Portrait of Anita Kerr from 1956 by Walden S. Fabry. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Anita Kerr, who was a key figure in the development of The Nashville Sound, has died at age 94. She passed away on Monday (Oct. 10).
Kerr worked as an arranger and producer, often not credited, on many of the records that transformed Nashville into Music City. Her group, The Anita Kerr Singers, sang on the international pop hits of Brenda Lee and Roy Orbison, as well as on dozens of country classics.
The triple Grammy Award winner backed such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Red Foley, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson, Patsy Cline, Ray Price and Willie Nelson. At her peak, Kerr was singing on a quarter of the singles produced on Music Row.
She was born Anita Jean Grilli in Memphis on Oct. 31, 1927. She began playing piano at an early age and formed The Grilli Sisters singing group. They broadcast on her mother’s local radio show on WHBQ. She became Memphis station WREC’s staff pianist at age 14.
Kerr formed The Anita Kerr Singers, who were hired to sing on WSM’s “Sunday Down South” radio show in Nashville in 1948. The group began singing backup harmonies on records in 1950 and signed to record for Decca in 1951.
In addition to lead soprano Kerr, the group coalesced to become tenor Gil Wright, alto Dottie Dillard (1923-2015) and baritone Louis Nunley (1931-2012). In 1956, they competed and won on the national TV competition Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and became regulars on the show from New York. But they continued to record prolifically in Nashville.
Along with Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins, Anita Kerr was instrumental in smoothing the rough edges of “hillbilly music.” Kerr has been credited with introducing string sections on country records. She crafted arrangements that emphasized strings and creamy background harmony singing while downplaying such instruments as the banjo and the steel guitar. This trend, dubbed The Nashville Sound, resulted in huge country “pop-crossover” records.
Among the many big hits featuring The Anita Kerr Singers were “My Special Angel” and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms (1957), “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee (1960), “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison (1961), “Make the World Go Away” by Eddy Arnold (1965), “Detroit City” by Bobby Bare (1963), “The Three Bells” by The Browns (1959) and “He’ll Have to Go” by Jim Reeves (1959). Billed as The Little Dippers, the group scored its own top-10 pop hit with “Forever” in 1960.
In 1961, Chet Atkins hired Kerr to work for RCA. She conducted and supervised sessions for the label’s stars, including Dottie West, Porter Wagoner, Don Gibson, Hank Snow, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Rich, George Hamilton IV and Hank Locklin.
She wrote the string arrangement for Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date” of 1961. Later that year, she produced and arranged “The End of the World” for Skeeter Davis. It became a massive country and pop hit in 1962. She co-produced the ensuing Davis LP with Atkins, although he was quick to give her the principle credit. This made her likely Nashville’s first female record producer.
In addition to country acts and Nashville’s homegrown pop talents (such as Sue Thompson, Johnny Tillotson, Pat Boone and The Everly Brothers), Kerr backed such pop visitors as Perry Como, Duane Eddy, Burl Ives, Esther Phillips, Ronnie Hawkins, Bobby Vinton, Jack Scott, Al Hirt, Brook Benton, Lorne Greene and Ann-Margret.
Her group also recorded hundreds of ad jingles and radio-station spots. In 1964, The Anita Kerr Singers were part of the ground-breaking RCA package tour of Europe, along with Atkins, Reeves and Bare.
She and her vocal ensemble continued to make records, too. Billed as Anita & The’ So-and-So’s, they made the pop charts in 1962 with “Joey Baby.” Recording for RCA, they earned Grammy Awards for the 1965 Nashville albums We Dig Mancini (in pop) and Southland Favorites (in gospel, with George Beverly Shea).
By the time those Grammy Awards were presented, Anita Kerr had moved from Music City to Los Angeles. There, she became a pre-curser of “new-age” music via her collaborations with poet Rod McKuen on the million-selling albums The Earth, The Sea and The Sky in 1967-68. She created the San Sebastian Strings. She was also hired as the choral director for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV show in 1967.
She earned her third Grammy Award in 1966 for her group’s performance of “A Man and a Woman.” In addition, she continued to create an abundance of easy-listening, “mood music” albums.
She moved to Switzerland with husband/manager Alex Grob in 1970. She conducted orchestras, composed soundtracks for films (as a female pioneer in this field), built a recording studio and made four devotional albums for Word during the next two decades. In 1992, she received a Governor’s Award from The Recording Academy.
Anita Kerr returned California in 1979. Eventually, she moved back to Memphis.
Kerr is survived by her husband; daughters, Kelley Kerr and Suzanne Trebert; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced.
Nashville Sound Creator Anita Kerr Passes
/by Robert K OermannPortrait of Anita Kerr from 1956 by Walden S. Fabry. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Anita Kerr, who was a key figure in the development of The Nashville Sound, has died at age 94. She passed away on Monday (Oct. 10).
Kerr worked as an arranger and producer, often not credited, on many of the records that transformed Nashville into Music City. Her group, The Anita Kerr Singers, sang on the international pop hits of Brenda Lee and Roy Orbison, as well as on dozens of country classics.
The triple Grammy Award winner backed such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Red Foley, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson, Patsy Cline, Ray Price and Willie Nelson. At her peak, Kerr was singing on a quarter of the singles produced on Music Row.
She was born Anita Jean Grilli in Memphis on Oct. 31, 1927. She began playing piano at an early age and formed The Grilli Sisters singing group. They broadcast on her mother’s local radio show on WHBQ. She became Memphis station WREC’s staff pianist at age 14.
Kerr formed The Anita Kerr Singers, who were hired to sing on WSM’s “Sunday Down South” radio show in Nashville in 1948. The group began singing backup harmonies on records in 1950 and signed to record for Decca in 1951.
In addition to lead soprano Kerr, the group coalesced to become tenor Gil Wright, alto Dottie Dillard (1923-2015) and baritone Louis Nunley (1931-2012). In 1956, they competed and won on the national TV competition Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and became regulars on the show from New York. But they continued to record prolifically in Nashville.
Along with Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins, Anita Kerr was instrumental in smoothing the rough edges of “hillbilly music.” Kerr has been credited with introducing string sections on country records. She crafted arrangements that emphasized strings and creamy background harmony singing while downplaying such instruments as the banjo and the steel guitar. This trend, dubbed The Nashville Sound, resulted in huge country “pop-crossover” records.
Among the many big hits featuring The Anita Kerr Singers were “My Special Angel” and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms (1957), “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee (1960), “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison (1961), “Make the World Go Away” by Eddy Arnold (1965), “Detroit City” by Bobby Bare (1963), “The Three Bells” by The Browns (1959) and “He’ll Have to Go” by Jim Reeves (1959). Billed as The Little Dippers, the group scored its own top-10 pop hit with “Forever” in 1960.
In 1961, Chet Atkins hired Kerr to work for RCA. She conducted and supervised sessions for the label’s stars, including Dottie West, Porter Wagoner, Don Gibson, Hank Snow, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Rich, George Hamilton IV and Hank Locklin.
She wrote the string arrangement for Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date” of 1961. Later that year, she produced and arranged “The End of the World” for Skeeter Davis. It became a massive country and pop hit in 1962. She co-produced the ensuing Davis LP with Atkins, although he was quick to give her the principle credit. This made her likely Nashville’s first female record producer.
In addition to country acts and Nashville’s homegrown pop talents (such as Sue Thompson, Johnny Tillotson, Pat Boone and The Everly Brothers), Kerr backed such pop visitors as Perry Como, Duane Eddy, Burl Ives, Esther Phillips, Ronnie Hawkins, Bobby Vinton, Jack Scott, Al Hirt, Brook Benton, Lorne Greene and Ann-Margret.
Her group also recorded hundreds of ad jingles and radio-station spots. In 1964, The Anita Kerr Singers were part of the ground-breaking RCA package tour of Europe, along with Atkins, Reeves and Bare.
