Billy Ray Cyrus Collaborates on “Old Town Road” Remix

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I got the horses in the back / Horse tack is attached / Hat is matte black / Got the boots that’s black to match

Billboard recently removed Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” from the Hot Country Charts on March 26th. Billboard told Rolling Stone “While ‘Old Town Road’ incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version. Lil Nas X responded by dropping a remix of the song featuring country icon, Billy Ray Cyrus on April 5th. As of Friday afternoon, the song is #1 on iTunes and is the #1 trending topic on Twitter.

“Old Town Road” was released in December of 2018 and gained popularity through the social media app, Tik Tok as a part of the “Yeehaw Challenge” meme. This is where users shoot short videos of themselves dressed in everyday clothing with this song in the background. When the chorus came in (“I got the horses in the back”) the user would suddenly be seen in cowboy/cowgirl attire.

Lil Nas X categorized “Old Town Road” in the country genre on SoundCloud but now describes it as “trap country”. As the meme grew in popularity, so did the song as it debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Charts at number 19 on March 16th.

The unlikely duo of Lil Nas X and Cyrus got together after Cyrus expressed his disappointment about the removal on Instagram writing “Don’t try and think inside the box. Don’t think outside the box. Think like there is no box. #HorsesInTheBack”

Cyrus was too once taken off the country charts. On April 3rd via Twitter, Cyrus gave Lil Nas X some inspiration: “When I got thrown off the charts, Waylon Jennings said to me ‘Take this as a compliment’ means you’re doing something great! Only Outlaws are outlawed. Welcome to the club!” 

Other artists expressed their support of the Atlanta-born artist on social media including Florida Georgia Line. Their motto for 2019, “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country” is perfect for Lil Nas X as well. The duo tweeted this out on Monday:

Lil Nas X

“Old Town Road” may be the first big hit for Lil Nas X but Cyrus is used to the attention. His first album, Some Gave All debuted at number one and stayed there for 17 weeeks in 1992. It’s hit single, “Achy Breaky Heart” became a phenomenon and went mulit-platinum. He has put out fifteen studio albums and seven top ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Charts. His 16th album, The SnakeDoctor Circus will be released this spring.

To keep up with Lil Nas X, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Old Town Road” The Remix  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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Maren Morris Stuns In Pink Singing “The Bones” on Ellen

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It seems country superstar Maren Morris is giving the world more and more to be excited about, since the release of her number one album GIRL last month. Earlier today, the songstress took her unique swagger, killer style, and catchy tunes to the stage, performing on ‘Ellen’.

Unlike previous TV performances, where she sang her current single “Girl,” Morris chose to sing another song off her sophomore record entitled “The Bones.” The soulful and enticing track pays homage to the fact that if a relationship is built on a solid foundation of trust and honesty, then the couple can get through anything together.

The superstar shared on Instagram that her outfit inspiration for this performance was “edgy Glinda”. Donning a pink, 80’s inspired dress, matching light pink thigh high boots and luscious long, blonde locks, Morris took the stage after a kind introduction from host, Ellen DeGeneres, “This Sunday night our next guest is nominated for the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year. Here to perform “The Bones” off her brilliant new CD, Maren Morris.” The singer-songwriter engaged the audience with both her creative lyrics and sultry vocals, giving fans a taste for what her headlining tour, ‘Girl The World Tour’ might look like. Tune in this Sunday night to see if Morris takes home the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year award at the 54th ACM Awards on CBS.

The tour hits the New York area twice next month, stopping in Brooklyn in May 3rd and New York City’s Terminal 5 on May 4th. For tickets and more tour information, head to marenmorris.com.

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

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Mitchell Tenpenny Puts An Updated Twist On “Just To See You Smile”

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Mitchell Tenpenny Just To See You Smile

On a Friday where throwback songs being updated is prevalent, Brooks & Dunn released REBOOT, a compilation of their biggest hits reimagined as duets with new country artists, Mitchell Tenpenny has released his own new spin on a classic. Tim McGraw’s “Just To See You Smile” was released in 1997 and not only hit the top of the charts but set what was then a record for being the longest-running single on the Billboard country chart since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan back in 1990.

The track written by Tony Martin and Mark Nesler was originally on McGraw’s album Everywhere and helped catapult the country artist into the superstardom where he remains today. The story is tried and true, doing everything in your power to make the one you love happy.

