Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Jackson Dean, BMI’s Clay Bradley, Luke Dick, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones and Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
Industry members, friends and family gathered this week to celebrate country breakout Jackson Dean‘s first No. 1 song, “Don’t Come Lookin’.” Dean co-wrote the track alongside hit songwriter Luke Dick, who also produced it.
“Don’t Come Lookin'” was Dean’s first single for Big Machine Records. In addition to being his debut onto the country radio airwaves, the single made history by becoming the fastest debut to reach No. 1 on Country Aircheck’s chart for the year. The feat made 22-year-old-Dean the youngest male in not just Aircheck, but Radio & Records’ history to top the charts with their very first single.
The celebration for “Don’t Come Lookin'” was held in the lobby of BMI on Music Row. BMI Nashville Head Clay Bradley presided.
“Today we bring the music business together to celebrate one of the most elusive accomplishments in the beginning of a songwriting career—a No. 1 song,” Bradley said. “No. 1 records are hard to achieve. It takes a real team effort.”
After calling out Dean’s closest team members—Big Machine Label Group, TKO Artist Management and Little Louder Music—Bradley welcomed publisher Arturo Buenahora to the stage to speak.
Buenahora, who represents both writers, said a few words about his long relationship with Dick, having known him since he was writing “frog songs.” The publisher also told a bit of the story behind his introduction to Dean, saying that WME Co-Head Jay Williams introduced the two.
After meeting Dean and his parents, the young songwriter could count himself amongst the small but mighty roster at Little Louder. Buenahora—who also connected Dean to his manager TK Kimbrell—says that once labels in town caught a whiff of Dean, they were all interested.
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Luke Dick,
Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Jackson Dean and Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
“We had an offer from every label in town and Allison Jones won the prize. She was in early and she was in heavy,” Buenahora shared. “We made the decision to go with Big Machine because they really take care of radio. As a publisher, I don’t care for the streaming. I need to eat.”
That earned a big laugh from the industry members in the crowd. Buenahora then introduced Little Louder’s Jefferson Brown to say a few words, as “Don’t Come Lookin'” marked one of Brown’s first times seeing a No. 1 hit through.
“Jackson is a young man but an old soul. When talent like his is matched by his work ethic, the sky is the limit,” Brown shared.
Big Machine Label Group Founder, President & CEO, Scott Borchetta, spoke about Dean and his well-regarded team. He also mentioned that “Don’t Come Lookin'” marked an astounding 248 No. 1 singles celebrated throughout his career.
“But this one is as exciting as ever,” he said. “I hope all of you get a chance to know [Dean]. The more I get to know him, the more I want to know about him.”
Borchetta let Dean know that his single had been certified Gold. “You look good in gold, my friend,” Borchetta said.
Before turning it over to the co-writers, Bradley let the crowd know that BMI has now partnered with Studio Bank on No. 1 parties to come. Ron Cox, Studio Bank’s Co-Founder, presented a donation on behalf of Dean and Dick to Music Health Alliance.
When Dick got up to speak, he told the story about how Dean came into his orbit via a connection made by Little Louder. Instantly recognizing that Dean had something special, the two began to write.
“You feel something around people energetically. I don’t say yes to everything unless I feel something,” Dick shared. “I’m so proud to be here on the first No. 1 with Jackson and to have been a part of it, to have written with him and to be on this creative journey together.
“He’s humble. He’s there to work and to dig. He’s there to be an artist. I hope we have a million of these things because it’s such a ride and I’m proud to be on it with you,” he summed.
When Dean spoke, he thanked all of his team members, calling them out by name.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Jackson Dean and Luke Dick. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
“It takes a village so it meant a lot to soak in the moment with everybody who helped make this dream a reality,” Dean shared. “This is only the beginning, there is a lot more music to make and stones to turn over.”
Before the celebration, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson presented Dean and Dick with their MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins for “Don’t Come Lookin'” reaching the top of the MusicRow radio chart. Country Aircheck‘s Lon Helton and RIAA’s Jackie Jones were also in attendance to present Dean with more tokens of success. BMI presented Dean with a Taylor Guitar and Dick with their token mint julep cup—which Dick later nicknamed “the chalice of success.”
Dean will perform as part of the New Faces of Country Music class of 2023 showcase at CRS in March.
