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Who Is Erin Kirby? The Story Behind Her Journey to Music

September 1, 2021/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

Who is Erin Kirby? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about her journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

Erin Kirby // Photo Credit: Juliana Grace Photography

The Beginning:

This week our Swag Spotlight artist is a young songstress making waves with her music. Erin Kirby, a seventeen-year-old from Jasper, Georgia is a budding singer-songwriter, whose talent goes far beyond just one genre. We chatted with the artist about her path to music, her new song, and what she hopes her career blossoms into.

The small-town girl grew up always being outside and hanging out with her friends. Despite her self-proclaimed “tom-boy edge,” she became interested in pageants early on which ultimately led her to music. “I jumped into a local pageant,” she began. “I competed in talent and that moment was incredible and I knew that music was what I wanted to do forever.

Kirby had found her passion at just eight years old. Still feeling too young to pursue anything in music professionally, the songstress competed nationally in various pageants. During one of the competitions in Orlando, Florida, she was noticed by a family member of Justin Timberlake’s manager. “[The family member] sent a video of my talent performance to him and he came off tour to come and meet me which kind of gave me the confidence to jump into music.”

Kirby credits her early love for music to her parents for introducing her to a wide variety of genres that she finds inspiration in today. “So I listened to every single genre because my parents loved music so so much. […] I listen to 80s rock bands, I listen to Motown music. I would listen to hip-hop, pop, country, whatever it was, we were always listening to something new.”

The songstress also shared that Atlanta was an important place in her career and music intelligence. “I learned a lot of my writing and studio experience from Atlanta and still keeping the soulful part of my voice,” she adds.

The Turning Point:

Kirby began to record music in Nashville and eventually began writing at age thirteen. “I recorded a couple of songs and kind of just told my story as an artist.” At the same age, the popular talent show, American Idol also reached out to her. Since she was not yet fifteen, Kirby could not participate.

At age fifteen, American Idol called her again. “I really didn’t know if I wanted to or not,” shared the singer. “They wanted me to come to L.A. because they only had two audition spots left.” Eventually, Kirby did fly out to L.A. to audition. She received some incredible feedback from the judges, which added to her confidence as an artist. “I went into the celebrity judge audition and it was incredible. The judges were super kind […] Lionel Richie said he wanted backstage passes for my tour.”

Since American Idol, Kirby has continued to hit the ground running, furthering her artistry and really finding her voice as a singer-songwriter. Although known as a Pop artist, she shared with us a desire to lean a bit more country. “I’ve definitely been writing some music that is a bit more country,” she shared. “Over the course of the pandemic and hanging out with my small-town friends, I’ve turned into this country gal who does music all the time.”

Today:

Most recently Kirby released her song “Waste More Time.” Lyrically, the song has that country music story-telling aspect. The song stemmed from a real-life heartbreak that the singer went through. “Waste More Time was written during FaceTime during the pandemic with a group called Sleeping Lions,” adding later, “We got on the phone and I was like I have this idea because I just went through something with a guy.” The song is inspired by a situation where the guy led her on, something most of us can all relate to.

It is important to the singer that her fans feel what she is going through. “I feel like it’s a song that anyone can relate to. Because even if it’s a friendship that somebody is wanting you to wait on something and you’re just tired of being there for them and they’re never there for you […] I feel like everyone can relate to not wasting time on somebody.”

Besides the enticing single, Kirby promises that she has more music in the works for fans. She will be playing some shows this year, but her primary focus is on continuing to write more and more. Her hope is to release more music at the top of next year with the country genre heavily in mind. Kirby is definitely one to look out for!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Erin Kirby, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

“Waste More Time” 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.

Trace Adkins: ‘The Way I Wanna Go’ – Album Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erin Crosby

Trace Adkins’ 25th-anniversary album, The Way I Wanna Go, is available now, August 27th, on all streaming platforms. Offering up 25 new songs in a reflective and celebratory project, the new album shines a light on Adkins’ extraordinary career. Check out the full review below.

With an opening song such as “Where I Am Today” that introduces a more grateful and clear-minded outlook, the country music veteran, who has sold more than 11 million albums and attained over 2 billion streams across the span of his career, seems to be tipping his hat to an incredible life while still reeling in the good stuff. Though with the release of his 13th studio album to honor a truly remarkable 25 years in music, Trace Adkins is far from calling it quits. In fact, he has never been stronger. “I am at the top of my game right now as far as my craft goes,” he comments in a press release. “I’m better at this than I’ve ever been in my life.”

