Author: Meghan Reich
MORGAN WADE EARNS FIRST GOLD RECORD FOR DEBUT SINGLE “WILDER DAYS”
NAMED A TOP BONNAROO MOMENT BY THE TENNESSEAN
NEW ALBUM PSYCHOPATH RELEASES AUG. 25
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Morgan Wade has earned RIAA Gold certification for her debut single “Wilder Days” and was surprised with the news at a Nashville Dave & Buster’s last week.
Executives and staff from Sony Music Nashville and WME, plus members of Wade’s band and road team, joined Wade ahead of her debut performance at Bonnaroo, which was named one of the festival’s top moments by The Tennessean.
Wade recently announced her new album Psychopath will be released Aug. 25. Listen to the title track, which Rolling Stone India called “a smash-in-waiting,” HERE.
MEGAN MORONEY’S SMASH SINGLE “TENNESSEE ORANGE” HITS NO. 1 ON COUNTRY RADIO
PLATINUM-CERTIFIED HIT MARKS FIRST NO. 1 FOR FAST-RISING COUNTRY STAR
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Megan Moroney’s smash single “Tennessee Orange” hits No. 1 this week on Country radio ruling the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Country Airplay chart this week — the latest triumph in a blockbuster year for the Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records breakout star. The first single from her debut album LUCKY, the PLATINUM-certified “Tennessee Orange” has fueled Moroney’s meteoric rise from independent artist to one of the most dynamic new voices in Country music today.
First released last September — when the Georgia-bred singer-songwriter-guitarist was still unsigned — “Tennessee Orange” tells the story of a love so strong it leads her to defy her loyalty to her home team. Within just five days of its premiere, the viral sensation surpassed a MILLION streams and catapulted the Nashville-based 25-year-old into the Country spotlight — ultimately paving the way for her signing to Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records by the year’s end. As “Tennessee Orange” shot to No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cracked the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts, Moroney released LUCKY to immediate and massive acclaim (Rolling Stone for instance, listed the album in “The Best Albums of 2023 So Far,” claiming it as “the most exciting Country mainstream record of the first half of 2023”). Go here to stream/download LUCKY now.
With her ever-growing accolades also including winning BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR at the 2023 CMT Music Awards for this now No. 1 single — and making history as the fifth solo Country female artist ever to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart — Moroney recently made a powerhouse appearance at this year’s CMA Fest. Along with performing to a stadium full of rapturous fans on the Nissan Stadium Platform Stage, she thrilled a packed crowd at the Chevy Riverfront Stage and delivered an intimate acoustic pop-up at Spotify House — all in the very same day.
Last weekend, Moroney wrapped up her spring tour as support for Country music icons Brooks & Dunn. After taking the stage at a multitude of summer festivals in the US and UK, she’ll kick off THE LUCKY TOUR with her New York City debut at The Bowery Ballroom on September 20. With many of the venues selling out within minutes, the tour will stop at major cities and iconic venues coast-to-coast, including Moroney’s first-time appearance as an in-demand headliner in Chicago (Joe’s on Weed St.), Los Angeles (The Troubadour), New Braunfels, TX (Gruene Hall), and more. For full tour dates and ticketing information, visit https://www.meganmoroney.com/.
KEEP UP WITH MEGAN MORONEY
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GET READY TO DANCE – WILLIE JONES RELEASES DEBUT MAJOR LABEL ALBUM, “SOMETHING TO DANCE TO”
NEW PROJECT OUT NOW
“SOMETHING TO DANCE TO: THE WILLIE JONES ALBUM EXPERIENCE” HAPPENING TODAY AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC
PERFORMING AT NMAAM BRIDGE TO BROADWAY BLOCK PARTY (6/18)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Willie Jones has plenty to celebrate as his new album Something To Dance To arrives today. Listen HERE.
