Your first look at at October’s Inside Track on Music Row
by Preshias Harris
October will be here before we know it, and so will the October edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row in Nashville Music Guide. It’s the longest continually-running Country music column in the USA. Here’s you first chance to read just a few items that will be included in the column.
- Double GRAMMY® nominees Midland return with Let It Roll, their second critically-lauded project. … Scroll down to read more
- The Highwomen—the acclaimed collaborative movement formed by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires—released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album … Scroll down to read more
- TG Sheppard released Midnight in Memphis on September 20. The new project is his first solo country album in more than 20 years … Scroll down to read more
- Independent Country/Americana singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel, has been named as a Featured Artist endorsee of the legendary Gretsch Guitars brand … Scroll down to read more
- Singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar, is bringing his 20 years of hits to venues across the country with Stripped Down, an intimate, acoustic show … Scroll down to read more
Midland return with Let It Roll
Double GRAMMY® nominees Midland return with Let It Roll, their second critically-lauded project. The album was recorded in four different cities in the throes of “a tour that will never end.” Midland, cited by The New York Times for their “retro country elegance,” also scored major features on Rolling Stone, Esquire and NPR, which afforded the album a rare “First Listen.”
The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Midland’s lead singer Mark Wystrach, guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy all played an integral role in writing the 14-track album with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The album was produced by Dann Huff, McAnally and Osborne. Find music, tour dates and videos here.
“Anyone can be a Highwoman” says Brandi
The Highwomen—the acclaimed collaborative movement formed by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires—released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album September 6 via Low Country Sound/Elektra Records. Stream/purchase here.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, the album has already received overwhelming critical praise. The Highwomen are joined by several guest musicians, vocalists and songwriters across the album. The project features Sheryl Crow (vocals, background vocals, bass), Yola (vocals, background vocals), Cobb (acoustic/electric guitar), Jason Isbell (acoustic/electric guitar), Phil Hanseroth (bass, background vocals), Tim Hanseroth (guitar, background vocals), Chris Powell (drums) and Peter Levin (piano and keyboards). The album includes songs written by Carlile, Hemby, Morris, Shires, Isbell, the Hanseroth twins, Rodney Clawson, Lori McKenna, Miranda Lambert and Ray LaMontagne among many others.
“Anyone can be a Highwoman,” Carlile notes. “It’s about banding together, abandoning as much ego as humanly possible, holding one another up and amplifying other women every chance we get. Shoulder to shoulder. One push, one love.” More here.
TG Sheppard’s first new album in 20+ years
TG Sheppard released Midnight in Memphis on Friday, September 20. The new project is his first solo country album in more than 20 years. “Two years seems like a long time to spend on an album, but when you’ve had as much fun as I’ve had making this one, it goes quickly,” says Sheppard. “Hard for me to believe it’s been this long since my last solo country album. You might say, it was actually 22 years in the making.”
Produced by Sheppard and co-produced by Buddy Hyatt, the 13-track compilation features tunes written by his wife, singer-songwriter Kelly Lang as well as by other well-known talents. The title track, “Midnight in Memphis,” was written by his dear friend, the iconic Sir Barry Gibb. Midnight in Memphis reminisces on Sheppard’s time spent in the “Home of the Blues,” where he met and became friends with the King of Rock-n-Roll, Elvis Presley. Giving ode to his late friend, the album includes two tracks depicting the life and impact of Elvis. More about TG here. The album is available here.
Gretsch Guitars endorse Hannah Bethel
Independent Country/Americana singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel, has been named as a Featured Artist endorsee of the legendary Gretsch Guitars brand. Bethel caught the attention of Gretsch with her burgeoning national profile which includes two recent breakout videos – “Train” and her latest, “Rhinestone Rodeo.” Both have received airplay on CMT Music and TCN as well as national coverage in Billboard, The Boot, CMT.com and dozens of other media outlets.
In addition, Bethel’s 2019 Rhinestone Rodeo Tour exposed her to thousands of fans across the country, solidifying Gretsch’s already piqued interest. Bethel, like Gretsch, appeals to a diverse range of musical tastes and styles, including country, Americana, and rock. Her forthcoming single, “The House Is On Fire,” showcases Bethel’s unique story-telling songwriting skills and emotionally riveting vocals, underpinned with the signature Gretsch hollow body guitar sound. News and tour updates here.
Phil Vassar getting Stripped Down
Singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar, is bringing his 20 years of hits to venues across the country with Stripped Down, an intimate, acoustic show in 14 cities from coast to coast with more dates to be added. Brett Sheroky will be supporting Vassar on select shows throughout the tour. The Stripped Down tour coincides with an EP launch by the same name, and features new material, exciting artists collaborations, and “Postmarked Birmingham” (written by Vassar with Don Sampson & originally recorded by BlackHawk).
Tickets on sale now here and the EP will be available January 2020. “We’re peeling back the music to the core with just a piano and guitar, so we can give fans an intimate evening of conversation and music. It’s how these songs were written and I think it will be a fun, unique experience,” Vassar shared.
More Inside Track updates will be posted here and the full October column will be posted 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