Lady A
We start the New Year off right here at DISClaimer.
Vying for our first 2022 Disc of the Day winner are the Zac Brown Band, Brett Eldredge, Conner Smith and our winner, Lady A, with their anthemic album title tune “What a Song Can Do.”
We have four notable collaborations today. They include Ernest with Morgan Wallen, Leigh Nash with Tanya Tucker, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. The fourth one gives us our DISCovery Award winner, Chayce Beckham, who is collaborating with Lindsay Ell.
SHOOTER JENNINGS / “Gene’s Song”
Writers: Shooter Jennings/Waylon Albright Jennings; Producer: none listed; Label: Black Country Rock
–This horn-embellished rocker is a tribute to Shooter’s high-school art teacher. It starts with his unaccompanied voice introducing the song in a hushed, intimate tone. Then it blasts open into a fiery frenzy of a sound collage. Cool, in a very left-field kinda way.
ZAC BROWN BAND / “Out in the Middle”
Writers: Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs/Zac Brown; Producers: Ben Simonetti/Zac Brown; Label: Warner
–Stompin’ and swampy. The theme is a familiar one–getting down and making do out in the sticks. But this band’s outstanding musicianship and stunning harmony vocals make the thing an epic adventure. Joyously listenable.
ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Boujee on a Budget”
Writer: Robyn Ottolini; Producers: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor; Label: Warner
–Full of personality and wit. She’s looking her best and spending less. Loaded with clever lines–cutting her hair with mama’s kitchen scissors, Gucci for $5, etc.–and performed with conversational vocal moxie. Ear catching, for sure.
LADY A / “What a Song Can Do”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Sam Ellis/Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG
–Surely everyone can relate to this. Everyone who loves music, that is. Charles’ soulful voice leads the way, and the choruses are a celestial celebration of group harmony singing. The rolling tempo is irresistible. A flawless single.
CHAYCE BECKHAM & LINDSAY ELL / “Can’t Do Without Me”
Writers: Jordan Walker/Michael Carter/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: BBR
–The vocal blend is perfect, and it’s refreshing to hear a country duet that is truly an equal partnership. The song isn’t great, but the energy is splendid and their performance is passionate. Radio ready.
BRETT ELDREDGE / “Holy Water”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Mark Trussell; Producer: Dave Cobb: Label: Warner
–Soaked in gospel influence. He’s singing like a man lost in the spirit. The choir’s harmonies lift the mood even more. Her love is like a religious balm. Amen.
WILLIE JONES / “Slow Cookin’”
Writers: Hank Williams/Jason Afable/Phillip Fender/Willie Jones/Zak Waters; Producer: Jason Afable; Label: Penthouse/Empire
–This bopper folds in Hank’s “Hey Good Lookin’” with Willie’s own riffs. Like most of his output, it is quite repetitive. But it’s unmistakably country and undeniably catchy. Did you know that Willie’s 2020 LP Right Now was a camo-colored vinyl exclusive? It included his timeless “Bachelorettes on Broadway,” among other delights.
ERNEST & MORGAN WALLEN / “Flower Shops”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Ben Burgess/Mark Holman; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The relationship has gone to hell: She’s split, and he’s on booze & pills. So let’s bring on the flowers. Millions of them. “It’s a bad day for love/But a good day for flower shops.” Both men are singing this honky-tonk heartache lament for all they are worth.
LEIGH NASH & TANYA TUCKER / “Never Again, Every Time”
Writers: Leigh Nash/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Butch Walker; Label: Orchard/Visionary/BMG
–Well, it might have sounded like a good idea. But the fey pop soprano and gritty country alto don’t exactly blend smoothly. The jumbled production doesn’t help much, either.
CONNER SMITH / “I Hate Alabama”
Writers: Drew Green/Hunter Phelps/Lee Starr/Nick Columbia; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BMLG
–He can’t stand to hear “Sweet Home…” by Skynyrd or watch the Crimson Tide, because the state of Alabama is where he lost her. Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Vols, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas Aggies, LSU, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Auburn, Vandy and South Carolina fans will want to make this their football National Anthem.
