Jennifer Herron Steps Down As Announcer For Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree
Jennifer Herron
Long-time announcer for the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, Jennifer Herron, is exiting the show after 18 years.
As the announcer of country music’s second longest running radio show, Herron took over after Carol Lee Cooper’s retirement, hosting her first show alongside Sonny and Bobby Osborne.
“I shared that stage with so many wonderful people,” Herron reminisces. “Dancing with Ranger Doug, Jack Clement and Charlie Louvin on stage, helping Lynn Anderson with her costume changes as we cut-up only as two cowgirls can do, watching Ray Price give my husband a thumbs up from behind the stage, playing off of Mel Tillis in one of his fun bits, having Lily Tomlin drop-in on the show and surprise us all. The list of stars on the show goes on and on.”
Herron will remain in Nashville as she continues to work on television and radio projects. She will also be on the road with Bobby Marquez.
Spencer Crandall Celebrates 100 Million Career Streams, Releases New Track “Made”
Pictured (L-R): Cmd Shft’s Jarrod Cooper, Cmd Shft’s Gemma Matchett, Spencer Crandall, Playmore Promotion’s Joe Putnam, Hudson Hill Mgmt’s Jeff Cherry
Rising country artist Spencer Crandall has released his romantic new single “Made” as he celebrates 100 million global streams. The new song debuted at No. 2 spot on the iTunes all genre chart.
“100 million streams is such an amazing and humbling milestone, especially as an independent artist. It represents so much hard work, struggle, amazing people on my team, and the best fans in the world. I couldn’t do any of this without them,” shares Crandall. “For that to line up with the release of my brand new single ‘Made’? That’s priceless! I really do feel so lucky to have the support and love that I do. I feel overwhelmed, blessed and so grateful.”
Marking the first single released from a forthcoming 2022 project, the new track was written by Crandall, Ian McConnell, Andrew Beason and Jeff Cherry, and produced by Lalo Guzman and Brad Hill. Crandall’s fanbase of 2 million followers on TikTok gave the track more than 3 million views and over 10,000 pre-saves before its release.
Earlier this year, Crandall released his fourth independent project Lost in the Wild. He will be sharing the stage with Kidd G for the “Down Home Boy” tour, followed by additional dates with Ashley Cooke for the “My Person” tour.
Alex Miller Signs With Billy Jam Records
Pictured (L-R): Ed Leonard, President, Daywind Music Group/Billy Jam Records; Alex Miller, Jerry Salley, A&R/Creative Director, Billy Jam Records; Kyle Johnson, Marketing Director, Billy Jam Records
American Idol season 19 alum Alex Miller has signed an exclusive recording contract with Nashville-based Billy Jam Records.
The singer-songwriter’s first single for the imprint, “Don’t Let The Barn Door Hit Ya,” was produced by Jerry Salley and will be released in the coming weeks.
The Kentucky native has been performing professionally since the age of seven, first locally then graduating to larger markets and venues, including the Dolby Theatre, WoodSongs, Renfo Valley, and more.
Miller has also recently signed with Triangle Talent, LLC for booking and management.
Chingy Signs With Kinkead Entertainment Agency
Pictured (back row, L-R): Russell Cranek, Max Dacosta, Art Benson, Greg Scott, Paige Zuidema; (front row, L-R): Bob Kinkead, Chingy, Julie Devereux, Scott Adkins. Photo: Derrek Kupish
Multi-Platinum recording artist, actor and philanthropist Chingy has joined The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for exclusive representation in all areas.
A St. Louis, Missouri native, Chingy began writing lyrics when he was 9-years-old and began performing soon after. Originally known as H Thugz in the St. Louis group Without Warning, the group recorded “What’s Poppin Off,” which became a local hit.
Chingy has ascended to the Billboard Hot 100 chart eight times and achieved mainstream success with the release of his double-Platinum debut album, Jackpot. Off stage, Chingy’s acting chops include small screen roles in television comedy series My Wife and Kids, One on One, George Lopez, and Yo Momma, as well as cameos in several films including Scary Movie 4 and Speed Dating.
“Chingy is a singular talent who transcends genres and all facets of entertainment. We are thrilled to represent Chingy in every facet of the business to find unique opportunities connecting him to audiences and consumers,” shares Bob Kinkead, CEO of The Kinkead Entertainment Agency.
Chingy continues to be represented by Adkins Publicity for publicity and artist management.
Rhett Akins Leaps Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellRhett Akins
Rhett Akins makes a big leap from No. 12 to No. 5 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The soon-to-be-inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree is a co-writer on the currently charting songs “Tequila Little Time” (Jon Pardi) and “To Be Loved By You” (Parker McCollum).
Ashley Gorley maintains his position at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the tenth consecutive week. He is a co-writer on “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Country Again” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay) and “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton).
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.
Industry Ink: Midnite Jamboree, Spencer Crandall, Alex Miller, Chingy
/by Lydia FarthingJennifer Herron Steps Down As Announcer For Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree
Jennifer Herron
Long-time announcer for the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, Jennifer Herron, is exiting the show after 18 years.
As the announcer of country music’s second longest running radio show, Herron took over after Carol Lee Cooper’s retirement, hosting her first show alongside Sonny and Bobby Osborne.
“I shared that stage with so many wonderful people,” Herron reminisces. “Dancing with Ranger Doug, Jack Clement and Charlie Louvin on stage, helping Lynn Anderson with her costume changes as we cut-up only as two cowgirls can do, watching Ray Price give my husband a thumbs up from behind the stage, playing off of Mel Tillis in one of his fun bits, having Lily Tomlin drop-in on the show and surprise us all. The list of stars on the show goes on and on.”
Herron will remain in Nashville as she continues to work on television and radio projects. She will also be on the road with Bobby Marquez.
Spencer Crandall Celebrates 100 Million Career Streams, Releases New Track “Made”
Pictured (L-R): Cmd Shft’s Jarrod Cooper, Cmd Shft’s Gemma Matchett, Spencer Crandall, Playmore Promotion’s Joe Putnam, Hudson Hill Mgmt’s Jeff Cherry
Rising country artist Spencer Crandall has released his romantic new single “Made” as he celebrates 100 million global streams. The new song debuted at No. 2 spot on the iTunes all genre chart.
“100 million streams is such an amazing and humbling milestone, especially as an independent artist. It represents so much hard work, struggle, amazing people on my team, and the best fans in the world. I couldn’t do any of this without them,” shares Crandall. “For that to line up with the release of my brand new single ‘Made’? That’s priceless! I really do feel so lucky to have the support and love that I do. I feel overwhelmed, blessed and so grateful.”
Marking the first single released from a forthcoming 2022 project, the new track was written by Crandall, Ian McConnell, Andrew Beason and Jeff Cherry, and produced by Lalo Guzman and Brad Hill. Crandall’s fanbase of 2 million followers on TikTok gave the track more than 3 million views and over 10,000 pre-saves before its release.
Earlier this year, Crandall released his fourth independent project Lost in the Wild. He will be sharing the stage with Kidd G for the “Down Home Boy” tour, followed by additional dates with Ashley Cooke for the “My Person” tour.
Alex Miller Signs With Billy Jam Records
Pictured (L-R): Ed Leonard, President, Daywind Music Group/Billy Jam Records; Alex Miller, Jerry Salley, A&R/Creative Director, Billy Jam Records; Kyle Johnson, Marketing Director, Billy Jam Records
American Idol season 19 alum Alex Miller has signed an exclusive recording contract with Nashville-based Billy Jam Records.
The singer-songwriter’s first single for the imprint, “Don’t Let The Barn Door Hit Ya,” was produced by Jerry Salley and will be released in the coming weeks.
The Kentucky native has been performing professionally since the age of seven, first locally then graduating to larger markets and venues, including the Dolby Theatre, WoodSongs, Renfo Valley, and more.
Miller has also recently signed with Triangle Talent, LLC for booking and management.
Chingy Signs With Kinkead Entertainment Agency
Pictured (back row, L-R): Russell Cranek, Max Dacosta, Art Benson, Greg Scott, Paige Zuidema; (front row, L-R): Bob Kinkead, Chingy, Julie Devereux, Scott Adkins. Photo: Derrek Kupish
Multi-Platinum recording artist, actor and philanthropist Chingy has joined The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for exclusive representation in all areas.
A St. Louis, Missouri native, Chingy began writing lyrics when he was 9-years-old and began performing soon after. Originally known as H Thugz in the St. Louis group Without Warning, the group recorded “What’s Poppin Off,” which became a local hit.
Chingy has ascended to the Billboard Hot 100 chart eight times and achieved mainstream success with the release of his double-Platinum debut album, Jackpot. Off stage, Chingy’s acting chops include small screen roles in television comedy series My Wife and Kids, One on One, George Lopez, and Yo Momma, as well as cameos in several films including Scary Movie 4 and Speed Dating.
“Chingy is a singular talent who transcends genres and all facets of entertainment. We are thrilled to represent Chingy in every facet of the business to find unique opportunities connecting him to audiences and consumers,” shares Bob Kinkead, CEO of The Kinkead Entertainment Agency.
Chingy continues to be represented by Adkins Publicity for publicity and artist management.
Pam Tillis, T. Graham Brown, Buddy Jewell, More Added To Love From Music City Gala Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 5th Annual Love From Music City Gala has announced additions to its upcoming lineup, including Pam Tillis, T. Graham Brown, JD Shelburne, Buddy Jewell, Marty Raybon, Devon O’Day, Cherish Lee, and Charlene Tilton. The event will take place on Oct. 5 at the Estate at Cherokee Dock in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The newly-added artists will join Crystal Gayle, the recipient of this year’s Bill Anderson Icon Award, which recognizes her contributions to the community and her role as a pathbreaker and legendary performer.
“The 5th Annual Love From Music City Gala is going to be truly a spectacular and special event,” says CEO Shanda Tripp. “This evening brings focus on the needs of foster children and orphans abroad and the funds raised will feed these children through the year. Many of these children have simply been tossed aside and to see them smile and know they are safe means everything. This event would not be possible without Puckett’s, Patriot Angels, The Dottie Frist Foundation, and Springer Mountain Farms Chicken!”
The VIP red carpet and hors d’oeuvres will take place at 6 p.m. CT followed by the main event which will include live entertainment, a silent auction, food, and more. To purchase tickets to the gala, click here.
Love From Music City has a 50-year legacy of feeding and clothing orphans across the globe, with 10 years of including local, Middle Tennessee foster care children.
Troy Cartwright Announces Warner Music Nashville Debut Studio EP
/by LB CantrellSinger-songwriter Troy Cartwright has announced his forthcoming major label debut studio EP Halfway To Houston will be available on Oct. 15 via Warner Music Nashville.
Since signing with Warner Music Nashville in 2018, Cartwright has released a few tracks, including his major label debut song “Hung Up On You.”
Produced by Brandon Hood, the Halfway To Houston EP features five tracks, three of which are co-written by Cartwright. Other songwriters on the project include Billy Montana, Brett Tyler, Wynn Varble, Ben Caver and more.
Ahead of the EP, Cartwright has released “Breaking Every Heart In Texas,” an ode to his home state.
Cartwright will hit the road this fall, and is currently on the “Nashville Hits the Roof” tour, playing at Tin Roofs across the country. He will soon join Kolby Cooper for a string of dates before hopping on Lanco’s “Honkytonk Hippies” tour in December.
Halfway To Houston Track Listing:
1. Halfway To Houston (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
2. Breaking Every Heart In Texas (Brett Tyler, Wynn Varble, Jeff Outlaw, Troy Cartwright)
3. God Is Good (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
4. Hammer (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
5. Shine On Me (Nolan Sipe, Ben Caver, Troy Cartwright)
Recording Academy Promotes Ruby Marchand & Joanna Chu In Awards Department
/by Lydia FarthingThe Recording Academy has appointed Ruby Marchand to Chief Awards & Industry Officer and Joanna Chu has been elevated to Vice President of Awards, effective immediately. The redefined roles and restructuring of the Awards Department is another step in the Academy’s efforts to better serve its membership and the music industry at-large.
In April and May 2021, new rules and updates were made to the Recording Academy’s awards process in order to better reflect the changing music community. In June the Recording Academy restructured its leadership, appointing Valeisha Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay as Co-Presidents. Weeks later the organization invited 2,710 music creators and professionals of “wide-ranging backgrounds, genres and disciplines” to be members.
“I am proud to welcome Ruby and Joanna into their new positions as we work to enhance our awards processes from the inside out,” says Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their expertise in this space is highly valuable as we continue to refine the Recording Academy’s role in the music industry and work to provide the highest quality of service to our members.”
In her new role, Marchand will continue to oversee both Awards and Membership & Industry Relations, reporting to the Academy’s Co-President, Valeisha Butterfield Jones. She will work closely with Genre Managers on the Awards team to effect outreach to musical communities around the world, bringing innovative new possibilities into the Awards process.
Prior to joining the Academy’s executive team, Marchand held several elected leadership roles at the Academy. She was elected Governor and Vice President of the New York Chapter in 2004, where she chaired Grammy In The Schools for more than 12 years. In 2011, she was elected a National Trustee from the New York Chapter and served for two terms. She was elected Vice Chair of the Academy by the National Board of Trustees in 2015 and served until 2019. Additionally, she was Co-Chair of the Awards & Nominations Committee for seven years and helped drive new eligibility rules as well as the process of refreshing Fields and Categories for the Grammy Awards. Marchand previously held leadership roles at Warner Music Group, including vice president of international A&R for 25 years, head of A&R for Cordless Recordings and Rykodisc, and senior vice president of revenue and repertoire assurance.
In the newly created role of Vice President of Awards, Chu will further her expertise in Awards systems and operations by leading the team through all aspects of the Awards season. Chu will report to Marchand and join her in reinforcing key Academy initiatives throughout the Awards process, with a special emphasis on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Chu previously held Director and Managing Director roles in the Academy’s Awards Department, where she was responsible for overseeing the departmental staff and upholding the integrity of the awards process. Prior to joining the Academy, Chu worked in Silicon Valley as one of the few female software engineers in the aerospace industry for 15 years.
Raleigh Keegan Gets Personal On New Project ‘Clocks Roll Forward’
/by Lorie HollabaughRaleigh Keegan. Photo: Sean McGee
Raleigh Keegan’s upcoming full-length album, Clocks Roll Forward, is slated for release on Oct. 15. To celebrate the upcoming project, Keegan has released“Sure Like Lovin’ You,” co-written with Leslie Satcher and Phil Barton.
Produced by Grammy-award winning Ryan Gore, Clocks Roll Forward features 13 tracks all co-written by Keegan, including the powerful “Our First Goodbye” written about his birth mother; the push and pull of a toxic relationship in “I Love You;” the personal “Like My Daddy Was” written about his biological father; and the driving “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.”
“I have been waiting for this moment since late 2019 when I started this project,” Keegan shares. “I think it will help people truly get to know me from the stories woven into the songs on this album, and it’s exciting to me to be able to connect in that way. Clocks Roll Forward is the album title because time moves so fast and this album has brought so many influences of my past to life through song. That’s also a lyric from ‘Way Back’ that speaks to me personally. This album is a full length introduction to my life and a segue to the projects ahead that are already underway.”
Keegan will perform some of the new music and talk about the album from Old Hickory Lake with host Misty Wells on Let’s Take It Outside, which airs on Bally Sports on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. CT.
Keegan has accumulated over 7 million streams across his catalog to date, and has opened for artists such as Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Drake White, and Mitchell Tenpenny. He has grown his social media fan base to nearly 150,000 followers and has more than 200,000 monthly listeners across platforms.
Way Back (Raleigh Keegan, Kyle Sturrock)
Long Line of Lovers (Raleigh Keegan, Lonnie Fowler, Joel Shewmake)
Trainwreck (Raleigh Keegan, Leslie Satcher)
Jealous Of The Sun (Raleigh Keegan, Thomas Archer, Tyler Reeve)
Easy On The Trigger (Raleigh Keegan, Alex Dooley, Brian Carper)
Drink For That (Raleigh Keegan, Eric Torres, Matt Rogers)
Another Good Day (Raleigh Keegan, Alex Dooley, Brian Carper)
Handyman (Raleigh Keegan, Marshall Altman)
Like My Daddy Was (Raleigh Keegan, Autumn McEntire)
Our First Goodbye (Raleigh Keegan, Kyle Jacobs, Brice Long)
I Love You (Raleigh Keegan, Keith Follese, Adrienne Follese)
Sure Like Lovin’ You (Raleigh Keegan, Leslie Satcher, Phil Barton)
Tell Me Somethin’ I Don’t Know (Raleigh Keegan, Danielle Blakey, Steve Lester)
Tracy Lawrence Announces 16th Annual Turkey Fry & Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughTracy Lawrence will once again give back to the city of Nashville around Thanksgiving time with his 16th annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert to support Nashville Rescue Mission. Taking place on Nov. 23, this year’s event will include the annual turkey fry event held in the parking lot of Nashville Rescue Mission.
