Nate Barnes: You Ain’t Pretty – EP Review

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Nate Barnes’ debut EP, “You Ain’t Pretty,” including the viral title track and others co-written by Steve Moakler, Jason Sellers, and more, is out now, June 4th. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

As the flagship artist on Quartz Hill Records, country newcomer Nate Barnes is off to a strong start. Following the late 2020 release of his acclaimed single “You Ain’t Pretty,” the singer/songwriter released his debut EP of the same name today, June 4th.

Featuring five new tracks, including songs co-written by Steve Moakler, Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher, and more, the You Ain’t Pretty EP is a solid batch of music to introduce Barnes to the country music world. “This collection of songs is near and dear to my heart. There are some up-tempo barnburners as well as some soulful ballads. Whether I wrote them or not, each song tells a story that I can personally relate to and each song is a little piece of me,” says Barnes in a recent statement. “We had a lot of fun making this project and I feel so fortunate to have worked with some of the best songwriters and producers in the business to craft my first-ever EP!”

The EP is focused around the title track, which has garnered quite a bit of attention, including 15 million TikTok impressions and over 1.2 million streams since its release, and rightfully so. Co-written by Barnes, Jimmy Yeary, and Sellers, “You Ain’t Pretty” is a stirring romantic track celebrating a woman that’s always pretty in his eyes. “I ain’t ever seen you looking any less than a ten // Every time it’s like an angel walked in // Stealing my heart, again and again, baby,” he croons. “I’ve seen your hair up girl, and I’ve seen it fall // Makeup on, and makeup off // Inside out, I’ve seen it all, believe me // But I ain’t ever seen you girl // When you ain’t pretty.”

On the You Ain’t Pretty EP, the theme of “ain’t” carries through three of the five songs, including the collection’s opener, “Ain’t Got a Shot” and “If This Ain’t Heaven.” While the latter is a romping celebration of love for a beautiful place, the former puts a spin on the typical country breakup song. Written by Ron Hatch, Moakler, and Aaron Eshuis, “Ain’t Got a Shot,” opens with a bluesy guitar riff, Barnes’ soulful voice crooning of love lost. Like many country songs, he’s seeking solace at the bottom of the bottle to heal his broken heart, but even that’s not enough. “If Tennessee straight // Can’t make her memory fade // Tell me what kind of chance do I got,” He laments, “Even whiskey ain’t got a shot.”

One of the EP’s highlights is “Right About Me,” a catchy song about opposites attracting. Written by Michael Delaney, Thrasher, and Sellers, “Right About Me” celebrates the kind of love that may not make sense on paper, but somehow, works. The song is a throwback to early-2000s country with a perfect chorus crafted for a live show call out. “Right about me, wrong about you,” Barnes sings in a way that’s just begging for a microphone to be outstretched to an adoring audience. 

Although Nate Barnes may be a relative newcomer to the country music scene, the You Ain’t Pretty EP is a solid introduction to the rising star.  With over 15 million TikTok impressions on his first single, it’s clear that the singer-songwriter has hit a chord with country fans, and we expect even bigger things in his future.

You Ain’t Pretty EP Track List:

  1. Ain’t Got a Shot (Rob Hatch, Steve Moakler, Aaron Eshuis)
  2. Right About Me (Neil Thrasher, Michael Delaney, Jason Sellers)
  3. You Ain’t Pretty (Nate Barnes, Jimmy Yeary, Jason Sellers)
  4. If This Ain’t Heaven (Taylor Davis, Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers)
  5. I Love You Too (Lance Miller, James McNair, Brandon Day, Jason Sellers)
Nate Barnes debut EP, 'You Ain't Pretty', is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms

Nate Barnes debut EP, ‘You Ain’t Pretty’, is available now, June 4th, 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 Nate Barnes announcements and releases.

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

You Ain’t Pretty 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: Gone Too Soon – EP Review

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Andrew Jannakos’ debut EP, Gone Too Soon, is out now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms. With 6 tracks, including the breakout single and title track, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

From a contestant on ‘The Voice’ to an overnight TikTok sensation, Andrew Jannakos is now a signed recording artist with Sony Music Nashville who just released his 6-track debut EP, Gone Too Soon. 

The EP shares a title with his debut single and the song that launched his career thanks to an overnight viral TikTok posted almost a year ago, in July of 2020. When Jannakos released the studio version of the song, it reached #12 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. If you want to know more about Jannakos’ journey into country music, check out our Swag Spotlight we did back in December of 2020 that shares everything about his childhood and musical influences, to his family and support system, as well as his career growth beginning with his time on The Voice and continued through his social media exposure. 

Since our interview with Jannakos, he has released two more singles: Wine Country, released in March, and Somebody Loves You, released just last month. Gone Too Soon includes three new songs in addition to the three pre-released singles and each song on the collection was co-written by Jannakos. 

This collection is an excellent introductory project for Jannakos as a singer-songwriter. He shares his soft and vulnerable side and can’t help but show the immense love he has for his family. “Like Yesterday” reflects on how quickly time can flies since the moment you meet your person, but how it can also feel like you’ve been together for a lifetime. 

“A lifetime ago // When I picked you up then dropped you off back home // Fifty years could pass our hearts beat just as close as they did on that night when we first kissed // Ain’t it crazy babe the way love moves fast and slow // Feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago”

“Somebody Loves You” is about finding that someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with while “We’ve Always Loved” acknowledges the ups and downs of a relationship but also the strength to always stay by each other’s side through it all. 

“the hot, the cold, the lows, the highs // from better days to harder nights // the one thing that ain’t ever changed about us // we’ve always loved”

Andrew Jannakos' debut EP, 'Gone Too Soon' is out now, June 4th

Andrew Jannakos’ debut EP, ‘Gone Too Soon’ is out now, June 4th

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

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

Gone Too Soon 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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Walker Hayes: Country Stuff – EP Review

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Walker Hayes’s new EP, Country Stuff, including the title track with Jake Owen, “Fancy Like,” and “What If We Did” featuring Carly Pearce, is out now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

There’s something uniquely Walker Hayes about Walker Hayes. While some are quick to criticize his quirky style as not country enough, there’s an undeniable quality to his music that allows the listener to immediately realize they are listening to Hayes. This is evident on his new EP, Country Stuff, out today, June 4th.

The new EP features Hayes trading verses with the likes of Jake Owen, Carly Pearce, and country singer/songwriter extraordinaire, Lori McKenna. He shows his fun side on tracks like “Country Stuff” and “Fancy Like,” while showing his more serious and introspective side on songs like “What If We Did” and “Briefcase.”

For Hayes, the Owen duet holds special significance. “Having Jake Owen on ‘Country Stuff’ is a full-circle moment for me” Hayes shares in a statement. “When I got my first publishing deal in town, Jake was one of the first artists to put a hold on one of my songs. That moment meant so much to me. To now be releasing a song with him on it… that’s just mind-blowing.”

“Fancy Like” celebrates the simpler things in life, in a tongue-in-cheek way, Hayes musing about all the ways he’s fancy. The song is a super catchy bop, name-dropping everything from Wendy’s and Applebees to Tesla, Natty Ice, and Vespa. “Yeah we fancy like Applebees // On a date night,” He sings in that patented style. “Got that Bourbon Street Steak // With the Oreo Shake // And some whipped cream on the top too // Two straws, one check // Girl, I got you.”

Hayes shows his softer side on “Make You Cry” and “I Hope You Miss Me.” On “Make You Cry,” he celebrates all the ways he makes his wife cry, out of happiness. It’s such a clever take on making someone tear up. “I know I hit the right emotion,” He sings, “When your eyes fill up with ocean.” Meanwhile, “I Hope You Miss Me” sounds like it could easily be about the one that got away. However, Hayes has previously shared that the special song is actually dedicated to his daughter who he knows is destined for Hollywood when she’s older. While he may wish her the best, he can’t help but hope that she remembers him. “People like you don’t get old with people like me,” He sings over twangy guitars on the catchy and relatable track. “I hope you find yourself,” He admits. “But selfishly, I hope you miss me.”

The EP ends with a one-two punch of female collaborations, starting off with the Carly Pearce duet, “What If We Did.” The track finds the one-night-stand pair musing that they may not make it long term, but what if they did? “That only happens never,” Hayes sings as they consider a possible future together, Pearce’s angelic voice adding a beautiful richness of layers to the already dreamy track.

For the album’s final track, “Briefcase,” Hayes called in Nashville heavy-hitter Lori McKenna (“Girl Crush,” “Humble and Kind.”) On the track, Hayes paints a brilliant parallel between his father’s briefcase and his own guitar. He sings about how he resembles his father in all aspects, and how “a guitar doesn’t fall too far from a briefcase.” The brutal honesty on display here shows Hayes at his finest.

As a singer-rapper, Walker Hayes fills a certain niche with undeniably catchy songs like “Country Stuff” and “Fancy Like.” However, he truly shines on deeper material, as evidenced on tracks like“Briefcase” and “Make You Cry.” The Country Stuff EP allows Hayes to flex both sides of his personality, and there’s something for everyone here.

Walker Hayes' EP, 'Country Stuff', is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms

Walker Hayes’ EP, ‘Country Stuff’, is available now, June 4th, 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 Walker Hayes announcements and releases.

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

Country Stuff 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.

Brett Young: Weekends Look A Little Different These Days – Review

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Brett Young’s Weekends Look A Little Different These Days is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the collection of new music.

Reflecting on his own life and its recent changes, Young delivers some of his most authentic and honest music yet in his 8-track collection, Weekends Look A Little Different These Days. The project serves as the follow-up to his multi-platinum hitmaker’s gold-certified sophomore record Ticket to L.A. and his platinum self-titled debut album.

This new collection is appropriately titled for the recent life changes he has experienced both in his career and family life, as a rising country star and soon-to-be father of two. He explores the professional and personal life-changing moments that explain just why his Weekends Look A Little Different These Days. The entire project is co-written by Young and produced by Dann Huff. It includes his pre-released song, “You Got Away With It”, his most recent single, “Not Yet”, and his hit single and seventh consecutive No. 1, “Lady”.

Young perfectly portrays the widespread emotions that come with love, family, and loss in this self-reflective and honest collection. The authenticity of the album’s title track feels like a sequel to Young’s song “Chapters”, and sets the tone for the project. Acknowledging the growth that he’s made since his younger days and realizing that when he thought he knew and had it all, it was actually nothing compared to all he knows and has now. 

“I used to stay up late and sleep in all day long // Now it’s bed by nine and wake up with the dawn // I used to need the world to spin around me // Used to think that I had everything // Now I thank // God that everything has changed // My weekends look a little different these days”

Young reflects on all the highs and lows of a relationship in “This” in a very ‘everything happens for a reason’ take on life that makes you appreciate every moment good or bad that got you to exactly where you are now. “Dear Me” follows that same idea, wishing he could tell his 23-year old self not to worry about the girl he can’t move on from because she will end up with him in the end.

“Don’t even worry it’ll be alright // There’s a light at end of these lonely nights // And it’s worth all the hell you’re going through // What if I told you // This ain’t the end you’re just halfway // You’ll look back and you’ll thank God one day // When it’s clear in your rearview // Dear me // She ends up with you”

“Leave Me Alone” and “You Didn’t” are two different takes on a similar scenario of someone leaving you. “Leave Me Alone” has a classic Young sound and couples an upbeat tune with a ‘shake it off/move on’ attitude about someone leaving you and you not wanting them to come back around like they always do. While “You Didn’t” slows things down and offers a vulnerable yet realistic take on letting someone go because they didn’t fall in love like you did. 

“There’s nothing I could say // To make you wanna stay // Your heart made up its mind // I don’t want you to lie one more minute // You ain’t done nothing wrong // I’m not where you belong // Don’t let one teardrop fall // Girl you think it’s your fault but it isn’t // I fell in love and you didn’t”

“Not Yet” and “You Got Away With It” were both pre-released singles off the album and offer the familiar Young-sound and the kind of flirty love stories that we know and love from the singer-songwriter. 

“‘Cause you still got a lot of kisses left on your lips // Yeah you still got a lot of time to take away my breath // You still got a lot of driving me wild left // With that smile // With those eyes // I ain’t done loving you tonight // Not yet”

Brett Young's new song, "Weekends Look A Little Different These Days" is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms

Brett Young’s “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days” is available now, June 4th, 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 Brett Young announcements and releases.

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

Weekends Look A Little Different These Days 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.

ERNEST Releases Brand New Song, “American Rust”

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ERNEST’s new song “American Rust” is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

Ernest Keith Smith, known professionally as ERNEST, is one of Big Loud’s predominant songwriters, penning hits for country music’s biggest stars including Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Mitchell Tenpenny, and more. ERNEST co-wrote 11 tracks on Wallen’s 10 week-number one project Dangerous: The Double Album. Simultaneously, the successful songwriter is building his own solo career as an artist with his new song “American Rust,” out today on all platforms. The new track serves as the follow-up to his latest single, “Cheers,” which came out just before the New Year.

In “American Rust,” written by himself with Rodney Clawson and Jordan Reynolds, he gets nostalgic and pays homage to small-town life. Behind classic fiddle and steel guitar, he admits that some things get better with age, including beer, country songs, trucks, and love. Produced by ACM Producer of the Year nominee Joey Moi, ERNEST expresses the joy of life’s little pleasures.

ERNEST scored a 3x platinum smash with Diplo and Wallen’s hit “Heartless,” plus the Young Thug and Mason Ramsey remix of Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ 14x platinum “Old Town Road.” He recently celebrated another number-one hit with Sam Hunt’s “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s.” Along with songwriting, ERNEST stays busy with his podcast, Just Being ERNEST, where he talks music, life, current events, and more with old and new friends. He has had several fellow country artists on, including HARDY, Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Mason Ramsey, Lainey Wilson, and more.

As ERNEST continues to release new music, he looks to have a promising career as an artist as his songs resonate with country fans everywhere.

ERNEST's new song, "American Rust" is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms

ERNEST’s new song, “American Rust” is available now, June 4th, 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 ERNEST announcements and releases.

To Keep up with ERNEST, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“American Rust” 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.

Ross Ellis Releases Brand New Song, “I Wish You Would”

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Ross Ellis dropped a brand new song, “I Wish You Would” available now, June 4th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track here and take a look below as we dig a little deeper in the new song.

One of our 2020 Artists to Watch, Ross Ellis is one of the most innovative singer-songwriters in the country music genre. Last year, Ellis mesmerized us with his beautiful song “Love Blind.” Today, the singer shows off another side of his talent with a brand new song called “I Wish You Would.”

The song starts off with a funky and jamming instrumental. When Ellis’ voice finally enters, you automatically find yourself swooning. The romantic and sensual song is as enticing as the songs get. Although the lyrics are poetic, the melody of the song is what stands out. The song is catchy without feeling like something we have heard before.

“And I wish you would // Burn me down to ashes baby // Send me up in smoke // Make it feel so good // Roll me off the mattress baby // to the hardwoods // I wish you would”

Song and song again, Ellis finds a way to deliver music that feels new and fresh. He is constantly reinventing the wheel. It is hard to listen to a playlist and hear a song by the singer and not stop and listen twice. It is no wonder why he teased the song on his socials prior to release.

Overall, we are so excited about this next chapter for the rising star. “I Wish You Would” is one of his best yet!

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Ross Ellis’ new song, “I Wish You Would” is available now, June 4th

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

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

“I Wish You Would” 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.

Noah Schnacky Collaborates with Jimmie Allen on New Song

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Noah Schnacky collaborates with Jimmie Allen on new song, “Don’t You Wanna Know,” available now on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig into the song.

Two of our favorite singers right now in country music, Noah Schnacky and Jimmie Allen, created an absolute jam together! An unexpected pairing, Schnacky and Allen collaborating is everything we didn’t know we needed. Today the singers dropped a brand new song “Don’t You Wanna Know.”

The infectious track came to Schnacky in a dream, he recalls in a recent press release. When he was ready to bring the song to fruition, he knew that Allen was the perfect collaborator. “Don’t You Wanna Know” is an absolute anthem. Both singers are not afraid to bend the genre boundaries in their music. It is clearly working for them on this song.

“He took me in, gave me his number, so the first person I could think to call was him,” shared Schnacky, talking about Allen. Allen added “I appreciate you reaching out to me. This song is fire.”

“She’s a west coast, gone east coast // A city girl out of LA // Trading a party in hills for the backroads // But she don’t know a thing about the southern thing, yeah // How much you wanna know // How much // A city boy never going to show you this stuff // Once you get a taste, you can never get enough // It’s a better kinda life, so baby trust”

Schnacky has been steadily releasing songs that his fans have fallen in love with lately. On the other hand, Allen has been killing it with collaborations of his own, on his latest project Bettie James. Despite all the amazing tunes that have come from the two, “Don’t You Wanna Know” might be one of our all-time favorites!

Noah-Schnacky-Collaborates-with-Jimmie-Allen-on-New-Song-Don't-You-Wanna-Know

Noah Schnacky and Jimmie Allen’s new song, “Don’t You Wanna Know”, is out now, June 4th

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

To keep up with Noah Schnacky, follow him on  Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
To keep up with Jimmie Allen, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Don’t You Wanna Know” 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.

Ten Things to Know About Brett Young’s New Album ‘Weekends Look A Little Different These Days’

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As we anticipate the release of Brett Young’s new album Weekends Look A Little Different These Days, due out June 4th, we’re sharing ten things to know about the record that we learned from our recent interview with the singer.

  1. Young collaborated with the writers behind his very first number one song “Sleep Without You” once again on “Not Yet”, a previously released track on the album.

“We haven’t had a single together, since “Sleep Without You,” Brett shares in our recent conversation. 

 

  1. Writing uptempo for the project was admittedly a challenge for the singer who is well known for his ballads, but upon listening to the project it’s clear he overcame the challenge seemingly well.

“Even when I write uptempo, like if you read the lyrics, it still reads like a ballad.”

 

  1. “Lady”, the lead single and chart-topping song was not originally meant to be released.

“The only reason that song was even recorded […], I played it for Dan Huff (producer) and as a baby gift for us, he wanted to record that song for us. […] because Dan did that and was so sweet to give us that song as a gift, we were able to share it with people and realize that it was probably something that people needed.” 

 

  1. You can possibly be the first to hear the new songs live.

“Nobody has heard the new songs live yet, and they won’t until the record comes out.”

 

  1. There’s a song that shares his entire love story with wife, Taylor Mills-Young.

“The song “Dear Me” is telling me and Taylor’s entire story. […] It’s to that young man that had his heartbroken that if he would just settle down, be patient, it’s still the girl, you weren’t wrong.”

 

  1. Many of the songs are still autobiographical, which his wife is getting used to.

“The hardest thing I think for her on the first record is the break-up songs […] We’re really grateful for the memories because they’ve made us really strong.”

 

  1. “You Didn’t” is a break-up song inspired by the throwback vibe of Boyz II Men.

“We were on a writer’s retreat […] and at dinner, we all started talking about, we all had a mutual love for Boyz II Men. […] so we just said, let’s get something started tonight with that in mind.”

 

  1. Young is so thankful that his song “Lady” has touched music lovers’ hearts.

“That literally is the reason that I write music. Connections like that.”

 

  1. The album’s songs capture new chapters in Young’s life right now.

“My goal is always to pull back the curtain a little bit. Vulnerability and authenticity are paramount for me.”

 

  1. This record challenged the singer’s songwriting.

“The thing that I had to let go of was the timing of it all, learning that I could plug myself into stories that didn’t speak to the current state that I am in right now.”

 

Check in with us this Friday, June 4th for a full review of Brett Young’s new album Weekends Look A Little Different These Days.

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

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

For the latest country music tunes, follow our  ‘New Country Music’ playlist for your weekly new music fix.

Dylan Scott’s “Nobody” Earns Him a #1 Single at Country Radio

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Dylan Scott’s “Nobody” rises to the top of the country music charts, earning him his second number one single at country radio.

This week Dylan Scott’s current radio single, “Nobody” is the number one song on the charts! It is hard to believe that this marks only the second number-one single of his career since his song “My Girl” flew up the charts a few years ago.
“Nobody” was an instant hit, since it was released two years ago. Both catchy and romantic, the song appealed to country music lovers everywhere. In this song, Scott combines his talent for creating catchy romance songs with adding a unique flavor to his music.
“I know how you like your coffee // And how hot you like your bath // I know what makes you angry // And what makes you laugh // I know the taste of your lips // Every inch of your skin // The little things that turn you on // I know that look in your eyes when they look back at mine…”

Since the beginning, it has been clear that fans and country radio alike adore this side of Scott’s talent. We imagine that he will have more number ones to come if he continues on this trajectory. Congrats to Dylan Scott and his team on “Nobody” going number one at country radio!

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

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

“Nobody” 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.

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Who Is Adam Sanders? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

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Adam Sanders

The Beginning:

Today we bring you the story behind singer-songwriter Adam Sanders’ journey to country music. Growing up in a small town in North Florida, Sanders’ life revolved around music. “I started singing when I was three years old. I always say music picked me, I didn’t pick music,” declared the singer at the start of our interview.

As a child, Sanders recalls being enamored with music especially, 90s country music. “90s country was sort of my first love and always will be,” shared the artist. Later, he declared his love for one particular country music legend. “When I was about 3 years old, Alan Jackson was like my childhood hero. I really looked at him as who inspired me to move to Nashville.” Of course, the singer now credits his love of music in general for inspiring him, namedropping artists like The Band Camino, Jason Aldean, LANY, and Tim McGraw as some of his favorites.

Interestingly enough, Sanders later realize that Alan Jackson reminded him of his uncle. That same uncle happened to work in country music. His uncle inspired him to begin writing songs at the tender age of 12 years old. “You should look into writing songs and that could be your way into the music industry one day,” said his uncle to Sanders. “The next day I wrote a song with my dad at 12 years old and found that I really enjoyed the process. Fast forward however many years later, that was actually true and that’s how I got my start in the music industry.”

The Turning Point:

Sanders’ dream to move to Nashville to pursue music came to fruition in 2009. “I started writing songs for a living. I was in Nashville for two years and found my first publishing deal. […] and about 6 months into my deal, I had my first cut on a Luke Bryan album.” The singer went on to achieve cuts on albums for the likes of Bryan, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Dustin Lynch, and more. He even scored two number ones as a songwriter with Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” and Lynch’s “Hell of a Night.”

Slowly, but surely, Sanders began to cut his teeth in Nashville as an artist too. The singer began releasing songs independently and growing his fanbase organically throughout his years in the industry. “I’m just sort of programmed to think about music all day, every day,” shared the singer, when asked about the challenges of being an independent artist. “For me, it’s never felt like a job because it’s the only thing I ever really wanted.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Sanders has crossed the threshold of 100 million streams on music platforms. Also, this year, the singer finally got to release a full-length project that his fans have been patiently waiting for. The album, What If I’m Right dropped earlier this month.

“Last year, when I released a song call “Make Em Wanna Change,” I really started to find a common thread about what my fans wanted me to sound like and what they wanted to hear from me. I feel like that was sort of the tip of the iceberg for the album,” shared Sanders.

The singer included a fan-favorite song, “Bible Versus” on his newest project. Another standout track on the record is a collaboration with friend and co-creator Cole Swindell. “Daddy Jesus & Earnhardt” was written during a time when Swindell invited Sanders on his bus to catch the NASCAR races together.

Through conversation about their childhoods, their mutual love of NASCAR, and country music, a song was born. “We thought how cool would it be as a visual to have people in the crowd to hold up a 1 for daddy, a 2 for Jesus, and a 3 for Earnhardt,” began Sanders. “I feel like [the song is] just very honest and true about how I grew up and how a lot of other people grew up. So, I think the relatability of that song is what makes it really resonate with people.”

As the record continues to gain in popularity, Sanders shows no signs of slowing down. The singer is hopeful that another album will be out before the year ends. Sanders is also looking forward to getting back out on the road to connect with country music lovers all across the country!

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Adam Sanders’ ‘What If I’m Right’ album is available now

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What If I’m Right 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.