Lee Willard & Mike Flanders Launch Enteract Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): Blake Propst, Lee Willard, Mike Flanders and Tyler Woods.
Lee Willard and Mike Flanders have launched Enteract Entertainment, a management, publishing and label services company.
Willard and Flanders will lead Enteract as Co-Presidents, while Blake Propst joins the company as Director of A&R for Enteract’s music and publishing division and Tyler Woods joins Enteract as Director of Digital Marketing & Creative Services. The company’s first client is Craig Wayne Boyd, who recently released “One Line Away,” on Feb. 14.
“I’ve had the idea to build Enteract for several years, and now is the time to launch this new company,” shares Willard. “I’m incredibly proud to partner with Mike Flanders, who’s had a long history of success as a producer and publisher. My vision was to create a company that can operate on multiple levels with a diverse roster of songwriters and artists. When there’s an artist with a project that we like, we’re in a position to move quickly, develop, cultivate and bring it to market. I’ve seen too many companies that move at a snail’s pace, and projects can become irrelevant while waiting for mountains to move. We’ve created a model that is lean, nimble and can react in real time and move quickly, all while maintaining quality and delivering results for our talent.”
Willard has more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment business, and is the longtime manager of country legend Bill Anderson and former Blue Collar comedian Reno Collier. Willard has worked as a tour manager, song plugger, publisher, music video producer, television and film producer and an artist manager. He began his career as a DJ and moved to Nashville in 2001 to work for Anderson as his tour manager, eventually becoming his manager. He worked alongside a young Taylor Swift early in her career, making introductions for her in Nashville and in L.A., and has toured with and worked alongside artists such as Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Kid Rock, Drake White and more.
Flanders, an Australian producer, songwriter, and co-founder of Pacific International Music Publishing, will be running day-to-day for Enteract Publishing. In the 1980s and 1990s, Flanders achieved acclaim in Australia as a staff songwriter with Warner Chappell Music, then as a producer for alternative and pop acts. He received ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) recognition for his work with Australian pop artist Chaise, producing a string of albums that spawned a No. 1 hit for her, “Only Be Me.” During that time, he also held a position at Arctic BMG Australia. Flanders moved to America in 2007 to head Pacific International Music. His production credits include Josh Arnold, Nik Phillips, Jill King, Garrison Starr, American Idol semi-finalist Siobhan Magnus and multi-Platinum artist Nikki Webster, among others.
Propst is a Nashville native who was raised around the music business. His grandfather, John Propst, was a legendary piano player who played with Boots Randolph, Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer, and cut records with Tammy Wynette and David Allen Coe. Blake will serve as A&R for both Enteract Entertainment’s music and publishing companies.
Woods, Director of Digital Marketing & Creative Services for Enteract, is from Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Nashville in 2018. He’s worked in digital marketing within the music industry as well as in photography and videography for 17 years. Woods has worked with Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Lee Brice, Pitbull and Kings of Leon and more. His portfolio has been published in People magazine and The Wall Street Journal and Red Bull advertising.
Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Reveals 2023 Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughLITVGC provides access to artists, premier wineries and world-renowned chefs. Other artists set to perform include Wade Bowen, Brandy Clark, Jackson Dean, Dalton Dover, Dillon Carmichael, Hannah Ellis, Levi Hummon, Kat & Alex, Kimberly Kelly, Lanco, Megan Moroney, Chase McDaniel, Neon Union, Meghan Patrick, Kimberly Perry, MaRynn Taylor, Jake Worthington, Warren Zeiders and many more.
The event brings together music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups and others from around the country to celebrate and hear brand-new music in a unique arrangement. The intimacy, tailored curation, vineyard-filled hillsides and the wine and culinary features that Napa offers have made the event popular among attendees and artists alike.
The Opening Reception at the Nickel & Nickel Winery on Tuesday, April 25 will feature Ellis, Moroney, McDaniel, Watson and Zeiders. Wednesday, April 26 will kick off with the VIP Tailgate, where attendees can sip wine at the Robert Mondavi Winery while enjoying performances by Bowen, Dean, Lanco and Perry.
