Rising Country music singer-songwriter, Jordan Fletcher, has released his stripped-down version of Riley Green's hit song, "When She Comes Home Tonight" available now off his forthcoming EP, "Cuts & Covers" (April 12th). The song, written by Fletcher, Green and Ryan Nelson, was RIAA Certified Gold and is featured on Green's 2018 album, "Outlaws Like Us".
"Cuts & Covers" is a collection of songs that Fletcher co-wrote for some of Nashville's biggest stars along with one special cover of Post Malone's global chart-topper, "Circles." Since arriving in Music City, Fletcher has earned high praises as a straight-forward, truth-telling songwriter. Now, he is stepping into his own spotlight as a recording artist who is cultivating a lasting legacy in Country music.
Acclaimed country music singer and songwriter, David Nail released his new 4-song EP, Best of Me today featuring his previous high streaming releases and the brand new single “Silverado.” Best of Me features a blend of contemporary country sounds and introspective storytelling. The EP tells the story of the evolution of a summer fling as heard on “Sunset Carousel” to the special moment of preparing to pop the question in the lauded solo write, “Best of Me.”
This new EP is an avenue of Nail's artistic evolution, following a string of critically acclaimed albums. With his unparalleled vocal talents and captivating songwriting, David Nail continues to solidify his place in country music.
“Silverado is one of the most fun songs I’ve ever been a part of writing, and there was an immediate feeling in the room that this would be a blast playing live! We initially planned to release this last Fall but the pause allowed us to really take another look at it, and I think, enhance the overall sound,” Nail said.
“Nail’s superb vocal talents are country canon, thanks to songs like ‘Red Light’ and ‘The Sound of a Million Dreams.’ The singer-songwriter shows off his sentimental side on this solo write, about his wife Catherine, as he recalls the man-to-man conversation he shared with her father as Nail asked for her hand in marriage. Though he doesn’t have money or the finer things in life to offer, he does have one thing of even more value — a steadfast love and commitment. ‘I’ll give her the best of me/ If you’ll give her away,’ he sings, as his nuanced vocal, layered over sweet guitar work, embodies the passion, vulnerability and hope embedded in the song’s sentiments. This is sure to be a wedding season favorite.” - Billboard
“I have always thought this guy had something special. His return to disc is a summer romance with a nostalgic tinge. He still sings splendidly and the track (Sunset Carousel) is right in the pocket for beach listening.” Robert Oermann, MusicRow
David and his wife, Catherine sat down for an intimate weekly series telling their story about their first meeting at the Nashville staple, Tin Roof, and how David asked Catherine’s father for permission to ask her for her hand in marriage.
1. Sunset Carousel (David Nail, Grant Vogel, Robyn Collins)
2. Wherever You Are Tonight (David Nail, Grant Vogel, Robyn Collins)
3. Best of Me (David Nail)
4. Silverado (David Nail, Grant Vogel, Robyn Collins)
Nail just announced a string of shows out West following a stop at the world-famous Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on July 15. To stay up to date and to purchase tickets, please visit davidnail.com.
David Nail Summer Tour Dates:
July 3 - Garden City, Utah - Heritage Park
July 4 - Nashville, Tenn. - Grand Ole Opry
July 15 - Fort Worth, Texas - Billy Bob’s
July 19 - Beaumont, Calif. - Beaumont Summer Concert Series
July 20 - San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - Coach House Concert Hall
Aug. 4 - Crescent City, Calif. - Del Norte County Fairgrounds
Aug. 5 - Tacoma, Wash. - Steel Creek American Whiskey Co.
Aug. 6 - Bend, Ore. - Silver Moon Brewing
Aug. 8 - Great Falls, Mont. - The Newberry
Aug. 10 - Billings, Mont. - Pub Station
Aug. 11 - Columbia Falls, Mont. - The Coop
Aug. 12 - Lewiston, Idaho - Boomers Garden
Aug. 16 - Los Angeles, Calif. - Teragram Ballroom
Aug. 17 - San Diego, Calif. - Moonshine Beach
Aug. 18 - Santa Ynez, Calif. - Maverick Saloon
Aug. 19 - Paso Robles, Calif. - BarrelHouse Brewing Co.
Aug. 22 - San Martin, Calif. - Clos LaChance Winery
Aug. 26 - El Paso, Texas - Speaking Rock Casino Entertainment Center
Ohio Native Opens Up Artistically and Personally Through Nostalgic, Reflective
Six-Song Release
Singer/songwriter Karissa Ella is further cementing her status as one of country’s music’s most burgeoning talents with the release of her long-awaited EP, It’s Personal.
True to its name, the new project showcases the Ohio native’s infectious hooks and stunning vocals on material that is particularly personal to her and gives listeners a look into who she is as both an artist and an individual like never before.
Produced by Casey Wood (Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Charlie Daniels), It's Personal features all of Ella’s latest releases, including “White Dress Worthy” – the heartfelt collaboration she crafted alongside her mother, Lori Haasz, which was featured on PEOPLE.com – as well as “Hometown Bar,” which garnered a world premiere on CMT Music, and the good-time anthem, “Well Tequila.”
The release of the new EP builds on what has already been an incredibly impactful year for Ella.
She was recently selected as PickleJar and Cumulus Media’s first-ever Spotlight Artist on their new syndicated overnight show “PickleJar Up All Night,” which is currently playing the EP’s focus track, "I Hope Heavens Like," across Cumulus Media Country stations in 47 U.S. markets. The support from Cumulus elevated Ella’s song to #89 on Country Radio, an almost unheard-of feat for an artist not signed to a major record label, and it followed her standout debut CMA Fest performance before a generous crowd earlier this month.
“I like to look at every project as a milestone and I’m really proud of the growth, maturity and vulnerability I’ve discovered over the past few years that led to and shaped this one,” said Ella. “There were a lot of songs to choose from but I wanted each one on this EP to be a genuine and personal reflection of where I’m at in my life right now. My heart is happy these days and I think that’s apparent throughout Its Personal. As far as milestones go, this is a big one and it’s only the start of the reflective and expressive singing, songwriting and storytelling that is to come!”
It’s Personal Track Listing:
1.) Well Tequila (Karissa Ella, Joshua Gleave)
2.) I Hope Heaven’s Like (Karissa Ella, Cassidy Best, Claire Carruthers)
Americana singer Mark Jones released his new EP, Scars today! These five brand new songs are all penned by Mark and are very personal to him. Chronicling his experience through a failed marriage almost matter-of-factly, Mark's open and honest storytelling will resonate with anyone who's had to experience loss, start over and move on. While Mark is from the red-dirt scene of Texas, his music resonates with listeners from all genres, and fans of artists like Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Zach Bryan will enjoy it.
Listeners are loving the two already released songs, "Fences" and "Let It Rain." "Fences" has been streamed over 9,000 times this week alone and Mark's monthly listeners are up to almost 37,000 listeners.
"Scars follows my personal journey of reflection after a failed marriage. During that time, I leaned on music as a healer and a muse. My writing has never shied away from real-life situations, and I can tell you that I've lived every word of these songs. The title track was chosen because everyone carries physical and emotional scars. Pain is part of humanity, but ultimately it can be a symbol of strength and lessons learned," says Mark.
TEAMS UP WITH MTN DEW TO REWARD FANS WHO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH “WOODS OR WATER” GETAWAY
Chart-topping BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records’ rowdy outliers LOCASH are escaping to the WOODS & WATER on their brand-new EP available today (11/5) on all streaming platforms and digital retailers.
“Whenever we're about to release new music, we still get super excited, a little nervous, and extremely thankful that we have fans out there who want to be a part of this journey,” shares LOCASH. “Some of you have been ridin’ with us from the beginning and this one is for you, along with all of the new LOCASH lifers who have just jumped on the bus with us! We always want our music to bring a smile to your face, so hopefully you’ll find that feel-good feeling while you kick back, listen, and sing along to our Woods & Water EP.”
Offering an unapologetic voice for the people raised in the middle of nowhere, their Southern-Rock-infused tropes of rural life bring a much-needed fun-and-brash attitude to Country music. Inspired by not only where they go now to recharge as adults, but from each of their childhood locales – Preston Brust, a PK (preacher’s kid), was raised in Kokomo, IN, by way of Arkansas and surrounded by nature, while Chris Lucas grew up in Baltimore, MD, on the water – Woods & Water represents both.
Dropping five feel-good tracks with each penned by at least one member of the duo, the wild-and-free collection bobs on LOCASH’s high-energy twang along with lyrics that capture their signature big picture optimism and penchant for living large in a small town. Produced by Corey Crowder (Florida Georgia Line, Chris Young) with additional production by Clint Lagerberg, the getaway set bursts with party-ready anthems, laid-back grooves, and made-in-the-shade contentment, as it sonically rolls from earthy Roots-Rock, to sunny, beachside Country jams – and even reimagines one of American music’s most-iconic songs with LOCASH’s harmony edge on “Beach Boys.”
Touting bucket list writers for Woods & Water like The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Mike Love on the easy-breezy tune, watch the project’s salt-kissed visualizer for “Beach Boys.” Sampling the band’s classic “I Get Around” hook for a chill-Country concoction of oceanfront optimism and backwoods style, the go-with-the-flow footage was directed by Josh Warner, with sandy shots from the Florida beaches.
Continuing to live out its adventurous message, LOCASH has teamed up with MTN DEW to reward fans who explore the great outdoors with a Woods Or Water Getaway and a newly-launched Spotify playlist. Adding to the brand’s national Dew Outdoors campaign, individuals have until November 19 to win “Get Out and Do” prizes like the Woods OR Water Getaway of their choice (valued at almost $10,000), and two tickets to a 2022 LOCASH concert. Additional prizes include a 2022 Ford F-150, a yearly supply of DEW, and more! To get in on the action, individuals can scan the QR code in-store or visit DEWOutdoors.com to complete activities such as taking pledges, polls, learning something new, posting on social media, or getting outdoors. Full rules and regulations for the Dew Outdoors “Get Out and Do” prize promotion can be found here. Fans can also blast their favorite tunes by visiting Spotify for a special Woods or Water playlist curated by Dee Jay Silver.
Taking Woods & Water to the stage, the boisterous and unrestrained performers are currently headlining and performing festival dates across the country including Tortuga Music Festival next Sunday (11/14) in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Find all upcoming appearances here.
LOCASH’s Woods & Water – EP Track List:
1. “Beach Boys”
(Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Dallas Wilson, Jared Mullins, Brian Wilson, Mike Love)
2. “In The Woods”
(Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Chris LaCorte, Corey Crowder)
3. “Sippin Sunsets”
(Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Jason Duke, John Byron)
4. “Small Town For Life”
(Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
Uplifting Track is the Lead Single off Where Phones Don’t Work EP Set for Release November 19 - Available for Preorder Now
Having announced earlier this week that his first new solo music in over three years is on the way, Texas native Wade Bowen shares the first taste of what’s to come with brand-new single “When Love Comes Around” available everywhere today. The passionate love song produced by Paul Moak offers an uplifting message from the singer-songwriter and is the lead single off his forthcoming Where Phones Don’t Work EP, set for release November 19 via Thirty Tigers and available for preorder HERE starting today, October 22.
“While slowing down and reflecting over the past year, I felt a calling to create more uplifting music that would be exciting to incorporate into our shows, since we’re so grateful to be playing live again,” reflects the man praised by MusicRow for his “renewed sense of joy.” “There’s a new sense of hope and a new sense of urgency with this music. I’m just so inspired again.”
Born in Waco and schooled in the clubs surrounding Lubbock’s Texas Tech University, Bowen combines the hardscrabble Country realism and Rock showmanship he was raised on in the new song. He grew up listening to icons like Kris Kristofferson, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Willie Nelson and his lyricism in “When Love Comes Around” demonstrates his appreciation for these greats, merging tradition with cutting-edge creativity while solidifying his decades-long success as a roots-rock poet.
“This is a love song, but it doesn’t feel like a love song. It feels like a life song,” shares Bowen of the track written together with Eric Paslay and Heather Morgan. “That was the whole point of this project – I want to lift people up. I want to make them feel good.”
1. Phones Don’t Work (Wade Bowen, Aaron Raitiere, Rhett Akins) 2. Where We Call Home (Wade Bowen, Brad Clawson, Jeremy Bussey) 3. The Last Town In Texas (Wade Bowen, Eric Paslay, Heather Morgan) 4. When Love Comes Around (Wade Bowen, Eric Paslay, Heather Morgan) 5. Trouble Is (Wade Bowen, Steve Earle) 6. Be You (Wade Bowen, Drew Kennedy) Produced by Paul Moak
Fulcher Continues on Tour with Luke Combs and Ashley McBryde as "Girl in It" Impacts Country Radio
Ray Fulcher steps further into the limelight with the release of his new EP Larkin Hill Mixes, available now (9/17) on Black River. Celebrating the follow-up to his hugely successful independent EP, Somebody Like Me, which has since garnered more than 30 million streams, Fulcher played songs from both collections and his new single "Girl in It" during his show at the Exit/In, in Nashville (9/15).
All five songs are digitally available here, and "Compliment" debuted on top playlists, including Apple Music's New In Country and Fifth Gear, the COVER of Amazon Music's Breakthrough Country, Pandora's New Country Now, Spotify's Next From Nashville, New Music Nashville and Hot Country Instagram, and YouTube's The New Americana. "Girl in It" continues to grow in streams and is featured this week on top playlists, including Apple Music's Country in Spatial Audio, Spotify's New Boots and YouTube's Country on the Rise. Additionally, countless Nashvillians saw a larger-than-life Ray Fulcher on Broadway as they drove past The Nashville Sign, where Amazon Music featured Fulcher's new EP, Larkin Hill Mixes, on Friday (9/17). The Apple Country New Release page also features the new EP.
Fresh off an entire weekend of playing shows, packing his bags for a fall tour is a lot easier for Fulcher now as he's recently partnered with Boot Barn. Fulcher joins friend and writing partner Luke Combs and Ashley McBryde at MetraPark Arena in Billings, MT on Tuesday (9/21) and continues with them on the What You See Is What You Get tour and supports Ashley McBryde on select dates.
Filmed on (9/4) while opening for his friend and writing partner Luke Combs in Boone, NC, the music video for "Compliment" features Fulcher performing for over 30,000 people at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Highlighting audience members throughout the video, directed by Christian Hall, a thankful Fulcher reminisced the "Bucket List Beers" experience on Instagram. "When pictures or words don’t do it justice," said Fulcher. "Thank you, @lukecombs for believing in me and including me in your historic, monumental night. We’ll be talking bout this one 20 years from now."
“With this five-song EP, Fulcher proves he’s got an amiable voice and
plenty more radio-friendly fare in his arsenal.”
- Billboard
Listening to his Black River debut EP, Larkin Hill Mixes, the songs are instantly recognizable. Heck, they feel like old favorites from the very first listen. Maybe it's the influences he grew up on. Maybe it's the desire to lift people up, let them feel what he's writing. Or maybe, just maybe, the friendly artist who writes songs of misdirection understands that life is what you make it – and lets his songs take it from there.
Teaming with West Tennessee's Jonathan Singleton for production, the pair dug in for a Memphis-meets-'90s country sound. Guitars that sting, hooks that land and story twists that prompt smiles, they created retro-contemporary sounds that are old school, new school and no school country.
Whether it's the quick-word dropping, slow chorus in "Way Out" that pits the notion of how far out of town one lives with the idea of escape or the vocal harmony-basted swagger of the country living truths in "Compliment," Fulcher delivers songs that distill a slower way of life that's equal parts pride, joy and good clean fun. The euphoria almost rises from the tracks as the words, melodies and darning needle guitars fly by.
Certainly "Girl in It" leans into the notion of rhythm and punctuation. Whirling through the phases of love and losing, the truth is that no matter what – there's always a girl in it. "In the verse, you've definitely got that very rhythmic, aggressive tempo going on, but the way the hook lands, it changes everything up," said Fulcher. "You know, you can take a simple idea, but dress it up with how you drop the words, where you put the melody in the hook."
That same hand-clap percussive drive marks "Damn If It Didn't Hurt," the truth-telling take on life's little defeats and how a man growing up faces life, love and disappointment. The turnaround here comes from the reality that the best things in life often come with just enough pain to let you know, but not enough pain that if you could do it all over again, you'd do a single thing different.
Larkin Hill Mixes Track List
Produced by Jonathan Singleton
1.) "Compliment" – Written by Ray Fulcher and Jacob Durrett
2.) "Girl in It"– Written by Ray Fulcher, Erik Dylan, and James McNair
3.) "Way Out"– Written by Ray Fulcher, Ross Copperman, Andrew DeRoberts, Jon Nite, Taylor Phillips, and Michael Ray
4.) "Bucket List Beers"– Written by Ray Fulcher, Luke Combs, Tim Nichols, and Chris Yarber
5.) "Damn If It Didn't Hurt" – Written by Ray Fulcher, Drew Parker, and Jordan Walker
On June 25th, Fulcher stepped into the circle of the Grand Ole Opry stage for his debut performance and released new music on Black River the same day. PEOPLE.com premiered Ray Fulcher's "Girl in It" music video and gave readers a behind-the-scenes look straight from the set, watch it here. With more than a half-a-million streams, Fulcher's single "Girl in It" debuted on top playlists, including Apple Music's New In Country, Amazon Music's Breakthrough Country, Pandora's New Country and New Country Now, and Spotify's Next From Nashville, New Music Nashville, and RADAR Country.
As a writer, Ray Fulcher understands the sweet spot of life. It's the same joy that marks the songs he's co-written with an old friend named Luke Combs. Eight of those songs ended up on the 2020 CMA Album of the Year What You See Is What You Get. Eight more ended up on This One's for You. Four of those songs – "When It Rains It Pours," "Even Though I'm Leaving," "Lovin' on You" and "Does to Me," featuring their mutual idol and influence Eric Church – went to #1.
For more information on Ray Fulcher's upcoming music, tour dates, merchandise, and more, please visit rayfulchermusic.com and follow him on socials.
When the recording process of their new EP, "Fireside With Louis L’Amour", was all said and done, Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance of Jamestown Revival took on the challenge of distilling a half-dozen tales from "The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour, Volume 1: Frontier Stories" from 30-page adventures down to three and a half minute songs. Their tune “Bound for El Paso” comes from L’Amour’s “The Gift of Cochise,” “Fool Me Once” was inspired by “The Man from Bitter Sands,” and so on. Longtime fans of Jamestown Revival haven’t had to listen very hard to hear L’Amour’s influence on Clay and Chance, but this is the first time they have tipped their hats directly to America’s beloved frontier storyteller. The whole of Fireside With Louis L’Amour—six songs in total—was directly inspired by individual stories from L’Amour’s Volume 1 collection, allowing listeners to trace the precise roots of Jamestown Revival’s newest release.
“They say that L’Amour was the master of the short story and we would humbly agree. In 30 pages he manages to draw you in, make you invest in the characters, and oftentimes hit you with a twist that you truly didn’t expect,” say Clay and Chance. “The songs on Fireside With Louis L’Amour are our attempt to put a musical spin on some of Louis’ short stories found on The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour, Volume 1: Frontier Stories. It’s been challenging and incredibly rewarding.” To have the family of L’Amour on board was just icing on the cake for Jamestown Revival. “On top of that, it’s been an absolute honor to have the blessing of Louis’ son, Beau, and the L’Amour estate. We hope these songs inspire you to pick up The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour and read the true inspiration behind the music,” they say, before adding, “We also feel it’s worthwhile to mention these songs should be best enjoyed sitting next to a fire with a nip of whiskey in the glass.”
Garden & Gun premiered the live performance video of album-opener, “Bound for El Paso.”
“If you’re a L’Amour fan, you’ll no doubt recognize what’s been distilled from story to song,” said Cowboys & Indians Magazine. “And you’ll love what happens when two Texans get a hold of America’s storyteller and let their imaginations and harmonies run.”
Nashville duo Southerland releases its debut EP, Boot Up, today. The seven-song EP showcases Southerland’ s innate ability to mix timeless country harmonies over modern production from Greg Bates, showcasing the true duo’s nostalgic yet current sound.
"We could not be more proud of the seven songs on this EP," shares Southerland. "When then pandemic hit, we took the opportunity to write and record music that truly tells the story of who we are as a duo. These songs are such an authentic picture into who we are and the kind of music that influenced us."
In tandem with their debut EP, Southerland releases a music video for the title track “Boot Up,” available everywhere today. The video highlights the working class - secretaries, military personnel, farmers, bartenders and construction workers- “booting up” for their daily shift.
In case you missed it, yesterday the duo premiered a full-band performance of the entire seven song EP via livestream on Facebook, straight from The Nashville Palace. Watch here.
Forbes has tapped Southerland as “a new duo taking country music back to its roots” while Rolling Stone notes Southerland continues to usher in a “traditional country revival.”
This summer, the duo comprised of Matt Chase and Chris Rogers, have opened shows for Mitchell Tenpenny and Jon Langston and will join Michael Ray in June. More dates will be announced soon, bringing their all-new music to fans throughout the country. The singer/songwriters have shared the stage with Luke Combs, Lauren Alaina, Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Darius Rucker, Morgan Wallen and many more.
“Everything this act has ever released is simply spectacular.”
-Billboard
Fifty years ago—before Americana or outlaw or cosmic country ever had a name—Ray Benson and his band Asleep at the Wheel were carrying the torch of some of America’s favorite music into the future with fiery live shows, droves of followers, and a mainstream swing sound all their own. Fast forward five decades to find Benson and crew still bearing that torch, albeit with quite a few more fans and albums under their belt. To begin the celebration of its 50th anniversary, Asleep at the Wheel is releasing some new music ahead of a quick jaunt through Texas and Missouri this June—an appetizer of sorts for what’s to come from their momentous anniversary year. On May 28th, the band will release a three-song EP dubbed The Better Times, produced by Benson for Bismeaux Records. Benson takes the lead vocal on the title track, a hopeful original written while riding out the pandemic. Asleep at the Wheel vocalist and fiddler Katie Shore sings “All I’m Asking,” a rousing request to get back together, written by Band of Heathens’ Ed Jurdi and Gordi Quist. Meanwhile, Benson and Shore harmonize on “Columbus Stockade Blues,” a traditional tune arranged in the spirit of Willie Nelson and Shirley Collie’s 1960s version.
Once The Better Times is out in the world, Asleep at the Wheel will be hitting the road to celebrate—not just the EP, but the fact that they’re able to tour again—with a run of shows that will take them from Texas’s legendary Gruene Hall on May 29th, up through Texas to Columbia and St. Louis, Missouri, and back down to College Station to end the run on June 20th. A full list of tour dates can be found below and ticket information can be found online at asleepatthewheel.com/tour.
Additionally, Asleep at the Wheel fans are highly encouraged to stay tuned as the band gets further along into their 50th anniversary year—2021 has more exciting announcements in store.
Catch Asleep at the Wheel On Tour:
May 29 - Gruene Hall - Gruene, Texas
June 3 - Birdsong Amphitheater - Stephenville, Texas
June 5 - Starlight Ranch Event Center - Amarillo, Texas
June 6 - Cactus Theater - Lubbock, Texas
June 10 - Rose Music Hall - Columbia, Missouri
June 11 - The Sheldon - St. Louis, Missouri
June 19 - Buck’s Backyard - Buda, Texas
June 20 - Rudder Auditorium - College Station, Texas
Special Live Performances from the Arkansas-Native’s GRAMMY-Nominated
"Never Will" Arrives Friday, May 28 - Pre-Save Available Now
"First Thing I Reach For"(Live) - Available Everywhere Now
With touring still on hold, ACM and CMA Award winner Ashley McBryde gives fans a taste of what her GRAMMY-nominated album sounds like live with her upcoming six-song EP Never Will: Live From A Distance available to pre-save now and arriving Friday, May 28. EP opener “First Thing I Reach For – Live,” which Rolling Stone boasts, “conjures the Telecaster wisdom of Merle Haggard,” is available everywhere now. Fans can join McBryde’s fan club, The Trybe, to be the first to hear the new songs and get exclusive opportunities.
“We released Never Will on April 3 last year, so we went straight from rehearsals for a tour to not seeing each other in person for months,” reflects McBryde. “Getting together to rehearse and record these live versions safely was our way of giving the fans a taste of what they would have seen had the world not changed so much. Man did it feel good to strap on the guitar and see my guys and just play, but we cannot wait to do it again with our incredible fans in person soon.”
The four-time GRAMMY nominee continues to garner critical acclaim for Never Will, earning the title of Best Album from January’s Nashville Scene’s 21st Annual Country Music Critics’ Poll, voted by a consortium of leading national music critics, along with achievements in four additional categories: Best Single for “One Night Standards” at No. 3 and “Martha Divine” at No. 26; Best Female Vocalist at No. 2; Best Songwriter at No. 6; and Artist of the Year at No. 4.
“In an election year that misread the flyover, where people are both lonely and broke, it’s a gift to have someone who writes so well about money and desire as well as Ashley McBryde does,” Steacy Easton shared with Nashville Scene, while Jim Macnie remarks, “From throwing Grandma’s ashes off the roof to responding to treachery with a murderous glee, McBryde has upped her artistic confidence, and the music soars in kind.”
“McBryde honed her skill in the rock ’n’ roll bars of Memphis and is as much a rocker as Stapleton and Isbell. But she’s also a master of such traditional country music tropes as the pun song (“The First Thing I Reach For” and No. 3 Best Single “One Night Standards”) and the barroom sing-along catch phrase (“Never Will” and “Shut Up Sheila”),” praised Geoffrey Himes of Nashville Scene.
McBryde kicked off 2021 with multiple television appearances, including a debut performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” with current single “Martha Divine,” applauded by Stereogum as “an arena-sized take on the song” and declaring McBryde as a “country singer whose grimy, gritty, desperate, literary songs fly in the face of Nashville-industry orthodoxy,” followed by a special performance of title track “Never Will” on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on January 20. Watch McBryde and her band perform “Martha Divine” HERE and “Never Will” HERE.
“Martha Divine” follows “One Night Standards,” which emerged as McBryde’s first Top 10 hit while going RIAA-Certified Gold in both the United States and Canada, landing on NPR’s “25 Best Songs of 2019” and Rolling Stone’s “25 Best Country and Americana Songs of 2019,” along with The New York Times’ “Best Songs of 2020,” the only country song in the top 15.
"Never Will: Live From A Distance" Track List
1.) First Thing I Reach For (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Mick Holland)
2.) Shut Up Sheila (Nicolette Hayford, Charles Chisholm)
3.) Velvet Red (Ashley McBryde, Patrick Savage, Daniel Smalley)
Country artist, Rob Mayes, has released his debut EP, Closer, which is now available through all streaming platforms and digital retailers. Mayes has had a busy year thus far, traveling between Nashville and L.A. recording new music and writing, while also acting in films that are soon to be released including “The Road Home For Christmas” and “A Soldiers Heart.” Mayes has been looking forward to releasing his debut project and says, “I wanted to share another one of my arts with the world. A friend. Another craft. A craft and art that to me, is the most important; one that’s kept me sane and offered solitude. That has provided me with strength in lonesome, sad, and doubting times. There’s something much more that can be conveyed with words and a melody, and a key, and a tempo and progression. It’s a universal language. And I hope people understand it and I hope that it might inspire. This is just the beginning.”
Closer includes seven tracks, all co-written by Mayes, that together shed light on Mayes’ influences and the canvas of his sound. When creating music, Mayes draws from an array of influences from his classical upbringing on piano to the country tracks he listened to as a kid riding shotgun in his dad’s truck. Having written countless songs ranging from pop to jazz, Mayes pulled from these influences to create an album that has a little something for everyone, complete with ballads, mid-tempos and upbeat tracks. “This album includes upbeat songs, songs of truth and feeling, songs of pain and happiness, the fun in ‘Kiss The Night,’ the flirtation of ‘Closer,’ the self-reflection of ‘Road With No Lines,’ vulnerability in ‘All It Takes,’ defiance of ‘Prospector,’ the uncertainty and tension and sadness in ‘Close My Eyes,’ the importance of faith and trusting in ‘We’ll See.’ These are the themes that I write about. They are universal. They are in me, and they are in all of us,” explains Mayes. Fans may recognize the track “All It Takes” from ABC’s “Mistresses” in which Mayes was a series regular.
In addition to Mayes’ new music, fans can also expect to see him this holiday season in the new Lifetime film, “The Road Home For Christmas,” set to premiere Oct. 26 at 8 pm ET on Lifetime. The film is part of the “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday campaign which will run from Oct. 25 to Dec. 25. Throughout this time, Lifetime is set to premiere 28 original films to celebrate the season.
Closer Album Tracklisting: 1.) “Kiss The Night” (Rob Mayes) 2.) “Closer” (Rob Mayes, Ryan Rossebo, Kevin Leach) 3.) “All It Takes” (Rob Mayes) 4.) “Road With No Lines” (Rob Mayes, J Michael Harter, Evan Williams, Kevin Leach) 5.) “Prospector” (Rob Mayes, Joey Green, Kevin Leach) 6.) “Close My Eyes” (Rob Mayes, Megan Lera) 7.) “We’ll See” (Rob Mayes, Smith Curry, Lauren Weintraub)
Country traditionalist Emily Ann Roberts released Someday Dream on July 12 and the debut project from The Voice alum landed on two Billboard album charts. Entering the Country Album chart at #25 and the all-genre Independent Albums chart in the Top 50, Roberts’ first official body of work is proudly making its mark.
“I am so excited about this news,” exclaims Emily Ann Roberts. “I never dreamed my debut project would land on a Billboard chart much less two. I couldn’t be more thankful for everyone that has been a part of it and a special shout out to all my fans for the continued support.”
Roberts spent the last three years writing and thoughtfully cultivating the music for this project. The EP, produced by award-winning Jason Saenz, mixed by Chuck Ainlay and mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering, features a collection of six songs, five of which Roberts has writing credit.
Earlier this summer, Roberts performed the title track “Someday Dream” on The Voice. She also shared songs from the EP at CMA Fest last month where her performance caught the ears of Rolling Stone who placed her on their list of 20 Best Acts of the festival alongside artists like Lil Nas X and Kassi Ashton.
LEAD SINGLE “BEER NEVER BROKE MY HEART” SETS FIRST WEEK STREAMING RECORD WITH 11 MILLION STREAMS
CMA and ACM-award winner Luke Combs will release his highly anticipated new EP, The Prequel, June 7 via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. You canpre-save the EP now.
Produced by Scott Moffatt, the EP features five new songs co-written by Combs including lead single, "Beer Never Broke My Heart," which recently premiered worldwide at country radio. The song is currently No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs chart with 11 million streams—setting the record for the best first week of streaming ever for a country song—and No. 1 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart. "Beer Never Broke My Heart" also recently set the record for most adds on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart with 149 adds and debuted at No. 15 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart—the top entrance by any artist since September 2012 and Combs’ highest debut to date. In celebration of the new music, Combs recently performed the track on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
The release of The Prequel adds to an already monumental year for Combs, who is nominated for two awards at the 2019 CMT Music Awards: Video of the Year (“She Got The Best of Me”) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Beautiful Crazy” from CMT Crossroads with Leon Bridges). The awards ceremony will broadcast live on CMT from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 5 at 8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT.
Additionally, Combs recently made history as the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard country charts for multiple weeks: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales (dated March 9, March 30 and April 6). Moreover, Combs’ previous 2x platinum single, “Beautiful Crazy,” spent seven-straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart—tying the second longest run atop the chart since its launch in 1990. “Beautiful Crazy” Beautiful Crazy” is also the first country single shipped to radio already platinum-certified since Taylor Swift’s “Red” in 2013, has more than 390 million on-demand streams and makes Combs the first artist ever to send his first five singles to the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
Continuing his landmark year, Combs sold out venues in 25 of the 29 cities on his newly confirmed “Beer Never Broke My Heart” fall tour in the first weekend tickets were on-sale. He broke records at Bozeman’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bloomington’s Grossinger Motors Arena and Bossier City’s CenturyLink Center for the fastest sell out times in venue history. Additional sold-out shows include Kansas City’s Sprint Center, Portland’s Moda Center, Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Phoenix’s Talking Stick Resort Arena, Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena among several others. Special guests throughout the tour include Morgan Wallen, The Cadillac Three and Jameson Rodgers. See below for complete tour details.
The Prequel is Combs’ first release following his double Platinum certified debut album, This One’s For You, which was released June 2, 2017 and has spent a total of 35 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart—the longest reign for a solo male artist in over 25 years. The album also spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 2018—making it the highest selling country album last year with 1.1 million equivalent album units sold and the only country album to surpass 1 million album units. It’s also the most-streamed country album of 2019 so far. Additionally, Combs was awards Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, New Male Artist of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards, Country Artist of the Year at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards, New Artist of the Year at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards, was nominated for Best New Artist at the 61st GRAMMY Awards and was the recipient of a CMA Triple Play Award for writing three No. 1 songs in a 12 month period.
THE PREQUEL TRACK LIST
1. Beer Never Broke My Heart (written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
2. Refrigerator Door (written by Luke Combs, Jordan Brooker)
3. Even Though I’m Leaving (written by Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher)
4. Lovin’ On You (written by Luke Combs, Thomas Archer, Ray Fulcher, James McNair)
5. Moon Over Mexico (written by Luke Combs, Ray Fulcher, Dan Isbell, Jonathan Singleton)
LUKE COMBS’ “BEER NEVER BROKE MY HEART TOUR”
May 30—Clarkston, MI—DTE Energy Music Theatre‡ (SOLD OUT)
May 31—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion‡ (SOLD OUT)
June 15—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion# (SOLD OUT)
July 11—Charleston, SC—Volvo Cars Stadium‡ (SOLD OUT)
July 12—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre‡ (SOLD OUT)
July 13—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion‡ (SOLD OUT)
September 26—Rogers, AR—Walmart AMP§ (SOLD OUT)
September 27—Bloomington, IL—Grossinger Motors Arena§ (SOLD OUT)
September 28—St. Paul, MN—Xcel Energy Center§ (SOLD OUT)
October 3—Cape Girardeau, MO—Show Me Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 4—Kansas City, MO—Sprint Center**(SOLD OUT)
October 5—Des Moines, IA—Wells Fargo Arena** (SOLD OUT)
October 8—Winnipeg, MB—Bell MTS Place**
October 10—Saskatoon, SK—SaskTel Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 11—Edmonton, AB—Rogers Place** (SOLD OUT)
October 12—Calgary, AB—The Scotiabank Saddledome** (SOLD OUT)
October 15—Missoula, MT—Adams Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 16—Bozeman, MT—Brick Breeden Fieldhouse** (SOLD OUT)
October 18—Portland, OR—Moda Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 19—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena** (SOLD OUT)
October 25—Fresno, CA—Save Mart Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 26—Sacramento, CA—Golden 1 Center** (SOLD OUT)
October 31—Nampa, ID—Ford Idaho Center** (SOLD OUT)
November 1—Spokane, WA—Spokane Arena** (SOLD OUT)
November 2—Tacoma, WA—Tacoma Dome** (SOLD OUT)
November 6—San Jose, CA—SAP Center at San Jose**
November 8—Phoenix, AZ—Talking Stick Resort Arena** (SOLD OUT)
November 15—Indianapolis, IN—Bankers Life Fieldhouse** (SOLD OUT)
November 16—Cleveland, OH—Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse** (SOLD OUT)
November 21—Philadelphia, PA—Wells Fargo Center** (SOLD OUT)
November 22—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Arena** (SOLD OUT)
November 23—Pittsburgh, PA—PPG Paints Arena** (SOLD OUT)
December 5—Bossier City, LA—CenturyLink Center** (SOLD OUT)
December 6—Lubbock, TX—United Supermarkets Arena** (SOLD OUT)
December 13—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena** (SOLD OUT)
‡with Cody Johnson and Ray Fulcher
#with Ray Fulcher
§with The Cadillac Three and Jameson Rodgers
**with Morgan Wallen and Jameson Rodgers
LUKE COMBS’ ADDITIONAL 2019 TOUR DATES
June 1—Virginia Beach, VA—Patriotic Festival
June 8—Nashville, TN—CMA Fest
June 14—Buffalo, NY—WYRK Toyota Taste of Country
June 22—Rome, GA—Rome River Jam
July 4—Austin, TX—Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
Hit Country songwriter and newly-signed Big Loud Records/Tree Vibez Music artist HARDY makes his hard-charging debut today, unleashing the rocked-up small-town swagger of his THIS OLE BOY EP.
One of the most exciting new lyricists in Country today, HARDY scored his first #1 as a writer with the blistering backwoods stomp of Morgan Wallen’s PLATINUM-certified “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line) earlier this year. And he just repeated the feat with FGL’s rootsy chart blitzer, “Simple,” snagging the top spot on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase Country Airplay charts this week.
But with the four songs on THIS OLE BOY produced by Joey Moi, the Mississippi native looks to introduce his own brand of Country – filled with gritty work-boot stomping, tributes to those who prefer to kick it old school and chest-thumping rural realism.
“I love that lifestyle, and that’s what I want to talk about,” shares HARDY. “I’m not really a love song dude. If I’m going down that road, it’s a song like ‘This Ole Boy’ where it’s a redneck-in-love kind of thing. People that are like me, or people who still live in small towns, still love that and want to hear that. That’s why I’m who I am as an artist.”
Recently spotlighted in The Tennessean’s Fall Music Preview and featuring cowrites with celebrated tunesmiths like Rodney Clawson, Corey Crowder and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, HARDY’s THIS OLE BOY EP track list follows below:
3. “THIS OLE BOY” (Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Hardy)
4. “4X4” (Hardy/Ryan Beaver/Nick Donley) With his foot firmly on the gas, HARDY will hit the road on Morgan Wallen’s just announced IF I KNOW ME TOUR. Set to open more than two dozen shows on the winter-long run, the IF I KNOW ME TOUR kicks off January 5 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and runs through March 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Earlier this week, HARDY joined Wallen and his “Up Down” cowriters Brad Clawson and CJ Solar for a vibey rooftop #1 celebration, held at the Thompson Hotel’s L.A. Jackson in Nashville. Check out photos of the event here.
North Carolina-born country artist, Danielle Johnson is one of the format’s youngest and brightest new faces. Johnson is kicking off the Fall season with the release of her self-titled debut EP that is, in Johnson’s words, produced to ‘bring joy into the lives of her listeners.’ The EP, released through Danielle Johnson Music, is now available through all streaming platforms and digital retailers.
