Amy Grant Postpones September, October Tour Dates

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Amy Grant

Amy Grant will be postponing her previously scheduled tour dates for September and October as she recovers from injuries sustained in a biking accident last month, her management has announced.

Grant sustained a concussion and was hospitalized after an accident while riding bikes with friends on July 27. All concerts will be rescheduled throughout February, March, and April 2023. Tickets will be honored at the new dates.

She will resume touring in November on her Christmas Tour with Michael W. Smith and annual Ryman Residency with her husband Vince Gill.

“Amy is getting stronger every day. Just as she did after her heart surgery, we are amazed at how fast she heals,” Grant’s manager, Jennifer Cooke shares. “However, although she is doing much better, we have made the difficult decision to postpone her fall tour so she can concentrate on her recovery and rebuild her stamina. She wants to be able to give 100% when she tours and, unfortunately, we do not think that will be the case by the time rehearsals would start for the fall dates.

“She will resume touring with her Christmas tour with Michael W. Smith and her annual ‘Christmas At The Ryman’ residency with her husband Vince Gill,” Cooke continues. “Amy would like to extend her gratitude for all the many good wishes and prayers offered since the accident. She feels the impact of the collective good will extended her way. Thank you.”

For further updates, visit amygrant.com.

Clayton Anderson Slates ‘Made In The USA’ Album For September

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Clayton Anderson is set to release his first full-length album since signing to Visionary Media Group in 2021, Made In The USA, on Sept. 16. Anderson tributes his roots and his hometown state on his new single “Indiana,” out now as an instant grat track.

Featuring 12 tracks, eight of which were co-written by Anderson, Made In The USA shares some of Clayton’s deepest dreams, fears, and hard-working pride, while delivering the raucous tunes that have earned him placements with brands like Ford, Major League Fishing, the Indianapolis Colts, and ESPN.

“Every song on this album has a special meaning to me,” Anderson shares. “It’s my most vulnerable body of work and I’m thrilled to have worked alongside Dave [Audé], Brandon [Hood], Anastasia [Brown] and the entire team at Visionary Media Group. Performing my songs live on the ‘Lake Tour’ has been a blast. People know every word to ‘Show Me Your Fish,’ thanks to our friends at Hook & Barrel, and our most recent track ‘Made In The USA’ has people raising their hands and singing along. There’s no better feeling than to know that you can bring thousands of people together through music. I’m truly blessed.”

Made In The USA Track List:
1. “All For Nothing” (Written by Clayton Anderson, Jeremy Buck; produced by Brandon Hood)
2. “Show Me Your Fish” (Written by Anderson, Dave Audé, Christian Stalnecker; produced by Audé)
3. “Let Me Go” (Written by Anderson, Jimmy Ritchey, Robert Counts, Brian Pruitt; produced by Hood)
4. “Indiana” (written by Anderson, Audé, Stalnecker; produced by Audé)
5. “This Round’s On Me” (written by Stalnecker; produced by Audé)
6. “Made In The USA” (written by Aaron Parker, Parker Welling, Brandon Hood; produced by Hood)
7. “Get After It” (written by Anderson, Shane Stevens, Nash Overstreet; produced by Overstreet)
8. “As You Are” (written by Thomas Rhett, Barry Dean, Jimmy Robbins; produced by Hood)
9. “No Habla” (written by Anderson, Taylor Goyette; produced by Hood)
10. “Only Us” (written by Andrew Jannakos, Alex Pennington Smith, Malachi Mills; produced by Audé)
11. “Is It Too Late” (written by Anderson, Audé, Stalnecker; produced by Audé)
12. “Records On The Wall” (written by Anderson, Audé, Stalnecker; produced by Audé)

Chart Action: Dierks Bentley Most-Added At Country Radio

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After his debut on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart last week, Dierks Bentley‘s “Gold” continues to be the most added on the MusicRow chart and earns additional adds on the Mediabase chart.

Bentley wrote “Gold” with Ross Copperman, Luke Dick, and Ashley Gorley. The newest track from the country superstar sets the tone for his tenth LP, arriving early next year, and speaks to how time has flown in Bentley’s career.

