Hatch Show Print Celebrates 145 Years

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Pictured (L-R): Mikala Kozuszek, Sarah Budeski, Rosa Jeffiers, Heather Moulder, Bailey Walters, Violet Stubbs, Celene Aubry (Director of Hatch Show Print and Shop Manager), Allyson Wherry, Jennifer Bronstein, Nick Larson, Jackson Haley, Michaela Tures and Sarah Edmonds. Photo: Courtesy of CMHOFM

Hatch Show Print is celebrating its 145th anniversary today (April 12).

Hatch Show Print was founded by brothers Charles and Herbert Hatch in 1879. The shop’s unique posters served as the leading advertising method for Southern Entertainment. The shop produced posters for many Grand Ole Opry members, including Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and more. They also served music stars Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Bessie Smith, among others. Thousands of posters and billboard-sized advertisements were printed for traveling vaudeville and minstrel shows, circuses and carnivals across the country. In 1992, Hatch Show Print became property of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHOFM).

The company continues to create prints today, averaging between 700-900 designs a year. Recent clients consist of Gillian Welch, Guns N’ Roses, Willie Nelson, Yola, the NFL, Taschen Books, the U.S. Postal Service and more.

CMHOFM visitors can tour the Hatch Show Print shop for an inside look at poster creation and the history of the company as well as hand print their very own poster.

Jordan Davis’ ‘Tucson Too Late’ Reaches No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Jordan Davis’ gentle tune “Tucson Too Late” takes the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, rising from No. 3 to No. 1.

The track appears on Davis’ Bluebird Days album and was written by Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins.

Davis is currently on the road after extending his sold-out “Damn Good Time” tour. Joining him for these new dates are artists Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke. The tour is set to close on Oct. 20, 2024 at the Abbotsford Center in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

“Tucson Too Late” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

NMAAM Welcomes Two New Board Members & New Board Interns

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Keri Floyd Kelly and Brian Sexton; (L-R, bottom row): Joseph Page and Jacolby Robinson

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has elected Brian Sexton and Keri Floyd Kelly to its Board of Directors. They will serve a three-year term that commenced March 8, 2024.

Sexton brings a wealth of experience in community development and as the Metro Council Liaison for Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Known for his dedication to improving education, workforce development and affordable housing, he founded Creatives Day and co-created the Music Business Accelerator at Tennessee State University.

Kelly is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Nissan Americas. Bringing a broad scope of experience from finance to human resources, her strategic approach to DEI makes her an invaluable asset to the NMAAM board.

Additionally, the museum has welcomed Joseph Page and Jacolby Robinson as new board interns. Their tenure started on March 3 and will last for one year.

Page, Special Projects Manager for the Sycamore Institute, brings a background in political organizing and policy research. Robinson, an Assistant Vice President and Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank, leads teams to provide top-notch financial services.

“We are delighted to welcome our new board members and board interns to the National Museum of African American Music family,” says Executive Director, Dion Brown. “Their diverse backgrounds and wealth of expertise will undoubtedly enrich our organization and help us continue advancing our mission.”

Belmont University Honors Two Students With Inaugural Bill Pursell Memorial Scholarship

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Pictured (L-R): Belmont University’s Stephen Eaves and Mark Volker; student and scholarship fund recipients Matthew Oliver and Sam Wood; Laura Pursell; Belmont University’s Terry Klefstad and scholarship friend David Johnston. Photo: Katie Hodgson/Belmont University

The inaugural Bill Pursell Memorial Scholarship at Belmont University was awarded on Monday (April 8) to students Matthew Oliver and Sam Wood. Pursell, the late renowned composer, arranger and pianist, was a 37-year Professor of Music at Belmont University.

The ceremony honoring the two students’ outstanding musical works and accomplishments was held at the Massey Performing Arts Center during Belmont University’s Scholarship and Award Day.

“This scholarship is a tribute to the legacy Bill left at Belmont, the countless composition and commercial music students he taught and mentored over the years who have gone on to do great things,” says Terry Klefstad, Professor of Music. “Student scholarships are the best way to honor his dedication to music and teaching. Bill was devoted to his students and gave of himself freely as a teacher. This scholarship is a way to continue that legacy.”

A musical tribute to Bill was held last summer (June 15) to a packed house at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Netcom Music recording artist and daughter of Bill, Laura Pursell, the Nashville All-Stars and the Nashville Recording Orchestra conducted by Steve Mauldin performed many of Bill’s iconic arrangements and songs that he performed on during his 50-year musical career with iconic artists such as Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Chet Atkins and more, along with some of his last original works.

An album of the songs was in the process of being recorded by Bill and Laura, but unfortunately Bill passed from COVID -19 in September of 2020.

“It was my dad’s dream to finish this very personal album. He wasn’t able to do it in his lifetime, and I’m so grateful to Netcom Music for allowing me to complete it,” Laura shares of the project, Lost In Time.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Blanco Brown & Lily Rose Share The Disc Of The Day

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Blanco Brown, Lily Rose

There’s a lot of pop in this week’s country music offerings.

I believe they call it “pushing the envelope.” Whatever the case, it’s what Tanner Adell, Little Big Town with Sugarland, Kelsea Ballerini and Blanco Brown are bringing. On the country side, we have Tracy Lawrence, Lily Rose, Dylan Marlowe, Tenille Townes and Luke Bryan.

Taking one from each column, we have two winners of the Disc of the Day award, Blanco Brown and Lily Rose.

TENILLE TOWNES / “Thing That Brought Me Here (Truck Song)”
Writers: Tenille Townes/Ben Rector; Producers: Tenille Townes/Logan Wall; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The gifted Canadian award winner returns with a “road” song that rolls along on wheels of rhythm. The track ebbs and flows with an echoey twang and a gripping lead vocal that keeps you glued to the speakers. I remain a huge fan.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “Love Me Like You Mean It (Reimagined)”
Writers: Forest Glen Whitehead/Josh Kerr/Kelsea Ballerini/Lance Carpenter; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini/Alysa Vanderheym; Label: Black River Entertainment
– I have always liked this song, and Ballerini’s new arrangement of her 2014 breakthrough hit sparkles with imagination. It begins with a stark, unadorned vocal then gradually builds with electronic percussion burbles and deft guitar touches. Highly listenable and downright addictive.

TANNER ADELL / “Whiskey Blues”
Writers: Tanner Adell/Akii King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White; Producers: Tanner Adell/Akil “worldwidefresh” King/Stephen McGregor/Will Weatherly/Anthony Germaine White “J. White Did It”; Label: Columbia Records
– Adell’s appearance on the Beyoncé album has raised her profile dramatically. But the “Buckle Bunny” singer’s new single sounds like an ‘80s rock track rather than a country performance.

LUKE BRYAN / “Love You Miss You Mean It”
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip/Jacob Rice/Jordan Minton; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A country romance, written with panache and hooks a-plenty. Hit bound.

LILY ROSE / “True North”
Writers: David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Trannie Anderson/Lily Rose; Producers: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records/Republic Records
– Deliciously melodic and marvelously evocative as a lyric. When she feels like she’s losing her way, “I head down South to my True North.” Authentic and honest. Sung with ringing conviction. This Georgia artist hits a bullseye every time. Lily Rose stages her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night. They’re lucky to have her.

RHIANNON GIDDENS / “The Ballad Of Sally Anne”
Writers: Alice Randall/Harry Stinson/Mark O’Connor; Producer: Ebonie Smith; Label: Oh Boy Records
– Dropping tomorrow, My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall is an all-star album that casts the songwriter’s works as expressions of the Black female experience. It is part of a package deal that also includes Randall’s memoir of the same title. On this advance track, Giddens takes Randall’s song on an old-time music journey that evokes an ancient, tragic folk ballad. Her banjo leads the way. Others on the album include such favorites as Valerie June, Miko Marks, Rissi Palmer, SistaStrings, Layla McCalla, Allison Russell and Adia Victoria.

BLANCO BROWN / “Good As It Gets”
Writers: Bennie Amey III/David Fanning/Matt Thomas/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Blanco Brown; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The charismatic “Git Up” man has returned with a new EP and this change-of-pace, deeply romantic outing. Instruments swirl around him as he soars into his upper vocal register. Sonically innovative and totally dreamy.

DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE / “We’re Still Here”
Writers: Dave Alvin/Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Producer: Dave Alvin; Label: Yep Roc Records
– The Blasters front man and The Flatlanders Texas great teamed up as a duo in 2017. In advance of Texicali, their sophomore album together, they’ve released this rollicking, rootsy romp. Guitar twang and barrelhouse piano abound.

DANIELIA COTTON / “Roll On Mississippi”
Writers: Dennis Morgan/Kye Fleming; Producer: none listed; Label: Cottontown
– Cotton salutes her Black country forefather with this revival of Charley Pride’s 1981 hit. She struggles painfully with the high notes.

LITTLE BIG TOWN & SUGARLAND / “Take Me Home”
Writers: Phil Collins; Producers: Little Big Town/Kristian Bush; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Little Big Town has long peppered its concerts with reworkings of pop/rock oldies. On this week’s CMT Awards, the group and its tour mates of Sugarland stunned viewers with this spectacular treatment of the Phil Collins 1986 pop smash. Drenched in vocal harmonies, it is absolutely gorgeous. It has nothing to do with country music, but what a sound.

TRACY LAWRENCE / “Gulf Of Mexico”
Writers: Monty Criswell/Derek George/Bubba Strait; Producers: none listed; Label: TL
– The honky-tonk master nails this heartache ballad completely. It’s a slow dance for the down and out who can’t drink away a memory.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Bat Outta Hell (With A Boat On The Back)”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon/Dylan Marlowe/Kyle Fishman; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The fisherman is speeding home to get to her before she leaves him. The energetic track pushes things along.

Futureshirts Initiates Internal Realignment & Announces Promotions

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Matt Pih & Josh Thompson. Photos: Courtesy of Futureshirts.

Entertainment merchandise company Futureshirts has created two new divisions within its structure, Artists Services and Strategic Partnerships & Retail. With this realignment, the company seeks to strengthen client experience and simplify operations for growth.

The Artists Services division will be led by former SVP of Touring & Live Events Matt Pih, and combine the company’s Client Management, Touring and E-Commerce teams into one.

The Strategic Partnerships & Retail division will be led by former SVP of Sales & Marketing Josh Thompson. This team will focus on artist signings, strategic partnerships and retail licensing.

Futureshirts has also promoted Vicki Farrell to SVP of Operations and Chris Smith to SVP of Human Resources & Information Technology.

“At Futureshirts, our mission is clear: to make merch easy for our clients. The establishment of the Artist Services and Strategic Partnerships & Retail divisions underscores our unwavering commitment to this goal,” says Futureshirts CEO Corey Neal. “Under the leadership of Matt and Josh, these new divisions will champion the acquisition, partnerships and exceptional service of our artists. Coupled with the well-deserved promotions of Vicki and Chris, Futureshirts is primed for a prosperous future, for both our company and our clients.

“With these strategic initiatives in place,” Neal continues, “Futureshirts reaffirms its dedication to delivering unparalleled support and opportunities for artists while driving innovation and growth within the music merchandising industry.”

Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee’s Sixth Annual Songwriter’s Night Set For May

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Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee’s sixth annual Songwriter’s Night is set for May 11 at The Reserve at Fat Bottom Brewing in Nashville.

Through this event and more, the organization raises funds to support its mission of helping those impacted by cancer. Offering various programs and educational information for 25 years, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee seeks to meet people where they are and provide community during challenging times.

This year’s Songwriter’s Night will feature songwriters Chris DeStefano, Bryan Simpson and Eric Paslay. Their credits include “Better Than I Used To Be” by Tim McGraw (Simpson), “Wild Hearts” by Keith Urban (Paslay), “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood (DeStefano), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” by Eli Young Band (Paslay) and “Beer With My Friends” by Kenny Chesney and Old Dominion (Simpson), among others.

“We’re so excited to have the opportunity to host another Songwriter’s Night,” says Harriet Schiftan, President & CEO, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee. “We are thrilled with the support we receive from the community, and the generosity to our organization. Being in Music City, a Songwriter’s Night is the perfect event, and we are extremely excited about this year’s artists.”

Tickets are $150 and include catering and open bar access. For more information, click here.

Ernest To Celebrate ‘Nashville, Tennessee’ Album Release With Special Event

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Ernest will celebrate the release of his sophomore album, Nashville, Tennessee, with an all-day fan album release event tomorrow (April 12).

The event will feature exclusive, limited edition merchandise, prizes from local vendors and brands, personal memorabilia from his career, and a one-day-only show at 6th & Peabody, home of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Yee-Haw Brewing Co.

The Big Loud Records artist worked with longtime producer Joey Moi on the 26-track project, which pays homage in name and sonically to his hometown. After announcing the album through a viral Nashville mayoral campaign video, Ernest released five additional tracks from the collection, including “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” sung with fellow Nashville native Jelly Roll, as well as “Ain’t As Easy,” “How’d We Get Here,” “Ain’t Too Late,” and “Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson).”

The songs joined already available tracks “Kiss Of Death” and “Slow Dancing In a Burning Room,” which were released late last year during his headlining run and back-to-back, sold-out nights at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Ryman Auditorium Reveals New Elvis Presley Exhibit

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Ryman Auditorium’s “From Memphis to the Ryman” exhibit. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium has revealed “From Memphis to the Ryman,” a new Elvis Presley exhibit that commemorates 70 years since the legend’s one and only Grand Ole Opry performance at the famous venue on Oct. 2, 1954.

Ryman Auditorium’s “From Memphis to the Ryman” exhibit. Photo: Eric Ahlgrim

Narrated by Old Dominion‘s Matthew Ramsey, the exhibit revisits Presley’s show with lead guitarist Scotty Moore and double bass player Bill Black through a series of recollections, photographs and artifact displays.

“The Ryman is full of history and stories like this, and it’s great to be a part of telling the story of someone who’s had such a tremendous impact on music and culture, not to mention my own personal musical journey,” says Ramsey. “I’m honored to narrate this incredible exhibit marking the 70th anniversary of Elvis’s historic Opry debut at the Ryman.”

“From Memphis to the Ryman” tells the stories of Presley’s backstage nerves, his prediction of the audience’s reception and the aftermath of his rendition of Bill Monroe‘s “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” The artifacts included seek to give visitors a glimpse into the different facets of his life and legacy, including the 1954 contract Presley signed with Sun Records 64 days before he stepped onto the Ryman stage. The exhibit also displays the royal blue suit he donned for the occasion, designed by Richard Davis and tailored by Barry Certo, as well as personal items that belonged to influential figures who attended Presley’s Opry debut such as Monroe, Sam Phillips and Hank Snow.

“On behalf of the Ryman, I want to extend a special thank you to the Sam Phillips Family, Sam Phillips Recording Service, Graceland, Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion and Peter Guralnick, who all played a part in bringing this story to life in a way it deserves to be told,” says Gary Levy, General Manager of Ryman Auditorium.

Entry to “From Memphis to the Ryman” is included in all daytime tour tickets. For more information, click here.

Terri Clark Slates First-Ever Ryman Auditorium Show

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Terri Clark. Photo: Phil Crozier

Terri Clark is set to play her first-ever headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 29.

Tickets for the Ryman show are on sale this Friday, April 12. The country chart-topper is gearing up for the release of her star-studded duets album, Terri Clark: Take Two, an eight-song collection of her greatest hits reimagined, on May 31.

“The Ryman Auditorium holds a special significance for every country singer on the planet and I’m no exception,” shares Clark. “It’s not just a structure to me. I walk inside and while I can see the pews and the stained glass—they barely register. Instead, I hear Hank’s twang, the dulcet tones of Patsy, and am lifted by Loretta’s voice. It is one of the rare, truly iconic venues that has become not just a dream gig for artists of any genre—it is a goal. No matter who you are, when you step on the stage inside the Mother Church, you’re praying to the Gods of country music for just a little extra grace that night. The sound in the Ryman is unparalleled. We’ll have a few surprises and will be pulling out all the stops to ensure this is a night to remember for everyone—no matter if you’re on the stage or sitting in the pews under the glow of the stained glass.”

In conjunction with the duets album, Clark is also releasing a vinyl edition of her Greatest Hits collection. The 14-song vinyl collection commemorates the 20th anniversary of her Greatest Hits album featuring her top 10 singles, including the No. 1 hit, “You’re Easy On The Eyes.” The vinyl shares a release date with Clark’s duets album Take Two, as she celebrates both the original and fresh tracks on May 31.

Greatest Hits Vinyl Track List:
SIDE A
1. “Better Things To Do”
2. “When Boy Meets Girl”
3. “If I Were You”
4. “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”
5. “Emotional Girl”
6. “Now That I Found You”
7. “You’re Easy On The Eyes”
SIDE B
8. “Everytime I Cry”
9. “A Little Gasoline”
10. “I Just Wanna Be Mad”
11. “I Wanna Do It All”
12. “Girls Lie Too”
13. “One Of The Guys”
14. “No Fear”