Rodney Crowell is set to release Close Ties on March 31, supported with a music video in addition to an upcoming tour and Grammy Museum conversation and performance.
The 10-song album (track listing below) will be released via New West Records, and is Crowell’s first in over three years, following his duets project with Emmylou Harris, The Traveling Kind. Jordan Lehning and Kim Buie co-produced Close Ties, which features a duet with Sheryl Crow and a vocal collaboration with John Paul White and Crowell’s ex-wife Rosanne Cash. “It Ain’t Over Yet” is the first time Crowell and Cash have appeared on record together since 1988, “It’s Such A Small World,” which was Crowell’s first chart-topping song.
Rolling Stone Country premiered the video for Crowell’s collaboration with White and Cash, “It Ain’t Over Yet,” which also features legendary harmonica player Mickey Raphael.
Close Ties is a loose concept record that ranges from songs about Crowell’s childhood in Texas (“East Houston Blues”) to songs about arriving in Nashville as a young songwriter (“Nashville 1972”) to songs about friends (the anguished “Life Without Susanna”) and lovers lost (“Forgive Me Annabelle”).
“I have declared my loyalty to Americana. It’s a hard category for people to get their heads around, or at least the terminology is. But all the people who represent it – Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and more recent stars like John Paul White and Jason Isbell – share a common thread, and that thread is poet,” says Crowell. “Whether they are actual poets or their music exemplifies a poetic sensibility, generally speaking, the Americana artist shuns commercial compromise in favor of a singular vision. Which resonates with me.”
Close Ties will be available on compact disc, LP, and is now available for digital pre-order.
The Americana Music Association and the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles have also announced An Evening With Rodney Crowell on Monday, Jan. 23. The conversation and performance will kickoff the 2017 Americana Series at the Museum’s 200-seat Clive Davis Theater and will be moderated by Scott Goldman, Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. Crowell has also announced tour dates in advance and in support of Close Ties, kicking off February 14 in New Braunfels, Texas (Dates below with more to be announced).
Close Ties Track Listing:
1. East Houston Blues
2. Reckless
3. Life Without Susanna
4. It Ain’t Over Yet (featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White)
5. I Don’t Care Anymore
6. I’m Tied To Ya (featuring Sheryl Crow)
7. Forgive Me Annabelle
8. Forty Miles From Nowhere
9. Storm Warning
10. Nashville 1972
Rodney Crowell On Tour (More Dates To Be Announced):
February 14 – New Braunfels, TX @ Brauntex Theater
February 15 – Tomball, TX @ Main Street Crossing
February 16 – Tomball, TX @ Main Street Crossing
February 19-26 – The Cayamo Cruise
March 14 – Aspen, CO @ Wheeler Opera House
March 15 – Ft. Collins, CO @ The Armory
March 16 – Boulder, CO @ eTown
March 23 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
March 24 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
March 25 – Chicago, IL @ City Winery
March 30 – New York, NY @ City Winery
March 31 – Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
April 1 – Washington, DC @ The Hamilton
April 7 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theater (*Darrell K. Royal Homecoming Show)
May 7 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Lobero Theater
May 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
May 10 – Berkeley, CA @ Freight & Salvage
May 13 – Olympia, WA @ Capitol Theater
September 16 – Bristol, TN @ Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival
MusicRowPics: Bailey Bryan Releases Vertical Video For Debut Single
/by Jessica NicholsonBailey Bryan
Bailey Bryan is on a mission to share her truest self with the world, and to encourage other young people to feel the freedom to do the same. Today (Jan. 5), the 18-year-old singer-songwriter revealed the video for her debut single “Own It.” The peppy musical confection aims to inspire listeners to accept their quirks and idiosyncrasies.
“I walked in with literally just a list of things about myself…things I liked, things I didn’t like, things I was trying to come to terms with,” Bryan says of the songwriting process. “Like, I wear Converse a lot, I don’t like to stay up too late. The song became about things I needed to hear, like, ‘I’m a beautiful mess,’ and ‘I don’t care what they say.’ It’s not always easy to live your life that way. So, that’s part of the reason I’m happy it’s my first single, because that’s what I get to sing over and over again, and a lot of times I’m singing it to myself.”
The just-released video for “Own It,” produced by Green Shoe Studios, captures her generation’s affinity for all things mobile and digital, and is infused with images of smartphones, chat messages, voice memos and more. The clip was shot vertically, and designed to be optimally viewed on mobile devices. Staying true to the song’s message, Bryan has encouraged fans to share their personal “own it” stories on social media, where she regularly shares her own day-to-day victories and struggles.
The Washington native has resided in Nashville for little more than a year, after moving to Music City with her mother, father, and younger brother. Though her family has returned to their home state, she calls them her biggest supporters.
“There is no way I could do this without them,” says Bryan.
Bryan has quickly assembled a team of professionals, inking a joint venture with 300 Entertainment and Warner Music Nashville, as well as working with The GreenRoom and Kompass Music Publishing.
Bryan recently visited the MusicRow offices, where she previewed tracks including “Own It” and “Deja Vu,” as well as “After All,” which she wrote at age 14.
Bryan is one of three artists nominated for the 2017 Grammy Artist of Tomorrow, with a ringing endorsement from Lady Antebellum member Hillary Scott. Fans can vote for the honor through Feb. 8.
Bailey Bryan with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow
Bailey Bryan with MusicRow staff.
Rodney Crowell Announces New Album, Music Video, Tour Dates
/by Eric T. ParkerRodney Crowell is set to release Close Ties on March 31, supported with a music video in addition to an upcoming tour and Grammy Museum conversation and performance.
The 10-song album (track listing below) will be released via New West Records, and is Crowell’s first in over three years, following his duets project with Emmylou Harris, The Traveling Kind. Jordan Lehning and Kim Buie co-produced Close Ties, which features a duet with Sheryl Crow and a vocal collaboration with John Paul White and Crowell’s ex-wife Rosanne Cash. “It Ain’t Over Yet” is the first time Crowell and Cash have appeared on record together since 1988, “It’s Such A Small World,” which was Crowell’s first chart-topping song.
Rolling Stone Country premiered the video for Crowell’s collaboration with White and Cash, “It Ain’t Over Yet,” which also features legendary harmonica player Mickey Raphael.
Close Ties is a loose concept record that ranges from songs about Crowell’s childhood in Texas (“East Houston Blues”) to songs about arriving in Nashville as a young songwriter (“Nashville 1972”) to songs about friends (the anguished “Life Without Susanna”) and lovers lost (“Forgive Me Annabelle”).
“I have declared my loyalty to Americana. It’s a hard category for people to get their heads around, or at least the terminology is. But all the people who represent it – Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and more recent stars like John Paul White and Jason Isbell – share a common thread, and that thread is poet,” says Crowell. “Whether they are actual poets or their music exemplifies a poetic sensibility, generally speaking, the Americana artist shuns commercial compromise in favor of a singular vision. Which resonates with me.”
Close Ties will be available on compact disc, LP, and is now available for digital pre-order.
The Americana Music Association and the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles have also announced An Evening With Rodney Crowell on Monday, Jan. 23. The conversation and performance will kickoff the 2017 Americana Series at the Museum’s 200-seat Clive Davis Theater and will be moderated by Scott Goldman, Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. Crowell has also announced tour dates in advance and in support of Close Ties, kicking off February 14 in New Braunfels, Texas (Dates below with more to be announced).
Close Ties Track Listing:
1. East Houston Blues
2. Reckless
3. Life Without Susanna
4. It Ain’t Over Yet (featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White)
5. I Don’t Care Anymore
6. I’m Tied To Ya (featuring Sheryl Crow)
7. Forgive Me Annabelle
8. Forty Miles From Nowhere
9. Storm Warning
10. Nashville 1972
Rodney Crowell On Tour (More Dates To Be Announced):
February 14 – New Braunfels, TX @ Brauntex Theater
February 15 – Tomball, TX @ Main Street Crossing
February 16 – Tomball, TX @ Main Street Crossing
February 19-26 – The Cayamo Cruise
March 14 – Aspen, CO @ Wheeler Opera House
March 15 – Ft. Collins, CO @ The Armory
March 16 – Boulder, CO @ eTown
March 23 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
March 24 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
March 25 – Chicago, IL @ City Winery
March 30 – New York, NY @ City Winery
March 31 – Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
April 1 – Washington, DC @ The Hamilton
April 7 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theater (*Darrell K. Royal Homecoming Show)
May 7 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Lobero Theater
May 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
May 10 – Berkeley, CA @ Freight & Salvage
May 13 – Olympia, WA @ Capitol Theater
September 16 – Bristol, TN @ Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival
Dallas Wilson Signs With Riser House Publishing
/by Haley CrowPictured (Front Row): Dallas Wilson. (Back Row, L-R): Mitchell Tenpenny, Riser House; Kristen Ashley, Riser House; Jim Zumwalt, Shackelford Law; Jason VanAuken, Riser House; Jennifer Johnson, Riser House; Lilly-June, Dog/Riser House Mascot; Lauren Spahn, Shackelford Law; Paige Pugh, Riser House.
Songwriter Dallas Wilson has received his first publishing deal, signing with Riser House Publishing. Wilson is the second writer to join the Riser House team following Michael Whitworth’s signing last October.
Wilson was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and grew up around the industry. Wilson’s father is studio drummer and hit songwriter Lonnie Wilson and his mother was a background singer for Loretta Lynn.
“Everyone on the Riser House team is incredible. They have such a positive energy and I’m so excited to be a part of it. I’m so thankful for Mitchell Tenpenny for introducing me to Jennifer, Kristen, and Paige!” Wilson says.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to start the new year than signing Dallas Wilson,” says Riser House’s Kristen Ashley. “He’s a great addition to our Riser House team and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what he’s been doing.”
“Dallas brings a totally different dynamic to our team and is quickly becoming new co-writers’ favorite addition to the room. We are so ecstatic to welcome him to our Riser House family,” says Riser House’s Paige Pugh.
Riser House Publishing was founded in 2016 by Jennifer Johnson.
Industry Ink: Good Company Entertainment, Brett Young, Katherine Forbes, Stout Burgers & Beers
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Gale, Jake Owen Celebrate New Venture
Pictured (L-R): Jake Owen, Keith Gale
As previously reported, Keith Gale has teamed with Jake Owen to form a new management venture, Good Company Entertainment.
In the new venture, Gale will serve as Owen’s manager, while Jon Andolina, Director/Tour Marketing & Sponsorships, handles day-to-day management responsibilities for Owen. Greg Fowler will continue as Owen’s tour manager. Gale can be reached at his new post at 1033 16th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. His new email is Keith@goodcompanyent.com.
Music Execs Team For Restaurant Venture
Several music industry members have invested in a Brentwood, Tennessee restaurant called Stout Burgers and Beers.
Songwriter Andrew Fromm, Madison House’s Jordan Burger, Combustion Music’s Chris Van Belkom, artist manager Chris Allen, booking agent Tom Kemp, and CMT’s Paul Logan have all invested in the new venture. Stout also has restaurants in Los Angeles and Louisville. Also part of the venture are Fitz & The Tantrums member Noelle Scaggs, and songwriter Bart Allmand.
For more, visit stoutburgersandbeers.com.
Brett Young Visits NASH FM Studios In NYC
Brett Young stopped by the NASH FM 94.7 studios in New York City yesterday to chat with Jesse Addy. Young will return to the city in a few months on Luke Bryan’s Kill the Lights Tour, which stops at Madison Square Garden on March 1. While at NASH Brett performed “In Case You Didn’t Know,” a song off his self-titled debut album out Feb. 10.
Katherine Forbes Launches Female Musician Networking Site
Katherine Forbes has launched an online platform called Music Biz Besties to create a community to connect female musicians and industry leaders. Forbes created the site, which features personal profile pages, to help foster industry relationships beyond social media.
Music Biz Besties also offers educational resources including a free online course, webinar trainings, a three-part educational video series, and her new signature online marketing course.
More information can be found at musicbizbesties.com.
Blake Shelton to Open Multimillion Dollar Venue in Downtown Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Shelton is transforming his hit “Ol’ Red” into an entire lifestyle brand, anchored by a huge, new, multimillion dollar entertainment venue set to open on Nashville’s lower Broadway. Shelton is partnering with Ryman Hospitality Properties for the new venture, which is part of Ryman Properties’ strategy to create retail, entertainment venues, and digital content that celebrate the country lifestyle and resonate with country’s rapidly growing fan base around the globe.
Ole Red Nashville will be a multi-level, 26,000-square-foot entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, retail area, performance space, dance floor and private VIP booths for small groups. Set to open in 2018 at 300 Broadway, the complex will also include a private event space and a 6,000-square-foot rooftop with an indoor/outdoor bar/restaurant with views of Lower Broadway. The venue’s performance space will be equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system tailor-made for everything from intimate concerts and live band karaoke to artist showcases.
“It’s amazing to me to see a song that’s been such a big part of my career come to life in the plans for Ole Red,” said Shelton. “Nashville and Tishomingo are both places that are important to me, and it’s great that each location is going to have its own personality inspired by one of my favorite songs. It’s always been a dream of mine to create something like this where people know they’re going to have a good time as soon as they walk in the door, and I couldn’t be more excited that my friends at the Opry and Ryman Hospitality Properties are making it happen.”
“The Grand Ole Opry is known for connecting fans to the artists and the music they love and that is what the Ole Red brand is all about,” said Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman/CEO. “Not only is Blake Shelton one of the most popular entertainers of his generation, his performance style and passion for authentic country music have also made him a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry stage since the early days of his career. Ole Red will immerse fans in all the elements of a great country song—with some unexpected twists from Blake along the way.”
Shelton and Ryman Hospitality Properties also announced plans to open a second venue, Ole Red Tishomingo, set to open in late 2017 in Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, Okla.
Renderings for the Nashville location can be seen below.
peermusic Inks Publishing Deal With Jennifer Hanson
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Vice President of Nashville, peermusic; Jennifer Hanson; Kim Wiggins, peermusic Senior Creative Director.
Singer/songwriter Jennifer Hanson has signed an exclusive publishing deal with peermusic.
Hanson has penned songs including “Leave The Pieces” (The Wreckers), “A Different World” (Bucky Covington), and “Let Me Down Easy” (Billy Currington). She also co-wrote “Country Strong,” the title track for the movie of the same name, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw.
“Jennifer Hanson is hands down one of my favorite songwriters in town,” said peermusic VP Michael Knox. “When Kim Wiggins brought her to me and said she was looking for a deal, it was that missing piece we had been looking for.”
“I’m beyond thrilled to be signing with peermusic,” said Hanson about her new publishing home. “The enthusiasm and support that Michael Knox, Kim Wiggins and the rest of the peermusic team have shown me has been incredible and I look forward to a productive and successful partnership.”
Brett Eldredge Gets Tropical New Year’s Surprise
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Eldredge got quite a New Year’s surprise during his trip to the Caribbean to usher in 2017 when he discovered an unwanted visitor in his bathroom – a coiled-up snake! Eldredge posted a video of his beachfront friend online that immediately went viral.
The hardworking singer just wrapped a year of highs including releasing his first-ever holiday CD Glow, his sixth consecutive No. 1 single with “Wanna Be That Song,” appearances on “Today,” “Good Morning America,” “Live With Kelly,” and the “CMA Country Christmas” special, and his beloved Cubbies winning the World Series.
