Nashville Music Line - Page 8 of 48 - for singers and songwriters

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.

“Buy Dirt” – 2022 Song of the Year
Pictured L-R: Josh Jenkins, Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI), Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Steve Bogard (Board President, NSAI), Matt Jenkins, Lindsay Glover (NSAI). *Photo credit: NSAI*

All Horses Firin’ for American Blonde

These blondes love having fun!

by Preshias Harris

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.

Preshias Harris joins Center Stage Magazine as featured contributor

Note: The following is a media release prepared and distributed by Kat Atwood and the team at Music City Media.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music industry vet and entrusted music columnist, Preshias Harris, has announced she will team with Center Stage Magazine extending her reach to a broader audience. Now, in addition to her existing presence in Nashville Music Guide,country music enthusiasts can enjoy up-to-the-minute music news and commentaries at Center Stage Magazine, under the dedicated “Preshias On The Row” header.

A mainstay among prominent media forums, outlets and entertainment writers in the Nashville music scene, Harris has been the author of “Inside Track on Music Row” (one the longest-running monthly country music columns in America) for more than twenty-seven years. Published in Nashville Music Guide since 1995, “Inside Track” appears in print and via digital editions of Nashville Music Guide.

Harris is also a regular contributor to Country Music News International (CMNI). CMNI caters to millions of readers, viewers and radio listeners across the globe; the Germany-based multimedia source provides country music news and information in print, via radio and video broadcasts. She acts as the international CMNI representative at renowned industry events and forums such as Country Radio Seminar and CMA Fest.

Wade Bowen album is traditional country for the 21st century

Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth buzzes like a neon sign

By Preshias harris

Wade Bowen is back with a new album titled Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth, with twelve tracks co-written by Wade alongside writers such as Eric Paslay, Lori McKenna, Randy Montana, Heather Morgan and more.

He premiered the album – playing all the tracks with a full band – at a pop-up album release show August 15 at Analog in Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Before the show, Wade and I sat down to catch up with what’s new in his world and how he dealt with the pandemic that brought his (and everyone else’s) touring to a dead stop.

Wade Bowen on stage during the pop-up album release concert. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Initially, he told me, the shutdown and the terrible circumstances that surrounded it hit him like “a punch in the gut.” It caused him to go into what he called a writer’s drought.

“I felt I couldn’t write a song because I didn’t know what to say or how to say it or why,” he admitted. “I couldn’t make sense of it all.”

However, he came out of it and says that he started writing a lot. “I think that shutdown helped me to just stop and focus on what matters, and I came out of the other side with a brand new sense of self and a brand new sense of my career and what I wanted to do and what’s important in my life. I think you can hear that in my new stuff, specially with this new record.”