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Drake White: ‘The Bridge’ – EP Review

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Drake White releases his brand new EP, The Bridge, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

With one of country music’s most compelling voices and stories, Drake White is back with his new EP, The Bridge. The 7-song collection marks the followup to 2022’s LP, The Optimystic, which chronicled White’s recovery from a career and life-altering stroke.

For the Alabama native, The Bridge is a collection of both the old and new. “The Webster dictionary defines a bridge as a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle,” White says. “This is the bridge taking me [to] back to why I started making music in the first place.” 

All seven songs were co-written by the Alabama native, including reimagined versions of “50 Years Too Late” and “Power of a Woman,” both which appeared on The Optimystic. While the newly released version of “50 Years” is a gritty and soulful “ruff cut” of the ode to simpler times, “Power” is reimagined as a duet with Colbie Caillat. Here, the breezy singer-songwriter’s warm voice perfectly complements the grit and gravel of White, breathing new life into the track that celebrates an amazing woman.

“Makin’ Me Look Good Again” is also a new version, originally appearing on White’s debut album, Spark. On the new take, aptly dubbed a “wedding version,” his stunning vocals soar over slowed and stripped down instrumentation, making it perfect for a first dance. “And then those loving arms, they pull me back in,” He croons, voice full of emotion. “Oh there you go, baby, yeah, Oh making me look good again.”

“Turn You On” offers another romantic moment, with a seductive invitation to slow things down and enjoy the moment. Co-written with Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, the track can be likened to a modern day “Let’s Get It On,” with White seductively offering to “turn it all off so I can turn you on.”

As one of country music’s most prolific optimists, Drake White shines on introspection in the forms of “Spirit” and “Ladder to the Sky.” The former finds White as a drifter, his soul meant to wander, while “Ladder” offers an especially poignant moment of reflection as a small part in a bigger picture.

“Where it leads nobody knows //  Past the stars and left at the rainbow //  Ya everybody, everywhere, everyday is trying to climb //  Up that ladder //  The ladder to the sky // Ya the view gets better from way up high //  So climb that ladder // the ladder to the sky”

While the Alabama native shines on romance and introspection, he also knows how to have fun, as evidenced on the EP’s final track, his collaboration with Hayes Carll, “Happy Hour.” On the twangy up-tempo, the pair find themselves asking life’s biggest questions, musing “Who says happy only gets to last an hour?”

“Why do mommas always worry? // Why can’t payday come on time // Why does agave tequila taste, better with salt and lime // Why are sunsets so romantic? // Why are fun things all so wrong? // Why can’t I ever stop singing them sad ol’ country songs? // And why can’t stopping time be my superpower? // And who says happy only gets to last an hour? “

On his new EP, Drake White continues to prove why he’s one of music’s most unique and powerful artists. With his unique output on life and his patented blend of country, soul and Muscle Shoals, each new release offers listeners something truly special, and The Bridge is no exception.

The Bridge EP Tracklist:

  1. 50 Years Too Late (Ruff Cut) (Leith Loftin, Drake White) 
  2. Spirit (Drake White, Phil Pence, Leslie Satcher) 
  3. Power of a Woman (ft. Colbie Caillat) (Kelli Johnson, Lindsey Hinkle, Drake White) 
  4. Makin’ Me Look Good Again (Wedding Version) (Drake White, Monty Criswell, Shane Minor) 
  5. Turn You On (Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Drake White) 
  6. Ladder To The Sky (Drake White, Vanessa Olivarez, Andy Skib) 
  7. Happy Hour (Drake White, Hayes Carll) 

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Ladder to the Sky
  2. Happy Hour
  3. Makin’ Me Look Good Again
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Drake White shares new EP, ‘The Bridge,’ 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 Drake White releases.

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

The Bridge 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.

Colbie Caillat: ‘Along The Way’ Album Review

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Colbie Caillat’s brand new album, Along The Way is out now, October 6th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

After having success in pop music from 2007-2014 with hits such as “Brighter Than The Sun,” and “Bubbly,” California-native, Colbie Caillat is expanding her craft into the country scene. Although this is her first solo-country project, Caillat was a part of the former pop-country group, Gone West when they released their debut album Canyons in 2020. 