She and her vocal ensemble continued to make records, too. Billed as Anita & The’ So-and-So’s, they made the pop charts in 1962 with “Joey Baby.” Recording for RCA, they earned Grammy Awards for the 1965 Nashville albums We Dig Mancini (in pop) and Southland Favorites (in gospel, with George Beverly Shea).
By the time those Grammy Awards were presented, Anita Kerr had moved from Music City to Los Angeles. There, she became a pre-curser of “new-age” music via her collaborations with poet Rod McKuen on the million-selling albums The Earth, The Sea and The Sky in 1967-68. She created the San Sebastian Strings. She was also hired as the choral director for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour TV show in 1967.
She earned her third Grammy Award in 1966 for her group’s performance of “A Man and a Woman.” In addition, she continued to create an abundance of easy-listening, “mood music” albums.
She moved to Switzerland with husband/manager Alex Grob in 1970. She conducted orchestras, composed soundtracks for films (as a female pioneer in this field), built a recording studio and made four devotional albums for Word during the next two decades. In 1992, she received a Governor’s Award from The Recording Academy.
Anita Kerr returned California in 1979. Eventually, she moved back to Memphis.
Kerr is survived by her husband; daughters, Kelley Kerr and Suzanne Trebert; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced.
Keith Urban Proves Why He’s An Entertainer Of A Generation At Nashville Stop
/by LB CantrellKeith Urban performs at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
Keith Urban reminded Nashville of why he’s one of the best entertainers in country music on Friday (Oct. 7) when his “The Speed Of Now World Tour” hit its Bridgestone Arena stop.
Ingrid Andress opened the show. Her set included her breakout hit “More Hearts Than Mine,” songs from her new record Good Person, and a surprise visit from Sam Hunt to perform their collaboration “Wishful Drinking.”
Tyler Hubbard was up next in the bill. He performed songs from his new solo record, such as “Baby Gets Her Lovin’,” “35’s,” “5 Foot 9” and “Dancin’ in the Country.” He also thrilled fans with some FGL material like “Cruise” and “Meant to Be.”
When Urban took the stage, he came out with the loud and energized “Tumbleweed.” It was the beginning of a near 30-song marathon of which Urban never tired of. He went straight into his 2004 hit “Days Go By” before addressing the hometown crowd.
“This is a special night tonight because we’re in Nashville, and we always do things a little different in Nashville,” Urban said. He let the crowd know that theme for the night was “Broadway To The Big Time.”
“A lot of artists in this very town got their start right down there on lower Broadway,” he said. “They’re doing it right now. They’re playing night after night for hours. We did it too.” He then showed a clip of him and his former band The Ranch playing at a club on Nolensville Road in 1997.
Keith Urban and Kayley Green perform at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
Later in the night, Urban invited one of Broadway’s talented singers, Kayley Green, to the stage. The bubbly blonde singer gave a hair-raising performance of Martina McBride‘s “Independence Day” before the two sang the Urban-Miranda Lambert duet “We Were Us,” making for one of the best moments of the night.
Green grasped at her heart and beamed at the packed arena as she performed–and she sounded incredible.
Urban’s show was full of hits flanked with special, intimate moments that seemed custom for a Nashville show. One special moment came when Urban noticed a sign in the back of the audience that said “I skipped school for you.” He invited the young girl holding the sign up to join him on stage for a photo.
The highly skilled performer relished in the crowd sing-a-long moments, such as “Wild Hearts,” “Kiss a Girl,” “Long Hot Summer,” and “Somewhere In My Car.” He smiled at fans raising their hands and voices in a transcendent energy exchange.
Keith Urban tributes Loretta Lynn. Photo: Brennon Williamson, Courtesy of Guitar Monkey Tours
In an intimate moment, Urban honored the late Loretta Lynn. “This week we watched one of our honky tonk angels ascend,” he said before playing acoustic versions of “Blue Kentucky Girl” and “You’re Looking at Country.” Photos of the country legend lit up the otherwise dark stage.
