Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Two-time 2023 ACM nominee Ernest has announced that he will hit the road for the “This Fire Tour” in the fall. Launching in Oxford, Ohio on Oct. 18, Ernest will bring along country traditionalist Jake Worthington, hit songwriter John Morgan and his Cadillac Music songwriter Cody Lohden on the 15-show run.
“I’m really excited to get the Ern show back on the road with the fellas,” Ernest shares of the tour announcement. “The show’s gonna be a hell of a time! Anytime we get to play to a room full of people who come to hear our music—it’s an unmatched feeling. The tour last year was a blast, and since then we dropped another 13 songs. If you haven’t yet, go listen to Two Dozen Roses, then come out and sing some country music with us.”
Ernest’s Two Dozen Roses album released earlier this year to much acclaim. The 24-track project included the 11 songs from his debut album Flower Shops as well as 13 new songs that helped carve out the first album’s story—hence the deluxe album’s title, Two Dozen Roses. Added songs include the anthemic tour namesake, “This Fire,” the nursery-rhyme ear worm “Miss That Girl,” the heartbreaker “Songs We Used To Sing” and more.
The singer-songwriter spoke with MusicRow about Two Dozen Roses earlier this year, saying that he was so inspired by the Flower Shops album that he just kept writing.
“I started writing more songs that sounded like they could fit on Flower Shops. When I looked up after a few months, I was like, ‘Wow, we still got a thing here,'” he shared.
The sound captured on Two Dozen Roses is decidedly country, with the shine of ’70s and ’80s pop-country. In addition to Joey Moi‘s hit-making production, Ernest says that having studio giants such as Paul Franklin and Brent Mason playing on the songs helped his vision come to life.
One of his proudest moments on Two Dozen Roses is his Dean Dillon feature on “What Have I Got To Lose,” a song he wrote alongside the Hall of Famer and Brian Kelley.
“That was my first time writing with Dean. Brian Kelley had a day with him and he asked if I wanted to join,” Ernest shared. “I showed up, we wrote a couple songs for Brian and then Dean picked up a guitar and [went] down this rabbit hole. We just watched as fans while Dean made that song what it is.
“It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever been a part of because it sounds like so many of the songs I idolized growing up,” he says, pointing out that Dillon singing on the song was a huge honor. “I’ve got a Dean Dillon feature and I’m over the moon about it.”
Ernest also has a song with soon-to-be-tour-mate Worthington on Two Dozen Roses, “Heartache In My 100 Proof.” He says, “I’m such a Jake Worthington fan. I’m a stan. Having him on there is perfect.”
Catch Ernest on the “This Fire Tour” on the dates below. General ticket on-sale goes wide Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. local time.
“This Fire Tour” Dates:
^ with Jake Worthington
* with John Morgan
+ with Cody Lohden
Oct. 18 – Oxford, Ohio – Brick Street Bar *+
Oct. 19 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Intersection *+
Oct. 20 – Rosemont, Ill. – Joe’s Live *+
Oct. 21 – Indianapolis, Ind. – 8 Seconds Saloon *+
Oct. 26 – Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Signal ^+
Oct. 27 – Oxford, Miss. – The Lyric ^+
Oct. 28 – Starkville, Miss. – Rick’s Café ^+
Nov. 2 – Columbia, S.C. – The Senate ^+
Nov. 3 – Tampa, Fla. – Dallas Bull ^+
Nov. 4 – Fort Myers, Fla. – The Ranch ^+
Nov. 10 – Baton Rouge, La. – Texas Club ^+
Nov. 11 – Atlanta, Ga. – Buckhead Theater ^+
Nov. 16 – Athens, Ga. – Georgia Theater ^+
Nov. 18 – Greenville, S.C. – Blind Horse Saloon ^+
Nov. 28 – Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium ^+
Top Five Hold Steady On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
The hitmakers filling the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart hold their positions this week.
With 12 currently charting songs, Morgan Wallen marks another week at No. 1. In addition to 10 of his own songs climbing the charts, Wallen is a co-writer on Keith Urban’s “Brown Eyes Baby” and Corey Kent’s “Wild As Her.”
Ashley Gorley remains at No. 2 with 13 charting songs. Filling out the top five are Ryan Vojtesak (No. 3), Zach Bryan (No. 4) and Luke Combs (No. 5).
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.
Carrie Underwood Extends ‘Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency’
/by Liza AndersonCarrie Underwood during “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency.” Photo: Jeff Johnson
Due to high demand, Carrie Underwood has extended her “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” production at Resorts World Theatre with three shows taking place Dec. 13, 15 and 16.
