BAILEY ZIMMERMAN’S “FALL IN LOVE” IS THIS WEEK’S MOST-ADDED DEBUT SINGLE AT COUNTRY RADIO

Skyrocketing breakout country artist Bailey Zimmerman continues to “forge new territory for a modern country crossover” (Billboard) becoming the most-added new artist at country radio today with his debut single “Fall In Love” (LISTEN HERE). Already a chart-topping track, “Fall In Love” raced its way to No. 1 on Apple Music’s Top Country Songs chart upon release before recently clinching the top spot on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown as well. Streamed by fans more than 150 million times, for an average of more than 11 million streams per week, the song is already nearing Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and Top 40 on their all-genre Hot 100 chart.

Zimmerman also recently shared the official music video for his most recent release, “Rock and A Hard Place” (WATCH HERE). Upon release, the explosive hit became the highest non-Morgan Wallen country song premiere of the year, debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales charts, #2 on their Hot Country Songs chart, No. 24 on their all-genre Hot 100 chart. It was also the #1 most streamed country song of the week and No. 23 most-streamed song of the week all-genre in the US.

“Streamers [are] falling hard for Bailey Zimmerman” (Country Insider), as is evident by his more than 250 million global streams to date and an average of more than 15 million global streams a week. The Amazon Music 2022 Artist to Watch and YouTube Trending Artist on the Rise is also currently Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart and Top 50 on their all-genre Artist 100 Chart.

Before his whirlwind rise over the past year, the twenty-two-year-old was born and raised in the small town of Louisville, IL. He grew up listening to hour after hour of country radio on long hauls across state lines with his father, who owned a trucking business, while back at home his mom instilled in him a life-long appreciation for the power chords and edgy vocals of 80’s hair rock. But it was time spent at the family’s car dealership where he learned the art of telling stories, listening to Grandpa Zimmerman and his oldest friends would sit and tell stories capture people’s attention with their words.

At the age of sixteen, Zimmerman got his first job at the local meat processing plant and hasn’t stopped working since. From long hours on the gas pipeline, to late nights of backbreaking roadwork, he embodies the old school American values of hard work and dependability and applies the same steadfast mentality to his music. Through his plainspoken charm, contagious enthusiasm and genuine portrayal of life on the back roads, the up-and-comer has already attracted a loyal and passionate fan base. With more new music on the horizon, featuring the grit and gravel of his unmistakably Southern drawl, Zimmerman will continue to showcase the straightforward authenticity for which he is known and loved.

BABYFACE, GAYLE, HARDY, WALKER HAYES, THOMAS RHETT, AND MATTHEW WEST AMONG FIRST PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL NASHVILLE SONGWRITER AWARDS PRESENTED BY CITY NATIONAL BANK

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has revealed the first round of performers joining NSAI on September 20, 2022 at the Ryman Auditorium to take part in the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank.

Announced performers include: PAT ALGERTONY ARATA, BABYFACE, KENT BLAZY, JACOB DAVIS, GAYLE, HARDY, WALKER HAYES, JOSH JENKINS, MATT JENKINS, MATT MCGINN, THOMAS RHETT, MATT ROGERS, JENN SCHOTT, NATHAN SPICER, AND MATTHEW WEST, with additional appearances to be revealed soon. A night dedicated to those that create the music we all cherish, the spotlight will be shining bright on the beloved songwriter!

Tickets for the 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards presented by City National Bank, go on sale Friday, July 15, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. CT and can be purchased at ryman.com.

“City National Bank has long supported the music industry and we are honored to help present the 5th annual Nashville Songwriters Awards,” said Diane Pearson and Lori Badgett, Co-Heads of City National Bank Entertainment Division, Nashville.  “We look forward to this fantastic lineup of performers and offer a special congratulations to Garth Brooks and Jon Platt for their invaluable contributions to the music industry.”

“You don’t want to miss NSAI’s upcoming 5th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards,” NSAI Board President Steve Bogard declared.  “We’ll be celebrating the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ awards, a category voted on exclusively by our pro members, as well as several other achievements and those writers and artists will fill the stage! There’s a lot to celebrate this year and our great songs and songwriters are at the top of the list.”

In addition to celebrating the ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ and the song, songwriter, and songwriter-artist of the year awards, the evening will also include segments honoring previously announced award recipients, GARTH BROOKS and JON PLATT (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing).