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS / “Searching For My Love”
Writers: Robert Moore; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Label: Rounder
–Stunning and magical. I approached this with some trepidation, because I loved the 1968 R&B original by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces so much. But these two turn the tune into a stately strut and weave their voices together so wonderfully that I shouldn’t have worried. Plant does the lead vocal, while Krauss adds haunting harmony flourishes.
CMA Announces Board Of Directors For 2022
/by LB CantrellThe Country Music Association has announced its new Board of Directors for both CMA and the CMA Foundation.
Jim Beavers (Chairman), Charlie Morgan (President), Virginia Bunetta (President Elect) and Kella Farris (Secretary/Treasurer) are the 2022 CMA Board Officers.
New CMA Board members for 2022 include Lindsay Bertelli (REACH, LLC), Jamie Cheek (Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy), Warren Copnick (Sony Music Canada), R.J. Curtis (Country Radio Broadcasters), Jenee Fleenor (Musician), Sina Hall (Semmel Concerts Entertainment), Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artists), David Kells (Bridgestone Arena/Nashville Predators), TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Shannon Sanders (BMI), Brittany Schaffer (Spotify), and Candice Watkins (Big Loud Records).
Click here for a full list of the 2022 CMA Board of Directors.
As for the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, new members include Jim Beavers (Big Yellow Dog Music), Stephen Parker (gener8tor), Jay Williams (WME), Ashley McBryde (Artist), and Tyne Parrish (The GreenRoom).
These new members join existing board members Eric Jimenez (Aldine Independent School District), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing), Joe Galante (Galante Entertainment Organization), Mendell Grinter (Nonprofit Executive), Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town), Ron Samuels (Vice Chairman, Pinnacle Financial Partners), Chris Young (Artist), and Mike Dungan (Universal Music Group Nashville). The 2022 CMA Foundation Chair is Jennie Smythe and Vice Chair is Mendell Grinter.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Lady A Starts 2022 With A ‘Flawless Single’
/by Robert K OermannLady A
We start the New Year off right here at DISClaimer.
Vying for our first 2022 Disc of the Day winner are the Zac Brown Band, Brett Eldredge, Conner Smith and our winner, Lady A, with their anthemic album title tune “What a Song Can Do.”
We have four notable collaborations today. They include Ernest with Morgan Wallen, Leigh Nash with Tanya Tucker, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. The fourth one gives us our DISCovery Award winner, Chayce Beckham, who is collaborating with Lindsay Ell.
SHOOTER JENNINGS / “Gene’s Song”
Writers: Shooter Jennings/Waylon Albright Jennings; Producer: none listed; Label: Black Country Rock
–This horn-embellished rocker is a tribute to Shooter’s high-school art teacher. It starts with his unaccompanied voice introducing the song in a hushed, intimate tone. Then it blasts open into a fiery frenzy of a sound collage. Cool, in a very left-field kinda way.
ZAC BROWN BAND / “Out in the Middle”
Writers: Ben Simonetti/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs/Zac Brown; Producers: Ben Simonetti/Zac Brown; Label: Warner
–Stompin’ and swampy. The theme is a familiar one–getting down and making do out in the sticks. But this band’s outstanding musicianship and stunning harmony vocals make the thing an epic adventure. Joyously listenable.
ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Boujee on a Budget”
Writer: Robyn Ottolini; Producers: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor; Label: Warner
–Full of personality and wit. She’s looking her best and spending less. Loaded with clever lines–cutting her hair with mama’s kitchen scissors, Gucci for $5, etc.–and performed with conversational vocal moxie. Ear catching, for sure.
LADY A / “What a Song Can Do”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Sam Ellis/Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG
–Surely everyone can relate to this. Everyone who loves music, that is. Charles’ soulful voice leads the way, and the choruses are a celestial celebration of group harmony singing. The rolling tempo is irresistible. A flawless single.
CHAYCE BECKHAM & LINDSAY ELL / “Can’t Do Without Me”
Writers: Jordan Walker/Michael Carter/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: BBR
–The vocal blend is perfect, and it’s refreshing to hear a country duet that is truly an equal partnership. The song isn’t great, but the energy is splendid and their performance is passionate. Radio ready.
BRETT ELDREDGE / “Holy Water”
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Heather Morgan/Mark Trussell; Producer: Dave Cobb: Label: Warner
–Soaked in gospel influence. He’s singing like a man lost in the spirit. The choir’s harmonies lift the mood even more. Her love is like a religious balm. Amen.
WILLIE JONES / “Slow Cookin’”
Writers: Hank Williams/Jason Afable/Phillip Fender/Willie Jones/Zak Waters; Producer: Jason Afable; Label: Penthouse/Empire
–This bopper folds in Hank’s “Hey Good Lookin’” with Willie’s own riffs. Like most of his output, it is quite repetitive. But it’s unmistakably country and undeniably catchy. Did you know that Willie’s 2020 LP Right Now was a camo-colored vinyl exclusive? It included his timeless “Bachelorettes on Broadway,” among other delights.
ERNEST & MORGAN WALLEN / “Flower Shops”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Ben Burgess/Mark Holman; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The relationship has gone to hell: She’s split, and he’s on booze & pills. So let’s bring on the flowers. Millions of them. “It’s a bad day for love/But a good day for flower shops.” Both men are singing this honky-tonk heartache lament for all they are worth.
LEIGH NASH & TANYA TUCKER / “Never Again, Every Time”
Writers: Leigh Nash/Stephen Wilson Jr.; Producer: Butch Walker; Label: Orchard/Visionary/BMG
–Well, it might have sounded like a good idea. But the fey pop soprano and gritty country alto don’t exactly blend smoothly. The jumbled production doesn’t help much, either.
CONNER SMITH / “I Hate Alabama”
Writers: Drew Green/Hunter Phelps/Lee Starr/Nick Columbia; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BMLG
–He can’t stand to hear “Sweet Home…” by Skynyrd or watch the Crimson Tide, because the state of Alabama is where he lost her. Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Vols, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas Aggies, LSU, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Auburn, Vandy and South Carolina fans will want to make this their football National Anthem.
ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS / “Searching For My Love”
Writers: Robert Moore; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Label: Rounder
–Stunning and magical. I approached this with some trepidation, because I loved the 1968 R&B original by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces so much. But these two turn the tune into a stately strut and weave their voices together so wonderfully that I shouldn’t have worried. Plant does the lead vocal, while Krauss adds haunting harmony flourishes.
Zac Brown Band To Headline CRS 2022 Warner Music Nashville Luncheon
/by Alex ParryCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) announced Zac Brown Band as the headline performer for the 4th annual Warner Music Nashville Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 23, during CRS 2022. Zac Brown Band will be joined by other Warner Music Nashville artists including Jessie James Decker, Morgan Evans, Cody Johnson, Randall King, Drew Parker, and Michael Ray, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are excited to be live and in-person with CRS again this year!” says WMN SVP Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams. “What better way to celebrate than with these undeniable artists and their unforgettable performances? This will be a lunch you won’t want to miss!”
The Warner Music Nashville Luncheon is one of the many shows part of the three-day CRS event happening Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Feb. 25, 2022. This year’s schedule is full of entertainment, networking, and educational opportunities, and includes panels, mentoring events, informative discussions, and performances. Registration for CRS 2022 is open and available for purchase at CountryRadioSeminar.com.
Dolly Parton Kicks Off 2022 With 47 New Global Sales Certifications
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton and her manager Danny Nozell. Photo: JB Rowland
Dolly Parton continues to make waves around the world with her music as she was recently presented with 47 new global sales certifications. The new honors come from sales originating in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
“I’ve often said that my songs are like my children, and I expect them to support me later in my life. Well, it looks like they are doing just that!” proclaims Parton. “I am so humbled to have been surprised with this incredible collection of certifications from around the world. I owe a big thank you to my fans, old and new, who continue to be there for me year after year. This is a wonderful way to kick off 2022!”
“I’m so proud to represent the hottest entertainer in the business,” adds Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager. “These international awards solidify the fact that Dolly is a global superstar icon that still keeps growing every year. Just when you thought her assets couldn’t get any bigger, she proves us wrong again!”
Parton was awarded a plaque from the RIAA in 2014 for over 100 million units sold worldwide, and her streaming has propelled her catalog to new heights as well. In 2021, she marked three billion career streams.
Below is a complete list of the certifications:
Jon Platt To Keynote Music Biz 2022 In Nashville
/by LB CantrellJon Platt. Photo: Nadav Kander
Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO, Jon Platt, will participate in a keynote conversation at the Music Business Association’s Music Biz 2022 conference, to be held May 9 – 12, 2022 at the JW Marriott Nashville.
Platt has spent his 25-year career working with accomplished songwriters, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Drake, Pharrell Williams and Rihanna. He has greatly influenced the dominance of hip-hop music by elevating how R&B/hip-hop artists are respected and compensated as songwriters.
Additionally, Platt’s songwriter-first, universally inclusive leadership style has helped to set the standard on how songwriters are paid, as Sony Music Publishing was the first company to expedite foreign royalty payments.
“Of the many seismic shifts our industry has seen in the last two years, one thing that stands out is the rising profile of the publishing sector, particularly with regard to the streaming economy,” says Music Biz President, Portia Sabin. “Through his tireless work supporting both legendary and new songwriters, Jon is perfectly positioned to discuss these changes, and I’m honored to chat with him about this and more at our May event.”
Platt is expected to cover the music publishing space and how he has influenced its evolution throughout his career at the Music Biz event.
Music Biz 2022 will serve as the first in-person Music Biz event since January 2020. For the preliminary conference agenda, event registration and lodging information, COVID-19 protocols, and more, visit musicbiz2022.com.
Eagles Extend Their ‘Hotel California 2022’ Tour, Add Nashville Date
/by Lorie HollabaughEagles. Photo: George Holz
The Eagles have extended their “Hotel California 2022″ tour with shows added in Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Columbus, and more. The band also added a date at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for April 28.
Each concert will feature the band–Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill–performing the classic album Hotel California live in its entirety from start to finish, accompanied by an orchestra and choir. They will also perform a set of their greatest hits, as well.
Tickets for the newly-added dates go on sale Friday, Jan. 14, with a variety of pre-sales available beginning Jan. 13.
Hotel California is the third best-selling U.S. album in history, and has been certified 26x Platinum. After its release in 1976, it topped the charts and won two Grammys for “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California.” Several of the songs from the album have never been performed since the original “Hotel California” tour.
Feb 19 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena
Feb 21 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Feb 24 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Feb 25 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – FLA Live Arena
Feb 28 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Mar 02 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Mar 04 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Mar 17 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse*
Mar 19 – Chicago, IL – United Center*
Mar 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*
Mar 24 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena*
Mar 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena*
Mar 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*
Apr 19 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena*
Apr 21 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center*
Apr 23 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena*
Apr 28 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena*
May 14 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
May 16 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center*
May 19 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
May 20 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX
May 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena*
* On sale Jan. 14
Cory Asbury Joins Maximum Artist Group’s Management Roster
/by Lydia FarthingCory Asbury
Award-winning Christian singer-songwriter Cory Asbury has signed an exclusive artist management agreement with Maximum Artist Group.
A native of North Carolina, Asbury is a songwriter, singer, speaker, author, and worship leader, whose credits include “Reckless Love” and “The Father’s House.”
He burst onto the top of the airplay and sales charts with “Reckless Love,” which has gone on to earn Gospel Music Association Dove Awards for Song of the Year, Worship Song of the Year, and Worship Album of the Year; a 2019 Grammy nomination; Billboard’s 2019 Christian Song of the Year; and BMI’s and ASCAP’s 2019 Christian Song of the Year, among other accomplishments. The single was recently certified 2x Platinum for sales consumption of more than two million units.
