Roland White
Bluegrass Hall of Fame member and Grammy Award winner Roland White died at age 83 on April 1 following complications from a heart attack.
White was a top-flight mandolinist noted for his work in The Kentucky Colonels, Country Gazette and The Nashville Bluegrass Band. He was widely loved for his musical generosity, for his welcoming of newcomers, for his mentorship of youngsters and for being a kindly ambassador of Nashville music.
White was born in Maine, where he began his career in a band with his siblings. When he was 16, the family relocated to California. He and his guitarist brother Clarence White (1944-1973) formed The Kentucky Colonels in Burbank in 1954. It became one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the 1960s.
The Kentucky Colonels disbanded at the end of 1965, and Clarence White joined The Byrds. Roland White moved to Nashville and joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys for two years, 1967-69, then became a member of Lester Flatt’s band, The Nashville Grass in 1969-73. While in Flatt’s group, he was instrumental in recruiting as a band member the 13-year-old Marty Stuart, a fellow mandolinist.
Billed as The New Kentucky Colonels, the Whites’ original star-making group reorganized in 1973 and began touring again. The reunion was short lived. Clarence White was killed by a drunk driver while loading band equipment into his car following a concert.
Grief stricken Roland White carried on, becoming a member of the progressive bluegrass group Country Gazette in 1973-77. He became a part of the “founding family” of The Station Inn when it opened in 1974. The venue has since acquired a worldwide reputation as a bluegrass-music Mecca. White was a welcoming presence there, particularly after its relocation to The Gulch in Nashville in 1978.
J.T. Gray bought The Station Inn in 1981 and it became a proving ground for The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush and other up-and-comers. Roland White was their resident greeter. During this period, White also recorded solo albums in 1976 and 1984.
Bluegrass superstars began dropping into the venue, often after appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Peter Rowan and Bobby Osborne were known to stop by to pick and sing in the 1980s. Since then, a who’s-who of bluegrass has played at the club.
In 1989, Roland White became a member of The Nashville Bluegrass Band. During the next few years, he recorded five albums with the group, including the Grammy winning Watin’ for the Hard Times to Go (1994) and Unleashed (1996).
A singer and guitarist as well as a mandolin virtuoso, Roland White formed his own group in 2000. The Roland White Band recorded albums in 2003 and 2018.
He continued to sit in at Station Inn jam sessions. He curated an annual Bill Monroe Tribute night at the club and organized many benefit shows for musicians in need.
During his long career, White appeared on recordings with Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Clint Black, Ry Cooder, Marty Stuart, Alan Munde, Bernadette Peters, Ricky Skaggs, Valarie Smith, Stuart Duncan, David Grier, Gene Wooten, Glenn Duncan, Bobby Hicks, The Whites, Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Butch Robbins and many others.
Roland White was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2017. His band The Kentucky Colonels was inducted in 2019.
He is survived by his wife and musical partner Diane Bouska, daughter Roline Hodge, son Lawrence Lee LeBlanc, sister Rosemarie Johnson, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild. There will be a visitation from 3-7 PM on Wednesday (April 6) at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike. A celebration of life will be organized at a future date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the International Bluegrass Music Association Foundation at bluegrassfoundation.org.
Garth Brooks To Open New Entertainment Concept On Nashville’s Lower Broadway
/by LB CantrellGarth Brooks. Photo: Becky Fluke
Garth Brooks has announced he will open a new entertainment concept and bar in Nashville at 411 Broadway. The country superstar will take over a 3-story, 40,000+ square foot property that he purchased in December, 2021 via 411, LLC.
“We feel very lucky to have the chance to be part of Lower Broad, which is arguably THE hottest spot in the country,” says Brooks. “The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of country music!”
Brooks has tapped Strategic Hospitality, a Nashville-based hospitality company owned by brothers Benjamin and Max Goldberg, to help execute his vision.
“Garth’s long-standing commitment to Nashville is far beyond music and has been so meaningful to our city,” adds the Goldbergs. “We couldn’t be more excited than to help him bring his concept to reality.”
Brooks will join fellow country stars Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and more with spots on Lower Broadway. Details about the establishment will be announced as they become available.
