Set to play Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
By Preshias Harris
A few days ahead of appearances at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Wheelhouse Records singer/songwriter Elvie Shane wrapped his first-ever headlining run on April 21 with a sold-out show at Nashville’s Basement East.
Elvie Shane plays to a sold-out crowd at The Basement East in Nashville. Photo credit: Garrett Rizan
Shane brought his My Kinda Trouble Tour with Frank Ray to a close, playing songs from his critically acclaimed debut album Backslider as well as surprising the capacity crowd with guest appearances by Lainey Wilson who joined Shane for a rendition of her ACM Song of the Year winning “Things A Man Outta Know” and Tenille Townes as she and Shane sang their duet “Nothin’ Lasts Forever.”
Nashville is a town that knows how to pay tribute to its real stars: the songwriters. A Number One party is designed to do just that, but when the recording artist that took it to the top of the charts is also one of the song’s creators… well, that’s the icing on the cake.
That was the case at the Number One party held Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at The Local in Nashville, where friends and family joined with members of the music industry to pay tribute to the writers of “My Boy,” the debut hit for Elvie Shane.
Elvie Shane hugs his “My Boy” co-writers (L to R): Nick Columbia, Lee Starr, Russell Sutton. Photo credit: Preshias Harris
“My Boy” came to fruition at the hands of songwriters Elvie Shane, Russell Sutton, Lee Starr and Nick Columbia. The story behind the song is a very personal one for Shane who recalled the writing session with his co-writers as they sat with their guitars on the back porch. At that time, none of them had song publishing deals or record label deals and were living pretty much “paycheck to paycheck.”
Elvie Shane at No. 1, Chris Young and Kane Brown celebrate… and more
By Preshias Harris
Here’s a quick round-up of some of the stories that will be in my column in November. Scroll down for news about Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Kane Brown, this year’s NSAI Annual Song Contest, the 2021 inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame … and “My Boy” Elvie Shane’s long climb to No. 1!
“My Boy” tops Billboard
Airplay chart
Elvie Shane is No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart dated Oct. 23, 2021! Elvie’s debut single, “My Boy” (Wheelhouse), leaps from No. 5 to No. 1 for its 54th week on the chart, according to MRC Data. That’s right: a nail-biting fifty-four week climb!
On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (blending airplay, streaming and sales data), “My Boy” rose from No. 7 to No. 4. Written by Elvie along with Nick Columbia, Lee Starr and Russell Sutton, “My Boy” is a track from Elvie’s upcoming album Backslider, set for release Oct. 29.
Earlier on Instagram, I proudly posted:
Sharing a plaque of memorable photos with Elvie Shane
So excited for @elvieshanemusic. He has the #1 #countrymusic song for #Myboy. I gave him this 2021 music milestone plaque when he, Mandy and their baby stopped by the office a couple of weeks ago. Photos are of his first tour bus, his first Grand Ole Opry appearance, Bonnaroo stage, and Elvie, Mandy and Caleb in a People Magazine exclusive. I watched him work hard all these years and wanted to give him something to remind him how truly special 2021 has been for his career and his family. I was blessed to be there at the journey’s start. Love y’all Elvie.
“My Boy” was written from Elvie’s perspective as a stepfather. “We’ve been told for five years that this song was a No.1,” Shane told Billboard. “I always found it hard to believe that I could be part of something like that.”
Elvie Shane continues his steady rise up the country charts with his debut single, “My Boy,” released on Wheelhouse Records, a BBR Music Group imprint. For the survey dated Aug 14, 2021, “My Boy” climbs 15 to 13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in its forty-fourth consecutive week charting there.
For the same week, “My Boy” jumps 22 to 19 after sixteen weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart that combines sales, airplay and streaming data compiled by MRC Data.
Elvie’s success means a great deal to me personally. I first heard “My Boy” when he sang and played it to me in my office in Nashville, where he and I were working on developing his music career. His star quality and – equally important – his strength of character and vision were undeniable even in those early days.
One day, Elvie invited me to lunch. But when we were in the car, he had a surprise for me. “We’re not going to lunch,” he said. “I’m taking you with me when I sign my record deal at Broken Bow.”
Preshias Harris with Elvie Shane as he prepares to sign with Broken Bow Records. Photo credit: Cody Heckber
I shed tears of joy that day, and the photo commemorating that special event takes pride of place in my office today. He is an inspiration to my current roster of emerging songwriters and artists who can see that a successful career in music is attainable despite the many challenges.
His love of stepson captures No. 1 spot on TikTok with
#MyBoy
By Preshias Harris
Elvie Shane knows just how much dedication and hard work (and patience!) it takes to see one of your songs eventually begin to climb the charts. The Billboard Country Airplay chart for October 16 shows Elvie’s “My Boy” jumping in at No. 56. The song also tops Billboard’s “Most Added” chart that lists the songs added to the playlists of Country Radio stations nationwide.
Watch Elvie perform a ‘Live in Studio’ version of “My Boy” at YouTube here.
Due to the continuing corona virus, Elvie and BBR Music Groupreimagined the traditional radio tour. The innovative approach involves customized, high-quality live-streamed, full-band performances and video chats, which deliver extraordinary experiences for the viewer and will likely become the model of radio tours for the foreseeable future. For six weeks straight, Elvie has performed roughly five full-band shows per day—miraculously maintaining his stamina, gaining believers and setting the bar high for future newcomers.
The song also leapt to No. 1 on TikTok’s Country chart with well over 775 million uses of #MyBoy and more than 1.5 million streams in the USA alone. You can see a few of the posted TikTok videos here.
No overnight success
Elvie Shane wows the crowd at the 2019 CMA Fest. Photo credit: Catrina Engelby
This achievement is no overnight success – either for “My Boy” or for Elvie himself. Growing up in rural Caneyville, KY, Elvie absorbed influences from the Gospel music of his church and the gritty rock music favored by his truck-driving dad.
He credits a professor at Western Kentucky University for encouraging him to develop his creative writing, but, much as he enjoyed listening to music it wasn’t an immediate career choice, particularly as he devoted his attention to providing for his wife and stepson.
After he watched the now-famous Chris Stapleton/Justin Timberlake duet at the 2015 CMA Awards, he saw that his voice and personal style of songwriting might find an outlet in country music. He started performing anywhere he could find a mic.
