John Anderson. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
John Anderson, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has passed away. He was 71.
Known for his unmistakable drawl and a sound that blended traditional country with rock, Anderson scored chart-toppers including “Wild and Blue,” “Swingin’” and “Money in the Bank.” His 1991 single “Straight Tequila Night” sparked a major career resurgence, and the following year’s “Seminole Wind” became his signature song, selling three million copies. He earned the CMA’s Single of the Year and Horizon Award in 1983 and the ACM’s Career Achievement Award in 1994, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
The news was shared on Anderson’s official social media pages.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend,” the post reads. “To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special. We are completely heartbroken.”
A cause of death has not been shared.
The below bio was provided by the Country Music Hall of Fame at the time of his induction, in 2024.
Some singers get the knock of being too Country for rock and too rock for Country. That was never the case with John Anderson. At his best, Anderson was too rock and too Country, as likely to sing songs by Van Morrison or Willie Dixon as he was ones by Lefty Frizzell or Marijohn Wilkin.
Born December 13, 1954, John David Anderson grew up in Apopka, FL, named for the large lake just northwest of Orlando. As a youth, he played in local rock groups like the Living End and the Weed Seeds. He soon turned to Country Music and counted Merle Haggard as one of his heroes.
He moved to Nashville shortly after graduating high school in the early 1970s, following his older sister Donna, singing with her in a duo. While in Nashville, he performed gigs for a few dollars a night and worked odd jobs. Of those, the one he held the longest, he told the Orlando Sentinel in 1979, was a construction gig where one of his jobs involved helping roof the Grand Ole Opry House prior to its 1974 opening.
He briefly recorded for a small independent label, which quickly folded, but not before he cut a song called “What Did I Promise Her Last Night.” This got the attention of publisher Al Gallico, who got him a publishing deal and signed to Warner Bros. Records. He then moved to Texas to check out the progressive Country scene but soon returned to Nashville.
Norro Wilson produced his early records for the label. Each of Anderson’s singles tended to do a little better than the previous one, enough so that Warner Bros. stuck with him, finally releasing his first, self-titled album in 1980. He’d put out seven singles, and with their echoes of Haggard, Frizzell, and Hank Williams, modest early hits like 1979’s “Your Lying Blues” and “She Just Started Liking Cheatin’ Songs” preceded fellow traditionalists Ricky Skaggs, George Strait and Randy Travis. In an era of pop overtures and crossovers, Anderson favored shuffles, waltzes, and heartbreak ballads sung with a back-of-the-throat drawl that could sound like he was choking back tears. His first Top 5 hit — a version of Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)” — came nearly four years after his label debut.
In late 1982, as the title track for Anderson’s fourth album, Wild and Blue, co-produced by Anderson and Frank Jones, was on a trajectory to become his first No. 1 single, several radio stations began playing another song from the album, one Anderson had written with Lionel Delmore, the son of the Delmore Brothers’ Alton Delmore. The buzz on the other record became so loud that Warner’s promotion team had to encourage programmers to wait until “Wild and Blue” had run its course. Sure enough, three weeks after “Wild and Blue” hit No. 1, “Swingin’” hit the Country charts. Ten weeks after that, the mildly suggestive number became Anderson’s second chart-topper. The record became so popular that some rock and pop stations began spinning it.
The Country Music Association recognized “Swingin'” as the Single of the Year at the 1983 CMA Awards, where Anderson also was named the Horizon Award winner.
Anderson and Delmore wrote several other songs together, including the 1995 Top 3 single “Bend Until It Breaks.”
Anderson had five Top 5 singles, including three No. 1s, in two years, but subsequent records peaked farther down the charts as the next wave of young performers arrived.
Following brief stints with MCA Records Nashville and Universal Records, Anderson signed with BNA Records, a subsidiary of RCA, in 1991. When “Straight Tequila Night” came out late that year, Anderson had had just one Top 10 single in seven years.
But “Straight Tequila Night” brought Anderson’s career roaring back, making him one of only a handful of acts who’d begun releasing records in the 1970s who continued to have major successes into the 1990s.
Anderson’s 1990s run equaled what he’d done a decade before as he hit with records like the Dire Straits cover “When It Comes to You,” the chart-topping “Money in the Bank,” and the regret-filled “I Wish I Could Have Been There.”
