Jerry Bradley. Photo: Tony Brown’s book Elvis, Strait to Jesus; courtesy of Melissa Core and Rick Caballo of Dead Horse Branding
Music industry titan and Country Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Bradley has passed away at age 83. He died peacefully on Monday (July 17) in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
His 40 years of success in the record and publishing industries are unique in the Nashville music business community.
Jerry Bradley and the CMHOF’s Kyle Young at Bradley’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
As part of what is known as “The First Family of Music Row,” Jerry was the son of Nashville sound architect Owen Bradley as well as the nephew of the renowned A-Team guitarist Harold Bradley, who were both in the Hall of Fame. His late wife was the iconic Connie Bradley, who led ASCAP for three decades.
Other members of the Bradley dynasty include Jerry’s sister, longtime BMI executive Patsy Bradley, and his son, current BMI Nashville VP of Creative Clay Bradley, as well as other family members who made an impact on the music business.
Jerry Owen Bradley was born in Nashville on January 30, 1940. He was a practical jokester in his youth. When he decided to follow his dad and uncle Harold’s footsteps into the music business, after two years in the army, Jerry started working with his family’s music publishing company, Forrest Hills Music. He also started learning to engineer and produce records in his dad’s studio, Bradley’s Barn, after it was built in 1965.
Learning from his father, Jerry watched and often contributed to sessions with artists like Webb Pierce, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Gordon Lightfoot and more.
Jerry and Connie Bradley. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Coming up in the music business as Owen Bradley’s son made Jerry ache for a shot at building his own reputation. In order to make a name for himself, Jerry asked Head of RCA Nashville Chet Atkins—who was ironically Owen’s competition at the time—for a job.
Jerry came on as an assistant for Atkins in 1970, but soon found himself behind the sound board as a staff producer. A few short years later Jerry became Head of RCA Nashville in 1973.
If making a mark for himself was what Jerry yearned for, he did that and more. With Jerry at the helm from 1973 to 1983, RCA Nashville experienced its famed success with country hitmakers Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and many more. The label was heralded Label of the Year by Billboard for ten consecutive years, and launched the careers of some of country music’s most legendary stars.
“When my daddy died, my mother told me he was proud of me. He never said that but he told her that. That touches me,” Jerry told MusicRow in a 2021 interview about his family’s legacy.
One of Jerry’s early signings was Alabama, a family band from Fort Payne, Alabama. Jerry helped design the artwork for their first RCA Nashville album My Home’s in Alabama, and started their iconic trademark of Alabama spelled with a capital “A” at both the beginning and ending of the word. The now Country Music Hall of Fame members would go on to celebrate multiple Platinum and multi-Platinum albums.
Jerry Bradley and Charley Pride attend the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Another stunning success of Jerry’s was his work with Ronnie Milsap, who recorded 35 No. 1 hits for RCA Nashville. Jerry produced many of Milsap’s hits, with publisher Tom Collins co-producing some as well.
He made history while working with Charley Pride, who became one of country music’s first Black superstars. Pride recorded hits such as “Someone Loves You Honey,” “Burgers and Fries” and “Where Do I Put Her Memory” under Jerry’s supervision.
During his time at RCA, Jerry was also the force behind the renowned 1976 album, Wanted: The Outlaws, from Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser. He was meticulously involved in the imagery for the project, modeling the cover after a vintage, western wanted poster. The album became the very first country album to achieve Platinum status.
Like his father and uncle Harold, Jerry was very involved in the success of the Music Row community. He was President of the Country Music Association in 1974-1975, and was heavily involved in CMA’s annual Fan Fair (now CMA Fest).
Jerry was also known as a prankster on Music Row. Some of the many pranks he pulled were sticking spoons to his face during formal industry events while speeches were being given, and sneakily planting corn in the yards of his colleagues’ offices.
Connie and Jerry Bradley with Harold and Patsy Bradley at the Owen Bradley statue on Music Row. Photo: Courtesy of Jerry Bradley
“When country music was taking off in the Garth Brooks era, Soundscan came out and all of the sudden country music was selling more than anything else, dad grabbed me one day on a Sunday and we went and planted corn in everybody’s front lot,” Jerry’s son Clay remembers. “In about three weeks they all had corn stalks growing.”
