Music and lifestyle brand Country Rebel has launched Country Rebel Records. The company’s founders, brothers Darin and Kevin Blue, also announced singer-songwriter and veteran Justin Holmes as the label’s first signing. His debut single, “Damn Addiction,” is available everywhere now.
Holmes and Country Rebel first connected in 2017 when the brand shared one of Holmes’ Facebook cover videos. After sharing to the Country Rebel network of over 18 million fans, the video went viral.
In 2019 Country Rebel invited Holmes to perform his original song “Damn Addiction” in The George Jones Sessions in which the brand hosted over 30 artists to record acoustic sessions to promote on its platform. In January 2022, the track was discovered by users on SoundCloud and TikTok, and has now been used in over 9,000 videos on TikTok and garnered over 220,000 streams on SoundCloud in a month’s time.
A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Homes got his first guitar at 15 years old, shortly before his father passed away. Quickly becoming an outlet to express himself and feel a sense of release while dealing with his father’s death, he grew very interested in songwriting and singing on stage.
Holmes enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces member at age 18 and spent most of his 14 years of service as a weapons instructor. He took his guitar with him and often played for his fellow service members. Songwriting became an emotional outlet for Homes, pulling from past traumas, addiction, his love for his family, and his spiritual beliefs.
“We moved the Country Rebel operations from San Diego to the Nashville area for several reasons,” shares CFO and Co-Founder Darin Blue. “The main two were to be closer to the artists, labels, management companies and publicists we’re so closely allied with and to immerse ourselves in the industry and learn the business side of music from every angle. Creating Country Rebel Records was in our long-term plans, and signing Justin Holmes is the perfect artist to launch the label.”
“We first became aware of Justin through his music and we were incredibly impressed by his talent, songwriting and his character as a father and husband,” adds Co-Founder Kevin Blue. “His authentic character, passion for country music, and God-given talents made him the perfect first signing for Country Rebel Records.”
SoundExchange Expands Industry Engagement Team To Nashville
/by LB CantrellMarc Rucker
SoundExchange has announced the addition of Nashville-based Marc Rucker as manager, industry engagement to the Brand Marketing & Industry Engagement team.
SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 260,000 creators and to date has paid nearly $9 billion in distributions. Through innovation of music tech products and services, it distributes royalties to creator groups, advocates for fair pay across platforms, and creates systems that improve how the industry operates.
Rucker will work to foster local and national artist and management relationships from Music City. He will help broaden SoundExchange’s visibility 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.
Rucker has spent 13 years in the Nashville music business with experience in artist management, business management, and publishing. Before joining SoundExchange, he managed the careers of multiple successful recording artists. Rucker also helped co-found Young Entertainment Professionals, where he currently remains on the Board of Directors. To improve the bridge between sports and music, he has consulted on live entertainment in major sports venues, including Baltimore’s Camden Yards, and participated in Rumble on The Row, a charity boxing match.
Reach Rucker at mrucker@soundexchange.com.
Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley To Headline NHL Stadium Series Game In Nashville
/by Steven BoeroCountry music superstars Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley will headline the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning at Nissan Stadium on Feb. 26.
Lambert reigns as the most decorated artist in the history of the Academy of Country Music with 35 ACM Awards, including a record-setting nine consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year Award. She also boasts 14 CMA Awards, three Grammy Awards, the Nashville Symphony Harmony Award, ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award and ACM Song of the Decade Award, plus was named 2019’s RIAA Artist of the Year. Lambert’s storied career has spanned seven consecutive No. 1 albums, seven No. 1 radio singles, and countless sales certifications. She is set to hit the road on “The Bandwagon Tour” with Little Big Town this spring.
Bentley continues to be a dominant voice for the genre with over 6.4 billion streams as his new single “Beers On Me” with Breland and Hardy races up the radio charts. The multi-Platinum singer-songwriter has garnered countless nominations from the ACM’s, CMA’s, Billboard Music Awards and more, while also earning 14 Grammy nominations.
“We are thrilled to have two of the biggest names in country music join us in Nashville for the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series,” says Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer and Senior Executive Vice President. “Miranda and Dierks are not only two musical superstars but also hockey fans that represent the strong bond that has formed between the Predators and the country music community. The NHL Stadium Series will celebrate Nashville’s transformation into a hockey town, the city’s country music roots and the Predators-Lightning’s growing rivalry. We expect this to be the first of many announcements to come.”
Lambert and Bentley’s first intermission performance will be televised as part of the NHL Stadium Series broadcast, which begins at 6:30 p.m. CT on TNT. Tickets to the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series are still available for purchase through Ticketmaster.
Michael Hardy Jumps Into Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Lydia FarthingHardy. Photo: Tanner Gallagher
Michael Hardy reclaims his spot in the top three this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, rising to No. 2.
Hardy is a co-writer on five charting songs, including “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bently, Hardy & Breland), “Come Back As A Country Boy” (Blake Shelton), and his own “Give Heaven Some Hell.”
Ashley Gorley continues to dominate at No. 1 this week with an astounding nine charting songs. He helped pen “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Didn’t” (Brett Young), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bently, Hardy & Breland), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), and “Take My Name” (Parmalee).
Eric Church remains solid at No. 3 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart as the sole writer on his current single, “Heart On Fire.”
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.
Country Rebel Records Launches With Justin Holmes As Flagship Artist
/by Lorie HollabaughMusic and lifestyle brand Country Rebel has launched Country Rebel Records. The company’s founders, brothers Darin and Kevin Blue, also announced singer-songwriter and veteran Justin Holmes as the label’s first signing. His debut single, “Damn Addiction,” is available everywhere now.
Holmes and Country Rebel first connected in 2017 when the brand shared one of Holmes’ Facebook cover videos. After sharing to the Country Rebel network of over 18 million fans, the video went viral.
In 2019 Country Rebel invited Holmes to perform his original song “Damn Addiction” in The George Jones Sessions in which the brand hosted over 30 artists to record acoustic sessions to promote on its platform. In January 2022, the track was discovered by users on SoundCloud and TikTok, and has now been used in over 9,000 videos on TikTok and garnered over 220,000 streams on SoundCloud in a month’s time.
A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Homes got his first guitar at 15 years old, shortly before his father passed away. Quickly becoming an outlet to express himself and feel a sense of release while dealing with his father’s death, he grew very interested in songwriting and singing on stage.
Holmes enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces member at age 18 and spent most of his 14 years of service as a weapons instructor. He took his guitar with him and often played for his fellow service members. Songwriting became an emotional outlet for Homes, pulling from past traumas, addiction, his love for his family, and his spiritual beliefs.
“We moved the Country Rebel operations from San Diego to the Nashville area for several reasons,” shares CFO and Co-Founder Darin Blue. “The main two were to be closer to the artists, labels, management companies and publicists we’re so closely allied with and to immerse ourselves in the industry and learn the business side of music from every angle. Creating Country Rebel Records was in our long-term plans, and signing Justin Holmes is the perfect artist to launch the label.”
“We first became aware of Justin through his music and we were incredibly impressed by his talent, songwriting and his character as a father and husband,” adds Co-Founder Kevin Blue. “His authentic character, passion for country music, and God-given talents made him the perfect first signing for Country Rebel Records.”
Weekly Register: Aaron Lewis Earns Top Country Debut With ‘Frayed At Both Ends’
/by Lydia FarthingAaron Lewis. Photo: Eric Englund
The Valory Music Co.’s Aaron Lewis earns the top country album debut this week with the release of Frayed At Both Ends coming in strong at No. 5 and No. 39 overall. The record debuts with 15K in total consumption (11K album only and 3 million song streams), according to MRC data.
Dangerous: The Double Album (Morgan Wallen) continues to lead the top country albums chart with 41K in total consumption (2.1K album only and 49 million song streams). Red (Taylor’s Version) (Taylor Swift) reclaims the second spot, adding 26K in total consumption, while Country Stuff: The Album (Walker Hayes) drops to third with 19K. Luke Combs maintains his place at No. 4 as What You See Is What You Get earns 17K in total consumption.
On the singles front, Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan rise to the top spot on the top country streaming songs this week. The track gained 6.2 million streams, contributing to 176 million streams RTD, according to MRC data. Walker Hayes occupies the second position with “Fancy Like” adding 6.2 million streams, and the third position with “AA” adding 5.9 million streams. Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” takes No. 4 with 5.3 million streams, and Cody Johnson‘s “Til You Can’t” rounds out the top five with 4.9 million streams.
Kane Brown Adds Dates To “Blessed & Free Tour”
/by Lorie HollabaughKane Brown
Kane Brown has added dates to his upcoming nationwide “Blessed & Free Tour,” which kicks off May 7 with his first-ever stadium show at Finley Stadium in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The initial run of the “Blessed & Free Headlining Arena Tour” included all NBA basketball arenas, making Brown the first country artist to headline every NBA arena in a single tour. The next leg of the tour will head to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
Tickets for the “Blessed & Free Tour” will go on-sale to the general public Friday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. local time at kanebrownmusic.com. A limited number of VIP Packages will be available with exclusive offers including tickets, early-access to the General Admission Pit, limited edition merchandise and more.
The Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Opens Florida Georgia Line Exhibition
/by LB CantrellPictured: Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley in front of their new exhibition Florida Georgia Line: Mix it Up Strong. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the opening of the new Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong exhibition on Sunday (Feb. 6).
The exhibit traces the friendship and collaboration of the duo’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley from their meeting in college to their swift emergence as a multiple-award-winning country act. Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong opens today (Feb. 7) and runs through Jan. 1, 2023.
As part of opening day, the museum hosted a conversation and performance featuring Hubbard and Kelley in the museum’s CMA Theater. The duo discussed their career and shared personal stories and memories associated with the artifacts included in the exhibition. The performance and conversation was filmed and will premiere on March 1 as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series—available to stream on the museum’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and website.
Items featured in Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong include instruments, awards, stage and screen costumes and personal artifacts. Read a more about the exhibit and the items featured here.
Pictured: Kelley and Hubbard speak onstage during an interview for Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong Exhibit opening day at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Pictured: Hubbard and Kelley admire the Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong Exhibit. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Jenny Tolman’s Sophomore Album, ‘Married In A Honky Tonk,’ Set For March
/by Lorie HollabaughJenny Tolman is releasing her sophomore album, Married in a Honky Tonk, on March 4.
The new project picks up where her Jennyville album left off, fit with a cameo of Jennyville’s Mayor Jeannie Seely. The album was produced by Tolman’s soon-to-be-husband and Grammy-nominated producer Dave Brainard.
Included in MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing class of 2020, Tolman offers a new depth and range that signals her growing maturity as an artist. Life continues to inspire her art as she prepares to release Married in a Honky Tonk just weeks before marrying Brainard.
“I like to think of Married in a Honky Tonk as half Jennyville and half real-life Jenny,” shares Tolman. “It has all of the characters and storytelling that I love to enact throughout, but it also has a heavy hand of personal stories weaved in. The life on these songs span from over 6 years ago, to not even a year ago- so, as a songwriter, it’s very special to be able to have that wide a range of material to show the evolution of my life. We made this album with my love of performing at the forefront, so we can’t wait to get out on the road the rest of 2022 and play these new songs for everyone!”
Tolman will be celebrating the new project with an album release party on Feb. 28 at Riverside Revival in Nashville. A portion of the ticket sales will go to MusiCares, and each ticket includes an autographed physical copy of Married in a Honky Tonk, refreshments from Wyoming Whiskey, and food provided by The Local.
Married in a Honky Tonk Track List:
1. Good Morning Jennyville (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman)
2. Borrowing Sugar (Dave Brainard/ Rob Hatch/Jenny Tolman)
3. The World’s a Small Town (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
4. Married in a Honky Tonk (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
5. Sweetest Revenge (Dave Brainard/ Jeff Silbar/Jenny Tolman)
6. Watering the Weeds (Dave Brainard/ Mando Saenz/Jenny Tolman)
7. I Know Some Cowboys (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
8. Afraid (Jenny Tolman)
9. Home to Roost (Dave Brainard/Jeff Silbar/Jenny Tolman)
10. The Mayor’s Remarks
11. Same Train as You (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman)
12. Working Woman’s Blues (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/Bill Whyte)
13. Nothing Left of You (Dave Brainard/Rick Tiger/Jenny Tolman)
Kevin Herring Re-Ups Contract At Triple Tigers Through January 2025
/by Lydia FarthingKevin Herring
Triple Tigers Records’ SVP Promotion, Kevin Herring, has re-upped his contract to remain with the label through January of 2025.
Herring joined Triple Tigers Records as SVP in 2017. Under his leadership, the Triple Tigers promotion team has seen many successes such as taking the label’s first seven singles all the way to No. 1, including the first four single releases from both Russell Dickerson and Scotty McCreery.
Herring’s resume also includes leadership posts with Warner Music Nashville, Disney’s Lyric Street Records, and Mercury Nashville.
“I’ve been blessed with fabulous music, an amazing staff, and a label head, Norbert Nix, who understands how important focus is,” says Herring. “As long as I have those three things, I can enjoy doing this for a long time.”
“I’ve known Kevin a long time and he has never wavered in his passion for music, his commitment to leadership, and his determination to advance the careers of his team and the artists he represents,” adds Nix, President/Partner Triple Tigers Records. “I’m thrilled that he has agreed to stay at Triple Tigers until 2025 and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next.”
Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett To Co-Host 2022 ACM Awards Alongside Dolly Parton
/by Lydia FarthingACM award-winning country artists Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett will join Dolly Parton to co-host the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Allen is a 2x ACM-nominated artist and the reigning New Male Artist of the Year. A multi-Platinum recording artist and songwriter, Allen is currently nominated for Best New Artist at the 64th annual Grammy Awards, marking his first ever Grammy nomination and the only country nominee in an all-genre category. He made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album, Mercury Lane–his RIAA 2x Platinum debut single “Best Shot,” which claimed the No. 1 spot on country radio for three weeks, and Platinum-certified “Make Me Want To.”
Barrett is a three-time ACM-nominated artist and the reigning New Female Artist of the Year. A multi-Platinum vocalist, she has amassed nearly 2 billion global streams to her credit. She broke out with her massive 5x Platinum hit, “I Hope,” which was the most-streamed country song of 2020 and earned the iHeartRadio Titanium Award for reaching over 1 billion radio spins, and Platinum three-week No. 1 “The Good Ones.”
“The Academy has a long history of highlighting the biggest stars in country music alongside today’s rising stars, and this year that will spotlight even further,” says Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett will co-host the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards side-by-side with Dolly Parton, pairing two of today’s most exciting new artists in the genre with one of the world’s most beloved music icons.”
In addition to joining Parton as co-hosts for the live show, airing exclusively on Prime Video on March 7, the pair will also unveil select nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on the @ACMawards Twitter account. Select nominees will be announced this Thursday, Feb. 10 beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.
The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live without commercial interruption on Prime Video Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. CT from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.