Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has long been a support and sales outlet for country artists and leading up to its 50th anniversary, the company is launching a campaign to highlight several established and rising female country artists, with the help of superstars including Trisha Yearwood, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Tanya Tucker with Brandi Carlile.
Each artist has selected an emerging female artist or writer to spotlight through one-on-one conversation as well as recording songs together. The conversations and recordings are featured as part of Cracker Barrel’s Five Decades, One Voice campaign leading up to its 50th anniversary celebration in September.
Little Big Town’s Fairchild and Schlapman have partnered with Ingrid Andress. Carlile partnered with Tenille Townes for a special performance alongside Tucker. Yearwood has partnered with female hit songwriters Caitlyn Smith and Connie Harrington. Lady Antebellum’s Scott has teamed with Bailey Bryan.
The campaign will include the release of an exclusive compilation album with songs hand-selected by artists featured in the “Five Decades, One Voice” campaign, with one dollar from every album sold benefitting She Is The Music, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the number of women working in music—songwriters, engineers, producers, artists and industry professionals.
Additionally, an all-female in-store playlist will be available in every Cracker Barrel location in September during the company’s anniversary month, with songs hand-selected by the artists included in the “Five Decades, One Voice” campaign.
Loretta Lynn serves as the voice of “Five Decades, One Voice,” narrating its vision and noting, “For five decades, I have seen many female artists who are still fighting for the chance to be heard. I want to help them bring their talents to the table and have a chance to be heard, and trust me, there’s plenty to go around.”
“This initiative was a no brainer for us to be a part of,” says Schlapman of Little Big Town. “We’ve been in the music business for 20 years and have had the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We looked up to the women trailblazers before us—Loretta, Emmylou, Reba, Dolly, Trisha, Martina—to inspire us and guide us through all these moments in our career. It’s so important for us all to lift each other up and even the playing field for these girls to have a shot at success. There is no reason why the world shouldn’t hear their voices for years and years to come.”
“It is beyond my wildest dreams to get to get to collaborate with Karen and Kimberly so early in my career,” said Andress. “These are women who have forged a path in this format like no one else and have so fearlessly used their voices and their music to promote other women and lift so many up. They are powerful advocates and change makers in our community and beyond, and we are lucky to have them. I am thrilled to partner with Cracker Barrel and other incredible women in this campaign to be able to share our stories and create new, impactful moments to hopefully inspire the next generation of women in country music.”
“It is truly an honor to take part in a campaign that celebrates women in country music,” said Yearwood. “Not only do I admire each of these artists, but I’m thrilled to support and uplift the women behind the music as well. Songwriters play such an integral part of the business and it was such a wonderful experience getting to sing my latest single, ‘Every Girl in this Town,’ with those who wrote it.”
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and all the women who came before me, so I think it’s really great what Cracker Barrel is doing with ‘Five Decades, One Voice,'” said Tucker. “There are so many talented young ladies out there who need a lift—just someone to raise them up so fans can discover them. And who doesn’t love Cracker Barrel’s country cookin’?!”
“It is such an honor to be a part of ‘Five Decades, One Voice’ and to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the women who have come before me,” said Townes. “Getting to stand in a circle and sing with Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker is one of those ‘is this actually real life’ moments that I will forever hold on to.”
“Five Decades, One Voice” follows Cracker Barrel’s long history of iconic female-driven artist partnerships—working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood—who have been at the heart of Cracker Barrel’s music history since the very beginning and instrumental in fostering the warmth and hospitality felt at America’s home-away-from home.
“As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we want to acknowledge and give back to the voices that have supported us and help lift up the next generation of female country music artists,” said Cracker Barrel’s Senior Vice President of Retail Laura Daily. “Music has always been a soundtrack to our heritage, so it’s an honor to be a part of the conversation and help raise awareness for the important role women play in the country music industry.”
Grand Ole Opry Reveals New Immersive Film, Custom-Built Theater
/by Jessica Nicholson“Photo courtesy BRC | Grand Ole Opry; photo by Matt Blair”
The Grand Ole Opry has unveiled the latest upgrade to its daytime backstage tour, a new immersive film and newly custom-built theater, The Circle Room. The new film, hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, takes viewers through a behind-the-scenes journey of artists who have performed at the Opry. The film features archival footage of more than 100 artists.
In the film, Brooks and Yearwood stand in the Opry’s famous circle which moved with the Opry from the historic Ryman Auditorium to the Opry House more than 40 years ago and reflect on their first memories of the Opry, their Opry debuts, member invitations and inductions and more. The 14-minute film highlights artists from DeFord Bailey to Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and Luke Combs, recalling memorable performances and Opry inductions.