“Just to see you smile / I’d do anything , that you wanted me to / And all is said and done , I’d never count the cost / It’s worth all that’s lost, just to see you smile”

Whether its moving to a new state to allow them to follow their dreams, letting them have the space they asked for or letting them go when you know they’ll be happy with someone else, the heartbreaking tale is a classic.  Tenpenny who grew up in Nashville calls the song one of his favorites to cover on Instagram.  He takes the timeless song and slows it down, adds his unique vocal runs to really update the track. Hopefully his incredible rendition will make his set list while on the Make It Sweet Tour with Old Dominion and Jordan Davis. The tour hits the New York area twice, May 17th at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden and May 25th at Bald Hill Amphitheatre on Long Island.

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

“Just To See You Smile” 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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Morgan Wallen Sings His Rendition Of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up”

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Morgan Wallen Cover Me Up

Morgan Wallen’s most recently released track is an acoustic cover of Grammy award winner, Jason Isbell’s song “Cover Me Up.” The single shows a different, heartfelt, side of Wallen, which is a stark contrast to many of the upbeat, good time, party songs that most of us are familiar with from his debut album If I Know Me. “We ain’t leaving this room / Till Percy Priest breaks open wide / And the river runs through / And carries this house on the stones / Like a piece of driftwood / Cover me up and know you’re enough / To use me for good.”  This rendition provides an insight into the musical ingenuity and tender side of the rising artist, and the ability to make a song completely his own.

“Cover Me Up” is the first cover song that Wallen has released as a single. After covering it for a Taste of Country Risers Session the song was an immediate success and a favorite among fans. The original video has over 2.5 million views in only four months, which provided the encouragement to record it as an official single. Check out the video below.

Time will tell if the love song will make it into Wallen’s live set on his upcoming slots on Florida Georgia Line’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour or his stint with Luke Combs on the Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour. For tour dates head to http://morganwallen.com

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

“Cover Me Up” 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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Kane Brown Features ‘This Is Us’ Star Lonnie Chavis in “Good As You” Video

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Good As you

Photo Credit Alex Alvga

Back in October, hitmaker, Kane Brown released his top ten song, “Good As You” off his sophomore album, Experiment. The romantic and heartfelt song acted as the backdrop for Brown’s beautiful wedding to his now- wife, Katelyn Jae.  Just yesterday, Brown premiered an equally as touching official music video for the track on CMT.

The singer has been open about his struggles growing up, but despite the challenges, he gives credit to his grandmother and mother for raising him into the man he is today. After honoring his wife previously, Brown honors the other most important women in his life and other strong women in his inspiring music video, which was directed by Reid Long and produced by Christen Pinkston. “This Is Us” star Lonnie Chavis plays the young boy in the video, who is representative of Brown as a child. The video’s unique approach to the love song is not only relatable but relays a powerful message.

The entertainer shared more about his creative process for the music video in a quick clip on his YouTube channel. “It’s awesome being raised by women because I can relate to them so much,” he shares, later explaining, “I feel like there’s a lot of scenes, where you can see how I was raised. This an awesome video that pays tribute to my Nana and my Mom.” He added in an interview with CMT, “To be able to honor them is incredible because no matter how much we struggled, my Mom and Nana never let me see it.”

Brown’s authenticity and sense of self continues to lace itself through his music, garnering him more and more success and recognition in the industry. He currently has four Billboard Music Award nominations, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album, and Top Country Song. The recording artist is also up for an ACM Award for Single of the Year for his platinum track “Heaven.”

Make sure you watch the ACM award show, broadcasting live, Sunday, April 7th on CBS to see if he wins! Don’t forget to check out, Brown’s live performance of “Good As You” too.

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

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Little Big Town Release Emotional Track “The Daughters”

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The Daughters

“Oh girl wash your face before you come to the table,” Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings, her emotive rasp immediately drawing listeners into the story of Little Big Town’s newest single, “The Daughters.” On the personal and ethereal-sounding track, the foursome is back to the roots of what makes them truly special. Here, their vocal harmonies and meaningful lyrics are on full display, backed by simple instrumentation.

Written by Fairchild, Sean McConnell, and Ashley Ray, the plaintive new track speaks to what it’s like growing up as a girl. Often told what to do, how to think, and how to be, this song reflects on that in the most brilliant of ways. “Girl, don’t be weak, but don’t be strong,” They sing of the challenges of growing up female. “Pose like a trophy on a shelf and dream for everyone but not yourself. I’ve heard of God the son and God the father, I’m still looking for a God for the daughters.”

If the slight lyric twist on the final chorus doesn’t break your heart, nothing will, as Fairchild emotionally sings, “Damn I love my son, I love my father, I’m just looking for a God for the daughters.”

The simple yet moving video for “The Daughters” was released today, and you can watch it below. It features female dancers, choreographed by Andrew Winghart.

Little Big Town will take the stage in Vegas this Sunday (April 7) to perform “The Daughters” at the ACM Awards. It is the first single from their forthcoming album.

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
“Daughters” 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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New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 4/5/19

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It’s our favorite part of the week, New Music Friday! Today, we see the highly anticipated album REBOOT from Brooks & Dunn. Making their old hits brand new again, the best selling duo of all time have collaborated with artists like Midland, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett and more on the hot new album. Additionally, we’ve got Reba’s brand new album Stronger Than The Truth, check out our First Impression Review here. We also see new music from rising artist Ingrid Andress, two new tracks from Adam Craig, a new single from Little Big Town and so much more.

Check out our Spotify New Country Music Playlist below and be sure to follow for updates each and every Friday:

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Adam Craig Releases “If You’re Lucky” and “Whatever You’re Drinking To”

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Adam Craig

Photo Credit: David McClister

Stoney Creek Records recording artist Adam Craig has been making his mark on country music with since his 2016 top 40 single on country radio “Just a Phase.” Today (April 5th) he is releasing not just one but two new singles, “If You’re Lucky” and “Whatever You’re Drinking To”. In both songs, Craig showcases his soulful voice and makes you want to go back to your hometown roots or open a cold one with friends.

“This is the first time that I’ve really met with publishers and got deep into the weeds in the new music process and it feels really good, I’m so excited to share this new music with the world,” said Craig in a recent press release. “The last couple of months I have been able to play these on the road and watching the crowd’s reaction has been amazing! They are so fun perform.”  

The first single “If You’re Lucky” gives listeners as a throwback vibe to younger years and past moments in their hometowns. Penned by Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill the track tells the story of how people can take a look back to be thankful they were not afraid to live their lives to the fullest; be surrounded by people who love them and find their dreams, then they can be considered lucky.

His second track released today “Whatever You’re Drinking To” is for anyone looking to let loose and enjoy a drink whether going through a good time or a bad one. The song, written by Craig along with Matt Rogers and Michael Carter is an anthem and will definitely be a hit in during his live shows and will make you and your friends want to grab a cold one sometime real soon.

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

“If You’re Lucky” and “Whatever You’re Drinking To” are 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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Ingrid Andress Releases Family-Inspired “More Hearts Than Mine”

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Ingrid Andress More Hearts Than Mine

 

Warner Music Nashville’s newest recording artist, Ingrid Andress impressed us with her effortless voice and killer song-writing back in February, during an exclusive showcase. A few weeks later, the singer-songwriter released her empowering debut single, “Lady Like” to country radio. Today, as a follow up to the track, Andress released her powerful ballad, “More Hearts Than Mine,” one of the songs we previewed at the event.

Andress’ new song showcases some of the most uniquely cultivated and creative songwriting by a new artist. Co-written by the songstress with Sam Ellis and Derrick Southerland, she pours her heart into the personal track, drawing inspiration from her parents and past relationships. The relatable and honest lyrics tell the story of beginning a relationship with someone and knowing that if it doesn’t work out, that your family may feel just as hurt and impacted by the breakup. The track offers a different perspective to breakups and heartbreaks that seems fitting for both Andress’ vocals and style.

“If I bring you home to mama, I guess I better warn ya, she falls in love a little faster than I do / and my Dad will check your tires, pour you whiskey over ice and take you fishing but pretend that he don’t like you /, oh if we break up, I’ll be fine, but you’ll breaking more hearts than mine.” 

As one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, it will be exciting to see how country music fans react to her unique talent and story-telling ability. We look forward to seeing how her career develops over the coming year.

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

“More Hearts Than Mine” 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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NYCS First Impression Reba ‘Stronger Than The Truth’

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Reba Stronger Than The Truth

Almost immediately, one can sense that there’s something inherently different about Reba’s album, Stronger Than the Truth (out April 5). It speaks to the soul in a way most modern country albums fail to. On each of the collection’s twelve tracks, the famous redhead flexes her impeccable vocal talent, her distinct voice wrapping itself around each syllable and emotion in a way only a master of the craft can do. While many of her younger contemporaries rely heavily on pop beats, collaborations, and cookie cutter lyrics, Reba truly strikes a different chord on this release.

