Bill Walker
Noted as one of the most prominent musical arrangers in the history of Nashville music, Bill Walker passed away at age 95 on May 26.
The musician was famed for his elegant written arrangements that gave extra polish to the Nashville Sound in the late 1960s. He was also the musical director of the Johnny Cash Show on ABC-TV (1969-71), led orchestras for the annual CMA Awards Show, provided charts for dozens of Nashville television specials and was the music director of The Statler Brothers Show on TNN (1991-98).
Born William Alfred Walker, he was born in Sydney, Australia. The keyboardist trained at the Sydney Conservatory. Walker went to work for RCA Records in South Africa in 1959. While working for the label, he produced some recording sessions for country superstar Jim Reeves (1923-1964) in Johannesburg. He also composed the score for the star’s South African movie Kimberly Jim. Reeves invited Walker to come to Nashville, promising him a job.
But the weekend Walker arrived in Music City was when Jim Reeves perished in a 1964 plane crash. So instead, Bill Walker went to work for Chet Atkins (1924-2001). Atkins hired him to write string arrangements for superstar Eddy Arnold (1918-2008).
These helped to fashion the uptown, tuxedo-clad style that revived Arnold’s career. Walker’s handiwork can be notably heard on the lush arrangement of Arnold’s huge 1965 hit “Make the World Go Away.” Walker also wrote orchestral arrangements for Arnold’s concert tours.
By the late 1960s, Bill Walker was the busiest arranger-conductor in Music City. Johnny Cash (1932-2003) hired him for his network TV series and closed each episode by shouting “Goodnight, Bill Walker!” Walker also worked on many of Cash’s subsequent TV specials, including his annual Christmas extravaganzas.
Walker’s other TV credits include Ann-Margret: Rhinestone Cowgirl, Music Hall America, Nashville Remembers Elvis on His Birthday, Perry Como and His Nashville Friends, Lynn Anderson & Tina Turner in Nashville, Conway Twitty on the Mississippi, Opryland in Russia, Crystal Gayle in Sweden, George Burns in Nashville and the Music City News Awards. He was retained by the CMA for 15 of its awards telecasts throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Hits featuring Bill Walker’s string arrangements include Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (1970), Marty Robbins’ “My Woman My Woman My Wife” (1970), Eddy Arnold’s “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” (1968), Roy Clark’s “Come Live With Me” (1973), Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (1971) and George Jones’ epic “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1980). Walker also worked as a session musician, providing piano, harpsichord, vibraphone or organ accompaniment.
As either an arranger or a sideman, Bill Walker worked on records by Claude King, Carl Perkins, Slim Whitman, Connie Smith, Al Hirt, Floyd Cramer, Merle Haggard, Jerry Wallace, Bobby Bare, Skeeter Davis, Bobby Vinton, Hank Locklin, Jerry Reed, the Rev. Billy Graham, Grandpa Jones, Hank Snow, Boots Randolph, Dolly Parton and many more.
His studio work led to romance. Beginning in 1968, singer Jeanine Ogletree worked as a member of The Anita Kerr Singers in Nashville, often on Eddy Arnold recording sessions. She and Bill Walker married in 1971.
In addition to working as an arranger and studio musician, Walker was a record producer. He was contracted by Capitol Records in 1971-73 to work with Wanda Jackson, Roy Rogers, Billy Walker, Ferlin Husky and others. Bill Walker also produced Donna Fargo’s award-winning 1972 hits “Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.” and “Funny Face.”
Bill Walker and his son Jeff Walker (1950-2015) formed Con Brio Records, one of the most successful independent country labels of the 1970s. Its artists, many of whom he produced, included Jan Howard, Reg Lindsay, Dale McBride, Don King, Terri Hollowell (who married Jeff Walker), Lori Parker, Sheila Tilton, Chester Lester and Scott Summer. Con Brio operated from 1975 to 1979.
During the 1980s, he branched out into film soundtrack composing. His instrumental work backed such actors as Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck.
Between 1991 and 1998. Bill Walker was the musical director of The Statler Brothers Show. The TV series was the top-rated show on TNN throughout its seven-year existence.
In 2015, Bill Walker was saluted by the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in its “Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians” program. Also that year, the Nashville Musicians Union honored him for 50 years of service.
