COJO Music and Warner Music Nashville, in partnership with Trafalgar Releasing, are releasing a film that captures country music artist Cody Johnson‘s real-life journey from the dusty rodeo arenas of rural Texas to some of the biggest musical stages in America. Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story, produced by Johnson and Tacklebox Films, will be shown in limited screenings beginning Aug. 10.

Johnson’s hit song, “Dear Rodeo,” paints the picture of how the rodeo was his first love that got away. While a four minute song can’t tell the whole story, the brand-new cinematic feature-length documentary does. Directed by Shaun Silva, the film goes deeper than an autobiography, sharing more than just Johnson’s story. Rather it acts as a love letter to everyone who has had to abandon a dream in order to find true purpose.

“We find a little piece of ourselves in the Cody Johnson story,” says Kymberli Frueh, Trafalgar Releasing SVP of Content Acquisitions. “Sometimes the roads you originally walk down take a different turn. It reminds us all to be agile and have faith in what may come. An artist with Cody’s musical talent and inspiration make this such a pleasure to share with his fans on the big screen.”

With never-before-seen footage of Johnson’s first times on stage during high school Future Farmers of America talent shows, and videos from his countless bull rides, fans will see what it looked like behind the scenes as he was shifting gears. The film includes guest appearances by Reba McEntire, Navy Seal Chris Kyle’s widow Taya, Houston Ranch’s James Barton, along with Johnson’s wife Brandi, his producer Trent Willmon, his pastor Randy Weaver, and his high school teachers as Johnson opens up about how his years on the rodeo circuit prepared him for his life as an artist.

Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story will be screened in select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 10. Public ticketing for the evocative and celebratory film begins on Wednesday, July 14. For ticketing and the most up-to-date information regarding participating theaters, click here.

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has announced that CMA and ACM-award winning recording artist Jon Pardi will headline Saturday night’s concert. Set for Aug. 7, the show will take place the night before the highly anticipated IndyCar race.

Pardi’s critically-acclaimed album Heartache Medication debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart and his hit song of the same name reached No. 1 on MusicRow‘s Country Breakout Charts in October 2020. The “Ain’t Always The Cowboy” singer is set to take the stage with his high energy show on the festival’s main stage at 8:30 p.m. CST with fireworks immediately following the show.

Pardi joins an already stacked lineup of artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Tyler Farr, Vince Neil, Danielle Bradbery, Justin Moore, Callista Clark, Riley Green, Jamey Johnson, and Tim Dugger with further additions to the lineup expected.

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is slated for Aug. 6-8. It will be staged on a temporary 2.17-mile grand prix circuit throughout Nashville and around the Nissan Stadium campus. The course will also cross the Cumberland River via the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, making the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix the only current event in motorsports to cross over a major body of water. With a variety of three-day packages and single-day tickets now on sale, fans can choose to attend the Saturday show or the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix by clicking here.

Following a devastating fire that destroyed the home of Larry’s Country Diner and Huckabee announcer and Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame member Keith Bilbrey and his wife Emy Joe, the country community is coming together to help. “Coming Home: Rebuilding the Bilbreys,” a special benefit live stream, will air on Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. CST on Country Road TV from TBN’s Huckabee studio.

Hosted by Governor Mike Huckabee and Larry’s Country Diner’s Larry Black, the event will feature country artists from every era, including Lee Greenwood, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Johnny Lee, Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, The Isaacs, Chonda Pierce, Moe Bandy, Gene Watson, Deborah Allen, Larry, Steve & Rudy Gatlin, and John Berry, among others.

All proceeds raised will go to assist Bilbrey and his wife Emy Joe rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their Williamson Country home on June 23. Donations can be made here.

“Keith Bilbrey has countless friends and no enemies. He’s been a friend, colleague, and confidant to the biggest names in entertainment as well as to the folks who swept the floors and opened the doors of the fabled Grand Ole Opry where he served as announcer for 35 years. When the historic home in which he and his beloved Emy Joe lived burned to the ground, the common question among those who love him has been, ‘What can we do to help Keith?'” says Huckabee. “That was the genesis of ‘Coming Home: Rebuilding The Bilbreys’ on July 15 to bring together artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, promoters, and all the support people of the entertainment world of Nashville to extend their encouragement and this financial support as they get back on their feet. The response has been tremendous and we hope that the combined love of Nashville will surround Keith and Emy Joe with encouragement and needed resources.”

Discover Sooner To Host “Priceless Answers From Publishers” Event With Will Overton, Katie Kerkhover

Discover Sooner, the online platform seeking to accelerate attention of publishers to songwriters, will hold a virtual Q&A with A&R Director, Warner Chappell,  Will Overton and Senior Creative Director, A&R, BMG, Katie Kerkhover on Thursday, July 15 at 5 p.m. CST. The free Zoom event, title “Priceless Answers From Publishers,” will be hosted by Nancy Deckant, Founder and CEO of Discover Sooner.

