Sneak peek at March edition of Inside Track on Music Row
Catch up with what’s happening with my monthly column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA. You can read the entire column when it is posted at Nashville Music Guide. Meanwhile, click here to read the full February 2022 column, complete with photos, graphics, music links and more, at NMG.
Scroll down for a sneak peek at some news items set for the March column, featuring Elvie Shane, Cole Swindell, western artist Bobby Marquez, songwriter Steve Dorff, Scotty McCreery, The upcoming ACM Awards, and the launch of Country Rebel Records…
Elvie Shane’s “County Roads” a ‘most added’ song at Country radio
On the heels of his No. 1 smash hit “My Boy,” Wheelhouse Records singer/songwriter Elvie Shane’s new single “County Roads” launched at country radio, and immediately became one of the ‘most added’ songs of the week. Co-written by Shane with Dan Couch and Oscar Charles, his new single is full of untamed energy, flying like an unguided missile of passion down “County Roads” and paints a picture of Shane’s early days in Grayson County, KY. Listen to “County Roads” here.
“The story in ‘County Roads’ is the American graffiti that painted my coming-of-age years,” shared Shane. “Knowing where you came from is important to understand where you are and where you could go. All the full throttle mistakes made, lessons learned, and good times had are equally important. The choice for next single was a no-brainer after showing my better sides with ‘My Boy.’”
The Gold-certified “My Boy” is taken from Shane’s just-released debut full length album, Backslider. Shane is currently on his first-ever headlining My Kinda Trouble Tour. Dates, tickets, music and more here.
Cole Swindell’s Stereotype set for April release
Grammy-nominated multi-Platinum superstar Cole Swindell will release his fourth album, Stereotype, on April 8. Stereotype includes Swindell’s milestone, 10th career, multi-week No. 1 “Single Saturday Night,” as well as his current fast-rising single, “Never Say Never,” with Lainey Wilson. Produced by Zach Crowell, Chris La Corte, Jordan Schmidt and Michael Carter, Stereotype highlights Swindell as a hit-making songwriter across the project.
Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items
Hope Nation Radio brings joy to children fighting cancer. Celebrates 500th show 4:00 pm CT, March 17
Jason Aldean announces tour schedule. Hootie & Blowfish to join Aldean in Atlanta
Larry’s Country Diner set to tour live venues. TV show to book 20 – 25 ‘live’ stage shows per year
Shenandoah album release party March 20. Tickets on sale now for Nashville Winery show
Songwriters, artists celebrate chart-topping singles. March a big month for Number One parties
Volunteer Jam XX brings the stars to Bridgestone Arena. 4+ hour show to air on AXS TV
2018 ACM Award nominations announced. Chris Stapleton leads with eight nominations
Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items
Hope Nation Radio sets 500th show, March 17
Hope Nation Radio, the online radio station devoted to bringing joy and hope through music to the lives of children fighting cancer, will present their 500th show on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 4:00 pm CT. They will celebrate this milestone achievement LIVE on their show ‘Big Daddy LIVE (From the Man Cave)’ on St. Patrick’s Day. Nile Peaytt, better known as “Big Daddy,” created this station with the goal of bringing hope into the lives of children (or as he calls them, “kiddos!”) fighting cancer.
‘Big Daddy’ Nile Peaytt [right] on air with Jeff BatesIn celebration of this 500th episode, Peaytt said, “What started as such a small mission has now grown into such a beautiful community of listeners. Keeping hope alive in trying times is so important.” Hope Nation Radio was formed in 2013 by Peaytt and Thomas Hammonds and plays a variety of country music, pop, rock, contemporary, Christian and gospel from signed and independent artists. Big Daddy intermixes hopeful music with his own hilarious and energetic interjections and stories of hope he shares. Watch an explanatory video and learn more about this great organization at hopeiseverything.org
Aldean’s High Noon Neon tour starts May 10
Jason Aldean has revealed the one-night-only lineup from SunTrust Park for his HIGH NOON NEON TOUR stop at the new Atlanta Braves stadium, on July 21. Tickets will be available beginning 10:00 am ET, Friday March 23 at JasonAldean.com and LiveNation.com. Aldean will be joined on the tour by Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina. For the July 21 Atlanta date only, Aldean will also be joined by Darius Rucker reuniting with former bandmates as Hootie & the Blowfish. The High Noon Neon Tour will launch on May 10 in Kansas City, MO, following the April 13 release of his latest album REARVIEW TOWN. The new music follows Aldean’s last three albums that each bowed at No. One on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart.
‘Larry’s Country Diner” goes from TV to stage
The cast of Larry’s Country Diner
“Larry’s Country Diner,” the down-home TV variety show that serves millions of fans with an appetite for wholesome, family-friendly programming and a palette for traditional country music, is packing its kitchen and will soon be coming to a city near you. The cast of five, including host Larry Black, Renae The Waitress, church lady Nadine, announcer Keith Bilbrey, Sheriff Jimmy Capps and a special guest music performer, will be bringing their humor and good times to live audiences at venues across the United States and Canada on its first-ever tour.
“Larry’s Country Diner” Road Show plans to book around 20-25 shows per year. The “Larry’s Country Diner” Road Show recently concluded two six-night runs at the Starlite Theater in Branson, Missouri, and a Caribbean cruise, all of which sold out. Currently, the show has also started taping its upcoming season at Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom in Nashville. Details at larryscountrydiner.com.
Shenandoah album release party, March 20
Shenandoah celebrates their first country album in 20 years with a party at City Winery Tuesday, March 20 that will include performances from several surprise guests. Click HERE to purchase tickets. RELOADED includes ‘live’ versions of many of their smash hits, recorded at venues during their 2017 tour. The album also includes three new songs.
Charlie Daniels hosts Volunteer Jam XX
Charlie Daniels and friends at Volunteer Jam XX. Photo credit: Rick Diamond
The stars came out (and played) for Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam XX. With a killer ensemble and set list of over 30 songs – from Jamey Johnson’s take on Daniels’ “Long Haired Country Boy” to Skynryd’s performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” to Devon Allman, Duane Betts and Chuck Leavell’s once-in-a-lifetime collaboration on “Midnight Rider” to, of course, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” a packed Bridgestone Arena witnessed over four hours of incredible music continuing the Jam’s legacy. AXS TV filmed the concert event for a primetime broadcast special this summer; information on air date and time to be announced at a later date. Charlie has parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged children and others in need. More at charliedaniels.com
No. 1 parties for Janson, Young, Lynch
Chris Janson
‘Fix A Drink’ fixed Chris Janson another Number One and he celebrated with co-writers Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley at a Number One party on the afternoon of March 6th. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, was held at BMI’s Nashville location. More at chrisjanson.com …
Chris Young
Later that day, it was time for Chris Young to celebrate the success of ‘Losing Sleep.’ That Number One party took place at Nashville’s Tin Roof – renamed TEN Roof for the evening in honor of Young’s tenth Number One hit. Young was joined by co-writers Chris DeStefano and Josh Hoge, co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. See chrisyoungcountry.com …
Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch took time out of his busy schedule for a Number One party, marking his four-week No. 1 single, ‘Small Town Boy.’ The song, written by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip and Kyle Fishman, was also hailed as the ‘largest audience song of the year’ during the party. Tour and ‘meet & greet’ updates at dustinlynchmusic.com…
Next week, it will be Carly Pearce‘s turn to celebrate her No. 1, ‘Every Little Thing,’ with co-writers Emily Shackelton and busbee (who also produced the song).
2018 ACM Award nominees announced
Reba McEntire, host of 2018 ACM Awards
The Academy of Country Music Awards will include performances by Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, GFL, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and more. Chris Stapleton is up for eight awards, Thomas Rhett has six nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year. Reba McEntire hosts the show, airing live from the MGM Garden Arena, Sunday April 15, 8:00 pm ET/PT on CBS.
See the full list of nomineess at Billboard’s website here.
Music Row One Sheet copyright (c) 2018 Preshias Harris and Nashville Music Line LLC
The 52nd Annual ACM Awards will air live on CBS on Sunday, April 2nd at 8 p.m. ET, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will once again serve as hosts.
Scheduled performances include FGL and the Backstreet Boys who will perform their new single, “God, Your Mama and Me.” Also performing: Faith Hill, Sam Hunt, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban (who has SEVEN nominations in five categories!) and Contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle.
Luke Bryan & Dierks Bentley. Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Here is a list of all the 2017 ACM nominees, so you can keep score during the show.
Jason Aldean has revealed the one-night-only lineup from SunTrust Park for his HIGH NOON NEON TOUR stop at the new Atlanta Braves stadium, on July 21. Tickets will be available beginning 10:00 am ET, Friday March 23 at 
The 52nd Annual ACM Awards will air live on CBS on Sunday, April 2nd at 8 p.m. ET, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will once again serve as hosts.