Steve Earle. Photo: Shervin Lainez
Steve Earle & The Dukes are heading out on an extensive tour beginning July 1 in New Braunfels, Texas that will run through Sept. 4 with more dates to be added. The tour will include dates in Memphis, Kansas City, Scranton, Cincinnati, Atlanta and many more, with a Nashville date set for August 30 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Earle most recently released his 20th studio album J.T., a tribute to Steve’s late son Justin Townes Earle, on January 4 of this year. The song “The Saint Of Lost Causes,” a cover of Justin’s 2019 song from the album of the same name, appeared on the tribute project. Steve and the band’s rendition of “The Saint Of Lost Causes” has also received a new live version, with a video by Ehud Lazin originally shot at the new City Winery in NYC.
One hundred percent of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. are being donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle.
Steve Earle & The Dukes Tour Dates:
7/1 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX
7/2 – Billy Bob’s – Forth Worth, TX
7/3 – Barge 295 – Seabrook, TX
7/4 – The Bluff – Natchez, MS
7/6 – Lafyette’s Music Room – Memphis, TN
7/8 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
7/9 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
7/10 – Riverside Park Amphitheater – Jefferson City, MO
7/11 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
7/15 – Mountain Arts Center – Prestonsburg, KY
7/16 – The Burl – Lexington, KY
7/17 – Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD
7/18 – The Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyard – Hammondsport, NY
7/20 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
7/21 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
7/23 – The Paramount Theatre – Rutland, VT
7/24 – Marty’s Driving Range – Mason, NH
7/25 – Scranton Circle Drive-In Theater – Scranton, PA
7/27 – Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY
7/29 – Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA
7/30 – The Kent Stage – Kent, OH
7/31 – Riverfront Live – Cincinnati, OH
8/1 – Mountain Stage – Charleston, WV
8/6 – Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, WI
8/7 – Canterbury Park Summer Concert Series – Shakopee, MN
8/17 – The Kessler – Dallas, TX
8/20 – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
8/21 – Amaturo Theatre – Fort Lauderdale, FL
8/22- Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
8/24 – Montgomery Performing Arts Centre – Montgomery, AL (With Los Lobos)
8/26 – The Freeman Stage at Bayside – Selbyville, DE (With Los Lobos)
8/27 – Inssbrook After Hours – Glen Allen, VA (With Los Lobos)
8/28 – Atlanta Botanical Garden – Atlanta, GA (With Los Lobos)
8/30 – Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN (With Los Lobos)
9/2 – Newberry Opera House – Newberry, SC
9/3 – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC (With Los Lobos)
9/4 – Beaver Dam Amphitheatre – Beaver Dam, KY (With Los Lobos)
10/16 – Brooklyn Made – Brooklyn, NY (Steve Earle Solo)
10/22 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI (Steve Earle Solo)
10/23 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI (Steve Earle Solo)
Kylie Frey Signs Publishing Deal With Carnival Music
/by Lydia FarthingKylie Frey. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Indie recording artist Kylie Frey has inked a publishing deal with Carnival Music.
The Louisiana native has a commanding voice and has developed an authentic and true sound. Her way of turning a phrase has earned her over 1.5 million streams in just one month, and has also been resonating with radio listeners. She is currently celebrating that her latest collaborative effort “Horses In Heaven (featuring Randy Houser)” has risen to No. 1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, marking her sixth chart-topper on the TR3 chart. The song peaked in just 9 weeks–breaking Frey’s own 11-week chart record for fastest climb for a female in the chart’s history.
“Within ten minutes of meeting Kylie, I heard a classic country voice, some serious guitar picking and a song that stopped me dead in my tracks,” says producer and Creative Head of Carnival Frank Liddell. “When I learned she was a rodeo queen headed out to a weekend goat-tying camp… and that her parents made boudin for a living, I knew she had to be a Carnival writer,” he adds. “We are honored to join her awesome team and be a part of what I know will be an adventurous ride to success.”
“I got my dream publishing deal. My name on the wall at the coolest company in town surrounded by people that push me to just be myself more than ever before,” shares Frey.
