Who Is Alannah McCready? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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

We love supporting females in the music industry, so when Alannah McCready came across our radar, we knew we had to interview her. The country-pop singer-songwriter is our Swag Spotlight artist this week. Getting to know McCready and her story was both inspiring and exciting, and we know fans everywhere will love her just as we do.

Growing up in Minnesota, the songstress’s life was all about marrying her two polar-opposite passions in life, hockey, and music. Her upbringing in Minnesota clearly influenced her love for hockey, but it was her Oklahoma-native mom that introduced her to country music. “Ever since a young age, I’ve been listening to country music with her, ya know Trisha [Yearwood] and Martina [McBride],” adding later, “I think I kinda taught myself to sing by listening to them and copying what they were doing. Country music was always a big part of my life.”

She continued to merge her two interests through high school and college, winning championships in hockey and doing things like singing the National Anthem at games. Despite her knack for both passions, McCready knew that music was her first love. “Once I graduated college, I was like you know what, I need to do what I feel like I’m meant to do which is music full-time, and I have been doing music full-time since 2012.”

After a stint in New York City working in public relations, the singer gave all of her attention to crafting her sound and artistry. Her first record was created through “a culmination of all those journals” she had written over the years. Little did she know, she was also a songwriter. “I think as a songwriter it’s really awesome to pull from all different genres. I feel like the story-telling is what makes it country music in a sense because country music is a wide range of genre now, and story-telling is what keeps us all together.”

As a strong woman in country music, McCready finds inspiration from other strong and confident women in the music industry from all genres. “I think definitely growing up it was those powerful women in country, back then they kind of dominated country music. […] Now, I feel like it’s getting back to that, we have all these amazing, powerful, different women in country that I feel like we’re really making a comeback,” she shares when asked about her influences. The songstress also name-dropped artists like Christina Aguilera for helping her find her voice.

Alannah McCready Something Like That

Today, McCready is a new Nashville native that just released her single “Something Like That” back in February. The track is the first in an upcoming EP that was created during quarantine. The new song is a fresh take on relationships and standards.  “It kind of turned into scaling back relationships and what people want in relationships, especially nowadays people get so caught up in these really specific, detailed items that they want or need from a person […] but in reality, it’s really the fundamental things that make a relationship work or not work,” the singer explained, when asked about the inspiration for the track.

As we await more music from McCready, fans can be excited that she promises to get back on the road ASAP. “The goal is to get back out on the road,” she tells us, and we’re sure her new home in Nashville will help her garner an even bigger much-deserved fanbase.

To keep up with Alannah McCready, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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

Alannah McCready’s music is 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.

Sam Hunt’s Current Single “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” Hits #1

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Sam Hunt lands his eighth number one song at country radio this week with “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s”. The fifth single off his Southside album.

Sam Hunt is one of those artists that floats in and out of the limelight but always manages to crank out hit after hit. We are big fans of his latest album Southside, and it’s no surprise that each of his singles from the record have landed on the top of the charts. Currently, “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” is the number one song on the country charts, marking the fourth single off the record to hit the top spot, following “Body Like A Back Road,” “Kinfolks,” and “Hard To Forget.”

“Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” was easily one of our favorites off the record. Hunt utilizes his signature ‘talk-singing’ on the track to convey how difficult break-ups are in modern times. He comes to the conclusion that breaking up was easier back in the ’90s. The cleverly strung-together lyrics, make it hard not to fall in love with this all too relatable song.

“Funny how you haven’t changed a bit // You’re twice as pretty // Glad you finally got to see New York City // I know it’s not a race, but looks like you’re getting over me faster than I’m getting over you // But hey // What you gonna do.”

It seems Hunt is ready to continue to release more music and play shows again, so we’re excited to see what he has up his sleeve next. It’s clear from his social media that he is constantly writing, so we’re sure fans are in store for something big. Until then, congrats to Hunt and his team on their eighth number one song!

Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Sam Hunt releases.

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

“Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” is 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.

BREAKING: Jason Aldean Announces 2021 Back In The Saddle Tour

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Jason Aldean has announced The Back In The Saddle Tour kicking off this Summer 2021. Check out the full list of dates below.

Joining Jason Aldean on tour will be show openers, HARDY and Lainey Wilson.

The show hits the tri-state area on Friday, August 6th at PNC Bank Arts Center and on Saturday, August 7th at Jones Beach Theater and we’re getting you early access tickets to the show! Use our presale code: SWAG beginning on Thursday, 5/20 at 10AM-10PM!

For all other tour dates, tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, 5/21 at 10AM ET at jasonaldean.com.

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

Check out the dates below for the full list of shows…

JASON ALDEAN: BACK IN THE SADDLE TOUR 2021 DATES:
08/05/21    Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
08/06/21    Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
08/07/21    Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
08/12/21    Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center*
08/13/21    Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
08/14/21    Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion
08/19/21    Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
08/20/21    Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
08/21/21    Atlanta, GA – Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood
08/27/21    Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
08/28/21    Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
09/09/21    Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
09/10/21    Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
09/11/21    Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
09/16/21    Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
09/17/21    Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheater
09/18/21    Portland, OR – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
09/23/21    Sacramento, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
09/24/21    Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/25/21    Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
09/30/21    Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
10/01/21    Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
10/02/21    Denver, CO – Ball Arena*
10/07/21    Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center*
10/08/21    Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
10/09/21    St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
10/14/21    Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
10/15/21    Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center*
10/16/21    Birstow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
10/21/21    Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
10/22/21    Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
10/23/21    Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
10/28/21    Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
10/29/21    West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
10/30/21    Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

*With Lainey Wilson and TBA

Jason Aldean Back In The Saddle Tour

Photo by Justin Mrusek

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Newcomer Noah Hicks Joins Forces with Rhett Akins on “No More of ‘Em”

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Noah Hicks joins forces with Rhett Akins on brand new song “No More of ‘Em”. Available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Earlier this week, singer-songwriter Noah Hicks signed an exclusive publishing deal with RED Creative Group, home of artist-songwriters like Travis Denning, Baker Grissom, and Adam Hambrick. To excite fans even more, the country music newcomer joined forces with mainstay, Rhett Akins on his debut single “No More of ‘Em,” out now.

Written by Hicks and Akins with Will Bundy and Jeremy Stover, the brand new song is country music nostalgia at its finest. The Georgia native wanted to release a song that was close to his heart and a story that could help fans get to know him and his artistry.

“Til there ain’t no more of ‘em // No more one light two-lane towns // Til there ain’t no straight pipe Friday night good ol’ boys chasing them girls around // I’m gonna spend my days just thanking the Lord // For every sunset sinking down on a wraparound porch // Til there ain’t no more of ‘em”

For Hicks, these moments serve as some of the best in his life so far. “I woke up this morning still pinching myself,” he shares in his latest instagram post, “5 years I’ve spent chasing this dream and it’s been one hell of a journey.. but this is only the beginning. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this song come alive.”

“No More of ‘Em” is the first song in a series of singles that Hicks has coming down the pipeline this year. Only time will tell if the singer will collaborate with more well-known artists or if his next release will be a solo feat. Whatever the case, we’re sure fans are going to flock to him for his passion and talent!

Noah Hicks' new song, "No More of Em'" ft. Rhett Akins is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

Noah Hicks’ new song, “No More of Em'” ft. Rhett Akins is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

To keep up with Noah Hicks, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
To keep up with Rhett Akins, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“No More of ‘Em” 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 – 5/14/21

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NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – 5/14/21

  • ALAN JACKSON – After nearly six years, Alan Jackson is back with a brand new album and a long over-due return back home. Check out Where Have You Gone here. – More >>
  • DUSTIN LYNCH & CHRIS LANE – Grab some salt and a lime, “Tequila on a Boat” by Dustin Lynch featuring Chris Lane is out now! – More >>
  •  JAMES BARKER BAND – James Barker Band celebrates their new record deal with the release of “Over All Over Again”, a catchy tune we can all relate to about those relationships that are never really over. Listen Here… – More >>
  •  ANDREW JANNAKOS – Andrew Jannakos’ new song “Somebody Loves You” is a type of honesty, integrity, and hope that we can all use more of right now. Listen to the new upbeat track here… – More >>
  •  WILLIE JONES – Willie Jones is an anomaly, a true artist born to stand out, and his new song “Down by the Riverside” showcases exactly why. – More >>
  •  ALANA SPRINGSTEEN – Alana Springsteen makes us all want to fall in love with her new song “California”. Listen here. – More >>
  •  LAINE HARDY – Ahead of his return to American Idol this Sunday for a special appearance, season 17 winner Laine Hardy just dropped a brand new feel-good love song, “Memorize You”. – More >>
  • NOAH HICKS & RHETT AKINS – Country newcomer Noah Hicks teamed up with Rhett Akins on a nostalgic new track, “No More of ‘Em”…- 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.

