I hope you’re in a contemplative mood, because it looks like this is a country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.
Phil Vassar, Bernie Leadon, Preston Cooper and Ty Myers set the tone. Aaron Nunez, Romeo Vaughn, Ketch Secor, Priscilla Block and Asleep at the Wheel are somewhere in the middle with mid-tempo offerings.
Bucking the trend is our Disc of the Day, a wildly catchy, bopping tune from Old Dominion. Our DISCovery Award goes to the day’s finest honky-tonkin’ country rocker, “Hit By a Good Time” by Addis Luv.
ADIREN NUNEZ / “Wild”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Mike Robinson/Nevin Sastry/Peter Fenn; Producers: Mike Robinson, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Cool, anthem-like production with a full sound and mass chanting. Chugging beneath is an acoustic, strummy rhythm and rising above is his earnest tenor pondering his crazy personality. Impressive and different.
PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couldn’t Care Less”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Cole Taylor/Priscilla Block/Trannie Anderson; Producer: David Garcia; Label: MCA
– She pretends she is carefree, but she’s fragile and insecure inside. Block sings expressively, and the lyric is nicely crafted. I remain a huge fan.
TY MYERS / “Through a Screen”
Writer: Ty Myers; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia
– Here’s a young person’s view of romance today. Their relationship seems to occur exclusively online. He’s in love with her, and they’ve never met because the relationship is only “through a screen” of a phone. The ballad is produced with piano and orchestral backing.
PHIL VASSAR / “What It Means”
Writers: Dean Sams/Marty Dodson/Phil Vassar; Producer: Dean Sams; Label: PV
– Vassar had a near-death experience that transformed his outlook. When he came back to life, he had a lot of questions about mortality and existence. He has no answers. He only knows that from now on, he will live life to the fullest. The startling ballad’s production emphasizes his soulful singing and piano chops.
PRESTON COOPER / “Weak”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Preston Cooper; Producer: Brett Warren; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Cooper is a 22-year-old former mailman from Ohio. He’s also a helluva singer whose gritty wailing anchors this stately blues-ballad outing. This will wake you from slumbering through Music City’s dull parade of male country sound-alikes.
LYLE LOVETT & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Long Tall Texan”
Writer: Henry Strzelecki; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Very amusing. Ray Benson plants tongue in cheek to deliver the cliche-packed Lone Star State lyric while Lyle Lovett provides a Greek chorus of commentary. A delightful disc. The new Wheel album, Riding High in Texas, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22)
RAELYNN / “Long Live Country Music”
Writers: Aaron Gillespie/Lauren Hungate/Racheal Lynn Davis; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This is a sprightly boot stomper that celebrates hard livin’ honky tonkin.’ Shout outs to Cash, Dolly and Jones sprinkle the lyric.
ROMEO VAUGHN / “Big Dreams From a Small Town”
Writers: Brandon Hartt/Romeo Vaughn; Producer: Ryan Rossebbo; Label: RV
– “I wanna be somewhere between Skynyrd and Willie,” he sings. The narrative song is an autobiography of his journey to making it in music. Electronic finger snaps, chiming guitars and an airy atmosphere are the production’s hallmarks. The video is due on Aug. 26, and it will reportedly flesh out some of the details of this Mexican-American’s story. He is a recovering alcoholic military veteran who was homeless until the Nashville nonprofit Matthew 25 gave him a second chance at life.
BERNIE LEADON / “Too Many Memories”
Writer: Bernie Leadon; Producer: Glyn Johns; Label: Straight Wire Records
– Leadon is a founding member of The Eagles and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has been 21 years since this Nashvillian has released a solo album. Its single is a deliberately paced ballad of nostalgia. The video intercuts footage and stills of his days as an Eagle with a contemporary view of him playing in a simple studio setting. Leadon will be showcasing the rest of his new music during the Americana convention next month.
ADDIS LUV / “Hit By a Good Time”
Writers: Jim Brown/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Angel Eyes Music
– Way cool. He can’t remember anything about last night, but his money’s all gone and he vaguely remembers an overtime Titans game and a mysterious woman whose name escapes him. It’s a snappy country rocker played and sung with enormous verve and heart. The singer is from Trinidad, but he “gets” country music. Big Time. Loved it so much I played it on repeat.
