Pictured: Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall. Photo: Runaway June/Instagram
Following Thursday’s (May 14) announcement that Hannah Mulholland would be leaving Runaway June, the BBR Music Group trio that Mulholland helped found in 2015, it has been revealed that vocalist, fiddle player and songwriter Natalie Stovall is joining the group, which also includes Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne.
Runaway June announced the new group member via Instagram, saying, “Everyone meet the newest member of Runaway June, @nataliestovall!! We couldn’t be more excited for the future and we can’t wait to perform again soon. We love you all more than words could ever express and we thank you for the outpouring of kindness, love and support in these wild, crazy times. It has kept us going, kept us positive and motivated to give more, go further, push harder. We are ecstatic to share this new chapter with Natalie and cannot wait for you all to adore her as much as we do. See you all as soon as possible and in the meantime please stay home & healthy! We miss and love you!! ?”
Stovall previously fronted Natalie Stovall and the Drive, known for the 2014 single “Baby Come On With it.” The group released their self-titled EP in 2015, followed by the EP Heartbreak in 2016. Stovall began performing professionally at age 10, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 12. Along the way, she also performed at the White House as part of a segment on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Stovall also competed on Season 13 of NBC’s The Voice, and was on Blake Shelton’s team.
Stovall added on her on Instagram account, “Let the adventure begin!!! ❤️? I am SO excited to finally let y’all in on what’s been going on!!! I am joining Runaway June!!! Y’all know I always keep you on your toes ? I think all of our lives looked a little different just a couple of months ago. But this has been one of the easiest and most obvious choices I’ve made thus far in my music journey. I LOVE making music in band setting and I’m so excited to get to create and perform and spread joy with @runawayjuneofficial !!! As soon as we can, we will be out there on the road coming your way. And in the meantime, we will be creating music for you to hear! Much love. ✨✨✨”
With Mulholland, Runaway June released the debut project Blue Roses last year and celebrated a hit single with “Buy My Own Drinks.” With that hit, they became the first all-female trio in more than 16 years to earn a Top 5 hit at country radio.
The trio spent much of 2019 on the road opening for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360 and in February, were part of CRS’ New Faces of Country Music class of 2020.
Scott Stevens Inks With Verge Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured L to R: Jeff Tobias (ONErpm A&R), Ken Madson (ONErpm GM), Emmanuel Zunz (ONErpm Founder), Scott Stevens, Mickey Jack Cones (Verge Records President/COO), Pete Hartung (L3 Entertainment), Joey Gonzales (L3 Entertainment) and Cody Villalobos (L3 Entertainment) | Photo Credit: Cody Villalobos
Scott Stevens has signed with Verge Records. Stevens’ first single, “Country Soul Survivor,” will be released May 29 on all platforms.
Stevens is a self-declared “groovethusiast” who blends rhythm, soul and lyrics into one. His artistry recently caught the ear of Mickey Jack Cones, president and COO of Verge Records, who signed him immediately.
“Scott has that laid back ‘Matthew McConaughey meets Brad Pitt’ type of star swagger about him, personally and musically,” said Cones. “You pair that with his soulful, impassioned vision for who he is as an artist, and you get a legend in the making.”
Stevens is managed by Pete Hartung, president of L3 Entertainment. Stevens spent the last year creating and defining his sound, and L3 helped Stevens find a home with Verge.
“It’s time to show the world a style that’s being described as ‘Mick Jagger meets Eric Church,’” said Hartung, “through a sound Scott calls ‘Country Groove Rock.’”
“I can’t wait to release music with Verge and have my first single coming out at the end of this month,” Stevens declares. “These guys are all heart and sauce and that’s all I ever wanted to be a part of. They’re not afraid to push genres, and it’s more about the music. Watch us work!”
Travis Denning Drops Debut EP ‘Beer’s Better Cold’ Today
/by Lorie HollabaughTravis Denning
Travis Denning’s debut EP Beer’s Better Cold, is out today. The project’s six tracks, five of which Denning co-wrote, were produced by Jeremy Stover and include Denning’s first Top 5- and-climbing single “After A Few,” the sleek anthem about a couple whose passion could erupt at any moment.
Denning will celebrate the project’s release this week with an acoustic performance on The Outdoor Channel tonight at 7 p.m. ET as part of their “Country Outdoors LIVE” series, and as a guest onCMT’s “Hot 20 Countdown” tomorrow at 8 a.m. ET. Denning marked his debut EP release last night will a full-band performance of the collection live streamed to fans at home.
He’ll also be performing and sharing more details about the project across multiple platforms throughout the week including Taste Of Country’s “Happy Hour” today (May 15), Facebook Live with Country Rebel on May 18, Instagram Live on Country NOW on May 19, American Songwriter’s “Behind The Mic” on May 20, Facebook live with One Country on May 21, an Instagram live with Sounds Like Nashville on May 22, and more.
“I’m so pumped to finally have this music out,” said Denning. “We’ve poured a lot of passion, hours and life into these songs. I hope when people turn these songs up they hear that.”
BEER’S BETTER COLD EP Track Listing:
1. “Where That Beer’s Been”
(Rhett Akins, Travis Denning, Chris Stevens, Jeremy Stover)
2. “After A Few”
(Kelly Archer, Travis Denning, Justin Weaver)
3. “ABBY”
(Ashley Gorley, Matt Jenkins, Chase McGill)
4. “Tank Of Gas And A Radio Song”
(Travis Denning, Nathan Spicer, Shane Minor)
5. “Beer’s Better Cold”
(Scooter Carusoe, Travis Denning, Cole Taylor)
6. “Sittin’ By A Fire”
(Rhett Akins, Travis Denning, Jeremy Stover)
Mark Bright Parts Ways With Foundry Records
/by Lorie HollabaughMark Bright has parted ways with Foundry Records. The Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and publisher had signed on to oversee A&R for the label when it launched last fall. In October 2019, Foundry Records announced it had signed deals with Shenandoah and Austin Merrill.
“My work with Foundry has come to an end, but I value the time spent shepherding the new venture,” Bright says. “The creative community is a constantly changing landscape, and I’m moving on to new endeavors.”
Bright is a Texas native who has been a creative force in Nashville for nearly four decades. His production credits include Sting, Shakira, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Billy Ray Cyrus, Luke Bryan, Blackhawk and Sara Evans. He began working with Carrie Underwood fresh off her American Idol win in 2005 and produced her first five albums, yielding 21 No. 1 hits and sales in excess of 60 million.
As a publisher, his songwriters had 44 songs recorded by major label artists. A songwriter himself, Bright’s credits include George Strait’s 60th No. 1 hit “Give it All We Got Tonight” and songs recorded by Shakira, Whitney Duncan and others.
Chris Colston Signs With The AMG
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Colston
Chris Colston has signed with Artist Management Group (the AMG) for exclusive management representation.
The Texas-based country singer is releasing his new single “First Tattoo” today, which was penned by Morgan Wallen and AJ Pruis, and is from Colston’s debut full-length album Bombs Away that will be available June 26.
Colston started playing drums at 7, and by the time he was 17, he had picked up a guitar, formed his first band and was touring around Texas. He became a staple in the Texas music scene with his first EP Gone and has opened shows for Casey Donahew, Whiskey Myers and Parker McCollum, among others. He currently averages more than 130 tour dates a year, and has accumulated three million streams across all platforms for his songs, which include his 2018 debut single “Gone,” and the recently-released “First Dirt Road” and “Bombs Away.”
“Sometimes it just takes one listen to know ‘this guy is the real deal,’” said Rob Beckham, CEO of the AMG. “Chris is a hard-working, salt-of-the-earth talent, and the music is rooted in Texas tradition – but has no boundaries. The AMG is proud to add another undeniable hitmaker to our artist roster.”
Michael Gordon and Joe Lee at The AMG will jointly handle the day-to-day business for Colston.
“I’m very excited to be taking the next step in my career and working with AMG,” Colston said. “Becoming a national act is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I strongly believe this is the team that is going to make that dream a reality. Texas and Tennessee working together can make one hell of a punch. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Natalie Stovall Joins Runaway June
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall. Photo: Runaway June/Instagram
Following Thursday’s (May 14) announcement that Hannah Mulholland would be leaving Runaway June, the BBR Music Group trio that Mulholland helped found in 2015, it has been revealed that vocalist, fiddle player and songwriter Natalie Stovall is joining the group, which also includes Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne.
Runaway June announced the new group member via Instagram, saying, “Everyone meet the newest member of Runaway June, @nataliestovall!! We couldn’t be more excited for the future and we can’t wait to perform again soon. We love you all more than words could ever express and we thank you for the outpouring of kindness, love and support in these wild, crazy times. It has kept us going, kept us positive and motivated to give more, go further, push harder. We are ecstatic to share this new chapter with Natalie and cannot wait for you all to adore her as much as we do. See you all as soon as possible and in the meantime please stay home & healthy! We miss and love you!! ?”
Stovall previously fronted Natalie Stovall and the Drive, known for the 2014 single “Baby Come On With it.” The group released their self-titled EP in 2015, followed by the EP Heartbreak in 2016. Stovall began performing professionally at age 10, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 12. Along the way, she also performed at the White House as part of a segment on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Stovall also competed on Season 13 of NBC’s The Voice, and was on Blake Shelton’s team.
Stovall added on her on Instagram account, “Let the adventure begin!!! ❤️? I am SO excited to finally let y’all in on what’s been going on!!! I am joining Runaway June!!! Y’all know I always keep you on your toes ? I think all of our lives looked a little different just a couple of months ago. But this has been one of the easiest and most obvious choices I’ve made thus far in my music journey. I LOVE making music in band setting and I’m so excited to get to create and perform and spread joy with @runawayjuneofficial !!! As soon as we can, we will be out there on the road coming your way. And in the meantime, we will be creating music for you to hear! Much love. ✨✨✨”
With Mulholland, Runaway June released the debut project Blue Roses last year and celebrated a hit single with “Buy My Own Drinks.” With that hit, they became the first all-female trio in more than 16 years to earn a Top 5 hit at country radio.
The trio spent much of 2019 on the road opening for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360 and in February, were part of CRS’ New Faces of Country Music class of 2020.
Keith Urban Honors Vanderbilt Medical Staff With Free Show At Stardust Drive-In Movie Theater
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Keith Urban performs at Stardust Drive-In Movie Theater on May 14. Photo: PFA Media
Keith Urban played a private concert for medical front-line workers Thursday night (May 14) at Stardust Drive-In Movie Theater, located nearly 40 miles outside of Nashville in Watertown, Tennessee.
The show lasted more than an hour, as Urban performed exclusively for more than 200 doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians and staff from Vanderbilt Health (part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center), which has more than 140 locations throughout middle Tennessee and other states. The socially-distanced crowd included nearly 125 vehicles.
“To all of you guys here tonight, for everything that you’ve done, and continue to do, to all of your families, we say thank you – this concert is for all of you,” Urban said as he took to the stage.
“I did this to say thanks to the healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line for us every day,” said Urban. “And performing in this environment, with everyone in their cars at a safe distance from one another, seems like an amazing opportunity for everybody to just let go and have fun….and I’m a musician, I HAVE TO PLAY!”
Pictured: Cars line up in preparation for Keith Urban’s private concert on May 14. Photo: PFA Media
Pictured: Keith Urban performs at Stardust Drive-In Theater on May 14. Photo: PFA Media
Pictured: Keith Urban performs at Stardust Drive-In Theater on May 14. Photo: PFA Media
Weekly Radio Report (5/15/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Maren Morris Postpones RSVP The Tour To 2021
/by Jessica NicholsonMaren Morris. Photo: Harper Smith
Maren Morris is the latest artist to postpone a major tour in the past several weeks. The star’s RSVP The Tour has been delayed until 2021, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tour will now launch April 30, 2021 in Alpharetta, Georgia and will run through Sept. 6, 2021 in Morrison, Colorado. The tour was previously scheduled to launch June 5 in Boston.
“In tears writing this but given these unprecedented circumstances I’ve decided to postpone RSVP The Tour to 2021,” Morris said in a note to fans on social media on Thursday (May 14). “Thankfully, all rescheduled dates will be in the same venues, so your tickets will be valid at the door. If you would like a refund, the ticketing company will send details via email to all buyers.
“These months have been a rolling wave of uncertainty, hope and reality. Let’s do this at the right time when we can all be together again. Safe, connected and awake to that fact that live music, as a fan or as the one on stage, is even more precious now. Thank you for understanding. Love you, – M.”
Morris shared the new tour dates for 2021 below:
Hannah Mulholland Exits Runaway June
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Hannah Mulholland, Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne
Hannah Mulholland has announced her departure from the trio Runaway June.
Mulholland, alongside Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne, formed Runaway June in 2015 and signed with BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records. The group released the debut project Blue Roses last year and celebrated a hit single with “Buy My Own Drinks.” With that hit, they became the first all-female trio in more than 16 years to earn a Top 5 hit at country radio.
The trio spent much of 2019 on the road opening for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360 and in February, were part of CRS’ New Faces of Country Music class of 2020.
Mulholland announced the departure on the trio’s social media accounts, saying:
“It’s with great respect and love that I must announce my departure from Runaway June. We have spent 5 years chasing dreams, climbing mountains, conquering things we never imagined possible, and having lots of fun along the way. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had, and all of the amazing people I have met along the way. Our great team, supportive label, amazing fans, and all of our champions at country radio…You guys have changed my life forever. I’ve dreamt these dreams since I was 5 years old, and I feel so fortunate to have gotten these chances and been a part of this incredible journey. I wish everyone continued success and happiness. I hope you will continue to follow my creative endeavors and share in what the future has to hold. It is bittersweet, but I am excited to continue to evolve and grow, while keeping these memories near and dear to my heart. Thank you. Love you all. – Hannah”
Kenny Chesney Postpones 2020 Chillaxification Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney, who recently earned his ninth chart-topping album debut on the Billboard Top 200 chart with his latest album Here and Now (tying Garth Brooks’ record in the process), has postponed his entire 2020 Chillaxification Tour until next year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, Chesney postponed 11 of the tour’s concert dates, including the tour’s kickoff date which had been originally slated for April 18 in Arlington, Texas. New dates have not yet been rescheduled.
Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion and Michael Franti & Spearhead were announced as support for the tour. Original tickets are valid for a rescheduled date.
Chesney posted the following note to fans on Twitter:
