Ashley Eicher and King Calaway hold a Q&A at Arrington Vineyards to discuss their upcoming Midnight EP on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Photo: Lydia Farthing
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, with the picturesque backdrop of Tennessee’s prized Arrington Vineyards around them, rising country band King Calaway showcased their upcoming EP, Midnight, to a group of industry friends and supporters. The four-song project releases on Friday, Aug. 27 via Stoney Creek Records.
BMG Nashville President Jon Loba introduced the now 5-piece band to the crowd. “I am personally so proud of the evolution of these men, and have never been more excited about what you’re about to hear and where they are in their career.”
Comprised of Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Chad Michael Jervis, Austin Luther, and Caleb Miller, the group shared all four of the tracks featured on the upcoming EP as well as four additional tracks.
“There was a lot of momentum that was happening towards the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020,” shared Jervis. “But through [the COVID-19 pandemic], it reinforced our commitment to each other and our passion for wanting to pursue our career.”
Ashley Eicher and King Calaway hold a Q&A at Arrington Vineyards to discuss their upcoming Midnight EP on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Photo: Lydia Farthing
The band began writing in August of 2020 with most of the songs being born out of Zoom writes. Digging their heels in, the five wrote over 80 songs over the last year.
To record, the five travelled to Asheville, North Carolina to live in a house together for three weeks. Inspired by the southern California, 1970s country sound, the group went to work to bring their new sonic direction to life. With the advice of one of the EP’s producers, Justin Niebank, the five bandmates played every instrument on Midnight, save the pedal steel which was helmed by Paul Franklin, giving the project a deeper sense of honesty and authenticity.
“Justin made it a point to make sure we were all playing it because that made it feel the most authentic,” the band explained. “Instead of making everything perfect, the fact that it all came from one of the five of us made it feel really honest.”
Through the four tracks featured on Midnight, the crowd was taken along a full spectrum of emotions from the lighthearted and easy on the ears “Homegrown” to the powerful and timely anthem, “More People,” encouraging small acts of kindness in our everyday lives.
The edgy, guitar licked “Heartbreaker” takes the EP one shade darker while “Good Time To Me,” which features MusicRow‘s newest CountryBreakout No. 1 artist Lainey Wilson, gives a welcomed bar-stomping, high-voltage energy to the project.
King Calaway. Photo: Courtesy of BBR Music Group
“I think this EP and these songs really represent the journey that we went on over the last year and a half,” Jervis explained. “Through all of the adversity, we stuck together, held it out, and now we’re here today. And we are all so thankful to be here today with all of you.”
Midnight Track List:
1. Homegrown – Chad Michael Jervis, Kevin Griffin
2. More People – Simon Dumas, Ryan Lafferty, Tina Parol Gemza
3. Heartbreaker – Simon Dumas, Neil Medley, Dave Cohen
4. Good Time To Me (feat. Lainey Wilson) – Charles Kelley, Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Steven Lee Olsen
King Calaway Shows Off New Sound With Upcoming ‘Midnight EP’
/by Lydia FarthingAshley Eicher and King Calaway hold a Q&A at Arrington Vineyards to discuss their upcoming Midnight EP on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Photo: Lydia Farthing
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, with the picturesque backdrop of Tennessee’s prized Arrington Vineyards around them, rising country band King Calaway showcased their upcoming EP, Midnight, to a group of industry friends and supporters. The four-song project releases on Friday, Aug. 27 via Stoney Creek Records.
BMG Nashville President Jon Loba introduced the now 5-piece band to the crowd. “I am personally so proud of the evolution of these men, and have never been more excited about what you’re about to hear and where they are in their career.”
Comprised of Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Chad Michael Jervis, Austin Luther, and Caleb Miller, the group shared all four of the tracks featured on the upcoming EP as well as four additional tracks.
“There was a lot of momentum that was happening towards the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020,” shared Jervis. “But through [the COVID-19 pandemic], it reinforced our commitment to each other and our passion for wanting to pursue our career.”
Ashley Eicher and King Calaway hold a Q&A at Arrington Vineyards to discuss their upcoming Midnight EP on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Photo: Lydia Farthing
The band began writing in August of 2020 with most of the songs being born out of Zoom writes. Digging their heels in, the five wrote over 80 songs over the last year.
To record, the five travelled to Asheville, North Carolina to live in a house together for three weeks. Inspired by the southern California, 1970s country sound, the group went to work to bring their new sonic direction to life. With the advice of one of the EP’s producers, Justin Niebank, the five bandmates played every instrument on Midnight, save the pedal steel which was helmed by Paul Franklin, giving the project a deeper sense of honesty and authenticity.
“Justin made it a point to make sure we were all playing it because that made it feel the most authentic,” the band explained. “Instead of making everything perfect, the fact that it all came from one of the five of us made it feel really honest.”
Through the four tracks featured on Midnight, the crowd was taken along a full spectrum of emotions from the lighthearted and easy on the ears “Homegrown” to the powerful and timely anthem, “More People,” encouraging small acts of kindness in our everyday lives.
The edgy, guitar licked “Heartbreaker” takes the EP one shade darker while “Good Time To Me,” which features MusicRow‘s newest CountryBreakout No. 1 artist Lainey Wilson, gives a welcomed bar-stomping, high-voltage energy to the project.
King Calaway. Photo: Courtesy of BBR Music Group
“I think this EP and these songs really represent the journey that we went on over the last year and a half,” Jervis explained. “Through all of the adversity, we stuck together, held it out, and now we’re here today. And we are all so thankful to be here today with all of you.”
Midnight Track List:
1. Homegrown – Chad Michael Jervis, Kevin Griffin
2. More People – Simon Dumas, Ryan Lafferty, Tina Parol Gemza
3. Heartbreaker – Simon Dumas, Neil Medley, Dave Cohen
4. Good Time To Me (feat. Lainey Wilson) – Charles Kelley, Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Steven Lee Olsen
Jake Owen Pulls Through With No. 1 Most-Added Single At Country Radio
/by Alex ParryJake Owen debuts at country radio this week dominating the charts as the most-added artist and top spin gainer with his single, “Best Thing Since Backroads,” released via Big Loud Records. On the Billboard Country Airplay Chart, Owen debuts at No. 25 with 75 new station adds and +1,332 spins. On Mediabase, he raked in 84 stations and +1,432 spins landing at No. 33. On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart, Owens earned 22 adds and +279 spins which puts him at No. 61.
“For a first single off a new project to have this type of momentum is super exciting,” says Owen. “I’m very thankful for the continued support from country radio, and of course my incredible Big Loud team!”
“Best Thing Since Backroads” was produced by long-time friend and producer Joey Moi and written by Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps and Geoff Warburton.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Reba McEntire ‘Revived, Remixed, Revisited’ Her Career Of Hits On New Box Set
/by Lydia FarthingReba McEntire
Reba McEntire is set to release her new three-part box set, Revived Remixed Revisited, on Oct. 8. The trilogy is a reimagined collection of some of her most iconic songs spanning her entire career. One song from each installment– “Is There Life Out There,” “I’m A Survivor” (Lafemmebear Remix), and “Consider Me Gone”–are available everywhere now.
Revived includes some of McEntire’s biggest hits as they’ve evolved over the years in her live show and features new arrangements of fan favorites, like “Is There Life Out There” and “Can’t Even Get The Blues” recorded with her touring band.
Remixed puts a new spin on songs including “Little Rock” and “I’m A Survivor,” and on Revisited, Reba works with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb to strip back and recut songs like “Somebody Should Leave” and “Consider Me Gone.” The third installment also features McEntire and Dolly Parton on the classic duet “Does He Love You.”
McEntire will join celebrated TV personality Nancy O’Dell on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. CST for talkshoplive where fans can pre-order special autographed editions of the box set, plus hear stories around the making of the new collection.
