Flaco Jiménez. Photo: Andrew W. Long, courtesy of Robert K. Oermann archive
Roots-music superstar Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86 in San Antonio.
The Tex-Mex, conjunto musician immortalized his distinctive button-accordion style on the top country hits “The Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens in 1988 and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks in 1986. During his six-decade career, Jiménez earned five Grammy Awards and was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Alongside Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, Flaco Jiménez was a member of the “super group” The Texas Tornados in 1990-2010. He also collaborated on disc with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Bellamy Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Junior Brown, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, Lee Roy Parnell, Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss, Los Lobos, Santana, Ray Benson, Radney Foster and The Rolling Stones, among many others. He recorded 27 solo albums between 1972 and 2014.
He was born Leonardo Jiménez in 1939, which is around the time his accordion-playing father was first recording and popularizing conjunto music in the San Antonio area. Forged in central Texas during the late 1800s, conjunto combined country waltzes, German polkas and Mexican-American folk music. The button accordion is the lively style’s central instrument. Flaco’s younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., also became a conjunto accordion master.
Nicknamed “Flaco” Jiménez, the future star began playing in his father’s band at age 7 and began recording at age 15. He rose to prominence on the San Antonio music scene, starring on local television and regularly filling dancehalls. In the 1960s, he started working with Doug Sahm of The Sir Douglas Quintet.
He and Sahm temporarily relocated from San Antonio to Manhattan, where Jiménez worked with Dr. John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Ry Cooder and Dylan. He toured and recorded with Rowan for some time, which was when he first became familiar to Eastern Anglo audiences. The two formed a band called The Free Mexican Airforce.
Cooder then took him on the road internationally and featured him on the landmark 1976 LP Chicken Skin Music. Jiménez and Cooder also collaborated on the 1981 soundtrack of the Jack Nicholson film The Border. The following year, Carlos Santana enlisted Jimenez for his band’s Havana Moon album.
Following a string of solo albums on local labels, Jiménez recorded for the revered national folk labels Arhoolie Records (1977-88) and Rounder Records (1989-91). He won his first Grammy Award in 1986.
As a member of The Texas Tornados, he began recording for Warner Records in 1990. The group’s debut LP was issued in both Spanish and English-language versions. One of its tunes earned him his second Grammy. Country artists such as Raul Malo, Jesse Dayton and Dwight Yoakam began using him on recording sessions in the late 1980s.
Jiménez played the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1990. Warner/Reprise signed him as a solo act in 1992 for the album Partners. Recorded in both Nashville and L.A., the collection included collaborations with Stephen Stills, Holly Dunn, Los Lobos, Ronstadt, Cooder, Hiatt, Yoakam and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt had previously recorded with him on her 1990 album Mas Canciones.
Nashville’s Arista Records formed a Texas division and signed Jiménez. He delivered albums for the label in 1994 and 1996, the latter of which won him another Grammy. The Stones recruited him for their 1994 collection Voodoo Lounge. He and Lee Roy Parnell were nominated for a Country Instrumental Grammy in 1996.
Flaco Jiménez won two Grammy Awards in 1999. One was for his solo album for Virgin Records, Said and Done. The other was for his album with Los Super Seven, a multi-artist collaboration including Joe Ely, Rick Treviño, Tejano star Ruben Ramos, Sahm, Fender and members of Los Lobos. Later albums by this conglomeration included Malo, Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Delbert McCllinton and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown as well.
Subsequent solo albums were issued by Compadre, Fiesta, Smithsonian Folkways, Joey, Back Porch and Sony. In 2012, Flaco Jiménez was given a National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. Two years later, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts.
Flaco Jiménez died in San Antonio on Thursday, July 31. Survivors include his wife, Adela; sons Arturo and Gilbert; daughters Cynthia Jiménez and Raquel Fernandez; and his brother, Santiago Jr. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
JUST IN: MCA Extends Deal With Parker McCollum, Acquires His Catalog
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Red Light Management’s Nick Rhodes, MCA’s Jimmy Rector, Austin Jenkins, Katie McCartney, Derek Anderson, Miranda McDonald, Parker McCollum, Red Light Management’s Enzo DeVincenzo, MCA’s Mike Harris, Rob Femia, Damon Moberly, Stephanie Alexa. Photo: Evan Harney
Parker McCollum has extended his exclusive recording agreement with MCA. Additionally, the company has acquired McCollum’s full catalog, including critically-acclaimed albums The Limestone Kid and Probably Wrong.