Caillat penned all thirteen songs on the record, with AJ Pruis and Liz Rose contributing to six of them. There are several common themes but none more significant than “change.” The album kicks off with the reflective “Wide Open,” a mid-tempo track about enjoying the moment without worry. Life is constantly changing, so don’t get discouraged when things don’t go exactly your way—a symbol of her new career path. “Sometimes You Need a Change” is also an illustration of this.

The next track, “Pretend,” contains a lot of traditional country elements like fiddle and steel guitar. While the lyrics check-off the boxes of classic country stereotypes, the overall meaning is very clever. When looking back on the last relationship, she realizes that their love wasn’t pretend, so her and her former love interest should pretend they didn’t make those crucial mistakes and try again. 

“Of that first summer night in the back of your truck // Kissin’ in the moonlight, stars above // Dancin’ in a field with the radio on // The moment we found our favorite song // Burnin’ like a fire that would never go out // Heartache wasn’t somethin’ we were thinkin’ about”

Along The Way’s secondary theme is “acceptance,” and this is displayed in “For Someone,” “Meant For Me,” and the lead single, “Worth It.” All songs discuss breakups where the singer was initially disappointed but admits she has no regrets and accepts the fact that they weren’t meant to be. In the former, the singer “fixed” the other, just so he can run off and be with someone else. She must remind herself that everything happens for a reason, and at the end of the day, they are probably better off on their own.

“We teach him how to walk and then he runs // Love’s cruel, but it’s cool // For me he might not be the right one // But I made him the right one for someone”

Every good country album needs a few lighthearted tunes to balance out the deeper and more vulnerable ones — “Two Birds” and “I’ll Be Here” provide this. The former is about sticking with the people you love no matter what. A Caillat solo write, the track is layered with traditional country instruments like harmonica and banjo to round out the fun and uplifting message. Caillat recruited country music legend, Sheryl Crow for the feel-good, “I’ll Be Here.” Its message is all about supporting one another through tough times. 

It would be great if we could choose the people we love, but unfortunately life doesn’t work like that. The final theme is nostalgia and longing for people in your past.  “Blue,” another Caillat solo wrote, and “Still Gonna Miss You” represent the singer’s feelings of coping with heartbreak. The latter paints the picture of how difficult it is to end true love, even if it’s for the best. The singer hopes that one day she’ll understand why leaving was the right thing to do.

The closing songs, “Old and New” and “The Other Side,” wrap up the project nicely. The singer conveyed her eagerness to begin her new journey but expresses how she’ll never forget the people and things in her past that helped shape the person she is today. If there’s one line to describe the album, it’s “It’s okay to miss the past while wanting something new.”

Whether this was just a fun project for Caillat or the start of a new, resurrected career, Along The Way is everything that’s good about pop-country—a fresh sound combined with real, meaningful lyrics. On behalf of country music fans, we would love to see Colbie Caillat as a mainstay in the genre. 

Along The Way Tracklist:

  1. Wide Open | Colbie Caillat, Alysa Vanderheym, Jordyn Shellhart
  2. Pretend | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  3. Worth It | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  4. Sometimes You Need a Change | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  5. For Someone | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  6. Meant For Me | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  7. Still Gonna Miss You | Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves
  8. I’ll Be Here featuring Sheryl Crow | Colbie Caillat, Brett James, Jason Reeves, Kenny Edmonds
  9. Buying Time | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose
  10. Blue | Colbie Caillat
  11. Two Birds | Colbie Caillat
  12. Old and New | Colbie Caillat
  13. The Other Side | Colbie Caillat, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Worth It
  2. For Someone
  3. Two Birds
  4. Old and New
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Colbie Caillat shares her new album, ‘Along The Way,’ out not 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 Colbie Caillat announcements and releases.

