Sneak peek at my February country music column!
My column, Inside Track on Music Row, is the longest running monthly country music column in America. Catch the January edition at Nashville Music Guide here, along with photos, videos, links and more. Meanwhile, here is a sneak peek at just a few of the items I am working on for the upcoming column for February 2022. Scroll down to read them now…
Lady A’s new single is ‘a love letter to fans’
Lady A launches into the new year with their next single “What A Song Can Do” (BMLG Records), available now and impacting Country radio on January 31. The title track from their eighth studio album serves as a love letter to fans that is steeped in music’s power to get us through and has already garnered nearly 4 million on-demand streams.
Written by the group’s Charles Kelley with Ryan Hurd, Sam Ellis and Laura Veltz, “What A Song Can Do” also illustrates the patience and optimism the trio has taken from their years together and is available at all digital retailers here. “We have been overfilled with gratitude after releasing this album and we don’t take it lightly that after eight albums our music still resonates with so many people,” Kelley said. “This song is the summation of where our hearts are right now and how much music can really pull us through in times of need. We love writing songs about lost love and things like that, but I feel like our favorite material comes with a strong positive message.” More information here.
Luke Bryan gets personal with new video for “Up”
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan exclusively premiered the new music video for his smash hit “Up” with Facebook in mid-January. The video was shot by Shaun Silva, a director with whom Luke has worked multiple times in the past. Written by Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, and Bobby Pinson “Up” is the sixth single from Luke’s #1 debuting Born Here Live Here Die Here album that already contains five consecutive #1 singles. Watch the “Up” video here.
The video is set in a barn where a small-town gathering is taking place. The crowd is watching film footage, scenes of weddings, homecomings, and football games. In in the same barn at a different time, Luke performs the song and is watching his own movie. Shaun (director) captured Luke viewing his film for the first time, so his reactions are real and authentic.
“When I saw the footage of my boys with both their grandfathers and then the closeup clip of my brother basically looking at me it was so overwhelming,” said Luke. “I could not be prouder, not only of the message of this song, but also how this video turned out.”
Mitchell Tenpenny adds Danny Gokey to his “Bucket List”
Riser House/Columbia Nashville #1 hitmaker Mitchell Tenpenny enlisted the help of Grammy-nominated performer Danny Gokey to record a new version of his smash hit “Bucket List.” The two powerhouse vocalists, who connected through a mutual friend, spar it out on the refreshed track. The song, written by Mitchell, Chris DeStefano and Laura Veltz, was originally released on New Year’s Day 2021. The “Bucket List” original version is included on Mitchell’s current EP Midtown Diaries that was released in September. Get the Mitchell/Danny version here.
Tenpenny and Cokey shot a music video for “Bucket List” at the Melrose Church at Fiddlers Grove in Wilson County, Tenn. The film was shot with Director Tristan Cusick. “‘Bucket List’ is about trying to live everyday like it’s your last. You never know how long you have on this earth, so you need to try and live it to the fullest,” shared Mitchell. “I’ve been a big fan of Danny’s for a long time, his voice is so incredible.” Updates to Tenpenny’s 2 Us It Did Tour here.
Gene Watson’s tour marks 60 years since his first release
2022 marks 60 years since country music legend Gene Watson released his first single to radio. To celebrate, Watson is embarking on his 60th Anniversary Tour, which will take Watson across the country. Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, the ‘singer’s singer’ has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records.
The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago and thrilling fans with his famous octave jumping ending to “Farewell Party” night after night. Purchase tour tickets here. “I wasn’t ever signed to a company called Sun Valley Records, Sun Valley was just the name of the street the drummer lived on,” shared Watson. “I’d never heard myself on the radio before, so I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard it the first time on a local Houston radio station.” Additionally, Watson has been in the studio working on his new project due out in 2022.
CJ Solar pops the question at Lake Tahoe concert
When CJ Solar got booked to perform in Lake Tahoe for a New Year’s Eve concert, he knew it would be the perfect place to propose to his girlfriend, Courtney Kruckeberg… and it was! During his set – outside on a cold, snowy night at Heavenly Village – he called Courtney on stage, got down on one knee and popped the question. She said yes! CJ met Courtney, who is the Creative Manager at Endurance Music Group in Nashville, at a Whiskey Jam concert where CJ was performing several years ago.
The beautiful ring holds great sentiment to the couple, as the center diamond originally graced the wedding ring of CJ’s great grandmother. No date for the nuptials has been set. CJ has kicked off his Nashville Hits The Roof tour of eight Tin Roof locations and will soon be announcing the release of new music. Tour updates and music here.
Read the January column here and read the full February column next month at Nashville Music Guide.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters.
Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com