Wasserman Music Celebrates AmericanaFest
Wasserman Music staff. Photo: Jeremy Harris
Wasserman Music hosted staff, friends and clients at their second annual AmericanaFest party last week.
Wasserman Music artists showed out during the week-long festival, which included the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday evening (Sept. 27). The event featured performances by Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Margo Price, The Milk Carton Kids, Nickel Creek and Noah Kahan, and Wasserman Music walked away with four award wins: Russell for Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music Award, Billy Strings for Artist of the Year, Nickel Creek for Trailblazer Award and Tyler Childers for Album of the Year (Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?).
CMHOF Honors Merle Travis With Special Conversation & Performance
Pictured (L-R): Eddie Pennington, Cindy Travis, Tommy Emmanuel, Merlene Travis-Maggini, Dave Paulson and Deke Dickerson. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Merle Travis with a special conversation and performance this past weekend.
Presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association and hosted by the museum’s Writer-Editor Dave Paulson, the event explored the musician’s life, work and legacy with Deke Dickerson, co-author of the 2022 book Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story, master guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Eddie Pennington as well as Travis’s daughters Cindy Travis and Merlene Travis-Maggini.
Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story paints a vivid portrait of the guitar innovator and hit songwriter. Using a trove of unearthed autobiographical writings left by Travis, Dickerson traces his journey from Kentucky coal country to his high standing among country music’s most influential guitarists.
In addition to being an author, Dickerson is a guitarist and historian who has released over twenty albums, both on his own and with projects such as Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics.
Emmanuel is one of the world’s premier acoustic guitarists and one of only five people to be named a “Certified Guitar Player (CGP)” by his musical hero Chet Atkins, and often plays Travis’ work in concert. Pennington is a lifelong disciple of “Travis Picking” and other thumbpicking styles and has called Travis his greatest hero.
Cindy, Travis’ youngest daughter, was a production assistant for a PBS series and is now an interior decorator living on the east coast. Merlene, Travis’ middle daughter, recently retired from Sony Pictures Entertainment after a 39-year career in music publishing and currently resides in California. Both daughters maintain their dedication to keeping their father’s legacy alive.
Equal Access Program Takes The Stage At City Winery Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Angie K, Adam Mac, Denitia, Chely Wright, Valerie Ponzio, Nick Tabron, Camille Parker, Fancy Hagood, Sam Williams and Dalton Dover. Photo: Collette Badora
The Equal Access Development Program, the artist and management training initiative helmed by CMT and management services company Mtheory, held a showcase featuring program participants and special guests on Tuesday night (Sept. 26) at City Winery Nashville.
Equal Access offers funding and training, and provides the rising artists and management professionals with access to industry leaders, helping to ensure a multi-faceted pipeline of diverse, creative talent in country music.
Hosted by Chely Wright, the evening featured performances by Angie K, Camille Parker, Dalton Dover, Denitia, Fancy Hagood, Nick Tabron, Sam Williams, Adam Mac and Valerie Ponzio.
Riley Clemmons Scores First RIAA Certification
Riley Clemmons with Capitol Christian Music Group team members
Capitol Christian Music Group recently presented artist Riley Clemmons with her first RIAA plaque, recognizing the Gold certification of her single, “Fighting For Me” alongside co-writers Jordan Sapp, who also produced the tune, and Ethan Hulse at an intimate release party for her new album, Church Pew.
“Fighting For Me” was released as the lead single for her sophomore album, Godsend, and quickly became her top performing song with over 160 million worldwide streams.
“Truly, I’m just so excited and completely overwhelmed with gratitude,” shares Clemmons. “‘Fighting For Me’ was written from such a deeply personal place, so watching it resonate with so many people has been surreal. My entire team surprised me with the Gold Record plaque, and I cried like a baby. It was such a special moment. I’m so grateful for every single person on the team that worked to make this milestone possible.”
Alexandra Kay Previews Her Debut Album With TuneCore
Pictured (L-R): Hayley Roets, John Graffo, Kaitlyn O’Donnell, Alexandra Kay, Maria Ho-Burge and Kevin Cornell.
Alexandra Kay provided a sneak peak of her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, on Monday night (Sept. 25) with TuneCore.
Kay co-wrote all of the songs on the 11-track collection, set for release on Oct. 26.
Brittney Spencer Slates Debut Album ‘My Stupid Life’ For January
/by Lorie HollabaughBrittney Spencer is set to release her debut album, My Stupid Life, on Jan. 19 via Elektra. She is sharing the first track from the project, “Bigger Than The Song,” today (Sept. 29).
