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Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson’s Song “Never Say Never” Goes #1

Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson’s song “Never Say Never” officially goes number one at country radio this week. Check out the #1 song here…

Collaborations are all the rage in country music right now! Last week, Dierks Bentley, HARDY, and BRELAND’s song “Beers On Me,” found its way to the top of the country charts. Today, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson’s killer duet, “Never Say Never” is number one.

Back in November, Swindell and Wilson mesmerized fans with their unexpected, but perfect collaboration. Written by Swindell, Jessi Alexander, and Chase McGill the edgy track starts out with a guitar before Wilson sings the first line, “I told my momma” followed by Swindell with “I told my friends.” The two continue to trade lines, until the chorus. Eventually, the singers begin to harmonize in the chorus.

“I never say never with you // I end up together with you // It’s Hell, and it’s Heaven with you, baby // anything’s possible // the highs are unstoppable // it’s so uncontrollable, it’s crazy // we say we won’t, and then we do // you’re all I want // I never say never with you”

“Never Say Never” marks the eleventh number-one single for Swindell and the second for Wilson in her young career. Congrats to the entertainers on the #1!

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson releases.

To keep up with Cole Swindell follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with Lainey Wilson, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Never Say Never” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

tenille-townes-new-ep

Tenille Townes: ‘Masquerades’ – EP Review + Exclusive Interview

Tenille Townes’ EP, Masqueradesis out now, April 22nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our exclusive interview.

Tenille Townes is one of the most promising young songwriters to emerge from the Nashville music scene over the last five years. Her knack for storytelling is one that is so authentic and evocative, and her new EP, Masquerades, is her most vulnerable collection of work yet. We had the opportunity to chat with Townes about everything to do with the project and more.

The project opens with the anthemic Wrabel duet, “When You Need It”, a song all about being there for someone when they need you most. The two have written several great songs together but this song was the result of their first co-write.

“I think it’s so crazy that this song about friendship is what marks the beginning of our friendship,” Townes shares with us about the collaboration. “Writing songs with him and getting to know him over the past few years has been one of the brightest silver linings for me in a really dark time. I told him, ‘We have this song, it’s the first song we wrote, I love it, and you have to sing on it.’ I’m so glad he was up for that.”

“The Sound Of Being Alone” is one of the true standouts on the record. Everything about it is interesting: the groovy bass line, the daringly introspective song arc, the booming drums, Townes’ vocal delivery… it’s completely unexpected in every way for a country song, and it may be one of the best of the year, tied with other cut “Villain in Me”.

“Is it the washing machine that keeps on startling me? // Is it the sound of you not calling // Who knows? // I don’t // It’s just the sound of being alone // It comes, it goes // it’s just the sound of being alone // Too much of anything is never a good thing // Is it a bad thing I’m good on my own? // I could say anything, nobody’s listening // It’s just the sound of being alone.” 

“This song has got a little bit of tension and frustration, I think, in the way that I get to sing it. It feels good to put that kind of emotion in a song,” Townes tells us. “This song came from literally going insane in my house by myself….just feeling haunted by the voices in my own head and the thoughts that I was processing. I think as an entire world we’ve never felt lonelier than we have these past few years, you know?”

Previously released “When’s it Gonna Happen” and “Villain in Me” remain two of the strongest songs on the project; particularly the last one. Townes illustrates such restraint vocally and sonically in the song, which begins on the offbeat, a move that an artist like one of Townes’ favorites, Joni Mitchell would pull. “I think I was just soul searching… I went back to some old Joni Mitchell records during this time,” she shares. “Villain in Me” is achingly personal, with lyrics that hit you in your gut: “I try to be a hero ‘til it brings me to my knees // Yeah, there’s a villain in me”. It’s a strong contender for the best country song of the year.

The other collaboration on Masquerades is the song “Shared Walls” with Breland, which utilizes building up the production so elegantly. “I actually wrote this song and recorded the guitar and vocals for it in my apartment! I had the track started, and I got to work with my friend Jackson Hargrove, he’s incredible… it was so amazing to hang out and dream about the different production elements of the song with him,” Townes explains to us. “He did such a great job of building it in an emotional way that kind of comes to life in the right part of the song. And having Breland’s vocal on there was such a dream and brought the whole track together in my opinion.”

The project’s closer is the cinematic, driving “Light in Your Eyes”, a gorgeous, dreamy, love song that in some ways contrasts the rest of the EP, setting listeners up for whatever comes next for Townes. It’s reminiscent of the best songwriter records from the ‘90s – a sound that doesn’t really exist anymore.

“This project was terrifying, honestly. I have this thing where I just trust the music, if I feel it in my gut or in my heart a certain way, I trust that,” she tells us. “There was a combination of ‘I’m so ready’ and completely terrified all at the same time. I really do hope, and what gives me so much courage to share these songs, is hearing from people who say ‘I feel the same, this is my truth too.’ I’m so glad to be stepping into this space of sharing more. It’s really exciting for me to be standing on this new frontier.”

Masquerades EP Tracklist:

  1. When You Need It (featuring Wrabel)
  2. When’s It Gonna Happen
  3. The Sound of Being Alone
  4. Villain In Me
  5. Shared Walls (featuring BRELAND)
  6. Same Road Home
  7. Light In Your Eyes
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Tenille Townes’ newest EP, ‘Masquerades’ is out not on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Tenille Townes releases.

To keep up with Tenille Townes, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Masquerades EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Jason Aldean: ‘Georgia’ – Album Review

Jason Aldean’s highly anticipated album, GEORGIA is officially here. The last fifteen tracks of his double album are out now, April 22nd. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Today, April 22, Jason Aldean released the second half of his Macon, Georgia double-album, completing the ambitious thirty-song project. With ten new songs, as well as five live greatest hits, the Georgia portion, out today, is the follow-up to November’s Macon.

“We’ve always tried to lean toward more songs than less…and this album is no different,” Aldean explains in a statement. “We decided to pepper in some of the live tracks we’ve had stockpiled for a while. After nine albums and 16 years of recording, I hope people can tell I wanted to make this tenth album fun and different from anything we’ve done before.” 

While part one included the mega-hit “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, part two features future chart-toppers like “God Made Airplanes,” “Whiskey Me Away,” and “Trouble with Heartbreak.” Like Macon, the theme of Georgia seems to revolve heavily around heartbreak, which is where Aldean shines.

“Whiskey Me Away” opens Georgia, perfectly setting the tone, and highlighting Aldean at his best. With his deep voice and brooding style, the superstar tends to excel on mid-tempo heartbreak and this track is the perfect example, hearkening back to some of his earliest hits with its clever play on words.

“Throwing quarters down that jukebox // Play some old-school Alabama // You got the lonely I brought in here // Almost gone without a trace // I know I’ve had a few, yeah, but I’m buzzing on you // You’re a hangover I’d love to wake up to // So come on, baby, whiskey me away // Come on, baby, whiskey me away.”

Likewise, “The State I’m In” and “Trouble with a Heartbreak” are other highlights, both with tension-building and moody melodies, finding the superstar grappling with lost love. On both songs, the heartbreak is inescapable for him as “There’s nowhere her memory can’t go.” Likewise, “The State I’m In” is like a long-lost cousin to 2009’s “The Truth” in the best way possible.

With a tour named after “Rock and Roll Cowboy,” it’s safe to assume the track is destined to be a single, and it’s obvious why. With its catchy hook and driving guitars, the song about a traveling musician is perfectly crafted for a live show.

“God Made Airplanes” is another standout and single-worthy track. Here, he’s desperate to escape, looking to take to the sky to get away from another broken heart.

“That’s why God made airplanes, and runways, and half-price tickets, one-ways // If I could get high up off the ground, ain’t got the wheel can’t turn around // Show me a place without her in it, I’ll be there in a New York minute // If I’m driving, I might hit the breaks // That’s why God made airplanes.”

There are songs on Georgia that find Aldean experimenting with new sounds. For example, “Midnight and Missing You” and “Ain’t Enough Cowboy” find him dabbling with R&B beats and slightly electronic-tinged vocals on the chorus. 

Of the new tracks, the most uncharacteristically Aldean here is “Your Mama,” a sparse and sentimental ballad dedicated to his wife, Brittany. On the stunner of a song, he celebrates the role of his wife as the mother to his children. “It’s just a different kind of song than what you would typically hear from me,” Aldean explains. “Then we turn around and go right back to the rock-driven stuff.”

