Brandy Clark makes a special appearance during Jennifer Nettles’ CMA Songwriters Series performance on “Front and Center” airing on public television. Photo: Jim Belmont

Public television’s live music series, Front and Center, has again joined forces with the Country Music Association for a new episode of CMA Songwriters Series featuring Jennifer Nettles.

Filmed at New York’s Iridium, Nettles is joined on stage by Brandy Clark to perform her hit song “Love Can Go to Hell.” Nettles is later joined by Amos Lee for two songs including Sugarland’s “Very Last Country Song.”
 

 
Nettles says, “My love of performance actually comes from a love of live performance. If it happens to translate through a camera or through a recording, I love that. I love that we have the technology to record performances and repeat them as many times as we want, (whether) in our cars or in our headphones or on our televisions.”

The episode will air nationally on public television. Check local listings for air dates and times.

Just over a year after the death of Joey Feek, one half of country duo Joey+Rory, Joey’s solo album debut will be released.

If Not For You will be released April 7, 2017 via Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. The project will include a special edition featuring a 48-page booklet of photos, memories, and stories penned by Joey, as well as her husband and singing partner Rory and other family members.

Joey died in March 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Recorded in 2005 and originally titled Strong Enough To Cry, the album was previously released independently and made available at the duo’s shows and on their website. The 12-song collection was produced by Rory Feek and Bill McDermott, and includes the original rendition of “That’s Important To Me.” If Not For You also includes cameo appearances from Joey’s parents and daughter Heidi Feek, as well as a tribute to her late brother Justin, titled “See You There.”

“[The album is] filled with songs that spoke to her and, even more, spoke volumes about her. About what’s most important to her. The lyrics of this record made it clear who she was and who she wanted to be,” Rory said in the album’s booklet. “Yes, her voice might have changed a bit in time, but her character was already rock-solid.”

In the past few years, fans have followed the couple’s journey on Rory’s blog, This Life I Live, as they welcomed their daughter Indiana and Joey battled cancer. The duo first garnered attention as finalists on CMT’s Can You Duet in 2008, and went on to release eight albums, earning a Grammy last month for Best Roots Gospel Album for Hymns (Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings).

If Not For You will be exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music. It will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace, and through online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Target, Walmart.com, and crackerbarrel.com. The recording will also be available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

South By Southwest (SXSW) has released the full list of artists participating in this year’s festival, which runs March 10-19 in Austin, Texas. Nashville will be well-represented on the bill this year. Garth Brooks, Chris Young, A Thousand Horses, and Lady A with Busbee and Nicolle Galyon are all slated to take part in the event, which features more than 2,000 artists showcasing at participating venues.

The Music City artists taking part throughout the week in Austin include: Eli Young Band, Casey Chambers, Cory Branan, Brent Cobb, Andrew Combs, ELEL, Karen Elson, Future Thieves, Ron Gallo, Devon Gilfillian, Ron Gilmore, Lilly Hiatt, Jonny P, Masha, Andreas Moss, Muddy Magnolias, MY RED + BLUE, The Outer Vibe, Savoy Motel, Emi Secrest, Starlito, The Whistles & the Bells, Reuben Bidez, Canyon City, CAPPA, Brandi Cyrus, EZA, Faux Ferocious, The Grahams, Idle Bloom, Kingsbury, KOYOKE, Lovella, Mignon, NAWAS, Nightly, nobigdyl, PHANGS, K Phillips, R.LUM.R, Elliot Root , Patrick Sweany, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Nicole Atkins, Blank Range, Champagne SuperChillin, The Dead Deads, James Droll, Langhorne Slim, Lukr, Lillie Mae, R Stevie Moore & Jason Falkner, Oginalii, Pujol, Caitlyn Smith, and The Weeks.

To help guide attendees, over 35 influential music bloggers have contributed their thoughts on over 100 up-and-coming artists that should be seen live at the festival in the Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2017.

Cole Swindell Celebrates Number One And Gold

Back row, (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s (WMN) Justin Luffman, WMN’s Kristen Williams,
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, WMN’s Katie Bright, WMN’s Chris Palmer.
Front row (L-R): Producer Michael Carter, WMN’s John Esposito, Cole Swindell, WMN’s Peter Strickland, WMN’s Cris Lacy, WMN’s Mallory Opheim Photo: Steve Lowry

Cole Swindell celebrated his sixth No. 1 single “Middle of a Memory,” and his RIAA gold-certified album You Should Be Here, at a party with friends and industry members last week.

You Should Be Here includes the Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1, over 1 Billion-reaching smash single “You Should Be Here,” his Gold-certified multi-week No. 1 “Middle of a Memory” and his current single “Flatliner” which features his friend/current tour mate Dierks Bentley.

Michael Ray Counts Down The Hits With Helton

Michael Ray stopped by “Country Countdown USA” recently to discuss his latest single “Think A Little Less” with show host Lon Helton. The show will air this weekend.

Jake Owen And Bobby Bones Chat About Ascend Show

Jake Owen dropped by the studio to visit with Bobby Bones to announce his upcoming headlining date in Nashville on April 27 at Ascend Amphitheater.

Billy Dean Is Florida Hall Of Famer

Pictured (L-R): Don Felder, Billy Dean, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Jim Stafford. Photo: Suzanna Mars/Gainesville Magazine

Billy Dean was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame Feb. 23 in Gainesville, Florida, along with former Eagles member Don Felder, country artist Jim Stafford, and poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.

Steve Moakler Celebrates ‘Steel Town’ Album Release

Pictured (L-R): Band member Joe Clemmons, co-writer & producer Luke Laird, Steve Moakler and band member Daniel Shifftlett. Photo: CN Records

Steve Moakler celebrated his album release for Steel Town, Tuesday night (March 7) at The Country. Moakler performed songs from the new CD, including “Just Long Enough” which was co-written with Luke Laird and Barry Dean. The new album is available on March 17.