Jordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
MCA Nashville star Jordan Davis packed the Ryman pews on Tuesday night (Sept. 27) for his first of two sold-out hometown shows.
Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville duo Seaforth gave a fun and charming opening set to open for Davis. Their set-list included some fun tracks, such as “Anything She Says” and “Good Beer,” but the early-bird crowd ate it up when they performed their downtrodden ballads such as “What I Get For Loving You” and “Breakups.”
It was Seaforth’s first time playing the Ryman stage, and they had a ball.
Jordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
When Davis took the stage, he seemed humbled and slightly shocked that he had sold out the hallowed Nashville stage for two nights. Throughout the night, he thanked a multitude of people and continuously expressed his excitement about headlining the Ryman.
“I moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2012. I never dreamed this in a million years,” he said. “I moved to town to write songs because I love country music. My uncle was a country songwriter, my brother writes songs and my dad writes songs.
“I met a lot of great people [when I moved here] and I got my first co-write,” Davis continued. “I met more great people. I met somebody from a record label who helped me get a record deal. I’ll be damned, the next thing you know, I’m standing at a sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium.”
Davis’ set was an ebb and flow of loud, hard-driving hits and tender songs about love and life, highlighting the range of his discography.
He came out with the infectiously hooky “What My World Spins Around,” skipping around the stage and pumping his fists. He continued that high-energy with “Singles You Up,” thrilling the audience with his 2018 debut hit. Davis kept the fans dancing and raising their beers to “Drink Had Me.”
Davis’ aptitude for great songs was best put on display when he slowed things down. His performance of “Next Thing You Know,” one of his newest tracks about how quickly life goes by, was sincere and deeply felt by the Ryman crowd. The pews were moving with swaying couples and concert-goers closing their eyes and taking the message in.
Another highlight of the night came when Davis sang the tune “Detours” from his 2020 self-titled project. As the song started to swell, Davis started to weave in verses from Coldplay‘s “Fix You.” By the end, the audience was in the palm of his hand.
Jordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
Throughout the night, Davis called out his co-writers and team-members by name. When he performed “Money Isn’t Real,” he took a minute to recognize that although he didn’t write the song, it said exactly what he’d been trying to write for many years. He thanked the song’s writers Jameson Rodgers, Sarah Allison Turner, Jake Mitchell, and Josh Thompson.
The crowd, who stayed on their feet for most of night, was as thrilled to hear more of Davis’ hits, such as “Almost Maybes” and “Take It From Me,” as they were to hear older songs from Davis’ debut Gold-certified debut album, Home State. When he brought out surprise guest Danielle Bradbery to perform their five-day-old song “Midnight Crisis,” a lot of the crowd already knew all the words.
The ultimate highlight of the night came when Davis gave his encore, the Platinum-certified, CMA and ACM-nominated career-song “Buy Dirt.”
“The coolest moment that I’ve ever had in music happened on this stage about a week ago. In Nashville, we have the NSAI Awards and this next song that my brother [Jacob Davis], Matt Jenkins, Josh Jenkins and myself wrote won the NSAI Song of the Year,” he said as the band started to play “Buy Dirt.”
“I can’t tell y’all how special the day was when we sat down and wrote this song just south of Nashville,” he continued. “We wanted to write a song about the three most important things in our lives: our faith in Jesus Christ, our family, and our friends.”
The crowd sang along to every line and Davis smiled out at them with his chin held high with pride.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Little Big Town Give Yet Another ‘Exquisite Performance’
/by Robert K OermannFall is in the air in Music City, and with the new season comes a flood of new country sounds.
Leading the charge today is Little Big Town with what is surely their umpteenth Disc of the Day winner, “Three Whiskeys and the Truth.”
Galloping right along are Breland, Randy Houser. Ashley McBryde and the new collab by Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton. Happy listening while the leaves tumble down.
DAILEY & VINCENT / “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee”
Writer: Karen Staley; Producer: Paul Worley; Label: BMG
–The bluegrass superstars jog into the country idiom with their just released Let’s Sing Some Country collection. Its lead single has already been voted a state song by the legislature. It’s a lilting ballad with lotsa sentiment about the Volunteer State. And no matter what genre you call them, these guys are sensational vocalists.
SHANIA TWAIN / “Waking Up Dreaming”
Writers: David Stewart/Jessica Agombar/Shania Twain; Producer: David Stewart; Label: Republic
–Shania’s comeback single is pop, pop, pop all the way. It’s also an ultra cute and catchy dance bopper. And I dig her singing nowadays in a lower, huskier register.
