Brooke Eden. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Six years since her last EP, Brooke Eden is releasing her most vulnerable collection to date this Friday (July 29). Entitled Choosing You, the five-song project flexes some of Eden’s writing muscle as she invites listeners into her journey to self-love, empowerment and finding who she really is.
First introducing herself to the world in 2014 as an independent artist before releasing her breakthrough singles “Daddy’s Money” and “Act Like You Don’t” on Red Bow Records, Eden spent several years radio silent before re-emerging in 2021 with a collection of new music and a new level of unabashed confidence.
The budding BBR Music Group artist came out in 2021, publicly embracing who she is as an LGBTQ+ artist. Now, her music reflects that same energy while also sharing her story of self-acceptance.
Within the new EP’s five Jesse Frasure-produced tracks are the sassy, ’70s-inspired “Comeback Love,” the high-flying and imaginative “Off The Ground,” something resembling the perspective of a big sister pep-talk in “Knock,” finding true love and self-love in “Heartless,” and the project’s powerful lead single “Left You For Me,” which marks the first page of Eden’s new musical chapter.
Pictured (L-R): Tom Clees – VP, Federal Public Policy at RIAA; Congressman David Cicilline; Brooke Eden
The singer-songwriter also announced a partnership with the RIAA dubbed Music Matters in late May 2022. An initiative that will have Eden appearing in schools, medical centers and recording studios throughout the year, Music Matters is designed to demonstrate how music can enable our authentic voice, give us purpose, connect us to each other and give us strength and courage to navigate life’s challenges. Officially launched on June 23, Eden joined Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, for a conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ equality and representation.
Eden recently sat down with MusicRow to catch up on her last few years, the Music Matters program, and the heart behind Choosing You.
MusicRow: You’ve had an interesting couple of years. What have you been up to leading up to this new EP?
I feel like I have completely rebranded myself as a human and as an artist. I’ve started a brand new chapter of my life over the last three years, and I feel like I’ve taken my power back as a human and as an artist, which forces you to become a different artist and a different songwriter.
Brooke Eden. Photo: Courtesy of PFA Media
The pandemic was like a reset button or almost like a bullshit button, where you hit the button and all the bullshit disappeared. I realized what was actually important in life. It was a really hard time for the world, but I’m actually really appreciative of it. I don’t know that I would be where I am in my own self journey if it wasn’t for the pandemic and the bullshit button being pushed.
[The pandemic] really intensified and magnified what things are important in my life. It showed me the things that make me happy and forced me to question why am I not living for those things. Why am I trying so hard to make all of these other people happy instead of living my life? The last couple of years have been like my journey to self love and self empowerment. This music is very indicative of that, and it’s just been a wild three years.
There is a common thread of empowerment and self love in this project. Is that the message that you want to communicate or is it something bigger?
This was the time in my life when I felt the most comfortable in my skin. I hope that my life and my story is an invitation for other people to also feel like they can be comfortable in their skin.
If you notice, there’s no song called “Choosing You” or even a lyric that says choosing you. I was driving with my fiancé, Hillary, in the car one day and I was like, “In choosing you, I ultimately chose myself because I finally was able to love like I wanted to love and be loved.”
That’s where Choosing You came from, and I think that’s the thread within all of this. “Left You For Me” and “Knock” are about choosing yourself, then the other three are love songs about choosing a person that allows you to choose yourself and encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
I hope that there’s a lot of self love and self worth that people will take away when they listen to this collection of songs.
You recently launched the Music Matters campaign with the RIAA. What is the origin story of that?
When I was 10 years old, my appendix ruptured during a hurricane. I was in the hospital for 10 days, which was really hard. The thing that got me through was that every other day we had a music therapist come in. Even though I didn’t want to be in the hospital, I knew that if I stayed another day we would get to play music again. That’s what made that awful experience for me doable.
Music has saved my life multiple times. When everybody else turned their back on me, music was always there. I really wanted to bring that to the next generation. My healing process and my journey to becoming myself was all through music and through writing, so I wanted to bring that concept to people who are healing from things and share the message that music can heal you.
