Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real are launching an extensive headline tour this fall beginning Sept. 3 that includes newly confirmed shows at Chicago’s The Vic Theatre, Boston’s Royale, Brooklyn’s Brooklyn Steel, Atlanta’s Roxy, Seattle’s The Showbox, two nights at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among several others.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. local time at lukasnelson.com. Ahead of the fall run, the band will also perform special shows in Nashville at the Basement East on June 23 and in Austin at Antone’s on June 26.
“I’m from what one might say is the ultimate road family—I’ve been on the road my entire life,” shares Nelson. “I’ve never been anywhere longer than three months, and suddenly here we are, the four of us together. And thank god we were together. I can’t remember the last time we had that much time together as a family. We had a lot of really important bonding that happened during that time. And I have to say, as terrible as the pandemic has been in so many ways, for my inner peace, I was able to take a lot of good from this time. I was able to pause and reflect.”
He continues, “It took me a really long time to come back to the home in my heart. In a physical sense, that’s Texas and Hawaii. But in a spiritual sense as well—I think I finally decided not to run from who I am and who I am destined to be. First and foremost, that’s a songwriter. That’s what this record means to me. There’s a story being told through the whole record. A story about connection and coming home.”
The new tour supports the band’s new album, A Few Stars Apart, out now on Fantasy Records. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album was inspired by the stillness Nelson found while riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his family in Texas, and was recorded with the full band live on eight-track tape over three weeks at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Tour Dates:
Sept. 3—Pioneertown, CA—Pappy & Harriet’s
Sept. 4—Solana Beach, CA—Belly Up
Sept. 5—Solana Beach, CA—Belly Up
Sept. 7—Pomona, CA—Glass House
Sept. 9—Ventura, CA—Ventura Theatre
Sept. 10—Santa Cruz, CA—The Catalyst
Sept. 11—Mill Valley, CA—Sound Summit Festival at Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Sept. 14—Salt Lake City, UT—Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
Sept. 15—Steamboat Springs, CO—Strings Music Pavilion
Sept. 17—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sept. 18—Telluride, CO—Telluride Brews & Blues Festival
Sept. 19—Telluride, CO—Telluride Brews & Blues Festival
Sept. 21—Kansas City, MO—Uptown Theater
Sept. 22—Des Moines, IA—Hoyt Sherman Place
Sept. 28—Madison, WI—The Sylvee
Sept. 29—Minneapolis, MN—First Avenue
Sept. 30—Chicago, IL—The Vic Theatre
Oct. 2—Covington, KY—Madison Theatre
Oct. 3—Louisville, KY—Mercury Ballroom
Oct. 4—Indianapolis, IN—Deluxe at Old National Centre
Oct. 7—Cleveland, OH—House of Blues
Oct. 8—Grand Rapids, MI—The Intersection
Oct. 9—Rockbridge, OH—Hocking Hills Music Festival
Oct. 11—McKees Rocks, PA—Roxian Live
Oct. 12—Detroit, MI—St. Andrews Hall
Oct. 13—Buffalo, NY—Asbury Hall
Oct. 15—Boston, MA—Royale
Oct. 16—Providence, RI—Fete
Oct. 17—Philadelphia, PA—Union Transfer
Oct. 18—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Steel
Oct. 20—Northampton, MA—The Academy of Music
Oct. 22—Port Chester, NY—Capitol Theatre
Oct. 23—Washington DC—Lincoln Theatre
Oct. 24—Richmond, VA—The National
Oct. 26—Raleigh, NC—Lincoln Theatre
Oct. 28—Asheville, NC—The Orange Peel
Oct. 29—Knoxville, TN—The Mill & Mine
Oct. 30—Atlanta, GA—Roxy
Nov. 2—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium
Nov. 4—Tulsa, OK—Cain’s Ballroom
Nov. 5—Wichita, KS—The Cotillion
Nov. 6—Dallas, TX—House of Blues
Nov. 8—Houston, TX—House of Blues
Nov. 9—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater
Nov. 11—Tucson, AZ—Rialto Theatre
Nov. 12—Phoenix, AZ—The Van Buren
Nov. 13—Santa Ana, CA—The Observatory
Nov. 15—Los Angeles, CA—El Rey Theatre
Nov. 16—Los Angeles, CA—El Rey Theatre
Nov. 21—Seattle, WA—The Showbox
Nov. 22—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom
Veteran Reporter Jim Bessman Passes
/by Robert K OermannNoted music journalist Jim Bessman died Tuesday, June 22, at age 68 following years of declining health.
