Alabama’s Jeff Cook Dies At 73

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Jeff Cook. Photo: Alan Messer

Jeff Cook, a founding member and guitarist of the country supergroup Alabama, passed away peacefully on Monday (Nov. 7) at his home in Destin, Florida. Cook was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, Fiddlers Hall of Fame and Gibson’s Guitarist of the Year.

Jeff Cook

Born Jeffrey Alan Cook in Fort Payne, Alabama on August 27, 1949, he began playing guitar and keyboards in bands by the age of 13. After securing a broadcast license at age 14, Cook went to work as a disc jockey at a local Fort Payne radio station. He eventually went on to own radio and TV stations. Cook graduated from Fort Payne High School and went to college at Gadsden State Community College, earning a degree in Electronic Technology.

Cook formed Alabama along with cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen. After six years of hard work, the band earned a record deal and the rest was history. Alabama became one of the most successful acts in country music history, selling more than 80 million albums and charting 43 No. 1 hits. Their iconic hits include “Song of the South,” “Dixieland Delight,” “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” “Mountain Music,” “Take Me Down,” “Feels So Right,” “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band),” and many more.

Alabama’s Jeff Cook, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry. Photo: Rick Diamond

Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Cook’s technical skill was an integral part of their success. The accomplished musician could play piano, guitar, fiddle, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, and more. He is credited for introducing the electric double neck guitar to country music.

Jeff Cook married the love of his life, Lisa Williams, on June 9, 1995. The Cooks resided in “Cook Castle” atop Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne, Alabama, as well as in Guntersville, Alabama and Destin/Miramar Beach, Florida. Cook also built Cook Sound Studios in Fort Payne, which allowed him to help musicians share their music with others.

The award-winning guitarist was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012. He stopped touring with Alabama in 2018 due to his diagnosis. He was known for his positive attitude despite his physical challenges.

Cook is survived by his wife of 27 years Lisa Cook, beloved puppies Blazer and Blakely, his mother Betty Cook, his brother David Cook, Crystal Cook, his father-in-law Jerrial Williams, his brother-in-law Randy Williams and many nieces and nephews. Cook was preceded in death by his father James Cook and his mother-in-law, JoAnn Williams.

With his profound desire to help others, The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation was formed along with The Jeff and Lisa Cook Children’s Home to house orphaned children worldwide, starting in the Philippines. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the foundation.

Arrangements for Cook’s Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Caroline Jones Joins Zac Brown Band As First Full-Time Female Band Member

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Zac Brown Band. Photo: Tyler Lord

Caroline Jones is adding a little female power to the Zac Brown Band, officially joining as a full-time band member. This makes her the first and only female in the eight-piece group.

Jones will join the band for tours, performances, appearances, and in the studio, in addition to maintaining her solo career. She will also join the group for the 2022 CMA Awards tomorrow night (Nov. 9).

Caroline Jones. Photo: Tracy Alison

Jones first opened for Zac Brown Band on their 2017 tour and was asked back for the following two tours. The band asked her to join 2021’s “The Comeback Tour” as a special guest band member, and then extended the invitation again for their current “Out In The Middle Tour.”

The band also invited the singer-songwriter to perform with them at this year’s CMA Fest, 2021 CMA Awards, and to open for the Rolling Stones at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, among other performances and appearances.

Musically, Zac Brown has become a close mentor to Jones and is a co-producer on her hit track “So Many Skies” featuring Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, which is featured on her sophomore album, Antipodes. The 13-track project debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes Country charts, and features her first top 30 hit, “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable).”

Industry Ink: Bailey Zimmerman, Alabama, SmackSongs, ‘She Believed She Could’

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Bailey Zimmerman Rings In Opry Debut With RIAA Certifications

Pictured (L-R): Rohan Kohli (Sr. Dir. A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Jacob Fain (SVP A&R/Head of Research & Analytics, Elektra Entertainment), Ben Kline (Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Bailey Zimmerman, Cris Lacy (Co-President, Warner Music Nashville), Mike Easterlin (Co-President, Elektra Entertainment), Kevin Liles (Chairman & CEO, 300 Elektra Entertainment).

Following the release of his debut EP, Leave The Light On, Bailey Zimmerman made his Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday (Nov. 4).

He celebrated afterward with family and friends, as well as members of his label and management teams, who presented him with Gold and Platinum plaques for both his current Top 5 single “Fall In Love” and fan-favorite track “Rock And A Hard Place.”

 

 

Alabama Notches Two Sold Out Shows In St. Augustine

Pictured (L-R): Alabama’s Randy Owen, Ontourage Management’s Tony Conway, and AEG Presents’ John Valentino.

Legendary country band Alabama celebrated a pair of sold out shows at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida last weekend.

They will continue their 2022 touring run with upcoming shows in Durant, Oklahoma (Nov. 26); Tulsa, Oklahoma (Nov. 27); Roanoke, Virginia (Dec. 9); and Fayetteville, North Carolina (Dec. 11).

 

 

SmackSongs Wins Big At 2022 SESAC Awards

SESAC Celebrates Song of the Year, “Fancy Like,” at the 2022 SESAC Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC.

SmackSongs showed up at the SESAC Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 6), taking home Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Publisher of the Year, along with four performance awards.

Song of the Year went to Walker Hayes’ smash hit “Fancy Like,” written by Smack writers Hayes and Josh Jenkins, along with Cameron Bartolini and Shane Stevens. The song collected a Grammy Nomination, five ACM nominations, a CMT Award, and six Billboard Music Awards in 2021. Jenkins was also named SESAC Songwriter of the Year for penning hits such as “Fancy Like” and “Buy Dirt”–both of which topped the country music charts.

Smack was named Publisher of the Year, marking the second time in three years that the company has earned the title. The full-service publishing, management and digital company had over 20 songs on the chart in 2021 and 2022, as well as managed breakthrough artist Kylie Morgan and Hayes. The performance awards went to “Fancy Like” and “Buy Dirt” from Jenkins, and “7500 OBO” and “Like I Love Country Music” from Smack writer Matt McGinn.

“It’s been amazing to work with SESAC Award winners Josh Jenkins and Matt McGinn for so many years and watch them grow into their success thanks to their incredible talent and work ethic,” says Robin Palmer, Chief Creative Office at SMACK. “I couldn’t be more proud of Josh for this moment—he truly is one of the most deserving, humble, talented, and kind humans I’ve ever known!”

 

 

She Believed She Could Makes Stage Debut At Nashville’s Woolworth Theatre

Pictured (L-R): Kaylin Roberson, Regan Stewart, Layna, Maddie Walker, Belles, and Jillian Dawn

She Believed She Could, a new stage production celebrating the stories and songs of chart-topping women in country music, recently made its opening debut at Nashville’s newly opened Woolworth Theatre.

The cast of She Believed She Could is comprised of Song Suffragettes singer-songwriters, including Belles, Jillian Dawn, Kaylin Roberson, Layna, Maddie Walker, and Regan Stewart. The show runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with 6 p.m. showtimes through February. The show is open to all ages.

BBR Music Group Expands Digital Department With Three New Hires

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Pictured (L-R): Britt Epley, Ainsley Barry and Aaron Wilder. Photos: Jessica Crans

BBR Music Group has expanded its digital department with the additions of Britt Epley to Sr. Manager of Digital Advertising, Ainsley Barry to Manager of Digital Marketing and Aaron Wilder to YouTube Manager.

In her new role, Epley is responsible for executing paid digital campaigns while collaborating with the digital marketing teams on digital advertising solutions. She comes to the label from UMG Nashville, where she directed digital campaigns for Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood and more. Prior to that, Epley was a Digital Channel Manager at Weller Media Agency, overseeing digital strategy and social media management for artists like Kate Yeager, Donovan Woods and Republic Records. Reporting to Elise Stawarz, Sr. Director of Digital Marketing, Epley can be reached at britt.epley@bmg.com.

Barry will handle the strategic digital initiatives for BBR’s roster in her new role. Coming to the label from Black River Entertainment, she gained experience in the Copyright and Licensing department before being promoted to Social Media Coordinator. She reports to Marissa Messer, Director of Digital Marketing, and can be reached at ainsley.barry@bmg.com.

Wilder will work directly with the YouTube Nashville office in his new position to lead and advise the label’s roster of artists in utilizing YouTube to its fullest potential, advising on video strategy, YouTube Shorts and more. He comes to BBR from the Integrity Music label, where he managed streaming efforts and the day-to-day relationship between the label, artists and DSP staff, as well as curating their playlist brand. Prior to that, he worked at Sony Music Publishing with their Global Copyright Admin department. Reporting to Kailyn Arcury, Senior Manager, YouTube, Wilder can be reached at aaron.wilder@bmg.com.

Weekly Register: Lainey Wilson’s ‘Bell Bottom Country’ Notches Top Country Album Debut

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Reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Lainey Wilson makes the top country album debut this week with the release of her sophomore album, Bell Bottom Country. Coming in at No. 12, the record racks up 10K in total first-week consumption (4.3K album only/6.6 million song streams), according to Luminate data.

Higher up on the country albums chart are some familiar faces. At No. 1, Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album adds 41K in total consumption (1K album only/51 million song streams) this week, while Zach Bryan‘s American Heartbreak remains at No. 2 with 25K. Bailey Zimmerman‘s debut project, Leave The Light On, stays at No. 3 with 21K, Taylor Swift‘s Red (Taylor’s Version) keeps the fourth position with 15K, and Luke Combs‘ Growin’ Up seals the top five with 14K.

“Something In The Orange” (Zach Bryan) holds at No. 1 on the top country streaming song for a seventh week in a row. The song adds another 14 million streams, contributing to a cumulative 300 million streams RTD. “You Proof” (Morgan Wallen) follows at No. 2 with 9.6 million streams, and “Rock And A Hard Place” (Bailey Zimmerman) keeps its spot at N0. 3 with 9.1 million streams. “Thank God” (Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown) rises back up to No. 4 with 7.7 million streams, while “The Kind Of Love We Make” (Luke Combs) keeps its spot at No. 5 with 7.5 million streams.

Whiskey Myers Plots New Cross-Country Trek For February & March

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Whiskey Myers. Photo: Khris Poage

Whiskey Myers is leaping into 2023 with the announcement of their “Whiskey Myers 2023 Tour,” which will kick off Feb. 16 in Knoxville. Joining the band for the run will be Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Rival Sons and The Weathered Souls. &

With 12 dates spanning the country throughout February and March, the tour follows recent milestones for the band, including a single-day sellout of their Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut and back-to-back nights at the Ryman Auditorium, as well as a headlining arena show for over 10,000 fans at Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena last month.

The tour will visit Savannah, Toledo, Albuquerque, Tallahassee, and more through March 31, with tickets on sale to the general public beginning this Thursday (Nov. 11).

Ingrid Andress Scores Second Chart-Topper With ‘Wishful Drinking’

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Ingrid Andress. Photo: Olivia Bee

Ingrid Andress has topped the Country Aircheck chart with her Platinum-certified hit “Wishful Drinking (with Sam Hunt).”

The track is Andress’ second career No. 1 and Hunt’s tenth, and appears on her sophomore album, Good Person. Andress co-wrote every track on the project, which she co-produced with Sam Ellis. The LP follows her debut project Lady Like, which scored the singer-songwriter three Grammy noms, including Best New Artist, Best Country Album and Best Country Song for the multi-Platinum No. 1 single “More Hearts Than Mine.”

Andress, who has racked up over one billion global streams, spent the year on the road as support on Keith Urban‘s 52-date North American “The Speed of Now World Tour,” which wrapped this weekend.

Musicians Hall Of Fame & Museum Co-Founder & COO Linda Chambers Rises To CEO

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Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum COO and Co-Founder Linda Chambers has transitioned to CEO, effective Nov. 1. With this move, she steps into the leadership role previously held by her late husband, CEO/Co-Founder Joe Chambers, who passed away on Sept. 28, 2022.

Joe was an accomplished musician and songwriter and, as a couple, Linda and Joe opened a chain of guitar stores named Chambers Guitars. The couple later co-founded and opened the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in 2006, which relocated to Nashville’s Historic Municipal Auditorium in 2013 and also houses the Grammy Gallery.

The mission of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum is to honor all great musicians regardless of genre or instruments, while also educating visitors about the musicians who actually played on the “soundtracks of their lives.”

“The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum is a Music City treasure,” notes Butch Spyridon, CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “The future of the Museum is bright, and we are committed to supporting Joe’s vision of making the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum a destination as it continues under the direction of Co-Founder/CEO Linda Chambers.”

The announcement follows the unveiling of the 2022 Class of Musicians Hall of Fame Inductees, which includes musicians Don McLean, Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives, Ray Stevens and Vince Gill, plus engineer George Massenburg and producer James William Guercio. The concert portion of the event will be hosted by award-winning recording artist Phil Vassar and will feature special performances by several Hall of Fame inductees and guest performers, including Rodney Crowell, Steve Miller, Wendy Moten, Mike Farris and more. Tickets are available now.

The Hall of Fame will also honor Billy F. Gibbons with its Iconic Riff Award. Some of Gibbons’ signature riffs can be heard on ZZ Top songs such as “Tush,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “La Grange.”

“Billy F Gibbons is such an incredible musician who has influenced generations and genres with his signature riffs,” Linda shares. “When we got down to picking just one song to honor him for, we were at a crossroads; they’re all so incredible! We’ll reveal our final decision during our ceremony on Nov. 22. We hope to see you there!”

Tigirlily Gold Announces Tour, Presented By Lee [Exclusive]

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Tigirlily Gold’s Kendra Slaubaugh & Krista Slaubaugh. Photo: Jared Olson

Country duo Tigirlily Gold has announced their first headlining tour, “Introducing Tigirlily Gold: The Tour Presented by Lee,” the 133-year-old iconic denim and casual apparel brand.

Comprised of sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, Tigirlily Gold—formerly known as just “Tigirlily”—has cut their teeth on Nashville’s Lower Broadway for years, often playing four-hour sets, three to four nights a week in local honky tonks. The Monument Records act will now travel from coast to coast, including stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Boston and more on the 22-stop trek. See the full list of dates below.

Along the way, Tigirlily Gold will give back to Musicians on Call by inviting healthcare workers to each show and calling for donations on stage each night. Their generosity will culminate in a livestream at the end of the tour that will go out to all Musicians on Call hospitals.

“We are so excited to get out on the road and play some new songs for everybody,” the sisters share. “Can’t wait to spend the rest of the year with fans and friends and even more excited for what’s to come in 2023!”

“Lee has always celebrated the originals—those who unapologetically follow their own paths,” says Brigid Stevens, global vice-president of marketing for Lee. “The sisters have an authentic original voice and presence that shines through in all they do, and we’re thrilled to help support this tour.”

Josh Thompson Rises Into Top 10 On The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Josh Thompson

While everything near the top stays about the same on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, hitmaker Josh Thompson jumps into the No. 10 spot. Rising from the 13th position, Thompson is a credited writer on Keith Urban’s “Brown Eyes Baby,” Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You,” and Thomas Rhett’s “Half Of Me,” featuring Riley Green.

Meanwhile, Zach Bryan adds another week at the top, notching a seventh consecutive week at No. 1. He has four songs currently on the chart, including “Something In The Orange,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” and “Burn, Burn, Burn.” Because he is the only writer on each of the three tracks, all of the points earned from airplay, digital download track sales and streams go entirely to Bryan on the Songwriter Chart.

Filling out the remainder of the top five are Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Morgan Wallen (No. 3), Ernest Keith Smith (No. 4), and Luke Dick (No. 5).

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.