One of those 90s hits, “Seminole Wind,” had a localized, environmentally conscious theme that did not initially strike BNA executives as particularly commercial. Though Anderson did not write it as such, he knew it was capable of commercial success. Written after a visit with his 95-year-old grandmother in Florida, the song referenced the development of the Everglades in Anderson’s native Florida, flood control efforts that decreased its size by half in a century, and the 19th-century Seminole resistance leader Osceola. Though the record peaked at No. 2, 1992’s “Seminole Wind” sold three million copies and became a career-defining record for Anderson.
After BNA, Anderson recorded for Mercury Records, Columbia Nashville, the Warner imprint Raybaw Records, Country Crossing, and Bayou Boys Music. In 2020, he worked with Johnny Cash collaborator David Ferguson and the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach on his 22nd studio album, Years.
In addition to Anderson’s two 1980s CMA Awards, he participated in the 1994 Album of the Year win for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, on which he covered “Heartache Tonight.” That same year, the Academy of Country Music honored him with its Career Achievement Award.
Truly living out his songs, Anderson has lived the Country lifestyle for more than 45 years. When not on the road, Anderson enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and gardening. Anderson and his wife of more than 40 years, Jamie, share two daughters and their families. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have such a great family life,” Anderson says.
With a discography spanning more than 40 years, Anderson’s career track has had enough peaks and valleys and twists and turns to resemble a rollercoaster. His musical vision hasn’t always aligned with the fashion of the times. But whatever John Anderson decides to sing, as soon as he starts, there’s no mistaking who it is. That voice is timeless, and it has found a forever home in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Backstage Access Presents: Music City Expands Lineup For November Event
/by Lorie HollabaughBackstage Access Presents: Music City has announced additional participating artists ahead of its Nashville debut Nov. 15–18.
The multi-day gathering will bring a taste of Napa to Nashville, pairing intimate live music with wine-country-inspired hospitality during one of country music’s most celebrated weeks. Newly announced artists include Lauren Alaina, Rhett Akins, Clayton Bellamy, Ana Cristina Cash, Mae Estes, Ian Flanigan, Cody Lohden, The Ransom Brothers, Cooper Riley, Christopher Shayne, and Amy Stroup.
The new additions join a previously announced lineup featuring Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Flatland Cavalry, Matt Stell, Charlie Worsham, Boomtown Saints, Six One Five Collective, Sam Drysdale, Mack Geiger, Braden Hull, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Alannah McCready, Tori Rose, MaRynn Taylor and more.
Backstage Access Presents: Music City is also welcoming the Opry Trust Fund as a charitable partner. The Opry Trust Fund was established to provide financial assistance to members of the country music community facing extraordinary needs.
“One of the things that makes Backstage Access Presents so special is the opportunity to bring together artists at different stages of their careers and create an environment where genuine connections can happen,” says Bobbii Jacobs, Founder of Backstage Access Presents. “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible new additions to our Music City lineup, and having the Opry Trust Fund involved as a charitable partner makes this experience even more meaningful. Nashville is a community that has always supported its own, and we’re proud to celebrate that spirit while bringing people together through music.”
Nashville Community Remembers John Anderson
/by Lauryn SinkJohn Anderson. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Country Music Hall of Fame member John Anderson passed away yesterday (Oct. 21) at age 71.
Known for his unmistakable drawl and a sound that blended traditional country with rock, Anderson scored chart-toppers including “Wild and Blue,” “Swingin’” and “Money in the Bank.” His 1991 single “Straight Tequila Night” sparked a major career resurgence, and the following year’s “Seminole Wind” became his signature song, selling three million copies. He earned the CMA’s Single of the Year and Horizon Award in 1983 and the ACM’s Career Achievement Award in 1994, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
Since the news of his passing, artists, industry members and fans alike have taken to social media to share memories and pay tribute to the late country music icon. Below are some of those messages.
Read Anderson’s full obituary here.
