who-is-joe-nichols

Who Is Joe Nichols? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-joe-nichols

Joe Nichols

Quick Facts:
Full name– Joe Nichols
Birthdate – 11/26/1976
Hometown – Rogers, Arkansas
Current city – Texas
Musical influences – Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Don Williams
Label – Quartz Hill Records
Current single- “Better Than You” with Annie Bosko (as of date of article)
The Beginning:
While we love showcasing new and rising country artists, it’s always exciting to celebrate those who’ve already made their mark. We caught up with singer-songwriter Joe Nichols to talk about his incredible journey through decades in country music, his achievements, new music, and more. Keep reading to dive into his story!

“I always had the bug to sing a little bit,” began the Arkansas native. “My dad had many jobs, but one thing he did on the weekends was he played music, and a lot of my family members played music. It was mostly country music. I kind of always wanted to be a singer. I watched him play and he was a great singer.”

Growing up on country music, Nichols recalls trying to emulate the greats that came through his airwaves. Artists like George Strait, Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, and Keith Whitley influenced him and his singing voice at an early age. “Those guys taught me how to sing. I always gravitated towards the more baritone, traditional country guys.”

Nichols took his love of music with him throughout his life, and when he hit high school, he found himself at a crossroads. “I decided my life was going into two directions, either music professionally or a baseball player professionally. Both of those things were incredible long-shots, but I kind of leaned into music, and then put together my first band around 18 years old.”

The Turning Point:

At just eighteen years old, Nichols was primed for success, playing gigs around his home state and beyond as much as he could. A year into grinding in the music scene, he earned his first independent deal. “When I was nineteen, I put out a couple of songs with a video attached to it, and had a little bit of success,” shared the singer. Adding, “It gave me a little taste of wanting to do something bigger, so I moved to Nashville. I beat the streets for a good solid four, five years, and in 2002 I got my first major-label release with Universal South called, “The Impossible.” […] I had my first number one on R&R charts.”

Once he finally landed in Nashville, Nichols was clear-eyed and ready to make his dreams come true. “We were kind of off to the races then. We had peaks and valleys, and top of the top and low of the lows, over the last twenty-two years,” shared the artist.

Throughout his time in Nashville, Nichols achieved recognition by radio, garnered millions of loyal fans, and shared many new projects. “As far as my career goes, I think I’ve had technically six number ones, five if you only count billboard number ones. […] It’s been incredible. I’m still here, making new music. […] My goal always was to do this for a living for twenty years or more, and people are still coming up to see the show and stream my music. That’s all I ever wanted.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Nichols is still making music, and has no plans to stop any time soon! The singer most recently released his new album, Honky Tonks & Country Songs featuring eleven new songs including an incredible remake of the Hank Williams Jr classic, “Country Boy Can Survive.”

“We started recording back in October 2023, and we put together a good pile of five or six songs to feel out the direction we wanted to go with this album,” shared the singer. “What kind of formed organically, was a little bit honky-tonk music and kind of 90s throwback music. We have some two-stepping songs, line-dancing songs, and that’s kind of the feel we went for. There’s some new, kind of progressive sounding things, including the single, “Better Than You,”. The single is kind of a new, 2024, radio-sounding song, and then we got a 2024 version of “Country Boy Can’t Survive” that’s pretty rocking. There’s a lot of stuff that feels like early 2000s, late 90s. It was a really explosive time for country music.”

The record as a whole showcases Nichols staying power as an artist. There are songs for the more modern country fans, just as there are songs for the more traditional fan. Nichols music stands the test of time. To stay in the loop ant catch the singer on the road, head to his website here for tickets to his shows!

Connect:

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

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

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

Morgan-wallen-love-somebody

Morgan Wallen Tops Country Radio Charts with “Love Somebody”

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Morgan Wallen earns his fifteenth number one single at country radio with his song, “Love Somebody.” Get all the details here.

Morgan Wallen continues to dominate country radio, with every release seeming to climb straight to the top. His hit “Lies Lies Lies” recently became his 14th number-one, and now he’s keeping the streak alive. This week, Wallen scores his 15th number-one at country radio with “Love Somebody”!

