Leading into the first of two hometown, headlining shows on his 2017 Home Team Tour at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Thursday (April 20), Thomas Rhett stacked the deck, charming the crowd chart-topping songs, surprise collaborations, and even a cover tune or two.
As cloudy skies gave way to a balmy evening at the outdoor venue, Rhett made a dramatic entrance in a puff of smoke center stage, grabbing the crowd’s attention before he even launched into “Crash and Burn.”
Equipped with the songs and style that make him an artist with some of the highest crossover potential, Rhett had the crowd on their feet and dancing with hits and album tracks including “Make Me Wanna,” “Get Me Some of That,” “T-Shirt,” “Vacation,” and “Shake Your South Side.” Mid-show, on a satellite stage, Rhett offered his earliest hits, including “Something To Do With My Hands,” and “Beer With Jesus,” which the star penned in a dorm room at Lipscomb University.
The talented songwriter was able to fill his set with not only his own hits, but a string of those he penned for other artists, including Florida Georgia Line (“Round Here”) Lee Brice (“Parking Lot Party”) and Michael Ray (“Think A Little Less”).
Thomas Rhett
Meanwhile, background video offered glimpses of Rhett’s childhood, from sharpening his craft of songwriting at age 8 to a teen thrashing at a drum set.
Thomas Rhett’s six-week No. 1 song and current CMA Single of the Year “Die A Happy Man” was infused with an extra shade of soulfulness, complete with saxophone. Later in the evening, the crowd learned that Rhett can still pound the skins, as he and drummer Chris Kimmerer took turns showing off their skillful rhythms.
It may have been Rhett’s hometown headlining show, but he shared his stage time generously. Thomas Rhett welcomed a plethora of special guests. Grammy winner Maren Morris joined him for the new single, “Craving You,” while Danielle Bradbery joined for “Playing With Fire,” a track Jordin Sparks collaborated on for his Tangled Up album.
Dierks Bentley, who had previously been up the road at Bridgestone Arena celebrating the Nashville Predators’ Game 4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, joined Thomas Rhett for “Somewhere On A Beach,” which they performed on a satellite stage in the middle of the outdoor venue, to the delight of fans with lawn seating.
Special guest Kelsea Ballerini, who is set to join Rhett as co-host for the Country Music Association’s “CMA Fest 2017” special on ABC this summer, was all smiles, songs and sparkle as she offered hits like “Yeah Boy,” “Dibs,” and “Peter Pan,” as well as fan-favorite album cuts such as “Stilettos” and the rap and rock influences of “XO.”
When she is not on the road, Ballerini has been putting the finishing touches on her sophomore album for Black River Entertainment. She used the show in Nashville to showcase a new track, “Beautiful For A Moment,” a reverie rich in images of Valentine’s Day, roses, and leather jackets.
Despite Ballerini’s youth, she is a seasoned performer, commanding the stage with a confident yet accessible charisma. She often knelt on the stage to shake hands and interact with fans in the front rows.
The wave of uptempo, infectious country-pop tunes slowed as Ballerini took center stage to accompany herself on acoustic guitar, offering a series of cover songs including The Chainsmokers’ “Closer.”
“I’m the biggest fan girl and grew up going to concerts,” she said, adding how much she wanted to share a “guitar moment” with the Nashville crowd.
She opted to go barefoot for her closing song, and her first No.1 hit, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” before skipping offstage.
Recent RCA Nashville signee Ryan Hurd also showcased a casual effervescence onstage before Ballerini, as he offered several of the tracks he has released over the past few months, including “We Do Us,” and “Love In A Bar.” Hurd proved his music can move into full-fledged rock territory on “City Girl,” as two guitarists offered crunchy guitar chords and even a solo “duel” during the performance.
Meanwhile, Triple Tigers Records artist Russell Dickerson warmed the crowd, offering a laid-back, California vibe similar to Hurd with tracks such as “MGNO (My Girls Night Out)” and current single “Yours.”
“This song changed my life because I wrote it about the beautiful woman who changed my life,” Dickerson said in introducing the track.
This generation of country artists have grown up sampling the choice fruits from all styles of music, and those influences showed as each paid homage to current and classic hits. Dickerson injected Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” into his own original “MGNO.” Ballerini offered the aforementioned tune from The Chainsmokers while Thomas Rhett brought all the openers back to the stage with Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.” The song made for an appropriate closer as fireworks painted the evening sky in a rainbow of colors, further lending a magical feel to the evening.
Thomas Rhett brings another headlining show on his Home Team Tour tonight (April 21) at Ascend Amphitheater.
CCM Album Releases: ‘Beatitudes,’ Hannah Kerr
/by Lorie HollabaughBeatitudes Album Project Released
Beatitudes, a new multi-artist album project featuring songs by Amy Grant, Hillsong UNITED, Matt Maher, John Mark McMillan, All Sons & Daughters, Amanda Cook, The Brilliance, Anthony Skinner, Terrian Bass and Becky Harding, Michael W. Smith, Martin Smith, and Propaganda, was released April 21 from Stugiology Music.
The 20-track album is part of The Beatitudes Project, which also includes a book, Words From The Hill (An Invitation to the Unexpected), and a documentary, View From the Hill, which is currently in production. The project shines a light on connected stories of real people from all faiths and walks of life as viewed through the lens of musician, producer and author Stu Garrard.
Four songs from Beatitudes are available for immediate download with each preorder of the album from iTunes, including “Morning Light” featuring Amy Grant, “The View from Here” featuring Hillsong UNITED, “Oh Mercy” featuring Matt Maher with additional vocals by Audrey Assad, and “Heaven Is Around Us” featuring John Mark McMillan.
“The Beatitudes Project is meant to be a reset button in a world plagued with violence and division,” says Garrard, who also authored Words From the Hill. “These upside-down Jesus announcements on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 5 where Jews, Greeks, Romans and people of all ethnicities were gathered are a reminder that there is another way.”
Hannah Kerr’s ‘Overflow’ Hits Stores
Black River Christian singer/songwriter Hannah Kerr‘s debut album, Overflow, is out at retail and all digital outlets. Kerr’s new single “Radiate,” which was co-penned with her brother Josh and Jordan Reynolds, continues its rise up the charts as well. Produced by Mark Miller, Overflow contains 11 tracks, seven of which were penned by Kerr. She will be launching a promo tour in May to support the release of Overflow.
“I’m so excited for the release of Overflow!,” exclaims Kerr. “This album is a product of the last three years of my life and the way God has moved and shaped me through them. I’m praying that the truth and love that He’s poured into me will overflow into the hearts of all who listen, and that lives will be impacted for the better.”
Kerr has also been appointed the first Ambassador spokesperson for Youth For Tomorrow’s (YTF) new awareness and fundraising campaign, “YFT HeartBeats,” promoting the importance and impact of music and arts therapy.
Overflow Track Listing:
1. Warrior – (Tami Hinesh/Alyssa Bonagura)
2. Undivided – (Hannah Kerr/Jon Newell/Scott Krippayne/Ron Robinson)
3. Radiate* – (Hannah Kerr/Josh Kerr/Jordan Reynolds)
4. Never Leave Your Side – (Hannah Kerr/Meredith Andrews/Jacob Sooter)
5. Your Love Defends Me- (Hannah Kerr/Matt Maher)
6. Overflow – (Hannah Kerr/Lindsey Sweat/Jonathan Smith)
7. I Stand Here- (Lindsey Sweat/Kipp Williams)
8. Lifeline – (Joel Houston/Melodie Wagner/Michael Fatkin/Renee Sieff)
9. Love I Leave – (Hannah Kerr/Josh Kerr/Tony Wood)
10. Mercy Won – (Lindsey Sweat/Justin Morgan)
11. Be Still and Know, Featuring Mark Hall – (Hannah Kerr/Jonathan Newell/Chad Cates)
Collaborations Cover Thomas Rhett’s Headlining Hometown Show
/by Jessica NicholsonLeading into the first of two hometown, headlining shows on his 2017 Home Team Tour at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Thursday (April 20), Thomas Rhett stacked the deck, charming the crowd chart-topping songs, surprise collaborations, and even a cover tune or two.
As cloudy skies gave way to a balmy evening at the outdoor venue, Rhett made a dramatic entrance in a puff of smoke center stage, grabbing the crowd’s attention before he even launched into “Crash and Burn.”
Equipped with the songs and style that make him an artist with some of the highest crossover potential, Rhett had the crowd on their feet and dancing with hits and album tracks including “Make Me Wanna,” “Get Me Some of That,” “T-Shirt,” “Vacation,” and “Shake Your South Side.” Mid-show, on a satellite stage, Rhett offered his earliest hits, including “Something To Do With My Hands,” and “Beer With Jesus,” which the star penned in a dorm room at Lipscomb University.
The talented songwriter was able to fill his set with not only his own hits, but a string of those he penned for other artists, including Florida Georgia Line (“Round Here”) Lee Brice (“Parking Lot Party”) and Michael Ray (“Think A Little Less”).
Thomas Rhett
Meanwhile, background video offered glimpses of Rhett’s childhood, from sharpening his craft of songwriting at age 8 to a teen thrashing at a drum set.
Thomas Rhett’s six-week No. 1 song and current CMA Single of the Year “Die A Happy Man” was infused with an extra shade of soulfulness, complete with saxophone. Later in the evening, the crowd learned that Rhett can still pound the skins, as he and drummer Chris Kimmerer took turns showing off their skillful rhythms.
It may have been Rhett’s hometown headlining show, but he shared his stage time generously. Thomas Rhett welcomed a plethora of special guests. Grammy winner Maren Morris joined him for the new single, “Craving You,” while Danielle Bradbery joined for “Playing With Fire,” a track Jordin Sparks collaborated on for his Tangled Up album.
Dierks Bentley, who had previously been up the road at Bridgestone Arena celebrating the Nashville Predators’ Game 4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, joined Thomas Rhett for “Somewhere On A Beach,” which they performed on a satellite stage in the middle of the outdoor venue, to the delight of fans with lawn seating.
Special guest Kelsea Ballerini, who is set to join Rhett as co-host for the Country Music Association’s “CMA Fest 2017” special on ABC this summer, was all smiles, songs and sparkle as she offered hits like “Yeah Boy,” “Dibs,” and “Peter Pan,” as well as fan-favorite album cuts such as “Stilettos” and the rap and rock influences of “XO.”
When she is not on the road, Ballerini has been putting the finishing touches on her sophomore album for Black River Entertainment. She used the show in Nashville to showcase a new track, “Beautiful For A Moment,” a reverie rich in images of Valentine’s Day, roses, and leather jackets.
Despite Ballerini’s youth, she is a seasoned performer, commanding the stage with a confident yet accessible charisma. She often knelt on the stage to shake hands and interact with fans in the front rows.
The wave of uptempo, infectious country-pop tunes slowed as Ballerini took center stage to accompany herself on acoustic guitar, offering a series of cover songs including The Chainsmokers’ “Closer.”
“I’m the biggest fan girl and grew up going to concerts,” she said, adding how much she wanted to share a “guitar moment” with the Nashville crowd.
She opted to go barefoot for her closing song, and her first No.1 hit, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” before skipping offstage.
Recent RCA Nashville signee Ryan Hurd also showcased a casual effervescence onstage before Ballerini, as he offered several of the tracks he has released over the past few months, including “We Do Us,” and “Love In A Bar.” Hurd proved his music can move into full-fledged rock territory on “City Girl,” as two guitarists offered crunchy guitar chords and even a solo “duel” during the performance.
Meanwhile, Triple Tigers Records artist Russell Dickerson warmed the crowd, offering a laid-back, California vibe similar to Hurd with tracks such as “MGNO (My Girls Night Out)” and current single “Yours.”
“This song changed my life because I wrote it about the beautiful woman who changed my life,” Dickerson said in introducing the track.
This generation of country artists have grown up sampling the choice fruits from all styles of music, and those influences showed as each paid homage to current and classic hits. Dickerson injected Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” into his own original “MGNO.” Ballerini offered the aforementioned tune from The Chainsmokers while Thomas Rhett brought all the openers back to the stage with Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.” The song made for an appropriate closer as fireworks painted the evening sky in a rainbow of colors, further lending a magical feel to the evening.
Thomas Rhett brings another headlining show on his Home Team Tour tonight (April 21) at Ascend Amphitheater.
Industry Ink: Craig Morgan, WME, OneCountry.com
/by Jessica NicholsonCraig Morgan Named 2017 Operation Finally Home Ambassador
Pictured (L-R): Bryan Frasher (Red Light Management), Jeff Hill (APA), Kerri Fox-Metoyer (APA), Craig Morgan, Dan Wallrath (Operation Finally Home), Gaines Sturdivant (Red Light Management), Jerry Hines (Tour Manager, Craig Morgan)
Craig Morgan has been named a 2017 Operation Finally Home Ambassador. The non-profit provides mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families, and will partner with Morgan this year to provide homes from select dates during his 2017 tour.
