Seasons change, but some things in country music are constant.
The days are getting shorter, the kiddies are going back to school and summer will soon be gone. But whether it is brilliant sunshine or falling leaves, you can always depend on Blake Shelton. This country titan nails down this week’s Disc of the Day prize with ease.
His closest challengers are all duos—Maddie & Tae, Sunny Sweeney with Vince Gill and the stunning outing by Hardy & Lainey Wilson. All three are essential listening.
The DISCovery Award goes to Pennsylvania’s Conrad Fisher.
TYLER RICH / “Trucks Don’t Lie”
Writers: Tyler Rich/Adam Craig/Jim McCormick; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Valory
–Heartache on four wheels. Well sung and well produced, even if it does deal in country’s well-worn (worn-out?) truck fetish.
BLAKE SHELTON / “No Body”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Deliriously catchy. Thumpin’ rhythm, sassy lyric, snappy attitude and production perfection. Then there’s the voice of one of our finest country singers…..
HARDY & LAINEY WILSON / “Wait in the Truck”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Schmidt/Renee Blair; Producers: Joey Moi/Hardy/Derek Wells/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Big Loud
–Very creative. A dark and arresting story song involving domestic violence and vengeance. You’ll hang on every line of this gripping yarn. Applause to everyone involved in this awesome outing.
BREI CARTER / “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’”
Writer: Ben Peters; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
–She sings well, but I’m not sure it was a good idea to slow down this Charley Pride country classic.
CONRAD FISHER / “Trouble With a Hammer”
Writer: Conrad Fisher; Producer: none listed; Label: Ashbrook
–It’s a lively toe tapper with a workaday, everyman lyric. His strong tenor voice is backed by some twang guitar and a snazzy rhythm track. Promising. Send more.
MADDIE & TAE / “Spring Cleaning”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Josh Kerr/Tayla Parx; Producers: Derek Wells/Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury
–Bluesy, saucy and cool. It ain’t spring, but she’s cleaning house and wants him to get his shit outta there. The snarky vocals are matched by electric guitars on a rampage.
SUNNY SWEENEY & VINCE GILL / “Married Alone”
Writers: Hannah Blaylock/Josh Morningstar/Autumn McEntire; Producers: Paul Cauthen/Beau Bedford; Label: Thirty Tigers
–I have long been a fan of this gal. She’s as country as grits. On this downcast ballad, she’s joined by the incomparable Mr. Gill on spectacular vocal harmony. Steel and twang abound. Catch Sunny’s “Sunny Side Up” Sirius/XM radio show weekday mornings, 6 a.m.-noon on the Willie’s Roadhouse channel.
SHANE PROFITT / “How It Oughta Be”
Writers: David Frasier/Mitch Oglesby/Shane Profitt; Producers: Julian Raymond/Chris Janson/Scott Borchetta; Label: BMLG
–Rousing and rambunctious, he lays out a vision of a life where prices aren’t so high, folks treat each other right and teachers should be paid like lawyers are. You’ll get no argument from me.
KANE BROWN / “Go Around”
Writers: Kane Brown/Jordan Mark Schmidt/Ernest Keith Smith/Garrett Scott Nichols/Zachary Ryan Beeken; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Arista
–This track marks time between his chart-topping “Like I Love Country Music” and his next single. The fiddle-embellished tune meanders aimlessly and so does the come-on lyric. Pass.
LEANN RIMES / “Awakening”
Writer: LeAnn Rimes; Producers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown; Label: LR
–LeAnn is turning 40: How can this be? As a mark of her new maturity, she’s issuing this confessional ode about mental health and psychological survival. It’s an extremely well produced pop track with lush strings, rumbling rhythms and layered vocal echoes.
ADAM DOLEAC / “Close That Tab”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Derrick Southerland/Zach Abend; Producer: Andy Skib; Label: Arista
–She keeps making the same mistakes, so he advises her quit that no-good guy. “Why you wanna spend another Happy Hour sad?” “He’s another watered-down vodka/soda.” Repetitive, but listenable.
MAREN MORRIS / “Make You Say”
Writers: Zedd/Maren Morris/Charlie Puth/Jacob Kasher Hindlin/Johan Yang/Bernie Yang; Producers: Zedd/BEAUZ; Label: Sony
–Zedd & Morris collaborated on her monster million selling “The Middle.” This reunion isn’t as insanely catchy, but it shares one fact with its predecessor: There is nothing country about it. There are a lot more electronic loops this time around, presumably by the two Yangs, who work under the billing BEAUZ.
