Ernest Tubb Record Shop To Close

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Ernest Tubb Record Shop

Downtown Nashville gem, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, will close this spring. According to a statement from Honky Tonk Circus, ETRS, and David McCormick Company, both the building and the business will be sold.

“Our goal has always been to protect, promote and preserve the great history of the record shop and building,” the entities write in a joint statement. “That desire remains as strong today as ever. However, due to changes in circumstances out of our control, it’s now clear the best way forward is to sell the business and the real estate.”

The Ernest Tubb Record Shop has existed in its current location on lower Broadway since 1951, after country star Ernest Tubb originally opened the shop on Commerce Street in 1947. Since its inception, not only has the Ernest Tubb Record Shop served as a music shop for Nashville natives and tourists, it has also been a performance spot for numerous special performances. The store was the site of The Midnight Jamboree, where country stars would perform immediately after their Grand Ole Opry show.

The statement regarding its sale continues, “Preserving the history and tradition of country music remains at the forefront of everything we do. We remain committed to preservation work and look forward to new projects that will allow us to continue to protect and nurture the invaluable history and tradition of country music.”

Matthew West, Tauren Wells To Co-Host 9th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards In May

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Matthew West, Tauren Wells

Reigning ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year Matthew West and 10x Grammy nominee Tauren Wells will co-host the 9th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.

Taking place on May 29 at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House, Coca-Cola Consolidated will once again serve as sponsor for the Christian music awards show.

“I’m looking forward to hosting the K-LOVE Fan Awards again this year, and excited to be joined by my buddy Tauren Wells,” says West. “This fan voted awards show is always a special event where we get to gather together and celebrate how God is working through the hope-filled messages of Christian music. This will be a night to remember.”

“The K-LOVE Fan Awards is always a highlight of my year. Getting to reunite with all the artists I love and respect in our genre, developing deeper connections with fans, and celebrating the God who has given us something to sing about is something truly special,” adds Wells. “This year, I will experience the awards from a different vantage point as a host alongside K-LOVE Fan Awards veteran, Matthew West. He has done such an incredible job and I can’t wait to team up!”

More information about the show, including performers and nominees, will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend are currently on sale with various travel packages.

Eli Young Band Does Some ‘Love Talking’ On Upcoming Project

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Pictured (L-R): Eli Young Band’s Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, Mike Eli, James Young. Photo: Corey Ray

Eli Young Band is gearing up for the release of their latest full-length album, Love Talking, via The Valory Music Co. on June 3. The project is available for pre-order now along with brand new song “Break Up In A Bar.”

A rowdy response to saying goodbye to a relationship, “Break Up In A Bar” offers a positive twist on a usually intense topic and is one of the only outside cuts on the album, written by Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson and Hunter Phelps. Also finding a home on the album is the Platinum-certified No. 1 “Love Ain’t,” which was penned by Ross Copperman, Gorley and Shane McAnally, plus preview track “Lucky For Me.”

Lead singer Mike Eli found himself writing more than 150 songs in the time since the band released This Is Eli Young Band: Greatest Hits in 2019. On Love Talking, he joins forces with Nashville writers Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz, Josh Osborne, Jon Nite and more.

“We really wanted to find the positivity in what we got out of the last two years, so that was one of the main goals for this album,” notes Eli. “There was a lot of unknown that was written into some of the music we created during that time, but we all lived it so deeply; we wanted to offer something uplifting with our music.”

Fans will get to hear the new music performed live along with their multi-decade catalog of hits as the band returns to the road for their 52-city “Love Talking Tour,” which kicks off tonight in Chandler, Arizona.

The group, comprised of Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson, has come a long way since their formation in 2000 at the University of North Texas, producing four chart-topping singles: 3x Platinum “Crazy Girl,” 2x Platinum “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and Platinum “Love Ain’t” and “Drunk Last Night.”

