Holly Gleason
Award-winning author and music critic, Holly Gleason, has announced her next book, a look into the life of the late American songwriting legend John Prine.
Out Sept. 12, the book is part of the Chicago Review Press’ Writers in Their Own Words series. Titled Prine On Prine: Interviews & Encounters, the book follows Prine via appearances in the media and other places, collecting work from media titans Studs Terkel, Roger Ebert, Cameron Crowe, Robert Hilburn, then poet Laureate Ted Kooser, Robert Christgau, Dave Hoekstra, Ronni Lundy and Grammy-winner Bob Mehr. The collection of pieces has been traced and edited by Gleason.
Some highlights in Prine On Prine include the songwriter running away with a writer from Hot Rod, gracing the cover of No Depression, taking a bespoke role in Billy Bob Thornton’s Daddy & Them and receiving the Pen Literary Award for Lyrical Achievement from John Mellencamp. Readers will see Prine profiled in People and twice on NBC’s Today by Emmy winner Mike Leonard
Gleason pulls some of Prine’s favorite recipes and stories from Shuck Bean, Stack Cake & Honest Fried Chicken for the book, as well as record company bios, Chicago folk history, stories around starting labels and cooking dinner, publications long gone and a throwdown with Bobby Bare.
Gleason has a vast understanding of her subject. She met Prine when she was 20, forming a life-long friendship with the Songwriter and Grammy Hall of Famer.
“John was many things,” she shares. “It is so easy to see him as this elder Americana legend, writing songs that transcend time and place to touch your heart or soul or life. But he was also a fun guy, with a clear vision, a deep love of home and all it stands for and an absolute sense of self that allowed the tenderness of how he saw the world to remain pretty consistent throughout the book.”
Gleason was once engaged to Prine’s co-manager, the late Dan Einstein, who also co-founded Oh Boy, Red Pajamas and Blue Plate Music. She spent many of her formative years as a nationally recognized music critic in Prine’s world, and later provided media strategy and services for his albums In Spite of Ourselves and Fair & Square.
Prine On Prine is the latest edition from Gleason’s portfolio. She created, edited and contributed to Woman, Walk The Line, the 2018 Belmont Book Award-winning collection of essays about how female country artists profoundly impact individual lives. She is also a co-author of Miranda Lambert’s recent New York Times best-seller Y’All Eat Yet: Welcome to the Pretty B*tchin Kitchen.
“It has been the craziest year! It felt like the Miranda book debuting at No. 3 on The New York Times Best Seller list was as good as it could get, but seeing the cover of Prine On Prine took my breath away. That book was a labor of love with my dear friend Dan Einstein, who’s now up in heaven with John, looking down and laughing at me most likely… and it suddenly feels very real,” Gleason says.
Gleason’s work has recently been recognized by the Los Angeles Press Club. She is nominated for five of their Southern California Media Awards at this weekend’s awards, including Entertainment Journalist of the Year and Music Criticism. Gleason’s Library of Congress essay on Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” is up for Entertainment Commentary and her Pollstar cover story on Dolly Parton is competing for Entertainment News Feature.
“To have Prine On Prine announced on the brink of the Southern California Media Awards is a full circle moment,” Gleason says. “I grew up and into a music critic in LA, writing for Tower Pulse, Bam, Musician, Creem, Mix and Rolling Stone when it was once every two weeks. John used to get such a kick either asking me what I was chasing, or telling me about something I’d written he read, and now I’m nominated for some major awards from the LA Press Club. He’d probably love that as much as this book.”
Gleason adds, “At a time when publications are evaporating, changing their dynamics and just not making music a priority, these nominations make me feel like less of a fool for reporting as hard as I do. I know sometimes the subjects find me tedious, but I’ve grateful they’re tolerant. The Dolly and Miranda nominations for Feature and Breaking News feature speak to my mission to call attention, but also real meaning to women in the country space; but seeing Tammy Wynette and “Stand By Your Man” honored for Arts Commentary for the Library of Congress essay thrills me for Tammy.”
Holly Gleason Announces ‘Prine On Prine,’ Celebrates Southern California Media Awards Nominations
/by LB CantrellHolly Gleason
Award-winning author and music critic, Holly Gleason, has announced her next book, a look into the life of the late American songwriting legend John Prine.
