Wyatt Flores Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

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Wyatt Flores during his Grand Ole Opry debut.

Buzz-worthy country newcomer Wyatt Flores made his Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night (Jan. 20).

Flores, an Oklahoma native, has been turning heads from fans and industry members alike over the last year. He released his debut album Life Lessons in November via Island Records. The project, including instant fan-favorites such as “Holes,” “West of Tulsa,” “Orange Bottles” and the title track, garnered wide acclaim, leading to Flores’ over 200 million career streams.

Pictured (L-R): Losing Sleep’s William Dyer, Wyatt Flores, CAA’s Jacob Lapidus and Losing Sleep’s Braden Milford

He has been named as part of Spotify’s Hot Country Artist To Watch 2024, Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year and CMT’s Listen Up list, in addition to other artist-to-watch lists.

During his Opry debut, Flores performed his fan favorite “Holes” as well as his unreleased “Milwaukee,” which he announced during his set will be available everywhere this Friday (Jan. 26).

Flores will now set out to support the collection on the road, bringing his rollicking, energy-filled live show to new audiences across the country and overseas on the “Life Lessons Tour.”

“Life Lessons” Tour Dates + C2C
1/25/24 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar
1/26/24 – Orlando, FL – The Abbey
1/27/24 – Gainesville, FL – Vivid Music Hall
1/30/24 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
2/1/24 – Columbia, SC – The Senate
2/2/24 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
2/3/24 – Beech Mountain, NC – Beech Mtn Resort
2/8/24 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
2/9/24 – Pineville, KY – Bell Theatre
2/10/24 – Lexington, KY – Bulls, Bands, & Barrels
2/12/24 – Indianapolis, IN – The Hi-Fi
2/13/24 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
2/15/24 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
2/16/24 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
2/21/24 – Oxford, OH – Brick Street Bar
2/22/24 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
2/23/24 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
3/2/23 – Rotterdam, NL – Ahoy Rotterdam (C2C Netherland)
3/3/24 – Berlin, DE – Verti Music Hall (C2C Berlin)
3/5/24 – Hamburg, DE – Kent Club
3/6/24 – Frankfurt, DE – Das Bett
3/8/24 – London, UK – O2 Arena (C2C London)
3/10/24 – Glasgow, UK – Ovo Hydro (C2C Glasgow)
3/16 – Gonzalez, LA – Louisiana Saturday Night
3/19/24 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
3/21/24 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
3/22/24 – Cheyenne, WY – Lincoln Theatre
3/23/24 – Hays, KS – Fox Theatre
3/28 – Knoxville, TN – Mill & Mine
3/29 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
4/21 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn
4/26 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach
5/10 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks

‘World On Fire’ Scores Sixth Week At No. 1 On Country Radio

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Nate Smith. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Nate Smith has earned a sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his smash hit “World On Fire.”

Following Carrie Underwood and Bailey Zimmerman, Smith is only the third artist ever to have a six-week No. 1 with their first two singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. He is also the first artist to have back-to-back, multi-week No. 1s on the chart with their first two singles since Luke Combs.

“World On Fire” is off of the singer’s self-titled album, released in 2023. The album hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country albums chart and Top 30 on the Billboard Top 200. The song has amassed over 150 million global streams.

Last week, Smith was nominated for Best New Artist (Country) for the 2024 iHeart Radio awards. He also recently shared a clip on TikTok of new music in the works, which has been viewed over four million times.

Smith is currently on his “World On Fire” tour, and will hit the road with Morgan Wallen later in the year. He will also be returning to Stagecoach, after making his debut at the festival last year.

Megan Moroney Announces ‘The Lucky 2.0 Tour’

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Breakout country star Megan Moroney has announced “The Lucky 2.0 Tour.” Logan Crosby will join as the support.

This tour comes on the heels of her two sold-out 2023 headline tours, “The Pistol Made of Roses Tour” and “The Lucky Tour.” Both tours saw the singer’s fan base grow rapidly, as gave them an energetic show each night. This is the singer’s second rollout in 2024, as she released her new single “No Caller ID” last Friday (Jan. 19). The song has already accumulated over 2.5 million global streams.

YouTube video

Moroney will also be on the road supporting Kenny Chesney this summer on the “Sun Goes Down” tour, and is scheduled to play festivals Two Step Inn, Patriotic Festival and Boots and Hearts.

Tickets for “The Lucky 2.0” will go on sale this Friday (Jan. 26) at 10 a.m. local time.

