New ‘Opry Country Christmas’ Shows To Kick Off For The Holidays

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Josh Turner. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry is kicking off a new tradition this weekend with the inaugural season of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Hosted by Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season during four shows running on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 8, and Dec. 12.

Each show will feature Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up exclusively of country Christmas favorites. Among the Spotlight Artists scheduled to appear during the season are Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, Josh Turner, and Trace Adkins.

All Opry Country Christmas shows will air on WSM Radio, WSM and Opry digital platforms. Tickets for Opry Country Christmas are on sale now.

Opry Country Christmas Lineup:
Nov. 28: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Jason Crabb, Jeannie Seely, Steve Wariner

Dec. 5: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan

Dec. 8: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Josh Turner

Dec. 12: Mandy Barnett, The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, The Isaacs, Connie Smith, Trace Adkins

AIMP To Honor Mitch Glazier, Alisa Coleman, Kris Ahrend, Heavy Hitters Music At 2021 Holiday Events

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Pictured (L-R, top row) Heavy Hitters Music, Mitch Glazier; (L-R, bottom row) Kris Ahrend, Alisa Coleman

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has announced its schedule of annual holiday events during which it will celebrate its success in 2021. The AIMP will recognize notable contributions to the independent music publishing community from Kris Ahrend and Alisa Coleman for their work with the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), Mitch Glazier of the RIAA, and independent music publishing company Heavy Hitters Music.

On Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. CT, the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter will host its Holiday Awards & Annual Meeting of Members virtually via Zoom. The Chapter will present its Indie Publisher of the Year award to Heavy Hitters Music, and its Individual Award in Support of Songwriters & Publishers to Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA.

“These annual awards are an opportunity for us to honor the best and the brightest organizations and individuals who are making an impact in our indie publisher community,” says Teri Nelson Carpenter, President of the AIMP Los Angeles Chapter. “After the untimely passing of Heavy Hitters Music co-founder Cindy Badell Slaughter this year, the company has managed to press on, achieving tremendous growth and success securing placements for its artists and clients this year. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments while honoring Cindy’s memory. Meanwhile, Mitch Glazier has been a great collaborator for the independent music publishing community through his work at the RIAA, working with the publishing community to pursue policies that are mutually beneficial for labels and publishers. We look forward to recognizing his contributions with our members.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. CT, the AIMP New York Chapter will host a virtual event to present their Indie Spirit Award to Alisa Coleman (Board Chair) and Kris Ahrend (CEO) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). Ahrend and Coleman have worked together since the formation of The MLC to address the concerns of the independent music publishing community.

“We are thankful to The MLC for their important work to ensure that indie music publishers receive accurate and timely mechanical royalties,” shares Michael Lau, President of the AIMP New York Chapter. “We look forward to closing out the year by honoring Alisa and Kris, and looking back on all the great work our New York Chapter members have done throughout the year.”

Due to the recent spike in COVID cases, the Nashville Chapter will not be holding an in-person general member event, but will hold a small event for Board members and its Young Professionals Committee. The Chapter’s all-member December meeting will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. CT via Zoom.

“As we wrap up the year, we want to thank all of our members for their support and participation in the AIMP in general throughout the year,” comments John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to throw us curveballs, we are happy to have begun the process of moving back to in-person events, and are thrilled to have had the opportunity to see many of our members face to face over the course of the year. We are hopeful to see even more of you in 2022.”

Kane Brown, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley, More Win NMPA Gold & Platinum Program Honors

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Kane Brown

The NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program has unveiled the top country songs and songwriters for the past year. Honoring the songwriters of RIAA-certified Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum singles, the honorees were notified and received their awards remotely. The eligibility period was July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Based on a calculation of streams and sales, the “Platinum Anthem” or most listened to song in the past year went to “Be Like That,” performed by Kane Brown ft. Swae Lee & Khalid. The song was written by Brown (Sony Music Publishing), Khalid (Sony Music Publishing), Swae Lee (Warner Chappell), Mike WiLL Made-It (Warner Chappell), Eskeerdo (BMG), and Charlie Handsome (Sony Music Publishing).

