The Country Music Association presented International Awards this past week during C2C: Country to Country festival in London as well as CMC Rocks QLD festival in Australia. Award recipients included Canadian singer/songwriter Dean Brody, BBC Radio 2’s Mark Hagen, six-time reigning CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town, Spotify’s John Marks, AEG Presents’ Milly Olykan and Chris Country’s Chris Stevens.
Pictured (L-R): RGK Entertainment’s Ron Kitchener, Uncommon Cord’s Matthew Lazarus-Hall, Brody, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and AEG Presents’ Milly Olykan. Photo: Lachlan Douglas
Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award – Dean Brody
The Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country Music format in their foreign-based territory. Dean Brody was surprised with the recognition backstage during CMC Rocks QLD festival on Saturday, March 17 in Queensland, Australia.
In 2016, Brody won his second JUNO Award for his album Gypsy Road, which featured the single “Bring the House Down.” The song was certified double Platinum in Canada and became the highest-selling digital single ever for a Canadian artist. His most recent album, Beautiful Freakshow, features the chart-topping single “Time,” which was the No. 1 selling country track in Canada for 13 weeks straight in 2017. Brody has won 16 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards and last year won CCMA Songwriter of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year for “Time” and the coveted Fans’ Choice Award.
Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Kimberly Schlapman, Hagen, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet. Photo: Reid Long
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award – Mark Hagen
The Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music outside of the United States. Mark Hagen was surprised with the award by Little Big Town backstage at C2C in London following a BBC Radio 2 interview with Bob Harris on Sunday, March 11.
Hagen, a 40-year television and radio veteran producer, currently works for BBC Radio 2 where he produces “Bob Harris Country,” the U.K.’s only national country music radio program, as well as BBC Radio 2’s coverage of the CMA Awards, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.” He also produces BBC Four’s television coverage of the CMA Awards. A former CMA Board member, Hagen has worked closely with successive generations of country stars, playing a key role in breaking the likes of Faith Hill, Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain and The Mavericks throughout the U.K. and Europe.
Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook receive the CMA International Artist Achievement Award while in London Thursday, March 8 ahead of their performance at C2C: Country to Country festival. Photo: Reid Long
International Artist Achievement Award – Little Big Town
The International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period. Little Big Town was surprised with the award by BBC presenter Steve Wright during a Radio 2 interview Thursday, March 8 in London.
Since their first appearance at the inaugural C2C festival in 2013, Little Big Town is the only act to perform at C2C three times, returning just last week as festival headliners. In 2017, the group completed a seven-day U.K. tour which included a sold-out performance at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. BBC Radio 2 has playlisted three Little Big Town singles to date. In 2017, Little Big Town performed at CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Australia and added additional shows in Canada.
Milly Olykan and John Marks (left and center) each receive a CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award and Chris Stevens (right) receives the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award in London Friday, March 9 during CMAs U.K. Advisory Group meeting. Photo: Brian Loschiavo
Jo Walker-Meador International Award – John Marks and Milly Olykan
The Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States. The award was presented to both John Marks and Milly Olykan during CMA’s U.K. Advisory Group meeting Friday, March 9 in London.
Marks is the Global Editor for Country Music at Spotify where he curates over 25 country playlists, including his primary playlist, Hot Country, which is currently the fourth most-consumed worldwide. Marks, a CMA Board member, opens doors for country artists internationally and is the driving force behind Spotify’s initiative to increase consumption of country music worldwide.
As VP of Live Music and Major Arena Events for AEG Presents, Olykan is the Festival Director and co-promoter of C2C, the U.K. and Ireland’s largest country music festival. C2C has changed the landscape for country artists touring the U.K. and Europe. Her role in establishing the Pop-Up Stages, Country Music Week, presenting the Bluebird Café in the U.K., and co-promoting and touring the CMA Songwriters Series has provided significant platforms for new artists and songwriters. Since 2014, Milly has served on the CMA Board of Directors.
