Pictured (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, Kobalt’s Jesse Willoughby, David Hodges (BMI), Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon, Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Leland (ASCAP), Kobalt’s Brad Beausir, Black River’s Rick Froio, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
After a 15-month drought of female artists in the top spot on the Mediabase country singles chart, Kelsea Ballerini‘s industry fans and friends gathered to celebrate the feat for the Platinum-selling, punching track “Miss Me More.”
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen led the charge for ASCAP writers Ballerini and Brett McLaughlin, as well as BMI writer David Hodges. Producers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey were both on hand to celebrate.
“Since her Gold-certified 2015 debut, she has consistently made history,” Brinker said. “She’s the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 songs from a debut album, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as its youngest current member, she has garnered two Grammy award nominations, won two ACM awards, took home iHeart Radio’s amazing honor Best New Artist. Kelsea was also the first female to top the Mediabase chart in 15 months, and earned back to back No. 1’s with ‘Legends’ and ‘Miss Me More.'”
“Girl, you are an undeniable vocalist, a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and you continue to elevate country music for a new generation, a new era,” Brinker gushed. “And here’s the thing, when you have an audience, you have to know that people are listening. It’s important that you’re not just saying something, you’re saying something. And we hear you.”
Brinker also let the crowd know that the “Miss Me More” No. 1 party was also a first No. 1 party for co-writer Brett McLaughlin—also known as Leland—an L.A.-based songwriter, producer and artist that has had hits with Daya, Selena Gomez, Tryoe Sivan, Lauv, and more.
“He was born and raised in Mississippi, he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. We’re so happy that with all of the success that you’ve had in Los Angeles, you’re coming home a little bit too. You’re bring your very thoughtful lyrics and your powerful messages to another format, and helping to create such meaningful anthems,” Brinker said to the beaming songwriter.
Keen stepped up to the mic to talk about co-writer David Hodges.
“David is a multi-Platinum, Grammy and BMI-award winning songwriter and producer, I think many of us are familiar with his talent. But just to reiterate, of course David was a founding member of Evanescence, as you can see,” Keen said motioning to Hodges’ tattooed covered arms while he and the crowd laughed.
“But I also have to name some of his top singles just to give you a span of his talent. ‘My Immortal’ for Evanescence, ‘A Thousand Years’ for Christina Perri, ‘Because of You’ for Kelly Clarkson song, ‘Dear Hate’ for Maren Morris and Vince Gill, and ‘See You Again’ for Carrie Underwood. He’s all over the map with talent and covering all different genres,” Keen said.
Kobalt’s Brad Beausir spoke at his first No. 1 party, “I’m like sweating and this is my first one, so if it’s terrible, sorry,” he joked.
“I started working at Kobalt like two and half months ago and largely to work with people like David Hodges,” Beausir said. “I have admired you from afar for a long time. The more that I get to know you, the more that it’s true. You are absolutely amazing. You’re everything you could ever want in a hit songwriter. When you sing a demo, I die. When you let someone else sing it, it’s not as good.
“Lately I’ve been booking a ton of people that have been coming to Nashville, and I always tell them, ‘This is a lot harder than you think.’ It’s not easy to break into this community. It’s tight-knit, people know who they love and honestly we have the best writers in the world. So if you’re gonna do it, don’t just try to do it. Do it your very best. Get to know them, meet them, have dinner with them, get to know their families, David did that. He has really invested in this place. You did it right and you’re the example that I try to tell everyone of how to do it best,” he continued.
“Kelsea, you are what our city needs. You’re honest, you’re real. In a struggling environment for women, your songs shine,” Beausir summed.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg stepped up to the mic to speak about Brett.
“It’s so neat when you get to see people grow and become these amazing songwriters or artists or both. I was adjudicator for a Belmont showcase, and you go and you’re sitting in this empty theater and it’s quiet and awkward. And these kids are coming up one by one and hoping that you’ll vote them through to the showcase. Every kid would come up with their guitar and sing their sad, heartfelt ballad. And then here comes this guy and he gets up on stage in this snazzy suit and he’s got a full band, it’s like Prince. I was so surprised and I was so impressed, that I went to the show.
