The ladies are gettin’ it done, today.
All of our Disc of the Day contenders come from female artists. For bounce with flounce, we have RaeLynn. For aching survival, there’s Caylee Hammack. For poetic artistry and meditation, we present Gretchen Peters. For topical feminism, check out Tenille Townes. All of them are essential listening experiences. Since she is the newest kid on the block, I’m giving Caylee Hammack the nod.
There’s only one true newcomer here. That’s Payton Smith, who earns himself a DisCovery Award.
CAYLEE HAMMACK/Small Town Hypocrite
Writers: Hammack/Jared Scott; Producers: Caylee Hammack/Mikey Reaves; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– Uber cool. The track is a perfect wonder, beginning in acoustic simplicity and slowly adding steel, mandolin, keyboards, electric-guitar and echo to create a gorgeous tapestry. And that’s not even best thing about it. The lyric is extraordinary, relating the saga of a woman who sets aside her dreams for a no-good guy, then summons the strength to move on. The vocal performance is quite moving, radiating vulnerability, heartache, bitterness and honesty. All in all, a fabulous little record.
AMERICAN YOUNG/Some Girl
Writers: Jacob Powell/Jon Stone/Kristy Osmunson/Kylie Schlienger; Producer: American Young/Schlienger; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Jon Stone, who is one-half of this duo, appears regularly on a reality E! TV series titled Very Cavallari. That is where the act debuted this song last month. It’s a punchy, pop-ish ballad carried along by his strong, emotional lead vocal. Partner Kristy Osmunson is practically inaudible.
BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rhiannon
Writers: Stevie Nicks; Producer: Peter Good; Publisher: none listed; Monument
– This has the same guitar line, the same percussion and the same vibe as the Fleetwood Mac original. Brandon does bring a fresh vocal approach. But the effort is futile, since the 1976 rock hit is so iconic and so perfect that there is simply no way to improve on it. And then there’s the fact that Stevie Nicks devotees are so fanatical that they will want to burn him at the stake for even trying.
JIMMIE ALLEN & NOAH CYRUS/This Is Us
Writers: Noah Cyrus/Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt/Ilsey Juber/Dernst Emile II; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Miley’s kid sister teams with country up-and-comer Jimmie on this swirling, genre-bending confection that they perform in unison. Some harmony singing would have been nice, but it is still very appealing ear candy.
GRETCHEN PETERS/The Night You Wrote That Song
Writer: Mickey Newbury; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Scarlet Letter
– This is the title tune of Gretchen’s forthcoming (in May) album saluting the repertoire of her fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Mickey Newbury. He was always an outstanding poet and her languid, soulful alto brings out every nuance in this waltzing ballad’s wistful, meditative lyric. As a massive fan of both of these troubadours, I was in heaven during each and every note of this. I urge you to listen.
WILLIE NELSON/First Rose of Spring
Writers: Randy Houser/Allen Shamblin/Mark Beeson; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
– This age-defying legend won his 10th Grammy a few weeks ago. The title tune of his upcoming 70th album is a nostalgic, slow ballad about a romance that died long ago. He’ll be turning 87 years old when the rest of the project sees the light of day, but based on this preview, Willie sounds younger than yesterday.
TENILLE TOWNES/In My Blood
Writer: Tenille Townes; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Publisher: none listed; Columbia Nashville
– This award-winning singer-songwriter penned this to honor female farmers. That is her heritage, so the lyric is honest and autobiographical. Fittingly, it is recorded with an all-female band and is introduced via a female-produced music video. I am hypnotized every time I hear her sing, and this time is no exception.
TUCKER BEATHARD/You Would Think
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Donovan Woods; Producer: Jordan Rigby/Ryan Tyndell/Tucker Beathard; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– I remain a big fan. This hurtin’ tune features a brightly mixed lead vocal performance backed by a crunchy audio concoction that shudders and crashes in all the right places. With every release, this fellow sounds more and more talented.