In a highlight of the night, Urban invited out country superstar Luke Combs. He did a rendition of his “When It Rains It Pours” with Urban singing along and playing acoustic guitar. Combs then filled in for Eric Church on his and Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up.”
When Urban made his way to a small satellite stage at the back of the venue, it came as no surprise that he wanted to get closer to the audience. He made himself very acquainted with the faces in the crowd, responding to people’s hoots and hollers and beaming with pride when the audience sang and danced along.
On the small stage, Urban performed a snippet of John Denver‘s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with his acoustic guitar, as well as “Better Life” and “You’ll Think of Me.” Before he left to go back to the main stage, he signed and handed the guitar to a fan.
When Urban returned for his final few songs, he kicked it off with “Somebody Like You,” complete with a few verses of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which got some giggles out of him and the band. He then blitzed fans with hits, playing “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “The Fighter” and “Wasted Time,” before closing the show with “Stupid Boy” for the encore.
Urban brings his top-notch show to Savannah, Georgia’s Enmarket Arena on Thursday (Oct. 13).
Derek Wells Elevated To Spirit Music Nashville Vice President, A&R/Production
/by Lorie HollabaughDerek Wells
Derek Wells has been promoted to Vice President, A&R/Production at Spirit Music Nashville. The company has also extended its partnership with Wells’ 2 Mix Music.
A native of Nashville, Wells is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and publisher. He is credited on over 100 No. 1 singles for the likes of Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Shakira, Kenny Chesney, Scotty McCreery, Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Hardy, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Dolly Parton, and Thomas Rhett.
In 2016, Wells was the youngest person in history to win the ACM Guitar Player of the Year award, and also the youngest to be nominated for the CMA Musician of the Year Award. In 2018, he was named MusicRow Magazine’s Guitar Player of the year and, in 2019, he was awarded his second ACM Guitar Player of the Year honor. Wells is currently a nominee for Musician of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards.
As a producer, Wells recently celebrated his third consecutive No. 1 with Scotty McCreery, the three-week Billboard No. 1 “Damn Strait,” as well as celebrating the release of Maddie & Tae’s Through The Madness, Volume 1 and 2, Danielle Bradbery’s “A Special Place” and the newest single from Hardy, “Wait In The Truck” featuring Lainey Wilson.
“Derek Wells has been an integral part of Spirit Music’s success the last few years,” says Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/CCO, Spirit Music Nashville, Frank Rogers. “Derek is an amazing musician, producer, publisher, friend and mentor to our staff and writers. I am thrilled to promote him to Vice President A&R/Production and to continue our partnership with 2 Mix Music. Here we go again bro!”
“I’m excited to continue this journey with Spirit and the world class team that’s been assembled here,” adds Wells. “Every writer and staff member in our building represents the kind of person that I want to be associated with. We’ve had a great few years and I know how much excitement we all have about our future and the music being made here! Big thanks to Frank Rogers for the leadership and friendship he shows to our team day in and day out. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime! Most fun wins!”
Star-Studded Lineup Of Performers & Presenters Unveiled For 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year Celebration
/by Lydia FarthingThe performers and presenters for the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration have been unveiled.
The night’s stacked lineup will include solo performances from several of this year’s Artist of the Year honorees, including Alan Jackson, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown and Lainey Wilson. The celebration will also feature a pair of never-before-seen performances: Walker Hayes teaming up with Platinum-selling entertainer Ciara for a world premiere collaboration, and chart-topping singer-songwriter Riley Green taking the stage for a special debut in honor of Luke Combs.
Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts’ vocalist Gary LeVox, singer-songwriter-producer and author Kelsea Ballerini, Yellowstone star Kelsey Asbille and Shane McAnally have been tapped as presenters for the 90-minute celebration. Additionally, racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will make a remote presentation to Combs from his annual Dale Jr. Foundation charity event in North Carolina.
The evening’s festivities will take place at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and will premiere on Friday (Oct. 14) at 8 p.m. CT on CMT.