In recent years, Bill and Jeanine Walker frequently collaborated on musical projects. They have recorded four gospel albums together and performed at various venues both in the U.S. and abroad. She has also taught voice at Belmont University.
Son Jeff Walker founded the Aristo Media publicity and promotions firm on Music Row in 1980. Since his sudden death at age 65, that business has been run by his daughter, Christy Walker Watkins. Son Jon Walker. Is a Music Row technology professional with the associated AristoDigital firm.
Walker is survived by his wife, singer Jeanine (Ogletree) Walker, daughter Beth Walker, son Colin Walker, sister Julianne Smith, brother Robert Walker, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Walker was predeceased by his son, Music Row leader and AristoMedia Group Founder, Jeff Walker, son Peter Walker, and daughter Lisa Gibson.
Details surrounding the service will be released at a later date.
Lee Greenwood To Kick-Off ‘Fox & Friends’ Concert Series Memorial Day Weekend
/by Lorie HollabaughLee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood will kick off Memorial Day weekend with an appearance on Fox & Friends today (May 27) to launch the network’s summer concert series. Greenwood will also make appearances on Varney & Company, Fox News Radio, and more.
Additionally, on Sunday, May 29, Greenwood will make his way to Concord, North Carolina, where he will perform the national anthem for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which will also air on Fox.
“For most people, Memorial Day is a day off of work and a chance to get together with family and friends and enjoy the last few days of spring, but it is also a solemn day of recognizing and paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate price in support of our country,” Greenwood notes. “It’s important to not lose sight of this, so I hope my presence there will help honor them.”
Those wanting to celebrate the holiday with a bang can look for Greenwood and Black Cat’s 42-shot “Proud to Be an American” firework, available in select locations across the country this year.
Greenwood was scheduled to perform at the National Rifle Association’s Memorial Day concert in Houston on Saturday (May 28), but has since pulled out following the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
Roger Miller Classics To Be Released Digitally For First Time Ever
/by Lorie HollabaughRoger Miller‘s classic albums are being released digitally for the first time ever via Capitol Nashville/UMe. To honor Miller’s life, legacy, and timeless music, albums will be rolled out once a month throughout the summer to mark 65 years since the start of Miller’s songwriting career.
Beginning today (May 27), three albums will be released once a month throughout August, starting with 1970’s A Trip In Country, Miller’s recordings of hit country songs he wrote for George Jones, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price and others; 1979’s Making A Name For Myself, featuring his single “The Hat” which he memorably performed on “The Muppet Show;” and 1985’s eponymous Roger Miller, featuring his recording of “River In The Rain” which he wrote for the seven Tony Award-winning play, Big River; and his last-ever single, “Some Hearts Get All The Breaks.”
In all, 12 albums will be made available throughout the summer months, including three of Miller’s biggest records: 1964’s Roger And Out (later to become known as Dang Me) and 1965’s The Return Of Roger Miller and The 3rd Time Around. Miller’s Gold-certified debut, Roger And Out, made him a household name with his first No. 1 country song and top 10 pop crossover hit, “Dang Me,” which along with the hit single, “Chug-A-Lug,” garnered him his first five Grammys, including Best Country Song; Best Country and Western Recording, Single; Best Country and Western Performance, Male; Best Country and Western Album; and Best New Country and Western Artist.
“I’m excited that these classic albums of Roger’s are being made available digitally for all to enjoy,” shares Miller’s widow, Mary Miller. “As I revisit his wonderful catalog of songs, I’m reminded how much I like hearing his lighthearted ones like ‘Hey Would You Hold It Down?’ as well as how poignant his ballads are. I hope these songs bring you a laugh, a tear, but most of all, a smile.”
May 27
Roger Miller-1985-MCA
Making A Name For Myself
A Trip In The Country
June 24
Roger Miller 1970
Roger Miller 1969
A Tender Look At Love
July 29
Waterhole #3
Walkin’ In The Sunshine
Words and Music
August 26
The 3rd Time Around
Return Of Roger Miller
Roger And Out
CMA Announces 2022 Awards Ballot Schedule
/by Lydia FarthingThe Country Music Association has announced its ballot schedule for The 56th Annual CMA Awards, which takes place this November in Nashville.