Written by Spencer, Jennifer Wayne and Tofer Brown, “Bigger Than The Song” is Spencer’s tribute to artists who curated the soundtrack to her life – Reba McEntire, Aretha Franklin, Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson, Dolly Parton, Beyonce, Britney Spears and more. It was penned as a celebration of the simple joys of good music, and the impact a great song can have on someone’s life. CMT and BET will air the song’s video, which is also out today, on the Viacom Times Square Billboard.
My Stupid Life’s 13 tracks are a culmination of Spencer’s experience during her time trying to “make it” in Music City, discovering herself in the process. The Baltimore native moved to Nashville ten years ago, and this album is her commitment to be unapologetically herself.
“This feels like a long time coming,” says Spencer. “It took me three years from the time I released my first EP Compassion to now to release my first album. These songs serve as my introduction to country music and I wanted to give them all the time and care that they (and my fans) deserve. I wrote a lot of songs from the back corners of my mind because I wanted to take a good, deeper look at myself and create something true to who and where I am at this time in my life. The more I put the pen to my feelings and thoughts, the more I realize I’ve heard similar sentiments throughout my life. Through making this album, I’ve learned we’re not alone in our heads, and I hope this album hugs the tiny, loud parts of our overthinking brains that sometimes need it most.”
The project features award-winning collaborators including Grace Potter, Maren Morris, Abbey Cone and Sarah Buxton, plus guitar contributions by Jason Isbell.
Next month, Spencer will make her Austin City Limits television debut as well as her debut at ACL Fest.
My Stupid Life Track Listing:
1. “New To This Town” (Brittney Spencer)
2. “I Got Time” (Spencer, Jessica Cayne, Nate Campany, Emily Reid)
3. “Night In (Phone Call)”
4. “Night In” (Spencer, Cayne, Summer Overstreet)
5. “Bigger Than The Song” (Spencer, Jennifer Anne Wayne, Tofer Brown)
6. “My First Rodeo” (Spencer, Cayne, Sean Douglas, Zach Skelton)
7. “The Last Time” (Spencer, Sean McConnell, Sarah Buxton)
8. “Deeper” (Spencer, Tayla Parx, Gustav Landell)
9. “First Car Feeling” (Spencer, Cayne, Kat Higgins)
10. “Desperate” (Spencer, Emily Falvey, Mikey Reeves)
11. “If You Say So” (Spencer)
12. “My Stupid Life” (Spencer, James Brock Human, McConnell)
13. “Reaching Out” (Spencer, Joe Kirkland)
Dylan Scott Earns MusicRow No. 1 With ‘Can’t Have Mine’
/by LB CantrellDylan Scott tops the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “Can’t Have Mine,” jumping from No. 4 to No. 1.
Scott co-wrote the tune with Matt Alderman, Josh Melton and Dallas Wilson. The romantic ballad written for Scott’s wife is the second single from his latest LP, Livin’ My Best Life.
With career streams exceeding 2 billion, Scott recently earned a nomination for ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year. He will hit the road this fall for his headlining “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us Tour,” named after his latest release, which pays homage to his hometown of Bastrop, Louisiana.
“Can’t Have Mine” currently sits at No. 15 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 10 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle Among Winners At 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings took home the title of Entertainer of the Year for the third time in a row at the 34th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards last night (Sept. 28) at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Other big winners at the show, hosted by Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle, included The Travelin’ McCourys, who were named Instrumental Group of the Year, Authentic Unlimited, who won Vocal Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year, and Tuttle herself, who received Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year honors for Crooked Tree.
Previously announced Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame honorees Sam Bush, Wilma Lee Cooper, and David Grisman were also honored during the show, which aired on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction channel and was livestreamed on IBMA’s Facebook Live.
2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Billy Strings
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Authentic Unlimited
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Travelin’ McCourys
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Crooked Tree” – Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
Written by Molly Tuttle/ Melody Walker
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Crooked Tree – Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
GOSPEL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “The Scarlet Red Lines” – Larry Sparks
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Kissimmee Kid” – Jason Carter
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Authentic Unlimited
COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: “Alberta Bound” – Special Consensus with Patrick Sauber, Ray Legere, John Reischman, Trisha Gagnon, Claire Lynch, Pharis & Jason Romero
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Molly Tuttle
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Greg Blake
BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kristin Scott Benson
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Vickie Vaughn
RESOPHONIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justin Moses
FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jason Carter
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Trey Hensley
MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sierra Hull
2023 People’s Choice Country Awards Winners – Complete List
/by LB CantrellToby Keith accepts the Country Icon award on stage during the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards. Photo: Mickey Bernal/NBC
The inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards took over the Grand Ole Opry last night (Sept. 28) and aired live on NBC and Peacock.