What have you done so far through the program?
I have spoken with Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and we talked about how we can collaborate. We discussed how I can help with equality in country music and how DC can help [represent equality in country music] as well.
Brooke Eden speaking with young women at Girls Inc. as part of Music Matters with the RIAA. Photo: Courtesy of PFA Media
I also recently spoke with some young women in a group called Girls Inc. about women in business and women in music. A lot of them wanted to be songwriters, singers or members of the industry, so it’s really cool to be able to share what it’s like to be in the industry as a woman and how music can really heal and save your life.
[The goal of Music Matters] is an awareness of using music as a healing mechanism. Music is a universal language. It can unite us in a way that nothing else can. For me, the main message is healing, unity, and bringing people together.
Why does music matter so much to you? What role has music played throughout your life?
For me, especially in my 20s, I was figuring out who I am and what this world looks like to me. So much of my journey to who I am, self love and self worth, was through writing and creating music.
There’s been so many times when music has literally saved me from going too dark. It saved me and allowed me to sing what I couldn’t say. Music is that one thing that we can all come together on. Creating music has made me become the best version of myself.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans who are eagerly awaiting Choosing You?
The biggest thing that I would have people take away from this EP is that you are worthy of everything that you want.
With social media and this perception of what everyone else’s life looks like, it’s really important to look inward and understand that you can achieve anything that you want. You’re deserving of love and happiness, and I hope people hear that when they listen to this EP.
Services This Weekend For Nashville Sax Great, Walter Riley King
/by Robert K OermannWalter Riley King
Funeral and burial services will be held Saturday (July 30) for Nashville saxophonist Walter Riley King. He died on July 19 at age 71.
The musician toured with blues great B.B. King for more than 35 years and created arrangements for the superstar’s band. He recorded with country stars Roy Clark, Mac Davis and The Oak Ridge Boys, as well as with Etta James, Eric Clapton, Albert King, Z.Z. Hill, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billy Ocean, Hot, Joe Tex, Denise LaSalle and others.
Walter Riley King was born in Mississippi and raised near Memphis as the eldest of 19 children. He came to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University, where he performed in “The Aristocrat of Marching Bands” for three years.
Following graduation, he became a music educator working with the bands at Goodlettsville High School and Pearl High. He also entertained in the Nashville R&B groups The Tyrone Smith Revue and the Jimmy Church Band, among others.
In addition to B.B. King, he went on to perform with The Temptations, The Dells, Hot, Gladys Knight, Dr. John, U2, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, The Muscle Shoals Horns and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.
In the studio, he worked with such top-ranked producers as Quincy Jones, Phil Ramone, Glen Frey, Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett.
Walter Riley King was a longtime resident of Omaha and served as guest conductor of the Omaha Youth Symphony. He was also a songwriter, actor, flutist and black-belt Karate master.
He is survived by partner Brenda King and by sons Christopher King, Brandon King and Walter Burns, as well as by six grandchildren and 12 siblings.
There will be a viewing today (July 29) at Highland Hills Funeral Home, 2422 Brick Church Pike. Visitation will be tomorrow (July 30) from noon to 1 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 2416 Clifton Ave. The interment will be at Greenwood North Cemetery.
Tyler Hubbard Unveils More New Music With ‘Dancin’ In The Country’
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Hubbard. Photo: John Russo
Tyler Hubbard is giving fans another sneak peek of his upcoming new album on Aug. 19 with Dancing’ In The Country through EMI Records Nashville. The EP features five additional songs to his already released single “5 Foot 9,” including “35’s” and “Way Home.”
Dancin’ In The Country is a project of specially selected songs for fans in advance of Hubbard’s upcoming album and for his live shows this fall on Keith Urban’s “The Speed Of Now World Tour.”
“We’ve been releasing new music throughout this summer, and now I’m so pumped to be sharing even more of my new project–these songs have been waiting to be heard!” says Hubbard. “Though the album is coming early next year, I put together this collection of music especially for the fans, as I get ready to go on tour. I can’t wait to hear the crowd sing these songs with me as I hit the road for the first time as a solo artist.”