PAYTON SMITH/Like I Knew You Would
Writers: Payton Smith/Dan Fernandez/Ronnie Bowman; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– The joy and the dizzy, giddy rush of young love. Utterly charming.
RAELYNN/Keep Up
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Steven Lee Olsen; Producer:Corey Crowder; Publisher: Big Tree Vibez Music/Queens Write Hits/Georgia Song Vibez/Big Crowd Publishing/Big Loud Shirt/Rhythm House; Round Here Records
-Lotsa fun. It’s a twang-banger with a feisty-female lyric and a dancefloor rhythm that are both as cute as a button. Best line: “My lipstick matches the shade of my neck.” Best rhyme: “Country boys sure know how to have fun, but let me show you how a country girl gets it done.” She can out-drink, out-drive and out-dance you, buster.
Pam Tillis Sets Album Release For April
/by Jessica NicholsonPam Tillis will return with her 11th studio album, Looking for a Feeling, on April 24 via Stellar Cat Records and OneRPM Distribution. The album marks the singer-songwriter’s first solo project since her 2012 release Recollection, though more recently, she issued a pair of projects with Lorrie Morgan, 2013’s Dos Divas and 2017’s Come See Me and Come Lonely.
In the 1990s, Tillis was known for hits with spitfire lyrics and clever story songs such as “Cleopatra, Queen of Denial,” “Maybe It Was Memphis,” and “Mi Vida Loca.” On the new album, she continues that tradition with songs including “My Kinda Medicine,” “Karma,” and “Lady Music.”
“Stylistically, there’s so much here that’s always been a part of me,” she says of the 12-track album. “It’s a story I haven’t told on any of my records so far. I wanted work that’s as close to true and unselfconscious as possible, to provide access to my heart.”
Looking for a Feeling Track List:
1 Looking for a Feeling (Pam Tillis/Waylon Payne)
2 Demolition Angel (Gary Harrison/Matraca Berg)
3 Better Friends (Joe Pisapia)
4 Dolly 1969 (Bob Regan)
5 Last Summer’s Wine (Pam Tillis/Bobby Tomberlin)
6 Lady Music (Pam Tillis/Dale Dodson/Jimmy Ritchey)
7 My Kind of Medicine (Pam Tillis/Don Poythress/Jimmy Ritchey)
8 Dark Turn of Mind (Gillian Welch/David Rawlings)
9 The Scheme of Things Mark Selby (Tia Sillers)
10 Karma (Pam Tillis/Jen Schott)
11 Burning Star (Pam Tillis/Sonny Tillis/Danny Parks/Joe Pisapia)
12 Better Friends -reprise (Joe Pisapia)
Sam Hunt Reveals Track List For ‘Southside’ Album
/by Jessica NicholsonHunt co-wrote every track on the album, and reunited with several writers from his 3x multi-platinum first album, 2014’s Montevallo, including Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins and Zach Crowell. Hunt also welcomes new writers to the fold, including Emily Weisband (who recently released her own pop album), and Josh Thompson.
“Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” and “Let It Down” feature songwriter and musician Chris LaCorte, who plays guitar for Dustin Lynch and has played guitar on songs for Russell Dickerson.
The album also features “Hard To Forget,” which samples Webb Pierce‘s 1953 song “There Stands The Glass” and gives writer credit to the original song’s writers Audrey Grisham, Russ Hull, and Mary Jean Shurtz.
Hunt currently has the No. 1 song at country radio, with “Kinfolks,” which he co-wrote alongside Osborne, Crowell, and Jerry Flowers.
Hunt will launch his The Southside Summer Tour 2020 later this year with Kip Moore and Travis Denning, as well as ERNEST, also a co-writer on the album’s “Let It Down” and “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s.”
