Brothers Osborne Slate New Self-Titled Album For September

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Brothers Osborne

Brothers Osborne are gearing up for the release of their upcoming fourth studio album, an 11-song self-titled project available Sept. 15 via EMI Records Nashville. The duo shared a track from the new project, “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet,” today.

The brothers enlisted Mike Elizondo to produce the new collection, which features a collaboration with Miranda Lambert on “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up,” as well as their chart-climbing current single “Nobody’s Nobody,” which was penned with Elizondo and Kendell Marvel and captures a message of inclusion and acceptance.

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“We’ve always had a lot of mystery intentionally around the things we have done, but with this album, we decided to be all in,” says TJ Osborne. “And doing that reminded me of what it was like when I first started playing music, when it was an outlet for my angst or just a way to have fun.”

John Osborne adds, “Since our last record, we’ve been very forthcoming with who we are. By acknowledging TJ’s personal life and my mental health struggles, we are more ourselves creatively and publicly than we’ve ever been.”

Brothers Osborne will celebrate the album release with four newly-announced shows in October, performing in New York City, L.A., Washington D.C. and Nashville. Tickets for New York and Los Angeles are on sale now, and tickets for Washington D.C. and Nashville will be available to The Family, the Brothers Osborne fan club, as an exclusive presale on July 18. General on-sale will begin on Friday, July 21.

Brothers Osborne Track Listing:
1. “Who Says You Can’t Have Everything” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard)
2. “Nobody’s Nobody” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Mike Elizondo, Kendell Marvel)
3. “Might As Well Be Me” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder, Julian Bunetta)
4. “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder)
5. “Goodbye’s Kickin’ In” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller, Mike Elizondo)
6. “Love You Too” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
7. “New Bad Habit” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
8. “We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert)
9. “Back Home” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
10. “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jaren Johnston, Lee Miller)
11. “Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day)” (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jamie Hartman)

Kane Brown Tops The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Bury Me In Georgia’

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Kane Brown‘s “Bury Me In Georgia” is at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week.

Brown co-wrote the anthemic hit with Matt McGinn, Jordan Schmidt and Josh Hoge. It appears on his third studio album, Different Man, which also contains hits “Like I Love Country Music,” “One Mississippi” and “Thank God” with Katelyn Brown.

“Bury Me In Georgia” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 10 on the Mediabase chart.

Brown recently headlined Boston’s Fenway Park, becoming the first Black artist to headline the historic ball park solo.

Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Olivia Lane Gets Morning Show On SiriusXM’s The Message [Exclusive]

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Olivia Lane

Singer-songwriter and TikTok star Olivia Lane will be joining SiriusXM as the host of The Olivia Lane Show on the Contemporary Christian channel, The Message.

The Nashville-based artist is known for documenting her transformation from a non-believer to a faithful follower and has a string of viral TikTok posts discussing her story.

The Olivia Lane Show will air Monday through Friday starting July 17 from 5 a.m.-11 a.m. CT on The Message (Channel 63) and anytime on the SXM App. Throughout the show, Lane plans to share songs and stories of encouragement along with the faith, hope and music, as it relates to her own journey that began five years ago.

The Message was the first to break her song “Woman at the Well,” and followed with heavy on-air rotation of the tune. Lane was also named as the channel’s One to Watch in 2022.

Parmalee Celebrates 10 Years Of Opry Appearances

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Pictured (L-R): JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Jenn Tressler (Opry), Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Scott Thomas; Matt Thomas; and Opry’s Jordan Petit and Dan Rogers. Photo: David Fanning

Parmalee celebrated a decade of Grand Ole Opry appearances last night (July 12) with a three-song set for the Opry crowd and a heartwarming dedication.

The band opened with their current hit “Girl In Mine,” followed by Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022 “Take My Name,” before closing with their first No. 1 smash, “Carolina.” Formed in 2001, the band includes brothers Matt (lead singer) and Scott Thomas, cousin Barry Knox and childhood friend Josh McSwain.

