Marie’s CMR Country Show (Sunday 20th March 2022)

2022-03-20

Marie’s CMR Country Show (Sunday 20th March 2022)

Brand new music from Jenny Tolman, Bernie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Donna Ulisse, Deborah Allen and Erica Sunshine Lee

Find out all the different ways to listen to the show HERE

Hour 1

(Artist/ Song (album/ label)
 
1. Jessica Pearson and The East Wind - Better Bad Decisions (On The Line / Willow Sound Records)
2. Jason Michael Carroll - Tell Me Your Name (Diane)
3. Angie K -  Honkytonk Bar (GCE Records) Track 5 from the EP Sun Up To Sundown out April 1, 2022 

4. Thomas Buller - 6 Feet Under and Still Going Down
5. Jenny Tolman - Nothing Left Of You Married In A Honky Tonk (Old Sol Records)
6. Brett Young - You Didn’t (Single) 🎂 (Birthday 23 March 1981)
7 .Dolly Parton - Big dreams & Faded Jeans (Run Rose Run/ Butterfly Records)
8. Mo Pitney -  I Like the Old Stuff Better (Ain’t Lookin’ Back) 🎂 (Birthday 24 March 1993)
9. Meghan Patrick - Cool About It (Heart on My Glass) 🎂 (Birthday 25 March 1987)
10. Lance Carpenter – Sober (The Demo Sessions / Lance Carpenter Music)
11. The Hawthorns - This One is Ours (Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars/ Mule Kick Records)
12. Bernie Nelson - She’s Crazy Bout Me (Ghosts and Angels)
13. Hailey Whitters - Neon (Raised / Pigasus Records/Songs & Daughters/Big Loud Records)
14. Jared Blake - Orange Keychain
15. Juna N Joey - ’Til Your Heart Breaks

Hour 2

(Artist/ Song (album/ label)

1.Normand Borland - She doesn’t Look That Lonely to Me (Single)
2. Ali Sperry - In Front of Us (In Front of Us/ Ali Sperry released March 11, 2022)
3.Shannon Slaughter - Common Ground (Single; Elite Circuit Records)
4. Allison Forbes - Dead Men Tell No Tales
5. Nate Barnes - Right About Me (Single; Quartz Hill Records)
6. Donna Ulisse - Turn My Heart (Livin’ Large/ Billy Blue Records)
7. Joe Nichols -  Why Can’t She (Good Day for Living/ Quartz Hill Records)
8. Deborah Allen - Blue Collar Baby (The Art Of Dreaming)
9. Kenny Chesney - The Tin Man 🎂 (Birthday 26 March 1968)
10. Erica Sunshine Lee – Fragile (Same Ship Different Day)
11. Mark Daniel - Franklin
12. Dawn Beyer - Oh, What a love (Single; No Label Records Inc)
13. Aaron Lewis - Goodbye Town (Frayed At Both Ends (Video Deluxe)/ Big Machine Label Group, LLC)
14. Brennen Leigh - If Tommy Duncan's Voice Was Booze (Single / Obsessed with the West /Signature Sounds Recordings)
15. Michaela Anne -  Who You Are (Single/ Yep Roc Records)

 New To The Show

Angie K (Angie Keilhauer)

Angie K is shaking up Nashville with her fresh blend of hard hitting country with a nod to her Latin roots. After her run on Team Blake on NBC’s The Voice, country artist Jake Owen and his team convinced Angie to move to Nashville. They helped fund her first single in town, ‘Real Talk’, written by Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Hillary Lindsey, and Thomas Rhett. The bilingual smash catapulted her on the country scene by making her a ‘Highway Find’ on Sirius XM the Highway. A year later , Angie was named one of three Artists for CMA’s artist development program led by Kix Brooks, Mary Hilliard Harrington, and Marion Kraft. 

She released the single “Country Is as Country Does” on Oct 8, 2022

The El Salvador born and Georgia raised country artist also released her new single ‘Sunsets’, which was immediately added to mega-playlists ‘Country Risers’ and ‘New in Country’ on Apple Music, 'Breakthrough Country' on Amazon, as well as ‘New Music Nashville’ on Spotify. 

Latest track “Honkytonk Bar”, written by Angie K and Marissa Boucher, previews her EP Sun Up To Sundown out April 1, 2022

Angie has opened for artists like Jake Owen, Tanya Tucker, Sammy Kershaw, Trace Adkins, Melissa Etheridge, and more!

CONNECT with Angie K:

st three singles have each hit over a million streams+ since

Jared Blake

Jared Blake was raised on watermelons and rock ‘n roll. Growing up in the small town of Star City, Arkansas, he always had dreams of performing on the big stage. That didn’t stop him from taking his time growing up and learning everything he could about the music business, including songwriting and playing multiple instruments. He realizes that the music industry is forever changing, and he likes to change and grow with it.

He landed his first break with the industry giant Sony/ATV and Bob DiPiero’s Love Monkey Music, as a songwriter for the nation’s largest publishing group. and more.

In 2011, Jared found himself on a new adventure, appearing on what turned out to be a #1 rated show on NBC, The Voice.

Landing on Blake Shelton’s team to guide him, he did what any regular ol’ country boy would do – he rocked it.

 He was just as happy on stage alone with his acoustic guitar, with 14-million viewers watching him sing “Not Ready To Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks, as he was performing the rock tune “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon, in a guitar-throwing, full-out passionate display. All of his performances have appeared in the charts worldwide more than 56 times and reaching as high as #16 on the iTunes charts.

