Gabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Gabby Barrett released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, a few weeks back. With 14 songs all co-produced by Barrett, the project reflects the life lived since the 23-year-old broke out onto to the scene with her debut album, Goldmine, and shows off her depth and song-sense.
Barrett had big shoes to fill with Chapter & Verse. 2020’s Goldmine delivered mega-hits such as the seven-time Platinum chart-topper “I Hope” and triple-Platinum, three-week No. 1 “The Good Ones.” But the singer, now with two kids and another one on the way, wasn’t phased by the pressure. She turned inward, writing songs about her real life and looking for outside tunes that spoke to her values.
Within the 14-song tracklist for Chapter & Verse, Barrett is listed as a co-writer for over half. She also produced the project alongside Ross Copperman, which she says helped her maintain her strong vision for the album.
“I always love to be really hands-on with whatever I’m doing. I have to admit, I’m a very particular person. That can get in the way sometimes,” Barrett says with a laugh. “I like being heavily involved in all aspects of everything from the imaging, to the coloring, to the sound, to the singing, the way that the songs were sung, who was collaborating, etc. I’m just very involved in the creative, so I’m really glad that I got to [co-produce] this time around. ”
In addition to some other early releases, the album was preceded by its current radio single, “Glory Days.” Written with James McNair, Emily Weisband and Seth Mosley, the tune reminds us to live in the present because, as Barrett sings, “these are the glory days.”
Now top 20-and-climbing at country radio, “Glory Days” marked her second time in the coveted most-added position with 77 first-week stations on its add week. It marked the most first-week adds for a female artist in the genre in 14 months.
“‘Glory Days’ was the centerpiece [of the album], and that’s why we chose to release that song first as a first peak,” Barrett shares. “It reflects what my life looks like right now, and it also fits so much into the theme of what the rest of the album talks about: family, faith, [being] real, vulnerable and honest.”
A highlight on the project is the evocative “Growin’ Up Raising You.” Written with Jon Nite, Zach Kale and Jimmy Robbins, the song tells Barrett’s truth about becoming a mother young. She sings about the birth of her first child, Baylah May, saying, “Six in the morning, hands are shaking. Half ready, half scared to death. Hand me the world wrapped in a plain blanket, the world falls asleep on my chest. I’m so in love even though we just met, got no clue what I should do next.”
“That’s a very special song. It came from a very intimate place,” Barrett says. “I’m only 23. I’m pretty young and still figuring out a lot of things. I don’t know everything and have lots to learn while raising another human. There’s difficulties and challenges to that, but it’s a beautiful thing—figuring it out while they’re figuring it out.”
Another standout is “Dance Like No One’s Watching,” a tune that superstar Luke Combs shared with Barrett.
“I loved it immediately when I heard it. He texted the song to me and gave me the backstory on it. He wrote it with James McNair and Emily Weisband, who I wrote ‘Glory Days’ with,” Barrett says. “He was very passionate about it and I was really thankful that he had chosen me to put a vocal on it if I felt compelled.
“He kindly was able to hop in the studio and throw some vocals on it, too,” she says. “I know he really loves the song. I’m really thankful that he also got to sing on it and be part of it in that way.”
“You’re My Texas,” a romantic song about how your person becomes your home, is a beloved track for Barrett. She wrote it with a hero, Texan Miranda Lambert, alongside Hillary Lindsey.
“I’ve always respected [Miranda] and loved her music and her songwriting abilities, so I was really thankful to get in the room with her and Hillary Lindsey,” Barrett says. “We were able to write a song about Texas. You can’t be country and not have a song about Texas.
“I got to know her more as a person. She’s just one of the most real artists that I’ve ever met, which I appreciate a lot because you don’t see that always.”
Chapter & Verse has a lot of Christian values weaved throughout its 44 minutes, including in its title, which was Barrett’s husband and fellow musician Cade Foehner‘s idea.
“[The title] connects to me in a faith-based way. Biblically it connects with chapters and verses—that’s such a big part of me as a human and as an artist. It also connects to the many things that I’ve had to learn quickly within the past couple of years, because life has just felt really fast professionally and personally,” she says. “It was me saying, ‘This is the chapter I’m in,’ and then writing all the verses to that chapter.”
The album begins with a song called “The Chapter”—one of Barrett’s favorites on the project—and ends with “The Verse: Doxology (Amen),” which features Christian music mainstay Phil Wickham.
“Something that I’m also trying to be intentional about with my albums is [highlighting my faith]. On my first album, I did a Christian song. With this album, I end it with a strong message in that song.”
With her second album in the hands of the fans, Barrett will soon welcome her third child. Just like in Chapter & Verse, her life, music and career all culminate together, hand in hand.
Charlie Cook To Exit Cumulus
/by LB CantrellCharlie Cook
Charlie Cook will exit his positions as Vice President of Country Music for Cumulus, Programming Operations Manager for Cumulus Nashville’s five-station cluster and as the Program Director for both 95.5 Nash Icon (WSM-FM) and 103.3 Country (WKDF). His last day is May 31.
“Last April, I let Allison Warren, Brian Philips and John Dimick know of my intentions to find a new challenge,” Cook says. “They asked me to give them a year. Well, here we are almost a year later and it’s time for me to move away from an experience that I have loved for something new and different. Thanking everyone inside Cumulus and in Nashville would fill these pages so I look forward to personally thanking everyone over the next few months.”
Cook began his radio career in 1972 at WSDS in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the ’70s, he spent time at KLAK in Denver, WWVA in Wheeling and WHN in New York. In 1980, he joined KHJ in Los Angeles, flipping the station to country. Cook then went to KLAC before joining McVay Media in 1983 as SVP of Country Programming, where he consulted more than 40 country stations over the next 12 years.
In 1996, Cook joined Cumulus Media’s Westwood One as VP, Programming/Formats. 10 years later he joined Cumulus as VP of Programming for the company’s 67 country stations. Cook received the ACM Service Award at the 2023 ACM Honors for his dedication to the format. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2011, and received the ACM Service Award at the 2023 ACM Honors as the organization’s longest-serving board member.
“Charlie Cook’s accomplishments and awards are the stuff of Nashville legend,” says Philips. “He is of course, in character, irreplaceable. I foresee a future where we will always rely on his wise counsel. He represents the gold standard among Cumulus employees. We are deeply grateful for his immeasurable contributions.”
“Charlie has been a vital part of the Cumulus, and specifically the WKDF/WSM-FM, families for the past nine years. He has helped shape and drive the format of both 103.3 Country and 95.5 Nash Icon, bringing joy and entertainment to countless listeners. He is not only a talented professional, but also a loyal friend and a passionate music lover. We cannot thank him enough for his years of service, dedication and creativity. We wish him the very best in whatever adventures are ahead. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten,” shares Warren.
A job posting for Cumulus Nashville’s Music & Brand Content Manager (Station Program Director) is open now.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Anne Wilson’s New Track Is ‘Beautifully Written’
/by Robert K OermannAnne Wilson. Photo: Robby Klein
Country music is rocking this week.
Hardy, Kylie Frey, Chase Matthews, Anne Wilson, Nate Smith and Darci Lynne are amping up the volume. And from their ranks come both of this week’s award winners.
Nailing down her first Disc of the Day award is Anne Wilson, who combines her Christian music background with country storytelling on “God and Country.” The DISCovery Award goes to Kylie Frey.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that both performers have been named to this year’s class of CMT’s Next Women of Country. Carter Faith was in last year’s class, and she is represented this week by her fine duet with Sam Williams on a Tammy Wynette classic.
DARCI LYNNE/ “Push Our Luck”
Writers: Darci Lynne/Maggie McClure/Shane Henry; Producers: The Imaginaries/Maggie McClure/Shane Henry; Label: DL
– Muddy production and compressed vocals do her no favors. Her singing is sprightly and assured on the country-rock number. This youngster won as a ventriloquist on America’s Got Talent in 2018 and has been touring successfully ever since. She reportedly has more than seven million followers on social media.
SAM WILLIAMS & CARTER FAITH/ “’Til I Can Make It On My Own”
Writers: George Richey/Billy Sherrill/Tammy Wynette; Producers: Nathan Sexton/Ben Roberts; Label: Mercury Nashville
– It’s a magnificent country classic. These two youngsters bring complimentary vocal personalities to their duet performance of it. Both ache with believability. The song was originally a No.1 hit for its co-writer Tammy Wynette in 1976. Its revival is well-timed since Wynette was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this month.
