I sense that somehow we are in the midst of a big shift of the country landscape, with more new talent being injected into the format than is usual.
With that in mind, note that Kat & Alex, Mitchell Tenpenny, Robyn Ottolini and Morgan Evans continue to make sonic waves. Adding to the energy is the stone-country Randall King, who wins this week’s DisCovery Award.
The supremely gifted Eric Church has won more Disc of the Day awards in this column than any other artist. I’d give him another one today, but for the fact that it seems like he needs to share at this point. So give the prize to the lovely sentiments being expressed by Jordan Davis with Luke Bryan along for the ride.
KAT & ALEX / “You and the Radio”
Writers: Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell/Robyn Collins; Producer: Brad Hill; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— It’s a rockin’ country summer jam. Alex, a Puerto Rican, sings lead. Kat, a Cuban American, provides sprightly vocal harmony. You’ll tap your toes to the snappy beats.
MIDLAND / “Sunrise Tells the Story”
Writers: Jess Carson/Jessi Alexander/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dann Huff/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Label: Big Machine Records
— A steel cries in the distance as the trio moans this slow honky-tonk waltz. The harmonies are solid and the mood is just right.
MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Truth About You”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Matt Alderman/Thomas Archer; Producer: Jordan M. Schmidt/Mitchell Tenpenny; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— It’s a breakup song with a hushed, whispery delivery that catches your ear and makes you pay attention. The screaming electric guitar on the backing track is distracting and unnecessary.
MORGAN EVANS / “Love Is Real”
Writers: Morgan Evans/Jordan Reynolds/Parker Welling; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— This zippy, peppy, ultra-positive country rocker takes a page or two from the Keith Urban playbook. Which is to say, it is sugary ear candy.
ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Tell You Everything”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Jesse Slack; Producer: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— The somewhat tedious “F-150” remains the single, but this new release from her EP suggests that she is holding back some of her best stuff. The bright, aware lyric has lots of verve, and the track boasts tempo shifts, cool echoey touches and a complex, layered mix that are all quite involving.
ERIC CHURCH / “Heart on Fire”
Writers: Eric Church; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Records Nashville
— Oh yeah! A little Bruce, a little Elvis, a little Skynyrd, a little Seger and a whole lotta rump shakin’ goodness. This rollicking rocker is one more example why the Chief stands head and shoulders above just about everyone else in this format. Turn it up and lose yourself in its soulfulness.
RANDALL KING / “Record High”
Writers: Drake Milligan/John Pierce/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— This dude is a for-real country singer, and this rhythm-happy Texas honky tonker stakes a for-real claim to stardom.
JORDAN DAVIS & LUKE BRYAN / “Buy Dirt”
Writers: Jordan Davis/Jacob Davis/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
— Words of wisdom from a fictional octogenarian set to a shimmering, sterling-silver audio track. Terrific truthful lyric. The two voices blend beautifully. I’m in.
THE CADILLAC THREE / “Bridges”
Writers: Frank Rogers/Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason; Producer: The Cadillac Three; Label: Big Machine Records
— While certainly novel and ear catching, this has nothing to do with country music.
KANE BROWN & BLACKBEAR / “Memory”
Writers: Kane Brown/Matthew Musto/Andrew Goldstein/Joe Kirkland/Ernest Smith; Producer: none listed; Label: RCA
— Although Brown is coming off a No. 1 country hit (”Famous Friends” with Chris Young), this hip hopper is being correctly marketed as a Top-40, pop-music effort. Brown has previously successfully collaborated with Marshmello and with Swae Lee & Khalid, so this effort with Musto a.k.a. blackbear suits him just fine.
BILLY CRASH CRADDOCK / “Paint Your Toes”
Writers: Billy Crash Craddock/David Wade/Mary Beth Stone; Producer: David Wade; Label: ONErpm
— He’s 82 years old now, but this rockabilly veteran still has rhythm in his heart. Very much in the mode of his classic “Rub It In,” this is a very cute little outing.