Hubbard’s debut solo single, “5 Foot 9,” has over 63 million global streams. The song quickly moved inside the top 50 on the streaming chart in its first four weeks and claimed a top 10 spot on the Country Streaming Chart last week, along with entering top 20 at country radio.
Hubbard’s debut full-length solo album will be released Jan. 27.
Dancin’ In The Country (Written by Hubbard, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman, Keith Urban)
Baby Gets Her Lovin’ (Written by Hubbard, Jesse Frasure, Canaan Smith) *
Everybody Needs A Bar (Written by Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Zachary Kale)
Inside And Out (Written by Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi)
I’m The Only One (Written by Hubbard, Chris Loocke, Rhett Akins)
5 Foot 9 (Written by Hubbard, Jaren Johnston, Chase McGill)
All tracks produced by Tyler Hubbard and Jordan Schmidt
*Produced with Jesse Frasure
Luke Combs Rushes To The Top Of The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryTopping this week’s MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is Luke Combs with “The Kind Of Love We Make.” The single reached the chart peak in just six weeks at radio.
Combs shares, “I wrote this song in Montana with Dan [Isbell] and Reid Isbell and my guitar tech Jamie Davis, who used to be in a band with Dan. I met Jamie through Dan. Jamie had the idea, and Dan and Reid brought it to me and I thought it was a killer melody. It ended up being one of those songs that wrote itself. Dan, Reid and I are all having kids within a month of each other, so maybe this song had something to do with that.”
Combs sits at No. 13 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, while Dan Isbell ranks at No. 29, Reid Isbell at No. 41 and Davis at No. 42.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
2022 MusicRow Awards Category Profile: Artist Of The Year
/by LB CantrellFollowing the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 34th MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Artist of the Year category. This category is voted on by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor outstanding achievements by a Nashville artist during the eligibility period of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.
The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30. Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.
Click here to see the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.
Winners are determined solely by MusicRow Magazine subscribed members. Voting is now open and closes on July 29 at 5:00 p.m.
To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow member here.
Kane Brown has continued to push the country music format forward since he first came onto the scene in 2016. Over the past year, Brown has released country hits such as “One Mississippi” and “Like I Love Country Music,” and continued his crossover success in pop music with collaborations with Blackbear (“Memory”) and Nelly (“Cool Again”). Brown also celebrated a multi-week No. 1 with Chris Young with “Famous Friends,” an ACM Video of the Year win for “Worldwide Beautiful,” and a highly successful “Blessed & Free Tour,” which made him the first country artist in history to headline every NBA basketball arena in a single tour. He’s also expanded his music business footprint. In early 2021, Brown launched 1021 Entertainment, a joint venture record label with Sony Music Nashville, and signed Restless Road. He is also continually signing songwriters to his publishing company Verse 2 Music. Brown celebrated his first No. 1 as a publisher this year when Verse 2 Music writer Levon Grey, who is nominated for MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year this year, co-wrote Brown’s seventh chart-topper, “One Mississippi.”
Eric Church thrilled fans in April of 2021 when he released a three-album project Heart & Soul via EMI Records Nashville. The chart-topping triple album spawned the hits “Hell of a View,” which took home MusicRow‘s Song of the Year award last year, and “Heart On Fire.” Church’s new single from the project, “Doing Life With Me,” is rising at radio now. In June, Church wrapped “The Gather Again Tour,” which hit 55 cities and was named the Top Country Tour at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Early this year, Church announced his plans to open a new six-story property at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Broadway in downtown Nashville called Chief’s. The multi-Platinum artist plans to begin renovating the food, beverage and live entertainment space this year. Church’s publishing company, Little Louder Music, which he co-founded with Arturo Buenahora, also celebrated nine years in business, nine songwriters and nine No. 1 hits this year.