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

Along The Way 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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Dylan Scott Shares New Song “I’ll Be A Bartender”

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Dylan Scott shares brand new song, “I’ll Be A Bartender,” out now, October 6th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Dylan Scott is back with more new music. The entertainer loves to infuse different sounds and styles of music into his songs and story-teller. Today’s new song, “I’ll Be A Bartender” fits that bill.

Scott serves up the remedy for heartbreak in this hip-hop infused country track, “I’ll Be A
Bartender.” The 32-year-old from Louisiana sings from the perspective of someone who hopes
to be another’s rebound after the woman calls him in distress over her new relationship. The
man volunteers to comfort her while pouring her some drinks to help her move on, citing “it’s happy hour at my kitchen counter.”

“Make it alright, put some bourbon in your hurtin’ on ice // I ain’t got the neon, or smoke in the
room // But if you need a drink as bad as I need you // Baby, I’ll be a bartender”

“I’ll Be A Bartender” follows the single, “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” released in June.
Scott will debut these new songs on his headlining tour of the same name this fall featuring
special guests, Matt Schuster and Tayler Holder. For tickets, head to his website.

Dylan-scott-bartender

Dylan Scott shares new song, “I’ll Be A Bartender,” 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 Dylan Scott releases.

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

“I’ll Be A Bartender” 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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Parmalee Goes Number One at Country Radio with “Girl In Mine”

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Parmalee secures another number one song at country radio with their romantic single, “Take My Name.” Learn more about the success below.

Platinum-selling country band, Parmalee has hit their stride. Last year, Parmalee secured their third number one single at country radio with their song, “Take My Name.” Today, Parmalee keeps the momentum going, landing their fourth number one with their song, “Girl In Mine.”

Written by Matt Thomas with Ashley Gorley, David Fanning, Travis Wood, and Casey Brown, “Girl In Mine” hooks listeners from the get-go. Clever, catchy, and fun, the song is a top tier song in Parmalee’s impressive catalog of music. “Girl In Mine” showcases exactly how everyone deserves to be treated in a relationship, and portrays the bright side of liking someone.

“You took the single // Out of my life  // Now I can’t wait to // See you tonight //  In my CJ seat // Messin’ with my rearview // No I don’t feel like me // Girl If I ain’t got you // In my t-shirt, in my ride  // Runnin’ circles in my mind  // Couple billion in the world // Baby you’re the only girl // In that picture in my pocket // On my cell phone when I lock it // It’s all you, no lie // Baby you’re the only girl in mine”

This makes Parmalee’s third number one song of their career. We wonder what song will be next! Congrats to Parmalee and their team!

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

To keep up with Parmalee, follow them on Instagram, X / Twitter, and Facebook.

“Girl In Mine” 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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Who is Anne Wilson? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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

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Quick Facts:

Full Name – Anne Wilson
Birthdate – 2/21/2002
Hometown – Lexington, Kentucky
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash
Label – Capitol Christian Music Group / UMG Nashville
Current Single – “Rain in the Rearview”  (Impacting country radio) // as of date of article: 10/2/23

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on an artist that is seemingly an incredible human and artist. Anne Wilson may be best known for her Christian music; however, she is blazing her own path, adding country music to her impressive repertoire. Anyone who appreciates an artist who is unapologetically themselves no matter what genre they are slated in will fall in love with Wilson.

The singer-songwriter hails from Lexington, Kentucky. “I grew up going to my family’s farm on the weekends. We have 700 acres in Kentucky, it’s absolutely beautiful. I’m so grateful and blessed to have that land,” she began. “I have two siblings, my brother Jacob and my sister, Elizabeth. We grew up as a really tight-knit family, always together.”

Wilson credits her family for introducing her to a wide variety of music at an early age. “I had actually been listening to quite a bit of music growing up. My parents would always play Christian radio and my brother would always play country music in the car. I felt like I got a really big dose of both of those genres. My brother would also play classic rock, and super old country songs, so that was always something that I loved,” she shared.

