Steve Earle & The Dukes Announce U.S. Tour

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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.

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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)

Big Loud Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Sign Mark Holman

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Pictured (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.”

Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn To Headline 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

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Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam has revealed that Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn and Old Dominion will headline the 9th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam which will take place from Sept. 3-5, 2021 at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.

The rescheduled 2020 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam kicked off last week. An array of performers took the stage over the weekend, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Nichols, Lindsay Ell, Jon Langston, Brad Paisley, Cole Swindell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tenille Townes, Shy Carter, Luke Bryan, Brothers Osborne, Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Tenille Arts, and many more.

“This has been an emotional week to hear music blasting from this stage a full 20 months after our 2019 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam,” said Executive Director Randy Lovelady to the crowd of over 25,000 fans. “We are beyond excited about Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Old Dominion standing on this very stage just three months from today, and we can’t wait to reveal the full lineup in a few weeks.”

For more information on Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, click here. Tickets for the 2021 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in September are available for purchase now.

Robyn Ottolini Readies Warner Music Nashville Debut

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Robyn Ottolini is releasing her Warner Music Nashville debut, The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP, on June 25.

The four-song project flips the script on her The But I’m Not Always Hilarious EP and includes the recently-released track “Tell You Everything.” Fans will be able to pre-save the four-song EP beginning June 18.

“The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP is basically a continuation of my story from last year, when I put out a bunch of breakup songs,” Ottolini. “I want to keep telling my story as authentically, honestly and in-time as possible. Even though I’ve written some heartbreakers, a huge part of who I am is making people laugh. I love to have a good time and not take life too seriously. This EP has got a lot of love on it—romantic love, self-love, friend-love, family-love. I’m happy to finally share that part of who I am with everybody.”

Ottolini’s “F-150” scored with audiences in late 2020 via TikTok, and has racked up nearly 40 million global streams, reaching No. 4 on Spotify’s all-genre US Viral 50 chart. Inspired by artists like Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves and Sam Hunt, the 25-year-old is currently tied for the most 2021 CMA Ontario Award nominations with five total nods.

The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP Track List:
1.     Tell You Everything (Robyn Ottolini, Jesse Slack)
2.     Hold Me Back (Robyn Ottolini, Lydia Sutherland, Jesse Slack)
3.     Sincerely, Drunk Me (Robyn Ottolini)
4.     Daddy’s Daughter (Robyn Ottolini)

International Country Music Conference Marks 37th Year

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The 37th Annual International Country Music Conference, the leading academic conference devoted to country music, was held virtually on June 3-5. Co-hosts for the conference were James Akenson and Don Cusic.

The conference began with a pre-keynote session titled “Country Music Around the World,” with Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA, Milly Olykan, VP of International Relations and Development for the CMA, Anna-Sophie Mertens with Live Nation in the U.K. and Natalie Waller with ABC Music in Australia.

Pictured (clockwise): Sarah Trahern, Anna-Sophie Mertens, Milly Olyken, Natalie Waller

The keynote was followed by over 35 presentations and panel discussions with participants from Japan, Australia, Sweden, Hawaii and Canada as well as from universities and colleges throughout the United States. A wide range of topics were addressed, including race, gender, culture and politics in country music as well as studies on individual artists and songs.

On Friday, June 4, the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism was presented to Marcus K. Dowling, and the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on or about country music was presented to Travis Stimeling for Nashville Cats: Record Production in Music City.

The International Country Music Journal edited by Don Cusic is published annually to coincide with the International Country Music Conference. In this issue are articles about country music in Japan, the Stanley Brothers, Hank Williams, Irish country music, Milton Estes, the Sleepy Hollow Ranch and Eva Thompson Jones, who accompanied Uncle Jimmy Thompson on the first broadcast of what became the Grand Ole Opry and who was arrested for prostitution during World War II in a controversial case. This is the only academic journal dedicated to country music.

Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Jake Hoot, More Join 2021 Concert For Love & Acceptance

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The 2021 Concert For Love & Acceptance has added Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Jake Hoot, Jamie Floyd, Paul Cardall and Cody Belew, as well as comedian Dana Goldberg to its growing lineup of artists and performers. In addition, former NFL quarterback Steve Young and his wife Barbara Graham Young, both advocates for LGBTQ equality and acceptance, will make a special appearance together in support of LGBTQ youth.

Set to take place on Wednesday, June 30, the event returns this year as a star-studded online event, co-hosted by Ty Herndon and CMT’s Cody Alan, who has hosted the event alongside Herndon since 2017. It will take place at 7 p.m. CST and be live-streamed exclusively on CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and on the Foundation’s website.

Previously announced appearances and performances include Brothers Osborne, Kristin Chenoweth, Terri Clark, Brooke Eden, Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Gretchen Peters, Tenille Townes, Walker County, and Chase Wright.

Mattea will be honored during the evening with the second annual Foundation For Love & Acceptance R.A.L.Y. (Rescue A Life, Y’all) Award, presented by Herndon in recognition of her early advocacy for the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS awareness.

“Kathy Mattea was standing up for LGBTQ people and raising awareness about the HIV and AIDS epidemic long before it was cool — especially in the country music community. It’s an honor to give her the long-overdue recognition she deserves for being a pioneering ally and friend,” shares Herndon.

Herndon also announced this year’s Red Carpet Countdown, an online event that will feature additional appearances and performances in the two hours preceding the live concert that will stream online exclusively on his Facebook channel. Announced performances include ARLO, Jada Cato, Exit 216, Justin Fabus, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Brandon Stansell, and Jaime Wyatt with additional performances and appearances to be announced.

Tenille Townes’ ‘The Lemonade Stand’ Named Juno Awards Country Album Of The Year

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Tenille Townes. Photo: John Shearer

Canadian-born and Nashville-based recording artist Tenille Townes received the award for Country Album of the Year for her debut album, The Lemonade Stand, at the 50th Annual Juno Awards on Sunday, June 6.

The critically acclaimed project was produced by Jay Joyce and released last June via Columbia Nashville in partnership with RCA Records. Townes first effort included “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” and “Somebody’s Daughter,” which both reached No. 1 on the Mediabase Canada chart, making her the first female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve that feat.

“It feels surreal and so exciting to know that people have heard this collection of music and wrapped their arms around it,” shared Townes. “Truly was a dream to make this record and it’s such an honor to get to celebrate this moment with the Canadian music community at the Junos tonight!”

The MusicRow 2020 Next Big Thing Artist, and MusicRow‘s first ever Robert K. Oermann Discovery Artist winner, has had an impressive year following The Lemonade Stand‘s release, including being named New Female Artist of the Year at the 55th ACM Awards and winning three awards at the 2020 Canadian Country Music Awards, making her an eight-time overall winner at the CCMA’s. Townes has also raised over $2 million for charity through her annual Big Hearts For Big Kids fundraiser.

Sam Williams Signs To UMG Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Missi Gallimore (Owner & CEO, T.R.U.T.H. Management), Sam Williams, Cindy Mabe (President, UMG Nashville), Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO, UMG Nashville)

Universal Music Group Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Sam Williams.

Williams, the grandson of country music pioneer Hank Williams and the son of outlaw legend Hank Jr., sings and writes in his own style, fusing gut-wrenching honesty and plainspoken poetics with raw vulnerability and empathy.

“We are so proud and excited that Sam Williams is joining Universal Music Group,” says President of UMG Nashville Cindy Mabe. “His powerful, soulful vocals combine with his introspective storytelling to fully immerse you into Sam’s own life making you feel everything he feels. He’s such a special talent and I believe Sam’s music will help lead country music into its next evolution.”

Williams is set to release his debut album, Glasshouse Children, later this summer. Early releases from the project include “Shuteye,” “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood,” “The World: Alone,” and most recently “10-4,” which have all garnered critical acclaim. Williams also made his national television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in April of this year where he performed “Can’t Fool You Own Blood.”

Linda Martell To Receive Equal Play Award At 2021 CMT Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R) Quia Thompson, granddaughter, filmmaker; Linda Martell. Photo: Sean Rayford/2021 CMT Awards/Getty Images for CMT

Country music pioneer Linda Martell will be recognized with the CMT Equal Play Award during the 2021 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday (June 9).

Martell’s legacy started when she released three pop-country singles at the turn of the 1970s, including an unprecedented Top-20 Billboard Hot Country Charts single “Color Him Father” in 1969. She released her debut album Color Him Father in 1970.

Known for being one of the most influential Black female artists in country music history, Martell became the first Black female performer to play the Grand Ole Opry. However, the lack of success for her last debut album single, 1970’s “Bad Case of the Blues,” caused her to be shelved by her label and prohibited from finding a new label willing to release new material. She eventually returned to her home state of South Carolina to raise her family.

Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the now 86-year-old’s career, thanks to exposure given to her story by modern female country artists Maren Morris, Yola, Mickey Guyton, Rhiannon Giddens, and Brittney Spencer. Media professional and artist Rissi Palmer even titled her Apple Music podcast Color Me Country, in tribute to Martell.

Martell’s granddaughter Quia, an independent filmmaker, is currently completing a documentary about her grandmother’s life.

Artists including Guyton, Palmer, Giddens, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, and Jennifer Nettles will congratulate Martell during this year’s awards as CMT highlights her place in music history.

“Linda Martell is a living legend who has influenced so many artists of color, giving them the courage and hope to pursue their dreams and a future reality of Equal Play in country music,” says Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. “Linda embodies the spirit of our ‘Equal Play’ initiative and we are proud to honor her with this prestigious award.”

The CMT Music Awards airs live Wednesday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. central on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT Australia.

Hunter Phelps Makes Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Hunter Phelps moves up several spots to No. 9 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

He is a co-writer on “Cold Beer Calling My Name” (Jameson Rodgers feat. Luke Combs), “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (HARDY), “That Ain’t Me No More” (Matt Stell), and “Thinking ‘Bout You” (Dustin Lynch feat. Lauren Alaina).

Corey Crowder, who has co-writer credits on “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.,” “Famous Friends” (Chris Young + Kane Brown), and “Minimum Wage” (Blake Shelton), maintains his spot at No. 1 again this week.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.