Last night, Houston’s House of Blues hosted the launch of Operation Finally Home Welcomes American Stories Tour with Craig Morgan and special guests. Morgan was joined onstage by Third Day lead singer Mac Powell, songwriter/producer Phil O’Donnell, Sergeant First Class, Army/Retired and photographer Josh Ferguson and daughter Alexandra Beaird for the show.
WME Welcomes UFC Fighters Cindy Dandois and Miesha Tate
Pictured (L-R): Cindy Dandois, Shane Tallent, Miesha Tate
WME’s Nashville office welcomed UFC fighters Cindy Dandois and Miesha Tate for a Q&A session earlier this week. Tate is a retired former UFC and bantamweight champion and a pioneer of women’s mixed martial arts. Outside the ring, Dandois is a school teacher, speaks five languages. She is set to make her UFC debut at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. The session was moderated by two-time Emmy-winning television personality Shane Tallent.
WME’s parent company WME|IMG acquired UFC last year.
OneCountry.com Changes Ownership
“We’ve been following One Country for a long time and we’re excited about its potential and what that means for country music and brands hoping to connect with its unique and robust audience,” Kinney said.
Jonny P Takes Soul To New Heights On New EP ‘Good To You’
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville-based soul singer Jonny P’s new EP, Good To You, is out today on Big Picnic Records. To celebrate the new release, an acoustic video of the title track can be viewed here.
Good To You was produced by guitarist Goffrey Moore with Jonny P, and was mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson) and features James Gadson (Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Herbie Hancock, Beck, BB King) on drums.
“Suppose all music is apple pie,” says Jonny P. “Every genre is apple pie, but soul music is the only one that’s served hot with ice cream on the side. It’s so important to me to add to the story of soul music. I don’t want to create a record that has to go up against Sam Cooke or Otis Redding or anybody like that. If I tried to create some thing that sounds identical to them, I personally would never spin that record. It’s just a moment in time that can’t be re-created. Hopefully I can help carry it forward because more than anything else, soul music is about right now.”
In support of the new project, Jonny P will join the Nashville Ballet for their “Emergence” series June 1-3. He’s also set to perform at Nashville’s “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th” celebration alongside Chris Young, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Sisterhood and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Silverado Records Sets Release Date For Songwriter Series
/by Dan_StrassbergYates, a vocalist and national contest winner, shows off her collection of five self-penned tracks. Produced in Texas, the album features a “Texas Country.” The series was created by Silverado Records to showcase songwriting talent and the current style and sound of the featured songwriter.
“This is an incredible second installment in this series and we know people are going to love Crystal’s songs when they hear them. This album is exactly what this series was intended to be,” says Scott Thomas, CEO Silverado Records.
“I always write with my listener on my heart,” says Yates. “My hope is that this collection of songs reaches the soul and stirs it. I want people to feel as if they have opened up, I heard, and wrote a song just for them.”
Yates has been influenced by Hank Williams Sr. more than by any other artist. She grew up on a steady diet of Merle, Waylon and Dolly and is a student of country music in all of its forms, so her songs don’t categorically fall into some sort of contemporary Christian/country hybrid. Such a narrow distinction would undermine the depth she requires from her own creations.
Luke Bryan Performs The National Anthem As Nashville Predators Sweep Blackhawks
/by Jessica NicholsonIt looks like country music is proving to be a good luck charm for the Nashville Predators. Prior to the Preds’ winning game against the Chicago Blackhawks last night (April 20), Capitol Nashville artist Luke Bryan performed the national anthem. On Monday (April 17), fellow country superstar Carrie Underwood held national anthem duties for the Predators.
The Predators completed their first round sweep of the Blackhawks, with a 4-1 win.
Bryan was pumped about the game, sharing pics on social media.
Of course, Bryan has had practice performing the national anthem this year, as he performed the anthem during the Super Bowl in February with a crowd-pleasing rendition.
Watch Bryan’s performance from last night below:
Eli Young Band Lets Fans Lead The Way On ‘Fingerprints’
/by Lorie HollabaughCo-produced by Copperman and Jeremy Stover, the new project offers up songs that were road-tested and basically chosen by the fans. “With this album, we made a concerted effort to take our cues from our fans,” said bass player Jon Jones. “We’ve really paid attention to which songs they respond to during the live shows, whether they were the singles, or deep album cuts. We wanted to go into the studio with sounds that have resonated the most with the fans.”
One such fan-favorite resonating already is “Skin And Bones,” the band’s current single penned by Mike Eli, Phil Barton, and Lori McKenna and inspired by Eli’s undeniable bond with his wife Kacey. “We’ve become so intertwined it’s hard to say where I end and she begins. I’ve noticed certain things that I do and I am, simply because of her.”
