Category Archives: Artists

Country Group LOCASH Gets New Deal with BBR Music

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Locash Signs with New Label

Acclaimed Duo LOCASH Joins New Label Home at Wheelhouse Records BBR Music Group/BMG announced today the signing of Country duo, LOCASH as the latest addition to its roster of artists. LOCASH’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, joined BBR executives at their Music Row offices for the signing (see photo). LOCASH has been assigned to the Wheelhouse Records imprint, where they will join labelmates, Trace Adkins, Granger Smith, Runaway June and Walker McGuire. LOCASH, who is known for their high-energy live performances as much as their smash hits, cemented their place in Country music with GOLD-certified tracks like “I Love This Life” and their #1 chart-topper, “I Know Somebody,” which earned them nominations for ACM Awards for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, CMT Music Awards for Duo Video of the Year, and CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year. “LOCASH has accomplished so much on their own, people in the industry have really embraced them,” said Jon Loba EVP, BBR Music Group. “Their entrepreneurial spirit mimics our own and we are so excited to work with them and look forward to watching them soar.” Lauded as “one of Nashville’s hardest-working acts” by Rolling Stone, the pair has two albums and eight charting singles to their credit and has taken their talents on the road, performing for thousands of fans as part of their own headlining tour as well as in support of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s SOUL 2 SOUL Tour. “We’ve known Loba for years and had our sights on BBR since before we signed our first deal but knew we had to get the timing right, now it just feels like all of the stars have finally aligned and this is where we’re supposed to be,” said Preston Brust of LOCASH. “It is a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment, we’re such big fans of everybody on the roster and are honored to be named alongside such incredible artists.” “They have put together an incredible team at BBR and with the full support of BMG behind them, there’s no better team to help take our career to the next level,” said Chris Lucas of LOCASH. “Talking with Zach Katz, who has made such an incredible impact on the music business and everybody on the BBR team, we could just immediately tell our music was going to be in the right hands and as a songwriter and artist, there is no better feeling.” In addition to their own radio success, Brust and Lucas have penned hits for Country megastars like Keith Urban (#1 song “You Gonna Fly”) and Tim McGraw (PLATINUM-certified “Truck Yeah”). For more information about LOCASH, visit: http://www.locashmusic.com/ ABOUT LOCASH: Creating a sound that fuses modern country and classic heartland rock with an edgy vocal blend, LOCASH is the Country music duo made up of singer-songwriters Chris Lucas and Preston Brust; natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and Indianapolis, Indiana, respectively. With two albums and eight charting singles to their credit, LOCASH broke out in 2015 with Continue reading Country Group LOCASH Gets New Deal with BBR Music→