Co-written by Wallen alongside hitmakers John Byron, Ashley Gorley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Elof Loelv, and Ryan Vojtesak, this track is one fans will want to play on repeat. It also offers a glimpse into what’s ahead for the singer-songwriter’s recently announced upcoming studio project.

“Wanna find // Somethin’ stronger than the whiskey // And oh, I’ve tried // But every time I feel her kiss me // I keep comin’ up empty, yeah // I just wanna love somebody // Who won’t leave a hole in my heart // I just wanna love somebody // That don’t want me fallin’ apart // And I’ll be lucky if I ever find // A somethin’ more than just a crazy night // I just wanna love somebody”

Officially marking a new era of music for Wallen, “Love Somebody” is another hit for the singer!

Congrats to Morgan Wallen and his team on their latest number one single!

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

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

“Love Somebody” 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.

ty-myers-the-select

Ty Myers: ‘The Select’ – Debut Album Review

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Ty Myers shares debut album, The Select, officially out now, January 24th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

With a powerfully soulful rasp way beyond his 17 years, country newcomer Ty Myers is already one of the most buzzed about new artists in the genre. Today, the Austin, TX native released his debut album, The Select, which features 16 new songs. Twelve of the tracks were solo writes by the mega-talent, showcasing his skill as both an artist and a vocalist.

The Select’s title is a nod to Le Select, a Parisian restaurant oft-visited by Ernest Hemingway, one of Myers’ favorite writers. From that anecdote alone, it’s clear that Myers is wise beyond his years and one listen to his debut album just solidifies that. The singer-songwriter is clearly an old soul, stories about drinking, regret, and eternal love weaving its way through the LP. As talented as he is as a singer, he’s also a great storyteller, making much of the content believable despite his youth.

“It’s a culmination of everything since I started. That’s kind of how all first albums are, I guess, but I started writing when I was around six or seven and have been writing ever since,” Myers revealed to Holler Country. “I’ve had the opportunity to choose songs from way back then, songs I wrote a couple years ago and some songs I wrote the day before I recorded it.”

The album opens with “Ends of the Earth,” a bluesy and soulful song that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Chris Stapleton. With its gritty vocals and stirring guitar riffs, Myers proclaims his undying love to someone special.

For Myers, there are a few themes that permeate the album, ranging from enduring love to undeniable heartbreak, as well as drinking and blue-collared story songs. The unique power of his voice echoes over each track, weaving each song into a cohesive and impassioned LP.

Heartbreak weaves its way through tracks like “But Me,” “Love is Two Faced,” “Somewhere Over You,” and “Thought It Was Love.” On “Two Faced,” he grapples with the surprise that comes from the ending of a seemingly perfect relationship, while “Thought It Was Love” finds him telling a similar story. “Too Far Gone” is one of the best heartbreak songs on the album, chock full of smoky, darker, and downtuned guitars that’s a perfect kissoff track for a live show.  “I don’t know where I went wrong, woke up on a Saturday and found you gone…” He growls. “Keep on rollin’ til you’re too far gone.”

“Let ‘Em Talk” finds him bucking the opinions of others, encouraging a new lover to quell the voices of the naysayers, while “Real World Now” is a twangy and peppy ode to working hard for your family. “Worry is a Sickness” is an immediate standout, a building midtempo that finds him impassioned and lovesick.

“Firefly” is another standout, a stunning piano-laden ballad about someone who lights up the room “like a thousand little stars in the sky.” This is a surefire way to get fans swooning with its unique musical melody that recalls the Bruce Springsteen hit, “Secret Garden.”

“Can’t Hold Me Down” is a swampy, Marc Broussard-esque ode to being a ramblin’ man, while “Never Get Tired (Of Loving You)” is an uptempo celebration of love that never gets boring or stale.

Myers pays homage to his musical hero, John Mayer, on “Man on the Side,” which was co-written by Mayer and Zac Brown Band’s Clay Cook. It’s heavy on the guitar, in the best way possible.

“He’s my number one biggest hero ever,” Myers said of Mayer to Apple Music’s Country Risers Radio podcast with Ward Guenther. “I love the fact that he’s changed so drastically throughout his career. He did what he wanted to do, and that’s what I gravitate towards. He did what he wanted and made the world bend to what he wanted to do.”

