Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Jonathan Stewart
Mary Chapin Carpenter is launching an extensive tour this summer that features a series of headline performances including a special concert at Wolf Trap on Aug. 22, as well as a run of shows with Sugarland as part of their There Goes The Neighborhood Tour 2020. Additionally, in April, Carpenter will resume her intimate duo shows with longtime friend and collaborator Shawn Colvin. Those newly-announced shows will kick off April 3 at Clearwater, Florida’s Capitol Theatre and will span through April 11 at Chattanooga’s Walker Theatre.
The tours support Carpenter’s new full-length album, which was produced by Ethan Johns and will be released this Spring. The project is Carpenter’s first album of new material in five years, and she recently released a new single, “Our Man Walter Cronkite,” from it.
“Growing up, Walter Cronkite was in our house Monday through Friday, presenting the news as The Most Trusted Man In America, as he was known in his time,” said Carpenter. “My parents raised us to believe that people in jobs like Cronkite’s told the truth; they raised us to believe in a world that reaches out to those who need help, that does not turn away from those less fortunate, or homeless, or those forced to leave their country because of the threat of violence, poverty and persecution. The arms were there to hold them, the eyes to see them, and the hearts of the world were there to love them. Because that was the right thing. It’s a different time now. I miss my parents, and I miss Walter Cronkite.”
Mary Chapin Carpenter And Shawn Colvin: Together On Stage:
April 3—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
April 4—Key West, FL—Sunset Green Lawn
April 5—Fort Lauderdale, FL—Parker Playhouse
April 7—Greensboro, NC— The Carolina Theatre of Greensboro
April 8—Charlotte, NC—Belk Theater
April 9—Cincinnati, OH—Memorial Hall
April 10—Knoxville, TN—The Bijou Theatre
April 11—Chattanooga, TN—The Walker Theatre
Mary Chapin Carpenter on the There Goes The Neighborhood Tour 2020:
on-sale now
June 4—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage
June 5—Syracuse, NY—St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
June 6—Hartford, CT—Xfinity Theatre
June 12—The Woodlands, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
June 13—Dallas, TX—Dos Equis Pavilion
June 14—Austin, TX—Germania Insurance Amphitheater
June 18—Albuquerque, NM—Isleta Amphitheater
June 19—Phoenix, AZ—Ak-Chin Pavilion
June 20—Chula Vista, CA—North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 25—Wheatland, CA—Toyota Amphitheatre
June 26—Mountain View, CA—Shoreline Amphitheatre
June 27—Irvine, CA—FivePoint Amphitheatre
July 10—Mansfield, MA—Xfinity Center
July 11—Camden, NJ—BB&T Pavilion
July 12—Wantagh, NY—Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 16—Holmdel, NJ—PNC Bank Arts Center
July 18—Bangor, ME—Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
July 19—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 23—Burgettstown, PA—S&T Bank Music Park
July 24—Clarkston, MI—DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 25—Milwaukee, WI—American Family Insurance Amphitheater
July 31—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Mary Chapin Carpenter Headline Tour:
on-sale dates vary, check local listings
June 16—Denver, CO—Botanic Gardens
August 10—Rockport, MA—Shalin Liu Performance Center
August 11—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
August 12—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
August 14—Portland, ME—State Theatre
August 16—Ridgefield, CT—Ridgefield Playhouse
August 17—Ridgefield, CT—Ridgefield Playhouse
August 20— Kennett Square, PA—Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre
August 21— Chautauqua, NY—Chautauqua Institution
August 22—Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap
Yola, Blackberry Smoke Added To Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonBlackberry Smoke, Yola and Dr. Dog are among the performers who have been added to the upcoming Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival, slated for Sept. 11-13 in downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia.
The full lineup for the festival was announced Friday (Feb. 14), and will feature 121 bands on 16 stages over the three-day weekend. Among those on the newly-released full lineup are The SteelDrivers, Kelsey Waldon, The Steel Woods, Jim Lauderdale, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, and more. The festival previously released the names of 30 performers on the lineup, including Jason Isbell, Tanya Tucker, Moon Taxi, and Rhonda Vincent.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we marvel at how Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has affected so much positive change in our region,” said Leah Ross, BCM Executive Director. BCM is the parent nonprofit organization of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and WBCM Radio Bristol. “Our downtown has gone from shuttered buildings to thriving businesses. New boutique hotel projects, craft breweries and restaurants – and a festival that draws over 40,000 music lovers each year. Yet with all that growth, we’ve managed to remain authentic as a music festival and as a community. People come here to pay homage to our great music heritage because they know how important Bristol is to music history.”
For more information, visit birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.