The Grand Ole Opry Premieres New Immersive Film for industry guests in the state of the art custom-built Circle Room as part of the new backstage tour experience. The film was followed by a panel Q&A discussion about the creation of the 14-minute film. (L to R: Scott Bailey, Opry Entertainment President; Bill Cody, Opry announcer and 650 WSM AM host; Barbara Schaetz,VP Business Operations for Grand Ole Opry House; Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO for Ryman Hospitality Properties; Mark Wills, Opry member; Brad Shelton, BRC Imagination Arts Creative Director)
© Grand Ole Opry, Photo By: Chris Hollo
The new film is shown in one of the Grand Ole Opry’s newest additions, The Circle Room, a culmination of a $12 million expansion and renovation project at the Opry House, aimed at enhancing the guest experience. Other recent upgrades included a new retail store, added food and beverage options, a new parking area and plaza upgrades.
By day, the 1,500 square foot Circle Room serves as the starting point for Opry tours. By night, the room serves as a VIP lounge or a small live performance space. The Circle Room includes a theatrical LED lighting system, as well as a custom 23.1 surround sound audio system, with hidden speakers in the ceiling, walls and set pieces to allow audio engineers and designers to place sound anywhere in the show space. The space also allows for lighting changes to be made and for leaded crystal chandeliers to lower from the ceiling at the touch of a button to help instantly transform the space with a lounge feel. The new Opry Circle Room was designed and produced by BRC Imagination Arts, which has also worked with the Ryman Auditorium, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more.
“Photo courtesy BRC | Grand Ole Opry; photo by Matt Blair”
“For nearly 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has offered fans a unique way to discover and connect with country music’s new stars, superstars and legends,” said Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer for Ryman Hospitality Properties. “ As visitation to Nashville and the Opry has continued to rise in recent years, we have seen unprecedented demand from guests for more ways to connect with artists through the Opry and its amazing story. This magnificent film is designed to immerse fans in the Opry experience from an artist-centered point of view to give them a glimpse into why playing the Opry has been described by so many as the pinnacle of their careers.”
Luke Bryan Heads Back To The Farms For Annual Tour This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan will take a break from his Sunset Repeat Tour this Fall to set up in the harvest fields of six never-before played farms for his eleventh consecutive Farm Tour 2019. Luke’s guests for the mini-tour will include Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Peach Pickers and DJ Rock during the September 26-October 5 run.
More than 100,000 fans have attended the tour each year since its inception in 2009. Bryan will continue giving back to farmers by awarding college scholarships to students from farming families who are attending local colleges or universities near the tour stops. To date, more than 60 scholarships have been granted through the proceeds.
Bayer is also proud to continue their #HeresToTheFarmer campaign this year. For every hashtag share, Bayer will donate a meal to a hungry American through Feeding America. Over the past few years, close to three million meals have been donated and over $180,000 went to area food banks and local farmers in each of the tour cities.
Brandi Carlile Sets Three Ryman Auditorium Shows For January
/by Jessica NicholsonBrandi Carlile is set to perform three shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium next year, with shows running from Jan. 14-16, 2020. She will welcome special guests including Kim Richey, Lucie Silvas and her HighWomen cohort Natalie Hemby opening each respective show.
Tickets go on sale Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. CT.
Carlile is nominated for Artist of the Year at September’s Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, which will also be held at the Ryman Auditorium. Her album By The Way, I Forgive You earned Grammy wins earlier this year; the project was produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings, and recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A.
Sam Reas Promoted To Director A&R At Sony/ATV Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughSam Reas has been promoted to Director, A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, based in the company’s New York office.
Reas joined Sony/ATV in 2015 as Creative Assistant to SVP, Head of East Coast A&R Rich Christina and was promoted last year to Manager, A&R. In her new role, she will continue to report to Christina.
Since joining Sony/ATV’s New York A&R team, Reas has worked with a number of the company’s writers, including Geoff Warburton, whose song “In My Blood” for Shawn Mendes was nominated for Song of the Year at this year’s Grammy Awards, Imad Royal (MAX, Quinn XCII, Panic! At The Disco), Sam Fischer (Ciara, Spencer Barnett, Clean Bandit) and Interscope recording artist Alexander 23. Her recent signings include rising songwriter Saint Bodhi and pop songwriter Sydney Cubit. She continues to work closely with the Nashville music community and holds several camps each year for the company’s songwriters in partnership with other Sony/ATV offices.
“Sam has rapidly grown into an outstanding A&R executive who has become an essential part of the New York creative team,” said Christina. “She has a real gift for getting the best out of our songwriters and artists, while forging close, trusting relationships with their labels and managers. This is a truly deserved promotion.”
“It’s a thrill to work with our amazing songwriters every day at Sony/ATV,” said Reas. “I am continuously inspired by them as individuals and their ability to move the world with their music. I couldn’t be happier to enter this new role alongside wonderful colleagues and under the leadership of Jon Platt.”
