Buck White
Buck White, patriarch of country music group The Whites and Grand Ole Opry member, passed away today (Jan. 13). He was 94.
The news was shared by his family, daughters Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa.
“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy home peacefully this morning at 8 a.m. We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth,” they shared in a joint statement. “He was a great Dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.”
Buck’s skills on the piano first opened the door for music, landing him gigs with Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb and others. In 1962, he relocated his family from Texas to Arkansas, where he and his wife, Pat Goza, began performing with another couple as The Down Home Folks. Their daughters, Sharon and Cheryl, were billed as The Down Home Kids.
The group quickly gained recognition in bluegrass circles, and by 1971, the family had moved to Nashville to solidify their careers as professional singers. Still performing as The Down Home Folks, they released several bluegrass albums before Pat retired from the group in 1973. Their first album as The Whites was 1983’s Old Familiar Feeling, according to Discogs.
In 1981, Sharon married country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, who produced some of their records. The Whites earned CMA Award nominations for The Horizon Award and Instrumental Group of the Year in 1983 as well as ACM Award nominations for Top Vocal Group in 1982 and 1983.
In 1984, the family was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Over their career, The Whites captivated audiences with hits like “You Put The Blue In Me,” “Hangin’ Around,” “Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling,” “Pins And Needles,” “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone),” “Hometown Gossip” and more. Their signature blend of bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and Texas swing, paired with their musical mastery and family harmony, became their hallmark.
Their involvement in the movie and soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou? brought them significant industry recognition, earning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year along with ACM and CMA Award nominations. They can be heard on the film’s “Keep on the Sunny Side,” a beloved classic originally popularized by the Carter Family.
In 2007, The Whites won another Grammy for their collaboration with Skaggs on his Salt of the Earth album. The following year, they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thomas Rhett, Megan Moroney & Sam Hunt Among iHeartCountry Festival Lineup Performers
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett, Megan Moroney and Sam Hunt
The lineup has been announced for the upcoming “iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One,” set for May 3 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
The 12th annual festival will feature performances by Brooks & Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith, and is once again hosted by iHeartMedia’s nationally syndicated top on-air country personality, Bobby Bones.
“We are so excited about this year’s lineup and bringing these artists to fans all in one night at Moody Center in Austin,” says Rod Phillips, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartCountry. “It’s a thrill every year to watch so much great music come to life on one big iHeartCountry stage.”
Eligible Capital One cardholders get exclusive access to presale tickets before the general public beginning Jan. 21-23, and pre-sale information and tickets can be found at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Jan. 24 at via Ticketmaster.com.
Hulu will be the official streaming destination of the festival, with performances livestreamed exclusively to all Hulu subscribers. The event will also broadcast across iHeartCountry stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio app on May 3 at 7 p.m. CT.
Jeff Perkins Joins Soundstripe As CEO
/by LB CantrellJeff Perkins
Soundstripe, the music licensing technology company, has appointed Jeff Perkins as the company’s new CEO.
Current Co-CEO and co-founder Travis Terrell will transition into the role of President. He will focus on further strengthening Soundstripe’s music business and leading its business development team to secure rightsholder and other strategic partnerships. Co-founder and Co-CEO Micah Sannan will shift to an advisory role, supporting Perkins, while co-founder Trevor Hinesley will remain CTO.
Perkins joins the company with a background in marketing and experience in the New York ad industry at notable agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi and Havas. He has led several companies to profitable growth, most recently as CEO of ParkMobile, where he helped increase revenue by more than 230% during his tenure.
Soundstripe now serves over 1,000 enterprise companies and more than one million individual content creators. Designed specifically for use in sync, its curated catalog now features over 15,000 songs selected to meet the unique needs of filmmakers, marketers and creators across a wide range of projects. The company recently launched its AI-powered Song Editing tool, which empowers creators to customize tracks for their projects. Additionally, Soundstripe reached a milestone of $13.2 million in all-time payouts to artists.
Perkins joins as Soundstripe prepares to launch an innovative new click-to-license music solution later this year.
“As co-founders, we are thrilled to welcome Jeff to our team,” says Terrell, co-founder of Soundstripe. “He has proven himself a highly effective leader with experience scaling businesses that cater to both large enterprises and individual users. We know Jeff is the right person at the right time to lead Soundstripe into our next stage of growth.”
“I am very excited to join the Soundstripe team,” shares Perkins. “Our founders, Travis, Micah and Trevor, have built an incredible company that combines the highest quality music with an innovative AI-powered platform that solves a major problem in the industry. I look forward to working with this talented team as we continue to expand our business and provide creators with the best music and technology solutions available on the market.”
Weekly Register: Sam Barber & Avery Anna Infiltrate Top Five On Country Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonSam Barber. Photo: Outlaw Foundry; Avery Anna. Photo: John Shearer
Sam Barber and Avery Anna‘s “Indigo” ascends the country streaming songs chart and secures the No. 5 slot with 8.1 million new streams, adding to 43 million ATD, according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s “Smile” scores the top spot with 21 million streams, adding to 33 million ATD, as Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” scoots down to No. 2 with 13.4 million new streams, adding to 1.02 billion ATD. Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” moves to No. 3 with 13 million streams, adding to 897 million ATD, while Wallen’s “Love Somebody” falls to No. 4 with 12 million new streams, adding to 179 million ATD.
On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time holds No. 1 with 40K in total consumption (1K album only/51 million song streams), as his Dangerous: The Double Album takes No. 2 with 28K (372 album only/36 million song streams). Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion backs up to No. 3 with 27K (1.3K album only/32 million song streams), followed by Jelly Roll‘s Beautifully Broken at No. 4 with 21K (3.6K album only/22 million song streams). Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak climbs to No. 5 with 18K (925 album only/23 million song streams).
Wyatt Flores Confirms Spring ‘Welcome Back To The Plains Tour’ Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughWyatt Flores. Photo: Natalie Rhea
Wyatt Flores will continue his “Welcome Back To The Plains Tour” through the spring.
The tour will include stops in St. Petersburg, Memphis, New Orleans, Charlottesville, St. Louis and more. Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale starting today (Jan. 14) at with general on-sale following Friday (Jan. 17).
The upcoming shows add to a breakout year for Flores, who released his full-length debut album, Welcome to the Plains, this past fall and was recently featured as part of NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk Concert” series, made his late-night TV debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performed on CBS Saturday Morning last month and spoke with NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The burgeoning artist has garnered over 325 million streams to date.
Grand Ole Opry Member Buck White Of The Whites Passes
/by LB CantrellBuck White
Buck White, patriarch of country music group The Whites and Grand Ole Opry member, passed away today (Jan. 13). He was 94.
The news was shared by his family, daughters Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa.
“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy home peacefully this morning at 8 a.m. We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth,” they shared in a joint statement. “He was a great Dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.”
Buck’s skills on the piano first opened the door for music, landing him gigs with Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb and others. In 1962, he relocated his family from Texas to Arkansas, where he and his wife, Pat Goza, began performing with another couple as The Down Home Folks. Their daughters, Sharon and Cheryl, were billed as The Down Home Kids.
The group quickly gained recognition in bluegrass circles, and by 1971, the family had moved to Nashville to solidify their careers as professional singers. Still performing as The Down Home Folks, they released several bluegrass albums before Pat retired from the group in 1973. Their first album as The Whites was 1983’s Old Familiar Feeling, according to Discogs.
In 1981, Sharon married country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, who produced some of their records. The Whites earned CMA Award nominations for The Horizon Award and Instrumental Group of the Year in 1983 as well as ACM Award nominations for Top Vocal Group in 1982 and 1983.
In 1984, the family was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Over their career, The Whites captivated audiences with hits like “You Put The Blue In Me,” “Hangin’ Around,” “Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling,” “Pins And Needles,” “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone),” “Hometown Gossip” and more. Their signature blend of bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and Texas swing, paired with their musical mastery and family harmony, became their hallmark.
Their involvement in the movie and soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou? brought them significant industry recognition, earning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year along with ACM and CMA Award nominations. They can be heard on the film’s “Keep on the Sunny Side,” a beloved classic originally popularized by the Carter Family.
