Jessica Chastain. Photo: Courtesy Scenario PR
Spectrum Originals and Paramount Network have optioned Abe Sylvia‘s feature film screenplay, which centers on one of country music’s iconic couples, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, with plans to transform the project into a limited series titled George & Tammy.
The upcoming miniseries, starring Jessica Chastain as Wynette, is based on the book, The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, penned by the couple’s daughter, Georgette Jones. Jones and Wynette were married for six years, from 1969-1975. Together, they recording lasting hits such as “Golden Ring” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.”
There is no official word on who will portray Jones, though Josh Brolin, who was originally slated to play the role, is still an executive producer on the project, as is Chastain.
After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum subscribers, George & Tammy will have a second window on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network. No official air date has been announced.
Sylvia (Dead to Me) serves as creator and executive producer along with executive producers Andrew Lazar (American Sniper), Brolin and Chastain. David Glasser, David Hutkin and Bob Yari are executive producers from 101 Studios (Yellowstone) along with writer and executive producer Bryan Goluboff.
“I first read Abe’s feature script a few years ago and couldn’t get it out of my head—the examination of human frailty and redemption was so unexpected, given the glitz and glamour of the subject matter,” said Katherine Pope, head of Spectrum Originals. “We all thought we knew who Tammy Wynette was, but there is so much more to her that we never saw. Jessica brings her incredible depth of intelligence, empathy and strength to peel back all the layers of this country superstar. It’s an honor to work with this dream team—all the producers and our partners at 101 Studios and Paramount Network—we can’t wait to bring this incredible series to our viewers.”
“I’ve been a massive fan of George & Tammy’s iconic music since I was a kid, leading me to chase this incredible script by Abe for years,” said Keith Cox, President of ViacomCBS’s Entertainment & Youth Studios. “It’s a dream come true to have Jessica at the forefront of the complex tale behind Tammy Wynette. We are thrilled to share this series about two legends with the world on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network.”
“We are thrilled to be able to bring this story to life,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “This project has been a labor of love for everyone involved, especially Andrew (Lazar) and Jessica (Chastain). We first heard about it nearly seven years ago when it was pitched as a feature film. After Abe Sylvia’s success in television with Nurse Jackie and Dead to Me, we thought George & Tammy could also be re- envisioned as a series. With Abe at the helm of the project, Andrew producing, and Jessica attached to star, we can finally bring George and Tammy’s story to the screen.”
“I am humbled to bring this incredible story to life with the breadth it deserves and that the Charter platforms allow,” said Abe Sylvia. “Tammy Wynette is an American icon, and I can think of no one better to illuminate the woman behind the legend than Jessica Chastain. After having the honor of penning The Eyes of Tammy Faye for Freckle Films and Searchlight, I so look forward to another collaboration with her. This has indeed been a passion project for Andrew, Josh and me—and we are so grateful to our partners Katherine Pope, Keith Cox and David Glasser for tirelessly championing our labor of love.”
Reba McEntire’s 30th Anniversary Edition Of ‘Rumor Has It’ Out Today
/by Lorie HollabaughReba McEntire‘s classic album, Rumor Has It, is being re-released in a special 30th Anniversary Edition today. In celebration of the iconic project’s re-release, Reba is set to perform “Fancy” on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday (Sept. 14).
Originally released in 1990, Rumor Has It includes four Top 10 hits, including the album title track, “You Lie,” “Fallin’ Out Of Love” and her signature hit, “Fancy.” The anniversary edition vinyl also includes a special bonus track, a live acoustic version of “Fancy” recorded at The Ryman, while the CD and digital versions feature that bonus track as well as a new dance remix of “Fancy.”
Earlier this month, Reba received her 51st CMA nomination in the Musical Event of the Year category for Thomas Rhett’s No.1 hit “Be A Light.” “Be A Light” marks Reba’s 60th Top 10 hit on the Billboard chart, extending her record for the most among female artists. The legend has now collected Top 10 hits in five straight decades and is the fourth artist to achieve the feat alongside George Jones, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.
IBMA Details Momentum Awards, Industry Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 2020 Momentum Awards take place Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. ET, hosted by Stephen Mougin. The Momentum Awards Show will also feature virtual performances by the five finalists for Momentum Band of the Year: AJ Lee and Blue Summit, Colebrook Road, Midnight Skyracer, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, and The Slocan Ramblers.
