DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ernest & Lainey Wilson Are ‘Duet Perfection’

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Ernest & Lainey Wilson.

As we ease into the fall season, the country stars have warm sounds to accompany us.

The highlights here are Kelsea Ballerini, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and Brian Kelley. The Disc of the Day is unquestionably the dandy duet by Ernest and Lainey Wilson, both of whom sing like hillbilly angels.

Give a DISCovery Award to Georgia-born newcomer Vincent Mason.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Heaven’s Sake”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox/Seth Ennis; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Lotsa rock guitar. Lotsa drumming. Lotsa volume. Headache inducing. It’s the lead track of his new album, which drops tomorrow.

SHABOOZEY / “Highway”
Writers: Collins Obinna Chibueze/McKay Stevens/Sean Cook; Producers: McKay Stevens, Sean Cook; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Love the strummy acoustic guitar and his plaintive vocal. The aimless heartache “road” song could use a few hooks.

REYNA ROBERTS / “A Hundred”
Writers: Danny Myrick/Reigna Roberts; Producer: Danny Myrick; Label: ReynaRed Records/EMPIRE
– A melody would have been nice.

WILLIE NELSON / “Last Leaf”
Writers: Kathleen Brennan/Tom Waits; Producer: Micah Nelson; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Achingly beautiful. In a tremulous, vibrato-shaken delivery, Willie contemplates mortality as he realizes that he is the last man standing from his generation. This is the title tune of his 153rd (!) album, due Nov. 1.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Two Things”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Jessie Jo Dillon/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Alysa Vanderheym, Kelsea Ballerini; Label: Black River Entertainment
– Amid a swirling, wooshing sonic landscape, Ballerini muses that conflicting, opposing emotions can both be true at the same time in a complicated relationship. It’s a preview of her Patterns collection, an all-female project due next month.

BRAD PAISLEY / “Truck Still Works”
Writers: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Hunter Phelps/Rodney Clawson/Will Bundy; Producers: Brad Paisley, Luke Wooten; Label: EMI Records Nashville
– Remember “Mud on the Tires?” Paisley suggests that we take that ol’ vehicle out for a spin again to rekindle romance and memories. Warmly nostalgic and rhythm happy. Watch for the star to premiere this merry tune on tonight’s People’s Choice Country Awards telecast.

BRITTNEY SPENCER / “Guitar Lady”
Writers: Brittney Spencer/David Brown/Maurice Wade; Producers: Carrie K, Gabe Simon; Label: Elektra Entertainment
– This languid, laid-back track sings of troubadour gals who make you want to sing along and ease your troubled mind. Mellow and groovy. Imaginatively produced.

VINCENT MASON / “Train Of Thought”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Jared Keim/Ryan Beaver/Vincent Mason; Producer: Jared Keim; Label: MCA Nashville/Music Soup/Interscope Records
– Mason has amassed considerable online success with his ballads “Hell Is a Dance Floor” and “Heart Like This.” This lovelorn outing demonstrates that the youngster  knows his way around a tempo tune, too. Nicely done.

SAMMY KERSHAW / “Slip Away”
Writers: Marcus Daniel/Wilbur Terrell/William Armstrong; Producers: Billy Lawson, Sammy Kershaw; Label: Goldenlane Records
– Country vet Kershaw took a trip down to Muscle Shoals for his latest album. On it, he revisits soul and rock oldies, such as this 1968 Clarence Carter classic. It’s an enduringly cool cheating song.

BRIAN KELLEY / “Hold On Cowboy”
Writer: Brian Kelley; Producers: Caleb Gilbreath, Katlin Owen; Label: Big Machine Records
– No matter what you are going through emotionally, hold your head up and persevere. He lends a sympathetic ear to your troubles and points the way to a brighter tomorrow. This uplifting tempo tune is tied to this being National Suicide Prevention Month, and it carries that message admirably.

ERNEST & LAINEY WILSON / “Would If I Could”
Writers: Dean Dillon/Skip Ewing; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
– Wow. The song is country eloquent, and their duet performance is perfection. The supremely well crafted ballad closes the book on a relationship that’s better off in the past. The exquisite vocals are beautifully shaded and evocative to convey its emotional complexity. I love this record. A solo version from Ernest impacts radio on Oct. 7.

THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND / “What Might Have Been”
Writer: Mike Stern; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Label: Nolivian
– Dobro master Jerry Douglas will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame this evening in North Carolina. The Set was released last week as his first solo album in seven years, although he continues to record and tour with Alison Krauss. You’ll find this deliciously dreamy, echoey meditation on the The Set. It blends his mournful picking with wordless vocalizing by Aoife O’Donovan and drawn-out fiddle notes by Christian Sedelmyer to cast a midnight spell.

CRS Now Accepting Nominations For Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award

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Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is currently accepting nominations for the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award.

Rivers died in 2004 at the age of 38. At the time of his death, Rivers was the Operations Manager at country station WUSN (99.5 FM) in Chicago. His career also took him to Tampa, where he worked for WQYK (99.5 FM). Named after the broadcast veteran, the award recognize an individual who works in the country radio industry and espouses the spirit and virtues of generosity, caring and community service.

Past recipients include Tim Leary, Storme Warren, Heather Froglear, Lon Helton, “Dollar” Bill Lawson, Dan Halyburton, Peter Smyth, Jeff Smulyan, Mary Quaas and George G. Beasley.

Nominations are due by Dec. 6. For more information, click here.

Brittney Spencer Gives ‘My Stupid Life’ Debut The Deluxe Treatment

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Brittney Spencer is releasing a deluxe edition of her debut album My Stupid Life (The Party That I Almost Missed) on Friday ( Sept. 27) via Elektra. The first preview of the new music, “Guitar Lady,” is out now.

An expanded edition of her January debut, the collection features six never-before-heard songs. Four of the six new tracks were produced by Daniel Tashian, with two tracks produced by Gabe Simon and Carrie K, and writers contributing include Ashley Monroe, Maurice Wade (Ariana Grande), Autumn Rowe (Jon Batiste), Isley Juber (Leon Bridges) and others.

Spencer was one of the featured vocalists on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter project, which recently earned her nominations for two 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards. Spencer is currently on the road with Marcus King this fall.

My Stupid Life (The Party That I Almost Missed) Track List:
1. “New To This Town” (Brittney Spencer)
2. “I Got Time” (Spencer, Jessica Cayne, Nate Campany, Emily Reid)
3. “Night In (Phone Call)”
4. “Night In” (Spencer, Cayne, Summer Overstreet)
5. “Guitar Lady” (Brittney Spencer, David Brown, Maurice Wade)
6. “Bigger Than The Song” (Spencer, Jennifer Anne Wayne, Tofer Brown)
7. “Slow Dance” (Spencer, Ilsey Juber)
8. “My First Rodeo” (Spencer, Cayne, Sean Douglas, Zach Skelton)
9. “The Last Time” (Spencer, Sean McConnell, Sarah Buxton)
10. “Deeper” (Spencer, Tayla Parx, Gustav Landell)
11. “First Car Feeling” (Spencer, Cayne, Kat Higgins)
12. “Desperate” (Spencer, Emily Falvey, Mikey Reeves)
13. “Damn Good Life” (Spencer, Autumn Rowe, Jon Levine)
14. “Losing My Shit” (Spencer, Ashley Monroe)
15. “If You Say So” (Spencer)
16. “Growing Out Of You” (Spencer, Jessica Cayne, Saint Patrick, Ethan Tasch)
17. “My Stupid Life” (Spencer, James Brock Human, McConnell)
18. “My Stupid Life” (Reprise)
19. “Reaching Out” (Spencer, Joe Kirkland)
20. “Thankful” (Spencer, Emily Brimlow, Connor Wheaton, Gilbert Nanlohy, Will Reagan)

Porchlight Music Signs Joe Whelan

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Pictured (L–R): Porchlight Music’s Tim Medlin, Dale Dodson, BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Porchlight Music’s Jonathan Stickler, Joe Whelan and Porchlight Music’s Jenny Hall. Photo: Austyn Jablonski

Porchlight Music has signed singer-songwriter Joe Whelan to a publishing agreement.

The Nashville native attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to pursue a degree in construction, but soon developed a passion for songwriting and began teaching himself to play guitar and putting pen to paper. Whelan moved back home to hone his craft and connect with fellow songwriters. He started making a name for himself, and ultimately writing tunes that landed him his first publishing deal. Whelan has since collaborated with established creators Casey Beathard, Tony Lane, Chris DuBois and Luke Dick, among others. His credits include Tucker Beathard’s “Can’t Stay Here,” “Too Drunk” and “How Gone Will I Go” as well as Vincent Mason’s “Livin’ Proof” and Grant Gilbert’s “Drunk Since Dallas.”

Additionally, Whelan teamed up with Andrew Stone to form Whelan Stone. The duo has been sharing the stage with artists like Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi and Nate Smith while releasing new music.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Joe join the Porchlight team, and to be a part of the next step of his musical career,” says Jenny Hall, Senior Creative Director, Porchlight Music. “When we first heard some music, it immediately caught our attention. We were not only drawn in by his musical abilities, but his winning attitude and impressive work ethic. Joe is a go-getter, and we’re excited for what’s in store.”

“I’m so excited to be signing with a company where everyone seems hungry to make it happen,” shares Whelan. “They have a true passion for the music and the songwriters that are behind it all! I’m looking forward to a bright future with Porchlight!”

Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, More To Honor 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees

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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation has revealed the lineup of special guests who will take the stage to present, perform and honor this year’s inductees during the ceremony on Oct. 19 at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The lineup includes Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, James Taylor, Slash, The Roots, Sammy Hagar, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, Dr. Dre, Demi Lovato, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, Julia Roberts, Lucky Daye, Method Man and Roger Daltrey.

“Every year the biggest names in music, film and culture step onto the stage at our ceremony to pay tribute to the iconic inductees whose music has defined generations,” says John Sykes, Chairman, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “These are once in a lifetime moments created that will be remembered forever.”

The 2024 honorees consist of Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest as well as Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton for Musical Influence and Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield for Musical Excellence. Additionally, Suzanne De Passe will be recognized with the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Frampton, Kool & the Gang and Warwick are also set to perform during the ceremony.

The event will stream live coast to coast on Disney+ at 6 p.m. CT, and will be available to watch afterwards. ABC will then air a primetime special featuring performance highlights and standout moments on Jan. 1 from 7–10 p.m. CT, which will be available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

Randy Travis Honored With SoundExchange Music Fairness Award

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Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy, 117 Entertainment’s Zach Farnum, SoundExchange’s Marc Rucker and Michael Huppe, Randy and Mary Travi and Ontourage Management’s Tony Conway. Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville

Randy Travis has been chosen to receive SoundExchange’s Music Fairness Award for his advocacy for Congress to modernize the nation’s copyright law to protect creators and support of the American Music Fairness Act.

Though he was hospitalized with viral cardiomyopathy in 2013 and now suffers from aphasia, making it difficult to speak and sing, earlier this year Travis and his wife Mary joined SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe to testify before Congress in support of modernizing copyright law to protect creators.

“Randy Travis is a music icon and a courageous leader, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that everyone—from music fans to lawmakers—is aware of the inequities suffered by creators for more than a century,” says Huppe. “Randy and Mary’s powerful testimony is a step forward in paving a better future for the next generation of artists. We are honored to present Randy Travis with the SoundExchange Music Fairness Award.”

“Thank you to SoundExchange for recognizing Randy for his advocacy. He loves country radio and everyone in it, he also loves his fellow creators. What he is advocating for here is an equitable solution to better align artists, labels and radio going forward under the changing environment of the music industry,” Mary says on behalf of Randy. “An old Greek proverb says ‘a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit’—it’s up to artists like Randy to help make a better world for those to come… he embraces that responsibility whole-heartedly.”

AMFA would require terrestrial broadcasters in the U.S.—the only democratic nation in the world without a performance right for artists on AM/FM radio—to pay artists royalties when their songs are played on the air.

Travis has been a SoundExchange member since 2003 and entrusts SoundExchange to collect worldwide neighboring rights royalties on his behalf through more than 65 agreements with counterpart organizations, covering nearly 90% of the global neighboring rights market.

‘Got It From My Momma’ Podcast To Hold Live-Audience Event With Patsy & Emmy Russell

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Jennifer Vickery Smith‘s podcast, Got It From My Momma, will present a live-audience event with Loretta Lynn’s daughter Patsy Russell and granddaughter, American Idol finalist Emmy Russell, who will also perform, on Oct. 23 at BMI Nashville.

Hosted by partners Change The Conversation and The Change Agent·cy, the special event will have a limited number of free tickets available. For more information, click here.

“This event is such a special opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of what it was like to be raised by one of the most influential women in music, Ms. Loretta Lynn,” says Smith. “Both Patsy and Emmy are so talented, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to partner with Change the Conversation and The Change Agent·cy to share this discussion with country music royalty in front of a live audience.”

The event marks another 2024 highlight for the podcast, following a CMA Fest live taping event with author, mom and wife of Thomas Rhett, Lauren Akins, in June as well as a performance and recorded event with reigning ACM New Duo of the Year Tigirlily Gold and their mom, Brenda, in May.

Nickelback Shares Nashville Show Magic On New Live Album

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Nickelback performs. Photo: Timothy Hiehle

Diamond-certified rock band Nickelback will celebrate Music City with their new album, Live From Nashville, out Nov. 15 via BMG.

Kicking off with lead single “San Quentin,” Nickelback: Live From Nashville will feature live recordings from the band’s sold-out show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on their 2023 “Get Rollin’ Tour.”