The Well Coffeehouse Opens New Music Row Location
/by Lydia FarthingThe Well Coffeehouse. Photo: Courtesy of The Well Coffeehouse
Nashville-based roaster and retailer, the Well Coffeehouse, opened their newest location on Music Row on April 2. Serving coffee at the former location of the historic Koinonia bookstore, the new coffee shop is located at 1000 16th Avenue South at Grand Avenue, Nashville.
The Well Koinonia will be open seven days a week, serving coffee and espresso beverages, teas and smoothies, as well as made-to-order breakfast, lunch and in-house baked pastries. The historic stage inside the location will soon host regular live music and performance events. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Well Coffeehouse. Photo: Courtesy of The Well Coffeehouse
A series of grand opening events are being planned throughout the summer and will be announced at a later date.
Known to some as the birthplace of Contemporary Christian Music, the original Koinonia Bookstore was once a bookstore, coffeehouse and meeting place in the ’70s and ’80s. The location received its historic marker designation from The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County in the summer of 2019, citing its significance in the history where artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith once shared their first songs.
“We are honored to be invited to steward the legacy and history of this space,” says Mike Lenda, CEO of The Well Coffeehouse. “This location holds important significance in Nashville’s music and spiritual history, and we are excited to revive this corner on Music Row to make an impact locally and globally through great coffee and great music.”
The Well Coffeehouse. Photo: Courtesy of The Well Coffeehouse
The Well donates its profits to build water projects in coffee growing regions as many of the countries that produce the world’s supply of coffee are also the communities that struggle with access to safe drinking water. Since opening the first location in 2012, over 20,000 people have received clean drinking water in over 50 communities across the globe from The Well’s contributions.
“Our desire is to love full circle. Through the coffee we source, roast and serve, we get to use our profits to care for our coffee farmers, staff, our community and give back to the communities that grow our coffee,” Lenda adds. “This location will allow us to fulfill our mission even more, and we are excited to see the impact this location will continue to make in the lives of those we serve daily.”
This location marks the fifth Nashville-area location, including Seven Springs on Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood, Granny White Pike in Green Hills across from Lipscomb University, Linbar Dr in the Linbar Business Park near Harding Pike and I-24, and Hwy 70 S in the Bellevue One Shopping Center in Bellevue.
Garth Brooks Helps Musicians On Call Celebrate One Million Milestone
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks recently teamed up with Musicians on Call, the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, for a special virtual visit to celebrate delivering the healing power of music to one million patients.
Marianna Mishik, an 87-year-old at Staten Island University Hospital patient who was recovering from a fall injury, was MOC’s one millionth patient. As a lifelong country music fan, Mishik and Brooks bonded over their military ties, classic country favorites and their mutual love of the genre. Mishik and her daughter were then treated to a personal serenade as Brooks sang a couple of his hits. The virtual visit was arranged as part of Musicians On Call’s Jason Pollack Bedside Performance Program at Staten Island University Hospital.
“This is a monumental moment for Musicians On Call and everyone who has had a hand in touching the lives of one million patients, families and caregivers, bringing them joy through music during some of their toughest days. Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and our partnerships with healthcare facilities, we’ve been able to use the healing power of music to improve the lives of so many people,” shares Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “We are deeply grateful to Garth Brooks for joining us in this celebration and creating an unforgettable moment for the one-millionth person impacted by our programs. This is a day none of us will forget.”
“My mother is one of the most incredible women and meeting Garth was an incredible experience. Music helps you put your mind somewhere else, especially country music, it gets down into your bones–and I’m hoping it will heal my mother’s bones!” adds Audrey Parente, daughter of Mishik.
In preparation for reaching the one million milestone, MOC created the One in a Million campaign, highlighting the stories of patients, caregivers and volunteers who have participated in programs over the years. As part of the celebration, Musicians On Call is also auctioning off a One in a Million experience that includes two VIP tickets to the iHeart Radio Music Festival, two Southwest Airlines round trip tickets and one million Hilton points.
