Nashville is opening up and the music is center stage again
It feels like the good times are coming back in Music City and here’s the music news update for mid-June, 2021. As always, all these items and more appear in the June edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA. You can catch it every month in the Nashville Music Guide. Here are some more items from my current column:
The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for the Awards Show set for September at the Ryman
Netflix movie The Ice Road features hot songs woven into its soundtrack
CMT Awards: here are the big winners!
Brett Young sets date for Caliville Weekend and announces headliners
Songwriters heading to the Smoky Mountains for Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival
Explore the electric guitar in an online program from the Country Music Hall of fame and Museum
Shenandoah will livestream from historic FAME studios in Muscle Shoals
Dallas Remington’s “Princess” inspired by a Royal wedding
Scroll down to read these news items…
The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for its 20th annual Americana Honors & Awards during a socially-distanced ceremony at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). This year’s nominations were revealed by GRAMMY® Award-winner Keb’ Mo’ and Ketch Secor, frontman and fiddler of the Americana Award and GRAMMY®-winning band, Old Crow Medicine Show. The intimate event was streamed live to the Americana Music Association’s Facebook page.
The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST, which returns for its 21st year on Sept. 22-25, 2021. Find ticketing information and a full list of nominees or purchase passes to AMERICANAFEST here.
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When it comes to the road, nobody understands hard driving like Big Machine Label Group founder and chairman Scott Borchetta. The longtime racer, NASCAR team owner, IndyCar sponsor and race historian loves the feel of the asphalt in a way that transcends transportation. When Jonathan Hensleigh, the writer and director of Netflix’s The Ice Road wanted a label to deliver a multi-genre film soundtrack, he knew that Big Machine was the only choice. The Ice Road, an action thriller starring Liam Neeson, debuts on Netflix on June 25.
Set your DVR now or plan to be in front of your TV (or both) on Friday March 26 to see the stars come out to raise funds for those affected by the Christmas Day bombing that devastated Nashville’s Second Avenue and beyond.
The DISTRICT, Inc. and Metro Historical Commission Foundation announced the full lineup of performers for the March 26 virtual benefit concert hosted at the Wildhorse Saloon by Natalie Stovall of Runaway June. Ashley McBryde, BRELAND, Derek St. Holmes, Lee Brice, Lindsay Ell, Old Dominion, Phil Vassar, Phillip Phillips, Scotty McCreery, Shenandoah w/ special guest Gyth Rigdon and Tyler Rich will perform to raise money for 2ndavestrong restoration and preservation fund.
One of the evening’s highlights will bring together for the first time ever GRAMMY Award Winning Shenandoah with special guest Gyth Rigdon performing “I Want To Be Loved Like That”. Gyth performed the song on the 16th season of The Voice as a member of team Blake.
Gyth Rigdon (light shirt) on the Wildhorse stage with Shenandoah at the 2nd Ave Strong concert. Photo credit: Preshias Harris
On a personal note, I am so proud of Gyth Rigdon who not only has an amazing talent that took him to the finals on The Voice, but also has the resolve and focus that will make him a star. It was an honor to have Gyth as part of my “Nashville music family!”
Preshias is back on the Ya’ll Show for the first show of 2021, talking about what’s happening in Nashville and the world of country music. There was a lot to catch up on after the Christmas and New Year’s break! Y’all Show host Jon Rawl is on hand to ask @PreshiasHarris what’s up on Music Row. Watch the latest Y’all Show with Preshias at the Y’all Show YouTube Channel or at the Y’all Show website. Among this week’s topics…
The Grammys have been postponed thanks to the Coronavirus. The Recording Academy has set a new date in March…
Loretta Lynn is Still Woman Enough and this week she took to Twitter to talk about her upcoming album and the women of Country who’ll be featured on the project…
Shenandoah marked a ‘high’ point in a ‘low’ year for me with the 2020 release of their album Every Road featuring Luke, Blake, Carly, Brad and more of their friends…
Broken Bow’s Elvie Shane premieres the music vid – directed by video veteran Peter Zavadil – for his moving debut single, “My Boy”…
Former Bee Gee Barry Gibb’s Nashville album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1 produced by Dave Cobb drops January 8 featuring a who’s who of Music City’s finest…
Blane Howard is a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan and his single “Run It Back” is his tribute to his favorite team, when he isn’t singing “Promise To Lover Her” to his wife…
We take a lot back at how 2020 treated Chris Young – and it treated him pretty well with a stack of Gold and Platinum discs for his album I’m Coming’ Over and a bunch of singles…
The sad loss of singer-songwriter Mac Davis at age 78
“Cold,” the new song from Chris Stapleton’s upcoming album, Starting Over
Every Road is the title of the new album from Shenandoah – their first album of all-new music in 26 years
The Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 95th year with a lot of stars but not much of a ‘live’ audience
Carrie Underwood is set to perform songs from her Christmas album, My Gift, on an HBO Max Special
Time-Life is releasing a 19-DVD deluxe set titled Dolly: The Ultimate Collection, and Dolly Parton’sHolly Dolly Christmas album arrives October 2nd
An “I Know Country” Q&A from Preshias’ book of the same name, and more!