The Uptown Theatre concert event will finish out the day with Griffen Palmer, Owen, Alaina, Worthington, and more to be added. Wrapping up the three-day experience is the Send-Off Brunch at Regusci Winery on Thursday, April 27 featuring performances by William Beckmann, Clark and Kat & Alex.
In addition to the main events, private VIP performances will take place at wineries throughout Napa Valley featuring acoustic sets by Cody Belew, Carmichael, Dover, Catie Offerman, Hummon, James Barker Band, Kelly, Tyra Madison, Patrick, Steven Keene, Taylor and Neon Union, with more to be announced.
“Celebrating emerging and established artists and providing them with a platform to showcase their artistry is at the heart of LITVGC, and this year’s lineup is a testament to that,” says Founder of Live In the Vineyard Goes Country & President of FF Entertainment Bobbii Jacobs. “From electrifying performances to raw, authentic lyrics, these artists are poised to take the music industry by storm, and I can’t wait to see the impact they will have. Their passion, talent and drive are palpable, and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey toward success.”
UTA Nashville Adds Brian Hill & Jaime Roberts
/by Caela GriffinUnited Talent Agency has added Brian Hill as Music Agent and Jaime Roberts as Tour Marketing Director to its Nashville office.
Hill has over 30 years of experience including time at Monterey Peninsula Artists/Paradigm and Creative Arts Agency. He is two-time winner of Pollstar’s Third Coast Agent of The Year Award. Through his career, Hill has worked with many of country music’s popular acts including Eli Young Band, Aaron Lewis, Frankie Ballard, and Home Free.
Roberts began her career with Feld Entertainment before a 12-year run with Live Nation and The Bowery Presents in New York. She previously worked for Messina Touring Group, handling marketing campaign efforts for Shawn Mendes, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kelly Clarkson.
“We are excited to have Brian and Jaime join us at UTA as we continue to expand and elevate the music department,” says Scott Clayton, Co-Head of Global Music. “Their decades of experience and stellar track record of going above and beyond for their clients make them perfect additions to our world-class team in Nashville.”
UTA’s roster includes Tyler Hubbard, Chris Janson, Parmalee, Bobby Bones, Dalton Dover, and more.
Parker McCollum Notches Third MusicRow Radio Chart No. 1
/by LB CantrellAfter a 26-week climb, Parker McCollum peaks on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Handle On You.” The tune, co-written by McCollum with Monty Criswell, marks the singer’s third MusicRow No. 1.
“Handle On You” is the lead single off of McCollum’s upcoming new album Never Enough, which will release on May 12 via MCA Nashville. The track is top-10-and-climbing on other country radio charts and has surpassed 90 million global streams.
This month McCollum kicked off a packed 2023 touring schedule selling out shows in Columbus, Detroit and Cincinnati. In addition to headlining dates in major markets, the dedicated road-warrior can be seen performing at some of country music’s high-profile festivals including Stagecoach, Country Thunder and iHeartCountry Festival, plus sharing the bill with Morgan Wallen and Eric Church later this year.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
MusicRow Taps Lynn Oliver-Cline As Featured Speaker For Rising Women On The Row
/by LB CantrellLynn Oliver-Cline
River House Artists President & Founder, Lynn Oliver-Cline, will be the featured speaker at MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row breakfast on Thursday, March 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Attendees will be treated to insights from Oliver-Cline during an on-stage interview with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.
The 10th annual celebration will honor the 2023 class of Rising Women on the Row honorees, which include Big Loud’s Stacy Blythe, Neon Coast’s Martha Earls, WME’s Beth Hamilton, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Spotify’s Brittany Schaffer and Sony Music Publishing’s Anna Weisband. Read about the honorees here.
Presenting sponsors for this year’s Rising Women on the Row are City National Bank and Loeb & Loeb.
Tickets are now closed.
Veteran industry executive Lynn Oliver-Cline launched River House Artists in 2015—an independent record label, publishing house, and management company that has allowed her to pursue her passion for developing exciting new talent full-time. Her first recording artist was country superstar Luke Combs. Combs’ long-time friend and collaborator, Ray Fulcher, was the first songwriter to sign to the publishing division. Fulcher’s first No. 1 song was “When it Rains it Pours” and he has had subsequent success with other Luke Combs singles including “Even Though I’m Leaving,” “Does To Me” featuring Eric Church, “Lovin’ On You,” and most recently, “Going Going Gone.”
