Jerry Lee Lewis. Photo: Sean Gowdy
Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who also became one of country music’s penultimate honky-tonk stylists, has died at age 87.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member was renowned for his flamboyant showmanship in whatever musical genre he performed. His controversial lifestyle, outrageous antics, livewire energy and unfiltered language made him one of the most colorful characters in the annals of popular music.
Jerry Lee Lewis’s frenetic “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” established him as one of rock’s founding figures in the 1950s. After a fall from grace, he reestablished himself with a stunning barrage of hits in 1968-82 as a country-music master.
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Lewis was part of a clan of musical personalities that included his cousins, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and “Urban Cowboy” country star Mickey Gilley. After being expelled from Bible college, Lewis began his climb to stardom when he auditioned at Sun Records in Memphis for producer Jack Clement (1931-2013). Clement played his tapes for label owner Sam Phillips (1923-2003).
Phillips issued Lewis’s debut single in 1956. It was an intense remake of the Ray Price classic “Crazy Arms,” characterized by the singer’s characteristic florid piano glissandi. It became a modest regional Southern hit.
The following year, Lewis achieved an international smash sensation with the fiery “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.” He followed it with “Great Balls of Fire,” which also hit No. 1 on every chart in sight. A remake of the Hank Williams standard “You Win Again” gave him another country hit as 1958 dawned.
Then “Breathless” became his third simultaneous hit on both pop and country charts. “High School Confidential” was the title tune from a teen movie in which he appeared in 1958. He also appeared in the 1957 feature film Jamboree.
Jerry Lee Lewis
During this era, he became famous for his wild, dynamic stage style. Lewis kicked over piano benches, played standing up, raked his hands over his keyboards for dramatic effect, pounded them with his heels and attacked them relentlessly. He even demolished pianos, shoving one off stage and lighting another on fire.
He was 22 when he married his third wife, his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown, in 1958. When they appeared together during a tour of Great Britain, a scandal erupted. His pop-music career was devastated as U.S. radio stations blacklisted his discs.
During the early 1960s, Lewis issued everything from the Ray Charles classic “What’d I Say” to the Hank Williams chestnut “You Win Again.” Nothing he tried brought him back to prominence.
He signed with the Nashville division of Mercury/Smash in 1963, yet initially continued to record rock songs. In 1968, he soared into the country top 10 with a masterful performance of the honky-tonk ballad “Another Place, Another Time.” This launched a totally new era of his career.
At the time, he was performing the role of Iago in the Los Angeles musical stage production Catch My Soul, which was based on Shakespeare’s Othello. Lewis returned to Nashville to capitalize on his new success by recording with producer Jerry Kennedy.
Jerry Lee Lewis solidified his country stardom with the hit 1968 singles “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me),” “She Still Comes Around (To Love What’s Left of Me)” and the No. 1 country success “To Make Love Sweeter For You.” He teamed up with sister Linda Gail Lewis for 1969’s hit duet “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.”
He continued his country hit streak with 1969’s “One Has My Name,” “Invitation to Your Party,” “She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye” and “One Minute Past Eternity.”
Between 1970 and 1972, he had some of his biggest country hits, including “Once More With Feeling” (1970), “I Can’t Seem to Say Goodbye” (1970), the No. 1 smash “There Must Be More to Love Than This” (1970), “Touching Home” (1971), the No. 1 hit “Would You Take Another Chance on Me” (1971, backed with his rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”) and a remake of The Big Bopper’s pop hit “Chantilly Lace” (1972).
“Chantilly Lace” became his biggest country hit of all. It was also nominated for a country Grammy Award.
Ironically, that song referenced his rock ‘n’ roll past. So did such early 1970s recordings as “Lonely Weekends,” “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee O’Dee,” “Boogie Woogie Country Man” and “I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone.” But his biggest country hits continued to be emotional ballads such as “Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough” (1973) and “He Can’t Fill My Shoes” (1974).
He divorced Myra in 1970 and married his fourth wife the following year. They were in the midst of divorce proceedings when she died in a swimming-pool drowning in 1982.
Two years after his fourth marriage, son Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. died in a car wreck. Son Steve Allen Lewis had drowned to death in 1962. In both instances, Jerry Lee Lewis soldiered onward.
As the 1970s wore on, his country hits continued, although more sporadically. Jerry Lee Lewis returned to the country top-10 in 1976 with “Let’s Put It Back Together Again.” His memorable 1977 hit “Middle Age Crazy” inspired a Hollywood film starring Bruce Dern and Ann-Margret. Lewis next scored back-to-back top-10 hits with 1978’s “Come On In” and “I’ll Find It Where I Can.”