ANNE WILSON/ “God And Country”
Writers: Anne Wilson/Jeff Pardo/Matthew West/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Jeff Pardo/Jonathan Smith; Label: Sparrow (SPR)
– The single might be “Rain in the Rearview,” but this advance track from the Christian-music star’s country album debut is a spectacular show-stopper. The production rocks splendidly, she sings her face off and the lyric is a beautifully written series of contrasting images. Absolutely play this. Wilson is in this year’s class of CMT’s Next Women of Country.
BLAKE SHELTON & GWEN STEFANI/ “Purple Irises”
Writers: Gwen Stefani/Jakob Hazell/Niko Rubio/Svante Halldin; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This is pop music, but whenever Blake’s voice is emphasized it comes back down to earth. Mind you, that isn’t often enough.
DYLAN MARLOWE/ “You Did It Too”
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The dobro-laced track is spare and empty, which places the focus firmly on his country boy vocal. The autobiographical lyric defends his wrong-side-of-the-tracks lifestyle against haters who talk trash about his hillbilly culture.
KACEY MUSGRAVES/ “Deeper Well”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Kacey Musgraves; Label: Interscope Records/MCA Nashville
– Her lilting, double-tracked vocal explores a failed relationship while acoustic guitars ripple around her. Echoey and enchanting. Different sounding, and different is good.
LARRY CORDLE/ “How Could I Love Her So Much”
Writer: Hugh Mofatt; Producer: Larry Cordle; Label: Mighty Cord Records
– Cordle is a Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member who has made his mark as a hit country songwriter and a hit bluegrass artist. This 1983 Johnny Rodriguez oldie has long been one of my favorite country songs. Its revival as a bluegrass track is an audio delight. Twin fiddles, rippling banjo, fleet-fingered guitar picking, sizzling mandolin, and high-lonesome vocal harmonies—what’s not to love?
SCOTTY McCREERY/ “Love Like This”
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Frank Rogers/Scotty McCreery; Producers: Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis/Derek Wells; Label: Triple Tigers
– The ode to fatherhood is right on the money in every department. Great production of its shifting tempos. Tight songwriting. And, as always, he sings flawlessly.
KYLIE FREY/ “Miss Thang”
Writers: Adam Hood/Brent Cobb/Kylie Frey; Producers: Trent Willmon/Paul Worley; Label: Deep Frey’d Music
– Rampaging and rocking, yet country to the core. The new Next Women of Country participant bites into this lyric with fierce commitment while the track froths and foams around her.
NATE SMITH/ “Bulletproof”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA Records Nashville
– “World on Fire” was No. 1 for eight weeks. “Whiskey on You” sold Platinum. Smith’s new single moans about heartbreak, noting that booze doesn’t help a bit, because her memory is “bulletproof” despite the “shots.” Electric guitars grind and scream in the background.
CHASE MATTHEW/ “Small Town Shit”
Writers: Daniel Ross/Jessie Jo Dillon/Jaxson Free/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Alex Maxwell/Daniel Ross/Jake Angel; Label: Chase Matthew Music/Warner Music Nashville
– Hip-hop beats infuse his recitation of backwoods country cliches. It wears out its welcome pretty quickly.
HARDY/ “Rockstar”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Jacob Durrett/Blake Pendergrass; Producers: Joey Moi/Hardy/Jacob Durrett; Label: Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock
– Zesty, hard rocking and delightfully tongue-in-cheek. I love his wry, wise-ass attitude.
Darius Rucker To Share New Memoir ‘Life’s Too Short’ In May
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Dey Street Books
Darius Rucker plans to share his journey so far in Life’s Too Short: A Memoir by Darius Rucker, out May 28 via Dey Street Books.
The raw, heartfelt memoir tells the award-winning artist’s life story through the lens of the music that made him, including songs by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder to R.E.M., Kiss and Prince in addition to his own music with Hootie & the Blowfish and as a solo artist.
Multiple decades into his career, Rucker recounts the ascent of his band and wild tales of his road-hardened life filled with stumbles, missteps and battles with demons that ultimately results in triumph.
“If I look back at my life and try to see into my past, everything seems blurry,” he says. “But then I lean in and start to hear something. Melodies. Chords. Harmonies. Lyrics. This book is the story of my life as told through 23 songs that took me away, soaring, starting at ground level, living in a poor but happy home, never wanting for much more, enjoying what I had, even when times got tough, because I had my escape, my refuge, my music.”
Raised by a single mother in Charleston, Rucker co-founded Hootie & the Blowfish with three classmates at the University of South Carolina in 1986. What began as a party band playing frat houses and dive bars quickly became a global rock-pop phenomenon through their double Diamond-certified debut album Cracked Rear View, featuring hit songs “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand.”
While remaining with the group, Rucker has charted a pioneering path as a solo country artist with Diamond-certified hit “Wagon Wheel” as well as “Alright” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Throughout the years, he has shared the stage and mic with the likes of David Crosby, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Adele, Taylor Swift and more. This past year, Rucker was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and honored with the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award. He also released his first solo project in six years, Carolyn’s Boy.
UMG Nashville Unveils Silver Wings Records With Flagship Artist Hueston
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): UMG Nashville’s Lori Christian, Lackey McDonald’s Aaron Rice and UMG Nashville’s Chelsea Blythe; (L-R, front row): UMG Nashville’s Rob Femia, Mike Harris, Cindy Mabe, Hueston, UMG Nashville’s Charlene Bryant and RYCA Music’s Ryan Casassa. Photo: Chris Hollo
UMG Nashville has signed singer-songwriter and producer Hueston to the newly created Silver Wings Records.
Silver Wings Records is a distribution arm designed to support independent artists and creators. powered by Virgin Music Group’s global distribution network, Silver Wings creates custom campaign services for independent acts and offers various options for developing and enhancing campaigns. The new arm has its own staff overseen by UMG Nashville SVP of Business Development & Strategy Charlene Bryant.
Formerly the frontman of indie/alternative duo The Blancos, Hueston is sharing his sound and storytelling skills as solo artist through his own label Young Hueston, LLC with distribution by Silver Wings Records. He pulls inspiration from both his professional and personal journeys overcoming depression and addictions, and starting a new chapter in life. The artist plans to release new music in the coming weeks.
“The independent artist community has rapidly grown and been a driving force in expanding the creative growth culture in Nashville’s music and entertainment,” says UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe. “UMG Nashville has seen the need to provide resources to grow, sustain and support the independent creator community. Once I met Hueston and felt his music and what he was striving to do as an independent artist, I knew it was time to build the investment. Hueston and his team of collaborators have vision and direction and are building their own path around his soulful, emotional voice and his ability to mix darkness and light into his gift of music. It changes people. Like Hueston’s music, Silver Wings Records is intended to bridge and open the world of creativity to Nashville collaborators and country music artists.”
“I’m looking forward to starting this next chapter of my career with the team at UMG Nashville,” shares Hueston. “Cindy, Charlene, Chelsea and Hannah saw the vision from the very first meeting and I automatically knew it was going to be a great fit.”
ACM Hires Six Across Several Departments
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Ben Carter, Matt Brum-Taylor and Lexi Cothran
The Academy of Country Music has added six new team members across multiple departments.
Ben Carter has been hired as Vice President, Live Events & Production; Matt Brum-Taylor has been hired as Director, Digital Marketing; Lexi Cothran has been hired as Senior Manager, Communications & Strategic Initiatives; Kendra Williams has been hired as Coordinator, Finance; Brooke Boyd has been hired as Assistant, ACM Lifting Lives and Heather Howard has been hired as Assistant, Marketing.
Carter, a Missouri native, has a background spanning more than two decades in the entertainment capital of Los Angeles. His experience includes time serving as Senior Director of Event Production for the Television Academy (Emmys), and production work for prestigious events such as the LA Area Emmys, College Television Awards, Emmys Nominations Announcement and Television Academy Hall of Fame, in addition to oversight of all logistics associated with and supporting the Emmy Awards ceremonies.
In his new role, Carter will leverage his experience to lead the planning and execution of the Academy’s live events, including the Academy of Country Music Awards and ACM Honors. He will play a pivotal role in elevating the ACM’s live events to new heights, while fostering innovative experiences to support the Academy’s mission of connecting industry, artists and fans. Carter reports to Gil Beverly, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. Reach him at ben@acmcountry.com.
A Rhode Island native, Brum-Taylor moved to Nashville more than 10 years ago to begin his career in promotions and marketing at the iHeartRadio Nashville cluster. Following his stint in radio, he worked as Social Media Manager for the Grand Ole Opry. Most recently, Brum-Taylor served as Digital Marketing Director at Big Machine Label Group for seven years.
