Preshias Harris joined Jon Rawl again this week on the Y’all Show for another look at what’s happening on Music Row. Among the items they discuss…
The new Barry Gibb album, Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1, with some of country music’s biggest stars, including Keith Urban, Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Brandi Carlile and more.
It’s CMA Awards time! Gabby Barrett sings her hit duet with Charlie Puth – and this is the first time they’ve met in person.
Dan + Shay are saying “Take Me Home For Christmas” with their first-ever original Christmas song.
Platinum-selling Blackhawk are releasing a two-disc greatest hit project, Just About Right: Live From Atlanta.
CJ Solar’s new single “The Only Present I Want” arrives while he is still celebrating his second No. 1 as a songwriter.
Plus a Q&A from “I Know Country” and some country music birthdays to celebrate this week.
Jon Rawl and Preshias talk Country on the Y’all Show
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
Lindsay Ell, Mitchell Tenpenny perform at dinner, bourbon
tasting
Here’s a last-minute opportunity to enjoy “When Pigs Fly”, an evening of fun and music that benefits Christmas 4 Kids, the organization that provides hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee with their very own Christmas shopping spree. Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the need is even greater this year. Read on to find out more about the fun evening set for November 7 and the great organization you’ll be helping. Or go here for more info or to buy tickets to “When Pigs Fly” and other Christmas 4 Kids events.
Note: the annual shopping spree for kids in need will be a little different this year. Scroll down for details.
Lindsay Ell
Lindsay Ell and Mitchell Tenpenny have signed on to perform at the Christmas 4 Kids “When Pigs Fly” dinner event in Hendersonville, TN this Saturday, November 7. The evening will feature a BBQ dinner and bourbon tasting event with additional performances by Rockland Road and other surprise musical guests. The new Christmas 4 Kids fundraising effort will be made possible thanks to a partnership with Live Love Nashville, the Hendersonville Parks Department and HolidayFest.
Mitchell Tenpenny
“I’m so excited to be a part of the Christmas 4 Kids show again this year,” says Tenpenny. “I always love getting to be a part of giving back to the greater Nashville community as a native myself! Can’t wait to have a fun night with everyone!”
Catered by Martin’s BBQ, the dinner will take place at 7:00 pm/CT behind the Ultimate Party Super Store located at 246 West Main Street in Hendersonville. Tickets are $50.00 each, with an additional charge of $5.00 for Bourbon Tasting, provided by Lipman Brothers, and $10.00 to participate in a rib-eating contest sponsored by Texas Roadhouse. This event is also the first in a series of Hendersonville Hometown Jam music events for 2020. The Hometown Jam was started in 2019 by the Hendersonville Parks Department, and this year will feature multiple nights that benefit different charities throughout the year.
Live Love Nashville, a local 501c3 that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various local charities, will be hosting an online giving campaign with 100% of all gifts going to C4K. Live Love Nashville’s core values are helping children who are less fortunate, and this mission is a perfect match for C4K.
HolidayFest is a non-profit community service organization that serves as the umbrella organization to promote, market, and act as the governing body to set policies and determine approval of the charity and service organizations that are supported. HolidayFest has worked to raise funds for local charities for the past 16 years.
Virtual Concert with Phil Vassar Nov 23
To close out this year’s events, on Monday, November 23, country music artist Phil Vassar will host Phil Vassar & Friends for an at-home virtual concert starting at 7:00 pm/CT. Online tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased at philvassar.com. Virtual meet-and-greet passes can also be purchased for an additional amount. Gohere to purchase tickets for the Virtual Concert with Phil Vassar.
Shopping Spree will be different this year
Due to current social distancing restrictions, the shopping spree will be done a little differently this year. Each child will still receive the $150.00 shopping spree, but the kids will provide “wish lists” to volunteers who will personally shop for them at the Hendersonville Walmart on December 7th-8th. The Christmas gifts will then be delivered to the children at their appropriate schools on December 15.
Go here for more information on Christmas 4 Kids, to donate online or to purchase tickets to upcoming events.
About Christmas 4 Kids
Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over three decades. Each year, the organization provides hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee with their very own Christmas shopping spree. The funds generated from the annual Ryman concert and Tour Bus Show/artist meet-and-greet event, are used to give many children, from nearly 30 schools, a day-long shopping excursion. For more information, visit here.
Preshias talks Nashville music with Y’all Show host Jon Rawl
Preshias and Jon talk about the new single “Pink”
Another packed livestream as Preshias Harris and Jon Rawl talk about what’s happening right now in Country music. Among the topics up for discussion on this week’s Y’all Show…
Jake Owen makes a ‘mini movie’ as the music video for “Homemade”
The new single “Pink” brings together Dolly Parton, Sara Evans and more to benefit breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen
BIG NIGHT at the Museum makes country music history ‘sing again’ in the hands of modern masters
A preview of the 51st annual GMA Dove Awards, putting the focus on Contemporary Christian and Gospel artists
Jon Rawl and Preshias Harris on this week’s Y’all Show
Read the story behind the making of “Pink”, the new single featuring Dolly Parton, Sara Evans, Monica, Jordin Sparks and Rita Wilson, produced by Victoria Shaw at the Susan G. Komen blog 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
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
Livestreaming shows just part of #SaveOurStages action plan
By Preshias Harris
Independent venues are where most emerging singers and
songwriters make their first stage appearances as they hone their skills and
reach out to audiences, often in smaller, more intimate settings.
Now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting ban or limits on public performance, those independent venues are the ones suffering the most – and are most likely to go dark forever. That would be a disappointment for potential audiences, but more seriously, it could be devastating for those singers, musicians and songwriters who rely on those venues to launch and develop their careers. (You can help by letting the Senate and the House of Representatives know you support this project. See below.)
In an effort to raise awareness and funds, the stars are coming out to put their talent and their celebrity status behind a push to “Save Our Stages.” The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is partnering with YouTube for a 3-day virtual music festival to #SaveOurStages. #SOSFEST will live stream on NIVA’s official YouTube channel October 16-18 and will feature all new performances. This benefit event aims to generate significant awareness, advocacy and donations for the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund, directly supporting our most vulnerable venues experiencing catastrophic revenue loss.
Nashville #SaveOurStages shows
Throughout the 3-day virtual festival, live performances will stream directly from some of those iconic venues across America – including, of course, Nashville. Already announced: Little Big Town and Kelsea Ballerini at the Exit/In, Brothers Osborne at Mercy Lounge and Reba McEntire at the Ryman Auditorium. More are being added.
90% of independent venues will not survive the COVID-19 pandemic without financial aid. Your voice matters — Tell your legislators to save independent music venues! More than 2 million live music lovers have written letters to their elected officials via Help to #SaveOurStages by telling Congress to ACT NOW! You can make a difference. See how to tell your legislators to save independent music venues 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
October’s Inside Track by Preshias now posted at NMG
You’ll find around 30 news items in this month’s column that I have been writing for more than a quarter of a century! Inside Track on Music Row is the longest continuously-published monthly country music column in America – and probably the world.
Thanks, as always, to Amanda Andrews and her crew at Nashville Music Guide for making Inside Track on Music Row look SO good every month. For October, you’ll find the entire column with added music, videos, photos, graphics and more.
Among the many news items and stories in the October 2020 Inside Track:
Keith Urban’s new album, The Speed of Now
Reba McEntire’s 30th Anniversary edition of Rumor Has It
Ashley Gorley named Songwriter of the Year for a record fifth time
New music from Shenandoah, their first in 26 years
Chris Stapleton drops another single, ahead of the November release of Starting Over
Hit writer Kent Blazy (“If Tomorrow Never Comes”) releases Authentic album
Christmas albums from Dolly, Carrie, Maddie & Tae and more
Updates on rescheduled tours for Scotty McCreery, Lee Brice
The only 2020 live gig for superstar group Alabama
New single, video and Neon Town album from David Adam Byrnes
Ray Stevens is livin’ it up in quarantine with hit song and video
UK trio Essex County crossing the pond with “Love at First”
Plus more ‘news you need to know’ for music industry insiders and country music fans. It’s all in the October Inside Track on Music Row at Nashville Music Guide Magazine (print and online). Find the October edition of Inside Track on Music Row by Preshias here.
NMG has been publicizing Singers, Musicians, and Writers to Nashville’s Music Row and Beyond Since 1995.
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
From heartfelt to funny: songs to get us through the virus
Country music is where songs tell stories. What better music genre to express the hopes and fears of us all as we deal with the fear and uncertainty of the current coronavirus? Here are some of the songs that are worth a listen, along with links to the accompanying videos:
Big & Rich: “Stay Home”
In the official video, John Rich sits by the guitar-shaped pool at his Mt. Richmore home (carefully-placed bottles of Granny Rich Whiskey on the table beside him!) and is joined remotely by Big Kenny with fun lyrics such as:
The shelves are bare and empty / Because some people just don’t care /Got one roll of toilet paper / And I’m down to my last square
Thomas Rhett: “Be A Light” ft. Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott
A sweet and inspiring song encouraging us all to take the
opportunity to do what’s right for ourselves and each other.
In a world full of hate, be a light / When you do somebody wrong, make it right /Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine / In a world full of hate, be a light
Here’s Thomas singing an acoustic solo version of the song while self-isolating.
Here’s a quick look at some of the stories from the April 2020 edition of my column Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continually-running country music column in the USA. I’ve been writing this column for more than a quarter of a century (Phew!) and you can catch the full column (and archived previous columns) when it is published at Nashville Music Guide.
ACM Awards to clash with Americana Awards
New album from Craig Morgan
Maddie & Tae know The Way it Feels
CDB set Volunteer Jam date
Opry icon Jan Howard passes
Scroll down to read these stories…
ACM news: ACM Awards set for same date as Americana Awards
The ACM announced the new date for the 55th ACM Awards. It has always been held the first week in April following a full week of charity events, golfing tourneys, etc. The new Awards date is going to be Wednesday, Sept. 16 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will stream live and on demand on CBS All Access. As previously announced, the 55th ACM Awards® will be hosted by reigning ACM® Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award® winner Keith Urban for the first time.
Joe Diffie, who passed away March 29, 2020, will be deeply missed by fans and members of Nashville’s music industry. My personal memories of Joe are below, but first just a few of the many tributes from the music community.
Joe Diffie, December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020. Photo: Crystal K. Martell
“Joe was much more
than a great country singer. He was a great song guy as well. He also knew how
to put on a show. I will miss you, my friend.” – Teddy Gentry on behalf
of ALABAMA.
“Joe was a character. A great singer of songs and always had a story or joke to make you smile. I’ll miss crossing paths with him every year on the road, and my heart goes out to his family.” – John Anderson.
“Joe Diffie was the
‘pickup man’ — always had a smile and a story, to cure and encourage. It was my
fortunate blessing to come along the same time JD did, in music —so many great
memories, and so many times he ‘propped me up.’” – Randy Travis.
“He was a warm-hearted,
good-natured, fun-loving man with an extraordinary voice. I will miss
him.” – Lee Roy Parnell.
“Rest in peace, Joe
Diffie. Country music‘s huge loss of my friend, a great singer and songwriter.
May God Bless his family and friends.” – Jerry Lee Lewis.
Personal memories of Joe
I have many personal memories of Joe. We met in the 90s when Joe cut “Coolest Fool in Town,” a track on his first album (A Thousand Winding Roads) that was written by my future boss Randy Boudreaux (“Alibis” “Brokenheartsville”). All of us would hang out at Barbara’s bar and restaurant with Joe, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence and others. Nobody “ghermed” them there; they were just regular joes, no pun intended.
When I was working with award-winning songwriter Mary Francis in the late 90s I was listening to some of the demos of songs she had written. One of those demos was for a song titled “Tonight the Heartache’s on Me” with a male vocalist singing the demo. I told Mary that the vocalist sounded like Joe Diffie and she replied, “It is Joe, singing the male two-step version that I have been pitching for several years.” I went ahead and sent the demo with Joe’s vocal to Paul Worley who, with Blake Chancey, was producing Wide Open Spaces, the major-label debut album for the Dixie Chicks. The Chicks cut “Heartaches” that was included on the Platinum-selling album and was also a hit single – thanks in part to Joe’s great vocals on the demo.
Joe’s first release was “Home,” followed by “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” and many more including “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Bigger Than the Beatles” and “Pickup Man” that became a perennial fan favorite.
He charted 18 Top Ten singles, with the majority reaching the Top Five, including the 1993 radio staples “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” and “John Deere Green.” More about Joe here.
Lyrics from “Prop Me Up By the Jukebox”: “Just let my headstone be a neon sign/ Just let it burn in memory of all of my good times,” Joe sang. “… I’ll be the life of the party, even when I’m dead and gone.”
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
Tours canceled, venues dark, but the music lives on! ‘ACM Presents: Our Country’ to air April 5
Here are a few more items from the March 2020 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA, and now around the world on the Web. See the entire column in this month’s Nashville Music Guide, along with a lot more Nashville news.
BREAKING NEWS: See below for link to story about ACM TV Special to air on original date of ACM Awards Show.
NOTE: Some news items refer to current or upcoming tours. Because of concerns about Covid-19, many shows have been postponed, canceled or rescheduled. Always check with the artist’s website or the ticket seller before making any plans to attend a show. Hopefully, this problem will soon be over, but let’s remember: the music lives on!
Some of this month’s column items. Scroll down to continue
reading…
‘ACM Presents: Our Country’ to air April 5
Luke Combs gets 3 ACM Award nods, but show postponed
Pam TillisLooking For a Feeling with new album
Jason Isbell’sReunions, recorded at RCA Studio A
Secret Sisters record album at Brandi Carlile’s home studio
Walker Montgomery sings “Like My Daddy Done It”
Scroll down to read these news stories from Inside Track on Music Row
BREAKING NEWS:
A two-hour special. ACM Presents: Our Country, will air in the former 55th ACM Awards timeslot April 5 at 8pm ET on CBS. The special will feature at-home acoustic performances from artists, as well as their thoughts on and clips of favorite ACM Awards moments. Participating artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Although
the highly anticipated 55th ACM Awards show is unable to take place on April 5
due to the health crisis, we still wanted to deliver fans an entertaining ACM
country music special as planned,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. Adds DCP
President Amy Thurlow, “Music has always served as a powerful form of hope
and solidarity during challenging times. It’s our privilege to offer audiences
an uplifting message through music as well as a look back at some of the best
moments in ACM Awards history.” Updates and details of artists appearing will
be posted at https://www.acmcountry.com/
