Rissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles
Singer-songwriter and Apple Music’s Color Me Country radio host, Rissi Palmer, has partnered with the Rainey Day Fund, helmed by music journalist Kelly McCartney, to create a fund to support underrepresented voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) artists in country music. The fund is called The Color Me Country Artist Fund.
McCartney created the Rainey Day Fund, named after legendary blues artist Ma Rainey, in 2018 to assist BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists, as well as others who add to the rich fabric of roots music. With a similar mission, Palmer recognized a real problem in the country music industry. The Color Me Country Fund was born to bring the Black, Indigenous, and Latinx histories of country music to the forefront.
“As an artist, I’ve experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I know what it’s like to have to choose between eating and paying rent, to work a 9-to-5, then pull an all-nighter in the studio to get closer to the dream of being a self-sustaining musician,” says Palmer. “Any success I have achieved has been because of the kindness of others and their belief in me, and I want to pay it forward. The Color Me Country Artist Fund will be an extension of the work I do with my radio show to further the careers of artists of color in the country music space. I don’t want anyone’s dreams deferred because of financial hardships. 100% of the funds will go to artists in need. I thank Kelly McCartney and the Rainey Day Fund for planting the seed.”
“Between our seed funding and a recent donation from Brandi Carlile‘s Looking Out Foundation, we have gifted grants to Yola, Birds of Chicago, Tré Burt, Joy Oladokun, Brittney Spencer, Jontavious Willis, and others, while also creating an Indigenous Music Scholarship with Folk Alliance International,” McCartney says of the Rainey Day Fund. “Seeing the work that Rissi was doing in the country music space, it just made sense to create a specific Color Me Country program to support the artists on those fringes, as well. Together, we’re being the change we wish to see in the music world.”
Palmer’s Color Me Country Apple Music radio show has included guests Miko Marks, Crystal Shawanda, Kamara Thomas, Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker and more. McCartney, who hosts Southern Craft Radio on Apple Music, has featured Brandy Clark, Larkin Poe, Jason Isbell, JOHNNYSWIM, The War and Treaty, Tanya Tucker, and more.
Learn more about The Color Me Country Artist Fund here and The Rainey Day Fund here.
‘Opry Live’ Notches No. 1 on Year-End Livestreamers Chart
/by Sarah SkatesCircle Network’s one-hour “Opry Live” program earned the No. 1 spot on Pollstar’s Top 100 Livestreamers Chart (year-end) across all genres, with 30,327,437 views, nearly 15 million views higher than the second runner-up.
Additionally, 28 “Opry Live” shows are in the Top 100 Livestreams Chart, with two landing in the Top 10. Country icons and Grand Ole Opry members Vince Gill and Reba McEntire’s July performance came in at No. 9 with more than 2.6 million views, directly followed by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s September performance at No. 10 with more than 2.2 million views.
As of today, “Opry Live” has reached over 50 million views from 50 countries around the world.
“Opry Live” broadcasts twice more in 2020, including this Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9:00 pm EST when Circle will air a Christmas Special hosted by Amy Grant and featuring performances by an all-star lineup including Lauren Alaina, Lady A and Kelsea Ballerini.
Dolly Parton And Edge Beauty Team For New Fragrance Partnership
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton is launching her own line of fragrances through a new deal with beauty industry supergroup Edge Beauty, Inc. The company and the superstar have inked a long-term license agreement for the creation, development and distribution of the fragrances with the first collection set to launch in spring 2021.
“Fragrance has always played a major role in my life—I wear my own combination of scents every day,” said Parton. “I am so excited to share this dream with my fans. Developing my own brand and scent with Edge Beauty has been an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to becoming a big part of the fragrance community.”
“We are thrilled to share a new facet of Dolly’s personality with her millions of fans and admirers. She strikes a universal chord that resonates globally in the hearts of people across all age groups and many cultures,” said Steve Mormoris, CEO of Edge Beauty, Inc. “The Dolly Parton franchise will be a powerhouse pillar for Edge Beauty and we are delighted to build Dolly’s brand.”
Ringing In The Holidays Warner Style
/by Sarah SkatesChristmas parties are going virtual for 2020, including these two jolly online festivities hosted by Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Warner Music Nashville.
Warner Chappell Christmas Costume party, click to enlarge.
The Warner Chappell Music Nashville team (above) got creative this year and hosted a virtual Christmas Costume party via Microsoft Teams. While everyone brought their A-game with Christmas sweaters, reindeer ears, and Santa hats, the clear winner was Bethany Mako (A&R/Admin Assistant) who (temporarily) dyed her hair green and turned it into a Christmas tree—with lights, ornaments, and a star on top.
Warner Music Nashville (below) hosted a Radio & Streaming Virtual Holiday Happy Hour on Monday evening (Dec. 14), raising a toast to the holidays in matching shirts.
Warner Music Nashville’s virtual gathering, click to enlarge.
‘And The Writer Is…’ Podcast Launches New Live Demo Review Series For Songwriters
/by Lorie HollabaughMusic podcast “And The Writer Is…” is launching a live demo critique web series, “And The Demo Is…,” to feature up-and-coming songwriters and offer them support. The live series will debut on the “And The Writer Is…” official YouTube channel tomorrow (Dec. 17) at 11 a.m. PT. Songwriters are encouraged to upload their demos here for a chance to be featured on the new show.
“We initially planned on releasing ‘And The Demo Is…’ through Twitch,” said ATWI creator and host Ross Golan. “It came to light however that Twitch refuses to pay songwriters for the use of their songs. They’re simply stealing music and we will never partner with platforms that actively act in bad faith to hurt our community. So, we’re proudly switching to YouTube, who has been successfully reaching out to the music industry to build a bridge between their platform and us.”
Subscription Boxes Help Artists Stay Connected With Fans
/by Sarah SkatesWith concert touring on hold, Brantley Gilbert and Lauren Alaina are among the artists staying connected with fans through quarterly subscription boxes.
“Lauren Alaina’s surPRIZE Box” features hand-picked, custom products highlighting her passion for fitness, cooking, songwriting and her love of puns. She partnered with BLCK Label, LLC for design and delivery of the boxes which start at $49.99 at LaurenAlainaOfficial.com.
The “Brantley Gilbert’s Selects” box offiers hand-picked and custom-made items such as a Machine Era Brass Pen or a fire-proof blanket. He partnered with BattlBox to launch an at-home experience for the BG Nation. Subscriptions start at $59.99 at BrantleyGilbert.com
This week Gilbert announced plans to close out 2020 with a bang with an exclusive livestream from his home in Georgia on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. CT. Emmy-award winning production company 7 Cinematics will be producing the livestream which will air on nugs.net. Tickets are priced at $14.99 and available at 2nu.gs/Brantley.
Lauren Alaina, Photo Credit: Katie Kauss
John Prine named Artist of the Year at 2020 Americana Awards
/by Sarah SkatesJohn Prine. Photo: Danny Clinch
John Prine was named Artist of the Year at the 2020 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards on Tuesday (Dec. 15), marking the late legend’s fourth win in the category, following previous recognitions in 2005, 2017 and 2018. Prine is the first artist in Americana Honors & Awards history to be posthumously nominated in the Artist of the Year category.
The accolade continues to celebrate an esteemed career for Prine, whose last recorded song and first No. 1 single, “I Remember Everything,” is nominated in two categories at the 63rd Grammy Awards: Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song. Written by Prine and his longtime collaborator Pat McLaughlin, the song was recorded last year in Prine’s living room with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and engineer Gena Johnson. Watch the recording here.
Regarded as a premier phrase-turner, Prine is a two-time Grammy-winner, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, a seven-time Americana Music Award-winner, a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient and member of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Since his debut in 1971, Prine released over eighteen albums and has had his songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band and many others, while drawing effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and more, who knew him as a smiling, shuffling force for good.
Jimmie Allen To Headline Ryman, Perform On New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
/by Lorie HollabaughJimmie Allen. Photo: John Shearer
Jimmie Allen is set to help ring in the New Year along with headliner Jennifer Lopez, Billy Porter, and Cyndi Lauper on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021. The New Year’s Eve celebration nationwide, which features performances of the year’s biggest songs, airs live Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The broadcast event is closed to the public. Jessie James Decker will return as the show’s Powerball correspondent.
Jimmie Allen is also set to headline Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time on Dec. 17. Fans around the world can tune in to the virtual concert experience. Tickets for both the livestream and limited-capacity, in-venue experience are available at ryman.com.
Nashville Entrepreneur Center Expands Project Music to All Realms of Entertainment
/by Sarah SkatesThe Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC) has launched the expansion of Project Music to Project Music & Entertainment (PM&E), making room for all sectors of the entertainment industry.
The program will focus on accelerating the development of entrepreneurial companies that are taking risks to solve many industry challenges. Through PM&E, companies gain access to the NEC’s entrepreneurial business education and its extensive network of C-Suite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and industry connections to foster innovation, nurture growth, and drive the future of the entertainment industry.