The eligibility period for The 56th Annual CMA Awards is July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. All voting will be conducted online.
The nomination ballot and instructions will be emailed Wednesday, July 6 to eligible CMA members. Voting for the nomination ballot closes Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m. CT. The second ballot will be emailed to CMA members Wednesday, Aug. 3 and will close Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. CT. The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced later this summer.
Winners of The 56th Annual CMA Awards will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members, which will be emailed to CMA members Monday, Oct. 3. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Friday, Oct. 28 6 p.m. CT.
To vote for The 56th Annual CMA Awards, prospective CMA members must apply by Wednesday, June 1. The site will continue to accept submissions until Thursday, June 30 at 5 p.m. CT. Winners will be notified in early October and recognized at The 56th Annual CMA Awards ceremony. Click here to learn more.
Eligible CMA members may submit applications for the 2022 CMA Broadcast Awards for Broadcast Personality, Station and National Broadcast Personality of the Year at broadcast.CMAawards.com. CMA Broadcast Awards are presented for Personality and Station of the Year in four categories that are determined by market size (Major, Large, Medium and Small Market), as well as two categories for CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year (Daily and Weekly). As of last year, Digital Service Providers with live stream broadcasts are now eligible to apply for National Broadcast Personality of the Year.
Additionally, CMA’s Industry Honors submission remains open through Sunday, July 3. To nominate an individual, click here.
Arranger / Conductor Bill Walker Passes
/by Robert K OermannBill Walker
Noted as one of the most prominent musical arrangers in the history of Nashville music, Bill Walker passed away at age 95 on May 26.
The musician was famed for his elegant written arrangements that gave extra polish to the Nashville Sound in the late 1960s. He was also the musical director of the Johnny Cash Show on ABC-TV (1969-71), led orchestras for the annual CMA Awards Show, provided charts for dozens of Nashville television specials and was the music director of The Statler Brothers Show on TNN (1991-98).
Born William Alfred Walker, he was born in Sydney, Australia. The keyboardist trained at the Sydney Conservatory. Walker went to work for RCA Records in South Africa in 1959. While working for the label, he produced some recording sessions for country superstar Jim Reeves (1923-1964) in Johannesburg. He also composed the score for the star’s South African movie Kimberly Jim. Reeves invited Walker to come to Nashville, promising him a job.
But the weekend Walker arrived in Music City was when Jim Reeves perished in a 1964 plane crash. So instead, Bill Walker went to work for Chet Atkins (1924-2001). Atkins hired him to write string arrangements for superstar Eddy Arnold (1918-2008).
These helped to fashion the uptown, tuxedo-clad style that revived Arnold’s career. Walker’s handiwork can be notably heard on the lush arrangement of Arnold’s huge 1965 hit “Make the World Go Away.” Walker also wrote orchestral arrangements for Arnold’s concert tours.
By the late 1960s, Bill Walker was the busiest arranger-conductor in Music City. Johnny Cash (1932-2003) hired him for his network TV series and closed each episode by shouting “Goodnight, Bill Walker!” Walker also worked on many of Cash’s subsequent TV specials, including his annual Christmas extravaganzas.
Walker’s other TV credits include Ann-Margret: Rhinestone Cowgirl, Music Hall America, Nashville Remembers Elvis on His Birthday, Perry Como and His Nashville Friends, Lynn Anderson & Tina Turner in Nashville, Conway Twitty on the Mississippi, Opryland in Russia, Crystal Gayle in Sweden, George Burns in Nashville and the Music City News Awards. He was retained by the CMA for 15 of its awards telecasts throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Hits featuring Bill Walker’s string arrangements include Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (1970), Marty Robbins’ “My Woman My Woman My Wife” (1970), Eddy Arnold’s “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” (1968), Roy Clark’s “Come Live With Me” (1973), Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (1971) and George Jones’ epic “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1980). Walker also worked as a session musician, providing piano, harpsichord, vibraphone or organ accompaniment.
As either an arranger or a sideman, Bill Walker worked on records by Claude King, Carl Perkins, Slim Whitman, Connie Smith, Al Hirt, Floyd Cramer, Merle Haggard, Jerry Wallace, Bobby Bare, Skeeter Davis, Bobby Vinton, Hank Locklin, Jerry Reed, the Rev. Billy Graham, Grandpa Jones, Hank Snow, Boots Randolph, Dolly Parton and many more.