Jameson Rodgers is another recording artists on the River House label who has had two No. 1 singles with “Some Girls” and “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” Additional artists on the label roster include Georgia Webster, Trey Lewis, Austin Snell and Ryan Charles. However, the label’s biggest achievement has been the success of Combs, who has racked up 11 multi-Platinum certifications, 5 Platinum certifications, 8 CMA awards, 3 ACM awards, and has been awarded the coveted CMA Entertainer of the Year moniker for two consecutive years in a row. His new album, Gettin’ Old—a companion to his acclaimed 2022 record, Growin’ Up—will be released on March 24.
In 2020, River House Artists secured a new joint venture with Sony Music Publishing. The venture includes Drew Parker, who achieved massive success as a writer on Combs “Forever After All” and “Doin’ This” and signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville in 2021. Other writers on the publisher roster include Pillbox Patti, who racked up numerous writing credits on the Grammy-nominated Ashley McBryde album Lindeville, Neil Medley who co-wrote Jake Owen’s No. 1 “Made For You,” Driver Williams and Billy Strings.
In the Spring of 2022, River House announced a label partnership with Warner Music Nashville and Elektra Music Group. The joint venture is designed to capitalize on each company’s like-minded approach to artist development. The upcoming year will prove an exciting one for that partnership.
Named one of the “Top 5 A&R Women in the World” in 2003, Oliver-Cline has charted an eclectic path in the music industry. She began as an intern for Hootie & The Blowfish and Fishco Management in 1994—the year the band’s Cracked Rear View was released and went on to sell 20 million copies. Over the next 10 years, she served as a talent scout and A&R Director for producer Matt Serletic (Matchbox 20, Gloriana) in Los Angeles and New York.
In 2007, she joined Zac Brown’s management company ROAR and worked with the Platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning band as their day-to-day manager in Atlanta. Oliver-Cline toured with the band and supported the team in country radio, social media, merchandise, sales, and publicity, as well as building a road crew that still travels with Brown today. She then became Vice President of Publishing and A&R for Brown’s Southern Ground Artists. She moved to Nashville in 2013 where she worked with Thirty Tigers (Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams) before starting her own company.
Jackson Dean Celebrates First No. 1 Song ‘Don’t Come Lookin’’
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Jackson Dean, BMI’s Clay Bradley, Luke Dick, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones and Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
Industry members, friends and family gathered this week to celebrate country breakout Jackson Dean‘s first No. 1 song, “Don’t Come Lookin’.” Dean co-wrote the track alongside hit songwriter Luke Dick, who also produced it.
“Don’t Come Lookin'” was Dean’s first single for Big Machine Records. In addition to being his debut onto the country radio airwaves, the single made history by becoming the fastest debut to reach No. 1 on Country Aircheck’s chart for the year. The feat made 22-year-old-Dean the youngest male in not just Aircheck, but Radio & Records’ history to top the charts with their very first single.
The celebration for “Don’t Come Lookin'” was held in the lobby of BMI on Music Row. BMI Nashville Head Clay Bradley presided.
“Today we bring the music business together to celebrate one of the most elusive accomplishments in the beginning of a songwriting career—a No. 1 song,” Bradley said. “No. 1 records are hard to achieve. It takes a real team effort.”
After calling out Dean’s closest team members—Big Machine Label Group, TKO Artist Management and Little Louder Music—Bradley welcomed publisher Arturo Buenahora to the stage to speak.
Buenahora, who represents both writers, said a few words about his long relationship with Dick, having known him since he was writing “frog songs.” The publisher also told a bit of the story behind his introduction to Dean, saying that WME Co-Head Jay Williams introduced the two.
After meeting Dean and his parents, the young songwriter could count himself amongst the small but mighty roster at Little Louder. Buenahora—who also connected Dean to his manager TK Kimbrell—says that once labels in town caught a whiff of Dean, they were all interested.
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Luke Dick,
Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Jackson Dean and Big Machine Label Group’s Mike Rittberg. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
“We had an offer from every label in town and Allison Jones won the prize. She was in early and she was in heavy,” Buenahora shared. “We made the decision to go with Big Machine because they really take care of radio. As a publisher, I don’t care for the streaming. I need to eat.”
