Donnie Winters
Nashville’s Donnie Winters, who achieved notoriety in the Southern rock group The Winters Brothers Band and later became a go-to sound engineer in this city’s nightclubs, has passed away at age 73.
Winters died at home in Bellevue due to complications from pneumonia he contracted as a COVID victim in 2021. He died on Aug. 18, the day before his 74th birthday.
In The Winters Brothers Band, Donnie sang and played lead guitar. The group recorded six albums, starred at seven of the legendary Volunteer Jam concerts and toured with The Marshall Tucker Band, The Charlie Daniels Band and other Southern rock headliners.
As a sound man, he aided generations of aspiring Nashville songwriters by mixing their performances’ audio at nightclub writers’ nights for decades. He was also a songwriter, himself.
Donnie Winters was the grandson of “Pop” Winters, who led the swinging Southern Strollers band in the 1940s. His father was Don Winters (1929-2002), a golden-voiced singer and yodeler who scored a double-sided country hit with his self-composed “Too Many Times”/“Shake Hands With a Loser” in 1961. Don Winters recorded for Decca and RCA and was a member of the Marty Robbins road show for more than 30 years.
Sons Dennis and Donnie grew up in this atmosphere, and superstar Robbins recorded 10 of their songs. After the siblings heard the early records of The Allman Brothers, they styled their music in a Southern-rock mode and formed The Winters Brothers Band.
The group achieved prominence beginning with its self-titled 1976 debut LP, recorded at the Capricorn studios in Georgia for Atco Records. The collection’s singles “Sang Her Love Songs” and “Smokey Mountain Log Cabin Jones” received regional airplay. The album was produced by Taz DiGregorio of The Charlie Daniels Band.
During this era, Winters toured with The Marshall Tucker Band and was booked to open shows on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1977 tour. But a plane crash decimated Skynyrd, and that tour never happened.
The follow-up Winters Brothers Band Atco/Atlantic album was 1977’s Coast to Coast, but it remained unreleased until 2007. In the meantime, the group issued Keep on Running (1982), Southern Rockers (2000) and Southeast Stampede (2004). In 1984, Donnie and Dennis joined their father on the LP The Yodeling King. That record contained Don’s renditions of country classics plus trio vocals and solo performances by both Donnie and Dennis.
The Winters Brothers Band also appeared on several of the commemorative albums of the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam marathon concerts. The Winters boys were regulars at these quasi annual all-star events, 1974-2018.
Donnie Winters played in several bands on the Nashville showcase circuit. These included Willi X. Evans & Hillbilly Mardi Gras, Shotgun Riders and Donnie Winters & The Copperhead Band. He continued to perform at songwriter nights throughout his life.
In the new millennium, he made a career transition and became a sound man for music venues. Beginning in 2000, he worked as the house sound engineer at The Sutler Saloon. When The Sutler closed, Winters moved to perform the same duties at Douglas Corner. While there, he hosted a weekly open-mic writers night. At both clubs, he often sat in to back performers on guitar or dobro.
For more than 25 years Donnie and Dennis Winters co-hosted annual Sumer Jam music festivals at the family’s farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. He and his brother also co-hosted an “unplugged” cable-access TV series of songs and stories.
In later years, Donnie became a regular participant in The Commodore Grille’s writers nights run by Debi Champion at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt. Out at Metro Center in the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, he mixed sound and performed at Lee Rascone’s twice weekly writers nights.
Donald Leroy Winters is survived by Paula, his wife of 44 years, by son Derek, brother Dennis, sister Jackie, three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His funeral was held Aug. 24 at West Harpeth Funeral home on Charlotte Pike.
Charlie Handsome Claims No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenCharlie Handsome
Charlie Handsome has taken the No. 1 spot on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He boasts 18 charting tracks with Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album, along with Morgan Wallen and Ernest’s “Cowgirls,” Dylan Scott’s “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and Wallen and Moneybagg Yo’s “Whiskey Whiskey.”
Also representing Post’s album is Ashley Gorley in the No. 2 spot. He has seven cuts from the album on the chart this week, in addition to “Bulletproof,” “Cowgirls,” “I Am Not Okay,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Whiskey Whiskey” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights.” At No. 3 this week is Louis Bell, also with 18 charting tracks from F-1 Trillion.
Austin Post himself takes the No. 4 position this week and Zach Bryan rounds out the top five.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Artist Action: Dennis Quaid, Megan Moroney, HunterGirl
/by Lorie HollabaughDennis Quaid’s Reagan Rules At The Box Office
Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. Photo: Rob Batzdorff
Dennis Quaid’s Reagan surprised box office watchers by nearly doubling anticipated first-week projections, riding off with $9.2 million and finishing in third place at the box office behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Alien, while landing the No. 3 per-screen average on opening weekend.
Moviegoers gave the film an “A” CinemaScore and a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes in sharp contrast to the Rotten Tomatoes critics score at 19%. That 79% chasm makes it the film with one of the greatest gaps between critics and fans in the history of Hollywood films.
Megan Moroney Rocks GMA’s Summer Concert Series
Good Morning America Anchors Whit Johnson and Gio Benitez, Megan Moroney, Anchors Rebecca Jarvis and Sam Champion. Photo: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Megan Moroney performed last week as part of ABC’s Good Morning America Summer Concert Series. Taking the stage at GMA’s Times Square studio, Moroney delivered renditions of two standout tracks from her sophomore album Am I Okay? Between songs she also took a moment to chat with Good Morning America anchor Rebecca Jarvis.
HunterGirl Makes Huckabee Debut
HunterGirl on Huckabee. Photo: Courtesy of TBN
HunterGirl recently made her debut on TBN’s Huckabee, delivering a heartfelt performance of her song “Ain’t About You.” She also sat down to chat with Governor Mike Huckabee.
“Ain’t About You” became a standout track on 19 Recordings/BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s label-debut EP, Tennessee Girl. What HunterGirl refers to as her “45 minute-conversation with Jesus” went on to make history as the first debut radio single in over 30 years to be completely written by a female country artist herself.
Riley Green Announces New Album At His Nashville Bar Grand Opening
/by John Nix ArledgeRiley Green’s Duck Blind partners Green & Steve Ford. Photo: Caleb Cockrell
Industry members, family and friends gathered earlier today (Sept. 3) to celebrate the grand opening of Riley Green’s Duck Blind.
Created in partnership with entrepreneur and friend Steve Ford, Riley Green’s Duck Blind is located in the heart of Nashville’s Midtown district in what was formerly Winners Bar & Grill (1913 Division St.) The space has been renovated and rebranded to pay homage to Green’s southern roots. The establishment, now open to the public, includes a full-service bar and kitchen with “Open Season” appetizers such as steak biscuits and duck fries and “The Hunt” main courses such as bison burgers and Green’s BBQ chicken wrap.
“I’ve spent many nights at Losers, and Steve, the late Erv Woolsey and team are like family to me,” says Green. “Riley Green’s Duck Blind will be a fun place for fans to come enjoy a game on the big screens, have a beer and listen to some good country music.”
“We couldn’t bring everyone out here to celebrate and not share more exciting news with you,” shared Green from the stage. “My brand-new album Don’t Mind If I Do will be out October 18. It feels fitting that it’s coming out on my birthday because this project feels very true to who I am, where I come from and what I’ve learned along the way. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it!”
Don’t Mind If I Do features 18 tracks including single “Ain’t My Last Rodeo” and five solo-penned tunes such as, “Jesus Saves,” “Worst Way” and the title track, a duet with Ella Langley. The project was produced by Dann Huff along with Executive Producers Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen.
Following the surprise, Green also unveiled his upcoming headlining tour and teased a larger announcement coming later in September. Industry members from Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment and Big Machine Label Group then rose and presented Green with a plaque to honor his solely-written hit “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” going triple Platinum.