FIREROSE & BILLY RAY CYRUS / “New Day”
Writers: Billy Ray Cyrus/Firerose; Producer: none listed; Label: Repost
— Firerose is an Aussie-born singer-songwriter now based in L.A. She and Billy Ray co-wrote this on Zoom during the quarantine. It’s a hypnotic, swirling, dreamy confection, underpinned by echoey synths and slow, thumpy beats. I can hear this becoming a big pop hit. After all, he’s done it before.
Chart Action: Luke Combs Earns Early Adds
/by Alex ParryLuke Combs‘ new single, “Cold As You,” dominates the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart this week earning 20 early station adds ahead of its impact date on July 19. Those adds totaled +275 spins earning him the highest spin gain of the week. “Cold As You” was co-written by Combs, Shane Minor, Randy Montana, and Jonathan Singleton.
Combs was also the highest debut out of seven new singles on the chart this week landing at No. 58. Among the other debuts were “How Far Can It Go?” by Hailey Whitters, Tyler Rich‘s “Better Than You’re Used To,” and Eric Church with “Heart On Fire.”
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
CRS 360 Webinar To Examine Re-Entering The Workplace Post-COVID
/by Lorie HollabaughCRS 360’s next webinar installment will take a look at re-entering the post-COVID workplace on Thursday, July 15 at 1 p.m. CST. Split into two parts, Part I will cover emotional IQ for employers and managers while Part II will take place in August.
This month’s webinar will feature panelists Cory Colton, principal coach at Inflection Point Coaching, LLC, and Diane Watson, executive coach at PCC. CRS Executive Director, RJ Curtis, will moderate the panel.
The upcoming interactive session will offer valuable insight to leaders and help them use emotional intelligence, compassion, and communication to support employees in navigating the transition to a new environment of work post-COVID. The two-part series will examine the latest best practices for employers and company leadership to adjust, plan for, and manage potential challenges everyone may face as they return to the workplace.
“Last year’s COVID quarantine created sudden, seismic workflow and work/life balance changes for companies and their employees. Simply undoing those practices seems unrealistic as our industry returns to the workplace,” shares Curtis. “CRS wants to help leaders and their teams learn how to maintain efficiency and productivity. Cory and Diane will lead this interactive workshop and help navigate whatever the ‘new normal’ looks like.”
To register for July’s CRS360 webinar series, click here.
Sara Evans’ Daughter Olivia Evans Makes Pop Debut With ‘Of Course I Do’
/by Lydia FarthingOlivia Evans. Photo: Andy Baxter
Olivia Evans, daughter of country recording artist Sara Evans, has released her debut single “Of Course I Do,” inspired by teenage rebellion and late ‘80s pop.
At only 18, Olivia co-wrote the track with producer Nash Overstreet and her mother’s frequent co-writer Shane Stevens following her first bitter heartbreak. “Of Course I Do” is the first song from Olivia’s forthcoming EP, of which she co-wrote all five of the break-up inspired tracks.
This is not Olivia’s first time behind the mic. In 2019, she and her brother Avery joined their mother to form the Barker Family Band, named after the country singer’s husband, Jay Barker. The band released music and played a limited run of shows, which gave Evans her first turn in the spotlight. After the experiment’s success, Sara added Olivia to her band as a background singer which nourished Olivia’s desire to be a vocalist.
While country music may be considered the family business, Olivia explains that her mother has known for quite some time that she wanted to be a pop singer and is supportive. However, Olivia doesn’t want to limit herself to just one genre.
“I hope in my career that I’ll have the space to do whatever, whenever I want,” she shares. “If I want to make a country record in 10 years, I want to be able to do that. I’m just not locking myself into any sort of creative box.”
30A Songwriters Festival Announces Date, First Round Lineup For 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughFor the past 12 years, the 30A Songwriters Festival has attracted thousands of die-hard live music fans from around the country to hear original songwriters spanning many genres of music perform their songs. The beach resort towns along Highway 30A on the Gulf of Mexico feature 30 venues presenting over 230 songwriters and 300+ solo, band and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend of Jan. 14 – 17, 2022.
Amy Grant and Ricki Lee Jones also join the 2022 lineup for the first time, and returning to perform two shows each throughout the weekend are Rodney Crowell, Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Shawn Mullins and Dar Williams.
Other confirmed artists include Marc Broussard, Carlene Carter, Robyn Hitchcock, Sierra Hull, James McMurtry, Liz Longley, Dan Navarro, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Jeffrey Steele, Kalen & Aslyn, Peter Bradley Adams, Kyshona Armstrong, Jeff Black, Mary Gauthier, Alex Guthrie, Toby Lightman, Charlie Mars, Michael McDermott, Leigh Nash, Abe Partridge, Alice Peacock, Darden Smith, J Barnaby Bright, Meaghan Farrell, Jesse Terry, The Young Fables, and many more. Festival organizers have revealed that they will be announcing an additional 150+ artists to the 2022 lineup over the next few weeks.
“2022 marks the 13th year of producing the 30A Songwriters Festival. It began as a small event and grew quickly into a premier one-of-a kind musical showcase for world-class songwriters. From the start, the Festival has been a benefit for the local nonprofit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County” said Russell Carter, President of Russell Carter Artist Management and Festival Co-Producer. “This year — 2022 — we celebrate a New Morning. In honor of this theme, select musicians will showcase Bob Dylan’s classic album, New Morning, performing all of the songs in the original album sequence.”
Festival Weekend Passes are currently available at 30asongwritersfestival.com
Whiskey Myers Announces Lineup For Inaugural Firewater Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughWhiskey Myers. Photo: Khris Poage
Whiskey Myers has announced the daily lineup for their inaugural Firewater Music Festival running Oct. 1-2 outside of Kansas City.
Friday, Oct. 1 will feature a headlining performance by Whitey Morgan and the 78’s along with sets by Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chris Knight, Tennessee Jet, Jaime Wyatt and Joe Stamm Band, plus a late-night special full band acoustic performance by Whiskey Myers themselves. The hosts will also headline Saturday, Oct. 2 with a full set, along with performances by The Steel Woods, Brent Cobb, Shane Smith & The Saints, Bones Owens and Rob Leines, with a late-night Deep Down in the South Dance Party to close out the weekend.
Located just south of Kansas City, the festival’s 150 acre plot offers tent and RV camping for an all-encompassing weekend. In addition to the live concerts, there will be a variety of on-site activities, such as ziplining, fishing, and canoeing, as well as a weekend-long pool party. Tickets for the inaugural Firewater Music Festival are on sale now.
Parmalee To Deliver New Album ‘For You’
/by Lydia FarthingParmalee. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Platinum-selling band Parmalee has announced they will release a new album, For You, July 30 via Stoney Creek Records/BBR Music Group. In celebration, the band also released two new tracks, “Greatest Hits (Feat. Fitz),” and “Take My Name,” available everywhere now.
For You is latest chapter in the groups’ journey to expand their unique sound of country music. Produced by David Fanning, the album mixes a contemporary sound with classic ingredients and is filled with pop hooks, southern storytelling, and the amplified attitude of rock ‘n roll. Primarily written by lead singer Matt Thomas, the upcoming project draws from personal experiences to speak directly to the heart of fans.
“We feel most authentic and our best as a band when we feel like we’re having a conversation with the audience. That’s what we really narrowed in on for this album and leaned into what makes Parmalee sound like Parmalee—it’s all based on our connection to the fans,” says Thomas. “For You is an album for the fans — the ones who’ve supported us for years, and the new ones we’re getting to know every day.”
The 13-track album includes the Platinum-certified smash of a collaboration with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way,” which topped the charts in the US and Canada and has garnered more than 300 million on-demand streams.
For You Track Listing:
1. For You – Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson
2. Just the Way – Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe
3. Backroad Girl – Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, Blake Bollinger, Brinley Addington
4. Take My Name – Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorely, David Fanning, Ben Johnson
5. I Do – Tyler Hubbard, Matt Thomas, Corey Crowder, David Fanning
6. Miss You – Michael Tyler, Matthew McGinn, David Fanning
7. Greatest Hits (feat. Fitz) – Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe, Andrew Goldstein, Michael Fitzpatrick
8. Better With You – Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorely, David Fanning
9. Forget You (feat. Avery Anna) – Matt Thomas, Shane Minor, David Fanning, Thomas Archer
10. Alone Like That – Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, David Fanning, James McNair
11. I See You – Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson, Steven McMorran
12. I’ll Take The Chevy – Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Zachary Kale, James McNair, Josh Mirenda
13. For You – Matt Thomas, Barry Knox, Josh McSwain, Scott Thomas, David Fanning
Cassadee Pope Reveals Upcoming Album Name & Inspiration
/by Lydia FarthingCassadee Pope. Photo: John Shearer
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope recently announced the title of her upcoming album, Thrive, as she appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Pope also performed her current single from the album, “What The Stars See,” alongside one of the track’s female collaborators, Lindsay Ell. The celestially inspired video was directed by Matthew Paskert and filmed in the planetarium at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville.
Thrive is Pope’s ninth career album that blends pop-punk melodies, from the inception of her career with her band, Hey Monday, with the country storytelling that overflows from her heart. Pope’s powerhouse vocals come alive stronger than ever with direction from producers Nick Wheeler (All-American Rejects) and Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town) – role models who represent the best from eras of Pope’s own musical journey.
“I wanted to name the album Thrive because that word explodes with empowerment and endurance. The title track talks about not just surviving something but thriving from it, and I’m at a point in my life where I can see how the hard times were necessary,” says Pope of the upcoming album. “I also feel so unapologetically me in this new project which makes me thrive in every sense of the word!”
Pope has also released her second single from Thrive, “Say It First,” available everywhere now. The track written by Pope, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan, takes a look at pulling the plug on a relationship and taking the difficult role of “bad guy,” even when you both know it’s come to an end and making the decision to “Say It First.” The full project is slated to be released this fall.
Tony Brown To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award From North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughTony Brown. Photo: Dead Horse Branding
Tony Brown has been selected to be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Brown and co-honoree Roberta Flack will be recognized for their achievements in the music industry and their massive contributions to American music over several decades.
Inductions for the 2020 and 2021 classes will take place on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The annual ceremony which normally takes place the third Thursday of every October was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic, so the NCMHOF will host its first-ever double induction, which will include the 2021 inductees Tony Rice and Robert Moog. The honors will be commemorated in a live event which will take place at the historic Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, NC. The event is open to the public and the evening will include live performances as the inductees are installed into the Hall of Fame.
Grammy award-winning producer and pianist Tony Brown co-founded Universal South Records and is the former President of MCA Records Nashville—a title he held for nearly a decade. He produced numerous hits by George Strait, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, and many more, and has won seven Academy of Country Music awards (including Producer of the Year), multiple CMA awards, and has numerous Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum album credits.
“It’s always such an honor to receive acknowledgement from your peers in the music industry, but it’s completely overwhelming to receive that acknowledgement from the Music Hall of Fame in the place you were born,” says Brown of the honor.
The 2020 inductees, announced last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, will also be celebrated at the Oct. 21 event. They include six nationally known and award-winning legends from North Carolina: The Briarhoppers, Jermaine Dupri, Donald Lawrence, Michael T Mauldin, Charles Whitfield, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Lady A Earns Sixth MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1
/by Alex ParryRising to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is Lady A with “Like A Lady.” This is their sixth MusicRow No. 1, following “Champagne Night” which peaked in Sept. 2020. It appears on their latest collection What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) and was written by the group’s Hillary Scott with Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson and Brandon Paddock.
Scott comments “I feel my most confident when I’m not trying too hard. I love getting glammed up and all the fancy clothes, but when I feel the most ‘me,’ it’s a lot more laid back – and I think that’s a lot of us. You are your most authentic self in blue jeans with a tequila drink, ya know? As we were writing it, I was like ‘It’s always been my dream to do a song that combines the things I love about Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ and Shania Twain’s ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ – two of the most strong, powerful female songs ever. So it was like ‘How can we do our version of that?’”
The group’s Lady A: What A Song Can Do Tour kicks off this month with support from Carly Pearce, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Randall King
/by Robert K OermannI sense that somehow we are in the midst of a big shift of the country landscape, with more new talent being injected into the format than is usual.
With that in mind, note that Kat & Alex, Mitchell Tenpenny, Robyn Ottolini and Morgan Evans continue to make sonic waves. Adding to the energy is the stone-country Randall King, who wins this week’s DisCovery Award.
The supremely gifted Eric Church has won more Disc of the Day awards in this column than any other artist. I’d give him another one today, but for the fact that it seems like he needs to share at this point. So give the prize to the lovely sentiments being expressed by Jordan Davis with Luke Bryan along for the ride.
KAT & ALEX / “You and the Radio”
Writers: Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell/Robyn Collins; Producer: Brad Hill; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— It’s a rockin’ country summer jam. Alex, a Puerto Rican, sings lead. Kat, a Cuban American, provides sprightly vocal harmony. You’ll tap your toes to the snappy beats.
MIDLAND / “Sunrise Tells the Story”
Writers: Jess Carson/Jessi Alexander/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dann Huff/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Label: Big Machine Records
— A steel cries in the distance as the trio moans this slow honky-tonk waltz. The harmonies are solid and the mood is just right.
MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Truth About You”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Matt Alderman/Thomas Archer; Producer: Jordan M. Schmidt/Mitchell Tenpenny; Label: Sony Music Nashville
— It’s a breakup song with a hushed, whispery delivery that catches your ear and makes you pay attention. The screaming electric guitar on the backing track is distracting and unnecessary.
MORGAN EVANS / “Love Is Real”
Writers: Morgan Evans/Jordan Reynolds/Parker Welling; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— This zippy, peppy, ultra-positive country rocker takes a page or two from the Keith Urban playbook. Which is to say, it is sugary ear candy.
ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Tell You Everything”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Jesse Slack; Producer: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— The somewhat tedious “F-150” remains the single, but this new release from her EP suggests that she is holding back some of her best stuff. The bright, aware lyric has lots of verve, and the track boasts tempo shifts, cool echoey touches and a complex, layered mix that are all quite involving.
ERIC CHURCH / “Heart on Fire”
Writers: Eric Church; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Records Nashville
— Oh yeah! A little Bruce, a little Elvis, a little Skynyrd, a little Seger and a whole lotta rump shakin’ goodness. This rollicking rocker is one more example why the Chief stands head and shoulders above just about everyone else in this format. Turn it up and lose yourself in its soulfulness.
RANDALL KING / “Record High”
Writers: Drake Milligan/John Pierce/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Warner Music Nashville
— This dude is a for-real country singer, and this rhythm-happy Texas honky tonker stakes a for-real claim to stardom.
JORDAN DAVIS & LUKE BRYAN / “Buy Dirt”
Writers: Jordan Davis/Jacob Davis/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
— Words of wisdom from a fictional octogenarian set to a shimmering, sterling-silver audio track. Terrific truthful lyric. The two voices blend beautifully. I’m in.
THE CADILLAC THREE / “Bridges”
Writers: Frank Rogers/Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason; Producer: The Cadillac Three; Label: Big Machine Records
— While certainly novel and ear catching, this has nothing to do with country music.
KANE BROWN & BLACKBEAR / “Memory”
Writers: Kane Brown/Matthew Musto/Andrew Goldstein/Joe Kirkland/Ernest Smith; Producer: none listed; Label: RCA
— Although Brown is coming off a No. 1 country hit (”Famous Friends” with Chris Young), this hip hopper is being correctly marketed as a Top-40, pop-music effort. Brown has previously successfully collaborated with Marshmello and with Swae Lee & Khalid, so this effort with Musto a.k.a. blackbear suits him just fine.
BILLY CRASH CRADDOCK / “Paint Your Toes”
Writers: Billy Crash Craddock/David Wade/Mary Beth Stone; Producer: David Wade; Label: ONErpm
— He’s 82 years old now, but this rockabilly veteran still has rhythm in his heart. Very much in the mode of his classic “Rub It In,” this is a very cute little outing.
FIREROSE & BILLY RAY CYRUS / “New Day”
Writers: Billy Ray Cyrus/Firerose; Producer: none listed; Label: Repost
— Firerose is an Aussie-born singer-songwriter now based in L.A. She and Billy Ray co-wrote this on Zoom during the quarantine. It’s a hypnotic, swirling, dreamy confection, underpinned by echoey synths and slow, thumpy beats. I can hear this becoming a big pop hit. After all, he’s done it before.