International Country Broadcaster Award – Chris Stevens
The International Country Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the United States who has made important contributions for the development of country music in their country. The award was presented to Chris Stevens during CMA’s U.K. Advisory Group meeting Friday, March 9 in London.
Stevens launched Chris Country Radio simply because he wanted to hear more Country Music on U.K. radio. Chris Country can now be heard in many parts of the U.K. on DAB Digital Radio including London and Manchester. A respected broadcaster, Stevens supports country festivals and shows including coverage of CMA Songwriters Series, CMA Awards, CMA Fest and C2C. He interviews top Nashville artists as well as local U.K. artists and presents the “Breakfast” show on the station.
Alabama, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley To Headline Citadel Country Spirit USA Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughCitadel Country Spirit is being presented by the producers of Country Summer, Northern California’s biggest country festival currently celebrating its fifth annual event in 2018.
“It’s exciting to expand our portfolio to the East Coast,” Alan Jacoby, Impact Entertainment’s executive producer, said. “Our goal is to create the Mid-Atlantic region’s foremost annual country music festival.”
Alabama headlines on Aug. 24, Toby Keith headlines on Aug. 25, and Brad Paisley headlines on Aug. 26, and the festival will feature more than 20 artists on two stages, with more artists to be announced soon.
Three-Day Super Early Bird Passes, starting from $189 are on sale now at countryspiritusa.com. Three-Day Pass prices increase on March 30, and single-day tickets go on sale that day. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
Kiefer Sutherland To Launch Tour With Grand Ole Opry Performance In April
/by Jessica NicholsonKiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland will return to the road with the Reckless 2018 North American and European Tour launching April 10 with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. When Kiefer wraps up the North American leg May 28 in Long Island, New York, he’ll jet ‘across the pond’ to play more than 18 shows throughout Europe.
“I couldn’t have imagined the depth with which I have fallen in love with touring. To have the opportunity to convey intimate, personal stories to an audience, for me, has proven to be priceless,” Kiefer said.
RECKLESS TOUR 2018:
April 10 Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn.
April 12 Delmar Hall – St. Louis, Mo.
April 13 Knuckleads – Kansas City, Mo.
April 14 Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, Neb.
April 17 Bluebird Theatre – Denver, Colo.
April 18 Park City Live – Park City, Utah
April 20 Crystal Bay – Crown Room – Crystal Bay, Nev.
April 21 Fremont Theatre – San Luis Obispo, Calif.
April 22 Mystic Theatre – Petaluma, Calif.
April 24 Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, Calif.
April 26 Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
April 27 Music Box – San Diego, Calif.
April 28 Red Rock Casino Resort – Las Vegas, Nev.
May 1 Cactus Theater – Lubbock, Texas
May 2 Antone’s – Austin, Texas
May 4 Billy Bob’s – Fort Worth, Texas
May 5 Island View Casino – Gulfport, Miss.
May 7 The Cowan (Topgolf) – Nashville, Tenn.
May 10 The Phoenix – Toronto, Ontario
May 20 Birchmere – Alexandria, Va.
May 23 Bottle & Cork – Dewey Beach, Del.
May 25 Stone Pony – Asbury Park, N.J.
May 26 Bethel Woods – Liberty, N.Y.
May 27 Daryl’s House – Pawling, N.Y.
May 28 Stephen’s Talkhouse – Long Island, N.Y.
June 7 Kantine – Cologne, Germany
June 8 TivoliVredenberg – Utrecht, Netherlands
June 9 Parkbuehne – Leipzig, Germany
June 10 Gruenspan – Hamburg, Germany
June 12 Columbia Theatre – Berlin
June 13 Hirsch – Nuermberg, Germany
June 14 X-Tra – Zurich
June 16 Teatro Barcelo – Madrid
June 17 Bikini – Barcelona, Spain
June 19 Zappa – Antwerp, Belgium
June 21 Electric Ballroom – London
June 22 Waterfront – Norwich, England
June 23 Black Deer Festival – East Sussex, England
June 25 O2 Academy Oxford – Oxford, England
June 26 Komedia – Bath, England
June 28 Albert Hall – Manchester, England
June 29 Queens Hall – Edinburgh, Scotland
June 30 The Academy – Dublin
(More dates to be added)
CMA’s International Awards Honor Dean Brody, Little Big Town, John Marks, Mark Hagen
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Association presented International Awards this past week during C2C: Country to Country festival in London as well as CMC Rocks QLD festival in Australia. Award recipients included Canadian singer/songwriter Dean Brody, BBC Radio 2’s Mark Hagen, six-time reigning CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town, Spotify’s John Marks, AEG Presents’ Milly Olykan and Chris Country’s Chris Stevens.