Despite being a music fan and playing classical piano for her entire childhood, at her mother’s request, Wilson never dreamed of being an artist. “I took piano lessons from six years old until graduating high school, like classical piano, and that was pretty much all the music I had. I didn’t do any other instruments. I didn’t sing in the choir. I didn’t sing in the car. I didn’t sing in the church. I really didn’t sing anywhere,” Wilson said.

Instead, Wilson focused on her dream of becoming an astronaut, finding herself more attracted to science and math. However, at age fifteen, when tragedy struck her family, her life and its path flipped on its axis.

The Turning Point:

The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Wilson learned that her older brother was killed in a tragic car accident. In order to cope with the tremendous loss, the songstress found comfort in the piano.

“I was singing at the piano one day, just a couple of days after he passed away, and I was really just worshiping God and having a moment to myself. I was processing all those things that had happened with my brother and my mom overheard me singing, and she came into the room, and said, “Anne I had no clue you could sing,” she shared. Adding, “I was super embarrassed and frustrated [at the time], but she asked me to sing at the funeral for my brother, because we couldn’t find anyone to sing, and I just decided to do it. I couldn’t help but do it, I wanted to honor my brother in that way, I sang publicly for the first time ever at my brother’s funeral.”

From that point on, Wilson started to fall in love with music and singing. “This whole thing kind of came out of nowhere for me, which makes it really cool,” she shared. “It started in 2017. Six months after my brother passed away, I got a call from a manager in Nashville. […] They had heard my voice because I posted one video of me singing on Youtube, and it went viral.”

After working with her manager for four years, Wilson was ready to introduce herself to the world through music. “In 2021, I released my very first single to Christian Radio. It was called, “My Jesus.” I was not expecting a thing out of it, I thought maybe it would land on the radio somewhere, and within 24 hours, it had nine million views on Facebook, and was just a viral song over night,” she shared. Adding, “My career took off immediately. I was nineteen at a time, and just moved out to Nashville the year prior all by myself. My life just changed over night.”

God moment after God moment, doors continued to open for Wilson. At the top of 2023, Wilson got a call from the head of UMG Nashville, who pitched her a joint record deal with her current label. “She wanted to work with me and do a co-record deal with my current record label. They said, “we want to take Anne to country radio, and we don’t want to change who she is. We don’t want her to do anything different. We just want her to put a song to country radio and give Anne an opportunity to really broaden her horizon and her audience.” That led into me writing songs and really figuring out if it was something I wanted to do and what I was passionate about, and it was such an immediate yes.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Wilson is a duel artist, creating music that appeals to her Christian and country fanbase. With a record completed and finished, and coming out sooner rather than later, the songstress is showcasing how she has evolved as an artist over the years.

“I wrote the entire record in two months. […] All of the record was really birthed out of the place of being a “rebel,” which is the title to the record,” she shared. “To me [my music is] more of an extension of who I am as an artist, and now being 21 writing this record, it’s just a different chapter of who I am as an artist.”

Wilson doubles down adding that it is important for her to remain true to herself. “I’m not going to water down my message for country radio, and I’m not going to water down my country production for Christian radio, but I’m going to be authentically who I am as an artist.”

Wilson just released three brand new songs under the title, REBEL (The Beginning), including, “REBEL,” “Strong,” and “Rain in the Rearview.” The latter is the first song to go to country radio, while “Strong” will head to Christian radio later next month. “Every single song was written with rebel in mind for the record,” she shared. “What does it mean to be a rebel in today’s day and age? And it means to not back down from your faith, to be a leader, to not follow the crowds, to do your own thing, and to be who you are.”

Fans can anticipate more new music coming down the pipeline from Wilson. For now, she is embarking on her first headlining tour. Find tickets here.

Connect:

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

To keep up with Anne Wilson follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X / Twitter.

Anne Wilson’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.

Alex Mather: ‘The Long Way Home’ – Debut EP Review

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Alex Mather’s releases his debut EP, The Long Way Home, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.