“The Lucky 2.0 Tour” Dates:
April 19- Dothan, AL – The Plant
April 26- Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
May 3- Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
May 17-St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
July 12- Spokane, WA – Spokane Pavilion
July 19- Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery Amphitheatre
July 26- Aspen, CO – Belly Up

Charley Crockett To Paint Raw, Real Portraits Of America With New Project

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Charley Crockett. Photo: Ryan Vestil

Charley Crockett is gearing up for the release of his new album, $10 Cowboy, due out April 26 via Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers.

On the new project, Crockett identifies a universal thread running through the troubled streets of America today as people battle to just exist in a country that has always promised more. The album was produced by Crockett and his longtime collaborator Billy Horton. Penned over a two-month period as the artist wound his way across the United States on the back of a tour bus, the tracks offer raw, personal, vivid portraits of a country in transition.

“This material is written at truck stops, it’s written at casinos, it’s written in the alleys behind the venues, it’s written in my truck parked up on South Congress in Austin,” explains Crockett. “A ramblin’ man like me, a genuine transient, is in a pretty damn good position to have something to say about America.”

“A $10 Cowboy is a country singer who made himself on a street corner in America,” he continues. “But the cowboy way, the cowboy mindset, that applies to anyone who doesn’t feel free, who feels fenced in and bound to something. Being out on the road gives you a first-hand experience of how different kinds of Americans see themselves as going through some kind of great struggle. The roughneck working the oil and gas fields in West Texas. The single mother raising kids by herself. The young man working a street corner because he thinks it’s his only option. I would be dishonest if I said I couldn’t see the thread. Each of ’em feel invisible. I am struck by the battles they are fighting internally, and the ways they have been entrapped by what America says they are.”

Luke Combs & More To Perform At 66th Annual Grammy Awards

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Luke Combs has been added to the lineup of performers for the 66th annual Grammy Awards along with Burna Boy and Travis Scott.

They join previously announced acts Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, and more will be announced in the coming days and weeks.

Combs, Burna Boy and Scott are all up for awards this year. Combs’ “Fast Car” cover is up for Best Country Solo Performance. Burna Boy’s I Told Them… is nominated Best Global Music Album along with “City Boys” for Best African Music Performance, “Alone” for Best Global Music Performance and “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Scott’s Utopia has scored a nomination for Best Rap Album.

The 66th annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Billy Currington & Kip Moore To Hit The Road Together On Spring Tour

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Country stars Billy Currington and Kip Moore have announced a spring 2024 amphitheater tour. Larry Fleet and Redferrin will be support for the tour.

Currington has accumulated 12 No. 1 hits in his career, including “People Are Crazy” and “Good Directions.” The singer is known for his energetic live shows as well as being able to connect with the audience through his emotion laden lyrics. Currington recently released two new songs “City Don’t” and “Anchor Man,” and has more music on the way.

Moore has toured the world earning acclaim and a rabid fanbase, consistently selling out headlining shows internationally with huge followings. He recently released his fifth studio album Damn Love, and went out on his “Damn Love World Tour” in 2023. Moore will also be on the road with Hardy this year for the “Quit!! Tour.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday (Jan. 26) at 10 a.m. local time.

Tour Dates:
April 26 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park #
April 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater #*
May 3 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion #*
May 4 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park #*
May 11 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre #*
May 17 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater #+
May 18 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater #+
June 14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre *+
June 21 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *+
June 22 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *+

# = with Kip Moore
* = with Larry Fleet
+ = with Redferrin

The Red Clay Strays Sell Out Three-Night Headline Debut At The Ryman

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The Red Clay Strays. Photo: Macie Coleman

The Red Clay Strays will make their debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium with three sold-out shows on Sept. 4, 5 and 6.

The second and third shows were added due to overwhelming demand after the first night immediately sold-out, leading all three shows to sell out. With this achievement, The Red Clay Strays are now among a very select group who have made their Ryman debut with a three-night stand, joining artists such as Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Turnpike Troubadours.

The Ryman shows add to a breakout year for The Red Clay Strays, who are having a huge moment with their viral single “Wondering Why.” With over 47 million streams to date, the track spent a week at No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 U.S. Playlist and has achieved success at radio, as it’s currently No. 1 on the Americana Singles chart, No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs chart, No. 19 on the Billboard AAA chart and No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. “Wondering Why” is from the band’s album, Moment of Truth, which is currently No. 9 on the Americana Albums Chart.

Additional upcoming sold-out headline shows include Charlottesville’s Jefferson Theater, Charleston’s Riviera Theater (two nights), Tuscaloosa’s Druid City Music Hall, Athens’ Georgia Theatre and St. Louis’ The Hawthorn, among others. The band will also join Turnpike Troubadours and Whiskey Myers for select dates this spring and perform at several key festivals this year.

The band recently returned to the studio with producer Dave Cobb to record a new album, which will be released this year.

