Welcome to The Pick, The Tennessean music staff's weekly email conversation about all things you need to know — hot insider takes from Music City's legendary creative community, plus the who, what and where impacting our communities from Lower Broadway to Leiper's Fork — and beyond.
I'm reporting this week from the photo pit at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, watching and Lainey Wilson, the Country Music Association's reigning Entertainer of the Year, prove that "Country's Cool Again" in front of over 200,000 revelers in downtown Nashville.
Lainey Wilson performs during Nashville’s Big Bash, New Years Eve celebration at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville , Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
Nicole Hester / The Tennessean
Before you do anything else: Check out our coverage of Lainey Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elle King, Thomas Rhett and the music note dropping on New Year's Eve.
The award-winner and chart-topper has released his "best fight yet" for the kind of country music that inspires playlist spins of Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Reba McEntire.
Cody Johnson stands before being interviewed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 9, 2023.
Nicole Hester / The Tennessean
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Get familiar with Priscilla Block, who opened for Old Dominion at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 15.
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Yes, she's the artist who wore the traffic vest-themed outfit on the CMA's red carpet. But she's also conscious of how perpetual fan interaction and true authenticity spur growing acclaim in country's crossover era.
Jelly's seemingly everyone's favorite Grammy-nominated Best New Artist Award-winner. K. Michelle's an R&B veteran with as many social media followers as Miranda Lambert and an abiding love of traditional and neo-traditional country music.
K. Michelle and Jelly Roll perform during the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.
Wade Payne / For The Tennessean
Artist Spotlight: Sophia Scott
The green room at Lower Broadway's recently-opened Barstool Sports bar and honky-tonk is located beside the kitchen. However, Colorado-born artist Sophia Scott
's still wearing a glimmering gold gown with rhinestone star appliques adorning a deep leg slit while waiting in Barstool's previously-mentioned backstage area before performing tracks from her debut artist album "Barstool Confessions."
A blond ingenue in a glimmering gown waiting in the wings while dressed for the job she wants isn't, when placed in the proper context, more incongruous than it looks.
Sophia Scott debuts at the Grand Ole Opry, Oct. 20, 2023
Chris Holio
Akin to pieces of the story that led Scott to her spotlight moment, it feels three times as old as her 30 years of age and timelessly relevant to her following in century-old steps to country music stardom.
She tells The Tennessean that her album arrives six months after breaking off a nine-year relationship — two of those years she spent engaged.
Scott's output for the release, including "Lipstick on You," finds her cautiously emerging from "feeling crazy" while torn between heartbreak and fulfilling personal and professional obligations as a "people pleaser."
The album's writing and performance process reflects another unique notion — this one more redemptive than creative.
Sophia Scott's debut album "Barstool Confessions" arrived on Oct. 20, 2023
Contributed
She depended upon "unhealthy coping mechanisms" for daily survival. Singing and songwriting together — especially for songs like "Anything But The Truth" — provided healthy "honest" alternatives.
"I'm past running into my ex-fiancee's friends and demanding that they lie and tell him I'm killing it [at life]. Through recording 'Barstool Confessions," I rediscovered my confidence, identity and inner strength. It's given me the perspective to support myself and allow my fans to find themselves and their struggles and successes — in my music."
Charley's played three times as many shows as any comparably award-nominated or acclaim-receiving Americana or country star in recent memory. Co-signed by Willie Nelson and the Country Music Hall of Fame (among many), he's a barnstorming iconoclast worth your time and attention.
Portrait of Charley Crockett at Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022.
Nashville area native Gabe Lee is probably eating a meat and three at Wendell Smith's or Brown's Diner currently, where he's met me for recent conversations. Thus, stunning songs like "Merigold" — about a small-town man surviving the death of his cancer-stricken wife — have emerged right under your nose here in town. Take a listen.
Lainey Wilson performs during Nashville’s Big Bash, New Years Eve celebration at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville , Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
Zach Bryan finished off his busy 2023 by achieving a longtime goal: he received his bachelor's degree. The country singer enjoyed a surprise college graduation ceremony backstage at one of his final shows of the year.