Don’t Mind If I Do Track List:
1. “That’s A Mistake” – Tucker Beathard, Jimi Bell, Travis Denning
2. “Change My Mind” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Randy Montana
3. ”Reel Problems (featuring Luke Bryan)” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin
4. “Turnin’ Dirt” – Benjy Davis, Wyatt McCubbin, Ben Williams
5. “Jesus Saves” – Riley Green
6. “Too Early To Drink” – Matt Roy
7. “Pick A Place” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan
8. “Way Out Here” – Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy, Josh Thompson
9. “Waitin’ All Day” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Lydia Vaughan
10. “Chip Off The Ol’ Block” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton
11. “Alcohol Of Fame” – Riley Green, Kelli Johnson, Drake White
12. “Rather Be” – Dan Isbell, Randy Montana
13. “Good Morning From Mexico” – Riley Green
14. “Torn” – Randy Montana, Drake Mulligan, John Pierce
15. “Damn Good Day To Leave” – Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton, Nick Walsh
16. “Looking Back On This” – Randy Montana, Jameson Rodgers, Justin Wilson
17. “Don’t Mind If I Do (featuring Ella Langley)” – Riley Green
18. “Worst Way” – Riley Green
Jeremy Stover Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L–R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, Josh Van Valkenburg, Loeb & Loeb’s Megan Pekar, Sony Music Publishing’s Aubrey Landon and Dale Bobo. (L–R, front row): Loeb & Loeb’s Derek Crownover, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Jeremy Stover and RED Creative Group’s Taylor Lamb. Photo: Amy Allmand
Hit songwriter and producer Jeremy Stover has signed an exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. As part of the deal, Sony has has acquired several songs from Stover and RED Creative Group, including “7500 OBO,” “With A Woman You Love,” “We Didn’t Have Much” and “You, Me, & Whiskey,” and will cover all of Stover’s future works.
“Jeremy Stover is a master at crafting rural storytelling with sonic sophistication,” says Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO. “His productions and songs overflow with heart and make you feel right at home as a listener. We are thrilled to be partnering with Jeremy and RED Creative and look forward to a bright and successful future together.”
Stover has had numerous chart-toppers with an array of country acts, including Tim McGraw, Justin Moore, Jack Ingram and LoCash, among others. He currently has radio singles out with Moore’s “This Is My Dirt” and Ashley McBryde’s “The Devil I Know,” and has had recent cuts with Luke Combs, Priscilla Block and Travis Denning.
“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with my longtime friend Rusty and the incredible team at Sony,” shares Stover. “Telling stories through country music is what I love to do. This partnership will allow me to continue to do that at the highest level. Let’s get to work!”
Terri Clark Makes Ryman Headline Debut
/by Madison HahnenTerri Clark. Photo: Ryan Camp
Terri Clark made her long-awaited headlining debut at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday night (Aug. 29) after 37 years in the making.
“It’s hard to describe the feelings that were flowing through me that night,” shares Clark. “I wish I could go back and tell that naive, wide-eyed 18-year-old girl from Alberta, sitting on a stool at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, sometimes playing to an empty bar in broad daylight, leaving with nothing but $15 and a pocket full of faith, hope and dreams, that it was going to take 37 years to get to the Ryman… but that it WAS going to happen and it WAS going to be worth every step to get there.”
Trisha Yearwood and Terri Clark. Photo: Ryan Camp
Clark started off the night with a standing ovation from the eager crowd, before singing chart-toppers “You’re Easy On The Eyes,” “I Wanna Do It All,” “Girls Lie Too” and more. She also brought her most recent album, Terri Clark: Take Two, to life by bringing out Ashley McBryde to sing the new rendition of “Better Things To Do.” After 90 minutes, Trisha Yearwood then joined Clark on stage for “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” to close out the night.
Julien’s Auctions To Commemorate Life & Career Of Christine McVie With Exclusive Event
/by Lorie HollabaughChristine McVie. Photo: Larry Marano/Shutterstock
Julien’s Auctions will host an exclusive event offering a collection from Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac‘s Estate to the public for the first time on Oct. 16–17 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville and online at juliensauctions.com.
An exhibit featuring highlights from the collection will run from Aug. 30–Oct. 15 ahead of the auction, which will benefit MusiCares and other charities. Over 650 of McVie’s treasures representing a lifetime of performances, recordings and classic songs as a member of famous group and as a solo artist, coming directly from her home in London will be sold by the industry memorabilia auction house. Items set to be featured include a Hammond XK-5 organ played on tour, 1998 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame award, Rumours RIAA 21-time Platinum sales award, Fleetwood Mac’s 2018 tour setlists; a plaque celebrating Rumours‘ Grammy nomination, a black embellished blazer from the “On With The Show Tour” and Edward Reginald Frampton’s “St. Cecilia” painting. For more information, click here.
Additionally, AXS TV will serve as the auction’s exclusive broadcast partner and will air special Fleetwood Mac weekend programming throughout Oct. 12–13, such as concerts and interviews as well as a special preview of the auction and the items that will be available. Content on the items will also be posted on AXS TV’s social media platforms.
Southern Rock Veteran Donnie Winters Passes
/by Robert K OermannDonnie Winters
Nashville’s Donnie Winters, who achieved notoriety in the Southern rock group The Winters Brothers Band and later became a go-to sound engineer in this city’s nightclubs, has passed away at age 73.
Winters died at home in Bellevue due to complications from pneumonia he contracted as a COVID victim in 2021. He died on Aug. 18, the day before his 74th birthday.
In The Winters Brothers Band, Donnie sang and played lead guitar. The group recorded six albums, starred at seven of the legendary Volunteer Jam concerts and toured with The Marshall Tucker Band, The Charlie Daniels Band and other Southern rock headliners.
As a sound man, he aided generations of aspiring Nashville songwriters by mixing their performances’ audio at nightclub writers’ nights for decades. He was also a songwriter, himself.
Donnie Winters was the grandson of “Pop” Winters, who led the swinging Southern Strollers band in the 1940s. His father was Don Winters (1929-2002), a golden-voiced singer and yodeler who scored a double-sided country hit with his self-composed “Too Many Times”/“Shake Hands With a Loser” in 1961. Don Winters recorded for Decca and RCA and was a member of the Marty Robbins road show for more than 30 years.
Sons Dennis and Donnie grew up in this atmosphere, and superstar Robbins recorded 10 of their songs. After the siblings heard the early records of The Allman Brothers, they styled their music in a Southern-rock mode and formed The Winters Brothers Band.
The group achieved prominence beginning with its self-titled 1976 debut LP, recorded at the Capricorn studios in Georgia for Atco Records. The collection’s singles “Sang Her Love Songs” and “Smokey Mountain Log Cabin Jones” received regional airplay. The album was produced by Taz DiGregorio of The Charlie Daniels Band.
During this era, Winters toured with The Marshall Tucker Band and was booked to open shows on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1977 tour. But a plane crash decimated Skynyrd, and that tour never happened.
The follow-up Winters Brothers Band Atco/Atlantic album was 1977’s Coast to Coast, but it remained unreleased until 2007. In the meantime, the group issued Keep on Running (1982), Southern Rockers (2000) and Southeast Stampede (2004). In 1984, Donnie and Dennis joined their father on the LP The Yodeling King. That record contained Don’s renditions of country classics plus trio vocals and solo performances by both Donnie and Dennis.
The Winters Brothers Band also appeared on several of the commemorative albums of the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam marathon concerts. The Winters boys were regulars at these quasi annual all-star events, 1974-2018.
Donnie Winters played in several bands on the Nashville showcase circuit. These included Willi X. Evans & Hillbilly Mardi Gras, Shotgun Riders and Donnie Winters & The Copperhead Band. He continued to perform at songwriter nights throughout his life.
In the new millennium, he made a career transition and became a sound man for music venues. Beginning in 2000, he worked as the house sound engineer at The Sutler Saloon. When The Sutler closed, Winters moved to perform the same duties at Douglas Corner. While there, he hosted a weekly open-mic writers night. At both clubs, he often sat in to back performers on guitar or dobro.
For more than 25 years Donnie and Dennis Winters co-hosted annual Sumer Jam music festivals at the family’s farm in Nolensville, Tennessee. He and his brother also co-hosted an “unplugged” cable-access TV series of songs and stories.
In later years, Donnie became a regular participant in The Commodore Grille’s writers nights run by Debi Champion at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt. Out at Metro Center in the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, he mixed sound and performed at Lee Rascone’s twice weekly writers nights.
Donald Leroy Winters is survived by Paula, his wife of 44 years, by son Derek, brother Dennis, sister Jackie, three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His funeral was held Aug. 24 at West Harpeth Funeral home on Charlotte Pike.
Mark Your Calendar—September 2024
/by Madison HahnenSingle/Track Releases & Radio Add Dates:
Lainey Wilson. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
September 3
Lainey Wilson/4X4XU/Broken Bow Records
September 6
Jon Pardi/Friday Night Heartbreaker/Capitol Records Nashville
Joe Nichols/Doin’ Life With You/Quartz Hill Records
MaRynn Taylor/Season 2 Of Friends/Black River Records
Anslee Davidson/Praying In A Bar
Colby Lee Swift/Money To Drank/Hollow Point Records
Anthony Bonnette/That’s Just Me/Bonnette Son
Ross Flora/Santa Ana Wind
Colonel Cobalt/Everybody Says/MCW Records
Colonel Cobalt/Two Birds/MCW Records
September 9
Redferrin/Just Like Johnny/Warner Music Nashville
Scotty Hasting/Whiskey In The Bottle/Black River Entertainment
Six One Five Collective/What You’re Looking For
September 11
Birdie Nichols/Desert Lilies Blooming
September 13
Hudson Westbrook/Dopamine
Ben Gallaher/Cut Like A Knife/Stone Country Records
Becca Bowen/Tangled In Your Love
John Haywood/Midnight Cowboy/Hollow Point Records
Shawna Thompson/Leon On Neon/Sun Records
Ashley Barron/Satisfied
September 16
MaRynn Taylor/How’s It Gonna Go/Black River Entertainment
Branch & Dean/Us Back In USA/SSM Nashville
September 17
Rachel Lipsky/You Don’t Go/Riot South
September 20
Dusty Black/Goodbye Drives Me Crazy/Stone Country Records
September 22
Rob Wolf/Better Man/Wolf Entertainment
September 23
Tori Rose/Your Loss/Brown Lee Entertainment/The Orchard
September 27
Joe Nichols & Annie Bosko/Better Than You/Quartz Hill Records
Jake Worthington (feat. Miranda Lambert)/Hello Shitty Day/Big Loud Records
Jillian Cardarelli (feat. Vince Gill)/I’ll Get Over You/Vydia
Ashley Wineland/Tumbleweed
Dallas Remington/Life In Podunk/Road Warrior Records
Album/EP Releases:
Photo: James Macari
September 6
Old Dominion/Odies But Goodies/Sony Music Nashville
Corey Kent/Black Bandana/Sony Music Nashville
Jackson Dean/On The Back Of My Dreams/Big Machine Records
Danielle Bradbery/Danielle/DB Records via Firebird
Jenna Paulette/Horseback/Leo33
Jessie Murph/That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil/Columbia Records
September 13
Miranda Lambert/Postcards from Texas/Republic Records
Brantley Gilbert/Tattoos/The Valory Music Co.
Maddie & Tae/What A Woman Can Do/Mercury Nashville
Amy Grant & Vince Gill/When I Think Of Christmas/MCA Nashville
Lakeview/Lakeview/Gravel Road
Texas Hill/Soldiers/Queue Records
Ben Goldsmith/The Start Of Something Beautiful/Free Flight Records
Shawna Thompson/Lean On Neon/Sun Records
September 20
Keith Urban/High/Capitol Records Nashville
Mitchell Tenpenny/The 3rd/Riser House/Sony Music Nashville
Midland/Barely Blue/Big Machine Records
Chase Rice/Go Down Singin’
Brenda Lee/Greatest Hits/UMG Nashville/UMe
Mason Ramsey/I’ll See You In My Dreams/Atlantic Records
RVSHVD/It’s Rashad/Sumerian Records
Kassi Ashton/Made From The Dirt/MCA Nashville
Jerry Douglas/The Set/Nolivian Records
Drake White/Low Country High Road/Reverend Records
September 27
Luke Bryan/Mind Of A Country Boy/Capitol Records Nashville
Billy Strings/Highway Prayers/Reprise Records
Cody Jinks/Backside Of 30/Late August Records
Gavin DeGraw/Chariot 20 (Reimagined)/Sony Music Nashville
Dylan Marlowe/Mid-Twenties Crisis/Sony Music Nashville
Dylan Schneider/Puzzled/Wheelhouse Records
Mickey Guyton/House On Fire/Capitol Records Nashville
Logan Crosby/2019
Industry Events:
September 9
CMA Awards Nominees Announcement
September 17 – 21
AmericanaFest
September 18
Americana Honors & Awards
September 23 – 28
IBMA World of Bluegrass
September 24
Nashville Songwriter Awards
September 26
People’s Choice Country Awards
September 28 – 29
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
Inaugural No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival Set For November
/by Lorie HollabaughThe inaugural No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival will take place Nov. 7–8 on the island of Maui with a lineup including Randy Houser, Brad Warren, Jared Keim, Kassi Ashton, Josh Phillips, Jeffrey Steele, Jessi Alexander and Preston Cooper, among others.
Hosted by The BIG 615’s Storme Warren, the new festival aims to be a blend of music, business collaboration and philanthropy that will feature both public concerts and exclusive private performances in an intimate atmosphere while supporting the Maui Family YMCA Music Programs and the Lele Aloha Foundation, which is committed to safeguarding Hawaii’s land, ocean and water resources while fostering communities, starting with Lahaina. Led by waterman, lifeguard and surfer Archie Kalepa, the foundation champions collective healing and Lahaina’s recovery journey. Kalepa spearheads initiatives to address housing challenges, enabling displaced Lahaina residents to reclaim their homes. Through advocacy and action, Lele Aloha aims to amplify the voices of the community, advocating for sustainable practices and cultural preservation.
“We are thrilled to help support the launch the No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival on the beautiful island of Maui,” says Ben Vaughn, Warner Chappell Nashville President & CEO. “Our goal is to raise funds and awareness for two worthy causes in a place where songwriters can connect, collaborate and find inspiration.”
Danny Goodfellow, No Ka ‘Oi Songwriters Festival Co-Founder, states, “Beyond merely showcasing music’s finest, the event serves as a vibrant homage to Maui’s tight-knit community and its vibrant cultural tapestry.”
Upon initiating discussions with the Maui Family YMCA, Goodfellow proposed the establishment of music programs for local children. To date, over 542 ukulele and piano lessons have already struck a chord with elementary school children in after-school and Lahaina day camp programs. The ongoing music tutelage embraces over 100 learners of all ages.
The festival will kick off on Thursday (Nov. 7) with a No Ka ‘Oi Bar Crawl at Kihei’s Barmuda Triangle, followed by performances at three local watering holes starting at 4 p.m. and a ticketed show at Lava Rock at 8 p.m. The Grand Concert at the Grand Wailea Molokini Gardens will be held on Friday (Nov. 8) at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.
For travel information and accommodations, contact mary@travelstars.net.
Levi Hummon & Eric Arjes Launch 3686 RECORDS, Sign Marcus Hummon & More [Exclusive]
/by Liza AndersonPictured (top): Levi Hummon; (bottom) Eric Arjes
Levi Hummon and Eric Arjes have launched 3686 RECORDS, a new fully-independent record label distributed by The Orchard/Sony. Its roster currently includes Levi’s father, hitmaker Marcus Hummon, as well as Ava Claire and Kira Lise.
With both founders being artists, they know how hard it can be to navigate the business. Their goal is to develop an artist-friendly distribution service that assists each signee in achieving their goals and seeing the benefits of their hard work, while focusing on brand development and giving creators as much ownership of their music as possible.
When asked what inspired him to establish a label of his own, Levi says, “I feel like I have learned so much being an independent artist with almost 200 million streams that I wanted to champion other artists like me—artists that are hardworking, hungry and want to retain ownership of their music. Eric Arjes, my producer, and I have dreamed of creating a place where we can pour into people we believe in. We’ve created a template where artists can pick and choose how involved they want us to be. Whether it’s just helping them get their music out into the world or creating a product that’s fully produced, mixed and [built] in-house, we offer it all!
He adds, “We aren’t focused on any particular genres, but we are interested in artists that have a unique sound and don’t fit the cookie cutter mold of the industry. We want authenticity and creators that stand out!”
Marcus will release his first 3686 RECORDS single, “Never Saw A Moor,” on Oct. 18. A full project inspired by his favorite Emily Dickinson poems is set to follow in late November. Other releases consist of Ava’s new tune “Knees,” set to drop on Sept. 13, with more to be announced alongside Kira’s forthcoming track “Linger.”
3686 RECORDS will host a special artist showcase at the Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville tomorrow (Sept. 4). General admission is free, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. before the showcase starts at 6 p.m.