BROOKS will be honored as the 2022 recipient of the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. An award bestowed to an individual whose works have made a significant contribution to the American songbook and one who has inspired the careers of others, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award has only been given to three other individuals since its inception, with those honorees being Loretta Lynn (2019 recipient), Bill Anderson (2018 recipient) and Willie Nelson (2013 recipient).

Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt will receive the NSAI President’s Keystone Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the betterment of songwriters. Platt’s dedication to the songwriting community has led to many songwriter-first initiatives at Sony Music Publishing. Platt also enabled Sony Music Publishing’s donation of over a half million-dollars to NSAI in support of the WRITER Foundation, which has provided numerous $1,000 grants to American songwriters and composers in need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

JENNY TOLMAN PROUDLY ANNOUNCES “COWGIRLS AT THE COWBOY” ALL-FEMALE COUNTRY FESTIVAL

Carly Pearce to Headline Festival October 7-9 in Jackson, WY

Jackson Hole favorite Jenny Tolman’s inaugural festival “Cowgirls at The Cowboy” announces reigning ACM and CMA Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year Carly Pearce as headliner. The newly announced festival includes an all-female lineup staged at Jackson’s iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar October 7-9. The three-night celebration of women in country music will feature some of the industry’s hottest established and emerging female singers and songwriters.

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to showcase these amazing women of country music at my favorite place in the world, Jackson Hole!” shared Tolman. “The impact each of them has had on the genre so far is historic- especially as we are so proud and excited to bring an all-female country music festival to Jackson! Saddle up and get ready for Cowgirls at the Cowboy!”

Kicking off the festival on Friday, October 7, Tolman will be joined by fellow critically-acclaimed singer-songwriters, Natalie Hemby (Miranda Lambert, Lady Gaga, Jon Pardi, Little Big Town), Caitlyn Smith (Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, John Legend, Meghan Trainor) and RaeLynn (“God Made Girls,” “Love Triangle,” “I Love My Hometown”) for a writers’ round.

On Saturday, October 8, Tolman and her band will make a triumphant return to the venue featured on the cover and video of her most recent album release. Co-headlining that night will be North Carolina native Carter Faith, recently named “the future of the next ten years of Nashville.” With her 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Carter recently became the first country artist to ever be listed in Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Program.” She and her band will bring her own brand of country, reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert.Fresh off her own successful dates, as well as Kenny Chesney’s 2022 HERE AND NOW TOUR, Carly Pearce will headline an intimate set on Sunday night with powerful songs from her album 29: Written In Stone, including her history-making third No. 1 “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” and her latest single “What He Didn’t Do.” The Grand Ole Opry member’s performance will further cement why Pearce has won several CMA, ACM and CMT awards and connects with so many listeners. “There’s no more exciting way to close-out this celebration weekend of strong country women,” Tolman said, “than by featuring the reigning top female country artist as our headliner. We are thrilled.”

Tickets will range from $50 – $500, will be sold for each night, and may be purchased online at cowboybarjh.com. On-sale date is Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. (MT). Doors will open each night at 7 p.m., with shows beginning at 8 p.m.. Must be 21+.

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, established in 1937, is widely regarded as a national treasure and is regularly named one of the top honky tonks in the country. The Cowboy is committed to continuing its rich tradition of hosting the most iconic names in country music. #saddleup.

CHARLES JOHNSON RELEASES “GASOLINE” AHEAD OF HIS JULY 22 ALBUM RELEASE, THE LADDER

Charles Johnson recently announced the forthcoming release of his full-length album, The Ladder, due out July 22, and dropped one final instant grat today, “Gasoline.” This release will interest fans of all genres and walks of life with stories about growing up, finding and losing love, sobriety and more, there is something for everyone to connect with. The new single, “Gasoline” will be available to anyone who pre-orders the upcoming record. Pre-save The Ladder here!: https://lnk.to/CJTLAlbum

“This project is the culmination of years of writing and years of life. I couldn’t have asked for a better team: my co-writers, my band, my producer, and my FAMILY, in developing these songs, honing this sound and finding myself as an artist. The road is long and winding. I can’t wait to share it!” says Johnson.

