Zac Brown Band is gearing up for the release of their new Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music album, The Comeback, available Oct. 15. Sharing a preview of what fans can expect from the upcoming project, the band has released “Slow Burn” today (Aug. 27).
Lead singer Zac Brown co-produced the entire project alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti, while also co-writing on all of the 15 tracks. Among the writers featured on the new collection are Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, Ray Fulcher, Luke Dick, and more. Additionally, the album’s leadoff track, “Same Boat,” is approaching the Top 20 at country radio, having already accumulated nearly 30 million streams.
“The Comeback celebrates our collective resilience as a community,” Brown shares. “This music is about standing together and rediscovering our roots and what makes us human. We feel incredibly blessed to be back out on the road again, sharing these new songs with our fans. The only good thing about getting knocked down is The Comeback when it comes back around.”
For over a decade, the band has topped the charts, with six consecutive albums reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debuting at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Albums chart. The group has notched three Grammy awards, sold more than 30 million singles, nine million albums, amassed nearly ten billion catalog streams, and achieved 15 No. 1 radio singles.
The band is currently out on the road for The Comeback Tour, which kicked off earlier this month and will run through October.
The Comeback Track List:
1. Slow Burn – Zac Brown, Ben Hayslip, Ben Simonetti
2. Out In The Middle – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
3. Wild Palomino – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
4. Us Against The World – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
5. Same Boat – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
6. Stubborn Pride (feat. Marcus King) – Zac Brown, Marcus King, Ben Simonetti
7. Fun Having Fun – Zac Brown, Kenny Habul, Kurt Thomas, Ben Simonetti
8. The Comeback – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
9. Old Love Song – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
10. Any Day Now – Zac Brown, Clay Cook, Josh Dunne, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
11. Paradise Lost On Me – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
12. GA Clay – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Neil Mason, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
13. Love & Sunsets – Zac Brown, Luke Dick, Ben Simonetti
14. Closer To Heaven (feat. Gregory Porter) – Zac Brown, John Driskell Hopkins, Ben Simonetti
15. Don’t Let Your Heart – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Levi Lowrey, Jimmy De Martini, Ben Simonetti
Eddie Montgomery Pays Tribute To The Fighters With First Single As A Solo Artist
/by Lorie HollabaughEddie Montgomery is returning with his first song as a solo artist, “Alive and Well,” on Average Joes Entertainment.
Infused with a fighter’s spirit, the song is the first new music released by Montgomery in more than two years, and was penned by Montgomery with Ira Dean and Chris Wallin. Produced by Noah Gordon and Shannon Houchins, the moving track is a true-life snapshot of loss and survival inspired in part by Montgomery’s own story, including the heartbreaking sudden loss of partner Troy Gentry in 2017.
“This was a hard song to write, but it’s one that I thought so many could relate to,” says Montgomery. “We’ve all had losses, fought the good fight, and rose to celebrate a new day. I hope friends and fans take away a renewed sense of gratefulness for the life they live when they hear this song.”
Montgomery Gentry charted over 20 singles and earned CMA, ACM, and Grammy awards and nominations with blue-collar anthems like “Hell Yeah,” “My Town,” and “Hillbilly Shoes.” They notched five No. 1 singles, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me,” and were inducted as Grand Ole Opry members in 2009 and into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
Eddie Montgomery and the Montgomery Gentry Band continue to tour, with dates booked through September.
Tigirlily Signs With SMACKSongs/Kobalt
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Lee Krabel, Kendra Slaubaugh, Krista Slaubaugh, Stephanie Cox, Jesse Willoughby. Photo: Molly Bouchon
Country duo Tigirlily has signed a worldwide publishing deal with SMACKSongs and Kobalt.
Made up of sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, Tigirlily signed with Shane McAnally and Jason Owen’s record label Monument Records last year. This partnership with SMACKSongs extends the band’s relationship with McAnally.
“From the first time I saw Tigirlily play downtown, I’ve been a big fan. I am so excited SMACK gets to be a part of Kendra and Krista’s songwriting journey,” says Lee Krabel, VP of Publishing, SMACK. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”
Originally from North Dakota, Tigirlily has been touring across the mid-west since they were young teens. The duo has opened for artists including LeAnn Rimes, Kane Brown, Lee Brice, and more.
Tigirlily released their debut self-titled EP on Monument Records this year, including their song “Somebody Does,” which made it to the top of both the iTunes Country Songs chart and the iTunes All Genre songs chart upon release.
“We are so excited to find our publishing home with SMACK/Kobalt,” says Krista. “We felt like this fit was perfect for our vision as writers, artists, and creatives.”
“Over the last year we have been working with Shane McAnally on the production/label side as well as working with several writers on the SMACK roster on the first project we released with Monument Records,” continues Kendra. “SMACK feels like a family that truly believes in your vision, so we’re very thankful to be working with a team like theirs.”
GM/SVP of Creative at Kobalt, Stephanie Cox adds, “Kobalt is excited to welcome Kendra and Krista to the family and work alongside our incredible partners at SMACK on Tigirlily’s songwriting and artistic journey.”
Sophia Scott Signs With Empire Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughSophia Scott signs with Empire
Sophia Scott has signed with indie label and distributor, Empire Nashville.
The Boulder, Colorado native is best known for her viral hit, “She Ain’t Me”, which has over 15 million streams in the U.S. and was featured on the Canada Viral 50 playlist. With multiple viral videos on TikTok, and gaining over 9,000 followers each week, she currently boasts a steady following, including 200,000 TikTok followers, 1.3 million likes, 62,000 YouTube subscribers, 410,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and over 37 million overall streams to date.
Scott has received a variety of playlist placements, including on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Wild Country, Apple Music’s New in Country and What Would Dolly Do?, and her single, “White Fence,” was also featured on the U.S. Viral 50. Additionally, she can be heard on Iggy Izalea‘s new album, The End Of The Era, on her co-written track “Sex on the Beach.”
Fusion Music’s Music Row Parking Lot Burglarized
/by LB CantrellCars vandalized at Fusion Music. Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Miller
Several cars in management company Fusion Music’s parking lot on Music Row were burglarized early this morning (Aug. 27).
Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Miller
Artists Riley Green and Lily Rose, along with three of Rose’s band members and one Fusion Music employee, had their car windows busted out and items stolen out of their vehicles. Green and Rose’s band members had parked at the Fusion Music office for bus call, due to the shortage of available parking for bus pickups.
According to Fusion Music Managing Partner Daniel Miller, three masked individuals approached the Fusion Music / Big Machine Music office parking lot on 16th Ave S. at around 1:30 a.m. on Friday morning.
Although the activity was caught on video surveillance, the perpetuators’ faces were covered by hoodies and face masks.
Chart Action: Three Artists Duel For Most Added
/by Alex ParryIn a race to claim “Most-Added” on the country charts this week, three artists earned honorable mentions.
Kane Brown‘s single, “One Mississippi,” dominated the Billboard and Mediabase charts raking in 187 total first-week stations and an additional 24 stations on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. This is a career best for Brown who co-wrote his latest release with Jesse Frasure, Levon Gray and Ernest K. Smith.
On the MusicRow Radio Chart, Keith Urban lands at the top of the most added list receiving 28 adds this week. His latest single, “Wild Hearts,” was also the highest debut at No. 49 and had the greatest spin increase with +349 spins. Urban co-wrote “Wild Hearts” with Brad Tursi, Jennifer Wayne, and Eric Paslay.
Frank Ray also earns a nod for being the most added song on country radio by a new artist. “Country’d Look Good On You,” released via BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, has 59 new stations playing the single this week. “It’s hard to describe the feeling of hearing your own song come on the radio—it brings all kinds of emotions to the surface—I’m grateful to my incredible fans, family, manager Oscar Chavira and my entire team,” Ray shares. “Thank you to country radio for gifting me with that incredible feeling and continuing to support me and my dream.”
Paradise Artists Agent Charlie Davis Dies At 68
/by Lydia FarthingLongtime Paradise Artists agent Charlie Davis passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday (Aug. 25). He was 68.
Davis’ career in the music industry began in his early twenties as the road manager for Peter Frampton on the “Frampton Comes Alive! Tour.” He later worked as Chubby Checker’s manager for over thirty years before he joined Paradise Artists in 1996. He remained working there until his death. Davis served on the IEBA Board of Directors for over a decade.
Over his career, he has worked with a variety of artists including REO Speedwagon; Bad Company; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Steppenwolf; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; Weird Al Yankovic Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, Tommy James & The Shondells, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; and many more.
Pictured (L-R): Charlie Davis, Kell Houston, and Christine Barkley. Photo: Courtesy IEBA
“Charlie Davis was one-of-a-kind. He was universally loved and was a dear, dear friend. It is an understatement to say that he will be dearly missed,” says Howie Silverman, owner of Paradise Artists.
Charlie is survived by his wife Cheryl Mahoney-Davis, stepdaughter Heather Philips, and granddaughters Shannon and Sonia Philips.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Charlie’s memory to the Schuylkill Haven School District Music Department located at 501 East Main Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA, 17972.
Zac Brown Band Plots ‘The Comeback’ For October 15
/by Lorie HollabaughZac Brown Band is gearing up for the release of their new Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music album, The Comeback, available Oct. 15. Sharing a preview of what fans can expect from the upcoming project, the band has released “Slow Burn” today (Aug. 27).
Lead singer Zac Brown co-produced the entire project alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti, while also co-writing on all of the 15 tracks. Among the writers featured on the new collection are Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, Ray Fulcher, Luke Dick, and more. Additionally, the album’s leadoff track, “Same Boat,” is approaching the Top 20 at country radio, having already accumulated nearly 30 million streams.
“The Comeback celebrates our collective resilience as a community,” Brown shares. “This music is about standing together and rediscovering our roots and what makes us human. We feel incredibly blessed to be back out on the road again, sharing these new songs with our fans. The only good thing about getting knocked down is The Comeback when it comes back around.”
For over a decade, the band has topped the charts, with six consecutive albums reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debuting at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Albums chart. The group has notched three Grammy awards, sold more than 30 million singles, nine million albums, amassed nearly ten billion catalog streams, and achieved 15 No. 1 radio singles.
The band is currently out on the road for The Comeback Tour, which kicked off earlier this month and will run through October.
The Comeback Track List:
1. Slow Burn – Zac Brown, Ben Hayslip, Ben Simonetti
2. Out In The Middle – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
3. Wild Palomino – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
4. Us Against The World – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
5. Same Boat – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
6. Stubborn Pride (feat. Marcus King) – Zac Brown, Marcus King, Ben Simonetti
7. Fun Having Fun – Zac Brown, Kenny Habul, Kurt Thomas, Ben Simonetti
8. The Comeback – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
9. Old Love Song – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
10. Any Day Now – Zac Brown, Clay Cook, Josh Dunne, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
11. Paradise Lost On Me – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
12. GA Clay – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Neil Mason, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
13. Love & Sunsets – Zac Brown, Luke Dick, Ben Simonetti
14. Closer To Heaven (feat. Gregory Porter) – Zac Brown, John Driskell Hopkins, Ben Simonetti
15. Don’t Let Your Heart – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Levi Lowrey, Jimmy De Martini, Ben Simonetti
Jimmie Allen Releases Theme Song For New Netflix Series, ‘Titletown High’
/by Lorie HollabaughJimmie Allen has released a new track, “Big In A Small Town” which serves as the theme song for the new Netflix series, Titletown High. The show is now streaming globally to viewers across 190 countries.
Titletown High, created by Blue Eyes Entertainment founder, Jason Sciavicco, the executive producer and creator of MTV’s Two-a-Days, features the Valdosta High Football program. The immersive series highlights the commitment of players against a backdrop of community support and school pride.
“I grew up in a small town. Whether it’s football, a dream you have… everything you do in a small town is a big thing,” Allen says of the song’s and series’ compatible natures. “Everything is the end of the world, or the start of a world. That’s what I feel like people connect to–the realness of it.”
Further expanding his creative pursuits, Allen serves as Executive Music Producer for the series, tapping into his broad music sensibilities to curate all the music viewers hear throughout the series.
“Having an executive role behind the camera has always been a dream of mine, so I’m thrilled to be the Executive Music Producer on Titletown High,” Allen says. “I loved using music to enhance the show’s already compelling nature and can’t wait for viewers to hear incredible songs from many amazing artists. Having ‘Big In A Small Town’ serve as the show’s theme song was the cherry on top!”
Touring Veteran Randy “Baja” Fletcher Passes
/by LB CantrellRandy “Baja” Fletcher at the Touring Career Workshop in 2016. Photo: Courtesy Chris Lisle
Touring industry veteran and tour production manager Randy “Baja” Fletcher passed away today (Aug. 27), MusicRow has confirmed. Fletcher recently fell at a show site and was critically injured.
Fletcher worked as a Production Manager for ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn and most recently with Keith Urban. He was honored with the first-ever CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual CMA Touring Awards in 2017 for all of his contributions.
Fletcher started his near 50-year career in Virginia Beach, Virginia when he was 17. With Bill Deal and the Rhondels, Fletcher traveled with the band up and down the East Coast on solo dates. He also worked with shows of the era that included pop and Motown artists.
In 1978 Feltcher started a 10-year run with Waylon Jennings. During this time he also toured with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, and many more. In 1988 he began working with Randy Travis on his first headlining tour, whom he would continue with for five years. In 1992 Fletcher started working with Brooks & Dunn, where he served as the duo’s production manager for 18 years.
In 2011 Fletcher took his current role as production manager for Keith Urban.
After being awarded with the CMA’s first-ever Touring Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, he was awarded Production Manager Of The Year in 2019 among other industry honors.
Fletcher served in the United States Army, and did a tour of Vietnam.
Memorial details have not yet been announced.
Ryan Hurd Announces Debut Album, ‘Pelago,’ Dropping In October
/by Lydia FarthingRyan Hurd. Photo: Nicki Fletcher
Ryan Hurd will release his debut album, Pelago, on Oct. 15 via Arista Nashville. Ahead of the release, “June, July, August,” a new song from the project, is available everywhere now.
Hurd’s debut release, produced with childhood friend and longtime creative partner Aaron Eshuis along with Jesse Frasure and Teddy Reimer, is inspired by his upbringing on the shores of Lake Michigan. “June, July, August” follows recent releases “Coast” and “Chasing After You.” Hurd’s first official duet with his wife, Maren Morris, “Chasing After You” currently sits in the top 15 at country radio and at No. 6 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Hurd got his start in Nashville as a songwriter, penning Platinum hits and No. 1s for the likes of Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Lady A, and Tim McGraw, among others. Throughout his career as an artist, he’s released a series of EPs that feature Platinum-certified singles like “To a T,” and have earned him more than 700 million streams to date.
Ryan Hurd
Pelago Track List:
1. Pass It On
2. Coast
3. Chasing After You (with Maren Morris)
4. June, July, August
5. Palm Trees in Ohio
6. If I Had Two Hearts
7. Tab With My Name On It
8. What Are You Drinking
9. Hell is an Island
10. The Knife or the Hatchet
11. I Never Said I’m Sorry
12. Every Other Memory
13. Michigan for the Winter
14. To a T