Willie Nelson by Ed Rode
Nashville’s country performers are as hot as our summer skies today.
In a rare occurrence, every record here is mini masterpiece. I was also in heaven because the listening session combined living legends, terrific newcomers and current superstars in equal portions.
Master stylist Willie Nelson has the Disc of the Day with his rendition of a Guy Clark/Roger Murrah song about America’s illustrious immigrant heritage. Long may he sing.
In a field crowded with such excellent new talents as Sam Williams, Erik Dylan and Donovan Woods, I’m handing a DisCovery Award to Sundance Head. If you don’t know who Head’s producer and label head Dean Dillon is, you do not belong in country music.
MICKEY GUYTON/Sister
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Nathan Spicer/Victoria Banks; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead; Publishers: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– She’s wailing from the heart on this anthem to enduring female friendship. A snappy backbeat, cool piano notes and some synth-y wooshing frame her powerful performance. This is hot stuff.
THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner Tamerlane/Telemitry Rhythm House/Songs of Roc Nation/Combustion Engine/WB/Round Hill Songs II/Caleb’s College Fund, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
– Warm, uplifting, touching and lovely. If you can’t relate to this, your heart is made of lead.
DONOVAN WOODS & TENILLE TOWNES/I Ain’t Ever Loved No One
Writers: none listed; Producer: Todd Lombardo; Publishers: none listed; INgrooves
– Juno Award winning Woods and Nashville star-on-the-rise Tenille Townes are tender and touching on this gently strummed acoustic ballad. Guitar notes ripple around them as they harmonize sweetly. Dreamy and delicious.
WILLIE NELSON/Immigrant Eyes
Writers: Guy Clark/Roger Murrah; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publishers: none listed; Legacy
– This poignant melody was written about those coming to Ellis Island 100 years ago, but it couldn’t be more timely than it is today. And the song’s video makes it quite clear that the abuse of asylum seekers is immoral. America’s greatness is built on its immigrants, and Willie’s strong singing here is just the reminder we need. This man is the heart and soul of country music.
SUNDANCE HEAD/Close Enough To Walk
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dean Dillon; Publishers: none listed; Wildcatter
– “You don’t have to drive me crazy/I’m close enough to walk.” How cool is that? But the clever songwriting is just the start. Wait until you hear this guy’s soulful singing. He’s a hoss of a vocalist, and the jaunty, pinpoint production shines a spotlight directly on that. I’m so definitely into this.
SHERYL CROW, MAREN MORRIS & STEVIE NICKS/Prove You Wrong
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: noen listed; Big Machine
– Wildly catchy. Jangly and bopping, with plenty of feisty femme feelings. All three women are on fire as vocalists here. WSM is already playing this, and I can certainly hear why. Clap yer hands and sing along.
SAM WILLIAMS/Gemini
Writers: Sam Williams/Jaida Dreyer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Get It Done
– Piercing and potent, this guy sings with uncommon ferocity and passion. Here, he describes the darkness and light that coexist inside him while doomy, boot-stomping drums pound beneath. He’s the son of Bocephus, the brother of Holly and the grandson of Hank, and he carries his family’s legacy forward with startling creativity. Send more.
ERIK DYLAN & LUKE COMBS/Baseball On The Moon
Writers: Erik Dylan/Douglas Waterman/Michael Reaves; Producer: Erik Dylan; Publishers: none listed; Iddy Biddy (track)
– This came out last year, but with Combs-mania now at its height, it seems right to revisit this duet. And it also gives me the opportunity to praise the talents of super- promising singer-songwriter Erik Dylan. His works have been recorded by Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Thompson Square, Trisha Yearwood, Riley Green and Eli Young Band. But as this illustrates, he’s a fine record maker himself. He and Combs scale to the top of inspiration on this ode to holding fast to your dreams, no matter what the nay-sayers say. Both of them have that rumpled, regular-guy vocal thang, so its a thoroughly endearing outing.
VINCE GILL/When My Amy Prays
Writer: Vince Gill; Producers: Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers: none listed; MCA
– Goosebump raising. In a career already dazzled with stunning vocal performances, this stands out as a spectacular pinnacle of his power. A ballad that will stop you in your tracks. Listen and believe.