DALTON DOVER / “Damn Good Life”
Writers: Dalton Dover/Alex Maxwell/Jaxson Free; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Droptine
–This time around, the promising country youngster adopts some hip-hoppy rhythm touches. The bouncy song’s lyric is a classic country message: Money can’t buy happiness. It’s pleasant, but he has done better.
NATE SMITH / “I Found You”
Writers: Chris Gelbuda/Kyle Schlienger/Nate Smith; Producers: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Sony
–He sings with so much passion. This torrid power ballad is yet another showcase for his vocal gift. Get on board.
LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Three Whiskeys and the Truth”
Writers: Karen Fairchild/Kimberly Schlapman/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose; Producer: Little Big Town; Label: Capitol
–Are there any finer harmony vocalists in contemporary country music than these four? This is an exquisite performance, with their brilliant voices bathed by echo, heartbeat percussion and twanging guitar. I got lost in it. You will too.
JOY OLADOKUN & CHRIS STAPLETON / “Sweet Symphony”
Writers: Joy Oladdkun/Ian Fitchuk/Shae Jacobs; Producers: Joy Oladokun/Mike Elizondo/Ian Fitchuk; Label: Amigo/Verve Forecast/Republic
–Joy’s folkie, conversational singing style blends beautifully with Chris’s blue-eyed soul emoting on this deliciously romantic ballad. And the warm, enveloping production supports both vocalists at every turn. Essential listening.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Straight Tequila Night”
Writers: Debbie Hupp/Kent Robbins; Producers: Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Label: Easy Eye/Concord
–Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson is an album that should be on everybody’s playlist. Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, John Prine, Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, Luke Combs and more all take a swing at Anderson’s fabulous song catalog. Ashley McBryde is perfect for this iconic song, and her performance strongly suggests that it would be an excellent addition to the female-country repertoire.
BRELAND / “For What It’s Worth”
Writers: Daniel Breland/Greylan James/Jacob Durrett/Rocky Block; Producers: Sam Sumser/Sean Small/Jacob Durrett; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic/Warner
–Enchanting. His tender-hearted tenor cracks and breaks sweetly as he looks over a failed relationship with regret and enduring love. Absolutely radio ready.
RANDY HOUSER / “Rub a Little Dirt on It”
Writers: Randy Houser/Jeff Hyde/Ryann Tyndell; Producers: Randy Houser/Blake Chancey; Label: Magnolia Music Group
–Steel guitar and dobro swirl and twirl while this master stylist unspools life lessons learned from daddy, football, fishing, beer and the natural environment. Country music as it was meant to be.
JULIE ROBERTS & JAMEY JOHNSON / “Music City’s Killing Me”
Writer: Ray LaMontagne; Producer: Shooter Jennings; Label: ONErpm
–Roberts is bluesy and drawling on this mid-tempo moaner while sighing strings drag slowly by. Johnson is resigned and weary on his verses. Singing together, they blend warmly in a dual ache.
TYLER HUBBARD / “Inside and Out”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt/Trevor Rosen/Brad Tursi; Producers: Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt; Label: EMI
–It’s a pretty simple message: You’re so beautiful. The end.
ALEXANDER LUDWIG / “Faded on Me”
Writers: Ross Copperman/Jon Nite/Josh Osborne; Producers: Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Label: BBR/BMG
–Recommended. Rocking and stomping, it’s an ode to being a good ol’ boy. Canadian Ludwig is also a TV and movie actor of note.
Alan Jackson To Be Honored As CMT Artist Of A Lifetime
/by Lorie HollabaughAlan Jackson. Photo: David McClister
Alan Jackson will be honored with the Artist of a Lifetime award at CMT’s 2022 Artists of the Year celebration.
The superstar will be celebrated by his peers for a remarkable career spanning more than three decades during the show, and joins the ranks of previous recipients Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers and Merle Haggard.
“We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT Artist of a Lifetime. For more than 30 years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched,” CMT producers share.
Jackson has a long history with CMT, including releasing nearly 60 iconic videos, two of which were honored as the CMA Video of the Year (“Chattahoochee” and “Midnight in Montgomery”), another as the ACM Video of the Year (“Drive (For Daddy Gene)”). He was also honored as a CMT Giant in 2008, and received the inaugural Impact Award at the 2014 CMT Music Awards. Jackson has also ranked at the top of both CMT’s 40 Greatest Songs of the Decade and the fan-voted 20 Greatest Men in Country Music lists.
The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year special will also showcase previously announced honorees Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes. The program will air as a 90-minute special on the network, premiering Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. CT.
Erin Kinsey Signs With Triple 8 Management
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): George Couri, Erin Kinsey, Rachelle Rountree. Photo: Robby Stevens
Records/Columbia Nashville rising singer-songwriter Erin Kinsey has signed with Triple 8 Management.
A Texas native, Kinsey drove a U-Haul to Nashville the morning after graduating high school. Originally gaining traction with covers, she offered her first taste of original music with “Drunk Too” in early 2020. Her next original, “Just Drive,” prompted SiriusXM’s The Highway to add the song to their On The Horizon show. Additionally, CMT premiered the video for the new track “Hate This Hometown” from her major label debut EP 40 East, out now.
Kinsey made her Grand Ole Opry debut in April, and has performed at Faster Horses, Watershed, and Tidalwave festivals this past summer.
“Erin is our first female country signing, and she is already one of this year’s biggest breakout new country artists with over 60 million streams, 215,000 followers on TikTok, and 122,000 Instagram followers,” shares Triple 8 owner George Couri. “At 21 she already knows who she is, and her confidence and vocal power on stage is already as good as we could have hoped for.”
3rd Annual Handwritten Song Lyrics Auction Set For October 1
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Handwritten lyrics of Miranda Lambert’s “If I Was a Cowboy;” Pat Monahan of Train, “Drops of Jupiter” on a stage-played Remo Emperor drumhead signed by all band members; handwritten lyrics of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.”
The third annual online charity auction of Handwritten Song Lyrics Benefitting Music Health Alliance by Julien’s Auctions is set to start Oct. 1.
Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan” on Epiphone acoustic guitar
Among the highlights available for bid are lyrics to Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan” written on an Epiphone Acoustic Guitar; Pat Monahan of Train‘s “Drops of Jupiter” written on a stage-played Remo Emperor drumhead signed by all band members; ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man;” Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didn’t Love You;” Kenny Rogers’ “Twenty Years Ago;” Peter Frampton’s “Do You Feel Like I Do;” Martina McBride’s “Concrete Angel;” Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country;” and Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like.”
Michael Martin Murphey, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, George Strait, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Amy Grant, and more have also offered up handwritten lyrics of their biggest hits to support the music community through the auction event.
The auction will take place exclusively at juliensauctions
IBMA Reveals 2022 Momentum Awards Recipients
/by Lorie HollabaughThe International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced its 2022 Momentum Awards winners, honored as part of this week’s IBMA World of Bluegrass.
The Momentum Awards focus on artists and industry professionals who are in the early stages of their bluegrass careers. Four performance awards are given: one for Band and Vocalist, and two for Instrumentalist, with two more awards recognizing industry achievements for Industry Involvement and Mentor.
Nominees and recipients are selected by a committee, and with the exception of the Mentor category, anyone previously nominated for an IBMA Music or Industry Award may not be considered for a Momentum Award.
The 2022 Momentum Awards recipients:
Industry Involvement: Lillian Werbin
Mentor (Award Sponsor: Rounder Records): Kimber Ludiker
Instrumentalists (Award Sponsor: Pre-War Guitars Company): George Jackson & Harry Clark
Vocalist: Rebekka Nilsson
Band (Award Sponsor: Bluegrass Country Radio): Full Cord
Dan Tyminski Inks With 8 Track Entertainment
/by Lydia FarthingDan Tyminski
Award-winning and multi-Platinum selling singer-songwriter and musician Dan Tyminski has signed a deal with 8 Track Entertainment. His first single for the label, “Hey Brother,” originally recorded with Swedish DJ Avicii, will be released this fall.
He will also co-host the 33rd IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards with Ronnie Bowman tonight (Sept. 29) in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Throughout his 30-plus year career, Tyminski’s voice has been heard all over, including accompanying George Clooney‘s performance of the Stanley Brother’s Classic song, “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, as well as his Avicii collaboration, which has been streamed over 1 billion times to date.
He has also contributed guitar and/or harmony to projects by Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Colt Ford, Aaron Lewis and Rob Thomas, to name a few. Additionally, Tyminski has played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994.
“Dan’s musicianship and unrivaled artistry speaks for itself,” notes 8 Track’s President, Noah Gordon. “He is carrying on the tradition of those legendary bluegrass and Americana acts that have paved the way and he continues to bridge the gap for the next generation.”
“Noah Gordon’s roots in bluegrass, and his passion for music, have me excited to be working with him and his team,” comments Tyminski.
Tyminski hit the road this year with The Dan Tyminski Band in support of his recently released EP celebrating Tony Rice’s legacy, One More Time Before You Go: A Tribute To Tony Rice. He has also been in the studio recording a new album scheduled for release in early 2023.
Jordan Davis Quietly Rises To Stardom, Shines On Ryman Stage
/by LB CantrellJordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
MCA Nashville star Jordan Davis packed the Ryman pews on Tuesday night (Sept. 27) for his first of two sold-out hometown shows.
Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville duo Seaforth gave a fun and charming opening set to open for Davis. Their set-list included some fun tracks, such as “Anything She Says” and “Good Beer,” but the early-bird crowd ate it up when they performed their downtrodden ballads such as “What I Get For Loving You” and “Breakups.”
It was Seaforth’s first time playing the Ryman stage, and they had a ball.
Jordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
When Davis took the stage, he seemed humbled and slightly shocked that he had sold out the hallowed Nashville stage for two nights. Throughout the night, he thanked a multitude of people and continuously expressed his excitement about headlining the Ryman.
“I moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2012. I never dreamed this in a million years,” he said. “I moved to town to write songs because I love country music. My uncle was a country songwriter, my brother writes songs and my dad writes songs.
“I met a lot of great people [when I moved here] and I got my first co-write,” Davis continued. “I met more great people. I met somebody from a record label who helped me get a record deal. I’ll be damned, the next thing you know, I’m standing at a sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium.”
Davis’ set was an ebb and flow of loud, hard-driving hits and tender songs about love and life, highlighting the range of his discography.
He came out with the infectiously hooky “What My World Spins Around,” skipping around the stage and pumping his fists. He continued that high-energy with “Singles You Up,” thrilling the audience with his 2018 debut hit. Davis kept the fans dancing and raising their beers to “Drink Had Me.”
Davis’ aptitude for great songs was best put on display when he slowed things down. His performance of “Next Thing You Know,” one of his newest tracks about how quickly life goes by, was sincere and deeply felt by the Ryman crowd. The pews were moving with swaying couples and concert-goers closing their eyes and taking the message in.
Another highlight of the night came when Davis sang the tune “Detours” from his 2020 self-titled project. As the song started to swell, Davis started to weave in verses from Coldplay‘s “Fix You.” By the end, the audience was in the palm of his hand.
Jordan Davis performs at The Ryman Auditorium
Throughout the night, Davis called out his co-writers and team-members by name. When he performed “Money Isn’t Real,” he took a minute to recognize that although he didn’t write the song, it said exactly what he’d been trying to write for many years. He thanked the song’s writers Jameson Rodgers, Sarah Allison Turner, Jake Mitchell, and Josh Thompson.
The crowd, who stayed on their feet for most of night, was as thrilled to hear more of Davis’ hits, such as “Almost Maybes” and “Take It From Me,” as they were to hear older songs from Davis’ debut Gold-certified debut album, Home State. When he brought out surprise guest Danielle Bradbery to perform their five-day-old song “Midnight Crisis,” a lot of the crowd already knew all the words.
The ultimate highlight of the night came when Davis gave his encore, the Platinum-certified, CMA and ACM-nominated career-song “Buy Dirt.”
“The coolest moment that I’ve ever had in music happened on this stage about a week ago. In Nashville, we have the NSAI Awards and this next song that my brother [Jacob Davis], Matt Jenkins, Josh Jenkins and myself wrote won the NSAI Song of the Year,” he said as the band started to play “Buy Dirt.”
“I can’t tell y’all how special the day was when we sat down and wrote this song just south of Nashville,” he continued. “We wanted to write a song about the three most important things in our lives: our faith in Jesus Christ, our family, and our friends.”
The crowd sang along to every line and Davis smiled out at them with his chin held high with pride.
Tracy Lawrence Premieres New Podcast
/by LB CantrellTracy Lawrence is launching his first ever podcast, TL’s Road House. The pilot episode features genre-bending artist Jelly Roll and is available everywhere now.
TL’s Road House will also feature Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Michael Ray, Dustin Lynch, Tracy Byrd, Alexandra Kay and Dee Jay Silver this season, with more to be announced. Taking place on the country star’s tour bus, the series aims to leave no question off the table as Lawrence sits down with some of the biggest names in the genre.
“I’m really excited to launch TL’s Road House,” shares Lawrence. “There are so many artists and people in the industry that I’ve wanted to sit down with—ultimately, I just wanted the chance to get to know my peers.”
In Jelly Roll’s episode, the singer/rapper/songwriter discusses everything from his first stop after prison to his take on the evolution of country music.
“It’s definitely a learning curve putting this podcast together,” adds Lawrence. “Cameras have fallen for sure, but we’ve made some good adjustments after getting a few in the can.”
The podcast will premiere every Wednesday morning via Anchor and is available on Lawrence’s YouTube Channel.
TL’s Road House is the latest addition to Lawrence’s industry portfolio following upon the success of Honky Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence, his award-nominated and nationally syndicated radio show.
Industry Ink: CMA Foundation, Warner Music Nashville, BMI
/by Lydia FarthingCaitlyn Smith, Ingrid Andress & Lainey Wilson Join Forces For The CMA Foundation
Pictured (L-R): Katie McCartney (Monument Records), Franklin Willis (CMA and the CMA Foundation), Ingrid Andress, Caitlyn Smith, Lainey Wilson, Tiffany Kerns (CMA and the CMA Foundation), Mandelyn Monchick (Red Light Management), Missy Roberts (Universal Music Publishing Group). Photo: Robert Chavers
On Monday night (Sept. 26), Caitlyn Smith, Ingrid Andress and Lainey Wilson performed in the round to a sold out audience at the Franklin Theater. The trio shared the stories behind their award-winning songs and careers, while raising money for the CMA Foundation.
Warner Music Nashville Hosts First Web3 Summit At Nashville HQ
Pictured (L-R): Brooke Hardesty (VP Interactive Marketing, WMN), Jillian Rothman (VP New Business & Ventures, WMG), Alex Kamins (SVP New Business & Ventures, WMG), Jessica Meehan (Artist Partnerships, Roblox), Karibi Dagogo-Jack (Head of Music Business Development, Roblox), Victoria Mason (SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics, WMN), Jordan Sobel (VP Business Development, POAP), and Eric Johnson (Head of Music Partnerships, OpenSea)
Warner Music Nashville hosted its first-ever Web3 Summit on Tuesday (Sept. 27) at its newly renovated Music Row headquarters.
Led by Victoria Mason (SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics) and Brooke Hardesty (VP Interactive Marketing), the initiative aimed to educate artists and their teams about opportunities within emerging technologies. Featured speakers included representatives from Warner Music Group’s business development team, as well as guests from global gaming system Roblox, NFT platform POAP and NFT marketplace OpenSea.
Tenille Arts & Elvie Shane Take Over BMI’s Rooftop On The Row
Pictured (L-R) BMI’s Mason Hunter, 103.3 Country’s Elaina D. Smith, Elvie Shane, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Tenille Arts, and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen Photo: Nathan Zucker for BMI
BMI recently celebrated their monthly Rooftop on the Row concert series with BMI singer-songwriters Tenille Arts and Elvie Shane.
Previous ACM nominee Arts started off the show with tunes from her 2021 album, Girl to Girl, and her latest single “Back Then, Right Now.” The CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2021 vocalist closed her set with her No. 1 hit, “Somebody Like That.”
A Kentucky native, Shane followed and gave concertgoers a taste of his latest album, Backslider, including “My Boy,” which is currently at Top 5 on country radio.
BMI’s final rooftop event of the season will be held Oct. 18.
Martina McBride’s Country Music Hall Of Fame Exhibit Extended Until Summer 2023
/by Lorie HollabaughMartina McBride: The Power of Her Voice exhibit at the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum has been extended into July 2023 due to popular demand.
The collection, which was unveiled in the summer of 2021, explores the music and legacy of the influential vocalist, tracing her journey from performing in her family’s band as a child to becoming a chart-topping, award-winning country artist.
McBride recently wrapped the first season of Vocal Point with Martina McBride, her weekly podcast that featured Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Blake Shelton and many more. Earlier this year she announced her “Livin’ Life Up Tour” with support from up-and-coming artists Hannah Ellis, Hailey Whitters, Kalie Shorr and Sarah Allison Turner. She is also prepping for her 10th annual “The Joy of Christmas Tour.”