Despite not even being old enough to legally drink, Myers has a unique ability to write a whiskey-drenched drinking or heartbreak song. “Drinkin’ Alone” is a lush ballad that finds him determined to not leave a bar alone, while, “Drunk Love” finds him lost under the neon lights and looking for love, while longing for something more than lusty alcohol-fueled nights.

“I’m tired of drunk love // You can only feel the lust when your body’s numb // Another one leads to keepin’ the lights on // Clothes off, decisions you regret // When the sun comes up // Cause it’s nothin’ to speak of // I’m tired of drunk love”

The album ends with  “Tie That Binds,” a sparse pickup tune that starts at a bar and leads to forever. “Cuz I’ve been lookin’ for a woman like you for quite some time// I’d be the happiest man in the world to call you mine,” Myers muses. “I think you found a tie that binds.”

Ty Myers’s The Select is out now via Nashville/Columbia records.

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Worry is a Sickness
  2. Man on the Side
  3. Real World Now
  4. Let ‘Em Talk
  5. Too Far Gone

The Select Track List:

  1. Ends of the Earth (Ty Myers)
  2. Real World Now (Ty Myers)
  3. Worry is a Sickness (Ty Myers)
  4. Let ‘Em Talk (Ty Myers, Anderson East, Trent Dabbs)
  5. Love Is Two Faced (Ty Myers)
  6. Somewhere Over You (Allen Shamblin, Michael Reid)
  7. Never Get Tired (of Loving You) (Ty Myers)
  8. Firefly (Ty Myers)
  9. Can’t Hold Me Down (Ty Myers)
  10. Man On The Side (John Mayer, Clay Cook)
  11. Thought It Was Love (Ty Myers)
  12. Too Far Gone (Ty Myers, Jessi Alexander, Rhett Akins)
  13. Drunk Love (Ty Myers)
  14. But Me (Ty Myers)
  15. Drinkin’ Alone (Ty Myers)
  16. Tie That Binds (Ty Myers)
ty-myers-debut-album

Ty Myers shares new debut album, ‘The Select,’ 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 Ty Myers releases.

To keep up with Ty Myers, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

The Select 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.

rodney-atkins-marry-me

Rodney Atkins Shares Brand New Song “Marry Me Again”

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Rodney Atkins shares new song, “Marry Me Again”, out now, January 24th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new release below.

Rodney Atkins has truly transcended generations, planting his roots firmly into traditional country music, while bringing a catchy flair to all of his songs. The hitmaker returned after a three year hiatus with his song,“True South” and now the singer-songwriter is upping the ante. Today, Atkins releases a touching new song called, “Marry Me Again.”

Written for his wife Rose Falcon, Atkins spotlights his lifelong commitment to his wife after more than a decade of marriage, sons, and a a ton of musical accomplishments. “Marry Me Again” celebrates all that love is in a new and unique way. Atkins is no stranger to bringing his fans into his life, highlighting his love for his family along the way, and “Marry Me Again” is another example of that.

“We came a long way from lawn chair beers in my garage by candlelight // It felt so right when we locked eyes the first time you stayed the night // We wrote our plans in Captiva sand that everything and nothing changed // You still drive me crazy // I thank God you took my name // Now look at us here we are // We got ourselves a pretty good start // We fell together and not apart // Made it out alive with a couple scars // I’m down on the same knee holding a new ring // Saying the same things I said back then // What do you say before we make it another ten // Will you marry me again”

Both “True South” and “Marry Me Again” are getting fans ready for a brand new project coming Atkins sooner rather than later! Stay tuned!

rodney-atkins-marry-me

Rodney Atkins shares new song, “Marry Me Again”, 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 Rodney Atkins releases.

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

“Marry Me Again” 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.

kane-brown-high-road

Kane Brown: ‘The High Road’ – Album Review

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Kane Brown shares brand new album The High Road, officially out now, January 24th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

When it comes to journeying down paths untaken, The High Road finds Kane Brown on a new musical path. For the Georgia native, the LP is his most ambitious and musically diverse project to date, allowing him to stretch himself thematically, melodically, lyrically, and even collaboratively.

