Alabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond
Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama are celebrating 50 years with their anniversary tour that kicked off with two nights at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this weekend. It was the band’s first arena performance in Nashville in nearly two decades, and was the first full-capacity concerts held at Bridgestone Arena since the start of the pandemic in early March of 2020.
Alabama’s set was lively and homespun, like a comforting welcome back to live music at Bridgestone Arena after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. They got things started with “Pass It Down,” and transitioned into “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.” Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry thrilled the crowd when they went into “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” Iconic country bands and fiddle players flashed up on the screens behind the 10-piece ensemble. The audience roared when the great fiddle player Charlie Daniels’ picture appeared on the screen. “If I said that we were thankful to see you,” Owen said, trailing off, looking into the crowd with awe.
Wasting no time, the band went into their 1983 hit “The Closer You Get” and 1989’s “High Cotton,” with Owen dancing along with the crowd. While the musicianship was top-notch with virtuoso players like Gordon Mote on keys and Megan Mullins on fiddle, the show’s production was simple and served as a great way to remind Nashville of its roots for its first full-capacity arena show back.
Before the band launched into their monster hit “Dixieland Delight,” Gentry said, “Every time I drive downtown, I hear it in one of [those] clubs, so they still like it.” “Thank the Lord,” Owen responded. The electrifying tune had all of Bridgestone Arena on their feet, dancing a jig. Alabama then seamlessly transitioned into “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
Bringing out a string section and a choir, the band played the song that has become somewhat of a theme song for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “Angels Among Us.” Cell phone lighters waved in the air.
“This is an emotional night,” Owen said mid-way through Alabama’s set. “A few years ago we didn’t know if anyone cared about us anymore. Thank you for letting us share 50 years of our lives.”
“The only thing that would make this the perfect night is if our cousin Jeff Cook was here,” Gentry added. They then played a song written about Cook, whose 2017 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease left him unable to tour with the band.
After turning on the romance for “Love In The First Degree” and “Feels So Right,” Alabama welcomed their “long lost cousin” Jake Owen on stage for “Lady Down On Love.” Owen was clad in an Alabama jacket, and stood back in awe of the iconic country band in action.
Randy Owen, Jake Owen. Photo: Rick Diamond
Keeping the energy alive, Alabama invited the crowd to shag to “Dancin’, Shaggin’ On The Boulevard,” and the whole arena sang along to another staple, “Mountain Music,” before the band walked offstage and the lights turned down. A relentless roar from the audience sent Alabama back out to the Bridgestone Arena stage, this time in Nashville Predators jerseys, to encore to “My Home’s In Alabama.” Beautiful photos of the bands sacred home state flashed behind the country music icons. Owen and Gentry took an emotional bow, and ended the heart-warming evening.
Martina McBride. Photo: Rick Diamond
Another country great Martina McBride opened the show with her many hits and stellar voice on including “This One’s For The Girls,” “Wild Angels,” and the appropriate “Independence Day.” Alabama brought McBride back out during their set just to recognize her and tell her they loved her. It was just announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame will highlight McBride’s three-decade career with an exhibit opening at the end of July.
Alabama will continue their 50th Anniversary tour on July 23 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with Tracy Lawrence. Click here to see all the upcoming dates.
Chris Young, Kane Brown Take ‘Famous Friends’ To The Top
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young & Kane Brown
Chris Young and Kane Brown have topped the Mediabase country radio chart this week with their hit, “Famous Friends.” The feat marks Young’s 12th career No. 1, and the sixth for Brown.
Penned by Young, Cary Barlowe, and Corey Crowder on a tour stop in Tampa in 2018, the autobiographical tune name-checks Rutherford County where Young grew up and Brown’s hometown of Hamilton County, along with Music City’s home of Davidson County. The song also took home the trophy for Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards and is already a No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout radio chart, SiriusXM’s The Highway, and spent three weeks at No. 1 on Canadian country radio.
Young took to socials to celebrate the news saying, “Finding out you have the number one song in Country Music is such a crazy feeling. My career started with a No. 37, No. 52, No.37 in that order. If you had asked me if I ever thought I’d be celebrating my 12th number one… just wow… no words.”
