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Nicolle Galyon: ‘second wife’ – EP Review

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Nicolle Galyon shares her new EP, second wife, out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

According to tradition, the gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is wax. However, songwriter Nicolle Galyon has never been traditional, celebrating instead with a surprise EP, entitled second wife, out now. Featuring six new tracks co-written with her songwriter husband Rodney Clawson, the collection celebrates the life the pair have built together.

“second wife shows the side of me that is flawed, self-deprecating, understated, silly, and yet unconventionally traditional. The side of me that fell in love at 21. That’s a side of me that I don’t always show — the married one,” Galyon shares. “If firstborn was a memoir, second wife is more of a fun adventure in real time. The thing about second wife is even the title itself is imperfect. That’s probably my favorite thing about being one. The illusions (and delusions) I had as a firstborn were gone once I became one.”    

Recorded over a weekend with co-producers Jimmy Robbins and King Henry, the collection takes listeners on a journey through married life with Galyon and Clawson, which she describes as “imperfect, honest and kind of irreverent.”

It begins with the one-two punch of “jo” and “prenup,” the first a short and sweet ode to her mother-in-law who shaped Clawson into the man he is today. The second is a toe-tapping up-tempo that’s as tongue-in-cheek as they come, the pair trading verses about all of the not-so-great things that they’d have to split in a divorce, finally agreeing that “If you keep looking at me that way, I think we’ll be okay.”

“rooms” is an immediate standout, a confessional ballad which finds Galyon dealing with unwelcome whispers and anxieties as she walks into various metaphorical rooms alongside Clawson. She may be dealing with other’s opinions, but with Clawson by her side, she’s able to remind herself that she’s the one with him. “Head up high and bite my tongue, Find a bar and order two,” She sings. “Hey f*ck them all, ‘Cause I’m the one, walking into rooms with you.”

“texas hold ‘em” is another immediate favorite, a single-worthy uptempo that allows Galyon to show her more playful and lighthearted side. Here, she uses her witty lyrics to warn any woman with a man in their life from Texas.

“You gotta hold ’em like you mean it // Hold ’em when you’re drunk // Hold ’em like his ex-girlfriend walked up // Hold ’em like a diamond fallin’ out your necklace // ‘Cause if you’re messin’ with one from Texas // You gotta hold ’em like you’re lonesome // Like he’s a Friday 5 o’clock cold one // Play like you ain’t gonna lose him to no one // Kinda hold ’em”

Both “the grain” and “under the rainbow” are dialed down tracks, celebrating Galyon’s home state of Kansas, with “the grain” acting as a love letter to her hometown. Meanwhile, “under the rainbow” takes the familiar melody of “Over the Rainbow” and reimagines it to a celebration of the simpler things in life.

On second wife, Nicolle Galyon does what she does best. The project is a tongue-in-cheek confessional on love, life, and marriage, and while an EP may not be a typical anniversary celebration, it’s absolutely perfect for Galyon and Clawson.

second wife Tracklist:

  1. jo. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  2. prenup. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  3. the grain. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  4. rooms. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  5. texas hold ’em. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  6. under the rainbow. (Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. rooms
  2. texas hold ‘em
  3. prenup
nicolle-galyon-ep

Nicolle Galyon shares brand new ep, ‘second wife,’ 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 upcoming Nicolle Galyon announcements and releases.

To keep up with Nicolle Galyon, you can find her on Instagram here.

second wife 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-peytan-porter

Who is Peytan Porter? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music (2023)

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

who-is-peytan-porter

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Peytan Porter
Birthdate – 1/14/1998
Hometown – Dawnsonville, Georgia
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Linda Rondstat, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton
Current Single – “Speaking of Georgia” (as of date of article 10/16/23)

The Beginning:

A little over a year ago, we introduced you to singer-songwriter, Peytan Porter. In just that short amount of time, that once pop-country artist has reinvented her sound and come into a style of music that feels more true to who she is right now. While part of her story has stayed the same, much of it has also evolved, and her new music is even better than ever.

Porter grew up in North Georgia with a family who loved basketball, a sport that she also played. “I’m the only person in even my extended family that ever picked up an instrument. I am definitely the weird, artsy one of the sports family,” she shared. “I started playing guitar and getting really into music probably in middle school.”