His behavior, always erratic, became even more so in 1975-79. He had numerous arrests—for disorderly conduct, drunk driving, assault, possession of pills and shooting his bass player in the chest. In 1976, he was carrying a gun when he crashed his Lincoln into the gates of Graceland in Memphis and demanded to see Elvis. In 1979, the I.R.S. seized his property because of his unpaid taxes.
He signed with Elektra Records and debuted on the label with the two-sided hit “Rockin’ My Life Away”/”I Wish I Was 18 Again” in 1979. “When Two Worlds Collide” and “Over the Rainbow” both became Elektra country hits in 1980.
In 1981, his ulcerated stomach ruptured, and he lay close to death for weeks. When he finally emerged from the ordeal, he was addicted to painkillers. During that same year, “Thirty Nine and Holding” became his final top-10 country hit.
The first books about him were published in 1981—Robert Palmer’s Jerry Lee Lewis Rocks! and Robert Cain’s Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On. In 1982 came Hellfire, by Nick Tosches and Great Balls of Fire by Myra Lewis and Murray Silver.
Lewis recorded for MCA Records in Nashville in 1982-83. But no significant hits ensued.
The star’s fifth marriage lasted only 77 days in 1983 before that wife died, probably of a drug overdose. Some journalists suggested that his longtime moniker “The Killer” was more than a nickname.
He wed his sixth wife in 1984. Lewis suffered a second ulcerated stomach perforation in 1985, but rose from his near-deathbed to be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Manhattan in early 1986. Hank Williams Jr. did his induction honors.
This was the first rock-hall induction, and Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry dominated its all-star finale. Among the other performers honored that evening were Fats Domino, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers and James Brown. Also inducted were the absent Little Richard and the late Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly, Robert Johnson and Jimmie Rodgers.
Later that same year, he recorded Class of ’55 with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. Its interview disc won a Grammy.
In 1989, Jerry Lee Lewis cooperated on a film biography of his life, Great Balls of Fire. Starring Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee and based on Myra’s book, it was not well received. Lewis did, however, receive his star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
The second wave of Jerry Lee Lewis books arrived in the 1990s. These included 1991’s Rockin’ My Life Away by Jimmy Guterman and 1998’s The Devil, Me and Jerry Lee by sister Linda Gail Lewis.
Although no longer making the popularity charts, Jerry Lee Lewis remained an in-demand concert draw, particularly in Europe and the British Isles. As a new century dawned, he kicked his addictions to pills and alcohol. He went through withdrawals, unaided, at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi. He said he did it through prayer.
Although now clean and sober, he began to succumb to the ravages of old age. He suffered from crippling arthritis, repeated bouts of pneumonia and attacks of shingles, as well as his nagging stomach ailments. Against all odds, he persevered.
In 2005, he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three years later, he appeared on the 50th-anniversary Grammy Awards telecast.
He also had a new triumph as a recording artist. His 2006 album Last Man Standing sold a million. It featured him collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, George Jones and others.
He followed it with 2010’s Mean Old Man, another all-star collection. That same year, Lewis was memorably portrayed in the Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet, which continues to tour today.
Jerry Lee Lewis returned to Nashville in 2011 to record a live album at Jack White’s Third Man Records. A year later, he married his longtime caregiver, Judith Ann Coghlan. He fractured his leg on his wedding day.
After recovering, in 2013 he opened Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café & Honky Tonk on historic Beale Street in Memphis. Next, he cooperated with author Rick Bragg on the definitive 2014 biography, Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. It was accompanied by another new album, Rock & Roll Time.
In late 2014, he kicked off “Jerry Lee’s 80th Birthday Tour,” which spanned the U.S. and continued in Europe the following year. He drew four encores when he played The Ryman Auditorium in 2014. And he continued to entertain concert offers into early 2016.
Jerry Lee suffered a minor stroke on February 28, 2019.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, though he was not well enough to attend the ceremony.
Jerry Lee Lewis is survived by his wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, his children Jerry Lee Lewis III, Ronnie Lewis, Pheobe Lewis and Lori Lancaster, sister Linda Gail Lewis, cousin Jimmy Swaggart and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Mamie Lewis, sons Steve Allen Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., his siblings Elmo Lewis Jr. and Frankie Jean Lewis and his cousin Mickey Gilley.
