Ruston Kelly. Photo: Alexa King.
Ruston Kelly will hit the road later this year on his just-announced Shape & Destroy North American tour, which will run from October 7 through November 21, supporting his recently-released album of the same name.
“We’ve been waiting as patiently as possible to tour this album and it’s finally time to do it,” says Kelly. “Lots of these songs were written on the road, in the back of the bus, backstage, in hotel rooms etc. The road is a large part of the energy in these songs. I think that’s a huge reason this tour will be so special, the anticipation and excitement is going to blow the roof off of every venue in every city.”
The 29-city tour will include stops in major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada including Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, Austin, Louisville, and more. Kelly will also play two sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November.
Kelly will be joined by singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, who will play at every show except opening night. On the first night of Kelly’s sold-out Ryman show, Ruston’s father, pedal steel player Tim “TK” Kelly will open the show with a set of his own music. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. local time.
Shape & Destroy Tour Dates:
10/7 – Music Box, San Diego, CA
10/8 – Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
10/9 – Ace Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
10/11 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
10/14 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
10/15 – Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC
10/16 – Neumos, Seattle, WA
10/18 – The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
10/20 – Summit, Denver, CO
10/22 – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues, Houston, TX
10/23 – Mohawk, Austin, TX
10/24 – HiFi, Dallas, TX
10/26 – Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
10/27 – Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO
10/29 – Shelter, Detroit, MI
10/30 – Vogue, Indianapolis, IN
11/3 – Mercury Ballroom, Louisville, KY
11/5 – Terminal West, Atlanta, GA
11/6 – Workplay, Birmingham, AL
11/7 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
11/8 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
11/10 – TBA, New York, NY
11/11 – Sixth & I, Washington, DC
11/12 – Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
11/13 – Paradise, Boston, MA
11/15 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
11/18 – A&R Bar, Columbus, OH
11/19 – Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI
11/20 – Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
11/21 – Amsterdam, Minneapolis, MN
Rhonda Vincent Releases Latest Track From New Album ‘Music Is What I See’
/by Lorie HollabaughRhonda Vincent
Rhonda Vincent has announced her new album, Music Is What I See, is set for release on May 28. Additionally, the Grand Ole Opry member has released a new track from the project,“What Ain’t To Be Just Might Happen.”
Written by Porter Wagoner, the upbeat, banjo-infused song encourages us to revel in the optimism of life and is the first taste from the brand new project. Vincent released another song from the album, “Like I Could,” a few weeks ago.
“The Grand Ole Opry theme runs through this album. Porter Wagoner is one of the Opry themes. He wrote and recorded this song in 1972. I think it has a great beat for bluegrass and I love performing it. This song brings immediate smiles from the minute the banjo kicks it off. Plus it’s a happy song, and perfect for this day and time,” said Vincent.
Vincent kicked off 2021 in a huge way, fulfilling a lifelong dream when she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 6.
Kip Moore Plots 20-City How High Tour For Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughKip Moore has announced he’ll return to the road this fall on the How High Tour, slated to kick off in Chicago, Illinois on October 14.
The 20-date run will include stops in Detroit, Knoxville, Charlotte, Kansas City, San Diego, and more through December 18. Tickets will be available to purchase beginning this Friday, (May 14) at 10 a.m. local time at kipmoore.net.
Moore is also embracing the feel-good vibes from his new single “Good Life” in the just-released new video for the track. Directed by friend/long-time collaborator PJ Brown, the clip sees Moore embody the free-spirited nature of the song, showing multiple facets of him living a “Good Life” throughout the video.
“The live show has been a massive part of everything we’ve built up until this point,” said Moore. “We brought out a full record this past year and so it’s been a huge priority to get this tour scheduled so we can get out there and play those songs with the people who supported ‘Wild World’ and maybe even play some newer material now that we have ‘Good Life’ out there. Working on the music video for the single was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had making a video. We really just went for it and let our inhibitions go.”