Jared was featured in magazines such as People and Rolling Stone, on television morning shows, and on radio stations syndicated across the nation.

Jared’s debut EP Til Morning Light was released along with the music video for his single Stomp in October 2014. The video was picked up by VEVO and the single ran on NBC’s The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda in November 2014.

His new single, “Orange Keychain” is being promoted to country radio, his first since 2019. Read More

CONNECT with Jared Blake:

Ali Sperry

Ali Sperry, when faced with a year of trauma, racial reckoning, and downright worldwide existential crisis, did what she has always done — turned inward and wrote songs that channeled, mirrored and ultimately DISTILLED those cultural currents — distilled is the operative word, here, as she and her producer, Jamie Dick, wisely avoid long-form folk indulgence for streamlined contours and razor hooks that feel more rock/pop than folk, and are fairly begging for a decent car stereo and an open road. 

Ali, in her singing and writing, is the people’s champ of the “less is more" ethos. There is a slight echo of Laurel Canyon in the sonics of the record, and, always, the confident under-singing of a woman who knows her words and melodies will  happily do the heavy lifting.

Her 10-track Country/Americana self-released album  IN FRONT OF US (Ali Sperry) was released on March 110, 2022 (See Album Review americana-uk ). The album features an absolute murderers’ row of beloved Nashville players, including Jen Gunderman, Audley Freed, Sadler Vaden, Joe Pisapia, Owen Biddle, Kai Welch, Kristin Weber, Rich Hinman, and a slew of other bright lights. It’s a testament to both their instincts and their respect for Sperry’s presence and voice, that it never feels like a cavalcade of assembled star-turns, but a real love-in of massively talented musical souls. 

She has a Nashville release show planned in April and currently firming up other tour dates for the spring and summer, including a UK tour. She shared “I got to tour in the UK right before the pandemic and it was one of my favorite tours yet. I’m very eager to go back there and share the new record” . 11 QUESTIONS TO A NASHVILLE MUSICIAN: ALI SPERRY

CONNECT with Ali Sperry:

Dawn Beyer

Here to feel, to love, to give, to be awake for ALL OF IT

Dawn Beyer is an independent US Country/ Indie & Alternative singer-songwriter #nolabelrecords

Singles:

"Vulnerable" released 19 June 2019

"Fall in Love" released 15 Oct 2021 Singer/Songwriter

"Wasted on you (feat. Jonny Houlihan) released 12 Feb 2022

"Kissin In The Kitchen" released 13 Feb 2022 (This song is just light and fun and I like the reminder to stop and take the time for all the kisses).

"Oh, What a love" released 14 Feb 2022 

Albums:

PLAYIN' WITH FIRE released 24 April 2020 Country

DEMONS released 31 May 2021 Singer/Songwriter Indie & Alternative 

She has an album in the works called “SONGS FOR YOU” inspired by fan stories. The writing process called for vulnerability on the fans part as they shared their. Initial plans are to get back in the studio with this project in August and to release it so time in 2023 . 

In February she announce that she was getting back On The Road Again playing small, intimate, VIP ONLY listening shows. “Each show will be unique in that I have chosen cool spots in each state/city to hold this intimate concert with just me and my guitar (and a few on the keys) and notebook of songs”. 

See Acoustic Tour Dates

CONNECT with Dawn Beyer:

Country News snippets March 14 – March 20, 2022

Country News snippets March 14 – March 20, 2022

UK News, UK Chart News, Album & Single Releases, US & Canadian News, Music News, Press Releases, TV, Interviews, Articles & Videos, Birthdays

BREAKING NEWS

Country News – March 17, 2021 with Shannon McCombs

Hear what Michael Ray has to say about his new song, “Holy Water.”  News about Alan Jackson and his Last Call Tour Gene Watson is releasing a new album. And Craig Morgan becomes a book author!

UK NEWS

On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist Saturday 19 March 2022

B List: Maren Morris - Circles Around This Town [C-B-B]

C List: Luke Combs - Doin' This [C-C-C]

OUT: The Shires - I See Stars removed from the “A” Playlist [B-A-A-A-A]

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: The Shires - 10 Year Plan

BCMA 2021 Female Artist of the Year Jade Helliwell shared on Instagram: “I have SO MUCH new music I am excited to share with you guys but I need YOUR HELP to do it! Help me create a brand-new EP”. So far £2,832 has been raised of a £10,000 goal, from 83 backers with 27 days to go Kickstarter Page

(17 March 2022) Morgan Wade sells out London, extra date added

Morgan Wade announced a second London headline show at The Garage on June 20^th to kick off her first ever UK headline tour due to phenomenal demand from first day sales this morning, selling out her first London show instantly. Tickets for the extra London date are on sale now here with final tickets remaining for Glasgow (June 23^rd) and Manchester (June 24^th)  here. Morgan has also been named as one of Amazon Music’s Artists To Watch 2022, Spotify’s Hot Country Artist To Watch 2022, Apple Music’s Best Of 2021. Pandora’s Artists To Watch 2022 and YouTube Music’s Trending Artist On The Rise.

(18 March 2022) British vocalist and songwriter, Rumer released new single “Old-Fashioned Girl”, taken from her forthcoming album B Sides and Rarities Vol. 2, out on April 22 2022 via Cooking Vinyl. The long-awaited follow-up to 2015’s B Sides and Rarities Vol. 1, Vol. 2 is a treasure trove of rarities which will be available on digital, CD, vinyl, limited edition orange vinyl and signed test pressings.

