For a welcome change, women ruled this DisClaimer listening session.
We have a tie for the DisCovery Award, and both winners are female singer-songwriters with exceptional gifts. In addition to being brilliant writers, Heather Morgan and Tenille Townes are both awesome vocalists. I can’t wait for full albums from them.
Led by the sterling lead-vocal performance of Brittany Holljes, Delta Rae takes home a well-deserved Disc of the Day honor. This band deserves so much more love than country radio has given it so far.
SISTER HAZEL/Small Town Living
Writer: Ken Block/Patrick Davis; Producer: Sister Hazel & Ben Jackson; Publisher: Crooked Chimney/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Croakin’ Poets (track) (sisterhazel.com)
—This super-tight, five-man Florida band shot to fame in 1997 with with the No. 1 A/C smash “All for You.” The same guys have been together for 25 years, and my hat is definitely off to that. This ringing, tempo tune packs a triple whammy with a chesty melody, soaring guitars and a country-boy lyric. It comes from a Nashville-recorded EP titled Wind that drops tomorrow. Sister Hazel headlines the Clarksville Riverfest Celebration at 9 p.m. this Saturday night.
TENILLE TOWNES/Somebody’s Daughter
Writers/Publishers: Tenille Townes- Year of the Dog Music (ASCAP); Luke Laird- Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing/We Are Creative Nation (GMR); Barry Dean- Be Barry Quiet/Creative Pulse Music/Pulse Nation (BMI); Produced by Jay Joyce; Columbia Nashville
—Wow. This is pretty dang amazing, loaded with empathy and sensitivity. She sees a homeless girl at the side of the road and muses about fate and the luck of the draw. The lyric is simply brilliant, and her delivery of it is superbly heart tugging. The crunching, crashing production drives it home. Sign me up for the fan club.

RYAN HURD/To a T
Writers and publishers: Ryan Hurd – Universal Music Corp./Lake Allegan Pub Club (ASCAP); Nathan Spicer – Red Like the Sunset Music/Spicer and Everything Nicer (ASCAP); Laura Veltz – Big Music Machine/Never Veltz So Good Publishing (BMI); Produced by Dann Huff & Aaron Eshuis; RCA Nashville (download) (ryanhurd.com)
—That’s his sweetie, Maren Morris, singing harmony with him throughout this cleverly written love letter. It has a coy, cuddly and super romantic flavor that’s as tasty as a candy bar.
BRIANA RENAE/Chasin’ Trouble
Writer: Briana Renae/Will Hopkins/Steve Mitchell; Producer: Jason Wyatt; Publisher: BR/Fogg Mountain Breakdown/Grin Like a Dog, no performance rights listed; BR (brianarenae.com)
—She’s a bad girl, so watch out. Her snarky vocal is backed by a furiously rocking track. Get on board or get run over.
DELTA RAE/Do You Ever Dream
Writer: Brittany Hölljes, Eric Hölljes, Ian Hölljes; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Brittany Hölljes Publishing (ASCAP)./ WB Music Corp. / Eric Hölljes Music (ASCAP). All rights o/b/o itself and Eric Hölljes Music administered by WB Music Corp./ Ian Hölljes Music (ASCAP). Administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing; The Valory Music Co. (download)
—In a word, gorgeous. The dazzling, glittering track swirls like a dreamy-hypnotic force while Brittany’s lead vocal aches with abandonment and thwarted desire. This ridiculously talented band has set up a “Delta Rae Revival” residency of Wednesday-night shows all season long at The Basement. It is promising “special guests” and “a show unlike any you’re ever seen in Nashville” every week from now through Dec. 19. Be there or be square.
HEATHER MORGAN/Your Hurricane
Writer: Heather Morgan; Producer: Paul Moak; Publisher: none listed; HM (download) (facebook.com/HeatherMorganMusic)
—Best known on Music Row for penning tunes sung by Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Keith Urban and more, Heather steps out as an artist, herself, with this stunning, bruised, heartache power ballad. Her singing voice is a revelation, an arrow of emotional honesty that pierced my heart. Her trills and embellishments sent shivers up and down my spine. The thudding, oomphy, echoey production is awesome, too. Please, please, please play this.
JASON ALDEAN/Girl Like You
Writer: Jaron Boyer/Josh Miranda/Michael Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Peermusic/Warner-Chappell, no performance rights listed; BBR (download) ()
—Since it sounds like much of the other sounds he’s released, this should please his many fans. It bored me.
