Keith Urban’s Ripcord Breaking Records
Keith Urban‘s Ripcord is propelling him into new heights, as he recently earned the distinction of becoming one of only two country artists whose 2016 album release was certified platinum by the RIAA. Ripcord also places Urban as the second country artist among artists with nine or more platinum albums to currently have every album certified platinum or multi-platinum.
The platinum streak also places Urban at No. 8 on the all-time list of country artists with consecutive platinum albums. He also made history upon its release, when it garnered a Number One all-genre album chart position simultaneously in the U.S., Australia and Canada. Ripcord has also been certified platinum in Australia and Gold in Canada. Ripcord has also produced four No. 1 country singles, bringing his career total chart-topping singles to 22 (on Mediabase). This places Urban at No. 8 on Billboard’s all-time Country Airplay Chart. He’s has had 524 million streams on Ripcord alone.
Delta Rae Celebrates Teachers On Summer Tour
Delta Rae will celebrate teachers throughout their A Long And Happy Life Summer Tour. The six-piece band, which includes Hölljes siblings – Brittany (lead vocals), Eric (vocals, piano) and Ian (vocals, guitar) – along with former teachers Liz Hopkins (lead vocals), Mike McKee (drums) and Grant Emerson (bass) has announced Tickets For Teachers, a program offering free tickets and an on-stage acknowledgement to deserving educators at each of their shows as a thank you and opportunity to spotlight the contributions, sacrifices and hard work of all teachers.
John Prine Goes ‘Beyond Words’ At Country Music Hall Of Fame
John Prine will appear at the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’s Ford Theater on May 20 at 2 p.m. to discuss his new book, Beyond Words. Published by Oh Boy Records, the songbook features lyrics, stories, handwritten song drafts, and more than one hundred photographs from Prine’s personal collection. The interview is included with museum admission and free to museum members, but seating is limited. Program passes are required for admittance and will be distributed two hours prior to the program start time.
Dierks Bentley Earns More Black Precious Metal
Dierks Bentley has had all three singles released from his eighth studio album Black receive certifications from the RIAA. Bentley’s chart-topping platinum hit “Somewhere On A Beach” is joined by “Different For Girls” as back to back platinum No. 1 hits, and he also struck gold with his current Top 10 single ”Black.” The three singles alone have reached more than 389 million digital streams.
Lee Brice And Justin Moore Wrap Up American Made Tour
Lee Brice, Justin Moore
Lee Brice and Justin Moore closed out their co-headlining ‘American Made Tour’ April 28, wrapping up a four-month trek alongside opening acts William Michael Morgan and Brett Young. The tour encompassed 31 shows performing in front of 120,000+ fans with multiple sold-out dates.
The tour included many special moments, as when Brice’s family surprised him onstage during the Evansville, Indiana tour stop, making an unannounced appearance to celebrate Brice’s wedding anniversary. He was halfway through a solo performance of his yet-to-be-released single, “Boy,” when his two sons ran onstage, announcing that their mother was waiting in the wings. Moore also announced during the tour this year that he and wife Kate are expecting their fourth child.
Tucker Beathard, Ryan Hurd To Follow CMT Music Awards With Nashville Party
/by Lorie HollabaughSome fans will no doubt be eager to keep the party going following the CMT Music Awards on June 7, and Tucker Beathard and Ryan Hurd are happy to oblige. The two new artists are teaming up for a high-octane night of after-partying at their first annual Wrecking Ball 2017 show at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley immediately following the CMT Music Awards.
Tickets for the show go on-sale on May 5 here. Both artists have been busy burning up the road in 2017: Beathard recently played Stagecoach and will perform at Summerfest, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza 2017 and more this summer, while Hurd continues his trek opening for artists like Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, and Florida Georgia Line.
Ray Scott Has ‘Guitar For Sale’ This Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughRay Scott is releasing a new album, Guitar For Sale, this summer. The new project, due out June 9, is his sixth studio album and will be distributed through The Holland Group/Sony/RED. Fans got a taste of the first single from the album, “Livin’ This Way,’ in March when Scott debuted it on the Grand Ole Opry.
“When I went into the studio with my friend, and new producer, Michael Hughes, my goal was to do something a little different, something live tracked that’s not so polished, maybe even rough in spots, with the hope we’d come out with a product that had elements reminiscent of the way music first hit my ears when I was a young’un,” said Scott. “It wasn’t my intent to worry about what the rest of Nashville was doing… ‘course it never has been. I’m proud to say I think we accomplished that. My first single, ‘Livin’ This Way’ is based on a classic country music theme – pain. In keeping with my habit of honesty in songwriting, I thought it was a good way to introduce this new project.”
