With his sophomore album White Buffalo, out today (April 7), Ian Munsick dives 18 tracks deeper into his mission of bringing western country music to the forefront.
The journey began with Coyote Cry, a 10-track effort Ian wrote, recorded and produced that earned him a recording contract with Warner Music Nashville. The project was very unique, with his mountain-high voice singing about western imagery and values.
On White Buffalo, the Wyoming native leans in to the lane that he has created for himself. He brings things down to the basics on track “Horses & Weed,” hunts down healing on “White Buffalo” and paints a vibrant picture of gypsy love on “River Run.” The visuals, with the prairie animals and western-wear, are almost as intriguing as the music.
Ian enlisted label-mate Cody Johnson for the duet “Long Live Cowgirls” on White Buffalo. The track has already garnered nearly 100 million global streams, topped SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown and recently became Ian’s first career RIAA Gold-certified single.
Ian & Caroline Munsick
In the years since Ian hit the scene, after first arriving in town as a student at Belmont University, he has had a secret weapon: his manager and now wife, Caroline Munsick.
Caroline was also a student at Belmont while Ian was there, but the two only had one class together and rarely spoke. She started her management career by hanging around the midtown bars that attract music business professionals. After striking up a relationship with George Strait-manager Erv Woolsey, Caroline began to see a path forward into her own management career.
She started her Not A Public Figure management company—and clothing brand—and eventually helped to convince her former classmate Ian to go all in on his unique artistry.
“She knew that I had potential as an artist. For me, being an artist was the only way that I could write, perform and produce my music—and I love to do all of those three things,” Ian says.
Ian and Caroline’s relationship was strictly business for a while, until they couldn’t resist their romantic chemistry anymore. In early 2020, the two welcomed son Crawford and married later that year in scenic Montana. Ian’s “Me Against The Mountain” music video served as the couple’s wedding video.
“We didn’t tell anybody [that we were together] until I announced I was pregnant,” Caroline says. “We were so worried people weren’t going take us seriously.
“As soon as we announced that we were pregnant and let people know we were together, that’s when we signed with UTA, Ian signed his publishing deal and his record deal. All the stars started aligning. I really think us having Crawford was a reason for all of that,” she shares. “It was more tough at the beginning, just breaking stereotypes people had without knowing us.”
Now, two albums in, the Munsicks have found their place as a talented artist-manager duo pushing the western boundary of country music further towards the rockies. With White Buffalo, Ian draws on his life as a father and a husband frequently.
“Dig,” a standout track on the project, shares a message of pursuit of a partner. Written with Dave Villa and Jessi Alexander, the lyrics claim, “I ain’t afraid of a little dirt. Girl, your love’s a gift, and I ain’t afraid to dig.”
Another highlight is “More Than Me,” a song Ian wrote with Carlton Anderson, Casey Beathard and Phil O’Donnell. The song talks about the couple’s focus on their faith first and each other second, with Ian singing, “I don’t mind second place. Ain’t that amazing grace? She loves me faithfully ’cause she loves Him more than me.”
On the Adam James and Ben Simonetti co-write “Little Man,” Ian uses his son Crawford as a muse. He sings, “Know you’re gonna grow up in a hurry. I’ll soak it in while I can. You’ve got a way of making big world worries seem so little, man.”
“I became a dad in 2020. I became a husband in 2020. Those life-changing moments are all in this album. They are a huge inspiration for my writing. Caroline and Crawford are in all of these songs,” he says, “It’s just more blatant in some than others.”
Like on Coyote Cry, Ian channels his playful, rhythmic side on White Buffalo, as well. On “Cowshit in the Morning,” he bemoans a love that turned sour when she turned her nose up at Ian’s way of living. On “Barn Burner,” he catches a lover cheating and it doesn’t end well, with Ian singing, “Ain’t saying I did, ain’t saying I didn’t, but I’m glad it’s ashes now. She threw a pitchfork through my heart, then her barn burned down.”
From the life lived between Coyote Cry and White Buffalo, and the platform Ian and Caroline have grown, there’s no doubt that his mission to bring “the west to the rest” will continue to be a fruitful one.
White Buffalo is available everywhere now.
Jordan Davis Announces ‘Damn Good Time Tour’
/by Liza AndersonJordan Davis has announced his “Damn Good Time Tour,” which will kick off Aug. 31 in Atlanta at the Roxy before heading to Nashville for Labor Day weekend as well as Philadelphia, New York and Boston before wrapping in Las Vegas in October. Avery Anna, Gabby Barrett, Danielle Bradbery, Flatland Calvary, Greylan James, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Mike Ryan, Connor Smith and Georgia Webster will all serve as support on select dates.
Davis’ official fan club, The Parish, will have first access to tickets on their website. The Parish Gold presale will start tomorrow, April 11 at 10 a.m. local time, and the Digital Membership presale will begin Wednesday, April 12 at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
Industry Ink: Warner Music Nashville, Love Rising, Austin Luther
/by Lorie HollabaughWarner Music Nashville & Pearl-Cohn High School Team To Release ‘Guitar Sale’
Arielle B with Warner Music Nashville and Pearl-Cohn High School team members.
Warner Music Nashville celebrated the release of Pearl-Cohn High School-affiliated artist Arielle B’s new single “Guitar Sale” last week at the Warner Music office on Music Row. The release of “Guitar Sale” is the culmination of a long-standing partnership between the record label and the entertainment magnet school, which began in 2013 under Warner Music Nashville Chairman Emeritus John Esposito. The event included key members of the metro school district and staff from both Pearl-Cohn and Warner Music Nashville, including a speech by Co-Chair & Co-President Ben Kline.
“I am so proud of Arielle B. and the amazing students and staff at Pearl Cohn for helping us achieve this incredible milestone together,” said Stephanie Davenport, Warner Music Nashville A&R and Project Manager. “Releasing this song has been ten years in the making, and I hope it is the first of many for our partnership. I see great things in the future for Arielle B. and all of the students that had a part in ‘Guitar Sale!'”
Love Rising Raises Over $500,000 For LGBTQ+ Tennessee Organizations
Love Rising, a benefit concert for the Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, OUTMemphis and The Tennessee Pride Chamber, took place on March 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Love Rising raised over $500,000 and counting for these LGBTQAI+ organizations and continues to raise funds via its Propeller Auction.
Allison Russell, Amanda Shires, Brittany Howard, Hayley Williams, Hozier, Jason Isbell, Joy Oladokun, Julien Baker, Maren Morris, Mya Byrne, Sheryl Crow, Yola and many more performed to raise money for the cause. Additionally, the Looking Out Foundation supported the event by accepting donations and doubling contributions received, up to a maximum of $100,000.
Austin Luther Inks With Deluge Music
Pictured (L-R): Deluge Music’s Stephanie Greene, Austin Luther and Deluge Music’s David Robkin
Austin Luther has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Deluge Music.
Luther is a producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originally hailing from Marshall, Minnesota. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he spent four years in Los Angeles touring with Sabrina Carpenter and Rachel Platten. Luther currently resides in Music City where, in addition to producing and writing, he plays bass in Winona Fighter, a Nashville-based punk band.
‘AIMP Nashville Pubcast’ Launches Season Six With Guest Hannah Babitt
/by Lorie HollabaughHannah Babbit
The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has launched the sixth season of their podcast series, AIMP Nashville Pubcast, with guest Hannah Babitt.
As Founder & CEO of boutique management company Babz, Babbitt, who works in both Nashville and Los Angeles, represents this season’s expanded scope to new locations and genres. In addition to launching Babz in Los Angeles in 2020, and expanding with a Nashville branch earlier this year, Babitt has consulted for Big Machine Music and worked with crossover songwriters Laura Veltz, Sara Davis and Geoff Warburton, among others.
Hosted by Tim Hunze, Vice President of Publishing at Big Machine Music and an AIMP Nashville Board Member, the bi-weekly series features interviews with prominent songwriters and music publishing industry figures in Nashville and beyond. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast aims to provide insight to songwriters on their careers, inform listeners on the issues facing the music industry, and share lessons learned from their guests’ own experiences.
The next three episodes will feature Brandon Perdue (SVP, A&R + Publishing, River House Entertainment) on April 17, Jeffrey Hasson (Co-Head, UTA Nashville) on May 1 and David Israelite (President & CEO, NMPA) on May 15. Guests for the remainder of the season will be announced soon.
“It is my privilege to lead the AIMP Nashville Pubcast into Season Six with the help of so many incredible guests,” says Hunze. “Our show is only as good as the generous people willing to sit down and share their time and expertise, and I can’t wait for listeners to hear all of the amazing conversations we have on deck for this season. With how quickly our industry is always evolving, the best way we can serve our independent music publisher and songwriter communities is by providing a platform and space for conversations and idea sharing. We’re confident we’ve accomplished that with the Pubcast and Season Six!”
The AIMP Nashville Pubcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Soundcloud.
George Strait Returns To Fort Worth On November 17 & 18
/by Steven BoeroGeorge Strait. Photo: by Jill Trunnell
Country music legend George Strait has announced a two-night-only event in his home state, with back-to-back concerts set for Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena. The Country Music Hall of Famer will be joined by special guest Caitlyn Smith for both dates.
The two-night stand is a reprise of Strait’s two nights at Dickies Arena in 2022, which both sold out within hours of going on sale to the public. Tickets to the 2023 shows go on sale to the general public Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster.com. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, April 11 at 10 a.m. CT through Thursday, April 13 at 10 p.m. CT.
The news follows the announcement that Strait will team up with Chris Stapleton to perform one-off stadium dates this year in Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Milwaukee, Nashville (two nights) and Tampa. Joining the King of Country and Stapleton for all dates are special guests Little Big Town.
Since his record-breaking “Cowboy Rides Away Tour” in 2014, Strait has performed for limited engagements outside of his 36-and-counting “Strait to Vegas” shows at T-Mobile Arena, including headlining both weekends of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2021 plus his 31st appearance at the Houston Rodeo in 2022. With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts—more than any other artist in any genre—during the span of his 30+ year career, Strait has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any other country artist and ranking third across all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
The Texas troubadour is the only artist or act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his 2019 single, “The Weight of the Badge.” He has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards.
Monument Records powerhouse vocalist Smith has won a Critics’ Choice Award, been nominated for an ACM Award, and written songs for Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Meghan Trainor, John Legend and Garth Brooks. Last year, she released her self-produced project High, and this spring, completed the second half of that album, adding six new songs to make her full record, High & Low, out April 14.
Carrie Underwood To Celebrate 15th Anniversary As A Grand Ole Opry Member
/by LB CantrellCarrie Underwood welcomed in to the Grand Ole Opry family on May 8, 2008. Photo: Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry
Carrie Underwood will celebrate her 15th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with a two-show performance on the hallowed stage Saturday, May 13.
Underwood made her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 10, 2005, two weeks after winning American Idol. She was inducted as a member of the Opry family on May 8, 2008 by fellow Oklahoman, Opry member Garth Brooks.
Underwood will be joined by Deana Carter, Michael Ray and more for her 15th anniversary shows. Fans not able to attend in person can tune in for a one-hour portion of the night’s first show that will air live at 8 p.m. CT and will re-air at 11 p.m. CT, as Opry Live on Circle Television. The show will livestream via Circle’s social channels and be heard on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel 59. The shows will air in their entirety on WSM Radio and opry.com/wsmonline.com.
Underwood recently completed her 43-city “Denim & Rhinestones Tour,” and will return to her ongoing “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” in June.