While the live tracks on Macon were some of Aldean’s earliest hits, including “Amarillo Sky” and “Big Green Tractor,” the five featured on Georgia are newer additions to his catalog. Here, you’ll find live versions of “Take a Little Ride,” “Any Ol’ Barstool,” “Burnin’ It Down,” and “Rearview Town.” The album concludes with a live version of his 2020 hit “Blame It On You.”

For Aldean, the entire Macon, Georgia collection is a celebration of where he’s from. “To me it’s just throwing it back to where it all started,” Aldean revealed in a statement. “I don’t care who you are, where you were raised is such a big part of who you end up being, and for me it’s no different. Macon is a crossroads of country music, Southern rock, blues and R&B, and just that whole combination of music was such a big influence on me growing up – and ultimately on how I make music myself.”

GEORGIA Track List

  1. “Whiskey Me Away”
  2. “Trouble With A Heartbreak”
  3. “The State I’m In”
  4. “Midnight And Missin’ You”
  5. “Ain’t Enough Cowboy”
  6. “God Made Airplanes”
  7. “My Weakness”
  8. “Holy Water”
  9. “Rock And Roll Cowboy”
  10. “Your Mama”
  11. “Take a Little Ride” (Live from Las Vegas, NV)
  12. “Burnin’ It Down” (Live from St. Louis, MO)
  13. “Any Ol’ Barstool” (Live from Knoxville, TN)
  14. “Rearview Town” (Live from St. Louis, MO)
  15. “Blame It On You” (Live from Manchester, TN)
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Jason Aldean’s new album ‘GEORGIA’ is officially out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Jason Aldean releases.

This summer, Jason Aldean will bring the Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour across the nation with stops in Hartford, Boston, New Orleans, Nashville, and more. Gabby Barrett, John Morgan, and Dee Jay Silver will join him on the 34 city stint, and more info can be found here.

To keep up with Jason Aldean, you can follow him on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

GEORGIA is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Warren Zeiders: ‘717 Tapes EP Vol. 2’ – EP Review

Warren Zeiders’ brand new EP, 717 Tapes Vol. II., is out now, April 22nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.

One of our 2022 Country Swag Artists to Watch, Warren Zeiders proves time and time again why he made our coveted list. The singer-songwriter stands head and shoulders above many in the industry with his gritty vocals and incredible songwriting. Today, the artist releases the second part of his two-part EP. 717 Tapes Vol. II is officially here.

Zeiders’ EP is bookended by two versions of his recently released song, “Wild Horse.” Written by the singer with Brandon Paddock and Martin Johnson, his vocals are on full display. The deeply-emotive song conveys how it feels to suffer a great loss. Although we love the original version, track six, the acoustic version of the song stops us in our tracks. The emotions are almost palpable.

“Well it’s time to move along I guess // Everything I love I leave behind // Standing in a field out west // One thing on my heart, one on my mind // She rolls like the thunder, flies like the wind out where the river done end // I burned all the bridges left in my life // Ain’t coming back again”

On “Dark Night,” Zeiders leans deeper into the southern-rock side of his talent. His gritty vocals match the dark-nature of the song in a way that feels like a perfect match. On the other hand, “Southbound” shows off the singer’s more sensitive side. The lyric-driven song is all about love, possibility, and honesty. These are just a few reasons why the song is one of our favorites on the project.

“Papa wore the tread off his old boots // Did what he did to get us through // He sent me on my way // And I’m here to make him proud // So I’ll keep rollin’ rollin’ south bound”

Zeiders stands firmly in his country roots on “Ain’t Been Found.” The song could fit in with any southern-rock song from the last couple of decades. The simplistic track draws you in, as Zeiders uses his vocals to unfold the story.

“Burn It Down” wraps up the cohesive project. Written by Zeiders with Andy Sheridan, Erik Dylan, and Rob Snyder, the song showcases everything that the previous song set up. It has grit, honesty, story, and undeniable charm.

Overall, Zeiders EP is a true depiction of his one-of-a-kind artistry.

717 Tapes EP Vol. II Tracklist:

  1. Wild Horse
  2. Dark Night
  3. Southbound
  4. Ain’t Been Found
  5. Burn It Down
  6. Wild Horse (Acoustic)
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Warren Zeiders’ new EP, ‘717 Tapes (Vol 2)’ is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Warren Zeiders releases.

To keep up with Warren Zeiders, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

717 Tapes Vol 2 EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Abbey Cone: ‘HATE ME’ – EP Review

Abbey Cone’s debut EP, HATE ME, is out now, April 22nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.

Back in December, we introduced you to singer-songwriter, Abbey Cone and her journey to country music in our spotlight series. Today, we get to share her debut EP, HATE ME. The record features six songs, all co-written by Cone. It is an EP you are going to want to listen to again and again.

“This project is me. I felt the feelings, I wrote the songs, I co-produced, I co-directed and co-created every part of this release with my team, incredible cowriters, my family, and my best friends. I could never release something that didn’t feel undeniably me,” shared Abbey in a recent press release.  “I have a vision for every part of my career.  I love how involved I was in creating this project and no matter where it lands in the musical universe, I’ll always be proud of it.”

The record kicks off with “In A Room With You.” Written by Cone with Nicolle Galyon, and Nathan Spicer, the pop-country tune makes you want to take a step a step towards independence. Cone mesmerizes from the first lyric. It is clear she knows a thing or two about crafting a memorable and nostalgic song. The song is one of our favorites off the project.

Next up is “King of The World.” The song shares the less romantic side of a small-town romance. According to Cone, “It’s the story of the insecure ones, the ones who can’t handle a girl destined for more than her hometown. The ones who think they’re king of the world, but unfortunately have never experienced more than a few square miles of it.” It is an emotive and incredible song for anyone who needs to hear it.

“You’re king of the world // Yeah, I said it // Whatever you want, yeah you get it // Guess things look different from the top of the ladder // You can break a heart like it don’t matter // But you’re gonna hate the truth, it hits you when you fall // You’re only king of the world // ‘Cause your world is so damn small”

HATE ME continues with the pre-released “Rhinestone Ring.” The song is an incredibly emotive song that is both romantic and romanticized. We appreciate the child-like nature of the beautiful tune. The EP also includes another previously released song, the title track. “Hate Me” is a break-up song that cuts deep.

“Would you get teary-eyed if you saw me with some guy? // Would you start a fight? // Or would you just walk on by? // I know it’s over now don’t know how I’mma get over you // While wishin’ it would’ve lasted  // Can’t act like it never happened”

On “The One,” Cone let’s her vocals shine. The heartfelt track is all about falling in love, but still being scared about “forever.” Despite the fear, it is clear that this relationship is one that will leave a permanent mark on her heart, no matter what the future holds. On the other hand, “Thoughts About You” continues the nostalgic pull that the whole EP encompasses.

“But I thought about you in the back of your Jeep // Yeah, I thought about you // with your hands on me // I was doing alright // Out of sight, out of mind // I thought I knew better uh oh // Than to think about us like it wasn’t all bad // Like I’m missing it, like I want you back”

Cone’s debut is one we are going to be thinking about for a long time coming. Each song was carefully crafted to create a wonderful story of heartbreak, love, independence, and everything in between. Abbey Cone is an artist you are going to want to keep on your radar and one listen to HATE ME proves it.

HATE ME EP Tracklist:

  1. In A Room With You | Abbey Cone, Nicolle Galyon, Nathan Spicer
  2. King Of The World | Abbey Cone, Aaron James Babcock, Peter Christian Good
  3. Rhinestone Ring | Abbey Cone, Heather Morgan, Nathan Spicer
  4. The One | Abbey Cone, Jessie Jo Dillon, Nathan Spicer
  5. Thought About You | Abbey Cone, Nate Cyphert, Nathan Spicer
  6. Hate Me [Explicit] | Abbey Cone, Jessie Jo Dillon, Nathan Spicer
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Abbey Cone’s debut EP, ‘HATE ME’ is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Abbey Cone releases.

To keep up with Abbey Cone, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

HATE ME EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Twinnie Drops New Song “Dying Inside” – Listen Now

Twinnie releases her brand new song, “Dying Inside,” out now, April 22nd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new song below.

Twinnie is an artist that has been quietly taking the country music world by storm. Her ability to divulge her heart on each of her previous releases is unprecedented. As fans anticipate her 4-song EP, Welcome To The Club, Twinnie is sharing another piece of her heart. The singer-songwriter’s new song “Dying Inside” is out now.