Stronger Than the Truth is truly a standout in a sea of sameness that seems to envelop Nashville much of the time. The indisputable legend is stronger than ever here, with an album that is country to its core. From the opening strains of “Swing All Night With You,” it’s evident that this isn’t an album targeted at country radio. It’s an album targeted at country fans.

Since the earliest days of her long and storied career, Reba has been a captivating storyteller. There are few other singers who could’ve delivered “Fancy,” “The Night the Lights When Out in Georgia” or “Whoever’s New England” with the same charisma and conviction. On her new album, Reba steps effortlessly back into those types of narratives, and in an era laden with beer and back roads, it’s a welcome change of pace.

An immediate standout of the album is “Cactus in a Coffee Can,” a track that hearkens back to the heyday of the story song. Here, Reba sings of a chance encounter with a brokenhearted stranger on an airplane. While the song title may seem silly at a glance, the song is incredibly well-crafted and moving. “She started talking and pain poured out,” Reba sings of the girl named Elaina, whose mother gave her away on the day she was born. She admits that she searched for her for ten years, finding her when “she was almost gone.” “We had two weeks together, to laugh and to cry, two weeks to say hello and goodbye.”

Heartbreak is a common theme throughout Stronger Than The Truth, threading its way through songs like “The Clown,” “Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain,” and “The Bar’s Getting Lower.” On the latter, Reba plays the role of a woman who’s giving up hope on finding true love, willing to settle for something less than the best to ease her loneliness. She was waiting for pink champagne, but as life passes by, she’s willing to lower the bar and settle for “well whiskey.”

On the piano-driven “The Clown,” written by Dallas Davidson, Hillary Lindsey, and James Slater, Reba is a woman forced to put on a brave face as life goes on around her after heartbreak. “So you paint a big smile on your face to cover that frown,” She sings of a relationship being ended in a crowded restaurant. “In that room full of jokers and jesters, sometimes you’re the clown.”

While the ballads here are powerful, there’s no shortage of sass on Stronger Than the Truth. There’s the album’s opening track, the snappy “No U in Oklahoma” and the up-tempo “Storm in Shot Glass.” On “Storm,” Reba tells the tale of a scorned woman drowning her sorrows in alcohol. “You better run for cover,” She warns. “She’ll just order another.”

The album’s penultimate track is the anthemic “Freedom,” most remnant of Reba’s “Love Revival,” with it’s Gospel-tinged country stomp. Here, Reba is strong and empowered, belting “Loving you feels like freedom” over soaring guitars. Here, she’s revealing it all, realizing that she’s come out on the other side, and is finally free. “I’ve searched high and low/ Been to hell and back/ Been a prisoner to my soul / And all I know is that/ The price of being free/ It don’t come cheap.”

The album ends on a sweet note, a simple piano-driven ballad that’s a letter of gratitude to her 91-year-old mother, Jacqueline. “I’ve been told I’m not enough by everyone but you,” Reba reveals to the listener. “You never gave up on me/ I’m here where I was always meant to be/ I never gave up/ ‘Cause you never gave up on me.”

While it would be easy for the 64-year-old songstress to rest on her laurels and release same-ish music or cave to contemporary trends in an attempt to maintain relevance, there’s none of that here. On Stronger Than the Truth, Reba is authentically Reba, and that’s really all country music really needs right now.

Reba McEntire, Stronger Than the Truth Track Listing:

1. “Swing All Night Long With You” (Sidney Cox, Jon Randall)
2. “Stronger Than the Truth” (Hannah Louise Blaylock, Autumn McEntire)
3. “Storm in a Shot Glass” (Mary Browder, Will Robinson, Leslie Satcher)
4. “Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain” (Brandy Clark, Mark Narmore, Shelley Skidmore)
5. “Cactus in a Coffee Can” (Steve Seskin, Allen Shamblin)
6. “Your Heart” (Kellys Collins)
7. “The Clown” (Dallas Davidson, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater)
8. “No U in Oklahoma” (Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn, Donna McSpadden)
9. “The Bar’s Getting Lower” (Kellys Collins, Erin Enderlin, Liz Hengber, Alex Kline)
10. “In His Mind” (Reba McEntire, Liz Hengber, Tommy Lee James)
11. “Freedom” (Jay Brunswick, Tommy Cecil, Jaida Dreyer, John Pierce)
12. “You Never Gave Up on Me” (Billy Aerts, Burton Collins)

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

Stronger Than the Truth 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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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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