Miranda Lambert Announces String Of New Tour Dates

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Miranda Lambert. Photo: Ben Tsui

Miranda Lambert has announced a string of summer headlining dates that will kick off July 17 in Ohio and run through Nov. 14 where she’ll wrap in Ridgefield, Washington.

Dates on tap include three nights at the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels, Texas and two nights at the Choctaw Grand Theater in Durant, Oklahoma. She’ll also be making stops at a festivals along the way, including Rock the South, A Night in the Country, Country Spirit, and Tortuga.

Lambert recently released “Tequila Does (Telemitry Remix),” a summery take on the track and her first-ever remix. Her latest single “Settling Down” is in the Top 5 at country radio, while “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Lambert’s collab with Elle King, recently hit No. 20 on the Billboard Hot AC chart, marking Lambert’s first Top 20 Hot AC entry.

Miranda Lambert Tour Dates:
Saturday, July 17, 2021: Valley View Campground — Belmont, OH
Friday, July 23, 2021: Porter County Fair — Valparaiso, IN
Saturday, July 24, 2021: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort — Mount Pleasant, MI
Saturday, July 31, 2021: Guthrie’s River Ruckus — Guthrie Center, IA
Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021: Daily’s Place Amphitheater — Jacksonville, FL
Friday, Aug. 6, 2021: Ameris Bank Amphitheatre — Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021: River Park Amphitheater — Wilmington, NC
Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021: Choctaw Grand Theater — Durant, OK
Friday, Aug. 13, 2021: Choctaw Grand Theater — Durant, OK
Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021: Rock The South — Cullman, AL
Friday, Aug. 20, 2021: Whitewater Amphitheater — New Braunfels, TX
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021: Whitewater Amphitheater — New Braunfels, TX
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2021: Whitewater Amphitheater — New Braunfels, TX
Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021: Minnesota State Fair — Saint Paul, MN
Friday, Aug. 27, 2021: A Night in the Country East — Mill Spring, NC
Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021: Country Spirit Music Festival — Glenmoore, PA
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021: Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys — South Lake Tahoe, NV
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021: Laughlin Events Center — Laughlin, NV
Friday, Nov. 12, 2021: Tortuga Music Festival — Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021: ilani Casino Resort – Cowlitz Ballroom — Ridgefield, WA

The Secret Sisters To Deliver Four-Track ‘Quicksand EP’

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The Secret Sisters. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

The Secret Sisters will release their new Quicksand EP on Friday, July 16 via New West Records.

The four-song set was produced by Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, John Paul White) at Sundrop Sound in Florence, Alabama. The project features two new original songs by Laura and Lydia Rogers as well as their renditions of Fiona Apple’s “Heavy Balloon,” and The Strokes’ “Someday.”

The Quicksand EP follows The Secret Sisters’ Grammy-nominated albums Saturn Return (2019) and You Don’t Own Me Anymore (2017) which were both produced by Brandi Carlile and Phil and Tim Hanseroth.

The duo have also announced a string of 2021 North American tour dates. Launching August 25 in Alexandria, Virginia, the trek features stops at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Colorado, the Casbah in San Diego, two nights at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, and more. For a full list of their upcoming dates, click here.

Quicksand EP Tracklist:
1. Heavy Balloon (Fiona Apple)
2. Quicksand
3. Someday (The Strokes)
4. Endless Running Out of Time

Full Lineup Announced For 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

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The full lineup for the 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-5) has been announced.

Among the performers featured at the Country On The Coast Festival will be Gary Allan, Chris Janson, Scotty McCreery, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Rogers Band, Tyler Rich, Frankie Ballard, Darryl Worley, Steve Moakler, Lily Rose,Corey Smith, Elvie Shane, Ryan Griffin, Tigirlily, Tom Yankton, and Presley & Taylor. They will be joining the previously announced headliners Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn and Old Dominion.

“We really try to have something for everyone, and we’ve already had incredible response to this lineup,” says Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “Artists are back on the road, and we will have the best of the best here for three days!”

“Having over 23,000 people per day come to our rescheduled Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam last month blew our minds and showed that fans want to get out and hear live music,” says Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon. “This is an incredible lineup from start to finish, and we can’t wait to welcome our Jammers to everything Panama City Beach has to offer.”

All passes for the three-day festival are available for purchase now.

