Jerry Kennedy. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Jerry Kennedy, one of the great Nashville record men, has died at age 85.
He was a consummate guitarist, producer, songwriter and record executive. Kennedy was a key figure in the creation and development of the Nashville Sound. He produced classic records by Country Music Hall of Fame members Roger Miller, The Statler Brothers, Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom T. Hall. He was the chief of Mercury Records on Music Row in 1969-84.
As an instrumentalist, Kennedy was heard on Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde LP (1966), as the driving guitar lick on Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” (1964), on the dobro passages that answer Jeannie C. Riley’s vocal on “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (1968) and in the distinctive guitar intro of Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” (1968), among many other immortal Nashville records.
Born Jerry Glenn Kennedy, he was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a child prodigy who was signed by RCA at age 11. By age 16, he was a staff guitarist on the city’s famed Louisiana Hayride country show. He backed Faron Young, Johnny Horton, and the show’s other stars. He also began to record, backing blues artists Jimmy McCracklin and Guitar Junior on discs.
Encouraged by promotion man Shelby Singleton, Jerry Kennedy moved to Nashville in 1961 to become a session musician. In 1963, he became Singleton’s assistant at Mercury.
But he continued to work as a picker on recording sessions by Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Stonewall Jackson and George Jones, among others. His earliest Nashville success was backing Rex Allen on the 1962 hit “Don’t Go Near the Indians.” His work backing Elvis Presley included 1962’s “Good Luck Charm.” He was also in the band as well as the producer’s chair for “King of the Road” and the other hits that earned Roger Miller 11 Grammy Awards in 1964-65. His works with Orbison, Wynette, Riley and Dylan were also during this period of his career.
Singleton kept promoting Kennedy at Mercury. Jerry Kennedy became the head of the Nashville label in 1969. In that role, he discovered McEntire and signed her to her first major-label contract (1976). He also launched the career of Tex/Mex stylist Johnny Rodriguez (1972). He brought Tom T. Hall to fame. Kennedy’s productions guided Jerry Lee Lewis’s transition from rock to country and found him such song hits as “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous” and “Another Place, Another Time.”
His other Mercury roster artists included Patti Page, Bobby Bare, Brook Benton, Leroy Van Dyke, Ray Stevens, Roy Drusky, George Burns, Charlie Rich, Dave Dudley, Faron Young and Mickey Newbury. Jerry Kennedy also recorded seven instrumental albums, himself.
In 1984, he formed JK Productions. Under this imprimatur, he continued to produce Hall and the Statlers, as well as new clients such as The Maines Brothers and Connie Smith. In 1984-89 he produced a string of hits for Mel McDaniel on Capitol Records. Jerry Kennedy was noted for his low-key, easy-going manner as a studio professional.
“Jerry Kennedy was soft-spoken and understated, but his permanent impact on American music was anything but quiet,” eulogized CEO Kyle Young of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1992, Kennedy was presented with the Nashville Entertainment Association’s Master Award. Jerry Kennedy was an inaugural inductee into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007, and the museum’s theater is named in his honor. In 2008, he was saluted in the “Nashville Cats” series presented by the Country Music Hall of Fame. During his career, he earned four Grammy Awards as a producer.
Son Bryan Kennedy became the opening act for Garth Brooks on tour and cowrote the superstar’s hits “American Honky Tonk Bar Association,” “Beaches of Cheyenne” and “Good Ride Cowboy.” He co-wrote and starred in the popular musical Toe Roaster.
Son Shelby Kennedy became an ASCAP executive, a record producer and the writer of songs recorded by Ray Charles, Randy Howard and others. He co-wrote “I’m a Survivor,” the theme song of the long-running TV sitcom Reba. He was also an executive at Lyric Street Records. He has sung backup on records by Jamey Johnson, Mila Mason, Mel McDaniel, Ashton Shepherd, Boxcar Willie and Johnny Rodriguez. He helped to launch the careers of SheDaisy and Alan Jackson.
