Jameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
Columbia Nashville recording artist Jameson Rodgers set up camp for the first of his two-night stay at Nashville’s Exit/In last night (Dec. 16).
Wrapping up the final dates of his “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour,” the singer-songwriter delivered his first full band, full set in Nashville to the sold out crowd, which was peppered with some of Nashville’s hottest songwriters and industry executives.
Rodgers came out swinging with “Girls That Smoke,” one of the many high-energy songs from his debut album Bet You’re From A Small Town, which was released in September of 2021. He followed it with the equally strong “In It For The Money,” which serves as an anthem of sorts for those chasing Nashville’s neon dream.
Jameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
“This show has been on sale literally for two years, and there was a time when I didn’t know if we would ever get to do this again. It’s good to see you all in person. Thank you for spending your Thursday night with us,” Rodgers expressed to the crowd. “I put a brand new record out a few months ago. We’re gonna play some new songs off the record that you may not know yet, but one day you will.”
Throughout the set, the Mississippi native gave a full sampling of the record with performances of the inspiring “Girl With A Broken Heart,” the clever “You Won’t,” the tear-jerking “Good Dogs,” and the project’s title track, “Bet You’re From A Small Town.” Rodgers also played his current radio single, “Missing One,” which tells the tale of Rodgers missing an Eagles record from his collection and wraps up in the chorus with him missing a girl.
The multi-Platinum-selling songwriter shared the namesake of the tour, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” which also happens to be the second of his two No. 1 singles. It was met with a roaring response from the Nashville audience. He also entertained the crowd with a special medley of some of the Eagles biggest hits, including “Take It Easy,” “Life In The Fast Lane,” and “Heartache Tonight.”
“There’s a lot of people in this room tonight responsible for a lot of success that I’ve had over the last few years. I wouldn’t be here without them,” Rodgers shared. “Thank y’all for buying a t-shirt and for spending $15 to come see us. Thank you for listening to my music over the last few years. I’m just a good ole boy from Mississippi living his dream up here, so cheers!“
Jameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
After a packed set, Rodgers and his band returned to the stage for their three-song encore, which included the heavy-hitting “Midnight Daydream” and a cover of Chris Lane‘s “I Don’t Know About You,” a song that Rodgers helped write and had his first No. 1 song as a writer with.
“I moved to this town in 2010 from a little town in Mississippi,” Rodgers said as he introduced the track. “The last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to have some other artists here in Nashville record some songs that I’ve helped write. Chris Lane took this song all the way up the charts.”
Rodgers closed the show with his Platinum-certified, No. 1 debut single “Some Girls,” earning a deafening response from the crowd who sang along to every word.
With nearly a dozen sold out dates, the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” zig-zagged across the country, with more than 25 stops. The trek will conclude with another sold out show tonight (Dec. 17) at Nashville’s Exit/In with support from Lily Rose.
Ashley Gorley Finishes 2021 Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer
For the last MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart of 2021, Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 for the second consecutive week.
The charting songs cementing Gorley’s place at the top are “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy) and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).
Jesse Frasure moves up to No. 2 with “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), and “If I Was A Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert). Taylor Swift moves down one to No. 3 on the MusicRow chart, as her songs “All Too Well,” “I Bet You Think About Me,” “Nothing New,” “Red,” “The Very First Night,” “Better Man,” and “Treacherous” continue to chart on the country charts.
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.
Opry Entertainment Group, AXS Form New Ticketing Partnership
/by Lorie HollabaughOpry Entertainment Group (OEG) has partnered with AXS as the group’s official and exclusive ticketing partner. OEG properties includes the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium; its Ole Red venues in Orlando, Gatlinburg, Nashville, and Tishomingo, and the newly announced Las Vegas location.
Under the new partnership, AXS will help streamline tour and ticketing operations on a single platform to offer a premium experience for fans. The partnership also creates opportunities to align with AXS’ parent company AEG and its live event business, AEG Presents. The companies expect this alliance to unlock collaborations with music festivals and additional content opportunities for Opry’s Circle TV Network.
“This partnership with AXS will allow us to deepen our relationship with our customers across our venues and provide them a secure, safe and convenient way to access all of their OEG tickets in one place,” says Scott Bailey, president of Opry Entertainment Group. “This partnership was created with our future in mind and opens doors for us to collaborate with AXS and AEG on a deeper level as we expand our offerings and continue to grow our business.”
“The Opry Entertainment Group is the jewel in the crown of one of the greatest music cities in the world,” adds Bryan Perez, president and CEO of AXS. “AXS will super serve these landmark venues and their customers with our suite of state-of-the-art technologies and marketing solutions, enabling each property to tailor their ticketing experiences and maintain the individual identities which make them so iconic in Nashville and beyond. We’re thrilled to partner with such a seminal brand as we build out our presence in the city.”
Fans will gain access to services like AXS Mobile ID—an identity-based ticketing technology that allows customers to discover, transfer, and manage tickets for all OEG events–and the AXS Official Marketplace to buy and sell authenticated tickets.
Brothers Osborne Announce Deluxe Edition Of ‘Skeletons’ Due Out In January
/by Steven BoeroBrother Osbourne. Photo: Natalie Osborne
Award-winning duo Brothers Osborne are releasing a deluxe edition of their Grammy-nominated album, Skeletons, on Jan. 21.
Nominated for Best Country Album at the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards, Skeletons Deluxe includes the Jay Joyce-produced “Headstone,” “Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” and “Younger Me.”
“Midnight Rider’s Prayer” was recorded at John Osborne’s home studio and co-produced by the duo. With Willie Nelson’s personal blessing, the track also uses elements of “On the Road Again.” “Younger Me,” which is currently Grammy-nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, rounds out the Skeletons Deluxe track list.
“Younger Me” topped Billboard’s Best Country Songs of 2021 list and received national attention as the duo performed the vulnerable track on this year’s CMA Awards.
1. Lighten Up (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk)
2. All Night (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
3. All the Good Ones Are (TJ Osborne, Lee Miller and Craig Wiseman)
4. I’m Not for Everyone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)
5. Skeletons (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
6. Back On The Bottle (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Hayes Carll)
7. High Note (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard and Dustin Christensen)
8. Muskrat Greene (John Osborne)
9. Dead Man’s Curve (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Lee Miller)
10. Make It a Good One (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
11. Hatin’ Somebody (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
12. Old Man’s Boots (John Osborne)
13. Younger Me (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
14. Headstone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
15. Midnight Rider’s Prayer (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Paul Moak, Willie Nelson)
Gene Higgins Comes Out Of Retirement, Announces New Consulting Firm
/by Sarah SkatesGene Higgins
Industry veteran Gene Higgins has come out of retirement with the launch of a new consulting firm which will work with independent and major film projects.
His decades of experience include serving as executive producer of twenty major ICM and CCMA award shows, founding the Christian Inspirational Country Music Association, and working as editor-in-chief of Power Source magazine.
The Gene Higgins Consulting Firm plans to consult, produce, direct, and distribute independent and major motion picture productions across multiple media verticals, including MC1 Nashville, Dark Lonesome Films, and Parade Stormer Productions.
“I want to experience and empower the hands-on job of a film producer to learn all the tricks of the trade,” shares Higgins. “Then, I plan to create the Music City Movie Network to give a permanent home to independent films and to create the first Galaxy Independent Motion Picture Awards show. In the near future, I will be meeting with investors and partners to bring the vision and dream to reality. It’s our goal to start at the top, not the bottom.”
Higgins will continue to consult and work with broadcast media and creatives in all genres of music, including labels, songwriters, publishers, and associations.
Higgins can be reached at ghmusic7@gmail.com.
Lauren Alaina Wraps Dream Defining Year With Invitation To Join Grand Ole Opry
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Alaina & Trisha Yearwood. Photo: Chris Hollo
Lauren Alaina was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry over the weekend by Opry member and friend/mentor Trisha Yearwood, who surprised Alaina onstage with the invitation.
The Opry was the first major stage Alaina played just a week after she was named runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol, making her Opry debut on June 10, 2011. Earlier this fall she marked her 50th appearance on the Opry stage.
Throughout the evening, the Opry played video greetings from artists sharing their 2021 Christmas wishes. When Yearwood appeared to share her wish via video during a break in Alaina’s set, she ended with, “Hey… is that Lauren Alaina?” Yearwood then made her way on stage.
Lauren Alaina & Trisha Yearwood. Photo: Chris Hollo
“Junior [her nickname for Alaina], I have a present for you. And I have some surprises for you too. I know your Mom is here and I know your Dad is as well. He’s super proud of you right now because I have the honor of asking you on behalf of the Grand Ole Opry if you will please accept our invitation of becoming our newest member.” She continued, “You are the real deal. You’ve played over 50 times. It’s obvious what this means to you. This is a very special club to be in so you have to understand what the Opry means to be asked. It’s such an honor. Country music is in good hands with you. Soak up every second!”
An overcome Alaina dropped to her knees and accepted, saying, “I did not expect this. You are my hero. I could not have picked a more perfect person to ask me. She calls me Junior–y’all I’m in her phone as Junior which is the coolest thing to have happened to me besides this!”
Yearwood duets with Alaina on her Gold-certified song “Getting Good” from her recent album, Sitting Pretty On Top of the World, and also wrote the foreword to her just-released inspirational book Getting Good At Being You.
Alaina will be formally inducted into the Opry family in early 2022.
Other 2021 career highlights for Alaina include announcing her second career headlining tour, “On Top Of The World Tour Presented By Maurices,” which will kick off in February 2022, starring in her first Hallmark Channel movie Roadhouse Romance, (which became the No. 1 most-watched entertainment cable program of the day and week), performing the National Anthem at Game 5 of the World Series, becoming a CMA Artist Ambassador, and more.
Full Coverage Communications Elevates Three, Announces New Client Signings
/by Lydia FarthingFull Coverage Communications has announced several staff promotions and new client signings.
Long-time employee Natasha Desai has risen to the role of Vice President. She has held a leadership position on the team for several years, spearheading campaigns for Jimmie Allen, Jxdn, Hilary Duff, Poorna Jagannathan, Fall Out Boy, and JoJo.
Meanwhile, Gabi Hollander has been elevated to Publicist, reflective of her work managing press campaigns for Leslie Odom, Jr., Harry Connick Jr. and more. Kelsey Lewis has been promoted to Junior Publicist with a key role in campaigns for clients such as Big Time Rush, G-Eazy, and KISS.
“Our client roster and new business signings are emblematic of the gold standard of strategic communications services the company provides,” says Kristen Foster, President & CEO. “The Full Coverage staff is second to none and works tirelessly every day to succeed for our artists. I couldn’t be prouder to announce these well-deserved promotions and to watch our entire staff grow this business with so much heart and determination.”
Since its formation in September of 2019, Full Coverage Communications has added many new clients and represents some of entertainment’s top talent, including Carrie Underwood, Avril Lavigne, BTS, Cameron Diaz, Fleetwood Mac, Jessica Alba, Jon Bon Jovi, Kate Hudson, Kings of Leon, Leslie Odom Jr. and Lorde, among others.
The company has celebrated recent signings with Jimmie Allen, Anderson .Paak, 5 Seconds of Summer, Earth Wind & Fire, and Saweetie.
Jameson Rodgers Wraps His “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” With Two Nights In Nashville
/by Lydia FarthingJameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
Columbia Nashville recording artist Jameson Rodgers set up camp for the first of his two-night stay at Nashville’s Exit/In last night (Dec. 16).
Wrapping up the final dates of his “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour,” the singer-songwriter delivered his first full band, full set in Nashville to the sold out crowd, which was peppered with some of Nashville’s hottest songwriters and industry executives.
Rodgers came out swinging with “Girls That Smoke,” one of the many high-energy songs from his debut album Bet You’re From A Small Town, which was released in September of 2021. He followed it with the equally strong “In It For The Money,” which serves as an anthem of sorts for those chasing Nashville’s neon dream.
Jameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
“This show has been on sale literally for two years, and there was a time when I didn’t know if we would ever get to do this again. It’s good to see you all in person. Thank you for spending your Thursday night with us,” Rodgers expressed to the crowd. “I put a brand new record out a few months ago. We’re gonna play some new songs off the record that you may not know yet, but one day you will.”
Throughout the set, the Mississippi native gave a full sampling of the record with performances of the inspiring “Girl With A Broken Heart,” the clever “You Won’t,” the tear-jerking “Good Dogs,” and the project’s title track, “Bet You’re From A Small Town.” Rodgers also played his current radio single, “Missing One,” which tells the tale of Rodgers missing an Eagles record from his collection and wraps up in the chorus with him missing a girl.
The multi-Platinum-selling songwriter shared the namesake of the tour, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” which also happens to be the second of his two No. 1 singles. It was met with a roaring response from the Nashville audience. He also entertained the crowd with a special medley of some of the Eagles biggest hits, including “Take It Easy,” “Life In The Fast Lane,” and “Heartache Tonight.”
