Pistol Annies Surprise With First Show In Five Years At Lambert’s CMHoF Residency, Reveal Third Album

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Pistol Annies’ Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Miranda Lambert. Photo: CMHoF/Instagram

The Pistol Annies gave their first show in five years during the second of Miranda Lambert‘s Country Music Hall Of Fame (CMHoF) Artist In Residency slot on Sept. 26.

Designed to give artists a blank canvas to showcase their art, Lambert chose to use her final evening after the week prior to welcome the Annies sisters. Shortly after the evening ended, RCA Nashville released the three tracks previewed during the show, and by morning their third studio album Interstate Gospel had been revealed (below) for release Nov. 2.

“Surprise, y’all,” said Lambert in welcoming the sold-out CMHoF crowd of 800. “This will be the very first Pistol Annies show in five years.” Shortly after the release of their sophomore album in 2013, the Pistol Annies unexpectedly cancelled all tour dates.

The new hoppin’ rocker “Got My Name Changed Back” featured Lambert’s bold annunciations of wily lyrics anticipated after her highly public divorce. The audience reaction to: I don’t let a man get the best of me/Spent an afternoon at the DMV/I got my name changed back, were jogged by an unapologetic, jeering Lambert: “Y’all get it?”

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Additional new songs—now on streaming services and available for immediate download with an album pre-order—included the album’s washboard toe-tapper, driving title track and single “Interstate Gospel” and the yearning, “Best Years of My Life,” about numbing dreams of breaking out of a settled relationship.

The Annies joked of reading lyric sheets from “hymnal” music stands in brushing up on lyrics from their catalog. With the cleverness and honesty of Loretta Lynn in “Takin’ Pills,” the crescendoing “Girls Like Us,” and the smoldering and empowering “Hell On Heels,” the Annies are able to perfectly showcase their female-empowered craft in a unique way inside country music. What they may have lacked at times in vocal dynamic or harmony was made up for in charisma and wit.

Songs like “Blue Tick Hounds,” about small town, simple, tender and true life echoed within “Trailer For Rent,” and even family reunion dynamics in “Hush Hush.” The bad girl side was explored with the swampy “I Feel A Sin Coming On,” the feisty “Unhappily Married,” or the steel-driven hula in “Bad Example.” All that eased into less colloquial, heartbreakingly honest titles like “House On Fire”—which Angaleena Presley said Lambert jumped all over because it was about burning something up. Their depth and seriousness continued with “Dear Sobriety” and even the brilliant “Housewife’s Prayer,” before the more gentle, carefree clogger “Damn Thing About It” and whistler, “Lemon Drop.”

Despite two ex-husbands between them, Lambert herself touted her singleness from the stage, echoed in the fervent “Boys From The South.” “I want y’all to love us for our mistakes, and celebrate our victories tonight,” said Lambert.

“Thank you for loving the Annies and welcoming us back to the world,” she summed. “We needed this. We’re just three girlfriends that live a lot of life. We’ve got husbands, and ex-husbands, and babies and family things, and all the things you deal with in life and we sit around write about our lives. Our records are slumber parties on wheels.”

With a pregnant Presley in a black tee shirt standing middle-ground, Annies Ashley Monroe and Lambert flanked with a black flapper and thigh-high boots, and thin suede black fringe dress, respectively.

All with a guitar available, the trio was backed by four during the CMHoF’s 14th residency. Musicians included Jonny Lam (steel), Scotty Wray (guitar), Boo Massey (guitar) and Mike Rinne (bass). Although the evening lacked drums, Lambert brought out a tambourine and washboard to keep tempo at times.

