Category: Uncategorized

On the eve of Dolly Parton’s latest album release, CMT is giving fans a rare glimpse into Parton’s world as she records her new album in “Dolly & Friends: Making of a Soundtrack,” a one-hour special premiering on CMT on Thursday, November 29, 9/8 pm Central Time.  The special “Dolly & Friends: Making of a Soundtrack” features Parton in the recording studio with famed producer Linda Perry and recording with artists Alison Krauss, Elle King, Macy Gray, Miranda Lambert, Mavis Staples and Rhonda Vincent.

“I’m excited that folks will be able to see some of the wonderful moments Linda Perry, the amazing vocalists and I shared together behind the scenes of the “Dumplin’” soundtrack,” enthuses Dolly Parton. “Singing with all these female artists was a joy and an honor, and, Linda and I, even though we are so different, we’re almost totally alike on a creative level – we all worked really well together.”

Parton, who is an acclaimed songwriter/storyteller and one of the most honored female country performers of all time, recorded new collaborations of some of her most popular songs in addition to six original compositions co-written by Parton and Grammy nominee Linda Perry . The songs are included on the soundtrack to the forthcoming Netflix film, “Dumplin’,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald. Parton and Perry, who had never worked together before, collaborated on their new songs and put a fresh spin on several Dolly classics, including her signature hit, “Jolene.” Cameras were there to capture it all, including Dolly Parton and Linda Perry working with the other powerful female artists.  “Dolly & Friends: Making of a Soundtrack” features performances and new, exclusive interviews and some special, unexpected moments including superstar Miranda Lambert meeting Parton for the first time.

To view a promo of the special click HERE.

Music fans can pre-order now the highly anticipated Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The soundtrack, which features Parton on every song, releases Nov. 30, and “Dumplin’” will premiere in select theaters and on Netflix on Dec. 7.

Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter Kane Brown’s sophomore album, Experiment, debuts #1 on theBillboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart this week with 124,000 units. The three-time American Music Award winner joins Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean as the only country artists with Billboard 200 No. 1 album debuts in 2018. With Experiment, Brown becomes the only male country artist in 24 years to debut on top of the Billboard 200 with a sophomore release. The last occurrence, in March 1994, was Tim McGraw’s Not A Moment Too Soon.

Noted as “one of Nashville’s most promising young stars and also one of its most flexible” (The New York Times) and “one of 31 people changing the South” (Time) the 25-year-old singer-songwriter has earned multiple Platinum certifications, award wins and chart-topping hits, including the most recent certifications of his multi-week #1 hit “Heaven” (Triple Platinum) and “What Ifs” (Quadruple Platinum) from his 12-week chart-topping Platinum-certified debut album. With Kane Brown and now Experiment, Brown has had a breakthrough year, spending 11 weeks total topping theBillboard Top Country Albums chart in 2018.

Produced by Dann Huff, Experiment “channels…musical confidence…it proves why Brown has become one of the genre’s hottest up-and-comers”(Rolling Stone). The standard version of the new album includes 12 tracks, 11 of which were co-written by Brown including his current single, “Lose It,” which is currently Top 5-and-climbing at country radio. The Streaming Only version features an additional 13th track, “In The Middle Of Nowhere” featuring Becky G, which was co-written by Brown. The album has earned rave reviews, with critics quick to note “Experiment  finds the breakthrough star branching out sonically and lyrically, taking command of his voice, whether bravely facing adversity or expressing …Brown brings a sense of strength to his storytelling,” (Sounds Like Nashville) and “with his new album, Experiment, Brown is about to become inescapable, arguably changing the future of country forever,” (Billboard).

To purchase or stream Experiment, visit HERE .

Amassing over 2 billion career streams to date, Brown will appear next on the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” broadcast on NBC this Thursday, Nov. 22. The past two weeks, the country hitmaker graced the cover of Billboard and performed on “The Voice,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (“Lose It”and “Good As You”), “Pickler & Ben” and “LIVE with Kelly & Ryan.”

Seaforth has revealed two new songs, “Talk To Me” and “Love That,” available now on all streaming platforms and digital retailers. Listen here.

The duo (Tom Jordan and Mitch Thompson) co-wrote both tracks, which are the latest glimpse into their upcoming RCA Records Nashville debut project with producer Dann Huff. They also premiered the acoustic video for their song “Magic” last week.

Years before their hook-heavy music brought them halfway across the world, Jordan and Thompson grew up in the same Sydney, AUS suburb. They were childhood friends, crossing paths for the first time as three-year-olds and sharing a number of experiences, from soccer games to high-school classes, during the years that followed.

Named for that same Sydney suburb, Seaforth spent years traveling between Australia and the U.S. honing their craft and genre-jumping songwriting chops, to cultivate a sound that emphasizes their elastic voices and layered harmonies. The result is a quickly growing catalog of original songs that mix melodic punch and modern organic production with the storytelling elements of classic country.

Jordan and Thompson documented that move across the Pacific, starting with their final Australian performance to saying goodbye to their families and starting their Nashville journey. Watch the emotional clip here.

Country music superstar Brad Paisley premiered his much-anticipated new single, “Bucked Off,” on the 52nd Annual CMA Awards Wednesday night on ABC. You can view the performance HERE.

“Bucked Off” was introduced to country radio earlier this week and is available for streaming now – HERE.  Paisley described his new song as “Turbo twang retro-futuristic rockin’ hi-fidelity country music.” Co-written by Paisley, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, “Bucked Off” is his first collaboration with multiple-award winning producer Dann Huff. Huff and Paisley co-produced the single; Kendal Marcy was executive producer.

Sony Music Nashville culminated a banner year for the label group with big wins and impactful performances Wednesday night (11/14) at “The 52nd Annual CMA Awards.” Luke Combs was named CMA New Artist of the Year, and Old Dominion took home their first CMA Vocal Group of the Year trophy.

Combs took part in the show’s opening number, performing with Luke Bryan on the latter’s “What Makes You Country,” before hitting the stage with his multi-week No. 1 smash “She Got The Best of Me.” Miranda Lambert performed alongside Jason Aldean for their Musical Event and Single of the Year-nominated “Drowns The Whiskey.” Maren Morris joined forces with Chris Stapleton, Mavis Staples, and Marty Stuart for a powerhouse collaboration, performing “Friendship” and “I’ll Take You There.” Old Dominion brought down the house with their two-week No. 1 “Hotel Key” andPistol Annies rocked the stage with their new single “Got My Name Changed Back.”

Kane Brown presented the Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and LANCO hosted the pre-telecast ceremony which recognized the CMA Broadcast Award winners and Musical Event, Musician, and Music Video of the Year recipients.

These latest highlights come at a week where SMN has dominated the charts with four singles in the Top 5 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck and five of the Top 10 singles on Billboard Country Airplay charts. SMN is also in the Top 10 for greatest gainers.

The radio chart accomplishment includes a fourth-consecutive No. 1 for Combs, as “She Got The Best of Me” spends its fourth week at No. 1 on theBillboard Country Airplay chart – the only release to achieve this milestone in 2018. The hit track also sits at No. 2 on the Mediabase/Country Airplay chart. Multi-Platinum entertainer Chris Young swaps those positions with a No. 1 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck (Young’s 11th chart topper to date) and a No. 2 on Billboard Country Airplay with “Hangin’ On.” Brown is No. 4 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck and No. 5 on Billboard Country Airplay with “Lose It.” Morris trades those positions with “Rich” posting a No. 5 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck and a No. 4 on Billboard Country Airplay, and Mitchell Tenpenny’s debut “Drunk Me” is a No. 6 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck and No. 7 on Billboard Country Airplay.

With more than 2.5 million streams, Brown’s just-released sophomore album Experiment set a brand new U.S. record on Apple Music for the largest debut of a Country album in the first 24 hours of release. And “Lose It” spent a second week at No. 1 on Mediabase Canada Airplay, positioning his anticipated takeover of the North American Country charts.

Pistol Annies’ newly-released third album Interstate Gospel debuted this week at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Penned by the Pistol Annies, the 14-track album showcases the group’s stunning harmonies, classic country storytelling and vibey swagger and has been dubbed “2018’s best country album” by Variety

World-renowned entertainer Brad Paisley premieres his much-anticipated new single, “Bucked Off,” on country radio today. It is available to download and stream HERE.

“Bucked Off,” a light-hearted breakup song, is described by the multi-Platinum singer-songwriter as “turbo honky-tonk, reminiscent of ‘80s and ‘90s country but futuristic.” Co-written by Paisley, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, “Bucked Off” is his first collaboration with multiple-award winning producer Dann Huff. Huff and Paisley co-produced the single; Kendal Marcy was executive producer.

Brad Paisley will perform the new single for the first time on national television tomorrow night at the “52nd Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music’s Biggest Night, 8 pm Eastern/7 pm Central on ABC. This is the 11th year Paisley will co-host the awards show with Carrie Underwood.

Country supertrio PISTOL ANNIES‘ newly released third album INTERSTATE GOSPEL on RCA Records Nashville debuted this week at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Listen now on all streaming platforms and purchase the album here.

Tune in this Wednesday to watch the Annies perform at the CMA Awards on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CST.

Watch the trio perform an acoustic version of “Best Years Of My Life” here.

Penned by the Pistol Annies, the 14-track album showcases the group’s stunning harmonies, such as the “classic country tearjerker” (Stereogum) “Masterpiece”; “sly take on gender roles” (Variety) “Sugar Daddy”; “saucy, high-spirited” (Rolling Stone) “Stop Drop and Roll One“; “more irreverent than earnest” (NPR) “Interstate Gospel”; and “confession of dead-end desperation” (New York Times) “Best Years of My Life.” Moving from celebratory anthems, classic country storytelling and vibey swagger, the Grammy-nominated trio are back and sounding Annie-er than ever.

The Pistol Annies’ very first single to go to Country Radio is “Got My Name Changed Back.” Fans should listen for it on their local radio stations. The fun-spirited music video for the single is out now. Watch it here.

The trio performed three sold-out concert events over the past week at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, NYC’s intimate venue The Town Hall, and LA’s breakout downtown concert hall The Novo. These shows were the Annies’ way of inviting their fans into their living room to hang, talk, laugh and commiserate about real life while singing their own kind of country music.

Luke Combs’ fourth-consecutive No. 1 single, “She Got The Best of Me,” remains at the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the fourth-straight week—this year’s only four-week No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay song.

Combs is the first solo artist to score four consecutive career-opening No. 1’s on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart following 3x Platinum “Hurricane,” 2x Platinum “When It Rains It Pours” and Platinum “One Number Away,” which all appear on the deluxe version of This One’s For You out now on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. Since its release June 2, 2017—74 weeks ago—This One’s For You has spent a total of seventeen non-consecutive weeks at No. 1, including thirteen weeks in 2018—the most of any album this year.

In continued celebration of his groundbreaking year, Combs will perform at this week’s 2018 CMA Awards where he is nominated for two awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. The awards ceremony will be broadcast on ABC live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (11/14) at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

Additionally, the deluxe version of his debut album, This One’s For You Too, is now available for vinyl pre-order. Arriving this Friday (11/16) the double LP features all fifteen deluxe album tracks plus two of Combs’ “CMT Crossroads” performances with Leon Bridges: “Beautiful Crazy” and “Beyond.”

Combs will embark on his largest North American headline tour in 2019—with 26 of the 28 venues already sold-out. The “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour” features sold-out performances at Greensboro, NC’s Greensboro Coliseum, Greenville, SC’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Columbus, OH’s Schottenstein Center, Charlottesville, VA’s John Paul Jones Arena, New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, Omaha, NE’s HI Health Center and Morrison, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre among many others.

Since the release of This One’s For You, Combs has been named Billboard’s Top 100 Artist and Top New Country Artist of 2017, “Best New Country Artist” at the iHeart Radio Awards, Music Row’s “Breakthrough Artist Of The Year” and 2017 Artist To Watch by Amazon Music, Billboard, Bobby Bones, CMT, HuffPost, Nashville Lifestyles, Pandora and Rolling Stone.

This One’s For You was produced by Scott Moffatt (except for “One Number Away,” which was co-produced by Sammy Mitchell and Jackie Boyz) and recorded in Nashville, TN at Gold Cassette Studios and Direct Image Recording Studio. Released earlier this summer, This One’s For You Too debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 4 on Billboard 200 Chart.

LUKE COMBS’ BEER NEVER BROKE MY HEART TOUR:
January 31—Birmingham, AL—Legacy Arena at the BJCC*
February 1—Huntington, WV—Big Sandy Superstore Arena* (SOLD OUT)
February 2—Greensboro, NC—Greensboro Coliseum* (SOLD OUT)
February 7—Wichita, KS—INTRUST Bank Arena*
February 8—North Little Rock, AR—Verizon Arena* (SOLD OUT)
February 9—Baton Rouge, LA—Raising Cane’s River Center* (SOLD OUT)
February 14—Greenville, SC—Bon Secours Wellness Arena* (SOLD OUT)
February 15—Knoxville, TN—Thompson-Boling Arena* (SOLD OUT)
February 16—Evansville, IN—Ford Center* (SOLD OUT)
February 21—Hershey, PA—Giant Center* (SOLD OUT)
February 22—Columbus, OH—Schottenstein Center* (SOLD OUT)
February 23—Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena* (SOLD OUT)
February 28—New York, NY—Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom† (SOLD OUT)
March 1—Bangor, ME—Cross Insurance Center* (SOLD OUT)
March 2—Worcester, MA—DCU Center* (SOLD OUT)
March 8—Tupelo, MS—BancorpSouth Arena* (SOLD OUT)
March 9—Orange Beach, AL—Amphitheatre at The Wharf* (SOLD OUT)
March 28—London, ON—Budweiser Garden* (SOLD OUT)
March 29—Oshawa, ON—Tribute Communities Centre* (SOLD OUT)
March 30—Kingston, Ontario—Leon’s Centre* (SOLD OUT)
April 11—Duluth, MN—AMSOIL Arena* (SOLD OUT)
April 12—Moline, IL—TaxSlayer Center* (SOLD OUT)
April 13—Saginaw, MI—Dow Event Center* (SOLD OUT)
April 25—Green Bay, WI—Resch Center* (SOLD OUT)
April 26—La Crosse, WI—La Crosse Center* (SOLD OUT)
May 10—Tulsa, OK—BOK Center* (SOLD OUT)
May 11—Omaha, NE—CHI Health Center Omaha* (SOLD OUT)
May 12—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheater* (SOLD OUT)

*with LANCO and Jameson Rodgers
†with Jameson Rodgers

This weekend, acclaimed country band Old Dominion wrapped the SOLD OUT European leg of their “Happy Endings World Tour” at Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow, Scotland. The nine-date run saw the band hit cities across Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Simon Jones (AEG Presents SVP of Live Music, International) said of the European dates: “To see how much Old Dominion have grown as a band since their first time at C2C and a small Hoxton Bar & Kitchen show in London through to their recent sell out U.K. run has been amazing to watch. They are consummate performers, and we’re looking forward to seeing their international business grow and grow.”

Chris York (Producer C2C Festival/ SJM Concerts) added: “Building on their fantastic shows at C2C it was a delight to see Old Dominion build their U.K. audience on this run. Big stars in the making. Great sold out run and a wonderful show in London last night. We look forward to bringing [Old Dominion] back soon.”

Cathy Wilson (Aiken Promotions) on the Ireland dates said: “Aiken Promotions were delighted to recently have Old Dominion here in Ireland for their first-ever headline shows, which were sold out in advance. Brilliant songs with those instant sing-along hooks that Irish audiences love so much, all performed by a Band that are just amazing live. We can’t wait to see them back in Ireland soon.”

Check out photos below of the acclaimed band alongside Nate Ritches (Dale Morris & Associates), Tom Saunders (AEG presents-Europe) and Toby Leighton-Pope (CEO AEG Presents UK), as well as Chris York (President of SJM Concerts), Milly Olykan (VP International Relations CMA), Ali Harnell(SVP Global Touring AEG Presents) and Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham Management).

Nate Ritches, speaking on the bands multiple European runs, said: “It’s been an exciting build over the past three trips across the pond, AEG leading the way partnering with independent promoters SJM, Aiken, and more as we continue to build and break into other countries. Starting with C2C side stages three years ago, followed by direct support with Thomas Rhett and a return to the C2C circuit playing the main stage this past spring, the strategic timing and opportunity could not have aligned better in set up of our hard ticket build. The band understands and supports what it takes to build in the European marketplace, dedicating the time, with arenas in the foreseeable plan.  A 2019 early fall run has already been confirmed for their fourth trip, followed by late spring of 2020.  It’s exciting to have an act that is resonating so well and helping break the country stereotype within the European country fan base, as the genre grows overall across the continent.”

Old Dominion recently released their new single “Make It Sweet” and announced their 2019 headlining arena tour of the same name. Get the song HEREand click HERE for tickets. The track marked the group’s first new original release since the arrival of the chart-topping Happy Endings in Summer 2017.

The upbeat “Make It Sweet” unlocks the next chapter of Old Dominion. Rustling acoustic guitars and pedal steel bristle up against heartfelt verses before the hashtag-worthy handclap-driven refrain — “Life is short, make it sweet” — takes flight. The song culminates on a rafter-reaching guitar solo and show-stopping vocal performance. They also uncovered the cinematic music video for the song (HERE) and recently performed the single on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (HERE).