“I took Kenny Chesney on his first ride up 16th Avenue going the wrong way telling him I was checking the corn stalks. He didn’t know what the hell I was talking about until we got up the street,” Jerry admitted.
Jerry married the late ASCAP executive, Connie Bradley, in 1979. The two were married for nearly 43 years, until Connie unexpectedly died in March of 2021. There’s no doubt the two were the ultimate Music Row power couple.
From another marriage, Jerry had two children, Leigh Jankiv and Clay Bradley, who also went on to work in the business. Jerry’s cousin Bobby Bradley Jr. is also a noted recording-studio engineer. Bobby got his start at Bradley’s Barn, and went on to work with Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Tammy Wynette, Trisha Yearwood and more at many different studios.
Jerry left RCA Nashville in 1983 and stepped into leading Opryland Music Group, which owned all the Acuff-Rose publishing catalogs. Opryland Music Group became the first Nashville publishing company to win ASCAP and BMI Song of the Year honors in 1990. Acuff-Rose has been a steady earner because of its catalog of old songs, which included the classics of Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, John D. Loudermilk, the Everly Brothers and Dallas Frazier. With a fire in his belly to elevate the company, Jerry went to work acquiring new staff, song pluggers and hit songwriters such as Dean Dillon, Casey Beathard and Kenny Chesney. Soon the Opryland Music Group was battling with the multinational corporate giants like Warner Chappell, EMI, Polygram Music and BMG.
Jerry Bradley. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Jerry retired from the music business in 2003. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019 for his incredible impact on Music Row. Jerry has mentored such successful music industry professionals as his son Clay Bradley, Troy Tomlinson and Joe Galante.
“I never lost the fact that it was fun,” Jerry shared. “I had fun.”
Jerry Bradley is predeceased by his parents Owen Bradley and Katherine Bradley; his uncles Harold Bradley, Charlie Bradley and Bobby Bradley; his aunt Ruby Strange; his wife Connie Bradley; and the mother of his two children, Gwynn Hastings Kellam.
He is survived by his sister Patsy Bradley; his children Leigh Jankiv (Rob LeBlanc) and Clay Bradley (Sara); his grandchildren Josh Jankiv (Ashley), Eli Jankiv, Emma Jankiv (Matt Acott), John Bradley and Lillian Grace Bradley; and his five great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cedar Creek Yacht Club on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. This is the place Jerry enjoyed the most. He was a 60-year member and he spent his time on Old Hickory Lake with his family and friends on the “STUDIO A” houseboat.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to Music Health Alliance.
Jon Freeman Exits Rolling Stone
/by LB CantrellJon Freeman
Nashville-based writer and editor Jon Freeman has left Rolling Stone. After more than seven years with the company, Freeman’s position was eliminated and his last day was Friday (July 14).
In addition to writing and editing for the publication, Freeman helped to oversee the Rolling Stone Country vertical. He interviewed a wide range of performers from Dolly Parton and Tim McGraw to Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlile. In 2021, Freeman wrote on multiple occasions about the wealth of LGBTQ+ voices in country and roots music.
The Alabama native began his career at MusicRow Magazine, rising from Chart Director to Managing Editor in his nearly eights years at the company. In 2012, Freeman became the Deputy Editor at Country Weekly where he stayed until he joined Rolling Stone in 2015.
In addition to Rolling Stone, his work has appeared in NPR Music, the Nashville Scene and Vinyl Me Please.
Freeman can be reached at freemanjm@gmail.com.
Country Music Hall Of Famer Jerry Bradley Passes
/by LB CantrellJerry Bradley. Photo: Tony Brown’s book Elvis, Strait to Jesus; courtesy of Melissa Core and Rick Caballo of Dead Horse Branding
Music industry titan and Country Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Bradley has passed away at age 83. He died peacefully on Monday (July 17) in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
His 40 years of success in the record and publishing industries are unique in the Nashville music business community.
Jerry Bradley and the CMHOF’s Kyle Young at Bradley’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
As part of what is known as “The First Family of Music Row,” Jerry was the son of Nashville sound architect Owen Bradley as well as the nephew of the renowned A-Team guitarist Harold Bradley, who were both in the Hall of Fame. His late wife was the iconic Connie Bradley, who led ASCAP for three decades.
Other members of the Bradley dynasty include Jerry’s sister, longtime BMI executive Patsy Bradley, and his son, current BMI Nashville VP of Creative Clay Bradley, as well as other family members who made an impact on the music business.