With nearly five billion career streams, Young is also gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated 8th studio album, Famous Friends, on Aug. 6. Led by the chart-topping title track with Brown, the 14-song project features several more of Chris’s famous friends, including collaborations with Lauren Alaina and Mitchell Tenpenny, plus background vocals from Sarah Buxton and Hillary Lindsey.
Opry NextStage Names Parker McCollum As Featured Artist For July 2021
/by Lydia FarthingParker McCollum. Photo: Tyler Conrad
Opry NextStage has named MCA Nashville’s Platinum-selling, rising country artist Parker McCollum as the featured artist for July.
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage invests in the discovery and development of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month. Initially launched in 2019, the inaugural class included Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes, and Travis Denning. McCollum joins Hailey Whitters in the 2021 class.
McCollum, the ACM-nominated New Male Artist of the Year, made his Grand Ole Opry debut in February of this year and is set to return on Tuesday, July 20. He released his major label debut, Hollywood Gold, last fall and it quickly became the top-selling debut country EP of 2020 and held his first No. 1 with the Platinum-selling “Pretty Heart.” His current radio single, “To Be Loved By You,” is the newest release off his forthcoming album, Gold Chain Cowboy, out July 30. He was named MusicRow‘s Breakout Artist of the Year at the 2021 CountryBreakout Awards.
“Parker has a way of connecting with fans through a sound that is about as real as it gets,” says Director of Artist Relations & Programming Strategy at Opry Entertainment Group Jordan Pettit. “We look forward to shining a spotlight on his craft as he continues to win over the hearts of our audiences.”
Opportunities for Opry NextStage artists include feature performances on the Grand Ole Opry and Circle’s Opry Live broadcast and livestream; a performance at a special Opry NextStage concert in 2021; content produced by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team that utilizes all Opry Entertainment venues including Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and Ole Red locations nationwide; exclusive content to be distributed via Circle broadcast, streaming, and video-on demand channels; customized marketing and promotion activations utilizing Opry web and social assets; and other opportunities such as outdoor advertising, 650 WSM-AM radio specials, and more.
Drake Milligan Signs With BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, Debut EP Due July 23
/by Lorie HollabaughDrake Milligan. Photo: Jay Blakesberg
Country newcomer Drake Milligan has signed with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, and is set to release his debut self-titled EP on July 23.
Milligan co-wrote every song on the new EP, which was co-produced by Tony Brown and Brandon Hood. In the trouble-drowning, alcohol-soaked track “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin,’” the Texas native layers fiddle and steel, while on the upbeat, rebellious “Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do,” he shows off his fast talking ability. In the ballad, “Don’t Look Down,” he paints a picture of falling in love on a dance floor, while “She” is a simple but emotive depiction of a lovesick boy listing off everything he adores about a girl.
“The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”
Drake Milligan Track List:
1. Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ (Drake Milligan, Brice Long, Brett Beavers)
2. Don’t Look Down (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
3. Kiss Goodbye All Night (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Jenkins)
4. She (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
5. Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do (Drake Milligan, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)
Alabama Brings Live Music Back To Bridgestone Arena, Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Tour
/by LB CantrellAlabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond
Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama are celebrating 50 years with their anniversary tour that kicked off with two nights at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this weekend. It was the band’s first arena performance in Nashville in nearly two decades, and was the first full-capacity concerts held at Bridgestone Arena since the start of the pandemic in early March of 2020.
Alabama’s set was lively and homespun, like a comforting welcome back to live music at Bridgestone Arena after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. They got things started with “Pass It Down,” and transitioned into “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.” Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry thrilled the crowd when they went into “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” Iconic country bands and fiddle players flashed up on the screens behind the 10-piece ensemble. The audience roared when the great fiddle player Charlie Daniels’ picture appeared on the screen. “If I said that we were thankful to see you,” Owen said, trailing off, looking into the crowd with awe.