Ian Munsick Brings ‘The West To The Rest,’ With Wife & Manager Caroline At His Side [Interview]
/by LB CantrellWith his sophomore album White Buffalo, out today (April 7), Ian Munsick dives 18 tracks deeper into his mission of bringing western country music to the forefront.
The journey began with Coyote Cry, a 10-track effort Ian wrote, recorded and produced that earned him a recording contract with Warner Music Nashville. The project was very unique, with his mountain-high voice singing about western imagery and values.
On White Buffalo, the Wyoming native leans in to the lane that he has created for himself. He brings things down to the basics on track “Horses & Weed,” hunts down healing on “White Buffalo” and paints a vibrant picture of gypsy love on “River Run.” The visuals, with the prairie animals and western-wear, are almost as intriguing as the music.
Ian enlisted label-mate Cody Johnson for the duet “Long Live Cowgirls” on White Buffalo. The track has already garnered nearly 100 million global streams, topped SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown and recently became Ian’s first career RIAA Gold-certified single.
Ian & Caroline Munsick
In the years since Ian hit the scene, after first arriving in town as a student at Belmont University, he has had a secret weapon: his manager and now wife, Caroline Munsick.
Caroline was also a student at Belmont while Ian was there, but the two only had one class together and rarely spoke. She started her management career by hanging around the midtown bars that attract music business professionals. After striking up a relationship with George Strait-manager Erv Woolsey, Caroline began to see a path forward into her own management career.
She started her Not A Public Figure management company—and clothing brand—and eventually helped to convince her former classmate Ian to go all in on his unique artistry.
“She knew that I had potential as an artist. For me, being an artist was the only way that I could write, perform and produce my music—and I love to do all of those three things,” Ian says.
Ian and Caroline’s relationship was strictly business for a while, until they couldn’t resist their romantic chemistry anymore. In early 2020, the two welcomed son Crawford and married later that year in scenic Montana. Ian’s “Me Against The Mountain” music video served as the couple’s wedding video.
“We didn’t tell anybody [that we were together] until I announced I was pregnant,” Caroline says. “We were so worried people weren’t going take us seriously.
“As soon as we announced that we were pregnant and let people know we were together, that’s when we signed with UTA, Ian signed his publishing deal and his record deal. All the stars started aligning. I really think us having Crawford was a reason for all of that,” she shares. “It was more tough at the beginning, just breaking stereotypes people had without knowing us.”
Now, two albums in, the Munsicks have found their place as a talented artist-manager duo pushing the western boundary of country music further towards the rockies. With White Buffalo, Ian draws on his life as a father and a husband frequently.
“Dig,” a standout track on the project, shares a message of pursuit of a partner. Written with Dave Villa and Jessi Alexander, the lyrics claim, “I ain’t afraid of a little dirt. Girl, your love’s a gift, and I ain’t afraid to dig.”
Another highlight is “More Than Me,” a song Ian wrote with Carlton Anderson, Casey Beathard and Phil O’Donnell. The song talks about the couple’s focus on their faith first and each other second, with Ian singing, “I don’t mind second place. Ain’t that amazing grace? She loves me faithfully ’cause she loves Him more than me.”
On the Adam James and Ben Simonetti co-write “Little Man,” Ian uses his son Crawford as a muse. He sings, “Know you’re gonna grow up in a hurry. I’ll soak it in while I can. You’ve got a way of making big world worries seem so little, man.”
“I became a dad in 2020. I became a husband in 2020. Those life-changing moments are all in this album. They are a huge inspiration for my writing. Caroline and Crawford are in all of these songs,” he says, “It’s just more blatant in some than others.”
Like on Coyote Cry, Ian channels his playful, rhythmic side on White Buffalo, as well. On “Cowshit in the Morning,” he bemoans a love that turned sour when she turned her nose up at Ian’s way of living. On “Barn Burner,” he catches a lover cheating and it doesn’t end well, with Ian singing, “Ain’t saying I did, ain’t saying I didn’t, but I’m glad it’s ashes now. She threw a pitchfork through my heart, then her barn burned down.”
From the life lived between Coyote Cry and White Buffalo, and the platform Ian and Caroline have grown, there’s no doubt that his mission to bring “the west to the rest” will continue to be a fruitful one.
White Buffalo is available everywhere now.
Brothers Osborne Unveil Three Tracks From Forthcoming Project
/by Liza AndersonBrothers Osborne. Photo: Natalie Osborne
Grammy-winning duo Brothers Osborne have unveiled new songs, “Nobody’s Nobody,” “Might As Well Be Me” and “Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day),” from their soon-to-be-announced project. This three-track preview is the latest music from the pair—made up of John and TJ Osborne— since they released the deluxe edition of their album Skeletons in 2022.
“As musicians, we’re constantly evolving and pushing ourselves to new heights,” shares John. “With our fourth album, we’ve teamed up with a new producer, Mike Elizondo, and embraced his approach to our sound and story. Our expectations were already high and he absolutely shattered them. It’s exciting to see where this journey will take us and we can’t wait to share this sound with everyone. Life and art are about growth and taking risks, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
Elizondo also served as a co-writer on “Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day).” He notes, “Working on music with [Brothers Osborne] was unlike anything I’ve done before. We had the amazing advantage in that they walked in with just a ton of great songs. The first time I did meet the band at TJ’s house, it really did feel like I was hanging out with high school buddies. I feel like if we were in high school together these would have been the band geeks I would have hung out with.”
River House Artists Reveals First Christian Music Collection
/by Liza AndersonRiver House Artists has released their first collaborative collection of Christian songs, It’s A God Thing, Volume One.
The six-track album started as a passion project for River House Artists’ GM/VP, Zebb Luster. Luster was inspired by his family church, Cowboy Church Ministries in Labelle, Florida. The church, led by Luster’s uncle, began under the trees outside of a rodeo arena in 1998. It’s A God Thing, Volume One marks the 25th anniversary of Cowboy Church Ministries.
Combining Christian and country music, the project includes tracks from Mo Pitney, Jimmy Yeary, Brandon Kinney and Casey Beathard as well as performances by Pitney, Dillon Carmichael, Jordan Rowe and newcomers Chevas Phillips, Old Hickory and Reid Haughton.
“After playing this for the team at River House, everyone’s excitement for the project made it clear this is something we had to release,” says Luster. “This will be something we want to continue to do each year with hopes that it will grow into something the whole Nashville community will be behind.”
It’s A God Thing, Volume One Track Listing:
1. “It’s A God Thing”
Writers: Rich Forbes, Phil O’Donnell
Artist: Old Hickory
2. “My Sheperd Is A King”
Writers: Chevas Phillips, Levi Lowery, Bethlehem Church
Artist: Chevas Phillips
3. “Without The Love of Jesus”
Writers: Jimmy Yeary, Tony Wood
Artist: Jordan Rowe
4. “Rough Crowd”
Writers: Brandon Kinney, Jeremy Spillman
Artist: Reid Haughton
5. “I Believe You Lord”
Writers: Phil O’Donnell, Casey Beathard, Kyle Thomas
Artist: Dillon Carmichael
6. “They Nailed Him To A Tree”
Writers: Wyatt McCubbin, Mo Pitney
Artist: Mo Pitney
Chase Matthew Slates Sophomore Album For Summer
/by Lorie HollabaughThe expansive 25-track project follows Matthew’s breakout 2022 debut, Born For This. The collection is packed with fiery, rock-driven anthems including “Make a Memory,” “Moonlight,” and his previously-released streaming hit, “Love You Again,” along with party-starting singalongs like “Where There’s Smoke” and “Outlaw Gospel.”
Through the thought-provoking “Do All Dogs Go To Heaven” and the reflective look at his career journey “Saw Me Here,” the newcomer shows his rarely-seen softer side in his most vulnerable tracks to date. Matthew had a hand in penning nearly every song on the album. Some of his co-writers include fellow artists Matt Stell, Hardy, Ernest and Conner Smith.