Jerry Owen Bradley was born in Nashville on January 30, 1940. He was a practical jokester in his youth. When he decided to follow his dad and uncle Harold’s footsteps into the music business, after two years in the army, Jerry started working with his family’s music publishing company, Forrest Hills Music. He also started learning to engineer and produce records in his dad’s studio, Bradley’s Barn, after it was built in 1965.
Learning from his father, Jerry watched and often contributed to sessions with artists like Webb Pierce, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Gordon Lightfoot and more.
Jerry and Connie Bradley. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Coming up in the music business as Owen Bradley’s son made Jerry ache for a shot at building his own reputation. In order to make a name for himself, Jerry asked Head of RCA Nashville Chet Atkins—who was ironically Owen’s competition at the time—for a job.
Jerry came on as an assistant for Atkins in 1970, but soon found himself behind the sound board as a staff producer. A few short years later Jerry became Head of RCA Nashville in 1973.
If making a mark for himself was what Jerry yearned for, he did that and more. With Jerry at the helm from 1973 to 1983, RCA Nashville experienced its famed success with country hitmakers Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and many more. The label was heralded Label of the Year by Billboard for ten consecutive years, and launched the careers of some of country music’s most legendary stars.
“When my daddy died, my mother told me he was proud of me. He never said that but he told her that. That touches me,” Jerry told MusicRow in a 2021 interview about his family’s legacy.
One of Jerry’s early signings was Alabama, a family band from Fort Payne, Alabama. Jerry helped design the artwork for their first RCA Nashville album My Home’s in Alabama, and started their iconic trademark of Alabama spelled with a capital “A” at both the beginning and ending of the word. The now Country Music Hall of Fame members would go on to celebrate multiple Platinum and multi-Platinum albums.
Jerry Bradley and Charley Pride attend the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Another stunning success of Jerry’s was his work with Ronnie Milsap, who recorded 35 No. 1 hits for RCA Nashville. Jerry produced many of Milsap’s hits, with publisher Tom Collins co-producing some as well.
He made history while working with Charley Pride, who became one of country music’s first Black superstars. Pride recorded hits such as “Someone Loves You Honey,” “Burgers and Fries” and “Where Do I Put Her Memory” under Jerry’s supervision.
During his time at RCA, Jerry was also the force behind the renowned 1976 album, Wanted: The Outlaws, from Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser. He was meticulously involved in the imagery for the project, modeling the cover after a vintage, western wanted poster. The album became the very first country album to achieve Platinum status.
Like his father and uncle Harold, Jerry was very involved in the success of the Music Row community. He was President of the Country Music Association in 1974-1975, and was heavily involved in CMA’s annual Fan Fair (now CMA Fest).
Jerry was also known as a prankster on Music Row. Some of the many pranks he pulled were sticking spoons to his face during formal industry events while speeches were being given, and sneakily planting corn in the yards of his colleagues’ offices.
Connie and Jerry Bradley with Harold and Patsy Bradley at the Owen Bradley statue on Music Row. Photo: Courtesy of Jerry Bradley
“When country music was taking off in the Garth Brooks era, Soundscan came out and all of the sudden country music was selling more than anything else, dad grabbed me one day on a Sunday and we went and planted corn in everybody’s front lot,” Jerry’s son Clay remembers. “In about three weeks they all had corn stalks growing.”
“I took Kenny Chesney on his first ride up 16th Avenue going the wrong way telling him I was checking the corn stalks. He didn’t know what the hell I was talking about until we got up the street,” Jerry admitted.
Jerry married the late ASCAP executive, Connie Bradley, in 1979. The two were married for nearly 43 years, until Connie unexpectedly died in March of 2021. There’s no doubt the two were the ultimate Music Row power couple.
From another marriage, Jerry had two children, Leigh Jankiv and Clay Bradley, who also went on to work in the business. Jerry’s cousin Bobby Bradley Jr. is also a noted recording-studio engineer. Bobby got his start at Bradley’s Barn, and went on to work with Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Tammy Wynette, Trisha Yearwood and more at many different studios.