Jimmie Allen Releases New Children’s Book, ‘My Voice Is A Trumpet’

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Jimmie Allen. Photo: Shea Flynn

Jimmie Allen has added author to his growing list of achievements with his new children’s book, My Voice Is A Trumpet, available everywhere now.

Penned with veteran illustrator Cathy Ann Johnson, the new book celebrates the many types of voices that can affect change, and encourages kids to use their voice in positive ways. The book offers children confidence in the power of their voice from a young age and the knowledge that all voices are valuable.

“It’s very important to me that kids learn at a young age that they have a voice, and that it is powerful. It is up to us as adults to teach them to use their voice to encourage and show love,” shares Allen. “Being a father of two kids, I try to encourage them to be themselves and love everyone around them. I’m hoping this book inspires at least one child and they always remember their voice is a trumpet.”

Allen’s latest album, Bettie James Gold Edition, was released June 25 and doubles down on his expansive love for music across genres with nine brand new star-studded collaborations. It is a follow up to the success of its predecessor, Bettie James – named in honor of his late grandmother and late father – which was released July 2020 and has amassed 160+ million streams along with critical acclaim from the likes of NPR, Billboard, and Rolling Stone.

Jason Isbell Announces Eight-Night Ryman Residency In October

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Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit have announced their fifth residency at the Ryman Auditorium running through eight nights in the month of October.

This newest residency, the group’s seventh appearance at the mother church of country music, will mark the longest run the group has had at the Ryman to date. The shows will take place on October 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, and 24. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 16 at 10 a.m. CT at ryman.com.

The eight-night residency’s first show will open with Amanda Shires, member of the 400 Unit and Highwomen, and Isbell’s wife. The remaining dates highlight a Black female opening lineup featuring Brittney Spencer, Mickey Guyton, Amythyst Kiah, Shemekia Copeland, Allison Russell, Joy Oladokun and Adia Victoria, respectively. With a history of selling out 20+ consecutive nights at the Ryman, Isbell’s return and full slate of 2021 tour dates marks his first time touring in support of his latest album, Reunions, released in May 2020.

Toby Keith Announces First Album In Five Years, ‘Peso In My Pocket’

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Toby Keith is releasing his first album of all-new material in more than five years on Oct. 15 with Peso In My Pocket via Show Dog Nashville.

Co-produced by Kenny Greenberg and Keith, the project features Keith’s highest Billboard Country Airplay chart debut of his career,”Old School,” which is the album’s leadoff track. Songwriters contributing to the project include The Warren Brothers, Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris, Jesse Jo Dillon, Brett Tyler, Sammy Hagar, and more.

Keb Mo joined Keith in the studio on a cover of his “Old Me Better,” as did Oklahoma artist Mike Hosty, whose “Oklahoma Breakdown” kicks off the album. Keith also offers a tribute to the late John Prine on the Prine and John Mellencamp co-write “Take A Look At My Heart.” And Keith has several solo writes on the album as well, led by the title track. He found inspiration for much of the project while in Mexico where he hunkered down during the pandemic for the first several months of the crisis.

“It was like being on the moon,” Keith says. “A lot of my friends down there were afraid they wouldn’t be let back in the U.S., so they all went home. I wasn’t on the road and nobody could go anywhere, so I thought, ‘You’ve written a long list of songs by yourself, dumbass. Get up and get busy!’ I went through the ideas I keep on my phone and thought, ‘Shit, I need to write these.'”

Keith will be plenty busy in the next few months: he recently resumed touring on his Country Comes To Town Tour, and will receive the Academy of Country Music’s prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award in August for “following his own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit.” He received the National Medal of Arts earlier this year, and is being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this November.
Peso In My Pocket Track List:
1. Oklahoma Breakdown (Michael Hosty)
2. Peso In My Pocket (Toby Keith)
3. Old School (Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris, Brett Tyler)
4. Old Me Better (Kevin R. Moore, John Lewis Parker)
5. Days I Shoulda Died (Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Jessie Jo Dillon)
6. Growing Up Is A Bitch (Toby Keith, Sammy Hagar)
7. She’s Drinkin’ Again (Toby Keith)
8. Thunderbird (Toby Keith)
9. Take A Look At My Heart (John Mellencamp, John Prine)
10. Happy Birthday America (Toby Keith)

MusicRow Awards Voting Begins Today, July 14

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Voting for the 33rd annual MusicRow Awards begins today, Wednesday, July 14 and runs through Friday, July 23 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

This year’s honors will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Presenting Sponsor of the 2021 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

To receive a ballot to vote in the MusicRow Awards, become a MusicRow subscribed member here.