Son Gordon Kennedy was a member of the CCM band WhiteHeart and co-wrote Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” which won the 1996 Song of the Year Grammy Award. Gordon Kennedy’s songs have also been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Frampton, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Charlie Daniels and others.
Jerry Kennedy passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 7 at 7 p.m. CT at Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom (5724 River Rd, Nashville, TN 37209).
Parmalee Toasts To Sixth Chart Topper With ‘Cowgirl’ No. 1 Party
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R, back row): Rusty Gaston, Vaughn Rowsell, David Fanning, Shannon Sanders, Peter Daniel Newman, John Ozier, Robbie Jay, Kari Barnhart, Stan Marczewski, Ryan Farley and Adrian Michaels. (L-R, front row): Josh McSwain, Matt Thomas, Barry Knox and Scott Thomas. Photo: Katie Mathis for BMI
Parmalee gathered friends, family and the Nashville music industry yesterday (Feb. 12) at PBR Nashville to celebrate the band’s sixth No. 1, “Cowgirl.”
The single marks the group’s fifth consecutive hit.
The event was hosted by BMI’s Shannon Sanders, celebrating writers and producers Matt Thomas, Scott Thomas, Barry Knox, Josh McSwain, David Fanning, Robbie Jay and Peter Daniel Newman.
Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, VaughnCo Entertainment’s Vaughn Rowsell, Reservoir’s John Ozier, Stoney Creek Records’ Stan Marczewski and Cooking Vinyl’s Ryan Farley each took the microphone to honor the teams behind the songs.
Many spoke of the song’s unconventional path to success, noting that it began as a Zoom co-write between writers in different countries before ultimately earning a place on Parmalee’s Fell In Love With A Cowgirl album.
It spent four weeks atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart, marking the longest-leading hit by a group of three or more members in nearly 14 years, and two weeks at No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart. With the milestone, Parmalee became the only band in the past year to earn multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.
Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Parmalee and the songwriters in support of the Mental Health Initiative.
The writers and the band each expressed their gratitude for one another, as well as for the teams who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help propel the song to the top.
Photo: Katie Mathis for BMI
Eric Church’s ‘Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive (Official Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ Out Today
/by Lorie HollabaughFans at home can experience the magic of Eric Church‘s live show with today’s release of Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) via MCA.
The 19-track live album compliments the IMAX exclusive theater release of Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive, with tickets to the remaining Feb. 14 showing of the limited engagement available now via IMAX.com/EricChurch. Both the concert film and the companion album (the first live album ever recorded at The Pinnacle in Nashville) showcase Church performing his eighth studio album front-to-back before transitioning into select hits, all reimagined with a six-piece band, horns, strings, and an eight-piece choir.
“The thing about the IMAX film is it freezes a moment in time. I’m going to get older; those fans are going to get older, but we froze that moment in time forever musically,” Church shared on CBS Mornings earlier this week. “If I want to watch a sporting event tonight…if I want to go to the game, that’s great. If I don’t, I’m going to watch it on television. You can’t do that with concerts, right? I can’t just tune in to who’s playing in Cleveland tonight. So, concerts are a little bit different that way, and that’s why the IMAX film mattered.”
The film and live album arrive as Church continues his “Free the Machine Tour” with upcoming dates in Albany, Little Rock, Kansas City, St. Louis, Fort Worth, and more.
Gaither Music Group Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary With Capitol CMG & 10 Billion Stream Mark
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Brad O’Donnell, President CCMG; Bill Gaither; Gloria Gaither and Paul Sizelove, President Gaither Music Group
Executives and staff from Gaither Music Group and Capitol CMG gathered in Nashville in December to celebrate two major benchmarks in a shared journey: 30 years of partnership and more than 10 billion streams across the Gaither music brand.
The morning was a reflection on what can happen when a decades-long relationship keeps finding new ways to serve listeners across multiple
“For more than 30 years, our partnership with Gaither Music has been built on a shared commitment to music that brings people together across generations and around the world,” says Brad O’Donnell, President of Capitol Christian Music Group. “We’re grateful for what we’ve accomplished together and excited about what’s ahead.”
“I’ve been blessed to be part of this for 30 years. We create and build community by partnering with artists, ministries, musicians, and songwriters,” says Paul Sizelove, President of Sun Label Group. “Our partnership with CCMG has brought our music to the world.”
The Gaithers’ legacy has carried on not only through songwriting, but through an unmistakable commitment to production and community-building. From the Gaither Homecoming phenomenon, which helped redefine how gospel music could be presented on screen and stages around the world, to their work developing and celebrating artists across the broader Christian and gospel landscape, the Gaithers have remained
In 2000, the Gaithers were named “Songwriters of the Century” by ASCAP. Collectively, Bill and Gloria Gaither have earned eight Grammys and more than a dozen Grammy nominations, along with more than 44 GMA Dove Awards. They are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in recent years their audience has continued to expand through Gaither Music’s digital channels (amassing more than four billion views on its YouTube channel), as well as new platforms like Bill Gaither’s enLighten on SiriusXM.
“With God’s strange sense of humor, this whole thing happened,” says Bill Gaither. “All I am is a cook in the kitchen. To have any claim on the success of this would not be honest. There are many people who are involved in [the process].”
“I still believe that when I write a song and shoot it into the air, I have no idea where it’s going to land and what life it’s going to change,” says Gloria Gaither. “We hear from folks all over the planet who tell us, ‘That arrow landed in my heart.’ I believe in art. After the debates are done, and the news is turned off… art will still speak.”
Boots And Hearts West Unveils Additional Artists For Inaugural Festival Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughBoots and Hearts West has announced additions to the 2026 lineup of artists set to perform across two stages this summer Aug. 28-29 at Fan Park at @ ICE District in Edmonton.
Joining previously announced headliners Russell Dickerson and Shaboozey are Friday’s lineup of Max McNown, Tyler Joe Miller, Kalsey Kulyk and Dawson Gray. Saturday will feature Midland, Thelma & James, Zach McPhee and Brock Phillips. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.
“Seeing Boots and Hearts West continue to take shape with our partners at OEGSE is incredibly exciting,” says Eva Dunford, Co-Founder of Republic Live. “This lineup builds on the energy we’re bringing to Edmonton and reflects our commitment to a thoughtfully curated festival experience. From the artists to the setting at ICE District, we can’t wait to see BootsLife come alive in the West and create two unforgettable days of live music this summer.”
Tickets are available for sale exclusively at bootsandheartswest.com, and fans can take advantage of flexible payment options through PayPal or Klarna. Additional festival details will be shared in the coming months.
Thomas Rhett & Jordan Davis Top The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeThomas Rhett reaches the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart alongside Jordan Davis with their song, “Ain’t A Bad Life.”
The track comes off of the deluxe version of his latest album About a Woman and was written by Rhett, Ashley Gorley, John Byron, Mark Trussell and Blake Pendergrass.
Rhett will soon be on the road supporting Morgan Wallen on select dates during his “Still The Problem Tour” starting Apr. 10 and running through Aug. 15.
“Ain’t A Bad Life” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
CMA Opens CEO Applications
/by Madison HahnenThe CMA Board of Directors have formed a search committee, which will work with Buffkin Baker to review all applicants’ resumes. All applications will be treated with complete discretion and kept in strict confidence during the search process. Any questions about the position can be sent here.
The CEO will be responsible for making organizational decisions, managing overall operations and working with the Board of Directors to establish the organization’s strategic direction. The CEO should exhibit tenacity, engagement and passion for furthering CMA’s mission to heighten the awareness of Country Music and support its on-going growth, both domestically and internationally. They also serve as the public face of the organization and represent CMA in the community. This position is based in Nashville, TN.
A full summary of the position, essential functions and qualifications, can be found here.
Jackson Dean’s Latest Project ‘Magnolia Sage’ On Tap For April
/by Lorie HollabaughJackson Dean has announced his third studio album, Magnolia Sage, is set for release on April 24.
A new single from the project, “Wildfire,” is out today. The track centers on themes of love and vulnerability within a relationship, and was penned by Dean alongside Luke Dick, Josh Miller, Josh Thompson and Chris Tompkins.
Magnolia Sage is an eclectic collection of songs with a story that is told through two distinct lenses, with each of the songs fitting into one of the two worlds: Magnolia or Sage.
“Magnolia is soulful. Magnolia is the soft touch of someone else’s hand on yours. Magnolia is a Maryland beach. Magnolia is something easy,” Dean recently shared on social media. “Sage is western. Sage is the wild in Wyoming. Sage is rust and a crow on a fence post. Sage is the wind in your face.”
Previously released songs from the 11-track album include “Be Your Man,” “Make A Liar” and “Over And Over.” Other writers contributing to the new collection include Tucker Beathard, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dan Isbell, and more.
The announcement of Magnolia Sage comes on the heels of Dean landing his second career No. 1 with “Heavens To Betsy” at the end of 2025 and releasing his new single “Make A Liar” in January. Next month, he’ll travel to Europe to perform at C2C Berlin before co-hosting C2C UK 2026 alongside radio personality Bob Harris in London.
Magnolia Sage Track List:
1. “Blacktop Blues” (Jackson Dean, Tucker Beathard, Jimi Bell, Luke Dick)
2. “Make A Liar” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Randy Montana)
3. “Be Your Man” (Jackson Dean, Rodney Clawson, Luke Dick)
4. “5th Of July” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick)
5. “Tennessee Moon” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Jessie Jo Dillon)
6. “Over And Over” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Laura Veltz)
7. “Hey Mississippi” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Jessie Jo Dillon)
8. “Something Easy” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby)
9. “Wildfire” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Josh Miller, Josh Thompson, Chris Tompkins)
10. “Dust On A Dirt Road” (Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Jon Decious)
11. “Heart On The Range” (Jackson Dean, Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith, Dan Isbell)
Lineup Unveiled For ‘Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat’ At CRS 2026
/by Madison HahnenCRS has revealed the lineup for “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat” at CRS 2026. Parker McCollum will headline this year’s showcase, with additional performances from Max McNown, Cater Faith and Zach John King.
“‘Country Heat’ has always been about championing the artists shaping where country music is headed next,” says Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Global Head of Country Music at Amazon Music. “Bringing Parker, Max, Carter, and Zach together for CRS reflects the strength and diversity of the genre today. We’re excited to give fans and the industry the opportunity to experience these artists in an intimate setting during one of country music’s most important weeks.”
Country Heat is Amazon Music’s flagship country music brand, bringing the “Country Heat” playlist, the Country Heat Weekly podcast, and live events. Country Heat showcases today’s biggest hits while spotlighting developing artists.
The Amazon Music Country Heat CRS Showcase will take place on March 18 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. in the Broadway Performance Hall at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Musician/Producer/Exec Jerry Kennedy Passes
/by Robert K OermannJerry Kennedy. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Jerry Kennedy, one of the great Nashville record men, has died at age 85.
He was a consummate guitarist, producer, songwriter and record executive. Kennedy was a key figure in the creation and development of the Nashville Sound. He produced classic records by Country Music Hall of Fame members Roger Miller, The Statler Brothers, Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom T. Hall. He was the chief of Mercury Records on Music Row in 1969-84.
As an instrumentalist, Kennedy was heard on Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde LP (1966), as the driving guitar lick on Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” (1964), on the dobro passages that answer Jeannie C. Riley’s vocal on “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (1968) and in the distinctive guitar intro of Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” (1968), among many other immortal Nashville records.
Born Jerry Glenn Kennedy, he was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a child prodigy who was signed by RCA at age 11. By age 16, he was a staff guitarist on the city’s famed Louisiana Hayride country show. He backed Faron Young, Johnny Horton, and the show’s other stars. He also began to record, backing blues artists Jimmy McCracklin and Guitar Junior on discs.
Encouraged by promotion man Shelby Singleton, Jerry Kennedy moved to Nashville in 1961 to become a session musician. In 1963, he became Singleton’s assistant at Mercury.
But he continued to work as a picker on recording sessions by Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, Stonewall Jackson and George Jones, among others. His earliest Nashville success was backing Rex Allen on the 1962 hit “Don’t Go Near the Indians.” His work backing Elvis Presley included 1962’s “Good Luck Charm.” He was also in the band as well as the producer’s chair for “King of the Road” and the other hits that earned Roger Miller 11 Grammy Awards in 1964-65. His works with Orbison, Wynette, Riley and Dylan were also during this period of his career.
Singleton kept promoting Kennedy at Mercury. Jerry Kennedy became the head of the Nashville label in 1969. In that role, he discovered McEntire and signed her to her first major-label contract (1976). He also launched the career of Tex/Mex stylist Johnny Rodriguez (1972). He brought Tom T. Hall to fame. Kennedy’s productions guided Jerry Lee Lewis’s transition from rock to country and found him such song hits as “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous” and “Another Place, Another Time.”
His other Mercury roster artists included Patti Page, Bobby Bare, Brook Benton, Leroy Van Dyke, Ray Stevens, Roy Drusky, George Burns, Charlie Rich, Dave Dudley, Faron Young and Mickey Newbury. Jerry Kennedy also recorded seven instrumental albums, himself.
In 1984, he formed JK Productions. Under this imprimatur, he continued to produce Hall and the Statlers, as well as new clients such as The Maines Brothers and Connie Smith. In 1984-89 he produced a string of hits for Mel McDaniel on Capitol Records. Jerry Kennedy was noted for his low-key, easy-going manner as a studio professional.
“Jerry Kennedy was soft-spoken and understated, but his permanent impact on American music was anything but quiet,” eulogized CEO Kyle Young of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1992, Kennedy was presented with the Nashville Entertainment Association’s Master Award. Jerry Kennedy was an inaugural inductee into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007, and the museum’s theater is named in his honor. In 2008, he was saluted in the “Nashville Cats” series presented by the Country Music Hall of Fame. During his career, he earned four Grammy Awards as a producer.
Son Bryan Kennedy became the opening act for Garth Brooks on tour and cowrote the superstar’s hits “American Honky Tonk Bar Association,” “Beaches of Cheyenne” and “Good Ride Cowboy.” He co-wrote and starred in the popular musical Toe Roaster.
Son Shelby Kennedy became an ASCAP executive, a record producer and the writer of songs recorded by Ray Charles, Randy Howard and others. He co-wrote “I’m a Survivor,” the theme song of the long-running TV sitcom Reba. He was also an executive at Lyric Street Records. He has sung backup on records by Jamey Johnson, Mila Mason, Mel McDaniel, Ashton Shepherd, Boxcar Willie and Johnny Rodriguez. He helped to launch the careers of SheDaisy and Alan Jackson.
Son Gordon Kennedy was a member of the CCM band WhiteHeart and co-wrote Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” which won the 1996 Song of the Year Grammy Award. Gordon Kennedy’s songs have also been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Frampton, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Charlie Daniels and others.
Jerry Kennedy passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 7 at 7 p.m. CT at Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom (5724 River Rd, Nashville, TN 37209).
Mary Kutter Inks With BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R, front row): Peter Strickland, JoJamie Hahr, Mary Kutter, Jon Loba and Adrian Michaels. (L-R, back row): Steven Fuller, Charlie Pennachio, Jacob Summers, and Marc Oswald. Photo: Kevin Grace
Mary Kutter has inked with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.
The Kentucky native has earned charting cuts by Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, and Zach John King. She has amassed over one million followers across platforms.
In celebration of the announcement, Kutter has released her newest track, “Bed of Roses.” Kutter wrote the song alongside John Frank and Tom Pino, and it was produced by Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy.
“‘Bed of Roses’ lives in the kind of storytelling country I grew up loving,” says Kutter. “I love songs that make you lean in, raise an eyebrow, and maybe laugh at the wrong moment. This song has teeth. It’s playful with its dark humor, and it doesn’t ask permission. Those are the songs that made me fall in love with this genre in the first place.”
Kutter is slated to play a run of festival shows later this year.