Lainey Wilson accepts The Female Artist of 2023 award on stage during the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards. Photo: Katherine Bomboy/NBC
The telecast honored country music legend Toby Keith with the Country Icon award for his decades-long career as a groundbreaking musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur. Fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton presented the award and honored him with a heartfelt performance of Keith’s hit “Who’s Your Daddy.” After he accepted the award, Keith performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Wynonna was presented with the Country Champion Award for her lasting career and heroic efforts around philanthropy and activism. Brothers Osborne presented the award to her, and she took the stage to perform her iconic hits, “I Saw the Light” and “No One Else on Earth.”
The show also featured performances from country superstars Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Hardy, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini. Click here for MusicRow‘s full recap.
Below are the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards winners:
THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF 2023
Morgan Wallen
THE MALE ARTIST OF 2023
Jelly Roll
THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2023
Lainey Wilson
THE GROUP/DUO OF 2023
Dan + Shay
THE NEW ARTIST OF 2023
Jelly Roll
THE SOCIAL COUNTRY STAR OF 2023
Blake Shelton
THE SONG OF 2023
“Need A Favor”
Jelly Roll
Songwriters: Austin Nivarel, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll, Joe Ragosta, Rob Ragosta
THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2023
“Save Me”
Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: David Stevens, Jason DeFord/Jelly Roll
THE CROSSOVER SONG OF 2023
“Just Say I’m Sorry”
P!nk, Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Alecia Moore, Chris Stapleton
THE ALBUM OF 2023
One Thing At A Time
Morgan Wallen
THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2023
“Wait In The Truck”
HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson
THE CONCERT TOUR OF 2023
Morgan Wallen: “One Night At A Time World Tour”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’
/by Robert K OermannJimmy Buffett. Photo: Julie Skarratt
It’s wall-to-wall country stars in this edition of DISClaimer.
For your listening pleasure, we present Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Lady A, Charlie Worsham and Kip Moore, Kane Brown, Lauren Alaina and Cody Johnson. And the biggest star of them all gets the Disc of the Day award. It’s Jimmy Buffett singing the most touching and uplifting song of his career. Released posthumously, it demonstrates that this troubadour was making powerful music right up until the end of his life.
Our DISCovery Award goes to Matt Schuster, whose sound is the one of the most innovative I’ve heard these days.
LARRY FLEET / “Earned It”
Writers: Larry Fleet/Connie Rae Harrington; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The title tune of Fleet’s album is a toe-tapping blue-collar anthem about being proud to be a member of the working class. Fiddles saw, guitars twang and his voice drawls with honesty. I love it that this guy is so by-gawd country. Make him the star he deserves to be.
LADY A / “Love You Back”
Writers: James McNair/Lindsay Rhimes/Emily Weisband; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: BMLG Records
– It’s kind of a snooze until the three kick in with those amazing three-part harmonies. Then it’s katy-bar-the-door. A sterling, stirring audio ride.
MASON RAMSEY / “Next Right Thing”
Writers: Mason Ramsey/Kendall Goodman/Brandon Day; Producer: Brandon Day; Label: Atlantic Records
– This 16-year-old country phenom wails with fire on this country rocker. The sound is wonderfully relentless, and he bends notes in all the right places.
KANE BROWN / “I Can Feel It”
Writers: Kane Brown/Phil Collins/Gabe Foust/Jaxson Free; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA Nashville
– I love his baritone vocal dips in the verses, and he definitely communicates lust in the soaring choruses. This one’s an upbeat banger that is going places.
CHARLIE WORSHAM & KIP MOORE / “Kiss Like You Dance”
Writers: Jon Nite/Andrew DeRoberts/Andy Albert; Producer: Jaren Johnston; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Talk about a good time. This joyous, flirtatious bopper rumbles with an outlaw beat, and both men sound like they are having big, big fun. Turn it up and stomp along.