His death in New York was due to an aneurysm, according to publicist Bob Merlis, a longtime friend. In recent years, Bessman had battled cancer, heart failure, COVID-19 and other ailments.
Jim Bessman is best known as a reporter for Billboard magazine. He freelanced for that publication for more than 25 years. He was also a former contributor to MusicRow. His monthly MusicRow column was titled “Gotham Gossip” and chronicled Nashville artists’ activities in Manhattan.
He was born in Milwaukee and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Bessman dropped out of school to write for alternative rock periodicals, then became a stringer for Variety. He moved to New York to work for Cashbox magazine.
By the mid-’80s, he was writing for Billboard, publishing concert reviews, artist profiles, retail stories and a regular column about songwriters and publishers. This is also when he began making regular visits to Music City.
He became particularly fond of Grand Ole Opry artists, including Alison Krauss and Bill Anderson. His Nashville experiences always included a backstage Opry visit, where he was invariably welcomed by all of the acts.
Bessman also loved the annual Fan Fair festival, now known as the CMA Music Fest, and seldom missed one. His country-music friends were numerous and included Kris Kristofferson, Jo-El Sonnier, Steve Popovich and Carlene Carter.
In New York, Bessman was particularly close to Lisa Loeb, Ashford & Simpson, Tony Bennett, Sandra Bernhardt and The Ramones. He was a champion of genres such as polka, zydeco, Cajun, blues, opera and rockabilly. He embraced independent artists.
He made an annual pilgrimage to Los Angeles, and on those occasions Merlis threw large celebrity “Bessman Bash” parties in his honor. As was the case in New York and Nashville, he knew hundreds of stars there.
Bessman was a fixture at the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies. He was heavily involved in New York’s annual Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, handling the archival backstage honoree interviews, writing the official bios and assisting with press releases.
He was the author of two books, The Ramones—An American Band and John Mellencamp —The Concert at Walter Reed. He was also the writer of more than 80 album liner-note essays. His works appeared in dozens of music publications, including Spin and Country Rhythms. His online blogs were titled CenterlineNews.com and JimBessman.com.
Despite his vast contacts and many accomplishments, Bessman was very self effacing and always humble. Merlis eulogized his late friend by saying, “To say he will be missed is an understatement of the highest magnitude….We celebrate him now and let every day be a reminder that the Bessman Bash continues in our hearts. He knew he was loved, even though he couldn’t admit it.”
Jim Bessman is survived by a brother and a sister. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Granger Smith To Launch Online Radio Station, Yee Yee Radio
/by Lorie HollabaughGranger Smith. Photo: Brian Kimble
Granger Smith is expanding his Yee Yee brand with the addition of Yee Yee Radio, a new online radio station with his brothers, Tyler and Parker. The new station will launch Friday, July 2 in partnership with Anthony Lay, better known as Antman, who programmed several country stations for iHeartRadio over the past 23 years including: KTST in Oklahoma City, WSIX in Nashville, and KNIX in Phoenix.
The online radio station and mobile app was formed with the belief that music can unite us all. Fans on Yee Yee Radio will be the first to know Granger’s upcoming tour dates and get exclusive access to everything Yee Yee. According to the press release, the station aims to include a mix of music specifically dedicated to the “hard-working man who values God, country, family, the outdoors and living life to the fullest,” as well as the Platinum-selling artist’s full song catalog.