He landed his first publishing deal in 2001 and released his debut album in 2003, producing an instant No. 1 single. The years since have included eight top selling albums, twenty-one No. 1 songs, 6.4 billion streams, three CMA Awards, fourteen Grammy nominations and membership into the Grand Ole Opry.

For more chart data, click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Marty Stuart Signs With Snakefarm, Marking His First Major Record Deal In Nearly A Decade

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Marty Stuart. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart has signed with Snakefarm, a label housed under the Spinefarm Music Group and owned by UMG. The deal marks his first major record deal in almost a decade.

Stuart will head out on a headlining European tour in August and September, where he and his Fabulous Superlatives—Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson and Chris Scruggs—will visit the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. This will mark the five-time Grammy winner’s first European outing in over a decade. He will be supported by Nashville-based rising star Sam Williams, who released his debut album Glasshouse Children last year via Snakefarm in the UK on behalf of Mercury Nashville.

Following his European tour, Stuart will perform at Pilgrimage Music Festival in Tennessee and hit the road for a fall US trek.

Of the announcement, Stuart says, “I like the idea of joining forces with Snakefarm. I am intrigued by the global mindset and the aura of musical integrity that surrounds the brand. I look forward to a long line of thrilling musical escapades in the days ahead.”

“As long-time supporters of the great man and his music, it’s with much pride that we welcome Marty Stuart to Snakefarm,” shares Dante Bonutto, Snakefarm’s A&R. “The intention with the label has always been to shine a spotlight on the very best in roots music, its sacred traditions and values, and when it comes to an artist who lives, breathes, loves and protects these values, Marty Stuart is in a class of his own. We look forward to a long and exciting journey ahead, and we’re aware that we’ll have to spectacularly up our game on the fashion front!”

Jonas Nachsin, General Manager, Worldwide of Spinefarm Music Group, adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Marty Stuart to our growing Snakefarm roster. It is a distinct honor to have him join the label as we expand its scope around the world.”

Stuart has new music on the way, with more details to be announced shortly.

Jeff Garrison Re-Emerges As Solo Artist With New Music On The Way

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Jeff Garrison

Jeff Garrison is releasing his self-titled six-song EP this fall on Penumbra Records, an imprint of Eclipse Music Group.

The project will feature his autobiographical single “Had To Be There,” which is available everywhere now. The track is an intimate missive to the artist’s mother, whose long history of addiction has marked Garrison’s life.

“I had the idea and the guitar lick for this deeply personal song for quite a while and was just waiting for the right moment when it could come together,” offers Garrison. “Though it’s always nerve-wracking to offer something so raw and vulnerable, when I found myself with two of my favorite co-writers, Faren Rachels and Greg Bates, I went out on that limb.”

He continues, “Faren shared that this was her story too and we realized that others might relate to it–and be helped by it–as well. This is the reason that I love songwriting. My hope with this song is to give it away and let it reach the people that it is meant for and, in some way, help with the healing process we all need.”

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Garrison moved to Nashville in 2011 to perform and write music. His career jumpstarted when his duo, Cassio Monroe, signed with Island Records where he achieved a No. 2 Billboard Dance hit and embarked on a full U.S. tour.

Throughout his career, Garrison has also collaborated with other artists and has garnered cuts with Morgan Wallen, Kylie Morgan, Dylan Rockoff, RaeLynn, Livy Jeanne and more. His songs have been placed in numerous film and TV spots including Taco Bell, a Super Bowl promo, Riverdale, Modern Family, American Idol, Blackish and more.

Garrison will preview some songs from the new project at a show at The Basement in Nashville on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Garrison Track List:
1. Happy Together (Alan Gordon, Gary Bonner)
2. Had To Be There (Jeff Garrison, Faren Rachels, Greg Bates)
3. Morphine Lips (Jeff Garrison, Julia Cole)
4. Shouldn’t Be Happy (Jeff Garrison, Payton Porter, Faren Rachels)
5. Good People (Jeff Garrison, John Robert Hall, Dave Kuncio)
6. Cross that Bridge (Jeff Garrison, Rocky Block)
Produced by Jeff Garrison

Luke Combs Notches Three Week MusicRow No. 1

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For a third week, Luke Combs’ “The Kind Of Love We Make” occupies the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. In just 8 weeks at radio, he has earned a cumulative 9,845 spins on the CountryBreakout Chart. 

