Russell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
Russell Dickerson brought his electric, headlining “All Yours All Night Tour” to Nashville’s historic Ryman auditorium on Friday (March 25). Closing out the first leg of his tour with the sold-out hometown show, Dickerson delivered hit after hit over the course of 90 minutes.
Opening with the tour’s rock-infused, electric guitar heavy namesake, the crowd didn’t wait long before getting to their feet and singing along. Dickerson went into his Platinum-certified single “Every Little Thing” before addressing the already buzzing audience.
“This isn’t even real life. It feels so good to say ‘Nashville.’ It’s my hometown, it’s where I grew up. It feels good to be home,” the Triple Tigers recording artist said. “There are so many friends, family and team members in the house tonight, and so many people that aren’t even from Nashville! Thank you so much for coming out tonight.”
Russell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
Backed by his four-piece band and killer production, Dickerson busted through a string of hits and fan-favorites, including the sentimental “Forever For A Little While,” the sexy “Honey,” and the country rocker “Never Get Old,” which also featured a medley of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band‘s “Fishing In The Dark” and Garth Brooks‘ “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up).”
The multi-Platinum artist surprised the hometown crowd as he broke out into “She Likes It” with special guest and pop singer-songwriter Jake Scott, who joined Dickerson for a special studio remix of the song last year. He also gave a stunning performance of “Home Sweet,” a single that spawned a reimagined version with Lady A late last year.
Throughout the evening, Dickerson was fighting back tears, the first wave of which came when performing his debut single, “Yours.”
“Thank you guys so much for singing this. I love you Nashville,” he whispered halfway through. “I was just showing pictures to my team from a show where we played this exact same [set]. I was basically swinging from the rafters of the club and I swiped to a picture of the crowd and there was one person standing in that entire room. The fact that we can go from one person that’s standing in a random club to a sold out Ryman show means more to me than y’all know,” he shared as the audience met him with roaring applause.
“If you’ve been following me for the last 12 years then you know it hasn’t been a quick journey… I can’t thank y’all enough. This means the absolute world. I could go on all night, but I just want to sing this with you guys,” Dickerson added before finishing out the triple-Platinum hit with the crowd singing along to every word.
Dickerson also shared a handful of acoustic performances throughout the night, including the vulnerable “Waiting For You,” the Lori McKenna and Casey Brown-penned “Just Like Your Mama,” and the title track from his 2020 sophomore album Southern Symphony.
Before leaving the stage, the beloved entertainer made sure to bring the energy and the dance moves as he exploded into fan-favorite “MGNO (My Girl’s Night Out),” which had the entire room on their feet and singing along to bits of WALK THE MOON‘s “Shut Up and Dance” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” The fun continued as Dickerson also invited rising artist Breland, who opened the night, back to the stage to perform his breakout hit “My Truck,” as well as a high-energy duet of Dickerson’s “It’s About Time.”
Coming back out for his two-song encore, Dickerson was accompanied by only a guitar as he addressed the crowd before sining his No. 1 hit “Love You Like I Used To.”
Russell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
“I just want every single one of you to know how grateful we are for every single one of you being here tonight. No one would be on this stage and none of us would be in business without live music, and thank God live music is back… This song hit right in the peak of the pandemic, and I thought my career was over because we couldn’t play shows anymore,” he said before rolling through a long list of thanks to his label (Triple Tigers), management (Dennis Entertainment), booking agency (CAA), and more.
“Through this pandemic [my team] pushed this song all the way to No. 1 for two weeks in a row. Thank you country radio for believing in me and for believing in this song. I don’t usually say this but I have to brag on my team and country radio, because while we were at home stuck in quarantine and couldn’t see you or play songs for you, this song set a record for the longest running top 10 song in country radio history. I love you and I am so grateful for every single one of you, from the bottom of my heart.”
The song, which slowly built from a lone guitar into a full band affair, saw the deafening crowd scream along to every word. Dickerson took his time to bask in the roaring applause and standing ovation, once again fending off tears.
The set wrapped with arguably Dickerson’s biggest song, the feel good “Blue Tacoma,” which featured a floating sea of confetti to cap off the night for the glowing performer who was smiling ear to ear all evening.
Before taking the stage, Dickerson was surprised with a commemorative plaque for his recent RIAA Gold certification for “Home Sweet” selling 500,000 units since its release.
The newly-added second leg of the “All Yours All Night Tour” will kick off in the UK at London’s Electric Ballroom on Oct. 12.
Shane McAnally Hits Peak Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellShane McAnally. Photo: Robby Klein
Shane McAnally has made his way to the top spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.
McAnally 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”
After eight weeks at No. 1, Ashley Gorley moves to the No. 2 spot on the chart to make way for McAnally. He 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).
Eric Church and Michael Hardy also swap places this week, with Church at No. 3 and Hardy at No. 4.
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.
Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, More Set For New Festival In Southern California
/by LB CantrellKacey Musgraves
Goldenvoice, the team behind the massive country music festival Stagecoach, have announced Palomino Festival, a brand new event that celebrates alt-country. The one-day-only festival will take place Saturday, July 9 on the grounds of Brookside at the Rose Bowl.
The line up for the inaugural Palomino fest includes Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson & Family, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours, Orville Peck, Old Crow Medicine Show, Valerie June, Charley Crockett, Nikki Lane, Morgan Wade, Amythyst Kiah, and more. See the full lineup below.
This new addition to Goldenvoice’s portfolio of southern California festivals is aiming to appeal to long-time country fans, brand new Americana lovers, and everyone in between.
Head Goldenvoice talent buyer Stacy Vee, who also books the company’s Stagecoach Festival, shares, “It has been a dream for as long as I can remember to do a festival taking a modern, fresh approach to today’s alt-country music. Artists in the space have been pushing boundaries, creating sounds that are brand new. I wanted to fan these flames and celebrate this changing culture. We at Goldenvoice love doing things ‘our own way,’ and there are a lot of artists out there right now doing the same thing. We came together to celebrate carving your own path: this is Palomino.”
General admission passes for Palomino Festival start at $179 plus fees, and VIP passes are $399 plus fees. For ticketing and additional information, visit goldenvoice.com.
Russell Dickerson Celebrates Sold Out, ‘Home Sweet’ Show At The Ryman
/by Lydia FarthingRussell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
Russell Dickerson brought his electric, headlining “All Yours All Night Tour” to Nashville’s historic Ryman auditorium on Friday (March 25). Closing out the first leg of his tour with the sold-out hometown show, Dickerson delivered hit after hit over the course of 90 minutes.
Opening with the tour’s rock-infused, electric guitar heavy namesake, the crowd didn’t wait long before getting to their feet and singing along. Dickerson went into his Platinum-certified single “Every Little Thing” before addressing the already buzzing audience.
“This isn’t even real life. It feels so good to say ‘Nashville.’ It’s my hometown, it’s where I grew up. It feels good to be home,” the Triple Tigers recording artist said. “There are so many friends, family and team members in the house tonight, and so many people that aren’t even from Nashville! Thank you so much for coming out tonight.”
Russell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
Backed by his four-piece band and killer production, Dickerson busted through a string of hits and fan-favorites, including the sentimental “Forever For A Little While,” the sexy “Honey,” and the country rocker “Never Get Old,” which also featured a medley of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band‘s “Fishing In The Dark” and Garth Brooks‘ “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up).”
The multi-Platinum artist surprised the hometown crowd as he broke out into “She Likes It” with special guest and pop singer-songwriter Jake Scott, who joined Dickerson for a special studio remix of the song last year. He also gave a stunning performance of “Home Sweet,” a single that spawned a reimagined version with Lady A late last year.
Throughout the evening, Dickerson was fighting back tears, the first wave of which came when performing his debut single, “Yours.”
“Thank you guys so much for singing this. I love you Nashville,” he whispered halfway through. “I was just showing pictures to my team from a show where we played this exact same [set]. I was basically swinging from the rafters of the club and I swiped to a picture of the crowd and there was one person standing in that entire room. The fact that we can go from one person that’s standing in a random club to a sold out Ryman show means more to me than y’all know,” he shared as the audience met him with roaring applause.
“If you’ve been following me for the last 12 years then you know it hasn’t been a quick journey… I can’t thank y’all enough. This means the absolute world. I could go on all night, but I just want to sing this with you guys,” Dickerson added before finishing out the triple-Platinum hit with the crowd singing along to every word.
Dickerson also shared a handful of acoustic performances throughout the night, including the vulnerable “Waiting For You,” the Lori McKenna and Casey Brown-penned “Just Like Your Mama,” and the title track from his 2020 sophomore album Southern Symphony.
Before leaving the stage, the beloved entertainer made sure to bring the energy and the dance moves as he exploded into fan-favorite “MGNO (My Girl’s Night Out),” which had the entire room on their feet and singing along to bits of WALK THE MOON‘s “Shut Up and Dance” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” The fun continued as Dickerson also invited rising artist Breland, who opened the night, back to the stage to perform his breakout hit “My Truck,” as well as a high-energy duet of Dickerson’s “It’s About Time.”
Coming back out for his two-song encore, Dickerson was accompanied by only a guitar as he addressed the crowd before sining his No. 1 hit “Love You Like I Used To.”
Russell Dickerson. Photo: Thomas Heney
“I just want every single one of you to know how grateful we are for every single one of you being here tonight. No one would be on this stage and none of us would be in business without live music, and thank God live music is back… This song hit right in the peak of the pandemic, and I thought my career was over because we couldn’t play shows anymore,” he said before rolling through a long list of thanks to his label (Triple Tigers), management (Dennis Entertainment), booking agency (CAA), and more.
“Through this pandemic [my team] pushed this song all the way to No. 1 for two weeks in a row. Thank you country radio for believing in me and for believing in this song. I don’t usually say this but I have to brag on my team and country radio, because while we were at home stuck in quarantine and couldn’t see you or play songs for you, this song set a record for the longest running top 10 song in country radio history. I love you and I am so grateful for every single one of you, from the bottom of my heart.”
The song, which slowly built from a lone guitar into a full band affair, saw the deafening crowd scream along to every word. Dickerson took his time to bask in the roaring applause and standing ovation, once again fending off tears.
The set wrapped with arguably Dickerson’s biggest song, the feel good “Blue Tacoma,” which featured a floating sea of confetti to cap off the night for the glowing performer who was smiling ear to ear all evening.
Before taking the stage, Dickerson was surprised with a commemorative plaque for his recent RIAA Gold certification for “Home Sweet” selling 500,000 units since its release.
The newly-added second leg of the “All Yours All Night Tour” will kick off in the UK at London’s Electric Ballroom on Oct. 12.
Season 4 Of CRS360 Webinar Series To Kick Off March 30
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 2022 CRS360 Webinar Series will kick off on March 30 with “What You Didn’t See,” the first part of a two-part follow-up to the CRS Research Presentation presented by NuVoodoo at CRS 2022.
CRS Research Presentation 2022: “What You Didn’t See” will divulge comprehensive lifestyle and behavioral data not shared during the original presentation on Feb. 24, and provides insights to all programmers targeting the country consumer market.
NuVoodoo’s Leigh Jacobs and Carolyn Gilbert, as well as CRS Agenda Committee member and iHeartMedia EVP Programming Maynard will serve as panelists on the webinar, with Big Machine’s GM and CRS Research Committee member Clay Hunnicutt serving as moderator.
“The consumer data compiled by our research partners at NuVoodoo was vast,” explains CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis. “A one-hour session at CRS wasn’t enough time to share every nugget, so Leigh Jacobs and Carolyn Gilbert have prepared an additional presentation designed to go deeper and wider. They’ll share insights into lifestyle and beliefs based on never before asked questions–the findings may challenge our assumptions about country consumers’ approach to social and political topics.”
Registration for the March 2022 edition of the CRS360 webinar series is open now. Only a limited number of slots are available and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Alex Miller Declares April 29 ‘Miller Time’
/by Lorie HollabaughAlex Miller
Alex Miller is gearing up for the release of his new Billy Jam Records album, Miller Time, on April 29.
The season 19 American Idol alum offers up the 10-track project filled with ballads, bar burners and a few surprises. Helmed by songwriter and industry vet Jerry Salley, the collection opens with a tale of the dead-broke and broken-hearted in “Breaking The Bank,” which is offered as a grat track with album pre-order.
Other tracks on the project include his current single, “Through With You,” the Western swing number “Don’t Let The Barn Door Hit Ya,” the fiddle and steel-tinged “Girls Must Be Clumsy,” the slow swinging “Kentucky’s Never Been This Far From Tennessee,” the sassy “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me,” and the patriotic “Boys In Uniform,” among others. Miller wraps the album with his rendition of the Hank Williams’ gospel number, “I’m Gonna Sing,” accompanied by the Oak Ridge Boys.
“Going into this I wanted to make an album that showcased all the different sides of me-swing, bluegrass, country and gospel,” says Alex. “Miller Time gives me the chance to show folks all the music I love and enjoy.” He adds, “I always knew making music was what I wanted. To actually be doing it is really me living the dream.”
Thomas Rhett To Celebrate New Album With Amazon Live Stream Event
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett is teaming up with Amazon Music for “Thomas Rhett: The Live Experience” on April 1 to celebrate the launch of his sixth studio album, Where We Started, from The Valory Music Co.
The album launch event will stream live beginning at 7 p.m. CT with a Twitch pre-show led by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, hosts of the Country Heat Weekly podcast. Fans will be able to tune in via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, on Prime Video, and within the Amazon Music mobile app via Twitch.
“I’m so pumped to celebrate the release of Where We Started this Friday with Amazon Music,” Rhett says. “Whether you’re here in Nashville or anywhere else in the world watching virtually, I’m thankful to collaborate with the people at Amazon Music to help us reach as many of you as we possibly can. The show is really, really special to me and full circle in so many ways–can’t think of a better wait to celebrate together!”
Inspired by his return to the road, Rhett’s Where We Started includes a duet with Katy Perry on the root-pop title track, and collabs with Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard and Russell Dickerson.
Ryan Dokke Named VP, Promotion & Marketing At BMLG Records
/by Lydia FarthingRyan Dokke
Big Machine Label Group, a subsidiary of HYBE America, has added Ryan Dokke as Vice President, Promotion & Marketing, for the BMLG Records imprint effective immediately.
Reporting directly to BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen, Dokke will support the label’s roster, which includes five-time Grammy award-winning trio Lady A, multi-Platinum-selling vocalist Brett Young, ACM award-winner Riley Green, and rising female vocalist Laci Kaye Booth.
Dokke most recently served as CEO of Dallas Davidson‘s Play It Again Music following prior stops at Curb | Word Entertainment (Curb Records) and Sony Music Nashville (Arista Records). Dokke can be reached at ryan.dokke@bmlg.net.
“I first met Ryan while he was working in radio and have considered him a friend for over a decade,” shares Harnen. “I’ve watched him rise through the ranks, expand his knowledge and succeed in very challenging times. I am confident he will continue leading this team at the level that Matthew Hargis did over the past 12 years.”
“First, I salute and honor Matthew Hargis and the tremendous leadership he has provided over the past decade,” adds Dokke. “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the legacy of BMLG Records and advocate on behalf of this incredible artist roster. I am excited to work with this team of professionals and can’t thank Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen enough for their belief that I am the right person for this role!”
Hargis served as the former Sr. VP of Promotion and Marketing at the Big Machine Label Group imprint BMLG Records. He announced his exit from the company earlier this month.
’90s Country Hitmaker Jeff Carson Dies Of A Heart Attack At Age 58
/by Lorie Hollabaugh’90s country hitmaker Jeff Carson has died from a heart attack at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 58.
