Colin Stough shares brand new song, “White Trash” out now, May 2nd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.
Since impressing fans everywhere on American Idol, Colin Stough has focused on leaning into his one-of-kind country-rock sound. The singer-songwriter has honed his talent and garnered more and more fans along the ride. Today, the artist releases his newest single, “White Trash.”
Written by Stough with Jamie Collazo and Kenny Whitmire, “White Trash” is an anthem for the misunderstood. Referred to as a “battle cry for the outcast” in a recent press release, the new song showcases Stough’s gritty and piercing vocals. “White Trash” unapologetically captures how the feeling of confidence; despite, what naysayers may say.
“I went to jail on a Sunday // When I was supposed to be at church // I got let out on a Monday // Yeah I’ a little late to work // Yeah I could use some education // My soul could use some savin’ // There ain’t no sense in prayin’ for me now // I ain’t changin’ my ways // I’m nothin’ but white trash // You can kiss my ass // Yeah I know I’m down bad // Nothing but a red flag // You know I kinda like it like that // I guess I’m white trash”
“White Trash” is an awesome addition to Stough’s growing catalogl. If you’re not already a fan of the artist, what are you waiting for?!
Colin Stough shares new song, “White Trash,” 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 Colin Stough releases.
“White Trash” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/colin-stough-white-trash.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-05-02 00:10:522025-05-02 00:10:52Colin Stough Shares Brand New Song “White Trash”
Who is Sterling Drake? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…
Sterling Drake // Photo credit: Alice Loayza
Quick Facts:
Full name – Sterling Drake
Birthdate – 07/20/1995
Hometown – Big Cypress, Florida
Current city – Philipsburg, Montana
Musical influences – Willie Nelson, Paul Brady, Roger Miller, Keith Whitley
Label – Calusa Music / Missing Piece
Current Song – “In My Dreams” (as of date of article: 4/28/2025)
The Beginning:
This week’s spotlight shines on a singer-songwriter, who is a true artist in every sense of the world. While chatting with Sterling Drake, we learned how connected he is to music, as well as, how important his passionate to him. Keep reading to learn more.
“I was born in South Florida. My father’s family has a ranch down there. That was kind of my origin,” began the singer. “I live in Montana now, I made a home here, but my path was not very linear, I spent time living in the country, but we moved around a lot as a kid. We went all around a lot for my father’s work. We landed in the Northeast, and we’ve been in the south and out west. There were moments of my life that were more urban and moments of my life that were more country.”
Despite his unorthodox upbringing, Drake recalls music always being an important confidant for him throughout every stage of his life. “Music has always been around. It was more of a language to me than anything. It’s an area of intelligence for me. […] Music is kind of the lens that I see the world through. […] Oftentimes I get asked about how I balance multiple passions, and I really don’t see them at odds. Music is the language that I speak and my lens in the world, and no matter what I’m doing that’s the way I’m going to portray it. If I’m traveling or observing anything in the world, music is the way I’m going to experience it and ultimately the way that I’m going to convey.”
While his roots in country music ran deep, thanks to grandfather who introduced him to artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, Drake found himself loving all sorts of music. “I think one of my earliest memories was my grandfather dancing with grandmother begrudgingly to “Good Hearted Woman” in the kitchen. It was always around,” he shared, adding, “I spent time listening to punk music in high-school and playing drums, and I rode a skateboard, and I’m a product of this generation. I think I have a little bit more dimension than that. I inevitably pursued a life that wasn’t naturally presented to me. Ranching and music were both goals that I wanted to achieve for myself.”
The Turning Point:
Drake nurtured his love for music throughout his life. “I was also pursuing music as a drummer and a songwriter, and toured in a ton of different bands pretty much since high-school. It was always a steady thing for me,” he shared. “My guitar entered my life, and I found my father’s guitar in a crawl space once, and I was like “what is this.” I had no idea that my father was cool, and he played guitar, so it was a relic from his college days, but he taught me just enough to get going, some Hank Williams. […] I think traditional country has been a big love for me, and a big home for music, but I really like to look at if from a broader lens of American music, American songwriting.”
Right out of high-school, the singer-songwriter decided to pursue his multi-dimensional passion of both artistry and ranching, following the footsteps of grandfather. “He had a ranch and raised cattle, and spent time out west, and Florida had a big ranching community out there, but it’s kinda isolated, so I made the attempt to pursue that in my early twenties, and I moved out here. Right out of high-school, and eventually landed here in Montana, and it’s become a home for me.”