“You guys changed our lives with this next song, and I got to tell you a little story about it first,” Matt said of “Carolina” from the Opry stage. “We went in the studio to record the first version of this song and our ‘buddy’ who was helping us out with the money, wrote us a check to pay the studio bill, but the check bounced. So, we owed the studio guy $11,000 and the only person I felt comfortable asking to help was my mom.

“She took out a second mortgage on her little three-bedroom house and wrote a check to cover the bill. And here’s the kicker, one of those songs was ‘Carolina.’ So, we paid her back plus 20% and new car so here’s to all the momma’s and daddy’s out there supporting your babies and your dreamers y’all! I want to dedicate this to my mom!”

Following their Opry appearance, the band headed west for a weekend of shows.

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Welcomes Two New Staffers

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Ed Schulte, Katherine Palmer

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has added two new staffers. Katherine Palmer has been appointed Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement, and Ed Schulte has joined the museum as Director of Facilities.

Prior to joining the museum, Palmer most recently held the position of Curator of Education at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. She holds a doctor of musical arts degree, a master of arts in ethnomusicology and a master of music from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

In her new role, Palmer will oversee the cultural institution’s educational offerings for school, family, community and volunteer and intern populations, encompassing over 1,200 programs that serve more than 120,000 people annually. She manages the Taylor Swift Education Center, which includes three classrooms, interactive galleries and distance learning studios. Palmer also supports the museum’s education council, which is composed of board members and community experts in education, music and  equity initiatives, who advise on programming in service to diverse audiences.

Schulte formerly worked as Director of Facilities for Nickelodeon Studios Orlando and most recently served in the same role at the Nashville Zoo since 2018. He brings over 35 years of facilities management experience to the museum. In his new role, he will oversee operating systems for the museum’s more than 350,000-square-foot building, which houses gallery and collection storage spaces, retail and restaurant establishments and event and office facilities. His management oversight includes maintenance and facility improvements for the institution and its systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and more.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Hannah Dasher Creates A ‘Fabulous Sonic Slab’

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Hannah Dasher. Photo: Jeremy Ryan

Is it just me, or is there more new blood in country music than ever these days?

Vying for our attention this week are such up-and-comers as Ashley Cooke, Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, War Hippies, Hannah Dasher, Dylan Marlowe and Elvie Shane. The Disc of the Day contenders are Cooke, Shane, Chase Rice, Lukas Nelson & Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt and our winner, Hannah Dasher.

We have no actual newcomers today, but I would like to point out the presence of at least three previous DisCovery Award winners—Nate Smith, War Hippies and Hannah Dasher.

CHASE RICE / “Bad Day to Be a Cold Beer”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase Rice/John Byron/Justin Thomas; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: BBR
– Announcing THE drinking song of 2023. This rollicking romper is a working man’s anthem, a party-hearty banger and a kick-butt production all wrapped up in hillbilly delight. Turn it up.

NATE SMITH / “World On Fire”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Lindsay Rimes/Nate Smith/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Arista Nashville
– The metaphor doesn’t really work for me, but even if the lyrics are nonsense, this is a spectacularly charismatic vocal performance. The track is molten-rock hot.

HANNAH DASHER / “(I’m the One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like”
Writers: Hannah Dasher/Brandon Hood/Wynn Varble; Producers: none listed; Label: HD
– Witty, bluesy and twanging. She takes the new girlfriend aside to let her know just how intimately she knows the boy on this unreleased track. A fabulous sonic slab. I remain a massive fan.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Dirt Road When I Die”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Downbeat, borderline depressing and a little confusing. Okay, after we take you down that dirt road, what do you want us to do with your body? Bury it? Burn it? Leave it out in the sun in the back of that pickup truck?