SOUTHSIDE Track Listing:
Bonnaroo Celebrates Earliest Sellout In Festival History
/by Lorie HollabaughTaking place at Great Stage Park, the 700-acre farm and event space 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, this year’s festival lineup includes performances by Lizzo, Tool, Miley Cyrus, Yola, Leon Bridges, Grace Potter, Brittany Howard, and more. The Grand Ole Opry returns to the festival again this year as well with special guests to be announced.
“A huge THANK YOU to everyone joining us on The Farm in 2020 – it’s gonna be an amazing year,” Bonnaroo officials said via a Twitter post.
Danny Myrick Signs With Deluge Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): David Robkin; Managing Director, Deluge Music; Mark Friedman, President, Deluge Music; Danny Myrick; Emily Dryburgh, Creative Director, Deluge Music
Danny Myrick has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Deluge Music.
Myrick achieved his first No. 1 in gospel music as a writer at age 17 before moving to Nashville, and spent much of the 1990s singing lead in the band Western Flyer before pursuing writing full force. He’s the co-writer of hits like “She’s Country,” “I Love This Life,” and “International Harvester,” among others.
“I’m so excited to have Danny join the Deluge Music team. His versatility as a writer and producer in all genres of music is unparalleled,” said Mark Friedman, President of Deluge Music.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to be joining the Deluge team of incredibly talented, driven artists and staff. Can’t wait to see what all we are able to accomplish together,” Myrick said.
Weekly Radio Report (2/28/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Kelsea Ballerini Reveals Collaborations With Kenny Chesney, Halsey
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini has revealed two collaborations on her upcoming third studio album, Kelsea, out March 20.
Ballerini released the album’s full track listing via an Instagram post. The album’s ninth track, titled “Half Of My Hometown,” features Kenny Chesney, while pop artist Halsey joins on the project’s fourth track “The Other Girl.” Last year, Ballerini teamed with Halsey for a CMT Crossroads taping.
Ballerini has already released songs from the project, including the album’s lead single “homecoming queen?,” as well as “Club” and “l.a.” Her next song, “Hole In The Bottle,” will drop on Friday (Feb. 28).
Kelsea follows Ballerini’s sophomore album Unapologetically, and her debut The First Time.
Kelsea Track Listing:
1. “Overshare”
2. “Club”
3. “Homecoming Queen?”
4. “The Other Girl” (with Halsey)
5. “Love Me Like a Girl”
6. “Love and Hate”
7. “Bragger”
8. “Hole in the Bottle”
9. “Half of My Hometown” (feat. Kenny Chesney)
10. “The Way I Used To”
11. “Needy”
12. “A Country Song”
13. “l.a.”
Nashville’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Adds Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray and Big Machine Records artist Carly Pearce will co-headline the evening portion of the festival, with Erin Kinsey opening the show. Others on the Saturday afternoon lineup include fellow local artists Yankton, Chris Shrader and Les Kerr.
Saturday morning and afternoon music festival performances will be free and open to the public, while the evening event will be ticketed. Music festival gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission for the evening concert is complimentary for all runners with their bib and to all volunteers with their staff shirts. General Admission tickets are $10 with 50% of the proceeds benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
More artists will perform on Thursday and Friday (April 23-24) at Nashville’s Music City Center, including Lance Carpenter, Janelle Arthur, Rockland Road, Adam Warner, and more.
“The new St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Music Festival presented by PNC Bank is another step in making our events more inclusive of all runners, their friends and families, loyal volunteers and our supportive community,” said Drew Wolff, regional director for Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. “We strive to make our race a memorable event for everyone as we celebrate over two decades of premier running partnered with high caliber music in Nashville. Saturday’s music festival concert will give everyone a full day of exciting performances as this town celebrates the best-in-class running event in Music City.”
“We are committed to helping advance the health and well-being of this community and our neighbors within it,” said Mike Johnson, PNC regional president for Nashville. “The combination of fitness and music makes perfect sense to us, promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and listening to some amazing local and national musicians.”
