Gibson Partners With Everly Brothers Family For Virtual Tribute Concert

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Gibson has teamed with the family of The Everly Brothers–Phil and Don Everly–to celebrate their lasting musical legacy all month long with a new guitar, apparel line, music festival, and more.

On Father’s Day (June 19), a star-studded virtual concert, “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating The Lives & Music Of The Everly Brothers” will air at 3 p.m. CT on the official Everly Brothers’ YouTube, Facebook, and website. SiriusXM will simulcast the livestream on Tom Petty Radio (Channel 31).

The “Hey Doll Baby Festival,” presented by Gibson, will feature a lineup of new and archival performances of classic Everly Brothers songs by Albert Lee, Bob Weir & Chris Robinson, Butch Walker & Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast), Carly Simon & Ben Taylor, Chris Isaak & Nicole Atkins, Dave Stewart & Amy Lee (Evanescence), Graham Nash & Chris Stills, Jakob Dylan, Lukas Nelson, Mike Campbell & Stan Lynch, Paul Simon & Edie Brickell, Susanna Hoffs & Dan Wilson, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), The Cactus Blossoms, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. Phil’s son Jason Everly and Tom Petty’s daughter Adria Petty will also make appearances.

The Gibson Everly Brothers SJ-200 Acoustic guitar

To further commemorate their legacy, Gibson has released a limited-edition Everly Brothers SJ-200 acoustic guitar and the Everly Brothers x Gibson capsule apparel collection. To shop the collection click here.

A new 17-track compilation album, Hey Doll Baby, has also been made available everywhere beginning today (June 17) via Warner Records.

“We are overjoyed with the support from all of our friends across the music industry and incredibly grateful,” Jason Everly shares. “Adria Petty and the Petty estate in particular, have been the most amazing partners and friends through all this. We would not be here today without Adria Petty and her amazing team.”

He continues, “I honestly don’t think my father and my uncle really understood their influence or how many lives their music touched. My father said, back in the very early days, every second or third question from a music reporter was ‘What are you going to do when this Rock and Roll thing is over?’ I think our amazing new record Hey Doll Baby, and our absolutely beautiful recreation of the Everly Brothers Gibson SJ-200 will give fans, both new and old, a chance to cherish and fall in love again with these two amazing souls. Better known to the rest of the world as The Everly Brothers.”

On Saturday, June 18, Gibson will hold a kick-off celebration with the Everly family, friends, and fans at the Gibson Garage in downtown Nashville.

Industry Ink: Carrie Underwood, Elvie Shane, MacKenzie Porter, Marshall Tucker Band

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Carrie Underwood Celebrates Album Release With UMG Nashville Team

Carrie Underwood and the UMG Nashville staff. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Carrie Underwood recently celebrated the launch of her ninth studio album, Denim & Rhinestones, with the UMG Nashville staff at The Historic Bell Tower in downtown Nashville.

The party also served as part of Underwood’s weekend pop up, The Denim & Rhinestones Experience, which kicked off with an Amazon exclusive livestream concert event.

 

Elvie Shane’s ‘My Boy’ Receives Platinum Treatment

Elvie Shane

Wheelhouse Records singer-songwriter Elvie Shane‘s No. 1 hit single “My Boy” has officially been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

With over one million units consumed since its release, the chart-topping track was co-written by Shane with Russell Sutton, Nick Columbia and Lee Starr about Shane’s stepson. “My Boy” is taken from Shane’s debut full length album Backslider.

Shane just wrapped his first-ever headlining run, with his “My Kinda Trouble Tour.” He is currently opening for Darius Rucker on select dates.

 

MacKenzie Porter Earns Historic Fifth Canadian No. 1

Pictured (L-R, back row): Candice Watkins (SVP of Marketing), Patch Culbertson (SVP/GM), Read Davis (Sr. Director of Digital), Greg Thompson (Partner/President, Big Loud Management), Jeff Tanner (VP of Business Affairs), Joey Moi (Partner/Producer); (L-R, middle row): Kelcie Roberts (Director of Marketing), Ali Matkosky (VP of Radio Promotion), Stacy Blythe (SVP of Radio Promotion), MacKenzie Porter, Camille Kenny (Sr. Director of A&R), Kimberly Gleason (VP of Publishing), Tori Johnson (VP of Creative), Drew Magid (Manager, Big Loud Management); (L-R, front row): Eric England (VP of Data & Analytics), Brianne Deslippe (VP of International), Kelsey Brown (Director of Digital, Big Loud Management), Paul Logan (VP of Sync & Visual Strategy), Austen Adams (COO), Seth England (CEO/Partner)

Big Loud’s MacKenzie Porter has become the first Canadian, female country star this century to earn five No. 1 singles in Canada. Her newest single, “Pickup,” topped the chart up north with over 22 million streams across the U.S. and Canada.

