Celebrating 50 Yrs. As Grand Ole Opry Member

Country music legend Jeannie Seely has achieved chart topping songs as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter. Early in her career, Jeannie’s deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul”– a title that’s still used today. Jeannie’s biggest dream came true when she was inducted as a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Jeannie also became the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry shows. Jeannie takes much pride in her involvement and support of musicians’ rights. In 2017, Jeannie celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album The Seely Style to her recent self–produced album Written In Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written, Jeannie’s recordings have spanned six decades and provided enjoyment to country music fans all around the world. In his 2003 book “Finding Her Voice: Women In Country Music,” music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of country’s most completely modern female personalities.” And that still holds true today.

Keep up with all things Jeannie Seely at www.jeannieseely.com.

Grammy Award-Winning Country Star

Celebrating his 25th year since signing his major label deal, Grammy Award-winning country star John Berry has recently released his new single “Beautifully Broken” which is the title track for the upcoming movie of the same name. Berry has placed 20 singles on the country hit parade charts, six of which went Top 5 as well as a #1 on the Billboard and Radio & Records country charts. He has earned numerous Gold and Platinum records.  Then, "Your Love Amazes Me," "What's In It For Me" and "You And Only You" thrust him to stardom in 1994."Your Love Amazes Me" earned Berry a 1995 GRAMMY nomination. In 1996, he scored a GRAMMY win for his participation in Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel Vol. 1. The same year, he was nominated for CMA Vocal Event of the Year for "Long Haired Country Boy" with Charlie Daniels and Hal Ketchum. Both fans and the media took note when "There He Goes" was released as a 1999 duet with Patsy Cline. Berry's two most recent albums, What I Love The Most and his holiday album, Christmas, are both available now at johnberry.com as well as iTunes and other digital retailers.  Berry's TV show, Songs & Stories with John Berry is currently in it’s second season and airs weekly on Heartland Television, The Family Channel, The Country Network, Roku (via Heartland), AMG TV, Country TV (New Zealand), and Keep It Country TV (UK). For more information, visit songsandstories.com.

Allie Colleen was named one of Wide Open Country’s Artist to Watch 2020! She is a Belmont University graduate from Owasso, Oklahoma performs with a style that is truly her own and she is no stranger to the music industry. Her passion for singing and songwriting since a young age has garnered her a reputation of being a notable songwriter with an iconic-sounding, impeccably strong voice that accents her Americana sound. The room never fails to silence as Allie Colleen begins to sing about the layers of love and heart-break that have shaped her, including some of her newest songs with witty lyrics and a personal connection to the song unlike most today. Allie’s work ethics come through strong and showcase her deep values as she works along-side industry professionals. Her willingness to perform at venues in and around Nashville, along with national exposure opportunities, have honed her music skills. Allie’s passionate drive and innovative vision set her apart from her peers, and resulted in her music and videos going viral and capturing the attention of well-known radio show host Bobby Bones. One of her original songs, “Close Enough”, gained more than 750k views onYouTube and her organic social media following has continued to increase. Her debut single, “Work In Progress” defines the life that’s shaped her with personal lyrics and transparency in both the vocals and delivery. “Work in Progress” is a sweet sentiment regarding her introduction to the Music Industry co-written with hit songwriter Marcus Hummon and well known studio producer Greg Bieck. Her previous single single “Along the Way” was released to digital music platforms in Sept 2019. Current music is self-reflective of the journey she is on as an individual with an impeccably strong voice with hints of timeless tradition that falls between classic country and the emerging country sound. “Take Up Your Arms” single used for promotional video for Sea Turtle Recovery a Non Profit Organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of sea turtles and providing public outreach in May 2020 “Close Enough” lyric video was released to YouTube included fans during pandemic to bring comfort and unity https://youtu.be/E3gqQ6m3TRc. “Ain’t The Only Hell (My Momma Raised)” Release Date June 5, 2020 landed on Spotify Playlists: Next From Nashville, New Music Nashville, Young Music City, CMT Next Women of Country and on Whiskey Riff New Music Friday Written by Allie Colleen and Karleen Watts. “Best Friend” and “Road You Take” were simultaneously released to all digital platforms as a concept album to share her journey and the story of a broken friendship along with healing a broken heart.

Exile formed in 1963 looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their over 55 year-long career. Their most successful hit, “Kiss You All Over” spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. In the early 1980’s Exile started to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts Exile has successfully had ten No. 1 singles including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory” and “Give Me One More Chance.” The hit song "Kiss You All Over" was used in the 1996 Adam Sandler movie “Happy Gilmore” and in the 2006 film “Employee of the Month.” They have toured with acts including Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and The Judds. The 5 original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current members of the band include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman. 2018 celebrates 55 years for the band and 40th anniversary of the hit song “Kiss You All Over.”

Singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Americana pioneering trio Uncle Walt’s Band, David Ball, has released his highly anticipated new record, “Come See Me,” on Public Records. David won a Grammy Award for the song “Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)” from the album Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster. (2005) Fourteen of his singles have entered the Billboard charts, including “Thinkin’ Problem” and “Riding With Private Malone,” which made Ball one of the first artists to take an indie single to the Country Top 5. He has recorded a total of seven studio albums, including his platinum certified Thinkin’ Problem. The title track was the top selling country song of 1994. In 2013 David Ball became one of the first living members to be inducted into the Historic Spartanburg Music Trail in his hometown of Spartanburg SC, joining other notables such as Hank Garland, Don Reno, Buck Trent and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Dallas Remington is a no-nonsense country recording artist and songwriter who knows who she is and what she wants. The Kentucky-born, fifth generation farming family member who started performing in Nashville at age 11 and moved to Nashville at the age of 15, thrives with a passion for life, her music, and her faith. Dallas’ vocal talents are marked by her striking lyrics and textured phrasing; her fiery verve and vigor comes to life in every performance--intimate or live. Her passion for playing the guitar and performing began at an early age, around nine years old, however she regularly plays a variety of instruments with guitar and bass as her primary focus. “Singing will always be a part of me. Whether I’m singing at church, on the street, on a flatbed trailer, or somewhere in Nashville, I love every minute.” she quips. A Dallas Remington performance includes a variety of songs, from her originals like "Found Her Freedom" (charted top 60 on MusicRow Breakout Chart), and "Never Turned Around"(charting #37 on the MusicRow Breakout Chart), "Boy In A Band " which climbed to #41 on the MusicRow Breakout Chart, “Huntin Season” which topped out at #32 on Music Row Country Breakout Chart & #9 on CDX True Indie Chart as well as a few covers of new country artists such as Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris. “Uncommon Man” is currently released to radio and dedicated to her father as well as all of the essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dallas also loves to perform traditional country songs from artists such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, as well as southern gospel and classic Rock. Dallas Remington’s talents have been recognized by the music industry by the Volunteer State Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association who presented Dallas awards for Entertainer of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Traditional Country Female Vocalist of the Year, New Country Co-Songwriter of the Year for "Found Her Freedom” and “Never Turned Around” (2016), Traditional Country Co-Songwriter of the Year for “Here’s Your Trailer Key” (2017) and Traditional Country Songwriter of The Year for “I’m Country”(2016) and Female Instrumentalist of Year 2018 ages 18-21.

Kent Blazy is an American country music songwriter from Lexington, KY who now calls Nashville, TN home. His credits include several singles for Garth Brooks, as well as singles by Gary Morris, Diamond Rio, Patty Loveless and Chris Young. Blazy has a total of seven number one hits to his credit. Kent Blazy was raised in Lexington, Kentucky. At an early age, he played rhythm guitar and sang in various local bands, citing The Byrds, Rodney Crowell and Joe Ely as influences. He later played for Canadian singer Ian Tyson. Later on, Blazy met former Exile member Mark Gray, who suggested that Blazy move to Nashville, Tennessee. Eventually, he signed to a publishing contract, but the publishing company closed; despite the loss of contract, Gary Morris sent Blazy's "Headed for a Heartache" into top 5 on the country charts. By the late 1980s, Blazy met with a then-unknown Garth Brooks, who gave him the idea for a song entitled "If Tomorrow Never Comes." He and Brooks co-wrote the song, which went on to become Brooks' first number one hit. Brooks continued to record Blazy's material throughout the 1990s, including the singles "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)," "It's Midnight Cinderella," "She's Gonna Make It," "Somewhere Other Than the Night" and the George Jones duet "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)." He also co-wrote "That's What I Get for Lovin' You" by Diamond Rio and "Can't Get Enough" by Patty Loveless in the late 1990s. Blazy, along with songwriters Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Kim Williams, recorded an album entitled A Songwriters' Tribute to Garth Brooks, which included their renditions of songs that they had written for Brooks. This album was released in 2001 via VFR Records. Other songs that Blazy has co-written include "You Can Let Go" by Crystal Shawanda and "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)" by Chris Young from 2008 and 2009 respectively, as well as American Idol season 8 finalist Danny Gokey's debut single "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me."

Taylon Hope is a singer, songwriter, musician from West Jefferson, NC, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and now makes her home in Music City, Nashville, TN. She began singing at the young age of four years old and music has been her passion ever since. She loves singing and performing and making a difference to others through her music. Taylon has a love for both traditional and modern Country Music and has a great appreciation for all kinds of music. Taylon Hope values her roots and believes in being who you are and country is who she is! She has had the opportunity to open shows for Shenandoah, T. Graham Brown, Suzy Bogguss, Adam Crabb, and recently in Kansas she opened up for Ned LeDoux, son of Chris LeDoux.

Taking The Country Music World By Storm One Song At A Time

Dani-elle Kleha a 22 year old award winning, performing and recording artist from Jermyn, Pennsylvania, has a sound well beyond her years. Her unique voice is a combination emulating a throwback to 90's country mixed with a modern flair. The ability to captivate the audience from the moment she steps on stage to the moment the crowd files out the doors, Dani-elle always leaves her fans with a lasting impression. She has shared the stage with artists Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and more. This talented emerging artist has earned nominations in five categories for the 2018 Josie Music Awards. Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year for "Get Back Up", Female Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for "Joke's On You". She also won the 2017 Josie Music Awards for “Female Artist of the Year” and was recognized in 2017 as an “Emerging Artist” during CMA Music Festival in Nashville. At the 2016 Josie Music Awards, she took home the highest honor of “Modern Female Country Artist of the Year” where she beat out more than three dozen other nominees. Along with her busy schedule, Dani-elle makes time to give back to the community. She headlines the "Positive Youth Tour," a series of live shows performed at schools in Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties, where the concerts include segments during which Dani-elle speaks to students about following their dreams, bullying, and self-worth. This is only the beginning and there is no stopping her now. Her fresh new look and unique sound has her taking the Country Music world by storm one song at a time. Stay current with Dani-Elle at dani-ellesings.com.

Mira Goto follows in the footsteps of today’s country songwriting superstars, driving powerful lyrics along with catchy choruses throughout her catalogue. The highly anticipated release of her feel-good single, “Anybody Else,” sets the bar for 2020. The international, award-winning songwriter and performer inked a production deal with ArtistMax founded by Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat) for her new EP, “Nobody Warned Me” projected for release in late 2020. Born and raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, Mira currently resides in both Santa Cruz, CA and Nashville, TN. Her music journey began at the young age of three years old when she started playing and performing the violin. She traded it in for the guitar as a teenager, and while studying in college for a degree in nursing, she penned her first song. She recalls she would study during the day, and go to open mics at night. Mira recalls it felt more like a hobby at the time, and took several years to evolve into a career. She saved money for her first EP, under the name Mira Parfitt, by waiting tables and saving her tip money in an empty tissue box in her closet. Since then, she's played in cities across the country, even taking her show across the pond to her wide fan base in Europe. Mira made her radio debut early this year with her single "Nobody Warned Me" which charted at an impressive number 34 on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart. Influenced by a broad range of music genres that included Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Simon & Garfunkel, Queen and Dashboard Confessional as well as being inspired by the songwriting of Lori Mckenna, Jane Bach, Steve Seskin, Brandy Clark, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Dan Wilson, Wrabel and P!nk, she finds herself intertwining the influences and techniques to find her own path on the road to writing songs that suit her style. She has shared the stage with such talent as John Ondrasik (of Five for Fighting), Greg Brown, John Craigie, Rhett Miller, and Jason Blume.
In her own words, Mira strives to play mid-sized venues, “think 200-400 people, a seated theater, in towns I've never been two, sell them out, and hear the crowd singing the words of my songs back to me. That's what success looks like to me. Of course I'd love a Grammy, and I'd love to play the Opry, but all those things would be cherries on top of the sundae of a room full of "strangers" who are there to sing your music with you. They're not really strangers if they know your music though, are they?”
An active member of the West Coast Songwriters since 2017 when she entered their songwriting competition and she won every round through to the grand finals in Berkeley, CA, Mira was awarded with the opportunity to perform at their annual conference. It was at this conference that she met her now producer, Ken Caillat, and from there everything she has accomplished has been a direct result of winning that competition. In 2019 Goto won the NEXTies Musician of the Year, and in 2020 she won The Santa Cruz Good Times' Best Local Musician.

Emily Miller is a multi talented country, bluegrass, and gospel singer from West Chester, Ohio. Her dynamic voice and guitar have entertained audiences in several states and in large venues including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Music City Center, Gatlinburg Craftsman Fair, charity events like Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital, College sporting events, and many smaller venue pubs. Emily’s unique style and artistic ability as well as her active engagement of the audience allow everyone to feel connected with her easygoing personality, catchy smile, and quick wit. The connection is instant and her smile when she tells you to strap on your sassy boots are sure to show the heart invested in her craft. Emily has worked with some of the best in the business including Grammy Award winner Tammy Rogers King, Tim Watson, Sheryl Crow, Michael W. Smith and other industry artists throughout Nashville exposing her to audiences she never dreamed of. With an old soul, Emily will deliver a classic country, today’s country, or a gospel tune in any of her performances. You will tap a toe, pump a fist, and shed a tear from the heart with every performance.

DiscoverSooner.com was founded in 2019. Nashville Cool publisher Nancy Deckant had the idea for an online platform for the music industry. Songwriters post their music, career accomplishments, and key business criteria. Industry professionals “connect” when they want to have a conversation with songwriters. More information at https://www.discoversooner.com/, Facebook, Instagram

COUNTRY REWIND RECORDS … Bringing Unreleased Traditional Country Music Into The Contemporary Country Era

Founded by Thomas Gramuglia of Hindsight Records in 2014, Gramuglia obtained a treasure chest of unreleased recordings from recruitment radio shows from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The superb CCR collection of original master recordings contains music from more than 100 country music legends and trendsetters (including intimate performances by country music greats such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Connie Smith, Faron Young, Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty and many more). These recordings were never released for commercial use. After a diligent quest to collect appropriate and legal permissions from artists and/or their estates, Country Rewind Records (CRR) has now recorded and produced multiple, quintessential, “must-hear” projects. With the mission to transfer these never-heard-before tracks to a high quality, state-of-the-art recording; complemented by contemporary instrumentation and background vocals, Country Rewind Records will release this historical American music to America's music generations of the future.

Matt Kennon knows the power of a great song. It can stir your emotions, move you to tears, motivate you to action, and in some cases even save your life, as Matt has seen firsthand in his career with songs like “Love is Stronger,” “The Call,” “You Had To Pick On Me,” and even his latest song, “Wasn’t It Enough.” For him, music is about the message, and time and again he’s written thought-provoking and heart-tugging songs that have racked up impressive chart numbers and even more impressive sales: throughout the course of his career he’s already sold 300,000 singles and 30,000 albums. The Atlanta native is inspired by and writes about things close to his heart, and often finds himself writing songs with emotional messages. His songs have definitely hit home with many struggling with issues like suicide, post-traumatic stress, and bullying.