“The Kind Of Love We Make” was written by Combs, Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell, and Jamie Davis.

Combs has partnered with Atlas Experiences and the Wisconsin Lottery to launch the “Living Lucky with Luke Combs” multi-state lottery scratch off and bonus drawing. Through the promotion, Combs will be showcased on lottery tickets. The partnership is a natural fit given the content of Luke’s iconic song “When It Rains It Pours,” which is centered around winning a hundred bucks on a lottery scratch-off ticket.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Sydney Mack Signs With Warner Chappell Music

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Sydney Mack

Rising singer-songwriter Sydney Mack has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.

The Nashville-based artist kicked off her career on Season 14 of American Idol, followed by starring in NashNext Top 10 where she toured with Raelynn. She has opened for Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Brett Eldredge, and more.

In 2021, Mack released a handful of tracks which garnered over 3.4 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music. Earlier this year, she shared two new songs, “Don’t Call” and Pretty Boy,” on TikTok and amassed more than four million views. In March, “Pretty Boy” debuted at No. 12 on the iTunes chart.

She is managed by Creekhouse Entertainment.

New Book On The Jordanaires Due In November

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A new book on The Jordanaires by Gordon Stoker with Michael Kosser and Alan Stoker is set for release this November from Backbeat Books.

The Jordanaires: The Story of the World’s Greatest Backup Vocal Group chronicles the story of the gospel group of mostly Tennessee boys that formed in the 1940s and set the standard for studio vocal groups in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and beyond. In their sixty-five-year career, from 1948 through 2013, the recordings they sang on have sold an estimated eight billion copies.

They appeared on more than 200 Elvis Presley recordings, including most of his biggest hits. They were in three of his best-known movies, appeared with him on most of his early nationwide TV shows, and toured with him for years. Throughout the superstar’s early career, they were his most trusted friends and probably his most positive influence.

The Jordanaires also did plenty of pop sessions in LA, singing on most of Ricky Nelson‘s biggest hits and over the years backed up Andy Williams, Fats Domino, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Dinah Shore, The Everly Brothers, Glen Campbell, Patti Page, Neil Young, Perry Como, Loretta Lynn, Ringo Starr, Tom Jones, Andy Griffith, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, Billy Ray Cyrus, and about 2,100 other recording acts.

Kosser is a senior editor at American Songwriter where he has written a column on songwriting called “Street Smarts” for the past twenty years. Since 1979, his songs have been recorded by George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, and others. Kosser offers an in-depth, insider’s view of Nashville during its ascendancy in his book How Nashville Became Music City, U.S.A.: Fifty Years of Music Row.

Alan Stoker, the son of Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires quartet, is s a Grammy-winning audio engineer, a musician/vocalist, and a music historian. Throughout his career, he’s backed up beach music legend Clifford Curry and Sam Moore of the Stax Records duo Sam and Dave. He’s also recorded with prog-rock group McKendree Spring and E Street Band bassist Gary Tallent. Additionally, he’s the long-time archivist for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, where he’s preserved some of the earliest recordings of the biggest names in music.

Lainey Wilson Shows Off Her ‘Bell Bottom Country’ With Upcoming Sophomore Release

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Lainey Wilson. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

ACM New Female Artist of the Year Lainey Wilson has announced that her sophomore album, Bell Bottom Country, is set for release on Oct. 28 via BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records. As a sneak peek of what’s to come, the fast-rising star revealed a new track from the album, “Watermelon Moonshine,” available everywhere now.

Bell Bottom Country draws its name from the Louisiana native’s unique sound, style and aesthetic, which has seemingly become her own brand over the last few years. The upcoming record reflects Wilson’s depth and multifaceted character with elements of ‘70s rock, funk and soul. Across the 14 songs, all but one of which she co-wrote, Wilson displays her growth as a person, artist and songwriter since writing her breakout, debut album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’, all with her signature level of authenticity.

“I’ve lived quite a bit of life the past few years, and I have a lot more to say,” Wilson explains. “Sure, I love a good pair of bell bottoms, but Bell Bottom Country to me has always been about the flare and what makes someone unique—I have really embraced mine, and I hope y’all can hear that across this project.”

“Watermelon Moonshine” delivers a retrospective coming-of-age ballad, finding Wilson reflecting on teenage love and how unversed to the world she was at the time. The new track is the second song available from the project, the first being her current single “Heart Like A Truck,” which is currently climbing through the top 40 on country radio.

