Country Radio Special Issue
Volume 26 | 27, Issue Volume Issue191 192
PUBLICIZING SINGERS, WRITERS AND MUSICIANS TO MUSIC ROW & BEYOND SINCE 1995
Learn More About These Featured Album Releases Inside
Country Music Living Legend, David Frizzell Carrying on the Legacy with Radio, Records and Releases. ALSO INSIDE:
Country Radio Seminar Celebrates 50 Years, 19 Artists to Watch in 2019, Album Reviews, Hee Haw’s 50th Anniversary & More
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Editor’s Notes Nashville Music Guide is gearing up for another year of publiation and we are honored to say that after 24 years we are still providing content and promotions for and to artists, musicians and writers to Music Row and beyond. Our team is excited for what this year will bring from album releases, showcases, seminars, festivals, conferences, tour stops, grand openings, sneak previews and so much more. We are always grateful to all those in the industry that reach out to share their news and allow us to be a part of their continued success. The music industry, at least in Nashvile, has always been a family and we are honored to be a part of it. For the first issue of 2019 we are happy to share with you our annual Country Radio Special edition and with that we would like to welcome back all the Country Radio Broadcasters and industry professionals for the 50th Anniversary of the Country Radio Seminar (#CRS50). We have highlighted some of our top picks for this year’s seminar which is full of media magic, symphonic showcases and some jubilations including an indepth look at the artists in the highly anticipated “New Faces Showcase.” Spring and Summer tours are kicking off, festival lineups are being released, and predicitons for 2019 are out. We have included our “19 Artists to Watch in 2019” feature by Amanda Andrews of upcoming and trending artists that we think will be making bing moves this year. Our featured cover story for this issue is Country music legend David Frizzell and his label, Nashville America Records.David has a rich history with radio and Country Music dating back to the hit-making days of his brother, Lefty Frizzell as well as the current collaborative efforts that his label works on with other Country music legends on their “Frizzell & Friends” releases. As important as the new faces of Country music may be to the future of the genre, it is important for artists and fans alike to know their roots and musical history. We have also included a few of our notable mentions from 2018 including, our Best of 2018 section which highlights some of our favorites around the city in the Musical Realm of Nashville. We love our city so and love that everyday we get to share all the excitement it has with others. Also in this issuecheck out our monthly Inside Track music news column by Preshias Harris, a special feature on the 50th Anniverary of Hee Haw, spotlights, album reviews and more! Here’s to 2019! -- Randy Rich & Amanda Andrews NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Publisher & CEO Randy Rich Editor@NashvilleMusicGuide.com 615-973-2188 Managing Editor Amanda Andrews akandrews@NashvilleMusicGuide.com 615-481-5837 Contributors Preshias Harris, Jessica Northey, Rick Amburgey, Sherryl Craig, Steve Kilgore, Jessica Andrews, Captain Joe Kent, Cilene Bosch, Krys Midgett, Jan Braun Photography Bob Coan, Jerry Overcast, Randi Radcliff, Mara Birdwell, Cilene Bosch, Alexandra Arielle Founder Dan Wunsch HOW TO REACH NMG Press releases, CD Reviews info@NashvilleMusicGuide.com To check out the digital version of this issue as well as back issues of Nashville Music Guide scan the QR Code
Contents Features 6
19 Artists to Watch in 2019
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Songwriter Spotlight Lance Carpenter
15 30A Songwriters Festival
24 38
Best of 2018
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2019 Music Festival Spotlight
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Rodeo Joe
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Rising Star Spotlight Glen Templeton
Departments
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CRS 50 What Not to Miss & Meet the New Faces
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Editor’s Letter
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Business Spotlight
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David Frizzell Carrying on the Legacy
Biz Buzz (16-18)
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Canadian Spotlight Alexis Taylor
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Royalty Exchange Top Songwriters of 2018 HeeHaw’s 50th Anniversay
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Artists on the Rise
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NMG CAM
Inside Track (28-35) 28
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Randy Houser Rascal Flatts Carly Pearce Michael Ray Angaleena Presley BlueBird Cafe Ronnie Reno Motown CRS50 Marshall Tucker Band 61st GRAMMY’s Ernie Haase
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Reviver Records Mags Josh Gracin Ashton Shepherd Marty Brown
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Rachel Wammack The Judd’s Songuard Tenille Townes Morgan Evans
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The Bobby Bones Show Class of 2019 iHeart Radio Awards TG Sheppard Midland
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Kane Brown Tim McGraw
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Sounding Board
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Restuarant Spotlight
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Music Venues
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Nashville Music guide
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19 Artist to Watch in 2019
By Amanda Andrews
Cale DoDds Warner Music Nashville artist, Cale Dodds rose to prominence with viral hits like “Lying,” “All Over” and “People Watching.” Fans and critics alike have taken note. Dodds has accumulated more than 26 million Spotify streams to date, and his single “What We Gonna Do About It” has earned additional spots on the platform’s New Music Friday, Wild Country, Po-Co and Next From Nashville playlists. He recently released a song about a down-home childhood and a country upbringing – the Columbus, GA native pulled from his own life to pen “Where I Get It From” alongside Sarah Buxton, Corey Crowder and Jared Mullins. He and his friends take fans on a summer afternoon river ride in the song’s official music video, directed by Dustin Haney.
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For more information: www.caledodds.com
Caroline Marquard To say this Swiss-Born, NYC-raised, triplet has finally found her voice is an understatement. The Swiss-American country singer, Caroline Marquard has been honing her songwriting craft in Nashville over the last two years and it shows in the release of her debut single, “Not A Rolling Stone.” It’s the first taste of a whole swatch of new music coming soon, and while it adheres to trusty Nashville craftsmanship, it is uniquely from her perspective. Caroline has recorded 17 songs, and Nashville’s Sound Emporium proved to be the prime backdrop. She also has two cuts as a co-writer on Swiss artist Bastian Baker’s debut American album that was recently released. For more information: www.carolinemarquard.com
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Ryan hurd RCA Nashville’s Ryan Hurd is kicking off 2019 in style, topping the bill for four sold-out shows while his new album-title single – “To a T” – hit No. 1 on the SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown and is set to hit local radio airwaves next month. The native of Kalamazoo, MI is one of Nashville’s most multi-dimensional young songwriters. He has co-penned some of the format’s biggest hits including “Lonely Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “You Look Good” (Lady Antebellum), and “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” (Luke Bryan). With the release of his own music, fans are discovering the fuel that drives Hurd is often love with all its avatars. Inspiration is in close proximity. No stranger to entertaining full-house crowds, Hurd has toured with Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch, Florida Georgia Line, and more. For more information: www.ryanhurd.com
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Dylan Schneider Since his debut EP in 2016, the first country artist to sign with Interscope Records, Dylan Schneider continues to impact the country charts with every release that has followed. Schneider’s latest EP, Spotlight’s On You, hit the No.1 spot on the iTunes Country Album Charts and reached Top 25 on Billboard’s “Hot Country Albums” chart. Dylan recently toured as direct support for Chris Lane and Granger Smith, and is currently headlining his own tour, selling out shows across the United States and the UK. His most recent single, “No Problem,” has garnered over 12.2 million streams on Spotify alone since its November release. The track was written by Devin Dawson, Josh Hoge and Corey Crowder. For more information: www.dylanschneidermusic.com
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lauren duski With a resume of experience dating back to a very young age, Lauren Duski has developed into a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and performer. The Michigannative travelled across Northern Michigan with a band, performing classic country hits in front of audiences since the age of 7. Those shows allowed her the opportunity to open for acts including: Lonestar, Randy Travis, Confederate Railroad, and Bill Anderson. Later as a student at the University of Michigan, Lauren focused more on songwriting but managed to keep up with local performances opening for Gloriana and Thompson Square. Post-college, Nashville became home in early 2014 and that’s when she really honed in on her passion for music. Lauren appeared on Season 12 of the hit NBC show The Voice, finishing as runner up. Her sultry voice and heartfelt vocals helped her earn this honor. Her single “Costume Party” took off in the Fall of 2018 as it inspired fans to make videos sharing their stories and vulnerabilities which she in turn combined to make an official music video for the single. Most recently she was announced as part of CMT’s Next Women Country Class of 2019 and is currently promoting her latest single “Heart Hurt Good. For more information: www.laurenduski.com
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tyler rich Raised in Yuba City, a small farming community in Northern California, Tyler Rich found his love of music gathered around a Christmas tree alongside family singing holiday classics and family favorites of all genres including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Tom Petty. Fast forward to graduating college with a degree in Economics, Tyler moved to LA to pursue a different game of numbers – music – exploring various genres with songwriting and bands before taking the leap as a solo artist. His fanbase has grown from Sacramento supporting his independent release to signing a record deal with The Valory Music Company and publishing agreement with Big Machine Music.While introducing his amplified sound and infectious energy coast to coast, he has moved to Nashville and become a road warrior performing alongside some of the genre’s top acts including Dustin Lynch, Sam Hunt, Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay. For more information: www.tylerrich.com
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BASTIAN BAKER Swiss singer/songwriter, Bastian Baker has taken Europe by storm with his chart-topping, platinum-selling albums, sold out arenas around the world with the likes of Bryan Adams, Boy George, Shania Twain and more and has taken home numerous music awards. The only thing missing from his career dance card was the United States… until now. Before embarking on a music career, Baker was a third-generation professional hockey player from Switzerland. After trading in his hockey stick for a guitar, Baker made his first professional appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival after an invite from its founder. With his talent, undeniable charm and captivating charisma, there’s no doubt of this bona fide trailblazer succeeding on his journey to worldwide superstardom Bastian’s self-titled fourth/American debut album while on tour. The album was influenced by the 850 shows he’s played in over 40 countries in the last seven years – that is feat for any artists. The genre-defying project was brought to life by producers and songwriters around the globe including GRAMMY Award-winner Jacquire King (Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan, Kings of Leon, Bon Jovi). The latest project showcases Bastian’s down-toEarth storytelling with writing credits on all 14 tracks. For more infoamtion: www.BastianBaker.com
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abby anderson Prior to making her solo move to Nashville at 17 years old, Abby Anderson worked hard to finish school early and get a head start on her dream of a career in music. Upon arriving in Music City, she began paying her dues by playing gigs in local favorites, including The Bluebird Café, The Listening Room Café, and the Tin Roof, among others, while working as a nanny. Her hard work and perseverance paid off a few years later as Anderson was surprised by Black River Entertainment with a publishing and record deal during a charity event at the Ryman Auditorium in 2017. Her standout five-song EP further showcases the her vocal prowess and songwriting blended with musical hints of pop, country and even reggae beats. Abby recently made her Opry debut and to date has toured with Brett Eldredge and Devin Dawson on The Long Way Tour and opened up for the likes of Russell Dickerson and Chase Rice. For more information: www.abbyandersonmusic.com
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cody johnson With an independent catalogue five albums deep and nearly 400 million on-demand streams accumulated largely in the last year and a half alone, Cody Johnson has established a rabid following of loyal fans who thirst for his unique and authentic brand of country music. The aptly named CoJoNation regularly flock to sold out shows in 29 states and purchased over 350,000 hard tickets in one calendar year. In 2018, Johnson became the first independent artist to sell out Rodeo Houston at NRG stadium with over 75,000 tickets sold along with over $250,000 in merchandise. The former rodeo bull rider, turned prison guard, turned budding country star is known for his explosive live shows and electrifying stage presence. Johnson recently announced a partnership with Warner Music Nashville on the newly minted CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville imprint. Johnson has entered 2019 with his name already on several Artist to Watch lists. YouTube also selected “On My Way To You,” the lead single on Johnson’s AIN’T NOTHIN’ TO IT, for their Artist on the Rise trending program as the music video quickly approaches 2 million views. For more information: www.codyjohnson.com
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travis denning A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Mercury Nashville’s Travis Denning vividly remembers the moment he realized he wanted to pursue music for a living. He was seven years old sitting in his Dad’s truck and heard AC/DC for the first time. From then on, he was hooked and devoured all types of music from Country, pop, rock and heavy metal. Denning started playing local bars at the age of 16 and built a solid following from his distinctive songs and raucous guitar licks. He moved to Nashville in 2014 and within a year signed a publishing deal with Jeremy Stover’s RED Creative Group. After securing outside cuts by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and Chase Rice he caught the attention of Universal Music Group where he eventually signed a record deal in 2017. Denning released his debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,” an upbeat coming-of-age song that paints a picture of a young man reminiscing on his carefree college memories. The singer/songwriter has previously opened shows for Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Moore and Rice LANCO and is set to hit the road with his headlining tour Heartbeat of a Small Town. For more information: www.travisdenning.com
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Kassi Ashton Quickly making a name for herself with her soulful voice and authentic songwriting, Kassi Ashton is one of Nashville’s most compelling rising stars. Signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records, the California, Missouri singer/songwriter has been making a name for herself on the music scene thanks to her authentic songwriting and soulful, rich voice. Ashton brings a certain swagger and take-no-prisoners attitude to her music, especially with her latest release, “Taxidermy.” For more information: www.kassiashton.com
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Dillon carmichael Dillon Carmichael is the breed of Jennings- and Haggard-inspired songwriting, mixed with his mother’s family pedigree, her brothers John Michael Montgomery and Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery. After finishing high school, Carmichael relocated to Nashville, where he earned a publishing deal at the tender age of 18. It was his first experience living in a city, and the discovery of a whole universe of like-minded artists whose lives revolved around music thrilled him. Carmichael began collaborating with some of country’s most talented writers, but no Nashville resident had a bigger influence than Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell), whose stewardship helped guide ‘Hell On An Angel’ from a dream to a reality. The songs capture vivid snapshots of the kind of men and women Carmichael grew up around: hardworking, bighearted folks taking life one day at a time, sticking together through the good times and the bad with honesty, dignity, and faith.