For Australian artist, Alex Mather, The Long Way Home marks his official debut EP, released via After Platinum Records. The 8-track project takes listeners on a journey of love lost and love found, establishing the young artist as a new face in the genre.

“Approaching the creation of this EP has been a remarkable journey,” He shares. “Every step has been an incredible ride, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share it.” That sentiment was echoed by the CEO of his label, Ernie Romero who also praised Mather. “This EP stands as a testament to Alex’s incredible talent and dedication to his craft,” he says. “We firmly believe it will resonate deeply with fans and further establish his position as one of country music’s most exciting newcomers.”

Inspired by the likes of Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, Mather’s music toes the line between country and pop with infectious tracks like “That Summer” and “Hell on My Heart.” There’s also a stirring and romantic duet with Brittany Maggs on “Everything Changed,” which allows the singer-songwriter to slow things down and share his heart.

“When I saw you // Yeah, my heart skipped a beat and I fell for you // Saw forever in a second // Give me that big white dress and that picket fence // Years and years full of happiness // So when I saw you // That’s when everything changed”

The singer recently headlined his first show in Sydney, bringing his unique brand of country and infectious stage presence to a live audience.  “I’ve worked so damn hard on this EP, my first ever,” shared Mather on social media. “It’s better than anything I’ve ever created before, this is real music….This is just the beginning.”

The Long Way Home EP Tracklist:

  1. Hell on My Heart
  2. Hurts the Best
  3. That Summer
  4. The Long Way Home
  5. A Memory to Life
  6. Let’s Just Drive
  7. Everything Changes (with Brittany Maggs)
  8. By My Side
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Alex Mather shares debut EP, ‘The Long Way Home,’ 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 Alex Mather releases.

To keep up with Alex Mather, follow him on Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook. 

The Long Way Home – EP 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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Thomas Rhett & Morgan Wallen Collaborate on New Song “Mamaw’s House”

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Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen collaborate on new song, “Mamaw’s House,” out now, September 29th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

In celebration of Thomas Rhett’s 20 Number Ones project, the singer-songwriter surprised fans by collaborating with another country music superstar. Rhett and Morgan Wallen just released a brand new duet called, “Mamaw’s House.” While country music collaborations are always exciting, seeing these two powerhouses joining forces is as iconic as it gets in these modern times.

The beautiful song pays homage to all the grandmother’s out there, and the special place they have in our hearts. Written by Rhett and Wallen with Matt Dragstrem and Chase McGill, “Mamaw’s House” begins with a touching recording of Wallen talking to his ‘Mamaw’ on the phone. It is a sweet and authentic display of affection that adds to the overall nostalgia of the song.

“It was always hotter than the grease she used to fry that chicken // Smelled like Marlboro Reds and all the butter from her biscuits // And that Lincoln in the driveway, circa 1982 // Was on the shiny side of rusty and on the paler side of blue // Cussin’ and complainin’ weren’t allowed in Mamaw’s house // If every nightstand had a Bible, every front porch had a swing // If every backyard had a garden, every front door had a screen // Well, maybe this crazy world would straighten up and slow on down // If every town had a Mamaw’s house”

While this song might not describe everyone’s relationship with their grandmothers, it is a prayer or a wish for everyone to know what it feels like to feel the love that only a ‘Mamaw’ can give.

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Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen share brand new song, “Mamaw’s House,” out now.

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

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

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

“Mamaw’s House” 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.

Boy Named Banjo: ‘Dusk’ Album Review

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Boy Named Banjo’s major-label debut album, Dusk is out now, September 29th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Admittedly, prior to receiving Dusk in my inbox, I had never heard of Boy Named Banjo. Yet, from the opening chords of “Something Bout a Sunset” to the final moments of “Opposite Directions,” I was hooked. 

For the quintet, who have been together for over a decade, the nine track album represents their major label debut with Mercury Records Nashville. Produced by Oscar Charles, the collection is a bluegrass-laden, Laurel-canyon-inspired jaunt through an epic sonic whirlwind of country meets folk meets Americana.