While in Montana, Drake continued to scratch the undeniable itch for ranching, while simultaneously, continuing to craft music, writing songs, and pursue music to the best of his ability. Eventually in 2019, he decided that he needed to try out Nashville, Tennessee.
“I kind of had a realization that if I wanted to do anything farther with music, it get kind of a like a dream of mine that wasn’t getting enough nurture, so I moved to Nashville for a whole year, I tried it out, and I moved into a house. […] I was interning at a publishing house, I was writing songs for folks, and I was fronting a band as a singer, I was on Broadway, drumming for anyone who needed a drummer, I really tried to make a go of it, and then obviously COVID hit in 2020, and I returned to Montana.”
Today:
Flash forward to today, the time Drake spent in Nashville was an important time that signified that he could do all the things he loved. He continues to split time between Montana and Tennessee, and now his debut full-length project is officially coming out on May 2nd.
The Shape I’m In features fourteen uniquely crafted songs that speak to the singer’s incredible talent and artistry. “It was produced in Nashville and recorded there at the Bomb Shelter by Thor Davidson, who’s a great friend of mine, band member, and multi-instrumentalist in Nashville. He spent time on the road with me, kind of shaping thee songs, and my story, and the places that I’ve gone. I think it helped really tie it all together,” he began. “There’s songs that are more abstract, and talk more existential topics and themes that I’ve kind of faced throughout my adolescence and my twenties, and now as I’m almost thirty. The themes kind of range a lot. They talk about my pursuit of traveling and being lost in certain points, and finding redemption in the journey, and finding yourself, and present more questions than they answer,” shared the singer when asked about the album.
Songs like “She Means Everything to Me” and “In My Dreams” showcase different sides of the singer’s story so far. The former showcases the duality between finding the love of your life young, and also still trying to grapple with the insecurities of growing up. “It’s equally showing that you’re not sure where you’re going, and also your adoration for somebody who’s willing to stick with you through the world.” The latter is a true testament to following your dreams even when it’s tough.
The Shape I’m In is rooted in the full gamut of landscapes that country music, American music has brought to the table. “It’s definitely a record that you want to listen to all the way through and listen to it on vinyl and put it on, on analog speakers.” Drake is an artist who creates poetry to music and brings his duel-loves together. To catch the singer at a show or support the incredible Montana festival, ‘Old Salt Festival,’ head to the singer’s website here.
Connect:
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Sterling Drake announcements and releases.
Sterling Drake’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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/who-is-sterling-drake.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-28 12:34:212025-04-28 12:34:21Who Is Sterling Drake? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music
Cole Swindell hits the number one spot on the country radio chart this week with his current single, “Forever To Me.” Learn more here…
Since bursting on to the music scene with his artist debut, “Chillin’ It,” singer-songwriter, Cole Swindell has won the hearts of country fans everywhere. Time and time again, the singer creates infectious tunes that we just cannot get enough of, while sprinkling in personal songs that pull at our heartstrings. Today, one of Swindell’s most heartfelt songs to date, “Forever To Me” marks his thirteenth number one song at country radio.
Written by Swindell, Greylan James, and Rocky Block, “Forever To Me” is a ballad sharing the singer’s love for his wife, Courtney Little. He shares how she is an answered prayer after he waited patiently for a special someone to come into his life.
“She gave 18 summers to Carolina // Spent a few more wild and free // Gave a long shot chance to a Georgia boy in Tennessee // I gave a promise to her daddy // And a grass stain to my knee // I might’ve gave her the diamond, but she gave forever to me // Well, there ain’t no dancin’ ’round it // When your whole world standin’ there // Just ’cause we’ve talked about it // Didn’t mean I wasn’t scared // And right there where I met her // Yeah, I showed her the ring // Just waitin’ on her answer, Lord, felt like forever to me”
A huge congratulations goes out to Cole Swindell and his team on landing their twelfth number-one single! To learn more about the singer’s number one songs, click here.
Cole Swindell hits the number one spot on the country radio charts with “Forever To Me.”
Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Cole Swindell announcements and releases.
“Forever To Me” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cole-swindell-tour-22.jpg11522048Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-28 12:33:142025-04-28 12:33:14Cole Swindell Goes Number One at Country Radio with “Forever To Me”
John Morgan shares his brand new debut album, Carolina Blue, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.
Singer-songwriter John Morgan is ready to step into the forefront as an artist with the release of his debut album, Carolina Blue, out now. For the rising star, who has amassed a multitude of top ten hits as a writer, his debut full-length project shows him on the verge of stardom.
Signed to Jason Aldean’s Night Train Records imprint through BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Morgan’s debut features twelve new songs. He co-wrote the dozen tracks alongside Nashville hitmakers like Will Bundy, Tyler Hubbard, Tully Kennedy, Ben Hayslip and more. The Carolina native also played guitar on every song on the LP, which was produced by John and Brent Anderson.
Born and raised in the small town of Sylva, NC, Morgan grew up playing guitar and travelling with his family playing bluegrass music. He eventually transferred those skills to songwriting, making his way to Nashville in 2019 and immediately emerging as a powerful force in the community. “One of the blessings of being a songwriter first is that you write so many different things that your catalog becomes very broad. I’ve explored all kinds of sounds and in doing that it helped me eliminate what I’m not,” Morgan revealed in a statement.
Throughout the LP, Morgan stays true to his country roots, sliding effortlessly from rousing uptempo tunes to impassioned ballads, all with a unique lyrical style. “I try to hold a standard of making sure every line counts lyrically and then once you’ve got that you can be super creative on the sound part of it,” He says. “Hopefully that comes through in this album.”
The album roars in immediately with its opening track, “Way Out Would,” a muddy and twangy celebration of country living that pairs roaring electric guitars with twang before building to an energetic climax. Likewise, Morgan’s recent number one hit is the rousing “Friends Like That,” which pairs him with Aldean. On the bromance anthem, the pair trade verses about relying on good friends in tough times.
“I’m doing alright for the shape // I’m in Sitting by the fire with some damn good friends // Willie on my left, Jack on my right // Blowin’ that smoke on a Friday night // Waylon turned up on the JBL // Girl, you probably think I’m going through hell // But I don’t care if you never come back // ‘Cause who needs you when I got friends like that?”
“Crickets” provides a moment of levity, a bouncing summer anthem that’s perfect for barbecues and bonfires. “It’s a very catchy song,” he says of the playful track. “You’ve got to have some meatier songs with some strong messages, but you’ve also got to have something that’s fun, something that has a really solid lyric and storyline and that feels good.”
While Morgan can roar through an uptempo or a summer romp with the best of them, he truly shines on anthemic, building ballads. This includes the gorgeous “One More Sunset,” which finds him promising his last moments to someone special. Alternatively, “Kid Myself” finds him dealing with the fallout of a relationship that was never meant to last, while “She’ll Always Be” is a gorgeous sun-soaked heartbreak ballad about the one who got away.
Morgan is increasingly romantic on songs like the swoonworthy “A Lot To Say About You,” and the midtempo new perspective of “I Know Better.”
“Cause I know better days // Better nights A better way of living lost in your eyes // Up on cloud nine feeling things I thought I’d never // There ain’t no better smile // Ain’t no better kiss // Ain’t a memory I’ve made that compares to this // I thought the best part of my life was in the past forever But now that I know you I know better // Ooh baby, I know better”
Much of the Carolina native’s album finds him longing for home, evidenced on songs like the title track (“I’m doin’ fine, but tonight I’m kinda Carolina blue”), the soulful “Long Ride Home,” and “Without ‘Em,” a poignant celebration of the working class. “You won’t ever see their names in lights, Most people just pass’ em on by,” He sings of the people who make the world what it is. “Might not think too much about ‘em, but this world wouldn’t turn without ‘em.”
Carolina Blue ends with “How to Get Her,” a catchy uptempo that finds him musing about knowing how to get a girl, but not knowing how to get her back after a breakup. It’s clever turns of lyrics like that that elevate John Morgan’s music above the pack, while the song builds to a great instrumental section that’s perfect for a live show.
“I hope there’s relatability in how I write,” Morgan says of the album. “I don’t try to be anything I’m not. I’ve never been good at that, and I think people can snuff that out pretty quick. I hope these songs give people a message that there’s value in whatever they are doing. Hopefully, people will just feel their worth.”