In lieu of flowers, the Lewis family requests donations be made in Jerry Lee Lewis’ honor to the Arthritis Foundation or MusiCares.
A memorial service for Lewis will be held this weekend in Hernando, Mississippi and his birthplace, Ferriday, Louisiana. Click here for more details.
Legendary Jerry Lee Lewis Passes
/by Robert K OermannJerry Lee Lewis. Photo: Sean Gowdy
Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who also became one of country music’s penultimate honky-tonk stylists, has died at age 87.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member was renowned for his flamboyant showmanship in whatever musical genre he performed. His controversial lifestyle, outrageous antics, livewire energy and unfiltered language made him one of the most colorful characters in the annals of popular music.
Jerry Lee Lewis’s frenetic “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” established him as one of rock’s founding figures in the 1950s. After a fall from grace, he reestablished himself with a stunning barrage of hits in 1968-82 as a country-music master.
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Lewis was part of a clan of musical personalities that included his cousins, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and “Urban Cowboy” country star Mickey Gilley. After being expelled from Bible college, Lewis began his climb to stardom when he auditioned at Sun Records in Memphis for producer Jack Clement (1931-2013). Clement played his tapes for label owner Sam Phillips (1923-2003).
Phillips issued Lewis’s debut single in 1956. It was an intense remake of the Ray Price classic “Crazy Arms,” characterized by the singer’s characteristic florid piano glissandi. It became a modest regional Southern hit.
The following year, Lewis achieved an international smash sensation with the fiery “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.” He followed it with “Great Balls of Fire,” which also hit No. 1 on every chart in sight. A remake of the Hank Williams standard “You Win Again” gave him another country hit as 1958 dawned.
Then “Breathless” became his third simultaneous hit on both pop and country charts. “High School Confidential” was the title tune from a teen movie in which he appeared in 1958. He also appeared in the 1957 feature film Jamboree.
Jerry Lee Lewis
During this era, he became famous for his wild, dynamic stage style. Lewis kicked over piano benches, played standing up, raked his hands over his keyboards for dramatic effect, pounded them with his heels and attacked them relentlessly. He even demolished pianos, shoving one off stage and lighting another on fire.
He was 22 when he married his third wife, his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown, in 1958. When they appeared together during a tour of Great Britain, a scandal erupted. His pop-music career was devastated as U.S. radio stations blacklisted his discs.
During the early 1960s, Lewis issued everything from the Ray Charles classic “What’d I Say” to the Hank Williams chestnut “You Win Again.” Nothing he tried brought him back to prominence.
He signed with the Nashville division of Mercury/Smash in 1963, yet initially continued to record rock songs. In 1968, he soared into the country top 10 with a masterful performance of the honky-tonk ballad “Another Place, Another Time.” This launched a totally new era of his career.
At the time, he was performing the role of Iago in the Los Angeles musical stage production Catch My Soul, which was based on Shakespeare’s Othello. Lewis returned to Nashville to capitalize on his new success by recording with producer Jerry Kennedy.
Jerry Lee Lewis solidified his country stardom with the hit 1968 singles “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me),” “She Still Comes Around (To Love What’s Left of Me)” and the No. 1 country success “To Make Love Sweeter For You.” He teamed up with sister Linda Gail Lewis for 1969’s hit duet “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.”
He continued his country hit streak with 1969’s “One Has My Name,” “Invitation to Your Party,” “She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye” and “One Minute Past Eternity.”
Between 1970 and 1972, he had some of his biggest country hits, including “Once More With Feeling” (1970), “I Can’t Seem to Say Goodbye” (1970), the No. 1 smash “There Must Be More to Love Than This” (1970), “Touching Home” (1971), the No. 1 hit “Would You Take Another Chance on Me” (1971, backed with his rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”) and a remake of The Big Bopper’s pop hit “Chantilly Lace” (1972).
“Chantilly Lace” became his biggest country hit of all. It was also nominated for a country Grammy Award.
Ironically, that song referenced his rock ‘n’ roll past. So did such early 1970s recordings as “Lonely Weekends,” “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee O’Dee,” “Boogie Woogie Country Man” and “I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone.” But his biggest country hits continued to be emotional ballads such as “Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough” (1973) and “He Can’t Fill My Shoes” (1974).
He divorced Myra in 1970 and married his fourth wife the following year. They were in the midst of divorce proceedings when she died in a swimming-pool drowning in 1982.
