Category: New Music

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’”

Marty Brown is back with ‘American Highway’

First studio album in 20+ years

Marty Brown is truly an irrepressible and unique personality in the world of Country music as anyone who has seen him play live can tell you. The Maceo, Kentucky, native came to Nashville and recorded several albums in the 1990s that garnered a lot of critical acclaim.

He then took a break from recording but was co-writing songs for other artists including Brooks and Dunn, Trace Adkins and Tracy Byrd.

America’s Got Talent brought him new fans

Marty Brown. Photo credit: America’s Got Talent

Marty found an entire new audience with his appearance on the eighth season of America’s Got Talent. The YouTube clip of his audition generated more than 11 million views. He reached the semi-finals, endearing himself to viewers and listeners with his voice and his lovable character.

He is now back with American Highway, his first studio album in more than twenty years. It is set for release May 17, 2019. Continue reading “Marty Brown is back with ‘American Highway’”

Lockeland harmonizing ‘Til The Cows Come Home’

Trio’s new single due out March 8

Kyndon Oakes, Mark Vikingstad and Michael Boris make up the trio known as Lockeland.  They were drawn to Nashville by their mutual love of music and have been writing and performing together now for several years.

Lockeland

Each brings a unique music vibe that blends them together as a trio.  Kyndon began singing alongside family members before moving to Nashville in 2009, originally to pursue a solo career.  Mark says he joined his high school band “because chicks dig it.” He moved to Music City just days after receiving his BA diploma in Music Business from SUNY Fredonia. Michael grew up in Apalachin, NY, but moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University, graduating with a degree in Commercial Music Percussion.

Til The Cows Come Home

Together they create a three-part harmony that gives them a unique edge in the world of contemporary country music.

They are about to break out with their infectious debut single, “Til The Cows Come Home,” released March 8, 2019.  Check out their website here.

A couple of days before Country Radio Seminar (CRS) hit town, we met up to talk about their new single and how they make music together.

Trio ‘locked in the land’

How did you come up with the group name Lockeland?

Kyndon:  When we came together to form the group, we were trying to come up with a name and we kept texting each other with all these different names that we thought would work best. We fell on Lockeland just by chance. Mark and Michael are from New York and I’m from Kansas, and we ‘locked the land’ in between and met in Nashville. Plus it helps that Nashville is landlocked, so we settled on Lockeland.

Looking at your set list, it seems you’re open to playing music from a lot of different genres. What do you think of as your musical influences?

Michael:  That’s one of the very cool things I love about this band because we all come from very diverse musical backgrounds. I started playing drums when I was eleven. I played a lot of ‘fife and drum core’ stuff.  Then I moved into classical music, then I started listening to hard rock and a lot of punk, stuff like that. When I moved to Nashville, I simply hadn’t listened to a whole lot of Country. But when I moved here eleven years ago, I gave it a try and I was like, “You know what? There’s a lot of really great music here.” So there’s honestly not a music genre that I, personally, don’t like. I love R&B, rock, funk, country. I think that’s kind of the same for all of us.

“When people come up to you after the show and they’re talking to you and giving you that feedback, that’s when you know you’ve had a good show.  You can feel that. You can feel the energy. They’re singing along, they’re clapping along, they’re in it.” – Kyndon Oakes

Continue reading “Lockeland harmonizing ‘Til The Cows Come Home’”

Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance

Keith Urban forgets words to new song

Darius Rucker

CRS featured an unforgettable show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as Darius Rucker reunited with his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates.  Unforgettable? Well… Keith Urban DID forget the words to his new song, which made the show unforgettable for a forgetful reason!

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMG) invited attendees of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) to a lunchtime showcase at the Ryman Auditorium on February 14.  CRS, now in its 50th year, is the world’s largest gathering of radio decision-makers and the recording artists who wish to interact with them.

Little Big Town at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Royce Risser, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Promotion emceed the event, getting in a few witty ‘digs’ at radio execs in the audience as he light-heartedly urged them to add these songs to their playlists.  In a fast-moving show, each act came on stage to perform one song – generally a cut that would impact Country Radio in the days or weeks ahead. (See below for a full list of performers.)

Keith Urban debuts “We Were”

Keith Urban came out on stage to perform “We Were,” a song so new that he brought out his cell phone so he could sing and play along to it.  Technology is subject to Murphy’s Law (If anything can go wrong, it will) and the track stopped playing after just a few bars.

Undeterred, Urban re-started the track and, when it once again failed, he carried on singing to just his acoustic guitar. But a minute or so later he suddenly stopped. “Oh my gosh!” he told the audience. “I’ve forgotten the words to this dang song! Can you believe it!”

A less experienced artist might have suffered a total meltdown, blowing a song in front of hundreds of radio professionals who make the decisions about what gets aired. But being a true professional, he picked up the threads of the song and carried on, much to the delight of his audience.  If nothing else, they will all remember Urban’s “We Were” when they get back to their radio stations.

Vince Gill at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Later, Vince Gill took the stage and, as he sat on his stool, he jokingly said he had been planning to bring his phone out and play to a track on it. “Keith said that was a really cool idea,” said Gill glancing off to the side of the stage with a smile. Guess no one is going to let Keith forget that.  2019 marks the 30th year that Vince Gill has been with MCA, part of the UMG family of labels. Risser noted that Vince has earned 18 CMA Awards and 20 Grammys, including wins for ten consecutive years.

More highlights of the UMG show

Continue reading “Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance”

Nashville Music Guide Special CRS edition

February ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ ready to read now

Nashville Music Guide, February 2019

Just in time for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019, the February issue of Nashville Music Guide is now available with a special print edition in addition to the online version.

Click here, then click on the picture of the February cover.  You can then read the entire magazine on any device.  My column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ appears on pages 25 through 35, with plenty of full-color photos.

You can also pick up a print copy at Nashville music venues and at CRS, taking place at the Omni Hotel, Nashville, February 13 through 15.

Meanwhile here are just a few of the items in my February column. Read the full column at NMG!

  • Randy Houser’s new album ‘Magnolia’ marks new era
  • Bluebird Café’s 37th year as Nashville icon
  • Marshall Tucker Band: no sign of slowing down
  • Marty Brown signs with Plowboy Records
  • TG Sheppard: “I Wanna Live Like Elvis”

Scroll down to read these brief excerpts, then check out the entire column at Nashville Music Guide.

ALBUM NEWS

Randy Houser’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Magnolia’, is now available to stream in its entirety via NPR Music’s First Listen. Houser performed his favorite song from the album, “No Stone Unturned” on Good Morning America in January, and has been making appearances in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Houston, New York City (again) and Baltimore in support of the new album including performances on Sirius XM Play, iHeart Radio Theater and NASH FM.

This album marks a new era for Randy. Feeling impassionate, Houser opted to slow things down and set up camp in his good buddy and co-producer Gattis’ studio in East Nashville to recalibrate and rediscover his passion for creating music. He spent nearly two years fully invested in his songwriting which resulted in ‘Magnolia’ and a new sound that is un-polished yet authentically Houser. Continue reading “Nashville Music Guide Special CRS edition”

‘Can’t Be Denied’ – new album from Mark Wayne Glasmire

Glasmire is definitely a romantic

Album review by Preshias Harris

Mark Wayne Glasmire has a voice that could have easily found him as a member of the Eagles if he’d been around a few decades ago. Not that he sounds old-style. Simply that he projects an easy, laid-back vibe that comes across most vividly in “I’ve Got A Feeling,” the first track on his new album, Can’t Be Denied.

Glasmire doesn’t fit the standard Nashville mold. In fact, he had made the move to Nashville but found he wasn’t a writer who could churn out hits on demand. “But I found out pretty quick that you won’t find success until you’re true to who you are,” Glasmire has said. “Don’t try to be somebody else. If  you’re constantly trying to be what somebody else wants you to be, you’re in trouble.” He moved to Arlington, Texas, and found a new energy as both a songwriter and as an artist.

“Those Nights” is a heart-warming mid-tempo about the secure feeling that comes from knowing the one you love loves you too. Similarly, the title track, “Can’t Be Denied,” is sparked by that moment you know you were truly meant to be with someone. That feeling of instant connection continues in the jog-along ballad “Alysia,” inspired by a chance encounter and a single day on a Southern California beach.  Love stays a little longer (but once again in a ‘love at first sight’ song) with “Deep Inside My Heart,” a joyous romp about anticipating the happy ever after.  Yes, Glasmire is definitely a romantic. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Continue reading “‘Can’t Be Denied’ – new album from Mark Wayne Glasmire”

Jimmy Charles finds ‘Hard Way To Go’

Overcoming setbacks inspires listeners

Album review by Preshias Harris

This is an album that has a message that is very close to my heart and my own approach to coping with major issues such as cancer.

 

Jimmy Charles ‘Hard Way To Go’

Jimmy Charles first came to national attention when American Idol sent him to Hollywood.  Now comes a seven-song collection titled HARD WAY TO GO. Produced by Paul David (CeCe Winans, Andre Crouch, Jonny Lang), the EP is a showcase for Charles’ musical range from soulful ballads to guitar-shredding rockers.

Charles spirit on this album demonstrates  that he is more than just a strong and confident vocalist. The EP kicks off in high gear with the guitar-driven “Blue Spaces,” made for happy-go-lucky beach listening. Charles sings: Hey shotgun pilot / the coast is clear / let’s sail out of dodge / like two beach ballin’ buccaneers.  It’s a fun ear-worm that gets the listener in the mood for next summer’s sand-between-the-toes seashore fun.

Anthem of hope and strength

“I Am Not Alone” (also his current single) tells the story of dealing with cancer from the perspective of a teenager, a married man, a young mother and a senior citizen.  The song becomes an anthem of hope and strength as each person in turn finds the determination to carry on.  (On that subject, please read my personal note, at the foot of this review.) Continue reading “Jimmy Charles finds ‘Hard Way To Go’”

James Robert Webb balances music and medical careers

“Now We’re Gettin’ Somewhere” new single from upcoming album

When you meet most singer-songwriters, you discover they have a ‘day job,’ at least at the start of their music careers. Maybe they are restaurant servers or they are delivering pizzas. James Robert Webb has a day job and he has no intention of giving that up. He is a doctor with a medical practice in his home state of Oklahoma, as well as a blossoming recording career and a new album being produced in Nashville. As he told me during our interview (below), “I can’t abandon my patients.” His hashtags say it clearly: #DoctorByDay #SingerAtSundown

James Robert Webb

The upcoming album and the first single from the album, ‘Now We’re Gettin’ Somewhere,’ are under the direction of Grammy-winning producer Buddy Cannon.  The single is now available everywhere on digital platforms. I recently met up with James Robert Webb to talk about his life and music.

 

Preshias Harris: OK, tell us the secret of how you balance a successful medical practice and a successful music career.

James Robert Webb: Sometimes I wonder how well I balance it. The other thing is, I’m a father, too. I’ve got my wife and three kids. The hardest thing for me is to make sure I’m spending enough time with the family, with all the travel and everything. But I don’t do a lot outside of music.  My hobbies are all replaced by songwriting.

PH: So, no golf?

Keeping priorities straight

JRW: Exactly! Classically, as a doctor I’m not out playing golf. I’m not going out to Africa and shooting trophy lions or anything like that! [laughs] Most of my free time involves playing somewhere. But for me, it really comes down to having to keep the priorities straight. It might sound egotistical and greedy, but my number one priority is my health and me. Because if I crumble then everything else crumbles after that.  Then it has to be my family, and third is my medical practice, because I always have to have that, and I can’t abandon my patients. And after that it’s music.  That sounds like a lot of things to do, but you just get up every day and you’ve got to do those things in order.

“My goal is not to go out and be a star and play on stage for fame and glory or whatever. My goal is to create the best music. Music that can stand the test of time. To do the best I can with the gift I’ve been given.” – James Robert Webb

PH: What is one of the hardest things that you have to face in your dual careers?

JRW: It’s being away from my family, away from my kids. We would have moved here to Nashville, but we have a lot of family roots, both sides of the family, back home in Tulsa and Texas. So there’s a lot of support structure there, there’s a lot of people.  Plus, my kids are in the age range of fourteen down to eight, so I don’t want to uproot them.  But the good this is we have FaceTime, things like that we didn’t have ten or twenty years ago, to see people face to face.

PH: Your single, “Now We’re Getting’ Somewhere,” was released last month. Can you give me some “media tidbits” for what we can expect for your album?

JRW: A media tidbit… well, I’ve got a song I’m cutting by Bob McDill that has never been recorded. I love Bob McDill, he’s in the Hall of Fame. He’s been retired for a number of years.

PH: He’s one of those honest songwriters. Continue reading “James Robert Webb balances music and medical careers”

Inside Track on Music Row September 2018

Tour updates, album releases, awards, music industry news and more

Scroll down for news on Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Scotty McCreery, Dan+Shay, Bill Anderson, Kenny Chesney, Charlie Daniels, LANCO, plus plenty more.

This is the September 2018 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA. It is published in Nashville Music Guide and on websites around the world. Check out previous columns at Nashville Music Guide’s website   and at my ‘I Know Country’ website.

Send me music stuff, I love to get it! / Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com 

VERSE OF THE MONTH: ‘Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. –  Colossians (3:16)

Album News

Thomas Rhett’s latest album LIFE CHANGES has earned RIAA Platinum Certification, hitting the noteworthy sales mark less than a year from its release. An instant hit out of the gate, LIFE CHANGES debuted at No. One on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, marking the first Country release to take the top spot in 2017, also drawing a 2018 Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.

Resonating with fans, each of the album’s three singles have soared to the top of the charts, bringing Thomas Rhett’s No. One tally to 10. His latest Gold-certified hit ‘Life Changes’ is Top-5-and-climbing at radio, becoming his 12th song to earn an RIAA sales certification.  “I found out LIFE CHANGES went PLATINUM and the single was GOLD the same day I got to play Nissan Stadium at home in Nashville, so that was a really special moment for me,” Rhett said. More info at ThomasRhett.com.

Americana Music News

The AMA’s 18th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference will take place September 11-16, 2018 gathering thousands of artists, fans, and industry professionals from all over the world in Nashville, TN. It is a must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana’s influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music. Each year, AMERICANAFEST℠ brings together legendary artists, the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for six days of music and education.

AMA receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC among others. AMERICANAFEST℠ will feature 500+ live performances at almost 60 of Nashville’s most prominent venues and much, much, more. The Americana Honors & Awards Show will take place September 12th at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. For more info on the Americana Music Association℠ and to become a member, visit the official website  Facebook  Twitter and Instagram.

Artist News

Continue reading “Inside Track on Music Row September 2018”

Music Row One Sheet Mid-August 2018

Nashville Music News Roundup

Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items

  • Nashville Songwriter Awards set for Sept 19
  • Half of UMG up for sale
  • Kenny Chesney breaks Nashville attendance record
  • Dan+Shay toast No. 1 with Tequila Tuesday
  • R.I.P. Aretha Franklin
  • Catch these acts on tour
  • Preshias on Y’all Radio podcasts

Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items

Nashville Songwriter Awards set for Sept 19

The star-studded line-up continues to grow for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank.

This event is always a ‘must’ on my calendar as we show our appreciation and respect for Nashville’s incredibly talented songwriters. Country megastar and five-time CMA ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ Blake Shelton, along with eleven-time GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson and ACM, BMI, and CMT Award winning artist Scotty McCreery will participate in the evening dedicated to songwriters. They will join previously confirmed artists Bill Anderson, Chris Janson and LANCO.

Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, Scotty McCreery

Awards given will include Song, Songwriter, and Songwriter-Artist of the Year as well as the coveted ‘10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards. As previously announced, country legend Bill Anderson will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.  This year’s Nashville Songwriter Awards will take place on September 19, 2018 at 7:30pm at the historic Ryman Auditorium. More details and tickets available here.

Half of UMG up for sale

If you’ve got some spare cash laying around, here’s an opportunity:  Vivendi is looking for investors to buy 50% of Universal Music Group.  UMG includes: Capitol Music Group, Republic Records, Island Records, Def Jam, UMG Nashville and more.  UMG revenues were up 6.8 percent for the first half of 2018 compared to 2017 (although physical record sales and downloads were down). The 50% share could be worth around ten billion dollars, but would probably not require the new investment partner to come up with anything like that much cash. See a full report at Billboard here.

Kenny Chesney breaks Nashville attendance record

Continue reading “Music Row One Sheet Mid-August 2018”