This milestone follows the success of “Thinking ‘Bout You,” her historic six-week No. 1 with Dustin Lynch.

 

South Carolina Governor Proclaims ‘Marshall Tucker Band Day’ Across The State

Pictured (L-R): B.B. Borden, Rick Willis, Doug Gray, S.C. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, Marcus Henderson, Ryan Ware, and Chris Hicks. Photo: Willenbrock Photography

At the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last week, Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed that June 9, 2022 would be “Marshall Tucker Band Day” across the Palmetto State.

“My heart was shaking as we accepted this great honor,” says MTB lead singer and founding member Doug Gray. “We will never forget that we are from the great state of South Carolina! Proud is the word of the day!”

The MTB was performing at the Carolina Country Music Fest during a stop on its national “50th Anniversary Tour.” For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.

PBS’ ‘Front And Center’ To Tape Live In Nashville With Gavin DeGraw, Judah & The Lion, Drew Holcomb

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Judah & The Lion, Drew Holcomb, and Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw, Judah & the Lion, and Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors will perform on the upcoming 11th season of the popular PBS live music series Front And Center.

Taping for the shows is underway now, and fans are invited to join the upcoming live shows at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville. Judah & the Lion will be taped on June 19, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors on June 20, and Gavin DeGraw on June 21. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. CT with tickets available here.

Front And Center is distributed nationally by American Public Television. Episodes will also be available to watch on the Front And Center YouTube page.

Prior seasons of the show have included performances by artists such as Santana, Jack Johnson, Shawn Mendes, Sheryl Crow, Seal, Hozier, Miranda Lambert and more.

Coffey Anderson Releases ‘Come On With It,’ His First New Project In Three Years

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Texas native Coffey Anderson‘s 8-track EP, Come On With It, is available everywhere now through Riser House Records.

The project marks his first full project in more than three years, and includes a collab with Dillon Carmichael, and songs written by some of country music’s biggest hitmakers, including Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, and Jon Pardi.

The title track and focus tune of the EP, penned by Pardi, Brice Long, and Bart Butler, is a summer singalong that sets the tone for the entire project.

“‘Come On With It’ is me 100%. I want a singalong,” says Anderson. “I tell anyone, ‘If you want to hear a Coffey song, think of the male Shania’—we’re talking about big fiddles, big guitars, loud drums—stadium country. We need to celebrate together, and ‘Come On With It’ is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

The project builds on Anderson’s neo-traditional style, which has defined his career for over 20 years. Coupled with his infectious positivity, that sound led to Anderson’s starring role in the Netflix reality series about his life, Country Ever After.

Come On With It Track List:
1. Come On With It – Jon Pardi, Brice Long, Bart Butler
2. Good To You – Seth Ennis, Will Weatherly, John Pierce
3. Blessed – Sean Squires, Stephen Hunley, Bobby McLamb
4. America Is My Hometown – Coffey Anderson, Phil O’Donnell, Monty Criswall
5. Drive On Back – Tyler Hubbard, Hillary Lindsey, David Garcia
6. She Ain’t No Chevy – Rob Crosby, Dave Fenley, Jason Nix
7. Ain’t As Lonely (Feat. Dillon Carmichael) – Dillon Carmichael, Jim Beavers, Matt Rogers
8. Friday Night – Coffey Anderson, Jordan Omley, Michael Mani

Sheryl Crow, Joe Ely To Be Inducted Into Austin City Limits Hall Of Fame

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Sheryl Crow & Joe Ely

Sheryl Crow and Joe Ely are set to be inducted into the newest class of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. The 2022 ACL Hall of Fame inductees will be saluted at a star-studded ceremony to be held Oct. 27 at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin.

Crow has made two classic hour-long appearances on ACL in her three-decade career, starting with her debut on season 22 in 1997 and returning in 2004. She also co-hosted ACL’s 40th anniversary special in 2014.