Two years after his fourth marriage, son Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. died in a car wreck. Son Steve Allen Lewis had drowned to death in 1962. In both instances, Jerry Lee Lewis soldiered onward.
As the 1970s wore on, his country hits continued, although more sporadically. Jerry Lee Lewis returned to the country top-10 in 1976 with “Let’s Put It Back Together Again.” His memorable 1977 hit “Middle Age Crazy” inspired a Hollywood film starring Bruce Dern and Ann-Margret. Lewis next scored back-to-back top-10 hits with 1978’s “Come On In” and “I’ll Find It Where I Can.”
His behavior, always erratic, became even more so in 1975-79. He had numerous arrests—for disorderly conduct, drunk driving, assault, possession of pills and shooting his bass player in the chest. In 1976, he was carrying a gun when he crashed his Lincoln into the gates of Graceland in Memphis and demanded to see Elvis. In 1979, the I.R.S. seized his property because of his unpaid taxes.
He signed with Elektra Records and debuted on the label with the two-sided hit “Rockin’ My Life Away”/”I Wish I Was 18 Again” in 1979. “When Two Worlds Collide” and “Over the Rainbow” both became Elektra country hits in 1980.
In 1981, his ulcerated stomach ruptured, and he lay close to death for weeks. When he finally emerged from the ordeal, he was addicted to painkillers. During that same year, “Thirty Nine and Holding” became his final top-10 country hit.
The first books about him were published in 1981—Robert Palmer’s Jerry Lee Lewis Rocks! and Robert Cain’s Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On. In 1982 came Hellfire, by Nick Tosches and Great Balls of Fire by Myra Lewis and Murray Silver.
Lewis recorded for MCA Records in Nashville in 1982-83. But no significant hits ensued.
The star’s fifth marriage lasted only 77 days in 1983 before that wife died, probably of a drug overdose. Some journalists suggested that his longtime moniker “The Killer” was more than a nickname.
He wed his sixth wife in 1984. Lewis suffered a second ulcerated stomach perforation in 1985, but rose from his near-deathbed to be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Manhattan in early 1986. Hank Williams Jr. did his induction honors.
This was the first rock-hall induction, and Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry dominated its all-star finale. Among the other performers honored that evening were Fats Domino, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers and James Brown. Also inducted were the absent Little Richard and the late Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly, Robert Johnson and Jimmie Rodgers.
Later that same year, he recorded Class of ’55 with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. Its interview disc won a Grammy.
In 1989, Jerry Lee Lewis cooperated on a film biography of his life, Great Balls of Fire. Starring Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee and based on Myra’s book, it was not well received. Lewis did, however, receive his star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
The second wave of Jerry Lee Lewis books arrived in the 1990s. These included 1991’s Rockin’ My Life Away by Jimmy Guterman and 1998’s The Devil, Me and Jerry Lee by sister Linda Gail Lewis.
Although no longer making the popularity charts, Jerry Lee Lewis remained an in-demand concert draw, particularly in Europe and the British Isles. As a new century dawned, he kicked his addictions to pills and alcohol. He went through withdrawals, unaided, at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi. He said he did it through prayer.
Although now clean and sober, he began to succumb to the ravages of old age. He suffered from crippling arthritis, repeated bouts of pneumonia and attacks of shingles, as well as his nagging stomach ailments. Against all odds, he persevered.
In 2005, he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three years later, he appeared on the 50th-anniversary Grammy Awards telecast.
He also had a new triumph as a recording artist. His 2006 album Last Man Standing sold a million. It featured him collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, George Jones and others.
He followed it with 2010’s Mean Old Man, another all-star collection. That same year, Lewis was memorably portrayed in the Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet, which continues to tour today.
Jerry Lee Lewis returned to Nashville in 2011 to record a live album at Jack White’s Third Man Records. A year later, he married his longtime caregiver, Judith Ann Coghlan. He fractured his leg on his wedding day.
After recovering, in 2013 he opened Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café & Honky Tonk on historic Beale Street in Memphis. Next, he cooperated with author Rick Bragg on the definitive 2014 biography, Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. It was accompanied by another new album, Rock & Roll Time.
In late 2014, he kicked off “Jerry Lee’s 80th Birthday Tour,” which spanned the U.S. and continued in Europe the following year. He drew four encores when he played The Ryman Auditorium in 2014. And he continued to entertain concert offers into early 2016.
Jerry Lee suffered a minor stroke on February 28, 2019.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, though he was not well enough to attend the ceremony.