Tune In Alert: Brett Eldredge + Meghan Trainor on CMT Crossroads

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Brett Eldredge Crossroads

Set your dials and mark your calendars because CMT closes out its summer of electrifying music with the announcement of an all-new “Crossroads” mashup featuring multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop superstar Meghan Trainor and platinum selling singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge premiering Monday, September 3 at 10 PM ET/PT. “Brett and I have known each other for a few years now and I am such a fan of not only Brett’s music, but him as a person,” said Trainor. “We first worked together on the song ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ for his Christmas album, so I was thrilled to collaborate with him again on ‘CMT Crossroads.’ He’s a superstar and I was star struck during the whole performance!’’ “I just love Meghan’s sound – she’s got a funky, swaggy thing to her music that no one else is doing,” said Eldredge. “She’s one-of-a-kind and I’m excited to perform with her again, this time on ‘Crossroads.’ We’re going to make everybody feel alive. We’re going to make them feel it in their hearts and their souls. We’re going to bring big vocals and magic moments.” Taped earlier this year, the one-hour show features popular hits including Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” “No Excuses” and current single “Let You Be Right,” from her upcoming album, Treat Myself. The two friends also collaborate on Eldredge’s “Drunk on Your Love,” “Wanna Be That Song,” “Haven’t Met You” and the classic Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet, “Islands in the Stream.” The news comes on the heels of impressive ratings growth for CMT which is on track to have its highest rated year since 2014. In F3Q’18, CMT was one of just 10 channels in the Top 50 to show YOY growth in P18-49. CMT has notched 6 consecutive quarters of YOY growth among P18-49, which is the longest active streak in all of television. Grammy-Award winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Meghan Trainor emerged with her 2014 breakout single “All About That Bass” and disrupted contemporary music with nostalgic pop beats and powerhouse vocals that delivered a worldwide anthem for female empowerment. Trainor cemented her rising status as one of the most prominent artists in popular music by charting seven multi-platinum singles, releasing two platinum albums, selling out three headline tours, writing multi-platinum hits for top pop and country artists, and receiving countless industry awards and nominations worldwide. She is one of only five female artists to receive a diamond certification for her hit single “All About That Bass” which shares the RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards top honor with only 15 other singles in history. After wrapping up her first season as a panelist on FOX’s hit series THE FOUR: Battle for Stardom, Trainor released her first single “No Excuses” from her highly-anticipated third-studio album, Treat Myself. She followed that up with the irresistible summer smash “Let You Be Right” and returned to television on the second season of THE FOUR. Platinum selling singer/songwriter Brett Eldredge recently released his brand new single “Love Someone” from his self-titled Continue reading Tune In Alert: Brett Eldredge + Meghan Trainor on CMT Crossroads→

Out Friday: Shooter Jennings LP “SHOOTER”

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New Music from Shooter Jennings

Low Country Sound and Elektra Records are proud to announce the eagerly awaited new LP from Shooter Jennings. SHOOTER arrives at all music retailers and streaming services on Friday, August 10th. Heralded by Rolling Stone as one of 2018’s “30 Most Anticipated Albums,” SHOOTER is available for pre-order now at all DSPs and streaming services HERE. All pre-orders are joined by an instant grat download of the project’s first single, “Fast Horses & Good Hideouts,” also available today for individual purchase at all DSPs and streaming services HERE. “Fast Horses & Good Hideouts” – which sees Jennings and GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell) sharing songwriting credit with iconoclastic character actor Randy Quaid – is debuting today at radio on SiriusXM Outlaw Country, home since 2005 of the hugely popular “Shooter Jennings’ Electric Rodeo” radio show. In addition, the single is joined by a new companion visual – directed by TK – that sees Jennings hosting his own variety show, entitled “Hey Shooter!” “Fast Horses & Good Hideouts” is streaming now at the official Shooter Jennings YouTube channel following today’s exclusive video premiere via Rolling Stone Country.​ TRACK LISTING Bound Ta Git Down Do You Love Texas? Living In A Minor Key D.R.U.N.K. Shades & Hues I’m Wild & My Woman Is Crazy Fast Horses & Good Hideouts Rhinestone Eyes Denim & Diamonds PRE-ORDER SHOOTER DOWNLOAD/STREAM “FAST HORSES & GOOD HIDEOUTS”​

Tune In Alert: 2018 CMA Fest on ABC!

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CMA Fest 2018 on ABC

Mark your calendar and clear your schedule this Wednesday night at 8/7c as ABC brings us the hottest party of the summer with great performances from the 2018 CMA Music Festival, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett! Performers this year include Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, The Brothers Osborne, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean and SO MANY MORE! For a full line-up visit our friends at the CMA website!

Listen Now: Christopher Austin – Summer Time

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Christopher Austin News

Introducing Christopher Austin, a 21 year old U.S. Army veteran and former Infantryman, born and raised in Soddy-Daisy, TN right outside of Chattanooga. Christopher has worked his way up from the local bars and stages as a self-taught musician with his sites set on writing tomorrow’s biggest country hits. Give him a listen and let us know if you want to hear more in the comments below! You can find out more about Christopher Austin On Twitter On YouTube

Ray Stevens to Receive Star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame

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Ray Stevens News

Country and Comedy Music Legend to be Inducted at August 21st Ceremony Held at Music City Walk of Fame Park  Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2018) — Today, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced that GRAMMY® Award-winning country and comedy music legend Ray Stevens will receive his very own star on the Music City Walk of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place on August 21, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at the Music City Walk of Fame Park located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event is free and open to the public. Stevens, one of the original pioneers of Music Row, arrived in Nashville in the early 1960s. Shortly after, he would meet and form a lifelong friendship withChet Atkins, produce the legendary Dolly Parton, and record with Waylon Jennings. His “dream-come-true” moment happened when he was recruited to play on sessions with “The King” himself, Elvis Presley. Stevens would go on to sign major record deals with several Nashville-based labels where he recorded some of his biggest career songs including, “Mr. Businessman,” “Everything Is Beautiful,” “Misty,” “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” and “The Streak.” With the recent grand opening of his West Nashville showroom, CabaRay, Stevens continues to make his mark on Music City. “It is truly an honor to be recognized in Nashville where there are so many talented people,” says Stevens. “This really is Music City and I’m so happy to have been a small part of adding to that ‘Music’ since the time I moved here in 1962.” Stevens will be inducted alongside Nashville-based pop artist Ben Folds, Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee, and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely. The inductees will receive the 81st, 82nd, 83rd and 84th stars on the Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration. “This summer’s Music City Walk of Fame inductees reflect the incredible breadth of the many musical gifts Nashville has sent out into the world,” notes Nashville Mayor David Briley. “Ben Folds’ sharp songwriting and piano playing, the vibrant voice Brenda Lee started sharing with country music fans as a teenager, the great vocals and stage presence that Jeannie Seely has brought to the Grand Ole Opry for 50 years, and Ray Stevens’ witty lyrics and memorable songs are all testimonials to the magic that happens every day in Music City.” About Ray Stevens Twelve-time nominated and two-time GRAMMY® Award winner Ray Stevens has spanned the generations with 60 years of comedic musical talent, including songs such as his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and his classic pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums and continues daily office operations at his home base, Ray Stevens Music, located on Nashville’s historic Music Row. Stevens hosts Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville, a 30-minute weekly music/talk show airing on Public Television. The music legend recently opened his very own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, a 35,000 square foot music venue where Stevens performs weekly live concerts. For more information on Ray Stevens, Continue reading Ray Stevens to Receive Star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame→

Karen Waldrup’s Success is Justified!

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Karen Waldrup Justified

Charismatic entertainer, innovative entrepreneur and country singer/songwriter Karen Waldrup released her full length debut album in partnership with The Fuel Music on Friday, July 13 and a week later she’s officially “justified” thanks to four Billboard charts.  Justified, the album she’s always wanted to make, landed at #26 on the Country Albums Sales chart, #44 on Independent Albums chart, #14 on Heatseekers and #7 on Heatseekers South Central.  The album, produced by Garth Fundis and completely funded by fans all over the world via an Indiegogo campaign, is an eleven song album featuring a fresh new country sound meshed with the soulful nostalgia of Waldrup’s home state of Louisiana. “I can’t believe it and I couldn’t be more thankful to my Waldrup Worldwide Family,” exclaims Waldrup.  “I always dreamed my debut album would land on the Billboard chart and I’m beyond ecstatic.” Waldrup wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 11 tracks with Nashville friends and fellow songwriters including Julia Cole, Anthony Smith, Donnie Skaggs, Ed Hill, Brian Kolb and others.  The album features title track “Justified,” that Music Row magazine calls “a soul-rock tune that showcases potent, wailing and penetrating vocalist with moxie and fire,” the catchy party anthem “What Goes On In This Bar (Stays In This Bar),” Waldrup’s viral version of “I Hope You Dance,” the Lori McKenna penned love song “Sometimes He Does” and the vibey and sultry “Slow and Easy.” Throwback to November 2016, Waldrup launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund a new project that award-winning producer Garth Fundis agreed to produce.  The life of the campaign was a roller coaster ride, with very low lows and even higher highs for independent artist Waldrup.  During the campaign, she heard a preacher say “the moment you take the burden off of yourself to be important is the moment you start living your true potential,” and she committed to living that mindset.  Shortly after, by request from a 16 year old fan, Waldrup recorded an unedited, one-take cover of Lee Ann Womack’s massive hit “I Hope You Dance” in her living room.  After sending it to that fan, she also shared the video with her friends at lifestyle brand Country Rebel. They were blown away by the heartfelt cover and posted it immediately on their socials.  After millions of views and thousands of interactions on social media, her Indiegogo campaign was over 100% funded and she began recording that dream album. To date, the video has been viewed over 28 million times. Listen to Justified here.  Check out “behind the scenes” from the album here. Autographed copies available at www.karenwaldrup.com/store. Track Listing: Colorado Kiss – Julia Cole, Karen Waldrup Nobody’s Running Away – Ed Hill, Donnie Skaggs, Karen Waldrup Parker Presley – Parker Pressley, Karen Waldrup Justified – Brian Kolb, Karen Waldrup Slow & Easy – Anthony Smith, Karen Waldrup What Goes On In This Bar (Stays In This Bar) – Ed Hill, Donnie Skaggs, Karen Waldrup Sometimes He Does – Lori McKenna Praying For My Cowboy – Continue reading Karen Waldrup’s Success is Justified!→

Reba McEntire Signs With Given Music Publishing

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Country icon REBA MCENTIRE has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with GIVEN MUSIC PUBLISHING (GMP). It is a professional reunion for MCENTIRE and GMP Founding Partner CINDY OWEN; MCENTIRE gave OWEN her start in the music industry when OWEN was in her teens, and OWEN later became MCENTIRE’s VP/Creative Services for 15 years. “Signing REBA to GIVEN is for sure a full-circle moment for me,” said OWEN. “One of my greatest blessings is having had a front row seat for all these years to watch her blaze new trails and become the icon she is. Her work ethic, talent, and determination are unmatched and examples to us all. REBA has always made evident her lifelong passion for songs, songwriters, and the songwriting community. We at GIVEN look forward to being a part of her team as she continues to expand new horizons in entertainment and create opportunities for herself and other songwriters.”

Florida Georgia Line Makes Billboard History (Again)

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Florida Georgia Line News

Global entertainers FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE have achieved another unprecedented career milestone, ruling the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the most weeks – 90 cumulative – since it originated in 1958 as an all-encompassing genre songs survey. Country icon George Strait previously held the title at 84 weeks. “We are absolutely blown away and extremely humbled to even be on the same chart as George Strait and some of our other heroes and country legends, so it’s wild to see our songs total 90 weeks at No. 1,” FGL’s Brian Kelley shared with Billboard. “It’s really hard to wrap our brains around that, but it’s also super-inspiring to get back in the studio and create more music for our fans.” Adding to their history-making legacy, FGL and BEBE REXHA are now tied at #1 for 34 consecutive weeks with Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road.” The collaboration first topped the chart on December 16, 2017, and is anticipated to surpass the longest-running song record next week. FGL has had six pinnacle moments at #1 on the chart in total – “Cruise”; “Stay”; “This Is How We Roll”; “Dirt”; “H.O.L.Y.”; “Meant to Be” (Bebe Rexha & FGL). The latest run exceeds FGL’s own former topper “Cruise” riding 24 weeks straight. “It’s safe to say that we all felt like we had something special when we left the studio that night,” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard explains of the fated tune he penned alongside Rexha, Josh Miller, and David Garcia. “But it was more than just special. There’s no doubt that this song is anointed by the best writer there is, the Lord. With every unexpected surprise in the story of ‘Meant to Be,’ God was showing himself to be stronger than any tradition or genre. I’m so thankful to be a part of this song and humbled more with each week that it remains at the top of the Billboard chart.” For a 30th week, “Meant to Be” leads Country Streaming Songs (with 15.2 million U.S. streams) and is currently #6 on Country Digital Song Sales (12,000 sold), after leading the chart for 22 weeks. Spinning at both Country and Pop radio, it led the Country Airplay chart (4/28) plus Adult Pop Songs (two weeks) and all-genre Radio Songs (five weeks). Several major appearances are on tap as FGL and Rexha join Billboard’s West Coast Editor Melinda Newman for a special conversation and performance on August 13 at the Clive Davis Theater inside the Grammy Museum LA in Los Angeles, CA. The following day (8/14), FGL will return to CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden to perform their latest offering of “Simple.” Leading with their roots-infused Top 15-and-cimbing single, FGL has released two additional tracks – “Colorado” and “Talk You Out of It” – off their awaited fourth studio album on BMLG Records. FGL will take these fresh new tunes and fan-favorite hits to the inaugural FGL Fest on September 8 during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 25th annual NASCAR weekend. The Continue reading Florida Georgia Line Makes Billboard History (Again)→

The Judds To Be Honored With Exhibit at the Country Music Hall Of Fame

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The Judds Country Music Hall Of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will take a fresh look at the story of The Judds—mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna—using rare artifacts, original manuscripts, unpublished photos and keepsake costumes in an exhibit titled The Judds: Dream Chasers. The exhibit opens Aug. 10, 2018 and continues through July 14, 2019. The exhibit will follow the popular duo from their mother-and-child beginnings as Diana Judd and daughter Christina Ciminella to their chart-topping career peak as one of the most successful duos in country music history. In the Eighties and early Nineties, The Judds scored twenty Top Ten hits, including fourteen No. 1s. They were popular with their industry peers, too, winning five GRAMMY®, nine CMA and seven ACM awards. According to museum CEO Kyle Young, “Country music hall of fame member Tom T. Hall, who hailed from The Judds’ home territory of eastern Kentucky, sang, ‘It’s a million miles to the city, from the hills and the valleys we know/ It’s a million miles to the city, and someday we all want to go.’ This is a million-mile story, told with heart and soul, about a miraculous, fortunate, and harmonious journey.” The Judds’ music is characterized by distinctive harmonies and Wynonna’s powerful lead voice, offered in a spare, acoustic accompaniment that incorporates elements of traditional folk, blues and family harmony. Their songs feature themes of family, love, longing, independence, and spirituality. In collaboration with producer Brent Maher and guitarist Don Potter, The Judds created a sound that was simultaneously traditional and groundbreaking. “The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is sacred ground, regarded with reverence and respect,” said Naomi Judd. “I am so overjoyed to have The Judds’ career encapsulated in this new exhibit. I’m so proud of all the success Wynonna has accomplished and we owe everything to the fans who welcomed The Judds music into their homes.” “I am truly humbled and grateful to partner with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to honor The Judds’ legacy and relive some of the special moments we shared with our fans,” added Wynonna Judd.  “What an honor.” Among the artifacts featured in The Judds: Dream Chasers are: -Velvet jacket embellished with bugle beading and sequins, worn by Wynonna Judd on The Judds’ farewell concert in December 1991. The concert was taped for a television special broadcast a week later -Lyrics to the song released by The Judds as “Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain,” handwritten by Don Schlitz, who co-wrote the song with Brent Maher. The song went to #1 and appeared on The Judds’ second album, Rockin’ with the Rhythm (1985). -1996 Gibson Custom Shop ES-336 electric guitar used by Wynonna Judd in her solo concerts -Nurse’s uniform worn by Naomi Judd when she worked as a registered nurse -Certificate presented to seventeen-year-old Naomi Judd for her volunteer work as a Candy Striper at King’s Daughters Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky -Hohner harmonicas and cigar box owned by Naomi Judd, who began playing harmonica in the 1970s -Note Continue reading The Judds To Be Honored With Exhibit at the Country Music Hall Of Fame→