Pictured (L-R, back row): Hard 8 Working Group’s Jon Linton (Manager), Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg, Hard 8 Working Group’s Aimee Beren (Day to Day Manager); (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group’s Heather Luke, Chris Daughtry, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta
Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry has signed with Big Machine Records and will release their first single for the label, “Artificial,” on Aug. 11.
“Chris Daughtry is one of the best voices in rock music, hands down,” says Big Machine Label Group Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta. “He is attacking this season of life full-on with a renewed fire and intensity to everything he touches.”
“I am so thrilled to be working with Scott and the entire Big Machine crew on this next record and beyond,” shares the band’s frontman and namesake, Chris Daughtry. “It’s very refreshing and exciting to have a team behind me that fully believes and supports my vision.”
The news follows the band’s announcement of their “Bare Bones Tour,” a rare acoustic run with 26 new dates across the country launching tomorrow (Aug. 9). Chart-topping rocker Ayron Jones is set to open on select stops of the tour, which marks a unique opportunity to see the rockers in the most intimate of settings in cities such as Detroit, Atlantic City, Spokane, Tucson, Austin and more through Sept. 27.
Coming in hot off the recent success with their Lzzy Hale duet, “Separate Ways (World’s Apart),” Daughtry’s amped-up reimagining of the Journey classic debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ All Genres chart and reached No. 6 on Mediabase’s Active Rock chart. True to its roots with an updated grit, the single has racked up millions of streams across platforms, earning praise from Variety, Billboard, Consequence and others.
Daughtry’s self-titled debut album was the top-selling album of 2007 and the fastest-selling rock debut album in Soundscan history. It was also nominated for four Grammys and won four American Music Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards, including Album of the Year. Subsequent albums, Leave This Town (2009), Break The Spell (2011), and Baptized (2013) have all gone Platinum, with Cage To Rattle (2018) certified Gold. In 2021, Daughtry released the album Dearly Beloved, which marked a return to their rock roots and a return to the top of the rock charts with their singles “World On Fire,” “Heavy Is The Crown” and “Changes Are Coming,” each reaching the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Rock Airplay chart.
“Bare Bones Tour” Dates:
August 9 | Carmel, IN | The Center for the Performing Arts+
August 11 | Des Plaines, IL | Rivers Casino Des Plaines+
August 12 | Detroit, MI | MotorCity Casino+
August 15 | Warren, OH | Packard Music Hall+
August 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | Palace Theatre+
August 18 | Atlantic City, NJ | Sound Waves at Hard Rock Casino+
August 22 | Huntington, NY | The Paramount+
August 23 | Red Bank, NJ | Count Basie Center for the Arts+
August 25 | Bethlehem, PA | Wind Creek Event Center
August 26 | Mashantucket, CT | The Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods
August 28| Rutland, VT | The Paramount Theatre+
August 30 | Lexington, KY | Lexington Opera House+
September 6 | Kalispell, MT | Wachholz College Center+
September 7 | Spokane, WA | Bing Crosby Theater+
September 9 | Edmonds, WA | Edmonds Center for the Arts
September 10 | Jacksonville, OR | Britt Music & Arts Festival+
September 12 | Eugene, OR | Silva Concert Hall+
September 13 | Modesto, CA | Gallo Center for the Arts+
September 15 | Santa Rosa, CA | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
September 17 | Ojai, CA | Libbey Bowl
September 20 | Temecula, CA | South Coast Winery+
September 21 | Tucson, AZ | Fox Tucson Theatre+
September 23 | Arlington, TX | Arlington Music Hall+
September 24 | Austin, TX | Paramount Theatre+
September 26 | Clearwater, FL | Capitol Theatre+
September 27 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | The Parker+
+ with Ayron Jones supporting
Industry Ink: Vince Gill & Paul Franklin, UTA, Easton Corbin, Aaron Lewis
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music Hall of Fame and Museum Hosts Conversation on Ray Price with Vince Gill and Paul Franklin
Pictured (L-R): Paul Franklin, Museum Writer-Editor Dave Paulson, Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a conversation Friday night (Aug. 4) on the enduring legacy of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price with Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill and past “Nashville Cats” honoree Paul Franklin.