Musicians On Call uses music to promote and complement the healing process for hospital patients and their family members, and offer moments of relief for hardworking caregivers. Through the Bedside Performance and Virtual Bedside Performance Programs, patients receive live music directly at their beds, performed by an in-person volunteer or virtually in an intimate one-on-one setting or a hospital-wide concert. More than 800 volunteers and hundreds of award-winning recording artists have participated in these programs over the past 23 years.
Bluegrass Mandolin Great Roland White Passes
/by Robert K OermannRoland White
Bluegrass Hall of Fame member and Grammy Award winner Roland White died at age 83 on April 1 following complications from a heart attack.
White was a top-flight mandolinist noted for his work in The Kentucky Colonels, Country Gazette and The Nashville Bluegrass Band. He was widely loved for his musical generosity, for his welcoming of newcomers, for his mentorship of youngsters and for being a kindly ambassador of Nashville music.
White was born in Maine, where he began his career in a band with his siblings. When he was 16, the family relocated to California. He and his guitarist brother Clarence White (1944-1973) formed The Kentucky Colonels in Burbank in 1954. It became one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the 1960s.
The Kentucky Colonels disbanded at the end of 1965, and Clarence White joined The Byrds. Roland White moved to Nashville and joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys for two years, 1967-69, then became a member of Lester Flatt’s band, The Nashville Grass in 1969-73. While in Flatt’s group, he was instrumental in recruiting as a band member the 13-year-old Marty Stuart, a fellow mandolinist.
Billed as The New Kentucky Colonels, the Whites’ original star-making group reorganized in 1973 and began touring again. The reunion was short lived. Clarence White was killed by a drunk driver while loading band equipment into his car following a concert.
Grief stricken Roland White carried on, becoming a member of the progressive bluegrass group Country Gazette in 1973-77. He became a part of the “founding family” of The Station Inn when it opened in 1974. The venue has since acquired a worldwide reputation as a bluegrass-music Mecca. White was a welcoming presence there, particularly after its relocation to The Gulch in Nashville in 1978.
J.T. Gray bought The Station Inn in 1981 and it became a proving ground for The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush and other up-and-comers. Roland White was their resident greeter. During this period, White also recorded solo albums in 1976 and 1984.
Bluegrass superstars began dropping into the venue, often after appearing on the Grand Ole Opry. Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Peter Rowan and Bobby Osborne were known to stop by to pick and sing in the 1980s. Since then, a who’s-who of bluegrass has played at the club.
In 1989, Roland White became a member of The Nashville Bluegrass Band. During the next few years, he recorded five albums with the group, including the Grammy winning Watin’ for the Hard Times to Go (1994) and Unleashed (1996).
A singer and guitarist as well as a mandolin virtuoso, Roland White formed his own group in 2000. The Roland White Band recorded albums in 2003 and 2018.
He continued to sit in at Station Inn jam sessions. He curated an annual Bill Monroe Tribute night at the club and organized many benefit shows for musicians in need.
During his long career, White appeared on recordings with Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Clint Black, Ry Cooder, Marty Stuart, Alan Munde, Bernadette Peters, Ricky Skaggs, Valarie Smith, Stuart Duncan, David Grier, Gene Wooten, Glenn Duncan, Bobby Hicks, The Whites, Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Butch Robbins and many others.
Roland White was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2017. His band The Kentucky Colonels was inducted in 2019.
He is survived by his wife and musical partner Diane Bouska, daughter Roline Hodge, son Lawrence Lee LeBlanc, sister Rosemarie Johnson, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild. There will be a visitation from 3-7 PM on Wednesday (April 6) at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike. A celebration of life will be organized at a future date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the International Bluegrass Music Association Foundation at bluegrassfoundation.org.
Big Machine Music Signs Mike Eli To Co-Publishing Agreement
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s General Manager Mike Molinar, Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli, Manager, Publishing Lizzy Rector. Photo: Courtesy of Big Machine Music
Mike Eli, frontman of the multi-Platinum Eli Young Band, has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with Big Machine Music, a subsidiary of HYBE America.
Eli co-penned seven of the nine songs featured on the band’s upcoming album Love Talking, due out June 3 via The Valory Music Co. His catalog also features fan-favorites throughout the band’s 20-year run, which has produced four chart-topping singles.
