New albums! New singles! Tour updates!

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ October 2024

By Preshias Harris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I still have my first paycheck. It was just, I think, a dollar or two that I got when I started as a songwriter with BMI, and I had some songs there that I had through the company, and in the mail I got this big old check for, like, a dollar and a half or something. Somebody had recorded one of my songs.” – Dolly Parton

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. – Romans 15:13

SO much to get to this month!  A heapin’ helpin’ of new albums from Luke Bryan, Amy Grant, Midland, Miranda Lambert, Mitchell Tenpenny and Drake White… a stack of new singles from Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Bryce Leatherwood, Dave Lenahan, Joe Nichols, Sofia Scott and Billy Strings… plus all the People’s Choice Awards winners, NSAI Song Contest News, tour updates and more. Scroll down to catch up…

ALBUM NEWS: 

LUKE BRYAN: Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan released his newest album, Mind Of A Country Boy, September 27, 2024.  (Listen/Add the album here.) Bryan invited industry peers and songwriters who have cuts on the album to a launch party held at the Green Door Gourmet in Nashville, September 10. The bash featured country themed elements as tips to Luke’s upbringing and lifestyle including boiled peanuts and farm vegetables as take away party favors, Luke-themed cocktails and his performance held in the barn on the property.

Luke Bryan

During the launch party, Bryan performed some news songs from Mind Of A Country Boy. Before the party Luke spoke to media and expressed this album, “reflects the more mature me with song selections that best represent where I am in life.”

Now, Luke is launching his fifteenth Farm Tour as he sets up stages in the fields of local farms and a creates a mini city for the day. Special guests this year include Conner Smith, Tucker Wetmore, the Peach Pickers (songwriters Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip and Rhett Akins with guest Rodney Clawson), and DJ Rock. Find all tour dates here. #LukeBryan

AMY GRANT: Six-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant released the House Of Love Expanded Anniversary Edition on September 27. Listen here. Previously released is the digital single “Politics Of Kissing,” which, like several selections on this edition, has never been available digitally and was originally only released on the UK version of House Of Love in 1994. 

“Gathering the materials for this Expanded Anniversary Edition of House Of Love brought a flood of memories back to me,” recalls Grant. “Those days were full of dreams coming true and lots of irons in the fire. A circle of extended family and friends helped us share the load of caring for our young family, planning a big tour and creating music that would be the follow-up to the magical time of Heart In Motion.  We were managing the joyful chaos of life; riding a big wave and hoping not to wipe out.  I love the songs on House Of Love and am excited to release all the music made in that time…the B-sides, all the remixes and the newly re-imagined versions of select songs.”

Continue reading “New albums! New singles! Tour updates!”

February ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ posted now!

40+ items of music news you can use

The February 2024 edition of my column Inside Track on Music Row is ready to read right now here at NashvilleMusicGuide.com! It’s the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA, thanks to readers like you!

Among the 40+ music news stories you can read in this month’s column:

  • Chris Young is readying his upcoming album for release March 22 and you can pre-save now from a link in the story…
  • Tracy Lawrence, David Adam Byrnes and Rodney Carrington are encouraging you to let loose and take chances with their new single, “Kick A Little,” from their upcoming Little Texas tribute album…
  • John Michael Montgomery is giving fans advance notice of his upcoming retirement from touring after 30+ years on the road, 16 million albums and seven No. 1 hits…
  • BRELAND will return to the Ryman Auditorium for a third time with his BRELAND & Friends 2024 concert in March 2024. Tickets are available now…
  • Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling duo of all time, have announce the dates for their upcoming REBOOT 2024 Tour and we have a link to the tour and ticket info…
  • Moe Bandy is celebrating the 45th anniversary of his hit single “It’s A Cheating Situation,” a duet with Janie Fricke, released in January 1979…
  • John Berry has re-released three of his most popular albums in partnership with StarVista Music, saying,  “This will give some of my favorite songs a breath of new life”…
  • Springer Mountain Farms “Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman” is returning to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for its 30th year and tickets are available now…
  • Cody Johnson is now out on the road on The Leather Tour with a string of dates through September while his current single “The Painter” has scored more than 95 million global streams…
  • Plus much more, including news about new singles from Spencer Crandall, Lacy J. Dalton, Waylon Hanel, Jessie G, Walker Montgomery, Mitchell Tenpenny, HARDY, and more…

Find the February 2024 Inside Track on Music Row column at Nashville Music Guide here.

 Preshias Harris  is an advocate for songwriters and a 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 here    Follow her blog at  www.nashvillemusicline.com @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris 

Cody Johnson’s “Til You Can’t” celebrated at No. 1 party

Ben Stennis, Matt Rogers honored as songwriters

By Preshias Harris

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)
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