His studio work led to romance. Beginning in 1968, singer Jeanine Ogletree worked as a member of The Anita Kerr Singers in Nashville, often on Eddy Arnold recording sessions. She and Bill Walker married in 1971.
In addition to working as an arranger and studio musician, Walker was a record producer. He was contracted by Capitol Records in 1971-73 to work with Wanda Jackson, Roy Rogers, Billy Walker, Ferlin Husky and others. Bill Walker also produced Donna Fargo’s award-winning 1972 hits “Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.” and “Funny Face.”
Bill Walker and his son Jeff Walker (1950-2015) formed Con Brio Records, one of the most successful independent country labels of the 1970s. Its artists, many of whom he produced, included Jan Howard, Reg Lindsay, Dale McBride, Don King, Terri Hollowell (who married Jeff Walker), Lori Parker, Sheila Tilton, Chester Lester and Scott Summer. Con Brio operated from 1975 to 1979.
During the 1980s, he branched out into film soundtrack composing. His instrumental work backed such actors as Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck.
Between 1991 and 1998. Bill Walker was the musical director of The Statler Brothers Show. The TV series was the top-rated show on TNN throughout its seven-year existence.
In 2015, Bill Walker was saluted by the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in its “Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians” program. Also that year, the Nashville Musicians Union honored him for 50 years of service.
In recent years, Bill and Jeanine Walker frequently collaborated on musical projects. They have recorded four gospel albums together and performed at various venues both in the U.S. and abroad. She has also taught voice at Belmont University.
Son Jeff Walker founded the Aristo Media publicity and promotions firm on Music Row in 1980. Since his sudden death at age 65, that business has been run by his daughter, Christy Walker Watkins. Son Jon Walker. Is a Music Row technology professional with the associated AristoDigital firm.
Walker is survived by his wife, singer Jeanine (Ogletree) Walker, daughter Beth Walker, son Colin Walker, sister Julianne Smith, brother Robert Walker, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Walker was predeceased by his son, Music Row leader and AristoMedia Group Founder, Jeff Walker, son Peter Walker, and daughter Lisa Gibson.
Details surrounding the service will be released at a later date.
Jon Pardi Earns 10th MusicRow No. 1
/by Alex ParryJon Pardi powers to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Last Night Lonely” earning a total of 1,751 spins this week. This is his tenth MusicRow No. 1 and the single was penned by Jimi Bell, Joe Fox, and Dylan Marlowe. It will appear on his next album which has yet to receive a release date.
In March, Pardi sold out the famed RodeoHouston making it the highest paid attendance so far in 2022.
Beginning in July, Pardi will embark on his headlining “Ain’t Always The Cowboy Tour” with support from female powerhouses Lainey Wilson and Hailey Whitters.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Eric Church’s Little Louder Celebrates 9 Years, 9 Writers & 9 No. 1s
/by Lydia FarthingArturo Buenahora and Eric Church. Photo: Steve Lowry
Little Louder Music, the publishing company founded by Eric Church and industry veteran Arturo Buenahora, is celebrating nine years with nine No. 1 songs and nine songwriters. On May 24, Little Louder Music and BMI celebrated their near-decade of achievements.
The Little Louder writers kicked off the performances before Church made his way to the stage. The multi-Platinum entertainer was joined by Keith Urban for an acoustic performance of their nostalgic duet “We Were,” penned by Church together with Little Louder writers Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell. The pair also sang their Grammy-nominated hit “Raise Em Up.” Rising star Hailey Whitters performed her new single, “Everything She Ain’t,” which also features Tyndell as a cowriter.
Keith Urban and Eric Church. Photo: Steve Lowry
“Some days this was the plan and other days it seemed like the dream,” says Buenahora, who signed Church, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley and Taylor Swift to their first publishing deals. “The bar is high when Eric Church is your partner, but we have slowly added writers that we fell in love with. They are the brand. They are the engine. They are at the center of what we do every day. This company was something that Eric and I talked about long before 2013, so we’re grateful to be able to take a moment and reflect on it all.”
