Jay Orr. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
After more than 26 years with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Jay Orr will retire from the organization at the end of the month with his last day being Dec. 30.
Orr has held many leadership positions at the museum, most recently serving as Executive Senior Director for Research, Editorial, and Content. Throughout his tenure, Orr’s thoughtful approach to elevating the art of country music has been evident in every aspect of the museum, as he’s led the editorial team and overseen the development of exhibits, publications, and more.
He first joined the museum in 1984 as Head of Technical Services, where he oversaw cataloging and acquisitions for its library and collection. Excelling as a writer for the organization as well as other publications, Orr left in 1989 to write about music for the Nashville Banner. When the publication was absorbed by the Tennessean in 1998, he was among the small group of retained journalists who joined the staff.
Orr received the CMA’s Media Achievement Award in 1997 and was voted best music writer in Nashville by Nashville Scene readers in 1998 and 1999. He also served as a consultant to the Smithsonian’s 1986 Festival of American Folklife held in Washington, D.C., featuring the state of Tennessee.
He then became Managing Editor for CMT.com in 2000, and continued to report in-depth on music news before returning to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2002.
Once back at the museum, Orr took over its CMF Press and published award-winning books while leading the editorial team in developing, writing, and editing exhibits in addition to all museum publications, including books, exhibit catalogs, educational materials, liner notes, and more.
The industry veteran helped expand the scope of the museum’s public program offerings, including the launch of the interview series “Nashville Cats” and “Poets and Prophets” as well as the annual Artist-in-Residence performances. In 2009, the museum’s flagship educational program, Words & Music, in which students are shown the basics of music and songwriting, was spotlighted at the White House in a program moderated by Orr.
“Jay has been a force for intellectual rigor and absolute integrity throughout his service,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “He has brought deep understanding of music and American culture, exceptional editorial skills, and genuine passion for our mission of preserving and interpreting country music history. In many ways, he has helped shaped our core values and institutional culture, and we are all the better for it.”
“Working at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was my dream job, and I am grateful for the opportunity it gave me to increase the public’s understanding of and respect for country music and the roots of that music,” says Orr. “The music and the culture continue to evolve, and I have confidence that the museum’s superb professional staff, led by Kyle Young, will continue to embrace that change with the enthusiasm, the curiosity, and the dedication to objectivity that inform the museum’s work. I will miss the camaraderie of the staff, but I will continue to take pride in the ongoing excellence of their efforts.”
After Dec. 30, Orr can be reached at jayorr@comcast.net.
Alabama Honored With Pandora Billionaire Plaque
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery, Randy Owen, and Teddy Gentry
Alabama was recently surprised with the Pandora Billionaire plaque, commemorating over two billion streams on the streaming service.
On Dec. 9 at the Berglund Center Coliseum in Roanoke, Virginia, Alabama’s founding members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry were interrupted mid-show by opener Scotty McCreery, who presented them with the Pandora Billionaire plaque.
“The Pandora plaque was a nice surprise,” says Gentry. “We thought a million plays was a very big deal but two billion plays of our songs puts it over the top. We appreciate Pandora and thanks for the award.”
“We are so thankful to our fans and listeners for playing our music for over 50 years,” adds Owen. “Two billion is a big number. That means they like our music and want to hear it again and again. Thank you Pandora for the award.”
As a previous recipient of the Pandora Billionaire plaque himself, McCreery was thrilled to make the presentation. “I’ve been a fan of Alabama all my life,” he explains. “It was an honor to open for them in Roanoke and then present the Pandora Billionaire plaque to Randy and Teddy later that night. It doesn’t get better than Alabama.”
Following the honor, the music of Alabama will now be played on Pandora’s Country Billionaires station.
Jason Isbell, Amythyst Kiah, More Among ‘Hello From The Hills’ Benefit Lineup
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Hello From The Hills,” a special benefit concert co-presented by Oh Boy Records and WhizzbangBAM to benefit the Prine Family’s The Hello in There Foundation and Tyler Childers’ Hope in the Hills, will take place at Nashville’s City Winery on Jan. 7.
The first annual event will feature performances from Childers, Jason Isbell, Sierra Ferrell, Amythyst Kiah, Arlo McKinley, Kelsey Waldon, Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, William Matheny, Tommy Prine, Tré Burt and Darrin Hacquard. Tickets are on sale now.
The Hello in There Foundation and Hope in the Hills have each selected two organizations to receive $10,000 grants. The Hello In There Foundation will support Healing Housing, a residential recovery program serving women throughout Middle Tennessee healing from addiction, and the Raphah Institute, which is committed to the healing and support of those affected by societal harm and systemic failures.
Hope in the Hills will support the Keith Dixon Foundation, an organization providing education and resources to help those struggling with substance abuse in Tennessee, and Recovery Community Inc, a transitional living facility in Nashville that provides safe and affordable housing for those with alcohol and drug dependency issues.
“Everyone in the Prine and Oh Boy Records family has long admired the incredible work that Healing Appalachia and Hope in the Hills have supported,” shares The Hello in There Foundation’s Jody Whelan. “We’re really excited to partner with them for this event; the organizations we’re granting have such important missions, and the show is going to be a lot of fun!”
Additionally, Hope in the Hills’ Tracey Levine adds, “It has long been our vision to expand our reach to assist Nashville based organizations who are working incredibly hard to make recovery accessible to all. This is an exciting time for Hope In the Hills and this event will be the first of many!”
Luke Bryan Announces Final Lineup For Crash My Playa 2023
/by Liza AndersonLuke Bryan. Photo: Robby Klein
Luke Bryan has announced the final talent lineup for Crash My Playa, his annual concert vacation in Mexico.
Following seven consecutive sold-out events, Crash My Playa 2023 will take place Jan. 19 – Jan. 22 at the Moon Palace Cancún and feature four nights of country music on a private stretch of white sand beach.
Chayce Beckham and Alana Springsteen will join headliners Bryan (two nights), Chris Stapleton, and Cole Swindell as well as previously announced artists Ashley McBryde, Brian Kelley, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Dylan Scott, and DJ Rock. During Bryan’s final show of the weekend, Lionel Richie will make his debut appearance at the event as a guest performer.
Additionally, Kendell Marvel will return with his special “Honky Tonk Experience” late-night performance, and Dustin Lynch will host an all-day edition of his infamous pool party.
For more information, click here.
Dates Announced For 31st Annual Tin Pan South
/by LB CantrellNSAI’s 31st annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will take place March 28 – April 1, 2023.
The festival includes five nights of stories and songs from nearly 400 songwriters who will take the stage throughout the week. The lineup will be announced on March 3.
Also on March 3, fast access passes will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. CT. Fast access pass pricing is $145 for NSAI members and $175 for the general public.
For those interested in submitting a round for consideration, visit tinpansouth.com/submit-play for additional information and to submit. The submission period ends Jan. 6, and all potential rounds will be reviewed by a committee to determine the festival lineup.
Jay Orr To Retire From The Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
/by Liza AndersonJay Orr. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
After more than 26 years with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Jay Orr will retire from the organization at the end of the month with his last day being Dec. 30.
Orr has held many leadership positions at the museum, most recently serving as Executive Senior Director for Research, Editorial, and Content. Throughout his tenure, Orr’s thoughtful approach to elevating the art of country music has been evident in every aspect of the museum, as he’s led the editorial team and overseen the development of exhibits, publications, and more.
He first joined the museum in 1984 as Head of Technical Services, where he oversaw cataloging and acquisitions for its library and collection. Excelling as a writer for the organization as well as other publications, Orr left in 1989 to write about music for the Nashville Banner. When the publication was absorbed by the Tennessean in 1998, he was among the small group of retained journalists who joined the staff.
Orr received the CMA’s Media Achievement Award in 1997 and was voted best music writer in Nashville by Nashville Scene readers in 1998 and 1999. He also served as a consultant to the Smithsonian’s 1986 Festival of American Folklife held in Washington, D.C., featuring the state of Tennessee.
He then became Managing Editor for CMT.com in 2000, and continued to report in-depth on music news before returning to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2002.
Once back at the museum, Orr took over its CMF Press and published award-winning books while leading the editorial team in developing, writing, and editing exhibits in addition to all museum publications, including books, exhibit catalogs, educational materials, liner notes, and more.
The industry veteran helped expand the scope of the museum’s public program offerings, including the launch of the interview series “Nashville Cats” and “Poets and Prophets” as well as the annual Artist-in-Residence performances. In 2009, the museum’s flagship educational program, Words & Music, in which students are shown the basics of music and songwriting, was spotlighted at the White House in a program moderated by Orr.
“Jay has been a force for intellectual rigor and absolute integrity throughout his service,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “He has brought deep understanding of music and American culture, exceptional editorial skills, and genuine passion for our mission of preserving and interpreting country music history. In many ways, he has helped shaped our core values and institutional culture, and we are all the better for it.”
“Working at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was my dream job, and I am grateful for the opportunity it gave me to increase the public’s understanding of and respect for country music and the roots of that music,” says Orr. “The music and the culture continue to evolve, and I have confidence that the museum’s superb professional staff, led by Kyle Young, will continue to embrace that change with the enthusiasm, the curiosity, and the dedication to objectivity that inform the museum’s work. I will miss the camaraderie of the staff, but I will continue to take pride in the ongoing excellence of their efforts.”
After Dec. 30, Orr can be reached at jayorr@comcast.net.
Habitat For Humanity’s Music Row Build Receives $100,000 Donation To Establish New Build Fund
/by LB CantrellPhoto: Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity
Music industry veteran Mark Brown has announced the establishment of the Build Fund for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville’s Music Row Build. The fund was created after Owner/President of Wrensong/Reynsong Entertainment, Ree Guyer, gave a $100,000 donation.
“I have been blessed to thrive in the Music Business community for 37 years,” says Guyer. “I’m paying it forward so we will have a Music Row Habitat Build forever. If you feel as passionate as I do about the great work that Habitat does, I challenge my Music Row friends to pay it forward too.”
Habitat for Humanity’s Music Row Build was started by Renee Bell in 2003, who then joined forces with Guyer in 2005. Together they helped nine local families purchase affordable homes before it ended in 2012.
“My father was a contractor his entire life. He helped people on many levels, but one way was helping them get into their homes. He instilled the same passion in me,” says Bell. “Habitat gives people hope. When the Music Row Build was started, we wanted to bring the entire music community together to truly change people’s lives. We all know music can change lives, but giving others the opportunity to purchase affordable well-built homes changes lives on an entirely different level.”
Brown brought back the Music Row Build project in 2020.
“When I re-started the Music Row Build, I had two main goals. One was to build one house each year for a deserving family right here in Nashville. And the other was to try to make the Music Row Build sustainable forever. I set a goal of raising $500,000 as a nest egg in the Music Row Build Fund. When Ree made her generous donation, suddenly my goal seemed attainable. Along with Ree, several others have stepped forward and joined our effort. I’m glad to report that we are 25 percent of the way to our goal.”
To make a donation to the Music Row Build Fund, click here.
Willie Nelson & Family Docu-Film Set To Debut At Sundance
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Timothy D. Easley
The world premiere of Willie Nelson and Family, the first authorized film exploring the life and career of the country icon, is set to debut at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
The festival will take place Jan. 19–29 in Park City, Salt Lake City and the Sundance Resort, along with a selection of films available online across the country Jan. 24–29, 2023. Blackbird Presents and Sight Unseen will present the new Nelson five-part documentary series during this year’s festival.
Award-winning filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman construct an intimate memoir of the Red Headed Stranger in the documentary, traversing the highs, lows and in-betweens of Nelson’s personal life and professional career. Along with close friends and family who have accompanied him on his remarkable journey, Nelson tells his story in his own voice.
Developed by longtime Nelson manager Mark Rothbaum and Blackbird Presents Founder & Chief Creative Officer Keith Wortman, Nelson and his family and friends provided exclusive participation and access to his archives. Executive Producers are Wortman, Rothbaum, Annie Nelson, Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman, Leonid Lebedev, Sean Stuart and Mark Ankner.
The Cadillac Three Announces ‘The Bandana Tour’ For 2023
/by Liza AndersonPhoto: Courtesy of Big Machine Records
The Cadillac Three will kick off the new year with their latest journey, “The Bandana Tour,” starting in January. Koe Wetzel will serve as support on select dates.
Made up of frontman Jaren Johnston, drummer Neil Mason, and lap steel bassist Kelby Ray, the group will bring their genre-fusion tracks rooted in country storytelling, rock grooves, and Music City psychedelic jams to fans across the nation.
The Cadillac Three’s efforts have earned the trio a number of honors, including Grammy, ACM, and CMA International Achievement Award nominations.
The band’s spirit has also been present throughout Johnston’s songwriting credits for other artists including Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, and Jon Pardi as well as Tyler Hubbard’s recent No. 1 single, “5 Foot 9.” He has also served as a producer for Tyler Rich, Kip Moore, Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett, and Steven Tyler, among others.
General ticket sales for the “The Bandana Tour” began today (Dec. 16) at 10 a.m. CT. Presale tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. CT yesterday (Dec. 15), allowing select fans to purchase early with an access code via the band’s website.
For more information, click here.
Ernest’s ‘Flower Shops (The Album)’ Reblooms With 13 New Tracks
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto by Delaney Royer
Ernest is releasing the deluxe Flower Shops (The Album): Two Dozen Roses, on Feb. 10.
The project expands on his first full-length project Flower Shops (The Album), adding 13 more original songs to the bouquet. He offers a taste of the newest music today with “Unhang The Moon,” the tear-jerker “Songs We Used To Sing,” and the pleading “Miss That Girl” and its accompanying video.
“I can’t wait for everyone to hear the new music,” Ernest shared. “It’s even more of the real, honest storytelling that the album was built on, and continues the character’s love story right where it left off with ‘Some Other Bar.’ It’s very reflective, I think everyone will be able to relate to a part of the story in some way. I’m really proud of it!”
The hardworking singer-songwriter is coming off of a busy year that included earning his fifth, sixth, and seventh No. 1s as a songwriter, while his debut single “Flower Shops” feat. Morgan Wallen simultaneously reached Platinum status. The CMA Triple Play Award winner was also selected as a 2023 MusicRow Next Big Thing artist, and sold out his first-ever headline tour across college towns this past fall. He rounded out a stacked year of touring on the road with labelmate Wallen as part of his record-breaking “Dangerous Tour.”
Flower Shops (The Album): Two Dozen Roses Track List:
1. Sucker For Small Towns (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett, Ashley Gorley)
2. Tennessee Queen (Ernest Keith Smith, Dan Isbell, Jordan Schmidt)
3. Classic (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett)
4. Feet Wanna Run (Ernest Keith Smith, Chris LaCorte, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
5. Comfortable When I’m Crazy (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson)
6. Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Ernest Keith Smith, Ben Burgess, Mark Holman)
7. Did It With You (Ernest Keith Smith, Rodney Clawson, Nathan Spicer)
8. What It’s Come To (Ernest Keith Smith, Lily Rose, Ryan Vojtesak)
9. If You Were Whiskey (Ernest Keith Smith, Michael Carter, Ben Hayslip)
10. Some Other Bar (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
11. Flower Shops (feat. Morgan Wallen) [Acoustic] (Ernest Keith Smith, Ben Burgess, Mark Holman)
12. This Fire (Ernest Keith Smith, Rocky Block, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan)
13. Wild Wild West (Ernest Keith Smith, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
14. Hill (Ernest Keith Smith, Jordan Schmidt, Brett Tyler)
15. Burn Out (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Jordan Dozzi, Hunter Phelps)
16. Nothin To Lose (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Josh Osborne)
17. Songs We Used To Sing (Ernest Keith Smith, Justin Ebach, Charles Kelley)
18. Done At A Bar (Ernest Keith Smith, Josh Thompson)
19. Drunk With My Friends (Ernest Keith Smith, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Thompson)
20. Anything But Sober (Ernest Keith Smith, Alysa Vanderheym)
21. What Have I Got To Lose (Ernest Keith Smith, Brian Kelley, Dean Dillon)
22. Heartache In My 100 Proof (feat. Jake Worthington) (Ernest Keith Smith, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Thompson)
23. Unhang The Moon (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Brad Clawson, Jacob Durrett)
24. Miss That Girl (Ernest Keith Smith, Brad Clawson, Jacob Durrett)
Melissa Fuller Signs With Kobalt
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (clockwise): Kobalt’s Stephanie Cox, Morgan Brasfield, Melissa Fuller, Kevin Lane
Melissa Fuller has signed with Kobalt.
Since moving from Wyoming to Nashville, Fuller has had songs recorded by Patrick Droney, Mat Kearney, Walker Hayes, Lindsay Ell, Mickey Guyton, Cam, Anderson East, Morgxn and more. Her backing vocals are featured on many of the songs she writes, and she’s performed on shows such as Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Myers, Colbert and CMT Artists of the Year.
She’s had songs featured in campaigns for XBox, FIFA World Cup, Songland and America’s Got Talent, and placed in movies for the Hallmark channel and on shows like Station 19, The Bold Type and Siesta Key.
“I am so excited to welcome Melissa into the Kobalt family,” says Kobalt’s Kevin Lane. “No one puts more of their heart and soul in their creativity than Melissa. I know we will accomplish great things together.”
“I’m grateful to continue working with Kevin, Stephanie [Cox], Morgan [Brasfield] and everyone on the Kobalt team,” said Fuller. “They were excellent admin partners and starting this new publishing chapter together is a great blessing.”