Seasoned road warriors talk about their new single
by Preshias Harris
Southbound 75have been described as “Old Dominion meets Maroon 5” which may be true but does not quite encompass their wildly popular live shows.
As seasoned road warriors – hence the band’s name – they entertain audiences all across the country. They stood still long enough to talk to me in Nashville during Country Radio Seminar (CRS).
We talked about their just-released single, “That Summer” (Brown Lee Ent/Sony Orchard) — an upbeat song about living in the moment — and about their life on the road. They even revealed their “gotta-go-to” eatery when they are burning up the miles between gigs!
Read my full interview with Southbound 75 in the Preshias on the Row section of Center Stage Magazine here.
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a 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 @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris
Includes ‘Inside Track on Music Row and guide to CRS 2023
A quick ‘heads up’ to let you know that the Nashville Music Guide Spring 2023 edition is now available here. You can read the full digital edition as an online ‘page turner’ or find out how to have a physical issue mailed directly to you.
The Spring edition includes NMG’s Artists to Watch in 2023, CMT’s Next Women of Country, the ‘must attend’ music festival list and a full guide to Country Radio Seminar (CRS) plus many other features.
As always, Nashville Music Guide includes the March edition of my column Inside Track on Music Row with photos and news about HARDY, The Cadillac Three, Lee Greenwood, Morgan Wallen, Ashley McBryde, The CMA Triple Play Awards, Jericho Woods, Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, Craig Campbell, Jake Owen, the NSAI Music Industry Career Camp, Chris Janson, Tin Pan South and more.
Find the digital version of the Nashville Guide Spring 2023 issue here.
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a 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@PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris
Songwriter lineup announced for 31st Annual Tin Pan South Festival
By Preshias Harris
If anything defines the heart and soul of Music City, it is the presence of the most talented pool of songwriters found anywhere in the world. The average listener streaming or downloading songs probably has no idea who actually wrote the songs they love. Songwriters are, for the most part, anonymous.
But for the past three decades, Nashville has turned the spotlight on those unheralded creators with Tin Pan South.
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has revealed the lineup for the 31st Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presented by Regions Bank that will take place March 28 – April 1, 2023. Passes for the Festival are available now here. Fast Access Passes are priced at $175.00 to the general public and $145 for NSAI members.
With ten venues, one hundred shows and four hundred songwriter performances, this year’s Tin Pan South is shaping up to be one of the best.
Enjoying a previous Tin Pan South, (L to R) Ashley Gorley, Brett Young and Chris DeStafano. Archive photo by Preshias Harris
Read the full story at Center Stage Mag here with details about the scheduled shows and more (including a link to the all-new app for both iOS and Android).
If people only knew it’s the songwriters – that’s where it all begins. If the fans only knew I’m just like a puppet up here. If it wasn’t for you guys [Craig Wiseman and Deric Ruttan] I wouldn’t be standing up here. — Blake Shelton, at Number One party for “Came Here to Forget, August 30, 2016.
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a 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 here. Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
Alannah McCready is a unique artist in so many ways. She is a dynamic performer in her live shows with skills honed during her years on the road. She is also a remarkable songwriter and found a new energy in her writing when the Covid pandemic brought personal appearances and touring to a screeching halt.
Another unique aspect to Alannah: she is a skilled hockey player. As she told me recently, “I’m from Minnesota, so we’re in the state of hockey and you basically get hockey skates when you get shoes!”
Read my entire interview with Alannah about her new EP at Center Stage Maghere.
Twangy honky-tonker blends ’90s country with contemporary sound
By Preshias Harris
How about a song with a vibe and storyline that feel like Dukes of Hazzard meets Urban Cowboy? Intrigued? Well, that’s howAndy Pursell describes his new single.
Pursell, a Florida-based singer-songwriter and indie country recording artist (Southern Dreams Ent.) has announced the scheduled release of his newest tune “Right Amount of Wrong.” Written by Ryan Griffin and Terry Dennis, and produced by Mark Dreyer, the track will be available via all digital retail outlets and streaming platforms Friday, March 17, 2023. (Presale/pre-save event begins March 3, 2023. Presale / Pre-save here. )
Recorded at Studio 23 Lakeside Recording in Nashville, the single features instrumental performances by award-winning, A-list musicians, including four-time ACM “Steel Guitarist of the Year,” Mike Johnson (Jason Aldean/Carrie Underwood/Jon Pardi/George Strait/Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard), Kevin Grant (Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard/Colt Ford/Josh Turner) and Mike Rojas (George Strait/Tim McGraw/Brett Eldredge).
‘Inside Track on Music Row’ posted and ready to read
Check out the current edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, now posted here at Nashville Music Guide. A lot of ‘must read’ stuff this month, including…
Details on Dierks Bentley‘s new 14-track album, Gravel & Gold, set for release Feb 24…
Sunny Sweeney‘s new album, Married Alone, blurring the lines between Texas Country and Nashville Americana…
Memory Lane (Sampler) is the title of the new project from Old Dominion that they co-produced with hit songwriter Shane McAnally…
CMT has announced the sixteen new artists that will be the Class of 2023 for the 10th Anniversary CMT Women of Country…
Alana Springsteen has released a single from her debut album, Twenty Something, a three-part collection documenting the heartache, excitement, and immense transformation of early adulthood…
Colton Dixon‘s No. 1 hit “Build A Boat” is back again in a brand-new version: “Build A Boat (feat Gabby Barrett).” Dixon and Barrett are fellow American Idol alums…
Indie artist Andy Pursell is gearing up to release his newest tune, “Right Amount of Wrong,” produced by Mark Dreyer, March 17 via all digital and streaming platforms…
Mitchell Tenpenny will be touring overseas for the first time in March, playing dates in Europe and Australia…
Take listen to Chris Janson‘s new single “All I Need Is You,” a song that unravels what really matters in Life…
In May 2023, the Johnny Cash Museum will celebrate its tenth anniversary as a staple of Nashville, country music and Johnny Cash culture…
Check out “Drinkaby,” the new single from multi-Platinum Cole Swindell from his upcoming deluxe album Stereotype Broken, due April 28…
Find the details about tickets and venues for Tin Pan South; 100 shows and 400+ performances, March 28 through April 1, 2023…
Plus news about Dolly Parton, The Grand Ole Opry, Jelly Role Keith Burns, HARDY, Chris Young, Gabby Barrett, Chris Clark, ERNEST, T.G. Sheppard, Cody Johnson, Elvie Shane, tour news, music video news and so much more. Find it all here 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 here. Follow her blog and read her regular ‘Preshias On The Row’ news stories at Center Stage Magazine.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Sam Phillips’ 100th birthday
by Preshias Harris
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most influential people in the realms of virtually all popular music – country, blues, R&B, rock n’ roll and pop. Sam Phillips was born January 5, 1923 in Florence, Alabama, but made his indelible mark on music in Memphis, Tennessee.
It was there, in 1950, that he set up the Memphis Recording Service and then Sun Records that would launch the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more.
(L to R) Jay McDowell, Jerry Phillips talk at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Preshias Harris
In February, The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum honored the legendary Sam Phillips at a special event marking what would have been his 100th birthday. In attendance was Sam’s son Jerry Phillips who took the podium for an informal Q&A, led by the Museum’s multimedia archivist Jay McDowell.
Read my full story and interview at Center Stage Mag here.
Colton James is one busy guy. But he’s not complaining. As the saying goes, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Colton is passionate about his music, about helping veterans and about his lovely wife Cassie.
Colton James talks about his new 7-song EP titled America and plans for Land4Heroes
Colton and I caught up in January to talk about what’s new and exciting in his life, including his new EP, titled America, released January 20, 2023. The seven-track project includes “Ring On Her Finger” that will certainly be played at a LOT of weddings in the months and years ahead. The song has a special poignance for Colton who co-wrote it with Kim Tribble.
“’Ring On Her Finger’ was the very last song that me and Kim wrote together,” Colton recalled, “And it was the last time I saw him alive. I told that story at his Celebration of Life and Kim’s wife Patti wanted me to play it. I think about him every day. Not only were we writing buddies, we fished together, we hunted together, we hung out together. He was like family.” See the official music video for “Ring On Her Finger” here.
Another track on the EP has a unique backstory: “I Miss America” co-written with Rick Dawson, the owner of Rich Strike, the 80-1 outsider that came from behind to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
New year… new music column! The January 2023 edition of my Inside Track on Music Row column is a mix of the good news from 2022 so we can reflect on happy times and also look ahead to some wonderful things coming up as we move into 2023.
You can read the entire column, along with photos, graphics and video links, at Nashville Music Guide here. The new year marks another milestone for Inside Track on Music Row... still the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA. My eternal thanks to you, the reader, for your support… and the artists, songwriters and publicists who alert me to music news that I can share with you!
Here is a taste of just some of the news items you can find in the January column…
ERNEST celebrated his fifth, sixth and seventh Number One as a songwriter in 2022 while his debut single (feat. Morgan Wallen) reached Platinum certification. Now his ‘Deluxe” album is due February 10…
Cole Swindell racked up two Platinum multi-week Number Ones and received a Pandora Billionaire plaque for surpassing 3 billion lifetime spins. He’ll be joining Thomas Rhett for his Home Team Tour 23…
The Cadillac Three have announced their upcoming Bandana Tour as they take their country-fuzz spirit on the road with Koe Wetzel joining TC3 on select dates…
Miranda Lambert was surprised with $5,000.00 from Tractor Supply Company, in honor of her MuttNation project, to donate to area animal shelters to help senior pets and pets with special needs…
Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman returns to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium starting on Thursday, June 22 and continuing each Thursday night through July 27…
Eddie Montgomery has released the deluxe edition of his debut solo album Ain’t No Closing Me Down via Average Joes Entertainment saluting his lost Montgomery Gentry bandmate, Troy Gentry, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 2017…
George Jones will be remembered and celebrated – by fans and fellow artists – at a concert, titled Still Playin’ Possum, set to take place April 25 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL, one day before the tenth anniversary of Jones’ passing…
Willie Nelson and Family, the first authorized work exploring the life and career of the Country outlaw icon, will debut at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 19–29, 2023, in Park City, Salt Lake City…
Plus so much more about The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Rogers Band, The lineup for New Faces of Country Music at the 2023 Country Radio Seminar,Craig Campbell, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, upcoming music festivals, Opry news and more.
Read the entire Inside Track on Music Row column at Nashville Music Guide 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 here. Follow her blog and read her regular ‘Preshias On The Row’ news stories at Center Stage Magazine.
Now it’s really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Music will always be part of Christmas and certain songs instantly conjure up childhood memories that stay with us throughout our lives. Here’s a roundup of some Christmas music news that might create some new memories for you and your family. Scroll down for info on Opry Country Christmas, O.N.E. The Duo, Mikayla Lane, Craig Campbell, Drew Aldridge, Chris Isaak and Opry NextStage.
Opry Country Christmas returns to Grand Ole Opry House
The Grand Ole Opry® has kicked off Nashville’s newest holiday tradition with the return of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hosted by Grammy®-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season, running on select dates through Dec. 22. Each show features Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up of artists’ original songs and timeless Christmas favorites. Spotlight Artists for this year’s run include Lauren Alaina (Dec. 1), Scotty McCreery (Dec. 4), Steven Curtis Chapman (Dec. 8); Chris Janson (Dec. 11), Josh Turner and Chris Young (Dec 15), Lorrie Morgan (Dec. 21), and Ricky Skaggs (Dec. 22). Additional artists scheduled for various Opry Country Christmas shows include John Berry, Jason Crabb, Louise Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Jeannie Seely, and Rhonda Vincent. Tickets are on-sale now here starting at $55.00.
“Happy Holiday With Me” from mom/daughter duo
O.N.E. The Duo
O.N.E The Duo, Music City’s own mother-daughter Country/Americana duo (Tekitha and Prana Supreme), are ringing in the Christmas spirit with “Happy Holiday With Me,” via a new music video out now. Inspired by Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” video, the clip is reminiscent of a vintage candid home video. The song can also be found on their new holiday EP O.N.E Very Merry Christmas, available here. “Christmas, and the holiday season in general, is my favorite time of year and that’s really what I wanted to capture for this video. Growing up, my family didn’t really celebrate Christmas in the traditional way, so it was fun to create those moments for this song,” says Prana Supreme — daughter of Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Wu-Tang vocalist Tekitha — who wrote “Happy Holiday With Me” with her mom, Nash Overstreet, and Shane Stevens. Directed by Brandon Vestal, the festive clip features the duo celebrating some of their favorite Christmas traditions like baking apple pie together, while Ron Zamber (Chairman and Founding Partner, Visionary Media Group and Private Equity Group Partner) makes a cameo as Santa Claus. More info here.
