Billy Strings. Photo: Joshua Wilkins Black
Billy Strings is extending his headline tour through spring with 22 newly-confirmed shows, including eight arena dates.
Upcoming stops in 2023 include two nights at Mobile’s Mobile Civic Center, Tampa’s Yuengling Center, three nights at St. Augustine’s St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Phoenix’s Arizona Financial Theatre, Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, two nights at Austin’s Moody Center, Tulsa’s BOK Center, St. Louis’ Chaifetz Arena and Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, among others. Tickets for the shows are on sale now at billystrings.com/tour.
The spring dates follow Strings’ winter tour, which will include 15 additional arena shows with stops at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for two sold out nights, Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, and Charleston’s North Charleston Coliseum, among others. Strings will also return to the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 26 for a third sold-out Nashville show.
Strings released Me/And/Dad, the first album he’s recorded with his dad Terry Barber, last month via Rounder Records. The album was a longtime dream of Strings, and features new versions of 14 bluegrass and country classics that the two have been playing together since Strings was a young child.
Billy Strings 2023 Tour Dates:
April 13—Southaven, MS—Landers Center
April 14—Mobile, AL—Mobile Civic Center Arena
April 15—Mobile, AL—Mobile Civic Center Arena
April 18—Tampa, FL—Yuengling Center
April 20—St. Augustine, FL—St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 21—St. Augustine, FL—St. Augustine Amphitheatre
April 22—St. Augustine, FL—St. Augustine Amphitheatre
May 17—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial Theatre
May 19—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre
May 20—San Diego, CA—Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
May 21—San Diego, CA—Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
May 24—Las Vegas, NV—Brooklyn Bowl
June 2—Austin, TX—Moody Center
June 3—Austin, TX—Moody Center
June 7—Tulsa, OK—BOK Center
June 9—St. Louis, MO—Chaifetz Arena
June 10—Indianapolis, IN—TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
June 11—Indianapolis, IN—TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
June 13—Cleveland, OH—Jacobs Pavilion
June 14—Cleveland, OH—Jacobs Pavilion
June 16—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre
June 17—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Country Stars Help First Responders Children’s Foundation Through VIP Experiences
/by Lorie HollabaughTrees for Keith Urban, Maddie & Tae, and Reba McEntire
Gaylord Opryland Resort’s 39th annual A Country Christmas event is hosting Parade of Trees from Universal Music Group Nashville, a display of Christmas trees decorated by Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Sam Hunt and Tyler Hubbard.
Along with their trees, the country stars have each donated VIP experiences, including fly-aways, VIP concert experiences, exclusive merchandise and more, to benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation. Proceeds raised will provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, including a new collaboration with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the local Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“The holidays are a special time when people come together to celebrate and be thankful for their blessings,” McEntire shares. “This holiday season, I’m thankful I can help raise awareness for the First Responders Children’s Foundation, which supports the children and families of first responders who risk their lives every day to serve our communities. I hope everyone will go to charitystars.com/paradeoftrees to enter to win and support the families of this wonderful organization.”
Other artist packages include VIP festival experiences, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade getaways, stadium flyaways, exclusive numbered prints, signed guitars, custom toy packages from Mattel, and more.
The Parade of Trees is on display in the resort’s Garden Conservatory and Cascades Atrium through Jan. 10 as a self-guided tour of the Christmas trees decorated specifically to the artist’s style or album theme. Each VIP experience will be available for bid online until Jan. 10.
Kameron Marlowe Wraps ‘We Were Cowboys Tour’ With Sold-Out Shows
/by Liza AndersonKameron Marlowe during his “We Were Cowboys Tour.” Photo: Trea Allen
Kameron Marlowe wrapped his debut headlining “We Were Cowboys Tour” with sold-out shows in Dallas and Kansas City this past weekend.
He sold over 22,000 tickets across multiple venues in markets including Nashville, Little Rock, Lexington, Birmingham, Asbury Park, Boston, New York City, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, and more.
Kameron Marlowe during his “We Were Cowboys Tour.” Photo: Trea Allen
The headline trek was one of the many milestones Marlowe celebrated this year. In August, he released his debut album We Were Cowboys via Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. Produced by Dann Huff, the record features Gold-certified tracks “Giving You Up” and “Burn ‘Em All,” and has garnered over 378 million on-demand streams. Hewas also recently named to CMT’s Listen Up Class of 2023.
Marlowe will continue to travel in the new year, joining Thomas Rhett for the Canadian dates of his “Bring The Bar To You Tour” and opening for Chase Rice and Parker McCollum on select dates.