The event will then move to the SkyDeck at Assembly Hall on top of the 5th + Broadway building where Dustin Lynch, Michael Ray, Lainey Wilson and more will join Lawrence for the special benefit concert. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Sept. 24.
Since its inception in 2006, the Turkey Fry event has since raised over $600,000 for Nashville Rescue Mission, frying up over 6,400 turkeys and providing over 90,000 meals to the homeless and hungry of Middle Tennessee. To inquire about becoming a sponsor for the the 16th Annual Turkey Fry & Benefit Concert, contact Lindsey Ray at lindsey@thesteadfastco.com.
The organization recently donated $10,000 during Loretta Lynn‘s Friends: Hometown Rising fundraising event, which to date has raised nearly $1 million for United Way of Humphreys County following the Aug. 21 floods.
Lawrence is celebrating his 30th anniversary in country music this year, and to commemorate the milestone has been releasing his Hindsight 2020 project through three volumes that include new music along with his classics that fans have enjoyed for three decades.
Records Nashville Adds Chele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb
/by Lydia FarthingChele Fassig & Laurel Kittleson-Cobb
Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ label Records, has expanded its team with two new staffing additions.
Chele Fassig will take on the role of Promotion Manager, reporting to Records Nashville co-heads of promotion, Jamice Jennings and Andy Elliott. She joins the company with over 28 years of experience in the radio industry.
Fassig began her career in Decatur, Illinois at WDZQ. After stops at WNAP and WGRL, Fassig joined WSOC in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she remained the marketing, promotion and NTR director for over 25 years. She currently serves in a Senior Media Consultant role for Beasley and officially starts in her new role on Sept. 22. Fassig can be reached at chele@recordsco.com / (704) 724-1166.
Laurel Kittleson-Cobb has been brought on as A&R Consultant. Formerly the VP of Artist Development and A&R at Curb Records, she recently launched Rainier Entertainment, a consulting company for A&R, artist development and publishing. Kittleson-Cobb’s prior stops include Big Machine Label Group, Show Dog-Universal Records and Elevation Music Publishing. She can be reached at laurel@rainierentertainment.com.
“We’re excited to continue to build out the team at Records Nashville,” comments Weiss, Partner and Co-Founder of Records. “Chele and Laurel are great additions to help take the label to the next level. Let’s go!”
Records Nashville’s roster includes chart-topping Platinum singer-songwriter Matt Stell; breakout artists George Birge, Chris Bandi, Jennifer Smestad, and Lathan Warlick; and Nelly, whose recently released Heartland album is currently Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country albums chart.
Jackson Michelson Releases Six-Song EP, ‘Back To That Summer’
/by LB CantrellMCC/Curb Records recording artist Jackson Michelson released his new EP, Back To That Summer, today (Sept. 17).
With six original songs including his current radio single, “Tip Jar,” Michelson gives listeners a glimpse into his life as an artist, songwriter, husband and father on Back To That Summer. “I wanted to peel back the layers of who I am and where I’m from with this EP,” he shares. “The EP is filled with upbeat songs that paint the picture of summer love and sunshine mixed with a bit of Pacific Northwest edge.”
Michelson co-wrote half of the project’s songs with additional writing contributions from Patrick Mencel, Justin Morgan, Jeff Pardo, Billy Montana, Ben Glover and Josh Osborne, among others.
Back To That Summer EP Track List:
1. Tip Jar (Jackson Michelson, Patrick Mencel, Justin Morgan)
2. Back To That Summer (Jackson Michelson, Kyle Schlienger, Nick Bailey)
3. Amplifier (Ben Glover, Billy Montana, Kyle Jacobs)
4. Love High (Jackson Michelson, Jeff Pardo, Wade Kirby)
5. Call Me No One (Justin Ebach, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne)
6. Stay Over (Jackson Michelson, Jeff Pardo, Molly Reed)
Chart Action: Sam Hunt Impacts Chart With “23”
/by Alex ParryThis week, MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt is at the top of the most added list across three country charts with his latest single “23.” The song earned 166 cumulative adds across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio charts landing him at No. 30, No. 34, and No. 61 respectively.
Written by Hunt with Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Chris LaCorte who also produced the track, “23” has the singer thinking back warmly on a past relationship. Using an early photo of his wife, Hannah’s, aunt and uncle when they were a young couple for his song art, Hunt further illustrates the nostalgia and fondness of days gone by.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.