Hardy Joins Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert As 2023 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Headliner
/by Lorie HollabaughHardy has joined the lineup of headliners for the 11th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam, which is slated for June 1-4 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Taking over Frank Brown Park, Hardy joins Morgan Wallen and Miranda Lambert as the third of four headliners announced for the 2023 festival.
“My publicist won’t allow me to cuss to express how excited we are about how this lineup is coming together,” jokes Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “We’ve already sold more tickets–way more tickets–than any year this far out from the festival, and I can’t wait to see what happens when our Jammers hear about Hardy and the rest of our lineup!”
Tickets for next year’s festival are currently available at GulfCoastJam.com. Sky Boxes, Side Stage, Super VIP, and all parking passes are already sold out for 2023, but a limited number of VIP pit passes are still available.
“We’re incredibly excited about the addition of Hardy to this already amazing lineup,” adds Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon. “We are also tempering this exciting news and the incredible response we’re having to next year’s festival with the fact that many of our friends and neighbors are dealing with aftermath of this awful hurricane.”
Further lineup details for the 11th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam will be announced in the coming weeks.
Weekly Register: Tyler Childers Makes Top Country Album & Song Debut
/by Lydia FarthingRCA’s Tyler Childers makes the top country album debut this week with his three-part Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven record. The new project takes the No. 3 spot with 27K in total first-week consumption (16K album only/13 million song streams). The album’s title track, which also notches the top debut on the country streaming songs chart, comes in at No. 85 with 2.1 million streams, according to Luminate data.
Higher up on the top country streaming songs chart, everything remains the same for a third consecutive week. Zach Bryan claims No. 1 with “Something In The Orange” gaining 15 million streams. Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” follows in No. 2 adding 10 million streams, while his “Wasted On You” remains at No. 5 with 7.6 million streams. Luke Combs maintains the third position with “The Kind Of Love We Make” tacking on 9.8 million streams, and Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Rock And A Hard Place” keeps the fourth spot with 9 million streams.
On the album’s side, Wallen’s blockbuster Dangerous: The Double Album unsurprisingly claims the top spot, adding 46K in total consumption (1.5K album only/56 million song streams). Bryan’s American Heartbreak remains at No. 2 with 28K, and Combs’ Growin’ Up keeps its spot at No. 4 with 16.5K in total consumption. Taylor Swift jumps up to close out the top five as Red (Taylor’s Version) notches 16K in total consumption.
Industry Ink: John Prine, AIMP Nashville, McBride & The Ride, Jazzmania
/by Lydia FarthingBMI Hosts Kick Off Event For ‘You Got Gold: The Life And Songs Of John Prine’
Pictured (L-R): John R. Miller, BMI’s Mason Hunter, Fiona Prine, Tommy Prine, Katie Pruitt, Pat McLaughlin, Kyle Young, BMI’s Clay Bradley Photo: Josh Britt and Neilson Hubbard
Last Thursday (Oct. 6), BMI hosted a VIP event to kick off “You Got Gold: the Life and Songs of John Prine.” Held from Oct. 7 -12, the weeklong tribute benefiting The Hello In There Foundation is set to feature an array of surprise artists performing and celebrating Prine’s legendary life and songs.
The invite-only party, hosted at BMI Nashville’s rooftop terrace, honored the late Prine and his influence on the musical community. The celebration featured performances of Prine’s songs from Katie Pruitt, longtime friend and collaborator Pat McLaughlin and John and Fiona’s son, Tommy Prine.
AIMP Nashville Takes Over Listening Room For 2022 Songwriter Series
Pictured (L-R back row): Mike Sistad (ASCAP), Tim Hunze (Big Machine), Michael Martin (Endurance Music), Duff Berschback (Concord), Courtney Crist (Anthem), hit songwriter host Eric Paslay, John Ozier (Reservoir), Kendall Lettow (Peermusic), Emily Boardman (River House), hit songwriter host Kelly Archer, and Courtney Kruckeberg (Endurance Music); (L-R, front row): Class of 2022 members Colton Venner, Erin Kinsey, Meg McRee, Brigetta, Caroline Watkins, and John Byron.
The AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series took over Nashville’s Listening Room Café on Oct. 4. Hosted by hit songwriters Kelly Archer and Eric Paslay, the event featured performances from the Songwriter Series Class of 2022, which includes Brigetta, John Byron, Erin Kinsey, Meg McRee, Colton Venner and Caroline Watkins.
Each year, the Songwriter Series showcases a new class of six promising writers who have not had a song charting higher than a top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts. They are selected by a special committee made up of music industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville Chapter members.
McBride & The Ride Sign With Action Entertainment Collaborative, Richlynn Group
Pictured (L-R): AEC’s Jimmy Dasher, Terry McBride, Richlynn Group’s Kate Richardson, Billy Thomas, and Ray Herndon. Photo: Courtesy of Richlynn Group
ACM and CMA-nominated group McBride & The Ride have inked deals with Action Entertainment Collaborative (AEC) for booking and the Richlynn Group for publicity and marketing. Jimmy Dasher will represent the band for all booking requests, and Kate Richardson will serve as lead on PR and marketing.
The 90’s band, whose hit songs include “Love on the Loose, Heart on the Run,” “Sacred Ground” and “Going Out of My Mind,” have reunited with all three original members–Ray Herndon, Terry McBride and Billy Thomas–are gearing up for their first new EP in nearly 30 years. The first single will be released Nov. 4 via InGrooves. The trio is currently on the road with upcoming stops in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and more.
“As excited as I’ve been to make the move to AEC myself, I know it’s going to be a perfect fit for Terry, Ray, Billy and the whole crew,” Dasher notes. “I’m thrilled about this next chapter with AEC and The Ride.”
“The 90s are back and so is McBride & The Ride! We are so thrilled to run with this new music, reconnect the band with their original fans, and introduce them to a whole new generation of country lovers,” Richardson adds. “I’ve been a longtime fan, and can’t wait for people to hear the killer new music from the trio.”
Nashville Jazz Workshop Announces The Return Of In-Person Jazzmania
The Young Artist Ensemble. Photo: Courtesy of Mojo Marketing + PR
The Nashville Jazz Workshop will celebrate the return of its in-person Jazzmania on Oct. 22 in Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin from 6-10 p.m. CT. The annual celebration of jazz music serves as a concert fundraiser to support the mission of the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
Jazzmania 2022 will feature The Young Artist Ensemble, a group of talented high school age jazz students, as well as the NJW All-Stars, which consists of faculty and performing artists led by Workshop founders Lori Mechem and Roger Spencer. Latin Jazz and Salsa from Giovanni Rodriguez and 12 Manos will close out the evening. Attendees can enjoy food from The Clean Plate Club, wine and beer from Lipman Brothers and a Jazzmania cocktail, courtesy of Cathead Vodka. They will also have the chance to bid on unique artworks and collectibles in a live auction.
For more information on the event and ticket packages, click here.
Elle King Makes It Country Music Official With ‘Come Get Your Wife,’ Due Out In January
/by Lorie HollabaughElle King. Photo: Pooneh Ghana
CMA and ACM-winning crossover artist Elle King will take the dive into country music with her new album, Come Get Your Wife, slated for release on Jan. 27.
Filled with the rock, soul, bluegrass and country that the hitmaker loves, the project includes a dozen tracks that run a gauntlet of styles and attitudes. The collection, co-produced by King with Ross Copperman, features her history-making duet with Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (And I Don’t Want To Go Home), plus tracks like “Bonafide,” “Out Yonder,” “Try Jesus,” and a duet with familiar pal Dierks Bentley, “Worth A Shot.”
“There’s something about how you put the pieces together,” King offers of her first true country project. “This whole album is a crazy quilt of all sorts of moments and things that might not seem to go together, but because they’re me, they do. It’s very Southern Ohio, very who we are–and very much a lot of people who are just like me, because I know they’re out there.”