With 14 certifications, Hillary Lindsey (Concord) was the Top Non-Performing Female Songwriter with hits such as “Hole in the Bottle,” “Church Bells,” “Hide the Wine,” “One Beer” and “What She Wants Tonight.” The Top Non-Performing Male Songwriter was Ashley Gorley (Round Hill/Tape Room Music) with 24 certifications for songs including “Kick the Dust Up,” “What’s Your Country Song,” “Eyes on You,” “Good Girl” and “Born to Love You.”

The Top Female Artist-Songwriter was Gabby Barrett (Sony Music Publishing) with five certifications for her breakout hits “I Hope” and “The Good Ones.” Meanwhile, the Top Male Artist-Songwriter was Chris Stapleton (Warner Chappell) who notched 16 certifications for “Broken Halos,” “Come Back Song,” “Starting Over,” “Parachute” and “Your Man,” and more.

This year’s Top Song or most listened-to song released prior to the past year was awarded to “Wagon Wheel,” performed by Darius Rucker and written by Bob Dylan (UMPG). The song has gone 9x Platinum since its release in 2013.

Billy Strings Extends 2022 Headline Tour

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Billy Strings. Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins

Billy Strings is continuing his extensive headline tour next year with 16 new shows announced for February and March.

Newly confirmed shows include a four-night stand at Port Chester’s The Capitol Theatre, two nights at Augusta’s Bell Auditorium, two nights at Knoxville’s Civic Auditorium, a three-date run at Madison’s The Sylvee, two nights at Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center, and more.

The upcoming performances add to yet another notable year for Strings, whose new album, Renewal, is out now via Rounder Records. Produced by Jonathan Wilson and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios, the sixteen track project incorporates influences of bluegrass, classic rock, metal, psychedelic music and more.

During 2021 he continued to make waves as he was awarded Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards, named Entertainer of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year at the 2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards, and performed on PBS’ Bluegrass Underground.

Billy Strings Added Tour Dates:
February 3—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 4—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 5—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 6—Port Chester, NY—The Capitol Theatre
February 11—Greensboro, NC—Greensboro Coliseum
February 12—Norfolk, VA—Chartway Arena
February 15—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium
February 16—Augusta, GA—Bell Auditorium
February 18—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium
February 19—Knoxville, TN—Civic Auditorium
March 3—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 4—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 5—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
March 9—Cleveland, OH—KeyBank State Theatre
March 11—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center
March 12—Cincinnati, OH—Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center

Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen Among Grammy Nominees

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Chris Stapleton, Mickey Guyton; (L-R, bottom row): Jimmie Allen, Brandi Carlile

The nominees for The 64th Grammy Awards were revealed Tuesday (Nov. 23), with plenty of Nashville’s finest musicians well-represented.

In the country categories, Mickey Guyton and Chris Stapleton dominate with three each. Stapleton, who nearly swept the CMA Awards earlier this month, is nominated for Best Country Album (Starting Over), Best Country Song (“Cold”), and Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”). Guyton, who gave a historic performance on this year’s Grammy Awards, is also nominated for Best Country Album (Remember Her Name), Best Country Song (“Remember Her Name”), and Best Country Solo Performance (“Remember Her Name”).

Jimmie Allen, the CMA’s newly crowned New Artist of the Year and the ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year, is the only country artists nominated in the four general field categories, as Best New Artist.

Miranda Lambert accepting the Best Country Album award for Wildcard at the 63rd Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021. Photo: Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Kacey Musgraves, whose album Star-Crossed was deemed not eligible for Country Album of the Year, is nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Camera Roll,” a song from that project.

