Pictured (L-R): Steve Hodges and Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville; Simon Tikhman, The CORE Entertainment; Lisa Purcell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Chief Zaruk, The CORE Entertainment; Luke Combs; Chris Kappy, Make Wake Artists; Nate Smith; Jen Way, Sony Music Nashville; Annie McNamara, Words & Music Student; Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville; Elle King; Megan Boardman, Red Light Management; Sophia Sansone, Make Wake Artists; Shane Allen, Columbia Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum came together Thursday night (Feb. 24) to present “In Harmony: Music and Mission” to an invite-only crowd.
The night celebrated a range of the label’s artists, including CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs, genre-bending songstress Elle King, and country newcomer Nate Smith. The museum also showcased a performance from Annie McNamara, a budding young songwriter from its award-winning flagship education program Words & Music.
Lisa Purcell, SVP, External Affairs for the Hall of Fame welcomed the crowd, saying: “It’s been quite a two-year spread since our last CRS gathering for all of us. [Through it all], country music, country radio, and DSPs have been our constant companion, sharing the joy, beauty, comfort, and perspective of this music that we love and honor in this house. Thanks for all you do.”
McNamara opened up the showcase, performing an original song entitled “Fatherless Daughter.” Based on a true story of a friend whose father was tragically lost in an accident, the 14 year-old singer-songwriter displayed some of the skills she’s been able to hone through the museum’s songwriting program.
“The museum has had the pleasure of helping Annie on her musical journey since she signed up for our summer songwriting camp three years ago. Annie’s love for country music led her from her home in Wilmington, North Carolina, to our camp in 2019,” explained Museum Sr. Director of Education and Community Engagement, Ali Tonn. “Over the past 40 years, Words & Music has helped over 150,000 students share their stories through song. Encouraging young writers like Annie through the country music songbook leads us to more country music listeners and maybe to the next generation of hit writers and top-selling recording artists.”
Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Randy Goodman, was on hand to introduce the label’s first artist of the night, Nate Smith, who first gained attention on TikTok for his song “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.” Goodman teased that the track would soon be making its way to radio.
Pictured (L-R): Nate Smith, Luke Combs, Annie McNamara, Elle King. Photo: Alan Poizner
Smith took the stage, immediately jumping in to his unreleased track “You Shouldn’t Have To.” Delivering a handful of masterfully written originals, including the previously released “Sleeve,” “Under My Skin,” and “Raised Up,” Smith couldn’t contain his excitement about getting to open the room.
“It’s an honor to be here. [I just want to give] a huge thanks to Randy and the Sony team. It’s a great thing to be here,” Smith gushed. “I moved to Nashville for the second time in July of 2020 during the pandemic. Sometimes I miss home a lot. I miss my mom and dad, and when life gets busy I have to remind myself of the things that I was raised up on. Sometimes it’s the words they said, sometimes it’s church, so this song is called ‘Raised Up.'”
Later, Smith closed his set with his upcoming single to country radio.
Columbia Nashville’s SVP, Promotion, Shane Allen came on to set the stage for King who has already achieved quite an impressive list of accolades, including No. 1s in four different formats, over 1.7 billion worldwide streams, CMA and ACM wins, and a Grammy nomination for her top ten song “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” featuring Miranda Lambert.
“What’s interesting about my career, and I don’t know if you guys know much about me because I still don’t know much about me, but I will say that I’ve been given an incredible opportunity that no one in my life or my career has ever tried to put me in a box. I’d like to see them try and make me fit, it would be very difficult,” King quipped with the audience. “I’m very excited for the new music and that you guys are giving me the chance to play these.”
King went on to deliver two originals that are expected on her upcoming country record—”Out Yonder” and “Worth A Shot”—as well her own version of Charlie Daniels‘ “Long Haired Country Boy.” She also showcased her 2014 breakout hit “Ex’s & Oh’s” as well as “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
Combs, the winner of MusicRow‘s 2022 CountryBreakout Male Artist of the Year award, took the stage, giving the audience hit after hit from his decorated discography. Telling the stories behind many of his No. 1 songs, the multi-Platinum songwriter had the crowd singing along to “When It Rains It Pours,” “She Got The Best Of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Lovin’ On You,” “Hurricane,” and “Forever After All.”