“I’m beyond excited to continue my journey with MCA. The team has supported me every step of the way, and I’m thrilled about what we’re building together,” says McCollum. “Acquiring my catalog means the world to me, and I’m grateful to be with a label that values my music, my story, and my future. The best is yet to come.”
“I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous impact Parker has had on country music, and this partnership is a testament to his unwavering talent and work ethic,” shares Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA. “The team at MCA has had the privilege to watch Parker’s hard work and talent propel him into one of the most important artists in country music today. We are immensely proud to extend our relationship with Parker and to take the next step in his career by acquiring his catalog. Parker’s future in music is incredibly bright, and we cannot wait to see where this next chapter takes him.”
The announcement comes on the heels of his recently released self-titled album. With over 3.2 billion streams, the CMA and ACM nominated artist has earned multiple No. 1 hits and Platinum certifications, and is currently amidst his 2025 tour.
RYMAN Inks With Concord Music Publishing
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Brad Kennard (Concord), Callie Cunningham Nobel (Red Light Management), RYMAN, Lily Bunta (Concord) and Cassidy Zuver (Red Light Management). Photo: Audrey Spillman
Singer-songwriter RYMAN has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal includes select parts of RYMAN’s catalog, as well as future works.
The 21 year-old Nashville native’s sound is described as “y’allternative,” combining alternative, singer-songwriter and pop sounds. His storytelling and emotional reach in his songwriting has been praised by Finneas, Role Model and Joe Jonas, among others. Last month, RYMAN became Mom + Pop Music’s first Nashville-based signing.
“I’m super excited to be a part of the Concord family and feel grateful for the new experiences and opportunities it’s already starting to provide,” says RYMAN. “This team really feels like home and I’m grateful to have landed here.”
Upon his signing with Mom + Pop, he released his new single “Green.” The track, co-penned with Hunter West and Quinn Delbridge, has since been featured on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds” and “Fresh Finds Folk” playlists. RYMAN also released “Lucy” and “Lose” earlier this year, which followed his 2024 EP Cowboy Killers.
“I am delighted to welcome RYMAN to the Concord family,” shared Lily Bunta, A&R Manager at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “With exceptional talent as both a songwriter and an artist, Ryman brings a dynamic creative voice to our roster. We are proud to support his journey and can’t wait to see what we will create together.”
RYMAN has spent the past few months on the road opening for Ben Kweller, and will spend the fall supporting Joshua Slone.
Chris Young Reveals New Album Track List, Announces Holiday Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young
Chris Young has revealed the full track list for his new Black River Entertainment project I Didn’t Come Here To Leave, due out Oct. 17.
Young first teased this new chapter and I Didn’t Come Here To Leave with the lead single “Til The Last One Dies,” which is currently rising on the country and streaming charts, while the title track from the album is out now. The record was produced by Young and Andy Sheridan.
“On a record, a lot gets made of how many tempos and how many ballads, as opposed to just making a record from top to bottom that you’ve fallen in love with – but that’s all I’ve ever tried to do,” Young explains. “I look at this album and there are songs that make you want to buy a beer, and there’s songs that if you broke up with somebody, you’re going to want to cry. For different reasons, I feel like this is a complete album – and it would be a disservice to Black River if I didn’t turn in something I believed in this way.”