ACM Taps Gil Beverly As Executive Vice President/Chief Business Officer

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Gil Beverly

The Academy of Country Music has added to its leadership team with the hiring of celebrated sports and entertainment executive Gil Beverly. He joins the team as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer.

“Gil Beverly is a proven leader who has ushered in new levels of success for numerous category-leading organizations, and we can’t wait to tap his exceptional expertise, passion, and drive at the Academy of Country Music to help us continue to innovate, grow and succeed, particularly as we look ahead to our landmark 60th anniversary awards show celebration in 2025,” says Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “In his role, he will play an integral part in shaping the future of the Academy from financial, strategic and organizational standpoints, and Gil exemplifies all the traits that power the ACM to reach new heights and support our industry. On behalf of our Board of Directors and Officers, as well as our Members and staff, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to team ACM!”

Beverly joins ACM after spending more than four years with the Tennessee Titans, serving as Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer. In his role with the Titans, he led the organization to four successive years of record revenues across corporate partnerships and ticket sales while revitalizing the Titans brand through lifestyle marketing and activations tied to music, fashion, art and fitness, along with effective advertising and social media campaigns. Beverly also served as Executive Project Lead for the preliminary stages of the new Titans stadium plan.

Prior to joining the Titans, Beverly served as Vice President of Partnership Solutions at Learfield Sports in Plano, Texas, after a 13-year stint at ESPN. The Evanston, Illinois native graduated from the undergraduate division of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania before securing his MBA at the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.

At the ACM, Beverly will supervise and manage the Academy’s business operations and manage all revenue streams, play a key role in shaping the Academy’s growth strategy by identifying and evaluating business opportunities and will work with Whiteside to oversee and manage staff.

“I am extremely honored and excited to join Damon Whiteside and his team at the Academy of Country Music. The Academy has proven to be a visionary organization through its premium content and events and groundbreaking partnerships with Amazon and the Dallas Cowboys, among others,” shares Beverly. “I believe the organization is poised for significant growth and will continue to be a powerful leader in the music industry in the future. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play a role in that going forward.”

Brooks & Dunn To Embark On ‘Reboot 2024 Tour’

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Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn will kick off their “Reboot 2024 Tour” in May. David Lee Murphy and Ernest will join as special guests on the new tour.

The Country Music Hall of Famers will hit the road on over 20 dates across the U.S. and Canada, visiting New Orleans, Denver, Salt Lake City, Virginia Beach, Charleston and more through Aug. 10.

Tickets will be available starting Jan. 26 at brooks-dunn.com. The tour will also offer a variety of VIP packages for fans to take their concert experience to the next level that will include premium tickets, invitation to the Neon Lounge, an exclusive signed poster, VIP merchandise gift and more.

The duo’s collaboration album Reboot debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, marking the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009 while simultaneously earning the duo their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history.

“Reboot 2024 Tour” Dates:
5/3 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
5/4 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/10 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP                           
5/11 Thackerville, OK — Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort                      
5/16 New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
5/17 Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman
5/30 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
5/31 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
6/1 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
6/6 Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center at Fresno State
6/7 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
6/8 Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
6/13 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post
6/14 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
6/15 Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
6/20 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
6/21 Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
6/22 London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
6/27 Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
​​6/28 Allentown, PA – PPL Center
6/29 Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion                      
8/10 Welch, MN — Treasure Island Amphitheater

 

NMPA Appoints Chris Barkley As SVP, Government Affairs

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Chris Barkley

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has appointed seasoned political strategist Chris Barkley as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

Barkley has spent over two decades working in high-ranking positions on Capitol Hill beginning in the House of Representatives and spending the majority of his career in the United States Senate. He most recently spent time as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), advising on all policy and legislation as well as supporting his role on the Whip Team. He helped negotiate several of the biggest bipartisan legislative deals in recent years. He previously was Policy Director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee under Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).

“Chris joins NMPA with invaluable expertise from years of insight aiding policymakers and finding consensus to move critical legislation. Having him lead NMPA’s lobbying strategy across all facets of government will be hugely valuable to music creators,” says NMPA President & CEO David Israelite. “As AI and other evolving technologies threaten the value of music, it is more important than ever to have a strong voice in government on behalf of songwriters. As a critical advisor on influential committees and for senior lawmakers, his knowledge is virtually unmatched when it comes to understanding what it takes to make big things happen.”

“Songwriters face more government regulation than anyone else in the music industry. There is much work to be done to allow publishers and creators to achieve the full value of their work. My experience across Capitol Hill has primed me for this opportunity and I’m thrilled to advocate for people whose work I respect and admire,” shares Barkley.

Barkley’s career also includes time serving as Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), as well as Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. He also previously worked in Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) office as well as the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform. Since 2022, Barkley has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law.