Application Deadline Approaching For MusicRow’s 2024 InCharge Print Directory

/by

New applications for MusicRow‘s 2024 InCharge print issue are due Friday, Feb. 23.

Now in its 37th year, InCharge is MusicRow’s published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers and is slated for an April release.

Applications for InCharge 2024 have closed. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee to determine the candidates chosen for this year’s issue.

Note: Executives listed last year will be receiving an email from MusicRow to invite them to apply for this year’s consideration.

For advertising opportunities, please contact Sherod Robertson at srobertson@musicrow.com.

For questions regarding the directory, please contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com.

Industry Ink: Mitchell Tenpenny, RaeLynn, Tyler Joe Miller, Steve Fishell

/by

Mitchell Tenpenny Helps Fans Check Off Their Bucket List At Opry

Pictured (L-R): Kristen Ashley/ Red Light Management, Ken Robold/ Sony Music Nashville (SMN) Exec. VP & COO, Mitchell, Jen Way/ SMN Senior VP, Marketing, Christy Garbinski/ Columbia Nashville Specialist, Promotion & Artist Development & Jennifer Tressler/ Opry Entertainment Group Sr. Manager, Artist & Label Strategy. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry

Mitchell Tenpenny recently provided two of his enthusiastic fans at the Grand Ole Opry the opportunity to check an item off of their “bucket list” by extending an invitation to visit the Opry’s backstage.

Before Mitchell’s performance, the fans and members of his record label, surprised him with a Gold plaque for hit song “Bucket List.” He recently released “Breaking My Heart,” as the follow up to his top 10 hit single “We Got History,” and is hitting the road this year with Luke Combs on the “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” and Jordan Davis’ “The Damn Good Time Tour.”

 

RaeLynn Partners With Heroes Vodka For Upcoming Tour

RaeLynn

RaeLynn has announced a new tour partnership with Heroes Vodka for her upcoming nationwide tour. With a shared commitment to honor and support veterans and first responders, the collaboration promises an unforgettable show experience.

First bottled on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2011, (11/11/11) Heroes Vodka is 100% American corn grain distilled at Buffalo Trace, and supports veterans with every bottle sold. Heroes Vodka embodies the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines our nation’s heroes by promising a portion of every purchase to organizations that support veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families.

“Teaming up with RaeLynn for her nationwide tour is a remarkable opportunity to amplify our shared commitment to honoring our veterans, first responders and their families. Her dedication to our mission is palpable, especially considering her family’s service and her husband’s service. Together, alongside our giveback partners like Team RWB, The Nightstalkers, and the Legion, we’re poised to make a meaningful impact while providing fans with an unforgettable experience,” says Travis McVey, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and founder of Heroes Vodka.

 

Tyler Joe Miller Signs Global Distribution Deal With The Orchard

Tyler Joe Miller. Photo: Ryan Nolan

Canadian country artist Tyler Joe Miller and The Orchard have entered a new global distribution agreement. To mark the occasion, Miller has announced the release of his new single, “Broken Man” on March 1. Written by Miller, Reid Isbell and Blake Bollinger, the ballad is produced by Danick Dupelle.

In January, Miller was announced as the first signing to the newly-formed management division of Republic Live, RLive. This month, his Spillin’ My Truth EP received a 2024 JUNO Award nomination for Country Album of Year.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame Hosts Book Talk With Steve Fishell On Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Steve Fishell and Museum Writer-Editor Dave Paulson. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Author, musician and producer Steve Fishell recently participated in a book talk at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, exploring the life and career of famed pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons. Fishell discussed his 2022 book Buddy Emmons: Steel Guitar Icon, which draws on in-depth interviews and autobiographical writings from Emmons.

Fishell was also recognized at the event for his charitable support of the museum. In 2013, he donated proceeds and future royalties from the album The Big E: Salute to Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons to the museum in honor of Emmons’s late wife Peggy. Fishell produced the tribute album, and to date, the gift has netted nearly $100,000 in support of the nonprofit museum’s educational mission. Fishell also presented the museum with a copy of Emmons’ memoirs, which were used in the writing of the book.

A pedal steel guitarist himself, Fishell has recorded and performed with Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris for 40 years and has also recorded with Eric Church, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. Additionally, he has produced No. 1 singles for Radney Foster and Pam Tillis. Fishell’s book talk was moderated by the museum’s writer-editor Dave Paulson.

The Bluebird Cafe & Bob Kingsley Estate To Present New Limited Series

/by

The Bluebird Cafe and The Bob Kingsley Estate have partnered for new limited series “Bob Kingsley Presents @ The Bluebird Cafe.” The show series will feature classic audio intros from the archives of Kingsley, and will celebrate country music songwriters.

The first installment of the series will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27 with Rhett Akins and Bob DiPiero, and will be hosted by Nan Kingsley and Bluebird archivist Shannon Lynn. Additional shows for the series will be announced throughout the year.

“We are so grateful for Nan’s continued support of our efforts to preserve The Bluebird Cafe’s audio archives,” says The Bluebird Cafe’s GM Erika Wollam Nichols. “Nan connected us with archivist Shannon Lynn who has been brilliantly preserving the history of the Bluebird performances. His previous work with Nan to preserve the history of Bob’s radio shows is coming together in a wonderful way with this new, limited series. Audiences will hear first-hand how Bob advocated for songwriters within the countdown programs.”

Since forming their partnership with NSAI in 2021, The Bob Kinglsey Estate’s efforts have focused heavily on preserving audio recordings from the cafe’s 4o plus year history. To celebrate the program’s third year, attendees will get to experience audio storytelling from Kingsley’s archives along with some of the industry’s most successful songwriters.

“Bob loved visiting The Bluebird Cafe, and he certainly loved spotlighting the writers behind the hits in the countdown,” shares Nan. “I am pleased to know audiences will be able to experience Bob’s passion with this new limited series, kicking off with our friends Rhett Akins and Bob DiPiero. I am appreciative of Bart [Herbison] and Erika’s continued recognition of Bob’s advocacy for the songwriting community.”

Dylan Scott Announces Deluxe Album ‘Livin’ My Best Life (Still)’

/by

Multi-Platinum artist Dylan Scott has announced his new deluxe album Livin’ My Best Life (Still), out March 29 via Curb Records.

The project will feature six new tracks in addition to cemented fan favorites “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “I’ll Be A Bartender” and “Boys Back Home.” The release comes following the success of Livin’ My Best Life in 2022. Filled with odes to the singer’s Louisiana roots filled with dirt roads, farm fires, barstools and church pews, the album features a star-studded lineup of writers such as Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett and more.

“This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” from the initial album release, recently impacted country radio and received 51 first-week adds. Fans are also eager for “What He’ll Never Have” off the deluxe project, as Scott first teased the track on TikTok in December 2022. Listeners instantly took note of the singers country drawl and lyrics to his wife, and the pre-save link to the track already has over 40,000 pre-saves.

Livin’ My Best Life (Still) Track Listing:
1. “This Town’s Been Too Good to Us”
2. “What He’ll Never Have”
3. “Boys Back Home”
4. “Me and My Kind”
5. “I’ll Be a Bartender”
6. “What I’d Want Mine to Say”
7. “Heartbeat of America”
8. “Getting Out Alive”
9. “New Truck”
10. “Amen to That”
11. “Can’t Have Mine”
12. “In Our Blood”
13. “Static”
14. “Lay Down With You”
15. “Boy I Was Back Then”
16. “Livin’ My Best Life”
17. “Killin’ Some Time”
18. “Ain’t Much Left of Me”
19. “Leave Her Alone”
20. “Tough”
21. “Hell Out Of Me”
22. “Nobody”
23. “Good Times Go By Too Fast”
24. “Nothing to Do Town”
25. “Good Times Go by Too Fast (Vavo Remix)”
26. “This Town’s Been Too Good to Us (Vavo Remix)”

Beyoncé Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart

/by

Beyoncé

Global superstar Beyoncé has made her first appearance on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and in the No. 1 spot. The feat makes her the first Black woman to top the list.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” earned the singer the top spot this week for her chart debut. Her other debut country track, “16 Carriages,” debuted at No. 9 this week. The songs also debuted at No. 2 and No. 38 respectively on the all-genre Billboard 100.

Both tracks were released following the singer’s Verizon commercial during Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11. They are the lead singles off her upcoming country album Act II, which is set to release on March 29.

“Texas Hold ‘Em,” which was written by Beyoncé, Brian Bates, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro and Raphael Saadiq, and produced by Beyoncé, Saadiq, Ferraro, Killah B, Hit-Boy, Stuart White and Mariel Gomerez. Since its release, the song has garnered over 19.2 million streams, 4.8 million in radio reach and sold 39,000 units in the U.S., according to Luminate.

“16 Carriages,” written by Atia Boggs, Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin and Saadiq, and produced by Beyoncé, Hamelin, Ink, Saadiq and White, has over 10.3 million streams, 90,000 in radio streams and 14,000 units sold.

With “Texas Hold ‘Em” earning the top spot on the Hot Country chart, Beyoncé now has No. 1 slots on seven on Billboard’s multri-metric song chart as a solo artist. Her chart entries include the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Gospel Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot R&B Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

She also has made history as the first woman to have topped both Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. She joins Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ray Charles as the only acts to have led both charts.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is already being promoted at country radio, and debuted at N0. 54 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with a 1.1 million audience impression.

Rob Hatch Signs With Eclipse Music Group

/by

Pictured (L-R): Penny Gattis, Rob Hatch, Anna Thiel and Kurt Locher

Award-winning songwriter Rob Hatch has signed with Eclipse Music Group.

His credits include songs recorded by Megan Moroney, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Randy Houser and more. Hatch has written three No. 1s, and was named SESAC Songwriter of the Year and won ACM Single of the Year for Lee Brice’s double-Platinum smash “I Don’t Dance.”

“We are thrilled to have Rob join the Eclipse Music family. Rob’s decades of songwriting experience along with the talent and energy he brings into sessions is a major asset and big advantage,” says Penny Gattis, Partner, Eclipse Music Group. “We are privileged to partner with Rob on the next chapter in his songwriting career.”

“I could not be more excited to be here at Eclipse with Kurt [Locher], Penny, Anna [Thiel] and the gang,” says Hatch. “The team atmosphere, the hustle, the brainstorming, the hits and the writers that they have makes this place feel like home and exactly the place that I wanted to be.”

Jonathan Insogna Joins Wasserman Music As VP

/by

Jonathan Insogna. Photo: Stacie Huckeba

Longtime agent Jonathan Insogna has joined Wasserman Music as a Vice President based in Nashville.

Insogna joins the company after 17 years at WME, where he represented many prominent country and Americana artists. His new clients at Wasserman Music include Morgan Wade, Yola, Cam Whitcomb, Drew Erwin, Joshua Quimby, Max McNown and Theo Kandel.

Insogna is graduate of the University of Georgia and earned his MBA from Belmont University. He served on the Founding Board of Advisors for the To Nashville, With Love Fund, created to help raise vital funds after the devastating March 2020 tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee.

His addition was announced alongside the hiring of Josh Dick as a Vice President based in New York, Rebecca Prochnik as a Director based in London and Shay Royale as a Director based in New York.

“We are excited to welcome Josh, Jonathan, Rebecca and Shay to our growing global team of outstanding agents and career strategists,” says Lee Anderson, EVP & Managing Executive, Wasserman Music. “Their unique backgrounds and experience will help to drive Wasserman Music’s accelerating growth across global territories, emerging genres and innovative new ways to serve our valued clients around the world.”

T. Graham Brown Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry Family

/by

Vince Gill invites T. Graham Brown to become member of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Rachael Black for Grand Ole Opry

T. Graham Brown was surprised by Opry member Vince Gill with an invitation on Tuesday (Feb. 20) to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The invitation came in front of a live SiriusXM studio audience as Brown welcomed Gill as the guest for a taping of his SiriusXM show Live Wire. The show will debut April 6 at 9 p.m. CT on SiriusXM’s Prime Country, channel 58. An induction date will be announced soon.

Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Opry’s Gina Keltner, T. Graham Brown and Opry’s Dan Rogers. Photo: Rachael Black for Grand Ole Opry

“Awww, man,” said Brown during the taping about his invitation. “That’s amazing, Vince. Oh my goodness. Please tell me you’re not kidding me. This is the greatest thing. You don’t know what that means to me. I so wanted this; you just don’t know. I’m so proud of the Opry. I’m just so proud to be there every time. I’ve never taken it for granted. It’s just amazing.”

“They love you,” Gill said. “That’s a special place, and you’ll be a valued part of that place. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Congratulations!”

“T. Graham Brown feels like family every single time he walks through the backstage doors of the Grand Ole Opry House,” says Dan Rogers, Opry executive producer. “He adds a special spirit and a great performance to every Opry show he’s part of. It’s not lost on me that immediately after having been invited to join the Opry at the SiriusXM studios, within minutes he was on the road to the Opry for yet another performance, adding to his 300+ count of Opry appearances.”

Brown is a CMA award-winner who has toured extensively since the early ’80s, and performed on the Opry more than 300 times. His signature hits include “I Tell It Like It Used To Be,” “Hell And High Water,” “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again,” “Don’t Go To Strangers” and “Darlene,” as well as his gripping “Wine Into Water,” which introduced him to the Christian audiences. “Wine Into Water” has gone on to be recorded by over 100 artists, including the legendary Loretta Lynn on her critically acclaimed project, Full Circle.

We Are Giant Adds Becky Gardenhire To Board Of Directors

/by

Becky Gardenhire

Music community platform We Are Giant has added WME Nashville Co-Head Becky Gardenhire to its Board of Directors.

Throughout her over 20-year tenure at WME, Gardenhire has played a key role in developing the careers of Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Trisha Yearwood, Jordan Davis, Lanco, Tenille Townes, Ingrid Andress and more.

She will serve as a strategic advisor to We Are Giant Founder & CEO Andy Apple and his executive leadership team—including VP of Product & Community Dan McComas, VP of Music JP Slater and VP of Engineering Josh Fraser—on fan development and engagement, artist relations and footprint expansion in the Nashville market. Gardenhire joins AEG Presents COO of Global Touring David Rappaport on the platform’s Board of Directors.

“Becky is a force, and her expertise at artist development has been integral to the careers of some of the most successful artists in Music City,” says Apple. “What she’s accomplished at WME over the past two decades aligns with We Are Giant’s commitment to helping artists build long-term careers with a dedicated community of fans. Her appointment to our Board of Directors is a great milestone for our company and will propel us to new heights. It is truly an honor to have her on the board.”

Headquartered in Los Angeles, We Are Giant aims to provide centralized solutions for artists to cultivate and own their direct-to-fan relationships, build revenue, leverage new engagement channels and create a community with their audience. Since its official inception in November 2023, the platform has launched 80 artist community channels and hosted more than 150 fan-led functions for Lana Del Rey, Noah Kahan, Dominic Fike, Mac Miller, Beabadoobee and Laufey.

“We Are Giant is at the forefront of revolutionizing the connection between artists and their fans in an authentic way,” shares Gardenhire. “I am excited to be a part of the organization and see how they continue to innovate the fan experience and strengthen the artist-fan connection.”

Clint Black Marks 35th Anniversary Of ‘Killin’ Time’ With Three Heartwarming Nashville Shows

/by

Clint Black. Photo: Ari Lyon

Country icon Clint Black celebrated a big milestone with a run of shows over the weekend at the Ryman Auditorium.

It’s the 35th anniversary of Black’s triple-Platinum debut album Killin’ Time. The album, released in May of 1989, contained multiple hits, including its title track, “A Better Man,” “Walking Away,” “Nobody’s Home,” “Nothing’s News” and more.

Killin’ Time launched Black into country stardom. He went on to sell over 20 million records, earn more than a dozen Gold and Platinum certifications and nab stars on the Hollywood and Music City Walks of Fame. With enduring hits such as “A Good Run Of Bad Luck,” “Like The Rain” and “Nothin’ But The Tailights,” Black has made a long-lasting impact on the genre with songs that he wrote or co-wrote. He was honored with the Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors in August, an award given to the most remarkable and enduring talents in country music songwriting.

Clint Black. Photo: Ari Lyon

Black is commemorating the album that started it all with a world tour, which kicked off with his three-night stand at the Ryman. On night one (Feb. 16), he was in high spirits when the music began. Black was introduced by radio personality Storme Warren, who spoke about his impact on country music.

When the star appeared, he started playing Killin’ Time from top to bottom. Right away, he launched into the ground-breaking album with track one: “Straight from the Factory.”

Black blitzed the crowd with the next few tunes, performing smash after smash with “A Better Man,” “Nobody’s Home” and “Walkin’ Away.” Fans yelled messages of love and admiration to the singer as he made comments about the tunes, how they were written or how he felt about them.

He spoke a lot about songwriting, telling a specific story about how his father told a 22-year-old Black that he needed to live a little bit more life before he had source material for good country songs. He shared that he wrote “Nothing’s News” shortly after.

“Killin’ Time” got the biggest reaction of the night, with fans singing and toe-tapping along as Black sang it through a grin. After singing the album’s final track, “Live and Learn,” Black turned his attention the other hits in his arsenal. Kicking off the second section of the show with “State of Mind,” Black got the Ryman crowd on their feet again with “When My Ship Comes In.”

Clint Black. Photo: Ari Lyon

At one point, Black’s wife, Lisa Hartman Black, and their daughter Lily Pearl Black, joined him on stage. “The lovely part of the show has arrived,” he said. He was right. The three sounded beautiful on “A Change in the Air.”

After playing “Untanglin’ My Mind,” a song he wrote with his hero Merle Haggard, Black launched into No. 1s “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain” and “A Good Run of Bad Luck.” All of which thrilled the crowd.

Lisa, who donned a white dress reminiscent of a bridal gown, joined him again for their iconic duet “When I Said I Do.” The hair-raising performance had couples in the audience holding each other and singing along.

Black brought the tempo back up with his tribute to Waylon Jennings, “Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way,” before getting everyone roaring with the opening shuffle of “Nothin’ But The Taillights.” Black and his legion of supporters, satisfied from a night of ’90s country nostalgia, danced the night away before the icon said goodnight.

Catch Black’s “Killin’ Time World Tour” at one of the dates below. Tickets and on-sale information is available at clintblack.com.

Feb. 23, 2024 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Casino
Feb. 24, 2024 – San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Feb. 29, 2024 – Roanoke, VA – Berglund Performing Arts Center
March 1, 2024 – Roanoke Rapids, NC – Weldon Mills Theater
March 2, 2024 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center
March 23, 2024 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
March 24, 2024 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Performing Arts Center
April 6, 2024 – Carlton, MN – Black Bear Casino Resort
April 21, 2024 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn Fest
April 26, 2024 – Chandler, AZ – Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
April 28, 2024 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach
June 13, 2024 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Arena
June 14, 2024 – Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Arena
June 15, 2024 – Prince George, BC – CN Arena
June 16, 2024 – Dawson Creek, BC – Ovintiv Arena
June 19, 2024 – Lethbridge, AB – ENMAX Arena
June 21, 2024 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre
June 22, 2024 – Strathmore, AB – Strathmore Stampede
June 25, 2024 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Arena
June 27, 2024 – Moose Jaw, SK – Moose Jaw Arena
July 11, 2024 – New Salem, ND – ND Country Fest