Miranda Lambert Earns Seventh Country Radio Chart-Topper With "Bluebird"

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Miranda Lambert has earned her seventh No. 1 single this week, as “Bluebird” tops both Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.

“Bluebird” is the second single from her album Wildcard and Lambert co-wrote the track alongside Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick. The song has earned more than 130 million on-demand streams to date.

“2020 hasn’t offered a whole lot to celebrate, especially for musicians,” Lambert said on Twitter. “But I am celebrating this week. I’m celebrating happiness and the feeling of artistic freedom in a time where we all feel a little caged. I’m celebrating country music and all the joy it has brought to my life. I’m celebrating ALL the fans, the writers, the musicians, the crews and bands, radio and streaming services, and venues for allowing me to have the most wonderful career for the last 17 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And thank you to Luke Dick for allowing me to write this beautiful idea with you and to Natalie Hemby (my Dean Dillon) for bringing it home. Also Jay Joyce for bringing it to life and giving it wings, Trey Fanjoy for setting this bluebird free in the most beautiful video. And my management Shopkeeper MGMT/Marion Kraft and Sony Nashville for fighting for this song and for me. Turns out we did have a wildcard up our sleeve.”

“Bluebird” marks Lambert’s first No. 1 song on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart in eight years, and her first on Mediabase in six years.

She previously reached No. 1 as part of the 2018 Jason Aldean collaboration “Drowns The Whiskey,” but as a solo artist, her most recent No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart was in 2012 with “Over You.” She last hit No. 1 on Mediabase in 2014 with “Automatic.”

“Bluebird” follows an uptick in No. 1 songs from solo female artists so far in 2020, following chart-toppers from Maren Morris (the multi-week No. 1 “The Bones”), Ingrid Andress (“More Hearts Than Mine”), Gabby Barrett (“I Hope”) and Carly Pearce (“I Hope You’re Happy Now” ft. Lee Brice).

Publisher/Producer John E. Denny Dies

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Longtime Music Row business figure John E. Denny died Tuesday (July 21) at age 79. He had been battling diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease for years.

Born John Everett Denny, he was the son of Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Denny (1911-1963).

Opry manager Jim Denny founded Cedarwood Music with Webb Pierce in 1953. Along with Acuff-Rose and Tree, this was one of the cornerstones of the Nashville song publishing business.

When Jim Denny died, sons Bill Denny and John Denny assumed control of Cedarwood. John was Cedarwood’s vice president. The company was sold to Mel Tillis in 1983.

John Denny wrote several songs for the Cedarwood catalog, including the novelty numbers “All I Want for Christmas Is a Go-Go Girl,” “Jesus Took the Outlaw Out of Me” and “What’s Tootsie Gonna Do When They Tear the Ryman Down.”

One of the firm’s spin-offs was the Dollie Records label. John Denny produced Dollie singles for Carl Perkins, including “Country Boy’s Dream” and “Shine, Shine, Shine” which charted in 1966-67. He also produced Diana Duke and others for Dollie. The label’s acts included Johnny Wiggins, Marti Brown, Gene Wyatt and Johnnie Bailes.

In 1965, he formed his own Denny Music Group. The publishing arm, John E. Denny Music registered 422 titles with BMI. Most of its songs were recorded by independent country artists.

He had his own recording studio, Denny’s Den.

He also founded JED Records (named for his initials). The label released singles by Kent Westbury, Bobby Sykes, Scotty Stoneman, Rusty Adams, Chris Gantry, Jimmy Smart, Max D. Barnes, Ruthie Steele, Audie Ashworth and more before folding around 1980.

John E. Denny received the Lifetime Achievement award from R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) in 2004. He was one of the organization’s founders.

He is survived by his wife Pandora, son James Rae Denny II, sister Linda Gayle, brother J. William, a grandson and a granddaughter.

There will be a private family gravesite service on Thursday (July 30) at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Country Music Hall of Fame or to the charity of your choice.

BEXAR’s Chris Ryan Signs With Reservoir

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Pictured (L-R): Scott McGhee (1˚ Entertainment Music & Management Group), Greg Gallo (VP Creative, Reservoir), Chris Ryan, John Ozier (EVP Creative, Reservoir), Golnar Khosrowshahi (CEO, Reservoir) Photo credit: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Chris Ryan has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Reservoir. Ryan is part of the country music duo BEXAR, which recently signed with Warner Music Nashville.

The Reservoir deal includes all compositions from Ryan’s catalog, plus future works, including BEXAR’s newly-released single “Again.”

The up-and-coming country duo, pronounced “bear,” gets its name from Ryan’s hometown, Bexar County, Texas. Ryan performs lead vocals/guitar alongside Logan Turner, who rounds out their sound with additional vocal/banjo/guitar. BEXAR self-released their EP, BEXAR, in 2018 and have since amassed over 25 million streams. Their new single “Again,” a collaboration with writer-producer Ross Copperman, has been released on all platforms.

“Chris Ryan is a masterful songwriter and storyteller,” said John Ozier, Reservoir EVP, Creative. “It’s such an exciting time, as BEXAR are working on new music and sharing it with the world and we’re so happy to be on this journey with him.”

“As a songwriter, it’s so important to align with a publisher that has the same sensibilities as you,” added Ryan. “I love my team at Reservoir, John Ozier and [VP Creative] Greg Gallo, and the creative opportunities they provide me with.”

Brad Paisley, Steve Wariner Take Part In Instrumental Collaboration To Benefit MusiCares

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Brad Paisley

Several artists and musicians have joined for a new cross-genre instrumental collaboration “Quarantine,” to benefit MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Written and produced by award winning producer and musician Scotty Wilbanks on March 29, 2020, the collaboration of players recorded individual parts in home or personal studios over the next few months.

Country superstar Brad Paisley, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jonathan Cain (Journey), four-time Grammy winner Steve Wariner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones) join Luke Bryan’s band, Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) and many more to form The Quarantine All-Stars.

“Truly one of the highlights of my career came at the most unusual time,” said Wilbanks, who is familiar to country and Christian music fans as the keyboard player for Luke Bryan and Third Day. “What started out as an idea in the middle of quarantine, turned into this unique collaboration with some of the most gifted musicians. It was an honor to work with these incredible players, who all contributed in their own unique way in bringing this project to life for a great cause, MusiCares!”

YouTube video

“What a thrill to play with this caliber of musicians! A social distance jam with players like these certainly isn’t preferable, but it’s the right way to do it these days, and to help out our struggling musicians by supporting MusiCares makes it even more special,” Wariner shared.

“It felt great to play on this smokin’ hot tune and fun video with so many other fine musicians in support of such a vital organization as MusiCares,” added Leavell. “I hope folks will enjoy it and join us in the cause!”

The full list of participating musicians is below:

The Quarantine All-Stars:
Guitars/Pedal Steel:
Brad Paisley
Steve Wariner
Michael Carter (Luke Bryan)
Josh Reedy (Thomas Rhett)
Katlin Owen (John Pardi)
Dave Ristrim (Luke Bryan)

Keyboards:
Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones)
Scotty Wilbanks (Luke Bryan, Third Day)
Jonathan Cain (Journey)

Drums:
Sonny Emory (Eric Clapton, Earth, Wind & Fire)
Chris Kimmerer (Thomas Rhett)
Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan)

Bass:
Sam Sims (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake)
James Cook (Luke Bryan)

Fiddle:
Kevin Arrowsmith (Luke Bryan)

Horns:
Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band)
Keith Smith (TobyMac)
Lee Thornburg (Joe Bonamassa, Tower of Power)
Mark Douthit (Michael McDonald)
Roy Agee (Lauren Daigle)
Dan Falcone (Lady Gaga, Celine Dion)
Greg Vail (Luis Miguel)

Billy Blue Records Signs Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

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Pictured (L-R): Jerry Salley (Billy Blue Records), Colton Powers, Max Etling, Seth Mulder, Ben Watlington, Cody Bauer, Ed Leonard (Billy Blue Records)

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run have signed with Billy Blue Records.

The Gatlinburg, Tennessee group includes Mulder on mandolin and vocals, alongside Colton Powers (banjo, vocals), Ben Watlington (guitar/vocals), Max Etling (upright bass, vocals) and Cody Bauer (fiddle).

Billy Blue Records’ roster of artists includes Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Carolina Blue, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, and the Grammy-nominated recording “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout.” Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.

“This is a group that really cares about the music and about one another,” says Billy Blue Records Creative and A&R Director, Salley. “They are infinitely entertaining when they perform. The vocals and musicianship are top notch, of course, but it’s that visible camaraderie that absolutely makes fans fall in love with Midnight Run.”

Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris To Play Grand Ole Opry

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Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the Opry’s 4,935th consecutive Saturday night broadcast.

Over the years, the three superstars have toured together and collaborated on stage and in writing rooms.

“I met [Emmylou] and Rodney when I was 19,” Gill said. “I don’t have two better friends in the world.”

Crowell penned “Bluebird Wine,” which was included on Harris’ Pieces of the Sky album, and Crowell later joined Harris’ Hot Band in the 1970s. When Crowell left the group in 1977 to pursue a solo career, he put together the band the Cherry Bombs. Gill would leave his role at the time in Pure Prairie League to join the Cherry Bombs. In the mid-1980s, Gill joined Harris’ backing band for three albums, including The Ballad of Sally Rose, Thirteen and Angel Band. Crowell also worked with Harris and Gill on Thirteen. Crowell and Harris collaborated on 2013’s Old Yellow Moon and 2015’s The Traveling Kind. Crowell and Harris also contributed to tracks on Gill’s 2006 four-CD box set These Days.

“It’s still my favorite gig, is playing with Rodney,” Gill told No Depression last year. Gill added, “I can’t even fathom what my life would be like if I hadn’t met Emmy.”

“Emmy and Vince? Hmm…With those voices, maybe I’ll have a chance if we’re wearing masks,” mused Crowell.

“There’s nothing better than singing with old and dear friends, especially if those friends happen to be Rodney and Vince,” said Harris.

Though concerts with live audiences are currently paused at the Grand Ole Opry’s venue, the show continues to be broadcast live each week on Circle and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV and other affiliates.

This Saturday (July 25) EMI Records Nashville artist and This Is Us star Chrissy Metz will perform, as will Gospel Music Hall of Fame member CeCe Winans, as well as Tracy Lawrence.

Collin Raye Signs With BFD/Audium Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): David “Fergie” Ferguson, Steve Cox (Raye’s manager), Collin Raye, Chuck Rhodes (BFD / Audium Nashville), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity). Photo: Absolute Publicity

Collin Raye has signed with BFD (Bob Frank Distribution)/Audium Nashville. Raye is currently in the studio recording new material, which is set for release later this year. Studio veteran David “Fergie” Ferguson is producing the project.

Raye’s forthcoming project will mark his first studio album of all-new material since 2009’s Never Going Back. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The timing for this upcoming album is just right,” says Raye. “My producer David Ferguson gave me total freedom in the studio. I think it will be my most artistic album ever.”

Last month, Raye made headlines when he performed one of the first public concerts since COVID-19 forced national shutdowns earlier this year. On June 13, Raye journeyed to Cedar City, Utah to perform an outdoor concert for the Utah Business Revival. Over 100 small businesses setup booths at the event to sell their products and services in an open-air environment.

Warner Music Nashville Signs BEXAR

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Bexar. Photo: Emily Dorio

Warner Music Nashville has signed country duo BEXAR, which takes its name from Bexar County, Texas, where lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Ryan spent time as a child. He is joined by Kentucky native and vocalist/guitarist/banjo player Logan Turner.

“When two worlds collide like this, you can start creating something special,” Ryan says of their emerging group.

“I want people to feel about our music the way I felt about music when I first fell in love with it,” adds Turner. “That it takes you somewhere—a place that nothing else in the world can take you to.”

BEXAR’s debut single, “Again,” was produced and co-written by Ross Copperman. The single is available now.

“It’s about being unapologetically you,” Ryan says of the song.

“At the end of the day, there’s always things that you wish you could go back and do differently,” Turner adds. “but even with mistakes, you learn from them and move forward.”

The duo released their eponymous debut EP in 2018 and have gained more than 25 million streams to date.

Media/Production Company Country Rebel Relocates To Tennessee

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The Country Rebel media and production company, founded in 2014 by brothers Kevin and Darin Blue in San Diego, California, has relocated their business to Ashland City, Tennessee.

The scenic 30-acre “Country Rebel Ranch” now houses a multitude of businesses including full video production capabilities, order fulfillment, high-tech CO2 laser wood manufacturing as well as a menagerie of dogs, cats and farm animals.

“The country music community welcomed us with open arms from the moment we launched Country Rebel in 2014,” said CR’s Kevin Blue. “We love the culture, the music and especially the people, and we feel a great sense of responsibility being a part of helping launch and sustain careers.”

The Country Rebel brand has attracted over 18 million country music and lifestyle fans and receives over 24 million social engagements per month on its vast network of country sites and social fan pages. Driven by a strong passion for country music, Country Rebel initially created a clothing line that promoted the spirit of the country lifestyle, and in just over five years, their website morphed into a top-ranking country platform for both new and established artists to connect with country fans all over the world.

The brothers recently produced their inaugural “Fireside Sessions” featuring 138 acoustic performances by 33 artists. The videos began airing on Country Rebel’s YouTube channel and social media pages and are generating tens of thousands of views for artists like Ashley McBryde, Drake White, David Nail, and many more.

Brantley Gilbert Receives Pandora Billionaire Plaque

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Brantley Gilbert receives the Pandora Billionaire Plaque honoring his achievement of surpassing 3.5 billion streams on the platform.

Brantley Gilbert was honored as a Pandora Billionaire recently and received the plaque honoring his achievement during a Zoom of SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour with Buzz Brainard on The Highway. He recently surpassed the 3.5 billion stream mark on the platform.

“I really do appreciate all of you,” Gilbert shared via Zoom. “All of ya’ll have been really, really good to me. I couldn’t ask for a better team or a better family. I’m floored. I had absolutely no idea. I don’t get surprised, so this is amazing. We’re surrounded by a bunch of awesome folks, and all of you that are watching here tonight as a part of this happy hour, I appreciate ya’ll letting me hang out and be a part of it to share in this.”

Last month, Gilbert released his new single “Hard Days,” which follows his recent No. 1 “What Happens In A Small Town” with Lindsay Ell, marking the Georgia native’s seventh chart-topper.