Florida Georgia Line have set the release date for their fifth studio album, Life Rolls On (BMLG Records), slated for Feb. 12. Fans can preorder the project beginning today (Dec. 4).
The album features each song on their previously-released 6-Pack EP and some unheard tracks, 13 of which were written by the duo with top-shelf collaborators like David Garcia, Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, and Tree Vibez Music songwriters Corey Crowder, Jordan Schmidt, Canaan Smith, and Blake Redferrin. It marks their first full-length set as co-producers with Corey Crowder, and its 16 diverse tracks reflect FGL’s growth as entertainers, husbands, and friends as well.
“I think this personally is just a big, celebratory chapter,” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard explains. “We’ve come a long way since 2012 when we dropped our first album, it’s wild to think about the journey we’ve been on – the things we’ve got to do, the places music has taken us. We’re celebrating life and the good times, the ups and the downs, and the journey it took us to get where we’re at.”
“It’s just evident within the music how good of a time we’re having,” FGL’s Brian Kelley adds, “and how good of a place in life we are for sure.”
Fans who pre-order the new album will instantly receive seven of the tracks (“Long Live,” “Countryside,” “I Love My Country,” “Ain’t Worried Bout It (Album Version),” “Beer:30,” “Second Guessing (From Songland),” and “U.S. Stronger”), and a fresh batch of FGL swag is also now available, including signed CDs, signed test pressings, t-shirts, joggers, and koozies.
Florida Georgia Line’s LIFE ROLLS ON Track Listing:
1. “Long Live” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, David Garcia, Josh Miller
2. “Life Looks Good” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jaren Johnston
3. “Countryside – Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose, Michael Whitworth
4. “Always Gonna Love You” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
5. “I Love My Country” – Kane Brown, Corey Crowder, Chase McGill, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Will Weatherly
6. “Hard To Get To Heaven” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Josh Thompson
7. “Long Time Comin’” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Jordan Schmidt, Canaan Smith
8. “Interlude” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder
9. “Ain’t Worried Bout It (Album Version)” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip
10. “Beer:30” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith, Ernest Keith Smith
11. “New Truck”* – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jeff Gitelman, Raysean Hairston, Blake Redferrin, Priscilla Renea
12. “Eyes Closed” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
13. “Second Guessing (From Songland)”** – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Shane McAnally, Griffen Palmer, Ben Simonetti, Ryan Tedder, Geoff Warburton
14. “Good To Me” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith
15. “U.S. Stronger” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley
16. “Life Rolls On” – Ben Burgess, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband
CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award
/by Jessica NicholsonRobert Deaton,
Robert Deaton, the Executive Producer behind the Country Music Association’s CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas—was presented with the CMA Chairman’s Award Wednesday, Dec. 2 during the organization’s final Board meeting of 2020, conducted virtually via Zoom.
“I’m amazed year after year at what comes out of that screen,” said Kurt Johnson, CMA Chairman of the Board and Townsquare Media President of Local Programming. “The Awards, Fest and CMA Country Christmas—these are the anchors of the year for country music lovers. Thanks to you and your brilliant vision and your tireless tenacity, they remain the gold standard. ”
“This is the joy of my life,” said Deaton. “I love working with you all. I love the artists in that same sensibility Walter [Miller] had. It’s not just about work, it’s about taking care of each other. I am so honored. This is amazing and has made my year. I appreciate it so much.”
This honor is not an annual award, but instead given when the incumbent Chairman feels an individual or individuals, through outstanding service to CMA, merits the recognition. Additionally, in recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern presented mementos to outgoing CMA Chairman Johnson and current President, incoming 2021 CMA Chairman and Senior Artist Manager at Red Light Management, Mary Hilliard Harrington.
Kurt Johnson, CMA Board Chairman, receives the crystal gavel in recognition of his service to the CMA Board of Directors Wednesday, Dec. 2 during CMA’s final Board meeting of 2020.
Mary Hilliard Harrington, CMA Board President and incoming 2021 CMA Board Chairman, receives the crystal globe in recognition of her service to the CMA Board of Directors Wednesday, Dec. 2 during CMA’s final Board meeting of 2020.
Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement
/by Jessica NicholsonAfter more than three months of negotiations, the Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, have reached an agreement that will provide the Musicians of the Nashville Symphony with an interim stipend that will begin Jan. 3, 2021. The musicians were furloughed on July 1, and all scheduled concert activity has been suspended through July 31, 2021.
The agreement provides musicians with a $500 weekly stipend, while the musicians commit to participating in community performances and other activities to be determined with the orchestra’s administrative staff. The Nashville Symphony will also continue to provide musicians with health insurance benefits for the duration of the agreement, which ends July 31, 2021. Due to the short-term nature of this agreement, negotiations between the symphony and the musicians will continue with the goal of reaching a new agreement before the start of the 2021-22 season.
In addition to producing virtual performances and participating in educational initiatives, musicians will work with staff to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that both the orchestra and the audience can safely return to the concert hall. Corporate partners Amazon and Nissan North America offered significant support for the agreement.
“This agreement represents a vital first step in bringing the Nashville Symphony back from one of the most monumental challenges it has faced,” said Pamela Carter, chair of the Nashville Symphony’s Board of Directors. “We have much work left to do, but we cannot do it without our musicians, who represent the heart, soul and artistry of our organization. Many of our musicians have been profoundly affected by this pandemic, but thanks to the support of our community, whose generosity has helped make this agreement possible, I am confident that our orchestra will reemerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever.”
Nashville Musicians Association President Dave Pomeroy talked about what Nashville’s symphony musicians have had to endure this year. “The July 1 announcement of the extended furlough of all Nashville Symphony musicians created an untenable situation for many of these world class players. Like so many unemployed Americans, they were faced with heartbreaking decisions in order to survive—some of which involved not being able to stay in Nashville at all. It is fortunate that we were finally able to reach an agreement with the NSO to give some assistance to these world-class musicians, and help them get through this unprecedented time.”
“Like most other performing organizations and concert venues, the Nashville Symphony has experienced staggering financial losses, that since mid-March, when we were forced to shut our doors, have topped $10 million,” said President & CEO Alan D. Valentine. “Despite every effort to keep our musicians and staff employed, our Board of Directors was forced to make some extremely difficult decisions with painful short-term consequences in order to secure the long-term future of the institution. Today’s announcement is also driven by our commitment to the Nashville Symphony’s long-term well-being. Our orchestra cannot survive unless we invest in our greatest resource: our musicians.”
MercyMe Honors Longtime Touring Crew Member With New Single
/by Lorie HollabaughMercyMe. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
MercyMe has debuted their powerful new single, “Say I Won’t,” following being named Billboard‘s Top Christian Artist of the 2010s. The song, which hails from MercyMe’s latest album due out next Spring, was inspired by the story of Gary Miracle, who worked with the band for many years on the road and lost both arms and legs in January of 2020 after falling into septic shock.
Miracle’s story is one of strength and profound faith, told in part by himself and through imagery in a new video for the track, which was directed by Brody Harper, Ryan Slaughter and produced by TwoSevenTwo. The clip captures vulnerable and victorious moments including watching Miracle put on his prosthetic arms for the first time, re-learning to write, and declaring that he will walk again.
Florida Georgia Line To Release Fifth Studio Album ‘Life Rolls On’ In February
/by Lorie HollabaughFlorida Georgia Line have set the release date for their fifth studio album, Life Rolls On (BMLG Records), slated for Feb. 12. Fans can preorder the project beginning today (Dec. 4).
The album features each song on their previously-released 6-Pack EP and some unheard tracks, 13 of which were written by the duo with top-shelf collaborators like David Garcia, Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, and Tree Vibez Music songwriters Corey Crowder, Jordan Schmidt, Canaan Smith, and Blake Redferrin. It marks their first full-length set as co-producers with Corey Crowder, and its 16 diverse tracks reflect FGL’s growth as entertainers, husbands, and friends as well.