Additionally, Marlowe will perform at festivals including Stagecoach and Country Jam USA, and make his first appearance in Europe, performing at the 2023 C2C Festival in London and Glasgow.
My Music Row Story Highlights Key Members Of The Nashville Music Industry
/by LB CantrellThroughout 2022, MusicRow has highlighted many key figures of the Nashville music industry with its My Music Row Story column.
These individuals serve in vital roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Below is a list of those featured in the My Music Row Story column this year. All My Music Row Story features can be found under the “MY STORY” menu tab on MusicRow‘s website.
The column will return in 2023.
– Rob Beckham
– Kerri Edwards
– RJ Curtis
– Shane Stevens
– Beverly Keel
– Mike Sistad
– Troy Tomlinson
– Becky Harris
– Alicia Warwick
– Leslie Fram
– Ebie McFarland
– Daniel Miller
– Natalie Hemby
– Marc Dennis
– Mickey Jack Cones
– Chris Kappy
– Seth England
– Jason Turner
– Brittany Schaffer
– Missi Gallimore
– Allen Brown
– Jackie Patillo
– Ben Vaughn
– Basak Kizilisik
– Shannan Hatch
– Kevin Meads
– Rusty Gaston
– Tatum Hauck-Allsep
– Martha Earls
– Rob Hendon
– Jennie Smythe
– Jen Conger
– JoJamie Hahr
– Missy Roberts
– Mandy Gallagher Morrison
– Stephanie Wright
– Chappel McCollister
– Robert Deaton
– Darin Murphy
– Ellen Truley
– Lynn Oliver-Cline
– George Couri
Read the My Music Row Story columns here.
Musicians On Call To Honor Darius Rucker & Leigh Parr Malleus At Millions Of Moments Event
/by Lydia FarthingMusicians On Call (MOC) will host its Millions of Moments event at the Wildhorse Saloon on Jan. 26. The organization will also mark a major milestone as they tally performances for more than one million people in hospitals nationwide since its founding in 1999.
UMG Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker will be recognized for more than a decade of support for MOC as he receives the Music Heals Golden Ukulele. Additionally, UMG Nashville Vice President of Media Marketing, Leigh Parr Malleus, will receive the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele for serving as a Volunteer Guide for MOC’s Nashville-area hospital programs and connecting artists to MOC’s programs and live music campaigns.
The evening will also recognize the volunteers, artists, hospital partners, patients, families, and caregivers, and will feature special appearances and performances from Sam Hunt, The War And Treaty, and Jon Pardi. Tickets go on sale on Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. CT.
“From our early days bringing music to a single hospital, to playing virtually for over 250,000 patients and caregivers nationwide during the pandemic, our organization has grown tremendously since 1999. This evening will allow us to celebrate these accomplishments and the people who are a part of them,” notes Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “Honoring Darius’ and Leigh’s volunteer work with us, before, during, and since the pandemic, is a wonderful way to not only highlight their dedication and generosity, but also to spotlight the many chapters of MOC’s evolution.”
Guests at the event will be the first to experience a new proprietary, online platform that will transform MOC’s program delivery model and enable the organization to scale dramatically. MOC will also debut its new logo, revamped website, and fresh branding.
The public will be able to participate in a silent auction ahead of the event and bid on items such as signed guitars furnished by Gibson Guitars, red carpet access, and artist experiences.
Bowen * Young Announce City Winery Tour For February
/by Lorie HollabaughBowen * Young. Photo: Courtesy of IVPR
Clare Bowen and husband Brandon Robert Young, known as the duo Bowen * Young, will embark on their 2023 tour beginning Feb. 20 in Atlanta with a string of special shows at City Winery venues through the end of the month.
A hometown show at Nashville’s City Winery will take place on Feb. 23, and Chicago will be the final destination for the duo on Feb, 28. Tickets are on sale now with the option to purchase VIP experiences, including a Q&A with the duo, one song acoustic performance, a photo opportunity, and an exclusive autographed poster.
They two will also play a Nashville Bluebird Cafe show later this month on Dec. 29.
Bowen * Young Upcoming Tour Dates:
Dec. 29 – Nashville, TN – The Bluebird Cafe
Feb. 20 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery
Feb. 23 – Nashville, TN – City Winery
Feb. 28 – Chicago, IL – City Winery
Billy Strings Confirms 2023 Spring Tour With Eight Arena Shows
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings. Photo: Joshua Wilkins Black
Billy Strings is extending his headline tour through spring with 22 newly-confirmed shows, including eight arena dates.