Three similar, intimate concert events will invite fans “into their living room to hang, talk, laugh and commiserate” surrounding the 14-track album’s release, which has also been revealed to fans throughout this week via an old school postcard campaign. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Oct. 5 for three dates: Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 25, NYC’s The Town Hall on Nov. 2 and Los Angeles’ The Novo on Nov. 7. Additionally, the trio will play at BMI’s Maui songwriter festival between Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

Interstate Gospel Track Listing
1. Interstate Prelude
2. Stop Drop and Roll One (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
3. Best Years of My Life (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
4. 5 Acres of Turnips (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
5. When I Was His Wife (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
6. Cheyenne (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
7. Got My Name Changed Back (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
8. Sugar Daddy (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
9. Leavers Lullaby (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
10. Milkman (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
11. Commissary (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
12. Masterpiece (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
13. Interstate Gospel (Lambert, Monroe and Presley)
14. This Too Shall Pass (Monroe and Presley)

Pistol Annies. Photo: Miller Mobley

Canaan Smith To Join Florida Georgia Line’s Las Vegas Residency

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Cannan Smith

Florida Georgia Line will welcome Canaan Smith to join their five-nights-only Las Vegas residency inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino this December. Smith is a singer-songwriter signed to FGL’s music publishing company Tree Vibez Music.

The shows are set for Dec. 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11. Each show begins at 8 p.m.

Smith has penned songs recorded by FGL, Jason Aldean and Cole Swindell and is in the studio working on his own music. Smith’s name is also on Big Loud Records and Atlantic Records’ artist Mason Ramsey’s single “Famous,” the lead single off his six-track Famous EP.

“I’ve always wanted to tour with FGL and what better place than America’s playground,” shares Smith. “Seriously, I’m amped, y’all. I’m gonna make the most out of every minute on that stage. These crowds have no idea what’s comin’.”

 

 

Hard Rock Label Eleven Seven Music Launches Nashville Venture With Flagship Artist Cory Marks

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Cory Marks

Cory Marks has signed a multi-album record and publishing deal with newly-launched Eleven Seven Nashville, the Music City office of New York-based rock label Eleven Seven Music. Headed by Allen Kovac, Eleven Seven works with acts including Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, Bad Wolves, and Papa Roach.

Marks, a native of North Bay, Ontario, has been writing and recording with rock producer Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed) over the past two years to create a brand of amped-up country music.

“To be the flagship country artist on such a successful label is exciting for me. I’m honored to be working with such a great team from Churko to the whole Eleven Seven team,” Marks said, after the signing in New York.

“Cory Marks is an incredible talent who has made an amazing album,” commented Steve Kline, CEO of Eleven Seven Label Group. “As part of our global expansion into new territories and musical genres, we are excited to launch Eleven Seven Nashville and proud to have Cory as our premier signing.”

Cory Marks, formerly known as Cory Marquardt, grew up playing drums along to songs from Rush, Deep Purple, and Shania Twain on a drum set he built out of paint cans in the basement. When he hit sixth grade and was showing promise on his paint cans, the investment was made to get Cory on a real drum kit. He initially dreamed of becoming a pilot. He enrolled in flight school and obtained his student pilot permit at age 19 and enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada.

After a night spent at a bar with some buddies playing cover songs of Vince Gill and Merle Haggard hits, Marks was encouraged to pursue music. He began writing songs and performing across Canada and opening for artists including Brantley Gilbert, Marty Stuart, Toby Keith and more. That led to his signing with Eleven Seven Music.

Eleven Seven launched in 2006. The full-service label was named Billboard‘s Rock Label of the Year in 2010. In 2015, Papa Roach’s F.E.A.R. debuted at No. 15 on the Top 200 and the band’s 2017 release, Crooked Teeth, debuted at No. 1 on the Hard Rock album chart, with their single “Help” spending six weeks atop the rock radio chart. In August, another of the label’s artists, Bad Wolves, celebrated their song “Zombie” being certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Cory Marks signing with Eleven Seven Music

 

Mike Farris, The Foxies Sign With Skyline Artists Agency

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Mike Farris and The Foxies have signed with Skyline Artists Agency for booking. Both rock acts are represented by Nashville teams including Skyline Artists’ Nashville-based agent James Leslie.

Farris won the Best Roots Gospel Grammy for his 2015 album Shine for All The People and his new release,  Silver & Stone, on Nashville’s Compass Records is currently No. 7 on the Americana charts.

The Foxies just bested over 150 bands in the Road to Roo competition to win a coveted slot on Bonnaroo 2018, and followed it up with a slot at “Live On The Green.”  Managed by Nashville’s Charles Vergara, the band is working on a new release via ONErpm.

