Megan Moroney performs during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Cece Dawson
Megan Moroney shimmered and shined during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on Thursday night (Dec. 7). “The Lucky Tour” stop also marked milestone moments for the up-and-coming star. Splashes of pink light and disco ball reflections swirled as the unforgettable night unfolded.
Megan Moroney performs during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Cece Dawson
Logan Crosby was the first opener to take the stage. Brooklyn Bowl began buzzing as the first few notes of “Run Away With You” enrobed the room. He made sure the crowd was feeling alright before moving into “Everybody’s Drunk” and a rendition of Bruno Mars‘ “When I Was Your Man,” which had the entire venue singing their hearts out alongside him. Blue and green lights circled as Crosby grabbed his guitar for the title track of his latest project, “23 Days In L.A.” The artist then asked if anybody in the audience was married, and was met with quite a few cheers, as he sang his sweet ballad “If You Ask Me,” which tells the story of a man asking the father of the woman he loves for his blessing.
“I think I just got engaged to three different people in the crowd,” he joked before introducing yet-to-be-released tune “Girl Next Door.” Crosby followed with his new single “Land” as well as a cover of Chris Stapleton‘s “You Should Probably Leave,” and kept everyone swaying as he wrapped with “Hold On To Me.”
Mackenzie Carpenter was up next. Sporting a cropped, powder blue button down with cream fringe and a studded mini skirt of the same color, she shared a little about herself and started her set with the catchy, unreleased number “Walks Like A Cheater.” Carpenter then serenaded the crowd with her debut single “Can’t Nobody.” After introducing her brother and frequent collaborator Micah, who was on guitar, and her drummer Marcus, she performed a country mash-up of various hits in addition to what she deemed her “murder your husband song,” which centered around a woman whose husband mysteriously disappears on a fishing trip.
“What do y’all think about hearing Micah sing something?” Carpenter asked. The audience responded with excited screams as he borrowed the mic for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band‘s “Fishin’ in the Dark.” The artist stepped back up for “Jesus, I’m Jealous,” a song about finding hope when you’re hopeless, and “Country Girls (Just Wanna Have Fun),” her version of the Cyndi Lauper classic. She finished with clever tracks “Don’t Mess With Exes” and “Huntin’ Season,” both of which are featured on her self-titled debut project.
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky, Megan Moroney and RIAA’s Jackie Jones. Photo: Cece Dawson
Red lights radiated as Moroney’s band members, each of them wearing a black cut-off t-shirt, strutted on stage in an orderly line and took their places with their instruments. The more they played, the more the anticipation began to build. A neon green shamrock sign lit up behind them in the center of the stage curtain, along with a royal blue cowboy boot and a pair of hot pink dice. Suddenly, the room went dark. As the sound of heels clicking against hardwood echoed, the woman of the hour made her way to the front. Once she hit centerstage, 10 spotlights beamed down on her, making it feel as though we had all been transported to a large-capacity stadium.
“Nashville, Tennessee, how are we doing y’all?” Moroney asked, her green, sequined fit-and-flare dress sparkling under the glowing hues as they transitioned back to warmer colors. The mass of fans surrounding her cheered loudly, indicating that everyone was doing great. Her white cowboy boots walked to each side of the stage and back as she sang “Another on the Way,” a track from her debut album and the tour’s namesake, Lucky. Moroney donned a pink guitar and requested that the audience join her in singing as she moved into another Lucky track, her single “I’m Not Pretty,” which the artist wrote with both Mackenzie and Micah Carpenter as well as Ben Williams. The rays of light turned blue when she performed her first-ever release, “Wonder.” Moroney noted that she wrote the tune with her best friend Natalie, who was present.
“This next song I feel like put me on the map, and it was the first song I heard on [SiriusXM] The Highway. I wrote it about my hometown hair salon,” Moroney said as she started to strum the first chords of “Hair Salon.” The song, which so perfectly captures the feeling of receiving gut-wrenching news in an unexpected place, could be heard from every fan-filled corner.
