Runaway June’s Natalie Stovall Honored For Hosting 50th Opry Live
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Stovall and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Chris Hollo
This past Saturday (Jan. 22), Circle Network aired a special episode of Opry Live where two-time CMA award winner and Opry member Kelsea Ballerini surprised country artist Natalie Stovall with a milestone print honoring her 50th time hosting the livestream.
A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Stovall has been performing professionally since she was ten. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 12 and has performed everywhere from the White House to The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to a solo career where she was named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Stovall is also a member of the country band Runaway June.
“When we began the Opry livestream during the pandemic in 2020, we had no idea how important Natalie would be to it and in keeping the Opry tradition of live Saturday nights going, doing so with a vibrancy that has endeared her to Circle fans,” says Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network’s General Manager.
Recording Academy And GLAAD Form New Partnership For LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Music
The Recording Academy has donated $150,000 to GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. This donation will go towards supporting its work to diversify the music industry and champion musicians in the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, the pair announced a partnership for 2022 to further promote inclusion in this space through various initiatives, including: editorial content spotlighting LGBTQ+ music artists on Grammy.com and GLAAD.org, as well as each organization’s social media channels; support from the Recording Academy for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 2, 2022 and New York City on May 6; LGBTQ+-focused DEI training sessions hosted by the GLAAD Media Institute for Recording Academy elected leaders and staff to learn more about LGBTQ+ people and issues; and participation from key GLAAD executives in the Recording Academy’s DEI speakers series throughout the upcoming year.
“We’re thrilled to double-down on our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in partnership with GLAAD to inspire a culture of belonging and respect within the music industry,” says Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt. “This partnership embodies our joint commitment to accelerate progress for LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that the music community is representative of the many diverse artists who contribute to and call this industry home.”
“The music industry is one of the most powerful avenues for bringing cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion to the forefront,” adds GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our new partnership with the Recording Academy will shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in music and uplift underrepresented voices within the industry who have been overlooked for far too long.”
YellowHeart Teams Up With Daniel Donato For Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection
YellowHeart, the NFT marketplace for music, ticketing and community tokens, has teamed up with Nashville’s indie music artist Daniel Donato to create the Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection. Donato is the first of many upcoming partnerships with emerging indie artists as YellowHeart expands their music family in 2022.
The collection features a limited edition of 66 Members Only digital tour laminates, which includes a hand numbered and hand signed Cosmic Country Club laminate by Donato, a pair of tickets to any show of choice in 2022 with access to sound check, and first priority access to all other NFT releases such as music releases, digital hangout sessions, and more.
“Daniel Donato is one of my favorite artists coming out of the bustling Nashville music scene,” says Josh Katz, CEO and Founder of YellowHeart. “He is a phenomenal guitar player, singer and songwriter and we are thrilled to be welcoming him into the YellowHeart family and to offer music fans new ways to enjoy Daniel’s unique musical sound and style.”
Founded in 2017 by music blockchain innovator Josh Katz, YellowHeart has worked with artists such as Kings of Leon, Maroon 5, XXXTentacion, Brandi Carlile, The Disco Biscuits, ZHU, Burnley F.C., and more.
Dustin Collins Taps Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott For Upcoming Album
Pictured (L-R): Buddy Cannon, Dustin Collins, Bill McDermott. Photo: Derrek Kupish,
Singer-songwriter Dustin Collins has enlisted industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley) to produce his upcoming album, Working Man. The 11-track project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment.
“Working with Buddy Cannon and my longtime producer, Bill McDermott, is a dream come true. For a kid from Kentucky who grew up playing a lot of the songs that Buddy has written or produced, this was truly a humbling and life making experience. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to have gotten to make a record with such wonderfully talented people,” shares Collins.
A portion of proceeds from the project will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society.
Working Man follows Collins’ latest album, It’s Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single, “Cold Dead Hands,” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart. The Kentucky native also earned a slot on Aaron Watson’s “Vaquero Tour” and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Kane Brown and more.
Hardy, Lainey Wilson, More Among Headliners For Inaugural Hangover Fest 2022
/by Lydia FarthingCountry news and entertainment outlet, The Morning Hangover, has announced the headlining acts for its first digital initiative, Hangover Fest 2022.
Jordan Davis, Hardy, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery and Lainey Wilson will headline the event, taking place at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday, March 6 during ACM Awards weekend.
Additionally, the first round of supporting artists includes Tenille Townes and Conner Smith, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.
“After spending the last two years supporting our country music community through this COVID pandemic, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the important work of ACM Lifting Lives than reuniting for a show in Las Vegas with fans, industry, and The Morning Hangover,” says ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director, Lyndsay Cruz.
Tickets for Hangover Fest 2022 go on sale Friday, Jan. 28 at noon CT. Artist pre-sales begin Wednesday, Jan. 26. Proceeds from the event will benefit ACM Lifting Lives.
Jason Aldean Named Country Radio Broadcasters 2022 Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient
/by LB CantrellJason Aldean
Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has named Jason Aldean the 2022 Artist Humanitarian Award recipient. The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.
Of the numerous organizations Aldean has supported over the course of his career, those close to him are Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olsen Children’s Hospital, GA’s Children’s Hospital, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ACM Lifting Lives, Red Cross, and more.
In his hometown of Macon, Georgia, Aldean has raised over $2 million for Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olsen Children’s Hospital, GA’s Children’s Hospital. This facility is the region’s only dedicated pediatric hospital, serving Central and South Georgia.
He is also an avid supporter toward the fight against breast cancer, putting the spotlight on Susan G. Komen chapters across the country. For over a decade he has supported the foundation, raising more than $4.1 million through ticket sales and events.
After the tragic shooting that took place at Las Vegas’s Route 91 Festival, where he was headlining, Aldean funded the six-day triumph over tragedy workshop, led by the onsite foundation at their emotional wellness retreat center in Tennessee. It is the first of its kind, specifically designated for those who were at Route 91 Harvest music festival.
“Jason Aldean doesn’t have to brag about his songs or his concert tours. They speak for themselves,” CRS/CRB Board President Kurt Johnson shares. “He also doesn’t call attention to his massive philanthropic work. So we will. Join us at CRS as we shine a light on all the good that Jason does and the good people he supports.”
The multi-Platinum entertainer will be recognized with the Artist Humanitarian Award during CRS Honors on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. Following his award presentation, Aldean will reveal the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2022 inductees, who will be honored during the annual Country Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony on June 30, 2022, at the Virgin Hotel.
Kathy Mattea, Suzy Bogguss Kick Off Acoustic ‘Together At Last Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughKathy Mattea & Suzy Bogguss
Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss are joining forces for the “Together At Last Tour,” which kicks off Jan. 28 in Decatur, Alabama.
The special shows will feature both artists on stage together for the entire performance, swapping songs, singing harmonies, and playing guitar on each other’s biggest hits. The pair will perform new material during the shows along with plenty of humorous stories from their careers.
“Kathy and I always have a lot of irons in the fire,” says Bogguss, “but we’ve had some time to think about priorities lately and we realized, this was a big one.”
“We know each other’s music so well,” adds Mattea. “It’s been fun to really dig in and learn these songs!”
Mattea’s recently released album, Pretty Bird, was produced by her old friend Tim O’Brien. She also played a role in consulting and contributed to Ken Burns’ 2019 documentary Country Music, and recently replaced founder Larry Groce as the host of the long-running NPR show Mountain Stage.
Bogguss’ shows her folk roots in her frequent appearances on public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion, in the Grammy she earned for her work on Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster, and in her album and book project, American Folk Songbook. In addition to her busy touring schedule, Bogguss hosts a weekly livestream, Wine Down Wednesday, that’s currently closing in on 100 episodes.
Besides guesting on each other’s recordings, the two have performed together in the past on the Women of Country showcase and a PBS White House special, as well as the Grammy-nominated collaboration with Alison Krauss and Graham Nash on his classic “Teach Your Children,” from the Red, Hot, and Country compilation.
A second round of dates for the fall of 2022 will be announced in the coming months.
2/5/22 Hopkins, MN – Hopkins Center For The Arts
2/25/22 Frederick, MD – Weinberg Center for the Arts
4/15/22 Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
4/16/22 Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
5/11/22 Menomonie, WI – The Mable Tainter
5/12/22 Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House
5/20/22 Phoenixville, PA – Colonial Theatre
5/21/22 Alexandria, VA – Birchmere Music Hall
6/2/22 Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall
6/3/22 Arlington, MA – Regent Theatre
6/4/22 Rahway, NJ – Union County Performing Arts Center
Ben Folds Announces Dates For ‘In Actual Person Live For Real Tour’
/by LB CantrellRenowned musician Ben Folds has added dates to his “In Actual Person Live For Real Tour.”
Folds, who spent much of 2020 and early 2021 in isolation in Australia because of COVID-19 lockdowns, returned to U.S. stages in the fall of 2021 to numerous sold-out performances.
Kicking off April 1 with a symphony concert at Powell Hall in St. Louis, Missouri, Folds will travel throughout the U.S. giving solo piano and orchestral performances. He will visit Nashville’s Shermerhorn Symphony Center on June 30, July 1 and July 2.
Folds is also working on a new album, continues to produce his podcast series Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds, and is scheduled to begin taping a new TV series.
For over a decade Folds has performed with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, and in 2017 was named as the first ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. In 2018 the Nashville-based artist was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame.
Tickets for the “In Actual Person Live For Real Tour” are available here.
Jordan Davis Earns Fourth Chart-Topper With ‘Buy Dirt’
/by Lorie HollabaughJordan Davis
Jordan Davis has racked up his fourth No. 1 at radio with his latest hit, “Buy Dirt.”
The Platinum-certified song, featuring Luke Bryan, topped both the Billboard and Mediabase airplay charts this week. The track is an international success as well, continuing its multi-week chart-topping run at country radio in Canada (three weeks) and Australia (two weeks).
Amassing more than 250 million streams worldwide, “Buy Dirt” has been inside the Top 200 country streaming chart all 33 weeks since its release and inside the Top 5 for 15 weeks. The collaboration has also spent 24 consecutive weeks on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 chart. Davis released an alternate version and solo version of the hit last week.
“This is the most special song I have released,” says Davis. “From writing it with my brother and two of my best friends, to having Luke want to be a part of it… it’s going to be hard to top. To me this song is about faith, family, and friends. It’s a reminder to myself to always keep those top priority and in that order. It has been awesome to see so many people connect with that message.”
Davis recently announced the second leg of his headlining “Buy Dirt Tour,” with special guest Tenille Arts. The tour will make a stop at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 27, marking Davis’ first time headlining the historic Nashville venue. Tickets for both the “Buy Dirt Tour” and the Ryman date go on sale Jan. 28.
Industry Ink: Natalie Stovall, Recording Academy, YellowHeart, Dustin Collins
/by Lydia FarthingRunaway June’s Natalie Stovall Honored For Hosting 50th Opry Live
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Stovall and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Chris Hollo
This past Saturday (Jan. 22), Circle Network aired a special episode of Opry Live where two-time CMA award winner and Opry member Kelsea Ballerini surprised country artist Natalie Stovall with a milestone print honoring her 50th time hosting the livestream.
A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Stovall has been performing professionally since she was ten. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 12 and has performed everywhere from the White House to The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition to a solo career where she was named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Stovall is also a member of the country band Runaway June.
“When we began the Opry livestream during the pandemic in 2020, we had no idea how important Natalie would be to it and in keeping the Opry tradition of live Saturday nights going, doing so with a vibrancy that has endeared her to Circle fans,” says Drew Reifenberger, Circle Network’s General Manager.
Recording Academy And GLAAD Form New Partnership For LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Music
The Recording Academy has donated $150,000 to GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. This donation will go towards supporting its work to diversify the music industry and champion musicians in the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, the pair announced a partnership for 2022 to further promote inclusion in this space through various initiatives, including: editorial content spotlighting LGBTQ+ music artists on Grammy.com and GLAAD.org, as well as each organization’s social media channels; support from the Recording Academy for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 2, 2022 and New York City on May 6; LGBTQ+-focused DEI training sessions hosted by the GLAAD Media Institute for Recording Academy elected leaders and staff to learn more about LGBTQ+ people and issues; and participation from key GLAAD executives in the Recording Academy’s DEI speakers series throughout the upcoming year.
“We’re thrilled to double-down on our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in partnership with GLAAD to inspire a culture of belonging and respect within the music industry,” says Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt. “This partnership embodies our joint commitment to accelerate progress for LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that the music community is representative of the many diverse artists who contribute to and call this industry home.”
“The music industry is one of the most powerful avenues for bringing cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion to the forefront,” adds GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our new partnership with the Recording Academy will shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in music and uplift underrepresented voices within the industry who have been overlooked for far too long.”
YellowHeart Teams Up With Daniel Donato For Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection
YellowHeart, the NFT marketplace for music, ticketing and community tokens, has teamed up with Nashville’s indie music artist Daniel Donato to create the Cosmic Country Club NFT Collection. Donato is the first of many upcoming partnerships with emerging indie artists as YellowHeart expands their music family in 2022.
The collection features a limited edition of 66 Members Only digital tour laminates, which includes a hand numbered and hand signed Cosmic Country Club laminate by Donato, a pair of tickets to any show of choice in 2022 with access to sound check, and first priority access to all other NFT releases such as music releases, digital hangout sessions, and more.
“Daniel Donato is one of my favorite artists coming out of the bustling Nashville music scene,” says Josh Katz, CEO and Founder of YellowHeart. “He is a phenomenal guitar player, singer and songwriter and we are thrilled to be welcoming him into the YellowHeart family and to offer music fans new ways to enjoy Daniel’s unique musical sound and style.”
Founded in 2017 by music blockchain innovator Josh Katz, YellowHeart has worked with artists such as Kings of Leon, Maroon 5, XXXTentacion, Brandi Carlile, The Disco Biscuits, ZHU, Burnley F.C., and more.
Dustin Collins Taps Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott For Upcoming Album
Pictured (L-R): Buddy Cannon, Dustin Collins, Bill McDermott. Photo: Derrek Kupish,
Singer-songwriter Dustin Collins has enlisted industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley) to produce his upcoming album, Working Man. The 11-track project is slated for release this summer from DCDL Entertainment.
“Working with Buddy Cannon and my longtime producer, Bill McDermott, is a dream come true. For a kid from Kentucky who grew up playing a lot of the songs that Buddy has written or produced, this was truly a humbling and life making experience. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to have gotten to make a record with such wonderfully talented people,” shares Collins.
A portion of proceeds from the project will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society.
Working Man follows Collins’ latest album, It’s Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single, “Cold Dead Hands,” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart. The Kentucky native also earned a slot on Aaron Watson’s “Vaquero Tour” and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Kane Brown and more.
Sea Gayle Music Ups Brandon Gregg To Senior Director Of Operations, Artist Services
/by Steven BoeroBrandon Gregg
Sea Gayle Music has promoted Brandon Gregg to Senior Director of Operations, Artist Services. In this new role, he’ll be working closely with CEO Chris DuBois, helping to oversee day-to-day operations and business affairs.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with tremendous talent and friends at Sea Gayle Music,” says Gregg. “I look forward to stepping into this new role and accomplishing great things with our writers and staff.”
A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Gregg has been with Sea Gayle Music for 19 years. He first joined the company as a Catalog Manager and most recently served as Director, Artist Services. He previously spent time at EMI Music Publishing before leaving in 2003.
“Brandon has been instrumental in the daily functions and growth of Sea Gayle over the past 19 years. I am thrilled to promote him to a new role,” Dubois adds. “I would also like to thank former Executive Vice President/General Manager Marc Driskill for his hard work and leadership over the past nine years. Marc’s contributions on both the creative and business sides have played a crucial role in the growth and success of our company. As difficult as it is to lose someone like Marc, his departure has created exciting new opportunities within the company.”
Driskill exited his role at Sea Gayle earlier this year to join the team at FirstBank as Sr. VP. In his new role, he will be helping to further expand the bank’s footprint in Nashville
Gregg can be reached at brandon@seagayle.com.
Sea Gayle was founded in 1999 by DuBois, Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers. The company represents the song catalogs of Paisley, Chris Stapleton, Brandy Clark, Jerrod Niemann and Bobby Pinson, among many more.
Jimmie Allen Adds Dates To ‘Down Home Tour 2022’
/by Lorie HollabaughJimmie Allen. Photo: Shea Flynn
Jimmie Allen has added dates and announced the supporting acts for his upcoming “Down Home Tour 2022.” Madeline Merlo and Chayce Beckham will join Allen alongside previously announced Neon Union on the tour, which kicks off Feb. 3 at the Troubadour in LA.
Artist pre-sales for the new dates will run from Jan. 25-27, and general tickets go on sale Jan. 28 at jimmieallenmusic.
Allen will also host the 2nd Annual Bettie James Fest at Hudson Fields in his hometown of Milton, Delaware on Aug. 13. Allen established the festival last year in honor of his late grandmother, Bettie Snead, and late father, James Allen. Details on tickets for this year’s festival will be announced at a later date.
In 2021, Allen received the only country nomination in an all-genre category for the 2022 Grammy Awards; released his latest star-studded collaboration album, Bettie James Gold Edition; published his first children’s book, My Voice Is a Trumpet; took home the trophies for New Artist of the Year at The 55th Country Music Association Awards & Male Artist of the Year at The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards; reached the quarterfinals of the 30th season of Dancing With The Stars; served as Executive Music Producer for the Netflix series Titletown High; performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Garth Brooks; and appeared on Elton John’s newest album, The Lockdown Sessions, with the track “Beauty In The Bones;” among other highlights.
Tyler Rich Announces First Fan-Focused NFT
/by Lydia FarthingTyler Rich. Photo: Zack Napier
Rising country artist Tyler Rich has unveiled his newest fan-focused endeavor: his very own NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The unique 3D Cards with 30-second audio clips will serve to enhance listener engagement and amplify his latest track “A Little Bit of You.” With this announcement, Rich becomes the first Big Machine Label Group artist to create an NFT.
The NFTs will feature one of several images of the singer-songwriter and will offer fans access to limited edition assets, unreleased material, tickets to upcoming concerts, and meet and greet opportunities. Rolled out over four weeks through Sweet, an NFT platform, a total of 10,000 of these free assets will be delivered with each set becoming more limited and rare. Special rewards will also be available that grant some owners added benefits, such as concert tickets, exclusive Zoom meetings, and more.
“We are excited to launch the first Tyler Rich NFT alongside Sweet. This is also a great extension of our relationship with SiriusXM’s The Highway who have been there since day one for Tyler,” says Mike Rittberg, Big Machine Label Group Exec. VP – Label Operations.
A preview of Tyler Rich’s upcoming NFT release.
“My fans deserve unique ways to connect, and I know they’ll love swapping these digital assets with each other along the way,” shares Rich. “My team, together with Sweet, is helping us bring this fantastic idea to all of you who have supported me over the years. I look forward to expanding my relationship with my fans in this exciting new world of technology!”
This collaboration comes as part of Sweet’s vision of making digital assets as easy to access as possible, while also connecting name brands with their fans.
Peter Keiser, Exec. VP of Client Services at Sweet, comments: “We’re thrilled to be working with Tyler Rich to help show a whole new generation of fans what NFTs do–they can open up doors to entirely new experiences and augment what brand engagement is really about. Best of all, nobody needs to learn the intricacies of blockchain, they just need to click on a link, and boom, they’ve got one.”
Amassing over 339 million global streams with his debut album, Two Thousand Miles, Rich will join Chris Lane’s upcoming “Fill Them Boots Tour,” while also extending his own “The Two Thousand (More) Miles Tour” with shows across the country this spring. For a full list of upcoming dates, click here.
Weekly Register: Kane Brown’s ‘Whiskey Sour’ Makes Top Country Debut
/by Lydia FarthingKane Brown takes the title as the week’s top debut on the country streaming song chart. His newest release, “Whiskey Sour,” received 3.2 million first-week streams, placing it at No. 31, according to MRC data. The RCA Nashville recording artist’s current single, “One Mississippi,” also continues to rise this week, moving up to the fourth spot and adding 5.3 million streams.
Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like” continues to dominate the top country streaming songs chart. This week the viral hit adds 6.2 million streams, contributing towards its 317 million streams RTD. Taylor Swift follows in second as “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” gains another 6 million streams. Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan take third with “Buy Dirt” earning 5.8 million streams, and Maren Morris seals the top five with “Circles Around This Town” garnering 5 million streams.
Once again, Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album was the week’s most consumed album at 41K in total consumption (1.9K album only and 49 million song streams), according to MRC data. Swift keeps her position at No. 2 with Red (Taylor’s Version) earning 30K in total consumption. Luke Combs takes the third spot with What You See Is What You Get adding 17K in total consumption, as well as the fifth spot as This One’s For You adds 14K in total consumption. Chris Stapleton‘s 2015 album, Traveller, hits No. 4 as it gains 14K in total consumption.