Jerry left RCA Nashville in 1983 and stepped into leading Opryland Music Group, which owned all the Acuff-Rose publishing catalogs. Opryland Music Group became the first Nashville publishing company to win ASCAP and BMI Song of the Year honors in 1990. Acuff-Rose has been a steady earner because of its catalog of old songs, which included the classics of Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, John D. Loudermilk, the Everly Brothers and Dallas Frazier. With a fire in his belly to elevate the company, Jerry went to work acquiring new staff, song pluggers and hit songwriters such as Dean Dillon, Casey Beathard and Kenny Chesney. Soon the Opryland Music Group was battling with the multinational corporate giants like Warner Chappell, EMI, Polygram Music and BMG.
Jerry Bradley. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Jerry retired from the music business in 2003. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019 for his incredible impact on Music Row. Jerry has mentored such successful music industry professionals as his son Clay Bradley, Troy Tomlinson and Joe Galante.
“I never lost the fact that it was fun,” Jerry shared. “I had fun.”
Jerry Bradley is predeceased by his parents Owen Bradley and Katherine Bradley; his uncles Harold Bradley, Charlie Bradley and Bobby Bradley; his aunt Ruby Strange; his wife Connie Bradley; and the mother of his two children, Gwynn Hastings Kellam.
He is survived by his sister Patsy Bradley; his children Leigh Jankiv (Rob LeBlanc) and Clay Bradley (Sara); his grandchildren Josh Jankiv (Ashley), Eli Jankiv, Emma Jankiv (Matt Acott), John Bradley and Lillian Grace Bradley; and his five great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cedar Creek Yacht Club on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. This is the place Jerry enjoyed the most. He was a 60-year member and he spent his time on Old Hickory Lake with his family and friends on the “STUDIO A” houseboat.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to Music Health Alliance.
Emily Ann Roberts Just ‘Can’t Hide Country’ This September
/by Liza AndersonEmily Ann Roberts is set to release her first full-length album, Can’t Hide Country, on Sept. 22.
Recorded at Starstruck Studios and produced by Grammy winner Trent Willmon, the project features collaborations with Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, among others, and shows Roberts’ dedication to crafting authentic country music that mirrors what she grew up on. She co-wrote 12 out of the 13 tracks, which reflect on her journey as an artist and a young woman navigating life’s ups and downs through a mix of modern and classic country elements.
“My debut album, Can’t Hide Country feels like finally stepping into who you are. For years I tried to ride the line and please everyone with my music and now all I care about is being honest and sharing stories and moments that mean something real to me,” says Roberts. “If someone needs to know who I am, this record makes it plain and clear. From celebrating the little things in life, to a love beyond my wildest dreams, to anthems for all the ladies in my life about standing up for what they deserve in a relationship, to songs of encouragement to know you’ve got a reason to keep on going, this album takes you through so many emotions and seasons we face in life. I could try to be someone I’m not, but at the end of the day, no matter what I do, I can’t turn it off and I just can’t hide country.”
Additionally, The NBC’s The Voice season nine runner-up graced the Grand Ole Opry stage for the 17th time on Friday (July 14), and stopped by MusicRow in May to share her story as well as some songs featured on the forthcoming collection.
Can’t Hide Country Track Listing:
1. “Whole Lotta Little” (Emily Ann Roberts / Trent Willmon / Jeremy Spillman)
2. “Chickens” (Emily Ann Roberts / Trent Willmon / Paul Overstreet)
3. “Infinity” (Emily Ann Roberts / Stephanie Chapman)
4. “Keep On” (Emily Ann Roberts / Chris McKenna / Chase McDaniel)
5. “He Set Her Off” (Emily Ann Roberts / Parker Welling / Seth Mosely)
6. “Find Me A Man” (Emily Ann Roberts / Steve Fee / Jesse Reeves)
7. “Walkin’ Shoes” (Emily Ann Roberts / Chris Utley / Nicole Croteau / Kaylin Roberson)
8. “Out Of Sight” (Emily Ann Roberts / Jerry Salley / Mike Rogers)
9. “Loves Me For My Heart” (Emily Ann Roberts / Michael Farren / Phillip Lammonds)
10. “Devil Wears Denim” (Emily Ann Roberts / Trent Willmon / Autumn McEntire)
11. “Still Searching” (feat. Vince Gill & Ricky Skaggs) (Jerry Salley / Phillip White)
12. “Can’t Hide Country” (Emily Ann Roberts / Melissa Fuller)
13. “The Building” (Emily Ann Roberts / Michael Farren)
Logan Crosby Recounts ’23 Days In L.A.’ On New EP
/by Lorie HollabaughLogan Crosby. Photo: Marisa Braden
Country newcomer Logan Crosby has released his debut EP, 23 Days in L.A., a collection carved out of some time spent on the west coast and a whirlwind romance.
