Tanya Tucker will return to the road this summer in more than 35 cities with her rescheduled shows as well as new dates, including stops for her headlining CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour. The shows start June 25 in Colorado and run through December in Las Vegas.
Tucker rekindled her passionate fan base with her Grammy winning album While I’m Livin,’ produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, and 2020’s Tanya Tucker—Live From The Troubadour. Now she is eager to reconnect with fans after a year off the road. Says Tucker, “We’ve all been through hell and back the past year, so I can’t wait to get back out there and perform! It’s been too damn long.”
Tanya Tucker 2021 Tour Dates:
June 25 Country Jam – Grand Junction, Colo.
June 27 Carson Valley Inn Casino – Minden, NV
July 16 Country Thunder – Twin Lakes, Wisc.
July 17 Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, Wisc.
July 31 Sugar Creek Casino – Hinton, Okla.
Aug 06 Knuckleheads Saloon – Kansas City, Mo.^^
Aug 07 Hinterland Music Festival – Saint Charles, Iowa
Aug 11 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, Mich.^^
Aug 13 Hart Theatre at The Egg – Albany, N.Y.^^
Aug 14 Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, Conn.^^
Aug 19 Vernon Downs – Vernon, N.Y.
Aug 20 Tioga Downs Race Track – Nichols, N.Y.
Aug 26 Jefferson Center – Roanoke, Va.^^
Aug 27 Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center – Cherokee, N.C.^^
Aug 29 Railbird Music Festival – Lexington, Ky.
Sept 05 Great Lake Center for the Arts – Bay Harbor, Mich.
Sept 10 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, Tenn.
Sept 11 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept 12 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept 14 Bluebird Theatre – Denver, Colo.^^
Sept 17 The Kessler Theater – Dallas, Texas^^
Sept 19 The Heights Theater – Houston, Texas^^
Sept 24 Roots N Blues Festival – Columbia, Mo.
Sept 25 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival – Franklin, TN
Oct 01 Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, Texas
Oct 03 Deadwood Mountain Grand – Deadwood, S.D.
Oct 05 Knitting Factory – Boise, Idaho^^
Oct 06 The Bing Crosby Theater – Spokane, Wash.^^
Oct 08 The Showbox Theatre – Seattle, Wash.^^
Oct 09 Crystal Ballroom – Portland, Ore.^^
Oct 10 Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, B.C., Canada^^
Oct 12 State Theatre for the Arts – Red Bluff, Colo.^^
Oct 17 Fox Theatre – Bakersfield, Calif.^^
Oct 18 Fremont Theater – San Luis Obispo, Calif.^^
Oct 20 Crest Theatre – Sacramento, Calif.^^
Oct 21 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, Calif.^^
Dec 03 Golden Nugget Casino – Las Vegas, Nev.
^^CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour
**with Brandi Carlile
Leadership Music Announces Class Of 2022
/by LB CantrellLeadership Music has tapped 46 music industry leaders to be part of its 32nd class.
Founded in 1989 by twelve music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, Leadership Music is a nationwide program based in Nashville that is designed to create a forum for recognized music industry leaders to learn as they deep-dive into almost every segment of the music business, while identifying and exploring issues currently affecting the music industry; and to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences while building lasting relationships with classmates and alumni in all areas within or related to the music industry. The esteemed program has graduated close to 1,300 leaders.
“To be able to announce that we have selected the Class of 2022 after having to, for the first time in our history, defer the Class of 2021 is a huge cause for celebration,” says Diane Pearson, Leadership Music President and Selection Co-Chair. “The members of the Selection Committee feel a great sense of pride in the 46 industry leaders chosen to make the Leadership Music journey. They are exceptional in every way, and we expect them to leave an indelible mark on the organization, both individually and as a group.”
Jimmy Wheeler, Past President of LM and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee, echoes that sentiment. “As the committee is tasked every year, the focus is assembling a class that is uniquely talented and diverse in every way,” he says. “We were all so excited at the end of the selection process. Few things have signaled to me ‘business as usual’ like starting the annual program at Leadership Music this fall. Those of us who stay involved with the program are anxiously awaiting the starting bell (or clock) September 13th.”
The Class of 2022 participants will attend an orientation and alumni welcome reception in September, a two-day opening retreat in October, followed by six all-day sessions once a month, ending in May with graduation at a two-day closing retreat.
The Leader Music Class of 2022 includes:
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Announces Grand Opening Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughBrooklyn Bowl Nashville, the new Music City location of the Brooklyn Bowl, is hosting its grand opening weekend with in-person audiences June 25-26 with Old Crow Medicine Show headlining. Additional artist performances for the grand opening shows will be announced in coming weeks.
The venue’s originally-planned opening in March 2020 was delayed due to the Nashville tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the national shutdown, the venue became a live-stream originator, sharing music virtually with successful events featuring Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Billy Strings and others.
“We’re excited to welcome live audiences into our venue, fully uniting the spirit of this legendary music town with the eclectic energy of Brooklyn Bowl,” says Brooklyn Bowl co-founder Peter Shapiro. “It’s an honor to add our unique Brooklyn Bowl mix to the Nashville community.”
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, located in Germantown, is the newest addition following its flagship in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and its Las Vegas locations. The Nashville outpost has a 1200 capacity for live music, a bowling alley, a restaurant and a nightlife space.
Round Hill Music Signs Nashville Based Rock Band Lit, Acquires Back Catalog
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Dave Rose (Deep South Entertainment), Joe Calitri (Round Hill), Jeremy Popoff (Lit), Jae Sims (Round Hill), Ajay Popoff (Lit), Lucy Bartozzi (Round Hill), Kevin Baldes (Lit), Michael Volk (Round Hill). Photo: Imani Givertz
Round Hill Music has acquired the publishing catalog of Nashville-based rock band Lit, known for memorable late ’90s hits including “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable.” Round Hill Records will also release new music from the band in 2022.
The band comprised of brothers Ajay Popoff (vocals) and Jeremy Popoff (guitar), along with bassist Kevin Baldes, and drummer Taylor Carroll, is in the studio working on its seventh full-length album and debut for Round Hill Records.
Their previous six studio albums include the Platinum selling A Place in the Sun.
“We’re super proud to work with Lit,” said Josh Gruss, CEO, Round Hill Music. “They are based in Nashville and they’ve often stopped by our complex to record, write or just hang. They are like family. Their music has always been great, but it seems to just get better as the years go by. We’re excited to acquire their catalog and steward that gem going forward, but also we are excited to work with them on their new record. Doing such a comprehensive deal including, catalog, frontline publishing and record deal shows how multi-faceted we are at Round Hill.”
Ajay Popoff said, “We’re excited to be working with Round Hill both as a band and as songwriters. This is the fit we’ve been waiting years for. The new Lit music is a refreshing throwback as well as a big step into the future of the modern rock genre.”
Jeremy Popoff added, “I’m super pumped about our team at Round Hill. Everyone there has such a passion for music and it just feels like the perfect home for us. Josh has put together an all-star team that we’re excited to be working with. I can’t wait for the world to hear what we’re up to.”
AEG Launches Born & Raised Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughAEG Presents has announced the lineup and details for its 2021 inaugural Born & Raised Music Festival, which will bring together more than 30 acts from the Outlaw, Texas and Red Dirt country scenes. The music and camping experience is set for Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19 in Pryor, Oklahoma. Scheduled to perform are ZZ Top, Cody Jinks, Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams, Randy Rogers Band, Parker McCollum, Wade Bowen, Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Jack Ingram and more. This year’s event will include a special pre-festival Friday Night Honky Tonk on Sept. 17.
Born & Raised will also feature The BBQ Ranch curated by pitmaster Wayne Mueller, owner/pitmaster of Central Texas’ famed Louie Mueller Barbecue. The BBQ Ranch will host some of the top pitmasters in the region, offering sampling and BBQ demonstrations for fans.
“We were excited to launch Born & Raised in 2020, and to say we’re even more excited in 2021 is an understatement,” said Festival Producer Mike DuCharme of AEG Presents. “This region lives and breathes Outlaw, Texas, Red Dirt country. We can’t wait for fans to walk through the doors and experience what we have put together.”
Presale passes for Born & Raised will be available beginning Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. CT. Passes will go on sale to the general public Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m. CT.
Randy Travis Marks 35th Anniversary Of Debut Album With Remastered Version
/by Sarah SkatesRandy Travis
Randy Travis will celebrate the 35th anniversary of his album Storms of Life with a newly remastered version including classic songs “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “On The Other Hand,” as well as three previously unreleased tracks.
Storms of Life (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will be released Sept. 24 with pre-order beginning Aug. 27.
Travis and his triple-Platinum debut album Storms of Life helped bring the country genre back to its traditional roots. Released in 1986 by Warner Bros. Records, it was his first of five consecutive No. 1 albums and went on to sell more than 3 million copies. The 35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be released by Warner Music Nashville.
“I love the timeless lyrics and the traditional country instruments, like steel guitar, banjo, piano, fiddle,” says the Country Music Hall of Fame member. “It was music I believed in, that told a story I wanted to share. We were fortunate to have a large catalog of songs to choose from that were more traditional. At the time, people and radio really weren’t playing this kind of music. Most people were recording more of an urban cowboy sound, so I got to choose from the best of the best, cream of the crop. It was exciting for all of us to get back to our roots.”
Storms of Life (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Track Listing:
1. “On The Other Hand” (Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz)
2. “The Storms of Life” (Max D. Barnes, Troy Seals)
3. “My Heart Cracked (But It Did Not Break)” (Ronny Scaife, Don Singleton, Phil Thomas)
4. “Diggin’ Up Bones” (Al Gore, Paul Overstreet, Nat Stuckey)
5. “No Place Like Home” (Paul Overstreet)
6. “1982” (Buddy Blackmon, Vip Vipperman)
7. “Send My Body” (Randy Travis)
8. “Messin’ With My Mind” (Joseph Allen, Charlie Williams)
9. “Reasons I Cheat” (Randy Travis)
10. “There’ll Always Be A Honky Tonk Somewhere” (Steve Clark, Johnny MacRae)
Unreleased Tracks: (songwriters not listed in press release)
“Ain’t No Use”
“Carryin’ Fire”
“The Wall”
*All tracks produced by Kyle Lehning, except “On The Other Hand” and “Reasons I Cheat” produced by Lehning and Keith Stegall.
Sr. VP/Events Erick Long Exits ACM
/by LB CantrellErick Long
Former Sr. VP/Events at the Academy of Country Music Erick Long has exited his position after more than 12 years with the organization. His last day was Friday, May 28.
The news comes days after former Sr. VP/Marketing Brooke Primero’s exit.
Long joined the Academy in 2009 from Universal Studios after a prior stop with the Salt Lake Olympics. While searching for his next project, he will consult on several events and productions.
“I’m so proud of how much the ACM has accomplished over the years especially the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, Radio Remotes, robust internship and volunteer programs—alongside of course producing hundreds of events, many of which helped raise millions of dollars for ACM Lifting Lives,” says Long.
Long can be reached at long.erick@gmail.com.
Tanya Tucker Returns To The Road With Bring My Flowers Now Tour
/by Sarah SkatesTanya Tucker will return to the road this summer in more than 35 cities with her rescheduled shows as well as new dates, including stops for her headlining CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour. The shows start June 25 in Colorado and run through December in Las Vegas.
Tucker rekindled her passionate fan base with her Grammy winning album While I’m Livin,’ produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, and 2020’s Tanya Tucker—Live From The Troubadour. Now she is eager to reconnect with fans after a year off the road. Says Tucker, “We’ve all been through hell and back the past year, so I can’t wait to get back out there and perform! It’s been too damn long.”
Tanya Tucker 2021 Tour Dates:
June 25 Country Jam – Grand Junction, Colo.
June 27 Carson Valley Inn Casino – Minden, NV
July 16 Country Thunder – Twin Lakes, Wisc.
July 17 Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, Wisc.
July 31 Sugar Creek Casino – Hinton, Okla.
Aug 06 Knuckleheads Saloon – Kansas City, Mo.^^
Aug 07 Hinterland Music Festival – Saint Charles, Iowa
Aug 11 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, Mich.^^
Aug 13 Hart Theatre at The Egg – Albany, N.Y.^^
Aug 14 Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, Conn.^^
Aug 19 Vernon Downs – Vernon, N.Y.
Aug 20 Tioga Downs Race Track – Nichols, N.Y.
Aug 26 Jefferson Center – Roanoke, Va.^^
Aug 27 Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center – Cherokee, N.C.^^
Aug 29 Railbird Music Festival – Lexington, Ky.
Sept 05 Great Lake Center for the Arts – Bay Harbor, Mich.
Sept 10 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, Tenn.
Sept 11 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept 12 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.**
Sept 14 Bluebird Theatre – Denver, Colo.^^
Sept 17 The Kessler Theater – Dallas, Texas^^
Sept 19 The Heights Theater – Houston, Texas^^
Sept 24 Roots N Blues Festival – Columbia, Mo.
Sept 25 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival – Franklin, TN
Oct 01 Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, Texas
Oct 03 Deadwood Mountain Grand – Deadwood, S.D.
Oct 05 Knitting Factory – Boise, Idaho^^
Oct 06 The Bing Crosby Theater – Spokane, Wash.^^
Oct 08 The Showbox Theatre – Seattle, Wash.^^
Oct 09 Crystal Ballroom – Portland, Ore.^^
Oct 10 Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, B.C., Canada^^
Oct 12 State Theatre for the Arts – Red Bluff, Colo.^^
Oct 17 Fox Theatre – Bakersfield, Calif.^^
Oct 18 Fremont Theater – San Luis Obispo, Calif.^^
Oct 20 Crest Theatre – Sacramento, Calif.^^
Oct 21 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, Calif.^^
Dec 03 Golden Nugget Casino – Las Vegas, Nev.
^^CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour
**with Brandi Carlile
Michael W. Smith To Re-Record ‘Worship’ Album Live In Nashville With Special Guests
/by Lorie HollabaughMichael W. Smith is re-recording and releasing his best-selling album of all time, Worship, in honor of its 20th anniversary. Worship Forever will re-imagine the album live in front of an audience with a full symphony orchestra at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena on July 12 in Nashville.
Smith will be joined by special guests Amy Grant, Matt Redman, Tauren Wells and more for the live album, which will be released on September 10, 2021. Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.com and the performance will be released as a TV event later this year.
Originally released on September 11, 2001, the double Platinum Worship offered hope during a time of despair and mourning following 9/11. “The Worship record was a special one for me,” recalls Smith. “From the recording live in Lakeland, Florida – to the release on 9/11– the day our nation was attacked. I’ve seen God use those songs and that music in ways I could have never dreamed. I’m so excited, now, to be reimagining this record, start to finish, with a full symphony orchestra. It’s going to be a special recording and night.”
Worship Track List:
1. “Forever,” Written by Chris Tomlin
2. “The Heart of Worship,” Written by Matt Reedman
3. “Draw Me Close,” Written by Kelly Carpenter
4. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” Written by Helen H. Lemmel
5. “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” Written by Paul Baloche
6. “Above All,” Written by Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche
7. “Breathe,” Written by Marie Barnett
8. “Let It Rain,” Written by Michael Farren
9. “Agnus Dei,” Written by Michael W. Smith
10. “Awesome God,” Written by Rich Mullins
11. “More Love, More Power,” Written by Jude del Hierro
12. “Purified,” Written by Deborah D. Smith, Michael W. Smith
13. “Above All (studio version),” Written by Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche
Keith Urban’s Live–Las Vegas Show Returns To Caesars Palace In September
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban has announced five new performance dates for his headlining residency in Las Vegas. Keith Urban Live–Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace will take place Sept. 17 – 25, 2021.
The shows are the continuation of his residency which was previously scheduled for 2020, but was cut short by the pandemic after only four performances.
The concerts are described as an arena-sized production in an up-close and personal theater setting, utilizing The Colosseum’s new general admission capability on the main floor.
Keith Urban. Photo: Andy Snyder
Tickets go on sale to the public starting Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m. PT. Members of The ‘Ville, Urban’s official fan club, will have access to a presale beginning Wednesday, June 2 at 10 a.m. PT. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Thursday, June 3 at 10 a.m. PT.
Caesars Rewards members, as well as Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a presale beginning Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. PT. All presales end Sunday, June 6 at 10 p.m. PT.
General ticket prices begin at $69, plus tax and fees, and may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/keithurbanvegas.
Other country stars planning Vegas residencies this year include Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Shania Twain.
Luke Combs Racks Up 11th Consecutive Chart-Topper With ‘Forever After All’
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey
Luke Combs has achieved his eleventh consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week with his latest single, “Forever After All.”
The song is also his sixth straight No. 1 from his new deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get—tying the record for most chart-topping singles to come from the same album. The Platinum-certified song, which also tops Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Streaming Songs charts this week, debuted at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart last November, which was the highest entrance ever for a male country solo artist.
Combs also recently made history as the first artist to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—breaking Taylor Swift’s previous record at 24 weeks. The achievement comes as What You See Is What You Get topped the chart for the 25th time last summer, while his 2017 debut, This One’s For You, has spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1—tying the record with Shania Twain’s Come On Over for the longest reign at the top the chart.
Combs returns to the stage in September with his headlining arena tour, featuring a new in-the-round stage design.