Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to induct five of Music City’s finest

Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 to be honored at November Gala

By Preshias Harris

Country music fans think of Nashville as a city built on the success that many Country recording artists found in the studios of Music City.  But the artists themselves will readily tell you that the real stars are the songwriters.  When Number One parties are held in Nashville, they celebrate the songwriters who wrote the chart-toppers, rather than the singers and bands on the recording. The 1982 hit song “16th Avenue” (written by Thom Schuyler and recorded by Lacy J. Dalton) summed it up this way: “God bless the boys who make the noise on 16th Avenue,” referring to one of the streets than comprise Nashville’s fabled Music Row. 

For many years, the songwriting community mainly consisted of “boys” (and old boys) and while more females are now seeing their names on songwriting credits, only one female writer will be among the inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2021.  

Amy Grant, Toby Keith, Rhett Akins, Buddy Cannon and John Scott Sherrill will be inducted into the Hall this November, according to an announcement made July 13 by Sarah Cates, chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall off Fame Foundation board of directors, and Mark Ford, its executive director.

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Inside Track Summer Edition now posted

Warm weather, hot music news

Inside Track on Music Row, my monthly music column, is now posted and ready to read at Nashville Music Guide. This month’s column is a special ‘Summer Edition’ with even more news than usual including info on upcoming tours, album releases, artist and songwriter news and more. Inside Track is the longest running monthly country music column in the USA. Read the entire column here. Meanwhile, here is a teaser with just a few of the stories in this month’s column…

  • Country’s top stars pay tribute to Charlie Daniels on new album
  • Thomas Rhett and dad Rhett Akins team up on “Things Dads Do”
  • Doyle Lawson set to release final album before retiring
  • Male trio Texas Hill‘s 8-song collection Stabal Session (Live Acoustic)
  • Buck Owens albums from the 60s and 70s re-released on CD & digital
  • Chris Lane will kick off Fill Them Boots Tour in October

scroll down to read these items…

ALBUM NEWS: Walmart is helping pay tribute to the late Charlie Daniels by exclusively carrying an upcoming collaborative album that features the Country Music Hall of Fame member dueting with some of the biggest stars in country music, bluegrass, and southern rock. The physical edition of Charlie Daniels & Friends – Duets (via Blue Hat Records & BFD / Audium Nashville) will be available for purchase in all Walmart stores and walmart.com on Friday, July 16.

“It goes without saying that it’s been a rough year for my mom and I, our CDB family and dad’s fans,” says Daniels’ son, Charlie Daniels Jr. “But his music will live on forever, and we’re happy that this Duets collection will add to his legacy.” The nineteen-track compilation features Daniels singing and pickin’ with a slew of top-notch stars including Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Darius Rucker, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Brenda Lee, Gretchen Wilson, Marty Stuart and more. Album details and pre-order info here

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Music news update: Mid-June 2021

Nashville is opening up and the music is center stage again

It feels like the good times are coming back in Music City and here’s the music news update for mid-June, 2021. As always, all these items and more appear in the June edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA. You can catch it every month in the Nashville Music Guide. Here are some more items from my current column:

  • The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for the Awards Show set for September at the Ryman
  • Netflix movie The Ice Road features hot songs woven into its soundtrack
  • CMT Awards: here are the big winners!
  • Brett Young sets date for Caliville Weekend and announces headliners
  • Songwriters heading to the Smoky Mountains for Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival
  • Explore the electric guitar in an online program from the Country Music Hall of fame and Museum
  • Shenandoah will livestream from historic FAME studios in Muscle Shoals
  • Dallas Remington’s “Princess” inspired by a Royal wedding

Scroll down to read these news items…

The Americana Music Association has announced the nominees for its 20th annual Americana Honors & Awards during a socially-distanced ceremony at Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). This year’s nominations were revealed by GRAMMY® Award-winner Keb’ Mo’ and Ketch Secor, frontman and fiddler of the Americana Award and GRAMMY®-winning band, Old Crow Medicine Show. The intimate event was streamed live to the Americana Music Association’s Facebook page. 

The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The celebrated program is the hallmark event of AMERICANAFEST, which returns for its 21st year on Sept. 22-25, 2021. Find ticketing information and a full list of nominees or purchase passes to AMERICANAFEST here.  

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When it comes to the road, nobody understands hard driving like Big Machine Label Group founder and chairman Scott Borchetta. The longtime racer, NASCAR team owner, IndyCar sponsor and race historian loves the feel of the asphalt in a way that transcends transportation. When Jonathan Hensleigh, the writer and director of Netflix’s The Ice Road wanted a label to deliver a multi-genre film soundtrack, he knew that Big Machine was the only choice. The Ice Road, an action thriller starring Liam Neeson, debuts on Netflix on June 25.  