Throughout the five-song project, Crosby weaves fans through a love story that is over almost as quickly as it started. Co-written by Crosby and co-produced by Jonathan Singleton and Ben Simonetti, the 23 Days in L.A. EP kicks off with “Run Away With You,” an introduction to a rollercoaster love affair that captures the excitement of the young love and freedom of a new, addictive summer romance.
The journey continues with “Ain’t Nothin’ Like Lovin’ You,” “A Little Sunburnt, A Little Drunk,” “Whiskey Smoke,” and the title track, “23 Days in L.A.” where Crosby concedes to ending the relationship. As he recounts the memories from their time together, he reflects on the lessons learned from the whirlwind that was 23 days in L.A..
“23 Days in L.A. tells a story we’ve all been through, myself included,” shares Crosby. “You find somebody, you love them as hard as you can, and for some reason, they still walk away. Every emotion from my time in California is in this project and I hope it connects with you. Since I was four years old, all I’ve ever wanted to do was write and sing songs, so I want to thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for coming on this journey with me.”
Following his breakout success as a star of ABC’s debut season of Claim to Fame, Crosby is on the road to country stardom, and will once again join Megan Moroney as direct support this fall on her “The Lucky Tour.” Fans can also find Crosby featured on comedian Heather McMahan‘s latest episode of her “Absolutely Not” podcast.
23 Days IN L.A. Track List:
1. “Run Away With You” – (Logan Crosby, Billy Dawson, Chase McDaniel)
2. “Ain’t Nothin’ Like Lovin’ You” – (Logan Crosby, Billy Dawson, Allison Veltz Cruz, Ben Williams)
3. “A Little Sunburnt, A Little Drunk” – (Logan Crosby, Mark Holman, Jonathan Singleton)
4. “Whiskey Smoke” – (Logan Crosby, Jacob Hackworth, Gabe Foust)
5. “23 Days in L.A.” – (Logan Crosby, Allison Veltz Cruz, Jonathan Singleton)
‘All Access’ To Close Its Doors In August
/by Lorie HollabaughAllAccess.com has announced it is ceasing operations on Aug. 15 after 28 years in business.
The shuttering of the longtime radio and industry publication comes due to a marked decrease in revenues that makes moving forward impossible, according to a statement on the company’s website, which will remain online for an undetermined amount of time.
“This is without question the saddest and most heartbreaking moment of my professional life to have to tell you that AllAccess.com will cease publishing and will be going out of business,” says Founder, President/Publisher Joel Denver. “All Access began nearly 28 years ago and with the help of an amazing staff of professionals, the best in the business. We’ve weathered many changes and obstacles in the industry over these years. We’ve carved an incredible path and have taken each part of our operation to amazing levels of success through honesty, hard work, and passion for the radio industry, the music, the artists and our many readers, marketing partners, clients and our many contributing editors. Thank you all so much—we could not have done any of this without you.
“The goal has always been to provide cutting edge content for all sectors of our business. We’ve strived to provide the best and most credible Net News coverage, help people find jobs and stay connected. We have been blessed with wonderful partnerships and have created many valuable services for all parts of the radio and music businesses and have the support of nearly 100,000 active users.”
All Access has four Nashville-based staffers: Nashville Bureau Chief Phyllis Stark; Contemporary Christian Editor Todd Stach; Country Editor/Promotion Jeff Lynn; and Associate Country Editor Charese Fruge. Denver reports although the company is closing, he is not retiring from the business and will focus on new opportunities.
Industry Ink: Clint Black, Chris Lane & Riley Green, OnRamp, Mary-Clair
/by Lorie HollabaughClint Black Marks 50th Episode Of ‘Talking In Circles’
Talking In Circles With Clint Black celebrates 50th show.
Talking In Circles With Clint Black celebrated the taping of its 50th show this week. The show airs every Saturday night at 9 p.m. CT on Circle TV, immediately following the Grand Ole Opry. Now in its fourth season, the concept of Talking In Circles is similar to Inside The Actors Studio with musicians and comedians. Previous guests on the program have included Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Terry Bradshaw, Sammy Hagar, Dennis Quaid, Patricia Heaton, Kevin Nealon, Joe Bonamassa and more.
Chris Lane & Riley Green Entertain CRS Board During July Meetings
Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Board and CRS Agenda committee members with Chris Lane
Red Street Records artist Chris Lane offered an entertaining pause during the the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Board and CRS Agenda committee July planning meetings. The performance provided a nice interlude during the annual meetings, which revolve around the meticulous planning of CRS 2024. Scheduled to take place from Feb. 28 to March 1, the Omni Nashville Hotel will once again host CRS in 2024. Riley Green also offered up a few songs to break up the days during planning.
ACM & Black Music Action Coalition Host Mixer For OnRamp Program
Pictured (L-R, back row): Amari Young, Kendall Warner, Qualls, Chasidy Lauderdale, Carmen Dianne, Kim Ortiz and Nick Tabron; (L-R, middle row): ACM DEI Task Force Chair Shannon Sanders, Larysa Jaye, Tatyana Carter, Jasmine Bavaro, Erica Baker, The Kentucky Gentlemen’s Brandon Campbell and Derek Campbell and ACM CEO Damon Whiteside; (L-R, front row): Roz Malone, Dede Neahn West, Tae Lewis, Julie Williams and ACM Vice-Chair Ebie McFarland. Photo: Courtesy of ACM
The Academy of Country Music and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) kicked off their OnRamp program yesterday (July 13) with a launch mixer held at the Academy’s Nashville headquarters, bringing together the 20 members of the inaugural class for young Black members of the music community alongside ACM leadership, board members, industry supporters and program mentors. OnRamp focuses on improving inclusivity and equity within Music City and aiming to empower the next generation of leaders in the early stages of their careers by granting access to professional development opportunities, mentorship, industry exposure and other opportunities. Each participant will receive a monthly stipend for one year. Half of this year’s inaugural class are artists; the other half come from across the industry and range from attorneys to audio engineers, publicists to business managers.
Mary-Clair Inks With Vere Music & Brickhouse Entertainment
Mary-Clair & Tedd T.
Vere Music and Brickhouse Entertainment have signed pop singer-songwriter Mary-Clair.
The 19-year-old Nashville native recently teamed up with songwriter and producer Tedd T., who has penned hits for Celine Dion, Tauren Wells and more, for her debut single “Heaven in the Way,” which is available now.
“As a new artist Mary-Clair has already built an impressive team including Tedd T. and Brickhouse Entertainment,” says Rusty Harmon, President of Vere Music. “Mary-Clair’s vocals and songwriting are undeniable. Vere is excited to join this team and partner with this obvious up and coming talent.”
Track45 Shares What They ‘Grew Up On’ Through New EP
/by Liza AndersonCountry music sibling trio Track45 has released their new EP Grew Up On via BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records.
Made up of Ben, Jenna and KK Johnson, the group shares memories of their upbringing while exploring young heartbreak, valuable life lessons and more on the six-track project. They produced the entire collection and co-wrote the majority of the songs alongside Michael Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Jonathan Singleton and Taylor Phillips, among others.
“We recorded this collection of songs as we were saying goodbye to many relationships in our lives,” says Track45. “We always want to be honest about the highs and the lows of life and we hope you can hear that in the music. There are some breakup anthems, nostalgic retrospections and some feel good songs mixed in. It’s a journal of us celebrating the experiences and people that have made us who we are and closing the chapter on situations that weren’t right anymore.”
The opening track “Drinkin’ And Thinkin'” finds the band reminiscing on a lost love, while the title track opens a time capsule of memories from their youth and reflects on the traditions that made them who they are today. They put their witty songwriting on display with “Hate Me” and “Last Man In Tennessee.” Grew Up On also includes “PCH,” an ode to a vacation fling and the final track “Family,” a country version of a song the siblings originally wrote for David Guetta that featured Bebe Rexha, Ty Dolla $ign and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, which ends with a message of gratitude for bonds that transcend blood.
Grew Up On Track Listing:
1. “Drinkin’ And Thinkin'”
2. “Grew Up On”
3. “Last Man In Tennessee”
4. “Hate Me”
5. “PCH”
6. “Family”
Ryan Griffin Takes Fans Through The ‘Phases’ Of Love With New EP
/by Caela GriffinRed Street Records flagship artist Ryan Griffin has released his EP Phases after the social media buzz around his current single “Heart to Break.” The EP brings a smooth summer vibe to country and pop listeners.
Griffin describes the inspiration behind the project sharing “We’ve all got our own soundtrack to life as we go through ‘phases’ – we find love, we break up, we heal, we try again – till we find the one that makes us stop looking. I can’t wait for y’all to hear those songs! I hope it’s playing in the background through all the ‘phases’ of your life!”
Produced by Red Street Records CEO Jay DeMarcus alongside Sam Ellis, Jason Massey and Jesse Frasure, the five-track collection tells the story of finding love, with each song representing the different phases of the journey as they move through the stages of heartbreak to finding true love worth living for.
Phases opens with an unreleased track “Been Missing You” followed by “Heart to Break,” “What I Love For,” “God Made Fridays” and closes with the brand new “If All I Ever Do.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of Ryan and this music that we’ve made. It was truly a pleasure to work with such a wonderfully gifted singer and songwriter,” shares DeMarcus. “I loved the chance to get to work with Sam Ellis as well- someone I’ve been a fan of for a long time. What a pleasure to produce this project with him, and I hope people will hear this EP and come to appreciate Ryan for the world-class artist that he is.”
On The Row: Erin Kinsey Belts Her Heart Out To Reach Her Lifelong Dream
/by Caela GriffinTexas-born Erin Kinsey showed up at the MusicRow Magazine office recently with the prowess of a seasoned professional. Although the 22-year-old, multi-instrumentalist is newer to Nashville, she has devoted half of her life thus far to preparing for the country music limelight.
Her parents, though not musically inclined themselves, were overflowing with love and support for their daughter, signing her up for voice lessons over Skype and guitar lessons with a rock guitarist in Dallas.
Kinsey left her hometown of Rockwall, Texas the day after she graduated high school to fulfill a dream years in the making. Hitting the road soundtracked by one of her favorite songwriter Josh Kerr’s hits, her travels over Interstate 40 East inspired her, eventually lending its name to her debut EP, 40 East.
As she arrived in Nashville, she began growing her network and connecting with writers. By the time of her sophomore project, she was writing with Kerr, the very artist whose voice she echoed on her drive. He also produced some tracks on her recently released Bet My Heart EP.
“‘Boots’ has turned into people talking about combat boots or their [partners] that are in the military. It has grown to mean so much more to so many more people,” Kinsey explained, beaming as she reminisced on the song’s success.
Kinsey pens heartfelt songs with stories full of her own life’s intricate details—she wrote “Boys In Boots” alongside Jordan Minton and Travis Wood. At first, she worried that her fans may not connect to the references to the Wrangles or cowboy boots in the song, but her fanbase put their own fairytale spins on it and kept singing their hearts out.
“You always hope that’s always what a song does—that it gets way out of control and way out of your hands—so it’s cool that this one has done that. It has been crazy. It really gained a life when we started playing it live.”
Kinsey worked with Kerr, Micah Carpenter and Sara Davis to write another track on Bet My Heart, “Stayed a Summer.” The relatable tune is about a summer love turned sour.
“It’s about a relationship that I was in, unfortunately, that was years long instead of being a really fun three months for everybody,” she muses. “At least I got a song out of it. Hopefully, you can’t relate at all but if you can, so can I.”
Kinsey says, “This is one was something that I really connected to. I started posting about it a little bit and I couldn’t believe how other people had connected to it.”
Kinsey also performed an acoustic yet high-energy rendition of her rock-inspired “Just Drive.” When writing the heavy-hitting crowd favorite with Josh Ronen and Michael August, the collaborators pulled inspiration from her childhood favorites Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Paramore, putting heavy guitar riffs and rock motifs throughout. Kinsey celebrates this song as the one that changed her life.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Liza Anderson and LB Cantrell; Erin Kinsey; MusicRow’s Caela Griffin and Steven Boero
“I had not been posting on TikTok a ton at the time,” she remembers. “I was trying to be rebellious and different and not do it. I learned there’s a reason why everyone does and it’s silly not to.”
Kinsey’s audience on the platform is now around a quarter million followers, tuning in to hear sneak peaks of her latest projects. “Just Drive” was featured on SiriusXM The Highway’s On The Horizon earlier this spring.