As the middle child of her family, she found herself often yearning to express herself, using music as an outlet for that self-expression. “I started writing songs when I was twelve-ish, and I tribute that to seeing Taylor Swift opening up for Rascal Flatts at my first concert, and her talking about how she wrote songs about the boys in her school,” she began. Adding, “Once I started singing, my parents moved me to the basement bedroom because there was plenty of noise on the main floor, and me learning to sing was not a needed addition to the sounds that were happening in the house […] I spent a lot of time by myself trying to communicate my feelings and find a way to present them to people where I could really articulate them and get their attention. For me, that was songwriting.”

Despite loving music, Porter found herself not loving the ‘bro country’ music that was popular in mainstream country music at the time. Instead, she dove into female musicians like Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn, Kacey Musgraves, and Dolly Parton. “I really dug into female artists and what they were saying and what they weren’t saying, and tried to figure out the parts that I could take with me and where the holes were.”

The Turning Point:

In 2016, Porter made the move to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Lipscomb University. Empowered by records like Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park  and Maren Morris’ HERO, the singer knew that her voice was important, despite thinking she was going to become a worship leader at first.

While many artists paved the way for Porter, those two albums helped to define her path.“It was a big permission slip for me to question the norm of the world I was growing up in and poke holes in the reality of the small town that I was growing up in. Also to be able to just think differently and it be okay. It was a concept I didn’t really know was an option,” she shared. Adding, “It changed the soundscape of the format, and I always knew that I wanted to do something that would do that to country music, because I’m such a fan of the history and the family that is country music that I think my worst fear is not doing something to push it forward in some ways. To change things you have to disrupt things, and I was working my way into to understanding that I can’t do what everyone else is doing.”

The summer after her Sophomore year at college, the singer-songwriter interned at a publishing company which continued to broaden her love and passion for country music. “I started writing and co-writing, the summer after my sophomore year of college. That’s also when I started an internship at a publishing company, and that’s when I really got to learn what songwriting is. I got to dig into catalogs of people like Chris Stapleton, and Lee Thomas Miller, and Chris DuBois, and all of these amazing people. I really learned what the bar was for what songs needed to be.”

Eventually, Porter graduated college in 2020, with one goal in mind: to be a country music artist. After turning down one publishing deal, in December of 2020, she finally found a home with with Jody Williams Songs, in partnership with Warner Chappell Music and signed her publishing deal.

Today:

Flash forward to present day, Porter is creating music that speaks to where she is at in her life currently. Heavily influenced by the females of her past, as well as, Laurel Canyon country music from the likes of artists like The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, Porter’s sound has evolved into a more folk-inspired country sound. “Part of my journey over the last year and a half was accepting that, and being honest about that in my music, and not continuing to do pop-country music.”

Her latest single, “Speaking of Georgia” is one of her best to date. The song was inspired by the bittersweet moments of the past that have a way of coming back up. “Around the same time my high school sweetheart had just gotten engaged, and it was definitely a nod of agreement that we were both where we needed to be and that was not together. It was kind of bittersweet, as it is when anyone’s first love moves on officially like that,” she shared about the writing experience. “I think that the win of writing “Speaking Of Georgia,” was keeping it as an open thought of ‘you’ve been on my mind, but I’m not going to do anything about it, and I don’t want to change anything about my life.’”

More songs like “Speaking of Georgia” are coming sooner rather than later. Porter shared that she has a project in the work titled Grown, which is slated for release in Spring of 2024. “It is all around these themes of coming of age and self-acceptance, and empowerment, and the freedom that comes along with figuring out more of who you are and not apologizing for it. And wanting to be loved authentically and understanding that that means that you have to give people the chance to actually know who you are for them to accept you for who you are.”

As we all wait patiently for music, make sure to catch Porter on the road. Head to her website for a full list of shows.

Connect:

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

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

Peytan Porter’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.

Riley Green: ‘Ain’t My Last Rodeo’ Album Review

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Riley Green’s brand new album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo is out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Best known for his no-nonsense brand of straightforward country, Riley Green is back with his sophomore album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo, out now. For the Alabama native, the album marks his first full-length since 2019’s Different ‘Round Here and the follow up to 2021’s Behind the Bar EP.