On the follow up to 2022’s Different Man, Brown explores different sounds, pushing boundaries beyond his typical sound and style. “This is by far my favorite album, from the sequencing to the songwriting to the different sounds. There’s definitely a song for everybody,” he says in a statement. “My other albums, I always kind of, you know, cared what people thought about. And this album, we don’t… we gave our everything into the songs.”

The eighteen song collection features fifteen tracks co-written by Brown alongside of Nashville’s biggest names including HARDY, Morgan Wallen, Josh Hoge, Jacob Davis, Josh Osborne, and more. He also enlists a wide array of collaborators from various genres including his wife, Katelyn, Khalid, Marshmello, Jelly Roll, and Brad Paisley.

Having co-written most of the album’s new tracks, it’s clear that the songs are special to Brown. “Every song is important to me and every collaboration means something personal to me,” He tells the AP. “I’m so incredibly proud of this record.”

The album kicks off with the driving and earwormy, “I Am,” a powerful admission of fear and uncertainty that’s paired with a catchy beat that echoes with resilience and determination to succeed.

“I’m scared of growing up // I’m scared of growing old // I’m scared of falling short // I’m scared of the unknown // Oh, I’m burning on the edge // But I know right where I stand // I know the road ahead // Will make me who I am”

“Fiddle in the Band” is up next, a clear standout that mixes typical country fiddles with stomping drums on the ode to not fitting into one specific box. In fact, it feels like the type of song many music fans can listen to, jumping genres from country to pop to hip hop to rock, all within one playlist.

“I’m just like you // I was raised on the radio // From Memphis blues to Hollywood rock ’n’ roll // Took a trip to Music City // Brought a little bit of everything with me // I’m a little bit of bass, 808s, a little bit of clap your hands // I’m a little bit of six strings on a backbeat // With a fiddle in the band”

Collaborations also play a big and genre-bending role throughout The High Road, as Brown taps into his inner R&B balladeer on “Rescue,” featuring Khalid. Meanwhile, “Miles On It” features Marshmello and techno, dance beats, while “Things We Quit” with Brad Paisley is a tongue-in-cheek pure country anthem.

Brown also pairs with Jelly Roll on the especially poignant, “Haunted,” which finds them trading verses at their lowest. Inspired by a writing session in an old hotel that felt supernatural, Brown and Jelly Roll reveal a new depth of pain and the struggles they face on the road. It’s a dark and moody ballad that deals with the demons that come with fame.

“‘Cause I’m haunted by the voice in my head // I’m haunted by the taste of that lead // I’ve wanted too many times to // Jump off of the edge // Thinking I was better off dead // I’m haunted only every other night // I’m haunted and I wish I knew why // I’ve wanted too many times to be // Gone by the morning // If I’m honest // Yeah, I’m haunted”

Brown slows things down and brings in some romance by pairing with his wife, Katelyn on two very different duets. There’s “Do Us Apart,” a warm and sweeping ballad that would make a perfect wedding song or bookend to their previous duet, “Thank God.” Alternatively, there’s “Body Talk,” a smoky and sultry R&B laden celebration of all the ways in which two bodies can “talk.”

“Backseat Driver” is truly a special moment, as the father of three details the innocence that comes from riding in the car with his child. Here, he muses over his daughter’s sweet and simple questions, hoping those moments last forever. “It’s crazy all the things she sees on the side of the road, Out of that window beside her I wish I could be more like her,” He sings, “My little dangling feet, pretty in pink, backseat driver.”

“Gorgeous” and “3” also show a softer side to the Georgia native, with the latter celebrating the ways in which his favorite number has played a role in his life, ranging from the size of his family to his baseball jersey to the number of kids he has. Meanwhile, “Gorgeous” is an apt title for the sparse and sentimental song, praising someone that’s beautiful both inside and out.

Brown dabbles with other popular songs in unique ways on The High Road, mixing in the Phil Collins classic, “In the Air Tonight” with his own lyrics on “I Can Feel It.” Likewise, he answers Jennifer Nettles’ desperate pleas from the Sugarland song, “Stay,” with his own song of the same name, telling the sordid tale of infidelity from the male perspective as he implores her not to leave.

Other tunes that find Brown sampling new styles include “Says I Can,” a fun ode to liquid courage and “Back Around,” a twangy and peppy two stepper that is all about karma catching up with someone. Equally sunny and delightful is “Beside Me,” an almost-beachy inspired jaunt that wouldn’t feel out of place for Kenny Chesney or the Zac BrownBand.