KANE BROWN/Homesick
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Matthew McGinn/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Kane Brown/Warner-Tamerlane/Don’t Be a Gypsy/Smackworks/Smack BLue/Kobalt/Top, BMI/SESAC; RCA
– If home is where the heart is, then he’s homesick for the one he loves. It’s a cool idea for a song, and the yearning performance with a spare production sells it right to you. I can hear this being adopted by military folks who are far from their families, but we can all relate to its loneliness.
Keith Urban To Celebrate Colosseum At Caesars Palace Grand Reopening With Two Shows
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban is bringing his Graffiti U World Tour to Las Vegas for the first time with back-to-back evenings on Sept. 6 and 7 in celebration of the grand reopening of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The performances will mark the debut of the newly-enhanced Colosseum, as well as the first performances to utilize the venue’s new general admission capability on the main floor, creating a high-energy entertainment experience for fans.
General tickets for the shows go on sale to the general public starting Friday, July 19 at ticketmaster.com or at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace box office. Members of The ‘Ville, Keith Urban’s official fan club, will have access to a presale beginning Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. PT. Citi is the official pre-sale credit card for The Colosseum shows and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Monday, July 15 through Citi Entertainment.
In addition, Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, as well as Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. PT. All pre-sales end Thursday, July 18.
Mitchell Tenpenny Celebrates Nashville Residency
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): RCA Nashville’s Seaforth’s Mitch Thompson and Tom Jordan, River House Artists/Columbia Nashville’s Jameson Rodgers, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Arista Nashville’s The Sisterhood Band’s Ruby Stewart and Alyssa Bonagura. Photo: Alan Poizner
Riser House/Columbia Nashville artist Mitchell Tenpenny recently completed three days of concerts at notable listening rooms throughout Nashville, and welcomed a diverse lineup of artists and songwriters.
On July 8, he welcomed his Sony labelmates Jameson Rodgers, Seaforth and the Sisterhood Band to The Listening Room Cafe. On July 9, he hosted NSAI’s “Artists & The Songwriters They Love” series at City Winery, where he was joined by writers from his debut album Telling All My Secrets. Those writers included Devin Dawson, Andy Albert, Dallas Wilson, and Jordan Schmidt. He rounded out the series of concerts on July 10, returning to The Listening Room for a show with guests including Brad Clawson, Filmore and Justin Wilson.
Pictured (L-R): Dallas Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson and Andy Albert. Photo: Alan Poizner
Pictured (L-R): Brad Clawson, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Filmore and Justin Wilson. Photo: Alan Poizner
Lil Nas X And Billy Ray Cyrus Release Old Town Road Remix With Young Thug, Mason Ramsey
/by Lorie HollabaughLil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus have unveiled a new version of their global No.1 smash “Old Town Road” today. The new official remix features viral singer/yodeler Mason Ramsey and hip-hop heavyweight Young Thug alongside Nas and Cyrus.
The cultural phenomenon that is “Old Town Road” featuring Cyrus continues to lead the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1 for the 14th consecutive week. The song is now officially the longest running Hot 100 hip-hop single of all time, and the first song in history to sell 10,000,000 copies while remaining No.1 on Billboard. The star-studded music video for the track has exceeded 200 Million views since released in May.
Lionsgate recently unleashed a trailer featuring “Old Town Road” to promote the Sept. 20 release of Rambo: Last Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone.
Chris Young Releases New Duet With Lauren Alaina, Extends Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young and Lauren Alaina have teamed up for a brand new duet, “Town Ain’t Big Enough,” which was released to digital and streaming services today. The breakup anthem was penned by Young with Cary Barlowe, Corey Crowder and Shay Mooney, (who also contributes backing vocals on the track,) and was debuted in front of a surprised crowd at Spotify House at Ole Red during CMA Music Fest last month.
Young will likely perform the new tune on upcoming new dates on his Raised On Country World Tour 2019. He has added another nineteen shows to the tour, which included over 25 dates on the first leg which ends September 14. The tour resumes September 26 in Erie, PA and runs through November 23, wrapping at Lexington’s Rupp Arena. He’ll be joined by special guest Eli Young Band as direct support along with Matt Stell for the Fall run in September.
Tickets for the new dates go on sale beginning July 19.
Weekly Chart Report (7/12/19)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Disney Music Group To Close Nashville Publishing Office [Exclusive]
/by Jessica NicholsonDisney Music Group is set to close its Nashville publishing operation by the end of the year, MusicRow has learned. A source close to the situation states the company aims to centralize its music publishing operations in its Burbank, California headquarters.
Disney Music’s Nashville publishing outpost includes two employees, including A&R Manager Ciara Shortridge, who began working with Disney in 2009, as well as A&R Coordinator Sarah Schumacher, who joined the company in 2017.
Industry Ink: Brad Paisley, Crowd Surf, Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley To Make ‘America’s Got Talent’ Guest Appearance
Brad Paisley will join as a guest judge on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, July 16. Other celebrities who will make guest appearances on the judges panel in coming weeks include actress Ellie Kemper, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno.
Crowd Surf Founders Launch ‘How I Got Backstage’ Podcast Season 2
Crowd Surf’s co-founders Jade Driver and Cassie Petrey have launched the second season of their podcast How I Got Backstage featuring Dan + Shay’s day-to-day manager Lisa Ray of Sandbox Entertainment as a special guest. Driver kicks off season two from Music City with substitute co-host Elise Stawarz (Crowd Surf’s VP of Marketing) alongside special guest, Ray. Driver shares how she came to know Stawarz over their mutual love for boy bands as the pair highlights Ray’s career path from VP of A&R at Warner Music Nashville to her current position as the manager of 2x Platinum-selling country duo Dan + Shay.
Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen Share The Stage For The First Time
Robert Earl Keen and Tyler Childers celebrated a series of collaborative performances in Texas last week including a record-breaking 4th of July show in Kerrville, Texas. The shows marked the first time the friends have performed together on stage. Keen and Childers both guested on each other’s sets. Keen sang Childers’ “Whitehouse Road” and “Honky Tonk Flame” with Tyler and his band, The Food Stamps. Childers joined Keen’s sets to perform “What I Really Mean” and “Broken End of Love” with Robert and his band.
Chris August Signs With BMG Music Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Be Music Management’s James A. Hodgin, ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Chris August, and BMG Music Publishing’s Chris Oglesby and Kos Weaver. Photo: Cody Heckber
ASCAP songwriter-artist Chris August has signed a publishing agreement with BMG Music Publishing. The multiple GMA Dove Award-winning recording artist has also enjoyed success as a country songwriter and plans to continue to work in both genres.
August said, “Songwriting has always been my favorite part of the music creating process. After my first meeting with BMG, I knew I had found the place to really work on my craft. I’m grateful and looking forward to the opportunity to write with other songwriters I’ve followed and admired. Special thank you to ASCAP’s Kele Currier for believing in me and helping connect this relationship.”
“I have known and loved Chris’s music for years. He is an extremely gifted writer/artist with a work ethic that is second to none. We are so glad to have him become part of our BMG family,” commented BMG Vice President, Creative Chris Oglesby on the signing.
ASCAP Assistant Vice President, Strategic Services, Membership Kele Currier said, “It is rewarding to see a passionate writer like Chris August pair up with a true ‘song man,’ Chris Oglesby, and the BMG team. Their creative chemistry is undeniable and we can’t wait to see the great things that come out of this partnership.”
DISClaimer: Willie Nelson Is The Heart And Soul Of Country Music
/by Robert K OermannWillie Nelson by Ed Rode
Nashville’s country performers are as hot as our summer skies today.
In a rare occurrence, every record here is mini masterpiece. I was also in heaven because the listening session combined living legends, terrific newcomers and current superstars in equal portions.
Master stylist Willie Nelson has the Disc of the Day with his rendition of a Guy Clark/Roger Murrah song about America’s illustrious immigrant heritage. Long may he sing.
In a field crowded with such excellent new talents as Sam Williams, Erik Dylan and Donovan Woods, I’m handing a DisCovery Award to Sundance Head. If you don’t know who Head’s producer and label head Dean Dillon is, you do not belong in country music.
MICKEY GUYTON/Sister
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Nathan Spicer/Victoria Banks; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead; Publishers: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– She’s wailing from the heart on this anthem to enduring female friendship. A snappy backbeat, cool piano notes and some synth-y wooshing frame her powerful performance. This is hot stuff.
THOMAS RHETT/Remember You Young
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Jesse Frasure/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner Tamerlane/Telemitry Rhythm House/Songs of Roc Nation/Combustion Engine/WB/Round Hill Songs II/Caleb’s College Fund, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
– Warm, uplifting, touching and lovely. If you can’t relate to this, your heart is made of lead.