In 2007, The Whites won another Grammy for their collaboration with Skaggs on his Salt of the Earth album. The following year, they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Ernest & More Sign Guitars To Support Wounded Officers Working Wildfires
/by Lorie HollabaughSome of country’s biggest stars have united to sign guitars to support wounded officers working the California wildfires through the Las Vegas-based national law enforcement organization The Wounded Blue.
Cody Johnson, Zach Top, Ronnie Dunn, Craig Morgan, Tracy Lawrence, Riley Green, Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Ernest, Neal McCoy, Steve Wariner, Dustin Lynch, Larry Gatlin, Uncle Kracker, Aaron Lewis, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Randy House, Trace Adkins, Gabby Barrett, Billy Currington, Drew Baldridge, Bryan White, Gary Morris and more have all taken the time to autograph multiple Epiphone acoustic guitars for this fundraising effort.
Fans, corporate partners, or anyone supporting law enforcement can purchase any of these signed guitars for $1,000 each by going to guitars4cops.com.
“These wildfires are horrible and everyone is in disbelief of the devastation,” says Neal McCoy. “Not only are our firefighters in danger, but so are all of our first responders including law enforcement. If signing guitars helps give those in need some comfort, it is the least that I can do. Our prayers are with all those affected by these wildfires.”
The Wounded Blue is the national assistance and support organization for injured and disabled law enforcement officers. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the mission of The Wounded Blue is to improve the lives of injured and disabled law enforcement officers through support, education, assistance and legislation.
Keith Urban Adds Canadian Dates To ‘High And Alive World Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban
Keith Urban is adding a Canadian leg to his “High And Alive World Tour.”
Urban will be firing up eight shows in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and more through Sept. 20 featuring special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins.
“Playing live is what I live to do,” says Urban. “Looking out from a stage and seeing people singing, forgetting about all the stress in their lives, cutting loose, and feeling ALIVE—that’s what it’s about for me. Lots of hits, new songs, things we won’t even think about until we’re onstage—and loads of guitar. We’re gonna make this tour the best night of your life!”
Urban will no doubt play many of his 25 Canadian No. 1 hits, including “Long Hot Summer,” “Days Go By,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “Somewhere In My Car,” “The Fighter,” “Wasted Time,” “Somebody Like You,” “One Too Many,” as well as new songs from his just-released 11th studio album High.
June 21 – Toronto – Budweiser Stage
September 10 – Vancouver – Rogers Arena
September 12 – Calgary – Scotiabank Saddledome
September 13 – Regina – Brandt Centre
September 15 – Saskatoon – SaskTel Centre
September 16 – Winnipeg – Canada Life Centre
September 19 – Montreal – Bell Centre
September 20 – Ottawa – Canadian Tire Centre
Luke Bryan To Take His ‘Farm Tour’ To California This Spring
/by Liza AndersonLuke Bryan will take his annual “Farm Tour” to California for the first time this spring.
Bryan will visit the Castle Airport in Atwater on May 15, The Ponds at Harlan Ranch in Clovis on May 16 and Sillect Farms in Shafter on May 17 ahead of the 2025 American Idol season finale, where he will serve as a celebrity judge for an eighth year alongside Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. Special guests will be announced at a later date along with more tour stops.
“With the ‘Farm Tour’ being such a unique type of show in rural towns, we have to be really intentional on where we go in order to have the best experience for the fans all while lifting up the farming community and what they do for our country,” he shares. “I’ve always wanted to raise awareness for the west coast farmer, and I’m so excited to get to do that this year. [It’s] going to be amazing.”
Members of Bryan’s fan club can purchase presale tickets now. General sales start this Friday (Jan. 17) at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Caylee Hammack To Deliver A ‘Bed Of Roses’ In March
/by Liza AndersonCaylee Hammack will release her sophomore album, Bed of Roses, on March 7 via Capitol Records Nashville.
The 13-song bouquet aims to tell the story of a 20-something’s coming of age with a blend of gypsy soul, ’70s twang and red-dirt rock.
“Your bed of roses is the bed you make—you get to decide how you spend your time and how you plant your garden,” explains Hammack. “Good love is flowers that come back every year. Bad love, it’s just the thorn. Sometimes you’ve got to till shit up. You’ve got to work through things, and it’s not going to be fun. And then one day, your friends come over and you sit as a family on the back porch in the garden. And when they compliment the roses near the gate or the cherry tomatoes speckled about in the pasta, you get the pleasure of realizing, ‘I grew that, I put love, time and belief into something, and it paid off.'”
She co-produced the project alongside Dann Huff and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, and co-penned the title track with Jeff Hyde and Benjy Davis. Out now, “Bed of Roses” was inspired by a fleeting romance that never took root and seeks to explore the theme of embracing the inner peace no part-time partner can give. The tune joins previously-released tracks “The Hill” and “Breaking Dishes.”
Bed of Roses Track Listing:
1. “Bed of Roses” (Caylee Hammack, Benjy Davis, Jeff Hyde)
2. “Breaking Dishes” (Caylee Hammack, Mikey Reaves, Gordie Sampson)
3. “What My Angels Think of Me” (Caylee Hammack, Meg McRee, Jake Mitchell)
4. “Back Again” (Caylee Hammack, Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate)
5. “Mammas” (Ed Bruce, Patricia Bruce, Mia Mantia, SJ McDonald, Trent Wayne)
6. “No I Ain’t” (Caylee Hammack, Mark Trussell, Stephen Wilson Jr.)
7. “The Hill” (Caylee Hammack, Tenille Townes, Logan Wall)
8. “The Pot & The Kettle” (Caylee Hammack, Connor Thuotte, Stephen Wilson Jr.)
9. “Bread & Butter” (Caylee Hammack, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde)
10. “Cleopatra” (Caylee Hammack, Meg McRee, Jake Mitchell)
11. “How Long” (Caylee Hammack, John Osborne, Lucie Silvas)
12. “Oh, Kara” (Caylee Hammack)
13. “Tumbleweed Men” (Caylee Hammack, Joe Clemmons, Benjy Davis)
Second Annual Cody Johnson Charity Golf Tourney Raises $298,000 For Multiple Charities
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Devin Marcum-President Resistol Hats, Daren Peterson-President Resistol Cowboys Who Care, Kami Peterson-Vice President of Sales Cowboy Channel, Corky Ullman-CO Owner of BFI, Cody Johnson and Dustin Noblit-CEO of Pro Equine Group. Photo: Fernando Sam-Sin
Cody Johnson‘s second annual Charity Golf Tournament held during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Dec. 8 raised $298,000 for multiple charities.
The event, presented by Wrangler and Resistol and organized by Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation, brought 28 golf teams together for a day of golfing and an auction to generate funds for Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation, the Different Day Foundation and Wrangler’s Bucking Cancer initiative.
“For me, when you get an opportunity like this to give back, it’s a big deal,” says Johnson. “When you have a driving force, like these brands behind you, it’s hard not to step up and make a difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone involved.”
The Different Day Foundation, founded by Brandi and Cody Johnson, empowers and supports women as they heal from exploitation, providing them with the tools and resources needed to rebuild their lives.
Wrangler’s Bucking Cancer program supports a variety of cancer-related charities tied to rodeo and Western events, and chose to benefit the Golden Circle of Champions for this tournament. The organization assists children with pediatric cancer and their families.
Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation is dedicated to bringing joy to children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and gifts cowboy hats, symbolizing strength and resilience, to children across the country. Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation kicked off the event with a $25,000 donation to the Golden Circle of Champions. In a special moment during the tournament at the live auction, Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation, in partnership with the Cody NesSmith Memorial Team Roping, presented the Wolff family from Louisiana with a check for $80,000 to cover the cost of a new van for their son, Bennet, who is living with a rare medical condition.
“We are honored and blessed to be part of a group that can provide financial support to deserving families and organizations,” says Daren Peterson, President of Resistol’s Cowboys Who Care Foundation.