Green co-wrote all but one song on the LP, an album-opening cover of Tim McGraw’s 2015 ballad, “Damn Country Music,” which chronicles the sacrifices made in pursuit of a dream. While maybe not written by Green, the track fits in perfectly here, as he finds himself battling with his dreams and demons, while remaining true to himself.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up within about three miles of my grandparents, so they were a huge part of my growing up and who I am—and this album is a lot of who I am,” shares the BMLG Records artist. “This is really the first time I was able to really take my time, write and record songs that really felt like a cohesive album—I’m really proud of it and want to thank the fans for all of their encouragement—I hope y’all enjoy it.”

Throughout Ain’t My Last Rodeo, Green stays true to who he is as an artist, producing solid, straight-shooting country songs. “My Last Rodeo” is an immediate standout, telling listeners everything they need to know about Green. The singer-songwriter penned the poignant and heartfelt track solo following one of his last conversations with his late grandfather.

“This ain’t my last rodeo // No it’s just time for this old man to get this show on the road // When life throws you off your saddle // Don’t mean you lost the battle // Just climb back up and turn another rope // The good Lord might want to call this cowboy home // But this ain’t my last rodeo”

Green’s country boy sensibilities are a common theme of the album, weaving through tracks like “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More,” “Ain’t Like I Can Hide It,” and “Raised Up Right.”

On “They Don’t Make ‘Em,” he laments how things were better in the olden days, proclaiming, “And this worn out pair of boots that my daddy wore, Well, they don’t make ’em like that no more.” Meanwhile, “Raised Up Right” is a catchy midtempo that extolls the values with which he was brought up. “Raised up right like my Momma’s hands in Sunday mornin’ church // Raised up right like my Daddy’s can of beer right after work // Like the flag over the court house every mornin’ at sunrise // I was raised up right.”

The collaborations on the LP follow similar suit, with Luke Combs lending his voice to a reimagined take on “Different ‘Round Here” and Jelly Roll appearing on “Copenhagen in a Cadillac.” While the latter is a clever ode to a “down home boy with some uptown stuff,” the former offers another poignant moment. The track, which originally appeared as a solo on his 2019 album, was re-recorded with Combs after the two toured together.

“Ever since we originally released the song a few years ago, we have seen so many military families, athletes, and hard-working everyday people use the song in their own videos,” Green explained in a recent press release. “It has also been one of those songs that proud hometown fans sing along to the loudest, night after night,” he continued. “While up in Canada with Luke at the end of last year, we saw the same thing and it felt right re-releasing it together.”

Lyrically, songs like “Damn Good Day to Leave,” “Workin’ On Me,” and “Mississippi or Me?” are standouts, Green showing that he’s adept with a clever turn of phrase. On the slide-guitar laden, “Damn Good Day to Leave,” his tongue is firmly planted in his cheek as he mourns the loss of a relationship, musing, “”I hate to see you go, but if you ask me, you picked a damn good day to leave.”

The album ends with “Ain’t My Damn to Give,” which includes an unexpectedly welcomed and bluesy harmonica as Green laments over a lost love. On the sparse ballad, he wrestles with a broken heart, admitting that he’d bring her right back if he could. “And I’d drive them comeback miles, Back to me if I could, If I could find the will and want to for you, Girl you know I would,” He sings, voice full of emotion. “If I could change your made-up mind, If I could put words on your lips, I’d say I’d still do for you girl just like I did, But that ain’t my damn to give.”

On Ain’t My Last Rodeo, Riley Green blends his roots with clever lyrics, showing off his solid vocals, unique songwriting, and straightforward country melodies that are sure to solidify his place as one of the genre’s rising stars.

Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tracklist:

  1. Damn Country Music  (Jessi Alexander, Cary Barlowe, Josh Thompson)
  2. They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More (Riley Green, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
  3. Mississippi Or Me (Riley Green, Tyler Reeve, Josh Thompson)
  4. Different ‘Round Here (featuring Luke Combs) (Riley Green, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
  5. Ain’t Like I Can Hide It (Riley Green, Chris Dubois, Bobby Pinson)
  6. Copenhagen In A Cadillac (featuring Jelly Roll) (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin)
  7. Damn Good Day To Leave (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton, Nick Walsh)
  8. My Last Rodeo (Riley Green)
  9. Workin’ On Me (Riley Green, Rhett Akins, Randy Montana)
  10. Raised Up Right (Riley Green, Jeremy Bussey, Chris Dubois, Lynn Hutton)
  11. God Made a Good Ol’ Boy (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Jonathan Singleton)
  12. Ain’t My Damn To Give (Riley Green, Tucker Beathard, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Different ‘Round Here
  2. Raised Up Right
  3. My Last Rodeo
  4. Damn Good Day to Leave

Riley-green-album

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

Green will hit the road next year on his Ain’t My Last Rodeo tour. Tour dates and more can be found here.

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

Ain’t My Last Rodeo 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.

Hannah Ellis Shares Brand New Song “Karma On The Rocks”

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Hannah Ellis releases new song “Karma On The Rocks” out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

With an album coming in the new year (2024), Hannah Ellis is showing off her artistry with each and every release. Earlier this year, she shared songs like “Wine Country” and “Someone Else’s Heartbreak.” Today, the singer-songwriter is bringing her songwriting prowess and sassy vocals to her new song, “Karma On The Rocks.”

“Karma On The Rocks” is karmic justice in a song. The tune expresses what it is like to witness the person who broke your heart finally know what it feels like to get their heart broken. While the song could feel bitter to some, the truth is, we all know what it feels like to have our heart broken and for the other person to just not quite understand. Ellis does an incredible job conveying the feelings through song in a way that runs the gamut of emotions.

“Bet it’s a little bitter // When it hits your lip // You finally got a taste of your own medicine // Tell me does it burn going down down // Baby look whose heart’s broken now now now // Got what you deserve and there ain’t no doubt // Guess what goes around comes around ‘round ‘round // Have another sip already had your shot // Nice to see you drinking karma on the rocks”

“Karma On The Rocks” is fiery, raw, and lyrically-on point – something we have learned to expect from Ellis and her one-of-a-kind talent.

Hannah-ellis-song

Hannah Ellis shares new song, “Karma On The Rock,” 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 Hannah Ellis releases.

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

“Karma On The Rocks” 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-ryan-larkins

Ryan Larkins: ‘Meet Ryan Larkins’ Debut EP Review

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Ryan Larkins shares his debut EP, Meet Ryan Larkins, out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Songwriters are the backbone of every good country song; however, when songwriters finally decide to step into the limelight as an artist, magic happens. That is what is happening now with Ryan Larkins. A Nashville-born country artist, Larkins started his career as a songwriter penning songs for artists like Cody Johnson. Today, the singer-songwriter is making his debut as a recording artist in his own right. His brand new project Meet Ryan Larkins is out now.

In just five songs, Larkins is showing fans exactly who he is as a person and as an artist. In our recent interview with the singer, he shared, “I think it’s a great representation of who I am as an artist, and I’m just so thankful to have that opportunity. Hopefully, when people hear that song it feels like they have been introduced to me not only as a songwriter and as an artist, but to me as a person.”

The record kicks off with the two previously released songs, “Man That Holds The Beer” and “She’s The Tough One.” The former is a true-blue, blue-collar country song. The song embodies the spirit of country music in an effortless and catchy way. Moreover, “She’s The Tough One” is dedicated to anyone who has a tough woman by their side. Larkins wrote this song about his wife who has been a rock for him throughout his career.

Next up, “Paid For It” depicts Larkins’ journey so far. A beautiful and lyrical country song, “Paid For It” is one of the best songs off the project. However, “King of Country Music” is our absolute favorite off the record. The song was inspired by a conversation Larkins had with his son, who asked him “who is the King of Country Music?” While many have argued that many of the greats are the ‘King,’ namely George Strait, Larkins gives us something else to think about – calling the song the backbone of country music aka the king. We tend to agree!

Finally the record culminates with a song called, “Dream Baby.” On “Dream Baby,” Larkins brings back some tempo. The song is a fun, love song that encourages us all to “dream with our eyes wide open.” The perfect way to round out Meet Ryan Larkins, the debut EP is an incredible first outing for Larkins, who is showing staying power already with his first release.