Gill, winner of 22 Grammys, and Franklin, who is among the world’s premier steel guitarists, discussed their new album, Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys during the event. The album includes top-tier players and pays tribute to Price and his storied band, which counted Willie Nelson, Roger Miller and Johnny Paycheck among its ranks. The museum’s Writer-Editor Dave Paulson led the conversation, which was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website.
UTA To Host Whiskey Jam Takeover With Tyler Hubbard, Matt Stell, More
UTA is hosting a takeover of the Whiskey Jam Summer Concert Series at Losers in Nashville on Aug. 14. Performers set to take the stage include Tyler Hubbard, Megan Moroney, Matt Stell, Kidd G, Alana Springsteen, Chase Wright, Graham Barham and host John Crist. The free show takes place in the Losers parking lot.
Easton Corbin Treats Contest Winners To Lucchese Shopping Spree
Easton Corbin (center) poses with staff from Lucchese located in Nashville’s neighborhood The Gulch. Photo: Courtesy of Stone Country Records
Easton Corbin partnered with Nashville-based station WKDF and Western lifestyle brand Lucchese Bootmakers to treat recent contest winners to a shopping spree and a private performance at the Nashville retail store located in The Gulch last Thursday (Aug. 3). The contest was done in support of Easton’s current single, “Marry That Girl,” from his January Stone Country Records album release, Let’s Do Country Right.
Aaron Lewis Celebrates Gold Single, STAIND Nabs Another No. 1
Aaron Lewis
Last week in Nashville, Aaron Lewis was presented with a plaque commemorating half a million in sales for his smash hit “Am I The Only One” (The Valory Music Co.). The song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Chart in the summer of 2021, a feat which had only been accomplished nine times since 1958, earning Lewis an RIAA-certified Gold-selling single. Additionally, Lewis and his fellow STAIND bandmates have notched their first No. 1 hit in over a decade. STAIND’s “Lowest In Me” recently rose to the top position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
In addition to performing on his national “American Patriot Acoustic Tour,” Lewis is currently on the road with STAIND in support of the band’s upcoming studio album, Confessions of the Fallen, set for release in September. He’s also currently in the studio working on a new acoustic solo country album.
Rhys Rutherford Signs With ERN’s Cadillac Music & Big Loud
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Austen Adams (COO, Big Loud), ERNEST, Rhys Rutherford, Michael Giangreco (VP of A&R, Big Loud Publishing), Kimberly Gleason (SVP, Big Loud Publishing)
Hit singer-songwriter Ernest has signed rising tunesmith Rhys Rutherford to his publishing venture, ERN’s Cadillac Music and Big Loud.
Rhys was raised on the music of Tim McGraw, John Prine and Kris Kristofferson, as well as a mix of ’60s and ’70s rock. His father is Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford. When Rhys decided to pursue music himself, he began to write songs and started a cover band with his friends.
After two semesters of college at Ole Miss, he moved back home to Nashville to dive head first into writing full time. After Rhys posted a cover of Ernest’s song “Feet Wanna Run” on social media, the breakout country star took notice of the talent, which led to his publishing deal. Since signing in March, Rhys has earned his first major label cut with Bailey Zimmerman’s “Is This Really Over?” from his record-breaking album Religiously. The Album.
Jason Isbell Announces 10th Anniversary Reissue Of ‘Southeastern’
/by Liza AndersonGrammy-winning artist Jason Isbell has announced that the tenth anniversary reissue of his critically acclaimed album Southeastern will be released on Sept. 29 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers.
Southeastern features 12 tracks mixed with confessions, reflections and promises that confront and make communion with those who have come before and still remain with us.
The tenth anniversary reissue will include demos and live versions of the record’s beloved songs. The project will also feature a Deluxe 4LP Box Set, which consists of never-before-heard original Southeastern demos and a new live recording of the album from December 2022 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additionally, an Indie Exclusive LP pressed on transparent clearwater blue vinyl will be available.
