Dailey & Vincent perform in the Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim
The Ryman Auditorium is currently celebrating the history of bluegrass music with its Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series.
The Del McCoury Band kicked off the series that runs every Thursday night from June 23 to July 28. Dan Tyminski, Earls of Leicester and Dailey & Vincent have followed.
When Grammy-winning duo Dailey & Vincent took the stage last week, they had much to celebrate. The Grand Ole Opry members just announced that they have partnered with BMG to release a new country album called Let’s Sing Some Country!
The album has been on the duo’s to-do list since they first secured a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for their rendition of “Elizabeth.” Let’s Sing Some Country! will find Dailey & Vincent singing and playing along with Jimmy Fortune, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and Rhonda Vincent, and is expected on Sept. 16.
Darrin Vincent performing. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim
The two talented performers, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, spent many years in iconic bluegrass bands before joining together, with Dailey playing with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Vincent with Ricky Skaggs‘ band Kentucky Thunder. Since joining forces, Dailey & Vincent have won five individual Grammy Awards, three collective Grammys, four Dove awards, and 35 IBMA Awards.
On Thursday night (July 14), they entertained with gospel numbers such as “By The Mark,” “Somebody’s Prayin'” and “The Wall,” as well as lively bluegrass jams like “That Feel Good Music.” The extremely talented singers made sure to spotlight all of their equally as talented musicians, letting each one have a turn at showing off. They also invited out the Opry Square Dancers to dance to some songs.
It’s clear that The Statler Brothers are some of Dailey & Vincent’s heroes, from their red, white and blue microphones—which pays homage to the legendary country quartet—to their many mentions of Jimmy Fortune. The band also played a medley of Statler Brother hits, such as “I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You” and “Flowers On The Wall.”
They were also excited to play the new Tennessee state song, “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee,” written by Karen Staley.
Dailey & Vincent brought out iconic producer Paul Worley, who is producing their new country album, to play a song from it. They chose a bluegrass ditty, “Those Memories Of You,” and countrified it for their new project.
Worley wasn’t the only special guest. The pair also brought out Jeannie Seely to sing her Connie Smith-recorded “Senses.”
There are two shows left in the Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman series. The Steeldrivers with Troubadour Blue will take the historic stage on July 21, and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will close out this year’s series on July 28. For tickets, visit ryman.com.
Nominees Announced For 34th Annual MusicRow Awards
/by LB CantrellMusicRow Magazine is proud to reveal the nominees for the 2022 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank. The winners of this year’s honors will be announced online on all MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, August 30.
Subscribed members of MusicRow will receive their ballots via email on Wednesday, July 20.
Click here to view the digital “Nominator” newsletter for a complete list of all nominees.
There are 11 member-voted categories, including:
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label Group of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Artist of the Year
Now in its 34th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers, and more.
The final nominees revealed in this announcement are determined by a committee. For the categories of Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer, outside nominations are also considered. For the Male and Female Songwriter of the Year categories, nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. All nominations are based on projects that were active between the period of June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.
MusicRow‘s August/September print magazine, which is produced and mailed out prior to the MusicRow Awards winners announcement on Aug. 30, features all of the nominees for the 34th annual awards. This print edition also includes exclusive industry-related editorial features.
Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thursday, Aug. 30, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.
MusicRow subscribers will vote to determine award winners. The Ballot Voting Period runs Wednesday, July 20 at 11 a.m. through Friday, July 29 at 5 p.m. To become a subscribed member and become eligible to vote, sign up here.
Leah Marie Mason Rounds Out Team With Warner Chappell, Numbers Don’t Lie, Sony’s The Orchard
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): BJ Hill, VP A&R Warner Chappell Music Nashville; Josh Windt, The 13th;
Leah Marie Mason; Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr, The 13th. Photo: The 13th
Leah Marie Mason has signed a global, joint publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Numbers Don’t Lie.
Additionally, Mason and independent Nashville label The 13th have signed a global distribution deal with Sony’s The Orchard, providing Mason with exclusive access to The Orchard’s full suite of artist and label services, including marketing, promotion, rights management, sync licensing, advertising, and more.
