A new Kenny Rogers album filled with previously unreleased gems and rare tracks, Life Is Like A Song, will be released June 2 via UMe.
Curated and executive produced by the late Country Music Hall of Famer’s widow, Wanda Rogers, the collection features eight never-before-heard recordings from 2008-2011, including interpretations of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and Lionel Richie’s “Goodbye,” as well as a duet with Dolly Parton, “Tell Me That You Love Me.” A digital deluxe edition includes two bonus tracks—a cover of the Etta James standard, “At Last,” and the Buddy Hyatt-penned original, “Say Hello to Heaven.”
Beginning today, fans can stream two selections from the album, including opener “Love Is A Drug” a hard-driving, country rock anthem co-written by Rogers’ longtime musical partner and former New Christy Minstrels bandmate, Kim Carnes, and the Motown classic, “I Wish It Would Rain,” originally made a hit by The Temptations.
Also on the album is “Catchin’ Grasshoppers,” a personal ode to Rogers’ twin sons with Wanda Rogers, Justin and Jordan, that finds Rogers reveling in the quiet, precious memories made with his young children, now aged 18. In a similar vein, “Straight Into Love,” a duet with Jamie O’Neal, speaks to cherishing time together with the one you love.
The Parton collab, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” originally appeared on a 2009 compilation helmed by veteran producer and record exec Tony Brown. Long out-of-print, a never-before-released, remixed version of the rarity will now be available on digital platforms and vinyl for the very first time, as well as on CD for the first time in this form.
Those sessions with Brown also spawned Rogers’ rendition of “Goodbye,” written by good friend and frequent collaborator, Lionel Richie. The song has long been a fan favorite after first appearing on the same 2009 anthology, and a touching lyric video for the song was played at Rogers’ memorial in 2022.
“Am I Too Late,” written by Larry Keith and Jim Hurt, is one of Rogers’ self-proclaimed favorite songs of all time. Originally cut for Rogers’ 1977 hit album, Daytime Friends, the song is reimagined here as a duet with vocalist Kim Keyes.
“I think the record is fabulous, and it is going to make Kenny so proud,” shares Wanda Rogers. “These songs are such a beautiful reminder of his love ‘for the feelings a song can make’ for a person. He would often say that he wanted his songs to be ‘what every man wants to say, and every woman wants to hear.’ I think there are a lot of those moments on this album. This is a very special record to me and our family because it really tells the story of our life together, and I feel his fans will also relate to it in a big way because it walks the listener through the seasons of life that we all experience in one way or another. There is joy, there is love, there is family, there is uncertainty, there is pain, there is faith… it’s emotional and real. This is the kind of music Kenny loved to make.”
Life Is Like a Song Track List:
1. Love Is A Drug
2. I Wish It Would Rain
3. Am I Too Late (with Kim Keyes)
4. Tell Me That You Love Me (with Dolly Parton)
5. Straight Into Love (with Jamie O’Neal)
6. Wonderful Tonight
7. Catchin’ Grasshoppers
8. That’s Love To Me
9. I Will Wait For You
10. Goodbye
ACM Awards Nominees To Be Revealed Tomorrow
/by LB CantrellNominations for the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards will be revealed on Thursday, April 13.
The Bobby Bones Show will exclusively unveil nominees in several major categories beginning at 6 a.m. PT/ 8 a.m. CT/ 9 a.m. ET. The full list of ACM Awards nominations will be released widely at 6:30 a.m. PT/ 8:30 a.m. CT / 9:30 a.m. ET, including on the Academy of Country Music website and social media channels. MusicRow will also report the nominees as they are announced.
This year the ACM Entertainer of the Year category will feature seven nominees, expanding from five last year. Additionally, Songwriter of the Year will now be split into two categories, Songwriter of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Video of the Year has been expanded into Visual Media of the Year to include additional formats of visual content.
Hosted by global superstars Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, the 58th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ territories on Prime Video on Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Pet Community Center Opens New Vet Clinic In Honor Of Phran Galante
/by Lorie HollabaughMural of Phran and her dog at the new facility. Painted by Murfreesboro Murals. Photo: Kate De Pinto
Animal lovers, community leaders and friends of the late animal advocate Phran Galante gathered at the Pet Community Center’s (PCC) new facility in Nashville—The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness—to celebrate its dedication on April 7.
Pictured (L-R): Debbie Linn, Joe Galante and Brandon Dyce cut the ribbon. Photo: Kate De Pinto
At 5,400 square feet, The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness is nearly three times the size of Pet Community Center’s former clinic in East Nashville. Once fully operational, the facility will allow PCC to increase its surgery capacity by another 4,000 animals a year, preventing an estimated 20,000 unwanted puppies and kittens annually.
According to organizers, the nonprofit could not have opened its new facility without the support of many loyal donors, especially that of animal welfare pioneer Phran and her husband, Joe Galante. In her life, Phran led efforts to rewrite city ordinances, spearheaded outreach clinics in disadvantaged neighborhoods, volunteered in the city’s municipal shelter to care for animals, and lobbied to end puppy mills and animal fighting.
Joe Galante, PCC Board Chair Steve Cavezza, Founding CEO Natalie Corwin and current President & CEO Brandon Dyce led the ceremony and ribbon cutting. Phran’s sister and Executive Director of Leadership Music, Debbie Linn, was also there to show her support.
“This is the beginning of a new era for Pet Community Center here in this building. The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness gives us countless opportunities to deepen our support here in Nashville,” Dyce shared. “Ultimately, our mission is to strengthen the human-animal bond through accessible veterinary care and support services. So, our vision for The Phran Galante Center for Pet Wellness is growth and impact—to expand services, serve more pets, reach more families, and, best of all, save more lives.”
“Phran couldn’t abide animal cruelty in any form,” Joe shared. “She was not a person who shied away from something when she really felt passionate about it, so she was totally in on making necessary changes for all pets in our community.”
Meghan Patrick Announces New EP During Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Liza AndersonMeghan Patrick during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo
Meghan Patrick made her Grand Ole Opry debut last night (April 11), and announced her new EP Greatest Show On Dirt, performing the title track and “Red Roses & Red Flags,” for a packed house.
While on stage, Patrick experienced another career milestone as she received the news that her song “Wild As Me” had earned Canadian Gold Certification.
“Playing the Opry was everything I’ve ever dreamed it would be,” said Patrick. “This is such a landmark moment in my career and something that I’ve fought so hard for, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity. To be surprised with the news of my first Gold song only made the night more special. Thank you to the Opry team for having me and to the crowd for listening. The year of MFP is just getting started.”
Greatest Show On Dirt will be released May 5 via Riser House Records. Two singles from the six-track project, “She’s No Good For Me” and “Ours,” are available now, and the title track is set for release this Friday, April 14.
Additionally, Patrick is slated to perform on two dates of Luke Combs‘ headline tour this spring, playing the Jack Daniels Old No. 7 and Country Cocktails Presents Bootleggers Tailgate Party Powered by Whiskey Jam at Ford Field in Detroit on April 22 as well as Soldier Field in Chicago on May 6.
Chase Rice Brings ‘I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell’ To Sold-Out Ryman Auditorium
/by Steven BoeroChase Rice performs for a sold-out Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Evan DeStefano
Diamond-certified songwriter Chase Rice brought his album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell to a sold-out Ryman Auditorium last night (April 11), playing all 13 songs off the new project along with his decade-plus catalog of fan-favorites and chart-topping hits.
In addition to sharing an unreleased song, “Church,” the first he’s written since releasing the new project, Rice was joined onstage for album track “Oklahoma” by surprise guest Read Southall, who also appears alongside him on the recorded version of the song. He also invited a special guest onstage for the poignant “Bench Seat,” as Rice’s beloved dog Jack appeared to the delight of fans for his performance of the powerful song about the companionship a dog can offer.
Rice will continues his “Way Down Yonder Tour” throughout the summer.
Chase Rice with Read Southall at the Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Evan DeStefano
Chase Rice performs for a sold-out Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Courtesy of Evan DeStefano
Chase Rice performs for a sold-out Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Evan DeStefano
Brandon Lake Signs With Provident Entertainment
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ron Hill, Holly Zabka, John Loessy, Bethany Kimes, Brandon Lake, Brandon Breitenbach, Todd Stepp and Joshua Carpenter.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandon Lake has signed with Provident Entertainment.
Lake has released two studio albums since 2020. His most recent album HELP!, a project in response to mental health awareness, was released in 2022 and includes songs “Fear Is Not My Future (feat. Chandler Moore)” and “Don’t You Give Up On Me.” His first album House of Miracles includes the single ‘Gratitude,” which has held the No. 1 spot at Christian radio for the past six weeks. Lake will release a live version of “Gratitude (Live from Miracle Nights)” this Friday, April 14. He is also known for his collaborations with Elevation Worship, Bethel Music and Maverick City Music.
“Very rarely do you get to come alongside an artist like Brandon whose songs, music, and ministry are already having such a significant impact around the world,” says Holly Zabka, President of Provident Entertainment. “His passion for the Gospel and desire for teamwork has been evident each time we met about this new partnership. We are thrilled to welcome Brandon, his family, and the entire Brandon Lake team as new members of the Provident Entertainment family.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Provident and for what’s to come,” exclaims Lake. “With their team, I feel a genuine friendship and partnership, and know that there is a united goal of wanting to serve. This isn’t just about success, or trying to get the next No. 1; it’s about people, and serving people well.”
Lake is preparing new music set for release later this year. He is currently on the road on his sold-out, 26-city “Miracle Nights Tour” with special guest Benjamin Williams Hastings. In August, he is set to co-headline the “Summer Worship Nights Tour” with Phil Wickham hitting arenas in 12 cities.
New Kenny Rogers Album Of Unreleased Tracks, ‘Life Is Like A Song,’ Due In June
/by Lorie HollabaughA new Kenny Rogers album filled with previously unreleased gems and rare tracks, Life Is Like A Song, will be released June 2 via UMe.
Curated and executive produced by the late Country Music Hall of Famer’s widow, Wanda Rogers, the collection features eight never-before-heard recordings from 2008-2011, including interpretations of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and Lionel Richie’s “Goodbye,” as well as a duet with Dolly Parton, “Tell Me That You Love Me.” A digital deluxe edition includes two bonus tracks—a cover of the Etta James standard, “At Last,” and the Buddy Hyatt-penned original, “Say Hello to Heaven.”
Beginning today, fans can stream two selections from the album, including opener “Love Is A Drug” a hard-driving, country rock anthem co-written by Rogers’ longtime musical partner and former New Christy Minstrels bandmate, Kim Carnes, and the Motown classic, “I Wish It Would Rain,” originally made a hit by The Temptations.
Also on the album is “Catchin’ Grasshoppers,” a personal ode to Rogers’ twin sons with Wanda Rogers, Justin and Jordan, that finds Rogers reveling in the quiet, precious memories made with his young children, now aged 18. In a similar vein, “Straight Into Love,” a duet with Jamie O’Neal, speaks to cherishing time together with the one you love.
The Parton collab, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” originally appeared on a 2009 compilation helmed by veteran producer and record exec Tony Brown. Long out-of-print, a never-before-released, remixed version of the rarity will now be available on digital platforms and vinyl for the very first time, as well as on CD for the first time in this form.
Those sessions with Brown also spawned Rogers’ rendition of “Goodbye,” written by good friend and frequent collaborator, Lionel Richie. The song has long been a fan favorite after first appearing on the same 2009 anthology, and a touching lyric video for the song was played at Rogers’ memorial in 2022.
“Am I Too Late,” written by Larry Keith and Jim Hurt, is one of Rogers’ self-proclaimed favorite songs of all time. Originally cut for Rogers’ 1977 hit album, Daytime Friends, the song is reimagined here as a duet with vocalist Kim Keyes.
“I think the record is fabulous, and it is going to make Kenny so proud,” shares Wanda Rogers. “These songs are such a beautiful reminder of his love ‘for the feelings a song can make’ for a person. He would often say that he wanted his songs to be ‘what every man wants to say, and every woman wants to hear.’ I think there are a lot of those moments on this album. This is a very special record to me and our family because it really tells the story of our life together, and I feel his fans will also relate to it in a big way because it walks the listener through the seasons of life that we all experience in one way or another. There is joy, there is love, there is family, there is uncertainty, there is pain, there is faith… it’s emotional and real. This is the kind of music Kenny loved to make.”
Life Is Like a Song Track List:
1. Love Is A Drug
2. I Wish It Would Rain
3. Am I Too Late (with Kim Keyes)
4. Tell Me That You Love Me (with Dolly Parton)
5. Straight Into Love (with Jamie O’Neal)
6. Wonderful Tonight
7. Catchin’ Grasshoppers
8. That’s Love To Me
9. I Will Wait For You
10. Goodbye
Carly Pearce Receives Platinum Surprise At 100th Opry Performance
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Jay Cruze, Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers, Starstruck Entertainment’s Mike Blong, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Carly Pearce, Big Machine Records’ Kris Lamb and Erik Powell, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones and Andrew Kautz. Photo: Alexa Campbell
Carly Pearce marked her 100th performance at the Grand Ole Opry last night (April 11) since her debut on the hallowed stage in 2015.
The special celebratory set featured several surprise guests. Ashley McBryde joined Pearce to perform their Grammy-winning hit “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” while fellow Kentucky native Ricky Skaggs, who inducted Pearce into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame last year, performed a rendition of Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
The Isaacs’ Ben and Sonja Isaacs lent their voices on Pearce’s performance of “Easy Going,” and Lady A’s Charles Kelley joined Pearce for her second No. 1 and now three-time Platinum hit “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” The two first performed the song together at the 54th Annual CMA Awards in November 2020.
Pearce performed her most recent No. 1 “What He Didn’t Do,” and was also honored with multiple plaques backstage before her set by executives from Big Machine Label Group, Opry Entertainment and RIAA, commemorating the song’s RIAA Platinum certification as well as a second plaque celebrating Pearce’s career-to-date accomplishments including her four ACM Awards, three CMA Awards, 2022 CMT honor for Artist of the Year, four No. 1 singles, multiple RIAA certifications, over two billion global streams and more.
In tandem with her Opry milestone, Pearce launched a personally-curated exclusive merchandise line with Opry Entertainment, available for purchase on Opry Entertainment websites and in Opry Entertainment retail stores in Nashville.
Pearce’s Opry performance is set to air on Opry Live on Circle Network on Saturday, April 22.
WinSongs Music Signs Jason Duke
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Chip Petree (Ritholz Levy Fields, LLP), Duane Hobson (ASCAP) and Jason Turner (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC); (L-R, front row): Erin Kidd (WinSongs), Jason Duke and Chris DeStefano (WinSongs)
WinSongs Music Publishing has signed chart-topping songwriter Jason Duke to an exclusive publishing deal.
Originally from Hendersonville, Tennessee, Duke is best known for co-writing the No. 1 hit “Dibs” with Kelsea Ballerini, along with many other notable cuts for artists including Keith Urban (“That Could Still Be Us”), Chris Bandi (“Man Enough Now”), Ryan Griffin, RaeLynn, LoCash, Meghan Patrick, Hannah Ellis and others.
“I am so excited to open a new songwriting chapter with Erin [Kidd], Chris [DeStefano], and the rest of the WinSongs family! I can’t think of a better home of which to continue to grow and chase the dream! Also, big thanks to every guiding hand along the way over the years that helped me get to here,” says Duke.
“The Winsongs Team is so excited to welcome the immensely talented Jason Duke to our family.” says DeStefano, WinSongs Music Founder & Owner. “Jason has already established himself with cuts and hits with some of the top names in the business and we are looking forward to growing that momentum.”
“Jason’s genuine character and glowing writing reputation precedes him. Not to mention the quality of work and intentionality he brings to each session is a dream. We’re teeing up for major future success together!” adds Kidd, WinSongs Creative Director.
In Pictures: T.J. Martell Foundation Holds 21st Annual Nashville’s Best Cellars Dinner
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Board of Trustees, John Esposito, with Reba McEntire. Photo: Alan Poizner
The T.J. Martell Foundation held its 21st annual Nashville’s Best Cellars Dinner at the Loews Vanderbilt Nashville Monday night (April 10).
Those in attendance included new Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Board of Trustees, John Esposito, the evening’s presenting sponsor John Sanzo and country artists such as Reba McEntire, Rex Linn, Martina McBride, Cole Swindell, Michael Ray, Ingrid Andress, Old Dominion band members Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi, Roan Ash, Big Kenny, Danielle Bradbery, Chris Bandi, Elle King, Jared Gudstadt, Kat & Alex and more.
The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by record executive Tony Martell in 1975 following the death of his son, T.J., from leukemia. the foundation holds multiple annual charity events and campaigns with the music communities in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami and more. They have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants and helped secure more than one billion dollars in research funding.
Pictured (L-R): John McBride, John Esposito, Martina McBride, Joe Galante, Wendy Buck. Photo: Alan Poizner
Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, Michael Ray. Photo: Alan Poizner
Bailey Zimmerman Continues To Top Charts & Break Records
/by Liza AndersonBailey Zimmerman. Photo: Spidey Smith
Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Rock and A Hard Place” is officially No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Chart, and now holds the title of most-played record across the country in one single week since the Mediabase chart’s inception. The smash hit also landed atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the third consecutive week.
Additionally, “Rock and A Hard Place” has made its way into the Top 100 on the all-genre Billboard Global 200 chart once again, recently becoming Zimmerman’s first Top 10 hit on their all-genre Hot 100 chart. The track landed in the Top 10 in its 41st week on the Hot 100—breaking yet another record for the longest climb to the Top 10 for a song by a soloist in the chart’s history—and continues its reign as one of the Top 4 most-streamed country songs in the nation, totaling more than 550 million global streams to date.
Zimmerman’s debut EP, Leave The Light On, made history upon release as not only the most-streamed all-genre debut of 2022, but also the largest streaming country debut of all time. With over 1.5 billion career streams to date, he was the only country artist to receive two Platinum certifications from the RIAA last year, beginning with his No. 1 debut single “Fall In Love,” which was the fastest debut single to reach No. 1 at country radio since 2015 as well as the first debut hit to make it all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2022.
The Warner Music Nashville artist is set to release his first full-length project, Religiously. The Album., on May 12, and will continue serve as support on Morgan Wallen‘s 2023 “One Night At A Time World Tour” as the U.S. leg kicks off this Friday, April 14.