THE STRYKER BROTHERS/Charlie Duke Took Country Music to the Moon
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Scriptorium Rex/Thirty Tigers (track) (strykerbrothersmusic.com)
—Twelve men have walked on the moon, but astronaut Charlie Duke is the country fan who took his favorite music to La Luna. The light-hearted song celebrating him is introduced by the late Merle Haggard. The romping, talking-blues number contains lively guitar picking and name-drops Porter, Dolly, Buck, Chet and more. Cute.
HUNTER HAYES/One Shot
Writer: Hunter Hayes; Producer: Hunter Hayes; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic (download) ()
—A catchy, clickety-clack rhythm track underscores a bopping ditty about having fun that you can’t remember, because you blacked out. A dandy comeback single.
JOSH WARD/All About Lovin’
Writer: Terry McBride/Chris Stapleton/William Brice Long; Producer: Greg Hunt & Drew Hall; Publisher: none listed; Smith Entertainment (track) (joshwardmusic.com)
—Solidly country, complete with a Texas accent and twangin’ guitars. The upbeat mood, rollicking track and party-time lyric are all radio friendly, if rather unexceptional.

DisClaimer: Delta Rae Deserves Country Radio Love
/by Robert K OermannFor a welcome change, women ruled this DisClaimer listening session.
We have a tie for the DisCovery Award, and both winners are female singer-songwriters with exceptional gifts. In addition to being brilliant writers, Heather Morgan and Tenille Townes are both awesome vocalists. I can’t wait for full albums from them.
Led by the sterling lead-vocal performance of Brittany Holljes, Delta Rae takes home a well-deserved Disc of the Day honor. This band deserves so much more love than country radio has given it so far.
SISTER HAZEL/Small Town Living
Writer: Ken Block/Patrick Davis; Producer: Sister Hazel & Ben Jackson; Publisher: Crooked Chimney/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Croakin’ Poets (track) (sisterhazel.com)
—This super-tight, five-man Florida band shot to fame in 1997 with with the No. 1 A/C smash “All for You.” The same guys have been together for 25 years, and my hat is definitely off to that. This ringing, tempo tune packs a triple whammy with a chesty melody, soaring guitars and a country-boy lyric. It comes from a Nashville-recorded EP titled Wind that drops tomorrow. Sister Hazel headlines the Clarksville Riverfest Celebration at 9 p.m. this Saturday night.
TENILLE TOWNES/Somebody’s Daughter
Writers/Publishers: Tenille Townes- Year of the Dog Music (ASCAP); Luke Laird- Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing/We Are Creative Nation (GMR); Barry Dean- Be Barry Quiet/Creative Pulse Music/Pulse Nation (BMI); Produced by Jay Joyce; Columbia Nashville
—Wow. This is pretty dang amazing, loaded with empathy and sensitivity. She sees a homeless girl at the side of the road and muses about fate and the luck of the draw. The lyric is simply brilliant, and her delivery of it is superbly heart tugging. The crunching, crashing production drives it home. Sign me up for the fan club.
RYAN HURD/To a T
Writers and publishers: Ryan Hurd – Universal Music Corp./Lake Allegan Pub Club (ASCAP); Nathan Spicer – Red Like the Sunset Music/Spicer and Everything Nicer (ASCAP); Laura Veltz – Big Music Machine/Never Veltz So Good Publishing (BMI); Produced by Dann Huff & Aaron Eshuis; RCA Nashville (download) (ryanhurd.com)
—That’s his sweetie, Maren Morris, singing harmony with him throughout this cleverly written love letter. It has a coy, cuddly and super romantic flavor that’s as tasty as a candy bar.
BRIANA RENAE/Chasin’ Trouble
Writer: Briana Renae/Will Hopkins/Steve Mitchell; Producer: Jason Wyatt; Publisher: BR/Fogg Mountain Breakdown/Grin Like a Dog, no performance rights listed; BR (brianarenae.com)
—She’s a bad girl, so watch out. Her snarky vocal is backed by a furiously rocking track. Get on board or get run over.
DELTA RAE/Do You Ever Dream
Writer: Brittany Hölljes, Eric Hölljes, Ian Hölljes; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Brittany Hölljes Publishing (ASCAP)./ WB Music Corp. / Eric Hölljes Music (ASCAP). All rights o/b/o itself and Eric Hölljes Music administered by WB Music Corp./ Ian Hölljes Music (ASCAP). Administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing; The Valory Music Co. (download)
—In a word, gorgeous. The dazzling, glittering track swirls like a dreamy-hypnotic force while Brittany’s lead vocal aches with abandonment and thwarted desire. This ridiculously talented band has set up a “Delta Rae Revival” residency of Wednesday-night shows all season long at The Basement. It is promising “special guests” and “a show unlike any you’re ever seen in Nashville” every week from now through Dec. 19. Be there or be square.
HEATHER MORGAN/Your Hurricane
Writer: Heather Morgan; Producer: Paul Moak; Publisher: none listed; HM (download) (facebook.com/HeatherMorganMusic)
—Best known on Music Row for penning tunes sung by Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Keith Urban and more, Heather steps out as an artist, herself, with this stunning, bruised, heartache power ballad. Her singing voice is a revelation, an arrow of emotional honesty that pierced my heart. Her trills and embellishments sent shivers up and down my spine. The thudding, oomphy, echoey production is awesome, too. Please, please, please play this.
JASON ALDEAN/Girl Like You
Writer: Jaron Boyer/Josh Miranda/Michael Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Peermusic/Warner-Chappell, no performance rights listed; BBR (download) ()
—Since it sounds like much of the other sounds he’s released, this should please his many fans. It bored me.
THE STRYKER BROTHERS/Charlie Duke Took Country Music to the Moon
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Scriptorium Rex/Thirty Tigers (track) (strykerbrothersmusic.com)
—Twelve men have walked on the moon, but astronaut Charlie Duke is the country fan who took his favorite music to La Luna. The light-hearted song celebrating him is introduced by the late Merle Haggard. The romping, talking-blues number contains lively guitar picking and name-drops Porter, Dolly, Buck, Chet and more. Cute.
HUNTER HAYES/One Shot
Writer: Hunter Hayes; Producer: Hunter Hayes; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic (download) ()
—A catchy, clickety-clack rhythm track underscores a bopping ditty about having fun that you can’t remember, because you blacked out. A dandy comeback single.
JOSH WARD/All About Lovin’
Writer: Terry McBride/Chris Stapleton/William Brice Long; Producer: Greg Hunt & Drew Hall; Publisher: none listed; Smith Entertainment (track) (joshwardmusic.com)
—Solidly country, complete with a Texas accent and twangin’ guitars. The upbeat mood, rollicking track and party-time lyric are all radio friendly, if rather unexceptional.
Elizabeth Meadia Rebrands As Threebrand Media, Opens New Offices
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville-based PR firm Elizabeth Meadia has rebranded as Threebrand Media, and has relocated to 2020 Lindell Avenue in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston community.
Threebrand has also added Ashley Wright as creative director and head of artist development. Wright joins the team as former creative director for Red Griffin Entertainment.
Meade, a Belmont University graduate, began her career in public relations as a junior publicist at Holly Gleason’s 3 Ring Circus. In 2011, she branched out on her own, opening Elizabeth Meadia with then-MCA artist David Nail and duo Joey + Rory. Meade made the transition from country to pop in 2014 with her campaign for Warner Bros. Records recording artist Daniella Mason, and has since handled PR for Nashville-based pop artists including EZA, Super Duper, and pop singer Jennifer Paige. Currently, she represents a diverse roster of indie and major label musicians, and contracts for the pop music divisions of Curb Records and Starstruck Entertainment.
“I started my business out of necessity,” Meade explains. “We were in desperate need of resources in Nashville for pop music artists, and we planted roots here to be a support system for those musicians that didn’t want to move to New York or LA to make it. That’s been the crux of our business… holding down the fort here to expand our community and provide the tools for independent musicians to achieve success on their own terms. It’s so wonderful to see how much our pop scene has grown and changed over the years, and I feel so grateful every single day to be a part of this community that allows us to grow and change along with it.”
An open house for Threebrand Media will take place at their new location on Sept. 15 from 7-11 p.m. The event will be held in conjunction with Fort Houston’s presentation of BBQLA, and will offer an array of food truck options as well as DJ sets from Nashville’s own Yabé and Kevin Kendall, photo booths from HiFi Media, ballon installations from Vroom Vroom Balloon, an open bar, and a video game arcade.
For more information, contact info@threebrandmedia.com.
Onsite Foundation To Honor Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Onsite Foundation’s annual INSPIRE event will honor Live Nation’s President of Country Touring Brian O’Connell and his Nashville team with the 2018 Inspiration Award. The INSPIRE event will take place Oct. 23 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville.
The evening will recognize O’Connell’s ongoing commitment to helping the victims and families of the Oct. 1 tragedy in Las Vegas. The Onsite Foundation has created a 100% scholarship, trauma and grief intensive program specifically for those who lost loved ones. Proceeds from INSPIRE will benefit this directly. To purchase tickets and sponsorships packages visit: https://give.classy.org/inspire.
“The Onsite Foundation more than doubled its impact last year thanks to the success of this event,” said Miles Adcox, CEO of The Onsite Foundation. “With this momentum, a new important idea was born to help change the way we have historically responded to mass tragedies in our country. We are circling back over a year after the Route 91 Harvest Festival to offer Onsite’s world class proven grief and trauma intensives for free to all who lost a loved one that day. The country music industry is known for doing things differently and this will be no exception. I’ve spent a lot of time with Brian O’ Connell since October 1st of last year and I’ve never seen someone in his position care so much about helping the fans and music community recover and heal. He and his team have spent countless hours in support of these efforts. He was the last to want this honor but the first to raise his hand when he heard how the proceeds would help the families.”
“The work that The Onsite Foundation does is so important,” said O’Connell. “I’m a huge advocate of seeking help when you need it, and so our philosophies are very much in line with each other. I’m so inspired by my team for their strength this past year and thankful to be a part of raising more funds for a shared cause so close to us all.”
Redeye Signs Distribution Deal with New West Records
/by Jessica NicholsonBased in Nashville, Tennessee, and Athens, Georgia, New West Records’ roster includes Aaron Lee Tasjan, American Aquarium, JD McPherson, Shovels & Rope, and many more. Forthcoming albums from Richard Thompson, Ron Gallo, John Hiatt and All Them Witches will be released under the new agreement with Redeye.
“I remember being at SXSW in 1998,” says Glenn Dicker, co-founder of Redeye, “when New West first kicked it off and was extremely impressed to see a massive billboard celebrating their artists! I’ve been a big fan since the get-go with artists like Vic Chesnutt and Drive-By Truckers, to their current roster including Richard Thompson and John Hiatt to the Live From Austin, TX series….great catalog with massive integrity throughout. We’re very proud to be representing this important independent label to the physical and digital music retail community and look forward to a great relationship for years to come!”
“I’ve known and respected Glenn Dicker for well over a decade, starting when I was at Bug Music Publishing where we worked with many of the same artists,” says John Allen, President of New West Records. “In the current changing distribution landscape, Redeye’s knowledgeable, experienced staff and streamlined, efficient distribution system is a perfect fit for New West’s growing catalog. Redeye are one of us and I look forward to many successful album releases with their stellar team.”
Frye Taps Margo Price And Lukas Nelson To Honor Americana Roots
/by LB CantrellThe Frye Company is honoring their Americana roots this fall with the help of Margo Price and Lukas Nelson. Their fall 2018 campaign, appropriately named “The Original, The Authentic, The Only,” is meant to underscore the common ground between the brand’s authenticity and the original sound of both artists.
Lukas Nelson of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real has built a devoted following carving out a distinctive style in Americana music. Nelson most recently produced and co-wrote some of the music on Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s new film, A Star Is Born.
Margo Price is no stranger to Americana, herself. Her 2017 album All American Made garnered her three nominations for Best Song, Best Album and Best Artist at next week’s Americana Music Awards.
Price is set to perform at Frye’s Nashville location in the Gulch on Oct. 2.
“I’ve traveled many miles in Frye boots,” said Price, “I wear them on stage for shows, when I’m in Tennessee working on the farm or when I’m walking a million miles in New York City. There’s nothing like a perfectly worn pair of Fryes.”
Nashville Band The Vegabonds Sign With Blue Élan Records
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Vegabonds
Blue Élan Records has signed Nashville-based band The Vegabonds. Their new album, V, symbolizing their fifth release, is set for in January 2019. The band will celebrate their new album at the Blue Élan AmericanaFest showcase in Nashville on Sept. 14 at The Filming Station.
The quintet joins Los Angeles-based Blue Élan Records for the first label deal of their career. Explains lead singer Danny Allen, “We’ve put in 10 years of hard work on the road and in the studio to get to this point and we’re ready to work even harder now to achieve our new goals with the label!”
The album V was produced by Tom Tapley, known for his production work with Kristian Bush and Larkin Poe, and engineering work on projects for Sugarland, Bruce Springsteen, Destiny’s Child, and Elton John. The work follows previous Vegabonds albums including What We’re Made Of, Southern Sons, and Dear Revolution.
The Vegabonds, which includes Daniel Allen (vocalist/writer), Richard Forehand (lead guitar/vocals), Paul Bruens (bass), Beau Cooper (keys/vocals), and Bryan Harris (drums), launched in 2009, playing college campuses across the Southeastern United States.
Track Listing for V:
1. Partyin’ With Strangers
2. Generation Of Happiness
3. I Ain’t Having It
4. When The Smoke Clears Up
5. Everything I Need
6. Best I Can
7. Traveling Man
8. Help Is On The Way
New Music From Drummer Fred Eltringham Features Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves
/by Sarah SkatesAccording to a press release, the covers band “re-imagines pre-existing songs with an edgy, lo-fi swagger…focusing on deep cuts over big hits.”
The album opens with Eltringham and Crow singing unison on the 1973 funk classic, “Yes We Can Can.” The vibe increases as Kacey Musgraves steps in for a psychedelic rendition of John Prine‘s “Pretty Good.”
As a professional drummer for more than 20 years, Eltringham has also backed Ben Kweller, the Wallflowers, The Dixie Chicks, kd lang, and countless Nashville sessions.
Take Cover tracklist
1. Yes We Can Can (feat. Sheryl Crow)
Written by Allen Toussaint, made famous by The Pointer Sisters
2. Pretty Good (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
Written by John Prine, made famous by John Prine
3. Stick By Me (feat. Ben Kweller)
Written by John Holt, made famous by John Holt
4. Into Your Arms
Written by Robyn St. Clare, made famous by The Lemonheads
5. Without Her (feat. Bryan Carter)
Written by Harry Nilsson, made famous by Harry Nilsson
6. Life Is A Problem
Written by J. Spaceman, made famous by Spiritualized
7. Lonely Girls
Written by Lucinda Williams, made famous by Lucinda Williams
8. Looking Glass
Written by Lee Mavers, made famous by The La’s
9. Always
Written by Irving Berlin, made famous by Frank Sinatra
Larry Gatlin Set For Songwriter Session At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry music singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin is set to be spotlighted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during a special Songwriter Session. Gatlin’s Songwriter Session will be held in the museum’s Ford Theater this Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m.. During the 45 minute program, Gatlin will perform several of his hit songs and will discuss his 60+ year career as a singer and songwriter.
Immediately following the program, items purchased in the museum store will be available for Gatlin to autograph.
The program is free with museum admission or museum membership. For more information on obtaining a program pass or members-only advance reservation, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.
Thomas Rhett Earns 11th No. 1, Plans Deluxe ‘Life Changes’
/by Sarah SkatesAfter a run of sell-outs this year, Thomas Rhett continues his headlining Life Changes Tour, kicking off the fall leg Sept. 13 in Bangor, Maine, with special guests Brett Young and Midland.
Life Changes debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, marking the first country release to take the top spot last year. The release also drew a 2018 Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and has been streamed more than 850 million times. Thomas Rhett is currently nominated for three CMA Awards.
Life Changes Deluxe Track List:
1. Craving You (featuring Maren Morris)
2. Unforgettable
3. Sixteen
4. Drink A Little Beer (featuring Rhett Akins)
5. Marry Me
6. Leave Right Now
7. Smooth Like The Summer
8. Life Changes
9. When You Look Like That
10. Sweetheart
11. Kiss Me Like A Stranger
12. Renegades
13. Gateway Love
14. Grave
15. Country Gold
16. Cardboard Heart
17. When We’re 80
18. Life Changes – Radio Edit**
19. Leave Right Now Martin Jensen**
20. Leave Right Now Nashville Mix**
21. Leave Right Now Radio Edit**
**Digital Version Only
Dolly Parton To Be Honored as 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year
/by Sarah SkatesDolly Parton. Photo credit: Kii Arens
Dolly Parton is the first artist from the Nashville music community to be named MusiCares Person of the Year, the most prestigious honor presented by the charity founded by the Recording Academy.
Parton will be celebrated at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as part of Grammy week and two nights prior to the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. The gala dinner will include a tribute concert and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from the 29th annual benefit gala will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical, and personal need.
Parton, an eight-time Grammy winner, is being recognized for her considerable creative accomplishments and her longtime support of a number of causes through her Dollywood Foundation, including the Imagination Library, which since 1996 has provided more than 100 million books to children from birth to 5 years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K.
“Dolly Parton has always been and continues to be a courageous trailblazer and indomitable inspiration for creators and artists—so for us to have the opportunity to honor her at our annual MusiCares Person of the Year gala is to pay tribute to a true pillar of strength and someone who we all look up to and cherish,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy. “With her legendary talent, she has forged a career that spans decades, and her gifts as a performer resound on both stage and screen. Dolly also knows the power of philanthropy and she has used her stardom to contribute to a wide range of causes from natural disasters to education and literacy programs.”
“I am so excited and humbled to be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year,” said Parton. “It’s even more special knowing the gala benefits music people in need. I can’t wait to hear all of the great artists singing my music.”
The celebration culminates with the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.