The How High Tour Dates:
10/14 Chicago, IL
10/15 Newport, KY
10/16 Rochester, NY
10/21 Fort Wayne, IN
10/22 Grand Rapids, MI
10/23 Detroit, MI
11/4 Knoxville, TN
11/5 Chattanooga, TN
11/6 Asheville, NC
11/11 Huntsville, AL
11/12 Charlotte, NC
11/13 Orange Beach, AL
11/19 North Myrtle Beach, SC
11/20 Raleigh, NC
11/21 Silver Spring, MD
12/2 Kansas City, MO
12/3 Kearney, NE
12/4 Dubuque, IA
12/17 Phoenix, AZ
12/18 San Diego, CA
Show Dog Nashville Inks Deal With Kimberly Kelly
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R, Top-Bottom): Producer and Kelly’s husband Brett Tyler, President/Owner TKO Artist Management TK Kimbrell, Show Dog Nashville Senior VP/Promotion Rick Moxley, Kelly’s Manager Mike Robertson, Co-Founder/Owner Thirty Tigers David Macias, Kimberly Kelly, and Toby Keith. Photo: Eric England.
Show Dog Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Kimberly Kelly, joining a roster that includes Clay Walker, Krystal Keith and label head Toby Keith.
“She sings country music with emotion and range,” says Keith. “I am big on songwriters and her talent impressed me. She’s a songwriter that has something to say.”
Kelly has released a crowd-funded EP and two independent albums. She has written with esteemed writers and performers including Lori McKenna, Terry McBride, Erin Enderlin and Steve Wariner. The Lorena, Texas native aims to build on her regional notoriety with a new album project due later this year.
“I’m thrilled to have a nod from Toby and the Show Dog team, and for the opportunity to make more music! Toby has done things his way, and I feel like I’ve tried my best to do the same,” Kelly says. “I’m looking forward to having this great team behind me. I’m grateful David Macias came across my last EP, and believed in it and me enough to introduce me to Toby and the label.”
Show Dog Nashville was founded in 2005 by Toby Keith and will market Kelly’s music in partnership with Thirty Tigers.
Warner Chappell Nashville Inks Global Publishing Deal With Martin Johnson
/by LB CantrellMartin Johnson
Warner Chappell Music Nashville has signed a global publishing deal with singer, songwriter, producer, and frontman of pop punk band Boys Like Girls, Martin Johnson.
Johnson most recently co-wrote and co-produced Lady A’s current single, “Like A Lady,” and penned and produced Elle King and Miranda Lambert’s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” Aside from his work as an artist, Johnson has past cuts and production credits with artists spanning genres including, Jason Derulo, Dan + Shay, Pentatonix, Flo Rida, Karmin, Gavin DeGraw, Daughtry, Avril Lavigne, and more.
Currently releasing new music as an artist under his new wave alternative project The Night Game, his sophomore album Dog Years was released earlier this year.
Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville, says: “I’ve known Martin for years and have always admired his work in and out of the Nashville market. He’s a true versatile talent whose sound isn’t bound by any one genre, and our team is so excited that he’s now landed in Nashville and has found a home at Warner Chappell.”
Johnson adds: “I’m jacked to take on the next chapter of my career with Warner Chappell. Ben, Katy Wolaver, and Spencer Nohe have been so supportive of me and it feels natural to join them as they lead the way to new opportunities in a new town. Katy has always been in my corner—even back during our time on the mean streets of the mid 2000s emo world—long before she had a stake in the game. And I’ll never forget Ben sticking his neck out to open doors and make me feel welcomed when I first came to Nashville. I’m so happy to have found a new friend and an incredible A&R in Spencer, and I look forward to the next phase of the ride with the entire Warner Chappell family.”
Jesse Frasure Returns To Pinnacle Of MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAs a co-writer on Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song,” Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes,” Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage,” and Michael Ray’s “Whiskey And Rain,” writer/publisher/producer Jesse Frasure has returned to the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, only having been dethroned by Taylor Swift.
Swift is now at No. 8, with her “Mr. Perfectly Fine,” “Love Story” and “You All Over Me” fairing well on the country charts.
Josh Osborne moves up one this week to No. 2 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, with co-writer credit on Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s,” Rascal Flatts’ “How They Remember You,” Carly Pearce’s “Next Girl,” and Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots.” Ashley Gorley rounds out the top three.
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.
Industry Ink: Justin Moore, Black River, Bella White
/by Lydia FarthingJustin Moore Receives Pandora Billionaire Plaque For 3 Billion Streams
Photo: Courtesy of SiriusXM & Pandora
Last week, SiriusXM hosts Buzz Brainard and Ania Hammer presented Justin Moore with a Pandora Billionaire Plaque which commemorates 3 billion streams on the platform.
”Wow, that’s awesome! This is really an incredible and exciting surprise,” shares Moore. “Doing the podcast, we take listener questions and I’ve done a lot of Zooms with the new album so people are often asking me what I’m most proud of. Well, it’s really moments like this—14 years after signing my record deal that we’re still here getting to play music and be supported by the fans and industry.”
The hot streak continues with “We Didn’t Have Much” appearing on the Top Spins chart for 17 straight weeks and “She Ain’t Mine No More” debuting as the No. 3 country song on Pandora’s Top Thumb Hundred Chart.
Black River Entertainment Ups Bailey White
Bailey White
Black River Entertainment’s SVP of Radio Promotion Mike Wilson has announced the promotion of Bailey White to Northeast Regional Manager.
Joining Black River’s promotion department as Promotion Coordinator in 2017, White was promoted to Promotion Manager in May of 2019. With a background in pop, country, and Christian formats, Bailey’s previous stops include Sony Music Nashville, Checkd.in, Provident Label Group, Crowd Surf, and most recently, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
“I am so incredibly thankful for the mentorship and support of the entire Black River team,” says White. “To our friends in the Northeast that Jane has introduced me to over the years, I look forward to seeing you again, and to those I haven’t met yet, I am really excited to get to know you. If anyone would like to teach this girl from Phoenix how to drive in the snow, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Reporting to Wilson, White remains based out of Nashville, and can be reached at bwhite@blackriverent.com. The position of Promotion Coordinator is now available, and applicants can reach out to Mike Wilson at mwilson@blackriverent.com.
Bella White Signs With Rounder Records, Slates Debut Album
Bella White. Photo: Morgan Mason
Canadian singer-songwriter Bella White has signed with Rounder Records. Along with this announcement, the Nashville-based artist has also released her debut album Just Like Leaving which is available everywhere now.
Produced by Patrick M’Gonigle of The Lonely Heartstring Band and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Dave Sinko, Just Like Leaving includes songs White wrote from experiences she had in her teenage years, like leaving her hometown for Boston at the age of 18 or the intricacies of a broken heart.
“Just Like Leaving feels like a storybook of the things I went through when I was 18 and 19-each song is about a very specific feeling from my relationships during that time,” White reflects. “I’ve had a lot of younger people tell me that they relate to the experience of learning about yourself through someone else, and I’ve also had older folks tell me how it reminds them of when they were younger. I used to fear sometimes that I might run out of things to say in my songs, but I don’t feel that way after seeing how this album has affected people. It’s reminded me that there will always be a creative source for me to tap into.”
Ruston Kelly To Kick Off 29-City Shape & Destroy Tour In October
/by Lorie HollabaughRuston Kelly. Photo: Alexa King.
Ruston Kelly will hit the road later this year on his just-announced Shape & Destroy North American tour, which will run from October 7 through November 21, supporting his recently-released album of the same name.
“We’ve been waiting as patiently as possible to tour this album and it’s finally time to do it,” says Kelly. “Lots of these songs were written on the road, in the back of the bus, backstage, in hotel rooms etc. The road is a large part of the energy in these songs. I think that’s a huge reason this tour will be so special, the anticipation and excitement is going to blow the roof off of every venue in every city.”
The 29-city tour will include stops in major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada including Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, Austin, Louisville, and more. Kelly will also play two sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in November.
Kelly will be joined by singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, who will play at every show except opening night. On the first night of Kelly’s sold-out Ryman show, Ruston’s father, pedal steel player Tim “TK” Kelly will open the show with a set of his own music. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 14 at 10 a.m. local time.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Holds Steady At Top Of Country Albums Chart
/by Lydia FarthingMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
This week, Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album stays strong at the top of the country album charts with 53K streams, according to Nielsen.
Thomas Rhett‘s Country Again, Side A takes up the second spot with 30K while Luke Combs trails closely behind in third with What You See Is What You Get with 28K and in fifth with This One’s For You (18K). Taylor Swift‘s Fearless (Taylor’s Version) falls to fourth with 24K.
Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett continues her reign with “The Good Ones” at 7.5 million streams and 193 million RTD, according to Nielsen. Combs’ bumps up to the second spot at 7.3 million with “Forever After All” while Eric Church‘s “Hell Of A View” steps down a spot with 6.4 million. Wallen holds steady at fourth with “Wasted On You” at 5.4 million streams, and Jake Owen rings in the top five with “Made For You,” also at 5.4 million.
Fox Orders Country Music Drama ‘Monarch’ To Series
/by Lydia FarthingFox has handed a series order to Monarch, formerly known as the ‘Untitled Country Music Dynasty’ drama from writer Melissa London Hilfers, Deadline has reported.
Michael Rauch (Instinct, Royal Pains) will act as showrunner and executive producer for the series. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady will executive produce alongside Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen (Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves). According to Deadline, Owen’s clients and friends are expected to be appearing and performing on the show.
Monarch, which was teased late last fall, is described as a ‘Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music.’ The show marks the first live-action scripted series fully owned by Fox, since the sale of 20th Television to Disney.
‘The Bones’ Wins Song Of The Year At The BMI Pop Awards
/by LB CantrellAfter winning the ACM and CMA Song of the Year award, Maren Morris and her co-writers have taken home the title at the BMI Pop Awards.
The crossover hit, written by BMI affiliates Morris and Laura Veltz along with Jimmy Robbins (ASCAP), appeared on Morris’ sophomore album, Girl, and climbed to the number 12 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.
This is the first BMI Pop Award for the Morris and Veltz, who already have a combined total of 14 BMI Country Awards between them.
The co-writers were celebrated at the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, held virtually today (May 10). The company recognized the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms.
Pop star Halsey was named Songwriter of the Year for having written four of the previous year’s most performed songs including “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” “Be Kind,” and “You Should Be Sad.” With this award, Halsey earns her tenth BMI Pop Award after receiving accolades for Song of The Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards.
Sony Music Publishing won Publisher of the Year for the ninth time for representing 24 of the top 50 award-winning BMI Pop songs including hits “3 Nights,” “Boyfriend,” “My Oh My,” “Roses,” and “The Man.”
BMI also honored the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the 50 most-performed pop songs of the previous year. This year’s class of recipients included a record 59 first-time Pop Award winners such as BENEE, Edgar Barrera, Doja Cat, Trevor Daniel, Metro Boomin, Noah Cyrus, Roddy Ricch, SAINt JHN, JP Saxe and more.
Hits like “10,000 Hours” co-written by Jessie Jo Dillon and Shay Mooney, “I Hope” co-written by Gabby Barrett and Zach Kale, “Bang!” written and performed by AJR, Dua Lipa’s infectious dance anthem “Don’t Start Now” co-written by Caroline Ailin and Ian Kirkpatrick, and Taylor Swift’s “Lover” were also among the songs being recognized.
Read the full list of winners from 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards here.