New Music Video From Keith Urban - "God Whispered Your Name"

Virtual Merle Haggard Musical Tribute "Festival" Planned Monday, April 6 By Texas Singer-Songwriters

If there was ever a Mount Rushmore for modern day country music singer-songwriters, clearly Merle Haggard would be considered for one of those gigantic busts. His influence runs far and wide with iconic songs like "Mama Tried", "Okie from Muskogee", "The Fightin' Side of Me" and "Pancho and Lefty."  Nowhere is that more truthful, however, than the place where this sort of storytelling is still alive and well, the great Lone Star State of Texas.  Haggard had the unique life notation of both being born and passing on the same exact day, April 6.  (He passed away on his 79th birthday back in 2016.)

A group of special Texas artists and songwriters are not going to let this day go unnoticed, however. With the world under quarantine and with all live shows on indefinite hiatus, another kind of special online show is being put together on Monday night at 6p CST to celebrate Haggard.  Described as "Hag, You're It", they're putting together a virtual guitar pull celebrating the life and catalog of their hero, Merle Haggard. Songs will be performed by Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Cody Canada, Max Stalling, Adam Hood, Jamie Lin Wilson, Matt Hillyer, Walt Wilkins, Jason Eady, Courtney Patton and maybe a few other last minute additions that are in the works.

Says Eady on the project, "This coming Monday we’ll be doing a virtual Hag Off! The Hag off is a tradition where we all get together and pass the guitar playing nothing but Merle Haggard songs. Since April 6 is his birthday we thought we shouldn’t let this quarantine slow that down. So we’ll be “passing the guitar” from one Facebook Live page to another all night for a game of “Hag, You’re It”. We’ll get started at 6pm and go til we’re done. In the meantime be sure and like everybody’s pages so you can follow along."

The concert will start on Courtney Patton's Facebook page and then she will hand the virtual mic over to another songwriter's Facebook page and go from artist to artist as they sing tribute to Haggard and share their favorite musical influences on their own songwriting careers.  It will be undoubtedly a special evening celebrating a legend.

New Music Video From Jessi Alexander - "Decatur County Red"

New Music Video Performance From Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Jenny Gill & Corinna Grant Gill - "You Are My Sunshine" (Live at the Opry)

New Music Video From Carly Pearce - "Halfway Home"

New Music Video From Darrell Scott - "When You're Tired of Breaking Other Hearts" (Hank Williams Sr Cover)

Grand Ole Opry Member and GRAMMY-Award Winner Joe Diffie Succumbs to Coronavirus (1958 - 2020)

K.F. Raizor, author of the website Raizor's Edge and the book We Can't Sing and We Ain't Funny: The World of Homer and Jethro is our guest writer today on That Nashville Sound. She's ever so gracious to provide wonderful tributes to honor those to whom the music we treasure just wouldn't be the same without. Thank you, K.F.

The COVID-19 virus has been ravaging the world, showing no interest in the wealth or popularity of victims. This was evident today (3/29) with the death of country singer Joe Diffie.

Diffie announced on Friday (3/27) that he had been diagnosed with the virus and was "under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment." Other than the request for "privacy for my family," there was no indication how serious his condition was.

Joe Diffie was born in Tulsa in 1958. He went to Nashville in the mid-80s, taking a job at Gibson Guitars and pitching songs he was writing. His break came when Hank Thompson recorded one of his songs, followed soon by Holly Dunn scoring a hit with Diffie's "There Goes My Heart Again."

Diffie began recording on his own, and the hits came quickly. Thanks to his traditional-sounding voice that impressed fans and fellow performers alike, the "neo-traditional" fans embraced him as well as the "new country" lovers. His debut single, "Home," topped the charts; in fact, his first four singles (the aforementioned hit, "If You Want Me To," "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," and "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame)") were top two hits.

Although his popularity weaned Diffie was still popular among his fans and the Grand Ole Opry, where he was a member for 25 years.

This is the second Opry loss in a day: "Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry" Jan Howard passed away on March 28th.

Joe Diffie was just 61.

---

Artist reflections on Joe Diffie:

"What a sad weekend for our country music and Grand Ole Opry families with the passing of Jan Howard and now Joe Diffie. Joe was a great singer...his record of "Ships That Don't Come In" is one of my all-time favorite performances. I always knew when I introduced him at the Opry that the fans were about to be well entertained. Joe will certainly be missed."

–Bill Anderson

"Beyond sadness. Beyond a loss for words. My thoughts and prayers for his family and fans."

–Billy Ray Cyrus

"We are devastated to hear about the passing of Joe Diffie today. We met Joe and became friends with him right after his first hits in the early 1990s. We will miss him so much and are sending our prayers to his family."

–David Bellamy, Bellamy Brothers 

"I'm heartbroken to hear that my friend, Joe Diffie, has passed at just 61. I had so much admiration for Joe. He was a wonderful friend and a super talented singer and songwriter. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to name some of my favorite younger country singers and over the years, Joe Diffie was always one on the top of the list. Whenever we worked a show together, I always wanted to stand on the side and listen. We have lost one of the best country singers that ever lived."

–Gene Watson

“The minute I heard “Pickup Man,” I thought, what a perfect song for him! He was a good ole boy’, all around kinda guy. He was like tv’s Tim Allen from ‘Home Improvement.’ Relatable and kind. Country music lost one of the good guys today.”

–Naomi Judd

“We just lost one of the best singers this town has ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with Joe Diffie’s family.”

–Phil Vassar 

"Sometimes I hear bad news, and over and over again in that cold empty space, I think if I wait a minute or two, the news will change, but it's final. Joe Diffie, one of our best singers and my buddy, is gone. We are the same age, so it's very scary. I will miss his voice, his laughter, his songs. My thoughts go out to his entire family. I'll love you always Joe and am so grateful you were in my life."

–Tanya Tucker

"I’m heartbroken and in shock just like all of you over this awful news. Joe Diffie possessed one of the most incredible pure country voices on the planet, and he was always so much fun to be around. My prayers are with his family at this sad time. Rest In Peace ol’ pal."

–Steve Wariner

Write You A Song Podcast - An Interview With Texas Troubadour Drew Kennedy

This morning we share another new podcast from host Tom Mailey from Bonneville radio station New Country 105.1 KNCI in Sacramento. Tom is a country radio veteran with over 30 years of experience in Seattle and Sacramento and a key partner in our Golf & Guitars Children's Charity Music Festival, a little event in our twelfth year that has raised well north of a million bucks for kids and individuals with disabilities. It highlights the songwriters in our industry and is entitled Write You a Song.

It's his hope that this podcast will shine a little overdue spotlight on the talented men and women who, mostly behind the scenes, write the songs that become part of our lives. You know their words and music, but maybe not their names: Write You a Song will feature some of country music’s biggest songwriters--like Jeffrey Steele, Brett Warren, Ashley McBryde, Tim Nichols and more.

Texas singer/songwriter Drew Kennedy is a bit of a departure from the normal line-up of commercially successful country songwriter guests on this podcast. He has a gift of storytelling that comes through his songs easily and unforced, bringing the listener along like they were a passenger with him on those long lonesome highways of Texas. He's an Americana troubadour, and more than happy to share his tales from the road- and where he hopes that road might be leading.

He describes the life of an independent Texas music scene and how those artists are chasing more storytelling and authenticity than the flavor of the month that Nashville is more specifically targeting. He discusses the deeper breadth of song topics and styles that come with the freedom of writing for yourself and not for the narrow focus of the country radio dial. 

Senior Grand Ole Opry Member Jan Howard Passes Away (1932 - 2020)

K.F. Raizor, author of the website Raizor's Edge and the book We Can't Sing and We Ain't Funny: The World of Homer and Jethro is our guest writer today on That Nashville Sound. She's ever so gracious to provide wonderful tributes to honor those to whom the music we treasure just wouldn't be the same without. Thank you, K.F.

The news has broken that Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard died yesterday (3/28).

Jan Howard had one of the most memorable lines in country music history: it was her, not June Carter, singing, "Mama sang tenor" on Johnny Cash's classic hit "Daddy Sang Bass."

Born Lula Grace Johnson in West Plains, Missouri in 1930, Howard, as she said, became a singer "almost by accident." A survivor of sexual assault as a child and an abusive first marriage, she found herself in California, where she met and married then-struggling songwriter Harlan Howard. Harlan heard her singing and decided she had the voice he wanted to be heard on demos of the songs he was writing.

From there, her career took off. She began performing duets with Bakersfield legend Wynn Stewart (such as "Wrong Company" and "How the Other Half Lives." The Howards soon returned to Nashville, where Harlan's song "I Fall to Pieces" (co-written with Hank Cochran) became one of the classics in the career of Patsy Cline. Harlan also wrote a number of songs that Jan recorded, including her biggest hit "Evil on Your Mind."

Following their divorce Jan Howard began a professional partnership with another well-known songwriter: Bill Anderson. They scored a number of hits, such as "Someday We'll Be Together," "For Loving You," and "Dis-Satisfied."

Anderson later recounted a comical moment about their duet partnership in his first autobiography Whisperin' Bill. He said that when they sang "For Loving You," a very tender ballad, together, Anderson refused to look Howard directly in the eye. She protested backstage, telling him to look her in the eye. Anderson would only look at her forehead. So, according to Anderson, one night she painted a bloodshot eye on her forehead, and when they faced each other on stage that night, she brushed her hair back to reveal the gag and told Anderson, "I said look me in the eye!" Anderson broke up laughing.

Howard's autobiography, Sunshine and Shadow, was published in 1987. She detailed the agonies in her life, including the death of her son Jimmy in Vietnam in 1968, shortly after she had recorded the song "My Son," a recitation about a mother hoping her son would return safely from the war.

Howard's hometown of West Plains honored her by naming a street after her. The street intersects with the street named after West Plains' other famous country music great, Porter Wagoner.

Howard was, at the time of her passing, the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry. That distinction now falls to Bobby Osborne, who is 90.

Jan Howard had just turned 91 on March 13.

That Nashville Sound Saturday Newsbytes: New Albums, New Videos & COVID-19 Hits Joe Diffie

As the earth spins around like any other day, our lives living on this big rock are anything but. Terms like social distancing have gone mainstream and yesterday, a massive 2+ trillion dollar economy stimulus bill was passed to help rescue some of the reported 25% of Americans that have lost their job or been furloughed in this crazy time. Here's hoping you can let country music help be a diversion from some of the harsher stuff going on in the world...

~ Country music fans can’t come to Nashville to see the Grand Ole Opry, so Circle All Access and the Opry are bringing Saturday Night Opry to the globe. Tune in tonight for the Opry’s 4,917th consecutive Saturday night show as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, daughters Jenny Gill and Corrina Grant Gill take the stage for an intimate live performance.  Tune in to the livestream event at 8PM ET / 7PM CT on Saturday, March 28 at Circle All Access on Facebook, or Circle All Access on YouTube.

~ Think a healthy thought for country legend Joe Diffie. Diffie, 61, has tested positive for COVID-19, he said via a statement. “I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment. My family and I are asking for privacy at this time. We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic,” Diffie said.

~ Craig Morgan unveiled the details on his upcoming latest album, God, Family, Country, set for release May 22 on Broken Bow. The album includes five new tracks and remastered versions of some songs recorded over the past six years along with his faith-filled tribute to his son Jerry, “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Says Morgan, “This album is based on everything that’s happened in my life and my career,” Craig says. “I feel like I have some of the most quality songs I’ve ever recorded, and there is a new energy here. After all I’ve been through, I’m at one of the most inspired places I’ve ever been.”

~ Watkins Family Hour, the acclaimed musical collective featuring Grammy Award-winning siblings Sara and Sean Watkins (also 2/3 of the band Nickel Creek) announced their upcoming new album, brother sister, which is due April 10 via Family Hour Records/Thirty Tigers. Of the project, Sara shares, “It felt really good to dig into the potential of two people…the primary goal of this record became to see what we could do when it is just the two of us. The arrangements and the writing were all focused on that. Listening now, I’m really proud of what we did. These are songs that would not have come out of either one of us individually and it feels like a band sound, like this is what we do, the two of us.”

~ Sarah Jarosz announced that she will be releasing her 5th solo album, World On The Ground, on June 5th. Says, Jarosz on the project, "World On The Ground captures the music that producer John Leventhal and I created in the control room of his home studio in Manhattan throughout the second half of 2019. Many of the performances that made it onto the album were often demos that neither of us thought would be the final takes. From the beginning of this recording process, John challenged me to be more detailed in my writing — to create lyrics that told a story. A wealth of ideas opened up from the moment we began working together, and so many of the images that emerged during the writing process were based on my memories of the landscape, the people, and my experiences growing up in the Texas Hill Country."

~ Kip Moore also announced an upcoming project announcing that his fourth album Wild World will be released on May 29. Says Moore on the new album, “We wanted this project to be more in-your-face. More earthy, more analog. I know it’s an unsettling time for a lot of people right now, and so my hope is that this music can bring even just one person some peace. I try to make music that reaches people in a pure sense – something that’s light and easy to carry with you, but 1000 pounds of weight at the same time, and I think Wild World is just a depiction of what I see. Life is one crazy, wild ride. But it can be so simple if we look for the right things, and I think that is more important than ever right now.”

~ The new album announcements just keep coming. Gwen Sebastian will be releasing the album sequel of sorts to her 2017 project with an April 24th release of Once Upon A Time In The West: Act II on Flying Island Records. 

~ And last, but certainly not least, Lennon Stella has a new project coming out called Three. Two. One. out on April 24th as well. It is the debut album from the Nashville-based singer, songwriter, actress, and multi-instrumentalist. Stella first rose to popularity when she was just 12 years old as part of the duo Lennon & Maisy, alongside her younger sister. The pair gained national attention with a cover of Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend". Lennon then went on to star in the ABC/CMT smash television series Nashville as Maddie Conrad for six years.

~ New music videos and key live performances that just came out:

      Mike Aiken - "Nashville Skyline"
      Matt Stell - "Everywhere But On"
      Willie & Lukas Nelson & Family - "Turn Off The World And Start A Garden"
      Huey Lewis & The News - "Her Love Is Killin' Me"
      The Mastersons - "King of the Castle"
      Ben Rector - "I Saw The Moon"
      LeAnn Rimes - "There Will Be A Better Day"
      Gone West - "What Could've Been"
      Ingrid Andress - "The Stranger"
      Margo Price - "Nobody Told Me" (John Lennon cover)
      Granger Smith - "Don't Cough On Me" (parody song on the toilet paper shortage)
   
~ Earlier this week, we announced some country artists that were going to stream online concerts. Here's a handful more that have been added in the last couple days.

Chris Bandi
Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 12pm ET / 11am CT
Title: Kindness Isn’t Canceled
https://www.instagram.com/nycountryswag

Temecula Road and Adam Doleac
Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 5:30pm ET / 4:30pm CT
https://www.instagram.com/temecularoad/
+ https://www.instagram.com/adamdoleac/

Temecula Road
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 5:30pm ET / 4:30pm CT

https://www.instagram.com/radiodisneycountry/

Carly Pearce

Date: Monday, March 30

Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Livestream performance with iHeartCountry.
Where: Instagram

Logan Mize
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: #BYDCouchConcert: livestream series to help spread positivity during this time of crisis.
Where: Instagram

Jimmie Allen
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Logan Mize
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Couch Concert Series benefitting MusiCares.
Where: Instagram

Carly Pearce
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Live performance.
Where: Facebook

Brandy Clark
Date: Monday, March 30
Time: 6 p.m.
What: Weekly book club.
Where: Instagram and Facebook

Caitlyn Smith with Cam
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Lonely Together series.
Where: Instagram

Sam Riggs
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Couch Concert Series benefitting MusiCares.
Where: Instagram

Jordan Davis
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: Playing new album and discussing the songs.
When: Instagram and Facebook

Parmalee
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 4 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Lucas Hoge
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
What: Tequila Tuesday with special guest.
Where: Instagram

Matt Stell with Lindsay Ell, Jameson Rodgers and Hardy
Date: Wednesday, April 1
Time: 9pm ET / 8pm CT
https://www.instagram.com/mattstellmusic/
What: Each artist performs a new song they wrote solo that week while in quarantine

George Ducas
Wide Open Country
Date, Friday, April 3
Time: 9pm ET/ 8pm CT
https://www.facebook.com/WOCountry/

That Nashville Sound Friday Newsbytes - New Blackberry Smoke Project, Tim McGraw Little River Band Cover & New Music Videos

Everybody keep your head up, call someone who might be sitting in isolation by themselves and if you have it within your means, consider buying a piece of merchandise from your favorite independent artist's website today.   Heaven knows, they can use the help with all these shows being cancelled.  Today's news includes a new album announcement and a slew of new music videos and music performances.

~ Tim McGraw unveiled an awesome video shot a few months back in Australia of a before-concert cover of "Cool Change" with then-tour mate Eric Paslay. Says McGraw, "We love to sing covers backstage to warm up before the show—and sometimes we have friends join us….. Digging through the archives and sharing these with you while we’ve got some downtime. Hope you enjoy!!! Here’s a Little River Band cover we did back in Australia last year with Eric Paslay."

~ The Maverick's lead singer Raul Malo has been quietly releasing black and white shot videos of a series he's calling Quarantunes- covers of songs he loves- each day and they're worth a watch if just to marvel at the wonder of his voice.

~ Vlogger Grady Smith posted a new video of his review of Kelsea Ballerini's new album.

~ Blackberry Smoke will release a special new EP, Live From Capricorn Sound Studios, on June 19 with a portion of all proceeds going to the Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. Recorded earlier this year at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, GA, the project consists of six new versions of songs that have special ties to the historic studio and town.

Blackberry Smoke’s new version of “Midnight Rider,” originally recorded by The Allman Brothers Band, is premiering today at Relix in celebration of two special anniversaries: the formation of The Allman Brothers Band on March 26, 1969 and the release of “Midnight Rider” on the same day in 1971. Watch the live performance video HERE. 

The new project marks a significant moment in Capricorn Sound Studios’ history as it was the first time a major band has done a professional recording at the studio in over 40 years. Additional songs featured on the EP are renditions of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Take The Highway” with special guest Marcus Henderson on the flute, The Allman Brothers Band’s “Revival,” Little Richard’s “Southern Child” and Wet Willie’s “Keep On Smiling” and “Grits Ain’t Groceries,” both featuring special guest vocals from Jimmy Hall—a member of Wet Willie during Capricorn’s peak years, who returned to the studio to record these tracks. 

~ New music videos and live performance videos premiering over the last couple days- click on the song title to watch the video:

      Brantley Gilbert - "Fire't Up"

      Zac Brown - "Dream Sellin'"

      Butch Walker - "Pretty Crazy"

      Ashley Monroe - "Honey"

      Ben Rector - "Yesterday"

      William Michael Morgan - "When You Say Nothing At All"

      Erin Enderlin - "Queen of Marina del Rey"

      Kenny Chesney - "Here and Now"

Deep Cut Challenge Making The Rounds Around Country Music

Tim McGraw decided to create his own internet web challenge called the #DeepCutsChallenge. He first posted a video over the weekend explaining that all artists have a song they love to sing or jam out to when alone, even if it may not be a very popular song to perform. These songs are more commonly referred to as "deep cuts" or songs on an album that never made it to radio and are therefore not very well known or popular.

McGraw sang his favorite song "Take the Long Way Home" by John Schneider and then nominated Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney to sing one of their favorite "deep cuts" and post it to Instagram while tagging other artists to also participate. It's gone on to include the likes of Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Vince Gill & more.  Here's a collection of some of the performances and the songs they chose- click on the song title to watch/hear the performances. 

Tim McGraw - John Schneider's "Take The Long Way Home"

Vince Gill - Bob McDill's "Last Dance At The Old Texas Moon"

Luke Combs - Chris Stapleton's "What Are You Listening To?"

Morgan Wallen - Jason Aldean's "Water Tower"

Brad Paisley - Steve Wariner's "What I Didn't Do"

Darius Rucker - Foster and Lloyd's "You Can Come Cryin' To Me"

Charles Kelley - Temple of the Dog - "Call Me A Dog"

Russell Dickerson - Tim McGraw's "Seventeen"

Thomas Rhett - Hank Williams, Jr's "Blues Man"

And keep an eye on Faith Hill's Instagram account this week. She was the most recent to be nominated by Vince Gill... 

Where and Who To Watch On Livestream Concerts Online This Week

One of the few blessings of this crazy COVID-19 shelter-in-place initiative has been the explosion of private concert events that artists across the country-sphere are doing on the internet and across social media. Nearly every hour of the day, there's an artist providing a show to keep the music going.  Here's a partial list of what you can watch over the coming week (shout out to the Ryman Auditorium for putting most of this list together.)

March 25

Scotty McCreery
Time: 12:45 p.m. CT
What: Live concert with Bonneville KNCI/Sacramento’s KNCI Couch Concert Series.

Where: Facebook

Jason Eady and Courtney Patton

Time: 1 p.m. CT

What: Living Room Acoustic Set

Where: Facebook Live

Callista Clark
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Q&A and live performance.
Where: Instagram

Daniel Tashian
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Live performance with a Q&A.
Where: Instagram

Nolan Sotillo
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: Live performance with original songs and a few covers.
Where: Instagram

Honey County
Time: 5 p.m. CT
What: Showcasing new music.
Where: Facebook

Brandy Clark
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: “You Can’t Come Over (But You Can Come In)” live performance/conversation series with some of Brandy’s favorite.
Where: Instagram and Facebook

Dillon Carmichael
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Live performance taking requests on his show “Whatcha Want Wednesdays.”
Where: Instagram

Callista Clark
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Acoustic concert.

Where: Instagram

Lindsay Lawler, Chris Roberts, Kevin Post and Tori Allen

Time: 7 p.m. CT

What: Acoustic concert

Where: www.nashvillemusicloft.com 

Jesse Lebelle
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Playing live acoustic originals and covers to help supplement the lost income from all of cancelled shows.
Where: Facebook

Drake White
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Wednesday Night Therapy, donations welcome.
Where: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Steve Wariner
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Live get together with fans from his home studio.
Where: Instagram

Everette
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Live, acoustic show.
Where: Instagram

Paul Bogart
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: The Homebound Hoedown 2020 livestream show with cover charge.
Where: Key

Matt Stell
with guests Lindsay Ell, HARDY, Jameson Rodgers
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Original performances from Matt Stell and friends.
Where: Instagram

Dillon Carmichael
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Acoustic set with a Q&A.

Where: Facebook

March 26

Adam Doleac
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Presented by Boot Barn.
Where: Instagram

Kaitlyn Baker
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: Live in Your Living Room’ event. All ticket proceeds go back to the artists themselves as our mission is to keep revenue streams open during these troubled times.
Where: StageIt

Jimmie Allen
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: Live performance of new and favorite songs.
Where: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Rachel Wammack
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: Playing cover songs and taking fan questions.
Where: Instagram and Facebook

Teea Goans
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Garage sing-a-long.
Where: Facebook

Charlie Worsham
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Virtual guitar lesson.
Where: Instagram

Dillon Carmichael
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Acoustic set with a Q&A.
Where: Facebook

Jessie G
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: GrassRoots Live from the Living Room: Quarantine Edition
Where: Facebook

Josh Gracin
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Ticketed virtual show.
Where: Instagram and EventBrite

Russell Dickerson
Time: 8:15 p.m. CT
What: Live concert with Bonneville KNCI/Sacramento’s KNCI Couch Concert Series.

Where: Facebook

March 27

Alex Hall
Time: 1 p.m. CT
What: New music release party, live.
Where: Instagram

Ingrid Andress
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Album release day, raising funds for the World Health Organization.
Where: Instagram

Brian Fallon
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: Album release day with livestream as part of #togetherathome series, and raising funds for the World Health Organization.
Where: Instagram

Brantley Gilbert
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Live performance and hangout.
Where: Instagram

Clayton Anderson
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Providing folks stuck at home with great entertainment.

Where: Facebook

March 28

Diesel Bird Fest
Featuring: Terri Clark, Parmalee, Tenille Townes & more. Hosted by Dan Davidson
Time: 1 p.m. CT
What: Live music festival from a safe social distance.
Where: Instagram

Marshall Chapman
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Virtual live performance.
Where: Facebook

Lainey Wilson
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Couch Concert Series.
Where: Facebook

Noah Schnacky
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Where: Twitter

Dead & Company
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: One More Saturday Night: free weekly couch tour series.
Where: Facebook

Nefesh Mountain
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Songs of love and healing.
Where: Facebook

Rachel Reinert
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Album release, paid live show.
Where: Key

Lori McKenna
Time: 9:30 p.m. CT
What: Festival-style livestream. Purchasing a ticket required, on a “pay what you can” basis. Lori’s portion of proceeds will go to Nashville tornado relief.

Where: StageIt

March 29

Lucas Hoge
Time: 9:30 a.m. CT
What: Sunday faith-based sessions.
Where: Instagram and Facebook

Diesel Bird Fest
Featuring: James Barker Band, Lindsay Ell, Corb Lund & more. Hosted by Dan Davidson
Time: 1 p.m. CT
What: Live music festival from a safe social distance.
Where: Instagram

Danielle Bradbery
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

John Mayer
Time: 9 p.m. CT
What: Current Mood series.

Where: Instagram

March 30

Logan Mize
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: #BYDCouchConcert: livestream series to help spread positivity during this time of crisis.
Where: Instagram

Brandy Clark
Time: 6 p.m.
What: Weekly book club.

Where: Instagram and Facebook

April 1

Brandy Clark
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: “You Can’t Come Over (But You Can Come In)” live performance/conversation series with some of Brandy’s favorite.
Where: Instagram and Facebook

Matt Stell
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Original performances with friends.

Where: Instagram

April 2

James Dupre
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: GrassRoots Live from the Living Room: Quarantine Edition

Where: Facebook

April 3

Leah Nobel
Time: 2 p.m. CT
What: #BYDCouchConcert: livestream series to help spread positivity during this time of crisis.
Where: Instagram

George Shingleton
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What: Live performance with guitar player Shane Sanders, cover songs by request.
Where: Facebook

Brantley Gilbert
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Live performance and hangout.

Where: Instagram

April 7

Seth Cook
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: GrassRoots Live from the Living Room: Quarantine Edition

Where: Facebook

April 9

Pam Tillis
Time: 7:30 a.m. CT
What: GrassRoots Live from the Living Room: Quarantine Edition
Where: Facebook

Singer/Songwriter Chris Roberts To Release First Bluegrass Project in April

Respected Nashville singer/songwriter/producer Chris Roberts has already released several successful singles to bluegrass radio ("Boeing Boeing 707", "Whole Lotta Laying Around", "Second Cup Of Coffee" and "Something To Brag About w/Ashley Campbell") and will release his first full-length bluegrass album, Mountain Standard Time, on April 24, 2020.

For Chris Roberts, whose The Way West album was one of That Nashville Sound’s favorite dozen albums of the year in 2015, expression through music takes many a shape- with it always ending in a deep passion for the song. It draws on his history in Broadway’s bright lights in New York (in the production of The Civil War and last fall in the Dan Fogelberg musical Part of the Plan), blissful harmony across the country radio airwaves (as part of Decca-signed trio One Flew South), shared stages with the likes of Willie Nelson and Neil Young (at Farm Aid), and many years as his church’s music director in a congregation that reads like a who’s who of the music business (St. Augustine’s).

He's gotten cuts for the likes of Julie Roberts, Ashley McBryde, Love and Theft and The Swon Brothers, had songs placed on ABC and CMT's Nashville and a couple of other television shows. Roberts has even placed music in film. His first contribution was the whimsical “Friends For Life” for Disney’s Fox and the Hound 2 film. Along with Tony Esterly and Austin Jenckes, Roberts penned the main track for the action feature film, Assassin’s Creed. Entitled “My World,” the track accompanied the movie trailer and was featured on the album’s soundtrack. The track was also used to heavily promote 2018's Super Bowl. It demonstrated the versatility of one of Nashville’s unsung heroes in writing the right song for the right project.

With incredible backing by Scott Vestal (banjo), Dennis Crouch (bass), Cody Kilby (acoustic guitar), Casey Campbell (mandolin), Tim Crouch (fiddle) and Wes Hightower (harmonies), we're excited to hear what is in store for Roberts' next great musical adventure. 

TNS Video History - Kenny Rogers & Lionel Richie - "Lady" (CMT Crossroads)

That Nashville Sound Sunday Newsbytes - Record Store Day & Steve Azar's New Radio Show

Everybody stay safe, hunker down at home if you can, say a little prayer for our front line of first responders and medical personnel and use this music we love as a diversion.

~ Roots & American Music Society (RAMS), a not-for-profit record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, has teamed with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to orchestrate and create a meaningful recording project titled Love Lives On. The combined creative endeavor aligned TAPS military families, who have endured the loss of a loved one, with some of the music industry’s most gifted and renowned songwriters to pen the family members’ intimate and personal stories in music and song. Featuring special guest vocal performances by award-winning recording artists Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich, Paul Overstreet, Andy Griggs, Pam Tillis, Lee Roy Parnell, Lonestar, Gatlin Brothers and more, complemented by A-list studio and touring musicians. The album will be out on May 22, 2020. You can listen to the title track by Lonestar, Vince Gill & friends HERE. 

~ Steve Azar's The I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday) Radio Show is coming to country radio coast to coast this July. During this 4-hour weekend show, Azar will be sharing the stories and talents of his peers in country music, their greatest hits, past and current, as well as hosting some candid conversations with them and other pals from TV, film and sports. Azar says, "As you know my song, "I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday)" has always been about escapism. Just getting away from the hustle and bustle of routines. I introduced and shared it with you through the power of radio 20 years ago and to this day it’s still rocking. I’m thankful for that!"  You watch/hear a preview of what to expect HERE.

~ We announced last week that Record Store Day was pushed back from April to June 20th this year. What we didn't announce was the list of country(ish) vinyl that will be available as special releases only for this unique day.  You can see the entire list HERE.

   An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band: First Set - The Allman Brothers Band
   A Rooster Says - Brandi Carlile
   Classic Cash: Hall Of Fame Series - Early Mixes (1987) - Johnny Cash
   Pearl Cadillac (Feat. Andra Day) - Gary Clark Jr
   "The Unraveling" b/w "Sarah's Flame" - Drive-By Truckers
   "Times Like These / It's About Blood" - Steve Earle
   Live at the Austin Outhouse - Blaze Foley
   The Man With No Shadow - John Wesley Harding
   Live at Nick’s Fat City, 1995. - Hootie And The Blowfish
   Shooter Live at Bonnaroo - Shooter Jennings
   Angel With A Lariat - K.D. Lang & The Reclines
   Drag - K.D. Lang
   Cover Your Tracks EP - Corb Lund
   Live From The Palomino - Midland
   The Atlantic Albums - John Prine
   The Kentucky Sessions - John Prine/Kelsey Waldon
   Live At The Orange Peel - Son Volt
   Hillbillies in Hell: Volume X - Various Artists
   March of Dimes - Hank Williams

~ And if you didn't see them, a couple of country artists did their favorite Kenny Rogers songs as tributes to the legend who passed away yesterday.

   Jake Owen - "She Believes In Me"
   Jason Eady - "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)"

That Nashville Sound Saturday Newsybytes- Goodbye To The Gambler, New Albums & Videos

~ Country music lost and icon last night. Kenny Rogers, known around the world at The Gambler, passed away. “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25PM at the age of 81,” his rep said. “Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. The family is planning a small private service at this time out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency. They look forward to celebrating Kenny’s life publicly with his friends and fans at a later date. Rogers achieved an amazing 30 Number One singles across the U.S. pop, country, and adult contemporary charts from 1977 to 1999.  He earned three Grammys, six CMA awards, and eight ACM awards, along with induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Some of his biggest career hits included “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” "Coward of the County" and “Islands in the Stream."  He was a restauranteur, an actor, a philanthropist and a champion of women singers throughout his career.

~ Sara Evans announced that May 15, 2020 will be the release of her new covers album called Copy That. The 13-song collection, spanning six decades, finds Evans putting her distinctive creative stamp on some of the most iconic songs in country and pop music, songs that have inspired her life and career, as well as shining a spotlight on some little-known gems. Copy That is Sara’s first solo studio album since 2017’s critically-acclaimed Words and is released on her Born to Fly Records, distributed by ADA. The project features collaborations with Old Crow Medicine Show and Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet. 

~ New England songwriter Greg Klyma rewrote a Johnny Cash classic into a song about the COVID-19 pandemic with "I've Been Everywhere."

~ Beloved singer/songwriter Darrell Scott will release a new album called Darrell Scott Sings the Blues of Hank Williams on April 24, 2020.  "I grew up on Hank Williams - it came from my dad who idolized him - as I heard the entire catalogue of Hank from my crib and beyond, I recognized what he loved about Hank: poetic, yet totally understandable, honest, heart broken, love sick lyrics and the possibility of forgiveness from a woman, or from one's self, or from one's Creator. I listened closely" recalls Scott. "I was always struck by the blues in Hank's songs in that beautiful blend of black blues tradition and poor white boy belting, having way more in common than what oughta separate them in lyrics, in voice and in chords. I heard Hank, I heard my dad, and I heard the blues that was only a guitar grab away for me," Scott says. "It did not occur to me to play or sing it like Hank; but, I strive to be true to the spirit and throw my version of blues towards Hank songs. This recording is that."

~ Former Trick Pony lead and singer/songwriter Heidi Newfield is releasing a new album called The Barfly Sessions on June 5. The collection was co-produced by Newfield with Jim “Moose” Brown (Bob Seger/Erin Enderlin). “It’s inspiring to see an artist who’s had the kind of success she’s had be so determined to push new musical boundaries and get outside of her comfort zone,” Brown says. “Heidi and I have been friends for many years and I’ve always been a fan of her music, but I really had no clue as to the depth of her musicianship, songwriting, and general bad-assery until now. She is a deep mix of old school country, Texas twang, blues and straight-up soul, and she absolutely delivers the goods on this record.”

~ Longtime songwriter Ramsey Kearney passed away at the age of 86.  He wrote dozens of cuts over the years including Brenda Lee’s 1961 international pop smash “Emotions.” Other notable cuts included “Nine Little Teardrops” for Sue Thompson (1961), “Lonely People” for Eddy Arnold (1964) and “Big Flicking Baby” for Moe Bandy. 

~ New music videos over the last couple of days:

      LANCO - "What I See"
      Mike and the Moonpies - "Miss Fortune"
      Sarah Siskind - "A Little Bit Troubled"
      Trace Adkins - "Better Off"
      The Wood Brothers - "Little Bit Sweet"

New Music Video From Miranda Lambert - "Bluebird"

New Music Video From Marc Broussard - "Shine" (Live at Willow Grove)

New Music Video From Caitlyn Smith - "Long Time Coming"