Wasting no time, the band went into their 1983 hit “The Closer You Get” and 1989’s “High Cotton,” with Owen dancing along with the crowd. While the musicianship was top-notch with virtuoso players like Gordon Mote on keys and Megan Mullins on fiddle, the show’s production was simple and served as a great way to remind Nashville of its roots for its first full-capacity arena show back.
Before the band launched into their monster hit “Dixieland Delight,” Gentry said, “Every time I drive downtown, I hear it in one of [those] clubs, so they still like it.” “Thank the Lord,” Owen responded. The electrifying tune had all of Bridgestone Arena on their feet, dancing a jig. Alabama then seamlessly transitioned into “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
Bringing out a string section and a choir, the band played the song that has become somewhat of a theme song for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “Angels Among Us.” Cell phone lighters waved in the air.
“This is an emotional night,” Owen said mid-way through Alabama’s set. “A few years ago we didn’t know if anyone cared about us anymore. Thank you for letting us share 50 years of our lives.”
“The only thing that would make this the perfect night is if our cousin Jeff Cook was here,” Gentry added. They then played a song written about Cook, whose 2017 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease left him unable to tour with the band.
After turning on the romance for “Love In The First Degree” and “Feels So Right,” Alabama welcomed their “long lost cousin” Jake Owen on stage for “Lady Down On Love.” Owen was clad in an Alabama jacket, and stood back in awe of the iconic country band in action.
Randy Owen, Jake Owen. Photo: Rick Diamond
Keeping the energy alive, Alabama invited the crowd to shag to “Dancin’, Shaggin’ On The Boulevard,” and the whole arena sang along to another staple, “Mountain Music,” before the band walked offstage and the lights turned down. A relentless roar from the audience sent Alabama back out to the Bridgestone Arena stage, this time in Nashville Predators jerseys, to encore to “My Home’s In Alabama.” Beautiful photos of the bands sacred home state flashed behind the country music icons. Owen and Gentry took an emotional bow, and ended the heart-warming evening.
Martina McBride. Photo: Rick Diamond
Another country great Martina McBride opened the show with her many hits and stellar voice on including “This One’s For The Girls,” “Wild Angels,” and the appropriate “Independence Day.” Alabama brought McBride back out during their set just to recognize her and tell her they loved her. It was just announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame will highlight McBride’s three-decade career with an exhibit opening at the end of July.
Alabama will continue their 50th Anniversary tour on July 23 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with Tracy Lawrence. Click here to see all the upcoming dates.
FGL, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris To Play Inaugural Feeding Nashville Benefit
/by Lorie HollabaughFlorida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and wife Hayley along with the Tennessee Titans’ Taylor Lewan and wife Taylin are hosting a live benefit concert in support of their joint non-profit, Feeding Nashville. The concert will take place on Aug. 3 at the brand new FirstBank Amphitheater and will mark the inaugural event of the Thompson’s Station venue.
Together: Feeding Nashville will feature a powerful night of music and positivity featuring Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina, Lily Rose, and more special guests to be revealed.
Founded in April 2020 by the Hubbards and Lewans, Feeding Nashville is focused on providing healthy meals for at-risk students, low-income patients, and the homeless in Nashville, while also supporting a network of local chefs. Since launching, Feeding Nashville has prepared and delivered meals to 70,858 individuals in the region.
Pictured (L-R): Rick McEachern (FirstBank Amphitheater), Nancy McEachern (FirstBank Amphitheater), Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Hayley Hubbard, Ryan Reisdorf (Placemat), Taylin Lewan, Taylor Lewan (Tennessee Titans), Lenai Augustine (FirstBank), Janie Rittenberry (FirstBank), R. Wade Peery (FirstBank), Ali Harnell (Live Nation Women), Holli Mattison (Live Nation), Emily Mayer (Live Nation). Photo: Laura Moll Photo
Last Thursday (July 1), the Hubbards and Lewans held a press conference to share details on the benefit event. FirstBank’s Wade Peery, Jeanie Rittenberry, and Lenai Augustine were also in attendance and surprised the couples with a $5K check to jumpstart their charity efforts.
“There’s such a need in our community, whether there’s a pandemic, or a tornado, even without those things, we need to be feeding people and so we just realized that need within our own backyard. It’s been so cool to watch the community come together,” said Hayley Hubbard of the event. “Gosh, I’m pinching myself that this is actually going to happen because this vision of having a concert together – live together – was just such a dream last year, and so I’m just grateful to be here.”
Together: Feeding Nashville is produced by Live Nation and Executive Producer Ali Harnell, President and Chief Strategy Officer at Live Nation Women. Presented by Barstool Sports’ Bussin’ With The Boys, tickets for the event will go on sale Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. CST, with net ticket proceeds directly supporting Feeding Nashville.
John Marks Launches New Consulting Company
/by Lydia FarthingJohn Marks
John Marks, former Global Director of Country Music at Spotify, has started his own company with a focus on artist consulting, development, and being a liaison to the music industry. Through this new consulting endeavor, Marks will help artists in a variety of areas, including developing individual streaming strategies, A&R, and release strategies.
“I’m excited to begin this next new chapter in my life,” Marks shares with MusicRow. “I have a deep affection for artists and music creators of every kind. I look forward to doing whatever I am able to help everyone I work with to achieve their dreams.”
Marks has spent most of his career in programming and operations in terrestrial radio. He started at SiriusXM in 2010 where he became Head of Country Music Programming. He then joined Spotify in 2015 as one of only two Nashville Spotify employees covering the country market. While at the company, Marks was instrumental in growing the music streaming platform’s Hot Country brand, championing new artists, and establishing Spotify’s footprint in Nashville.
For more information, click here or email info@johnmarks.me.
Brad Paisley Celebrates July 4th With 350,000 In Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley performs on Broadway for the 4th of July in Nashville, TN. Photo: Tim Gerst
Brad Paisley‘s new song, “City Of Music,” rang true Sunday night as the streets of downtown Nashville were packed with a massive crowd of 350,000, all celebrating the return of Music City’s 4th of July celebration. Paisley headlined the annual event, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, and brought in the holiday weekend in spectacular fashion.
He opened the show with his new single, which acts as his love letter to Nashville and a tribute to its dream seekers, and filled his 90-minute set with No. 1’s, fan favorites, and old standards. Special guests during the evening included blues rock guitar master Joe Bonamassa and Kelsea Ballerini who joined Paisley to perform her hit song, “Hole In The Bottle.” CNN’s Fourth In America aired four of Paisley’s songs live before and during its broadcast of the country’s largest fireworks display.
On tap for Paisley during his busy summer include an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry tonight (July 6) along with a slate of shows this weekend and beyond as he continues his 2021 tour running coast-to-coast through October 9.
Additionally, on Aug. 13, Brad Paisley’s Shark Country will air on Discovery Channel during the network’s famed Shark Week. For the special, Paisley and comedian JB Smoove travel to the Bahamas where Dr. Austin Gallagher helps them put Paisley’s musical talents to the test in shark-infested waters as they see how sound can attract or repel sharks.
Laine Hardy Hits The Road On Monster Outbreak Tour
/by Lydia FarthingLaine Hardy. Photo: Dustin Haney
Rising country artist and American Idol winner Laine Hardy is hitting the road with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. Kicking off on July 22, Hardy will plays shows coast to coast, joined on select dates by Chris Bandi, Kylie Frey, Wyatt McCubbin, and Nick Walsh.
“I can’t wait to head out on tour in the fall and play some brand new music for everyone,” says Hardy. “Really excited to be hitting the road with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. It’s going to be a blast!”
To celebrate the news, Hardy also released an acoustic version of his brand-new single, “Memorize You.” The feel-good track was written by Michael Tyler, Eric Arjes, and Steven Dale Jones, and produced by Michael Knox.
Hardy joins previous headlining alumni of the tastemaker concert series, including Lindsay Ell, Bones UK, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore, The Chainsmokers, Mike Shinoda, Cole Swindell, Larkin Poe and many others. Since its inception in 2011, the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour has grown into the largest national touring brand in the club and theater space, showcasing the hottest breakthrough artists on groundbreaking nationwide tours.
