Reba and Brooks & Dunn at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Photo: Justin McIntosh
“I love getting to hang out with Ronnie and Kix. I love them with all my heart,” Reba tells MusicRow, as she prepares to return to the stage with Brooks & Dunn this month. The upcoming shows are part of their Together In Vegas residency at the Colosseum Caesars Palace. “They are two of my best friends and we have a good time on and off stage.”
The residency opened in 2015, and the pairing of the two superstar acts is as natural as it is spectacular. Brooks & Dunn served as Reba’s opening act in 1992, when the duo was just getting their first taste of success off the strength of singles like “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “Neon Moon.” By 1997, they were co-headliners, which resulted in the No. 1 single “If You See Him (If You See Her)” the following year. They collaborated again in 2009 on the hit, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Reba’s music has taken her around the world, but she says teaming with Brooks & Dunn and Caesars Palace offered a chance to entertain fans without the rigorous travel schedule. “I’ve been doing this 40 years. To get to be in one place for three weeks like we are in July—we are playing three shows a week, on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for three weeks—I’m in my same dressing room, on the same stage. It’s heaven. I absolutely love it. We don’t have to load in, load out, it’s easier on my crew, easier on my band, and everybody loves it. The people here at Caesars are incredible. They are so hospitable, they take great care of us and we have become great friends.”
Reba’s entire team began work on the production in 2014. She said, “We rehearsed a long time in Nashville before bringing it to Las Vegas. Steve Cohen did a beautiful job on staging. It’s a functional, moving, beautiful lighting design and we just have a blast on it.”
To prepare, Reba watched two of Celine Dion’s residency shows at Caesars, as well as shows from Shania Twain and Bette Midler. “I was very overwhelmed at the size and enormousness of the stage,” says Reba. “But the way they designed the staging of it, it’s not that big of a feeling to me. It’s very cozy and warm.”
Reba and Ronnie Dunn at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Photo: Justin McIntosh
That cozy atmosphere also allowed Reba to opt for more relaxed stage attire. “Terry Gordon designed and created my outfits. I wear a lot of my boots from my Dillard’s line. We adorned them a little bit, put a few more rhinestones on them, but that was neat to get to wear my boots onstage.”
Reba says the most challenging part of creating the run of Vegas shows was deciding which hits to perform, and how to include as many as possible. “Putting the set list together took forever, because Ronnie and Kix have a huge catalog, and I’ve got a huge catalog, so just narrowing down the songs we want to play that we think the fans will like, that was the hardest part.”
Reba, Kix and Ronnie were not content with a segmented performance model where each artist sings their own set and leaves the stage. Instead, they begin and end their shows together. In between, it’s a collaborative undertaking, with each artist weaving in and out of the other’s songs. Reba says that spontaneity keeps her on her toes. “You never know what they are going to say or what they are going to do. These guys are not anybody that you can say, ‘OK, at this point, say this.’ They will look at you like, ‘OK, I’m going to tell you what I’m going to say when I say it.’”
She continues, “So I walk out each night ready for anything. Every night they hit me with a little zinger that I don’t know where that’s coming from. It’s just their personalities. They are witty and they are funny. They don’t have any barriers and they just go for it. It’s very refreshing to me because I’ve always been a little more strict and to the rules, and they are not, so it’s a good blend for both of us.”
Reba and Brooks & Dunn’s Together In Vegas residency continues through July 30, followed by shows on Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10. A string of shows are slated for 2017, including dates on Feb. 22, 24, and 25; and March 1, 3, and 4.
Exclusive: Reba’s Ready For Anything With Brooks & Dunn
/by Jessica NicholsonReba and Brooks & Dunn at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Photo: Justin McIntosh
“I love getting to hang out with Ronnie and Kix. I love them with all my heart,” Reba tells MusicRow, as she prepares to return to the stage with Brooks & Dunn this month. The upcoming shows are part of their Together In Vegas residency at the Colosseum Caesars Palace. “They are two of my best friends and we have a good time on and off stage.”
The residency opened in 2015, and the pairing of the two superstar acts is as natural as it is spectacular. Brooks & Dunn served as Reba’s opening act in 1992, when the duo was just getting their first taste of success off the strength of singles like “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “Neon Moon.” By 1997, they were co-headliners, which resulted in the No. 1 single “If You See Him (If You See Her)” the following year. They collaborated again in 2009 on the hit, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Reba’s music has taken her around the world, but she says teaming with Brooks & Dunn and Caesars Palace offered a chance to entertain fans without the rigorous travel schedule. “I’ve been doing this 40 years. To get to be in one place for three weeks like we are in July—we are playing three shows a week, on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for three weeks—I’m in my same dressing room, on the same stage. It’s heaven. I absolutely love it. We don’t have to load in, load out, it’s easier on my crew, easier on my band, and everybody loves it. The people here at Caesars are incredible. They are so hospitable, they take great care of us and we have become great friends.”
Reba’s entire team began work on the production in 2014. She said, “We rehearsed a long time in Nashville before bringing it to Las Vegas. Steve Cohen did a beautiful job on staging. It’s a functional, moving, beautiful lighting design and we just have a blast on it.”
To prepare, Reba watched two of Celine Dion’s residency shows at Caesars, as well as shows from Shania Twain and Bette Midler. “I was very overwhelmed at the size and enormousness of the stage,” says Reba. “But the way they designed the staging of it, it’s not that big of a feeling to me. It’s very cozy and warm.”
Reba and Ronnie Dunn at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Photo: Justin McIntosh
That cozy atmosphere also allowed Reba to opt for more relaxed stage attire. “Terry Gordon designed and created my outfits. I wear a lot of my boots from my Dillard’s line. We adorned them a little bit, put a few more rhinestones on them, but that was neat to get to wear my boots onstage.”
Reba says the most challenging part of creating the run of Vegas shows was deciding which hits to perform, and how to include as many as possible. “Putting the set list together took forever, because Ronnie and Kix have a huge catalog, and I’ve got a huge catalog, so just narrowing down the songs we want to play that we think the fans will like, that was the hardest part.”
Reba, Kix and Ronnie were not content with a segmented performance model where each artist sings their own set and leaves the stage. Instead, they begin and end their shows together. In between, it’s a collaborative undertaking, with each artist weaving in and out of the other’s songs. Reba says that spontaneity keeps her on her toes. “You never know what they are going to say or what they are going to do. These guys are not anybody that you can say, ‘OK, at this point, say this.’ They will look at you like, ‘OK, I’m going to tell you what I’m going to say when I say it.’”
She continues, “So I walk out each night ready for anything. Every night they hit me with a little zinger that I don’t know where that’s coming from. It’s just their personalities. They are witty and they are funny. They don’t have any barriers and they just go for it. It’s very refreshing to me because I’ve always been a little more strict and to the rules, and they are not, so it’s a good blend for both of us.”
Reba and Brooks & Dunn’s Together In Vegas residency continues through July 30, followed by shows on Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10. A string of shows are slated for 2017, including dates on Feb. 22, 24, and 25; and March 1, 3, and 4.
Nashville Band Goodbye June Aligns With Interscope For EP
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville rock band Goodbye June has released a new track, “Darlin’,” via Cotton Valley Music/Interscope Records, with an EP to follow. The track is being featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist.
The band collaborated with producer Paul Moak, known for his work with The Weeks and Joy Williams of Civil Wars. A full-length debut is set for 2017. Other tracks they’ve released are “Man of the Moment” and “Oh No.”
Goodbye June will be promoted by Interscope’s new Nashville office. The band previously inked a deal with Nashville-based label Cotton Valley Music in 2012.
Growing up, cousins Landon Milbourn, Brandon Qualkenbush, and Tyler Baker had longtime plans of forming a band. When Baker’s brother was killed in a car accident in June 2005, it served as a catalyst for the trio to chase their dreams now, rather than later.
“It wasn’t until after Shane passed away that we decided to finally make this happen, and to focus on writing music that felt really meaningful to us,” notes Qualkenbush.
Interscope’s Nashville roster also includes soulful rock artist Billy Raffoul, and pop/country singer Elizabeth Huett.
Nicholas Sparks Teams With Songwriter For Upcoming Novel
/by Craig_ShelburneNicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks’ next novel will include a song written by JD Eicher as part of its storyline. Eicher released his album, The Middle Distance, on Nashville-based Rock Ridge Music in May. Based in Ohio, Eicher is also managed by Rock Ridge Music.
Best known as the author of The Notebook, Sparks will release the book Two by Two on Oct. 4. Meanwhile, Eicher wrote and produced a song titled “Two by Two,” which was inspired by the book. The song “Two by Two” is also incorporated into the narrative of Sparks’ novel, described in press materials as “a poignant tale of rediscovered love and the power of family, with the story of one man’s journey to rebuild his life as the single parent of a six-year old daughter.”
The soundtrack will include four songs and will be available to fans for free via one of the author’s websites starting Sept. 6 through Dec. 6. The set also includes a re-recorded version of “Not Afraid” from The Middle Distance and remasters of previously released songs “Love Is Gonna Find You” and “The Last Love Song.”
Sparks says, “It’s been so stimulating creatively, and rewarding at a personal level, to collaborate with JD on the Two By Two soundtrack project. I know my readers will flock to his music because he intuitively understands the characters and relationships at the heart of this story—he is a master of complex emotion.”
“The opportunity to collaborate with Nicholas on the Two By Two project has been a great honor and very exciting for me,” says Eicher. “I love the challenge of writing a song for a particular purpose, and diving into the Two By Two story and its themes was an inspiring and rewarding process. I am beyond grateful to have the chance to work with such a gifted storyteller!”
JD Eicher
John Prine Gathers Classic Songs, Female Singers For New Album
/by Craig_ShelburneJohn Prine
John Prine will release For Better, Or Worse, an album of classic songs recorded with female vocalists, on Sept. 30. The project will be released on his own label, Oh Boy Records, distributed by Thirty Tigers.
The songs were originally written or popularized by artists like Hank Williams, George Jones, Buck Owens and Ernest Tubb. Prine recorded all but one of the songs as duets with female artists from country and roots music, including Iris DeMent, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Kathy Mattea, Kacey Musgraves, Amanda Shires, Susan Tedeschi, Holly Williams and Lee Ann Womack.
“I cut my teeth on Hank Williams songs,” Prine says. “When I sing these songs there is a small pipeline straight from my heart to my lips.”
To coincide with the release, Prine will perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. A 2003 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Prine will turn 70 on Oct. 10.
The concept of For Better, Or Worse is similar to Prine’s 1999 album, In Spite of Ourselves. That album will be released on vinyl for the first time on July 29.
John Prine’s For Better, Or Worse Track List
1. “Who’s Gonna Take The Garbage Out” feat. Iris Dement
2. “Storms Never Last” feat. Lee Ann Womack
3. “Falling In Love Again” feat. Alison Krauss
4. “Color Of The Blues” feat. Susan Tedeschi
5. “I’m Telling You” feat. Holly Williams
6. “Remember Me” feat. Kathy Mattea
7. “Look At Us” feat. Morgane Stapleton
8. “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” feat. Amanda Shires
9. “Fifteen Years Ago” feat. Lee Ann Womack
10. “Cold Cold Heart” feat. Miranda Lambert
11. “Dreaming My Dreams” feat. Kathy Mattea
12. “Mental Cruelty” feat. Kacey Musgraves
13. “Mr. & Mrs. Used To Be” feat. Iris Dement
14. “My Happiness” feat. Fiona Prine
15. “Just Waiting”
Travis Denning Signs Deal With ole, RED Creative Group
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Shellien Kinsey, ole, Creative Admin. Manager; Brooke Antonakos, RED Creative Group, VP of Creative; Jeremy Stover; Travis Denning; John Ozier, ole, VP of Creative; Mike Whelan, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Ben Strain, ole, Creative Director; Emily Mueller-Olson. ole, Creative Manager
ole and RED Creative Group LLC have signed a deal with songwriter Travis Denning that gives ole exclusive administration rights to his music.
Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, Denning moved to Nashville in 2014. Within a year, he signed his first publishing deal with Jeremy Stover’s RED Creative Group. Stover is an ole songwriter and record producer.
Denning has secured two cuts on Justin Moore’s upcoming album, Kinda Don’t Care. He also co-wrote Chase Rice’s new single, “Everybody We Know Does.” His songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean and newcomer Jordan Rager.
“Travis Denning has quickly established himself as a deeply gifted songwriter, and a terrific artist in his own right,” says John Ozier, Vice President, Creative of ole. “We anticipate yet another fruitful collaboration with RED Creative Group, by way of our work with Travis.”
“Working with the best in the music business is very important to me,” says Denning. “Collaborating with ole and RED Creative Group so soon is even better than I bargained for.”
Brent Cobb Teams With Dave Cobb For ‘Shine On Rainy Day’ Album
/by Craig_ShelburneBrent Cobb. Photo: Don Van Cleve
Brent Cobb will release his major label debut album, Shine On Rainy Day, on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records on Oct. 7. The project was produced by his cousin, Dave Cobb, who launched Low Country Sound with Elektra Records in 2015.
The project was recorded over four days in Nashville. The lead track, “Solving Problems,” premiered on NPR Music’s Songs We Love series on Thursday (July 14).
Speaking about their collaboration, Brent Cobb said, “It’s not as good as it’s going to get. But if it’s the last thing that I ever do, if I died the day after it came out, then thank God I was able to record it because the songs and the production, it was everything I wanted to say. Finally.”
Dave Cobb added, “I wanted to work with Brent for very selfish reasons. When he lifts a pen and opens his mouth, it sounds like home. I did his record because he’s part of the fabric of South Georgia and the soundtrack to my family. Pure rural country soul filled music.”
Brent Cobb will tour with Anderson East (another Low Country Sound/Elektra Records signing) this fall. He will also appear on Chris Stapleton’s concert at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Oct. 15.
Born in Ellaville, Georgia (population 1,609), Brent Cobb moved to Nashville in 2008. His songs have been recorded by Luke Bryan (“Tailgate Blues”), Kenny Chesney (“Don’t It”), Miranda Lambert (“Old Shit”), David Nail (“Grandpa’s Farm”), Kellie Pickler (“Rockaway”) and others.
Track List For Brent Cobb’s Shine On Rainy Day
1. “Solving Problems”
2. “South Of Atlanta”
3. “The World”
4. “Diggin’ Holes”
5. “Country Bound”
6. “Traveling Poor Boy”
7. “Shine On Rainy Day”
8. “Let The Rain Come Down”
9. “Down In The Gulley”
10. “Black Crow”
Weekly Chart Report (7/15/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Scott Borchetta Joins Nashville Film Festival Board of Directors
/by Jessica NicholsonFormer 2015-2016 President, Taryn Anderson of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, is being succeeded by former 2015-2016 Vice President, Courtney Ross of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Anastasia Brown of Format Entertainment is announced as Vice President for the 2016-2017 year.
Full List: 2016-2017 Nashville Film Festival Board
President: Courtney Ross
Vice President: Anastasia Brown
New Members:
Scott Borchetta
Marcella Gomez
Carey Nelson-Burch
John Schuck
Stacy Widelitz
Returning Members:
Taryn Anderson
Anastasia Brown
Shannon Casey
Natasha Corrieri
Steven Gaydos
Bonnie Horton
Ken Levitan
Tyler Middleton
Stephanie Mundy Self
Brandyn Payne
Bob Raines
Courtney Ross
Jim Scherer
Dawn Soler
Spencer Wiggins
Julia Bonner – Board Intern
Alan Jackson Lends Guitar To Rock Hall Exhibit On Music And Politics
/by Craig_ShelburneAlan Jackson at the 2001 CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The guitar played by Alan Jackson during his first performance of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” is now on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Jackson’s guitar, a model by Jim Triggs, is featured alongside artifacts and items from more than 50 artists, including Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Bono, Keith Richards, John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
The song made its public debut at the 2001 CMA Awards, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It went on to win ACM, CMA and Grammy Awards and has remained a part of Jackson’s set list.
Miranda Lambert Will Release “Vice” To Radio On Monday
/by Craig_ShelburneMiranda Lambert. Photo: Becky Fluke
Signed to RCA Nashville, Lambert is at work on her sixth album. She released her prior album, Platinum, in 2014. Singles from that album included “Automatic,” “Somethin’ Bad” (with Carrie Underwood) and “Little Red Wagon.”
She is currently on the road as a special guest of Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour. Upcoming concerts include Rogers, Arkansas, on Friday night (July 15) and Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night. She is also headlining the Keeper of the Flame Tour this summer.