Sisters Nata and Tinka Morris are American Blonde. They were previously a trio known as Southern Halo, but when sister Hannah moved on to follow other interests, the two remaining siblings – both blondes – emerged with what now seems the perfect name.
They dropped by a few days ago for a fun visit and we talked about their new single (“All Horses Firin‘”), their current album, making music videos, their musical influences and upcoming tour dates.
Read the full story and my interview with Nata and Tinka here at Center Stage Mag. “There’s Somethin’ in the Water” for American Blonde!
Nata and Tinka shared this fun pic on social media!
More about American Blonde here and be sure to follow this link to our interview posted at Center Stage Mag.
Catch up on all that’s happening in the world of music from Nashville and beyond by checking out the August 2022 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, now posted and ready to read at Nashville Music Guide here!
Among this month’s news items…
Callista Clark’s debut full-length album, Real to Me: The Way I Feel, to be released Oct 14 on Big Machine…
Kip Moore’s music video for his new track “Fire on Wheels” sees him trying some ‘risky business’ at a bowling alley…
Raucous southern rockers, Six Gun Sally, release “Redneck White and Badass Blue” following up on “Drunk Text” …
Michael Ray expresses pride and gratitude to fans over multi-week No. 1 “Whiskey and Rain” …
Rising songstress Mikayla Lane releases single and music video for cowgirl-themed “Ambush” …
Travis Denning releases six-song EP, Might As Well Be Me and single “Buy A Girl A Drink” …
Legendary Kentucky music duo, The Everly Brothers, honored by Gibson Guitars with limited-run Everly Brothers SJ-200 guitar…
Garth Brooks to be honored by NSAI with Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award at Nashville Songwriter Awards in September…
CJ Solar releases his first full-length album The Future’s Neon with all 9 songs co-written, co-produced by CJ…
Dierks Bentley’s “Gold” is a song about gratitude, presence and the treasures to be found in the moment…
…and more! All in the August 2022 edition of Inside Track on Music Row, America’s longest continuously-running country music column. Find it here at Nashville Music Guide, and share it with your friends!
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
What could better than being honored at a party with a Double Platinum Award? For Chris Young, it was being surprised with a second Platinum Award, this one for his single “Drowning.”
Chris Young expresses his heartfelt thanks upon receiving his 2X Platinum Award. Photo credit: Preshias Harris
Multi-platinum, global entertainer Chris Young took some time to celebrate this week as his award-winning collaboration “Famous Friends” with Kane Brownscored Double Platinum status by the RIAA. Chris’s co-writers Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe joined for the celebration, where Chris was also surprised with a Platinum plaque for his “soul-shattering” (People) song “Drowning,” which was co-written by Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge. “Famous Friends” and “Drowning” can be found on Chris’s recently released Famous Friends (Deluxe Edition). Chris’s newest single, “At The End Of A Bar” with Mitchell Tenpenny, is approaching Top 5 on the country radio charts this week, adding to the celebration.
(L to R): “Famous Friends” songwriters Corey Crowder, Cary Barlowe and Chris Young with their 2X Platinum RIAA Awards. Photo: Jeff Johnson
“Any day I get to celebrate big milestones with my co-writers and friends is a good day,” says Chris. “I’m really proud of how hard everyone has worked on this entire project and excited about playing all of the new music live and the rest of 2022.”
Here’s a heads-up to check out the July edition of my column, posted and ready to read here at Nashville Music Guide. Inside Track on Music Row is the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA.
Among the news items this month:
Check out 52 – In the Key of Summer, the new solo album from Sugarland’s Kristan Bush. It’s volume 2 of his four-volume project…
Powerhouse vocalist Danielle Bradbery has created a series of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to offer fans access to limited edition content and unreleased material from “Stop Draggin’ Your Boots.”…
Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina are combining for the very first time on all new duet “Dancin’ In The Moonlight,” available everywhere now…
Country newcomer Maddye Trew is celebrating the release of her new single, “Dear Loretta,” honoring her idol Loretta Lynn, written by Josh Helms, Faren and Matt Willis and produced by Luke Buishas…
Little Texas perform for the first time at The Great Texas Balloon Race in front of 5,000 fans singing along to “God Blessed Texas…
Luke Bryan is on the road with his Raised Up Right Tour and has added extra dates to his headlining engagement, Luke Bryan Vegas at Resorts World Theater…
Cole Swindell launches his headlining Back Down To The Bar Tour on Sept. 23, 2022 Joining Swindell on his tour are special guests Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe….
Find the full stories of all the above items and more, along with photos, music links and more here at Nashville Music Guide.
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
Traditional country music is alive and well – in the shape of Alex Miller. A genuine country boy – he works the family cattle farm – Alex found fame on ABC TV’s American Idol Season 19. At the time, he was just seventeen and wowed all three judges with his self-penned song, “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me.” Judge Luke Bryan asked him, “What happens if you ever play the Grand Ole Opry?” To which Alex replied, “Oh, I don’t know, man. I’d die and go to heaven!” Luke said he’d try and make that happen. Sure enough, Alex got the ‘Golden Ticket’ and was off to Hollywood and a national audience.
Alex Miller performing on the Hard Rock Concert Stage at CMA Music Fest 2022. Photo: Brandi Hall
Now, the tall (6’ 6”) Kentucky native is regarded by country purists as The Real Thing: a torch-bearer for traditional country with a deep, arresting voice that defies his baby face appearance.
Despite his explosion on the music scene thanks to Idol, Alex is no newcomer to music, having performed in public since the age of seven around his hometown of Lancaster, KY, and further afield as his vocal and songwriting skills developed. In just the past couple of years, he has shared the stage with the likes of Hank, Jr, Josh Turner, Lee Brice and Shenandoah, and has performed at the Ryman Auditorium and at high-profile State Fairs. In October 2021, he was named Texas Roadhouse Artist of the Month. Now aged eighteen, he has released his debut album titled Miller Time – although, ironically, he is still too young to purchase the adult beverage alluded to in the album’s title.
Number One parties are always important milestones in the career of an artist or songwriter. When the party also celebrates a couple of ’firsts’ then the celebration is that much sweeter.
On Wednesday, June 22, platinum-selling hitmaker Cody Johnson celebrated the chart-topping success of “Til You Can’t” with the song’s writers, Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers, jointly hosted by ASCAP and BMI. The celebration was held at The Local, fast becoming the go-to venue for Number One parties, showcases, and just good live music.
Cody Johnson (center) expresses his thanks to songwriters Matt Rogers (left) and Ben Stennis. Photo: Preshias Harris
“Til You Can’t” is Johnson’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. For Johnson, the achievement is all the more remarkable in that he has racked up numerous RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum recordings without actually hitting No. 1 until “Til You Can.”
The song also marked the first No. 1 for songwriter Ben Stennis, although he is no newcomer. The BMI Award winning songwriter has credits that include Tim McGraw’s “Neon Church” and cuts on Ronnie Dunn (“Damn Drunk”), Parmalee (“Roots”) and more.
Describing Stennis during the event, Josh Tomlinson, BMI’s Director, Creative, noted that he had watched Stennis grow as he “kept his head down and put in the work” that led to this moment. “It’s been a privilege to watch,” he added.
Backrow, L to R (standing) : Young Guns Publishing’s Aubrey Rupe, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Anthem’s Tim Whipperman, Warner Music Nashville’s Ben Kline, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s Shane Tarleton, and Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy. L to R (seated): ASCAP writer Matthew Rogers, BMI songwriter and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson, BMI writer Ben Stennis (Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI)Continue reading “Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t” celebrated at No. 1 party”
Country music stars and fans happy to be back at CMA Fest
By Preshias Harris and Judy Mayes
I had an incredible CMA Music Fest week. I had my good friend Judy Mayes join me for some super media fun and Catrina Engelby helping us with photos!
Nissan Stadium filled with fans for CMA Fest 2022. Photo: Caitlin Harris/CMA
The CMA Music Festival came in like a “Hurricane” (no pun intended) with 2022 CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs. Luke invited 9,000 of his closest friends and fans to celebrate his number one songs (this makes thirteen in a row) and kicked it off Wednesday night – “CMA Fest Eve” – at BMI Nashville’s parking lot.
Luke Combs and songwriters celebrate at BMI’s biggest No. 1 party the day before CMA Fest started. Photo: Erika Goldring/BMI
Luke brought his friends and co-writers to celebrate and perform with him. His special guests were; Drew Parker, Randy Montana, James McNair, Dan Isbell, Tyler Reeve, Rob Williford, Jonathan Singleton, Hailey Whitters, Thomas Archer, Wyatt Durrette, Ray Fulcher and Shane Minor.
Fight Colorectal Cancer benefit kicks off CMA Fest, raises $25,000
By Preshias Harris
Country music fans and celebs gathered to support a great cause and enjoy fun in the sun, Tuesday, June 7, for the 8th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge. Again, the event served as an unofficial precursor to the CMA Music Festival, with so many country artists already gathering in Music City.
Craig Campbell and the contestants gather for a group photo before the Cornhole Challenge gets under way. Photo credit: Tracie Moore
Fans were invited to bid for the opportunity to be part of sixteen teams and play alongside celebrity contestants, with all the proceeds benefitting Fight CRC, a leading advocacy organization of relentless champions of hope in the fight against colorectal cancer. The result: The event raised more than $25,000 for the national nonprofit Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC).
The location for this year’s event was Loser’s Bar and Grill in Nashville, followed by a performance by Craig Campbell and fellow artists in the Whiskey Jam parking lot. This year’s winners were Andrew Millsaps, half of music duo Neon Union, and John Smyth, a loving caregiver for his sister Denise who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Craig Campbell (l.) with Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge winners Andrew Millsaps (c.), half of music duo Neon Union, and John Smyth (r.), a loving caregiver for his sister Denise who was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC)Continue reading “Fans join Craig Campbell and celebs for Cornhole Challenge”
Mikayla Lane visits CMT with her next single, “Ambush”
By Preshias Harris
June is proving to be a busy month for emerging artist Mikayla Lane who is partnering with Red River Publishing and Brown Lee Entertainment ahead of her upcoming single, “Ambush,” set for release on July 29.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Brown Lee Entertainment and Red River Publishing!” Mikayla shared. “Dewayne has played such an important role in the development of many artists’ careers and I am honored to be next in line to learn and benefit from his industry expertise.”
Mikayla Lane, center, with Dewayne Brown and Nancy Lee of Brown Lee Entertainment
The folks at Brown Lee were equally excited to join forces with Mikayla and Red River Publishing and embark on releasing her new material. “When we first saw her perform at The Local, we knew right then and there she was exceptional. Her writing and performance skills swept me off my feet,” said Dewayne Brown.
Brown Lee is a fully functional independent record label and artist development company based in Nashville. Established in 2021, Brown Lee Entertainment specializes in artist development, digital marketing and more.
Written by Mikayla and John Conrad and produced by Jimmy Ritchey (Jake Owen, Clay Walker, Mark Chestnutt), “Ambush” brings a spunky, cowgirl-themed tale of unexpected love on the range and offers up a western-esque vibe.
“Chasing After You” written by Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers honored at No. 1 party
By Preshias Harris
First of all, Hayes Andrew Hurd is the sweetest, cutest two-year-old you could ever meet! And speaking of babies… Nine months is a fairly standard gestation period – if you are parents, anticipating the arrival of your bundle of joy. But if you are a recording artist or a songwriter, nine months can seem like a lifetime, from the moment your song cracks the chart, going for adds, increasing spins, streams and sales, until it finally rises to the top.
A scene from the official music video for “Chasing After You”
A nine-month chart climb is by no means a record-setter, but it was doubtless a nail-biter for Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris who recorded “Chasing After You” and also for Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers, the writers of the hit song.
The song’s success was celebrated Tuesday, May 31 at a Number One party on the rooftop of BMI’s offices in Nashville. Hurd and Morris (with son Hayes) joined friends, music publishers and industry execs to fete Addington and Flowers.
MaryAnn Keen, Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, was the party’s ‘hostess with the mostest’ and introduced Jerry Flowers and Brinley Addington to the partygoers. Keen noted that she and Addington have been friends since 2008 and have often said, “Cannot wait until we are celebrating [Addington’s] first Number One,” and now it had come to fruition. She also pointed out that this song was the first chart-topper for both Addington as writer and Ryan Hurd as artist.
