Roni Stoneman. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Roni Stoneman, a member of the CMA Award-winning group The Stonemans and a longtime comedian and musician on the country television show Hee Haw, has died at age 85.
Born Veronica Loretta Stoneman in 1938, she was the youngest daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman (1893-1968). He and his wife Hattie Frost Stoneman (1900-1976) had 23 children, 15 of whom survived to adulthood and seven of whom formed a family band with him. Pop Stoneman was one of country music’s pioneers of the 1920s. He faced hard times during the 1930s, then began rebuilding his career with his children.
Roni Stoneman was raised by her parents to become a country music professional. At around age 9, she joined the family act in 1947, which was initially billed as Pop Stoneman and His Little Pebbles. Three of the children became renowned for their instrumental talents. Roni perfected three-finger bluegrass banjo. Donna excelled at “cross picking” mandolin. Scotty Stoneman (1932-1973) was a five-time national fiddle champion who was regarded as one of country music’s great fiddlers before dying of alcoholism.
In 1957, Roni Stoneman, age 19, was tapped to play on American Banjo: Tunes & Songs in Scruggs Style. This is now regarded as the first bluegrass album. During the early 1960s, The Stonemans became wildly popular on folk and bluegrass festival stages, playing everywhere from the Monterey Folk Festival to the Smithsonian Institution.
She and The Stonemans began recording for Starday Records in 1962. In 1965, The Stonemans relocated to Nashville, where they were guided by Jack Clement on a series of albums for MGM and RCA. In 1966, the group landed its own syndicated TV series, Those Stonemans, and became the long-running headline act at The Black Poodle nightclub in Printer’s Alley. Roni’s solo spot was often the comedic “Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog.”
In 1967, The Stonemans won the inaugural CMA Vocal Group of the Year award. After Pop died in 1968, Roni’s autoharp-playing older sister Patsy Stoneman (1925-2015) assumed leadership of the family group. The 1969 Pop Stoneman Memorial Album on MGM contained a gem, a previously recorded Roni Stoneman and Pop Stoneman duet on the folk song “The Mountaineer’s Courtship.” This was one of the last attempts to market old-time music by a major label. On the road, Roni’s comedy and banjo talents, plus Donna’s dancing and mandolin work, continued to define The Stonemans’ showmanship.
Roni left the group for a solo career around 1971. Two years later, she joined the cast of Hee Haw. The show routinely showcased her banjo virtuosity, but she became even more beloved for portraying the braying, gap-teethed, ironing-board harpy “Ida Lee Nagger,” shrieking one liners at her shiftless drunk of a husband, “LaVerne” (Gordie Tapp).
In between annual tapings of the show, Roni Stoneman headlined as a solo act at Disneyworld, entertaining an estimated 250,000 fans there in 1976. She also appeared in the 1975 film W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings starring Burt Reynolds. An acclaimed 1981 double LP titled The First Family of Country Music showcased nine Stoneman siblings, including Roni. Her daughters Barbara and Georgia also appeared on the record, as did the children of her brothers and sisters. She launched her own Roni Stoneman’s Music Park in Kentucky in 1989. It failed, leading to her bankruptcy petition late that year.
Her skits on Hee Haw continued. In addition to her “Ida Lee’ character, she was “Mophead,” the maid in the “Empty Arms Hotel” skits. She also starred in the show’s Hee Haw Banjo Band, demonstrating her picking prowess. Hee Haw became the most successful and longest lived syndicated TV program in history. During her tenure with the show, she recorded solo efforts for the Chart, Dot, Playback and Spin Chek labels. Roni Stoneman remained with Hee Haw until 1991. In 1992, she formed her all-female country band The Daisy Maes. In the 1990s, she worked the bluegrass-festival circuit with her bluegrass group Formal Grass. She divorced the fifth of her abusive husbands during this era.
Sometimes billed as “The First Lady of the Banjo,” Roni Stoneman continued to book solo shows into the early 2000s. She entertained in country nightclubs, on bluegrass festivals and at college campuses. She appeared at the annual International Country Music Conference of academics in Nashville in 2003 and 2012. She recorded a solo CD, Bummin’ Around, and collaborated with sister Donna on The Legend Continues. With sister Patsy, the women also issued The Stoneman Tradition. In 2007, Roni Stoneman published her autobiography, Pressing On. She and her family were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
Roni Stoneman died on Thursday, Feb. 22 surrounded by her children. She had been in hospice care recently. Her death leaves sister Donna, 90, as the original family’s sole survivor. In addition to Donna, Roni Stoneman is survived by five children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Mexican Star Carín León Marks Career Milestone With Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughCarín León
Global Mexican star Carín León made his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Feb. 23), in a landmark event for Latin music in the U.S.
Carín León
León performed his new duet with Kane Brown, “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” which they premiered live at the Premio Lo Nuestro awards on Thursday (Feb. 22). The song is set for release Feb. 29.
Brown and Grammy-winning soul singer Leon Bridges were in the audience for León’s Opry debut, which had the crowd on their feet for the entire special evening and for the performance encore.
León continues his rapid ascent after a huge year, which included a Latin Grammy win for Best Norteño Album for Colmillo de Leche and the release of two hit singles, with “Primera Cita” and “Según Quién,” each charting top 25 on Spotify and top 30 on Billboard Global 200. Following his Nashville stop, León will make history as the first Spanish-language act to play both Stagecoach and Coachella this April.
‘Reportin’ For Duty’ Benefit Raises Over A Million Dollars For EB Research
/by Lorie HollabaughEddie Vedder and Post Malone perform during second annual “Reportin’ For Duty” benefit. Photo: Erika Goldring
The second annual “Reportin’ For Duty” benefit, which honored the late Leslie Jordan, raised over one million dollars last weekend for EB Research Partnership (EBRP), a nonprofit organization that was close to Jordan’s heart.
Founded in 2010 by a group of parents along with Jill Vedder and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, EBRP is the largest nonprofit funding research aimed at finding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a life-threatening genetic skin disorder that affects children from birth.
Vedder, Post Malone, The War And Treaty, Jelly Roll, Ruby Amanfu, Jake Wesley Rogers and Dan Spencer all performed intimate sets during the star-studded show at Humble Baron at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The concert and live auction helped to support EBRP.
“I can’t find words to say how powerful and inspiring it was to be gathered with such incredible musicians under one small roof for a cause that’s so impactful on young people’s lives,” says Vedder. “The performances by Post Malone, The War And Treaty, Jake Wesley Rogers, Jelly Roll, Ruby Amanfu, Dan Spencer and Danny Myrick, were some of their best I’ve ever witnessed. I had chills. Had tears. And all the while with a grin of positivity and action. I speak for the entire tight-knit organization of EBRP that we are all so grateful for all the artists, their energies, and the energy of a beautiful crowd as well. THANK YOU! The generosity of all who were involved is tremendously appreciated and will help us continue to fund research aimed at curing EB by 2030.”
“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to take an event that began as a tribute to the wonderful Leslie Jordan and make it a tradition. In his spirit of ‘reportin’ for duty,’ our desire is to lift the voices of those in need,” adds Myrick, “Reportin’ For Duty” Music Director.
Kayla Williams Rises To Senior Ticketing Manager At Outback Presents
/by Lorie HollabaughKayla Williams
Kayla Williams has been promoted to Senior Ticketing Manager at Outback Presents.
Williams will report to Vice President of Ticketing Jenny Reid, working ticketing operations that focus on country and comedy events.
Williams has been with Outback Presents for five years, during which she has held positions in both reception and ticketing. After beginning her career at the Grand Ole Opry in 2013, she transitioned to roles at Warner Music’s A&R department and later, BMI’s Customer Relations department. While serving as Support Associate and Account Manager, Williams gained an understanding of how to improve department operations and customer satisfaction, which she brought to Outback Presents in 2019.
“Kayla has been an extremely integral part of the team,” notes Reid. “Her growth over the years has been nothing less than impressive, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
“I appreciate all of the hard work Kayla has done for Outback,” adds Outback Presents President Michael Smardak. “She is a valued member of our tremendously growing ticketing department.”
Banjo Great & ‘Hee Haw’ Star Roni Stoneman Passes
/by Robert K OermannRoni Stoneman. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Roni Stoneman, a member of the CMA Award-winning group The Stonemans and a longtime comedian and musician on the country television show Hee Haw, has died at age 85.
Born Veronica Loretta Stoneman in 1938, she was the youngest daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman (1893-1968). He and his wife Hattie Frost Stoneman (1900-1976) had 23 children, 15 of whom survived to adulthood and seven of whom formed a family band with him. Pop Stoneman was one of country music’s pioneers of the 1920s. He faced hard times during the 1930s, then began rebuilding his career with his children.
