Luke Combs accepts the Gene Weed Milestone Award while Ashley McBryde looks on. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Chapter 647
If we are all going to celebrate music together, let’s try and do it safely, shall we?
So when the fabulons gathered at the Ryman for the ACM Honors on Wednesday (Aug. 25), it was with the stipulation that we will all be vaccinated. The rest of you can feel free to infect one another. Despite the vax stipulation, some wore masks nevertheless. John Esposito, Ben Vaughn and Don Cusic were being extra careful. Other celebrants in the Ryman crowd included David Fox, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, John Zarling, Clarence Spalding, Jessica Nicholson (who has just been hired by Billboard), Katharine Richardson, Troy Putman, Katy Varney & Dave Goetz, LB Cantrell, Sherod Robertson and Paul Kingsbury.
Host Carly Pearce performs during the 14th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Considering that the show saluted two years’ worth of honorees and included 19 musical performances, the ACM got the job done with alacrity. Clocking in at three hours, it was quite efficient.
Following opening greetings by new ACM exec Damon Whiteside, rising star Chris Janson presented the Studio Recording Awards for both 2019 and 2020. They were Jenee Fleener & Ilya Toshinskiy, busbee & Jay Joyce, Gordon Mote & Dave Cohen, Rob McNelley & J.T. Corenflos, Jimmie Lee Sloas & Tony Lucido, Miles McPherson & Aaron Sterling, Justin Niebank & F. Reid Shippen and Paul Franklin, Dan Dugmore & Mike Johnson.
Following the announcements of winners Gil Cunningham and Brian O’Connell, plus the venue awards, Michael Strickland was presented with a Gene Weed Milestone Award. When the pandemic hit, he lobbied Congress for funds to shore up the crippled touring industry via the Save Our Stages part of Pres. Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
Lee Ann Womack and Alan Jackson perform. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
ACM show host Carly Pearce was a definite plus. She kept up a lively pace with warmth, professionalism and sincerity. The night’s first Poet’s Award went to Loretta Lynn, about whom Carly has a new song called “Dear Miss Loretta,” which she sang with country class. It earned a standing ovation. But then, so did every performance. That’s the benefit of having the hall full of fans to offset the jaded industry attendees. On the downside, fans sometimes enthusiastically shouted inappropriate and/or irrelevant commentary during the show.
Alan Jackson & Lee Ann Womack offered a sprightly “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” in salute. Loretta accepted via an audio recording, saying, “It’s the greatest award I could get.” Hers was the first of the night’s three Poet’s Award honors.
Cliffie Stone Icon Award Winner Joe Galanta accepts his award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Ronnie Dunn presented the first Cliffie Stone Icon Award to Joe Galante. Still one of country’s most electrifying vocalists, Ronnie sang “There Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” which Joe had suggested he record. “This town has given me a lot more than I deserve,” said Joe. “The people I’ve met are more than friends to me. They are my family.”
The second Cliffie Stone Icon honor went to Rascal Flatts. Carly sang “Bless the Broken Road.” Caylee Hammack performed “My Wish.” RaeLynn offered “Life Is a Highway.”
“When you’re blessed to do what you love to do, time flies,” said Joe Don Rooney during his rather long-winded acceptance. “Twenty years, snap, like that.” Added Jay DeMarcus, “Everything that’s happened has been one blessing after the next, after the next.” The absence of Gary LeVox was not explained.
Lauren Alaina presented two Songwriter of the Year awards to Hillary Lindsey, commenting on how melodic her compositions are. Then she sang the distinctly unmelodic “One Beer” with HARDY and Devin Dawson. Lindsey was not present.
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay accept the Jim Reeves International Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Chris Janson returned to give the second Poet’s Award to the late Curly Putman, singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in Curly’s honor. “His contributions will always be remembered and will play on through the years,” said Chris of Curly.
Sarah Trahern presented the Mae Boren Axton Service Award to RAC Clark. Alan and Lee Ann reappeared to perform “Murder on Music Row.” RAC related that he lobbied for that song to be performed on the first ACM Awards he produced. I’ll leave aside my misgivings about organizations giving awards to their own employees for doing the jobs they were hired to do.
The Jim Reeves International Award was given to Dan + Shay. They co-wrote their hits with Laura Veltz, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds and Jessie Joe Dillon. Those four winningly performed “Speechless,” “Tequila” and “10,000 Hours.”
“We’re so honored to have our friends here,” commented Shay Mooney. “It all starts with you guys, our co-writers on the songs,” added Dan Smyers.
The Merle Haggard Spirit Award went to Toby Keith. This was preceded by Trace Adkins singing Toby’s hit “Love Me If You Can.” Toby was not present, but sent an audio reminiscence of his conversations and performances with the late, legendary Merle.
Carly paused the proceedings to honor Lisa Lee, the ACM’s Senior VP of Creative/Content, who passed away last Saturday. Lisa was loved by all of us who knew her, and her talents as a show producer were acutely missed during the show’s clunky video tributes and its many “dead air” moments. She died of brain cancer at age 52.
Lisa was a charming, small-town personality from Arkansas who rose to the top of her profession. Ashley McBryde sang “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” in her honor. “What a moving performance to honor such a wonderful person,” commented Carly.
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood of Lady A accept the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Earning the Tex Ritter Film Award was the 16-hour PBS Country Music documentary by the Ken Burns team. Ken accepted via video. Thank goodness somebody has finally talked him into cutting off his hair’s Beatle-y bangs. Hank Williams‘ grandson Sam Williams offered an emotional “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” as a salute to the landmark film.
ACM Lifting Lives exec Lindsay Cruz presented the first Gary Haber Lifting Lives award to Lady A. The group sang a splendidly harmonized rendition of “What a Song Can Do.”
“We are so honored and humbled it’s unbelievable,” said the group’s Hillary Scott. “We are always looking for ways to give back.”
Ross Copperman accepts Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Added bandmate Charles Kelley, “When you come into this world of country music, it’s part of the job: You give back.” Amen, brother.
The second Gary Haber Lifting Lives award went to Ross Copperman, whom Keith Urban dubbed, “Mr. Positivity.” Keith performed “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” which Ross co-wrote. “I would not be on this stage were it not for Lisa Lee lifting me up,” said Ross.
The third Poet’s Award went to Gretchen Peters. Making her debut on the Ryman stage was Brittney Spencer. She sang a slowed-down, impassioned version of Gretchen’s “Independence Day” and brought down the house.
“I was a fool to think I wouldn’t cry,” said Gretchen. “Brittney, that was so moving. I am so proud to receive this alongside Loretta and Curly Putman. Songwriting is a calling. At their best, songs are empathy machines. The world needs love and empathy more than it ever has right now. We need our Poets.”
Brittney Spencer performs. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Gene Weed Milestone Award was presented to Luke Combs by Ashley McBryde. She sang “She Got the Best of Me.” That song is one of the 11 consecutive debut singles by Luke that have gone to No. 1, an unprecedented accomplishment.
“Here I am: I cannot believe this,” said Luke. “I’m 31 years old, and I just had my 11th No. 1 song. The reason all of us get to do what we love to do is because of you. Everybody in this room, I love you. There’s a helluva lot more country music in this boy,” added the Everyman entertainer.
Carly Pearce bid us a fond goodnight.
Reservoir Inks Deal For Alabama’s Recorded Music Rights Catalog
/by Lorie HollabaughAlabama
Reservoir Media, Inc. has signed a deal with country supergroup Alabama for the group’s interest in its recorded music rights catalog.
The most awarded band in the history of country music with over 200 honors, Alabama has sold over 75 million albums, have 11 No. 1 Billboard country albums, and 33 No. 1 Billboard country singles. Members Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook landed seven multi-Platinum albums and over 27 No. 1 hits during the ’80’s, including “Love in the First Degree” (1981), “Mountain Music” (1982), “Dixieland Delight” (1983), “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” (1984), and “Song of the South” (1988).
While still actively recording and touring, Alabama’s musical contributions have been recognized with inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame, three Grammy Awards, RIAA’s Country Group of the Century, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among countless others.
“Alabama is hands down the most successful band in country music history,” says Reservoir EVP of Creative John Ozier. “The records they have broken will likely never be replicated in any genre of music and it is a true honor to welcome their works to our Reservoir family.”
“Bringing the music of a legendary group like Alabama to Reservoir is an affirmation of our strategy to continue building on our recorded music catalog, and to do so with such undeniably classic songs is incredibly meaningful to us,” adds Reservoir Founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi.
Alex Kline Signs With Dann Huff, Sheltered Music Publishing
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Jenny Hall, Alex Kline, Dann Huff and Darrell Franklin
Alex Kline, one of Nashville’s rising producers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists, has become the first female producer/writer to sign with the creative joint venture between Sheltered Music Publishing and producer Dann Huff.
Through the new deal, they aim to develop producer talent, as well as artists and songwriters. Sheltered Music’s SVP, Darrell Franklin and Huff have a long history with development of talent, including busbee, John Paul White, Jonathan Singleton, and Blackberry Smoke.
“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Alex Kline over the past few months,” Huff shares. “If she’s any indication of the future of country music, then the future looks extremely bright! What a talent both in production and songwriting.”
Kline recently made history as the first solo female producer to have a No. 1 at country radio with Tenille Arts’ “Somebody Like That” in April. She also co-wrote, produced, and played multiple instruments on the track. Additionally, she has writer and production credits on Arts’ recent release “Over You is You” featuring Matt Stell and a number of songs on Arts’ upcoming album, Girl to Girl, set to release in October.
She has other production credits with the likes of Terri Clark, Tara Thompson, Adam Brand, Erin Enderlin, John King, Logan Murrell, Jordan Rager, Maggie Rose, and Jillian Cardarelli among others. Along with Arts’ upcoming project, Kline is also working on Stephanie Quayle’s forthcoming album due later this year.
“As the first female to write and solely produce a No. 1 country single, Alex is clearly on her way to having a long, successful career in country music, and we’re delighted she has chosen to join Sheltered Music’s family of songwriters,” says Franklin. “Our joint venture with Dann Huff provides the perfect opportunity for Alex to further strengthen her career as a producer and, most importantly, she recognizes that success always begins with a great song.”
Her successes as a songwriter includes Ronnie Dunn (“Damn Drunk”), Reba McEntire (“The Bar Is Getting Lower”), Mitchell Tenpenny (“I Get the Picture”), Gary Allan (“Slide”), Bill Anderson, Meghan Patrick (“Praying Right”), Mason Ramsey (“On My Way”) and various cuts on albums such as Clark (Raising the Bar), Cassadee Pope (Rise and Shine), Jordan Rager (Habits and Hearts), Tara Thompson (Someone to Take Your Place), and others.
“I’m so excited for the next chapter in my career with Sheltered Music and Dann Huff,” Kline adds. “I knew from my first conversation with Darrell Franklin that this team understood my career goals and how best to achieve them. Being able to work with an industry icon like Dann Huff is a dream come true. I look forward to learning from the best.”
SMACKSongs Promotes Four
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (clockwise): Lee Krabel, Jeremy Groves, Carly Sater, Sam Sarno
SMACKSongs has promoted four members of its publishing team: Lee Krabel to VP of Publishing, Jeremy Groves to Creative Director, Sam Sarno to Creative Manager, and Carly Sater to Creative Coordinator.
Krabel has been with SMACK for five years, and in his time at SMACK has been integral in signing writers like Aaron Eshuis, Ryan Beaver, Emily Falvey, Scott Stepakoff, Josh Dorr, and Tigirlily, and helping secure cuts with Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen and Jordan Davis.
“Lee has done a tremendous job leading our publishing team through the pandemic,” says SVP of Development, Robert Carlton. “Through his signings and leadership he’s brought SMACK to its most prosperous time to date. He’s more than earned the VP title. I’m excited to see how he’ll continue to build SMACK in the coming years!”
“I’m so excited for Jeremy, Sam, and Carly. They have grown into three of the best publishers in town in the last year,” says Krabel. “Their passion and hard work for the writers at SMACK has led to one of our best years as a company. Their promotions are well deserved and I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in the future.”
“When Shane and I started working together almost 15 years ago, we could only dream of SMACK with such a great team,” says Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Officer. “Congrats and thanks to Lee, Jeremy, Sam and Carly for continuing to build a great place for songwriters. That’s what it’s all about.”
Bobby Karl Works The Room: The 14th Annual ACM Honors
/by Bobby KarlLuke Combs accepts the Gene Weed Milestone Award while Ashley McBryde looks on. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Chapter 647
If we are all going to celebrate music together, let’s try and do it safely, shall we?
So when the fabulons gathered at the Ryman for the ACM Honors on Wednesday (Aug. 25), it was with the stipulation that we will all be vaccinated. The rest of you can feel free to infect one another. Despite the vax stipulation, some wore masks nevertheless. John Esposito, Ben Vaughn and Don Cusic were being extra careful. Other celebrants in the Ryman crowd included David Fox, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, John Zarling, Clarence Spalding, Jessica Nicholson (who has just been hired by Billboard), Katharine Richardson, Troy Putman, Katy Varney & Dave Goetz, LB Cantrell, Sherod Robertson and Paul Kingsbury.
Host Carly Pearce performs during the 14th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Considering that the show saluted two years’ worth of honorees and included 19 musical performances, the ACM got the job done with alacrity. Clocking in at three hours, it was quite efficient.
Following opening greetings by new ACM exec Damon Whiteside, rising star Chris Janson presented the Studio Recording Awards for both 2019 and 2020. They were Jenee Fleener & Ilya Toshinskiy, busbee & Jay Joyce, Gordon Mote & Dave Cohen, Rob McNelley & J.T. Corenflos, Jimmie Lee Sloas & Tony Lucido, Miles McPherson & Aaron Sterling, Justin Niebank & F. Reid Shippen and Paul Franklin, Dan Dugmore & Mike Johnson.
Following the announcements of winners Gil Cunningham and Brian O’Connell, plus the venue awards, Michael Strickland was presented with a Gene Weed Milestone Award. When the pandemic hit, he lobbied Congress for funds to shore up the crippled touring industry via the Save Our Stages part of Pres. Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
Lee Ann Womack and Alan Jackson perform. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
ACM show host Carly Pearce was a definite plus. She kept up a lively pace with warmth, professionalism and sincerity. The night’s first Poet’s Award went to Loretta Lynn, about whom Carly has a new song called “Dear Miss Loretta,” which she sang with country class. It earned a standing ovation. But then, so did every performance. That’s the benefit of having the hall full of fans to offset the jaded industry attendees. On the downside, fans sometimes enthusiastically shouted inappropriate and/or irrelevant commentary during the show.
Alan Jackson & Lee Ann Womack offered a sprightly “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” in salute. Loretta accepted via an audio recording, saying, “It’s the greatest award I could get.” Hers was the first of the night’s three Poet’s Award honors.
Cliffie Stone Icon Award Winner Joe Galanta accepts his award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Ronnie Dunn presented the first Cliffie Stone Icon Award to Joe Galante. Still one of country’s most electrifying vocalists, Ronnie sang “There Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” which Joe had suggested he record. “This town has given me a lot more than I deserve,” said Joe. “The people I’ve met are more than friends to me. They are my family.”
The second Cliffie Stone Icon honor went to Rascal Flatts. Carly sang “Bless the Broken Road.” Caylee Hammack performed “My Wish.” RaeLynn offered “Life Is a Highway.”
“When you’re blessed to do what you love to do, time flies,” said Joe Don Rooney during his rather long-winded acceptance. “Twenty years, snap, like that.” Added Jay DeMarcus, “Everything that’s happened has been one blessing after the next, after the next.” The absence of Gary LeVox was not explained.
Lauren Alaina presented two Songwriter of the Year awards to Hillary Lindsey, commenting on how melodic her compositions are. Then she sang the distinctly unmelodic “One Beer” with HARDY and Devin Dawson. Lindsey was not present.
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay accept the Jim Reeves International Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Chris Janson returned to give the second Poet’s Award to the late Curly Putman, singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in Curly’s honor. “His contributions will always be remembered and will play on through the years,” said Chris of Curly.
Sarah Trahern presented the Mae Boren Axton Service Award to RAC Clark. Alan and Lee Ann reappeared to perform “Murder on Music Row.” RAC related that he lobbied for that song to be performed on the first ACM Awards he produced. I’ll leave aside my misgivings about organizations giving awards to their own employees for doing the jobs they were hired to do.
The Jim Reeves International Award was given to Dan + Shay. They co-wrote their hits with Laura Veltz, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds and Jessie Joe Dillon. Those four winningly performed “Speechless,” “Tequila” and “10,000 Hours.”
“We’re so honored to have our friends here,” commented Shay Mooney. “It all starts with you guys, our co-writers on the songs,” added Dan Smyers.
The Merle Haggard Spirit Award went to Toby Keith. This was preceded by Trace Adkins singing Toby’s hit “Love Me If You Can.” Toby was not present, but sent an audio reminiscence of his conversations and performances with the late, legendary Merle.
Carly paused the proceedings to honor Lisa Lee, the ACM’s Senior VP of Creative/Content, who passed away last Saturday. Lisa was loved by all of us who knew her, and her talents as a show producer were acutely missed during the show’s clunky video tributes and its many “dead air” moments. She died of brain cancer at age 52.
Lisa was a charming, small-town personality from Arkansas who rose to the top of her profession. Ashley McBryde sang “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” in her honor. “What a moving performance to honor such a wonderful person,” commented Carly.
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood of Lady A accept the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Earning the Tex Ritter Film Award was the 16-hour PBS Country Music documentary by the Ken Burns team. Ken accepted via video. Thank goodness somebody has finally talked him into cutting off his hair’s Beatle-y bangs. Hank Williams‘ grandson Sam Williams offered an emotional “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” as a salute to the landmark film.
ACM Lifting Lives exec Lindsay Cruz presented the first Gary Haber Lifting Lives award to Lady A. The group sang a splendidly harmonized rendition of “What a Song Can Do.”
“We are so honored and humbled it’s unbelievable,” said the group’s Hillary Scott. “We are always looking for ways to give back.”
Ross Copperman accepts Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
Added bandmate Charles Kelley, “When you come into this world of country music, it’s part of the job: You give back.” Amen, brother.
The second Gary Haber Lifting Lives award went to Ross Copperman, whom Keith Urban dubbed, “Mr. Positivity.” Keith performed “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” which Ross co-wrote. “I would not be on this stage were it not for Lisa Lee lifting me up,” said Ross.
The third Poet’s Award went to Gretchen Peters. Making her debut on the Ryman stage was Brittney Spencer. She sang a slowed-down, impassioned version of Gretchen’s “Independence Day” and brought down the house.
“I was a fool to think I wouldn’t cry,” said Gretchen. “Brittney, that was so moving. I am so proud to receive this alongside Loretta and Curly Putman. Songwriting is a calling. At their best, songs are empathy machines. The world needs love and empathy more than it ever has right now. We need our Poets.”
Brittney Spencer performs. Photo: Getty Images / Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Gene Weed Milestone Award was presented to Luke Combs by Ashley McBryde. She sang “She Got the Best of Me.” That song is one of the 11 consecutive debut singles by Luke that have gone to No. 1, an unprecedented accomplishment.
“Here I am: I cannot believe this,” said Luke. “I’m 31 years old, and I just had my 11th No. 1 song. The reason all of us get to do what we love to do is because of you. Everybody in this room, I love you. There’s a helluva lot more country music in this boy,” added the Everyman entertainer.
Carly Pearce bid us a fond goodnight.
In Pictures: Old Dominion, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, More Play ACM Party For a Cause
/by Lydia FarthingOld Dominion. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
The Academy of Country Music hosted its annual ACM Party for a Cause benefiting ACM Lifting Lives on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, which was held for the first time ever at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.
ACM Party for a Cause was hosted by SiriusXM’s The Highway host Storme Warren, with live performances by Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris, Old Dominion with special guest Caitlyn Smith, Carly Pearce, Tenille Townes, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood.
Brett Eldredge. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
This year’s event preceded the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors celebration taking place this evening (Aug. 25) from Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and livestreaming on Circle Network’s social channels. Circle Network will also air a television special around the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
ACM Party for a Cause is dedicated to celebrating the healing power of music. All proceeds from the event go directly to ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music.
Lee Brice and Carly Pearce. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Sam Hunt. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Tenille Townes. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion and Caitlyn Smith. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
Jeffrey East Signs Joint Publishing Deal With Endurance Music Group, Ash Bowers
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): EMG Sr. Vice President Mark Ahlberg, EMG Sr. Creative Director Josh Saxe, Jeffrey East, EMG President Michael Martin. Photo: Ed Rode
Endurance Music Group has partnered with writer and producer Ash Bowers to sign breakthrough country and pop singer-songwriter Jeffrey East to a joint publishing agreement.
The Texas-born songwriter spent 15 years in Nashville writer rooms before moving to Los Angeles in July of 2020. His time in Nashville resulted in cuts with artists like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Chuck Wicks, Home Free, and more.