Designed exclusively for Resorts World Theatre, the residency has become a must-see as all 18 shows were sold-out in 2022. Underwood will return kickoff the 2023 run in this summer, starting June 21.
“We had a blast on the road with ‘The Denim & Rhinestones Tour’,” she says,”but it’s always nice to come back ‘home’ to Resorts World Las Vegas to continue ‘Reflection’. This show is truly a celebration of all my music, and I love having the chance to welcome fans from all over the world who come to see us in Vegas.”
Tickets for the additional shows will go on sale to the general public this Friday, April 28. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets to the new shows before then, beginning, tomorrow (April 25) at 10 a.m. PT until this Thursday, April 27 at 10 p.m. PT.
For more information, click here.
Hardy & Lainey Wilson Score No. 1 With ‘Wait In The Truck’
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Big Loud Records
Hardy and Lainey Wilson‘s chilling duet, “Wait In The Truck,” has reached No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
“I’m just so happy a song like this still has a place in country music,” says Hardy about the achievement. “Thanks to everyone involved for taking this song to the top, and for believing in this one.”
“I’m so honored Hardy asked me to join him on a song that’s had an impact on so many people and shed light on a topic a lot of folks are scared to talk about,” Wilson shares. “He is one of the most brilliant songwriters I’ve ever met and puts on one heck of a show. I can’t wait to be back out on the road together this fall!”
The Platinum hit has also earned three ACM nominations for Song of the Year, Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year. Named one of the Best Songs of 2022 by the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Wide Open Country and more, “Wait In The Truck,” has been streamed over 219 million times and earned CMT Collaborative Video of the Year for its music video.
Additionally, the duet partners will tour the South and Midwest together on the fall arena leg of Hardy’s headlining “The Mockingbird & The Crow Tour.”
With “Wait In The Truck” and Wilson’s prior No. 1 “Heart Like A Truck,” Wilson breaks a long-standing record on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart. The last female country artist to have two No. 1s this close together was Crystal Gayle 40 years ago at eight weeks apart.
Cole Swindell Announces Fall Headlining ‘Twelve Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughCole Swindell will launch his headlining “Twelve Tour” this fall on Oct. 12. The tour will include special guests Nate Smith, Conner Smith, Avery Anna and Greylan James.
Swindell will make stops in Pittsburgh, Saginaw, Fort Wayne, Cedar Rapids, and more before wrapping in Rome, Georgia on Nov. 4.
“My fans know 12 is my number… so, here we go… 12 SHOWS, 12 DIFFERENT SETS,” the artist exclaims. “We are kicking this off Oct. 12 and I can’t wait to be out on the road with Nate, Conner, Avery Anna and Greylan!”
His Down Home Crew will have the opportunity to purchase tickets during the Down Home Crew presale starting tomorrow (April 25). Tickets will go on sale to the public in most markets this Friday, April 28—the day of Swindell’s Stereotype Broken deluxe album release—at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
Swindell also just received a slew of ACM nominations for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” including Single of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist, Songwriter) and Visual Media of the Year as well as Music Event of the Year for “She Had Me At Heads Carolina [Remix]” with Jo Dee Messina, marking her first nomination in 22 years. “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” as well as the “She Had Me At Carolina [Remix]” are both included on the upcoming Stereotype Broken deluxe album.
Oct. 12 – Fargo, ND – Scheels Arena
Singer-Songwriter & Producer, Keith Gattis, Passes Away
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Gattis
Beloved singer-songwriter and producer Keith Gattis passed away on Sunday, April 23 due to a tractor accident at his home. He was 52.
A Texas native, Gattis began playing around the Austin area as a teen, and moved to Nashville after college in pursuit of a music career. He signed with RCA Nashville in 1996 and released his debut self-titled album, which yielded the single “Little Drops Of My Heart” but not much commercial success.
Undeterred but battle-scarred, he headed to the west coast and found work out there, eventually recording an indie solo album nearly a decade later, Big City Blues. In 2002 he became band leader for Dwight Yoakam, and played bass and electric guitar on Yoakam’s album Blame The Vain. An in-demand guitar slinger and session player throughout his career, Gattis worked in the studio with Bruce Robison, Sunny Sweeney, Jon Pardi, Brandy Clark, and many others.
He found success as a songwriter as well, penning the hauntingly beautiful “El Cerrito Place,” which appeared on his Big City Blues album, was recorded by Charlie Robison, and was later a hit for Kenny Chesney. Chesney also co-wrote “When I See This Bar” with Gattis, who also had cuts by George Strait, Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Randy Houser, Charlie Robison, Randy Rogers Band, Jack Ingram, Wade Bowen, and more.
