Jelly Roll Among ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Times Square Lineup

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The Times Square performance lineup has been unveiled for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2024, airing live on ABC Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. CT.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest celebrates the year’s best in music with more than five hours of dynamic performances, fan-favorite personalities and a look at New Year’s Eve celebrations around the globe. Seacrest will host the festivities alongside artist Rita Ora from New York’s Times Square.

The 2024 lineup includes Jelly Roll and Jessie Murph as well as Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyla.

Jelly Roll will perform a medley of his hits live from Times Square, and will be joined by Murph. The two recently released their single “Wild Ones,” and Jelly Roll recently wrapped his “Backroad Baptism Arena Tour.” He also celebrated three back-to-back No. 1s from his debut country album Whitsitt Chapel, including lastest smash “Save Me” with Lainey Wilson.

Additionally, this year will mark the first-ever live radio simulcast of the beloved annual event airing across 150 iHeartRadio stations nationwide including Z100 New York, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, KISS FM Chicago, Q102 Philly, 102.9 Dallas and more. The show will also be available on the iHeartRadio app.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2024 is produced by Dick Clark Productions with Seacrest, Michael Dempsey and Barry Adelman serving as executive producers.

Kenny Rogers’ ‘The Gambler’ Mixed In Dolby Atmos For 45th Anniversary

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Photo: Alexa King Stone

Kenny Rogers‘ The Gambler album has been mixed in immersive Dolby Atmos from the original masters by engineer and producer David Leonard  to commemorate “The Gambler” hit and the 45th anniversary of the namesake record.

The new Dolby Atmos mix retains the feel of the classic album but offers a fresh perspective, putting listeners in the center of the music while revealing details with unique clarity and depth. The Gambler is available to stream in Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal now.

“We are so excited that Kenny’s iconic album The Gambler is now available in Dolby Atmos and fans can experience these songs like never before,” says Wanda Rogers. “This was one of Kenny’s absolute favorite albums he ever made, and I know he would have been thrilled to be able to hear the music surround him just like it did when he recorded it in the studio with all the amazing musicians and the great Larry Butler producing.”

Forty-five years ago on Dec. 16, 1978, “The Gambler” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, giving Rogers’ his third No. 1 of the year. The song spent spend three consecutive weeks in the top spot and become a mainstream crossover hit, climbing to No. 16 on the pop chart.

Written by Don Schlitz, “The Gambler” would go on to win the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and spawn a television movie on CBS starring Rogers. The film eventually led to four additional films, making it the longest-running film series franchise on television. Meanwhile, The Gambler album, featuring the crossover smash “She Believes In Me” as well as “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” and “Tennessee Bottle,” became a chart-topper, won Album of the Year at the CMA Awards and was five-time Platinum-certified in the United States.

Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller To Release New Memoir In February

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Sawyer Brown‘s Mark Miller is commemorating 40 years in the business and pulling back the curtain on his longtime career with his new memoir The Boys And Me: My Life in the Country Music Supergroup Sawyer Brown, out Feb. 6 via Forefront Books.

In the new memoir, Miller takes readers on an intimate journey through the highs and lows of his time with the band, from the early days of honing their craft in small-town venues to winning the first-ever televised singing competition, Star Search, and becoming one of country’s most enduring acts.

The book features a foreword by Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and a backstage pass to the heart and soul of Sawyer Brown with never-before-told stories.

Accompanied by the band’s new documentary, Get Me To The Stage On Time, and a Blake Shelton-produced album, Desperado Troubadours, coming March 8, Miller’s memoir continues the celebration of Sawyer Brown’s 40th anniversary. The album’s first two singles “Under This Ole Hat” and “Get Me To The Stage On Time” are available now.

J.T. Harding Recognized As Angel In Adoption Honoree By Members Of Congress

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U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty with J.T. Harding

Hit songwriter J.T. Harding was recognized in Washington D.C. earlier this fall as an Angels In Adoption honoree by the 2023 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption program.

J.T. Harding

Harding was nominated for the honor by U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) for his work with adoption, including his “Write Like a Rockstar” contest, which offered fellow adoptees a chance to co-write their own song with him which he recorded.

“I was honored to nominate J.T. for the Angels in Adoption program,” said Senator Hagerty. “J.T. exemplifies the heart and soul of Tennesseans by caring for and advocating for our most vulnerable. I heartily congratulate J.T. on this outstanding achievement as he continues to make a positive difference in the Volunteer State through his hard work and dedication to bolstering foster care and adoption.”

“As a child, my parents encouraged my love for music. To think I met Senator Hagerty at one of my songwriter shows and then chosen as an Angel In Adoption is truly a full circle moment and I’m very honored,” says Harding about the honor.

The Detroit area native was adopted as a baby and in a twist years later found out his biological father was actor Jay Thomas. He detailed his unique life journey in his 2022 memoir/songwriting how-to book Party Like a Rockstar: The Crazy, Coincidental, Hard-Luck and Harmonious Life of a Songwriter. Harding’s songs have been recorded by Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and many others, and he’s achieved multiple No. 1 hits and over one billion streams on Spotify to date.

“Being adopted has given me an incredibly optimistic view of life. Whenever life throws me a curveball, a disappointment or a roadblock, I remind myself that I was adopted by the Hardings (the greatest parents ever), and that the universe has had my back since day one,” he says in the autobiography.

The Angels in Adoption Program allows Members of Congress and their staff to learn first-hand about adoption and foster care efforts taking place within their state and across the country. The Angel honorees have the opportunity to travel to D.C. to meet with congressional offices and other child welfare advocates to hone their advocacy skills, share their experience and expertise and leave feeling empowered to continue on their good work and inspire others to do so as well. The program also draws national and local media attention to raise public awareness about the positive difference adoption and fostering makes in the life of a child.

‘People’s Choice Country Awards’ To Return In 2024

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Pictured: (L-R): People’s Choice Country Awards 2023  Co-Hosts Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town. Photo: Katherine Bomboy/NBC

The second annual People’s Choice Country Awards will return in 2024, airing live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT across NBC and Peacock.

2023’s inaugural show, hosted by Opry members Little Big Town, recognized country talent with winners chosen entirely by the fans across various categories. Throughout the night, Toby Keith and Wynonna Judd were honored with awards, and viewers were treated to star-studded performances from Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Hardy, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town and more.

Viewership for the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards was 16 percent higher than the 2022 People’s Choice Awards simulcast that aired on NBC and E!. The telecast was seen by 4.3 million viewers across all platforms, and content from the show reached 25 million cross-platform users (linear, digital and social).

“With powerhouse performances, heartfelt tributes to country legends and surprise moments, last year’s inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards was a huge success,” says Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “We look forward to returning to the Grand Ole Opry House in 2024 to honor and celebrate the country community.”

People’s Choice Country Awards is produced by Den of Thieves. Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski will executive produce, along with showrunner RAC Clark.

WME Elevates Multiple Music Team Members

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Pictured (L-R): Andrew Colvin, Travis Wolfe, Sloane Logue, Beth Hamilton, Mark Claassen and Austin Mullins

After booking over 45,000 shows worldwide this year, WME has elevated seven agents and 16 staff members in their Music Department, with 14 of the newly promoted individuals residing in the agency’s Nashville office.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Dan Kuklinski, Josh Green, Jeremy Upton and John Showfety; (L-R, bottom row): Laura Williams, Lindsey Hastings, Carlile Willett and Janelle Flint.

Agents Mark Claassen (Christian Music), Andrew Colvin (Contemporary), Beth Hamilton (Country), Sloane Logue (Country), Austin Mullins (Country) and Travis Wolfe (Country) have all been promoted to Partner.

Staff members Josh Green (American Roots), Lindsey Hastings (American Roots), Dan Kuklinski (American Roots), Jeremy Upton (American Roots), Janelle Flint (Country), John Showfety (Country), Carlile Willett (Country) and Laura Williams (Country) have all been upped to Agent.

WME provides full-service representation in the Nashville market, and through its acquisitions of Red 11 Music and True Grit Talent Agency, has expanded their presence in the American Roots music genre as well as in Austin, Texas.

Industry Ink: ‘Hope For The Holidays,’ Randy Rogers Band, Rachel Holt, More

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Louis York & Friends Provide ‘Hope For The Holidays’ At Nashville Benefit

Stars unite for “Hope For The Holidays: An Evening With Louis York & Friends.” Photo: John Partipilo

A star-studded lineup came together on Saturday night (Dec. 16) for the “Hope For The Holidays: An Evening With Louis York & Friends” benefit concert at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

The event featured performances from headlining act Louis York, R&B duo made up of Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly, as well as Ari Afsar, Jay Allen, Charles Esten, Megan Linsey, Kylie Morgan, Cade Thompson, The Shindellas and Twinnie. Special appearances were also made by poet Steve Connell, music and media personality Kathie Lee Gifford and U.S. Olympian and philanthropist Scott Hamilton. The event benefited four local charities: Nashville Peacemakers, Alzheimer’s Association, The Onsite Foundation and Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation.

Randy Rogers Band Donates To Texas Youth Nonprofit

Pictured (L-R): RRB Golf Jam’s Drew Farr, Connections’ Pia Lomax, Megan Dupree, Chelsea Rogers, Randy Rogers, Connections’ Jacob Huereca, Matt Bonine, Amanda Anding and Caryn Benson. Photo: Reba Hall

Randy Rogers Band gave back to their home state recently, gifting $150K to Connections Individual and Family Services, a nonprofit organization in New Braunfels.

The organization is dedicated to empowering youth, connecting families and building futures one youth and family at a time. The proceeds were raised at the 14th annual RRB Golf Jam in late October at River Crossing Golf Club in Spring Branch, Texas, through a charity concert and a silent/live auction. Randy Rogers Band founded the annual RRB Golf Jam event in 2009, and donates the proceeds to a different charity in need every year. The group has given over $300K back to the community in the last two years.

Rachel Holt Inks With Baste Records

Rachel Holt signs with Baste Records

Baste Records has signed Rachel Holt.