“I appreciate you guys playing this next one. I know it’s slow, but people seem to like it. This is one of my favorite songs, personally, that I’ve ever written,” Combs shared. “I wrote it with Rob and a guy named Drew Parker in the garage at my house. To be candid, we didn’t really have shit to write about and it had been over a year since we had played a show. We ended up just hanging out and talking for a while about all kinds of stuff.” He continued, “We started talking about the things we do in this job, like interviews, and a question I always get asked is what I would be doing if I wasn’t doing this. The light bulb went off in all of our collective heads at that time, or at least it did for me.
“Thank you all so much for playing this song. I know it’s not the up-tempo thing that we all would love to have, but people seem to love it. I hope you guys like it,” he summed before breaking out into his current single, “Doin’ This.”
Combs closed the night with his rock-infused “Beer Never Broke My Heart” with the audience singing along to every word.
Hit Country Songwriter Mike Dekle Passes
/by Robert K OermannGeorgia-based songwriter Mike Dekle died Thursday (Feb. 24) at age 77 after a battle with lung disease.
His biggest songwriting hits included “Scarlet Fever” by Kenny Rogers (1983), “Don’t Love Make a Diamond Shine” by Tracy Byrd (1997), “Size Matters (Someday)” by Joe Nichols (2006) and “Country Must Be Country Wide” by Brantley Gilbert (2011). Gilbert’s version of their co-written “One Hell of an Amen” topped the country charts in 2014.
Pictured (L-R): Co-writers Mike Dekle, Brantley Gilbert, and Brian Davis at the No. 1 party for “One Hell of An Amen.” Photo: Valory Music Co.
Noted as a hard-core country tunesmith, Dekle had his songs recorded by Ricky Skaggs, Hank Thompson, Moe Bandy, The Whites. T.G. Sheppard, Scooter Lee, Colt Ford and Rhonda Vincent, among others.
He was born in Panama City, Florida, and the family moved to Athens, Georgia when he was five. Dekle began his career as a folk singer in coffeehouses in the 1960s. He moved to Nashville in the 1970s, hoping to make a life as either a singer or a songwriter.
Neither career panned out. So Mike Dekle spent most of the next three decades in Athens, Georgia as a State Farm insurance agent while pursuing country songwriting on the side.
He met songwriter/publisher Byron Hill in 1982. Hill produced Dekle’s record of “Scarlet Fever.” Kenny Rogers picked up the tune and signed Dekle to his publishing company. The superstar subsequently recorded the Dekle tunes “Two Hearts One Love,” “People in Love,” “Someone Must Feel Like a Fool Tonight” and “Some Prisons Don’t Have Walls.”
As a singer, Mike Dekle made the bottom rungs of the country charts in 1984 with his self-composed “Hanky-Panky” and “The Minstrel.”
Following his stint writing for Rogers, Dekle signed with Byron Hill’s publishing company, Song Source. He also continued to co-write with Hill, securing a number of recordings during the next few years. Keith Whitley recorded the songwriting team’s “A Day in the Life of a Fool.” Gene Watson sang their collaboration “No Trash in My Trailer.” Dekle and Hill remained lifelong friends.
In 1990, Dekle launched his own song-publishing company, Square D Music. He signed with Almo Irving Music in 1994.
He continued to sing, as well. Mike Dekle released six albums, Wood and Wire (1982), Fine Tuned (1999), Sketches (2003), Tunesmith (2005), Tributes (2009) and That Kinda Guy (2019).
Mike Dekle is survived by his wife Crystie and by their children and grandchildren. His death was announced by Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East Chapel in Athens, Georgia. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Athens First Baptist Church Athens Building Fund or a charity of choice.