Maren Morris is nominated for Best Country Song for “Better Than We Found It,” and is nominated for Best Country Duo Or Group Performance alongside her husband Ryan Hurd for their duet, “Chasing After You.” Miranda Lambert is nominated in the Duo/Group Performance category with Elle King for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” and with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram for The Marfa Tapes (Best Country Album).

Carrie Underwood is nominated alongside her duet parter Jason Aldean in the Country Duo/Group Performance category for “If I Didn’t Love You.” She is also nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album for My Savior.

Brothers Osborne are nominated for Duo/Group Performance for “Younger Me,” and for Best Country Album for Skeletons.

Other country artists represented in the nominees list are Luke Combs (Best Country Solo Performance for “Forever After All”), Dan + Shay (Best Country Duo Or Group Performance for “Glad You Exist”), Thomas Rhett (Best Country Song for “Country Again”), and Walker Hayes (Best Country Song for “Fancy Like”). Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson are nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Parton for her A Holly Dolly Christmas and Nelson for his That’s Life.

Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson are also nominated in country categories, including Isbell’s “All I Do Is Drive” for Best Country Solo Performance and Simpson’s The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita for Best Country Album. Elsewhere, Simpson received a nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions).

A slew of Nashville writers, including Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Brady Clark, Brandi Carlile, Hailey Whitters and Ruby Amanfu are nominated alongside Alicia Keys and Linda Perry for Song of the Year with “A Beautiful Noise,” recorded by Keys and Carlile.

Brandi Carlile and wife Catherine Shepherd at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Photo: Courtesy Sacks & Co.

In addition to garnering two nominations for Song of the Year for both “A Beautiful Noise” and her own “Right On Time,” Carlile earned a whopping five nominations, including for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance (“Right On Time”), and Best American Roots Performance (“Same Devil” with Brandy Clark).

Like Musgraves, Carlile’s single “Right On Time” was shifted to the best pop performance category rather than the American Roots division.

In the American Roots categories, Yola came out with two for Best American Roots Song (“Diamond Studded Shoes”) and Best Americana Album (Stand For Myself). Jackson Browne (Downhill From Everywhere), John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band (Leftover Feelings), Los Lobos (Native Sons), and Allison Russell (Outside Child) are represented alongside Yola for Best Americana Album.

Other nominees in the American Roots categories were Jon Batiste, Billy Strings, The Blind Boys Of Alabama & Béla Fleck, Brandy Clark, and Rhiannon Giddens.

In the Christian and Gospel category, Cece Winans earned three nominations for Best Gospel Performance/Song (“Believe For It”), Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Believe For It”), and Best Gospel Album (Believe For It).

Dante Bowe was nominated three times in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category, for “Voice Of God,” “Joyful,” and “Wait On You,” the latter recorded by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music.

Other Nashvillians represented in the Grammy nominees include Ashley Gorley and Ben Johnson (“All My Favorite Songs”) and Kings of Leon in the Best Rock Song category. Additionally, The Black Keys‘ Delta Kream and Steve Cropper‘s Fire It Up are both nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Gramps Morgan‘s Positive Vibration is nominated for Best Reggae Album, Nashville Symphony Orchestra conductor Giancarlo Guerrero earned a nomination for Best Orchestral Performance (“Adams: My Father Knew Charles Ives; Harmonielehre”) and Sam Ashworth and others are nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media (“Speak Now.”)

Jon Batiste led the nominees this year with 11, including for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “Cry.” Young artists made up the pop and general field nominees, with Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. garnering eight each, and Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo nabbing seven. All five are under 28.

The 2022 Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+ at 8 – 11:30 p.m. ET / 5-8:30 p.m. PT.

Final round voting to determine Grammy winners will take place from Dec. 6, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022. Click here for a full list of 2022 Grammy nominees.

