Thursday 9 November 2023

Country News snippets October 30 – November 5, 2023



















Country News snippets October 30 – November 5, 2023
UK News, UK Chart News, Billboard Country Charts, Album & Single Releases, US News, Music News, Press Releases, TV, Interviews, Articles & Videos, Fashion, Birthdays

BREAKING NEWS
Country News – November 2, 2023 with Shannon McCombs
You’ll hear from Blake Shelton and Kane Brown. Plus… all about the new Tribute album for The Judds! 


UK NEWS
(30 Oct 2023) TWO: Award winning UK country singer-songwriter Laura Oakes married musician (drums, creative) Luke Mitchell Barrett at a twilight wedding held at The Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on Sunday Oct 29 (it was all singing and all dancing”!. Because she tied the knot she wanted to release some new music into the world. On Nov 3rd she released 2-tracker single with the aptly named TWO “Two” – Acoustic was written by Laura and Peter Darling which was about the man who is now her hubby. The track is paired with “Learn To Be Lonely Again” - Piano Version cowritten by Beth Nielsen Chapman! Listen HERE and see Wedding Photos HERE & HERE (Matt Sim, UK wedding photographer).

(4 Nov 2023) UK Country Music Awards 2023 presented by UKCountryRadio.com. See Photos from the evening. The 2023 UK Country Music Awards were held on Saturday 28th October at Radisson Blu, East Midlands Airport.
Kezia Gill has been named UK Country Artist of The Year for the third year running.
Leading finalist Luke Flear won two Awards - UK Male Country Singer Of The Year and The UKCountryRadio.com Song Award for "Looks Country To Me". 
Leicestershire-based The Heartland Roots Band were also double winners - taking home UK Country Group Of The Year and  UK Country Album Of The Year for SOMETHING BETTER.
Helena Mace was named UK Female Country Singer Of The Year
Gasoline & Matches took the UK Country Duo of the Year
Zenne was the recipient of The Gary Perkins Angel Award for an outstanding contribution to country music in the UK.


(3 Nov 2023) Twinnie
made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday November 3rd. Jamey Johnson introduced her on stage.
Twinnie shared “Thank you to the Opry band and crew who were incredible. Also shout to my best friend Barnabas Shaw  who produced my record who flew from England to play on stage with me, Kennady Tracy & direimage  for always making me feel and look like a million dollars”. “Someone asked me what last night meant to me and I said… I feel seen, I feel worthy and that I’m doing something right. I stood in that circle last night with NO MANAGER, NO AGENT, NO LABEL, NO PUBLISHER just me and a couple of friends hustling every day that believe…..If I never do another thing in my music career at least I can say I played THE OPRY , This one’s for Yorkshire”. See Instagram Posts: HERE & HERE

(3 Nov 2023) Acclaimed musician and actor Sam Palladio has released his brand new single ‘Something On My Mind’, the first song to be taken from his highly anticipated debut album coming in 2024. Watch The Lyric Visualiser HERE

‘Something On My Mind’ is an achingly touching pop ballad inspired by the passing of Sam’s mother Sally. The opening trombones provide a fanfare celebration of Sally’s life at her musical ceremony, which erupts with a grand anthemic chorus from Sam and his band, reflecting the cherished memories shared through life in this heartfelt tribute.  


Regarding the song Sam says, 
“‘Something On My Mind’ is the heartbeat to this chapter of my life. It’s my attempt at putting into melody and words what my late Mum Sally meant to me. She passed away in November 2018 after battling a brain tumour. It felt right to lead with this song as my first single and as a dedication to her nearly five years later. It’s hopefully a song that will bring people together in our shared experience of loss. 

Cornish singer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Palladio has enjoyed a whirlwind career since he originally shot to fame on the other side of the pond, playing the character of Gunnar Scott, an aspiring country singer, wannabe rocker and roguish heartbreaker in American TV series Nashville. Over six seasons and 122 episodes, Gunnar performed with the likes of Elton John and became an anchor of the show alongside Hayden Panettiere’s Juliette Barnes and Connie Britton’s Rayna Jaymes – the Brit became a star of US television.

HOTDISC TOP 40 (Sunday 5th 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). When it transmits, the new ALL COUNTRY RADIO 24-hour station will broadcast the latest Hotdisc Top 30 show every day at 12.o’clock so you can catch up with the latest songs.
This week David Alex-Barton held at No.1 for a second week and many tracks from the latest hot disc 299 promo disc impacted the chart.
TW LW WOC Title Artist
1 1 9 “Only Time Can Save Me Now” David Alex-Barton ** No.1 (2 weeks) **
3 NEW 1 Teach Me, Pa (Live) Raymond Froggatt (UK)  ** Hot Shot Debut **
6 8 5 Back To My Boots Mia Brown ** Gainer **
9 NEW 1 Puttin' Up Hay Alex Miller
10 NEW 1 All I Need Jet Jurgensmeyer
11 NEW 1 Matamoros Frank Jennings (UK)
13 NEW 1 I'm Sorry Nicola Harris (UK)
24 NEW 1 Ya Got Two Wheels Re Mattei
27 NEW 1 Shut The Front Door Michael McMillan (UK)
28 NEW 1 This One's For Eddie Rob Allen (UK)
30 NEW 1 Too Many Prisons Johnny Holland
33 NEW 1 Saying Goodbye Micky John Bull
36 NEW 1 Tired Andy Case
38 NEW 1 Tennessee Chilli Gold
##

UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 9 November 2023)
3 November 2023 - 9 November 2023
She may have been born in 1989, but Taylor Swift is having the year of her life in 2023, scoring the Official Chart Double with the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version).
The re-recording of her 2014 pop magnum opus, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) debuted at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart with a massive 184,000 chart units, more than double that of the original 1989’s opening-week sales of 90,000, according to Official Charts Company data. Comprising 75,672 CDs, 61,791 vinyl albums, 1,460 cassettes, 3,892 digital downloads and 42,150 sales-equivalent streams, that is the highest weekly sale of any album since her own last studio album of new material, Midnights, sold 204,501 copies a year ago last week.
But that’s just the start. Taylor also claimed the biggest opening-week for any album this year, blasting past previous record holder Lewis Capaldi and Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, which accumulated 95,000 chart units in its first week on sale.

Overall, it becomes Taylor’s landmark 11th chart-topping album in the UK, following Red (2012), 1989 (2014), reputation (2017), Lover (2019), folklore (2020), evermore (2020), Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Red (Taylor’s Version) (2021), Midnights (2022) and Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (2023).

Taylor wrote another chapter in her already bulging book of records this week, becoming the first female solo artist ever to simultaneously occupy three places in the UK Official Single Chart Top 5, whilst becoming only the second female artist to have both of the top two simultaneously, emulating Madonna, who did so in 1985 with Into The Groove and a reactivated Holiday.
Swift’s debuted are all previously unrecorded ‘from the vaults’ songs from her 1989 (Taylor’s Version) album, namely Is It Over Now? (No.1, 45,360 sales, including 522 digital downloads), Now That We Don’t Talk (No.2, 36,549 sales) and Slut! (No.5, 34,454 sales).
 
Debuting at No.39 (3,047 sales), with HOW LUCKY I MUST BE, 61-year-old Irish country/MOR crooner Daniel O’Donnell scored his 43nd Top 40 album and 47th Top 75 album in a career which has seen him chart at least one new title for an unprecedented 36 years in a row since his 1988 debut.
 
TW LW WOC Artist Title ( Peak )
1 NE 1 Taylor Swift ~ 1989 (Taylor's Version)
2 NE 1 OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark) ~ Bauhaus Staircase
3 1 2 The Rolling Stones ~ Hackney Diamonds
4 NE 1 Duran Duran ~ Danse Macabre
5 NE 1 James Blunt ~ Who We Used To Be
39 NE 1 Daniel O'Donnell ~ How Lucky I Must Be
89 61 19 Luke Combs ~ Gettin' Old
 
Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 9 November 2023)
3 November 2023 - 9 November 2023
TW LW WOC Artist Title ( Peak )
1 NE 1 Taylor Swift ~ Is It Over Now?
2 NE 1 Taylor Swift ~ Now That We Don't Talk
3 2 12 Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe ~ Prada
4 1 9 Kenya Grace ~ Strangers
5 NE 1 Taylor Swift ~ "Slut!"
94 81 12 Oliver Anthony Music ~ Rich Men North Of Richmond (Peak: 23, 12 weeks - 24/08/2023 to 09/11/2023)
 
Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 9 November 2023)
3 November 2023 - 9 November 2023
Cadillac Three with THE YEARS GO FAST made a debut at No.1
Taylor Swift with FEARLESS (Taylor’s Version) held at No.2 (134 weeks; #1 peak)
Luke Combs with GETTING’ OLD fell 1-3 (32 weeks; #1 peak)
Israel Nash with OZARKER held at No.4 (2 weeks; #4 peak)
Lisa McHugh with WATCH ME made a debut at No.5
Outside the Top 10
Old Crow Medicine Show with JUBILEE made a bow at No.14
 
COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES (Major)
(3 Nov 2023) Cody Johnson - Leather (COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville)
(3 Nov 2023) Jason Aldean - Highway Desperado (BBR Music Group)
(3 Nov 2023) Russell Dickerson - The Afterparty Deluxe (Triple Tigers)
(3 Nov 2023) Willie Nelson - Greatest Hits (Sony Music Entertainment)   
 
BILLBOARD/ MEDIABASE Charts
 
Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of November 11, 2023)
 
1989 (Taylor’s Version) blasted in atop the Billboard 200, marked Taylor Swift’s 13th leader – extending her record for the most No.1s among women – with 1.653 million equivalent album units earned in its opening week (Oct. 27-Nov. 2), according to Luminate. That’s not only the largest one-week total of 2023, but the biggest frame for any album since the debut of Adele’s 25 (3.482 million; Nov. 15, 2015). Of those 1.653 million units, 1.359 million were in traditional album sales, making it Swift’s largest week for a title. That sales sum is also the sixth-largest in a single week since tracking music sales began in 1991.
 
Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of November 11, 2023)
Country Album Chart ** No.1 (28 non-consecutive weeks) ** ONE THING AT A TIME Morgan Wallen
Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (6 weeks) ** “I Remember Everything” Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves
Country Airplay ** No.1 (3 weeks) ** “Thinkin' Bout Me” Morgan Wallen
Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (Re-Entry) “To Be A Man” Dax & Darius Rucker

Country Airplay
*** No.1 (3 weeks) ** “Thinkin' Bout Me” Morgan Wallen 34.980 million audience (+2.161 million gain) / 8,313 radio plays (+217)
** Most Increased Audience ** No.2  “God Gave Me A Girl” Russell Dickerson (+5.689 million gain)
** Hot Shot Debut ** No.57 “Find Another Bar” Chris Lane
Debut No.60 “Cancel” Randy Houser
 
Hot County Songs
** No.1 (6 weeks) ** “I Remember Everything” Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves
** Airplay Gainer” No.15 “God Gave Me A Girl” Russell Dickerson
** Streaming Gainer ** No.26 “We Don't Fight Anymore” Carly Pearce featuring Chris Stapleton
** Hot Shot Debut ** No.32 “To Be A Man” Dax & Darius Rucker
** Sales Gainer ** No.43 “Where The Wild Things Are” Luke Combs
Debut No.49 “Boys Back Home” Dylan Marlowe featuring Dylan Scott

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart
Monday 6 November 2023 (for the chart week October 31 – November 6, 2023) according to Mediabase/ Country Aircheck.
 
Congratulations to Russell Dickerson, Raffaella Braun and the Triple Tigers promotion team on taking “God Gave Me A Girl” to No. 1 this week. This is Dickerson’s fifth No. 1 and the 10th for the label.
God Gave Me A Girl (Triple Tigers) moved 3-1 logging 9,308 radio spins (+1202), 41.677 million audience impressions (+3.922 million) with 33494 Total Points from 157 tracking stations (157 ADDS) for the published chart dated November 6, 2023.
Songwriters are Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill and Dickerson.
 
Garth Brooks & Ronnie Dunn Are Most Added With ‘Rodeo Man
Kudos to Kris Lamb and the Big Machine crew on racking up 69 adds for “Rodeo Man” by Garth Brooks & Ronnie Dunn. This is the 46th release from Brooks to lead the CA/MB Add Board.
 
NEWS
(31 Oct 2023) EMI Nashville's Tyler Hubbard joined AreYouKiddingTV’s "Sign Guys" on the Belmont University campus in Nashville, where he invited students to bring him a Halloween costume for the chance to win $500. Hubbard was ultimately made an honorary doctor for the day. Watch the fun here.

(31 Oct 2023) ICYMI: Mickey Guyton sang the national anthem prior to game four of the World Series (10/31). She's also featured on Artist Friendly with Joel Madden.
(1 Nov 2023) Jukebox HeroDolly Parton has partnered with TouchTunes to celebrate National Jukebox Day (yes, it's a thing) and promote her new album, Rockstar. While the actual "holiday" is Nov. 22, this promotion will happen on the album's release date, Nov. 17, when all Waffle House locations equipped with TouchTunes jukeboxes will play the 30-track album in its entirety beginning at midnight in what it's calling a "national listening party." The monthlong promotion, which kicked off Wednesday (Nov. 1), also includes opportunities to win a photo op with Parton, a "Dolly Presents" playlist, and an Inside The Session interview. 
We are delighted to align with Dolly Parton for this year’s National Jukebox Day celebration all month long” said Ross Honey, President & CEO of TouchTunes. “At TouchTunes, we believe in bringing people together through the power of music, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest artists of our generation and her first-ever rock album, ROCKSTAR.”

(1-Nov-2023) Chatham County Line shared their new single “Right On Time" and announced upcoming album HIYO (tagged FOLK) out 26 Jan 2024. Building from a dreamy instrumental to a rollicking, harmony-driven ode to young love and the open road, "Right On Time" balances nostalgia with the contemporary setting the stage for the band’s first album in four years. STREAM HERE
Hiyo is slated to take Chatham County Line’s enduring sound and injects it with an adventurous spirit of discovery and vitality, incorporating synthesizers, drum machines, and more electric guitar and percussion than ever before, rounded out by Dave Wilson’s classic songwriting–rich, evocative tales of love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow, revenge and righteousness.  “There’s this liberating element to getting rid of all the preconceptions about who we are and what we sound like, and I think it shows in these songs,” says Wilson.
 
(2 Nov 2023) Slay Bells: Two Classic Country outlets have switched to all-Christmas music for the holidays: Paskvan KPMI-AM/Bemidji, MN and Ohio Midland WBGI/Wheeling, WV (biggie1005).

(2 Nov 2023) Life Note: Two Mark Chesnutt shows scheduled for this week in Shipshewana, IN and Henderson, TN were canceled after the singer was hospitalized (Weds Nov 1). His representative shared on social media that Chesnutt is "in the critical care unit in stable condition," and "undergoing multiple tests to identify the cause of his medical issues." The post promises an update "once the doctors determine his condition."
 
(3 Nov 2023) Carrie Underwood was among the stars who took the stage at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night (Nov. 3), delivering a scorching tribute to inductee George Michael by singing "One More Try" in his honor. Watch the clip on “X”. Live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, music’s best were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Friday night (November 3). The 2023 class of inductees consisted of Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin, and Don Cornelius. See photos from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Last Night HERE
 
(3 Nov 2023) Friends In Low Price Places: Garth Brooks will headline the inaugural Black Friday Amazon Music Live special Nov. 24 live from the grand opening of his new Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, at 6pm CT on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.
 
AMERICANA NEWS
(30 Oct 2023) Four-time GRAMMY winner Sarah Jarosz recently released another teaser

from her forthcoming record with a poignant homage to NYC with “Columbus & 89th.” A Texas native, she’s spent most of her adult life living in New York City, but shortly before writing Polaroid Lovers Jarosz left her adopted home to join her soon-to-be husband in Nashville, TN. “Columbus
& 89th” drifts into a dreamlike beauty as Jarosz reflects on the ineffable heartache of leaving her longtime home back in 2020. 
To celebrate the upcoming release of her seventh studio album, Sarah Jarosz is announced a run of North American shows. The nearly 50-date tour will kick off on February 1, 2024, in Washington, DC, and run through the beginning of June.
 
(4 Nov 2023) Flatland Cavalry announced their Wandering Star 2024 Tour with the band's first stop scheduled for December 15, 2023, in Fort Worth, TX. See full list of dates
 
GOSSIP
(6 Nov 2023) Dolly Parton and Hayley Williams gush over 'talented' Miley Cyrus
Dolly Parton and Hayley Williams have gushed over "modern day rock chick" Miley Cyrus. During a conversation feature for Consequence ahead of the release of Dolly's upcoming album Rockstar, the duo expressed their admiration for Miley.
"Yours and Miley's voices are perfect together," the Paramore front-woman told Dolly, who recently collaborated with Miley on a new version of Wrecking Ball for her forthcoming album. "You on this song, it feels like a song that you could have written."
"Well, I wish I had written that song," Dolly replied. "Miley, I'm crazy about. I don't think people even know how talented she is." Hayley, 34, agreed, stating, "I think what, unfortunately, people do is really underestimate based on presentation or based on the fact that she came from Disney. And she's already proven that she's got the chops: She's a great singer, a writer."
 
MUSIC NEWS
Spotify Is Changing Its Royalty Structure, And You Might Not Like It  It’s been rumored for quite some time that music streaming services would change how they pay artist royalties, and it looks like Spotify will be one of the first to do so. A report from Music Business Worldwide says that there will be upcoming changes to the existing streaming royalty structure that will have some massive ramifications.
 
Weeks after unveiling a potentially far-reaching tie-up with Universal Music Group, BMG has reportedly laid off about 40 team members, including multiple executives. Earlier this month, Amazon’s Twitch revealed a fresh round of layoffs, and the ecommerce giant is reportedly doing away with its Amp live-radio offering. Meanwhile, Epic Games axed 50 percent of Bandcamp’s staff ahead of the close of the latter’s sale to Songtradr, and Ampled announced plans to cease operating by 2023’s end.
 
(4 Nov 2023) Sheryl Crow has announced a new single and album. The 61-year-old musician is set to release her 11th studio album EVOLUTION on March 29, 2024 via The Valory Music Group and has also announced new single 'Alarm Clock'. The album has been produced by Mike Elizondo, who also co-wrote ‘Alarm Clock’ with Sheryl and Emily Weisband.
She said: "This music and these lyrics came from sitting in the quiet and writing from a deep soul place. I said I’d never make another record, thought there was no point to it. But this music comes from my soul. And I hope whoever hears this record can feel that”.
 
(4 Nov 2023) Most Tracks on Spotify Won’t Earn a Royalty Under New Scheme
Only 0.5% of the royalty pool will be impacted, however, reflecting the large number of tracks that receive few streams.
Most tracks on Spotify will NOT be eligible to receive royalties on the company’s proposed royalty scheme that will go into effect in 2024. That’s because a track must reach a threshold of 1,000 streams within 12 months to receive royalty payouts (article by Kristin Graziani president of music distributor Stem). According to Spotify’s Loud & Clear website , 37.5 million tracks had surpassed 1,000 all-time streams as of 2022. That’s out of a catalog of 100 million tracks at the end of 2022, per Spotify’s 2022 annual reported. Two-thirds of Spotify’s catalog has never reached the 12-month minimum stream count to be eligible to receive royalties.  
Spotify has told industry players that it expects the new 1,000-play minimum annual threshold will reallocate tens of millions of dollars per year from that 0.5% to the other 99.5% of the royalty pool.
In 2024, Spotify expects this will move $40 million that would have previously been paid to tracks with fewer than 1,000 streams to those with more than 1,000 streams.

GOSSIP
Jason Aldean dressed up as Donald Trump, while his wife, Brittany Aldean, pulled her hair up to play Joe Biden for a debate skit that fans on both sides of the political aisle will appreciate. While Aldean is a supporter of — and golfing buddy to — former president Trump, he doesn't hold back in making fun of his legal troubles and love of money.
Meanwhile, Brittany's Joe Biden plays on an oft-used source of humor: The president's age. Read More: Aldeans Parody Donald Trump + Joe Biden During Halloween Sketch | Instagram

AWARDS
(31 Oct 2023) Phantom Of The Opry: NSAI's Bart Herbison and Bluebird Café's Erika Wollam Nichols received the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award on Monday night (Oct 30)
 
(31 Oct 2023) Stream Team: Nominations for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards will be unveiled Nov. 10 via livestream. Artists including Vince Gill will join Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. at 11am ET to announce select categories here; the remaining nominees will be published in full following the online event. The awards will air live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena Feb. 4 on CBS.

(1-Nov-2023) Half Of Our Whole Town: Kelsea BalleriniKenny ChesneyLuke CombsDan + ShayJordan DavisHardyAlan Jackson, Cody JohnsonPost MaloneMac McAnallyAshley McBrydeMorgan WallenThe War And Treaty and Zac Brown Band have joined the performance lineup for the 57th Annual CMA Awards. Chesney, Jackson, McAnally and Zac Brown Band will perform a special tribute to recently passed songwriter, cultural force and CMA Award winner Jimmy Buffett. Full LINE UP | Nominees

(1 Nov 2023) Patron Saint: Former UMGN Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan was surprised with the CMA's Irving Waugh Award of Excellence at a dinner (Weds Nov 1) at Saint Elle in Nashville celebrating this year's CMA Award nominees. The award, given to someone who has "dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level," was presented by Darius Rucker. “This is way beyond anything I could ever dream of,” said Dungan. "I’ve been getting a lot of expressions of love lately, but this is really something.”

(2 Nov 2023) The Academy of Country Music Awards will return to Amazon Prime Video for the next two years, with the 59th ACM Awards streaming live in May 2024 from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX – headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. The two-year renewal also includes the 60th ACM Awards, though date and location have not been announced.
Concurrently, Prime Video has revealed that viewership for the 58th ACM Awards in May of this year exceeded 7.7 million viewers. Additional viewership numbers for streaming via Amazon Live and Twitch were not revealed.
 
(3 Nov 2023) The 57th CMA Awards week was preceded by a lineup of televised programming in collaboration with ABC, including On The Red Carpet: Countdown To The CMA Awards (Fri 11/4 and Sun 11/5) and Dolly Parton – From Rhinestones To Rock and Roll (Tues Nov 7). Additionally, nominees Jordan Davis and Jelly Roll performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday (11/6) and Wednesday (11/8), respectively, while Megan Moroney will take the Good Morning America stage Wednesday (11/8). Red carpet coverage will be live on ABC, Hulu and streaming here (check territories) leading up to Wednesday's main event.
 
TOUR / LIVE EVENTS
 
(1 Nov 2023) Tour Support: After honing his live show with festival dates and supporting acts such as Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore and Chase Rice, Dalton Dover will bring his Never Giving Up On That Tour to 13 markets in 2024. The run kicks off Feb. 9 in Birmingham, AL and wraps April 27 in Macon, GA. Tickets for US dates here.
“We’ve had so much fun on the road this year, whether we played festivals like CMA Fest, local fairs or supporting some of my favorite artists and introducing ourselves to new fans,” shares Dover. “It’s been amazing to learn from some of the best in the industry on how to deliver a high-impact show, and we can’t wait to bring our best to these shows in 2024!” Dover recently premiered the official music video for “Giving Up On That” on CMT, CMT Music, CMT.com and Paramount’s Times Square Billboard. Directed by Tristan Cusick, the video was filmed near Dover’s hometown in Rome, Georgia. Watch it HERE.

(1 Nov 2023) IT’s COMIN’ ON CHRISTMAS: 5 Country Christmas Shows Not to Miss in November. Holiday music at Dollywood, Darryl Worley & Friends at Gaylord Opryland, Christmas 4 Kids at the Ryman Auditorium, Opry Country Christmas (November 26 and 29) & Brett Eldredge Christmas show at the Ryman Auditorium (November 24-26). Read More for details.
 
(1 Nov 2023) NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following the release of "No Tomorrow," momentum continues for Heartland as the platinum-selling group is added to the lineup for Gulf Coast Jam, presented by Jim Beam, in Panama City Beach, Fla. Heartland will perform on May 31, sharing the stage with artists including Jelly Roll, Russell Dickerson and Chase Matthew. Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson and Parker McCollum are also confirmed headliners for the festival. For tickets/ info visit GulfCoastJam.com.

(2 Nov 2023) Festive All: Eric ChurchHardy and Jelly Roll will headline Rock The South July 18-20 in Cullman, AL. Additional performers include Oliver AnthonyParker McCollumWarren ZeidersBig & Rich f/ Gretchen WilsonPriscilla Block and Flatland Cavalry.
 
(3 Nov 2023) Tour Support: Triple Tigers' Russell Dickerson has added 11 2024 dates to his Big Wheels & Back Roads Tour, which kicks off Feb. 22 in Milwaukee and wraps June 1 in Birmingham. Tickets are on sale now here.
Chris Stapleton has added second and third nights to stops in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Gilford, NH, as well as a stop in Sioux Falls, SD.
 
(3 Nov 2023) DALLAS, Texas (Nov 3, 2023)The first portion of the lineup for A Texas Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis has been announced! Clay Walker, Cody Jinks, Joe Nichols, Neal McCoy, War Hippies, Braxton Keith, Jacob Tolliver, Whey Jennings, Casey Chesnutt, Garrett Miles and the Original Randy Travis Band will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame legend Randy Travis. The tribute show is coming to Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas on Weds, Nov 15, 2023.

PRESS RELEASES
(30 Oct 2023)After topping the charts earlier in October with “Girl In Mine,” Parmalee returns with their new single “Gonna Love You” on Stoney Creek Records. The new song, from the Billboard Music Award finalists, begins the week as one of the most added new songs on country radio playlists everywhere. “This song is special to us in so many ways,” said lead singer Matt Thomas. “It’s a song we feel like anyone across the world can relate with. It’s also a combination of all the music we were influenced by growing up. We just filmed the music video a few weeks ago, and it takes on a major chapter in our lives. We all just knew this had to be the next single!’ Released Sept 22, 2023 267,087 Spotify streams to date.

(2 Nov 2023) WNC Drummer Turned Country Artist Unleashes First EP Nearly Six Years In The Making
OLD FORT, NC, USA, -- 2023 has been an interesting year for country music, with some journalists and fans alike arguing that the genre may be going through it’s “Nirvana moment.” As the industry experiences a wave of innovation, transformation and very much uncertainty, many independent artists have taken matters into their own hands; one being Western North Carolina native, Jakeb Reel. October 27, 2023 saw the release of Reel’s first collection of original music; one that promises to show the unwavering love and dedication to his craft as well as being a fresh addition to the ever-evolving tapestry of country music.
You can stream the self-titled EP from Jakeb Reel now on Spotify and YouTube. | Social: Instagram

(2 Nov 2023)
Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, released Willie Nelson Greatest Hits on Friday, November 3 in conjunction with Willie's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A freshly compiled career-spanning collection of 25 essential performances, Willie Nelson Greatest Hits chronicles Willie's musical journey from early '60s country-pop singer-songwriter through the '70s outlaw country revolution to his current iconic status as an ambassador of musical goodwill. The album is available in 1CD, digital and 2xLP configurations HERE.
A highly-anticipated new addition to the Willie Nelson catalog, Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl, produced by Blackbird Presents, will be released Friday, December 15. A preview of Long Story Short--a video of The Avett Brothers performing Willie's classic "Pick Up the Tempo". WATCH HERE | Read full press release
 
(3 Nov 2023) NASHVILLE, Tenn. – GRAMMY, ACM and CMA winning Shenandoah celebrated the group's No. 1 for "Two Dozen Roses" (Stream: HERE.) with Luke Combs, released via 8 Track Entertainment, at The Mane Room at The University of North Alabama. NBA all-star Kevin Willis joined the celebration. "Two Dozen Roses" marked Shenandoah's first No. 1 in 30 years, landing at No. 1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts. Shenandoah and Combs recorded the track, produced by GRAMMY winning engineer Noah Gordon, at the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., where the original version was recorded.

(3-Nov-2023) Platinum-selling, GRAMMY, CMA & ACM-nominated singer-songwriter Eric Paslay announced his forthcoming six-track EP, Perfect Stranger, will be released December 1st. Paslay, who’ll be returning to the UK and Europe for 12 headline shows next month.
 
(3 Nov 2023) Celebrated Austin, TX quintet Shane Smith & The Saints return with their long-awaited new album NORTHER, set for release on March 1st via Thirty Tigers/Geronimo West Records. Norther is the band’s fourth studio album and their first since 2019’s beloved Hail Mary, an album that introduced their current lineup and found the band establishing their sonic identity. Listen to the haunting beauty and passion of their new song ‘AdelineHERE. They are touring in US Nov/Dec Visit ShaneSmithMusic.com

INTERVIEWS
(31 Oct 2023) EF Country Interview: Ashley McBryde talks ‘Lindeville’ CMA nomination & ‘unsung hero’ song on ‘The Devil I Know’
 
(1 Nov 2023) For this record, Jason Aldean focused on songwriting as he worked to separate his 11th studio album from others in his catalog. Talking to Taste of Country, he admits he left a pile of his own songs on the floor, choosing only three that capture his essence better than others that were pitched to him by close friends and longtime collaborators. Watch on Interview
Read More: Jason Aldean's Career-Changing Choice That Ticked Off His Label 
 
(1 Nov 2023) an interview with Laura Bell Bundy and more (Returns to Broadway in ‘The Cottage’—“I Love to Keep an Audience Engaged”)! In 2022 Bundy released her album, Women of Tomorrow, which ties into the play’s message of empowerment for women. She’s also in talks to turn the album into a play of her own…read more

ARTICLES
(30 Oct 2023) The New Yorker's feature on Nanci Griffith is available to read now. "The late singer-songwriter rarely felt at home either in her native Texas or in the music industry, but her nostalgic ditties of girlhood captured a potent sense of place." The tribute album (“More Than a Whisper”) was originally conceived before Griffith’s death, by the former Rounder Records president John P. Strohm. It now serves as a kind of musical memorial.

REVIEWS
(2 Nov 2023) Cody Johnson - Leather album review 5 STARS James Daykin EF Country ….In ‘Leather’, Cody Johnson not only delivers a musical masterpiece but also invites listeners into his world, where authentic storytelling and genuine emotions take center stage. 

TV
Grammy Award-winning artist and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Wynonna Judd will serve as Mega Mentor on Season 24 of the four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series "The Voice," airing Mondays (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) and Tuesdays (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC and next day on Peacock. Wynonna will join superstar coaches Niall Horan, John Legend, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani to mentor the remaining artists who have made it through the Battle Rounds as each team prepares for the three-way Knockouts beginning Nov. 6.

(4 Nov 2023) The legendary Willie Nelson returned to The Late Show to perform a song from his new album, “Greatest Hits” which dropped Friday (Nov 3). Watch “I Never Cared For You” on YOUTUBE
 
(4-Nov-2023)The Late Show with Stephen ColbertWillie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration featuring performances by Miranda LambertGeorge StraitChris StapletonSnoop DoggDave Matthews and more will air Dec. 17 on CBS and via streaming on Paramount+. The special is hosted by Jennifer GarnerChelsea HandlerWoody HarrelsonEthan HawkeHelen Mirren and Owen Wilson.

(4 Nov 2023) Western AF presented Sierra Ferrell’s "Fox Hunt" watch on YOUTUBE
 
BABY NEWS
(2 Nov 2023) Crib Note: Big Loud artist MacKenzie Porter and her husband, actor Jake Etheridge, are expecting their first child. They shared the news on social media , writing, "Our sweet baby. We couldn’t be more excited to meet you, hold you, kiss your lil squishy cheeks and let Willa lick your lil toes. To say we are a tad nervous would be an understatement, but what we know without an ounce of doubt is that we will love you more than anything in this entire world."
 
WATCH
(3-Nov-2023) America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl released the official music video for her debut radio single “Ain’t About You.” Premiered (Thurs Nov 2) via CMT, the 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records artist is the first female country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself.  “Ain’t About You” was produced by the award-winning Lindsay Rimes (Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini), with the video being directed by Ford Fairchild and produced by Rebecca Adler.

BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
November 6: the late Guy Clark (1941; died May 17, 2016 (aged 74), the late Glenn Frey (Eagles; ; died Jan 18, 2016 (aged 67) (1946)
November 8: Bonnie Raitt (1949), Susie Luchsinger (1957), Bucky Covington (1977), Lauren Alaina (1994)
November 9: Liv Austen (UK)
November 10: Miranda Lambert (1983), Sinead Burgess (1990)
November 12: Barbara Fairchild (1950)  

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