Acclaimed singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith released her sophomore record, Supernova, on March 13. Within 24 hours of her record’s release, she was leaving Detroit where she was opening for Little Big Town. Since then, Smith has been splitting her time in Nashville and her home state of Minnesota, spending quarantine trying to remain creative and starting her Instagram conversation series ‘Lonely Together,’ where she’s brought Shane McAnally, Karen Fairchild, Brandy Clark, Lori McKenna, Tenille Townes, and many more on her Instagram live to chat.
In September, Smith released Supernova as a deluxe version via Monument Records. The deluxe version, which includes a collaboration with Old Dominion and a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You,” gives Smith’s 12 songs that she delivered as the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting the United States another chance.
Smith recently visited with MusicRow Magazine staffers via Zoom, and offered a few songs against her spacey background, including her reimagined version of “I Can’t,” with Old Dominion.
Caitlyn Smith performs for MusicRow Staffers
“I’ve know a couple of those guys for a long while,” Smith said of Old Dominion. “Brad Tursi and I go way back to when I first moved to town like a decade ago. We did a tour with Willie Nelson; it was Willie Nelson’s Country Music Throwdown. It was like 17 acts, and Brad and I were part of the songwriter’s stage. So we got to know each other then. I was a big fan of him then, and when they formed Old Dominion, I just remember sitting in his truck, listening to the songs and being like ‘What the heck is this, this is amazing!’ We go way back, we’re big fans of each other so when the opportunity came to go this collaboration, I was like ‘Yes!'”
Like the members of Old Dominion, Smith is a well-established songwriter in her own right, having written songs for Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, James Bay, Jason Aldean, Lady A and more.
“I’ve been here 10 years, I’ve loved Nashville from the second I came here. I’ve always wanted to do the artist thing, but I’ve had a chance to first focus on the songwriting part. I’ve had my songs recorded by a bunch of people and that’s been a total bonus level of life that I never knew was going to be a part of my story, but has been really, really fun. But it’s very fun to step into myself as an artist, it’s been fun getting to experiment. I’ve been having a blast these last couple of years, especially making this new record.”
Smith also played a swanky love song she wrote with Ashley Monroe, “Feel That Way,” that sounds like Patsy Cline meets Nora Jones. Smith’s gorgeous, emotional but controlled voice soars on the track.
“I sat down with a good friend of mine, Ashley Monroe. It was on Valentine’s Day. She’s one of my favorite humans and favorite voices in this town. We just smoked a joint and wrote a song about our husbands,” Smith quipped. “This is what happens with Ashley Monroe on Valentine’s Day.”
Pictured (L-R, top row): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; Caitlyn Smith; MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell; (L-R, bottom row): MusicRow‘s Jessica Nicholson, Alex Parry
Smith wrote the songs for Supernova during a busy time in her life, when she was touring a lot and pregnant. “I joke that Supernova is extra emo because it’s just infused with all the pregnancy hormones.
“It’s been a really crazy year, but I’m really excited to release this deluxe record and kind of get a re-do on putting the album out. I’m just happy to get the music to folks. I hope that this record is a light to folks, especially in this super strange year.”
Laura Leigh Jones Signs With Billy Blue Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: (standing) Tyler Robertson (Laura Leigh Jones’ husband); Rick Shelton (Vice President of Music Publishing, Daywind Music Group); Ed Leonard (President, Daywind);
(seated) Laura Leigh Jones, Joe Dan Cornett (Creative Director of Billy Blue Publishing)
Laura Leigh Jones has signed with Billy Blue Music Publishing, part of Nashville’s Daywind Music Group.
Raised on country, bluegrass, and roots music on the Virginia/Carolina line, Jones has been writing and performing since her pre-teens. Growing up she performed with her family’s bluegrass band The Cana Ramblers, a group that garnered national attention with its final album release in 2009. After moving to Nashville in 2011, she began penning songs with some of Music City’s top hit makers, and several years later released her own solo EP featuring six originals. Jones’ most recent cut is “Poison” on Sierra Hull’s album, 25 Trips.
“I’m so excited to add Laura Leigh to our Billy Blue Music Publishing roster,” said Joe Dan Cornett, Creative Director of Billy Blue Publishing. “The first thing that drew me to Laura Leigh, in addition to her songwriting skill, was the bubbly personality that is apparent the moment you meet her. She is also a walking encyclopedia of bluegrass music knowledge and the lineage of the genre.”
Garth Brooks Announces Two New Albums
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto: Copyright 2019 Blue Rose, Inc.
Garth Brooks is planning the release of two new albums on Nov. 20: his 12th studio effort, FUN, and a live album, Triple Live Deluxe.
The country superstar shared the news Monday morning via a video message and also invited fans to a live interactive preview of the albums on his TalkShopLive channel on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. ET.
FUN is home to 14 tracks including “Dive Bar,” his collaboration with Blake Shelton, a cover of “Shallow” with Trisha Yearwood, as well as “All Day Long” and “Stronger Than Me.” Brooks previously offered a digital-only release of seven tracks from FUN exclusively on Amazon. In November, there will be a standard edition of the album as well as a limited edition with a holographic foil cover.
The upcoming live album was recorded during the three-and-a-half year Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood, and the record shattering Stadium Tour. Triple Live Deluxe will have 30 tracks on three CDs in a slim jewel case. There will be six different album covers and each will include a booklet with photos from the road.
Brooks’ first live record was his two-disc album Double Live, recorded during the 1996-1998 World Tour. With 21 million units sold, it’s the best selling live album in history.
Photo: Copyright 2019 Blue Rose, Inc.
Country-Rocker Ward Davis To Release New Album ‘Black Cats And Crows’ With Thirty Tigers
/by LB CantrellWard Davis
Outlaw country artist Ward Davis will release new full-length album, Black Cats and Crows, on Nov. 20 via Thirty Tigers.
Produced by Jim “Moose” Brown, the record is filled with murderous story songs, heartbreak and vulnerability, with artist-writers Cody Jinks, Kendell Marvel, and Shawn Camp listed as co-writers on the project.
Davis, who has written songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins, and the late Merle Haggard, says of the album: “I want people to know these songs mean something to me. I hope they mean something to them. Maybe they’ll hear something that’ll make them feel better.
“This is my coping mechanism. I know music is a coping mechanism for a lot of people,” Davis says. “It’s important that it’s crafted well, but it’s also important that it’s honest so that people can relate to it and get something out of it.”
Black Cats and Crows is available for pre-order here.
Black Cats and Crows Tracklisting:
Ain’t Gonna Be Today
Black Cats and Crows
Threads
Sounds of Chains
Get To Work Whiskey
Colorado
Book Of Matches
Heaven Had A Hand
Where I Learned To Live
Papa And Mama
Lay Down On Love
Nobody
Good To Say Goodbye
Good And Drunk
On The Row: Caitlyn Smith Gives ‘Supernova’ Another Shot
/by LB CantrellAcclaimed singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith released her sophomore record, Supernova, on March 13. Within 24 hours of her record’s release, she was leaving Detroit where she was opening for Little Big Town. Since then, Smith has been splitting her time in Nashville and her home state of Minnesota, spending quarantine trying to remain creative and starting her Instagram conversation series ‘Lonely Together,’ where she’s brought Shane McAnally, Karen Fairchild, Brandy Clark, Lori McKenna, Tenille Townes, and many more on her Instagram live to chat.
In September, Smith released Supernova as a deluxe version via Monument Records. The deluxe version, which includes a collaboration with Old Dominion and a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You,” gives Smith’s 12 songs that she delivered as the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting the United States another chance.
Smith recently visited with MusicRow Magazine staffers via Zoom, and offered a few songs against her spacey background, including her reimagined version of “I Can’t,” with Old Dominion.
Caitlyn Smith performs for MusicRow Staffers
“I’ve know a couple of those guys for a long while,” Smith said of Old Dominion. “Brad Tursi and I go way back to when I first moved to town like a decade ago. We did a tour with Willie Nelson; it was Willie Nelson’s Country Music Throwdown. It was like 17 acts, and Brad and I were part of the songwriter’s stage. So we got to know each other then. I was a big fan of him then, and when they formed Old Dominion, I just remember sitting in his truck, listening to the songs and being like ‘What the heck is this, this is amazing!’ We go way back, we’re big fans of each other so when the opportunity came to go this collaboration, I was like ‘Yes!'”
Like the members of Old Dominion, Smith is a well-established songwriter in her own right, having written songs for Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, James Bay, Jason Aldean, Lady A and more.
“I’ve been here 10 years, I’ve loved Nashville from the second I came here. I’ve always wanted to do the artist thing, but I’ve had a chance to first focus on the songwriting part. I’ve had my songs recorded by a bunch of people and that’s been a total bonus level of life that I never knew was going to be a part of my story, but has been really, really fun. But it’s very fun to step into myself as an artist, it’s been fun getting to experiment. I’ve been having a blast these last couple of years, especially making this new record.”
Smith also played a swanky love song she wrote with Ashley Monroe, “Feel That Way,” that sounds like Patsy Cline meets Nora Jones. Smith’s gorgeous, emotional but controlled voice soars on the track.
“I sat down with a good friend of mine, Ashley Monroe. It was on Valentine’s Day. She’s one of my favorite humans and favorite voices in this town. We just smoked a joint and wrote a song about our husbands,” Smith quipped. “This is what happens with Ashley Monroe on Valentine’s Day.”
Pictured (L-R, top row): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; Caitlyn Smith; MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell; (L-R, bottom row): MusicRow‘s Jessica Nicholson, Alex Parry
Smith wrote the songs for Supernova during a busy time in her life, when she was touring a lot and pregnant. “I joke that Supernova is extra emo because it’s just infused with all the pregnancy hormones.
“It’s been a really crazy year, but I’m really excited to release this deluxe record and kind of get a re-do on putting the album out. I’m just happy to get the music to folks. I hope that this record is a light to folks, especially in this super strange year.”
Industry Ink: Dierks Bentley, ASCAP, Danielle Bradbery
/by LB CantrellDierks Bentley’s Earns Platinum Status With “Living,” Celebrates 15th Anniversary As Grand Ole Opry Member
Dierks Bentley. Photo: Zach Belcher
Dierks Bentley added to his growing list of RIAA certifications recently, as his 19th No. 1 hit “Living” has been certified Platinum. He continues to be a dominant voice for the genre with over 6.4 billion streams.
Bentley also just celebrated his 15th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with a performance that kicked off the Opry’s month-long 95th anniversary celebration.
ASCAP Nashville Hosts The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop
Pictured (L-R, top row): ASCAP’s Lexi Miller, Stacey Willbur, Vaughn Hollingsworth, Katy Reynolds; (L-R, middle row) Jason Tucker, Corrine Simpson, Angelica Wilshire, ASCAP’s Kele Currier; (L-R, bottom row) Connell Cruise, Brooke Malouf, Scott Liebenow.
The ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop took place virtually on October 5 and 6. Organized by the ASCAP Nashville membership team, the workshop hosted eight up-and-coming Christian music writers and was led by music publishing veteran Stacey Willbur, currently VP Publishing/A&R at Full Circle Music. The two days of sessions included intensives on the craft of songwriting, how to objectively assess songs, expanding sources of inspiration, nurturing a creative community, marketing songs and an overview of music publishing. Willbur provided each writer with songwriting suggestions and marketing advice coupled with encouragement and her perspective on the Christian music industry.
Now in its 11th year, the workshop is part of an ongoing series designed to focus on the development and education of promising new songwriters.
Danielle Bradbery’s Achieves RIAA Gold Certification
Danielle Bradbery. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Danielle Bradbery has earned Gold status with “Sway,” from her sophomore album I Don’t Believe We’ve Met (BMLG Records). While 2020 has been a trying year for many artists, quarantine has given Bradbery time to create and expand her musical palette, releasing “Never Have I Ever” early in the year and now following it up with “Girls In My Hometown.”
Hatcher Joins Average Joes Roster
/by Lorie HollabaughHatcher
Average Joes Entertainment has signed country singer-songwriter Hatcher.
The country newcomer’s first single, “‘Til The Next Time,” co-written with George Birge and Josh Mirenda and produced by Leland Elliot, is available now on all streaming platforms.
The son of an iron worker, Hatcher began singing and performing a capella locally and honed his considerable skills free-styling on the open mic circuit.
“Hatcher aims to set a mood and make a connection with his romantically charged music,”said Forrest Latta, Average Joes VP/A&R. “He’s an incredible singer and storyteller. His brand of country has a blue-collar soul edge to it, and he has passion for creating music that truly touches people.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the team at Average Joes and creating great new music,” commented Hatcher. “I’m also excited about releasing ”Til The Next Time.’ When George, Josh and I wrote this song, we wanted to elaborate about the concept of friends with benefits communicated in a sophisticated way. At the core, it’s an old fashioned love song.”
Sturgill Simpson Releases Surprise Double Bluegrass Album
/by Lorie HollabaughSturgill Simpson dropped a surprise double bluegrass album on fans, Cuttin’ Grass Vol 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions, which is out now digitally on High Top Mountain Records via Thirty Tigers/The Orchard.
Simpson returns to the music he cut his teeth on from his native Kentucky on the new bluegrass project, which he calls “a mixtape for the fans.” Produced by David Ferguson, the first single from the project, “I Don’t Mind,” is an unreleased fan favorite. Dreamed up while he was home recovering from the Coronavirus, Simpson re-imagines songs from his catalogue backed by some of Nashville’s finest acoustic virtuosos on the album, including Tim O’Brien, Sierra Hull, and Stuart Duncan.
Pictured (L-R): Mark Howard, Scott Vestal, Sturgill Simpson, Mike Bub, Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien, Miles Miller, Stuart Duncan. Photo: Semi Song
“I had it in my mind for a long time that someday I want to cut as many of these songs as possible in this fashion, just organic and stripped down to the raw bones of the composition,” said Simpson. “If you can’t sit down and play a song like that, it’s probably a pretty shitty song.”
A vinyl pre-order of the project is available now for release December 11, 2020.
Russell Dickerson Slates Sophomore Album ‘Southern Symphony’
/by Lorie HollabaughRussell Dickerson is releasing his brand new sophomore Triple Tigers Records album, Southern Symphony, on December 4. The 10-track record is available for pre-order/pre-save here.
He’s released a new track, “Never Get Old,” from the upcoming project, which was co-produced alongside friend and frequent collaborator Casey Brown and legendary producer Dann Huff.
Dickerson gave fans the first taste of Southern Symphony earlier this year with the debut single, “Love You Like I Used To,” which is currently in the Top 10 on country radio with over 106 million global streams to date. Recorded in Nashville, the project is packed with heartfelt ballads about love and nostalgia matched with his signature party anthems, including one of his biggest collaborations to date on the sixth track off the record, “It’s About Time,” featuring Florida Georgia Line.
“Southern Symphony is hands down the best work I’ve created,” said Dickerson. “It’s the best songs I’ve written. It’s sonically the best we’ve created. This album is ten honest and true tracks that tell the story of how I’ve grown as an artist and a man. I could not be more proud of every song on this album. Enjoy!”
Southern Symphony follows the 2017 release of Russell’s Gold-certified debut Yours, which bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, No. 1 on the Emerging Artists Chart, and yielded three consecutive No. 1 smashes, including the double-Platinum “Yours,” the Platinum “Blue Tacoma,” and Platinum “Every Little Thing.”
Southern Symphony Track List:
Track45 To Debut ‘Small Town’ EP October 23
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Track45’s Ben Johnson, KK Johnson, Jenna Johnson. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Track45 is releasing their Small Town EP on Friday, October 23 on Stoney Creek Records.
The trio have writing credits on every track and produced several cuts, but they also enlisted the help of creative collaborators like producer Byron Gallimore. The EP includes the upbeat “Come On In,” with its inviting hook and a cappella intro that tells you exactly who they are and where they come from, “Me + You,” an instrumental groove laced with steel guitar, and “Met Me Now,” which mines regret and the desire to reset time. The collection captures a sound that draws from their assorted country, rock, R&B, and pop playlists.
Hailing from Meridian, MS, siblings Jenna, Ben, and KK Johnson have taken family-based, small-town values and stories as well as their experience as a family and love for one another and combined their own individual successes to create their musical style. Each has signed their own individual publishing deals and compiled impressive outside cuts with artists including Justin Timberlake, Charlie Puth, Lee Brice, HARDY, Lauren Alaina, and more. Ben just earned his first No. 1 as a songwriter with Lee Brice’s three-week, chart-topping hit “One Of Them Girls.”
“We moved to Nashville with a big dream,” says the members of Track45. “We’re so proud that our first EP, Small Town, tells the story of who we are and where we’re from. We poured our hearts into this project, and we hope people love it as much as we do!”
Zoom Rolls Out New OnZoom Option For Paid Live Events
/by Lorie HollabaughZoom has launched a way for users to put on live, pay-to-attend virtual events, CNBC reports.
The new OnZoom service for hosting premium events is entering public beta in the U.S. and will become available worldwide in 2021, according to CNBC. OnZoom helps Zoom build on the exposure it has had this year with the onset of the pandemic and enables the company to encroach on the territory of companies that sell tickets to live events like Eventbrite and Live Nation. Unlike most of its live-ticketing competitors however, Zoom won’t take a cut of ticket sales during the OnZoom public testing period, which is expected to last at least through 2020. The company’s head said it will look at whether it should start charging next year, however.
Earlier this year, Zoom reached more than 300 million daily call participants at one point. Zoom users have to have paid subscriptions and be located in the U.S. to create single or repeating events through the new OnZoom feature, and people must have Zoom accounts and be located in the U.S. to join the events. The number of attendees is determined on the host’s Zoom subscription level, and organizers can hold events for free or ask attendees to donate to specific nonprofits if they want.