Chris Young To Headline SEC Championship Concert In December

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Chris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Multi-Platinum country artist Chris Young will headline the first-ever T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert on Dec. 3, the eve of the SEC Championship game between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I pretty much live and breathe football,” says Young.  “I am beyond pumped to team up with T-Mobile and the SEC to headline the concert before the SEC Championship game! Let’s GO!!”

Young will perform his hit songs, such as “Famous Friends,” “Tomorrow,” and “Gettin’ You Home,” alongside special guests and fellow Sony Music Nashville artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Kameron Marlowe. The show will take place at Georgia International Plaza outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The show is free and open to the public with no ticket required. Fans on the ground can catch photo opportunities, food and beverages available for purchase, and more. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. CT with performances from Marlowe and Tenpenny, followed by Young taking the stage at 7 p.m. CT.

For fans who cannot attend in-person, T-Mobile will host a worldwide livestream broadcast of Young’s performance beginning at 6 p.m. CT via Young’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

Young has had an immensely successful career as he’s a member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, has nearly 5 billion on-demand streams, 13 million singles sold, 12 career No. 1 singles, and 22 RIAA certified projects.

Recording Academy Reveals Nominees For 64th Grammy Awards

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The nominees for The 64th Grammy Awards were announced today (Nov. 23) by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt.

To help reveal the nominees of all 86 categories, the Recording Academy also enlisted country star Carly Pearce, as well as comedian Nate Bargatze, past Grammy nominee Jon Batiste, past Grammy nominees BTS, four-time Grammy award-winner H.E.R., CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King, rock band Måneskin, and past Grammy nominee Tayla Parx.

In the general categories, including Best New Artist, and Album, Song, and Record Of The Year, the Recording Academy expanded the nominee count from 8 to 10. This is also the first year that the nominees will reflect the elimination of nomination review committees in general and genre fields, as well as other changes.

The 2022 Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+ at 8 – 11:30 p.m. ET / 5-8:30 p.m. PT.

Final round voting to determine Grammy winners will take place from Dec. 6, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022.

Here are the top nominees in selected categories:

Record Of The Year
“I Still Have Faith In You,” ABBA
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste
“I Get A Kick Out Of You,” Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Montero,” (Call Me By Your Name) Lil Nas X
“drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic

Album Of The Year:
We Are, Jon Batiste
Love For Sale, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Back Of My Mind, H.E.R.
Montero, Lil Nas X
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
Evermore, Taylor Swift
Donda, Kanye West

Song Of The Year
“Bad Habits,” Fred Gibson, Johnny McDaid & Ed Sheeran, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
“A Beautiful Noise,” Ruby Amanfu, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Alicia Keys, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry & Hailey Whitters, songwriters (Alicia Keys And Brandi Carlile)
“drivers license,” Daniel Nigro & Olivia Rodrigo, songwriters (Olivia Rodrigo)
“Fight For You,” Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
“Kiss Me More,” Rogét Chahayed, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lukasz Gottwald, Carter Lang, Gerard A. Powell II, Solána Rowe & David Sprecher, songwriters (Doja Cat Featuring SZA)
“Leave The Door Open,” Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, Omer Fedi, Montero Hill & Roy Lenzo, songwriters (Lil Nas X)
“Peaches,” Louis Bell, Justin Bieber, Giveon Dezmann Evans, Bernard Harvey, Felisha “Fury,” King, Matthew Sean Leon, Luis Manual Martinez Jr., Aaron Simmonds, Ashton Simmonds, Andrew Wotman & Keavan Yazdani, songwriters (Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon)
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)

Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
FINNEAS
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

Best Pop Vocal Album
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Positions, Ariana Grande
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Love For Sale, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Til We Meet Again (Live), Norah Jones
A Tori Kelly Christmas, Tori Kelly
Ledisi Sings Nina, Ledisi
That’s Life, Willie Nelson
A Holly Dolly Christmas, Dolly Parton