The 18-year-old from Milan, Indiana will be working on her new project in 2024 alongside songwriter Chris Wallin. Wallin’s credits include “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney, “Something To Be Proud Of” by Montgomery Gentry, “Love Me If You Can” by Toby Keith, “I’m Tryin'” by Trace Adkins and “People Loving People” by Garth Brooks.

Billie Jo Jones Signs With Get Joe Entertainment

Billie Jo Jones

Country singer Billie Jo Jones has signed an exclusive recording and publishing contract with Get Joe Entertainment, LLC in Dallas.

Jones is working on a full-length album set for release in this spring. Her new EP, Right Now Kinda Girl, was released on Dec. 1 via Bob Frank Distribution (BFD) and The Orchard and is available on all DSPs. The title track is at radio now.

Red Camel Collective Signs With Pinecastle Records

Red Camel Collective. Photo: Angie Reed/Enchanted Land Photography

Pinecastle Records has signed bluegrass band Red Camel Collective to its roster.

Consisting of Heather Berry Mabe, Tony Mabe, Curt Love and Johnathan Dillon, the group will release their debut single, “Roll On Mississippi” in early 2024. Red Camel Collective is made up of skilled musicians and current members of the Junior Sisk Band. They are set to release new music while maintaining live shows with Junior Sisk. Their band name is a tribute to the popular Sisk hit “The Man in Red Camels,” a track that evokes feelings of simpler times. 

Shaylen To Usher In 2024 With New Track ‘Been There Before’

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Shaylen will kick off the new year with the release of her single, “Been There Before,” an anthem that reflects on the ebbs and flows of dating and trying to find your perfect partner amidst all the chaos, on Jan. 5.

Co-written alongside Andrew Baylis, Michael Whitworth and Nick Bailey, Shaylen gets it all off her chest in the cathartic track. The song follows her most recent single,”Cowboys Never Cry” (Nov. 10), and her collaboration with former Hinder frontman Austin John Winkler on the country-infused rendition of “Lips Of An Angel.”

“I finally got to write the dating anthem for my early 20s,” Shaylen says. “It was an incredible day working with some of my faves – Baylis, Michael and Nick are some of my favorite humans ever and creating this song with them was so fun. We literally just talked about all the crazy dating scenarios you go through as a girl in her early 20s and got to put it in one song. And that’s on healing toxic patterns baby!”

After spending 10 years in Los Angeles as a pop artist with Republic Records, the Chattanooga native found it was her time to come home and moved into the country space. Her debut country single “What If I Don’t” broke 10 million streams on Spotify, and her single “Do It Right The First Time” gained over 725K TikTok views and caught the ear of Kelly Clarkson, who featured Shaylen in her “#What I’m Liking” segment on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show. Within the first week of release, “Do It Right The First Time” reached No. 34 on the iTunes Country Charts with over 500K streams across DSPs, and was added to several playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Toby Keith Named Pandora Billionaire

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Pictured (L-R): TK Kimbrell, President/Owner TKO Artist Management; Toby Keith; Cindy Mabe, Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, entertainer and entrepreneur Toby Keith ended a three-show run at the world-famous Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas by being named a Pandora Billionaire. This accreditation comes with Keith’s music being streamed 3 billion times on Pandora.

Toby Keith

Keith was presented with his Triple Billionaires plaque backstage along with the President/Owner of TKO Artist Management TK Kimbrell, and Chair & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Cindy Mabe.

During his three-show run, Keith played for a total of two hours each night. His set included No. 1 hits, top 10 singles and an acoustic set of six songs that he deemed “should have been singles.” The acoustic set was a highlight for audience members, as Keith sat centerstage to perform these. To date, he has gained over 100 million BMI performances and more than 10 billion streams across all streaming platforms.

Keith recently released his album 100% Songwriter, which highlights his most iconic 13 solo-written songs. Also showcasing his talent is his latest hit single “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” Written in 2018, this song was inspired by a conversation between Keith and Clint Eastwood, and eventually landed in Eastwood’s movie, The Mule. After giving a powerful performance of the song at this past year’s People’s Choice Country Awards, the song went to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart and hit the Top 3 all-genre chart.

Weekly Register: Jessie Murph & Jelly Roll Join Top Five On Country Songs Chart

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Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll‘s “Wild Ones” joins the top five on the country streaming songs chart this week, scoring the fifth slot with 7.2 million new streams, adding to 86 million ATD according to Luminate data.

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” remains at the top with 15 million streams, adding to 342 million ATD, and Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” stays at No. 2 with 11 million new streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” is sedentary at No. 3 with 11 million streams, adding to 1.1 billion ATD as well, while Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” follows behind at No. 4 again with 9.3 million new streams, adding to 514 million ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time resides at No. 1 with 63K in total consumption (4.5K album only/75 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled album still stands at No. 2 with 44K (9.4K album only/45 million song streams), followed by Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) at No. 3 with 39K (22K album only/23 million song streams). Swift’s Red (Taylor’s Version) returns to No. 4 with 32K (16K album only/21 million song streams), and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album moves back to No. 5 with 32K (857 album only/41 million song streams).