TEMECULA ROAD RELEASES REBELLIOUS TRACK “WRONG ONES DO”

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Duo Set to Join BRELAND on Here For It Tour

Temecula Road is ignoring mama’s disapproval because sometimes, nothing feels right like the “Wrong Ones Do” (LISTEN HERE). The Warner Music Nashville/Buena Vista Records’ duo wrote the rebellious song alongside Kelly Archer and Brandon Hood. Watch the lyric video HERE.

“Wrong Ones Do” is the latest of a string of a releases by the duo, following “By You” (LISTEN HERE). The accompanying music video for the swampy tune was released last week (WATCH HERE). Additionally, Temecula Road recently released “Heartbreak In Boots” (LISTEN HERE), their first song release as a duo. Taste of Country called the track a “spellbinding charmer,” with CMT stating “the chilling harmonies throughout showcases their new wow-factor…their impressive knack for storytelling shines through.”

Temecula Road will perform at the legendary Grand Ole Opry for the first time as a duo next Tuesday, October 18. Next month, they will join labelmate BRELAND on his Here For It tour, covering the Northeast throughout the rest of the year. The duo recently wrapped their headlining Nashville Hits The Roof tour, in addition to a string of dates with labelmate Jessie James Decker’s The Woman I’ve Become tour. With over 15 million streams to date, they made their television performance debut on ABC’s The Bachelor last year and have been called out by the media including Huffington Post, CMT, and Rolling Stone.

LEE BRICE CEEBRATES BACK-TO-BACK HITS AT DOUBLE #1 PARTY

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SESAC, BMI, ASCAP and a group of music industry publishers and friends came together at the SESAC office on Wednesday, October 19 to celebrate the success of Curb recording artist and SESAC songwriter Lee Brice’s latest back-to-back #1 hits, “One Of Them Girls” and “Memory I Don’t Mess With.”

“One Of Them Girls,” written by Brice (SESAC), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), Ben Johnson (BMI), and Dallas Davidson (BMI), hit number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in October 2020 and stayed atop the chart for three weeks. The song has been certified 3x Platinum and made history when it was awarded Song of the Year from SESAC, BMI, and ASCAP in 2021, marking the first time one song has won all three awards in a single year. “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” written by Brice, Billy Montana (BMI), and Brian Davis (BMI), became Brice’s ninth number one when it hit the top spot on the chart in October 2021 and was recently certified Platinum. Both songs were produced by Brice, Ben Glover, and Kyle Jacobs.

On hand to honor the group were Shannan Hatch (SESAC), MaryAnn Keen (BMI), Kele Currier (ASCAP), Colt Murski (Curb/Word Entertainment), Kelly Bolton (Tape Room Music), Bob Squance (Round Hill Music), and Courtney Crist (Anthem Entertainment).

 

About SESAC PRO:
SESAC Performing Rights Organization is the second oldest PRO in the U.S.  It drives efficiency in licensing for music users and enhances value for its affiliated writers, publishers, and composers by providing timely, efficient royalty collection and distribution. SESAC PRO represents over 30,000 songwriters and film composers from a broad range of genres including artists such as Adele, Burna Boy, Christophe Beck, Rosanne Cash, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Lalah Hathaway, Kesha, Gabriel Mann, R.E.M., and many more. SESAC Music Group is a leader and innovator in music licensing that administers public performance, mechanical, and other rights through SESAC PRO and its affiliates including The Harry Fox Agency, Rumblefish, and Mint Digital Services. SESAC Music Group has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, London and Munich.

THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME OFFICIALLY INDUCTS JERRY LEE LEWIS, KEITH WHITLEY AND JOE GALANTE INTO THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022

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Photo by Jason Kempin and Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Joe Galante, Jerry Lee Lewis and Keith Whitley became the 147th, 148th and 149th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as they were formally inducted during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater.

Galante, Lewis and Whitley received country music’s highest distinction and were honored with heartfelt remarks and inspired performances of songs associated with their careers. The following is a list of the artists (listed in the order they performed), as well the Hall of Fame members who were personally selected by each inductee to present them with their medallions.

Jerry Lee Lewis (Veterans Era Artist category)
An explosive rockabilly showman, Jerry Lee Lewis was also among country music’s most expressive performers, with a distinctive and dynamic style as a singer and pianist. His biggest releases on Sun Records, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire,” were country #1s as well as pop hits. In the late 1960s, the Louisiana native shifted from rock & roll to country recordings, invigorating his artistry. Between 1968 and 1981, he had 34 Top 20 country hits, putting his personal stamp on songs ranging from classics by Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams to newer works by Mickey Newbury and Kris Kristofferson.