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Laine Hardy Releases Feel-good Love Song, “Memorize You”

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Laine Hardy’s new song “Memorize You” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Country newcomer and American Idol season 17 winner, Laine Hardy released a new song today, May 14th, called “Memorize You.” This follows the singer’s other recent notable singles including “Tiny Town” and “Other LA.”

“Memorize You” is a feel-good, summertime groove written by Michael Tyler, Eric Arjes, and Steven Dale Jones, and produced by Michael Knox, who works with other Nashville stars such as Jason Aldean and Thomas Rhett. The singer in the track meets a girl at the bar who then gets stuck in his head. However, you can only get to know so much about a person in one night, so he makes it his mission to learn more about her — everything from her favorite drink to her childhood stories. His assertiveness in getting to know this girl is comparable to Chris Lane in his song “I Don’t Know About You” but Hardy expresses it with a little more confidence over a more upbeat tempo.

“Every day before me, what’s your story // Baby, every single line // What makes you laugh, makes you dance, makes you fall like only love can do? // Give me some time with your smile // Baby, I wanna memorize you”

The Louisiana-native plans on having new music out this fall. He also has a dedicated and growing fan base, who he plans on seeing on the road again this summer. For tour dates, visit his website and be sure to tune in to American Idol this summer where the former winner will return for a special appearance.

Laine Hardy's new song, "Memorize You" is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

Laine Hardy’s new song, “Memorize You” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

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

“Memorize You” 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.

Alana Springsteen Releases Brand New Song “California”

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Alana Springsteen’s new song, “California” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Fiery singer-songwriter, Alana Springsteen is becoming one of our new favorites lately. Earlier this year, she released an incredible duet with Roman Alexander called “Trying Not To” and today she finally released another new solo song. After teasing the song on her social media platforms, the country-pop songstress is dropped her next track, “California.”

The new song is one of those tracks that makes you feel like you are floating on a cloud. Between the effortless lyrics and the smooth quality of Springsteen’s voice, you truly feel at ease, when listening to the song. Inspired but the vibes of California and the summer weather, “California” is all about the magic of a West Coast romance. Digging deeper into the song, fans will find that the singer is trying to make sense of reality, deciding if it’s the state or the person she is falling for.

“Maybe it’s us or maybe I’m just // Falling in love with California // I can’t decide // If it’s in my mind / It’s just the way that the lights in Santa Monica shine on you // Baby, it’s just a view baby // I’m confused // I can’t tell”

Co-written and co-produced by the rising artist, “California” will become one of your new favorites. Springsteen is an artist you’re going to want to keep your eye on. She is truly wise and talented beyond her years!

Alana Springsteen's new song, "California" is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

Alana Springsteen’s new song, “California” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

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

“California” 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.

Willie Jones Releases Jammin’ New Song “Down by the Riverside”

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Willie Jones dropped a brand new track, “Down by the Riverside”, available everywhere you buy or stream music now, May 14th. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Willie Jones is a name you’re going to want to remember. The singer-songwriter is an anomaly in country music for good reason. There are singers and there are artists, and Jones is the latter. Clearly not trying to fit in and born to stand out, Jones is the definition of a true entertainer. Combining his country roots with a clear love for hip-hop, the singer has created a sound of his own. His newest song “Down by the Riverside,” out today will give fans even more to be excited about!

From the kickoff, the new jam is a vibe. Jones digs his heels into his Louisiana roots while reminding fans of his talent. In a music landscape, where the genre is becoming less and less important, the artist shows music lovers everywhere what can be created when we focus less on genre lines and more on making good music, no matter where it fits in. Blurring genre lines between country and hip-hop, “Down By the Riverside” is a song that is hard not to love!