Pictured (L-R): RGK Entertainment’s Ron Kitchener, Uncommon Cord’s Matthew Lazarus-Hall, Brody, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and AEG Presents’ Milly Olykan. Photo: Lachlan Douglas
Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award – Dean Brody
The Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country Music format in their foreign-based territory. Dean Brody was surprised with the recognition backstage during CMC Rocks QLD festival on Saturday, March 17 in Queensland, Australia.
In 2016, Brody won his second JUNO Award for his album Gypsy Road, which featured the single “Bring the House Down.” The song was certified double Platinum in Canada and became the highest-selling digital single ever for a Canadian artist. His most recent album, Beautiful Freakshow, features the chart-topping single “Time,” which was the No. 1 selling country track in Canada for 13 weeks straight in 2017. Brody has won 16 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards and last year won CCMA Songwriter of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year for “Time” and the coveted Fans’ Choice Award.
Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Kimberly Schlapman, Hagen, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet. Photo: Reid Long
Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award – Mark Hagen
The Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music outside of the United States. Mark Hagen was surprised with the award by Little Big Town backstage at C2C in London following a BBC Radio 2 interview with Bob Harris on Sunday, March 11.
Hagen, a 40-year television and radio veteran producer, currently works for BBC Radio 2 where he produces “Bob Harris Country,” the U.K.’s only national country music radio program, as well as BBC Radio 2’s coverage of the CMA Awards, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.” He also produces BBC Four’s television coverage of the CMA Awards. A former CMA Board member, Hagen has worked closely with successive generations of country stars, playing a key role in breaking the likes of Faith Hill, Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain and The Mavericks throughout the U.K. and Europe.
Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook receive the CMA International Artist Achievement Award while in London Thursday, March 8 ahead of their performance at C2C: Country to Country festival. Photo: Reid Long
International Artist Achievement Award – Little Big Town
The International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period. Little Big Town was surprised with the award by BBC presenter Steve Wright during a Radio 2 interview Thursday, March 8 in London.
Since their first appearance at the inaugural C2C festival in 2013, Little Big Town is the only act to perform at C2C three times, returning just last week as festival headliners. In 2017, the group completed a seven-day U.K. tour which included a sold-out performance at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. BBC Radio 2 has playlisted three Little Big Town singles to date. In 2017, Little Big Town performed at CMC Rocks QLD Festival in Australia and added additional shows in Canada.
Milly Olykan and John Marks (left and center) each receive a CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award and Chris Stevens (right) receives the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award in London Friday, March 9 during CMAs U.K. Advisory Group meeting. Photo: Brian Loschiavo
Jo Walker-Meador International Award – John Marks and Milly Olykan
The Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States. The award was presented to both John Marks and Milly Olykan during CMA’s U.K. Advisory Group meeting Friday, March 9 in London.
Marks is the Global Editor for Country Music at Spotify where he curates over 25 country playlists, including his primary playlist, Hot Country, which is currently the fourth most-consumed worldwide. Marks, a CMA Board member, opens doors for country artists internationally and is the driving force behind Spotify’s initiative to increase consumption of country music worldwide.
As VP of Live Music and Major Arena Events for AEG Presents, Olykan is the Festival Director and co-promoter of C2C, the U.K. and Ireland’s largest country music festival. C2C has changed the landscape for country artists touring the U.K. and Europe. Her role in establishing the Pop-Up Stages, Country Music Week, presenting the Bluebird Café in the U.K., and co-promoting and touring the CMA Songwriters Series has provided significant platforms for new artists and songwriters. Since 2014, Milly has served on the CMA Board of Directors.
International Country Broadcaster Award – Chris Stevens
The International Country Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter outside the United States who has made important contributions for the development of country music in their country. The award was presented to Chris Stevens during CMA’s U.K. Advisory Group meeting Friday, March 9 in London.
Stevens launched Chris Country Radio simply because he wanted to hear more Country Music on U.K. radio. Chris Country can now be heard in many parts of the U.K. on DAB Digital Radio including London and Manchester. A respected broadcaster, Stevens supports country festivals and shows including coverage of CMA Songwriters Series, CMA Awards, CMA Fest and C2C. He interviews top Nashville artists as well as local U.K. artists and presents the “Breakfast” show on the station.
HT Nashville To Create 75,000 Square Foot Entertainment Complex With Latest Acquisition
/by Lorie HollabaughTC Restaurant Group will continue to operate these existing venues, and the additions will expand the building by 23,000 square feet, creating a 75,000 square-foot space. This four-level dining and entertainment complex will be the largest in Nashville.
“With the purchase of this building, a multi-million dollar expansion and soon-to-be-announced new venues, TC Restaurant Group is excited about its continued commitment to and investment in Nashville,” says spokesperson Katie Goyette.
TCRG’s most recent Nashville opening is Florida Georgia Line’s FGL HOUSE on 3rd Avenue South. They also operate popular SoBro restaurant and bar Crazy Town as well as Sun Diner, Nashville’s first 24-hour diner that celebrates the history and legacy of famed label Sun Records. TC Restaurant Group also operates additional Tequila Cowboy outposts across the country with locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Lansing, Michigan.
Chris Tomlin Extends Capitol Christian Music Group Deal, Launches Bowyer & Bow Imprint
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Hudson Plachy, Chief Marketing Officer, Capitol Christian Music Group;
Brad O’Donnell, Chief Creative Officer, Capitol Christian Music Group; Chris Tomlin; Peter York, Chairman & CEO Capitol Christian Music Group; Casey McGinty, General Manager, Capitol Christian Music Publishing; Anthony Piedmonte, Piedmonte & Co., Tomlin Manager. Photo Courtesy of Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG)
Chris Tomlin has extended his recording and publishing deals with Capitol Christian Music Group, and has announced the launch of his own imprint, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with CCMG.
The first artist signed to the new imprint is singer-songwriter Pat Barrett, a co-writer on Tomlin’s hit “Good Good Father.” The pair also teamed for the children’s book Good Good Father, which sold nearly 200,000 copies. Barrett will release his debut EP on March 30, with a single going to radio in May.
“I have enjoyed so many blessings in my career,” shared Tomlin. “I’m honored, humbled and invigorated to continue writing and creating my own music but also the creative freedom to work and mentor other promising artists and songwriters.”
“We are honored and pleased to enter yet another multi-year recording and publishing agreement with Chris Tomlin,” said Peter York, Chairman & CEO Capitol Christian Music Group. “He is undoubtedly one of the most influential artists of our time. His music is consumed via streaming and radio on a massive level and his songs are sung in churches throughout the world every single day. It’s a privilege to continue our partnership with him in representing his music around the globe. His songs resonate in the hearts of those who hear them and they provide a meaningful soundtrack for life’s journey.”
Tomlin’s next Nashville stop will be on March 30 for his Good Friday Nashville Show at the Bridgestone Arena. His Worship Night In America Tour will launch April 5, with 24 stops in cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Music Health Alliance, Saint Thomas Health Partner For Ben Eyestone Fund
/by Jessica NicholsonBen Eyestone
Music Health Alliance and Saint Thomas Health have launched the Ben Eyestone Fund, which aims to provide preventative and primary care for uninsured or under-insured music industry professionals in Davidson Country and surrounding counties in Middle Tennessee that earn an adjusted gross income under 300 percent above the Federal Poverty Level, who also show an obvious diagnostic need.
The fund was launched in memory of 28-year-old Nashville drummer Ben Eyestone, who died on July 12, 2017 after a delayed biopsy revealed he had advanced colon cancer. Eyestone was a drummer for artists including Margo Price and Nikki Lane.
The Ben Eyestone Fund is launching with $50,000 in contributions from Saint Thomas Foundation, Music Health Alliance, the Eyestone family and generous industry peers.
“He had what I believe to be the greatest pre-existing condition in Nashville,” says Music Health Alliance Founder and CEO Tatum Hauck Allsep. “He was a poor, uninsured musician. Ben tried to utilize the resources available to him at free clinics and two public hospitals but the healthcare system failed Ben at every single turn. The goal is to offer 100% access and get all diagnostics covered while eliminating all the same barriers that ultimately led to Ben’s death.”
“We are honored to partner with Music Health Alliance, an influential organization that helps to provide necessary care to the poor and vulnerable,” said Dawn Rudolph, chief experience officer, Saint Thomas Health. “The Ben Eyestone fund has the potential to save lives by eliminating access barriers in the communities we serve.”
“Ben was only 28 years old,” said Allsep. “Freddie Mercury was 29 when he wrote ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ Neil Diamond was 28 when he wrote ‘Sweet Caroline,’ Dolly Parton was 28 when she wrote ‘I Will Always Love You,’ and Paul McCartney was a few days older than Ben was when he wrote ‘Hey Jude?’ Think about the potential this young man had yet to discover. Ben Eyestone did not have to die, and this fund will ensure that no one else dies a victim of the same system that failed him.”
To learn more about the Ben Eyestone Fund and how to contribute, contact Music Health Alliance at (615) 200-6896.
Devin Dawson, Caitlyn Smith To Open Summer Soul2Soul Dates With Tim And Faith
/by Lorie HollabaughSmith will serve as opening act from the tour kick-off date, May 31 in Richmond, Virginia, while Dawson will take over as opening act on June 26 in Bossier City, Louisiana, through the end of the summer dates.
The Soul2Soul World Tour has sold over 1 million tickets since its initial trek that spanned April-October 2017, and the tour was the No. 1 country tour in Billboard’s Boxscore and among the Top 10 North American tour and Top 20 Worldwide all-genre tours in Pollstar’s year-end 2017 charts.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now at soul2soultour.com/.
Given Music Publishing Signs Quinn Loggins
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Michael Hollandsworth, VP/GM, Given Music Publishing; Shannon Hatch, SESAC; Quinn Loggins; Cindy Owen, Partner, Given Entertainment and Jenny Hall, Creative Director, Given Music Publishing. Photo: Bev Moser
Quinn Loggins, son of singer-songwriter Dave Loggins, has signed a publishing deal with Given Music Publishing.
“Given Music Publishing is extremely pleased to add Quinn to our expanding roster of talented songwriters,” Given Music Publishing GM/VP Michael Hollandsworth said. “His talent as a musician, singer and songwriter is undeniable. The legacy he has inherited has provided Quinn with the tools to forge his own identity in the Nashville songwriting community with songs we are proud to represent.”
“I’ve been around music all of my life,” Loggins said. “Since I can remember, I’ve been a part of this industry, working as a musician and a songwriter. I’m excited to see what’s on the other side of this brand new musical horizon with Given Music Publishing and SESAC.”
Loggins has written for artists in the US and around the globe, scoring cuts and hits in Australia and Canada as well as the US. Artists who have cut Loggins’ songs include Charlie Worsham, Kingbilly, Katie Armiger, Australian artist Rachel Fahim and Canada’s Aaron Pritchett. He has toured and played with artists including John Mayer, Steve Cropper, Vince Gill, Richard Marx and more. His songs have been placed in television shows including Bones and Heartland.
Additionally, he co-wrote the 2017 theme song for the Tennessee Titans, “Welcome to the South.”
Walker Hayes Re-Releases ‘8Tracks Vol. 1 & 2’ As Thank You To Fans
/by Lorie HollabaughWalker Hayes is thanking fans for supporting his career by re-releasing the music that helped him land a record deal and paved the way for his success. Originally released in Summer 2016, Hayes has re-released 16 songs from his 8Tracks Vol. 1 & 2, available digitally now.
The 8Tracks Vol. 1 & 2 consists of 16 work tapes created in Hayes’ studio on Music Row dubbed ‘The Shack.’ In summer 2016, Hayes gave away the self-produced tracks for free, and with the help of tastemakers and early supporters gained thousands of new fans across the country. iHeart Radio personality Bobby Bones caught wind of the first release and guided his listeners to a track called “Shades,” which Bones tapped as the “song of the summer.” Building on the momentum, Hayes released the second set of 8Tracks in August 2016, and by January 2017, Monument Records signed Hayes as one of its flagship artists.
“I have been so fortunate to get to do things in a unique way this time around,” said Hayes. “My team has let me take risks and create music that is authentic to me – even though it might not sound like anything else. Today, we’re putting out the music that got me here. I’ll never forget the way fans’ reactions made me feel when I first put these 8Tracks out. They are homemade and they are the foundation of who I am. This is my way of saying ‘thanks’ for everyone’s support. I hope old fans are excited to hear them again and I hope new fans love them just as much.”
The re-release comes on the heels of Hayes’ first Top 10 single “You Broke Up With Me,” which has notched nearly 400,000 in sales and 105 million streams. The project includes several fan favorites like “Lela’s Stars,” “The Comedian” and “Break The Internet.”
8Tracks Vol. 1 (Good Shit)
1. “You Broke Up With Me” (Walker Hayes, Thomas Archer, Kylie Sackley)
2. “Beautiful” (Walker Hayes)
3. “Dollar Store” (Walker Hayes, Scott Stepakoff)
4. “Mind Candy” (Walker Hayes, Thomas Archer)
5. “Say Sober” (Walker Hayes, Doug Waterman)
6. “Shades” (Walker Hayes, Cliff Audretch)
7. “Beer in the Fridge” (Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Matt Jenkins, Scot Sherrod)
8. “Bad Thing (Good Shit)” (Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matthew McVaney)
8Tracks Vol. 2 (Break The Internet)
1. “Break The Internet” (Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
2. “You’re Happy” (Walker Hayes, Brandon Kinney)
3. “Halloween ft. Nicolle Galyon” (Walker Hayes, Nicolle Galyon)
4. “Face On My Money” (Walker Hayes, Josh Osborne, Nicolle Galyon)
5. “Beckett” (Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally)
6. “The Comedian” (Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
7. “Lela’s Stars” (Walker Hayes, Matt Jenkins, Tyrus Morgan)
8. “Your Girlfriend Does” (Walker Hayes, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi)
Country Music Journalist Hazel Smith Dies At 83
/by Jessica NicholsonHazel Smith
Longtime country music journalist Hazel Smith died Sunday, March 18 at age 83.
Smith’s multi-faceted career has included time as a columnist for Country Music Magazine, Country Weekly Magazine, and CMT.com. She had her own CMT series, Southern Fried Flicks, and authored the 2001 cookbook Hazel’s Hot Dish. She also spent time as a publicist and manager.
Smith, who moved to Nashville in the 1960s, is perhaps best-known for coining the phrase “outlaw music” in the 1970s, to describe the music of artists including Tompall Glaser, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and more, during her time working for Glaser’s Hillbilly Central studio located on 19th Ave. S. in Nashville.
In 1999, Smith won the Country Music Association’s Media Achievement Award. She was a 2008 SOURCE honoree.
Smith was also a songwriter, with more than 175 songs registered with BMI. Artists who recorded her music included Tammy Wynette and Dr. Hook.
Funeral arrangements are pending.