Skyline Artists Agency Expands Nashville Team
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sean Quinn, Laura Schneider
Skyline Artists Agency has added two members to its Nashville team. Laura Schneider joins as the booking agency’s first Director of Artist Relations. Schneider joins Skyline after serving as a management assistant to Nashville’s Amy Speace and running her own business, Laura Schneider Photo, which she will continue to operate. She will work alongside Skyline Artists’ President Bruce Houghton.
Sean Quinn joins Skyline as a Tour Coordinator working with Nashville-based Skyline agent James Leslie and VP Mark Lourie. Quinn comes to the agency after stints at BMI Nashville and Disc Makers.
Skyline Artist Agency’s Nashville-based artists include Catlin Canty, Scott Mulvahill, Roanoke, We Banjo 3, Poco, Michael Martin Murphey, The Foxies, Orleans and more.
DISClaimer: Caylee Hammack Takes The Lead
/by Robert K OermannThe ladies are gettin’ it done, today.
All of our Disc of the Day contenders come from female artists. For bounce with flounce, we have RaeLynn. For aching survival, there’s Caylee Hammack. For poetic artistry and meditation, we present Gretchen Peters. For topical feminism, check out Tenille Townes. All of them are essential listening experiences. Since she is the newest kid on the block, I’m giving Caylee Hammack the nod.
There’s only one true newcomer here. That’s Payton Smith, who earns himself a DisCovery Award.
CAYLEE HAMMACK/Small Town Hypocrite
Writers: Hammack/Jared Scott; Producers: Caylee Hammack/Mikey Reaves; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– Uber cool. The track is a perfect wonder, beginning in acoustic simplicity and slowly adding steel, mandolin, keyboards, electric-guitar and echo to create a gorgeous tapestry. And that’s not even best thing about it. The lyric is extraordinary, relating the saga of a woman who sets aside her dreams for a no-good guy, then summons the strength to move on. The vocal performance is quite moving, radiating vulnerability, heartache, bitterness and honesty. All in all, a fabulous little record.
AMERICAN YOUNG/Some Girl
Writers: Jacob Powell/Jon Stone/Kristy Osmunson/Kylie Schlienger; Producer: American Young/Schlienger; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Jon Stone, who is one-half of this duo, appears regularly on a reality E! TV series titled Very Cavallari. That is where the act debuted this song last month. It’s a punchy, pop-ish ballad carried along by his strong, emotional lead vocal. Partner Kristy Osmunson is practically inaudible.
BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rhiannon
Writers: Stevie Nicks; Producer: Peter Good; Publisher: none listed; Monument
– This has the same guitar line, the same percussion and the same vibe as the Fleetwood Mac original. Brandon does bring a fresh vocal approach. But the effort is futile, since the 1976 rock hit is so iconic and so perfect that there is simply no way to improve on it. And then there’s the fact that Stevie Nicks devotees are so fanatical that they will want to burn him at the stake for even trying.
JIMMIE ALLEN & NOAH CYRUS/This Is Us
Writers: Noah Cyrus/Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt/Ilsey Juber/Dernst Emile II; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Miley’s kid sister teams with country up-and-comer Jimmie on this swirling, genre-bending confection that they perform in unison. Some harmony singing would have been nice, but it is still very appealing ear candy.
GRETCHEN PETERS/The Night You Wrote That Song
Writer: Mickey Newbury; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Scarlet Letter
– This is the title tune of Gretchen’s forthcoming (in May) album saluting the repertoire of her fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Mickey Newbury. He was always an outstanding poet and her languid, soulful alto brings out every nuance in this waltzing ballad’s wistful, meditative lyric. As a massive fan of both of these troubadours, I was in heaven during each and every note of this. I urge you to listen.
WILLIE NELSON/First Rose of Spring
Writers: Randy Houser/Allen Shamblin/Mark Beeson; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
– This age-defying legend won his 10th Grammy a few weeks ago. The title tune of his upcoming 70th album is a nostalgic, slow ballad about a romance that died long ago. He’ll be turning 87 years old when the rest of the project sees the light of day, but based on this preview, Willie sounds younger than yesterday.