“I think the only thing that’s changed is you’re not surprising anybody, everybody knows how good you are. You continue to show it over and over, whether it’s through your artistry or your songwriting,” Van Valkenburg said.
Van Valkenburg made sure to recognize Jason Owen and the Sandbox Entertainment team.
Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon was on hand to gush about Kelsea. “I know, Kelsea, we don’t have to tell you that five No. 1 songs in four years is a big deal, but it’s a big deal. Having multiple Platinum singles and streams totaling in the billions is a big deal. I’m honored to be able to recognize and celebrate your success today.”
Gordon also made a point to recognize the Black River radio promotion staff.
“She represents what Black River is all about,” Black River’s Rick Froio said. “She’s the heart and soul of our company, we all rally around her and we all rejoice in her victories which have been many.”
Pictured: (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland(ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
When it came time for the creators to speak, Kelsea’s longtime collaborator—and producer on “Miss Me More”—Forest Glen Whitehead led the way.
“We’re grateful for Black River for believing in a great record, for working it hard. I’m grateful to y’all for writing an awesome song, the guitar lick that inspired it all or whatever that thing was, it’s super inspiring. We’re excited to have another one, this is amazing. Blessings on blessings,” he said.
Producer Jason Massey echoed the praises. “Thank you guys for giving us something awesome to work with from the start,” he said to the writers.
“I just first want to say thank you to Kelsea for messaging me on Twitter the day you did, and saying you were in L.A. and wanted to see if we could write,” Brett said. “I was already planning my strategy of trying to set up a session with Kelsea anyways, so that was the best moment opening my messages.
“I couldn’t be more proud to have this No. 1 be with a female country artist,” he said. “That to me is very special and very important.”
“My wife and I and our family moved here about three years ago, but for the last twelve years, I’ve been coming to Nashville mainly because I’ve always loved the respect and the level craft of the storytelling that Nashville has, that truly no other city in the world has. London makes great music and L.A. makes great music, Sydney and other places but Nashville is really, really special. It’s meant a lot to me how much this Nashville community has embraced me,” Hodges said.
Hodges thanked Kelsea and Brett, Josh Van Valkenburg, Black River, Kobalt, and his team at Milk & Honey.
“I’m a singer, not a talker, first of all,” said the woman of the hour when she was handed the mic. “My first several songs were ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’ and ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah, Boy,’ and that kind of stuff and the comments that I would get in meet and greets were like ‘Oh my gosh, “Dibs” is like me and my boyfriend’s song,’ and I love that. I love having those songs that are like the soundtrack to people’s love stories and their crushes and all that stuff. This was the first song where people would come up and say, ‘This helped me get through a divorce, this helped me get through an abusive relationship,’ and for me, as a songwriter, to be able to be in meet and greets and hear people give me their testimony, it’s incredible.
“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to put out ‘homecoming queen?’ if I didn’t put this out first,” Kelsea said with emotion.
“Black River, you’ve done the thing that no one can do and that’s get a song from a female up the charts,” she said.
Kelsea made sure to thank the Black River radio promo team, her co-writers, and her manager, Jason Owen.
Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Rick Froio, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland (ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead, Producer Jason Massey. Photo: Steve Lowry
Martina McBride Welcomes Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn For New ‘Vocal Point’ Podcast [Interview]
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride’s voice and songs have sold over 18 million albums to date, earning six No. 1 hits and multiple Grammy nominations for her powerhouse signature songs such as “Independence Day” and “Blessed.”
With her new podcast, Vocal Point with Martina McBride, she is once again behind the microphone, this time interviewing her fellow artists, as well as producers and actors, including Lauren Alaina, Rosanne Cash, Sara Evans, Brenda Lee, Dustin Lynch, Loretta Lynn, actor/comedian Howie Mandel, trio Runaway June, and producer Don Was.
The podcast, from Luminary and produced by Believe Entertainment Group, launched Sept. 27.