Fingerprints Track List:
1. “Saltwater Gospel” | Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley
2. “Fingerprints” | Mike Eli, James Young, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne
3. “Never Again” | Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
4. “Old Songs” | Mike Eli, Andrew DeRoberts, Adam Hambrick, Jason Nix
5. “Drive” | Mike Eli, Ross Copperman, Tom Douglas, Ashley Gorley
6. “Skin & Bones” | Mike Eli, Phil Barton, Lori McKenna
7. “A Heart Needs A Break” | Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
8. “Once” | Mike Eli, James Young, Josh Osborne, Laura Veltz
9. “Never Land” | Mike Eli, James Young, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite
10. “God Love The Rain” | Mike Eli, Erik Dylan, Jason Nix
11. “The Days I Feel Alone” | Mike Eli, Andrew DeRoberts, Adam Hambrick, Jason Nix
Faster Horses Announces ‘Next From Nashville’ Stage Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughAubrie Sellers also joins the lineup on the main stage, joining Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and more. Festival goers will have more activities than ever this year, including kicking off each day by sipping mimosas and listening to tunes spun by DeeJay Silver at the “DeeJay Silver’s Pancake Party” as well as visiting “The Hustle & Muscle Classic Car & Truck Show” on Sunday to close out the festival.
Festival passes and camping for the three-day festival are available now at fasterhorsesfestival.
Weekly Chart Report (4/21/17)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Angaleena Presley’s ‘Wrangled’ Offers Full-Flavored Conversation Changer
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Mark Friedman, President Deluge Music; Angeleena Presley; producer and Deluge writer Oran Thornton
Since 2015, many have rallied to change the conversation against women being compared to salad garnish.
Wrangled is Angaleena Presley’s full-flavored response to the forum. Her latest project took two years to craft, record and package from a lifetime of experience. Wrangled releases Friday (April 21).
The 12-track project was previewed at Nashville’s Springwater Supper Club & Lounge on Wednesday, April 19. The album displays both subdued moments and flashes of bold resolve. It is almost as if Presley is finally able to breathe easy after years of suffocation and opposition.
An eight-song, full band release party at the Nashville dive bar included the project’s bare, angsty and claustrophobic title track, dedicated to country radio. Lyrics read: “Bible says a woman ought to know her place/Mine’s out here in the middle of all of this wide open space/… I’d rather eat dirt than bake another prize winning cherry pie.”
“I tried to tackle uncomfortable realities like the discrimination against female artists at the height of bro-country, the high school mentality of Music Row and the pain that’s just beneath the surface of the road to stardom,” said Presley in a release.
The star’s plain-spoken accent pairs with her Kentucky sass on “Bless My Heart” and most directly on the rocker “Country,” featuring Yelawolf. The boldness of the latter title dwarfs any satire, if there was any, from Maddie & Tae’s “Girl In A Country Song,” and is more akin to the nod Granger Smith delivers to the country stereotype in his Earl Dibbles Jr. alter ego.
“I was raised to respect my elders and authority figures no matter what they say or do to you,” said Presley, introducing the title. “I’ve taken no for an answer in this town so many times that I can’t even count on five hands. [“Country”] is my snap-moment. I don’t know how to say ‘No’ in real life, but I can tell someone off in a song.”
Those dynamics also extend to the suffocating “Dreams Don’t Come True” (written with Pistol Annie sisters Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe), the tethered depression of “Only Blood” (written with Chris Stapleton featuring vocals with Morgane Stapleton), the mesmerizing, swampy “Good Girl Down” (written with Wanda Jackson) and the self-soothing daze in “Cheer Up Little Darling” (written with Guy Clark, featuring the guitar styling of Shawn Camp).
“We’ve homemade [this album] in to a pretty decent record,” Presley said at Sweetwater about the Mining Light/Thirty Tigers project. “There are those few times I’ve been told ‘Yes’ [in this town]. Some of those people are in this crowd tonight, and I want to thank you for putting food on my table and letting me be a part of your world.”
Guests included those album contributors Camp, writers Monroe, Vanessa Olivarez, Trevor Thornton, Wrangled producer Oran Thornton, Thirty Tigers’ David Macias in addition to Hilary Williams, Mike Sistad, media and additional family and friends.
Presley’s manager Charlie Pierce began the evening with some critic quotes, which this article ends with.