As previously announced, she will join the cast of Paramount Network’s Yellowstone for its fifth season, taking on the role of Abby and allowing her to perform new original music written and recorded by Wilson herself.

Fans can also catch her on the “Ain’t Always the Cowboy Tour” with Jon Pardi and Hailey Whitters this summer, as well as select dates with Luke Combs. For a full list of dates, click here.

Bell Bottom Country Track List:
1. “Hillbilly Hippie” (Lainey Wilson, Terri Jo Box, Jeremy Bussey)
2. “Road Runner” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
3. “Watermelon Moonshine” (Lainey Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Kear)
4. “Grease” (Lainey Wilson, Jessi Alexander, Andrew Petroff)
5. “Weak-End” (Lainey Wilson, Nicolette Hayford, Faren Rachels)
6. “Me, You, and Jesus” (Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband, Dallas Wilson)
7. “Hold My Halo” (Lainey Wilson, Derek George, Monty Criswell, Lynn Hutton)
8. “Heart Like A Truck” (Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Trannie Anderson)
9. “Atta Girl” (Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Brett Tyler)
10. This One’s Gonna Cost Me” (Lainey Wilson, Nicolette Hayford, Faren Rachels)
11. “Those Boots (Deddy’s Song)” (Lainey Wilson, Terri Jo Box, Trent Tomlinson)
12. “Live Off” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Adam Doleac)
13. “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
14. “What’s Up (What’s Going On)” (Linda Perry)

WMG Corp. Q3 Results: Music Publishing Revenue Increases From Recent CRB Rulings

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Warner Music Group Corp. has announced its third-quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2022.

Revenue was up 6.9% and driven by continued recovery of recorded music artist services and expanded-rights revenue, as well as continued growth in music publishing performance revenue.

Digital revenue increased 1.7% while total streaming revenue increased 2.7%, primarily driven by growth in music publishing streaming revenue of 29.6%. This includes a benefit of $17 million resulting from the recent ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board in Phonorecords III that upheld higher percentage of revenue U.S. mechanical royalty rates for 2018 to 2022, and reflects amounts expected to be paid.

Recorded music operating income was $166 million, down from $197 million in the prior-year quarter. Music publishing revenue increased 29.6%, which was driven by growth in digital, performance and synchronization revenue, partially offset by a decline in mechanical revenue. Digital revenue increased 27.4% and streaming revenue increased 29.6%, reflecting the continued growth in streaming, the CRB Rate Benefit and timing of new digital deals.

“We delivered solid double-digit growth on a constant-currency basis, even against the backdrop of a slowdown in the advertising market and some one-time items affecting year-over-year comparisons,” notes Steve Cooper, CEO, Warner Music Group. “In June, we saw the beginning of a new wave of amazing releases and we’re looking forward to a strong end to our fiscal year. Long term, we have the scale to best capitalize on trends in artist development, and the agility and resources to continue to propel the globalization and diversification of our business.”

“Our third-quarter results reflect the inherent resilience of our business that comes from our diverse portfolio of revenue streams,” adds Eric Levin, CFO, Warner Music Group. “With significant runway ahead in our core streaming business and new growth vectors constantly emerging, we are incredibly bullish on our growth potential for many years to come.”

Financial Highlights:
– Solid Underlying Streaming Growth Despite Ad-Supported Pressure
– Impressive Recovery of Artist Services with Continued Double-Digit Revenue Growth
– Continued Momentum in Music Publishing with Double-Digit Revenue Growth
– Significant Growth in Operating and Free Cash Flow

For the three months ended June 30, 2022:
– Total revenue grew 7% or 12% in constant currency
– Digital revenue grew 2% or 6% in constant currency
– Net income was $125 million versus $61 million in the prior-year quarter
– OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation & Amortization) decreased 3% to $233 million versus $241 million in the prior-year quarter or increased 3% in constant currency
– Adjusted OIBDA decreased 3% to $255 million versus $263 million in the prior-year quarter or increased 2% in constant currency
– Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7% to $263 million versus $282 million in the prior-year quarter
– Cash provided by operating activities increased 79% to $163 million versus $91 million in the prior-year quarter