Since its founding in 2013, the publishing company’s mission has been to invest in the future of country music by signing Nashville’s most prolific songwriters and focusing on the songs and the people who write them. Little Louder has earned nominations for both the ACM Song of The Year and CMA Song of the Year with “Some of It,” Lambert’s “Bluebird” and, most recently, “Hell of a View.” Other notable hit songs include Church’s “Kill A Word” and “Monsters,” along with Lambert’s “Settling Down,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Velvet Elvis,” Brothers Osborne’s “Not for Everyone” and newcomer Jackson Dean’s “Don’t Come Lookin’.”
Little Louder’s writer roster includes Jackson Dean, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick, Jon Sherwood, William Reames, Barton Davies, and Tucker Beathard.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mason Hunter, Little Louder’s Tucker Beathard, Jackson Dean, Jon Sherwood, Barton Davies, William Reames, Arturo Buenahora, Dale Dodson, Luke Dick, Eric Church, Casey Beathard, Jeff Hyde and Jefferson Brown. Photo: Steve Lowry
Midland, Brett Eldredge, Ashley McBryde, More Among Spotify House CMA Music Fest Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughSpotify House is returning to CMA Music Fest this year, once again taking over Nashville’s Ole Red from June 9-12. Ashley McBryde, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Midland, Nelly, and Tyler Hubbard are among the artists set to perform throughout the week.
Spotify House will feature four days of music ranging from emerging artists to some of today’s top country stars, exclusive late-night jam sessions, and surprise special performances throughout the weekend.
Other artists set to perform include Brantley Gilbert, Breland, Conner Smith, Danielle Bradbery, Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Ingrid Andress, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Kameron Marlowe, Lainey Wilson, MacKenzie Porter, Mitchell Tenpenny, Niko Moon, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Ryan Hurd, Tiera Kennedy, and more.
Spotify is also introducing a new Fresh Finds Stage for the first time this year, where fans will be able to see new acts from the Fresh Finds Country playlist perform live throughout the weekend.
“So much has happened in Nashville since the last CMA Fest, and this includes the rise of some incredible talent and trends within country music. When we were building the line-up for our Spotify House at Ole Red this year, we knew we wanted to curate a group of artists that reflect the trends of our listeners,” says Mary Catherine Kinney, Lead, Strategic Music Partnerships. “The genre is growing, and fans will be able to experience the full scope of the genre under our roof. Between our initial line-up announcement today, and a few of the surprise guests we have to come, this is truly a setlist built by the listeners, and we can’t wait to experience it all in person.”
Country music fans can stop by Spotify House from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. daily, and Sunday, June 12 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. All shows will be open to the public, but space will be limited to first-come, first-served.
MusicRow Celebrates 20 Years Of CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by LB CantrellMusicRow Magazine established its CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2002 as a chart that would represent country radio in secondary markets throughout the United States.
In an article in its 2003 March issue, MusicRow laid the foundation of why the CountryBreakout chart was started and what it had accomplished in a year.
Pictured: An article from MusicRow‘s 2003 March issue, where the publication laid the foundation of why the CountryBreakout Radio Chart was started and what it had accomplished.
“What really motivated us was a desire to bring a new group of passionate programmers to the decision-making process. Playlists at the monitored stations have been shrinking, making it more difficult than ever for new and developing artists to build momentum.
“We asked ourselves, ‘Can we help level the playing field? How do we offer something different than the monitored charts?’ The answer was calling to us from small and mid-sized cities around the country and the thousands of country stations that were not being monitored.”
Because MusicRow was working with program directors at smaller stations who generally had more freedom to make programming decisions, the CountryBreakout Chart started its reputation of being a breaker-chart.
This reputation has followed MusicRow into 2022, as hit songs commonly are No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart before any other major country chart. As MusicRow wrote in 2003, “Our chart predicts success on the monitored chart and, because of our panel’s forward-thinking programming, it helps new artists build a story.”
Now, the weekly CountryBreakout Chart ranks the top 80 songs playing on the secondary-market radio stations across the country that report to the chart.
Because of its inclusivity, successes on the chart range from major label artists to independents. DIY artists booking their own radio tours and country hitmakers promoting their latest single are both able to exist on MusicRow’s radio chart. Because of this, the CountryBreakout Chart has established itself as a dynamic picture of the music being played across the nation from week to week.