Mason has been featured as the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Country playlist for her popular crossover single “Habit.” She is a featured performer around many of Nashville’s storied stages, such as The Listening Room’s Song Suffragettes showcases and Whiskey Jam.
“The Orchard is a home for creators. Our partnership with The 13th will empower Leah and other artists to nurture their talent while arming them with the tools and support to build a sustainable community and surpass their career goals,” explains Brad Navin, CEO, The Orchard.
The 13th and Numbers Don’t Lie Publishing are co-owned by Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr and Jermaine “Mayne” Jackson. Professionally known as The Runners, the Grammy-nominated duo have worked with Rihanna, John Legend, and DJ Khaled, among others.
“Leah Marie Mason is breaking in this market by embracing non-traditional marketing strategies. Brad Navin and his team at The Orchard are fully supporting our vision,” says Harr.
“Storytelling is always what drew me to country music, and Leah is so great at making you feel the emotions. We’re lucky to be working with her and the Numbers Don’t Lie team,” says B.J.Hill, VP of A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Old Crow Medicine Show To Return To Ryman Auditorium For 15th New Year’s Eve Show
/by LB CantrellIn what has become an annual tradition, Old Crow Medicine Show will return to the Ryman Auditorium stage for their 15th annual New Year’s Eve show on December 31.
“I’m over the moon about this year’s New Year’s bash at the Ryman,” shares the band’s Ketch Secor. “After 14 consecutive seasons of ringing in the new year from the stage of the world-renowned mother church of country music, our band has figured out a few secrets to throwing a great party in downtown Nashville. Every year proves to be something bigger and better and even as we close in on our second decade of year-end Ryman performances, we’re still humbled every time we set foot in the place. It’s just plain holy ground. What better place to start anew at the stroke of midnight, January 1?”
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday, July 22, with an artist pre-sale beginning on Tuesday, July 19 at 10:00 am.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s recent album Paint This Town just hit No. 1 on the Americana Radio Albums Chart, marking the band’s 10th career trip to the top. The album also debuted at the top of Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart, passing Steep Canyon Rangers for the most No. 1s in the chart’s history.
Ernest Keith Smith Spends Fifth Week Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellErnest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Ernest Keith Smith has remained in the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for five weeks. The singer-songwriter has co-writer credit on four charting songs, including Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”
Ashley Gorley remains in the No. 2 position with the songs “What He Didn’t Do” (Carly Pearce), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Cole Swindell), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen), and “Holy Water” (Michael Ray).
Morgan Wallen (No. 3), Ben Johnson (No. 4) and Matt McGinn (No. 5) complete the top five this week.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Weekly Register: Cole Swindell Jumps Into Top 5 Streaming Songs
/by Lydia FarthingCole Swindell. Photo: Robby Klein
Cole Swindell jumps into the top five on the country streaming songs chart as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” racks up 8.5 million streams. The track sits at No. 4, according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” maintains the No. 1 position with an impressive 11.1 million streams. “Something In The Orange” (Zach Bryan) follows in second at 11 million streams. “The Kind of Love We Make” (Luke Combs) keeps its spot at No. 3 with 9 million streams, and “Fall In Love” (Bailey Zimmerman) seals the top five with 8.2 million streams, falling to No. 5.
Wallen’s historic Dangerous: The Double Album continues its run at No. 1 this week, earning 49K in total consumption (1.1K album only/61 million song streams). Wallen also takes the fourth spot as If I Know Me adds 17K. Bryan’s American Heartbreak rises one spot to No. 2 with 27K. Combs claims the No. 3 position as Growin’ Up sees 25K and No. 5 with This One’s For You earning 16K in total consumption.
SOURCE Nashville To Hold In Person Awards & Induction Ceremony This August
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Dottie Oelhafen, Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers. Photo: Alan Taylor
The SOURCE awards and induction ceremony will be held in person this year on Aug. 23 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium.
The event, which annually honors and inducts a select group of Women Behind The Music, will be hosted by country legends Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely. Individual tickets are $95 for SOURCE members and $105 for the general public.