“You can find me out where the corn and the cotton grow // way down South, cracking bones, slamming dominoes // welcome to the ratchet Black zydeco rodeo // boss hog, I’m a dog, I’m a billy goat // down by the riverside”

We cannot wait to hear more music from Jones, whenever that may be. However, we know for a fact that he will absolutely be an incredible live performer and entertainer!

Willie Jones' new song, "Down by the Riverside" is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

Willie Jones’ new song, “Down by the Riverside” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

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

“Tequila On A Boat” 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.

Andrew Jannakos Announces New EP + Drops “Somebody Loves You”

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Andrew Jannakos revealed a forthcoming new EP, Gone Too Soon, due out June 4th, and dropped a brand new song, “Somebody Loves You”. Available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

After learning about Andrew Jannakos’ story during our exclusive spotlight interview with the singer-songwriter, we became instant fans. The singer is the real deal and has already acquired a dedicated fanbase with his previous releases, viral hit “Gone Too Soon” and sultry song, “Wine Country.” Today, the artist dropped another incredible new song entitled “Somebody Loves You.”

With the new release, Jannakos proves once again that he knows how to write a catchy hook and chorus. The new song is uplifting, fun, and easy to sing along to. From the opening guitar strums, the listener already knows that the song will be a good one. At the heart of the track, it’s a love song, proving once again, that the singer is a lover at his core.

“Somebody wants ya, needs ya // Been looking for you their whole life // Someone to hold ya, keep ya // Treat you just the way you like // Someone that won’t let you go // Somebody close, wants you to know // Somebody loves ya // Somebody loves ya”

Although maybe not the intention, the song also reminds fans to never settle for less than what they deserve. The idea that there is someone out there for everyone is enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat. The song is a type of honesty, integrity, and hope that we can all use more of right now.

“Somebody Loves You” excites us for the recently announced forthcoming EP from the singer-songwriter, Gone Too Soon, due out June 4th.

Andrew Jannako's new song, "Somebody Loves You" is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

Andrew Jannako’s new song, “Somebody Loves You” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

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

“Somebody Loves You” 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.

James Barker Band Inks Deal with Sony/Villa 40 and Release New Song

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Platinum-selling Canadian group, James Barker Band has inked a deal with Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40 and released a brand new song to celebrate, “Over All Over Again”. Available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

“Over All Over Again” is a song about two people that keep finding themselves back together, in one of those ‘never really over’ relationships. It always starts the same way, talking and flirting over drinks at their spot and one thing leads to the other like it always does to neither of their surprise, like they’re not over all over again. Then when the morning comes, they go back to being over all over again. The cycle comes and goes like clockwork and neither of the two seem to resist the inevitable each time they see it coming. 

“Here we are again who would’ve guessed // In the same old bar, our friends they all left // when the beer switched to whiskey and we couldn’t stop // you leaned in to kiss me, it sure feels a lot // like dejavu, our old song comes on, baby right on queue // it sure don’t feel wrong, all caught up in this moment, don’t care how it ends // feels like we ain’t over all over again”

The track marks the first release with their Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40 team. Although the band, formed in 2015 by Taylor Abram, James Barker, Bobby Martin, and Connor Brock Stephen, have had previous success in Canada with their #1 and platinum-certified hits, “Chills” (2017) and “Keep It Simple” (2019), this new release establishes a brand new chapter for the foursome. As they consistently build their massive fanbase in Canada, James Barker Band introduces themselves in the U.S. with this new music that continues to reflect their unique sound and style. Many of their songs have given a very laid-back vibe paired with upbeat music and effortlessly flawless vocals. “Over All Over Again” is no different, although it speaks to a relatively more serious situation than the happy, upbeat, summer-vibe they’re used to. We look forward to hearing more from the group!

James Barker Band's new song, "Over All Over Again" is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

James Barker Band’s new song, “Over All Over Again” is available now, May 14th, on all streaming platforms

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

To keep up with James Barker Band, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Over All Over Again” 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.