“Many of us who work in the Nashville music industry received our very first taste of country music listening to radio in a secondary market,” says MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “So it’s especially exciting that we are celebrating a chart that began 20 years ago to embrace and spotlight the radio stations and reporters in the secondary market that represent the heart and soul of our country.”
MusicRow started the CountryBreakout Awards to celebrate the most spun artists on the chart throughout the year.
Winners in eight categories are determined by spins on the secondary market stations that report to the CountryBreakout Chart panel each week. These awards serve as a way to honor the artists and industry professionals who wrote, recorded, and promoted the music that occupied the radio dials throughout the prior year.
In 2014, MusicRow introduced the No. 1 Challenge Coin to signify the herculean feat of reaching the top of the CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Sources vary, but most accounts agree that Challenge Coins originated during World War I as a way to prove, if “challenged,” that you were a member of an exclusive group. So it’s very fitting that MusicRow uses that same method to honor our industry’s immensely talented artists and songwriters who have achieved such a milestone as a No. 1 song.
Over the years, challenge coins have marked significant occasions and commemorated outstanding individuals. Continuing this tradition, MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart. A chronological history of all coins and their awarded recipients resides on the MusicRow website.
Since 2014, MusicRow has distributed more than 1,500 No. 1 Challenge Coins.
Ultimately, the CountryBreakout Chart is a picture of country music’s significance throughout the country. It recognizes the artistry and hard work of artists, songwriters, industry professionals, and radio personnel alike. MusicRow is proud to celebrate the last 20 years of the chart’s history and carry its spirit onward.
Dillon Carmichael Signs With Deep Roots Management & Make Wake Artists
/by Lorie HollabaughDillon Carmichael. Photo: Alex Berger
Riser House Records artist Dillon Carmichael has signed with Deep Roots Management and Make Wake Artists for management.
Carmichael’s current single, the title track from his sophomore album, Son of A, is climbing the charts and features backing vocals by his mother, Becky Montgomery. The Kentucky native is busy on the road through the end of the year, continuing his headline “Son Of A Tour” and opening dates for Brooks & Dunn, Cody Johnson, Brothers Osborne and more.
“I heard Dillon Carmichael for the first time in November of 2021,” says Dylan Wright, Founder of Deep Roots Management. “His song ‘Big Truck’ came on and immediately caught my attention. I was a fan! Through a fateful encounter months later his name came across the plate again. Upon finding out that he was seeking management, I knew I had to work with him. Dillon’s music speaks for itself, but it’s who he is as a person that makes this so exciting.”
“When Dylan Wright brought Carmichael to the table, I saw the passion that he had with this artist and had to jump on board,” says Chris Kappy, founder of Make Wake Artists. “We started working together on Flatland Cavalry and the work that we have done with them and the artists since made this decision a no brainer.”
Carmichael is booked by William Morris Endeavor and repped by Shore Fire Media.
Tim McGraw To Perform At Big Machine Music City Grand Prix In August
/by Steven BoeroTim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Country superstar Tim McGraw will headline the 2022 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Saturday, Aug. 6, as part of the Grand Prix weekend at the Nissan Stadium campus.
McGraw will hit the stage for his 90-minute show at 8:30 p.m. on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s ZYN Main Stage. The performance will be immediately followed by fireworks on the city’s riverfront that can be viewed from the concert location. This show will also mark McGraw’s only stop in Nashville during his 2022 North American tour.
“The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix team is gearing up for our encore and music will again be front and center in our festival of all-things Music City,” says Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews. “We are honored to have an all-time great like Tim McGraw; he always delivers a high-energy show we know our fans will love. We have many more musical performances scheduled and we look forward to making those announcements soon.”
The Big Machine Label Group artist’s career includes sales of over 80 million records worldwide, 44 No. 1 radio singles, 19 No. 1 albums and countless industry awards and accolades. His chart achievements include three singles in the top 20 of the radio charts at the same time on multiple occasions, as well as having two singles spend over 10 weeks at No. 1.
McGraw’s hits include such classics as “Humble & Kind” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” His current album, Here on Earth, is his 19th worldwide No. 1 album and includes the current top 10 single, “7500 OBO.”
All Big Machine Music City Grand Prix tickets for that day also include free access to McGraw’s concert.