An icon of Texas music, Ely has made 11 appearances on ACL, including as a headliner five times beginning with his 1980 ACL debut in season 5; also joining Los Super 7 in 1999, Texas supergroup the Flatlanders in 2002, and a Songwriters Special with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Guy Clark in 2008.

“I have always loved Austin City Limits. Some of my favorite performances have been on that show,” Crow recalls. “I am so humbled to be honored by such an iconic and prestigious program. It is a dream come true for me to be inducted into the ACL Hall of Fame.”

“I first played Austin City Limits back in 1980,” adds Ely. “It was more a local show then, but it kept getting a wider and wider audience. It’s since become one of the most important live performance shows on television simply because they’ve always maintained the highest quality production and brought in great talent. I’m really honored to be part of that history, and I’m humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Established in 2014, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of legendary artists and key individuals who have played a vital part in the pioneering music series nearing a half-century as a music institution.

Additional  information about guest performers, presenters and guest stars for the induction ceremony will be announced in the coming months. Musical highlights and inductions from the ceremony will air on PBS later this year.

The event will be open to the public and tickets will be on sale June 24 at acltv.com/hall-of-fame.

About the 2022 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honorees:
Sheryl Crow:
Songwriter, activist, mother, and 9x Grammy winner Sheryl Crow remains a creative spirit channeling her talents into music that lifts people up, brings them together, and speaks to the truths on the horizon. Twenty-five years after winning her first Grammy, as well as Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “All I Wanna Do,” the Kennett, Missouri-born guitarist/vocalist/creative released her album Threads via The Valory Music Co., a collection of collaborations made with and in tribute to artists with whom Crow has musical connections.

Joe Ely:
From the moment he made his debut in the 1970s, Joe Ely has blended rock sensibilities with hardcore honky tonk and become one of the most recognizable and respected artists to hail from the Lonestar state. His legend was forged onstage with riveting live performances, hammered out over thousands of shows and countless touring miles from Lubbock to London and back again. He is embraced as a kindred spirit by artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Clash. Over his career, he’s been at the forefront of outlaw country, alt-country, Texas country and Americana, and has been recognized as one of the best songwriters of his generation. Ely is a member of the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters as the first musician ever honored by the group as the result of his second book, Reverb: An Odyssey. The Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame recently announced Ely has been inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside legends like Roy Orbison and J.D. Souther.

MusicRow’s Artist Roster Issue Looks At Nashville’s Growing Sports Scene, Investment In Rock Music

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Nashville’s leading music industry publication MusicRow Magazine has released its 2022 Artist Roster Issue, with BBR’s Lainey Wilson gracing its cover.

Inside the issue, MusicRow takes a look at the intersection of sports and music in Nashville with help from Nashville Superspeedway’s President Erik Moses, Bridgestone Arena’s Executive VP of Entertainment and Venues David Kells, Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre, and Tennessee Titans VP/Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer Gil Beverly. With the opening of Music City’s new soccer stadium GEODIS Park, the return of motorsports, and discussions of a new and improved Nissan Stadium, the city is gearing up to become one of the top sports cities in the country.

“[Nashville] is exploding. It’s quickly becoming—one could say it already is—a tier one sports town,” Moses shares with MusicRow‘s sister publication The Sports Credential.

The Artist Roster issue also highlights Nashville’s recent investments into rock music, as labels such as Big Machine and Big Loud create rock imprints and begin signing artists to their rosters. Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Big Loud’s Greg Thompson and Lloyd Norman lend their expertise on this phenomenon.

Girlilla Marketing’s CEO Jennie Smythe and Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Alexander share their updated social media best practices as the social media landscape continues to shift. The two speak on everything from TikTok dances to getting canceled online in an enlightening Q&A.

WHY&HOW’s CEO and Founder, Bruce Kalmick, looks back on his career as well as looks forward to the future of his newest management endeavor, which already boasts a roster of successful artists such as Breland, Whiskey Myers, Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Seaforth, and more.

“Family was priority one for me with WHY&HOW. WHY&HOW is my kids—Wyatt and Hazel—so it’s a dual meaning,” Kalmick explains. “It’s family, faith and philanthropy, and then everything else that we’re lucky enough to be a part of in this business.”

Finally, this issue also gives a preview of MusicRow‘s newest weekly column “My Music Row Story,” which features notable members of the Nashville music industry. From esteemed managers, leaders in music publishing, label executives and everything in between, those featured in “My Music Row Story” keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.