Roni Stoneman was raised by her parents to become a country music professional. At around age 9, she joined the family act in 1947, which was initially billed as Pop Stoneman and His Little Pebbles. Three of the children became renowned for their instrumental talents. Roni perfected three-finger bluegrass banjo. Donna excelled at “cross picking” mandolin. Scotty Stoneman (1932-1973) was a five-time national fiddle champion who was regarded as one of country music’s great fiddlers before dying of alcoholism.
In 1957, Roni Stoneman, age 19, was tapped to play on American Banjo: Tunes & Songs in Scruggs Style. This is now regarded as the first bluegrass album. During the early 1960s, The Stonemans became wildly popular on folk and bluegrass festival stages, playing everywhere from the Monterey Folk Festival to the Smithsonian Institution.
She and The Stonemans began recording for Starday Records in 1962. In 1965, The Stonemans relocated to Nashville, where they were guided by Jack Clement on a series of albums for MGM and RCA. In 1966, the group landed its own syndicated TV series, Those Stonemans, and became the long-running headline act at The Black Poodle nightclub in Printer’s Alley. Roni’s solo spot was often the comedic “Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog.”
In 1967, The Stonemans won the inaugural CMA Vocal Group of the Year award. After Pop died in 1968, Roni’s autoharp-playing older sister Patsy Stoneman (1925-2015) assumed leadership of the family group. The 1969 Pop Stoneman Memorial Album on MGM contained a gem, a previously recorded Roni Stoneman and Pop Stoneman duet on the folk song “The Mountaineer’s Courtship.” This was one of the last attempts to market old-time music by a major label. On the road, Roni’s comedy and banjo talents, plus Donna’s dancing and mandolin work, continued to define The Stonemans’ showmanship.
Roni left the group for a solo career around 1971. Two years later, she joined the cast of Hee Haw. The show routinely showcased her banjo virtuosity, but she became even more beloved for portraying the braying, gap-teethed, ironing-board harpy “Ida Lee Nagger,” shrieking one liners at her shiftless drunk of a husband, “LaVerne” (Gordie Tapp).
In between annual tapings of the show, Roni Stoneman headlined as a solo act at Disneyworld, entertaining an estimated 250,000 fans there in 1976. She also appeared in the 1975 film W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings starring Burt Reynolds. An acclaimed 1981 double LP titled The First Family of Country Music showcased nine Stoneman siblings, including Roni. Her daughters Barbara and Georgia also appeared on the record, as did the children of her brothers and sisters. She launched her own Roni Stoneman’s Music Park in Kentucky in 1989. It failed, leading to her bankruptcy petition late that year.
Her skits on Hee Haw continued. In addition to her “Ida Lee’ character, she was “Mophead,” the maid in the “Empty Arms Hotel” skits. She also starred in the show’s Hee Haw Banjo Band, demonstrating her picking prowess. Hee Haw became the most successful and longest lived syndicated TV program in history. During her tenure with the show, she recorded solo efforts for the Chart, Dot, Playback and Spin Chek labels. Roni Stoneman remained with Hee Haw until 1991. In 1992, she formed her all-female country band The Daisy Maes. In the 1990s, she worked the bluegrass-festival circuit with her bluegrass group Formal Grass. She divorced the fifth of her abusive husbands during this era.
Sometimes billed as “The First Lady of the Banjo,” Roni Stoneman continued to book solo shows into the early 2000s. She entertained in country nightclubs, on bluegrass festivals and at college campuses. She appeared at the annual International Country Music Conference of academics in Nashville in 2003 and 2012. She recorded a solo CD, Bummin’ Around, and collaborated with sister Donna on The Legend Continues. With sister Patsy, the women also issued The Stoneman Tradition. In 2007, Roni Stoneman published her autobiography, Pressing On. She and her family were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
Roni Stoneman died on Thursday, Feb. 22 surrounded by her children. She had been in hospice care recently. Her death leaves sister Donna, 90, as the original family’s sole survivor. In addition to Donna, Roni Stoneman is survived by five children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
JUST IN: BMLG Records Rebrands As Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
/by LB CantrellBig Machine Label Group imprint BMLG Records is rebranding as Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. Initially founded as a joint venture in 2009 as Republic Nashville, Big Machine Label Group acquired full ownership of the imprint in 2015 and renamed it BMLG Records.
The imprint’s new namesake is meant to serve as a mark of a safe place for artists and executives to write, create, grow and flourish. Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment’s artist roster includes Riley Green, Brett Young, Chris Janson, Lady A, Greylan James and Shane Profitt. Jimmy Harnen remains the President/CEO, with operations continuing as normal.
“Under Jimmy’s leadership, this imprint has built an incredible reputation with the monstrous success of Florida Georgia Line and Lady A, more than 40 No. 1 hits, countless RIAA certifications/awards and impressive team of music executives that share in his passion,” shares Big Machine Label Group Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Since its inception, this label has been an exercise in experimentation and innovation and I have no doubt that the possibilities are endless for this team.”
“This label has always given artists the freedom to create music that is true to them and we want to double down on that and continue to create even more of a haven for creativity and an environment that fosters development,” says Harnen. “We want to take the time to nurture talent and provide a place they can call home.”
Janson’s forthcoming single “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” will be the first release under Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. It comes out March 8.
“This rebranding is EXCITING, and I’m very happy to be first out of the gate, with ‘Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,'” Janson says. “The entire team has my upmost respect, confidence, and gratitude. They have shown me what a winning team is, and I’m more than proud to be here and to be recognized on Harbor’s amazing artist roster.”
“This team has been in my corner since the very beginning. They’ve been so supportive of my family and my dreams and truly have always been a safe harbor for me and my music—the new name feels fitting,” adds Young
Green says, “Scott and Jimmy have always created an artist-first culture and I’m glad to be part of this team as it expands further.”
“Jimmy and his team are some of the most passionate advocates for country music and we’re excited to see what we can do together next,” adds Lady A.
Industry Ink: Chase Matthew, Concord, Nashville Briefing, ‘Melodies For Minds’
/by Madison HahnenChase Matthew Receives RIAA Platinum & Gold Certifications
Chase Matthew
Rising country artist Chase Matthew was surprised with two RIAA certifications after his Opry performance on Feb. 16. The first plaque was presented for “County Line,” which is his first ever RIAA Platinum certification. He was also presented with a RIAA Gold certification for “Love You Again.”
Matthew has earned over 930 million global career streams, 280 million of those being for “County Line.” “Love You Again,” the singer’s debut single, is currently in the top 30 at country radio.
Colton Venner & Clayton Mullen Perform At Concord Studios
Pictured (L-R): Brad Kennard, Courtney Allen, Clayton Mullen, Colton Venner, Melissa Spillman and Matt Turner. Photo: Audrey Spillman
Last week, Concord Music Publishing hosted a special event at Concord Studios in Nashville featuring songs from Colton Venner and Clayton Mullen.
Nashville Briefing Celebrates Annual 30 Under 30 List
Pictured (L-R): Jackie Augustus (Spotify), Carlile Willett (WME), Claire Heinichen (Spotify), Andrew Hart and Zak Kuhn (Founder, Nashville Briefing). Photo: Sam Harris
Members of the Nashville music industry gathered at The Eighth Room on Monday night (Feb. 19) to celebrate Nashville Briefing‘s annual 30 Under 30 List. People in attendance included Judah & The Lion’s Judah Akers, Chase Matthew, Ian Munsick, Spotify’s Jackie Augustus, Spotify’s Claire Heinichen, CAA’s Blake McDaniel, The Neal Agency’s Ryan Beuschel, songwriter Jordan Dozzi, WME’s Carlile Willett, Monument Records’ Joel Beaver, Sony Music Nashville’s Parker Stacey and many others.
“It’s crazy to think about what has come from this annual list and event” said Nashville Briefing Founder Zak Kuhn. “Our first year, we had someone raise money for their startup from a VC they met at our party. Last year, someone met their publisher at this party. I can’t wait to hear about who met who this time around. Four years in, being included on our 30 UNDER 30 list has become like a Nashville secret handshake. We’ve built a mega community of honorees that not only gather once a year to party in person, but are in touch year round to continue supporting each other’s careers.”
‘Melodies For Minds’ Raises Over $268,000
Walker Hayes. Photo: Grace Kirkpatrick
On Feb. 6, Loveless Café hosted “Melodies For Minds,” an event that raised over $268,000 for The Refuge Center for Counseling and the Change Your Brain Foundation. Country star Walker Hayes headlined the event, while other notable attendees included Adam Woolard, Ben Zobrist, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, David Arquette, Christina Arquette, Cole and Savannah LaBrant, Kristin Cavallari, Jed Wyatt, Lacey Hester, Noah Hester, Savannah Chrisley and more.
“‘Melodies For Minds’ was an undeniable success and we are so excited for the ripple effect it will have on our community as the word about mental health and brain health continues to spread outwards. Breaking the stigma around mental health and acknowledging the need to ‘not be okay’ is the first and hardest step to take towards healing, but it is one we get to take together as a community,” shares Amy Alexander, Founder of The Refuge Center.
The MLC Makes Six Appointments To Advisory Committees
/by Liza AndersonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has made six appointments to its advisory committees.
“The MLC Board and its nominating committee appreciate all the submissions by writers and publishers who want to do their part by working with The MLC on these important committees. In reviewing and interviewing the many applicants, the board has chosen those who we believe will best contribute to the diversity and knowledge of the existing committees,” states Alisa Coleman, The MLC Board Chair.
Songwriter David “DQ” Quiñones has been appointed to the Dispute Resolution Committee along with Consuelo Sayago, Industry Relations Advisor at Spirit Music Group, and Matthew Skiba, Vice President, Rights & Content at Vydia. The Dispute Resolution Committee makes recommendations to the organization’s board on policies and procedures for the processing of royalties related to works that are subject to disputes over ownership, and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.
Lidia Kim, Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs at Concord Music Publishing, has been appointed to the Operations Advisory Committee. The Operations Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the board on policies and procedures related to the operations of the Collective, including the efficient investment in and deployment of information technology and data resources. It consists of of six representatives of music publishers and six representatives of digital music providers.
Songwriter “Bruce” Waynne Nugent has been appointed to the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee alongside Dale Esworthy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration at Sony Music Publishing. The Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee recommends policies and procedures to board related to the distribution of unclaimed accrued royalties, and is comprised of five songwriters and five representatives of music publishers.
Committee appointments are for three-year terms.
The Wilder Blue Forms Partnerships With Make Wake Artists/Deep Roots Management & WME
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Dylan Wright (Deep Roots Management), Eric Berger (Make Wake Artists/Deep Roots Management), Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artists), HB Riordan (Make Wake Artists), Zane Williams, Lyndon Hughes, Andy Rogers, Sean Rodriguez, Paul Eason, Carrie Murphy (WME), Shaun Reeder (Atomic Music Group), Geoff Turner (WME), Braeden Rountree (WME). Photo: Devan Garcia
Texas band The Wilder Blue has signed with Nashville-based management companies Make Wake Artists and Deep Roots Management. The band, who just made their Grand Ole Opry debut, will be co-managed by Make Wake’s Chris Kappy and Deep Roots’ Dylan Wright, with Make Wake/Deep Roots’ Eric Berger and HB Riordan as partnering day-to-days.
The Wilder Blue formed in 2019, and is comprised of primary frontman and songwriter Zane Williams, lead guitarist Paul Eason, bassist Sean Rodriguez, drummer Lyndon Hughes and multi-instrumentalist Andy Rogers. Their most recent album, Super Natural, shows off their Texas twang and southern harmonies. It was produced by Grammy-nominee Brent Cobb.
“We are very excited to be a part of the team that represents The Wilder Blue,” shares Kappy. “This supergroup of musicians and vocal talent is something to behold. With five-part harmonies and musicianship that rivals a band of session players, we know that witnessing this live show is a joy for any music lover. We look forward to helping more eyes and ears experience the phenomenon that is The Wilder Blue.”
“We are thrilled about our partnership with this exceptionally talented group of individuals comprising The Wilder Blue,” says Wright. “Their mastery of five-part harmonies is on par with the industry’s finest, showcasing a level of musical excellence that is truly remarkable. With their exceptional songwriting, we anticipate that this band will make a significant impact on both the country and Americana music scenes.”
As the band continues to emerge out of Texas, they’ve also signed with WME for global representation, working with WME Partner Braeden Rountree and agents Geoff Turner and Carrie Murphy.
“We have been big fans of The Wilder Blue’s incredible music for some time,” says Turner. “The energy and musicianship they bring in a live setting is a level all its own, and we are honored to be a part of their team.”
“Combining talents and working together is how The Wilder Blue got to where we are,” shares Williams. “Adding the talented folks at Make Wake Artists and WME to our team is the perfect opportunity to take us even farther and we are pumped to take this journey together.”
The Wilder Blue will join Luke Combs on his upcoming “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour,” which includes 30 stadium shows.
Kenny Chesney Shares Tracklist & New Song From Upcoming Album ‘Born’
/by Lorie HollabaughKenny Chesney has unveiled the tracklist for his upcoming album Born, out March 22. To coincide with preorders going live, Chesney has released the introspective “Thinkin’ Bout” for his latest grat track, which centers around the complicated tangle of knowing it’s time to move on and not quite being able to let go.
“The hardest part of letting go,” says Chesney, “is actually letting go. All that chemistry, all that intimacy, all that doesn’t need to be said is such a big thing… Whatever’s wrong, obviously it’s not gonna change. But it gets late, you get thinking–and next thing you know, you’re tumbling back into something that just can’t be. I love this song, because it gets into that space where you’re thinking about knowing you shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t think about that person, and that’s when maybe the letting go can really start to happen no matter how good it feels or how much you make each other laugh.”
The project contains 15 songs including lead-off track “Take Her Home” as well as “Just To Say We Did,” “One More Sunset,” “Blame It On The Salt,” “One Lonely Island” and more. Top tier fan club members and anyone who has already purchased tickets to the “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour” received a link to purchase a special tour edition of Born with three extra live tracks. Fans who buy tickets going forward will receive the link as well.
Born Track Listing:
1. “Born”
2. “Just To Say We Did”
3. “Take Her Home”
4. “Few Good Stories”
5. “Thinkin’ Bout”
6. “Guilty Pleasure”
7. “One More Sunset”
8. “Top Down”
9. “The Way I Love You Now”
10. “This Too Shall Pass”
11. “Blame It On The Salt”
12. “Come Here, Go Away”
13. “One Lonely Island”
14. “Long Gone”
15. “Wherever You Are Tonight”
Travis Denning To Release Debut Album ‘Roads That Go Nowhere’
/by Madison HahnenTravis Denning will release his debut album Roads That Go Nowhere on May 24. The Mercury Nashville artist co-wrote 12 of the 15 tracks on the record, and it was produced by Paul DiGiovanni and Jeremy Stover. The project also includes features from Hardy and Josh Ross.
“Roads That Go Nowhere is a culmination of songs and stories that I really believe reflect where I’ve come from, what I’ve been through, and the places I’ve yet to go and where I want to go,” shares Denning. “That’s with love, music, life, everything. I’m at that point in my life where I’m able to look back and reflect on the things that have gotten me here. A lot of them are positive and there are some negatives for sure. But I think that’s kind of everybody’s goal is to be able to look back and just be happy with the progress they’ve made and the potential they’ve still got.
“I wanted to take that mindset lyrically and production wise for the record that I’ve gotten to where I am, and I’ve had the successes I’ve had because I just stuck to the guns of what I enjoy doing. That’s being a guitar player, it’s trying to moonlight as a metalhead in country music and telling the stories about the things I have conviction about.”
To celebrate the announcement of the album, Denning has released the title track “Roads That Go Nowhere.”
Denning will be playing headline dates through the fall, and will be supporting Hardy in his “Quit!! Tour” this spring and summer.
Roads That Go Nowhere Track Listing:
1. “Why I’m Drinking” (Josh Kerr, Jon Nite, Cole Taylor)
2. “I Know How It Sounds” (Travis Denning, Will Bundy, Chase McGill)
3. “Better At Leaving” (Travis Denning, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell)
4. “Strawberry Wine And A Cheap Six Pack” (Travis Denning, Thomas Archer, Paul DiGiovanni, Jerry Flowers)
5. “Going Places” (Travis Denning, Paul DiGiovanni, Matt Mulhare, Jeremy Stover)
6. “Someone That Isn’t Me” (Travis Denning, Paul DiGiovanni, Blake Pendergrass, Bobby Pinson)
7. “Southern Rock (Featuring Hardy) “(Travis Denning, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill)
8. “Love You Past That” (Travis Denning, Bobby Pinson, Chris Stevens, Jeremy Stover)
9. “Things I’m Going Through” (Jordan Dozzi, Matt Mulhare)
10. “Add Her To The List” (Paul DiGiovanni, Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover)
11. “Roads That Go Nowhere” (Travis Denning, Ben Foster, James McNair)
12. “The Sound Of A Beer Getting Cracked (Featuring Josh Ross)” (Travis Denning, Will Bundy, Chase McGill)
13. “Can’t Find One” (Travis Denning, Chase McGill, Chris Stevens, Jeremy Stover)
14. “Here And Her” (Travis Denning, Ben Johnson, Cole Taylor)
15. “Ocmulgee River” (Travis Denning)
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