In his role as Director, Brum-Taylor will lead all digital and social media efforts for the Academy. This includes working alongside the marketing team to create relevant and compelling content for the Academy’s social platforms, engaging with fans, artists and the industry through the Academy’s platforms, and working to grow the reach of the Academy in the ever-changing digital world. Brum-Taylor reports to Rory Levine, Vice President, Marketing and Digital Strategy & Engagement. Reach him at matt@acmcountry.com.
With nearly a decade of experience in the music industry, Cothran most recently served as Account Executive at Shore Fire Media, where she spent more than two years handling day-to-day PR initiatives for a wide variety of clients that ranged from musical artists to brands and influencers. Prior to Shore Fire Media, she spent two years as a publicist at Nashville boutique PR firm Sweet Talk Publicity and previously held the role of Digital Producer at iHeartMedia/Premiere Networks for four years.
In her role as Senior Manager, Cothran will handle publicity and PR for the Academy’s organizational initiatives, key programs and courses, ACM Lifting Lives, brand partnerships and sponsorships as well as executive leadership. She will actively assist with communications campaigns supporting major tentpoles, live events, awards shows and other projects as needed. Cothran reports to Jesse Knutson, Senior Manager, Publicity & Media Relations. Reach her at lexi.cothran@acmcountry.com.
Pictured (L-R): Kendra Williams, Brooke Boyd and Heather Howard
Prior to the Academy, Williams served as a Staff Accountant at a CPA firm. Born and raised in Mims, Florida, she graduated from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting. She is continuing her education at Cumberland University, working toward a master’s degree in Business Management. In her role as Coordinator, Williams will focus on responsibilities across the finance operations of the Academy. She reports to Michael Stern, Office Manager. Reach her at kendra@acmcountry.com.
Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, Boyd interned with the Academy throughout 2023. During that time, she worked with both ACM Lifting Lives and the Academy’s live event operations team to assist in the planning and execution of key events, including the 14th annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp and the 2023 ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On fundraiser. She graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Management. In her role as Assistant, Boyd will support the ACM Lifting Lives team with administrative duties, live events and fundraising efforts. She reports to Taylor Wolf, Senior Manager, ACM Lifting Lives. Reach her at brooke.boyd@acmcountry.com.
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Howard graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business in 2023. Prior to the Academy, she served as Digital Marketing Coordinator for Universal Music Group Nashville and held internships at Collective Artist Management, Live Nation Entertainment, and more. In her role as Assistant, Howard will work with the Marketing and Communications teams on all day-to-day needs. She reports to Levine. Reach her at heather.howard@acmcountry.com.
Jon Pardi Signs With WME For Global Representation
/by Madison HahnenJon Pardi. Photo: Jim Wright
Country star Jon Pardi has signed a global representation deal with WME. He will be represented in touring, brand partnerships, TV, film and digital by the agency.
“Jon is an incredible talent who has seen a tremendous amount of success through the impact he’s made on country music,” shares WME’s Nashville Office Co-Head Joey Lee. “We’re excited to have Jon join the WME family and be a part of the journey in taking his career to the next level.”
Pardi has made an impressive career in the country music space, notching six No. 1 singles including “Head Over Boots,” “Dirt On My Boots,” “Heartache Medication,” “Last Night Lonely,” “Night Shift” and “Your Heart or Mine.” Known in the community for his writing, producing and singing skills, he has racked up awards from ACM and CMA. At Stagecoach 2023, Pardi was invited by Alan Jackson to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was later inducted by Garth Brooks, making him the first artist from California to ever become a member.
For booking inquiries, contact Kevin Meads at KRM@wmeagency.com. Pardi is managed by Gaines Sturdivant with Red Light Management and Charlie Walker of C3 Management, and is signed to Capitol Records Nashville.
Why&How Partners With Audio Up & Audio Chateau Records To Manage Uncle Drank [Exclusive]
/by Liza AndersonWhy&How has partnered with Audio Up and Audio Chateau Records to manage Uncle Drank, the fictional brainchild of Audio Up Founder & CEO Jared Gutstadt and voiced by Will Sasso.
Uncle Drank was first created by Gutstadt in 2022 with The Ballad of Uncle Drank podcast, starring Sasso, which eventually reaching No. 1 on the Apple Podcast music charts. The podcast featured cameos from Luke Wilson, Chelcie Lynn, Brian Kelley and Uncle Kracker, with Billy Zane as a talking blender and songwriter/musician Kinky Friedman as Uncle Drank’s fictional manager, Hayseed Schwartz.
In his world, Uncle Drank is the originator of “Gulf & Western Music.” With easy-going tunes like “Third Wife’s A Charm” and “Biggest Dock on the Lake,” he is described as “one part Kenny Chesney, one part Kenny Powers,” and takes listeners on an adventure through a different era of time.
“This project combines my lifelong passions of music and storytelling. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in country music with some of the all-time legends, from Kris Kristofferson, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Brad Paisley, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bob Dylan to name a few. What all of these names have in common is their unique ability to reach an audience through their stories and authentic personalities, this is exactly what I intend to do with the music of Uncle Drank,” shares Gutstadt. “The music of Drank is meant to immediately take you to a beach with a beer in your hand and bring you two and a half minutes of sunshine one song at a time. With Uncle Drank, we aim to create an endless summer.”
“I love working with all the weirdos Jared brings together,” adds Sasso. “Writing and recording this music has been a gas, and we’re quite psyched to bring Uncle Drank to ‘reality.'”
“Uncle Drank isn’t just an unforgettable character, he is an icon in the making. We are thrilled to partner with Jared, Will and the entire Audio Up team to take Drank to the next level and introduce this singular talent to a new fanbase. We have some fun tricks up our sleeves for Drank—this is going to be fun,” says Bruce Kalmick, Founder & CEO, Why&How.
Uncle Drank plans to release his debut album, Eternal Sunshine of the Tropical Mind, via Audio Chateau Records/Virgin Records in June 2024. A tour is set to follow.
Gabby Barrett Shows Depth & Vision On New Album ‘Chapter & Verse’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellGabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Gabby Barrett released her much-anticipated sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, a few weeks back. With 14 songs all co-produced by Barrett, the project reflects the life lived since the 23-year-old broke out onto to the scene with her debut album, Goldmine, and shows off her depth and song-sense.
Barrett had big shoes to fill with Chapter & Verse. 2020’s Goldmine delivered mega-hits such as the seven-time Platinum chart-topper “I Hope” and triple-Platinum, three-week No. 1 “The Good Ones.” But the singer, now with two kids and another one on the way, wasn’t phased by the pressure. She turned inward, writing songs about her real life and looking for outside tunes that spoke to her values.
Within the 14-song tracklist for Chapter & Verse, Barrett is listed as a co-writer for over half. She also produced the project alongside Ross Copperman, which she says helped her maintain her strong vision for the album.
“I always love to be really hands-on with whatever I’m doing. I have to admit, I’m a very particular person. That can get in the way sometimes,” Barrett says with a laugh. “I like being heavily involved in all aspects of everything from the imaging, to the coloring, to the sound, to the singing, the way that the songs were sung, who was collaborating, etc. I’m just very involved in the creative, so I’m really glad that I got to [co-produce] this time around. ”
In addition to some other early releases, the album was preceded by its current radio single, “Glory Days.” Written with James McNair, Emily Weisband and Seth Mosley, the tune reminds us to live in the present because, as Barrett sings, “these are the glory days.”
Now top 20-and-climbing at country radio, “Glory Days” marked her second time in the coveted most-added position with 77 first-week stations on its add week. It marked the most first-week adds for a female artist in the genre in 14 months.
“‘Glory Days’ was the centerpiece [of the album], and that’s why we chose to release that song first as a first peak,” Barrett shares. “It reflects what my life looks like right now, and it also fits so much into the theme of what the rest of the album talks about: family, faith, [being] real, vulnerable and honest.”
A highlight on the project is the evocative “Growin’ Up Raising You.” Written with Jon Nite, Zach Kale and Jimmy Robbins, the song tells Barrett’s truth about becoming a mother young. She sings about the birth of her first child, Baylah May, saying, “Six in the morning, hands are shaking. Half ready, half scared to death. Hand me the world wrapped in a plain blanket, the world falls asleep on my chest. I’m so in love even though we just met, got no clue what I should do next.”
“That’s a very special song. It came from a very intimate place,” Barrett says. “I’m only 23. I’m pretty young and still figuring out a lot of things. I don’t know everything and have lots to learn while raising another human. There’s difficulties and challenges to that, but it’s a beautiful thing—figuring it out while they’re figuring it out.”
Another standout is “Dance Like No One’s Watching,” a tune that superstar Luke Combs shared with Barrett.
“I loved it immediately when I heard it. He texted the song to me and gave me the backstory on it. He wrote it with James McNair and Emily Weisband, who I wrote ‘Glory Days’ with,” Barrett says. “He was very passionate about it and I was really thankful that he had chosen me to put a vocal on it if I felt compelled.
“He kindly was able to hop in the studio and throw some vocals on it, too,” she says. “I know he really loves the song. I’m really thankful that he also got to sing on it and be part of it in that way.”
“You’re My Texas,” a romantic song about how your person becomes your home, is a beloved track for Barrett. She wrote it with a hero, Texan Miranda Lambert, alongside Hillary Lindsey.
“I’ve always respected [Miranda] and loved her music and her songwriting abilities, so I was really thankful to get in the room with her and Hillary Lindsey,” Barrett says. “We were able to write a song about Texas. You can’t be country and not have a song about Texas.
“I got to know her more as a person. She’s just one of the most real artists that I’ve ever met, which I appreciate a lot because you don’t see that always.”
Chapter & Verse has a lot of Christian values weaved throughout its 44 minutes, including in its title, which was Barrett’s husband and fellow musician Cade Foehner‘s idea.
“[The title] connects to me in a faith-based way. Biblically it connects with chapters and verses—that’s such a big part of me as a human and as an artist. It also connects to the many things that I’ve had to learn quickly within the past couple of years, because life has just felt really fast professionally and personally,” she says. “It was me saying, ‘This is the chapter I’m in,’ and then writing all the verses to that chapter.”
The album begins with a song called “The Chapter”—one of Barrett’s favorites on the project—and ends with “The Verse: Doxology (Amen),” which features Christian music mainstay Phil Wickham.
“Something that I’m also trying to be intentional about with my albums is [highlighting my faith]. On my first album, I did a Christian song. With this album, I end it with a strong message in that song.”
With her second album in the hands of the fans, Barrett will soon welcome her third child. Just like in Chapter & Verse, her life, music and career all culminate together, hand in hand.
Trisha Yearwood To Celebrate 25th Anniversary As A Member Of The Opry
/by Lorie HollabaughTrisha Yearwood. Photo: Russ Harrington
Trisha Yearwood is gearing up to mark her 25th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with a special celebration on March 13.
The evening will feature Yearwood collaborating with an all-female cast of mentors and friends including Suzy Bogguss, Terri Clark, Jeannie Seely, Pam Tillis and more.
“Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry means that you have a home forever,” Yearwood has said backstage at the Opry House. “It is a family like no other. It’s such an honor. I’ve had some great things happen to me in my career, but when I am asked in any interview with anybody, I always talk about being a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s the bar.”
Yearwood was inducted into the Opry family on March 13, 1999, by Opry member Porter Wagoner. Highlights of Yearwood’s 25th anniversary event will air on March 30 as an Opry Live episode. Fans can watch on the Opry Facebook and YouTube channels, stream free on the Circle Now app or tune in via Circle Country digital streaming partners.
Along with the 15 albums Yearwood has released throughout her three-decade career, she also hosts the Emmy-winning Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen and her Facebook Live show, T’s Coffee Talk. She has also penned four New York Times-bestselling cookbooks, and has designed cookware, furniture, home accessories and more.
Lineup Announced For CRS ‘Team UMG At The Ryman’ Luncheon
/by Lorie HollabaughThe lineup has been announced for the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon, taking place Feb. 29 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The bill for this year’s event includes Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, The War And Treaty, Dalton Dover, Luke Grimes, Kassi Ashton, Priscilla Block, Hueston and Anne Wilson.
Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., with the show kicking off at 12 p.m. Attendees can walk or take shuttles provided by UMG Nashville between the Omni Nashville Hotel and the Ryman from 11 a.m.-1:50 p.m. A boxed lunch will be served upon entry before the performances commence.
CRS 2024 is set for Feb. 28-March 1. Online registration is now closed, and will reopen on-site at the Omni Nashville Hotel. For more information, click here.