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Your Inside Track on Music Row, November 2024

Hot new Country singles and albums tour updates and more

By Preshias Harris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Undeniably, I’m a country singer; I’m a country songwriter. But I feel like I make country music for people who like country music and for people who don’t.” – Kasey Musgraves

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. – Psalms 57:7

Can it be November already? With Thanksgiving fast approaching and Christmas just around the corner?! SO much to get to in this edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA. Scroll down to check out a whole bunch of new albums and singles to listen to, plus tour updates, Opry news, songwriter pub deals, Christmas music and a lot more. As always, my heartfelt thanks to the artists and songwriters and their reps who keep me in the loop about what’s new with you! So let’s kick off with a roundup of some albums you need to know about…

ALBUM NEWS

KELSEA BALLERINI: When you write songs from your own life, it takes a lot of living to come up with something special. Thankfully, for multiple Grammy nominee and Country Music Association award winner Kelsea Ballerini, a 30-something who never stops, inspiration is never hard to come by. Having created a deep dialogue with her fans, a lot has happened since the Grammy-nominated Rolling Up The Welcome Matand Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good).

Teaming with producer and longtime collaborator Alysa Vanderheym, Ballerini opted for an all-girl approach to PATTERNS. Crystalizing after a songwriting retreat with Vanderheym, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Hillary Lindsey, GRAMMY Songwriter of the Year nominee Jessie Jo Dillon and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, the honey blond superstar decided to create an album that focused on female friendship, being vulnerable and honest, owning one’s jagged spaces and the way relationships really are, not the way they look on Instagram.

“There was an unpresumed feeling of knowingness that happened on that retreat,” Ballerini reports. “I felt safe, so then I was able to feel honest, and then more so, creative. We were all, as songwriters, in tandem but more so as women just in a real heart flow of it all. Having these heroes and friends champion the process and the guts of it all has been one of the joys of my career.” Pre-order exclusive PATTERNS on vinyl and CD here via Black River Entertainment. Listen/download the single “First Rodeo” here, and watch the evocative music video here. #KelseaBallerini

MEGAN MORONEY: The much-anticipated release of Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) — the deluxe edition of Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records singer/songwriter Megan Moroney’s widely acclaimed sophomore album – dropped in early October. Featuring three brand-new tracks, the newly expanded version of Am I Okay? arrives just months after Moroney scored the year’s third-biggest Billboard 200 debut from a female Country artist. Listen to Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) here.

Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) includes a selection of songs she’s recently teased during her must-see live show and on social media. Both written by Moroney, David “Messy” Mescon, Rob Hatch, and Ben Williams, “Break It Right Back” and “I’ll Be Fine” offer the latest evidence of her enormous talent for penning truly unforgettable heartbreak ballads. To that end, “Break It Right Back” takes the form of a piano-laced stunner about the shattered hopes of falling for someone too good to be true (inspiring over 22k creates after Moroney teased it on TikTok), while “I’ll Be Fine” serves as a heavy-hearted response to the album’s wildly hopeful and Country radio-dominating title track.

Moroney will soon release Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) on vinyl on December 13. Pre-order the vinyl here. Tour/ticket updates at Megan’s website and more on social media. #MeganMoroney

GEORGE JONES: Fans of George Jones are in for a treat with the announcement of the new album, George Jones: The Lost Nashville Sessions set to release on November 15 on Country Rewind Records. Preorder / stream the album here. Originally recorded for radio airplay in the 1970s, these tracks have been enhanced, capturing Jones’ signature sound by bringing the audio quality up to twenty-first-century standards. This was achieved by subtly adding instrumentation and background vocals beneath Jones’ voice where needed.

Inside Track on Music Row for September 2024

Longest continuously-running country music column in the USA, ready to read now!

by Preshias Harris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “You always have to work to become a better singer, songwriter and performer.” – Luke Bryan

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

There is SO much news to catch up on in this month’s column! New singles from Caylee Hammack, Dylan Scott, Megan Moroney, Zach Top and Jeremy Parsons, long-awaited Ryman debut for Terri Clark, the latest music video from Chris Stapleton, albums from Thomas Rhett, Joe Nichols, Wyatt Flores and the Cactus Blossoms, Russell Dickerson drops a new EP, Jake Worthington brings Texas to The Cannery, plus much more including a really cute baby! Scroll down to catch it all…

ADVANCE ALBUM NEWS: Rising country artist Wyatt Flores released his new single, “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight,” on August 30, alongside an official music video. Listen to the song here and watch the video here. The single is the first unveiled from Flores’ highly anticipated full-length debut album, Welcome To The Plains, which will be released October 18 via Island Records and is now available to pre-save/pre-order here.

The album takes listeners to the corner of the world that this 23-year-old country-folk singer-songwriter knows best – Oklahoma. “Welcome To The Plains is all about my fight to come home,” said Flores. “The struggle of coming from home – the little towns – and going out in the real world. Just being lost in it all.”

A 14-song trek through tales of fiery love, small-town truths and lighthearted mortality, Welcome To The Plains captures the grounded, sincere storytelling forged by Flores in-part during formative years in his hometown, Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was raised on time-tested rock ‘n’ roll, like the Eagles and John Mellencamp. At age 12, his sister passed him a copy of Turnpike Troubadours’ sophomore album, Diamonds & Gasoline, unlocking a love for roots music that later extended to artists like Jason Isbell, 49 Winchester and Sturgill Simpson.

The record will also be available on special limited-edition vinyl, which includes photos from the studio, exclusive original art and much more. More about Flores on Facebook. #WyattFlores

ADVANCE ALBUM NEWS PART 2: Three-time Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum selling artist Joe Nichols’ 11th career studio album, Honky Tonks and Country Songs, will be released on Friday, October 25. The official pre-save/pre-add for Nichols’ Honky Tonks and Country Songs will be live on Thursday, September 6, across all digital streaming and retailer partners.

Produced by Mickey Jack Cones (Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett) and Derek George (Randy Houser), the album highlights Nichols’ steadfast commitment to country music that has made him one of Nashville’s most honest and versatile voices, regarded for his warm and distinctly country tone by everyone from Dolly Parton to Post Malone — he’s sung with both.

It’s August! Here’s this month’s Inside Track

Inside Track on Music Row for August 2024

by Preshias Harris

Scroll down to read a LOT of news about HARDY, Reba McEntire, Megan Moroney, Jake Owen, Opry Country Christmas, Chris Tomlin, Nu-Blu, Lauren Watkins, Bobby Marquez, Ashley McBride, Alex Miller, Morgan Wallen, Allie Colleen, Justin Moore and much more!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I’ve ended up as a songwriter. This is my job. How did I get this lucky? What a great job!” – Paul McCartney, in an interview with Annie Clark (St. Vincent) on Instagram Live. [reported in American Songwriter, April 16, 2021]

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! – Psalm 100: 1-2

ALBUM NEWS: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Amos Lee will release his eagerly awaited new album, Transmissions, available Friday, August 9 on his own Hoagiemouth Records via Thirty Tigers. Lee’s 11th studio album and first new collection of original songs in more than two years, Transmissions is heralded by the premiere of the graceful first single, “Hold On Tight,” available everywhere now. Listen now at Play MPE and watch the official video here.

Transmissions sees Amos Lee continuing to expand his sonic range while sharpening his closely observed lyrics that squarely address death, aging, and love. Self-produced by Lee for only the second time in his chart-topping, RIAA Gold-certified career (following 2013’s Spirit), the Philadelphia, PA-based artist returned to an old-school style of recording, working with his longtime band in a studio in rural Marlboro, NY, built by drummer Lee Falco and his dad out of reclaimed wood from an old church. Playing live on the floor for long hours in close quarters, Lee and his fellow musicians were able to capture the album’s twelve songs in less than a week. Lee augmented his band’s soulful, folk-funk sound with arrangements that extend the scope of songs, from autobiographical to upbeat and jam-powered. Music, tour dates and more at Amos Lee’s website. Pre-order Amos Lee’s Transmissions here. #AmosLee

ALBUM NEWS Part Two: Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 — the definitive all-genre chart for U.S. album sales. Released on July 12 to widespread acclaim, the Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records singer/songwriter’s sophomore LP also shot to the No. 3 spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart — a feat that makes Am I Okay? the fifth-biggest Country debut of 2024 and the year’s third-biggest debut from a female Country artist (after Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves). Go here to stream/download Am I Okay? now. With nearly 43K in consumption units in its first week — including 37.6 million streams — Am I Okay? has earned massive praise from many of the music world’s leading publications, including Rolling Stone, Variety, The Tennessean and the print editions of American Songwriterand The New York Times.

Also lauded by Billboard, MusicRow, and more, Am I Okay? turned up on coveted lists like “New Music Friday: The best albums out July 12” from NPR’s All Songs Considered. In addition, Associated Press declared that “[y]ou’d be hard-pressed to find a more relatable voice in contemporary country music for young women” and hailed Am I Okay? as “a heartbreak-filled rollercoaster ride of a sophomore album, filled with quotable kiss-offs and evolved compositions.” Moroney has earned nearly 1.5 billion total global streams to date. More at Megan Moroney’s website and on social media. #MeganMoroney

AMERICANA NEWS: The Americana Music Association has announced its performers for the 23rd annual Americana Honors & Awards, taking place in Nashville on Sept. 18 at the famed Ryman Auditorium. This year’s Honors & Awards will deliver performances from award-winning legends, buzzworthy new artists, and longtime fan favorites including Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandy Clark with SistaStrings, Charles Wesley Godwin, Dave Alvin, Dwight Yoakam, Fantastic Negrito, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Jobi Riccio, Kaitlin Butts, Larkin Poe, The Milk Carton Kids, Noah Kahan, Sarah Jarosz, Shelby Lynne, Sierra Ferrell, Turnpike Troubadours, The War And Treaty, Waxahatchee with MJ Lenderman, and Wyatt Flores.

In addition to the annual “Of the Year” awards presented during the program (view the nominees here), the 2024 Honors & Awards will include this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honorees: Blind Boys of Alabama, Dave Alvin, Don Was, Dwight Yoakam, Rev. Gary Davis, and Shelby Lynne. Rev. Gary Davis (honored posthumously) will receive the Legacy Award in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music and will be recognized with a performance by Fantastic Negrito. Additionally, the program will be filmed for broadcast on PBS in the Austin City Limits time slot in November. Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are on sale now here. For more information on the association or to purchase passes to AMERICANAFEST, visit www.americanamusic.org.

Inside Track on Music Row July 2024

Inside Track on Music Row July 2024… right here and ready to read!

Due to a technical glitch, Nashville Music Guide was unable to publish my column this month. So… here it is in full! Apologies to my readers and to the labels and artists’ representatives who share their news with me so I can bring it to you in this, the longest continuously running country music column in America!

Scroll down for news about George Strait, Morgan Waller, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs, HARDY, Brantley Gilbert, Phil Vassar, Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Jelly Roll and many more!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I didn’t know if it would be a successful one, or what the stages would be, but I always saw myself as a lifetime musician and songwriter.” – Bruce Springsteen

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly, I will sing your praises. – Psalm 22:22

ACOUSTIC VERSION NEWS: After putting fans first with the social media-driven Find Another Bar Tour: College Edition, multi-Platinum artist Chris Lane delivers another surprise with the release of From Where I’m Sippin’ (Deluxe) (Red Street Records/Voyager Records). Listen to From Where I’m Sippin’ (Deluxe) here. Watch Chris Lane’s performance video for “Mistake (Acoustic)” here. “I’ve always been a big fan of stripped-down versions of songs, and how the track can take on a new life while also giving me a new connection to it,” shares Lane. “I’m excited to add three acoustic versions to the From Where I’m Sippin’ EP, and hope y’all enjoy them.”

Lauded by Billboard as “veering slightly from hip-hop infused, polished pop-country to a sound with a ragged rock edge, while still residing squarely in his musical wheelhouse” with his new music, From Where I’m Sippin’ poured five fresh-Country concoctions – four of which were co-written by the top-shelf hitmaker – produced by Derek Wells with additional production from Michael Lotten. Now serving up three brand-new acoustic versions with the 2023 EP release, Lane adds an intimate element to stripped-down renditions of fan-favorites “Mistake,” “Way to Go Girl,” and current chart-rising single “Find Another Bar” – that’s nearing Top 35 at Country radio. Music and tour info at Chris Lane’s website. #ChrisLane

ALBUM NEWS: Country superstar Luke Combs’ new full-length album, Fathers & Sons, is out now on Columbia Nashville. Stream/purchase here. A collection of 12 poignant tracks, Fathers & Sons was recorded entirely live and features Combs most personal songwriting to date, as he reflects on his own experiences being a dad to his two sons and the unique bond between parents and their children. Ahead of the release, Combs unveiled new song, “The Man He Sees In Me,” which The Tennessean says is “redefining his level of superstardom.”

The album adds to yet another landmark year for Combs, who recently released his new radio single, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” which will be featured on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie (out July 19) and is the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opening July 11. The exhibit, entitled Luke Combs: The Man I Am, will feature a variety of photographs, childhood memorabilia, instruments, set lists and more from throughout Combs’ life and career. Combs has also partnered with Opry Entertainment Group to open a massive multi-level entertainment complex in downtown Nashville later this summer. Music and tour updates at Luke’s websiteand socials. #LukeCombs

New country singles you need to know about!

Your ears are gonna thank you!

June is bustin’ out all over with a bumper bundle of new singles. Lend an ear to these new tracks from Abby Anderson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dustin Lynch, Midland, Will Moseley, Chris Stapleton & Duo Lipa, Cyndi Thomson and Oliver Wood:

ABBY ANDERSON: Abby Anderson released her latest single, “If You Killed Somebody,” via Walk Off/ Virgin Records, following a packed week of performances including Bridgestone Arena and Stagecoach Festival. Listen to “If You Killed Somebody” here and watch the music video here. Fueled by clever lyrics and rich melodies, “If You Killed Somebody” showcases a unique side of Abby’s artistry. The song’s playful tone and hypotheticals inspires listeners to imagine the depth of love it creates as the fiery ballad of devotion builds. The track is a dedicated anthem about loyalty in even the most extreme of circumstances. Backed by effortless guitar plucking, Abby’s vocals are at the forefront as she declares to her lover, “If you killed somebody. I’d hide the body.” “If You Killed Somebody” continues what has already been a successful start to the year for Anderson. The single follows on the heels of her first release of 2024, the stormy “Bright Side of Blue.” Additionally, Abby is featured on global-renowned DJ Diplo’s new mixtape, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: The Mixtape – listen here. Find Abby Anderson’s upcoming tour and ticket info here. #AbbyAnderson

BILLY RAY CYRUS: Multi-hyphenate global entertainer Billy Ray Cyrus has released his newest single, “You Came Along,” available everywhere now. Reflecting his roots and diverse influences, the song is a heartfelt and honest expression of his life and soul, free from rules and limitations. Stream/download “You Came Along” here. Written and produced by Billy Ray Cyrus, Sean Kelly and Burleigh Clyde Johnson, “You Came Along” describes a true representation of Cyrus’ journey, inspired by a “no box” mindset, resonating with his commitment to authenticity and emotional openness in his music. “This song is everything I am as a singer / songwriter / producer / musician,” said Cyrus. “All my roots, all my influences encompassed in this song. Lyrically and musically, I’ve always worn my emotions wide open on my sleeve. No rules. No limits. No preconceived notions. Just music that I enjoy making that is true and honest to my life and my soul. That’s what ‘You Came Along’ is – a guy from Kentucky that loves all styles of music just being real. Like Carl Perkins said to me, and what I try to express to others in my field that ask for advice: ‘Don’t try and think inside the box. Don’t try and think outside the box. Think like there is no box.” More about Billy Ray at his website and on Instagram and X (@billyraycyrus).

DUSTIN LYNCH: Providing a timeless soundtrack for an underdog love story, multi-Platinum star Dustin Lynch has released the Mason Dixon-directed music video for current single “Chevrolet” (watch here). “It’s a storyline that everybody can relate to, especially us kids from small towns,” shares Lynch. “There always seems to be some kind of divide in friend groups as kids grow up, and there’s inevitably an underdog. I’d like to think everyone pulls for the underdog, and this video shows that.” Turning the ignition on a forever-young kind of freedom, the Jelly Roll collaboration – written by Chase McGill, Jessi Alexander, Hunter Phelps, and Mentor Williams – is nearing Top 15 at Country radio via Broken Bow Records. Delivered on Lynch’s statement-making sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy, the nostalgic track co-produced by Zach Crowell and Ben Phillips is proof of Country music’s unique ability to summon a picture, a mood, and especially a memory via the instantly recognizable throwback melody of the 1973 Dobie Gray hit “Drift Away.” Listen here. He’ll make another splash with the Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Nashville 2024 during CMA Fest weekend. Diving headfirst into the rooftop pool of Margaritaville Hotel Nashville for the second year, the wildest of all Country music-themed pool parties returns on June 7. Music and show dates at Lynch’s website. #DustinLynch

“Inside Track on Music Row” ready to read now

May 2024 edition posted now!

ICYMI: The May ’24 edition of my monthly music column, Inside Track on Music Row, is now posted and ready to read. The longest continuously-running country music column in America is posted at Nashville Music Guide here.

Among the news items in this month’s column:

Elvie Shane took a test-drive in a hybrid Corvette E-Ray and talked to Rolling Stone magazine about his widely-praised new 13-track album Damascus…

Sturgill Simpson’s landmark 2014 album, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, will be reissued May 10 celebrating its 10th anniversary ahead of his headlining slot at Outside Lands fest Aug 9-11…

Johnny Cash‘s album, Songwriter, will be released June 28, consisting of previously-unreleased, newly rediscovered tracks from some 30 years ago…

Terri Clark: Take Two is the title of an 8-song project from Country icon Terri Clark, arriving May 31, featuring duets with Lauren Alaina, Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBride and more…

ERNEST has released Nashville, Tennessee, a 26-track tribute to his hometown, following his 2021 debut Flower Shops (The Album) building on his billion+ on-demand streams…

T. Graham Brown will release a new studio album August 2 titled From Memphis to Muscle Shoals, featuring duets with icons such as Eddie Floyd, Bettye Layette, Little Anthony, Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam and more…

Lacy J Dalton has released “What Don’t Kill Ya,” from her album, For the Black Sheep, set to drop June 21. Outlaw country icon Dalton will join the Country Music Cruise Jan 19-25, 2025…

Clay Walker is now a Pandora Billionaire: in addition to 11 No. 1 singles, 6 Platinum and Gold albums, Clay received the award marking his music being streamed over 1 billion times on Pandora…

“Hometown Home,” the new single from LOCASH on their new label, Galaxy Label Group, will impact Country radio May 13 as they announce a bunch of new tour dates, a mix of festivals and standalone dates…

Brantley Gilbert is extending his Off the Rails Tour into the fall, announcing 15+ additional dates where he will be joined by Adam Calhoun and Demun Jones…

Moe Bandy is celebrating the 45th anniversary of “Just Good Ol’ Boys,” his hit single with Joe Stampley as he talks about his current album, Thank You Lord, featuring special guests…

Plus many more news items including: Chris Stapleton‘s track on the the new Tom Petty tribute album… “The World’s Most Notorious Rock Band,” Mötley Crüe signs with Big Machine Records… Chart Toppers is an album of No. 1 songs recorded live at The Wildhorse Saloon… shows celebrating the late John Prine set for October… K-Love Fan Awards weekend set for May 24-26… news about Rick Monroe & The Hitmen, Molly Lovette, Chris Lane, Maddie Tree, Ashley Cooke, Colton Dixon, Randall King, Sam Grow and more.

Find the entire May 2024 edition (and previous editions) of my monthly column Inside Track on Music Row 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 at www.collegeofsongology.com. Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com. @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

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

Inside Track on Music Row

Your music news roundup for July 2023

by Preshias Harris

Send me music stuff, I love to get it! / Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com Google “Preshias” (TN/USA)

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: With a little more love and a lot less hatin,’ be who you want to be, ’cause everybody else is taken.” – Lainey Wilson, ACM Awards 2023.

Scroll down to read about new projects, tour updates and music from Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Bailey Zimmerman, Gabby Barrett, Michael Ray, Chris Janson, Elvie Shane, Scotty McCreery, Alabama, Lauren Alaina, Craig Campbell, RaeLynn and much more!

ALBUM NEWS: Multi-Platinum recording artist Jake Owen delivered his seventh studio album, Loose Cannon, June 23. Owen brings his fan-trusted sound to the 16-song collection just in time for the official summer season. Produced by Joey Moi, Loose Cannon is available everywhere now. Listen here. “Loose Cannon has been a long time coming and I’m so excited my fans can finally experience it with me,” shares Owen. “I hope the album makes it into your summertime memories and I can’t wait to see y’all on the road this fall.” Loose Cannon is a collection of summertime staples with sunshine-soaked lyrics that tip their hat to feel-good classic Country sounds and nostalgia a little over four years since his last full-length album, Greetings From…Jake. The album boasts tracks from songwriters Ashley Gorley, Brent Cobb, Rodney Clawson, Jessie Jo Dillon and Luke Laird, to name a few. Additionally, Owen enlisted reputed artist-writers including ACM Male Artist of the Year nominee Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Walker Hayes, Jordan Fletcher and Hunter Phelps. Owen kicks off his nationwide Loose Cannon Tour Sept. 7. Tour info, music and more at Jake’s website and on Facebook. #JakeOwen

ANNIVERSARY NEWS: Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Darryl Worley recognizes the power of a song. It’s been two decades since his biggest hit “Have You Forgotten?” took Country Music and the nation by storm. Penned alongside Wynn Varble, the pair poured their hearts into the lyrics and created a post-9/11 anthem ensuring people would never forget those lost. Its message quickly resonated with millions, topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in only its fifth week – marking the fastest rise to the top in more than five years – and reigned for seven weeks. Now, 20 years later, Worley revisited his career-defining song with a fresh modern-day perspective on its original themes for a reimagined version titled “Have We Forgotten,” available now via The Valory Music Co. here. “We recently decided to sit down and write a new lyric for the song that’s appropriate for this day and time with what’s happening in our country today. For the new version ‘Have We Forgotten,’ we wanted to be certain we said what we were truly feeling in our hearts and didn’t compromise what we believe in, which is exactly how it went down with the original. I’m very proud of the message of the song.” More at Darryl’s website. #DarrylWorley.

Spring-into-Summer Music Roundup

Catch up with what’s happening on Music Row – and beyond

By Preshias Harris

Getting set for Summer ’23 with new and recent releases, upcoming tours, artist and songwriter news and – of course – CMA Fest. Scroll down to catch up with a ‘digest’ of Inside Track on Music Row… Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Chapel Hart, Dustin Lynch. Lainey Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, Moe Bandy, David Adam Byrnes, Buddy Jewell and much more. Send me music stuff, I love to get it! preshiaswriter@hotmail.com #PreshiasHarris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel

ALBUM NEWS: John Mellencamp’s new album Orpheus Descending was released June 2 via Republic Records. In anticipation of the release, Mellencamp shared the album track “Hey God.” Listen/share here, and pre-order the album here. This is his twenty-fifth album, produced by Mellencamp and recorded as his own Belmont Mall Studio. One of his most personal records to date, standout tracks “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland” focus on social issues Mellencamp continues to passionately advocate for. Mellencamp is currently in the midst of his massive Live and In Person 2023North American tour, with dates running through June 27 including stops in New York City, Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston and more. He’s currently performing songs from the new LP during his live set. Mellencamp is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy winner, a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award and Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and more recently, the Founders Award, the top honor assigned by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. #JohnMellencamp

ANNIVERSARY NEWS: Award-winning country music legend, Moe Bandy is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Top 10 duet with Becky Hobbs, “Let’s Get Over Them Together.” Written by Charlie Craig and Keith Stegall, “Let’s Get Over Them Together” became Bandy’s 16th Top 10 hit and continues to be a fan favorite. Bandy was recently inducted into the Class of 2023 of The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame along with The Texas Ranger Division of the Department of Public Safety, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Cleo Hearn, and Boots O’Neal. Bandy, was a proud competitor in bull riding prior to pursuing country music full-time. Bandy recently released his new album, Thank You Lord. Delivering a heartfelt project, Bandy recorded twelve heartfelt tracks and features special guests The Isaacs on “Family Bible” and The Oak Ridge Boys with Nora Lee Allen on “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” The title track, written by Mo Pitney, Bobby Tomberlin and Cheryl Riddle offers a true reflection of where Bandy is in his life today, of which he is thankful for another mile, another day, and a life many could have only dreamed of. Stream or purchase Thank You Lord here.

CELEBRATION NEWS: Buddy Jewell is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his hit song “Sweet Southern Comfort” teaming up with several of his country music buddies to create what could be the vocal collaboration of the year in a newly-recorded version. Strategically picked, each artist represents a different decade in country music. The Bellamy Brothers from the 70’s, Shenandoah and Marty Raybon from the 80’s, Clint Black from the 90’s and Buddy Jewell from the 2000’s. Asking Clint Black to participate in the new recording was a no-brainer for Jewell. At the urging of his wife Tené, Jewell entered Nashville Star, a talent contest set to be televised on the USA Network. Eventually he was voted the winner of the inaugural season – two million votes ahead of the second-placed contestant, a young Miranda Lambert. It was Black who produced Jewell’s first album that quickly earned Gold certification and included the original version of “Sweet Southern Comfort.” The Bellamy Brothers said, “Such a joy singing on the 20th anniversary version of Buddy Jewell’s big hit (‘Sweet Southern Comfort’) and to be joined by Clint Black and Marty Raybon well, what more could you ask for!” Details here.

April ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ now posted!

Read ‘Inside Track’ at Nashville Music Guide

The current edition of my monthly music column, Inside Track on Music Row, is now posted and ready to read at Nashville Music Guide here.

Among the news items in the column…

Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks will host the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, May 11, streaming on Prime Video…
HARDY is treating fans to three ‘reimagined’ tracks amid his sold-out mockingbird & THE CROW tour…
Country-rock band Exile, now in their 60th year are being honored with a showcase exhibit at Regions Bank on Music Row…
Ian Munsick‘s new album, White Buffalo, stampedes in as he headlines his Long Live Cowgirls tour…
In Bluegrass News, singer-songwriter Dalton Harper bursts out of the gate with “Highway of Love”, his first single as a solo artist…
The Swon Brothers deliver their new single “If Whiskey Could Talk” with a turnabout view on the age-old spirit…
Barbara Fairchild, adored by fans for more than six decades, releases a rare collection of never-before released recordings in an album titled And I Love You So…
Memphis Blue-eyed Soul legends, The Box Tops, inducted into the prestigious Memphis Music Hall of Fame…