It’s true, this Louisiana-born, simple-livin’ cowboy is aging like a fine whiskey. The Way I Wanna Go envelopes a confident, self-assured musician who does not shy away from individuality while still encompassing traditional notes along with his open-armed, warm-as-ever charisma that attracts listeners to this “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “Just Fishin’” gentle giant.

“Finding My Groove” follows a similar wavelength with a focus on narrating the personal battles, and the journey, to shine a light on the setbacks and experiences needed to get to this spoken-upon sweet spot.

“But I think the world’s finally spinnin’ my way // Sleepin’ pretty good at the end of the day // Got a little cash in the bank, gas in the tank // A little don’t care what they think // And I ain’t skippin’ like a needle on vinyl // Since your rescue me revival / Got my heart on my sleeve // Nothing to hide, nothing to prove // Findin’ my groove”

Within this 25-track LP, a few very high-end artists are featured from a broad range of categories. Blake Shelton, who is no stranger to Adkins both in the wildly successful “Hillbilly Bone” and more recent 2019 collab ”Hell Right”, puts down vocals on “If I Was A Woman” that ties in with the relaxed and chummy chemistry between these good friends. Luke Bryan and Pitbull bring the heat with the previously released “Where The Country Girls At”. Snoop Dog brings an intriguing take on a country crossroad production with “So Do The Neighbors”, and “Memory to Memphis” mixes blues in this eclectic collection of vocalists. Melissa Etheridge, an American singer-songwriter, incorporates a beautiful, smooth rasp that teeters on a rock sound to flirt with the rugged vocal range that is known with Adkins in “Love Walks Through the Rain”.

Trace Adkins’ The Way I Wanna Go album is a striking project that includes all the best music has to offer from this filled-to-the-brim with inspiration entertainer. “I don’t know where my place is gonna be when the history of what I did is written,” Adkins says in a press release. “But 90 percent of the time, I said what I wanted to say and stuck to my guns and did what I wanted to do … And, this album is as good as anything I’ve ever done.”

Trace Adkins ‘The Way I Wanna Go’ Out Now

The Way I Wanna Go Tracklist

Where I Am Today
Heartbreak Song
Where the Country Girls At (Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan & Pitbull)
Cadillac’n
Finding My Groove
Cowboy Boots and Jeans
Live It Lonely
Love Walks Through the Rain (Trace Adkins & Melissa Etheridge)
Honey Child
It’s a Good Thing I Don’t Drink
Jesus Was a Hippie
Memory To Memphis (Trace Adkins, Stevie Wonder & Keb’ Mo’)
You’re Mine
The Way I Wanna Go
It All Adds Up to Us
If I Was a Woman (ft. Blake Shelton)
Got It Down
Careful Girl
Empty Chair
Cowboy Up
Somewhere in America
So Do the Neighbors (Trace Adkins & Snoop Dog)
I Should Let You Go
Low Note
Welcome To

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

To keep up with Trace Adkins, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Way I Wanna Go 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.

Ashley Cooke: Already Drank That Beer – Side A – EP Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Ashley Cooke releases her debut EP titled Already Drank That Beer – Side A, out today, August 27th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Up and coming talent, Ashley Cooke has garnered millions of fans over the last year. Her heartfelt vulnerability has left a mark on country music lovers everywhere. Today, Cooke released her debut EP Already Drank That Beer – Side A, available on all streaming platforms.

With just eight songs, Cooke manages to showcase her personality, talent, and story all at once. The record kicks off with the song “Gettin’ Somewhere,” written by Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers, and Alysa Vanderheym. The fun-loving opener sets the tone for the songstress’ talent.

“Feels like we’re kinda late to the party // ‘Cause now it’s just getting started tonight // We’ve been riding around this little town // With the window down all night long // We’ve been taking our time // Doin’ fifty-five in a sixty-five to the right songs”

Cooke slows it down for the next two songs on the project, “Under” and “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night.” Both songs were hits with fans on social media before their releases. The former, one of the best on the project, utilizes wordplay to convey heartbreak. While, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” one of Cooke’s breakout hits, shares how it feels to be missing your ex.