Jerry Lee Lewis is survived by his wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, his children Jerry Lee Lewis III, Ronnie Lewis, Pheobe Lewis and Lori Lancaster, sister Linda Gail Lewis, cousin Jimmy Swaggart and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Mamie Lewis, sons Steve Allen Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., his siblings Elmo Lewis Jr. and Frankie Jean Lewis and his cousin Mickey Gilley.
In lieu of flowers, the Lewis family requests donations be made in Jerry Lee Lewis’ honor to the Arthritis Foundation or MusiCares.
A memorial service for Lewis will be held this weekend in Hernando, Mississippi and his birthplace, Ferriday, Louisiana. Click here for more details.
Jenny Tolman’s ‘Cowgirls At The Cowboy’ To Be Featured On CMT
/by LB CantrellJenny Tolman, Carly Pearce
Earlier this month, country singer-songwriter Jenny Tolman hosted her inaugural festival “Cowgirls at The Cowboy” in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Reigning ACM and CMA Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year, Carly Pearce, served as the headliner for the festival that is aimed to celebrate women in country music. Other performers included Natalie Hemby, Caitlyn Smith, Carter Faith, and Tolman herself.
Pictured: Jenny Tolman, Natalie Hemby and Caitlyn Smith at the ‘Cowgirls at the Cowboy’ meet & greet
Over three days, talent was showcased at Jackson Hole favorite, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Established in 1937, the Cowboy is widely regarded as a national treasure and is regularly named one of the top honky-tonks in the country.
“It was an honor to curate the inaugural ‘Cowgirls at The Cowboy’ by bringing some of country music’s most talented women to the magical town of Jackson,” Tolman shares. “The female narratives in our genre are all so interesting and unique, and I’m grateful that The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar gave us the opportunity to showcase that all weekend.”
CMT filmed an episode of their Hot 20 Countdown throughout the three-days which will air on Saturday (Oct. 29). The CMT Hot 20 Countdown airs Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. CT.
Musicians Hall Of Fame Reveals Inductees For 2022
/by LB CantrellPictured (clockwise): Ray Stevens, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Don McLean, Vince Gill
The inductees for the Musicians Hall of Fame Class of 2022 have been revealed. In the first induction ceremony since 2019, this year’s honorees will be inducted on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. CT at the historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
The 2022 class includes Don McLean, Ray Stevens, Vince Gill, and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, which is made up of Stuart, Chris Scruggs, Harry Stinson, Kenny Vaughan, and Mick Conley. Jim Guercio will receive the Producer Award and George Massenburg will take home the Engineer Award.
The celebratory evening will be hosted by award-winning singer-songwriter Phil Vassar, with performances from Rodney Crowell, Steve Miller, Wendy Moten, Mike Farris and more.
The induction ceremony will also honor the legacy of Musicians Hall of Fame founder Joe Chambers, who passed away in September.
“We’re proud to honor Joe’s legacy by celebrating this year’s inductees with a night of vibrant live music and special performances by legendary musicians,” shares the Hall’s Linda Chambers.
A limited number of tickets for the induction ceremony and concert are on sale now. Click here for tickets.
Lainey Wilson Rings In Album Release With News Of First Headlining Tour
/by Lydia FarthingLainey Wilson. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
ACM 2022 New Female Artist of the Year, CMT’s 2022 Breakout Artist of the Year and six-time CMA Awards nominee Lainey Wilson has released her sophomore album, Bell Bottom Country. With it, she’s also shared the news that she’ll be embarking on a 27-city headlining tour, presented by Stella Rosa Future Is Female music series.
On Jan. 4, Wilson will kick off her inaugural headlining trek in Spokane, Washington, with later stops at Irving Plaza in NYC and Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl before concluding in Columbus, Ohio on March 31. Newcomer Ben Chapman will join the Louisiana native on the road, as well as Meg McRee and Leah Blevins on select dates. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. local time. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Nov. 1, and Wilson’s Fan Club pre-sale will begin on Nov. 2.
Stella Rosa Future Is Female will debut in 2023 with Wilson, and was created by Idol Roc Entertainment in an effort to help support and advance the growing number of female headliners and music industry professionals. In partnership with We Are Moving the Needle, a nonprofit organization supporting all women recording industry professionals, Stella Rosa Future Is Female will donate $1 from each ticket sale.
“This past year has been such a roller coaster—it’s truly been one of the most rewarding and challenging of my career. We’ve worked so hard on this album, and I’m so proud of it,” Wilson shares. “I can’t wait to headline my first tour next year and play all my new music across the country.”
She will make her acting debut on season 5 of the smash hit series Yellowstone on Nov. 13. Throughout the upcoming season, she will perform original music from Bell Bottom Country. Next year, Wilson will join Luke Combs on all of the North American dates of his “2023 World Tour” alongside Riley Green, Flatland Cavalry, and Brent Cobb.
Stella Rosa Future Is Female Presents: “Country With a Flare Tour” Dates:
January 4, 2023 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory*
January 5, 2023 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox*
January 6, 2023 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*
January 7, 2023 – Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom*
January 8, 2023 – Chico, CA – Senator Theatre*
January 12, 2023 – San Jose, CA – Club Rodeo*
January 13, 2023 – Reno, NV – Cargo Concert Hall*
January 14, 2023 – Visalia, CA – Visalia Fox Theatre*
January 19, 2023 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM*
January 21, 2023 – Laramie, WY – Cowboy Saloon*
January 22, 2023 – Mills, WY – The Beacon Club*
February 2, 2023 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring*
February 3, 2023 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
February 4, 2023 – Jordan, NY – Kegs Canal Side*
February 5, 2023 – Portland, ME – Aura*
February 9, 2023 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal*
February 10, 2023 – Starkville, MS – Rick’s Café*
February 17, 2023 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s*
February 18, 2023 – Greenville, SC – Blind Horse Saloon*
February 24, 2023 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note*
February 25, 2023 – Springfield, MO – Midnight Rodeo*
March 2, 2023 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection+
March 3, 2023 – Rootstown, OH – Dusty Armadillo+
March 16, 2023 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
March 23, 2023 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom+
March 30, 2023 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave+
March 31, 2023 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone+
Direct support: Ben Chapman
1st of 3 acts: Meg McRee & Leah Blevins
*Meg McRee
+Leah Blevins
Parker McCollum Announces Spring Headlining Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughParker McCollum. Photo: Chris Kleinmeier
Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Parker McCollum has announced dates for his upcoming headlining “2023 Spring Tour,” which will kick off Feb. 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
The tour will include a roster of rising stars as special guests, including Corey Kent, Catie Offerman and Larry Fleet. The trek will include stops in Detroit, Cincinnati, Baton Rouge, El Paso and more through April 14. Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Nov. 2, with public on-sale starting Nov. 4.
“Words cannot describe what 2022 has been for me,” McCollum gushes. “So many lifetime goals reached. I cannot wait to see what 2023 has in store for us. So stoked to kick it off in the spring with a big tour.”
Earlier this year, McCollum made his debut at RodeoHouston to a sold-out crowd of over 73,000. He also made a dream come true performing at Austin City Limits for the first time, and he will be kicking off the show’s 2023 season.
In addition to nabbing an ACM award, McCollum also won his first CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year award earlier this year, and is currently nominated for his first-ever CMA Award in the New Artist of the Year category.
Jimmie Allen Earns MusicRow No. 1
/by Alex ParryJimmie Allen’s “Down Home” jumps three positions into the No. 1 slot this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Allen co-wrote the song with Rian Ball, Cameron Bedell, and Tate Howell and it appears on his impressive 17-track album, Tulip Drive.
“Down Home” serves as a letter to Allen’s late father James, who passed away in 2019, and showcases their special, enduring connection. The music video features several locations vital to him and his father’s relationship like Allen’s childhood home, the baseball field his father taught him how to play on, and his father’s favorite restaurant. Watch the video here.
In August, Allen successfully sold-out his second annual Bettie James Fest. He is currently on tour supporting Carrie Underwood’s “Denim & Rhinestones Tour.”
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Ashley Cooke Has Full Circle Moment During Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughAshley Cooke & Gary LeVox. Photo: Chris Hollo
Big Loud/Back Blocks music artist Ashley Cooke stepped into the historic circle and made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday night (Oct. 26).
During the special evening, Cooke was invited by Rascal Flatts‘ lead singer Gary LeVox to join him on a duet of the group’s smash hit, “What Hurts The Most.”
Ashley Cooke. Photo: Chris Hollo
“Making my Opry debut was one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced. I got into country music because I fell in love with and found comfort in the storytelling of Rascal Flatts,” Cooke shares. “Having Gary LeVox invite me into the circle and ask me to sing one of the songs that got me into music in the first place was completely full circle. I’m so thankful to have stood where every country great has before me and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the tradition.”
The bucket list Opry moment comes just a week before Cooke will make her Ryman Auditorium debut on Nov. 2-3, as she continues as direct support on Cole Swindell‘s 19-stop “Back Down To The Bar Tour.”
In August, Cooke ushered in a new chapter of music following her 2021 debut project Already Drank That Beer, dropping back-to-back releases “Getting Into” and the anthemic “Back In The Saddle” in September. She is readying more new music for fans by year’s end, while her single “Never Til Now” featuring Brett Young enters the top 50 on this week’s Country Aircheck/Mediabase Chart.
Darius Rucker Honored For Diamond Certification Of ‘Wagon Wheel’
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Today anchor Craig Melvin, who presented Darius Rucker with the RIAA Diamond certification honor; “Wagon Wheel” Producer Frank Rogers; Rucker; UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan. Photo: Steve Lowry
There are now four country songs that are certified Diamond by the RIAA, signaling 10,000,000 units consumed. They are “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton, “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, and now, “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker.
The multi-Platinum artist released “Wagon Wheel” in 2013 for his True Believers album. It was originally recorded by Old Crow Medicine Show and written by the band’s Ketch Secor after he discovered an unfinished Bob Dylan demo of him singing what is now the “Wagon Wheel” chorus. While it has been an instant classic since OCMS first released it in 2004, Rucker’s recording has taken on a life of its own, transcending country radio into the cultural zeitgeist.
To celebrate this accomplishment, UMG Nashville held a ceremony to present Rucker with a plaque. The party also celebrated Rucker’s tenth No. 1, “Beers And Sunshine,” which hit the top of the charts in early 2021.
Kelly Sutton served as emcee for the event, first recognizing the co-writers of “Beers And Sunshine,” Rucker, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman and JT Harding. The writers shared their thanks to all the responsible parties for “Beers And Sunshine” going No. 1, such as UMG Nashville, their respective publishers, and PROs. ASCAP’s Mike Sistad and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson were also there to represent their writers.
Pictured (L-R): “Beers And Sunshine” co-writers Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, Darius Rucker, JT Harding. Photo: Steve Lowry
In each of their speeches, the writers talked about the Zoom meeting that the tune was written on, guessing that “Beers And Sunshine” might have been the first country No. 1 written on Zoom.
“There’s no nonsense on Zoom. In the [writer] room, you sit around and talk about your kids. You tell them what’s going on and it takes 20 minutes to get started. Not on Zoom!” Rucker said. “When we finished it, I thought it was something special. Ross went out of his way to record this whole record on Zoom. Nobody was ever in the same room together ever.
“I want to say thank you to Universal, ASCAP, and Sony,” Rucker added.
Next, it was time to shift gears to celebrate “Wagon Wheel.” Sutton welcomed UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan to the stage to say a few words about his partnership with Rucker.
“The truth is, it was a big leap of faith on everybody’s part,” Dungan said of UMG signing on to usher in Rucker’s country career. The label head pointed out that not only was Rucker in limited company as a person of color in country music, but he had also fronted the ’90s hit band Hootie & The Blowfish, who became so popular that they became a punch line. Forging a new path into country music stardom did not sound easy to Dungan, but with 10 No. 1 hits and a Diamond-certified single, it paid off to take a risk.
“To be here all these years later celebrating all these hits is amazing,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder, my friend. I love you like a brother.”
The Today show’s Craig Melvin also joined in the presentations. He made sure to recognize Rucker’s philanthropic contributions, specifically to South Carolina where both Melvin and Rucker are from.
Frank Rogers, who produced “Wagon Wheel” and a myriad of other Rucker hits, joined the country star on stage to take a photo with the Diamond certified plaque.
When it was time to hear from the man of the hour, Rucker was full of gratitude for his team.
“I came here just to make a record. I came here because I wanted to make the music,” the country star said. “I can’t thank you guys enough for the life that you’ve given me. My life is so much better because I came to Nashville. Thank you.”
BBR Music Group Announces Hirings, Promotion
/by LB CantrellAllan Geiger, Taylor Scheese, Kennedy Nickerson
BBR Music Group has announced the hiring of Allan Geiger to Director of Content Creation and Taylor Scheese to Manager of Partnerships. The company also announced the promotion of Kennedy Nickerson to Sr. Coordinator of A&R.
In his role, Geiger will handle the creation of creative assets and graphic design for the label group’s roster of artists. He joins BBR from Artistnoize, a creative agency he founded that offers web and design services to clients, including Koe Wetzel, Leah Kate, Lee Brice, David Morris, Dashboard Confessional and more.
Geiger reports to Jen Morgan, VP of Creative & Imaging, and can be reached at allan@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Scheese will work on revenue driving brand partnership deals for BMG’s recorded and publishing roster, with a focus on BBR Music Group’s award-winning and chart-topping artist roster. She comes to BMG from Thinkswell, a digital marketing agency specializing in content strategy and execution for brands and artists, where she served as its Digital Marketing Manager.
Scheese reports to Daron Moore, Director of Brand Partnerships, and can be reached at taylor.scheese@bmg.com.
Nickerson’s new role at the company moves her from BMG’s publishing arm to the A&R department of its recorded side. A Belmont graduate, Nickerson’s previous experience includes internships with Cornman Music and Big Yellow Dog Music.
Nickerson reports to Katie Kerkhover, VP of A&R, and can be reached at kennedy.nickerson@bmg.com.
Industry Ink: Chris Young, Billy Ray Cyrus, PickleJar, Tyler Braden, Tigirlily Gold
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young Headlines Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Heroes & History Makers Event
Pictured (L-R): Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; Savannah Guthrie; Tom Hanks; Senator Elizabeth Dole; Jocko Sims and Chris Young. Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Chris Young was the musical headliner at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Heroes & History Makers celebration on Oct. 19 at The Anthem in Washington D.C.
The special evening paid tribute to the 5.5 million hidden heroes caring for wounded, ill and injured service members at home, and celebrated the Foundation’s first 10 years supporting military and veteran caregivers.
During the event, Tom Hanks presented Today co-anchor and Hidden Heroes Ambassador Savannah Guthrie with the Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award.
Billy Ray Cyrus & Firerose Collab On New Track For Upcoming Holiday Movie
Firerose & Billy Ray Cyrus. Photo: Derrek Kupish
Billy Ray Cyrus is releasing a new single with Australian-born singer-songwriter Firerose titled “Time,” available next month. Cyrus and Firerose co-wrote and recorded “Time” in the midst of the success of their chart-topping hit “New Day.”
The new track is featured in the holiday movie Christmas In Paradise, which features Cyrus, Kelsey Grammer, and Elizabeth Hurley. The film will be in select theaters Nov. 11, as well as on demand, and on Blu-ray and DVD beginning Nov. 15.
PickleJar Tuesday Tributes Honors Miranda Lambert & Her MuttNation Foundation
Pictured (L-R): Kaitlyn Kilian, Roz, Karissa Ella, PickleJar’s Kristian Barowsky, Big D and Bubba’s Patrick Thomas, Sophia Scott, and Abby Anderson
PickleJar held its “Tuesday Tribute” variety show for a cause on Oct. 25, honoring Miranda Lambert.
Kaitlyn Kilian, Karissa Ella, Abby Anderson, Roz and Sophia Scott performed songs from Lambert’s extensive catalog at Live Oak in Nashville, with proceeds and 100% of donations going to benefit MuttNation, Lambert’s non-profit aiding animal shelters and rescue animals.
PickleJar committed $5,000 to be given directly to MuttNation in a special presentation at the end of the night.
Tyler Braden Hosts Second Annual Engine Co. 18 Golf Outing
Pictured (L-R): Tom Martens (Warner Music Nashville); Jay Cruze (iHeartMedia); Tyler Braden; Rod Phillips (iHeartMedia); Buzz Brainard (SiriusXM)
Tyler Braden hosted his second annual Engine Co. 18 Golf Outing on Oct. 24 at The Governors Club in Brentwood, Tennessee. The former first responder created the event last year as a way to support his brothers and sisters on the front lines.
This year’s outing welcomed 120 golfers and raised more than $20,000 for National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Hungry Heroes, doubling last year’s total. The event concluded with a special writers round of music from Braden, Jonathan Singleton, Shane Minor and Trannie Anderson.
Braden performed songs from his Warner Music Nashville debut EP, What Do They Know, including his current single “Try Losing One.”
Tigirlily Gold Plays The Local Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Luke Jensen, VP Radio Promotion, Monument Records; Risha Rogers, WME, Partner; Krista, Kendra, Katie McCartney, GM, Monument Records; Greg McCarn, Roadhouse Entertainment. Photo: Robert Chavers
Monument Records duo Tigirlily Gold debuted new music to a packed room at The Local in Nashville on Oct. 26.
Sisters Kendra and Krista moved from their native North Dakota to Nashville five years ago and honed their live show playing three to four nights a week in bars on lower Broadway.