Parker McCollum at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 8, 2021.
Singer-songwriter and Texas native Parker McCollum played to a sold out crowd at his first headlining show at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday (Sept. 8). McCollum released his MCA debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy, on July 30.
Throughout the show, he played a set full of singalongs by fans, including his first-ever No.1 hit and Platinum-selling debut single “Pretty Heart,” as well as “Like a Cowboy,” “Love You Like That,” and his current single “To Be Loved By You.” The singer also covered Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” and George Strait’s “Carrying Your Love With Me” before labelmate Catie Offerman joined him for the “Hell of a Year” finale.
Parker McCollum at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 8, 2021.
“Sold out at the Ryman–I don’t know how much better it gets!” McCollum told the audience. “I don’t take it for granted–I appreciate being on this stage. The Ryman is all about country music. All I wanted to do was play country music for a living and you’re making that happen.”
McCollum, who is currently support on Dierks Bentley‘s “Beers On Me Tour,” was also the Opry NextStage featured artist for July.
Upcoming Shows:
9/10 – Mars Music Hall, Huntsville, AL
9/11 – The Blue Room, Statesboro, GA
9/12 – Country Thunder Florida, Kissimmee, FL
9/16 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA*
9/17 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC*
9/18 – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC*
9/19 – Born and Raised 2021, Pryor, OK
9/23 – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, SC*
9/24 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY*
9/25 – Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA*
10/1 – Cook’s Garage, Lubbock, TX
10/2 – The Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX
10/7 – The Mill & Mine, Knoxville, TN
10/8 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
10/9 – GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI
10/16 – Country Thunder Arizona 2021, Florence, AZ
10/21 – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, LA
10/22 – Saenger Theatre Mobile, Mobile, AL
11/5 – The Fillmore Detroit, Detroit, MI
11/6 – Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
11/18 – Joe’s Live, Rosemont, IL
11/19 – Joe’s on Weed Street, Chicago, IL
12/2 – The Factory, Chesterfield, MO
12/3 – Egyptian Room at the Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
12/4 – Goodyear Theater, Akron, OH
12/31 – Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
*Denotes the Dierks Bentley “Beers On Me Tour”
Ray Charles’ ‘True Genius’ Shines In New Limited Edition Box Set
/by Lorie HollabaughTrue Genius, a newly remastered, limited edition box set featuring 90 of the greatest songs from Ray Charles‘ legendary career and all of his biggest hits, is out now from Tangerine Records. The set also includes a special bonus disc of eight previously unreleased tracks recorded live in Stockholm in 1972.
The box set also features a coffee table book with rare, unseen photos, and detailed liner notes by Ray Charles Foundation President Valerie Ervin and music journalist A. Scott Galloway, and a special message from Quincy Jones.
Available today on all digital platforms, True Genius makes dozens of Ray Charles classics available at streaming services for the very first time. A series of new lyric videos for some of Charles most beloved songs, which span the breadth of genres he both mastered and transformed, are also available to stream.
“We’re extremely proud to present this collection, which maps the breadth and depth of Ray Charles’ music, presented in chronological order so the listener can join Ray on his journey through the most expansive and creative period of his legendary career,” says Ervin. “I’m also thrilled that this music will be widely available on all streaming services for the very first time, so that new and future audiences will continue to discover the True Genius of Ray Charles.”
Tangerine Records is also releasing True Genius: Sides of Ray on Nov. 19, a double-disc vinyl collection that illustrates Charles’ many musical sides by focusing each album side on the genre categories he visited most: soul, jazz & blues, country, and pop.
The Country Music Hall of Fame recently announced that Charles will be in the Class of 2021 inductees along with The Judds, Eddie Bayers, and Pete Drake.
Zac Brown Band, Dan + Shay, Dierks Bentley To Headline Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Bash
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (clockwise): Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay
Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band and Dan + Shay will headline New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, a new five-hour, star-studded live concert broadcast on CBS. The show marks the first time Music City will host an entire New Year’s Eve national TV special.
The free show at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will also feature Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, and more in nearly 50 performances from a dozen downtown locations including the main stage at Bicentennial Mall and Lower Broadway’s honky-tonks, bars and clubs.
The show will air on CBS from 7 – 10 p.m. CT and resume at 10:30 p.m. after a 30-minute break for news, and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test (within 48 hours) will be required for entry into Bicentennial Mall.
“From the very beginning, our goal was for Nashville to be the Central Time zone celebration on national television and rival New York City,” says Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “We are thrilled to share music from our Nashville superstars in a national broadcast that will carry immense marketing value as we rebuild momentum as a global destination. We appreciate CBS for the decision to partner on this five-hour special. At the same time, our live event will continue to be the best party in the country to ring in the New Year, bringing fun to our visitors and revenue to the city.”
As is tradition, the Music Note will be raised, followed by a performance from the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The show’s highlight will be the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display at midnight to usher in the New Year. As a live event, New Year’s Eve generates as much as $26.2 million in direct visitor spending and an attendance of 200,000.
Larkin Poe To Hit The Road On 27-Date Tour
/by LB CantrellLarkin Poe
Grammy-nominated sister duo Larkin Poe will hit the road with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. The 27-date cross-country tour kicks off on Sept. 15, in St. Louis and will continue through the fall and winter.
Comprised of Atlanta-bred, Nashville-based multi-instrumentalists Rebecca and Megan Lovell, Larkin Poe will also be releasing a new album, Paint The Roses: Live In Concert, on Sept. 17.
This will follow the release of their 2020 album Self Made Man.
“We can’t wait to get back on stage with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour this fall for the first time since our album, Self Made Man, came out!” says Larkin Poe. “It’s going to feel so good to be back in front of people celebrating live music again!”
In addition to the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, Larkin Poe has announced several festival dates they are expected to perform at throughout the late summer and fall including BeachLife Festival, San Diego Blues Fest, Telluride Blues & Brews, Treefort, Columbia Roots N Blues, Shaky Knees, Fort Worth River & Blues, Lancaster Roots & Blues and more.
Larkin Poe Tour Dates:
September 10 – Redondo Beach, CA – BeachLife Festival
September 11 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Blues Fest
September 15 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall*#
September 16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown*#
September 17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*#
September 21 – Ketchum, ID – Argyros Performing Arts Center
September 22-26 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest
September 24 – Columbia, MO – Roots N Blues Festival
September 25 – London, KY – World Chicken Festival
September 26 – Prestonsburg, KY – Mountain Arts Center*#
September 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden supporting JJ Grey & Mofro
October 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts*#
October 8 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall*
October 9 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue*
October 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre*
October 12 – Buffalo, NY – Forbes Theatre*
October 14 – Albany, NY – Upstate Concert Hall*
October 15 – Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall*
October 16 – Baltimore, MD – The Recher*
October 17 – Lancaster, PA – Lancaster Roots & Blues
October 19 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA*
October 21 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre*
October 22 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre*
October 23 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Music Festival
October 28 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom*
October 29 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre*
October 30 – Grand Rapids, MI – Fountain Street Church*
October 31 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*
November 5 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford*
November 6 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues*
November 7 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall*
November 10 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theatre*
November 11 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
November 12 – Fort Worth, TX – River & Blues Festival
November 13 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge*
December 3 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel*
December 4 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre*
December 8 – Little Rock, AR – U. of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
*Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Larkin Poe
#w/ The Cold Stares
Parker McCollum Sells Out Debut Headlining Show At The Ryman
/by Lydia FarthingParker McCollum at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 8, 2021.
Singer-songwriter and Texas native Parker McCollum played to a sold out crowd at his first headlining show at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday (Sept. 8). McCollum released his MCA debut album, Gold Chain Cowboy, on July 30.
Throughout the show, he played a set full of singalongs by fans, including his first-ever No.1 hit and Platinum-selling debut single “Pretty Heart,” as well as “Like a Cowboy,” “Love You Like That,” and his current single “To Be Loved By You.” The singer also covered Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” and George Strait’s “Carrying Your Love With Me” before labelmate Catie Offerman joined him for the “Hell of a Year” finale.
Parker McCollum at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 8, 2021.
“Sold out at the Ryman–I don’t know how much better it gets!” McCollum told the audience. “I don’t take it for granted–I appreciate being on this stage. The Ryman is all about country music. All I wanted to do was play country music for a living and you’re making that happen.”
McCollum, who is currently support on Dierks Bentley‘s “Beers On Me Tour,” was also the Opry NextStage featured artist for July.
Upcoming Shows:
9/10 – Mars Music Hall, Huntsville, AL
9/11 – The Blue Room, Statesboro, GA
9/12 – Country Thunder Florida, Kissimmee, FL
9/16 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA*
9/17 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC*
9/18 – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC*
9/19 – Born and Raised 2021, Pryor, OK
9/23 – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, SC*
9/24 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY*
9/25 – Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA*
10/1 – Cook’s Garage, Lubbock, TX
10/2 – The Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX
10/7 – The Mill & Mine, Knoxville, TN
10/8 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
10/9 – GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI
10/16 – Country Thunder Arizona 2021, Florence, AZ
10/21 – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, LA
10/22 – Saenger Theatre Mobile, Mobile, AL
11/5 – The Fillmore Detroit, Detroit, MI
11/6 – Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
11/18 – Joe’s Live, Rosemont, IL
11/19 – Joe’s on Weed Street, Chicago, IL
12/2 – The Factory, Chesterfield, MO
12/3 – Egyptian Room at the Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
12/4 – Goodyear Theater, Akron, OH
12/31 – Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
*Denotes the Dierks Bentley “Beers On Me Tour”
Aldean, Underwood Stay At No. 1 On MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex Parry“If I Didn’t Love You” by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood is the reigning No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The song got a boost of +88 spins, inching it ahead of the No. 2 position by just 16 spins. This will be its second week at No. 1 earning a cumulative 8,182 spins in just seven weeks on the chart.
“If I Didn’t Love You” was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan and produced by Michael Knox.
Aldean is currently on the road for his Back in the Saddle Tour with Hardy and Lainey Wilson serving as support. Underwood will begin her first-ever residency, REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency in December with additional dates in 2022.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Donovan Woods, Michelle Szeto Launch End X Music With Flagship Signee Cassidy Mann
/by Lydia FarthingAward-winning songwriter and recording artist Donovan Woods and long-time manager Michelle Szeto have launched their new label, End X Music (End Times Music), distributed via The Orchard.
The Toronto and Nashville-based imprint has signed Cassidy Mann as its first artist, whose first label single, “Election Night,”is available now. Growing up in the Prairies of Winnipeg, Mann’s parents bought her a guitar at the age of 9 as a birthday present. By 14, she focused on songwriting, and her emerging talent led to a nomination for Aboriginal Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.
Written with co-producer Roman Clarke, the track captures the transformations many people experienced over the four years of the prior U.S. presidency.
“Michelle and I were introduced to Cassidy Mann and her songwriting through a songwriting workshop,” says Woods. “I’m so sensitive to word choices and Cassidy’s thrilled me over and over, immediately. Natural songwriters have a ruthless eye for telling detail and they make you feel—they don’t tell you how to feel. Cassidy’s a natural. Her work came to us as a fully-formed artistic point-of-view. It’s all there, and it’s been a joy to watch it gather steam.”
“Since Donovan and I started working together over 5 years ago, the idea of sharing what we’ve learned and the relationships we’ve built with another artist has always thrilled us,” Szeto recalls. “We never questioned the hard work that would come with it, but rather, we didn’t think we would ever agree on an artist. When we independently came across Cassidy and sent her music to one another, it was a coincidence we couldn’t ignore. Cassidy’s songwriting and production skills are beyond her years, and we’ve been endlessly impressed with her creative instincts.”
“My favorite thing is to write about tiny things that make the bigger picture more important somehow.” Mann says of the new song, “Trump’s Presidency was hell for a lot of people and you hear about that a lot, especially from a political standpoint. I think it’s a really important conversation, but throughout all of it, I was also craving the more intimate stories. I wanted to explore the idea of how the whole overarching narrative of that time affected people’s personal relationships.
SoundExchange Promotes 2, Colin Rushing Exits
/by Lydia FarthingTim Dadson & Brieanne Jackson
SoundExchange, has announced a pair of promotions on their team for Tim Dadson and Brieanne Jackson.
Dadson has risen to General Counsel where he will oversee the organization’s comprehensive legal functions, including regulatory issues, enforcement programs, rate proceedings, corporate governance, compliance, and more. Dadson will also serve as the chief legal advisor, forming part of the executive team reporting to Michael Huppe, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Dadson has been serving as Deputy General Counsel since 2017. He first joined the organization as Assistant General Counsel in 2012, and has been instrumental in building the organization’s legal practice and processes over the past decade. Dadson has more than 20 years of legal experience, including posts at the Washington Football Team, Sidley Austin LLP and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
“It is an exciting time at SoundExchange as we innovate technology solutions, grow our suite of fintech services, and expand our data capabilities to empower creators everywhere,” Huppe says. “Tim is an exceptional leader with more than two decades of experience that will help support our transformation by leading the legal team at this critical juncture. I look forward to working more closely with him as we continue to improve how the industry enables the creative community.”
“I am thrilled to continue my journey at SoundExchange during this exciting period of transformation at the organization,” comments Dadson. “The importance of music in our lives is clearer today than ever before, and I am looking forward to building a tech-first future of music that empowers creators and values the incredible contributions they make to the world.”
Jackson has been promoted to Deputy General Counsel from Assistant General Counsel, Licensing & Enforcement. She has nearly 15 years of legal experience, 10 of which being at SoundExchange. Jackson began her career as a litigation associate at Ropes & Gray LLP and also served as Assistant Attorney General (Trial Division) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She currently serves as co-chair of the SoundExchange Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Separately, Colin Rushing, Chief Legal Officer, will step down at the end of 2021 after nearly 14 years at the company, SoundExchange has announced.
Rushing first joined SoundExchange in 2008 as Senior Counsel and has since led rate setting efforts securing substantial increases in the royalty rates for digital radio services; worked on legislation benefiting creators as well as ongoing work to secure a performance right for broadcast radio; spearheaded litigation on behalf of SoundExchange payees; and oversaw the development of several programs. He was subsequently promoted to General Counsel in 2011, Senior Vice President and General Counsel in 2014, and his current role of Chief Legal Officer in 2020. Rushing was named a top music industry lawyer by Billboard several years in a row.
“Colin has been an invaluable member of the SoundExchange team over the past 14 years. We thank him for his countless contributions to our organization and the important role he has played in striving for fairness for creators everywhere,” Huppe shares. “We are excited for Colin and wish him the best in his next chapter.”
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve music creators in my time at SoundExchange,” says Rushing. “I am proud of what our team has accomplished, and I am especially proud to be leaving the department and the entire company in excellent hands. I’m looking forward to my next chapter, and plan to keep pursuing my passion: helping music creators thrive in a constantly changing landscape.”
In addition to staffing announcements, SoundExchange also shared its second quarter digital radio report, showing a total payout of $241.6 million which is a 0.9% decrease year to year and a 1.5% decrease from Q1.
‘Morgan Wallen & Friends’ Benefit Raises $725,000 For Humphreys County Flood Relief
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Rondal Richardson, Senior Entertainment and Donor Relations Liaison, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; Theo Von; Morgan Wallen; Amy Fair, Vice President of Donor Services, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; Chris Johnson, Big Loud. Photo: David Lehr
Multi-Platinum country artist Morgan Wallen hosted his sold-out “Morgan Wallen And Friends” acoustic benefit concert at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works last night (Sept. 8).
In total, the event raised over $725,000 for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to immediately assist victims of the recent severe storms and flooding in Humphreys County and other parts of Middle Tennessee.
Morgan Wallen & Theo Von. Photo: David Lehr
Emceed by Theo Von, Wallen played alongside friends and contemporaries, including Hardy, Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson, Ernest, Ben Burgess, Lathan Warlick, and Jared Mullins with surprise guest Breland.
The first round of performers kicked off the night playing crowd favorites and breakout songs they have written and recorded. With a live auction in between rounds, Wallen then took the stage with Bentley, Hardy, and Swindell. Wallen played many of his hits including “More Than My Hometown,” “Whiskey Glasses,” “Heartless,” “Chasin’ You,” and his new radio single that was most added at country radio this week, “Sand In My Boots.”
Wallen then invited Amy Fair, Vice President of Donor Services from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, onto the stage to present the money raised.
“This is the most money raised so far for our fund, and it’s going to make a big difference,” shared Fair. “And when we give the money to the organizations, we’re going to let them know how many of you care about them and that’s going to mean the most.”
“Well first of all, thank you guys so much for being here,” Wallen responded. “Most of you probably know that I’m a Tennessee boy. I was born and raised in Tennessee and I’m proud of it. The people here mean so much to me and I was watching the news and reading some articles and I read some stories that really touched my heart and made me feel like it could’ve been my hometown. I wanted to do something about it… Just seeing people hurtin’ man, nobody likes to see that and we’re going to try to do something about it tonight.”
Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr
This morning, Wallen was also announced as a 2021 CMA Awards nominee for his record-breaking album Dangerous: The Double Album. The 55th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. on ABC.
For a full list of this year’s nominees, click here.
Zachary Williams Takes A Solo Drive In ‘Dirty Camaro’
/by Lorie HollabaughZachary Williams. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
Zachary Williams, one-third of Nashville-based group The Lone Bellow, is stepping out on his own for his latest project, Dirty Camaro, due out Oct. 22 on Dualtone Records. Williams has shared the first single, “Game For Guessing,” which includes an appearance from the album’s producer, Texas singer-songwriter Robert Ellis.
Produced bu Ellis and Josh Block at Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, Texas, the album features guests including Anderson East, Ashley Monroe, John Paul White, Thad Cockrell, and the gospel group Settles Connection.
“It’s an ode to me and everyone else like me who’s pretty self involved, pretty confused, and pretty hopeful that maybe we’re actually good inside,” Williams says. “It’s a confession that I don’t know what I’m doing, a song about that razor sharp line that we walk between being a competent, but self involved person, and being a person that’s on the verge of losing their mind at any given second. The first time Robert Ellis heard me sing this song he started dying laughing and said ‘I can relate’… and maybe we all can.”
Dirty Camaro is filled with string arrangements, vaudevillian piano, touches of honky tonk, and saxophones–elements not often found in The Lone Bellow’s music. With quieter moments in “Elizabeth” and in the scorned-lover duet “Her Picture” with Monroe, there are also burn-the-house-down revivals (“That’s Why I Still Sleep With The Lights On”), gospel meditations (“Road Over That Mountain” featuring Settles Connection), bar-band tracks (“Dirty Camaro”) and lounge-singer longings (“Airplane”).
Williams is currently on tour with The Lone Bellow with solo tour dates expected in the coming months.
Opry NextStage Names Niko Moon As Featured Artist For September 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughNiko Moon. Photo: Matthew Berinato
RCA Nashville’s Niko Moon has been selected as the Opry NextStage featured artist for September.
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage invests in the discovery and development of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month. Moon joins the Class of 2021 artists Hailey Whitters, Parker McCollum and Lainey Wilson.
“What an honor to be the new Opry NextStage Artist! To be brought one step closer into the Opry family and have my music showcased by a place that I hold so dear is nothing short of mind blowing,” said Moon. “When I play the Opry, I know I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and all the legendary country artists who’ve come before me that have stood in that circle. There’s no other place like it.”
After his Labor Day weekend performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, Sept. 4, over the Labor Day holiday weekend, Moon also recently released his debut album Good Time. He is currently on the road with Lady A for the trio’s “What A Song Can Do” Tour.
Opportunities for Opry NextStage artists include feature performances on the Grand Ole Opry and Circle’s Opry Live broadcast and livestream; a performance at a special Opry NextStage concert in 2021; content produced by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team that utilizes all Opry Entertainment venues including Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and Ole Red locations nationwide; exclusive content to be distributed via Circle broadcast, streaming, and video-on demand channels; customized marketing and promotion activations utilizing Opry web and social assets; and other opportunities such as outdoor advertising, 650 WSM-AM radio specials, and more.