Midland, Cody Jinks, LeAnn Rimes To Play San Diego’s Wild Horses Festival

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Midland. Photo: Harper Smith

The full lineup has been announced for the Wild Horses festival in San Diego, California. The festival, now in its second year, is set to take place Sept. 24 and 25 at Petco Park.

Midland and Cody Jinks will serve as headliners. Joining them are LeAnn Rimes, Paul Cauthen, Kassi Ashton, Red Shahan, Drake Milligan, Erin Viancourt, Nancarrow, and Scott Ballew.

Wild Horses is put on by Outriders Present, who also hold the Under The Big Sky Festival in Montana.

For tickets and further information, visit outriderspresent.com.

Industry Ink: Parker McCollum, Randy Rogers, CreatiVets, Jessica Willis Fisher

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Parker McCollum Inks Multi-Year Partnership With Lucchese Boots

Parker McCollum. Photo: Courtesy of Lucchese Bootmaker

Parker McCollum has partnered with Lucchese Boots in a multi-year deal.

“Lucchese has always been the boots that I wanted when I was a kid,” McCollum explains. “I can remember several years ago saying to the band and kind of saying to myself quite a bit, how much I would love to sign a deal with Lucchese one day and be able to represent them with what I do, since I just love their product so much… You can never shoot too high, and you can never dream too big. You just never know what you may end up actually getting in life.” He adds, “I’m just so excited to start this relationship and build on it and show the world what we can do.”

“We are truly excited to announce our long-term partnership with Parker McCollum,” says Doug Kindy, President of Lucchese. “Here at Lucchese, we view the craftsmanship and intent that goes into handmaking our boots akin to that of the curation of a new song. The output of the artistry may be different, but its process and dedication to the craft remain the same. Throughout our relationship, it has become evident that Parker understands our world just as we do his- he is a true ambassador and steward of the Lucchese brand, and we can’t wait to share what we have in store for both of our fanbases.”

 

 

Randy Rogers Celebrates A Smashing Good Time At Billy Bob’s Ahead Of Renovations

Randy Rogers and Josh Weathers. Photo: Courtesy Billy Bob’s Texas

Randy Rogers helped Billy Bob’s Texas begin its renovation on July 5, participating in a press conference and ceremony kicking off construction in Fort Worth. Along with Josh Weathers, Rogers was on hand to smash a glitter-filled guitar against one of the two stage-front poles that will be removed from the venue as part of the renovation.

Updates to Billy Bob’s Texas will be made to its main showroom, including raising stage-left to the level of the rest of the ceiling, an overall advanced audio and visual experience, and new digital ticketing improvements.

The Main Stage will reopen on July 22 and 23 with the “Hold My Beer And Watch This Tour” featuring Rogers and Wade Bowen.

 

 

Lighthouse ArtSpace Nashville Partners With CreatiVets For The Month Of July

Lighthouse ArtSpace Nashville, the home of Immersive Van Gogh, is teaming up with CreatiVets to contribute a portion of its proceeds throughout July to the charity. The partnership will amplify the healing and support services for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress, trauma and reintegration into society.

“As a veteran myself, it is an honor to work with an organization that puts our veterans’ needs at the forefront of their everyday operations,” states Steven Tropia, General Manager at Lighthouse ArtSpace Nashville. “We are grateful to be able to do our part in supporting our veterans as they discover the comfort and healing power of art.”

CreatiVets addresses these issues by providing an outlet through creative means such as music, art and counseling initiatives.

 

Jessica Willis Fisher Releases Piano Version Of “My History”

Jessica Willis Fisher has released a piano version of her song “My History,” out everywhere now. The autobiographical song, which first appeared on her solo album Brand New Day, finds her discovering that there is a way forward through music.

“Writing and music have played such an important role in my story and my healing,” Fisher shares. “There was a time I was unsure I would ever be able to come back to claim music for myself in a healthy way, so I am so grateful for the chance to share these songs straight from the heart on my own terms for the first time. Music can be such a powerful therapy and I want to do my part in making the world a safer, stronger, more beautiful place.”

All artist proceeds from the special version of the track will go towards Fisher’s newly-created charitable fund called The Brand New Day Fund, which supports a variety of organizations and causes close to her heart.

CJ Solar Preps First Full-Length Album, ‘The Future’s Neon,’ For August

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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)

Lee Ann Womack, Mickey Guyton, More Perform At Inaugural Got Your 6 VetFest

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Pictured (L-R): Kat & Alex; Conner Smith; Tyler Rich; CEO of Bob Woodruff Foundation, Anne Marie Dougherty; and Dave Woodruff. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Bob Woodruff Foundation

The Bob Woodruff Foundation held its first-ever Got Your 6 VetFest event at the Loveless Cafe & Barn in Nashville on Saturday (July 9) to honor and support the local military/veteran community.

Hosted by Jon Stites, a comedian and Army veteran who runs Operation Comedy, the evening included performances from Lee Ann Womack, Mickey Guyton, Tyler Rich, Conner Smith, and Kat & Alex. Throughout the day, families enjoyed raffles for prizes, carnival-style games, and drinks and snacks from local Nashville vendors.

Mickey Guyton performs during Got Your 6 VetFest hosted by The Bob Woodruff Foundation. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Bob Woodruff Foundation

“We had so much fun hosting veterans, active duty military and their families from the Nashville community, Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Got Your 6 VetFest.” shares Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “This was a special event that celebrated the importance of community and family. We are proud to have brought these heroes together for a day of camaraderie and entertainment. A big thank you to Lee Ann Womack, Mickey Guyton, Tyler Rich, Conner Smith, and Kat & Alex for their support.”

“It was a joy seeing so many people come together in Nashville, a special city that has a truly special veteran community,” adds Woodruff, Founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “It is our mission at BWF to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much for our country have the resources and support that they need and that’s what today was all about. It was an honor to celebrate this community, introduce them to local organizations and partners who are here to provide important support, and reminded Nashville veterans that they can come to us and rely on us to have their backs. Thank you to all of the amazing performers and thank you to everyone else who showed up and helped make the first-ever VetFest such a wonderful success.”

Got Your 6 VetFest also introduced attendees to local organizations that are part of the Bob Woodruff Foundation Got Your 6 Network. At the community level, the foundation works to strengthen local organizations’ abilities to meet veteran needs. The foundation has over 130 local partners from 47 states, representing more than 3,000 organizations. To date, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $85 million in programs that have empowered impacted veterans, service members, and their family members across the nation.

Spotify Celebrates Growth Of Country Music Streaming With New Campaign

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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.

YouTube video

“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.”

Outlaw Music Festival Extends 2022 Tour To The West Coast In October

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The Outlaw Music Festival has added additional west coast dates to its lineup, extending through October with stops in Mountain View, Wheatland, and Irvine, California. The dates will feature Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Black Pumas, Larkin Poe, and Particle Kid.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, July 15, at 12 p.m. CT. VIP packages will also be available, including exclusive festival merchandise. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning today (July 12).

“The Outlaw Music Festival Tour has always been about family and friends coming together for a great day of music and fun, and with the amazing group of artists joining us, this year promises to be our most special ‘Outlaw Tour’ to date. I just can’t wait to get back on the road again” says Nelson.

Leading up to the newly added west coast dates, the Outlaw Music Festival is currently running this summer with over 20 shows featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Chris Stapleton, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Billy Strings, ZZ Top, Gov’t Mule, Brothers Osborne, Zach Bryan, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, Larkin Poe, The War and Treaty, Particle Kid and Brittney Spencer.

“Our annual ‘Outlaw Music Festival Tour’ has grown to become this incredible family of artists that deliver must-see performances every night,” notes Keith Wortman, Co-Founder of Outlaw Music Festival Tour, “We are honored to present these once-in-a-lifetime lineups all over the country.”

The inaugural Outlaw Music Festival made its debut in 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Artists who have played the festival in years past include Robert Plant, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Church, Bonnie Raitt, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers and more.

Tyler Hubbard Joins Keith Urban’s ‘Speed Of Now World Tour’ This Fall

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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

Brandi Carlile’s Female-Fronted Destination Concert To Return For Fourth Year

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Brandi Carlile has announced the return of her destination concert vacation Girls Just Wanna Weekend, produced by Cloud 9 Adventures in partnership with The Bowery Presents.

Taking over the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico from Jan. 9 – 13, 2023, the festival will once again feature an all female-fronted lineup. In addition to multiple sets from Carlile, the weekend will include performances from Maren Morris, Sara Bareilles, Wynonna, Lucius, Yola, Allison Russell, Joy Oladokun, Ruby Amanfu, Natalie Hemby, Brandy Clark and Brittney Spencer.

Guests will have the choice of staying at two all-inclusive resorts for Girls Just Wanna Weekend: Hard Rock Hotel or Barceló Maya Riviera Resort. All-inclusive packages for guests who purchased a Blind Faith pre-book can be reserved this Thursday (July 14). General on-sale will follow on Friday (July 15) at 1:00 p.m. CT. For more information, click here.

Carlile is currently in the midst of her “Beyond These Silent Days” headlining tour with upcoming shows at Austin’s Moody Amphitheater, Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and New York’s Madison Square Garden, among others. Special guests on the tour include Allison Russell, Ani DiFranco, Brittany Howard, Celisse, Indigo Girls, Katie Pruitt, Lake Street Dive, Lucius, Sarah McLachlan, Brittney Spencer, Tanya Tucker and Yola.

Luke Combs Shoots To Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Following the release of his third studio album Growin’ Up, Luke Combs jumps from No. 14 to No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Combs is credited as a co-writer for 10 currently charting songs from the album, as well as on Zac Brown Band’s “Out In The Middle.”

Ernest spends his fourth week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” and “You Proof,” Jelly Roll’s “Son Of A Sinner,” and his own “Flower Shops.”

Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Ben Johnson (No. 4), and Morgan Wallen (No. 5) complete the top five.

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.

Aaron Lewis To Headline Wesley Mortgage Freedom Friday Tribute Concert At Grand Prix

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Aaron Lewis. Photo: Eric Englundewis

For the second consecutive year, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will host the Freedom Friday Tribute Concert presented by Wesley Mortgage on Aug. 5. This year’s show will be headlined by multi-Platinum entertainer Aaron Lewis, along with performances from Deana Carter, Abby Anderson and Jackson Dean at the Nissan Stadium campus.

Lewis’ latest album Frayed At Both Ends (The Valory Music Co.) was the No. 1 selling country album upon its release earlier this year. The project featured the hit lead single, “Am I The Only One,” which debuted atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking Lewis’ highest debut as a solo country artist.

“The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is quickly becoming an established Nashville tradition,” says Steve Medes, President of Wesley Mortgage. “We appreciate the opportunity to attach our company to such a great event. We look forward to celebrating Freedom Friday and a great weekend of racing.”

The concert is included for Friday individual and three-day ticket holders and begins at 7 p.m. CT at the ZYN Main Stage located in the Fan Zone. In addition to the musical acts, there will be several tributes to military and first responders.

In addition to the Freedom Friday Tribute Concert, superstar Tim McGraw will perform Saturday, Aug. 6, and a live Grand Ole Prix show will be held Sunday, Aug. 7, with headliners Brantley Gilbert and Carly Pearce alongside Midland and Callista Clark.

Friday single-day tickets begin as low as $39 for general admission and $49 for reserved grandstand. Both provide admission to the on-track activity, as well as the concert.