“I think this personally is just a big, celebratory chapter,” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard explains. “We’ve come a long way since 2012 when we dropped our first album, it’s wild to think about the journey we’ve been on – the things we’ve got to do, the places music has taken us. We’re celebrating life and the good times, the ups and the downs, and the journey it took us to get where we’re at.”
“It’s just evident within the music how good of a time we’re having,” FGL’s Brian Kelley adds, “and how good of a place in life we are for sure.”
Fans who pre-order the new album will instantly receive seven of the tracks (“Long Live,” “Countryside,” “I Love My Country,” “Ain’t Worried Bout It (Album Version),” “Beer:30,” “Second Guessing (From Songland),” and “U.S. Stronger”), and a fresh batch of FGL swag is also now available, including signed CDs, signed test pressings, t-shirts, joggers, and koozies.
Florida Georgia Line’s LIFE ROLLS ON Track Listing:
1. “Long Live” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, David Garcia, Josh Miller
2. “Life Looks Good” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jaren Johnston
3. “Countryside – Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose, Michael Whitworth
4. “Always Gonna Love You” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
5. “I Love My Country” – Kane Brown, Corey Crowder, Chase McGill, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Will Weatherly
6. “Hard To Get To Heaven” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Josh Thompson
7. “Long Time Comin’” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Jordan Schmidt, Canaan Smith
8. “Interlude” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder
9. “Ain’t Worried Bout It (Album Version)” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip
10. “Beer:30” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith, Ernest Keith Smith
11. “New Truck”* – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jeff Gitelman, Raysean Hairston, Blake Redferrin, Priscilla Renea
12. “Eyes Closed” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
13. “Second Guessing (From Songland)”** – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Shane McAnally, Griffen Palmer, Ben Simonetti, Ryan Tedder, Geoff Warburton
14. “Good To Me” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith
15. “U.S. Stronger” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley
16. “Life Rolls On” – Ben Burgess, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband
Cody Weaver Makes Some ‘Southern Noise’ On New EP
/by Lorie HollabaughCody Weaver
Cody Weaver is releasing his debut EP, Southern Noise, today.
“It’s the first compilation of songs that I’ve put together, which is really cool to see come to life,” says Weaver. “Listening to all of these songs in order takes you on a journey through all kinds of emotions. These songs stand out to me because they have a familiar traditional country sound but all of me and the band’s influences are clearly evident, such as rock, metal, blues and funk.”
The hard-hitting, arena-ready seco
Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonZach Williams
Zach Williams‘ “Chain Breaker” is the most-added song this week on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio chart, with 11 station adds and 88 total spins this week. The song ranks at No. 104. The song was previously a multi-week No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Christian Songs chart and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Thomas Rhett‘s “What’s Your Country Song” has the greatest spin increase, with 9 station adds and a spin gain of 365. The song earned a total of 1,296 spins this week and is at No. 12.
Click here to view the CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Willie Jones’ 12-Track Debut ‘Right Now’ Drops Jan. 22
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Jones has announced his debut, 12-track album Right Now, is set for release on Jan. 22 via The Penthouse/EMPIRE. Produced by MyGuyMars, Mark Batson and Justin Ebach, the songs are all written or co-written by Jones. A new track from the album, “American Dream,” an ode to patriotism that addresses racial equality, will be released on Monday, Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Day.
The project features previously released singles “Windows Down,” “Bachelorettes on Broadway” (11 million+ on Spotify), “Back Porch” (2 million+ on Spotify), and his latest, “Down For It” featuring T.I. — an updated rendition of the original, which has accumulated more than 7 million streams on Spotify. The new track was featured on Pandora’s Country Rap, Apple’s New Music Daily, Country Risers and others, and it was the cover of TIDAL’s Rap & Country playlist.
Jones has more than one million followers across his socials and recently debuted his own Apple Music show called “The Cross Roads Radio.”
‘Right Now’ tracklist:
1. Country Soul (Willie Jones / Nick Autry / Essancy / Michael Todd)
2. Back Porch (Jones / Autry / Michael Lotten / Lamar Edwards)
3. Bachelorettes on Broadway (Jones / Essancy / Dave Audé / Edwards / Jason Robinson)
4. Down For It (Jones / Essancy / Nicole Croteau / David Mohr / Clifford Harris / James Scheffer / David Siegel / Edwards)
5. American Dream (Jones / Jason Afable / Josh Logan / Alex Goodwin)
6. Right Now (Jones / Christian Valenzuela / Michael Ferrucci / Edwards / Dillon Rupp)
7. Trainwreck (Jones / Mark Batson / Justin Ebach)
8. Drank Too Much (Jones / Eric Arjes / Brad Clawson / Edwards)
9. Whole Lotta Love (Jones / Essancy / Juliet Piper / Edwards)
10. Actions (Willie Jones)
11. Down For It (JD Walker Version) featuring T.I.
(Jones / Essancy / Nicole Croteau / David Mohr / Clifford Harris / James Scheffer / David Siegel / Joshua Walker)
12. Down For It (Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards Remix) featuring T.I.
(Jones / Essancy / Nicole Croteau / David Mohr / Clifford Harris / James Scheffer / David Siegel / Edwards)
Luke Combs Ranks No. 1 On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryLuke Combs earns his fourth MusicRow Challenge Coin of 2020 with “Better Together.” His previous single, “Lovin’ On You” stayed at No. 1 for two weeks in August, and “Does To Me” (feat. Eric Church) graced No. 1 in March. He also received songwriter credit for “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, which rose to No. 1 in January and remained for a second week in February.
“Better Together” was written by Combs, Dan Isbell, and Randy Montana. Montana ranks No. 2 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart while Combs and Isbell rank No. 9 and No. 30 respectively.
In October, Combs made history with his current album release, as the only country artist in Apple Music history to reach No. 1 on Apple Music’s US Albums chart twice. Over the past 12 months, Combs has earned the most streams on Apple Music of any country artist, and his total stream count over the past 12 months is 62% higher than the next biggest country artist.
Click here or above to access the MusicRow Weekly.
Old Dominion Goes ‘Behind The Curtain’ On Some Of Their Songwriting Hits
/by Lorie HollabaughIn addition, the band takes fans behind the curtain of their songwriting and recording process in an accompanying short film, also available today via Apple Music.
“With songwriting we made the decision to write what we thought was cool and what we were enjoying instead of chasing something,” said Old Dominion front man Matthew Ramsey.
“Once you find a great song, it’ll find its home,” added Trevor Rosen, songwriter and instrumentalist for the group. “But first and foremost, you just gotta try to write a great song.”
The release follows on the heels of the band’s first two Grammy nominations for their song “Some People Do,” from their self-titled third studio album, which is up for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Duo/Group Performance.” The band also won Vocal Group of the Year at the 2020 CMA Awards, marking their third win in this category since they debuted in 2014.
Morgan Wallen Set For ‘Saturday Night Live’ Debut Performance This Weekend
/by Jessica NicholsonMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
Saturday Night Live is giving Morgan Wallen another shot, after the singer was previously disinvited from appearing on the show’s Oct. 10 schedule, with SNL’s producers citing COVID-19 safety concerns.
Wallen, who recently earned the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year honor and earned his fourth No. 1 country single, will serve as the musical guest for SNL on Saturday, Dec. 5, hosted by Jason Bateman. The performance marks Wallen’s debut on SNL. Jack White replaced Wallen on SNL back in October, after videos appeared on TikTok, depicting Wallen socializing in Alabama without wearing a mask.
On Oct. 7, Wallen posted a video on Instagram, announcing he would not be taking part in the show. In his video, Wallen clarified that he has not tested positive for COVID-19, but stated that his “actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams.”
Wallen also said in the video, “I respect the show’s decision because I know I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership for this. I’d like to apologize to SNL, to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down. And on a more personal note, I think I have some growing up to do.”
For his Saturday Night Live appearance this weekend, Wallen will perform two songs from his upcoming album Dangerous: The Double Album, which will release Jan. 8, 2021.
The project broke an Apple Music record earlier this week, becoming the most-added country album in the platform’s history. Wallen is also the first artist to debut two songs inside the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart (“Still Goin Down” and “Somebody’s Problem”).