Canaan Smith. Photo: Kurt Ozan
Artist-songwriter Canaan Smith announced his sophomore album, High Country Sound, will release on April 2 via Round Here Records.
High Country Sound serves as the long-awaited follow-up to his 2015 debut album, Bronco, and marks his first major release under Round Here Records. The 12-track project features everything from bluegrass-tinged, swampy sing-alongs like “Catch Me If You Can” featuring Brent Cobb to raw, lyrically driven ballads including “Like I Ain’t Missin’ You,” with each tune peeling back a different layer on what he refers to as “Canaan Country.”
Smith makes his debut as sole producer on eight of the 12 tracks, while co-producing the rest of the set alongside Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. As a writer, his credit is on every single song on the project.
“This whole album felt like a chance to make something that I truly wanted, which was extremely liberating—but also nerve-racking because I became the one responsible for the project,” Smith says. “I really focused on having fun with it, and I didn’t feel pressure from anyone to do anything in particular—it all came from a place of my own personal love for these songs. Taking control and kind of steering the project in the way I wanted just made the outcome that much more special, and I couldn’t be prouder of it.”
High Country Sound Track Listing:
1. “Grounded” (Canaan Smith, Jim Beavers, Ben Stennis) *
2. “Mason Jars & Fireflies” (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder) *
3. “Colder Than You” (Canaan Smith, Jared Mullins, Corey Crowder) ^
4. “High Country” (Canaan Smith, Blake Redferrin, Corey Crowder) ^
5. “Catch Me If You Can” ft. Brent Cobb (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Jason Afable) *
6. “Cabin In The Woods” (Canaan Smith, Josh Miller, Brian Kelley, David Garcia) ^
7. “American Dream” (Canaan Smith, Blair Daly) *
8. “Sweet Virginia” (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder) ^
9. “Still” (Canaan Smith, Ben Stennis, Jim Beavers) *
10. “Like I Ain’t Missin’ You” (Canaan Smith, Blake Redferrin, Jason Afable) *
11. “Highway Blues” (Canaan Smith, Jake Rose, Brian Kelley) *
12. “Losin’ Sleep Over A Girl” (Canaan Smith, Marv Green, Kyle Fishman) *
* Produced by Canaan Smith
^ Produced by Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley + Tyler Hubbard
Chart Action: Lady A Sweeps Chart Stats
/by Alex ParryLady A is most added across all three country radio charts this week with their single “Like A Lady.” On the Billboard Country Airplay chart, the trio debuts at No. 24 with 82 new station adds and a spin gain of +1,466. On Mediabase, they received 84 adds, +1,511 spins, landing them at No. 30. On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, Lady A earn 25 new ads, +265 spins and debuts at No. 58.
“Like A Lady” was written by Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson and Brandon Paddock. It is the first single off their upcoming eighth studio album. Scott leads the band with joyful vocal abandon on the track. “Like A Lady” was produced by Dann Huff and features lush vocal stacks, arena-sized drums and an ‘80s pop sound.
Canaan Smith Announces Sophomore Album, ‘High Country Sound’
/by LB CantrellCanaan Smith. Photo: Kurt Ozan
Artist-songwriter Canaan Smith announced his sophomore album, High Country Sound, will release on April 2 via Round Here Records.
High Country Sound serves as the long-awaited follow-up to his 2015 debut album, Bronco, and marks his first major release under Round Here Records. The 12-track project features everything from bluegrass-tinged, swampy sing-alongs like “Catch Me If You Can” featuring Brent Cobb to raw, lyrically driven ballads including “Like I Ain’t Missin’ You,” with each tune peeling back a different layer on what he refers to as “Canaan Country.”
Smith makes his debut as sole producer on eight of the 12 tracks, while co-producing the rest of the set alongside Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. As a writer, his credit is on every single song on the project.
“This whole album felt like a chance to make something that I truly wanted, which was extremely liberating—but also nerve-racking because I became the one responsible for the project,” Smith says. “I really focused on having fun with it, and I didn’t feel pressure from anyone to do anything in particular—it all came from a place of my own personal love for these songs. Taking control and kind of steering the project in the way I wanted just made the outcome that much more special, and I couldn’t be prouder of it.”
High Country Sound Track Listing:
1. “Grounded” (Canaan Smith, Jim Beavers, Ben Stennis) *
2. “Mason Jars & Fireflies” (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder) *
3. “Colder Than You” (Canaan Smith, Jared Mullins, Corey Crowder) ^
4. “High Country” (Canaan Smith, Blake Redferrin, Corey Crowder) ^
5. “Catch Me If You Can” ft. Brent Cobb (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Jason Afable) *
6. “Cabin In The Woods” (Canaan Smith, Josh Miller, Brian Kelley, David Garcia) ^
7. “American Dream” (Canaan Smith, Blair Daly) *
8. “Sweet Virginia” (Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder) ^
9. “Still” (Canaan Smith, Ben Stennis, Jim Beavers) *
10. “Like I Ain’t Missin’ You” (Canaan Smith, Blake Redferrin, Jason Afable) *
11. “Highway Blues” (Canaan Smith, Jake Rose, Brian Kelley) *
12. “Losin’ Sleep Over A Girl” (Canaan Smith, Marv Green, Kyle Fishman) *
* Produced by Canaan Smith
^ Produced by Canaan Smith, Brian Kelley + Tyler Hubbard
Bob Kingsley’s ‘Book Of Records’ Print And Audio Book Slated For 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughBob Kingsley
A new career retrospective on the late legendary broadcaster Bob Kingsley, Bob Kingsley’s Book Of Records, a career-spanning first-hand account of the format’s most engaging artists, songwriters, producers, and executives, is set for release in early 2022.
Authored by Bob himself throughout his lifetime, readers will take a journey through the format’s past, present and future in the collectible hardcover new book. Never-before-heard stories will be paired with fresh interpretations from creators and industry friends in the collection. In tandem with the recent donation of The Bob Kingsley Archive to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, all proceeds from the print book and also an audio book will be allocated to the Museum’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“It only seems appropriate that we remember Bob today, on what would be his 82nd birthday, with a book that chronicles the music he loved and the stories he spent a lifetime documenting,” says Nan Kingsley, President of KCCS Productions, Inc. “For sixty years Bob was a part of country music in many capacities, but his global reach on radio was his most important and lasting contribution to the Nashville community. I am so pleased to see Bob’s first-hand take on so many of the legends, superstars, and new artists be brought to life. Bob never lost his passion for listening to new music and learning from those who made it. I think that will be evident when readers digest this project.”
The print book, which will be published by Nautilus Publishing, will also include hundreds of rare photographs. Throughout his career, notes and audio documentation were kept and transcribed, with the intent for Bob to one-day share this living history.
“Bob Kingsley changed country radio forever, and he was a constant figure in the format’s history for sixty years,” says Neil White, Creative Director & Publisher at Nautilus. “We could not be more thrilled to collaborate with Nan and her team on this project. No other radio voice in country music has had the impact Bob had, and I am pleased that his journey through the years will be documented forever in Book Of Records.”
Dustin Lynch Enlists MacKenzie Porter For Stirring Duet, ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellDustin Lynch is giving a second life to a track first shared on his Tullahoma album, this time enlisting rising singer-songwriter MacKenzie Porter to complete the duet.
“Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter),” co-written by Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly, tells the exciting and relatable tale of exes reconnecting via a phone conversation.
“The chorus was a bit of a one-take, lyrically, for me,” Lynch tells MusicRow of the “Thinking ‘Bout You” writing session. “I was just name-checking places that people have ended up or I’ve done life at through the years. There’s definitely a personal connection to the lyric of the song.”
The duet originally appeared as a collaboration on Tullahoma with Lauren Alaina. When Alaina wasn’t available to be a part of the single release, Lynch put a call out to the country music community for submissions for the part from up-and-coming female artists.
“I had my team remove all the names from the submissions and just number them so I wouldn’t be persuaded based on if I knew who it was, what camp they’re a part of, what they look like. On my first listen I ended up pointing to file number two or whatever it was. Two weeks later, I’m still listening through and keep coming back to it. It ended up being MacKenzie Porter,” Lynch explains. “We all gravitated to her performance, and I think there’s reason for that.
“For me it was an opportunity to reach down and lift a new artist up, I take pride in hopefully shining a little bit of light, if we have some success with ‘Thinking ‘Bout You,’ on MacKenzie’s career.”
The music video, directed by Justin Nolan Key, plays off the phone conversation story line, with Lynch and Porter assuming the roles of a former couple reminiscing over the phone.
Donovan Woods To Release ‘Without People (Deluxe)’ On March 26
/by Lorie HollabaughDonovan Woods is releasing a new deluxe edition of his 2020 album, Without People, featuring four bonus tracks, including two new originals and two alternate mixes, on March 26.
The album includes a new piano rendition of “Grew Apart,” and an acoustic interpretation of “Whatever Keeps You Going” that pairs Woods with the voices of the J.P. Robarts Public School Music Project in London, Canada. The school’s choir (consisting of grades 3-8) formerly sang with Woods in 2019 at one of his concerts in London. Woods always wanted to feature the choir on a project, but during the pandemic, he learned that while the schools had reopened, the children were only allowed to hum during choir practice due to the nature of health and safety protocols. He then, with the help of their parents and choir director Jane Kennedy, enlisted the children’s choir to individually submit homemade cell phone videos of themselves singing the song.
“This deluxe version is really in place of what live shows might’ve been like if the pandemic hadn’t happened,” says Woods. “Among my favorite parts of playing live are presenting songs in a different context and introducing new material, and this deluxe version is doing that type of work.”
Since its release on Woods’ own Meant Well label in 2020, Without People has racked up 10 million streams and counting.
Gabby Barrett Notches Second MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1
/by Alex ParryGabby Barrett earns the No. 1 spot this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “The Good Ones.” The single was written by Barrett, Zach Kale, Emily Landis, and Jim McCormick.
Her previous single, “I Hope,” spent 27 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, making it the longest-leading No. 1 by an unaccompanied female artist in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Barrett recently released a a 7-track Live From The Goldmine EP. Her debut album for Warner Music Nashville, Goldmine, surpassed 1 billion streams within seven months of its release.
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Industry Ink: Luke and Kaylee, Charley Pride, IBMA
/by Steven BoeroBlack Sheep Label Group Signs Duo Luke And Kaylee
Luke And Kaylee. Photo: Alexandra Rae Taber – A.R.T. Photography
Black Sheep Label Group has signed up-and-coming husband and wife duo Luke and Kaylee. The duo is releasing their debut single, “I Don’t Wanna Wake Up,” on the independent label this month and is working on a full-length project set for release later this year.
“We felt something very special when we first heard Luke and Kaylee. We are excited to help them share their music with a larger audience through our relationship with Copperline and The Orchard,” says Susan Hobbs, CEO & general manager, Black Sheep Label Group.
Luke and Kaylee join Black Sheep Records’ growing roster of artists which includes former The Voice contestant Michael Austin and West Coast country vocalist Matt Koerner.
The Texas Rangers Announce Charley Pride Fellowship Program
The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation announced the creation of the Charley Pride Fellowship Program. This program will offer rising college Juniors and Seniors a ten-week internship opportunity with the team’s front office. On what would’ve been Pride’s 87th birthday the program was announced with members of the Rangers front office, Pride’s wife Rozene Pride and his friends and fellow country singers Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin and Neal McCoy. The Texas Rangers also dedicated a practice field to Pride.
“The Charley Pride Fellows program honors the legacy of Charley Pride as a pioneer and trailblazer and is designed to create future trailblazers in front offices of baseball organizations starting here with the Rangers,” says Neil Leibman, Texas Rangers President, Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer and Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Chairman.
IBMA Board Of Directors Announce Election Results
The International Bluegrass Music Association announced the results of the election of new members to its Board of Directors.
The following members were elected or re-elected by their respective membership constituencies and will serve a three-year term beginning in June 2021:
Dan Boner: Print, Media, and Education (re-elected to a second term)
Brad Kolodner: Broadcast Media
Tristan Scroggins: Artists, Composers, and Music Publishers
Outgoing members of the board and staff of the IBMA are Kenny Smith and Bob Webster, who were thanked by the organization for their “outstanding service and contributions to the association and the entire bluegrass music community.”
Exile Inks With Time Life For Digital Re-issue Of Four Albums
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Exile’s Steve Goetzman, JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Les Taylor. Photo: Mark Conner
Exile has signed a distribution deal with Time Life to reissue four of their albums: The Garage Tapes, Exile Hits, Live at the Franklin Theatre and People Get Ready.
For the first time ever, the multi-award winning albums will all be available digitally, and include the No. 1 hits and fan favorites “Kiss You All Over,” “Woke Up In Love,” “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” “Give Me One More Chance” and many more.
“Exile is driven by an astounding amount of talent, writing and performing music that appeals to everyone from rock to pop to country music fans,” says Time Life Sr. Vice President, Live Entertainment, Mike Jason. “We’re thrilled to help deliver their music across digital platforms to all of them.”
“I have been aware of, and highly impressed with, the Time Life brand, for many years,” says Exile’s Marlon Hargis. “It is a real thrill to now be included in their family!”
The pop/country crossover band continues to tour, performing their greatest hits and fan-favorites on the road, and plans to announce new dates later this year.
Gary LeVox Embarks On Solo Journey With New Single ‘The Distance’
/by Lorie HollabaughGary LeVox of Rascal Flatts is stepping out on his own with a stirring new Christian solo track, “The Distance,” out on Big Machine Records today (March 19).
“The Distance,” penned by LeVox with Josh Hoge and Matt McVaney, is a sweeping expression of the power of faith and a first-person testimony filled with encouragement and a sense of resilience. LeVox also released a performance video of the track.
“’The Distance’ was the first song written for my solo chapter,” explains LeVox. “With the struggles and battles so many have gone through this past year and taken over people’s everyday lives, this felt like a true song of hope. With this song, the message we wanted to share is that our hope is not lost, it’s found on the cross. And with God, we can go the distance. Don’t ever give up.”
After 20 years as front man of country supergroup Rascal Flatts, LeVox is embarking on a solo chapter combining two of his biggest passions—music and faith. With his debut single, “The Distance,” the Ohio native unveils the empowering first taste of that mission, delivering an expression of the power of belief that’s tailor made for the COVID-19 era. Grounded in the Flatts legacy, the track mixes LeVox’s stratospheric vocals with high-energy instrumentation, encouraging fans to never give up—a message he knows by heart.
Smokey Robinson To Headline 10th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs Great Futures Gala
/by Steven BoeroSmokey Robinson
Motown legend Smokey Robinson will perform at the 10th Annual Great Futures Gala on October 2, organized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT).
Along with the performance from Robinson, a Boys & Girls Club alumnus, the event includes an auction experience, dinner, as well as mission moments. The gala raises more than $500,000 for local youth programs and services.
The annual event supports 11 Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Davidson and Williamson counties, as well as efforts to serve 10,000 youth in Middle Tennessee. For more than 118 years, BGCMT has helped young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
“Smokey’s experiences with the Boys & Girls Clubs during his childhood in Detroit make him the perfect fit for shining a spotlight on the importance of our programs and how they help local youth build their own great futures,” says Eric Higgs, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “Not only is he a role model for our youth, he has also inspired generations of musicians and will be sure to put on a show that Great Futures Gala attendees will remember for years to come.”
In addition to the performance, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee’s Youth of the Year will share the value of the Club in their life and how they have achieved academic success, a healthy lifestyle and good character through their Club engagement.
Tickets, tables, and sponsorships can be secured through www.BGCMT.org or by contacting (615) 983-6804. Nissan is this year’s presenting sponsor, and CAT Financial is on board as an entertainment sponsor.
The event is set for October, 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on 1000 Broadway.