Carlene Carter Sets Livestreams With Guests Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, More
/by Lydia FarthingDigital platform Mandolin will present two livestream performances this month from country and Americana recording artist Carlene Carter backed by her band The Lucky Ones on June 17 and June 24.
Filmed at legendary Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the first performance emphasizes the legacy of The Carter Family and features an impressive lineup of special guests including Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, The War and Treaty, Elizabeth Cook, Carlene’s daughter, Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, and cousin Lorrie Carter Bennett. Meanwhile, the second performance focuses on Carlene’s solo material, with a few surprises planned throughout the livestream. Tickets for both shows, billed as A Meeting In The Air, are available now.
“A Meeting In The Air is named after an old Carter Family song and with so many of us interacting with each other online during the pandemic we really have been ‘meeting in the air.’ I wanted the first show to be Carter-esque, because those are my roots. I have guests who really helped jumpstart my career in a lot of ways, like Rodney and Emmylou,” Carter explains. “The second show is a set of my songs, including some I haven’t played in forty plus years, and I tell some stories I’ve never told on stage before. I got to use all of the creative energy I had pent up that I wasn’t able to apply to anything else this past year… The thing I wanted to do most of all is bring joy to the world and show people the joy I feel when I play this music.”
Carter has been releasing music for over four decades. The daughter of June Carter Cash and country music Hall of Famer Carl Smith, and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, she became a singer with The Carter Family at the age of 17. Working with producer Howie Epstein, her “I Fell In Love” topped the country singles and video charts. After the success from her album of the same name, Carter received award nominations from the Academy of Country Music in the Top New Female Vocalist category and a Grammy nomination for Best Country Female Vocal Performance.
Mac Powell Joins Capitol Christian Music Group, Announces New Album
/by Lydia FarthingMac Powell, former frontman of the four-time Grammy Award-winning band Third Day, recently joined Capitol Christian Music Group’s artist roster.
His first release on the label, “River of Life” is available now and is the first track from his forthcoming solo album due later this year. From his many years with Third Day, Powell brings his nearly three decades of experience and soulful delivery of heartfelt lyrics together for his upcoming album.
“It’s interesting that within the medical community the bloodstream is called the ‘River of Life,'” Powell shares about the new song. “We as believers know that our true life comes from the grace and mercy of Jesus–poured out from his sacrifice on the cross. In John chapter 4, Jesus shares with the woman at the well – Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Let us all partake in this River of Life that is given by our Savior!”
Over the last year, Powell continued to share his music as part of the Drive-In Theatre tours with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith as well as this spring with Zach Williams and CAIN.
Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Ingrid Andress, More To Play Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughDierks Bentley, Keith Urban
Dierks Bentley has revealed the list of artists performing at his upcoming Seven Peaks Festival in Buena Vista, Colorado over Labor Day Weekend.
Keith Urban will headline this year’s festival along with Bentley, and Kip Moore, Old Crow Medicine Show, Randy Houser, Hot Country Knights, Travis Denning, Ingrid Andress, Molly Tuttle, Caitlyn Smith, Hailey Whitters, Callista Clark, Ray Fulcher, Willie Jones, Caroline Jones, Rapidgrass, and more are set to perform. Payton Smith, Clay Walker, Jackson Dean, Reyna Roberts, Pam Tillis, and Aydamn are also on the bill.
“Getting the green light to book artists and plan our third annual Seven Peaks was the single best piece of news I’ve gotten in the last year,” said Bentley. “It is my favorite weekend of the year, and I know every fan and artist that has been there will tell you the same. It’s the only time my band and crew ever show up to a gig a week early too…because we can’t wait to be out there with our friends and fans soaking up the Colorado sunshine and mountain vibes.”
Passes for the three-day camping experience go on sale beginning June 18 at 10 a.m. MT.
Artist Action: Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Blanco Brown, Mark Wystrach
/by Lydia FarthingMaren Morris Takes Flight With U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds
Maren Morris. Photo: Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver
Maren Morris had the thrill of a lifetime on Friday, June 4 when she flew in an F-16 with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.
This high-flying ride came in advance of the Thunderbirds headlining demonstration at The Great Tennessee Air Show held every June in Smyrna, Tennessee. BBR Music Group’s Blanco Brown performed the National Anthem at Saturday’s show while Track45 performed it on Sunday.