“You’re one of the voices that led me to Nashville. And one of the most distinctive singer songwriters of the last few decades. A real country man. ‘Count the memories.’ RIP [John Anderson]” – Alan Jackson
“Heartbroken is an understatement. John’s music came to prominence in the ’80s when I was in college, and one of my dear friends from Florida sang his songs all the time. John’s voice became part of the soundtrack of those years, and I felt like I had grown up with him. I had the privilege of a long conversation with him just this past Sunday night, and I’m so grateful for that time. My heart is with his family tonight.” – Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO
“Pretty devastated to hear [John Anderson] passed away today. This guy was one of my all time favorites. One of the nicest people I have ever met and one of the coolest and most stylistic singers that has ever graced a microphone. I grew up listening to my dad’s vinyl John Anderson albums and learning to play guitar to them. I was fortunate enough to meet and even get to perform with him a few times over the years and I will forever be grateful. Thanks for the songs that were such a big part of my early years and for the influence you and they had on me and my music. Rest easy bud. 🙏🏼” – Jason Aldean
“I was talking with John Sunday night at the HOF ceremony. He was in such good spirits. We talked, we laughed, we sang his songs that I loved so much together, just goofing off. I am completely heartbroken by his passing. There will never be a stylist in music, any music, that was so defining as his. It’s just devastating. All of our love goes out to his family and the country music community. He was and is one of the defining voices in country music. So great. I am completely shook.” – Tim McGraw
“There is too much for me to say about [John Anderson] in just a statement. I am sick and I am stunned. But I am a very lucky man. I got the opportunity to find out that my hero wasn’t just the guy I hoped he’d be. He was so much more than that. John was my friend. I got to see him last Sunday and I don’t even know why but I told him I loved him. That is what fills my heart in this moment. My love and prayers go out to John’s family. This one really hurts.” – Blake Shelton
“John Anderson was a one-of-a-kind song stylist who proved that fresh innovations were best born from time-honored traditions. Whether he borrowed inspiration from Lefty Frizzell’s vocal bends or the Florida swamp land, he brought dynamic distinction and creative soul to a world that needed to hear his voice. In 1981, John famously gave life to Billy Joe Shaver’s lyric, ‘I’m just an old chunk of coal, but I’ll be a diamond someday.’ He was already a diamond then, and a diamond he always will be.” – Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
“I was so sad to hear that my good friend [John Anderson] has passed away. I just saw him on Sunday at the Hall of Fame Induction. I hugged him and told him that I loved him, and he told me that he loved me too. I just can’t believe he’s gone from this life, but I know where he is, he’s with Jesus!! John was one of the greatest singers and he had the most unique voice in Country Music. I will miss his big smile and big hug!!” –Ricky Skaggs
“I was so sad to hear of the sudden passing of John Anderson after just seeing him at the Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. So thankful I got to talk with him and give him a hug one last time. He was a great singer and I loved him.” –Connie Smith
“Stunned and so saddened by this news . Such a great man and true legend. Elizabeth and I were having our morning coffee as she read the news and asked if I knew him. I said yes and what a kind … generous … sweet spirit he had….. and so very talented. We have since had Swinging and Seminole Wind on repeat all morning. Rest in Peace [John Anderson]. Your music will live on forevermore. 🎶 🎵 🎶” – Billy Ray Cyrus
“John Anderson was a hunting buddy, fishing buddy, mentor, friend, brother, and fellow Bass Pro Man. Truly a GREAT guy, and a real outlaw. The first picture here on the plane we had just left a great fishing trip in Islamorada, and John was telling me stories about Mack Vickery and Merle Kilgore. It was awesome. He was The realest of the real. Rest easy my friend, and thank you for all the Happy Times and days in the field. Absolutely NOBODY, will ever fill John’s shoes. Me, Kelly, JJ, Georgia and the rest of our family love you dearly, John. Keep on Swingin, and i’m Glad that Jesus gets to welcome The Black Sheep of The Family. ❤️🙌 “- Chris Janson
“John Anderson was very soulful. The songs he sang came to life with his truly unique voice and he represented what country music really is. An unmistakable, fun loving artist from the deep south who loved to sing and perform and was embraced by the country music community as one of the best who ever played the Opry. We will miss him, but his songs will live on forever In our hearts. RIP John Anderson” – Lee Greenwood
“I love artists that are identifiable the moment you hear you hear them. It’s a rare gift and John was a perfect example. I became an instant fan before we moved to town. In his case, it’s no cliche to say that he was truly one of a kind. I’m so proud to have worked with him on the road and become friends. His passing leaves a gaping hole in originality. May God bless his family in this hour of sadness. We’ll all miss you, brother.” – T. Graham Brown
“Today I’m shocked, stunned, and deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of John Anderson. I saw John Sunday evening at the Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. We talked for several minutes and exchanged phone numbers to get together soon. He was upbeat and looked great. I am a big fan of his singing and will miss his friendship forever.” – William Lee Golden/The Oak Ridge Boys
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kaitlin Butts Offers ‘A Breathtaking Single’
/by Robert K OermannKaitlin Butts. Photo: Thomas Crabtree
It’s a day for ballads here at DISClaimer.
Randy Travis, Ana Cristina Cash, Hudson Westbrook, Emily Ann Roberts and Caylee Hammack/Trisha Yearwood are all issuing slowies this week. So is Kaitlin Butts, who wins the Disc of the Day award.
Also pay heed to Butts’ closest competitors, Roberts, Westbrook, LOCASH and K. Michelle.
EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Thread”
Writers: Emily Ann Roberts/Jessi Alexander/Ben Williams; Producer: Derek Bason; Label: RECORDS/Sony
– Her singing is wonderfully captivating and heart-meltingly country. This heartache ballad is the title tune of her new 5-song EP. The Appalachian songbird is a richly deserving CMA New Artist of the Year nominee.
CAYLEE HAMMACK & TRISHA YEARWOOD / “Coldest Shoulder”
Writers: Caylee Hammack/Bandana Cheyenna; Producers: Caylee Hammack & Kurt Ozan; Label: CH
– In this ballad’s lyric, he’s emotionally distant, but she burns with desire. The two women’s voices blend flawlessly as they sing of disappointment and heartbreak.
RYAN HURD / “Emergency Contact”
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Brett Tyler/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Joey Hyde; Label: Combustion Masters
– Hurd is a powerhouse songwriter who has co-penned hits for Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Maren Morris, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Lady A, John Pardi, Bailey Zimmerman, Thomas Rhett and many more. He’s also a dandy record maker. His upbeat “Glory” roars with conviction. In “Emergency Contact,” he wonders if his ex would show up if he were hospitalized. The track is somewhat overproduced, but his singing and the song are solid.
K. MICHELLE / “Handle On It”
Writers: Kimberly Pate/Tomy G/Kelly Sheehan/David Mescon/Thomas Edwards; Producers: K. Michelle & Kristian Bush; Label: BBR
– The Memphis-bred singer-songwriter is a Platinum R&B artist who is pivoting to country music. Her new Jesus & Whiskey album includes such audio delights as “Yodel,” “Jack Daniel’s” and the title tune. If there’s even slightest doubt that she’s a Real Deal country performer, this jaunty, steel-soaked track utterly erases it. As country as cornbread.
DYLAN MARLOWE / “Rock the Jukebox”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/David Garcia/Hunter Phelps; Producers: Dylan Marlowe & Joe Fox; Label: Sony
– While a thumping rhythm track burbles along, he name-checks country hits while thinking about her. Unlike Alan Jackson in “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” Marlowe wants to hear rock music when he’s broken hearted. So the meat of the track is loaded with loud electric guitars.
HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Thin Ice”
Writers: Hudson Westbrook/Dan Alley/Reid Haughton/Kenny Whitmire; Producers: Lukas Scott & Ryan Youmans; Label: River House / Warner
– This slow, sensuous groover is a smooth-sounding kiss-off tune. His soft, sultry delivery sounds so inviting that it’s easy to overlook the sting in the lyrics. Highly listenable.
KAITLIN BUTTS / “What More Could You Want”
Writers: Kaitlin Butts/Tofer Brown/Natalie Hemby; Producers: Tofer Brown; Label: Republic
– Her voice is simply delicious. In this lilting piano ballad, soft strings back her gripping meditation on show-business image making and self doubt. A breathtaking single. Butts will launch her “Hello Honky Tonk” tour next Thursday (Oct. 29) at Skinny Dennis on Gallatin Pike. Be there. The album of the same name drops the next day.
LOCASH / “Where My Stars Line Up”
Writers: Taylor Phillips/Jeffery East/Preston Brust/Chris Lucas; Producers: Jacob Rice; Label: Galaxy Label Group
– The durable duo maintains its reputation for excellence with this beautifully produced outing. Brust and Lucas harmonize perfectly on this dreamy, midtempo romance lyric. An enthralling listening experience. The new album, Chris & Preston, drops tomorrow.
RANDY TRAVIS / “I Know Where I’d Be Without You”
Writers: Michael Curtis/Randy Travis; Producers: Kyle Lehning; Label: Warner
– A classic voice with a dynamite love ballad from the vault. Listen closely. This is the sound of country perfection.
ANA CRISTINA CASH / “The Harpeth River”
Writers: Ana Cristina Cash/John Carter Cash; Producers: John Carter Cash; Label: ACC
– Written as an homage to Loretta Lynn, “The Harpeth River” glistens with acoustic backing and gentle ambiance. Marty Stuart and Alison Krauss join Cash on vocal harmonies.
GABBY BARRETT / “Every Minute Of It”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Dave Haywood/Emily Weisband/James McNair/Seth Mosley; Producers: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner
– She’s relaxing, letting go, and letting the chips fall where they may. The pop-country track is somewhat drowsy and dull sounding.
ANGALEENA PRESLEY / “Murder for Hire”
Writer: Angaleena Presley; Producers: Angaleena Presley & Jed Presley; Label: AP
– It’s been way too long since we’ve heard from this artist. Her comeback single is written with wit, but has more than a whiff of garage in its production. Lo-fi and sonically cluttered.
Dan + Shay’s ‘Tequila’ Reaches Rare RIAA Diamond Status
/by Lorie HollabaughDan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein
Dan + Shay have achieved RIAA Diamond status for their global smash single “Tequila.”
“Tequila” has now been awarded Diamond certification in the U.S. and Canada and become one of the few country singles in history to have reached 10 million equivalents sold in both North American territories, one of the most prestigious milestones in the music industry.
Dan + Shay are only the second duo in country music history to join the Diamond club and the fourth multi-member country act overall. Across all musical genres, less than 10 permanent duos in history have achieved a Diamond single. Fewer than 15 songs reached the landmark achievement this year, putting Dan + Shay in the same company as Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Shaboozey, Zach Bryan, and Kacey Musgraves.
Written by Dan Smyers with Nicolle Galyon and Jordan Reynolds, the track served as the lead single from the duo’s multi-Platinum, chart-topping, self-titled third studio album. The song captured national attention, reaching the top spot on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts while making significant cross-genre inroads on pop and adult contemporary radio.
Dan + Shay continue their momentum as they perform to sold-out arenas across the country on “The Young Tour” while their current single “Say So” rapidly approaches Top 5 at country radio.
Lauren Alaina Earns Fourth Chart-Topper
/by Lauryn SinkLauren Alaina and Chase Matthew. Photo: Jessie Addleman
Lauren Alaina has earned her fourth No. 1 track at country radio with “All My Exes” featuring Chase Matthew.
“This one hits different,” says Alaina. “It feels so incredible to be 15 years into this amazing career and be back in the number one spot. There were many days where I wasn’t sure if I would ever get up there again, but I never gave up. My fans never gave up. My friends at country radio never gave up. My family at Big Loud fought and believed and helped make my dreams come true once again. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. I’ve been crying off and on for days now. I love y’all so much.”
Alaina has become one of five female country artists to reach the top of the charts in 2026, joining Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Stella Lefty and Taylor Swift. Alaina is also one of eight women to have earned multiple Country Airplay No.1s this decade.
Alaina recently released her new album Stages. The 17-track project features writing credits from Lydia Vaughan, Parker Welling, Kyle Sturrock, Michael Hardy, Blake Pendergrass and more. Alaina is currently on her headlining “The Stages Tour” with upcoming dates in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and more. The tour wraps on Nov. 12 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
XRoads41 Festival Unveils Full Lineup For 2027
/by Lorie HollabaughThe XRoads41 Festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin Aug. 12-14 has unveiled its full main stage lineup.
The festival will feature Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt as headliners for 2027, along with Jason Derulo, Two Friends, Stephen Wilson Jr., Avery Anna,Corey Kent, Craig Morgan, Dexter and The Moonrocks, Diamond Rio, Graham Barham, Emily Ann Roberts, Kassi Ashton, and Redferrin.
Beyond the music, XRoads41 will continue its tradition of offering premier GA and VIP ticket experiences, on-site camping, food, vendors, activities and entertainment throughout the grounds. Three-day tickets and camping are on sale now at XRoads41.com, and early bird pricing ends Oct. 30 at noon. A zero-interest payment plan option is available, which allows fans to lock in a 3-day ticket for as little as $20 down.
CMA Celebrates Dolly Parton; Partners With Belmont, Disney & NCVC For $1 Million Donation To Imagination Library
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA
Last night’s star-studded ABC special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, was a sparkling celebration of the light and love that Parton epitomized, filled with musical tributes to the icon the world is still mourning just months after her passing.
The show was packed with moving performances of Parton’s biggest hits, including Ella Langley‘s take on “Jolene,” Kelsea Ballerini performing “Here You Come Again,” Carly Pearce and Kristin Chenoweth on the Parton favorite “9 to 5,” and many more. Heartfelt memories of the superstar were shared on screen from stars like Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, and more, and Reba brought chills to the air with her stirring rendition of “He’s Alive” with the Belmont Singers.
Ashley McBryde offered up a quietly powerful performance of Parton’s signature “Coat of Many Colors,” Zac Brown shared his aptly named inspirational duet “Butterfly” during the tribute singing along with Parton, and Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull teamed for the poignant “When I Get Where I’m Going,” along with many other touching and heartfelt moments throughout the night.
Following last night’s tribute, the Country Music Association in collaboration with Belmont University, The Walt Disney Company and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has revealed that its previously announced commitment to Dolly’s Imagination Library has resulted in a combined donation of $1 million. The donation honors another defining part of Dolly’s life: her deeply personal commitment to inspiring a love of reading and encouraging children to dream big. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in East Tennessee in 1995 with a simple dream: to inspire a love of reading in young children.
Pictured (L-R): Jeff Conyers (President & Vice Chair, The Dollywood Foundation), Brittany Schaffer (Incoming CEO, CMA), Dr. Greg Jones (President, Belmont University) and Sarah Trahern (CEO, CMA) attend “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” at Belmont University’s Fisher Center on Oct. 21. Photo: Kayla Schoen/CMA
“Dolly has always brought people together, and we built last night’s event with that same intention,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “Because of the artists who took that stage and the partners who stood beside us, a night full of her music resulted in a $1 million donation to Imagination Library, so that children for years to come can open a mailbox and find a book with their name on it.”
Adds Brittany Schaffer, CMA Incoming CEO: “Through her music, her philanthropy and her heart, Dolly gave all of us a reason to come together. We are so proud that our community united for a magical evening that carries forward her legacy of love and literacy for generations of children around the world.”
“Dolly knew that a single book could change the course of a child’s life,” says Dr. Greg Jones, President of Belmont University. “As a university, we see every day how a love of learning opens doors and shapes who young people become. It was a joy to celebrate her life on our campus, and we’re grateful to play a part in putting more books into children’s hands.”
“Last night’s celebration was a beautiful reminder of how Dolly spent her life bringing joy to people through her music and encouraging them to believe in their dreams,” says Jeff Conyers, President & Vice Chair, The Dollywood Foundation. “The Imagination Library is rooted in that same spirit, inspiring children to love reading and imagine all the possibilities ahead of them. I couldn’t think of a more meaningful way to celebrate Dolly’s life than by investing in the dreams of future generations. We’re incredibly grateful to CMA, Belmont University, Disney, and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp for making this generous gift possible.”
Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines Make Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughMark Kocourek, Aidan Harbeson, Ben Wood, Franklin Jonas, Tim Bruns, Nick Harrison and Kevin Jonas Sr. Photo: Savannah Lauren
Jonas Group Publishing artist Franklin Jonas recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut with his band the Byzantines, adding another first to a season of milestones in Jonas’ musical journey.
Jonas, who is fresh off wrapping his “First of Many Tour,” marked the occasion with a debut performance of “High and Sad,” his collaboration with Noah Cyrus, and “Break the Levee.”
“It’s hard to put moments like this into words,” says Jonas. “I’m continually reminded that things happen in their own time, and God’s timing is always greater than anything I could have planned for myself. I’m grateful for every step that brought me here and excited for what’s still to come.”
“We are incredibly proud of Franklin and excited to celebrate this unforgettable moment in his musical journey. From wrapping his first tour to stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage, it’s exciting to see these milestones unfold,” adds Jonas Group Publishing’s CEO and father of Franklin, Kevin Jonas Sr. “We look forward to celebrating many more with him in the years ahead.”
Position Music Taps Pete Robinson As GM, Creative Nashville [Exclusive]
/by Lauryn SinkPete Robinson
Position Music has tapped Pete Robinson as General Manager, Creative Nashville. Robinson will report to Position Music Founder/CEO Tyler Bacon and President Mark Chipello.
Robinson brings more than three decades of experience across the music industry, including senior executive positions at major record labels and nearly 20 years as a music publisher in Nashville. He was a founding partner of Big Deal Music. During its growth, the company accumulated 17 No. 1 country singles with artists such as Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Kenny Chesney and more.
In 2022, following Big Deal Music’s 2020 acquisition by Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis Songs, he launched Pete Robinson Consulting where he advised companies within the music industry and adjacent sectors.
Prior to Big Deal Music, Robinson held senior executive roles at several major record labels, including Sr. VP A&R at RCA and then moving to Epic as Sr. VP A&R. He was also the owner/operator of DUMBO STUDIOS in NYC.
“We have a real vision for what we are building in Nashville, and Pete is the right person to help lead us into this next chapter. Country music is at the center of our Nashville plans, but there is also such an incredible depth of songwriting and creative talent that we want to partner with,” says Bacon, Founder & CEO of Position Music. “Pete is well equipped, both creatively and relationally, to work across Nashville’s music community as a whole, which is so important to us. He also has a strong track record of hiring great creative executives and I’m confident he will build a strong team in Nashville to support our songwriters and artists.”
“Pete has an exceptional pedigree as both an A&R executive and a publisher, and his relationships throughout Nashville are second to none,” says Chipello, President of Position Music. “Pete brings exactly the kind of experience, passion and perspective that we need and I’m excited about the creative synergy that he will build together with the rest of our Publishing and Label teams.”
“I’m thrilled to join Tyler, Mark, and the Position Music team at such an exciting time for the company,” adds Robinson. “I’ve spent my career working with talented artists, songwriters, and producers, and I’ve always believed that the best businesses in music are built on great creative relationships and a genuine commitment to the people behind the music. Position Music has built an impressive platform and a culture that puts creators first. I’m looking forward to building on that foundation in Nashville and helping create new opportunities for the incredible talent in this community.”
BREAKING: Country Music Hall Of Famer John Anderson Passes
/by LB CantrellJohn Anderson. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
John Anderson, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has passed away. He was 71.
Known for his unmistakable drawl and a sound that blended traditional country with rock, Anderson scored chart-toppers including “Wild and Blue,” “Swingin’” and “Money in the Bank.” His 1991 single “Straight Tequila Night” sparked a major career resurgence, and the following year’s “Seminole Wind” became his signature song, selling three million copies. He earned the CMA’s Single of the Year and Horizon Award in 1983 and the ACM’s Career Achievement Award in 1994, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
The news was shared on Anderson’s official social media pages.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend,” the post reads. “To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special. We are completely heartbroken.”
A cause of death has not been shared.
The below bio was provided by the Country Music Hall of Fame at the time of his induction, in 2024.
Some singers get the knock of being too Country for rock and too rock for Country. That was never the case with John Anderson. At his best, Anderson was too rock and too Country, as likely to sing songs by Van Morrison or Willie Dixon as he was ones by Lefty Frizzell or Marijohn Wilkin.
Born December 13, 1954, John David Anderson grew up in Apopka, FL, named for the large lake just northwest of Orlando. As a youth, he played in local rock groups like the Living End and the Weed Seeds. He soon turned to Country Music and counted Merle Haggard as one of his heroes.
He moved to Nashville shortly after graduating high school in the early 1970s, following his older sister Donna, singing with her in a duo. While in Nashville, he performed gigs for a few dollars a night and worked odd jobs. Of those, the one he held the longest, he told the Orlando Sentinel in 1979, was a construction gig where one of his jobs involved helping roof the Grand Ole Opry House prior to its 1974 opening.
He briefly recorded for a small independent label, which quickly folded, but not before he cut a song called “What Did I Promise Her Last Night.” This got the attention of publisher Al Gallico, who got him a publishing deal and signed to Warner Bros. Records. He then moved to Texas to check out the progressive Country scene but soon returned to Nashville.
Norro Wilson produced his early records for the label. Each of Anderson’s singles tended to do a little better than the previous one, enough so that Warner Bros. stuck with him, finally releasing his first, self-titled album in 1980. He’d put out seven singles, and with their echoes of Haggard, Frizzell, and Hank Williams, modest early hits like 1979’s “Your Lying Blues” and “She Just Started Liking Cheatin’ Songs” preceded fellow traditionalists Ricky Skaggs, George Strait and Randy Travis. In an era of pop overtures and crossovers, Anderson favored shuffles, waltzes, and heartbreak ballads sung with a back-of-the-throat drawl that could sound like he was choking back tears. His first Top 5 hit — a version of Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)” — came nearly four years after his label debut.
In late 1982, as the title track for Anderson’s fourth album, Wild and Blue, co-produced by Anderson and Frank Jones, was on a trajectory to become his first No. 1 single, several radio stations began playing another song from the album, one Anderson had written with Lionel Delmore, the son of the Delmore Brothers’ Alton Delmore. The buzz on the other record became so loud that Warner’s promotion team had to encourage programmers to wait until “Wild and Blue” had run its course. Sure enough, three weeks after “Wild and Blue” hit No. 1, “Swingin’” hit the Country charts. Ten weeks after that, the mildly suggestive number became Anderson’s second chart-topper. The record became so popular that some rock and pop stations began spinning it.
The Country Music Association recognized “Swingin'” as the Single of the Year at the 1983 CMA Awards, where Anderson also was named the Horizon Award winner.
Anderson and Delmore wrote several other songs together, including the 1995 Top 3 single “Bend Until It Breaks.”
Anderson had five Top 5 singles, including three No. 1s, in two years, but subsequent records peaked farther down the charts as the next wave of young performers arrived.
Following brief stints with MCA Records Nashville and Universal Records, Anderson signed with BNA Records, a subsidiary of RCA, in 1991. When “Straight Tequila Night” came out late that year, Anderson had had just one Top 10 single in seven years.
But “Straight Tequila Night” brought Anderson’s career roaring back, making him one of only a handful of acts who’d begun releasing records in the 1970s who continued to have major successes into the 1990s.
Anderson’s 1990s run equaled what he’d done a decade before as he hit with records like the Dire Straits cover “When It Comes to You,” the chart-topping “Money in the Bank,” and the regret-filled “I Wish I Could Have Been There.”
One of those 90s hits, “Seminole Wind,” had a localized, environmentally conscious theme that did not initially strike BNA executives as particularly commercial. Though Anderson did not write it as such, he knew it was capable of commercial success. Written after a visit with his 95-year-old grandmother in Florida, the song referenced the development of the Everglades in Anderson’s native Florida, flood control efforts that decreased its size by half in a century, and the 19th-century Seminole resistance leader Osceola. Though the record peaked at No. 2, 1992’s “Seminole Wind” sold three million copies and became a career-defining record for Anderson.
After BNA, Anderson recorded for Mercury Records, Columbia Nashville, the Warner imprint Raybaw Records, Country Crossing, and Bayou Boys Music. In 2020, he worked with Johnny Cash collaborator David Ferguson and the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach on his 22nd studio album, Years.
In addition to Anderson’s two 1980s CMA Awards, he participated in the 1994 Album of the Year win for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, on which he covered “Heartache Tonight.” That same year, the Academy of Country Music honored him with its Career Achievement Award.
Truly living out his songs, Anderson has lived the Country lifestyle for more than 45 years. When not on the road, Anderson enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and gardening. Anderson and his wife of more than 40 years, Jamie, share two daughters and their families. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have such a great family life,” Anderson says.
With a discography spanning more than 40 years, Anderson’s career track has had enough peaks and valleys and twists and turns to resemble a rollercoaster. His musical vision hasn’t always aligned with the fashion of the times. But whatever John Anderson decides to sing, as soon as he starts, there’s no mistaking who it is. That voice is timeless, and it has found a forever home in the Country Music Hall of Fame.