·        Lee Ann Womack singing “Middle Age Crazy”
·        The McCrary Sisters with “My God Is Real”
·        Chris Isaak performing “Great Balls of Fire”
·        Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame members Hank Williams Jr. and Kris Kristofferson

Joe Galante, Lorrie Morgan (widow of the late Keith Whitley) and Judith Lewis (wife of Jerry Lee Lewis) in the Hall of Fame Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., before the induction of the 2022 class of Country Music Hall of Fame members.

Joe Galante (Non-Performer category)
Galante distinguished himself as one of country music’s most successful record executives. He helped steer the careers of Alabama, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, the Judds, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Keith Whitley and other best-selling artists. Born in New York, he joined RCA Records after college and moved to the label’s Nashville office in 1974. Eight years later, he became head of RCA Nashville. He rose to hold a series of key label-executive positions, including president of RCA Records’ U.S. operations, head of RLG Nashville and, finally, chairman of Sony Music Nashville until his retirement in 2010.
·        Alabama performing “My Home’s in Alabama”
·        Miranda Lambert singing “White Liar”
·        Kenny Chesney with “The Good Stuff”
·        Medallion presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Kix Brooks

Keith Whitley (Modern Era Artist category)
A premier vocal stylist, Keith Whitley (1954-1989) helped define country music’s new traditionalist resurgence of the 1980s. Born near Sandy Hook, Kentucky, he proved an adept singer and guitarist as a youngster. After apprenticing in the bluegrass bands of Ralph Stanley and J. D. Crowe, he signed with RCA Records. In five years as a solo artist, he recorded a dozen Top 20 country singles, including five consecutive #1 hits. His career was cut tragically short at age 34. Five months after his death, his recording of “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” was named CMA Single of the Year for 1989.
·        Mickey Guyton performing “When You Say Nothing at All”
·        Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Justin Moses singing “Tennessee Blues”
·        Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks with “Don’t Close Your Eyes”
·        Medallion presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks

The ceremony concluded with a performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” led by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson.

Produced by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the annual Medallion Ceremony celebrates the unique talents, personalities and backgrounds of each Hall of Fame inductee, as well as the important turning points and the breakthrough artistic achievements that defined their careers. The ceremony includes speeches, live musical tributes and original video biographies, created by the museum staff using recorded performances, past televised interviews and historic photos culled from materials in the museum’s Frist Library and Archive.

COUNTRY SINGER-SONGWRITER ELLE TOWNLEY SHOWS GRIT & GRACE ON NEW SONG & MUSIC VIDEO FOR “FIGHTER”

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Music video out October 28 on YouTube with network TV airings on The Country Network,
The Heartland Network, & Texas Country Music Network

Texan teen country singer-songwriter Elle Townley continues to turn heads and ears her way every time she releases a new song. Her fourth single “Fighter,” available now on all major digital music platforms (or linktr.ee/elletownleymusic), shows the Austin-based teen country songwriter’s gritty side of her personal character and unique ability to craft a compelling song with lyrical prowess.
“In today’s world, I’ve seen a lot of conflict and bullying, especially online,” said Townley. “I wrote this song because I think it’s really important to stand up for what is right, and the people you care about.”
To celebrate the release, Townley premiered the song’s forthcoming new music video on Fox 7’s “Good Day Austin” [click to watch]. The video is set to officially release on October 28 on her YouTube channel along with network TV airings by The Country Network beginning on October 31, The Heartland Network, and anticipated support from TCMA’s Texas Country Music Television.
“Fighter” follows Townley’s prior release of “One Too Many Heartaches” in March, which was exclusively premiered by Postcards Magazine, and whose music video cracked the The Country Network’s Top 40 video chart at #29 in September. She also was invited to perform the song during a taping of the WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour, and is scheduled to return to Lexington, Kentucky in January for pilot tapings of the new WoodSongs Kids TV show series.
The 14-year-old Texas teen has been writing and recording with hit-making Nashville songwriter & producer Britton Cameron (Don Williams, Jon Pardi, Dillon Carmichael) since her debut in 2020, and has been under the direction of PCG Artist Development.
About Elle Townley:
Hailing from Georgetown, Texas, Elle Townley first turned heads belting out Disney princess songs as a small child. Over the past few years she has evolved and refined her musical style to incorporate classic country influences with her own modern expressions. She has steadily built a loyal following across central Texas, performing at a variety of venues and events including the Old Settler’s Music Festival and the Alvin Opry House, along with singing the national anthem for the Round Rock Express, the Austin Spurs, and at the Texas State Capitol. In 2020, Elle earned a spot as a top-five finalist in the Houston Rodeo Rockstar competition. Through her work with PCG Artist Development in Nashville and Austin, Elle has increasingly focused on her own songwriting. She has been collaborating with numerous veteran songwriters and producers, including Britton Cameron, Margaret Becker, Drew Womack, and Matt Noveskey. Elle released her debut single “Trouble with Trouble” in 2020, which was recorded at the legendary Orb Recording Studios in Austin, Texas and featured on The Country Network. In 2021 she released the poignant “Fairweather Friend” single. In 2022, her third single “One Too Many Heartaches” was exclusively premiered by Postcards Magazine in her native Texas, and once again demonstrated this young teen’s maturation as a country singer-songwriter. Townley was also nominated for her first major award, a finalist for Young Artist of the Year in the 2022 Texas Country Music Awards.

WALKER HAYES TEAMS UP WITH POP SUPERSTAR CIARA ON “Y’ALL LIFE”

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Duo Performed the Track for the First Time on CMT’s Artist of the Year Celebration

Monument Records’ singer/songwriter and country music sensation Walker Hayes enlists GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter and superstar Ciara for a special version of his current single “Y’all Life.” The irresistible track adds a new layer of excitement as Ciara chimes in with a verse of her own. Stream “Y’all Life (feat. Ciara)” HERE.

“Y’all Life” is a quintessential song about the easy-going, loosened-up way of life in the south. Originally released in August, the track was Hayes’ highest streaming debut to date – no small feat for an artist that has accumulated over a billon career streams and had the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for over six months last year.

After kicking off his headlining arena tour this fall, Hayes began playing “Y’all Life” to sold-out crowds across the country. A crowd favorite, he quickly realized how much fun it would be to add a second voice to the track, one who could offer another perspective on growing up in the south. Having met pop superstar Ciara last year while performing on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, he knew he had to collaborate with her someday.

No stranger to pop and hip hop influences in his music, Hayes has always embraced other genres. It’s a style that Billboard praised as “personal soul-bearing storylines; rolling rhymes; and Macklemore-like cadence.” So it was a no brainer for him to ask the pop sensation if she would jump on the track.

“Ciara is not only one of the most talented artists in the business, she’s one of the nicest” says Hayes. “When I got the crazy idea that she may want to write a new verse for ‘Y’all Life’ I definitely said a few prayers that she would say yes. She adds the perfect perspective to the track…and some much-needed swag.”

Written by Hayes, with Pete Good and Josh Jenkins, as well as “Country Grammar” writers Cornell Haynes Jr. (Nelly) and Jason Epperson, and produced by Hayes with Joe Thibodeau and multi-GRAMMY Award winner Shane McAnally, “Y’all Life” officially adds Ciara to the writer credits.

The GRAMMY-Award winning singer/songwriter, originally from Texas, knows the importance of Football and Jesus in the south. On the track she sings “it ain’t nothin better than them Sunday night lights every night,” while adding her impeccable vocals to the chorus that sings “livin’ that y’all life, y’all’ rollin’ in the south where it’s all football and Jesus.”

“I’m a southern girl and have always felt a connection to country music,” says Ciara. “When I met Walker I immediately knew I wanted to work with him. Beyond his incredible song writing, he has an amazing stage presence.”

Hayes was honored by CMT as a “CMT Artist of the Year” alongside Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson and Carly Pearce. The iconic network celebrates five artists who have collectively dominated the past 12 months in country music with an awards show. Ciara and Hayes opened the show with a performance of “Y’all Life (feat. Ciara),” debuting the collaboration to a national audience.

PRISCILLA BLOCK KICKS-OFF THE FALL RUN OF HER WILDLY SUCCESSFUL WELCOME TO THE BLOCK PARTY TOUR

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“You, Me, And Whiskey” with Justin Moore Out Now

On the heels of her first headlining tour in the states and short run overseas, rising Mercury Nashville recording artist, Priscilla Block, kicked off the domestic Fall run of her wildly popular Welcome To The Block Party Tour. Her opening weekend consisted of multiple sold out shows and over 4,000 tickets sold.  The tour continues tonight with another sold out show in Des Moines, IA. Playing three packed shows this past weekend, Block is thrilled to be back on the road meeting the fans that helped change her life.

“I seriously have no words. My fans are unreal! It’s pretty dang cool that we are nearly tripling the venue sizes from our tour this spring. It’s really cool to see this whole thing working and the fans are what keep me going!” says Priscilla.

Priscilla is one of Country music’s most exciting new artists who has been taking the music world by storm since her RIAA Gold-certified “Just About Over You” captured audiences via TikTok. Since then, her undeniable voice and candid lyrics have cultivated a loyal fanbase and her debut album, Welcome to the Block Party (Mercury Nashville), has garnered her an ACM Award Nomination for New Female Artist of the Year, quickly followed by another nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2022 CMT Awards.

Fans can hear Block on her recently released duet with Country superstar, Justin Moore. “You, Me, And Whiskey” is out now and available on all streaming platforms and ships to Country radio on Monday, October 24th.

LISTEN:                 “You, Me, And Whiskey”

ARISTA RECORDS/MONUMENT RECORDS RELEASE NEW EP FOR FOX’S COUNTRY MUSIC DRAMA, “MONARCH”

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  • Arista Records/Monument Records and FOX Entertainment released the latest EP for “MONARCH” – a drama about America’s leading family of country music which has reached 18.7 million viewers across platforms in the U.S. and Canada. Listen to the EP HERE.
  • Little Big Town will guest star on the episode, Tuesday, Oct. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
  • The upcoming EP for the hit show includes:
    • A cover of Garth Brooks’ CMA and ACM Award winning hit, “Friends In Low Places,” performed by the “MONARCH” cast and featuring three-time ACM Award winner Trace Adkins (“Old Henry”).
    • A cover of Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert’s rambunctious single, “Somethin’ Bad,” performed by the “MONARCH” cast and featuring Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies”) and Beth Ditto.
    • The songs were produced by three-time GRAMMY Award nominee and series executive music producer Adam Anders and co-produced by Peer Åström.

CMT ANNOUNCES LINE-UP FOR “NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY: CELEBRATING THE SONGS OF LORETTA LYNN” SHOW

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Tuesday, November 8th at City Winery Nashville

Bowen + Young, Brooke Eden, Caylee Hammack, Erin Enderlin, Miko Marks, Sacha,
Stephanie Quayle and Tiera Kennedy to perform CMT’s Leslie Fram and Wendy Moten to co-host; Moten also to perform

 CMT, in partnership with City Winery Nashville, today announced the stacked line-up for its final “Next Women of Country” showcase of the year on Tuesday, November 8th at 7:30pm CT. “CMT Next Women of Country: Celebrating the Songs of Loretta Lynn, presented by CMT Night Out Nashville and Change The Conversation,” will pay tribute to the late icon’s legendary catalog, with Lynn’s songs performed by a very special group of female artists.

CMT’s Leslie Fram and Wendy Moten will co-host the third CMT Night Out Nashville showcase, featuring performances in the round from special guests: Bowen + Young, Brooke Eden, Caylee Hammack, Erin Enderlin, Miko Marks, Sacha, Stephanie Quayle and Tiera Kennedy. Moten will also perform. Tickets are on-sale now at citywinery.com/nashville.

The November showcase follows previously held “Next Women of Country” events which took place in August and September. The August 31st show was co-hosted by Fram and Jessie James Decker, and featured performances from NWOC alum Callista Clark, Camille Parker, Hannah Dasher, Jenna Paulette, Julia Cole, Laci Kaye Booth, Lily Rose, Reyna Roberts, Tenille Arts and Decker. The September 28th performance was co-hosted by Fram and Rissi Palmer, and featured performances from NWOC’s Ashland Craft, Brittney Spencer, Chapel Hart, Harper Grae, Madeline Edwards, Morgan Wade, Renee Blair and Palmer, with surprise guests The War and Treaty.

For updates and to join the conversation, visit NextWomen.CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok and use #CMTNextWomen to join the conversation.

About CMT Next Women of Country: 

A staunch advocate for country music’s female artists, CMT first launched its “Next Women of Country” campaign in 2013 as a substantial, meaningful effort to support and expose developing female talent, both signed and unsigned, in a male-dominated format. The initiative has grown significantly since its inception, showcasing emerging female artists across all CMT screens, including CMT, CMT Music, PlutoTV’s “CMT Equal Play” channel, CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown, CMT.com, various CMT Digital series, cross-promotional opportunities for Paramount Global’s MTV Entertainment Group brands with live events, the Times Square NYC Billboard and more. The program also extended to include seven national tours anchored by superstar acts including Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Tanya Tucker, and Maddie & Tae. As of January 2022, a total of 95 female acts have been named to the prestigious program, including notable alumni of the franchise who have achieved both commercial and critical acclaim: Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Brittney Spencer, Carly Pearce, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell, Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton and Tenille Arts, among many others.

FOURTH ANNUAL DOTTIE WEST BIRTHDAY BASH HOSTED BY JEANNIE SEELY

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Vince Gill and special guest reporter Jenny Tolman

Nashville Insider was at the star-studded fourth annual Dottie West Birthday Bash presented by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms. Americana Music Association Duo/Group of the Year award winner, The War And Treaty and Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member, Don Schlitz joined the stellar line-up at this year’s celebration, including previously announced event host and 55 yr member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely and honoree Charlie McCoy. Additional performers include Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, Grand Ole Opry members Rhonda Vincent and Mandy Barnett. Also on the talented lineup are John Schneider, Heidi Newfield, Dallas Wayne, Tim Atwood, Kenna West, Tess Frizzell, Bobby Tomberlin and Vince Gill among several surprise guests.

The highly anticipated annual event was held October 11 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville. All funds raised at the event went to the benefit of Music Health Alliance. 

In addition to celebrating Dottie’s 90th birthday and honoring her, the event also honors a musician or artist who (like her) has made an indelible impact on country music. This year the Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry Member as well as an acclaimed Grammy-winning session musician, harmonica player, and multi-instrumentalist, Charlie McCoy will be honored.

Previous honorees were Musicians Hall of Fame and North Carolina Hall of Fame member Jimmy Capps (2017), Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Dottie West, Ricky Skaggs and Johnny Gimble (2018), and Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson (2019).

ALEX MILLER DELIVERS GRITTY, GUITAR-DRIVEN ROCKER, “WHEN GOD MADE THE SOUTH,” NOW AVAILABLE

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Taste Of Country Premieres

American Idol alum Alex Miller’s fans have been eagerly awaiting new music, and tomorrow he delivers with “When God Made The South.” An anthemic, guitar-driven ode to the glories of Southern living, the track is a great send off to summer. “WGMTS” is as gritty as a gravel road, as raw as moonshine and as slick as goose … well, you know. It’s a bit outside of what most might consider Miller’s “traditional Country” lane, but the move was intentional and offers a glimpse at another side of this talented Kentucky-born vocalist. The track is available for pre-save now.

“I really took the Idol judges’ advice to heart,” Alex admits. “I get that I have to challenge myself and keep growing to keep going in this business. This song was perfect for me. It screams ‘hit’ and the minute I heard it I knew we had to cut it. The lyrics are straight on Country. If you just read them, you’d never know this single was so edgy, but Jerry’s production takes things in a whole different direction – and I think it is just awesome.”

There’s no doubt He had a real good day
There were Blackberry’s blooming in the red dirt clay
And the smell of Jasmine floating through the Pines
I bet He knew right then we’d love our chicken fried
And sweet tea to wash it down
When God Made The South (Jerry Salley/C. Aaron Wilburn/Lee Black)

Early reviewers are sold on the track:

“I really struggle to think of a young artist as self-assured of his style and brand as Alex Miller. This single gives a nod to modern Country radio without sacrificing identity.”
– Billy Dukes, Taste of Country

“A trailer load of grits ain’t got nothin’ on Alex’s latest.”
– Duncan Warwick, Country Music People

“Alex shows off his jammin’ side with utmost perfection!”
– Preshias Harris, Nashville Music Line

“Best of all possible worlds – the past, present and future of Country – all wrapped up
in one song.” – Char Richards, The Life Box Media Channel

Produced by award-winning songwriter and industry veteran Jerry Salley for Billy Jam Records, “When God Made The South” is the first release from Miller’s second and upcoming album for the label. His debut CD, MILLER TIME, delivered three well-received singles: “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me,” “Don’t Let The Barn Door Hit Ya” and “Through With You” (which took Alex to the Top 35 of the Billboard Indicator Chart, and reached #2 on THE COUNTRY NETWORK with its companion music video).

“We’ve been on a real journey together for the last 18 months,” says Salley of his relationship with Alex. “We’ve learned so much about each other on a musical – and personal level. What stands out the most to me is that he loves all kinds of music. As Country as Alex is, he can perform any type of music that moves him. He is not one dimensional. It is a blast to hear this kid stretch a bit outside of his natural zone and try something new. He is so young and can go so far, it should be fun for him.”

Miller’s had a blast to date; he loves the road and the energy of the crowds and this year he has shared the stage with Brooks & Dunn (Iowa State Fair), Jamey Johnson (Wisconsin State Fair), Generation Radio (Ohio State Fair), Niko Moon (Kentucky State Fair) and King Calaway (Oklahoma State Fair). Additionally, he’s headlined at the New York State Fair, opened shows for Diamond Rio and Sawyer Brown, and debuted at the popular Wild Rose Casinos in Iowa.