“They approached me about doing a podcast, and at the time, I hadn’t really listened to a lot of podcasts. I just thought, ‘What can I bring that’s different?’ because lots of people have podcasts. I really just wanted it to be conversational,” she says. “I wanted to get artists out of promotional cycle, where they weren’t really promoting anything, they were just talking. It’s fascinating because their guard is down.”
Her first guest was Garth Brooks, who helped launch McBride’s own music career when he offered her an opening slot on his World Tour in 1993.
“My husband [Blackbird Studio owner John McBride] was his production manager and while I was selling T-shirts for Garth before I got a record deal. My husband’s sound equipment was overheating, it was in Arizona and it was 120 degrees. I could hear something was happening and he said, ‘The amp’s overheating.’ So I left my T-shirt position, and was dragging these bags of dry ice to help cool off the amps, and Garth saw that from the tour bus. He was like, ‘Who is that tiny girl dragging ice?’ His brother said, ‘That’s John’s wife. She sells T-shirts for you by the way.’ I had never heard the story from his perspective,” she says. “I asked Garth, ‘Why did you do that? You had never heard me sing or seen me perform. I could have been a disaster,’” But it made an impression on him, and when I got a record deal, he decided to reward that by giving me the opening slot.
Martina McBride and Garth Brooks.
“People who have listened to the first podcast with Garth have told me, ‘I felt like I was just there in the room with you.’ And that’s what I’m going for. I want it to be fun and intimate and interesting.”
On Friday (Oct. 4), the second podcast episode was released, featuring new trio Runaway June. Though McBride occasionally travels to do the interviews on location, most often she welcomes guests to Blackbird Studios, which is owned and operated by her husband John McBride and has welcomed clients ranging from Tim McGraw, Keith Urban to Daughtry, Desmond Child and Adele.
“It’s just a nice, homey feeling for me and I hope it is that way for everyone we have on the podcast,” she says. One of her personal favorite episodes is a conversation with Loretta Lynn.
“She is so sharp, and she’s had some health issues. She’s just Loretta, no filter. I wanted to get her stories in her voice. She was great and we talked about Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty and how that was touring together, and about her growing up in Butcher Hollow. “
McBride’s wish list of guests for future episodes incorporates a range of musicians, authors, actors and chefs.
“I want Don Henley, Bob Seger. Sheryl Crow has said she will do it, we are trying to find a date, Sara Bareilles, and Emeril, the OG celebrity chef. I’d want to know what it was like to do a cooking show back then because so much has changed, and how he got started cooking, what does he love about the restaurant business. I’d be curious to hear his point of view on things.”
She also welcomed producer Don Was, who produced McBride’s 2014 album Everlasting.
“He is so smart and well-spoken. He’s captivating and every time you’re around him, he draws you in. He had some very wise input for me during a time in my life where I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, musically and creatively,” she says, recalling the advice he gave her. “At a certain time in your life, we come up striving for success and we build up a lot of armor around that and when all of that starts to fall away…everybody in their life no matter what profession you have where you are not at the top of the heap anymore, whether you are a lawyer or a singer, and that armor starts to fall away. He was saying sometimes your true creative self can come out, when you aren’t doing it for any reason other than you want to.”
Most of all, McBride hopes it is those little moments of advice and wisdom that are passed along to listeners.
“I think there are so many little inspiring moments throughout the episodes, about how people have overcome challenges or their personal philosophies. I talked to Lukas Nelson—he had gone through a really dark time and his thoughts about coming out of that. I think someone out there might be listening and it can help them see a way through.”
Dan + Shay To Headline First Ever Arena Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughAmerican Express card members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning today, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. ET through Oct. 10. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting this Friday, Oct. 11, with a limited number of VIP packages available for purchase that include an incredible selection of tickets and limited-edition merchandise created exclusively for VIPs.