CMT To Host Social Media Chats After ‘Nashville’
/by Eric T. ParkerCMT has announced “NASHCHAT” the first-ever social interactive fan hangout and conversation companion to season five of the hit series Nashville, across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook Live.
The Facebook Live chat will debut immediately following new episodes of Nashville with star Chris Carmack (Will Lexington) set as the first guest on January 5 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on CMT’s Facebook page. Amy Brown, co-host of The Bobby Bones Show, will host the Facebook Live events from a living room in Nashville alongside cast and crew interviews, original music and Nashville insiders.
“Fans saved Nashville. Now we’re inviting fans into our living room to celebrate the characters, stories and music they love,” said Brian Philips, President of CMT. “With ‘NASHCHAT’, we’ll create a home across all social media culminating with a Facebook Live interactive recap and fan chat immediately following new episodes.”
CMT Instagram and Instagram Live will host “NASHCHAT” behind the scenes, CMT Snapchat will feature Nashville cast content, fan community content, games and contests. CMT Twitter will host a daily conversation with the fans including memes, clips, quizzes, photos, recaps and episodic promos.
CMT teamed up with Hulu, which will stream new episodes the day after they air on CMT, to resurrect the series a month later.
The previous ABC series has aired in 225 territories worldwide. Since its debut, the show has inspired 10 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which have collectively sold more than one million album units and over 5 million single-track downloads. It has also been nominated for multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards.
Nashville is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Opry Entertainment. The series is executive produced by new showrunners Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick (the creators of Thirtysomething) in addition to Steve Buchanan and Callie Khouri.
The Hollywood Reporter notes Nashville is just the latest series to get the aftershow treatment. CMT follows AMC’s The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Mr. Robot and Orphan Black in addition to ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise and NBC’s Hairspray Live social presence.
AdAge notes 1.7 million previewed the first hour of the Season 5 premiere ahead of today’s (Jan. 5 at 9 p.m.) two-hour premiere on CMT. The first hour previewed over the holiday season.
Branding is also strong. CMT’s senior VP-integrated marketing, Adam Steingart, tells the paper his Viacom program has found interest with brands like Apple and Taco Bell, neither of which had previously considered CMT for prominent sponsorships. American Express and Sony Pictures sponsored the holiday sneak peak and Coca-Cola has signed on for a multi-episode integration.
Loretta Lynn To Celebrate April Birthday With Two Ryman Auditorium Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonLoretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn will celebrate her 85th birthday on April 14 with the first of two concerts booked for Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this year. Lynn will perform on the legendary stage on April 14 and 15. Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday, Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $45, $55 and $75. No opening acts have been announced.
Lynn made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 1960 on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium; she joined the Opry as a cast member in 1962.
Last year, Lynn released two albums, including Full Circle in March, followed by the holiday project White Christmas Blue.
Madison Building With Ties To Elvis Slated To Become Car Wash
/by Jessica NicholsonBuilding formerly housing business operations for “The Colonel” Tom Parker. Photo: Robbie Jones/Historic Nashville
A Madison, Tennessee building, which at one time served as the home office for Elvis Presley’s manager/promoter “The Colonel” Tom Parker, will soon be demolished to make way for a car wash, according to Nashville Public Radio.
Retired attorney Steve North, who operated a law firm in the building for nearly two decades, says he had not fielded an offer from any parties interested in preserving the property located at 1215 S. Gallatin Road. The building sits on a one-acre lot.
“My preference was always to have somebody that could preserve the property, but after four years on the market, I’m convinced there’s nobody out there that wants it,” said North, “But as a practical matter, unless you’ve got a specific economically feasible use for it, the land itself … is worth more without the building.”
A car wash company has the land under contract, and a proposal will be heard next week by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The future owners seek four variances.
Under the sales agreement, North keeps all items inside the building, and says he may save some items, such as antique lighting fixtures and the complete wet bar in the building’s vintage basement.