Mary Chapin Carpenter Announces Full Tour Slate Around New Album Release
/by Lorie HollabaughMary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Jonathan Stewart
Mary Chapin Carpenter is launching an extensive tour this summer that features a series of headline performances including a special concert at Wolf Trap on Aug. 22, as well as a run of shows with Sugarland as part of their There Goes The Neighborhood Tour 2020. Additionally, in April, Carpenter will resume her intimate duo shows with longtime friend and collaborator Shawn Colvin. Those newly-announced shows will kick off April 3 at Clearwater, Florida’s Capitol Theatre and will span through April 11 at Chattanooga’s Walker Theatre.
The tours support Carpenter’s new full-length album, which was produced by Ethan Johns and will be released this Spring. The project is Carpenter’s first album of new material in five years, and she recently released a new single, “Our Man Walter Cronkite,” from it.
“Growing up, Walter Cronkite was in our house Monday through Friday, presenting the news as The Most Trusted Man In America, as he was known in his time,” said Carpenter. “My parents raised us to believe that people in jobs like Cronkite’s told the truth; they raised us to believe in a world that reaches out to those who need help, that does not turn away from those less fortunate, or homeless, or those forced to leave their country because of the threat of violence, poverty and persecution. The arms were there to hold them, the eyes to see them, and the hearts of the world were there to love them. Because that was the right thing. It’s a different time now. I miss my parents, and I miss Walter Cronkite.”
April 3—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre
April 4—Key West, FL—Sunset Green Lawn
April 5—Fort Lauderdale, FL—Parker Playhouse
April 7—Greensboro, NC— The Carolina Theatre of Greensboro
April 8—Charlotte, NC—Belk Theater
April 9—Cincinnati, OH—Memorial Hall
April 10—Knoxville, TN—The Bijou Theatre
April 11—Chattanooga, TN—The Walker Theatre
Luke Bryan Reveals Track List, Album Cover For New Project
/by Jessica NicholsonLike many in Bryan’s catalog, “Born Here Live Here Die Here” pays homage to the Leesburg, Georgia native’s small town roots. The track was written by Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson and Jake Mitchell.
“The second I heard the song “Born Here, Live Here, Die Here” it related to me, how I grew up, how I have so many roots and so many ties to my hometown,” Bryan said. “Being tied to your hometown is very important in country music. I fell in love with the song right away and now we have an album and a tour derived from this song. It’s pretty amazing. I’m proud of this new music and I’m really excited to get it out!”
The album, produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens, follows Bryan’s 2017 project What Makes You Country, and contains Bryan’s recent chart-topper “Knockin’ Boots,” which marks his 23rd No. 1 overall. He will hit the road this summer, welcoming openers Morgan Wallen, Runaway June and Caylee Hammack. On Feb. 16, he returns to the American Idol judges table alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as a new season of American Idol premieres.
BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE Track listing:
1. Knockin’ Boots (Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson)
2. What She Wants Tonight (Luke Bryan, Ross Copperman, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite)
3. Born Here Live Here Die Here (Jake Mitchell, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson)
4. One Margarita (Michael Carter, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)
5. Too Drunk To Drive (Luke Bryan, Michael Carter, Brandon Kinney)
6. Build Me A Daddy (Jake Mitchell, Josh Thompson, Brett Tyler)
7. Little Less Broken (Michael Carter, Lindsay Rimes, Matt Rogers)
8. For A Boat (Randy Montana, Josh Thompson, Mike Walker)
9. Where Are We Goin’ (Luke Bryan, Brent Cobb)
10. Down To One (Dallas Davidson, Justin Ebach, Kyle Fishman)
Amy Grant Shares Personal Message About Heart Health
/by Jessica NicholsonAmy Grant
Amy Grant recently shared her personal story regarding the importance of heart health with her fans, in honor of Heart Health Awareness month.
In a social media post, the Grammy-winning, Nashville native and fierce music community supporter paid tribute to her doctor, Dr. John Bright Cage. She also revealed that she recently underwent a series of tests, which showed that “I have had a heart condition since birth. The first good news is that I am completely asymptomatic. The second good news is that it’s fixable.”
Grant stated she has shifted her touring and travel plans for 2020 in order to focus on her health. “So instead of concerts and camping trips this summer, I’m going to take care of my heart,” she noted.
She ended her note by encouraging fans to take time to care for themselves and their health. “Are you taking care of yours?! Please do.”
Curb Publishing Signs Darren King
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: ET Brown (SESAC), Darren King, Joel Timen (VP, Publishing and A&R, Curb | Word Entertainment), and Jordan Mattison.
Curb Publishing has inked an exclusive songwriting deal with Darren King. King is a founding member of MuteMath and was one of the creators behind reimagining five of Twenty One Pilots’ songs for MuteMath’s EP TOPxMM.