Southeastern 10th Anniversary Edition Track Listings:
Southeastern (Remastered)
1. “Cover Me Up”
2. “Stockholm”
3. “Traveling Alone”
4. “Elephant”
5. “Flying Over Water”
6. “Different Days”
7. “Live Oak”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower”
9. “New South Wales”
10. “Super 8”
11. “Yvette”
12. “Relatively Easy”
Southeastern Demos (Included With Deluxe Editions)
1. “Cover Me Up (Demo)”
2. “Stockholm (Demo)”
3. “Traveling Alone (Demo)”
4. “Elephant (Demo)”
5. “Flying Over Water (Demo)”
6. “Different Days (Demo)”
7. “Live Oak (Demo)”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Demo)”
9. “New South Wales (Demo)”
10. “Yvette (Demo)”
11. “Relatively Easy (Demo)”
Southeastern Live (Included With Deluxe Editions)
1. “Intro (Live)”
2. “Cover Me Up (Live)”
3. “Stockholm (Live)”
4. “Traveling Alone (Live)”
5. “Elephant (Live)”
6. “Flying Over Water (Live)”
7. “Different Days (Live)”
8. “Live Oak (Live)”
9. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Live)”
10. “New South Wales (Live)”
11. “Super 8 (Live)”
12. “Yvette (Live)”
13. “Relatively Easy (Live)”
Miranda Lambert Collaborates With Gibson On Signature ‘Bluebird’ Guitar
/by Caela GriffinMiranda Lambert and American instrument brand Gibson Custom Shop have partnered to release the new Gibson Miranda Lambert Bluebird, the artist’s first-ever signature guitar. This rare Gibson acoustic guitar is made in the USA, hand-crafted in the Gibson Acoustic Factory and is now available worldwide.
“I have been playing Gibson acoustic guitars for so long now, so to be able to partner with such an iconic brand to create my own version of the classic Hummingbird is a dream come true,” shares Lambert. “I hope this encourages musicians everywhere—especially young girls—to pick up a Bluebird and chase the same dream that guitars have made come true for me.”
“At Gibson, we’re always seeking ways to lift up the voices of artists who have shaped the sound of genres, and Miranda is a trailblazing artist that represents the best that country music has to offer” says Codey Allen, Director, Cultural Influence-North America at Gibson Brands. “Her immense talent, authenticity, and dedication to the craft of songwriting, as well as her unwavering commitment to encourage more girls and women to play guitar are what inspired us to create the Miranda Lambert Bluebird Acoustic guitar.”
Lambert has won multiple Grammy Awards and holds more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history. A constant champion of female artists—including numerous collaborations and her work as a member of the Pistol Annies—Lambert has made it a priority to encourage more girls and women to pick up guitars themselves.
As a variation of the iconic Gibson Hummingbird to honor her music and mission, the Miranda Lambert Bluebird features a square shoulder mahogany body with a Sitka spruce top, a Bluebonnet nitrocellulose lacquer finish celebrating the official flower of Lambert’s home state of Texas and a custom Bluebird pickguard inspired by her chart-topping song of the same name. The L.R. Baggs VTC electronics make this guitar stage and studio ready.
Abbey Cone Celebrates Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughAbbey Cone during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Erika Rock
Singer-songwriter Abbey Cone made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday night (Aug. 4).
Joined by friends and collaborators Brittney Spencer, Madison Kozak and Heather Morgan, Cone performed her latest single, “Talk of the Town (Acoustic),” on the hallowed stage. She also received a standing ovation from the crowd after she offered the first-ever live performance of her unreleased song “Timeless.”
The indie artist grew up playing Texas’ Grapevine Opry and was invited to make her debut in June by her mentor Vince Gill, who surprised her with the invitation onstage at the Grand Ole Opry after he performed the song they co-wrote together,”Leaving Home,” for the first time.
Pictured (L-R): Madison Kozak, Abbey Cone, Brittney Spencer and Heather Morgan. Photo: Erika Rock
Nominees Revealed For 35th Annual MusicRow Awards
/by LB CantrellMusicRow Magazine is proud to reveal the nominees for the 2023 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank. The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
MusicRow subscribers will receive their ballots via email on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
Click here to view the digital “Nominator” newsletter for a complete list of all nominees.
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label Group of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Female Artist of the Year
12. Male Artist of the Year
13. Group/Duo Artist of the Year
14. Entertainer of the Year
Now in its 35th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers and more.
Winners of the 14 awards categories are voted on by subscribers of MusicRow Magazine. This year’s Awards features three new categories: Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Group/Duo Artist of the Year. Artist of the Year is now Entertainer of the Year.
The final nominees revealed in this announcement are determined by a committee. For the categories of Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer, outside nominations are also considered. For the Male and Female Songwriter of the Year categories, nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart.
All nominations are based on projects that were active between the period of June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023. Continuing MusicRow’s tradition of recognizing talent behind the scenes, the Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards will be presented in conjunction with the MusicRow Awards. These honors salute Nashville’s most in-demand studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.
MusicRow subscribers will vote to determine award winners. The Ballot Voting Period runs Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. through Friday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. To become a MusicRow subscriber and become eligible to vote, sign up here.
Daughtry Signs With Big Machine Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Hard 8 Working Group’s Jon Linton (Manager), Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg, Hard 8 Working Group’s Aimee Beren (Day to Day Manager); (L-R, front row): Big Machine Label Group’s Heather Luke, Chris Daughtry, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta
Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry has signed with Big Machine Records and will release their first single for the label, “Artificial,” on Aug. 11.
“Chris Daughtry is one of the best voices in rock music, hands down,” says Big Machine Label Group Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta. “He is attacking this season of life full-on with a renewed fire and intensity to everything he touches.”
“I am so thrilled to be working with Scott and the entire Big Machine crew on this next record and beyond,” shares the band’s frontman and namesake, Chris Daughtry. “It’s very refreshing and exciting to have a team behind me that fully believes and supports my vision.”
The news follows the band’s announcement of their “Bare Bones Tour,” a rare acoustic run with 26 new dates across the country launching tomorrow (Aug. 9). Chart-topping rocker Ayron Jones is set to open on select stops of the tour, which marks a unique opportunity to see the rockers in the most intimate of settings in cities such as Detroit, Atlantic City, Spokane, Tucson, Austin and more through Sept. 27.
Coming in hot off the recent success with their Lzzy Hale duet, “Separate Ways (World’s Apart),” Daughtry’s amped-up reimagining of the Journey classic debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ All Genres chart and reached No. 6 on Mediabase’s Active Rock chart. True to its roots with an updated grit, the single has racked up millions of streams across platforms, earning praise from Variety, Billboard, Consequence and others.
Daughtry’s self-titled debut album was the top-selling album of 2007 and the fastest-selling rock debut album in Soundscan history. It was also nominated for four Grammys and won four American Music Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards, including Album of the Year. Subsequent albums, Leave This Town (2009), Break The Spell (2011), and Baptized (2013) have all gone Platinum, with Cage To Rattle (2018) certified Gold. In 2021, Daughtry released the album Dearly Beloved, which marked a return to their rock roots and a return to the top of the rock charts with their singles “World On Fire,” “Heavy Is The Crown” and “Changes Are Coming,” each reaching the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Rock Airplay chart.
