Tag: Ringo Starr

Inside Track on Music Row December 2024

New albums, singles, tour updates and more!

By Preshias Harris

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I was a different person before I started to write. When I realized I could be a songwriter and that people would listen – that was when I started feeling good in my life.” – Gwen Stafani

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. – Psalm 34:1-2

December already? It seems like only yesterday it was November! So it’s time for the December 2024 edition of Inside Trak on Music Row, the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA. A lot of new music to check out. Albums from Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Red Cat Strays and Ringo Starr… Singles from Tanner Adell, Bowman, Ian Flanigan, Thomas Rhett, Lily Rose, Shaboozeyand Swon Brothers… plus tour updates, news about Christmas music, Bluegrass, music videos and a whole lot more. Scroll down and click on ‘Continue Reading’ to catch up on the music news you can use…

ALBUM NEWS 

BROOKS & DUNN

BROOKS & DUNN: The best-selling duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn, have released their highly anticipated collaboration project Reboot II, via Sony Music Nashville. The album serves as the sequel to their acclaimed 2019 release Reboot, following a similar concept but with a fresh twist. This time, a new generation of today’s top artists—from country to beyond—were given full creative freedom to join forces with the duo. The result is a collection that showcases Brooks & Dunn’s iconic catalog while pushing genre boundaries. Featuring 18 exciting new collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Marcus King Band, Megan Moroney, Warren Zeiders, Jelly Roll, Riley Green, The Cadillac Three, Halestorm, Mitchell Tenpenny, The Earls of Leicester, Jake Worthington, Hailey Whitters, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, HARDY, ERNEST, A Thousand Horses and Corey Kent. Fans can listen to Reboot II now here.

Reboot II‘s 18 tracks include reinterpreted hits such as “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and “Believe,” resulting in a dynamic and eclectic collection that spans genres and generations. To celebrate the release of Reboot II, Brooks & Dunn performed their hit song “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” on Today on November 13, watch here.  

They recently announced 2025 dates for the first leg of their Neon Moon Tour; for a full list of upcoming tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.brooks-dunn.com. #Brooks&Dunn

GEORGE JONES

GEORGE JONES: With excitement peaking, George Jones: The Lost Nashville Sessions is available now (play/listen here), offering fans a long-awaited treasure trove of music from the legendary George Jones. This album features sixteen tracks, blending beloved classics with rare gems from Jones’ extensive catalog. Fans will recognize favorites like “The Race Is On,” “The Grand Tour,” “White Lightnin’,” and “Tender Years.” The collection also highlights lesser-known recordings of songs such as “Old Brush Arbors,” “She’s Mine,” “Four-O-Thirty-Three,” and more, providing a fresh glimpse into Jones’ iconic career.

Continue reading “Inside Track on Music Row December 2024”

Songwriters: ‘hard work’ is the key

Hall of Famer Gary Burr’s advice to rising songwriters

 “You have to go to work every day. You just have to go to work.  I went to the office every morning, I went to the office every afternoon.  If I had something good, it wasn’t going to be good enough ‘til I went over it with a fine-tooth comb several times.  You just work hard.  The ones [songwriters] who are making it today are just working really, really hard.”

Gary Burr. Photo: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Those words came from Gary Burr, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame during an interview on the Public Television show, The Songwriters, produced the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in conjunction with Middle Tennessee State University. MTSU professor Robert Gordon Jr. directs the episodes, which are filmed by students from the school’s College of Media and Entertainment. Ken Paulson, Dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, hosts the new show and interviewed Burr during a recently televised episode.

Songs for Garth, Ringo, Skynyrd and more

Gary Burr backstage with Ringo Starr. Photo: Mark Mirando

Burr has been honored with Songwriter of the Year Awards from Billboard Magazine and ASCAP in addition to the Hall of Fame recognition. In a 40+ year career, he has written or co-written literally hundreds of songs that have been cut by major artists including Garth Brooks, Collin Raye, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ringo Starr and more. Many of those cuts are also Number One hits. Take a look at the Discography at his website.

In his interview with Paulson, he emphasized that there’s no ‘trick’ to songwriting. As with any other creative enterprise, it takes a commitment to working at it every day, just like a ‘regular’ job because it is your job.  You can’t wait for inspiration, said Burr. You simply sit down, either alone or with your co-writer and start work.  That’s where hits are born.

‘The Songwriters’ currently airs in Nashville on WNPT Channel 8 on Saturday evenings. Check local TV schedules for air dates and times in other areas.