The addition of Yee Yee Radio adds to Granger’s growing portfolio in the Yee Yee Brand. Granger also owns his outdoor lifestyle brand Yee Yee Apparel with his brothers, and keeps busy with his alter-ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., his family YouTube show The Smiths, the Granger Smith Podcast, his book If You’re City, If You’re Country, the hero-honoring documentary They Were There: A Hero’s Documentary, and the River Kelly Fund. Additionally, his current single “Hate You Like I Love You” from his album, Country Things, is currently climbing the country charts and has racked up nearly 20 million on-demand streams.
“Over the last several years we’ve seen the Yee Yee brand grow and grow,” says Granger. “We’ve seen a community of Yee Yee Nation united by faith, family, and the outdoors celebrate everything for which it stands. For every commute to work, bonfire, tailgate, pre-party, camping trip, hunting lodge, fishing cabin, long day in the cab of a tractor or pickup truck, Yee Yee Radio is now the sound of that community.”
“We are always thinking of ways to grow the brand and continuously push ourselves daily to engage more and more people and deliver the quality they deserve and expect from the Yee Yee brand,” explains Tyler, Granger’s manager and brother. “Yee Yee Radio has been a project that has been in our back pocket for a little while, and when Antman brought us the idea that he would help run it, we knew the time was now. We think Yee Yee Nation, and the new legion of listeners of Yee Yee Radio will agree, whether driving down a backroad or sitting in the office wishing you were driving a backroad, Yee Yee Radio is your station!”
“I couldn’t be more honored to partner up with Granger and the Yee Yee brand to launch this radio station,” says Antman. “It’s been a breath of fresh air programming and putting this together, and we believe it will be for the listener too. For those that call the Yee Yee Nation home, Yee Yee Radio is the soundtrack for our way of life!”
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum To Open New Martina McBride Exhibit
/by Lorie HollabaughMartina McBride‘s three-decade career will be highlighted in a new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit, Martina McBride: The Power of Her Voice, opening July 30 through Aug. 7, 2022.
The exhibit encompasses the singer’s journey from her formative years performing in her family’s band as a child to becoming an award-winning country artist with an enduring career. Known for hits including “Independence Day” and “A Broken Wing,” the Kansas native released her major label debut in 1992 and had her first top ten on the Billboard country chart in 1993 with “My Baby Loves Me.” Inspired by forerunners such as Linda Ronstadt, Reba McEntire, and Connie Smith, McBride helped further modernize the image of female artists in country music, choosing material that often highlighted women’s strengths.
McBride’s second album, The Way That I Am crossed the million-seller plateau in May 1995 and began a streak of Platinum albums stretching into the 2000’s. She won four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards, three consecutively (1999, 2002-2004), and three consecutive ACM Top Female Vocalist honors from 2001–2003, and in November of 1995, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. After years of crossover pop success, McBride returned to her roots in traditional country with her 2005 album, Timeless, and albums that followed from 2007 to 2016 reached the Top Five on the country album chart. In 2015, she became a lead voice in combatting the dwindling airplay given to female country artists, and the Academy of Country Music presented her with the Cliffie Stone Icon Award in 2019 for her contributions to country music.
In support of the exhibit’s opening, McBride will participate in a conversation and performance in the museum’s CMA Theater on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. where she will discuss her career and share personal stories and memories associated with the artifacts included in the exhibit. Tickets will be available at the Hall of Fame’s website on Friday, July 2.
“Martina McBride has been creating powerful, socially conscious country music for more than 25 years,” says museum CEO Kyle Young. “Her anthems of personal empowerment have addressed the challenges women face and contributed a much-needed perspective to the genre. The empathy at the core of her music informs her life offstage, where she advocates for female artists.”
“Postponing the exhibit opening last year due to the pandemic was a difficult decision but the right one,” shares McBride. “It did, however, allow us more time to plan and dig through my archive to find several truly special artifacts. I’m excited to finally be able to let everyone see what we’ve created. Having an exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is something I’ve had on my dream list for a long, long time. Being able to share moments and mementos from my life and career with my fans and country music fans from all over the world is both humbling and exciting. I’m so grateful to be a part of country music.”
Luke Bryan Lets Viewers Read His ‘Dirt Road Diary’ In Upcoming Docuseries
/by Lorie HollabaughA new five-part docuseries takes a deep dive into country superstar Luke Bryan‘s life and career in the IMDb TV original Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary. The series follows Bryan as he experiences the ups, downs, triumphs, and tragedies of his successful career. A trailer is out now that previews the new series, which will premier Friday, Aug. 6, exclusively on IMDb TV, Amazon’s premium free streaming service.
Through original home videos, interviews, and incredibly personal footage, viewers will get a backstage pass experience into the life of the superstar. “This series underscores Luke Bryan’s unique and inspiring ability to handle every personal tragedy with grace and every professional success with humility, inspiring audiences to do the same,” says Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at IMDb TV. “We are honored that IMDb TV is the home for this moving, never-before-seen look at Bryan’s world
“The devotion and support of my fans are the reason I have made it this far in my career,” says Bryan. “Life can be tough, and the past 15 months have been very difficult for everyone. I hope in sharing this raw look into my life that it may be an encouragement to others. Through the heartaches, triumphs can come.”
Hannah Dasher Cooks Up ‘The Half Record,’ Out July 9
/by Lydia FarthingHannah Dasher has announced that her upcoming project, The Half Record, will be released July 9 via Sony Music Nashville.
Raised in Savannah, Georgia, Dasher spent hours reading album covers front-to-back as a child, all while taking cues from a diverse lineup of influences like Alan Jackson, Hank Jr., Tom Petty, Eric Church, and Aretha Franklin. After high school, she moved into a small attic apartment just off Music Row in Nashville. Soon after, she landed her first publishing deal, with her first cut being Brad Paisley’s “Go To Bed Early.” Opening for acts including her hero Bocephus, The Cadillac Three, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dasher has begun to release her own music while delivering bold lyrics and a unique personality.
The new 5-song collection includes the seductive first track “Leave This Bar,” then demands commitment and a diamond in “Left Right,” Dasher’s most recent release. The rowdy “You’re Gonna Love Me” shows fans how she got the nickname “Hannah Damn Dasher.” On “Shoes,” she opens her arms to a second chance at love and forgiveness and on “Girls Call The Shots,” she proves that women make the rules in every relationship.
Dasher was named a 2021 Fender Next Artist and a 2021 CMT Next Women of Country artist. Outside of the music world, she is also known for her TikTok “Stand By Your Pan” cooking show that has earned her more than 1.2 million followers and over 13 million likes.
The Half Record Track List:
1. Leave This Bar – Hannah Dasher / Brandon Hood / Tim Nichols
2. Left Right – Hannah Dasher / Wynn Varble / Brandon Hood
3. You’re Gonna Love Me – Andy Albert / Thomas Archer / Hannah Dasher / Gordie Sampson
4. Shoes – Hannah Dasher / Trannie Anderson / Jake Rose
5. Girls Call The Shots – Brad Warren / Brett Warren, David Frasier / Lance Miller
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real Confirms Fall Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughLukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real are launching an extensive headline tour this fall beginning Sept. 3 that includes newly confirmed shows at Chicago’s The Vic Theatre, Boston’s Royale, Brooklyn’s Brooklyn Steel, Atlanta’s Roxy, Seattle’s The Showbox, two nights at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre, and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, among several others.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. local time at lukasnelson.com. Ahead of the fall run, the band will also perform special shows in Nashville at the Basement East on June 23 and in Austin at Antone’s on June 26.
“I’m from what one might say is the ultimate road family—I’ve been on the road my entire life,” shares Nelson. “I’ve never been anywhere longer than three months, and suddenly here we are, the four of us together. And thank god we were together. I can’t remember the last time we had that much time together as a family. We had a lot of really important bonding that happened during that time. And I have to say, as terrible as the pandemic has been in so many ways, for my inner peace, I was able to take a lot of good from this time. I was able to pause and reflect.”
He continues, “It took me a really long time to come back to the home in my heart. In a physical sense, that’s Texas and Hawaii. But in a spiritual sense as well—I think I finally decided not to run from who I am and who I am destined to be. First and foremost, that’s a songwriter. That’s what this record means to me. There’s a story being told through the whole record. A story about connection and coming home.”