MusicRow lauded the title track, declaring “This giddy, rhythmic ditty is a blast,” with Country Nowechoing “The carefree song joins hands with the power of music as the rising singer/songwriter invites listeners to dance to the style of their choosing.” Featuring Jones’ standout singles including “Down by the Riverside,” “Get Low, Get High,” “Slow Cookin’,” and more, Something To Dance Toexplores emotional facets that Jones says “represent every part of me” but each carries a central theme of finding joy in life’s experiences. It’s a celebration of it all: the highs and lows, the loves and losses, the starts and ends, and the connective tissue of just being human. Lacing traditional country soundscapes of steel guitar, banjo, and harmonica with Jones’ signature Louisiana hip-hop gumbo, the resulting sonic heartbeat reflects a man whose upbringing molded him into an innovator who bridges the Block Party and the Barn Dance.
Today, Jones will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process during “Something To Dance To: The Willie Jones Album Experience” at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. Hosted by The Tennessean country music journalist Marcus K. Dowling and Averianna the Personality, Jones will share his personal journey that inspired the upcoming project, plus the ins and outs of his artistic process from songwriting to production and every aspect in between. Jones will hit the stage with his signature swagger to deliver high-energy performances of select album tracks. The event begins at 3:30 p.m. CT.
He will also perform Sunday at the NMAAM’s Third Annual Bridge to Broadway Block Party in downtown Nashville. Occupying the block between NMAAM (510 Broadway) and Bridgestone Arena, the block party celebrates culture, music, and heritage.
SOMETHING TO DANCE TO TRACKLIST
1. Down by the Riverside (Willie Jones/Jason Afable/Josh Logan)
2. Something To Dance To (Willie Jones/Eric Arjes/Cary Barlowe)
3. I Can’t Complain (Willie Jones/Curt Chambers/Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards/Jared Sciullo)
4. Lil Vibe (Willie Jones/Jesse B. Thomas/Aaron Zuckerman)
5. Slow Cookin’ (Willie Jones/Jason Afable/Phillip Fender/Zak Waters/Hank Williams)
6. Easy (Willie Jones/Nick Autry/Eric Olson)
7. Them Girls Do (Willie Jones/Nick Autry/Justin Ebach)
8. Soul Food (Willie Jones/Jason Afable/Josh Logan)
9. No Tellin’ (Willie Jones/James McNair/Chris Stevens/Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards)
10. Let’s Be a Love Song (Willie Jones/Jeffrey Joseph East/JD Walker/Zak Waters)
11. Get Low, Get High (Willie Jones/Cary Barlowe/Brandon Day)
WillieJonesMusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
ADAM DOLEAC RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW SINGLE, “BIGGEST FAN”
Now Available on All Streaming Platforms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today,rising singer and songwriter Adam Doleac has announced the release of his highly-anticipated new single “Biggest Fan,” now available on all streaming platforms.
Doleac will be performing at country music’s biggest event of the year, CMA Fest, at the Chevy Vibes Stage on Thursday, June 8 at 3:30PM CT where he will announce the release of his long-awaited single “Biggest Fan.” Following his performance, Doleac will be hosting the ‘Biggest Fan’ party in celebration of his newly released track at ACME. His presence continues at the Music Row Happy Hour located at Margaritaville on Friday, June 9 and will wrap up the weekend with a special appearance you won’t want to miss on Saturday, June 10 at 12:30AM CT at the Spotify House.
The ballad is inspired by his own experience with love and admiration for his wife, Mackinnon. Doleac uses the term “Biggest Fan” as a way to celebrate everyone’s biggest supporters within their lives. Doleac’s heartfelt lyrics and smooth and velvety delivery pair in perfect harmony with the tune of piano keys. Snippets of the fan favorite track made a splash on social media platforms earlier this year becoming a viral hit that quickly resonated with his fans and leaving them wanting more.
“Biggest Fan” is a love letter to my wife, Mackinnon,” says Doleac. “She’s always telling me that she’s MY biggest fan. This song is an ode to her making sure she knows I am hers too. She’s been in my crowd long before there was even a crowd to be in and has believed in me at times that I didn’t even believe in myself. I know that kind of love isn’t easy to find, but I hope everybody looking for it out there finds it. We all need a “Biggest Fan” cheering us on in this crazy little thing called life.”
“Biggest Fan” is the latest in a string of hot new releases, including both the studio and demo versions of “Wrong Side of a Sunrise,” as well as Barstool Whiskey Wonderland (Wonderland Sides), which consists of acoustic versions of several fan favorites, including “Famous,” “Coulda Loved You Longer,” and “Don’t It Sound Alright.” The acoustic EP along with the “Wrong Side Of A Sunrise” are nods to his fans who continuously requested stripped down versions of his music to highlight his smooth, honeyed vocals.
Last fall, Doleac released his debut album, Barstool Whiskey Wonderland, which Billboard noted, “The 18-track collection shows off Doleac’s smooth, sultry vocals…The album also displays his strong storytelling craft–he co-wrote all but one of the tracks on the set.” He co-wrote every song on the album aside from his collaboration with Danielle Bradbery, “Fake Love,” which was penned by an all-star lineup made up of HARDY, Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris and Jordan Schmidt.
In May, Adam wrapped his headlining BARSTOOL WHISKEY WONDERLAND TOUR. The tour, which included special guest, Alana Springsteen, hit sold out crowds in New York, Boston, Dallas, Houston, and Charlotte and others. He’ll also be performing at Bash on the Bay and Golden Sky Festival later this year.
AdamDoleac.com | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter
COLBY ACUFF’S MAJOR LABEL DEBUT “WESTERN WHITE PINES” OUT TODAY VIA SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE
SET TO MAKE GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT AUGUST 1
SUMMER TOUR DATES CONFIRMED
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Colby Acuff’s anticipated major label debut album, Western White Pines, is out today via Sony Music Nashville. Stream/purchase HERE.
Produced by Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Cody Jinks) and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios, Western White Pines establishes Acuff as “one of the most promising artists on the rise” (Whiskey Riff). Across these ten tracks, written mainly by Acuff alone, he demonstrates his rugged spirit with lyrics filled with grit and authenticity.
Already receiving critical attention, Music Row declares, “His energy and his reedy, heartfelt voice are infectious,” while The Amp praises, “This is the artist and the quintessential country album that we have all been desperately searching for…Western White Pines is pure lightning in a mason jar” and The Nash News proclaims, “the kind of country music that derived from the mountains of its forefathers.”
In celebration of the new music, Acuff will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday, August 1 and continue to tour through this summer including dates supporting Shane Smith & The Saints, as well as a show as part of the Whiskey Jam Tailgate, which takes place ahead of Luke Combs’ sold-out US stadium tour. See below for complete tour itinerary.
Reflecting on the album, Acuff shares, “Western White Pines is a project full of some of my favorite songs. The record is unique in all aspects of the word. You will never hear the same song twice, but you will know that it’s a Colby Acuff record.”
WESTERN WHITE PINES TRACK LIST
1. Western White Pines
2. One Day At A Time
3. Playing God Again
4. Outlaw in Me
5. Boy And A Bird Dog
6. Better Man
7. Hard Livin’ Life
8. Welcome to Toms
9. All I Got
10. Rolling With The Wind
COLBY ACUFF CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
June 10—Kansas City, MO—Arrowhead Stadium – Luke Combs Bootleggers Tailgate Party
June 17—Weiser, ID—Weiser River Music Festival
June 22—Loma, CO—Country Jam Colorado Music Festival
June 23—Cheyenne, WY—Outlaw Saloon
June 24—Denver, CO—The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues
July 1—Frontier, WY—Wyoming Sheep and Wool Festival
July 7—Green Gables, PE—Cavendish Beach Music Festival
July 16—Whitefish, MT—Under the Big Sky Festival
July 19—Great Falls, MT—Downtown Summer Jam
July 20—Emigrant, MT—The Old Saloon*
July 24—Waterloo, NE—Buck’s Bar and Grill
July 26—McKinney, TX—Hank’s Texas Grill
July 27—San Angelo, TX—Wild West Fest
July 28—Waco, TX—Backyard Bar, Stage & Grill
July 29—Shreveport, LA—Louisiana Grandstand
August 1—Nashville, TN—Grand Ole Opry
September 1—Colville, WA—FarmJam
October 22—Simpsonville, SC—Greenville Country Music Fest
December 16—Las Vegas, NV—The Theater at Virgin Hotels
*supporting Shane Smith & The Saints
KAMERON MARLOWE RELEASES “I CAN LIE (THE TRUTH IS)”
PERFORMING AT CMA FEST TOMORROW (6/10)
DIRECT SUPPORT ON LUKE BRYAN’S FARM TOUR 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kameron Marlowe takes listeners back to the honky tonks on his new track “I Can Lie (The Truth Is).” Listen HERE.
“‘I Can Lie’ is a song about a toxic relationship that talks about the battle of loving and hating someone who’s just not good for you,” said Marlowe. “When people hear it, I want them to be taken back in time to the 1970s when western outlaw country was taking over.”
Anchored by wailing pedal steel, forlorn fiddle, and Marlowe’s barrel-chested vocals, the song is fit for a dancehall waltz. It’s the latest offering from Marlowe, whose debut album We Were Cowboysarrived in August 2022 to critical acclaim, with Taste of Country hailing his “commitment to making sure the stories he tells are powerful, vibrant and true” and the “evocative, cinematic and deeply personal” title track, which MusicRow called “Ferociously good.” Whiskey Riff also lauded the “down-to-earth, relatable” album that makes listeners “feel a kindred spirit with [Marlowe] as a writer, singer and overall grounded human being.” The project features his Platinum- and Gold-certified singles “Giving You Up” and “Burn ‘Em All.”
Marlowe has been named to the CMT Listen Up and Opry NextStage classes of 2023 and will perform on the Chevy Riverfront stage at CMA Fest tomorrow (6/10) at 10:45 a.m. He’ll also appear at Sony Music Live at ACME Feed & Seed at 1:00 p.m. and Spotify House at 5:30 p.m.
Following his celebrated headline WE WERE COWBOYS TOUR, Marlowe will be on the road this summer and fall with Dierks Bentley, Parker McCollum, and Jordan Davis, and is set to open for Luke Bryan on his fall FARM TOUR 2023.
KameronMarlowe.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE, UTA & UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP NASHVILLE ALL ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF POP, GENRE-BENDING SINGER-SONGWRITER BEN GOLDSMITH
NEW TRACK “FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR” OUT TODAY, LISTEN HERE
DEBUT ALBUM THE WORLD BETWEEN MY EARS DUE SEPTEMBER 22, Pre-Order/Save Here
OFFERED BONNAROO PERFORMANCE ON JUNE 17 FOLLOWING SOLO SHOWCASE AT LIVE NATION
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, singer-songwriter Ben Goldsmith debuted a new track, “Flowers In Your Hair,” and announced his signing to Sony Music Nashville, UTA and Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. Goldsmith, then 16 and with no social media following, was offered a deal on the spot after performing for Sony Music Nashville executives. In his agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville, Goldsmith was signed to an exclusive, global publishing deal.
Additionally, after a solo showcase at Live Nation in Nashville this year, Goldsmith was offered a slot at Bonnaroo on Saturday, June 17. This performance will take place just 7 days after he graduates from high school.
“Flowers In Your Hair” will be part of Goldsmith’s 15-track, debut album The World Between My Ears releasing September 22. The project is a result of the singer traveling back and forth to Nashville during the covid years to write songs, create his own sound, and woodshed in the studio with Brad Jones (Hayes Carll, Chuck Prophet, Ron Sexsmith), who he co-produced the project with. The result is a broad, melody driven and soulful musical palette. Pre-order/save The World Between My Ears HERE.
In the new track out today, the genre-bending artist and Long Island, NY native refers to Nashville, his new home, as “the skyline of my dreams.” “Flowers In Your Hair” displays the singer’s powerful and emotionally resonant voice and lush, fully realized melodies. In the song, Goldsmith also nods at one of his favorite artists, Maggie Rogers, in the opening line “Sitting in my bedroom / Maggie on repeat.” Like Rogers and so many of Goldsmith’s other favorites (Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, Steve Lacy, Zach Bryan), his multidimensional artistry transcends format and genre.
