W.S. Holland. Photo: Eddie Michel Azoulay
Longtime Johnny Cash sideman W.S. “Fluke” Holland passed away on Wednesday (Sept. 23) in Jackson, Tennessee, at age 85.
Holland was the superstar’s only drummer throughout his career. He joined Cash’s The Tennessee Two in 1960, which prompted the group’s renaming to The Tennessee Three. He played on all of Cash’s hits thereafter, remaining by his side until Cash retired from the road in 1997.
Born in Saltello, Tennessee in 1935, Holland graduated from high school in Jackson in 1953. He began working with fellow Jackson resident Carl Perkins the following year. When Perkins went to Sun Records in Memphis, Holland accompanied him.
He played on all of the classic Perkins Sun Records sides, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Honey Don’t,” “Boppin’ the Blues,” “Glad All Over,” “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby” and “Matchbox” in 1956-59. He also played on records by various other Sun artists, including Roy Orbison, Carl Mann and Billy Lee Riley.
He was present at the famed late-1956 Million Dollar Quartet session at Sun, which joined the forces of Perkins, Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
Perkins’ increased drinking, a serious automobile accident and waning disc success led to Holland leaving his band in 1959. The following year, Cash hired him to join bassist Marshall Grant and lead guitarist Luther Perkins in his band. Holland’s “train-like” rhythm subsequently became one of the distinguishing elements of Cash’s sound.
His drumming can be heard on “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town,” “Five Feet High and Rising,” “I Got Stripes,” “Ring of Fire,” “Understand Your Man,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Daddy Sang Bass,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Man in Black,” “One Piece at a Time” and many more Johnny Cash singles. In addition, Holland is on the landmark Cash LPs Live at Folsom Prison (1968) and Live at San Quentin (1969).
He was also on the 1969 Bob Dylan album Nashville Skyline, alongside Cash. Other stars who recorded with Holland include Dale Watson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Western, Marty Stuart, Johnny Horton, Steve Goodman and George Jones.
After 1997, the drummer toured with his own W.S. Holland Band, extending his career as a working musician to seven decades. He was a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has been called the most important drummer in country-music history.
In 2019, Holland published his autobiography, entitled Behind The Man in Black: The WS Holland Story. He died of congestive heart failure.
W.S. Fluke Holland is survived by his wife Joyce Lindsey Holland, daughters Kim Holland Lovelace and Krista Holland. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday at West Jackson Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until noon with the funeral beginning at noon. He will be buried at Ridgecrest Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in his honor to either West Jackson’s Hartland Ministry or YouthTown of Tennessee.
Carrie Underwood To Celebrate The Season With New HBO Max Original Christmas Special
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(Photo by Joseph Llanes)
Carrie Underwood will star in an exclusive new HBO Max Christmas special which will premiere this holiday season. She will appear on the new concert special with a live orchestra and choir and perform a mix of both traditional favorites and new original material from her first ever full-length Christmas album, My Gift, which is out tomorrow (Sept. 25). The holiday event is set to shoot this fall.
“Carrie Underwood is a multi-faceted talent and we are thrilled to be partnering with her and our friends at Playtone to bring a dose of holiday cheer,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max.
“The journey of writing and recording this album started last year when I finished my tour and we could have never anticipated the circumstances we would be in this year,” said Underwood. “Creating this album has been good for my heart, and I’m thrilled to get to share it with the world and to bring it to life with Playtone and HBO Max.”
The Max Original special will be executive produced by Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks for Playtone, along with Underwood and her manager, Ann Edelblute.
Legendary Johnny Cash Drummer W.S. "Fluke" Holland Dies At 85
/by Robert K OermannW.S. Holland. Photo: Eddie Michel Azoulay
Longtime Johnny Cash sideman W.S. “Fluke” Holland passed away on Wednesday (Sept. 23) in Jackson, Tennessee, at age 85.
Holland was the superstar’s only drummer throughout his career. He joined Cash’s The Tennessee Two in 1960, which prompted the group’s renaming to The Tennessee Three. He played on all of Cash’s hits thereafter, remaining by his side until Cash retired from the road in 1997.
Born in Saltello, Tennessee in 1935, Holland graduated from high school in Jackson in 1953. He began working with fellow Jackson resident Carl Perkins the following year. When Perkins went to Sun Records in Memphis, Holland accompanied him.
He played on all of the classic Perkins Sun Records sides, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Honey Don’t,” “Boppin’ the Blues,” “Glad All Over,” “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby” and “Matchbox” in 1956-59. He also played on records by various other Sun artists, including Roy Orbison, Carl Mann and Billy Lee Riley.
He was present at the famed late-1956 Million Dollar Quartet session at Sun, which joined the forces of Perkins, Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
Perkins’ increased drinking, a serious automobile accident and waning disc success led to Holland leaving his band in 1959. The following year, Cash hired him to join bassist Marshall Grant and lead guitarist Luther Perkins in his band. Holland’s “train-like” rhythm subsequently became one of the distinguishing elements of Cash’s sound.
His drumming can be heard on “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town,” “Five Feet High and Rising,” “I Got Stripes,” “Ring of Fire,” “Understand Your Man,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Daddy Sang Bass,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Man in Black,” “One Piece at a Time” and many more Johnny Cash singles. In addition, Holland is on the landmark Cash LPs Live at Folsom Prison (1968) and Live at San Quentin (1969).
He was also on the 1969 Bob Dylan album Nashville Skyline, alongside Cash. Other stars who recorded with Holland include Dale Watson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Western, Marty Stuart, Johnny Horton, Steve Goodman and George Jones.
After 1997, the drummer toured with his own W.S. Holland Band, extending his career as a working musician to seven decades. He was a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has been called the most important drummer in country-music history.
In 2019, Holland published his autobiography, entitled Behind The Man in Black: The WS Holland Story. He died of congestive heart failure.
W.S. Fluke Holland is survived by his wife Joyce Lindsey Holland, daughters Kim Holland Lovelace and Krista Holland. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday at West Jackson Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until noon with the funeral beginning at noon. He will be buried at Ridgecrest Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made in his honor to either West Jackson’s Hartland Ministry or YouthTown of Tennessee.
Grand Ole Opry To Welcome Back Limited In-House Audiences Beginning Oct. 3
/by Jessica NicholsonBeginning Saturday, Oct. 3, the Grand Ole Opry will welcome back limited in-house audiences—capped at 500 ticketed attendees—marking the first live audience shows since the Opry paused such performances on March 13. The Oct. 3 concert will also kick off the Opry’s 95th anniversary celebration, including performances from Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, and Terri Clark. Bentley, who was inducted as an Opry member on Oct. 1, 2005, will also celebrate his 15th Opry induction anniversary.
The limited audience for the show will include fans who had previously held tickets for each night’s show.
“With gratitude to the artists who have visited the Opry since March, staff members and partners who have ensured the Opry went on every Saturday, and a worldwide audience for tuning in over the past six months, we are so excited as we plan to welcome fans back to the Opry House,” said Dan Rogers, Opry vice president and executive producer. “So many loyal fans make plans early to be a part of our birthday weekend every year, and I am especially excited that many of those devoted familiar faces will be in the first in-house audience since late last winter. Of course we will only be truly happy when we can return to capacity audiences and full Opry shows that are known around the world.”
The Opry has partnered with Nashville Public Health Department and Vanderbilt Health to develop operating plans for the shows, including socially distanced seating (which allows those in the same group to be seated together, though distanced from others), mandatory masks for all guests, Opry House operations and production staff, temperature checks for all staffers, enhanced cleaning practices and no food/beverage service.
Though the Opry closed its doors to live, in-house audiences in March, it has been a musical beacon the past six-and-a-half months during the pandemic through its one-hour livestream via Circle All Access’s social channels, as well as Circle TV, SiriusXM and the Opry’s 650 WSM AM and wsmonline.com which have helped keep the Opry’s shows going strong week after week. The livestream has consistently been in the upper echelons of Pollstar‘s Livestream chart, averaging more than 1 million viewers each week. By the time the Opry welcomes audiences back to the Opry House, it will have played 29 consecutive Saturday night broadcasts with no live audience. Artists including Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood, Jeannie Seely, Blake Shelton and more have taken part in Opry shows since the pandemic began.
This Saturday, Sept. 26, Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith will step onto the Grand Ole Opry stage along with Sierra Hull at 7 p.m. CT for the 4,943rd consecutive Saturday night broadcast.
Chase Wright Discusses His Journey From College Track Star To Country Newcomer
/by Jessica NicholsonChase Wright. Photo: Kirsten Balani
Four years ago, Indiana native Chase Wright was an economics major and college track star at DePauw University, collecting wins in 100-meter and 200-meter races. Sometime between college classes and time on the track, he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play John Legend’s “All Of Me” and “Vandalizer,” a track from Sam Hunt’s early mixtape Between The Pines.
He began lending his voice and guitar work to his own original songs and uploading cover renditions of Mitchell Tenpenny’s “Drunk Me,” Kane Brown’s “Heaven” and others to Instagram and YouTube. Morris Higham Management moguls Robert Filhart and Clint Higham saw a few of those Instagram videos and reached out to the rising singer/songwriter, suggesting Wright sign up for an ASCAP songwriter’s workshop. From there, Wright began making regular trips to immerse himself in Nashville’s songwriting circles, before moving to Music City a week after his college graduation.
Wright later inked a management deal at Morris Higham Management, as well as a publishing deal at the company’s publishing arm Toby & Molly Music.
During a recent Zoom visit with MusicRow Magazine staffers, the singer-songwriter offered acoustic renditions of his new music, including the heartfelt ballad “Wish You’d Miss Me” and a song he penned during one of his early trips to Nashville, titled “Drive.” He also offered his debut single, “My Kinda Morning,” which he co-wrote with Matt and Josh Jenkins, with production by Zach Abend.
Bright guitars frame his half-sung, half-spoken tale of a romance-filled evening that lingers past the break of day, with melodies wrapped in spacious production, and rap-inspired cadences.
“It was just about this night in college that last until the morning,” Wright says. “Josh wanted to take a chance with the production behind it so I think it ended up being this really powerful piece. I feel like it represents my musical background and compiles it into one.”
Lucas Hoge Inks Partnership With Batteries Plus
/by Jessica NicholsonLucas Hoge
Lucas Hoge has inked a partnership with Batteries Plus for the brand’s first artist deal. The partnership includes Hoge’s Sportsman Channel series Hoge Wild, which was recently renewed for a second season. Batteries Plus will feature Hoge and his music on their social media pages, while his Hoge Wild series will feature Batteries Plus products.
“As we continue growing nationwide, Batteries Plus is excited to partner with Lucas Hoge,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Batteries Plus. “Lucas brings an authentic connection to the outdoors and infectious personality that captivates fans of both his television show and music. We look forward to reaching his fans and introducing ourselves to the outdoor industry through our wide range of specialty products for outdoor enthusiasts just like Lucas, including our premium, top selling X2Power batteries that are perfect for boats and ATVs/UTVs.”
UMG Nashville Partners With Outdoor Channel For Virtual Concert Series
/by Jessica NicholsonOutdoor Channel has partnered with UMG Nashville to bring viewers live concerts—virtually—on the outdoor network, starting Monday, Sept. 28 with Country Outdoors LIVE Presented by RAM.
UMG Nashville artists Gary Allan, Jordan Davis, Caylee Hammack and Josh Turner will offer music showcases each Monday night starting Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET.
Hosts Nick Hoffman, host of Outdoor Channel’s Nick’s Wild Ride, and Mary O’Neill Phillips, host of the Outdoor Sportsman Group podcast Country Outdoors, will introduce the live acts, as well as help viewers learn details behind-the-music during each 30-minute show.
“The success of our broadcasts during the summer months proved that this creative way of having two industries—television and music—join forces during these uncertain times present a fun and exciting way for country music fans to enjoy new music they may not have been exposed to as easily,” Outdoor Sportsman Group President and CEO Jim Liberatore said. “Our programming content and audience allies closely with country music fans, so this is a natural development—providing live, exciting programming.”
See the full show schedule below:
· Sept. 28 – Gary Allan
· Oct. 5 – Jordan Davis
· Oct. 12 – Caylee Hammack
· Oct. 19 – Josh Turner
Kelly Lang Celebrates Her ‘Old Soul’ On New Album
/by Lorie HollabaughKelly Lang. Photo: Courtesy 2911 Media
Kelly Lang has released her new album Old Soul.
The album, which released Sept. 18, transports listeners back to music’s greatest era, putting serendipitous spins on popular classic hits of the ’70s and ’80s to uncover the feel-good intent of simpler times. Old Soul features 14 covers of critically acclaimed songs and highlights Lang’s love and appreciation for the timeless classics. The album is sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms Chicken.
“When I was recording my new album Old Soul, I chose songs that brought me back to a simpler time. These songs are woven into the tapestry of our musical lives. My hope is that the listener will also be able to reminisce and be transported back to great memories while enjoying these classics with a new twist,” shares Lang.
Leading up to the release of the album during an appearance on Coffee, Country & Cody live on WSM and Circle TV, Lang was surprised with Proclamations from both the City of Nashville and her home town of Oklahoma City, declaring Sept. 18, 2020, officially ‘Kelly Lang Day’. Both of these honors are coinciding with the release of her new album.
Joe Bonamassa’s Ryman Show Raises Over $32K For Artists Impacted By COVID-19
/by Lorie HollabaughJoe Bonamassa. Photo: Kit Wood
Joe Bonamassa played a sold-out show at the Ryman Sunday night (Sept. 20) — well, sort of. The legendary venue typically seats 2,300, but for one night only, the real crowd was the size of a major stadium, and in-house nearly every seat was filled with a custom cardboard cutout. The event sold over 17,000 tickets, reaching 44 countries for one very special live music presentation.
Bonamassa performed the livestream show from the legendary stage in Nashville, playing his new studio album Royal Tea in its entirety, a month before its release on Oct. 23, as well as some fan favorites from his recent 20th anniversary album, A New Day Now, his 23rd No. 1 album. Those wanting to check out the show still can, since tickets for the livestream are available through the entire rest of the week until Sept. 27.
Tickets purchased this week will benefit touring musicians unable to make a living due to COVID-19. To date, more than $350,000 has been raised, supporting more than 190 touring musicians impacted by the pandemic. Between ticket sales and donations during the After Party Showcase the event raised $32,000 already for Bonamassa’s Fueling Musicians program, presented by his non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation. The showcase featured some of the genre’s most talented, emerging acts of this generation, with performances from artists including Ally Venable Band, The Cold Stares, Elles Bailey, Ida Mae, Jared James Nichols, Jontavious Willis, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Southern Avenue, Tyler Bryant and Vanessa Collier.
Tickets to the pay-per-view concert on demand are available at $35 for the All-Access Pass, which includes on demand admission to the virtual concert until Sept. 27, the Royal Tea digital album available on Oct. 23, and a one-year pass to Bonamassa’s on-demand video service. The video service includes 17+ concert releases from Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, and Rock Candy Funk Party – available at any time on most devices. Following the ticketed event, the concert is in the works to be broadcast on public television and will be available on DVD at a later date.
Photo: Kit Wood
Sam Hunt, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde Among Top CMT Awards Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughCMT has announced the nominations for the upcoming 2020 CMT Awards with Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Ashley McBryde, and Kelsea Ballerini all competing for the most accolades of the evening, with three nominations each spanning categories including “Video of the Year,” “Female Video of the Year” and “Male Video of the Year.”
Other multiple nominees for the awards, which will air Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT with a six-network simulcast across MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount Network, Pop TV and TV Land, include Blanco Brown, Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion and The Chicks, who return with their first CMT nomination since 2007. The worlds of pop and dance/electronic also received CMT Award nods this year with Halsey, Marshmello and Gwen Stefani receiving first-ever nominations.
The 2020 CMT Music Awards will also shine a spotlight on a new generation of country stars this year with all six “Breakthrough Video of the Year” nominees Blanco Brown, Caylee Hammack, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Riley Green and Travis Denning all receiving first-time nominations. Super group The Highwomen and the legendary Tanya Tucker are also receiving their first CMT awards nods.
This year’s show will celebrate the genre’s biggest stars through outdoor performances in and around Music City, and in a first for the show, select nominations were revealed on Instagram Reels. The announcement of “Video of the Year,” Female Video of the Year,” “Male Video of the Year,” and “Breakthrough Video of the Year” categories can be viewed here. Each winner is selected by the fans, with voting open now at vote.cmt.com until 11 a.m. CT on Monday, October 12.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced on 10/12, with final voting held until 10/16 and announced in-show.
FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)
COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
PMC, MRC Enter Joint Venture To Operate ‘Billboard,’ ‘Rolling Stone,’ More
/by Jessica NicholsonThe deal puts iconic entertainment brands including PMC’s Rolling Stone, Variety and Music Business Worldwide, and MRC’s Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and VIBE under the same roof. PMC acquired Variety in 2012, and invested in Music Business Worldwide earlier this year.
Penske Media Corporation will lead PMRC’s day-to-day operations. MRC will make use of its content production assets—including Dick Clark Productions—to develop new content and business opportunities. MRC also brings its production infrastructure to the deal, including the Netflix show Ozark and movies such as Knives Out.
There will be a transition period throughout the end of the year. According to the release, there are no leadership changes at PMC or MRC as a result of the ventures and both PMC and MRC will continue to operate independently.
“These are all brands I’ve long admired. Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and VIBE have created some of the finest content in their respective industries and have contributed immensely to the heightened quality of journalism covering entertainment and music today,” said Penske. “We feel very fortunate for this valuable partnership with the exceptional MRC team and the opportunity to continue the legacy of these tremendous brands for the next many decades.”
“We have a great deal of respect for Variety, Rolling Stone and Music Business Worldwide and, as importantly, the leadership at PMC who we’ve gotten to know well and look forward to partnering with in both these businesses,” said Satchu and Wiczyk.