“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” hailed at No. 1 party
By Preshias Harris
One thing is for sure: Nobody wanted to go home from the Number One party for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”. The party was held May 25 in the lobby of BMI’s Nashville offices, having moved inside from the planned rooftop locale due to the approaching rainstorm. The chart-topping hit, performed by Elle King and Miranda Lambert, was written by King and Martin Johnson.
The song had the distinction of being the first by a female duo to top the charts since Reba McEntire and Linda Davis hit No. 1 with “Does He Love You” way back in 1993. Yes, almost thirty years ago, or in a previous century, to put it another way.
Lambert and King are close friends as well as collaborators: In 2019, Lambert invited King to be part of her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour with the goal of bringing powerful female voices to the forefront.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hails Ryman as rock venue
By Preshias Harris
The new Historic Marker. Photo: Linda Wyatt for NML
The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is known as “the Mother Church of Country Music.” However, the Ryman has been a favored venue for acts from every genre of music including Rock & Roll. More than one hundred members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have played the Ryman over the decades. That connection has now been made official. Bonnie Raitt and members of Old Dominion were among the musicians, celebrities, politicians and members of the Nashville music industry who were on hand to mark the momentous event.
Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium has been designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In a dedication ceremony held May 26, Mark Fioravanti, President of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, made the announcement at the Ryman, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary.
(L to R): Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi, Matthew Ramsey and Trevor Rosen of Old Dominion speak during the announcement at the Ryman. Group member Whit Sellers was unable to attend. Photo: Preshias HarrisContinue reading “Ryman Auditorium named Rock & Roll HoF landmark”
Set to play Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
By Preshias Harris
A few days ahead of appearances at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Wheelhouse Records singer/songwriter Elvie Shane wrapped his first-ever headlining run on April 21 with a sold-out show at Nashville’s Basement East.
Elvie Shane plays to a sold-out crowd at The Basement East in Nashville. Photo credit: Garrett Rizan
Shane brought his My Kinda Trouble Tour with Frank Ray to a close, playing songs from his critically acclaimed debut album Backslider as well as surprising the capacity crowd with guest appearances by Lainey Wilson who joined Shane for a rendition of her ACM Song of the Year winning “Things A Man Outta Know” and Tenille Townes as she and Shane sang their duet “Nothin’ Lasts Forever.”
Jody Williams honored with the 2022 ‘NSAI Champion’ award
by Preshias Harris
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) along with event sponsors, Truist Wealth and Ford, welcomed songwriters and guests to The Reserve at Fat Bottom Brewing Co. for their long-awaited World’s Largest #1 Party. The celebration was held to honor all songs with a Nashville-associated writer that reached #1 on the Billboard Airplay, Digital, Hot or Mediabase charts during the period of September 2019 through December 2021.
The event began with a special presentation, announcing that Jody Williams, industry powerhouse and founder of Jody Williams Music, was the 2022 recipient of the ‘NSAI Champion’ award. The award is given in recognition of generous support for – and dedication to – songwriters, the music industry and NSAI, and is chosen by the NSAI Executive Director.
(L to R): Steve Bogard, NSAI Board President, Jody Williams, 2022 ‘NSAI Champion’ award recipient. Photo credit: NSAI / Savannah Grimm
“Jody Williams has spent his professional career in the music industry helping songwriters and others. I am one such individual, in my twenty-five years as NSAI Executive Director enlisting Jody’s help dozens of times. He’s always responded and his word is as good as gold.” – Bart Herbison, Executive Director, NSAI
(If I may add my own testimonial for this well-deserved ‘NSAI Champion’ award, during his tenure in Writer Relations at BMI, I have personally seen Jody Williams get enthusiastically involved with the careers of songwriters – including new and emerging writers – often guiding them to successful publishing deals.)
By now, everyone will have heard the deeply saddening news about the passing of Naomi, the matriarch of the Judd family. At this time, let us keep her family, friends and fans in our prayers and loving thoughts, and remember the joy she brought us with her music.
Writer of hits for Taylor Swift, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Kenny Chesney and more
By Preshias Harris
You might not know the name Travis Hill, but you will probably recognize his ‘alter ego’ Scooter Carusoe. You will certainly know the titles of some of the twenty+ Number One songs that he has co-written.
Pictured (l-r): Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, EMG’s Michael Martin, Scooter Carusoe, EMG’s Lauren Funk, Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel. Photographed by Ed Rode at Virgin Hotels Nashville.
Now, Endurance Music Group and Warner Chappell Nashville have entered into a joint worldwide publishing agreement with acclaimed songwriter Hill, known professionally by his pen name Scooter Carusoe. Notable recent releases co-written by Carusoe include “You All Over Me” from Fearless (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift, “Want That Back” by Brett Eldredge, and “Some Habits” by Cole Swindell. He also claims recent cuts by fellow EMG songwriter Jimmie Allen, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Hailey Whitters.
62-week climb to the top for writers Josh Thompson and Jesse Frasure
By Preshias Harris
It was ‘party time’ on April 21 in Nashville: specifically, the Number One party celebrating the chart-topping success of “Whiskey and Rain,” recorded by Michael Ray. The event was held at the popular music venue The Local and hosted by BMI Senior Director David Preston.
Ray was there to share his appreciation for Jesse Frasure and Josh Thompson, the writers of “Whiskey and Rain.” The song represented Frasure’s twentieth No. 1 and the seventh for Thompson. The song was produced by Ross Copperman and is the lead single from Ray’s next album.
Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Machine’s Mike Molinar, MV2’s Tony Harrell, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s David Preston, Rhythm House’s Vanna Moua, Rhythm House’s Stevie Frasure; (L-R, front row): Josh Thompson, Michael Ray, Jesse Frasure. Photo: Steve Lowry / BMI
During the presentations, it was noted several times that “Whiskey and Rain” was an ‘outside’ song (a song not written by or with the artist or producer or someone closely tied to the project). Outside songs have become more infrequent in recent years – as have songs with only two songwriters.
CMA Music Festival lineup set for Nissan Stadium and stages
By Preshias Harris
It has been two long years since Nashville could welcome fans to Nashville for the CMA Fest. Now, The Country Music Association has released the artist lineups for the multiple stages that will part of CMA Fest ’22, June 9-12. Outdoor daytime stages are free and open to the public.
“We’ve been waiting two years to host Country Music fans from coast to coast and every corner of the world. Sarah Trahern, the CMA’s CEO. Now we’re two months out and the excitement is palpable! We can hardly wait to bring the Country community back together in June.” – Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music association
A limited number of four-day passes are available, plus the newly-announced single night tickets for the Nissan Stadium nightly concerts, at https://cmafest.com/tickets/ or the CMA Box Office: 1-800-CMA-FEST.
Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Parker McCollum, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson and Zac Brown Band are already set for the Nissan Stadium shows.
The Chevy Riverfront Stage, Dr Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park, Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park and the Maui Jim Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza will also give fans a chance to see both established stars and emerging artists on the rise. Among the many artists already booked to appear on the stages: Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Tenille Arts, Priscilla Block. Mitchell Tenpenny, Elvie Shane, Rodney Atkins, Sara Evans, Chris Bandi, Caylee Hammack, Maddie & Tae and many more. Additional acts will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Visit https://cmafest.com to check out the hour-by-hour schedule for each of the stages and details on each of the artists already set for the Stadium and stages. @CMAmusicfest
I’m looking forward to seeing you again at the CMA Fest 2022!
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
Songwriters are always the focus of the Annual Tin Pan South Festival that wrapped up a few days ago. They take the stage to play their songs and tell the stories behind their creation. This year, The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) kicked it up a notch with their first ever in-person NSAI Member Awards (presented by Regions Bank). The Awards recognize the achievements of songwriters in chapters across America and around the world. The invitation-only event was held at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville and included performances from several of the songwriters.
NSAI Member Award recipients gather for a group photo at The Analog, Hutton hotel
“We have thousands of songwriter members who may not describe themselves as professional songwriters, but write amazing songs, are outstanding performers, and deserve recognition for their work. This is one of the most exciting additions to NSAI’s programming in years and we applaud Region’s Bank for underwriting this event. Nothing could be more in line with the part of our mission statement that says: ‘to educate, elevate and celebrate the songwriter’.” – Bart Herbison, NSAI Executive Director
“An honor I will never forget”
At the risk of some ‘shameless self-promotion’… During the Awards ceremony, I was surprised to be called to the stage by Bart Herbison who joked that he and Erika Nichols, General Manager of Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café, often argue about who is the biggest supporter of the songwriting community. He added that everyone could agree that Preshias Harris is the best friend that any songwriter could wish for. He then presented me with the Friend of NSAI Award, saying that it recognized what he called my tireless activities encouraging and supporting songwriters. I felt both humbled and honored to receive the medallion. In my world, this was my equivalent of winning a GRAMMY! A day and an honor I will never forget.
My monthly column – Inside Track on Music Row – has graced the pages (and now the website) of the Nashville Music Guide longer than any other continuously-running country music column. The full column will be at NMG in a few weeks. Meanwhile, check out some special news items I couldn’t wait to share…
Loretta Lynn celebrates her 90th at Opry… Chris Stapleton adds “Concert for Kentucky”… Garth Brooks honky-tonk set for Nashville’s downtown… Morgan Wallen‘s album sets chart record… The Judds head out on tour… Struts sign with BMLG… Scroll down to read more!
Opry celebrates Loretta Lynn’s 90th birthday
The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the 90th birthday of one of its most beloved and iconic Opry members, Loretta Lynn on Opry Country Classics on Thursday, April 14 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Lynn’s 90th birthday celebration will feature performances by Lynn’s sister, Opry member Crystal Gayle, The Gatlin Brothers, Elizabeth Cook, Maggie Rose and the Opry debut of duo Twitty and Lynn, the grandchildren of famed duo Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty.
Lynn, born on April 14, 1932 in Butcher Holler, KY, made her Opry debut on October 15, 1960 and was officially inducted as a member on September 25, 1962. She went on to become one of the Opry’s most celebrated legends. Her countless accolades include three Grammy Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards. In 1972, she became the first female artist to win the Country Music Association’s coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Now a member of the Country Music and Songwriters Halls of Fame, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
The show can be heard on https://www.opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, and the show’s flagship radio home, WSM Radio.
