Country Music Archives - Page 3 of 15

Sammy Sadler reboots career with new projects

Sole survivor of Murder on Music Row

Sammy Sadler. Photo: WBA Entertainment

Sammy Sadler was an emerging artist in the late 1980s on the brink of a successful career with a record deal at Evergreen Records. He was full of optimism and high hopes when he and his friend Kevin Hughes were walking along Music Row in Nashville on March 9, 1989.

Hughes was a chart researcher at Cash Box magazine. While still a student at Belmont University, he had worked as an unpaid intern before being put on the magazine’s payroll by Richard “Tony” D’Antonio, Cash Box’s director of Nashville operations.

Hughes had become suspicious that money was changing hands in order to push certain records up the charts. He had voiced his concerns to friends and family and was considering leaving Music City and returning home to Illinois.

Deadly attack

Continue reading “Sammy Sadler reboots career with new projects”

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.

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.

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’”

Blake Shelton’s ‘mystery kiss’ photo

Can you I.D. the air personalities from 2003 CRS?

When Blake Shelton likes you, he shows his love with a kiss.

L to R: Unidentified, Blake Shelton, Eddie Haskell, Unidentified. Can you help I.D. these guys? Photo: Preshias Harris

Dierks presents award to Blake. Photo: Catrina Engleby / Nashville Music Guide

During the Warner Music Nashville “Warner Wednesday” luncheon, part of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS), Blake was presented with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award. He received the award from last year’s recipient, Dierks Bentley.

“I scratched my name off,” said Dierks as he handed over the Award. “It’s all yours.”

Accepting the award, Blake pulled Dierks in close and planted a big kiss on his forehead.

Who ARE those radio guys?

But this wasn’t the first time Blake has surprised someone at CRS with a kiss. Back in 2003, I caught up with Blake at that year’s CRS. It was then held at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel and the ‘old’ Convention Center. As we talked, three country radio air personalities joined us. The guys all moved in close for the photo, and that’s when Blake planted one on the guy next to him!

So I know that Blake is the kisser. But who is the kissee? Take a look at the photo above. I have lost my notes from that day and I need your help!

I know that the curly-haired gent to Blake’s left is Eddie Haskell, now Senior VP / Programming for iHeartMedia, Ft Collins, CO. Eddie was previously Program Director at KYGO-FM 98.5 Denver, CO.

But who are the other two fellers, both the ‘kissee’ far left, and the fourth man, far right?

C’mon, air personalities and radio biz people; help me out here and I’ll send you a little ‘thank you’ gift and post the correct photo I.D. (and your name) in a post at www.nashvillemusicline.com

Send your I.D. of the guys in the ‘Mystery Kiss’ photo to me here or preshias@nashvillemusicline.com

Here’s another photo from that same day, back at CRS 2003. I hope this jogs your memory.

Unidentified, Blake, Eddie, Unidentified. Photo: Harris

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

Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny celebrate Number One hits

Swindell’s eighth No. 1; Tenpenny’s first No. 1

Cole Swindell recently celebrated his eighth No.1 single as an artist. “Break Up In The End” was written by Chase McGill, Jessie Jo Dillon and Jon Nite, and produced by Michael Carter. The No. 1 party was hosted by ASCAP and BMI at The Topgolf in Nashville.

(L to R): Chase McGill, Jessie Jo Dillon, Cole Swindell, Jon Nite. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Both McGill and Nite have had successful, award-winning careers as songwriters, but “Break Up In The End” was the first No. 1 for Dillon, who was presented with a Taylor guitar to mark the accomplishment. The presentation was made by BMI’s Leslie Roberts.

This No. 1 was an ‘outside song’

Swindell was commended for going with an ‘outside’ song; that is, a song that he did not write or co-write himself, although he is known as a successful songwriter. Named MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year in 2014, he has also received the CMA Triple Play Award for writing three No. 1 hits within a twelve-month period. But in the case of “Break Up In The End,” Swindell and his label chose to release a song that came from outside writers. (As it happens, Swindell has written previously with Jessie Jo Dillon, but did not know she was one of the writers of “Break Up” when he heard the demo.)

During the presentation, Warner Nashville’s John Esposito noted that Swindell is the only artist to have ever topped Country Aircheck’s chart with his first seven singles, prior to this his eighth No. 1. Esposito presented Swindell with an RIAA Gold plaque, adding that the Platinum plaque “is on the way.”

See Cole Swindell’s website here and his Facebook page

Tenpenny’s No. 1 is his debut single

On February 11, it was time for Mitchell Tenpenny to celebrate at a No. 1 party for “Drunk Me.” The song was written by Tenpenny with Jordan Schmidt and Justin Wilson. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC was held at the Tin Roof in Nashville.

“Drunk Me” is Tenpenny’s debut single from his debut album, “Telling All My Secrets,” released in February 2018. Tenpenny was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in music business. Continue reading “Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny celebrate Number One hits”

Nashville Music Guide Special CRS edition

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

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”

‘Inside Track’ Country news updates

Country news roundup for late January 2019

‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ my monthly music news column appears in Nashville Music Guide. The February edition will drop any day soon – a special edition for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019. Here are some Country news items that just missed the NMG print deadline. Check back here later for an excerpt from the February column and a link to it at NMG.

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project
Ray Stevens: 60 years in music
John Berry asks for prayers, God’s healing
Maxine Brown passes

Scroll down to read these news items

Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project

Garth Brooks revealed the title of his upcoming studio album is FUN. Garth divulged the information during “Inside Studio G,” a weekly Facebook Live series airing every Monday on Garth’s Facebook page at 7:00 PM EST. Garth fans have been given a teaser of what to expect from his anticipated studio album, with Garth releasing “All Day Long.” The much-awaited record is available to preorder now.

“The title of the album was sparked because making it has been such a fun process to go through,” explained Garth. “Being able to go in and out of the studio while being on the tour, working with the same guys, it’s been amazing. The album will be available this spring and I want the fans to just have fun with this, because that’s what this has been.” More at Garth’s website and Facebook page.

Ray Stevens: 60 years in music

Continue reading “‘Inside Track’ Country news updates”

New babies for Carrie, Angaleena

It’s raining babies in the world of Country music

Carrie Underwood and her husband Mike Fisher are now parents to their second child, another boy, named Jacob Bryan, born in the early hours of January 21. The good news came after a number of setbacks for the couple. Carrie had suffered several miscarriages in addition to injuries as a result of a fall.

Former pro hockey player Fisher, 38, posted details on Instagram post on Wednesday following the Monday birth. He also posted photos of baby Jacob with both himself and Carrie.

Say Hi to the “Littlest Pistol!” Angaleena Presley and her husband, Jordan Powell, welcomed daughter Phoenix Joeleena Jean Powell on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Weighing in at 7.8 lbs., and measuring 17.5 inches, Phoenix made her debut at 7:49 a.m. CST. The baby’s name is especially meaningful, as it merges family monikers with homages to both a beloved matriarch and a late friend.

“We chose Phoenix all together, Joeleena is a combination of my friend Tony Joe White who passed away a few months ago and ‘leena,’ which is family name from Angaleena’s side,” Jordan explains. “Jean is my grandmother’s name — she’s 92 and helped raise me.” The details were first revealed in People magazine.

Jason & Brittany. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty

Jason Aldean and wife Brittany are expecting the birth of the second daughter that they have named Navy Rome. In fact, they are expecting the birth at any minute. The new baby will join brother Memphis who celebrated his first birthday in December 2018.

Morgan Evans celebrates first No. 1 ‘Kiss Somebody’

Number One party toasts Evans, DeStefano, Osbourne

“Kiss Somebody” is the first No. 1 in the USA for Morgan Evans, both as a songwriter and as an artist.

(L to R): Josh Osbourne, Evans, Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano. Photo: Preshias Harris

Australian-born Morgan and his label Warner Brothers along with ASCAP, BMI and APRA AMCOS (Australia’s PRO) came together to celebrate for the three songwriters. Morgan, his producer Chris DeStefano (also a co-writer) and Josh Osbourne were at Sound Check January 17 to receive awards, kudos and plaques.

The single is off of his Top 10 US debut album, “Things That We Drink To.” Morgan’s artistic vision came full circle with his producer and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano. The eclectic country album arrived at #1 on the ARIA Top Country Albums Chart and scored a Top 5 debut on the all-genre ARIA Top Albums Chart in Australia. Evans’ current single “Day Drunk” has held the #1 spot on Australia’s Music Network Country Airplay Chart for 21 consecutive weeks. That track also topped the all-genre TMN Hot 100 Airplay chart for two weeks in Australia, almost unheard of for a Country act. The album has garnered critical acclaim and it looks like 2019 is not even going to slow down.

From 2007 talent show to 2018 No. 1

Morgan Evans. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Back Story: Morgan Evans moved to Nashville two years ago from his native Australia, where his career was already flourishing. He won a talent show in 2007 where the prize was a trip to Nashville to record a single. He is married to Black River’s Country star Kelsea Ballerini. He signed with Warner Bros in 2017 and released his U.S. debut “Kiss Somebody.”
Evans is supporting Old Dominion on the MAKE IT SWEET TOUR to kick off 2019, before joining the first leg of Dan + Shay THE TOUR beginning in February. At a NSAI fundraiser with Evans and his album’s co-writers and friends, they revealed that Evans and DeStefano had both co-written each of the album’s 11 songs (including the duet song with wife Kelsea)!

“Whenever I see the city skyline, I remember the first time I came to Nashville and I looked at that skyline and I imagined being a part of that community. And every time I have that thought, I get that rush of memories, especially on a day like today when we get to stop and look back and celebrate things. These guys have sat up here a lot of times, but for me, it’s the first I’ve experienced this. And I guess, more than anything, it means that I get to keep doing this for a long time.” – Morgan Evans

Continue reading “Morgan Evans celebrates first No. 1 ‘Kiss Somebody’”

Mark Wills to join Opry

Surprised on stage by Vince Gill

Plus… scroll down for a sneak peek at items from the January edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row.

Mark Wills ‘reduced to tears’ by Vince Gill
Bryan Wayne’s very special album
Tour news from Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Mark Wills to be inducted into Opry

Congrats to my friend Mark Wills who will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Vince Gill surprised Mark with the invitation on stage at the Opry on December 21. Mark was speechless with emotion, falling to his knees and covering his face with his hands. “I always liked him,” said Vince. “Now I like him even more. He’s a crybaby like me!”

I am so happy for Mark. We have known each other since the 1990s and he has always been a big supporter of the Opry (as Vince mentioned during his invitation). Mark released his first single – “Jacob’s Ladder” – way back in 1996, and chalked up two No. 1 hits, “19 Something” and “She’s in Love.” Other chart hits include “I Do (Cherish You),” “Back at One,” “She’s In Love” and “Places I’ve Never Been.” The formal induction ceremony is set for January 11, 2019, at the Grand Ole Opry. Find tour info and more here.

Bryan Wayne, fighting ALS, releases special album

The release of Bryan Wayne’s ‘While You Wait’ album was celebrated at SESAC’s Nashville office recently. Diagnosed with terminal ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) last year, Bryan recorded the album for his wife, two boys and an industry that continues to support his dreams. The 14-song collection is available here.

“I made this record, because I knew I’d lose my voice and I wanted my boys, friends and family to hear me singing my songs forever no matter what,” said Bryan. “So many friends and family over the years had asked me when was I ever going to make a record of my own too, so here it is!” At the celebration, Wayne was joined by friends that included Ashley Gorley (who performed the title cut), Neil Thrasher, Bonnie Baker, Jason Blaine, Joanna Janet and Big & Rich. Donations may be made to Bryan Wayne Galentine and Family by sending a check (made payable to Bryan Wayne Galentine) to: Bryan Wayne Galentine c/o Chris Burch, 1012 16th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. A Gofundme account has also been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/thebwaynetrain

Tour news: Jimmie Allen, LANCO, Kip Moore

Continue reading “Mark Wills to join Opry”

Inside Track on Music Row teaser

Garth, Thomas Rhett, Jay Leno and more

Here is a link to my ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ column for December 2018. It appears in Nashville Music Guide and is the longest-running continuously-published country music column in the USA.

As always, thanks to NMG editor Amanda for making the column look so great. And a reminder that the January edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ will be published soon.

Meanwhile here are a few excepts from the December column…

Thomas Rhett 2019 tour dates announced

ARTIST NEWS: Thomas Rhett announced details for his VERY HOT SUMMER TOUR with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins. Thomas Rhett is set to kick off the summer on May 17 in Spokane, WA. Initial public on-sales are available via thomasrhett.com.

Fans can also purchase tickets for additional select cities beginning Friday, January 25 as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com. Additional dates will continue to roll out over the coming weeks. Live Nation is the national tour promoter. “We just closed out our 2018 tour in the U.K. last week and I’m already thinking about next year’s tour,” said Rhett. “I’m glad we have the winter to plan and come up with some crazy stuff for next year because I can’t think of a better way to spend the summer than out on the road with my fans. And, I get to bring my dad and two of my favorite artists in country music along for the ride.”

Last minute gift hint for Garth fans

GARTH NEWS: Garth’s The Anthology Part III, LIVE, is now available. It’s a detailed, insider look at Brooks’ electrifying concerts, with behind-the-scenes stories, insider secrets, and interviews with band and crew. It contains 5 CDs with 52 live recordings, never before seen photographs and 10 augmented reality experiences that can be seen on the Garth Live app.

It also includes the new live album, TRIPLE LIVE. It’s the soundtrack of the record breaking, number one tour in North American history. Additionally, The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour is coming to Gainesville, FL, on Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 PM at University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. It’s the first Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Concert in 25 years. Tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or either Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000.

Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy set for Opry House show

PERFORMANCE NEWS: A special performance will take place during next year’s 2019 Nashville Comedy Festival, iconic American comics Jay Leno and Jeff Foxworthy are set to take the stage for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event on the historic stage of The Opry House.

This special event is exclusive to Nashville, as it will be the first time and only place to see both artists share the stage. The legendary “clean comedy” entertainers will perform at The Opry House on Sunday, April 14. Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster.com, the Opry House box office, the Ryman Auditorium box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Much more to see here at ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ at Nashville Music Guide.