Composed of Barton Davies, Ford Garrard, Sam McCullough, Willard Logan and William Reames, Boy Named Banjo formed while Davies and Reames were still in high school, honing their chops busking on the streets of Nashville. Garrard, McCullough, and Logan would join soon after, completing the group.

“Our band has so many different sides and personalities to it,” says Davies. “One minute we might be singing bluegrass harmonies around a condenser mic, and the next we’ve got these big, distorted guitars and pounding, rock and roll drums. This album feels like the first time we’ve been able to capture it all at once, the first time we’ve been able to bottle that live energy and share it on a record.”

“We wanted to make a big statement with our first full-length release on Mercury,” Reames adds in a statement. ”Our influences have always been really broad and our sound has always been really wide-ranging, and we didn’t want to shy away from that. At the end of the day, this is who we are.”

The album opens with “Something Bout a Sunset,” a lush and dreamy mid-tempo about the promises a sunset seems to hold. With its hints of the Eagles and Laurel Canyon, Boy Named Banjo’s harmonies evoke visions of stunning pinks, oranges and blues. “We wanted these songs to take you on a journey,” Davies explains. “You start out soaking in a sunset with someone you think you’ll be with forever, and by the end, you’re going your separate ways and coming to terms with heartbreak and moving on.”

“Heart Attack” is an immediate standout, building fervently to a powerful musical climax where banjo meets drums that is sure to set any live stage ablaze.

“Let a spark turn into a fire //  Let it burn into the night // Let love walk us out on a wire // Girl don’t hold back // Let your heart attack mine.”

Likewise, “Feel For You (Dusk),” “Whiskey Dreams,” “Lonely in this Town” and “Young Forever” follow in a similar vein with anthemic, stadium-ready feels. Peppered with fiddle and steel, the quintet celebrates the undeniable appeal of eternal youth on “Young Forever.”

“Tonight, could be the rest of our lives // If you wanna run, we’ll hold on tight // If we could stay young together // We could stay young forever,”They sing celebratorily. “Time might pass us by // You know the way the days gonna fly // If we could stay young together // We could stay young forever”

Meanwhile “Lonely in this Town” has a hint of 90’s alternative mixed with banjo-laden twang, sounding as some sort of perfect amalgamation of the Gin Blossoms, the Eagles, Eli Young Band, and the Steeldrivers. Trust me, it works.

“I’ve always felt like ‘Lonely In This Town’ is best enjoyed driving with the windows down in your car,” shares Davies. “The music feels uplifting and euphoric with the three-part harmonies and steady groove, but then the lyrics come in and give the complete opposite vibe. It’s almost like you’re lonely but you’re happy about it. I love that duality in the song.”

“Whiskey Dreams” keeps the party going, featuring a full out jam session in the middle as the group celebrates a good buzz.

“Cause we ain’t got no troubles, honey // We ain’t gotta worry bout a thing // Ain’t it better when it’s blurry, honey // Let’s just sit and have another drink // Maybe someday everything will be like in our whiskey dreams // In our whiskey dreams”

“Mama, I’m Misbehavin’” is quite the special track, offering a different feel than the rest of the album, while still managing to fit in perfectly. Despite being the only track not written by one of the band members, the staccato delivery of the chorus over sparse instrumentation makes it another standout.

“Goodbyes are Sad” and the album’s final track, “Opposite Directions” allow the band to slow things down as they move on from the end of a relationship. While “Goodbyes are Sad” still has a hopeful feel, “Opposite Directions” finds them moving on and splitting up with resignation, sparse instrumentation adding to the haunting vocal performance.

“You go your way and I’ll go mine // She took the mountains, I took the prairies // Somewhere under that western sky I came to peace with what we buried // Ain’t no bad blood, ain’ t no one to blame // Pressure makes a diamond or pressure makes the rain // There ain’t no shame in opposite direction”

On Dusk, Boy Named Banjo makes their major label debut in the best way possible. The album is an explosive, memorable mix of catchy lyrics, brilliant instrumentation, and unmatched harmonies. I may not have heard of Boy Named Banjo prior to hearing Dusk, but I’m officially a fan who can’t wait to hear so much more.