Additionally, Artist Roster contains five company directories complete with client rosters: Label, Management, Talent Agents, Publicity, and Artist Services (Business Management/Financial/Insurance, Digital Music, Legal, Marketing, Radio Promotion, and Organizations). This edition also offers a summarizing Artist Grid, which has become an indispensable tool connecting artists to their team members in each category.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2022 Artist Roster print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $45, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Justin Moore Earns MusicRow No. 1

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Justin Moore takes “With A Woman You Love” to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week.

Moore co-wrote the tune alongside Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill and Jeremy Stover, who also produced the track with Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “With A Woman You Love” serves as the first track off Moore’s forthcoming studio album—expected in 2022. The song’s cover art features the Arkansas native and his wife of 13 years, Kate.

Moore is currently on the road for his “Country On It Tour,” and recently took on a new role as a regular co-host on 103.7 The Buzz’s morning drive-time sports talk show Morning Mayhem.

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

Grand Ole Opry Plans Celebration For Barbara Mandrell’s 50th Opry Anniversary

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Barbara Mandrell will celebrate her 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry family with two special shows on Saturday, July 30. The three-time ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on July 29, 1972.

Opry member Carrie Underwood, who considers Mandrell one of her musical and professional inspirations, is slated to perform and help honor the legend, who will be in attendance at both shows. Tickets are available now.

One hour of the night’s first show will air live as Opry Live on Circle Network, and will livestream via Circle’s social channels. Both shows will air in their entirety on WSM Radio, opry.com, and SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse.

In honor of Mandrell’s golden Opry anniversary, a special commissioned Hatch show print will be available in the Opry shop and online. The exclusive merch line that Mandrell and the Opry launched last year in celebration of the 40th anniversary of her signature hit, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” will again be available exclusively online and in the Opry gift shop. The collection includes branded t-shirts, a Hatch poster, a coffee mug, and more.

Mandrell released “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in April 1981 as the lead single from her album Barbara Mandrell Live. The song hit the No. 1 spot on July 4, 1981 and helped propel her Live album to be certified Gold, as well as cement her win for the 1981 CMA Entertainer of the Year.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Toby Keith Shows Off His Mighty Vocals On ‘Oklahoma Breakdown’

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Sunday is Father’s Day, and the country acts are making sure you don’t forget it.

Greg Freeman, Tyler Booth, Porter Howell, Sarantos and Gary Quinn all have timely “dad” tunes this week, of which Porter’s and Tyler’s are the best.

That said, the Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to Toby Keith. He’s battling the Big C this summer, but is still keeping us company with his excellent “Oklahoma Breakdown.”

Warner newcomer Bailey Zimmerman takes home this week’s DISCovery Award.

PORTER HOWELL / “I Thought About You Today”
Writer: Porter Howell; Producer: Ian Steward; Label: PHM
–Have a box of tissues handy for this one. The heart-tugging ballad is for all of us whose fathers are no longer with us. Howell sings it with a touch of lump-in-throat hoarseness, adding to its emotional impact.

TYLER BOOTH / “Hey Dad”
Writers: Tyler Booth/Dave Turnbull/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Label: Sony/Villa 40
–His resonant baritone and a lustrous production propel this reflection on the life lessons his father imparted. Booth muses on how he pursues his career without letting go of the values dad raised him with. The chorus is a dandy.

GARY QUINN / “He’s My Dad”
Writer: Gary Quinn; Producer: Richard Alex; Label: GQM
–His father isn’t a superhero in a cape, but Quinn aspires to be like him nonetheless. Sung in a plaintive tenor, this is a gentle, lightweight, somewhat forgettable meditation. The singer is a pretty big star in the U.K. country scene.

SARANTOS / “Father’s Day”
Writer: Sam Speron; Producer: none listed; Label: Sarantos
–Where to begin? He wobbles off pitch in every line. The production is a big, sour cheeseball. The lyric seems to be in an alien dialect. It’s a wonder his father didn’t disown him.

THOMAS RHETT & RILEY GREEN / “Half of Me”
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/William Bundy/Josh Thompson; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Label: Valory
–Now here’s a real Father’s Day gift, an artist who co-writes hit songs with his daddy. This time, Rhett and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Akins have collaborated on a super fun summertime anthem, “Half of me wants a cold beer…and the other half wants two.” In this heat, I say, “Amen” to that.

