Daryle Singletary
Daryle Singletary died Monday morning (Feb. 12) in Nashville. He was 46. His cause of death is being determined.
Singletary was best known for ’90s country hits including “I Let Her Lie,” “Too Much Fun,” and “Amen Kind of Love.” Throughout his career, Singletary has collaborated with George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, John Anderson and more.
Singletary moved to Nashville in 1990, and began performing in talent contests around Music City, before he began a regular gig at The Broken Spoke. After releasing a couple of unsuccessful singles on Evergreen Records in the early ’90s, Singletary released his debut album for Giant Records in 1995, followed by two follow up projects, garnering hits including “I Let Her Lie Lie” and “Too Much Fun.”
By 2000, he had teamed with Koch Records for the album Now and Again, which featured Greg Cole as producer. They followed with 2002’s That’s Why I Sing This Way, which featured collaborations with Johnny Paycheck, Jones, Haggard and more.
After Koch Records closed in 2005, Singletary moved to Shanachie Records to release 2007’s Straight From The Heart, which featured appearances from Skaggs, Anderson and others on country evergreens including “The Bottle Let Me Down” and “Fifteen Years Ago.” 2009 saw the release of Rockin’ The Country, followed by 2015’s There’s Still A Little Country Left. In 2017, he teamed with bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent on the duets album American Grandstand.
Singletary, a native of Cairo, Georgia, is survived by his wife, Holly, two sons, Jonah and Mercer, two daughters, Nora and Charlotte, parents, Roger and Anita Singletary, brother, Kevin Singletary, sister-in-law, Melinda Singletary, mother and father-in-law, Terry and Sandy Mercer, and brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Kristy Rowland.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent Set For Ryman Auditorium’s Bluegrass Nights Summer Series
/by Jessica NicholsonBluegrass Nights. Photo: Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium’s annual Bluegrass Nights summer series will welcome stars including Dailey & Vincent, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Del McCoury Band, and more.
For more than two decades, the Ryman Auditorium has highlighted its distinction as the birthplace of bluegrass music with the summer series. In 1945, Grand Ole Opry star Bill Monroe, along with musical cohorts Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise and Howard Watts, stepped onto the Ryman Auditorium stage and their performance birthed the genre of music today known as bluegrass.
The 2018 Bluegrass Nights lineup includes:
June 21 – Dailey & Vincent
June 28 – Hot Rize
July 5 – Artist TBA
July 12 – The Del McCoury Band
July 19 – Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
July 26 – Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Each show will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be preceded by the free WSM showcase Pickin’ On The Plaza from 6 p.m.-6:45 p.m., which features regional bluegrass bands.
In Pictures: Jake Owen, Kelsea Ballerini, Change The Conversation, ASCAP Bluebird Showcase, Smithfield
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Owen And Jordan Spieth Team For Fourth Year At AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Pictured (L-R): Wayne Gretzky, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Jake Owen Photo: Marc Howard for Monterey Peninsula
Big Loud recording artist Jake Owen recently partnered for a fourth year in a row with PGA champion Jordan Spieth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“Playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is always one of my favorite weeks of the year,” said Owen. “I was truly honored to be partnered for a fourth time with my buddy Jordan Spieth, and to have Dustin Johnson and Wayne Gretzky in our foursome was so awesome. To be able to walk alongside those guys this week was amazing, but the most incredible part for me was having my dad as my caddie. He taught me and my twin brother how to play golf when we were little kids, so walking with him on the greens at Monterey Peninsula is something that is hard to describe and I’ll never forget.”
Kelsea Ballerini Kicks Off Unapologetically Tour In Birmingham
Pictured (L-R): Iconic’s Fletcher Foster, Black River’s Dave Dame, Brian Rhodes and Mike Wilson. Dollar Bill/WDXB, CAA’s John Huie, Kelsea Ballerini, Tim Hanrahan/WDXB, Black River’s Theresa Ford, Ray Quinn/WDXB, and Black River’s Bill Macky
Kelsea Ballerini’s Unapologetically Tour kicked off last weekend in a big way in Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre with a sold-out crowd and surrounded by her supportive team.
Change The Conversation Holds Town Hall Meeting On Sexual Harassment
Pictured (L-R): Beverly Keel, Anne Martin, Tracy Gershon
Change the Conversation recently held the second part of its Town Hall meeting on Sexual Harassment, featuring a conversation with attorney Anne Martin, at Warner Music Nashville.
“It was a powerful night,” says Change the Conversation co-founder Beverly Keel, who led Martin in a 2-hour conversation with about 60 men and women. “Our members shared their personal experiences, offered tips to others about how to handle uncomfortable situations and offered ways to help victims of harassment. It’s important that our members know they aren’t alone in facing these issues, so they shouldn’t feel alone in finding solutions.”
Joe Clemmons, Josh Grider, Cody Belew Hunter Phelps Play ASCAP Bluebird Showcase
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Hunter Phelps, Joe Clemmons, Josh Grider, Cody Belew and ASCAP’s Holly Chester
ASCAP hosted its long-running monthly showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe Feb. 7. ASCAP songwriter-artist Hunter Phelps hosted the round that featured songwriter Joe Clemmons, songwriter-artist Josh Grider, and one of the newest members of the ASCAP family, songwriter-artist Cody Belew. Clemmons, Belew and Grider all made their Bluebird Cafe debut at the showcase, curated by ASCAP’s Robert Filhart.
Smithfield And Deluge Records At CRS
Pictured (L-R): Mark Friedman (VP Deluge Records) Jennifer Fielder & Trey Smith (Smithfield) and David Robkin (President Deluge Records)
Smithfield took a break from their debut radio tour and the Granger Smith tour to participate in their first CRS. Their breakout ballad “Hey Whiskey” will hit country radio on March 26.
RIAA Announces January Gold And Platinum Honors
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville-affiliated artists achieving RIAA Gold Single certification during the month of January included:
Florida Georgia Line – “Smooth”
Justin Moore – “Somebody Else Will”
MercyMe – “Even If”
Miranda Lambert – “Tin Man”
Third Day “Soul On Fire (Featuring All Sons And Daughters)”
Eric Church‘s Mr. Misunderstood was also certified Triple Platinum, and Dan +Shay‘s Where It All Began reached Gold Album status.
Lindsay Ell Added To Keith Urban’s “Graffiti U” Canadian Tour Dates
/by Jessica NicholsonLindsay Ell
Lindsay Ell has been added to the upcoming Canadian run of Keith Urban‘s Graffiti U World Tour 2018. Ell, a multiple CCMA nominee, will open Urban’s September performances in Canada, as well as for his upcoming show in Rogers, Arkansas. After playing there, Ell will head north of the border for seven Canadian shows, the first of which will be on Sept. 14 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
“It’s not very often you get to share the stage with an artist you’ve looked up to since the beginning of your career,” said Ell, who recently released her Stoney Creek Records album The Project. “I am so excited to be touring with Keith Urban and can’t wait to play for fans in the venues I grew up in!”
The 58-city Graffiti U World tour 2018 launches June 15 in St. Louis, with Kelsea Ballerini added as a supporting act for all other dates.
The Graffiti U 2018 World Tour Canadian Dates:
Aug. 15: Rogers, Ark.; Walmart AMP
Sept. 14: Ottawa, Ontario; Canadian Tire Centre
Sept. 15: London, Ontario; Budweiser Gardens
Sept. 19: Winnipeg, Manitoba Bell MTS Place
Sept. 21: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; SaskTel Centre
Sept. 22: Edmonton, Alberta; Rogers Place
Sept. 23: Calgary, Alberta; ScotiaBank Saddledome
Sept. 25: Vancouver, British Columbia; Rogers Arena
Reviver Entertainment Group Promotes Two
/by Jessica NicholsonClay Henderson, Hayley Cowoski
Reviver Entertainment Group has announced two promotions, with Clay Henderson being named National Director of Strategic Marketing. Henderson, with 20 years of music industry experience, brings knowledge and experience in visual marketing, as well as regional radio promotion, syndication and streaming analysis. Prior to accepting the Reviver post, Henderson worked for Warner Music Nashville, Universal South, Broken Bow Music Group and Southern Ground Artists.
Additionally, Hayley Cowoski has been promoted to Manager, Marketing & Artist Development. Cowoski joined Reviver Records in 2015 as a Promotion Coordinator. Her newly created role and duties will include project management and creative.
Henderson will report to Reviver’s Executive VP/GM Gator Michaels and Cowoski to VP Marketing & Artist Development, Paul Williams.
“We have been fortunate in our ability to attract staff that is passionate, laser focused and driven towards a common goal – Clay and Hayley clearly fit that mold,” said Reviver Founder and President/CEO David Ross. “Our artists and their music deserve committed professionals, industry veterans like Clay, who can deliver results, not to mention the enthusiasm and talent that Hayley brings.”
The Knoller Group Opens Nashville Office
/by Jessica NicholsonKimberly Knoller
The Knoller Group, known for artist management, marketing and brand development, has announced the opening of its Nashville office. The Knoller Group founder and CEO Kimberly Knoller will split time between the company’s Nashville and Los Angeles offices, while Brett McGinn will oversee the Los Angeles office.
The Knoller Group’s current clients include Warner Bros.’ The Regrettes, Sony Nashville’s Fairground Saints, and PHASES. The Regrettes and Fairground Saints were both discovered, developed and signed to major labels by Knoller.
Knoller says, “I’ve been a fan of the unique and welcoming Nashville music community for years and after signing Fairground Saints to Sony Nashville, it made sense to have a regular presence in what truly is Music City.”
Knoller previously served as Warner Bros. Records’ Head of Direct to Consumer Marketing and e-Commerce, as well as VP, Marketing for Musictoday, which was founded by Coran Capshaw.
The Knoller Group’s Nashville office can be reached at 629-401-3588.
Maren Morris’ ‘I Could Use A Love Song’ Goes Gold
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris recently celebrated the Gold certification of her first No. 1, “I Could Use A Love Song,” with staffers at her label, Columbia Records Nashville. She is following up the hit with her brand new single, “Rich,” a fan favorite from her lauded debut album Hero, which goes to radio today.
“‘Rich’ feels like the perfect, confidant, laugh-the-B.S.-off-with-your-
The Gold certification caps off a year for Morris that has included six nominations for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, a summer tour with Sam Hunt, five CMA nominations for the 50th Annual CMA Awards, MusicRow‘s 2017 Breakthrough Artist award, the Breakthrough Artist Award by the Music Business Association at Music Biz 2017, Radio Disney’s Country Best New Artist award, her fifth Grammy nomination, and the announcement of joining Niall Horan on Niall’s Flicker World Tour 2018 with dates in Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada.
She appears tomorrow night in New York City at the All For The Hall New York benefit concert at the Times Square PlayStation Theater.
Country Hitmaker Daryle Singletary Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonDaryle Singletary
Daryle Singletary died Monday morning (Feb. 12) in Nashville. He was 46. His cause of death is being determined.
Singletary was best known for ’90s country hits including “I Let Her Lie,” “Too Much Fun,” and “Amen Kind of Love.” Throughout his career, Singletary has collaborated with George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, John Anderson and more.
Singletary moved to Nashville in 1990, and began performing in talent contests around Music City, before he began a regular gig at The Broken Spoke. After releasing a couple of unsuccessful singles on Evergreen Records in the early ’90s, Singletary released his debut album for Giant Records in 1995, followed by two follow up projects, garnering hits including “I Let Her Lie Lie” and “Too Much Fun.”
By 2000, he had teamed with Koch Records for the album Now and Again, which featured Greg Cole as producer. They followed with 2002’s That’s Why I Sing This Way, which featured collaborations with Johnny Paycheck, Jones, Haggard and more.
After Koch Records closed in 2005, Singletary moved to Shanachie Records to release 2007’s Straight From The Heart, which featured appearances from Skaggs, Anderson and others on country evergreens including “The Bottle Let Me Down” and “Fifteen Years Ago.” 2009 saw the release of Rockin’ The Country, followed by 2015’s There’s Still A Little Country Left. In 2017, he teamed with bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent on the duets album American Grandstand.
Singletary, a native of Cairo, Georgia, is survived by his wife, Holly, two sons, Jonah and Mercer, two daughters, Nora and Charlotte, parents, Roger and Anita Singletary, brother, Kevin Singletary, sister-in-law, Melinda Singletary, mother and father-in-law, Terry and Sandy Mercer, and brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Kristy Rowland.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Lauren Kilgore Promoted to Partner at Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton
/by LB CantrellLauren Kilgore
By: LB Rogers
The business and entertainment law firm Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton has promoted litigation and entertainment attorney Lauren Kilgore to partner.
“Lauren has a unique understanding of the issues facing our clients,” said founding partner John Shackelford, “she has played a central role in the growth and success of the Nashville office and we are pleased she has accepted this new role with the firm.”
Kilgore draws from her firsthand experience as a country music performer to guide her in her representation of recording artists, publishing companies, internet companies and record labels in both trial work and transactional matters. She also represents a broad and diverse clientele of individuals and companies in commercial litigation.
Kilgore is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and earned her undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Birmingham-Southern College.
She has been honored among the Best of the Bar by the Nashville Business Journal and selected to Super Lawyers magazine’s Tennessee Rising Stars list, which honors the top young attorneys in the state.
In addition to Ms. Kilgore’s promotion to non-equity partner, the firm also announced that corporate law attorney Michelle Snedden has been promoted to equity partner; and business and family law attorney Stephen Shellenberger has been promoted to non-equity partner in the Dallas office.
Power Of Music Festival Set For April In Arkansas
/by Lorie HollabaughAdditional performers will include indie-Americana trio The Accidentals, Nashville group Farewell Angelina, Latin rock ‘n’ roll band Making Movies, folk artist Steve Poltz, songwriter Jerry Salley, Keith Sykes, and Emmy-winning composer Jonathan Wolff, along with numerous local songwriters.
MusiCares, a charity of the Recording Academy that offers emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery resources, and wellness initiatives to members of the music industry, is partnering with the Power of Music Festival to provide eligible music pros with custom ear plugs as a walk-up service during the event.
The festival is presented by the I’ll Fly Away Foundation with its You Can Fly Songwriting Program, which brings established songwriters into schools to personally craft songs with students.