The tour announcement comes just days after the duo unveiled a new collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” as their latest single. In its first 48 hours of availability, “10,000 Hours” has already tallied more than 30 million streams globally. Ranked at No. 5 on Spotify’s Top 200 Global Chart and No. 2 on their Top 200 US Chart, it also appears on 45 global charts as well, arriving at No. 1 on China’s Netease Chart and No. 2 on China’s QQ Music Chart. The track is No. 3 on Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart and has kept the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Top Songs chart since it was released, with the official music video reaching No. 3 on YouTube’s Trending chart, which includes all videos on YouTube.
Kelsea Ballerini Celebrates Fifth Career No. 1
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, Kobalt’s Jesse Willoughby, David Hodges (BMI), Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon, Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Leland (ASCAP), Kobalt’s Brad Beausir, Black River’s Rick Froio, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, and Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
After a 15-month drought of female artists in the top spot on the Mediabase country singles chart, Kelsea Ballerini‘s industry fans and friends gathered to celebrate the feat for the Platinum-selling, punching track “Miss Me More.”
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and BMI’s MaryAnn Keen led the charge for ASCAP writers Ballerini and Brett McLaughlin, as well as BMI writer David Hodges. Producers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey were both on hand to celebrate.
“Since her Gold-certified 2015 debut, she has consistently made history,” Brinker said. “She’s the only female country artist to achieve three consecutive No. 1 songs from a debut album, the Grand Ole Opry welcomed her as its youngest current member, she has garnered two Grammy award nominations, won two ACM awards, took home iHeart Radio’s amazing honor Best New Artist. Kelsea was also the first female to top the Mediabase chart in 15 months, and earned back to back No. 1’s with ‘Legends’ and ‘Miss Me More.'”
“Girl, you are an undeniable vocalist, a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and you continue to elevate country music for a new generation, a new era,” Brinker gushed. “And here’s the thing, when you have an audience, you have to know that people are listening. It’s important that you’re not just saying something, you’re saying something. And we hear you.”
Brinker also let the crowd know that the “Miss Me More” No. 1 party was also a first No. 1 party for co-writer Brett McLaughlin—also known as Leland—an L.A.-based songwriter, producer and artist that has had hits with Daya, Selena Gomez, Tryoe Sivan, Lauv, and more.
“He was born and raised in Mississippi, he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University. We’re so happy that with all of the success that you’ve had in Los Angeles, you’re coming home a little bit too. You’re bring your very thoughtful lyrics and your powerful messages to another format, and helping to create such meaningful anthems,” Brinker said to the beaming songwriter.
Keen stepped up to the mic to talk about co-writer David Hodges.
“David is a multi-Platinum, Grammy and BMI-award winning songwriter and producer, I think many of us are familiar with his talent. But just to reiterate, of course David was a founding member of Evanescence, as you can see,” Keen said motioning to Hodges’ tattooed covered arms while he and the crowd laughed.
“But I also have to name some of his top singles just to give you a span of his talent. ‘My Immortal’ for Evanescence, ‘A Thousand Years’ for Christina Perri, ‘Because of You’ for Kelly Clarkson song, ‘Dear Hate’ for Maren Morris and Vince Gill, and ‘See You Again’ for Carrie Underwood. He’s all over the map with talent and covering all different genres,” Keen said.
Kobalt’s Brad Beausir spoke at his first No. 1 party, “I’m like sweating and this is my first one, so if it’s terrible, sorry,” he joked.
“I started working at Kobalt like two and half months ago and largely to work with people like David Hodges,” Beausir said. “I have admired you from afar for a long time. The more that I get to know you, the more that it’s true. You are absolutely amazing. You’re everything you could ever want in a hit songwriter. When you sing a demo, I die. When you let someone else sing it, it’s not as good.
“Lately I’ve been booking a ton of people that have been coming to Nashville, and I always tell them, ‘This is a lot harder than you think.’ It’s not easy to break into this community. It’s tight-knit, people know who they love and honestly we have the best writers in the world. So if you’re gonna do it, don’t just try to do it. Do it your very best. Get to know them, meet them, have dinner with them, get to know their families, David did that. He has really invested in this place. You did it right and you’re the example that I try to tell everyone of how to do it best,” he continued.
