Rochelle Mills

Groundbreaking Country artist Lily Rose lit up ABC’s Good Morning America marking her highly anticipated morning television debut. Kicking off the official start of Pride Month, the 2022 GLAAD Outstanding Breakthrough Artist rocked the stage with a live performance of her hit collaboration, “Sad in the Summer” from Diplo’s just-released Country project Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant.  WATCH HERE  The high energy performance was flanked with moody lighting and disco balls as Rose and her band performed the summer heartbreak anthem. ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis led a live studio audience as they danced and sang along live from the broadcast’s Times Square studios. Rose’s GMA debut comes just a week after her swampy performance with Diplo on the electrifying season finale of NBC’s The Voice, where they captivated viewers with a moody rendition of “Sad in the Summer.” Watch the moment here. Rose returns to CMA Fest on June 8 at the Chevy Riverfront stage before bringing her high-energy live performance on Sam Hunt’s Summer On The Outskirts Tour, kicking off on July 6 in Hartford, Conn.. To finish out her year of bucket list first, Rose will appear on Shania Twain’s Queen of Me Tour beginning Oct. 12 in San Antonio, Texas. For dates and more information, visit lilyrosemusic.net and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Una Healy reveals her brilliant new single Walk Away. The track is available now on all streaming platforms and can be listened to HERE.   Walk Away was co-written by Una, singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill and the song’s producer, Alex Maile. The empowering track is about finding strength and bravery to leave a toxic situation, with the lyrics including fun and playful metaphors while still representing the meaningful core theme of the song. “You watch me leave, yet still don’t believe that I’m really gone this time. Tired of dancing with the devil in old red stilettos. Sometimes you gotta walk away” Una sings.   Speaking of the new single, the songstress says, “Walk Away is about having the courage to walk away from any relationship or situation that no longer serves you, to do it in style and to find the courage to move on to something better. Throughout the song, there is a play on words that keep it humorous and upbeat.”   Walk Away marks Una’s first release of 2023 and she shows no signs of stopping here as she will also reveal the official video on YouTube tomorrow at 7pm BST. Directed by Arthur Gourounlian, the video sees Una accompanied by four dancers in a quirky Dublin bar. Infused with country and pop elements, the video perfectly compliments Una’s background, vocal and style.   In addition to her latest release, Una continues to host the Saturday breakfast show on Absolute Radio Country. Away from entertainment, Una has developed and designed her own successful range of shoes, the Una Healy Original Collection, available online here.   The latest track follows on from a string of releases from the Irish singer-songwriter including This Is Your Life and Swear It All Again. Una released her debut solo album, The Waiting Game in 2017, and has since worked with some of the world’s most acclaimed songwriters and producers, including Grammy winner Amy Wadge and Ben Earle from The Shires. Una found fame as one fifth of successful girl band The Saturdays who sold over 5 million records worldwide and racked up 13 Top 10 singles and 5 Top 10 albums in just 6 years.

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame announced that Triple Tigers recording artist Scotty McCreery is among the six inductees comprising the 2023 class scheduled to be enshrined during the annual induction ceremony this fall. In addition to McCreery, the other inductees are Betty Davis, Bill “Fatback” Curtis, Fetchin Bones, George Beverly Shea and Loudon Wainwright III. The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center in Mooresville, N.C. and will feature each artist’s induction into the Hall of Fame as well as live performances from McCreery, Fetchin Bones, Wainwright and more. Tickets are on sale now for the 2023 Induction Ceremony. VIP and General Reserved tickets are available HERE. “Anyone that knows me knows how proud I am to be from North Carolina,” said McCreery. “It is an honor to be recognized by the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and included with this great 2023 class of artists.  It’s also a bit surreal knowing I will be joining some of my musical heroes who are already in the Hall, such as Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Daniels, and James Taylor, as well as friends like Eric Church and Kellie Pickler. I am truly thankful.” McCreery made history in 2011 when his first album, Clear as Day, debuted at No.1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, making him the first country artist and youngest male artist of any musical format to achieve this feat. The Garner, N.C. native has since established himself as one of today’s top country music entertainers, earning five consecutive No.1 hits, multiple Gold and Platinum albums and singles, and sold-out concerts across the world. In addition to winning “American Idol” in 2011, McCreery has received an array of ACM, BMI, CMT, NSAI and Carolina Beach Music Awards and has executive produced two Hallmark holiday movies based on his first No.1 hit song, the RIAA Triple-Platinum certified “Five More Minutes.” He is currently rising up the charts with his single “It Matters to Her” from his Same Truck: The Deluxe Album, while also touring with Brooks and Dunn on their REBOOT 2023 Tour.  Previous inductees in the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame include Tori Amos, Avett Brothers, Shirley Caesar, George Clinton, Church, John Coltrane, Daniels, Fantasia, Donna Fargo, Robert Flack, Ben Folds, Don Gibson, Andy Griffith, Stonewall Jackson, Big Daddy Kane, Ben E. King, Little Eva, Milsap, Thelonious Monk, Pickler, Tony Rice, Max Roach, Earl Scruggs, Nina Simone, Kate Smith, Taylor, John Tesh, Travis, Doc Watson, Merle Watson and more.   Additional information on McCreery’s fellow Class of 2023 Inductees available HERE. The mission of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is to recognize, promote and commemorate the musical heritage of the State of North Carolina. For more information, visit www.northcarolinamusichalloffame.org.

Runaway June is back with new music, sharing the boot-stomping, fire-worthy “Make Me Wanna Smoke” everywhere today (5/19). The trio’s first release since signing with Quartz Hill Records, “Make Me Wanna Smoke” is instantly relatable to anyone who’s ever been in a relationship that’s not quite over, but probably should be. “Make Me Wanna Smoke” was written by Jason Sellers, Ella Langley and Bobby Hamrick and captures a conflicted heart struggling with love it can’t quit – even when it feels like a bad habit. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones, the percussive and rhythmic track keeps Runaway June’s three-part harmonies front and center as band members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward can’t help but feel a pull toward someone they know they’re better off leaving behind. “‘Make Me Wanna Smoke’ has immediately become our favorite song to play live,” Runaway June shares. “It’s slinky and fun and such an empowering way to embrace the back-and-forth nature of a relationship that may not be the best for you. We’re so excited to share this one!” Runaway June exclusively debuted “Make Me Wanna Smoke” last week (5/10) on The Bobby Bones Show, where Wayne, Stovall and Woodward chatted with Bones and gave him all the details on the song, calling it “really exciting” and “very edgy.” The band’s most recent release was the heartbreak rocker “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS),” which scored mentions from Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, CMT and more. Runaway June will bring the confessional track and “Make Me Wanna Smoke” to fans this summer with concert dates in California, Colorado and more as well as a performance at CMA Fest in Nashville on the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Check out their full list of tour dates here.

The Recording Academy®‘s Black Music Collective (BMC) and Amazon Music selected Joseph Michael Abiakam (Norfolk State University), Langston Jackson (Hampton University), Kennedi Amari Johnson (Clark Atlanta University), Courtney Roberts (Texas Southern University), and Caleb Wilkerson (Florida A&M University), as the recipients of the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship, aimed for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the opportunity to learn and explore all facets of the music industry. The returning scholarship, first launched in February 2021, offers students the chance to receive $10,000 for the 2023/2024 school year and the opportunity to be part of an immersive rotation program with Amazon Music and Recording Academy department leads, providing each student a detailed look at their particular field of work within the music industry. To coincide with these scholarships, the BMC and Amazon Music will also award two HBCUs a $10,000 grant each for equipment for their music programs to be announced later this summer. This diverse group of students represents five schools, across various stages and areas of focus in their higher education journey. Abiakam is a graduate student at Norfolk State University, interested in piano performance and music production; Jackson is a sophomore at Hampton University, interested in music marketing and audio production; Johnson is a sophomore at Clark Atlanta University, interested in A&R and marketing; Roberts is a freshman at Texas Southern University, interested in A&R and marketing; and Wilkerson is a junior at Florida A&M University, interested in music marketing. Headshots for the recipients are available here. “We are immensely proud to collaborate with Amazon Music in renewing this exceptional scholarship program for the third consecutive year,” emphasized Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Recording Academy. “The imperative of Black representation in the music industry cannot be overstated, and this scholarship is a tangible manifestation of our unwavering commitment to promoting the aspirations of future Black music leaders. We are delighted to provide Joseph, Langston, Kennedi, Courtney, and Caleb with this life-changing opportunity as they pursue their ambitions and contribute to the advancement of Black music.” “The ‘Your Future Is Now’ scholarship was created to foster an inclusive environment where Black creators can realize their career objectives. Since its launch in 2021, the program has grown to become a cornerstone of Amazon Music and the Black Music Collective’s work supporting students at HBCUs,” said Phylicia Fant, Head of Music Industry and Culture Collaborations at Amazon Music. “This year’s class of students represents the next generation of Black musicians and executives, and it’s an honor to play a part in their development as individuals and future leaders.” In addition, as part of “Your Future Is Now,” Amazon Music, The Same House and the Recording Academy are coming together to host the “Your Future is Now” Business Development Seminar for select members of the 2023 graduating class of Morris Brown College. Revealed this past weekend at Morris Brown’s commencement by the Recording Academy’s Chief DEI Officer, Zing Shaw, this new, half-day music business seminar taking place on June 17 will offer professional development expertise in music business, publishing and music production. Facilitators at the event will include Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter President Justin Henderson and Frankie Yaptinchay of Amazon Music.  Following the music business seminar, graduates will be treated to a suite experience at State Farm Arena for the annual ATL Birthday Bash Concert where they will have the opportunity to network with representatives from the Recording Academy and Amazon Music, as well as other key music industry executives. For more information on the Black Music Collective and the “Your Future Is Now” scholarship, visit here.

5-time GRAMMY winner, Country Music Hall of Famer and AMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Marty Stuart has released his new album Altitude via Snakefarm.  The critically-acclaimed collection is his first album release in more than 6 years and will be followed by Stuart’s 20th annual Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, on June 7 featuring performances by Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Joe Walsh, John Oates, The Del McCoury Band, Sierra Ferrell, Chapel Hart, Connie Smith, Gary Mule Deer, Jake Worthington, The Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers and surprise guests.  Stuart and his band will then hit the road with Chris Stapleton for a US summer tour. Find a full list of tour dates here: www.martystuart.net.  Altitude is now available to stream and purchase.  Recorded in Nashville with his long-time band The Fabulous Superlatives – Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson and Chris Scruggs – the collection finds Stuart picking up where he left off on 2017’s Way Out West, exploring a cosmic country landscape populated by dreamers and drifters, misfits and angels, honky-tonk heroes and lonesome lovers.  Written primarily on the road, the collection was inspired in large part by Stuart’s 2018 tour supporting Byrds co-founders Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, who reunited for the 50th anniversary of their seminal Sweetheart Of The Rodeo album.