Born Jeffrey Lee Herndon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Carson began his musical journey singing in church. After forming a band in Rogers, Arkansas, he eventually moved to Branson, Missouri where he wrote songs and played locally before moving to Nashville. In Nashville he began recording demos and his voice caught the attention of Curb Records, who signed him in 1995.
He released several singles with Curb including “Yeah Buddy,” and “Not On Your Love,” which went to No. 1. Carson’s single, “The Car” became a top five hit and won him his first Academy of Country Music award for Video of the Year.
In 2009, Carson retired from music to become a law enforcement officer with the Franklin Police Department in Williamson County, Tennessee, where he remained on the force until his death. He returned to music in 2019 signing a singles deal with MC1 Nashville to re-cut and release a previously recorded song “God Save The World,” which charted on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio chart.
Carson had most recently signed with Encore Music Group and had been in the studio recording a specialty album to be released later this year that included duets with Michael Ray, Darryl Worley, Mark Wills, and Craig Morgan.
He is survived by wife Kim Cooper Carson, son Dayton Grei Herndon Carson, mother Virginia Norton, brother Steve Herndon, sister Karen Spurlock, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral service for Carson will be held on Saturday, April 2 at Brentwood Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. A procession and police motorcade to a brief graveside service at Williamson Memorial for follow at 11:30 a.m.
Garth Brooks Adds Second Night To Nashville Weekend In April
/by Lydia FarthingGarth Brooks. Photo: Becky Fluke
Garth Brooks has added a new opening night to his visit to Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on April 15. The previously announced April 16 show will now serve as the second of his weekend-long stay.
Tickets will be on sale Friday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. CT. This will be Brooks’ final “Stadium Tour” stop in Nashville and the only stop in Tennessee. Over 70,000 fans attended the anticipated 2021 performance at Nissan Stadium last summer before it was ultimately cancelled due to weather.
Originally launched in March 2019, Brooks’ “The Stadium Tour” has broken stadium attendance records at every stop so far. Pollstar announced at the end of last year that “The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour” was the best selling country music tour of 2019.
Ashley Cooke Inks With Big Loud Records & Back Blocks Music
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Drew Magid (Big Loud Management), Jeff Tanner (VP of Business and Legal Affairs, Big Loud Records), Rakiyah Marshall (Founder/CEO, Back Blocks Music), Ashley Cooke, Patch Culbertson (SVP/GM, Big Loud Records), Candice Watkins (SVP of Marketing, Big Loud Records), Eric England (VP of Data & Analytics, Big Loud Records), Michael Giangreco (Sr. Director of A&R, Big Loud Publishing); (L-R, front row): Adam Romaine (Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing), Kennedy Murphy (Back Blocks Music), Kimberly Gleason (VP, Big Loud Publishing), Seth England (CEO/Partner, Big Loud), Katie Flynn (Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing), Tori Johnson (VP of Creative, Big Loud Records). Photo: Chris Hornbuckle
Rising country artist Ashley Cooke has signed a co-venture record deal with Big Loud Records and Back Blocks Music. She will also be represented by Big Loud / Back Blocks Music for publishing.
Cooke made her country music debut with her 2021 project Already Drank That Beer, which has already racked up over 30 million streams in seven months. Since joining TikTok in 2020, Cooke has amassed a following of over 885K followers and nearly 12 million likes. She has repeatedly topped the iTunes country charts with numerous releases such as fan favorite “Good Goodbye” and standout track “Never Til Now.”
“From the second I walked into Big Loud, it felt like home. They met me where I was, recognizing all I had built independently while also showing me how they could pour gasoline on the fire that had already started,” shares Cooke. “Getting to partner with not only Big Loud but also my champion since day one, Rakiyah Marshall / Back Blocks, is an absolute dream team and I couldn’t be more excited and confident to be joining the roster.”
Cooke started 2022 by being named one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artist To Watch. She is currently performing on Cole Swindell’s “Down To The Bar Tour,” and is preparing to release music throughout the year, recently teasing an all-new duet of “Never Til Now” alongside country superstar Brett Young.