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.
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.
Brittney Spencer Named Artist Advocate For 2023 Music Row Build
/by Lorie HollabaughBrittney Spencer. Photo: Rachel Deeb
Brittney Spencer has been named Artist Advocate for Habitat for Humanity’s Music Row Build, set for May 13 at Village by the Creek in North Nashville.
As Artist Advocate, she and friends Abbey Cone, Caylee Hammack and Chris Housman will be performing at The Bluebird Cafe on April 13 at 9 p.m. to benefit the Habitat Music Row Build. In addition to the Bluebird performance, Spencer will be at the Habitat build site May 13 with volunteers, supporting this year’s future Habitat homeowner LaShawnda Bowman, who is the mother of four children.
“As a person who’s struggled with housing security and homelessness in the past, it means a lot for me to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Affordable housing can feel impossible to obtain in Nashville. Habitat’s homeownership program provides education and the ability to break down barriers on the build site working with the future homeowners and volunteers who come from all walks in life. Being able to have a home that is affordable means everything,” says Spencer.
“We are grateful Brittney is lending her incredible talent and voice to raise awareness for the affordable housing crisis in Nashville,” says Penny Gattis, Chair for Habitat for Humanity’s Music Row Build. “Our music community providing a pathway to homeownership for a Nashville family is invaluable and we thank Brittney for her advocacy.”
Additionally, UTA will serve as Music Row Build sponsor for 2023.
“I’m thrilled that UTA will join Brittney in actively bettering our community,” says Jeffrey Hasson, Music Agent & Co-Head of UTA Nashville. “Habitat is an amazing organization that positively effects change and this event gives us a chance to give back to those in need.”
Nashville is among the top five U.S. cities on the verge of a housing crisis. Over the last decade median household income has risen 15 percent and home prices have risen 167 percent. Habitat homes are not free and the sustainable homeownership program provides education, budget coaching and home maintenance classes empowering successful homeownership.
Lauren Daigle Releases Video For New Single ‘Thank God I Do’
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle has released the video for her latest single “Thank God I Do.” The track debuted last month and garnered record-breaking streams across all DSPS, and more than 120 radio adds over multi-formats, making it the biggest single launch in Daigle’s career to date.
Filmed in Daigle’s hometown of New Orleans, the new video welcomes viewers into a vibrant world filled with color and beauty inspired by the city she holds so dear.
“Thank God I Do” is the first single from her new self-titled album, out May 12 via Atlantic Records/Centricity Music. The project marks a new creative chapter and team for Daigle. Led by Grammy-winning producer Mike Elizondo, the collection features co-writes with award-winning songwriters including Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Amy Wadge, Jason Ingram, Lori McKenna and Jon Greene.
Additionally, Daigle will hit the road on her U.S. arena journey, “The Kaleidoscope Tour,” in the coming months.
Micaela Kleinsmith Named Winner Of ‘My Kind Of Country’ On Apple TV+
/by Lorie HollabaughMicaela Kleinsmith
South African artist Micaela Kleinsmith has won Apple TV+’s My Kind of Country music competition series.
As the winner of the new show from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and executive producer Kacey Musgraves, Kleinsmith will receive global exposure across the Apple TV+ and Apple Music platforms and much more.
Bullied heavily as a child, music became Kleinsmith’s escape and coping mechanism while growing up. When she discovered she could sing and that people were noticing, she began using her newfound talent as a way to make friends. She started writing songs at 14, and continued to rise as an artist, eventually landing a spot on South Africa’s Idols in 2016.
On My Kind of Country, Kleinsmith was originally championed by Orville Peck, and in the final episodes, premiering today, sings both an original song “Stupid Love,” as well as a unique cover of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young.” Her new EP Butterfly will be released through Platoon on Apple Music today, and includes her three original songs, “Butterfly,” “Eternity,” and “Raise A Cup,” recorded with producer Tommy Sims. She is also releasing a rendition of “If I Die Young,” and all are streaming now on Apple Music.
“I was so honored and excited to have been selected as the winner of My Kind of Country. This competition has been such a blessing and I’m just so grateful to have been able to learn from so many other talented artists on a global platform like Apple TV+. My Kind of Country gave me an opportunity that wouldn’t normally have been available to me in the industry, and highlights the need for country music to open its doors to new talent and new ideas,” shares Kleinsmith. “Thank you to Orville Peck, Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves for giving me this chance. I can’t wait for fans to check out my new EP Butterfly on Apple Music.”
“We were all moved by Micaela’s final performances and to be able to witness her growth throughout the competition has made me so proud of my fellow South-African! Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and I all believe she is ready to be our next country music star,” says Peck. “We are so thrilled to announce her as the winner of My Kind of Country and have the world listen to her new EP Butterfly on Apple Music.”
A fresh take on a music competition series, My Kind of Country, breaks down barriers in country music by providing artists from around the world a platform to be heard. Scouts Allen, Guyton and Peck each hand-picked a roster of talented and diverse artists and invited them to Nashville to showcase their unique sound and compete for the winning prize on the show.
CMA Foundation Receives Support From Scott & Sandi Borchetta’s Music Has Value Fund
/by Caela GriffinThe CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, has announced a partnership with Scott and Sandi Borchetta‘s Music Has Value fund to receive additional financial support for its Tennessee: State of the Arts initiative.
Music Has Value provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music. The fund has pledged $120,000 to provide direct support to music education programs in multiple Tennessee public school districts to be announced throughout this year.
CMA Foundation’s Tennessee: Sate of the Arts initiative is a statewide arts education landscape analysis. The CMA Foundation’s goal with Tennessee: State of the Arts is to develop an understanding of the criteria necessary for establishing high-quality arts education programs and to discover barriers affecting the quality of arts education programming. As of today, 40 district assessments have been completed, offering the CMA Foundation insight into challenges that exist in the classroom, which includes scheduling, equipment needs, limited classroom space, teacher shortages and more.
“We are grateful that Scott and Sandi see the value in State of the Arts and our commitment to solving the challenges that our Tennessee students are faced with regarding accessibility to music and arts education,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Scott and Sandi know that tackling resource gaps can lead to achievement gains when we can address the challenges through the data collected. Information is power and we are excited to see their funds at work.”
Sandi Borchetta, Co-Founder of Music Has Value adds, “We have been blessed to partner with organizations both large and small over the past eight years. We aim to celebrate organizations and individuals making a difference in music education and music therapy. Supporting the arts here in our home state is a perfect extension for Music Has Value.”
Studies continue to show that music and the arts are a critical component to overall student success and readiness. As the only state in the country offering this type of needs assessment, the CMA Foundation hopes to inform decision making, planning, and development of resources. For any district that hasn’t signed up for a no-cost needs assessment, visit CMAFoundation.org/state-of-