Dan+Shay’s “Tequila” Tops 100 Million Spotify Streams

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Dan+Shay. Photo: Patrick Tracy

Dan+Shay have reached another milestone in a year of career achievements. The duo’s Platinum-selling single “Tequila” has reached 100 million streams on Spotify, which contributes to more than 250 million on-demand streams.

The song is currently in the Top 15 on the Hot AC chart, and earned a multi-week run at the top of the country charts. The song is also the second most-streamed country song of the year, with nearly 75 million combined views of the track’s accompanying videos.

Together, Dan+Shay are nominated for Duo of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year at the upcoming CMA Awards, the latter two nominations earned for “Tequila.” Additionally, the duo’s Dan Smyers is nominated for Song of the Year and Producer, also both for “Tequila.”

Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Luke Combs To Perform At Maui Songwriters Festival

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The fourth annual Maui Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, will feature a headlining performance from Miranda Lambert, with a special performance as part of Pistol Annies. CMA Best New Artist nominee Luke Combs will also be performing.

The festival runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1, hosted by Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

Other top songwriters featured over the three-day festival include country music hitmakers Dallas Davidson, Jon Randall, The Warren Brothers, Jessi Alexander, and Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers. Returning for the second year in a row is Randy Houser, who will attend the festival directly following the release of his 5th studio album, Magnolia, out Nov. 2. Ashley Monroe will be performing solo as well as joining Angaleena Presley and Lambert as part of the Pistol Annies. Presley will also treat the crowds to a solo set. Country rocker Lukas Nelson, nine-time Grammy Award winner Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel, and local favorite Lily Meola round out the impressive lineup.

“It is such an honor to return for our fourth annual Maui Songwriter Festival,” says Mason Hunter, AVP, Creative, Nashville. “This year’s lineup is stellar and the folks on the island are always so welcoming. We look forward to once again bringing the world’s best songwriters to Maui for a magical event.”

Hosted by Storme Warren of SiriusXM’s The Highway, these concerts will fill Maui’s premiere venues including Fleetwood’s on Front St., Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Many of these acoustic sets will feature Nashville’s signature “songwriters-in-the-round” where in addition to performing, songwriters share the stories behind their hit songs.

Adding a philanthropic element to the Maui Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, a portion of the proceeds will once again benefit Dorvin and Betty Leis Charities, Inc., the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and the BMI Foundation, dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, grants, and commissions.

SteelDrivers, John Prine, Actor Bill Murray Share “Opry Moment”

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Pictured: Richard Baily (SteelDrivers), Brent Truitt (SteelDrivers), Tammy Rogers (SteelDrivers), Bill Murray, Mike Fleming (SteelDrivers), John Prine and Kelvin Damrell (SteelDrivers). Photo: Chris Hollo/Opry


 

A special “Opry moment” happened last night at the Tuesday night performance of the Grand Ole Opry when The SteelDrivers were joined by a surprise appearance from actor Bill Murray and folk singer-songwriter John Prine. The performance marked Murray’s debut appearance on the Opry.
 

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Songtrust Opens Nashville Office

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Songtrust, a music royalty collector and publishing administrator, has opened a Nashville office and continues its growth with the company’s first full-time representatives based in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Songtrust’s Nashville office is located at 909 Division Street.

Client Acquisition Representative Carli Gonderinger joins in Nashville after her internship stint with Songtrust’s parent company Downtown Music Publishing and a degree in Music Business from Belmont University.

“While most people may assume Songtrust in Nashville would be focused on country, Songtrust knows there’s a wide–and widely underserved–talent pool in the Tennessee Valley,” said Songtrust Co-Founder and GM Joe Conyers. “So we will be focused on other musics that make Nashville great, including indie/alt/rock, hip-hop/r&b/soul, composers, and even the rare electronic artist that have begun flocking to the area in the last few years.”

In Los Angeles, 10-year music industry vet Alex Gershwin has been named a Business Development Representative, reporting to Molly Neuman, the Global Head of Business Development. Mr. Gershwin comes to Songtrust from ASCAP, where he worked in client relations. Prior to ASCAP, he was with MusicBox, the production music library of Ole, and started his career at RightsFlow, a digital royalty-payment platform later acquired by Google.

Breanna Harper will be joining Songtrust in Atlanta as a Client Acquisition Representative, reporting into CJ Olivieri, Songtrust’s Client Acquisition Manager. Prior to Songtrust, Ms. Harper has held roles with Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace Records, The Grammy Foundation, and Spotify).

Songtrust will be participating at A3C in Atlanta Oct. 3 – 7, with Britnee Foreman, Songtrust’s Head of Data Strategy, who will be speaking on The Future of Data panel October 3rd at 3:30 in the Loudermilk Center HQ. Also on hand at A3C will be Songtrust’s CJ Olivieri, who manages the Client Acquisition Team for Songtrust throughout New York, Atlanta and Nashville, and Breanna Harper, Songtrust’s newest Client Acquisition Representative.

 

Austin Addams Joins Pearl Snap Team

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Austin Addams is the newest music producer added to the Pearl Snap Studios roster. The senior producer of Pearl Snap Studios, Justin Morgan, discovered Addams by chance when Lauren Duski (NBC’s The Voice, Season 7 runner up) was recording a demo at the studio.

Morgan recalls, “I remember venting, saying that it’s been difficult to find someone who has that ‘ear’. Everybody can play an instrument, but not everyone knows how to make a song stand out. Addam’s ear for production and strong work ethic perfectly fits the vibe at Pearl Snap Studios.”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Addams moved to Nashville at 21 years old to become a full time musician. His guitar skills landed him gigs with Cassadee Pope, Smithfield and the Rhett Walker Band.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Ronna Rubin, Holly Gleason, Cathy Gurley, JoAnn Berry, Anita Hogan, Barbara Baker and Tammy Genovese. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 605

It’s always “Old Home Week” at the SOURCE Hall of Fame awards banquet, and this year’s event was no exception.

The gala is now so popular that it sells out months in advance. That’s because everyone you’ve ever met and liked in the Nashville music biz attends and because it’s such a cool idea to honor, “the women behind the music.”

Staged at the Musicians Hall of Fame on Tuesday night (Sept. 25), this 16th annual celebration honored Barbara Baker, JoAnn Berry, Tammy Genovese, Holly Gleason, Cathy Gurley, Anita Hogin and Ronna Rubin.

Brenda Lee, Barbara Baker, Jeannie Seely. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

 “I am so pleased to be among the ladies being inducted tonight,” said Barbara. “I have had such a blessed life.”

Her journey has taken her through Blue Crest Music, Tree International, Frank Mull Promotions, Ray Baker Productions and Baray/Honeytree Publishing.

Her producer/publisher husband Ray Baker and their enduring songwriting friend Dallas Frazier cheered Barbara on. Connie Smith sent video congratulations.

“It’s just such an honor to be here,” said JoAnn Berry. “It’s been a great trip and a great career.”

Jeannie Seely, JoAnn Berry, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

JoAnn went from KHOO radio in Waco to The Jim Halsey Company, the Dick Blake Agency, World Class Talent and her own management and show-production firm. The Oak Ridge Boys appeared via video to salute her.

Tammy Genovese alluded to how male dominated the Nashville music business is. “I am so appreciative of what these SOURCE women do to acknowledge women in this industry,” she added.

Following a long career at the CMA, Tammy joined The Country Network (TCN), then launched her own Music City Sports & Entertainment Group.

“To recognize all these women is to recognize the real guts of this music,” said Holly Gleason. “Thank you very much for this honor, but really it’s been my privilege to serve the message….I’ve written for just about anybody whose check would clear the bank.”

Jeannie Seely, Holly Gleason, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Holly has worked as a music journalist, publicist, editor, songwriter and university educator.

Her video greeting came from Kenny Chesney. Tanya Tucker did the video honors for Cathy Gurley.

“This is definitely an exciting night,” said Cathy. “It was, and still is, an unpredictable ride. Music is a gift that enriches us, whoever and wherever we are.”

Jeannie Seely, Cathy Gurley, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Cathy’s career stops have included Jamboree in the Hills, the CMA, Gurley & Co., Capitol Records, Spirit of America and You Have the Power.

Suzanne Lee reminded the crowd that three prior SOURCE honorees passed away during the past year, Helen Farmer (1926-2018), Hazel Smith (1934-2018) and Jo Walker-Meador (1924-2017). Citing the banquet as “a labor of love,” she recognized the event’s planning committee and sponsors.

Co-host Brenda Lee called Kay Smith to the stage to say, “There have been many people who have been involved in this, but really, THIS is the one,” who hatched the SOURCE concept. “And wasn’t this a good idea?” The audience applauded its approval.

Pictured (L-R): Co-host Jeannie Seely, Source President Mandy Gallagher, Source Treasurer Catherine Moore, Holly Gleason, Ronna Rubin, JoAnn Berry, Cathy Gurley, Barbara Baker, Anita Hogan, Tammy Genovese, Chair of Source Hall of Fame Committee Suzanne Lee, co-host Brenda Lee, Source Vice President Alicia Jones and Source Secretary Jennifer Turbow. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Co-host Jeannie Seely continued the honors by bringing Anita Hogin to the podium. Anita recalled the chapters of her life by thanking Shelby Singleton, Jack Clement, Roger Cook & Ralph Murphy (Picalic Music), Ted Hacker (International Artists Management and Hugh Howser (H3 Events). Diamond Rio offered a video salute.

“I fell in love with country music, and I knew I’d found my place,” said Anita. “You’ve made me so, so happy.”

“It was Teddy Roosevelt who said, ‘Speak softly and carry a big publicist,” quipped Ronna Rubin. She recalled Cathy Gurley and Mary Ann McCready as mentors and thanked her “wing women,” Jenny Bohler, Judi Turner and Susan Niles. Helping people to make their music dreams come true, “is a responsibility I do not take lightly.

“It was Saint Teresa who said, ‘We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.’”

Jeannie Seely, Ronna Rubin, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Ronna’s video greeting came from Dwight Yoakam, and her cheering tablemates included Bohler, Gary Kraen, Deb Barnes, Maura O’Connell, Tom Roland and her always-genial “spousal equivalent,” Fred Pierson.

“We’re just having a big party here tonight,” Brenda beamed. She and Jeannie were having as much fun as anyone, trading wisecracks and ad libs on stage as they guided us through the three-hour ceremony.

Among the merry makers were power couples Joe & Linda Chambers, Pat & Charlie McCoy, Chuck & Sandy Neese and Areeda & Joe Stampley. Also working the room during the cocktail hour were Susan Stewart, Stacy Schlitz, Mike Martinovich, Martha Moore, Claire Cook and Fletcher Foster. Pianist/singer Ronnie Brown provided the soundtrack, and Monster Energy drinks funded the libations.

Jeannie Seely, Tammy Genovese, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

We dined on baked Springer Mountain Farms chicken, braised carrots and cheesy risotto. Greens, shaved parmesan, tomato cubes and black-eyed peas were mixed in the salad. Each dessert cup held a chocolate brownie embedded in caramel and topped with whipped cream and a white chocolate square stamped with the SOURCE logo.

The happy diners included David Pomeroy, David Wade, Karen Clark, Karen Conrad, Jackie Monahan, Jackie Patillo, Debbie Carroll, Debi Fleischer, John Zarling, John Lomax III, Bonnie Garner, Bonnie Sugarman, Paul Moore and Paula Szeigis.

Andrea Conte was there to support Cathy Gurley, because of You Have the Power. This was heroic considering how busy her schedule is campaigning to get hubby Phil Bredesen elected Senator.

Among those basking in the convivial, “Old Home Week” atmosphere were Amy Kurland, Bebe Evans, Beverly Keel, Bob Doyle, Brandi Simms, Burt Stein, Buzz Cason, Charlie Monk, Christy Walker-Watkins, Dale Bobo, Diane Pearson, Don Cusic, Ed Benson, Fiona Prine, Hank Adam Locklin, Jennifer Turnbow, Judy Harris, Laura Crawford, Lisa Harless, current SOURCE prez Mandy Gallagher, Margie Hunt, Nathan Pyle, Neal Spielberg, Pat Rolfe, Preshias Harris, Ray Shelide, Ron “Snake” Reynolds, Sarah Brosmer, Whitney Daane and Woody Bomar.

Jeannie Seely, Brenda Lee, Anita Hogan. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography