Jon Pardi adds a new spark to his signature honky tonk sound on his upcoming fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, slated for release April 11 via Capitol Records Nashville. The title track from the new project, a grits-and-glitz tribute to the dual nature of Pardi’s life and mindset, is out now.
The 17-track collection features both tracks that ring with pristine, pure-country tenderness, and some that embrace fuzzed-out fiddles and soaring tripled guitars or grungy bass lines and bottomless grooves. Pardi worked with Jay Joyce for the first time as producer and stepped away from the traditional Nashville recording system on the new project, spending three solid weeks in the studio, building each track up from nothing, recording them with his own band.
“All my albums have been rock and roll with a country flare—this one keeps on rockin’,” Pardi explains. “It’s also the most grown-up record I’ve ever made, all my soul basically. Honkytonk Hollywood is for the Nashville that’s in my blood and it’s also a nod to my California roots. And right now, more than ever, I hope it’s a way to honor and lift up the people of my home state.”
Kicking off the album off in overdrive, “Boots Off” explodes from the speakers with a roadhouse-rocking stomp, representing the first of many hot-and-heavy love songs. Tracks like the grungy “Rush” fuses alt-rock attitude with howling vocals, capturing the swirling ecstasy of desire, while “Love the Lights Out” is a steamy soul rocker with slide guitar hooks and a throbbing pulse, and “She Gets to Drinking” sways with an intoxicating swing.
On other songs Pardi pushes boundaries even further sonically, with the current single “Friday Night Heartbreaker” pairing a tortured blast of hard rock with a sleek vocal. “Hey California” cruises down a Sunset Strip of ‘70s-style studio-rock sophistication with atmospheric guitars, and the slow-grooving “Don’t You Wanna Know,” highlights Pardi’s twangy vocals pleading for romantic reconnection through a cloud of mellow, new-wave pop.
“He Went to Work” is a tip of the hat to the steadfast fathers of the world, while “She Drives Away” leaves listeners with a lump in your throat. Pardi goes all-in on the moody “Gambling Man,” a busted flat warning to avoid his dice-rolling ways, and the two-stepper “Bar Room Blue” aches with a woozy, San Antonio swing. He closes out the latest set with “Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way,” a tranquil anthem with the easy strut of self-confidence from an artist who has fully bared his soul and done things his way.
“We did what we wanted, and it stands out because of it,” admits Pardi. “Taking the chance paid off, and I kind of want to keep it that way.”
Honkytonk Hollywood Track List:
1. “Boots Off” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. “Friday Night Heartbreaker” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Ryan Hurd, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins)
3. “She Gets to Drinking” (Jon Pardi, Hillary Lindsey, Hailey Whitters)
4. “Gambling Man” (Josh Kear, Josh Miller, Chris Tompkins)
5. “Hey California” (Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps, John Reno Prentice)
6. “Rush” (Jon Pardi, Ross Copperman, Brice Long)
7. “She Drives Away” (Zach Abend, Jimi Bell, Seth Ennis, Jordan Minton)
8. “He Went to Work” (Dan Alley, Brandon Kinney, Neil Medley)
9. “Last Call Thing” (Jon Pardi, Casey Brown, Luke Laird, Travis Wood)
10. “Honkytonk Hollywood” (Bart Butler, Benjy Davis, Jacob Paul Rice)
11. “Love The Lights Out” (Jon Pardi, Jimi Bell, Matt Dragstrem)
12. “Nice Place to Visit” (Pryor Baird, Billy Lawson, James LeBlanc)
13. “Hard Knocks” (Jackson Dean, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
14. “Don’t You Wanna Know” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Hillardy Lindsey)
15. “Bar Room Blue” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Josh Thompson)
16. “Who I Don’t Wanna Be” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins, Will Bundy)
17. “Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way” (Marv Green, Jeff Hyde, Brice Long)
The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience To Induct Fifth Hall Of Fame Class
/by Lorie HollabaughBobbie Gentry, Mac McAnally and Marty Gamblin
The fifth class of Hall of Fame inductees into the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), will be honored at the induction ceremony on Jan. 23 at the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian.
This year’s inductees include lauded singer-songwriter-musician Mac McAnally, folklorist William “Bill” Ferris, historian and novelist Shelby Foote, poet Natasha Trethewey and singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry. The free, open-to-the-public awards ceremony will include tributes to the five artists, with musical performances by McAnally, Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band and Tricia Walker.
Longtime Hall of Fame Consultant Marty Gamblin, who passed away in October, coordinated the MAX Hall Of Fame induction selection process. Gamblin, the founding director of The MAX and an influential figure in the music industry, will receive a star on The MAX Walk of Fame along with Ferris, Foote, Gentry and Trethewey. McAnally received a star in 2012.
McAnally is widely known as a guitarist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and has released more than a dozen albums of his own. He has penned hits recorded by Kenny Chesney (“Back Where I Come From”), Alabama (“Old Flame”) and many more. McAnally grew up in Belmont, Mississippi, where he sang and played piano in church. In addition to a host of other honors, the Country Music Association has named him Musician of the Year a record 10 times.
Singer-songwriter Gentry grabbed international attention in 1967 with her haunting hit “Ode to Billie Joe,” which propelled her to stardom and established her as one of the first female artists to compose and produce her own material. Gentry was born Roberta Lee Streeter in the Woodland area, in Chickasaw County. She regularly appeared in television specials, had her own show in Las Vegas, and released seven albums, garnering multiple Grammy and Academy of Country Music awards before retiring in 1982.
Vicksburg native Ferris is an author, photographer, and college professor whose books, documentaries, and recordings explore the blues, African American folklore and the lives of Southern writers. Ferris co-edited the Pulitzer Prize- nominated Encyclopedia of Southern Culture and received two Grammys for his documentary recordings and accompanying book, Voices of Mississippi. He founded multiple academic centers, including the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, and was chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The novelist and self-taught historian Foote (1916-2005) was a native of Greenville who spent decades researching and writing the acclaimed three-book series The Civil War: A Narrative. He furnished expert commentary for Ken Burns’ documentary The Civil War, and his other books include Shiloh, a re-creation of the epic Civil War battle, and a series of novels set in a fictional Mississippi Delta town.
Trethewey, a former poet laureate, has used her poetry to explore issues of race and Deep South culture. A longtime creative writing professor, Trethewey won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 2007 for Native Guard, which explores the story of a Black Union Army unit of former slaves, on Ship Island off the Mississippi coast. Years earlier, her poetry collection Domestic Work received the Cave Canem Prize, honoring the first published book by a Black poet.
“From writings about Civil War history and social change to chart-topping songs and blues documentation, the works of these trailblazing individuals warrant celebration,” says MAX President and CEO Penny Kemp. “We invite Mississippians as well as visitors to the state to learn about these and other Hall of Fame members. Their stories are especially inspiring to young people, and we share them with great pride.”
The Hall of Fame is the centerpiece of The MAX, the state’s 50,000-square-foot arts and cultural center, and is devoted to celebrating Mississippi’s arts and entertainment legacy while nurturing future creatives. The new class brings the number of stars featured in the two-story Hall of Fame to 38.
MusicRow Weekly: News, Charts, More
/by MusicRow StaffThe MusicRow Weekly, MusicRow‘s free online newsletter, brings you the latest music industry stories impacting Nashville this week. Click here to see the full edition.
Veteran music agent Lance Roberts has joined WME’s Nashville office as a Partner in the company’s country division. Roberts brings with him a roster of notable clients, including Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Easton Corbin, Ian Munsick, Parmalee and Sammy Kershaw.
River House Artists announced significant leadership promotions this week. Zebb Luster has been elevated to Executive Vice President, Lance Houston to General Manager and Vice President of Streaming and Radio and Raines Edenfield to Director of A&R. These moves underscore the company’s commitment to growth and artist development.
The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has appointed its 2025-2026 officers. John Ozier, EVP of Creative at Reservoir Media Management, will serve as President, succeeding Ree Guyer of Wrensong Music. Guyer, who steps down as President, will continue to serve on the board.
Artist manager Justin McIntosh has launched JTMC Entertainment, signing actress, singer and New York Times bestselling author Kristin Chenoweth. Chenoweth joins Reba McEntire on McIntosh’s roster, whom he has represented since 2023.
The music industry mourned the loss of several legends this week. Country star Melba Montgomery passed away at age 86. Soul music icon Sam Moore, best known as a member of Sam & Dave, has died. Grand Ole Opry member and patriarch of The Whites, Buck White, also passed away.
Kenny Chesney announced an upcoming 12-date residency at the Las Vegas Sphere this week. Rising country artist Dylan Marlowe celebrated his first No. 1 hit, a notable achievement in his burgeoning career, while Zach John King signed with Sony Music Nashville. Black River Entertainment promoted Micah McNair to Creative Director.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included, with Lainey Wilson maintaining the No. 1 spot for a second week with “4x4xU.” Explore more chart data here.
MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
Amazon Music Unveils 2025 Artists To Watch & Originals From Indie Talent
/by John Nix ArledgeAmazon Music has revealed its 2025 Artists to Watch list, showcasing emerging talent expected to make waves in the coming year and beyond. The list features artists from a number of different genres who will be featured on Amazon Music’s prominent playlists such as Pop Culture, Rap Rotation, Country Heat and Platino.
Those featured on the Country Heat and Bonfire playlists include Adrien Nunez, Cameron Whitcomb, Carter Faith, Darren Kiely, Graham Barham, Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner, Max McNown, Noeline Hoffman, The Castellows, Vincent Mason, Waylon Wyatt, Willow Avalon and Zach Top.
To celebrate the announcement, the streaming service has released nine new Amazon Music Originals featuring indie and unsigned artists from the list. The collection includes Karen Dió covering Chappell Roan’s “Casual,” Arcy Drive’s take on Marcy Playground’s “Sex & Candy,” Storm Orchestra covering Nelly Furtado’s “Maneater,” Jonah Marais’ version of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls and Jaden Evans’ take on his grandfather Bill Evans’ “Peace Piece”.
Other contributions include French pop-punk band mirabelle. with the original track “it’s fine.,” Royale Lynn’s new song titled “Inside Out,” Memphis-based Sleep Theory’s reimagined single “Gone or Staying,” and jazz vocalist Stella Cole’s version of the standard “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”
“2024 was a landmark year for music, with new stars like Chappell Roan, Doechii, Benson Boone, and countless others breaking out and becoming household names. And this year will be no different.” explains Emily Cohen, principle music curator for Amazon Music. “For this year’s Artist to Watch program, we’ve identified the artists who we believe will define and make waves in 2025.”
The full list of playlist and artists are available for streaming on Amazon Music.
Amazon Music – 2025 Artists to Watch
“Country Heat” (Country)
Adrien Nunez
Graham Barham
Lanie Gardner
Noeline Hoffman
Vincent Mason
Waylon Wyatt
Zach Top
“bonfire” (Country, Folk, Indie Crossover)
Cameron Whitcomb
Carter Faith
Darren Kiely
Kashus Culpepper
Max McNown
The Castellows
Willow Avalon
Ty Myers Hosts Surprise Album Release Show
/by Madison HahnenTy Myers discusses the making of his debut album, The Select, during a moderated Q&A. Photo: Jamie Wendt
On Wednesday night (Jan. 15), Ty Myers threw a surprise album release party for his upcoming debut album, The Select, at ACL Live at 3TEN in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
Ty Myers. Photo: Jamie Wendt
Promoted via a social media invite, the free event drew a huge turnout, with a line of fans stretching around the building and the venue filling up fast. The night culminated in a moderated Q&A about the making of The Select, hosted by Country Radio Hall of Famer and Texas Radio Hall of Famer Bob Pickett and featured album producer Brandon Hood.
Throughout the set, Myers performed tracks from The Select, including his Billboard Hot 100 debut “Ends of the Earth,” as well as “Drunk Love,” “Can’t Hold Me Down,” “Worry is a Sickness” and “Drinkin’ Alone,” plus his debut single, “Tie That Binds.” To give his followers an extra treat, Myers also previewed unreleased album cuts like the haunting slow-burner “Firefly” and more.
Additionally, Myers has also added 19 new dates to his “The Select Tour,” which began yesterday (Jan. 16) in Cedar Park, Texas. The newly added stops will add cities such as El Paso, Seattle, Chattanooga and more to the 45-date trek.
Fan pre-sale tickets for the new dates new dates will be available next on Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Public on-sale will begin on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
Newly added “The Select Tour” Dates:
May 15 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
May 16 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Orpheum Theater
May 17 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
May 21 – San Diego, CA – Moonshine Beach
May 22 – Paso Robles, CA – Barrelhouse Brewing Co. Amphitheater
May 23 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Anaheim
May 24 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
May 29 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
May 30 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
May 31 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
June 20 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
June 21 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
June 26 – Midland, TX – The Tailgate
July 17 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal
July 18 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
July 25 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Pavilion
July 26 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store
Shelby Paul Exits Big Machine Label Group
/by LB CantrellShelby Paul
Shelby Paul has exited her role as Director of Communications at Big Machine Label Group after nearly a decade with the company.
During her tenure, Paul helped lead media campaigns for artists like Conner Smith, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts and Brian Kelley, among others. She also helped introduce rising talents Tiera Kennedy, Danielle Bradbery, Greylan James and Avenue Beat, whose viral hit “F2020” was named The New York Times’ Best Song of 2020.
Paul’s work extended to launching publicity efforts for Grammy Songwriter of the Year nominees Laura Veltz (2023) and Jessie Jo Dillon (2024/2025), with Dillon winning ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2024.
Her career has included roles in sports, TV, film, live events and philanthropy. A Central Michigan University graduate, Paul was named to MusicRow’s Next Big Thing directory in 2022 and served as a GRAMMY U mentor.
Paul’s next career move has not yet been announced. She can be reached at shelbyl.paul@gmail.com.
Jon Pardi Goes ‘Hollywood’ On Latest LP
/by Lorie HollabaughJon Pardi adds a new spark to his signature honky tonk sound on his upcoming fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, slated for release April 11 via Capitol Records Nashville. The title track from the new project, a grits-and-glitz tribute to the dual nature of Pardi’s life and mindset, is out now.
The 17-track collection features both tracks that ring with pristine, pure-country tenderness, and some that embrace fuzzed-out fiddles and soaring tripled guitars or grungy bass lines and bottomless grooves. Pardi worked with Jay Joyce for the first time as producer and stepped away from the traditional Nashville recording system on the new project, spending three solid weeks in the studio, building each track up from nothing, recording them with his own band.
“All my albums have been rock and roll with a country flare—this one keeps on rockin’,” Pardi explains. “It’s also the most grown-up record I’ve ever made, all my soul basically. Honkytonk Hollywood is for the Nashville that’s in my blood and it’s also a nod to my California roots. And right now, more than ever, I hope it’s a way to honor and lift up the people of my home state.”
Kicking off the album off in overdrive, “Boots Off” explodes from the speakers with a roadhouse-rocking stomp, representing the first of many hot-and-heavy love songs. Tracks like the grungy “Rush” fuses alt-rock attitude with howling vocals, capturing the swirling ecstasy of desire, while “Love the Lights Out” is a steamy soul rocker with slide guitar hooks and a throbbing pulse, and “She Gets to Drinking” sways with an intoxicating swing.
On other songs Pardi pushes boundaries even further sonically, with the current single “Friday Night Heartbreaker” pairing a tortured blast of hard rock with a sleek vocal. “Hey California” cruises down a Sunset Strip of ‘70s-style studio-rock sophistication with atmospheric guitars, and the slow-grooving “Don’t You Wanna Know,” highlights Pardi’s twangy vocals pleading for romantic reconnection through a cloud of mellow, new-wave pop.
“He Went to Work” is a tip of the hat to the steadfast fathers of the world, while “She Drives Away” leaves listeners with a lump in your throat. Pardi goes all-in on the moody “Gambling Man,” a busted flat warning to avoid his dice-rolling ways, and the two-stepper “Bar Room Blue” aches with a woozy, San Antonio swing. He closes out the latest set with “Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way,” a tranquil anthem with the easy strut of self-confidence from an artist who has fully bared his soul and done things his way.
“We did what we wanted, and it stands out because of it,” admits Pardi. “Taking the chance paid off, and I kind of want to keep it that way.”
Honkytonk Hollywood Track List:
1. “Boots Off” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. “Friday Night Heartbreaker” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Ryan Hurd, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins)
3. “She Gets to Drinking” (Jon Pardi, Hillary Lindsey, Hailey Whitters)
4. “Gambling Man” (Josh Kear, Josh Miller, Chris Tompkins)
5. “Hey California” (Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps, John Reno Prentice)
6. “Rush” (Jon Pardi, Ross Copperman, Brice Long)
7. “She Drives Away” (Zach Abend, Jimi Bell, Seth Ennis, Jordan Minton)
8. “He Went to Work” (Dan Alley, Brandon Kinney, Neil Medley)
9. “Last Call Thing” (Jon Pardi, Casey Brown, Luke Laird, Travis Wood)
10. “Honkytonk Hollywood” (Bart Butler, Benjy Davis, Jacob Paul Rice)
11. “Love The Lights Out” (Jon Pardi, Jimi Bell, Matt Dragstrem)
12. “Nice Place to Visit” (Pryor Baird, Billy Lawson, James LeBlanc)
13. “Hard Knocks” (Jackson Dean, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
14. “Don’t You Wanna Know” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Hillardy Lindsey)
15. “Bar Room Blue” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird, Josh Thompson)
16. “Who I Don’t Wanna Be” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins, Will Bundy)
17. “Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way” (Marv Green, Jeff Hyde, Brice Long)
Joe Clemmons Signs With Big Machine Music & Ryan Hurd
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s President Mike Molinar, Joe Clemmons, Big Machine Music’s VP Tim Hunze and Big Machine Records recording artist/Big Machine Music songwriter Ryan Hurd. Photo: Courtesy of Big Machine Music
Songwriter Joe Clemmons has signed a co-publishing deal with Big Machine Music and Ryan Hurd.
“Joe is a beloved writer in the community whose time has come!” shares Mike Molinar, BMM’s President. “His growth as a commercial songwriter has him poised to breakout and we consider ourselves lucky to be his publisher partners for this chapter of his career.”
“Joe is my one of my most trusted co-writers,” adds Hurd. “I truly believe he is about to breakout in a big way and I am so excited to continue supporting him as a publisher partner.”
An East Texas native, Clemmons began guitar lessons at 15 with John DeFoore, who also introduced him to songwriting. Now based in Nashville, Clemmons’ recent songwriting credits include “Goin’ Nowhere” (Hardy ft. Morgan Wallen), “Dark Night” (Warren Zeiders), “It Ain’t Austin” (George Birge) and “Rose Needs A Jack” (Gabby Barrett), among others. His co-written track “Wish For The World,” recorded by Hurd, received a 2020 AIMP Nashville Award nomination for Publisher’s Pick.
“Mike and his team have built an incredible culture of success at Big Machine Music and I’m honored to be a part of it, plus Ryan has always been one of my biggest champions making this a dream scenario,” says Clemmons. “I couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Russell Dickerson Extends ‘Russellmania Tour 2025’ Into Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughRussell Dickerson has added a round of dates to his “Russellmania Tour 2025,” extending into amphitheaters this summer beginning June 5.
Jake Scott and Niko Moon will support on select dates on the tour, which will visit Asbury, New Jersey, Boston, Indianapolis and more. Tickets for Round 2 are available now at RussellDickerson.com.
Dickerson has earned Platinum or better status on singles including “Yours” (three-times Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (two-times Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (Platinum) and “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott (two-times Platinum). In 2023, he scored his fifth No. 1 with “God Gave Me A Girl.” His current single, “Bones,” marked the biggest radio debut of his career.
Newly-Added “Russellmania Tour 2025” Dates:
June 5 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17
June 6 – Asbury, NJ – Stone Pony Summerstage
June 7 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
June 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater
June 14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amp
CRS Releases Full 2025 Agenda
/by LB CantrellCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) has revealed its full agenda at a glance for CRS 2025, taking place Feb. 19-21.
The organization will continue to reveal talent lineups for various events and luncheons over the next few weeks. The CRS App is set to officially launch during the first week of February.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025:
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Express Badge Pick Up Only
Wednesday, February 19, 2025:
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM: CRS Registration Open
8:00 – 8:50 AM: Y’all Means All: Diversity Breakfast
9:00 – 9:50 AM: Streaming 101: Everything You Want to Know / DMS
9:00 – 9:50 AM: Know All the Sales Angles as a PD
10:00 – 10:50 AM: Stop Trying So Hard: Become a Better Content Creator
10:00 – 10:50 AM: Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork: Capitalizing on the Country Moment in Streaming / DMS
11:00 – 11:50 AM: Cycle of a Song: Ella Langley “You Look Like You Love Me”/DMS
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Pre-Lunch Performance Featuring Remy Garrison
12:00 – 1:50 PM: Lunch and Performance Sponsored by Warner Music Nashville
2:00 – 2:50 PM: CRS Honors
3:00 – 3:50 PM: Why Can’t We Be Friends: The Label, Radio, and Streaming Relationship / DMS
3:00 – 3:50 PM: Are You AI Curious?
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Programming Networking Happy Hour
6:00 – 8:30 PM: Amazon Music Presents Country Heat at CRS 2025
Thursday, February 20, 2025
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM: CRS Registration Open
8:30 – 9:20 AM: Sound Off: What Is “Mainstream” Country?
8:30 – 9:20 AM: Showcase Your Assets
9:30 – 10:30 AM: CRS Research Presentation
10:30 – 11:30 AM: Honky Tonk to TikTok: Country Music’s Wild Five-Year Ride by the Numbers
11:30 AM – 1:50 PM: Team UMG at the Ryman
2:30 – 3:20 PM: Cycle of a Song: Tucker Wetmore – “Wind Up Missin’ You”/DMS
3:30 – 4:00 PM: Sustaining Momentum: How to Turn Moments Into a Career / DMS
4:00 – 4:50 PM: Artist Interview: Old Dominion
7:00 – 9:00 PM: Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley Featuring Sponsored by Country Top 40 with Fitz, Skyview Networks, and First Horizon Bank, with Bar Sponsored by ASCAP
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: BBR Music Group Decades Party: Hits of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s & Beyond
Friday, February 21, 2025
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM: CRS Registration Open
7:30 – 8:45 AM: Women’s Networking Breakfast Sponsored by Nu VooDoo Media
8:00 – 9:00 AM / 9:00 – 10:00 AM / 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Workshop Alley: Skills That Kill/ Be an Extraterrestrial/AI
8:50 – 9:40 AM: Culture: The C Word You Should Say
8:50 – 9:40 AM: All Shook Up: AI’s Legal Impact on the Country Music Industry
10:00 – 11:00 AM: We’ve Got Some Help: How to Embrace Crossover Artists and the New Audience
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Artist Development: The Sparks Behind the Streams
11:10 – 11:40 AM: Evolving Your Playlist: F*#@ the Format
11:10 – 11:40 AM: 30 Sales Ideas in 30 Minutes
11:10 – 11:40 AM: Everyday I’m (Side) Hustling: Give Yourself a Raise
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Pre-Lunch Performance Featuring Robby Johnson
12:00 – 1:50 PM: Lunch and Performance Sponsored by BMLG
2:00 – 2:50 PM: Cycle of a Song: Dasha – “Austin”/DMS
3:00 – 3:50 PM: The Conversation: Eric Church and JellyRoll Get the Last Word at CRS 25
5:15 – 6:30 PM: New Faces Cocktail Reception
6:30 – 10:00 PM: New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Performance Sponsored by ACM and Charity Partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Online registration for CRS 2025 will close today (Jan. 17) at which point the cost will increase to the walk-up rate of $799, which can be purchased onsite at the Omni.
Industry Celebrates Parmalee’s Fifth No. 1 Hit
/by John Nix ArledgePictured (L-R, back row): Adrian Michaels, Josh Tomlinson, Matt Turner, Abram Dean, Greg Gallo, David Fanning, Andy Friday, Andy Sheridan, Kari Barnhart, Tom Luteran, JoJamie Hahr, Jon Loba; (L-R, front row): Scott Thomas, Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain, Barry Knox; Photo: Larry McCormack
BMI brought Parmalee and their team together on Wednesday evening (Jan. 15) to celebrate the group’s fifth No. 1 hit “Gonna Love You.”
Industry members, friends and family gathered inside the warm lobby of BMI before receiving an equally warm welcome from BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. Gathered on stage behind him were songwriters Abram Dean, David Fanning and Andy Sheridan alongside Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, Scott Thomas, Barry Knox and Joshua McSwain.
Tomlinson began by congratulating Parmalee’s Thomas, a co-writer on the track, along with manager and producer Fanning on their significant achievement of five No. 1s. He then turned the spotlight to Sheridan and Dean to present them with a custom Taylor guitar for penning their first No. 1 track.
Reservoir’s Greg Gallo was the first to speak, congratulating Parmalee with a commemorative plaque and a special donation in their name to MusiCares. Following Gallo, Concord’s Matt Turner took to the podium to speak about Dean, praising, “Abram is a dream songwriter to work with, he is talented, he sings his butt off and he is just an amazing friend.” Turner then joked, “I told him that after he has multiple No. 1s I am going to change his name to Abraham because he will be the father of many hits.”
To speak on Sheridan, Major Bob’s Andy Friday stepped up, saying, “The thing I look up to Andy the most for is the way he lives his life, it’s Jesus first, then his family and then his job. If you look behind the scenes, and look at his family, that is how you figure out someone’s true character and their work ethic and Andy has both.”
Other speakers included Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, who presented a donation to The Mental Health Initiative in the crew’s honor, and Stoney Creek’s JoJamie Hahr and Adrian Michaels.
Of the songwriters, Sheridan spoke first, “When I was really young and wanted to quit piano lessons, my parents told me, ‘When you make a commitment you don’t quit.’ Thank you to my wife, family and Major Bob for not quitting on me. Most of all, thank you God for this blessing and thank you God that when you make a commitment you don’t quit.”
“I’m just glad I didn’t cry first,” teased Dean. “The word on my mind is thank you – thank you to Matt, David and my wife for keeping me sane as this song slowly worked its way up the chart for 60,000 weeks.”
Fanning spoke next, congratulating the songwriters, “For me, there is no better two people to have a number one with. These are two of the most hard working and talented guys I have ever worked with. I am in awe of y’all’s talent.”
Finally, Matt, Scott, Barry and Joshua closed out by thanking their co-writers, label, video production team and families, “Thank you so much to everyone in here who had a hand in making this song go No. 1 and everyone who stood beside us. We truly appreciate you.”