Trace Adkins has revealed the title, album art, track listing and tour in support of his debut project on The BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records.
Titled Something’s Going On, Adkins’ 12th studio album and first release in four years, will be available March 31. The project’s first single, “Watered Down,” will be released to radio March 13. A lyric video for “Watered Down” has been released ahead of the radio add date.
“When I first heard ‘Watered Down’ I felt an immediate connection with what I wanted to say,” shares Adkins. “A man comes to a point in his life where he begins to reflect on his past and what he’s learned and that’s what fueled this song. If you’ve led the kind of life I’ve led, at some point you have to temper your vices.”
Produced by Mickey Jack Cones, the 12-track project boasts some of Nashville’s top songwriters including Tyler Farr, Craig Campbell, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers, Casey Beathard, Trevor Rosen, Matt Jenkins, Troy Johnson, Andrew Dorff, Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne, Phil O’Donnell, and Shane McAnally.
Adkins’ 2017 Tour will launch on February 4 in Orlando, Florida, with an initial 30 dates continuing through August. VIP packages will be available for select dates. Fans who purchase concert tickets will receive a physical copy of Something’s Going On. Visit traceadkins.com for full details.
Something’s Going On Track Listing:
“Ain’t Just The Whiskey Talkin’” (Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)
“Jesus And Jones” (Tyler Farr, Jim McCormick, Casey Beathard)
“Watered Down” (Matt Jenkins, Trevor Rosen, Shane McAnally)
“Something’s Going On” (Chris Cavanaugh, Mark Stephen Jones)
“If Only You Were Lonely” (Jon Coleman, Troy Johnson)
“Gonna Make You Miss Me” (Tommy Lee James, Matt Nolan, Andrew Dorff)
“I’m Gone” (Craig Campbell, Max T. Barnes)
“Country Boy Problems” (Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne)
“Lit” (Mickey Jack Cones, Monty Criswell, Derek George)
“Still A Soldier” (Phil O’Donnell, Wade Kirby)
“Whippoorwills And Freight Trains” (Phil O’Donnell, Jeff Middleton, Brandon Kinney)
“Hang” (Lynn Hutton, Phil O’Donnell)
Trace Adkins 2017 Tour Dates:
Feb. 4 – Universal Studios – Mardi Gras Celebration, Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 25 – BlueWater Resort Amphitheater, Parker, Ariz.
Mar. 23 – Keswick Theatre, Glenside, Pa.
Mar. 24 – St. George Theatre, Staten Island, N.Y.
Mar. 25 – The Paramount, Huntington, N.Y.
Apr. 6 – Palace Theatre, Canton, Ohio
Apr. 7 – Del Lago Resort and Casino, Waterloo, N.Y.
Apr. 8 – Palace Theatre, Greensburg, Pa.
Apr. 9 – Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, Md.
Apr. 21 – Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Mass.
Apr. 22 – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, N.H.
Apr. 23 – State Theatre, Easton, Pa.
Apr. 27 – Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, Orange Park, Fla.
Apr. 28 – Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, Ga.
Apr. 29 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum Crawfish Festival, Biloxi, Miss.
May 5 – Golden Nugget Casino, Lake Charles, La.
May 6 – University of Arkansas, Hope, Ark.
May 18 – Mayo PAC, Morristown, N.J.
May 19 – Salem Civic Center, Salem, Va.
May 20 – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Renfro Valley, Ky.
May 21 – American Music Theater, Lancaster, Pa.
May 26 – Lakeside Outdoor Theater, Osceola, Iowa
May 27 – Rhythm City Casino Resort – Event Center, Davenport, Iowa
June 30 – Welk Resort & Theater, Branson, Mo.
July 1 – Choctaw Grand Theater, Durant, Okla.
July 20 – Honeywell Center, Wabash, Ind.
July 21 – CEFCU Center Stage, Peoria, Ill.
July 22 – Country Jam USA, Eau Claire, Wis.
Aug. 5 – Richland County Fair, Sidney, Mont.
Aug 18 – Brown County Fairgrounds, Aberdeen, S.D.
Trace Adkins Reveals Debut BBR Project, New Single, Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerTitled Something’s Going On, Adkins’ 12th studio album and first release in four years, will be available March 31. The project’s first single, “Watered Down,” will be released to radio March 13. A lyric video for “Watered Down” has been released ahead of the radio add date.
“When I first heard ‘Watered Down’ I felt an immediate connection with what I wanted to say,” shares Adkins. “A man comes to a point in his life where he begins to reflect on his past and what he’s learned and that’s what fueled this song. If you’ve led the kind of life I’ve led, at some point you have to temper your vices.”
Produced by Mickey Jack Cones, the 12-track project boasts some of Nashville’s top songwriters including Tyler Farr, Craig Campbell, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers, Casey Beathard, Trevor Rosen, Matt Jenkins, Troy Johnson, Andrew Dorff, Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne, Phil O’Donnell, and Shane McAnally.
Adkins’ 2017 Tour will launch on February 4 in Orlando, Florida, with an initial 30 dates continuing through August. VIP packages will be available for select dates. Fans who purchase concert tickets will receive a physical copy of Something’s Going On. Visit traceadkins.com for full details.
Something’s Going On Track Listing:
“Ain’t Just The Whiskey Talkin’” (Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)
“Jesus And Jones” (Tyler Farr, Jim McCormick, Casey Beathard)
“Watered Down” (Matt Jenkins, Trevor Rosen, Shane McAnally)
“Something’s Going On” (Chris Cavanaugh, Mark Stephen Jones)
“If Only You Were Lonely” (Jon Coleman, Troy Johnson)
“Gonna Make You Miss Me” (Tommy Lee James, Matt Nolan, Andrew Dorff)
“I’m Gone” (Craig Campbell, Max T. Barnes)
“Country Boy Problems” (Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne)
“Lit” (Mickey Jack Cones, Monty Criswell, Derek George)
“Still A Soldier” (Phil O’Donnell, Wade Kirby)
“Whippoorwills And Freight Trains” (Phil O’Donnell, Jeff Middleton, Brandon Kinney)
“Hang” (Lynn Hutton, Phil O’Donnell)
Trace Adkins 2017 Tour Dates:
Feb. 4 – Universal Studios – Mardi Gras Celebration, Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 25 – BlueWater Resort Amphitheater, Parker, Ariz.
Mar. 23 – Keswick Theatre, Glenside, Pa.
Mar. 24 – St. George Theatre, Staten Island, N.Y.
Mar. 25 – The Paramount, Huntington, N.Y.
Apr. 6 – Palace Theatre, Canton, Ohio
Apr. 7 – Del Lago Resort and Casino, Waterloo, N.Y.
Apr. 8 – Palace Theatre, Greensburg, Pa.
Apr. 9 – Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, Md.
Apr. 21 – Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Mass.
Apr. 22 – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, N.H.
Apr. 23 – State Theatre, Easton, Pa.
Apr. 27 – Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, Orange Park, Fla.
Apr. 28 – Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, Ga.
Apr. 29 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum Crawfish Festival, Biloxi, Miss.
May 5 – Golden Nugget Casino, Lake Charles, La.
May 6 – University of Arkansas, Hope, Ark.
May 18 – Mayo PAC, Morristown, N.J.
May 19 – Salem Civic Center, Salem, Va.
May 20 – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Renfro Valley, Ky.
May 21 – American Music Theater, Lancaster, Pa.
May 26 – Lakeside Outdoor Theater, Osceola, Iowa
May 27 – Rhythm City Casino Resort – Event Center, Davenport, Iowa
June 30 – Welk Resort & Theater, Branson, Mo.
July 1 – Choctaw Grand Theater, Durant, Okla.
July 20 – Honeywell Center, Wabash, Ind.
July 21 – CEFCU Center Stage, Peoria, Ill.
July 22 – Country Jam USA, Eau Claire, Wis.
Aug. 5 – Richland County Fair, Sidney, Mont.
Aug 18 – Brown County Fairgrounds, Aberdeen, S.D.
$99 Unemployment Rate Returns for CRS 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry Radio Seminar has announced that the $99 Unemployment Rate is now available for CRS 2017, which will be held Feb. 22 – Feb. 24 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Omni Hotel.
The Unemployment Rate will provide access to more than 30 on-site educational panels and round-table discussions, as well as CRS sanctioned after-hours events. The rate does not include access into the already sold-out New Faces show, which will feature artists William Michael Morgan (Warner Bros.), Maren Morris (Columbia Nashville), Jon Pardi (Capitol Nashville), Granger Smith (Wheelhouse Records) and Drake White (Dot Records).
To apply for this special special rate, applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, Feb. 15. The application must be verified and approved by CRB. Contact Ashley Silver at (615) 327-4487 or ashley@crb.org for an application and registration materials.
The regular rate of $699 is now in effect for others planning to attend CRS 2017. For more, visit countryradioseminar.com.
Spirit/Fluid Signs Singer-Songwriter Palmer Lee
/by Lorie HollabaughFront Row (L-R): Frank Rogers (Fluid Music Revolution), Palmer Lee, Daniel Hill (President, Spirit Music Nashville). Back Row (L-R): Brittany Adkins Schaffer (Loeb & Loeb), AJ Burton (VP, Fluid Music Revolution), Eric Hurt (Sr. Director, Creative, Spirit Music Nashville), Brian Bradford (Director, Admin, Spirit Music Nashville), Billy Lynn (VP Creative, Spirit Music Nashville)
Palmer Lee has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution. The Rogers, Arkansas, native graduated from Belmont in May 2015, where she studied commercial voice. Lee began her songwriting career as half of country/folk duo 3rd & Union with Chase Coy. Their 2012 full-length debut was critically acclaimed, and the track “No More” was featured on the television show Degrassi. Palmer has also released an EP and full-length record independently.
“From the moment Palmer and I met and she began playing me her music, I knew there was something special with her, so I wanted Frank to meet her ASAP. That meeting went so well that we offered her a deal on the spot! We are excited for the world to hear her talents,” said Fluid Music Revolution VP AJ Burton.
“I can’t think of a better team to work with than Frank, AJ and everyone at Fluid/Spirit. They have been incredibly supportive of my goals and the songs I’ve written, and I am excited to see what the future holds. I’m really thankful to begin my career learning from the best!” said Palmer Lee.
GMR Files To Dismiss RMLC’s Anti-Trust Lawsuit
/by Eric T. ParkerWithin the filing, GMR notes the Pennsylvania court the RMLC filed with last November lacks personal jurisdiction and is an improper forum in which to adjudicate the dispute; and notes that the RMLC complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, according to the news agency.
Billboard‘s report continues, citing court documents: “If the Pennsylvania case is not going to be dismissed and must be adjudicated, the latest filing states that the case should be in the U.S. Central District of California Court because that’s where GMR is located and the only licensing negotiations that happened in person occurred there; and RMLC also has twice has many member radio stations in California than it does in Pennsylvania.”
After the RMLC’s anti-trust filing, GMR responded by filing its own before offering a temporary license through Sept. 30, 2017, however Billboard notes there is ongoing contention about RMLC’s involvement with the interim license and its cost, said to total $2.5 million per month.
Billboard‘s Ed Christman notes GMR sought a combined $42 million for the 10,000 RMLC stations (90 percent of U.S. Terrestrial radio revenue) to license its music for a year, according to the initial lawsuit. Christman goes on to note negotiations continued with RMLC’s “one-year deal that would pay out about $27 million, or $2.25 million per month from the stations…GMR made a counter proposal of $30 million, or $2.5 million a month, which the RMLC rejected and then filed the lawsuit.”
All this after initial negotiations broke down between the two parties before the November filing prior to the end of 2016, when the RMLC’s radio license was set to expire for GMR’s 73-represented songwriters works, which are said to total between 5-7.5 percent of all radio play.
Founded by Irving Azoff in 2013 and headed by former ASCAP executive Randy Grimmett, GMR represents Nashville writers Shane McAnally, Luke Laird and Paul Overstreet. The PRO is represented by O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Harkins Cunningham LLP.
Dean Dillon Hosts Sundance Head, Alison Krauss, More at Mountain High Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): BMI songwriter Sundance Head, SunTrust’s Dusty Miller, BMI Icon and Mountain High Music Festival’s Dean Dillon, SunTrust’s Earle Simmons and BMI’s Mason Hunter. Photo: Dusty Demerson
Dean Dillon hosted several of his songwriter friends for the Mountain High Music Festival, held Jan. 11-15 in Crested Butte, Colorado. Sponsored by BMI and SunTrust Bank, the festival featured four days of country writers sharing stories and songs in one of the most scenic locations in the US. Festival performers included BMI songwriters Sundance Head, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Sonia Leigh, Ashley Monroe, Travis Meadows, Wendell Mobley, and more, and was hosted by Sirius XM’s Storme Warren.
Pictured (L-R:) BMI songwriters Jody Booth, Dean Dillon, Travis Meadows and Sundance Head perform at the Mountain High Music Festival. (Photo by Dusty Demerson.)
BMI songwriter Jamey Johnson plays guitar as fellow BMI writer Alison Krauss looks on after her turn at the Mountain High Music Festival. Photo: Dusty Demerson
BMI songwriter Ashley Monroe at the Mountain High Music Festival
BMI songwriters Sonia Leigh and Wendell Mobley sing at the Mountain High Music Festival. Photo: Dusty Demerson
Artist Pics: Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Cassadee Pope, Luke Combs, Jacob Davis
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan, Little Big Town Celebrate During Crash My Playa Event
Luke Bryan pauses for a little fun with CMT’s Cody Alan and Little Big Town at his “Crash My Playa” event in Mexico.
Old Dominion Performs On The Ellen Degeneres Show
(L-R:) Lead guitarist Brad Tursi, Ellen DeGeneres, drummer Whit Sellers, lead singer Matthew Ramsey, bassist Geoff Sprung and multi-instrumentalist Trevor Rosen
Courtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Old Dominion performed their latest No.1 smash, “Song For Another Time,” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last Friday (Jan. 20). The band is currently working on the followup to their Meat And Candy album with producer Shane McAnally.
Cassadee Pope Performs On Hallmark Channel’s Home And Family
Pictured (L-R): Home & Family host Mark Steines, Cassadee Pope, Home & Family host Debbie Matenopoulos, guest host Jill Wagner and Tom Wong
Cassadee Pope stopped by the Hallmark Channel’s Home And Family show Monday (Jan. 23) to perform an acoustic version of “Kisses At Airports,” a track from her Summer EP. She chatted with hosts Mark Steines, Debbie Matenopoulos and guest host Jill Wagner about her career since winning season three of The Voice and her duet with Chris Young, “Think Of You,” which is up for a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Luke Combs Celebrates Sold-Out Performance In Indianapolis
Pictured (L-R): Cliff Blake from Columbia Nashville, Luke Combs, and WLHK PD Fritz Moser
Recent Columbia Nashville signee Luke Combs performed a sold-out show at 8 Seconds Saloon in Indianapolis Saturday night.
Black River’s Jacob Davis Embarks On Radio Promo Tour
Pictured (L-R): BRE’s Mike Wilson, WLFP’s Chris Michaels, Jacob Davis, WLFP’s Marty Brooks & BRE’s Megan Boardman
Black River artist Jacob Davis kicked off his radio promo tour this week in support of his upcoming single, “What I Wanna Be,” and made several stops including WLFP in Memphis.
Industry Ink: Cole Swindell, Dave Cobb, Devin Dawson
/by Jessica NicholsonCole Swindell’s “Middle Of A Memory” Earns Gold
Cole Swindell celebrates the Gold-certification of “Middle of a Memory”
at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night with friends and family from Warner Bros. Records, WME, KP Entertainment, radio and his touring family.
Photo: Hunter Airheart
Before he was to play in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville for Dierks Bentley’s What the Hell World Tour, Cole Swindell was surprised by his Warner Bros. Records family with a plaque marking the Gold-certification of his sixth consecutive and most recent No. 1 single “Middle of a Memory” from his sophomore album You Should Be Here. Each of Swindell’s singles released since he signed with Warner Bros. Records three years ago has not only gone to No. 1 on the country charts, but each single has been certified by the RIAA for reaching Gold (500,000+) and/or Platinum (1,000,000) status.
“Middle of a Memory” joins Swindell’s list of RIAA-certified singles, including four Platinum-certified singles “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” “Chillin’ It” and “You Should Be Here” and now two Gold-certified singles with “Middle of a Memory” joining “Let Me See Ya Girl.”
The Georgia native’s current single “Flatliner,” featuring Bentley, goes for official radio adds today (Jan. 23). “Flatliner,” written by Swindell, Matt Brownleewe and Jaron Boyer, is the third single from Swindell’s sophomore album You Should Be Here.
Dave Cobb to Be Featured at CMHoF
Dave Cobb
Dave Cobb will be featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s special series Music Masters on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. Museum Senior Director, Producer, and Writer Peter Cooper will conduct an in-depth interview illustrated with photos and film footage.
Artifacts including guitars, a notebook and a keyboard belonging to Cobb are on display in the museum. Cobb used the items when he produced successful recordings by Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, and Sturgill Simpson.
The Cobb interview is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and passes are required for admittance. Museum members can reserve program passes in advance by phone (615-416-2050) or via e-mail (reservations@countrymusichalloffame.org). The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming. Following the program, Cobb will sign a commemorative Hatch Show Print poster, available for purchase in the Museum Store.
Music Masters is an interview series featuring revealing conversations with music industry figures such as producers, publicists, engineers, A&R staff, and business executives. Normally at work behind the scenes, these leaders have unique perspectives on the development of artists and the creation of hit songs. Through stories from these key players, the Music Masters series explores the interaction of business and culture. Previous subjects include Jimmy Bowen, Mark Bright, Garth Fundis, Frank Liddell, Bob Neuwirth, Jim Rooney, Keith Stegall and Jeff Stevens.
Warner Music Nashville’s Devin Dawson Showcases New Music At iHeart Summit
Pictured (L-R): Kristen Williams (SVP, Radio & Streaming), John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN), Devin Dawson, Tom Poleman (iHeart), Dan Smyers and Rod Phillips (iHeart)
Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist Devin Dawson showcased new music at the iHeart Summit last week in Nashville. He is set to join Maren Morris’ Hero tour this year.
Dawson first garnered national attention in 2014, after a YouTube video featuring Dawson and Louisa Wendorff performing a mashup cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and “Style” went viral.
LifeNotes: Manager Kerri Edwards’ Father Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonA visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., and on Friday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, located at 5120 Franklin Pike in Nashville. A service will also be held on Friday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.
Donations can be sent to Brentwood Hills Church of Christ c/o: Camp Leatherwood, 5120 Franklin Pike, Nashville TN 37220.
Kelsea Ballerini to Perform at Nashville Symphony Fashion Show
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Symphony Fashion Show is presented through a partnership between the Nashville Symphony and Gus Mayer of Nashville, and proceeds from the event help support the Symphony’s artistic, education and community engagement programs, which annually reach tens of thousands of children and adults through concerts, free performances and instruction, classroom curriculum and more.
Tickets for the 2017 Symphony Fashion Show will go on sale in March, and more information is available at NashvilleSymphony.org/
Charlie Worsham to Release Sophomore CD in April
/by Lorie HollabaughThe new project was co-produced by Frank Liddell and Eric Masse with Arturo Buenahora, Jr. serving as Executive Producer, and includes 13 new songs, nine of which were co-penned by Worsham.
“We had so much fun! I had fallen out of love with music, and making this record put me back in love with it on a level I hadn’t felt since I was a teenager,” admits Worsham of the new CD. “Beginning Of Things was a challenge in surrendering control and trusting my own talent. I’m confident that these songs and these recordings capture my musical geography and personal truth, and at the end of the day, I’m convinced that is the ultimate purpose of an artist—to speak one’s truth.”
BEGINNING OF THINGS TRACK LIST:
“Pants” (Jeff Hyde)
“Please People Please” (Charlie Worsham, Ryan Tyndell)
“Southern By The Grace of God” (Charlie Worsham, Luke Dick, Shane McAnally)
“Call You Up” (Abe Stoklasa, Daniel Tashien)
“Lawn Chair Don’t Care” (Charlie Worsham, Brent Cobb, Ryan Tyndell)
“Only Way To Fly” (Charlie Worsham, Brent Cobb, Ryan Tyndell)
“Old Times Sake” (Charlie Worsham, Jeremy Spillman, Brent Cobb)
“Cut Your Groove” (Charlie Worsham, Oscar Charles)
“I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” (Charlie Worsham, Ryan Tyndell, Billy Montana)
“The Beginning Of Things” (Abe Stoklasa, Donovan Woods)
“Birthday Suit” (Luke Dick, Jason Lehning)
“I-55” (Charlie Worsham, Ben Hayslip)
“Take Me Drunk” (Charlie Worsham, Ryan Tyndell, Steve Bogard)