Tickets for the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour featuring Laine Hardy are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Laine Hardy Dates
07.22.21 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle & Cork
07.23.21 – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC
09.16.21 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s *%
09.22.21 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere +
09.24.21 – Morgantown, WV – Metropolitan Theatre*#
09.25.21 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s *%
09.30.21 – Kearney, NE – Joe’s Honky Tonk *+
10.01.21 – Denver, CO – Grizzly Rose *+
10.02.21 – Cheyenne, WY – Outlaw Saloon *#
10.03.21 – Billings, MT – Pub Station *#
10.07.21 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall +
10.08.21 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal +
10.21.21 – Cedar Park, TX – The Haute Spot *+
10.28.21 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue *%+
10.29.21 – Medina, OH – Thirsty Cowboys *%+
10.30.21 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation *%+
11.04.21 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre *+
11.05.21 – Sanford, FL – The Barn *+
11.06.21 – Middleburg, FL – Southern Social
11.09.21 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre *+
11.11.21 – Foxborough, MA – Six Strings Grill & Stage *+
11.12.21 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place *+
11.13.21 – Rutland, VT – The Paramount Theatre *+
11.14.21 – Portland, ME – Aura +
11.20.21 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort & Spa
* w/ Chris Bandi
+ w/ Kylie Frey
% w/ Wyatt McCubbin
# w/ Nick Walsh
Danny Gokey Crosses Genre Borders On Upcoming Album, ‘Jesus People’
/by Lorie HollabaughDanny Gokey has announced that is new full-length studio album, Jesus People, will be released on Aug. 20 via Capitol Christian Music Group. Today (July 2), the 3x Grammy nominee dropped the powerful ballad, “He Believes In You,” from the upcoming project, along with an accompanying video.
Jesus People features unique songs and collaborations with the likes of Koryn Hawthorne (“We All Need Jesus”), Christine D’Clario (“Cristo Es Necesario”), and Angie Rose (“Do For Love”), as well as the album’s flagship song, “Stand In Faith,” which became the most-added single in the genre. Throughout the project Gokey’s songs touch on love, gratitude, and truth.
“I believe there is something musically and inspirationally for everyone on this album–it’s full of hope and encouragement that I think we can all use right now,” Gokey shares. “In the writing process and also in choosing the title, I was inspired by the life of Jesus and how His presence has been a staple throughout history. He was a figure that brought the broken, the hurting, and those that had lost their dreams together in a unifying way, and that’s something I inspire to do. Musically, I got to explore some new things and cross some genre borders. I’m excited for listeners to hear the collaborations with the special guests featured on the project, including Gospel, Latin, and even a little rap. It’s something I love doing and hope to do more of in the future.”
Gary Allan Celebrates Album Release, Earns RIAA Heavy Metal
/by LB CantrellGary Allan. Photo: Eric Adkins
To commemorate releasing his much anticipated album, Ruthless, Gary Allan marked his return to the country music spotlight with an exclusive album release concert at the newly opened Fifth + Broadway complex.
Allan celebrated Ruthless—his first album in eight years—and his prior hits with collaborators he’s worked with over the last 25 years. The show was also Allan’s first show in Nashville in eight years, and was packed to the brim.
The show kicked off with an invigorating performance of “A Feelin’ Like That.” Allan took fans back with his foot-stomping heartbreakers “Songs About Rain” and “Best I Ever Had.” He also thrilled the crowd with “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Get Off On The Pain.”
Pictured (L-R): Brice Long, Odie Blackmon, Gary Allan, Jim Lauderdale and Matt Warren. Photo: Eric Adkins
From the new album Allan played the title track, a fast fan-favorite “Temptation,” and his newest single, “Waste Of A Whiskey Drink.” The crowd sang back the words of the songs that had only been released hours prior. A grateful Allan closed his set with Platinum-certified smash “Watching Airplanes,” which thrilled the audience even more.
Collaborators from Allan’s many hits and new songs were in attendance for the balmy open-air show. At the end of the night, Allan was presented with a multitude of RIAA plaques for many of his hits earning Gold and Platinum status.
Photo: Eric Adkins