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees will include Margie Hunt (Waylon Jennings/Jessi Colter, AWMG Entertainment, CBS Records, Sony Music, Hunt Music Services), Ruby Aleene Jackson (Monument Records, Showbud Guitars, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Conway Twitty Enterprises, Tree International, Cowboy Jack Clement Productions), Suzanne Lee (ASCAP), Dottie Oelhafen (Erv Woolsey Company), Norma Jean Owen (CBS Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records, The Entertainment Group), Betty Sanders (The Pride Music Group, Blake Mevis, The Hyland Company, Chuck Flood & Associates/Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.), and Ima Withers (Chips Moman & Don Crews American Recording Studios, Warner Brothers, RCA Records, Merit Music, BMI).
Founded in 1991 by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris and Pat Rolfe, SOURCE Nashville is the longest running organization for females in Nashville’s music industry, and is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for its members through education, networking, and community service initiatives.
Chris Tomlin Reveals New Album Due In September
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Tomlin is gearing up for the release of his new full-length worship project, Always, on Sept. 9. He also released a new track “Holy Forever” from the new worship project.
Featured guests on Always include Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, and Steffany Gretzinger. The project was produced by Ben Glover, Bryan Fowler, Ed Cash, Jeff Sojka, Jonathan Smith and Dave Haywood of Lady A, who co-produced “The Answer” alongside Ben West. The album contains 13 tracks, 12 of which were co-written by Tomlin.
“These songs were written with the intention of helping people connect with God,” shares Tomlin. “And already throughout just the beginning of this process, with the songwriters, our families and friends, and the incredible team that helps bring these songs to the world, I have started to see God take these songs and impact hearts and lives. My prayer is that god continues to take this music and use it in ways I could have never imagined… in ways only He could and in that, points the glory back to Him.”
Always Track List:
“Yahweh” (No One) feat. Elevation Worship
“Always”
“Strongholds”
“Holy Forever”
“O Lord You’re Beautiful” feat. Steffany Gretzinger
“The Answer”
“Great Forgiver”
“I Believe In Jesus”
“I See You” feat. Brandon Lake
“Father Of Lights”
“History”
“All In All”
“Precious Love”
The Ryman Celebrates The History Of Bluegrass With Dailey & Vincent
/by LB CantrellDailey & Vincent perform in the Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim
The Ryman Auditorium is currently celebrating the history of bluegrass music with its Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series.
The Del McCoury Band kicked off the series that runs every Thursday night from June 23 to July 28. Dan Tyminski, Earls of Leicester and Dailey & Vincent have followed.
When Grammy-winning duo Dailey & Vincent took the stage last week, they had much to celebrate. The Grand Ole Opry members just announced that they have partnered with BMG to release a new country album called Let’s Sing Some Country!
The album has been on the duo’s to-do list since they first secured a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for their rendition of “Elizabeth.” Let’s Sing Some Country! will find Dailey & Vincent singing and playing along with Jimmy Fortune, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and Rhonda Vincent, and is expected on Sept. 16.
Darrin Vincent performing. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim
The two talented performers, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, spent many years in iconic bluegrass bands before joining together, with Dailey playing with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Vincent with Ricky Skaggs‘ band Kentucky Thunder. Since joining forces, Dailey & Vincent have won five individual Grammy Awards, three collective Grammys, four Dove awards, and 35 IBMA Awards.
On Thursday night (July 14), they entertained with gospel numbers such as “By The Mark,” “Somebody’s Prayin'” and “The Wall,” as well as lively bluegrass jams like “That Feel Good Music.” The extremely talented singers made sure to spotlight all of their equally as talented musicians, letting each one have a turn at showing off. They also invited out the Opry Square Dancers to dance to some songs.
It’s clear that The Statler Brothers are some of Dailey & Vincent’s heroes, from their red, white and blue microphones—which pays homage to the legendary country quartet—to their many mentions of Jimmy Fortune. The band also played a medley of Statler Brother hits, such as “I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You” and “Flowers On The Wall.”
They were also excited to play the new Tennessee state song, “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee,” written by Karen Staley.
Dailey & Vincent brought out iconic producer Paul Worley, who is producing their new country album, to play a song from it. They chose a bluegrass ditty, “Those Memories Of You,” and countrified it for their new project.