Dusk Track List:

  1. Something ‘Bout A Sunset (Barton Davies, William Reames and Stephen Wilson Jr.) 
  2. Heart Attack (Barton Davies, William Reames, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell)
  3. Feel For You (Dusk) (Barton Davies, William Reames, Daniel Fernandez and Michael David Whitworth)
  4. Young Forever (William Reames, Luke Preston and Jonathan Sherwood)
  5. Whiskey Dreams (Barton Davies, William Reames and Angelo Petraglia)
  6. Mama, I’m Misbehavin’ (Ethan Bryan Baumgarner, Oscar Charles, Olivia Rudeen and Jonathan Sherwood)
  7. Goodbyes Are Sad (William Reames, Barton Davies, Oscar Charles and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  8. Lonely In This Town (Barton Davies, William Reames, Marv Green and Chris Stevens)
  9. Opposite Directions (Barton Davies, William Reames and Jonathan Sherwood)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Heart Attack
  2. Young Forever
  3. Whiskey Dreams
  4. Lonely in this Town
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Boy Named Banjo’s debut album, ‘Dusk’ 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 Boy Named Banjo announcements and releases.

Boy Named Banjo will take the stage at New York's Brooklyn Bowl on November 17. For more tour dates, click here.

To keep up with Boy Named Banjo, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Dusk 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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Elvie Shane Adds to Music Catalog with New Song “Pill”

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Elvie Shane shares brand new song “Pill,'” out now, September 29th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

With each and every release, singer-songwriter Elvie Shane cements his staying power in country music. He continues to create music that is both meaningful to him and his fanbase, while keeping his feet firmly planted in traditional country sounds. His newest song, “Pill” is the perfect addition to his growing music catalog.

Shane’s new song is one of his most personal to date. “Pill,” a heart-wrenching song about battling addiction is both a musical truth and a reminder to others that they are not alone. According to Shane in a recent TikTok, the song hits close to home. “My last one dropping this year, 2023. It’s very close to the ticker as they say, a very personal story,” he begins. “I wrote this song. It was inspired by some struggles that I’ve had along the way and from the perspective of a letter to myself from little brother during some of my darkest days. I hope that it reaches somebody who needs to hear it and just makes them want to go back home and try to change things a little bit.”

The four and a half minute song might be Shane’s best song to date. Country music thrives when honesty is at the forefront, and that’s exactly what is apparent on “Pill.” This is a must listen to song!

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Elvie Shane shares new song, “Pill,” 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 Elvie Shane releases.

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

“Pill'” 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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Wynonna Judd + Trisha Yearwood Pay Tribute to The Judds with New Cover

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In a new project to pay tribute to The Judds, Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood collaborate on a cover of the song, “Cry Myself To Sleep,” out now, September 28th on all streaming platforms. Listen below!

Country music never forgets to appreciate and pay homage to the musical acts that paved the way for modern-day musicians both in and out of the genre. In a new project called A Tribute To The Judds, artists are getting together to cover the iconic songs in The Judds’ catalog. Back in August, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton shared their rendition of “Love Is Alive.” Today, country music continues to celebrate the 40 year legacy of The Judds with another collaboration. Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood released their cover of the iconic song, “Cry Myself To Sleep.”

While Wynonna is of course one of the members of The Judds, it is exciting to hear how she combines her incredible vocals with superstar, Trisha Yearwood. “Cry Myself To Sleep” is a deeply honest and emotive song that certainly belongs on this tribute album. Both Wynonna and Yearwood give their all to this song, which is definitely a standout on the upcoming record.

While the full record does not come out until October 27th, fans can look forward to more beautiful tributes to The Judds. Artists like Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Cody Johnson, and Jelly Roll all lend their voices to the iconic project. Stay tuned for more music!

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Wynonna Judd x Trisha Yearwood collaborate on the cover of The Judds song, “Cry Myself To Sleep.”

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

“Cry Myself To Sleep” 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.