Delivering her music with a wide range of influences encompassing pop-appeal and rootsy authenticity, Johnson is ready to make her mark. The project, produced by Grammy award-winning, Guy Eckstine, features five tracks which were all co-written by Johnson including, the previously released focal track, “Let It Be You.” The EP came to life through many writing sessions and was inspired by real feelings, experiences, and living in the moment. Over the last four years, Johnson has spent her time recording and co-writing with artists including Phil Galdston, Jennifer Denmark, Mike Dekle, Dave Brainard, JP Williams, Michael Hunter Ochs, and Keesy Timmer, among others.
“The writing process for this project was so much fun. Every song is very special to me and tells a story of its own. The EP takes you on a ride that’s full of twists and turns. I poured my heart and soul into this and I hope it brings joy to your life too," Said Johnson about the EP.
Prior to releasing music, the multi-talented artist has had experience acting in Broadway’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, performing The National Anthem at NASCAR races including the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 among other events. Johnson is celebrating the release of her debut project with rehearsals for her string of dates in the Nashville area and upcoming US tour dates (soon to be announced). She is excited to share her new music and bring this EP to life on the road.
Johnson commented on her upcoming tour dates saying, “Having the opportunity to perform live is such an amazing gift. The stage is my home and I can't wait to see everyone and meet new friends on the road!”
Shane Owens has released his latest musical project, It’s A Southern Thing. It contains six tunes consistent with Owens’ traditional country sound with a modern edge, and includes his hit single, “Lie,” which garnered positive reviews from outlets such as Billboard and Rolling Stone Country. It’s A Southern Thing can be purchased or streamed here. Track-by-track and acoustic videos for the songs were exclusively premiered this week by RoughStock, Nashville Noise, Country Rebel and Country Music Tattle Tale.
“I’m a traditional country singer, and I’ve never strayed away from my roots,” Owens says. “It’s a little bit tougher at radio nowadays, but we’re trying to do our part to keep country music alive. Whether you're from out on the west coast all the way to the east coast down to Florida, we all have a little southern in us.”
“Easy harmonies and superb musicianship. Shane Owens shines brilliantly on his new six track EP, It’s a Southern Thing. Older listeners will smile and younger listeners will find their bodies swaying and not know why. These strong new songs demonstrate that the traditional country genre is still alive and thriving.”
- Mary Ann Kaylor Griffiths, NashVegas
From the humorous wordplay of the project’s first single, “Lie,” to the honky-tonk dancefloor beat of songs such as “Honky Tonk Girl,” there’s a little bit of something for everyone. However, there are some more serious moments as well. He celebrates his country upbringing on the emotionally stirring “It’s A Southern Thing,” and tips the hat to his musical influences on “Love To Try Them On,” where he celebrates the heritage of those who have come before him.
"Shane Owens is doing his part to bring authenticity back to country music. With his latest release It's a Southern Thing, Owens includes that classic 90s country sound on 'Love to Try Them On' and 'Honky Tonk Girl,' a traditionally deep cut in 'Working Man,' a slow ballad with the title track and he allows his humor to shine through on his current single 'Lie.' Owens also offers a wonderful surprise on track 5: 3 Doors Down's 2002 hit song 'Here Without You.'"
- Janeen Megloranzo, The Country Note
Now, with It’s A Southern Thing completed and released, Shane Owens is ready to share his new music with the world! You can pre-order a physical copy of the project, available July 13, at www.ShaneOwensCountry.com.
It’s A Southern Thing Track Listing: 1. Love To Try Them On (Galen Griffin, Coby Greer) 2. Lie (Brian Callihan, Wayne Underwood, Trent Tomlinson) 3. Working Man (Tony Stampley, James Holmes) 4. Honky Tonk Girl (Tommy Barnes) 5. Here Without You (Brad Arnold, Chris Henderson, Matt Roberts, Robert Harrell) 6. It’s A Southern Thing (Bob DiPiero, Tim Nichols)
First Artist to have THREE Songs Simultaneously Featured as a Highway Find:
"John Who," "Happy Birthday" and "The Joneses"
Kelleigh Bannen’s news announcing a simultaneous three-song SiriusXM’s The Highway Finds music premiere did not go out in advance of her appearance yesterday on the Storme Warren Show as the Nashville native couldn’t believe it was all really happening.
“I guess part of me didn’t want to jinx it?,” says the female powerhouse AXS calls “Nashville’s most underrated singer-songwriter.” “When you’ve been at it for over a decade like I have been, it’s almost unheard of to get this kind of support as an unsigned female in Country… three songs and this much airplay out of the gate? It’s powerful.
"The pressure was really off when we wrote and recorded these songs,” Bannen reflects of her three singles, “John Who,” The Joneses” and “Happy Birthday” that are simultaneously spinning on the mainstream country channel. She continues, “After I was dropped from my major label deal, a fearlessness set in as I really didn’t have anything else to lose.”
SiriusXM’s The Highway Finds program was developed as a tool for not only new music discovery but also as a platform to champion and, in turn, help break new artists through early airplay on a national level.
"Going through Kelleigh's new music, it became clear almost immediately that picking a 'first single' was going to be really tough...so we decided since all of the music is this great, why not just go with all three songs? So that's exactly what we did" adds J.R. Schumann, Senior Director of Programming for SiriusXM.
Kelleigh Bannen’s The Joneses:
"John Who"
Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Will Bowen and Christopher Rafetto
Producer: Jaren Johnston
"Happy Birthday”
Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Clair Douglas and Dallas Wilson
Producer: Jaren Johnston
"The Joneses"
Writers: Kelleigh Bannen, Todd Clark and Travis Wood
Producer: Todd Clark
Bannen will make another debut next month as the musical guest on SiriusXM The Highway’s Music Row Happy Hour, starting at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on Friday, July 13. And you can always join in on The Highway by listening to Ch. 56.
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