DISClaimer: Rodney Crowell Welcomes Lee Ann Womack, Randy Rogers On “Flatland Hillbillies”

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We are long past due for a survey of current Americana recordings.

To my ears’ delight, there is no shortage of new talent on the Americana scene. Newcomers in this listening session included Emily Scott Robinson, Casey Lambert, Tim Gartland, Lucy Isabel and our superbly innovative DisCovery Award winners, Davina & The Vagabonds.

Give a Disc of the Day honor to that enduring Nashville treasure Rodney Crowell.

TIM GARTLAND/Satisfied
Writer: Tim Gartland; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Publisher: none listed; Taste Good (track)
– This slow, sleepy-eyed blues track serves as the title tune of this Nashville singer-songwriter’s current CD. He is a warm baritone vocalist who also shines brightly as a harmonica master on album tunes such as the jazzbo “Walk On” and the rapidly rumbling honky tonker “Drinking for Two.”

RODNEY CROWELL/Flatland Hillbillies
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RC1
– Crowell will be given the ACM’s Poet’s Award on Aug. 21, which is also when his new Texas CD will be on the market. In the meantime, go to YouTube for this easy-going video that teases the upcoming collection. His drawling, Lone Star singing and snappy guitar playing are joined by amiable cameo vocals by Randy Rogers and Lee Ann Womack. It’s a hard-luck lyric with dashes of pluck and hope. In other good news, Rodney is back on the road and is booked for the Franklin Theater on Sept. 18-19.

DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS/Little Miss Moonshine
Writers: Davina Sowers; Producer: Garry West; Publishers: Davina Marie Sowers, BMI; Red House
– This smoky-voiced Minneapolitan came to Music City to record her debut album, Sugar Drops, which drops tomorrow. Driven by her confident piano work, its single is a horn-laced romp with touches of backbeat blues and languid jazz. The cast includes such notables as Reese Wynans, Doug Lancio and Jim Hoke. Delightfully different and well worth your attention.

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON/Better With Time
Writers: Emily Scott Robinson; Producer: Nelson Hubbard; Publishers: Tone Tree, ASCAP; ESR (track)
– It’s a folkie ode to fond memories, warm romance and smiling nostalgia. She sings in a clear soprano with just the right touches of yearning and ache. The Nashville backing track is a marvelously tasteful, understated gem. It comes from her debut album, Traveling Mercies, which is evidently aptly titled, since she is an itinerant troubadour who lives in an RV with her hubby as they journey from show to show.

RYAN BINGHAM/Wolves
Writers: Ryan Bingham; Producers: Cgarlie Sexton and Ryan Bingham; Publishers: Lost Bound, BMI; Axster
– This former Americana Artist of the Year (2010) appears on the TV series Yellowstone, which is where he introduced this track from his current American Love Song CD. Over a nervous, rippling acoustic track he cuts through with a gritty, penetrating, whiskey-and-cigarettes vocal. You might recall Bingham for his Oscar-winning “The Weary Kind” from the soundtrack of the film Crazy Heart. Also check out the anthemic, soaring tracks “Blue” and “Stones” on this album.

THE SAM BUSH BAND/Stop The Violence
Writers: Sam Bush/Jeff Black; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Samanda Lynn
– It kinda sounds like a ‘60s rock protest song. But its plea for peace couldn’t be more timely today. As usual, Bush is on fire with manic energy. The band’s video can be seen on YouTube, where you get the full effect of his electro-mandolin workout.

CASEY LAMBERT/Cornbread
Writers: none listed; Producer: Britton Patrick; Publishers: none listed; Sound Emporium
– Casey is a Nashville bluegrass guitarist who sings with reassuring heart and soulful warmth on this lovely, graceful ode to his Alabama upbringing. It comes from his self-titled, four-song EP. The cast is awesome — Darrell Scott, Kenny Malone, Dave Roe, Brittany Haas and more. Give this man a full-length showcase.