KETCH SECOR & MOLLY TUTTLE / “What Nashville Was”
Writers: Jody Stevens/Ketch Secor; Producers: Jody Stevens, Ketch Secor; Label: KS
– Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Secor adopts a Woody Guthrie spoken/sung style on this meditation about the passage of time and the dramatic changes that have occurred in Music City. The track samples Dylan & Cash singing “Girl From the North Country,” particularly the line, “She once was a true love of mine.” Tuttle harmonizes on the sung choruses and carries the hook into the fade. This is wonderfully done, his best single to date. With its vintage footage, the video is cool, too. Secor will be the new host of the beloved PBS-TV series Tennessee Crossroads beginning next month.
OLD DOMINION / “Late Great Heartbreak”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The much-awarded band’s much-anticipated new album, Barbara, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22). I expect it will be filled with wall-to-wall great songs, as usual. That’s certainly the case of its ridiculously hooky new single. It’s tuneful and bopping and utterly charming.
Lady A Capture The Joy Of The Season On New Holiday Album
/by Lorie HollabaughLady A is offering fans another helping of holiday fun with On This Winter’s Night (Volume 2), due out Sept. 26.
“We’re really excited about being on the road in December for our first Christmas tour,” shares Lady A’s Dave Haywood. “And that definitely calls for some new music too. This album is filled with so much joy and gratitude—I hope it reaches fans this season the way we feel it ourselves.”
Featuring a cozy country mix of 11 tracks, the new collection marks the first full holiday album from the group in 13 years. Produced by Nathan Chapman, Sam Ellis and Dann Huff, the trio deck the halls with glee, adding a spark of fresh energy to Christmastime favorites and shimmering originals. Kicking off with the original “Wouldn’t Be Christmas,” standards such as “Winter Wonderland” take their place alongside the lush loneliness of George Michael’s “Last Christmas” and the jazzy “What Christmas Means To Me” bounding with anticipation toward another snow-blanketed season.
A cover of “Wonderful Christmastime” mixes Paul McCartney’s genius with orchestral power, while “Little Saint Nick” lets the band indulge in Beach Boys-style harmony, and “That Spirit Of Christmas” captures the soothing comfort of togetherness. And the band’s rootsy original “Christmas Through Your Eyes” celebrates the special memories dear to any parent. Ricky Skaggs collaborates on the original “Why We Sing Noel” and Chris Tomlin lends his voice on “Silent Night,” while “O Holy Night” rings with hallowed harmony.
Lady A will spread the spirit of the season on their first-ever Christmas tour beginning Dec. 5 in Atlanta, the “This Winter’s Night Tour,” which will include 12 days of Christmas music, joy and magic across the U.S. including a three-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
On This Winter’s Night (Volume 2) Track List:
1. “Wouldn’t Be Christmas”
2. “Winter Wonderland”
3. “Last Christmas”
4. “Little Saint Nick”
5. “Why We Sing Noel (Feat. Ricky Skaggs)”
6. “O Holy Night”
7. “Wonderful Christmastime”
8. “What Christmas Means To Me”
9. “Christmas Through Your Eyes”
10. “That Spirit Of Christmas”
11. “Silent Night (Feat. Chris Tomlin)”
MCA & Jessie Jo Dillon Launch Gatsby Records
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): MCA’s Chief Creative Officer Dave Cobb, Gatsby Records’ Founder & President Jessie Jo Dillon, MCA’s President & CEO Mike Harris. Photo: Libby Danforth
MCA and lauded songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon have partnered to launch Gatsby Records, a new imprint under MCA. Rising country artist Carter Faith is the imprint’s first signed act, with her debut album Cherry Valley set to be the first release on the imprint on Oct. 3.
“Like Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, I believe in the ‘green light’ – the unwavering hope of a dream coming true. This imprint is a home for artists who aren’t afraid to be themselves, sound different and transform. If it’s raw, if it’s beautiful and if it even scares you a little, then it belongs at Gatsby Records,” shares Jessie Jo Dillon, Founder & President of Gatsby Records. “Carter Faith isn’t just a rising voice in country music – she is a unique storyteller who blends vulnerability with edge. We share a strong creative synergy and vision and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside her to bring the world of Cherry Valley to life. I’m so excited for this new venture and deeply grateful to Dave Cobb, Mike Harris and MCA for collaborating with me to bring my lifelong aspiration of Gatsby Records to fruition.”
