most exciting new acts, bringing a stacked lineup to Next From Nashville Stage where the crowds gathered to catch performances buzz-worthy newcomers, including Megan Moroney, Ben Burgess, Madeline Edwards, MacKenzie Porter, Jake Worthington, Lauren Watkins and more. In the past the stage has hosted Chris Stapleton, Hardy, Sam Hunt, Cole Swindell, Kelsea Ballerini and more, marking it as a launchpad of country music.

Kameron Marlowe’s “Giving You Up” Goes Platinum

Breakout talent Kameron Marlowe was surprised with the news that his autobiographical debut release “Giving You Up” is RIAA-certified Platinum, signifying over 1 million units sold in the U.S.

The self-penned track was originally released independently and tells the story of a life-changing breakup. The experience sparked Marlowe’s commitment to songwriting and making music his way of life, giving way to one of country music’s most recognizable new voices and entertainers.

“Giving You Up” was produced by Brad Hill and appears on Marlowe’s debut album We Were Cowboys.

 

CMHOF Recognizes Lorianne Crook In Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recognized acclaimed radio and television host Lorianne Cook at its 15th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in the museum’s Ford Theater. During an in-depth interview with museum writer-editor Angela Stefano Zimmer, Crook discussed her more than 40 years in media.

Crook is one half of the hosting duo Crook & Chase, as well as a television and radio producer and writer. She began her television career at Wichita Falls, Texas’ KAUZ-TV and Nashville’s WKRN-TV where she wrote, produced and hosted two national award-winning health and medical documentaries as well as the nightly entertainment news program PM Magazine.

In 1983, country music television producer Jim Owens (whom Crook married in 1985) enlisted Crook and fellow television personality Charlie Chase to co-host a weekly country music entertainment television show, This Week In Country Music, first syndicated and then on The Nashville Network. Crook and Chase currently co-host and produce a weekly radio show for iHeart Media/Premiere Networks and a podcast. Crook is the president of Jim Owens Entertainment, Inc. which owns and manages the Crook & Chase programming and archives, as well as the TNN brand and more than 10,000 hours of its historic country music television and radio programming.

The program at CMHOF and museum was filmed and will be available to stream on the museum’s website later this year.

The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum is supported by Gibson Gives. The philanthropic arm of Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, Gibson Gives has a strong focus on supporting the global music community.

 

UTA Takes Over Whiskey Jam For Summer Concert Series

With a lineup featuring Tyler Hubbard, Megan Moroney, Matt Stell and more, UTA’s takeover of Whiskey Jam brought out one of summer’s biggest crowds to the free show Tuesday night (Aug. 14).

Kidd G, Alana Springsteen, Chrase Wright and Graham Barham rounded out the night’s performers for a fan-packed parking lot concert hosted by John Crist to help close out the summer.

 

McBride & The Ride Celebrate Their Record Release at Ole Red

McBride & The Ride celebrated the release of their new record Marlboros & Avon at Ole Red in Nashville. The band returned to the scene with three part harmonies on their five song project, and thrilled fans with an hour set of their hits.

The reunited trio—Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas—beamed about how much fun they are having writing, recording and touring together, and were joined onstage by Bruce Boutin on steel.

The night became a reunion party for some of the MCA Records ’90s team with producer Tony Brown introducing the band and Renee Bell, Rhonda Adkins and Rosey Fitchpatrick reminiscing. Other industry members at the party included Patrick Clifford, Wade Hayes, Dylan Altman, Mark Harris, Marla CAnnon Goodman, Bill Vaughn, Brian Mansfield, Sloan Shore, Dolly Chandler, Brice Long and Jennifer Oldham.

 

CMHOF Hosts A Conversation With Rhiannon Giddens

This weekend, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation with Rhiannon Giddens. The museum historian-editor Patrick Huber led the conversation which was interspersed with musical performances.

Giddens is a Grammy-winning singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. She is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius Grant” and won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Music in Omar, the opera she co-wrote about a Senagalese Muslim enslaved in antebellum Charleston. Her latest album, You’re The One, will be released this month.

She first gained fame as member of the acclaimed stringband Carolina Chocolate Drops. Since 2014, she has pursued a variety of musical projects, including as a member of Our Native Daughters and as a collaborator with Italian musician Francesco Turrisi on They’re Calling Me Home, winner of the 2021 Grammy for Best Folk Album.

Giddens composed the score for Lucy Negro Redux, a ballet about the “Dark Lady” in Shakespeare’s sonnets which toured nationwide and was featured on PBS’s Great Performances. 

The program was offered in support of the museum’s exhibition American Currents: State of the Music. It was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital program series, available to stream on the museum’s’ website.

SoundExchange has filed a lawsuit against SiriusXM, in order to “recover substantial unpaid royalties and late fees owed under the Copyright Act for the use of sound recordings on the satellite streaming service,” according to an announcement from the organization. SoundExchange alleges that SiriusXM has withheld more than $150 million in unpaid royalties over the past several years, in their estimation.

SoundExchange is also seeking other unpaid royalties that they claim were revealed in an audit showing that SiriusXM had taken certain “improper deductions to reduce its calculation of satellite radio royalties.”

“It is extremely unfortunate that we must bring this action on behalf of creators against SiriusXM,” says Michael Huppe, President & CEO of SoundExchange. “In recent years we have viewed SiriusXM as a willingly lawful and compliant company that shares our desire for a robust streaming marketplace. But SiriusXM has and continues to wrongfully exploit the rules to significantly underpay the satellite royalties that it owes. It is only because our repeated efforts to resolve this dispute have failed that we are forced to litigate on behalf of artists and rights owners upon whose hard work SiriusXM has built its business.”

To view the official filing, click here.

In a statement shared with MusicRow, SiriusXM shared, We were surprised to see the press release from SoundExchange that it had filed a suit against SiriusXM this morning in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. SiriusXM has always respected the rights of creators and artists, and over the past ten years has paid SoundExchange royalties of over $5 billion dollars. Today, royalty payments from SiriusXM represent over 80% the statutory royalties that SoundExchange distributes to record labels and performers.

At the heart of today’s suit by SoundExchange are ordinary course disputes – an audit matter and an allocation of revenue from bundled products, specifically where subscribers pay for a package providing both our satellite radio product and the ability to stream our service. The regulations issued by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) governing SiriusXM’s royalty payments for satellite radio are carefully tailored with respect to such packages. The CRB requires SiriusXM to only pay royalties on revenue it earns for performances of sound recordings on its satellite service. Those same regulations require the Company to exclude from the royalty base revenue earned for activities that are covered by other licenses, including streaming.

SiriusXM has simply adhered to that clear regulatory framework, using a rigorous, tested and fair methodology to identify and allocate revenue for the streaming component of its bundled packages—a methodology completely consistent with precedent from the CRB. Furthermore, SiriusXM has been transparent with SoundExchange from the start on its methodology.

While we are disappointed with the actions taken by SoundExchange today, we remain committed to paying artists fairly for their work, and will continue to work collaboratively with SoundExchange, as we have for decades, to ensure they are paid properly under the governing regulations.”