December 2018 - Nashville Music Line

Mark Wills to join Opry

Surprised on stage by Vince Gill

Plus… scroll down for a sneak peek at items from the January edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row.

Mark Wills ‘reduced to tears’ by Vince Gill
Bryan Wayne’s very special album
Tour news from Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Mark Wills to be inducted into Opry

Congrats to my friend Mark Wills who will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Vince Gill surprised Mark with the invitation on stage at the Opry on December 21. Mark was speechless with emotion, falling to his knees and covering his face with his hands. “I always liked him,” said Vince. “Now I like him even more. He’s a crybaby like me!”

I am so happy for Mark. We have known each other since the 1990s and he has always been a big supporter of the Opry (as Vince mentioned during his invitation). Mark released his first single – “Jacob’s Ladder” – way back in 1996, and chalked up two No. 1 hits, “19 Something” and “She’s in Love.” Other chart hits include “I Do (Cherish You),” “Back at One,” “She’s In Love” and “Places I’ve Never Been.” The formal induction ceremony is set for January 11, 2019, at the Grand Ole Opry. Find tour info and more here.

Bryan Wayne, fighting ALS, releases special album

The release of Bryan Wayne’s ‘While You Wait’ album was celebrated at SESAC’s Nashville office recently. Diagnosed with terminal ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) last year, Bryan recorded the album for his wife, two boys and an industry that continues to support his dreams. The 14-song collection is available here.

“I made this record, because I knew I’d lose my voice and I wanted my boys, friends and family to hear me singing my songs forever no matter what,” said Bryan. “So many friends and family over the years had asked me when was I ever going to make a record of my own too, so here it is!” At the celebration, Wayne was joined by friends that included Ashley Gorley (who performed the title cut), Neil Thrasher, Bonnie Baker, Jason Blaine, Joanna Janet and Big & Rich. Donations may be made to Bryan Wayne Galentine and Family by sending a check (made payable to Bryan Wayne Galentine) to: Bryan Wayne Galentine c/o Chris Burch, 1012 16th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. A Gofundme account has also been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/thebwaynetrain

Tour news: Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Continue reading “Mark Wills to join Opry”

Inside Track on Music Row teaser

Garth, Thomas Rhett, Jay Leno and more

Here is a link to my ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ column for December 2018. It appears in Nashville Music Guide and is the longest-running continuously-published country music column in the USA.

As always, thanks to NMG editor Amanda for making the column look so great. And a reminder that the January edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ will be published soon.

Meanwhile here are a few excepts from the December column…

Thomas Rhett 2019 tour dates announced

ARTIST NEWS: Thomas Rhett announced details for his VERY HOT SUMMER TOUR with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins. Thomas Rhett is set to kick off the summer on May 17 in Spokane, WA. Initial public on-sales are available via thomasrhett.com.

Fans can also purchase tickets for additional select cities beginning Friday, January 25 as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com. Additional dates will continue to roll out over the coming weeks. Live Nation is the national tour promoter. “We just closed out our 2018 tour in the U.K. last week and I’m already thinking about next year’s tour,” said Rhett. “I’m glad we have the winter to plan and come up with some crazy stuff for next year because I can’t think of a better way to spend the summer than out on the road with my fans. And, I get to bring my dad and two of my favorite artists in country music along for the ride.”

Last minute gift hint for Garth fans

GARTH NEWS: Garth’s The Anthology Part III, LIVE, is now available. It’s a detailed, insider look at Brooks’ electrifying concerts, with behind-the-scenes stories, insider secrets, and interviews with band and crew. It contains 5 CDs with 52 live recordings, never before seen photographs and 10 augmented reality experiences that can be seen on the Garth Live app.

It also includes the new live album, TRIPLE LIVE. It’s the soundtrack of the record breaking, number one tour in North American history. Additionally, The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour is coming to Gainesville, FL, on Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM at University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It’s the first Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Concert in 25 years. Tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or either Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000.

Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy set for Opry House show

PERFORMANCE NEWS: A special performance will take place during next year’s 2019 Nashville Comedy Festival, iconic American comics Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy are set to take the stage for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event on the historic stage of The Opry House.

This special event is exclusive to Nashville, as it will be the first time and only place to see both artists share the stage. The legendary “clean comedy” entertainers will perform at The Opry House on Sunday, April 14. Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster.com, the Opry House box office, the Ryman Auditorium box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Much more to see here at ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ at Nashville Music Guide.

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

Rory Feek’s Once Upon A Christmas

Free livestream broadcast, Saturday Dec 8th

Here’s a last minute ‘heads up’ about a must-see event that will definitely warm your heart and get you in the Christmas mood! CountryRoadTV.com will livestream “Rory Feek’s Once Upon A Christmas.”

The FREE holiday-themed concert will air Saturday, December 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The online broadcast, streamed live from the Hardison Mill Farm concert barn in Columbia, Tenn. It will feature Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, performer, filmmaker and bestselling author Rory Feek. Feek will be joined by special guest, multi-Grammy winning songwriter and artist, Paul Overstreet. The concert is FREE to watch exclusively on CountryRoadTV.com (no cost, no mandatory trial subscriptions).

“We are offering this concert FREE, outside of CountryRoadTV.com paywall, so that folks can get an idea of what kinds of programming are being offered through the network,” explained Ian Black, of Country Road Management.

A personal note: I have always loved Rory, both as a friend and as a performer. In 1998, I handled media relations for the book “Chicken Soup For The Country Soul.” It became a NY Times bestseller and one of my favorite stories was a very touching one about paying forward a good deed. It was by Rory Feek and Jonnie Barnett. It was also featured in an issue of Country Weekly where it was voted as a favorite ‘Chicken Soup’ story by the magazine’s readers. By 2000, Rory and Jonnie had turned the moving story into a song. Titled “Chain of Love,” it was recorded by Clay Walker and released a single. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Take a moment to watch a video of Joey & Rory performing the song.

Make a note to watch “Rory Feek’s Once Upon A Christmas” Saturday, December 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central at CountryRoadTV.com. Continue reading “Rory Feek’s Once Upon A Christmas”

Jake Owen, songwriters celebrate No. 1

“I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” Jake’s 7th No.1

Pictured, Top Row (L-R): Round Hill’s Mark Brown, Big Loud’s Seth England, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Sony ATV’s Tom Luteran, BMI’s David Preston, Big Loud Records’ Clay Hunnicutt and Joey Moi. Bottom Row (L-R): ASCAP songwriters David Ray and Craig Wiseman, BMI songwriters Jake Owen, Tommy Cecil and Jody Stevens, and Missi Gallimore. Photo: Ed Rode

Jake Owen’s Number One Party for “I Was Jack (You Were Diane)” had the CMA Special events room packed with music industry execs, songwriters, publishers, agents, radio promotion people, managers, special guests, family and friends. They were all celebrating Jake’s 7th number one song and his first single released on Big Loud Records. The songwriters being honored were David Ray, Tommy Cecil, Jody Stevens, Craig Wiseman, and John Mellencamp, along with producer Joey Moi. The party was co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI.

Kicking off the kudos was David Preston from Artist/Writer Relations at BMI. David is always very praising of BMI’s songwriters and their co-writers. This party was no exception.

{L to R): Beth Brinker (ASCAP) jody Stephens, Craig Wiseman, Tommy Cecil, Jake Owen and David Lee. Photo: Preshias Harris

After giving his accolades for the BMI writers, David introduced his “co-host” Beth Brinker from ASCAP’s Artist/Writer’s relations. She is just a bubbly ray of sunshine beaming from the stage. She also had kind words for all the writers and bragged on David Lee as it was hit first cut and his first number one, since making Nashville his home in 2013.

Amazing 350 cuts for Craig Wiseman

Then it was Craig Wiseman’s turn. I thought to myself, I knew he was an AMAZING WRITER and in the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame (2015), but I didn’t realize he had 350 cuts, 125 singles and 27 Number one singles!! Oh, I almost forgot… In 2009, he was named NSAI’s Songwriter of the Decade, then in 2014, he won the Heritage Award from ASCAP as the most performed country songwriter of the century. ASCAP named him Songwriter of the Year 2003, 2005 & 2007.

With all the songwriters on stage, (except John Mellencamp) it was ALL smiles across the stage with Jody Stevens, Craig Wiseman, Tommy Cecil, Jake Owen and David Ray and producer Joey Moi. The song echoes the feelings of John Mellencamp’s 1982 hit, “Jack and Diane.” Prior to release, Jake secured Mellencamp’s agreement to incorporate elements of the original song and Mellencamp receives a writer’s credit.

The best part was seeing everyone sincerely excited for Jake. He really is a super nice guy.

Jake has also been added to the lineup for Luke Bryan‘s “CRASH MY PLAYA – 5TH YEAR FIESTA,” that is set for Wednesday January 23rd through Saturday, January 26th, 2019 in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

FYI: Jake his girlfriend Erica Hartlein prepares to welcome another daughter in late spring/early summer 2019. More info on Jake Owen, including tour info, at his website and Facebook.

CRS ‘New Faces’ 2019 revealed

Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Lindsay Eli and more slated

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019 is only weeks away, and now we know which artists will be featured in the New Faces show. CRS, billed as ‘the Only Country Industry Convention,’ is organized annually by Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB).

The acts scheduled for New Faces of Country Music® Class of 2019 are: Jimmie Allen (Stoney Creek), Russell Dickerson (Triple Tigers), Lindsay Ell (Stoney Creek), LANCO (Arista), and Dylan Scott (Curb). The acts were chosen from a slate of 13 nominees by radio station employees. The New Faces show, staged for music industry decision makers, has proved to be a major career boost for featured artists in previous years. The audience consists of radio programmers, air personalities, station executives, music media and label bigwigs. The February 15 show is an ‘industry only’ event, not open to the public.

The other nominees were: Jordan Davis, Morgan Evans, Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Chris Lane, Mitchell Tenpenny, Morgan Wallen and Aaron Watson. Lindsay Eli was the only female act on the slate of nominees.

CRB is a non-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, created to promote the growth of country radio and the country music industry through educational programs. The New Faces of Country Music® Dinner and Show is co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Performances powered by Live Nation. More about CRS here. https://www.countryradioseminar.com

‘Can’t Be Denied’ – new album from Mark Wayne Glasmire

Glasmire is definitely a romantic

Album review by Preshias Harris

Mark Wayne Glasmire has a voice that could have easily found him as a member of the Eagles if he’d been around a few decades ago. Not that he sounds old-style. Simply that he projects an easy, laid-back vibe that comes across most vividly in “I’ve Got A Feeling,” the first track on his new album, Can’t Be Denied.

Glasmire doesn’t fit the standard Nashville mold. In fact, he had made the move to Nashville but found he wasn’t a writer who could churn out hits on demand. “But I found out pretty quick that you won’t find success until you’re true to who you are,” Glasmire has said. “Don’t try to be somebody else. If you’re constantly trying to be what somebody else wants you to be, you’re in trouble.” He moved to Arlington, Texas, and found a new energy as both a songwriter and as an artist.

“Those Nights” is a heart-warming mid-tempo about the secure feeling that comes from knowing the one you love loves you too. Similarly, the title track, “Can’t Be Denied,” is sparked by that moment you know you were truly meant to be with someone. That feeling of instant connection continues in the jog-along ballad “Alysia,” inspired by a chance encounter and a single day on a Southern California beach. Love stays a little longer (but once again in a ‘love at first sight’ song) with “Deep Inside My Heart,” a joyous romp about anticipating the happy ever after. Yes, Glasmire is definitely a romantic. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Continue reading “‘Can’t Be Denied’ – new album from Mark Wayne Glasmire”