The Nashville-based King has also co-written and co-produced tracks with Kanye West and Travis Scott and is currently working on his debut album DK the Drummer Presents Lockers: Vol. 1.
“I am beyond excited to welcome Darren to Curb Publishing,” shares Joel Timen, VP, Publishing and A&R at Curb. “He is one of the most talented songwriters and producers I have encountered in my career. Darren is the type of songwriter, artist and producer that inspires me to show up and work hard every day, and is the perfect addition to our already impressive roster of pop writers.”
Darren adds, “I’m honored to join the Curb Publishing team. Joel Timen has earned a reputation amongst the music community as being one of the most affable, trustworthy, and inspiring people you can find. I am thankful that I get to work with him and I’m excited to hear what songs come from our collaborations.”
“We have known Joel for a long time and have been impressed with the work he has done while at Curb,” comments Jordan Mattison of Goodfolk, Darren’s manager. “We are excited to be a member of the family and have a lead who aligns with a big vision and is able to carry out and execute our mutual goals for Darren.”
DISClaimer: John Anderson, Blake Shelton, MacKenzie Porter Top New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member John Anderson has teamed up with Mr. Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, plus superstar Blake Shelton. The result is country-music nirvana. Give this man this week’s Disc of the Day award.
Anderson’s runners up represent two opposite wings of the country sound. Nathan Stanley clings to tradition with his effort, while Cam is pushing the pop side of things.
The DisCovery Award goes to MacKenzie Porter. She sounds like a comer, to me.
JEFF BATES/If I Get Drunk Tonight
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Skydancer
-Dark and dramatic. On this ballad, he wonders if he can obliterate her memory with whiskey. If only it weren’t taken quite so s-l-o-w-l-y.
KALIE SHORR/Escape
Writers: Candi Carpenter/Kalie Shorr; Producer: Shorr; Publisher: none listed; KS
– Strikingly mature. In the video, she sits alone on a road case, reminiscing. Intercut home-movie footage of her with her older sister lends a sadly nostalgic tone. The lyric is a touching ode to getting away from your roots, and the video adds the layer of a life cut short by drug abuse. Well written. Well sung. Well done.
JOHN ANDERSON & BLAKE SHELTON/Tuesday I’ll Be Gone
Writers: John Anderson/Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Producers: Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Publisher: none listed; Easy Eye Sound
-Anderson’s comeback was nearly scuttled by a health crisis. But he survived. This splendid thumper finds him in fine voice, as distinctive as ever. Shelton chimes in, but this is the legend’s show all the way. Shower this man with praise and glory.
INGRID ANDRESS/Life of the Party
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– The title is ironic, since her heart is fully broken. The verses meander a bit, but the choruses bring the song home with oomph. The power in the echoey production is a plus, too.
TYLER FARR/Only Truck In Town
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Deric Ruttan/Josh Thompson; Producers: Jason Aldean/Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Publisher: none listed; Night Train
– Farr’s return is as the flagship artist on Jason Aldean’s new label, Night Train Records. The song is a slow-burn celebration of his hot girlfriend, because, “She makes me feel like I’m the only truck in town.” There’s a screaming rock-guitar solo in the middle of it.
CAM/Till There’s Nothing Left
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker; RCA
– I dig her a lot, and there’s no denying the fabulously layered production and overall sonic splendor of this. Still, as gorgeous as it is, it definitely pushes on the outer boundaries of “country.” Is she in the right format?
WALKER MONTGOMERY/Like My Daddy Done It
Writer: Dallas Davidson; Producer: Davidson; Publisher: none listed; Play It Again
– He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and the nephew of Eddie Montgomery. He’s good looking, and he sings well. Give him a shot.
DYLAN SCOTT/Nobody
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Very hooky and very romantic. This guy always displays great vocal chops, and this yearning effort is no exception. Deserving of beaucoup airplay.
MACKENZIE PORTER/Seeing Other People
Writers: jason Afable/Emily Falvey/Matt McGinn; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud
– This winsome Canadian is touring with Chris Lane and Brad Paisley. She is already award-nominated in her homeland, and this commercial ditty should up her profile, stateside. It’s about the gut-wrenching experience of seeing your ex with somebody else. Her soft soprano is backed by an atmospheric, wafting track with plenty of “air.” In a word, promising.
NATHAN STANLEY/That’s How I Got To Memphis
Writers: Tom T. Hall; Producers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Orchard
– He’s the grandson of Ralph Stanley, but don’t expect a high, lonesome, Appalachian vocalist. Nathan is just as influenced by Nashville honky tonkers as he is bluegrass folks. That is very much in evidence on this outstanding cover of a Tom T. Hall classic. He sings it with enormous heart and soul, and the backing is replete with steel guitar and deep-bass twang. This is country music as it was meant to be sung.
Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” Earns 8x Multi-Platinum Certification
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Maverick’s Chris Parr, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Darius Rucker, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Strange Bird Media
Darius Rucker has gotten a lot of mileage out of “Wagon Wheel.” His 2013 hit, which was originally released by Old Crow Medicine Show in 2004, has now been certified 8x multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The feat makes Rucker the only solo male country artist to reach the milestone of an 8x multi-Platinum song in RIAA history.
Rucker’s label of more than 14 years, UMG Nashville, surprised the superstar with plaques commemorating the accolade during a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Feb. 12.
“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe this!” Rucker responded. “Wow, what a testament to the fans and their love of country music.”
“Wagon Wheel” was penned by Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, and based on a sketch from Bob Dylan, who is credited as a co-writer on the track. “Wagon Wheel,” featured on Rucker’s Gold-certified album True Believers, earned Rucker the third Grammy of his career, this time for Best Country Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
“Even in my wildest dreams for ‘Wagon Wheel,’ the singer was never me or Bob,” Secor said. “It could have been a lot of different people who had the big hit with it. It could have been one of those perfect-smile guys with the made-for-TV personalities. That it was instead a salt of the earth singer like Darius is something divine I’ll leave to the theologians to figure out.”
Mike Dungan, UMGN Chairman & CEO, recalled his conversation with Darius when Rucker decided to record “Wagon Wheel”: “Darius called my cell phone one night and told me that he was in the audience for the talent show at his daughter’s high school. He said, ‘Hey man, do you know that song ‘Wagon Wheel?’ I just watched a band full of kids perform it, and it reminded me of how great that song is, and I want to cut it.’ I said, ‘you’re crazy,’ to which he said, ‘well I’m cuttin’ it! I’ll talk to you later!’ We (the label) thought that this was going to either be huge… or a disaster. He was right, everybody’s happy, life is good!”
“On behalf of RIAA, we’re so pleased to mark such an amazing accomplishment,” said Jackie Jones, Vice President of Industry Relations at the Recording Industry Association of America. “A certification of this magnitude is incredibly rare—occurring only a few times in our organization’s history. Darius, his team and the entire UMG Nashville family should be very proud of this historic moment in music.”
Rick Baumgartner Named National Promotion Director Of Foundry Records
/by Lorie HollabaughRick Baumgartner
Rick Baumgartner has joined Foundry Records as National Director of Promotion. Baumgartner’s previous career stops include Warner Brothers, Decca, Atlantic, Broken Bow and Black River Entertainment.
Over the course of his career, Rick has worked with artists including Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Travis Tritt, Craig Morgan, Clint Black, Lee Ann Womack and more.
“Having Rick in the role of National Director of Promotion was an easy decision,” says General Manager Cole Johnstone. “His knowledge of the music industry is an asset and he is respected throughout the community. We are very excited to have him on board and look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of our artists at Foundry Records.”
“It’s an incredible honor to be given this opportunity by Cole, Mark and April,” says Baumgartner. “I continue to hold dear the friendships I’ve made in my years working with country radio, and I look forward to making many new ones as I help this team deliver top-notch new music to country radio. I am beyond grateful for the team’s vote of confidence.”
Nashville Songwriter Awards Set For Sept. 22
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has teamed with City National Bank to present the third annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, set for Sept. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The ceremony will honor Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter-Artist of the Year, and celebrate recognition of the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” This year will also include special segments to honor Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Decade, as well as the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Honorees, performers and ticket announcements for this year’s event are forthcoming.
Spotify Rolls Out Songwriter Pages
/by Jessica NicholsonSpotify has revealed the beta launch of the new feature Songwriter Pages, which will highlight the songwriters who craft today’s top hits. “Written By” playlists are also being rolled out in partnership with music publishers and labels. These pages can be accessed while listening to music on Spotify, which lets listeners learn more about the people behind their favorite music.
“Spotify is always working to create new and better ways to promote music discovery—for artists, for songs and, increasingly, for songwriters,” Jules Parker, Head of Publishing & Songwriter Relations at Spotify said via a press release.
“The launch of publicly visible songwriter credits on Spotify in 2018 was merely a first step. Together with the publishing industry, we’ve continued to evolve our data sharing and analytics efforts, and are proud to unveil this next iteration. Clicking on the credits in this pilot will take users to dedicated songwriter pages—providing a home for a songwriter’s work—and present listeners with ‘Written By’ playlists, a new series of playlists dedicated to songwriters.”