 (18 March 2022) Singer-Songwriter Beth Neilsen Chapman’s new album CrazyTown is available for pre-order and will share this collection of songs with us on Sept. 23rd. Pre-order here now. She has a UK Fall Tour in October/November.

 UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 18 March 2022)

18 March – 24 March 2020

Leadership of the album chart changed for the 10th week in a row, and for the ninth consecutive week it was a British act that took pole position. 

Rex Orange County - 23-year-old Hampshire singer/songwriter Alex O’Connor - whose fourth album, Who Cares?, outpaced the pack, with first week consumption of 18,089 units (8,809 CDs, 5,238 vinyl, 773 cassettes. 347 digital downloads and 2,922 sales-equivalent streams).

Swedish act heavy rock band Ghost debuted at a career-best No.2 (14,021 sales) with their fifth album (third chart entry, second Top 10 set) IMPERA. It had no fewer than nine vinyl editions, which attract 4,785 sales, and made Rex Orange County’s six cassette formats pale into insignificance. 

It has been 25 years since Bryan Adams last had a No.1 album but the Canadian rocker came close with his last two studio albums, Get Up and Shine A Light, which reached No.2 in 2015 and 2019, respectively. The 62-year-old Canadian had the biggest selling CD last week (9,784 sales) but had to settle for third place in the overall album chart with his 15th studio set, SO HAPPY IT HURTS (11,921 sales). 

British country’s most successful act in chart history, The Shires racked up their fifth Top 10 studio album from as many releases with 10 Year Plan (No.5, 6,946 sales). It marked a slight step down from the No.3 peaks they gained by their second (My Universe, 2016), third (Accidentally On Purpose) and fourth (Good Years) studio albums, but topped the No.10 peak of their 2015 debut, Brave, which nevertheless remains their biggest-seller with to-date consumption of 177,140 units. 

Matching the peak of its predecessors MY UNIVERSE and ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE from 2016 and 2018 respectively, the duo’s fourth album GOOD YEARS hit third place with 12,011 units.

Both Niall Horan and The Shires temporarily discounted their albums to £4.99 in a bid for the No.1 and soon after were priced at £8.99 & £10.99 respectively.

Crissie Rhodes & Ben Earle shared this message with their fans:

 “Thank you so much to everyone who has been behind us throughout the years. The level of support we have received for '10 Year Plan' has been beyond anything we could have imagined and we are so proud to have fans like you!

We've said it once and we'll say it again, UK Country Music is where it is now because of YOU, so thank you!

There's so much more still to come! You can catch us on James Martin's Saturday Morning On ITV where we'll be performing our song 'I See Stars'. A a massive thank you to BBC Radio 2 for announcing '10 Year Plan' as their album of the week. They'll be playing a track from the album everyday next week, so tune in! 

THE SHIRES CHART HISTORY

BRAVE made a debut at No.10 (9,516 sales; chart week March 14, 2015)

44 chart weeks Chart run (5 weeks / 14.03.2015 - 11.04.2015) 10-23-48-78- 95

Chart run (23 weeks / 02.05.2015 - 01.10.2015) 88-30-37-37-17-25-32-45-48-60-74-78-99-90-72-24-13-17-28-51-66-48- 77

Chart run (14 weeks / 15.10.2015 - 14.01.2016) 16-25-41-38-42-45-38-52-64-81-71-91-71-73

The Shires with MY UNIVERSE made a debut at No.3 (14,913 sales; chart week 13 Oct 2016).

Chart run (29 weeks / 13.10.2016 - 27.04.2017): 3-7-14-27-36-45-43-45-43-48-59-52-54-30-26-25-20-24-26-17-29-33-53-62-26-51-54-81- 96

The Shires with ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE debuted at No.3 on sales of 14,319 copies (Chart run (9 weeks / 03.05.2018 - 28.06.2018) 3-14-32-41-41-32-33-54-89

The Shires with GOOD YEARS debuted at No.3 on sales of 12,011 units (includes streams) (Chart run (2 weeks / 26.03.2020 – 02.04.2020 + 1 weeks / 30.04.2020) 3-24-74

The Shires with GREATEST HITS in their second frame fell 52-75 (2 weeks / 19.03.2020 - 26.03.2020)

Dolly Parton with her debut novel RUN ROSE RUN fell 23-42 in her second chart wee after debuting at No.23 (2,867 sales).

Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 18 March 2022)

18 March – 24 March 2020

The Shires with 10 YEAR PLAN made a debut at No.1

Dolly Parton with RUN ROSE RUN fell 1-2 (2 weeks; #1 peak)

Luke Combs with WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET rose 4-3 (115 weeks; #1 peak)

Taylor Swift with FEARLESS (TAYLOR'S VERSION) dropped 3-4 (49 weeks; #1 peak)

Brett Young with WEEKENDS LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THESE re-entered at No.5 (12 weeks; #1 peak)

Outside the Top 10

Sturgill Simpson with THE BALLAD OF DOOD & JUANITA fell 2-17 (9 weeks; #2 peak)

COUNTRY ALBUM  RELEASES

(18 March 2022) Cody Belew - Cody Belew (EP; Cody Belew) 5 songs, 19:49 #46 US iTunes Country Album Chart

(18 March 2022) Deborah Allen - The Art of Dreaming (Deborah Allen) 12 songs, 46:57 Amazon

