Author: Lauren Zimmerman

Sony Music Nashville welcomes rising singer/songwriter Kameron Marlowe to the Columbia Nashville imprint, the label announced today.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Columbia team,” said Marlowe. “It still feels like a dream that I haven’t woken up from. I’m so thankful to Sony for believing in me.”

The signing builds on a banner year for Marlowe, who debuted his latest track “Burn ‘Em All” today (6/26). Listen here. Marlowe recently inked an exclusive, global publishing deal with Sony/ATV and released an acoustic version of his autobiographical, self-penned breakout hit “ Giving You Up.” The track has amassed 30 million on-demand streams, and in May, YouTube Music selected Marlowe to their Trending Artist on the Rise program. 

Influenced by artists ranging from Brooks & Dunn and George Strait to Travis Tritt and Ray Charles, Marlowe’s sound is a culmination of his life-long love of country music. He is exclusively managed by The AMG.

Superstar Miranda Lambert is celebrating two new RIAA certifications, as her hit single “Little Red Wagon” is officially Platinum, and Top 10 “Somethin’ Bad (with Carrie Underwood)” has earned double-Platinum status. 

Both tracks originally appeared on Lambert’s Grammy, ACM, and CMA Award-winning album Platinum, which will be available on vinyl beginning tomorrow (6/26). Fans can pre-order here. 

Meanwhile, “Bluebird,” Lambert’s latest single from her critically-acclaimed album Wildcard, has reached Top 5 at country radio and continues its rapid ascent. The “spacious, atmospheric number about…maintaining hope” (Rolling Stone) follows her Grammy-nominated hit “It All Comes Out in the Wash” and has earned more than 102 million on-demand streams.

Wildcard is currently nominated for ACM Album of the Year, where Lambert is also nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year (“Fooled Around and Fell In Love” featuring Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack). 

About Miranda Lambert: Vanner Records/RCA recording artist Miranda Lambert released her highly-anticipated new studio album Wildcard Nov. 1, which includes the Grammy-nominated “It All Comes Out in The Wash” and her Top 5 country radio single, “Bluebird.” 

The most decorated artist in the history of the Academy of Country Music, Lambert is the recipient of more than 70 prestigious awards and special honors: 34 ACM Awards (including 9 ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Awards), 13 CMA Awards (Country Music Association), 2 GRAMMY Awards, the Harmony Award (Nashville Symphony), Artist in Residence (Country Music Hall of Fame), the ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award, ACM Song of the Decade Award, and was named 2019 RIAA’s Artist of the Year. 

The celebrated singer/songwriter has released seven studio albums that all debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Album Charts, including the critically-acclaimed Wildcard (2019), The Weight of These Wings(2016), Platinum (2014), Four The Record (2011), Revolution (2009), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007) and Kerosene (2005). In addition, she released three albums with her trio, the Pistol Annies. 

Her clothing and cowboy boot collection, Idyllwind, is a private-label brand sold at all Boot Barn stores nationwide. www.idyllwind.com
Miranda’s MuttNation Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Since its inception in 2009, MuttNation has raised over $3.9 million in support of its mission to promote the adoption of rescue pets, support animal shelters across the country, advance spay & neuter, and assist with the transport of animals during times of natural disaster. www.muttnation.com

Today, Live Nation announced their first ever U.S. drive-in concert series — LIVE FROM THE DRIVE-IN —  will bring fans a live music tailgating experience unlike any other, kicking off July 10-12 in Indianapolis, IN, Nashville, TN, and St. Louis, MO. Brad Paisley will headline performances in all three cities, marking the start of a much anticipated return to in person live events. Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi will also headline the series in Nashville and Nelly along with hometown legends El Monstero will headline in St. Louis, while Jon Pardi and local favorites Yacht Rock Revue will headline in Indianapolis.

Live Nation is reimagining the live music experience during a time of social distancing by allowing fans to enjoy concerts in a one-of-a-kind drive-in setting from their own private tailgating zones next to their cars. Guests are allowed to bring chairs, food and drinks to party in their zone to personalize their experience. More details including event guidelines can be found at LiveNation.com/DriveIn.

Live From The Drive-In will start off with events at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN and at Live Nation venues Ruoff Music Center in Indianapolis, IN and The Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in St. Louis, MO. Fans can expect contactless ticket scanning through their window when they pull into the venue and then will be shown to their designated tailgate area where they can park and enjoy the show from their own marked-off space. There will be dedicated buffer space around each vehicle to ensure social distancing measures.  All artists will be performing full live sets on stages set up in the parking lots of each of the venues. The events will also feature full LED screens and speakers throughout so fans can enjoy a truly live concert experience. 

“Around the world, we’re seeing a real eagerness from our fans and artists to safely get back to the concert experience,” said Tom See, President Live Nation Venues – US Concerts. “We are excited to unveil Live From The Drive-In – a completely unique outdoor concert series that will allow fans to enjoy live shows again, while socially distanced. We have an incredible line-up of artists like Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Nelly, Jon Pardi and more, who all share our vision to continue to create once-in-a-lifetime moments for fans and are excited to get back to live music through this reimagined experience.”

Tickets will be available to purchase per car, with a maximum of four (4) people permitted per car. Please note in order to maintain social distancing, events will be limited capacity. Citi is the official presale credit card of Live From The Drive-In. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, June 23rd at 12pm local time until Thursday, June 25th at 10pm local time through Citi Entertainment^®. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning this Friday, June 26th at 10am local time at LiveNation.com/DriveIn.

Exclusive Live From The Drive-In merch is available for purchase in advance online HERE to commemorate Live Nation’s first ever U.S. drive-in concert series. 100% of net proceeds will be donated to Crew Nation – a global relief fund for live music crews.

Budweiser Zero is an official sponsor of the Nashville and St. Louis Live From The Drive-In concerts. 21+ fans in attendance will have the opportunity to sample the new zero alcohol (0.0% ABV) brew while watching their favorite artist.

Each event will comply with all health and safety standards per local jurisdictions and state regulations in order to protect fans, artists, crews and staff. This includes thorough sanitation throughout the event and hand-sanitizing stations will be available, along with a number of other preventive measures. For more information on the health and safety precautions we are taking, event guidelines and FAQs, please visit LiveNation.com/DriveIn.

LIVE FROM THE DRIVE-IN UPCOMING DATES:

St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Friday, July 10 – Brad Paisley
Saturday, July 11 – El Monstero
Sunday, July 12 – Nelly: 20th Anniversary Celebration of Country Grammar  

Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium
Friday, July 10 – Jon Pardi
Saturday, July 11 – Brad Paisley
Sunday, July 12 – Darius Rucker

Indianapolis, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
Friday, July 10 – Yacht Rock Revue
Saturday, July 11 – Jon Pardi
Sunday, July 12 – Brad Paisley

Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Tenille Townes will host her annual “Big Hearts For Big Kids” benefit concert on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. CT from Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Available to stream via Townes’ YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages, the virtual event will feature Townes performing songs from her highly anticipated debut album, The Lemonade Stand, along with special at-home performances from Dierks Bentley, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Andy Grammer, Mickey Guyton, Caylee Hammack, Ashley McBryde, Lori McKenna, Chrissy Metz, John Osborne and Lucie Silvas. The Bobby Bones Show will also be the event’s exclusive radio partner, featuring an on-air interview with Townes and the event’s stream on their Facebook Page.

In the ten years since Townes started the fundraiser, “Big Hearts For Big Kids” has raised over $1.9 million for Sunrise House—a local youth shelter in Townes’ hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta Canada. Proceeds from this year’s event will once again benefit Sunrise House as well as Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee’s Troop 6000 —an initiative that supports girls without permanent housing. Donations to both organizations can be made via bigheartsforbigkids.com. 

Of the event, Townes shares, “It is a dream to be bringing ‘Big Hearts For Big Kids’ to Nashville, to be lifting up youth who need us in the world right now and celebrating with music from artists that I admire so much. Watching the way this event has grown in my hometown over the past 10 years has shaped me and taught me what people coming together through music can really do.”

The event continues a breakout year for Townes, who will release The Lemonade Stand next Friday, June 26 via Columbia Nashville in partnership with RCA Records (stream/purchase here). Produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town), the album consists of twelve songs all co-written by Townes including her latest release, “The Most Beautiful Things ,” as well as her most recent single, “ Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking),” which was Gold-certified in Canada and reached No. 1 on the BDS Canada and Mediabase Canada country radio charts earlier this year—making it Townes’ second chart-topping single following her Canadian Platinum-certified “Somebody’s Daughter. ” This accomplishment makes Townes the only female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two No. 1 singles. Released to critical acclaim, Rolling Stone calls “Jersey,” “a stirring, full-bodied anthem about loss and faith,” while Taste of Country proclaims, “Townes continues to release music grounded in empathy…She aims for a higher brand of acclaim and satisfaction.” 

Of the album, Townes reflects, “The Lemonade Stand is a collection of songs that mean so much to me and are the way I see the world in this season of my life right now. I want this music to be like a gathering place, where people can come and be filled up. I hope this record reminds people of who they are, that they are not alone, and reminds them of their dreams. This record is the dream that I had when I was a seven-year-old kid singing along in the backseat of the car. She would really be freaking out right now.”

The release of The Lemonade Stand adds to a series of breakthrough years for the Canadian-born and Nashville-based artist, who is nominated for two awards at the 55th ACM Awards: New Female Artist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack and Elle King. Ahead of these nominations, Townes won four awards at the 2019 Canadian Country Music Awards: Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Somebody’s Daughter”), Anthem Entertainment Songwriter of the Year and Video of the Year (“Somebody’s Daughter”). Winning all four of her nominated categories, Townes lead the night with the most awards received. She is also a MusicRow 2020 Next Big Thing Artist, an iHeartCountry’s “On The Verge” artist and has been included in Amazon Music’s “2019 Artists To Watch,” CMT’s “Next Women of Country,” iHeart Radio’s “Artists To Watch in 2019,” “The Bobby Bones Show’s” “Class of 2019,” CMT’s “Listen Up” and the inaugural class of “Opry NextStage.” Additionally, Townes is featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s new American Currents: State of the Music exhibit.

THE LEMONADE STAND TRACK LIST 
1. “Holding Out For The One”
2. “Where You Are”  
3. “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)” 
4. “Lighthouse” 
5. “White Horse” 
6. “I Kept The Roses”
7. “When I Meet My Maker”
8. “Come As you Are”  
9. “The Way You Look Tonight” 
10. “Find You” 
11. “Somebody’s Daughter” 
12. “The Most Beautiful Things” 

On the heels of his current Top 25 and climbing single, “Everywhere But On,” and his debut multi-week #1 Platinum smash, “Prayed For You,” Matt Stell is also giving fans a brand-new track, “If I Was A Bar”and innovative music video out today! Stell premiered his video earlier today and had a chance to chat with his fans on YouTube Music ahead of the premiere.

Following current social distancing guidelines and utilizing locked off camera shots, the hilarious and unique new video was filmed at Nashville’s Fleet Street Pub with only 3 crew members, including director Dustin Haney, and no co-stars. The shoot saw Matt playing 13 different characters – personalities such as “cool guy Matt, “post-breakup Matt,” “drummer Matt,” “bartender Matt” and more. 

 “It was so much fun,” says Stell.  “We basically took different aspects of my personality and turned them up to eleven for this. Doing it reminded me of some of my favorite scenes in my favorite movies.

“If I Was A Bar” is written by Dan Isbell, Zach Kale and Jonathan Singleton and the song is produced by Ash Bowers and Matt. The video shoot and its imaginative technique has been profiled by Forbes.com , who says “Matt Stell has used the current coronavirus pandemic as a time for creativity. The country newcomer, who celebrated the success of his debut single ‘Prayed For You’ hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart last year, has spent quarantine working on new music and his acting chops, as can be seen in his innovative and humorous new music video, ‘If I Was a Bar.’”

This is not the first time the singer has gotten creative in the COVID-19 era. Penned Up, his 8-week Instagram-live series, had Matt and fellow songwriters Lindsay Ell, Jameson Rodgers and a weekly special guest, sharing brand-new songs they had individually written that week. Matt was also the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for his Platinum break-through debut single, “Prayed For You.” Stell joins Country Rebel Live tonight, June 12, at 7:30pm CT for a live stream performance and interview.  He is also the featured guest on the “Surviving The Music Industry” podcast on June 18.  Fans can catch the in-depth conversation HERE.

For the latest updates, be sure to check out mattstell.com.

Grammy-winning artist Maren Morris debuts two new tracks today, “Just for Now”—recorded during the HERO sessions and cowritten with her husband Ryan Hurd and longtime collaborator Busbee who tragically passed away last year, and “Takes Two”— recorded during the sessions for her record-shattering 2019 album GIRL and cowritten with Sarah Aarons and Greg Kurstin, the songwriters she collaborated with on the hit single “GIRL .” Stream “Just for Now” and “Takes Two” on GIRL here.

Maren’s Platinum-certified “The Bones ” is spending its fourteenth week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it became the longest leading No. 1 by a solo female artist after its 11th week. When the song first earned No. 1 on the chart in February—which followed the chart-topping stint of “GIRL” last summer—it marked the first time since 2016 that a solo country female artist had two No. 1’s from the same album. “The Bones” also achieved the longest post-peak run on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase radio chart in April, nine weeks following its second week at No. 1 in February, and was the first solo female back-to-back No. 1 since 2012. Additionally, “The Bones” reached the top 20 at Top 40 radio and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs and Mediabase Hot A.C. in April. Her latest single, “To Hell & Back,” was the second most-added at country radio upon impact, with 41 first week stations.

In March, Maren received RIAA Gold certification for her critically-lauded album GIRL, which shattered the record for the largest ever debut streaming week for a country album by a woman, with 23.96 million streams in its first week. In addition, Maren played her biggest show to date for more than 60,000 fans at the Houston Rodeo—watch her exclusive interview with Anthony Mason for “CBS This Morning” here—and she leads the 2020 ACM Awards nominations this year with five nods including Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for GIRL.

Sony Music Nashville and Villa 40 announced the signing of DREW GREEN to Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville today. Green is the second artist to ink a record deal as part of an exclusive, long-term, joint-venture agreement between Sony Music Nashville and the new imprint Villa 40, co-founded by music industry executives Joe Fisher and Brad Margolis. 

“I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” Green says of his Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville family. “It’s been a long journey, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Over my five years songwriting, I realized it’s all about hard work, and I’m so excited to be surrounded by a group that believes that and believes in me.”   

As a McMinnville , Tennessee, native, Drew Green grew up just beyond earshot of Nashville’s storied country music industry. When he landed a gig as the singer for Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge house band, he began making trips to write and perform in the city. From there, he went on to become one of Music Row’s most prolific songwriters, signing a publishing agreement in November 2018 with Grammy-winning Brett James’ Cornman Music, a co-venture with Warner/Chappell Nashville. James is also Green’s manager.

In 2019, Florida Georgia Line cut “Colorado,” which Green co-penned with Hunter Phelps and Michael Hardy (HARDY), for their No. 1 album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country. Now, with a collection of more original songs than most artists can ever claim, the singer is poised to launch an equally fruitful artist career. 

This Friday, June 12, Drew Green’s debut track, “Little More Be Alright,” will be available at all streaming platforms and digital retailers.

For further info on Drew Green, visit www.drewgreen.com.

”WORLDWIDE BEAUTIFUL”
Written by Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Ryan Hurd and Jordan Schmidt

White churches, black churches
Different people, same hearses
It’s kinda hard to fight with each other
Laying down in the ground, six under
At every show I see my people
They ain’t the same but they’re all equal
One love, one God, one family

You’re missing every color        
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind      
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautiful

Thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God
Oh, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God
Coast to coast, city to city
Reach out your hands if you’re with me
Still got some work but we still got a dream
Every shade, every heart come together and sing
Oh, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God

You’re missing every color
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautiful

One love, one God, one family (One family, y’all, c’mon)
One love, one God, one family (Worldwide beautiful)
One love, one God, one family (Worldwide beautiful)
One Love, one God, one family (Sing it with me)

You’re missing every color
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful, so beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful
Worldwide beautiful
Worldwide beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful

Produced by Dann Huff

Buzzy RCA Nashville duo Seaforth has released their swoon-worthy new track “Everything Falls for You” today to all streaming platforms and digital retailers. Listen here.

“Our buddy Derrick Southerland brought in the title ‘Everything Falls for You’ and we instantly knew it was special,” shared the duo. “Through specific imagery – whether it be the rose petals, rain, stars – we wanted to paint the picture of falling in love with someone incredible, and how it can feel like the whole world is falling for them with you.”  

Seaforth will celebrate the release with a livestream performance on their official Facebook page tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can tune in here. 

Co-written by Seaforth (Tom Jordan, Mitch Thompson) and Southerland, the airy tune highlights the pair’s signature “bright pop-influenced harmonies” (Billboard) and marks their first release since last year’s Reimagined EP. 

Recipients of the 2020 APRA Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year-Nashville award, Seaforth has proven they’re “truly meant to be on stage” (Savvage Media) and earned a reputation as high-energy performers as support for superstars including Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Brett Young, and more.