January Music Column 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: If I am chasing your dream faster than you, then I am in the wrong dream – Preshias
ALBUM
NEWS: Six-time chart-topping country star Rodney Atkins is set to ring
in the New Year with the February 3 release of his first-ever Greatest
Hits compilation via longtime label home Curb Records. Available for
pre-order, ‘Rodney Atkins – Greatest Hits’ features 11 of the artist’s
best-loved songs as well as his latest single, “Eat Sleep Love You
Repeat,” which is available for instant download with a pre-order
purchase of the album. Atkins’ hits on the album include “Take A Back
Road,” “It’s America,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy),” “These Are
My People,” “Watching You” and “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the
Devil Even Knows).” To pre-order a copy of Rodney Atkins – Greatest
Hits, visit smarturl.it/RAtkins
NEWS: Six-time chart-topping country star Rodney Atkins is set to ring
in the New Year with the February 3 release of his first-ever Greatest
Hits compilation via longtime label home Curb Records. Available for
pre-order, ‘Rodney Atkins – Greatest Hits’ features 11 of the artist’s
best-loved songs as well as his latest single, “Eat Sleep Love You
Repeat,” which is available for instant download with a pre-order
purchase of the album. Atkins’ hits on the album include “Take A Back
Road,” “It’s America,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy),” “These Are
My People,” “Watching You” and “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the
Devil Even Knows).” To pre-order a copy of Rodney Atkins – Greatest
Hits, visit smarturl.it/RAtkins
ARTIST
NEWS: As you know by now Country singer Craig Wayne Boyd and Team
Blake [Shelton] member won season seven of NBC-TV’s The Voice. His
finale song “Old Rugged Cross” has exceeded 17,000,000 plus views on
YouTube. Craig also won a recording contract with Dot Records and
$100,000. His new single is “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face” knocked
out Garth’s record from 2007 when “More Than a Memory” debuted at No. 1
on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Boyd becomes just the second
artist to debut their single at No. 1 since Hot Country Songs began as a
multi-metric chart in October 1958.
NEWS: As you know by now Country singer Craig Wayne Boyd and Team
Blake [Shelton] member won season seven of NBC-TV’s The Voice. His
finale song “Old Rugged Cross” has exceeded 17,000,000 plus views on
YouTube. Craig also won a recording contract with Dot Records and
$100,000. His new single is “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face” knocked
out Garth’s record from 2007 when “More Than a Memory” debuted at No. 1
on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Boyd becomes just the second
artist to debut their single at No. 1 since Hot Country Songs began as a
multi-metric chart in October 1958.
BENEFIT
NEWS: Warner Bros/WMN’s Superstar recording artist Blake Shelton
donated more than $30,000 to ACM charity ACM’s Lifting Lives. Shelton
teamed with Crowd Surge to give $1 from each ticket sold during the
pre-sale for his 2014 Ten Times Crazier Tour. Now the ACM is encouraging
fans to donate here with their “Be Like Blake” campaign, which runs
through January 5th. Donors will be entered to win a copy of the
Academy’s book This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of
Country Music Awards, signed by Shelton. Go to
https://www.acmliftinglives.org/donate.html
NEWS: Warner Bros/WMN’s Superstar recording artist Blake Shelton
donated more than $30,000 to ACM charity ACM’s Lifting Lives. Shelton
teamed with Crowd Surge to give $1 from each ticket sold during the
pre-sale for his 2014 Ten Times Crazier Tour. Now the ACM is encouraging
fans to donate here with their “Be Like Blake” campaign, which runs
through January 5th. Donors will be entered to win a copy of the
Academy’s book This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of
Country Music Awards, signed by Shelton. Go to
https://www.acmliftinglives.org/donate.html
BLUEGRASS
NEWS: Rhonda Vincent hit number one on the charts again, holding the
top spot on the national bluegrass airplay chart for the month of
December. This time, it’s the song “Only Me” with country legend Willie
Nelson and the title track from the #1 Billboard Bluegrass CD by Rhonda
Vincent. This historic song marks Nelson’s first trip to the top of the
Bluegrass Unlimited national airplay chart. Vincent is no stranger to
the top spot. In November, she was number one with “Busy City,” which
served as the lead single from “Only Me.” More at rhondavincent.com.
NEWS: Rhonda Vincent hit number one on the charts again, holding the
top spot on the national bluegrass airplay chart for the month of
December. This time, it’s the song “Only Me” with country legend Willie
Nelson and the title track from the #1 Billboard Bluegrass CD by Rhonda
Vincent. This historic song marks Nelson’s first trip to the top of the
Bluegrass Unlimited national airplay chart. Vincent is no stranger to
the top spot. In November, she was number one with “Busy City,” which
served as the lead single from “Only Me.” More at rhondavincent.com.
BOOK
NEWS: Be on the lookout for my new ebook, coming soon! It is titled “I
Know Country!” and includes 366 country music Q&As, plus some
fascinating factoids about the songs and the singers and songwriters
behind the hits. You’ll be able to download your own copy. Stay tuned
here or on my Facebook page to be among the first to know when it is
published!
NEWS: Be on the lookout for my new ebook, coming soon! It is titled “I
Know Country!” and includes 366 country music Q&As, plus some
fascinating factoids about the songs and the singers and songwriters
behind the hits. You’ll be able to download your own copy. Stay tuned
here or on my Facebook page to be among the first to know when it is
published!
CD
NEWS: Less than eight weeks after debuting at No. one on Billboard’s
Top 200 chart with over 280,000 copies, two-time ACM “Male Vocalist of
the Year” Jason Aldean continued to conquer unchartered territory as OLD
BOOTS, NEW DIRT was certified platinum, for sales of over one million
units, by the RIAA. Additionally, Aldean is one of only three artists in
all genres to release an album and see it earn platinum certification
in 2014. For a full list of upcoming appearances and tour dates, visit
jasonaldean.com
NEWS: Less than eight weeks after debuting at No. one on Billboard’s
Top 200 chart with over 280,000 copies, two-time ACM “Male Vocalist of
the Year” Jason Aldean continued to conquer unchartered territory as OLD
BOOTS, NEW DIRT was certified platinum, for sales of over one million
units, by the RIAA. Additionally, Aldean is one of only three artists in
all genres to release an album and see it earn platinum certification
in 2014. For a full list of upcoming appearances and tour dates, visit
jasonaldean.com
CD
RELEASES: January CD Releases are listed below! Nate Green/Road Map
[EP]/Conway Records-GMV Nashville, Dr. Ralph Stanley/Ralph Stanley &
Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow/Cracker Barrel and one of my all-time
favorite artists: T. Graham Brown/Forever Changed/Mansion-Sony Red/James
Carothers – Honky Tonk Land / Caitlin Canty – Reckless Skyline /Jim Ed
Brown – In Style Again / The Bros. Landreth – Let It Lie/ Billy Yates – Zeroes/Justin Townes Earle – Absent Fathers/Trace Adkins – Live Country! (DVD)
RELEASES: January CD Releases are listed below! Nate Green/Road Map
[EP]/Conway Records-GMV Nashville, Dr. Ralph Stanley/Ralph Stanley &
Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow/Cracker Barrel and one of my all-time
favorite artists: T. Graham Brown/Forever Changed/Mansion-Sony Red/James
Carothers – Honky Tonk Land / Caitlin Canty – Reckless Skyline /Jim Ed
Brown – In Style Again / The Bros. Landreth – Let It Lie/ Billy Yates – Zeroes/Justin Townes Earle – Absent Fathers/Trace Adkins – Live Country! (DVD)
GARTH
NEWS: The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood has sold over
90,000 tickets for Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and tickets for all six
shows are still selling. Concerts will be Friday, February 20th at 7:00
PM, Saturday, February 21st at 7:00 PM and 10:30 pm, Friday, February
27th at 7:00 PM and Saturday, February 28th at 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM.
Remaining tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks. In
November, Garth released MAN AGAINST MACHINE, his first new studio album
in 13 years. See twitter.com/garthbrooks and facebook.com/GarthBrooks.
NEWS: The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood has sold over
90,000 tickets for Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and tickets for all six
shows are still selling. Concerts will be Friday, February 20th at 7:00
PM, Saturday, February 21st at 7:00 PM and 10:30 pm, Friday, February
27th at 7:00 PM and Saturday, February 28th at 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM.
Remaining tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks. In
November, Garth released MAN AGAINST MACHINE, his first new studio album
in 13 years. See twitter.com/garthbrooks and facebook.com/GarthBrooks.
GRAMMY
NEWS: The Recording Academy has released its 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame
inductees, recognizing singles and albums from all genres that exhibit
historical significance. Country entries are: “Honky Tonkin’,” Hank
Williams And His Drifting Cowboys; “San Antonio Rose,” Bob Wills And His
Texas Playboys; and Stardust, Willie Nelson.
NEWS: The Recording Academy has released its 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame
inductees, recognizing singles and albums from all genres that exhibit
historical significance. Country entries are: “Honky Tonkin’,” Hank
Williams And His Drifting Cowboys; “San Antonio Rose,” Bob Wills And His
Texas Playboys; and Stardust, Willie Nelson.
INDUSTRY
NEWS: Aaron Tippin, the “Hardest Workin’ Man in Country Music” will
soon be celebrating a major career milestone. The year 2015 will mark
Tippin’s 25th year in music. Tippin is currently planning his 25th
Anniversary tour and is in-studio putting the finishing touches on a
commemorative album that will feature all new music as well as freshly
recorded versions of his hit songs. More details on Tippin’s tour and
new album will be announced soon. Aaron Tippin’s fame was launched in
1990 with the release of “You’ve Got to Stand For Something.” He
followed with other major hits including “Where the Stars and Stripes
and the Eagle Fly,” “There Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio” and “Kiss
This.” More info at aarontippin.com.
NEWS: Aaron Tippin, the “Hardest Workin’ Man in Country Music” will
soon be celebrating a major career milestone. The year 2015 will mark
Tippin’s 25th year in music. Tippin is currently planning his 25th
Anniversary tour and is in-studio putting the finishing touches on a
commemorative album that will feature all new music as well as freshly
recorded versions of his hit songs. More details on Tippin’s tour and
new album will be announced soon. Aaron Tippin’s fame was launched in
1990 with the release of “You’ve Got to Stand For Something.” He
followed with other major hits including “Where the Stars and Stripes
and the Eagle Fly,” “There Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio” and “Kiss
This.” More info at aarontippin.com.
LABEL NEWS: (BMLG) Congrats to Taylor Swift and her hard working label. She now stands at over 3,000,000 sales of her ‘T.S 1989’ # 1 album.
(Capitol/Nashville)
Lady Antebellum’s 2014 included an 80-city headlining tour, a career
9th Number One hit with the Platinum certified “Bartender,” their fifth
studio album. They closed it out with an internationally televised
performance to ring in 2015 on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with
Ryan Seacrest on ABC. The trio stayed on the move tirelessly, kicking
off the year with their headlining North American TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR.
“Bartender,” the multi-week chart-topper, served as the lead track off
the album, 747 which was met with praise from fans and critics alike.
Check: LadyAntebellum.com.
Lady Antebellum’s 2014 included an 80-city headlining tour, a career
9th Number One hit with the Platinum certified “Bartender,” their fifth
studio album. They closed it out with an internationally televised
performance to ring in 2015 on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with
Ryan Seacrest on ABC. The trio stayed on the move tirelessly, kicking
off the year with their headlining North American TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR.
“Bartender,” the multi-week chart-topper, served as the lead track off
the album, 747 which was met with praise from fans and critics alike.
Check: LadyAntebellum.com.
(Sony/Nashville)
Way to go to Carrie Underwood, and the entire 19/Arista team on the
Number 1 debut of Greatest Hits: Decade #1 on the country albums chart.
The release sold more than 93,000 copies in its first week, according
to Nielsen Soundscan.
Way to go to Carrie Underwood, and the entire 19/Arista team on the
Number 1 debut of Greatest Hits: Decade #1 on the country albums chart.
The release sold more than 93,000 copies in its first week, according
to Nielsen Soundscan.
LEGEND
NEWS: 2014 saw its share of legend ‘tribute’ albums, but a lot of
critics and fans are hailing ME AND CONWAY among the best. Jeff Bates
honors his idol, the late Conway Twitty, with the release of this album.
Bates always idolized Conway but never intended to mimic his vocals.
After years of fighting critics and the industry about comparing their
vocal styles, Bates decided to record a new album with six Conway songs
and six others so that people could hear the differences and
similarities for themselves. Bates also included Conway’s classic duet
with the legendary Loretta Lynn, “After The Fire Is Gone.” The new
version of the song marks the first time Lynn has recorded the song
since the original duet with Conway. More at JeffBates.net.
NEWS: 2014 saw its share of legend ‘tribute’ albums, but a lot of
critics and fans are hailing ME AND CONWAY among the best. Jeff Bates
honors his idol, the late Conway Twitty, with the release of this album.
Bates always idolized Conway but never intended to mimic his vocals.
After years of fighting critics and the industry about comparing their
vocal styles, Bates decided to record a new album with six Conway songs
and six others so that people could hear the differences and
similarities for themselves. Bates also included Conway’s classic duet
with the legendary Loretta Lynn, “After The Fire Is Gone.” The new
version of the song marks the first time Lynn has recorded the song
since the original duet with Conway. More at JeffBates.net.
MUSIC
NEWS: Brett Eldredge holds the spot for TWO singles in Billboard’s top
10 of 2014. At number 9, is “Mean To Me” and at number 2 is “Beat Of
The Music” which achieved Brett a number one record.
NEWS: Brett Eldredge holds the spot for TWO singles in Billboard’s top
10 of 2014. At number 9, is “Mean To Me” and at number 2 is “Beat Of
The Music” which achieved Brett a number one record.
The
RIAA has issued platinum (1,000,000) and double platinum (2,000,000)
certifications for Kip Moore’s MCA singles “Hey Pretty Girl” and
“Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck,” respectively. Good year for Kip!
RIAA has issued platinum (1,000,000) and double platinum (2,000,000)
certifications for Kip Moore’s MCA singles “Hey Pretty Girl” and
“Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck,” respectively. Good year for Kip!
ONLINE
MUSIC NEWS: A new online music series Skyville Live will launch January
14th at 7pm CST, through www.skyvillelive.com. Martina McBride, Gladys
Knight and Estelle are the show’s first three guests. Skyline Music
Publishing’s Wally Wilson is the creator/Exec. Producer, along with
Exec. Producers Dan Bean and Tisha Fein. All episodes will feature
artists performing, sharing personal stories and interacting with the
live online audience.
MUSIC NEWS: A new online music series Skyville Live will launch January
14th at 7pm CST, through www.skyvillelive.com. Martina McBride, Gladys
Knight and Estelle are the show’s first three guests. Skyline Music
Publishing’s Wally Wilson is the creator/Exec. Producer, along with
Exec. Producers Dan Bean and Tisha Fein. All episodes will feature
artists performing, sharing personal stories and interacting with the
live online audience.
PUBLISHING
NEWS: Ten Ten Music Group’s co-founder/co-owner Jewel Coburn sold her
half of the company to ‘Nettwerk’. Jewel and her business partner Jason
Morris continues to run Eleven Eleven Music.
NEWS: Ten Ten Music Group’s co-founder/co-owner Jewel Coburn sold her
half of the company to ‘Nettwerk’. Jewel and her business partner Jason
Morris continues to run Eleven Eleven Music.
RADIO
NEWS: Old Dominion, who recently announced that they will be joining
Kenny Chesney’s highly anticipated The Big Revival Tour – making them
the first independent band to play a stadium tour – is back with another
big announcement. Their single “Break Up With Him” topped SiriusXM’s
“The Highway” Hot 45 Countdown, reaching No. 1 just 11 weeks since its
release. The band who was recently named one of Rolling Stone Country’s
“Artists You Need To Know” has also been added to Spotify’s “Spotlight
on Country” playlist, which highlights upcoming country acts of 2015.
See olddominionband.com and Facebook.com/olddominion.
NEWS: Old Dominion, who recently announced that they will be joining
Kenny Chesney’s highly anticipated The Big Revival Tour – making them
the first independent band to play a stadium tour – is back with another
big announcement. Their single “Break Up With Him” topped SiriusXM’s
“The Highway” Hot 45 Countdown, reaching No. 1 just 11 weeks since its
release. The band who was recently named one of Rolling Stone Country’s
“Artists You Need To Know” has also been added to Spotify’s “Spotlight
on Country” playlist, which highlights upcoming country acts of 2015.
See olddominionband.com and Facebook.com/olddominion.
SONGWRITING
NEWS: Two teenage songwriting sister team Justine Dorsey and Kerris
Dorsey from Los Angeles have won the Overall Grand Prize at the 19th
Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Sisters Justine Dorsey, 19, and
Kerris Dorsey, 16, wrote their song “Best Worst Day Ever”. Dorsey breaks
the previous record of the Youngest Overall Grand Prize winner at just
16 years old. The song has just been signed to Walt Disney Music and
appeared in the box office hit movie “Alexander and the Terrible,
Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” starring Steve Carell and Jennifer
Garner. For details on the next annual competition and the $50,000
grand prize, go to songwriting.net
NEWS: Two teenage songwriting sister team Justine Dorsey and Kerris
Dorsey from Los Angeles have won the Overall Grand Prize at the 19th
Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Sisters Justine Dorsey, 19, and
Kerris Dorsey, 16, wrote their song “Best Worst Day Ever”. Dorsey breaks
the previous record of the Youngest Overall Grand Prize winner at just
16 years old. The song has just been signed to Walt Disney Music and
appeared in the box office hit movie “Alexander and the Terrible,
Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” starring Steve Carell and Jennifer
Garner. For details on the next annual competition and the $50,000
grand prize, go to songwriting.net
SPONSORSHIP
NEWS: Nashville singer/songwriter and country recording artist Lucas
Hoge continues his resourceful initiative to cultivate and build
relationships to enhance and elevate his branding and public awareness
campaigns. Hoge announced his newest alliance with Gamble Family
Vineyards (Napa, CA); the artist and winery owners are in the midst of
outlaying a 2015 agenda to exploit the mutual venture. Hoge’s
partnership with Gamble Family Vineyards follows an official endorsement
relationship with Wrangler National Patriot as introduced earlier this
year. He also has sponsorship/endorsement agreements with BOWTECH,
Wac’em Broadheads and Victory Arrows. Hoge is working in the studio to
record new music alongside longtime friend and producer Matt McClure (“I
Drive Your Truck” – Lee Brice). An early 2015 CD release is
anticipated. More at lucashoge.com.
NEWS: Nashville singer/songwriter and country recording artist Lucas
Hoge continues his resourceful initiative to cultivate and build
relationships to enhance and elevate his branding and public awareness
campaigns. Hoge announced his newest alliance with Gamble Family
Vineyards (Napa, CA); the artist and winery owners are in the midst of
outlaying a 2015 agenda to exploit the mutual venture. Hoge’s
partnership with Gamble Family Vineyards follows an official endorsement
relationship with Wrangler National Patriot as introduced earlier this
year. He also has sponsorship/endorsement agreements with BOWTECH,
Wac’em Broadheads and Victory Arrows. Hoge is working in the studio to
record new music alongside longtime friend and producer Matt McClure (“I
Drive Your Truck” – Lee Brice). An early 2015 CD release is
anticipated. More at lucashoge.com.
TOUR NEWS: Capitol’s Little Big Town have added a spring leg to The Pain Killer Tour
kicking off March 5th in Savannah, GA. Mercury’s Chris Stapleton opens
the 12-city tour. Additionally, Mercury’s Kacey Musgraves will continue
the Same Tour Different Trailer run, adding nine dates beginning
February 12th in Norfolk, VA. John & Jacob remain openers.
kicking off March 5th in Savannah, GA. Mercury’s Chris Stapleton opens
the 12-city tour. Additionally, Mercury’s Kacey Musgraves will continue
the Same Tour Different Trailer run, adding nine dates beginning
February 12th in Norfolk, VA. John & Jacob remain openers.
VIDEO
NEWS: YouTube’s ‘Country Now’ channel has all your favorite artist
country artist performing 24/7. We knew it would be a matter of time
before YouTube got smart and realized the need. Just as Jay Frank
predicated YouTube is the new social media & promo site rolled into
one.
NEWS: YouTube’s ‘Country Now’ channel has all your favorite artist
country artist performing 24/7. We knew it would be a matter of time
before YouTube got smart and realized the need. Just as Jay Frank
predicated YouTube is the new social media & promo site rolled into
one.
WHO’S LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING: Lauren Alaina, Craig Morgan, James Wesley, Mark Chesnutt and Michael Ray.
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Best Regards,
Preshias Harris for Country Muisc News International Magazine