Tour updates, album releases, awards, music industry news and more
Scroll down for news on Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Scotty McCreery, Dan+Shay, Bill Anderson, Kenny Chesney, Charlie Daniels, LANCO, plus plenty more.
This is the September 2018 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA. It is published in Nashville Music Guide and on websites around the world. Check out previous columns at Nashville Music Guide’s website and at my ‘I Know Country’ website.
Send me music stuff, I love to get it! / Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com
VERSE OF THE MONTH: ‘Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. – Colossians (3:16)
Album News
Thomas Rhett’s latest album LIFE CHANGES has earned RIAA Platinum Certification, hitting the noteworthy sales mark less than a year from its release. An instant hit out of the gate, LIFE CHANGES debuted at No. One on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, marking the first Country release to take the top spot in 2017, also drawing a 2018 Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.
Resonating with fans, each of the album’s three singles have soared to the top of the charts, bringing Thomas Rhett’s No. One tally to 10. His latest Gold-certified hit ‘Life Changes’ is Top-5-and-climbing at radio, becoming his 12th song to earn an RIAA sales certification. “I found out LIFE CHANGES went PLATINUM and the single was GOLD the same day I got to play Nissan Stadium at home in Nashville, so that was a really special moment for me,” Rhett said. More info at ThomasRhett.com.
Americana Music News
The AMA’s 18th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference will take place September 11-16, 2018 gathering thousands of artists, fans, and industry professionals from all over the world in Nashville, TN. It is a must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana’s influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music. Each year, AMERICANAFEST℠ brings together legendary artists, the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for six days of music and education.
AMA receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC among others. AMERICANAFEST℠ will feature 500+ live performances at almost 60 of Nashville’s most prominent venues and much, much, more. The Americana Honors & Awards Show will take place September 12th at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. For more info on the Americana Music Association℠ and to become a member, visit the official website Facebook Twitter and Instagram.
Artist News
ACM Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year Brett Young will bring his set to fans across the country this fall with CMT ON TOUR: HERE TONIGHT. The headline dates follow last year’s sold-out tour and will launch November 16 in Royal Oak, MI. Drawing from his debut Platinum-certified album on BMLG Records, Young’s four consecutive PLATINUM No. 1 chart-toppers will set the pace each night as he also previews new music. Featuring special guests Tyler Rich and Rachel Wammack, tickets for the tour are now available for select markets here.
The success of his songs has been amplified by an extraordinary response to Young’s music videos with ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ surpassing 197 million views and ‘Mercy’ spending six consecutive weeks atop Vevo’s Top Country chart. Additional markets will be announced in the coming weeks. Also William Rast announced the launch of its Fall 2018 men’s and women’s collection at several national retailers including Macy’s, Dillard’s, Belk, Lord & Taylor and Amazon, unveiling a print campaign featuring Brett Young.
Business Buzz
Additionally, Scott McGhee has launched his new company, 1˚ Entertainment Music & Management Group. Artist management will remain the 1˚ core business. Expanding services under the umbrella, 1˚ will integrate brand development and extension, digital and social media strategies, as well as creating original content for alternative distribution. These synchronized services will be incorporated into every artist initiative. More at mcgheela.com.
CD News
Joni Harms released her 13th album, ‘Lucky 13,’ on August 13. She says 13 is her lucky number. “‘Lucky 13’ is a special album for me for several reasons,” Harms explains. “My dad was discharged from World War II on Dock 13 on November 13, my daughter Olivia was born on June 13 in room 13 at 1:13 in the afternoon, which in military time is 13:13. Since this is my 13th CD, it just seemed right to use ‘Lucky 13’ for the title.” Harms wrote or co-wrote all 13 songs on this album that was recorded in Ireland while she was on tour.
It was just announced that Joni is in the first round nominations for the Academy of Western Artists for Western Music Female Vocalist, Western Music Album for ‘Lucky 13,’ Western Music Song for ‘Horse Sense,’ written by Joni and Wood Newton; Pure Country Female, Pure Country Album for ‘Lucky 13,’ Pure Country Song for ‘Bless The Farmer,’ ‘American Dream’ and ‘Horse Sense .’ Album info and more at joniharms.com.
CD Releases
Michelle Wright digitally released the gospel-tinged ballad, ‘Lovin’ This Day’ and the groovin’ ‘Attitude Is Everything’ across all digital platforms on August 31. This marks Wright’s first new recordings since the release of ‘Strong’ (2013 Savannah Music).
A personal note: I interned for Michelle’s label when needed in 1991!
In 2014, after touring in support of ‘Strong,’ Michelle took a break from recording and divided her time between live performances and songwriting. In late 2016 she knew that it was time to assemble a new team and return to recording new music. “My music is always an extension of me,” says Wright, “Each new song is a chance to push a little harder, and dig a little deeper.” Michelle will continue to write, record and release songs on the Navigator Records imprint, but by releasing the two tracks in single form Michelle and her team are reaching out directly to music fans. More info at michelle-wright.com.
Charity News
Country music and southern rock legend Charlie Daniels will host the inaugural ‘Charlie Daniels Patriot Award Dinner’ to be held at The Palm Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, September 18. The evening will feature remarks from decorated military veterans Chris Spence and Mario Vigil, two of the ‘Real Horse Soldiers’ portrayed in the 2018 critically-acclaimed film, 12 Strong, starring Chris Hemsworth.
Daniels and special guest Chris Young will also perform live. SiriusXM’s Storme Warren will emcee the event. On behalf of his veterans non-profit organization, The Journey Home Project (TJHP), the Country Music Hall of Famer will also award the first-ever Charlie Daniels Patriot Award to two special honorees, handpicked by Daniels and his manager and TJHP co-founder, David Corlew. This year’s recipients will be announced at a later day. Updates at charliedaniels.com.
CMA News
Kudos to the CMA Foundation. For 10+ years, they have worked tirelessly to provide resources for students to have the opportunity to participate in quality music education programs. Thanks to the generosity of CMA members, their message of ‘music education for all’ is starting to resonate. Due in part to the CMA Foundation’s ongoing commitment, music programs across the country are improving.
The CMA Foundation is now striving to amplify the message to inspire individual and community action so that every child has access to music education. Visit ItStartsWithME.org to see how you can help this great cause.
Concert News
Several familiar voices of the 90s will make their way to Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre in NC this fall for the Classic Country Throwdown, a one night only live concert event exclusive to North Carolina. The country music extravaganza goes down on Thursday, October 4 and will feature performances by Tracy Lawrence, Phil Vassar, Little Texas and comedian Cledus T. Judd.
“It’s not a secret that I’m a traditionalist and I’m looking forward to performing some great country music with my friends in North Carolina,” says Lawrence. Tickets are now available at ETix.com or boothamphitheatre.com. A special package deal of two general admission lawn seats will be available for purchase at $50.00.
Duo News
Sibling duo Jesse & Noah, the sons of David Bellamy from the famed Bellamy Brothers, released their new album, NEON PIKE, August 31. The album is available now with two instant gratis tracks, ‘Gambler’s Heart’ and ‘Chances,’ available immediately upon ordering.
“The challenge for us has always been that we’re not traditional enough to fit with the traditional crowd or pop enough to be pop country,” says Jesse Bellamy. Noah Bellamy adds, “So for this album, Neon Pike, we really just focused on the instrumentation and creating solid music we are proud to share with our fans.” To order the album and see tour dates visit jesseandnoah.com.
Icon News
Rock ‘n’ roll’s iconic and original wild-man / country music stylist, Jerry Lee Lewis, will return to Nashville for the first time since 2014 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Dec. 10. Tickets are on sale to the general public now. Few artists in music history can boast a résumé as impressive as that of ‘The Killer.’
Lewis is now in his seventh decade of an unrivaled career that includes numerous GRAMMY® Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s inaugural class and the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has had an unparalleled impact on countless rock and country artists who have followed in his footsteps. Ticket info here. More about Jerry Lee here.
Indie Artist News
Gregory Alan Isakov’s new song, ‘Caves,’ is the second track unveiled from his new album, ‘Evening Machines.’ The release—his first in partnership with Dualtone Records—is due October 5 and is now available for pre-order. The first single ‘Chemicals’ surpassed two million streams. Recorded at a converted barn studio located on Isakov’s three-acre farm in Boulder County, CO, the twelve-track album was self-produced and mixed by Tucker Martine and Andrew Berlin.
In celebration of the album, Isakov will embark on an extensive worldwide tour this fall, including a sold out return headline show at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre on September 30 with special guest Patty Griffin as well as dates at L.A.’s Theatre at Ace Hotel, Chicago’s The Vic Theatre, Manhattan’s Irving Plaza, Brooklyn’s Warsaw, Amsterdam’s Paradiso and London’s 02 Shepherds Bush Empire among many others. Full tour info and more here.
Industry News
Nashville-based indie record label Copperline Music Group has signed pop singer-songwriter James Patrick Morgan. Influenced by the works of Sam Cooke, John Mayer, and Freddie Mercury, Morgan has mastered the guitar, piano and harmonica and fills his live shows with looping, wide vocal ranges, soulful danceable beats, and contemplative, emotive lyrics. The Atlanta resident performs up to 300 shows per year and, despite being a pop act, has opened for the country duo Sugerland as well as Jennifer Nettles throughout the years. Details at jamespatrickmorgan.com.
Kentucky Music News
Kentucky boy Dustin Collins has a lot to celebrate as ‘It’s Been Awhile’ debuts on four Billboard charts. It’s Been Awhile is No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart, No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 21 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Country Albums Sales chart (Hot Shot Debut). “It’s hard to describe what it felt like to wake up and see my album on all of these Billboard charts. I’m proud of how far myself and my team have come and also humbled by the support of my fans,” expressed Collins.
This release follows Collins’ No. 1 Billboard Singles Sales chart hit ‘Cold Dead Hands.’ It’s Been Awhile, which was released through Average Joe’s Entertainment on DCDL Entertainment, features “Cold Dead Hands” along with Collins’ fan-favorite single “The Barn.” The seven-song project was produced and mixed by Bill McDermott and mastered by Noah Gordon. Music and more here.
Label News
(EMI / Nashville) Brothers Osborne are starting out on a world tour this fall. The Wild Feathers and Lucie Silvas will be joining them at select dates on the tour. After a string of concert dates in Canada through October and November, the duo return to the United States and then head overseas to the United Kingdom for stops in England, Scotland and Wales. Interestingly, during the tour they will play at both London, Ontario, and London, England. Check out their music and full tour schedule at brothersosborne.com….
(Wheelhouse) LOCASH have released a brand-new single, ‘Feels Like A Party’ on their new label Wheelhouse Records. The good-time track, available at all digital retailers, is the pair’s first release with their new label. BBR Music Group/BMG had earlier announced the pair as their latest addition to its roster of artists. Written by LOCASH’s own Preston Brust and Chris Lucas along with Corey Crowder and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, ‘Feels Like a Party’ is set to impact Country radio on September 4.
The pair has been hard at work the past few years, in the studio and traveling the country as part of their own headlining tour as well as in support of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s SOUL 2 SOUL Tour. “Landing a new record deal and putting out a new single in the same week is a crazy feeling,” said Preston Brust. Music and tour news at locashmusic.com.
Media News
The Smithville P.D. is encouraging viewers to donate to its charity organization, Cops for Kids, a non-profit that helps to ensure that the children of DeKalb County have gifts for Christmas. See for the Smithville Police Department’s lip sync challenge video on YouTube here ….
Music industry e-zine, Center Stage Magazine, produces Track By Track™, a unique and specialized services they offer artists, labels and industry management teams. It feature new music where they sit down with artists to discuss the ‘behind the music’ details about each track on a current or previous album release. Most episodes will also feature a special musical performance by the artist. The most recent episode (the 17th) spotlights ‘Terry McBride: Hotels & Highways EP.’ The program includes two special acoustic performances. The shows air on CenterStageMag.com and My Jam Music Network. Watch recent episodes here
Music News
When Kenny Chesney made ‘Songs for the Saints,’ he wasn’t thinking about chart positions, country radio or how these songs would play in his live shows—he was worried about the people of the Virgin Islands. Riding out a Category 5 hurricane without the same kinds of safety nets people on mainland take for granted, he understood the peril, and he channeled it into ‘Song for the Saints,’ then ‘Love for Love City.’ The album, Songs for the Saints, debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 behind Drake’s Scorpion.
“All I knew was that I was so scared for a lot of people and places that I really loved,” said Chesney of the inspiration. “I was anxious, and I was thousands of miles away. I needed to do something, something that would let those people know they weren’t gonna be forgotten when the news cycle moved on. I had no idea it would be an album, but the songs were something they could sing. And now here we are.” More at kennychesney.com. NOTE: All twenty of Chesney’s albums have been certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum.
Music Tech News
Micah Sannan, Trevor Hinesley and Travis Terrell have formally introduced Soundstripe, Nashville’s fastest-growing music company that’s turning record label deals inside out. Launched by the three seasoned music composers, the Soundstripe ‘new generation’ business model is positioned to shake up the status quo. The company’s three-tiered objective is to a) foster a community of creators, b) compose and produce high quality music for digital content creators and c) afford a sustainable and consistent income to musicians.
Soundstripe customers have access to music tailored for any occasion, genre or mood. With a catalog of music that canvasses a variety of genres (pop/rock/acoustic and more) that caters to multi-purpose video use, the music licensing company offers quality compositions to content creators, novice or professional, while providing a viable income to its talented staff of songwriters and musicians. The company has issued more than one million sync licenses to date with no video usage restrictions, no increased fees based on distribution, no broadcast restrictions and no legal barriers. More details here.
Nashville News
Nashville House Concerts, Music City’s newest live music and variety show at the historic War Memorial Auditorium returns for a second 10-show season starting Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. and continuing the first Thursday of every month through June 2019. Tickets for season two of Nashville House Concerts are $30 each and are on sale now at WMArocks.com, by phone at 615-782-4030, and at the TPAC Box Office, 505 Deaderick St., in downtown Nashville. For groups of 10 or more, call 615-782-4060. Buy tickets to three or more shows and take 10 percent off your purchase.
“We’re really excited to grow our show for this second season, adding some new members to the team and playing with the format a bit,” said Brent Hyams, Chief Operating Officer for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and War Memorial Auditorium. “We want to keep the show fresh while bringing back some of the segments that audiences loved last year.”
NSAI News
The star-studded line-up continues to grow for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank. Brantley Gilbert, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion and Thomas Rhett will participate in the evening dedicated to songwriters, joining previously confirmed artists Bill Anderson, Chris Janson, Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, Scotty McCreery and LANCO.
Awards given will include Song, Songwriter, and Songwriter-Artist of the Year as well as the coveted ‘10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards, and as previously announced, country legend Bill Anderson will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards will take place on September 19, 2018 at 7:30pm at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase at ryman.com.
Number One News
Dan+Shay will remember August 14, 2018 for a long time. That afternoon, they celebrated at a Number One Party for ‘Tequila’ with co-writers Nicolle Galyon and Jordan Reynolds. Later, Dan+Shay hosted the aptly-named ‘Tequila Tuesday’ street party show for around 10,000 fans in Nashville.
During the show, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito presented them with plaques recognizing ‘Tequila’ for sales of more than one million track equivalents. Esposito noted that ‘Tequila’ is the fourth most-streamed country song of the year so far with 200 million on-demand streams. The event benefited Musicians On Call with a check for $5,000. Musicians On Call live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Music and tour dates here.
Opry News
Opry star and Country Music Hall of Famer ‘Whisperin’ Bill Anderson is readying the release of his 72nd album, ‘Anderson,’ available on Sept. 14. Fans can now pre-order the self-titled album and instantly download the lead single ‘Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One,’ a duet with country music outlaw Jamey Johnson. Anderson, who was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, co-wrote ‘Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One’ with Johnson. The 11-song project was produced by Anderson, Thomm Jutz and Peter Cooper. 80-year-old Anderson still touring, too. Check out tour updates and the new album here.
Podcast News
From 1983 to 1988 Bobby Bare hosted the TV show ‘Bobby Bare and Friends’ on TNN: The Nashville Network. Some of the artists featured included Toy Caldwell, Charlie Daniels, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe and more. Now, more than 30 years later, Bare has a new podcast of the same name featuring conversations with Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Jessi Colter, Ray Stevens, Billy Joe Shaver, Joe Ely, Delbert McClinton, Bill Anderson and more.
‘Bobby Bare and Friends’ is now available on podcast networks and is produced by 650 AM WSM in association with 117 Entertainment. New episodes will be released twice a month and will air on Route 650, 650 AM WSM’s Americana centric digital streaming station, at 3 p.m. CST on release days along with highlights being played throughout the week on the historic radio station itself. More details at bobbybare.com.
Radio News
Dugger Band (Jordan and Seth Dugger), the brother duo from East Tennessee, have released their newest single to radio titled, ‘For The Girl.’ The track comes from the pair’s sophomore album, titled East Tennessee Son (Dugger Band Music), and is poised to become the wedding song of the season. The sentimental tune is comprised of EDM synth swell drops with falling keynotes that set the stage for a heartfelt promise; a rambling desperado turns the page to become a better man ‘for the girl.’ The dancing acoustic guitar bridge embraces the commitment to ‘the girl’ who’s worth the extra mile. Watch the behind-the-scenes ‘For The Girl’ video at YouTube here.
The Dugger brothers are the sons of pastors devoted to a small Tennessee community nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains just an hour northeast of Knoxville. Jordan and Seth began their singing career performing worship songs at their parents’ church. Jordan and Seth perform more than 150 dates a year. More at duggerband.com.
Road News
They are hitting the road. PLATINUM selling breakthrough band LANCO will kick off The Hallelujah Nights Tour, their first headlining run, in Columbia, MO on Oct. 24th with special guest Travis Denning. Rapidly creating a loyal fanbase over the past five years with more than 400 shows as the featured act, LANCO will hit 14 cities and close out the run where it all began for the band in Nashville, TN. Tickets are on sale to the public now at fanco.lancomusic.com.
“This is a brand new show we’ve put together for our fans and it will be first time we get to play HALLELUJAH NIGHTS in its entirety,” said lead singer Brandon Lancaster. “We can’t wait to play these songs and share their stories from front to back that represent the core of LANCO.” Full tour dates here.
Single News
Singer/Songwriter Levi Hummon, who recently signed with Sony/ATV for publishing, has released his new single ‘Change My Life.’ The song, available now at retail and streaming, is a hopeful, upbeat story of the excitement surrounding the beginning of a new relationship, reminding listeners how one small action has the power to change the course of life, especially when it comes to love.
Hummon co-wrote ‘Change My Life’ with Phil Barton (Darius Rucker, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice) and Lindsay Rimes (Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini). It was produced by Nashville’s McV. Hummon has toured with Frankie Ballard, Kelsea Ballerini, Billy Currington, Hunter Hayes, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, David Nail, Michael Ray and A Thousand Horses. For fall tour dates, visit levihummon.com.
Solo News
Larry Stewart, lead singer of legendary country group Restless Heart, is releasing an all-new solo album, ‘Shifting Gears,’ on Friday, September 7. In between live Restless Heart concert dates celebrating the group’s 35th Anniversary Tour, Stewart found the time to record the new material. Joining forces with Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen and award-winning songwriter Josh Osborne (Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban), Stewart co-wrote the powerful ballad “Should’ve Run Out of Angels” about overcoming past sins. Shifting Gears also features the recognizable voices of The Frontmen of Country — Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas — who lent their voices to the reminiscent track ‘If It Wasn’t for the Radio.’
For the romantic heartbreaker duet ‘Compared to Goodbye,’ the Kentuckian enlisted Top 10 singer-songwriter Lisa Matassa (‘Rock Me Baby,’ ‘I’ve Got the Hots for You’). The 10-track collection is produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Gordon Kennedy (Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood) and features five songs co-written by Stewart. ‘What’s That Cowgirl See in Me’ is the record’s lead single. Physical CD pre-orders (includes special personalized autograph from Stewart as well as other bonus items) are available now here.
Songwriter Award News
K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Dunn, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Byron Hill and Joe Melson will be inducted during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame gala at Nashville’s Music City Center, set for October 28, according to an announcement from Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board of directors. These five writers and artists will join the current 208 members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Full details here.
Special Musical Event News
Danielle Bradbery has unveiled her new single ‘Goodbye Summer’ with multi-Platinum artist and friend Thomas Rhett. The foot-tapping ode to short-lived romance is available at all digital retailers now and is now at country radio. The bittersweet mid-tempo song is a reimagining of ‘Hello Summer’ off Bradbery’s sophomore album ‘I Don’t Believe We’ve Met’ (BMLG Records), now with an added male perspective.
Thomas Rhett, who wrote the original rendition alongside Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta and the Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston, joins Bradbery on the track. “Thomas Rhett was one of the first mentors I had in Nashville and we’ve become really good friends over the years. He’s like a big brother to me, so to be able to record a song he wrote was incredibly special,” explained Bradbery. Details here.
Sympathy…
Deepest sympathy to the family of Ed King, founding member and guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. King co-wrote the Southern rock anthem, ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ He left the band before the fatal 1977 plane crash but rejoined for a reunion tour. King passed away at home in Nashville, August 22, 2018.
Texas News
The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame has inducted Jennifer Herron (My BFF) as the first female disc jockey ever inducted. The gold plaque is displayed in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in Carthage, Texas amongst displays of such country music legends as Tex Ritter, Jim Reeves, Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb and so many more. The LaVernia, Texas native accepted the honor in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday, August 11th at the brand new Carthage High School auditorium in east Texas.
Herron’s television and radio broadcast career includes such notable call letters at KBUC, KMOL, KENS, KTSA, KKYX, Y100, CMT, WSM AND WSMV. Jennifer Herron now lives in Nashville, Tennessee where she continues to work on television and radio. Fans worldwide can hear her every Saturday night announcing the historic Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree. She also has her own public relations firm working with several country music stars including Rex Allen Jr. and Ronnie McDowell.
Tour News
Scotty McCreery has announced dates for his Seasons Change Tour, in support of his new album ‘Seasons Change’ released earlier this year. McCreery will hit the road this fall, joined by special guests critically-acclaimed country music newcomer Jimmie Allen and Heather Morgan. The tour, promoted by Live Nation, will kick-off at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 29, 2018. “Even though I’m always performing on the road, I really wanted to put together a specific tour surrounding Seasons Change because it is my favorite and most personal project yet,” said McCreery. Ticket info and more at scottymccreery.com.
TV News
The Bellamy Brothers‘ No. 1 rated reality show, ‘Honky Tonk Ranch,’ will return for a second season following the worldwide success of the first 13 episodes. David and Howard Bellamy’s famous friends, including Tanya Tucker and Mickey Gilley, also dropped by their Florida homestead during the first season. “Our fans tuned in all over the U.S. and the world to see the first season. It’s really a family show, because our family is in it as well as our friends, so it’s something everyone can watch together. Our lives off stage can be unpredictable, so with ‘Honky Tonk Ranch,’ we were able to give viewers a glimpse of that,” David Bellamy shared.
‘Honky Tonk Ranch’ remains the highest rated show on The Cowboy Channel network as well as the most requested streaming show through Rural Media Group in 66 countries. Tour info and more at BellamyBrothers.com …..
Nashville Insider, America’s award-winning country music news and entertainment show, launches into season three adding 51 broadcast stations to its existing affiliate list. Nashville Insider will now be seen on 60 broadcast outlets across the major station groups Sinclair, Scripps, Hearst, Raycom, CBS O&O’s, Graham Media, Nexstar, Tribune and others. It will continue to air nationwide on Heartland TV (Roku), The Country Network (Roku), The Family Channel, AMG TV and Ride TV (Dish), giving the show nearly 50 percent market penetration. Program info and schedule at nashvilleinsider.tv.
Video News
The Young Fables, a modern traditional country duo, have released the music video for ‘Half As Good,’ the first single from The their sophomore album ‘Old Songs.’ The video was filmed at Skyway Studios in Nashville, TN and produced by LUX Collective, with the help of their manager Patryk Larney and music video director Leland Herzog. The Young Fables are currently on the road promoting ‘Old Songs,’ a ten track project where all songs were either written or co-written by the duo. The album can be downloaded or streamed on all digital outlets. Music and more at theyoungfables.com.
Walk of Fame News
Four of Nashville’s finest received ‘Stars’ on The Music City Walk of Fame during an induction ceremony on Aug. 21 in Music City Walk of Fame Park. Jeannie Seely, Brenda Lee, Ray Stevens and Ben Folds were all honored during the ceremony. Stevens, Lee, Seely and Folds received the 81st, 82nd, 83rd and 84th stars on the Walk of Fame.
“When I look at all the names on the Walk of Fame, it’s truly humbling to see mine included there,” said Stevens. “Thank you Nashville.” Seely added, “To know I have a place in history among my peers is truly astounding! Hopefully those who are following our shared dreams will be inspired and encouraged by this walkway.”
WWWEBSITES to check out
www.bouldercreekguitars.com / www.renegaderadio.com / www.cmaworld.com / www.nashvillesongwriters.com./ www.collegeofsongology.com
Who’s Looking * Who’s Cutting
Heath Coleman, Billy Currington, Brooke Eden, Luke Bryan, Jess Taylor, Reba, Trace Adkins and Brett Young.
Have a great day!!!!
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com