As an artist, East boasts over 20 million streams, with five songs in constant rotation on Spotify’s Country Coffeehouse playlist. Teaming up with Jonnie Forster at The Penthouse in Beverly Hills, he is currently working on new music while actively writing with and for other artists in both country and pop, with cuts on upcoming releases by Rob Thomas, Eli Young Band, and more.
“I’m so grateful to Ash and to the team at EMG for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work alongside them in this next chapter of my career,” East shares. “They are the best of the best, and I feel like everything thus far has been leading up to this moment. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”
Endurance Music Group President Michael Martin comments, “I’ve been a fan of Jeffrey’s since the first time I heard his music. It didn’t take long to recognize his creative talents as both a songwriter and an artist. We’re thrilled to welcome Jeffrey to the EMG family!”
“I’m excited to partner with my friends at Endurance to help push Jeffrey’s already impressive songwriting chops to the next level,” Bowers adds. “Jeffery is an amazing songwriter, artist, and an even better guy. The minute the opportunity presented itself to work with him I was all in.”
Leigh Nash Teams With Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, CeCe Winans, More On New Collection
/by Lorie HollabaughLeigh Nash, frontwoman of Sixpence None The Richer, has gathered an eclectic group of duet partners on her new six-song collection, The Tide, Vol. 1, slated for release Sept. 24 via Visionary Media Group.
Nash’s recognizable vocal style, made famous on monster hits such as “Kiss Me” and “There She Goes,” blends seamlessly with the partners she’s selected for The Tide, Vol. 1, including Tanya Tucker, Vince Gill, Ruby Amanfu, CeCe Winans, Raul Malo, and Nash’s husband and longtime creative partner Stephen Wilson Jr.
The Tide’s tracks run the gamut of styles and stories, from the lament of “Never Again, Every Time” with Tucker, to the sensual cover of the Elton John classic “Your Song,” to the stirring rendition of the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour” with Winans, and the dissection of the racial experience on “Good Trouble” with Amanfu. Each track serves to further reveal Nash’s diversity as a performer and heart as a storyteller.
“I think the thread is vulnerability, just being open to whatever the creative thing is that whispers in our ear,” Nash said. “Listen to it… trust it. It’s being vulnerable to the moment, to the songs, to the music, to why I’m on this earth.” She continues, “What I’ve found to be true with my songwriting is that I seem to serve a story or song better when it’s something that just happened naturally with me, like an encounter or conversation. I didn’t necessarily write them for this project. They’re a collection of songs that I’ve had that are my favorites, and just hadn’t had their due yet. So this is an exciting opportunity for me to get them out there and work with some of my heroes, too.”
The Tide, Vol. 1 Track List:
1. Made For This (with Stephen Wilson Jr.)
2. Good Trouble (with Ruby Amanfu)
3. Never Again, Every Time (with Tanya Tucker)
4. Your Song (feat. Raul Malo)
5. I Need Thee Every Hour (feat. CeCe Winans)
6. God Gave Me Horses (feat. Vince Gill)
Americanafest Unveils Final Round Of Performers For Upcoming Conference
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (top row, L-R): Hayes Carll, Carlene Carter, Matthew Fowler, Granville Automatic; (bottom row, L-R): Avi Kaplan, Ashley Ray, Kamara Thomas, Paul Thorn
The Americana Music Association has announced its final round of showcasing acts for the 2021 Americanafest, running Sept. 22-25 in Nashville.
New additions to the complete lineup of 200+ acts include The Brother Brothers, Hayes Carll, Carlene Carter, Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn, Matthew Fowler, The Georgia Thunderbolts, Granville Automatic, Avi Kaplan, Ashley Ray, Amy Speace, Kamara Thomas, Paul Thorn and more.
The first day of festivities will be capped by the Americana Honors & Awards, which celebrates Americana luminaries and welcomes the next generation of trailblazers while offering one-of-a-kind performance pairings at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
On Wednesday evening, patrons can also choose to stop by “Anthony da Costa’s Second Annual FOMO Party” which features performances at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl. Meanwhile, for those who enjoy the revolutionary sounds of the ‘70s, Americanafest’s “Power to the Music: The Songs of 1971” brings together Americana artists on Friday, Sept. 24 at The Basement East to salute emblematic artists of that year. The tribute will be hosted by Tim Jones of Whiskey Wolves of the West.
On Monday, event organizers shared a statement announcing that patrons for every Americanafest-produced event and the Americana Honors & Awards must present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours in order to access a venue.
For more information on tickets, passes, and Health & Safety Policies, click here.
Brett James, Lori McKenna Named To Recording Academy’s Songwriters & Composers Leadership Council
/by Lydia FarthingThe Recording Academy’s newly launched Songwriters & Composers Wing has named its new Leadership Council. Made up of music creators that span diverse backgrounds and genres, this group will further the Wing’s mission of supporting and advocating on behalf of songwriters.
“The Wing’s mission is to provide composers and songwriters a home base in the industry that presents opportunities, advocates on their behalf, and celebrates their important contributions to our music community,” shares Susan Stewart, Managing Director of the Recording Academy Songwriters & Composers Wing. “We’re thrilled to take action alongside our newly established Leadership Council to help further the Wing’s mission of amplifying the work and voices of creators that call these crafts home.”
The Leadership Council will join the previously announced Honorary Chairs Lamont Dozier, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Ashley Gorley, Carole King, Jimmy Jam, Tania León, Gustavo Santaolalla, Valerie Simpson, Diane Warren, and Hans Zimmer. Recording Academy Trustee Evan Bogart serves as the Songwriters & Composers Wing Chair and Stewart is the newly appointed Managing Director.
The Council will meet regularly to inform the Wing’s direction and help foster recognition for songwriters of all genres. The Wing has also partnered with The Latin Recording Academy to better serve global creators who identify as songwriters and composers. Through offerings such as panels, mixers, songwriting retreats, and mentorship, the Wing provides opportunities for recognition, networking, and collaboration. It also spotlights emerging opportunities for song and scoring achievement, and amplifies songwriters and composers’ role in policy discussions for fair compensation for creators.
Hailing from the Academy’s 12 Chapters and The Latin Recording Academy, the Leadership Council consists of:
Ivan Barias
Edgar Barrera
Mason Bates
Emily Bear
Claudia Brant
Bryan-Michael Cox
Erika Ender
Sue Ennis
J.J. Hairston
Sam Hollander
J. Ivy
Brett James
Savan Kotecha
Luciano Luna
Lori McKenna
Eduardo Osorio
Tayla Parx
Bruce Robison
Georgia Stitt
Justin Tranter
Christopher Tin
Emily Warren
Jay Weigel
Ray Fulcher Releases First Radio Single Ahead Of Debut Album
/by Lorie HollabaughRay Fulcher. Photo: Rachel Deeb
Ray Fulcher has officially released his debut country radio single, “Girl in It,” from his upcoming EP, Larkin Hill Mixes, set for release on Sept. 17 via Black River. In celebration of the EP release, Fulcher will be playing an 18+ show at Nashville’s Exit/In on Wednesday, Sept. 15th, with guests Faren Rachels and Southerland.
“Girl In It,” which was released on June 25, quickly made an impression and debuted on top playlists, including Apple’s New In Country, Amazon’s Breakthrough Country, Pandora’s New Country and New Country Now, and Spotify’s Next From Nashville, New Music Nashville, and RADAR Country.
Teaming up with Jonathan Singleton to produce the new project, the pair dug in to create a Memphis-meets-’90s country sound. Whether it’s “Way Out” which pits the notion of how far out of town one lives with the idea of escape, the country living truths in “Compliment,” or “Damn If It Didn’t Hurt” which gives Fulcher’s truth-telling take on life’s little defeats, the upcoming project delivers songs that distill a slower way of life.
Fulcher has already made his mark as a writer, having co-written eight songs on Luke Combs‘ 2020 CMA Album of the Year What You See Is What You Get, along with eight more from This One’s for You. Four of which–”When It Rains It Pours,” “Even Though I’m Leaving,” “Lovin’ on You” and “Does to Me”– went all the way to No. 1.
The seasoned songwriter recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 25. This fall, he will join Combs on his “What You See Is What You Get” tour and will support Ashley McBryde on select dates.
2. Girl in It – Ray Fulcher, Erik Dylan, James McNair
3. Way Out – Ray Fulcher, Ross Copperman, Andrew DeRoberts, Jon Nite, Taylor Phillips, Michael Ray
4. Bucket List Beers – Ray Fulcher, Luke Combs, Tim Nichols, Chris Yarber
5. Damn If It Didn’t Hurt – Ray Fulcher, Drew Parker, Jordan Walker