Brandon Heath is gearing up for two exciting things in his world – a baby on the way and a new album project, Faith Hope Love Repeat, due out Oct. 20.
Heath says, “I can’t wait to be a daddy! [Heath’s wife] Siebe is just beautiful – she glows. I know she’s going to be such a great mom. We are working on getting everything ready and just painted the nursery this weekend.”
His upcoming sixth studio album, Faith Hope Love Repeat, features 11 new songs, and he’s created videos for each song on the album, in American Sign Language. Heath is the first artist to create such an offering on an entire album. The custom videos, starring professional ASL translators, will become available this fall on BrandonHeath.com.
“Whole Heart,” the project’s first single, which was co-written with Ethan Hulse and Colby Wedgeworth, is climbing the charts and has reached a listening audience of 66 million to date. Heath wrote more than 100 songs for Faith Hope Love Repeat over the course of a year and a half, nearly double the amount of songs he normally crafts. “I wanted this record to be strong, and I feel like it has production, songwriting and vocal muscle. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
The album will be available to pre-order today, with fans receiving immediate downloadable bonus tracks each week. These tracks include “Faith Hope Love Repeat” on Oct. 6, and “Got The Love,” featuring label mate Tauren Wells, on Oct. 13.
The Faith Hope Love Repeat track listing:
1. The Future is Bright (Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Jason Ingram)
2. Whole Heart (Brandon Heath, Ethan Hulse, Colby Wedgeworth)
3. I Run (Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Jason Ingram)
4. Got the Love (Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Jess Cates, Tauren Wells)
5. Don’t Be Afraid (Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram, Brandon Fowler)
6. Faith Hope Love Repeat (Brandon Heath, David Leonard)
7. A Little Faith (Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Jonathan Smith)
8. Lighthouse (Brandon Heath, Dan Muckala, Jordan Mohilowski, Dan Ostebo, Mark Alan Schoolmeesters)
9. You’ll Find Love Again (Brandon Heath, Seth Mosley, Lee Thomas Miller)
10. Someone Like Me (Brandon Heath, Seth Mosley, Riley Friesen)
11. Only One In The World (Brandon Heath, Lee Thomas Miller)
Pictured: Brandon and Siebe Heath. Photo: W. Ashley Maddox
Eric Church, Maren Morris To Perform At Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe two will join Joe Ely, Larry Gatlin, Jack Ingram, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Hayes Carll, Bob Schneider, Radney Foster and Chris Newbury at Austin’s Paramount Theatre to perform in tribute to this year’s inductees: Buddy Holly, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mickey Newbury and Liz Rose.
A VIP sponsor-only DKR Pickin’ Party at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum will kick off the weekend on Feb. 23 with special performances by Maren Morris, Lori McKenna and Jack Ingram.
The four new inductees join an exclusive group who embody the spirit of Texas through songwriting. Past inductees include Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, K.T. Oslin, and Townes Van Zandt.
A limited number of seats for Saturday’s Hall of Fame Awards Show will be made available to the public with information on tickets to be announced soon.
Strang Steps Down From Warner Music Group Board, Three Added
/by Lorie HollabaughCameron Strang will exit the Warner Music Group Board of Directors after six years of service, according to an announcement made Tuesday (Oct. 3) by Warner Music Group.
Three new members will join its Board of Directors: Jon Platt, Max Lousada and Noreena Hertz. Effective Oct. 1, Lousada and Platt, respectively the heads of WMG’s Recorded Music and Music Publishing divisions, have expanded their leadership roles as Board members, helping to chart the company’s future direction.
Previously serving from 2014-2016, international economist Noreena Hertz rejoined the Board effective Sept. 15. As a result of the changes, the WMG Board of Directors increases from 11 to 13 members.
“As the creative leaders of WMG’s two major divisions, Max and Jon are excellent additions to our Board,” said Len Blavatnik, Chairman & Founder of Access Industries. “I am also pleased to welcome Noreena back onto the Board, joining an impressive group of experts across business, technology, entertainment and media. I, along with Steve and the other directors, would like to thank Cameron Strang for his service on the Board; we are deeply appreciative of his many contributions.”
“I am very pleased to welcome these three leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Steve Cooper, CEO, WMG. “With Max now bringing his entrepreneurial vision to our entire Recorded Music operation, and Jon leading Warner/Chappell to new heights around the world, they will bring invaluable insight to our Board. I’m also delighted that we’ll once again draw on Noreena’s unique global perspective and experience, which were so welcome during her previous tenure.”
Songwriter Kenny Beard Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Beard
Nashville songwriter Kenny Beard, affectionately known as “KB,” died of natural causes on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017.
A Louisiana native, Beard moved to Nashville in 1986 to pursue his dreams of being a songwriter. He went on to write songs including Trace Adkins’ “The Rest Of Mine,” “Big Time” and “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow,” as well as numerous songs for Tracy Lawrence, including “As Any Fool Can See,” “My Second Home,” “If The World Had A Front Porch,” and “Is That A Tear.” He also penned Aaron Tippin’s “Where The Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly” and Jeff Bates’ “The Love Song,” among others.
In addition to his career as a songwriter, Beard was a music manager and record producer.
Beard is survived by his wife Amy, three daughters Cali, Amanda, Alyson, and his grandpup “PawPaw’s Pretty Girl” Phoebe Beard.
A visitation and service will be held at Sellars Funeral Home (2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN). The visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 5 from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., and services will be held Friday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. A graveside memorial will follow at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent in honor of Kenny Beard to “Campus Outreach Knoxville” with a memo referencing “General Outreach Knoxville General Fund” PO Box 2426, Knoxville, TN 37901 or online giving through coknoxville.com
Rocker Tom Petty Dies In California
/by Eric T. ParkerTom Petty. Photo: Facebook/Tom Petty
Additional reporting by Robert K. Oermann
Tom Petty, lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, has died at the age of 66 at UCLA Medical Center on the same day there were many early, erroneous reports citing his death. Petty was rushed to the hospital after being found in a full state of cardiac arrest in his Malibu home on Sunday night (Oct. 1). He is said to have arrived at the medical center with no brain activity. He died at 8:40 p.m. PT surrounded by family, bandmates and friends, according to longtime manager of the band Tony Dimitriades.
In September, the 2002-inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer wrapped a six-month, 52-show 40th Anniversary tour after a three-night run at Los Angeles’s Hollywood Bowl. The outing touched down in 24 states and three countries including Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in April. A photo spread of Petty’s final outing was posted the day he died. He was scheduled to perform in New York next month.
Known for writing and producing his own hits like “Free Fallin’,” “American Girl,” “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” and “Learning To Fly,” Petty also produced Stevie Nicks’ 1981 breakout Bella Donna which featured his song “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.” Petty was also featured on Hank Williams Jr.’s two-week No. 1 “Mind Your Own Business” in 1986, alongside Willie Nelson, evangelist Reverend Ike and Reba McEntire.
In April, Warner Bros. announced the re-release of six individual albums from the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers catalog as stand-alone vinyl titles, on 140g black vinyl with the original LP artwork. She’s The One, Echo, The Last DJ and Highway Companion have been remastered from original tapes, while Mojo and Hypnotic Eye have been repressed from the original masters.
In 1996, Petty and his Heartbreakers band joined Johnny Cash and producer Rick Rubin for the release of the Grammy-winning album Unchained, which includes a cover of Petty’s “Southern Accent,” originally written and recorded a decade earlier by the rocker.
Tom Petty has written two country hits: Rosanne Cash’s No. 1, “Never Be You,” in 1986 and Southern Pacific & Emmylou Harris’ “Thing About You” in 1985. Many country artists covered Petty, including Sammy Kershaw, The Swon Brothers, Robin Meade, Aaron Watson, Glen Campbell, Neal Coty and The Everly Brothers. Bluegrass covers also came from Dale Ann Bradley, Infamous Stringdusters and The Gibson Brothers.
The Chris Hillman album that Petty produced is also a reunion of Desert Rose Band members with Petty’s song “Wildflowers” appearing on the album.
Petty also appears on The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 3, singing “Irene Goodnight.”
No arrangements have been announced.
Tom Petty wraps 40th Anniversary Show at Hollywood Bowl in September 2017. Photo: Official Website/Tom Petty
Live Nation Releases Statement Regarding Its Route 91 Harvest Festival
/by Jessica Nicholson“We are heartbroken over the tragedy that took place at the Route 91 Harvest festival. To think that anyone would want to inflict harm on a gathering of music lovers is beyond our comprehension. And while we are stunned and grieving over this incomprehensible act of violence, we know that this is a moment when we must come together to prevent more tragedies like this from occurring.
“Live Nation will do everything in our power to support the victims and their families through the aftermath of this horrendous event and extends our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders who helped save as many lives as possible. To our Live Nation on-site employees, we cannot thank you enough for your bravery and perseverance over the past 24 hours and will ensure you have the resources and support necessary to heal from this.”
The inaugural Route 91 Harvest Festival launched in 2014, and is one of several country music festivals in Live Nation’s portfolio, including Faster Horses (Brooklyn), Country LakeShake (Chicago) and Watershed (The Gorge, Washington).
Music City Cares Fund Established To Aid Las Vegas Victims
/by Jessica Nicholson“Country music is the heart of Music City,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We are reaching out to country music fans who fell victim to this evil. They must know we care and care deeply. Our prayers are with them.”
Donations to the Music City Cares Fund are tax-deductible. To give to the fund, go to cfmt.org.
CMA Final Ballot Voting Postponed Until Oct. 3
/by Jessica NicholsonIn light of the recent mass shooting that occurred during the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, the Final Ballot for the CMA Awards that was previously scheduled to be sent to CMA Members today (Oct. 2), will be postponed until Tuesday, Oct. 3.
