Nashville Music Archives - Page 13 of 29

Thomas Rhett and co-writers celebrate two No. 1s

“Sixteen,” “Look What God Gave Her” feted

By Preshias Harris

It was party time for Thomas Rhett (TR) and his co-writers on October 9 as they celebrated his twelfth and thirteenth No. 1 hits, “Sixteen” and “Look What Gave Her.” “Look” was written by Thomas Rhett along with his father Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Jacob Kasher and Ammar Malik. Thomas co-produced the song with Dann Huff and Julian Bunetta, so it really was a group effort. It is the first single from Rhett’s fourth studio album, Center Point Road. “Sixteen” was penned by Thomas Rhett, Joe London and Sean Douglas.

(L to R) Rhett Akins, John Ryan, Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe London and Julian Bunetta. Photo Credit: Preshias Harris

And how many No. 1 songs have been written by a father and son?! In a way, it was destined to be. Growing up as the son of a successful singer-songwriter, he was immersed in the world of music as the son of Rhett Akins. The family moved from Valdosta, Georgia to Nashville when Thomas was still an infant and he grew up knowing his dad’s friends such as Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. He did give a shout out to Tracy Lawrence, one of his favorites growing up country.

“Look What God Gave Her” was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units in combined sales and streams. It followed his previous single and No. 1 hit, “Sixteen,” a cut on his previous album Life Changes that gave Thomas a total of five Number Ones on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Linking L.A. with Nashville

I said to Rhett Akins, “I watched you start in Country and I’m watching you, Thomas, create your mark in Country music history.” Turning to Thomas, I asked him to tell me about working with his co-writers and how he chose the songs to get to Center Point Road. Looking at Thomas sitting with his co-writers, I commented that they all looked like family. I asked him and his co-writers what it was like, creating these songs together. Continue reading “Thomas Rhett and co-writers celebrate two No. 1s”

Inside Track on Music Row October

October column ready to read now!

The October edition of my monthly column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ is now posted at Nashville Music Guide’s website. It is the longest continually-running monthly country music column in the USA.

Thanks as always to Amanda and her crew for making ‘Inside Track’ the best looking (and most read) country music feature on the Web!

Among this month’s music news items in the column…

Singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar, is bringing his 20 years of hits to venues across the country with Stripped Down, an intimate, acoustic show in 14 cities from coast to coast with more dates to be added… Read the full story here.
Jason Aldean has revealed more details behind his next effort 9 (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records), to be released Nov. 22. ACM “Artist of the Decade” Aldean offers 16 interwoven tracks in an era of stand-alone singles… Read the full story here.
Lady Antebellum’s forthcoming album Ocean, set for release Nov. 15 on BMLG Records, marks a new beginning that brings the multi-Platinum trio back to their roots… Read the full story here.
The late Ralph Murphy will be honored with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, Oct. 14. Ralph Murphy lived his life in service to songwriters… Read the full story here.
Christmas 4 Kids, a non-profit organization that benefits hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee, announced its all-star concert lineup. They including Phil Vassar, Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion, Lonestar, Eddie Montgomery, Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and more. The show is set for Monday, November 25 at the Ryman Auditorium… Read the full story here.

Plus so many more music news items. See them all in the October Nashville Music Line.

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

Eric Church, co-writers hailed for two No. 1 hits

“Some Of It,” “Round Here Buzz” topped radio airplay charts

By Preshias Harris

Eric Church likes to be original and his latest Number One party was definitely original. Instead of being held at a bar or the office of a Performing Rights Organization, it took place in an airplane hangar and was hosted by BMI. The location was inspired by the airplane theme of Church’s Desperate Man album cover. The party celebrated two songs recorded by Church, both of which topped the Billboard Country Airplay charts.

Number One parties honor the writers of a song, and Church was a co-writer on both songs being recognized at the event.

“Some Of It” was written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson and Clint Daniels. “Round Here Buzz” was penned by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick.

“All songs come from God and we’re just down here trying to catch them” – Bobby Pinson

(L to R) Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson, Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Luke Dick. Photo Catrina Engelby

Artists share video tributes

Continue reading “Eric Church, co-writers hailed for two No. 1 hits”

‘Song of the Year’ named, songwriters honored

George Strait, Loretta Lynn, Luke Combs, Josh Osborne receive Awards

By Preshias Harris

Country music ‘royalty’ came to the Ryman Auditorium on 17 September, but the real stars were songwriters. The occasion was the 2019 Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and City National Bank.

Kid Rock escorts Loretta Lynn to podium. Photo: Catrina Engelby

The audience came to their feet to give a standing ovation to the real Coalminer’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn who was escorted by Kid Rock to the podium where she received the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is given in recognition to a songwriter whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and who has inspired the careers of others. “Hello everybody. I’m Loretta,” she said, as if she needed any introduction.

Reba, Kellie Pickler, Tayla Lynn sing to Loretta

The presentation was preceded by a performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Loretta’s granddaughter, Tayla Lynn. Also on hand to honor Loretta were Kellie Pickler who sang “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl” and Reba McEntire who sang “You Ain’t Woman Enough.”

George Strait took the stage to accept the President’s Keystone Award. Acknowledging the debt he owes to the songwriters who wrote so many of his chart-topping hits, Strait said, “I want to thank you for sharing your talent with me over the years and I want to thank NSAI for giving me this great honor tonight.” Continue reading “‘Song of the Year’ named, songwriters honored”

September’s ‘Inside Track’ ready to read

Sheryl Crow’s ‘last album’ + more news

In case you missed it, the September edition of my monthly column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ is now posted at Nashville Music Guide’s website. It is the longest continually-running monthly country music column in the USA.

As always, my thanks to Amanda and the NMG staff for making ‘Inside Track’ the best looking (and most read) country music feature on the Web!

Among this month’s 30+ music news items in the column…

Sheryl Crow says Threads will be her last album
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver record album Live in Prague
Maui Songwriter Fest set for Dec 5 – 7
FGL launch own record label
CJ Solar debuts at Opry
Scroll down for brief summaries and links

Continue reading “September’s ‘Inside Track’ ready to read”

Country stars come out to honor Earl Thomas Conley

Today’s top artists remember ‘the shy genius’

By Preshias Harris

It was an afternoon of memories. Earl Thomas Conley was adamant about one thing: he did not want a funeral. But Nashville’s music community could not let Conley’s death prevent a celebration of his life.

The result: The Earl Thomas Conley Memorial on September 10 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater.

Performers, ETC band members and family gather onstage

Some of Country music’s biggest stars were there to share memories of “ETC” and how his music had affected their own careers. My own memories of Earl Thomas Conley are connected to a different Hall of Fame. The first time I met him was in the 1980s when we both attended an induction ceremony at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The last time I ever saw him was when my friend Walt Aldridge was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October 2017. That night, Earl sang his mega-hit “Holding Her and Loving You” that had been written by Aldridge with Tom Brasfield.

“I mean if you played honky tonks and didn’t do an Earl Thomas Conley slow song you were a fool.” – Luke Bryan

More than thirty years of memories

Continue reading “Country stars come out to honor Earl Thomas Conley”

Midland, Highwomen, Phil Vassar, TG Sheppard, Hannah Bethel on Inside Track

Your first look at at October’s Inside Track on Music Row

by Preshias Harris

October will be here before we know it, and so will the October edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row in Nashville Music Guide. It’s the longest continually-running Country music column in the USA. Here’s you first chance to read just a few items that will be included in the column.

Double GRAMMY® nominees Midland return with Let It Roll, their second critically-lauded project. … Scroll down to read more
The Highwomen—the acclaimed collaborative movement formed by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires—released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album … Scroll down to read more
TG Sheppard released Midnight in Memphis on September 20. The new project is his first solo country album in more than 20 years … Scroll down to read more
Independent Country/Americana singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel, has been named as a Featured Artist endorsee of the legendary Gretsch Guitars brand … Scroll down to read more
Singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar, is bringing his 20 years of hits to venues across the country with Stripped Down, an intimate, acoustic show … Scroll down to read more

Continue reading “Midland, Highwomen, Phil Vassar, TG Sheppard, Hannah Bethel on Inside Track”

Blake Shelton, songwriters bless ‘God’s Country’

No. 1 party celebrates ‘fastest rising’ chart topper

By Preshias Harris

Blake Shelton was in God’s Country on Wednesday, thanks to songwriters Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy and Jordan Schmidt. More precisely, he was at a Number One party that was held at Ole Red in Nashville, which of course is in God’s Country!

At the media meeting before the awards presentation ceremony, Shelton said he was on a tractor, working on his farm in Oklahoma when he received the demo of the song, “God’s Country,” on his phone. He recalled, “I was trying to drive and look at my phone at the same time and I figured out a way to play the song inside this machine through the Bluetooth that it had. And that’s when I heard “God’s Country” for the first time.”

(L – R): Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt, Blake Shelton. (Photo: Preshias Harris)

Turning to the three songwriters, he added, “I was literally working in the spot where, in the video, where we burned the tractor.” He said that he immediately called producer Scott Hendricks who had sent him the demo and said, “I don’t know where the song came from, but that makes me want to make another record.”

A very fast ‘farm-to-table’ song

“God’s Country” (Warner Bros. Nashville) had one of the fastest journeys ever to the top of the Country singles chart. The speed with which Shelton recorded the song so soon after hearing it and its rapid success took the song’s writers by surprise. “It was a very fast ‘farm-to-table’,” noted Hardy. The song was written on a Thursday, Blake heard it that weekend and by Monday he had recorded it. It was also the fasted song to achieve Platinum status from the RIAA in more than a year. So far in 2019, it holds the distinction of being the ‘most streamed country song.’ Continue reading “Blake Shelton, songwriters bless ‘God’s Country’”

Jordan Davis’ No. 1 party was a family affair

“Take It From Me” co-written with brother Jacob Davis and Jason Gantt

By Preshias Harris

It was a family affair – sort of – for Jordan Davis as he celebrated his second Number One song. The family tie-in? He co-wrote the song, “Take It From Me,” with his brother Jacob Davis along with Jason Gantt. It was a “number one” in more ways than one: this was the first No. 1 as writers for both Jacob and Jason.

L to R: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt at the No. 1 party. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Jordan, Jacob and Jason met with media to talk about the song before the official presentations hosted by the performing rights organizations, ASCAP and BMI. The party took place at the venue Ruby in Nashville on Tuesday, July 30.

Exactly one year to the day

I asked Jordan if he realized it was exactly one year ago – July 30, 2018 – that we had all gotten together to celebrate his previous No. 1.

“Oh my gosh, you’re right!” he said. “Hey, have you been talking to my mama? She reminded me yesterday that it was exactly four years to the day that Jacob and me played the Bluebird Café for the first time!”

Jordan made a point of thanking the songwriters in Nashville who accepted him even “when I wasn’t writing good songs like this.” He said those writers continued to stick with him instead of kicking him out and replacing him with another writer.

Second No. 1 from Home State

Continue reading “Jordan Davis’ No. 1 party was a family affair”

Morgan Wallen raises a toast with “Whiskey Glasses”

Happy heartbreak song written by Ben Burgess and Kevin Kadish honored at No. 1 party

By Preshias Harris

Some songs just hit you right away, and that’s how it was for Morgan Wallen when he heard the demo for “Whiskey Glasses.”

“I heard it and we were like, Hell yeah!” said Morgan during the media meeting prior to the presentations. He and the song’s two writers, Ben Burgess and Kevin Kadish were at the Sutler in Nashville on Monday, July 29 to celebrate the chart-topping success of “Whiskey Glasses.” The song is the third single from Morgan’s debut album, If I Know Me, produced by Joey Moi. The celebration was hosted by ASCAP and BMI.

(L to R): Kevin Kadish, Morgan Wallen, Ben Burgess. Photo: Steve Lowry

Morgan received national attention when he competed on season 6 of The Voice in 2014 where he joined Team Usher and was later ‘stolen’ by Team Adam Levine. Although Morgan was ultimately eliminated in the Playoffs, his performance led to a record deal with Big Loud Records and the album If I Know Me.

Morgan knocked Blake Shelton from No. 1 spot

Continue reading “Morgan Wallen raises a toast with “Whiskey Glasses””