“Kelsea, you are what our city needs. You’re honest, you’re real. In a struggling environment for women, your songs shine,” Beausir summed.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg stepped up to the mic to speak about Brett.
“It’s so neat when you get to see people grow and become these amazing songwriters or artists or both. I was adjudicator for a Belmont showcase, and you go and you’re sitting in this empty theater and it’s quiet and awkward. And these kids are coming up one by one and hoping that you’ll vote them through to the showcase. Every kid would come up with their guitar and sing their sad, heartfelt ballad. And then here comes this guy and he gets up on stage in this snazzy suit and he’s got a full band, it’s like Prince. I was so surprised and I was so impressed, that I went to the show.
“I think the only thing that’s changed is you’re not surprising anybody, everybody knows how good you are. You continue to show it over and over, whether it’s through your artistry or your songwriting,” Van Valkenburg said.
Van Valkenburg made sure to recognize Jason Owen and the Sandbox Entertainment team.
Black River Publishing’s Rebekah Gordon was on hand to gush about Kelsea. “I know, Kelsea, we don’t have to tell you that five No. 1 songs in four years is a big deal, but it’s a big deal. Having multiple Platinum singles and streams totaling in the billions is a big deal. I’m honored to be able to recognize and celebrate your success today.”
Gordon also made a point to recognize the Black River radio promotion staff.
“She represents what Black River is all about,” Black River’s Rick Froio said. “She’s the heart and soul of our company, we all rally around her and we all rejoice in her victories which have been many.”
Pictured: (L-R): Producer Jason Massey, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland(ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead. Photo: Steve Lowry
When it came time for the creators to speak, Kelsea’s longtime collaborator—and producer on “Miss Me More”—Forest Glen Whitehead led the way.
“We’re grateful for Black River for believing in a great record, for working it hard. I’m grateful to y’all for writing an awesome song, the guitar lick that inspired it all or whatever that thing was, it’s super inspiring. We’re excited to have another one, this is amazing. Blessings on blessings,” he said.
Producer Jason Massey echoed the praises. “Thank you guys for giving us something awesome to work with from the start,” he said to the writers.
“I just first want to say thank you to Kelsea for messaging me on Twitter the day you did, and saying you were in L.A. and wanted to see if we could write,” Brett said. “I was already planning my strategy of trying to set up a session with Kelsea anyways, so that was the best moment opening my messages.
“I couldn’t be more proud to have this No. 1 be with a female country artist,” he said. “That to me is very special and very important.”
“My wife and I and our family moved here about three years ago, but for the last twelve years, I’ve been coming to Nashville mainly because I’ve always loved the respect and the level craft of the storytelling that Nashville has, that truly no other city in the world has. London makes great music and L.A. makes great music, Sydney and other places but Nashville is really, really special. It’s meant a lot to me how much this Nashville community has embraced me,” Hodges said.
Hodges thanked Kelsea and Brett, Josh Van Valkenburg, Black River, Kobalt, and his team at Milk & Honey.
“I’m a singer, not a talker, first of all,” said the woman of the hour when she was handed the mic. “My first several songs were ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’ and ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah, Boy,’ and that kind of stuff and the comments that I would get in meet and greets were like ‘Oh my gosh, “Dibs” is like me and my boyfriend’s song,’ and I love that. I love having those songs that are like the soundtrack to people’s love stories and their crushes and all that stuff. This was the first song where people would come up and say, ‘This helped me get through a divorce, this helped me get through an abusive relationship,’ and for me, as a songwriter, to be able to be in meet and greets and hear people give me their testimony, it’s incredible.
“I wouldn’t have had the confidence to put out ‘homecoming queen?’ if I didn’t put this out first,” Kelsea said with emotion.
“Black River, you’ve done the thing that no one can do and that’s get a song from a female up the charts,” she said.
Kelsea made sure to thank the Black River radio promo team, her co-writers, and her manager, Jason Owen.
Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Rick Froio, David Hodges (BMI), Kelsea Ballerini (ASCAP), Leland (ASCAP), Producer Forest Glen Whitehead, Producer Jason Massey. Photo: Steve Lowry
Allen Henri Lesnick, Chief Operating Officer of Randi Events, Dies At 63
/by Sherod RobertsonAllen Henri Lesnick
Allen Henri Lesnick, Chief Operating Officer of Randi Events, died on October 3, 2019. He was 63 years old. Allen was born and raised in New York and was a proud graduate of Michigan State University.
Allen loved the town of Nashville, which he called home for the past 25 years, and resided in Franklin, TN. He was a beautiful friend to many and a fabulous husband and father. His greatest joys were wining, dining and smoking cigars with friends and family. He loved the cool breeze atop his paddle board on a Sunday morning.
Allen, along with his wife, Randi, of 30 years, made their mark on Nashville through the building of Randi Events. He also got so much pleasure through his work as a Financial Advisor.
In addition to being survived by his devoted wife, Randi, he is survived by their two sons, Jason and Jonathan and his two brothers Richard and Robert Gallucci.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 7 at 1:00 at Congregation Micah, located at 2001 Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood. Shiva will be observed through Friday at 509 Green Harbor Circle in Franklin through October 10.
Riley Green Celebrates Gold
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Riley Green, BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen
Riley Green, who recently released his debut BMLG Records project Different ‘Round Here, was honored this week for the RIAA Gold certification for his single “There Was This Girl.” He celebrated the milestone alongside Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and BMLG Records President/CEO Jimmy Harnen at the Ryman Auditorium before taking the stage for night two of a pair of sold-out dates supporting Jon Pardi.
Artist Updates: Dierks Bentley, Trisha Yearwood, Midland
/by Jessica NicholsonDierks Bentley Named Spokesperson For “Heal The Music Day”
Dierks Bentley has been named the spokesperson for Music Health Alliance’s “Heal The Music Day,” and is set to spearhead the music community’s efforts to offer financial support for the non-profit’s free services during the third annual fundraiser on Oct. 18. Among the recently-added supporters for Heal The Music Day are ASCAP, organization Heaven’s Door, Miranda Lambert, Pinnacle Bank, and Red Light Management.
Music Health Alliance’s free services range from access to doctors and hospitals, medicine, health insurance and finding financial assistance during times of illness. Members of the music community—including artists, songwriters, producers, publishers, publicists, promoters, business managers, record label executives, booking agents, attorneys, venues, stylists and more—can pledge a percentage of their single day earnings to support the lifesaving services provided by Music Health Alliance.
Trisha Yearwood Performs First of Three Headlining Nashville Shows
Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood launched the first of three shows at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Thursday (Oct. 3). Yearwood offered tracks from the two albums she released this year, including the Frank Sinatra tribute album Let’s Be Frank, as well as Every Girl, her first country album in more than a decade. Backed by a 70-piece orchestra conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yanez, Yearwood offered songs including Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me,” and “Witchcraft,” alongside her own hits such as “Walkaway Joe” and songs from her new album.
Her 22-city tour continues with stops in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Fort Worth, Minneapolis and Jacksonville.
Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Trisha Yearwood
Midland To Revive Hollywood Honky-Tonk The Palomino
Midland is set to perform at historic honky-tonk The Palomino on Oct. 15. The North Hollywood venue, which closed as a music hall in 1995, once featured headliners such as Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich, Emmylou Harris and Jerry Lee Lewis, and served as a launching pad for artists including Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, and Dwight Yoakam. The Palomino did re-open as a concert venue for one night in 2018 as part of a fundraiser concert to benefit the Valley Relics Museum.
Bailey Bryan Ready To Share Her ‘Perspective’ Oct. 11
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Bryan is sharing new music with fans on her new Perspective EP, which will release next Friday, Oct. 11 and available for pre-order now. Bailey co-wrote each song on the five-song collection. The EP includes the track “Songbird” as well as the title song “Perspective,” as it was written in its original demo form.
“Now that I’ve gone through [releasing an EP before], I know what I like,” said Bryan. “So it was important for me to find a producer who was going to be okay with me being in the studio 24/7, and sharing how each song sounded in my head.”