Applications for the 2021 PM&E program are open now through Feb. 7, 2021. Industry sectors for consideration are music, sports, e-sports, gaming, film, media, podcasting, publishing and television. Key consideration will be given to those who have exhibited innovation despite the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to grow while solving problems within the entertainment industry.
“Our objective is to unify the many assets of Nashville’s entertainment industry and increase entrepreneurs’ probability for success. The partnerships we’ve created within the business community, particularly those in music, media, tech and sports, help to meet the needs through our entrepreneurial companies,” said Jane Allen, CEO of the NEC. “We are excited to see PM&E attract all stages of entertainment entrepreneurs to Nashville, because we know our city is the best place to launch and grow businesses focused on this important industry.”
Through the 12-month program, PM&E members have access to shared entrepreneurial curriculum and industry education, community experience with same-sector business leaders facing shared challenges, and exposure to potential customers and investors. The 2021 program will also include the NEC’s partnership with A3E for the Accelerating Entertainment Technology mini-conference series—weaving future-forward research data into panels and speakers focused on the future of entertainment technology.
For more information about the Project Music & Entertainment expansion and how to apply to be part of the 2021 program, please click here.
Rissi Palmer Partners With Rainey Day Fund To Create Color Me Country Artist Fund
/by LB CantrellRissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles
Singer-songwriter and Apple Music’s Color Me Country radio host, Rissi Palmer, has partnered with the Rainey Day Fund, helmed by music journalist Kelly McCartney, to create a fund to support underrepresented voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) artists in country music. The fund is called The Color Me Country Artist Fund.
McCartney created the Rainey Day Fund, named after legendary blues artist Ma Rainey, in 2018 to assist BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists, as well as others who add to the rich fabric of roots music. With a similar mission, Palmer recognized a real problem in the country music industry. The Color Me Country Fund was born to bring the Black, Indigenous, and Latinx histories of country music to the forefront.
“As an artist, I’ve experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I know what it’s like to have to choose between eating and paying rent, to work a 9-to-5, then pull an all-nighter in the studio to get closer to the dream of being a self-sustaining musician,” says Palmer. “Any success I have achieved has been because of the kindness of others and their belief in me, and I want to pay it forward. The Color Me Country Artist Fund will be an extension of the work I do with my radio show to further the careers of artists of color in the country music space. I don’t want anyone’s dreams deferred because of financial hardships. 100% of the funds will go to artists in need. I thank Kelly McCartney and the Rainey Day Fund for planting the seed.”
“Between our seed funding and a recent donation from Brandi Carlile‘s Looking Out Foundation, we have gifted grants to Yola, Birds of Chicago, Tré Burt, Joy Oladokun, Brittney Spencer, Jontavious Willis, and others, while also creating an Indigenous Music Scholarship with Folk Alliance International,” McCartney says of the Rainey Day Fund. “Seeing the work that Rissi was doing in the country music space, it just made sense to create a specific Color Me Country program to support the artists on those fringes, as well. Together, we’re being the change we wish to see in the music world.”
Palmer’s Color Me Country Apple Music radio show has included guests Miko Marks, Crystal Shawanda, Kamara Thomas, Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker and more. McCartney, who hosts Southern Craft Radio on Apple Music, has featured Brandy Clark, Larkin Poe, Jason Isbell, JOHNNYSWIM, The War and Treaty, Tanya Tucker, and more.
Learn more about The Color Me Country Artist Fund here and The Rainey Day Fund here.
Morgan Wallen Announces Ryman Concert
/by Sarah SkatesBig Loud/Republic Records’ Morgan Wallen will celebrate his sophomore release, Dangerous: The Double Album, with a live performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 12, 2021 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. The one-night-only, full-band concert will be livestreamed worldwide on his YouTube and Facebook pages.
Dangerous, due out Jan. 8, is an expansive 30-track collection which is home to his hits “This Bar,” “More Than My Hometown,” “7 Summers,” and “Heartless” (Wallen Album Mix), as well as fan favorites including “Somebody’s Problem” and Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.”
Rounding out Wallen’s skyrocketing year, he continues to break records, notching a second consecutive week atop Apple Music’s all genre pre-add chart with Dangerous. Meanwhile, his current single “7 Summers” climbs at country radio, likely to add to his current talley of four consecutive chart-toppers.
Wallen is the reigning 2020 CMA New Artist of the Year.