“Our hearts go out to the fans, artists and crew members who experienced the tragedy in Las Vegas last night. The country community is deeply saddened to hear lives were lost and many injured at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Prayers for all as we search for understanding and come together to cope with this horrific act,” the organization said in a statement.
Earlier today, CMA’s Sarah Trahern, along with Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp’s Butch Spyridon also announced a vigil will be held later today in Nashville, beginning at 6 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater. Free parking will be available at Nissan Stadium Lot R.
Brandon Heath Excited For New Baby, New Album Arrivals
/by Lorie HollabaughHis upcoming sixth studio album, Faith Hope Love Repeat, features 11 new songs, and he’s created videos for each song on the album, in American Sign Language. Heath is the first artist to create such an offering on an entire album. The custom videos, starring professional ASL translators, will become available this fall on BrandonHeath.com.
The album will be available to pre-order today, with fans receiving immediate downloadable bonus tracks each week. These tracks include “Faith Hope Love Repeat” on Oct. 6, and “Got The Love,” featuring label mate Tauren Wells, on Oct. 13.
The Faith Hope Love Repeat track listing:
Pictured: Brandon and Siebe Heath. Photo: W. Ashley Maddox
Mark Your Calendar—October 2017
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
Tyminski/Bloodline/Mercury
Kid Rock/Tennessee Mountain Top/Red Bow
William Michael Morgan/Vinyl/Warner Bros./WMN
Denny Strickland/We Don’t Sleep/Star Farm
October 9
Charles Parker/Bring Back The Sun/Mach 3/Jerry Duncan
Jackson Michelson/Rollin’/Curb
Bobby Wills/In Comes The Night/MDM
October 13
Richard Schroder/Drive/Amplifier Records
October 16
Ashley McBryde/A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega/WMN
Delta Rae/No Peace In Quiet/Valory
Nick Brennan/I Want A Girl/CB Music/Stanley Music Group/MC1 Nashville
Smokin’ Armadillos/The Other California/Gramac
Kim McAbee/Stand Still With Me/Soigne
Re Mattei/Bump Bump Bump/Trendy Girl Records
October 23
Craig Wayne Boyd/Stuck In My Head/Copperline Music Group
Dushane Band/Can’t Slow Down/Turtle Bay/KES
October 30
Jazelle Paris & David Garfield Band/I Lied/Creatchy Music
Album Release Dates
Kane Brown/Kane Brown [deluxe]/RCA Nashville-Zone 4
Alabama/American Christmas/BMG
Jeremy Camp/The Answer/Capitol CMG
Humming House/Companion/Soundly Music
October 13
Dolly Parton/I Believe In You [digital]/RCA Nashville-Dolly Records
Carly Pearce/Every Little Thing/Big Machine Records
Russell Dickerson/Yours/Triple Tigers Records
Travis Meadows/First Cigarette/Blaster Records
Kendell Marvel/Lowdown & Lonesome
October 20
Darius Rucker/When Was The Last Time/Capitol Records Nashville
Chris Young/Losing Sleep/RCA Nashville
Oginalii/The Grey [EP]
Stranger Friends/Stranger Friends [five-song EP]
October 27
Lee Ann Womack/The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone/ATO Records
Granger Smith/When The Good Guys Win/Wheelhouse Records
Kenny Chesney/Live In No Shoes Nation/Sony Nashville
Craig Wayne Boyd/Top Shelf/Copperline Music Group
Various/The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson [CD/DVD]/Blackbird Presents Records
Kelly Clarkson/Meaning Of Life/Atlantic Records
Balsam Range/It’s Christmas Time/ Mountain Home
Industry Events
IEBA at the Omni
October 17
October 18
CMT Artists of the Year honoring Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center
October 19
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) invitation-only, inaugural Gold and Platinum Gala in Nashville
October 22
October 23
47th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala at the Music City Center
October 24
51st Annual CMA Awards final round voting closes at 6:00 p.m. CT
October 29
Grammy first ballot due
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, CMA Announce Vigil To Honor Las Vegas Victims
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville Mayor Megan Barry, along with CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp’s Butch Spyridon have announced a vigil will be held later today in Nashville, following Sunday’s (Oct. 1) shooting at Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival, which claimed the lives of nearly 60 concertgoers and injured hundreds more.
The vigil will begin at 6 p.m. at Ascend Amphitheater. Free parking will be available at Nissan Stadium Lot R.
Barry, Trahern, and Spyridon released the following statement:
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic event in Las Vegas, especially the victims, their families and friends, and the fans, artists and crews from our country [music] community in Vegas. This festival brought together people from all backgrounds united in enjoying life through music.
“Safety at all of our events is and will remain our top priority. We are constantly adjusting our event security measures year-round, partnering and consulting with experts at the federal, state and local levels through our full-time security team and the Metro Police Department. We will continue our efforts to provide the most comprehensive security possible.”