Meet Ryan Larkins Tracklist:

  1. Man That Holds The Beer
  2. She’s The Tough One
  3. Paid For It
  4. King of Country Music
  5. Dream Baby

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “King of Country Music”
  2. “Paid For It”
Ryan-larkins-debut-ep

Ryan Larkins shares his debut EP, ‘Meet Ryan Larkins,’ 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 upcoming Ryan Larkins announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ryan Larkins, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Meet Ryan Larkins 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.

Kylie-morgan-album

Kylie Morgan: ‘Making It Up As I Go’ Album Review

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Kyle Morgan’s brand new album, Making It Up As I Go is out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

“At what age do you feel like a grown up?” Kylie Morgan asks on the titular track of her debut album, immediately drawing listeners in and setting the stage for the 12 tracks to come. On Making It Up as I Go, Morgan is approachable and relatable, introspective and outspoken, vulnerable yet strong.

All of the tracks on the LP were written or co-written by the Oklahoma native who manages to tap into a confessional yet approachable style of songwriting, remnant of early Taylor Swift or Kelsea Ballerini. This is especially evident on tracks like the introspective “Quarter Life Crisis,” the stirring “Class Rings,” the moving “Don’t Stay Gone Too Long,” and the empowering “Ladies First.”

“This album is for the in-betweeners. The ones who pretend to have it all figured out but are still finding out where they want to go, who they want to be, and how to get there. Whether you’re a child who’s supposed to feel like a teenager, a teenager who’s supposed to feel like a grown up or a grown up that still feels like a child. We’re all just doing our best and I hope this is the soundtrack to your journey,” The EMI Records Nashville artist shares. “‘Cause if we’re all being honest… we’re just makin’ it up as we go.”  

That in-between feeling works its way through the title track, as well as songs like the ode to various goodbyes, “Don’t Stay Gone Too Long” and the reflective “Quarter Life Crisis,” which finds her wondering about her life and how she’s living it. Written alone in a hotel room, she shares. “I was living my dream, but I couldn’t have felt more alone in that moment. The closer you get to your dream, sometimes the further you get from yourself, and that’s how it felt.”   

Female empowerment is a theme on tracks like the up-tempo “Country Girl,” the make-your-own-money-anthem, “Sugar Daddy,” and the kiss-off, “If He Wanted to He Would.” While “Country Girl” and “Sugar Daddy” are both fun pop-tinted tracks, “If He Wanted to” is more straightforward country, Morgan warning a girl not to give a guy too much credit. “If he loved you, he would tell you // If he missed you, he would call,” She muses. “If he wants you to meet his momma // Then he would bring you home // Oh, there ain’t no excuse // He ain’t Mr. Misunderstood // Quit lying to yourself // If he wanted to, he would.”

Likewise, guys are on put on blast on songs like “Bad Girlfriend” and “Happy Ever After Me.” The former is a Carrie Underwood-esque, guitar-heavy and tongue-in-cheek banger that tries to convince a man to put a ring on it in the most unconventional ways. Meanwhile, Morgan describes  the sweet “Happy Ever After Me” as “the prettiest version of a middle finger to my ex.” With its sweet vocals and slide guitars, the description is right on the money.

Morgan is at her finest when she’s at her most vulnerable, evidenced on songs like “Class Rings,” “Ladies First,” “A Few Hearts Ago,” and the album’s closer, “Old Me.” While “Rings” is about a high school love that doesn’t stick around (“That’s why class rings aren’t made of diamonds // Even my mama believed him.”), “Ladies First” deals with the insecurities and stigmas that often come along with womanhood. “How do you expect someone to respect you if you don’t respect yourself?” She asks on the especially poignant track.

While “A Few Hearts Ago” is an earwormy and catchy take on meeting someone at the right time, the lyrics prove that Morgan knows her emotional maturity. “A few hearts ago // Would’ve broke yours, I’d be missing out // Wouldn’t have these lips I’m kissing now // Time did what it’s supposed to do // Thank God I didn’t meet you // A few hearts ago.”

