
Thomas Rhett headlines Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Instagram / @thomasrhettakins
Thomas Rhett closed out his Very Hot Summer Tour with a sold-out show on an ironically chilly night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night (Oct. 12). The CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee showed his earned road-chops with a high energy show, with plenty of moments of intimacy and charisma.
Rhett kicked off the show with his most recent No. 1, “Look What God Gave Her,” after leaping onto center stage to thunderous applause. He quickly transitioned into his 2015 hit “Crash and Burn,” complete with horns and pyrotechnics.
Using the full length of the arena, Thomas Rhett traveled from the main stage to the smaller stage on opposite sides of the floor often. Running from one end to the next, he connected with every fan in the arena.
After a few more back-to-back hits, he brought out Little Big Town for their collaboration “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time.” The country supergroup was but the first special guest of the evening.

Pictured: Thomas Rhett with Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer
“Can I take you back to 2012?” Thomas Rhett exclaimed with a grin as he went into “It Goes Like This.”
“Thank you for selling out Bridgestone Arena tonight, this is freaking incredible. This is a very full-circle moment for me because I was born in Georgia but I grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I grew up on a street in Hendersonville called Center Point Road. I grew up going to shows in this arena, and in all the years I’ve been on tour, I’ve never gotten to play a headlining show in Bridgestone Arena,” he said.
Building on the full-circle moment, he played his tender “Remember You Young.” He and his wife Lauren celebrated their 7th anniversary with the Bridgestone show. When their children Willa Gray and Ada James were featured on the big screens, it elicited almost as loud of a cheer from the crowd as Thomas Rhett did himself.
More screams ensued when Rhett brought HARDY out for their “Nothin’ Out Here” tune. Rhett introduced HARDY as one of the best songwriters in Nashville.

Pictured: Thomas Rhett and HARDY. Photo: John Shearer
When it came time for the auto-biographical “Life Changes,” Rhett brought out the horns again. He then traveled to the smaller stage for a stripped down selection of music, playing a song from his 2019 Center Point Road album called “That Old Truck,” as well as a new song he had just written for his daughters called “To The Guys Who Date My Girls.”
While he was out at the small stage, Rhett invited Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard to perform FGL’s hit “Round Here,” that Rhett co-wrote.

Pictured: Thomas Rhett and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: John Shearer
Thomas Rhett picked it back up and invited openers Rhett Akins, Russell Dickerson and Dustin Lynch back to the stage to perform “Beer Can’t Fix.” Akins, Dickerson and Lynch wore Nashville Predators jerseys and drenched themselves in beer for the performance. They also took the time to sing happy birthday to Rhett Akins, who would turn 50 at the stroke of midnight.
Rhett exhibited his exceptional vocal pipes by sounding great on slower tunes like “Marry Me,” after a high-energy “Vacation.” When he played his multi-Platinum hit “Die A Happy Man,” Rhett brought out his saxophone player for a brief moment, leaving the audience wanting more.
During “Unforgettable,” Rhett helped a couple in the audience do their gender reveal. The lucky couple is having a girl, so Rhett warned the father about future dates.
Rhett closed his set with his 2016 hit “T-Shirt,” and left fans covered in confetti and wildly cheering.

Pictured: Thomas Rhett and band. Photo: John Shearer
Before Rhett came on, Lynch got the crowd warmed up with his radio hits and million-watt smile. “I can’t believe this is real, man,” he said. “I’m playing Bridgestone Arena!”
Lynch played his hits “Seein’ Red,” “Mind Reader” and “Where It’s At,” as well as his breakout hit, “Cowboys and Angels.” He also played a selection of songs that he felt told his story from his first love of country music, to his entrance into the format. He started with his inspiration with Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee,” transitioned into Tim McGraw’s “Something Like That,” then Dierks Bentley’s “What Was I Thinkin’,” and then finally Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You,” saying Urban was the first artist to take him on tour.
Lynch closed his set with his multi-week No. 1 “Small Town Boy.”
Dickerson offered a high-energy set full of dancing, and songs like his “Every Little Thing,” “MGNO,” and No. 1 hit “Blue Tacoma.” He also played his chart-topper “Yours,” with the whole crowd singing the words back.
Rhett Akins opened the show with some of the 30 No. 1 songs he’s written, as well as his 1995 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck.”
Canadian Country Great Dallas Harms Passes
/by Robert K OermannDallas Harms. Photo: CMA Ontario
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Dallas Harms died last weekend at age 84.
He was a singer, songwriter, producer and TV star in his home country, but is best known in the U.S. as the songwriter of the Gene Watson hits “Paper Rosie” (1977), “The Old Man and His Horn” (1977) and “Cowboys Don’t Get Lucky All the Time” (1978). Harms also wrote Billy Walker’s “A Violin That Has Never Been Played” (1978) and dozens of songs for Canadian country artists.
He began his career in the 1950s in the clubs of Hamilton, Ontario and on country TV shows. He launched his recording career in the 1960s and landed his first chart record in 1972, “In the Loving Arms of My Marie.” Harms placed 20 singles on Canada’s RPM charts, including the No. 1 hit “Honky Tonkin’ (All Night Learn)” (1982).
He appeared on all of the major Canadian country TV shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Harms produced Canadian country acts Artie MacLaren, Cathy Chambers, Larry Mattson, Glen Logan, Wayne Rostad, Neville Wells, Brent Williams, Lynn Dee and more. He was also a photographer and a graphics artist who designed his own album jackets.
Dallas Harms was inducted into the CCM Hall of Fame in 1989.
His death occurred on Oct. 12.
Kane Brown Reschedules Staples Center Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonKane Brown
Kane Brown has rescheduled his sold-out, headlining show at the Los Angeles Staples Center, set for Friday (Oct. 18), following the death of his drummer Kenny Dixon. Dixon died following a car crash in Tennessee on Saturday (Oct. 12).
Brown’s Staples Center show was intended to be the first of several concerts lined up to celebrate the arena’s 20th anniversary. Brown has rescheduled his show for Jan. 9, 2020, and attendees who had purchased tickets for the Oct. 18 show will have their tickets honored for the new show.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Kane, his entire team and the family of his long-time drummer Kenny Dixon for their tragic loss this weekend,” the Staples Center said via a statement.
Dan + Shay’s “10,000 Hours” Posts Biggest First-Week Stream Total In Country Music History
/by Lorie HollabaughDan + Shay‘s new smash single with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” is already breaking records. The song has racked up a whopping 75 million-plus global streams in the first days of its release, making it the biggest first-week streaming total in country music history by a wide margin.
Additionally, with more than 250,000 U.S. track equivalents, “10,000 Hours” is the first song by a country duo or group ever to debut in the Billboard Hot 100’s top five. Arriving at No. 1 on the Country Streaming Songs and all-genre Digital Song Sales charts as well, this is also Dan + Shay’s third song to reach the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
The duo announced their arena tour last week, and their show at Madison Square Garden sold out in less than 90 minutes. CMT is celebrating their amazing year this Wednesday (Oct. 16) on the 10th Annual CMT Artists of the Year special.
Thomas Rhett Closes Very Hot Summer Tour With Sold-Out Hometown Show
/by LB CantrellThomas Rhett headlines Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Instagram / @thomasrhettakins
Thomas Rhett closed out his Very Hot Summer Tour with a sold-out show on an ironically chilly night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night (Oct. 12). The CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee showed his earned road-chops with a high energy show, with plenty of moments of intimacy and charisma.
Rhett kicked off the show with his most recent No. 1, “Look What God Gave Her,” after leaping onto center stage to thunderous applause. He quickly transitioned into his 2015 hit “Crash and Burn,” complete with horns and pyrotechnics.
Using the full length of the arena, Thomas Rhett traveled from the main stage to the smaller stage on opposite sides of the floor often. Running from one end to the next, he connected with every fan in the arena.
After a few more back-to-back hits, he brought out Little Big Town for their collaboration “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time.” The country supergroup was but the first special guest of the evening.
Pictured: Thomas Rhett with Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer
“Can I take you back to 2012?” Thomas Rhett exclaimed with a grin as he went into “It Goes Like This.”
“Thank you for selling out Bridgestone Arena tonight, this is freaking incredible. This is a very full-circle moment for me because I was born in Georgia but I grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I grew up on a street in Hendersonville called Center Point Road. I grew up going to shows in this arena, and in all the years I’ve been on tour, I’ve never gotten to play a headlining show in Bridgestone Arena,” he said.
Building on the full-circle moment, he played his tender “Remember You Young.” He and his wife Lauren celebrated their 7th anniversary with the Bridgestone show. When their children Willa Gray and Ada James were featured on the big screens, it elicited almost as loud of a cheer from the crowd as Thomas Rhett did himself.
More screams ensued when Rhett brought HARDY out for their “Nothin’ Out Here” tune. Rhett introduced HARDY as one of the best songwriters in Nashville.
Pictured: Thomas Rhett and HARDY. Photo: John Shearer
When it came time for the auto-biographical “Life Changes,” Rhett brought out the horns again. He then traveled to the smaller stage for a stripped down selection of music, playing a song from his 2019 Center Point Road album called “That Old Truck,” as well as a new song he had just written for his daughters called “To The Guys Who Date My Girls.”
While he was out at the small stage, Rhett invited Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard to perform FGL’s hit “Round Here,” that Rhett co-wrote.
Pictured: Thomas Rhett and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: John Shearer
Thomas Rhett picked it back up and invited openers Rhett Akins, Russell Dickerson and Dustin Lynch back to the stage to perform “Beer Can’t Fix.” Akins, Dickerson and Lynch wore Nashville Predators jerseys and drenched themselves in beer for the performance. They also took the time to sing happy birthday to Rhett Akins, who would turn 50 at the stroke of midnight.
Rhett exhibited his exceptional vocal pipes by sounding great on slower tunes like “Marry Me,” after a high-energy “Vacation.” When he played his multi-Platinum hit “Die A Happy Man,” Rhett brought out his saxophone player for a brief moment, leaving the audience wanting more.
During “Unforgettable,” Rhett helped a couple in the audience do their gender reveal. The lucky couple is having a girl, so Rhett warned the father about future dates.
Rhett closed his set with his 2016 hit “T-Shirt,” and left fans covered in confetti and wildly cheering.
Pictured: Thomas Rhett and band. Photo: John Shearer
Before Rhett came on, Lynch got the crowd warmed up with his radio hits and million-watt smile. “I can’t believe this is real, man,” he said. “I’m playing Bridgestone Arena!”
Lynch played his hits “Seein’ Red,” “Mind Reader” and “Where It’s At,” as well as his breakout hit, “Cowboys and Angels.” He also played a selection of songs that he felt told his story from his first love of country music, to his entrance into the format. He started with his inspiration with Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee,” transitioned into Tim McGraw’s “Something Like That,” then Dierks Bentley’s “What Was I Thinkin’,” and then finally Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You,” saying Urban was the first artist to take him on tour.
Lynch closed his set with his multi-week No. 1 “Small Town Boy.”
Dickerson offered a high-energy set full of dancing, and songs like his “Every Little Thing,” “MGNO,” and No. 1 hit “Blue Tacoma.” He also played his chart-topper “Yours,” with the whole crowd singing the words back.
Rhett Akins opened the show with some of the 30 No. 1 songs he’s written, as well as his 1995 hit, “That Ain’t My Truck.”
