The Best Country Albums of 2023: Team Picks

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2023 brought us a ton of great new country music. As we look back on the new albums released, here are our team’s picks for out favorite country albums of 2023.

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder
Favorite album: Bluebird Days – Jordan Davis

Choosing a favorite album was especially hard this year after all of the incredible new music that was released. However, when thinking about what were truly my go-to listens, I very quickly narrowed it down to Jordan Davis’ Bluebird Days. From top to bottom this entire album is incredibly well-written. I consider myself a ‘day-one’ Jordan Davis fan and seeing the maturity and growth in this album confirms to me that this singer-songwriter is one we will be hearing many hits from for a very long time. His music is clever, catchy, and relatable. It’s the kind of music you can have on in the background or dive deep into the lyrics. It’s the storytelling in each song that makes me excited to share his music with others and watch them become fans too. This project has been on repeat for me and rightfully deserves a spot as one of the best albums of 2023.

 

Erica Zisman, Content Manager
Favorite album: Lucky – Megan Moroney

While there were a lot of noteworthy albums to come out of 2023, Megan Moroney’s debut album, Lucky stands out. I have had this record playing on repeat from the minute we gained access to it. Moroney’s star-power and songwriting prowess shine bright throughout the record. Specifically, the song, “Mustang or Me,” might be one of my favorite songs of the year too. The songstress is headed for superstardom. It is only a matter of time!

 

Nicole Piering, Contributing Writer
Favorite album: High & Low – Caitlyn Smith

While there were many incredible albums released in 2023, one that I’ve had on repeat is Caitlyn Smith’s High & Low. With her incredible voice and stunning lyrics, the album manages to capture both the best and worst parts of life, sounding much like a peek into her most personal diary. With songs like “Maybe in Another Life,” “High,” and “Writing Songs and Raising Babies,” this was one that I listened to endlessly. However, if you’re only going to listen to one track, the clear standout is “Alaska,” which is easily one of the best songs of 2023.

 

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer
Favorite album: the mockingbird & THE CROW  – HARDY

I was immediately drawn to HARDY once I saw him open for Florida Georgia Line in 2019. His music has grown so much since then, even crossing genre lines. I loved this album’s whole vibe. My favorite moment is in the title track when it transitions from country into hard rock (the track was my #3 song this year, and “Sold Out” was #4 last year). I’m thrilled “wait in the truck” took off and and won all those awards because it’s so different from what you usually hear on the radio. The music video literally gave me chills! I’m really looking forward to HARDY’s next project, whatever genre it may be.

 

Abby Kaye-Phillips, Contributing Writer
Favorite album: Bigger Houses – Dan + Shay

Dan + Shay have given fans a range of vibes and a varied sound across their last few projects, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from their latest release, Bigger Houses. What I found was a beautifully crafted album that felt both refreshingly new and also reminiscent of their first record from almost 10 years ago. From the heartfelt “For The Both of Us”, to the sentimental “Always Gonna Be”, and the poignant title track “Bigger Houses”, to the fun and flirty “We Should Get Married”, there is so much to love. I’m thrilled the band decided to continue making music together, and I know this album will remain special to the artists and the fans for years to come.

 

Lucie Bernheim, Contributing Writer
Favorite album: Rolling Up The Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini has always been one of Nashville’s strongest songwriters, but her latest project, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, proves that she is here to stay as an artist and visionary. It’s not about the bells and whistles of Music City. It’s about the truth and authenticity, and figuring out ways to tackle and share the difficult and messy words. Written and produced solely by Ballerini and close friend/powerhouse Alysa Vanderheym, they take you truly behind the curtain of a woman growing and messing up, in a way that embraces multiple sides of the story and the different stages of grief. “Just Married” is one of the most clever and heart-wrenching country songs to have been released, and “Leave Me Again” is stark in production and full in lyrical purity. There is a reason this album has transformed Ballerini’s career, and it is not because of the news articles that follow it – it is because it is honest.

 

Rebekah Milsted, Contributing Writer
Favorite album: Stereotype Broken deluxe – Cole Swindell

Stereotype Broken is my favorite album of 2023 because Swindell took an already great album and made it even better. He did this by going back to his love for 90s country.  With “Sad Ass Country Song” honoring the classics and legends and “She Had Me At Heads Carolina Remix” featuring Jo Dee Messina, you feel like you traveled back in time. As a new mom, lullabies have become a constant listen in our household. Swindell created an adult version to add to the album. It may be about a breakup and be upbeat but it brings back memories of the classics instantly. This record continues to show Swindell’s talent as an artist and songwriter. I can’t wait for album five!

10 New Country Songs of 2023 That Should Be On Your Playlist

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2023 was full of amazing country songs. Here are ten new songs released in 2023 that may not have hit the number one spot on charts (yet), but we believe should be on your playlist! Learn more here.

“West Of Tulsa” – Wyatt Flores

Artist to look out for, Wyatt Flores is winning the hearts of country music lovers everywhere. His song, “West Of Tulsa” showcases his songwriting prowess, his storytelling artistry, and his incredible vocals. The track is a true standout of 2023.

 

“Man Made A Bar” – Morgan Wallen & Eric Church

Morgan Wallen joined forces with one of his musical heroes, Eric Church on this iconic collaboration. “Man Made A Bar” is one of the best off Wallen’s latest album, and a true must listen to of 2023!

 

“I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney

Megan Moroney is quite possibly the biggest breakout start of 2023. Her debut album Lucky boast many incredible songs, including “I’m Not Pretty.” The song resonated with fans across the genre, making it an absolute top new song of the year.

 

“Sometimes She Stays” – Kip Moore

When Kip Moore released his record, Damn Love, we knew it would be one of our favorites. The music video for the standout track, “Sometimes She Stays” was filmed in New York City, adding to overall likability of the beautiful song.

 

“Penthouse (The Healed Version)” – Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini’s Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) EP is one of the best of the year. The Grammy-nominated record boasts incredible songs that speak to Ballerini’s heartbreak and healing, including this one, “Penthouse.”

 

“Creek Will Rise” – Conner Smith

Conner Smith is a rising artist with a bright future in the genre. His current single, “Creek Will Rise” is one of his best to date. The uptempo, stage-ready song is exciting, fun, and primed for the live show. We imagine that this song will continue to do big things for Smith’s blossoming career.

 

“In Your Love” – Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers is one of the most prolific, yet underrated artists in country music. His song, “In Your Love” challenges the norms of country music. The song expresses a story of same-sex love that is both beautiful and empowering.

 

“screen” – HARDY

HARDY’s ‘the mockingbird & THE CROW’ is one of the best projects released in 2023. His song, “screen” is a true standout on the mockingbird side of the record. “screen” is a motivational anthem about the use of technology in the world, and how we can be a better society when we are more present. As the song progresses it cleverly weaves through different variations and definitions of the simple word and makes for a clever yet relatable track.

 

“Part Of It” – Jordan Davis

One of our all-time-favorites, Jordan Davis is an artist who deserves to be named up there with the top entertainers. Many of his new songs released this year reached the caliber to be included on this list, but one of our favorites is “Part Of It.” The beautiful song speaks to a universal experience that we all understand.

 

“Bench Seat” – Chase Rice

Chase Rice is arguably in his best era of music in his career at the moment. “Bench Seat’ is undeniably one of his best songs in his impressive catalog. The song is a moving story about mental health and other relatable variables.

 

Listen to these ten songs and more recently released music on our New Country Music Playlist below. Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future releases.

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Who is Colin Stough? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-colin-stough

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Colin Stough
Birthdate – 07/28/2004
Hometown – Gattman, Mississippi
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chris Stapleton, The Allman Brothers, Marcus King, Stevie Ray Vaughan
Label – 19 Recordings/BMG
Current Single – “Til the Day One Does” // as of date of article: 12/26/2023

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on an artist that has already won the hearts of America. Colin Stough graced our television screens on the hit show American Idol, earning third place during his season. Today, he is continuing to build his fanbase with brand new music. We caught up with the singer about what he is doing, where he’s been, and where he’s going.

“I come from a small town in Mississippi,” began Stough. “I grew up living the life – raising hell, hanging out, just a regular guy around there, and I picked up music at a young age. I started doing it for fun, and it turned into a way to cope, so I just kind of rolled with it that way.”

Throughout his childhood, Stough believed in working hard and remembering your roots. These notions are evident today in his music too. He recalls loving music and listening to artists that span different music genres.

“I was listening to everything from Tupac to George Jones and people like that,” shared the singer. Adding, “I definitely have a lot of country influences. My mains were probably like Hendricks, Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and definitely people like that. In today’s world, I jam out to a little bit of everything like Marcus King and Luke Combs.”

Despite loving music, he never in a million years thought it would be a reality for him. “It was always a dream of mine, but I never thought it would come through where I’m from.”

The Turning Point:

At just eighteen years old, Stough’s mother convinced him to audition for American Idol. “My mom signed me up for Idol, and I went on to do that. Stough impressed all three judges, during his audition, singing an emotive cover of the Lynyrd Skynryd song, “Simple Man.” His incredible vocal tone and heart proved his staying power from day one.

The singer-songwriter ended up earning third place on the competitive show. “It was definitely a good experience. After auditions, I was a little on edge, having to live in Los Angeles for a little bit,” he shared. Adding, “It took a lot of getting used to, but all and all, I can’t be more blessed with the support and the platform, and what that network has given me.”

Right after the show ended, Stough made the move to Nashville. “I got off the show, moved to Nashville, signed some deals, and am just living the dream now.” However, it was important for him to start releasing music as soon as possible, and to not get lost in the sea of talent in Music City.

“I told my team, I’m a worker, I’m a workhorse that’s what I was raised to do, that’s what I was born to do, work my ass off […]. My team put it together and they’re a huge inspiration, but I really think me stepping up kind of kept the ball rolling and kept my career moving in a fast pace.”

Today:

Flash toward to today, Stough wasted no time cranking out new music. American Idol wrapped in May of 2023, and by October, the singer released his brand new, debut EP, Promiseland. With six incredible songs, the singer showcases his talent both as a singer and as a songwriter across the entire record.

“I’m in a writing session a lot of the time. If I’m not on the road, I’m in sessions and stuff in Nashville. […] My thing as an artist and stuff is that I want to tell my story. That’s kind of always been the look at it that I had,” shared Stough, when asked about his writing prowess on the project.

While all of the songs are true hits, our personal favorite on the record is a song called, “Lonely Hour.” “When the idea first came about, I had made it to like top 12 on the show,” shared Stough. ” I was sitting there, and I was with a buddy, and he left and whatnot, and I was sitting there, and I was like “man this hotel is lonely.” […] It was probably like 2 in the morning and I grabbed my guitar and starting playing a few chords. I kept hearing that “I’m in a lonely hour.” I kept hearing that melody. I put the chorus together and a little bit of the verses, Then, when we got to Nashville and we were talking ideas and whatnot, we finished ironing it out and writing it, and bam it was on the EP.”

Other standouts on the project are “‘Til The Day One Does” and “If Not For Me.” Both songs evoke meaning, story, and honesty. Stough is the real deal, and we are excited to see what he has coming down the pipeline next for 2024. “We just announced some tour dates with one of my good buddies, Chase Matthew, and we’ve got some more new songs rolling, so keep your ears open and stay tuned.”

Connect:

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

To keep up with Colin Stough, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Colin Stough’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.

who-is-bryce-leatherwood

Who is Bryce Leatherwood? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-bryce-leatherwood

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Bryce Leatherwood
Birthdate – 2/3/2000
Hometown – Woodstock, Georgia
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Conway Twitty, The Allman Brothers, Tim McGraw
Label – Republic Records
Current Single – “The Finger” // as of date of article: 12/18/2023

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight sines on an artist that you may recognize! Bryce Leatherwood, recent winner of the hit show, The Voice chatted with us all about his upbringing, his time on The Voice, and what fans can expect coming into 2024.

“I’m from Woodstock, Georgia. I grew up in a small little town and got to experience the best of country and the outdoors, and country music through my grandfather, who lived in Macon, Georgia,” began the singer-songwriter. “He had a farm down there, and I worked the summers there with him. He was my biggest hero and I got to learn the best of Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and that’s where I grew up. It really shaped me and made me a respectful southern gentleman.”

Leatherwood took a liking to traditional greats of country music at an early age, but he also appreciated country and rock artists that his father introduced him to. My father was a big country music fan,” shared the singer, “I was raised on Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, artists like that, and besides country music, Southern Rock & Roll. My father’s a big Lynyrd Skynyrd  fan. […] I found southern rock to be as much of a love for me as country music.” Additionally, the singer recalls falling in love with Chris Stapleton’s Traveller album, mentioning Stapleton as one of his influences as well.

The rising artist still finds ways to infuse the country and southern rock sound into the music he loves and creates today. “I think country music and Rock & Roll share very similar qualities, and it was a great time to grow up as a kid and have an old soul.”

The Turning Point:

Despite loving music at an early age, Leatherwood did not see it as a potential future until college. “I always saw music as an escape from the real world. Growing up, I never really showed my talent. In high school, I thought I had to be a tough nose guy, and didn’t do any music,” he shared.  “When I moved to college at Georgia Southern University, I figured out quickly that I could drink for free and get paid to sing, so I decided to pick it back up, and I made a little career out of it down there and earned my stripes.”

As he garnered fans and honed in on his talent, Leatherwood knew that country music was in his future. After auditioning for the 22nd season of the hit show, The Voice, the singer appeared to be living in his purpose. He went on to win the show, and secured himself a record deal.

“I went out there and I stuck out pretty well, ya know the redneck with an accent […] It was a long, tough experience, it was hard being away from home and what you know for so long,” he shared. Adding, “Getting to perform for millions of people every Monday, Tuesday night, it was a very, very cool experience, getting to inspire so many people. […] It was truly a life-changing experience and thanks to that show, I get to do what I do professionally.”

Immediately after the show, Leatherwood made the move to Nashville, Tennessee. “After leaving the show, I moved directly up here to Nashville after Christmas and slept on a couch for five months. I finally got a room up here in July. […] I was writing songs Monday to Friday over here at SONY,” shared the singer. “I’ve just been making waves here. I’ve gotten some songs that I have written. I’ve written over 75 songs this year and kept busy writing and growing my catalog. I’ve also gotten the opportunity to pitch songs for artists who are even bigger than me.”

Today:

Now, Leatherwood is emerging a recording artist and entertainer. In just one year, the singer has garnered praise from both country music fans and the industry. Earlier this year, the singer shared his major-label debut song, “The Finger.” “For how much I’ve written, there’s sometimes songs that you hear that you’re given the opportunity to cut that just say ‘that’s me, that’s exactly who I am.’ I’m always going to put music out there that’s me. I’m never going to shy away from that.”

While Leatherwood didn’t pen the song, the track is the perfect example of the type of music that the singer wants to share and showcase with his growing fanbase. “I was like ‘that’s my song’,” shared the singer upon hearing the song for the first time.

For Leatherwood, it is important that his music speaks to his experiences, as well as, cultivates a feeling in his listeners. While 2023 was a monumental year for Leatherwood in a lot of ways behind the scenes, 2024 is slating to be a year to remember for the singer, who promises that there is much more coming down the pipeline next year. “2024 is going to be a big year for me. We’ve got some things in the works.”

Stay tuned and keep your eyes and ears open for more from Leatherwood!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Bryce Leatherwood, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Bryce Leatherwood’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.

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Nate Smith Earns 2nd Number One at Country Radio with “World On Fire”

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Nate Smith earns his second number one single at country radio with his song, “World On Fire.” Get all the details here.

Rising superstar in the making, Nate Smith has had an impressive 2023. He started off the year landing his first number one single with his song, “Whiskey On You.” Today, the singer-songwriter adds to his catalog of hits, earning himself a second number one single at country radio. His song, “World On Fire” is officially the number one song this week.

Written by Smith with Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips and Lindsay Rimes, ‘World On Fire” has been a fan-favorite since day one. The song depicts the end of a relationship, with sweeping symbolism embedded throughout the track. “World On Fire” demands your attention from the first note, making it clear why the song did so well at country radio this year.

“You set my world on fire // Yeah, it’s all long gone // I’m watching flames get higher // And I can’t move on // I just gotta let it burn, burn, burn on down // Girl, without you it don’t turn, turn, turn around // You set my world on fire // You set my world on fire”

Congratulations to Smith and his team on an incredible accomplishment! Smith is currently two for two for hit radio singles. We look forward to more music from Smith in 2024!

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

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

“World On Fire” 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.

dasha-new-song

Dasha Shares New Song “King of California” Out Now

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Dasha shares new song “King of California,” out now, December 15th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Dasha is emerging as one of the most interesting new singer-songwriters on the country music scene right now. Her song, “Austin” showcased her unique style and story-telling. Today, she strips things down a bit more with a slower, more introspective song with that signature Dasha flair. “King of California” is officially out now.

“This track is almost a continuation of the story told in “Austin,” shared the songstress in a recent press release.  “As a songwriter, I love creating worlds in which the same characters exist in more than one song so I wanted to continue that tumultuous love story. “So “King of California”  is basically 40 years later and no matter how beautiful life is or where in the world I am, this person and their memory still trumps it all.”

“King of California” depicts how it feels to still be thinking of that previous flame. Despite the heartbreak and the tumultuous moments, the love seems to still transcend it all. Throughout the song, Dasha finds a way to win the hearts of listeners everywhere, while also delivering a unique sound and style that is proving to be quite the ear worm.

Dasha is proving herself to be one to look out for. We look forward to seeing what Dasha has coming down the pipeline next!

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Dasha’s new song, “King of California” is 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 Dasha releases.

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

“King of California” 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.

troy-cartwright-deathbed

Troy Cartwright Releases New Song “Deathbed”

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Troy Cartwright shares new song “Deathbed,” out now, December 15th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Since making the decision to leave his record label in favor of being an independent artist, Troy Cartwright has found his true North in his music. He continues to grow his music catalog with brand new songs the speak to his talent and knack for story-telling. Today, the singer shares another beautiful new song called “Deathbed.”

The introspective and vulnerable new song is a sincere reflection that almost reads like a poem or a prayer to someone to a loved one. “Deathbed” is focused on a perfect moment stopped in time. It is emotive, pensive, and deeply heartwarming. Cartwright’s vocals shine throughout the track, while the lyrics are a true standout of the song.

“When all the sand in the hourglass // Runs out and my race is run // St. Peter calls me home
// And all my work down here is done // It could be nine or 90 years // But when I’m down to my last breath // I’ll remember this on my deathbed”

Cartwright has a unique voice in the country music genre. His music transcends into the space of true art put to song. “Deathbed” is just another notch in his belt. It is a must listen to and a must add to your music playlists.

troy-cartwright-deathbed

Troy Cartwright shares new song, “Deathbed,” 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 Troy Cartwright releases.

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

“Deathbed” 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 Tanner Usrey? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-tanner-usrey

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Tanner Usrey
Birthdate – March 11th
Hometown – Prosper, Texas
Current City – Texas
Musical Influences – Whiskey Myers, Faces, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Wade Bowen
Label – Atlantic Records
Current Project – Crossing Lines (as of date of article: 12/11/23)

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on country artist and entertainer, Tanner Usrey. The Texas native has had music in his bones since day one and it is evident across both his journey and his music catalog.

“I grew up in a small town in Prosper, Texas. From early on, I was always singing,” began Usrey. “They used to tell me to shut up all the time,” he laughed. “I was the kid in class that was always singing and I kept doing that until my senior year of high school. Then I saw a Wade Bowen concert.”

Usrey recalls being enamored by artists and the country music genre throughout his upbringing. “Me and my buddy would just roll around, playing and listening to music like Whiskey Meyers, Wade Bowen, and old-school Alan Jackson, stuff like that.” He also credits his brothers for introducing him to Texas country. Nowadays, Usrey still appreciates the music of his youth, but tends to lean more towards the old school stuff in the genre like Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Clearly inspired by music and the Bowen concert he attended, Usrey began taking music more seriously, playing gigs wherever he could. “Two months after I started playing guitar, I started playing more actual shows, acoustic shows, after I graduated.”

The Turning Point:

Usrey became a staple on the Texas country music circuit. He played gigs around Texas and nearby states for years, while simultaneously holding down odd jobs. “I did that for five, six years, maybe longer,” he shared. After growing his fanbase and honing his craft, Usrey finally took the leap of faith and focused only on music.

“In 2019, I quit my job and went full time playing music and touring,” he shared. Adding, “COVID hit right after I quit my job, so I was like I guess this is do or die. […] We would just play wherever we could for however much we could.”

This led to Usrey finding new pockets of places to play his music at. “That’s how we got started playing in Oklahoma and the midwest, and then Nashville was next up. […] That’s how we broke out of Texas, I think because we had to.”

Despite the fact that Usrey still resides in Texas, his music has transcended the Texas country scene as he continues to play show after show, while creating music that country music fans love. “We played 180 dates last year and 180 dates this year.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, while maintaining a rigorous tour schedule, Usrey was able to create a 15-song debut album called Crossing Lines. “Finding time to do the studio in between that was pretty difficult, so we would get off the road, and we would go straight to the studio and just do one song at a time. Usually, I would have a song idea, and I would have it halfway written, and I would take it to my producer and we’d finish it. Then the band would come in and we would just figure it out, which I kind of liked. It was kind of letting the song be what the song was meant to be.”

The record features confessional-style lyrics and music that expresses vulnerability and reliability. With a soulful voice and confessional lyrical style, the country newcomer shows off his undeniable talent, charm, and charisma throughout each and every song off the project. “The writing is just stories that I have written, my own personal stories about being on the road,” shared Usrey. Adding, “Lyrics started coming to me and I’ve lived a lot of life in 29 years, so I just wanted to write about what was real to me, my experiences, and hope that people would resonate with it.”

While each of the songs are an important component of the project, the collaboration with Ella Langley, “Beautiful Lies,” is a true standout. “The “Beautiful Lies” thing wasn’t really my idea, I didn’t even necessarily want it to be on the record, but I think my booking agent had an idea to get Ella on there, and I was like “you know what that’s kind of a a good idea.” We decided to make a full production of it,” he shared. “I think it turned out really well. Ella’s amazing at what she does. She’s the full package.”

Crossing Lines is just the beginning for Usrey as he paves his way throughout the more mainstream country music scene. Next year will bring a lot more shows and possibly a new project for the rising artist. Stay tuned!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Tanner Usrey, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Tanner Usrey’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.

What Does ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ Mean? — St. Jude Campaign

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Curious as to why so many of your favorite artists and celebrities are rocking a ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ t-shirt? Learn all about the special tee and how you can get one to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here…

As a country music fan, year after year, it’s almost certain that you’ve found your favorite country music artists supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Whether through benefit concerts, posts on social media, or rocking the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ tee, it’s pretty clear that St. Jude holds a very special place in the country music community. 

While the answer may seem obvious by brief definition alone, — St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. To learn even more, Country Swag took a visit to St. Jude during the annual ‘Country Cares Seminar’ this fall.

Launched more than 30 years ago, Randy Owen from the band Alabama stood up during Nashville’s Annual Country Radio Seminar and asked his friends, colleagues, and radio partners to join together to help St. Jude and the children they serve, and so, the ‘Country Cares Seminar’ was born. The program unites more than 200 radio stations, influencers, and dozens of country music artists annually to raise awareness and support for St. Jude.

During the seminar, all guests are invited to tour St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, and see firsthand the inspirational work that the teams at St. Jude are doing. Upon the first introduction, guests learn about the organization and what exactly makes it so impactful and so special. Perhaps the most remarkable part is that thanks to very generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Families receive the best care in the world, at no cost, making the worst and darkest days of their lives a little bit brighter – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

In addition, St Jude’s research facility and labs are open 24/7 and freely share their findings, protocols, and breakthroughs, so that every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands of more children.

Thanks to generous donations, the brilliant teams at St. Jude have access to equipment that costs millions and millions of dollars, which just not all doctors and scientists everywhere have access to. This not only gives them the freedom to focus on what matters most — saving kids regardless of their financial situation, but they are able to share their discoveries and patients everywhere are getting treatments that were started at St. Jude. Consequently, when you’re donating to St. Jude, you’re not just donating to one hospital in one city, you’re funding the source and if speaking to cancer patients around the world, a common thread may be that many have been treated by protocols that have been sourced by St. Jude. St. Jude is actively working towards a world where no family ever has to hear the words “you have cancer”.

Seeing the work, hearing stories from doctors and patients alike, and understanding the experiences at St. Jude make it easy to recognize the importance of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and instantly inspires guests to get involved and help raise awareness. Next time you see your favorite artists talking about and supporting St. Jude it’s likely because they were able to have these experiences too and see firsthand the amazing work done at St. Jude.

Words like “inspiring”, “joy”, “positivity” and “healing” are just some of the many terms that came to mind for country artists like Breland, Kameron Marlowe, and Randy Owen, during their visit to St. Jude, as seen in the video above.

There are great research institutions, great hospitals, and great charities. St. Jude is all three. You can join the cause and help support St. Jude and the incredible initiative set forth by many country artists and celebrities alike with the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ t-shirt. For a monthly donation of just $19, you get the exclusive tee and all funds directly support the incredible St. Jude organization.

It costs over a million dollars daily to operate St. Jude each and every day. Donations allow St. Jude to continue to help children everywhere.

Join us and many of your favorite country artists like Lainey Wilson, Jon Parsi, Jordan Davis, and Lady A, and help save lives.

To donate and get your own “This Shirt Saves Lives” t-shirt head to: musicgives.org.

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

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Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson’s “Save Me” Earns No. 1 at Country Radio

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Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson earn the number one song at country radio this week with their single, “Save Me”. Learn all the details here.

Rapper turned country artist, Jelly Roll continues to take the genre by storm, while Lainey Wilson has cemented her own staying power in country music in her own right. Together, Jelly Roll and Wilson combine their talents to create absolute magic. Their reimagined version of Jelly’s song “Save Me” officially hit the top of the country charts this week.

A clear fan-favorite, “Save Me” is an introspective song that begs the listener to listen with their whole heart. The reimagined version of Jelly Roll’s track adds Wilson for a duet we never knew we needed! Just a few months after the singer’s debuted the song at the ACM awards, the song quickly found its way to the number one spot at country radio.

“They say my lifestyle is bad for my health // It’s the only thing that seems to help // All of this drinkin’ and smokin’ is hopeless // But feel like it’s all that I need // Somethin’ inside of me’s broken // I hold on to anything that sets me free // I’m a lost cause // Baby, don’t waste your time on me // I’m so damaged beyond repair // Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams”

Congrats to Jelly Roll and his team on his third number one at country radio! Congrats to Lainey Wilson too! Both artists are clearly superstars in their own right.

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson announcements and releases.

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

To keep up with Lainey Wilson, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Save Me” ft. Lainey Wilson 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.