The LP ends with the startlingly honest, “When You Forget,” a beautiful tribute to his grandfather who passed away after battling Alzheimer’s.

“Your memory’s fading // It’s breaking my heart // If you look in that mirror // And wonder who you are // You’re still our hero // You’re still the man // A hell of a father // And a damn good friend // You could fix any problem // With a wrench or some words // The backbone of our family // In the front of that church // You kept every promise // For worse or for better // I’m writing you this // So, when you forget // You can remember”

For a consistent superstar like Kane Brown, it would be easy to rest on his laurels and stick to a formula that’s been successful. Yet, on The High Road, he does just the opposite, taking risks and experimenting with new sounds and styles. And while it may have been a gamble, it certainly paid off.

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Fiddle in the Band
  2. Backseat Driver
  3. Haunted ft. Jelly Roll
  4. Miles On It
  5. I Am

The High Road Track List:

  1. I Am
  2. Fiddle in the Band
  3. Backseat Driver
  4. Miles On It with Marshmello
  5. Says I Can
  6. 3
  7. Rescue with Khalid
  8. Haunted with Jelly Roll
  9. Star a Fire
  10. Body Talk with Katelyn Brown
  11. Gorgeous
  12. Beside Me
  13. I Can Feel It
  14. Things We Quit with Braid Paisley
  15. Back Around
  16. Stay
  17. Do Us Apart with Katelyn Brown
  18. When You Forget
kane-brown-the-high-road

Kane Brown shares new album, ‘The High Road,’ 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 Kane Brown releases.

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

The High Road 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.

hudson-westbrook-mine-tomorrow

Hudson Westbrook Shares New Song “Mine Tomorrow”

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Hudson Westbrook shares new song, “Mine Tomorrow,” out now, January 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Hudson Westbrook is a rising star in country music right now. His music is rooted in his traditiona Texas upbringing and incredible songwriting. His songs and stories have grit, emotion, and the “it factor.” To kick off 2025, Westbrook is sharing an emotive, love song with fans called, “Mine Tomorrow,” which is officially out today.

Written by Westbrook with Dan Alley and Ryan Beaver, “Mine Tomorrow”, depicts what it’s like to choose someone and claim them as yours. The song is a romantic declaration of love and finding your person. Westbrook does an incredible job bringing such a nuanced emotion to life in a way that feels relatable, raw, and real.

“I’ve been fightin’ for this feelin’ // I’ve been waitin’ patiently // For someone to put the brakes on // My leavin’ till it left me // Then you showed up, got it done  // Now here we are, and I’ll never run // As long as you’re mine tomorrow // All my today’s belong to you // As long as you love me girl I’ll follow // Like it was all I was made to do // Till the whole wide world, runs outta time I’ll be fine // Long as you’re mine tomorrow”

“Mine Tomorrow’ is the perfect song to add to your musical playlist and another incredible song for Westbrook to add to his growing catalog of songs.

Hudson-westbrook-mine-tomorrow

Hudson Westbrook shares new song, “Mine Tomorrow”, 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 Hudson Westbrook releases.

To keep up with Hudson Westbrook, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. 

“Mine Tomorrow” 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.

John Morgan Kicks off the New Year with New Song “Crickets”

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John Morgan shares new song, “Crickets,” out now, January 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Hit songwriter, John Morgan continues to firmly plant his feet as a recording artist in country music. Every release so far continues to grow his undeniable star power, while showing fans exactly the type of music he will continue to create. To kick off 2025, Morgan is sharing a brand new song with fans called, “Crickets.”

Morgan’s new single is one of his best songs to date. “Crickets’ is a feel-good, mid-tempo song that feels catchy, sultry, and has that country flair all at the same time.  A testament to staying in the moment and enjoying the present, “Crickets” celebrates all the little moments in a blossoming relationship.

“Ooo don’t even need that radio on, as long as it’s me and her alone // and crickets // And crickets // Yeah, just crickets // Got our lips too tired up // Kissin’ // The way things goin’ think I know where we’re gettin’ // Ain’t much talkin’ goin’ on // That girl, she’s makin’ my new favorite country song // Crickets // Out here in the dark // Where the river runs // Got the stars wishin’ they were us, yeah // I wanna turn it up all night long // Yeah she’s makin’ my new favorite country song // Crickets”

Morgan continues to showcase why he is an up and coming artist to look out for in country music. Definitely keep him on your radar!

John-morgan-crickets

John Morgan shares new song, “Crickets”, 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.

To keep up with John Morgan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

“Crickets” 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.

who-is-kayley-green

Who Is Faith Hopkins? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-faith-hopkins

Faith Hopkins

Quick Facts:
Full Name – Faith Hopkins
Birthdate – 06/20/2000
Hometown – Huntington Beach, California
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Kelsea Ballerini, Sasha Sloan, Maren Morris, Lennon Stella, Keith Urban
Label – Play It Again Music
Current Single – “Am I The Only One” (as of date of article 01/20/25)
The Beginning:

Today our spotlight shines on singer-songwriter, Faith Hopkins. Hopkins creates music that her fans to relate to. She’s talented, honest, and authentic, something we admire about any rising artist. Keep reading to learn more about her journey and her music.

“I’m actually from Huntington Beach, California. I grew up in a Christian household, so we kind of only listened to Christian music and country music,” began the songstress. “I just grew up with loving country music, and I just started singing in recitals when I was young. Then in high school, I joined a program called The Academy of Performing Arts. It was a cute little thing, we’d put on three shows a year, and we would sing cover songs. I decided to do a country cover, and everyone kind of knew me as the country girl there, and I didn’t really know it was possible to pursue music as a career.”

Despite loving music and idolizing artists like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and The Chicks, Hopkins truly did not know that that a career in music was possible. “Faith Hill is one of my favorites. […] I had a little iPod nano and I’d fall asleep to “Fireflies” by Faith Hill every night.”

Instead, she set her sights on following in her brother’s footsteps in the hopes of attending San Diego State.

The Turning Point:

Ultimately, Hopkins faced challenges with the SATs, which led her to realize that this would not be her chosen path. “My brother went to San Diego State, and I saw him having the best time, so I thought that was my dream too. My brother was my idol growing up. So I took the dang SATs a million times and my scores did not let me get in,” she shared. Adding, “I swear it was a God thing, because if I would have gotten in, I would have gone without thinking twice. My counselor was like have you heard of Belmont?”

After learning about Belmont University, Hopkins and her mom decided to take a girl’s trip to visit Nashville for the first time. “Our concierge told us to go to The Listening Room, so he got us these VIP tickets. It was just the balcony, and I was sitting next to Dan + Shay, and Carly Pearce and Seth Ennis were all playing that night. It was the coolest moment ever.”

While At The Listening Room, Hopkins had a life-changing moment. “When Seth was playing the “Call Your Mama” song, I was just a wreck and sobbing, and I looked at my mom and said I was going here,” she shared. “That’s kind of how I landed on Belmont in Nashville. I just fell in love with the songwriting of country music after The Listening Room. I didn’t really know how, but I knew it was all I wanted to do.”

Upon graduating high school, Hopkins made the move to Nashville to pursue a business degree even though songwriting was on her heart. “Everyone at Belmont was so confident. They all seem to come there and know what they want to do, and that wasn’t me. […] I remember every one of my teachers would be like “raise your hand if you are an artist or a songwriter,” and it took me until sophomore year to raise my hand.”

Eventually, Hopkins got the courage to consider herself a singer-songwriter in a school with a great community of support. “At first, my story is ‘I’m trying to be true to myself because I’m from California and I’m not from the South.’ […] I tried to do pop music at first. […] It felt so wrong because I grew up singing country, and for some reason it just scared me. I realized country means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Country Pop is what I’m doing now.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Hopkins has found her sound and her voice in the country genre. With a few songs under her belt and a record label behind her, the songstress is ready to crank out more and more music in 2025.

Most recently, Hopkins shared a new song with the world called, “Am I The Only One.” “I wrote “Am I The Only One” literally eight days after my 21st birthday and obviously you look forward to your 21st your whole life. My family and high school friends came into town, and they all left a couple of days before this break I had, so it’s like the come down. Questioning, “What’s next. Oh my god 25 then 30,” I thought it was so scary. I was really having a moment. I wrote this song with a group called Nightly here,” she shared. “I remember being so nervous for that write too. […] It helped me work through my emotions and my feelings, and I really brought that honesty into my music.”