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Music news update: Mid-May 2021

Summer is on the way and the Nashville music scene is heating up! 

Acts are already planning tours that had been put on hold and new albums are getting set for release. Here is a quick roundup of some of the stories that will be part of the June 2021 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running monthly country music column in the USA. Scroll down to catch up on these news items:

  • Steve Wariner celebrates his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry
  • Justin Moore receives the Pandora Billionaire plaque in recognition of 3 billion streams on the platform
  • Carrie and Luke are heading to Vegas for residencies at Resorts World
  • Chris LeDoux Estate set to release Wyoming Cowboy – A Collection in July
  • Rhonda Towns releases “Walking In Your Wonderful Light,” title track from upcoming EP
  • Allie Colleen says “Don’t Give Your Heart To A Cowboy” on second single from Stones album
  • Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s new album, A Few Stars Apart, will be released June 11
  • Natalie Madigan signs with ASCAP for PRO representation
  • I’ll Fly Away Foundation uses the power of music to engage children and improve their lives through songwriting
  • Sturgill Simpson has recorded his own version of “Paradise,” one of John Prine’s best-loved songs
  • David Frizzell’s fan-favorite album, Frizzell & Friends: Roundup Live in Concert, reissued by Time-Life

Scroll down to read all these news items…

Steve Wariner

Few have attained the achievements of multi-GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM Award-winning performer Steve Wariner. The singer-songwriter-instrumentalist recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with appearance on the Opry stage May 8 and May 11.  Wariner’s lifelong dream came true when he was inducted May 11, 1996 and performed “A Woman Loves,” as well as a duet with Bill Anderson of “Tips Of My Fingers” and then joined Chet Atkins on “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?”

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Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, LANCO and more in the news

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ May 2021 now posted!

The May 2021 edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ is now posted at Nashville Music Guide! It’s the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA, and as always Amanda and her team at NMG have added all the ‘bells and whistles’ with links, videos, photos and music you won’t find anywhere else. Read the entire column here at NMG.

Among the content you will find there…

  • Chris Stapleton takes home Album of the Year Award at the ACM Awards for Starting Over, produced by Dave Cobb…
  • Share a “First Beer” with LANCO as their current single reminisces about “our first drink and the people we were with”…
  • Alan Jackson asks Where Have You Gone with his first studio album of new music in six years, set for release May 14…
  • Kolt Barber is on the road, combining his traditional brand of country with rodeo on The American Cowboy Showdown
  • Larry Gatlin reveals that he was the ‘unnamed country singer’ with a cocaine addiction in Matthew McConaughey’s new memoir Greenlights
  • Exile – my favorite Kentucky group – announced a VIP live online concert set for May 20, 2021…

…plus a whole lot more, ready for you to read right now. Hop on over to Nashville Music Guide’s website here and catch up with the news on my ‘Inside Track on Music Row.’

 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

What’s new in country music?

It’s February’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ with Preshias

Lots to catch up on in this month’s Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA, written and presented by Preshias Harris.

Read the full column, along with links to music, videos, photos and more here at Nashville Music Guide. Among this month’s stories…

  • Adam Sanders’ new album, Adam Sanders Live, and links to the tracks
  • On the 20th anniversary of releasing his first single to radio, Tim McGraw duets with Tyler Hubbard on “Undivided”
  • HARDY says “Give Heaven Some Hell” to a departed friend in new single…
  • Check out the tracks on Lee Brice’s latest album, Hey World
  •  The 2021 Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels, scheduled for February 22, has been moved to a new date
  • On “Freedom Was A Highway,” Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley reminisce about the nostalgia and simplicity of more carefree, youthful days
  • Kip Moore shares the track and video of “How High” from his 17-track Wild World Deluxe project, set to drop Feb 12
  • Eric Church’s 3-part project Heart & Soul includes a special part just for Church Choir members
  • Loretta Lynn is Still Woman Enough with new album due in March plus a PBS documentary
  • Thomas Rhett is the latest country artist to get into the wine & liquor business with Dos Primos tequila
  • Parker Millsap teases upcoming album Be Here Instead with single, “The Real Thing”
  • Plus… Chris Janson, Ashlyn Grayce, Gene Watson, Opry News, Brett Young, Tin Pan South 2021 update, Buck Owens, Clay Walker and more in the February 2021 Inside Track on Music Row posted here at Nashville Music Guide now!

 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

@PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ January 2021

Check out this month’s Nashville Music Guide

Kickin’ off the New Year with a whole bunch of country music news in my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running monthly country music column in the USA. Click here to read it in the January edition of Nashville Music Guide.

Among the many news items in this month’s column:

  • New albums from Brandy Clark, Chris Stapleton, Alex Hall and Bill Anderson
  • A look at Shenandoah’s 2020 all-star project, Every Road
  • The Grammys are set for Jan 31 and here’s a glance at all the nominations in the country music categories
  • Two new syndicated radio shows from Hope Radio: 90s Country Flashback and 615 The Grind
  • 2020 was a great year for Curb’s ‘golden boy’ Lee Brice. Or should that be ‘platinum boy’?
  • Dates announced for Tin Pan South 2021
  • Brady Seals (Little Texas) releases new autobiography, God Blessed Texas and Me Too
  • Plus Matt Stell, Eric Church, Blane Howard, Old Dominion, Chris Young and more. Catch the entire column in the January 2021 Nashville Music Guide.

Preshias Harris  is an advocate for songwriters and a 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

@PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

Luke Combs tops Airplay chart, Morgan Wallen’s album debuts at No. 1

Country update from Preshias

Here’s a quick roundup of what’s happening this week on Music Row and in Country Music!

  • Luke Combs logs his tenth No. 1
  • Morgan Wallen debuts on both Billboard’s Top 200 and Top Country Album charts
  • HARDY set to “Give Heaven Some Hell”
  • Parker Millsap is “The Real Thing”
  • Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson roll up their sleeves for vaccine
  • GigTours™ wants you to say “I’m With the Band”
  • Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A and more. Scroll down to read all these country music news items

Luke Combs does it again. Luke has logged his tenth consecutive No. 1 song atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the week of Jan 23. Titled “Better Together,” the song was co-written by Combs with Dan Isbell and Randy Montana and is the fifth single from Luke’s album What You See Is What You Get.

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Dangerous! Morgan Wallen’s new 30-track double album

Preshias talks country music with Y’all Show host Jon Rawl

Another busy week on Music Row. @PreshiasHarris and Jon discuss a bunch of topics on this week’s livestream that you can watch now on the Ya’ll Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel. Among the topics:

  • Morgan Wallen’s new double album includes collaborations with some of Nashville’s biggest writers and artists
  • Terry McBride – of McBride & the Ride – releases a new album, and the Ride’s entire catalog is now available on Spotify
  • Tim McGraw and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard are “Undivided” on a new heartfelt song of unity
  • Three sad losses for Nashville: the passing of Ed Bruce, Jamie O’Hara and Misty Morgan
  • Thomas Rhett launches Dos Primos tequila and joins the list of country artists in the wine and liquor business
  • Lady A’s “Champagne Night” takes the charts by storm after Songland TV show
  • Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A, some country artists celebrating birthdays this week, the Top 5 Country Airplay songs and more. Scroll down to read the program notes, and watch the livestream at the Y’all Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel.
Continue reading “Dangerous! Morgan Wallen’s new 30-track double album”

Loretta Lynn, Chris Young, Elvie Shane and more on the Y’all Show with Preshias

The first Y’all Show of 2021

Preshias is back on the Ya’ll Show for the first show of 2021, talking about what’s happening in Nashville and the world of country music. There was a lot to catch up on after the Christmas and New Year’s break! Y’all Show host Jon Rawl is on hand to ask @PreshiasHarris what’s up on Music Row. Watch the latest Y’all Show with Preshias at the Y’all Show YouTube Channel or at the Y’all Show website. Among this week’s topics…

  • The Grammys have been postponed thanks to the Coronavirus. The Recording Academy has set a new date in March…
  • Loretta Lynn is Still Woman Enough and this week she took to Twitter to talk about her upcoming album and the women of Country who’ll be featured on the project…
  • Shenandoah marked a ‘high’ point in a ‘low’ year for me with the 2020 release of their album Every Road featuring Luke, Blake, Carly, Brad and more of their friends…
  • Broken Bow’s Elvie Shane premieres the music vid – directed by video veteran Peter Zavadil – for his moving debut single, “My Boy”…
  • Former Bee Gee Barry Gibb’s Nashville album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1 produced by Dave Cobb drops January 8 featuring a who’s who of Music City’s finest…
  • Blane Howard is a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan and his single “Run It Back” is his tribute to his favorite team, when he isn’t singing “Promise To Lover Her” to his wife…
  • We take a lot back at how 2020 treated Chris Young – and it treated him pretty well with a stack of Gold and Platinum discs for his album I’m Coming’ Over and a bunch of singles…
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