The War And Treaty Unleash Major Label Debut Single
/by Lydia FarthingNewly-signed Mercury Nashville duo The War And Treaty have made their major label debut with their new single, “That’s How Love Is Made,” available everywhere now.
Exploring what true partnership means, the husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter co-wrote the soaring ballad with Dave Barnes. The track marks the first taste of their upcoming album, produced by Grammy award-winner Dave Cobb.
“I can’t believe the day has come and we finally get to let the world in on the secret that is, ‘That’s How Love Is Made’ and we hope folks connect to it as much as we have,” Michael says. “My prayer is that so much love is created through this song that eventually hate is drowned out. Let love be as creative as it wants in our friendships, in our business partnerships, in our neighborhood, and never put the chains on her…for she is meant to be free.”
“My palms are sweaty, my knees are shaking and I’m going crazy all because of the love we put into creating this song,” Tanya adds. “Now that it’s being released, I’ve moved from tongue clamping to nail biting. Needless to say, I’m excited.”
Founded in 2014, The War And Treaty fuse country, soul, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll and more, and have been named the International Folk Music Awards 2021 Artist of the Year. The duo has spent 2022 entertaining crowds across North America, Europe, Italy, Australia, Ireland and more, opening for artists such as Al Green, Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Legend and Lauren Daigle.
They will launch their headlining “Hearts on Fire Tour” beginning Sept. 7 at Atlanta’s Terminal West. For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.
Everette Offers A Glimpse Into 16 Years Of Friendship On Upcoming Project
/by Lorie HollabaughEverette. Photo: Robby Klein
Everette, the duo composed of Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia, will release their new album Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot: Side B on Oct. 7. They’re giving fans a sneak peek of what’s to come with two new tracks, “Make Me Want One” and Run,” available everywhere now.
Produced by Luke Laird and Ben Phillips, the new album includes tracks like “Woo Hoo Hoo,” which is all about looking on the brighter side of life, and “Shunk As Drit” a how-to-guide for living your last day on Earth. The duo co-wrote all eight tracks, diving into romance on “Run,” “Make Me Want One” and “She Got That From Me,” while “Wild Woman” and “Get By” blast their signature sound.
“From beginning to end of Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot: Side B, we explore every shade of us stylistically and lyrically,” the duo share. “These songs relive the stories from our 16 years of friendship and musical partnership that made Everette. We feel like the world can use a little off-the-wall crazy to escape every now and then, and we’d love to take you there and back again.”
The duo will be heading out on the road with Cadillac 3 this fall.
1. “Run” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Ross Copperman)*
2. “Woo Hoo Hoo” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Aaron Raitiere)*
3. “Gonna Be A Problem” (Brent Rupard, Anthony Olympia, Harold Ryan Tyndell, Bryan Simpson)^
4. “She Got That From Me” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Bryan Simpson)*
5. “Wild Woman” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Aaron Raitiere)*
6. “Shunk As Drit” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Aaron Raitiere)*
7. “Make Me Want One” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Chris DuBois)*
8. “Get By” (Anthony Olympia, Brent Rupard, Matt Jenkins)*
*Produced by Luke Laird
^ Produced by Ben Phillips
‘The Voice’ Finalist Ian Flanigan To Release Debut Album In September
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Voice Season 19 finalist Ian Flanigan will release his upcoming debut album Strong on Sept. 2. As part of the album release, fans can order the album digitally, as well as purchase a limited edition vinyl here.
Flanigan has already given fans a taste of the new project with singles “Under A Southern Sky,” “Last Name On It,” and “Grow Up” featuring Blake Shelton, which has racked up millions of streams so far.
“For me, strength has always come from the support of the folks I hold dear,” shares Flanigan. “I made this record to feel like stepping out of the loud and busy world after a hard day’s work, taking off your boots and having a seat with my loving family in the living room. My family would love for you to be our guest to enjoy this ride with us.”
Flanigan recently made his debut CMA Fest performance on the Maui Jim Reverb Stage, and has been traveling the country performing, as well as traveling on an extensive radio tour.
Tyler Hubbard’s Lead Single As Solo Artist Goes No. 1 On MusicRow Chart
/by Alex ParryTyler Hubbard’s “5 Foot 9” makes its way to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week. This is Hubbard’s first release as a solo artist. He wrote the single with Jaren Johnston and Chase McGill and co-produced the track with Jordan Schmidt.