The headliner then took a moment to express her gratitude. She stated that “it would be a miracle if [she] made it through the show without crying,” and shared how she played Brooklyn Bowl a year ago when opening for Warren Zeiders. “A year later, all of you are here and it just means the world to me, so thank you so much.” Moroney continued with sentimentality, noting that this show would kick off the last weekend of “The Lucky Tour” and that she would be performing the whole Lucky project throughout the evening.
“Kansas Anymore” poured into her glittering mic, followed by “Sleep on My Side.” The mic came off the stand as Moroney sang “Sad Songs For Sad People.” Once the track concluded, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)’s Jackie Jones, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky and Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey stepped on stage to surprise the singer-songwriter with a double-Platinum plaque for her No. 1 “Tennessee Orange,” the highest solo certification in the country genre. Adding to the milestone, they shared the news that Moroney had been named a member of RIAA’s Class of 2023 for receiving her first certified song this year, allowing her to share the special career turning points with her devoted fans. Moroney is one of only two artists in the program across all-genres to receive double-Platinum certification.
Pictured (L-R): PunchBowl Entertainment’s Juli Griffith, Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, Megan Moroney, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, Jen Way, Steve Hodges and PunchBowl Entertainment’s Hayley Corbett. Photo: Cece Dawson
“I just want to take the time to really say thank you,” she stated. “Y’all have completely changed my life [this past] year, and I will never take [this] for granted. Thank you for showing up tonight, thank you for making homemade merch and for buying merch, and showing early. I hope you guys are having as much fun as I am, because it’s just really amazing to be here.
I also know it’s more more than just buying a ticket. You guys are probably buying drinks and [maybe] went to dinner before or bought a new outfit, so I really appreciate y’all making tonight about me and the [band]. It means so much to me.”
Moroney proceeded by playing “God Plays a Gibson” solo on a green Gibson as well as soon-to-be-released song “No Caller ID” and “Why Johnny.” She put the guitar down and her band returned for “Mustang or Me,” before Carpenter joined her for their Lucky (Deluxe) track, “Nothin’ Crazy.” The two grooved around the stage, engaging with the waving hands below. The pink guitar reappeared for “Georgia Girl,” but vanished again as “Traitor Joe” blared through Brooklyn Bowl. Moroney had everyone give it up for her bandmates as she entered into Taylor Swift‘s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which had the sold-out crowd going crazy.
“This next song that I’m going play I think has the most important message of all the songs on the record. I wrote this song as a reminder to myself to never love the boy more than I love me, and it was a really healing experience to write this,” Moroney shared. “When I put it out, I saw the way that it helped some of y’all, and it just means a lot to me and makes me want to keep writing songs like this.”
On sparkly, silver guitar, she began to play “Girl in the Mirror.” Moroney brought it full-circle with her double-Platinum, breakthrough hit “Tennessee Orange,” everybody tinged with white light as they belted the lyrics alongside her. She then concluded with title track “Lucky,” which had the entire room dancing with her.
Moroney fittingly wrapped the tour in her home state of Georgia this past weekend, and was just named as one of the five New Faces of Country Music for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024.
Miranda Lambert & More To Headline Under The Big Sky Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughMiranda Lambert, Billy Strings and Turnpike Troubadours are set to headline the Under The Big Sky Music, Rodeo & Roundup Festival in Whitefish, Montana July 12-14.
Others slated to perform at the panoramic 360-acre Big Mountain Ranch include Tanya Tucker, Brothers Osborne, Sierra Ferrell, Paul Cauthen, Charles Wesley Godwin, City and Colour, Mt. Joy, Zach Top and more.
Attendees will experience the working ranch’s green meadows, railroads and mountain-filled backdrops. Guests have the option to shop in the vendor crossroads and mercantile row. Local craft beer and artisanal eats such as the Wagyu Wagon food truck, which caters locally raised beef from the area, will also be available. Additional attractions include horse rides and a petting zoo.
