Keith Urban‘s first album in nearly four years, High, is set to drop on Sept. 20 via Capitol Records Nashville.

The intentionally sequenced project touches on themes of what it is to be alive and the human connection, cutting loose, hope, nostalgia and straight-up fun, with some personal life revelations thrown in along the way.

“What makes you ‘high’ can mean whatever you want it to mean,” says Urban. “It might be physical, spiritual, herbal, meditative, chemical or musical, but it’s definitely a place of utopia. For me it’s my family, my friends, and this rollercoaster musical journey I’m on. Playing guitar, writing songs and the place where I always feel high—playing live. Every night I get a chance to bring an energy and a release to people.”

Urban points out that with highs, come lows, which came for him in 2022.

“At the time I was on tour. I’d do a concert, go back to Nashville to record, do a concert, and come back to record, and over again. So, I thought I’d call the album 615. That’d keep me on track—focused and disciplined,” he says. “There was no continuity. The songs didn’t work well together. I learned that what I thought was a framework to create within, turned out to be musically limiting.”

He’s releasing the new song, “Wildside,” from the album now. The good-time party tune is loosely based on Joan Cusack’s character in the movie The School of Rock. The song’s release follows the tracks “Straight Line,” “Go Home W U” with Lainey Wilson and High’s current radio single “Messed Up as Me.”

High Track Listing:
1. “Blue Sky” (intro)
2. “Straight Line” (Keith Urban, Jerry Flowers, Chase McGill, Greg Wells)
3. “Messed Up as Me” (Rodney Clawson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Michael Lotten, Shane McAnally)
4. “Wildside” (Keith Urban, Ernest, David Garcia, Ashley Gorley)
5. “Go Home W U (With Lainey Wilson)” (Keith Urban, Breland, Sean Small, Sam Sumser)
6. “Chuck Taylors” (Keith Urban, Jerry Flowers, Chase McGill, Greg Wells)
7. “Daytona” (Nathan Barlowe, Steven Lee Olsen)
8. “Love Is Hard” (Eren Cannata, Shane McAnally, Justin Tranter)
9. “Heart Like a Hometown” (Casey Brown, Matt Roy, Parker Welling)
10. “Laughin’ All the Way to the Drank” (Keith Urban, Ben Burgess, Terence F. Clark, Mike Elizondo)
11. “Dodge in a Silverado” (Thomas Archer, Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler)
12. “Break the Chain” (Keith Urban, Marc Scibilia)

Marcel Pariseau and Sam Hollander Join MOC’s National Board Of Directors

Musicians On Call has added Marcel Pariseau and Sam Hollander to its national Board of Directors.

Pariseau is the Co-Owner of True Public Relations where he works with icons such as Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Bell, Dolly Parton, Wynonna Judd and more. Hollander is an award-winning songwriter with cuts from Panic! at the Disco, One Direction, Train, Katy Perry, Fitz & The Tantrums, Carole King, Ringo Starr, Aloe Blacc, Goo Goo Dolls, Kelly Rowland, Matt Nathanson, O.A.R. and others.

“Marcel Pariseau and Sam Hollander have made lasting marks on music culture through their respective careers, and their charitable nature has already significantly boosted Musicians On Call’s mission of bringing the healing power of music to those in need. We are incredibly grateful to both of them for now bringing their leadership to our National Board of Directors,” shares Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “Marcel’s visionary guidance and Sam’s unparalleled creativity will be invaluable assets as we work to expand our programs nationwide. Their commitment to our cause resonates deeply, and we look forward to their continued support in making an even greater impact on the lives of individuals facing health challenges.”

 

CMT Shines A Light On Rising Artists With City Winery Showcase

CMT welcomed the latest group of rising country artists with its “CMT Listen Up” showcase at City Winery on Tuesday night (June 25). Among those to perform were Alana Springsteen, Catie Offerman, Chayce Beckham, Dalton Dover, Fancy Hagood, Jake Worthington, Jordyn Shellhart and Madeline Edwards. CMT’s Leslie Fram and country singer Hannah Ellis hosted the evening.

Sponsored by Change The Conversation, The Change Agent·cy and Porter’s Call, the CMT Listen Up program showcases rising artists to watch with members named annually and given full cross-brand support for their music and videos across CMT and various Paramount properties.

 

Becky Parsons Launches Found Sound Media

Becky Parsons has launched her new public relations and artist management company, Found Sound Media. Parsons was most recently Director of Publicity and Branding for PLA Media, was selected as part of the Equal Access 2024 cohort and is on the Board of Directors for SOLID. Her new company will offer a wide range of services including media relations, brand strategy, artist management, event coordination and more.

“I am dedicated to amplifying authentic voices in country music, with a special focus on representing LGBTQ+ and female artists,” shares Parsons. “Our mission is to create a platform where each voice is heard and celebrated. By leveraging extensive experience in publicity, branding and artist management, we aim to secure prominent media exposure and foster meaningful connections within the music community.”

Reach Parsons at becky@foundsound.us.

 

Joseph Habedank Renews With Daywind Records

Joseph Habedank has renewed his record deal with Daywind Records. Since originally joining the label, Habedank has nabbed two Grammy nominations, three GMA Dove Award wins and six Singing News Soloist of the Year wins.

“Daywind is not just a record label to me. They are family. After being on their roster for more than two decades now, it made perfect sense for me to re-sign with them,” says Habedank. They signed me to my first record deal as a solo artist when I was only 6 months out of rehab, and I will never forget the chance they took on me. I am so grateful to Ed Leonard, Dottie Leonard, Dusty Wells, and the entire Daywind team for taking a chance on me yet again. The best is yet to come.”

Country music icon Randy Travis and SoundExchange CEO & President Michael Huppe testified before Congress on Wednesday (June 26) in support of the American Music Fairness Act (H.R. 791). The act would require AM/FM radio stations to pay artists royalties when their songs are played on the air.

In his testimony, Huppe highlighted that the U.S. is the only democratic nation in the world without a performance right for artists on AM/FM radio. He called on Congress to modernize the nation’s copyright law to protect creators.

“Congress must set a standard that creators need to be compensated wherever and whenever their music is played–especially when their creations form the backbone of the business model like they do for AM/FM radio,” stated Huppe. “American musicians lose almost $300 million of taxable U.S. income each year because we lack these protections in the U.S.—this is on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars they are already missing out on domestically.”

Travis also provided testimony via his wife Mary, and emphasized the need to provide fair compensation for artists.

“Music is, was and will always be his lifeline. But that lifeline has changed. And we need to acknowledge that,” Mary shared. “The days of Randy packing a car and trekking thousands of miles across the country to visit radio stations and deliver copies of his newest cuts on cassette, in hopes of having his music heard, are a thing of the past.

“Of all the things we do differently than we did a century ago, one thing remains the same—the voice is still the mandatory bridge between the writer and the listener. And it’s time to do right by the ones that create the sound, the melody, the emotion that keeps the listeners coming back and the advertisers buying in.”