Scott is gearing up for a busy summer promoting the new project, including appearances at the upcoming CMA Music Festival at Storme Warren’s Nashville Navy Party on June 7 and his own fan club/CD release party on June 9.
Ray Scott Guitar For Sale Track Listing:
Disney Music Group, Patrick Joseph Music Renew Deal With Songwriter Melissa Peirce
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Bradley Collins, Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; Ciara Shortridge, A&R Representative, Disney Music Group Nashville; Leslie Roberts, Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; Melissa Peirce; Pat Higdon, President/Owner, Patrick Joseph Music; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC
Disney Music Group and Patrick Joseph Music have renewed their publishing deal with songwriter Melissa Peirce.
“I am very happy and excited to continue the roll that Disney, Pat Higdon and I are on together,” Peirce says. “It’s been a wonderful publishing home for the last five years and I look forward to continuing the relationship and success we’ve built together for the years to come.”
In addition to her No. 1 hit single “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” recorded by Tyler Farr, Peirce co-wrote “Hurt” on Lady Antebellum’s upcoming Heart Break album, and has had her songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Reba, Hunter Hayes, David Nail (“Red Light”), Lindsey Ell, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Holt and several songs for Disney projects, including an original song that will play during Walt Disney World’s iconic fireworks spectacular, “Happily Ever After” to debut May 12.
Sara Evans Enlists Powerhouse Writers For New Album, ‘Words’
/by Jessica NicholsonSara Evans—who recently launched her independent label Born To Fly Records—has enlisted powerhouse songwriters including Ashley Monroe, Hillary Lindsey, Caitlyn Smith and more for the first album on her new label. The project, titled Words, is set for release July 21.
Fourteen female songwriters contributed to the songs on the upcoming project, including Hillary Scott, Liz Hengber, Sonya Isaacs, and Evans.
“When I’m listening to a song, it’s the lyrics and the stories they tell that matter most to me,” Evans said. “Not only is Words the title to one of the songs on my album but in listening to new music for the record, I was always looking for lyrics that moved me and expressed a powerful range of emotions. Women are natural storytellers and I’m proud to have so many amazing female songwriters represented on this record.”
Words finds Evans reuniting with frequent co-producer Mark Bright (2005’s Real Fine Place, 2014’s Slow Me Down). Tracy Gershon provides A&R direction. Evans’ 14-year-old daughter Olivia also contributes background vocals to the record.
Fan packages are available for pre-order beginning today at saraevans.com.
Writer’s Den Music Group Signs Brennen Leigh
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI; Brennen Leigh; Bobby Rymer and Sarah Feldman, Writer’s Den Music Group; Mason Hunter, BMI
Writer’s Den Music Group has signed writer-artist Brennen Leigh to a worldwide publishing agreement.
“I knew within five minutes of hearing Brennen I had to work with her and I am thrilled that we have this opportunity,” says Bobby Rymer, Partner, Writer’s Den.
Brennen Leigh says, “I’m delighted to be a new addition to the incredible roster of creative minds at Writer’s Den. The enthusiasm emanating from this place is infectious. Writer’s Den is unique in the sense that the originality and weirdness that makes true artists unique is clearly valued. I feel right at home here as a writer, and I know my songs are in the best of hands with Bobby and Sarah. Since first meeting Bobby I have been struck by his warmth and contagious love of great music. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
Brennen is a member of the band High Plains Jamboree, currently working on an album to be released later this year.
Artist Updates: Keith Urban, Delta Rae, John Prine, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice And Justin Moore
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban’s Ripcord Breaking Records
The platinum streak also places Urban at No. 8 on the all-time list of country artists with consecutive platinum albums. He also made history upon its release, when it garnered a Number One all-genre album chart position simultaneously in the U.S., Australia and Canada. Ripcord has also been certified platinum in Australia and Gold in Canada. Ripcord has also produced four No. 1 country singles, bringing his career total chart-topping singles to 22 (on Mediabase). This places Urban at No. 8 on Billboard’s all-time Country Airplay Chart. He’s has had 524 million streams on Ripcord alone.
Delta Rae Celebrates Teachers On Summer Tour
John Prine Goes ‘Beyond Words’ At Country Music Hall Of Fame
Dierks Bentley Earns More Black Precious Metal
Dierks Bentley has had all three singles released from his eighth studio album Black receive certifications from the RIAA. Bentley’s chart-topping platinum hit “Somewhere On A Beach” is joined by “Different For Girls” as back to back platinum No. 1 hits, and he also struck gold with his current Top 10 single ”Black.” The three singles alone have reached more than 389 million digital streams.
