Old Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen
Sometimes your head has to overrule your heart.
My favorite tracks this week are by Hall of Fame members—Marty Stuart’s “Skip a Rope,” The Oaks’ “Swing Down Chariot” and Michael McDonald & Willie Nelson’s “Dreams of the San Joaquin.” I’d crown any one of them my Disc of the Day. But bowing to radio reality, I have to give the prize to Old Dominion and its outstanding song of summer.
There are a number of new faces in the column this week. I am most interested in Frank Ray, who earns the DisCovery Award.
VINCENT NEIL EMERSON / “Texas Moon”
Writers: Vincent Neil Emerson; Producer: Rodney Crowell; Label: La Honda/Thirty Tigers
— His folkie vocal is backed by an enchanting bluegrassy blend of rippling acoustic guitars, fiddle and banjo. The dandy song is about a wandering fellow who is headed home to the Lone Star State. Highly promising.
RAY SCOTT / “Cover the Earth”
Writers: Ray Scott; Producer: Ray Scott & Michael Hughes; Label: OneRPM
— I have always liked this guy. His dark, rich baritone is a voice to get lost in. This mid-tempo tune rolls along with hearty energy and charisma, punctuated with semi-spoken accents. A winner.
DAVID FERGUSON / “Knockin’ Around Nashville”
Writers: Pat McLaughlin; Producer: David Ferguson; Label: Fat Possum
— Super producer Fergie is best known for being behind the board for Cash, Prine, Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price and more. Now he’s stepping out as an artist, himself, with this wistful, ultra-traditional, steel-soaked, slow ballad. Country, country, country.
MIRANDA LAMBERT / “They’ve Closed Down the Honky Tonks”
Writers: Miranda Lambert; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Label Nashville
— Stark and acoustic, like the rest of The Marfa Tapes album. The simple setting throws a spotlight on her extraordinary, stone-country vocal powers. There are a zillion reasons why she is at the top of this format, and this performance is yet another.
FILMORE / “Who Cares”
Writers: Filmore/Zach Abend/Josh Kerr; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Curb Records
— Bubbling joy. Full of delightful rhythm and jaunty attitude. This guy always impresses me with his sonic creativity.
MICHAEL McDONALD & WILLIE NELSON / “Dreams of the San Joaquin”
Writers: Randy Sharp/Jack Wesley Routh; Producer: none listed; Label: Stem/Chonin
— This single benefits the United Farm Workers. McDonald leads the way with a languid, haunting delivery of the contemplative ballad. Then he and Nelson begin entwining their golden voices with accompaniment by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and the effect is utterly magical.
FRANK RAY / “Streetlights”
Writers: Frank Ray/Bobby Hamrick/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers; Label: BBR
— This Texan is a former police officer who mixes his Latino heritage with pop-country production. The bilingual track has bright bursts of brass amid nervous rhythmic beats. Intriguing. Send more.
OLD DOMINION / “I Was on a Boat That Day”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Brad Tursi/Geoff Sprung/Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Whit Sellers; Producer: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista Nashville
— How timely. Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and here’s the official summer kick-off song. This sunny bopper is the sound of happiness.
LILY ROSE / “Remind Me of You”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Corey Crowder/Ryan Vojtesak/Ernest Keith Smith; Producer: Matt Morrisey/Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Back Blocks/Republic
— Decidedly on the pop side of pop-country, but a listening delight. Catchy, sweet, warm and winning while delving in relationship regret.
MARTY STUART / “Skip a Rope”
Writers: Glenn Douglas Tubb/Jack Moran; Producer: Marty Stuart; Label: MS
— One of the all-time cool country social-message songs is dusted off by this new Country Music Hall of Famer. The song was a huge hit for Henson Cargill in 1968. Co-writer Tubb passed away this week, and this is a more than fitting elegy.
TIGIRLILY / “My Thang”
Writers: Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh/Walker Hayes; Producer: Shane McAnally/Louis Newman; Label: Monument
— This sister duo harmonizes perfectly. The choppy, bouncy track is packed with pop energy.
THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Swing Down Chariot”
Writers: Marty Matthews; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers
— If you aren’t tapping your toes by the time this concludes, check your pulse. This scratches that old-time gospel itch, big time. Loved every note.
Jordan Davis To Embark On 17-City ‘Buy Dirt’ Tour In September
/by Lydia FarthingMCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis will be hitting the road for his 17-city Buy Dirt Tour, slated to kick off on Sept. 9 in Minneapolis.
Davis will hit the stage in venues all around the country, performing songs from his just-released Buy Dirt EP. He will be joined by special guests Seaforth and Mackenzie Porter. Tickets for the Buy Dirt Tour are available here.
