2022

Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Williams releases the delicately scathing “Blame ’Em Both,” another song from the forthcoming deluxe version of his celebrated debut, Glasshouse Children out on October 14 via Mercury Nashville.  The expanded edition of the record, entitled Glasshouse Children: Tilted Crown, includes six brand new tracks. Preorder of album HERE.   “I remember this song’s chorus starting as a poem I’d written. Blame ’Em Both expounds on the origination of sin,” says Sam Williams on the single. “Where does it come from and where does it go? The live band really enhances the tone of the song.” Glasshouse Children was released last year to glowing reviews.  Rolling Stone said that the LP was “…an introspective meditation on hurt and healing, growth and loss, sin and redemption: it’s a reckoning with fate, freewill and the family ties that bind us. Sam’s skyscraping vocals shine through these ten lush, cinematic songs, as he delivers gut-wrenching, honest and plainspoken lyrics with raw vulnerability and deep empathy.” Regarding Glasshouse Children: Tilted Crown, Sam says, “I felt some of the songs that didn’t make Glasshouse Children deserved their shine, while also wanting to provide new music before a second LP. Tilted Crown tells a little more story and lets the listener in just that much more.” Glasshouse Children: Tilted Crown Track List: Happy All The Time Can’t Fool Your Own Blood Bulleit Blues 10-4 Wild Girl Kids Shuteye Hopeless Romanticism The Word: Alone Tilted Crown ** Bulleit Blues pt. 2 ** Blame ’Em Both  ** Ragdoll ** Wild Girl Remix  ** Missing the Malice ** ** = new tracks added for the deluxe album

Award-winning Mercury Nashville duo Maddie & Tae have released their 8-song collection, Through The Madness Vol. 2, out everywhere today. Previously sharing the heartfelt “Every Night Every Morning” and moving-on anthem “Spring Cleaning,” six additional songs are released today, each co-penned by Maddie & Tae. The confident second half of the duo’s 1-2 punch offers a harmony-drenched song cycle and a clear-eyed measure of two young women coming into their own, embracing the best of everything life hands them. Through The Madness Vol. 2 Track List:  1.  “Well In Your World” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins)^2.  “Every Night Every Morning” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jonathan Singleton, Brock Berryhill)^3.  “Drinking To Remember” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Benjy Davis, Daniel Ross)^4.  “Girl After My Own Heart” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)^5.  “Watching Love Leave” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Benjy Davis, Daniel Ross)^6.  “More Than Maybe” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins)^7.  “These Tears” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Laura Veltz, Jon Green)*8.  “Spring Cleaning” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Tayla Parx)* ^ = Produced by Derek Wells & Jimmy Robbins* = Produced by Derek Wells & Josh KerrMaddie & Tae are celebrating the release with a brand-new music video for “Watching Love Leave,” releasing today. Watch the clip HERE.In case you missed it, the pair brought “Every Night Every Morning” to NBC’s TODAY With Hoda & Jenna on Wednesday. Watch their performance of the “breezy, tuneful” (MusicRow) song HERE. The duo also opened up to Entertainment Tonight about their new project, life on the road, and Tae gave an exclusive nursery tour HERE.  On the heels of this week’s sold out shows in Boston and New York, Maddie & Tae will take the stage for wall-to-wall crowds in Warrendale, PA tonight (9/23) and Baltimore, MD tomorrow (9/24) on their headlining CMT Next Women of Country Tour Presents: All Song No Static Tour. For a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.maddieandtae.com/tour.

CMT today revealed Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes will be honored at the 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” celebration from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center premiering Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c on CMT. These five “Artists of the Year” collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music, leading across all CMT platforms, scoring chart-topping albums and singles, and performing music that entertains and inspires millions of fans. This year’s “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” recognizes three first-time honorees: Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson and Walker Hayes for outstanding achievements; Kane Brown and Luke Combs will each be honored for the third time (2019, 2021 & 2022). Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events notes: “We are honored to recognize the astounding achievements of this illustrious group of artists over the past year. Carly, Cody, Kane, Luke and Walker all represent the vibrant future of the country music format, as they defy convention and blaze new trails, breaking industry records and genre barriers. We can’t wait to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments alongside their fellow artists and friends. Top highlights for the 2022 “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” honorees include: Carly Pearce: It’s been a whirlwind year for Carly Pearce, celebrating her third No. 1 single, continuing the success of acclaimed album 29: Written In Stone and adding multiple trophies to her growing collection. She also secured her third No. 1 hit with “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” an award-winning song recorded with fellow star Ashley McBryde. This marked only the second time in nearly 30 years that a female duet has reached the top of the charts. She spent the summer wowing audiences on Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour and is continuing her reign with current single “What He Didn’t Do.” Cody Johnson: Cody Johnson had a remarkable year, driven largely by his two-week No. 1 hit “Til You Can’t,” the lead single from his widely praised Human The Double Album. To date, the song has garnered  more than 400 million streams worldwide, and earned ‘Male Video of the Year’ at the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. He also received CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year for “Dear Rodeo” from CMT Campfire Sessions, and released a documentary of the same name. Johnson is nearing the milestone of 4 billion all-time streams globally and is on a nationwide headlining tour. Kane Brown: Kane Brown’s scope of influence continued growing at breakneck pace during the past year. He notched his seventh and eighth No. 1s with “Like I Love Country Music” and “One Mississippi,” both from his just-released highly-anticipated album, Different Man. Brown recently made history as the first-ever male country solo artist to perform on the 2022 MTV VMAs with  new single “Grand.” His Drunk or Dreaming International Tour will take him to fans in Australia and New Zealand for the first time, and mark his return to Canada and Europe. Brown has garnered nearly 12 billion career streams to date. In 2022, he returned to co-host the CMT MUSIC AWARDS for the third time and was the show’s top nominee. Luke Combs: Luke Combs continued his runaway success in 2022. He is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, released his latest album Growin’ Up and tallied his 13th No. 1 single “Doin’ This.” He scored two nominations at the CMT MUSIC AWARDS, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance for “Forever After All.” Now his current single “The Kind of Love We Make” is at the top of the charts. Combs is following his sold-out Middle of Somewhere tour with an upcoming massive stadium World Tour, spanning 16 countries. Walker Hayes: The monumental breakthrough of Walker Hayes’ hit “Fancy Like” turned the star into a household name. The song topped every country music sales and streaming chart, hit No. 1 at country radio, earned a CMT MUSIC AWARD nomination, and his first Grammy Award nomination. That track, as well as follow-up single, “AA,” and new song “Y’all Life,” have made Hayes one of the top artists in the genre. He will soon embark on his headlining arena tour, Glad You’re Here, named for his recently released book, as he continues captivating fans on Tik Tok and Instagram. The 90-minute special will feature some of music’s biggest stars, who will perform to celebrate Pearce, Johnson, Brown, Combs and Hayes with never-before-seen performances and collaborations, and congratulatory moments. Musical pairings, special guests, additional honorees, performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. 2022 “CMT Artists of the Year” is executive produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. The Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. Leslie Fram is Executive in Charge of Talent; Shanna Strassberg is Talent Producer.

Reba McEntire announced today, Reba: The Ultimate Christmas Collection, set to release Friday, October 14. The collection is made up of favorites from her previous Christmas releases along with the stirring track “I Needed Christmas,” featured in the Lifetime movie “Reba McEntire’s Christmas In Tune.” The collection is available for pre-order now HERE. “I’m excited to share this newly packaged collection of my all-time favorite Christmas songs,” said Reba. “It was so hard to narrow down to just twelve songs, but I hope my fans enjoy this journey through time!” Fans can find limited edition holiday merch, including a sweatshirt, ornament, mug and lithograph available for pre-order now HERE. Fans can also pre-order Reba: The Ultimate Christmas Collection as a limited white vinyl, set to release November 4.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a musician?  I wanted to become musician when I was in elementary school…that was my dream as I sat in front of the tv on Saturday mornings watching “Kids Incorporated,” singing and dancing with those kids.  I thought maybe I would have a shot at being a full-time musician when I was 19 years old when I cut my first album in Nashville, but the producer and people I was surrounded by did not pull through on their promises, so I got really jaded quickly.  I quit music for about 18 years before the urge came to me again.  At that point, I really wanted to be in music full time again, so I just made it happen.   What music did your family play to you growing up and what are you choosing to listen to now?  My mom played a lot of Elvis, Beatles, and some 60’s and 70’s popular music and some country. I listen to everything now so that I know what to play when I have to do cover songs at gigs.    What’s the songwriting process like for you, do you always start with a lyric or melody or is it different every time?  I start with an idea and a title when I write.  I get with my co-writers and we talk about a sound direction and then a melody pattern.  The song kind of develops from there.  Can you tell me the story behind your song ‘One Too Many’?  “One Too Many” was written by me and Sarah Morey back in December 2020.  I had an idea about a person sitting at a bar drowning their sorrows from a breakup from someone they loved very much.  This person just keeps drinking until the memories fade and might eventually pass out.  I always try to write things that are relatable to everyone.  Everyone has been through a heartbreak and knows that feeling of just wanting to forget the hurt they feel.  Can you tell me a little bit about the other people involved in bringing this song to life?  Sarah Morey is a great co-writer.  She is young and full of fresh ideas.  She is a recent graduate of Bellmont University in Tennessee and I believe she has her degree in songwriting.  The Nashville studio musicians on this song were instrumental in creating the sound you hear, and I couldn’t be happier with the production of it.  What’s been your proudest moment in your career so far?  I would have to say that I am extremely proud to share my musical talents entertaining the troops overseas.  I am proud that I keep being asked back time and time again.  My husband served in the Army National Guard and was activated and deployed after 911, and he was stationed in a warzone.  He missed home terribly, so for me to give back to other service members who miss their home and need some of home brought to them, I’m extremely honored and proud to perform and give them a reason to relax and cut loose while I’m there.   What’s next for you?  I plan to keep writing and releasing music regularly.  I have some more overseas military tours with Armed Forces Entertainment and ProTour Productions coming up. I leave for Japan, Guam and Hawaii in October to perform for the military; and then in December I am in Greenland, Curacao and Guantanamo Bay. My plan is to just keep moving forward! 

Who within the country music genre has influenced or inspired you?  Within the country music scene I absolutely adore big little town. Obviously I’ve been writing music while before discovering them but I think they’re album tornado was absolutely brilliant and in my opinion really raise their profile across the world. I suppose it’s more pop country but I absolutely love it it’s my go to album when I’m in the car especially when I’m in America.    Can you talk me through your songwriting process, do you like to start with a lyric or melody or is it different every time?  Songwriting for me is different every time it depends who I’m working with, although I usually just work with Stew. It can either be me going in with a melody or him with a melody and guitar. Usually my melodies come to me in my head and I record them on my iPhone. It’s kind of strange because those melodies can come when I’m asleep most recently I was on a boat and I had to stop the boat in the middle of the ocean obviously it was a small boat while I record of the melody otherwise if you don’t it disappears. So yeah it’s pretty hard to define how any songwriting session is going to go but usually comes from Melody with me anyway.     Can you remember the first song you ever wrote?  This is a funny question the first song I wrote was “ I’ll never love again!”  It was when I was 10 and I was dating a girl and then she kissed one of my mates which at the time I thought that I was going to die and so I remember leaving my dad‘s pub. When I say pub I wasn’t there drinking obviously I was 10 but I remember walking down the street actually nearly crying and the lyrics and Melody just came out. To think back to then it’s quite cute and sad but of course that song never made it to any album or any release for obvious reasons!!   Country music is all about storytelling, I know ‘The Way You Move’ isn’t strictly country but can you tell me the story behind that please?  Absolutely to be honest with you I think most songs is about storytelling and for me the way you move is kind of just a feelgood track that encapsulates the moment when you’re out and about generally in a club and you see that person could be a boy or a girl that really captures your eye and the way they move just drives you insane. I don’t know I write a lot of songs about being hurt been a romantic being happy and I just decided this time I just wanted to make it about going out on the weekend I’m finding that special person almost like Love At first sight.   Can you remember a live gig that you watched that changed your life?  Absolutely I think remembering myself watching live aid was just unbelievable. From the minute it started I think the pinnacle was when Freddie Mercury with Queen came on and sang we Will Rock you those type of concerts are ingrained in our history and we must never forget them and always go back to keep the remembrance. I can’t even imagine how Friddie must of felt on stage because I know when I’m on stage it’s an exhilarating feeling. And the maximum card I’ve done is about 20,000 so that was a whole other experience and a whole lot more people so I can only imagine it was electric on stage and I would love to have been there.  You’re supporting Will Young on tour, how excited are you about that run of dates?  I am so excited about the Will young tour, I’m also in two weeks about to go on tour with Anastasia which really freaks me out because growing up we listen to all of her music especially my mum so she is probably more excited than me but I’m so excited. Anastasia tall is around Europe which I’ve never really thought so that’s gonna be exciting. But I’m super excited for the Will young tour as it’s around our own country and I get to meet all the lovely people that have been following me for years maybe even 10 years now, wow that’s a scary thought!  So yeah I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m nervous I just can’t wait.    You’re working on a new album, can you tell us more about that please?  Yes, I’m working on a new album, I’m so excited about it. I’m working with the Legendury Sam Williams who is producing it and also now cowriting which Stu Boyle. This time around were really having a lot of fun we don’t necessarily have a timing on the album so it gives us a lot of time to get it right but all I can say with seven tracks in every song is a hit and they get better and better every time so I’m super excited for you guys to hear it. We’re just making this a cool funky disco electronic ambient sounding record with throwing everything but the kitchen sink and I really can’t wait for everyone to hear it.   What’s next for you?  So what’s next for me is continuing to finish the album I’m currently going to be on tour from the 18th of August with Anastasia and then Will Young to the end of the year then in December I’m going to take a well deserved and will need a trip to Asia I’ve got some business as I recently signed a publishing deal so it will be very interesting to see how the music goes out in and around Singapore another Asian territories . It kind of makes me really excited as I really love Asian cuisine. But if you’re really interested in keeping in contact and watching