JIMMY BUFFETT / “Bubbles Up”
Writers: Jimmy Buffett/Will Kimbrough; Producers: Michael Utley/Mac McAnally; Label: Sun Records
– Warmly philosophical and contemplative. Acoustic guitar strumming and a subtle bass heartbeat underlie Buffett’s relaxed, friendly delivery. Co-written with Nashville guitar treasure Will Kimbrough (a longtime Coral Reefer), the ballad reflects on your life’s journey and encourages optimism and hope. What a eulogy. What a gift.
LAUREN ALAINA / “Thicc As Thieves”
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Rocky Block/Jacob Durrett/Parker Welling/Luke Bryan/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Snappy and sassy. This sprightly rocker has cute lyrics as well as beats to spare and a catchy, layered-vocals production.
CODY JOHNSON / “Work Boots”
Writers: Jason Afable/Brett Beavers/Canaan Smith; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville
– The superb “The Painter” remains the single, but here’s another preview of CoJo’s Leather album, due Nov. 3. It’s a jaunty ditty that urges, “feet don’t fail me now.” Get up off your barstool and make your work boots dance with her. Crispy twanging and slurred slide notes abound.
KIMBERLY PERRY / “Fools Gold”
Writers: Kimberly Perry/Nicolle Galyon/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Records Nashville/Columbia
– Our story so far: She had country hits with her two brothers in a trio act, then decided she was going to be a pop star. That didn’t work out, so now she wants back into country music, this time as a solo. With its processed vocals and dance club beats, this doesn’t sound all that “country” to me.
DAN + SHAY / “Then Again”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Andy Albert/Jordan Reynolds/Lori McKenna; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– A heavenly listening experience—lilting, sweet, romantic, wafting and gentle. They harmonize beautifully as the reflective lyric unspools. A complete audio pleasure. The song also inspired a music video, one of eight (!) the duo has made to promote songs on their new Bigger Houses album.
DARIUS RUCKER / “Southern Comfort”
Writers: Chris LaCorte/Matt Rogers/Josh Osborne; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Uptempo and breezy, it’s an ode to the South with Allman-esque guitars and Dixie name-dropping galore. Rucker sings at the top of his range, and is extra-effective doing so. He should do it more often.
SAWYER BROWN / “Under This Old Hat”
Writer: none listed; Producer: Blake Shelton; Label: SB
– This veteran country band stars in Get Me to the Stage on Time, a documentary film that premieres this week. Produced by Blake Shelton, their comeback album features this zippy, rapid-fire-vocal rocker about living on the road. Sounding as good as ever, fellas.
MATT SCHUSTER / “Tell Me Tennessee”
Writers: Matt Schuster/Josh Dorr/Andy Albert/Lalo Guzman; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– I dig this guy’s refreshing sound. His plaintive, heartfelt tenor is backed by a jingle-jangle, pop-ish track with irresistible rhythm. The hooky bopper’s lyric calls out to a missing lover to join him in the Volunteer State. I’m definitely intrigued. Send more.
Industry Ink: Wasserman Music, Merle Travis, Equal Access, More
/by Liza AndersonWasserman Music Celebrates AmericanaFest
Wasserman Music staff. Photo: Jeremy Harris
Wasserman Music hosted staff, friends and clients at their second annual AmericanaFest party last week.
Wasserman Music artists showed out during the week-long festival, which included the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday evening (Sept. 27). The event featured performances by Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Margo Price, The Milk Carton Kids, Nickel Creek and Noah Kahan, and Wasserman Music walked away with four award wins: Russell for Spirit of Americana/Free Speech in Music Award, Billy Strings for Artist of the Year, Nickel Creek for Trailblazer Award and Tyler Childers for Album of the Year (Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?).
CMHOF Honors Merle Travis With Special Conversation & Performance
Pictured (L-R): Eddie Pennington, Cindy Travis, Tommy Emmanuel, Merlene Travis-Maggini, Dave Paulson and Deke Dickerson. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Merle Travis with a special conversation and performance this past weekend.
Presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association and hosted by the museum’s Writer-Editor Dave Paulson, the event explored the musician’s life, work and legacy with Deke Dickerson, co-author of the 2022 book Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story, master guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Eddie Pennington as well as Travis’s daughters Cindy Travis and Merlene Travis-Maggini.
Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story paints a vivid portrait of the guitar innovator and hit songwriter. Using a trove of unearthed autobiographical writings left by Travis, Dickerson traces his journey from Kentucky coal country to his high standing among country music’s most influential guitarists.
In addition to being an author, Dickerson is a guitarist and historian who has released over twenty albums, both on his own and with projects such as Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics.
