Category: Nashville Music

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

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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

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Michael Ray celebrates at Grand Ole Opry

His third No. 1: “One That Got Away”

By Preshias Harris

It was party time backstage at the Grand Ole Opry as Warner Music Nashville recording artist Michael Ray celebrated his Number One song, “One That Got Way.” The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, honored the song’s writers Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen Jesse Frasure and Josh Osborne. “One That Got Away” is Michael’s third No. 1.

L to R: Josh Osborne, Michael Ray, Jesse Frasure, WMN’s Adrian Michaels and Cris Lacy. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Osborne and Frasure joined in the celebration, but Ramsey and Rosen (both members of Old Dominion) were unavailable as they were on tour.

“Treated me like a brother”

“It ain’t a party without a cake!” Photo: Shannon McCombs

My BFF and fellow Kentuckian, Shannon McCombs, was at the event, reporting on behalf of her weekly syndicated CDX Country News feature.  Shannon asked Michael about the artists he looks up to, like Mark Wills and Travis Tritt and what its like to have them as outspoken fans of his.

“Mark Wills, Travis, Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, Dailey and Vincent… I could go on and on about the artists that have treated me like a brother from day one,” replied Michael.  “These are the guys that are the reason I started playing guitar.  I was learning their songs when they would come on the radio, with my acoustic guitar. I would listen to them with my dad and now I’m able to introduce them to my dad. It’s like this beautiful circle.”

About the writers…

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Eli Young Band celebrates “Love Ain’t” at No. 1 party

4th Number One for multi-platinum band

by Preshias Harris

It was celebration time on Monday, July 15, for the Eli Young Band and three of America’s hottest songwriters.  They were joined by record label executives, music publishers and other music industry bigwigs at the Sutler in Nashville. The reason? A Number One party for Eli Young Band’s fourth career chart-topper, “Love Ain’t.”

L to R; Jon Jones, James Young, Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, Ashley Gorley. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

The guys in the Eli Young Band are some of Nashville’s most respected musicians with a career together stretching back more than twenty years.  “Love Ain’t” is their first No. 1 song in six years.

“How do you keep your band cool for twenty years?  Well, you never veer from your artistic vision or the integrity of every note that you play.” – Scott Borchetta, CEO, Big Machine Label Group

“Love Ain’t” was written by three songwriting superstars: Shane McAnally, Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman.  It was the 42nd No. 1 for Gorley and the 19th No. 1 for Copperman, a two-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.  With numerous No. 1 credits, McAnally is also one of the on-screen talent producers for the NBC-TV reality series ‘Songland.’

How “Love Ain’t” got to Eli Young

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Musicians Hall of Fame announces 2019 inductees

Alabama, Steve Wariner, Don Everly and more to be honored

Joe Bonamassa at the Musicians Hall of Fame. Photo credit: Mike Harris

Some famous names – and some not-so-well-known names—were announced this afternoon, Tuesday, July 16, at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum.  A group of musicians, media and fans gathered to hear guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa announce the 2019 inductees to the Musicians Hall of Fame. The inductees will be honored with a concert on October 22, 2019 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Noting that he had recently moved to Nashville, Bonamassa wryly said, “I guess I’m part of the problem, not the solution.”  He then announced the 2019 inductees.

This year’s inductees at the October ceremony will be:

  • Felix Cavaliere – keyboardist with the (Young) Rascals
  • Steve Wariner – guitarist and singer-songwriter
  • The Surfaris – for the song “Wipe Out”
  • Don Everly – of the Everly Brothers, who will receive the Iconic Riff Award
  • ALABAMA – the band will receive the first ever Life Time Achievement Award
  •  The Original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section – who started it all at Fame Studios
  • The Nashville A-Team – the iconic session musicians
  • The Muscle Shoals Horn Section
  • Owen Bradley – this year’s Musicians Hall of Fame Producer
  • Billy Sherrill – recipient of this year’s Engineer Award
  • Bob Taylor – Taylor Guitars founder will receive the Industry Icon Award

(Scroll down for more details on all of the 2019 Musicians Hall of Fame honorees)

Pre-sale tickets will be available August 2, 2019 for Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum members (to become a member click here ). Tickets will be on sale to the public on August 5, 2019 through the Schermerhorn Symphony Center box office.

More Information on the inductees: Continue reading “Musicians Hall of Fame announces 2019 inductees”

July ‘Inside Track on Music Row’

Column posted and ready to read now

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…

  •  Exile to celebrate new double album with fans & industry, July 13
  • Brett Young’s Acoustic Sessions EP set for September release
  • Blake Shelton joins Garth Brooks in ‘Fun’ Dive Bar duet
  • NAMM Music Industry Day set for July 20
  • Scroll down for brief summaries and links
ALBUM NEWS

A little over forty years have passed and over 8 million records have been sold, including three Gold records and eleven number one hit songs since Exile began making music in a small garage in Lexington, Kentucky making demos of their songs. Exile will now share their most current CD project, Exile – The Garage Tapes.  The 30 song, two CD compilation is set for release in the upcoming weeks.  Industry and fans are invited to celebrate at a VIP CD release event to take place in the cave at The Caverns in Pelham, TN on July 13. … Read the full story here. Continue reading “July ‘Inside Track on Music Row’”

CMA Fest 2019 wrapped up with a great Day Four

Four straight days of sold-out shows and capacity crowds

The fourth and final night at the 48th annual CMA Fest came to a close with a crowd-pleasing performance by Luke Bryan as he cranked up the fans in Nissan Stadium with his cover version of Jon Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Keith Urban, Chris Janson and Maren Morris were also on hand to make sure thousands of country music fans went home happy with four days of musical memories.

RaeLynn on stage on Day 4. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Many fans went home wet, too, as the 2019 CMA Fest was memorable for several sudden rainstorms.

Walker Hayes performs during Day 4 at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

“Despite some weather challenges, this year’s CMA Fest was truly one to remember,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, who noted that the annual festival is a great event for fans to see their favorites and discover new artists. “The feedback I received from artists is how much they enjoy the more intimate interactions with fans that CMA Fest offers,” Trahern added.

“We managed to integrate the CMA Foundation and our music education efforts throughout the festival, which culminated with the Eagle Honor Choir belting out Carrie Underwood’s ‘The Champion’ to a packed house at Nissan Stadium Sunday night. It was certainly one of the highlights of the festival.”

Among this year’s memorable highlights:

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Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X, take “Old Town Road” to CMA Fest with Keith Urban

Kelsey Ballerini gets surprise No. 1 news during Day Three

Day Three of the 2019 CMA Fest saw a trio of stars that had never before taken the festival stage together.  Fans were surprised and delighted to see Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban take the Nissan Stadium stage to perform the No. 1 song in the country, “Old Town Road.”

Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Keith Urban at CMA Fest. Photo CMA

The surprised crowd roared as Cyrus, Nas X and Urban played the hit song, standing, dancing and singing along with the stars.

Backstage at Nissan Stadium, Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson presented Cyrus with a 2019 MNPD coin commemorating Metro Nashville’s new headquarters building and acknowledging the sacrifices made by their officers.  The coin bears Cyrus’ song “All Gave Some, Some Gave All.”

Luke Combs joins “Real Good Man” McGraw

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Stars thrill crowds at Day Two of CMA Fest

Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and more bring their best

Rain didn’t stop the music

Jordan Davis entertains at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

The Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater was packed with fans at a sold-out show headlined by Brett Young. Meanwhile, Chevy Riverfront Stage was filled with capacity crowds for three back-to-back performances. These included Jordan Davis, The Voice alumni Morgan Wallen and Hunter Hayes’ set.

Elvie Shane performs at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

More Enthusiastic fans were cheering on Elvie Shane (BBR’s newest signee) and former American Idol alumni and country sweetheart Lauren Alaina.  Fans were singing along to their favorite songs throughout the sets.

LOCASH also had the crowd singing along at the Radio Disney Country Stage and CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipient Travis Denning brought the energy to the Chevy Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park.

“Beer Can’t Fix” Thomas Rhett, Jon Pardi

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CMA Fest 2019 brings Country artists up close and personal with fans

Day One of CMA Fest in review

When the 2019 CMA Fest got under way on Thursday, June 06, country music fans were fired up and ready for almost 100 performances on eleven stages across downtown Nashville.

Jimmie Allen performs at CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Now in its  48th year, the annual CMA Fest began as Fan Fair in 1972, initially staged at the Municipal Auditorium.  the festival moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982.  Fan Fair became the extravaganza we know it today when it was officially renamed the CMA Music Festival in 2004 and by then it was expanding to more venues including Bridgestone Arena, Riverfront Park and what is now Nissan Stadium.  The name was later shortened to CMA Fest, attracting fans from 40+ countries every year.

Trisha Yearwood show featured songwriters

On Day One of the festival, fans were treated to performances from many of their favorite artists with music from morning to night. Trisha Yearwood opened the CMA Close Up Stage for Thursday’s special Artist of the Day session at Xfinity Fan Fair X (an event named to honor the festival’s original title) with songwriters featured on her forthcoming album including Ashley McBryde, Karyn Rochelle and Lucie Silvas.  The venue also featured ‘meet and greets’ and prize giveaways.

Michael Ray on stage during Day One of CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Randy Houser and Chase Rice headlined the Firestone Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group.  Also on stage were Warner Brothers artist Michael Ray and BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen and super guitarist and talent Lindsey Ell.

Lindsay Ell shreds during CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby

Miranda’s MuttNation finds homes for 61 dogs

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