Chris Young’s I Didn’t Come Here To Leave Track List:
1. “Some Around Here” (Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Jason Duke/Josh Hoge)
2. “I Didn’t Come Here To Leave” (Chris Young/Kyle Fishman/Dallas Davidson)
3. “Good As Yours” (Chris Young/Jonathan Smith/Jordan Walker/Trannie Anderson)
4. “I Hope It’s Okay” (Chris Young/Dave Fenley/Davis Forney/Austin Machado)
5. “I Feel A Cold One Coming On” (Chris Young/Tyler Reeve/Trent Tomlinson/Josh Gleave)
6. “Til The Last One Dies” (Ben Hayslip/Seth Mosley/Jordan Walker)
7. “Pour Some Whiskey On It” (Chris Young/Jessie Jo Dillon/Steven Lee Olsen/Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Boots On The Ground” (Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Jason Duke/Josh Hoge)
9. “Tin Roof” (Ty Graham/Adam Wood/ Trenton Michael Fisher)
10. “Dirt And Daisies” (Chris Young/Casey Brown/Deric Ruttan/Parker Welling)
11. “Just Keep Living” (Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Jason Duke/Josh Hoge)
12. “Jesus, Momma, Country Radio” (Chris Young/Chris DeStefano/Taylor Phillips/Josh Phillips)
13. “What Would You Take” (Doug Johnson/Steve Diamond)
14. “Brake Lights” (Chris Young/ Hillary Lindsey/Ty Graham/Jesse Frasure)
Young has also announced his first-ever holiday tour, “It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young,” which will kick off Nov. 20 in Cedar Rapids and run through Dec. 20. Tickets for the 15-date headlining shows are on sale starting Friday (Aug. 8) at chrisyoungcountry.com.
“It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young” Tour Dates:
11/20 – Cedar Rapids, IA — Paramount Theater
11/21 – Joliet, IL— Rialto Square Theatre
11/22 – Saginaw, MI — Dow Event Center Theater
11/29 – Wisconsin Dells, WI — Crystal Grand Music Theatre
11/30 – Cincinnati, OH — Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
12/4 – Wabash, IN — Ford Theater (Honeywell Center)
12/5 – Nashville, IN — Brown County Music Center
12/6 – Warren, OH — Packard Music Hall
12/11 – Wilkes-Barre, PA — The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
12/12 – Lowell, MA — Lowell Memorial Auditorium
12/13 – Bensalem, PA — Xcite Center at Parx Casino
12/17 – Tysons, VA — Capital One Hall
12/18 – Westbury, NY — Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
12/19 – Montclair, NJ — The Wellmont Theater
12/20 – Wallingford, CT — Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Country Music Community Remembers Jeannie Seely
/by Madison HahnenJeannie Seely on her last performance on the Opry stage Feb. 22, 2025. Photo: Chris Hollo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
On Friday (Aug. 1), Jeannie Seely—a trailblazing artist who helped shape the Grand Ole Opry and country music at large—died at age 85 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee.
Since the news of her passing, artists, industry members and fans alike have taken to social media to share memories and pay tribute to the late country music icon. Below are some of those messages. Click here to read Seely’s full obituary.
“Jeannie Seely and I were friends for over sixty years, and between the two of us we performed over 10,000 times on the Grand Ole Opry. She was one of the most talented, kind, witty, generous, loving people I have ever known. The Opry and the world won’t be nearly as much fun without her in it. May she rest in peace.” – Bill Anderson
“Jeannie Seely had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and truly loved. Her heart was as big as her voice and both were pure gold. I’ll carry that moment, and her friendship, with me forever. Rest in peace, sweet Jeannie. The Opry stage and this world will never be the same.” – Billy Ray Cyrus
“I am praying for Jeannie Seely. I believe that she’s joined Jesus Christ, Gene Ward, Nora Lee Allen, Joe Bonsall, Rusty Golden, and all of our dear loved ones we’ve lost. She made a lasting impact on not only Nashville but the world. Her contribution to country music and the Grand Ole Opry will never be forgotten. Most don’t know, but the last date I had with my beautiful wife was a double date with Jeannie Seely and Gene Ward. My heart is breaking right now.” – Duane Allen/The Oak Ridge Boys
“So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Jeannie Seely. Jeannie was one of the greatest women of country music in an era when people began to discover that country was America’s music. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family.” – Lee Greenwood
“No one had a voice like Jeannie Seely and no one ever will. This is a sad time for country music. Prayers for her family.” – Ian Flanigan
“Jeannie Seely was one-of-a-kind across the board: as an entertainer, friend, and human being. It was an absolute honor for all of us at the Grand Ole Opry that she called this show home and that she thought of us as family. She gave it her all with every single Opry performance. All 5,397 of them. She is loved so much and will never be forgotten.” —Dan Rogers, Sr. Vice President, Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry and longtime friend of Jeannie Seely
“While I’ve had the privilege of working with Jeannie Seely over the past 25 years, my immediate grief is deeply personal. Early in my tenure at CMA, I shared unforgettable lunches with Jeannie and Jo Walker Meador, full of stories that were occasionally irreverent but always fascinating. Jeannie was at the very first Fan Fair with Jack Greene and remained a beloved fixture for decades. She once told me a hilarious story about switching credentials with Dottie West just to keep people on their toes. When the CMA Board honored her with the Joe Talbot Award in 2023, it was for more than her music and fan relationships—it was for her spark. She mentored countless artists, especially women, and while they learned from her confidence and wit, she reminded us she was learning from them too. That humility was part of her magic.” — Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO
“We just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriter/entertainers of her generation. My beloved big sister, Jeannie Seely, has crossed over the river Jordan to be with Jesus. She will be in pain no longer. She was one of Sheila and my best friends and you could never hope to meet a better human being. She held the record for the all-time number of Grand Ole Opry appearances. She was a friend to everyone and had a razor sharp wit. The Opry won’t be the same without her. I’ll miss her terribly. No one will ever fill her shoes. Heaven is a better place with her there. Rest in peace sweet angel.” – T. Graham Brown
“My heart is broken. Broken! My friendship with Jeannie Seely started 49 years ago at the Opry, but more than a friend, Jeannie was my champion. When I left the Opry several years ago, we toured the country, where she made me her equal–trading stories and songs and entertaining the crowds together. She was the best entertainer I’ve ever had the honor to know. It doesn’t seem possible to know a world without Seely in it…and as good as the Opry show is, the Opry spotlight will never shine as brightly, without Jeannie in the center circle. Jeannie Seely was an old friend, and like the song says, “You Can’t Make Old Friends”…you earn them. I love you, Jeannie. I always will. Thank you for believing in me…and teaching me how to believe in myself.” – Tim Atwood (‘Atwood’ as Jeannie would call him)
“Jeannie Seely was a Superstar. One of the great female voices in country music. She held the record for Grand Ole Opry performances, one that may never ever be broken. We’re all saddened by her passing and we will certainly miss her. She was a friend to so many and if you ever met her once she never forgot you. That’s rare these days in the fast-paced world we live in. But she wasn’t from this time, she was from the ‘Good Ole School’ days when people had to remember your name, before we could write it down on our iPhones. She was a great encourager. She always welcomed new visiting artists who were so nervous getting to play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. She could make those butterflies in your stomach stop flapping their wings and bring some peace instead of fear. Not many like her anymore. I don’t know if she will ever be replaced, but we as members of the Opry can take Jeannie’s lead and be an encouragement to these younger ones when we see an opportunity. They need it and we can do it! Thank you Jeannie for a lifetime of good works and great music. Love you.” – Ricky Skaggs
“Jeannie, her friends called her ‘Stick’,’ was Janis’ and my oldest friend still alive in Nashville. We met her our first night in Nashville in June of 71 when another late great singer-songwriter, Dottie West, took us to Jeannie and Hank Cochran’s boat. From that night ‘Stick’ was my friend, my champion and an inspiration to me. I miss her already, but I believe that she’s in heaven having a good old time with Dottie, Roger, Micky, Kris, Jack, Hank, Waylon and, as the saying goes, many others. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, the Bible says, ‘To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord. ‘Stick,’ I’ll see you when I do. Rest in Peace old friend. P.S. Janis and Steve and Rudy all say ditto and HALLELUJAH!” -Larry Gatlin / The Gatlin Brothers
“Jeannie was a very dear friend and a very special lady. She was the first one to ever introduce me on the Grand Ole Opry. She and I shared a lot of laughs and guitar town will never be the same without her. My heart hit the floor when I heard the news, and she will be missed. But, I don’t think she left anything on the table. I know where she is and we will laugh some more when I get there with her.” -Darryl Worley
Josh Miller Moves Into Top 15 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenJosh Miller has jumped into the top 15 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Morgan Wallen‘s “20 Cigarettes,” Tucker Wetmore’s “3,2,1” and “Brunette,” and Jon Pardi’s “Friday Night Heartbreaker” put the songwriter into the No. 15 spot this week.
Charlie Handsome remains in the No. 1 spot for the 1oth consecutive week with “Don’t We,” “Eyes Are Closed,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I Got Better,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “Kick Myself,” “Kiss Her In Front Of You,” “Love Somebody,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN,” “What I Want” and “Where’d That Girl Go.” Wallen himself stays at No. 2 with “Don’t We,” “Eyes Are Closed,” “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” “I Got Better,” “I’m The Problem,” “Just In Case,” “Kick Myself,” “Love Somebody,” “Miami,” “Superman,” “TN,” “What I Want” and “Where’d That Girl Go.”
Zach Bryan (No. 3), John Byron (No. 4) and Ashley Gorley (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Ashley McBryde Announces ‘The Redemption Residency’ At Chief’s Neon Steeple
/by Lauryn SinkAshley McBryde. Photo: Katie Kauss
Ashley McBryde will take over Neon Steeple, Chief’s ticketed venue on Broadway, this fall for a four-show residency.
“The guys and I are so happy to be back in Nashville for four nights of ‘you had to be there’ moments to help close out this year” McBryde says. “We’ve been making our kind of church wherever we go for years; from dive bars to back porches, Dahlonega to Lindeville. It’s something special to bring it all to the only Steeple on Lower Broadway.”
Tickets for “The Redemption Residency” go on pre-sale exclusively to McBryde’s fan club (Trybe) members on Aug. 5. Members of the Eric Church’s Church Choir will have access on Aug. 6, with general on sale following on Aug. 8. Each night of the residency will feature a unique set list to create four different experiences.
McBryde recently announced her non-alcoholic forward Redemption bar, located on the fifth floor of Chief’s, which was inspired by her own path to sobriety. The venue features a small stage designed to showcase original music right in the heart of Broadway. The bar opens on Aug. 28.
“The Redemption Residency” Dates:
Tues. October 14
Weds. October 15
Thurs. December 11
Fri. December 12
BMI To Honor John Fogerty With 2025 Troubadour Award
/by Lauryn SinkJohn Fogerty.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member John Fogerty will be honored with the 2025 BMI Troubadour Award.
This prestigious accolade recognizes a songwriter who has made a profound impact on the creative community and whose work continues to set the pace for generations to follow. The private invite-only event will be held at BMI’s Nashville office on September 8th.
“John Fogerty has written and recorded some of the most distinctive and beloved rock songs of the 20th century, and his music is unequivocally the sound of America, with timeless lyrics wrapped in unforgettable melodies that continue to resonate with generations of fans around the world,” says BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville Clay Bradley. “We’re thrilled to honor John with the BMI Troubadour Award and celebrate his creative achievements and his songs, which have become the soundtrack of so many lives.”
Fogerty’s catelog spans nearly six decades and includes classics such as “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” As the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty helped shape the sound of American music. He has received multiple awards and honors for his impact on the culture including an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a special honor for his song “Centerfield,” making him the only musician ever honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Since his affiliation with BMI in 2005, Fogerty has been named a BMI Icon in 2010 and was presented with the BMI Board of Directors Award in 2023. He’s also received 13 BMI Million-Air certificates, recognizing his songs that have surpassed over one million radio airplays, which collectively have had over 64 million broadcast performances.
He recently performed headline sets at JazzFest, Glastonbury, the Hollywood Bowl and more, plus an induction at the American Music Honors and a collaboration with Eric Church for the new Nascar on Prime anthem. On August 22nd, Fogerty will release his new album Legacy, a 20-track collection of newly recorded versions of his biggest hits.
CMA Introduces Fourth Women’s Leadership Academy Class
/by Lorie HollabaughCMA Women’s Leadership Academy Class of 2025. Photo: Emily April Allen/CMA
The CMA has announced its newest class of participants for its 12-week Women’s Leadership Academy.
Now in its fourth year, the program officially kicks off today (Aug. 4) with CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe delivering opening remarks. The cohort-based program will guide 14 women through a journey of weekly group coaching, peer connection and hands-on leadership training, and in addition to learning alongside executive coaches and industry mentors, participants gain access to a growing network of program alumni who continue to support one another long after the program ends.
Academy participants will start by setting personal and professional goals, which will serve as a foundation throughout the program. Cohort members will take part in facilitated group sessions led by executive coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. The curriculum is designed to build practical leadership skills while fostering personal growth, covering topics such as personal branding, career advancement, conflict management, negotiation, self-advocacy, influence and confidence, equipping participants to lead with greater clarity, impact and resilience.
“The Women’s Leadership Academy has grown into a powerful reflection of the women who make this industry stronger every day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “It’s not just about 12 weeks of programming; it’s about lifelong impact. I’m incredibly proud of the energy and intention behind this program and can’t wait to see how this new class builds on the momentum of the women who came before them. Together, they’re shaping the future of our business.”
CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy Class Members:
Jackie Augustus (Lead, Country & Folk, Artist Partnerships, Spotify)
Shaina Botwin (Vice President, Boom Music Group | Co-Manager, Sasha Alex Sloan)
Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer)
Melissa Goldberg (Vice President, Digital & Social, CMT)
Morgan Kenney (Country Music Agent, WME)
Anna Kolander (Senior Manager & Head of A&R, Activist Artists Management)
Olivia Laster (Head of Artist & Label Relations, Sticks Management)
Rakiyah Marshall (Founder & CEO, Back Blocks Music)
Morgan Mills (Chief Marketing Officer, CmdShft)
Courtney Pender (Vice President, People Experience, Sony Music Publishing)
Karen Schillinger (Agent, Creative Artists Agency)
Chandler Nicole Sherrill (Senior Director, Creative, Electric Feel Entertainment)
Shana Melissa Saunders (Product Manager, Business Development, Music Corporation of America)
Christina Wiltshire (Senior Director, A&R, Warner Chappell Music)
Grammy-Winning ‘Texas Tornado’ Flaco Jiménez Passes
/by Robert K OermannFlaco Jiménez. Photo: Andrew W. Long, courtesy of Robert K. Oermann archive
Roots-music superstar Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86 in San Antonio.
The Tex-Mex, conjunto musician immortalized his distinctive button-accordion style on the top country hits “The Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens in 1988 and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks in 1986. During his six-decade career, Jiménez earned five Grammy Awards and was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Alongside Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, Flaco Jiménez was a member of the “super group” The Texas Tornados in 1990-2010. He also collaborated on disc with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Bellamy Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Junior Brown, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, Lee Roy Parnell, Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss, Los Lobos, Santana, Ray Benson, Radney Foster and The Rolling Stones, among many others. He recorded 27 solo albums between 1972 and 2014.
He was born Leonardo Jiménez in 1939, which is around the time his accordion-playing father was first recording and popularizing conjunto music in the San Antonio area. Forged in central Texas during the late 1800s, conjunto combined country waltzes, German polkas and Mexican-American folk music. The button accordion is the lively style’s central instrument. Flaco’s younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., also became a conjunto accordion master.
Nicknamed “Flaco” Jiménez, the future star began playing in his father’s band at age 7 and began recording at age 15. He rose to prominence on the San Antonio music scene, starring on local television and regularly filling dancehalls. In the 1960s, he started working with Doug Sahm of The Sir Douglas Quintet.
He and Sahm temporarily relocated from San Antonio to Manhattan, where Jiménez worked with Dr. John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Ry Cooder and Dylan. He toured and recorded with Rowan for some time, which was when he first became familiar to Eastern Anglo audiences. The two formed a band called The Free Mexican Airforce.
Cooder then took him on the road internationally and featured him on the landmark 1976 LP Chicken Skin Music. Jiménez and Cooder also collaborated on the 1981 soundtrack of the Jack Nicholson film The Border. The following year, Carlos Santana enlisted Jimenez for his band’s Havana Moon album.
Following a string of solo albums on local labels, Jiménez recorded for the revered national folk labels Arhoolie Records (1977-88) and Rounder Records (1989-91). He won his first Grammy Award in 1986.
As a member of The Texas Tornados, he began recording for Warner Records in 1990. The group’s debut LP was issued in both Spanish and English-language versions. One of its tunes earned him his second Grammy. Country artists such as Raul Malo, Jesse Dayton and Dwight Yoakam began using him on recording sessions in the late 1980s.
Jiménez played the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1990. Warner/Reprise signed him as a solo act in 1992 for the album Partners. Recorded in both Nashville and L.A., the collection included collaborations with Stephen Stills, Holly Dunn, Los Lobos, Ronstadt, Cooder, Hiatt, Yoakam and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt had previously recorded with him on her 1990 album Mas Canciones.
Nashville’s Arista Records formed a Texas division and signed Jiménez. He delivered albums for the label in 1994 and 1996, the latter of which won him another Grammy. The Stones recruited him for their 1994 collection Voodoo Lounge. He and Lee Roy Parnell were nominated for a Country Instrumental Grammy in 1996.
Flaco Jiménez won two Grammy Awards in 1999. One was for his solo album for Virgin Records, Said and Done. The other was for his album with Los Super Seven, a multi-artist collaboration including Joe Ely, Rick Treviño, Tejano star Ruben Ramos, Sahm, Fender and members of Los Lobos. Later albums by this conglomeration included Malo, Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Delbert McCllinton and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown as well.
Subsequent solo albums were issued by Compadre, Fiesta, Smithsonian Folkways, Joey, Back Porch and Sony. In 2012, Flaco Jiménez was given a National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. Two years later, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts.
Flaco Jiménez died in San Antonio on Thursday, July 31. Survivors include his wife, Adela; sons Arturo and Gilbert; daughters Cynthia Jiménez and Raquel Fernandez; and his brother, Santiago Jr. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Brandon Wisham Inks With The Core Records & Capitol Music Group
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Chief Zaruk, CEO & Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment; Brittani Johnson, Manager, The Core Entertainment; Tracy Martin, President, The Core Entertainment; Brandon Wisham; Dan Dymtrow, GM, The Core Entertainment; Jamie Younger, VP of Artist Development, The Core Records and Simon Tikhman, CEO & Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment.
Brandon Wisham has signed a record deal with Capitol Music Group in partnership with The Core Records.
“The way I’m feeling about this step is beyond what words can describe,” says Wisham. “Grateful to have found a team that is as passionate about my music as I am. Can’t wait to experience this journey alongside the best of the best!”
Wisham began writing songs at 19 with his first track “Pain Won’t Last,” a tribute to his father who passed due to Covid-19. The track was later cut by Bailey Zimmerman on his Religiously. The Album. Wisham shortly after released his own debut single “Back Together,” followed by “Better Than The Day.” The latter was featured on SiriusXM’s The Highway, eventually leading the 22 year-old South Carolina native to be named a SiriusXM The Highway’s Highway Find.
Wisham has previously opened up on the road for Zimmerman, as well as Josh Ross. He will join Tyler Hubbard, Lakeview and Austin Snell on select dates this fall. He also made his CMA Fest debut this past June. Additionally, his new single “She’s Good” will release this Friday (August 8).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Brandon to the Capitol Records family,” shares Tom March, Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group. “He’s a truly gifted songwriter with the kind of talent, drive, and unstoppable passion that make for an extraordinary career in country music. We’re beyond proud to join forces with Brandon as he moves forward into his most exciting chapter yet.”
“Brandon has been part of The Core family from the start, and we’ve believed in his talent and potential every step of the way,” add Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, Co-founders and Co-CEOs of The Core Entertainment. “Watching him grow and gain real momentum as an artist has been incredible, and signing him to The Core Records is a natural evolution of that journey. He’s got something truly special, and we’re excited to take this next step with him and help bring his vision to the world.”