Country Music People July 2019 | Page 4

cmp News JULY 2019 Volume 50 Number 7 Issue 593 Editor Duncan Warwick Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Tony Byworth, Larry Delaney, Don Cusic, Julie Flaskett, Kelly Gregory, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Alex Rossi, Wayne Smart, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins New release consultant: Steve Tidbury Assistant editor / Special projects coordinator Kelly Gregory Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon, Billie McAleer Printed by Micropress www.micropress.co.uk Distributor Seymour International Press Distributors Ltd. 2 East Poultry Avenue London EC1A 9PT Telephone [phone] Country Music People is published the last Thursday of each month by KICKIN’ CUTS LIMITED 24 Darley Close, Wittering, Peterborough PE8 6EQ, UK Telephone [phone] - 783689 [email protected] www.cmpcountry.com ©2019 Kickin’ Cuts Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for statement of fact or opinion expressed by contributors. The views of the contributors are not necessarily those of Country Music People or its editor. 4 cmp - JULY 2019 Walt Trott in Nashville Duncan Warwick in London Thomas Rhett Makes Country Music History R eigning ACM Awards Male Artist of the Year, Thomas Rhett has earned his second consecutive number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart in less than two years with his Center Point Road release. It also makes history with over 33 million on- demand audio streams for its songs, claiming the biggest streaming debut week ever for a country album. One of the current crop of country hitmakers most criticised for the overtly pop nature of his records, Rhett said, “The reception for this new music has been mind-blowing from the start. In these last two years of life, a lot has happened that gave me a lot to write about. When I didn’t think I could get more personal, I did. And I attribute so much of that to the songwriters that really went with me into deeper territory and to the producers that had a great vision for the sound of this album. I just feel super honoured and super blessed that we got to make this record with such an incredible team. Huge shout out to the fans for listening to it and supporting every release along the way. It has been such a whirlwind, for the album to finally be out and to see this kind of response is just mind- blowing.” Granger Smith tragedy C ountry singer Granger Smith (also known by his alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr.) revealed on social media that his 3-year-old son River died by drowning following a tragic accident at home. Breaking the news, the singer who is best known for his 2015 Top 5 hit Backroad Song stated, “I have to deliver unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith.” He continued, “Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived. Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life.” Naturally the Texas-born singer cancelled a scheduled CMA MusicFest appearance at the Chevy Riverfront Stage and has since launched a t-shirt through his apparel company, Yee Yee Apparel, to raise funds for the Dell Childrens Medical Center with 100% of proceeds going towards where his son was treated. So far it has raised $88,000. “This shirt has a Yee Yee Excavator on it (Riv’s favourite thing to do was watch excavators scoop up dirt) and is red - Riv’s favourite colour,” says the description of the shirt on yeeyeeapparel.com. The Smiths are also parents to daughter London, 7, and son Lincoln Monarch, 5.