ASHLEY COOKE / “Your Place”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music
– This lady sure can write ‘em and sing ‘em. This track from her forthcoming (July 21) debut album sets some definite boundaries for her ex. Her current situation is none of his damn bizness. This is an artist you need to be listening to.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Pretty Little Poison”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Jared Keim/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Records
– This is his upcoming album’s title tune and lead single. He sings it with passion, but the track drags and the song’s tone is unrelentingly monochromatic.

LUKAS NELSON & POTR WITH LAINEY WILSON / “More Than Friends”
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producers: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real; Label: 6 Ace Records
– His Sticks and Stones album drops tomorrow and the record-release party is tonight at The Nashville Palace. This track from it is a boatload of pleasure—two great voices, one funky country band and a hearty, good-time song. What’s not to love? Lukas gets better and better with each release, and Lainey blends with him perfectly as the icing on this cake. A breezy summer outing.

DIAMOND RIO / “The Kick”
Writers: Carson McKee/Dana Williams/Daniel Thomas Truman/James W. Olander/Marty Roe/Micah Schweinsberg; Producer: James W. Olander; Label: Rio Hot Records
– An instrumental! This is a country category that seems to have died years ago, but leave it to Diamond Rio to revive it with this sizzling jam. Drummer Brian Prout and multi-instrumentalist Gene Johnson have retired after 33 years in the band. Their replacements, Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee, more than keep pace with group mainstays Dan Truman (keyboards), Jimmy Olander (lead guitar), Dana Williams (bass) and Marty Roe (rhythm guitar) on this lively outing. A welcome return.

GIRLS NEXT DOOR / “What’s This Thing You’ve Got About Leaving”
Writers: TW Hale/Roger Murrah; Producers: TW Hale/Tom Harding; Label: Girls Next Door Music
– After an absence of 30+ years, Cindy Nixon Psanos, Diane Williams Austin, Tammy Stephens Smith and Doris King Merritt have reunited as the Girls Next Door. The quartet initially made some noise with a flurry of singles on MTM Records in the late ‘80s. The group’s comeback single is a lively, bopping, good-vibes ditty that vividly shows that their creamy harmony blend is as flawless as ever. Nicely done, all around.

SAM HUNT / “Outskirts”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers/Josh Osborne; Producers: Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– Regret, nostalgia, reflection and mourning for the love he threw away. Singing with the throttle wide open, Hunt has seldom sounded better. The song displays very classy craftsmanship. Totally a winner.

WAR HIPPIES / “The Hangman”
Writers: Donald E. Reis III/Scoot Edward Brown; Producer: Donnie Reis; Label: War Hippies
– This is a duo of military combat vets. The song is a haunting western-outlaw ballad about two lovers who are strung up, side-by-side. Complete with gunshot and galloping-horse sound effects. Imaginative, indeed.

ELVIE SHANE / “Baptized”
Writers: Elvie Shane/Dan Couch/Luke Preston/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Simmering with gospel passion, this ode to a deep and sensuous love is downright riveting. Shane is one of our most talented and distinctive newcomers. Lend the “My Boy” singer your ears once again.

Chuck Rhodes & Dr. Glenn Toby Launch The Entertainment Alliance

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Pictured (L-R): Chuck Rhodes, Dr. Glenn Toby. Photo: BMR Photography LLC

Chuck Rhodes and Dr. Glenn Toby have launched The Entertainment Alliance, a new full-service, multi-genre entertainment company headquartered in Nashville.

Headed up by Rhodes (CEO) and Dr. Toby (President), TEA will include an in-house label with global distribution via The Orchard, as well as management, publishing, booking and label services including social media and public relations.

TEA will also broker select movies, TV series, documentaries and subscription video-on-demand products. TEA’s A&R services are based in New York, with a satellite office in Atlanta. Flagship artists will be announced soon with an inaugural project release scheduled for later this year.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Rhodes migrated to L.A. in the ’70s where he began his career as a keyboard player, working with Cher, Ray Charles and many more. Returning to the Lone Star state in the ’80s, he transitioned to radio and was part of the team that made KVIL the No. 1 A/C station in America. He then moved to Nashville to work with Irving Azoff and Jimmy Bowen at MCA Records. In 1990, he helped develop Giant Records with producer James Stroud and promotion executive Nick Hunter. The team went on to produce seven No. 1 singles with Clay Walker and launch the career of the late Daryle Singletary, who Rhodes worked with for 25 years. Rhodes has also worked with Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels and the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. He currently also helms his production company, On the Rhodes Entertainment, and his record label/distribution company in partnership with Bob Frank Entertainment.

As founder/CEO of Glenn Toby Enterprises, Dr. Toby shepherds an international holding corporation with extensive ties in the real estate, technology, entertainment and sports communities. The list of artists, actors and athletes that the New York native has worked with include LL Cool J, Positive K, Rapper Saigon, Lance Reddick, Swizz Beatz, Damion Hall of Guy, actor Jason Mitchell, “Queen of House” Barbara Tucker, David Banner, and more. A noted philanthropist, Dr. Toby is also founder of The Book Bank Foundation which promotes literacy. Raised in Queens, Dr. Toby worked hard to overcome multiple challenges including homelessness. Over the years, his career expanded to encompass promoting, producing, contract negotiation, public speaking engagements and authoring books. He’s been honored with The Harvard Outstanding Man of the Year Vanguard Award, The National Urban League Leadership and Achievement Award, The Princeton University Excellence Award and has received the Congressional Proclamation of Honor.

“As we move forward with this new company, I am proudly and respectfully standing on the shoulders of those who have mentored me along the way, all legendary in their own right,” says Rhodes. “Jimmy Bowen, Nick Hunter, James Stroud, Shelia Shipley Biddy and Bob Frank just to name a few. These men and women have inspired, taught, and prepared me to take on a leadership role in this business of music and entertainment we all love.”

“Rhodes is the Clive Davis of the South whether it’s country, southern blues or soul and I’ve been involved in hip-hop, pop, R&B and dance,” explains Dr. Toby. “We don’t care about age, race or genre; we’re bringing everybody in. The fuel for this new venture is two music industry veterans that have written, arranged, produced, performed, advised and discovered talent in our more than 40 years of combined experience. We’ve been behind the curtains for so long that it’s time to come to the forefront.”

Academy Of Country Music Promotes & Adds Staffers Across Several Departments

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The Academy of Country Music has announced new hires and promotions across several departments.

Kris Reyes joins the Academy as Director, Finance & Operations. She has previous experience in Operations Accounting at TravelCenters of America, where she worked for the past two decades. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Reyes has an education in MicroComputer Applications and Business Management and received her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

Kortney Toney joins the Academy as Manager, Programming & Community Engagement. Toney has worked in the music industry in Nashville for more than a decade at Opry Entertainment Group, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Weller Media Agency, among others. She serves as a Governor of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter, has been named to the Unmanageable Board of Directors, is the former President of the Women’s Music Business Association, is an alumna of the Grammy Next program, serves on the TedX Women’s Steering Committee, and is an alumna of the inaugural Women’s Leadership Academy. Prior to joining the ACM, Toney served as a member of the inaugural ACM LEVel Up cohort, where she was instrumental in the launch of the OnRamp Program. Toney is originally from Huntsville, Alabama, and graduated from Lambuth University.

Libby Gardner has been promoted to Senior Manager, Content & Editorial. She joined the Academy full-time in 2019 as Coordinator, Creative & Content and was promoted to Manager, Content & Editorial in 2021. Gardner attended Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Television, Radio, and Film. Gardner is currently a member of SOLID’s Education Committee, a Music For Seniors Board Member, and the Events Co-Chair of the Women’s Music Business Association.

Jesse Knutson, a Seattle native with a background in TV News where he won multiple Emmy Awards, has been promoted to Senior Manager, Publicity & Media Relations. Knutson joined the Academy in January 2022 as Manager, Publicity & Media Relations and led the Academy’s publicity efforts for major live event tentpoles, including the innovative 57th and 58th ACM Awards on Prime Video, and the 15th ACM Honors show, as well as Academy and ACM Lifting Lives organizational and programmatic initiatives. Knutson previously served as a TV reporter at Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 (WTVF), Seattle’s KING 5, and Harrisburg, PA’s WHP-TV, and served as a producer at Los Angeles’ KNBC.

Haley Montgomery has been promoted to Senior Manager, Awards & Membership. She joined the Academy in 2020 as Manager, Awards & Membership after holding a variety of roles across the industry including brand partnerships, merchandise, brand development, touring, and industry relations. She is one of the founders of the Family Alliance in Music, which provides community and support to members of the industry who currently have families, serve as caretakers, or plan on building a family in the future.

A Nashville native, Taylor Wolf has been promoted to her new role, Senior Manager, ACM Lifting Lives. Wolf attended Pepperdine University in California where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She joined ACM Lifting Lives in February 2019 as Coordinator after working in the healthcare industry. Wolf was promoted to Manager of ACM Lifting Lives in 2020 and is currently serving her fourth term as Secretary of the ACM Lifting Lives Board.

Alexis Bingham has been promoted to Coordinator, Events after serving as Assistant, Events since 2021. Originally from Watkins Glen, New York, Bingham graduated from Ithaca College in December 2020, where she studied Communication, Management and Design. She was hired by the Academy as an Events intern and worked the 56th ACM Awards, 14th ACM Honors, and ACM Party for a Cause events before joining the staff full-time in October 2021.

“The past year has been a truly historic one for the Academy, with extending the ACM Awards partnership with Amazon and moving the show to the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters in Texas for its second year on Prime Video, bringing ACM Honors back to TV, moving our headquarters to Nashville and opening a world-class hub in Wedgewood Houston, and achieving record membership numbers for the Academy. The promotions announced today reflect the hard work that so many individuals put in to make the Academy stronger than it’s ever been,” says Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “Now that we’re firmly established in Nashville, we’re excited to continue to grow our team and support our staff to help fuel and further the momentum we built in 2022 and 2023 as we continue to work to further the genre, expand the audience and representation across the industry, and innovate as a leader in the country music space.”

Cannery Hall Scheduled To Re-Open Late 2023

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Brent Hyams, Zach Liff and Ray Waters review plans at the Mainstage in Cannery Hall

Nashville’s Cannery Hall is currently in the midst of construction, and the newly refurbished venue is set to open later this year.

New renderings and construction photos show highlights of the multi-million-dollar renovation which aims to create the best show experience possible for music lovers and artists. The venue will have new state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, improved sight-lines, better overall flow, new bathrooms, ample parking, enhanced back-of-house facilities and new food and beverage options.

The venue will also offer easy tour bus parking and a new luxurious backstage with updated green room facilities. The major investments to modernize and upgrade Cannery Hall have all been done while trying to preserving the unique character of the 140-year-old building and highlighting Nashville’s musical history in mind.

Construction progress at the Mainstage in Cannery Hall

“Cannery Hall will bring music back to the Station District in just a few short months,” says Zach Liff, Owner and Developer of Cannery Hall, Cummins Station and the entirety of the Station District. “Independent venues like Cannery Hall are vital to the cultural fabric of Music City. We’ll be able to take chances on local and emerging artists and help them as they grow their fanbase and play across our multiple stages during different phases of the career.”

When Cannery Hall opens next year, it will be one of the largest independent music venue in Nashville. A proud member of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), Cannery Hall’s multiple stages will be able to host musicians and audiences of varying sizes. The Row 1 Stage will hold audiences of up to 325. The Mil can play host to audiences of 625. The Mainstage will comfortably allow for audiences of up to 1,200.