“Cherry Valley is an album that is deeply personal to me and I’m so grateful to be working with Jessie Jo Dillon and MCA to launch this music on Gatsby Records,” says Faith. “Jessie Jo is building this label with heart and with soul – she has a true passion and talent for making sure artists get heard. I’m proud to be working with her and so honored to be the first artist on Gatsby Records.”
Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA, comments, “At MCA, we pride ourselves on not just signing artists but truly building long-lasting, meaningful careers. The creation of Gatsby Records is an extension of that vision. We’re honored to work with an incredible talent like Jessie Jo Dillon, who is not only one of the premiere songwriters in country music but also a visionary who will push the creative talents of the artists she works with. We’re equally thrilled to have Carter Faith as the first artist to join the imprint – she is truly an immensely talented artist who has an amazing future.”
MCA Chief Creative Officer Dave Cobb adds, “I’m beyond excited for the launch and the future of Gatsby Records!!! Working with Jessie Jo has been an absolute dream, she has the incredible ability to get right down to the heart of a song and really dig deep to protect the artist and their vision.”
Walker Hayes To Embark On Acoustic Tour This Fall
/by Lauryn SinkWalker Hayes. Photo: Emma Delevante
Walker Hayes will embark on his “Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour” this fall. Shane McAnally and Harper Grace will join as support on select dates.
The 18-date run will make stops in Minnesota, Indiana, North Carolina and more. Tickets are available now.
Ahead of the Unplugged tour, Hayes will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 29.
Hayes released his 17 track record 17 Problems today via RCA Records. The project explores themes of childhood missteps, coming-of-age lessons, the weight of raising kids, grieving a parent, holding tight to faith and more. Hayes co-wrote every track alongside McAnally, Nicolle Galyon and Lori McKenna, among others.
“This album is very reflective,” shares Hayes. “I think you can tell I’m in the middle of losing my dad and raising kids. I’m at that corner of the road in life when you’re looking back on your childhood – you can see it as clear as you ever have – but you’re looking down the barrel of raising kids and keeping your family together. Accidentally, that is a common thread. The songs have this ‘in retrospect’ feeling, and then also, ‘what does the future look like? How do I do this?’”
“Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour” Dates:
Fri, October 17th – Duluth, MN – Duluth Entertainment Convention Center – Symphony Hall *
Sat, October 18th – Mankato, MN – Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center – Grand Hall *
Sun, October 19th – Sioux City, IA – Orpheum Theatre – Sioux City *
Thurs, October 23rd – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre *
Fri, October 24th – Midland, MI – Midland Center for the Arts – Auditorium *
Sat, October 25th – Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall *
Wed, October 29th – Toledo, OH – Stranahan Theater *
Thurs, October 30th – Columbus, OH – Mershon Auditorium *
Thurs, November 6th – Paducah, KY – The Luther F. Carson Center for the Performing Arts ^
Fri, November 7th – Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Performing Arts Center ^
Sat, November 8th – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre (The Louisville Palace) ^
Wed, November 12th – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center ^
Fri, November 14th – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium ^
Sat, November 15th – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center ^
Sun, November 16th – Sandy Springs, GA – Byers Theatre ^
Thurs, November 20th – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center ^
Fri, November 21 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre New Jersey ^
Sat, November 22nd – Lowell, MA – Lowell Memorial Auditorium ^
^Shane McAnally
*Harper Grace
Scotty McCreery And Hootie & The Blowfish Maintain No. 1 Position On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeScotty McCreery maintains the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week alongside Hootie & The Blowfish with their song, “Bottle Rockets.”
The track was released as the lead single from McCreery’s recent EP Scooter & Friends, and was written by McCreery, Brent Anderson, Bobby Hamrick, Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Derek George, Frank Rogers, Jeremy Bussey, Jim Sonefeid, Mark Bryan and Monty Criswell.
McCreery and Dustin Lynch will hit the road this fall on their co-headlining “Two For The Road Tour.” With support from artists such as Walker Montgomery and Sons of Habit, the 12-date tour will kick off Nov. 6 in Michigan and includes stops in Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and more.