TENILLE TOWNES/In My Blood
Writer: Tenille Townes; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Publisher: none listed; Columbia Nashville
– This award-winning singer-songwriter penned this to honor female farmers. That is her heritage, so the lyric is honest and autobiographical. Fittingly, it is recorded with an all-female band and is introduced via a female-produced music video. I am hypnotized every time I hear her sing, and this time is no exception.
TUCKER BEATHARD/You Would Think
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Donovan Woods; Producer: Jordan Rigby/Ryan Tyndell/Tucker Beathard; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– I remain a big fan. This hurtin’ tune features a brightly mixed lead vocal performance backed by a crunchy audio concoction that shudders and crashes in all the right places. With every release, this fellow sounds more and more talented.
PAYTON SMITH/Like I Knew You Would
Writers: Payton Smith/Dan Fernandez/Ronnie Bowman; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– The joy and the dizzy, giddy rush of young love. Utterly charming.
RAELYNN/Keep Up
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Steven Lee Olsen; Producer:Corey Crowder; Publisher: Big Tree Vibez Music/Queens Write Hits/Georgia Song Vibez/Big Crowd Publishing/Big Loud Shirt/Rhythm House; Round Here Records
-Lotsa fun. It’s a twang-banger with a feisty-female lyric and a dancefloor rhythm that are both as cute as a button. Best line: “My lipstick matches the shade of my neck.” Best rhyme: “Country boys sure know how to have fun, but let me show you how a country girl gets it done.” She can out-drink, out-drive and out-dance you, buster.
Industry Ink: Dailey & Vincent, Kobalt, Don McLean
/by Lorie HollabaughDailey & Vincent Lonestar Landfest Set For May
Dailey & Vincent are bringing their Landfest music series to Texas for the first annual Lonestar Landfest, set for May 30-31 at The Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Along with Dailey & Vincent, the inaugural lineup includes Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Jerry Jeff Walker, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bradley Walker, and Jake Hoot. Dallas Wayne from SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country and Willie’s Roadhouse will be the MC for both nights of the festival. Tickets went on sale Friday, Feb. 21 and are now available at AXS.com.
Kobalt Founder Willard Ahdritz To Receive Music Biz Innovator Award
Kobalt Music Group Founder and Chairman Willard Ahdritz will receive Music Biz’s 2020 Innovator Award during the annual Music Biz Awards Dinner on May 13 at the JW Marriott Nashville, as part of the Music Biz 2020 Conference. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Kobalt serves more than 600 publishers and 40,000 artists and songwriters, including Childish Gambino, Glassnote Music, Dave Grohl, Lorde, Marshmello, Max Martin, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, and The Weeknd.
“It’s safe to say that the music industry as we know it today was uniquely shaped by the pioneering mind of Willard Ahdritz,” said Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “His foresight regarding the coming changes in the marketplace combined with his ability to reimagine standard practices has been a dynamite recipe for commercial success. For these reasons and more, we’re honored to present Willard with Music Biz’s Innovator Award.”
Don McLean Signs Recording Deal With Time Life
Pictured (L-R): Mike Jason, Sr. VP Strategic Partnerships, Marketing & Live Entertainment, Don McLean, Tom Hemesath, VP Retail Sales. Photo: Jeremy Westby for 2911 Media
Don McLean has inked a recording and distribution agreement with Time Life. In addition to releasing catalog albums such as Prime Time, Chain Lightning, Believers, Don McLean Sings Marty Robbins, The Western Album, and others, McLean will be releasing a new project of his favorite cover songs soon.
“I am really excited as my first six or seven albums have been the only music of mine available for people to listen to on Spotify and through all the streaming services,” says McLean. “I was astounded to learn how many streams I received just in 2019 alone from those projects so I figured I might as well make all of my music available through this great new opportunity with Time Life. I have worked with them in the past on the American Troubadour project with success, so why not join them again for this next chapter?”