Luke Combs has had a transformative year since he won Artist of the Year at the 2021 MusicRow Awards. He notched his 11th (“Forever After All”), 12th (“Cold As You”) and 13th (“Doin’ This”) No. 1 songs, he was named Entertainer of the Year for the first time at the CMA Awards, and he became a father. In June, Combs released his newest album, Growin’ Up, via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. The 12-song project includes the hit song and current MusicRow Song of the Year nominee “Doin’ This,” the fast-rising “The Kind of Love We Make,” and other fan-favorites such as “Tomorrow Me” and “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” featuring Miranda Lambert. With Growin’ Up, the history-making artist follows up his first two studio albums that both spent more than 25 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart–breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record of 24 weeks. This fall, Combs will hit the road again on his “Middle of Somewhere” tour, and will also play a sold-out show at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which ranked among the fastest sell-outs in the venue’s history.
Walker Hayes‘ success transcended country music this past year, after many years of hard work on Music Row. Following the release of his Country Stuff EP in May of 2021, Hayes posted a video on TikTok of him and his daughter Lela dancing to his new song “Fancy Like.” The video went viral and within a month, the track hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart. It didn’t stop there, though. “Fancy Like” held its top position on the Hot Country Songs chart for over six months, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, was nominated for two ACM Awards, and was even nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammys. The song’s relatable, downhome, and somewhat silly message transcended country music, taking Hayes into the stratosphere and allowing him to perform everywhere from the American Music Awards to the halftime show of the AFC Championship game. In January, Hayes released his follow up album, Country Stuff The Album, which contained his quickly rising single, “AA.” Hayes also released his first book, Glad You’re Here, and announced his tour of the same name that will kick off in September.
Miranda Lambert expanded her musical legacy with three different projects over the last year. Alongside Jack Ingram and Producer of the Year nominee Jon Randall, Lambert released a stripped down, campfire love letter to Texas with Grammy-nominated The Marfa Tapes in early 2021. By the fall she teamed back up with her Pistol Annies cohorts, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, to release Hell of a Holiday. Then in April, Lambert released her eighth studio album, Palomino, via Vanner Records/RCA Nashville. The 15-song album features the singer-songwriter’s recent hit “If I Was a Cowboy” as well as her rising single “Strange.” Lambert, who is the most decorated artist in the history of the Academy of Country Music with 37 trophies, took home her first Entertainer of the Year award in April. The country star opened her new Tex-Mex cantina in downtown Nashville, Casa Rosa, making her the first female country artist-owned establishment on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. Lambert also hit the top of the charts with Elle King on “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” continuously gave to animals in need with her Muttnation organization, and announced her upcoming Velvet Rodeo Las Vegas residency, kicking off in September.
Carly Pearce released 29, the seven-song project that would change the trajectory of her career, in early 2021. The project was met with wide acclaim, with songs such as “Next Girl” ushering in a new era of honest, vulnerable and downright country music from Pearce. She built on the project’s success with a full length album, 29: Written In Stone. Alongside Ashley McBryde, Pearce scored her third No. 1 single with “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” which is nominated for Song of the Year at this year’s MusicRow Awards. Her newest single, “What He Didn’t Do,” is currently rising at country radio. Pearce added a CMA Award and 2 ACM Awards to her arsenal this past year, and is the reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year. She took her 29 album on the road before jumping on Kenny Chesney’s “Here And Now 2022” stadium tour. Pearce was also invited to become a Grand Ole Opry member by her hero Dolly Parton, was announced as 2022 inductee into the Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame, and tapped to host of the 15th annual ACM Honors.
Warner Chappell & Madfun Entertainment Hold ‘Opry Loves The ’90s’ Writers Retreat
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, front row): Ray Fulcher, Wade Bowen, Rhett Akins, Priscilla Block, Liz Rose, Summer Overstreet, Heather Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Madfun Entertainment’s Alicia Pruitt; (L-R, back row): Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Brock Berryhill, Thomas Archer, David Lee Murphy, Tony Lane, Jamey Johnson. Photo: Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry
In the midst of its celebration of ‘90s country, the Grand Ole Opry hosted Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Madfun Entertainment’s three-day “Opry Loves The 90s” writers retreat this week.
The publishing houses invited some of their rising songwriters to write with award-winning writers including Jessi Alexander (“The Climb,” “I Drive Your Truck”), Liz Rose (“Girl Crush,” “You Belong With Me”) and Randy Montana (“Better Together,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart”), as well as some of the renowned writers who penned some of the biggest songs from one of the most celebrated decades in country music, such as Rhett Akins (“That Ain’t My Truck”), Tony Lane (“Run,” “Letters From Home”) and David Lee Murphy (“Dust on the Bottle,” “Party Crowd”).
After arriving at the Opry House each morning, the writers watched a film about the history of the Grand Ole Opry in the Circle Room before breaking up into four different groups. The groups spent the day backstage in the different themed dressing rooms at the Opry with the goal of writing ‘90s style songs.
“That decade did the best job of putting you somewhere else for three minutes. They had the best stories. Every generation has their story songs, but primarily in the ‘90s, that was the best 10-year run at doing it,” shared Thomas Archer with MusicRow at day one of the camp.
In May, the Opry launched a limited-time “Opry Loves the ’90s” experience at the Grand Ole Opry House with a new interactive tour exhibition, special in-show Opry programming, ‘90s-themed Opry Plaza Parties and surprise artist collaborations celebrating ’90s country music. The exhibit showcases the artists, songs and songwriters that defined the decade with displays including iconic stage wear and artifacts representing career milestone moments, and performances from Opry members Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Terri Clark, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Lorrie Morgan, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood and more.
The Opry’s ’90s experience runs through the end of 2022 and continues across other Opry Entertainment Group properties including WSM Radio, Circle Network and Opry.com, as well as across the Opry’s social channels.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Shania Twain Offers New ‘Wildly Hooky Earworm’
/by Robert K OermannHot enough for ya?
To match the weather, the country artists are heating up your summer playlist this week. Kat & Alex, Tiera Kennedy, a reggae-fied Dolly, Dylan Scott and Charley Crocket lead the way with fine new sounds.
The Disc of the Day belongs to the always effervescent Shania Twain. Check out her new bio documentary. It’s a winner, too.
The DISCovery Award is a toss-up between two duos–BoomTown Saints and O.N.E The Duo. Lend both teams your ears. You won’t be sorry.
CHARLEY CROCKETT / “I’m Just a Clown”
Writer: Charley Crockett; Producer: Bruce Robison; Label: Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers
–Currently wowing crowds opening for Willie Nelson, the prolific Crockett is set to drop The Man From Waco as the latest of his 10+ albums in September. This advance single is a bluesy, horn-punctuated outing with a mid-tempo groove. The band cooks with gas.
DYLAN SCOTT / “Amen to That”
Writers: James McNair/Morgan Wallen/Mark Holman/Micheal Hardy; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman/Mark Holman; Label: Curb
–Scott rumbles through this ode to the power of love with honky-tonk confidence and beats to spare. It’s the title tune of his current tour.
O.N.E THE DUO / “Stuck in the Middle”
Writers: Nash Overstreet/Shane Stevens/Tekitha Washington/Prana Supreme Diggs; Producer: Nash Overstreet; Label: Visionary Media Group
–Diggs and Washington are a Black, mother-daughter act who display immense verve on this fiddle-and-guitar ditty. The highly imaginative production pairs their sunny, trippy vocals with acoustic riffs and catchy, clicky percussion. Very ear grabbing.
SHANIA TWAIN / “Not Just a Girl”
Writers: Mark Ralph/Wayne Hector/Shania Twain; Producer: Mark Ralph; Label: EMI
–Twain’s new documentary is currently on Netflix, and it’s an excellent depiction of how gifted and important she is, plus a reminder of why she’s a nominee for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The film’s title tune begins in her low-alto register, then romps into multi-harmonized choruses. As is characteristic of her work, it is also a wildly hooky earworm with girl-power attitude.