Best Country Solo Performance
“Forever After All,” Luke Combs
“Remember Her Name,” Mickey Guyton
“All I Do Is Drive,” Jason Isbell
“Camera Roll,” Kacey Musgraves
“You Should Probably Leave,” Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo Or Group Performance
“If I Didn’t Love You,” Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne
“Glad You Exist,” Dan + Shay
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Elle King & Miranda Lambert

Best Country Song
“Better Than We Found It,” Maren Morris
“Camera Roll,” Kacey Musgraves
“Cold,” Chris Stapleton
“Country Again,” Thomas Rhett
“Fancy Like,” Walker Hayes
“Remember Her Name,” Mickey Guyton

Best Country Album
Skeletons, Brothers Osborne
Remember Her Name, Mickey Guyton
The Marfa Tapes, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall & Jack Ingram
The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita, Sturgill Simpson
Starting Over, Chris Stapleton

Best American Roots Performance
“CRY,” Jon Batiste
“Love And Regret,” Billy Strings
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” The Blind Boys Of Alabama & Béla Fleck
“Same Devil,” Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile
“Nightflyer,” Allison Russell

Best American Roots Song
“Avalon,” Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Call Me A Fool,” Valerie June Featuring Carla Thomas
“CRY,” Jon Batiste
“Diamond Studded Shoes,” Yola
“Nightflyer,” Allison Russell

Best Americana Album
Downhill From Everywhere, Jackson Browne
Leftover Feelings, John Hiatt With The Jerry Douglas Band
Native Sons, Los Lobos
Outside Child, Allison Russell
Stand for Myself, Yola

Best Bluegrass Album
Renewal, Billy Strings
My Bluegrass Heart, Béla Fleck
A Tribute to Bill Monroe, The Infamous Stringdusters
Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions), Sturgill Simpson
Music Is What I See, Rhonda Vincent

Best Folk Album
One Night Lonely (Live), Mary Chapin Carpenter
Long Violent History, Tyler Childers
Wednesday (Extended Edition), Madison Cunningham
They’re Calling Me Home, Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
Blue Heron Suite, Sarah Jarosz

Best Gospel Performance Song
“Voice Of God,” Dante Bowe Featuring Steffany Gretzinger & Chandler Moore
“Joyful,” Dante Bowe
“Help,” Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
“Never Lost,” Cece Winans
“Wait On You,” Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“We Win,” Kirk Franklin & Lil Baby
“Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),” H.E.R. & Tauren Wells
“Man Of Your Word,” Chandler Moore & KJ Scriven
“Believe For It,” Cece Winans
“Jireh,” Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music Featuring Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine

Best Gospel Album
Changing Your Story, Jekalyn Carr
Royalty: Live At The Ryman, Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition, Maverick City Music
Jonny x Mali: Live In LA, Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music
Believe For It, CeCe Winans

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
No Stranger, Natalie Grant
Feels Like Home Vol. 2, Israel & New Breed
The Blessing (Live), Kari Jobe
Citizen of Heaven (Live), Tauren Wells
Old Church Basement, Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music

Best Roots Gospel Album
Alone With My Faith, Harry Connick, Jr.
That’s Gospel, Brother, Gaither Vocal Band
Keeping On, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Songs for the Times, The Isaacs
My Savior, Carrie Underwood

Click here for a full list of 2022 Grammy nominees.

Brent Cobb Slates ‘When It’s My Time Tour’ For February

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Brent Cobb. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Brent Cobb will embark on his headlining “When It’s My Time Tour” in February, which will include a date at Nashville’s City Winery on Feb. 27.

Other City Winery shows on the tour include Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago, as well as shows at Indianapolis’ Hi-Fi and Lexington’s The Burl, among others. Tickets for the tour are on sale now.

The upcoming shows will feature Cobb performing songs from his anticipated debut gospel album, And Now, Let’s Turn To Page…, set for release Jan. 28 on his own label, Ol’ Buddy Records. Produced by Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album features new renditions of eight traditional gospel songs that have been a cherished part of Cobb’s life, as well as an original, “When It’s My Time,” written by Cobb, his wife, Layne, and Mike Harmeier.

