Lady A.Photo: Nancy Kruh
For the constellation of stars who appear each year at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, the No. 1 goal is to make an impression in front of the tastemakers of the airwaves — but only one performer, the always-playfulIngrid Andress, took the task to its literal lengths at last week’s event.
Hunt wasn’t expected for Andress' performance at the Warner Music revue, but he was on the announced bill for his label’s showcase, and giventhe week of personal drama he was having, it was no surprise he was a no-show. No matter. There was otherwise no shortage of name acts at the annual radio broadcasters' convention, from up-and-comers like Andress to such established hitmakers asKeith Urban,Luke Combs,Dierks Bentley,Lady AandZac Brown Band.
Ingrid Andress.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Here are many more memorable impressions from the three-day CRS event, including some clues to what you may be listening to in the coming weeks and months:
NEW SOUNDS FROM FAMILIAR NAMES:After scoring a top 5 hit with his last single, “Tequila Little Time,“Jon Pardiis looking for his next chart-topper with his just-released “Last Night Lonely.” The first single off his upcoming album, it delivers with a driving beat and a dancing fiddle line, and it’s a worthy appetizer for Pardi’s just-announced tour.
Little Big Townalso has a new album in the works, and Jimi Westbrook takes lead vocals on “Rich Man,” the new song the platinum-selling quartet chose to showcase. The solemn ballad has an uplifting message: “Keep my head up high / feet on the ground / love the ones I’m living around / life is just that simple to me / yeah, I’m a rich man.”
John and TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne.Peyton Hoge
Reigning CMA duo of the yearthe Brothers Osbornechose to put their spotlight on album cut “Midnight Rider’s Prayer,” a haunting ballad that borrows its chorus fromWillie Nelson’s"On the Road Again” (with the country legend’s blessing, of course).
After relocating to Colorado during the pandemic,Dierks Bentleyhas moved back to Nashville and, as he told his audience, “totally fallen back in love” with the city, a revelation that has inspired new song “Gold.” Bentley doesn’t know yet if it will be a single, but it definitely meets his own goal for mixing “the bluegrass with the kick-ass.”
Dierks Bentley.Peyton Hoge
Taking their turns on stage, Lady A andChris Jansoneach gave boosts to their recently released and buzz-worthy singles. “What a Song Can Do,” Lady A’salbum-title track,features all the group’s signature sounds that power their music up the charts. Janson is already callingthe poignant “Bye Mom"“quite possibly one of the most important songs of my career,” and his label is expecting it to be a contender for a song of the year award.
Chris Janson.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Michael Ray.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Coming off recent No. 1 “Same Boat,” Zac Brown Band is turning up the volume on “Out in the Middle,” a rousing new anthem that Brown has described as “Southern rock storytelling.” Their new radio single, it’s sure to get even more traction as the name of their upcoming 36-date tour.
Zac Brown.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
NEW SOUNDS FROM NEWCOMERS:After breakout hit “My Truck,“BRELANDis taking another swing at the charts with “Praise the Lord,” a co-write withThomas Rhettthat brims with gospel fervor; it’s set to drop for the supercharged live performer in a couple of weeks.
BRELAND.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Kassi Ashtonis still looking to make waves on the air with her soulful voice, and she brings an enticing R&B groove to her country-themed “Dates in Pickup Trucks,” her debut single that goes to radio this week.
Callista Clark.Nancy Kruh
Cut from the cloth of outlaw country, Jackson Dean is introducing himself with “Don’t Come Lookin',” a gritty rocker that’s already been featured on theYellowstonesoundtrack.
Jackson Dean.Nancy Kruh
AussieMorgan Evanshas again turned toward his bountiful sunny side (and no doubt his perpetual muse, wifeKelsea Ballerini) with “Country Out of My Girl,” due to radio in May.
Morgan Evans.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Still savoring her first No. 1, “Things a Man Oughta Know,“Lainey Wilsonhas selected its follow-up, “Heart Like a Truck,” to continue to show off her neo-traditional country sound. AndPriscilla Blockhas picked “My Bar” as her successor to breakout hit “Just About Over You,” and it arrives with the same sassy, honkytonking spirit.
Lainey Wilson.Nancy Kruh
Kylie Morgan.Peyton Hoge
MAREN MORRISMORSELS:Her much-anticipated third album is due out in less than a month, and to stoke anticipation, the Grammy-winning artist hosted an intimate gathering during CRS week to preview five of the unreleased songs on the 11-track album. Her picks leave no doubt that she’s more attached than ever to her country roots as she continues to draw on personal themes; the music’s restrained production smartly keeps her singular voice front and center.
VICTORY LAPS:Several artists chose to perform guaranteed crowd-pleasers — the hits that helped make them stars in the first place — and those reminders could only have whet broadcasters' appetites for what’s next.
Luke Combs has been hard at work on his third album, but he kept it completely under wraps during his 40-minute acoustic set at the top of the bill of a Sony event. His latest single “Doin' This” (which may or may not appear on the new album) did get its due, but otherwise he cycled through seven of his No. 1 hits — does he release any other kind? — ending on “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” which he declared “probably forever my favorite song to play live.”
Luke Combs.Nancy Kruh
Cody Johnsonsoared through his current hit single “‘Til You Can’t,” and the standing ovation it received foretold the news on Monday that the stirring ballad is the Texan’s first No. 1.
Cody Johnson.CRB/CRS/Kayla Schoen Photography
Reigning CMA vocalist of the year Carly Pearcereminded listeners why she’s nominated for ACM album of the year with a three-song set from the LP, “What He Didn’t Do,” “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” and title track “29.”
Carly Pearce.Nancy Kruh
Celebrating his recent No. 1,Jordan Davisoffered a moving acoustic version of “Buy Dirt,” andRiley Greenreminded his audience of his chart-topping capability with"There Was This Girl"and “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.”
Riley Green.Nancy Kruh
Keith Urban held down the final slot of the annual UMG showcase, and the superstar has been known to use the occasion to premiere a brand-new single (including “We Were” and"John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”). But this time around he treated his Ryman Auditorium audience to an 11-minute tour through his hefty catalog, accompanying himself on an undersized acoustic guitar. Or as the waggish Urban declared at the start: “I’d like to play a little guitar for you.”
Size didn’t matter. The virtuoso guitarist blazed his way through an eight-song medley of hits, pulling so much music out of the tiny instrument that one had to assume it was among his most cherished treasures — until, after his last note, he signed it and then happily bestowed it on an audience member. Silly assumption: The magic was in those hands all along.
Keith Urban.Peyton Hoge
Reveling in his live audience, Urban vowed, “I’m done with Zooming my gigs for free!” — and indeed he is as he heads toLas Vegas in late Marchand kicks off his"Speed of Now” world tourin June.
source: people.com