The festival will continue working with the Whitefish Credit Union to recognize and honor resident heroes within the community, along with its recurring contributions to the local food bank. Under The Big Sky will also continue its partnership with Save Farmland, a nonprofit with a mission to protect and promote small farms in Montana. With the continuation of this partnership, the goals to create awareness and raise proceeds for its various programs through on-site merchandise sales throughout the weekend remain the same.
Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.
Megan Moroney Marks Milestones At Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
/by Liza AndersonMegan Moroney performs during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Cece Dawson
Megan Moroney shimmered and shined during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on Thursday night (Dec. 7). “The Lucky Tour” stop also marked milestone moments for the up-and-coming star. Splashes of pink light and disco ball reflections swirled as the unforgettable night unfolded.
Megan Moroney performs during her sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Photo: Cece Dawson
Logan Crosby was the first opener to take the stage. Brooklyn Bowl began buzzing as the first few notes of “Run Away With You” enrobed the room. He made sure the crowd was feeling alright before moving into “Everybody’s Drunk” and a rendition of Bruno Mars‘ “When I Was Your Man,” which had the entire venue singing their hearts out alongside him. Blue and green lights circled as Crosby grabbed his guitar for the title track of his latest project, “23 Days In L.A.” The artist then asked if anybody in the audience was married, and was met with quite a few cheers, as he sang his sweet ballad “If You Ask Me,” which tells the story of a man asking the father of the woman he loves for his blessing.
“I think I just got engaged to three different people in the crowd,” he joked before introducing yet-to-be-released tune “Girl Next Door.” Crosby followed with his new single “Land” as well as a cover of Chris Stapleton‘s “You Should Probably Leave,” and kept everyone swaying as he wrapped with “Hold On To Me.”
Mackenzie Carpenter was up next. Sporting a cropped, powder blue button down with cream fringe and a studded mini skirt of the same color, she shared a little about herself and started her set with the catchy, unreleased number “Walks Like A Cheater.” Carpenter then serenaded the crowd with her debut single “Can’t Nobody.” After introducing her brother and frequent collaborator Micah, who was on guitar, and her drummer Marcus, she performed a country mash-up of various hits in addition to what she deemed her “murder your husband song,” which centered around a woman whose husband mysteriously disappears on a fishing trip.
“What do y’all think about hearing Micah sing something?” Carpenter asked. The audience responded with excited screams as he borrowed the mic for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band‘s “Fishin’ in the Dark.” The artist stepped back up for “Jesus, I’m Jealous,” a song about finding hope when you’re hopeless, and “Country Girls (Just Wanna Have Fun),” her version of the Cyndi Lauper classic. She finished with clever tracks “Don’t Mess With Exes” and “Huntin’ Season,” both of which are featured on her self-titled debut project.
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky, Megan Moroney and RIAA’s Jackie Jones. Photo: Cece Dawson
Red lights radiated as Moroney’s band members, each of them wearing a black cut-off t-shirt, strutted on stage in an orderly line and took their places with their instruments. The more they played, the more the anticipation began to build. A neon green shamrock sign lit up behind them in the center of the stage curtain, along with a royal blue cowboy boot and a pair of hot pink dice. Suddenly, the room went dark. As the sound of heels clicking against hardwood echoed, the woman of the hour made her way to the front. Once she hit centerstage, 10 spotlights beamed down on her, making it feel as though we had all been transported to a large-capacity stadium.
“Nashville, Tennessee, how are we doing y’all?” Moroney asked, her green, sequined fit-and-flare dress sparkling under the glowing hues as they transitioned back to warmer colors. The mass of fans surrounding her cheered loudly, indicating that everyone was doing great. Her white cowboy boots walked to each side of the stage and back as she sang “Another on the Way,” a track from her debut album and the tour’s namesake, Lucky. Moroney donned a pink guitar and requested that the audience join her in singing as she moved into another Lucky track, her single “I’m Not Pretty,” which the artist wrote with both Mackenzie and Micah Carpenter as well as Ben Williams. The rays of light turned blue when she performed her first-ever release, “Wonder.” Moroney noted that she wrote the tune with her best friend Natalie, who was present.