Country Swag Picks:
Long Ride Home
Friends Like That
I Know Better
How to Get Her
Crickets
Carolina Blue Tracklist:
Way Out Would (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Randy Montana)
Long Ride Home (John Morgan, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison, Lydia Vaughan)
Friends Like That (feat. Jason Aldean) (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)*
One More Sunset (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Michael Dulaney)
Know Better (John Morgan, Rocky Block, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
She’ll Always Be (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Lydia Vaughan)
Carolina Blue (John Morgan, Smith Ahnquist, Will Bundy, Jeb Gipson)
Kid Myself (John Morgan, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt)
Crickets (John Morgan, Zach Abend, Lydia Vaughan)
A Lot To Say About You (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards)
Without ‘Em (John Morgan, Austin Goodloe, Ben Hayslip)
How To Get Her (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Hunter Phelps)
John Morgan shares his debut album, ‘Carolina Blue,’ 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 John Morgan releases.
Carolina Blue 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.
Tucker Wetmore shares his brand new debut album, What Not To, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.
For Tucker Wetmore, his debut album, What Not To, reflects on the pivotal moments in life that have crafted him into the person he’s still becoming. “What Not To is an album that talks about living. It’s a diary of life and what you can take away from it, if you allow yourself to learn,” he shares. “There’s no such thing as a bad experience or a bad time. It’s all just an opportunity to grow.”
For the Washington native, those experiences are on full display throughout the LP’s 19 tracks, laden with heartbreak, heartache, new love, joy, and everything in between. Wetmore co-wrote on 11 of the album’s tracks, enlisting additional contributions from Nashville writers including Tucker Beathard, Chase McGil, Jameson Rodgers, Jordan Reynolds, and more. Produced by Chris LaCorte, the album weaves through various stories that Wetmore describes “like red yarn connecting a bunch of pins on a wall.”
The album kicks off its story with “Whatcha Think Is Gonna Happen,” a moody midtempo that finds Wetmore battling with his own vices and temptations. Over a catchy beat, he admits, “It ain’t all that complicated, I just can’t turn down temptation.” Battling those external and internal demons becomes a prevalent theme in Wetmore’s story, as he deals with the bottle and his own generational traumas throughout his relationships.
On songs like the summer-ready “Bad Luck Looks Good On Me” and the catchy “Casino,” the 25-year-old warns a woman not to gamble on him admitting that love is a lot like a game of chance. “Casino” is a clear standout on the record, pairing a catchy hook with even catchier lyrics.
“She’s a casino I’m a stone-cold joker that keeps on throwing dice // Spinning a wheel putting it all on red but the house wins every time // Queen of breaking my heart been counting my cards // I should get up and leave but I won’t // I’m a sucker for another hand // And one more dance with this damn casino”
“Brunette” is a gallop of a song, taking listeners on a journey through Wetmore’s psyche with its clever metaphor to his own battle with anxiety in relationships. In fact, the music’s near franticity crafts an incredible scene that could easily be used in a movie or TV soundtrack.
The album’s title track may be the most personal on the album, a sparse reflection of a broken family and an absentee father, as Wetmore longs to break the cycle and be a better man. “I gotta admit I don’t know what to do,” He muses, voice laced with emotion. “But thanks to you I know what not to.”
“That was one of the toughest songs I’ve ever written, but also one of the easiest too, because it just kind of fell out onto the paper,” Wetmore says of the title track. “I write from experiences, feeling, and emotion, and it often comes from a higher power that I really don’t understand. That’s how writing that song felt.”
While Wetmore shines on heartache, he can also craft a radio-ready earworm. This is evidenced on songs like “3,2,1,” “Break First,” and the sun-drenched “Silverado Blue.” While “Break First” is a super catchy ode to an opposites attract relationship, “Takes One to Break One” finds him looking for a new habit to help him break an old one.
“When I Ain’t Looking” is a gorgeous ballad about finding love when you’re least expecting it, while “Give Her The World” is an ode to a girl who’s on the receiving end of his love, and can’t quite accept it. Likewise, the mega-hit “Wind Up Missin’ You” is a breezy and thrumming ballad about an instantaneous connection that may lead to heartbreak if it doesn’t work out.