“Cory is an incredible songwriter and artist who has experienced amazing success over the past few years,” says Mitchell Solarek, president of the Nashville-based firm. “We are thrilled he’s now a member of the Maximum family and we’re hugely excited to be part of his future.”
“I am incredibly excited to run with Maximum. Mitchell and his team are people of extremely high character,” adds Asbury. “Any time you can find folks with pure hearts for God coupled with a tenacious reach for excellence, you know you’re in good hands. I am confident they’ll help me bring my God-given vision to fruition.”
Asbury will embark on upcoming January events with the KLOVE Caribbean Cruise and “Rock the Universe” festival at Universal Studios Florida. Additionally, late spring 2022 and fall 2022 tours are in the works.
Asbury joins a roster that includes Gold and Platinum selling, multi-award winners Natalie Grant, Tauren Wells, and producer/writer Bernie Herms, among others.
Dillon Carmichael To Embark On ‘Son Of A Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughDillon Carmichael. Photo: Alex Berger
Riser House Records’ recording artist Dillon Carmichael is set to hit the road later this month on his headlining “Son Of A Tour.”
The 12-date trek will kick off Jan. 20 in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and includes a stop at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley. He will also visit Detroit, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Myrtle Beach, and more through Feb. 19. Tickets are available now at dilloncarmichael.com.
The tour marks the first headlining trek for the Kentucky-bred singer since the release of his sophomore album, Son Of A, in October. His current single, the project’s title track, is climbing the country charts after debuting on Mediabase this past fall as the No.1 most-added single upon impact.
Tom T. Hall’s Death Revealed As A Suicide
/by LB CantrellTom T. Hall. Photo: Courtesy Robert K. Oermann
More than four months after his passing, legendary songwriter Tom T. Hall‘s cause of death has been revealed as a suicide.
The Country Music Hall of Fame member “sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound” on Aug. 20, 2021, according to The Williamson County Medical Examiner’s report. He was 85.
Country music blog Saving Country Music first reported Hall’s cause of death on Wednesday (Jan. 5).
Hall, also known as “The Storyteller,” is known for crafting enduring country standards such as Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” Alan Jackson’s “Little Bitty” and Bobby Bare’s “How I Got to Memphis.” He was the author of 12 No. 1 country songs, and was inducted as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1978.
As a recording artist, he placed more than 50 singles on the country charts in 1967-87. 21 of which became top 10 hits, including “A Week in a Country Jail,” “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died,” “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine,” “I Love,” “Country Is,” “I Like Beer,” and “Faster Horses.”
Hall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He was presented with a BMI Icon award three years later.
In 1968, Tom T. Hall married songwriter and former Music City News journalist Dixie Dean. She passed away in 2015.
Read Hall’s full obituary here.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Morgan Wade Gets Even More ‘Reckless’ With New Expanded Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Wade. Photo: David McClister
Morgan Wade is dropping an expanded deluxe version of her Arista Nashville debut Reckless on Jan. 28. The yearning new track “Run” is available now.
Co-produced by Jason Isbell + the 400 Unit guitarist Sadler Vaden and Paul Ebersold, Reckless (Deluxe Edition) offers six additional tracks, pulling in a scalding read on Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” Wade’s first release “The Night,” and some of the other songs that were in the conversation around Reckless’ sample of life as a passionate, tattooed 20-something struggling against a rapidly changing world.
“Honestly, the more exposed I am, the better it makes me feel,” admits Wade. “There are a million fake people out there, and who needs more of those? Who listens to them? Or believes it? If you’re struggling, and you put it out there, people actually say, ‘I really connected with (whatever the content).’ In making other people feel less alone, somehow I’m less alone. So I give away my feelings, then I get a sense I’m not the only one.”
Reckless topped Rolling Stone Country’s 25 Best Country and Americana Albums list, and her debut single at country radio, “Wilder Days” landed on both TIME and Rolling Stone magazine’s 10 Best and 50 Best Songs of the Year.