Post Malone and SZA served as metaphorical North Stars throughout the recording process for Bryan and producer Clint Lagerberg, as did former indie rockers-gone-big league-band Arcade Fire. Together, they culled Bryan’s favorite musical moments and weave them behind her words on the new project.
PERSPECTIVE EP Track Listing:
1. “Songbird” – (Bailey Bryan, Michael Hardy, Dennis Matkosky)
2. “Where We Started” – (Bailey Bryan, Scott Harris, Wrabel, Smarterchild)
3. “Perspective” (Demo) – (Bailey Bryan, Joe Ginsberg, Fancy Hagood)
4. “Watered Down” – (Bailey Bryan, Jessie Jo Dillon, Blake Hubbard)
5. “Pressure” – (Bailey Bryan, Joe Ginsberg)
Combustion Music Signs Kolby Cooper
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Kelly Lyons (Combustion Music), Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music), Kolby Cooper, Chris Farren (Combustion Music), Kenley Flynn (Combustion Music), Jared McManus (Back Porch Management)
Kolby Cooper has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Combustion Music. The native Texan began playing guitar at the age of 12 and played his first show at 14. Cooper has toured throughout Texas promoting his debut EP, Vol. 1, which includes tracks “It Ain’t Me” and “Every Single Kiss.”
Combustion Music’s Chris Farren said, “Kolby is an incredibly authentic artist …honest songs delivered from the heart… we couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with him and his team to help spread the word.”
Cooper added, “What can I say? I’m super excited for this opportunity. Writing has always been the most important part of music for me. In a way, I feel recognized by signing with Combustion. We’re both ready to get things rolling to enhance my art.”
Maren Morris Recruits Hozier For Rework Of ‘The Bones’
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris and Hozier have unveiled a new version of Morris’ Top 15 hit single, “The Bones.” The rework debuts the pair’s flawless harmonies on the Gold-certified tune, which Morris co-wrote with Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz and has already amassed more than 126 million on-demand streams.
“When I first heard ‘Like Real People Do’ I think I could actually hear my heart breaking and then immediately felt songwriter envy that I didn’t write it first,” said Morris of a Hozier song. “Hozier’s soul and vulnerability is so arresting and fit so well with the foundational theme of my song ‘The Bones.’ I feel so grateful to have him on it.”
“Something of love’s enduring nature really comes through on ‘The Bones,’ it’s a gorgeous song,” said Hozier. “I was delighted to be asked to sing with the Maren Morris on this track—she is such a wonderful artist.”
Morris is currently headlining her GIRL: The World Tour in support of her record-setting, critically-acclaimed LP GIRL, which includes the original version of “The Bones.” She’s currently nominated for six CMA Awards, the most of any artist this year, including Female Vocalist of the Year, as well as Album of the Year (GIRL), Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year (“Girl”), and Musical Event of the Year (“All My Favorite People” featuring Brothers Osborne).
Listen: Dan + Shay Release New Single With Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto credit: Catherine Powell
Dan + Shay have teamed up with Justin Bieber for their latest single: “10,000 Hours.” The duo’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney co-wrote the song with Bieber alongside Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds and Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, and the track was also produced by Smyers.
The new tune follows up several hits for the duo including the smash, Tequila,” which was the most-streamed country song in 2018 with 250 million on-demand streams, won the pair a GRAMMY, was a multi-week No. 1, and is now approaching one billion global on-demand streams to date. In the seven years since they formed, Dan + Shay have spent 10 weeks atop the country airplay charts and amassed more than 3 billion on-demand streams globally. They’ve accumulated 17 total RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications, and six No. 1 singles at country radio.
Their latest release, Dan + Shay, has held strong in the Top 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart all year, spawning three No. 1 singles including their most recent, “All To Myself.” Smyers is credited as a songwriter on nine of the 11 tracks on their self-titled album, also serving as co-producer with Scott Hendricks. Racking up over 30 million global on-demand streams per week, the duo will head to Australia this fall as part of superstar Shawn Mendes’ self-titled tour.