“This next song I feel like put me on the map, and it was the first song I heard on [SiriusXM] The Highway. I wrote it about my hometown hair salon,” Moroney said as she started to strum the first chords of “Hair Salon.” The song, which so perfectly captures the feeling of receiving gut-wrenching news in an unexpected place, could be heard from every fan-filled corner.
The headliner then took a moment to express her gratitude. She stated that “it would be a miracle if [she] made it through the show without crying,” and shared how she played Brooklyn Bowl a year ago when opening for Warren Zeiders. “A year later, all of you are here and it just means the world to me, so thank you so much.” Moroney continued with sentimentality, noting that this show would kick off the last weekend of “The Lucky Tour” and that she would be performing the whole Lucky project throughout the evening.
“Kansas Anymore” poured into her glittering mic, followed by “Sleep on My Side.” The mic came off the stand as Moroney sang “Sad Songs For Sad People.” Once the track concluded, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)’s Jackie Jones, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky and Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey stepped on stage to surprise the singer-songwriter with a double-Platinum plaque for her No. 1 “Tennessee Orange,” the highest solo certification in the country genre. Adding to the milestone, they shared the news that Moroney had been named a member of RIAA’s Class of 2023 for receiving her first certified song this year, allowing her to share the special career turning points with her devoted fans. Moroney is one of only two artists in the program across all-genres to receive double-Platinum certification.
Pictured (L-R): PunchBowl Entertainment’s Juli Griffith, Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Columbia Records’ Julian Swirsky, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, Megan Moroney, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Sony Music Nashville’s Taylor Lindsey, Jen Way, Steve Hodges and PunchBowl Entertainment’s Hayley Corbett. Photo: Cece Dawson
“I just want to take the time to really say thank you,” she stated. “Y’all have completely changed my life [this past] year, and I will never take [this] for granted. Thank you for showing up tonight, thank you for making homemade merch and for buying merch, and showing early. I hope you guys are having as much fun as I am, because it’s just really amazing to be here.
I also know it’s more more than just buying a ticket. You guys are probably buying drinks and [maybe] went to dinner before or bought a new outfit, so I really appreciate y’all making tonight about me and the [band]. It means so much to me.”
Moroney proceeded by playing “God Plays a Gibson” solo on a green Gibson as well as soon-to-be-released song “No Caller ID” and “Why Johnny.” She put the guitar down and her band returned for “Mustang or Me,” before Carpenter joined her for their Lucky (Deluxe) track, “Nothin’ Crazy.” The two grooved around the stage, engaging with the waving hands below. The pink guitar reappeared for “Georgia Girl,” but vanished again as “Traitor Joe” blared through Brooklyn Bowl. Moroney had everyone give it up for her bandmates as she entered into Taylor Swift‘s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which had the sold-out crowd going crazy.
“This next song that I’m going play I think has the most important message of all the songs on the record. I wrote this song as a reminder to myself to never love the boy more than I love me, and it was a really healing experience to write this,” Moroney shared. “When I put it out, I saw the way that it helped some of y’all, and it just means a lot to me and makes me want to keep writing songs like this.”
On sparkly, silver guitar, she began to play “Girl in the Mirror.” Moroney brought it full-circle with her double-Platinum, breakthrough hit “Tennessee Orange,” everybody tinged with white light as they belted the lyrics alongside her. She then concluded with title track “Lucky,” which had the entire room dancing with her.
Moroney fittingly wrapped the tour in her home state of Georgia this past weekend, and was just named as one of the five New Faces of Country Music for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024.