Finally, the LP concludes with “Old Me,” a poignant letter to Morgan’s younger self, much in the vein of Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me.” It’s the perfect closer for an album that takes you on a journey, in the best way.  “I’m going to continue to grow, continue to discover new things about myself, and continue to reach the people that I feel like I need to say things to that they feel but don’t know how to say.”   

Making It Up As I Go Tracklist:

  1. Making It Up As I Go (Kylie Morgan, KK Johnson, Jordan Minton)
  2. Class Rings (Kylie Morgan, Ben Foster and Jack Newsome)
  3. Country Girl (Kylie Morgan, Gabe Foust, Nate Kenyon and Lance Miller)
  4. Sugar Daddy (Kylie Morgan, James McNair and Seth Mosley)
  5. Ladies First (Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, Josh Jenkins)
  6. Happy Ever After Me (Kylie Morgan)
  7. Bad Girlfriend (Kylie Morgan, Emily Earle, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram)
  8. A Few Hearts Ago (Kylie Morgan, Casey Brown, James McNair)
  9. Quarter Life Crisis (Kylie Morgan)
  10. If He Wanted To He Would (Kylie Morgan, Zandi Holup, Ben Johnson)
  11. Don’t Stay Gone Too Long (Kylie Morgan, Nelly Joy, Jason Massey)
  12. Old Me (Kylie Morgan, Megan Conner, Jeff Garrison)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Making It Up As I Go”
  2. “A Few Hearts Ago”
  3. “Class Rings”
Kylie-morgan-album

Kylie Morgan’s new album, “Making It Up As I Go,’ 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 upcoming Kylie Morgan announcements and releases.

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

Making It Up As I Go 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.

lainey-wilson-number-one

Lainey Wilson Goes Number One with “Watermelon Moonshine”

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Lainey Wilson lands another number one song at country radio this week with “Watermelon Moonshine.” Learn all the details here.

Lainey Wilson in an absolute superstar in country music. She is a talented vocalist and songwriter, as well as, one of the most fun entertainers to see live. So far in her career, she has been recognized for her talent both at award shows and at country radio. Today, she adds to her catalog of hits with “Watermelon Moonshine” going number one at country radio this week.

Written by Wilson with Josh Kear, and Jordan Schmidt, “Watermelon Moonshine” is a story about reckless love. The singer has previously shared that the song embodies exactly what she values in country music: the story and the timeless connection to the music. “Watermelon Moonshine” is one of Wilson’s best songs to date.

“Drinkin’ watermelon moonshine // We cut the burn with a little lime // Parkin’ back in them kudzu vines // I was his and every bit of that boy was mine // Too young to know what love was // But we were learnin’ on a sweet buzz // There’s never nothin’ like the first time // And mine’s always gonna taste like // Watermelon moonshine”

Congratulations to Wilson and her team on their accomplishment. We are excited to see what song becomes Wilson’s next number one!

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

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

“Watermelon Moonshine” 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-ryan-larkins

Who Is Ryan Larkins? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-ryan-larkins

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Ryan Larkins
Birthday – October 5th
Hometown – Nashville, Tennessee
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Label – Red Street Records
Current Single – “King Of Country Music” (Out 10/13/23)

The Beginning:

Country music is a true art form, and this week’s spotlight artist abides by that. Ryan Larkins is a true student of country music. Beginning his career as a songwriter, and now venturing out on his own as an artist, his journey is an incredible display of talent and drive.

“I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, which is Music City, and we’re known for country music,” began the singer.” Despite growing up in Nashville, Larkins was not introduced to the country music genre in his youth. “My dad was a Pentecostal pastor, so it was a very strict childhood. I didn’t listen to anything except gospel music.”

Even though country music was not on his radar back in the day, Larkins did fall in love with music. “I started playing guitar when I was twelve years old, and I started singing in church.” He even began songwriting at the tender age, just for fun. Although Larkins did not grow up learning about country music, he did understand the power of music.

Eventually, he would go on to discover country music and fall in love with the storytelling aspect that the genre is known for. “I love Willie Nelson and the reason I love him is not only is he a great artist, he is a great songwriter, and he has written songs for other people, and he’s so unique. […] I love Randy Travis, I think he has one of the coolest, most unique voices in music history. George Strait, he’s another one who’s up there for me. […] I love Dolly Parton. She’s a great songwriter, a great artist,” he shared, adding, “And then with new people, I love Cody Johnson. He’s staying true to that authentic country sound. Lainey Wilson is another one. I think she’s incredible. Tim McGraw, I love all of those artists.”

The Turning Point:

When Larkins was 21 years old, his friend convinced him to audition for a singing competition show called ‘Can You Duet?’ on CMT. “A friend of mine from church was like ‘man we need to go try out for this show, and we’ll be the next Brooks & Dunn.’ I was like “That sounds great! Who’s Brooks & Dunn?.”

After finishing in third place, Larkins began to write songs for a living, discovering more and more music along the way. “I love those classic country artists like Randy Travis, George Strait, Merle Haggard, and I just remember thinking, there were preachers that came through our church when I was a kid and they would tell these stories that I would be on the edge of my seat wanting to hear, and then I heard “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis, and I thought it was so similar. The storytelling is really what I fell in love with.” He added, “I really had no clue about the history, but I got a record player and I started learning about the history, and I put myself through school listening to some of those old albums.”

Eventually, with the support and encouragement of his wife, Larkins earned his first publishing deal and then later, a record deal. “Five years ago I signed my first publishing deal. […] and then last year I met with Red Street Records, and I loved the people over there, and I feel so thankful to be able to release my own music. I’m living the dream.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Larkins is releasing his debut EP, Meet Ryan Larkins this Friday (10/13) under Red Street Records. “I’ve been writing songs for a long time, and these five songs are like my favorite songs that I have ever written,” he shared about the record. “When I signed my record deal with Red Street Records, I knew it was the right home because of Jay DeMarcus, he just got me from day one. He knew exactly what to do with these songs, and he produced this EP, and I’m so excited that these songs are going to be out in the world.”

Each of the five songs showcase different sides of Larkins and his talent as an artist, which is exactly what he has set out to do. “I think it’s a great representation of who I am an artist, and I’m just so thankful to have that opportunity. Hopefully when people hear that song that feels like they have been introduced to me not only as a songwriter and as an artist, but to me as a person.”

Fans can look forward to songs like “Dream Baby” that has some tempo, as well as, “Paid For It” which is a great example of a storytelling song. However, one of the best off the project is a song called, “King Of Country Music.”

““King Of Country Music” is probably my favorite song that I’ve ever written,” shared Larkins. “I got that idea just sitting in my car, driving around, listening to some classic country music. My oldest boy, he looked up and asked “Dad, who is the king of country music? Who is the greatest singer in the history of country music?” And he kind of caught me off guard, ya know, there’s so many great singers […] And that idea just hit me. I knew exactly who the king of country music is. [the song].”

It is safe to say that the rest of this year is going to be a big step in Larkins career. Check back on Friday for our full review of Meet Ryan Larkins, and keep your eyes and ears pealed for live shows, coming soon too!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Ryan Larkins, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Ryan Larkin’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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John Morgan: ‘Remember Us?’ – Debut EP Review

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John Morgan releases his brand new debut EP, Remember Us?, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

For BBR Music Group recording artist and acclaimed songwriter John Morgan, Remember Us? marks his debut EP as an artist. Featuring six new songs co-written by Morgan, the collection features a wide range of anthemic country and heartbreak tunes.

The North Carolina native is best known for writing Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s chart-topping duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” and partnered with Aldean and his bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy to co-write and co-produce select tracks. Other contributors on the project include Rodney Clawson, Will Bundy, Justin Wilson, Ben Hayslip, and David Lee Murphy, but at the end of the day, it’s pure Morgan.

“I’m proud to put out this project, so people can really see what I’ve been doing the last couple of years,” says Morgan in a statement. “I haven’t just been writing songs for other people. I hope they see the time that’s put into the details. A lot of these songs are two or three years old. They’ve stood the test of time and are still some of my favorites. They are special to me in different ways. I hope the EP really gives people an opportunity to see me establishing myself as an artist and not just a songwriter. These songs are true to me, and I hope people connect with them.”

Heartbreak and longing are common themes on Remember Us?, weaving their way through the nostalgic title track, as well as songs like “Cold Summer in San Antone” and “Ain’t the Leaving.” “Remember Us” finds him forgetting the bad and reminiscing about only the good parts of a past love, as he’s a man “stuck here in the could’ve been, caught up in the used to be.” 

“Cold Summer in San Antone” is an immediate standout, a stirring country ballad that finds him dealing with the ice around a broken heart.

“It’s been a cold summer in San Antone // Well, that Texas sun don’t even feel like it’s on // It’s a hundred and somethin’, damn near record high //  But it’s minus one in this bedroom tonight // I wonder if she even knows // That it’s been a cold, cold summer in San Antone”

Meanwhile, “Ain’t the Leaving” may also be about a broken relationship, but it’s a blistering and stadium-ready anthem that finds him grappling with goodbye. “It ain’t the goodbye, it ain’t two taillights that keep me up all night, with a half empty glass, girl it’s the knowing, you won’t stop going, it’s starting to sink in,” He proclaims. “It ain’t the leaving, it’s the not coming back.”

Clever lyrics are commonplace on Remember Us?, especially noticeable on “Friends Like That” and “Won’t Be As Good.” The latter is a gritty and almost swampy stomp about how someone special makes life a whole lot better, while “Friends Like That” finds him seeking solace in friends like Willie and Jack.

“I’m doing alright for the shape I’m in //  Sitting by a fire with some damn good friends //  Willie on my left, Jack on my right //  Blowin’ that smoke on a Friday night // Waylon turned up on the JBL //  Girl, you probably think I’m going through hell //  But I don’t care, if you never come back  ‘Cause who needs you when I got friends like that”

The final song on the EP is “Ain’t Been There Yet,” starting with a Sam Hunt-esque spoken word intro that segues into a full out mid-tempo country tune as Morgan looks for somewhere to forget an ex. “There’s gotta be somewhere I can go…Where I can just go to forget, Wherever it is, I ain’t been there yet.”

For John Morgan, Remember Us? may mark his debut EP, but it’s certainly one that won’t be forgotten.

Remember Us? EP Tracklist:

  1. Won’t Be As Good (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)
  2. Remember Us (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)
  3. Friends Like That (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
  4. Cold Summer In San Antone (John Morgan, Ben Hayslip, Will Bundy)
  5. It Ain’t the Leavin’ (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Casey Beathard, Josh Thompson, Rocky Block)
  6. Ain’t Been There Yet (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, David Lee Murphy)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Cold Summer in San Antone
  2. Won’t Be As Good
  3. Friends Like That
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John Morgan shares his debut EP, ‘Remember Us?,’ 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. 

Remember Us? 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.

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Jason Aldean Shares New Song “Whiskey Drink” Ahead of Album

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Jason Aldean releases new song, “Whiskey Drink,” out now, October 6th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

While fans await Jason Aldean’s upcoming album, Highway Desperado, out on November 3rd, the singer is sharing a taste of the record with fans. Last month, he released “Let Your Boys Be Country.” Today, the entertainer is sharing another new song called, “Whiskey Drink.”

Aldean excels at delivering both energetic anthems and heart-filled slow jams. “Whiskey Drink” fits in with the latter. The new song is a slower-tempo track about heartbreak and drinking away the pain. Written almost as a letter or a conversation to whiskey, Aldean laments about needing the drink to drown out the heartbreak, something anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to.

“Hey whiskey drink // I know it’s been a while // Gotta talk to you, gotta catch you up on the hell I’m in right now // Yeah, whiskey drink // Now you won’t believe // The things I said, the way she left, the way the leaving all went down // It might take all night to get her off my mind // I need you one more time // Yeah, be a good friend // Come on, Kick in whiskey drink // I don’t want to think, think think”

Aldean is a true mainstay in country music, creating music that is unapologetically him. Fans will definitely flock to this new one. “Whiskey Drink” is one of Aldean’s best songs as of late.

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Jason Aldean shares new song, “Whiskey Drink,” ahead of next studio album, ‘Highway Desperado.’

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

To keep up with Jason Aldean, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Whiskey Drink” 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.