Out Sept. 12, the book is part of the Chicago Review Press’ Writers in Their Own Words series. Titled Prine On Prine: Interviews & Encounters, the book follows Prine via appearances in the media and other places, collecting work from media titans Studs Terkel, Roger Ebert, Cameron Crowe, Robert Hilburn, then poet Laureate Ted Kooser, Robert Christgau, Dave Hoekstra, Ronni Lundy and Grammy-winner Bob Mehr. The collection of pieces has been traced and edited by Gleason.
Some highlights in Prine On Prine include the songwriter running away with a writer from Hot Rod, gracing the cover of No Depression, taking a bespoke role in Billy Bob Thornton’s Daddy & Them and receiving the Pen Literary Award for Lyrical Achievement from John Mellencamp. Readers will see Prine profiled in People and twice on NBC’s Today by Emmy winner Mike Leonard
Gleason pulls some of Prine’s favorite recipes and stories from Shuck Bean, Stack Cake & Honest Fried Chicken for the book, as well as record company bios, Chicago folk history, stories around starting labels and cooking dinner, publications long gone and a throwdown with Bobby Bare.
Gleason has a vast understanding of her subject. She met Prine when she was 20, forming a life-long friendship with the Songwriter and Grammy Hall of Famer.
“John was many things,” she shares. “It is so easy to see him as this elder Americana legend, writing songs that transcend time and place to touch your heart or soul or life. But he was also a fun guy, with a clear vision, a deep love of home and all it stands for and an absolute sense of self that allowed the tenderness of how he saw the world to remain pretty consistent throughout the book.”
Gleason was once engaged to Prine’s co-manager, the late Dan Einstein, who also co-founded Oh Boy, Red Pajamas and Blue Plate Music. She spent many of her formative years as a nationally recognized music critic in Prine’s world, and later provided media strategy and services for his albums In Spite of Ourselves and Fair & Square.
Prine On Prine is the latest edition from Gleason’s portfolio. She created, edited and contributed to Woman, Walk The Line, the 2018 Belmont Book Award-winning collection of essays about how female country artists profoundly impact individual lives. She is also a co-author of Miranda Lambert’s recent New York Times best-seller Y’All Eat Yet: Welcome to the Pretty B*tchin Kitchen.
“It has been the craziest year! It felt like the Miranda book debuting at No. 3 on The New York Times Best Seller list was as good as it could get, but seeing the cover of Prine On Prine took my breath away. That book was a labor of love with my dear friend Dan Einstein, who’s now up in heaven with John, looking down and laughing at me most likely… and it suddenly feels very real,” Gleason says.
Gleason’s work has recently been recognized by the Los Angeles Press Club. She is nominated for five of their Southern California Media Awards at this weekend’s awards, including Entertainment Journalist of the Year and Music Criticism. Gleason’s Library of Congress essay on Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” is up for Entertainment Commentary and her Pollstar cover story on Dolly Parton is competing for Entertainment News Feature.
“To have Prine On Prine announced on the brink of the Southern California Media Awards is a full circle moment,” Gleason says. “I grew up and into a music critic in LA, writing for Tower Pulse, Bam, Musician, Creem, Mix and Rolling Stone when it was once every two weeks. John used to get such a kick either asking me what I was chasing, or telling me about something I’d written he read, and now I’m nominated for some major awards from the LA Press Club. He’d probably love that as much as this book.”
Gleason adds, “At a time when publications are evaporating, changing their dynamics and just not making music a priority, these nominations make me feel like less of a fool for reporting as hard as I do. I know sometimes the subjects find me tedious, but I’ve grateful they’re tolerant. The Dolly and Miranda nominations for Feature and Breaking News feature speak to my mission to call attention, but also real meaning to women in the country space; but seeing Tammy Wynette and “Stand By Your Man” honored for Arts Commentary for the Library of Congress essay thrills me for Tammy.”
Parker McCollum Partners With Beverage Brand Loud Lemon
/by Lorie HollabaughParker McCollum. Photo: Chase Lauer
Parker McCollum has partnered with fast-growing adult beverage brand Loud Lemon.
What began as an investment at the brand’s inception during COVID has now blossomed into a collaboration that includes a co-created flavor for the brand’s new line of vodka-based Lemonade Cocktails: Cranberry Sunrise.
“COVID-19 was an obstacle in many ways, but it gave us and Parker the time to understand each other better and create work that makes sense,” says Jeff Outlaw, Founder and CEO of Loud Lemon. “Collaborating with Parker to create the new Cranberry Sunrise flavor showcases the truest kind of partnership. We’re lucky and proud to have Parker on our team.”
“Their motto is to ‘Live Out Loud,’ and that means celebrating life, being authentic and working hard. When Jeff approached me and [my wife] Hallie Ray to create the new flavor, we jumped at the chance. Cranberry Sunrise turned out delicious and I’m excited to be part of such a fun, innovative company with such a passionate Founder,” says McCollum.
McCollum just celebrated his third No. 1 hit since signing with UMG Nashville. His new album, Never Enough, released in May.
Brett Young Announces Fourth Studio Album ‘Across The Sheets’
/by Caela GriffinArt Courtesy of BMLG Records
Multi-Platinum country artist Brett Young has uncovered plans for Across the Sheets, his upcoming fourth studio album, out Aug. 4 via BMLG Records. Young says the title of the eight-track album is a recurring theme throughout the lyrics of the new songs. In celebration of the announcement, Young released “Back To Jesus,” an up-tempo tune about faith, forgiveness and answered prayers.
Across The Sheets is a compilation of new and old, kicking off with Young’s “Dance With You” which is set to impact country radio on Monday, June 26. The song earned Young his biggest week one streaming numbers to date and has garnered more than 23 million streams. In keeping with the album’s theme, “Dance With You” honors Young’s wife, Taylor.
The album also includes a fresh take on some familiar favorites, including a cover of the heartbreaking 1994 classic that inspired Young to pursue a career in country music, Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take The Girl,” and a re-record of one of the most beloved songs, “You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me,” from his self-titled debut album.
“I really dug deep with my writing over the pandemic. Across The Sheets is by far the most adventurous I’ve ever gotten thematically and lyrically. I hope people hear my evolution as a songwriter and artist because I’m really proud of how much I allowed myself to pull back the curtain and let people see more of my life through my music,” says Young. “We’ve been playing the new songs on tour and to see how fans have already connected with them is truly special.”
Additionally, tickets are on sale to the public today for Young’s “Dance With You Tour,” which kicks off Sept. 14 in Pennsylvania with special guests Jake Scott and Griffen Palmer. On July 6, he will hit the road again for Sam Hunt’s “Summer on the Outskirts Tour” with Lily Rose.
Across the Sheets Track List:
1. “Dance With You” (Written by Brett Young, Jordan Minton, Jimmy Robbins)
2. “Let Go Too Soon” (Written by Brett Young, Chris LaCorte, Jon Nite)
3. “Back To Jesus” (Written by Brett Young, Justin Ebach, Jon Nite)
4. “Uncomfortable” (Written by Brett Young, Ryan Marrone, Jon Nite)
5. “Love Goes On” (Written by Brett Young, Sam Ellis, Julia Michaels)
6. “I Did This To Me” (Written by Brett Young, Ross Copperman, Gabe Simon)
7. “You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me (2022)” (Written by Brett Young, Matt Alderman, Tiffany Goss)
8. “Don’t Take the Girl” (Written by Larry Johnson, Craig Martin)
Gary LeVox Launches New Wine Collection
/by LB CantrellGary LeVox & Russ Hayworth. Photo: Patrick Carroll
Country star Gary LeVox has partnered with Hayworth Estate Wines to launch a new wine collection, LEVOX WINES.
LeVox has a long-time friendship with Russ Hayworth, the founder of Oregon winery Hayworth Estate Wines. Their collaboration, LEVOX WINES, includes a pinot noir and pinot gris, available now exclusively via Hayworth Estate Wines.
LeVox shares, “Russ Hayworth and I have known each other for over 20 years. His beautiful vineyard, Hayworth Estate Wines, in Oregon is a staple in the community and I’m so excited to see this wine collection finally come to life. We’ve been working on this collaboration for quite some time now and have prepared an amazing Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris that are out of this world—aged and prepared just right. I can’t wait for everyone to get a hold of them and try some!”
“All of us at Hayworth Estate Wines are honored and excited to be working with Gary to launch LEVOX Wines,” adds Hayworth. “It’s the perfect blend, because good wine and good music are the product of artist passions coming together.”
The LEVOX 2021 Pinot Noir is a signature red wine grown in Oregon’s world-renowned Willamette Valley. It is aged in French oak for a rich and smooth body, and has subtle floral notes of dark cherry and strawberry, combined with a warm balance of earthy truffle and mushroom.
The LEVOX 2022 Pinot Gris is a very popular Oregon varietal, delivering very distinct notes of a floral bouquet on the nose followed by crisp notes of apple, pear, and citrus with a smooth clean finish.