Runaway June Opens New Chapter With Upcoming Western-Rooted EP
/by Lorie HollabaughRunaway June. Photo: CeCe Dawson
Runaway June is providing fans with a taste of their backstory EP on Friday, Aug. 20, the same weekend they join Luke Bryan on his Proud To Be Right Here Tour.
The new EP focuses on heartbreak, break-ups and moving on as their rock and Western sound colors the three-song project, produced by Dan Huff and Mark Trussell. With all three ladies — Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall and Jennifer Wayne — now married, backstory weaves the tale of where it all begins, before finding a happily ever after.
The fiery “Forgot About That” opens the project, romanticizing all the good memories that surface when you run into your ex while “Down The Middle” speaks to the realistic emotions following a gut-wrenching breakup. “T-Shirt,” a breezy, good riddance track, rounds out the project.
Honored as a coveted New Face at the 2020 Country Radio Seminar, the BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records trio’s latest single, “Buy My Own Drinks,” peaked at Top 5 on Mediabase Country Chart, the highest charting song by a female trio or group since The Chicks in 2003. Their 2019 debut album, Blue Roses, received critical acclaim and was included on Rolling Stone’s and Paste Magazine’s best albums of the year lists.
Runaway June. Photo: CeCe Dawson
Backstory Track List:
1. Forgot About That (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Corey Crowder, Emily Shackelton)*
2. Down The Middle (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Hannah Mulholland, Barry Dean, Tofer Brown)*
3. T-Shirt (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Adam Hambrick, Mark Trussell)^
*Produced by Dann Huff
^Produced by Mark Trussell
Renowned Singer-Songwriter Nanci Griffith Passes
/by LB CantrellNanci Griffith
American singer, guitarist, and songwriter Nanci Griffith passed away today (Friday, Aug. 13). She was 68.
Born Nanci Caroline Griffith in Austin, Texas, Griffith became known for her unique version of country-folk music.
She released over 20 albums, perhaps most notably her 1993 project Other Voices, Other Rooms, which consisted entirely of cover songs, in tribute to songwriters who influenced her own songwriting. Other Voices, Other Rooms earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1994.
As a songwriter, some of Griffith’s greatest hits include Kathy Mattea’s cover of “Love at the Five and Dime” and Suzy Bogguss’s hit with “Outbound Plane.”
Griffith was awarded the Kate Wolf Memorial Award by the World Folk Music Association in 1995, and in 2008 the Americana Music Association awarded her its Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer Award. Most recently Griffith was invited to be a member of the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association’s Hall of Fame. She was to be inducted in February of 2022.
“Nanci Griffith was a master songwriter who took every opportunity to champion kindred spirits, including Vince Bell, Elizabeth Cook, Iris DeMent, Julie Gold, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Eric Taylor and Townes Van Zandt,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Her voice was a clarion call, at once gentle and insistent. Her brilliant album The Last of the True Believers is a template for what is now called Americana music, and her Grammy-winning Other Voices, Other Rooms is a compelling guide to 20th-century folk songs. Nanci offered gifts that no one else could give.”
Griffith is a survivor of breast cancer which was diagnosed in 1996, and thyroid cancer in 1998.
Her death was confirmed by her management company, Gold Mountain Entertainment. A cause of death was not provided.
Memorial services have not yet been announced.
In This Issue: MusicRow Awards Issue Features John Shearer, Dualtone Records, 615 Leverage + Strategy
/by Lydia FarthingNashville music industry publication MusicRow Magazine has released its 2021 MusicRow Awards, with Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett gracing the cover.
The MusicRow Awards print issue highlights this year’s MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Artist of the Year.
The winners for the 33rd annual MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank. This print issue also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards, which will also be announced on Aug. 19, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period.
The 2021 MusicRow Awards print issue features acclaimed photographer John Shearer, celebrates 20 years of Nashville’s indie label Dualtone Records, and catches up with John Zarling and Jackie Campbell on their newest marketing and brand partnership company 615 Leverage + Strategy.
