October 2020 - Nashville Music Line

Dolly sings “Pink”; Jake makes a mini-movie

Preshias talks Nashville music with Y’all Show host Jon Rawl

*Preshias and Jon talk about the new single “Pink”*

Another packed livestream as Preshias Harris and Jon Rawl talk about what’s happening right now in Country music. Among the topics up for discussion on this week’s Y’all Show…

Jake Owen makes a ‘mini movie’ as the music video for “Homemade”
The new single “Pink” brings together Dolly Parton, Sara Evans and more to benefit breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen
BIG NIGHT at the Museum makes country music history ‘sing again’ in the hands of modern masters
A preview of the 51st annual GMA Dove Awards, putting the focus on Contemporary Christian and Gospel artists
Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A and more.

Watch this week’s episode of the Y’all Show at the Y’all website or on YouTube.

*Jon Rawl and Preshias Harris on this week’s Y’all Show*

Read the story behind the making of “Pink”, the new single featuring Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Monica, Jordin Sparks and Rita Wilson, produced by Victoria Shaw at the Susan G. Komen blog here.

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

Elvie Shane’s “My Boy” most added at Country radio

His love of stepson captures No. 1 spot on TikTok with #MyBoy

By Preshias Harris

Elvie Shane knows just how much dedication and hard work (and patience!) it takes to see one of your songs eventually begin to climb the charts. The Billboard Country Airplay chart for October 16 shows Elvie’s “My Boy” jumping in at No. 56. The song also tops Billboard’s “Most Added” chart that lists the songs added to the playlists of Country Radio stations nationwide.

Watch Elvie perform a ‘Live in Studio’ version of “My Boy” at YouTube here.

Due to the continuing corona virus, Elvie and BBR Music Group reimagined the traditional radio tour. The innovative approach involves customized, high-quality live-streamed, full-band performances and video chats, which deliver extraordinary experiences for the viewer and will likely become the model of radio tours for the foreseeable future. For six weeks straight, Elvie has performed roughly five full-band shows per day—miraculously maintaining his stamina, gaining believers and setting the bar high for future newcomers.

The song also leapt to No. 1 on TikTok’s Country chart with well over 775 million uses of #MyBoy and more than 1.5 million streams in the USA alone. You can see a few of the posted TikTok videos here.

No overnight success

*Elvie Shane wows the crowd at the 2019 CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby*

This achievement is no overnight success – either for “My Boy” or for Elvie himself. Growing up in rural Caneyville, KY, Elvie absorbed influences from the Gospel music of his church and the gritty rock music favored by his truck-driving dad.

He credits a professor at Western Kentucky University for encouraging him to develop his creative writing, but, much as he enjoyed listening to music it wasn’t an immediate career choice, particularly as he devoted his attention to providing for his wife and stepson.

After he watched the now-famous Chris Stapleton/Justin Timberlake duet at the 2015 CMA Awards, he saw that his voice and personal style of songwriting might find an outlet in country music. He started performing anywhere he could find a mic.

“One of the best singers I ever heard”

Preshias talks Nashville Music on Y’all Show

Virtual Award shows, podcasts, new music and more on this week’s Y’all Show

*Preshias talks about Jon’s favorite artist, Steve Wariner*

Preshias was the guest once again on the Y’all Show with host Jon Rawl as they talked about what’s happening in Music City. Among the topics:

#SaveOurStages set for Oct 16 – 18 brings out the stars to help save independent venues facing closure due to the pandemic
The Billboard Music Awards; the country music nominees
CJ Solar’s full band virtual concert on SET.live, October 15
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is virtual and FREE
Steve Wariner will be “Inside the Circle” at the Grand Ole Opry
Dennis Quaid has a message of unity and patriotism
Tim McGraw to receive Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award
Elvie Shane’s “My Boy” most added song at Country Radio
Holly Dolly Christmas tops Country album charts
An “I Know Country” Q&A for the week of Oct 11 – Oct 17, and more

Watch the entire show at the Y’all website or at the Y’all channel on YouTube.

What does it take to write fifty No. 1 hits?

Ashley Gorley opens up to cmt.com about writing hit songs

By Preshias Harris

However successful you are as a songwriter, your name will always be in parentheses (and probably italics) while the song title and the artist’s name will be in big, bold type.

But seeing his name in parentheses is just fine with Ashley Gorley. He recently became the first and only songwriter in any music genre to write FIFTY No. 1 hits in the history of the Mediabase and Billboard airplay charts.

Ashley spoke with music journalist Alison Bonaguro who interviewed him for cmt.com. What Ashley said about his approach to songwriting and his disdain for celebrity status should serve as an inspiration and an object lesson for all emerging and aspiring songwriters. Read Alison’s full interview with Ashley here at cmt.com.

Ashley has come a long way from his Danville, KY, roots to his record-setting perch on Nashville’s Music Row. But it was no overnight success. Even after snagging a song publishing deal, it was seven years before his name (in parentheses) appeared under the title of a Top 40 song, and longer still before he was credited with a No. 1 – “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” for Carrie Underwood.

Self-imposed work ethic drives success

Unsurprisingly, Ashley’s work ethic plays as big a role in his success as his talent. He tells Alison:

Tin Pan South Songwriters Fest goes virtual Oct 20-24

Tin Pan South 2020: a free-to-access virtual experience

By Preshias Harris

Tin Pan South is still on – but with a new twist, thanks to the pandemic. For 2020, Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be virtual with five evenings of amazing music and more from the cream of today’s songwriters. Put the dates in your calendar: October 20 – 24, 2020.

Tin Pan South, billed as ‘the world’s largest songwriter festival, was launched in 1993 by the members of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). An announcement at the Tin Pan South website states:

Make plans for a Tin Pan South Festival like no other! In partnership with NSAI, Regions Bank is presenting a virtual version of the festival and it’s happening October 20-24, 2020! Check out the line-up and plan to watch some of your favorite songwriters from the comfort of your own home right here at tinpansouth.com. Did we mention all events are FREE to watch?! Clear your calendars and tune in!

Initially planned for March 2020, the now-virtual Festival, again presented by Regions Bank, will be free of charge to enjoy.

Among the songwriters already on the schedule:

CHRIS DESTEFANO – JIMMIE ALLEN – SHANE MCANALLY – CARLY PEARCE – ALLISON VELTZ CRUZ – SHAED – JOHN PAUL WHITE – TROUBADOR 77 – RITA WILSON – CAROLINE WATKINS – LIZ ROSE – MATTHEW RAMSEY – HARLOE – WADE BOWEN – LORI MCKENNA ROB SNYDER – JAKE MITCHELL – JOSH LONDON – EMILY WEISBAND – ROB HATCH – CHANNING WILSON – JOSH MIRENDA – EMILY SHACKELTON – UNCLE KRACKER – VICTORIA SHAW – WYATT DURRETTE – DYLAN LEBLANC – JEFF COHEN – MEGHAN KABIR – GEM AND EYE – ERIKA ENDER – AARON BARKER – J.T. HARDING – ERIC BAZILIAN – VICTORIA BANKS – BRANDON STANSELL – MIGNON – DERIC RUTTAN – NAT DUNN – KELLY ARCHER – SAMMY BRUE – JIM COLLINS – MARK ERELLI – KRISTAL TYTEWRITER – CHRIS BARRON – JENNA ANDREWS – DESMOND CHILD – ROB ALDRIDGE – JUSTIN OSBORNE – LEE ROY PARNELL – JIM PETERIK – DEAVID LEE MURPHY – KRIS DELMHORST – DR. DANNY – MEL WASHINGTON – JAMES LEBLANC – COYLE GIRELLI – CHRIS BARRON – SOUTHERLAND – ASHLAND CRAFT – SETH ENNIS – ROBYN COLLINS – TREVOR ROSEN – PHIL BARTON – JOSH OSBORNE – ERNEST

#SaveOurStages 3-day virtual festival set for Oct 16 – 18

Livestreaming shows just part of #SaveOurStages action plan

By Preshias Harris

Independent venues are where most emerging singers and songwriters make their first stage appearances as they hone their skills and reach out to audiences, often in smaller, more intimate settings.

Now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting ban or limits on public performance, those independent venues are the ones suffering the most – and are most likely to go dark forever. That would be a disappointment for potential audiences, but more seriously, it could be devastating for those singers, musicians and songwriters who rely on those venues to launch and develop their careers. (You can help by letting the Senate and the House of Representatives know you support this project. See below.)

In an effort to raise awareness and funds, the stars are coming out to put their talent and their celebrity status behind a push to “Save Our Stages.” The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is partnering with YouTube for a 3-day virtual music festival to #SaveOurStages. #SOSFEST will live stream on NIVA’s official YouTube channel October 16-18 and will feature all new performances. This benefit event aims to generate significant awareness, advocacy and donations for the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund, directly supporting our most vulnerable venues experiencing catastrophic revenue loss.

Nashville #SaveOurStages shows

Throughout the 3-day virtual festival, live performances will stream directly from some of those iconic venues across America – including, of course, Nashville. Already announced: Little Big Town and Kelsea Ballerini at the Exit/In, Brothers Osborne at Mercy Lounge and Reba McEntire at the Ryman Auditorium. More are being added.

90% of independent venues will not survive the COVID-19 pandemic without financial aid. Your voice matters — Tell your legislators to save independent music venues! More than 2 million live music lovers have written letters to their elected officials via Help to #SaveOurStages by telling Congress to ACT NOW! You can make a difference. See how to tell your legislators to save independent music venues HERE!

Cassadee, Tanya, Darius, Reba and more

Country music news with Preshias on the Y’all show

Preshias and Y’all Show host Jon Rawl talk about what’s happening in the world of country music in this week’s livestream.

Among the topics:

Cassadee Pope faces her fear of cooking
Carrie Underwood’s My Gift album debuts at No. 1
Mac Davis ‘buried in his blue jeans’ in Lubbock
Tanya Tucker’s live version of “Delta Dawn”
Reba McEntire & Darius Rucker to host CMA Awards
A country music Q&A from Preshias’ book, “I Know Country” and more

Watch the show at the Y’all website or on YouTube.

Inside Track on Music Row: what’s new in Nashville

October’s Inside Track by Preshias now posted at NMG

You’ll find around 30 news items in this month’s column that I have been writing for more than a quarter of a century! Inside Track on Music Row is the longest continuously-published monthly country music column in America – and probably the world.

Thanks, as always, to Amanda Andrews and her crew at Nashville Music Guide for making Inside Track on Music Row look SO good every month. For October, you’ll find the entire column with added music, videos, photos, graphics and more.

Among the many news items and stories in the October 2020 Inside Track:

Keith Urban’s new album, The Speed of Now
Reba McEntire’s 30th Anniversary edition of Rumor Has It
Ashley Gorley named Songwriter of the Year for a record fifth time
New music from Shenandoah, their first in 26 years
Chris Stapleton drops another single, ahead of the November release of Starting Over
Hit writer Kent Blazy (“If Tomorrow Never Comes”) releases Authentic album
Christmas albums from Dolly, Carrie, Maddie & Tae and more
Updates on rescheduled tours for Scotty McCreery, Lee Brice
The only 2020 live gig for superstar group Alabama
New single, video and Neon Town album from David Adam Byrnes
Ray Stevens is livin’ it up in quarantine with hit song and video
UK trio Essex County crossing the pond with “Love at First”

Plus more ‘news you need to know’ for music industry insiders and country music fans. It’s all in the October Inside Track on Music Row at Nashville Music Guide Magazine (print and online). Find the October edition of Inside Track on Music Row by Preshias here.

NMG has been publicizing Singers, Musicians, and Writers to Nashville’s Music Row and Beyond Since 1995.

Lzzy Hale: “Put yourself out there!”

Learn from the train wrecks

By Preshias Harris

Lzzy Hale, the Grammy-winning, rockin’ vocalist, guitarist and co-founder of Halestorm, has had her share of setbacks along her career path, but she treats these obstacles as learning moments and incentives to keep focused on the end goals. She has some encouraging words for emerging singers, songwriters and musicians in an article titled How to Succeed in Music, published in Sweetwater Sweet Notes:

“For every great song of mine that has truly connected with people, there are hundreds of bad ones that came before it. For every great show, there are hundreds of train wrecks that helped me learn what worked and what didn’t. If you don’t know what you don’t want to be, you’ll never become the person you do want to be.”

She continues: “You practice and hone your craft, so when opportunities come your way, you’re ready for them. Opportunity is a funny thing, because you can’t just sit there and wait for one to magically fall out of the sky and into your lap. You have to say ‘yes’ to adventure and put yourself out there.”

Lzzy encourages emerging artists to play everywhere and anywhere you can. In the early days of Halestorm, she says, the band played bowling alleys, malls, even a funeral, but the experience they acquired meant they were ready when real opportunity finally knocked.

*Sweetwater’s Mitch Gallagher interviews Lzzy Hale*

Check out Lzzy’s interview with Sweetwater’s Mitch Gallagher here and see Lzzy talk about her guitar rig (including her custom Gibson signature guitars) here. Check out Halestorm’s new EP, Reimagined at their official website. Find all the musical goodies from studio equipment to mics and instruments (and everything in between) at Sweetwater’s website here.

David Adam Byrnes lights up ‘Neon Town’

New album and single from a country artist on the rise

By Preshias Harris

Recently, I caught up with David Adam Byrnes, a singer-songwriter on the verge of major stardom with a new album, Neon Town, set for release in October.

I have known Arkansas-born David Adam for years, both as an industry friend and a fan of his music. I sent him a “12 Pack” of questions, and reading his answers (via e-mail) made me laugh and smile! It was definitely my dose of sunshine for the week.

But first, the big news about his new album. From a small-town Arkansas kid to a mainstream songwriting scholarship in Nashville to a return to his independent country music roots, David Adam Byrnes is making the scene in Texas with singles flying up the Texas radio chart.

On October 2nd, Byrnes released his new album Neon Town, and for several months its presence has already been felt with three back-to-back #1 hit singles. The very week the second single, “I Can Give You One,” hits #1 in Texas, the virus pandemic hits the world. Shows canceled, album release canceled…life as we know it, canceled. After months of shutdown David decided that the show must go on. On April 10th he released his new single “Neon Town,” the title track to the new album, and it has also reached the #1 spot.