“Bare Bones Tour” Dates:
August 9 | Carmel, IN | The Center for the Performing Arts+
August 11 | Des Plaines, IL | Rivers Casino Des Plaines+
August 12 | Detroit, MI | MotorCity Casino+
August 15 | Warren, OH | Packard Music Hall+
August 16 | Pittsburgh, PA | Palace Theatre+
August 18 | Atlantic City, NJ | Sound Waves at Hard Rock Casino+
August 22 | Huntington, NY | The Paramount+
August 23 | Red Bank, NJ | Count Basie Center for the Arts+
August 25 | Bethlehem, PA | Wind Creek Event Center
August 26 | Mashantucket, CT | The Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods
August 28| Rutland, VT | The Paramount Theatre+
August 30 | Lexington, KY | Lexington Opera House+
September 6 | Kalispell, MT | Wachholz College Center+
September 7 | Spokane, WA | Bing Crosby Theater+
September 9 | Edmonds, WA | Edmonds Center for the Arts
September 10 | Jacksonville, OR | Britt Music & Arts Festival+
September 12 | Eugene, OR | Silva Concert Hall+
September 13 | Modesto, CA | Gallo Center for the Arts+
September 15 | Santa Rosa, CA | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
September 17 | Ojai, CA | Libbey Bowl
September 20 | Temecula, CA | South Coast Winery+
September 21 | Tucson, AZ | Fox Tucson Theatre+
September 23 | Arlington, TX | Arlington Music Hall+
September 24 | Austin, TX | Paramount Theatre+
September 26 | Clearwater, FL | Capitol Theatre+
September 27 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | The Parker+
+ with Ayron Jones supporting
Chase McGill Re-Enters Top 5 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Caela GriffinChase McGill
Chase McGill re-enters the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, moving from No. 6 to No. 5 and swapping spots with Ryan Vojtesak.
McGill is a co-writer on Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got A Beer In My Hand,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl” and Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise.”
For the third week in a row, Taylor Swift holds steady at No. 1. Ashley Gorley follows at No. 2 with Tracy Chapman and Jordan Schmidt at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Jonathan Smith Signs With Sony Music Publishing, Extends With Essential Music Publishing
/by Caela GriffinPictured (L-R, front row): Sony Music Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, Jonathan Smith, Provident Entertainment’s Holly Zabka; (L-R, back row) Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Kenley Flynn and Essential Music Publishing’s Jamie Rodgers
Award-winning songwriter and producer Jonathan Smith has signed a new long-term deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and extended his Essential Music Publishing partnership.
Essential Music Publishing will continue to serve as Smith’s exclusive publisher within worship and contemporary Christian music, while Sony Music Publishing will focus on his songwriting projects across the country music genre,
Smith, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has produced and written many of today’s biggest songs, such as “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham, “I’m So Blessed” by Cain, “There Was Jesus (feat. Dolly Parton)” by Zach Williams as well as “Chain Breaker” and “Glorious Day” by Passion.
“Our relationship with Jonathan started from a cold call to ask him to join a co-write, and after that day of writing led to an incredible cut with Kenny Chesney and another with breakthrough talent Nate Smith,” says Rusty Gaston, CEO, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “We are massive fans of Jonathan’s work – it is the heartbeat behind his craft that leaves a unique mark on every one of his songs. We couldn’t be happier to partner with Jonathan and Essential to lead his country music charge.”
“Jonathan continues to be one of the most sought-after songwriters and producers in our market. We are excited about partnering with Rusty and his team at Sony Music Publishing Nashville to extend Jonathan’s songwriting talents into the country space and continue our long-standing partnership with Jonathan in the CCM/worship genre,” shares Holly Zabka, President/CEO, Provident Entertainment.
Justin Moore & Priscilla Block Top The Mediabase Chart With Duet
/by Lorie HollabaughJustin Moore and Priscilla Block‘s duet “You, Me, And Whiskey” has topped the Mediabase chart this week, marking Moore’s 12th No. 1 hit and Block’s first on the Country Airplay chart.
Written by Jessi Alexander, Brock Berryhill and Cole Taylor, the song is featured on Moore’s latest studio album, Stray Dog. The track, which was just RIAA-certified Gold, is Moore’s fastest-climbing and best-consuming song to date. With roughly 85 million streams and climbing, “You, Me, And Whiskey” is also the first chart-topping duet of the Arkansas native’s career.
For Block, “You, Me, And Whiskey” follows her Platinum-certified debut single “Just About Over You” and Top 15 charting hit, “My Bar.” The tune hit the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in May.
Moore recently announced new dates for his “You, Me, & Whiskey Tour” with Block, as well as Jon Langston, each joining as direct support on select dates.