Those local to the Nashville area are invited to The 5 Spot on Tuesday, July 19 at 6 P.M. for The Ladder Album Release Show with special guest Delaney Ramsdell. Charles will be playing the entirety of his new record which featured his previous released singles, “Busted Lip,” “Sedona,” “Even If I Get Over You” and “Coyote.” To stay up to date with Charles, please visit charlesjohnsonmusic.com

About Charles Johnson
Independent singer/songwriter, Charles Johnson, spent many years as a jack of all trades. From farmhand to bartender, he committed to earning a living to finance his dreams of becoming an artist. Despite these hardships, he has advanced to the next level of his career. Having grown up in Oakland, California, he garnered inspiration from artists such as Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, Counting Crows, Alanis Morisette, and Boys II Men in his formative years. The West and his cultural heritage play an important role within his musical creativity, with his Mother being born of Native American descent and also having spent much of his childhood on his grandfather’s reservation in Montana. His career began with the release of his first album, Everything I Know in 2015, followed by two EP’s; Cutbank in 2015 and The Ladder in 2019. He had begun to tour across the country and had plans to start a new musical project, but with the Covid 19 Pandemic, his efforts were brought to a screeching halt. Despite facing discouragement, he pressed on and emerged from the other side refreshed and reinvigorated, ready to share his new debut album, which he intends to release later this year. Preceding his album, he plans to release several singles, the first being “Coyote”, which was released in early March of this year and has already accumulated nearly 20 thousand streams. With this song, Charles recalls the struggle of finding one’s place in an industry that is unstable and unforgiving, yet persevering through it all. With his ability to express himself through different genres and styles, his music is still characterized by his honest expression, individual experiences, and vulnerability that reach people in a unique, relatable way. For more information, go charlesjohnsonmusic.com

TEMECULA ROAD RELEASES FIRST TRACK AS A DUO, “HEARTBREAK IN BOOTS”

After a full year of writing daily and coming into their newly-developed sound, Warner Music Nashville/Buena Vista Records’ Temecula Road has returned with a new track “Heartbreak In Boots” (LISTEN HERE). Co-written by members Emma Salute and Dawson Anderson alongside Parker Welling and Casey Brown and produced by Brandon Hood, the song marks the first release since the band became a newly formed duo, amicably parting ways with Emma’s sister, Maddie.

The duo first announced the news in March on Instagram, writing: “We will always love and cherish Maddie as the best friend and sister that she is to us. We are beyond excited for the road ahead, with plans to record some of our favorite music we’ve ever made…words cannot express how much love and gratitude we have for everyone who has supported us over the last eight years.” Now, just a few short months later, they are keeping to their word with the release of “Heartbreak In Boots,” with more new music to follow throughout the year.

“Over the past few years, we’ve really put our heads down to focus on telling our stories,” said the duo. “We’ve been digging deep into ourselves, and in the process, we’ve fallen more in love with songwriting. We’ve found the heart of Temecula Road’s sound and we’ve never felt more confident as artists. This is a special chapter for us. ‘Heartbreak In Boots’ is true and it’s us. From the moment we wrote it, we knew that if it was anything, it’s honest. This song has lived such a unique life already, with people all over the world responding to clips we’ve shared ahead of its release. We’ve worked diligently and waited patiently for this day. We’re proud. We’re grateful, and we are so excited that this song is finally out in the world.”

The duo has taken to the road to show off their new direction and sound on their headlining Nashville Hits The Roof tour, playing at Tin Roofs across the country. They recently wrapped up a string of dates with Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox and had several performances during last month’s CMA Fest. 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.

ZAC BROWN BAND TO RELEASE NEW VERSION OF “WILD PALOMINO” FEATURING CODY JOHNSON NEXT FRIDAY (7/15)

 Whiskey Riff exclusively announced the news that the GRAMMY Award-winning Zac Brown Band is set to release a new version of “Wild Palomino” featuring their multi-platinum-selling labelmate, Cody Johnson (PRE-SAVE HERE). The track will be available everywhere July 15 and featured on their forthcoming deluxe version of The Comeback due this fall.

The deluxe album will also include their recently released collaboration with country superstar Blake Shelton on current single, “Out in the Middle” (LISTEN HERE). The chart-topping group recently performed the track on The Late Late Show With James Corden (WATCH HERE), as it nears Top 20 at country radio. Rolling Stone has described it as “a song of praise for the country lifestyle. With a swampy, rumbling groove…bolstered by the group’s layered harmonies and joyous fiddle runs.”

Earlier this month, GRAMMY.com caught up with all nine members for their “On the Road” series, captured at the GRAMMY Block Party in Nashville (WATCH HERE). The clip gives an incredible overview of what you can find on their current international “Out in the Middle Tour,” as well as strong insight into the band’s genre diversity in live cover performances. The band began the tour in South Carolina and will soon visit Boston’s Fenway Park, where they hold the record for most consecutive sold-out shows. The band recently performed to a crowd of nearly 30,000 fans at Truist Park in their hometown of Atlanta and are set to visit other iconic venues including Wrigley Field in Chicago this Saturday (7/9), Citi Field in New York (8/18) and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles (11/4). For a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, please visit https://zacbrownband.com/pages/tour.

Upon release, The Comeback jumped to the No. 1 spot on the Current Country Albums Sales chart and was the Top New Country Album Release. Lead singer, Zac Brown boasts a co-writer credit on every song and also co-produced the entire record alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti.

About Zac Brown Band:

Zac Brown Band is a multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning, Southern rock group led by front man, Zac Brown. Throughout their career spanning more than a decade, Zac Brown Band has had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three GRAMMY Awards, including Best New Artist in 2010, sold more than 30 million singles, 9 million albums, amassed over 10 billion catalog streams to date, achieved 16 #1 radio singles, and are the second act to top both the Country and Active Rock formats. Zac Brown Band has headlined 8 North American Tours and currently holds the record for most consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic Fenway Park. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries.

Purpose-Driven, Philanthropic Arm of Gibson– Announces Auction Of Autographed, Limited-Edition Guitars

All Proceeds Benefit Gibson Gives and the National Museum of African American Music

Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand’s purpose-driven philanthropic arm Gibson Gives has announced a rare lot of six autographed, high-profile, limited-edition guitars from Gibson artists are now up for auction via Charity Buzz through July 6 HERE. The Gibson Gives auction only features rare and collectible limited-edition guitars that are autographed by the artists including Angus Young (AC/DC), Joe Perry and all of AEROSMITH, Darius Rucker, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Don Felder (Eagles), Slash, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) and more. Each guitar in the Gibson Gives auction includes a certificate of authenticity, and comes straight from the source, Gibson.

Gibson has a strong focus giving back and supporting the global music community through Gibson Gives. The mission of Gibson Gives is to create, develop and support non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused education, music, and wellness initiatives. In the last three years, Gibson Gives–a 501(c)(3) organization–has raised over $3.5 million dollars worldwide through its mission.

The Gibson Gives auction gives music fans the once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a rare and collectible piece of music history. All donations raised will go to Gibson Gives, in addition to the National Museum of African American Music’s music education fund.

About Gibson and Gibson Gives:

Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 128 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson guitars and gear have been played on stage by countless musical icons in every genre of music, and Gibson Brands is dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Gibson has a strong focus on supporting the global music community through the philanthropic arm of Gibson Gives. The mission of Gibson Gives is to create, develop and support non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused education, music, and wellness initiatives. 100% of all donations to and from Gibson Gives–a 501(c)(3) organization–go towards giving the gift of music. In the last three years, Gibson Gives has raised over $3.5 million dollars worldwide through its mission. For a deeper look inside the history of Gibson, plan a trip to downtown Nashville, to visit the Gibson Garage. At the Gibson Garage—the all-new flagship store–music lovers can experience live performances, design a dream guitar, catch a taping of the award-winning Gibson TV series, and explore Gibson’s music history with captivating, interactive storytelling and memorabilia displays, inside the historic space. The Gibson Garage is the ultimate guitar experience and destination for music lovers in Nashville and across the globe. Learn more at Gibson.com

JENNY TOLMAN EXPECTING FIRST BABY WITH HUSBAND DAVE BRAINARD

As revealed on People.com, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Jenny Tolman and her husband, GRAMMY-nominated producer Dave Brainard are expecting their first baby.

People.com reported, the exciting news is revealed at the end of Tolman’s new music video for her song “Same Train As You,” a romantic track off her recent album Married in a Honky Tonk.

“Dave and I are so thrilled to get to share the most exciting news of our lives!” Tolman tells PEOPLE. “We wrote ‘Same Train as You’ during our second co-writing session together, before we were together as a couple, when we hardly even knew each other.”
“It’s very special to now make this announcement with the song that foreshadowed so much of what was to come for the two of us,” she adds.
The video includes footage from the couple’s March wedding in Jackson, Wyoming, where the pair tied the knot in a snowy ceremony in the mountains. At the end of the music video, Tolman reveals her baby bump under a flowy dress and cradles her stomach.

 To keep up with Jenny Tolman be sure to follow her on FacebookInstagramYouTube and Twitter and visit JennyTolman.com.

ABOUT JENNY TOLMAN:
Sweet yet sassy, vintage yet fresh, an old soul with a new vision and some incredible comedic timing, country music songstress Jenny Tolman is the breath of fresh air that the genre needs now. Having woven the incredible storyline of her life into her music thus far, Tolman has found a way to create albums which tie up all that life has handed her – both the good and the bad and the downright tragic – and makes it sound beautiful. On her new album Married in a Honky Tonk, Tolman brings a kaleidoscope of stories and emotions to the country music table with the swagger of a certified superstar.

Peter Mulvey and SistaStrings Use Bright Colors To Paint a Dark Picture of Anytown America on New Single “Old Men Drinking Seagram’s”

From their upcoming album, Love Is The Only Thing, out August 12 via Righteous Babe Records

It’s easy to overlook the grimy underside of small town America, but take away the idyllic Norman Rockwell visage and sometimes the only thing left is a mean spirit. When Peter Mulvey sat down with fellow songwriter John Statz to pen “Old Men Drinking Seagram’s,” they ended up sketching a portrait of a few such towns they’d had the “dubious pleasure of knowing.” In its delivery, it’s a pretty picture, but “Old Men Drinking Seagram’s” pulls no punches in a way that will leave listeners largely nodding in disappointed agreement or missing the point altogether; the latter, most likely, antagonists pulled straight from the song. “Often, our daily life is a search for the optimal balance between honesty and kindness,” says Mulvey. “In art, sometimes the gloves come off.”

“Old Men Drinking Seagram’s” is the latest single from Mulvey’s upcoming album with SistaStrings—cellist and vocalist Monique Ross and violinist and vocalist Chauntee Ross—entitled Love Is The Only Thing. The song’s lilting, major-key melody is perfectly countered by nondescript, creepy background noise—borderline horror movie foley—courtesy of Chauntee, Monique, and drummer Nathan Kilan, who rounds out the album’s quartet of musicians. The end result is a delightful tune that leaves an uneasy feeling, rightfully so, in the hearts and minds of listeners. Like Mulvey says, “Sometimes the gloves come off.”

Fans can listen to “Old Men Drinking Seagram’s” now at this link, check out the previously-released single “You and (Everybody Else),” and pre-order or pre-save Love Is The Only Thing ahead of its August 12th release via Righteous Babe Records right here. For even more Peter Mulvey & SistaStrings, check out their Live at the Café Carpe album at this link.

Mulvey has a number of solo dates—as well as shows with Mark Erelli—coming up and SistaStrings are on the road all summer playing as part of Allison Russell’s and Brandi Carlile’s bands, including Carlile’s show at Madison Square Garden in October. The Rosses also performed with both artists at the 2022 Grammy Awards. A full list of tour dates for both Mulvey and SistaStrings can be found below.

More About Love Is The Only Thing: The bright light of family illuminates Love Is The Only Thing and all that went into making it. Its existence hinges on the way we take care of each other, from its fan-supported funding to the sanctuary of Café Carpe to the blood sisterhood of the Rosses to Mulvey’s newfound fatherhood. “This album is basically a happy family song, then a song about how f*cked up things are, then a family song, then a song about how f*cked up things are,” Mulvey laughs. And making Love Is The Only Thing at such a tumultuous time in history reinforced Mulvey’s and SistaStrings’ role as activists just as much as musicians. “Finding refuge and rejuvenation in these songs with this group of musicians was healing and personally some sort of mission statement for why we even make music in the first place,” Chauntee remembers.

Love Is The Only Thing explores loss, tension, and the love that sees us through it. Folk classic “Shenandoah” longs for a kinder America, while “Old Men Drinking Seagram’s” is a snapshot of a small town full of hate. “Soft Animal” offers tender sensuality, while “On the Eve of the Inaugural” finds the narrator turning his care to a baby in a stranger’s car.  “Song for Michael Brown” is a humble plea for compassion for Brown and for all of us living with the threat of violence and hate. Some songs are more focused on the loneliness of the pandemic and its flipside of love and togetherness. The newly-released “You and (Everyone Else)” addresses the pandemic loneliness and fear for others’ safety, while “Five Hundred Days” promises a happy reunion. That promise is fulfilled on “Early Summer of ‘21,” a catchy song about a day when it’s safe to hug everybody, wait in line for tacos, and feel free again.

The record finishes with the title track, a Chuck Prophet cover. With jangly acoustic guitar, rousing drumming, bold strings, and an anthemic chorus, this is the sound of musicians having fun together. It’s also a reminder that it’s not easy to make a better world, but ultimately that work reveals our humanity. “Love is a hurting thing/ Oh, but love is the only thing anymore,” Mulvey and SistaStrings belt out in the refrain.  It’s then abundantly clear that the love songs and the protest songs have been about the same thing all along.