Emmanuel is one of the world’s premier acoustic guitarists and one of only five people to be named a “Certified Guitar Player (CGP)” by his musical hero Chet Atkins, and often plays Travis’ work in concert. Pennington is a lifelong disciple of “Travis Picking” and other thumbpicking styles and has called Travis his greatest hero.
Cindy, Travis’ youngest daughter, was a production assistant for a PBS series and is now an interior decorator living on the east coast. Merlene, Travis’ middle daughter, recently retired from Sony Pictures Entertainment after a 39-year career in music publishing and currently resides in California. Both daughters maintain their dedication to keeping their father’s legacy alive.
Equal Access Program Takes The Stage At City Winery Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Angie K, Adam Mac, Denitia, Chely Wright, Valerie Ponzio, Nick Tabron, Camille Parker, Fancy Hagood, Sam Williams and Dalton Dover. Photo: Collette Badora
The Equal Access Development Program, the artist and management training initiative helmed by CMT and management services company Mtheory, held a showcase featuring program participants and special guests on Tuesday night (Sept. 26) at City Winery Nashville.
Equal Access offers funding and training, and provides the rising artists and management professionals with access to industry leaders, helping to ensure a multi-faceted pipeline of diverse, creative talent in country music.
Hosted by Chely Wright, the evening featured performances by Angie K, Camille Parker, Dalton Dover, Denitia, Fancy Hagood, Nick Tabron, Sam Williams, Adam Mac and Valerie Ponzio.
Riley Clemmons Scores First RIAA Certification
Riley Clemmons with Capitol Christian Music Group team members
Capitol Christian Music Group recently presented artist Riley Clemmons with her first RIAA plaque, recognizing the Gold certification of her single, “Fighting For Me” alongside co-writers Jordan Sapp, who also produced the tune, and Ethan Hulse at an intimate release party for her new album, Church Pew.
“Fighting For Me” was released as the lead single for her sophomore album, Godsend, and quickly became her top performing song with over 160 million worldwide streams.
“Truly, I’m just so excited and completely overwhelmed with gratitude,” shares Clemmons. “‘Fighting For Me’ was written from such a deeply personal place, so watching it resonate with so many people has been surreal. My entire team surprised me with the Gold Record plaque, and I cried like a baby. It was such a special moment. I’m so grateful for every single person on the team that worked to make this milestone possible.”
Alexandra Kay Previews Her Debut Album With TuneCore
Pictured (L-R): Hayley Roets, John Graffo, Kaitlyn O’Donnell, Alexandra Kay, Maria Ho-Burge and Kevin Cornell.
Alexandra Kay provided a sneak peak of her debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, on Monday night (Sept. 25) with TuneCore.
Kay co-wrote all of the songs on the 11-track collection, set for release on Oct. 26.
Shania Twain’s Multi-Platinum ‘Greatest Hits’ Makes Vinyl Debut In November
/by Lorie HollabaughShania Twain. Photo: Frédéric Thiébaud
Multiple expanded U.S. and international 2LP vinyl editions of Shania Twain’s November 2004 Greatest Hits album are set for release Nov. 17 on Mercury Nashville/UMe.
The new vinyl editions mark the first time ever that the record-breaking collection of hits will appear on vinyl. With countless chart-topping anthems, Greatest Hits is a genre-defining celebration of the queen of country pop. The album was certified by Guinness World Records as the fastest-selling hits collection by a female artist in the U.S., with first-week sales of 529,000 units, sending it well on its way to achieving global sales of over 5 million units to date.
Both the U.S. and international versions of Greatest Hits have been remastered from the original tapes, and they each now contain two additional tracks, including Twain’s latest hit “Giddy Up!” and the fan-favorite “Life’s About To Get Good.”
Greatest Hits will be released in four vinyl editions. The 2LP U.S. Version is available on 180-gram black vinyl, while the three exclusive, limited-edition 2LP versions come on 180-gram baby pink vinyl, 180-gram Coke bottle clear vinyl, and 180-gram opaque blue vinyl.
An international version of Greatest Hits will also be available which boasts the international mixes of the tracks culled from November 1997’s Come On Over, featuring the more pop-oriented production style that dialed back the country instrumentation and added other musical elements such as drum loops, keyboards and synthesizer, as opposed to the North American/U.S. mixes that were buttressed by acoustic guitars, fiddles, pedal-steel guitar and electric-guitar rock riffs.
IBMA Honors 2023 Industry Awards Recipients
/by LB CantrellThe International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the recipients of the 2023 Industry Awards, awarded today (Sept. 28) as part of this week’s IBMA World of Bluegrass.
Sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association, the 2023 IBMA Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in select categories. This year, Ned Luberecki takes home Broadcaster of the Year, Chris Jones wins Writer of the Year, Tim Stafford is Songwriter of the Year, Steve Chandler wins Sound Engineer of the Year and Grace van’t Hof is Graphic Designer of the Year. The Blue Highway Fest in Big Stone Gap, Virginia has been named Event of the Year and Radio John: The Songs of John Hartford has the Liner Notes of the Year, written by Sam Bush and Jon Weisberger.
During the Industry Awards show each year, the IBMA presents five Distinguished Achievement Awards to individuals and organizations to recognize their significant contributions to bluegrass music with its highest honor outside of induction into the Hall of Fame.
This year’s recipients of IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Awards include The Bluegrass Situation, Terry Baucom, Tom Ewing, Carl Goldstein and Red Wine.
Crook & Chase Celebrate 40-Year Anniversary With Special Programming
/by Lorie HollabaughLorianne Crook & Charlie Chase
Award-winning TV personalities Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase are celebrating four decades together this month with some special anniversary programming across the Premiere Networks / iHeart Media platforms.
The duo, who kicked off their on-air career together on Sept. 23, 1983, is honoring Nashville’s past, present, and future with curated, special editions of the The Crook & Chase Countdown. A broad array of artists are featured within the anniversary broadcasts including Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton and many more.
“George Jones became a lifelong friend, and what he told me the first time we met continues to ring true,” says Crook, who serves as President and Executive Producer for Jim Owens Entertainment. “George stated emphatically ‘Darlin, country music isn’t a fad. Ain’t ever gonna be’. Jones realized that artists will test different sounds and trends, but the heart and soul of Country Music, and the love between the artists and fans, will never waver. What a privilege it is for Charlie and me to serve as a conduit in that sacred connection.”
“We owe our success to the country music fans and the incredible artists who have given us access to their lives for the past four decades,” says Chase, who also serves as the show’s Executive Producer. “Lorianne and I never take for granted the trusted relationship both the artist community and the audience give us. We look forward to many more years of bringing the music, the conversations, and a lot of fun to listeners all over the world.”
Each week from their Music Row studios, the duo delivers their Top 30 Crook & Chase radio show, airing across 150+ radio stations, as well as their iHeart streaming channel Crook & Chase Countdown and their iHeart podcast, Crook & Chase: Nashville Chats.
Dolly Parton Announces ‘Rockstar’ Partnerships With ESPN & UT Vols
/by Caela GriffinDolly Parton has partnered with ESPN and University of Tennessee ahead of her Rockstar album release on Nov. 17.
ESPN’s Monday Night Football will also feature music from Rockstar during select weeks this season. The collaboration began in week 3 of the schedule (Sept. 25) with “Night Moves,” featuring Chris Stapleton, and then continues in week 6 (Oct. 16) with “Heartbreaker” featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
Following the album’s Nov. 17 release, Rockstar’s “Magic Man,” featuring Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese, and the album’s title track “Rockstar,” with special guest Richie Sambora, will be heard in select Monday Night Football games the remainder of the year.
“I am excited for ESPN to spotlight songs from my new Rockstar album,” says Parton. “When I decided to do a full-blown rock album after they put me in the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame, I thought it would be fun to call the album Rockstar. The athletes who give their all everyday are most definitely rock stars, and I love that these songs will be a small part of celebrating their achievements.”
Parton has also collaborated with The University of Tennessee Athletics Department for an exclusive Vols edition the much-anticipated album. The 2-CD set, available for pre-order now, will include a live version of Parton’s “Rocky Top.”
In a deal facilitated by IMG, leading game day apparel company LivyLu launched a co-branded merchandise collection with Parton and the UT Vols. The collection will be available via regional retail locations and online platforms.
“My East Tennessee roots run deep, and I am so proud to be partnering with the Vols on a line of merchandise,” says Parton. “I’ve performed ‘Rocky Top’ so many times live in my concerts through the years, and I know how much that song means to Vols fans. I am thrilled to have the chance to include my version of the song on a special edition of my new Rockstar album as part of this partnership.”
Parton has a long association with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In 2009, she delivered the commencement speech to the graduating class, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters. In both 2011 and 2014, Parton brought her world tours to the campus arena.