“Am I The Only One” stands out as one of the most relatable and honest songs from a country artist in recent times. However, Hopkins is gearing up to shake things up with new music that highlights different facets of her artistry coming soon.

“We have two songs that we’re 100% sure about, and I’ve written about thirty. We have one that’s kind of more in the lane of “Oops.” It’s called “Getaway with Murder.” It’s just a fun, flirty song. […] We have another song coming called, “All For Nothing,” which is another feel-good song about dating your person, even if it doesn’t work out.”

“I have a lot to be grateful for, and I really want to convey that through my music.”

Connect:

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

To keep up with Faith Hopkins, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Faith Hopkins’ 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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Dan + Shay Go Number One with “Bigger Houses”

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Dan + Shay go number one at country radio with their song “Bigger Houses.” Get all the details here and learn more!

Platinum-selling duo Dan + Shay are one of the best group country acts out there. Their loyal fanbase and their knack for creating music that is unique to them continues to win them accolades. Today, Dan + Shay earn their eleventh number one single at country radio with their song, “Bigger Houses.”

The chart-topper is the second number one song off Dan + Shay’s most recent album, Bigger Houses, with “Save Me The Trouble” making it to the top of the charts last year. The album’s closer and title track, “Bigger Houses” is an especially poignant moment on the incredible project. Throughout the song the twosome celebrate that life isn’t all about having the best things, and while the grass may appear greener elsewhere, that’s not what’s important.

“But the older I get, I just care less and less  // ‘Bout keeping up with people named Jones // If you don’t fill it up with somebody that you love // It ain’t ever gonna feel like home // There’s always gonna be a higher high // You could chase for the rest of your life // Greener grass in the yard next door // Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours // You’re never gonna fill an empty cup // If what you got’s still not enough // The thing about happiness I’ve found is // It don’t live in bigger houses”

Dan + Shay keep reinventing themselves as they grow in their artistry. “Bigger Houses” seems to be a step in a new and fresh direction, and it’s clearly working. Congratulations to Dan + Shay and their team!

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

To keep up with Dan + Shay, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

“Bigger Houses” 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.

LANCO: ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ – Album Review

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LANCO shares brand new sophomore album We’re Gonna Make It, officially out now, January 17th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Ten years into their tenure as a band, LANCO returns with their new album, We’re Gonna Make It, the follow up to 2018’s debut Hallelujah Nights. The sophomore release marks their first with Riser House Records, and a musical rebirth of sorts over the course of 14 new tracks.

Of the new album, founder and frontman Brandon Lancaster reveals, “Country music has always had a lot of pain in it. When I’m writing a song, I acknowledge that pain, but I also believe in restoration and redemption, and I wanted to explore that on this record.”

In many ways, the album tells the tale of a relationship, traveling through the highs and lows of real life, but proclaiming victory through it all. “There are two characters you are following throughout this entire record,” Lancaster shares in a statement. “You’ve heard a little bit about her, you’ve heard a little bit about him, and you’ve heard about their friends and kids. But ultimately this album is about these two people, who are there for each other through fire and brimstone, come hell or high water.”

Opening with the title track, a twangy and jubilant ode to overcoming obstacles, is the perfect way for LANCO to introduce their newest chapter. Having overcome much since their debut release, the almost Appalachian-inspired ode opens the album on a poignant and optimistic note towards the future, building to a momentous chorus of gang vocals proclaiming “we’re gonna make it!”

The band, composed of Lancaster, multi-instrumentalist Jared Hampton, bassist Chandler Baldwin, guitarist Tim Aven and drummer Tripp Howell, continue with thirteen additional tracks that combine pop, country, rock, and Americana, all centered around honesty and relatable lyrics. There are hints of nostalgia and broken hearts mixed with triumph and hope, all weaved together in a uniquely cohesive package.

Nostalgia for simpler times finds its place on songs like “Memories (We Didn’t Know),” “Million Dollar Memory,” and the especially poignant, “Beer With Younger Me.” While “Memories” is a look at those special moments that don’t seem important until they’re gone, “Beer” is a standout, much in the vein of Brad Paisley’s classic “Letter to Me.”