For more information: www.dilloncarmichael.com NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Lauren jenkins Honing her craft since the age of 15, Lauren Jenkins has mesmerized crowds with her passion and authentic songwriting that blends traditional Country roots with Americana influences. The Texas-born, Carolina-raised musician has picked up a variety of inspirations throughout her travels from the Southern charm of Charleston and artistic vibe of New York City to the eclectic sounds of Music City. Lauren recently completed writing, co-producing, and starring in an original short film titled Running Out of Road that accompanies the release of her debut album, NO SAINT, due in March of 2019. The first single from that album, “Give Up the Ghost,” is available now. For more information: www.laurenjenkins.com
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Hardy Big Loud artist HARDY grew up on classic rock in Philadelphia, Miss., a town of about 7,500 in the country setting of Neshoba County. So when fans hear the music on his four-song EP for the label, This Ole Boy, they’re getting the real deal. The songs are bold and proud, the voice is commanding and the lyrics are centered on farms, in the backwoods and mostly in America’s heartland. With This Ole Boy, HARDY provides a solid opening salvo to establish himself as an artist, honed in on the sounds and stories at the core of his Southern heritage. But it’s just a starting point, a place to launch an artist whose combination of country imagery, Southern rock sounds and blue-collar vocals is intrinsically relatable. For more information: www.hardyofficial.com
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adam hambrick As the world becomes aware of Capitol Records Nashville / Buena Vista Records’ Adam Hambrick, listeners will get a two-fold reward – a short-term jolt from an engaging musical package and a long-term satisfaction as repeated plays unveil the depth in his word play and storytelling. Adam grew up in between Mississippi and Arkansas, influenced by artists such as Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, John Mayer and The Foo Fighters. After spending more than a year making the drive from Arkansas to Tennessee for writing sessions, Adam made the permanent move to Nashville in 2013 to pursue music full-time. Since then, Adam has continued to hone his songwriting and vocal skills. Adam is currently in the studio working on his debut album with producers Andrew DeRoberts (James Blunt) and Paul DiGiovanni (Blake Shelton). For more information: www.adamhambrick.com
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riley green Fueled with good-natured rebellion, respect for tradition and steady touring throughout the Southeast, Riley Green’s music has tallied over 71 million streams to date as he has built a fierce following on social media and at live shows. Adding to the momentum of 2018 Grand Ole Opry debut and broadening his fanbase with the release of IN A TRUCK RIGHT NOW EP on BMLG (Big Machine) Records, Riley Green is poised for a big 2019. Riley is currently headlining his OUTLAWS LIKE US TOUR, was selected as a member of the Opry’s NextStage Program and has been named for both CMT’s Listen Up Artists as well as MusicRow’s 2019 Next Big Things. For more information: www.rileygreenmusic.com EP: In A Truck Right Now (2018) Accolades: MusicRow’s “2019 Next Big Thing”; CMT’s “Listen Up”; and the inaugural class of “Opry NextStage” Label: Big Machine Record Label Group
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Mitchell Tenpenny Riser House/Columbia Nashville recording artist Mitchell Tenpenny is a songwriter known for his wit and grit. A Nashville native, Tenpenny grew up under the watchful eye of Donna Hilley, the first female CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing in the very Music Row houses where he wrote more than 200 songs for his debut album, Telling All My Secrets, 56 of which were presented to the label for consideration on the album. Following the conclusion of his “Telling All My Secrets Album Release Tour,” Mitchell Tenpenny joins Old Dominion’s “Make It Sweet Tour” from February 27 through April 27 as a special guest. For more information: www.mitchell10penny.com Albums: Telling All My Secrets (2018) Accolades: Tenpenny has toured with Maren Morris, Jake Owen, Brett Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Dustin Lynch among others, and he penned the Top 5 hit “If the Boot Fits” for Granger Smith. Label: Riser House Records | Columbia Nashville
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Tenille Townes Emerging singer, songwriter and performer Tenille Townes has been breaking through all barriers. Canadian-born and Nashville-based, Townes first made her public appearance at age nine alongside Shania Twain after being invited to sing on stage at a concert she attended with her parents. In addition to her work as a musician and songwriter, Townes remains committed to charitable causes including her own initiative, Big Hearts For Big Kids, which has raised over $1.5 million to date benefiting a youth shelter in her hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta. 2019 will see the release of Townes’ highly anticipated full-length debut album on Columbia Nashville. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album’s first single, “Somebody’s Daughter,” has already been the subject of widespread attention. In celebration of the debut, Townes will join Dierks Bentley on his extensive Burning Man Tour. For more information: www.tenilletownes.com Albums: Somebody’s Daughter (2019) Accolades: The Bobby Bones Show’s “Class of 2019,” CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” CMT’s “Listen Up,” and the inaugural class of “Opry NextStage” Label: Royalty Records | Columbia Nashville
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rachel wammack RCA Nashville’s Rachel Wammack has forged her own path in Country music and the 24-year old Muscle Shoals native has been making waves throughout 2018 with her powerhouse vocals and emotive lyrics. She released her self-titled debut EP in April, which featured her emotive single “Damage.” Already known as one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” Wammack has also been announced as part of CMT’s “Listen Up” 2019 class where the program will highlight her new music and videos across all CMT platforms. Her wildfire momentum will continue into 2019 as she continues work on her debut album and hits the road with festival stops including Tortuga and Stagecoach. For more information: www.rachelwammack.com Albums: Rachel Wammack (2019) Accolades: CMT’s “Next Women of Country” Class of 2019; CMT’s “Listen Up” Class of 2019; and The Bobby Bones Show “Class of 2019” Label: RCA Nashville
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There is so much more to see in Nashville beyond Broadway. MyStarGo is like having a local in your pocket. Download the App today!
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VEVA Sound Supports labels and artists to verify, validate & archive material via their free Studio Collect Plugin, which captures recording studio data at point of creation to ensure everyone involved in making is credited.
Songwriting University New Company Pairs Established and Aspiring Songwriters. Aside from one on one writing sessions that will also host monthly group writers in the round sessions.
Acceleration Music Group Acceleration Music Group is a full service talent agency focused on moving careers forward by expanding fan bases and bookings worldwide.
Nashville America Records
Frizzell & Friends is a title that always means the best in real country music, from singer/songwriter/producer David Frizzell and his label, Nashville America Records
SongCast
Music distribution is the link between an artists’ finished music and their future fans and it is a crucial part of music promotion.
FADD’S
Come play with us! Party buses and trolleys to serve all your entertainment and transportation needs this holiday season.
Lucchese Records Shop The Lucchese Record Shop, a limited time pop up at the corner of 8th Ave and Clark Place, will feature records & merchandise from UMG Nashville artists, Lucchese boots as well as live music every Thurs -Sun through the end of the year.
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Stay up to date on what is happening in the music world with singers, writers and musicians not just in Nashville but beyond. Like us on Facebook. NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Songwriter Spotlight
lance carpenter
Gaining Momentum as Traditional Country Music Takes Back The Airwaves Story by Sherryl Craig; Ozark Arkansas knows how to produce winners and here is one of the latest. Lance Carpenter has the traditional country sound that so many country fans have been hoping would make it’s way back to the airwaves. His voice is soothing and inviting and the sound is true country no doubt. Carpenter signed with Toby Keiths Show Dog Label based in Nashville TN and said it was like a dream come true. His release in 2015 of “Love Me Like You Mean It” with cowriter Kelsea Ballerini has only solidified the country sound and flavor of the single. It is warm and welcoming and has a powerful emotion within it that country fans will love. His release with duet partner Krystal Keith “Anyone Else” is a hit, no holds barred. The chemistry between the two artists is immeasurable and makes for a combination that places them in the company of great duets such as Conway and Loretta and George and Tammy. Keith and Carpenter included in that mix sounds natural. Recalling memories from his childhood Carpenter says: “At the end of Bible camp one time they lined us up and asked us to sing our favorite song,. Everybody was going for stuff like ‘This Little Light of Mine’ or ‘Jesus Loves Me’ and I sang ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas.’ That was definitely the only George Strait anyone sang that day.” Carpenter is like a gently giant with a bright and inviting personality that people are attracted too. His performances are filled with energy and keep the fans revved up with excitement. Lance Carpenter was noted as one of the Top Ten Country Music Artists to watch for 2018 by the Huffington Post. Looks like they made a good choice. This latest single is just a glimpse into the depth of his creativity and makes him a heavy hitter on the country music scene. Carpenter said that the guitar was his “escape” from his previous full time job as FEMA rescue worker and “life.” He participated in over 42 various disaster situations including Hurricane Katrina. His music was an outlet for letting go and living free. Carpenters past times include cooking and enjoying large family dinners. Holiday’s are very special to him. Music is huge part of his life but he is also grounded in solid family traditions. His roots run deep and those roots come to life in his music. Lance enjoys the personal side of interacting with the fans and connecting on a deeper level aside from just standing on the stage performing in front of the crowd. It gives a tighter bond with the fans and allows them to feel the emotion and deep feels that Lance expresses in each song. “My introduction to country music was my mom playing it in her car,” says Carpenter, who grew up on a cattle farm in Northwest Arkansas. “I never thought I would sing or play, but my stepdad has listened to the country countdown every Sunday for as long as I’ve known him. Country has just been a staple in my life.” ~Lance Carpenter~ For more information visit, www.lancecarpentermusic.com NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Songwriters 30A Festival's Tenth Year
You’d be hard-pressed to name a music festival where songwriting wasn’t a cornerstone of the entire event. Yet for the past ten years an arts council in a county of small beach towns along the Florida Panhandle has been throwing a festival focused entirely on the art and craft of great songwriting. And perhaps the best thing about the 30A Songwriters Festival (called simply “Songwriters” by locals) is that it seems to recognize that some people who write great songs are quite famous, but not every great songwriter is a household name. That’s why, for its tenth year, Songwriters welcomed artists as variant as Carly Burruss, Carlene Carter, Brandi Carlile, and many more. The setup at Songwriters is quite unconventional for a music festival. A handful of beach towns along County Road 30A host songwriters-in-the-round and the occasional solo artist on stages inside bars and restaurants, on patios and lawns. A main stage on the edge of what’s basically an outdoor shopping mall hosts the big-name acts beginning around noon and culminating with a headliner set around 3 p.m. Before and after main stage performances, everyone scatters along the highway to cozy up with a whiskey cocktail, some crab bisque, a fish sandwich, and some song-swap action featuring an array of legends, newcomers, and behind-the-scenes Nashville pros. There’s no specific genre covered at Songwriters, though it is heavy on folksingers and roots artists. There’s also acoustic Christian pop, R&B, rock and roll, oldies, and more — literally hundreds of artists over the course of four days. There is so much on offer at Songwriters that no two people can possibly experience the same festival unless they go everywhere together. There’s so much happening that I swung through the entire weekend without catching even a single song from two of my personal favorite songwriters: Patty Griffin and Darrell Scott. My experience this year began on Friday evening in a little tent in the middle of a field at the center of a huge condo complex.
The War and Treaty threw down a happy hour set that had a packed crowd on its feet within a couple of songs. Hands were up and shaking. There were a lot of white people dancing, thrusting their whiskey cocktails into the air, whistling and hooting and hollering like a Sunday revival. The horn section was on point, and Michael and Tanya Trotter were giving at least one hundred percent from the second they took the stage until the moment they left. I could have ended my festival there. It doesn’t get much better than that. But I pressed on to the next venue.
Songs of Our Native Daughters.
So many festivals provide a huge lineup, which requires artists to compete for audience attention by giving a “memorable” performance, bringing their best jokes, gimmicks, and showmanship. But at the Songwriters Festival, it’s all about the songs. Artists and audience adjust to that focus, and I saw this happen time and time again: A beautiful set from TOWNE behind a seafood restaurant. A patio performance at a beachfront bar from Hayes Carll, who shared stellar songs (some particularly topical in the best possible way) from his new album, What It Is. Mighty mainstage sets from Rosanne Cash and Jason Isbell, both of whom spent time talking about songwriting — Cash even offering the younger folks some advice about copyright licensing.
Granted, Brandi Carlile is a natural performer who has a casual onstage persona anyway, but it was a testament to the focus of the festival that she chose to perform alone and spend time talking about songwriting and vocal technique from the main stage.
Sierra Hull talked in “The Backyard of Love,” under a canopy of the most amazing tree branches, about how her songwriting has evolved over the years, and how conscious she is of learning along the way. Then she lit into a handful of emotionally arresting tunes from an album she’s getting ready to release this year.
Perhaps the starkest example was on the final day, during the final main stage performance — Brandi Carlile, who came to this event solo. She’s just been nominated for the most Grammy awards of any woman Songwriting legend Kim Richey was artist this year, for an album (By the Way, performing in the round with Songwriter I Forgive You) that was in the top three of Hall of Famer Gretchen Peters and relative almost every year-end list of note last year. newcomer Courtney Marie Andrews. But she chose instead to open her set with Andrews has a power-hose voice that reminds me of a young Joan Baez, and I was “Follow,” from her 2005 self-titled debut. After a couple of other obscure deep-cut infinitely more impressed with her set this tunes, she looked out into the audience and night than I was with her 2018 May Your spotted her songwriting hero, Kim Richey, Kindness Remain album. and invited Richey onstage for a song. The pair launched into an unrehearsed but The music in this set was stunning, the beautifully harmonized version of Richey’s songwriting unmatchable. But perhaps the classic, “A Place Called Home” (also from most remarkable part of the experience 2005), which Carlile noted was a cherished was watching these three women listen companion during those early years on the to one another. This is something that the road when she was paying her dues and 30A Songwriters Festival does, which is becoming acquainted with the life of a unavailable at almost any other festival touring musician. I’ve been to, except maybe Folk Alliance. Songwriters places us, the audience, in a room with musicians for whom nothing else So taken was she with Richey, Carlile spent time explaining a vocal technique she matters but the song. It was as though the learned from listening to Richey’s music, title of the festival challenged the artists to and how she’s tried to make it her own over center songwriting in every performance, which left exactly no room for ego and frills. the course of her six studio albums.
Birds of Chicago delivered an exquisite set in a boathouse, moving through their exquisite Love in Wartime album. They shared a new song from Allison Russell’s forthcoming Smithsonian Folkways collaboration with Amythyst Kiah, Rhiannon Giddens, and Layla McCalla,
30A Songwriters Festival is a weekend full of songwriters, and everyone is sharing and learning. Those who aren’t there to share and learn, meanwhile, get a glimpse behind the curtain at the mindfulness and dedication that goes into bringing great songs into the world. Here’s hoping this little local arts council and its array of tiny beach towns keeps bringing all this goodness together for many more years to come. Photo: Kim Richey, left, and Brandi Carlile sing Richey’s “A Place Called Home” at the 2019 30A Songwriters Festival. Photo & Article by Kim Ruehl, Original Published on No Depression 01/23/19 http:// nodepression.com/article/songwriterscenter-30a-festivals-tenth-year NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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ACQUISITIONS, PARTNERSHIPS & PROMOTIONS BUZZ
AWARDS & COMPETITIONS BUZZ The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced that its Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank will return to the Ryman Auditorium in 2019. The star-studded evening is set for September 17, 2019, and if initial award winner announcements are any indication, the event will be one not to miss. Loretta Lynn will receive the organization’s highest honor, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. NSAI has also announced that it will bestow the White Hat Award on United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) that evening. Entries are now accepted for the 24th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Songwriters and Composers vie for a chance to win a top prize of $50,000 worth of cash and merchandise such as music gear. Winning songs will be receiving radio airplay. Songwriters can enter in 15 different song categories such as: Pop, Rock/Alt, Folk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Instrumental, etc. USA Songwriting Competition is sponsored by: D’Addario Strings, Godin Guitars, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, Airplay Access, Audio-Technica, FL Software, Sonoma Wireworks, Berklee College of Music, DiscMakers, CDBaby, StoryBlocks, School of Rock, Final Mix Software and more. The Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) will present its highest honor, the SERFA Award, to two couples and two individuals on May 17 during its 12th Annual Conference at the Chattanoogan Hotel. One of each have Chattanooga connections: musical legends Norman and Nancy Blake of Rising Fawn, Georgia and the late Fletcher Bright, philanthropist, musician, and presenter. The other honorees are J.T. Gray, four-decade owner of the Station Inn in Nashville, and dancer and choreographer Eileen Carson Schatz and dancer and musician Mark Schatz of Maryland. The SERFA Awards presentation follows the Annual Meeting and precedes the keynote address by Ellis Paul, in a program starting at 1:45 PM EST on Friday, May 17. NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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PLA is proud to announce the addition of Cindy Dupree to the PLA staff as senior consultant PR/Marketing. Cindy brings a wealth of experience with a background in tourism, having worked more than a decade as communications director/PIO for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development during the Bredesen and Haslam administrations. She has also served as communications director for BMI in New York City and as a music manager, literary agent, and artist development consultant while in the Big Apple. Cumberland Music Collective is proud to announce its acquisition of Nashville’s premier acoustic music agency, KCA Artists. CMC will continue to book legendary acts, such as The Seldom Scene, Radney Foster, Blue Highway, and The Fairfield Four, in addition to greatly diversifying their roster. New additions to the roster include motor-mouthed rapper, Twista, R&B powerhouse, Nivea, and female vocal group superstars, Danity Kane. peerMusic has acquired the Seoul, South Korea-based independent music publisher Music Cube. This acquisition will add 40,000 Korean copyrights to peermusic’s global music catalogue, including works recorded by K-Pop groups BTS, Red Velvet, and AOA. Korea will be the 30th country in peermusic’s worldwide network. Heesun Park will be the General Manager of peermusic Korea and will report directly to Mary Megan Peer, Deputy CEO, peermusic.The acquisition comes as the latest step in peermusic’s long-term strategy in South Korea. Prior to the acquisition, peermusic and Music Cube had a 10-year partnership based on a reciprocal sub-publishing arrangement. Through that partnership, European and US-based peermusic writers have secured records with popular K-Pop groups including TWICE, EXO and Super Junior. A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music) is excited to welcome a new General Manager to the team and would like to congratulate several others on their well-earned promotions. The independent music advocacy group has added Andrea Pagnanelli to the team, who will serve as the organization’s General Manager. With a renewed contract, Dr. Richard James Burgess will continue to lead the charge and will now serve as President and CEO of the organization. Patrick Ferrell has been promoted to Head of Label Relations from his previous position as Director, Member Services. Patrick joined the A2IM team in April of 2016.Lisa Hresko has been promoted to Senior Director, Associate
Member Services and International Relations from her previous role as Senior Manager, Member Services. Sheryl Cohen has been promoted to Senior Director, Culture & Oversight from her previous role asDirector, Culture and Oversight. Sheryl has been with A2IM since March of 2016. Courtnay Newman has been promoted to Manager, Member Services and Partnerships from her previous role as Coordinator, Member Services. Exegan Media & Entertainment announces partnership with Los Angeles based The DNS Agency for A&R scouting and related services for Exegan owned labels including Poison Tree Records, Silverado Records and Gateway Records, as well as consulting services on many projects currently in development. The DNS Agency works within all areas of the entertainment industry and encompasses all artists’ needs from A&R, Branding and Distribution to working directly with labels, engineers and producers. Since starting The DNS Agency in 2008, the company’s president Dean O’Shaughnessy has worked closely with clients ranging from national and international acts down to the best in local talent. The Country Music Association has announced three new hires, including two new positions within CMA’s Strategic Partnerships department, further supporting the organization’s ongoing strategic marketing efforts. Emily Arvanitis joins CMA as Live Events Coordinator, Michelle Kirk joins as Director, Integrated Marketing, and Megan Sykes joins as Director, Sales Development & Strategy. Arvanitis will provide support to the department in all elements of production, logistics and administrative functions, in addition to assisting with the coordination and execution of all CMA events. Kirk will be responsible for developing strategies for and managing relationships with key marketing and digital partners as well as other strategic partners including the ABC Television Network relationship. Kirk will also develop and implement strategic, year-round integrated marketing campaigns with marketing and digital partners that support CMA flagship events, as well as additional special events and initiatives. Sykes will generate new long-term corporate alliances and sponsorships, in addition to growing existing relationships for CMA’s flagship events as well as the CMA Foundation. She will be responsible for the creation and implementation of business development planning, including implementing advanced account management tactics to increase the scope of value of corporate partnerships for CMA and the industry at large. Amber Mundinger has been named Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategic Partnerships for Artists Den Entertainment, based at the company’s New York headquarters. Amber joins a growing team of top professionals who will build out the next generation of premium live music entertainment on the Artists Den platform.
