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"