Lee Brice And Justin Moore Wrap Up American Made Tour
Lee Brice, Justin Moore
Lee Brice and Justin Moore closed out their co-headlining ‘American Made Tour’ April 28, wrapping up a four-month trek alongside opening acts William Michael Morgan and Brett Young. The tour encompassed 31 shows performing in front of 120,000+ fans with multiple sold-out dates.
The tour included many special moments, as when Brice’s family surprised him onstage during the Evansville, Indiana tour stop, making an unannounced appearance to celebrate Brice’s wedding anniversary. He was halfway through a solo performance of his yet-to-be-released single, “Boy,” when his two sons ran onstage, announcing that their mother was waiting in the wings. Moore also announced during the tour this year that he and wife Kate are expecting their fourth child.
Emily West To Release New EP ‘Symphonies’ This Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughEmily West is releasing a new collection of songs, Symphonies, on Aug. 18. West says the album resembles “a dark Disney record.” The project, which was produced by co-writer Daniel Tashian, showcases both her powerful vocals and ability to interpret the nuances of a heart-tugging, torch-singer’s ballad.
The project, described as modern-day noir pop, includes tunes like the James Bond-inspired “Heaven and Back,” the vulnerable “Don’t Ever Go to Paris (When You’re Lonely),” and the title track, which she calls “a fairytale for the broken hearted sung in the lightest of pinks.”
Symphonies is being released independently, with Tone Tree Music handling distribution for the project.
Industry Ink: Nash Country Daily, Average Joes, Tribeca Film Festival, Think Media And Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonLisa Konicki Exits Nash Country Daily
Lisa Konicki has exited her role as Editor-In-Chief at Nash Country Daily. Konicki had been with the company for 21 years. She can be reached at lisakon@comcast.net.
In 2014, Cumulus acquired the country print publication Country Weekly. By 2016, Country Weekly relaunched as the web-only property Nash Country Daily.
Kristin Palmer Exits Average Joes, Joins American Heart Association
A 2008 Belmont University graduate, Palmer’s career includes time at Warner Bros. Records, Wortman Works Media & Marketing. In 2010 she launched Palmer House Publicity, before spending nearly five years as Director of Publicity at Average Joes Entertainment, developing public relations campaigns and branding strategies.
Jamie Floyd, John Martin Celebrate Dog Years At Tribeca Film Festival
John Martin, Jamie Floyd
Nashville duo Stranger Friends, including Jamie Floyd and John Martin, walked the red carpet at The Tribeca Film Festival in New York City for the premiere of the Burt Reynolds movie Dog Years. Floyd and Martin wrote and performed 10 songs for the movie’s soundtrack. Dog Years showed last week at the Nashville Film Festival, where one of the duo’s songs, “Yet To Come,” won Best Original Song.
Also, premiering last week at the Nashville Film Festival was The Last Songwriter which was an Audience Award winner. This remarkable documentary features Floyd, along with industry greats Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Matraca Berg, Allen Shamblin & Marcus Hummon.
Think Media & Marketing Adds Manager Of Client Services
Maggie Noonan. Photo: Michael Gomez Photography
Think Media & Marketing has hired Maggie Noonan as manager of client services. Think Media & Marketing was launched by Sheri Warnke in 2013.
John Mayer Wades Into Country Waters With “In The Blood”
/by Lorie HollabaughJohn Mayer is releasing a new song to country radio, “In The Blood,” which is being promoted via Arista Nashville. The single is a track from his latest album, The Search for Everything, which came out last month. The project is Mayer’s first since 2013’s Paradise Valley.
The song, which delves into family bonds and how much our parents end up undeniably influencing our own lives, is available now.
Mayer is no stranger to the country genre, having collaborated with Keith Urban for a CMT Crossroads episode, with Taylor Swift on the song “Half Of My Heart,” and performing at the Zac Brown Band‘s Southern Ground Music Festival in Nashville several years ago as well.
Hear “In The Blood” below:
Janet Jackson To Bring State Of The World Tour To Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
/by Lorie HollabaughJanet Jackson is returning to the road on a four-month North American tour this Fall, following a hiatus after the arrival of her first child. Jackson’s State Of The World tour will make a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 7. The 56-city tour will launch Sept. 7 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and will hit cities including Seattle, Portland, Milwaukee, Chicago, Boston, Memphis, and Jacksonville.
Jackson began her Unbreakable tour in August 2015, but later took time off the road to focus on her family. The State Of The World tour continues the Unbreakable tour. Tickets held for previous Unbreakable tour events that are now re-scheduled will be honored at the new dates.
Tickets for the new dates will go on sale May 5. More information can be found at livenation.com.