On the title track, the singer-songwriter showcases her vocals and vulnerability yet again. The song expresses how easy it is to fall back in love with someone for just the night, even though it is not good for you. The relatability of this song is somber, yet so real.

“We could drink the night away, chasing that buzz // And talk about Bourbon Street and how hard it was // fall right back together like we don’t know better // Like we, we ain’t been here // It’s too bad, baby, we already drank that beer”

Cooke continues to grapple with that push-pull, break-up on “Opposite of Love.” One of the five tracks that the singer had a hand in writing, the song displays how it feels to still love someone, even though you’re trying not to. Cooke tackles a similar topic in her duet with Jimmie Allen, “Good Goodbye.”

Interestingly, Cooke revels in the moving on on “First Time, Last Night.” The song conveys how good it feels to finally be out at a familiar place and not drinking to forget, but just drinking to have fun. This song reminds us all that eventually, we do move on.

The final song on the new EP is an acoustic ballad titled “Never Til Now.” Cooke pours her heart out to her fans on this song. Co-written by the singer with Matt Roy, the track is arguably the most vulnerable on the project. She shares the joys of love and settling down, something she thought she would never do or find. The song is the perfect way to end the expressive and emotive record.

According to Cooke, “These songs are pages out of my journal put to music. They’re my stories over the last year or so, and they feel like an extension of me.” This is the perfect way to sum up the project. Cooke hits the nail on the head with this stellar debut!

Already Drank That Beer – Side A EP Tracklist:

Gettin’ Somewhere
Under
Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night
Already Drank That Beer
Opposite of Love
Good Goodbye (feat. Jimmie Allen)
First Time, Last Night
Never Til Now

Ashley Cooke’s new EP ‘Already Drank That Beer – Side A,’ is out now

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

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Already Drank That Beer – Side A 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.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: The Latest in Country Music – 8/27/21

August 27, 2021/in Blog, New Music, News /by Stephanie Wagner

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – 8/27/21

RENEE BLAIR – Renee Blair just released the perfect JAM to kick off your weekend. Listen to “Turn Up The Night” here… More >>
HANNAH ELLIS – Hannah Ellis shares the story of loving two places at once in her new song, “Home And A Hometown”. Listen here… More >>
RYAN HURD – SURPRISE! Ryan Hurd not only dropped a brand new track, but he also revealed a forthcoming debut album, Pelago due out October 15th! Get all the details here… More >>
BOY NAMED BANJO – The bluegrass-inspired act, Boy Named Banjo, are unique, innovative, and their music feels just like home. Check out their major-label debut EP, Circles, here… More >>
NIKO MOON – Niko Moon is serving up a GOOD TIME with his debut album, out now! Listen to the brand new record here… More >>
KING CALAWAY – King Calaway return with a brand new project, a 4-track EP titled Midnight. Listen here… More >>
NELLY – Nelly’s country-inspired album, Heartland is HERE and it does not disappoint. Listen here… More >>

Take a listen to all of these tracks and more here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

[Interview] Nelly Drops Country-Inspired Album – Full Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Dylan Bestler

Nelly’s brand new country-inspired album Heartland is officially available everywhere you listen to music today, August 27th. Featuring “Good Times Roll” with Jimmie Allen, the top 5 cross-genre hit “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line, and seven other country-inspired tracks, check out our full review and interview below.

If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably heard Nelly all over mainstream radio, known for hit songs such as “Just A Dream,” “Hot In Herre,” “Country Grammar,” and many others. Although hip-hop was his passion, being raised in St. Louis, Nelly was introduced to all types of music. Over the past year or so, Nelly has really been embracing his country roots.

He has previously collaborated with some of Nashville’s biggest stars such as Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Brett Kissel, and Jimmie Allen. Even at the peak of Nelly’s career he was exploring the country genre, having Tim McGraw join him on his song, “Over and Over,” featuring on the remix of Florida Georgia Line’s 11x Platinum smash hit, “Cruise,” and even recording a cover of Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man.” Upon starting his music career, however, he never envisioned that he would be here, making a country-inspired album.

“When I did Country Grammar, what I noticed was that I was getting booked in front of different crowds,” he explained in an interview with Country Swag. “One minute I’m booked over here and DMX is headlining and then another minute I’m booked over here but Tim McGraw is headlining, but it’s the same album.” He continued: “I was getting so much love from the country community ever since Country Grammar came out…I didn’t know it would lead me to this moment but I knew it was something special.”

The album starts with the two previously released tracks, “Lil’ Bit” with Florida Georgia Line, and “High Horse” with Breland and Blanco Brown. The latter uses more R&B/funk sounds than country or hip-hop. Brown takes the chorus Nelly raps the verses, and Breland provides backing lyrics, showing off his talented vocals. The trio performed their new song on Jimmy Kimmel earlier this week. Watch below…

“Grits and Glamour” is another track that blends R&B into its sound. Nelly and Kane Brown sing about a woman who can pull off any style and look, from the rough country scene to a night out on the town. She has high standards though, so you might need a little bit of money to take her out.

“She’s grits and glamour from Alabama // She’s small-town chic and that’s all I need // Grits and glamour, she’s got standards // Her love ain’t cheap, so work all week”

City Spud, who featured on Nelly’s 2000 hit song, “Ride Wit Me” joins him and Darius Rucker on “Ms. Drive Me Crazy.” These lyrics portray a common scenario that occurred in many early-2010s country songs—the girl riding shotgun in the man’s Chevy is looking so fine, it makes it hard to focus on the road and steer. Rucker’s deep, southern voice fits very well on this track as he sings the chorus. Tyler Hubbard appears again on the record, providing vocals on “Country Boy Do,” a simple ode to the country boy lifestyle. Both Hubbard and Nelly rap their parts.

“5 Drinks Ago” is the only song on the record that doesn’t have a feature. In this track, the singer is at a bar trying to have a good time and not think about his ex. Although his intentions were good at first, five drinks later he is back to obsessing about her.

“That was five drinks ago, five drinks ago // When you were just somebody that I used to know // When I was good and sober, we were good and over // said I wouldn’t think about you // but that was five drinks go”

“Follow Me” and “Someone Somewhere” are the most ‘country’ songs on the project, with moments of reflection and adventure and minimal elements of hip-hop. In the former, Nelly sings about slowing things down and taking time to enjoy the things and people in life you love. Country newcomer, Chris Bandi features on this track. The latter is about pouring one out for those who are struggling, going through hardships, or are no longer with us. Nelly and TikTok country star George Birge sing over a modest, acoustic melody.

“Pour a little out for someone somewhere, try to find a little bit of light in the dark // Someone somewhere, trying to move on from a broken heart // Everyone gotta miss somebody, everybody’s gotta go through a little hell // for the ones that didn’t make it to the party”

“What really allowed me to get to do this project was the pandemic because it allowed to me time to sit down and think about how I was going to take these blessings I was getting from this whole different genre of music and salute them for showing me the love, and that’s basically what this album is: it’s my salute to the whole country world for showing Nelly so much love.”

This project has been a long time coming for Nelly, but to make a country/rap album work, you have to be very creative and willing to adapt. It’s hard to stay relevant in music for over twenty years, but he has been one of the most unique and innovative artists of our time. Whether it’s his first and last country-inspired project or the beginning of a new era, we are 100% on board with this version of the talented rapper.

“Evolution is inevitable, so people have to get with it or—and I hate to say it—their time is ticking as far as them being remembered. Because if you don’t embrace the change in some way, shape, or form, then eventually when the era of people who supported you are gone, you get left behind as well,” he adds in our recent chat.

Heartland Tracklist

Lil Bit ft. Florida Georgia Line
High Horse ft. Breland and Blanco Brown
Grits and Glamour ft. Kane Brown
Ms. Drive Me Crazy ft. Darius Rucker and City Spud
Country Boy Do ft. Tyler Hubbard
Someone Somewhere ft. George Birge
Five Drinks Ago
Follow Me ft. Chris Bandi
Good Times Roll (Jimmie Allen ft. Nelly)

Nelly’s country-inspired record ‘Heartland’ is out now

Nelly will be appearing on a new episode of CMT Crossroads alongside Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Breland, and more, premiering September 1^st. He also just announced new tour dates with supporting help from Blanco Brown and Harper Grace. For tickets, head to his website.

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

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

Heartland 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.

King Calaway: ‘Midnight’ – EP Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Dylan Bestler

King Calaway’s new EP, Midnight is out now, August 27th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

After nearly a two-year hiatus, boyband turned country group, King Calaway has released brand new music; their four-track extended play titled Midnight is out now, August 27th on all streaming platforms via Stoney Creek Records.

King Calaway is a 5-piece band comprised of original members Caleb Miller, Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Chad Michael Jervis, and Austin Luther. They made a splash into the country music scene when they released their debut project Rivers (produced by Ross Copperman and Robert Deaton) in October of 2019. The project featured a mix of romantic love songs, agonizing heartbreak ballads, and fun, pop-inspired tracks, including the top 50 single “World For Two.” The group brings the same energy and vibe with these four new tracks, “Homegrown,” “More People,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Good Time To Me.”

King Calaway tried something on this EP that they didn’t on their debut album; write their own songs. Chad Michael Jervis penned the first track, “Homegrown,” with Kevin Griffin. In this southern-rock anthem, the singer proclaims he can’t wait to head home to his girl after a long time away. The bridge features an extended electric guitar solo.

“Yeah it’s been a long road, need a little homegrown // Little bit of you is all I really need, some of that small-town company // Got a southern summer night, where you dance to make a fuse ignite”

The next two tracks were co-written by Dumas; “More People” and “Heartbreaker.” The former is a calm, acoustic tune in which the band describes what kind of people we need more of in the world—ones who learn to forgive, call a friend on their busiest day, get to know strangers by inviting them over for a beer, and would pay for a single mother’s groceries.

“Heartbreaker” is a very produced track about a woman who only uses guys when she’s lonely. The man in the song gives in to her beauty, even though he knows she will just break his heart in the end. The verses give off an old-western vibe with its backing strings and steel guitar.

The final song features rising female artist, Lainey Wilson and was penned by Nashville stars such as Corey Crowder (Florida Georgia Line), Steven Lee Olsen (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”), Russell Dickerson, and Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Good Time To Me” has classic country sounds with heavy bass and percussion. King Calaway and Wilson paint the picture of a perfect night at the bar. Her drawl in the second verse and chorus adds to this authentic honky-tonk feel.

“And it sounds like a good time, like music to my beers // Like the soundtrack to a good night, that’s all I want to hear // I love the sound of neon buzzing, whiskey pouring in my drink // If it sounds anything like that it sounds like a damn good time to me”

The band celebrated the release of Midnight with a live show at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville last night.

Midnight is the result of many months spent diving into new creative and sonic spaces,” the band said in a recent press release. “We carefully crafted these songs with our live show in mind, and it’s only fitting that we get to share them for the first time live from Nashville.”

Midnight Tracklist

Homegrown (Chad Michael Jervis, Kevin Griffin)
More People (Simon Dumas, Ryan Lafferty, Tina Parol Gemza)
Heartbreaker (Simon Dumas, Neil Medley, Dave Cohen)
Good Time To Me ft. Lainey Wilson (Charles Kelley, Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Steven Lee Olsen)

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

To keep up with King Calaway, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Midnight 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.

Niko Moon: ‘Good Time’ – Album Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Caleigh DeCaprio

Niko Moon’s debut album, Good Time is available everywhere today, August 27th. This 14-track project perfectly portrays the positive vibes and ‘glass half full’ perspective that Moon aims to bring to his music and to his fans. Check out the full review below.

We here at Country Swag have been fans of Niko Moon since he first hit the country music scene. We got to know the talented singer-songwriter back in 2019 with our Swag Spotlight Interview. At the time, Moon had just begun exploring the performing side of his artistry as previously Moon had success solely as a songwriter. At that point, he had already had four number one hits with Zac Brown Band (“Loving You Easy”, “Homegrown”, “Beautiful Drug” and “Keep Me in Mind”) and one with Rascal Flatts (“Back to Life”), but had yet to release the now several songs that we know and love by him, as a recording artist.

Later in 2020, Moon joined us in New York City for a Live Swag Session, where he played some songs for us and sat down for an interview. Check it out in the video below.

With the release of his full-length project, Moon includes previously released tracks that have become fan-favorites and remain standouts on the album. Moon’s very first number one song as a recording artist, “Good Time” serves as the title track of the album and joins his most recent release “Small Town State of Mind” along with “No Sad Songs”, “Paradise to Me”, “Dance With Me”, “Drunk Over You”, “Way Back” and “Good At Loving You”.

The project adds six additional songs from the artist, including a cover of Travis Tritt’s “It’s A Great Day to be Alive”, a song that perfectly encapsulates Moon’s entire perspective on life and the vibe he brings to his music, and thus is the perfect song to close out his debut album.

Moon’s love for his wife, Anna, who is both a writing partner and a pop artist herself, is woven through the entire project. Songs like “Good At Loving You”, “Dance With Me” and “Last Call” each show this in their own way.

“Yeah I spill more than most people drink // Wake up and don’t remember a thing // The band is playing their last song // While all the lights are coming on // Yeah if lovers are like alcohol, girl you’re my last call”

“Let it Ride” is a chill, go-with-the-flow song much like “Good Time” and “Paradise to Me” but with greater meaning.

“Let it ride, let it roll, feels good just to let it go // No I ain’t got time to think about the things I can’t control // Let it in, let it out, ain’t a thing that I’m worried about // Just gonna sit right here and watch the sun go down “

“Without Saying A Word” is a song for his dad, and is a more emotional and authentic song than what we are used to hearing from Moon. It is about all the lessons that his dad taught him, without saying a word.

“Best believe that I’m still reaching // For that silent bar he set // And I won’t give up, trying to live up // to the things he never said”

Moon is currently on the What A Song Can Do Tour with Lady A, which kicked off this summer and runs through early Fall. For tour dates and tickets, click here.

Good Things Tracklist

No Sad Songs
Way Back
Paradise to Me
Last Call
Dance with Me
Good Time
Let it Ride
She Ain’t You
Small Town State of Mind
Good At Loving You
Without Saying A Word
Drunk Over You
Diamond
It’s A Great Day to Be Alive

Niko Moon’s debut album ‘Good Time,’ is available now

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

To keep up with Niko Moon, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Good Time 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.

Boy Named Banjo: Circles – EP Review

August 27, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Boy Named Banjo release their newest EP titled Circles, out today, August 27th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Making their major-label debut, Boy Named Banjo is a country music band that you are going to want to remember. The bluegrass-inspired act are unique, innovative, and their music feels just like home. Today, Boy Named Banjo release their brand new EP Circles.

Kicking off the project with “Only You Know,” Boy Named Banjo show off their Kings of Leon and Mumford and Sons vibes. The opening track is fun, quirky, and catchy. It depicts the story of only one person knowing all your secrets and idiosyncrasies, but it still does not work out.

The band slows it down a bit with “Feel For You.” The previously released song is a beautiful love song. Reminiscent of the romance from The Cadillac Three’s song “White Lightning,” the song is exquisite. Boy Named Banjo showcase their ability to weave together lyrics and craft a song that everyone will want to fall in love to.

“No words are right I can’t describe the sun tracing your outline // And just a touch that’s enough to burn me down and get me high // Yeah, you hit me like a heart attack // Like a lightning crack // Every time you leave you got me being come back”

“Too Close” leans into the more modern-country side of the band’s talent. The wordplay with the phrase “too close” is crafted in such a way that only Boy Named Banjo could do. The song will make you believe in the power of love. Similarly, the title track “Circles” will make you feel and features clever wordplay. However, in this song, the singers share how it feels to get lost in the wake of a breakup.

“Am I ever gonna get out // Am I ever gonna get out? // Here I go // I’m standing right outside your door // Say I won’t // I probably will a thousand more // Here I go // I’m standing right outside your door”

Next up, “Where The Night Goes” features almost bluegrass mixed with slight electronic vibes. The love song is simple, yet special. On “Keep Lying To Me,” Boy Named Banjo explains how it feels to experience unrequited love. With lyrics like “chasing down a moon rock” and “I’m just a stepping stone to get you where you want to go,” the band reflects on not wanting to let go.

Finally, the record ends with one of our favorite songs off the project, “Go Out Dancing.” Although it is unclear if the singers wrote the song in the wake of the pandemic, it feels extremely pertinent. With a society that is so unclear and many natural disasters happening, “Go Out Dancing” is the simple song we all needed. The opening lyric “we woke up to a world on fire,” is the perfect way to start the song. Poetic and emotive, the love song is definitely a standout.

Overall, Boy Named Banjo delivers a record that is unlike anything else out there right now. The men are both talented and innovative. With a clear passion for music and multiple genres, Boy Named Banjo, and their EP Circles, is the pinnacle of artistry.

Circles EP Tracklist:

Only You Know (Barton Davies, Jon Sherwood, William Reames)
Feel For You (Barton Davies, William Reames, Michael Whitworth, Dan Fernandez)
Too Close (Barton Davies, William Reames, Tim Bruns, Jon Sherwood)
Circles (William Reames, Oscar Charles, Jon Sherwood)
Where The Night Goes (Barton Davies, William Reames, Benjamin Simonetti, Jon Sherwood)
Keep Lying To Me (Barton Davies, William Reames, Benjamin Simonetti, Jon Sherwood)
Go Out Dancing (Barton Davies, William Reames, Oscar Charles, Jon Sherwood)

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Boy Named Banjo announcements and releases.

To keep up with Boy Named Banjo, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Circles EP 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.

Ryan Hurd Reveals Debut Album + Drops New Song “June, July, August”

August 27, 2021/in Blog, New Music, News /by Caleigh DeCaprio

Ryan Hurd surprised fans with news of a forthcoming debut album titled Pelago, due out October 15th. In addition, Hurd released a brand new song, “June, July, August”, available everywhere today, August 27th. Take a look below as we dig into the track.

“June, July, August” marks the second release of the summer from Hurd, following the release of “Coast” last month. Meanwhile, his song with wife Maren Morris, “Chasing After You”, continues to climb the charts since its release this past February.

Despite having a large selection of songs, Hurd has still yet to put out a full-length album. Now, fans can rejoice knowing a full project is on the way. Hurd does, however, have a handful of EP’s including Panorama, Platonic, which features his hit single “To A T”, and EOM, named after his single Every Other Memory, which highlights a handful of songs that Hurd has co-written for other artists. This includes Morgan Wallen and Diplo’s “Heartless”, Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”, Rascal Flatts’s “Payback” and Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You”. EOM was a unique project that got to show fans who may not have known that Hurd was and always will be a songwriter first, and artist second. Hurd is a co-writer of a few other songs climbing the charts right now including Lady A’s “What A Song Can Do” and Luke Bryan’s “Waves”.

Hurd’s artistry stays consistent throughout each song he releases and that he is a part of. His style of songwriting is so unique to him that while he plays a part in so many other songs that you hear in country music, the songs that he chooses to keep for himself feel as though he is the only one that could have released them.

Much like “June, July, August”, which is a textbook Ryan Hurd song from its sound to its lyrics and simply its overall vibe. It’s a song about young love that felt like the real thing and not just another fling, even though it only lasted those three months. It’s about the feeling of wishing you could keep doing that summer over and over again before the day came that it all ended.

“There’s one sunrise I wish never came, 6 a.m. August 28th // It looked like heaven, but I’d turn it back to the 27th // When we were young and drunk by the water // Felt that sunburn love getting hotter // And that feeling never faded like the tan lines on your skin // I’d do June, July, and August, a thousand times again”

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

To keep up with Ryan Hurd, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

“June, July, August” 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.

Hannah Ellis Releases New Song “Home And A Hometown”

August 27, 2021/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Hannah Ellis’ new song, “Home And A Hometown” is out now, August 27th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig into the track.

We have been big fans of Hannah Ellis for many years now. We first fell in love with Ellis when we heard “Would You Love Me”, a song she co-wrote for Russell Dickerson’s debut album Yours, and then hosted her at our Women’s Brunch back in March 2018 where she sang that song along with her first single “ILY So What”. Check out our full recap from that event here. Today, the newly signed Curb Records artist releases her popular song “Home And A Hometown.”

The song is a special one. It is Ellis’ story of falling in love and feeling at home in Nashville, but still finding herself missing and loving her hometown. The songstress shared, “I realized that I love both places so much for different reasons and it occurred to me that I have a home and a hometown. I came home to Nashville and wrote the song that week.”

“Cause I got a highway and I got a backroad // I got a fast-paced life and a place I go to move slow // One I wanna make it, one I wanna make proud // No matter which one I’m leavin’ I still wanna turn around // ‘Cause I got a home and I got a hometown”

In just a few more weeks, Ellis will share the song on one of the most prestigious stages in Nashville. She makes her Opry debut on September 28th. Then shortly after, Ellis will release her next single “Us.” 2021 is sure to be a huge year for the rising star!

Hannah Ellis’ new song, “Home And A Hometown” is out now, August 27th, 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 Hannah Ellis releases.

To keep up with Hannah Ellis follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

“Home And A Hometown” 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.