Luke Bryan’s 9th Annual Crash My Playa Set For January
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan is heading back to the beach in 2024 with the return of his annual concert vacation Crash My Playa, set for Jan. 17-20, 2024.
The 2024 event weekend takes place at the Moon Palace Cancún, featuring four nights of country music on a private stretch of white sand beach from headliners Bryan (two nights), Jelly Roll (one night) and Jon Pardi (one night), a performance by Bailey Zimmerman and the return of Dustin Lynch’s all-day pool party. The full lineup of artists, pool parties, activities and adventures will be announced soon.
“The lineup this year has me fired up,” says Bryan. “Everyone knows I love to have a good time and I know these artists feel the same. There is nothing I love more than seeing all my friends in front of the stage as well as on the stage having the time of their lives and that is what Crash My Playa brings.”
All-inclusive Crash My Playa 2024 event packages will go on sale to the public on June 29 via crashmyplaya.com. Previous Crash My Playa guests as well as Luke and Jelly Roll’s fan club members will be invited to return to the beach via special Pre-Sales, which begin on June 28. Citi is the official card of Bryan’s Crash My Playa and Citi cardmembers will have access to Pre-Sale packages beginning June 28 through the Citi Entertainment program.
Tim McGraw Slates New Album ‘Standing Room Only’ For August
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Tim McGraw has announced his new album Standing Room Only is set for release on Aug. 25 via Big Machine Records. He’s giving fans a taste of the new project with the new song “Hey Whiskey,” out now.
Standing Room Only features 13 brand new tracks and was produced by McGraw and longtime producer Byron Gallimore. Among the writers contributing to the new album are Craig Wiseman, Jaren Johnston, Lori McKenna, Chase McGill and Kameron Marlowe.
The new album, his 17th studio project, marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart. In tandem with the pre-save going live today, fans can purchase a collectors bundle with their vinyl or CD, featuring a new t-shirt, collectible trading card and poster.
“As an artist, I always want to dig deeper and get better every time I make a new record – it’s a big part of what drives me, and I really believe this is one of the best projects we’ve made. I’ve been working on this album since 2020, and this collection of songs are some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I’ve ever recorded,” McGraw shares. “I’m excited to have ‘Hey Whiskey’ out so fans can start hearing more of what we’re working on – and maybe even more before August…”
Today’s release of “Hey Whiskey” and its lyric video follows the album’s first single/title track “Standing Room Only,” which was released in March and is climbing through the Top 20 on the charts. “Standing Room Only” marks McGraw’s 92nd entrance into Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks, and also holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.
Standing Room Only Track List:
“Hold On To It” (Written by Ryan Larkins, Seth Mosley, Jimmy Yeary)
“Standing Room Only” (Written by Tommy Cecil, Patrick Murphy, Craig Wiseman)
“Paper Umbrellas” (Written by Monty Criswell, Drake Milligan)
“Remember Me Well” (Written by Heather Morgan, Jimmy Robbins)
“Hey Whiskey” (Written by Brad Hutsell, Joel Hutsell, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Her” (Written by Jason Gantt, Tim Nichols, Jimmy Yeary)
“Fool Me Again” (Written by Kameron Marlowe, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Rob Williford)
“Small Town King” (Written by Jaren Johnston, Jenn Schott, Jeremy Stover)
“Beautiful Hurricane” (Written by Mike Lane, Tony Lane)
“Cowboy Junkie” (Written by Bill Luther, Lance Miller, Justin Weaver)
“Nashville CA/L.A. Tennessee (Featuring Lori McKenna)” (Written by Tim McGraw, Lori McKenna, Bob Minner)
“Some Songs Change Your World” (Written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Lance Miller)
“Letter From Heaven” (Written by Chase McGill, Lori McKenna, Parker Welling)
Luke Combs Earns Another MusicRow No. 1 With ‘Fast Car’ Cover
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Luke Combs is at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with his explosive cover of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car.”
Written solely by Chapman, the singer-songwriter had a huge hit with “Fast Car” in 1989. The tune received three Grammy nominations that year, and won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Combs included his cover of “Fast Car” on his 2023 album Gettin’ Old after years of playing it on the road. It was sent to U.S. Top 40 and Hot AC radio as the second single from the album, marking the first time that Combs has sent a song to contemporary hit radio.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Willie Nelson Reimagines His Classics On New Album ‘Bluegrass’
/by Lorie HollabaughA new Willie Nelson studio album Bluegrass is slated for release on Sept. 15.
The project features Nelson performing 12 of his favorite self-penned classics with a bluegrass ensemble, and the first track from the album, “You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago,” was released yesterday (June 22).
His 151st album, according to Texas Monthly’s interactive All Willie Nelson Albums Ranked list, Bluegrass presents classic Nelson compositions including “On the Road Again,” “Yesterday’s Wine,” “Still is Still Moving to Me,” “Good Hearted Woman” and more, re-interpreted by Nelson and his bluegrass band.
Produced by longtime musical collaborator Buddy Cannon, Bluegrass features musicians including Barry Bales (upright bass), Ron Block (banjo), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Rob Ickes (dobro), Josh Martin (acoustic guitar), Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Seth Taylor (mandolin), Bobby Terry (acoustic guitar, gut string guitar), Dan Tyminski (mandolin); and backing vocals by Wyatt Beard, Buddy Cannon and Melonie Cannon.
The album’s cover art was done by Micah Nelson—Willie’s son, a multimedia artist and musician—whose previous artwork for Willie includes the albums I Don’t Know a Thing About Love and First Rose of Spring, as well as 2013’s autobiographical New York Times bestseller Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road.
Bluegrass Track Listing:
1. No Love Around
2. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces
3. Good Hearted Woman (cowritten with Waylon Jennings)
4. Sad Songs And Waltzes
5. Home Motel
6. You Left Me A Long, Long Time Ago
7. Yesterday’s Wine
8. Bloody Mary Morning
9. Slow Down Old World
10. Still Is Still Moving To Me
11. On The Road Again
12. Man With The Blues
Dan + Shay Become First Coaching Duo On ‘The Voice’ Season 25
/by Caela GriffinDan + Shay at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2023 in downtown Nashville.
NBC’s The Voice announced today (June 22) that Grammy winners Dan + Shay will be the show’s first coaching duo for Season 25, set to air in spring 2024.
After serving as Blake Shelton‘s Battle Advisors during Season 20, the duo will have their red double chair alongside Reba McEntire and John Legend, who return for back-to-back cycles. Chance the Rapper is also returning following his Season 23 debut.
The coaching panel for this fall’s season 24 including McEntire, Legend, Niall Horan and Gwen Stefani.
NSAI Relaunches House Songwriters Caucus
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Jennifer Turnbow (Chief Operating Officer, NSAI), Kelly Archer (songwriter/NSAI Board Member), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Emily Shackelton (songwriter/NSAI Board Member), Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI)
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) re-launched have relaunched the Songwriters Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, establishing a group of like-minded lawmakers who support songwriters.
To celebrate the launch, Reps Lieu and Cline welcomed songwriters and representatives from various songwriter advocacy organizations to Capitol Hill, where the Members announced the formation of the caucus and heard songs performed by the songwriters who were present.
“My district in Southern California is home to many talented songwriters whose work contributes so much to our culture and society,” says Rep. Lieu. “I’m thrilled to join Congressman Ben Cline in co-chairing the new bipartisan Congressional Songwriter’s Caucus, which will work to support America’s brilliant songwriters by ensuring they can protect their work and make a living doing what they love. Music contributes so much to our way of life, and we must ensure those creating it are compensated fairly. I’m grateful to the numerous songwriter advocacy organizations who’ve partnered with us on the creation of this caucus and look forward to working together to support our artists.”
“Making art, specifically music, is a powerful way to leave a mark on the world,” said Rep. Cline. “It’s a part of our everyday lives, from what we listen to on our commutes in the morning, to the music we select for our most important life events, such as birthdays, weddings, and funerals. But today’s modern music landscape can make it more difficult for certain artists, especially independent songwriters, to make a living. That is why I’m proud to co-chair the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, which will play an important role in promoting the songwriting community by working to ensure the creative rights of songwriters are protected.”
The Congressional Songwriters Caucus is supported by Nashville Songwriters Association International(NSAI), National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Recording Academy, BMI and ASCAP.
In a statement to MusicRow, NSAI shares, “Since the Songwriters Caucus was initially launched 20 years ago technology has completely changed the way music is delivered. American songwriters still face challenges in the digital era and we are very grateful to Congressmen Cline and Lieu for their bipartisan support.”
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite says, “We applaud Representatives Cline and Lieu for leading the Congressional Songwriters Caucus and we are excited about today’s launch. NMPA is the leading advocate for music publishers and their songwriter partners and we greatly look forward to working with the Caucus to advance policy interests that will protect creators and ensure that songwriters thrive.”