Like her previous releases, “Dying Inside” is extremely vulnerable and emotive. The song is all about the heartache one experiences after a break-up. The video for the song even starts out with a therapy session, where Twinnie admits to feeling “numb.” Her goal of creating a “safe space” for all is so evident on this song and the upcoming project as a whole.

“This EP is a call to action to be your authentic self,” says Twinnie in a recent press release. “It’s a narrative on finding yourself and realizing that your power is in being unashamedly you. I wanted to write a collection of songs that highlight mental health issues whilst also celebrating everyone’s differences, and I hope I’ve achieved that with this record. Welcome to the Club encourages everyone to break free from what holds them back.”

We love Twinnie and everything she brings to the music world. She is the real deal, and everyone should look out for her!

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Twinnie’s new song “Dying Inside” is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Twinnie releases.

To keep up with Twinnie follow her on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

“Dying Inside” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Luke Combs Releases Brand New Track “Tomorrow Me” Ahead of Album

Luke Combs’ brand new song, “Tomorrow Me” is out now, April 22nd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Ahead of his recently announced third studio album, Luke Combs is giving the people what they want! More Luke Combs music is officially here! Today, the singer-songwriter shares his new song “Tomorrow Me.”

Back in 2020, Combs utilized social media to share unreleased songs with fans as much as possible. One of those songs was “Tomorrow Me.” The single quickly had fans begging for its release. The song has Combs written all over it. “Tomorrow Me” is a pensive ballad about going through the motions of a break-up. He anticipates regret, as the protagonist grapples with making the ‘right’ decision.

“Because tomorrow me ain’t gonna like the way things go tonight // If I let you in and think that it’ll be different this time // So maybe we should let yesterday be // Cause I gotta live with tomorrow me”

Combs is a bonafide hitmaker. It seems everything he releases shoots up to the top of the charts almost instantaneously. “Tomorrow Me” is sure to be another hit for the superstar if the fans have anything to say about it. We look forward to hearing the next peak at album number three before its June release date!

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Luke Combs releases.

To keep up with Luke Combs, follow him on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

“Tomorrow Me” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Dierks Bentley, BRELAND & HARDY Hit #1 with “Beers On Me”

Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, and HARDY’s song “Beers On Me” officially goes number one at country radio this week. Check out the #1 song here…

Back in July, Dierks Bentley floored us with a mega collaboration. The superstar shared the spotlight with two incredible rising artists, BRELAND and HARDY. The three entertainers impressed on “Beers On Me,” which is now the number one song at country radio.

“Beers On Me” is a feel good song! It is no wonder that both radio and its fans fell in love with it. Each artist brought something different to the song. Bentley provided the consistency, while HARDY brought the country-rock element to the song. BRELAND provided even more differentiation, adding a little bit of country-trap to the talking parts of one of the verses.

“Come on down // swing on by // Bring whatever’s been on your mind // Locals on tap / and bottles on ice // livin’ on feel-good standard time // My card’s on the bar // you’ve got nowhere to be // If you don’t come through // buddy, that’s on you // ‘cause the beer’s on me”

This is a major accomplishment for all three of the men. Congrats all around on the #1!

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, and HARDY announcements and releases.

To keep up with Dierks Bentley, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook,

To keep up with BRELAND, follow him on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with HARDY follow him on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

“Beers On Me” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Listen to John Morgan’s New Song “Right In The Middle” – Available Now

John Morgan’s new song “Right In The Middle” is out now, April 18th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new song below.

Recording artist, John Morgan is slated to perform his new song, “Right In The Middle” on NBC’s ‘American Song Contest,’ television show. The North Carolina native is a respected songwriter in the country music industry. He has written songs for artists like Jason Aldean. Morgan’s new song is a perfect representation of his songwriting and artistry style.

“Right In The Middle” is a heartfelt slow jam that is all about the lyrics. In each verse, Morgan emotes about missing an old lover; despite, a new one right in front of him. Nostalgic, emotional, and authentic, the song is one that is sure to stay in your heart after just one listen. Morgan is a uniquely talented storyteller and vocalist.

“Yeah, I’ve been trying like hell // But it ain’t that simple //  Still right in the middle, right in the middle of // a blue-eyed memory in the summer rain // You and me and Petty singing MaryJane // Making more than smoke rings in the dark // Stole my Tarheels hoodie and a piece of my heart”

Morgan presented “Right In The Middle” on NBC’s American Song Contest. We cannot imagine him not blowing the judges away with this one!

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John Morgan’s new song “Right In The Middle” is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future John Morgan releases.

To keep up with John Morgan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

“Right In The Middle” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

who-is-austin-burke-raul-esparza

Who Is Austin Burke? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

Who is Austin Burke? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

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Austin Burke // Photo Credit: Raul Esparza

The Beginning:

For several years now we have championed rising artist, Austin Burke. Today, we get to finally spotlight his incredible talent and story with you all in this week’s feature. The Scottsdale, Arizona native was pretty much born with a mic in his hands. “I started singing really when I was 2 years old,” began Burke. “By the time I was 3, I was ready to hit it big, and I went to all the sporting events in Arizona,” shared the singer.

At the time, his father would share videos of him singing the national anthem at different events, which led him to being asked to be on The Rosie O’Donnell Show at just four years old. He was invited on to the show again just four years later. “She gave me a guitar. It was a cool moment in my life and a lot of things really sparked from that.”

Another standout experience was when Burke sang the national anthem at a baseball game, where Garth Brooks was playing for the Padres. “The first time I saw Garth, I actually sang for him,” laughed the singer. According to Burke, “Garth Brooks was my day one hero,” and he still loves him to this day.

Despite early success, the singer yearned to just be a kid, so by the age of ten, he “retired” from the music industry. “I just wanted to be a kid and play baseball and hang out with my friends.”

Shortly there after, Burke’s life took a turn. His parents lost a lot in the recession, so they moved to San Diego, while the singer was in high school. According to the singer, going to school in San Diego was tough and he got bullied a lot.“That’s when I started songwriting. It was my way of coping with everything,” shared the artist, “I started to sing again.”

Moments like these would continue to happen through college for the singer, who eventually found his way to Nashville, a place he belonged.

The Turning Point:

While playing baseball at Santa Barbara for college, Burke realized something was missing. “I picked up my guitar and I found so much joy in it and so much happiness. I didn’t know what I needed to do, but I knew I didn’t want to go to L.A.” Despite growing up on country music, Burke admits not knowing anything about Nashville. Still, he picked up everything and moved.

“I always knew, I just had this feeling that I had to be in Nashville. I didn’t even know what it was, I hadn’t even been to the south or anywhere near Nashville.” Later, he added, “I was just so excited to be here. I was like where do we start. And I worked at a restaurant for four years, but everyday I was just so happy to be in Nashville, it almost didn’t matter the work that I had to do.”

Throughout his nine years in music city, Burke cultivated a sound that is all his own. “My musical influences are so diverse, but I think that’s how it is for everyone, especially for our generation. We didn’t really grow up on one thing.” He draws inspiration from 90s country, reggae music,  rap, and even artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

While working on his craft and cultivating a following, Burke finally got the attention he deserved, and landed himself a publishing deal. “I signed my first publishing deal a few years ago with Thomas Rhett. I met him at the BMI awards and he was like ‘I just started a publishing company, come sign with me.’ It was literally like that.”

Today:

For the past couple of years, Burke has been quietly writing and working on his songwriting. “I stepped away from the road. I felt like I was getting too heavy into touring,” shared the singer,“I just wrote as much as I could, and obviously TR was huge in helping to pick the songs and be apart of the process.”

Burke’s hardworking is paying off. He recently released his EP, Changed Everything. The record features five high-quality songs that speak to the singer’s talent and work ethic. Through social media and working with his team, the singer was able to choose the songs for this project.

“It’s kind of a mixture of my small circle and then the fans. Definitely “Let It Burn” and “Changed Everything” came from the fans and the other three songs were songs that I wanted to put it out or my team thought were the best,” shared Burke.

Fans can expect even more music to come very soon from the singer-songwriter. According to Burke, “I am super excited about this year because I have so much music coming out. It’s probably the most amount of music I have ever put out.” The singer even let us know that his next single, “Take My Life” will be out next month. Get ready, it is only going to get bigger from here!

Connect:

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Austin Burke’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.