(18 March 2022) Dylan Schneider - College Town (EP; This Is Hit, BBR Music Group) 5 songs, 14:55 | #42 US iTunes Country Album Chart 

(18 March 2022) Edgar Loudermilk Band - The Dark Side of Lonesome ( Rural Rhythm Records & Edgar Loudermilk) 13 songs, 43:02 Country/ Bluegrass 

(18 March 2022) Hailey Whitters - Raised (Pigasus Records / Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters) 17 songs, 46:32 Amazon UK | Debut #2 UK iTunes Country Album Chart (# UK iTunes all-genres) | Debut #3 US iTunes Country Album Chart (#19 US iTunes all-genres) 

(18 March 2022) Hunter Girl - One Day (Hunter Girl) 5 songs, 15:51 Amazon UK | Debut #41 UK iTunes Country Album Chart | #22 US iTunes Country Album Chart 

(18 March 2022) Randall King - Shot Glass (Warner Music Nashville LLC) 11 songs, 36 min 28 sec | Debut #42 UK iTunes Country Album Chart | Debut #87 US iTunes all-genres, then #1 US iTunes Country Album Chart

(18 March 2022) Ray Wylie Hubbard - (WylieWorld Music/ Big Machine Label Group, LLC.) 11 songs, 42:01 | Debut #1 US iTunes Country Album (#11 US iTunes all-genres)

(18 March 2022) Tiffany Woys - All About Love (EP; Tiffany Woys) 6 songs, 20:20 Amazon UK

 BILLBOARD/ MEDIABASE Charts

Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of March 19, 2022)

Country Album Chart ** No.1 (49 weeks) ** Dangerous: The Double Album Morgan Wallen

Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (3 weeks/ Airplay Gainer) ** 'Til You Can't Cody Johnson

Country Airplay ** No.1 (1 week) ** “To Be Loved By You” Parker McCollum

Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (1 week) “Leave You Alone” Kane Brown

Dolly Parton achieved her 47th top 10 on Top Country Albums as her new LP, Run, Rose, Run (Butterfly Records), flew

in at No. 3. Released March 4, the set started with 17,000 equivalent album units (15,500 in album sales). It launches at No. 2 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart

14 March 2022 (for the chart week ending March 12, 2022 according to Mediabase 24/7.

Congratulations to MCA NASHVILLE's Parker McCollum who took the #1 spot on the MEDIABASE Country singles chart this chart week with his hit, "To Be Loved By You." This marked MCCOLLUM's second #1 single.

 “To Be Loved By You"” (MCA) moved 2-1 logging 7,936 radio spins (+933), 36.260 million audience impressions (+3.425 million) with 29043 Total Points from 158 tracking stations (158 ADDS) for the tracking week December 30 to March 12, 2022 and published chart dated March 14, 2022. Songwriters are Rhett Akins and McCollum and it was produced by Jon Randall.

With fellow Texan Cody Johnson landing at No. 2 this week, this was the first time Texas acts have held the top two positions since the week of Jan. 26, 2001 when Lonestar’s “Tell Her” was No. 2 and The Dixie Chicks held the top spot with “Without You.” 

The Rising Country music star and ACM “New Male Artist of the Year” winner, Parker McCollum, took over the top seat on both the Billboard and Mediabase Country charts. The track immediately resonated with fans and skyrocketed up the charts since its release. In addition to landing his second career #1, Parker also made a childhood dream come true by performing to a sold out crowd at the famed RODEOHOUSTON this past weekend selling over 73,000 tickets. 

“It’ll be years before I truly look back and realize what happened this week,” says McCollum. “I was nervous that all my hard work and sacrifice wouldn’t be worth it in the long run. Well, after selling out RODEOHOUSTON and having my second #1 I can assure you all - it was damn worth it. Every single last bit of it was worth it.”

Jimmie Allen Is Most Added With ‘Down Home’

Congratulations to STONEY CREEK RECORDS’ Jimmie Allen for earning 63 MEDIABASE adds this week on his new single, “Down Home,” making it the most added at Country radio.

The Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) has released its FEBRUARY 2022 Gold & Platinum award winners. A total of 228 singles were awarded, and 32 albums. You can see all of the February RIAA Gold & Platinum Award winners here.

NEWS

Video content from CRS 2022 panels, along with other session content, is now available here. This includes the five "Heads Of State" panels, the CRS Research Presentation, "Digesting The Data," "The Artist Interview featuring Blake Shelton," "The Net Worth Of Networking," "Leading Through An Ever-changing Landscape" and "Video Makes The Radio Star." 

Parton Ways: Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton, who was among the 17 nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2022 (CAT 2/2), withdrewr name from consideration. “Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated ... I don’t feel that I have earned that right,” shares Parton via Instagram. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out. I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!”

Of the 351 previous inductees to the Rock Hall, only nine are country: Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Johnny Cash, Floyd Cramer, Brenda Lee, Bill Monroe, Carl Perkins, Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams Sr.

I Beg Your Parton: Three days after Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton publicly stated her desire to have her name withdrawn from consideration. The Rock Hall responded with a declination. “From its inception, rock ‘n’ roll has had deep roots in [R&B] and country music,” shares the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation via Facebook. “It is not defined by any one genre, rather a sound that moves youth culture. Dolly Parton’s music impacted a generation of young fans and influenced countless artists that followed”.

(March 14, 2022) Artists React To Closing Of Nashville's Iconic Ernest Tubb Record Shop

The Country music industry was still reeling from FRIDAY's (March 11) announcement from the iconic Ernest Tubb Records Shop that it is closing its doors this Spring. The shop, on NASHVILLE Lower Broadway, was opened (originally at 720 Commerce St.) by Country Radio Hall Of Famer Tubb in 1947, and was the home of the MIDNIGHT JAMBOREE radio show, broadcast on WSM-A/NASHVILLE. It is the station's second longest running show, after THE GRAND OLE OPRY.

legendary nashville establishments closing their doors, this town will never be the same again… we will miss you Ernest Tubb Record Shop & Hermitage Cafe #GeorgeandTammy pic.twitter.com/HyKaojDyNY

— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) March 13, 2022

Artists are among those expressing their dismay on social media. Travis Tritt tweeted, "This is heartbreaking to any of us who wanted to preserve as much of Nashville’s rich country music heritage as possible. Sad to see it go." Margo Price wrote, "Legendary NASHVILLE establishments closing their doors, this town will never be the same again … we will miss you ERNEST TUBB RECORD SHOP."…Read More

(15 March 2022) Engage Meant: MCA's Kassi Ashton said "yes" when longtime boyfriend and Twelve6 Entertainment GM Travis Myatt surprised her with a trip to the pier where they met in Key West and popped the question. "On the pier where we met, with a handwritten declaration and our family secretly waiting on the beach," she wrote alongside a series of Instagram photos. "It's almost as if you and fate planned this all along. I love you so much [Travis]." 

(15 March 2022) Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown And More To Be Featured In Amazon Music Documentary ‘For Love & Country’

AMAZON MUSIC is releasing a full-length documentary about Black artists and the Country music scene, “For Love & Country,” on APRIL 7th. The documentary will feature interviews and performances from Jimmie Allen, Blanco Brown, Breland, Shy Carter, Mickey Guyton, Willie Jones, Valerie June, Amythyst Kiah, Reyna Roberts, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer and Frankie Staton.

Bad Realm Records/ Atlantic Records/ Warner Music Nashville artist and C2C2022 performer BRELAND will release his debut album, "CROSS COUNTRY," in early summer. The album title reflects the "Cross-Country" genre name BRELAND created to describe his unique musical style. He debuted a new song from the set, “Praise The Lord" (feat. Thomas Rhett), on last week's Academy of Country Music Awards after releasing it to streaming services on March 7th. BRELAND will perform at the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday, March 19th.

(18 March 2022) Carrie Underwood releases 'Ghost Story' - her beautifully haunting new single

After teasing fans with a series of mysterious posts beginning the night before her birthday this past week, 7-time GRAMMY Award winner Carrie Underwood’s highly-anticipated new single, “Ghost Story,” dropped. The lyric video for the cinematic track is also available now.
Written by Josh Kear, Hilary Lindsey and David Garcia and co-produced by David Garcia and Underwood, the superstar describes “Ghost Story” as “a different take on a revenge song, which is something I love to sing about. Instead of smashing headlights, this scorned lover is letting her ex know that she will continue to haunt him no matter how hard he tries to forget her.”

AMERICANA NEWS

Mary Gauthier To Release New Album 'Dark Enough To See The Stars' On June 3

Nashville, TN – On June 3rd, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, and now accomplished author, Mary Gauthier will release her new album DARK ENOUGH TO SEE THE STARS (Thirty Tigers). Over the course of eight studio albums, Mary Gauthier has firmly planted herself as a truth teller, a songwriter unafraid to dive into the emotional core of her chosen subject. Her poignant songs move people deeply and often evoke an emotive response. It is one of the many things that connect her so deeply to her fans, and why they love her. On Dark Enough To See The Stars, she mourns the loss of dear friends that include John Prine, Nanci Griffith and David Olney, but Gauthier takes a slightly different course by offering an optimistic side of herself with songs that celebrate the joy of new love and personal contentment.  A prime example can be heard on her enchanting new ballad “Amsterdam”, Listen Here.

AWARDS

Skeletons Crew: EMI Nashville's Brothers Osborne are among the artists performing during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, airing live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena April 3 on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+. The duo are also up for two awards: Best Country Duo/Group Performance ("Younger Me") and Best Country Album (Skeletons); full list of country nominees here (category 26 – 29, category 4 Best New Artist, category 40. Best Roots Gospel Album, 46 – 48 American Roots, 49. Best Bluegrass Album)

(16 March 2022) Clip Service: Nominees for the 2022 CMT Music Awards were announced this morning ahead of the April 11 telecast on CBS. Fan voting is open now here. Video of the Year nominees are:

Video of the Year

• Brandi Carlile, “Right On Time”
• Cody Johnson, “‘Til You Can't”
• Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson, “Never Say Never”
• Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood, “If I Didn't Love You”
• Kacey Musgraves, “Justified”
• Kane Brown, “One Mississippi”
• Kelsea Ballerini f/Kenny Chesney, “Half Of My Hometown”
• Luke Combs, “Forever After All”
• Maren Morris, “Circles Around This Town”
• Mickey Guyton, “Remember Her Name”
• Miranda Lambert, “If I Was A Cowboy”
• Taylor Swift f/Chris Stapleton, “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)” See the full list here.

In Case You Missed It: Carly Pearce announced the 2022 CMT Music Awards Nominations on CBS Mornings (March 16) here:

Kane Brown led the nominations for the CMT MUSIC AWARDS with four noms this year following closely behind with three apiece are Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson.

TOUR / LIVE EVENTS

The Fest Is Yet To Come: Event producers confirmed that plans are underway for the 49th CMA Fest June 9-12 in downtown Nashville. This marks a return to a live, in-person festival following pandemic-related cancellations and the subsequent CMA Best Of Fest (2020) and CMA Summer Jam (2021) television events. limited four-day tickets for CMA Fest here.

Festive All: Lee Brice, Joe Nichols, Chase Rice, Jessie James Decker, Morgan Evans, Jameson Rodgers, Mitchell Tenpenny, Breland, Hannah Ellis and more will perform during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country April 26-28 in Napa Valley, CA. National radio promotions will run around the event; more info and full lineup here.

Tour Support: Alan Jackson's Last Call: One More For The Road – his first tour following a CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) diagnosis – kicks off June 24 in Biloxi, MS. “I’ve always admired my heroes like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride who just played as much as they wanted to, as long as they could,” he said. “I’ve always thought I’d like to do that, and I’d like to as long as my health will allow. I’ll try to do as much as I can, but if I’m comin’ your way, come see me ..." Jackson will donate $1 from every ticket sold to the CMT Research Foundation, which will be matched by a group of CMTRF donors and board members. Most US cities sales here.

(18 March 2022) Gala Ol' Time: Mickey Guyton and Brandi Carlile are among the artists performing at the 31st Annual MusiCares Person Of The Year benefit gala honoring Joni Mitchell April 1. Carlile will also serve as Artistic Dir. for the night alongside fellow Grammy nominee Jon Batiste. Additional information here.

(20 March 2022) NEW YORK, N.Y. – Willie Nelson, Mark Rothbaum, Keith Wortman, Blackbird Presents, Live Nation, and the Outlaw Music Festival Tour are thrilled to be back on the road again. Willie will be live and in concert with his family and friends, including Willie Nelson & Family, Chris Stapleton, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Billy Strings, ZZ Top, Gov’t Mule, Brothers Osborne, Zach Bryan, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Allison Russell, Charley Crockett, Larkin Poe, The War and Treaty, Brittney Spencer, Particle Kid and more as part of the 20+stop tour starting this summer.

For complete Outlaw Music Festival tour details, please visit: http://outlawmusicfestival.com #OutlawMusicFestival

TV

(17 March 2022) Jon Pardi performed "Last Night Lonely" on The Kelly Clarkson Show here.

BABY NEWS

Taylor And Josh Kerr's Baby Is Home From NICU After 53 Days

Pleased to report that MERCURY NASHVILLE's Taylor Kerr of duo MADDIE & TAE and her husband, BLACK RIVER PUBLISHING producer and songwriter Josh Kerr, brought their baby girl Leighton Grace Kerr, home from the NICU after a nearly two-month stay.

The new dad took to INSTAGRAM to share the good news saying, in part, “After 53 days in the NICU our sweet LEIGHTON GRACE KERR came home ... We have been blown away by all of the support and can’t thank you enough for praying her home. We were also blessed with so many amazing NICU nurses and staff along the way.” 

The couple welcomed their daughter into the world back on Jan 17th at 2 pounds 5 ounces after Tae spent five weeks in the hospital on bed rest

 PRESS RELEASES

(March 14, 2022 – Nashville, TN) Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker Celebrate Back-to-Back Sell-Out Weekends

Two of Country music’s most legendary artists, Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker celebrated a huge start to their co-headlining tour where these icons share one-stage and one band for an epic evening of Country music. The tour kicked off on March 3^rd with a sold-out crowd in Charlotte, NC, and then continued on with two more sold out shows in Roanoke, VA and Augusta, GA. Opening for the two Country powerhouses during these kick-off shows was up-and-coming singer-songwriter, Alexandra Kay.

WATCH:     Tracy Lawrence & Clay Walker Tour Kick-Off Video

“What a way to kick off the tour with my longtime friend by playing to a sold-out crowd, and then continuing the tour with a second sold-out weekend! The energy the crowds brought made it obvious that real Country music is wanted and that is what we always do!” – Tracy Lawrence.

“The concerts have been well attended by the MOST loyal country music fans! I could not have hoped for more!” – Clay Walker 

More information, visit claywalker.com/tour or tracylawrence.com/events.

(16 March 2022) Charley Crockett will release his new album Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley on April 22nd via Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers. The fourth edition of his Lil’ G.L. tribute series, Jukebox Charley is another great example of how Crockett is enlivening country music by looking back for inspiration and crafting his own singular sound, whether through his own songs or the songs of others. On this new album, produced by Billy Horton, Crockett mines country music’s past and then processes it through his “Gulf & Western” sound - weaving old school blues, R&B, soul, Cajun, western swing and other classic touchstones with country. Watch the captivating video for lead single “I Feel For You” here

(March 17, 2022) Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous Tour Blows Into Bridgestone Jimmie Allen, Icon Ronnie Dunn and ERNEST Among Night 1 Surprises. Larry Fleet, HARDY Special Guest in Set Illustrating Roots and Respect

Clad in a brown corduroy pearl-snap shirt, jeans and Tecovas – Morgan Wallen took to the stage at exactly 9:02 pm, his usual stage-time on his 57-show Dangerous Tour trek, a sign of the singer/songwriter’s anticipation for every opportunity he gets to perform live. Rising from the stage seated at his Nord Grand piano performing his most-recent No. 1 “Sand In My Boots,” the East Tennessean showed how much music moves him as he kicked off the first-of-26-songs on night one-of-three at the Music City Arena

Introducing himself after “Up Down,” Wallen, taking it all in, shared, “I really appreciate you being here tonight. I got a lot of people I care about here, a lot of people who believed in me for a long time are in the building tonight… this is really special to me.”