Cobb achieved another first earlier this year with the release of his first children’s book, Little Stuff, this past June, which was written as a reflection on what’s truly important in life and was inspired by Cobb’s song of the same name from Keep ‘Em On They Toes.

“When It’s My Time Tour” Dates:
Feb. 10—Washington, DC
Feb. 11—Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 12—New York, NY
Feb. 17—Lexington, KY
Feb. 18—Chicago, IL
Feb. 19—Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 24—Macon, GA
Feb. 25—Atlanta, GA
Feb. 27—Nashville, TN

Industry Ink: Lauren Daigle, Niko Moon, CMHOF

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Lauren Daigle Receives Global Impact Honor

Amy Grant & Lauren Daigle

Prior to her sold-out performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19, two-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle was recognized for the impact that both her music and philanthropy has had on millions of people worldwide. The Global Impact Honor, presented by Amy Grant, distinguished Daigle as a genre trailblazer and ambassador.

Worldwide, Daigle has sold over one million concert tickets on three continents, including 170 sold out headline performances, and has donated over $2,000,000 to 25+ organizations from those sales alone. Her music has been streamed over 5 billion times and she has performed on nearly every network morning, daytime, and late-night show, as well as multiple awards shows, and competition shows.

Daigle has spent 100 weeks at No. 1 with her Grammy award-winning album, Look Up Child, as well as 132 weeks at No. 1 with her 4x Platinum selling single “You Say.” She recently earned RIAA certifications for several songs from her first Platinum selling record, How Can It Be: the album’s title track and “First” have been certified Platinum, “Trust In You” is recognized as 2x Platinum, and “Come Alive (Dry Bones),” and “O’Lord” have been certified Gold & Platinum.

Grant said: “I’m so thrilled to be here tonight, and so proud of you. You have literally impacted millions of people around the world. This is the last night of the tour that has taken 20 months to wrap up and during that time you’ve shared your faith and you’ve done it tirelessly. So for using your platform to share your faith in such an open way and welcoming millions of people around the world, for the work you’ve done having children sponsored, and just using your gifts in such an amazing way I’m proud to give you this honor.”

 

Niko Moon’s “Good Time” Goes Double Platinum

Pictured (back row, L-R): Make Wake Artists’ Tyler Corrado; Sony Music Nashville’s Lauren Zimmerman, Ken Robold, Jennifer Way, Alaina Vehec, and Tracy Fleaner; Make Wake Artists’ Haley Janese; (front row, L-R): SMN’s Nicole Marinake; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; SMN’s Caryl Atwood; Niko Moon; SMN’s Randy Goodman, Liz Cost, and Taylor MacKenzie; Make Wake Artists’ Randi McFadden. Photo: Alan Poizner

RCA Nashville’s Niko Moon has earned an RIAA double-Platinum certification for his No. 1 debut single “Good Time.” Commemorating U.S. sales of over two million, “Good Time” is the only debut single to impact country radio and achieve 2x Platinum status during the COVID-19 era after hitting airwaves March 13, 2020.

The track has earned more than 414 million streams globally and was the first debut single to simultaneously top the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts since Sam Hunt’s “Leave The Night On” in 2014. Moon’s debut single was also nominated for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.

Staff from Sony Music Nashville, Make Wake Artists, and RIAA surprised Moon with the news on Friday (Nov. 19) ahead of the sold-out kick-off of his “Good Time Tour.” Moon’s first headlining trek features support from Kylie Morgan and will continue this weekend in Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri.

Moon was named SEASC 2021 Songwriter of the Year. With seven No. 1 songwriting credits, Moon has co-penned five chart-toppers for Zac Brown Band, plus Dierks Bentley’s most recent No. 1 “Gone,” as well as cuts for Rascal Flatts, Ashley Monroe, and more.