This issue also reassesses the state of independent venues and the touring industry as a whole as it begins to reopen amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and contains an informative roundup of music industry awards.
Single copies of MusicRow’s 2021 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Tiera Signs With WME [Exclusive]
/by Lorie HollabaughTiera. Photo: Kamren Kennedy
Tiera, one of R&B country’s newest artists, has signed with WME for representation in all areas.
A recent signee to Big Machine’s Valory Records, Tiera released her debut EP in March. Over the last year, she also signed her first publishing deal with Songs & Daughters as the flagship songwriter for Nicolle Galyon’s female-driven publishing house.
Tiera has previously performed at iconic Nashville venues including the Bluebird Café and The Listening Room, earning opening spots for the Charlie Daniels Band and Rodney Atkins.
She has been named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country as well as a Listen Up Class of 2020 artist and was honored by the AIMP in its Rising Songwriters Class of 2020. Named as an Artist to Watch by Teen Vogue, Nashville Lifestyles, CMT, Spotify’s Hot Country, Country Now and Sounds Like Nashville, Tiera also hosts her own radio show on Apple Music where she chats about about up-and-coming artists.
With new music planned for release in the coming months, Tiera continues to be represented by Olivia Hanceri at OH Creative and Brenner McDonald, McGlinchey Stafford PLLC.
Brothers Osborne Named Ambassadors For Habitat For Humanity’s Music Row Build
/by Lorie HollabaughBrothers Osborne‘s TJ and John Osborne are the new 2021 Ambassadors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Music Row Build, scheduled for Oct. 2-3.
To show their support for Habitat for Humanity and affordable homeownership opportunities in Nashville, TJ and John will be out on the build site prior to the Music Row Build swinging hammers and helping volunteers construct Habitat’s first townhome community, Sherwood Commons, home to 26 future Habitat homeowners.
Nashville was recently listed as one of five cities on the verge of a housing crisis by 24/7 Wall Street, with more than 70 percent of Nashvillians needing affordable or workforce housing.
“With climbing housing prices, many Nashvillians are priced out of the real estate market. Nashville is home to many creative and diverse communities, and we need to make sure everyone who calls Nashville home, has a home,” says TJ.
“We are excited to help with the Music Row Build this year,” says John. “We were privileged enough to grow up in a stable home in Deale Maryland, where we would have jam sessions with family and friends. We recognize the importance of this and want to do our part to lend a hand with this project.”
Music Row Build began in 2003 and helped eight local families purchase affordable homes before it ended in 2012. Habitat’s Music Row build reignited in 2020 when Mark Brown, senior vice president and GM of Round Hill Music, decided he wanted to do more to help hardworking Nashvillians have equal opportunities to live in the city in which they work. Brown loved the hands-on approach the Habitat program offered for building better futures and working with and getting to know future homeowners.
“Our fundraising goal this year is $60,000. We are incredibly grateful for TJ and John’s help getting the word out about Music Row Build and the need for more affordable homeownership opportunities in Nashville,” says Brown.
WME, a two-year Habitat home sponsor, is joining this year’s Music Row Build. Habitat Board Member and WME Partner and Co-Head Jay Williams says, “A Habitat home build is one of my favorite Nashville things to do. It is so gratifying to get out on the build site and hammer nails and saw 2x4s with the future homeowners. It is a great team building experience as well. The staff looks forward to it every year.”
To support the Music Row Build, text Music Row Build to 44321. For more information on how you can volunteer for the Music Row build, visit: www.habitatnashville.org/Music-Row.
Jameson Rodgers Announces Debut Album Dropping In September
/by Lorie HollabaughJameson Rodgers. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Jameson Rodgers is gearing up for the release of his debut album, Bet You’re From a Small Town, on Sept. 17. A new track from the album, “One Day,” is available now.