WARREN ZEIDERS / “Up to No Good”
Writers: Lindsay Rimes/Russell Sutton/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Warner/717 Tapes
–His raspy, drawling delivery and the riff-heavy, rocking choruses give this its outlaw edge.
KAT & ALEX / “We Bought a House”
Writers: Alex Georgia/Josh Osborne/Lindsay Rimes/Kat Georgia; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Sony
–Lovely and lilting. Amid an airy audio atmosphere, they sing of settling into domesticity as young lovers with more passion than money. Sweetly heartfelt.
ALEX WILLIAMS / “No Reservations”
Writers: Alex Wiliams/Mando Saenz; Producer: Ben Fowler; Label: Big Machine/Lightning Rod
–Swaggering and darkly rocking, he stomps and snarls his way through this ode to a musician’s life on the road while guitars scream in accompaniment.
KELLY LANG / “Midnight Train to Georgia”
Writers: Jim Weatherly; Producer: none listed; Label: KL
–On this revival, Lang doesn’t stray too far from the arrangement immortalized by Gladys Knight & The Pips in 1973. Above the horns and backing voices, her silky lead is full of warmth and yearning. A classy performance of a classic song.
POSITIVE VIBRATIONS & DOLLY PARTON / “Two Doors Down”
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producer: The Berman Brothers; Label: BMG Nashville
–Country Goes Reggae is a new album pairing of top Jamaican musicians with such iconic country voices as Toby Keith, Jimmie Allen, Rascal Flatts, Alabama and Randy Houser. The divine Dolly is along for the ride on a bouncy treatment of her upbeat 1978 hit. “Everybody wanna party!” she chirps enthusiastically while the distinctive backbeat lopes along.
BOOMTOWN SAINTS / “All Trucks Go To Heaven”
Writers: Taylor Phillips/Ben Stennis/Jeremy Bussey; Producers: Noah Gordon/Gary Kraen; Label: 8 Track Entertainment
–Tuneful and charming, the song laments the time when you have to give up your beloved but worn-out vehicle. The production is a delight, mixing burbling percussion with pristine guitar lines and tasteful strings. Brilliantly accomplished. BoomTown Saints is a duo comprised of Chris Ramos and Ben Chism.
THE SIX ONE FIVE COLLECTIVE / “Blinding Lights”
Writers: Abel Tesfaye/Ahmad Balshe/Jason Quenneville/Max Martin/Oscar Holter; Producers: Gabe Klein/Gideon Klein; Label: 615
–The group is made up of singer-songwriters Nicole Witt, Jamie Floyd, Michael Logan and Sarah Darling. The song comes from The Weeknd. The four-part harmony work is outstanding, as is the strummy, acoustic, folksy arrangement. Can’t wait to hear what else this combo has up its talented sleeves.
TIERA KENNEDY / “Found It In You”
Writers: Cameron Bedell/Tiera Leftwich; Producer: Cameron Bedell/Dann Huff; Label: Valory
–This was originally released last year when she was billed as simply “Tiera.” Now she has a label deal and is being re-introduced with the lustrous, blissful country love song. Enchanting is the word.
LeAnn Rimes Announces Holiday Show At The Ryman
/by Lorie HollabaughLeAnn Rimes is helping fans get into the holiday spirit early by announcing a special holiday concert, “Joy – The Holiday Show at the Ryman” set for Dec. 10.
The performance will bring Rimes back to the Mother Church of country music for a night of festive tunes, some of her greatest hits, and new tracks from her forthcoming record God’s Work, due out Sept. 16. Tickets for the holiday shows go on sale this Friday (July 29).
God’s Work features an eclectic group of guests, including Mickey Guyton, Ziggy Marley, Aloe Blacc, Ben Harper, Ledisi, Sheila E., and more. Nearly three years in the making, the 12-track project includes a mix of rhythmic and honest songs that take each listener on their own journey.
