Gabby Barrett is country’s new “golden girl” as she continues to break records with her debut album Goldmine. Among her achievements:
- Barrett is the first-ever female artist with a Country song to log over 10 million on-demand streams in a single week with 11.3 million.
- The ACM New Female Artist Of The Year Nominee has racked up nearly 400 million on-demand streams to date.
- Barrett is the youngest artist to have a debut No. 1 in over two decades.
- Additionally, Goldmine breaks the first day country streaming records on Amazon Music globally with first-day streams exceeding any other debut country album ever.
Barrett finished third on Season 16 of American Idol, and her debut single, “I Hope,” was certified Gold in January 2020. It was the first top 10 Hot Country Songs debut by an unaccompanied woman since October 2017.
In February, she appeared at “Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at CRS” during the 2020 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, performing for hundreds of country radio executives and programmers. News, music and tour updates at https://www.gabbybarrett.com/
New music on the way from Rascal Flatts. The superstar vocal group will be releasing their forthcoming How They Remember You EP on July 31 via Big Machine Records and available for pre-order now at https://rascalflatts.lnk.to/RememberYou_EPPR The seven-track project will include six unreleased tracks as well as their recently-released heartfelt rendition of Kenny Rogers’ “Through The Years.”
The EP also boasts a notable caliber of songwriters with tracks co-written by Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Josh Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and more. “We are so excited about our new EP and single, ‘How They Remember You,’” shared Gary LeVox. “It’s a song about what kind of impact and legacy you want to leave in life. It’s a fantastic song to celebrate 20 years of making music together.” News updates and music at https://www.rascalflatts.com/
The Grand Opening of Ole Red in Orlando had to be postponed at the last minute. I was among those standing by for a Zoom-based media event on Friday. Unfortunately, we were informed that the official launch and ribbon cutting, that had already been postponed from earlier this year, had once again been canceled due to concerns over Covid-related safety.
Ole Red Orlando is the fourth location launched by Blake Shelton in conjunction with Ryman Hospitality, joining those located in Nashville, Tenn., Tishomingo, Okla., and Gatlinburg, Tenn. Each of the locations features what they call a “Blake Shelton-inspired menu” and Ole Red signature cocktails.
I’m sorry the ‘virtual’ launch party had to be postponed. I was looking forward to asking Blake about the red farm tractor, allegedly hanging from the ceiling over the stage!
The name, “Ole Red,” is inspired by Blake Shelton’s 2002 version of the song “Ol’ Red,” previously recorded by both George Jones and Kenny Rogers. Although “Ol’ Red” was not one of Blake’s biggest hits, it has become his signature song and was the obvious choice for naming the restaurants. More about Ole Red – the restaurants, not the dog in the song title – go to https://olered.com/
More Covid closure updates: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that it will remain closed at least for the rest of July. A statement released June 29th stated that the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum places a premium on health and safety. The statement continued, “With the recent increase of COVID-19 cases in Nashville and throughout the country, we determined it was necessary to extend our temporary closure to protect the health of our staff and guests. The Museum’s galleries will remain closed to the public through Friday, July 31, 2020.”
More information at https://countrymusichalloffame.org/
Redheads gotta stick together: Caylee Hammack is offering fans a look into her upcoming debut album by releasing her new song, “Redhead,” featuring country’s most famous redhead, Reba McEntire. Co-written by Hammack with Natalie Hemby and Trent Dabbs, the song details the childhood of a brazen “Redhead.”
Hammack also premiered a music video for the track exclusively with CMT. Directed by Justin Clough, the video takes viewers back to a little redhead’s childhood, living life in a double-wide trailer as her parents attempt to handle their daughter’s fervor.
Of Reba’s involvement in the song, Hammack said, “Reba came in the studio and transformed this song. She helped me create an anthem for all redheads. Whether you get it naturally or find it in a bottle, this is for the firecrackers!” More at https://www.cayleehammack.com/
Tenille Townes is an emerging singer-songwriter who is already a two-time ACM Award nominee. Tenille’s debut album, The Lemonade Stand, was released June 26. You can stream or download the album via https://tenilletownes.com/
Now she is hosting her annual “Big Hearts For Big Kids” benefit concert, tonight, June 30, from Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. The virtual event features Townes performing songs from her new album along with special at-home performances from Dierks Bentley, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, and more. In the ten years since Townes started the fundraiser, “Big Hearts For Big Kids” has raised over $1.9 million for Sunrise House—a local youth shelter in Townes’ hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. Proceeds from this year’s event will once again benefit Sunrise House as well as Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee’s Troop 6000—an initiative that supports girls without permanent housing. Donations to both organizations can be made via http://bigheartsforbigkids.com/
Kenny Chesney tops the Billboard Country Airplay for the week of July 4 with “Here And Now,” his 31st chart-topper. Written by Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy and David Garcia, “Here and Now” follows the Top 10 hit, “Tip of My Tongue.” Chesney had planned to tour stadiums this summer to support the Here and Now album, but that tour was canceled because of the coronavirus. Chesney has now announced plan to play the rescheduled stadium dates starting in May 2021. “Here And Now” is the title track from his album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts in June. His first No. 1 single was 1997’s “She’s Got It All.” News and tour updates at https://www.kennychesney.com/home
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“I Know Country” Q&A from www.IKnowCountry.com
QUESTION: Can you name the artist whose music video for “Redneck Yacht Club” debuted on CMT in June 30, 2005?
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Today in Country Music
June 30, 1972 Opryland USA Theme Park and the Opryland Hotel celebrated their Grand Opening, after opening to the public a month earlier. Around 2.5 million people visited the park annually. Known as the “Home of American Music,” Opryland USA featured musical shows as well as the usual amusement park rides. Many country artists got their start performing on the many stages at Opryland.
June 30, 1995 Garth Brooks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Appropriately, it is located in front of the Capitol Records building. In a sort of time capsule, the master tapes of his album, The Hits, were buried under the star.
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“I Know Country” Q&A Answer: Craig Morgan. “Redneck Yacht Club” was written by Thom Shepherd and Steve Williams.
- It went on to be certified Gold by RIAA for sales of 500,000+ and also Gold for digital downloads.
- “Redneck Yacht Club” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
- It was the second single from Morgan’s album, My Kind Of Livin’.
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No. 1 Country Songs Over The Decades
July 1, 1962 “Wolverton Mountain” Claude King
July 1, 1972 “Eleven Roses” Hank Williams, Jr
July 1, 1982 “Slow Hand” Conway Twitty
July 1, 1992 “Achy Breaky Heart” Billy Ray Cyrus
July 1, 2002 “Living and Living Well” George Strait
July 1, 2012 “Springsteen” Eric Church
This Week’s Country Music Birthdays
June 28 Kelly Pickler, 1986
June 30 Cole Swindell, 1983
July 1 Keith Whitley, 1953
July 3 Aaron Tippin, 1958
July 4 David Akeman (Stringbean), 1916 (died Nov 10, 1973)*
July 5 Dave Haywood (Lady A), 1982
*Stringbean and his wife were murdered by burglars at their rural home as he returned from appearing at the Grand Ole Opry earlier in the evening.
Preshias Harris is a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Visit www.collegeofsongology.com for more details. Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
Harris is also the author of “I Know Country” with 366 daily country music questions and answers. You can buy and instantly download your e-book copy at www.IKnowCountry.com.