Jillian Jacqueline Gives Sneak Peek Of Upcoming New Music
/by Lydia FarthingJillian Jacqueline
Jillian Jacqueline has given her first taste of new music in more than two years with the release of “Magic.”
The first official release through her new worldwide distribution deal with Virgin Music, “Magic” was penned by Jacqueline alongside producer Tofer Brown and Shane McAnally. The track, something Jacqueline refers to as a sister song to her earlier recordings such as “Overdue” and “Sad Girls,” is the first song off of her forthcoming debut full-length album.
“I had the privilege of working with Jillian in 2017 and have been a fan of her work ever since,” shares Jacqueline Saturn, President of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. “When I heard there was an opportunity to work together again I jumped at the chance without even hearing the music, but then once we did we were completely blown away and you will be too. We are proud to welcome her to the virgin music family.”
Throughout her musical career, Jacqueline has garnered over 54 million streams on Spotify with her initial EPs and singles, including tracks “Reasons;” “God Bless This Mess,” which she co-wrote with Lori McKenna; and “If I Were You” featuring Keith Urban.
Brooks & Dunn To Head Back To Arenas On ‘Reboot 2022 Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughBrooks & Dunn are heading back to arenas for the first time in over a decade on their new “Reboot 2022 Tour.”
Kicking off on May 5 in Evansville, Indiana, the nationwide trek will feature the duo hitting some cities and venues for the first time in over 20 years. The country icons will visit Tulsa, Jacksonville, San Antonio, Savannah, and more, with a Nashville date set for June 18 at Bridgestone Arena.
A stacked lineup of openers will accompany the duo, including Gabby Barrett, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Jon Pardi and more. Tickets go on sale March 4 at brooks-dunn.com and livenation.com.
“Last year we fired up the buses and ‘let it roll’ again,” shares Kix Brooks. “Thanks for reminding us how you guys can shake every stage we walk on to…damn, it feels good to be back with ya! Bring it! We’ll meet you there!”
“It is our full intent to step onto the stage each night and throw down like the wildest honky tonk you’ve never been to…yet,” add Ronnie Dunn. “Don’t be concerned about the mess left afterwards, y’all just enjoy yourselves and we’ll worry about that later.”
Brooks & Dunn’s collaboration project, Reboot, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, marking the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009. The pair simultaneously earned their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history.
Last year, Brooks & Dunn undertook their first nationwide tour in ten years with their “The Reboot 2021 Tour,” as well as wrapped their longest-running country residency in Las Vegas, “Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas.”
“Reboot 2022 Tour” Dates:
5/5/22 Evansville, IN – w/ Jon Pardi, Tyler Booth @ Ford Center
5/6/22 Grand Rapids, MI – w/ Jon Pardi, Tyler Booth @ Van Andel Arena
5/12/22 Brandon, MS – w/ Walker Hayes, Morgan Wade @ Brandon Amphitheater
5/13/22 Huntsville, AL – w/ Walker Hayes, Morgan Wade@ Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center
5/14/22 Knoxville, TN – w/ Walker Hayes, Morgan Wade @ Thompson Boling Arena
5/20/22 Wichita, KS – w/ Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean @ INTRUST Bank Arena
5/21/22 Tulsa, OK – w/ Riley Green, Jackson Dean @ BOK Center
5/22/22 Springfield, MO – w/ Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean @ JQH Arena
6/3/22 Estero, FL – w/ Gabby Barrett, King Calaway @ Hertz Arena
6/4/22 Jacksonville, FL – w/ Gabby Barrett, King Calaway @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
6/9/22 Lafayette, LA – w/ Jordan Davis, Dillon Carmichael @ CAJUNDOME
6/10/22 Bossier City, LA – w/ Jordan Davis, Dillon Carmichael @ Brookshire Grocery Arena
6/11/22 San Antonio, TX – w/ Jordan Davis, Dillon Carmichael @ AT&T Center
6/16/22 Savannah, GA – w/ Jordan Davis, Tyler Braden @ Enmarket Arena
6/17/22 Greenville, SC – w/ Jordan Davis, Tyler Braden @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
6/18/22 Nashville, TN – w/ TBD, Tyler Braden @ Bridgestone Arena*
6/23/22 Charleston, WV – w/ TBD, Tenille Townes @ Charleston Coliseum
6/24/22 Toledo, OH – w/ TBD, Tenille Townes @ Huntington Center
6/25/22 Detroit, MI – w/ TBD, Tenille Townes @ Pine Knob Music Theatre – WYCD Hoedown
*On Sale date is March 18
Zach Bryan’s New Album ‘American Heartbreak’ Slated For May
/by Lorie HollabaughZach Bryan
Rising country artist Zach Bryan is releasing his new Warner Records album, American Heartbreak, on May 20. Fans are getting an early taste of the project with the release of the album’s debut single, “From Austin.”
A deeply personal track, “From Austin” blends stories of heartbreak with cathartic admissions. The new single and album follows the Oklahoma native’s 2021 EP, Studio A Recordings (Live), which Bryan collaborated on with producer Dave Cobb. Together, they re-recorded and recharged fan favorites “Condemned” and “Hell or Highwater” at Nashville’s legendary Studio A.
With his days as an active-duty member of the Navy behind him, Bryan’s musical career is in full swing. His 2019 debut album, DeAnn, which was dedicated to his late mother, and his 2020 follow-up, Elisabeth, an ode to those he loves, both resonated with fans.
Bryan recently sold out the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in under an hour, and his breakthrough hit “Heading South” has already racked up over 15 million global streams to date.
Winners Revealed For 2022 CRS/Country Aircheck Awards
/by Lydia FarthingThe winners of the 2022 CRS/Country Aircheck Awards were announced on Friday night (Feb. 25) at the annual New Faces of Country Music dinner.
Capitol Records was named Platinum Label of the Year, and Triple Tigers was named Gold Label of the Year. Big Machine Label Group’s Label Streaming Specialist Dave Kelly and Regional Promoter Brooke Diaz were recognized. Elsewhere, Triple Tigers’ Director of National Promotion Raffaella Braun was honored.
Read the full list of 2022 CRS/Country Aircheck Award Winners below:
Station:
WUSN/Chicago (Large Market)
WSM-FM/Nashville (Medium Market)
KUZZ/Bakersfield (Small Market)
Platinum Label: Capitol
Gold Label: Triple Tigers
Operations Manager/Programming Director:
Marci Braun, WUSN/Chicago (Large Market)
Gator Harrison, WSIX/Nashville (Medium Market)
Justin Cole, WUSY/Chattanooga (Small Market)
Assistant Program Director/Music Director:
Angie Ward, WUBL/Atlanta (Large Market)
Ryan McKiddy, WSIX/Nashville (Medium Market)
Brook Stephens, KZPK/St. Cloud, MN (Small Market)
SVP/VP Promotion: Lauren Thomas, Sony
Label Streaming Specialist: Dave Kelly, BMLG
Dir./Nat’l. Promotion: Raffaella Braun, Triple Tigers
Market Manager/GM: Nate Deaton, KRTY/San Jose
Personality/Show:
Lois Lewis, Double L, KNIX/Phoenix (Large Market)
Tim Leary & Chelsea Taylor, Tim & Chelsea In The Morning, WIRK/West Palm (Medium Market)
Kelly Jordan & Matt Wood, Kelly & Wood, KZPK/St. Cloud, MN (Small Market)
National Daily Personality/Show: Angie Ward, iHeartMedia
National Weekly Personality/Show: Bryan “B Dub” Washington, B-Dub Radio, Skyview
National Programmer/Curator: Rod Phillips, iHeartCountry
Regional Promotion: Brooke Diaz, Big Machine
Independent Promotion: Jody Van-Alin, JVA Promotion
New Face of Country Music: Alek Halverson, KAJA/San Antonio
Luke Combs, Elle King, More Take Over CMHOF For ‘In Harmony: Music & Mission’
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Steve Hodges and Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville; Simon Tikhman, The CORE Entertainment; Lisa Purcell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Chief Zaruk, The CORE Entertainment; Luke Combs; Chris Kappy, Make Wake Artists; Nate Smith; Jen Way, Sony Music Nashville; Annie McNamara, Words & Music Student; Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville; Elle King; Megan Boardman, Red Light Management; Sophia Sansone, Make Wake Artists; Shane Allen, Columbia Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum came together Thursday night (Feb. 24) to present “In Harmony: Music and Mission” to an invite-only crowd.
The night celebrated a range of the label’s artists, including CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs, genre-bending songstress Elle King, and country newcomer Nate Smith. The museum also showcased a performance from Annie McNamara, a budding young songwriter from its award-winning flagship education program Words & Music.
Lisa Purcell, SVP, External Affairs for the Hall of Fame welcomed the crowd, saying: “It’s been quite a two-year spread since our last CRS gathering for all of us. [Through it all], country music, country radio, and DSPs have been our constant companion, sharing the joy, beauty, comfort, and perspective of this music that we love and honor in this house. Thanks for all you do.”
McNamara opened up the showcase, performing an original song entitled “Fatherless Daughter.” Based on a true story of a friend whose father was tragically lost in an accident, the 14 year-old singer-songwriter displayed some of the skills she’s been able to hone through the museum’s songwriting program.
“The museum has had the pleasure of helping Annie on her musical journey since she signed up for our summer songwriting camp three years ago. Annie’s love for country music led her from her home in Wilmington, North Carolina, to our camp in 2019,” explained Museum Sr. Director of Education and Community Engagement, Ali Tonn. “Over the past 40 years, Words & Music has helped over 150,000 students share their stories through song. Encouraging young writers like Annie through the country music songbook leads us to more country music listeners and maybe to the next generation of hit writers and top-selling recording artists.”
Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Randy Goodman, was on hand to introduce the label’s first artist of the night, Nate Smith, who first gained attention on TikTok for his song “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.” Goodman teased that the track would soon be making its way to radio.
Pictured (L-R): Nate Smith, Luke Combs, Annie McNamara, Elle King. Photo: Alan Poizner
Smith took the stage, immediately jumping in to his unreleased track “You Shouldn’t Have To.” Delivering a handful of masterfully written originals, including the previously released “Sleeve,” “Under My Skin,” and “Raised Up,” Smith couldn’t contain his excitement about getting to open the room.
“It’s an honor to be here. [I just want to give] a huge thanks to Randy and the Sony team. It’s a great thing to be here,” Smith gushed. “I moved to Nashville for the second time in July of 2020 during the pandemic. Sometimes I miss home a lot. I miss my mom and dad, and when life gets busy I have to remind myself of the things that I was raised up on. Sometimes it’s the words they said, sometimes it’s church, so this song is called ‘Raised Up.'”
Later, Smith closed his set with his upcoming single to country radio.
Columbia Nashville’s SVP, Promotion, Shane Allen came on to set the stage for King who has already achieved quite an impressive list of accolades, including No. 1s in four different formats, over 1.7 billion worldwide streams, CMA and ACM wins, and a Grammy nomination for her top ten song “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” featuring Miranda Lambert.
“What’s interesting about my career, and I don’t know if you guys know much about me because I still don’t know much about me, but I will say that I’ve been given an incredible opportunity that no one in my life or my career has ever tried to put me in a box. I’d like to see them try and make me fit, it would be very difficult,” King quipped with the audience. “I’m very excited for the new music and that you guys are giving me the chance to play these.”