“Much like his unmistakable vocals, Mike’s songwriting cuts through with a warmth that is unique and captivating,” says BMM General Manager Mike Molinar. “He’s also one of the coolest and genuinely nicest guys on the planet. We are so honored to be his publisher partner!”
Eli shares, “Big Machine has been Eli Young Band’s home for years now and it just felt right to start this next chapter with the folks that brought us to the party!”
Eli joins Laura Veltz, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ryan Hurd, Brett Young, Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Maddie & Tae, Sara Davis, Matt Dragstem and more at Big Machine Music, the reigning AIMP Nashville Publisher of the Year.
Maren Morris Breaks Amazon Music Global Streaming Record
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris. Photo: Harper Smith
Maren Morris‘ new album Humble Quest debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart this week. The project also broke the record for the most first day and first week streams globally on Amazon Music for a country album by a female artist.
Produced by frequent collaborator Greg Kurstin and written alongside her husband Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Jimmy Robbins, Natalie Hemby, Laura Veltz and Jon Green, Humble Quest traces Morris’ journey and the ups and downs of life through snapshots of her experiences. She began writing the project’s songs at the beginning of the pandemic as a series of major life changes unfolded–new motherhood, an upended career, the death of beloved friend/collaborator Michael Busbee and more–further compounded by lockdown.
She will head out this June on the “Humble Quest Tour,” playing headline dates across the U.S. with stops at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, and more.
NPR’s World Cafe To Celebrate 30th Anniversary With Two Events In Nashville
/by LB CantrellTo celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NPR-syndicated music radio program World Cafe, artists Lizzie No, Amythyst Kiah, Devon Gilfillian and Keb’ Mo’ will perform on live webcasts on April 5 and 6 from the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.
Starting at 7:30 pm CT, World Cafe host Raina Douris will interview No and Kiah today (April 5), and Gilfillian and Mo on (April 6). Each artist will also perform, with both events webcast live at xpn.org and NPR Live Sessions.
“It’s no secret that Nashville is a vital center for music. World Cafe established a bureau in Nashville in 2016, and we’re honored to partner with the National Museum of African American Music to go even deeper with our coverage of the exciting and diverse music coming from Nashville and throughout the Southern US,” shares Douris.
“The National Museum of African American Music is excited to partner with World Cafe as we continue our efforts of preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans,” adds Brennen Boose, Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications.
World Cafe is known for its carefully curated platform for musical discovery without genre boundaries. It is currently carried by 267 radio stations across the United States.
Bob DiPiero, Natalie Hemby, Tim Nichols, More Close Out Tin Pan South 2022
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Jeffrey Steele, Natalie Hemby, Kevin Kadish, and Ben Burgess hangin’ out at The Listening Room Cafe, Photo: Savannah Grimm/NSAI
The 30th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival came to a close this weekend after five days of songwriter rounds from over 400 talented songwriters.
On Friday (April 1), festival-goers were treated to performances from Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Rodney Clawson, Tim Nichols, Bob DiPiero, JT Harding, Kelley Lovelace, Dan Wilson, Corey Crowder, RaeLynn, David Hodges, Alex Kline, Smith Ahnquist, and more at venues across Music City.
On Saturday (April 2), the festival closed with music from Natalie Hemby, Jeffrey Steele, Steve Dorff, Kelly Archer, Trent Harmon, Neil Medley, Nathan Chapman, Kevin Kadish, and more.
In addition to the rounds and networking events that took place this year during Tin Pan South, Nashville Songwriters Association International also hosted the first-ever in-person NSAI Member Awards, presented by Regions Bank. The invitation-only event was held at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville and included an array of performances.
“We have thousands of songwriter members who may not describe themselves as professional songwriters, but write amazing songs, are outstanding performers, and deserve recognition for their work,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “This is one of the most exciting additions to NSAI’s programming in years and we applaud Regions Bank for underwriting this event. Nothing could be more in line with the part of our mission statement that says: ‘to educate, elevate and celebrate the songwriter.'”
Pictured: NSAI Member Awards (presented by Regions Bank). Photo: Savannah Grimm/NSAI
Awards were voted on by NSAI’s global membership and NSAI staff. See the full list of winners below.
Dates have already been announced for the 2023 Tin Pan South Songwriters Festiva, taking place March 28 through April 1, 2023.
NSAI 2021 & 2022 Member Award Winners:
Online Pitch Award: Sarah Jones (2021); Kate Zickler (2022)
Song Evaluation Award: Nell Maynard (2021); Hayden Cain (2022)
NSAI Mentor Awards: Greg Wilson (2021); Jahnavi Goldstein (2022)
NSAI One to Watch Award: Ben Johnson (2021); John Frank (2022)
NSAI New Member of The Year: Brett Trout (2021); Beldon Burch (2022)
Volunteer of The Year: Herb Chafin (2021); Michelle Pereira (2022)
Friends of NSAI: Preshias Harris (2022)
Graduate Award: Kyle James, Sarah Jones, Kelly McKay, and Megan Barker (2021); Lily Rose, Martin McDaniel, Sara Haze, and Aubrey Toone (2022)
Chapter of The Year: Oklahoma City, OK Chapter (2021); Tidewater, VA Chapter (2022)
Chapter Coordinator of The Year: Kathy Kay Wallace of the St. Louis, MO Chapter (2021); Scott Forman of the New York City, NY Chapter (2022)
Todd Givens Scholarship Winner: Jesse LaBelle (2021); Ben Wagner (2022)
NSAI Song Contest Winners: Matthew Soileau (2021); Claire Bunnik (2022)
Anthem Chapter Challenge Winners: Sal Cosentino, Linda Sclafani (2021); David Unlayao, Kathy Kay Wallace, and Emily Bea (2022)
Pictured (L-R): Bob DiPiero, JT Harding, and Tim Nichols performing at 3rd & Lindsley’s early show (stage sponsored by Visit Music City). Photo: Savannah Grimm/NSAI
Pictured (L-R): Jim “Moose” Brown, Teea Goans, Buddy Cannon, and Bill Anderson taking over The Bluebird Cafe (stage sponsored by Academy of Country Music), Photo: Erika Wollam Nichols
Pictured: Tom Douglas captivates his audience during “Love, Tom” at and in partnership with The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Brittni Talley/NSAI
Shane McAnally Notches Second Week Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Lydia FarthingShane McAnally. Photo: Robby Klein
Shane McAnally nabs his second consecutive week at the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on five currently charting songs, including Old Dominion’s “No Hard Feelings,” Kenny Chesney’s “Everyone She Knows,” Walker Hayes’ “AA,” Sam Hunt’s “23,” and Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde’s “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”
Ashley Gorley, who is a co-writer on such songs as “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), and “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), takes the second spot.
Eric Church continues to show the power of a solo write as the only writer on his hit single, “Heart On Fire,” meaning all of the points earned from the song’s airplay, digital download track sales, and streams go entirely to him on the Songwriter Chart.
Michael Hardy (No. 4) and Ben Johnson (No. 5) fill out the remainder of the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
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: Maren Morris’ ‘Humble Quest’ Makes Top Country Album & Song Debut
/by Lydia FarthingMaren Morris
Maren Morris made waves on the top country albums chart this week with her new project, Humble Quest. The album debuts at No. 2 this week on the country chart and No. 21 overall with 22K in total first-week consumption (11K album only/14 million song streams). Morris also earns the top country song debut this week as “Nervous” comes in at No. 37 with 3 million total streams.
Morgan Wallen continues his run at the top of the country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album adding 45K in total consumption (1.4K album only/54 million song streams). Luke Combs takes the third spot with What You See Is What You Get gaining 18K, as well as fifth as This One’s For You gains 16K in total consumption. Taylor Swift‘s Red (Taylor’s Version) fills out the top five, coming in at No. 4 with 17K in total consumption.
On the songs side, “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) earn a fifth week at No. 1, earning another 6.3 million streams and contributing to a cumulative 226 million streams RTD. “‘Til You Can’t” (Cody Johnson) remains in second with 6 million streams. “AA” (Walker Hayes) and “Doin’ This” (Luke Combs) trade places this week with Hayes taking the third spot at 5.8 million streams and Combs narrowly falling to fourth. “Wasted On You” (Morgan Wallen) seals the top five, adding 5.7 million streams this week.