Mark Germino
Critically acclaimed Nashville folk-pop artist Mark Germino passed away Wednesday (July 3) at age 73.
During his career, Germino issued six albums and became a popular Nashville nightclub performer. Although he never wrote a hit single, his tunes were recorded by such Hall of Fame artists as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to have an album issued on compact disc, as well as on vinyl and cassette.
Mark Germino was a native of North Carolina who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he healed emotionally from his war experiences.
When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.
He arrived in Music City in 1974 and took up the guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make inroads on Music Row. He began performing in clubs in 1976 and quickly attracted the attention of his songwriting peers. Paul Craft issued Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as s single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill took Germino to his publisher, Combine Music, in 1981.
Two years later, Loretta Lynn cracked the country top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash both recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window.” Steve Earle performed Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.
Germino overcame initial onstage shyness to become a charming live performer, himself. His dry, drawling, conversational vocal style and lightly humorous, rumpled, offbeat personality delighted fans at his club appearances.
Talent scout Mary Martin caught one of Germino’s performances at The Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, noted for his work with such artists as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album, 1986’s London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, which Germino described as “folk ’n’ roll.”
Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other publications. At the time, the compact disc was new technology, so Germino’s album also achieved some notoriety because of its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the U.S.
Germino tried again with 1987’s Caught In the Act of Being Ourselves, but RCA only issued it overseas. Stateside, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of independent-label artists recorded his songs.
In 1991, Germino teamed up with the Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radartown. It contained “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs at shows. It told the story of a radio DJ who is fired for playing music he loves, rather than what he is told to play. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.
Germino returned to the studio to create 1995’s Rank and File, a folk music outing. It contained his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” He then put music aside to write three novels.
In the meantime, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill,” and it became a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney issued Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.
The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic Candlestick in 2006, this time billed as Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of recording silence, he issued Midnight Carnival in 2021.
The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield, as well as on Wikipedia. Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.
Avery Anna Drops New Track From Debut Album ‘Breakup Over Breakfast’
/by John Nix ArledgeAvery Anna. Photo: John Shearer
Featured on her upcoming debut album, Breakup Over Breakfast, rising singer-songwriter Avery Anna has released the new track “Girl Next Door.”
In the song, Anna details a personal experience growing up alongside her own “Girl Next Door.” She was inspired to pen the track while sitting in her kitchen one night reading a poignant fan letter that reminded her of her childhood neighbor.
“I wrote this song by myself while I was in between shows,” Anna shares. “I was thinking about my childhood best friend, and everything she has overcome in her life, and the way that we were able to lean on each other growing up. I’ve recently been very grateful for the female friendships in my life, especially when I am on the road and you guys show up to hear me sing my songs and pour my heart out. I see that same friendship in you guys that I did in her. I hope that this song brings you that same peace and closure.”
Anna’s Breakup Over Breakfast album is due out July 19 via Warner Music Nashville.
Her impressive lyricism and piano-forward sound has earned Anna recognition as an Artist to Watch by the likes of Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube. Her debut EP, Mood Swings, featured the Gold-certified hit, “Narcissist,” the track she performed at the 2023 CMT Music Awards as a first-time nominee.
Breakup Over Breakfast Track Listing
1. Breakup Over Breakfast – Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
2. Vanilla- Avery Anna, David Fanning, Steph Jones
3. Blame It On My Broken Heart – Avery Anna, David Fanning, KK Johnson, Ben Johnson
4. It’s Just Rainin’ – Avery Anna, Jamie Collazo, Blake Pendergrass, Seth Ennis
5. Lose You Again (Ft. Parmalee) – Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
6. Party- Avery Anna, David Fanning, Jamie Collazo, Ben Williams
7. If You Wanna Hurt Somebody – Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
8. Honey- Avery Anna, Colin Healy, Emily Landis, Chris McKenna
9. Don’t Be That Guy – Avery Anna, Andy Sheridan, Jared Scott, Seth Ennis
10. Grand Canyon – Avery Anna, Emily Landis, Kat Higgins
11. Make It Look Easy- Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
12. Blonde- Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
13. Know It All – Avery Anna, Ben Williams, Mark Holman
14. I Will (When You Do) (ft. Dylan Marlowe) – Avery Anna, David Fanning, Abram Dean, Dylan Marlowe, Joe Fox
15. Two Sides Of The Story- Avery Anna, David Fanning, Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams
16. Girl Next Door- Avery Anna
17. The Rest (Ft. The Love Junkies) – Avery Anna, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey
‘A Band Of Brothers And Friends’ Benefit Show To Raise Money For Music Row Build
/by Madison HahnenHabitat for Humanity’s Music Row Build will host its “A Band Of Brothers And Friends” benefit show this Thursday (July 11) at The Vinyl Lounge in Nashville.
The event will feature performances from Dale Brown, Mark Brown, Amy Harris, Dale Jarvis, Dave Mahanes, John Nichols, Reed Trickett and Makayla Lynn.
“I’ve always been a musician and from time to time enjoy doing a show for a worthwhile cause,” shares Mark Brown. “When we started the Music Row Build fund a few years ago, the band and I decided it would be a good way to have a vanity show and do something good at the same time. We managed to raise $10,000 from each of our first two shows. We always have some people that make extra generous donations and are looking forward to a great show.”
Renee Bell established the Music Row Build in 2003, and teamed up with Ree Guyer in 2005. Mark helped to reinvigorate Music Row Build in 2020. After he built two homes to benefit Habitat For Humanity families, Eclipse Music Group’s Penny Gattis took over as Chair. In 2022, Guyer donated $140,000 to start the Music Row Build Fund, which supports advocacy for affordable housing in Nashville as well as continually funding the build for deserving Nashville families. The next build is scheduled for Oct. 12.
“A Band Of Brothers And Friends” will begin at 7 p.m. A $25 donation is suggested, with all proceeds benefiting this year’s build. For more information, click here.
Ashley Gorley Reclaims Top Spot On This Week’s Top Songwriter Chart
/by Madison HahnenAshley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss
Ashley Gorley has moved back into the No. 1 spot on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. “Bulletproof,” “Cowgirls,” “I Am Not Okay,” “I Had Some Help,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Whiskey Whiskey” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights” all pushed the award-winning songwriter to the top.
With “Dirt Cheap” and “The Man He Sees In Me,” Josh Phillips sits at No. 2 this week. Zach Bryan remains at No. 3 with “I Remember Everything,” “Nine Ball” and “Pink Skies.”
Jessi Alexander (No. 4) and Hunter Phelps (No. 5) round out this week’s 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.
Chris Young Headlines Star-Studded Music City July Fourth Celebration
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young Photo: Moncell Allen
Chris Young headlined Nashville’s massive “Let Freedom Sing!” Music City July fourth celebration presented by Dr Pepper last week, playing to a crowd of 355,000 fans.
Young celebrated the holiday with a hit-packed set spanning his career, including his latest top 10 title track single from recently released ninth studio album, Young Love & Saturday Nights.
The downtown event also featured one of the country’s largest July fourth fireworks shows, including drone lights, and was televised as part of CNN’s The Fourth In America special. As part of the show, Young brought out special guest Mitchell Tenpenny for their No. 1 hit, “At The End Of A Bar.”
Tyler Childers To Take ‘Mule Pull Tour’ Down Under In February
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Childers. Photo: Sam Waxman
Tyler Childers will take his “Mule Pull Tour” to Australia and New Zealand in February with a handful of newly-confirmed shows in Auckland, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and more.
Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale starting July 9-12, with general on-sale following Friday. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Blaze Aid, a local Australian organization that helps rebuild communities after natural disasters.
The new shows follow Childers’ extensive 2024 run, which kicked off earlier this year with sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden (two nights), Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (two nights) and many more. Childers recently released a new track, “Song While You’re Away,” which will be featured on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie out July 19.
The song follows Childers’ latest album, Rustin’ In The Rain, which was released this past fall and included the two-time Grammy and ACM-nominated single, “In Your Love.” The song broke into the top 35 on the Mediabase country chart and garnered over 10 million video views and 165 million on-demand streams.
Tyler Childers’ Australian Dates:
February 6 —Auckland, New Zealand—Spark Arena
February 8 —Brisbane, Australia—Sandstone Point Hotel
February 9 —Byron Bay, Australia—The Green Room
February 12 —Sydney, Australia—Hordern Pavilion
February 15 —Newcastle, Australia—Newcastle Foreshore Park
February 16 —Canberra, Australia—Royal Theatre
February 20 —Melbourne, Australia—Sidney Myer Music Bowl
February 22 —Korumburra, Australia—Coal Creek Community Park and Museum
Radio Pics: MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by MusicRow StaffOver 60 stations across the country report to the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart each week. MusicRow celebrates country music’s success at radio in secondary markets.
Click here to see the current CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
BoomTown Saints visit with KFGE’s Cory Edmondson
Laura Bryna and WCTY’s Jimmy Lehn
Christian Yeager visits WVNW’s Erik Lane
Orville Peck Rides Back In With New Duets Collection ‘Stampede’
/by Lorie HollabaughOrville Peck. Photo: Ben Prince
Orville Peck is galloping out of the gate with a huge collection of new duets on his forthcoming album, Stampede, out on Aug. 2 via Warner Records.
The album features new collaborations with Beck, Teddy Swims, Margo Price, Mickey Guyton, Debbii Dawson, TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne, Fancy Hagood and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, along with his latest single “Midnight Ride” with Kylie Minogue and Diplo, which was released a few weeks back.
Stampede rounds out the collection of massive duets that was first introduced as Stampede Vol. 1 in May, featuring songs with Willie Nelson, Elton John, Noah Cyrus, Midland, Allison Russell, Nathaniel Rateliff and Bu Cuaron.
“This project has always been something I’ve fantasized about, so to see it finally come to fruition really is a dream come true,” says Peck.
Peck recently announced his sixth annual rodeo event, featuring performances from Medium Build, Guyton, Reyna Roberts, The Nude Party and more, in addition to a headline set from Peck and Tanya Tucker. Hosted by John Waters, the rodeo will take place on Aug. 24 at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, with a kickoff party at Basement East on Aug. 23 and a closing party at Brooklyn Bowl on Aug. 25.
Stampede Track List:
1. Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other [with Willie Nelson]
2. The Hurtin’ Kind [with Midland]
3. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) [with Elton John]
4. Back At Your Door [with Debbii Dawson]
5. Chemical Sunset [with Allison Russell]
6. Death Valley High [with Beck]
7. How Far Will We Take It? [with Noah Cyrus]
8. Miénteme [with Bu Cuaron]
9. Papa Was a Rodeo [with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway]
10. Midnight Ride [with Kylie Minogue and Diplo]
11. Ever You’re Gone [with Teddy Swims]
12. You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) [with Margo Price]
13. Where Are We Now? [with Mickey Guyton]
14. Conquer The Heart [with Nathaniel Rateliff]
15. Rhinestone Cowboy [with TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne and Fancy Hagood]
Song Poet Mark Germino Passes
/by Robert K OermannMark Germino
Critically acclaimed Nashville folk-pop artist Mark Germino passed away Wednesday (July 3) at age 73.
During his career, Germino issued six albums and became a popular Nashville nightclub performer. Although he never wrote a hit single, his tunes were recorded by such Hall of Fame artists as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to have an album issued on compact disc, as well as on vinyl and cassette.
Mark Germino was a native of North Carolina who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he healed emotionally from his war experiences.
When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.
He arrived in Music City in 1974 and took up the guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make inroads on Music Row. He began performing in clubs in 1976 and quickly attracted the attention of his songwriting peers. Paul Craft issued Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as s single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill took Germino to his publisher, Combine Music, in 1981.
Two years later, Loretta Lynn cracked the country top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash both recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window.” Steve Earle performed Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.
Germino overcame initial onstage shyness to become a charming live performer, himself. His dry, drawling, conversational vocal style and lightly humorous, rumpled, offbeat personality delighted fans at his club appearances.
Talent scout Mary Martin caught one of Germino’s performances at The Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, noted for his work with such artists as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album, 1986’s London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, which Germino described as “folk ’n’ roll.”
Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other publications. At the time, the compact disc was new technology, so Germino’s album also achieved some notoriety because of its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the U.S.
Germino tried again with 1987’s Caught In the Act of Being Ourselves, but RCA only issued it overseas. Stateside, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of independent-label artists recorded his songs.
In 1991, Germino teamed up with the Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radartown. It contained “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs at shows. It told the story of a radio DJ who is fired for playing music he loves, rather than what he is told to play. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.
Germino returned to the studio to create 1995’s Rank and File, a folk music outing. It contained his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” He then put music aside to write three novels.
In the meantime, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill,” and it became a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney issued Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.
The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic Candlestick in 2006, this time billed as Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of recording silence, he issued Midnight Carnival in 2021.
The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield, as well as on Wikipedia. Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.
Wynonna Returns To The Venetian Resort Las Vegas In December
/by Lorie HollabaughWynonna Judd is returning to the Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a special three-night run during NFR week this December.
To celebrate her four decade-long career, which began as one half of the legendary mother-daughter duo, The Judds, Judd will play The Greatest Hits in honor of her 40th anniversary as an entertainer. The shows will take place Wednesday, Dec. 11, Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14.
“Sometimes I feel like you just need to throw a big party for yourself! This is a milestone year for me,” says Judd. “Mom and I played our very first show in 1984, which means I’ve been performing live for 40 years. That’s more than half of my life! The Greatest Hits celebration is a chance for the fans and I to celebrate. They have been with me for so long and my hope is that everyone will get to hear their favorite song. How many hits can we fit into one show? Let’s find out!”
Tickets start at $49.50, plus fees, and will go on sale to the general public July 12 at Ticketmaster.com, VenetianLasVegas.com, the box office at The Venetian Resort, or by calling 702-414.9000 or 866-641.7469.
Judd last appeared at The Venetian Theatre during “The Judds – Girls Night Out” residency with her mom Naomi Judd for a nine-show run in 2015.
Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely & Mandy Barnett To Host SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 21st annual SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards on Aug. 27 will be hosted by Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett.
The event, which honors and inducts a select group of “Women Behind The Music” into the SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame, will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in the Municipal Auditorium. Individual tickets are $110 and on sale now.
This year Grammy-winner Jeannie Seely will be honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award, joining an elite group of Lifetime Achievement Award honorees including Walker-Meador (2004), Lee (2006) and Frances Preston (2010).
This year’s SOURCE’s Nashville Hall of Fame inductees include Teena Camp, Marty Craighead, Leslie Fram, Kathy Harris, Judy Seale and Sheree Spoltore.