The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.
“It’s so exciting to be able to recognize the Momentum nominees; they are all incredibly talented and inspiring!” exclaimed Trisha Tubbs, producer of this year’s Momentum Awards Show. “A unique and special award for the whole music industry is IBMA’s Momentum Mentor of the Year award. It recognizes those very special people in our community who have taken the time to mentor and help others, often without getting paid and doing this behind the scenes without any fanfare and recognition.”
“Because we had to pivot to a virtual show, for the first time ever, we will be able to showcase a performance by each of the five finalists for Momentum Band of the Year,” noted Tubbs. “It’s exciting because not only are they all outstanding bands, but every band is doing an original song written by one of their band members.”
The 2020 Industry Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. ET; the 90-minute show will be hosted by Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. The critically-acclaimed musical partnership features two stellar musicians: Fleck, a 15-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument across multiple genres, and Washburn, a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized it by combining it with Far East culture and sounds.
“Although we have had to make major adjustments to our production this year, we are truly proud to present the virtual 2020 Industry Awards Show and Distinguished Achievement Awards to music fans across the world,” said Chris Keenan, IBMA Industry Awards Show producer. “We’re especially excited to feature Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn as show emcees, who will certainly keep the viewers entertained and engaged.”
The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Additionally, the show features a segment honoring the recipients of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards: festival pioneers Norman & Judy Adams, “Musicians Against Childhood Cancer” (MACC) founders Darrel & Phyllis Adkins, fiddle virtuoso/educator Darol Anger, San Diego’s KSON “Bluegrass Special” host Wayne Rice, and bluegrass innovator Jack Tottle.
The livestream will feature a performance by Crying Uncle, and special appearances from Henhouse Prowlers’ Ben Wright (on behalf of Leadership Bluegrass) and artist Becky Buller (on behalf of the IBMA Foundation).
Tanya Tucker’s ‘Live From The Troubadour’ Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughTanya Tucker Performance Photo. Credit: Derrek Kupish
Tanya Tucker will release Live From The Troubadour on Oct. 16, the one-year anniversary of her historic, standing-room only show where the album was recorded.
The project features 15 songs including Tucker’s smash signature song “Delta Dawn,” and a cache of her No. 1 hits such as “Strong Enough To Bend,” “What’s Your Mama’s Name, Child”, “Blood Red and Goin’ Down” and “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone).” The set also includes a sublime medley of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” along with six songs from While I’m Livin’, including “Mustang Ridge,” “The Wheels of Laredo,” “Hard Luck” and the poignant, “Bring My Flowers Now.”
Tucker is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album directly to The Troubadour, including 100% of the revenue generated by the custom Live From The Troubadour poster available at her online store.
She’s nominated for three 2020 Americana Honors and Awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year at the upcoming awards, though the ceremony has recently postponed.
TANYA TUCKER – LIVE FROM THE TROUBADOUR TRACK LIST:
1. Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone)
2. Jamestown Ferry
3. What’s Your Mama’s Name, Child
4. Blood Red And Goin’ Down
5. Strong Enough To Bend
6. I’m On Fire / Ring Of Fire (Medley)
7. Mustang Ridge
8. The Wheels Of Laredo
9. I Don’t Owe You Anything
10. High Ridin’ Heroes
11. Hard Luck
12. Interlude
13. Bring My Flowers Now
14. Texas (When I Die)
15. It’s A Little Too Late
16. Delta Dawn
Josh Abbott Band To Release ‘The Highway Kind’ Nov. 13
/by Jessica NicholsonJosh Abbott Band will release a new album, The Highway Kind, on Nov. 13. The 10-song album, recorded at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas and produced by Marshall Altman, is the follow up to 2017’s Until My Voice Goes Out.
While making the record, lead singer Josh Abbott relocated from Austin to Nashville for three months of co-writing sessions.
Abbott says, “The Highway Kind is the album I wish we had put out seven years ago. The lyrics, the melodies, the subtle touches; this album is the very best effort from our group. These songs were brought to life and curated to reflect where my life is now: happy, fulfilled, blessed. From love songs to songs about friendship, from ballads to bangers, this album has it all. They’re true-life songs. I hope people listen to this record and go, ‘Man, Josh is in a really good place around now.’”
The album includes lead single “Little More You,” previously featured on 2019’s Catching Fire EP and penned by Troy Cartwright, Benjy Davis and Neil Medley. Abbott penned another track, “Women & Wishes,” about his wife for an upcoming event they plan to host together annually to raise money for female entrepreneurs. The album also features the Jon Pardi-penned “24-7-365.”
The Highway Kind will be self-released on the band’s own Pretty Damn Tough Records.
The Highway Kind Track List:
1.The Highway Kind
2. Real Damn Good
3.Where I Wanna Be
4.Settle Me Down
5. The Luckiest
6. Little More You
7. 24-7-365
8. One More Two Steps
9. Women & Wishes
10. Old Men & Rain
Gillian Welch Unveils New Batch Of Lost Songs On ‘Boots No. 2’
/by Lorie HollabaughGillian Welch is gearing up for the second installment of her Boots series with Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 2 on Acony Records on Sept. 18. Vol. 2 is the second in the series of the newly-unearthed cache of home demos and reel-to-reel recordings from the vault of Welch and partner David Rawlings, and was recorded between the making of Time (The Revelator) and Soul Journey.
She shared the first two songs from the Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 2, “Beautiful Boy” And “I Just Want You To Know,” today. Volume 1 of the series was released on July 31, with Volume 3 set to follow in the coming months.
Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 2 Track Listing:
Lee Brice To Drop New Album ‘Hey World’ In November
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 15 songs take the listener from the desire to shut out the craziness of the world through “Hey World,” to a message from the great beyond to family and friends with “Save The Roses,” through the stop-you-in-your-tracks “Lies,” then back around to “Atta Boy” and “More Beer,” providing a fully-immersive, perspective-bringing, real-life look at the world today.
Brice has released an accompanying music video for “Hey World” (feat. Blessing Offor).
He explains the inspiration behind the new song: “We wrote the title track from an introspective, truthful place, and probably what most people are actually feeling right now,” said Brice. “With everything that is happening in the world currently, and how fast paced we are as a society, in general, sometimes you just want everything to stop – just to appreciate what we do have. People are suffering and it can’t be ignored. Hey World is just my next step in life. Where I am, who I am, what I love, and what I feel. From the songs, to the production, to the order they play in, I always have and still do make it my goal to get better and better at what I do. Short of my family, my wife and friends, my music is the deepest part of me. So, I am overjoyed to say that I think I have made my best project to date.”
Hey World Track Listing:
Lauren Alaina Tops iTunes Country Chart With Lukas Graham Duet
/by Lorie HollabaughThe success comes on the heels of the release of her brand-new EP Getting Over Him last week, which she celebrated with a performance of “Run” on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday. To celebrate the release of her EP directly with her fans, Alaina has partnered with VYE Live for a virtual livestream concert on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. CT.
The Georgia native was just announced as the host of the upcoming new Circle TV series, Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith, which premieres Tuesday, Oct. 6, based off the namesake book Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson). In tandem, Alaina is also featured on the cover of the popular Jesus Calling magazine (Spring 2020) and is featured in an episode of Stories of Faith, “Loving Yourself and Knowing Who You Are.”
Weekly Radio Report (9/11/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Americana Music Association Postpones Honors & Awards Ceremony
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Americana Music Association has postponed its Honors & Awards ceremony, which had been slated to take place Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly released a statement on Friday (Sept. 11), saying, “despite all our hope, logistical wrangling and passion, we have concluded that it would not be safe to conduct the Americana Honors & Awards at the wonderful and historic Ryman Auditorium next Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. We’ve carefully evaluated safety measures both with an audience and without. It is our conclusion that if just one person walked out of the Ryman with COVID-19, we would not be able to forgive ourselves.”
The organization plans to celebrate the nominees and announce the winners later this fall, with details to be announced soon.
This year’s nominees include Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, the late John Prine, Tanya Tucker, and Yola all vying for the top honor, Artist of the Year.
Carlile leads this year’s nominations with five, including honors for her work as a producer and writer on Tanya Tucker’s While I’m Livin’ album, and for her work as part of the group The Highwomen. Tucker is nominated for Album of the Year (While I’m Livin’), Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year (“Bring My Flowers Now”). The Highwomen are nominated for Album of the Year, for their self-titled project, produced by Dave Cobb. They are also up for Duo/Group of the Year, as well as Song of the Year (“Crowded Table”). Howard is nominated for Artist of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for both artist and producer for her project Jaime. Her song “Stay High” is also nominated for Song of the Year.
Newcomers Black Pumas earned two nominations for Duo/Group and Emerging Act of the Year. Aubrie Sellers earns two nominations, for Emerging Act of the Year and Song of the Year, for “My Love Will Not Change.” Nathaniel Rateliff earns two nominations, for Album of the Year (And It’s Still Alright), as well as Song of the Year for the album’s title track. Drive-By Truckers also earn two nods, for Duo/Group of the Year, as well as Song of the Year (“Thoughts and Prayers”).
The Americana Music Association does plan to move forward with its Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference, which is slated for Sept. 16-18, 2020, and will feature artists including Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne, Rhiannon Giddens, T Bone Burnett, and many others.
Jessica Chastain To Star In George Jones/Tammy Wynette Limited Series
/by Jessica NicholsonJessica Chastain. Photo: Courtesy Scenario PR
Spectrum Originals and Paramount Network have optioned Abe Sylvia‘s feature film screenplay, which centers on one of country music’s iconic couples, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, with plans to transform the project into a limited series titled George & Tammy.
The upcoming miniseries, starring Jessica Chastain as Wynette, is based on the book, The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, penned by the couple’s daughter, Georgette Jones. Jones and Wynette were married for six years, from 1969-1975. Together, they recording lasting hits such as “Golden Ring” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.”
There is no official word on who will portray Jones, though Josh Brolin, who was originally slated to play the role, is still an executive producer on the project, as is Chastain.
After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum subscribers, George & Tammy will have a second window on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network. No official air date has been announced.
Sylvia (Dead to Me) serves as creator and executive producer along with executive producers Andrew Lazar (American Sniper), Brolin and Chastain. David Glasser, David Hutkin and Bob Yari are executive producers from 101 Studios (Yellowstone) along with writer and executive producer Bryan Goluboff.
“I first read Abe’s feature script a few years ago and couldn’t get it out of my head—the examination of human frailty and redemption was so unexpected, given the glitz and glamour of the subject matter,” said Katherine Pope, head of Spectrum Originals. “We all thought we knew who Tammy Wynette was, but there is so much more to her that we never saw. Jessica brings her incredible depth of intelligence, empathy and strength to peel back all the layers of this country superstar. It’s an honor to work with this dream team—all the producers and our partners at 101 Studios and Paramount Network—we can’t wait to bring this incredible series to our viewers.”
“I’ve been a massive fan of George & Tammy’s iconic music since I was a kid, leading me to chase this incredible script by Abe for years,” said Keith Cox, President of ViacomCBS’s Entertainment & Youth Studios. “It’s a dream come true to have Jessica at the forefront of the complex tale behind Tammy Wynette. We are thrilled to share this series about two legends with the world on ViacomCBS forthcoming streaming service and Paramount Network.”
“We are thrilled to be able to bring this story to life,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios. “This project has been a labor of love for everyone involved, especially Andrew (Lazar) and Jessica (Chastain). We first heard about it nearly seven years ago when it was pitched as a feature film. After Abe Sylvia’s success in television with Nurse Jackie and Dead to Me, we thought George & Tammy could also be re- envisioned as a series. With Abe at the helm of the project, Andrew producing, and Jessica attached to star, we can finally bring George and Tammy’s story to the screen.”
“I am humbled to bring this incredible story to life with the breadth it deserves and that the Charter platforms allow,” said Abe Sylvia. “Tammy Wynette is an American icon, and I can think of no one better to illuminate the woman behind the legend than Jessica Chastain. After having the honor of penning The Eyes of Tammy Faye for Freckle Films and Searchlight, I so look forward to another collaboration with her. This has indeed been a passion project for Andrew, Josh and me—and we are so grateful to our partners Katherine Pope, Keith Cox and David Glasser for tirelessly championing our labor of love.”