Worley wasn’t the only special guest. The pair also brought out Jeannie Seely to sing her Connie Smith-recorded “Senses.”
There are two shows left in the Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman series. The Steeldrivers with Troubadour Blue will take the historic stage on July 21, and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will close out this year’s series on July 28. For tickets, visit ryman.com.
‘Bobby Bones: Comedically Inspirational’ Adds New Nashville Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughThe “Bobby Bones: Comedically Inspirational” show is returning to the CMA Theater for two new shows on Aug. 12-13. Eric Dodd and Steve Moakler will open the dates on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, respectively.
The new shows follow the success of Bones’ two recent sold-out Nashville dates. Tickets for the CMA Theater dates are on sale now and can be purchased at cmatheater.com.
The announcement follows the successful launch of Bones’ new children’s book, Stanley The Dog: The First Day Of School. He is also gearing up for another TV venture as the host of USA Network’s new series Snake In The Grass, a show that will test the limits of participants as they complete challenges while aiming to figure out which person is the “snake” sabotaging the competition. The show premieres on Monday, Aug. 1.
Industry Ink: Kenny Chesney, Drew Baldridge, Presley & Taylor
/by Lydia FarthingKenny Chesney Invites ‘Knowing You’ Co-Writer Kat Higgins To Perform In Lake Tahoe
Kat Higgins with Kenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell
Last week in Lake Tahoe, Kenny Chesney brought “Knowing You” songwriter Kat Higgins out onstage at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena for a special performance of the country entertainer’s 34th No. 1 country single.
Written by Higgins, Adam James and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Brett James, “Knowing You” served as a special milestone for Higgins and James, who scored their first No. 1 with the track. Higgins, a Vancouver native, came to Nashville at age 19 after having success as an artist in Canada.
“It was an amazing thing to see,” Chesney shared. “It’s tough to walk out anywhere with just a guitar and put your heart out there, but Kat was so pure and just so true. She played that song we’ve all loved and believed in, and when she was done, she’d just destroyed the crowd.” He continued, “Country at its best is true, from the heart. ‘Knowing You’ is just that. Especially hearing Kat sing it by herself. She made the essence of the song really shine with all the magic that was that other person—or for me, in a way, all of No Shoes Nation during the wait. Because even when we’re not together, I know every single one of those people is out there making people feel more alive and enjoying everything about being alive.”
Chesney’s “Here And Now 2022” tour rolls into Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium next weekend (July 23).
Drew Baldridge Announces The Big Baldridge & Bonfire Music Festival For October
Independent singer-songwriter Drew Baldridge has announced The Big Baldridge & Bonfire Music Festival, slated for Oct. 1 in his hometown of Patoka, Illinois.
Baldridge will headline this special event, performing new tunes and fan-favorites that helped propel him onto the country radio charts. Sponsored by Ariat, Landers Iron Saddle Ranch and Midwest Farm & Land Co., the show will also feature Craig Campbell, Dylan Wolfe, Murphy 500, and Katie Hatch. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
“Having the opportunity to do small, intimate performances for my fans through the Baldridge & Bonfires Tour has been a highlight of my career so far,” Baldridge shares. “I can’t wait to emulate and expand on the foundation that those shows built with this large-scale event in my hometown where my passion for country music began.”
Baldridge’s current single, “Little Bit,” was released in May and offers a preview to his forthcoming full-length project. With over 130 million total catalog streams, he is also signed to Sony Music Publishing with over 500 songs under his belt, including major label cuts for other artists.
Presley & Taylor Make 3rd & Lindsley Debut, Celebrate One Million Single Streams
Pictured (L-R): Tim Wipperman, ONErpm Managing Director/Nashville; Presley & Taylor; Dewayne Brown, White Mustang Records. Photo: Krista Johnson
White Mustang Records duo Presley & Taylor made their first headline appearance at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley last week.
To further commemorate the special evening, the pair were surprised with the news that their single “Everybody Sees It” had earned one million streams. ONErpm’s Tim Wipperman and White Mustang’s Dewayne Brown were on hand for the celebration.