Country News snippets November 13 – November 19, 2023

UK News, UK Chart News, Billboard Country Charts, Album & Single Releases, US & Canadian News, Music News, Press Releases, TV, Fashion, Birthdays

BREAKING NEWS

Country News – November 20, 2023 with Shannon McCombs

You’ll hear Trisha Yearwood explain exactly how she and Wynonna came to record together for The Judds tribute album.

Plus… Chris Stapleton explains what’s different about his new album! 

UK NEWS

On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist 18 November 2023

B List:

Dolly Parton - World On Fire [B-B-B]

C List:

Tom Speight feat. Ward Thomas - Wonderful Wonder [C-C-C]

(14 Nov 2023) Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and accomplished author, Mary Gauthier has announced a very special tour for the UK and Ireland in April and May 2024. In these unique, career retrospective shows, Mary will perform a selection of audience favourites from all eleven of her studio records, accompanied by her partner, Jaimee Harris, who will also open the shows. Like the troubadours of old, Mary will sing her much loved songs under the spotlight, telling stories of her thirty years of performing her own music around the world, an experience that has helped her understand and personally experience the redemptive power of songs and songwriting. Dates/ Tickets on sale now: https://tix.to/mgUKTour2024ME

(17 Nov 2023) According to a press release Morganway, the trailblazing musical force, has launched their eagerly awaited 12-track live album (Tagged ROCK), recorded at The Junction in Cambridge. This digital release marks a pivotal moment for the band, offering fans an immersive experience into their electrifying live performances. It made a debut at No.35 on UK iTunes Rock Album Chart (#138 UK iTunes all-genres).

Known for their dynamic stage presence and unparalleled musical prowess, Morganway's latest offering promises to be a standout addition to their impressive discography. Capturing the essence of their live shows, where each performance is a unique musical odyssey, the band's commitment to delivering raw, unfiltered music resonates throughout this album.

"Playing live is at the core of our being," expressed the band collectively. "Each show holds its own magic, no song ever echoes the last, and there are no backing tracks – just our live energy connecting with the audience. This album encapsulates that essence perfectly."

The recording at The Junction, Cambridge, holds a special place in the band's heart as a homecoming show for some members. The raw, unadulterated sound, captured and expertly mixed by their friend Chris Lyndon and mastered by Fluid Mastering, encapsulates Morganway's essence—raw, raucous, and undeniably rock and roll. ZimagineD Artist Mgmt  stated: Their recent performance at the Cropredy Festival, witnessed by a staggering 20,000 strong crowd, solidified their reputation as a band that transcends boundaries and captivates audiences across the globe. Morganway will be rounding off their live performance calendar with an end-of-year party show at Storey's Field Centre in Cambridge on Dec 17th, supported by local artist Mr Griff.

(18 Nov 2023) The First Time Flyers announced the release of their first ever limited edition (100 copies) EP “LIVE AT THE LEXINGTON” which comes out by physical copy format (Pre-sale: Weds 22 Nov | General sale: Fri 24 Nov). To access the presale, join their mailing list.

(20 Nov 2023) Buck' N Bull have a new venue announcement!!!: They excitedly announced that they are bringing the Country Party 🎉 to Bournemouth on Friday 19 January 2023 at the HALO (The Church Exeter Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5AQ) on sale from 5pm on Monday 🔥

You can expect all the usual entertainment from a Buck' N Bull party, including live music, Line Dancing, Rodeo Bull, Country DJ and much more. Tickets (Priced £18) available HERE

(20 Nov 2023) Lisa T (Presented by: Belles and Gals) have exciting news!: Lisa T invites you all to her Christmas Party!

Join Lisa T + Gary Quinn and Luke Flear on Sunday 17th December at Retro Manchester (Retro Bar, 78 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3NJ). Tickets (priced £13.20) are available via wegottickets.com to get in the festive cheer 🎉

(19 Nov 2023) ICYMI: CountryLine Homegrown (Wednesday 15th November 2023): An hour of UK country music presented by Tim Prottey-Jones available on demand at www.countryline.radio

HOTDISC TOP 40 (Sunday 19th November 2023 chart)

The Hotdisc monthly promotional album is digitally distributed to a massive list of DJs, journalists, promoters, agents and other key people in the business. Every act on Hotdisc receives feedback on how their track is performing in the Hotdisc Top 40, which is compiled by the DJs themselves (songs are scored 1 – 10; with or without comment or airplay).

This week the late Raymond Froggatt’s Teach Me, Pa (Live) enjoys a second week atop both the Hotdisc Top 40 & Brtish & Irish charts

TW LW WOC Title Artist

1 1 3 Teach Me, Pa (Live) Raymond Froggatt (UK)  ** No.1 (2 weeks) **

2 2 3 Puttin' Up Hay Alex Miller ⬅

3 3 3 Matamoros Frank Jennings (UK) ⬅

4 4 7 House Where Love Grows Parker & Dallaire ⬅

5 5 7 Back To My Boots Mia Brown ⬅

8 11 3 I'm Sorry Nicola Harris (UK) ⬆  ** Gainer **

UK CHART NEWS

Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) held on to its place atop the Official Albums Chart for a third week, denying The Beatles an extension to their record-breaking Number 1 album tally. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) did so on consumption of 16,773 units – the lowest for a No.1 album for 11 weeks. That tally included 2,647 CDs, 2,196 vinyl albums, eight cassettes, 246 digital downloads and 11,676 sales-equivalent streams

Taylor’s third week at the top means The Beatles’ reissues of their classic collections 1967-1970 (affectionately known as the ‘Blue’ album) and 1962-1966 (the ‘Red’ album) finish the week at Number 2 and Number 3 respectively, following a close race to the top; this marks a return to each album’s original peaks on their release in 1973.

Chris Stapleton debuted at No.22 with HIGHER (4,573 sales units), matching the peak of the highest of his three prior Top 75 entries, From A Room Volume 1, which reached that position in 2017.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 23 November 2023)

17 November 2023 - 23 November 2023

TW LW WOC Artist Title ( Peak )

1 1 3 Taylor Swift ~ 1989 (Taylor's Version)

2 99 191 The Beatles ~ 1967-1970 (The Blue Album)

3 RE 202 The Beatles ~ 1962-1966 (The Red Album)

4 NE 1 Chase and Status ~ 2 Ruff Vol. 1 [mixtape]

5 NE 1 Baby Queen ~ Quarter Life Crisis

22 NE 1 Chris Stapleton ~ Higher

41 41 19 Taylor Swift ~ Speak Now (Taylor's Version)

48 38 329 Taylor Swift ~ 1989

52 48 92 Taylor Swift ~ Red (Taylor's Version)

96 91 30 Taylor Swift ~ Fearless (Taylor's Version)

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 23 November 2023)

17 November 2023 - 23 November 2023

TW LW WOC Artist Title ( Peak )

1 NE 1 Jack Harlow ~ Lovin On Me

2 NE 1 Dua Lipa ~ Houdini

3 2 14 Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe ~ Prada

4 4 9 Tate McRae ~ Greedy

5 8 7 Noah Kahan ~ Stick Season

22 19 12 Zach Bryan ft Kacey Musgraves ~ I Remember Everything (Peak: 19, 12 weeks - 07/09/2023 to 23/11/2023)

Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 16 November 2023)

10 November 2023 - 16 November 2023

Chris Stapleton with HIGHER made a debut at No.1

Taylor Swift with FEARLESS (Taylor’s Version) slipped 1-2 (136 weeks; #1 peak)

Luke Combs with GETTING’ OLD rose 4-3 (34 weeks; #1 peak)

Lisa McHugh with WATCH ME slipped 3-4 (3 weeks; #3 peak)

Jason Aldean with HIGHWAY DESPERADO held at No.5 (2 weeks; #5 peak)

Cadillac Three with THE YEARS GO FAST fell 2-9 (3 weeks; #1 peak)

COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES (Major)

(17 Nov 2023) Dolly Parton - Rockstar (Butterfly Records/ Big Machine Label Group) 30 songs, 2 hr 21 ROCK  is a 30-song collection which includes 9 original tracks and 21 iconic Rock anthems that pair Dolly with some of Rock n' Roll's most legendary names. The album is available as a 4 LP set, a 2 CD set (including Home Shopping Network, University of Tennessee and Dallas Cowboys CD exclusives), a double cassette (exclusive to TalkShopLive), digital download and available on all streaming services.

The album's focus track, “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk and Brandi Carlile)” takes the iconic Rolling Stones' song about worldly frustrations and commercialism from a male perspective and flips it on its head. It has a girl power thing going on!

(17 Nov 2023) Toby Keith - 100% Songwriter (Universal Music Enterprises/ UMG)

BILLBOARD/ MEDIABASE Charts

Chris Stapleton notched his fifth consecutive top three-charting album – the entirety of his charting efforts – as HIGHER bowed at No.1 on Top Country Albums No. 3 on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart with 90,500 equivalent album units earned. Of that sum, album sales comprised 57,000 (boosted by its availability across six vinyl variants), SEA units comprise 32,000 (equaling 41.54 million official on-demand streams of the set’s songs) and TEA units comprise 1,500.

Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of November 25, 2023)

Country Album Chart ** No.1 (1 week) ** HIGHER Chris Stapleton

Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (8 weeks) ** “I Remember Everything” Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves

Country Airplay ** No.1 (5 weeks) ** “Thinkin' Bout Me” Morgan Wallen

Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (1 week) ** “Need A Favor” Jelly Roll

Country Airplay

*** No.1 (5 weeks) ** “Thinkin' Bout Me” Morgan Wallen 32.110 million audience (-2.555 million loss) / 7357 radio plays (-643)

** Hot Shot Debut/ Most Increased Audience ** No.16 “Take Her Home” Kenny Chesney (+10.030 million gain)

Debut No.41 “This Is My Dirt” Justin Moore

Debut No.53 “Wildflowers And Wild Horses” Lainey Wilson

Debut No.60 “Long Live Cowgirls” Ian Munsick & Cody Johnson​

Hot County Songs

** No.1 (8 weeks) ** “I Remember Everything” Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves

** Streaming Gainer/ Sales Gainer ** No.5 “White Horse” Chris Stapleton

** Airplay Gainer” No.21 “Standing Room Only” Tim McGraw

** Hot Shot Debut ** No.30 “What Am I Gonna Do” Chris Stapleton

Debut No.34 “Pickup Man” Joe Diffie Featuring Post Malone

Debut No.41 “Take Her Home” Kenny Chesney

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart

Monday 20 November 2023 (for the chart week November 14 – November 20, 2023) according to Mediabase/ Country Aircheck.

Congratulations to Tim McGraw, Kris Lamb, Erik Powell and the Big Machine promotion team on taking “Standing Room Only” to No. 1. This is McGraw’s 33rd No. 1 on the R&R/MB/CA charts, moving him into a tie for third-most with Kenny Chesney. It also extends McGraw’s record of the most weeks at No. 1 for any artist to 74.

“Standing Room Only” (Broken Bow) lifted 5-1 logging 9,241 radio spins (+2411), 40.073 million audience impressions (+11.467 million) with 33143 Total Points from 158 tracking stations (158 ADDS) for the published chart dated November 20, 2023.

Justin Moore Is Most Added With ‘This Is My Dirt’

Kudos to Chris Palmer, Ashley Sidoti and the Valory promotion team on scoring 61 adds for Justin Moore’s “This Is My Dirt.” The song entered this week’s chart at No. 39, marking Moore’s highest debut, edging out the No. 40 debut “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” made in 2011.

NEWS

(17 Nov 2023) Signage: Big Loud Texas signed its flagship artist, Dylan Gossett, with Mercury Records in collaboration with Range Media Partners. The signing follows the release of his debut EP, No Better Time, and single “Coal.” “When I first heard Dylan's song 'Coal,' I played it a few times because I wanted to catch all the ways he was sharing his life with us," says Big Loud Texas Partner Miranda Lambert. "To write and deliver something that is complex yet elegant lyrically and to also make it vulnerable is an art.

(17 Nov 2023) All About That Face: Voting for the CRS 2024 New Faces Of Country Music lineup opens Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 1 here. Candidates are Records Nashville's George Birge, 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse's Chayce Beckham, Riser House's Dillon Carmichael, RCA's Corey Kent, Columbia's Megan Moroney, Valory's Conner Smith and Warner/WEA's Warren Zeiders. The top five vote-getters will comprise the show’s lineup March 1 as CRS 2024 closes at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

(17 Nov 2023) Signage: Singer/songwriter Mae Estes signed with Big Machine Records. Pictured (l-r) are the company's Megan Joyce, Kris Lamb, Scott Borchetta, Mike Rittberg and Allison Jones, Estes, the company's Clay Hunnicutt and Plaid Flag Music's Kendall Warren.

AMERICANA NEWS

(15 Nov 2023) Chatham County Line premiered the official “Right On Time” video via the band’s YouTube Channel with a live Q&A. The track is the first single from Hiyo, the band’s tenth studio album, out January 26 on Yep Roc Records. 

A rollicking, harmony-driven ode to young love and the open road, “Right On Time” is the album’s rousing opener, balancing nostalgia with the contemporary setting the stage for the band’s first album in four years. Recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain, the highly anticipated tenth studio album was co-produced by Dave Wilson and Rachael Moore (Kacey Musgraves, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss), whom the band befriended during a stint serving as the backing band on the Showtime series George & Tammy, shot in Wilmington, NC.

MUSIC NEWS

Amazon cuts jobs in music streaming unit Amazon.com (AMZN.O) has begun cutting jobs in its Music division, the company said on Wednesday, confirming the latest of several rounds of layoffs over the past year that have affected more than 27,000 employees of the retail giant.  Employees in Latin America, North America and Europe received notices that their jobs had been eliminated. The cuts come even as Amazon reported third-quarter net income that far exceeded analyst estimates and forecast revenue in the year’s final quarter roughly in line with expectations. The fourth quarter is Amazon’s most crucial, as it in includes holiday shopping.

TOUR / LIVE EVENTS

(13 Nov 2023) Tour Support: Warner/WMN's Ashley McBryde has added 31 dates to her The Devil I Know Tour, kicking off Feb. 22 in Charleston and wrapping June 15 in La Vista, NE. Support includes Will Jones, Meg McRee, Kasey Tyndall, JD Clayton, Harper O'Neill and Bella White. Info and schedule here.

(15 Nov 2023) Kenny Chesney Makes It A Triple: Sun Goes Down adds 3rd Gillette Stadium Show with Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney & Uncle Kracker. – Nothing says summer quite like Kenny Chesney hitting the stadiums. For many members of No Shoes Nation, those stadiums aren’t just a destination, but a routing for their own summer vacations – a tradition that has made the 8-time Entertainer of the Year the only country artist on Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts list for each of the last 14 years.

(15 Nov 2023) The Bud Light Backyard Tour Presents Zach Bryan will kick off Super Bowl LVIII celebrations Feb. 9 at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

(17 Nov 2023) Festive All: Luke Combs, Dallas Smith and Nickelback will headline Country Thunder Saskatchewan in Craven July 11-14. The lineup also includes Jackson Dean, Josh Ross, Gary Allan, Tenille Arts, Lonestar, Shenandoah, Phil Vassar and Meghan Patrick; tickets here.

TV

ICYMI: Craig Morgan was joined by Jelly Roll for a performance of "Almost Home" on The Kelly Clarkson Show for Veteran's Day (Nov 10).

(17 Nov 2023) Elf-is: Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves and The War and Treaty are among the artists performing on the Christmas At Graceland special, airing live Nov. 29 at 10pm ET/PT on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. Performers will celebrate the legacy of Elvis Presley and the holiday season from inside the Graceland estate in Memphis.

(17 Nov 2023) Performances from Wednesday night's (Nov 15) CMT Smashing Glass included:

Patti LaBelle's "2 Steps Away", The War And Treaty's "On My Own", Mickey Guyton's "The Best", Tanya Tucker's "Bring My Flowers Now", Clint Black's "Texas (When I Die)" & Chris Janson's "It's A Little Too Late".

 

(17 Nov 2023) Dolly Parton continued her Rockstar press tour at SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show, where she talked plastic surgery, Miley Cyrus, writing songs and Elvis Presley. 

Maren Morris confirmed she's working with Jack Antonoff on her next album and clarified where she stands with country music as a genre during an appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live (11/15). 

PRESS RELEASES

(17 Nov 2023) NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Heartland recently celebrated RIAA platinum, gold and streaming certifications for the group’s No. 1 hit “I Loved Her First” with a plaque presentation at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Ala. Released 18 years ago, “I Loved Her First” was just recently certified gold and platinum by the RIAA. 
The plaques were presented to the longtime Alabama residents by Alabama Music Hall of Fame Museum Curator Victoria Mitchell. Heartland currently has an exhibit on display in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  War Hippies the country music duo taking the road by storm, just released a new video for their fan-favorite song "Leavin’ Sense." The emotional lyrics, written by Donnie Reis, Chris Garner and Joel Jorgensen, tell a story of a man reflecting on his self-destructive habits and struggle to make positive choices. Directed by Paul Gaehring, the music video was filmed at Mickey’s Tavern in East Nashville, Tenn., and visually captures the theme of someone caught in a cycle of destructive behavior, dealing with self-awareness, regret and a desire to break free from negative patterns. True to the signature style of War Hippies, the arrangement and vocals are beautiful, genuine and raw. Watch the video here

Originally released in October 2022 as part of the duo's debut album War Hippies the track 'Leavin’ Sense' left a lasting impression. The album garnered significant attention, entering the iTunes Country Chart at No. 8 and securing the 30th spot across all genres within its initial week of release. To date it has accumulated over 4 million streams. 

WATCH

(15 Nov 2023) Emerging county music singer Karissa Ella unveiled her latest music video, a visual delight accompanying her track "Tecovas." Filmed in downtown Nashville at that Tecovas store, the video captures Ella's heartfelt performance against a stunning backdrop of a wall of boots, lending an authentic touch to the love song dedicated to her longtime boyfriend, who makes a special appearance in the footage. Watch the music video here: 

Karissa said, “Tecovas is a fun and flirty song that pokes fun at all those city boys out there who are finding their love of all things country!”

"Tecovas" is a standout and fan favorite track from Ella's Summer 2023 EP, It's Personal (which dropped 23 June 2023). The EP, expertly produced by Casey Wood, renowned for his work with legends like Randy Travis, Reba McEntire and Charlie Daniels, encompasses all of Ella's recent releases. Among them is the song "I Hope Heavens Like," which charted on country radio, the heartwarming collaboration with her mother, Lori Haasz, titled "White Dress Worthy," which garnered attention on PEOPLE.com. Additionally, the EP features "Hometown Bar," which received a world premiere on CMT Music and the infectious good-time anthem, "Well Tequila."

COUNTRY FASHION

(16 Nov 2023) Lainey Wilson was pictured whilst attending Dolly Parton's Rockstar VIP Album Release Party in Nashville, TN on November 16, 2023. She was wearing a custom made tasseled jacket and wore Cat O' Nine med/large low-rise bell bottoms in shiny black with star accent patch and silver side studs available at catonineclothing.com

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays in the week ahead

November 20 Curly Putman (1930; died Oct 30, 2016 (aged 85)), Sarah Jory (1969), Joe Walsh (Eagles) (1947), Dierks Bentley (1975), Josh Turner (1977)

November 21: the late Jean Shepard (1933; died Sept 25, 2016 (aged 82))

November 22: the late John Jennings (1953; died Oct 16, 2015 (aged 61)

November 23: the late Shel Silverstein - (1932; died May 10, 1999 (aged 68)) 

November 25: Amy Grant (1960) 

November 26: Joe Nichols (1976), Linda Davis (1962)

BABY NEWS

(17 Nov 2023) Crib Note: Podcaster, actress, author and country singer Jana Kramer welcomed her third child, son Roman James Russell, Monday Nov. 13. He is her first child with fiancé Allan Russell.