CJ Solar. Photo: Courtesy of Campbell Entertainment Group

CJ Solar is gearing up for the release of his first full-length album, The Future’s Neon, on Raining Bacon Records on Aug. 5.

Produced by Solar with Nick Gibbens, the nine-song collection includes the current radio single, “All I Can Think About Lately.” Solar co-wrote all nine tracks with fellow writers including Corey Crowder, Jackson Dean, Bob DiPiero, Michael Hardy, Joey Hyde, Billy Montana, and more.

“After releasing three EPs, I’m so excited for my first full-length album,” Solar shares. “Most of these songs were written during 2020, but a few have been favorites that were on hold in the past and slipped through cracks, so I’m glad to give them a voice. The project feels like a mixture of all of my influences, and I’m really proud of the whole thing!”

As an artist, Solar has released three EPs yielding the top 15 hits “American Girls” and “Airplane,” and the top 10 “Coming My Way.” He has garnered over five million overall streams and received the MusicRow Independent Artist of the Year Award in 2019. He has toured coast-to-coast headlining his own dates and opening for the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Gary Allan, Chris Janson, Hank Jr, Aaron Watson and others.

Solar recently signed an exclusive writing agreement with Edgehill Music Publishing in Nashville. A Belmont University graduate, he has penned No. 1 singles for Morgan Wallen (“Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line) and Jameson Rodgers (“Some Girls”). He has won ASCAP Awards for both songs and also co-wrote Jason Aldean’s “I Don’t Drink Anymore,” Justin Moore’s “Between You & Me,” Jerrod Niemann’s “The Regulars” and top 30 “Blue Bandana,” and more.

Solar will perform a special album release concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on Aug. 2.

The Future’s Neon Track List:
“A Little Less Mercy” (Jason Lehning, Billy Montana, CJ Solar)
“Drunk Dancing” (Bob DiPiero, Jeff Garrison, CJ Solar)
“More Than She Loves Me” (Kenton Bryant, Bart Butler, CJ Solar)
“Long Nights, Long Legs, Long Necks” (Devin Barker, Frankie Courtney, CJ Solar)
“All I Can Think About Lately” (Aaron Eshius, Joey Hyde, CJ Solar)
“Comin’ Around” (Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy, CJ Solar)
“Jesus & A Woman” (Jackson Dean, Lynn Hutton, CJ Solar)
“The Future’s Neon” (Blake Griffith, Jim McCormick, CJ Solar)
“Hungover Enough” (Lydia Vaughan, CJ Solar)

Dustin Lynch performs at Spotify House during CMA Fest at Ole Red. Photo: Ed Rode/Getty Images for Spotify

Spotify is celebrating the growth of country music on its platform with a new campaign featuring digital content from Dierks Bentley, Breland, Hailey Whitters, and Dustin Lynch. The campaign supports Spotify’s flagship country playlist, Hot Country, and follows Spotify’s presence at CMA Fest, where many artists performed at Ole Red in downtown Nashville.

According to Spotify, global streaming of country music on the platform has grown by more than 60% since 2019. In the lead-up to the warmer months, Spotify has seen a more than 265% increase in global streams of summer and country-themed playlists year over year.

“We saw such a positive reaction from fans and artists after bringing Spotify House back to CMA Fest this year. The experience brought talent from our Hot Country Playlist and Fresh Finds Country playlist all under one roof—and it was incredible,” says Alison Junker, Manager, Artist & Label Partnerships at Spotify. “As the genre’s fanbase continues to grow, we’re excited to present this campaign as an extension of our support of country music and music discovery.”

“Summer is synonymous with country music and our Hot Country playlist is the ultimate destination for all things country,” shares Mary Catherine Kinney, Strategic Music Partnerships Lead at Spotify. “We built out this campaign to not only celebrate the artists and the music but to highlight the lifestyle that surrounds the genre. Country music has seen a huge surge in consumption on Spotify, and we wanted to show that country music is here to stay. We’re thrilled to have artists such as Dierks Bentley, Breland, Hailey Whitters, and Dustin Lynch all wanting to take part of our latest campaign.”

Tyler Hubbard. Photo: John Russo

Keith Urban has added Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard to his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” for the trek’s fall dates.

Urban will debut the new lineup, which also includes Ingrid Andress, on Sept. 3rd at The Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. The tour brought Urban back to the road late last month after nearly four years, and will run through November with a Nashville date at Bridgestone on Oct. 7. For full ticket and show information, click here.

“I’m psyched that my brutha Tyler Hubbard is gonna come out and join Ingrid and me on the fall leg of my ‘Speed Of Now World Tour,’” Urban shares. “It’s like some Ocean’s 11 shit, and it’s gonna be a BLAST!”

Hubbard will treat fans to songs from his upcoming solo album on the dates. The project’s first single, “5 Foot 9,” has already garnered over 40 million global streams and is moving up the charts, while the second track from the album, “35’s,” has over a million global streams. Hubbard’s next song, “Way Home,” is set to be released on Friday (July 15).

“I’ve been writing and recording a lot of new music for my first solo album, songs that are made to be played live,” says Hubbard. “I am so excited to be joining Keith on his fall tour and can’t wait to play them for the first time for fans across the country.”

“The Speed of Now World Tour” Dates:
September 3 – Mountain View – Shoreline Amphitheatre
September 8 – Phoenix – Footprint Center
September 9 – San Diego – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
September 10 – Los Angeles – The Forum
September 15 – Salt Lake City – USANA Amphitheatre
September 16 – Denver – Ball Arena
September 17 – Wichita – INTRUST Bank Arena
September 22 – Grand Rapids – Van Andel Arena
September 23 – Columbus – Nationwide Arena
September 29 – Kansas City – T-Mobile Center
September 30 – Oklahoma City – Paycom Center
October 1 – Ft. Worth – Dickies Arena
October 6 – Lexington – Rupp Arena
October 7 – Nashville – Bridgestone Arena
October 8 – Atlanta – State Farm Arena
October 13 – Savannah – Enmarket Arena
October 14 – Knoxville – Thompson Boling Arena
October 15 – Charleston – Charleston Coliseum
October 20 – Wilkes Barre – Mohegan Sun Arena
October 21 – Uncasville – Mohegan Sun Arena
October 22 – Belmont Park – UBS Arena at Belmont Park
November 4 – Peoria – Peoria Civic Center

Sally Angeli & Greg Raneiri

Mercury Nashville has added Greg Raneiri as its Director of Regional Promotion West as Sally Angeli shifts to her new role as Director of Regional Promotion Midwest. These new roles will go into effect on Monday, July 18.

Angeli has several years of regional promotion success in both the northeast and, for the past five years, on the west coast.

“Royce [Risser, EVP Promotion, UMG Nashville] and I have enjoyed working with Sally for the past 18 years here at Mercury,” says Damon Moberly, SVP Promotion, Mercury Nashville. “We are certain that the midwest is going to love working with her as well!”

Raneiri joins Mercury Nashville after having previously served as the West Coast Director of Promotion for Quartz Hill Records. He has also worked as Assistant Program Director and Music Director of KSON in San Diego, California.

“Greg came so highly recommended by radio programmers and industry veterans alike,” shares Moberly. “We are absolutely thrilled for him to join the Mercury promo squad.”

The moves follow the recent promotion of Nick Kaper to Director of Promotion/ Radio Marketing for UMG Nashville.

Mercury Nashville is home to artists including Priscilla Block, Boy Named Banjo, Billy Currington, Travis Denning, Maddie & Tae, Chris Stapleton, Shania Twain, and Sam Williams.