Dustin Lynch Hosts Multi-Day Pool Situation In Vegas
Dustin Lynch. Photo: Powers
Broken Bow Records recording artist Dustin Lynch hosted his own “Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Vegas” last Thursday (June 3) through Sunday (June 6).
The first country music-themed full-weekend pool party of its kind included special guests Jordan Davis, HARDY, and Brandi Cyrus, in addition to surprise appearances by MacKenzie Porter and Conner Smith throughout the Las Vegas strip.
“What a rush! Year 1 of the Pool Situation was certainly a situation – in the best way possible. We live for that connection of all being on the same wavelength to celebrate, forget about the real world, and just live in the moment,” shares Lynch. “Our mission this weekend was to give our fans the best weekend possible, and want to come back and do it again and again. It sure feels like we accomplished that, along with a bunch of ideas to make next year even bigger and better.”
Lynch kicked off the sold-out multi-day event at Drai’s with the “Where It’s At” Welcome Party on Thursday with a supercharged DJ set by Cyrus. Lynch also headlined Friday’s “Cowboys and Angels” Pool Party at Encore Beach Club. Performing for the first time this year with a full band, Lynch played some of his fan favorites, including “Ridin’ Roads,” “Good Girl,” and “Momma’s House,” plus a slew of others since his 2012 breakout.
Blanco Brown To Release First Taste Of New Music Since 2020 Life-Threatening Accident
Blanco Brown. Photo: J.Kaviar
‘TrailerTrap’ creator and mastermind behind the triple-Platinum sensation “The Git Up,” Blanco Brown will release “Nobody’s More Country” on June 18 via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. This marks Brown’s first new music since his life-threatening accident in 2020.
Written by Brown, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, and Quintin Amey, the track reaffirms Brown’s country status as he pulls inspiration from his Georgia roots. Throughout the song, Brown also notes that while he appreciates all of the places country music has taken him—“there’s no place like home.”
“I’ve been all around the world and have seen people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds uniting over their love of country music—the music ties us together,” says Brown. “It’s the sound of home. It’s the sound of my Georgia heart. It’s hard to imagine anybody loving it more than me.”
Fans will get a sneak peek of the song as he performs the new track tonight (June 9) on the RAM Trucks Side Stage at the CMT Music Awards where he is nominated for Group Video of the Year with Parmalee for “Just the Way.”
Midland Lead Singer Mark Wystrach To Appear In New Film The Eyes Of Tammy Faye
Midland lead singer Mark Wystrach appears in the upcoming film The Eyes of Tammy Faye which will be released by Searchlight Pictures on Sept. 17.
Directed by Michael Showalter, the film is an intimate look at the rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In the 1970s and 80s, Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim Bakker, created the world’s largest religious broadcasting network and theme park, and were revered for their message of love, acceptance and prosperity. Bakker was known for her indelible eyelashes, idiosyncratic singing, and eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, financial improprieties, scheming rivals, and scandals toppled their carefully constructed empire.
Wystrach acts alongside Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Fredric Lehne, Louis Cancelmi, Sam Jaeger, Gabriel Olds, and Vincent D’Onofrio.
Jeremy Rush Named Senior Director, Public Relations For CMHOF
/by Lorie HollabaughJeremy Rush
Jeremy Rush is returning to the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum as Senior Director of Public Relations following a previous stint in media relations at the museum from 2005-2010.
In his new role, Rush is responsible for developing and managing the organization’s external communications, media coverage, influencer marketing, and media relations strategy, as well as fostering relationships across the music industry, nonprofits, and the broader Middle Tennessee community. He will report to Lisa Purcell, SVP of external affairs.
Rush brings more than 16 years of experience in public relations and media relations strategies for major nonprofits to his new position. Immediately prior to rejoining the museum, Rush oversaw system-wide public relations and media engagement efforts for PeaceHealth, a nonprofit health care system with medical centers across Washington, Oregon and Alaska, including serving as a key public information officer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, he handled strategic communications and media relations for Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute in Portland, Ore..
A Nashville area native, Rush received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his PR work, he has written music reviews and features for the Nashville Scene, Goldmine magazine and other publications, as well as stories for WPLN Nashville Public Radio, Vanderbilt Medical Center publications and print publications in Kenya and Uganda.
Lady A Rediscovers Sound & Vision With New Album Out June 25
/by Lydia FarthingAfter spending the last year rediscovering their sound and vision, multi-Platinum band Lady A will release their upcoming album, What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) via BMLG Records on June 25.
“There’s an interdependence that we have with each other, and music is at the center of that to me,” says Hillary Scott, one third of Lady A. “We are all living in the now together… we’re all a work in progress, and that is what we wanted to share with these songs on the first chapter.”
Produced by Dann Huff, each track on the seven-song project is penned by at least one member of the award-winning trio. Rather than being dedicated to the struggles of 2020, this new effort was born alongside them and adds a layer of depth to Lady A’s catalog.
The album’s title-track opens the trio’s hearts to a fresh start, while songs like “Talk of This Town” and “Fire” use third degree romantic burns as a metaphor for adversity. “Worship What I Hate” takes a look at who we become if we’re not paying attention and “Chance of Rain” reminds us not to play it safe in matters of life and love. The gentle “Things He Handed Down” dusts off some handed-down wisdom, questioning how it’s put to use.
What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) Track List:
1. Talk of This Town – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
2. What A Song Can Do – Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz
3. Like A Lady – Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson, Brandon Paddock
4. Things He Handed Down – Charles Kelley, Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure
5. Fire – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Justin Ebach
6. Chance of Rain – Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Topher Brown, Justin Ebach
7. Worship What I Hate – Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Natalie Hemby, Amy Wadge
Industry Ink: Thomas Rhett, Toby & Molly Music, New Lost City Records
/by Lydia FarthingThomas Rhett Unveils New Outdoor Shoe Collection With Chaco Footwear
Thomas Rhett
Chaco Footwear and multi-Platinum selling country artist Thomas Rhett have partnered to create the Thomas Rhett Collection, a series of three limited-edition sandal designs inspired by his passion for the outdoors and time spent outside with his family.
The Thomas Rhett Collection will include three product drops throughout this summer in both men’s and women’s sizing. The Boulder design, which is available now, features green webbing with a colorful fly-fishing lure pattern and is a nod to Rhett’s new track “More Time Fishin’” from Side A of his Country Again album.
“When I’m outside my creativity levels go through the roof and it’s no wonder that nature has had such an influence on my new music,” Rhett says. “There is something about being outside that just takes the worries of the world away and depletes them, for at least an hour or so. It’s a place that you can slow down and learn how to live in the moment.”
“We’ve known that Thomas Rhett has been a Chaco fan for a while, and we are thrilled to be partnering with him on this collection,” says Jamie Kirby, Marketing Director for Chaco. “Our team had a lot of fun working with Thomas Rhett to design unique patterns that represent some of his favorite outdoor memories, and we hope they will inspire others to get outside as well.”
Toby & Molly Music Raise Over $1,500 Through ‘A Benefit For Team Fox’
Pictured (L-R): Tia Sillers, Austin Giorgio, Brent Morgan, SixForty1’s Brooks Hoffman and Austin Gee, Chase Wright. Photo: Josh Holt
Nashville-based publishing company Toby & Molly Music hosted A Benefit for Team Fox on Thursday, May 27 at Music City’s Listening Room Café.
“My father suffers from Parkinson’s disease,” shares Toby & Molly co-founder Robert Filhart. “Since launching Toby & Molly music, supporting the incredible work being done by the Michael J. Fox Foundation has been important. Anytime we put together a live show or sell merchandise, all net proceeds always benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation.”
The sold-out writers round featured performances by Toby & Molly writers and friends including Austin Giorgio, Brent Morgan, Chase Wright, Tia Sillers and SixForty1‘s Austin Gee and Brooks Hoffman. Throughout the event, over $1,500 was raised with proceeds benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
“Nashville is a city with deep music roots and a strong sense of community,” says Bethany Parker of Team Fox Nashville. “We are extremely grateful to Toby & Molly Music for bringing together the two to benefit Parkinson’s disease research.”
New Lost City Records Announces Summer Tour With Whelan Stone, Blake Henderson, Forrest Finn
New Lost City Records has partnered with Davidson Reserve Whiskey to present a summer tour featuring the indie label’s artists Whelan Stone, Blake Henderson, and Forrest Finn. The tour will kick off June 3 in Atlanta at Smith’s Old Bar.
“We’ve got these great artists on our roster who have released music in the past few months, and knew we needed to get them on the road to play for their growing fan bases,” MV2’s GM Tony Harrell explains.
“We are so excited to launch the New Lost City tour this summer with an amazing sponsor, Davidson Reserve,” says MV2’s Creative Director Nicole Sherrill. “Working with Jeff and Jenny Pennington (Pennington Distillery) and their entire team has been a dream come true. The MV2 team could not be more excited to see Forrest, Blake and Whelan Stone’s hard work pay off this year on the road.”
The tour will take the artists throughout the southeast, running through Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas, with more dates being added and announced soon. Tickets can be purchased at the venues.
New Lost City Records 2021 Tour Dates:
6/3 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Old Bar
6/4 – Mobile, AL – Cedar Street Social Club
6/5 – Pensacola, FL – Florabama
6/10 – Macon, GA – JBA
6/11 – Newnan, GA – Brickhouse Grille &Tavern
6/12 – Lawrenceville, GA – Slow Pour Brewing Company
6/17 – Birmingham, AL – The Nick
6/18 – Dadeville, AL – Rodeo Club
6/19 – Freeport, FL – Horse Power Pavilion
7/16 – Conway, AR – JJ’s Grill
7/17 – Little Rock, AR – JJ’s Grill
Steve Earle & The Dukes Announce U.S. Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughSteve Earle. Photo: Shervin Lainez
Steve Earle & The Dukes are heading out on an extensive tour beginning July 1 in New Braunfels, Texas that will run through Sept. 4 with more dates to be added. The tour will include dates in Memphis, Kansas City, Scranton, Cincinnati, Atlanta and many more, with a Nashville date set for August 30 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Earle most recently released his 20th studio album J.T., a tribute to Steve’s late son Justin Townes Earle, on January 4 of this year. The song “The Saint Of Lost Causes,” a cover of Justin’s 2019 song from the album of the same name, appeared on the tribute project. Steve and the band’s rendition of “The Saint Of Lost Causes” has also received a new live version, with a video by Ehud Lazin originally shot at the new City Winery in NYC.
One hundred percent of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. are being donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle.
Big Loud Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Sign Mark Holman
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Michael Giangreco (Big Loud), Austen Adams (Big Loud), Kimberly Gleason (Big Loud), Seth England (Big Loud), Travis Carter (Big Loud), Mark Holman, Christina Wiltshire (Warner Chappell Music), T.D.RUTH (Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP), Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Music), JOEY MOI (Big Loud). Photo: Chris Hornbuckle
Big Loud Publishing and Warner Chappell Music have teamed up to sign chart-topping songwriter Mark Holman to a co-publishing deal.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Big Loud and Warner Chappell families,” says Holman. “I’ve always admired their creative mentality and ability to push boundaries in the industry. Having a great team is so important to me, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.”
An Illinois native, Holman began writing and producing in 2008, eventually making the move to Nashville in 2014. He soon scored his first No. 1 hit as a songwriter on Florida Georgia Line’s 2018 hit, “Simple,” and now has two singles at country radio—Cole Swindell’s “Single Saturday Night” and Maddie & Tae’s “Woman You Got.”
Overall, Holman has over 60 cuts from artists across a range of genres, including Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Gary Allan, Three Days Grace, The Struts, Blue October, Halestorm, and Art of Dying. He also has upcoming releases with Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Morgan Evans, Dylan Scott and Daughtry.
“We couldn’t be more excited and honored to welcome Mark into the Big Loud Publishing family, in partnership with the great team at Warner Chappell Music,” explains Big Loud Publishing’s Travis Carter. “As a longtime fan of Mark’s, I’ve always been blown away by his ability to navigate multiple genres with ease in both his songwriting and producing. He’s truly a next-level talent, and we’re really looking forward to building upon his already impressive track record in the country genre and beyond.”