Gattis found success behind the boards as well, helming sessions at his own Pioneertown Recording Studio for artists including Jon Pardi, Jake Owen, Waylon Payne, Kendell Marvel, Wade Bowen, and more. He was the co-producer of Randy Houser’s 2019 acclaimed, rootsy album Magnolia.
Keith Gattis’ wife Penny Gattis is GM of Publishing at Eclipse Music Group in Nashville. They have two children together. In addition to his wife and children, Gattis is survived by his mother Donna (Robert) Booth; his father Donny (Sharon) Gattis; his siblings Brad (Julie) Booth, Cody (Keisha) Booth, Mike (Bridget) Booth, Rob (Caryn) Booth, Casey (Shayna) Gattis, Knox Gattis, and Lee Ann (Scott) Schumpelt; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his best friend Charlie Brocco.
A celebration of life for Gattis will take place Sunday, April 30 at the Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery at 5110 Gallatin Pike South in Nashville. Visitation will be from 11-2 p.m. with a service immediately following.
Ernest To Take ‘Two Dozen Roses’ Out On The Road For Fall Tour
/by LB CantrellErnest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Two-time 2023 ACM nominee Ernest has announced that he will hit the road for the “This Fire Tour” in the fall. Launching in Oxford, Ohio on Oct. 18, Ernest will bring along country traditionalist Jake Worthington, hit songwriter John Morgan and his Cadillac Music songwriter Cody Lohden on the 15-show run.
“I’m really excited to get the Ern show back on the road with the fellas,” Ernest shares of the tour announcement. “The show’s gonna be a hell of a time! Anytime we get to play to a room full of people who come to hear our music—it’s an unmatched feeling. The tour last year was a blast, and since then we dropped another 13 songs. If you haven’t yet, go listen to Two Dozen Roses, then come out and sing some country music with us.”
Ernest’s Two Dozen Roses album released earlier this year to much acclaim. The 24-track project included the 11 songs from his debut album Flower Shops as well as 13 new songs that helped carve out the first album’s story—hence the deluxe album’s title, Two Dozen Roses. Added songs include the anthemic tour namesake, “This Fire,” the nursery-rhyme ear worm “Miss That Girl,” the heartbreaker “Songs We Used To Sing” and more.
The singer-songwriter spoke with MusicRow about Two Dozen Roses earlier this year, saying that he was so inspired by the Flower Shops album that he just kept writing.
“I started writing more songs that sounded like they could fit on Flower Shops. When I looked up after a few months, I was like, ‘Wow, we still got a thing here,'” he shared.
The sound captured on Two Dozen Roses is decidedly country, with the shine of ’70s and ’80s pop-country. In addition to Joey Moi‘s hit-making production, Ernest says that having studio giants such as Paul Franklin and Brent Mason playing on the songs helped his vision come to life.
One of his proudest moments on Two Dozen Roses is his Dean Dillon feature on “What Have I Got To Lose,” a song he wrote alongside the Hall of Famer and Brian Kelley.
“That was my first time writing with Dean. Brian Kelley had a day with him and he asked if I wanted to join,” Ernest shared. “I showed up, we wrote a couple songs for Brian and then Dean picked up a guitar and [went] down this rabbit hole. We just watched as fans while Dean made that song what it is.
“It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever been a part of because it sounds like so many of the songs I idolized growing up,” he says, pointing out that Dillon singing on the song was a huge honor. “I’ve got a Dean Dillon feature and I’m over the moon about it.”
Ernest also has a song with soon-to-be-tour-mate Worthington on Two Dozen Roses, “Heartache In My 100 Proof.” He says, “I’m such a Jake Worthington fan. I’m a stan. Having him on there is perfect.”
Catch Ernest on the “This Fire Tour” on the dates below. General ticket on-sale goes wide Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. local time.
“This Fire Tour” Dates:
^ with Jake Worthington
* with John Morgan
+ with Cody Lohden
Oct. 18 – Oxford, Ohio – Brick Street Bar *+
Oct. 19 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Intersection *+
Oct. 20 – Rosemont, Ill. – Joe’s Live *+
Oct. 21 – Indianapolis, Ind. – 8 Seconds Saloon *+
Oct. 26 – Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Signal ^+
Oct. 27 – Oxford, Miss. – The Lyric ^+
Oct. 28 – Starkville, Miss. – Rick’s Café ^+
Nov. 2 – Columbia, S.C. – The Senate ^+
Nov. 3 – Tampa, Fla. – Dallas Bull ^+
Nov. 4 – Fort Myers, Fla. – The Ranch ^+
Nov. 10 – Baton Rouge, La. – Texas Club ^+
Nov. 11 – Atlanta, Ga. – Buckhead Theater ^+
Nov. 16 – Athens, Ga. – Georgia Theater ^+
Nov. 18 – Greenville, S.C. – Blind Horse Saloon ^+
Nov. 28 – Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium ^+
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Scales The Country Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonLuke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
Luke Combs‘ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” continues to scale the country streaming songs chart this week, claiming the No. 2 slot with 15 million new streams adding to 45 million RTD according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” bides at No. 1 with 29 million streams adding to 332 million RTD. “You Proof” take the No. 3 slot with 13 million streams adding to 545 million RTD, moving “Thinkin’ Bout Me” to No. 4 with 13 million streams adding to 105 million RTD. Zach Bryan‘s “Something In The Orange” stays at No. 5 with 11 million streams adding to 609 million RTD.
The top country albums remain the same this week as Wallen’s One Thing At A Time notches its seventh consecutive week at No. 1 with 116K in total consumption (12K album only/193 million song streams). His Dangerous: The Double Album rests at No. 2 with 49K (1.6K album only/61 million song streams) and Combs’ Gettin’ Old takes No. 3 again with 43K (3.9K album only/48 million song streams).
Bryan’s American Heartbreak stays at No. 4 with 27K (2.2K album only/32 million song streams) and Taylor Swift‘s Red (Taylor’s Version) persists at No. 5 with 21K (3.8K album only/22 million song streams).
Thomas Rhett Adds Another Nashville Bridgestone Arena Show To 2023 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughRhett’s second Nashville show will take place Sept. 30, with special guests Cole Swindell and Nate Smith. First tickets are available to Home Team Members beginning tomorrow, April 25, ahead of the general sales this Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
“It’s always a dream come true to play your hometown,” the artist explains. “But getting to play the arena two nights in a row is going to be one of those things I tell my grandkids about one day.”
Rhett will kick off the “Home Team Tour 23” in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, May 4, visiting 40 cities in 27 states. The trek follows his string of sold-out international shows, which included performances in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada. He also recently achieved a major career milestone, earning 20 No. 1 singles on the country charts in just ten years.
Application Deadline Extended: MusicRow’s 2023 Artist Roster Issue
/by LB CantrellApplications for MusicRow‘s upcoming Artist Roster print issue are now being accepted through Friday, April 28, 2023 with the official form below. Previously included companies will also be solicited separately.
This ultimate artist resource edition includes the Artist Roster company directory, featuring contact information and artist rosters for Nashville record labels, managers, publicists, lawyers, talent agents, publicity and artist services companies (business managers, digital music, legal, marketing, radio promotion, and organizations).
Applications for Artist Roster are now closed.
For advertising opportunities in the Artist Roster print issue, email Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here. For questions regarding directory, please email LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com.
ACM Announces Country Kickoff Event To Lead Into Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Academy of Country Music has announced its take over of The Star in Frisco, Texas, with three days of live music, country events and celebrations beginning May 9 leading up to the 58th ACM Awards.
The events of ACM Awards Week include the ACM Country Kickoff at The Star, a two-day music and entertainment festival which is open to the public, free to all fans and does not require tickets. The festival will allow fans to get up close and personal with some of country music’s biggest stars and celebrate the ACM Awards’ return to north Texas. A beer garden presented by Coors Light will be on hand, in addition to a VIP space presented by Lucas Oil with a prime view of the stage.
The ACM Country Kickoff will also feature food trucks, photo opps, ACM Awards show merchandise and activations by a host of partners, including ACM Lifting Lives, Amazon Music, Ashley HomeStore, Kendra Scott, Lucchese, North Texas Ford and Visit Frisco. The ACM Kickoff at The Star will be held from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. CT on both May 9 and 10. A detailed performance schedule for the performance stage, as well as a map of the full festival footprint, will be released in the coming weeks.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with the Dallas Cowboys and the Jones family to bring the Academy of Country Music Awards back to Texas at their world headquarters,” says Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “This world-class venue, shopping and dining district, and luxury area hotels and resorts made the perfect canvas to build our ACM Awards week bigger and better than ever, on behalf of our artists and industry. Texas has some of the most passionate country music fans in the world, and we can’t wait to bring the party to Frisco!”
“Ford Center at The Star in Frisco is not only the perfect location to house the Academy of Country Music Awards, but our entire campus and The Star Entertainment District will be turned into the ultimate country music celebration that week, and we can’t wait to host all of the wonderful and exciting events that come with it,” says Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones.