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New albums and singles, tour info and more

Inside Track on Music Row: all new for March 2025

by Preshias Harris

SO much happening and SO much to catch up on! Tour updates for Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts and Vince Gill… new single releases from Brett Young, Craig Campbell, Runaway June, Annie Bosko, Bowman, Elle Rose and Dani Rose (no relation!)… Ashley Cooke teaming up for a duet with Joe Jonas… info on the 2025 Tin Pan South… and news about Tucker Wetmore, Cole Swindell, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Muscadine Bloodline, Allie Colleen, Lainey Wilson, Ringo Starr and more. Scroll down to read it all!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I started being a songwriter pretending I could do it, and it turned out I could.” – James Taylor

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

ALBUM NEWS

ALLIE COLLEEN

ALLIE COLLEEN, celebrated for her iconic voice and remarkable songwriting talent, kicks off the new year with the release of her five-song EP, Sincerely, Rolling Stone. “In a town filled with extraordinary talent, as a songwriter, I find it rare to work with a true artist who knows exactly who she is and what she wants to say. Allie Colleen is fearless in her artistry and is breaking molds inside of the country genre that will impact not only her career but the careers of artists to come after. She will be an influence beyond her generation giving future artists the courage to express themselves in new and inventive ways sonically, lyrically, and in performance,” expressed co-writer Stephen Hunley.

Allie’s first-ever release of a vinyl music project is available now as a limited edition for pre-sale here and is available for pre-save on all digital platforms here.

Allie Colleen conveys, “I wanted to return to my roots of creating—creating something that reflects how I feel. “I want to thank my songwriters, who sat with me in rooms this past year, letting me cry, be honest, and, most importantly, vent about a life others might give everything to have. Thank you for seeing me and allowing me to show up exactly as I am.” More at Allie Colleen’s website and on social media. #AllieColleen

MUSCADINE BLOODLINE

MUSCADINE BLOODLINE: Independent country duo Muscadine Bloodline confirms their fifth studio album, … And What Was Left Behind, will be released on April 11 on Stancaster Music via Thirty Tigers. Pre-order/Pre-save here. …And What Was Left Behind serves as a companion to the duo’s critically acclaimed The Coastal Plain, which was released last summer. Also unveiled today is the new song, “Chickasaw Church of Christ.” Listen here.

Produced by Muscadine Bloodline’s Gary Stanton and Charlie Muncaster with Ryan Youmans (known for his work with Jelly Roll, among others), …And What Was Left Behind continues to weave tales inspired by the people and scenery of their southern, coastal Alabama roots. Listen to the previously released track, “Ain’t For Sale” (feat. Josh Meloy), here.

The new album comes on the heels of a series of breakthroughs for the duo, including their biggest add week at country radio with their debut radio single, “10-90,” several shows as direct support on Post Malone’s “F-1 Trillion Tour” last year and numerous sold-out dates on their current headlining tour. The highly lauded duo are currently on their headlining “The Coastal Plain Tour” and will join fellow Alabamians The Red Clay Strays for select dates and will also join Lainey Wilson as direct support on her “Whirlwind World Tour” to kick off in the fall. Details and tickets at muscadinebloodline.com. #MuscadineBloodline

DUET NEWS

DUET NEWS: Big Loud’s powerhouse country songstress Ashley Cooke is teaming up with global superstar Joe Jonas for an unforgettable heartbreak anthem that cuts deep with “All I Forgot” feat. Joe Jonas, available now here. The emotionally-charged duet blends Cooke’s signature warmth with Jonas’ smooth pop charm for a gut-punching anthem about love, loss and the memories that refuse to fade at the bottom of a bottle. “We’ve had the best time creating this for you and truly cannot wait for you to hear it,” shared Cooke in an Instagram post this morning.

Musicians Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2022

Induction ceremony, concert honors music’s finest

By Preshias Harris

There’s no city on earth better qualified than Nashville to honor the men and women who create the music we love… and no better place in Nashville than the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

For me, it is still just about the best music-related museum I have ever visited because you can feel the love and respect with which every exhibit is treated, regardless of its size or fame. I was one of the first visitors to the Museum at its original location on 6^th Avenue South and have enjoyed many visits at its current location. The Museum reflects the love and dedication of co-founders, the late Joe Chambers and his wife Linda who has now stepped into the leadership role as CEO.

