Category: Nashville Music

Country music tours are back!

Tour buses are heading out of Nashville again

by Preshias Harris

Country artists can’t wait to get back on the road – and their fans can’t wait to see ‘em! New announcements about upcoming tours are being released almost every day, but for now, here are the ones we have confirmed for Michael Ray, Brandy Clark, Scotty McCreery, Old Dominion, Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, The Cadillac Three, Brett Young and Blake Shelton:

Michael Ray is off to the beach – Myrtle Beach, SC – on June 13 for Carolina Country Music Fest, the first of twenty-plus dates on his 2021 Just The Way I Am Tour.  The Carolina Fest runs June 10 – 13 with 30+ country acts including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Darius Rucker and more. Ray then heads on to major stops throughout the summer and fall in cities such as Roanoke, VA, Birmingham, AL, Baltimore, MD, St. Louis, MO and Fargo, ND, before wrapping up November 14 at the Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale FL.

“I can’t wait to be back out on the road and be with all of you again,” said Ray. “There’s nothing better than being with one another and singing the songs that have brought us together over the years, and I’m so excited to share some new songs with you that have come to mean so much to me. Let’s make some memories!”  Tickets and a full list of tour dates here.

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Brandy Clark will return to the stage this fall with her Who You Thought I Was headline tour, including stops at Seattle’s Neumos, San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, Los Angeles’ Lodge Room, Denver’s Lost Lake, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Philadelphia’s World Café Live and Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley among many others. Tickets for the shows are on-sale now, full details can be found here. 

The newly confirmed dates celebrate a landmark year for Clark, whose new deluxe album, Your Life is a Record (Deluxe), is out now on Warner Records (stream/purchase here). The special extended edition features all eleven tracks from her GRAMMY-nominated album plus six new songs including “Remember Me Beautiful,” which Clark wrote late last year with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose for NPR’s Morning Edition Song Project.  Produced by Jay Joyce, Your Life is a Record was nominated for Best Country Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards and landed on several “Best of 2020” lists including NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Paste and Slate.

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Scotty McCreery will headline his You Time Tour kicking off in Fresno, CA, on June 18.  On some dates, McCreery will be supporting Chris Young or Old Dominion. “This last year I was glad to get more ‘you time’ with my wife Gabi than ever before, as well as a lot of ‘you time’ with some of my favorite songwriters via zoom as we created new songs for the upcoming album,” said McCreery. “And now that we’re able to tour again, I cannot wait to get back on the road and have some ‘you time’ with fans this summer.”

The tour’s title refers to “You Time,” released in September 2020, a single from his next album set for release later this year. McCreery co-wrote the song with Frank Rogers and Aaron Eshuis.  Additional dates for the You Time Tour will be announced soon. Tickets and info here. 

Continue reading “Country music tours are back!”

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…

Steve Wariner

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?”

Continue reading “Music news update: Mid-May 2021”

Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, LANCO and more in the news

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ May 2021 now posted!

The May 2021 edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ is now posted at Nashville Music Guide! It’s the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA, and as always Amanda and her team at NMG have added all the ‘bells and whistles’ with links, videos, photos and music you won’t find anywhere else. Read the entire column here at NMG.

Among the content you will find there…

  • Chris Stapleton takes home Album of the Year Award at the ACM Awards for Starting Over, produced by Dave Cobb…
  • Share a “First Beer” with LANCO as their current single reminisces about “our first drink and the people we were with”…
  • Alan Jackson asks Where Have You Gone with his first studio album of new music in six years, set for release May 14…
  • Kolt Barber is on the road, combining his traditional brand of country with rodeo on The American Cowboy Showdown…
  • Larry Gatlin reveals that he was the ‘unnamed country singer’ with a cocaine addiction in Matthew McConaughey’s new memoir Greenlights…
  • Exile – my favorite Kentucky group – announced a VIP live online concert set for May 20, 2021…

…plus a whole lot more, ready for you to read right now. Hop on over to Nashville Music Guide’s website here and catch up with the news on my ‘Inside Track on Music Row.’

 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

‘Inside Track’ for April 2021

The April 2021 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music on Music Row is now posted at Nashville Music Guide.

It’s the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA. Check out the entire April column, with the accompanying photos and videos, here at NMG. Among some of the stories:

  • Justin Moore’s new project is an eight-song collection titled Straight Outta the Country that he announced on his Justin Moore Podcast.
  • Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon returns to his bluegrass roots, signing with Nashville’s Billy Blue Records that released the debut single “Walking the Floor.”
  • Ronnie Milsap believes it’s the music that makes you young. With A Better Word for Love dropping April 30, the 4-time Country Music Association Album of the Year winner is ready to tease his fans with a little “Wild Honey.”
  • Thomas Rhett’s journey continues with the release of part one of his fifth studio double album: Country Again Side A on April 30 and fans can pre-order it now.
  •  Check out Cadillac Three’s new video for “Long After Last Call,” a startling reminder of the empty independent venues across the globe to benefit #SaveOurStages.
  • American country rock band and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame members, Exile, will reissue four of their legendary albums via a new signed deal with Time Life to coincide with the original Exile Reunion concert. 

Plus much more. read the entire column here at NMG.

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

Star-studded lineup set for 2ndAveStrong benefit

$2 million goal for March 26 broadcast

Set your DVR now or plan to be in front of your TV (or both) on Friday March 26 to see the stars come out to raise funds for those affected by the Christmas Day bombing that devastated Nashville’s Second Avenue and beyond.

The DISTRICT, Inc. and Metro Historical Commission Foundation announced the full lineup of performers for the March 26 virtual benefit concert hosted at the Wildhorse Saloon by Natalie Stovall of Runaway June. Ashley McBryde, BRELAND, Derek St. Holmes, Lee Brice, Lindsay Ell, Old Dominion, Phil Vassar, Phillip Phillips, Scotty McCreery, Shenandoah w/ special guest Gyth Rigdon and Tyler Rich will perform to raise money for 2ndavestrong restoration and preservation fund. 

One of the evening’s highlights will bring together for the first time ever GRAMMY Award Winning Shenandoah with special guest Gyth Rigdon performing “I Want To Be Loved Like That”. Gyth performed the song on the 16th season of The Voice as a member of team Blake. 

Gyth Rigdon (light shirt) on the Wildhorse stage with Shenandoah at the 2nd Ave Strong concert. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

On a personal note, I am so proud of Gyth Rigdon who not only has an amazing talent that took him to the finals on The Voice, but also has the resolve and focus that will make him a star. It was an honor to have Gyth as part of my “Nashville music family!”

Continue reading “Star-studded lineup set for 2ndAveStrong benefit”

What’s new in country music?

It’s February’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ with Preshias

Lots to catch up on in this month’s Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA, written and presented by Preshias Harris.

Read the full column, along with links to music, videos, photos and more here at Nashville Music Guide. Among this month’s stories…

  • Adam Sanders’ new album, Adam Sanders Live, and links to the tracks
  • On the 20th anniversary of releasing his first single to radio, Tim McGraw duets with Tyler Hubbard on “Undivided”
  • HARDY says “Give Heaven Some Hell” to a departed friend in new single…
  • Check out the tracks on Lee Brice’s latest album, Hey World
  •  The 2021 Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels, scheduled for February 22, has been moved to a new date
  • On “Freedom Was A Highway,” Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley reminisce about the nostalgia and simplicity of more carefree, youthful days
  • Kip Moore shares the track and video of “How High” from his 17-track Wild World Deluxe project, set to drop Feb 12
  • Eric Church’s 3-part project Heart & Soul includes a special part just for Church Choir members
  • Loretta Lynn is Still Woman Enough with new album due in March plus a PBS documentary
  • Thomas Rhett is the latest country artist to get into the wine & liquor business with Dos Primos tequila
  • Parker Millsap teases upcoming album Be Here Instead with single, “The Real Thing”
  • Plus… Chris Janson, Ashlyn Grayce, Gene Watson, Opry News, Brett Young, Tin Pan South 2021 update, Buck Owens, Clay Walker and more in the February 2021 Inside Track on Music Row posted here at Nashville Music Guide now!

 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

@PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ January 2021

Check out this month’s Nashville Music Guide

Kickin’ off the New Year with a whole bunch of country music news in my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA. Click here to read it in the January edition of Nashville Music Guide.

Among the many news items in this month’s column:

  • New albums from Brandy Clark, Chris Stapleton, Alex Hall and Bill Anderson
  • A look at Shenandoah’s 2020 all-star project, Every Road
  • The Grammys are set for Jan 31 and here’s a glance at all the nominations in the country music categories
  • Two new syndicated radio shows from Hope Radio: 90s Country Flashback and 615 The Grind
  • 2020 was a great year for Curb’s ‘golden boy’ Lee Brice. Or should that be ‘platinum boy’?
  • Dates announced for Tin Pan South 2021
  • Brady Seals (Little Texas) releases new autobiography, God Blessed Texas and Me Too
  • Plus Matt Stell, Eric Church, Blane Howard, Old Dominion, Chris Young and more. Catch the entire column in the January 2021 Nashville Music Guide.

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

Luke Combs tops Airplay chart, Morgan Wallen’s album debuts at No. 1

Country update from Preshias

Here’s a quick roundup of what’s happening this week on Music Row and in Country Music!

  • Luke Combs logs his tenth No. 1
  • Morgan Wallen debuts on both Billboard’s Top 200 and Top Country Album charts
  • HARDY set to “Give Heaven Some Hell”
  • Parker Millsap is “The Real Thing”
  • Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson roll up their sleeves for vaccine
  • GigTours™ wants you to say “I’m With the Band”
  • Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A and more. Scroll down to read all these country music news items

Luke Combs does it again. Luke has logged his tenth consecutive No. 1 song atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of Jan 23. Titled “Better Together,” the song was co-written by Combs with Dan Isbell and Randy Montana and is the fifth single from Luke’s album What You See Is What You Get.

Continue reading “Luke Combs tops Airplay chart, Morgan Wallen’s album debuts at No. 1”

Dangerous! Morgan Wallen’s new 30-track double album

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

Another busy week on Music Row. @PreshiasHarris and Jon discuss a bunch of topics on this week’s livestream that you can watch now on the Ya’ll Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel. Among the topics:

  • Morgan Wallen’s new double album includes collaborations with some of Nashville’s biggest writers and artists
  • Terry McBride – of McBride & the Ride – releases a new album, and the Ride’s entire catalog is now available on Spotify
  • Tim McGraw and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard are “Undivided” on a new heartfelt song of unity
  • Three sad losses for Nashville: the passing of Ed Bruce, Jamie O’Hara and Misty Morgan
  • Thomas Rhett launches Dos Primos tequila and joins the list of country artists in the wine and liquor business
  • Lady A’s “Champagne Night” takes the charts by storm after Songland TV show
  • Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A, some country artists celebrating birthdays this week, the Top 5 Country Airplay songs and more. Scroll down to read the program notes, and watch the livestream at the Y’all Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel.
Continue reading “Dangerous! Morgan Wallen’s new 30-track double album”

Hal Ketchum dies, Chris Stapleton album, Vince & Amy

Preshias and Jon talk about what’s happening in country music this week

The Y’all Show is back after the Thanksgiving break, and Preshias and Y’all Show host Jon Rawl have plenty to talk about, including:

  • 90s country artist Hal Ketchum passes
  • Vince Gill and Amy Grant plan Christmas at the Ryman – for 2021
  • Chris Stapleton’s new album Starting Over debuts at No. 1
  • Collin Raye co-writes all the songs on his new album
  • New dates for Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
  • Bluegrass music celebrates 75 years
  • Grammy nominees in Country categories announced
  • Dennis Quaid releases ‘unifying’ single
  • This week’s “I Know Country” Q&A from Preshias’ ebook and more

Watch the entire show at the Y’all show website (complete with all the background notes, links and info) or at the Y’all Show YouTube channel.

 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