That earned a big laugh from the industry members in the crowd. Buenahora then introduced Little Louder’s Jefferson Brown to say a few words, as “Don’t Come Lookin'” marked one of Brown’s first times seeing a No. 1 hit through.
“Jackson is a young man but an old soul. When talent like his is matched by his work ethic, the sky is the limit,” Brown shared.
Big Machine Label Group Founder, President & CEO, Scott Borchetta, spoke about Dean and his well-regarded team. He also mentioned that “Don’t Come Lookin'” marked an astounding 248 No. 1 singles celebrated throughout his career.
“But this one is as exciting as ever,” he said. “I hope all of you get a chance to know [Dean]. The more I get to know him, the more I want to know about him.”
Borchetta let Dean know that his single had been certified Gold. “You look good in gold, my friend,” Borchetta said.
Before turning it over to the co-writers, Bradley let the crowd know that BMI has now partnered with Studio Bank on No. 1 parties to come. Ron Cox, Studio Bank’s Co-Founder, presented a donation on behalf of Dean and Dick to Music Health Alliance.
When Dick got up to speak, he told the story about how Dean came into his orbit via a connection made by Little Louder. Instantly recognizing that Dean had something special, the two began to write.
“You feel something around people energetically. I don’t say yes to everything unless I feel something,” Dick shared. “I’m so proud to be here on the first No. 1 with Jackson and to have been a part of it, to have written with him and to be on this creative journey together.
“He’s humble. He’s there to work and to dig. He’s there to be an artist. I hope we have a million of these things because it’s such a ride and I’m proud to be on it with you,” he summed.
When Dean spoke, he thanked all of his team members, calling them out by name.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Jackson Dean and Luke Dick. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
“It takes a village so it meant a lot to soak in the moment with everybody who helped make this dream a reality,” Dean shared. “This is only the beginning, there is a lot more music to make and stones to turn over.”
Before the celebration, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson presented Dean and Dick with their MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins for “Don’t Come Lookin'” reaching the top of the MusicRow radio chart. Country Aircheck‘s Lon Helton and RIAA’s Jackie Jones were also in attendance to present Dean with more tokens of success. BMI presented Dean with a Taylor Guitar and Dick with their token mint julep cup—which Dick later nicknamed “the chalice of success.”
Dean will perform as part of the New Faces of Country Music class of 2023 showcase at CRS in March.
Luke Laird, Lori McKenna & Barry Dean Team For ‘The Songwriter Tapes Vol. 1’
/by Lorie HollabaughSongwriters Luke Laird, Lori McKenna and Barry Dean are releasing an all-new collection of their works, together and apart. The album, titled The Songwriter Tapes Vol. 1, will release March 3 via CN Records.
A simple idea that started as a group text thread between the three writers blossomed into a three-volume project. Each volume includes brand new recordings of three hits, and one tune that has yet to see the light of day. Choosing the four songs for each of the songwriters to sing was a collaborative process for the trio, and the result is a timeless anthology of career-defining songs from as far back as 2004 and as recent as 2020.
Laird, McKenna and Dean have shared a track from Vol. 1 early, “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools.” The song was originally made popular by Tim McGraw on his 2014 album Sundown Heaven Town, and was penned by Dean and Laird alongside Jonathan Singleton, and spent time on the Billboard Hot 100 while simultaneously reaching the top 10 of the country airplay chart.
Written over the course of a mere forty minutes, Dean and Laird demoed the song the following week just to hear Singleton’s voice on the track, but then rumors started flying around that George Strait might cut “Diamond Rings,” though they turned out to be only rumors.
“We assumed that might be the end for this song, then Tim McGraw made it his,” remembers Dean. “It was nominated for a Grammy and remains a song that people bring up all the time. I think it might be because there is nothing better than country music when you’re trying to make peace with moving on.”
The Songwriter Tapes Vol. 1 Track List:
“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” performed by Barry Dean (recorded by Tim McGraw, 2014)
(Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Jonathan Singleton)
“Humble & Kind” performed by Lori McKenna (recorded by Tim McGraw, 2015)
(Lori McKenna)
“American Kids” performed by Luke Laird (recorded by Kenny Chesney, 2014)
(Luke Laird, Rodney Clawson, Shane McAnally)
“Settling In” performed by Lori McKenna
(Lori McKenna, Barry Dean, Luke Laird)
Shane McAnally & Brandy Clark Release First Music Preview From ‘Shucked’
/by Lorie HollabaughShane McAnally & Brandy Clark. Photo: Emilio Madrid
Shucked, Broadway’s new homegrown musical comedy, has released the music video for “Maybe Love” as the first preview of music from the upcoming show at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City.
Written and performed by the comedy’s composers Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, the video also includes rehearsal footage of the Shucked cast ahead of the musical’s first preview on March 8, before its opening night on April 4.
The show is an audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn. The new production demonstrates that sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life.
“I remember the day that we wrote ‘Maybe Love’ and the way we stumbled into that hook ‘maybe love just needs a little love,'” says Clark. “I think what I love about this song is that it transcends the show for me and is a great reminder that we need to not only give each other more love, but also give love a little love. We can sometimes hate love for breaking our hearts, etc., but I think if we give love a little more love, it has a chance to grow and change our hearts.”
Shucked features an ensemble of Jimmy Brewer, Audrey Cardwell, Dwayne Clark, Rheaume Crenshaw, Jaygee Macapugay, Scott Stangland, Yasmeen Sulieman and Quinn VanAntwerp. The swings include Miki Abraham, Ken Clark, Traci Elaine Lee and Alan Wiggins. The choreography is done by Sarah O’Gleby, and the music supervision, music direction, orchestrations and arrangements are conducted by Tony Award nominee Jason Howland.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ashley McBryde & Brothers Osborne Stun With ‘Play Ball’
/by Robert K OermannAshley McBryde and John Osborne. Photo: Katie Kauss
As we roll toward springtime, country music’s artists are putting their best feet forward.
Perhaps no one more so that Grammy winner Ashley McBryde. Her co-written “Play Ball” provides an outstanding platform for the talents of Brothers Osborne. Which is the Disc of the Day.
Newcomer Brandon Davis rides into town as this week’s DisCovery Award winner.
BRANDON DAVIS / “Fell For You”
Writers: Brandon Davis/Brandon Sammons; Producer: BSAMZ; Label: Big Yellow Dog
– A poignant heartache honky-tonker that’s country, country, country, all the way. Very promising.
BROTHERS OSBORNE & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Play Ball”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Brandy Clark/Benjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Ratiere; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner
– If there was an award for Country Concert of the Year, I’d be polishing a statuette for Ashley McBryde. Her “Welcome to Lindeville” all-star gathering at the Ryman last week was the most wildly entertaining and meaningful country event of our era. I have already told you about her extraordinary album’s “Bonfire at Tina’s,” “Gospel Night at the Strip Club” and “Brenda Put Your Bra On,” all of which were stunning in live performance. One thing the concert revealed was how important is the album’s producer, John Osborne. He and his brilliant vocalist brother T.J. turned this exquisite song into an an epic small-town poem about the groundskeeper at Dennis Linde Field. In a word, awesome.
MACKENZIE CARPENTER / “Jesus I’m Jealous”
Writers: Mackenzie Carpenter/Steve Moakler; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: Valory
– Carpenter is a CMT Next Women of Country participant this year. This lilting outing finds her watching young lovers from her barstool and feeling pangs of envy. Loneliness hurts.
THE WAR & TREATY / “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr.,Tanya Trotter; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Mercury
– Moody and bluesy and altogether hypnotizing, the new single by this extraordinary act is a rapturous swirl of soul. They introduced it on the Opry and, as usual, brought down the house.
DALTON DOVER / “Giving Up on That”
Writers: Dalton Dover/Adam Craig/John Pierce; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury
– I have been in this country youngster’s corner from the get-go and couldn’t be more pleased that he is getting a major-label shot. This power ballad of regret and yearning gives him a super showcase for his dynamic, whisper-to-a-scream vocal ability. A solid winner. Make this man a star.
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN & DOLLY PARTON / “Jolene”
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producer: Dane Bryant; Label: Green Hill
– The last recording and video that Olivia did prior to her passing last August was a duet with her longtime buddy Dolly. The result is a terrific interplay of voices fronting a kick-butt rhythm track. I love the way Dolly improvises as the choruses repeat. It will become part of an Olivia duets album in May, and the late singer will be celebrated via a live-streamed “global memorial service” from Melbourne on Sunday (Feb. 26). As for Dolly, she has a gospel duet coming next month with the legendary Dionne Warwick and is also part of an all-star collaboration titled “Gonna Be You” with Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, Debbie Harry and Belinda Carlisle.
NEON UNION / “‘Bout Damn Time”
Writers: Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Hunter Phelps, Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Red Street
– Comprised of Leo Brooks and Andrew Millsaps, this plus-sized, Black-white duo was put together by Jimmie Allen after he saw each of the members performing separately. Neon Union’s disc debut is a raise-em-up, beer-drinking, party-hearty, rousing country rocker about getting back to our hillbilly roots. I’ll drink to that.
TENILLE TOWNES & BRYAN ADAMS / “The Thing That Wrecks You”
Writers: Bryan Adams/Daniel Tashian/Kate York/Tenille Townes; Producers: Tenille Townes/Jaxon Hargrove; Label: Sony
– Adams’ hoarse raspy whisper contrasts beautifully with Townes’ assured, penetrating soprano delivery on this dramatic pile driver. The throbbing track and the Canadian stars’ audio charisma make this an essential listening experience. Absolutely play this.
KYLIE MORGAN / “Don’t Stay Gone Too Long”
Writers: Jason Massey, Kylie Morgan, Nelly Joy; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: EMI
– Sweet and plaintive, it begins with a youngster leaving home for the first time, segues into a lament about lovers separating, then a deathbed farewell to a beloved grandma. Achingly innocent-sounding and lovely.
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Rock and a Hard Place”
Writers: Heath Warren/Jacob Hackworth/Jet Black; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Warner/Elektra
– Currently opening for Morgan Wallen on tour, this new country streaming sensation seems to blast one single after another into the top-10. This searing ballad is no exception. Sung with burning conviction.
LILY ROSE / “Truth Is”
Writers: Lily Rose/Stephen Carey/Ian Christian/Matt Morrisey; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
– It’s easier to swallow a slug of booze than it is to face the fact that the relationship is dead as a doornail. A classic heartache honky-tonk message given a kicking, driving, rhythm-saturated production. Not to mention her always-dynamic voice.
IAN MUNSICK / “River Run”
Writers: Jeremy Spillman/Ryan Beaver/Ian Munsick; Producers: Ian Munsick/Jeremy Spillman; Label: Warner
– Instantly gripping. The banjo-and-fiddle embellished, groove-soaked track pulls you in from its opening notes. Munsick’s piercing, country-boy tenor vocal carries the rushing, frothing emotions of lost love forward with immense personality. A very cool sonic experience.
Bobby Bones Hosts Star-Studded 6th Annual Million Dollar Benefit Show
/by Lorie HollabaughBobby Bones during the 6th annual Million Dollar Show. Photo: Reid Yarberry
Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots celebrated a sold-out 6th annual Million Dollar Show at the Ryman Auditorium last night (Feb. 22), raising over $200,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In addition to performances from Bones & The Raging Idiots, the show featured Parker McCollum, Randy Houser, Deana Carter, Michelle Branch, The Wreckers, Madeline Edwards and Dave’s Highway. Fans were also treated to surprise appearances from Dierks Bentley, Creed’s Scott Stapp, Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, Morgan Evans and Jake Owen.
Addie Pratt performing with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood at the 6th annual Million Dollar Show. Photo: Reid Yarberry
Highlights from the show included the touching moment when Kelley and Haywood were joined by a special guest, Addie Pratt, a country music fan and former St. Jude patient. With the Lady A members backing her on stage, Pratt sang “The Woman That I Am,” an original song she wrote alongside the two and producer Nathan Chapman.
Towards the end, Bones was also surprised with an award presented by Owen and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to recognize his avid support of the organization. Since 2014, Bones and The Bobby Bones Show have raised over $22 million for the cause. Additionally, the all-star event was recorded for an upcoming broadcast on Circle Network and iHeartRadio, with dates to be announced soon.
Bones is now gearing up to guest host The Rich Eisen Show next week, and recently served as co-host of this year’s Live from E!: Grammys red carpet alongside Laverne Cox.