Music news update: Mid-May 2021

Summer is on the way and the Nashville music scene is heating up! 

Acts are already planning tours that had been put on hold and new albums are getting set for release. Here is a quick roundup of some of the stories that will be part of the June 2021 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running monthly country music column in the USA. Scroll down to catch up on these news items:

• Steve Wariner celebrates his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
• Justin Moore receives the Pandora Billionaire plaque in recognition of 3 billion streams on the platform
• Carrie and Luke are heading to Vegas for residencies at Resorts World
• Chris LeDoux Estate set to release Wyoming Cowboy – A Collection in July
• Rhonda Towns releases “Walking In Your Wonderful Light,” title track from upcoming EP
• Allie Colleen says “Don’t Give Your Heart To A Cowboy” on second single from Stones album
• Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s new album, A Few Stars Apart, will be released June 11
• Natalie Madigan signs with ASCAP for PRO representation
• I’ll Fly Away Foundation uses the power of music to engage children and improve their lives through songwriting
• Sturgill Simpson has recorded his own version of “Paradise,” one of John Prine’s best-loved songs
• David Frizzell’s fan-favorite album, Frizzell & Friends: Roundup Live in Concert, reissued by Time-Life

Scroll down to read all these news items…

Few have attained the achievements of multi-GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM Award-winning performer Steve Wariner. The singer-songwriter-instrumentalist recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with appearance on the Opry stage May 8 and May 11.  Wariner’s lifelong dream came true when he was inducted May 11, 1996 and performed “A Woman Loves,” as well as a duet with Bill Anderson of “Tips Of My Fingers” and then joined Chet Atkins on “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?”

“Seems like only yesterday I was with my family being inducted as the newest member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry!” shared Wariner. “Still humbled and honored to be part of this great family for 25 years! Let’s celebrate!”  Wariner’s path to the hallowed circle began when he started playing guitar professionally as Dottie West’s bass player when the Opry was being held at the Ryman Auditorium.  Tour dates, videos, music and more at https://www.stevewariner.com. 

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Known for his chart-topping catalog and humorous nature, this time, the surprise was on Justin Moore as SiriusXM hosts Buzz Brainard and Ania Hammer, along with Moore’s wife Kate presented him with a Pandora Billionaire Plaque. The honor commemorates 3 billion streams on the platform for the Arkansas native, who recently joined the Music Row Happy Hour on The Highway (channel 56) with content also airing across Pandora & SiriusXM’s social platforms.

“Wow, that’s awesome! This is really an incredible and exciting surprise,” shared Moore. “Doing the podcast, we take listener questions and I’ve done a lot of Zooms with the new album so people are often asking me what I’m most proud of. Well, it’s really moments like this — 14 years after signing my record deal that we’re still here getting to play music and be supported by the fans and industry.” His 8-track collection, Straight Outta the Country, is out now via The Valory Music Co. Music, tour news and more here. 

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Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are heading to Las Vegas for residencies at Resorts World – though not on stage at the same time. Underwood begins her residency December 1, 2021 while Bryan’s dates will be spread through February 2022.  Katy Perry and Celine Dion are also set for residencies in the 5,000-seat theater, promoted as a way to have an arena-like experience in a more intimate setting.

Bryan told The Tennessean that he just wants “people smilin’ in the crowd and having fun.”  Meanwhile, Underwood – whose residency will be titled “Reflection” – wants everything to be high-energy in her show as befits Las Vegas.  Tickets go on sale May 24. Go to https://www.axs.com and search by artist name. 

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In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Chris LeDoux’s debut album, Capitol Nashville/UMe and the Chris LeDoux Estate will release a new 13-song collection on July 2. Titled Wyoming Cowboy – A Collection, the album presents a blend of songs popular with his fans alongside some rarer tracks and live recordings.

The album will be available in both digital and vinyl formats. As many of the tracks were originally released in the CD era, this will mark the first time those songs will be available on vinyl.

The project was overseen by LeDoux’s longtime friend and guitar player Mark Sissel and features two rare tracks: “Oklahoma Hospitality” that LeDoux self-released in 1978 in the UK album and never released in the U.S.A, and “Album Intro,” from 1975; both will be available in a digital format for the first time.  Among the other highlights on the album is LeDoux’s duet with Charlie Daniels, “Even Cowboys Like A Little Rock And Roll.” Pre-order a special ‘bundle’ here.  

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Dawn Records’ latest release from its flagship artist Rhonda Towns is titled “Walking In Your Wonderful Light.” Written by Teddy Hayes and produced by Billy Sherrill in collaboration with Towns, the long-awaited and welcomed single serves as a preview to the Christian, country and gospel music entertainer’s forthcoming six-track EP, Walking in Your Wonderful Light, anticipated later this year. The title track is available now via all digital retail outlets and streaming platforms.

Catering to all inspirational music genres and audiences, “Walking In Your Wonderful Light” dances with an upbeat pop groove, complemented by rhythmic percussion and soothing string instrumentation. Rhonda’s crystal-clear vocals beam alongside the simplistic production to create an easy-does-it, refreshing listen. The uplifting lyrics share a message of inspiration and hope in a walk with God by our side. The new recording arrives after an eight-year hiatus as a stronger, more powerful representation of the artist’s spirituality, tenacity and drive. Links to the single on digital outlets at https://rhondatowns.com.

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Independent Singer/Songwriter, Allie Colleen, has released the second digital single, “Don’t Give Your Heart To A Cowboy,” off her well-received debut album Stones, to all music platforms for streaming and download. The spirited tune, co-written by Eric Dodd and Allie Colleen, is available on digital platforms here.  

“It’s all in the lyrics, ladies… don’t do it. Cowboys, they have been the coolest thing since forever. Men that smell like leather, horses, and tobacco. Well ladies, I am here to tell you that is what heartache smells like. Flirt with them, dance with them, drink with them, hell – kiss’em if you want, but don’t give your heart to a cowboy,” stated Allie Colleen. “When we finished this one, Allie and I knew we had something special,” shared Eric Dodd. “We felt like we really painted the picture of that warning about what a cowboy can do to a girl’s heart. There is something so bittersweet and nostalgic in this one, and it’s one of my favorites I have ever been a part of.”  

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Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s highly anticipated new album, A Few Stars Apart, will be released June 11 on Fantasy Records and is now available for pre-order here.   In advance of the release, the album’s first single, “Perennial Bloom (Back To You),” is out now — listen/share here. 

Already one of Rolling Stone’s “54 Most Anticipated Albums of 2021,” A Few Stars Apart is a testament to finding a human connection: between close family and friends, as well as one’s own heart. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb, the album was inspired by the stillness Nelson found while riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his family in Texas and was recorded with the full band live on eight-track tape over three weeks at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A. The eleven songs reveal what it means to come home again, to be still, and to find community—and yourself. Details at https://lukasnelson.com.

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Endurance Music Group/LP Creative indie pop songwriter-artist and producer Natalie Madigan has signed with ASCAP for PRO representation. The announcement comes as Madigan releases her latest EP, Put the Light Back, available on all major streaming services. Her acclaimed single from the new EP, “Empath,” has been spotlighted on Apple Music’s Acoustic Chill and New in Singer-Songwriter playlists, and she is currently a featured artist on American Songwriter’s Daily Discovery series. Madigan will perform as part of the just-announced Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2021 lineup on September 25-26.

Nashville-area native Madigan has always been making music in some capacity. By first grade, her parents enrolled her in piano lessons, which she continued for 12 years alongside musical theater, voice lessons, and choir. Her acceptance into NARAS’s Grammy Camp Nashville during her senior year helped her decide to pursue a career in the music industry, and she went on to study Audio Production at MTSU on a NARAS scholarship, where she refined her songwriting, singing, and production skills. Listen at https://www.nataliemadigan.com. 

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The I’ll Fly Away Foundation, which uses the power of music to engage children and improve their lives through songwriting, has announced a partnership with the Kirklees Council, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi and Stax Music Academy. Through this partnership, the I’ll Fly Away Foundation will be connecting children from the United Kingdom and the United States through an online songwriting workshop to unlock their creative potential and help inspire their dreams.

“I’ve always believed every crisis has a silver lining and because of the pandemic we were able to form an international songwriting collaboration project earlier than planned. We knew we needed to bring hope to young people in both our nations. Our partners are like family and we have come together to unite our children in song,” shared Betsy Brumley.  Founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Betsy Brumley and Kevin Bernier, the I’ll Fly Away Foundation celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2021.  More about the Foundation at https://illflyawayfoundation.org.

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Sturgill Simpson has recorded his own version of “Paradise,” one of John Prine’s songs best loved by his fans.  Listen to the song, out now on Oh Boy Records, here.   It will be included in the John Prine tribute album titled Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2. The album is set for release October 8, 2021. All proceeds benefit UNICEF USA’s Covid-19 Relief Fund. Prior to the album’s release, each month Oh Boy Records is releasing a new song from the project.

Simpson’s version of “Paradise” follows Brandi Carlile’s version of “I Remember Everything” that Carlile performed song at the 63^rdGrammy Awards. Simpson recorded “Paradise” at The Butcher Shoppe studio where he and Prine had written and recorded numerous songs.  It was the last song to be recorded at the studio before its demolition.  Oh Boy Records, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Pre-order vinyl, CD or digital versions of the upcoming album at https://store.johnprine.com

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Are you an aspiring or emerging singer or songwriter? When you set out to become a songwriter, or singer-songwriter, you also become part of the music business. Why? Because now it is your career – even if it’s your part-time career – and you are now going to get paid for your creations. Or at least, you should be.  My mission in life is to help aspiring singers and songwriters be the best that they can be. If you’d like to know more about what I do and how I may be able to help you, please take a look at my website. https://www.collegeofsongology.com

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Time Life has reissued another fan-favorite album from David Frizzell, Frizzell & Friends: Roundup Live in Concert, featuring 16 songs originally recorded for an RFD-TV special with Rex Allen, Jr., Lacy J. Dalton, Marty Haggard, Stacy Houston, and Larry Woods. Roundup Live in Concert is now available on all major streaming platforms and is the latest release to come from Frizzell’s eight album digital distribution deal with Time Life.

It arrives on the heels of his newly recorded version of “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma,” a duet with Mary Sarah (The Voice Season 10 finalist) that was released in April to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic hit. Frizzell began his career touring with his brother, Lefty, when he was just 12 years old and since then his work has been nominated for GRAMMY Awards, won the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award and the ACM Vocal Duet of the Year for two years in a row as well as an ACM Award for Song of the Year. More about David and his music at https://davidfrizzell.com.

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These news stories and many more will be in my column, Inside Track on Music Row, in the June edition of Nashville Music Guide. Inside Track is the longest-running monthly country music column in the USA. Meanwhile you can catch up with my May 2021 column at NMG 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