Artist/Writer Roundup

Waylon Tribute CD; Matthews Joins Davis Music; and Brody Releases Environmental Video

>>The ninth anniversary of the passing of country legend Waylon Jennings is being commemorated with a tribute CD, The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, Volume 1, releasing Tues., Feb. 8. Conceived as a three volume series, work on the unique project began almost three years ago as a labor of love for Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter, son Shooter Jennings, guitarist Reggie Young and Producer Witt Stewart. This first volume, on ScatterRecords and Big Machine features Waylon’s most critically and commercially acclaimed tracks, uniquely interpreted and performed by yesterday’s and today’s country legends, including Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Patty Griffin, Randy Houser and John Hiatt. Also included are new recordings by Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter and the Jennings classic “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” the first new music in over ten years from super-group Alabama. Volume II is scheduled to release on June 14, the day before what would have been Waylon’s 74th birthday. Volume III is slated to release Fall 2011, the day prior to Waylon and Jessi’s 42nd wedding anniversary.

Trey Mattews

>>Trey Matthews has signed a publishing deal with Davis Music, according to the Group’s GM Gator Michaels. “Trey is a welcomed addition to our songwriting team,” says Michaels. ”In a town full of talented songwriters, his strong county roots and great lyrical abilities really stand above the pack.” Matthews was most recently a writer for Bigger Picture with songs cut on numerous country albums including Jerrod Niemann’s current album, plus Tracy Byrd, Daryle Singletary, Mark McGuinn, Billy Dean, Cole Degges and The Lonesome, The Harters and several others.

>>Grammy nominee Lane Brody has released a video for her latest single, “Flame’s Turned Blue” on GMV Records. The song, written and produced by the artist, is focused upon a humanitarian response to environmental issues developing around the globe and is part of Brody’s new CD On The Wings Of Songs. The video was directed, edited and shot by Australian native, Ross Ward.