Lineup Revealed For CRS 2024 New Faces Show
/by Liza AndersonCountry Radio Broadcasters (CRB) has revealed the lineup for the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 New Faces of Country Music Show, taking place Friday, March 1.
This year’s showcase will feature George Birge, Dillon Carmichael, Corey Kent, Megan Moroney and Conner Smith.
The New Faces of Country Music Show stars five emerging artists who have achieved notable country radio success during the qualification period, which spanned from Nov. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023, for the 2024 show. The event has served as a pivotal moment in the careers of established country hitmakers since its inception in 1970.
“With five of 2023’s top 10 airplay artists earning that distinction for the first time, there’s no doubt country music is surging at every level. The 2024 New Faces class is another prime example, and yet one more reason to look forward to the country industry’s most important B2B event–CRS,” says Chuck Aly, CRS New Faces Committee Chairman.
CRS 2024 is set for Wednesday, Feb. 28–Friday, March 1 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. For more information, click here.
‘CMT Crossroads: Bret Michaels & Chris Janson’ To Premiere This Month
/by Liza AndersonRockstar Bret Michaels and country sensation Chris Janson will headline the latest installment of CMT Crossroads, set to air on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. CT with an immediate encore at 9 p.m. CT.
The pairing marks the first-ever on-stage collaboration for Michaels and Janson. The two brought electrifying energy to a room filled with their biggest fans. They swapped stories and performed each other’s most celebrated hits, including Michaels’ chart-topping Poison power ballads “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Talk Dirty To Me” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance” as well as Janson’s No. 1s “Fix a Drink,” “Good Vibes” and “Buy Me A Boat.”
“CMT Crossroads with my friend Chris Janson was a bucket list and nothing but a good time,” shares Michaels. “We brought nothing but hits and an absolute game-changer of fun, big energy and what may be the biggest, rowdiest & most good-time lovin’ fans. This will be a music history-making event, so tune in Dec. 20 and get ready for your chance to see Chris and I on my ‘Parti-Gras Mardi Gras 2024 Tour.'”
“This Crossroads is pure rock and roll. What a blast to do this with a hero and friend, Bret Michaels,” says Janson. “Two good buddies, having nothing but a good time, literally. Tune in, and turn it up!”
For more information, click here.
Walker Montgomery Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by LB CantrellWalker Montgomery. Photo: Chris Hollo
Walker Montgomery recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut. He was lovingly introduced by his father John Michael Montgomery and his uncle, Opry member Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry.
John Michael Montgomery, Walker Montgomery, Eddie Montgomery and Charlie Mattos. Photo: Chris Hollo
Walker performed his self-penned EP title track “Work To Do” and his romantic ballad “Tired Of You” to a packed house.
“I’m sure that ‘surreal’ is a word that many artists use to describe their Opry debut. I now see why. It’s simply the best way to describe it. It’s a night that my family and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. God bless country music!” Walker shared.
With over 20 million streams worldwide, Walker has been named an artist-to-watch by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot and others. The 24-year-old who was raised away from the spotlight in Nicholasville, Kentucky is carving his own path in the Nashville music industry.
Hank Williams Jr. Slates New Tour For April
/by Lorie HollabaughHank Williams Jr. will head out on tour in April. Whiskey Myers, Neal McCoy, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Charley Crockett, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and Old Crow Medicine Show will join as support on the new trek.
The 13-city tour kicks off on April 5 at The Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, with stops in Charlotte, Syracuse, Virginia Beach and more before wrapping in Kansas City at T-Mobile Center on Sept. 14. Tickets are on sale to the general public now at, with select markets on sale at a later date. For more information, click here.
Additionally, 2024 will mark the 45th anniversary of the release of the artist’s hit album and single, Family Tradition. Williams Jr.’s storied career includes 70 million albums sold worldwide, six Platinum albums, 20 Gold albums, 13 No. 1 albums and 10 No. 1 singles.
Hank Williams Jr. 2024 Tour Dates:
+ with Whiskey Myers
! with Neal McCoy
$ with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
# with Charley Crockett
* with Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
^ with Old Crow Medicine Show
April 5 – Birmingham, AL – The Legacy Arena at The BJCC +
April 20 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena!
May 17 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek$ –On Sale Fri, Dec 15
May 18 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live$
June 7 – Hartford, CT – The XFINITY Theatre# –On Sale Fri, Dec 15
June 8 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center# –On Sale Fri., Dec 15
June 21 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center*
June 22 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre*
Aug. 9 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion^ –On Sale Fri., Dec 15
Aug. 10 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach+
Aug. 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC+
Aug. 24 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview+
Sept. 14 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center$
Chris Stapleton & Noah Kahan To Headline Railbird Music Festival 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton and Noah Kahan are set to headline the Railbird Music Festival, taking place June 1-2 at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.
Over 30 artists will play the festival across three stages, including Hozier, Turnpike Troubadours, Counting Crows, Lord Huron, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam and Elle King, transforming the historical race track grounds into two days of music and curated bourbon and equine experiences that celebrate the spirit of Kentucky.
Two-day and one-day General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum presale tickets are available now. GA+ tickets provide access to the GA+ Lounge that features air-conditioned restrooms, a private bar with drinks and complimentary water and a dedicated GA+ Concierge to assist with festival needs. VIP tickets include unlimited access to the VIP Lounge with air-conditioned restrooms, private bar with drinks and complimentary water, preferred viewing areas at the two main stages and more.
Platinum tickets include all VIP amenities plus unlimited access to the Platinum Lounge that includes a complimentary full-service bar and all-day complimentary dining, golf cart transportation between stages and more. New in 2024, the two-person Superfecta package features all Platinum amenities plus on-stage viewing opportunities, reserved prime parking, an invitation to a special pre-festival tour on Friday evening with bites and drinks included and more. For more information, click here.
RIAA Introduces Class Of 2023, 57 Artists Earn First-Time Certifications
/by LB CantrellPhoto: Courtesy of RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has revealed its Class of 2023, recognizing 57 breakout artists who earned their first Gold and Platinum certifications this past year with a list spanning three albums and 48 singles. The organization also shared its Year-End list of overall certifications.
“This is truly one of our favorite times of the year–the chance to commemorate extraordinary firsts! This kind of certification represents the incredible connection between artists, record labels, creative partners and fans. We are continually amazed by the unique talents who break through and are honored to recognize the RIAA Class Of 2023 … we can’t wait to celebrate their next big milestones!” says RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne.
Double-Platinum “Fast Car” earned Luke Combs the highest certified country single and most titles in the genre on the Year-End list. Combs album Gettin’ Old was also certified Gold,
as were singles “5 Leaf Clover” and “Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old.” “Love You Anyway” nabbed a Platinum certification.
Jordan Davis’ Bluebird Days was certified Gold, as was Zach Byan‘s self-titled album. See the full list of 2023 certifications here.
On the Class of 2023 list are Megan Moroney (“Tennessee Orange,” certified double Platinum), Hailey Whitters (“Everything She Ain’t,” certified Platinum), Katelyn Brown (“Thank God,” certified double Platinum), Ian Munsick (“Long Live Cowgirls,” certified Gold), Bryan Martin (“We Ride,” certified Gold), David Morris (“Dutton Ranch Freestyle,” certified Gold) and Wyatt Flores (“Please Don’t Go,” certified Gold).
Moroney has the highest solo certification in the country genre with double-Platinum single “Tennessee Orange.”
“Getting my first Platinum plaque was such a huge milestone for me and being surprised onstage in Nashville with my first double-Platinum plaque was surreal. This wouldn’t be possible without my fans and I am so thankful for them and their support,” Moroney tells MusicRow.
Munsick shares, “The RIAA is the epitome of quality in recorded music and for me to be a small part of the class of 2023 is a huge, huge honor. I’ve been making my own music for ten years now and to be a part of this club has just proven to me that anything is possible. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. Long live country and western music!”
See the full Class of 2023 here.
Brenda Lee Gets Her Flowers For Her Enduring Christmas Classic [Interview]
/by LB CantrellBrenda Lee performs on Christmas at the Opry. Photo: Allen Clark/NBC
Rock & Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating the 65th anniversary of her iconic holiday hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” this year.
Written by Johnny Marks, Lee’s label Decca Records released the hit when she was only 13 years old. Now, 65 years later, it has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever, causing Lee to break several records, many of which were held by Mariah Carey and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” With the feat, “Rockin'” is only the third holiday song to hit No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Lee recently spoke to MusicRow about the staying power of the song and her experience as its shepherd.
“I never thought a Christmas song would be my signature song,” she says. Lee shares that she loved Marks’ song as soon as she heard it, noting that it wasn’t like other Christmas songs. She says Owen Bradley‘s swanky production of the track gave it its cool-factor, making it stand out from other holiday tunes.
“The first time I heard it, I really did love it. The funny thing about it is that Johnny Marks was Jewish, and the only thing that would come out of his body was Christmas songs!” Lee quips. “I said to him once, ‘Johnny, what does that mean?'”
Lee says that though “Rockin'” was always a fan favorite, its prevalent use on the 1990 Home Alone film pushed it into the zeitgeist.
“I remember the first phone call I got [about it]. They said, ‘Brenda, did you know your song is in Home Alone?’ I was like, ‘What is Home Alone?’ That’s when I knew it might just be something.”
Brenda Lee. Photo: Alexa King Stone
And she was right. “Rockin'” has endured the test of time. Now that it has topped the Hot 100 chart, the song has made Lee the record-holder for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at No.1 on the Hot 100, as her first No. 1 was her single “I’m Sorry” in 1960, 63 years ago. Now, at almost 79-years-old, Lee is also the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher (“Believe,” age 52) and Carey (“All I Want for Christmas Is You,” age 53).
Recently, UMG Nashville presented Lee with a special plaque signifying its five-time Platinum certification.
Lee says that even at a show in the middle of June, she has to play it. But she is grateful that it has impacted generations of fans.
To celebrate the 65th anniversary of “Rockin’,” Lee made a music video for the tune featuring cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. She also released a new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, featuring the hit and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.
She also performed the hit on the NBC television special Christmas at the Opry, which aired yesterday (Dec. 7) and is streaming today on Peacock.
“It’s my time of year,” Lee quips. “That’s the thing about a Christmas song if it ever gets to be a hit.”
When reflecting on the success of “Rockin'” 65 years later, Lee says, “Thank you to the team at UMG/UMe who worked so hard to celebrate the song’s anniversary this year. But most importantly, thank you to the fans who keep listening. The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate—it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!”
Louis York To Headline Holiday Benefit Concert At Belmont’s Fisher Center
/by Liza AndersonLouis York, the R&B duo comprised of Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly, will star in “Hope For The Holidays: An Evening With Louis York & Friends” on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
The two performers, writers and producers have accumulated accolades for their work with Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and more.
Presented by True West Foundation, the benefit will be hosted by WSM Radio/Amazon Music’s Kelly Sutton and include a variety of performances by Ari Afsar, Jay Allen, Charles Esten, Megan Linsey, The Shindellas, Cade Thompson and Twinnie, with special appearances by poet Steve Connell, singer-songwriter and actress Kathie Lee Gifford and U.S. Olympian and philanthropist Scott Hamilton.
“Hope For The Holidays: An Evening With Louis York & Friends” is sponsored by First Bank, The Inspire Foundation and Aetna, and will benefit Nashville Peacemakers, Alzheimer’s Association, The Onsite Foundation and Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation.
The event will also provide on-site resources that promote healing and inclusion during a season that is often difficult for many. The goal for this interactive holiday benefit is to have the audience feel seen, valued and cared for. For more information, click here.