The Columbia Nashville/River House artist co-wrote 14 of the project’s 15 tracks, including his Top 10-and-climbing single “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” featuring labelmate Luke Combs. The single currently sits at No. 3 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart. The set also features his Platinum-certified, No. 1 debut single “Some Girls,” along with fan favorites “Good Dogs,” “Desert,” “Missing One,” and “Girls that Smoke.” The release follows Rodgers’ latest EP, In It For the Money, which arrived earlier this year.
“Being from a small town in Mississippi, I’m well aware that not everyone gets to do music for a living,” comments Rodgers. “I’ve been waiting to announce and release my debut album ever since I moved to Nashville 11 years ago. I’m extremely grateful for this day to be here and I can’t wait to see and hear how people react to these songs and this album.”
Rodgers is nominated for MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2021 MusicRow Awards. The winners will be announced on Aug. 19 through all MusicRow social platforms.
He also recently kicked off his Cold Beer Calling My Name Tour with a sold-out show in Rootstown, Ohio, and will hit the stage tonight at Wooly’s in Des Moines, Iowa. The trek includes Rodgers’ first headlining show in New York City, plus stops in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. before wrapping with a two-night stand at Nashville’s Exit/In.
Bet You’re From a Small Town Track List:
1. One Day (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Will Bundy/Lynn Hutton)
2. Merle Haggard (Jameson Rodgers/Lynn Hutton/Jake Mitchell)
3. Close to Anything (Jameson Rodgers/Brent Anderson/Jake Mitchell/Hunter Phelps)
4. Bet You’re from a Small Town (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Will Bundy/Lynn Hutton)
5. Missing One (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Hunter Phelps)
6. You Won’t (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Will Bundy/Lynn Hutton)
7. Girl with the Broken Heart (Jameson Rodgers/Michael Hardy/Jake Mitchell)
8. Bars Back Home (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Ashley Gorley/Hunter Phelps)
9. Porch with a View (Jameson Rodgers/Brent Anderson/Jake Mitchell/Hunter Phelps)
10. Bringing It Back (Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell)
11. Girls That Smoke (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Brent Anderson)
12. Cold Beer Calling My Name feat. Luke Combs (Jameson Rodgers/Hunter Phelps/Brett Tyler/Alysa Vanderheym)
13. Some Girls (Michael Hardy/Jake Mitchell/C.J. Solar)
14. Good Dogs (Jameson Rodgers/Brent Anderson/Jake Mitchell/Hunter Phelps)
15. Desert (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Josh Miller/Jake Mitchell)
On The Cover: Gabby Barrett Graces The Cover Of MusicRow Awards Print Issue
/by Lydia FarthingWarner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett is featured on the cover of the 2021 MusicRow Awards print issue, which releases today (Aug. 13). The American Idol alum has had a groundbreaking year, being named the ACM New Female Artist of the Year while also racking up three Billboard Music Awards for Top Country Female Artist, Top Country Song (“I Hope”) and Top Collaboration with Charlie Puth (“I Hope”); iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Country Artist; and the 2021 CMT Music Awards top honor for Female Video of the Year (“The Good Ones”).
Her debut single, “I Hope” has been certified 5X Platinum, becoming the most-streamed country song of 2020 and reigning atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for a record-breaking 27 weeks. “I Hope” was also the first debut single by a solo female artist to top the country radio charts since 2017 and made her the youngest artist with a No. 1 debut at country radio in over two decades. Adding to her over 1.5 billion global streams, Barrett’s LP Goldmine includes the 4-week Hot AC No. 1 crossover version of “I Hope” feat. Charlie Puth alongside her Platinum three-week No. 1, “The Good Ones,” and latest single “Footprints On The Moon.”
The powerhouse artist returned to the road in August with headlining shows, fairs and festivals. She also started her opening slot on Thomas Rhett’s The Center Point Road Tour in August, and will take the stage at the all-genre iHeartRadio Music Festival on Sept. 18.
Single copies of MusicRow’s 2021 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.