Sister Sadie – Tina Adair, Dale Ann Bradley, Gena Britt and Deanie Richardson – won the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award at the 31st Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards presented by Count On Me NC. The group was also named Vocal Group of the Year during the show, which was hosted by Sierra Hull, Joe Newberry, Tim O’Brien and Rhonda Vincent.
The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards show was streamed online last night (Oct. 1) as part of this week’s IBMA Virtual World of Bluegrass. Awards were voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association, and other winners included Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper who won Instrumental Group of the Year, Brooke Aldridge, who was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and Mile Twelve, who took home New Artist Of the Year honors during the awards.
The recipients of the 2020 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Sister Sadie
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Sister Sadie
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Chicago Barn Dance” – Special Consensus with Michael Cleveland & Becky Buller (artists), Becky Buller/Missy Raines/Alison Brown (writers), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Live in Prague, Czech Republic – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Doyle Lawson and Rosta Capek (producers), Billy Blue Records (label)
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Gonna Rise and Shine” – Alan Bibey & Grasstowne (artist), Mark Hodges (producer), Mountain Fever Records (label)
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Tall Fiddler” – Michael Cleveland with Tommy Emmanuel (artists), Jeff White, Michael Cleveland, Sean Sullivan (producers), Compass Records (label)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Mile Twelve
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “The Barber’s Fiddle” – Becky Buller with Shawn Camp, Jason Carter, Laurie Lewis, Kati Penn, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Johnny Warren, Stuart Duncan, Deanie Richardson, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jason Barie, Fred Carpenter, Tyler Andal, Nate Lee, Dan Boner, Brian Christianson, and Laura Orshaw (artists), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Brooke Aldridge
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Danny Paisley
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Scott Vestal
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Missy Raines
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justin Moses
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Deanie Richardson
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jake Workman
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alan Bibey
Previously announced inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame – owner of Nashville’s iconic Station Inn, J.T. Gray; hardcore bluegrass traditionalists The Johnson Mountain Boys; and one of the premier contemporary/progressive bluegrass bands of the 1970s and ’80s, New Grass Revival – were honored during this evening’s Awards show.
Mark Your Calendar—October 2020
/by LB CantrellSingle Add Dates
October 2
Megan Barker/Smokin Again
October 5
Ingrid Andress/Lady Like/WMN/WEA
Priscilla Block/Just About Over You/Mercury Nashville/InDent
Laine Hardy/Tiny Town/Buena Vista Records
Larry Fleet/Where I Find God/Big Loud Records
Poppy Iris/Uptown Girl, Downhome Guy/Riverfront Promotions
Rebel Hearts/Good To Go/Rebel Hearts Records
October 9
Stephanie Ryann/I Should
October 12
Luke Combs/Better Together/Columbia/River House Artists
Scotty McCreery/You Time/Triple Tigers Records
Riley Green/If It Wasn’t For Trucks/BMLGR
Lena Paige feat. Tanya Tucker/Joan of Arkansas/LP Records
Chris Kroeze/Same Ole
October 19
Ashley McBryde/Martha Divine/Warner Music Nashville
October 23
Michael McCall/He Looks Good On Her/MDM Entertainment
October 26
Michael Ray/Whiskey And Rain/Warner Music Nashville
Meghan Patrick/My First Car/Riser House
Andrew Hopson/New To Neon/Tower Road Records
Album Releases
October 2
Brent Cobb/Keep ‘Em On They Toes/Ol’ Buddy Records
Dolly Parton/A Holly Dolly Christmas/Butterfly Records
Dawes/Good Luck With Whatever/Rounder Records
Jon Pardi/Heartache Medication (Deluxe Version)/Capitol Nashville
Sam Bartells/Let’s Go
Rascal Flatts/Twenty Years Of Rascal Flatts The Greatest Hits/Big Machine/Disney Music Group/Lyric Street Records
Ingrid Andress/Lady Like (Deluxe)/Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic
Brantley Gilbert/Fire & Brimstone (Deluxe)/BMLG
Everette/Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot-Side A/BBR Music Group
October 9
Brothers Osborne/Skeletons/EMI Records Nashville
October 16
Steep Canyon Rangers/Arm In Arm/Yep Roc Records
Trace Adkins/Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy/Verge Records
Tanya Tucker/Live from the Troubadour/Fantasy
Elizabeth LaPrelle, Dan Gellert, The Tillers, etc./The Mountain Minor Motion Picture Soundtrack/Alt452 Records
Jamie O’Neal/Sometimes/BFD/Audium
Runaway June/When I Think About Christmas/BBR
Matt Stell/Better Than That/RECORDS/Arista Nashville
Parker McCollum/Hollywood Gold/MCA Nashville
Amy Grant/Unguarded 35th Anniversary Edition/Amy Grant
October 22
Chaz Cardigan/Holograma/Capitol/Loud Robot
October 23
Luke Combs/What You See Ain’t Always What You Get (Deluxe)/River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
Steve Azar/My Mississippi Reunion
Maddie & Tae/We Need Christmas/Mercury Nashville
Kari Jobe/The Blessing/Capitol CMG
Terry McBride/Rebels & Angels
Life on Eris/Stonewall [EP]
Francesca Battistelli/This Christmas/Curb|Word
October 30
Cam/The Otherside/Triple Tigers/RCA Records
Creature Comfort/Home Team/Independent
for King & Country/A Drummer Boy Christmas/Curb|Word
Matthew West/Live Before The World Shut Down/Provident/Sony
Industry Events
October 14
CMT Music Awards
October 19 – 24
Tin Pan South Festival
October 29
Josh Turner A Country State Of Mind Livestream Event (5:00 p.m. CST)
October 30
51st Annual GMA Dove Awards
Group Sister Sadie Takes Top Honors At 31st Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards show was streamed online last night (Oct. 1) as part of this week’s IBMA Virtual World of Bluegrass. Awards were voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association, and other winners included Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper who won Instrumental Group of the Year, Brooke Aldridge, who was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and Mile Twelve, who took home New Artist Of the Year honors during the awards.
The recipients of the 2020 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Sister Sadie
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Sister Sadie
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Chicago Barn Dance” – Special Consensus with Michael Cleveland & Becky Buller (artists), Becky Buller/Missy Raines/Alison Brown (writers), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records (label)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Live in Prague, Czech Republic – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Doyle Lawson and Rosta Capek (producers), Billy Blue Records (label)
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Gonna Rise and Shine” – Alan Bibey & Grasstowne (artist), Mark Hodges (producer), Mountain Fever Records (label)
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Tall Fiddler” – Michael Cleveland with Tommy Emmanuel (artists), Jeff White, Michael Cleveland, Sean Sullivan (producers), Compass Records (label)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Mile Twelve
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “The Barber’s Fiddle” – Becky Buller with Shawn Camp, Jason Carter, Laurie Lewis, Kati Penn, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Johnny Warren, Stuart Duncan, Deanie Richardson, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jason Barie, Fred Carpenter, Tyler Andal, Nate Lee, Dan Boner, Brian Christianson, and Laura Orshaw (artists), Stephen Mougin (producer), Dark Shadow Recording (label)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Brooke Aldridge
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Danny Paisley
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Scott Vestal
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Missy Raines
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justin Moses
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Deanie Richardson
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jake Workman
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alan Bibey
Previously announced inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame – owner of Nashville’s iconic Station Inn, J.T. Gray; hardcore bluegrass traditionalists The Johnson Mountain Boys; and one of the premier contemporary/progressive bluegrass bands of the 1970s and ’80s, New Grass Revival – were honored during this evening’s Awards show.
Scott and Sandi Borchetta Launch Application to Reward $150,000 In Grants for Music Education Non-Profits
/by Lorie HollabaughBMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and his wife, BMLG’s Sr. VP, Creative Sandi Borchetta, are celebrating 15 years of success at Big Machine Label Group by supporting young creatives through a grand fund for 501c3 non-profit music schools and organizations. Qualifying non-profit music schools and organizations can apply at communityfoundationofmidtn.com to be considered for one of 15 $10,000 grants that will be awarded.
The Borchettas announced the launch of the fund last month, and BMLG artists Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce and Riley Green are all encouraging eligible applicants to apply.
In order to be eligible, organizations must be a public school or a current 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Applicants have until Nov. 16 to apply and will be notified the beginning of December if they are chosen to receive one of the grants. Grant recipients and their students will also have the opportunity to attend a livestream event with BMLG artists.
The grants are supported by the Borchettas’ MUSIC HAS VALUE Fund, which they created in 2015 to provide financial support to organizations which support those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music.
TriScore Music Acquires Interest In Warren Brothers Catalog And Future Rights
/by Jessica NicholsonFront Row: Ben Vaughn, Brad Warren, Brett Warren. Back Row: Blake Chancey, Steve Broome, Juli Griffith, Scott Siman
Nashville-based music publisher TriScore Music, in association with Tim McGraw‘s Free Dive Music, has acquired copyright interests and entered into exclusive writer agreements with songwriting luminaries Brad Warren and Brett Warren, announced TriScore VP Juli Newton Griffith. TriScore has also entered into a global administration deal with Warner Chappell to administer the new material.
Griffith said, “The Warren Brothers are among the elite songwriters in Nashville..we look forward to many many hits together and developing some projects as well.”
“In our 25 years writing songs in this town, our collaboration musically and friendship with Tim McGraw has been the best thing to happen to us,” The Warren Brothers added. “If you add music producing/publishing/management royalty to the mix with Scott Siman and Blake Chancey, we have a great team. TriScore Principal Steve Broome is a fresh light in this town. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Ben Vaughn, CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville said, “We are thrilled to be in business with TriScore, Free Dive Music and the Warren Brothers. Not only are the Warrens amazing songwriters, but I consider them great friends as well.”
TriScore principal Blake Chancey added, “Ben and team at Warner Chappell Nashville have proven time and again that they are great partners and developing hits in this global environment. We are honored to be in business with them on the Warren Brothers.”
The songwriting duo’s extensive catalog of music includes hits for Tim McGraw (“If You’re Reading This,” “Felt Good on My Lips,” “Highway Don’t Care,” “Thought About You”), Toby Keith (“Red Solo Cup”), Keith Urban (“Little Bit of Everything”), Faith Hill (“The Lucky One”), Martina McBride (“Anyway,” “Wrong Baby Wrong”), Dierks Bentley (“Feel That Fire”), Jerrod Niemann (“Drink To That All Night”), Jason Aldean (“Lights Come On,” “We Back”), Blake Shelton (“Every Time I Hear That Song”), Chris Young (“Sober Saturday Night”) and more.
Weekly Radio Report (10/2/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
COIN Set To Unveil Three-Part EP Series
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville rock band COIN is releasing a new single and accompanying music video “You Are The Traffic.” The track is the first song off the band’s upcoming EP Indigo-Violet, due out Oct. 22. It’s also the first of a three-part project called Rainbow MixTape, with each project conceptualized by moods represented by the colors in the title. The EPs are set to continue rolling out over the next several months.
The trilogy of EPs is the latest from the group since their album Dreamland, released earlier this year. That project has since surpassed over 90 million streams, and was the first release off COIN’s label property Committee for Sound and Mind which is a global partnership with AWAL.
Since the arrival of their 2016 breakthrough single “Talk Too Much,” the trio has continually turned out catchy alt-pop built on effervescent hooks and a subtle complexity.
Justin Moore, Josh Turner, Riley Green, Kip Moore Among Lynchburg Music Fest Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughJustin Moore, Kip Moore, Josh Turner, Riley Green, Tyler Farr, Travis Denning, Danielle Bradbery, Lee Gibson, Nick Norman, Matt Dillon, Vending Machine Bandits, Sarah Pearson, Logan Wheat, Luke Ledbetter, Daniel Slayton, Kristie Kraus, Brooke Lynn, Bryce Reeg, Macy Tabor, Stefanie Joyce, Dan Harrison, Wingate, and Manny Alexander will perform at this year’s festival. The 2020 festival will also feature songwriters Tony Lane, James T Slater, Tim James, and Danny Myrick.
“We are beyond excited about the amazing talent involved in this year’s Lynchburg Music Fest,” said Jonny Hill, owner of Igniter Productions and Lynchburg Music Fest. “We’re proud to showcase these artists and everything Southern Tennessee has to offer.”
The festival will have onsite safety protocols in place, including external temperature checks upon entry, complementary face masks and personal hand sanitizer kits provided upon entry, increased hand sanitizer stations, overall reduced capacity, all benches spaced six feet apart, increased restroom capacity and sanitation, and more.
Amy Grant To Celebrate ‘Unguarded’ Album’s 35th Anniversary With Limited Edition Vinyl
/by Jessica NicholsonThe new album includes the full original project, in addition to four live tracks and commentary from Grant discussing the album’s recording process.
This fall, Grant’s classic Tennessee Christmas album will be redelivered on Oct. 23, including two songs that were originally Target exclusives, “From the Cold” and “What Child Is This,” as well as a new recording of Grant singing “The Christmas Waltz” with Mark Martel. The song will be available for sale and streaming as a two-track single with “Silver Bells,” Grant, Martel and Michael W. Smith‘s 2019 No. 1 Christmas collaboration.
Unguarded 35th Anniversary Track Listing:
SIDE A
Love Of Another Kind
Find A Way
Everywhere I Go
I Love You
Stepping In Your Shoes
SIDE B
Fight
Wise Up
Who To Listen To
Sharayah
The Prodigal
SIDE C
Love of Another Kind (Live)
Love Will Find A Way (Live)
Wise Up (Live)
Fight (Live)
SIDE D
All the Burners – commentary
Caribou – commentary
Chip Up – commentary
There Is A Time to Dance – commentary
Giant Figure – commentary
for King & Country, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, More To Perform On 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Gospel Music Association has revealed the first round of performers for the 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Slated to perform are Artist of the Year Nominees Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and for KING & COUNTRY featuring Lecrae, as well as WRLDFMS Tony Williams, Apollo LTD, Jonathan McReynolds, Leeland featuring
Viewers will be able to watch the global broadcast Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. CT on TBN.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s show will not have a live audience but through a variety of pre-recorded performances, producer Paul Wright plans to incorporate a variety of new elements to create more of a cinematic approach than previous shows.
“During this unprecedented time, what the GMA team is pulling together is absolutely incredible,” said seven-time GMA Dove Award winner Natalie Grant. “They’re crafting something brand new that will uplift and inspire you and your family in a fresh way. It’s the Dove Awards like you’ve never experienced them before, and you won’t want to miss it!”
DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Luke Combs, Shenandoah, Michael Ray, Ingrid Andress, And More
/by Robert K OermannLuke Combs. Photo: David Bergman
In today’s column, the country veterans are here to show the youngsters how it’s done.
Travis Tritt, Willie Nelson, John Rich and Shenandoah with Zac Brown Band all have comeback singles. And vets Terry McBride & Patty Loveless have the Disc of the Day.
All of which is not to deny the sterling work turned in by the younger generation, especially Ingrid Andress, Luke Combs and Danielle Bradbery.
The DISCovery Award goes to the female trio Vicki Kristina Barcelona. “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” is just one of the many delights to hear on the Tom Waits-penned Pawn Shop Radio collection. For starters, also check out “Innocent When You Dream” and “Cold Cold Ground,” then plunge in and thrill to the rest of this amazing debut disc.
MICHAEL RAY/”Whiskey and Rain”
Writers: Josh Thompson/Jesse Frasure; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Ross Copperman; Warner
– Routine. There’s nothing really wrong with it, and it’s perfectly competent work. But I don’t hear anything special about this plodding barroom homage to the Gary Allan sound.
VICKI KRISTINA BARCELONA/”I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”
Writers: Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan/Jalma; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; Producer: VKB Band; Storysound (track)
– This is a trio consisting of multi-instrumentalists Rachelle Garniez, Amanda Homi and Terry Radigan. The album is titled Pawn Shop Radio and consists entirely of Tom Waits songs. This single, which has been out awhile, is a Cajun-flavored bopper embellished with accordion, harmonium and triangle, not to mention their saucy, joyous harmony vocals. You have GOT to hear this.
DANIELLE BRADBERY/”Girls in My Hometown”
Writers: Nicole Galyon/Josh Osborne/Emily Weisband; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dann Huff; BMLG
– Wow. What a beautiful, thoughtful and evocative performance. The lyric vignettes capture a lost-in-the-city gal who’s thinking of the small-town friends back home, musing and meditating about what has become of everyone. This piano-based, harmony-kissed ballad is star-making stuff.
TRAVIS TRITT/”Ghost Town Nation”
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/JB Strauss; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Big Noise
– I have missed this man so much. Always one our most charismatic singers and entertainers, his return to disc is cause for celebration. His “outlaw” attitude is fully unfurled on this guitars-blazing, rockin’ rouser.
TERRY McBRIDE & PATTY LOVELESS/”Rebels and Angels”
Writers: Terry McBride/Chris Stapleton; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Luke Laird; Creative Nation
– Country, country, country. Drenched in steel and twin fiddles, this is a hillbilly jewel. Their brilliant voices sound splendid together as they weave the tale of parents seeing the kids become the same people they were. My heart warmed in my chest with every note of this mini masterpiece. Duet of the Year.
LUKE COMBS/”Better Together”
Writers: Luke Combs/Dan Isbell/Randy Montana; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dime/Sony-ATV/Warner-Tamerlane/Sullivan S Guns, BMI; Producer: Scott Moffatt; River House/Columbia (track)
– Who’s gonna fill their shoes? Somebody already has, and his name is Luke Combs. This supremely romantic piano ballad is mixed with his heart-in-throat vocal delivery right up front. Say, Amen, everybody.
SHENANDOAH & ZAC BROWN BAND/”I’d Take Another One of Those”
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Foundry
– Very groovy. Both lead singers deliver with oversized hearts. The warm, nostalgic lyric simply glows with simple beauty and truth. The rippling production, full group harmonies and lilting atmosphere are all hallmarks here. Lovely listening.
JOHN RICH/”Earth to God”
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Studio2Bee
– The soaring production and echo-chamber vocal underscore this as Rich’s troubled-times Big Statement song. Oomphy.
SHANE OWENS/”Everybody Dies But Not Everybody Lives”
Writers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Amerimonte
– The song fits this solidly country vocalist like a glove. Fiddle and steel are played pristinely as he phrases the simple-and-true message to perfection. A breath of fresh air.
INGRID ANDRESS/”Lady Like”
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Warner
– Kinda feisty. Kinda outspoken. Kinda rocking. And way, way cool. I really like the dynamics in this that range from intimate lyric delivery to full-throated roar with the throttle wide open in the production. By all means, play the fire outta this.
WILLIE NELSON/”Vote ‘Em Out”
Writers: Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Legacy
– This catchy toe-tapper has a simple message, Get Out and Vote. Willie’s wry delivery, slippery guitar pickin’ and jaunty attitude will make you smile. Cannon’s production gives the whole thing panache.