“Bottle Rockets” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Julia Cole Inks With Broke Records & Neon Coast
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R, top row): Martha Earls (Owner, Neon Coast), Bryan Bernstein (A&R, broke) , Nathaniel Kosko (Marketing Director, broke), Armin Sadeghzadeh (Operations Director, broke), Tiger Greene (Tour Manager) and Jess Tomlins (Management, Neon Coast). (L-R, bottom row): Brandon De Oliveira (Founder, COO, broke), Julia Cole and Andre Benz (Founder, CEO, broke).
Julia Cole has signed a global recording deal with broke Records, the independent label founded by Andre Benz and Brandon DeOliveira under Create Music Group. With over 600 million global streams and 2.5 million followers across platforms, the Texas-born singer-songwriter becomes the label’s first country signing.
Cole has also signed with Nashville-based music management and entertainment company Neon Coast under the leadership of Martha Earls and Jess Tomlins, joining a roster that includes Kane Brown, Restless Road, Dylan Schneider, Kat Luna and Nightly.
“My journey as an independent artist is the reason I feel so close to the millions of #Coleteam fans who stream my music,” says Cole. “They are my WHY. I’m motivated by every message I get from a #Coleteam sister telling me my music helped her heal and not feel alone. I know my music can impact even more people with a strong team, which is why I’m so proud to be partnering with broke Records and Neon Coast, the perfect blend of Nashville teamwork and coastal creativity.”
Cole has built her career entirely independently thus far. Her latest single, “Day Late & A Buck Short,” has amassed 200 Million views on social media, 52 Million on demand streams and is in rotation on SiriusXM The Highway. It has been featured on flagship playlists including Spotify’s Hot Country, Apple Music’s Today’s Country and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country. Cole has toured globally in over 10 countries, and is gearing up for Australia dates. Her new single “Hunting Boots” is out today (Aug. 22).
“When we first met Julia, I immediately knew we’d end up working together,” shares Benz. “Her independent ability to execute her career at every intersection, combined with the ambition to dive into the ‘impossible’ with no fear, represents everything we do at broke and words cannot describe how excited we are to now partner with her as our first break-through Country artists.”
“Julia embodies the modern artist: exceptionally talented, driven and deeply connected to her fans,” adds Earls. “What she has built independently is remarkable and we are eager to support her in this next stage of her career.”
BMI Nashville Hosts First-Ever R&B No. 1 Party For Kevin Ross’ ‘Love in the Middle’
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Claude Kelly (BMI), Kevin Ross (BMI), Chuck Harmony (BMI), Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart and BMG’s Chris Oglesby. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI
Kevin Ross celebrated his four-week R&B chart-topper “Love In The Middle” at a BMI No. 1 party at the organization’s Nashville headquarters on Tuesday evening (Aug. 19).
The party was the first-ever R&B No. 1 party held at BMI Nashville and lauded the hit track, which was co-written and co-produced by Ross and hitmaker duo Louis York, (Grammy-nominated songwriters Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony). The 10-week, top five track on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart serves as Ross’s first No. 1 hit as an independent artist.
Hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders, Ross was reunited with his co-writers at the celebration and each shared grateful remarks to the Nashville music community for championing this moment. Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Ross, Kelly and Harmony in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion Preview New Album With ‘Ridiculously Hooky’ Tune
/by Robert K OermannI hope you’re in a contemplative mood, because it looks like this is a country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.
Phil Vassar, Bernie Leadon, Preston Cooper and Ty Myers set the tone. Aaron Nunez, Romeo Vaughn, Ketch Secor, Priscilla Block and Asleep at the Wheel are somewhere in the middle with mid-tempo offerings.
Bucking the trend is our Disc of the Day, a wildly catchy, bopping tune from Old Dominion. Our DISCovery Award goes to the day’s finest honky-tonkin’ country rocker, “Hit By a Good Time” by Addis Luv.
ADIREN NUNEZ / “Wild”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Mike Robinson/Nevin Sastry/Peter Fenn; Producers: Mike Robinson, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Cool, anthem-like production with a full sound and mass chanting. Chugging beneath is an acoustic, strummy rhythm and rising above is his earnest tenor pondering his crazy personality. Impressive and different.
PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couldn’t Care Less”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Cole Taylor/Priscilla Block/Trannie Anderson; Producer: David Garcia; Label: MCA
– She pretends she is carefree, but she’s fragile and insecure inside. Block sings expressively, and the lyric is nicely crafted. I remain a huge fan.
TY MYERS / “Through a Screen”
Writer: Ty Myers; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia
– Here’s a young person’s view of romance today. Their relationship seems to occur exclusively online. He’s in love with her, and they’ve never met because the relationship is only “through a screen” of a phone. The ballad is produced with piano and orchestral backing.
PHIL VASSAR / “What It Means”
Writers: Dean Sams/Marty Dodson/Phil Vassar; Producer: Dean Sams; Label: PV
– Vassar had a near-death experience that transformed his outlook. When he came back to life, he had a lot of questions about mortality and existence. He has no answers. He only knows that from now on, he will live life to the fullest. The startling ballad’s production emphasizes his soulful singing and piano chops.
PRESTON COOPER / “Weak”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Preston Cooper; Producer: Brett Warren; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Cooper is a 22-year-old former mailman from Ohio. He’s also a helluva singer whose gritty wailing anchors this stately blues-ballad outing. This will wake you from slumbering through Music City’s dull parade of male country sound-alikes.
LYLE LOVETT & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Long Tall Texan”
Writer: Henry Strzelecki; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Very amusing. Ray Benson plants tongue in cheek to deliver the cliche-packed Lone Star State lyric while Lyle Lovett provides a Greek chorus of commentary. A delightful disc. The new Wheel album, Riding High in Texas, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22)
RAELYNN / “Long Live Country Music”
Writers: Aaron Gillespie/Lauren Hungate/Racheal Lynn Davis; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This is a sprightly boot stomper that celebrates hard livin’ honky tonkin.’ Shout outs to Cash, Dolly and Jones sprinkle the lyric.
ROMEO VAUGHN / “Big Dreams From a Small Town”
Writers: Brandon Hartt/Romeo Vaughn; Producer: Ryan Rossebbo; Label: RV
– “I wanna be somewhere between Skynyrd and Willie,” he sings. The narrative song is an autobiography of his journey to making it in music. Electronic finger snaps, chiming guitars and an airy atmosphere are the production’s hallmarks. The video is due on Aug. 26, and it will reportedly flesh out some of the details of this Mexican-American’s story. He is a recovering alcoholic military veteran who was homeless until the Nashville nonprofit Matthew 25 gave him a second chance at life.
BERNIE LEADON / “Too Many Memories”
Writer: Bernie Leadon; Producer: Glyn Johns; Label: Straight Wire Records
– Leadon is a founding member of The Eagles and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has been 21 years since this Nashvillian has released a solo album. Its single is a deliberately paced ballad of nostalgia. The video intercuts footage and stills of his days as an Eagle with a contemporary view of him playing in a simple studio setting. Leadon will be showcasing the rest of his new music during the Americana convention next month.
ADDIS LUV / “Hit By a Good Time”
Writers: Jim Brown/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Angel Eyes Music
– Way cool. He can’t remember anything about last night, but his money’s all gone and he vaguely remembers an overtime Titans game and a mysterious woman whose name escapes him. It’s a snappy country rocker played and sung with enormous verve and heart. The singer is from Trinidad, but he “gets” country music. Big Time. Loved it so much I played it on repeat.
KETCH SECOR & MOLLY TUTTLE / “What Nashville Was”
Writers: Jody Stevens/Ketch Secor; Producers: Jody Stevens, Ketch Secor; Label: KS
– Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Secor adopts a Woody Guthrie spoken/sung style on this meditation about the passage of time and the dramatic changes that have occurred in Music City. The track samples Dylan & Cash singing “Girl From the North Country,” particularly the line, “She once was a true love of mine.” Tuttle harmonizes on the sung choruses and carries the hook into the fade. This is wonderfully done, his best single to date. With its vintage footage, the video is cool, too. Secor will be the new host of the beloved PBS-TV series Tennessee Crossroads beginning next month.