DONOVAN WOODS & TENILLE TOWNES/I Ain’t Ever Loved No One
Writers: none listed; Producer: Todd Lombardo; Publishers: none listed; INgrooves
– Juno Award winning Woods and Nashville star-on-the-rise Tenille Townes are tender and touching on this gently strummed acoustic ballad. Guitar notes ripple around them as they harmonize sweetly. Dreamy and delicious.
WILLIE NELSON/Immigrant Eyes
Writers: Guy Clark/Roger Murrah; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publishers: none listed; Legacy
– This poignant melody was written about those coming to Ellis Island 100 years ago, but it couldn’t be more timely than it is today. And the song’s video makes it quite clear that the abuse of asylum seekers is immoral. America’s greatness is built on its immigrants, and Willie’s strong singing here is just the reminder we need. This man is the heart and soul of country music.
SUNDANCE HEAD/Close Enough To Walk
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dean Dillon; Publishers: none listed; Wildcatter
– “You don’t have to drive me crazy/I’m close enough to walk.” How cool is that? But the clever songwriting is just the start. Wait until you hear this guy’s soulful singing. He’s a hoss of a vocalist, and the jaunty, pinpoint production shines a spotlight directly on that. I’m so definitely into this.
SHERYL CROW, MAREN MORRIS & STEVIE NICKS/Prove You Wrong
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: noen listed; Big Machine
– Wildly catchy. Jangly and bopping, with plenty of feisty femme feelings. All three women are on fire as vocalists here. WSM is already playing this, and I can certainly hear why. Clap yer hands and sing along.
SAM WILLIAMS/Gemini
Writers: Sam Williams/Jaida Dreyer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Get It Done
– Piercing and potent, this guy sings with uncommon ferocity and passion. Here, he describes the darkness and light that coexist inside him while doomy, boot-stomping drums pound beneath. He’s the son of Bocephus, the brother of Holly and the grandson of Hank, and he carries his family’s legacy forward with startling creativity. Send more.
ERIK DYLAN & LUKE COMBS/Baseball On The Moon
Writers: Erik Dylan/Douglas Waterman/Michael Reaves; Producer: Erik Dylan; Publishers: none listed; Iddy Biddy (track)
– This came out last year, but with Combs-mania now at its height, it seems right to revisit this duet. And it also gives me the opportunity to praise the talents of super- promising singer-songwriter Erik Dylan. His works have been recorded by Kip Moore, Eric Paslay, Thompson Square, Trisha Yearwood, Riley Green and Eli Young Band. But as this illustrates, he’s a fine record maker himself. He and Combs scale to the top of inspiration on this ode to holding fast to your dreams, no matter what the nay-sayers say. Both of them have that rumpled, regular-guy vocal thang, so its a thoroughly endearing outing.
VINCE GILL/When My Amy Prays
Writer: Vince Gill; Producers: Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers: none listed; MCA
– Goosebump raising. In a career already dazzled with stunning vocal performances, this stands out as a spectacular pinnacle of his power. A ballad that will stop you in your tracks. Listen and believe.
KANE BROWN/Homesick
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Matthew McGinn/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Kane Brown/Warner-Tamerlane/Don’t Be a Gypsy/Smackworks/Smack BLue/Kobalt/Top, BMI/SESAC; RCA
– If home is where the heart is, then he’s homesick for the one he loves. It’s a cool idea for a song, and the yearning performance with a spare production sells it right to you. I can hear this being adopted by military folks who are far from their families, but we can all relate to its loneliness.
Convention Center Authority Approves $6 Million For National Museum Of African American Music
/by Lorie HollabaughGuess, a dedicated business leader and civil rights activist, was a trailblazer for the NMAAM. He joined the Convention Center Authority in 2011 and remained on the board until the time of his death in 2015.
“Francis S. Guess was a tireless advocate for the museum knowing it would be a worldwide monumental addition to Music City,” said Charles Starks, President/CEO of Music City Center. “As we invest in the National Museum of African American Music and therefore our city, we commemorate his vision and recognize music is a powerful connector of diverse groups.”
The National Museum of African American Music is located at the former site of the Nashville Convention Center. In 2013, Music City Center at the request of Metro asked for the redevelopment of the old Nashville Convention Center with a requirement that the museum be included. In addition. MCC is building a parking garage that will be leased back to the developer and benefit the museum.
“MCC recognizes the strength of inclusivity and values the contributions of diverse business partners,” said Starks. “We celebrate another authentic Nashville experience that will attract the local community as well visitors and conventioneers from around the globe attending events at Music City Center.”