LILY ROSE / “I’d Be You”
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Mark Holman/Morgan Wallen/Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Republic
–Things go along okay with this pop track until you get to the chorus, which is completely muddy, cluttered and barely intelligible.

CHRIS LANE & LAUREN ALAINA / “Dancin’ in the Moonlight”
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Sherman Kelly/Brett Tyler; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–Songwriter Sherman Kelly is the author of the uber catchy 1972 King Harvest pop/rock hit with this title. This tuneful track amends it into a country delight.

TOBY KEITH / “Oklahoma Breakdown”
Writer: Michael Hosty; Producers: Toby Keith/Kenny Greenberg; Label: Show Dog
–So soulful and so cool. The thumping track makes your rump shake, Toby’s mighty vocal is a listening delight and the whole bluesy thang cooks with gas. Get well, buddy, we’ll spin this turned up extra loud while we pull for your recovery.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. / “Fireman Ring the Bell”
Writer: R.L. Burnside; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye
–The legendary Mississippian Burnside is one of many great bluesmen whose songs infuse the new Bocephus collection Rich White Honky Blues, which drops tomorrow (June 17). Auerbach’s production keeps things simple, focussing on the repeated blazing guitar licks and Hank’s always expressive voice. The album also features the superstar taking on raw, rootsy tunes by Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner and himself (”Call Me Thunderhead” refers to his survival after falling off a mountain in 1975). File this one under “Honest.”

BILL ANDERSON & DOLLY PARTON / “Someday It’ll All Make Sense”
Writers: Bill Anderson/Bobby Tomberlin/Ryan Larkins; Producers: Bill Anderson/Thom Jutz; Label: MCA Nashville
–An instant classic. Produced with crystalline acoustic perfection, the ballad is a country-gospel jewel and the two legends harmonize exquisitely. We are so blessed to have these gifted living legends among us.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Fall in Love”
Writers: Austin Shawn/Bailey Zimmerman/Gavin Lucas; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Warner/Elektra
–His passionate tenor singing has a raspy urgency that is quite winning. The power ballad is somewhat wordy, but gets the heartbreak job done. Send more.

GREG FREEMAN / “When Dad and I Went Fishin’”
Writer: Greg Freeman; Producer: Art Bain; Label: Diving In Entertainment
–Sincere, but shakey. His vocal has a mite too much vibrato and the ballad is rather simplistic. But he means well, and it shows.

John Denver’s ‘Rocky Mountain High’ Celebrates 50 Years With Special Reissue

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John Denver. Photo: Courtesy of John Denver’s Estate

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, John Denver‘s beloved Rocky Mountain High, as well as the single, will be reissued on limited edition blue vinyl by Windstar Records and Secretly Distribution on Sept. 16.

Originally released on Sept. 15, 1972, Rocky Mountain High was Denver’s first top 10 album and the title track was officially recognized as the second state song of Colorado in 2007. Written while Denver was camping in the Rocky Mountains during the Perseid Meteor Shower, the song expressed his love and wonder for his adopted state.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis also recently confirmed that the Mountain Lion Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park will be renamed the Rocky Mountain High Trail.

“Here in Colorado, we’ve always known that our majestic mountains, our bright blue skies, our starlit nights and our forest and streams were the stuff of legends—but John Denver made them the stuff of song lyrics, too,” Polis explains. “And not just any lyrics, but world-famous lyrics that span genres and generations.”

In the early 1970’s Denver was one of the first artists to share an environmental message through his music, contributing to a number of charitable and environmental causes. He received numerous civic and humanitarian awards over the years, including the Presidential World Without Hunger award for his work with The Hunger Project and UNICEF, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, and the NASA Medal for Public Service.

Denver’s estate will be commemorating the anniversary throughout the year, including a special performance with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 8 featuring audio and video of Denver and backed by members of his former band. Additional initiatives will be announced soon.

Rocky Mountain High Track List:
Side One
1. Rocky Mountain High
2. Mother Nature’s Son
3. Paradise
4. For Baby (For Bobbie)
5. Darcy Farrow
6. Prisoners
Side Two
1. Goodbye Again
2. Season Suite: Summer
3. Season Suite: Fall
4. Season Suite: Winter
5. Season Suite: Late Winter, Early Spring (When Everybody Goes to Mexico)
6. Season Suite: Spring