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
Dan + Shay’s ‘Good Things’ Breaks RIAA Release Date Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Lisa Ray (Sandbox Entertainment); Cris Lacy (EVP of A&R, WMN); Dan Smyers; Shay Mooney; Ben Kline (EVP/GM, WMN); Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment). Photo: Alan Poizner
Dan + Shay have reached another milestone in their red-hot career, as their new album, Good Things, becomes the first country album in the streaming era to achieve RIAA Gold certification at its release. The news comes right as the duo’s current single, “Glad You Exist,” claims the top spot on the Billboard and Mediabase Country Airplay charts, marking their sixth consecutive and ninth career No.1.
“Three years ago, Dan + Shay made history with ‘Tequila’ – and have continued on a meteoric rise ever since,” said Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, John Esposito. “This extraordinary accomplishment is yet another testament to their unparalleled talent and work ethic. The first and only country album in the streaming era to be certified Gold upon release, are you kidding? That’s freaking insane! I couldn’t be one iota prouder that Dan + Shay are part of the Warner Music Nashville family. They are artists of a generation.”
The duo celebrated the new LP in a big way last Friday (Aug. 13) with the Good Things Album Release Concert at The Great Lawn in Centennial Park, marking the first time the Nashville park has ever hosted a major concert. Labelmates Ingrid Andress and Morgan Evans opened the show before the duo came out to a capacity crowd of 10,000 to perform tracks from the new album as well as some previous hits and fan favorites.
Following the performance, Dan + Shay were surprised with several plaques to add to their ever-growing collection, including Gold certification for Good Things, 4x Platinum certification for “10,000 Hours,” Platinum certification for “I Should Probably Go To Bed” and Gold certification for “Glad You Exist.”
“Congratulations to Dan + Shay on Good Things becoming the first country album in the streaming era to be RIAA certified Gold at release!” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman & CEO, RIAA. “Dan + Shay are no stranger to high-ranking Gold & Platinum achievements. Every Dan + Shay album released has been certified Gold or Platinum by the RIAA… Congrats to Dan + Shay and their team at Warner Music Nashville on this awesome milestone, which reflects years of incredible music and hard work.”
Their Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour will resume this fall with new 2021 dates, beginning Sept. 9 in Greenville, South Carolina. The 30-stop explosive tour includes a night at the famed Madison Square Garden and will feature Atlantic Records’ The Band Camino and labelmate Andress.
Bexar Preview Major Label Debut Project With New Track, ‘Key To Life’
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Ryan and Logan Turner. Photo: Robby Klein
Bexar have announced plans to release their Warner Music Nashville debut EP, Pronounced Bear, on Sept. 3. To coincide with the EP announcement, BEXAR has released “Key To Life,” one of the tracks from the forthcoming collection.
A nod to the phonetic spelling of the band name, the EP was produced by Ross Copperman and Luke Laird, and features six songs that showcase the band’s fresh sound. “Key To Life” was cowritten by the band’s Chris Ryan alongside Barry Dean and Laird, and the banjo-filled tune provides a glimpse into the blend of Kentucky bluegrass and Texas country that encapsulates Bexar’s sound. “Key To Life” follows the release of “One Day” and “Again,” the band’s first major label single.
Bexar draws inspiration from Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers and Avicii. Comprised of Ryan (lead vocals/guitar) and Logan Turner (vocals/banjo/guitar), the band gets its name from Bexar County, Texas, where Ryan spent much of his childhood. Since their 2018 self-released EP, Bexar has accumulated nearly 40 million streams to date.
Two weeks after the release of the forthcoming EP, they group will join Keith Urban on Keith Urban Live – Las Vegas from Sept. 17-25. The residency will take place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
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.