Rimes has also been busy with her iHeartRadio mental health and wholeness podcast, Wholly Human, which brings her lifestyle blog, Soul of EverLe, to life. Now in its third season, the podcast previously reached No. 2 on iTunes Health & Fitness Chart, placed in the Top 35 overall for podcasts worldwide, and was recently named as one of the 15 best mental health podcasts that educate and empower listeners by Good Housekeeping.
Sam Hunt’s New Video Unexpectedly Raises Interest In Sea Turtle Conservation
/by Lorie HollabaughSam Hunt
Sam Hunt‘s “Save The Ridley” vintage t-shirt in his recent “Water Under the Bridge” music video has helped boost support and interest in endangered sea turtles.
Sea turtle rescue and rehab facility, Sea Turtle, Inc. in south Texas, has received so much outreach and excitement for the shirt, they are bringing it back into production for a limited time. Fans and sea turtle enthusiasts alike can pre-order the shirt now, with proceeds supporting Sea Turtle Inc’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles, as well as educate the public and assist with conservation efforts.
Hunt’s “Water Under the Bridge” follows his recent eighth No. 1 smash “23.” The pair of songs, both written by Hunt with Chris LaCorte, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne, are the latest from Hunt since his No. 1 debuting album Southside, featuring multiple back-to-back No. 1 hits with “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” “Kinfolks,” and “Hard To Forget.”
Hunt is playing headlining shows across the country this summer plus upcoming dates at Cheyenne Frontier Days and Windy City Smokeout.
Spencer Crandall Slates ‘Western Tour’ For Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughSpencer Crandall. Photo: Nina Long
Spencer Crandall has announced his 26-stop headlining “The Western Tour,” kicking off this fall.
The coast-to-coast tour launches Oct. 6 in Lexington, Kentucky with Avery Anna as support, and will visit San Diego, Denver, Houston, Chicago, and more through Dec. 9. A Nashville date is set for Nov. 15 at the Exit/In. Tickets for the shows are on sale now.
Taking his hit songs such as “My Person” and “Made” to the road, Crandall will also perform new music like “K(no)w Better,” which was released earlier this month, and upcoming track “Get Away From Me” due out tomorrow (July 29).
As Crandall concludes Scorpion, the first of six new chapters of music on the way, he has racked up more than 200 million global career streams, clocking in at over 175,000 streams per day. Earlier this year, he joined Lauren Alaina‘s 2022 “Top of the World Tour Presented by Maurices” before appearing at some of the summer’s biggest festivals, including Stagecoach, CMA Fest and more.
Brooke Eden Chooses Love In New Chapter Of Music [Interview]
/by Lydia FarthingBrooke Eden. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Six years since her last EP, Brooke Eden is releasing her most vulnerable collection to date this Friday (July 29). Entitled Choosing You, the five-song project flexes some of Eden’s writing muscle as she invites listeners into her journey to self-love, empowerment and finding who she really is.
First introducing herself to the world in 2014 as an independent artist before releasing her breakthrough singles “Daddy’s Money” and “Act Like You Don’t” on Red Bow Records, Eden spent several years radio silent before re-emerging in 2021 with a collection of new music and a new level of unabashed confidence.
The budding BBR Music Group artist came out in 2021, publicly embracing who she is as an LGBTQ+ artist. Now, her music reflects that same energy while also sharing her story of self-acceptance.
Within the new EP’s five Jesse Frasure-produced tracks are the sassy, ’70s-inspired “Comeback Love,” the high-flying and imaginative “Off The Ground,” something resembling the perspective of a big sister pep-talk in “Knock,” finding true love and self-love in “Heartless,” and the project’s powerful lead single “Left You For Me,” which marks the first page of Eden’s new musical chapter.
Pictured (L-R): Tom Clees – VP, Federal Public Policy at RIAA; Congressman David Cicilline; Brooke Eden
The singer-songwriter also announced a partnership with the RIAA dubbed Music Matters in late May 2022. An initiative that will have Eden appearing in schools, medical centers and recording studios throughout the year, Music Matters is designed to demonstrate how music can enable our authentic voice, give us purpose, connect us to each other and give us strength and courage to navigate life’s challenges. Officially launched on June 23, Eden joined Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, for a conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ equality and representation.