Though the social media success has been a great asset to Kinsey’s career, leading to her signing at RECORDS Nashville, nothing has topped performing live. At the NASCAR Awards and Champion Celebration last December, she opened her high energy set with “Just Drive,” in a move she admits was a little on the nose for the racing event. Donning a black leather jumpsuit and putting her best guitar riffs on display, she rocked out with her fans to fully embrace the moment.
Now, the song has passed 37 million streams and Kinsey has been celebrating all summer. She is bringing her experience on the road back to Nashville writing rooms, as her live shows are the way she sees the response to her music firsthand.
With her music, Kinsey is leaving everything on the line, which inspired the title of Bet My Heart. “Every song on the project is about a time where I bet my heart and it was either a very good thing or a very bad thing. I couldn’t come up with anything that felt like it represented it better,” she says.
Her performance of her music proved this—Kinsey does not hold back when she is belting her heart out with skill and soul.
Stephen Wilson Jr. Pays Tribute To His Dad On New Double Album
/by Lorie HollabaughStephen Wilson Jr. will release his debut double album, Søn Of Dad, Sept. 15 via Big Loud Records.
Wilson has shared two new tracks from the upcoming project, “Mighty Beast” and “All The Wars From Now On,” a jangly ode to Wilson’s elders. The album announcement follows the release of “Father’s Søn,” a moving tribute from to his late father.
“’All The Wars From Now On,’ was written for my late grandfather, a Korean War veteran who had his share of scars from the conflict,” Wilson shares. “The origin of the song came from watching a few war veterans at a diner in my hometown go about just like my grandfather once did one random morning. I couldn’t help but see him in their jovial conversations, and the thought hit me that the world would be a peaceful place if men like these were fighting all the wars. I knew he would see the honesty and humor in that scenario and enjoy the Norman Rockwell-ion approach to painting this song.”
Søn Of Dad features six songs from Wilson’s Bon Aqua EP along with new tracks. At its core, the album, which was co-produced by Wilson and Benjamin West, is a tribute to Stephen Wilson Sr., Wilson’s father who trained him as a boxer from the age of five and was himself a two-time Indiana State Golden Gloves Champion. Informed by Wilson’s diverse background as a boxer, a scientist (he has a degree in microbiology and chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University) and a songwriter, the album is a high-energy rock and roll journey that will be released exactly five years to the day his father died.
“Writing and making this album has been very therapeutic for me to learn who I am and what my existence looks like after my father. Because life has to go on,” Wilson says. “I’m living my own life, but it’s like his death bookended what life he should have had onto mine and I’m carrying it around like a train car.
The new LP comes on the heels of Wilson’s Grand Ole Opry and Stagecoach debuts and dates with The Lone Bellow, Drake White and Charley Crockett. Still to come this year are shows with 49 Winchester, Joss Stone and Larry Fleet, and he’ll also make his Red Rocks debut supporting Midland on Oct. 14.
Søn Of Dad Tracklist
1. The Devil (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
2. Cuckoo (Stephen Wilson Jr., Travis Meadows, Jeffrey Steele)
3. Billy (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
4. Patches (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele)
5. American Gothic (feat. Hailey Whitters) (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West, Hailey Whitters)
6. Werewolf (Stephen Wilson Jr., Bryan Simpson)
7. Mighty Beast (Stephen Wilson Jr., Ryan Necci)
8. Year to Be Young 1994 (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West)
9. Twisted (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeremy Spillman, Connor Thuotte)
10. Father’s Son (Stephen Wilson Jr., Josh Kerr, Nick Wayne)
11. Grief Is Only Love (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele)
12. Hang in There (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
13. Calico Creek (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jesse Murphy, Michael Wilkes)
14. Holler from the Holler (Stephen Wilson Jr., Craig Wiseman)
15. Hometown (Stephen Wilson Jr., Marv Green, Tony Lane)
16. Not Letting Go (Stephen Wilson Jr., Andrew DeRoberts)
17. For What It’s Worth (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West)
18. All the Wars from Now On (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
19. Kid (Stephen Wilson Jr., Lori McKenna, Benjamin West)
20. Henry (Stephen Wilson Jr., Tony Lane)
21. You (Stephen Wilson Jr., Bryan Simpson)
22. The Beginning (Stephen Wilson Jr.)