Love Talking Track List:
Love Talking (Mike Eli, Eric Arjes, Jeffrey East)
Lucky For Me (Mike Eli, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz)
Break Up In A Bar (Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps)
Love Ain’t (Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally)
Chances Are (Mike Eli, Eric Arjes, Jordan Minton)
Live With It (Mike Eli, Josh Osborne, Daniel Ross)
Tell Me It Is (Mike Eli, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)
A Good Thing (Mike Eli, Eric Arjes, Jeffery East)
Love Talking (Acoustic) (Mike Eli, Eric Arjes, Jeffrey East)

Bobbie Nelson, Beloved Musician & Sister Of Willie Nelson, Dies At 91

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Willie & Bobbie Nelson. Photo: Todd V. Wolfson

Bobbie Nelson, beloved musician, author and sister to country legend Willie Nelson, passed away Thursday morning (March 10). She was 91.

Bobbie was the first member of Willie’s band, Willie Nelson and Family, serving as his pianist and a vocalist. She spent more than 50 years recording and touring with her brother.

By the time the siblings were in their teens, they were playing honky-tonks together in a band with Bobbie’s husband Bud Fletcher and their guitar-playing father Ira Nelson. After Bud’s untimely death in a car accident, Bobbie was left with three young sons to raise on her own. She gave up playing music to attend a business college in Fort Worth where she learned secretarial skills.

However, music helped her land her first job out of school when the Hammond Organ Company hired Bobbie for both her office skills to work in the company’s music library and to demonstrate the company’s organs. As her children grew, she also began working as a piano entertainer in restaurants, lounges and supper clubs, eventually earning her living as a pianist in Austin and Nashville.

In 1972, Willie, freshly-signed to a recording deal with Atlantic Records, invited Bobbie to join him in New York City for a recording session, and then asked her to join his band.

Bobbie released her debut album, Audiobiography, in 2007. The Justice Records release features a collection of 12 of her favorite songs—two of them featuring Willie singing and playing guitar with her. In recent years, she was featured on the 2021 project, The Willie Nelson Family (Legacy Recordings), which contains a collection of country, gospel-flavored songs performed by Willie’s Family Band.

The siblings also collaborated on two books: the 2020 memoir Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band (Random House) and the only children’s book they penned, the 2021 Sister, Brother, Family: An American Childhood in Music (Doubleday).

Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.

Alan Jackson To Launch ‘Last Call: One More For The Road Tour’ In June

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Alan Jackson. Photo: David McClister

Alan Jackson is returning to the road this summer on the “Last Call: One More for the Road Tour.”

The 16-date tour kicks off June 24 and will visit Biloxi, Savannah, Kansas City, Austin, Atlantic City, and more through Oct. 8. Most cities will go on sale Friday, March 18, and Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, March 15.

Jackson will team with CID Entertainment/OnLocation to offer VIP experiences at the shows, including a pre-show party presented by AJ’s Good Time Bar, highlighted by live music from James Carothers and Cory Farley.

The dates mark his first tour since revealing his health diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a chronic inherited neuropathy condition that results in nerve deterioration, last fall. One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to the CMT Research Foundation, which funds research for drug development for those suffering from CMT. Additionally, $1 will be matched by a group of CMTRF donors and board members.

“Last Call: One More for the Road Tour” Dates:
Friday, June 24 – Biloxi, MS (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)
Saturday, June 25 – Knoxville, TN (Thompson-Boling Arena)
Friday, July 29 – St. Paul, MN (Xcel Energy Center)
Saturday, July 30 – Grand Forks, ND (Alerus Center)
Friday, August 12 – Savannah, GA (Enmarket Arena) **
Saturday, August 13 – Greenville, SC (Bon Secours Wellness Arena) **
Friday, August 26 – Lincoln, NE (Pinnacle Bank Arena)
Saturday, August 27 – Kansas City, MO (T-Mobile Center)
Friday, September 9 – Lexington, KY (Rupp Arena)
Saturday, September 10 – Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
Friday, September 16 – Austin, TX (Moody Center)
Saturday, September 17 – Dallas, TX (American Airlines Center)
Friday, September 30 – Phoenix (Glendale), AZ (Gila River Arena) ++
Saturday, October 1 – Anaheim, CA (Honda Center)
Friday, October 7 – Atlantic City, NJ (Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall)
Saturday, October 8 – Pittsburgh, PA (PPG Paints Arena)
** On Sale Date to Be Announced
++ Rescheduled concert from 2020; tickets for previous events will be honored; new tickets available

Luke Combs Shoots To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart

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In just twelve weeks since its release, “Doin’ This” by Luke Combs moves into the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. It gained an additional +131 spins for a total of 1,771 this week and 13,115 overall. Drew Parker and Robert Williford joined Combs in the writers room to pen this single.

“Doin’ This” also landed at No. 2 on the country streaming songs chart gaining 6.1 million streams this week, according to MRC data.

Combs was recently named Male Artist of the Year at the 20th annual CountryBreakout Awards. To see a full list of winners, click here.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Mary Chapin Carpenter To Kick Off Summer Tour In June

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Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Aaron Farrington

Mary Chapin Carpenter is launching an extensive headlining tour this summer with shows at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, Denver’s Botanic Gardens, Minneapolis’ Pantages Theater, Boston’s The Wilbur, and an Aug. 19 show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among many others.

Carpenter will also perform select co-headline dates with Emmylou Harris this summer, including stops at Charlottesville’s Sprint Pavilion, Vienna’s Wolf Trap and Chicago’s Ravinia Theater.

Tickets for the shows go on sale this Friday (March 11) at 10 a.m. local time. Details can be found at marychapincarpenter.com/tour.

The dates add to yet another notable year for Carpenter, who is nominated for Best Folk Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for her One Night Lonely (Live). A rare solo performance, the album was recorded in 2020 at Virginia’s Wolf Trap, and features songs from across her acclaimed career including several from her latest studio album, The Dirt And The Stars.

Over the course of her career, Carpenter has sold over 15 million records and has won five Grammy awards, two CMA awards, two ACM awards, and is one of only fifteen female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Mary Chapin Carpenter Tour Dates:
June 8—Santa Rosa, CA—Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
June 9—San Francisco, CA—Palace of Fine Arts
June 10—Monterey, CA—Golden State Theater
June 12—San Luis Obispo, CA—Freemont Theater
June 14—El Cajon, CA—The Magnolia
June 15—Scottsdale, AZ—Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts
June 16—Tucson, AZ—Rialto Theater
June 18—Santa Barbara, CA—Lobrero Theater
June 20—Los Angeles, CA—Venue TBA
June 21—Grass Valley, CA—Center for the Arts
June 23—Eugene, OR—Hult Center
June 24—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
June 25—Seattle, WA—Moore Theater
July 6—Salt Lake City, UT—Venue TBA
July 7—Denver, CO—Denver Botanic Gardens
July 8—Colorado Springs, CO—Pikes Peak Performing Arts Center
July 9—Breckenridge, CO—Riverwalk Center
July 13—Minneapolis, MN—Pantages Theater
July 14—Bayfield, WI—Big Top Chautauqua
July 15—Iowa City, IA—Englert Theater
July 16—Champaign, IL—Virginia Theater
July 17—Lawrence, KS—Liberty Hall
July 19—Cincinnati, OH—Memorial Hall
July 21—Columbus, OH—Davidson Theater
July 22—New Haven, KY—The Amphitheater at Dant Crossing
August 9—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
August 10—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
August 11—North Truro, MA—Payomet Performing Arts Center
August 12—Boston, MA—The Wilbur
August 13—Northampton, MA—The Pines
August 14—Portland, ME—State Theatre
August 16—Reading, PA—The Miller Center
August 17—Durham, NC—Durham Performing Arts Center
August 19—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium
August 20—Charlotte, NC—Knight Center
August 21—Wilmington, NC—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
August 23—Charlottesville, VA—Sprint Pavilion*
August 24—Geneva, NY—Smith Opera House
August 25—Chautauqua, NY—Chautauqua Institution*
August 26—Ridgefield, CT—Ridgefield Playhouse
August 27—Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap*
August 30—Kennet Square, PA—Longwood Gardens*
September 2—Chicago, IL—Ravinia Theater*
*co-headline with Emmylou Harris

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Thomas Rhett Shows The Best Of Country Music With Newest Release

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Country music is alive and well.

This week in DISClaimer we have proof of that in the sounds of Joshua Hedley, Kane Brown, Randall King, Restless Road and Jimmie Allen. The Disc of the Day is also a country monument, “Death Row,” co-written by Thomas Rhett and beautifully recorded with Russell Dickerson and Tyler Hubbard.

Also flying the country flag high are the oldie remakes by Layla Tucker and Cody Belew, who share the DISCovery Award.