BBR Music Group is excited to announce that Stan Marczweksi has been named Director of National Promotion for label imprint Stoney Creek Records. Additionally, Stefani Waters has been hired as Director of Southeast Regional Promotion for Stoney Creek Records. Stoney Creek Records boasts a roster which includes chart-toppers Randy Houser, Jimmie Allen and Parmalee, rising star Lindsay Ell, multi-national six-man band King Calaway, plus emerging acts, Walker McGuire and Adam Craig.
CONFERENCE BUZZ Music Expo, the multi-city conference series for music makers, in association with Sound On Sound magazine, announces its return for 2019. Music Expo brings together Grammy-winning producers and engineers, music industry tastemakers and leading technology brands. Offering unparalleled, up-close access to some of the most successful creators, the series provides hyper-focused workshops, live demos, keynote presentations and panels giving attendees the option to focus on music technology, business or music creation. Hosted by SAE Institute, Music Expo will kick-off in Miami, FL on Sat., March 30th (Tickets HERE). The second annual Music Expo Nashville will take place on Sat., Sept. 21st (Tickets HERE) and Music Expo San Francisco will expand from a one day event to two full days on Sat., Nov. 9th and Sun., Nov. 10th (Tickets HERE). Single day passes will be available for Music Expo San Francisco, more details tba. Early bird tickets for all cities are on sale now at https:// musicexpo.co/. Nashville-based music startup RootNote has been invited to present at this year’s annual NY:LON Connect conference in London. Organized by Music Ally and the Music Business Association, NY:LON Connect brings together leading executives from the international music industry along with the most innovative startups to discuss and debate key industry issues. Founded by brothers Jason and Jeremy Burchard in 2016, RootNote provides strategic equity-based investment capital to musicians in order to help them build sustainable companies and brands around their music. RootNote counts Jeremy’s duo Moonlight Social and singer-songwriter Tony Lucca among its first artist investments, made in 2018, and plans up to five additional investments in 2019. The Burchard brothers will present RootNote’s business model and current traction to a room of international music industry executives and investors before a panel discussing the role of music industry accelerators and the growing landscape of music investment. Back for its third year, the two-day Relix Live Music Conference features panels and discussions touching on topics across the live music industry. On May 14th and 15th at Brooklyn Bowl, this year’s conference sheds light on the fast-paced, ever-changing industry and brings together the leading figures in the business today.The conference includes panel discussions, networking opportunities, lunch, happy hour and bowling
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at one of New York’s most famous alleys. 2019 speakers to be announced soon.
of four-part harmonies on display” (Billboard), Gone West has already garnered fans and industry support.
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has announced Richard Gottehrer, co-founder of independent distributor The Orchard, as the recipient of its 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award. Gottehrer will receive the Award at the Music Biz 2019 Conference’s Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner on Tuesday, May 7th at the JW Marriott Nashville. He will also present a keynote address during the Independent Artist & Songwriter Forum, powered by Songtrust. Platinum-selling, progressive Country artist Kane Brown will receive a Breakthrough Artist Award at the Music Biz 2019 Conference’s Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner on Tuesday, May 7 at the JW Marriott Nashville. Brown will be honored alongside fellow 2019 Breakthrough Artist Bebe Rexha, and joins the ranks of past winners including Julia Michaels, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Maren Morris, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, and Carrie Underwood, among others.
The Reviver Entertainment Group is proud to announce the signing of multi-instrumental songwriter & producer Alex Kline to its publishing division. Alex served as co-producer on Australian artist Adam Brand’s No. 1 country album Get On Your Feet, and co-wrote Ronnie Dunn’s 2016 hit “Damn Drunk.” A testament to her musical prowess, Alex has also produced for and written with country music stalwarts like Rascal Flatts, Reba, Mason Ramsey, and Bill Anderson.
SIGNING BUZZ Sony Music Nashville has announced today the new signing of ROBERT COUNTS to its roster. Counts’ first two releases “Backseat Driver” and “Someone in My Someday” are available now at all streaming platforms and digital retailers. He has writing credits on both tracks, co-penning “Backseat Driver” with Nicolette Hayford and Matt Willis, while Daniel Ross and Laura Veltz were co-writers on the latter. Dann Huff and Jimmy Ritchey served as co-producers. Country music quartet Gone West-comprised of 2X Grammy Award Winner Colbie Caillat, multi-platinum singer/ songwriter Jason Reeves, 4X Hawaii Music Award Winner Justin Kawika Young and ACM/CMT nominated artist Nelly Joy-have officially signed with Triple Tigers Records to release their highly-anticipated debut EP, TIDES, (Triple Tigers Records) out everywhere today. Featuring an “intoxicating mix
Singer/Songwriter Tucker Beathard has signed a major recording deal with Warner Music Nashville. Beathard inked the contract following the independent release of the first installment of his debut double album, NOBODY’S EVERYTHING. The album saw Beathard “bare his soul” (Billboard), as he became the only country artist to release a debut double album. The second chapter will be released in the coming months on Warner Music Nashville. River House Artists announce the signing of singer/ songwriter Jameson Rodgers to River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. In conjunction with the signing of Rodgers, Sony Music Nashville and River House Artists officially announce their exclusive, long-term joint-venture agreement, effective immediately. Their first collaboration commenced when multi-Platinum artist Luke Combs inked a deal in 2016 to record for the River House Artists and Columbia Nashville imprints. To get your news included in Biz Buzz please submit to info@ nashvillemusicguide.com, ATTN: Bizz Buzz.
Alecia Arnall
is an edgy singer/ songwriter who’s passionate performances captivate her audiences while taking them on a personal journey with every song she sings. New single
“Reintroducing Me”
coming soon! Go follow & check out her music page for sneak peak! NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Jeff Clayborn’s single
“Last One’s To Leave” Available Now Scan to listen on Spotify
www.JeffClayborn.com
Glen templeton
Country Music Rising Star Spotlight Born and raised in Tuscaloosa Alabama, Glen Templeton is no stranger to the roots and history of country music. He’s an Alabama boy who took his dream of a music career to Nashville and the rest is history.
to the public. Along with his wife Amy the two came up with an out of sight idea on how to promote and share his music with the masses. Social media helps Glen stay in touch with his fans on a more personal level and has proven that it works, by the over 150,00 followers his has on FaceBook alone.
He comes from a family of super charged talented musicians and even though performing at first was just a hobby, it soon became so much more...it became his dream and his life. He began playing guitar at the age of 14 and said that to him “country music is his love”...it is a true expression of his feelings for life, home, family, and tradition. As a hobby Glen played the guitar just to amuse himself but soon realized that he wanted to be part of the family tradition and he took playing seriously. He realized that the more he played the more it meant to him. He expanded his talent with open mic nights and karaoke while playing small gigs and fueling his passion. Inspired by his Dad and the memories that he had from his childhood and seeing and hearing how much people loved to hear his Dad sing, Glen is now keeping that memory alive with a beautiful tribute and honor to his Dad with his album “California” which is his first independent album. The album was dedicated to his father who passed away in 2007. In 2008 Templeton was selected, by the daughters of country music legend Conway Twitty, to portray their father in a touring musical tribute to the late great singer. He has performed with George Jones and is today making his own mark on the industry.
His appearances on CMT, The Grand Ole Opry and at the Ryman have impressed upon fans the fact that he’s here to stay and he’s got country music in his soul. Glen is currently collaborating with other writers on new music, he’s currently touring the US and when he’s not touring enjoys working on his hot rods and spending time with his family. Catch Glen Templeton during this year’s Country Radio Seminar on Wednesday, February 13th performing the Redneck Riviera (208 Broadway) from 7-8PM.
“I’m not sure I chose country music, in a way it kind of chose me, I probably had ten or eleven jobs from the time I got out of high school until the time I finally moved to Nashville and I think I was probably fired ten or eleven times too! The thing is, the more jobs you lose, the less and less professional that next job becomes. That’s why I say I think country music kind of chose me. It just kept pulling on me, no matter what the cost was at the time.” ~ Glen Templeton ~ For more information: www.glen-templeton.com Story by Sherryl Craig
Social media has played a huge part in getting Templeton’s music
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ARTISTS O
THE RISE
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to Learn More About What These Rising Artists Have To Offer.
Steven John Simon
The Louisiana native and Marine is on the rise and has released his 1st single “Tongue Tied” which debuted on iTunes charts at #67. With his fan base on fire, he is set to release his EP Spring 2019.
Jeff Clayborn
It’s a hit! Country artist Jeff Clayborn’s latest single, “Last Ones to Leave,” was named as one of New Music Weekly’s Top Ten New Releases. Listen now.
Justin Kemp Band
The up-and-coming, Classic Country band recently celebrated 10 weeks on Apple’s Hot Tracks with “Better Man” recorded at Omni Sound Studios. Justin’s currently touring and recording music for new EP releasing Spring 2019.
Jeremy Parsons
Parsons’ songwriting frames essential truths and the direct, often biting way he expresses familiar imagery and truths. Scan the code to listen to Jeremy’s latest music.
Heather Whitney
She’s been called one of the most under-rated female country recording artists of our time. Scan the code to listen to Heather’s latest!
Richard Lynch The rawness and authenticity of Lynch’s music is what’s missing from the contemporary radio airwaves these days. Scan the code to listen to Richard’s latest.
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Matt Westin
Westin delivers what could easily be in contention for the best set of country songs released in the last year. Scan code to listen to Matt’s latest music.
James Lee Baker
A heavenly voice and talent for writing deeply inspiring and intimately connective songs... startlingly eloquent. Scan code to listen latest music.
Sarah Patrick Kentucky singer/songwriter Sarah Patrick is a compelling new voice in country, produced by living legend, David Frizzell.
Jimmy Clay Frizzell
It’s a family tradition for Texas-born Jimmy Clay Frizzell, with original music and a voice that is all American and pure Country.
Freddie Hart The voice of Freddie Hart, Mr. Easy Lovin’, may have been silenced but his music lives on, here in his final, inspiring recording, God Bless You.
Dani-elle Kleha
Dani-elle Kleha’s music is 90’s country mixed with modern flair captivating an audience from the moment she steps on stage to the moment the crowd files out the doors.
Country radio Seminar What not to miss ... “Parents, Teens, and Country Music” Once a format whose primary appeal was thought to be among 35-plus listeners, Country radio and music’s boom over the last decade has been driven by the unprecedented growth of Country as an all-ages format. “Parents, Teens, and Country Music” will combine a survey of Country music listeners who have teenagers at home, a survey of teenagers, and footage from the in-person interviews that have become a highlight of Edison’s CRS presentations. Both groups will be asked about their musical tastes, media usage, and how that usage takes hold with an eye on how parents and teens influence each other. Edison Research will unveil results from a new study during the presentation on Feb. 14 at 3:30.
“Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” Twelve hit songwriters will take the spotlight during the most anticipated after-hour events, the annual “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley.” This impressive lineup has amassed numerous #1 singles, CMA Awards, ACMs, Grammys, and millions in sales. Set to perform are Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, Chase McGill, Laura Veltz, JT Harding, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Brett James, Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Scooter Caruso and Heather Morgan. “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” will be held on Thurs, Feb. 14 from 7 pm until midnight in the Legends Ballroom at The Omni in Nashville, Tenn. A CRS badge will be required for admittance.
CRS 50th Anniversary Opening Day Luncheon Opening Day luncheon, hosted by Warner Music Nashville, and includes Devin Dawson, Morgan Evans, Chris Janson, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Cole Swindell along with previously announced Country music superstar Blake Shelton. Look for more additional WMN artists to be announced soon. Blake Shelton will headline the luncheon that kicks-off what is expected to be one of the most celebrated Country Radio Seminars to date. To be held Feb. 13, the Warner Music Nashville luncheon will take place in the Broadway Ballroom (CRS Performance Hall) at Omni Nashville, beginning at Noon.
CRS 50th Anniversary Keynote Presentation: Ken Burns “COUNTRY MUSIC” Documentary Writer/producer, Dayton Duncan of the new eight-part, 16-hour COUNTRY MUSIC documentary that will premiere on PBS this fall, will appear as part of the keynote event. Ken Burns, who directed and co-produced the film with long-time collaborators Duncan and Julie Dunfey, will appear via a taped intro piece, followed by Duncan discussing the film. The keynote event, set for Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m., will offer attendees an exclusive first look at clips with rare footage and interviews conducted over the six years it took to produce the film. Country Radio Seminar Board President, Kurt Johnson will conclude the panel with an overview of how radio can get involved with this landmark event.
Amazon Music Presents: “Country Heat” Amazon Music will host the second annual Amazon Music Presents: “Country Heat” at CRS featuring the Radio Ink PD Awards during this year’s Country Radio Seminar 50th Anniversary event. The two-hour show, powered by Live Nation, will take place Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at Omni Nashville and will feature performances from an incredible lineup of artists from Amazon Music’s global “Country Heat” playlist, including Zac Brown Band (Zac Brown Collective), Tenille Townes (Columbia Nashville), Adam Hambrick (Buena Vista Records/Capitol Records Nashville), HARDY (Big Loud Records/ Tree Vibez Music), and King Calaway (Stoney Creek Records).
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Country radio Seminar
New Faces of Country Music
The 2019 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is just around the corner, set for Feb. 13-15, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville. CRS is an annual convention that brings together thousands of Country radio air personalities, program directors and consultants. They are joined by record label executives, A&R staff and artist management teams, eager to expose their acts to radio’s decision makers. A highlight at every CRS is the New Faces of Country Music® show. The ‘Class of 2019’ will consist of: Jimmie Allen (Stoney Creek), Russell Dickerson (Triple Tigers), Lindsay Ell (Stoney Creek), LANCO (Arista), and Dylan Scott (Curb). The annual new artist showcase event officially closes out the seminar and remains one of the most anticipated events each year at CRS. The New Faces of Country Music® show is an ‘industry only’ event and is not open to the public. I have attended CRS for many years and always look forward with excitement to the New Faces show. Here is an overview of the artists that will part of the ‘Class of 2019.’
Dylan Scott Louisiana native Dylan Scott signed with Curb Records in 2013 but chart success eluded him until 2016’s “My Girl” spun to the top of the Country Airplay chart in 2016, earning RIAA Platinum status. That song, and the followup single “Hooked,” helped propel his self-titled album into the Top 5 of Billboard’s Country Album charts. (Note: “Hooked” was added as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album.) Dylan has made his mark on the tour circuit, adding fans at every venue and building his fanbase along the way. Part of 2018 was devoted to opening for Justin Moore’s 40-city ‘Hell on a Highway Tour’ and playing a bunch of solo dates. His new single, “Nothing to Do Town,” dropped in December. Dylan hits the ground running in January with his headlining ‘Nothing to Do Town Tour.’ The tour kicks off January 17 in New York City with Seth Ennis – co-writer of “Hooked” – as the opening act. Much of Dylan’s success can be attributed to his focus on building his fanbase with a strong emphasis on social media. At CRS, his job will be to show Country radio that he’s a fan magnet on-air, too. “As a kid I wanted to explode. I wanted just to go to the top. Now, that it’s not happened that way and I’m sitting here on a couple of hits, I’m kind of glad it did not happen that way because when you build it slow, the fans you gain along the way tend to have your back a little better so it’s actually good thing it’s happened like this.” – Dylan Scott in a Billboard interview with Chuck Dauphin in November 2018. Tour dates and more at Dylan Scott’s website dylanscottcountry.com and on Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram @DylanScottCountry NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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LANCO Figuring that ‘Lancaster and Company’ was kind of too long for a band name, Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell and Eric Steedly opted for LANCO. Playing as a band since 2015, they were signed to a recording deal at Arista the following year, releasing a 4-song EP. 2018’s studio album, ‘Hallelujah Nights,’ included the single “Greatest Love Story” that topped both the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. The track has been certified 2x Platinum by RIAA and was followed by “Born to Love You,” another track from the debut album. LANCO spent the closing weeks of 2018 – in between tour dates – tracking their followup album with producer Jay Joyce. In the past year, LANCO have earned a reputation for putting on a great live show, with audiences growing from a few dozen in a bar to multi-thousands in arena shows. They quickly became fan favorites as a supporting act on ‘Dierks Bentley’s Mountain High Tour’ and their own headlining ‘Hallelujah Nights Tour.’ LANCO know how to give an audience their money’s worth. -Find LANCO tour updates at their website, www.lancomusic.com and follow them on Facebook here. www.facebook.com/lancomusic/
Jimmie Allen
Lindsay Ell
Russell Dickerson
With such an amazingly successful 2018 in his rearview mirror, we have to keep reminding ourselves that Jimmie Allen is still technically a newcomer. But he’s definitely not new to Nashville. Reinforcing the maxim that ‘Nashville is a ten-year town,’ Jimmie arrived in Music City in 2007 at the age of 22 with a bank balance of $21.00. Virtually broke, Jimmie was reduced to sleeping in his car at first, so he could send money from paychecks back to his mom in Delaware.
Lindsay Ell’s musical influences encompass just about every genre, and it shows in her unique songwriting and performance. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, the Canadian singer-songwriter is currently signed to Stoney Creek Records (as is fellow New Faces act, Jimmie Allen). Lindsay says she fell in love with the guitar at early age, learning to play on her father’s guitars.
It’s also been a good year (or two) for Russell Dickerson. A fan favorite, he currently has over 200 million streams on Spotify and approximately 30 million YouTube views. He graduated from Belmont University with a degree in music and signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2010, releasing an EP, “Die to Live Again,” the following year.
Working a variety of jobs over the years, he was determined to follow his dream in music. Developing his skill as a songwriter, he signed a publishing deal with Wide Open Music in 2016. Then, in 2017, he was signed to Stoney Creek Records by Jon Loba, Executive VP of BBR Music Group. Jimmie’s debut album, ‘Mercury Lane,’ was named after the street he grew up on in Delaware. The album’s lead-off single, “Best Shot,” topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. With that song, Jimmie made history as the first black artist to launch their career with a No. 1 at Country radio. In an interview with The Tennessean in December, Jimmie said he always carries $2.00 in his pocket every day with the promise that he must have given it away before bedtime. The reason: back when he first came to Nashville, someone gave him a dollar. He bought a chicken sandwich at McDonalds that he tore in half to make it last for two days. “It made every sacrifice worth it. I got to look my son in the eyes and tell him, ‘If you work hard and are good to people, eventually you’ll get an opportunity to make your dreams happen.” – Jimmie Allen, speaking of his success in an interview with the Tennessean, December 28, 2018 More info at jimmieallenmusic. com and on Facebook. Facebook.com/ jimmieallenmusic
She was discovered by Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive) when she was fifteen. Bachman recorded and released her first album on his own label in 2006. Two years later, she was touring with Chicago blues guitar legend Buddy Guy. Moving to Nashville full time when she was 21, she has now released two albums on Stoney Creek: “The Project” (2017) and “The Continuum Project” (2018), in addition to her breakout EP, 2017’s “Worth the Wait.” Ell has toured North America and Europe with the likes of The Band Perry, Jennifer Nettles, Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Keith Urban. She is now headlining her own (suitably named!) Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. The only female act on the year’s New Faces show at CRS, Lindsay should see major Country radio airplay in the months ahead. Lindsay is also featured on the new Brantley Gilbert single, “What Happens in a Small Town.” Check out the lyric video on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bDGS1MLbxU4 Tour updates at Lindsay’s website www.lindsayell.com on Facebook www.facebook.com/officiallindsayell/ and Twitter. twitter.com/lindsayell
His first full-length studio album, “Yours,” dropped in the fall of 2017 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The album included the title song written by Dickerson with Parker Welling and Casey Brown. “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma” (another track from the album) both topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and also charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. But Dickerson knows that his success derives largely from his live performances. He has built his fan base on tours supporting Thomas Rhett, Billy Currington and Darius Rucker over the past two years. In 2019, Russell and Carly Pearce will be hitting the road on The Way Back Tour, in addition to headlining his own dates. See his current tour schedule at his website. russelldickerson.com “Since day one, all I’ve ever known is music. I love touring, I love playing the shows…I love connecting with every single person. At the end of the day, it’s all about the fans. I want them to leave my shows feeling changed. I live to make them smile.” – Russell Dickerson, quoted at his website. Story by Preshias Harris 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 NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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David Frizzell from Radio to Records, Carrying on the Legacy of Traditional Country Music By: Claire Ratliff Country music’s living legend, David Frizzell, is responsible for some of the mostplayed country radio hits of all time. His chart-topping song “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home” remains a country music standard, and has been featured on CMT’s 40 Greatest Drinking Songs, making #17 on the list. At #6 on CMT’s countdown of the 100 Greatest Duets is “You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma,” a song Frizzell recorded with duo partner, Shelly West. That song was chosen by Clint Eastwood for the soundtrack of the movie, Any Which Way You Can. [Pictured Right: David Frizzell with brother, Lefty’s guitar & Shelly West with “I Love You A Thousand Ways: The Lefty Frizzell Story” written by David as a tribute to Lefty’s life and career.] Frizzell & West remains one of the most-awarded acts in entertainment; one that sold out arenas worldwide and produced five albums. The duo twice won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award, twice won the Academy of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year and were awarded the ACM Song of the Year award. They also received the Music City News Award for Duet of the Year twice and Song of the Year as well. During his duet years with West, Frizzell continued a vibrant solo career. Along with his CMA awards, Frizzell has won numerous performing and recording trophies from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard and Music City News. He has been nominated for three Grammys, both as part of Frizzell & West and as a solo artist. Frizzell remains devoted to more traditional sounds in the genre, but believes there is room for everyone on country radio.
“I love what artists like Chris Stapleton, Mo Pitney, Sturgill Simpson and others are bringing to the table,” Frizzell says. “It’s a nice balance with the more contemporary, pop sounding songs, and I think we need that balance. There’s always room for good music and I’d like to see more of that traditional sound and the artists who make it.” Since broadening the scope of his Nashville America Records label, multi-awardwinning country music artist, David Frizzell has overseen the release of some fine, new, traditional country music. For many years, the label was primarily a vehicle for Frizzell’s own projects including his highly successful Frizzell & Friends collaborations which feature some of David’s legendary friends. Earlier in 2018, however, Nashville America Records released the debut album from country newcomer and Kentucky native, Sarah Patrick, an exciting new singer/songwriter whom Frizzell compares to a young Loretta Lynn. That album, The Woman I Am, features a mix of covers and Sarah’s original music. The 3rd release from Sarah is one of her own originals, “To Stay,” hitting radio in early February 2019. [Pictured Right: Nashville America Records Artist Sarah Patrick and David Frizzell in studio.] “I am moved by artists who are real and innately talented. One of the reasons I signed Sarah to my record label was her NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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songwriting,” Frizzell notes. “It just comes to her so naturally.” As producer, Frizzell included three of Patrick’s original songs on her debut project. Additionally, David produced what would be the final recording by the iconic Freddie Hart, known as “Mr. Easy Lovin’.” The singer/songwriter, who enjoyed a vibrant career for decades and got his start with David’s brother, Lefty Frizzell, passed away on October 27th of 2018. Hart charted 48 songs in the Billboard Country Chart between 1959 and 1987 including several number one songs, with the biggest being his gold record, "Easy Loving" in 1971. His final album, God Bless You, is set for release in early 2019 on Nashville America Records. “I met Freddie Hart when I was 12 years old,” Frizzell says. “He was one of the most talented singer-songwriters I've ever known. I toured with him and recorded songs by him. We both worked with Buck Owens in the early 70's, and I remember one day in Buck’s studio Freddie was recording demos and after each one he'd run over to me and ask if I liked it and whether I thought he was singing it alright. He was so talented and such a special artist and friend. [Pictured Left: Freddie Hart & David Frizzell] David’s life and his career are tightly woven into the fabric of country music history and lore. He is both legacy and legend with an unmistakable voice and a captivating style. David Frizzell is one of the greatest voices in country music with a haunting resemblance to his older brother, the ultimate stylist, Lefty Frizzell. Both share that raw, forlorn quality that is essential to the interpretation of traditional country themes, but David’s voice is even more resonant and nuanced; a perfect instrument for conveying the deepest emotion of every lyric. Summer 2018 also marked the debut of a new music festival in Corsicana, Texas. The first anual Frizzell & Friends Music Festival, nicknamed LeftyFest, was held June 16 in Corsicana, the birthplace of Lefty Frizzell, and featured both legendary and contemporary artists in support of traditional country music. The festival was recorded live by Nashville American Records and presented by The MoonTower at the Oaks to create a CD/DVD special, Frizzell & Friends Lefty Fest Live. The compliation includes 22 tracks on the album and 24 live performances on the film with special guests Allen Frizzell, Paulette Carlson, Marty Haggard, Lacy J Dalton, and Sarah Patrick. [Pictured Left: Frizzell & Friends Lefty Fest Live CD/DVD Cover followed below by a picture of a young Lefty and David Frizzell.] Writing, producing, touring and performing... David Frizzell is a timeless and tireless entertainer who continues to share his many gifts to the delight of fans old and new across the US and throughout the world. Frizzell pledges that fans can continue to expect more music from his label, and from the man himself. The gifted singer, songwriter, producer and author always keeps an ear open for new talent as well.
“I am always glad to hear any artist record a real traditional country song and it’s even better when they have the heart and soul for it,” Frizzell says. “Real traditional country music goes with anything, anytime and anywhere it’s played.” For information on David Frizzell, Frizzell & Friends Releases, Nashville America Records, Lefty Fest and more visit, www.davidfrizzell.com.
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@NashMusicGuide | #NMGCAM
Lady Antebellum - 4th of July on Broadway
Sam Smith - Thrill of it All Tour at Bridgestone (July 2018)
NashvilleMusicGuide.com
Cassadee Pope - Basement East (Sept. 2018)
Keith Urban - Graffiti U Tour at Bridgestone (Aug. 2018)
Sugarland - Bridgestone Arena (Aug. 2018)
Photos by Alexandra Arielle Photography
Check out some our favorite shots from 2018 that are highlighted here and to keep up with who/what/where we will be covering follow us on Instagram!
Clare Dunn - Budweiser CMA Awards Showcase at Exit/In (Nov. 2018)
Lindsay Ell - Budweiser CMA Awards Showcase at Exit/In (Nov. 2018)
Matt and Kim - Live On The Green (Sept 2018)
The26 Struts - The Basement East (Dec. 2018)
Kassi Ashton - Budweiser CMA Awards Showcase at Exit/In (Nov. 2018)
The Foxies - Basement East (Dec. 2018)
Taylor Swift - Reputation Stadium Tour at Nissan Stadium (Aug. 2018)
Canadian Spotlight At the beginning of 2018, Alexis Taylor released her debut single “Blame The Whiskey” which allowed her to appear live on numerous radio stations throughout North America, and take part in events such as Canadian Music Week in Toronto, and CMA Fest in Nashville. The release also lead to Alexis taking home the award for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2018 Tennessee Music Awards, performing at the USO Northwest Gala, and take the #1 position for six consecutive weeks on Reverb Nation’s provincially ranked country artists charts. Did you come from a musical background? Yes, both my mom and dad are amazing musicians, and still write and perform today. Growing up, I would always watch them sing or perform whether on the road, at church, or at home in our music room, there was always music. I truly think it played a huge part in why I decided to follow in their footsteps. How do you balance your music career with your other obligations in life? It is definitely tough to find a balance between any career and other obligations. But I find myself making lots of “to-do” lists, and always carrying around my calendar. It helps me to stay focused and organized even if I have a million things going on. Though it’s tough to keep track of what day it is sometimes, my family and friends will always be a priority in my life, no matter what else is going on. What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career? I think the best advice I could give to someone who is wanting to pursue a career in music would be to continue to dream big. Don’t worry about the possibility of things not working out, or going like you planned. You will regret it so much more if you don’t try. Keep believing in yourself, and keep pushing yourself. Work as hard as you possibly can, and things will start to happen. It’s just a matter of time! What are 3 things that you have to have with you at all times/never leave home without? Three things I would never leave home without and usually have with me at all times would be my cell phone, my calendar, and a snack. I think it’s pretty typical to take your phone everywhere these days, but I mainly use it to jot down song lyrics that come to mind when I’m away from my songwriting book. As for my calendar, I’ve tried leaving it at home but of course I always seem to need it when I don’t bring it with me. Lastly, I am always equipped with snacks. Anyone who knows me knows that I love food, and I try to always eat
as healthy as I can. So I usually have an apple or banana with me, or a fruit cup just in case.
doing in addition to singing and songwriting.
As a child growing up, music surrounds us; What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?
Though music often relaxes me, there are times when silence can be needed as well. On the rare occasion that I get a day off, I usually head to the beach. I pack a good book, a lunch, some sunscreen and drive until I find a place where I can unwind. It’s my favorite thing to do when I am not on stage or in the studio. Unless it’s winter… then I just end up turning off my phone and crawling into bed to watch reruns of “Friends” on Netflix.
Growing up, my parents liked listening to a lot of Christian music as well as country music. I remember getting made fun of in middle school for liking country music, because back then it wasn’t cool to listen to it. So I quickly decided I needed to find a new genre to listen to. After that, I definitely went through a stage in high school where all I would listen to is punk rock and screamo music believe it or not! But now, I mainly listen to country again. What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music? I had always loved singing, performing, and writing music. But the first time I realized I wanted to seriously pursue a music career was when I was at a Mayday Parade concert in Toronto, Ontario. I was only 14 or 15 at the time, and it was my first concert that I had ever gone to. I wish I could remember what song they were singing, but I was standing only two or three people from the front of the stage. Everyone around me was belting out the lyrics, singing along every single word along with the band. In the middle of singing along, I had this feeling wash over me as though my eyes were opened and realized I didn’t want to do anything else other than music. I wanted to stand on stage and share my music with the rest of the world. I think my younger self would be proud of the fact that I am still chasing my dreams and pursuing music.
How do you like to enjoy your relaxation time away from the music?
Who does most of the songwriting? I write all of my own music. I love the creative process of it, and the feeling of satisfaction when I finish writing a song. I cowrite quite a bit, which is always a fun and interesting experience with each new person I write with. It can also be incredibly intimidating since I live in a city where there are so many amazingly talented songwriters. However, there are often times when no one else is around, and I get inspiration for a song from out of nowhere. So I try to take advantage of those moments when I can, and make the most of the inspiration when it comes to me. Have you been involved in any benefit performances? What was it and how did you become involved? This past September, I was able to sing along with my Dad at a fundraising event for Missionary Ventures Canada in Toronto, Ontario. It was to help raise money for the continuing construction of a hospital in the small town of Nebaj, in Guatemala, which I got to help be a part of in early 2018 during a missions trip. I became more involved with Missionary Ventures after I put together a short vlog on youtube about my time in Guatemala. I am hoping to be working with them more in the near future as well, in both musical aspects and beyond, so I am very excited about that.
If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry what would it be?
When things seem to go negatively at times, how do you turn things into something positive?
Given the opportunity, if I could change something about the music industry, I would change the way that music is heard. Streaming platforms can be an amazing thing, and have personally allowed me to connect with a lot of different people that live all around the world. However, as we get further away from the years of buying vinyl and CD’s, we are seeing the evolution of other music platforms. With these changes to the music industry, I feel as though it is harder for smaller artists to make a living. Although every platform is different, many artists do not receive very much money in terms of royalties. It makes it very hard to keep the dream alive when you can’t even pay your rent. In many cases, it forces artists to get day jobs, myself included, and it only distracts from the ultimate desire of making music.
When things don’t go my way or I start to get down about things, the first person I call is my mom. She is my support system and is my best friend. She has a way of reminding me how far I have come, and how lucky I am. I also lean a lot on God and my church family at Crosspoint, here in Nashville. I think it is very easy to get caught up in the things we don’t have, and the problems we have in our life rather than focusing on the good. Surrounding myself with people to keep me grounded, and people who love me no matter what has definitely been a huge blessing when I am going through tough times.
Do you have other interests or talents you would like to share with us? Yes, I absolutely love photography. All throughout high school and college, I took photography classes and really loved them. Many of the pictures and videos on my social media I take and edit myself. Like music, photography can capture a moment in time and it is another creative outlet that I enjoy
As an artists, how would you define SUCCESS? I think the term success has a very different meaning to every artist. To me, success is when I am able to connect with someone and move them with my music. It’s the ability to break through every other thing that they have going on in their life and truly touch them with the lyrics that I sing. It is such a rewarding experience to be a part of, and is one of my favorite parts about being a musician. Interview by Amanda Andrews
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Send me stuff, I love to get it! PreshiasWriter@hotmail.com TN/USA Google “Preshias” 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: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www. collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at nashvillemusicline.com.
“If I am chasing your dream faster than you, then I am in the wrong dream.” – Preshias (TM)
ALBUM NEWS: Randy Houser’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Magnolia’, is now available to stream in its entirety via NPR Music’s First Listen. Houser performed his favorite song from the album, “No Stone Unturned” on Good Morning America in January, and has been making appearances in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Houston, New York City and Baltimore in support of the new album including performances on Sirius XM Play, iHeart Radio Theater and NASH FM. This album marks a new era for Randy. Feeling impassionate, Houser opted to slow things down and set up camp in his good buddy and co-producer Gattis’ studio in East Nashville to recalibrate and rediscover his passion for creating music. He spent nearly two years fully invested in his songwriting which resulted in ‘Magnolia’ and a new sound that is un-polished yet authentically Houser.
Rascal Flatts is climbing the country charts with “Back to Life” (now available to stream or download) but they’re also having fun with some musical side projects in other genres. According to Jay DeMarcus, “We’ve also been working on something else at the same time, in tandem with this, where we’ve taken some of our favorite cover songs and reimagined them.” They recently released an EP called Jukebox, featuring covers of Hall & Oates, Foreigner, and Kenny Loggins songs, plus an exclusive cover of “Do You Believe in Love” by Huey Lewis, available on Amazon Music Unlimited. “Now we’re gonna go start to revisit some of our favorite songs from different genres that we’ve grown up loving,” said Jay. “This one happens to be the early 80’s so we’ve done a few things there. We’ve talked about doing like a metal band cover series and we’ve talked about doing like a R & B cover series. So we’re gonna go back and have some fun with some of the songs that influenced us the most.”
ARTIST NEWS: Carly Pearce became the future Mrs. Michael Ray, when he proposed to her in Riviera Maya, Mexico. When we asked her what made him ‘the one,’ she cited several things, according to her label, BMLG.
“Magnolia has been my beacon of light and restored my spirit and my truth,” said Houser. “It’s also the most daring and honest piece of work I’ve made in my life.”
“Our grandfathers both played such key roles into our lives,” says Carly. “The Pearce name is my grandfather – the red feather on my arm and my logo, all of that. Amos is his grandfather’s name that he named his record after.” She added, “I think what’s just important to us really lined up and what we prioritize and the kind of passions that we have, and we both are very driven people and our hearts are the same. I don’t know how I explain that.”
Houser’s fingerprints can be found on every inch of the project, having co-written every song on the album (and playing lead guitar on many of the songs). Music and more information on Randy at www.randyhouser.com.
It may be too early for wedding plans just yet as Carly kicks off 2019 with her new single, “Closer to You” climbing the charts, and a tour with Russell Dickerson on the way, as well as other tour plans later in the year.
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BABY NEWS:
BLUEGRASS NEWS:
The “Littlest Pistol” has arrived! Angaleena Presley and her husband, Jordan Powell, welcomed daughter Phoenix Joeleena Jean Powell on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Weighing in at 7.8 lbs., and measuring 17.5 inches, Phoenix made her debut at 7:49 a.m. CST. The baby’s name is especially meaningful, as it merges family monikers with homages to both a beloved matriarch and a late friend. “We chose Phoenix all together, Joeleena is a combination of my friend Tony Joe White who passed away a few months ago and ‘leena,’ which is family name from Angaleena’s side,” Jordan explains. “Jean is my grandmother’s name — she’s 92 and helped raise me.” Phoenix seems to have inherited her mom’s love of music. Hours before she was born, the soon-to-arrive baby was soothed by the melodies of two country music icons who hail from her mom and dad’s respective home states, Kentucky and Texas. This is Angaleena’s second child, but her first with Jordan, whom she married in 2012. Jed, her son from a previous relationship, is 12 years old.
After over 60 years of traveling, Ronnie Reno has announced that he will retire at the close of 2019 and hang up his hat. Reno is a Bluegrass luminary, SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats inductee, and longstanding host of the award-winning “Reno’s Old Time Music” television show. “It’s been a great run!” says Reno. “I’ve been truly blessed to get to travel around the world and make a living playing the music I love! I wouldn’t change one minute of it...but the road just doesn’t call me like it used to.” Reno extended heartfelt thanks to all of his friends, bandmates, and fans for their continued support throughout his many years. More at www.ronniereno.com.
BOOK NEWS: To coincide with the 60th anniversary of the legendary record label, MOTOWN: THE SOUND OF YOUNG AMERICA, the ultimate visual history of the home to some of the greatest recording artists of all time, to be published for the first time in paperback February 5, 2019.
BLUEBIRD CAFE NEWS: Originally started as a restaurant in 1982 by founder Amy Kurland, the Bluebird Café had evolved into a 90-seat listening room by 1984, holding regular ‘Writers’ Nights.’ In March 1985, three songwriters, J. Fred Knobloch, Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet, performed the first ‘In The Round’ show, in which the three writers sat in the center of the room and took turns playing songs and telling the stories behind the songs, while audiences listened quietly and attentively. The ‘In The Round’ concept was an immediate success and was soon adopted by other venues, but The Bluebird is recognized as the place where it really all started and continues to this day. After 37 years, the Bluebird Café is as popular as ever. It is still the place where songwriters really want to be seen and heard. Just take a look at the list of upcoming shows at their website. Click on ‘shows’ and check out the astonishing list of hit writers scheduled to appear. While you’re at their site, it’s a good idea to click on ‘Reservations’ too. That’s where you’ll see the Bluebird’s policy about booking seats. More info at www.bluebirdcafe.com.
It is the definitive visual history of the Detroit-based independent record company that became a style unto itself, a prolific and hugely successful production line of suave, sassy, and sophisticated music through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Featuring extensive specially commissioned photography of treasures gathered from the archives, this landmark publication also captures the graphic and design iconography that underpinned Motown’s extraordinary creativity. Packed with fresh insights gleaned from scores of interviews with key players, this exceptional and revealing volume delves into the workings of the Motown machine and details how a dedicated team of backroom believers, white and black, turned a small family business into a popular music powerhouse as America underwent momentous social and cultural changes. This was the home of such groundbreaking artists as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations, and many more. For more information visit www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/motown-thesound-of-young-america-softcover
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Attention Singers & Songwriters:
“Honest, affordable career counseling for new and developing singer/songwriters to help you understand and benefit from every aspect of the music business. Personal, one-on-one guidance tailored to meet your unique career goals and current level of experience.” For More Information: 615-482-5823
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COUNTRY RADIO BROADCASTERS (CRB) NEWS:
The 50th Anniversary convention of the Country Radio Seminar will be held in Music City, February 13th through 15th at Nashville’s Omni Hotel. Billed as the largest annual gathering of country radio executives, programmers and air personalities in the world, CRS is where established and aspiring country artists get to mingle with the decision makers who play their songs on the radio. Blake Shelton is the 2019 Artist Humanitarian award winner and Jason Aldean will be the keynote speaker. A highlight of CRS is always the New Faces Show, this year featuring performances by Jimmie Allen, Lindsey Ell, Lanco, Dylan Scott and Russell Dickerson. The event is co-sponsored by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the annual new artist showcase. Performances will be powered by Live Nation and take place in the CRS Performance Hall. Additionally, this year’s Seminar will include an artist interview session, the ever-popular Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley (featuring performances by 12 of Nashville’s top hit songwriters on February 14th). Set to perform are Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, Chase McGill, Laura Veltz, JT Harding, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Brett James, Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Scooter Caruso and Heather Morgan. CRS is a production of the Nashville-based non-profit organization, Country Radio Broadcasters. More info on the at www.countryradioseminar.com.
CONCERT NEWS:
Entering their 48th year on the road with nearly 30 live concerts already on the books, the iconic band shows no signs of slowing down. More dates and info at www. marshalltucker.com. “When we started the band in the early 70s, we did it for beer money on the weekends,” reminisces Marshall Tucker Band lead singer Doug Gray. “Never in a million years would I have believed that we’d still be out here jammin’ for as long as we have. What a journey… onward we ride!”
GRAMMY NEWS: The Recording Academy’s™ 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®. Music’s Biggest Night® was held at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. Nominations for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced in all 84 categories and honored the best in recordings released between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018. Some of Nashville’s family of nominees of artists and songwriters were: Luke Combs, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Jason Crabb, The Isaacs, Gordon Mote, Loretta Lynn, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Cole Swindell, Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Kelly Clarkson, Maren Morris, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill, Jon Nite, Tom Douglas, David Hodges, Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Ben Hayslip, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers, Taylor Swift and Willie Nelson. “We are delighted to host the world’s premier music event back in our hometown and look forward to celebrating the remarkable musical contributions made by songwriters, producers, engineers, mixers, and recording artists,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. For more info and a complete list go to www.grammy.com. Whew! I think I got everybody!
INDIE NEWS: Legendary southern rock group The Marshall Tucker Band has revealed the first leg of live concert dates for its newly announced Through Hell & High Water… And Back Tour 2019. Playing southern rock to jazz and everything in between, the distinctive and iconic Marshall Tucker Band is coming to Music City, playing historic War Memorial Auditorium on April 19. Dates also includes stops in Las Vegas, NV, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Verona, NY, Scottsdale, AZ, Glenside, PA, Mobile, AL, Charleston, SC, and the 2019 Southern Rock Cruise.
Ernie Haase + Signature Sound celebrated their nomination in Gospel Roots Category 40 by releasing their impassioned “Sailing with Jesus” on Parade.com. The cut is included on their GRAMMY® nominated project Clear Skies. The quartet’s tenor, Ernie Haase, is also an accomplished songwriter and co-wrote seven of the 13 songs on the project.
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“This has been a challenging year for Ernie Haase + Signature Sound, but with this nomination, I really do see Clear Skies, and it feels great!” Haase shared with Parade. com. The group has traveled all over the world and continues to gain fans around the globe with its unique performances and unmistakable four-part harmonies. Ernie Haase + Signature Sound has sung and sold to millions worldwide, a feat that has not been accomplished by any other Southern Gospel quartet. Details at www.ErnieHaase.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS: Reviver Entertainment Group has named Gator Michaels as President, promoted from Executive VP/GM. After a decade-long radio career as an on-air personality, program director, music director and promotions director, Gator Michaels served as the GM for YoungOlsen & Associates and the Vice President of Promotion at Dreamcatcher Entertainment prior to joining Warner Bros. Nashville as Senior VP, involved in the careers of Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Michelle Branch, Kid Rock, The Eagles, John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Blake Shelton, and more. In 2010, Michaels went on to lead Davis Music Group as Executive VP/GM before founding his own promotions company, Instigator Entertainment, in 2011. He then became Vice President of Blaster Records in 2012, helping to garner Top 40 hits for Aaron Lewis, Montgomery Gentry, and Chuck Wicks. More at www.revivermusic.com.
PUBLICITY NEWS: Josh Gracin (“Nothin’ to Lose” and “Brass Bed”) has dealt with trials and tribulations over the years but has redeemed himself, fought demons and come out on top. His new independent label, Revel Road Records has enlisted Reviver Records’ hit-making marketing and promotion staff for his new music and he has inked a management deal with 117 Management. The Kinkead Entertainment Agency will continue to exclusively represent Gracin world-wide and 117 Publicity will handle PR representation. More at joshgracinofficial.com. Ashton Shepherd has joined the roster of KORE PR for exclusive PR representation. Ashton has recently toured with Dove Award-Winner and ICM Award-Winner Nathan Stanley. She has new music to be released later this year. Check out Facebook. com/AshtonShepherd
LABEL NEWS: [PLOWBOY RECORDS]
INT’L NEWS:
This Irish-born, singersongwriter and international country music entertainer, Mags, releases her third original tune, titled “Run,” to country radio in early February. Co-written by Mags, M. Anthony and S. Hogan (and produced by Michael Anthony of Emerald Field Productions), the storyline shares a keen insight surrounding an unfaithful love and lends womanly advice to let it go and wave “good-bye.” Impacting country radio on Monday, February 4, 2019, Mags emphatically refuses to watch a good-hearted-woman be led by a cheatin’ man with a heart untrue. Keeping true to her spunky charm and no-nonsense attitude, as introduced via her debut single “Strong Enough” (June 2018), which ranked in the Top 50 on the MusicRow Breakout Charts, the musical composition highlights an adrenalizing, energetic beat that empowers the directive to hit the road and never look back. Music, tour info and more, NashvilleMusicGuide.com
including the “Run” music video, at MagsMccarthy.com.
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Marty Brown, the country legend and awarded songwriter, has joined the Plowboy Records roster. He is putting the finishing touches on his album which is due out this spring. Look for first radio single in February. Marty is a fellow Kentuckian and a long-time bud of mine. One of the first talent shows I judged in the 90s was the KY State Country Showdown. At the time it was being held at ‘The Yellow Rose’ in Owensboro KY. Guess who I judged and who won?? Yes, Marty! Many fans remember his unique appearances on season eight of America’s Got Talent, where he advanced to the semi-final round. Publicity for the upcoming album will be handled by Martha Moore of so much MOORE media. More info and tour dates for Marty’s upcoming Country Boy Tour at www.martybrownmusic.com.
MUSIC NEWS:
[RCA NASHVILLE] RCA’s Rachel Wammack has forged her own path in Country music as the only artist in the genre selected for Entertainment Weekly’s “2019 Artists to Watch” list. After the release of her autobiographical debut single “Damage” found on her selftitled EP, ongoing critical praise continues to follow as she has made AOL, Pandora, Music Row, Pop Culture, Sounds Like Nashville’s “Artist to Watch” list as well Nashville Music Guide’s “19 Artits to Watch in 2019.” Additionally, Wammack was dubbed one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Best County EPs of 2018.” The 24-year-old Muscle Shoals native is influenced heavily by the rich music history from her hometown. At the age of 17, Wammack was discovered by a Sony Music Nashville executive at a piano restaurant which led to her record deal five years later and the release of her self-titled produced by Dann Huff. More info at www.rachelwammack.com.
MEDIA NEWS:
It was 35 years ago when the Judds’ first single, “Have a Dream (For the Heart),” peaked at No. 17 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs in 1984. Country music’s sonic landscape changed after that.
This year marks The Judds’ 35th anniversary of unparalleled success – a feat Naomi Judd opened up about in the January 21 issue of Woman’s World. “Back then, the only thing we knew was how to sing and that we had each other: we were totally dependent on that,” Naomi told the magazine. The Judds are often celebrated for dozens of GRAMMY®, ACM and CMA Awards; a rarely-interrupted stretch of 14 No. 1 hits when every single of theirs released by RCA landed in the Billboard Top 10; and a career that defined what it means to be individualists in the music business. More at www.NaomiJudd.com.
MUSIC BUSINESS NEWS: Songwriters may want to check out Songuard that can offer you copyright protection for only $3.95. When you post your song on the internet or send it out to artists, producers, publishers, and labels, millions of people have access to it. If that song is not copyrighted or protected in some way, you are at great risk that someone may take your melodic and lyrical ideas and treat them as their own. If that happens and your song is not protected, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. To compare Songuard services with those of the US Copyright Office, see the FAQ/Terms page on their website at www.songuard.com/faq
Emerging singer, songwriter and performer Tenille Townes has been selected as part of Amazon Music’s “2019 Artists To Watch,” The Bobby Bones Show’s “Class of 2019,” CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” CMT’s “Listen Up,” iHeart Radio’s “Artists To Watch in 2019,’ inaugural class of “Opry NextStage,” as well as Nashville Music Guide’s “19 Artists to Watch in 2019.” Townes is garnering widespread attention including recent praise at The Tennessean, Refinery29 and Sounds Like Nashville. 2019 will see the release of Townes’ full-length debut album on Columbia Nashville. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album’s first single, “Somebody’s Daughter,” has already been the subject of widespread attention. Townes is currently joining Dierks Bentley on his extensive “Burning Man Tour.” The tour, features performances across Canada and the U.S. In March, she will perform select dates in Australia as part of the international “CMA: Introducing Nashville” series. Tour updates at https://tenilletownes.com/
NUMBER ONE NEWS: Congrats to international country artist Morgan Evans on his first number one single “Kiss Somebody” in the US! Morgan and his label Warner Brothers along with ASCAP, BMI and APRA AMCOS came together celebrate for the three songwriters. Morgan along with his producer Chris DeStefano (also a co-writer) and Josh Osbourne were at Sound Check to receive awards, kudos and plaques. The single is off of his Top 10 US debut album, “Things That We Drink To.” Morgan’s artistic vision came full circle with his producer and hit songwriter Chris DeStefano. The eclectic country album arrived at #1 on the ARIA Top Country Albums Chart and scored a Top 5 debut on the all-genre ARIA Top Albums Chart. Evans’ current single “Day Drunk” has held the #1 spot on Australia’s Music Network Country Airplay Chart for over 13 consecutive weeks. The album has garnered critical acclaim and it looks like 2019 is not even going to slow down. Back Story: Morgan Evans moved to Nashville two years ago from his native Australia, where his career was already flourishing. He is married to Black River’s Country Star Kelsea Ballerini. He signed with Warner Bros in 2017 and released his U.S. debut “Kiss Somebody.” Evans has been supporting Old Dominion on the MAKE IT SWEET TOUR to kick off 2019, before joining the first leg of Dan + Shay THE TOUR beginning this month. At a NSAI fundraiser with Evans and his album’s co-writers and friends, they revealed that Evans and DeStefano had both co-written each of the album’s 11 songs (including the duet song with wife Kelsea)!!
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RADIO NEWS:
SINGLE NEWS:
iHeartMedia’s Bobby Bones, continuing to show his support for new talent, revealed the five artists who will make up his all-female “The Bobby Bones Show Class Of 2019″. Bones identified Abby Anderson, Caylee Hammack, Lauren Jenkins, Tenille Townes and Rachel Wammack as the artists he believes have what it takes to break through and become the next big thing.
Country music legend TG Sheppard honors his close friend Elvis Presley by releasing his first single in more than two decades, appropriately titled, “I Wanna Live Like Elvis.” The single comes on the heels of January 8, what would have been Elvis’ 84th birthday. Sheppard — one of Billboard’s Top 100 Country Artists of All Time — explains,
Each year, Bones rallies behind his picks, providing various opportunities and platforms to give each artist continued exposure. Past members have gone on to see noteworthy career milestones and become some of Country’s hottest acts, including Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, LANCO, Old Dominion, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi and Brothers Osborne. Visit https://bobbybones.iheart.com for more information.
“I was compelled to record ‘I Wanna Live Like Elvis’ in honor of my long-time friendship with him, and because the writers were able to capture so much of his life story in just four minutes in a clever and comical way that hasn’t been done before.”
Here is the Country Genre Nominees List For 2019’s iHeartRadio Awards set to air March 14 on FOX from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Country Song of the Year: “Heaven” – Kane Brown; “Meant To Be” – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line; “Most People Are Good” – Luke Bryan; “Rich” – Maren Morris; and “Tequila” – Dan + Shay. Country Artist of the Year: Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett. Best New Country Artist: Jordan Davis, Carly Pearce, Dylan Scott, LANCO and Russell Dickerson. In the socially voted category; Cutest Musician’s Pet, Brett Eldredge‘s loveable pooch Edgar is in the running! Kacey Musgraves was nominated with Harry Styles for Best Cover Song, for their take on Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One.” Maren Morris and her “Middle” cohorts Zedd and Grey were nominated for overall Song of the Year, as well as Best Collaboration and Dance Song of the Year. Newcomer Mason Ramsey also earned a nomination for the Social Star Award, his viral video of performing a cover of Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues.”
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The upbeat, funky track hits on the extraordinary life and career of the one-and-only Elvis Presley, featuring witty lyrics such as “I wanna learn karate, make a movie in Hawaii” and “I wanna love my momma, lay around with ‘Cilla in silk pajamas.” “I Wanna Live Like Elvis” is the first single to be released from Sheppard’s upcoming full-length album, his first country solo album in more than two decades. Details and more at www.tgsheppard.com
SONG NEWS: Midland’s debut album has plenty of drinkin’ songs and heartbreak songs and songs about love, but they believe their music, including their latest single, “Burn Out,” can fit any mood or vibe. “The beauty about all of music and all of art really is that it is open to the interpretation of the observer and the listener,” says Mark Wystrach. “So, as Cameron was saying in an interview recently, we write music for Friday night when you’re getting ready to go out or when you’re having a great time sitting around a bonfire and singing with your best friends. And it’s also for Monday morning when you’ve got the touch of the blues and a little bit of melancholy I think it serves both sides of that and it’s open to whoever is listening to it and I guess, whatever they’re really feeling or whatever they’re going through at that time in their life.” “Burn Out” is off of Midland’s debut album, On The Rocks, and later this year they’ll release their sophomore album. More at www.midlandbandofficial.com.
TOUR NEWS: Kane Brown kicked off his sold-out headlining arena tour Kane Brown: Live Forever Tour last month and will make its way to arenas across the country with additional opening weekend stops featuring openers Granger Smith with RaeLynn. Some dates also have Jimmie Allen and Danielle Bradbury as tour support. As part of the tour, Brown has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to offer an exclusive VIP Q&A experience and meet and greet pairing Brown with members of the Boys & Girls Club in every tour market. The Chattanooga native made music media headlines in October 2017 by becoming the first artist ever to top all five of Billboard’s main country charts at the same time. Brown’s name could be found at the top of the list in the Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs categories. The massive amount of success comes back to his hit single “What Ifs” featuring former school mate Lauren Alaina. For more info kanebrownmusic.com.
VIDEO NEWS:
Tim McGraw has released a new lyric video for “Thought About You.” The song marks McGraw’s first new solo music in over two years and precedes his forthcoming solo album set for release this year. The video, directed by JP Robinson, showcases stories of both love and friendship told with a series of photos that bring to life the song’s concept of how loved ones have shaped our lives. The video was released via Columbia Nashville/McGraw Music. “The cool thing about ‘Thought About You’ is that it brings something, or someone, different to mind for everyone who hears it,” said McGraw. “It might be a loved one you saw yesterday, an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years or someone you know you’ll never see again.” “Thought About You” was written by Lee Thomas Miller, Brad Warren and Brett Warren and was produced by long-time collaborator Byron Gallimore. See the video at https://timmcgraw.com.
TOP SONGWRTIERS OF 2018 BASED ON ROYALTY EXHNAGE There are plenty of charts ranking the top songs, and the artists who performed them. But only one chart ranks the songwriters that play as vital a role in creating the music we all love— Royalty Exchange’s Top Hitmakers chart.
The company has published this chart on a weekly basis for over two years, and today released the compiled results for all of 2018. Topping the list of 50 is Aubrey Graham, better known as hip-hop superstar Drake. While a popular performer, Drake is also a prolific writer and frequent collaborator. His leading spot is due not only to 25 of the hit songs he wrote and released himself last year, but also the success of nine other songs performed by eight other artists he collaborated with in the same timeframe. Many other performers also made the list due to their songwriting credits— such as Post Malone (No. 3), Ed Sheeran (No. 4), and Cardi B (No. 5). But the Top Hitmakers chart also reveals several songwriters whose names are rarely celebrated as publicly as the performers whose music they are so influential in creating. This includes producer Louis Bell in the No. 2 spot. In addition to his work with Post Malone, Bell also reached his position thanks to his work on eight other hit songs from the likes of Halsey, Selena Gomez, Tiesto, and Lil Wayne. Another is Adam Feeney, AKA Frank Dukes. His work with Camila Cabello, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and other artists across 18 songs placed him at No. 9. Just behind him at No. 10 is the songwriting master Max Martin, with writing credits on five songs split between Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. The Top Hitmakers chart is compiled by analyzing the songwriters behind every song on the Billboard Hot 100 each week. Songs are given a point value based on their position, and the songwriters credited to each song split those points equally. The songwriter with the most points week to week top the chart. You can view the complete Top Hitmakers 2018 chart at charts. royaltyexchange.com/2018, where you can also sign up to receive weekly chart updates.
WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT: www.bouldercreekguitars.com | www.ascap.com www.sesac.com | www.globalsongwriters.com www.bmi.com
WHO’S LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING: Gary Allan | Brooke Eden | Jess Taylor | Jake Owen Alan Jackson | Carly Pearce | Runaway June | Shannon Woods
Jeff Clayborn’s single “Last One’s To Leave” Available Now on All Digital Platforms www.JeffClayborn.com35 NashvilleMusicGuide.com
gifts and talent.
Hee Haw Celebrates 50 Years
Story by Sherryl Craig
2019 marks the 50th anniversary of one of televisions most notable family entertainment shows. Hee Haw was launched in 1969 and went in to syndication in 1971. It appears in re-runs on RFD-TV and is still a favorite for families around the world. It featured some the music industries best and brightest along with the best knee slapping comedy this side of the “corn field.” Hee Haw centered around rural culture and country Music. The show was hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark and featured the biggest and brightest talent in the entertainment industry. Families would gather around their television sets to enjoy huge belly laughs and great music. Musical guests included artists such as Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette. We spoke with four of the original cast members about the legacy of the show and they shared some of their fondest memories as well. Lulu Roman was a hoot with her character at Lulu’s Diner. She always made sure the customers got exactly what they asked for. Not only is LuLu one of the funniest comedians in the industry, she has recorded 8 albums, she received several major awards, was inducted in to the Country Music Gospel Hall of Fame in 1999, and induction in the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Some of Lulu’s fondest memories from the show were when all the ladies would get together and take Minnie out to lunch and hear her tell all her wonderful stories about life and her career, and the time that she was doing a skit with Archie Campbell and
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accidentally hit him and his topee stood straight up on his head. She shared a deep heartfelt memory of Roy Clark and how every time she would see him he would pucker up his lips and blow her a big kiss and then give her a wink. She said he did every time. Misty Rowe made her first appearance around 1972. She was one of the Hee Haw Honey’s and had her sketchof Misty’s Bedtime Stories that she would always end with a giggle and a wink. Rowe is also an accomplished actress, writer and producer. She currently has a new play in progress called “Forget Me Not” about her mother and her battle with Alzheimer’s. Some of her fondest memories were the time she accidentally hit Archie Campbell and his topee fell off , hit his lit cigar and caught fire, or the many times that Lulu played her mom with the Hee Haw Honey’s. I also found out that Misty is the only person I know who has her own traveling corn field. It travels to all the Kornfield Friends show’s and was made by Faye Sloan. Jana Jae and her sapphire blue fiddle lit up the stage as part of the Buck Owens Buckaroos. She is an accomplished country and bluegrass fiddler. She performs internationally both with her own band and with an orchestra. She has been playing since she was about 2 ½ years old and graduated from the Vienna Academy of Music, Magna Cum Laude. She fondly recalled her dearest memories of the show and of her friend Roy Clark. She said Roy was the musicians musician and that he was a great mentor to her. He always encouraged her to expand her work and deeply appreciated her
Buck Trent was just 10 years old when he first appeared on the radio, he was later a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, and Porter Wagoners Wagon Masters and appeared on the Roy Clark show. The banjo master himself, recalled memories of meeting some of his idols, the day he met Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Buck shared of how Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were appearing on the show and he was waiting just off stage after their performance. As they were leaving the stage he went to introduce himself but before he could get just a few words out of his mouth Roy told him he knew exactly who he was and that they were also big fans of his music. How wonderful to know that at such a young age he had already made a huge impression on others in the industry. Bucks fondest memories of Roy was when they met the time they both were performing in Kansas City. Roy was on stage and his guitar was on fire as he drove the fans crazy with his performance. Buck said he recalled going up to Porter and saying “Porter there’s a little fat boy up on stage killing people out there.” They performed in Russia together and he said to him Roy was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. All four original members agree the legacy and story behind Hee Haw is that it’s a family. Lulu expressed how there were never arguments or rifts, that everyone was very close. They all wanted the show to be a family show. It was about being together. Misty said it was like having a second family. Everyone had such an amazing sense of humor. The ladies even gave her a bridal shower right there in the middle of the cornfield and she opened a gift on each break. Jana Jae believes the legacy is about family, feelings, and togetherness. Buck said he felt they all had a strong chemistry and fit together as one. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary we would like to pay tribute and honors to late great Roy Clark who passed away in 2018. His style of music was one of the many things that set him apart. His personality was like none other and his career spanned over 70 years. He received numerous awards during his career including a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Please visit: https://www.heehaw.com
Sister Hazel’s FIRE
Album Reviews by Preshias Harris
Kentucky Headhunter’s LIVE AT THE RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR
(Alligator Records)
Sister Hazel came up with a cool concept: a series of EPs that collectively will form a compilation series that they are calling “Elements.” The latest EP, the third volume in the series, is titled “Fire” and follows previous releases “Water” and “Wind.” “Fire” offers six tracks – all good – plus a seventh bonus track, “Elements III (Growing Up”) following a tradition set with the previous EP’s bonus tracks. Hailing from the Gainesville, Florida, area, the five-piece band formed in 1993 and the personnel lineup has remained pretty much unchanged since then. Sister Hazel’s music is kinda hard to categorize. Alternative rock, yes; but also country… maybe altcountry and southern rock. Whatever you call it, it’s original and just plain good.
It seems impossible, but it’s true: The Kentucky Headhunters just keep getting better with every new album. These guys have been my buds for decades from way back in our FFA days in my home state of Kentucky. They have always embodied a unique mix of hard-nosed Country, Southern Rock, blues and good old rock n‘ roll. The best way to enjoy the Headhunters has always been live as they let rip on stage. A new release from Alligator finds them doin’ their stuff at the Ramblin’ Man Fair, in Maidstone, England.
The title track is a gentle ballad that recognizes the daily private struggles that we all go through. “You’ve been through the fire / And I know you’re tired / But don’t give up yet / Just keep holding on / There’s life just beyond…” The attitude of encouragement and inspiration is common to much of Sister Hazel’s music, but is applied with a light hand that never feels preachy.
This was (unbelievably) a stop on their first-ever European tour during a career lasting 30+ years. It seems that vocalist/guitarist Richard Young has always been an ‘uneasy flier’ and couldn’t face a transatlantic flight. Apparently, his son John Fred – drummer with the rock band Black Stone Cherry – was finally able to talk him into the tour that took place in 2016. Around 25,000 fans roar their approval as the Headhunters tear through a high-energy set that includes Headhunter originals, their unique versions of blues rockers, and a cover version of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” joined by Black Stone Cherry. The excitement is contagious: this is an album you’ll want to play LOUD!
“Here With You” is an uptempo love song about living in the moment with the one you love. It’s a song that could seriously impact the Country Airplay chart – if a few influential programmers at Country Radio were to pick this cut as an ‘add’ to their playlist. Hint!
Also included: three recently rediscovered studio tracks from the legendary “Meet Me In Bluesland” sessions featuring late blues piano icon Johnnie Johnson (known for his piano work on Chuck Berry’s biggest hits).
The bonus track, “Elements III” is barely over a minute in length but is an upbeat witty rocker that leaves the listener with a smile. “I gotta learn another, learn another, learn another way / Don’t know what I’m doin’ but I do it anyway.”
Speaking about The Ramblin’ Man Fair set, Richard Young said, “We didn’t even know we were being recorded. I found out later the festival folks recorded our whole set. After hearing it, I knew it captured us exactly as we really are, and I knew we had to release it.” The audio quality is remarkable and captures the essence of the Headhunters’ rowdy but musically spot-on live mayhem. The remarkable performance from 2016 (plus the bonus cuts with Johnny Johnson) was released by Alligator Records on January 11, 2019.
Every album they have released has charted, either on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and/or the Country or Indie album charts. (1997’s “…Somewhere More Familiar” achieved RIAA Platinum status.) Both “Wind” and “Water” made sizable impacts on both Country and Indie EP charts. Combining top-tier songwriting with strong musicianship, “Fire” should be on your playlist and, like the two earlier EPs, is set to make an impact on the charts. “Fire” drops February 8. Pre-order the EP via www.sisterhazel.com and you get the instant grat track “Here With You” (also available on streaming services now). Check out their website for upcoming tour dates.
A Personal note: I think I need to add that the album is killer, and it a shame I wasn’t visiting my nephew in Maidstone when this was recorded !! :( My loss for sure! BTW, looks like Richard has overcome his flying phobia. The Kentucky Headhunters are already working on plans for their next tour of the U.K., Europe and across the USA and Canada. Album info and more at https://www.alligator.com/albums/Live-AtThe-Ramblin-Man-Fair/
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Nashville Music guide’s
Best of 2018
Best Annual Music Event 1. Tootsie’s Bash 2. Kid Rock Fish Fry 3. Rites of Spring
Best Artist Owned venue 1. FGL House 2. Redneck Riviera 3. Whiskey Row
1. Manuel 2. Moda 3. Two Old Hippies
Best Buy/Sell Music Shop
Best Bluegrass Venue
1. Station Inn 2. Layla’s 3. Cumberland Caverns
Best Blues Jam
1. The Sunday Jam 2. Carol Ann’s 3. Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar NashvilleMusicGuide.com
Best Boutiques for artists
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1. McKay’s 2. Great Escape 3. Grimey’s
Best Comedy club
1. Third Coast Comedy 2. Zanie’s 3. Nashville Impov
Best Concert Series 1. Live on the Green 2. Musician’s Corner 3. Music City Roots
Best Country VENUE
1. Wild Horse Saloon 2. Loser’s Bar & Grill 3. Nashville Palace
Best Dinner theater 1. Chaffin’s Barn 2. CabaRay 3. General Jackson
Best Disc Makers
1. We Make Tapes 2. VSG Nashville 3. Earmark Digital
Best Entertainment group for women 1.Women in Music 2. Song Suffragettes 3. Women in Country
Best Entertainment Network group
1. YEP 2. SOLID 3. Network After Work
Best Honky Tonk
1. Tootsie’s 2. The Stage 3. Robert’s
Best Jazz VENUE
1. Rudy’s Jazz Room 2. Jazz on the Cumberland 3. Skull’s Rainbow Room
Best karoke Bar
1. Santa’s Pub 2. Ms. Kelli’s 3. Wild Beaver
Best Listening Room 1. City Winery 2. 3rd & Lindsley 3. Listening Room
Best Live Music venue 1. Ryman Auditorium 2. Grand Ole Opry 3. Mercy Lounge
Best Music Conference 1. Summer NAMM 2. Music Biz 3. DIY Musician Con
Best music festivals
Best online radio
Best Music history tours
Best print shop
1. CMA Fest 2. Americana Fest 3. Tin Pan South
1. Country Music Hall of Fame 2. RCA Studio B 3. Walkin’ Nashville
Best Music museums 1. Geogre Jones 2. Johnny Cash 3. Willie Nelson & Friends
Best Music Photographer
1. Alexandra Arielle 2. Cilene Bosch 3. Getty Images
Best Musical Instrument Stores
1. Corner Music 2. Carter Vintage Guitars 3. Nashville New & Used Music
Best Open Mic Night 1. Commodore Grille 2. Douglas Corner 3. Cafe Coco
1. Renegade Radio 2. Nashville Access 3. Acme Radio
1. Midtown Printing 2. Jive! 3. Hatch Show Print
Best Radio Station 1. WSM Radio 2. Lightning 100 3. The Big 98
Best Record Shop
1. Grimey’s 2. Ernest Tubb 3. New Life Records
Best Rock Venue
1. The End 2. Springwater 3. The East Room
Best Songwriter Night 1. Whiskey Jam 2. Commodore Grille 3. Freakshow
Best Songwriter venue 1. Bluebird Cafe 2. Ri’chard’s Cafe 3. Puckett’s Grocery
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Nashville Music guide’s
12 festivals of music It may still be cold outside but this year’s festival season is already heating up. Check out Nashville Music Guide’s top festival picks for 2019. Tin Pan South (Nashville, TN) Tin Pan South is America’s largest music festival dedicated to songs and songwriters. The week‑long celebration highlights Nashville as the world capital of songwriting and draws attention to the wide variety of songwriters who live and work here, as well as the prestigous live music venues throughout the city. Dates: March 26-30, 2019 For more info: TinPanSouth.com Sweet Water 420 Fest (Atlanta, GA) Bring a killer collection of brews and artists from around the country come together in downtown Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park to celebrate beer, food and fun. The 2019 lineup headliners include Widespread Panic, Avett Brothers, Moon Taxi and many more. Dates: April 19-21, 2019 For more info: Sweetwater420Fest.com
Beale St. Music Festival (Memphis, TN) Early spring brings festies to the Beale Street Music Festival in the music mecca of Memphis. This three day event boasts an eclectic lineup that includes Rock, Blues, Soul, and a dash of everything else. This is just one part of a larger city celebration called Memphis in May. Dates: May 3-5, 2019 For more info: MemphisinMay.org/MusicFestival NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Hang Out Music Festival (Gulf Shores, AL) Hangout takes music festivalling to the beach with a ocean view on the golden sands of Gulf Shores. The huge lineup of just about every genre frequently gives a sneak peak of what’s hitting the festival circuit for the summer. As far as we know, it is the only festival in the world where you can watch the main stage from a hot tub. Hangout is as much a vacation as it is a festival. Offering more than just music, fans can take advantage of festival amenities including beach volleyball, carnival rides, Gulf-front hammocks, delicious seafood and more. Dates: May 17-19, 2019 For more info: HangoutMusicFest.com CMA Festival (Nashville, TN) A part of country music culture since 1972 – when it was known as Fan Fair – this four-day event brings out the stars like no other. Held at the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and throughout downtown Nashville, the yearly event is a salute to all things Country – past and present. You might see collaborations between today’s hottest artists, a legend, or an impromptu cover of a classic. When it comes to great country music festivals, this one has been – and is – the gold standard. Dates: June 6-9, 2019 For more info: CMAFest.com Bonnroo Music & Arts Festival (Manchester, TN) Bonnaroo has a reputation for delighting hard-core music fans, but often features a range of pop, rock, indie, hip-hop and other acts as well. Roughing it in a tent on a Farm might not be your idea of a good time, but the musical lineup might make you ready your air mattress and pack up your cooler. The festival has showcased such performers as Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Elton John, Kanye, Lionel Richie, the Arctic Monkeys, and so many more. It is the spirit of the quintessential American Music Festival. Dates: June 13-16, 2019 For more info: Bonnaroo.com
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Electric Forest Music & Arts Festival (Rothbury, MI) The legendary Sherwood Forest is more than music, it is a sensory overload of magic and is beloved by music festival fans around the world. Located on the Double JJ Ranch in Michigan, EF has grown into a full-on destination fest. At night, watch the forest come alive with lights, art and music with a little creative help from the fans. Dates: June 20-30, 2019 For more info: ElectricForestFestival.com Forecastle Music and Arts Festival (Louisville, KY) Equal parts music, arts and activism, Forecastle takes place at Louisville’s Waterfront Park featuring Alumni like Outkast, Jack White, The Black Keys, The Avett Brothers, Beck, Alabma Shakes, and more. A stellar summer event and in Kentucky fashion, there’s definitely a taste of the state’s famous liquor in the Bourbon Lodge Dates: July 12-14, 2019 For more info: ForecastleFest.com Lockn’ Music Festival (Arrington, VA) One of the premier jam band festivals of the season. Thousands of fans from around the country make the trek to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia for four packed days of jam music and inspiring collaborations. Dates: August 22-25, 2019 For more info: www.locknfestival.com
Americna Music Festival (Nashville, TN) Tin Pan South is America’s largest music festival dedicated to songs and songwriters. The week‑lonof of songwriters who live and work here, as well as the prestigous live music venues throughout the city. Dates: September 10-15, 2019 For more info: www.americanamusic.org NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Mempho Music & Arts Festival (Memphis, TN) Only in its second year, Mempho Music Festival creates a vibrant community grounded in music, energy, nature, and the history of Memphis, Tennessee.With music for all ears and entertainment for all ages, and with plans of expanding to three days and doubling the stage, this camping festival is aligned to be on the same level as Coachella and Bonnaroo. Dates: TBA For more info: MemphoFest.com VooDoo Music & Arts Festival (New Orleans, LA) The Voodoo Experience has been held since 1999 in New Orleans City Park and features multiple music genres. The diversity of performances is what makes this festival so memorable. That, and its exciting location. Headlining acts to play the fest have included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Neil Young, Green Day, Kiss, Pearl Jam, The Cure, and many more. Voodoo Fest often features a mash up of popular bands along with local Louisiana talent, just to keep things innovative. Dates: November 1-3, 2019 For more info: VooDooFestival.com
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JOey DuMAS
Rodeo Clown & Announcer, Nurse, and Cook
Rodeo Joe’s Recipies: Rhode’s RAnch style casserole
Nashville Music Guide has had the opportunity to meet Joe on several occasions at rodeos and in dining settings. His cuisine is simple but as Randy Rich would say, “the best thing you have ever put a lip over.” Joey Dumas of Carthage, Texas is the Father of one and Grandfather of three. He has been a Professional Rodeo Clown for 47 years and a Professional Rodeo Announcer for 29 years, entertaining audiences all over the United States. He is a graduate of both South Arkansas Community College and Northwestern State University of Louisiana with two degrees in Nursing. “When I was five years old I attended my first rodeo with my aunt and uncle,” said Joey. “Little did I know it would be the day that was responsible for the 47 year old rodeo career I have enjoyed and still do as a rodeo clown and rodeo announcer.” Joe owned his first Restaurant at the age of 19. He has has learned from some of the best cooks in South Arkansas and North Louisiana. He prides himself on the ability to make something out of nothing many times. Joey has cooked for people all over the country during his rodeo travels. He prides himself in cooking and preparing Southern Staples, as well as Cajun Cuisine. For more infomation on Joey Dumas, visit https://www.facebook. com/rodeomc
Inspiration for Recipe: From my Aunt and Uncle, Jimmie and Charles Rhodes of Junction City, Arkansas, who were both instrumental in my Rodeo and Nursing Careers. Ingredients: 1 pound of Ground Beef or Chuck 1 can of Ranch Style Beans(c) 1 can of Spanish Rice or One bag of Uncle Ben's prepared Spanish Rice(c) Shredded Cheese of choice (I use cheddar) Instructions: Brown and drain beef Add beef, rice and beans to casserole dish Mix well Put cheese on top heavily Put in oven at 350 until cheese melts Serve alone, over corn chips, in a Taco or Taco Salad, roll in Tortilla, etc. Great on a cool night and fast to prepare. Enjoy!
To check out more of Rodeo Joe’s recipies and to stay up to date with upcoming appearances follow him on Facebook. NashvilleMusicGuide.com
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Nashville Music guide’s Restaurant Spotlight
EDLEY’S BAR-B-CUE
PANCAKE PANTRY
Edley’s Bar-B-Cue is a great place for a pulled pork sandwich and a neat woodbased restaurant design. It’s a fun foray into Tennessee’s bbq culture, and although it is a chain, it’s the first stop for many once they cross city lines. There are currently three locations in East Nashville, Sylvan Park and 12 South.
The touristy Pancake Pantry. Most locals would stay far, far away from the midday lines down the sidewalk, but that’s because we go early - when the great food comes out hot and fast and the lines are still hours away. You should try it sometime! (1796 21st Ave S)
THE GRILLED CHEESERIES MELT SHOP
LOVELESS CAFE
Hailing from the owners of the wildly popular Grilled Cheeserie food truck, the melt shop just recently opened in Hillsboro Village to quite the fanfare. Make your own grilled cheese masterpiece at this darling spot and fall into a comfort food coma - it’s worth it. (2003 Belcourt Avenue)
PRINCE’S HOT CHICKEN
The iconic Nashville restaurant is well worth its salt, folks. Homemade jams and flaky biscuits will give you a breakfast to remember, and it’s here that your breakfast ham gets kicked up a notch. Head over on a weekday if you can and beat the crowds - weekends can get CRAZY. (8400 Tennessee Highway 100)
ARNOLD’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
Prince’s. The perfect hole in the wall that locals fall in love with over and over, a spot bursting with cayenne spice and crispy chicken that will never, EVER be overrated. Ever.
BISCUIT LOVE Biscuit Love is known for their fluffy biscuits and brunch skillets. We have to say - their bonuts are the perfect addition to the breakfast pastry family, and yes, those Bloody Marys are delectable. This brunch line is worth it, folks. They have locations in the Gulch and Hillsboro Village.
The The pleace doesn’t look like much, but it’s always packed when it’s open. Arguably the best “Meat & 3” in Nashville. Grab a tray and line up with college students, garbage collectors and country-music stars.
TWO TEN JACK Nashville’s first izakaya opened in East Nashville’s Walden Phase 2 in 2014, intertwining local, Southern ingredients with Japaneseinspired pub comfort food. Today it’s a go-to among locals for its ramen, yakitori, and sushi selections — and the garlic noodles with crab butter are another sure bet.
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Nashville’s
downtown
Music venues
HonkyTonk Central 329 Broadway 615-394-3457 honkytonkcentral.com
BB King Blues Bar
east nashville Basement East
917 Woodland 615-645-9174 thebasementnashville.com
2412 Gallatin Ave 347-559-6031 facebook.com/theeastroom
3 Crow Bar
1024 Woodland St. 615-262-3345 3crowbar.com
LimeLight
201 Woodland 615-248-6334 limelightnashville.com
The Cobra
2511 Gallatin Ave 629-800-2515 facebook.com/the-cobra-nashville
210 Louise Ave 615-321-2626 cafecoco.com
Exit/In
Station Inn 402 12th Ave S 615-255-3307 stationinn.com
midtown
Hopsmith Tavern
1903 Division St. 615-327-8001 facebook.com/blue.bar.921
Loser’s
1911 Division St 615-327-3115 losersbar.com
Whiskey Rhythm
501 Broadway 615-770-2000 bridgestonearena.com
Tequila Cowboys
Nudie’s Honky Tonk
Lipstick Lounge
419 Broadway 615-650-9333 crossroadsbar.com
SoundCheck Nashville
217 Arcade Alley 615-251-3003 backalleydiner.com
111 10th Ave S 615-259-3039 beernurd.com
The Frist
Bootleggers Inn
Fiddle & Steel
Benchmark
Hard Rock Cafe
Puckett’s
Whiskey Bent
1400 Woodland 615-226-6343 thelipsticklounge.com
750 Cowan St 615-726-1165 soundchecknashville.com
The End
2219 Elliston Place 615-321-4457 endnashville.com
Back Alley Diner
919 Broadway 615-244-3340 fristcenter.com 210 Printers Alley 615-251-9002 fiddleandsteel.com 100 Broadway 615-871-6779 hardrockcafe.com
Tin Roof Broadway 12th & Porter 114 12th Ave N 615-678-7722 12andporter.com
Legends Corner
Rebar
1919 Division St 615-345-6298 rebarnashville.com
Winner’s
110 Lyle Ave 615-321-1224 therownashville.com
220 Printers Alley 615-242-5837 bourbonstreetbluesandboogiebar.com
The Wheel
222 5th Ave S 615-416-2001 countrymusichalloffame.com
110 28th Ave N 615-320-4339 thecountrynashville.com
Springwater
161 Rains Ave 615-244-4878 tennesseerep.com
Wild Horse Saloon
120 2nd Ave N 615-251-1000 wildhorsesaloon.com 128 2nd Ave N 615-818-0128 georgejones.com
AJ’s Good Time Bar
green hills Blue Bird Cafe 4104 Hillsboro Rd 615-383-1416 bluebirdcafe.com
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The Valentine
312 Broadway 615-202-6979 thevalentinenashville.com
Ri’chard’s Cafe
CabaRay
4420 Whites Creek Pike 615-299-9590
5724 River Rd. 615-327-4630 raystevenscabray.com
The Sutler
Santa’s Pub
south nashville 2600 Franklin Pk 615-840-6124 thesutler.com
The Basement
2225 Brandsford Ave 615-593-1872 santaspub.com
Douglas Corner
1604 8th Ave S 615-254-8006 thebasementnashville.com
2106 8th Ave S 615-298-1688 douglascorner.com
2025 8th Ave S 615-269-0221 zanienash.com
1604 8th Ave S 615-254-4801 grimeys.com
Zanie’s Comedy Club Grimey’s
Adventure Science Center 800 Fort Negley 615-862-5160 adventuresci.org
Miss Jeanne’s Dinner Theater 600 9th Ave S 615-902-9566 missjeannes.com
opryland Gaylord Opryland
2800 Opryland Dr 615-889-1000 gaylordhotels.com
2408 Music Valley Dr. 615-883-3866 scoreboardbar.net
2416 Music Valley Dr 615-883-2367 musiccitybar.com
Grand Ole Opry
2804 Opryland Dr 615-871-6779 opry.com
John A’s
2421 Music Valley Dr 615-885-1540 johnasresturant.com
Nashville Palace
2611 McGavock Pk 615-884-3004 nashvillepalace.net
Nashville Nightlife
2620 Music Valley Dr 615-885-5201 nashvillenightlife.com
sylvan park
Famous Saloon
4425 Murphy Rd. 615-942-5052 neighborssylvanpark.com
110 2nd Ave N 615-933-5000 famoussaloon.com
Neighbors
Blue Moon
525 Basswood Ave 615-356-6666 bluemoongrille.com
Big Shotz
115 2nd Ave N 615-244-9011 bigshotznashville.com
Swinging Doors
111 4th Ace S. 615-736-5050 swingingdoorssaloon.com
322 Broadway 615-208-9080 margaritavillenashville.com
400 Broadway 629-203-7822 dierkswhiskeyrow.com
Ole Red
8400 Hwy 100 615-646-9700 lovelesscafe.com
Musician’s Hall of Fame
301 6th Ave S 615-244-3263 musicianhalloffame.com
421 Broadway 615-678-4808 ajsgoodtimebar.com
300 Broadway 629-203-7822 olered.com
2025 Rosa L Parks Blvd 615-259-4343 milleniumhotels.com
Loveless Cafe
Music City Bar & Grill
505 Dedick St 615-255-2787 tpac.com
Belcourt Taps
2117 Belcourt Ave 615-915-3622 belcourttaps.com
Loretta Lynn Ranch
44 Hurricane Mills Rd 931-296-2800 lorettalynn.com
TPAC
308 Broadway 615-254-5460 facebook.com/crazytownnashville
Margaritaville
115 27th Ave N 615-862-8431 thespringwater.com
1402 Clinton 615-891-1781 marathonmusicworks.com
Crazytown
412 Broadway 615-726-0504 thestageonbroadway.com
South
1524 Demonbreun 615-724-1770 south-nashville.com
greater nashville
Scoreboard
420 Broadway 615-248-4818 thefiddle.com
1516 Demonbreun 615-313-7103 tinroofbars.com
Marathon Music Works Maxwell House
The Stage
429 Broadway 615-244-7477 rippysbarandgrill.com
The George Jones
The Country
2101 Belcourt Ave 615-383-9140 belcourt.com
Rippy’s
418 Broadway 615-726-2799 facebook.com/laylasbluegrassinn
422 Broadway 615-726-0463 tootsies.com
Country Music Hall of Fame
Robert’s Western World
Tin Roof
hillsboro village
Belcourt Theatre
Second Fiddle
Tootsie’s
601 4th Ave S 615-843-4001 rocketown.com
222 Printers Alley 615-810-9631 skullsrainbowroom.com
1538 Demonbreun 615-864-7393 dawghousesaloon.com
Layla’s Bluegrass Inn
Rockettown
1 Cannery Row 615-251-3020 mercyloung.com
2613 West End Ave 615-327-4707 debichampion.com
Ms Kelli’s
207 Printers Alley 615-255-4423 mskellis.com
Dawghouse Saloon
116 5th Ave N 615-889-3060 ryman.com
City Winery
217 2nd Ave South 615-259-3600 listeningroomcafe.com
Commodore
Lonnie’s Western Room
208 Printers Alley 615-215-1122 lonnieswesternroom.com
Harp & Fiddle
1538 Demonbreun 615-252-1991 harpandfiddlenashville.com
417 4th Ave N 615-862-6390 nashvilleauditorium.com
TN Repertory Theatre
west end
500 Church St. 615-770-2772 pucketttsgrocery.com/nashville
Ryman Auditorium
Cannery-Mercy-HighWatt
1 Symphony Place 615-687-6500 nashvillesymphony.com
117 2nd Ave N 615-742-8887 benchmarknashville.com
Municipal Auditorium
3rd & Lindsley
Schermerhorn
207 Broadway 615-457-3983 bootleggersnashville.com
416 Broadway 615-244-9552 robertswesternworld.com
The Listening Room
609 Lafayette 615-324-1010 citywinery.com/nashville
Flying Saucer
421 Broadway 615-390-6247 facbook.com/thewheel
Barlines
816 3rd Ave N. 615-259-9891 3andlindsley.com
Crossroads
Burbon Street Blues Bar Skull’s Ranbow Room
Soulshine
The Row
316 Broadway 615-242-4446 tinroofbroadway.com
428 Broadway 615-248-6334 lengendscorner.com
1907 Division St 615-320-3472 facebook.com/soulshinenash
Bobby’s Idle Hour
250 5th Ave S 615-782-5300 barlinesnashville.com
Bridgestone Arena
120 2nd Ave N 615-401-2580 whiskeybentsaloon.com
1006 Forrest Ave 616-259-9891 the5spotlive.com
1913 Division St 615-340-0004 losersbar.com
sobro
411 Broadway 615-747-5851 thebigbangbar.com
5 Spot
1811 Division 615-678-1898 facebook.com/whiskeyrhythm 1028 16th Ave S 615-726-0446 bobbysidlehour.com
Acme Feed & Seed
101 Broadway 615-915-0888 theacmenashville.com
409 Broadway facebook.com/nudieshonkytonk nudieshonkytonk.com
2208 Elliston Place 615-321-3340 exitin.com
the gulch
411 Broadway 615-251-1515 paradiseparkonline.com
305 Broadway 615-747-9078 cadillacranchnashville.com
elliston place Cafe Coco
Paradise Park
152 2nd Ave S 615-256-2727 bbkingbluesclub.com
Big Bang Piano Bar
The East Room
demonbruen
Whiskey Row
If you would like to list your venue, please submit your information to editor@nashvillemusicguide.com | ATTN: Music Venue Submission
By now of course, you have all heard that Freddie Hart, known to millions of Country Music fans the world over as “Mr. Easy Lovin’” passed away Saturday October 27th, 2018 in Burbank California. But his legacy hives on. Hart charted 48 songs on the Billboard Country Chart from 1959 to 1987 including several number one songs, with the biggest being his golden record “Easy Loving” in 1971. “Easy Loving” won the CMA Award for “Best Song” two years in a row, in 1971 and 1972.Just prior to his death, Hart had been working with his friend, David Frizzell, on what would be Hart’s final recording, God Bless You. “I’ve been recording a very long time and I’ve used some of the best musicians in the world and there is none better than the ones on this recording. They’re much more than musicians. They are so very creative. They know how to put a song together, to make it sound the very best it can be, and their hearts are so full of love and care. I couldn’t ask for more. But best of all each one is a dear friend. I’m so blessed to have such a group and the Producer David Frizzell and Engineer Steve Chandler they are both a great treasure. Any artist would be lucky to have them. Now, David he is like a brother to me. I Love him so much and his beautiful wife Joann. They are like my family. What can I say but “God Bless You All”. ~ Freddie Hart Several years in the making, Jimmy Clay Frizzell’s self-titled debut album is worth the wait. Twelve tracks of all original, country to the core, heart wrenching tunes. Standing in the shadows of the Frizzell Legacy, Jimmy Clay Frizzell, writes traditional country songs. Listening to Jimmy’s record will pull you inside the head of a man writing for his life and his own sanity. His debut album is co-produced by uncle, David Frizzell, and features guest appearances by David and Allen Frizzell.Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Jimmy Fortune also makes an appearance, as do some of the finest session players and songwriters in Nashville. For more information on Jimmy Clay Frizzell visit: www.davidfrizzell.com/nashville-america-records “This album has been a long time coming but well worth the wait! It echo’s the true traditional sound of Country music. Jimmy has his own unique style but he definitely has that “Frizzell sound”. The project will take you on a musical high as well as an emotional ride from tears to laughter. Jimmy writes and sings straight from the heart.” ~ Allen Frizzell She plays guitar and is most comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans. She loves the music of Loretta Lynn and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sarah Patrick doesn’t just act country … she is country. A Kentucky girl with a passion for traditional music, the singer/songwriter embodies the spirit of real country music: hope and heartbreak, working hard, playing hard, focusing on family and appreciating the simple things. And now, this simple girl has her sights set on a big dream with the impending release of a new album, The Woman I Am, produced by country music’s living legend, the multi-award-winning David Frizzell. For more information on Sarah Patrick visit: www.sarahpatrickmusic.com “Unlike most of her contemporaries, Patrick isn’t reinventing traditional country. She’s taking it on its own terms and making it fresh and, I guess you’d say, Patrick-ian. If only you could still hear this kind of music in actual joints where the lights are dim, the smoke is thick, and the music is loud. So lift a beer glass to a gifted artist who, if we’re all lucky, will make it happen.” ~ Jerome Clark for RAMBLES
Frizzell & Friends LeftyFest Live from Corsicana, Texas is a 22-song album/24-song DVD set recorded live at LeftyFest 2018 with David Frizzell and special guests Allen Frizzell, Paulette Carlson, Marty Haggard, Lacy J Dalton, and Sarah Patrick. LeftyFest was held in Corsicana’s Jester Park, home to the Lefty Frizzell Museum and statue. The festival has been established, in cooperation with the city of Corsicana, to honor the enduring musical legacy of Lefty Frizzell, one of American music’s most iconic and influential singer/stylists of any genre. Lefty, who would’ve turned 90 this year, was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honors his contributions to entertainment..For more information on Frizzell & Friends visit: www.davidfrizzell.com/ “I am so grateful to the city of Corsicana, Chief Robert Johnson, and the good people at The Moontower at the Oaks,” David says. “Without their support and enthusiasm, we wouldn’t have been able to host this festival. It has been a dream and a goal of mine for many years, and I am so excited to honor my brother, and give the gift of a music festival to country music fans in Texas and from around the world.” ~ David Frizzell “LeftyFest keeps the legacy of a musician, and a city, alive..” ~ Andrew Dansby, Houston Chronicle For decades, Nashville America Records has been the label home for David Frizzell’s individual projects as well as the renowned Frizzell & Friends collaborations produced by the Country Music icon. Frizzell & Friends collaborations have included Merle Haggard, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, Joe Stampley, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown, Lacy J. Dalton, Bobby Bare, Helen Cornelius, Jimmy Fortune, John Cowan, Johnny Rodriguez, Amy Clawson, Marty Haggard, Rex Allen Jr., brother Allen Frizzell and niece Tess Frizzell. Now, Frizzell has opened the label to artists outside of his tight, creative circle of gifted family and friends, and for the first time, is welcoming new talent into the Frizzell fold. For NashvilleMusicGuide.com more info. visit: www.davidfrizzell.com 47 Media Contact: Claire Ratliff | Laughing Penguin Publicity | 615.476.3200 | claire@laughingpenguin.com
- EIGHTH ANNUAL -
THURSDAY NIGHT THROWDOWN February 14 | CRS | Margaritaville
Music · Food · Prizes
See and Hear Our Complete Roster of Artists Including: Ryan Daniel, Queeva, Tj Sparks, Frankie Justin, Noe Palma, and some surprise guests. ** Contact Your SDMG Representative for Access! Follow us on Facebook for updates on our CRS Events!
@SDMGnashville
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