NATHAN STANLEY & PATTY LOVELESS/All I Have To Offer You Is Me
Writers: A.L. Owens/Dallas Frazier; Producer: Nathan Stanley; Publishers: Sony/ATV ACuff-Rose/Unichappell; BMI; MC1
– This 1969 Charley Pride classic becomes a heavenly hillbilly duet is the throats of these blue-chip country vocalists. Nathan’s straight-from-the-heart tenor takes the first-verse lead, while Patty soars above in harmony. Then she takes a turn in the spotlight, sounding as sensational as ever. As refreshing as a drink of cold water on the desert.

LUCY ISABEL/Rambling Stranger
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jared Anderson; Publisher: none listed; LI (track)
– The title tune of Isabel’s debut album is sung in a direct folk soprano with a softly thumping backing track featuring sighing accordion and gently strummed guitar. Elsewhere on the CD, the Nashville singer-songwriter is a hooky roots rocker and a lovelorn balladeer. Quite promising.

PAT GREEN & JOE ELY/Trip Through Your Wires
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Greenhouse Music
– These Texans wail this bluesy stomper for all they are worth. Electric guitars and harmonica abound.

Songwriters, Vets Join For Songwriting With Soldiers Concert

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Award-winning songwriters, veterans and service members will come together for a night of powerful music documenting military veterans’ experiences at the Songwriting With Soldiers concert on Thursday, Aug. 1 at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium. The program, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, will be taped for national broadcast on PBS this Fall in a one-hour TV special, Songwriting With Soldiers.

The concert will feature writers performing original songs they’ve written with service members through the nonprofit organization Songwriting With Soldiers. Songwriters set to perform include Bonnie Bishop, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Radney Foster, Mary Gauthier, James House, Will Kimbrough, Georgia Middleman, Gary Nicholson, Maia Sharp and Darden Smith.

“This performance shines a light on two important things – the power of music to help us connect, and the need to listen to today’s veterans and military families. These are the war stories of our times, and they have much to teach us,” said Songwriting With Soldiers co-founder Mary Judd.

Songwriting With Soldiers will premiere nationally in prime time on PBS on Friday, Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now for $20 to the general public and are free to active military, veterans and their families.

As they face reentry into civilian life, many service members struggle with the aftermath of service – combat, ambush, rocket fire, friends lost. SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats across the country, pairing service members with professional songwriters to craft songs about their experiences, often about combat and the return home. The creative songwriting process is life-changing for participants as it offers a unique outlet to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain and forge new bonds.

Ingrid Andress Announces European Run Of Lady Like Tour

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Ingrid Andress is returning to Europe this Fall for a headlining run on her Lady Like Tour after making her overseas debut at this year’s C2C Festival in March. The Atlantic Records /Warner Music Nashville recording artist will make multiple stops beginning September 16 visiting Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Essex-born singer/songwriter Mabes will join Andress on the UK dates, and tickets for all performances are available now for pre-sale and go on sale to the general public on Friday.

Andress’ flagship single “More Hearts Than Mine” was the most-added upon impact, and sits inside the Top 10 on SiriusXM’s The Highway as it already approaches 10 million on-demand streams. She performed the new song on NBC’s The Today Show this morning, and will perform with some of her peers on the just-announced CMA Songwriters Series in Phoenix, AZ at Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Theater on August 21.

THE LADY LIKE TOUR (EUROPEAN DATES)
9/16 – Cologne, Germany – MTC
9/17 – Berlin, Germany – Frannz Club
9/19 – Munich, Germany – Folks Club
9/22 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg Upstairs
9/24 – London, United Kingdom – The Courtyard Theatre
9/25 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Castle Hotel
9/26 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut

Industry Ink: APA, PLA Media, Studio2Bee, Legend Entertainment

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APA Signs Doug Seegers

Photo Caption (L to R): Robby Cox, BMG; Jeff Howard and Matthew Rutledge, APA; Kos Weaver, BMG; Amber Williams, Beaucoup Media; Steve Lassiter, APA; Jimmy Bynum, Manager; Seegers; Matt McGuire, Brooke Ivey, Joe Kappelmann, Chris Looney, Frank Wing, Adam Vodofsky, Chris Gaulke and Jeff Hill, APA. Photo: APA

Led by APA Worldwide Music Co-Heads Steve Lassiter (Nashville) and Steve Martin (New York), APA Talent Agency has signed BMG singer-songwriter Doug Seegers for tour representation. In support of his current album, A Story I Got To Tell, Seegers is touring coast to coast in Scandinavia throughout July and August and will entertain in nearly 40 different venues.

