Music News (4/22/20)

Brett Eldredge Returns With Vulnerability And Richness, Sets New Album For July 10

Brett Eldredge. Photo: Greg Noire

After spending some time off the grid, reflecting and creating, Brett Eldredge is ready to release a new collection of music for the first time in almost three years.

The time spent alone drew out some of the most vulnerable music Eldredge has released, starting with a song about reflecting on a lost love, called “Gabrielle.” The single is the first taste of his album Sunday Drive, due out July 10 via Warner Music Nashville. The Paris, Illinois native recorded the project with Grammy-winning duo Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk at Shirk Studios in Chicago. Tashian and Fitchuk also co-wrote “Gabrielle” alongside Eldredge, which is the first song he recorded for the new project.

Click here to read the full interview at musicrow.com.
 

Dylan Marlowe Signs With Play It Again Music

Pictured (L-R): Cade Price, VP of A&R, Dylan Marlowe, Dallas Davidson, Owner/CEO

Dylan Marlowe has signed a publishing and artist development deal with Play It Again Music.

“I’m extremely excited to announce that Dylan Marlowe is joining the Play It Again team,” said Play It Again owner/CEO Dallas Davidson. “Dylan caught my attention two years ago when he was at PIA writing with Trea Landon. I was really digging on the songs he was writing and then absolutely fell in love with his voice.  I think Dylan is a mega-star and look forward to being a part of this Georgia boy’s career.”

“I’m super excited to be joining the Play It Again team, they have treated me like nothing but family so far and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” said Marlowe. “I’ve looked up to Dallas for a long time so to be able to write for him is a dream come true.“

Davidson, an award-winning songwriter with 25 No. 1 hits and more than 250 cuts to his credit, launched Play It Again Music in 2015.
 

Average Joes Entertainment Launches Texas/Americana Label Imprint With Rich O’Toole

Average Joes Entertainment has launched a new Texas/Americana imprint, Buffalo Roam Records, with artist/writer Rich O’Toole as both the first artist signed to the label, as well as the leader for the new venture.

The imprint’s first album release is O’Toole’s New York City, which will release June 26. Texas native O’Toole has topped the Texas Music Chart three times, has had 23 Top 10 singles at Texas radio, and sold more than 100,000 albums. The signing marks a return to Average Joes for O’Toole, who released the album Kiss Of A Liar on the label in 2011.

“As we began to consider re-approaching the Texas music scene, Rich was a natural pick for a partner. Having worked with him in the past when he was an artist on Average Joes, we knew his drive and determination, as well as his Texas roots, would align well with the core spirit of Average Joes. We’re excited to have him back, and look forward to a bright future,” said Forrest Latta, Average Joes Entertainment A&R.

“I’m excited to bring a Texas/Americana sound with the new AJE imprint, Buffalo Roam Records. We will be delivering some of the best up-and-coming artists out of the southwest,” said O’Toole.

O’Toole can be reached at rich@buffaloroamrecords.com.
 

Black Diamond Row Music Publishing Inks Deal With Dean Dillon

Photo ID (L to R): Sheryl Steinmeyer, Dean’s manager; Angela Gutierrez, Founder of Black Diamond Row; Dean Dillon; Adolfo Gutierrez, Managing Director

Songwriter Dean Dillon has signed an exclusive publishing deal for his future works with Black Diamond Row Music Publishing.

Between 1979 and 1981, Dillon released 12 singles for RCA Records, with three of his songs reaching the Top 30 on the country charts, including his rendition of “Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” which later became a No. 1 hit for George Strait. Between 1979 and 1983, as an artist Dillon charted eight times and broke the Top 30 with “I’m Into The Bottle (To Get You out of My Mind).”

Dillon has since become one of music’s most iconic songwriters. He has written more than 76 songs recorded by George Strait, including 19 radio singles and 11 No. 1 hits. Those hits include “The Chair,” “If I Know Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Oceanfront Property,” “Unwound,” “She Let Herself Go,” and “Marina Del Ray,” among many others.

He also co-wrote “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was first recorded by David Allan Coe and later became a hit for George Jones in 1983 and in recent years became a 6x Platinum, signature recording for Chris Stapleton. He also penned several hits for artists including the late Keith Whitley (“Homecoming ’63” and “Miami, My Amy”), Kenny Chesney (“A Lot of Things Different” and “A Chance”), Pam Tillis (“Spilled Perfume” and “All The Good Ones Are Gone”), Toby Keith (“A Little Too Late,” and “Get My Drink On”) and the late Vern Gosdin (“Is It Raining At Your House” and “Set ‘Em Up, Joe”), among others.

Dillon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and earned the BMI Icon Award in 2013. He also earned three CMA Triple Play Awards (in 1995, 1996 and 1998).

Nashville-based music publishing company Black Diamond Row launched in 2015; the roster also includes Kevin Brandt and Jordan Rainer.