Nashville Music Line - Page 7 of 48 - for singers and songwriters

NAMM Oral History Program posts 5,000th interview

Kevin McGinty, Opry audio engineer, shares wit and wisdom

By Preshias Harris

It seems hard to believe, but NAMM has been around for more than a hundred and twenty years. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) was founded in 1901 with a mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.

Since those early days, NAMM has achieved national (and now international) acclaim, not only for the stunning annual music industry trade shows, but increasingly for the development of relevant educational programs for NAMM members. NAMM also focuses on promoting music education as a right for all children in the face of cutbacks at school districts nationwide.

2000 saw the launch of the NAMM Oral History Program with the stated goal of preserving the rich history of the music industry through first-person accounts of the people with the hands-on experience in music product creation, pro audio, live sound, entertainment technology, recording artists and more.

The NAMM Oral History Program recently celebrated an amazing milestone: their 5,000^th interview. Think about that: it’s an achievement that would be the envy of any television network, but as a project produced with the sole focus on the music industry, it’s even more remarkable.

*Grand Ole Opry audio engineer Kevin McGinty*

In this special 5,000^th edition, the program features Kevin McGinty, famed audio engineer, and Front of House for the Grand Ole Opry that presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville.

Jeff Cook, Aug 27, 1949 – Nov 7, 2022

Founding member of Alabama

By Preshias Harris

Jeff Cook, one of the founding members of the iconic band Alabama, passed away November 7, 2022 as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 73 years old. Alabama racked up an amazing forty-one No. 1 hits on the Billboard country charts and have sold over 75 million records.

The loss of Jeff Cook is a matter of personal sadness for me. My earliest memory of Jeff was from the early 1980s when Alabama was appearing at a show at the E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY. At the time, I was a very sick kid, undergoing dialysis while awaiting my first kidney transplant. I was standing in line to meet the band and get their autographs. My mom was trying to convince me – unsuccessfully – that it was too stressful on my health to stay in line, but I was adamant: I wanted those autographs! A WKU security officer went over to Randy Owen and whispered in his ear he looked up saw me and asked Security to bring me up directly to their table. Jeff was so gracious to that sick kid, as were Teddy Gentry and Randy, and I got my autographs.

As years passed and I came to Nashville, our “go to place” in Printer’s Alley was Barbara’s. This is where a lot of country music royalty would hang out away from the tourists. I have a picture of John Michael Montgomery on stage with Jeff to do an impromptu jam. It really was like a music family club.

Through the years I became friends with Jeff and Lisa and would see them there when they were in town. In 2008, I ended up working for Teddy and met up with them on occasions and attended their local shows whenever possible.

One of the last times I saw Jeff was when Alabama was inducted into the Musicians’ Hall of Fame. In fact, Lisa and Teddy’s wife Linda ended up sitting with me at the media table during the induction ceremony because all the chairs had been taken. It was a joy to see the recognition of Alabama’s musicianship and how their influence has been felt across the genres of country, Southern rock, bluegrass and pop music. I was honored to know Jeff.

Jeff and his wife formed the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation and the Jeff and Lisa Cook Children’s Home to house orphaned children worldwide. The family requested donations to the foundation here in lieu of flowers.

Carly Pearce, Marty Brown among inductees at KY Music Hall of Fame

Seven of Kentucky’s best in Class of ‘22

By Preshias Harris

Fans, friends and members of the music community came together, Friday, October 28, to honor the newest inductees into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. The historic event was held in the auditorium of the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center’s New Barn, Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.

*Carly Pearce reacts to introductory comments before receiving her award. Photo credit: Preshias Harris*

Read my full report of the star-studded Kentucky Music Hall of Fame show at Center Stage Magazine here.

*(L to R:) Marty Brown lifts up his award, Marty’s wife Shellie Brown, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Jessica Blankenship. Photo credit: Preshias Harris*

Darius Rucker celebrates TEN No. 1s and Diamond cert

“Wagon Wheel” biggest + “Beers and Sunshine” latest

by Preshias Harris

*Darius Rucker reacts to comments from UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan. Photo credit: Preshias Harris*

Darius Rucker was the focus of a triple celebration October 27 as friends and peers joined him for a private party at the Electric Jane in Nashville, hosted by UMG Nashville.

During the event, Darius and record producer Frank Rogers were presented with an RIAA Diamond award for the hit song “Wagon Wheel.” The party also recognized Darius’ achievement of ten Number One singles. Particular focus was on his latest chart topper, “Beers and Sunshine” that he wrote together with Ross Copperman, J.T. Harding and Josh Osborne. Copperman also produced the hit single.

Read the full report, including my Q&A with Darius, under the “Preshias On The Row” tab at Center Stage Magazine here.

“Beers and Sunshine” apparently made history as the first Country No. 1 to have been not only written but also entirely recorded via Zoom. Darius told me that the process was ‘nervy’ for him.

“It was crazy and I love the song and it sounds great, but I never want to do it again!”
— Darius Rucker, on recording a song via Zoom

Brett Kissel’s new project touches all points of the compass

“Watch It” single available now

By Preshias Harris

Country music is alive and well north of the border. If there was any doubt about that, check out the dynamic Brett Kissel, whose boots carried him through the grass and mud of the family cattle ranch in northeastern Alberta, Canada, long before they took him onto a stage.

Amazingly, at the still-young age of thirty-two, he is already two decades into a music career, having released his first album, Keepin’ It Country, when he was twelve. Now he is gearing up for the release of his latest project, a four-part album set to drop in January 2023.

The new project will follow five albums released by Warner Music Canada, three of which (Started With a Song, Pick Me Up, We Were That Song) were certified Gold in Canada and included eight Gold and three Platinum singles. In 2020 Brett signed his first American record deal with Verge Records, the Nashville-based partner of ONErpm.

Fans both south and north of the border are getting a taste of what to expect from the new album with the release of the track “Watch It” (play / stream / download the track here).

“Watch It” follows the release earlier this year of the single “Ain’t The Same” featuring the American pop vocal group 98°.

Brett talked to me about the release of his new project in 2023 and the unique concept behind it.

See what’s new at Center Stage Mag

Center Stage Mag features ‘Preshias On The Row’

Have you seen my new feature titled Preshias On The Row? You can find the feature at CenterStageMag, along with a whole lot more such as ‘Track by Track’ music reviews, info on artists and live shows, and video conversations with the amazing Missy Wolf!

Here’s a quick digest on some recent Preshias On The Row stories posted at #centerstagemag …

Here’s an opportunity to see some historical artifacts from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame without going to Cleveland. Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium announced its newest major exhibition Rock Hall at the Ryman will open on Wednesday, Nov. 2 as part of a multi-year partnership with Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The interactive exhibit will be housed in the venue’s newly transformed 5th Avenue vestibule … Find the full story here.

Tracy Lawrence is gearing up for his 17th annual Mission Possible: Turkey Fry & Concert, set for Tuesday, November 22. Multi-Platinum artist Gary Allan and rising star Travis Denning will join Tracy onstage at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Prior to the concert, Tracy and volunteers aim to fry 1,200 turkeys, providing meals for the homeless… Here’s the link to the story at Center Stage Mag.

Tears the Size of Texas, the new album from Ben Burgess, features eight classic cowboy songs as well as two murder ballads, all co-written by Ben alongside some of Nashville’s finest writers such as Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Brandy Clark. Josh Kerr, Randy Montana, Kevin Kadish and more. The collection has been described as “songs that were too risky, too original for anyone else to sing.” The full story is here.

And there’s more: An auction of unique handwritten song lyrics auctioned to benefit Music Health Alliance … My red carpet interviews at the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards … Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas set for Holiday season TV … News about albums from Randy Huston and Wade Bowen … Chris Young and Kane Brown celibate Double Platinum … and more!

So hop on over to #centerstagemag to find out what’s going on in the world of music and entertainment! I will be posting more stories as they happen under the Preshias On The Row tab.

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 #preshiasharris

Drew Green growing from good ol’ boy to “Good Ol’ Man”

Drew Green ‘working hard, staying passionate’

by Preshias Harris

Write your way to a record deal. That’s the advice often shared with aspiring singers. It’s based on the concept that by songwriting you are honing your skills, widening your music industry network and proving both your talent and work ethic to industry insiders.

These were words taken to heart by Drew Green. Born just 86 miles from Nashville, Drew grew up in McMinnville, Tennessee, known as ‘the Nursery Capital of the World.’ Country was the favoured music of Drew’s father and it was with his dad that Drew first heard the music of artists such as Alan Jackson, Eric Church and Sammy Kershaw. However, along with school friends, Drew began expanding his musical interests to encompass pop, hip-hop and R&B, including songs by artists such as Dr. Dre, Usher and Matchbox Twenty.

*Click/tap graphic to listen at Spotify*

October’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’

Ready to read now at Nashville Music Guide

Hard to believe it’s October already! Lots of acts have just announced Fall Tours or added dates and you can catch up with them – along with plans for Holiday shows and music – in my column Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA. The October edition is ready to read right now here at Nashville Music Guide. Among the many news items…

Conner Smith‘s acoustic version of “Take It Slow” features co-writer Ryan Hurd and gives the song a fresh, intimate vibe…
Ashley McBryde invited some of her favorite collaborators to a week-long songwriting retreat in a rural cabin and the result is her new album, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville…
HARDY says he’s “stoked” to take his Wall To Wall Tour out on the road. Find links to tour dates and ticket info…
Essex County proves country is alive and well in their native England with their new five-song EP…
Newsboys, the Contemporary Christian powerhouse, are serving up Stand (Deluxe), with three new recordings for a total of 14 tracks on the enhanced album, ahead of their tour…
Luke Bryan is inviting fans to join him for his annual concert vacation, Crash My Playa, for four nights in Cancun, January 19 – 22. We have the link for ticket info…
Trisha Yearwood, Easton Corbin and The Oak Ridge Boys are among the stars set for Opry Goes Pink, October 14 to benefit Susan G. Komen in the fight against breast cancer …
Marty Brown, Carly Pearce and Pete Goble are among the 7 inductees set to be honored at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, October 28. Ticket info and details in the column…
News items, tour alerts, new release info on albums and singles, stories about Breland, Tracy Lawrence, Lauren Reno, Jacob Bryant, Kasey Tyndall, Cole Swindell, Gene Watson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Craig Morgan, The War And Treaty and more in the October Inside Track on Music Row.

Read the column in its entirety here at Nashville Music Guide where you can also catch up with columns from previous months.

Loretta Lynn

April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022

Deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fans of the First Lady of Country Music. There will never be another like her.

Loretta Lynn performs “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at “The 44th Annual CMA Awards,” live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, on ABC.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA

“It is not enough to say today that Country Music has lost Loretta Lynn, but rather the world has lost a true music legend. Loretta was a woman whose contributions and impact inspired countless artists and transformed the Country genre into a universal art form. She was a Country Music Hall of Fame member and the first woman to receive a CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year. As a trailblazing songwriter, she bravely wrote about socially and culturally relevant topics that came to define a generation. I’ll personally remember Loretta for her spirit, artistry and genius that rivaled contemporaries like Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.” –Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO

Nashville Songwriter Awards at a sold-out Ryman

On the Red Carpet with Preshias

by Preshias Harris

*Taylor Swift and Ashley Gorley on the Red Carpet. Photo: Catrina Engelby*

Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift and Ashley Gorley were among the recipients at the fifth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. The gala event was presented by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) along with City National Bank on September 20 at the Ryman Auditorium.

It was an occasion to shine the spotlight on the songwriters but many recording artists took the opportunity to show their appreciation during the evening. These included Sam Hunt, Chris LaCorte, Josh Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Parmalee, HARDY, Alana Springsteen, Walker Hayes, Tigirlily, Thomas Rhett, Babyface and more.

The honorees included Garth Brooks (receiving the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award), Ashley Gorley (Songwriter of the Decade) and Taylor Swift (Songwriter-Artist of the Decade). The Song of the Year Award was presented to Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins for “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis feat. Luke Bryan).

Read my full report on the Awards at Center Stage Mag here.