“There’s a lot of people in this room tonight responsible for a lot of success that I’ve had over the last few years. I wouldn’t be here without them,” Rodgers shared. “Thank y’all for buying a t-shirt and for spending $15 to come see us. Thank you for listening to my music over the last few years. I’m just a good ole boy from Mississippi living his dream up here, so cheers!“
Jameson Rodgers plays Nashville’s Exit/In on the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” on Dec. 16. Photo: Matt Bender
After a packed set, Rodgers and his band returned to the stage for their three-song encore, which included the heavy-hitting “Midnight Daydream” and a cover of Chris Lane‘s “I Don’t Know About You,” a song that Rodgers helped write and had his first No. 1 song as a writer with.
“I moved to this town in 2010 from a little town in Mississippi,” Rodgers said as he introduced the track. “The last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to have some other artists here in Nashville record some songs that I’ve helped write. Chris Lane took this song all the way up the charts.”
Rodgers closed the show with his Platinum-certified, No. 1 debut single “Some Girls,” earning a deafening response from the crowd who sang along to every word.
With nearly a dozen sold out dates, the “Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour” zig-zagged across the country, with more than 25 stops. The trek will conclude with another sold out show tonight (Dec. 17) at Nashville’s Exit/In with support from Lily Rose.
Margaret Everly Dies At Age 102
/by Robert K OermannMargaret Everly
She remains best known as the mother of Rock and Country Hall of Fame members The Everly Brothers, but Margaret Everly was also a professional entertainer, herself.
She died last week (Dec. 6) in Nashville, just 10 days after she reached the remarkable age of 102. Margaret was pre-deceased by her singer-guitarist husband Ike Everly (1908-1975) and by her sons Don Everly (1937-2021) and Phil Everly (1939-2014).
She was born in Kentucky on Nov. 25, 1919. Margaret and Ike Everly were childhood sweethearts who married in 1935 when Margaret was 15. She bore both of her sons before she was 20.
Ike left coal mining to become an entertainer. He took jobs as a country performer on the Chicago radio stations WJJD and WLS.
The couple wanted to raise their sons in a more rural atmosphere than they had in the Windy City. So in 1944 the Everly family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, where Ike found work on KASL. The following year, the Everlys relocated to Shenandoah, Iowa.
Margaret had been occasionally singing duets with Ike. At Shenandoah’s KMA, she and the boys became part of Ike’s radio act in 1948-49. The Everly Family Show made its formal debut on KMA in 1950. Family members sang duets, trios, quartets and solo numbers. In addition to singing, Margaret offered cooking and gardening tips and read the commercials. She was also the act’s booking agent and business manager.
At Margaret’s urging, the Everlys moved to Shenandoah’s KFNF radio station in 1951. This is when the family act was at its peak, with Ike, Margaret, Don and Phil all attired in spiffy matching western costumes for their performances at fairs and festivals. Following a brief 1952 stint at Evansville, Indiana’s KIKY, the four relocated to Knoxville in 1953. They became regulars on WROL and protégées of the colorful grocery mogul Cas Walker.
But the heyday of live radio entertainment was drawing to a close at this time. Ike went to school to become a barber, and Margaret became a beautician. Don and Phil were maturing as a duo and developing their own sound.
Nashville producer and guitar superstar Chet Atkins admired Ike’s guitar playing, and the two men became friends. Ike introduced Atkins to his sons’ music. At Atkins’ urging, Margaret brought the boys to Music City. Ike kept his barber job in Knoxville.
Ike was unquestionably The Everly Brothers’ musical mentor. He taught both of them to play and sing. Margaret supplied the drive, determination and ambition. The failure of a 1955 single on Columbia Records discouraged the duo, but Margaret’s confidence and faith were unshakable. She and Atkins continued to lobby for her sons in Nashville.
“She was ambitious for the boys,” recalls songwriter Felice Bryant. “She had the push and the desire to be successful.”
Her dreams came true when The Everly Brothers became a cornerstone act of the emerging rock & roll genre with a string of chart-topping hits in 1957-63. Margaret kept the teen boys’ bedrooms untouched in her Nashville home for decades thereafter. She maintained correspondence with Everly fans around the world and was involved in manuscripts and plans for music projects up until the time of her death.
She is survived by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Margaret Everly will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Mausoleum. There will be no service at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, designating your donation in Margaret’s honor. Expressions of sympathy for the Everly family may be shared here.
Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini To Headline ‘Run, Rose, Run’ Audiobook Production
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman
Dolly Parton will headline the audiobook cast of Run, Rose, Run, the upcoming thriller novel she co-penned with bestselling author James Patterson. Parton will be joined by Kelsea Ballerini in the role of protégée to Parton’s character.
The book pairs Patterson’s character-building and dramatic skills with Parton’s insight into the music industry’s star-making machinery. Parton stepped into the studio to bring to life the part of Ruthanna Ryder, a beloved country icon attempting to retire from the business when a gifted young performer begins to captivate audiences in the bar she owns.
“I’m thrilled to share the news that Ruthanna’s fledgling counterpart in the story, a brilliant young singer-songwriter with a mysteriously dark past, is narrated by Kelsea Ballerini, who I knew from the beginning could bring the right balance of vulnerability, ferocity, and sparkling wit to the character AnnieLee,” shares Parton. “I think our fans are going to love hearing us in a totally different way than they’re used to, and they’re going to love following our characters on their unpredictable journeys through the Nashville music scene and beyond.”
“Working on a creation from the ever-brilliant mind of Dolly Parton has to be a dream job for anyone, especially as a young artist in country music,” adds Ballerini. “And as a writer myself, to be asked to join this project that is also a collaboration with James Patterson–another incredible storyteller not to mention best selling author–has been truly thrilling.
“It is an incredible privilege to voice the story and character of AnnieLee, a girl who has seen the worst of what people can do to each other, but who still has the pure ambition to want bigger and better things for herself,” Ballerini continues. “She has an unwavering belief in her innate talent and relentlessly pulls herself from the depths of hell into finding her platform to share her gifts with the world. Vocally embodying this complex, bold, and sometimes secretive character through the unpredicted twists and turns of this Nashville-based thriller was such an honor, and I can’t wait for listeners to fall in love with her, and this story, too.”
“The cast for Run, Rose, Run’s audiobook edition is truly beyond compare,” sums Patterson. “With Dolly Parton and Kelsea Ballerini headlining, we’re the hottest ticket in town, no question. And the rest of the cast, headed by award-winning narrator Soneela Nankani, really bring the characters to life in exactly the way Dolly and I envisioned when we were writing. Listeners will find it hard to hit pause once they get started!”
For more information on the book or to pre-order the novel, click here.
Run, Rose, Run Audiobook Full Cast:
Dolly Parton: Ruthanna Ryder
Kelsea Ballerini: AnnieLee Keyes
James Fouhey: Ethan Blake
Soneela Nankani: Narrative, and other roles, with
Kevin T Collins
Peter Ganim
Luis Moreno
Ronald Peet
Robert Petkoff
Ella Turenne
Emily Woo Zeller
Sony Music Publishing Nashville Expands Creative Team
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Kenley Flynn, Alex Albanese, Mya Hansen, Dale Bobo, Synnovea Halsel, Dane Schmidt. Photo: Kethy Thomas
Sony Music Publishing Nashville has expanded its creative team with several key hires and promotions.
Kenley Flynn has been appointed as Senior Director, Creative. He has over a decade of experience in the industry and previously worked in A&R at Combustion Music. In his new role, Flynn will support the company’s roster of songwriters, sign and develop new talent, and provide new opportunities for collaborations and creative development.
Dale Bobo has been named Catalog Strategist to further support SMP Nashville’s robust catalog of country hits. Bobo, a seasoned publishing veteran, previously worked at Big Deal Music.
SMP Nashville has also promoted Dane Schmidt to Senior Director, Creative, and promoted Mya Hansen to Senior Manager, Creative.
Schmidt earned success from his work with Gabby Barrett, who he signed to SMP in 2020, and Zach Kale, who co-wrote Barrett’s record-breaking hit “I Hope.” Hansen, who has been with the company since 2020, recently signed Tate McRae alongside SVP Creative Jennifer Knoepfle and former SMP A&R Danielle Middleton.
Synnovea Halsel has also joined the team as Creative Coordinator, and Alex Albanese, who joined the company in 2019, has been promoted to Creative Coordinator.
“I’m so proud of Dane, Mya and Alex, as they’ve consistently delivered at the highest level for our songwriters and have earned these promotions,” says Josh Van Valkenburg, EVP, Creative, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “Dale, Kenley and Synnovea have already become important additions to our tight-knit family at SMP Nashville, and the future of our team is in good hands with all six of these exceptional creatives.”