King went on to deliver two originals that are expected on her upcoming country record—”Out Yonder” and “Worth A Shot”—as well her own version of Charlie Daniels‘ “Long Haired Country Boy.” She also showcased her 2014 breakout hit “Ex’s & Oh’s” as well as “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
Combs, the winner of MusicRow‘s 2022 CountryBreakout Male Artist of the Year award, took the stage, giving the audience hit after hit from his decorated discography. Telling the stories behind many of his No. 1 songs, the multi-Platinum songwriter had the crowd singing along to “When It Rains It Pours,” “She Got The Best Of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Lovin’ On You,” “Hurricane,” and “Forever After All.”
“I appreciate you guys playing this next one. I know it’s slow, but people seem to like it. This is one of my favorite songs, personally, that I’ve ever written,” Combs shared. “I wrote it with Rob and a guy named Drew Parker in the garage at my house. To be candid, we didn’t really have shit to write about and it had been over a year since we had played a show. We ended up just hanging out and talking for a while about all kinds of stuff.” He continued, “We started talking about the things we do in this job, like interviews, and a question I always get asked is what I would be doing if I wasn’t doing this. The light bulb went off in all of our collective heads at that time, or at least it did for me.
“Thank you all so much for playing this song. I know it’s not the up-tempo thing that we all would love to have, but people seem to love it. I hope you guys like it,” he summed before breaking out into his current single, “Doin’ This.”
Combs closed the night with his rock-infused “Beer Never Broke My Heart” with the audience singing along to every word.
Chart Action: Pardi Sees Support from Country Radio
/by Alex ParryJon Pardi‘s new single “Last Night Lonely” receives most added credit across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout charts earning 56, 68, and 19 adds, respectfully.
The single was penned by Joe Fox, Jimi Bell and Dylan Marlowe. This is the the first look at Pardi’s highly anticipated upcoming studio release.
Pardi announced today (Feb. 25) he will embark on the “Ain’t Always The Cowboy Tour” in July. Lainey Wilson and Hailey Whitters will join him as support.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Jon Pardi To Embark On His ‘Ain’t Always The Cowboy Tour’ This Summer
/by Lydia FarthingJon Pardi will head out on the road this summer on his “Ain’t Always The Cowboy Tour,” named after his critically acclaimed song of the same name.
Presented by CASE Construction Equipment, the trek will kick off in Irving, Texas on July 14 and run through Oct. 1 with a show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. Along the way, the CMA and ACM award winning entertainer will be joined by Lainey Wilson and Hailey Whitters as direct support. Tickets go on sale March 4 at 10 a.m. local time.
Pardi recently released his new single, “Last Night Lonely,” marking the first taste of new music to come later this year.
‘Ain’t Always The Cowboy’ Tour Dates:
7/14: Irving, TX/ Toyota Music Factory – Texas Lottery Plaza
7/15: Belton, TX/Bell County Expo Center
7/16: Oklahoma City, OK/Zoo Amphitheatre
7/22: Sacramento, CA/Golden 1 Center
7/23: Bend, OR/Hayden Homes Amp
7/24: Airway Heights, WA/Northern Quest Resort & Casino – Pend Oreille Pavilion
8/4: Inglewood, CA/YouTube Theater
8/5: Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara Bowl
8/6: Las Vegas, NV/Red Rock Casino
8/19: Lampe, MO/Black Oak Amp
8/20: Terre Haute, IN/ The Mill
8/25: Raleigh NC/Red Hat Amp
8/27: Sharpsburg, KY/Barnyard Amp
9/8: Rochester, MN/Mayo Civic Center Park
9/9: Milwaukee, WI/BMO Harris Pavilion
9/10: Sterling Heights, MI/Michigan Lottery Amp
9/15: Bridgeport, CT/Hartford Healthcare Amp
9/16: Big Flats, NY/Summer Stage @ Tags
9/17: Huber Heights, OH/Rose Music Center
9/22: New York, NY/Pier 17- the rooftop
9/23: Gilford, NH/Bank of NH Pavilion
9/24: Boston, MA/Leader Bank Pavilion
9/29: Southaven, MS/Landers Center*
9/30: Huntsville, AL/Von Braun Center*
10/1: Nashville, TN/Ascend Amp*
*Hailey Whitters Not Appearing
Ernest’s ‘Flower Shops (The Album)’ Set To Bloom March 11
/by Lorie HollabaughErnest. Photo: Delaney Royer
Ernest is dropping his full-length debut, Flower Shops (The Album), on March 11 via Big Loud Records.
The 11-track album was entirely co-written by Ernest with collaborators including Ashley Gorley, The Warren Brothers, Rodney Clawson, Mark Holman, and Ryan Vojtesak, as well as labelmates Ben Burgess and Lily Rose.
Listeners got a first taste of the new album on New Year’s Eve when title track “Flower Shops” feat. Morgan Wallen skyrocketed to No. 1 at iTunes, Apple Music Country, and Spotify Country. The album preview continues with three new songs being released today: “Some Other Bar,” “Feet Wanna Run,” and “What It’s Come To,” available everywhere now.
“It’s a very good feeling to have this body of work ready to share with the world,” Ernest says. “This album came together organically over the course of a year or so. It feels like there’s a shift happening in country music and the people want to hear more honesty in songs, and with honesty comes pain—sometimes we need to feel that too. I hope this project provides a little sepia tone world for the listener to escape to and go on a journey of their own…feeling everything from love to lost. This is Flower Shops.”
Ernest will perform his new set to a hometown crowd at back-to-back sold-out shows at Nashville’s Exit/In on March 21-22.
Flower Shops (The Album) Track List:
1. Sucker For Small Towns (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett, Ashley Gorley)
2. Tennessee Queen (Ernest Keith Smith, Dan Isbell, Jordan Schmidt)
3. Classic (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett)
4. Feet Wanna Run (Ernest Keith Smith, Chris LaCorte, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
5. Comfortable When I’m Crazy (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson)
6. Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Ernest Keith Smith, Ben Burgess, Mark Holman)
7. Did It With You (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson, Nathan Spicer)
8. What It’s Come To (Ernest Keith Smith, Lily Rose, Ryan Vojtesak)
9. If You Were Whiskey (Ernest Keith Smith, Michael Carter, Ben Hayslip)
10. Some Other Bar (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
11. Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen) [Acoustic] (Ernest Keith Smith, Ben Burgess, Mark Holman)
Warner Music Nashville Welcomes Breland
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Bruce Kalmick (CEO & Founder, WHY&HOW), Breland, Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Ben Kline (EVP/General Manager, Warner Music Nashville), Matt Stubbs (Artist Manager, WHY&HOW). Photo: Courtesy of CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Warner Music Nashville has partnered with sister-label Atlantic Records and Bad Realm Records to add breakthrough singer-songwriter Breland to the WMN roster.
With his Platinum debut “My Truck,” Breland has made a name for himself as an innovative new country artist. Featured on Dierks Bentley’s top 15 and rising single with Hardy, “Beers On Me,” Breland has also teamed up with Keith Urban for the buzzy track “Throw It Back,” as well as other all-star collaborators such as Sam Hunt, Mickey Guyton, Gary LeVox and more.
“We are thrilled to partner with Atlantic and Bad Realm in welcoming Breland to the WMN family,” says Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, John Esposito. “It’s been so exciting to watch him change the game in this genre and we’re beyond proud to join forces with him as he continues to break down barriers for the next generation of Nashville artists.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Warner Music Nashville on the next phase of Breland’s meteoric career,” shares President of Atlantic Records West Coast, Kevin Weaver. “It’s a privilege for Atlantic and Breland to join forces with our sister company in Nashville as we continue to introduce Breland’s unique Cross Country sound and style around the globe. He is truly an undeniable talent and we can’t wait for all that is to come this year and beyond.”
Breland is set to debut and perform his new song, “Praise The Lord,” live at the 57th Annual ACM Awards on March 7.