The induction ceremony of the Musician’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was a star-studded night to remember.

2022 Musicians Hall of Fame Inductees (L-R): Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, Mick Conley, (The Fabulous Superlatives), Marty Stuart, Chris Scruggs (The Fabulous Superlatives), Linda Chambers, CEO/Co-Founder Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Vince Gill, Billy F Gibbons, Don McLean, Ray Stevens, producer James William Guercio, and engineer George Massenburg. Photo Credit: Royce DeGrie, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

Billy F Gibbons, Don McLean, Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives (Chris Scruggs, Harry Stinson, Kenny Vaughan, and Mick Conley), Ray Stevens, and Vince Gill — along with engineer George Massenburg and producer James William Guercio — were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum November 22, 2022.

Wade Bowen album is traditional country for the 21st century

Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth buzzes like a neon sign

By Preshias harris

Wade Bowen is back with a new album titled Somewhere Between The Secret And The Truth, with twelve tracks co-written by Wade alongside writers such as Eric Paslay, Lori McKenna, Randy Montana, Heather Morgan and more.

He premiered the album – playing all the tracks with a full band – at a pop-up album release show August 15 at Analog in Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Before the show, Wade and I sat down to catch up with what’s new in his world and how he dealt with the pandemic that brought his (and everyone else’s) touring to a dead stop.

Wade Bowen on stage during the pop-up album release concert. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Initially, he told me, the shutdown and the terrible circumstances that surrounded it hit him like “a punch in the gut.” It caused him to go into what he called a writer’s drought.

“I felt I couldn’t write a song because I didn’t know what to say or how to say it or why,” he admitted. “I couldn’t make sense of it all.”

However, he came out of it and says that he started writing a lot. “I think that shutdown helped me to just stop and focus on what matters, and I came out of the other side with a brand new sense of self and a brand new sense of my career and what I wanted to do and what’s important in my life. I think you can hear that in my new stuff, specially with this new record.”

Hal Ketchum dies, Chris Stapleton album, Vince & Amy

Preshias and Jon talk about what’s happening in country music this week

The Y’all Show is back after the Thanksgiving break, and Preshias and Y’all Show host Jon Rawl have plenty to talk about, including:

90s country artist Hal Ketchum passes
Vince Gill and Amy Grant plan Christmas at the Ryman – for 2021
Chris Stapleton’s new album Starting Over debuts at No. 1
Collin Raye co-writes all the songs on his new album
New dates for Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
Bluegrass music celebrates 75 years
Grammy nominees in Country categories announced
Dennis Quaid releases ‘unifying’ single
This week’s “I Know Country” Q&A from Preshias’ ebook and more

Watch the entire show at the Y’all show website (complete with all the background notes, links and info) or at the Y’all Show YouTube channel.

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

‘Love Lives On’ tells survivors’ stories in words and music

New song, album honor families of fallen service men and women

By Preshias Harris

Country music has a big heart. Singers and songwriters come together at the drop of a cowboy hat to donate their time and talent to a worthy cause. Causes don’t get much worthier than the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Love Lives On is the title of a new album with all net proceeds from the album going to TAPS, but it is more than that. The songs on the album tell the personal stories of the sacrifice of both the fallen warriors and also the families who must live with their loss.

The album comprises 10 original songs that feature Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich, All-4-One, The Gatlin Brothers, Lonestar and many more. It is set for release over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend. However, “Love Lives On,” the album’s lead single and title track, will drop on March 20 and can be pre-ordered now via links at https://www.lovelivesonmusic.com/

Inspired by personal tragedy

June ‘Inside Track’ ready to read

Vince Gill, Brett Young, Garth, Chris Young and more in June column

The June edition of my column, “Inside Track on Music Row,” is now available! The column is published monthly at Nashville Music Guide’s website. You can find copies of the print edition of June’s NMG at many music venues throughout Nashville.

You can read a free PDF version of the entire print edition of the magazine here. NMG is full of music news, reviews and info. My column appears on pages 29 through 36.

Inside Track is the longest-running monthly country music column in America. The June column features dozens of news items about new releases, upcoming tours and more.

Among this month’s music news items…

New Vince Album set to drop in August
Brett Young launches Acoustic Sessions videos
John Paul White is The Hurting Kind
Zach Stone offers “Hands On” track
and much more in my seven page column of music news at Nashville Music Guide

New Vince Album set to drop in August

ALBUM NEWS: Vince Gill is set to release his new album, ‘Okie,’ on Aug. 23. The word ‘Okie’ was once a derogatory term to refer to inhabitants of Oklahoma who migrated to the west coast as a result of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Gill is an Oklahoma native and has proudly appropriated the term for the upcoming album that embraces his Oklahoma roots. Gill wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks on the album. “I thought this was going to be a songwriter record, not a concept album,” Gill says. “It wound up being more information than I’d envisioned.” Continue reading “June ‘Inside Track’ ready to read”

Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance

Keith Urban forgets words to new song

CRS featured an unforgettable show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as Darius Rucker reunited with his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates. Unforgettable? Well… Keith Urban DID forget the words to his new song, which made the show unforgettable for a forgetful reason!

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMG) invited attendees of this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS) to a lunchtime showcase at the Ryman Auditorium on February 14. CRS, now in its 50th year, is the world’s largest gathering of radio decision-makers and the recording artists who wish to interact with them.

Little Big Town at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Royce Risser, UMG’s Executive Vice President of Promotion emceed the event, getting in a few witty ‘digs’ at radio execs in the audience as he light-heartedly urged them to add these songs to their playlists. In a fast-moving show, each act came on stage to perform one song – generally a cut that would impact Country Radio in the days or weeks ahead. (See below for a full list of performers.)

Keith Urban debuts “We Were”

Keith Urban came out on stage to perform “We Were,” a song so new that he brought out his cell phone so he could sing and play along to it. Technology is subject to Murphy’s Law (If anything can go wrong, it will) and the track stopped playing after just a few bars.

Undeterred, Urban re-started the track and, when it once again failed, he carried on singing to just his acoustic guitar. But a minute or so later he suddenly stopped. “Oh my gosh!” he told the audience. “I’ve forgotten the words to this dang song! Can you believe it!”

A less experienced artist might have suffered a total meltdown, blowing a song in front of hundreds of radio professionals who make the decisions about what gets aired. But being a true professional, he picked up the threads of the song and carried on, much to the delight of his audience. If nothing else, they will all remember Urban’s “We Were” when they get back to their radio stations.

Vince Gill at UMG at the Ryman. Photo: Harris

Later, Vince Gill took the stage and, as he sat on his stool, he jokingly said he had been planning to bring his phone out and play to a track on it. “Keith said that was a really cool idea,” said Gill glancing off to the side of the stage with a smile. Guess no one is going to let Keith forget that. 2019 marks the 30th year that Vince Gill has been with MCA, part of the UMG family of labels. Risser noted that Vince has earned 18 CMA Awards and 20 Grammys, including wins for ten consecutive years.

More highlights of the UMG show

Continue reading “Darius Rucker reunites with Hootie and the Blowfish during surprise CRS appearance”

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”

Summer NAMM 2016 wows Nashville

Charlie Daniels headlines NAMM opener

Summer NAMM 2016 is finally history, and thousands of musicians and music industry executives filled Nashville’s Music City Center to browse the hundreds of exhibits and see what’s new. In fact, according to the show’s organizers, 14,055 industry professionals registered for Summer NAMM, a 1% increase over 2015 and 14% over 2014. Of that, international attendees accounted for 12% growth over 2015, and 59% growth since 2014, making for the largest number of international participants at Summer NAMM in over a decade.

The week kicked off with a pre-show party. D’Addario, the Farmingdale, New York-based manufacturer of guitar strings and other musical accessories, hosted their sixth annual invite-only pre-NAMM party at Soundcheck rehearsal studios in Nashville. With Tennessee BBQ along with beer and whiskey, authorized dealers and endorsers enjoyed music from Stephen Mougin’s Bluegrass All-Stars, resonator guitar virtuoso Rob Ickes and guitarist Trey Hensley, ambient looper William Tyler and the Andy Wood Trio.