The top floor of Cannery Hall is home to Amaranth, a unique special events space for up to 380 people, which is now accepting booking inquiries for summer 2023 and beyond.

Rendering of new Cannery Hall entrance

Rendering of the Amaranth Event Space Bar at Cannery Hall

Rendering of The Mainstage at Cannery Hall

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Eric Church Exhibit Opens At Hall Of Fame

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Eric Church attends the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibit “Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Chapter 674

You read it here first: Eric Church will be a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The museum’s CEO Kyle Young said so last night (July 12): “He will be in here one day,” Kyle said while standing in the Hall of Fame Rotunda.

“I have immense respect for this room we’re in,” said Eric. “I’m honored to be here….The people I love and respect are here.”

Pictured (L-R): Gibson’s Cesar Gueikian, Museum’s Lisa Purcell, Brandon Schneeberger, Museum’s Michael Gray, Museum’s Kyle Young, Eric Church, Museum’s Angela Stefano Zimmer, John Peets and Marshall Alexander. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The occasion was the opening reception for the museum’s new exhibit “Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul.” It is a career retrospective for one of country music’s most gifted contemporary artists. Church is one of the few of his generation who matches immense popularity with universal critical acclaim.

“Whenever I make a new record, I envision all my favorite albums on a wall. And I ask myself if this one I’ve just made is worthy to be hung there with them. If you look abound this room, a lot of those artists are here,” Church added, referring to the Hall of Fame plaques displayed in the Rotunda.

“This is an unbelievable honor for me.”

“It’s a pleasure to welcome you to this hallowed place,” said Kyle. “It’s a pleasure to introduce you to our latest exhibit….Eric Church has shown himself to be an artist of vision and of staying power.” He described Eric as, “uncompromising, bound and determined to do things his own way….going against the grain.” Oh, that’s when he also predicted again that Eric would one day be a Country Music Hall of Fame member. Which is indisputably the truth. I have been in the Church Choir.

The Rotunda was packed. Spotted in the throng working the room were Sarah Trahern, Tim Wipperman, Joanna Carter, Jim Horn, Jim Horner (I know, I know, they were even seated at the same table), Paul Kingsbury, Michael P. Heeney, Seab Tuck, Mike Dungan, Lisa Purcell, Mike Molinar, Derek Kupisch, Scott Perry and Walter Campbell.

Pictured (L-R): Manager John Peets and Eric Church view the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s new exhibit. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Former Nashville Public Library chief Kent Oliver reported that he’s now working with the American Library Association on intellectual freedom issues. Manager Scott Adkins is pushing The Return of Tanya Tucker, a documentary out now on all platforms. Her upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame is also bound to be a busy time for him. Another client, Bill Anderson, will celebrate on July 22 when he becomes the longest tenured Grand Ole Opry cast member in history.

Meanwhile, attendee Tony Gottlieb is launching Melody Place Records with business partner Sandy McGraw. The label will likely be the home of an all-star duets project using vocal tracks left by the late Dan Seals. Its roster also includes Sara Evans and Jackie Evancho, the young America’s Got Talent alumnus.

The cocktail supper featured shots of, naturally, Eric Church’s spirit, Whiskey JYPSI. Which was quite excellent. Very smooth. We also had roast beef medallions with horseradish, kettle chips with pimento cheese (and Mt. Olive Relish), roasted squash and eggplant slices, blackened chicken on sweet-potato rounds with salsa verde and raw veggies with sour cream. The bread pudding with Krispy Creme Donut holes was a particular crowd pleaser. The wait staff circulated with shrimp & cream cheese skewers, watermelon & mozzarella spoonfuls and BBQ & slaw on corn cakes, plus the whiskey shots.

The schmoozing had reached fever pitch by the time Kyle and Eric welcomed everyone.

“Enjoy the exhibit,” said Eric. “I’m gonna come and hang out with you.” True to his word, the star toured the exhibit with the rest of us, patiently posing for photos with attendees.

“Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul” officially opens today at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.