“You look like waves on a sunset // And you can crash on me all night // You look like wine in a truck bed // A little what I’m doing for the rest of my life cause // You look like I’m done looking But girl the hard truth is // If this night don’t turn into two // You look like I’m gonna wind up missin’ you”
Much of the album is soaked in whiskey, with Wetmore wondering if it’s the cause of his relationship problems. Things are on and off on songs like “Whiskey Again” and “Goodbye Whiskey,” which features a musical interlude that sounds straight out of a Coldplay anthem. Likewise, “Drinking Boots” finds him one shot away from calling an ex, while “Drunk on Her” finds him nearly addicted to a woman he can’t quite quit.
The album ends on a slower and introspective note with “Wine Into Whiskey” followed by “Whiskey Again.” While the former is a heartbreak ballad, it finds Wetmore accepting blame for being the heartbreaker in a relationship. “If I was her I’d damn sure hate me,” He sings, voice full of regret. “I turned her love into pain and her wine into whiskey.”
The album ends with “Whiskey Again,” a mournfully sparse ballad that finds him battling heartache at the bottom of a whiskey glass. “Whiskey again // I swore that I was done with you // But here we are old friend,” he laments. “Misery misery // Misery’s what I’m in.”
“I didn’t want this album to be just songs — I wanted them to be songs with purpose…” Wetmore says of the LP. “Music makes you feel something. When I was going through things as a kid, I turned to music and it didn’t let me down. I hope What Not To does the same for everyone who listens.”
We’re pretty sure it will do just that.
Country Swag Picks:
Casino
3,2,1
Break First
When I Ain’t Lookin’
Brunette
What Not To Tracklist:
Whatcha Think Is Gonna Happen? (Matt Jenkins, Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler)
3,2,1 (Josh Miller, Summer Overstreet, Jordan Reynolds)
Bad Luck Looks Good On Me (Tucker Wetmore, Julian Bunetta, Jackson Foote, Jaxson Free, Steph Jones)
Casino (Josh Jenkins, Alex Palmer, John Pierce and Michael Tyler)
Takes One To Break One (Matt Jenkins, Josh Miller, Ben Stennis)
What Not To 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tucker-wetmore-casino-photo-cred-tanner-johnson.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2025-04-25 00:02:502025-04-25 00:02:50Tucker Wetmore: ‘What Not To’ – Debut Album Review
Lanie Gardner shares new song, “Concrete Cowboy” out now, April 25th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new song below.
Rising star Lanie Gardner continues to make her mark on the world. With millions of views across social media and streaming platforms, her powerful voice and unique vibe have already captivated fans. Since bursting on to the scene, Gardner has garnered a loyal fanbase, who beg for each and every release. Today, fans finally get a song that has been a long time coming. “Concrete Cowboy” is officially out now!
“Concrete Cowboy” is an incredible country song. The song is a full immersion into the emotion of storytelling (that country music does the best). Throughout the song, Gardner questions a heartbreaker about why he led a girl on. The song is raw, honest, and real. While many songs are created because of heartbreak, “Concrete Cowboy” is a song that’s going to make a lasting impression.
“Tell me was it worth it to break my heart // Concrete cowboy // Shouldn’t have loved her if you didn’t know how boy // Pulled a wild flower out of southern ground // and watched the color fade out // Fell for those city lights in your eyes // But she couldn’t survive the heart of // concrete cowboy”
Lanie Gardner is the real day! The songstress is primed for even more success heading into the rest of this year. Make sure to download “Concrete Cowboy” ASAP!
Lanie Gardner shares “Concrete Cowboy,” 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 Lanie Gardner releases.
“Concrete Cowboy” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/who-is-lanie-gardner.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-25 00:02:142025-04-25 00:02:14Lanie Gardner Shares New Song “Concrete Cowboy”
Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith share brand new song, “Country In The Clouds,” out now, April 25th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.
Time and time again, we share how awesome country music collaborations are. Today’s country collaboration fits the bill! Rising artists, Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith join forces on a brand new single called, “Country In The Clouds.”
Both Marlowe and Smith celebrate their country upbringing on “Country In The Clouds.” The introspective new song features comparisons to the country fields to heaven. The singer-songwriters yearn for a country-like lifestyle after God calls them home. “Country In The Clouds” feels like a special song with a lot of meaning for the young artists.
“I know the Bible says that it’s as perfect as can be // Is it a sin to wish there’s a couple deer stands in the trees // Yeah, I hope there’s country in the clouds // I hope my side of heaven feels just like a little town // When it’s my time and they lay me down // The good old boy in me just hopes there’s country in the clouds // Hallelujah // Hallelujah”
As the country music genre expands, it is always nice to see two young, budding artists bring story-telling and honest lyrics to the forefront of country music.
Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith collaborate on brand new song, “Country In The Clouds.”
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith releases.
“Country In The Clouds” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/dylan-marlowe-conner-smith-1.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-25 00:00:512025-04-25 00:00:51Dylan Marlowe + Conner Smith Share New Song “Country In The Clouds”
Who is Garrett Bradford? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…
Garrett Bradford // Photo credit: Ted Parker Jr.
Quick Facts:
Full name – Garrett Bradford
Birthdate – August 24th
Hometown – Weatherford, Texas
Current city – Weatherford, Texas + Nashville, Tennessee
Musical influences – George Strait, Red Steagall, Bob Wills, Nat Stuckey, Merle Haggard
Label – H.O.T. Records
Current Song – “Do You? (I Do)” (as of date of article: 4/21/2025)
The Beginning:
Today’s spotlight artist is a pure soul, what truly loves what he does. Garrett Bradford is a true-blue Texas man with a talent that rivals anyone in the industry and a heart is invested in country music. Keep reading to learn more about his incredible story.
“I grew up in Weatherford, Texas on a ranch there. My family are ranchers. My dad owned a horse sale company […] That was kind of my whole life. Nobody in my family really played music,” began the singer-songwriter “When I was really young, I wasn’t really exposed to all of this singing and being an artist, but I sang in a children’s choir at church. My mom had me do that even though I didn’t want to as a little boy. I ended up kind of enjoying it, and eventually as a young teenager, at twelve or thirteen, I started playing guitar and writing songs came as soon as I learned to play a few chords. It just kind of seemed like the thing to do for me.”
Music found its way into his heart at an early age. The desire to play music never left him. “My dad and my mom were super supportive of it, and looking back at it, I think that’s super cool,” he shared, while reminiscing about being introduced to country legends, while driving in the car with his parents. “I had a lot of classic country in my ears, especially when I was first starting to play. With my dad it was classic country and with my mom it was country and a lot of bit of gospel, when I was riding in the car.”
Eventually, when Bradford got a driver’s license, he found his own musical taste too. “When I had a vehicle and my own CD player and my own radio, I started realizing that there was this Texas music scene. It was firing on all cylinders at that time in 2009, 2010. It was really a heyday of Texas country music,” he shared. “I feel like my life started when I got a guitar honestly.”
The Turning Point:
After graduating high-school, Bradford continued to cut his teeth on the Texas country circuit. “I kept on doing that, and we have so many great places to play in Texas, even as a youngster like that. We had open mics and flea markets I would set up and play at, and I would busk at a lot of horse shows,” he shared, adding, “I started playing in bars and things when I graduated from high-school, and it just slowly evolved over my life, but it’s been a huge part ever since I got a guitar.”
Around this same time the singer was playing shows and writing music, he started a tree business with his best friend, Colt Ford. Unfortunately, in 2014, the singer and his best friend got into a life-altering car accident, which took the life of Ford. This devastating event catapulted Bradford into letting go of playing music professionally, due the tragedy. “It was a derailing experience for me. […] It kind of took away all my confidence after that. For a few years after that, three or four years, I quit playing shows. I would still play a few shows, but only if it was someone I knew, but I wasn’t trying to get out or release music or anything,” he shared.”
Eventually as fate would have it, Bradford ended up getting hired to do some work for Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the hit show, Yellowstone. “We hit it off, and we became friends, and he would invite me over for dinner but I didn’t event think about telling him I was a musician.”
Despite taking a break from playing shows, the singer never stopped writing. “I had kept writing songs the whole time. As a matter of fact, I wrote more songs than ever between when I was in the car wreck and when I met Taylor, four, five years later,” he shared, adding, “He encouraged me a lot, and really rekindled my passion for [music] and my confidence to get out there, so I started playing again, publicly a lot more, and I started recordings one music. Then eventually, two, three years into knowing him, he asked me to write a song for the show, and I did, and I sent him an acoustic demo of it just to see if he liked it, and apparently he liked it a lot because I sent it to him on a Tuesday and it ended up on Yellowstone on a Sunday, the demo did.”