 

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Elevates Two

Alaina Fouse & Bret Pelizzari

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted Alaina Fouse to director of operations and sustainability, and Bret Pelizzari to creative design director.

In her new role, Fouse heads daily operational activities, including dock operations, housekeeping, event and public programming set-up, and employee volunteering. She also provides oversight of the museum’s ongoing sustainability efforts to reduce waste and minimize its carbon footprint. During her nine-year tenure with the museum, Fouse has served as senior manager of operations, senior manager of operations and sustainability, and associate director of operations and sustainability.

As creative design director, Pelizzari oversees the museum’s design team. He previously served as senior graphic designer, creative design manager, and senior creative design manager. In the seven years Pelizzari has been with the museum, he has worked on a variety of exhibitions, book designs, educational and marketing initiatives, advertising campaigns, motion graphics and video productions. Before joining the museum, Pelizzari spent nine years as art director of The City Paper in Nashville and 20 years running his own design company with a wide array of clients.

Tracy Lawrence Reflects On 30 Years With ‘Hindsight 2020’ Project [Interview]

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Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

Since his first single entered the country charts in 1991, traditionalist Tracy Lawrence has sold more than 13 million albums, charted 18 No. 1 songs, and garnered numerous CMA and ACM awards and nominations. His distinctive country twang has delivered timeless hits such as “Sticks and Stones,” “Paint Me A Birmingham,” “Time Marches On,” and “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

Lawrence is celebrating the last 30 years with a reflective three-part project, Hindsight 2020. Volume 1 of the project, released in the spring, featured all new material from Lawrence, who penned 9 of the 10 songs. Tracks like “Lonely 101,” “Water” and “Struggle Struggle” earned praise from fans.

“‘Struggle Struggle’ was probably my favorite song on [the first] record,” Lawrence says. “It’s a little dark, but it was written from some personal stuff going on inside my family. It’s got a personal overtone to it, so there’s something very special about that record.”

Volume 2 of Hindsight 2020 features more new material from Lawrence, plus some hits like “If The World Had A Front Porch,” “Stars Over Texas,” and “Your Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

Of the new songs on Volume 2, “The Price Of Fame,” a track featuring Eddie Montgomery, stands out. “All these dreams, no they don’t come cheap / everything you sew you may never reap / the price of fame’s an expensive thing,” sing the two country stars.

“The things that people see with the accolades, the rush of being on stage, getting to travel and all the things that go into all that, but [what they don’t see] is the sacrifices that you make,” Lawrence says. “The time being away from your family, the ballgames you miss, the birthdays you miss. There’s personal heartache that you go through. I’m not whining about things, it’s just the reality of the things that you sacrifice for this career.

“Eddie’s lost his dad, [his partner in Montgomery Gentry] Troy, his sons… He’s been through heartache and loss. I felt like he could really sink his teeth into the lyric, and he really did. I love his voice on the song.”

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Another track on Volume 2 finds Lawrence collaborating with another old friend, Tracy Byrd. The two sing a honky tonk tune, “Holes In The Wall.”

“I love Byrd so much,” Lawrence says. “We were such close friends for a long time and I’m loving seeing him back out on the road a little bit. I hope our paths get to cross more because I sure do miss him. He was probably my best friend in the industry for a long time.”

Lawrence’s third and final volume of Hindsight 2020, out early next year, will build on the nostalgia with his big hits, “Paint Me A Birmingham,” “Time Marches On,” “Sticks And Stones,” “Alibis,” and “Texas Tornados,” in addition to more new songs.

Fans can hear Lawrence sing the old and the new songs when he takes the stage in Nashville tonight (Nov. 23) at his 16th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, which supports the work of the Nashville Rescue Mission. Dustin Lynch, Michael Ray, and Lainey Wilson are also on the bill for tonight’s show, and tickets are still available here.