Upcoming stops in 2023 include two nights at Mobile’s Mobile Civic Center, Tampa’s Yuengling Center, three nights at St. Augustine’s St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Phoenix’s Arizona Financial Theatre, Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, two nights at Austin’s Moody Center, Tulsa’s BOK Center, St. Louis’ Chaifetz Arena and Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, among others. Tickets for the shows are on sale now at billystrings.com/tour.
The spring dates follow Strings’ winter tour, which will include 15 additional arena shows with stops at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for two sold out nights, Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, and Charleston’s North Charleston Coliseum, among others. Strings will also return to the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 26 for a third sold-out Nashville show.
Strings released Me/And/Dad, the first album he’s recorded with his dad Terry Barber, last month via Rounder Records. The album was a longtime dream of Strings, and features new versions of 14 bluegrass and country classics that the two have been playing together since Strings was a young child.
Larry Fleet To Hit The Road On His Second Headline Run In 2023
/by Liza AndersonLarry Fleet. Photo: Matt Paskert
Singer-songwriter Larry Fleet will hit the road again in 2023 on his second headlining tour, “Larry Fleet Live.”
The 11-date trek, presented by Black Buffalo, will begin Feb. 23 in Little Rock, Arkansas, with Fleet’s fellow Big Loud Records label-mate Ben Burgess opening all shows. Tickets for “Larry Fleet Live” are available now.
Fleet also plans to open shows across the nation for Jon Pardi and Parker McCollum in the new year.
“We played almost 100 shows this past year and spent even more days than that out on the road, and I’ll tell ya, I felt grateful every single night,” shares Fleet. “Having y’all show up and hearing you singing these songs back to us will just never get old. I can’t wait to see you in the new year and keep sharing the music we’ve got cookin’ for 2023. See you out there!”
While on his first headline journey, the “One For The Road Tour,” Fleet dropped his acoustic collection The Live Sessions: Vol. 1., which includes songs from his Stacks Of Records album. He recently released a new version of the Stacks Of Records‘ track “Quittin’ Ain’t Workin,” featuring Mike Ryan.
Bailey Zimmerman, Zach Bryan, More Among SiriusXM Class Of 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, top row): Zach Bryan and Jelly Roll; (L-R, bottom row): Nate Smith and Bailey Zimmerman
SiriusXM has revealed its Class of 2022, consisting of artists that SiriusXM was first to commit airplay and playlist support to throughout the year and who subsequently went on to have a major breakthrough year.
Representing country music on the 2022 list are Bailey Zimmerman, Corey Kent, Jelly Roll, Nate Smith and Zach Bryan.
In 2022, SiriusXM’s The Highway played Zimmerman’s music more than 2,500 times and featured multiple singles, including “Fall in Love” in March—which, in less than three months, went on to reach No. 1 on the channel’s Hot 30 Countdown and reached No. 1 on the country charts in early December. The Highway was one of the only outlets in June to play “Rock and a Hard Place,” which also reached No. 1 on the Hot 30 Countdown. Upon the song’s release in mid-September, The Highway became the first and only outlet to play “Never Leave.”
Pandora has also heavily supported Zimmerman by becoming one of the first platforms to add “Fall In Love” to curated playlists, which has led to the track receiving more than 67 million streams. The track also landed on Pandora’s Top Thumb Hundred of 2022, the annual ranking of the most-loved songs by Pandora listeners.
The Highway was first to play Corey Kent’s “Wild As Her” in March, which quickly moved into regular rotation. In August, the song landed at No. 1 on the channel’s Hot 30 Countdown, and in mid-December the song cracked the top 25 on the country charts. Support continued in October when “How You Know You Made It” debuted with The Highway being the only outlet to support the track to date.
SiriusXM’s Octane was the first national, hard-rock outlet to embrace Jelly Roll’s track “Dead Man Walking” by naming it an Octane Accelerator in October of 2021. Since then, it has been played more than 1,500 times. In April, the song reach No. 1 multiple times on the channel’s listener-voted weekly Big Uns Countdown, over a month before it reached No. 1 on the national active rock chart. SiriusXM also championed the artist on The Highway, providing early support for his track “Son Of A Sinner,” which reached No. 1 on the channel’s Hot 30 Countdown.
Starting in early May, The Highway began championing Nate Smith and his music by being the first national outlet to commit significant airplay to his song “Whiskey On You.” The Highway has since gone on to lead the nation in airplay with over 1,200 spins. In September, the song reached No. 1 on the channel’s Hot 30 Countdown and is finishing the year by cracking the top 5 on the country charts. The Highway is the only outlet to support his songs “I Found You” and “Wreckage,” both of which had their national debut on the channel.
In early January, SiriusXM’s The Spectrum became the first to commit airplay to Zach Bryan’s song “Heading South,” and has since played the song–which in late April reached the top 15 at Triple A charts– more than 1,000 times. The Spectrum continued their support in March by becoming the first to play and amplify his song “From Austin.”
Also among the Class of 2022 are Arin Ray, Becky Hill, Fred again.., Jax, Leah Kate, Muni Long, Nicky Youre, Ryan Castro, Sleazyworld Go, Wage War, and Wet Leg.
Blake Shelton Partners With Propeller & Save The Music For ‘Back To The Honky Tonk Tour’
/by Lydia FarthingBlake Shelton has partnered with digital marketing and social impact platform, Propeller, to support Save The Music, a nonprofit organization that helps students, schools, and communities through the power of making music.
Through this campaign, ticket holders for Shelton’s upcoming “Back To The Honky Tonk Tour” can be entered to win prizes throughout the trek, including a trip to see Shelton’s hometown show in Oklahoma City on March 17, VIP packages, signed merchandise, ticket upgrades, and more.
“I’m proud to announce that my ‘Back To The Honky Tonk Tour’ will partner with Propeller to support the work of Save The Music, a national nonprofit dedicated to building school music programs in underserved communities,” Shelton shares. “Music is the greatest healer, and I know my fans will be just as excited as I am to work together to give the gift of music to as many children across the country as possible.” He continues, “Music in schools is something I strongly support and believe in, and I’m so glad they are partnering with Propeller to be part of our tour!”
For more information and access to other special rewards from Shelton, click here.
“Back To The Honkey Tonk Tour” 2023 Dates:
February 16 – Pinnacle Bank Arena | Lincoln, Nebraska
February 17 – Denny Sanford Premier Center | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
February 18 – Xcel Energy Center | St. Paul, Minnesota
February 23 – Greensboro Coliseum | Greensboro, North Carolina
February 24 – Thompson-Boling Arena | Knoxville, Tennessee
February 25 – Legacy Arena at the BJCC | Birmingham, Alabama
March 2 – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena | Jacksonville, Florida
March 3 – Amalie Arena, Tampa | Florida
March 4 – Amway Center, Orlando | Florida
March 9 – KFC Yum! Center | Louisville, Kentucky
March 10 – Nationwide Arena | Columbus, Ohio
March 11 – Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Indiana
March 16 – Simmons Bank Arena | North Little Rock, Arkansas
March 17 – Paycom Center | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
March 18 – T-Mobile Center | Kansas City, Missouri
March 23 – Heritage Bank Center | Cincinnati, Ohio
March 24 – PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 25 – KeyBank Center | Buffalo, New York
Landon Parker Caps A Busy 2022 With Debut EP, ‘Hits Home’
/by Lydia FarthingLandon Parker. Photo: Brian Kaplan
Emerging singer-songwriter Landon Parker has released his debut EP, Hits Home, via Bad Ass Records.
Featuring a mix of classic and cutting-edge country sounds, each of the six tracks were co-written by Parker and produced by Grammy award-winner Blake Chancey. Hits Home pairs three previously released tracks with three fresh cuts, including “Beer By Beer,” the project’s title track, and “Godsend.”
“When it comes to making music, it takes hard work and patience,” shares Parker. “I’ve worked on these songs day in and day out! I’m so excited the world gets to hear what I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into. Every track has a different story to it. From good times to break ups to finding love and being back home. I’m proud to say I was a writer on every song on this EP. You might even hear me playing on it! So crank it up and enjoy!”
Throughout 2022, the Yadkinville, North Carolina native was featured at TidalWave Music Festival, Milwaukee’s SummerFest, CMA Fest and more.
Parker is signed to EM.Co, the management firm behind superstar Tim McGraw, as well as McGraw’s publishing company, Free Dive, in partnership with TriScore Music.
1. “Beer By Beer” (Landon Parker, Carlo Colasacco)**
2. “Hits Home” (Landon Parker, Josh Gramling, Adam Smithwick)*
3. “Caught Me At A Good Time” (Landon Parker, Blake Chancey, Josh Hoge)*
4. “Godsend” (Landon Parker, Josh Gramling, Adam Smithwick)*
5. “Good Beer Drinkin’” (Landon Parker, Cody Gregg)*
6. “Up For Anything” (Landon Parker, Cody Gregg)*
* Produced by Blake Chancey
** Produced by Blake Chancey and Carlo Colasacco