“If I could sit down and have a beer with younger me, I would first just listen. And then I’d tell them to not be afraid of making a wrong decision, ” Lancaster says of the track. “Because you learn from all the things you’ve done, both your mistakes and your wins.” 

“Low Class Lovers” and “Sounds of a Saturday Night” are two of the album’s most anthemic and upbeat tracks. While the former is a celebration of the fact that money doesn’t lead to happiness, “Saturday Night” is a roaring, pop-influenced celebration of the weekend with its anthemic chorus and instrumentation. 

“Yeah, Seger on the speakers teachin’ us night moves // Yeah, got a wild in your eyes, no tellin’ what you might do // Got my heartbeat beatin’ like a kickdrum // When you’re dancin’ in thе pale moonlight // Woo-hoo, don’t it sound so right? // Yeah, that’s the sound of a Saturday night”

Love songs are also prevalent on the LP, in all forms. “Where I Belong” is a catchy and melodic ode to finding home in someone else’s arms, while “Come Over” soars over Eagles-esque slide guitars on the invitation to a romantic rendezvous. “You’ll Always Be” is an ode to the type of love that endures and changes, while remaining true to where it began.

“You’ll always be that dancin’ in the bar // At two in the morning while they’re kickin’ us out // You’ll always be that tattooed arm // Makin’ waves out the window with the headlight out // Yeah, I know time will paint some lines on the face of you and me // But in the end you’ve always been the better half I need // You’ll always be // Days move fast and years fly by // You can’t go back and you can’t rewind // But every night lookin’ in your eyes // You take me there again”

Another clear standout is “We Grew Up Together,” featuring vocals and harmonies from Christian artist Cory Asbury. The song is a simple look at how parenthood transforms parents, forcing them to grow up along with their children. “We often think our parents have it all together, but they’re just people that met each other, fell in love, and then had a kid. I realized in raising my own children that we’re all learning as we go,” he says. “There’s so many times that I’m trying to instill a lesson in my kids, and I’m thinking at the same time of how it applies to me.”

“You learned to walk I learned to walk in my faith // You learned to talk I learned the things I shouldn’t say // You ain’t the only one who’s gonna make mistakes // God made you, you made me better // We both won’t stay young forever // You don’t know it now but one day you’ll find out // That we grew up together”

The album ends with the sparse and intimate “Nothing That You Could Do,” a promise of love that’s unshakeable and unbreakable. Of the track, Lancaster reveals, “The song is a set of musical vows, connecting the dots of a love story that began with the album’s opening track.”

Throughout the new album, LANCO takes listeners on a relationship journey with a couple who have been bumped and bruised, but are sure to make it in the end. With the release of We’re Gonna Make It, the same can be said for the talented quintet.

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Where I Belong
  2. We Grew Up Together
  3. Beer With Younger Me
  4. You’ll Always Be
  5. Sounds of a Saturday Night

We’re Gonna Make It Track List:

  1. We’re Gonna Make It – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Ben Williams
  2. Memories (We Didn’t Know) – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Craig Wiseman
  3. Where I Belong – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Jason Nix
  4. Low Class Lovers – Brandon Lancaster
  5. We Grew Up Together featuring Cory Asbury – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Cory Asbury
  6. Honey I Lost My Job Today – Brandon Lancaster / Jeremy Spillman
  7. You’ll Always Be – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Joey Hyde
  8. Come Over – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Jared Hampton / Tripp Howell / Wyatt Durrette
  9. Beer With Younger Me – Brandon Lancaster / Jared Conrad / Keelan Donovan / Chandler Baldwin
  10. Sound of a Saturday Night – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Tate Howell / Jeremy Spillman
  11. Leaving Looks Good On You – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Chandler Baldwin / Tommy Cecil
  12. Million Dollar Memory – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Grant Vogel
  13. Last Call – Brandon Lancaster / Mike Walker / Rian Ball
  14. Nothing That You Could Do – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Seth Alley
lanco-album

LANCO’s new album, ‘We’re Gonna Make It,’ 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 LANCO releases.

To keep up with LANCO, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

We’re Gonna Make It 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.