Davis gave fans a sneak-peak of his upcoming tour during his Buy Dirt Livestream, which aired yesterday on YouTube, Facebook, & Tik Tok. The Shreveport native played his brand-new EP from Nashville’s famed Exit/In and held a fan Q&A following the performance. Seaforth and Porter joined him during the performance, and an option to donate was available during the livestream, benefitting Music Venue Alliance Nashville.
“[Exit/In] is where I played my first Nashville full band show,” says Davis. “This place is super special and super woven into the Nashville music scene. COVID hurt a lot of these small music venues and I wanted to help bring shows back and get us back on the road.”
Buy Dirt Tour Dates:
9/9/2021 – Minneapolis, MN – The Filmore*
9/10/2021 – Rosemont, IL – Joes*
9/11/2021 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection*
9/17/2021 – Indianapolis, IN – The Egyptian*
9/23/2021 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom*
10/5/2021 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox*
10/7/2021 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theater*
10/28/2021 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE*
10/29/2021 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva*
10/30/2021 – Columbia, SC – The Senate*
11/7/2021 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort Casino
12/10/2021 – Newport, KY – PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION*
12/11/2021 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory*
12/16/2021 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
12/17/2021 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live*
12/18/2021 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom*
12/19/2021 – Boston, MA – HOB Boston*
* Support from Seaforth and MacKenzie Porter
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion, Marty Stuart, Frank Ray
/by Robert K OermannOld Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen
Sometimes your head has to overrule your heart.
My favorite tracks this week are by Hall of Fame members—Marty Stuart’s “Skip a Rope,” The Oaks’ “Swing Down Chariot” and Michael McDonald & Willie Nelson’s “Dreams of the San Joaquin.” I’d crown any one of them my Disc of the Day. But bowing to radio reality, I have to give the prize to Old Dominion and its outstanding song of summer.
There are a number of new faces in the column this week. I am most interested in Frank Ray, who earns the DisCovery Award.
VINCENT NEIL EMERSON / “Texas Moon”
Writers: Vincent Neil Emerson; Producer: Rodney Crowell; Label: La Honda/Thirty Tigers
— His folkie vocal is backed by an enchanting bluegrassy blend of rippling acoustic guitars, fiddle and banjo. The dandy song is about a wandering fellow who is headed home to the Lone Star State. Highly promising.
RAY SCOTT / “Cover the Earth”
Writers: Ray Scott; Producer: Ray Scott & Michael Hughes; Label: OneRPM
— I have always liked this guy. His dark, rich baritone is a voice to get lost in. This mid-tempo tune rolls along with hearty energy and charisma, punctuated with semi-spoken accents. A winner.
DAVID FERGUSON / “Knockin’ Around Nashville”
Writers: Pat McLaughlin; Producer: David Ferguson; Label: Fat Possum
— Super producer Fergie is best known for being behind the board for Cash, Prine, Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price and more. Now he’s stepping out as an artist, himself, with this wistful, ultra-traditional, steel-soaked, slow ballad. Country, country, country.
MIRANDA LAMBERT / “They’ve Closed Down the Honky Tonks”
Writers: Miranda Lambert; Producer: Jon Randall; Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Label Nashville
— Stark and acoustic, like the rest of The Marfa Tapes album. The simple setting throws a spotlight on her extraordinary, stone-country vocal powers. There are a zillion reasons why she is at the top of this format, and this performance is yet another.
FILMORE / “Who Cares”
Writers: Filmore/Zach Abend/Josh Kerr; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Curb Records
— Bubbling joy. Full of delightful rhythm and jaunty attitude. This guy always impresses me with his sonic creativity.
MICHAEL McDONALD & WILLIE NELSON / “Dreams of the San Joaquin”
Writers: Randy Sharp/Jack Wesley Routh; Producer: none listed; Label: Stem/Chonin
— This single benefits the United Farm Workers. McDonald leads the way with a languid, haunting delivery of the contemplative ballad. Then he and Nelson begin entwining their golden voices with accompaniment by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and the effect is utterly magical.
FRANK RAY / “Streetlights”
Writers: Frank Ray/Bobby Hamrick/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers; Label: BBR
— This Texan is a former police officer who mixes his Latino heritage with pop-country production. The bilingual track has bright bursts of brass amid nervous rhythmic beats. Intriguing. Send more.
OLD DOMINION / “I Was on a Boat That Day”
Writers: Shane McAnally/Brad Tursi/Geoff Sprung/Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Whit Sellers; Producer: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Label: Arista Nashville
— How timely. Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and here’s the official summer kick-off song. This sunny bopper is the sound of happiness.
LILY ROSE / “Remind Me of You”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Corey Crowder/Ryan Vojtesak/Ernest Keith Smith; Producer: Matt Morrisey/Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud/Back Blocks/Republic
— Decidedly on the pop side of pop-country, but a listening delight. Catchy, sweet, warm and winning while delving in relationship regret.
MARTY STUART / “Skip a Rope”
Writers: Glenn Douglas Tubb/Jack Moran; Producer: Marty Stuart; Label: MS
— One of the all-time cool country social-message songs is dusted off by this new Country Music Hall of Famer. The song was a huge hit for Henson Cargill in 1968. Co-writer Tubb passed away this week, and this is a more than fitting elegy.
TIGIRLILY / “My Thang”
Writers: Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh/Walker Hayes; Producer: Shane McAnally/Louis Newman; Label: Monument
— This sister duo harmonizes perfectly. The choppy, bouncy track is packed with pop energy.
THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Swing Down Chariot”
Writers: Marty Matthews; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers
— If you aren’t tapping your toes by the time this concludes, check your pulse. This scratches that old-time gospel itch, big time. Loved every note.
Matthew West, MercyMe, Tauren Wells, More Among K-Love Fan Awards Performers
/by Lorie HollabaughThe K-LOVE Fan Awards, the only fan-voted Christian award show, has announced a powerhouse line-up of performers and presenters for their 8th year set to take place at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House. Hosted by five-time Grammy nominee Matthew West, this year’s show will air on TBN June 4 at 7 p.m. CST.
Among the lineup of powerhouse performers for this year’s K-Love’s are Andrew Ripp, Casting Crowns, Cory Asbury, Crowder, Danny Gokey with Latin stars Evan Craft and Redimi2, Dante Bowe, Kari Jobe with Cody Carnes and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Elevation Worship, Matthew West joined by Carly Pearce, Maverick City Music, MercyMe, Tauren Wells with Gary LeVox, We The Kingdom, and Zach Williams.
Presenters for the evening include New York Times author and podcaster Annie F. Downs, UK Pastor Charlotte Gambill, We Are Messenger’s Darren Mulligan, Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, AccessMore Podcast host and former ABC News correspondent Paula Faris, Rabbi Jason Sobel with Jonathan Roumi and Dallas Jenkins from the breakout TV series The Chosen, and Riley Clemmons.
Nominees for the K-LOVE Fan Awards were announced last week with newcomers Maverick City Music leading with four, while for KING & COUNTRY, TobyMac and Zach Williams follow with three nominations each.
REVISED DATES: MusicRow Announces 33rd Annual MusicRow Awards Dates For 2021
/by LB CantrellNow in its 33rd year, the 2021 MusicRow Awards, presented by City National Bank, will take place virtually on all MusicRow platforms on Thursday, Aug. 19.
The publication will feature the award winner in each category, determined by the most votes received from subscribed industry members of MusicRow.
Nominees for the MusicRow Awards will be revealed Tuesday, July 13 and supported by MusicRow‘s annual “Nominator” publication. The eligibility period is June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
Voting will begin Wednesday, July 14 and run through Friday, July 23 for all MusicRow subscribed members. To become a subscribed member and become eligible to vote, sign up here.
There are 11 member-voted categories.
1. Producer of the Year
2. Label of the Year
3. Talent Agency of the Year
4. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
5. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
6. Male Songwriter of the Year
7. Female Songwriter of the Year
8. Song of the Year
9. Discovery Artist of the Year
10. Breakthrough Artist of the Year
11. Artist of the Year
Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards for Bass, Drums, Engineer, Fiddle, Guitar, Keyboards, Steel, and Vocals will also be announced on Thurs., 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.
Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks Festival Returns To Colorado In September
/by Lorie HollabaughDierks Bentley. Photo: Jim Wright
Dierks Bentley and Live Nation’s Seven Peaks Music Festival is set to return this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5, in Buena Vista, Colorado.
Bentley announced the exciting news about the three-day campout experience during his recent livestream concert on Twitch. Additional details including lineup information will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Along with Seven Peaks, Bentley will be back on the road this summer and fall on his headlining Beers On Me Tour with Riley Green and Parker McCollum. The run will kick off in Salt Lake City on Aug. 13. Bentley recently wrapped his throwback High Times And Hangovers club run through South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.
Jason Earley Inks Publishing Deal With Black River Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Black River’s Rachael Skvorak, Rebekah Gordon, Jason Earley, Katie Barolak, and Gordon Kerr
Black River Entertainment has added Jason Earley to their growing publishing roster.
“We’ve been fans of Jason and his talent as a writer and producer for quite a while now,” says Black River’s Vice President of Publishing Rebekah Gordon. “We are thrilled to officially welcome him and partner with him through this next chapter of his career.”
Growing up playing guitar and singing in church, Earley learned how to lead worship and began writing songs. Since graduating from Nashville’s Belmont University in 2016, he has been writing and producing both country and Christian music, and has had his songs cut by Hannah Kerr, MaRynn Taylor, Nathan Thomas, Mignon, PJ North, Rachael Nemiroff, and more.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining Black River Publishing,” says Earley. “I truly feel at home here. Rebekah, Katie [Barolak], and Rachael [Skvorak] make a rock-star publishing team, and I can’t wait to see how this journey unfolds.”
Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, More Added To CMT Music Awards Performers
/by Lydia FarthingCMT has revealed the second round of performers for the 2021 CMT Music Awards. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, the show will air Wednesday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. CST on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network and TV Land.
Adding to its already impressive list of performers, this year’s 2021 CMT Music Awards will feature even more first-time performances and crossover collaborations.
The full list of second round performers includes Breland and Mickey Guyton; Carrie Underwood and NEEDTOBREATHE; Chris Young and Kane Brown; Kelsea Ballerini and Paul Klein from LANY; Lady A, Carly Pearce, and Gabby Barrett; Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi; Luke Bryan; and Thomas Rhett.
The CMT Music Award are country music’s only entirely fan-voted award. Voting is now open at vote.cmt.com through Tuesday, June 1. A full list of nominations can be found here.
Nashville Music Equality To Celebrate 1 Year Anniversary With Special Panel
/by Lydia FarthingNashville Music Equality (NME) is coming up on its one year anniversary and will be holding a special Zoom panel to commemorate the achievement.
The event will act as a one year follow-up conversation with the original panel members, including Shannon Sanders (BMI), Mickey Guyton (Grammy-nominated artist), Gina Miller (EOne Nashville), Kortney Toney (WMA), Charlene Bryant (Riveter Management), Candice Watkins (Big Loud), and a special addition, Brian Sexton (Creatives Day).
Nearly 1 year ago, NME began as a panel for #BlackoutTuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused where over 1,000 industry professionals tuned in to hear about the stories of their African American colleagues. Because of the community’s support, the organization was formed and has continued to bring top-notch conversations to the masses.
A year later, the panel will see what progress has been made and re-commit to the work ahead for the industry at large.
How Far Have We Come – Nashville Music Equality’s 1 Year Anniversary will be held on June 1 at 5:30 p.m. CST. To register for the event, click here.
Doubling Down: Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood Add More Vegas Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan, Carrie Underwood
After announcing residencies in Las Vegas recently, country music powerhouses Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood have both added more dates to their respective runs due to demand.
Bryan has added three more show dates to his headlining run at The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas due to strong pre-sale ticket demand. The new dates, Feb. 23, 25, and 26, along with previously announced February 2022 dates, went on sale this week at AXS.com.
Underwood has also added six new show dates to her Vegas engagement, REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency, due to high demand. The new dates from March 23 – April 2, 2022 have been added to her run opening Dec. 1, 2021. The six new dates, along with previously-announced December dates, went on sale to the public this week.
Underwood and Bryan are among the founding headliners, that also include Celine Dion and Katy Perry, at the Strip’s highly-anticipated new 3,500-room luxury destination, which is set to open June 24. The 5,000-capacity, world-class theatre will open its doors in November 2021 and is exclusively programmed and operated by Concerts West / AEG Presents.
Provident CEO/President Terry Hemmings To Be Inducted Into Alumni Hall Of Fame
/by Lydia FarthingTerry Hemmings
President and CEO of Provident Entertainment Terry Hemmings will be a 2020-2021 inductee into the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College Alumni Hall of Fame.
This prestigious award honors successful alumni of the Gatton College of Business and Economics and its predecessors, the College of Business and Economics and the College of Commerce. This accolade recognizes alumni who have earned exceptional success within their careers and communities, enhancing the reputation of Gatton College through their professional achievement, personal accomplishments, and service to their alma mater.
“What a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Business School’s Hall of Fame,” Hemmings shares. “Thinking back on my years at the University of Kentucky, there are so many wonderful memories and many friends I am still in close touch with. That experience, along with the exceptional teaching I received, provided many tools that I still use every day of my professional career. I am so grateful to be included in the Hall of Fame alongside the other distinguished alumni and a few friends who have received this honor in past years.”
Hemmings runs Provident Entertainment, a Sony Music Entertainment company under the umbrella of Sony Music Nashville, which includes Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, Essential Worship, Essential Music Publishing, Provident Films, and Essential Sound. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Provident Entertainment is home to Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Kirk Franklin, Koryn Hawthorne, Travis Greene, Matt Maher, Marvin Sapp, Matthew West, Elevation Worship, and more Christian artists.
Hemmings currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer on the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees. He sits on their Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Planning/Governance Committee, and also serves as Chair of the Audit/Finance Committee. As a Leadership Music alum, he serves on boards of the RIAA, Gospel Music Association, and The Gospel Music Trust Fund.
The virtual ceremony for all inductees will be held Thursday, May 27. Further details can be found here.