Zach Crowell Moves Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellZach Crowell moves up five slots to the No. 5 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart with co-writer credits on Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes” and Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads.” Ashley Gorley remains at the top spot for the eleventh consecutive week.
Ross Copperman maintains position at No. 2, Blanco Brown moves up one to No. 3 and David Garcia climbs to No. 4 from No. 8 with “Hell Right” (Blake Shelton feat. Trace Adkins) and “Southbound” (Carrie Underwood) charting.
The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Pop/Rock News: Jon Santana, Hey Monday, Friday Pilots Club
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville-based Producer/Songwriter Jon Santana On Chart-Topping SuperM Album
Jon Santana. Photo: Seiji Inouye
K-pop supergroup SuperM debuted at No. 1 this week on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, with the group’s EP The 1st Mini Album ‘SuperM’ moving 168,000 equivalent album units. Among the contributors to the album is Nashville-based producer/songwriter Jon Santana, who co-wrote the album cut “No Manners,” alongside Shae Jacobs and Tyler Holmes. All three writers are signed with Prescription Songs.
Santana’s previous production successes include Peter Manos’ “In My Head,” which has earned over 100 million streams. Santana’s own song “NY90” off his debut EP And There They Were, placed on Spotify Viral Charts in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Norway and Poland. He has had sync placements on MTV and VH1.
Cassadee Pope Returns To Her Punk-Rock Roots With Hey Monday Show
Pop-punk artist turned country singer Cassadee Pope will return to her rock roots with a “Homecoming” show in Nashville as part of her early pop band Hey Monday.
The show will take place Monday, Nov. 25 at revered Music City rock venue Exit/In. It has been more than a decade since the band debuted with Hold On Tight (Decaydance Records); the band has been on hiatus since 2011. Tickets are available here.
Friday Pilots Club Cover Classic ’80s Pop Tunes On New EP
Big Machine/John Varvatos group Friday Pilots Club cover a trio of classic ’80s pop songs on a new EP While You Wait. The band offers its own spin on The Psychedelic Furs’ “Heartbreak Beat,” Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar” and Iggy Pop’s “Real Wild Child (Wild One).” The project was produced by James Kourafas and Friday Pilots Club’s Robert Drew Polovick.
Kelsea Ballerini To Receive Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini will receive this year’s Nashville Symphony Harmony Award during the 35th annual Symphony Ball, to be held Dec. 14 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The annual award recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.
“Few artists can boast of such a meteoric rise to start their career like Kelsea Ballerini, who has already had an incredible impact on country music, thanks to her unique talent and a string of history-making hits,” said the Symphony Ball’s Laura Kimbrell. “A strong, confident woman who serves as a wonderful role model—not to mention a native Tennessean who Music City is proud to call one of its own—Kelsea is a worthy addition to the prestigious list of past Harmony Award winners, and we can’t wait for her performance at the Symphony Ball in December.”
Nashville Symphony president and CEO Alan D. Valentine will be presented with an honorary Harmony Award at the event, in recognition of his 20-plus years of service to the organization and the Middle Tennessee community.
“Alan’s passion, dedication and leadership over the past two decades has expanded the Nashville Symphony’s footprint in Middle Tennessee, while also helping to significantly elevate its profile across the country and around the world,” noted the Symphony Ball’s Amy Jackson Smith. “It is fitting that on a night when we’re honoring one of music’s rising stars, we’re also recognizing a veteran like Alan for his invaluable contributions to both the Nashville Symphony and our entire community.”
Ballerini is currently the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry, and has earned two ACM Awards. With the release of her debut album, The First Time, in 2015, she became the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 songs from a debut album. Ballerini’s 2017 release Unapologetically marked her second Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 200, and she recently headlined her first arena tour. Ballerini’s newest single, “homecoming queen?,” is the first release from her upcoming third full-length album, slated for 2020 on Black River Entertainment.
Valentine joined the Nashville Symphony in June 1998 and has presided over an era of substantial growth for the organization, including construction of the world-renowned Schermerhorn Symphony Center in 2006, as well as 13 Grammy awards and 24 Grammy nominations for the symphony, as well as two Carnegie Hall performances, an East Coast tour, an Emmy Award-winning television broadcast and numerous national radio appearances.
Since its inception in 1985, the Ball has raised millions for the Symphony. Past recipients of the Harmony Award include Chet Atkins, Mike and Linda Curb, Rascal Flatts, Béla Fleck, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Marty Stuart, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Steve Winwood and Trisha Yearwood.
Dierks Bentley Earns RIAA Gold, Platinum
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Amy Beard (Manager of Marketing, UMG Nashville), Dierks Bentley, Mike Harris (COO, UMG Nashville)
Dierks Bentley recently celebrated the success of two consecutive No. 1 hits, “Woman, Amen” and “Burning Man,” both from his ninth studio project The Mountain (Capitol Records Nashville).
Prior to his performance for NBC’s upcoming special Dolly Parton: 50 Years at the Grand Ole Opry, Bentley was surprised with plaques commemorating the RIAA Platinum certification for “Burning Man” (ft. Brothers Osborne) and the Gold certification for “Woman, Amen.”
Bentley is currently nominated for a trio of CMA Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Burning Man”) and Music Video of the Year (“Burning Man”).
Cassidy Daniels Signs Joint Publishing Deal With Liz Rose Music, Warner Chappell Music
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): Jessi Vaughn (WCM), Kate Shirley (LRM), Dave Pacula (LRM), Liz Rose (LRM), Cassidy Daniels, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Scott Ponce (LRM)
Cassidy Daniels has signed a joint co-publishing deal with Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell Music.
A natural performer and gifted songwriter, Daniels has opened for Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Chris Lane, Brothers Osborne, and Rodney Atkins. She has also performed the National Anthem at multiple major league sporting events and took the stage at the Presidential Inaugural Ball.
MercyMe Announces 2020 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughMercyMe announced dates for the band’s 2020 Tour today. The new tour kicks off Feb. 13 and will run through April 5 visiting Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Pensacola and more, and features Jeremy Camp and David Leonard. The new tour follows the group’s successful 2019 Imagine Nation Tour.
The MercyMe 2020 Tour will support the band’s upcoming 2020 studio project and brand new single, “Almost Home,” releasing everywhere Oct. 23.
“‘Almost Home’ is a rallying cry to remind us to keep running the race… to keep going, heaven is just around the bend,” says MercyMe’s Bart Millard. “We’re almost home and now is not the time to give up or tap out. Whether you’re in ministry or not – parents, moms, dads, whatever – if you just feel like you don’t know if you can go any further, hopefully this song will bring you comfort and help you realize that you’re not alone and that the race is worth running.”
Feb. 14 – Edinburg, TX
Feb. 15 – Houston, TX
Feb. 16 – San Antonio, TX
Feb. 20 – Reading, PA
Feb. 21 – Youngstown, OH
Feb. 22 – Charlottesville, VA
Feb. 23 – Fairfax, VA
Feb. 27 – Bangor, ME
Feb. 28 – Portland, ME
Feb. 29 – Wallingford, CT
March 1 – Providence, RI
March 6 – Estero, FL
March 7 – TBD
March 8 – Sunrise, FL
March 12 – Pensacola, FL
March 13 – Biloxi, MS
March 14 – Augusta, GA
March 15 – TBD
March 19 – Indianapolis, IN
March 20 – Independence, MO
March 21 – Oklahoma City, OK
March 22 – Memphis, TN
March 26 – Des Moines, IA
March 27 – Omaha, NE
March 28 – Sioux Falls, SD
March 29 – Wichita, KS
April 2 – Madison, WI
April 3 – Minneapolis, MN
April 4 – TBD
April 5 – Fargo, ND