Today:
Flash forward to today, not only did Bradford’s song, “The Way of Life,” land on Yellowstone, but the singer-songwriter is finally releasing a two-part album of his own. Act 1 of the singer’s record, Honkiest Of Tonkers came out in February, featuring nine songs, including, “Do You (I Do)” and “Bad Girl Good.” Act 2 of the project will be released soon.
“I think an album allows fans to take a deeper dive, and really the thought process for the record, it’s a combination of songs that I recorded in Texas and Nashville. Both albums have a mixture of both of those places, and I was originally going to put out nineteen songs on one album, but then I thought that it was a lot of songs to ask people to listen to,” shared Bradford.
For the singer, this record reflects who he is an artist, pays tribute to his heroes, and showcases his songwriting prowess. “I wanted the first part to be a little bit of everything I do, as far as my songwriting, and the second part, is similar, but there’s a few more deeply personal songs and a song about my dad who passed away a few years ago, and a song about a conversation I had with my grandfather called, “Fireflies” whose still alive thank god. I think I just wanted to split those up to make it a little more digestible.”
As fans await part 2 of the project, Bradford promises that he is already working on more new music. “I’m just really excited to be putting this music music out, and I’m already working on another album. I just want to release a lot of music.” Stay tuned!
Connect:
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Garrett Bradford announcements and releases.
To keep up with Garrett Bradford follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
Garrett Bradford’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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/who-is-garrett-bradford.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-23 22:37:002025-04-23 22:37:00Who Is Garrett Bradford? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music
John Morgan and Jason Aldean earn the number one song at country radio this week with their hit song, “Friends Like That.” Learn more here!
On the heels of his debut album, Carolina Blue, John Morgan can celebrate his first number one single at country radio, as an artist! Morgan’s collaborative hit with country mainstay, Jason Aldean, “Friends Like That” is officially the top song at country radio this week.
So far in his young, yet promising career as an artist, Morgan has set the bar high. Each and every one of his releases have captured the singer-songwriter’s undeniable charm and staying power. “Friends Like That” is just the beginning for Morgan. As for Aldean, the number one spot at country radio is nothing new to the superstar!
“I ain’t missing you like crazy // I’m keepin’ better company lately // I’m doing alright for the shape I’m in // Sitting by the fire with some damn good friends // Willie on my left, Jack on my right // Blowin’ that smoke on a Friday night // Waylon turned up on the JBL // Girl, you probably think I’m going through hell // But I don’t care if you never come back // ‘Cause who needs you when I got friends like that?”
A huge congrats goes out to John Morgan and Jason Aldean and their teams on an incredible feat!
Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming John Morgan and Jason Aldean announcements and releases.
“Friends Like That” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/john-morgan-song.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-20 22:14:352025-04-20 22:14:35John Morgan & Jason Aldean Go Number One with “Friends Like That”
Morgan Wallen and Post Malone join forces on new song, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” ahead of Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, officially releasing on May 16th. Learn more here!
On the heels of announcing the official track-list for his 37 song upcoming album, Morgan Wallen is truly a master at getting fans excited for the next era of music. His upcoming album, I’m The Problem, already boasts future hits, including collaborations with artists like Tate McRae and HARDY. Today the superstar is sharing his newest collaboration with cross-genre megastar, Post Malone. “I Ain’t Comin’ Back” is officially out now!
Written by Wallen and Post Malone with Louis Bell, HARDY, Ernest, Keith Smith, and Ryan Vojtesak, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back” has all the makings for another hit song. The new single is Posty and Wallen’s second song together, with their first, “I Had Some Help” topping the charts last year. ” I Ain’t Comin’ Back” feels like a fresh ands summer-ready jam, perfect for the summer of Wallen music.
“Girl, half of this town has got a name for me // And I can’t say I don’t agree, huh // But the night I said, “I’m leavin’,” I turned into Richard Petty // Broke my heart, so I got even in my ’97 Chevy // Now I’m walkin’ on this water mixed with Johnnie Walker Black // There’s a lot of reasons I ain’t Jesus, but the main one is that I ain’t comin’ back // Oh no, no, I ain’t comin’ back”
Check back on May 16th for our full review of the upcoming album!
Morgan Wallen share new song with Post Malone, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” 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 Morgan Wallen releases.
“I Ain’t Comin’ Back” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/morgan-wallen-post.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2025-04-18 13:15:022025-04-18 13:15:02Morgan Wallen + Post Malone Join Forces on New Song “I Ain’t Comin’ Back”