“This is the biggest project I’ve put out so far, but my fans needed this,” Matthew says. “There’s something for everyone on this album – a few drinking songs, a handful of heartbreaks, some dancing jams, and my personal favorites: a couple that hit really close to home. When I say ‘home,’ I’m talking about the way I grew up, where I grew up, and everything it took to get me here today. I hope this album is as inspiring to you as creating it was for me… Come get your memories from this album – and maybe make some new ones along the way!”
Matthew is currently hitting stages across the nation on his headline “Love You Again Tour,” and is also set to perform on the CMA Fest Riverfront Stage on June 11.
Come Get Your Memory Track Listing:
1. Blink | Jacob Durrett, Jordan Minton, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Taylor Phillips
2. Come Get Your Memory | Chase Matthew, Jordan Minton, Casey Brown
3. Do All Dogs Go To Heaven | Chase Matthew, Jacob Howard, Sean Rogers
4. Do Me Like That | Chase Matthew, Jacob Hackworth, Daniel Hamilton, Alex Maxwell
5. Downtown | Chase Matthew, Jamie McLaughlin, Morgan O’Connor
6. Fall For Those I’s | Chase Matthew, Matt Stell
7. Fine By Me | Ernest Keith Smith, Jordan Dozzi, Matt Mulhare
8. Girl I Know | Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
9. Good Day For A Heartbreak | Chase Matthew, Alex Palmer, Ibere Fortes, Felipe Gonzales Abad
10. Good Time To Go | Kolby Cooper, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Smith Ahnquist
11. Hey Montana | Chase Matthew, Kyle Winski
12. Love You Again | Chase Matthew, Taylor Phillips, Casey Brown
13. Loving You Is Like | Chase Matthew
14. Make A Memory | Chase Matthew, Michael Rotundo, Adam Ernst, Drew Baldridge, Jody Stevens
15. Moonlight | Chase Matthew, Brandon Manley, Austin Williams
16. My Drinking Song | Chase Matthew, Alex Maxwell
17. Never Change | Chase Matthew, Alex Maxwell
18. Nothing To Do With Me | Chase Matthew, Will Pattat, Paul Garrett
19. Outlaw Gospel | Chase Matthew, Kenton Bryant, Will Pattat
20. Rainy Days | Chase Matthew, Jim McCormick, Nicolas Rocco Cipriana
21. Saw Me Here | Chase Matthew, Brock Berryhill, Taylor Phillips
22. Somebody Else’s Truck | Hunter Phelps, Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Ben Johnson, Conner Smith
23. The Way I Am | Chase Matthew, Hunter Phelps, Andy Albert, Brock Berryhill
24. This Ain’t Working | Chase Matthew, Austin Shawn, Jacob Howard
25. Where There’s Smoke | Chase Matthew, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Alyssa Vanderhym, Josh Miller, Jordan Reynolds
Luke Combs Adds Surprise Second Nashville Nissan Stadium Show
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Combs. Photo: Jeremy Cowart
In a surprise move, Luke Combs has added a second Music City stop, adding another date at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium next Friday, April 14.
Tickets for the concert, which features special guests Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny and Brent Cobb, go on sale today here. Tickets for the Saturday, April 15 show have long been sold-out.
Of the surprise addition, Combs commented, “Been seeing a lot of people trying to find tickets for the show in Nashville next Saturday, so my team and I were working to open up as many additional tickets as possible, then I figured let’s just go ahead and play another show, so I’m excited to announce tickets for a show next Friday are on sale now!”
Last month Combs released Gettin’ Old, a companion to his acclaimed 2022 record, Growin’ Up, via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. He recently extended his record-breaking run at radio with his latest single, “Going, Going, Gone,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 at country radio. This is Combs’ 15th consecutive No. 1 single—the longest consecutive streak for an artist since their debut—and makes Combs one of the fastest artists to accumulate 15 No. 1s, joining the ranks of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Alabama.