Country Radio News Archives - Nashville Music Line

Garth Brooks: “Friends In Low Places” almost didn’t happen

Garth Brooks tells the story behind the song at CRS

by Preshias Harris

Garth Brooks became the inaugural recipient of the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Garth Brooks No Fences Award, named after Brooks’ ground-breaking No Fences album. It recognizes an individual in the country music industry who boldly demonstrates innovation, creativity and tenacity.

During this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in March, Brooks was interviewed by CRB’s RJ Curtis. Read my full report of the in-depth interview at Center Stage Mag here.

*Garth Brooks talks with Country Radio Broadcasters at CRS 2023. Photo: Preshias Harris*

At one point, Curtis put up a screenshot showing a string of Garth Brooks hit songs in a thirteen-month period across 1989 and 1990. The songs were: “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”, “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, “Not Counting You” and “The Dance”.

However, Brooks was not among the rising artists selected to appear at the New Faces of Country Music show at the 1990 CRS. To the amazement of the ‘standing room only’ audience, Brooks never played the New Faces show.

In the interview, Brooks frankly described how his monumental hit “Friends in Low Places” very nearly became Mark Chesnutt‘s hit single, rather than his. Brooks had actually cut the demo for the songwriters while he was a shoe salesman in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, moonlighting as a demo singer.

He went on to explain his prolonged absence from music to be with his family and how: “it was probably the most selfish move I ever made in my life.”

Read my full report of the in-depth Garth Brooks interview in the ‘Preshias On The Row’ section of Center Stage Mag here. #CenterStageMag

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

David Adam Byrnes gotta “Keep Up With A Cowgirl”

Scores SEVEN No. 1 songs on Texas radio charts

David Adam Byrnes came to Nashville from his native Arkansas seeking success as a singer-songwriter. But it wasn’t until he left Nashville that he found success.

That success came to him in Texas where it felt “just like a glove that fit perfectly,” as he said, in an interview with me during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in March. He found a true connection with the culture and the music in the Lone Star State – and an audience that embraced his genuine love of traditional country music.

In the interview, Byrnes told me that, as a songwriter in Nashville, he seemed to be on the edge of success when five songs he had penned were on hold or about to be released by recording artists. But all those potential cuts evaporated, forcing him to reevaluate his career path.

You can read my full interview with David Adam Byrnes at Center Stage Mag here. He talks about how that potential career-end became a golden opportunity with a string of No. 1 hits in Texas and a new album, Keep Up With a Cowgirl. #DavidAdamByrnes

‘Bad Boy’ Dakota Poorman shakes up country music scene

Single, “American Made,” cracks MusicRow chart; “Hippie @ Heart” set to follow

By Preshias Harris

A few decades ago, ‘Outlaw Country’ shook up the country music scene as personified by Waylon, Wille, Kris Kristofferson and David Allan Coe. Now along comes a new ‘bad boy’ of country music: Dakota Poorman who is happy to step outside the boundaries that surround many country artists.

‘New’ isn’t really the word to describe Dakota Poorman who has been earning his chops the hard way: playing gigs in bars and venues throughout the Northwest, surrounding his hometown of Maple Valley, Washington, and fronting the Dakota Poorman Band since 2010. However, he might be a ‘new’ name and a breath of fresh air in Music City.

This is one of a series of interviews conducted during the 2022 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville.

Cranking up the excitement – and audiences – with what he describes as “Red, White and Blue Collar Country,” Dakota delivers his unique blend of country rock highlighted with banjo and fiddle that build on his influences as diverse as Travis Tritt, Bob Seger and The Marshall Tucker Band.

Shannon McCombs nominated for Tenn. Radio Hall of Fame

From Rock to Country, Shannon has done it all!

Shannon McCombs, host, writer, and producer of the weekly syndicated show, CDX Country News has been nominated for the 2021 class of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. The 10th Anniversary Induction Ceremony will take place on July 31, 2021.

A personal note from Preshias…

Shannon and I are lifelong friends! I was listening when it was her very first time on the air, broadcasting from WKVE-FM in Cave City, KY. I can remember jumping for joy and screaming at the top of my lungs. The same thing happened when she started her first night at WKDF-103 Rock in Nashville, Tennessee, as the overnight air personality. My mother and I were both whooping and hollering just after midnight on January 1, 1986 when she played the Smokey Robinson song we requested!

Visit Shannon’s YouTube channel here to see her interviews with Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Trisha Yearwood, Hunter Hayes, Ricky Skaggs and many more.

“I’ve been in radio my entire life, even when I was a kid, I pretended to be in radio. Along with my brother and cousin, we would play DJ for hours with our cassette recorder.,” shared Shannon McCombs. “So, the fact that my peers have honored me in this way is extremely humbling.”

“I fully endorse the nomination of Shannon McCombs to the Tennessee Radio Hall Of Fame. Shannon has dedicated her life to radio in the Great State of Tennessee,” expressed CDX President – Joe Kelly. “She epitomizes a radio pro and deserves to be included among the great broadcasters already in the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.”

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”

Ashley Gorley hits 50th No. 1

The only songwriter in any genre with 50 Airplay No. 1s

by Preshias Harris

Ashley Gorley at the 2020 MusicRow Awards. Photo: Preshias Harris

Hitmaker and songwriting powerhouse Ashley Gorley set a new record August 3 as he notches his 50th No.1 song at Country radio with LOCASH’S Mediabase chart topper, “One Big Country Song.”

Gorley isn’t just the first songwriter in the Country format to achieve this feat, but it stamps him as the only songwriter of any genre to earn 50 No.1s in the history of the Mediabase and Billboard Airplay charts.

Gorley wrote “One Big Country Song” with fellow hitmakers Jesse Frasure and Hardy. The song follows Gorley’s 49th No. 1, “Hard to Forget,” recorded by Sam Hunt. Gorley’s first No. 1 was “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” for Carrie Underwood. in 2006. Scroll down for a full list of all 50 of Gorley’s chart-toppers.

Thank you, Ashley Gorley, for my delight at being able to watch you write your way into global music history. It makes me extremely proud of my Kentucky connection, along with our shared love of Kentucky Wildcats basketball. Now let’s get Ashley nominated for the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame! This would be a wonderful boost for our Kentucky Music legacy. Danville, Kentucky, native Ashley needs to be alongside the Everly Brothers, The Judds, Dwight Yoakum, The Kentucky Headhunters, Exile, Steve Wariner and the rest of our history of Kentucky Music inductees. – Preshias Harris

#kymusichalloffame #hitsongwriter #50number1s #ascapsongwriteroftheyear

Blake Shelton’s ‘mystery kiss’ photo

Can you I.D. the air personalities from 2003 CRS?

When Blake Shelton likes you, he shows his love with a kiss.

L to R: Unidentified, Blake Shelton, Eddie Haskell, Unidentified. Can you help I.D. these guys? Photo: Preshias Harris

Dierks presents award to Blake. Photo: Catrina Engleby / Nashville Music Guide

During the Warner Music Nashville “Warner Wednesday” luncheon, part of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS), Blake was presented with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award. He received the award from last year’s recipient, Dierks Bentley.

“I scratched my name off,” said Dierks as he handed over the Award. “It’s all yours.”

Accepting the award, Blake pulled Dierks in close and planted a big kiss on his forehead.

Who ARE those radio guys?

But this wasn’t the first time Blake has surprised someone at CRS with a kiss. Back in 2003, I caught up with Blake at that year’s CRS. It was then held at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel and the ‘old’ Convention Center. As we talked, three country radio air personalities joined us. The guys all moved in close for the photo, and that’s when Blake planted one on the guy next to him!

So I know that Blake is the kisser. But who is the kissee? Take a look at the photo above. I have lost my notes from that day and I need your help!

I know that the curly-haired gent to Blake’s left is Eddie Haskell, now Senior VP / Programming for iHeartMedia, Ft Collins, CO. Eddie was previously Program Director at KYGO-FM 98.5 Denver, CO.

But who are the other two fellers, both the ‘kissee’ far left, and the fourth man, far right?

C’mon, air personalities and radio biz people; help me out here and I’ll send you a little ‘thank you’ gift and post the correct photo I.D. (and your name) in a post at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Send your I.D. of the guys in the ‘Mystery Kiss’ photo to me here or preshias@nashvillemusicline.com

Here’s another photo from that same day, back at CRS 2003. I hope this jogs your memory.

Unidentified, Blake, Eddie, Unidentified. Photo: Harris

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

Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance

Keith Urban forgets words to new song

CRS featured an unforgettable show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as Darius Rucker reunited with his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates. Unforgettable? Well… Keith Urban DID forget the words to his new song, which made the show unforgettable for a forgetful reason!

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMG) invited attendees of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) to a lunchtime showcase at the Ryman Auditorium on February 14. CRS, now in its 50th year, is the world’s largest gathering of radio decision-makers and the recording artists who wish to interact with them.

Little Big Town at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Royce Risser, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Promotion emceed the event, getting in a few witty ‘digs’ at radio execs in the audience as he light-heartedly urged them to add these songs to their playlists. In a fast-moving show, each act came on stage to perform one song – generally a cut that would impact Country Radio in the days or weeks ahead. (See below for a full list of performers.)

Keith Urban debuts “We Were”

Keith Urban came out on stage to perform “We Were,” a song so new that he brought out his cell phone so he could sing and play along to it. Technology is subject to Murphy’s Law (If anything can go wrong, it will) and the track stopped playing after just a few bars.

Undeterred, Urban re-started the track and, when it once again failed, he carried on singing to just his acoustic guitar. But a minute or so later he suddenly stopped. “Oh my gosh!” he told the audience. “I’ve forgotten the words to this dang song! Can you believe it!”

A less experienced artist might have suffered a total meltdown, blowing a song in front of hundreds of radio professionals who make the decisions about what gets aired. But being a true professional, he picked up the threads of the song and carried on, much to the delight of his audience. If nothing else, they will all remember Urban’s “We Were” when they get back to their radio stations.

Vince Gill at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Later, Vince Gill took the stage and, as he sat on his stool, he jokingly said he had been planning to bring his phone out and play to a track on it. “Keith said that was a really cool idea,” said Gill glancing off to the side of the stage with a smile. Guess no one is going to let Keith forget that. 2019 marks the 30th year that Vince Gill has been with MCA, part of the UMG family of labels. Risser noted that Vince has earned 18 CMA Awards and 20 Grammys, including wins for ten consecutive years.

More highlights of the UMG show

Continue reading “Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance”

Nashville Music Guide Special CRS edition

February ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ ready to read now

Just in time for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019, the February issue of Nashville Music Guide is now available with a special print edition in addition to the online version.

Click here, then click on the picture of the February cover. You can then read the entire magazine on any device. My column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ appears on pages 25 through 35, with plenty of full-color photos.

You can also pick up a print copy at Nashville music venues and at CRS, taking place at the Omni Hotel, Nashville, February 13 through 15.

Meanwhile here are just a few of the items in my February column. Read the full column at NMG!

Randy Houser’s new album ‘Magnolia’ marks new era
Bluebird Café’s 37th year as Nashville icon
Marshall Tucker Band: no sign of slowing down
Marty Brown signs with Plowboy Records
TG Sheppard: “I Wanna Live Like Elvis”

Scroll down to read these brief excerpts, then check out the entire column at Nashville Music Guide.

ALBUM NEWS

Randy Houser’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Magnolia’, is now available to stream in its entirety via NPR Music’s First Listen. Houser performed his favorite song from the album, “No Stone Unturned” on Good Morning America in January, and has been making appearances in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Houston, New York City (again) and Baltimore in support of the new album including performances on Sirius XM Play, iHeart Radio Theater and NASH FM.

This album marks a new era for Randy. Feeling impassionate, Houser opted to slow things down and set up camp in his good buddy and co-producer Gattis’ studio in East Nashville to recalibrate and rediscover his passion for creating music. He spent nearly two years fully invested in his songwriting which resulted in ‘Magnolia’ and a new sound that is un-polished yet authentically Houser. Continue reading “Nashville Music Guide Special CRS edition”

‘Inside Track’ Country news updates

Country news roundup for late January 2019

‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ my monthly music news column appears in Nashville Music Guide. The February edition will drop any day soon – a special edition for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019. Here are some Country news items that just missed the NMG print deadline. Check back here later for an excerpt from the February column and a link to it at NMG.

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project
Ray Stevens: 60 years in music
John Berry asks for prayers, God’s healing
Maxine Brown passes

Scroll down to read these news items

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project

Garth Brooks revealed the title of his upcoming studio album is FUN. Garth divulged the information during “Inside Studio G,” a weekly Facebook Live series airing every Monday on Garth’s Facebook page at 7:00 PM EST. Garth fans have been given a teaser of what to expect from his anticipated studio album, with Garth releasing “All Day Long.” The much-awaited record is available to preorder now.

“The title of the album was sparked because making it has been such a fun process to go through,” explained Garth. “Being able to go in and out of the studio while being on the tour, working with the same guys, it’s been amazing. The album will be available this spring and I want the fans to just have fun with this, because that’s what this has been.” More at Garth’s website and Facebook page.

Ray Stevens: 60 years in music

Continue reading “‘Inside Track’ Country news updates”