OLD DOMINION / “Late Great Heartbreak”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The much-awarded band’s much-anticipated new album, Barbara, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22). I expect it will be filled with wall-to-wall great songs, as usual. That’s certainly the case of its ridiculously hooky new single. It’s tuneful and bopping and utterly charming.
Ashley Brooks Signs With Droptine Recordings & Marshals Of The Revolution
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Drew Tutton (Marshals of the Revolution), Ashley Brooks, Jeff Catton, Jim Catino.
Ashley Brooks has signed a joint venture with Droptine Recordings and Marshals of the Revolution.
“Ashley Brooks is an artist who stops you in your tracks the second you hear her voice,” says Jim Catino of Droptine Recordings. “Her southern storytelling and drive set her apart, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to Droptine.”
Brooks recently garnered 140 million views on TikTok for her single “Leaving Side Of You,” which was written by Rivers Rutherford and Wesley Davis. The north Georgia native has opened for The Oak Ridge Boys, Clay Walker, Mark Chesnutt, Aaron Tippin and Bryce Leatherwood, among others. She will release her next track “Boys in Red Wings” on Aug. 29.
Billy Strings Announced As Keynote Speaker For IBMA Business Conference
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings will be the keynote speaker at the IBMA Business Conference in Chattanooga on Sept. 16.
“Billy Strings in Conversation with Tom Power,” sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation and Turnberry Records, will be presented as a live interview at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The session is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET and Turnberry recording artist and IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winner Junior Sisk will perform a special set before the keynote, which will feature a conversation with Strings and radio/podcast host Tom Power.
“Through my work on (the podcast) Toy Heart, I’ve had the chance to talk with some of the legends of bluegrass,” says Power. “I’ve spoken with the artists who’ve lived the music and carried it forward across generations. What struck me was how often those conversations, after the mics were off and I was wrapping cables, turned to Billy Strings. Long before the arena shows and awards, they were already calling him a transformational figure. I’m grateful for the chance to talk with Billy now, not at the end of a road but right in the thick of it—to ask about his relationship to bluegrass today, how he moves within it, and what he may have found in this music that’s opened it up to so many in a way we haven’t seen since the earliest days of Bill Monroe.”
“We couldn’t be prouder to present such an influential artist at this year’s conference,” says Ken White, Executive Director of IBMA. “Billy Strings represents the present and future of bluegrass by embracing—and building on—our past. We recommend that conference attendees circle this keynote address on their schedule for Sept. 16; we’re predicting standing room only for this session!”
To attend the in-person keynote on Sept. 16, a conference pass for that specific day is required. Passes for Sept. 16-18 are currently available at the discounted Summer Rate through Aug. 23. After that, prices will increase to the Final Rate. Complete details on pricing, conference sessions, artist showcases, and networking opportunities at the IBMA Business Conference are available at worldofbluegrass.org.
Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman & Old Dominion Headline Country Thunder Alberta
/by Lauryn SinkCody Johnson. Photo: Dale MacMillan
Country Thunder Alberta brought thousands of fans to Calgary for three days of music with Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman and Old Dominion taking over the main stage.
The weekend’s standout moments included Riley Green inviting two fans on stage to join him in performing his Ella Langley collaborations, “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and Zimmerman welcoming a fan to sing along to his chart-topping hit “Rock and A Hard Place.” Green joined Clint Black on stage to sing “Nothing’s News” while Black returned the favor and joined Green for “Hell Of A Way To Go.”
Riley Green and Clint Black. Photo: Dale MacMillin
Beyond the headliners, fans enjoyed performances from award-winning artists Jake Owen, Green and Black in addition to Canadian favorites Tim Hicks, James Barker Band, Lindsay Ell and Owen Riegling. The weekend also featured the Country 105 Stage presented by Craig Senyk Initiatives, giving fans the chance to discover rising homegrown talent. Among them was Alberta’s own Julia Vos, who made a career milestone with her first-ever Main Stage appearance on Friday, before returning Saturday for an intimate set on the Country 105 Stage.
In addition to music, the festival brought a variety of activities including a mechanical bull, corn hole with Twisted Tea and a themed photo booth. The festival raised $72,155 for The Confluence.
Country Thunder Alberta will return to Calgary from August 21-23, 2026.