The ACM Album of the Year award-winner worked the 2,400-sq. foot stage, jockeying between his Taylor and Gibson in hand, delivering “Silverado for Sale,” “7 Summers,” “Country A$$ Shit” and “Wonderin’ Bout The Wind,” lamenting about the day he wrote the latter on his back porch, watching the day go from beautiful to ugly. 

(17 March 2022) "Youngblood" Payton Howie Announces First-Ever Tour

Payton Howie embraces her 'youngblood' title as she makes her mark on the genre, announcing her first-ever tour, Youngblood Tour, named for her newly-released debut EP. The 20-year-old Texan might be young, but she proves herself a force to be reckoned with, not only with the rave response to the Youngblood EP, but her very own 16-city tour. 

"The best part about what I do is getting to share music with people and being able to feel the energy in the room,” says Howie.  “Coming out of a pandemic where live stream shows were just about it, I can't wait to be out playing the new music live and in person.” 
Tracks from the new EP, including songs “Never Go Home,” “Country Before Me,” and "Break My Own Heart" have not only been highlighted by CMT, COWGIRL Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, and The Boot, but also featured on several Spotify editorial playlists like Fresh Finds all genre, Country Rocks and Fresh Finds Country: Best of 2021.  
A full list of Youngblood Tour dates, as well as additional shows, can be found at www.paytonhowie.com/tour. 

(18 March 2022) Eric Paslay Announces Album Even If It Breaks Your Barefoot Friday Night  

GRAMMY, ACM, and CMA-nominated hit songwriter and artist Eric Paslay announced his forthcoming aptly-named album Even If It Breaks Your Barefoot Friday Night. Featuring his take on some of his biggest hits as both an artist and a songwriter, the highly-respected musician released three songs to kick-off the project. Fans can find them on their favorite platform. Additionally, a video for “The Driver” is now available featuring very personal and behind the scenes footage of Paslay on the road through the years. More songs will be released on April 1 with the full album available April 15. Paslay embarks on UK Tour with The Shires April 21. 

(18 March 2022) High Valley is set to release their highly anticipated brand-new album, WAY BACK, on May 20, 2022. The 13-song project, the group’s sixth studio album, is brimming with their signature sound of positive-minded, bluegrass-tinged country. High Valley enlisted the help of their enthusiastic community on socials to finalize the song stack.  
"Letting our fans behind the scenes of the songwriting and demo process was so much fun. We had the ‘Way Back’ album almost complete and couldn't decide which of the most recent cowrites should make the cut, so we asked our fans to vote on our socials,” says High Valley front-man Brad Rempel. “I love knowing that this album is a collection of songs I feel very strongly about, messages I believe need to be heard, and jams that our fans literally chose themselves!" 

(20 March 2022) Ashley McBryde is joining Dierks Bentley on his ‘Beers On Me Tour’ this summer! In case you missed it, Ashley has been nominated for Collaborative Video of the Year with Carly Pearce for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” at this year’s CMT Music Awards (April 11th at 8/7c on CBS).! Voting is open until April 4th. 

(20 March 2022) Grand Ole Opry stars Dailey & Vincent added another accomplishment to a long list of accolades last week, making history when their rendition of Karen Staley’s “I’ll Leave My Heart in Tennessee” was unanimously voted on and signed in as an official state song by Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee. The honor came just a few days ahead of the GRAMMY-nominated duo’s 5th anniversary as members of the Opry.

INTERVIEWS

Kristian Bush and Country music journalist Cindy Watts have teamed up to present a weekly podcast, "52 – The Podcast." The pair will explore the parallel between one of the popular songs from BUSH’s back catalog and a new track from his upcoming, four-volume release “52.” The first installment of the album, “ATL X BNA," will be released MARCH 25th via BIG MACHINE RECORDS.  

"The only thing better than listening to music is listening to music with someone else," said Bush. "I met CINDY years ago -- me writing songs and her writing about songs. Somewhere along the way, we discovered we were both from the same tiny hometown and have been friends ever since. This podcast is like the liner notes I always wish I had, with the person that I always wished had written them."

The podcast, released (March 14) on Kristian’s 52nd birthday, will have a new episode every week for one year. CLICK HERE

(12 March 2022) Episode 116 - Celine Ellis Country Chat with Dom Listen on Apple Podcasts. A chat with “the stunning Celine Ellis” about her upcoming EP Unravelled and talk about gigs, life after covid and we really go into each song! 

MAGAZINES

Stephanie Quayle COWGIRL MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

Making music the cowgirl way, the multi-talented singer/songwriter finds inspiration close to her home on the range and proves you can take the cowgirl out of Montana, but you can never take Montana out of the cowgirl. Stephanie Quayle is country music personified.  She is also a cowgirl, which is central to her ethos and integral to her spirit, and it’s the foundation upon which both her songs and her attitude are built.  While her musicality, writing talent, and people-forward personality are undoubtedly innate, her resilience, independence, work ethic, love of nature, and comfort in wide open spaces are hallmarks of being a daughter of the mountain West…. Read more

WATCH

Sophia Scott - Sweetheart (Acoustic Video) >> YOUTUBE (32,169 views published March 3, 2022)

(15 March 2022) I've Forgotten How to Smile - Louise Parker (Official Music Video) >> YOUTUBE

 (March 16, 2022) – Country singer-songwriter Karissa Ella is slowing it down and showing what it means to be truly heartbroken with the new music video for her latest single, “Whiskey Whispers Your Name.” This video shows the pain and reality of heartbreak. With her symbolism of the lights flickering to represent the ghost of her past lover as she takes another sip of whiskey, this video shows Karissa’s ability to be truly immersed in the story of her song. YOUTUBE

(18 March 2022) GRAMMY Award-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist Jimmie Allen premiered the music video for his new single 'Down Home'. Watch the video HERE. The video was co-directed by Allen and Chris Beyrooty and shot between Allen’s hometown of Milton, DE and the nearby town of Lewes, DE to keep the spirit of his relationship and memories created with his late father alive. 

The video is a poignant visual complement to the song, purposely shot in black and white to keep focus on the song’s subject matter and features many locations vital to Allen and his father’s relationship – Allen’s childhood home, the baseball field his father taught him how to play on, and his father’s favourite restaurant, among others.

Allen appeared as a chat guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show (aired in the 21 March on ITV2) alongside guest host, Mickey Guyton. 

 (20 March 2022) Critically acclaimed singer songwriter Jenny Tolman "brought the laughs -- and the earworming entertainment (Tennessean / Marcus K. Dowling)" with her new video for the title track of her sophomore album "Married in a Honky Tonk." 

The Tennessean exclusively premiered the video, which was shot at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson, Wyo. Jackson has become a special place for Tolman and her fiancé, GRAMMY-nominated producer Dave Brainard. As featured on People.com, Tolman and Brainard got engaged in Jackson in October of 2020 after four years of dating and are scheduled to marry there later this month. 

COUNTRY FASHION

(18 March 2022) PRETTY IN PINK: Laura Oakes introducing us to The Kernel Jersey jumpsuit by Peachy Den. A Peachy Den classic, The Kernel’s stretch fabric, invisible front zip, structured waistband, and straight leg helps to sculpt your body without compromising on comfort. 

A cheeky jersey number that features our signature collar and front pocket detailing, making this your staple jumpsuit.(£115 Product Detail)

 

UK Country artist Paris Adams (formerly Georgia), former member of the disbanded The Adelaides, is seen modelling an Indie Kimono (Regular price £65.00 Product) from the Bohemian Sisters Collective. 

The brand-new style duster is a maxi length duster, with amazing boho bell sleeves and stunning crochet detail at the bottom (Detail). This duster comes in our ultimate boho print Indie arrows and skulls, and flowers.

The ultimate in bohemian glamour, this piece can easily be the ensemble feature paired with your favourite denim, threadbare tee and slides, or style it with one of our dresses and an ankle boot for a creative work-day ensemble with laid-back feminine vibes.

Credit Instagram Photo

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays in the week ahead

March 19 Crissie Rhodes (The Shires) (1988)

March 20 the late Jerry Reed - (March 20, 1937; died Sept 1, 2008 (aged 71)), Laura Aston (UK 20 March 1993), Lindsay Elizabeth Ell (1989)

March 23 George Fox (1960), Brett Eldredge (1986), Brett Young (1981), Sabrina Maria (UK)

March 24 Paul Bain (Raintown), Natalie Hemby (1977), Meghan O'Neil (IRE) 1990), Mo Pitney (1993)

March 25 Paris Georgia (1995, UK, The Adelaides), Meghan Patrick (1987)

March 26 Michael Bonagura (Baillie & The Boys) (1953), Kenny Chesney (1968), Amie Knight (1997; UK country singer) ,

R.I.P

Singer/songwriter Brad Martin passed away Friday (March 11) at the age of 48. The Ohio native was signed to Epic in 2000 and released several singles, including the Top 15 hit "Before I Knew Better" in 2002. He later formed the duo Martin Ramey with John Ramey, who posted on the duo's Facebook page,

Songwriter Bruce Burch passed away Saturday (March 12) from complications of leukemia. He was 69. Burch was a native of Gainesville, GA and had songs recorded by artists including Faith Hill (“I've Got This Friend”), Aaron Tippin (“I Got It Honest”), Billy Dean (“Big Sister”), Collin Raye (“Sadly Ever After”) and Reba McEntire (“I Wouldn't Go That Far”), for whom his co-written "Rumor Has It" was a No. 1 hit. Burch helped found music programs at the University of Georgia and Kennessaw State University, and later taught entertainment business at Brenau University in Gainesville. He also founded an annual concert series in Gainesville benefitting local non-profits, which his students helped organize.

Chronicle: Musician and Willie Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson passed away (March 10) at the age of 91. Bobbie was a pianist, singer and original member of the Willie Nelson and Family band and recorded and toured with her brother for more than 50 years. "Her elegance, grace, beauty and talent made this world a better place," shared Willie. "Our hearts are broken and she will be deeply missed. But we are so lucky to have had her in our lives." Music helped her land her first job out of school when the Hammond Organ Company hired Bobbie for to work in the company’s music library and to demonstrate its organs. As her three children grew, she also began working as a piano entertainer in restaurants, lounges and supper clubs, eventually earning her living as a pianist in Austin and Nashville. Willie invited Bobbie to join him in New York City for a recording session after landing a recording deal with Atlantic Records in 1972, and asked her to join his band. She released her debut album, Audiobiography, in 2007 and was featured on the 2021 album The Willie Nelson Family. The siblings also collaborated on books Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band and Sister, Brother, Family: An American Childhood in Music.