elvie-shane-demascus

Elvie Shane: ‘Damascus’ – Album Review

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Elvie Shane’s brand new album, Damascus is out now, April 19th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

For Elvie Shane, his sophomore album, Damascus, is a continuation of a story that began with his debut project, Backslider. Released in late 2021, his Broken Bow debut was an autobiography of sorts, sharing his personal journey, while his new LP continues to tell that story while mixing in those of others.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot since Backslider,” Shane shares in a statement. “I’ve attained just about everything I’ve ever dreamed of…seen the world and made a living with music. I’ve been on top and back down in the mud. In that travel and experience, I’ve paid close attention to people more than anything. I’ve seen a lot of struggle, but in that struggle, I found common ground and inspiration,” he continues. “Damascus is a record that aims to pick a fight with what holds people down. Normal everyday Blue Collar America…my people. These are not all my stories, but they are all stories I believe to be true.”    

Throughout the collection, the “My Boy” singer dabbles in hip hop, blues, soul, 80’s, and of course country. He pairs his powerful voice with choirs, female background vocalists, unexpected instrumentation, and even Little Big Town. 

Produced by Oscar Charles and featuring thirteen songs written or co-written by Shane, Damascus is truly an album that makes a statement. “It’s just so raw. It makes me feel like I felt when I was a kid, pissed off at the world and rocking headphones on the school bus,” he says. “I don’t wanna ever be put in a box where I can’t explore the craziest music. And this way I had an excuse to put it all on one record.” 

The album opens with “Outside Dog,” unexpectedly pairing twangy guitars with a hip-hop-meets-scat-inspired melody that finds Shane an outsider. “I’m an outside dog howling along,” He growls over thumping guitars, comparing himself to a pup who never quite fits in. It’s the perfect opener for Damascus with its unexpected sounds and message of nonconformity.

Much of the album finds Shane exploring similar themes, appreciating his Appalachian roots, while also escaping them. “What Do I Know?” is a clear example of this, a slow and moody track that finds him looking back at his raising over a downtuned guitar. The song builds to an incredible climax as the singer-songwriter growls in an almost prayerful passion, “What do I know?”

“I think red lipstick on a woman’s lips look sexy // I think coke’s okay, but it’s way damn better with Jack // I think the outlaws, Waylon and Johnny are gone forever // I think Jesus // He’s coming back // Oh, but what do I know // what do I know // I’m just a hard-working, beer-working, son of an average Joe // Like to think there ain’t nothing that I can’t fix with a hammer and crescent wrench, oh, but what do I know // what do I know // what do I know”

“Appalachian Alchemy” and “Forgotten Man” are also nods to his upbringing, with the latter a soaring Springsteen-esque anthem. “The color of my neck is still the same as my blood,” He proclaims. “Send me off to school // Try to turn me to a scholar // Can’t unpaint the blue on my collar”

Throughout Damascus, the background vocalists often shine, adding incredible depth to these already-powerful songs. While the vocalists are not always known to the listener, there’s one exception: Little Big Town. The harmonic quartet join Shane on “First Place,” a driving uptempo that finds him drowning his sorrows in the bottle. Here, he’s drinking to forget but this is a song to remember with its incredible vocals. Shane blends seamlessly with the synchrony of the iconic band, providing an epic moment that would be a live show-stopper.

The Kentucky native also touches on more sensitive topics on the album, including prison, addiction, and seeking out a fix. “Jonesin” is a wild up-tempo that finds him on the hunt for what’s next, and what’s bigger or better to give a quick fix. Meanwhile, “215634” is a tune about one’s time spent behind bars. “These 4 cold walls, they don’t change much,” He sings. “Oh My name ain’t my name no more…it’s 215634.”

“Pill” is truly a powerful and poignant moment on the album, dealing with the Opioid crisis and the effect it has on families. “’Pill’ is my story, told from the perspective of a note to me from my little brother in my most trying times. It’s an apology to those I love for the turmoil I put them through,” Shane said in a statement. “But for me this goes way beyond just what my family and I have gone through. I want to be a vessel and share other people’s struggles and experiences, even if it helps one person, that means I did my job.”

“Fan on High” offers a moment of levity on the LP with its dancehall inspired music and incredible sliding piano. Meanwhile, “Winning Horse” is a love song that features driving percussion meant to emulate a horse running as he implores someone to “take this love to the finish line.” 

“Baptized” also offers a clever take on a love song, bluesy and punctuated with powerful choir-like background vocals throughout the slow groove of a track. Frankly, Shane is in no rush to discover heaven if it can’t top what he has on earth.

“If this ain’t heaven on earth // Not sure what heaven is worth // ‘Cause I damn sure ain’t in a hurry to get there // If there ain’t moments like this // Lost in the rush of your kiss // Found in the touch of your skin, out somewhere // Down that same Wild Creek Road // Where sins get set afloat// Washed by the want in your eyes // Baptized”

The album ends with the powerful “Does Heaven Have a Creek,” which also finds the singer grappling with the afterlife. It’s a Gospel-inspired piano ballad that came from questions he struggled with after the passing of his grandmother. It’s “simply the wondering mind of a believer,” shares Shane. “A testimony of hope that Heaven has a few of the simple pleasures we enjoy here on earth. Is Heaven only for A-List Christians? Is there room for a prodigal ‘Good Ole Boy’ from Kentucky just trying to live a decent life and be a good man?”

Elvie Shane is truly unapologetic yet triumphant on Damascus, blending styles and sounds with incredible vocals and honesty that creates a must-listen for music fans.

Damascus Tracklist

  1. Outside Dog (Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Jonathan Sherwood)
  2. What Do I Know (written by Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Dan Couch, Jonathan Sherwood)
  3. Jonesin’ (feat. Jenna McClelland) (Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Ryan Tyndell, Jeremy Spillman)
  4. Baptized  (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
  5. Forgotten Man (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
  6. Pill (Elvie Shane, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia)
  7. 215634 (Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Ben Chapman)
  8. Appalachian Alchemy (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston)
  9. First Place (feat. Little Big Town) (Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Dan Couch, Jakob Miller)
  10. Winning Horse (Elvie Shane, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
  11. Fan On High (Elvie Shane, Driver Williams, Hayes Carll)
  12. Chicken Shit (Elvie Shane, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell, Oscar Charles)
  13. Does Heaven Have A Creek (Elvie Shane)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. What Do I Know
  2. First Place (with Little Big Town)
  3. Does Heaven Have a Creek
  4. Forgotten Man
elvie-shane-demascus

Elvie Shane shares his brand new album, ‘Damascus,’ out now 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 Elvie Shane releases.

For tour dates and more, visit Shane’s website here.

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

Damascus 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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Who is Skip Ewing? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

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Quick Facts:

Full Name – Donald Ralph “Skip” Ewing
Birthdate – March 6th
Hometown – Redlands, California
Current City – Dubois, Wyoming
Musical Influences – James Taylor, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson
Current Single – “Windmill” // as of date of article: 4/17/2024

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on an artist who has lived many lifetimes. Skip Ewing is an award-winning singer-songwriter, who has boasted multiple number ones as a songwriter. He decided to step away from the music industry, only to find himself back in it currently. We chatted with the artist about his incredible and windy path, new music, and everything in between.

“I don’t remember a time where I didn’t play guitar. I was told I asked for a guitar when I was like four,” began the California native. “I just played it incessantly, I just loved it. The joke was that I could play guitar before I could read.” At an early age, Ewing was engulfed in music. “There was so many different musical influences like classical and country. […] Country influences would have been like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and then there were people like James Taylor, and I was totally into The Police, and Sting, and The Beatles.”

Throughout his upbringing, the singer-songwriter would craft music and play different instruments during every waking moment. “I couldn’t really get very many guitar lessons, so I would stay up late at night and I would put a foam curler under my strings, all the way up the saddle of my guitar, so I could play and I wouldn’t get caught. I would just make stuff up,” he shared. Adding,“I started playing five-string mandolin, and I played bass, and piano. I just played everything that I possibly could. I sang in choir, I did musical theatre, and I didn’t know I would be a country music artist [at the time].”

While the singer did not necessarily dream of a career in country music, he always yearned to continue to express himself through music. “I just wanted to express myself artistically in the most authentic way I could,” shared the artist, who found himself landing in Nashville shortly upon graduating high school.

The Turning Point:

Once he was offered a job in Nashville, Tennessee, Ewing took it and there was no turning back. “I was an ensemble singer there. Some people heard some songs I was working on and they liked it, and I got signed to publishing deal.” Shortly thereafter he landed cuts and hits for artists like George Jones, Randy Travis, and Trisha Yearwood.

He also landed himself a record deal. Despite the fact that Ewing was seemingly “living the dream,” he was losing touch with the self-expression that he always loved in music. “What happened was that the songs I wanted to record as an artist, I was told were terrible. Some of the songs I wanted to record were number one hits. […] I tried to make people happy, and maybe I tried to make the wrong people happy, but my heart wasn’t happy. I kept trying to please everyone else, but it got to a place where it felt like my artistic soul was eroding a bit.”

He decided to leave it all behind and sell everything in favor of studying horsemanship, something he had begun to love. “On my own spiritual journey, I had fallen in love with horses. The more I worked with horses, the more I learned about myself, and the more I learned about myself, the more I realized I could be a better human if I studied that,” he shared. Adding,“The more that went along, the more powerful the journey became. I met my wife in Texas at a clinic down there, and that just led itself all the way up to us moving to Wyoming. […] We moved there on faith and we just said let’s be here because it’s gorgeous, and I feel like I’m planting my roots in the right kind of soil.”

Eventually, while his wife was away working as a videographer and photographer, Ewing began to pick up the guitar again. “She came home after I had written a few songs, and I played them for her. She said, ‘honey, I think the journeys have to come together. I think you’re in a place, where the world needs to hear what you are doing.’”

Ewing and his wife took another leap of faith, and the singer-songwriter began to write and release music again.

Today:

Flash forward to today, Ewing is as relevant today as he was many years ago. Still crafting songs that speak to his artistry, the singer is at his absolute best. “It was like being a brand new artist. What I did was I wrote a few songs, and then somehow I just knew in my heart who should produce it with me. It was someone I hadn’t done anything with for over twenty years. The very first song I ever played guitar on for someone else, that I wrote was a song for, was Randy Travis called “If I Didn’t Have You,” the number one single from his greatest hits album. I went to play guitar in the studio and the proper, his name was Kyle Lehning, and his presence in the studio struck me and I never forgot it.”

With a Christmas record and one album, Wyoming already under his belt, Ewing is about to release another new record called, Road To California. Recently, the singer released a song off the project called, “Windmill,” which truly speaks to the poetic nature of his songwriting.

“That song really describes the singer who is the windmill, who speaks to his own efforts of being still deeply in love with someone that they lost, and he experiences that person as the wind. A windmill doesn’t really have a choice, it spins towards the wind, if there’s wind, it spins. And in its own way the power of love that exists in its own way takes a small breath of a memory or anything like that to just spin us around and have us right back in it,” he shared.

While we await Ewing’s next studio album, fans can checkout “Windmill,” as well as, the songwriter’s cut on Ernest’s new duet with Lainey Wilson called “Would If I Could.” To keep up with the singer and to catch him on the road, head to his website here.

Connect:

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

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

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

Morgan Wallen & Eric Church Hit #1 with “Man Made A Bar”

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Morgan Wallen continues his streak of number ones with his eleventh song to top the country charts, “Man Made A Bar” featuring Eric Church. Get all the details here.

Morgan Wallen continues his streak of number ones. It seems every song he sends to country radio quickly finds its way to the top of the charts.  Following his songs “Last Night,”  and “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” Wallen adds to his catalog of hits. Fan-favorite collaboration with Eric Church, “Man Made A Bar” marks Wallen’s eleventh number one single at country radio.

In previous interviews, Wallen has shared his love for Eric Church, so seeing these two superstars collaborate was a real treat for fans. “Man Made A Bar,” off of Wallen’s One Thing At a Time album, is a quintessential country song. Nostalgic, honest, and endearing the song talks about all the things God made and their purpose, especially when it comes to tending to a broken heart.

Eric Church & Morgan Wallen performing “Man Made A Bar” Live on the CMA Awards // Photo Courtesy of CMA

“Opened up back in ’85, got me over my first wife // Been stayin’ busy since the first night // It’s a story old as time // God made the world in seven short days // He said it was good, I bet it was great // And God made a man, the man got lonely // He said, “Please, Lord, if I could only have an angel to hold in my arms” // So God made a girl, his best work of art // Oh, but he didn’t make no place to go when she breaks your heart // So man madе a bar”

Congrats to Wallen and his team on their eleventh number one! There is surely more to come! Congrats to Church too!

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Morgan Wallen announcements and releases.

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

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

“Man Made A Bar” 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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Ernest: ‘Nashville, Tennessee’ – Album Review

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Ernest releases his brand new album, Nashville, Tennessee, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

Country is cool again, and ERNEST proves that in his new album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. Although renowned for his multi-platinum songs such as “Son of a Sinner” (Jelly Roll), “Big, Big Plans” (Chris Lane) and “More Than My Hometown” (Morgan Wallen), among others, this marks the third studio album for the Nashville-native. ERNEST pays homage to the great city that raised him from childhood to country hitmaker. 

With a healthy 26-tracks, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE contains different sounds and themes, as well as a variety of features and covers. Overall, this album is very COUNTRY, which is especially unique for someone who has made his career off more “pop,” even “beachy” country songs.  Banjo and steel guitar are littered all over the record, more notably in songs such as “How’d We Get Here,” the somber “Ain’t As Easy,” the fast-paced “Smokin’ Gun,” and “Kiss of Death.”

Humor is another trait ERNEST prominently displays. He first exhibited his comedy on “Drunk With My Friends” on his sophomore album, Flower Shops (The Album): Two Dozen Roses, and we see it again in songs like “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” “One More Heartache,” “Honkytonk Fairytale,” and the amusing “Redneck Sh*ttt.” In One More Heartache,” the singer admits this love is causing severe emotional bruising, but he has room for one more ‘do me right then do me wrong’ situation. The lonely singer in “Honkytonk Fairytale” sits at the bar wishing his whiskey bottle had a genie inside so it can bring his ex back. “Redneck Sh*ttt” is a super catchy, hip-hop styled anthem about…well, doing redneck sh*t. 

“Doin’ redneck sh*t // It’s just how all us rednecks get // When we get around other rednecks // Out where rednecks live // Y’all, it ain’t my fault, there ain’t no asphalt // Way out here in the sticks // Just a bunch of redneck sh*t”

ERNEST brought five friends and one family member on the record. Jelly Roll features in the aforementioned “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” where the two compare their upbringings. Although they both took very different paths, they both ended up as artists on Music Row. On what might be the greatest vocal moment on the album, Lainey Wilson features on “Would If I Could.” The two lovers want to rekindle their relationship, but known deep-down it is not the best long-term decision. Newcomer, Lukas Nelson provides his vocals on one of the most country songs on the record, “Why Dallas,” where he blames the city for stealing his woman away from him. What will likely be the most popular song (mainly because of the other artists on it) “Hanging On” with Morgan Wallen is a more modern-sounding track that has the man hung up on a one-night fling with a stunner at the bar. 

“You left me hangin’ on // By a thread of them blue jeans // Baby now I’m wondering where it all went wrong // You got me hangin’ on on”

ERNEST included a cover of “Twinkle, Twinkle” with his son, Ryman, live at Fenway Park on Wallen’s One Night At A Time Tour. HARDY and ERNEST teamed up for a country cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Given his current career path, it makes sense that he chose HARDY to cover this one with, but we were shocked hearing its traditional country sound rather than HARDY’s new, hard rock vibe. He also covered another non-country song—John Mayer’s metaphoric “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.” ERNEST recorded his own version of Cole Swindell’s “Sayin’ You Love Me,” which he originally wrote for Swindell’s Stereotype record. We wonder, out of all the songs he has wrote for other artists, why he chose this one to include on the record. Whatever the reason, we approve of his rendition! 

Love and heartache are other major themes on the album in other songs such as “Never Said I Love You,” “You Don’t Have To Die,” “Too Late,” and “Summertime Flies.” The album closes with “Bars On My Heart,” and “Dollar To Cash,” with the former being an uplifting way to reflect on all that heartbreak. The singer credits this honkytonk for getting her off his mind. In the latter, the singer goes over his will, concluding that he owes his entire life to country music. So, he decides that his final dollars will go into the jukebox to play Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Cash songs. 

“Play some Loretta // And dial up some Jones // Don’t rock the jukebox // Play old country songs // Can’t take it with me // When I’m six feet under that grass // So give my last paycheck to Paycheck // And my last dollar to Cash”

Although massive albums are the norm now, it’s impressive to have a collection of songs that are so different and unique. What’s even more extraordinary is that ERNEST co-wrote 20 of the 26 tracks. ERNEST did right with his tribute of Music City, and if cities could speak, Nashville would be proud of NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Nashville, Tennessee Tracklist:

  1. I Went To College / I Went To Jail (feat. Jelly Roll) (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Rivers Rutherford, Luke Bryan)
  2. Ain’t As Easy (Ernest Keith Smith, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chandler Paul Walters)
  3. Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson) (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Grady Block, Jordan Merrigan, Lukas Nelson)
  4. One More Heartache (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
  5. Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rhys Rutherford, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
  6. Did It For The Story (Ernest Keith Smith, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
  7. How’d We Get Here (Ernest Keith Smith)
  8. Never Said I Love You (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters)
  9. Would If I Could (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Dean Dillon, Donald Ewing II)
  10. Honkytonk Fairytale (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Dallas Wilson, Brad Clawson)
  11. Smokin’ Gun (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Grady Block, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
  12. Twinkle Twinkle (Live At Fenway Park) [feat. Ryman Saint] (Jane Taylor)
  13. Life Goes On (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
  14. If You Don’t Know By Now (Clint Daniels, Dale Dodson)
  15. You Don’t Have To Die (Clint Ingersoll, Chris Stapleton)
  16. Redneck Sh*ttt (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
  17. Small Town Goes (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Cody Lohden, Ryan Vojtesak, Chandler Paul Walters)
  18. Kiss Of Death (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Ryan Vojtesak)
  19. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (John Clayton Mayer)
  20. Ain’t Too Late (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Merrigan, Cody Lohden)
  21. Sayin’ You Love Me (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, James McNair)
  22. Summertime Flies (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Grady Block, Jacob Durrett, Ross Portaro)
  23. Ain’t Right Ain’t Wrong (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Ryan Vojtesak)
  24. Creep (feat. Hardy) (Colin Greenwood, Jonathan Greenwood, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway, Thomas Yorke)
  25. Bars On My Heart (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
  26. Dollar To Cash (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rafe Tenpenny, Brett Tyler)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Redneck Sh*ttt”
  2. “I Went To College / I Went To Jail”
  3. “Small Town Goes”
  4. “One More Heartache”
  5. “Dollar To Cash”
ernest-nashville

Ernest shares his brand new album, ‘Nashville, Tennessee,’ out now on alls streaming platforms.

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

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

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

walker-county-album

Here Is Walker County’s Debut Album ‘Painted Ponies’

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Walker County releases their brand new debut album, Painted Ponies, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

After making waves in the country music industry, Walker County are finally releasing their brand new debut album and re-introducing themselves. The duo comprised of sisters, Ivy and Sophie Walker share their new, eleven song project, Painted Ponies, out today (4/12). Each of the songs speak to their incredible songwriting prowess, their knack for crafting a relatable song, and of course, their journey thus far as they navigating the windy road that is the music industry.

The sister duo created this record with the support of producer, Paul Sikes who encouraged them to make the record they always wanted to make. “We needed to break free,” says the duo in a recent interview with People. “We want to run with this passion that we have for music, and we’re finally taking that opportunity to run. These songs definitely correlate with our whole journey with becoming an independent artist.”

Listen to the brand new album now, Painted Ponies now to get a taste of what Walker County are all about!

Painted Ponies Tracklist:

  1. 20%
  2. The Thing About Fences
  3. Hits Home
  4. Settling’s for Dust
  5. Double-Wide World
  6. Skeletons
  7. Small Pond
  8. What You Don’t Get
  9. Handwritten
  10. Two Birds
  11. Painted Ponies
walker-county-album

Walker County shares their new album, ‘Painted Ponies,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

To keep up with Walker County, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

Tyler Hubbard: ‘Strong’ – Album Review

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Tyler Hubbard releases his brand new album, Strong, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

For Tyler Hubbard, much of his sophomore album, Strong, was inspired by Keith Urban. The former Florida Georgia Line frontman spent months touring with the Aussie superstar while writing this project and honing his craft. “We were watching him play every night, and his live show is just high energy, fun and a great time,” shares Hubbard. “We wanted to write songs good enough to make Keith jealous (laughs).”

Of the album’s thirteen tracks, Hubbard wrote or co-wrote all of them, while also co-producing alongside Jordan Schmidt. For the EMI Nashville artist, the album represents a natural growth and solidification of his sound as a solo artist. Here, he examines themes of love, loss, heartbreak, nostalgia, and celebrating life.

The album opens with “Wish You Would,” an 80’s-tinted mid-tempo that was crafted purely with a good time in mind. Written as a live show opener, the track also makes the perfect album opener, as Hubbard implores someone to  “Be my up all nighter and my morning light, be my shotgun rider, my every Sunday drive.”

Of the track, he reveals, “We were aiming for something fun with a fresh sound and a little different – channeling a show-opener type of vibe. This song was just a natural, fun song, and not much of it changed from the demo to the studio, which is always great.”

That type of vibe is prevalent throughout the album, weaving its way through songs like the semi-autobiographical “Park,” “A Lot With a Little,” and “Night Like That.” The latter was specifically crafted with a live show in mind, and the result is the perfect party starter. “It’s now just one of those songs where you want to hear it on a Friday night — just get the party started and set the mood right,” shares Hubbard in a statement. “We’ve all been there and just needed a night like that in some form or fashion.”

Hubbard also taps into themes of nostalgia and longing for simpler times throughout Strong, evident on song like “Back Then Right Now,” “American Mellencamp,” “Summer Talkin’” and “Take Me Back.” While “Summer Tallkin’’ is an ode to a fleeting summer romance, “Back Then Right Now” finds him dreaming of simpler times and feeling nostalgic for his younger days. “Back then, it was simple, it was slow,” He muses. “We didn’t worry ‘bout what we didn’t know.”

“Take Me Back” is a clever mid-tempo love song to his hometown. While Hubbard admits that he left there at a young age, it’s his hometown that made him who he is, and he hopes they can forgive him, their prodigal son.

“I think about you when a summer rain falls // I sing about you when I’m writin’ these songs //  Didn’t forget about you for a minute // I know I hurt you and it hurts to admit It // I hate that I left you without a goodbye // Would you forgive me, give it one more try // Do I stand a chance if I ever come back around // Would you take me back, hometown?”

The introspective singer-songwriter also takes things down a more personal route with “‘73 Beetle,” a song he considers a continuation to “Miss My Daddy.” Hubbard wrote the song about his deceased father and one of their favorite pastimes. “This song is written about a really personal part of my life. It’s part of one of the things my dad and I loved to do together,” he shares. “I still have that car – that ‘73 beetle. It’s not completely finished, but it’s close. Every line is a true story in this song. And, it’s the only song on this album I wrote solely by myself.”

“Vegas” is a fun standout, a whimsical take on love at first sight that has Hubbard prepared to take a girl to Vegas and wife her up immediately. Meanwhile, “BNA” is another standout with its sunny instrumentation that allows the Georgia native to experiment with a new sound. He admits that the goal of the airport-inspired tune was to have an “80s/1975 undertone vibe” and that the super catchy tune does just that.

The album closes with its titular track, a lyrical representation of Hubbard’s love for his wife, Hayley. “It’s kind of a cool way to express that in a country boy-type of way. There’s something powerful about talking about the strength of the things I touch on in the song, but ultimately, it’s how I have felt since the beginning with her,” he shares.

In addition to representing his relationship with his wife, Hubbard admits that “Strong” is a true representation of this LP and his career at the moment. “It represents the overall project and where I am. It’s also how I’m feeling. And, hopefully, it helps and encourages others to kind of channel their inner strength in a way that can be fun. We are all probably a lot stronger than we think. Yes, it has multiple layers, but I do love the heart behind this song…I’m glad this made the record, and I’m so glad this song is going to get to live in a live show.”

Strong Tracklist:

  1. Wish You Would (Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and Chris LaCorte)
  2. Park (Tyler Hubbard, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Canaan Smith)
  3. A Lot With A Little (Tyler Hubbard, Casey Brown and Parker Welling)
  4. Night Like That  (Tyler Hubbard, Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt)
  5. Take Me Back (Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and Chris LaCorte)
  6. Back Then Right Now (Tyler Hubbard, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia and Geoff Warburton)
  7. Vegas (Tyler Hubbard, Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt)
  8. Turn (Tyler Hubbard, Casey Brown and Josh Miller)
  9. American Mellencamp (Tyler Hubbard, Jaren Johnston and Jordan Schmidt)
  10. BNA (Tyler Hubbard, Chase McGill and Jordan Schmidt)
  11. Summer Talkin’ (Tyler Hubbard, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley)
  12. ‘73 Beetle (Tyler Hubbard)
  13. Strong (Tyler Hubbard, Matt Dragstrem and Josh Miller)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Take Me Back
  2. BNA
  3. Vegas
  4. Strong
Tyler-hubbard-strong-album

Tyler Hubbard saures his brand new album, ‘Strong,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

This summer, Hubbard will be hitting the road with Kane Brown’s In The Air Tour. For tour dates and more, visit his website here.

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

Strong is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music 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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Cole Swindell Shares New Song “Forever To Me”

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Cole Swindell’s new song, “Forever To Me” is out now, April 12th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Cole Swindell is in love, and he is sharing his happiness with the world.

Written by Swindell, Greylan James, and Rocky Block, “Forever To Me” is a ballad sharing the singer’s love for his fiancée Courtney Little. He shares how she is an answered prayer after he waited patiently for a special someone to come into his life. Painting a beautiful picture of how they met and their engagement you can tell how in love the Georgia Native is.

Swindell and Little met several years ago at a Nascar event as Little works for Monster energy. They exchanged numbers but were just friends. They reconnected when the award-winning singer cast Little in his “Some Habits” video marking that as their first date. And the rest is history.

“She gave 18 summers to Carolina\ Spent a few more wild and free\ Gave a long shot a chance\ To a Georgia boy in Tennessee\ I gave a promise to her daddy\ And a grass stain to my knee\ I mighta gave her the diamond\ But she gave forever to me.

This is Swindell’s second personal song in a row as “Forever to Me” follows his single “3 Feet Tall” where he opened up about watching divorce unfold through a child’s perspective. He sure isn’t shying away from showing his vulnerable side. It really gives his fans a chance to connect with his experiences and see him as relatable and not just as a famous artist. 

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Cole Swindell shares new song, “Forever To Me,” out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

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Riley Green: ‘Way Out Here’ – EP Review

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Riley Green releases his brand new EP, Way Out Here, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

On his new EP, Way Out Here, Riley Green continues to establish himself as one of the genre’s most consistent hitmakers. The seven song collection, released April 12, allows the singer-songwriter to get recorded versions of these songs into the hands of his fans.

“We’ve been playing these new songs on the road and wanted to get them to the fans as soon as possible,” said Green of his decision to release the EP. “I’m always working on new music and have more coming throughout the year.”  

On the follow up to 2023’s Ain’t My Last Rodeo, the Alabama native wrote or co-wrote five of the collection’s seven tracks. Here, he pairs his modern traditional sound with poignant and personal lyrics.

The EP opens with “Jesus Saves,” a perfect song for Green that tugs at the heartstrings much in the vein of “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” On the sparse ballad, he tells the story of an encounter with a homeless man, sharing stories of how things ended up that way. It’s a story similar to Emerson Drive’s “Moments,” reminding listeners that appearances can be deceiving. “It’s hard to see all that when you’re driving by,” He sings of the man’s story. “So I just write down ‘Jesus Saves,’ ’cause there ain’t no way I could fit that on a sign.”

The EP also features the previously released “Way Out Here” and “Damn Good Day to Leave,” both of which are Green at his finest. On the latter, he’s tongue in cheek as he deals with a breakup with a positive attitude, while “Way Out” is a catchy celebration of all the best things about country life.

“We don’t take a dime if we ain’t earned it // When it comes to weight, brother, we pull our own // If it’s our backwoods where you live and you’re concerned with // Well, you can leave us alone // ‘Cause we’re about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere // Way out here”

“Good Morning from Mexico” is an immediate standout, a beachy and playful letter to the girl who broke his heart. On the tropical tinted tune, he lives it up in Mexico, saying “adios” to his ex. “Well good morning from Mexico, I found a little senorita, and she don’t wanna let me go, we got us a bungalow, and I’ve been living off of coconut and Modelo,” He muses. “Thought I never would recover, find another lover, Hey I guess you never know, so good morning from Mexico.”

“Pick A Place” is a mid-tempo ballad that’s dedicated to escaping the trappings of everyday life and finding somewhere to escape to in order to rekindle an old flame. “Just pick a place where hearts don’t break and I’ll open up a tab, somewhere we don’t know a soul and we can wash away the past,” He implores. “Somewhere it don’t hurt, girl, just say the word and I’m on my way, All you gotta do is pick a place”

Rounding out the EP is the swampy and blues-laden “Worst Way” and a fan favorite from Green’s live shows, a countrified cover of Bruce Springsteen’s classic, “Atlantic City.”

Way Out Here Tracklist:

  1. Jesus Saves (Riley Green)
  2. Way Out Here (Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy, Josh Thompson)
  3. Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen)
  4. Good Morning from Mexico (Riley Green)
  5. Damn Good Day to Leave (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton, Nick Walsh)
  6. Pick a Place (Riley Green, Erik Dylan)
  7. Worst Way (Riley Green)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Good Morning from Mexico
  2. Jesus Saves
  3. Way Out Here

    Riley-green-ep-way-out-here

    Riley Green shares his brand new EP, ‘Way Out Here,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

Green will make a stop at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh on April 24. Tour dates and more can be found here.

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

Way Out Here is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music 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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Harper Grace Shares New Single”Break It Like A Man’

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Harper Grace releases new song “Break It Like A Man,” out now, April 12th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Since last year, singer-songwriter and Curb Records artist, Harper Grace has grown tremendously as an artist. While her previous singles like “Down In My Hometown” were impressive, her newest song is one of our favorites to date. Today, Grace releases her bran new single, “Break It Like A Man.”

Written by the songstress with Alex Kline and Scott Stepakoff, “Break It Like A Man” is honest, gritty, and in your face in th best way. The song expresses the notion that men should have the courage to break-up rather than to ghost and just keep a person hanging. Throughout the song, Grace feels confident, despite, the heartbreaking nature she is expressing in the anthemic song.

“We were so hot // Burning red // Now you’re like smoke rising off a cigarette / /You drift away // You disappear // too scared to say what’s going on here // I can see it from your look away look // You want me to let you off that hook // But ain’t your mama baby // I ain’t’ your saving grace // If you’re trying to tell me something // better tell me to my face // Go on and wreck it honey // Make sure I understand, quit lying the you love me, while you’re letting go of my hand” 

In her first release of 2024, Grace knocks it out of the park. “Break It Like A Man” feels mature and full of artistry. We are exited to see what’s next for the rising star.

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

To keep up with Harper Grace, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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

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Who is Shelby Darrall? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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

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Shelby Darrall // Photo credit: Anna Schaeffer

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Shelby Darrall
Birthdate – 04/28/1995
Hometown – Calistoga, California
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Eric Church, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Eagles, Etta James
Current Single – “When I Don’t Love You”  // as of date of article: 4/8/2024

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on a songstress that knows exactly who she is in this industry. Shelby Darrall is an incredible singer-songwriter, who creates music that has heart, grit, and a whole lot of relatability. We chatted with the singer about her music, her journey thus far, and everything in between.

“With growing up in California, I feel like every time I’m trying to explain where I’m from to people, I just reference ‘The Parent Trap’, because that’s what it felt like growing up there. I’m really lucky to be from Napa,” shared the budding artist.  “It’s a lot of land, and time, and space, and I think country music just filled all of that there. It’s all we ever grew up listening to.”

Darrall recalls loving country music her whole life, finding inspiration in many country artists of her youth including Eric Church. The singer also comes from a musical family, with her dad playing music too. “My dad was in a country band, so I was basically surrounded by country music at all times and I loved it,” she shared. Adding, “I just kind of watched my dad and I wanted to be like him. Eventually, I learned to play myself a little bit and started to play songs. I tried to get gigs wherever I could, but Napa’s small, so it was mostly wineries.”

At just thirteen years old, the songstress taught herself to play guitar and started to write songs whenever she could. “I think it’s just the most natural thing that’s ever come to me I think, and I also love it, so it just made sense right away, but probably because I watched my dad do it so effortlessly that I was like ‘it must run in my blood somewhere’,” she shared. Adding, “I had little songbooks hidden all over my house and under my mattress, and I just practiced, practiced, and practiced.”

The Turning Point:

Upon graduating high school, Darrall knew she wanted to pursue music for a living, but she headed to school in Arizona first to get her degree and then eventually finished her education at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I was trying to understand how people have careers in this business […] So I was like ‘where can I go in this business’, and Nashville felt like the most comfortable, like the most similar of where I’m from. I just kind of knew that, remembered that, I went to school in Arizona and then transferred to Belmont to finish.”

Once in Nashville, Darrall hit the ground running. “I don’t think there’s a straight path for anyone in the business, so I think I just tried things until something kind of stuck, I remember when my career started moving in a way that felt kind of real is when I met my now manager, Autumn. […] I was playing the Key West Songwriters Festival, and I met her there. I think she was the first person to kind of grab the reigns of my career and help me know what I’m doing,” she shared.

As she progressed, her team grew bigger, and Darrall was able to put her focus on her art. “We started creating an EP and releasing music, and started meeting people in town more. It was the first time I felt like I had a team behind me. It’s gotten even bigger since,” she shared. Adding, “I always knew that my talent belonged to me, and I wanted to make sure it was constantly sharp. It’s always been what I worked the hardest on.”

Today:

Presently, Darrall is making waves in the industry and is truly at the top of her game. With many festival dates lined up, her first headlining show in Napa on the books, and opening spots on tour with Elle King, the singer is having an incredible year.

Additionally, Darrall’s newest song, “When I Don’t Love You” is impressing both fans and industry members alike. “My writing style comes from real experiences for me, at least the best ones, and my favorite ones do,” she shared when asked about her new single. “The day before, that exact experience in that song happened. I ran into an ex and I kind of just realized all of those thoughts, and I went into co-write the next day, and I was just explaining that. I was like, ‘I think I just don’t love him anymore.’ […] The song just kind of naturally fell out and it’s very honest and very real.”

From the time Darrall recored the demo, she knew the song was something special. “I played it at shows, and I always had a good response with that one, so we decided to release it,” she shared. “Sad songs are easier for me to write. I have a harder time with happy songs, probably because that’s my preference and that’s what I like listening to, but this song felt sad. However, it’s actually has an empowering message, too.”

Fans can catch Darrall singing “When I Don’t Love You” and many others at her various gigs this year. Stay tuned for more new music coming down the pipeline soon!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Shelby Darrall, follow her on Instagram, TikTok,  Twitter, and Facebook.

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