Spotify Launches ‘Lite’ App
/by Jessica NicholsonSpotify has revealed a ‘Lite’ version of its app, aimed at older phones or for anyone with a small monthly data allowance. The app, which is compatible with devices running Android 4.3 or higher, weighs in at 10MB.
The Lite version of the app continues to offer access to millions of songs and can be used alongside the main Spotify app, with support for both free and Spotify Premium users.
For users with small data capacities, when the limit is reached, the app pops up a notification to ensure a user does not exceed the data limit and incur charges.
“Spotify Lite was built from the ground up based on user feedback from around the world, allowing millions more to enjoy the world’s best music experience — especially in areas with limited bandwidth and phone storage,” says Kalle Persson, Senior Product Manager at Spotify. Lite can be downloaded separately, both for Free and Spotify Premium users, and used either alongside or independently from the main Spotify app on all Android phones running version 4.3 or higher.
Android users in 36 markets across the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Africa are free to download the app from the Google Play Store.
Cracker Barrel Uses 50th Anniversary To Spotlight Female Country Voices
/by Jessica NicholsonCracker Barrel Old Country Store has long been a support and sales outlet for country artists and leading up to its 50th anniversary, the company is launching a campaign to highlight several established and rising female country artists, with the help of superstars including Trisha Yearwood, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Tanya Tucker with Brandi Carlile.
Each artist has selected an emerging female artist or writer to spotlight through one-on-one conversation as well as recording songs together. The conversations and recordings are featured as part of Cracker Barrel’s Five Decades, One Voice campaign leading up to its 50th anniversary celebration in September.
Little Big Town’s Fairchild and Schlapman have partnered with Ingrid Andress. Carlile partnered with Tenille Townes for a special performance alongside Tucker. Yearwood has partnered with female hit songwriters Caitlyn Smith and Connie Harrington. Lady Antebellum’s Scott has teamed with Bailey Bryan.
The campaign will include the release of an exclusive compilation album with songs hand-selected by artists featured in the “Five Decades, One Voice” campaign, with one dollar from every album sold benefitting She Is The Music, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the number of women working in music—songwriters, engineers, producers, artists and industry professionals.
Additionally, an all-female in-store playlist will be available in every Cracker Barrel location in September during the company’s anniversary month, with songs hand-selected by the artists included in the “Five Decades, One Voice” campaign.
Loretta Lynn serves as the voice of “Five Decades, One Voice,” narrating its vision and noting, “For five decades, I have seen many female artists who are still fighting for the chance to be heard. I want to help them bring their talents to the table and have a chance to be heard, and trust me, there’s plenty to go around.”
“This initiative was a no brainer for us to be a part of,” says Schlapman of Little Big Town. “We’ve been in the music business for 20 years and have had the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We looked up to the women trailblazers before us—Loretta, Emmylou, Reba, Dolly, Trisha, Martina—to inspire us and guide us through all these moments in our career. It’s so important for us all to lift each other up and even the playing field for these girls to have a shot at success. There is no reason why the world shouldn’t hear their voices for years and years to come.”
“It is beyond my wildest dreams to get to get to collaborate with Karen and Kimberly so early in my career,” said Andress. “These are women who have forged a path in this format like no one else and have so fearlessly used their voices and their music to promote other women and lift so many up. They are powerful advocates and change makers in our community and beyond, and we are lucky to have them. I am thrilled to partner with Cracker Barrel and other incredible women in this campaign to be able to share our stories and create new, impactful moments to hopefully inspire the next generation of women in country music.”
“It is truly an honor to take part in a campaign that celebrates women in country music,” said Yearwood. “Not only do I admire each of these artists, but I’m thrilled to support and uplift the women behind the music as well. Songwriters play such an integral part of the business and it was such a wonderful experience getting to sing my latest single, ‘Every Girl in this Town,’ with those who wrote it.”
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and all the women who came before me, so I think it’s really great what Cracker Barrel is doing with ‘Five Decades, One Voice,'” said Tucker. “There are so many talented young ladies out there who need a lift—just someone to raise them up so fans can discover them. And who doesn’t love Cracker Barrel’s country cookin’?!”
“It is such an honor to be a part of ‘Five Decades, One Voice’ and to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the women who have come before me,” said Townes. “Getting to stand in a circle and sing with Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker is one of those ‘is this actually real life’ moments that I will forever hold on to.”
“Five Decades, One Voice” follows Cracker Barrel’s long history of iconic female-driven artist partnerships—working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood—who have been at the heart of Cracker Barrel’s music history since the very beginning and instrumental in fostering the warmth and hospitality felt at America’s home-away-from home.
“As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we want to acknowledge and give back to the voices that have supported us and help lift up the next generation of female country music artists,” said Cracker Barrel’s Senior Vice President of Retail Laura Daily. “Music has always been a soundtrack to our heritage, so it’s an honor to be a part of the conversation and help raise awareness for the important role women play in the country music industry.”
Porter’s Call Receives $15,000 Grant From Record Union Initiative
/by Lorie HollabaughDigital music distributor Record Union is donating $30,000 to boost projects that aim to prevent or treat mental illness among music makers. After more than 200 projects were submitted through the initiative The 73 Percent, three projects have now been selected to receive the donation.
Nashville-area service Porter’s Call was among the three chosen, and will receive a $15,000 donation to aid in its proactive strategies to help prevent mental illness. Porter’s Call offers free counseling for full-time, touring artists. The organization has a proactive strategy to help artists learn management strategies to handle the pressures of their career. As part of this “prehab” strategy, the organization is planning a boot camp program where musicians will be trained for a career within music.
Forty-five projects out of the initial 200 submitted were chosen for the public to vote on. The 10 projects with the most votes were pitched to a panel of experts in Stockholm for two days in mid-June. Porter’s Call (prevention), What’s Your Story (research) and The Crash and Ride podcast (awareness) were chosen as the recipients.
“To meet the people behind the finalist projects together with the expert panel was a truly amazing experience. I was so impressed by the panel’s richness in perspectives and expertise, yet it was still difficult to decide what projects to award with the donations. I truly wish we could have given money to all projects, but we had to make a decision. So, we landed on Porter’s Call, What’s Your Story and The Crash and Ride podcast. Our hope is that the combination of the three will have a widespread impact on the music climate in terms of prevention, research and raising awareness,” says Johan Svanberg, CEO of Record Union.
By The 73 Percent initiative, Record Union is hoping to put the state of artists’ mental health on the agenda before streams and commercial success, and also to have a long-term impact on the music climate.
Weekly Register: Blanco Brown, Luke Combs Hold Top Country Sales Positions
/by Jessica NicholsonBlanco Brown and Luke Combs are entrenched in their top slots for country album sales and streaming songs this week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Brown’s “The Git Up” continues to ride high on the top country streaming songs chart, with 21 million streams this week. Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country” follows at No. 2 with 12 million streams this week, with Morgan Wallen‘s “Whiskey Glasses” at No. 3. Luke Combs‘ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” is at No. 4 with 9.7 million streams, while Lee Brice‘s “Rumor” rounds out the Top 5 with 91 million streams.
Meanwhile, Combs continues his reign at the top of the country albums chart, with This One’s For You moving 25K in total consumption this week. Dan + Shay‘s self-titled project is at No. 2 with 18K, followed by Combs’ The Prequel EP at No. 3 with 16K. Thomas Rhett‘s Center Point Road is at No. 4 with 15K, followed by Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me at No. 5 with 14.5K.
Mount Music Group Signs Erin & The Wildfire To Management Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonMount Music Group has inked a long-term management deal with soul-pop R&B group Erin & The Wildfire.
“Since the first time I heard Erin’s limitless vocals and the band’s incredible mastery of instrumentation, I knew I had to work with them,” said company founder David MacMahon Mount. “Their message and what they believe in is compelling. I couldn’t be happier to welcome Erin & The Wildfire to the MMG family!”
The band features Erin Lunsford (vocals), Matt Wood (bass), Ryan Lipps (guitar), and Nick Quillen (drums). They met in college and have been evolving their sound together for six years with a rotating menagerie of talented musicians out of Virginia. The band released their first full-length project, Thirst, in 2017. The band’s latest single, “Yours Anymore,” released in May.
”We are thrilled to have David from Mount Music Group come on as our manager! It has always been our dream to have a manager that has a passion and a fire for our music. David’s ambition and enthusiasm for our project has us feeling incredibly excited for what is coming. He’s driven and has big goals for us, so we are stoked to get to work and make waves,” the band said in a statement.
Garth Brooks Plots Dive Bar Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks.
Superstar Garth Brooks is returning to the local dive bars for a seven-city run of concerts.
In honor of National Dive Bar Day, Brooks announced via his Inside Studio G series that he will play seven shows at local dive bars, beginning with a show in Chicago on July 15. He advised Chicago fans to listen to their local country station on Monday (July 8) for more information on the specific Chicago venue.
So far, only the Chicago show has been announced.
The Dive Bar Tour coincides with Brooks’ current single, “Dive Bar,” featuring Blake Shelton. Shelton is set to perform the collaboration as part of Brooks’ July 19 show at Albertson Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
Though Brooks did not officially mention any other cities or dates that are part of the Dive Bar Tour, he did mention that if he does play a Nashville dive bar as part of the trek, he hopes it will be Layla’s, the venue on Nashville’s Lower Broadway where he previously performed an invite-only show in February 2018 as part of the annual Country Radio Seminar.