King Calaway will release their debut full-length album Rivers on Oct. 4 via BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records. The album builds on the group’s eponymous EP that released in January, adding seven new songs. The project was executive produced by Robert Deaton and Ross Copperman.

The album features songs crafted by Paul DiGiovanni, Devin Dawson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Steven Lee Olsen, Dave Barnes, Josh Hoge, Jordan Reynolds and more.

“We’re so excited to announce the release of a record we’ve worked so hard on this past year. Everyone who worked on this album shared a similar vision of creating an authentic, original sound while spreading a message of positivity through the lyrics and melodies,” singer and guitarist Chad Michael Jervis says of album. “With our love and passion for making music, the title track mirrors who we want to be as a group. ‘I know where we belong, I know where we feel free. And it goes on and on, like rivers to the sea.’ We hope our debut album inspires others the way our favorite albums have inspired us.”

The band has recently performed with Ricky Skaggs on the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and opened for one of Garth Brooks’ tour dates. Meanwhile, the band’s current single “World For Two” was the most-added song at country radio during its first week at U.S. radio.

Ronnie Dunn. Photo: Steven Martine

Fresh off the release of Brooks & Dunn’s Reboot effort, which found Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks collaborating with several of today’s top hitmakers such as Luke Combs, Kacey Musgraves and Kane Brown, Ronnie Dunn has announced his newest solo album, RE-DUNN, will release in January 2020.

The 24-song project will feature covers of country and rock songs that have influenced Dunn’s own music, such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “I Won’t Back Down,” and Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band’s “Against The Wind.”

In anticipation of the album, Dunn is releasing his versions of George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning” and the rock classic “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress),” originally recorded by British rock group The Hollies and covered by artists including Clint Black and T.G. Sheppard. Every four weeks, Dunn will release two new tracks from the album—one country and one rock.

“This is a passion project for me. If you put together a group of songs that define the soundtrack of my life, this is what it would look like,” Dunn says.

The project follows Dunn’s previous solo efforts, including Ronnie Dunn: Peace Love and Country Music, and 2016’s Tattooed Heart. Dunn, along with his Brooks & Dunn partner Kix Brooks, will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year.

RE-DUNN Full Track List:
“Amarillo by Morning”
“Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)”
“That’s How I Got to Memphis”
“It Never Rains In Southern California”
“How Long”
“Drinkin’ Thing”
“Together Again”
“Peaceful Easy Feeling”
“Against The Wind”
“If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
“I Won’t Back Down”
“Cowboy Rides Away”
“Showdown”
“Wonderful Tonight”
“Ashes By Now”
“That’s The Way Love Goes”
“I’m Not In Love”
“Brown Eyed Girl”
“You Don’t Know Me”
“Ridin’ My Thumb To Mexico”
“A Showman’s Life”
“Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues”
“Aime”
“I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)”

Brandi Simms. Photo: Angela Talley

After more than 17 years as a member of the Country Music Association staff, Sr. Director of Awards & Industry Relations Brandi Simms is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

“Brandi has contributed significantly to the growth and success of CMA during her time with the organization and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” said a statement from the CMA.

Simms can be reached at bdunnsimms@gmail.com. CMA does not plan to immediately fill the position.

In her role at CMA, Simms was charged with overseeing all balloting for the CMA Awards, CMA Broadcast Awards and the Country Music Hall of Fame elections. She also updated the CMA Awards balloting process and worked on the re-launch of the CMA Touring Awards. She is a 2013 MusicRow Rising Women on the Row honoree, and member of Leadership Music’s Class of 2019.