Find this week’s Y’all Show on YouTube here or see the show and read the program notes at the Y’all website here.
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
AMID NATIONAL UNCERTAINTY, SHENANDOAH VOWS TO “KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING” WITH SPECIAL FACEBOOK LIVE CONCERT
Live Broadcast Featuring Special Guests Michael Ray, Aaron Tippin, Austin Merrill,T. Graham Brown and Katie Austin Set for Tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM CT
Concert to be Hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander; Sponsored by Foundry Records
During a time of national uncertainty, GRAMMY® Award-winning country music group Shenandoah is looking to brighten spirits with a special Facebook Live performance event that will bring music to the masses. Today the legendary country band announced “Keep the Music Playing,” a free live-streamed concert set for tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM / CT. Amid concert postponements nationwide, the event will provide a unique opportunity for fans to enjoy live performances from the comfort of their living rooms.
Stars join Shenandoah for live web show
Shenandoah has enlisted Michael Ray, Aaron Tippin, Austin Merrill, T. Graham Brown, and Katie Austin to join them during the live web broadcast. The event, sponsored by Foundry Records and hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander, will take place at Nashville’s SIR Rehearsal Studios with no live audience and minimal staff.
“The main mission here is to hopefully, with music as only music can, bring some sunshine to the gloom,” says Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon. “We’ll be taking all of the recommended precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, is thrilled about the event. “We are happy to see artists doing everything they can to ‘Keep the Music Playing’ during these challenging times as we try to keep the virus from spreading,” he says. “Seeing all the ways that live music is still being shared is part of the creative spirit in Music City.”
Though the event is free to view online, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Foundation / Music City, Inc will be accepting donations throughout the live broadcast. All donations will aid Middle Tennesseans who have been affected by COVID-19 and the recent tornadoes that ravaged the area.
“It has taken an army of people to put this event
together in less than 24 hours,” notes Foundry Records/Johnstone
Entertainment’s Cole Johnstone. “I want to give special thanks to SIR
Nashville, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, 2911 Media, TNDV and Nic
Dugger, Mama Sue, Absolute Publicity, Shenandoah’s band and crew, all of our
guest artists, and the Foundry Records staff for making this possible.”
Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items
Hope Nation Radio brings joy to children fighting cancer. Celebrates 500th show 4:00 pm CT, March 17
Jason Aldean announces tour schedule. Hootie & Blowfish to join Aldean in Atlanta
Larry’s Country Diner set to tour live venues. TV show to book 20 – 25 ‘live’ stage shows per year
Shenandoah album release party March 20. Tickets on sale now for Nashville Winery show
Songwriters, artists celebrate chart-topping singles. March a big month for Number One parties
Volunteer Jam XX brings the stars to Bridgestone Arena. 4+ hour show to air on AXS TV
2018 ACM Award nominations announced. Chris Stapleton leads with eight nominations
Scroll down to read these Music Row One Sheet news items
Hope Nation Radio sets 500th show, March 17
Hope Nation Radio, the online radio station devoted to bringing joy and hope through music to the lives of children fighting cancer, will present their 500th show on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 4:00 pm CT. They will celebrate this milestone achievement LIVE on their show ‘Big Daddy LIVE (From the Man Cave)’ on St. Patrick’s Day. Nile Peaytt, better known as “Big Daddy,” created this station with the goal of bringing hope into the lives of children (or as he calls them, “kiddos!”) fighting cancer.
‘Big Daddy’ Nile Peaytt [right] on air with Jeff BatesIn celebration of this 500th episode, Peaytt said, “What started as such a small mission has now grown into such a beautiful community of listeners. Keeping hope alive in trying times is so important.” Hope Nation Radio was formed in 2013 by Peaytt and Thomas Hammonds and plays a variety of country music, pop, rock, contemporary, Christian and gospel from signed and independent artists. Big Daddy intermixes hopeful music with his own hilarious and energetic interjections and stories of hope he shares. Watch an explanatory video and learn more about this great organization at hopeiseverything.org
Aldean’s High Noon Neon tour starts May 10
Jason Aldean has revealed the one-night-only lineup from SunTrust Park for his HIGH NOON NEON TOUR stop at the new Atlanta Braves stadium, on July 21. Tickets will be available beginning 10:00 am ET, Friday March 23 at JasonAldean.com and LiveNation.com. Aldean will be joined on the tour by Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina. For the July 21 Atlanta date only, Aldean will also be joined by Darius Rucker reuniting with former bandmates as Hootie & the Blowfish. The High Noon Neon Tour will launch on May 10 in Kansas City, MO, following the April 13 release of his latest album REARVIEW TOWN. The new music follows Aldean’s last three albums that each bowed at No. One on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart.
‘Larry’s Country Diner” goes from TV to stage
The cast of Larry’s Country Diner
“Larry’s Country Diner,” the down-home TV variety show that serves millions of fans with an appetite for wholesome, family-friendly programming and a palette for traditional country music, is packing its kitchen and will soon be coming to a city near you. The cast of five, including host Larry Black, Renae The Waitress, church lady Nadine, announcer Keith Bilbrey, Sheriff Jimmy Capps and a special guest music performer, will be bringing their humor and good times to live audiences at venues across the United States and Canada on its first-ever tour.
“Larry’s Country Diner” Road Show plans to book around 20-25 shows per year. The “Larry’s Country Diner” Road Show recently concluded two six-night runs at the Starlite Theater in Branson, Missouri, and a Caribbean cruise, all of which sold out. Currently, the show has also started taping its upcoming season at Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom in Nashville. Details at larryscountrydiner.com.
Shenandoah album release party, March 20
Shenandoah celebrates their first country album in 20 years with a party at City Winery Tuesday, March 20 that will include performances from several surprise guests. Click HERE to purchase tickets. RELOADED includes ‘live’ versions of many of their smash hits, recorded at venues during their 2017 tour. The album also includes three new songs.
Charlie Daniels hosts Volunteer Jam XX
Charlie Daniels and friends at Volunteer Jam XX. Photo credit: Rick Diamond
The stars came out (and played) for Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam XX. With a killer ensemble and set list of over 30 songs – from Jamey Johnson’s take on Daniels’ “Long Haired Country Boy” to Skynryd’s performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” to Devon Allman, Duane Betts and Chuck Leavell’s once-in-a-lifetime collaboration on “Midnight Rider” to, of course, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” a packed Bridgestone Arena witnessed over four hours of incredible music continuing the Jam’s legacy. AXS TV filmed the concert event for a primetime broadcast special this summer; information on air date and time to be announced at a later date. Charlie has parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged children and others in need. More at charliedaniels.com
No. 1 parties for Janson, Young, Lynch
Chris Janson
‘Fix A Drink’ fixed Chris Janson another Number One and he celebrated with co-writers Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley at a Number One party on the afternoon of March 6th. The party, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI, was held at BMI’s Nashville location. More at chrisjanson.com …
Chris Young
Later that day, it was time for Chris Young to celebrate the success of ‘Losing Sleep.’ That Number One party took place at Nashville’s Tin Roof – renamed TEN Roof for the evening in honor of Young’s tenth Number One hit. Young was joined by co-writers Chris DeStefano and Josh Hoge, co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. See chrisyoungcountry.com …
Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch took time out of his busy schedule for a Number One party, marking his four-week No. 1 single, ‘Small Town Boy.’ The song, written by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip and Kyle Fishman, was also hailed as the ‘largest audience song of the year’ during the party. Tour and ‘meet & greet’ updates at dustinlynchmusic.com…
Next week, it will be Carly Pearce‘s turn to celebrate her No. 1, ‘Every Little Thing,’ with co-writers Emily Shackelton and busbee (who also produced the song).
2018 ACM Award nominees announced
Reba McEntire, host of 2018 ACM Awards
The Academy of Country Music Awards will include performances by Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, GFL, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and more. Chris Stapleton is up for eight awards, Thomas Rhett has six nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year. Reba McEntire hosts the show, airing live from the MGM Garden Arena, Sunday April 15, 8:00 pm ET/PT on CBS.
See the full list of nomineess at Billboard’s website here.
Music Row One Sheet copyright (c) 2018 Preshias Harris and Nashville Music Line LLC
As I sat down with Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, it was hard to believe that Shenandoah are celebrating thirty years of a career that gave us hits such as “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next to You, Next to Me” among others. They are known for their matchless harmonies led by frontman Raybon, and founding member McGuire.
Even harder to believe: it’s been twenty years since Shenandoah released a country album. That all changes with RELOADED, available everywhere March 16. The new album, released by BMG, marks a new chapter in Shenandoah’s storied career.
Shenandoah are known for their dynamic live shows and the new album contains nine of the band’s best-loved tunes recorded live while on tour in 2017. RELOADED also includes three brand new bonus tracks produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts.
I caught up with Mike McGuire and Marty Raybon in Nashville a few days ago to talk about their decades-long career and the new album.
30 years in the spotlight
I started by reminding them that its almost thirty years since Shenandoah received their first CMA Awards. Now, years later, they are still being told, ‘You guys are the reason I got into music.’ I wanted to know how that made them feel.
Marty responded, “It’s really a special feeling, any time you hear anyone make a comment like that. I remember how it was. We had a single out, and we said, ‘You know what? We got a show and we’re gonna be opening for George Jones!’ or ‘We’re gonna be opening up for Merle Haggard!’ It would give you the opportunity to be able to visit with them and tell them how you felt about them and what their music meant to you.
“Nowadays,” he added, “you watch Aldean and Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert get up and sing ‘Sunday in the South’ and you hear [artists] doing ‘Ghost in This House’ and ‘Church on Cumberland Road’ on The Voice and you get to meet them. It’s actually flattering. It’s certainly a respectful thing, because I know that when I had the opportunity to tell Merle Haggard and George Jones the same thing at different times in different venues, it was certainly coming from the approach of gratitude because someone had literally moved and changed my life to the point that I truly appreciated that.”
Jay DeMarcus produced Shenandoah’s new songs
I asked them to sum up, in one word, what it was like, working with Jay DeMarcus on the new album.
Marty quickly said, “A treat!”
“Lucky,” added Mike. “We were very lucky!”
I asked Mike how it came about, Jay producing the new songs.
Jay DeMarcus
“Jay called me,” said Mike. “He’d heard that Marty had rejoined the band after being gone for 17 years and he called to ask me if it was true. I said, yeah, it’s true. He’s been back for a few months now. So he said, ‘Look, I’m a huge Shenandoah fan and so are the other guys in Rascal Flatts. I’d love to take you guys in the studio and record some stuff and try to get a deal for you guys.’ He said that the first song they ever sang together as Rascal Flatts was ‘Church on Cumberland Road’ and that was our first number one. Continue reading “Shenandoah talk about ‘Reloaded’”
Jason Aldean has revealed the one-night-only lineup from SunTrust Park for his HIGH NOON NEON TOUR stop at the new Atlanta Braves stadium, on July 21. Tickets will be available beginning 10:00 am ET, Friday March 23 at 
Marty responded, “It’s really a special feeling, any time you hear anyone make a comment like that. I remember how it was. We had a single out, and we said, ‘You know what? We got a show and we’re gonna be opening for George Jones!’ or ‘We’re gonna be opening up for Merle Haggard!’ It would give you the opportunity to be able to visit with them and tell them how you felt about them and what their music meant to you.