Charlie Daniels Band gave 2016 Summer NAMM attendees an unforgettable performance from the NAMM Nissan Terrace Stage.

The music continued on Thursday, when attendees were treated to a blistering set from the legendary Charlie Daniels Band, performing on the NAMM Nissan Terrace Stage.

As in previous years, Summer NAMM provided a robust platform for buyers, exhibitors and professionals to engage with the latest products, learn new business strategies, connect with other industry peers, and to position their businesses for a successful second half of the year.

The show counted a variety of new and returning exhibitors including Dunlop, Ernie Ball, Fender, Ovation, and Pearl, among many others, and with Summer NAMM veterans like Martin, Peavey, Roland, Sabian, Taylor, Yamaha, and Zildjian returning to showcase their latest gear. This year’s show saw a rise in exhibitors with 1,650 brands represented by 517 exhibitors, an increase of 5% over 2015.

On Saturday, the doors were opened to music industry professionals for a record-setting Music Industry Day with nearly 1,800 attendees, an increase of 1% over 2015. Early in the afternoon, country rocker and “The Voice” winner of season seven, Craig Wayne Boyd, performed for the day’s attendees.

Summer NAMM American Eagle Awards

Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, honorees, along with the Grand Ole Opry, at the 2016 American Eagle Awards, presented during the Summer NAMM show.

In the Davidson Ballroom, the 33rd Annual American Eagle Awards honored Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and the Grand Ole Opry. The awards annually recognize individuals that have made significant contributions to music in America.

When it comes to new products, there were a great many to be seen in every area. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) showed several new additions to their industry-leading amplifier and accessories categories including of the ’57 Custom Tweed series of guitar amplifiers and the Bassman 800 amp. In addition, Fender debuted the ShawBucker 1 and 2 Humbucking Pickups and FTN-1 Tuner.

One of the more unusual items came from young entrepreneur Hunter Marlowe, a recent graduate of MTSU. It’s the Jambourine: the world’s first sound hole tambourine for acoustic guitars. It slips easily behind the guitar strings in the sound hole, allowing the guitarist to add an extra dimension to his or her picking or strumming.

AMV Sales showed a number of unique instruments, including a cigar box guitar and ‘Rozanna’s Butterfly Dream Fuschia’ student violin that can be customized with school colors.

Additionally, there were many other new items as well as familiar instruments, equipment and accessories from the world’s leading musical manufacturers.

Music industry pros are already marking their calendars for next year’s shows: January 19-22, 2017 in Anaheim, CA, and July 13-15, 2017 in Nashville, TN.

* * *

Note: Some information in this report originated in the official post-show summary found at NAMM’s website https://www.namm.org/summer/2016 where visitors can learn more about the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and their activities.

Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris honored with American Eagle Awards

The National Music Council will bring its annual American Eagle Awards presentation to Nashville for a second year in a row on Saturday, June 25, 2016. The highly prestigious Eagle Awards are presented each year in national celebration of an individual’s or an organization’s long term contribution to America’s musical culture and heritage. This year, music legends Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill will be honored, along with the iconic Grand Ole Opry.

Past American Eagle Award recipients include Kris Kristofferson, Quincy Jones, Clive Davis, Benny Goodman, The Oak Ridge Boys, Roberta Peters, Odetta, Sherman Halsey, Sesame Street and Hard Rock Café. This year’s event in Nashville will mark the 33rd year of formal presentations of the Awards.

As someone who is deeply concerned about the ongoing problem of music piracy, I’m delighted to hear the event will also feature the New York Emmy award winning animation created by the NMC and the Music Publishers Association of the United States, as part of a primary school lesson plan that encourages kids to think about the ramifications of taking other people’s creative works without permission. NMC Director David Sanders frames the animated piece as “part of a world-wide effort by creators to change the narrative in terms of fostering an understanding that the online protection of creative works enhances freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas, rather than encroaching on them.”

Tickets, details, etc at musiccouncil.org