Nickelback’s set featured several special guests, and the magic of that show can be experienced again with the new album. The project will include the band’s rendition of Ernest’s “Flower Shops,” a cover of “Copperhead Road” with Josh Ross and Brantley Gilbert, “Savin’ Me” featuring Chris Daughtry, “Rockstar” with Bailey Zimmerman and a rendition of Hardy’s “Sold Out.”

The single, “San Quentin (Live from Nashville)” delivers a blistering take on the riff-riddled track that was inspired after frontman Chad Kroeger met a real-life warden from the notoriously high security California prison. It’s available to stream now.

Nickelback: Live from Nashville Track List:
1. “San Quentin”
2. “Savin’ Me” (with Chris Daughtry)
3. “Far Away”
4. “Animals”
5. “Someday”
6. “Worthy to Say”
7. “Figured You Out”
8. “Hero”
9. “Copperhead Road” (with Brantley Gilbert and Josh Ross)
10. “High Time”
11. “Flower Shops” (with Ernest)
12. “Photograph”
13. “Rockstar” (with Bailey Zimmerman)
14. “Those Days”
15. “Sold Out” (with Hardy)
16. “How You Remind Me”
17. “Gotta Be Somebody”
18. “Burn It to the Ground”

CMHOFM Selects Newest Circle Guard Initiates

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Pictured (L–R): Country Music Hall of Fame members E. W. “Bud” Wendell and Emmylou Harris; Circle Guard members Jody Williams and Jay Orr; Commander General of the Circle Guard and Museum CEO Kyle Young. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has selected Jay Orr and Jody Williams as the newest initiates to the museum’s Circle Guard.

The selection recognizes their significant contributions to the institution. Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris announced the news during an intimate luncheon today (Sept. 25) on the CMA Theater stage.

Orr is a former senior leader, editor and music historian of the museum who served across nearly three decades. Williams is a longtime member of the museum’s Board of Officers & Trustees and is currently Board Chair, in addition to being a music publisher.

The Circle Guard brings together and celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent and treasure to the museum protect the principle of country music and make it accessible to a worldwide audience. The Circle Guard recognition ranks as the grandest distinction afforded to benefactors who exhibit an enduring commitment to the museum and its educational mission. This is the fourth time the Circle Guard’s ranks have expanded since the designation was introduced by Circle Guard Founder Steve Turner in 2018.

Orr retired from the museum in December 2022, after more than 26 years of service. He held a plethora of important leadership positions, most recently serving as Executive Senior Director for Research, Editorial and Content, as well as led the museum’s editorial team, overseeing the development of exhibits, publications and more. Orr also helped grow the museum’s education and public programming initiatives into the varied menu of programs currently offered.

Williams, Founder of Jody Williams Songs, has been serving on the museum’s Board for 17 years. He has been a Trustee since 2011 and chaired the Board’s Development Committee for the past decade, serving as a trusted collaborator and entertainment producer for fundraising initiatives in support of the nonprofit museum’s educational mission. He was named Chair of the museum’s Board of Officers & Trustees earlier this year.

Each year, the Circle Guard members share the life stories in the Hall of Fame Rotunda by leading the “Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance & Salute.” The annual ceremony, open to all museum visitors and occurring daily for two weeks, pays tribute to each of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s yearly classes and their inducted members.

Orr and Williams join other Circle Guard initiates David Conrad, Bill Denny, Ken Levitan, Mary Ann McCready, Mike Milom, Ken Roberts, Seab Tuck, Steve Turner, Jerry B. Williams and Kyle Young.

Niko Moon Celebrates Birthday With Sold-Out Ryman Show

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Niko Moon during his sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Jordan Lavagnino

Niko Moon celebrated his birthday this year with a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last Friday (Sept. 20).

Pictured (L–R): Mission 22’s Misha Knea, Niko Moon, Anna Moon and Mission 22’s Carley Hill
Photo: Courtesy of Mission 22

He delivered a high-energy set that included “Good Time” and “Paradise to Me,” along with new tracks from his recent These Are The Days EP. During the show, Moon paused to make a heartfelt announcement on behalf of the Happy Cowboy Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Anna. He presented a check for $22,000 to Mission 22, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. In launching the Happy Cowboy Foundation, he hopes to raise awareness and funds for individuals battling mental health challenges who may not have access to the resources they need.

“Mission 22 is doing incredible work, offering free, long-term programs that focus on healing and growth for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress, brain injuries and other challenges,” shared Moon. “It’s an honor to support their mission and help those who have given so much to our country.”

Additionally, the artist recently announced his plans to hit the road next year on “These Are The Nights: The Tour.”