Goldsmith’s musical journey started at four years old (where his violin teacher discovered he had perfect pitch) and has included jazz guitar studies at The Manhattan School of Music and Mannes College of Music in NY. Ben recorded an EP of original music at 11 years old and played all of the instruments. He developed a commanding onstage presence performing live in School of Rock programs, local community events, fairs and clubs by the time he was 12 years old. At 13 he perfected his guitar skills with Tomo Fujita, whose teaching résumé includes Berklee College of Music and John Mayer.
Earlier this year, Goldsmith debuted several new tracks including “Wolves” and “It’ll All Be Alright.” He is managed by Mike Crowley.
With a natural yet extraordinary gift for singing and songwriting and a passion for performing, Ben is blazing his own Converse-paved trail. For more information on Goldsmith, visit BenGoldsmith.net, and to watch past live performances, visit his YouTube.
BenGoldsmith.net | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE SIGNS PHENOM DAVID J
Ryan Tedder’s Runner Music Joins In Partnership
New Song “Last Time” Available Now
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sony Music Nashville has signed 19-year-old multi-instrumentalist David J, the label announced today. As revealed exclusively in Variety, Runner Music and founder Ryan Tedder are joining in partnership with the label as Tedder is an avid supporter of the country-pop phenom.
“I can’t wait to see what happens in this next chapter with Sony and Runner,” said David. “When I was in my bedroom studio in New York and releasing my own music, I always dreamt of being on a major label and working with Ryan Tedder. I actually got his masterclass for Christmas 2 years ago during Covid. The day I walked into Sony it felt like home and I’m so excited for our future together!”
“David is a true unicorn talent and I’m thrilled that Runner can partner with Sony to help bring his music to the world,” said Tedder. “I’m also pleased to announce that Brandon Silverstein is working with Runner as a strategic and creative partner for this project.”
To celebrate the news, David J has released his latest track “Last Time,” available everywhere now. Listen HERE.
“‘Last Time’ is a song about going back to that person who you know isn’t right for you, and you think one more time won’t hurt as badly, but instead it just makes everything worse,” said David J. “I actually wrote this right after I went back to an ex. This song is for anyone who may be going back to a person or situation they know is bad for them in the moment. Life’s too short to stress over it.”
A native of upstate New York, David J has earned 75 million career on-demand streams on his noteworthy independent releases including “Lost My Heartbreak,” “Before You,” and “Stay.” All appear on his 2022 EP Lost My Heartbreak and helped catapult David J to the frontlines of country music’s cutting edge. Having supported Blake Shelton, Mitchell Tenpenny, Chase Rice, Drake White and more on the road, David J is set for upcoming dates with Lauren Alaina and will appear at CMA Fest on Saturday, June 10 on the Maui Jim Reverb Stage. With nearly 1 million total social followers, he is actively writing and recording new music with new releases coming soon.
David J is managed by Grey Area Music, operated by Joe Putnam, Sean Pace, and Collin McMillan, and represented by Sabrina Butera at CAA for booking.
DavidJ-Music.com | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR MAKING BILLBOARD’S COUNTRY POWER PLAYERS LIST 2023!
RANDY GOODMAN – Chairman/CEO
KEN ROBOLD – COO/Executive VP
STEVE HODGES – Executive VP of Promotion and Artist Development
JENNIFER WAY – Senior VP of Marketing
TAYLOR LINDSEY – Senior VP of A&R
“Superstars like Luke Combs and Kane Brown continued their hot streaks, while developing artists quickly gained traction, says Lindsey. Nate Smith took ‘Whiskey on You’ to No. 1 on Country Airplay, while Kameron Marlowe, Megan Moroney and Corey Kent also scored radio hits. ‘As we continue to sign and release more music from this rising roster, our biggest achievement is true artist development,’ Lindsey says, ‘and it’s exciting to watch the team dive in to help kick off the careers of these new acts.'”