SINGER SONGWRITER KIMBERLY KELLY RELEASES “BLACK ROSE”

Track is Featured on Forthcoming 12-Song, Show Dog Nashville Label Debut, I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen, Set for Release July 8

On the heels of announcing of her label debut, I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen, arriving July 8 via Show Dog Nashville in partnership with Thirty Tigers, singer/songwriter Kimberly Kelly releases another taste from the forthcoming album with her take on “Black Rose.” Listen HERE.

Produced by Brett Tyler, Kelly’s husband a hit songwriter himself with No. 1s like “Cold Beer Calling My Name” under his belt and written by Kelly’s friend and mentor Country Music Hall of Famer Billy Joe Shaver, her powerful take on the track closes out an album that unintentionally became a tribute to the late country music legend.

“Billy Joe was such an important part of my journey into music, and since we used his quote as the title of the album, it just seemed like we should end with one of his songs,” shares Kelly. “We listened to his entire catalog and just couldn’t decide what to cut. We landed on this one thinking we could tell it from Billy Joe’s point of view. He was strong in his faith, but also an outlaw. ‘The second time I done it on my own.’ I can relate to that line. Sometimes you do something again just because you want to.”

Kelly continues, “We put the voicemail he left me on the end of the track to bring it all the way around. When we started recording, I didn’t set out to make a tribute record to Billy Joe, but I love how this whole project came out and I will always love him.”

The latest track follows the release of nostalgic song-of-summer ready track, “Summers Like That” which left Billboard praising Kelly’s “warm, lifting voice” as well as “Blue Jean Country Queen” featuring Steve Wariner. Listen to both tracks HERE. Kelly also recently released a video for “Summers.” Directed by Tyler Barksdale, the video brings the song to life…capturing what young love looks like. Watch HERE.

Fans can catch Kelly this Tuesday, June 28, at 7 pm CT as she concludes her 3-week residency at Nashville’s legendary venue, The Basement. For more information visit, thebasementnashville.com.

A native of Lorena, Texas, Kelly spent years in both the Texas and Nashville music scenes earning an education in experiences that have made her both fearless in her approach to creating and unafraid to defy convention when it comes to industry expectations. Those years of hard work, all while also earning a Master’s degree and working fulltime, culminated last summer in a long-awaited record deal with Show Dog Nashville. Now she is set to make her label debut. Pre-order or pre-save I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen,HERE.

The album is already earning kudos including praise from legendary singer/songwriter and fellow Texan, Radney Foster, who shared, “If you like your Country music with fiddles and steel guitars, melodies that soar and a singer who unapologetically sings with a twang, you will love Kimberly Kelly. She’s a great songwriter and her timeless voice delivers power and emotion on this fun but often poignant collection. Don’t try to drive while you’re listening to ‘Person That You Marry.’ Don’t ask me how I know.”

Off stage Kelly possesses an inviting warmth mixed with sly self-deprecation, a winsome combo only earned with some life experience, self-awareness and nothing to prove on stage just the goods to stop a listener in their tracks. “This is not my first rodeo,” Kelly says of her Show Dog Nashville label debut. “I worked really hard in Texas before I came to Nashville. I wrote songs, put out records, did a radio tour, and played every weekend while going to school and working full-time.”

The album’s title, I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen, is a clever nod to her friend and fellow Texas musician, the late Country Music Hall of Famer, Billy Joe Shaver. The abbreviated quote comes from the better-than-fiction-true story of Shaver forcing his way into a Waylon Jennings recording session after the star tried to renege on recording some of his songs. Brushing off a $100 bill to go away, Shaver said to Jennings, “I’ll tell you what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna either listen to these songs or I’m gonna whip your ass.” Waylon agreed to listen to one. The rest is history in the form of Jennings’ 1973 Honky Tonk Heroes album, on which every song but one was written by Shaver.

“I landed on this album title on a dare,” Kelly says. “I was like, ‘Sure. What do I care?’ I did the Texas music scene, I’ve done time in Nashville, and I thought my time had passed when I got offered my record deal. My husband could keep writing songs and I’d just be a speech therapist. So I made this album like it’s the last one I’ll ever get to make and the title is my mantra so to speak. I love good songs, and I let the best ones win whether I wrote them or not. It’s a compilation I’m proud of, and I’m thrilled for people to hear them!”