Eden recently sat down with MusicRow to catch up on her last few years, the Music Matters program, and the heart behind Choosing You.
MusicRow: You’ve had an interesting couple of years. What have you been up to leading up to this new EP?
I feel like I have completely rebranded myself as a human and as an artist. I’ve started a brand new chapter of my life over the last three years, and I feel like I’ve taken my power back as a human and as an artist, which forces you to become a different artist and a different songwriter.
Brooke Eden. Photo: Courtesy of PFA Media
The pandemic was like a reset button or almost like a bullshit button, where you hit the button and all the bullshit disappeared. I realized what was actually important in life. It was a really hard time for the world, but I’m actually really appreciative of it. I don’t know that I would be where I am in my own self journey if it wasn’t for the pandemic and the bullshit button being pushed.
[The pandemic] really intensified and magnified what things are important in my life. It showed me the things that make me happy and forced me to question why am I not living for those things. Why am I trying so hard to make all of these other people happy instead of living my life? The last couple of years have been like my journey to self love and self empowerment. This music is very indicative of that, and it’s just been a wild three years.
There is a common thread of empowerment and self love in this project. Is that the message that you want to communicate or is it something bigger?
This was the time in my life when I felt the most comfortable in my skin. I hope that my life and my story is an invitation for other people to also feel like they can be comfortable in their skin.
If you notice, there’s no song called “Choosing You” or even a lyric that says choosing you. I was driving with my fiancé, Hillary, in the car one day and I was like, “In choosing you, I ultimately chose myself because I finally was able to love like I wanted to love and be loved.”
That’s where Choosing You came from, and I think that’s the thread within all of this. “Left You For Me” and “Knock” are about choosing yourself, then the other three are love songs about choosing a person that allows you to choose yourself and encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
I hope that there’s a lot of self love and self worth that people will take away when they listen to this collection of songs.
You recently launched the Music Matters campaign with the RIAA. What is the origin story of that?
When I was 10 years old, my appendix ruptured during a hurricane. I was in the hospital for 10 days, which was really hard. The thing that got me through was that every other day we had a music therapist come in. Even though I didn’t want to be in the hospital, I knew that if I stayed another day we would get to play music again. That’s what made that awful experience for me doable.
Music has saved my life multiple times. When everybody else turned their back on me, music was always there. I really wanted to bring that to the next generation. My healing process and my journey to becoming myself was all through music and through writing, so I wanted to bring that concept to people who are healing from things and share the message that music can heal you.
What have you done so far through the program?
I have spoken with Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and we talked about how we can collaborate. We discussed how I can help with equality in country music and how DC can help [represent equality in country music] as well.
Brooke Eden speaking with young women at Girls Inc. as part of Music Matters with the RIAA. Photo: Courtesy of PFA Media
I also recently spoke with some young women in a group called Girls Inc. about women in business and women in music. A lot of them wanted to be songwriters, singers or members of the industry, so it’s really cool to be able to share what it’s like to be in the industry as a woman and how music can really heal and save your life.
[The goal of Music Matters] is an awareness of using music as a healing mechanism. Music is a universal language. It can unite us in a way that nothing else can. For me, the main message is healing, unity, and bringing people together.
Why does music matter so much to you? What role has music played throughout your life?
For me, especially in my 20s, I was figuring out who I am and what this world looks like to me. So much of my journey to who I am, self love and self worth, was through writing and creating music.
There’s been so many times when music has literally saved me from going too dark. It saved me and allowed me to sing what I couldn’t say. Music is that one thing that we can all come together on. Creating music has made me become the best version of myself.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans who are eagerly awaiting Choosing You?
The biggest thing that I would have people take away from this EP is that you are worthy of everything that you want.
With social media and this perception of what everyone else’s life looks like, it’s really important to look inward and understand that you can achieve anything that you want. You’re deserving of love and happiness, and I hope people hear that when they listen to this EP.