 

PLA Media Adds Mark O’Connor To Roster

Photo Credit: John David Pittman

Mark O’Connor has joined the PLA Media Roster. PLA also reps the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum and Tina Turner Museum, Jesse Rice and Gary Morris.

“I’ve known Pam Lewis since we both moved to Nashville during the 1980s and became a big part of that great era in music. It’s been wonderful to re-connect around my new band’s efforts including some work with Zac Brown. Both New Frontier Touring and PLA Media believes that my band of family members has something very special to share, and I certainly agree with that!” O’Connor says.

 

Butch Waugh and Skip Bishop’s Studio2Bee Signs Rayne Johnson

Pictured (L-R): Butch Waugh (Studio2Bee Entertainment), Rayne Johnson, Skip Bishop (Studio2Bee Entertainment), and Mark Liggett (Legend Entertainment). Photo: Glen Rose

Studio2Bee Entertainment—an artist development and entertainment company helmed by Butch Waugh and Skip Bishop— has announced the signing of country newcomer Rayne Johnson. Johnson has released “Front Seat,” the first national release from his forthcoming EP.

Additionally, Studio2Bee Entertainment announces a new partnership with Mark Liggett, CEO of Legend Entertainment, based on a shared belief in Rayne’s musical gifts and undeniable talent. Liggett is best known for his breakthrough work with superstars Queen, The Bee Gees, Billy Idol, and many more.

Matt Alese Promoted To Lead Project Manager At Grayscale Marketing

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Matt Alese has risen to the position of Lead Project Manager at Grayscale Marketing. In his new role he will oversee day-to-day client needs across both the Brand and Entertainment divisions and will work with a team of 10 staff members. He will continue to report directly to the agency COO, Robert Hamm.

“I am so proud of what Matt has helped to build at Grayscale Marketing.” said CEO, Tim Gray. “We are excited for him to lead a larger team and continue developing as a leader. He has shown tremendous industry knowledge that our staff and clients benefit from on a daily basis”

Alese joined the agency in January 2017 as a Sponsorship Coordinator and has earned multiple promotions since. He played a key role in developing partnerships with the agency’s festival and brand clients including Hangout Music Festival, Jim Beam, and Virgin Hotels, then transitioned into the digital marketing and advertising development department working with venues, amphitheaters, PACs, and theatres in the North East as a Digital Coordinator. Most recently Alese was promoted to Lead Project Manager for the Arts and Entertainment Division in July of 2018, where he supervised a team of four and managed the agency’s artist, venue, and festival accounts.

“He has continually proven himself invaluable,” said Hamm. “The growth and expansion we have experienced in the last year would have been very difficult to navigate without a teammate like Matt to keep the client’s trains running on time.”

“It has been exciting to be a part of the team since day one and play a role in the tremendous growth we have experienced over the past two years.” said Alese. “Tim has provided us all with a thriving culture and empowered us to seize every opportunity in both our personal & professional lives that I don’t think we would get anywhere else.”

Zach Williams To Launch 20-City Headlining Tour In October

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Zach Williams has announced his fall headlining tour, The Rescue Story Tour. The 20-city tour will kick off in Syracuse, New York on Oct. 10 and run through Nov. 10, and will include a special stop in Nashville on Nov. 3 at the Ryman Auditorium. The tour, which is being sponsored by Compassion International and Christian Healthcare Ministries, will feature special guest artist Josh Baldwin of Bethel Music.

Williams has also announced a unique aspect to his headlining tour just for the fans – the “VIP Meat & Greet” experience. For an additional fee, at select tour dates the “VIP Meat & Greet” will be held prior to the concert where fans can join Williams for an exclusive full-course gourmet meal prepared by Paul Fields, a professional chef from Napa Valley, California. VIP attendees will also be given specialty gift bags, premium concert seats, photo opps with Williams, and much more. An additional “Fan Meet & Greet” will also be held at select shows.

Last month Williams released “Rescue Story,” the new single from his upcoming studio album slated to release this fall. Tickets for The Rescue Story Tour are on sale now.

The Rescue Story Tour Dates:
Oct. 10 – N. Syracuse, NY
Oct. 11 – S. Portland, ME
Oct. 12 – Northfield, MA
Oct. 13 – Stamford, CT
Oct. 17 – Hamilton, OH
Oct. 18 – Holland, MI
Oct. 19 – Wheeling, WV
Oct. 20 – Rocky Mount (Roanoke), VA
Oct. 22 – Somerset, KY
Oct. 24 – Jonesboro, AR
Oct. 25 – Texarkana, TX
Oct. 26 – Beaumont, TX
Oct. 27 – Austin, TX
Nov. 01 – Lawrence, KS
Nov. 02 – Joplin, MO
Nov. 03 – Nashville, TN
Nov. 07 – Reading, PA
Nov. 08 – Clarkston, MI
Nov. 09 – Oswego, IL
Nov. 10 – Anderson, IN

Luke Combs Celebrates Grand Ole Opry Induction

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Luke Combs was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family by Opry members Vince Gill and Joe Diffie. Fellow Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills joined them onstage to welcome their newest fellow member.

Luke Combs became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday evening (July 16), as Joe Diffie and Vince Gill welcomed him into the Opry family in front of a sold-out crowd at the historic Nashville venue. 

After Combs performed his No. 1 smashes “When It Rains It Pours” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Diffie and Gill joined him on stage, also flanked by Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills. It was noted that the first concert Combs ever attended was a Vince Gill show, and he grew up on Diffie’s country classics like “John Deere Green.”

“This is what dreams are made of right here,” Gill began. Looking to Combs, he added, “If you’ll come here and you’ll invest in the people and this stage, you’ll get back a hundred-fold what you ever give to this place.”

Presenting Combs with his Opry Member Award, Diffie added, “I remember being asked to be a member of the Opry, and it was like a dream. And it still feels like a dream, even to this day. On behalf of myself and all the Opry members past, present, and future, Luke Combs, you are now officially the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!”

Award in hand, Combs said, “Here I am on stage with people I grew up listening to and people who have shaped me as an artist. I just want to say thank you to you guys, thank you to the Grand Ole Opry, and thank you to the fans—without you all there is no country music, there is no Grand Ole Opry. Thank you so much for everything you guys do for making this possible for guys like us on this stage. I will never forget tonight!”

Comb made his first performance as an Opry member, performing the title track to his smash hit album, This One’s For You.

Backstage, Opry General Manager Sally Williams shared, “Luke Combs’ love for the Grand Ole Opry is rivaled only by country music fans’ love of his music and his fellow Opry members’ appreciation both of his artistry and his friendship. Luke and all of us at the Opry have developed an incredible relationship since he made his Opry debut less than three years ago, and we are thrilled that as of tonight he has a musical home for the rest of his career. Welcome, Luke!”

Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman, Chairman/CEO Sony Music Nashville; Sophia Sansone, day-to-day manager, Make Wake Artists; Lynn Oliver-Cline, Founder, River House Artists; Luke Combs; Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry; Ken Robold, COO/EVP, Sony Music Nashville; Chris Kappy, Founder/Owner, Make Wake Artists

Opry members Vince Gill and Joe Diffie welcome Luke Combs to the family

BMG Nashville, WME Ink Deals With Singer/Songwriter Sean Stemaly

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Top Row(Pictured L to R): Alex Luebbert (WME), Scott Safford (Safford & Motley), MaryAnn Keen (BMI), Austin Neal (WME), Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk (Big Loud) Bottom Row(Pictured L to R): Kos Weaver (BMG), Rakiyah Marshall (BMG), Sean Stemaly, Lex Lipsitz (Big Loud/Maverick)

Singer-songwriter Sean Stemaly has signed a new global publishing agreement with BMG Nashville. Additionally, Stemaly has signed with WME for exclusive worldwide representation in all areas including music, film, television, books, branding and endorsements.

Stemaly is managed by Lex Lipsitz and Chief Zaruk at Big Loud/Maverick management.

Born in Western Kentucky and raised in the river bottoms on the Southern Indiana line, Stemaly found his singing ability at the age of nineteen and began writing songs at 22. Since relocating to Nashville, he has written more than 100 songs and shared the stage with artists like LANCO, HARDY, RaeLynn, Cody Johnson and more. Sean released his new single, “Georgia,” in February. He co-wrote his recent release with Ryan Robinette, Davis Branch, and Sam Grayson and he co-produced it with Lex Lipsitz.

Devin Dawson Celebrates Multi-Week No. 1 As Writer On “God’s Country”

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Pictured (L-R): Leah Sykes (Dawson’s fiancé), Devin Dawson, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN)

Devin Dawson and Warner Music Nashville recently celebrated Dawson’s multi-week No. 1 as a co-writer on “God’s Country,” the Blake Shelton song that he also sang backing vocals on. The Shelton tune holds the top spot at country radio for the second week in a row, and with nearly 130 million on-demand streams, it is the fastest country single in the past year to reach one million track equivalents and ranks No. 1 in consumption, sales, and streams on the Mediabase Top 50 chart.

 

Riley Green Celebrates First No. 1 with “There Was This Girl”

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Riley Green performs the chart-topping single during celebration. Photo: Steve Lowry

Riley Green celebrated his first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with “There Was This Girl” yesterday (July 16) at the Sutler Saloon. Green entertained guests with a performance of “There Was This Girl” and his yet to be released single, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” The single marked the first No. 1 for both Green and his co-writer Erik Dylan.

BMI’s David Preston presented Green and Dylan with new Taylor acoustic guitars and BMI’s pewter cups to commemorate the chart-topping song.

Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel gave recognition to Green and Dylan with a plaque adding, “No. 1 parties started in PRO offices with just a PRO person and a toast with the songwriters. It was not like this. I don’t want you to forget this moment.” He handed the writers engraved decanters so they can continue toasting the song.

Peer Music’s Michael Knox added, “[This is] a very strong, old school writing crew right here. I am very proud to be a part of Erik and Riley’s first No. 1.”

Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen awarded Green with a plaque. Borchetta expressed, “This is obviously a really special day for a very special artist. We were not going to be denied to get this song to No. 1. This is one of the biggest wins we have ever had and we couldn’t have done it for a better artist.”

Dylan thanked his family and those that have been a part of his career throughout the years. He thanked Bradley Jordan for putting him in a room with Green. “I told [Riley] that day, ‘I know what you are doing; I know who you are.’ We are from different places, but we are small town, family-oriented, country music-loving people.”

Green concluded the event by thanking his team and Dylan, saying, “I can remember ‘The Girl That Got Away’ by Erik and I was a fan. [‘There Was This Girl’] was such an easy write. He is my kind of guy, and he is doing something different than a lot of folks in town which I was drawn to.”

The event was sponsored by Pinnacle Bank who made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songwriters.

Pictured (Back Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Cherylynne Nader, Michelle Kammerer, Andi Brooks, Andrew Thoen, Madeline Farr (Front Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Liz Santana, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Riley Green, Erik Dylan, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Matthew Hargis. Photo: Steve Lowry

Pictured: Red Light Management’s Zach Sutton, Producer Dann Huff, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Peer Music’s Michael Knox, BMI’s David’s Preston, Fusion Music’s Daniel Miller. (Front Row L-R): BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Riley Green, Erik Dylan. Photo: Steve Lowry