The new tour supports the band’s new album, A Few Stars Apart, out now on Fantasy Records. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album was inspired by the stillness Nelson found while riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his family in Texas, and was recorded with the full band live on eight-track tape over three weeks at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A.
Blackberry Smoke Announces You Hear Georgia Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughBlackberry Smoke. Photo: Joe Lopez
Blackberry Smoke is set to kick off its North American You Hear Georgia Tour beginning Aug. 31.
The headline tour launches at Columbus, Ohio’s Athenaeum Theater and runs through next spring with stops in Dubuque, Iowa, Roanoke, Virginia, Oklahoma City, Toronto, and more through April 2022. Pre-sale for the new shows begins today, June 23 with general on sale following on Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. local time.
You Hear Georgia, the group’s most recent project, marks Blackberry Smoke’s 20th anniversary as a band. The Thirty Tigers album debuted as the best-selling country and rock album last month with 13,000 equivalent units sold. After its release on May 28, You Hear Georgia quickly went No. 1 on Billboard’s Americana Folk Albums chart, No. 4 on the all-genre Top Albums Sales chart, No. 5 on the Top Country Albums chart, and No. 7 on the Top Rock Albums chart.
“We can’t wait to come out and play our new songs from You Hear Georgia live!” says the band’s lead singer Charlie Starr. “We are long overdue to get out to these great places and see some friends, family, brothers and sisters that we have really missed. It’s going to be extra special playing these big rock ‘n’ roll shows again!”
Blackberry Smoke Tour Dates:
Aug. 31—Columbus, OH—The Athenaeum Theater#
Sept. 2—Milwaukee, WI—Summerfest 2021#
Sept. 3—Shakopee, MN—Canterbury Park Summer Concert Series#
Sept. 4—Aurora, IL—The Piazza#
Sept. 5—Dubuque, IA—Five Flags Center#
Sept. 9—Roanoke, VA—Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges#
Sept. 10—Selbyville, DE—The Freeman Stage at Bayside#
Sept. 11—Bristol, TN—Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion#
Sept. 17—Pryor, OK—Born & Raised Music Festival#
Sept. 23—Indianapolis, IN—Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park†
Sept. 24—Sterling Heights, MI—Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill†
Sept. 25—Cleveland, OH—Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica†
Sept. 30—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion+
Oct. 1—East Providence, RI—Bold Point Park+
Oct. 8—New Orleans, LA—Jazz Fest NOLA
Oct. 9—New Orleans, LA—Jazz Fest NOLA
Oct. 16—Richmond Hill, GA—Greater Ogeechee Seafood Festival#
Oct. 28—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
Dec. 4—Lake Wales, FL—Orange Blossom Revue Festival#
Feb. 3, 2022—Barcelona, Spain—Razzmatazz%
Feb. 4, 2022—Madrid, Spain—Sala Riviera%
Feb. 6, 2022—Zurich, Switzerland—Kaufleuten Festsaal%
Feb. 7, 2022—Milan, Italy—Alcatraz%
Feb. 8, 2022—Munich, Germany—Backstage Werk%
Feb. 10, 2022—Cologne, Germany—Carlswerk Victoria%
Feb. 11, 2022—Stuttgart, Germany—LKA Longhorn%
Feb. 12, 2022—Vienna, Austria—Flex%
Feb. 14, 2022—Wiesbaden, Germany—Schlachthof%
Feb. 16, 2022—Berlin, Germany—Huxleys%
Feb. 18, 2022—Stockholm, Sweden—Munchenbryggeriet%
Feb. 19, 2022—Oslo, Norway—Rockefeller%
Feb. 20, 2022—Copenhagen, Denmark—Amager Bio%
Feb. 22, 2022—Utrecht, Netherlands—Tivoli Vredenburg – Ronda%
Feb. 23, 2022—Leuven, Belgium—Het Depot%
Feb. 25, 2022—Paris, France—Bataclan%
Feb. 27, 2022—Birmingham, UK—O2 Academy%
Feb. 28, 2022—Glasgow, UK—O2 Academy%
March 2, 2022—Belfast, Northern Ireland—The Telegraph Building%
March 3, 2022—Dublin, Ireland—Olympia Theatre%
March 4, 2022—Manchester, UK—Academy%
March 6, 2022—London, UK—Roundhouse%
March 18, 2022—Oklahoma City, OK—The Criterion#
March 30, 2022—Vancouver, BC—The Commodore Ballroom#
April 1, 2022—Edmonton, AB—Midway#
April 2, 2022—Calgary, AB—The Palace Theatre#
April 4, 2022—Winnipeg, MB—Burton Cummings Theatre#
April 7, 2022—Toronto, ON—Danforth Music Hall#
April 8, 2022—London, ON—London Music Hall#
April 9, 2022—Ottawa, ON—Bronson Centre#
April 10, 2022—Kitchener, ON—Elements#
^with special guest Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves
*“Spirit of The South Tour” with special guests Allman Betts Band and The Wild Feathers
†“Spirit of The South Tour” with special guests Allman Betts Band and TBD
+with 3 Doors Down
‡with Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Betts Band
#North American “You Hear Georgia Tour”
%European “You Hear Georgia Tour” with special guests The Steel Woods
Joe Clemmons Inks Publishing Deal With UMPG Nashville [Exclusive]
/by Lydia FarthingJoe Clemmons. Photo: Nathan Zucker
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed Joe Clemmons to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. The songwriter has had cuts with Gabby Barrett, Hardy, Brian Kelley, Ryan Hurd, Kameron Marlowe, Catie Offerman, and Josh Abbott Band.
The east Texas native moved to Nashville in 2008, where he developed his passion for guitar and songwriting while attending Belmont University. He spent several years on the road as a touring musicians with artists Hurd, Hardy, Maren Morris, Steve Moakler, and more, before choosing to focus solely on songwriting in 2017. Clemmons co-wrote “Rose Needs A Jack” on Barrett’s highly acclaimed debut album as well as Hurd’s “Wish For The World,” which earned the writers a 2020 AIMP Nashville Awards Publisher’s Pick nomination.
“A true song crafter and exceptional player, Joe is one of the most exciting talents for his generation of songwriters. We are beyond excited to be representing him at UMPG,” says Senior Director A&R, UMPG Nashville Missy Roberts.
“I have always been such a fan of the UMPG Nashville team. They consistently succeed at developing songwriters and taking them to the next level,” shares Clemmons. “After meeting with Missy and Terry Wakefield, I felt like I found a place where I could really thrive as a songwriter. I have such respect for them and all they have accomplished, and it’s an honor to join the Universal Music Family.”
Carly Pearce Invited To Join The Grand Ole Opry
/by LB CantrellCarly Pearce on stage at The Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
Carly Pearce has been invited to be the latest Grand Ole Opry Member by the iconic Opry Member Dolly Parton. The invite happened off the Opry stage late last week, and the public announcement was held until Pearce’s Opry appearance last night (June 22) so she could experience the moment on the hallowed stage.
It was a full circle moment for the CMA and double ACM Award winner, who cut her teeth as a performer at Dollywood when she was a teenager. When the invitation was extended as seen in the video, Pearce though she was taping a promotion for the theme park. This is the first time Parton has asked someone to become a member of country’s longest running institution.
After the invitation video played for the packed Opry House, the crowd stood in applause as Carly expressed, “Truly this is the most precious place and the most precious family I could ever be a part of. I’ve experienced so many wonderful things in my career so far, but this takes the cake!”
“When one of ours has a special moment, it’s an honor to be part of that,” Parton said. “Carly is a real songwriter and bright heart – and I loved getting to ask her to do something so very special.”
Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce. Photo: Alexa Campbell
For Pearce, who has played the Grand Ole Opry 85 times, it was a moment she will never forget.
“[The Opry has] been the greatest love of my life since I was a young girl listening with my grandparents. All of the greatest writers, legends and pioneers have been on that stage, and I feel them in my bones anytime I walk in the stage door… To actually be asked to join the Opry family, there are no words,” Pearce said.
“Carly Pearce and the Opry have enjoyed a most special relationship since even before she made her Opry debut,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “We’ve loved every minute of watching her star grow over the past few years and are thankful she reveres the Opry after more than 80 appearances even more than she did on her first night with us. Every night she plays the Opry, I try to make my way back to her to thank her for taking the time to visit us. Every single time she replies, ‘It’s my favorite place to be.’ Here’s to the Opry being Carly’s favorite place to be for the rest of what will no doubt be a long, successful career.”
Pearce will be officially inducted on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
On The Row: Jennifer Smestad Connects With Vulnerable Songwriting On TikTok
/by LB CantrellJennifer Smestad. Photo: Ryan Noble
RECORDS Nashville singer-songwriter Jennifer Smestad wasn’t new to the spotlight when her tender ballad “Half The Man” blew up on TikTok.
Smestad had garnered a wealth of performing experiences, from singing the National Anthem at ballparks across Arizona to competing in the Miss America Competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey as Miss Arizona in 2013. Smestad was compelled by country music from a young age, and made the move to Nashville in 2016.
“I knew I was going to do music since I basically could talk, since I was 3 years old. And I always wanted to do country, I grew up on ’90s country,” Smestad said in a recent virtual visit with MusicRow. “When I posted ‘Half The Man’ on TikTok, it was honestly one of the first real songs I’ve written. I moved here and I was afraid of emotions and felt like I didn’t want to write about my life because it’s too scary. So I was writing a bunch of hypothetical stories and some turned out awesome, but some I just didn’t connect to.
“My sister actually had miscarried twins and I knew I needed to write about it. It took me seven months to finally write it and I was scared to death. So finally I did and the song turned out incredible and it was powerful and I ended up releasing it for Mother’s Day. Then in that same week I wrote ‘Half The Man.’ I was on this kick of writing stuff that actually meant a lot to me.”
Her breakthrough debut single “Half The Man,” co-written with Josh Metheny and Erik Halbeg, caught fire on TikTok in 2020. Inspired by her father, a longtime pilot for United Airlines, it has now earned over 18 million streams to date.
“I’ve always lost it at weddings with the father-daughter dance song and I’ve always had this incredible bond with my dad. But it’s interesting because ever since I wrote this song, I’ve haven’t cried at a father daughter dance again. I feel like it was a therapeutic thing that needed to happen for me, but it’s a very personal, meaningful song to me.”
Smestad’s current single is another emotionally powerful song, this time about a breakup. “Can’t Have Mine,” co-written with Shelby Darrall and Noby Sidez, shows Smestad setting a boundary with an ex flame. “You can’t take one step forward and sixteen back, have my heart and treat it like that / You took your time, and now you can’t have mine,” she sings.
“When we were writing this song, I can’t speak for the other writers, but I felt like it was just a sad breakup song. I put a little teaser on TikTok and until people started saying this I didn’t realize it, but it’s actually pretty empowering because even though you experienced someone who doesn’t value you, you’re being able to realize it and step back and away from something toxic. People started messaging me saying because of the song they left a toxic relationship or they got out of an abusive relationship. That’s pretty awesome, I had no idea that this song would do that.”
Part of Smestad’s inspirational story is that she has overcome several mental health struggles. She was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD and social anxiety at only 10 years old.
“There’s no cure to it and it never fully goes away, but there’s a couple of things that can happen. A lot of people can grow out of the majority of their ticks or a majority of their symptoms; or they only come out when you’re extremely stressed or tired,” Smestad explained. “But I also did natural Chinese acupuncture when I was about 15 and it changed my life. I wouldn’t say I’m cured and everything’s 100% okay, but it really did change my life starting at 15. I have slowly worked with the social anxiety since then, but as far as the Tourette’s goes, between herbs, acupuncture, prayer and my family, it has changed my life.”
Pictured (L-R, top row): Monarch Publicity’s Heather Conley, MusicRow‘s Alex Parry, LB Cantrell; (L-R, middle row): MusicRow‘s Lydia Farthing, Jennifer Smestad, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; (L-R, bottom row): MusicRow‘s Haley Crow