With lyrics highlighting life’s small joys before pointing out that “God makes the good stuff,” Hubbard adds, “As much as the song talks about real life stuff like whiskey, country music, dirt roads and rain, I want listeners to be reminded that God really does make the good stuff. For me, over the last couple of years, I’ve really been reminded of that.”
Hubbard recently sat down with MusicRow to discuss his new solo endeavors. Click here to read the full interview.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Circle Network Sets Premiere Date For Season Two Of ‘Landmarks: Stages of Country Music’
/by Liza AndersonBrantley Gilbert performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Photo Courtesy of Circle Media
Circle, the award-winning country music and lifestyle network and official television home of the Grand Ole Opry, has announced a premiere date for the second season of the hit show Landmarks: The Stages of Country Music.
Following the success of Season One, the show is returning for another season on Wednesday, Sep. 7. This season will take viewers through some of the most iconic music venues in the Austin, Nashville, and Denver areas, including Red Rocks, Austin City Limits, 3rd and Lindsley, Whiskey Jam and more.
Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Lindsay Ell, Jimmie Allen, Michael Ray, Cody Johnson, Charlie Worsham, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jon Pardi and many more country music stars will walk viewers through each venue, sharing their favorite memories including performing and watching other stars perform on each stage. In the series, Ell states, “Things happen in venues, on stages, that you cannot create on a recording. There’s just a magic that happens.”
Brantley Gilbert talking to crowd. Photo Courtesy of Circle Media
In Episode 10, viewers will travel to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman will go behind the scenes of his very own blues club, Ground Zero.
“We’re thrilled to bring Landmarks back for a second season on Circle Network,” says Evan Haiman, Circle’s Senior Vice President of Content. “Bringing country music content to the genre’s biggest fans is our mission here at Circle, and this show does just that by telling the stories of country music’s most iconic venues from the perspective of those who have worked at, performed on, and built their stages.”
Landmarks: The Stages of Country Music will premiere on Circle Network on Sep. 7 at 11:30 a.m. ET. New episodes will air each Wednesday at the same time, concluding with the finale on Nov. 23.
In Pictures: 15th Annual ACM Honors Celebrate Country Music’s Biggest Stars
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Ronnie Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Kix Brooks, Kimberly Schlapman, and Phillip Sweet attend the 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
The 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors took over Nashville’s Ryman Auditorum on Wednesday night (Aug. 24) as industry members, artists, songwriters, and musicians gathered to celebrate some of the format’s biggest and most deserving names.
Pictured (L-R): Ernest, ACM Milestone Award Honoree Morgan Wallen, and ACM Songwriter of the Year Honoree Hardy. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
The night’s honorees included ACM Triple Crown Award recipient Miranda Lambert, ACM Spirit Award recipient Chris Stapleton, ACM Icon Award recipient Connie Bradley, ACM Poet’s Award recipients Shania Twain and Sonny Throckmorton, ACM Milestone Award recipient Morgan Wallen, ACM Lifting Lives Award recipients Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles, and ACM Service Award recipient Duane Clark. Songwriter of the Year winner Hardy, as well as the Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, were also celebrated.
Kelsea Ballerini performs during the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ACM
Reigning ACM Female Artist of the Year and 4x ACM Award winner Carly Pearce hosted for her second year. Among the night’s other festivities were performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Ernest, Jesse Frasure, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Mickey Guyton, Hardy, Wynonna Judd, Avril Lavigne, Little Big Town, Wallen, Lainey Wilson and more.
The ACM Honors will air on Fox on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. CT, marking the event’s return to television and the first time the special will air on the network.
Carly Pearce and Damon Whiteside. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Lainey Wilson performs during the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, Hardy, and Jesse Frasure. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Blake Shelton Proves His Country Superstar Pedigree On Newest Single
/by Robert K OermannSeasons change, but some things in country music are constant.
The days are getting shorter, the kiddies are going back to school and summer will soon be gone. But whether it is brilliant sunshine or falling leaves, you can always depend on Blake Shelton. This country titan nails down this week’s Disc of the Day prize with ease.
His closest challengers are all duos—Maddie & Tae, Sunny Sweeney with Vince Gill and the stunning outing by Hardy & Lainey Wilson. All three are essential listening.
The DISCovery Award goes to Pennsylvania’s Conrad Fisher.
TYLER RICH / “Trucks Don’t Lie”
Writers: Tyler Rich/Adam Craig/Jim McCormick; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Valory
–Heartache on four wheels. Well sung and well produced, even if it does deal in country’s well-worn (worn-out?) truck fetish.
BLAKE SHELTON / “No Body”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Deliriously catchy. Thumpin’ rhythm, sassy lyric, snappy attitude and production perfection. Then there’s the voice of one of our finest country singers…..
HARDY & LAINEY WILSON / “Wait in the Truck”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Schmidt/Renee Blair; Producers: Joey Moi/Hardy/Derek Wells/Jordan Schmidt; Label: Big Loud
–Very creative. A dark and arresting story song involving domestic violence and vengeance. You’ll hang on every line of this gripping yarn. Applause to everyone involved in this awesome outing.
BREI CARTER / “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’”
Writer: Ben Peters; Producer: none listed; Label: BC
–She sings well, but I’m not sure it was a good idea to slow down this Charley Pride country classic.
CONRAD FISHER / “Trouble With a Hammer”
Writer: Conrad Fisher; Producer: none listed; Label: Ashbrook
–It’s a lively toe tapper with a workaday, everyman lyric. His strong tenor voice is backed by some twang guitar and a snazzy rhythm track. Promising. Send more.
MADDIE & TAE / “Spring Cleaning”
Writers: Maddie Font/Taylor Kerr/Josh Kerr/Tayla Parx; Producers: Derek Wells/Josh Kerr; Label: Mercury
–Bluesy, saucy and cool. It ain’t spring, but she’s cleaning house and wants him to get his shit outta there. The snarky vocals are matched by electric guitars on a rampage.
SUNNY SWEENEY & VINCE GILL / “Married Alone”
Writers: Hannah Blaylock/Josh Morningstar/Autumn McEntire; Producers: Paul Cauthen/Beau Bedford; Label: Thirty Tigers
–I have long been a fan of this gal. She’s as country as grits. On this downcast ballad, she’s joined by the incomparable Mr. Gill on spectacular vocal harmony. Steel and twang abound. Catch Sunny’s “Sunny Side Up” Sirius/XM radio show weekday mornings, 6 a.m.-noon on the Willie’s Roadhouse channel.
SHANE PROFITT / “How It Oughta Be”
Writers: David Frasier/Mitch Oglesby/Shane Profitt; Producers: Julian Raymond/Chris Janson/Scott Borchetta; Label: BMLG
–Rousing and rambunctious, he lays out a vision of a life where prices aren’t so high, folks treat each other right and teachers should be paid like lawyers are. You’ll get no argument from me.
KANE BROWN / “Go Around”
Writers: Kane Brown/Jordan Mark Schmidt/Ernest Keith Smith/Garrett Scott Nichols/Zachary Ryan Beeken; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Arista
–This track marks time between his chart-topping “Like I Love Country Music” and his next single. The fiddle-embellished tune meanders aimlessly and so does the come-on lyric. Pass.
LEANN RIMES / “Awakening”
Writer: LeAnn Rimes; Producers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown; Label: LR
–LeAnn is turning 40: How can this be? As a mark of her new maturity, she’s issuing this confessional ode about mental health and psychological survival. It’s an extremely well produced pop track with lush strings, rumbling rhythms and layered vocal echoes.
ADAM DOLEAC / “Close That Tab”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Derrick Southerland/Zach Abend; Producer: Andy Skib; Label: Arista
–She keeps making the same mistakes, so he advises her quit that no-good guy. “Why you wanna spend another Happy Hour sad?” “He’s another watered-down vodka/soda.” Repetitive, but listenable.
MAREN MORRIS / “Make You Say”
Writers: Zedd/Maren Morris/Charlie Puth/Jacob Kasher Hindlin/Johan Yang/Bernie Yang; Producers: Zedd/BEAUZ; Label: Sony
–Zedd & Morris collaborated on her monster million selling “The Middle.” This reunion isn’t as insanely catchy, but it shares one fact with its predecessor: There is nothing country about it. There are a lot more electronic loops this time around, presumably by the two Yangs, who work under the billing BEAUZ.
Opry To Launch First-Ever Community Day Celebrating Tennessee Residents
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry is celebrating local Tennessee residents on Sept. 18 with its first-ever Opry Community Day and discounted Opry show tickets.
Opry Community Day will give Tennessee residents the opportunity to experience the Opry’s popular backstage tour free of charge, offering a behind-the-scenes look at where country’s new stars, superstars, and legends make history every week. Guests will also have access to the limited-time “Opry Loves the ‘90s” experience that showcases one of the most influential decades in country music.
Complimentary tours will be available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a valid Tennessee state ID. The Opry Plaza will be transformed into an outdoor party offering free live music all day and family-friendly activities during the special day. Free tickets can be redeemed in person at the Opry box office or in advance online at opry.com.
The Opry will also launch a discounted ticket program that will allow Tennessee residents to purchase tickets at a special price. Upcoming shows include performances by Blake Shelton (Sept. 10), Ashley McBryde (Sept. 13), Brad Paisley (Sept. 16), Lauren Alaina (Sept. 30 & Oct. 22), Ricky Skaggs (Sept. 30), Carly Pearce (Oct. 4), Breland (Oct. 5), Jon Pardi (Oct. 7 & 21) and Oak Ridge Boys (Oct. 14).
30th Anniversary Reissue Of Roy Orbison’s ‘King of Hearts’ Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughKing of Hearts, the posthumous Roy Orbison album assembled by his friends and family, will be reissued Oct. 14 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of its initial release.
Available on CD, digitally and as a limited-edition LP pressed on red vinyl, the new edition of King of Hearts has been completely remastered and is from Roy’s Boys LLC, the Nashville-based company founded by the late icon’s sons to administer their father’s catalog, in partnership with Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings.
King of Hearts was the brainchild of Barbara Orbison, Orbison’s widow, who sifted through completed material that had not previously been included on her late husband’s albums, as well as demos. The album was produced by various producers, including Jeff Lynne and T-Bone Burnett, as well as Robbie Robertson, David Briggs, Chips Moman, Albert Hammond and Diane Warren.
Don Was had a hand in producing three of the album’s tracks, including “Crying,” a reprise of Orbison’s 1961 hit performed as a duet with k.d. lang and recorded for the soundtrack of the film Hiding Out. The tune won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration and had a profound impact on Lang’s life and career.
“It was really important to us that the posthumous sessions for King of Hearts avoided grief and sadness because Roy was such a positive and upbeat gentleman,” Was shares. “We set up a live band and put a microphone in the vocal booth and, as Roy’s previously recorded performances boomed through our headphones, it was easy to imagine that he was in the booth singing along with the band. His spirit permeated every corner of the studio, and the tape captured the wistful transcendent warmth of the sessions.”
Barbara Orbison, who passed away in 2011 on the very same day her husband died 23 years earlier, wrote the album’s original liner notes that are also part of the King of Hearts reissue package.
King of Hearts Track List:
You’re the One
Heartbreak Radio
We’ll Take the Night
Crying (Duet with K.d. Lang)
After the Love Has Gone
Love in Time
I Drove All Night
Wild Hearts Run Out of Time
Coming Home
Careless Heart (Original Demo)
Kaitlin Madewell Partners With Red Light Management
/by Lydia FarthingKaitlin Madewell
Artist manager Kaitlin Madewell has partnered with Red Light Management, bringing clients Kameron Marlowe and Grey Zeigler to its roster. Meagan Bennington also joins the company as day-to-day manager for Zeigler, and will assist in daily operations.
Madewell discovered Marlowe through a mutual friend in December 2018 and the two began working together months later. After being introduced to Zeigler in March of 2020, Madewell listened to one demo and was sold immediately.
“The opportunities at Red Light are endless,” Madewell explains. “Building a successful artist takes an army and I am extremely grateful they see the same thing I do for both Kameron and Grey. There are no limitations, and I can’t be more thrilled to be joining such an incredible team.”
With two successful tracks under his belt, “Giving You Up” and “Steady Heart,” Marlowe is signed to Columbia Nashville and is set to release his debut album this Friday (Aug. 26). The rising country artist kicks off his first headlining trek, “We Were Cowboys Tour,” at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on Sept. 8.
A fresh pop face, Zeigler recently released her viral hit “Sensitive Subject” and will hit the road with pop/EDM duo NOTD this fall starting in Minneapolis on Sept. 14.
“We are so excited that Kaitlin has joined the Red Light family and has entrusted her roster of artists, Kameron Marlowe and Grey Zeigler,” says Red Light Management’s Tom Becci. “The sky is the limit for these two artists.”
Reach Madewell at kaitlin.madewell@redlightmanagement.com and Bennington at meagan.bennington@redlightmanagement.com.