King has found quite a home in the country realm, collaborating with Bentley, Lambert and Ashley McBryde, and touring with Chris Stapleton for the better part of 2022.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter was recently highlighted in MusicRow’s 2022 Publisher Issue for her work and growing career as one of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters. To read more about the issue or to purchase a copy, click here.
1. Ohio – Written by Elle King, Bobby Hamrick, Ella Langley & Matt McKinney
2. Before You Met Me – Written by Tofer Brown, Margaret McRee & Lauren Hungate
3. Try Jesus – Written by Elle King, Geoffrey Warburton, Casey Cathleen Smith, Ashley Gorley & Ben Johnson
4. Drunk (And I Don’t Want To Go Home) with Miranda Lambert – Written by Elle King & Martin Johnson
5. Lucky – Written by Elle King, Bobby Hamrick, Ella Langley & Matt McKinney
6. Worth A Shot (featuring Dierks Bentley) Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman & Josh Osborne
7. Tulsa – Written by Elle King, Bobby Hamrick, Ella Langley & Matt McKinney
8. Crawlin’ Mood – Written by Charlie Worsham & Jesse Frasure
9. Bonafide – Written by Elle King, Bobby Hamrick, Ella Langley & Matt McKinney
10. Blacked Out – Written by Elle King & Martin Johnson
11. Out Yonder – Written by Bobby Hamrick, Ella Langley & Matt McKinney
12. Love Go By – Written by Elle King, Geoffrey Warburton & Joe Janiak
Hardy To Launch Cross-Country ‘The Mockingbird & The Crow Tour’ In February
/by Lorie HollabaughHardy. Photo: Ryan Smith
Hardy has announced his “The Mockingbird & The Crow Tour,” a 16-date headlining run launching Feb. 16 in Indianapolis.
He’ll be joined by Jameson Rodgers and rock newcomers Blame My Youth for the trek, which is in support of Hardy’s just-announced sophomore album of the same name. The tour will make stops in Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and more through April 29.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to bring this record to you next year. Touring it is something I’ve been thinking about since we started the recording process,” Hardy says. “This album is my best work so far. I truly believe that, and I want this tour to reflect that every night. Excited to have my buddies Blame My Youth and Jameson out with me; it’s going to be crazy.”
Tickets for “The Mockingbird & The Crow Tour” are available this Friday (Oct. 14) , with fan pre-sales starting tomorrow (Oct. 12) and launching throughout the week.
This December, Hardy will embark on his sold-out, nine-stop “Wall to Wall Tour” with guest Jackson Dean and a one-night-only appearance from rockers Puddle of Mudd.
Brett Eldredge Announces Dates For His Annual ‘Glow Live’ Holiday Tour
/by Liza AndersonPlatinum-selling artist Brett Eldredge is ready to ring in the holiday season with the return of his annual “Glow Live Tour.”
During the the 14-date-run, Eldredge will make stops in major cities across the nation, including back-to-back nights in New York City, Boston and Chicago. He is also set to kick off the tradition with a three-night-residency at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, inviting fans to join him on the third night via livestream.
Eldredge’s fan club will have early access to ticket pre-sales beginning today (Oct. 11). Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets until Oct. 23. Tickets will open to the public this Friday, Oct. 14 at bretteldredge.com.
The tour originally began as a single live show in Nashville, inspired by Eldredge’s celebrated 2016 Christmas album of the same name. The record notched No. 2 on the country charts upon release and featured the Billboard Adult Contemporary and Holiday Music chart-topping duet “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Meghan Trainor. It was followed by his 2021 seasonal album, Mr. Christmas.
“Glow Live Tour 2022” Dates:
Fri Nov 25 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Sat Nov 26 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Sun Nov 27 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium & “Glow” Livestream
Thu Dec 1 – Cleveland, OH – Playhouse Square
Fri Dec 2 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Sat Dec 3 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
Tue Dec 6 – Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall
Fri Dec 9 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Sat Dec 10 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Tue Dec 13 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
Thu Dec 15 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Thu Dec 16 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
Thu Dec 20 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Thu Dec 21 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre