Brett Eldredge. Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
Brett Eldredge opened up his “Glow Live Tour” at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Friday (Nov. 25). The special holiday trek launched with a three-day stint at the Mother Church of Country Music and will continue on with upcoming shows in Indianapolis, St. Louis, New York, and more before ending in Boston just before Christmas.
The inspiration for the tour and his album of the same name began with an intimate, live Christmas show in Nashville in 2014. Eight years later, the show has grown each year, now selling out the Ryman for three straight nights.
During the night’s festivities, Eldredge told the story of how this came to be. “About 2014 or so, I started having these little parties in Nashville in the basement in a bar. We had about 100 people that would be invited to this event–friends, some industry people and a six piece band instead of this big orchestra up here [with me tonight]. We grew it a little bit the next year. We’d move to another venue and then another one and another one, and now, we’ve sold out the Ryman three nights in a row. It’s so crazy.”
Eldredge has two Christmas albums to his credit: the tour’s namesake, Glow, from 2016 and his more recent Mr. Christmas from 2021.
Pictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, WMN), Brett Eldredge, and Cris Lacy (Co-President, WMN). Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
The show opened with a jazz quartet consisting of drums, upright bass, keyboard, and saxophone offering renditions of “Silver Bells,” “Oh Christmas Tree” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
The stage was set with a 16-foot lighted Christmas tree, old fashioned street lamps, and a bench off to the side. The orchestra, which backed the country crooner throughout the show’s, was a modified big band set up consisting of 4 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, upright bass, piano, drums and an electric guitar.
Eldredge opened the show with a one-two punch of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Winter Wonderland.” He introduced the next tune by issuing two rules: the first being to allow yourself to be a kid again, and the second serving as more of an invitation to call him “Mr. Christmas,” which was the next song of the evening.
“Everyone is familiar with the line ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire,’” Eldredge shared, noting that he often thought of selling them at these Christmas shows. However, after trying them, he admitted, “If I started selling roasted chestnuts, no one would buy them.” The next tune on the agenda was, of course, “The Christmas Song.” After the classics “Sleigh Ride” and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” the orchestra did an interlude of the Charlie Brown Christmas song, “Christmastime is Here.” Continuing to infuse the audience with Christmas spirit, Eldredge sang “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
“I gotta say, most of my ideas aren’t always great, but every once in a while, you just got to believe in yourself. Just go after that thing that might seem kind of crazy. There are a lot of people that have my back, making this music,” Eldredge explained before singing the title track to his 2016 album. He followed it up with “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and “White Christmas.”
Before playing his original “Feels Like Christmas,” Eldredge addressed the packed crowd. “During the thing that happened in 2020, where we sat around on our couches for a long time, I wrote songs.” He recalled, “I would play my guitar and write by myself. I’d write a little piece like the first verse over a couple months. This song ended up becoming one of the most soulful songs I’ve written. A beautiful Christmas song to put you in the mood.”
After playing Louis Armstrong’s “Cool Yule,” Eldredge invited the audience to pay homage to his band before launching into “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “O Holy Night,” and “Jingle Bells.”
After a standing ovation, Eldrege returned to the stage to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The final song was an unplugged, acapella version of “The First Noel.”
“I’m gonna get off this mic and I’m going to sing to you. This is how I like to end the show,” Eldredge concluded. “This is something that is so rare–to be together and to feel this energy and this spirit. I know it’s a tough world out there with the times right now. I think that the words, the message, and the heart of this song have always done something really special.” He added, “I want you guys to go off tonight and hopefully carry this one place in your heart throughout the rest of this year and onto the next year. Thanks for being a part of this tradition. I love you guys. Thank you so much.”
Eldredge ended the night with a “Thank you” and a “Merry Christmas” as the band played the final notes. The house lights came on as he signed autographs and interacted with the audience.
50 Egg Music Adds Gray Robinson To Writer Roster
/by Lydia FarthingGray Robinson
Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Gray Robinson has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with 50 Egg Music.
A Greensboro, North Carolina native, Robinson moved to Nashville in 2017 to attend Belmont University and has spent the past few years finding her voice as an artist.
Gray first appeared on The Bobby Bones Show in February of 2021 when her single, “Happy,” went viral on Tiktok. That single, and several that followed, were quickly added to the Women of iHeart Country playlists and made their way to both iHeart and other terrestrial radio stations across the country.
“Gray is a light. She is someone that makes a room feel special when she walks into it, and tack on her vocal prowess and songwriting ability, and it is the makings of a superstar,” notes 50 Egg’s Tali Canterbury. “We are so thrilled to be working with her.”
“I feel so blessed to be a part of the 50 Egg Music family. From the second I met Tali and Jonathan [Singleton], I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Gray shares. “They immediately saw my vision and have been nothing but supportive, encouraging, and game-changers for me. It’s also pretty cool being surrounded by what feels like a bunch of talented big brothers and sisters.”
50 Egg Music is a publishing and artist development endeavor started by Canterbury, Singleton, and Luke Combs. The company is home to writers Ashland Craft, Ben Simonetti, Erik Dylan, Jacob Lutz, Reid Isbell, Rob Pennington, Shane Minor, Rob Snyder, Tyler Braden and Wyatt McCubbin. Since its inception, 50 Egg Music has notched 15 No. 1 songs.
Jordan Harvey Tees Up Debut EP, ‘It Is What It Is,’ For January
/by Lydia FarthingJordan Harvey. Photo: Catherine Powell
Rising BBR recording artist Jordan Harvey has readied his debut EP, It Is What It Is, for release on Jan. 20.
The project will feature his debut track “Alabama Girl,” which went viral on TikTok with more than a million views, as well as its infectious follow-up “I Will.” Produced by Kevin Bard and Jason Massey and entirely co-written by Harvey, It Is What It Is showcases the young vocalist’s ability to craft relatable songs that dial in emotional and real-life situations, while spotlighting love, heartbreak, and new beginnings.
Harvey took over Nashville’s Basement East earlier this week, delivering a sneak peek into the debut EP.
Jackson Dean’s History-Making Debut Single Hits No. 1 At Country Radio
/by Lydia FarthingJackson Dean. Photo: David McClister
Jackson Dean‘s debut single, “Don’t Come Lookin’,” has hit the top of the country radio charts.
With this achievement, the 22-year-old also becomes the youngest male artist in Country Aircheck and Radio & Records’ history to top the charts with their first single and the fourth youngest overall behind Gabby Barrett, Kelsea Ballerini, and Marie Osmond.
Paying homage to freewheeling independence, the gravelly track has been featured on Netflix’s The Ice Road soundtrack and Yellowstone, and it was recently covered by Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Garnering more than 80 million on-demand streams to date, “Don’t Come Lookin'” averages five million streams a week.
The hit single appears on Dean’s debut album, Greenbroke, released earlier this year via Big Machine Records. Co-produced by Dick, Dean co-wrote every song on the 10-track collection.
This year, the Maryland native has played more than 110 shows, made his Grand Ole Opry debut, more than doubled his fans across social platforms, partnered with the FFA and Ram Trucks, and played a variety of festival slots, including Stagecoach, Austin City Limits, and more.
Jackson will join Hardy on his “Wall to Wall Tour” to close out the year before joining Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce on the “2023 Back to the Honky Tonk Tour.”
Brett Eldredge ‘Glows’ On Ryman Stage
/by Alex ParryBrett Eldredge. Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
Brett Eldredge opened up his “Glow Live Tour” at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Friday (Nov. 25). The special holiday trek launched with a three-day stint at the Mother Church of Country Music and will continue on with upcoming shows in Indianapolis, St. Louis, New York, and more before ending in Boston just before Christmas.
The inspiration for the tour and his album of the same name began with an intimate, live Christmas show in Nashville in 2014. Eight years later, the show has grown each year, now selling out the Ryman for three straight nights.
During the night’s festivities, Eldredge told the story of how this came to be. “About 2014 or so, I started having these little parties in Nashville in the basement in a bar. We had about 100 people that would be invited to this event–friends, some industry people and a six piece band instead of this big orchestra up here [with me tonight]. We grew it a little bit the next year. We’d move to another venue and then another one and another one, and now, we’ve sold out the Ryman three nights in a row. It’s so crazy.”
Eldredge has two Christmas albums to his credit: the tour’s namesake, Glow, from 2016 and his more recent Mr. Christmas from 2021.
Pictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, WMN), Brett Eldredge, and Cris Lacy (Co-President, WMN). Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
The show opened with a jazz quartet consisting of drums, upright bass, keyboard, and saxophone offering renditions of “Silver Bells,” “Oh Christmas Tree” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
The stage was set with a 16-foot lighted Christmas tree, old fashioned street lamps, and a bench off to the side. The orchestra, which backed the country crooner throughout the show’s, was a modified big band set up consisting of 4 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, upright bass, piano, drums and an electric guitar.
Eldredge opened the show with a one-two punch of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Winter Wonderland.” He introduced the next tune by issuing two rules: the first being to allow yourself to be a kid again, and the second serving as more of an invitation to call him “Mr. Christmas,” which was the next song of the evening.
“Everyone is familiar with the line ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire,’” Eldredge shared, noting that he often thought of selling them at these Christmas shows. However, after trying them, he admitted, “If I started selling roasted chestnuts, no one would buy them.” The next tune on the agenda was, of course, “The Christmas Song.” After the classics “Sleigh Ride” and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” the orchestra did an interlude of the Charlie Brown Christmas song, “Christmastime is Here.” Continuing to infuse the audience with Christmas spirit, Eldredge sang “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
“I gotta say, most of my ideas aren’t always great, but every once in a while, you just got to believe in yourself. Just go after that thing that might seem kind of crazy. There are a lot of people that have my back, making this music,” Eldredge explained before singing the title track to his 2016 album. He followed it up with “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and “White Christmas.”
Before playing his original “Feels Like Christmas,” Eldredge addressed the packed crowd. “During the thing that happened in 2020, where we sat around on our couches for a long time, I wrote songs.” He recalled, “I would play my guitar and write by myself. I’d write a little piece like the first verse over a couple months. This song ended up becoming one of the most soulful songs I’ve written. A beautiful Christmas song to put you in the mood.”
After playing Louis Armstrong’s “Cool Yule,” Eldredge invited the audience to pay homage to his band before launching into “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “O Holy Night,” and “Jingle Bells.”
After a standing ovation, Eldrege returned to the stage to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The final song was an unplugged, acapella version of “The First Noel.”
“I’m gonna get off this mic and I’m going to sing to you. This is how I like to end the show,” Eldredge concluded. “This is something that is so rare–to be together and to feel this energy and this spirit. I know it’s a tough world out there with the times right now. I think that the words, the message, and the heart of this song have always done something really special.” He added, “I want you guys to go off tonight and hopefully carry this one place in your heart throughout the rest of this year and onto the next year. Thanks for being a part of this tradition. I love you guys. Thank you so much.”
Eldredge ended the night with a “Thank you” and a “Merry Christmas” as the band played the final notes. The house lights came on as he signed autographs and interacted with the audience.
Singer-Songwriter George Birge Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Liza AndersonGeorge Birge. Photo: Chris Hollo.
George Birge made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday, Nov. 22. After Opry member Jamey Johnson introduced the Records Nashville artist to the crowd, he performed “That Drink,” a new take on Neal McCoy’s “Wink,” as well his recent country radio No. 1 “Mind On You.”
“Mind On You,” from Birge’s self-titled debut EP, has already amassed over eight million streams. However, he almost didn’t record the hit. Produced by Ash Bowers and co-written by Birge, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler and Colt Ford, the song was originally on hold for Jason Aldean. After Birge was offered a deal with Records Nashville, though, he decided to release it himself.
Opry/WSM’s Charlie Mattos & George Birge. Photo: Chris Holo.
“This past year has been pretty wild for me. In 2020 I had basically given up the idea of playing live music. I thought I was going to write songs for other people. ‘Mind On You’ has changed my life,” shared Birge. “I still can’t believe I made my Opry debut tonight—it’s such a special place with so much history. I am truly humbled by this opportunity and can’t wait to be back.”
The Austin native has more than 30 million streams across his catalog to date. He is currently on the road with labelmate Matt Stell on his “Man Made Tour,” which will run through December. Birge will also appear as a special guest during Bobby Bones’ Comedically Inspirational show in Las Vegas on Dec. 4.
Luke Dick Inches Higher On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by Lydia FarthingLuke Dick. Photo: Adam Murphy
Singer, songwriter and producer Luke Dick has re-entered the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, pushing Luke Combs to No. 6.
Dick is a writer on three songs that are currently at play on the country charts, including “Strange” (Miranda Lambert), “Don’t Come Lookin'” (Jackson Dean), and “Gold” (Dierks Bentley).
Zach Bryan notches a tenth consecutive week at No. 1, growing his chart entries to six. Among them are his own “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” “Sun To Me,” “Fifth Of May,” “The Greatest Day Of My Life” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Because he is the only writer on each of the tracks, Bryan earns all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams on the Songwriter Chart.
Filling out the remainder of the top five are Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Morgan Wallen (No. 3) and Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4).
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Tracy Lawrence Raises Over $250K At 17th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Travis Denning, Alexandra Kay, Gary Allan, Tracy Lawrence, David Tolliver, Chad Warrix, and Shawn Parr. Photo: Caylee Robillard
Tracy Lawrence‘s 17th annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert was a huge success, frying a record-breaking 1,200 turkeys that were distributed throughout Middle Tennessee. Overall, the event provided 9,600 meals to those in need during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Tracy Lawrence’s Turkey Fry. Photo: Caylee Robillard
The day kicked off at the Nashville Fairgrounds with over 250 volunteers who helped fry the turkeys. Lawrence was joined by Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, along with helping hands from Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty, Nashville Mayor John Cooper, Phil Vassar, Deana Carter, Clint Black, and Lee Greenwood.
Following the mass turkey fry, Lawrence was joined by Gary Allan, Travis Denning, Alexandra Kay and Halfway to Hazard for a sold-out benefit at Wildhorse Saloon that raised another record-breaking $250,000 towards the Nashville Rescue Mission.
“This was an incredible day from start to finish,” Lawrence shares. “To step back and think about how this started as just a few friends and a dozen fryers in a parking lot—to what it is now—is truly incredible. There are so many people that go into this event and I’m just so grateful we can all come together and support this cause.”
The yearly event has now provided more than 73,000 meals to the homeless across Middle Tennessee and raised over $850,000 for Nashville Rescue Mission.
Pictured (L-R): Shawn Parr, Rev. Glenn Cranfield, and Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Caylee Robillard
Jesse Murphy Signs With Peermusic Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughJesse Murphy. Photo: Courtesy of peermusic
Jesse Murphy has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with peermusic Nashville.
Murphy is a Nashville native and the son of hit songwriter David Lee Murphy. He started writing and playing guitar at the age of 14.
His first recording project as a member of country-rock band House Whiskey was produced by Brett Beavers and received more than a million streams in less than 12 months. The band has performed at CMA Fest, the Houston Livestock Rodeo, and opened for the Charlie Daniels Band, Tracy Byrd, Frank Foster, and more.
“I love me some Jesse Murphy—I’ve been a big fan for a long time and I’m excited to be a part of his future. Being the son of one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time is just icing on the cake,” notes peermusic Nashville President Michael Knox.
“I’m very excited and grateful to be part of the peermusic team,” adds Murphy. “It feels like family already and I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.”
The signing of Murphy marks the first under Knox’s new role as President of peermusic Nashville, a position he took on in October of this year. In recent years, peermusic has published the 2016 SESAC Country Song of the Year with Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach” and the 2013 ASCAP Song of the Year with Randy Houser’s “How Country Feels.”
‘Brett Young: 5 Tour 3 2 1’ Set For Spring 2023
/by Liza AndersonMulti-Platinum artist Brett Young is set to hit the road this spring for “Brett Young: 5 Tour 3 2 1.” Following his sold-out European tour, Young will travel stateside with Ashley Cooke and Morgan Evans starting Mar. 30 in Columbus, Ohio.
Tickets for “Brett Young: 5 Tour 3 2 1” will go on sale this Friday (Dec. 2) at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Additionally, he plans to release a new version of his song “You Ain’t Here To Kiss Me,” which he wrote alongside Tiffany Goss and Matt Alderman, this Friday (Dec. 2). With Dan Huff once again serving as producer on the track, the upcoming version offers a new take on the song, with stripped-down production that puts Young’s vocals on full display.
“I can be a very emotional songwriter and, for some reason, the sad, reflective songs, often come naturally for me,” Young shares. “The song is a true story about a situation my now wife and I had many years back–it just describes the feeling of missing someone and seeing everyone else around you in happy relationships. Dann Huff has been wanting to cut a new version of it for a while so we thought the timing was right to give it a bit of a new life around this coming New Year.”
“Brett Young: 5 Tour 3 2 1” Dates:
Mar. 30 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
Mar. 31 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
April 1 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom
April 6 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
April 7 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
April 8 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
April 20 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
April 21 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
April 22 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
April 27 – Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
April 28 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
April 29 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
May 12 – Wenatchee, WA – Town Toyota Center
May 13 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater *
May 18 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento
May 19 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
May 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
*Ashley Cooke not on this date
Shania Twain Adds New Dates To Upcoming ‘Queen Of Me Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughShania Twain. Photo: Louie Banks
Shania Twain has added five new dates to her upcoming “Queen of Me Tour.”
The newly-announced dates include second nights added in Moncton, New Brunswick, and Glasgow, along with new shows in Bethel, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Leeds, UK. The tour will now visit 48 cities across 54 dates within North America and Europe throughout 2023.
Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Robyn Ottolini, Priscilla Block, and Mickey Guyton will join Twain on select dates throughout the global tour.
“The Queen of Me Tour” marks the first time fans will get to see Twain in nearly five years, following her Las Vegas residency. Kicking off April 28 in Spokane, Washington, the trek will make stops in Vancouver, Denver, Toronto, LA, New York, London, Dublin and more before wrapping up on Sept. 29 at Leeds Arena in Leeds.
Tickets for the newly-added dates go on sale Friday, Dec. 2 at LiveNation.com. A dollar of every ticket purchased will be donated to Twain’s SKC organization, which provides services that promote positive change in children’s lives in times of crises and economic hardship.