The interactive event seeks to bring a great understanding of how publishers select the songwriters they sign and to provide a live Q&A session. During the event, three artists will be introduced, and their songs played for the professional panelists.

Overton signs new acts and develops established acts on Warner Chappell’s roster, and has been part of the company since 2015. He recently signed chart-topping songwriter, producer, and classically-trained pianist Alexander Palmer with No. 1 hits at country radio, including Jason Aldean’s “Got What I Got” and Dierks Bentley’s 2x Platinum “Somewhere on a Beach.” Kerkhover is responsible for BMG’s Nashville publishing roster including hitmakers Scooter Carusoe, Ben Goldsmith, James Slater, and Wynn Varble, among others, and signing and developing new songwriters and artists.

 

 

Brooke Eden Joins Pride For Youth To Reimagine Songs With Aspiring Songwriters

BBR Music Group recording artist Brooke Eden recently joined Musicians On Call for a virtual songwriting session with two aspiring songwriters at Pride For Youth on Long Island. Together the group created reimagined lyrics for her song “Got No Choice” that address self-love and identity.

Eden talked about the inspiration for her song and her journey towards self-love and finding acceptance of her relationship while pursuing her career in country music. Meanwhile, the youth shared their experiences embracing their identities by pursuing their passions, finding community, and living life with no boundaries.

Eden has volunteered with Musicians On Call in the past, performing at patients’ bedsides in Nashville as part of MOC’s Bedside Performance Program. With over 40 million on-demand streams already, Eden has garnered new critical acclaim with her trilogy of new tracks and music videos that illustrate her own path towards loving honestly.

 

 

Rhyme Partners Reveals Speak Life To End Bullying, The Musical

Speak Life Performing Arts Company (SLPAC) is releasing a new film version of Speak Life The Musical to End Bullying this fall. SLPAC has been a leader in the nation’s conversation on the issue of bullying for over 13 years, and their musical has now been seen by over 370,000 students across America.

Melissa Rowe, songwriter and owner of Nashville’s Rhyme Partners Music Publishing, wrote, co-wrote, and co-produced all of the new music for the show. Speak Life The Musical follows a day in the life of four high school students giving us a glimpse into their public persona and private struggles. Every day in schools across America, kids are abused by their peers. Social media has allowed the abuse to chase them home, and cyberbullying leaves no place to hide.

Rowe admits that her involvement in this project has been distinctly different than anything she has done previously in her career. “The opportunity to make an impact on kids and audiences all over the nation through our words and music was an honor that I didn’t take lightly,” she says of Rhyme Partners’ all encompassing involvement which not only included writing and composing all the music but also overseeing every aspect of the project. “Music comforts us and takes us places we can’t go by any other means. It can save a life,” she concludes.

Founded in 2013, Rhyme Partners catalog includes hundreds of cuts on both independent and record label artists with millions of combined streams across all digital platforms. Their songs have been recognized, nominated for, and won several independent and major music awards. Rhyme Partners catalog has also seen success with national brands and sync placements for television and film.

To celebrate three decades of her career, one of country music’s most powerful and timeless voices Martina McBride has announced she will release an extensive greatest hits project. Her Greatest Hits: The RCA Years Double LP will be available exclusively in vinyl and on-sale on Aug. 20.

The collection of songs spans McBride’s vast catalog of recordings with RCA, including some of her biggest hits like “Independence Day,” “Concrete Angel,” “This One’s For The Girls,” “A Broken Wing,” among many other fan favorites.

“When I signed my record deal with RCA in 1991, vinyl was out and CD’s were in. Even though I’ve always been happy to have my name on any form of recorded music, I’ve always hoped to see my music on vinyl,” says McBride. “I’m SO THRILLED to share this double vinyl album of hits that I recorded during my time with RCA. This is a very special project to me and I’m excited that everyone will be able to add it to their vinyl collection.”

It was also recently announced that McBride’s accomplishments and influence will be honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum with a new exhibit, Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voice. The exhibit encompasses McBride’s journey from performing in her family’s band as a child to becoming an award-winning country music artist with an enduring career. It opens on July 30 and will run through Aug. 7, 2022.

Martina McBride’s Greatest Hits: The RCA Years Track Listing:

Side A:
The Time Has Come
That’s Me
My Baby Loves Me
Independence Day
Where I Used To Have A Heart
Life #9

Side B:
Wild Angels
Safe In The Arms Of Love
Cry On The Shoulder Of The Road
Happy Girl
A Broken Wing
Wrong Again

Side C:
Whatever You Say
I Love You
Love’s The Only House
Concrete Angel
Blessed
When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues

Side D:
Where Would You Be
This One’s For The Girls
How Far
In My Daughter’s Eyes
Anyway
Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong