Pictured (top row, L-R):Trina Shoemaker, Carla Thomas, The Mavericks; (bottom row, L-R): Keb’ Mo’, Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The Mavericks, Keb’ Mo’, Trina Shoemaker, Carla Thomas, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers are this year’s Americana Lifetime Achievement Award nominees. They are among the artists who will be recognized at the Americana Honors & Awards, on Sept. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.
“We are beyond humbled to recognize this group of artists with our highest awards,” says Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “All of these artists have transformed the way we listen and experience music and have helped to build a perennial foundation for Americana music to prosper as an art form today. Our community looks forward to welcoming them with open arms on our biggest night of the year in September.”
The 2021 Americana Trailblazer Award will be given to The Mavericks. Formed in Miami in 1989, the combo, led by singer/songwriter Raul Malo, has fused country with claves and string-band textures from Malo’s family heritage in Cuba. In 2000, the ensemble took a pause, but came roaring back in the 2010s with shows that surge with danceable rhythm, horns, bilingual singing and the dark twang of guitar player Eddie Perez. Malo and drummer Paul Deakin have been Mavericks since the beginning, and the talented current lineup released the band’s first-ever all-Spanish album in 2020.
Keb’ Mo’ will receive the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. When guitarist and songwriter Kevin Moore launched his career as Keb’ Mo’ in the mid-1990s, he introduced legions of mainstream fans to the fingerstyle acoustic blues and brought new songs and a contemporary character to the legacy. A native of South Los Angeles, Moore came up as a blues and rock guitarist. His 1994 self-titled debut inspired Sony Music to revive the historic Okeh Records brand for his release. With five Grammy awards, he has been an in-demand collaborator, including his Grammy-winning 2017 duo album with Taj Mahal. Keb’s most recent album Oklahoma won the 2020 Grammy for Best Americana Album.
The Legacy of Americana Award will be presented to the Fisk Jubilee Singers in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music to shine a light on their extraordinary accomplishments and influence on American roots music. Originally formed as a nine-member group, they spread the refined and deeply emotional genre of the Negro spiritual through the U.S. and across Europe. As the Fisk Jubilee Singers settled into an ever-changing cast of students over the decades, they were invited to be part of key Nashville civic landmarks, including the inaugural broadcast of WSM radio in 1925. The choir was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, and granted the National Medal of Arts in 2008.
The 2021 Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer will be presented to Trina Shoemaker who has become a vital contributor to roots and rock recordings by Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Nanci Griffith and others. She chased her passion to become a record producer to Los Angeles and London, then on to New Orleans where she got noticed by producer Daniel Lanois who made her a tape op and then a full engineer. She worked on albums by Iggy Pop, Giant Sand, and Harris’s landmark Wrecking Ball, also tracking Crow’s self-titled smash and her Globe Sessions album, which garnered Shoemaker her first Grammy awards. Shoemaker has recorded, produced or mixed for Whiskeytown, Victoria Williams, Matthew Ryan, Shannon McNally, Andrew Duhon, Amy Ray, Josh Ritter and her husband Grayson Capps. She is the first woman to receive the Americana Producer/Engineer Lifetime Honor.
Carla Thomas will receive the Americana Inspiration Award. Thomas’s run of recordings for Stax and Atlantic Records through the 1960s made her the “Queen of Memphis Soul.” Thomas bridged soul, country and gospel as one of the key artists of a great musical and social movement. Inspired by singers like Jackie Wilson and Brenda Lee, Thomas joined WDIA’s Teen Town Singers at age 10. Her first record, a duet with her father, came out on the Satellite label. She appeared on American Bandstand and cut a full album of duets with Otis Redding in 1967. In later years, Thomas turned more of her energy to Artists In The Schools, a youth-focused non-profit. The Rhythm & Blues Foundation honored her in 1993 with its exclusive Pioneer Award. The Inspiration Award has been granted only once before, to Thomas’s Stax/Atlantic colleague Mavis Staples.
Tickets for the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards and 2021 Americanafest are available for purchase here.
Carly Pearce Receives Hometown Honors
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Pearce. Photo: Alexa Campbell
Carly Pearce was honored by her hometown of Taylor Mill, Kentucky to celebrate her achievements and pay tribute to the place where all her musical dreams started.
Mayor Daniel Bell and the city commission hosted a special ceremony at Pride Park on Sept. 2, giving Pearce a key to the city and unveiling a sign that reads: “Welcome to Taylor Mill, Hometown of Country Music Star, Carly Pearce.”
Pictured (L-R): Commissioner Mark Kreimborg, Carly Pearce, Commissioner Caroline Braden, Commissioner Dan Murray and Mayor Dan Bell. Photo: Alexa Campbell
The CMA and double ACM Awards winner got her start at 16 working as a performer at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
“We are happy to be able to bring our residents and city officials together with Carly to celebrate the success she has achieved, especially becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Carly has always taken pride in being a native of Taylor Mill and we are delighted to be able to honor Carly and let her know that she has made her hometown proud,” said Mayor Bell.
“Coming home is always so special, but to be embraced by my community in such a big way is overwhelming,” said Pearce. “This is where my love of country music began, and I’m so grateful and proud Taylor Mill, Kentucky is my hometown.”
Carly Pearce. Photo: Alexa Campbell
The homecoming continued as Pearce took the stage in Newport at PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION as support on Lady A’s “What A Song Can Do Tour.”
On Sept. 17, Pearce will release 29: Written In Stone via Big Machine Records, offering a deeper look at pain, strength and courage across the project’s 15 tracks.
Jordan Fletcher Inks With Triple Tigers Records
/by Lydia FarthingPictured: (back row, L-R): Triple Tigers’ Kevin Herring, Triple 8’s Cara Kozulak, Sea Gayle Music’s JD Groover, Triple Tigers’ Laura Hostelley; (front row, L-R): Triple Tigers’ Norbert Nix, Jordan Fletcher, Triple 8’s George Couri. Photo: Courtesy of Triple Tigers Records
Rising artist Jordan Fletcher has signed with Triple Tigers Records. His debut single with the label, “Rather Be Broke,” is set for release this Friday, Sept. 10.
The Florida native dropped out of college and moved to Nashville in 2016. He soon began writing songs and cutting his teeth in bars, clubs, and honkytonks throughout the Southeast.
One the the newest “Highway Finds” on Sirius XM’s The Highway, Fletcher is signed to a worldwide publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music and is managed by Triple 8 Management. He also became a first-time dad recently, welcoming son Maverick with his wife Kelly in November 2020.
“We are very excited to begin the journey with Jordan and Triple Tigers Records,” says Triple Tigers Records President Norbert Nix. “Jordan is a consummate songwriter and experienced artist ready for the ride.”
Fletcher joins Russell Dickerson, Scotty McCreery, and Cam on the roster at Triple Tigers, who have yielded No. 1 hits with seven of the first eight songs taken to radio by their artists.
“I’m so honored to join the incredible roster of artists and the great team behind the scenes at Triple Tigers,” Fletcher shares. “I write my own life into every song I sing, so it means the world to have this platform to share those personal stories with even more fans.”
Dillon Carmichael’s Sophomore Project ‘Son Of A’ Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughDillon Carmichael has announced his sophomore album, Son of A, will be released on Oct. 22. The new album includes the nostalgia-driven track “Pickin’ Up Girls,” featuring The Cadillac Three, which is available everywhere now.
The followup to his 2018 breakout debut, Hell On An Angel, the new project features 14 tracks, half of which were co-written by the Kentucky native, with seven produced by Jon Pardi and Ryan Gore. Writers contributing to the project include The Warren Brothers, Rhett Akins, Luke Laird, Bobby Pinson, and more.
From “Big Truck,” co-written alongside David Lee Murphy and Jessi Alexander, to “Paychecks and Longnecks,” one of four Dann Huff-produced tracks, the album’s songs showcase Carmichael’s twang with blue collar-inspired hooks. “Family Tree,” produced by Phil O’Donnell, and “Hose Water” each tip the hat to Carmichael’s Southern-bred roots, while the title track, “Son of A,” acts as an anthemic “thank you” to those who raised him.
Carmichael is also making his way around the country this fall with upcoming stops in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, and Pennsylvania. He will also be playing a Nashville show at 3rd & Lindsley on Oct. 5. For a full list of dates and ticket information, click here.
1. Hot Beer – Michael Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson*
2. Big Truck – Dillon Carmichael, Jessi Alexander, David Lee Murphy*
3. Paychecks and Longnecks – Brice Long, Greylan James^
4. Family Tree – Dillon Carmichael, Casey Beathard, Phil O’Donnell+
5. Hose Water – Rhett Akins, Travis Hill, Paul DiGiovanni*
6. Son of A – Dillon Carmichael, Casey Beathard, Phil O’Donnell+
7. Man Made A Bar – Jon Pardi, Shane McAnally, Luke Laird*
8. Red, White, Camo and Blue – Dillon Carmichael, Bobby Pinson, Phil O’Donnell+
9. Leave The Lovin’ – Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird*
10. Since You’ve Been In It – Dillon Carmichael, Ray Fulcher, Michael Whitworth, Daniel Ross^
11. Pickin’ Up Girls feat. The Cadillac Three – Dillon Carmichael, Jaren Johnston, James McNair*
12. Gonna Wish You Did – Michael Hardy, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Brad Clawson*
13. Somewhere She Ain’t – Dillon Carmichael, Jessi Alexander, Ben Hayslip^
14. Baby I Would – Jaren Johnston, Tony Lane^
* Produced by Jon Pardi and Ryan Gore
^ Produced by Dann Huff
+ Produced by Phil O’Donnell
Caroline Watkins Signs With SMACKSongs
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Brenner McDonald (Lackey McDonald PLLC), Caroline Watkins, Robin Palmer, Carly Sater. Photo: Molly Bouchon
SMACKSongs has signed a worldwide publishing deal with singer-songwriter Caroline Watkins.
Watkins was born and raised in Nashville. After landing her own round at the legendary Bluebird Café when she was only 16, she signed her first publishing deal right out of high school with Warner Chappell. She attended Belmont University, where she received the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Scholarship.
Watkins has opened for Brett Eldredge, Walker Hayes, and Willie Nelson. In 2018, one of her songs was featured in the film Forever My Girl.
“Caroline’s songwriting talents and abilities make her a natural fit for our roster” says SMACKSongs Chief Creative Officer, Robin Palmer. “Our entire team couldn’t be more excited to work with her. We feel like this is perfect timing for the next chapter in her career.”
“I could not be more excited to start working with SMACK. Shane [McAnally] has been an incredible mentor and friend to me over the years, so it’s a dream come true to get to work with his team” adds Watkins. “I’ve always been a fan of SMACK, but when I met Robin, Carly [Sater], and the rest of the team, they immediately made me feel so at home and like part of the family, and I could not imagine a better place to get to write songs every day. I am just so thankful to them for believing in me and my songs and am so excited for my future with them!”
Americana Music Association Announces 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (top row, L-R):Trina Shoemaker, Carla Thomas, The Mavericks; (bottom row, L-R): Keb’ Mo’, Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The Mavericks, Keb’ Mo’, Trina Shoemaker, Carla Thomas, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers are this year’s Americana Lifetime Achievement Award nominees. They are among the artists who will be recognized at the Americana Honors & Awards, on Sept. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.
“We are beyond humbled to recognize this group of artists with our highest awards,” says Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “All of these artists have transformed the way we listen and experience music and have helped to build a perennial foundation for Americana music to prosper as an art form today. Our community looks forward to welcoming them with open arms on our biggest night of the year in September.”
The 2021 Americana Trailblazer Award will be given to The Mavericks. Formed in Miami in 1989, the combo, led by singer/songwriter Raul Malo, has fused country with claves and string-band textures from Malo’s family heritage in Cuba. In 2000, the ensemble took a pause, but came roaring back in the 2010s with shows that surge with danceable rhythm, horns, bilingual singing and the dark twang of guitar player Eddie Perez. Malo and drummer Paul Deakin have been Mavericks since the beginning, and the talented current lineup released the band’s first-ever all-Spanish album in 2020.
Keb’ Mo’ will receive the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. When guitarist and songwriter Kevin Moore launched his career as Keb’ Mo’ in the mid-1990s, he introduced legions of mainstream fans to the fingerstyle acoustic blues and brought new songs and a contemporary character to the legacy. A native of South Los Angeles, Moore came up as a blues and rock guitarist. His 1994 self-titled debut inspired Sony Music to revive the historic Okeh Records brand for his release. With five Grammy awards, he has been an in-demand collaborator, including his Grammy-winning 2017 duo album with Taj Mahal. Keb’s most recent album Oklahoma won the 2020 Grammy for Best Americana Album.
The Legacy of Americana Award will be presented to the Fisk Jubilee Singers in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music to shine a light on their extraordinary accomplishments and influence on American roots music. Originally formed as a nine-member group, they spread the refined and deeply emotional genre of the Negro spiritual through the U.S. and across Europe. As the Fisk Jubilee Singers settled into an ever-changing cast of students over the decades, they were invited to be part of key Nashville civic landmarks, including the inaugural broadcast of WSM radio in 1925. The choir was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, and granted the National Medal of Arts in 2008.
The 2021 Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer will be presented to Trina Shoemaker who has become a vital contributor to roots and rock recordings by Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Nanci Griffith and others. She chased her passion to become a record producer to Los Angeles and London, then on to New Orleans where she got noticed by producer Daniel Lanois who made her a tape op and then a full engineer. She worked on albums by Iggy Pop, Giant Sand, and Harris’s landmark Wrecking Ball, also tracking Crow’s self-titled smash and her Globe Sessions album, which garnered Shoemaker her first Grammy awards. Shoemaker has recorded, produced or mixed for Whiskeytown, Victoria Williams, Matthew Ryan, Shannon McNally, Andrew Duhon, Amy Ray, Josh Ritter and her husband Grayson Capps. She is the first woman to receive the Americana Producer/Engineer Lifetime Honor.
Carla Thomas will receive the Americana Inspiration Award. Thomas’s run of recordings for Stax and Atlantic Records through the 1960s made her the “Queen of Memphis Soul.” Thomas bridged soul, country and gospel as one of the key artists of a great musical and social movement. Inspired by singers like Jackie Wilson and Brenda Lee, Thomas joined WDIA’s Teen Town Singers at age 10. Her first record, a duet with her father, came out on the Satellite label. She appeared on American Bandstand and cut a full album of duets with Otis Redding in 1967. In later years, Thomas turned more of her energy to Artists In The Schools, a youth-focused non-profit. The Rhythm & Blues Foundation honored her in 1993 with its exclusive Pioneer Award. The Inspiration Award has been granted only once before, to Thomas’s Stax/Atlantic colleague Mavis Staples.
Tickets for the 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards and 2021 Americanafest are available for purchase here.
Weekly Register: Nelly Takes Top Country Debut With Country-Inspired Album, ‘Heartland’
/by Lydia FarthingNelly
Nelly takes the top country debut this week with his country-inspired album Heartland. The album debuted at No. 7 country and No. 47 overall with 13,000 (2,900 album only/12 million song streams), according to Nielsen.
Niko Moon‘s debut album, Good Times, reached No. 12 on the country album streaming charts this week. The RCA Nashville recording artist earned 8,000 first week streams.
Dangerous: The Double Album (Morgan Wallen) remains at No. 1, adding 40,000 to its 49 million RTD. Luke Combs follows at No. 2 with What You See Is What You Get, and at No. 3 with This One’s For You earning 24,000 and 15,000 streams, respectively. Country Stuff (Walker Hayes) rises to the fourth spot with 14,500 streams while Good Things (Dan + Shay) rounds out the top five with 14,000 streams.
Hayes continues his reign in the top spot as “Fancy Like” racks up another 12 million streams, adding to his 111 million streams RTD, according to Nielsen. Nelly & Florida Georgia Line continue at No. 2 with 7.8 million streams this week, and “Chasing After You” (Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris) stays at No. 3 with 7 million streams. “Forever After All” (Combs) takes the fourth spot, earning 6.3 million streams this week. Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood close out the top five with “If I Didn’t Love You” receiving 5.3 million streams.
Chart Action: Morgan Wallen Makes Radio Comeback
/by MusicRow StaffMorgan Wallen returns to country radio with latest single “Sand In My Boots.” He gained 16 new radio station on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart which makes him the most-added this week. He also is this week’s highest spin gainer adding +240 for a total of 536 spins and 39 reporters. He rose to No. 39 in two weeks on the MusicRow Radio Chart and No. 32 in nine weeks on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart.
“Sand In My Boots” was written by Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne and labelmate Hardy. It appears on his sophomore album, Dangerous: The Double Album, released via Big Loud/Republic Records. MusicRow sat down with Wallen to discuss the making of his album. Click here to read the full interview.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
AIMP Unveils Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughThe AIMP’s Nashville Chapter has announced its 7th Annual AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021, which includes Rocky Block, Ben Chapman, Jonathan Hutcherson, Jenna LaMaster, Jared Scott, and Dan Wilson.
The new class will perform in a live songwriters’ round at The Listening Room Café on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. CT, which will be free for AIMP members and $5 for non-members. Members can register for the event at the AIMP website, and non-members can purchase tickets at The Listening Room Café website.
“While our 2020 Songwriter Series performances were delayed until March 2021, they will always hold a special place in our hearts as the first in-person event we were able to safely hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says John Ozier, AIMP National Chair and President of the Nashville Chapter. “We are thankful to be able to host our Class of 2021 at the Listening Room Café as well. These songwriters represent the very best of the Nashville independent songwriting community, and we can’t wait to see where their careers take them.”
“Huge congratulations to the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021, a snapshot of the names to remember as you scan the credits of future chart-topping tracks,” adds Ree Guyer, Vice President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “We were blown away by the sheer talent on display this year, and as always, had a difficult time narrowing the Class down to these final artists. We know they will put on an amazing show!”
All members of the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2021 were selected by a special committee made up of industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville members. Each writer must not have had a song charting higher than a Top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts.
The Class of 2020 included Ryan Beaver, Dillon Carmichael, Ian Christian, Colin Elmore, Jeff Garrison, LJ, and Tiera. Other former honorees include Brinley Addington, Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Hailey Whitters, Ash Bowers, Hannah Ellis, Ross Ellis, Hardy, Ashley McBryde, Kassi Ashton, Nicolette Hayford, Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, and more.
Past performers at the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series have gone on to score chart-topping hits both as performers and as writers for prominent artists like Maren Morris, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Jimmie Allen, and Matt Stell, as well as win prestigious awards and reach No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Darryl Worley Partners With Leatherwood Distillery For 20th Anniversary Of 9/11
/by Steven BoeroDarryl Worley
Country artist Darryl Worley has partnered with veteran-owned and operated Leatherwood Distillery to launch a limited-edition spirits line to help raise money and awareness for veteran and military organizations ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The distillery was founded by retired Army Green Beret and Afghanistan combat veteran Master Sergeant Andrew Lang.
MSGT (RET) Andrew Lang (Leatherwood Distillery owner & operator, Army Green Beret & Special Operations veteran), Darryl Worley
Through the partnership, Leatherwood Distillery has created special 2021 bottles of Darryl Worley Bourbon, Darryl Worley Rye Whiskey, and Darryl Worley Sweet Feed Whiskey as well as 2021 bottles of Have You Forgotten Darryl Worley Moonshine in Peach, Apple Pie, and Elderberry flavors.
“Darryl is the perfect promotional partner for this endeavor as we are coming upon the 20th anniversary of the horrific tragedy of 9/11 and his song ‘Have You Forgotten’ really makes us think of how many have forgotten what took place that day,” says Lang, President of Leatherwood Distillery. “September 11 is nothing to celebrate, it’s a time to remember how all our lives changed and those who lost their lives for no reason.”
Lang joined the Army in 1993 as an infantryman and spent three years in Italy in the 3/325 Airborne. After graduating from Special Forces training in 2001, Andrew was Assigned to 5th Special Forces Group at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. During his time at 5th Group, he deployed to Iraq six times between 2003-2009. He retired in 2017.
Worley debuted on the country charts with a trio of top-15 hits in 2000-01. His breakthrough year, though, was 2002 when Worley’s touching ballad “I Miss My Friend” became his first No. 1 hit. After spending Christmas 2002 entertaining America’s troops overseas, he wrote the patriotic anthem “Have You Forgotten?,” which became his second No. 1 song and remained at the top of the charts for six weeks.
Loretta Lynn To Host Hometown Rising Benefit With Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, More
/by Lorie HollabaughLoretta Lynn and a handful of her country music friends will be hosting “Loretta Lynn’s Friends: Hometown Rising Flood Relief Benefit Concert” in response to the devastating flooding that took place in Dickson and Lynn’s hometown of Humphreys Counties.
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan and Luke Combs have all jumped in to perform with more artists to be announced in the coming days. Slated for Sept.13 at the Grand Ole Opry House, tickets are on sale now. The special event will also be broadcast live on Circle Network at 7 p.m. CT in addition to live streaming on Circle All Access via social media. All proceeds will directly support United Way of Humphreys County.
“I am so honored that so many of our friends are coming together to show so much love for our neighbors and community after such a devastating loss,” shares Lynn. “You know, we’ve all needed help from time-to-time, and that’s why when we can give back, we do.”
The devastating floods rushed through rural Tennessee on Aug. 17 after the area received more than 15 inches of rain over a six-hour period, leading to flash flooding that took the lives of 20 people–including the Lynn family’s own longtime ranch hand Wayne Spears.
“United Way of Humphreys County has been dedicated to our communities for years, and we established the Humphreys County Flood Relief Fund to get immediate and long-term needs met for all the flood victims,” notes Executive Director Nioka Curtis. “We had no idea this would be one of the worst floods in our history, but our community will be whole again. It’s UWHC’s goal to help make that happen as quickly as possible with the help of our generous donors. From the rental deposits and down payments necessary for people to get re-housed, to remodeling, replacing clothing and rebuilding their lives, we want to make sure their needs are met and we will continue our fight to make that happen.”
Those wanting to donate can click here or text TNFLOODRELIEF to 44321