The nominees for the MusicRow Awards were revealed yesterday. Click here to view the full list.

Nominees for the MusicRow Awards are determined by committee, with outside nominations being considered for Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer. Male and Female Songwriter nominees are based on data from MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. Eligible projects were active between June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thursday, Aug. 19, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period.

Billy Strings Inks Global Publishing Deal With River House Artists/Sony Music Publishing

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Billy Strings. Photo: Jesse Faatz

Billy Strings has signed a worldwide publishing administration deal with River House Artists in partnership with Sony Music Publishing. The deal covers Strings’ current music catalog and future efforts.

Strings released his debut LP, Turmoil & Tinfoil, in 2017. Since that time, he’s been awarded Guitar Player of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards and has appeared on PBS’ Austin City Limits, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and PBS’ Bluegrass Underground. Often playing over 200 shows per year, Strings keeps the improvisational tradition of bluegrass alive while incorporating elements of several other genres.

The young entertainer received critical acclaim for his 2019 record Home, and received a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards. He also topped Billboard’s 2020 year-end charts for Top Bluegrass Artists and Top Bluegrass Albums, and recently released “The Great Divide” featuring Luke Combs, as well as his new cover of Bill Monroe’s “Midnight on the Stormy Deep” with Del McCoury.

“Watching what Billy and his incredible team have built already has been such fun…there are no limits for what he is doing as a songwriter, recording artist and performer,” says Lynn Oliver-Cline, Founder/CEO of River House Artists. “It’s a special time for them and we are happy to be his partner and to support his very big creative vision.”

Jeff Pardo Extends Publishing Deal With Capitol CMG

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Jeff Pardo

Songwriter and producer Jeff Pardo has extended his decade-long publishing deal with Capitol Christian Music Publishing.

A native of Chicago and graduate of Belmont University, Pardo has been a part of the Nashville music community since 2000 as a touring musician, producer, and songwriter. As a writer he has received a Grammy nomination as co-writer of “When Mercy Found Me” by Rhett Walker Band. He currently has five songs on the Christian radio charts, including Anne Wilson’s “My Jesus,” which he co-wrote with the rising singer-songwriter.

Pardo has had cuts with top artists across multiple genres including Lady A, Mandisa, Zach Williams, Francesca Battistelli, Ben Rector, Micah Tyler, Danny Gokey, Tauren Wells, Matthew West, Austin French, CAIN, Jasmine Murray, Jesus Culture, Ryan Stevenson, Andrew Ripp, Josh Wilson, Unspoken, Rhett Walker, Chris McClarney, Travis Cottrell, Brandon Heath, I AM THEY, and many more. Pardo has also achieved success in the film and TV space with placements on networks such as ABC, NBC, MTV, E!, Fox, in the movie trailer for On The Basis Of Sex with “Can’t Knock Me Down,” and a recent advertisement with Toyota.

“We’re so grateful to continue this partnership with Jeff Pardo,” says Karrie Dawley, VP and Creative Director of Capitol CMG Publishing. “He’s been an integral part of our writing roster for almost a decade, and we’re confident the best is yet to come!”

“This year marks a decade for me at Capitol CMG, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Pardo shares. “I’m beyond grateful to Brad, Karrie, Casey, and the entire publishing team for their continued belief in me. We’ve had some wonderful wins together, and I’m excited for what’s next!”

Date Revealed For 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards

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The Gospel Music Association has announced that the 52nd Annual Dove Awards will be broadcast worldwide on Friday, Oct. 22 through TBN. The live taping of the show will be help on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.

The nominees for this year’s Dove Awards will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Last year, the Dove Awards included pre-taped performances and interviews due to COVID-19 restrictions. For King & Country earned their first Artist of the Year win at the 51st show while Tasha Cobbs Leonard took Gospel Artist of the Year. The Dove Award for New Artist of the Year went to We The Kingdom and Kanye West picked up his first Dove Award win for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year with “Follow God” from his album Jesus Is King.