CAITLYN SMITH / “Downtown Baby”
Writers: Simon Wilcox/Caitlyn Smith/Gordie Sampson/Thomas Salter; Producer: Caitlyn Smith; Label: Monument
–Catchy country-pop with a chiming chorus, a steady rhythm and an ear-catching vocal. She wants out of suburbia and back into the swing of things in the urban core. Highly engaging.

JIMMIE ALLEN / “Down Home”
Writers: Jimmie Allen/Cameron Bedell/Rian Ball/Tate Howell; Producers: Ash Bowers/Jimmie Allen; Label: Stony Creek/BBR
–Written for and addressed to his late father, this power ballad exudes sincerity. Sung with heart. Loss and grief are universal emotions, and Allen’s song is a pathway beyond them to love and acceptance.

RANDALL KING / “Shot Glass”
Writers: Tony Lane/Brett James; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Warner
–This fellow is one of my favorite neo-traditionalists. The title tune of his new album showcases his warm baritone in a brilliant barroom ballad embellished by fiddle and steel. Make this man a star.

MAREN MORRIS / “Nervous”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Maren Morris/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Sony
–Dark and plodding, featuring her hollering while smothered in a rock production. I lost interest quickly.

RESTLESS ROAD / “Growing Old With You”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producer: Jared Keim; Label: RCA
–Heart melting. This beautiful ballad expressing timeless and true love belongs on every wedding playlist. This trio has something special going on.

KANE BROWN / “Leave You Alone”
Writers: Jordan Minton/Jordan Schmidt/Kane Brown; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA
–This love ballad gives him plenty of space to show what an expressive singer he is. I could have done without the shrieking electric-guitar solo.

LAYLA TUCKER / “Misery and Gin”
Writers: John Robert Durrell/Snuff Garrett; Producers: Keith Thomas/Jim Zumwalt/Joe McEwen; Label: LT
–Tanya’s daughter reminds us of what great country music sounds like with this terrific performance of Merle Haggard’s bluesy roadhouse classic. The 1980 song remains a masterpiece, and she sings it with emotional precision. Star-making stuff.

THOMAS RHETT, TYLER HUBBARD & RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Death Row”
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Ashley Gorley/Zack Crowell; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Label: Valory
–Extraordinary. This is country music at its very best, speaking truth and touching the soul. Inspired by the three singers’ prison visit, the song finds humanity, empathy and forgiveness in those who are doomed. Each of the three takes a verse, and all of them soar. Essential listening.

MONTE WARDEN / “Love Is Undefeated”
Writers: Monte Warden/Brandi Warden; Producer: Brandi Warden; Label: Moonkiss
–The Wagoneers man gets tender and gentle on this stripped-down, acoustic effort. The ballad expresses the ultimate survival of man’s essential goodness while strings sigh and a guitar strums. Very pretty.

KATHY MATTEA / “Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)”
Writers: Anthony LoGerfo/Corey McCormick/Logan Metz/Lukas Nelson/Tato Melgar; Producers: Kethy Mattea/Jon Vezner; Label: Captain Potato
–Mattea plucked this song from the repertoire of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. It’s a gently persuasive invitation to build trust and unity in these divisive times. Her lilting vocal is backed by sympathetic harmonica and keyboard work. Mattea is the new host of NPR’s Mountain Stage series, and this performance is drawn from one of those broadcasts.

CODY BELEW / “Here You Come Again”
Writers: Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil; Producer: Dustin Ransom; Label: Visionary Media Group
–This guy is a for-real singer, for sure. He completely reinterprets this 1977 Dolly hit, transforming it from a bouncy ditty into a cry of romantic anguish. His only accompaniment is a pianist, but his dramatic performance is so gripping that it needs nothing else. Belew is in the midst of a series of showcases at The Lipstick Lounge on Woodland Street, performing there once a month. March’s date is the 19th, and he’ll appear again at the venue on April 16.

JOSHUA HEDLEY / ”Broke Again”
Writers: Joshua Hedley/Skylar Wilson; Producers: Skylar Wilson/Jordan Lehning; Label: New West
–It’s a rollicking twang fest with loads of hooks, plenty of energy and mounds of hillbilly attitude. The workingman lyric is a dandy, and the band cooks with gas. Neo-traditionalist Hedley celebrates the release of his Neon Blue album with an April 20 show at the groovy new Eastside Bowl. Get yer tix now.

Meet Marc Rucker: SoundExchange’s New Nashville Rep [Interview]

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Marc Rucker

SoundExchange, the organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 260,000 creators, recently announced the addition of Nashville-based Marc Rucker as manager, industry engagement to the Brand Marketing & Industry Engagement team. Rucker will foster local and national artist and management relationships in Music City.

With 13 years in the Nashville music business, Rucker brings experience in artist management, business management, and publishing to his new role at SoundExchange.

“I’ve always considered myself an artist ally, so this role at SoundExchange aligns with my desire to continue to make an impact on the livelihoods of creators,” Rucker tells MusicRow. “With deep music industry experience, I’ve seen first-hand how SoundExchange’s efficient and effective tools and services can impact a creator’s livelihood. My Nashville roots will be valuable as we aim to deepen and expand engagement with this vibrant community and continue to educate on how SoundExchange is making the business of music more simple and more fair.”

Rucker will help broaden SoundExchange’s visibility in Nashville and provide in-person support and education to critical stakeholders and at industry events. He will also participate in the formation of strategic alliances with entertainment and brand partners, as well as artist-based communities and organizations.

“Right now, my goal is to connect with artists, managers, and producers in Nashville to make sure awareness is strong around the ways in which SoundExchange is powering the future of the music business with best-in-class tools and technologies to collect and distribute digital royalties.

“Beyond that, I’m eager to spread the word on all that SoundExchange is doing to advocate for creators’ rights on Capitol Hill and to let artists know how they can get involved,” Rucker adds. “SoundExchange has been instrumental in the introduction of the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) over the last year which would see creators finally get paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio, and their support in the passage of this bill is vital to our efforts.”

Rucker implores music business members to get in touch with him via email at mrucker@soundexchange.com, and follow SoundExchange on Instagram and Twitter.

Nicolle Galyon Reups With Warner Chappell Music, Influence Media & Songs & Daughters Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): BJ Hill (WCM), Rene McLean (Influence Media), Jess Rosen (Attorney), Ben Vaughn (WCM); (L-R, top row): Lynn Hazan (Influence Media), Nicolle Galyon, Lylette Pizarro (Influence Media), Bethany Mako (Songs & Daughters)

Nicolle Galyon has renewed her global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) in partnership with Influence Media and Songs & Daughters Publishing.

Galyon has been with WCM for 15 years and, in the last two years alone, the hitmaker’s songs have amassed more than two billion streams. She has penned hit singles such as “I Quit Drinking” by Kelsea Ballerini and LANY, “Minimum Wage” by Blake Shelton, “Gone” by Dierks Bentley and “Half Of My Hometown” by Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney, which currently sits atop the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts.

“Nicolle’s songs have always made us feel emotions that we all can relate to. Well before her first hit, it was clear that her writing style was distinct as she so naturally wrapped her lyrics around melodies,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “She only continues to perfect her craft and create timeless songs. As a trailblazing businesswoman, dedicated co-writer, loyal friend, sister, daughter, mother, and supporter of talent, she understands the creative process and we are proud to be her partner.”

Galyon has spent the last decade earning top-tier writing credits, crafting hits like Camila Cabello’s Platinum-certified “Consequences,” “Automatic” by Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban’s “We Were Us,” and the 7x multi-Platinum hit “Tequila” by Dan + Shay.

In 2019, Galyon founded her own record label and publishing house, Songs & Daughters, dedicated to providing a platform for women to tell honest stories about real life.

“It’s so exciting to look to the future with a new team that I also have an incredible history with,” says Galyon. “I’m lucky to have 15 years of my journey under my belt with Warner Chappell, while Influence is bringing a whole new progressive space and energy to my copyrights. As a songwriter & publisher, it feels monumental to get to partner with companies that push me forward and have also felt like home since day one.”

“Nicolle is a powerhouse multi-hyphenate who is a force behind some of our most beloved modern country hits. We are so proud to support Nicolle through our phenomenal partnership with Ben Vaughn, BJ Hill, and Warner Chappell and look forward to the next phase of this journey,” adds Influence Founder and Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro.